Frostbite

I should have taken more lessons.

*stands a few feet away from Jane, eyes wide as she watches the blood pour; wobbling on her feet, Devin risks a glance down at her own pained body, eyelids fluttering at the pieces lodged in her chest, blood pouring* Oh… *with a pained breath, she collapses*

*with strained effort, Jane grabs Devin's hand, her body beginning to freeze over* I'm s-sorry... mom. *she exhales weakly and closes her eyes, allowing herself to slip away* 

I should have taken more lessons.

Yeah, that’s why. *takes a deep breath, staring at the approaching group of enemies with a sudden calm; she quickly lobs the apple towards them, hardly having enough time to react as the object bursts and causes a large explosion, pieces of shrapnel flying everywhere*

*Jane lets out a scream, covering her eyes on instinct and turning away. Once she opens her eyes, a knife slides across Jane's throat, causing her to choke and fall back, blood pouring down her chest*

I should have taken more lessons.

No, no don’t be sorry. *swallows back a few choice curses, and tries to kill more monsters; she falls back and lands painfully on an object. Looking down she sees the golden apple her mother gave her and her eyes widen* Hey.. Stand back.

Stand back? Why... *sees the apple and gasps* Holy Apollo's light, backing up. *she moves back a few steps* 

I should have taken more lessons.

Hang— Hang in there. *stands in front of Jane, stabbing another couple monsters* We’re going to be okay.

*her voice breaks* I can't even summon my sword. Wow, I'm useless. I'm so sorry! *tries her best to summon her sword, barely summoning even the smallest of icicles* 

I should have taken more lessons.

Good idea. *offers her a weak smile, hands shaking; she takes down a few more monsters, face pale* 

*freezes a few more monsters before her eyes begin to droop, and her legs feel like jelly* There's too many... 

I should have taken more lessons.

*slides in front of Devin, blasting a few monsters with ice until they shatter into snow* Hey. 

*blinks, before stabbing a monster that comes up behind Jane* Hey! 

Thought working together might mean better survival. *blushes, continuing to freeze monsters* 

*slides in front of Devin, blasting a few monsters with ice until they shatter into snow* Hey. 

Er— well flowers are always nice. I’m not an expert on decorating, unfortunately. 

But you were just decorating the camp just now?

With ice, yes. I'm an expert on ice, sir. Have you asked Hazel? She did some of the decorating in her cabin after she got here. Made it less scary. 

It's funny you say that, demigod, because neither am I. So what other things would be suitable, do you think? Apart from icicles.

Er-- well flowers are always nice. I'm not an expert on decorating, unfortunately. 

Just to get into the holiday spirit.

Er— kinda? I guess I shouldn’t go if I might die. *nods* Women love decorations. Places are boring without them. But not too many, then it just looks cluttered. 

It’s rather inevitable, as I’m sure you of all people know. *shrugs* But I’m not exactly keen to have you in my palace anyway, demigod. Miss Frost, isn’t it? And that sounds precise and complicated.

I'm aware. No offense, but I'm not keen on going to your palace. *nods* That's me. And perhaps it is. But it's nice.

Just to get into the holiday spirit.

You’ve already tried that, haven’t you? And no, it doesn’t. Side effects of visiting can include dying though. *looks thoughtful* Do you think that would be nice? Decorations? Women like that?

Er-- kinda? I guess I shouldn't go if I might die. *nods* Women love decorations. Places are boring without them. But not too many, then it just looks cluttered. 

Just to get into the holiday spirit.

*the icicle remains unmelted in his hands* So long as you don’t start with the holly and mistletoe and wreaths, I don’t care. *shrugs* I don’t have icicles in the Underworld.

I'm just the ice girl. I could always come down and decorate for you. Um, unless that requires dying...

Just to get into the holiday spirit.

It’s November. *breaks one off, holding it between his fingertips*

*smiles shyly* I like getting an early start. What do you think? *gestures to the ice* 

*narrows his at the icicles* What holiday spirit might that be?

Winter. Christmas. Don't you have Christmas in the Underworld?

I'm still washing glitter out of my hair.

It’s why she was picked, so you thought right.

I've always liked Anastasia. She's not a Disney princess, but I'd like to be her. 

I'm still washing glitter out of my hair.

*smiles, nodding at the daughter of Khione* That obvious a choice, huh?

She had curly blonde hair. I thought it fit.