genius.

“I thought children of Athena were supposed to be skilled in combat.”

“Yeah, you would think, but I got more skilled with strategy and smartness than the combat part.”

“I think we should get a backup plan in case they’re not on our team, I wouldn’t trust the pegasi as far as I could throw a rock.” She answered, separating a bit of the pastry in front of her. “We haven’t hidden near Zeus’s fist in a while,” 

“Yeah, but Zeus’ fist is so predictable,” James replied. “We need to find a spot that they won’t even think to look.”

“I suppose so, I just don’t want to take any chances. We’re not getting stuck with the Aphrodite kids again.” She said, shaking her head as she spoke. “I’m thinking we could hide the flag near the pegasus stables this time, what do you think?”

“That depends,” James replied. “If we get put on the team with the Poseidon kids, they can ask the pegasi to bite anyone who comes near the flag, but if they’re on the opposite team, it might backfire.”

“Which happens more often than you let people think,” Dakota teased with a giggle.

James rolled his eyes jokingly. “Hey, it’s not really my fault that I wasn’t blessed to be skilled with weapons. I like to blame dear ol’ mom, who I don’t count as my mom, for that one.”

“Normally ‘early’ isn’t too big of a problem for me,” Vienna admitted, scratching her head groggily before looking to the other. “What’s up though? Did you need something?”

@jcmesallen​

“Are you sure? Because from where I am, it looks otherwise,” James replied. “There is a spider just chillin’ on my cabin’s doorknob, and you were the first person I thought of to kill it or something. It’s seriously triggering my fight or flight response.”

Dakota’s smile widened again, “I can always count on you,” She said softly.

“And I can always count on you to patch me up, when I try something that should work, but doesn’t.”

Emma nodded, reaching over a little on her side of the table to get her brother one of the strawberry gluten free friands, putting it on a plate and passing it to James, “Here, now you won’t starve.” She said with a laugh. “Maybe we could bribe them to be on our team. Seriously, I’m not losing again.” 

“Or we could just, I don’t know, ask them?” James said, taking a bite. “Besides they probably know we have a lot to offer when it comes to strategy.” 

Dakota leaned into him a little with a smile which quickly dropped when he asked his questions, “I’m worried about my sisters. I know I’ll probably be in the healing tents, I’d be hopeless in a fight. But they’ll be out there. I just don’t want them to get hurt.”

“Well you know me,” James started, “I’d probably be helping with battle strategy, and I’ll always make sure your sisters are in a good place for their strengths.”

“Yes, absolutely. I love that idea!” Dakota said cheerily, “Let’s go.”

James wrapped his arm around Dakota, starting to walk with her to the strawberry fields. “So, uh, what do you think about this whole recruitment stuff?”

“Oh, well, we can’t let you starve, otherwise you wouldn’t be at your best for capture the flag- and I can’t have Noah’s cabin winning again.” She said, shaking her head at the thought of it. “Do you want the same flavour as what I have? Otherwise I think the wood nymph’s made strawberry as well.” 

“I don’t mind either,” James replied. “We just need Noah’s cabin on our team. We have the brains, they have, well, the brawns.”

“I don’t think it has any in it but it was touching the croissants,” She answered, “I wouldn’t risk it, do you want me to get you another one?” Emma then offered. 

“You’re right,” James replied, and then nodded at her question. “Yeah, or else I’ll just starve.”

“Then I came at the right time. I do love it when I have perfect timing,” Dakota said, squeezing his arm gently, “Where should we walk? Our way is a bit limited but doesn’t mean we can’t go somewhere interesting.”

“I’m okay with a walk. Want to go out to the strawberry fields? It makes me happier every time I go there.”

“I guess weeping would also work.”

“I also won’t be weeping, but thanks for the concern,” James replied. “I know better than to panic at the first thing that dangerous.”

“Good, it’s not just me,” Dakota said with a smile, looping her arm with James, “You wanna go on a walk?” She asked, “I need to stretch my legs.”

“Yeah, definitely,” James replied. “I feel like I’m so slugish today, I need to wake up.”

“What are you planning on doing with that?”

“Eat it?” James replied. “Wait does this have gluten in it?”

“This doesn’t look like the typewriters I’m used to,” she admitted, looking over the object once more before moving to place it down nearby. It wasn’t exactly light. “I wonder who left it here.”

“It’s definitely newer,” James replied. “Me too, it’s a shame that people would treat a typewriter like that.”