warm honey.

althea chuckled at the other girl’s words, raising an eyebrow. “okay,” she said, her tone slightly inquisitive as she wasn’t exactly sure how to respond. “well, don’t ditch them. they work on you.” she listened to murphy’s little explanation, tilting her head slightly. “i think you could. or, at least, you should, because you seem alright.” she paused for a moment before adding, “i’m althea, by the way.”

“ just one of my elaborate compliments, which you’re probably going to get more in the future. ” she noted, catching the confusion in althea’s expression. “ consider these shades saved. it might seem that way, but once someone told me they didn’t like me and i could barely sleep. so i bought them a muffin basket. i don’t even know if they like me now. oh my gods, i have no idea how i’m going to sleep tonight. ” she paused, taking in a breath before she could go on another tirade. “ i’m murphy, serious pleasure to meet you.

laughing lightly, he smiled at murphy as she released her frustrations on him. “i don’t have to say anything, you’re already showing it. murphy, i dug nothing up really. i just simply said a few words and you spilled your guts for the world to see. well, don’t think you’re the first to throw punches at me. cute, that’s very cute but i’m afraid i’ll pass for now.”

“ simple words is one way to put it. ” she spat, folding her arms indignantly. “ you did it on purpose because you wanted to be a jerk about it. trust me, with that nasty personality of yours, i know i’m not the first one to break your nose. how much longer are you going to keep up the ‘i’m a cool asshole’ facade ?? ”

ugh, scrapbooks are so sentimental. money would allow me to get exactly what i want and you wouldn’t have to worry about whether or no i would be secretly returning it behind your back. it would avoid so many future issues. but hey, your choice. surprise me.

duh, that’s the point ! i swear, i’m going to get you to squeeze out a few tears with it. i’ll consider dropping a few drachmas in there. you say that as if i would get you the wrong gift ! atherton presents are always made with laborious work and, admittedly, tears. but a list of things you want would also be super helpful.

“I’ve had it since I was seven.”

“ then i’m an idiot--and you have to tell me the story behind it. scars always have stories behind them. ”

“Since I’m trying to perfect a knew explosion spell that uses a potion to make it more intense. and pretty much always murph. When did you get back in?”

“ uh, very cool ! let’s just keep the explosions out of the cabin, jaxson. i got in like... a week ago. i guess college just bashed my brains out and i totally forgot about your infatuation with explosives. ”

“Well you’re in luck because I cook really really well. kale isn’t bad if you do it right.” She reassured her as she continued into the kitchen. “C’mon, it’s really empty. Well I obviously love you too because if you’ll help me put them together I’ll watch them so they don’t burn and we can eat good stuff. 

“ to think i thought my luck was out, you are a legitimate godsend calix. ” murphy was practically preaching her friend. “ you know i love you, but i swear kale tastes like dirt. i’m surprised it’s empty, i would’ve thought other campers would be raiding it by now. so, are we doing plain pizza or are you gonna go all gordon ramsay and make something gourmet ?? ”

“Nope, common misconception. Only Nico and I can raise the dead. Silas and Damian have Shadow Travel. So it wouldn’t be as creepy. I honestly think a lot of kids are that way because we’re a mixture of our parents. My mom was so far off from my dad. But definitely not Demeter. Maybe Apollo with me.” She offered with a small grin. For better or worse they had their parents. “No need for drachmas. Dear dad makes up for his absence and not having my mom by footing the bill. Or I assume that’s what taking care of me means.”

“ thank gods, if damian could raise the dead, it’d also raise some problems since he’s got such an ares-esque personality. and speaking of nico, he has yet to give me a mandatory mom hug. where is that tiny runt ?? ” she pried, cocking her head to the side. “ maaaybe, but i think i’ve got a darker personality hidden compared to the apollo kids. jesus, does hades pull this kinda treatment with all of his kids or are you just extra special ?? ”

“You could, but you won’t. You love me too much. Besides, I’m already admitting you’re my favorite Hecate kid. If that doesn’t fix things, I don’t know what will. Half of the box means half of the love declaration, so choose well.”

“ i don’t know, i’m already sifting through the potential candidates residing in the poseidon cabin. you’re not admitting anything until you put it into official writing. gods, fine, the entire box. start writing, moretz. ”

“I am the best and you know it. Who said I only wanted one cookie? I want the whole package. If I get the entire box, I will say whatever you want me to say and write whatever you want me to write. Think about it.” 

“ you know, i might just denounce you as my least favorite poseidon kid. oh, how the tables have turned chris. you know i can’t give you the entire box, even if it makes me your favorite hecate kid again. what can i get if i give you half of it ?? ”

“I wouldn’t touch that if I were you…it might blow up. No that isn’t a joke either.”

“ wait--what ?? oh my gods, since when were you into explosives ?? ” 

“no catch.. it’s just free candy up for grabs.” toni flashed a friendly grin at the other and held out her hand. “toni silvia, it’s a pleasure to meet you.. uh, what’s your name?”

“Those people are stupid, but that’s a much better way of thinking. I was thinking homemade pizza. Something other than kale. What do you think?” She asked, holding the door open.

“ homemade cooking is my actual kryptonite, i am gods awful at cooking. but because i obviously love you, we can give it a try since kale is probably the nastiest vegetable there is. ” murphy paused abruptly, entering the allegedly empty kitchen. “ that is, if you’re okay with burnt pizza. ”

“Sure I can. We’re both twenty now and even if he plays the birthday card I can just say that I’m older and I know best. Okay but the only one that actually acts like they belong there is Nico. Damian is more Ares, Silas is totally Hermes, and I’m more..Apollo? It’s weird.” She counteracted but grinned. “Good. We’ll seal it with ice cream. C’mon we can go now. You can get a one piece…if it’s super cute and looks really good on you.”

“ i’ve watched hecate kids fight, but i’d rather not watch two hades kids fight knowing you guys can raise the freaking dead. i get you, i don’t think even i fit into my own cabin. like, if i wasn’t a hecate kid, what the fuck would i be ?? a demeter kid ?? ” with a shake of her head, she decided not to divulge into the matter too much. it wasn’t worth wracking her brain about which cabin she truly belonged in. “ fine, fine. but we should probably grab some drachmas before. ”

“I’m fine, nothing to worry about.”

“ either i’m not perceptive or just an idiot--i didn’t think you had a scar. is this new or ?? ”

a smirk happened upon his features as he nodded his head, totally not believing her but allowing her to have this one thing. "i’m a little offended you wanna avoid me, murph. i thought we were totally close! what i said could’ve been worse, i think you’re being a little too sensitive. ah, well, that’s a puts a damper in our friendship, doesn’t it?”

she wasn’t slick with backtalk, not like he was. and she hated how easily he saw through her lies. “ oh fuck you, robert. whatever, go around saying i’m sensitive when you dug up things you should’ve never touched in the first place. wow, you think ?? i was sure you wouldn’t be able to get past that. if you want, i can refresh your memory. ”

“I’d be freaked out if you followed me right into the showers… caught me naked or something,” he said with a grin. “I usually don’t but it was the only way I could think of that would cool me down, without having to jump into the lake,” Finn pointed out with a shrug, though he regretted that action afterward as a wave of pain passed through his shoulder. “Oh yeah? and what would those be?” He laughed and fell into step beside her.

“ no, no. definitely not, we’re not on that level of friendship. and imagine the rumors campers would spread if someone caught me. i would die. ” she objected, shielding her face with her hand to hide complete mortification. “ whoa, whoa, are you okay ?? ” murphy reached out to lightly touch his shoulder. “ well, don’t laugh, i have yet to conquer that wall. just don’t slip ?? i can really only offer you some sparring advice. ”

althea leaned back as soon as she realized that the other girl’s face was getting much closer. “yeah? i’m a good liar, but i do actually like those glasses.” she took a step back to restore her posture, crossing her arms. “just wear whatever you want, screw what everyone else thinks.”

noticing the girl’s discomfort with their close proximity, murphy leaned back. “ ah, you magnificent spinster lady ! consider me touched with your honesty. truth be told, i was about to ditch them with the negativity they were getting. it would’ve been such a waste of six bucks.” she replied, her lips pulling into a smile. “ sadly, i can’t rock the ‘i don’t care what people think’ attitude. if people don’t like something about me, i lose it. ”