sleeping beasty

“Is that a bad thing?” Ender asked where he was lounging by the open window to his room, cigarette dangling from his lips. He cocked his head to the side at the other, pleased as he watched he younger demi lean down to pet Cleopatra, the cat clearly just as pleased that someone realized she was royalty and deserving of pets. Normally the cat kept to herself which was why she was perfect for him. “Everyone enjoys a little spooky now and then don’t they? Get off on the adrenaline that rushes them when fear enters their veins?” With a smirk he took another drag before asking, “so what brings you to my sanctuary? You interested in a tattoo?”

“No, not at all.” Robby smirked, thrilled to find Cleopatra just as enthusiastic to be pet. He reached low on her jawline to scritch before rubbing the base of her ears to massage any build-up. “I’ve always loved cats. She’s gorgeous.”

“Oh yeah. I enjoy the summer, miss it during winter, but fall is my favorite for sure. The perfect season.” At the offer, Robert looks surprised at first, raising both brows before coming to stand and shrug. This certainly was a sort of tattoo shop, maybe he should have known better. “I don’t think I’m in the market for something so extreme, but I do enjoy art. Maybe showing me some of your work could tempt me?”

Robby hadn’t been to many beach bonfires, but the warmth felt from the flames, company and drink left him feeling at home more than ever before. His shoulders sloped and his knees tucked in. A prominent smirk tugged both of his cheeks as he sat atop the white sand, watching the locals and demigods cheerfully socialize. The music was too energetic for Robby’s taste so he didn’t take part in dancing, just drinking and witnessing the others clumsy performances.

The drink they’d handed him was flavorful and juicy, with the spicy hint of ginger tingling the whole of his mouth. Cherries and pineapple had decorated a stick dipped inside, and Robby now held one end and chewed other as force of habit while the evening unfolded before him. It was nice to pretend to be normal, even while he remained the most normal of all men at camp, the pressure of serving this place and discovering his higher purpose still plagued Rob. Not now. For the time being.

Maybe this served as payment for letting his guard down; two blind drunken satyrs fell over the driftwood bench behind Robert. Sand kicked up in a spray, raining on his hair, lap, and drink. Robby nudged away from the accident, holding no grievances toward the pair, just disappointed once he found he’d need to find a replacement. “Damn.” Robby half chuckled as he helplessly swiped some sand off of his shorts. He tipped the sandy cup upside down to be rid of the ruined drink.

“Do you know who made the last round?” He asked the demigod nearest to him, peeking through dark, and now sandy curls. “I need a refill.”

—҉

Even with a demure thigh-length sweater hiding the bits of him, there was still a mild amount of apprehension that coaxed through his blood leaving the faintest of pinks to flush his cheeks. This wasn’t his home and as often as he was shirtless, wrapped in silk, or simple in little fabric in the halls of Mageia here in Aspida he felt out of place—like a poor, walk-of-shame quest. 

Luckily Robert wasn’t like many here in the home of the Minotaur; he held a sanity and modesty that was lost between victory or the forge like his housemates. With a nod he approached the other, opting for the love chair across from him, before plopping down. Legs crossed Indian-style, most of his sweater bunched over his lap keeping himself covered while the edges of the hem curled up over his exposed legs that flapped against the arm chairs. 

“You don’t have to if you are busy.” as it seemed to Wren he was, “Kite will be back soon…and as much as this is your home, you don’t need to be a host. I should be the one getting my own drink at my house or something.” he laughed, knowing this was less awkward than how he made it up in that blue head of his.

“Just getting lost for a bit... in the way that feels most natural.” Robert grunted, adjusting his seating on the couch cushion. Being lost in thought for hours did miracles for his mental health but was murder on his back. With a soft snort, Robby scratches the back of his head while stretching, “’doesn’t seem to get me very far though.” Considering he still sat here with every confidence he knew exactly who he was back on earth, but having not one clue here in Olympus. Even among new found friends. “I try to help in my own way, but... maybe this is just a crutch and I need to break my comfort zone.”

He stared at the paperwork before smiling again and finally coming to a stand. “No trouble... especially now that you’ve gotten comfortable. ‘you like matcha?”

“I see halloween’s come early this year.” Robby mumbled from where he ducked down to admire Ender’s charming cat. By the light of his grey eyes when they flicked up to inspect the framed inked drawings on the wall, he wasn’t disapproving.