Chapter 5
Regulus
Stupid Seaweed Brain. Stupid, stupid Seaweed Brain.
Some might say that Regulus was throwing a tantrum. Others might argue that shock!, Regulus Black actually may have emotions in his dark, black heart (Haha get it? Black heart? See, Regulus does have some sort of humor). But Regulus prefers to think of it as a perfectly reasonable and logical reaction to being accused of being Venus’ son by not just a legionnaire, but by a son of Neptune, nonetheless. No one in New Rome even likes Neptune (not that they would ever admit it to the god), let alone Regulus who is doing everything in his power to avoid all forms of water. Of course the fates want to have a laugh and mess with Regulus’ life even more than they already have.
Feeling validated in his actions, Regulus continues stomping towards the field that held the war games each Friday. Following his slight threat of murder on the new kid’s life, Regulus had sulked off to eat lunch on the roof of his father’s temple. Luckily no woodland creature came for his aid before he had to make his way down for the games. This morning had taken much of both his mental and physical energy. Unfortunately, it has become a common occurrence throughout the years, and as he has spent more time around camp these past few months, the birds and animals only come to him more and more often.
This morning was no different. As usual, Regulus followed the birds deep into the forest as they chattered away to each other, moving fast but turning back occasionally, to make sure Regulus was keeping up. Eventually they reached a clearing, one that Regulus knew well, both from his exploration of the forest in the day as well as from his nightmares. It was in Mars’ Clearing that laid a wounded stag, clearly dying. Regulus rushed up, trying to see if there was anything he could do. However, as with just about every time that he was called into the forest, there was nothing he could but help guide and ease the pain of the dying deer as he moved on from this world. Regulus knew it wasn’t much, but he did what he could to take the pain away from the large animal, shouldering it onto himself. He grimaced, feeling the pain, joy, and sorrow from the stag’s entire life, all at once. Eventually it was all just pain, but Regulus was glad that the animal no longer had to feel it. Finally, after several minutes, the stag’s breathe slowed and chest finally came to a stop. Regulus simply closed the animal’s eyes before closing his own and hanging his head.
Regulus stayed like that for a while, simply breathing in and out as released the pain of life and death of the animal. It was hard on his body, guiding animals as they die, and even harder on his mind, but he did it every time he was asked. The thought of the animals having to do this on their own was too much for him. And even more than that, he wishes more than anything that he could have done that for his brother. That he could have been there with him as he died, guiding him into the after afterlife. He would have stayed with him in the underworld, living out his own life among the dead if only he could have found his brother. Unfortunately, no matter where he looked, Regulus could not find his brother. Of course, the hero that he was, Sirius must have chosen to be reborn so that he could reach the Isles of the Blest. It’s not that Regulus would want to deny Sirius of this or doubt his abilities to make it there, but Regulus misses his brother. Wants him back more than anything in the entire world, no matter how long it’s been since he has seen him.
Once recovered enough where he could stand, Regulus got up and looked towards the other animals. They were all solemn, but many dipped their heads in appreciation. The birds accompanied him back out of the forest, and towards the dinner pavilion for lunch. Regulus had gotten there a little early, so he made his way to his friends’ usual table and placed his sword besides his spot before resting his head. Unfortunately, he was unable to get in a much-needed nap as chaos in human form, also named Barty Crouch Jr., bounded towards his table.
“L is for the way you look at me,” Barty belts at the top of his lungs as he jumps on the table in front of Regulus. Regulus immediately tunes him out, now used to his behavior after enduring it for the last five years. You see, while Regulus hates staying in New Rome and only spends time here so that he can see his friends, Barty would prefer to stay here year-round. Unfortunately for Barty, Barty’s step-father does not allow that to happen. Bartemius Crouch Sr. is a congressman representing South Carolina in Washington D.C. Because of this, Crouch Sr has spent the last decade or so sending Barty to boarding school after boarding school, while Barty, in contrast, has spent the last decade or so getting himself expelled in boarding school after boarding school. At first it was due to a couple of monster attacks. Then once he realized it got his dad’s attention, Barty started deliberately trying to get himself in trouble. Now, after being scouted by Lupa and being brought to the Legion, Barty gets himself expelled so that he can spend the rest of the year here. If Barty didn’t love his mom, he would have run away years ago. Also, although Barty would never admit it, he desperately wants the love and attention that his stepfather who raised him has never given him. Crouch Sr., on the other hand, is set on pretending both that both he is a family man with a son that is actually his and not the son of a woman that got pregnant a few months before meeting Crouch Sr., as well as that this son is not a demigod.
Through his thoughts, Regulus hears a very loud “E is even more for the Regulus that I adore.” Regulus had forgotten that Barty was being, well, Barty and quickly interrupted him.
“Is there a reason that your dirty shoe is stepping where my food will shortly be?” Regulus asked with his eyebrow raised.
Barty, realizing that he rather not spend the rest of the day in the hospital wing, jumped off of the table and into the seat across from him.
“Does there have to be a reason to sing about love?” Barty asked, his eyelashes fluttering. Regulus blinked in response. Barty was unfazed, as used to Regulus’ behavior as Regulus was to his.
“Well, I witnessed quite the show this morning,” Barty teased as he wiggled his eyebrows. Regulus continued his look of indifference, not particularly interested in the comings and goings of the rest of legion. Barty, on the other hand, was enamored by gossip. “Come on,” he whined as he pouted his lips, “you could at least pretend to be interested.”
Regulus raised an eyebrow but decided to indulge Barty anyways. Consider this his good deed for the week. “Yes, and what happened this morning to garner the interest of the great Barty Crouch Jr.?”
Regulus slightly regretted his decision of doing a good deed as Barty began to jump up and down in his seat. “So,’ he started off loudly, “it looks like we now have a fourth member of the hottest guys in the legion, and he’s in our cohort. There is this new demigod who is a total babe. Like imagine tan skin, huge muscles, wielding water out of the wazoo!”
Regulus looked up sharply at that last comment, “Water?”
“Yeah, I know,” Barty said flippantly, “Son of Neptune, bad omen, but I mean I think the Legion needs some shaping up anyways. Things are getting a little too quiet here, besides the whole demigod gone missing thing.”
Regulus internally darkened at the offhanded comment about Remus. It was better for them both if people didn’t know of their friendship. It was already bad enough that Lily Evans was aware, no matter how much Remus claimed to trust her. The thing you should know, though, is that Regulus doesn’t trust easily. And by this, he doesn’t trust just about anyone. His trust died the day his mother told him the Sirius died. Even Remus he only trusted as much as he trusted that Remus felt indebted to him, no matter how much he told Remus not to. Despite it all, however, he had thought of Remus as somewhat of a friend in the four years since they had met. They both had come to rely on one another in different ways.
It wasn’t long before all of Regulus’ friends showed up, wanting to finish lunch quickly so that they could prepare for the afternoon’s games. In the years since Regulus’ arrival, he had built up the 4th Cohort up from the ground. Despite his family’s status, Regulus had been chosen to join what was universally known as the worst cohort. The Black’s, and the Romans as a group, believe in proving one self’s own worth, so none of his cousins pledged for him. That on top of the disappointment in him not being his brother, Regulus ended up surrounded by those with a lack of skill and coordination. Now, however, Regulus was among the oldest in his cohort as well as the longest standing member in the legion. Through his Regulus’ personal battle skill and knack in picking out good demigods to pledge for, the 4th Cohort is the best in the legion as well as the most feared in battle. On top of that, Regulus has found himself the best friends.
As Pandora sat beside Regulus and Evan on the other side of Barty, the light streaming in from the window seemed to shine a little bit brighter. Evan and Pandora were twins, descendants of Apollo and rumored to be favorites of his, shown by their many talents. Evan, a master at the bow, could win in a fight against most of the camp, but preferred to spend most of his time helping out in the hospital wing. Pandora, however, was a seer, one of the most powerful the camp had seen in centuries. They both had golden blonde hair and freckles littering on their dark skin of their faces. While their appearances were practically identical, their facial expressions could not be more different. While Pandora was smiling dreamily with a sparkle in her eye, Evan looked like someone stepped on his food.
“You’ll never guessed what happened when we were on sentry duty this morning,” Pandora stated as she twisted her hair.
“Let me guess,” Regulus deadpanned, “a son of Neptune, an old lady, and a minotaur?”
“OH MY GODS YOU ALL MET HIM?”
“Ooo, that sounds like the start of a bad joke, doesn’t it?”
“Fortunately, we only had to witness that whole mess from afar.”
Regulus closed his eyes as his friends all spoke at once, his head still ringing from earlier in the forest. Regulus stayed like that, his head down and his eyes closed, as Barty suddenly jumped up from the table, dragging Evan with him.
Pandora, taking use of their privacy, whispered, “Are you okay?”
Regulus, while thankful for her care for him, secretly wished was a little less observant at times like this, vaguely answered, “Yeah, just couldn’t sleep well.”
While they both knew that this wasn’t the truth, Pandora only sighed and let the topic go, letting them sit in silence for a minute. It wasn’t too long that Regulus heard Barty and Evan make their way back to the table and sit down. Regulus looked up to ask Barty if lunch was ready yet, but rather than Barty’s mischievous glint, Regulus was met with deep, warm eyes instead.
Regulus, unable to contain himself, mumbeled, “Oh, chers dieux.”
The boy, whose mouth had slightly parted and eyes gone wide, suddenly blurted “I didn’t realize that a son of Aphrodite would carry such a big sword.”
Around him, the table exploded with laughter. Regulus, however, only heard a slight ringing in his ear. How anyone could mistake him as being the son of Venus, Regulus did not know how. Venus was no match for the mad woman that was Walburga Black. Before his mind had any choice in the matter, Regulus found himself grabbing a knife from his belt and shadow jumping behind the son of Neptune before ripping his back and placing the knife at his throat.
“I’m not sure if you have seaweed for brain or what, but trust me when I say I am no spawn of Venus,” he whispered menacingly. Regulus felt the other boy shiver before he removed the knife and let go of his hair. Regulus then spun to leave, grabbed a sandwich on the lunch spread that had recently appeared, and made his way back to his dad’s temple to eat his lunch in peace.
By the time Regulus leisurely ate his lunch, his running later than he liked for the War Games. Regrettably, Regulus was going to have to walk past much of the camp, including the dining pavilion, in order to reach the field that held the games. Luckily, as it was both winter and passed midday, the sun had shifted enough to where there were enough shadows for Regulus make his way practically invisible. He had to go a bit slower in order to also stay quiet, which is how he found himself stopping when he overheard his name.
“Don’t be too bothered by it,” Barty said unnecessarily loudly, “Regulus is really like a big -ole teddy bear once you get to know him. Or maybe more like a cat. You’ll find he sleeps at weird times, runs around doing who knows what at night, and likes you to pet his head.”
“I’d sleep with one eye open tonight if I were you,” Evan cut in, obviously the only one with a brain cell out of the two. “You know that despite his act for hating gossip, nothing is said or done is this camp without Regulus knowing about it.”
“I just can’t believe he’s the son of Hades-”
“Pluto,” three voices corrected.
“Yeah, Pluto, whatever,” continued the deep husky voice that Regulus unfortunately can already identify as the son of Neptune’s. “He just seems too… too nice. You know? He just looks too perfect.”
“Yes, you mentioned that once or twice,” remarked Barty with a smirk.
“Before lunch, after lunch” continued Evan, seemingly to have gotten in a better mood.
“Oooo and right before your tripped over that rock!” Pandora exclaimed, laughing.
Regulus, tired of hearing his friends discuss him, stepped out of the shadows and directly behind the group.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, we all know I’m perfect,” said Regulus, smirking as the four in front of him jumped.
“Will. You. Stop. Doing. That.” Pandora grunted as she smacked him in between each word. Regulus simply laughed as he batted her away. After she stopped and turned to continue stomping towards the main field, Regulus took the time to glance at the new demigod. Surprisingly, the other boy was already staring at him.
“Sorry,” he began while giving Regulus a confident smile, “I think we got off on the wrong foot. My name is James Potter.”
Regulus didn’t answer at first, taking in the demigod properly for the first time. James Potter was tall with dark unruly hair. He had a few scars here and there, from obvious monster fights, but nothing huge. He spoke with the same confidence that showed in the fight that morning. He wore thin-framed glasses, jeans, and an orange shirt that pulled slightly across his shoulders.
Uncharacteristically, Regulus blurted out without thinking, “Aren’t you cold?”
Regulus thought that this was a perfectly reasonable question given that it was early December in the bay area during an historically cold winter. Despite the fact that there was some weather control within the camp, it still wasn’t t-shirt warm. Regulus himself had a large green sweater thrown over his black t-shirt that he wore inside. James, on the other hand, must have found Regulus’ question funny as he let out a loud laugh.
“I run unreasonably warm. My mom used to say that she knew she could survive in the woods simply because she fry an egg on my forehead whenever she needed.”
Regulus shook his head at the insanity that he has found to be James Potter as he spotted Lily Evans ahead. He turned back to his friends to let them know he’d catch up to them in a bit, but before he ran over to Lily, he called out once more behind him.
“Oh, hey Barty,” he yelled as Barty looked up with a start, “I haven’t forgotten about your comments about me earlier. If I were you, I’d consider sleeping with your spear tonight.”