Arrival at Last
Hermes looked them over. “Well, travellers.. We've arrived at our destination!” He gestured at the magnificent forest around them, that not only looked at the forbidden forest, with trees so green they could only be magical, but also felt dangerous in the way only powerful places could be.
Regulus immediately felt at ease, which made him wary in turn. They all silently shared looks, each no doubt wondering where the camp was. Even his mother clicked her tongue judgy, while her eyes roamed attentively at the shadows of the trees around them.
Sirius had once in Regulus’ first year at Hogwarts, when they still actually told each other things, camped out in the forbidden forest like the lunatic he was and told Regulus about it. Perhaps this camp was like that?
Sure, the place felt magical, Regulus was certain they must feel it too, but surely it couldn't just be a forest?
Rosa gave in first. “I'll bite, where is the camp?”
Hermes hummed thoughtfully to himself. “You know, I have never really gotten the chance to get to know people who were in the Lotus Hotel for as long as you have been, but now I've gotten the chance to observe you, there's something I find curious.”
Rosa tilted her head slightly to the left. “Which is, Lord Hermes?”
“The way you speak.” He replied. “You do not come from this area, yet I don't notice any outdated words. In fact, if I didn't know that you lot were in the Lotus Hotel, and are from a different era, I wouldn't even have thought you to be.”
Jack grunted. “I never really thought about that.” He admitted, “But Red and Co here got some weird shit going on.”
Hermes grinned. “You truly are your father's son, Jack. Language is an interesting thing, especially for a God like me. It travels around the world and changes with it. It develops through time, space and everything in between. Yet, in a place frozen in time, as the Lotus Hotel is, I would assume you to not pick up modern language without even thinking about it.”
Charlie huffed. “Can we go to camp now?” He asked petulantly. “I wanna see Chiron again!”
Hermes nodded. “Of course, never let it be said that I'm not a good tour guide.” He waved his hand at the most beautiful pine tree Regulus had ever seen, “This here is a tree called Thalia.”
Huh, the tree has a name? Regulus supposed it made sense, as for all he knew, trees were sentient and sapient. It definitely wouldn't be the weirdest thing, as he was a literal Demigod and knew objects could be sentient and sapient too, especially magical ones, and this place definitely was magical.
“Thalia? Like one of the Muses, the goddess who presided over comedy and idyllic poetry?” His mother asked, intrigued.
Hermes made a ‘so-so’ gesture. “Technically that's Thalia, but not this Thalia.” He smiled bitter-sweetly at the tree. “This Thalia is my sister.”
Oh well, that might as well he, he supposed. Greek mythology was weird, and it definitely made him glad that Hades and Persephone didn't get around as much as Zeus. Having so many direct relatives, even if Gods didn't have any DNA, must be tiring. He had been a Black, so was all too familiar with that specific brand of annoyance.
“Well, mortal sister, so technically she wasn't exactly my sister.” Hermes mused out loud. “Still, she deserves the recognition of being my sister, so she's now. I claim her to be my sister.” He stated it as if he had just given Thalia the greatest honour ever.
Nico hummed. “Sooo.. As no one's asking it, I will. Why's she a tree?”
Bianca hit him softly on the head, causing Nico to hiss at her like some sort of kitten.
“Ow! What'd you do that for?!” Nico glared at her.
Bianca huffed. “You can't just ask people why they're trees, Nico.”
Regulus shared an exasperated look with Maria over their antics.
Maria shook her head. “Your sister is right, Nico. People can be trees and there's nothing wrong with that. Just like there is nothing wrong with asking questions. Just remember to be more polite next time and think before asking questions.”
Nico nodded. “Si, mama.”
“I love you, my little ghost.” Maria said.
“I love you too, mama.” Nico muttered, cheeks reddening slightly at the attention they were getting from the other's.
“And Bianca?”
“Si, mama?” She asked with that innocent voice, only she could manage.
“Don't hit your brother.”
“Si, mama.
Hermes looked warmly and most of all, enviously at them for a moment. Regulus would have missed it, had he not been paying attention. “I wish I could have that with my children.” He muttered so softly that only Regulus, who was standing next to him, could hear it.
Hermes straightened. “To answer your question, Nico, Thalia is a tree because she is my sister, a Demigod of my father, the Lord of Olympus. Our father turned her into a tree so she could watch over and protect your camp, while still being alive. It is a tragic, yet noble life.”
Nico scowled. “Your father sounds like a bitch.”
The thundering sky above seemed to disagree. “See?” Nico gestured at the sky, “That's what I meant.”
Bianca and Charlie giggled. “He's the Lord of bitches.” Bianca agreed. “His bitchiness..” Charlie made an exaggerated bow.
“Madre Mia, there are three of them..” Maria muttered to herself.
Regulus nodded solemnly at her. “To be fair, you get to raise them.” He grinned.
Maria brightened at the thought. “That's right, my lion.” She looked at the Lotus Hotel Demigods, “All these Demigods are mine now.”
Hermes cleared his throat. “You cannot claim Godly children.” He stated. He gestured at Tommy and Rosa, “Some of them aren't even children anymore.”
Tommy and Rosa shrugged. “We don't mind.”
Even Charlie grinned. “Exactly! It's ‘Mama Mia’ for a reason and her name is Maria, so she's our mom now!”
Bianca huffed. “You can't steal our mother!”
Nico grinned. “He can be our brother!”
Bianca hummed and looked Charlie over, before grinning just as unhinged. “Alright, we can share.”
Nico and Charlie high-fived. Regulus could feel a headache coming up. That seemed to happen a lot these days with the sheer chaos of his siblings, and he apparently had just gotten even more of them. Lord help them all..
Tommy looked carefully at Thalia's tree. “Is there a reason she was turned into a tree?” He asked warily. “No disrespect to trees, of course, but personally I would prefer to not be one.”
Hermes nodded. “There is. As I told you, she's a daughter of the Lord of Olympus..” He glanced at Regulus and his siblings, “A forbidden child, as children of the big three, Lord Zeus, Hades and Poseidon, that is, should not exist. They tend to be too powerful.”
Regulus knew that story, and he knew that his siblings knew as well. It was the reason they went to the Lotus Hotel in the first place, after all. Yet, seeing one of the consequences of the prophecy was different than having heard it. He couldn't help but think of all those murdered children, whose only fault had ever been being born.
Maria walked towards them and stood protectively in front of him. “No one will turn my children into trees.” She said calmly, looking Hermes straight in the eyes.
He laughed in response. “You are a daughter of your mother, alright. Beautiful, bold and oh-so protective of what you care about. People always underestimate Aphrodite, and why, I could never fathom, but I won't make that mistake.” His eyes brightened a tiny amount, yet it made the air around them heavier, “just remember not to fly too close to the sun, it would be a shame for your wings to melt.”
Apparently the camp was right after the hill they stood on and Thalia was some sort of sign to know they made it. It was clever and suited with the whole ‘she watches over the camp’ thing Hermes said.
Regulus wasn't entirely sure what to expect upon seeing the camp, but he wasn't disappointed. There were temples, teens and children in those hideous orange shirts and other creatures from mythology such as pegasi, everywhere. The temples weren't just white as the ancient ones are, but they were painted in the most beautiful colours imaginable.
Curious looks followed them everywhere, but the campers appeared to have enough restraint to not outright walk to them and ask them irritating questions. It was probably because of the God that led them, but Regulus was grateful for it. Having to deal with nosy children was the last thing he wanted.
Aren't you at least slightly worried you'll get turned into a tree or the likes?” Rosa whispered at him, her own voice not quite hiding her apprehension.
“Reggie was a criminal in a past life,” Jack stage-whispered, “nothing scares him.”
“He isn't a criminal!” Nico exclaimed so loudly, everyone who hadn't been looking at them yet, instantly looked at them.
Hermes chuckled without turning to look at them. “If you are one, I don't mind. I am the God of thieves for a reason.” He said, wiggling his eyebrows and fingers.
Jack was technically not even wrong, Regulus supposed. Being a Death Eater was the equivalent of being a terrorist in a cult, and terrorists were criminals. He shrugged. “It's only a crime when you get caught and I've never been caught.”
Hermes nodded approvingly. “Preach to that!”
Tommy winked at Rosa. “You know, I am somewhat of a criminal myself too.”
Rosa huffed amused. “Oh, really? Then what is your crime, my fearsome criminal?”
Tommy somehow grew even more smug. “Why, stealing your heart, of course!”
Charlie fake gagged. “Lame!”
Jack fake cooed. “Aww, baby thinks romance is icky? Baby need nap?”
Charlie glared. “I'll make you nap! Forever!”
Jack only grinned wider in response. “Bring it on, punk.”
“This will end in bloodshed,” Nico stated gleefully.
Bianca grinned. “It is called ‘Camp Half-BLOOD for a reason, is it not?”
“Yes.” Charlie and Jack replied at the same time.
“It's gonna be bloody awesome!” Charlie shouted.
Rosa sighed. “Bloody dangerous, more like it.” She glared at Jack. “Do you seriously want to have beef with a twelve year old? Where's the glory in fighting a child?”
Jack hummed. “You do have a point, I suppose. Only a loser would fight a child. The odds would be too… uneven. Like a gladiator having to fight a pack of lions.” He looked at the disappointed looking Charlie, “Don't look at me like that, we can still spar.”
Charlie brightened. “We can?!”
“Of course, runt. You gotta become strong enough to be a fair opponent in some way, no?” Jack replied.
At last, they stopped in front of a beautiful big house that looked like the temples around them. Yet it had a different feeling. Where the temples felt powerful, this house felt welcoming. The columns were adorned with vines and flowers, and the air around it seemed to hum with a gentle, inviting energy.
Without Hermes opening the doors, they opened on their own, revealing a spacious, warmly lit foyer. The scent of fresh pine and baked goods wafted through the air, making the newcomers feel instantly at ease.
“Well, I suggest we don't leave D and Chiron waiting,” Hermes said cheerfully, not looking back to see if they followed. He strode confidently across the polished wooden floor, his winged sneakers not making a sound.
As they walked through the house, they passed rooms filled with comfortable furniture, shelves lined with ancient scrolls and books, and walls adorned with tapestries depicting heroic deeds. He even saw a grand library that reminded him so much of the one in Hogwarts, he just had to see it. The atmosphere was a blend of history and home, a place where legends were born and nurtured.
Finally, they reached a large, oak door at the end of a hallway. Hermes knocked once, and it swung open to reveal an office. Inside, two men were playing a card game. One of them sat in a wheelchair and the other was drinking from a bottle of diet coke. Regulus had never tasted pop, nor had he any intention to, but the man in front of him seemed to enjoy it enough.
After seemingly being done with the bottle of coke, the man squinted at Hermes, his voice gruff and laden with surprise. "Hermes, what brings you here?" he growled. "And how in the world are Churly and Jick still alive?"
Charlie grinned. “You remember us?” Even Jack looked positively surprised.
The man waved his hand. “You’re not special, kid. I never forget one of you brats.”
Jack shook his head amusedly. “Wow, Lord D, who would've thought you actually cared?”
Lord D? Dionysus? grunted. “Don’t test your luck, Johnny. I can still turn you into a kitten.”
Rosa immediately stood straighter, before bowing. “It is a pleasure to meet you, milord.” She quickly shot a glare at the rest, who followed her to bow to the God.
Dionysus sighed. “Only a spawn of Athena could be this formal and has actual self-preservation instincts.” He stated.
Rosa nodded proudly. “I am. My Lady mother technically still has to officially claim me, but she claimed me nevertheless. ”
Dionysus hummed. “I already thought so, considering your accent. It is curious that you ended up in America. Most of your kind do not survive an overseas trip like that.”
Tommy nodded. “It is a long story, My Lord.”
Dionysus sighed. “When is it not?” His expression seemed to say ‘I need a drink’. Regulus could relate.
Maria sat down on one of the open chairs. “We,” she gestured at Rosa, Tommy, Bianca, Nico and him, “Are all from Italy.”
Dionysus looked intrigued at Maria. “How interesting, an adult demigod. Especially one as beautiful as you.”
Chiron cleared his throat, “Perhaps it is a wise idea to not flirt with the Demigod?” He suggested dryly.
Maria chuckled. “It is alright, you look lovely yourself too. However, my heart is already taken by others.”
Dionysus sighed. “A shame.” He looked at Regulus and his siblings. “These brats are yours, I assume?”
Maria smiled sharply. “They are. You might say that death and love are old friends.”
Chiron paled. “Surely you do not mean to imply that…”
Dionysus looked even more interested at Regulus and his siblings than before, before bursting out in laughter. “Oh, but she does!” He wiped away a tear of laughter, “Those are undoubtedly children of the Lord of the Underworld! Powerful ones, at that. Who would have thought all three of them would break the oath?”
Chiron cursed in ancient Greek.
Hermes cleared his throat. “Technically, Lord Hades did not break his oath.” He pointed out.
Chiron raised an unbelieving eyebrow “Then how would you explain these three?”
“The Lotus Hotel, also known as the Lotus Eaters.”
Chiron cursed once more in ancient Greek.
“It is also how we managed to all be together in America,” Rosa added.
“And how we survived for this long instead of being old or dead” Jack mirthfully added.
Dionysus opened another can of coke. “Great, just what we needed.. Time travelling, powerful demigods.” He looked them over, “Do any of you have special abilities? Such as pyrokinesis, flight, the ability to make anyone you want angry, the ability to summon olives, the ability to summon the undead, mind-control, and the likes?”
Rosa chuckled awkwardly, before popping an olive into existence.
This time, both Chiron and Dionysus cursed in ancient Greek.