Start of the Festival, The Big Feast

After a days of traveling Artemis finally made it to Catalina Island. Why the Celtics had arranged this she had no idea but she had promised Sucellus that she would help him set up the demigods camp area. She located a path and began to follow it taking the turning hints Sucellus had left though the fact that trees were pointing was a completely obvious that there was something up.

Artemis walked a little more and then she found the clearing, well this was a neat set up she concluded looking around. There was a bunch of red tents on one side and on the other blue tents. She assumed it was because Celtics had fire and the Greeks had water for their claimings. "Artemis! Where are you!" she heard Sucellus's voice calling. Artemis picked up her pace and walked over to the Festival Tables.

"I'm here Sucellus," She said looking around at the tables. They were set up nicely all the tables were black as were the benches the tarp above to protect them from the rain was white. "This actually looks pretty neat. The demigods can sure set up a festival." She looked over at the food tables, Artemis smiled so that was what he wanted. With a flip of her hair a wave of water consumed the Greeks half of the table not splashing any on the Celtics side. The water disappeared and was replaced with the traditional Greek royalties food and silver plates and goblets encrusted with jewels. "Let the Festival begin!" She shouted.

After a short boat trip, during which Isaac was holed up in a corner reading, the Celtics arrived at Catalina Island, home of the most wonderful festival. Said carnival was set up by a Greek and Celtic deity, one of each that is. Sucellus had requested that Artemis help, as he had heard, to set up a way for the two different species of demigods to meet up and hae fun, the impeding war far from their minds. This was, until the tournament, which Isaac had found himself discribing as a sort of 'sibling rivalry' between two cultures with both similarities and differences. This was under a flag of truce and the two sides were meant to mingle.

Up near the masthead, Isaac heard the soft thud of the boat landing and saw Vanora, the Camp's resident immortal and supposed leader, going taller. She semmed about to make an announcement so he dropped the book and stood to listen. She spoke of the truce over the Camps, no fighting until the tournament and such, then directed all Campers from each place to eat the foods laid out. The Celtics and Greeks bothed manouevered themselves towards the tables of their food, nobody crossing over. Yet. Isaac considered breaking this, perhaps fetching a couple of Olives (although he wasn't a fan of them) or something to break the ice, but he decided he could wait for somebody else. All should go well for the beginning. A couple of ravens circled above the Celtic table, but nobody was frightened. All seemed fine.

Isaac was slightly taken aback when a Greek walked over, clearly having noticed him checking out the Greek food, but not completely. She commented that Green Olives were supposedly good for the complexion. He nodded with a small smile. "Sounds like I'll have to try some, then." He racked his brains for anything interesting about the foods there. He pointed to the trout. "You can only catch trout easily by tickling the underside, which came from Celtic tradtion." He added the last bit for patriotic pride. He was proud of his roots as a Celt, especially being British anyway. He had ancestry in Ireland and Wales going back a long time. He'd been hoping to be related to Arthur or Lancelot, but there was no evidence of either having ever existed. He hoped he could be descended.

Isaac then held out his hand for her to shake. "I'm Isaac, by the way. Son of Cernunnos. He's wealth, death and animals. Or nature... one of the two. What's your name and parent?"

Isaac smiled at Areia's grin about the fish. It might've just been from her parentage, but she was gorgeous in his opinion. She probably didn't see him like that, though. Also, she seemed friendly enough, showing that it didn't have to be a war. Everybody could be friends. The war was avoidable, completely avoidable, the Greeks were friendly enough. Or at least, this one was. He didn't want to go all happy clappy from one nice soldier. She explained her parents, and Isaac nodded. Knowledge was always good. "Awesome. Immortal... interesting. Isn't that, like, a curse? I remember from school, Io got cursed by... Hermes or Apollo, I'm not sure which, to be immortal for spurning their advances. Also... Never mind." He wanted to ask how old she really was, seeing as she looked his age but might not be... Then again, it was rude to ask a lady for her age. He simply nodded when she asked if he was excited. "Definitely, I love the idea of the tournament. I probably won't get very far, but it'll still be fun to watch." He smiled. What if he won? That'd be totally awesome. "I think the rest of the Celts are looking forward to it as well."

Isaac smiled at Areia. She seemed really nice, especially as they were meant to be enemies. Then she asked about him. He smiled and answered. "I'm Isaac Moses Garner. I'm 15 years of age, I have celtic blood all over, and my parents did in a car crash. Since then I've been passed around families, but they've never been good except for the most recent. I've been excorsized by one family, another were Nazis, another died, another were running from the law... Recently I was taken from my boarding school and dumped at the Celtic Camp, claimed, then here I am!" He smiled. "How about you?" He must've seemed weird but, well, in many ways he was an intriguing specimen.

As Isaac heard her story, he couldn't help but feel a twinge jealousy. Of course, he'd become a master of hiding his true emotions from the 'centres' he was kept in between families. He'd assumed that all demigods had similar lives, troubled and endangered by their families. Howeer, now it seemed that at least one had a normal life. However, instead of commenting on this, he repirmanded himself in his mind and asked, "Weren't they married? Poseidon was married to... umm..." He racked his brains to remember the name, "Some Sea Goddess or other, and Aphrodite was married to Hephaestus, although she had an affair with... was it Heracles? Or Ares? Not sure..." He couldn't really comment much, being Celtic, but all the same... he didn't understand the nature of any of the gods, Celtic or Greek.

Areia was 16, so it seemed. He was only a year younger than her, which meant he got his question answered and he quite liked it. He was within her age range... He smiled. That was very good news. "Sixteen? I thought you'd be older, even though you look young and pretty... But it's impolite to talk about a young lady's age, so..." He nodded. Just adding in causally that she was pretty. Why ever not?

Isaac smiled at her as she joked about her mother. "You don't sound selfish, no worries there." He grinned. "I suppose I could've figured that'd be it. The gods love having affairs don't they? I mean, you've got the ones like you parents and the ones that my parents probably had. I suppose everyone gets the seven year itch, am I right?" He smirked at his own joke. "It must be fun being the only child though. I bet you got to go to Olympus! Oh, that must've been awesome. I wanna go to Avalon, but not much hope of that I guess. The rest don't seem to get on with my Dad, even though he's in charge of life as well as death. I guess... relatoinships are messy, and relationships between gods must be powerfully messy." He guessed that was the way of the world.

Areia thanked him for saying that she was pretty. Despite his urge to reataliate by telling her that she really was, he held it back and giggled with her when she said her Mum'd be smiling. Giggled. Isaac never giggled, or went 'Awww!' He guessed the Aphrodite allure was getting to him. He'd hav to find out how to get past that... or not. "No doubt... Responsibilities... just wait until I get siblings, like I no doubt will. I'm Cave commander, being the first claimed, so I'll be in charge. Especially if this war happens..." He didn't want it to seem like he wanted one, and he didn't want to offend anyone. "I'll be in charge of my brothers and sisters. I feel sorry for them mainly!" He chortled a little at that.

As it seemed, Areia hadn't ever been to Olympus, but loved seeing the gods. Isaac nodded and yet another few questions popped into his head. "What's it like knowing gods? I mean, I've seen my Dad, Belenus and Rhiannon I think, but... That was only for claimings. I only spoke to Dad, but you've spent time with Poseidon and Aphrodite. I mean, what's it like being so close to the forces that control the world?" He knew that must sound extremely onimous of him, talking about the forces that conrtol the world and such things. Then again, her Mum and Dad were in charge of the Sea and love, which were two of the most important things in life. Then again, his dad personified life... But he awaited her answer.

Areia explained to Isaac how she could wander freely between both her parent's treehouses, which he guessed were the Greek counterpart of the caves. "At the Celtic Camp, there's strit rules that two people of different genders can't be alone in the same Cave... I'm not sure about the same gender though. I'd have to ask Vanora. She's the kind of leader of the Celts, like you are for the Greeks. She's immortal as well, Daughter of Dagda and Morrigan. They're Earth and War, Morrigan being the female war goddess. We're loads like you guys, come to think of it. I never really saw it that way, I guess."

Areia spoke of how the were getting along really well. Isaac smiled. "I agree," He replied, "We're getting to be pretty good friends." He had a feeling he was thinking the same thing as her when he though of how awkward it'd be if they faced each other if this war happened. He sighed regretfully at the thought. He really didn't want to have to fight her. Maybe the festival was so people could realise, they didn't have to fight. Peace could easily become the same, the two sets of gods could easily be together as one.

(ooc: Just got back from camping and am trying to clean up a bit but I am wiped so I will reply tomorrow! Can't wait I have been wanting to get on so bad it was hard not having internet.)

((Sure thing... I can most definitely wait))

(ooc: sorry this took a while to get posted, but i made it extra worth the wait and super long! Enjoy :-D )

Areia grinned as he seemed to be excited and extremely interested in how it was being the immortal daughter of two gods. "It's intense. I mean to extent a lot is expected of you... I mean only be a mere 14 and I had to run this camp for all the lost and very confused demigods, whom are just realizing who they are... then having to train and protect them from the evils... it's a lot. I know its my destiny, but my parents leaving me and bestowing this intense commitment upon me was quite a lot for being 14." Areia lowered her head... she felt selfish but it was hard to explain her parents leaving, although she loves that she got to know and grow up with her parents, she felt it would have been easier not having these happy family memories that seemed to haunt her as she knew the would never happen again... Areia cringed at the thought. "But I feel the love and power and its a much greater feeling than anyone could ever imagine, I wish I could allow all the demigods to feel this power and strength."

Then Areia flash-backed to when she was 14 and her parents were telling her they were leaving and that life wasn't going to be the same, that Areia's life was changing forever and that she held a huge responsibility that would no doubt change the world...but that it was her destiny and that she couldn't change her back on it. Then Areia recalls her mother bestowing her with an orb of pink light, she touched Areia's chest where her heart lie. 'Remember my daughter, my beautiful Areia, you are mine as I am yours. You hold the same strength and power as your mother, use it wisely and use it to change the world.' Areia shed a slight tear. Then the flash-back contnued... 'My daughter, you are wise and full of strength, you have the power to control, control not only your emotions but your power... this power that I give to you is so much stronger than you could ever imagine, a demigod would die from the intensity it holds... but you being our immortal daughter can hold it, at that moment a cerulean orb glowed as he grabbed Areias hands... tommorrow you will be blessed by the other Gods, to carry on their wish and gifts... you must know this is who you are... and though it will nearly kill you emotionally... but all communication must be severed for your safety and the rest of the demigods.' Areia could barely stand to stay in thought as she recollected these painful thoughts...Then she recalled the following day after her parents gave her their power or better yet their official claiming...the other gods gathered at the center of camp the bonfire raging in all its colors, with Zeus standing tall, all the other Greek Gods including her parents surrounded the fire, Areia sitting small between her parents opposite of Zeus. Zeus announced the new laws of the Gods and their duty and the responsibility they had in Olympus, he explained how claiming would work and how Areia would continue the work they had begun at the Greek camp. He announced that Areia was the future for the Greeks, and that moment each God took turns touching Areia's head a symbol of protection and also giving their gratitude and gift. Each God returned to their tree house where the blessed the entire home and from there the blessed the gates of the camp, putting a solid protective ring around it and from there they were gone.

Areia realized how long she had been zoned out and nearly tumbled to the ground as she weakened at the knees. "It's intense knowing the Gods... I don't know if I could find another word to describe it... it's nearly draining to think about them and their power." She grinned. She continued as she remembered hearing Isaac talk about the mix genders in their caves. "At the treehouses they are mixed genders, but the only treehouse you are allowed in is your own parent's treehouse, there is a sort of protective guard at the opening door and if the blood that runs through your veins does not match that of the tree house it will identify it and permit no access." Then she listened as he talked about their leader Vanora... some how Areia faintly recognized that name. "Yes, her I've heard of..." Areia paused. "When the Gods left the explained their would be a war, and a girl, like me, would lead the opposing team." Areia's lips at the corner curled slowly downward. "I guess I never expected the reality of it all to really hit." Areia knew she felt something for this boy and she couldn't put her finger on it exactly... I mean she felt it was just friendship at first, yet she was so open around him more so than she has been with her own Greeks, and she felt safe and happy around him. She wondered how this could happen, why her mother would allow feelings to happen with an opposing rival... Areia felt very confused and drained. She knew at some point one of them would have to come out with the obvious... but she wasnt ready for it to be her. "It sucks that our parents wernt friends." she smiled.

((Should we have them get together, d'you think? By the way, good post. If I could type something that long it'd probably be published XD))

Isaac nodded. She seemed so intellectual, so brilliantly serene as well. "I dunno about that... I'm sure that some would use them for evil, not good. I should think you use it for good though, training Demigods to survive and everything... Sounds like good work. You must be proud, too, when they do well at stuff." A thought struck him, "Is it like being a Shepherd? I just thought, they'd be kind of like lost sheep when they arrived, like I was, then you make them part of the herd, or the pack, or whatever the collective noun for sheep is." He nodded. That seemed about right to him. After all, it was pretty much like that at the Celtic Camp, except Isaac couldn't remember aver meeting Vanora. He guessed he wasn't being very sociable, but that didn't really matter as he didn't imagine that his Dad was.

Areia explained that it was intense knowing the gods. Isaac imagined it, the feeling that any one, for want of a better word, person in the room could blow you into ash and blow you away as easily as... as brushing dirt from their toga. Perhaps they'd rarely ever think about it, they probably wouldn't lose any sleep over it. He wondered if gods even had to sleep. He wondered if his real mother had known who the Dad was. He wondered if she was actually still alive, but didn't know where he was. Sadly, he couldn't remember anything about her except for warmth. Warmth throughout his body, starting in his heart and spreading. He guessed that in her arms he would have felt safe. Protected.

Areia claimed it sucked the their parents weren't friends. Isaac explained. "Well, Cernunnos and Hades are getting to be friends, apparently, the Agricultural gods are starting a garden club. Maybe there won't be a war. Maybe it'll be all peace, and we can be friends without the..." He searched for a word to explain it. "Setbacks. I hope that's what happens. All the other Deities are just being childish, in my opinion. Like toddlers squabbling over who's lego tower's the best." He smiled a little at that last coment. He wondered still if she felt anything at all for him apart from friendship. He hoped so, because that might help sort out relationships. They could show love and stop the fighting, perhaps. Finally, he could make a difference!

(OOC: That could be fun...lets do it and see where it goes :-D This will be interesting!)

Areia couldn't help but be enthralled with how interested he was with her and her heritage... it meant a lot to her that he asked questions, especially being that Greeks were always taught to beware of celts and vise versus. She hoped that their friendship would develop to something more and maybe show others that there is more to the mix of us than meets the eye. "I suppose it could be in comparison to a sheep herder" Areia giggled slightly. "Although I wouldn't call my Greeks sheeps their warriors, strong souls... but I suppose the follow where I lead them." Areia smiled. She never really thought too much about it...being a leader that is... she knew she was in charge, but she felt more like she befriended the incoming demigods and then made sure everything stayed in order... but the truth is she was the leader.... Ariea smiled as she noticed Isaac lost in thought...

"I agree... It would be great if we could be friends and not have to deal with all the setbacks. I wish the Gods could see the beauty within the negative... then the negative would no longer be negative... sounds kind of confusing but there is always a positive that can come out of a negative." Areia smiled... it was pretty much her personal motto.

((Awesome, I'll get him to look interested, which is easy with characters like mine XD))

Areia commented on how she thought of them as warriors, not sheep. He nodded. "Oh, yes, of course, I'm sure they're excellent warriors... part of the reason I don't want this war. But still, the gods granted me the gift, or curse, of seeing most alternative options to everything." He sighed. "It sucks, I gotta be honest." He told her truthfully. "It must be hard for you, though. I respect you for helping them all the time... you're brilliant." To be honest, he now knew what he wanted to do; he really liekd this girl. When she'd giggled, his heart had skipped a beat, so to say. Obviously not really, as that would've pwnd him completely and given him a stroke. He loved her eyes, they were so pretty. There was nothing for it. He had to find the oppurtune moment and, like a crouching wolf, pounce.

Then, he found a moment which wasn't quite oppurtune, but good enough. Areia was saying that there was always positive in a negative. He smiled at her. "That'd be pretty awesome. Speaking of friends... Are you in a relationship with anyone romantically?" It wasn't as suave as he'd pictured it being, as in his mind he'd been more suave, but all the same it wasn't as bad as it could've been. Maybe she liked him back... But what if she was with someone? What if she was with a Son of Ares who found out and set out on a bounty hunt for... But that wouldn't happen. He stopped himself there, not wanting to be too worried. What could possibly go so wrong that would lead to anybody's death? Of course, lots, but that wasn't the point at all. He had to think positive.

Isaac felt relief course through his body as she told him that her relationship was over. She was single! Then she asked about him. "I'm single too. Never really had much time for a girlfriend though, I just accepted that I'd never stay anywhere for too long, so there wasn't any point. I'd only break their heart." Strangely enough, that song, Taio Cruise, came into his head. He kicked it out and told her, "I mean, I had feelings for some girls in different places... When I was in a little town called Merrill, near the state line between California and Oregon, there was a girl called Emmy. She was... brilliant. I thought I might get to ask her out, but then I get picked up and sent to the Celtic Camp. So... Yeah, I'm single." He'd just told a secret he never really told anyone. At least, the last bit anyway. However, at that moment, he thought about Hayley. He thought he liked her, but now he liked Areia too. However, the moment was seemingly ripe, and so he took it by the neck. "So... If you aren't with anyone, then there's nobody to feel jealous. Fancy having dinner with me at some time, after the tournament?" He asked, glad that he'd got it off his chest and hoping that was the last he'd hae to do. Embarassment or his first girlfriend; this was it.