tushanshu | [video]

[ Olivia's looking down when the camera comes on, trying to find the right way to phrase this. When she finally looks up, it's with a thoughtful, worried expression, and she takes a deep breath before she speaks. ]

It's pretty obvious to me by now that having... abilities isn't exactly uncommon here. It is, where I'm from. I met a few people who did have... I guess you could say special powers, back home, and... Maybe it's just the circumstances those abilities came from, but to say the results were disastrous would be an understatement.

[ She glances away, pressing her lips together. Coming to the point isn't easy. If she were asking one person, that would be one thing, but she doesn't know who to go to, and letting everyone know just how clueless and confused she is right now... It's not her favorite thing in the world. ]

I was hoping someone with some experience with this sort of thing could tell me how you handle those abilities. How you control them. Something happened to me when the city was attacked, and... I don't want it to happen again. I don't want to risk hurting anyone.

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Oh man, I can relate. [and then because he's nosy and read the other threads--] You've got fire powers, right?

[ She nods. ] Apparently. Can I ask what yours are?

All water related. I mean, I don't have to worry about things the same way you probably do, but I get how frustrating it can be to learn to control properly.

I might not be too much help, but if you wanna practice or something, I can at least put you out if things get out of control. Unless you're summoning lava, I'm basically immune to fire, too.

[ She laughs a little. ] I'm pretty sure lava's not going to be a problem. Honestly, I'd rather just find a way to not... do that again, but if that's not an option and I need to practice, I might take you up on it. Thank you.

Hey, you never know with some people. [He laughs, but her next comment prompts him to be a little more serious.] You might...not be able to stop it. I mean, I don't know what abilities are like where you're from, but usually with that sort of thing - once you've got it, you kind of have to learn to live with it, you know?

[He makes a face] Sorry, that's basically the crappiest pep talk in the world. I hope it works out the way you want it.

[ She laughs softly, shrugging with one shoulder. ] I've heard worse. Maybe not the most encouraging thing in the world, but I'd rather hear the truth. Thank you...

I'm sorry, what's your name?

Yeah. It usually sucks, but most of the time it's better to hear it. [His voice seems distant for a moment, like he's somewhere else entirely. He starts a little when she asks his name]

Right! I'm Percy, nice to meet you.

[ Olivia smiles warmly. ] It's nice to meet you too, Percy. Thank you again.

Nice to meet you, too! And it's no problem, really. There's kind of a whole two Camps of people with weird powers back home, I'm used to this kind of stuff.

How long've you been on the turtle?

A little over four months. You're fairly new here, aren't you?

Jeez. [Excuse him for a moment, his ADHD is sending his thoughts scattering all over the place.] Uh. Yeah, I've only been around for a couple of weeks. I don't mind being here that much, though. The turtle's pretty cool, and there are worse things than the Emperor out there.

[ She can't help but smile faintly - she'd have thought the same thing at his age, though what that says about his home life, she's really not sure. ] I guess there are. So far, at least. I'd still be missing home, my family...

[Something in his expression tightens, just a little. He responds seriously, but still with an air of positivity] I'd already been gone for half a year before any of this happened. It wasn't my idea, but I at least managed to get in contact with my mum before anything too bad happened. I mean, I miss her, and I miss my friends, but if the kedan are right - at least they don't have to miss me, you know? That's what I'd be more worried about. If things were moving on without me back home, that'd be a whole different story.

You're right. That's a good way to look at it. [ If you believe it, which Olivia's not sure she does, but for her own peace of mind... ]

You seem like you're used to being away from home. Is that because of the Camps you mentioned? ...is everyone who has powers in your world in one of those?

It's that, or run around freaking out and still not being able to do anything. [His voice takes on a dry tone at that, like he'd considered this as an option]

I...yeah. [Percy rubs a hand over his face, looking a little drawn. This conversation has brought to mind his mother, who he'd only been able to contact via a message on her phone before...falling into Tartarus.] I mean, kind of. Where I'm from, mortals with powers are usually demigods. And demigods have this smell, apparently, which is like pizza to monsters. The more powerful you are, the more monsters that come to you. The Camps are like safe havens for us, with magical boundaries that keep out the monsters.

Well, most of the time.

Is it just people your age in the camps, or...? [ They can't just stay there forever, right? Even if it's safe there... ]

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