"Mr. D, this is Caleb Thorne. Caleb, this is Dionysus, better known as Mr. D, our director."
He didn't even look at me, just kept playing cards. Well, not that I care — must be god stuff, thinking they're superior.
"Are you expecting a welcome? Cleberon, little horse, take him to his cabin and leave me alone."
Chiron just sighed and kept looking at me. He seemed afraid. I think he thought I was going to mock him. Well, I'm not stupid.
"Well, Chiron, do you know where I can take a shower and get out of these pajamas? And is there something to eat?"
Mr. D stopped playing cards and looked at me. His eyes looked like galaxies I'd seen on TV. The smell of grapes, but sour, started to emanate from the place.
"You think you're special, Cleber Thores."
His voice seemed to come from everywhere. Was he trying to scare me? I felt danger, but not fear. I took a step forward.
"Of course not. After all, there will always be someone stronger than me. But if you think I'm wasting your time here, fine, I'll leave. Chiron, do you know where I can take a shower? Oh, and could you do some magic and go to the city to buy some basic things? I'll pay you later, and well, I owe you a favor."
Chiron started massaging his forehead, and Mr. D… well, he was staring at me.
"Caleb, be careful with your words. Depending on what you need, I might not be able to accept."
"Well, a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, some creams, you know… and some shoes, warm sweaters since it's September and winter is coming. And if possible, something to tie my hair, like ribbons, and well, a comb too. Oh, of course, towels. Later I'll pay you or owe you a favor. Well, my mom is rich, hahahahaha."
"Cleberis, if you bring me wine, I'll help you," said Dionysus, looking at me before I could answer.
"Caleb, you don't need a favor for something so simple. I'm a teacher in the mortal world. And a tip: don't offer favors for something so small. And don't listen to Dionysus — he's being punished by his father," said Chiron, who looked at me strangely. These guys have issues.
"Shit, pony, you don't need to warn him. Don't meddle in my business," said Mr. D, turning the can in his hand.
"Of course, it's just that… well, since I'm going to live here now, I need these things, right? I don't have a house outside, so this is my home too. Of course, I can help. I don't have money, but I can work a few hours to pay, if there's rent or my expenses, of course."
Well, this is really good. Even gods can't just have it easy, right? But then came an awkward silence.
"Did I say something wrong? Wait, don't tell me everything here is free. Is that possible? No, it can't be. Wait…" I said, holding a little bag in my hand. "I get it — we train and kill monsters. Each monster we kill has value, then we get paid, right? Hahahahaha, that's so cool, exciting, hahahahaha."
Man, if it's like that, it reminds me of The Witcher. How cool would it be to go around the world hunting monsters? But looking at their reactions, it's not really like that.
"Sorry, I'll stay quiet. Chiron, explain it to me. I think if I talk more, Mr. D might get angry."
I said, looking at them. Mr. D took another gulp of his soda.
"Finally, Clebos. A few more words and you'd turn into a dolphin."
Chiron came closer and put his hand on my shoulder.
"Caleb, thank you. Come, I'll show you your cabin."
He started walking, and well, I just followed him, feeling excited. Damn ADHD.
When we left, he seemed to leap. What had been a wheelchair now seemed to have disappeared, and from the waist down he was a white stallion. He looked at me.
"Much more liberating… I hope it doesn't bother you."
"Of course not, I actually think it's cool," I said, giving a thumbs up.
We started walking to where there were 12 cabins forming a perfect U. The largest looked like a marble temple with bronze doors. It had lightning bolts drawn on it. Must be Zeus's — only an idiot wouldn't notice.
Then I looked at another: low and long, made of gray sea stones and shells. This is getting too obvious… Poseidon, right?
Chiron was talking about how we had to do this and that, but I wasn't paying attention. This guy seemed more like a teacher than a centaur.
I looked at a red cabin. It had barbed wire on the roof and a boar's head mounted above the door. Sitting there was a dark-skinned girl with black braided hair, staring at me with a smile. Well… she's pretty, but I think she's a psychopath.
I turned my eyes to another cabin that looked like solid gold. Seriously, is that gold? If I took a piece, would it be worth good money?
I was walking without noticing that Chiron had stopped and called me. I ended up bumping into someone, but I didn't fall. I felt a strong hug. I thought: smell of earth… but it was more like perfume. Pleasant.
"Caleb, you heard the rules and already know how it works. Katie, I leave him with you," Chiron said and started leaving.
More rules, damn… I didn't even pay attention.
She let go of the hug. I looked at her: bronze skin, wavy brown hair, green eyes, freckles on her face. She was wearing an orange shirt with a Pegasus and the words Camp Half-Blood.
Looking closer, we seemed to be the same height. She was also 11 years old.
"Nice to meet you, little brother. I'm your older sister, Katie Gardner, counselor of Cabin 4," she said with a smile.
"Pretty cool," I said, looking at the cabin.
The roof was covered with real grass and flowers. The walls were full of vines with tomatoes and purple flowers. It looked rustic, but I felt it was alive.
"Yes, come. I'll introduce you to our siblings. They're excited and eager."
I entered the cabin. Right away, I felt the soft grass floor and a big oak tree in the center, serving as the base to hold the roof. Standing there were three girls and a boy, all looking at me. They all had brown hair. One who looked like Katie said: "Welcome, I'm Miranda Gardiner. These are Olivia Fields, Mel Miller, and Lucas Green." I looked at him.
"Well, nice to meet you. I'm Caleb Thorne. So, where do I sleep?"
"Well, you can choose one of those," she said, pointing to the back. The beds were simple wooden bunk beds, rustic. Looking closer, the place was full of vases and arrangements with various flowers. It smelled very fragrant. I felt relaxed here. I went to the back and chose the top bunk.
"Here we have soap and the camp clothing. When you want to shower, Lucas will show you," Katie said with a smile.
"Thanks, Katie," I said, sitting on the bed, looking at the place, and them staring at me.
"So, do you guys need anything?" I asked, looking at them.
"No, nothing," Katie replied, turning her head.
The atmosphere was getting strange.
"Lucas, show me where I can shower."
"Sure, come with me, brother."
I got up and followed him. Some campers stopped to look at us.
"So, seems like there are few people."
"Yes, most go back to their human parents' homes."
We arrived at a white stucco bathroom with a red tile roof. It looked like a small building.
"Well, here it is. Try to be quick." I just nodded.
Upon entering, I noticed the interior was functional: rows of porcelain sinks, mirrors, and stalls. The showers were in compartments separated by simple curtains, like in a school locker room. Better than nothing.
Well, let's take a shower.
Notice:
Well, this one was pretty short since I'm quite busy, and I'll be even busier because I need money. So I'll rarely have time to write and post. Maybe when I improve my situation and pay off my debts, I'll go back to posting 2 or even 3 times a week. That's it, thank you for reading. And if there are any mistakes or oddities, it's because of the translation, since I don't know English.