kingofghosts:

He pulled her back in closer for a kiss before assuring her, “I’ll teach you to do more than just mount the horse.” He held on to her as a nearby shadow wrapped around them only to let them go on a road that led to the barn (so as to not appear in front of a horse and send it into a frenzy) in a mere few minutes.

“I hope you know we’re not riding Western because Western is for people that want to rope cows and go in circles around barrels. Jumping over stuff, which is English, is so much better,” Nico explained all in a matter-of-fact tone. He led her up the path, towards the cross ties, where a few horses were standing while waiting for their riders to either take them back to their stalls or out to one of the arenas.

“If you want me to come off as a good boyfriend then I didn’t tack up your horse for you it was because I wanted you to learn. But if you want the truth I didn’t do it because I was too lazy to tack up my own horse.”

Shadow travel still felt to Haly like her face was being ripped off, although she considered herself fairly well adjusted. Yet, as they emerged from the shadows, she reached up and poked at her own face, as if to reassure herself that it was still intact. Then she reached over and slipped her hand through his as they walked down the road towards the barn. 

“I don’t particularly relish the idea of roping a cow anyway,” she said with a grin. She looked this way and that, looking at all the horses that they passed. As they came towards the horses that were tied in the aisle, she held out one of her hands, palm facing upwards, for the horse to smell before she stroked its nose. “So what are their names?” 

“Tacking up my horse for me Haly reached behind her head and quickly pulled her hair up into a ponytail, as she always did when she worked. “Lucky for the both of us, I’m not feeling lazy today. Show me the way to the tack room. I got this!” 

kingofghosts:

It had been a while since Nico had gotten tired sighs and eye-rolling from Haly’s half-siblings when he came to the door asking for her. He had to admit, he kind of missed it (though he doubted Haly’s siblings felt the same). Tonight was the night to make the spark between Nico and Haly turn back into a bonfire just as it was before, and the usual response to what was known as their cheesy meetings outside Cabin Six was a good sign, in Nico’s mind.

As he waited, Nico smacked his half-chaps with his thin, black crop, practically radiating nerves. He knew he would look ridiculous to anyone who saw him at camp, but he had been working down at the barn earlier and decided that he might as well stay in his riding clothes since he was going to take Haly out to ride some of the horses there anyway.

His smacking stopped as he caught sight of her. She was even more beautiful than he remembered— another good sign. His face lit up and he held his arms up at his sides. “Do you like my outfit?” he asked jokingly, letting his arms fall back down. “It’s part of my plan for that thing I was telling you about. You know, the date? I mean, if you’re still up for it.”

Haly had her laptop balanced on her knees in her cabin, looking down at the information page for financial aid to universities. Gods, why did it all have to be so complicated? She chewed on her lip, a nervous habit that she’d always had but had gotten worse recently. She had already changed for her date with Nico; casual, but still nice. A pair of jeans, a dark blue t-shirt and a cropped jacket. 

When she heard the knock on her door, she was about to jump up and get it, but one of her brothers who was closer got there first. There was the usual joking, eye rolling, and then Haly playfully pushed him out of the way to face Nico in his full out riding outfit. “I like the outfit. And I love the guy in the outfit.” She grinned. “The plan is horseback riding? Uh… duh I’m up for it!” She needed a distraction anyway, and he was always the best one. 

“Fair warning though,” she said as she walked out of the cabin and pulled Nico into a hug. “The extent of my riding knowledge amounts to get on and don’t fall off.” Haly held him tightly for a minute, breathing in his familiar scent. Somehow she missed him, even if he was never that far away. “All right, I’m ready. Let’s get going!” 

conchordiskey:

Oh, that must have been terrible! I can’t even imagine …

Well, I prefer to blend in, really. I don’t like to do much … except paint.

I think it’s different if you’re born a New Yorker. Sure, I love nature. And it’s a shame that there isn’t much in the city. But still, it’s difficult imagining my life somewhere else. 

I blend in too. Sometimes I wish I was more of an outgoing person, but I guess there’s nothing wrong with that. 

(Source: concordiskey)

conchordiskey:

Maryland, but the town I lived in didn’t have a lot of natural beauty.

Oh, wow. That does seem interesting. But not really my type of thing.

Well, I grew up in Brooklyn. So I know what you mean by lack of natural beauty haha. I just get the concrete jungle. 

So what is your type of thing then?

(Source: concordiskey)

conchordiskey:

Oh, yes. There’s so much beauty in them. It’s very refreshing to be somewhere where natural beauty is everywhere.

Ooh, such as? Do tell.

Where are you from? 

Well… we’re demigods. There’s always new people coming and people leaving, quests, monsters… It’s an exciting place.

(Source: concordiskey)

conchordiskey:

All the trees, and the plants … they’re just so lovely. I would so love to paint them.

What do you mean?

There’s so much more to this place than just the trees. Have you seen Peleus the dragon? The pegasi? The strawberry fields? 

I just meant that there always seems to be something new. 

(Source: concordiskey)

conchordiskey:

Yup, I just got here yesterday. It’s quite beautiful here.

Totally. It’s one of my favorite places in the world. But you never quite get used to it. 

(Source: concordiskey)

conchordiskey:

Hi, I’m Elodie. Daughter of Harmonia.

I’m Haly. Daughter of Athena. You new?

(Source: concordiskey)

conchordiskey:

Hiya.

(Source: concordiskey)

saysmartassonemoretime:

winterhalcyondays:

saysmartassonemoretime:

T’was quiet like any normal day.

I tend to feel that way on a lot of holidays, to be quite honest. Sure, we say all the nice things. But all in all, it feels rather the same. 

Are you quite all right?

Hmm? Oh. Yea, I’m fine. I just mean that holidays are like any other days for the most part. Perhaps I’m weird. Although it’s nice to actually get to wish you a happy mother’s day from now on.