A Common Interest ((Artemis))

[James Demarco]

It was an easy hunt, to say the least. James had fought monsters with twice the size and twice the skill, yet honing his talent with the spawn of the woods couldn't hurt. Two dead spiders laid before him, both the size of a rhino. James squatted, ensuring the twitching appendages STOPPED twitching, both of them finally melting into monster dust. He sighed, cleansing his blade with care from all of the dust staining it. He knelt by the creek, washing his face in the water and hoping the dust would come off his armor cleanly enough.



His armor was something he was really proud of. Navy green with a golden trim, padded cotton armor and leather supplement, protecting his arms and legs. A leather spaulder strapped to his left shoulder protecting his sword arm, embroidered in black thread an oaken leaf and the insignia of his father, the symbol of Morpheus. In his Hunting group, heritage was prided upon just as it was at Camp. The Greens, was what the Hunters of Artemis started calling them. Some mocked them, and others respected, for they appreciated another ally in the Great Hunt. To James, however, the Hunters were more than just allies.



They were something to look up to. For the past two years, James idolized the Hunters and their Lady. After each successful Hunt, a prayer was sent out to Her and her Hunters, for guiding his crossbow bolts true and giving his life new purpose where there was none before. Oh yes, James ensured a piece of his meal went out to the Lady of the Moon each dinner, praying for another encounter with the enemy to run smoothly. Perhaps one day, it would amount to something.



James stood, and reloaded his crossbow. He gathered the remaining bolts from the earth and loaded them into the magazine one at a time. "Cannon fodder, and yet good enough target practice..." His Chu-Ko-Nu glittered silvery blue amongst the dark wood, a titanium allow made to reinforce the crossbow with ornate patterns.



"You made a good enough adversary, spiders... go back to the Pit and know you fought honorably."

[Artemis]

War was brewing. That much was certain. Artemis had been around long enough to be able to smell it in the air or see it in the clouds. It also helped that she learned a thing or two about the happenings around the country whenever she and her Hunters recruited another maiden. The news of rising tensions between both factions of demigods roused a bit of concern in the goddess. A decision was made to return to Camp Half-Blood to further get a grasp on the situation and perhaps discuss options. The thought of a possible war between the Greeks and Romans was something disagreeable to Artemis. She understood loyalty to a group of people and to a cause. But shouldn't that people be demigods? And shouldn't that cause be the protection of the world?

As she walked through the woods that night, Artemis couldn't help but think the youngsters were handling the situation a bit petulantly. Even as a goddess who traveled frequently with mortals and half-mortals, she could never understand their mindsets. Having the ability to live forever put things into a sort of perspective. What did territory matter? Apparently a lot to children whose life spans didn't go as far as the average mortal.

Artemis came across a creek and saw a figure. Calmly, she took refuge behind a tree and peeked out. She watched a young man wash his face and clean a sort of weapon. From there and in the dim light of the moon, the goddess couldn't make out what it exactly was. She heard mutterings and clinking... fiddling with the weapon. Artemis stepped out of the shadows. Unlike other gods and goddesses, she did not try to disguise herself. She wore her white tunic and had the infamous silver glow. Her bow was slung over her back. "Don't demigods have a curfew around camp?"

[James Demarco]

Artemis

He was just about reaching the final bolt when a glow in the forest diverted his attention. When he looked up, who he found shocked him further. James hided his reaction readily, gulping silently to himself. A Goddess, by the looks of her, beautiful and radiating power. James lowered his eyes respectfully as she approached, gently placing his crossbow on the leafy ground. He bowed respectfully as well, knowing all too well his place. By the silver glow, he assumed it was Artemis. What her business was approaching him, he had no clue. Part of him jumped in excitement, the part of him that still glowed with optimism and warmth. He hadn't felt this in a long time, but he shoved it down in turn for professionalism.



"Lady Artemis..."



He began with a lick of his lips. Why did they seem so chapped? He was confounded that Artemis herself would approach him, a male no less. Or perhaps this was just a chance meeting, who knew? The Fates acted strangely at times. James stood wholly and raised his eyes again, meeting Artemis's without hesitation. Any other Mortal would have shied away, and at first, James did. But there seemed to be more than meets the eye with him.



"I am no camper, My Lady. I left when the threat of war was too real to deny. I am no killer of Men," he gestured to the monster dust blowing away in the wind. "I follow the old way. I kill monsters, keep our Mortal world safe."



For a moment, a smoldering flicker in his eyes. Some said some Demigods tended towards their Godly side than most. James seemed to be one of these Heroes. As he bent down to pick up his last bolt and holster his crossbow, he kept his eye on the Goddess politely.



"James, of Morpheus. I lead the Greens, we track down the Enemy and slay them," he said simply, standing tall once more, although not imposing. He doubted he could intimidate the Silver Goddess even if he had tried.