2026 Summertime

English Thoughts

@Grace Hodgkins-Quinn as Holly Clarke

Camp Half-Blood Archery Fields

XXXEonaria let out an annoyed huff as the arrow slipped from its place on the rest, again. Even when she was sure that she had done all the steps right, the arrow sometimes refused to sit where it was supposed to. She took a deep breath and tried again. Stance, hip, nock, rest, aim, pull-- The string slipped from her fingers before she could pull it all the way back, and the arrow only flew a sad, short distance. Eonaria glared at the target across the field, tallying up her points. Not much at all. She had been here for at least an hour or two, and though she knew she should just go pick another weapon to practise, her stubborness was getting the best of her.

XXXIt was true, not all children of Apollo were excellent archers, but she really wished she was. It seemed much more appealing to stand somewhere and fire arrows than dive straight into hand-to-hand combat. Her clumsiness would probably just trip her, and that was a death sentence by itself. Alas, she had not been gifted with talent in archery.

XXXEonaria sighed slightly, rubbing her aching fingers. Bow strings could be hard to pull back... or maybe that was just her. She wasn't sure if she had been at camp long enough to be considered experienced, but definitely at least competent. Thankfully, the sun today wasn't too harsh, so she didn't have to squint her eyes all the time.

XXXAs Eonaria went to collect her arrows and get a drink of water, she caught sight of one of her cabinmates making her way across the field. She lit up slightly at the sight of her. Eonaria was technically head of the Apollo cabin by default, as there really weren't many of them here, but she was always glad to take on the leadership role. "Hi Holly!" Eonaria called out brightly, holding up her bow. "Are you here to practise your archery?" She and Holly had spent almost two years together, since the time Holly arrived to camp. She knew Holly was a better archer than her, but perhaps she could tolerate some more time out in this field if it was spent with another person. She was very thankful that it was almost impossible for most children of Apollo to get sunburned.

.・-: ✧☾♩♪♩♬　. 。・゜✭・.・✫゜・。.　♬♩♪♩☽✧ :-・.

I walked over to the archery range, with my bow in hand and my quiver on my shoulder. I saw Eonaria a fellow Apollo cabin, and my thoughts brightened with the hope of shooting a bit with my half sister. Though Eonaria seemed to be struggling, I was highly proficient in archer and had many other talents. Maybe I could help Eonaria find hers? let’s see…by dad (Apollo) had once gifted me a guitar with which i could heal. iWork closely with will solace to heal..maybe Eonaria is good at sports? I know I have a proficient mind, but maybe we can try some volley ball? Hmm, plan time:
1. Ask Eonaria if she wants to play volleyball.
2.while I put my bow away, see if there’s anything are any tasks needed to get done around camp
3. Play volleyball.
4. Assuming there are tasks we can help with, spend time teaching Eonaria healing tricks
5. Relax and chill.
I walk up to where Eonaria is a get prepared to shoot. Knock, aim, fire…
“Hey.” I say. Mostly just to announce my presence. “Mind if I practice my shooting too?” After I make a few bullseyes and Eonaria gets her arrow to go a few meters. I bring up volleyball. “You wanna play some volleyball?”

2026 Summertime

English Thoughts

@Grace Hodgkins-Quinn as Holly Clarke

Camp Half-Blood Archery Fields -> Volleyball Court

XXX"Of course," Eonaria replied, giving Holly an indulgent smile. "There's no better time than the present for... almost everything." Which was true, most of the time. Personally, she couldn't relax properly until everything on her daily to-do list was checked off, which made procrastination a very particular foe of hers. While they worked on their archery together, she tried to focus on keeping her arms steady.

XXXSadly, not much progress was made. Meanwhile, Holly made multiple bull's-eyes in a row. After the next few attempts, Eonaria just put away the last of her arrows and watched her half-sister, beaming in pride. "You're doing amazing," she praised, adding "how I wish I could do the same!" as a joke with a light giggle.

XXX"Volleyball?" Eonaria tilted her head. "Oh sure, why not?" She did like sports, but didn't often take the initiative to play many of them unless it was specifically for training. She might not look the part, but she loved sports that involved lunging, which were... many of them, actually. She was particularly agile. "Lead the way," she said, gesturing towards the volleyball court down by the Big House.

XXXAs they walked across camp together, Eonaria thought of a few ways to get to know her half-sister better. It was likely that more children of Apollo would be joining them soon, and she wanted to get to know Holly before she got swept away with managing many more people. "Have you been enjoying your time here at camp? Is archery your preferred form of combat?" she inquired curiously. Not everyone who excelled at a certain subject liked it better than all the others.

XXXOnce they reached the volleyball court, Eonaria took one of the volleyballs out of the storage shed nearby, tossing it a few times. "This will work," she decided, stepping onto one side of the court and waiting for Holly to do the same before serving the ball underhand. Bonding time, how lovely!

.・-: ✧☾♩♪♩♬　. 。・゜✭・.・✫゜・。.　♬♩♪♩☽✧ :-・.

Third person

Holly wasn’t the best at volleyball. Her arms were easily hurt, every time the ball hit her forearm it left a mark, (or so she thought) so she didnt play much, but it mattered to her that she played with Eonaria. Holly ended up having to change her plan, which she hates. She had been stuck in her thoughts for a while.
“Oh, yeah um.. I think archery is my preferred form of combat. My goal is to learn to hunt. I think it’d be cool to be able to put food on the table with my bow. Fortunately, Holly was able to keep the ball going over the net for a while, but eventually her arms got tired and she needed to take a brake. Time for phase 2 of Holly’s plan. After getting some water and resting for a bit Holly stood up. “Hey, how about seeing if there’s anything we can help with around camp?” Holly loved being helpful. To her, it was the best way to stop focusing on your own problems. Almost like Holly fixes all her attention on someone else, so she doesn’t really think to worry about herself. Besides, it feels good to do good.

2026 Summertime

English Thoughts

@Grace Hodgkins-Quinn as Holly Clarke

Camp Half-Blood Volleyball Court

XXXOnce they took a break from volleyball to sit down at one of the benches lining the volleyball court, Eonaria took a moment to ponder Holly's response. She found her aspirations to be quite fascinating, overall. "Hunting, huh?" she mused, trying to imagine what would it be like. "That sounds pretty interesting. Just be careful not to shoot an arrow at any of the nymphs if you're in the forest." They certainly wouldn't be happy about that, and upset nymphs could be rather vindicative.

XXXEonaria waited patiently while Holly collected her thoughts, taking the moment to drink some water. Children of Apollo were not, in fact, exempt from the body's natural need for hydration, even if it was usually amplified by the sun.

XXX"That sounds like a excellent idea," she agreed, getting up as well. "The harpies are probably still cleaning up from breakfast, but washing dishes doesn't sound particularly riveting, does it?" Especially not dishes cleansed by lava. She had come to one too many close calls with glowing, molten rock on dish duty. It really made her wonder why they couldn't just use regular dish soap and hot water. Even though the plates and cups were magical, the food going on them was pretty normal, and definitely shouldn't need lava to scorch it off.

XXX"Oh, we could help out in the pegasus stables. How about that?" She pointed across camp to the stables in the distance. Eonaria loved the creatures, even if some of them were a bit too sassy for their own good. Despite their temperament, they were usually happy to welcome campers, especially if they came bearing treats. Most campers loved them as well, likely due to mortal folklore. And Greek mythology!

.・-: ✧☾♩♪♩♬　. 。・゜✭・.・✫゜・。.　♬♩♪♩☽✧ :-・.

Just like to say this whole first few lines sound like a Percy jackson meme

(My inner monologue at the mention of the stables) Pegasus stables? Did you say the word? The best word? The good word? Ooh Pegasi? Prrrreeety! Sure, I wanted to help with the pegasi and the stables, and my mind went insane, but you know i played it cool when I answered Eonaria.
“Sure, sounds fun.” I said. When “Fun” actually translates to: superfantastamazing awesome thing most happy at mention of idea!!!! Well, you get the picture. I guess I kinda like horses and Pegasi a little bit. Before camp, I lived in the city with bother ray and our mom who ran a harmacy type old fashioned apothecary shop. Then she got sick with covid and ad to into long term care. That’s when dad (AKA Apollo) showed up. It’s rare, but he’s also ray’s dad. He took us to Central Park and bought us sandwiches and ice cream and all. Mom initially told us he was our dad, but with no explanation of why we haven’t seem him for 7 years. Then he told us everything. Our mom was the most beutiful singer who worked her butt off at being a nurse, who wouldn’t fall in love with woman like Maria Clarke? But when she had me she retired from her backbreaking nurse life and Dad helped her open the shop. From the way they both told the story it seemed like he was very kind to her. Then he told us we must go to camp, and he dropped us off. That was two years ago when i first arrived. Now I’ve adopted and made lots of friends at camp. I know how everything works, I help with healing stuff, play guitar at camp fires, and I’m great at archery. living in the city and all I’d never been able to ride horses, and it was scary, but I took to Pegasus riding pretty quickly.
“Let’s go” I told Eonaria.

2026 Summertime

English Thoughts

@Grace Hodgkins-Quinn as Holly Clarke

Camp Half-Blood Pegasus Stables

XXXAs they approached the stables together, Eonaria could smell the distinct scent of hay and other things wafting through the air. It could be a bit dusty in there, but not too badly. They could also hear the whinnies of the pegasi. Sometimes she grew envious of the Poseidon kids, who could communicate with the fascinating creatures. That was, until she remembered the plenitude of gifts that Apollo kids received. Apollo was a god of many facets, after all. "Oh! You can call me Aria, too, by the way." It was her preferred nickname, just in case. She smiled slightly as she stepped into the stables.

XXXMost of the stalls were cloaked in shadows, but sufficient sunlight streamed in through the spacious windows. A few of the stalls sat empty, waiting for their inhabitants to return from the latest expedition or outing. The layer of dusty soil on the ground crunched softly under her shoes. She could see the dust in the air, illuminated by the sun's rays, but thankfully, it wasn't the kind that you could taste when you breathed. Most of the pegasi looked to be napping, though a few raised their heads when the wooden gate door swung open.

XXX"You've definitely ridden pegasi before, right?" Eonaria asked. Holly had been here, what, a year or two already? She approached the nearest one, who had a gorgeous honey brown coat. I think his name's Caramel or something similar? She reached up, stroking his neck. Some of the others whinnied in greeting. "Hello," she cooed. Taking care of the pegasi and other creatures here at camp was always very enjoyable. Equipment like curry combs, brushes, and hoof picks sat in small bins between the stalls, ready for use. The inside of the stables was cooler than the sunny fields.

.・-: ✧☾♩♪♩♬　. 。・゜✭・.・✫゜・。.　♬♩♪♩☽✧ :-・.

Memories of good times spent in the stables came rushing back to me with the way the place smelled. I loved coming here to relax after a long day. I could read, play guitar groom and pet the Pegagasai, or just ride. Whatever I did, I always felt better afterwards. I walked over to a stall with a brown horse with a star and socks, her nameplate purple and green nameplate read, Hazel. I bent down and picked up a curry comb. I le hazel sniff it and then proceeded to pat the side of her face. I worked my way down her neck and toward her barrel and wings. I looked down at a nearby hook with a halter and lead rope hanging from it. I didn’t use the halter much, but hazel let me use the lead work sometimes when I was feeling especially anxious of falling off.
“Oh, yeah I’ve ridden a ton. This horse hazel is the one i usually ride, she’s like my BEF. Best equestrian friend. If you could call it that. Sometimes I even ask the Poseidon kids to come interpret what she says so we can have conversations.”
I grabbed an apple and another brush and continued grooming hazel. After she had enjoyed her apple, had her fur combed and brushed, and i had picked her hooves, I felt ready to ride. I looked up at Hazel and enlisted something was missing, but what?
“Ooh!” I dashed toward where I kept hazels thing and grabbed a smaller comb I used for her mane and a few bows. I braided Hazel’s mane and decided against the bows.
“Ta-dah!” I exclaimed. After I had grabbed the lead rope from its hook, I announced: “I’m going to take Hazel out to graze, I might ride, but I want to wait for you.”

2026 Summertime

English Thoughts

@Grace Hodgkins-Quinn as Holly Clarke

Camp Half-Blood Pegasus Stables

XXX"Aw, that's great to hear!" Eonaria said with yet another smile. Sheesh, perhaps this was too much socialising for one day. She should have put it more effort to get to know her half-sister earlier... A small pang of regret hit her, but she shook it off quickly. "Exploiting your fellow campmates? A smart move, I see." She hadn't actually thought of that before. Poseidon kids could really spend all day chattering with the pegasi and sea creatures, huh?

XXXAfter giving Caramel a bit more love and treats, Eonaria put on the faded pink saddle blanket and saddle. It was going to be hot out there, but they had plenty of water and the blanket would distribute her weight better and cushion Caramel's back from the underside of the saddle. She thought it was quite nice how the saddles were adjusted to make room for the pegasi wings. It was only logical, but made her smile. "Cute!" she commented, watching Grace braid Hazel's mane. "Are you going to ride bareback?" Eonaria was by no means inexperienced, but liked riding the pegasi with regular equipment to maintain the sense of stability. Riding without a saddle made her constantly feel like she was going to slip right off of their smooth coats.

XXXAfter Grace decided whether to saddle Hazel up or not, they headed out of the stable gates. Eonaria made sure to close them behind them. The sun was starting its descent from the peak in the sky, so while it was still very sunny, they might be able to enjoy some cloud soon.

.・-: ✧☾♩♪♩♬　. 。・゜✭・.・✫゜・。.　♬♩♪♩☽✧ :-・.