helloeverybunny | PSL • Normal Is A Myth (Riordanverse AU)

[ Pet pet! Yep, definitely not a dog. But, if Reyna insists that he is... well, Jacen’s not about to destroy that illusion. Besides, how is he even going to bring it up? Hey, Reyna, do you know your dog is not a dog, or that I know that your dog is not a dog? Awkward.

His attention is quickly drawn back to her, though, as she starts to talk about a part of her life... and then just stops and changes the subject, much like he’s done. He raises an eyebrow slightly at that, but doesn’t say anything.

Someone’s got secrets, too, huh. ]

I don’t really have a choice. I got four mouths to feed, including a... dog. [ Actually, a wolf, but technicalities. ] New York’s not exactly easy to settle into, though. There’s a lot going on, but it’s so big, you can stand in the middle of Times Square and still feel utterly alone.

[ Yikes. Where’s all this melodrama coming from, man? Separation anxiety so soon? ]

[ if she notices his arched brow, she makes no indication of it. rather, she keeps her attention entirely on guido as he begins to speak, though her hand pauses in the middle of digging out another donut in the bag.

she truly should know better, but reyna's brain completely short-circuits over a small section of his response, unable to move past it until she can clarify: ]

You have children?

[ reyna.............. ]

[ Wait, what?

He stares dumbly at her for a few seconds before the implication of her question sinks in, and when it does, he laughs and shakes his head. Maybe even a little too strongly. ] N-No, nothing like that! I meant my twin sister and our baby brother. And our dog.

[ A blush begins to spread across his face as he realizes how much he desperately wants her to not think that he’s not single. ]

[ it takes a lot longer for his clarification to actually process in reyna's stalling mind, but when it does, her own cheeks heat up in a sudden flood of embarrassment. beside her, guido huffs in what she's certain is the equine version of a laugh. she hastily stuffs another donut into his mouth, if only to prevent him from doing it again. ]

Oh — right. Yes. [ of course that's what he meant. he can't be that much older than her, if at all. what was she even thinking?

though, vaguely, she now wonders about his aforementioned parents... ]

Sorry, I... I'm not sure what got into me. [ which is a bold-faced lie, because she definitely knows the cause behind that irrational worry; it's just far too embarrassing to admit out loud. ] Summer heat, I suppose. [ which is also dumb, speaking as a girl from the west coast. regardless, she tries to keep up the lie, reaching up to tug the zipper of her jacket a little lower. ]

[ His gaze distractedly follows her hands as she tugs on her jacket — and he turns even redder the moment he realizes what he’s just done. Kriff, IT’S NOT LIKE THAT OKAY.

Please don’t kill him, Reyna. ]

D-Do you need to sit down, somewhere cooler maybe? [ He is definitely feeling the heat. Gods this is so embarrassing! ] Central Park’s just a short walk from here.

[ LUCKILY FOR JACEN, reyna had been too distracted to catch the direction of his gaze. (which is already saying something, isn't it? reyna doesn't get distracted.)

but guido saw it. he sees you, son. ]

You don't have anywhere else to be...?

[ he sounded like he had a lot of responsibilities, after all. she may want to spend as much time with him as possible, but reyna definitely knows a thing or two about responsibility. she definitely wouldn't want to get in the way of that. ]

[ He could feel Guido... silently judging him. Or something. He gives the pegasus an apologetic and maybe even a little pleading please-don’t-tell-her smile. Remember the donuts, Guido? ]

Not for a few hours, no.

[ And even if he did, his siblings would understand. This is like... a one chance kind of thing. She’s from California, after all. The odds of them running into each other again don’t seem to be in his favor. ]

Besides, they’ll call me if something really important comes up. [ Like a monster attack. ]

[ the smile on her face at his answer is at once relieved and bashful. suddenly she finds herself feeling way more in over her head than she had anticipated with this initial excursion, but like a good roman soldier she adapts. adjusts. ]

Then I'd love the shade and company.

[ she turns towards the park, but has to forcibly stop herself from taking the lead. watch yourself, she chides. she isn't a praetor right now. so she offers him a smile, waiting for him to fall into step with her. ]

Edited 2018-07-19 00:58 (UTC)

[ If she only knew she doesn't have to worry so much. He's used to headstrong women. Likes them, even.

He grins at her reply, although he chooses not to say anything directly in response, trying to avoid any more awkwardness between them. (Guido the not!dog was already awkward enough; he's not sure if he's just imagining it, but was the pegasus smirking at him?)

He finds himself amused, too, when he notices how quick she is to get going, and is unable to resist teasing. ] Not your first time in New York, huh?

[ she's been far too used to intimidating other boys with her strength, which is all good and fine, their loss and all, but it's still made her somewhat wary in her future interactions.

still, he remains amiable, so she will take cue from his persisting smiles and carry on. ]

No, [ she hums in confirmation, a wry smile playing on her lips. ] I have friends that I visit here. [ she wishes she could say it were always for good reasons, but... ]

But we don't often... take the time to explore. [ it simply isn't safe, after all. that many demigods all at once? that's just asking for trouble. ]

( ooc; btw! i'll be away visiting family for the weekend, so responses may be spotty, if at all. ;w;/ )

So you haven't done the touristy stuff? Broadway, MoMA, Grand Central, Liberty Island, the Empire State Building? [ Funny you should ask, Jace. And what's this, trying to figure out the kind of things she's into?

Although he keeps up with her pace, he gestures towards the general direction of Belvedere Castle when they begin to enter the park and starts to lead her and Guido toward it. It's one of his favorite places: panoramic view, great architecture, maybe even a tad romantic... ]

( ooc: don't worry about it! <3 have a good trip~ :3 )

[ her lips purse at the mention of the empire state building, all too aware thanks to her greek brethren's comments about the importance it holds for demigods... but everything else she shakes her head at. there might have been a time she would have found admitting such a thing somewhat sad, but... well. as far as she's concerned, her life could certainly be much worse. so she's learned to be grateful for what she has. ]

It was never really a concern.

[ she fishes out the last of the donuts, holding it over her shoulder for guido to snatch up from where he trails behind the two. she chances a glance over his way when she notices him begin to lead, steps falling into easy step beside him. ]

What would you recommend?

[ it's... a pretty subtle invitation. maybe too subtle, but she's playing it safe as it is. if he's not interested, he can always just make a suggestion, and that'll be that. but if he is... ]

( ooc; thank you!! ♥ )

Edited 2018-07-19 19:36 (UTC)

[ His face breaks into a grin, seeing an opportunity there... although for a moment he wonders if this is even a good idea. He's never had much success with girls, after all. That's not even considering the kind of life that he has; does he really want to drag a normal, unassuming girl into his family's mess (even if she has a dog that's actually a pegasus)?

As a friend. You're just asking her out as a friend, he thinks, not quite able to admit to himself just yet that he might be interested in something more than that. ]

Sometimes the theatres offer last-minute discounted tickets; if we get lucky and you still got time, we can check it out. [ Hint, hint. ] And there's always the zoo, so we don't have to leave our buddy here behind.

[ He points to the castle ahead. ] That's my favorite spot in this city, though. Belvedere Castle.

( ooc; hello again! )

[ he has an infectious grin, or something like that, because reyna finds herself mirroring his look of excitement all too easily. ]

I suppose the day is still young... [ it's not quite an acceptance, but it's not quite a denial either. she doesn't want to make any promises, knowing that given her luck, this whole moment could be ruined in just a few short hours. (minutes, let's be real.)

they'll have time for this, at least. his favorite spot. she turns her attention to it almost reverently, giving it the focus it deserves now that he's classified it as meaning something to him. she walks across the lawn, walking just close enough that she can see the entire structure in just one look. ]

...It's beautiful, Jacen. [ there's something almost wistful in her tone. ] I'm sorry I never noticed.

( ooc: welcome back! ♥ so does reyna want to meet a troll of the non-internet variety :p )

Isn't it? Not something you'd normally associate with NYC. [ He's grinning at her still, although he sobers a little at her expression. He considers asking her if everything's alright, but he stops himself before he does, not wanting to ruin her moment... or jinx their luck.

So he jokes, instead: ] I'm probably the only one who noticed because I'm an old-fashioned softie. [ Although that's not too far off the truth, actually. ]

The interior's nice, too. Want to check it out?

( ooc: gurgles how does one get back into the swing of things, gosh. and YES PLEASE. i mean reyna wouldn't want to, but i do i do. )

There's nothing wrong with that. [ being an old-fashioned softie, that is. it's refreshing, given all the cynicism reyna has become familiar with in the last decade or so.

with that in mind, she allows herself to relax, just a little bit more. his offer is met with a decisive nod, and a resolute smile. ]

I'd love to.

[ before stepping any further, though, she turns to guido, who tilts his head at them curiously. ]

Um... stay.

[ she winces inwardly, hoping the pegasus doesn't mind her choice of words. reaching out, she runs her hand down his mane a couple of times, attempting to be soothing. ]

We'll be right back, I promise.

( ooc: like a demigod, HEADFIRST INTO TROUBLE! :p also it’s my turn to be spotty with tags because i’m out for a family trip, but i have good internet with me so i can tag when we’re not doing stuff lol )

[ Jacen looks quite pleased with himself, both at his somehow well-received joke, and the fact that she’s agreed to go into the castle with him. He figures this is the closest he can get to a date with this attractive young lady from California, and he’s taking it.

He finds himself in the middle of a laugh and a snort when Reyna tells Guido to stay, though. And perhaps he’s lowered his guard just a little too much, because then he says: ]

Does “stay” actually work on horses?

[ He’s a moment too late in realizing what‘s come out of his mouth, and he freezes for a full second before he manages to recover. Kriff. ]

... dogs. I meant dogs.

( ooc: oh, have fun! forgive me as i stumble along, trying to remember how to rp again x_x )

[ but can it really count as a 'recovery' when reyna is much quicker to catch onto his slip of the tongue. when her entire body freezes at his words, and immediately what few defenses she'd let down are now right back up to being impenetrable.

slowly, she turns to look at him, watch his expression carefully. her own has closed up, pokerface back in its place, and she wills her breathing to calm.

the fact that he can see guido's true form isn't what bothers her — instances of mortals who have been able to see through the mist are not all that uncommon, after all — but it's the fact he's been able to, and yet kept up the ruse despite it.

which can really, unfortunately, only mean one thing. ]

Demigod, [ she whispers under her breath, almost like a swear. ]

Edited 2018-07-26 13:13 (UTC)

( ooc: you’re doing great so don’t worry about it okay, love all this so much <3 )

[ Unfortunately he’s unfamiliar with the term, at least in context. With that, and her whispering, he actually thinks she’s said oh my god. ]

Okay, wait, so you know he’s not a horse?

[ That closed up expression though... not a good sign. Usually used by girls on him when he’s messed something up — his own twin sister included. He rubs the runes on his wrist absently as his nerves begin to fire up at a possible flight or fight situation, although the empath in him might also just be mirroring her own tension. ]

[ guido makes a whinnying sound that is definitely horse-like, but even a non-neptune child like reyna can guess what he means by that. ]

I think he prefers "pegasus," yes.

[ she sighs, the sunniness and warmth from her earlier demeanor long gone. now she just seems weary. she supposes the dream would have had to disappear sometime... ]

Whose son are you? Does Camp Half-Blood know you're without supervision?

( ooc; oops sorry i've been so out of it lately that my inspiration has been quite dry ;w; apologies! )

Edited 2018-07-29 18:22 (UTC)

Pegasus. [ He lifts his hands up in a gesture of surrender, looking apologetically at Guido. ] Sorry, man.

[ Then he turns back to Reyna. His expression is wistful, though, apparently coming to the same conclusion as her. And missing her smile, already gone so soon. Ugh, just when things were going so well. ]

I... don’t know what you’re talking about. Camp Half-Blood?

[ He tries to ignore the alarm bells going off in his head at her first question, which he casually attempts to leave unanswered. She doesn’t look like a monster, but Loki’s a trickster. If he’s sent her, or worse, he is her...

But then a shadow comes over them — a little too abruptly, or he simply hasn’t been paying close attention. He glances up to find dark clouds in the sky, moving across the city as if being chased by something. He mutters something under his breath. This is not good. What in the Nine Worlds is going on?

The fact that a large boulder he also hadn’t noticed before suddenly starts vibrating isn’t helping matters any. He takes a step back, wide eyes now transfixed at the big lump of rock. ]

Ah, kriff. A troll.

[ He tenses as it dawns on him that he’s made a terrible mistake and let his guard down, allowed himself to get lured out by this charming girl and her pegasus. He’ll have to deal with her later, though, because this other creature’s the bigger threat at the moment. Normally a sky darkened by storm clouds isn’t enough to wake trolls up, but somehow this one is de-stoning just fine.

And it’s... well, ugly. It takes a sniff around once it’s fully recovered. It seems to be quite interested in Reyna and Guido — apparently all demigods smell like food to monsters, regardless of pantheon — but when it turns to Jacen, it bares its teeth in what looks to be a very disturbing smile. Yet it’s not its appearance that makes the young man recoil, or its twisted smile; it’s the single word it says in a loud, guttural voice.

Odinson. ]

( ooc: back from our trip! and no worries, it happens :3 just let me know if you want to try another scenario, or whatever? otherwise i’m perfectly happy to backtag no matter how slow we go :D )

PSL • Normal Is A Myth (Riordanverse AU)

oooh so you already know that his life is a greek tragedy :c

yes, poor bean 8C but hey he fits right in

oh yeah :> i love this au so much already, though i’m still fine-tuning the details <3

me too omg <3 but that's not a problem at all, pls let me know if i can help in any way!

thanks! <3 so far just made lil bro not dead yet lol. and added some non-canon norse things ;)

ah yes spare him more tragedies (for now??) ;;

for now /insert suspenseful music lol

omg... rip baby bro

it’s interesting to think about at least, what if reyna’s there when it happens, or afterwards :

👀 ...

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