A Sisterly Reunion | Hailey

[Virginia Grace]

It would certainly be a chariot race for the ages that was for sure and Genie really wanted to win. More than anything she prided herself on making some pretty spiffy machines and it was almost a matter of honor to insure that the Hephaestus cabin brought home first place. They were the best chariot builders after all and it was time that Genie and Hailey showed the rest of camp just what they could do with a little Hephaestus girl ingenuity. In any case it looked like Genie had at least found her racing partner and really, she couldn’t think of many better.

Glancing around the room when Hailey mentioned there wasn’t much to check Genie nodded in confirmation. They would definitely need to get some more clothes and things before she could be settled in properly. All the more reason for a fun shopping trip between sisters but that would come in time. Genie walked into the room with Hailey and moved over to sit on her sister’s bed. “We don’t have to rush off anywhere you know? You’ve got more to take in here than a barrel full of unforged ore. We could just take it easy for a while until you get used to things again.” Genie chuckled. “We could just sit and talk if you like. I still want to catch up on all the things you’ve been up too since you’ve been away.”

[Hailey Nichols]

Hailey looked over at her sister and smiled slightly as she went to sit on her bed. Her bed. For once in a really long while, she would have her own bed, not the ground or some bed she borrowed from the Hecate kids. Her own bed. She blinked for a couple of moments as she realized that Genie was talking to her. They didn't have to rush... they could take it easy... that was the complete opposite of what she was completely used to... and it was nice...

She smiled at her sister as she moved to sit down besides her. She took a deep breath as she looked at her. If she was going to tell anyone about what happened, she might as well start with her sister. "I left the hunters," she said as she looked over at her sister. "I left them a while ago... but I wasn't allowed to come back here. Well, at least not when I was in the shape I was in..." She looked down at her hands as she waited for her sister to process and start asking her all sorts of questions.

[Virginia Grace]

Hailey certainly seemed to be carrying a pretty heavy load. Even just coming back here to the Hephaestus cabin seemed to be wearing on her. Anybody could see it and even though she had offered her listening ear Genie wasn't surprised that Hailey took her time. That was okay. Genie had always been a pretty patient person and she could wait until her sister felt comfortable. She was about to say as much and tell Hailey that they didn't have to talk if she wasn't ready but then the girl set down beside her on the bed and began to speak.

The story came together slowly and even though there was a lot to take in Genie knew that all the details weren't there. That wasn't so important though. She just kept smiling encouragingly at Hailey happy to just get what the girl would tell her. When she finally stopped Genie nodded and patted a spot closer to her in case Hailey wanted to lean against her. "I figured that might be the case when I saw you. I'm sure you had your reasons but that's all behind you now. You're home and that's what matters."

[Hailey Nichols]

The questions didn't come and Hailey couldn't help but feel slightly relieved. Genie was just listening and not talking, so Hailey could explain things at her own pace. She leaned against her sister once she offered it. It was nice having a sister. A sane one. Not one that liked to run around and terrorize the camp. But now, Hailey didn't have to worry about her anymore. Instead, she got to worry about cute Hecate boys. But that wasn't something she wanted to focus on at this exact moment. She glanced over at her sister and gave her a sad smile.

"I've could've been home sooner," Hailey said as she looked at Genie. "I couldn't come back until now because..." she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She could do this. Genie wouldn't judge her. "I broke my oath. I left the Hunters because I broke my oath... and I was turned into a jackalope because I broke it. I couldn't come back until now."

[Virginia Grace]

Listening as Hailey continued her tale Genie took the opportunity to drape her arm comfortingly around her sister and pulled her closer. That Hailey was hurting was pretty obvious. She wasn’t sure why the girl had been so reluctant to come home. If Genie had been turned into a jackalope then she would have wanted all of her siblings to know so that they could figure out a way to turn her back but that was just her. Hailey may have felt pretty embarrassed by all this and maybe that’s why she choose to hide instead.

“Oh honey. That sounds awful. I’m sorry you had to do that alone and I’m sorry we didn’t know about it sooner. Maybe we could have done something.” Genie sighed and stroked Hailey’s hair. This sounded like a pretty big mess but at least it was all over now and at least Hailey wasn’t a jackalope anymore though that seemed like an interesting story in itself. “I am glad you’re back though. You always have a home here Hailey.”

[Hailey Nichols]

As Hailey kept her eyes closed as she felt Genie pull her in closer and she rested her head on her shoulder. Hailey took a deep breath as she felt the tears well up in her eyes. It was still too fresh for her and here she was admitting it to her sister. It was still too much. Coming back as human and dealing with all these emotions she was experiencing, especially over a certain Hecate boy... it was proving to be too much. Tears welled up in her eyes as she took a shaky breath, especially when Genie said she always had a home in the Hephaestus cabin.

"I was ashamed," she said quietly as she shook her head slightly. "I was ashamed or else I would've come back sooner... so much sooner..."

[Virginia Grace]

"Hey now, there's nothing to be ashamed of especially nothing from us." Genie said continuing to play the role of comforting big sister as best she could. "You followed your heart. Ain't nobody going to fault you for that." She paused for a moment considering that and then amended her statement. "Well Artemis kind of did but you won't find anybody around here that thinks that. Hell, I probably would have done the same thing in your position even if I did end up a cute little bunny rabbit antelope thing."

Genie sighed she was never one who got to see much adventure or action and even though she was sure Hailey had been through Hades and back since all this had happened she was okay now. "You want me to get you anything? Something to drink? A kleenex? I can just sit and listen too if you want."

[Hailey Nichols]

But was it worth it that she followed her heart for a boy who in turned basically dumped her when she was in her most vulnerable state? Hailey didn't necessarily agree, but then again, she wouldn't have met Theo if she didn't turn herself into a jackalope. Maybe there was a light at the end of this tunnel? Hailey didn't know, but she did know she liked that Genie was right here for her now.

She laughed slightly at Genie's description at a jackalope as she reached up to brush off the stray tears on her cheek. "Probably some tissues would be nice," she said softly as she shook her head. "I don't think I want to leave this room quite yet... especially when I'm looking like this. At least I looked better than when I was a jackalope."

[Virginia Grace]

“Don’t worry about that sweetie. We don’t have anywhere else to be and you don’t have to go out until you’re ready.” Genie rubbed her sister’s shoulder encouragingly hoping that it would be some comfort just to know that she wasn’t alone. There was no telling how much of a comfort that really was but it might be nice to know that at least in the Hephaestus cabin she didn’t have to put on a tough girl show for all the world to see. At least here it was safe to just be herself.

Leaning over Genie gave Hailey a kiss on the forehead and stood. “Listen, you sit there for a minute and I’ll be right back with some tissues. Then we can stay here as long as you need.” Genie ducked out of the room and returned a few minutes later with a box of tissues. She set this down and handed one to the girl before sitting back down beside her to continue their conversation. “I wouldn’t worry about how you look either. I think you’re beautiful and who else would you need to impress?”

[Hailey Nichols]

As Genie stepped out of the room for a moment, Hailey took the opportunity to compose herself. She reached up to wipe away her tears as she took more deep breaths to keep even more tears at bay. She straightened up a bit as Genie walked back into the room with a box of tissues and she handed one to her. Hailey took it as she mouthed a thanks to her sister before reached up to dab at her eyes, getting any tears she missed earlier.

Who else would you need to impress? It was such an innocent question, but at the same time, Hailey's face heated up in an intense blush. "I... Umm..." She looked down at her lap as she clasped her hands together. "There might be one guy," she muttered underneath her breath.

[Virginia Grace]

Genie wasn’t sure what to expect when she came back into the room but overall Hailey seemed to be doing much better. That was good as the girl had been through enough already and didn’t deserve to be sad. That being said Genie figured she would have to get it all out before she could really get some relief. It had probably been far too long since she had the chance to just to cry in relative safety and privacy. In any case it looked like the worst had past.

Sitting back down with her sister Genie watched as her face heated up in embarrassment. Apparently there was someone she was trying to impress and here Genie was thinking that being a jackalope would hinder the dating process. “Dang girl. You already got a boy interested in you and you just turned back into a human? I have a hard enough time getting the kind of company that runs on batteries...I guess you’re going to have to give me some tips.” Genie shook her head with a chuckle but she supposed she could understand how her sister felt. Someone that she was attracted to would certainly make things more interesting. “Well I’m happy for you at least and look on the bright side. At least you don’t have to worry about him getting back in your room. You’re all safe and sound back here free to get everything out.”

[Hailey Nichols]

Hailey’s face only seemed to get redder as Genie talked about how she managed to find a guy, especially since she wasn’t a human for that long. She reached up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear as she ducked her head a bit. At least Genie wasn’t prying for more details, yet. Maybe once she saw Theo and hung up with him more. That would probably cause a lot of questions and Hailey wasn’t quite sure if she wanted her siblings to know about Theo quite yet. She chuckled lightly as she glanced up at her sister. “I think that being something cute and tiny helps,” she said in a half-hearted attempt at a joke.

But she took another tissue from her sister before she leaned back on the bed to rest on her forearms. “Thanks, Genie,” Hailey said quite abruptly as she looked over at her sister. “For everything. You didn’t have to do it, but thanks.”

[Virginia Grace]

Genie seemed to consider Hailey's advice for a moment and then nodded her in agreement. "The cute, tiny things always seem to be good at that." She said thoughtfully. For Genie who had never really been tiny and was usually too covered in oil or grease to be considered cute she couldn't really say she had much experience but that was okay. Even though she hadn't found that special someone yet she wasn't really the type to give up hope. Besides, you never know when you might get turned into something cute and cuddly after all.

Hailey seemed to be calming down now as she took another tissue from the box and that was a good thing. Maybe now that she had her cry she would feel a little better about everything. Genie hoped so at least. "Hey you don't have to thank me. What are sisters for, right?" She grinned and gave Hailey another hug. She had no doubt that if she ever had to go through something like this that Hailey would be right there for her too because family stuck together. However, as she looked at the younger girl Genie decided that they needed to do something to get Hailey's mind off of everything. It didn't have to be anything big but she didn't think the girl wanted or needed to be alone, not really. "Hey, I could show you what I've been working on recently if you want. I've got some great automatons in my room if you want to see and we don't even have to go out. Just sit around, have em do our hair, a little pampering never hurt anyone."

[Hailey Nichols]

Outside of her dead twin, Hailey was still quite uncertain about her cabin being her family. It probably didn't help that she stayed in the Hermes cabin for years before she was finally claimed and she only stayed in this cabin a few years before she joined the Hunt. But it was nice to know that Genie had her back along with, hopefully, the rest of their cabin.

However, Hailey was quickly pulled out of her thoughts at the mention of automatons. "You built automatons?" she asked as she perked up a bit. "And you only mention them now?" She smiled a bit as she nodded her head towards the door. "Can we go see them then?"

[Virginia Grace]

The mention of automatons seemed to provide the distraction Genie hoped it would. She didn't really know of any solution for Hailey's problems but sometimes it was best just to forget about them for a while. Genie was certainly no philosopher and didn't think she had stumbled on some great cosmic truth but in her experience people usually wore out their problems in time. Eventually things worked themselves out one way or the other and life went on. Most of the time it was the hanging on that was the hard part.

Grinning her big warm grin and chuckling at her sister's excitement Genie got up and held her hands out to Hailey. "Oh yeah I've built all kinds that you haven't seen yet and I've even got some designs you can help me with too. Come on Hailey I've got a lot to catch you up on."