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“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?”

Genie was mid strawberry bliss when a voice behind her brought her back to the present. She was caught red handed as it were and there was little she could do besides finish the strawberry that she was currently eating and turn to face her accuser to see how bad the damage was. What she saw was not very encouraging. Someone had apparently spotted her as she ducked inside the amphitheater and from the look of things this other girl knew exactly what Genie had been doing.

The daughter of Hephaestus prided herself at being able to not only read machines but read people as well and judging by this new girl's current mood Genie was pretty confident that starting things off with a lie wouldn't win her much favor with this one. That being the case she decided that the only other alternative was to try and win her over and hopefully hold on to a few of the blessed berries for herself. "Hi there." She said simply as she put on her usual glowing smile and completely ignored the other girl's accusation. "Would you like like to join me? I brought sugar and chocolate and they're really good."

Genie crept along the outskirts of camp like a burglar looking for their next target. Her eyes shifted nervously from side to side on a constant look out for anyone or anything that might spot her. In her arms she carried a picnic basket clutched protectively to her chest as if it held a fortune inside but this was not all that surprising. For Genie what was inside the basket was a fortune and she didn’t intend to let anyone take it from her.

She hadn’t committed a crime, at least she didn’t think she had. Maybe there were some rules against raiding the strawberry fields but she really didn’t care. The things in the picnic basket were her guilty little pleasure and so long as no one stopped her she would continue to borrow as much as she could whenever she felt like it. There was a little guilt, why else would she be creeping around like this if there wasn’t, but for the most part Genie was only concerned about the end reward and as she snuck around to the Amphitheater that reward was finally in sight.

Checking to make sure the coast was clear Genie slipped inside sure that she would be all alone here for a while and not able to hold off indulging herself any longer. Scrambling to the nearest seat the Hephaestus girl placed the basket beside her and threw open the lid to gaze in wonder at what was held inside. ”Hello my lovelies. Come to momma.” Genie couldn’t resist any longer. Reaching inside the basket with greedy fingers she plucked out a nice plump strawberry, the best the strawberry fields had to offer, and bit down on it with obvious relish. She had brought chocolate and sugar to dip them in too but not this one. This one she had to eat right now and boy was it good.

Lydia Shepard

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."

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.”

It was perfect how they were already bouncing ideas off each other. It was a good sign for things to come and Genie thought that her and Hailey would be able to come up with some even crazier plans if they put their heads together. What was even better was that she really liked Hailey’s thoughts on playing dirty. Genie definitely wasn’t above bending the rules a little when it came to something she wanted and she was glad that Hailey agreed. “Well you know what they say. All’s fair in love and racing…or something like that I can’t remember how it goes. Besides, it wouldn’t be the awesomest chariot ever if it got beat.”

Following Hailey inside the room Genie took a look around as well. It had been a long time since she had been in here herself, so long in fact that she had forgotten all about Hailey’s twin sister who was definitely not the nicest person she had ever known. Still, it was good to have Hailey back and maybe she would be coming in more often now. “Well I think it’s a great idea and you have to have some tools right? I would say we need to do that before we even get started on anything else.”