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happy birthday winter hope you're happier now that you're free out there in the world 💖

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             winter turned to look at hunter when asked who had told him about the place. " well, i've been here once before, and befriended the last two son's of poseidon's. you are possibly the one that has lasted the longest. which i'm glad to see. " he said. " don't worry, they aren't dead or anything. " winter walked backwards and gave the other a soft little smile.

" i will say, this feels like you. " he stated as he turned back and looked around the room. " one place looked like underwater vibes, another felt like an aquarium. yours feels like a peaceful day at the beach. " he whispered. he turned to look back at hunter. " i appreciate it. "

there were a lot of things that hunter wanted to talk about regarding the trial, but... the words didn't come easy. he'd always been the type to roll with the punches, never let something keep him down for too long. the challenges they faced here, however, were a bit different than what he'd faced back home. death, violence, suffering beyond comprehension, those were the things that awaited them here.

he needed to stop dwelling on it so much, at least for now.

"you did? from who?" maybe he was a little jealous, knowing that winter had some kind of relationship with a former son of poseidon. he didn't have reason to be but... it felt like a natural instinct in some ways, probably easier to blame it on the divinity. "uh.. either way, let me go grab you some clothes, alrighty?"

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             it wasn't much of a surprise that winter had been absent for more than a few months. ever since the new timeline shift, he decided that he would spent as much time he could with his sister. who would fault him of that? especially since he felt like he wasn't needed as much with the group of godlings that were around. one godling being away didn't change anything. besides, everyone seemed to been flourishing just fine.

but the trials, he felt the need to help. the last thing he wanted was to feel guilt if anyone lost their lives and winter was another helping hand. when he found out it was the thanatos trial, he was happy to hear that isaac was able to prove he was worthy. and he did. winter definitely felt himself falling behind, but there was still some growth for him.

seeing the other, post the trial, winter couldn't help but make his way over, and accompany him. it had been a minute since he last spoken with him.

" funny, you still have the jokes, i see. " winter chuckled. " no, it wasn't. you made me laugh so–– " winter looked over at the fire. " so, how does it feel, being one of the dead boys that is worthy now. " winter turned to look at isaac again, this time with a huge grin on his face.

open starter location: Lake of Souls notes: quintessential autumnal night bonfire for a post-trial celebration

Isaac couldn't think of a better way to spend the night, a couple days following the trial and hopefully everyone had enough time to do what they needed to do to decompress. There was a lot still rattling around in his head, the fear and the uncertainty had done a number, the grief and the outrage, but there was far more good that had come out of it for him.

They were all still here, his father had acknowledged him, and Ignacio was- yeah, that was still going to take Isaac some time to wrap his head around.

In front of him, the campfire crackled, and the sounds of the late evening permeated the still waters of the lake and echoed from the forest at their back. Isaac's tent and maybe a few others had been set up on the sand as he hoped to make camp for the night in their own backyard.

"If you ever get cold while camping, just stand in the corner of a tent for a while. They’re normally around 90 degrees." Isaac shook his head, "That was stupid, sorry." He wasn't exactly known for having a sparkling sense of humor, but he had about a hundred and one dad jokes that he could pull out when needed.

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             winter laughed. " now imagine cheaper by the dozen, but as a horror? " he laughed. " that would be crazy. i don't think i could handle having 12 kids and then deal with a killer ghost either. i think i'd end up dead at the end of it. " he laughed. " yes, definitely. well, luckily we don't have to deal with that right? " he smiled. " so which scary movie happens to be your all time favorite? "

Robbie lets out a chuckle. "Perhaps. You never know though, right? Someone could pop up randomly in the middle of the night for all we know." Robbie says with a big grin on his face. "Keeps things exciting." Robbie said with a laugh. "That's true. But the second one was my favorite." Robbie admitted with a nod. "Something about the thought of having a family with a single mother and so many kids...You can imagine the stress and the frustration that everyone had to be going through even before the movie." Robbie's smirk widened even more. "Damn. Sounds like quite the stroke of fortune for me personally." He jested.

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             winter was relieved that the trial was over. death was always a tricky situation with him. dealing with it close hand, it left an impact. not many knew his story, only for a selected few. but somehow, he came out of the trial okay, and he was glad they didn't lose anyone. the battle in the end really was not something he thought he'd end it out okay, especially since his abilities had turned on him and he felt his own hellfire, every bit of it.

when hunter spoke, he looked up at him. he didn't get much other than the nap. " right. i sure need to sleep this all off. " he followed the other. the last time he was here it was with the first son of poseidon. it looked similar, and yet different. perhaps it changed depending on the child that resided in it. " umm–– sure, that would nice. " he said, eyes glancing up at him. " i hear you have a nice shower room. " he chuckled.

"i dunno who should be worried more, winter." a gentle smile braces the son of poseidon's lips as he gingerly makes his way to his own cabin, winter by his side. sure, as a whole, hunter had suffered plenty during the trial, but winter had gotten pretty banged up by the end there. hell, hunter was sure he'd lose his life there, doomed forever in the underworld.

"all i know is... i think i wanna nap for a week." the door slides open easily, the pair greeting by the quiet, serene ambience you might expect in an aquarium, walls of glass on either side. he felt at peace here, he hoped it would work just as well for the son of hades.

"you're welcome to use my shower, i have lots of clothes for ya too."

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             " yea, sorta the same. the winter here was not studying to be a veterinarian. he was more of a artsy guy. apparently super social. it's a little overwhelming when people come and talk to me. i'm not use to it. " winter walks the path, laughing softly. " i'm a photographer here. a good one too. there's photos that i have seen that this timeline version of myself has taken. honestly, i'm impressed. " winter looks back up at the other and he nods. " i'm keeping to myself honestly. how about you? "

"why, thank you." jesse said as he met winter in the forest, that... would mean something else anywhere else but given everything that had happened jesse thought he would give the other the courtesy of not commenting. this time. "glad to see you're also still the same... i hope." gods knew they had enough change over the last few days. "a place that hasn't changed, that'll be a sight to behold." he smiled, a hand patting winter's shoulder as he walked towards the path in the woods, though no fey this time he hoped. "what have you been up to in this brand new timeline?"

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             winter turned to give his attention to hunter. hearing the other compliment him, he couldn't help the small smile. " thanks, i appreciate it. " he nods before he feels the hand holding his. he chuckled softly before he turns his direction to where they were going. " no, her name was already midnight. but she was the first pegasus that i rode to my first ever quest. it was with the son of hypnos. he ended up being late to it. " he laughed. " gods, that feels like a long time ago. "

a warm smile crosses the blond's lips as winter tends to the horse. the son of poseidon had a natural connection to them, his own father had gifted him one recently, so it was always pleasant to see those who extended kindness to the pegasi. "you're real cute, winter." he muses with a soft hum, nudging the other male gently.

"midnight's a cute name, did you choose it?" he keeps their hands laced as he leads him closer to civilization, overlooking the quaint, small town that hunter had hailed from.

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               " that's good. it's always nice to wake up on the right side of the bed. " winter teased a bit, but in reality, eh should know. he had his fair share of those bad days, but lately the days have been better. " i love anything with cinnamon. and it smells extra good, so excited to try some. " he said as he grabbed himself a plate and added a few pancakes for himself. " my mom would sometimes add a bit of cut apples to it. cinnamon and apple pancakes always hit. "

winter walked over the refrigerator and grabbed some milk, pouring himself a glass before sitting back down. " i'm good. this timeline is good. a lot of things have changed. this winter seemed to be a little more social. it's strange. " he chuckles. " i'm still trying to get use to it. " he looked around for syrup. " do we have maple syrup somewhere? "

"Woke up in a good mood" He spoke as he heard winter take up the space next to him. His smile didn't falter as he moved around the other adding the growing stack of pancakes he had on the plate. "Thanks added some vanilla and cinnamon to them for some extra flavor. my mom used to make them for me like this when it got out of a relly bad slump. Can't really eat them any other way they just have no flavor too me with the extra." He spoke as he grabbed two and tossed them on the plate for winter. "How have you been? The new Timeline treating you well?" Rio didn't have the best relationship with the other. Not that it was anyone's fault he just didn't feel like he knew him all too well. And now that he had the space to fix that he was going to at least try.

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               " that is true. haven't seen anyone new join the ranks in awhile. perhaps this will be it. no more new people, and no one else leaves. " he laughs. " it's always a bummer when people end up leaving. " he felt the impact. most people he ended up getting close to ended up leaving or end up dead. perhaps this timeline things could change. " I love the conjuring. those are way scary. like the first one, i'm always under the covers when watching it. " he laughs. " definitely not! "

Robbie listened to the other man's words and chuckled as he nodded his head. "I suppose that's true. At this point, I don't think anyone here can be considered 'new'. Although I guess I don't exactly have a frame of reference for what's considered new and old at the camp when there's immortals left and right." Robbie says with a laugh. "I do love me some classics. But I think some modern ones have produced some bangers as well. The Saw franchise, The Collector, The Conjuring verse, and so many more. Hell...Even the bad ones at this point are funny." He took a seat and let out a small sigh as he tried his best to relax. "You mean the thought of a crowded sauna doesn't appeal to you?" He jested.

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MICHAEL CIMINO in GIRL HAUNTS BOY (October 10 2024)

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               " right. " he laughs softly. he looks up to the stables and goes straight to the one pegasus that had always been his steed of choice. " hey midnight. " he whispers as he lightly rubs the snout. " yea, but i know good midnight here is good with blending in. plus, humans see what they want to see sometimes. "

winter took lead, enjoying the ride with the pegasus. it was always so interesting taking the pegasus and seeing feeling free in the sky. and he enjoyed the ride himself, always has since the first time he's been there. once they arrived, he dismounts midnight with the help of the other. " thank you. and to answer your question, no. well, i guess florida, if that counts. "

winter pats midnight, wanting the pegasus to fly off. " i'll see you later buddy. "

"i'm just pullin' ya leg, don't worry about it." hunter smiles warmly, using their linked hands to pull winter a little closer as they grew closer to the stables. "you know, we really gotta invest in some fancier rides. i love horses but they ain't exactly gonna blend in with some of the places we go."

the ride there is pretty uneventful, preferring to keep a low profile and consolidate their ride with a single horse. arms wrapped around the smaller male's waist, he keeps winter close as they make their brief commute.

when they arrive, it's somewhere quiet they can dismount. "you ever been to the south?" he asks, assisting winter in his dismount.

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               " no–– definitely not. i mean, what we did was a trial, which is completely different. quest are not as intense as that was. that was the first time i think most of us have time traveled. i'm not sure about calvin. " winter surely wasn't positive about it. they were told that some people here that weren't at the trial wouldn't remember about the life before. he was just glad that things seemed to change for something good. " is that what you want to do with your life, outside of all this, a podcast? " he teased.

"Glad to have had the same idea." Benji winks as he raises his juice box towards him. "Cheers." He says as he takes a sip from it. "Feels like it's one thing after another, huh? Are quests always this... timey wimey?" The son of Hebe asks, getting a couple of fries to dip in his ketchup. "I'm still trying to make sense of it. So far I got a lot to start my own true crime podcast, but not sure if I'd be incriminating myself if I do. I'd also look terrible in some headphones too, so... Just business as usual."

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               it must have been strange for oliver, having a new godly parent, and the connection switched to someone new. but at least with him, the familiarity was still there. he wasn't sure how he'd feel if his father wasn't hades anymore. his connection to death was something he felt comfort in now. regardless of it all, he was happy to have this connection with someone like oliver, having parents that were together in the underworld. " yea, it's funny you say that because i've always wanted to have an older brother growing up. "

he looked up at the statue and he smiled. " i mean, no matter what, we're all in some way a weird big family, here at camp. " eyes wandered back to oli. " so i guess you're also part of the underworld royalty. curious if you can see the spirits now too. they are everywhere if you carefully look. "

Oliver had been leaving offerings at the temple each day since discovering his new lineage. Each day he brought baskets of fruit and grain in honor of not only his new mother, but his old. It was strange, having that connection severed. Having the song within his veins shift as he felt the pull of another. Yet at the same time it felt right. It felt as though he was always meant to be here. It also did not completely sever the ties that bound him to Demeter. For she may not be his mother any longer, she was still his grandmother through the divine.

So here he was, once again kneeling before their alters in prayer when he heard the footsteps of another. He did not need to turn to see who had approached though. The flowers and greenery already announcing the arrival of the prince of the underworld. Still though he moves, shifting his body to look over at Winter. A bright smile stretching from ear to ear at the other demigods words. "You know ah always wanted to be part of a big family. Looks like momma heard my prayers."

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               winter nodded as he picked up his camera and checked the photos. " yea, i think i got some good shots. i mean, for someone who isn't really a professional. " he laughed. but it was strange, he somehow seemed to be good at this. perhaps it was instinct? who knew. " you know what, i think i got the perfect shot. " he walked towards him. he showed the viewfinder and let the other check out the shot. " i don't mind getting more shots, though, if you are willing. i can practice a little more. "

he smiled at the mention of his hellfire. a flick of his wrist, the fire ignited and a flame hovered over his palm. the bright blue fire dancing around. " yes, that's me. the hellfire and the spirit talking. it's pretty cool. " he stated. " i do like that my fire is blue. i'm curious if it ever changes color, maybe something i can play around with later on. " he chuckled.

Leonardo was not necessarily a shy person, at least, not when he presented himself to the world. But within, it always felt like there was doubt over the things that he was capable of. It was unknown where this fixation of being the best came from, but it held him back since the demigod would want to perform everything to an unreal level of perfectionism. So, when he performed something well, but not good enough, he would be awfully dissatisfied. This was no different.

However, he wasn't going to show that to another demigod. "Oh–" Leonardo blurted out, offering the other a smile out of courtesy, but not fully accepting the compliment. "Hope you got a decent snap of it, 'cause I'm not sure I'm any good at this." This time he let out his words with a chuckle, feeling more genuine. "I can always have another go," Leo offered, partially a way to test himself under pressure. But he did get curious for a moment. The demigod turned to face the younger man and cocked his head to side. "What about you then? You’re Hades' kid, right? So I’m guessin’ it’s all hellfire and that, yeah?"

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               " sorry, sorry. " winter chuckled. he turned away from the other as they kept walking. the thought of being devilish still stuck to him. made sense being the son of hades. he smiled softly before looking back up at the other. " alright, if you say so, " he said, lightly bumping into him. " fireworks, oh? alright, you might be speaking my language. i do love fireworks. let's go then. i don't want to miss it. " of course, that meant a small trip. but he didn't mind. he enjoyed leaving the camp here and there.

"you're askin' a lot of questions right now, winter. think you're overloading my brain." grinning, its a convenient way for him to side-step that question, though if his looks of fondness were any indication, it didn't need an obvious answer. winter was a cutie, and he seemed confident enough that he knew it himself.

"you know i ain't gonna lead you astray." he smiles, raising a brow as winter links their fingers together. pretty cute, he thinks to himself. "if we're quick enough, they do lots of firework shows at the fair. think you'd find it real romantic."

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               winter returning back to the camp was a surprise to him. after seeing his sister, he had been debating whether he wanted to stay back in new york with his family or to come back to the camp that became a new one. but he made a promise to his father, that if ever this happened he would do his absolute best to make him proud, and fight on with the rest of the godlings.

not only did things changed in his life, word had it that other changes for others happened to. and when he stepped in the kitchen seeing a rather different rio, he couldn't help but smile. " someone's a little cheery this morning. " winter made his way over to the other. " smells really good. "

For the first time, he wasn't tired in a way he couldn't explain. Getting out of bed wasn't forced. There was no doubt behind his smile, no hidden sorrow behind his eyes. What caused those feelings still exists in him. He could feel them, hear them if he let his mind focus enough, but he could just as easily ignore them. He could worry about them another day. Today, he was making pancakes. Sure, there was the chance that Gabe would come and run him off at any moment but he needed this. Part of his ritual when moments of clarity were rare and short-lived this was always the first thing he made himself. A habit from his childhood that didn't sting right now. He could almost feel his step-mother smiling at him. A whistled tune, a little dance as he moved around the borrowed space. A Rio very few had been able to see before. A truly happy one. "Got a few of them done if the smell brought you here" He spoke without turning to see who it was, "and please spread the word went way overboard on the batter."

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               winter chuckled when robbie mentioned how formal this was. " sorry, i don't mean it to be. i just feel like i should be open to meeting all the new people. but you're far from being new now. i just haven't done my best to be open with everyone new person that has arrived. doesn't help when you're gone half the time. " winter leaned back, nodding his head. " yes, the horror movies are always good. i'm a huge horror fanatic. halloween, scream, friday the 13th, " he chuckled. winter looked around and he nodded. " looks like it. i prefer the intimate settings. the introvert in me is happy. "

Robbie couldn't help but to let out a laugh at the son of hades' words. "So formal. We gonna have a business meeting or something?" Robbie joked around with a grin. "But yeah, I'm ready for this heatwave to end. I am not a heat kind of guy." Robbie says with a shake of his head. "At least, not for so many months on end." Robbie said with a shake of his head. "And yeah, the horror movies? Those definitely are a bonus." He chuckled as he walked into the sauna as well. Smirking as he looked around. "Looks like we have the place to ourselves. For now, at least."