teenage wasteland [open]

The thick pines that surrounded the undergrowth gave off a dry, sharp tang of the summer seasons. Soft, barely moist grass covered the pale roots of the forest floor and crackled softly underfoot. Crystal was roaming the forest hoping for a monster encounter. The air was unusually cool around her. As she approached the sound of rushing water, however, she realised that there was else someone there as well.

Crystal stepped out of the trees, wanting to see who that was. Unexpectedly, her dark blue sneaker came down on a piece of brittle twig. It made a sharp crack, loud in the stillness of the afternoon. Immediately there was an alarmed call from the someone by the creek. Crystal winced, both at the noise and then at the other noise.

"Whoa cool." Crystal held up both her hands instinctively, though the gesture was rather ironic. Some demigods could do worse with their bare hands than with any sort of weapon. "Just me." She had felt the crackle in the air the moment the son of Zeus stood up. Crystal had never actually tested ice against electricity and she certainly did not want to start now. She hoped that her bright orange t-shirt would identify her as a camper.

As she was now able to put a face to the figure, Crystal felt a lot less hesitant. She actually did recognise the camper. A moment later, she felt a tingle of electricity pass through the air at the explosion, but didn't flinch. The dried grass was now a sooty, burnt circle of ash.

Crystal tilted her head slightly, but was largely undisturbed by his cool demeanour. Some campers would have aimed at her instead—yeah, already met that kind. Heck, she was probably more than just a little temperamental herself. Crystal gazed at that head of dark curls for another moment, then dismissed him as another insubstantial show-off. She wasn't feeling too crabby today, quite lazy in fact. Still, an obnoxious statement deserved an obnoxious statement, and Crystal couldn't help responding in kind.

"I'd like to have seen you try." Crystal's mellow tone held a tinge of amusement. She considered for a bit, then added, "Sparkle."

It was probably not the most non-antagonistic thing to say, but she couldn't help it. Besides, Crystal could deal with anything he might throw at her. Metaphorically and literally. He was older than her—so what? Older meant older. Older didn't mean better.

Yup. That was exactly how ardent her ego confidence was.

An amused smile played on her lips at the guys taut reaction. "Oh no," Crystal shook her head in mock disappointment at his comment. "It was supposed to be irritating."

She wasn't all too worried—though she probably should be. Crystal knew from the real deal that those who said less did worse. Those who said less were also smarter. The guy was still all talk. And sparkles. Then again, she had only met him for barely two minutes. All they could have done was talk. She talked too. Was there any point to this? Losing interest, the daughter of Khione turned to leave, remembering the real reason she came into the forest.

As Crystal re-entered the fringe of the trees where she broke the twig, something stopped her dead in her tracks. Ah look, Crystal, she told herself with dark amusement. You found what you were looking for after all.

Several yards away from her, readying itself for a pounce, crouched a huge black hellhound. What had amazed Crystal, however, was not the presence of the monster but the size of it. It was enormous. Instead of the average size of a large grizzly, it was as big as a hippo. The hellhound tracked her with dull, vicious red eyes and its dark matted fur seemed to leak shadow. After further evaluation, Crystal determined that few simple hits wouldn't take it down. In fact, she was surprised it could actually fit between all the trees. Damn.

"Hey Sparkle. This talk about chances?" Crystal called back casually to the son of Zeus to avoid alarming the hound, and keeping her oh crap, giant tone hidden. "Here's yours." She dropped to the ground as the hellhound leapt, inadvertently sailing over her and directly towards the creek.