?as the world caves in?

It was my shift for watching over the new guy. I walked into the infirmary, absently wondering if he would wake up at all today. He's been in and out, often mumbling random words before going back into his sleep.

Annabeth looked away from him, smiling. "My shift over?"

I hummed as I picked up the bowl of pudding and sat in the chair next to his bed. "Luke is gonna work with sword or dagger fighting with you, your choice."

"Okay," Annabeth grinned. "You better be ready for our next spar."

I carefully spooned the pudding and guided it to his mouth, laughing to myself as it got stuck on the corners of his lips and chin, mixing with the drool. I grabbed a tissue and lightly dabbed it to clean him up before throwing the tissue away. I then grabbed my book and began to read.

•.•.•.•

"Coriane," Annabeth called as she jogged over to Luke and I. "That boy woke up, Chiron wants us to give him a tour of camp!"

"Right now?" Luke groaned. "It's the one time I can get her out of that infirmary and now she has to spend more time with mystery boy?"

I frowned slightly. "Um, sorry Annabeth and I were the only ones to volunteer? We can practice more later, it's fine."

We walked away from Luke and to the Big House. As we got closer, I could make out the people sitting on the porch. Him, Grover, Chiron, and Mr. D. Mr. D was muttering something before motioning over to us, still too far to hear what he was saying.

The boy looked to Annabeth first, eyes looking her up and down quickly before they fell onto me. He looked at me for just a little longer than Annabeth, but I didn't mind because it gave me time to look him over.

He had that jet black hair that was a little messy, tanned skin and most notably, he had sea green eyes. He blinked at me a few times before looking away.

"I suppose I must say it. Welcome to Camp Half-Blood. There, now don't expect me to be glad to see you." Mr. D sighed.

The boy frowned. "Uh, thanks," and he scooted away from him.

"Annabeth, Coriane," Chiron started. "These young girls nursed you back to health, Percy. Annabeth, why don't you go check in Percy's bunk. He'll be in Cabin Eleven for now. Coriane, you stay right here, I'll have a job for you a moment."

"Okay," Annabeth shrugged, gave a last smile to me, and then walked towards the Cabins.

Chiron smiled between us. "Coriane, this is Percy, although I'm sure you figured that out."

"Hey," I smiled. I glanced at the horn in his hands, and I don't know why, but the next words I said were, "You drool in your sleep."

Everyone hesitated and I cringed after I said it. Percy slowly looked away from me. "So, you work here, Mr. Brunner?"

"Not Mr. Brunner, I'm afraid that was a pseudonym." Chiron explained. "You may call me Chiron."

I couldn't help but feel slightly amused as Percy's face kept getting more and more confused. "And Mr. D... does that stand for something?"

He stopped shuffling his deck of cards. "Young man, names are powerful things. You don't just go around using them for no reason."

Percy looked exasperated. "Oh. Right. Sorry."

"I must say, Percy," Chiron broke in, "I'm glad to see you alive. It's been a long time since I've made a house call to a potential camper. I'd hate to think I've wasted my time."

"House call?"

Chiron looked slightly uncomfortable as he explained. "My year at Yancy Academy, to instruct you. I have satyrs at most schools, of course, keeping a look out. But Grover alerted me as soon as he met you. He sensed you were something special, so I decided to go upstate. I convinced the other Latin teacher to... take a leave of absence."

Percy frowned like he was trying to think hard about something.

I couldn't blame him. The poor kid was lost and confused on what was happening. I mean, he shows up on some porch, finds out he's been knocked one for a few days, and is hearing his Latin teacher isn't really a Latin teacher. If I had all that thrown at me, I'd be confused as well.

When I came out of my thoughts, Mr. D was yelling about the card game they were playing and Grover was in the middle of eating a Coke can and Percy was listing off Greek gods.

Mr. D gave him a side-eye. "Young man, I would be less casual about throwing names around if I were you."

"But they're stories. They're... myths, to explain lightning and the seasons and stuff. They're what people believed before science."

I didn't mean to, but I kept getting lost in thought. This boy, he was different. I couldn't explain it, he just was. Everyone could tell there was something different and Chiron did too, he just wouldn't share.

I jumped when thunder boomed and saw Mr. D had a goblet of wine. That's it, just him forgetting his restrictions. He looked to the sky and shouted, "Old habits! Sorry!"

I jumped again and Percy looked towards me. We locked eyes and I could feel heat creeping up my neck. He only looked away when Chiron started speaking, but he did the thing where he hesitated to look away.

After Chiron explained some more things, their game was over. Chiron looked to me. "My apologies, Coriane. I thought that would be done sooner, but I was wrong. Give Percy and I a moment longer and you'll be on your way."