Apple of Discord: Chapter 3

You wake up smiling.

What a weird dream. Cool, but weird.

Clutched in your left hand are two stone-like items. 

“No way!” You sit bolt upright. It’s then you realize you had a piece of paper and a small cardboard box on your chest. They flutter end-over-end onto your lap.

You grab the paper.

“So, Hypnos has joined the fight against Nero. Unofficially, of course, as the gods cannot directly intervene in human affairs.” Grey does a verbal eye-roll.

You explain your dream to Grey.

“A watcher? VERY interesting! I’ve updated our database with your… dream.

Given that we have a new set of circumstances with this watcher person being revealed to you, perhaps he might know where Cat and Master Da’Mon are being held.

If he is a sort of database in his own right, which I admire, he may know if Pontifex has any weaknesses we can exploit.”

“Can we leave now?”

“How about a little infiltration training.

I know a camp counselor who would love to teach you the basics of urban camouflage. You may need it in the next few hours.

Her name is Kelly. She is a makeup artist and a daughter of Aphrodite.

Normally, Topher would have a child of Ares teach you this, but they are all out on a quest. Go get that training and then head out to find the Watcher,” Grey recommends.

I hope this doesn’t take too long, you think. “Show me Kelly, daughter of Aphrodite”

You watch the BELCH crackle and swirl open. 

Topher appears first. He’s introducing Kelly and giving her an intro. That’s odd. Maybe it’s because they are Aphrodite siblings, you think. Then, Kelly’s face materializes.

She’s sitting at her desk in a space that looks like a walk-in closet. You were told about Kelly. One of the coolest Aphrodite counselors ever. She always has a kind and encouraging word for any demigod and has been known to use her charmspeaking talents to terrorize enemies.

You can’t wait to learn about the ancient art of camouflage because you know this is the doorway to more advanced infiltration techniques you’ll probably need to save the world.

Okay, so it wasn’t what you expected in terms of black ops urban warrior type stuff. But who knew pink camouflage techniques would be soooo, pink?

Looked like Topher was having a hard time with it too.

“You look informed!” says Grey.

“Yup. Hey, are you wearing pink camouflage on your owl face?” You notice that he obviously is wearing pink face paint. It still looks wet, in fact.

“Me? Hah! Let’s refocus shall we, demigod?” Grey replies dismissively.

“You totally are!” You call him out.

“Enough about the DDAM camouflage!” Grey wails.

The BELCH activates, and Tree’s head pokes through.