Sometimes, a Smile isn't Enough (Open)

(omfg ;-; *HUGS ELIZA AND BAKES COOKIES AND BEATS UP MEAN ARES KID )
(edit: SHOOT MAN, I STARTED REPLYING BEFORE ARGO AND HE FINISHED BEFORE ME AND DANG. DANG. SHOOT. MAN. 
ALSO 800th POST HOLLA)

Alyssa was walking around by herself, alone in her thoughts. She was wondering once more how she turned out to be an Athena kid- often times she felt that she didn't fit in with her folks in the Athena Cabin, them being smart and popular, true heroes that made a difference throughout camp. Take Quintyn, for example. Since Alyssa arrived at camp, and even if this sounds cheesy Quintyn was a big role model. Going on quests, after all, and being badass and shit and killing people with a simple look of the eye.  Alyssa, on the other hand, instead of zapping monsters with laser eyes would be watching 16 Candles with her friends from the Aphrodite Cabin. 
The thing is, she never really fit in. As much as she loved her siblings, she often felt a little left out because she would fangirl and be a little bit more...girly, or superficial than her siblings were, as much as she wanted to help swoop in and save camp. But she never quite fit in with the Aphrodite kids, either. She wasn't related to them, and she was more into fighting than they were- you see, Alyssa was that fine line between both girly and 'tomboy'ish. Despite the fact she knew plenty of people and she was friends with lots of people at camp, she had trouble fitting in anywhere.
She looked over,  spotting Eliza crying next to the Demeter Cabin, and that mean, big old Ares kid walking away with a sly smile on his face. Her eyes darted back and forth, mind racing with scenarios. She darted over to Eliza, already wanting to cry with the young daughter of Demeter.  She stopped right next to her, blinking several times, unable where to start.
"A-are you alright? Can I throw spaghetti at that guy over there?" She asked. She didn't particularly know Eliza too well, but if something like this was happening she would be there any moment Eliza needed someone, a shoulder to cry on, a friend to hug.

I'm glad Alyssa came, because two people helping someone is better than one....obviously. "We can pound his face in later, Alyssa." I said with a wink. I took my dagger out and cut a strip of cloth from my shirt and handed it to Eliza. "Here for your neck, we can get you something better in a bit. And don't be afraid to cry, you should have seen me a few months ago when I...well I wont go into detail, but I cried like a baby." And I had Kiara to help me, thank the gods for her. "Don't take what the Ares kid said to heart, we all have our quirks and talents and shouldn't be picked on for them." I glanced to Alyssa, to make sure I was saying the right things. I really didn't want to make anything worse.

Eliza kept her head in her hands. She sniffed a bit. Of course she was grateful for having Demeter for a mother. She loves how she can communicate with the plants like she's able to. She's grateful for the powers she has, some kids don't even have powers. That's not at all what made her cry. She listened as Alyssa said she was the bravest hero out there or something.

She would've scoffed. Alas that would make her seem rude. But she would've in her head. She can barely train without feeling bad for attacking her opponent. Eliza had actually only killed one monster, and she barely did anything. Gods. How could she even call herself a hero when she hasn't even experienced anything yet? There were kids younger than her who have killed more monsters than her.

"How? How am I a hero? I can barely get a training session in without feeling guilty for making someone bleed." She mumbled. Eliza usually never talked down about herself. Always trying to give herself reassurance, a boost to get through the day.

But sitting against her cabin? Two people she barely knew trying to cheer her up? Complimenting and sticking up for her? All because of a bully. Making her feel horrible inside. Eliza knew she could be a bit... Absent minded. She knew she had a better connection to plants than people. But the names they call her. She hears them. The whispers that she chooses to ignore. It was like that all throughout her life. The whispers and stares... She had never told anyone, but past her smile, was a face of... Sadness? Loss? She almost went to the Underworld once. And not for a quest. She had skipped her stages and had been on the verge of doing... That.


"What have I done, to deserve the title of a hero. I killed one lousy monster. One." She muttered. Eliza lifted her head. Her face red and tear tracks all over her face. "S-so please. Tell me. Explain to me how I'm a hero." Her voice filled with sadness. She looked at Derin, then at Alyssa.

"Yeah," Alyssa listened to Derin's reply, after hearing Eliza ask about how she was a hero: she felt bad when she fought, and she had only slain one monster before.
"Eliza, how many monsters you kill or how good or bad you are at fighting isn't what makes you a hero. We're born demigods, but it's a whole different thing to be a hero. Did you listen to me when I said you were brave for putting on a smile when you feel like crying. Like Derin said, it's not how many monsters you've killed that makes you a hero, it's what's in your heart and your mind. What we're saying might sound cheesy, but you have to understand, Eliza.." She looked at the normally optimistic and smiley daughter of Demeter. "Your strength, optimism, and patience are some of your best qualities. You shouldn't feel bad about them just because some ignorant son of Ares says otherwise."

(Ooc- I think we are a little to far in : ( I'm sorry : ( )

Eliza decided it would be best to hear what they had to say. Her head remained in her hands. The cloth that was on her neck not moving. She didn't think she had anymore tears left in her. But either way, she felt a few trickle down her check. Her palms were moist from them. She heard as Derin and Alyssa talk about her optimism. And how what made someone a hero wasn't how many monsters they've slain or anything like that. It's what they thought and felt.

Eliza didn't understand it, but she was starting to. She was pulling herself up off that ledge. Yanking and pushing. She saw light in the darkness of her mind. She slowly brought her head up. Meeting the gray eyes of both the people in front of her. Athenians. They knew how to talk. But she was glad that it had been the two children of Athena who found her. Eliza wiped her eyes with her sweater. It was getting chillier due to the time of year. Her mom not letting anything grow.

"I don't understand how it makes me a hero, but... But I think I'm starting to. W-we shouldn't talk about all the Ares kids like that though. Some of them are some what nice." She managed out into between sniffs and her wiping her eyes.

Eliza made eye contact with both of them. She gave a small, sad smile. Nothing like it was usually. Just an upturn of the corners of her mouth. She noticed Derin occasionally looking around. Alyssa was watching her. She shook her head.

"I-I don't think I'll be healed emotionally for a while. But I think.... I think I'll be alright. Thank you..." She said with the sad smile still on her face. She reached forward awkwardly. She pulled the two Athenians in for a three person hug.
"Thank you... I think you just let me back into the room of happy. I didn't like standing outside where it was cold and damp..." She said as she kissed each of them on the cheek.


Eliza pulled back and her thoughts got jammed with the images of being pushed down. She tensed up and squeezed her eyes shut. Like she said, she wasn't fully better. "That Ares kid... I... I want to find him... And say something to him. But I don't think I can do it alone..." She said while she slowly opened her eyes.

(Sorry, I've been busy. I'll reply tomorrow. I don't have time right now, b/c I have to study for an AP US History test.)