True Heroism! The Olympian Way! Session 2, Period 3

[olympian-herc.livejournal.com]

This week, Hercules had the class gather in a secluded part of the preserve. Hey, it was summer, why coop the kids up in a classroom?

Hercules was again in his normal sash-skirt-sandals get-up, though he'd passed on the oil this week. That had just been for flash's sake. This week, however, he had his arsenal all on his person, instead of stowed. A great helm was held by a strap around his neck, but not worn on his head. The sword from last week was sheathed at his side. A quiver on his back held a bow and arrows, and on one arm he carried a round shield, highly engraved, with a cloth tied around and around the center, as if to cover the center of the shield.

Which was important, because accidentally turning his class to stone was a bad thing.

When the class gathered, it would have been hard of them to miss the fact that there was a small stack of crates behind their instructor.

"I did not become a hero just by being born the son of Zeus, much like young Percy here was not made a hero by matter of birth. Nor the mighty Warren because of his wings," Hercules said, before he paused. "Which reminds me, you two are now my official teaching assistants as of today!" Hercules grinned at that prospect. "You will both serve well, I think. And I won't lead you into horrible danger. At least, not in class!" He laughed at that, because Herc tended to love his own jokes.

"But I have digressed. It is not a matter of birth that makes a hero. It is not even the lofty goal. Those who persevere through stacked odds, terrible misfortunes, to achieve their selfless goals, that is one of the key elements in being heroic. So today, I will give you your own hardship through which you can persevere!"

He grinned, and gestured at the stack of crates. "In these crates are chocolate bars, bags of marshmallows, and packages of graham crackers. Everything one needs to make a s'more. But here's the trick... first you must break open the crates. And then you will need to start a fire. And while you do this, I will play the part of the bandit and plague your efforts. I promise not to use the shield of Perseus to full effect, though." He laughed.

"If you have any questions, best to ask them now."

And after questions were answered, Hercules declared. "Well, noble heroes and heroines, it is your quest to make the magical s'mores! Go forth!" And then he put on the Helmet of Hades and promptly became invisible.

Hey, no one said he was playing fair in his efforts to plague his class' efforts.

[ooc: Please wait for OCD! Class is up and open!]

Comments

Make S'mores.

[olympian-herc.livejournal.com]

See subthreads.

Break Open the Crates

[olympian-herc.livejournal.com]

The crates are wooden, and of decent construction. Of course, Hercules didn't leave any tools about to use to break them open.

Just don't leave an open crate unattended, or else the contents might start floating away... carried by an invisible Hercules.

Re: Break Open the Crates

[withasword.livejournal.com]

Tools they might not have, but Kate had boots. Heavy, steel-toed boots.

That and no problem with kicking things until they did what she wanted them to do.

Re: Break Open the Crates

[seaweed-demigod.livejournal.com]

Percy wondered if he was allowed to use a sword that was oh so sneakily disguised as a pen right now. He watched Kate kicking at the crates for a few moments, amused.

"That working?" he wondered, pulling Riptide out of his pocket but keeping it a pen for now.

Re: Break Open the Crates

[withasword.livejournal.com]

Kate hesitated, glancing at Percy momentarily before she placed a last solid kick into the side of her chosen crate.

She eyed it critically for a second or two. It looked no different than it had before her onslaught.

"....I'm wearing it down."

Re: Break Open the Crates

[seaweed-demigod.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, looks like it's really gonna give any minute," Percy agreed with a smirk. "Think we're allowed to use swords?"

[I might be a little slowish, apologies]

Re: Break Open the Crates

[withasword.livejournal.com]

Hands went to her hips, and Kate looked across at him.

"Mine doesn't smuggle easily." It was unfortunately glowy and noticable. "Hence the kicking." She shrugged, "But they didn't say not to..."

Re: Break Open the Crates

[seaweed-demigod.livejournal.com]

Percy scratched his cheek and wondered if Hercules would get pissed if he used the sword. More than that, would he get pissed if Percy had used a sword that once belonged to Hercules himself?

"True." He was still hesitant. "This sword...might get his attention. It, uh, used to be his. Well, not his, but Hercules'."

Re: Break Open the Crates

[withasword.livejournal.com]

"Desecrating a demi-god's sword by using it as a crowbar..." Possibly not the smartest move.

"But do you have any better ideas?"

Re: Break Open the Crates

[seaweed-demigod.livejournal.com]

"You can keep kicking it," Percy offered, unable to hide a small smirk.

Re: Break Open the Crates

[withasword.livejournal.com]

"We could use your head," she tossed back. "It looks hard enough. You mind?"

Re: Break Open the Crates

[seaweed-demigod.livejournal.com]

"You mind me shoving my fist in your face?" Percy wondered, raising an eyebrow. "My hand wouldn't hurt."

Re: Break Open the Crates

[wwiii]

Breaking open a crate wouldn't be too hard, since Warren had gravity on his side. Or, heck, he could smash it open with a rock or even just kick it until the thing broke.

But flying was way more fun.

So, really, what he had to do was grab a crate, and then make his way to a nearby clearing that had enough room in it for him to spread his wings. That was going to be Warren's challenge.

Build a Fire!

[olympian-herc.livejournal.com]

Hercules left no dedicated firewood or kindling. But there are wooden crates and cardboard packages that could suit quite well. Assuming someone knows how to build a fire.

Re: Build a Fire!

[trickydemigod.livejournal.com]

Ah, the benefits of living on the streets. Luke totally knew how to build a fire out of whatever was laying around.

And also he could snap his fingers and come up with a lighter. That was useful.

Re: Build a Fire!

[olympian-herc.livejournal.com]

That impressed Hercules enough to temporarily raise the helm off his head and turn visible.

"You have the ability to summon objects?" he asked.

Re: Build a Fire!

[trickydemigod.livejournal.com]

Luke jumped a little when Hercules became visible. Smooth.

"Yeah, I can. Got it from my dad," Luke said. "Hermes."

Re: Build a Fire!

[olympian-herc.livejournal.com]

"Your father is a good fellow," Hercules remarked with a nod. "He has saved my life on more than one occasion."

He looked around the rest of the class. "You do not know anyone here who is the son or daughter of Ares, do you? Or Athena?"

Those would be the ones he'd be wary of.

Re: Build a Fire!

[trickydemigod.livejournal.com]

"I think there might be a son of Ares around," Luke said, thinking of Alex. "But he's a cool guy so I don't think you have much to worry about. And I say that as someone who doesn't have the best relationship with Ares."

Re: Build a Fire!

[olympian-herc.livejournal.com]

"Me neither!" Hercules said with a laugh.

"I suppose if I tried to take your lighter, you'd be able to simply summon it back," he mused out loud. "Perhaps I should fetch a bucket of water to stop the fire..."

Re: Build a Fire!

[trickydemigod.livejournal.com]

"I'm sure your TA would be happy to do that himself," Luke said, giving Percy a glance. "Though he'd probably accidentally drown me at the same time."

Or not so accidentally.

Re: Build a Fire!

[olympian-herc.livejournal.com]

"I do not wish drowning upon anyone," Hercules said. "Though I suppose I could invoke TA-dom upon him to make him turn traitor to the group and also sabotage efforts. Though I don't wish to breed distrust, either."

Yes, he was contemplating strategy during the middle of the activity, out loud, with a student. Hercules was smarter after all his recent hardships, but today he was almost back to his 'punch first, ask questions when punching isn't needed any more' sort of tactics.

Re: Build a Fire!

[trickydemigod.livejournal.com]

Luke lifted his eyebrows, not sure if he should be hearing this. "I think he'd be a little too eager to turn against his fellow classmates."

Re: Build a Fire!

[olympian-herc.livejournal.com]

"Then definitely not," Hercules decided. "Though it wouldn't really be Olympian if brother did not turn on brother."

He laughed at that. "Or cousin on cousin. But shhhh. I was never here."

And he put his helm back on to go do more invisible shenanigans.

Actually Make the S'mores!

[olympian-herc.livejournal.com]

Now is when Hercules might do tricky things such as sneak up and steal your graham crackers or spook you into dropping your marshmallows into the fire.

While invisible. The jerk.

Or perhaps you'll luck out and just get to enjoy the tasty reward of your efforts.