Octavian sighed when they exited the Big House, exhausted from the meeting. Mentally going through his weighing check-list, he remembered sending an eagle back to New Rome last night after Capture the Flag, informing them of the events that had taken place and promising a date of departure that would be scheduled in the next letter. Octavian and Reyna had signed the detailed report, and went to bed in one of the many tents they had been spread out across the camp. He was slightly anxious due to the fact that that was the only eagle they had to communicate with the Roman camp.

Now, after a meeting with Chiron, the cabin leaders, Rachel, Reyna, himself, and the Cohort leaders, they had reached a verdict. The Romans would be staying for two days, today they would be attempting to build some trust between the slightly hostile groups (again- ugh), and fighting each other in the arenas to educate each other for the coming attack from the giants, although he doubted there was much that the Greeks could teach them. Apparently this was a regular and basic camp summer day. It was slightly primitive, in Octavian's opinion. The day after tomorrow they would have another meeting and discuss means of regular communication, battle strategies, and the alliances with the Amazons and Hunters. Octavian had wanted to discuss it then, but Chiron said it was too much for one day with that calming bass voice of his. So, of course, he listened, even though he was a human with four legs.

He was not looking forward to the next 2 meetings to inform the Romans of new information. For some reason he was tired, and just wanted to relax, train, and hang out with Rachel, he was all out of bravado for once. Slightly groaning, he threw his head back- his growing fondness of her was making him increasingly softer. Sitting down on the swing-bench on the porch he studied the camp. He mused again at how beautiful this place was. The controlled temperature allowed it to be a breezy 73 degrees all the time unless Chiron wanted otherwise, the sun was rising, and everyone was slugging out of the cabins to get ready. Camp Half- Blood was so secluded and cut off from the rest of the manipulative world and people like him, he sort of wished he had grown up here. Maybe his hunger for power wouldn't have manifested so fast if he had grown up here, which he was only slightly ashamed of, of course. He was also glad he didn't destroy the place, it radiated happiness, which was so precious to find these days anywhere but where you thought your true home laid.

He lifted his chin up, attempting to shut himself up. He had to stay strong, fierce, and a step ahead. For his people. For himself. It was the right and noble thing to do. He had to come off as a sly bastard who always had a plan up his sleeve so no one dared to double-cross him, and ultimately New Rome.

Rachel bit her lip as she studied Octavian. Obviously, he was in deep thought. She couldn't pretend she hadn't been turned on when Octavian had groaned so seductively. It was probably out of frustration but Rachel already had images of a naked Octavian laying in her bed. Making out with Octavian. Her hand down Octavian's pants. His hand up her shirt. Okay-STOP RACHEL, you are not some slut fantasizing about sex.

"Hey," Rachel said shyly, walking over to Octavian who looked up in surprise.

"Oh, hi," He mumbled, scooting over on the bench to give her space to sit. The swing shuddered a bit back and forth when she sat, also making a large creak that signaled an oiling was overdue.

She wrung her hands together, looking straight into his eyes to try to convey fake confidence. A shy, nervous, girly girl was not how she would come off to Octavian. But then- maybe she should just be who she was around him. Not try to be someone she wasn't, not hide her reactions. This train of thought seemed to calm her jumpy nerves, and she felt her tension lighten. "So, you're leaving tomorrow?"

He nodded grimly, sighing. "Yea, I guess so. This is a nice place you got going here, I'll miss it,"

Rachel smiled a bit. "I would like to see New Rome, though. It would be a nice experience,"

Shrugging, Octavian looked up, his opaque eyes reflecting the landscape of the camp."Maybe I'll be able to stay a bit longer than the others- be an ambassador,"

Rachel's heart skipped a beat at the hope that Octavian might be able to stay. "Good idea. We could talk to Chiron about it. Then we could send over a Greek to New Rome. Give each other a peace of mind,"

He simply nodded, and they sat in silence for a moment. It wasn't awkward, more like profound and psychological.

Hey guys, sorry I've been having a horrid writers block after this point for like a month. I know it's a ridiculously short chapter. I'll make it up to you next update when I get my juices flowing again.