Chapter Text
Malcolm was nine years old and walking alongside his Dad and Stepmom. They were walking down the rickety bridge in Lancaster PA. His step-sister was next to him in a Saree, they were on their way to church. His stepmom said it was a good way to exercise since they lived not far from the church. As they got toward the center a truck drove by, stopping next to them.
Malcolm looked at the driver, he had to be around 40, and he had dark skin and a black scraggly goatee. He had a buzzed head too. Malcolm could’ve sworn he looked at him and smiled. It was unusual for him.
It wasn’t unusual for people to look at him and frown, I mean, he had bright blonde wavy hair, and light gray eyes that many insisted were blue. They both had an opposing shade to his dark skin. Many older women said he was stunning, but his skin was odd for his hair and eyes. Always saying that if he had lighter skin he’d be breaking girls' hearts left and right. He would frown at that. When people said that to him he felt his heart ache ’Why would I want to do that?’ He’d ask himself.
The man rolled down his window and looked over at his father, “Excuse me, sir. Would you guys please direct me, I’m not from this area.” He had a twinkle in his eye that Malcolm would never forget.
“Yes, sure thing, “His dad was smiling. His dad was always a nice man, he was a curator at a Greek Museum despite being Indian and practicing Hinduism. He respected all religions and gods, and Malcolm was raised to be the same., “Where do you need to go?”
“Manhattan, New York, “He sounds shameless for how far away he was.
His dad's face was widened, but not with shock, fear., “Manhattan?”
“Yes, that is what I said., “The man agreed, the twinkle still there.
“R-Right, “His voice was quavering as he turned to Malcolm, his wife, and his daughter., “Yuvika, sweetheart, would you mind taking Malcolm and Taara ahead? Tell Swamis Baljiwan, I’ll be back soon. Ok?”
His stepmom nodded, taking note of his father's discomfort, “Come on, Malcolm, Taara, let’s go. Your Dad’s going to speak to this man. Ok?”
Malcolm nodded along with his sister. He looked over his shoulder one last time, his breath hitching when he saw the man looking at him.
Malcolm walked alongside Taara and his stepmom for a while before he noticed something, a small baby Owl on the ground, injured. I immediately ran from his Stepmoms side and ducked down to it., “Are you ok?” He asked the Owl, his stepmom and sister over his shoulder now.
The owl hooted quietly in a shy manner, Malcolm almost felt like he could feel its pain. It had broken its wing and his mom had left him. The inside of Malcolm’s chest squeezed in empathy. He knew what it was like to be hurt by a missing mom. He turned to his stepmom, ignoring the pain he was feeling, “He broke his wing.”
She raised an eyebrow at him, “And how do you know that?”
“He’s in so much pain he’s up and awake., “Malcolm explained, “No nocturnal animal would do that unless they were deeply injured. And bird's wings have hollow bones, making them easier to break.”
His stepmom hummed at him uninterested., “If only you ate as much as you talked., “She whispered her words under her breath, not intending for Malcolm to hear, but he did.
“We need to help him!”
His stepmom sighed and pulled Malcolm up, “It’s a bird. It’s meant to die at some point, It’s natural.”
“No it’s not Yuvica, “Malcolm cried pulling against her grip, “Something hurt this Owl!”
“Malcol-“ She was cut off by his dad.
“Malcolm.”
Malcolm looked at him his eyes widened ever so slightly, his dad never spoke his name like that.
“You’re going to visit your mom.”
So, Malcolm ended up rushing home and packing a bag then hopping in the car with the older man from before. He protested and protested what his father said, but it was no use. He was stuck going to see his mother, the same woman he had never met once.
He wasn’t at all happy.
The closer Malcolm got to Manhattan he could’ve sworn the man driving changed. He still hadn’t known why he was driving him, or why his dad said to do so, but since they were both calm. He tried to be too. The man would peek back at him at some points and stare at his hair, nothing out of the ordinary, just, weird.
The second they passed the threshold of New York, Malcolm watched the man ahead of him change from looking old to younger, his hair grew a bit and the truck changed to a simple van.
‘What the heck?’ Malcolm thought, looking around at the interior change.
“You can see the change?” The man asked looking back at Malcolm.
“Yes! Yes, I can! Who wouldn’t notice this?” Malcolm practically yelled, panic rising., “Did you bribe my Dad to kidnap me? No, you hypnotized him, so now you’re taking me.”
The man’s- no boy's face scrunched up in amusement, “Do you think a sayter has the power to do that?”
Malcolm stopped what he was doing and stared, “I’m sorry, a sayter?”
The boy nodded as he kept driving through the Lincoln tunnel.
“A sayter, like the Greek mythological male nature spirit with ears and tail like a horse and a permanent erectio-“ Malcolm was cut off by the boy.
“No no no, that’s a myth about us sayters, it’s only on the art because it’s-, “He stopped abruptly and looked back at him quickly, “Why do you know what that is? You’re like 8!”
“My dad taught me, he said he doesn’t like teaching improper terminology., “Malcolm explained shrugging slightly., “So you are a sayter?”
“Yes, I am., “He agreed, “Anyways since we’re over that, I’m going to ask you a couple of questions. Like the game, 20 questions.”
Malcolm frowned, he hated 20 questions. They always asked about his hair and eyes. But since the sayter seemed nice, he agreed, reluctantly.
“What’s your name?” He asked first, Malcolm frowning.
“My dad didn’t tell you?”
“No..”
“Malcolm, Malcolm Pace.”
“Ok., “He nodded, “How old are you?”
“Nine.”
“You speak very maturely for a nine-year-old., “He commented.
Malcolm rolled his eyes.
“Who’s your mom and dad?”
Malcolm froze up.
“Uh- my dad is Advik Pace. He a Greek Museums curator., “Malcolm explained, “And my mom- uh- I don’t… know.”
The boy looked at him and offered a small smile, “It’s ok. Where we’re going it’s common for kids to not know one of their parents.”
“So a ton of kids born premarital?”
“Uh, I guess?”
“Do you have any siblings on your dad's side?” He was smiling, “I’ll say I had a ton on my dad's side.”
“You’re parents aren’t together either?”
“No they’re together, my dads just passed., “He explained his face not falling from his smile. But Malcolm noticed a twinkle in his eye fall and disappear.
“Cool, cool. Anyways, uh- I have one sister Taara, she’s 8. We’re only 5 months apart., “Malcolm explained, “I wish we weren’t though. She’s the favorite, born on February 19th. Right in the middle of Magh month.”
“Oh cool., “He said again before speaking again, “Ok this is my fifth question, so I’ll do something fun. When’s your birthday?”
Malcolm looked up at him for a second before looking at his hands and letting out a small whisper.
“What”
“October 30th., “He said aloud this time, looking annoyed.
“Oh cool., “Malcolm glared at him, “Ok, ok, sorry about that. Didn’t realize people, didn’t, like their birthdays.” He looked at his feet, or Malcolm amused hooves since he was a sayter. How he was driving Malcolm didn’t know, but since he hasn’t died yet. He didn’t care.
“Oh, I know good one! Are you hungry?” He smiled tapping his hands on the wheel.
Malcolm stared at him, “What?”
“Are you hungry? Because I am, and I want to stop to get food but I won’t if you’re not hungry, “He tried to explain, “So are you hungry?”
“I guess?” Malcolm hummed shrugging.
“Good!” He smiled pulling off the road they got onto not too long ago, “I know a good place.”
Malcolm was both revolted and amazed at how he could find a place with all of the food he didn’t eat.
“Ohhh!” He cried in excitement, “Look at all that beef!”
“You eat beef?” Malcolm asked.
“Yeah.”
“I thought sayters were vegetarians., “Malcolm said in a tone that could be a question or statement.
“Some are. I mean some are cannibals. I’m not though. I eat cows mostly, and I thought you’d like this place because who doesn’t love beef!?” He smiled waving his arms around.
“I’m Indian, I’m religiously practically Hinduism., “Malcolm whispered looking at him. He only got a confused look in return., “Hinduism believes cows are sacred., “Another confused look, “I can’t eat beef.”
“Oh.”
Malcolm smacked himself on the face., “Wow.”
A while later they were on the road again. The boy had eaten while Malcolm hadn’t. Though he wished he had, even if that meant eating beef, something he swore he never would do unless it was dire. So he sat in the back of the car exhausted and starving. But finally, after what felt like forever he was spoken to, “We’re almost there, Malcolm. And you should be able to find Hinduism-safe food.”
“Thanks., “Malcolm grumbled. He looked out the window and saw a large strawberry field., “Those look good.”
“You can pick a few later, after your orientation!” He smiled pulling closer.
“Thanks-, “Malcolm stopped. The sayter drove him almost four hours in constant traffic to meet his mom from what he assumed, and he didn’t know his name., “Whatever your name is.”
“It’s Ajax, “Ajax smiled getting out, “And I’m about to change your world.”
He was right. He did change Malcolm’s world.
Almost immediately after he stepped onto the land he saw Ajax grow two hairy legs with hooves and a tail and he saw two little horns in his short curly hair. Before he could ask about it a voice called from nearby.
“You must be the new kid!” It said, Malcolm looked to the source and saw a tall boy with bandages over his right eye. He had dark hair and was pretty tall. In general attractive., “Hi, I’m Luke, Luke Castellan. What’s your name?”
Malcolm stared at him for a second feeling warmth pool in the tips of his ears, down his neck, and resting on his nose and cheeks., “I-Uh- Pace. Wait no I meant Pace uh Malcolm. I mean Uh- Malcolm uh Pace. Malcolm Pace. Is my name.”
Luke laughed, “It’s nice to meet you, Malcolm. This is Annabeth, my friend, “He pointed to a girl next to him. She was just a bit older than Malcolm he could tell, her hair was a blonde color like his, and her eyes grey, also like his, but darker. And what made Malcolm stare at her in shock as her dark brown skin.
She smiled at Malcolm, “Let me guess, you’re dads super smart, you have a younger or younger sibling that’s favorite, and a stepmom that acts pretty mean.”
Malcolm stared at her before looking over at Ajax., “Did you tell her all of that?”
Ajax laughed, “Nope just a child of Athena thing you all seem to have in common.
Malcolm blinked, “Child of Athena?”
“Yep, don’t worry I felt the same when I arrived., “Annabeth smiled, “They almost immediately understood that I had problems with my family, especially my dad, and stepmom. But the thing is, if you don’t want to go back, you don’t have to. You can stay all year here, for as many years as you need. They offer school classes!”
Malcolm stared at Annabeth for a second longer still amazed by her hair and eyes being the same as his., “They offer schooling? Do they base it off age or integrity?”
“Both. They focus on your level in writing, math, science, and all of that, then put you into a group with others around your age around of the same age., “Annabeth explained, “I’m the only person my age in my level so I’m put into a higher one with older kids unless someone new tests into my level.”
“That’s so… COOL!” Malcolm was smiling, “Oh I can stay somewhere away from my family for as long as I want?”
“Mh hm!” Annabeth hummed in response, and Malcolm smiled.
“Cool!”
A while later when Luke and Annabeth were showing him around he watched them both step back and gawked at something above his head, he attempted to see what they saw, but he couldn’t. Apparently, other people saw it and came from around and started cheering that there was ‘A new Athena kid, and they needed Chiron’. Whoever that was.
A couple of minutes later a CENTUR walked over to him smiling, “Hello Malcolm. I would’ve loved to greet you when I arrived but I had a couple of difficulties.”
“That’s… ok., “Malcolm stared at his legs in amazement.
He seemed to notice the eyes and spoke, “I’m a-“
Malcolm cut him off, “A centaur, I know. I’m just amazed. Are nymphs real? I mean now I know that sayters, Greek gods, and centaurs are. So are nymphs?”
“Yes. Nymphs are real. We have a few here at camp actually., “Chiron smiled as he looked at Malcolm, “I guess you already know who your mother is? Correct.”
“Yeah when I first arrived I was told she was Athena., “Malcolm agreed.
“Yep., “Chiron smiled, “Do you know what she is the god of?”
“Wisdom, military, and victory right? Her symbol is an owl since owls have shown a high sense of wisdom. She’s a patron in the city of Athens. And her dad is Zu-, “Malcolm was cut off by Annabeth’s hand slapping over his mouth.
“Names have power, Malcolm. You don’t go around saying the Z name. He’ll hear you.”
Malcolm stared at Annabeth for a second before looking at Chiron, “Is- that?”
“Yes, it is true., “Chiron nodded, “I was willing to let you say your mother's name, but using that one- not such a good idea.”
Malcolm nodded.
Malcolm walked into a cabin that looked like Ancient Greek carvings, but on a closer look, it wasn’t handcrafted. There was an owl decorating the front entrance. It was also not hand-crafted. Malcolm was a bit bummed to see it wasn’t but brushed it off once he saw the inside. It was amazing. The bunks were evenly distributed along the left wall, two beds above each other, there were about six of these. A small window was a window right next to a big fluffy chair, with a ton of bookshelves around it.
He could’ve sworn the books were in Greek one second than English the next. But he didn’t care. It was amazing, there was Hemingway, Mark Twain, Edgar Allan Poe, Shakespeare, and so many more.
Next to all of the books was a corner with a couple of seats, small tweezers, and building scraps around, it looked like someone was building a small building.
“What’s this?” He asked Annabeth.
Annabeth almost immediately answered, “This is my design for something for camp. I can’t tell anyone yet, but this is what I want it to look like.”
“Cool.”
Malcolm looked at Annabeth as she kept showing him the room then he spoke, “How old are you?”
Annabeth looked at him wide eyed, “Oh I’m 11. I’ve been here since I was 6., “She looked at Malcolm smiling., “You do the math.”
A little while later Malcolm was following Annabeth and Luke around the arena talking with them and listening to their stories. He found out that the bandages Luke had on were from his most recent quest, pretty much something important your godly mom or dad would put you on. Malcolm had been interested in learning the terminology for the camp, but the one word stuck out to him. And not in a good way.
Half-blood
He heard it and immediately thought of the teasing he had been induced by classmates as he grew up. He knew not to listen to them, but it still hurt him, and now it was coming back and biting him in the butt.
He was about to ask why they would be called that when his eyes fell on two boys coming up to them.
They looked pretty much the same but the shorter one, on the left, stood out to him.
He had to be around his age, he had a younger face than the other, who he assumed was his brother. His eyes were a bright blue that made Malcolm lose his train of thought. He also had dark brown curly hair that had been a bit on the longer side, unlike the person to his left who had his hair on the shorter side. He had a smile on his face that Malcolm couldn’t stop staring at.
‘Wow. He’s pretty.’ Malcolm thought. He must’ve been staring because he looked at Malcolm and gave a sheepish smile, he was flushed from Malcolm’s eyes trained on him.
“Uh, hi?” He squeaked out, snapping Malcolm out of his trance.
“Uh- oh- Uh. Hi., “Malcolm rambled, before coughing to cover up the squeak making its way up his throat., “Sorry for staring, you're- uh- teeth aren’t straight.”
The boy's mouth snapped shut after he said that, his eyes drooping down in embarrassment or anger. Malcolm couldn’t tell, could’ve been both. But then he spoke.
“Uh, I know. I came over to greet you. Since you’re a new camper and all., “He said, pushing his brown curls out of his face., “Anyways I can now see you’re weird, so I’ll be on my way now. Bye, whoever you are.” He turned to leave and Malcolm felt his stomach drop, he just told a pretty boy his teeth weren’t straight. And he agreed.
But before he could leave his hand was grabbed by the other person, “Oh Conner come on!” He laughed before turning to Malcolm, “How old are you kid?”
“Uh nine.”
“Huh. I was expecting you to be younger than Conner. Not the same age. It’s ok though!” He was smiling then he turned to the pretty boy, Connor, and pushed him in front of himself, in front of Malcolm., “Conner don’t be mean, ok? You guys are the same age. You’re just as bad sometimes, ok?”
Conner frowned slightly before looking Malcolm up and down, “Hi I’m Conner Stoll, “He extended his hand, “Who are you?”
“Malcolm., “Malcolm greeted, taking his hand.
“Malcolm what?”
“Pace. Malcolm Pace.”