Chapter Text
“Nico, I told you, no one wants to hangout with me. I'm the camp freak who grew up in the underworld” Aster said while waiting for their supposed ‘new friend’. Like they needed friends. Just as they were about to try to sneak off they heard what sounded like a very energetic Apollo kid. Lovely. Will and one of his siblings walked over, naturally Will went straight(gay) to Nico, kissing him. The other, unnamed, Apollo kid walked over to Aster “My names Uma! I use all pronouns, you?”
“Um I’m Aster. They/them if you please” Aster had a quiet voice, not particularly skittish or shy but definitely not confident. Uma beamed and started ranting about something to do with snakes and how cool they are, while guiding the two of them away from their brothers, but stopped in the middle of talking suddenly looking… worried? Ashamed? “Sorry if I’m talking to much. Feel free to tell me to shut up, I get it.” Aster frowned. This ball of sunshine is acting like they are the most annoying person in the world for simply ranting about how much she likes snakes, Aster finds this unacceptable, she was just about to get to venomous snakes after all. “No it’s alright, you can keep talking, as mean as I may seem I don’t mind people ranting, plus I like snakes” they shrugged as they put their hands in their pockets. “Oh! Um ok!” Uma gave a weary smile “So as I was saying, we don’t have any venomous species here on Long Island, but in the southeastern parts of New York we have the timber rattlesnake! The most venomous snake is the US is the diamond-back rattlesnake, found in Arizona, California, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and the norther part of Mexico. I would love to be able to hold a living one, but sadly I would probably die if I tried.” As Aster listened, a very faint smile grew on their face, they didn't want friends and they know what happened last time they tried. They quickly stopped smiling and looked down at the ground.
“Don’t we have ringnecked snakes?” Aster could have sworn they’ve seen some ringnecks at camp. “Well yes but they don’t really pose as a threat to humans. I’ve heard their bite compared to a bee sting, plus I’ve picked up a few and have never been bit.” And they continued walking Uma giving all the information he knows and Aster speaking up every now and then about stuff they know but only really half listening when Uma gasped and froze.
“Uma? What happened?” Aster looked over worried, and saw Uma staring at something. They followed her gaze and saw a snake in the grass. “ITS A NORTHERN RED BELLY!” Uma exclaimed while reaching for the snake. Aster watched carefully at how she did it. “Why are you grabbing it from the side? Wouldn’t it be safer to go from above?” Aster questioned. “Maybe but the snake would be more likely to run away. Anyways look at how pretty it is. I’m honestly surprised that Rachel and my cabin doesn’t have more snakes, considering snakes are drawn to prophecy.” Uma then picked up the snake to look at it closer, it truly was beautiful. It had a darker top but the belly was an incredibly vibrant red, it almost looked orange. “Huh, it is pretty, you think I could hold it?” Aster took their hands out of their pockets a slightly tilted their head. “I’ve noticed that snakes tend to hang around your cabin, why is that?” Uma tilted her head slightly in confusion “Snakes are actually commonly associated with my dad so they just really like us,” Aster explained, petting the snakes head as it curled around their shoulders. Aster was about to say something else when the dinner horn went off and Uma ran off to line up. Aster slowly walked to the line, still holding the snake with them.