Chapter Text
The Artemis Cabin was empty, which wasn’t unexpected considering the Goddess didn’t have any children, but her Hunters did sometimes use it as a home base when stopping at Camp, so Pearl found it ridiculous that they didn’t have beds. When she had been there with the other girls it hadn’t been as bad, but sleeping alone under the gray ceiling was downright depressing. The sky was still dark when she got up, dressing for the day and washing up in the small lavatory which was one of the only amenities of Cabin 8. The other one was a small altar to Artemis, not all the cabins had one, as some were too full, but space was not an issue for the Hunters clearly. Pearl carefully cleaned the dust off it, lit incense and candles and sat down to pray.
“Lady Artemis…“
She whispered but she didn’t know how to continue, she had nothing to ask, she only wished for the comfort and calm her Lady gave her, so she stayed silent, letting her mind relax.
“Pearl, my dear girl, you called?“
Most people, even demigods, would be scared or surprised to hear the voice of a Goddess in their head, but Pearl had known that privilege for many millennia now, so she let go of all the remaining tension in her body and letting the warm and comforting voice of Artemis flow through her.
“My Lady, thank you for your blessings thought my journey.“
“I noticed you haven’t left Camp Half-Blood yet, why is that?“
“I apologize for the delay, I decided to stay until Gem was recovered, I felt it was my duty as her… guardian. But she is fully recovered now, so I can leave tomorrow.“
“No need to apologize child, in fact I am glad you are still there, because I need you to stay there a bit longer. I still have a mission for you there.“
“Of course, what is my mission?“
“No complaints? No requests to go back to the wilderness? My dear you have grown so much in so little time…“
“My journey has been enlightening, to be truthful I am glad I have the chance to spend more time with my friend.“
“Very well, that is your mission.“
With her eyes still closed, Pearl cocked her head as she did when she was confused.
“What do you mean?“
“It has been a long time since the rapport between my Hunters and Camp has been as close as it should be, I wish for you to stay there and make friends, connect with the demigods. My brother has already been informed and so has Chiron, they are happy to host you.“
“It would be my honor, Lady Artemis.“
“Get some sleep, Pearl.“
So she fell asleep, blessed by Artemis with a dreamless sleep, right there in front of her altar, and she only woke up as the first lights of the sunrise came through her window.
Pearl got up, feeling more rested than she should be after the few hours on the stone floor she had, but that had been the gift of her Lady. Without packing her things as she had planned, the Huntress left her cabin to go for a morning stroll, where she found herself wandering the ripe strawberry fields that adorned Camp Half-Blood, picking the best fruits for her breakfast.
“You know those are meant to be sold?“
The voice behind her startled as she spun around, literally red handed clutching the juicy berries. It was a camper who had spoke, a boy with longish brown hair and already a hint of a beard which placed him as an older teen.
“I’m sure Dionysus will forgive me a few berries, I am his guest after all.“
“I am sure he will, but my father will not forgive me for letting them get taken, I am supposed to care for them after all.“
“Unlucky duty, not many children of Demeter around?“
“Not as many as we would need, besides many kids of Dionysus have talents when it comes to berries and such…“
“Do you?“
“No… I’m more of a theater guy… but you do what you gotta do. I’m Ren, head of Cabin 12, and currently its only occupant- thankfully…“
“Not a people’s person, are you Ren?”
“Oh no, I very much am but more people like me, that’s dangerous.“
Pearl chuckled at the idea of many copies of Ren running around the strawberry fields wreaking havoc. She hadn’t talked to anyone except the medics since she had gotten to camp a few days before so she enjoyed the company, it was a lovely way to start her mission.
“Say Ren, you must know camp pretty well, being the son of the director and all…“
“That and having been a year rounder for almost a decade will do that, yes.“
“You wouldn’t mind giving me a tour, maybe a bit of a rundown of the scene around here?“
“It would be my honor and my pleasure, but you haven’t even told me who you are.“
“Pearl, Huntress of Artemis, nice to meet you.“