[Sandboxing/Voice testing/Thread continuations]

That's ... one way to deal with a prophecy you don't like.

[But....]

... The thing's older than you are, though.

[ Nico blinks for a moment before he realizes: Luke doesn't know. Well now he just feels kind of awkward. ]

I was born in 1931.

[He was good. He wasn't omniscient. Everyone would have been in a lot more trouble.

He doesn't answer right away, his thoughts chasing down loose ends and connections brought on by that simple statement. There's... a lot of little horrors there. 60 years like that... maybe. Nico and his older sister had faced something like Thalia did, only who knows how...

It's probably the first time he wonders if he didn't make the wrong decision at the end, there. He couldn't even get enraged like he should have, just felt exhausted instead.]

...

So. If you want help with technology... I can't say I'm going to be much better, but I've got a knack with it.

[ Hades' kids lives always suck. First rule of being a Hades kid. He continues to look awkward, unsure of how to take that. ]

I'm not that bad.

[... For what really was just firm a subject change... that was a fantastic expression.

... He really can't help it.]

For a demigod from the 40s with a month of practice time, sure. You're lucky you haven't stumbled on that side of the internet yet.

[ Nico doesn't have nearly enough context - or experience - to tell if Luke's lying or not. So he eyes the other demigod, deeply unsure. ]

What? What side of the internet?

Ahhh... I thought so.

Yeah, don't worry about it. No one should have to deal with that, especially not at your age.

I'm eighty-three.

[Only a true, powerful son of Hermes could keep such a straight and serious face right now. There are powers deep and untold flowing through Luke.]

That changes everything, I guess.

If you're sure... Hand over your communicator. And... don't say I didn't warn you.

[ This is going to end so badly, he just knows it. But somehow he holds out the comm anyway. ]

I told you, I'm perfectly fine.

[It's only a few minutes of work.

There was a time period, very early in where he had the time and luxury to enjoy the benefits of service to Kronos. One of the greatest of which was the cruise liner's high speed wifi and all of the nearby monsters being on HIS payroll.

Admittedly, he's not sure if he spelled all of that right, but good enough for not.]

This here? Is your bookmarks, you just tap it and you'll get to one of the sites I set up. These three are useful. A reference site, the translation site I showed you earlier and a video site.

Everything under that.. well. Let me know how it goes.

Edited 2015-08-15 03:05 (UTC)

[ Nico can't help but stare in muted awe for a moment. Having a cell phone that won't kill him is crazy enough; being able to do things on it that aren't network posts or games is even crazier. ]

... Why? Why are you doing this?

[He nods amiably enough. Suspicion and surprise is more than natural, it's expected.]

Because I'm here for who knows how long. A couple days? The rest of my natural life span? Maybe just until this world gets cut too.

Then it's back to waiting for Judgement.

[There's a certain fatalism in his tone there, as if he knows what the verdict will be.]

I don't want to spend this time fighting.

[ Proof that they're from different points in time, right there ... Nico's expression softens. If he were in the same situation, wouldn't he want the same thing? ... isn't he in a similar situation himself? This is his first chance to live a normal life, with no gods and no Underworld expecting his input ... ]

I don't want to fight either.

Well then, that's good enough for now, isn't it?

Edited 2015-08-15 13:27 (UTC)

...

Also, while I'm being honest, the other reason is that I'm really expecting that seventh link to be funny as all Hades.

[ That he has an easier time believing. Another soft snort at that. ]

Better than a sword fight, I guess.

Well.

[An appraising look... all demigods had a fair amount of developed muscle but the kid was practically skeletal beside it... the sword isn't his FIRST pick. He gives Nico a grin.]

You'd probably lose that.

[ Nico's always been skinny, and then there's all the trauma he's been through lately, and the fact that the pomegranate's effects are slow to wear off completely ... but he's already tall for his age, and will be monstrously so once he's reached adulthood. If he reaches it. ]

Don't try me. You'd be surprised.

[He can't help it. He practically lights up with interest.]

That a challenge?

[ Nico considers that. On the one hand, he's had very fights or spars here - and that ADHD side is aching for something to fill up that combat attunement. On the other hand ... it's Luke. This could go disastrously wrong incredibly quickly. He hesitates. ]

How do I know it would stay a spar?

You wouldn't.

[He gives it some thought. It's been ages... years, actually, since he'd had an actually simple sparring match.]

I could swear to it.

... On the Styx?

[ Who knows how binding an oath would be in a place like this. ]

[No idea. But Luke isn't in any hurry to find out. He's already been there, done that, with 'worse than death.' No interest in a repeat.]

As long as you do too.

No offense.

Fair is fair. If you swear, I'll swear.

[ And they'll both be on the hook for whatever repercussions this place might have for them. ]

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