It'll All Workout (Kristen)

”They really have everything don’t they?”

Kristen couldn’t help but make the remark even as she was running. When someone- nevermind who- had made a passing comment on the trails nearby, Kristen’s interest was instantly piqued. After getting a rough explanation on the trails, Kristen decided the only way she’d really know them was to run them herself. So with iPod in hand she set out after her classes were finished to get in some miles. As she ran she couldn't help but notice how beautiful the scenery was. She was fairly certain there were even prettier places off the trails, but she wasn’t ready to go on an adventure just yet. After a few more forays, she’d try it so she could find her way back successfully. Already she was forming a mental map in her head even as she stared at her surroundings. Although something up ahead soon caught her eye and she looked forward. From when she could guess, it must’ve been another student running the trail. However with one quick glance, Kristen could tell the girl was struggling at this point from all the sweat. She had no idea how long the girl had been out there, but she definitely looked tired. Kristen slowed her pace, since Row looked like she was staring right at Kristen.

”Hey there. You alright?”

"Honestly? I'm lost.”

The remark got Kristen to halt in her jogging and come to a stop before the girl. She couldn’t help but smile a little at Row’s honesty.

"I came out here for a run but I got turned around and now I have no way which way will bring me back to near the high school.”

Kristen offered a friendly smile in return to the girl’s sheepish one; or at least she hoped it was friendly looking. She whipped some sweat from her forehead and contemplated the mental map she’d been forming since the beginning of her run. She had a general idea of how to get back to where the schools were, or at least the university. She figured going to the high school from there would be easy.

"I'm Row by the way. I'd be really appreciative if you could point me in the right direction.”

Her attention back on the present, Kristen glances and flashed a smirk Row’s way.

”Kristen. I was heading back anyways, so we can go together. Although,” She glanced Row over, ”We can walk for a bit if you still need to catch your breath.”

"I'd really appreciate walking. If you wouldn't mind that is. I just...I'm not really used to exercising so much. Achilles lied his ass off about exercise being enjoyable apparently. Last time I ask the advice of a legendary failure.”

Kristen appreciated her honesty and snickered a little at her last remark. Although at the same time she was a little baffled by it.

”Achilles? He was,” Kristen had to pause and think about the little greek she knew to come up with the answer, ”That one warrior with the bad ankle right? It was the only place he could get hurt for some reason?” At this point she almost felt like she was guessing while they walked. ”Sorry, not the best with greek myths. Although I guess it’s history?”

Kristen truly didn’t know the answer now that she’d brought it up. The whole world of demigods, gods, and other mystical things was all still relatively new to her. She wasn’t sure if that meant all those stories about monsters and heroes were actual history instead of fantasy. She also wasn’t sure she wanted to find out; she was already rubbing her head from the minor migraine such thoughts were bringing.

”Okay never mind that. Anyways, isn’t he dead? Or is he alive somehow? Honestly at this point I wouldn’t be surprised.”

"Yes he's dead. It was his heel that was his weakness. Although if you talk to him, he'll tell you that wasn't the only heel that was his weakness but that's besides the point. I can waltz myself into the underworld and that includes being able to peek into Elysian Fields and get acquainted with ancient heroes whenever I like. I don't get lost in the Underworld just on a back trail.”

Initially every word out of the girl’s mouth was baffling Kristen on a minor scale. it wasn’t until Row mentioned being able to go into the underworld that pieces started clicking together. Clearly the girl could see ghosts, or Kristen figured she could at least talk to them in this “Underworld” she mentioned. Kristen had to think for a moment to come up with the god’s name.

”You’re a daughter of Hades then. Yes, I realize that’s an obvious statement but I’m only clarifying it.”

Kristen glanced around as she tried to imagine what the underworld of all places would look like. She figured it must be something like a cave.

”The underworld, huh? What’s it like down there? Also yes I find this a slightly odd topic, but I'm curious.”

”Then I guess the rest of the school is crazy too.”

Kristen had to grin along with her response. She couldn’t help herself with that reply.

"But yes, Hades is my dad.”

Kristen nodded since she didn’t know what else she should say to that. it was a little odd to her still, hearing someone claim to be the descendant of a god of all things. Kristen was still convinced she herself had been mistakenly recruited into the school.

"I dunno the underworld's hard to describe. There's a bit of everything. The River Styx is an actual river. Elysian Fields is an actual field. Entrance to the underworld is basically a cave with some people there for processing spirits. It's well organized but more laid-back than you'd think considering there's always dead people coming in. Fields of Punishment...well I don't go there as often 'cause it's depressing but basically it's a field of rock with various punishments. Isles of the Blessed are pretty awesome though. That's when people become heroes worthy of Elysian Fields three times. So basically the super awesome people are there.”

Kristen listened as they walked, trying to take in everything as best as she could. Row was essentially explaining what many people considered hell to be like, so trying to wrap her head around it was a little interesting. Although at this point she was starting to think that anything was possible.

"But apparently all the good places can still get a bit boring depending. They all like when people visit. And since children of Hades basically have free rein, I can visit.”

Kristen had to snicker and look over at Row, amused.

”So you pop over to ‘paradise’ for fun, but it’s boring? So glad there’s something waiting on the other side.”

Kristen didn’t really think too much about what would happen later in life to her. Although with the complete twist in her life involving the whole “demigod” business and “greek myths,” Kristen was even more confused. Still, part of her did get a faint sense of relief knowing there was somewhere.

"So what about you? Are you just a human who happens to know, or do you have godsblood?”

Kristen couldn’t help but smile drily at the question. It was one she asked herself.

”Apparently I’ve got godsblood. Although to be honest I feel like there might’ve been some mistake.”

”I guess that makes sense. I couldn’t imagine having to play something like soccer for the rest of my undead life. Well I could, but I definitely don’t want to.”

Kristen could easily recall her mother’s obsession for the sport. Honestly Kristen was surprised she hadn’t been pushed into trying out for the team back home, although she certainly wasn’t complaining.

"So when I pop in, I teach them a game sometimes. They took a real shine to poker.”

Kristen openly snickered at the idea of a bunch of dead greeks sitting around playing poker.

”You’re kidding me. Poker? So now we’ve got a bunch of gambling ghosts?”

The idea was oddly cracking Kristen up. She noticed the strange shift in Row’s demeanor when the talk of godsblood came up.

"I know. It feels unreal at first, but if you can do new things that weren't possible before then it isn't a mistake. And sometimes the powers can be good. For all my goofiness, visiting the underworld isn't all glee and teaching ancient heroes poker. I get to visit my little brother too. So...they can be good if you let them be.”

Like throwing cold water on a fire, Kristen felt her mood sober as sympathy grew in her heart and expression. She had no idea what she’d do if Mikey- or anyone in her family really- were to die. She start to lift her hand in order to pat Row on the shoulder, but quickly dropped it again. Kristen wished she knew what to do or say in response to what Row revealed, but Kristen wasn’t the best when it came to consoling. Plus, sometimes she ended up offending people when she opened her mouth. So instead she kept it shut for a little, actually thinking about the words that would leave her mouth before letting them go.

”That’s good that you can see him. It’s not great that he’s,” She paused, ”There, but it’s nice you can see him.” There was a bit of a silent before Kristen actually spoke again. ”I don’t think my powers are bad, but at the same time I question if I even have them in the first place is all. They say I’ve got ‘advanced muscle memory’ and ’telumkinesis.’”

"So basically you're way better at fighting than the rest of us. That's not to be underestimated when we're dealing with monsters. I mean, for all my able to see ghosts and communicate with them...I don't really have much defensive power. Just turning invisible really.”

Kristen frowned slightly at the mention of monsters, although she glanced over at Row when she mentioned her own abilities. She was surprised the girl was blowing her own talent off.

”Hey, that’s not so bad. You could go invisible and ambush them. That’s actually pretty useful.”

Honestly in Kristen’s opinion any power like that was impressive. She still wasn’t as sure if she had powers or simply had an easier time learning.

"It is nice that it isn't really a good-bye for me. Of course, if I ever got attacked I'd probably be dead meat...only way I manage to pass any battle is going into the underworld beforehand and talking with the heroes in Elysian Fields. Getting battle advice helps SOME at least.”

Kristen smiled at that and glanced up ahead. From what she could remember, they were getting closer now.

”That’s definitely a good idea. I heard about an arena here. Do they actually make us fight monsters, or is it only other students?”