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Chapter one: encounter.
Nico didn’t like the uni. Not one bit. But if he wanted his art to have a future, he would need it. “It would be good to get out of the underworld,” Is what Hades had said to him as he packed, “Especially to London. The UK is amazing, one of my favourite places to travel to.” But his father loved travelling EVERYWHERE, so it wasn’t that hard to be in the top 10. Everything was number one. Which is surprising, as his father was more of an introvert when they were at home. He walked over to a nearby bench and sat down, pulling out his sketchbook.
He started sketching the landscape in front of him. The large, prestigious school in front of him with trees and birds. He decided he’d water colour it later, when suddenly, a boy sat beside him. His hair was bright blonde and he had piercing blue eyes. His major was probably sports or something, he seemed like quite a laddish boy, when all of a sudden, the boy spoke. “You’re an art major?”
Nico turned to look at him, surprised that he was speaking to him, but answered. “Yeah, I am… what about you…?” The boy’s face lit up slightly, he clearly enjoyed talking about his passion, as anybody should. If you didn’t like talking about it, why do it? Thought Nico. It was a valid thought. But he was suddenly snapped out of his daydream by the boy rambling.
“I’m doing nursing! I’m from America, so it’s SO strange being here! This place is so cool too, there’s so many people with tons of different passions, it’s so nice to see! Down in the south, nobody I knew really talked about their passions, they were always out drinking or something. Most of them didn’t even get into college, let alone university! What’s your name? I’m Will, Will Solace!” Nico sat, frozen slightly at all this new information, then spoke. “I’m Nico… Nico Di Angelo…” Will looked confused for a second, then his face filled with recognition. “You’re from camp! Camp Halfblood! You’re famous in the Greek world!”
Nico’s body stiffened, his skin paling and eyes widening. How did a mortal know about camp? “How do you know about camp?” Nico said, his voice shaking slightly, already reaching for a drachma to contact Chiron or Percy. “As I said, I’m Will Solace! Camps number one healer! I’ve healed you once or twice after capture the flag, remember? I mean, I know I’m not famous, but I thought you’d remember!” He laughed nervously and nervously picking at the skin on his fingers and bed of his nails.