Equals {Nick}

[Nicholai Hawthorn]

Nick was lost in his own thoughts when he picked up that Gail was actually addressing him. He turned his head, his blue eyes focusing on her and half expecting for an insult but he was surprised.” Um no they arent really more serious then they look but they may slow me down a bit if I don’t watch it when- “ He paused for maybe half a second, wondering if he should really be letting this girl in on his business but what was the point in not? Annabeth was her sister after all and he felt the need to just tell someone.” When I leave on a quest with Annabeth and Percy soon..” He said with a small sigh, he honestly was pretty nervous about the whole thing. What if he let them down? Messing up and getting someone hurt? Or worse killed…When he caught her eyes, he could tell that she was actually sorry that she had hurt him. This fact made a smile threaten to cross his lips.

Just when he asked her about why she was angry he had to keep his voice even, because truthfully he was pissed that she was giving him such a cold shoulder for beating her. Didn’t it count anything for her that the kid who had beaten her was a son of Zeus? It didn’t help much that he often had a really bad temper, just like his father. So sometimes he got angrier then he should, guess he and the daughter of Athena where just two peas in a pod.

When she explained why she was angry though he could sense that being beaten wasn’t just about him just hurting her pride, it was something else.” Well you put up a good fight, you were almost the victor more then once. Heck, even if you want Ill zap anyone who spreads the word of my win.” He said as he raised one and surge of electricity went across his fingers. He wasn’t sure why he was being such a gentleman, but unlike Gail. Nick wasn’t that worried about disgracing his father, he had never met the man and he didn’t really expect to anytime soon.

He placed a hand on top of hers without really thinking about it when she started to apologize again, an attempt at a comforting gesture even if he didn’t really notice he had done it. He waited until she was done before letting out a small chuckle.” Its cute when you babble..” He admitted as he looked into her eyes but then shook his head.” I get your point Gail, don’t worry about it. But I am sorry about that.” He said as he motioned to her leg.” I didn’t mean to put you out so much, I guess I just got caught up in the moment.” He smiled innocently before he finally noticed where his hand was and pulled it away before intertwining its fingers with his other hand.” Sorry…” He said feeling a little embarrassed about that all of a sudden, which he found very annoying. He usually wasn’t one to get nervous around women…

[Gail Atrova]

Nick explained as to why he was so agitated, and instantly guilt swarmed over Gail. If she'd known that he was going on a quest, she wouldn't have even dueled him. While she, personally, had never been on a quest, she knew that they were more than physically demanding. Nick would have to be in his top form, especially to defend her half-sister, but because of her, he wouldn't be. Gail looked away, not bearing to look at the injuries she'd inflicted upon him. "Then please watch it when you go on your quest - I hate the idea of you getting hurt because of something I've done," she murmured, looking down at the infirmary floor. Her own leg wound only seemed like a small inconvenience compared to what she'd done to Nick now.

And then when he continued speaking, she looked over just in time to see him spark electricity between his fingers, and she smiled slightly. Gail then remembered that he was a son of Zeus, and that, of course, he would have the ability to do that sort of thing. As much as the thought amused her, she declined. "I'd rather not have anyone zapped on my account, either. Thank you for the offer, though." The playful smile was still on her face, but then he did something that completely and utterly shocked her.

The feeling of his hand on hers sent a shock that had absolutely nothing to do with his abilities right up her arm and through her entire body. Gail's stormy gray eyes widened as she looked down at their hands. Typically, she never even allowed males to have this kind of contact with her. It implied that she wanted something more when, when facts came down to facts, she was quite the independent young woman - very much like her mother. But with Nick, everything felt different. The feel of his skin on hers was rather... nice. Comforting. Like it belonged there, almost, and that was the only thing that kept Gail from whipping her hand out from underneath his and smacking him silly. For a brief second, Gail considered that maybe it wasn't so bad having a man around to protect her every once in a while...

The thought disappeared in a flash - the instant his hand came off of hers. Bright red flooded her cheeks when he commented on her being cute when she babbled, and she looked away. She had absolutely no idea how to flirt, because it simply wasn't her at all. "Thank you, erm, it'll be alright. My leg will heal with a little time, I mean, it really won't be a trouble at all. But if you get injured because of what I've done I don't think I could ever really forgive myself because I usually have control over my actions, and I... I'm sorry. I'm babbling again. I honestly don't do that very often. And... it's... it's alright, no need to apologize." The red sank deeper into her skin, turning her entire face almost rosy.

"I wish you luck on this quest," she then murmured, putting her own hands together and fiddling with them on her lap. "If there's any way I can help before you leave, or something you need done while you're gone, I'd be more than obliged to help you." Gail had honestly no idea why she was saying this, but if she were being honest with herself, then it was probably because she didn't want this to be the last time she saw and spoke to Nick. The spark she'd felt from their hands touching had lit up a yearning in her - a yearning to feel that warm, safe feeling again. "It's the least I can do for... for injuring you when you have such a big journey to go on."