Daddy Crush Those Scum, Pretty Please? (Recycled For Dante)

Masin had always felt very close to her father, even though they had spoken maybe twice. She felt as if she, unlike most of her siblings, emobodied the most important aspects that he stood for. Law, Justice and Order. Her siblings were so involved in flying, making storm clouds or doing other sky and weather related things. Somebody had to represent, right? Granted, she wasn't the only one who had inherited that side of her fathers personality, but she had been the one to accept it the most whole-heartedly, and the most ruthlessly.

She didn't have too much on her plate today, which was nice for her. She had some paperwork to do, some meetings to attend and some people to question-- but that was all in a days work. The work day was half-way over about now and Masin was in the cafeteria preparing to chow down on a delectable feast of a low-fat yogurt, a veggie and hummus sandwich, and an iced tea. She pulled the ripest, juiciest tomato from her sandwich in order to make an offering to her father. "Daddy, please accept this offering," she said with a pleasant little smile towards the skies as she dropped the tomato into the fire.

@kkram265

Dante was taking his time grabbing his lunch, he didn't have any training sessions planned and there were no meetings so he was thankful for the time he could have to enjoy his meal. He had some venison on his plate with a nice salad and veggies to go with a small helping of hummus and water to drink. He saw one of the magister's over by the fire probably making an offering to her godly parent. As he approached he heard her blessing, "Daddy, please accept this offering," she had a pleasant little smile pointed towards the skies as she dropped a tomato into the fire. He took a slice of his venison and tossed it into the fire as well offering his own father a silent prayer.

"I couldn't help but over hear your prayer to your father, sounds like you have had the pleasure of meeting him." Dante said to the Magister, "I haven't had the honor yet but I know he is always with me in some form or another." When he saw her face he smiled realizing she was one of the greek's and he had seen her from time to time when there was still a Camp Half-Blood, Masin always had quick wit and he missed that carefree spirit from camp. Concordia had become home, but no longer was it a carefree group of demigods training and going on quests, they were a country with a government and army trying to stay hidden from the titans and Egyptian forces. Five years and that still didn't really sit well with him. He sighed a little looking to the sky again offering a prayer to his father.

created by rynstone.

Masin looked up as someone spoke to her, letting a nonchalant smile grow on her face along with a noncommittal shrug at his question. "Awe, we're just a lot alike. I have met him twice, in fact, but really the connection comes from the way I govern," she chuckled. Most thought Zeus to be a cruel and ruthless leader, which just made Masin laugh. Of course he was, but wasn't that the best way to rule at times? Masin was quite a bit more... fair than he was in most cases, and she never used her power to take out personal grudged against people. She was quite different from her father in that aspect.

"Tell me, who's your father again?" she asked, gesturing for him to follow her as she made her way to a table where she sat. "I'm afraid I didn't keep up with people as well as I should have. However, our Godly parents shouldn't define us but... they often do," she was incredibly proud of her father, and rightly so! But she knew that some people weren't as fond.. however, Gregory clearly was at least not a hater towards his Olympian parentage.

Dante smiled a little, "Apollo is my father, so in a way you could say that you are an Aunt of mine. Though that then gets rather confusing down the lines. Lets just say we are family as we all are one way or another." As he followed her he did find the time to admit she did have an air about her that showed a desire to govern, which was why he had to admit she was right on her father had managed to hold power for a very long time. If she managed to win the upcoming election she might very well hold on to it as well.

Who your godly parent was always seemed to have some stake in what you are good at, some like Athena or Minerva were thought as wise and natural teachers or even politicians at times. Ares and Mars children were thought to go into the Garrison and train for battle. It wasn't like that in his opinion, you could have tendencies that came more from your mortal parent and had strengths from the godly parent that could benefit you, either way though they were demigods they still walked their own path in life and had an opinion. "To many people feel they have to live up to their godly parent or don't want anything to do with them, sometimes you just need to realize that you can't choose who your parents are, only what you want out of life. I am Apollo's son, and have to respect him as a man and god but that doesn't mean I can't also be my own man or you getting the chance to be a politician with her own beliefs that work to your goals." He winked at her adding, "I am not so stupid to understand that aspect of politics, you look after the people but also serve your own interests if you want to have a successful career. You have a good role model."

created by rynstone.

@masin

When Dante referenced to her as a sort of 'Aunt' figure, Masin shook her head and shuddered a little. It was a horrible way of putting it, it made her feel old. At least he took it back due to the confusion and uncomfortable nature of the idea. She simply nodded and agreed to leave it at that as they found seats at a nearly empty table. Masin smiled and regarded many people as she walked past them, greeting them as well. She was gracious among the crowds, especially since the campaign started.

She listed as Dante continued on the subject of Godly parentage, nodding a little as she ate. She laughed when he got to the end, talking about how she has to pursue her own interests to an extent as a politician. "While I'm aware that I have some beliefs that are unpopular among the masses, I overall want to be Chancellor because i feel i have the best... idea of what we need as a whole. That's not to say Ember doesn't, but I feel as if I could do a lot during my years in office," she explained.

Dante smiled, Masin ever the politician saw that she had the best idea of what was needed for the populace. He couldn't really speak to that either, he was part of the military and there were other regimes in the world that were kept in power due the the military. He took a sip of his water before he spoke, "Spoken like a politician, though I don't think all ideas have to be popular to be a success. If I am to vote for you Masin what is your idea. What will make Concordia survive for years with the threat of the titans and Egyptians at our door, even on an island hidden from them?"

He took another sip of his water then he cut a bit of his venison, though he was not a fan of politics they served a purpose, helped organize the people and created a nation. It gave them a sense of unity, but the games are not worth it all the time and it was another reason he stuck to the defense of Concordia. "Also I feel unpopularity is a hazard of politics as you are trying to find a balance with your own goals and the goals of the people, as I said I prefer looking at the results."

created by rynstone.

@masin

She agreed, of course, that even the unpopular ideas could often times be the best ones for the people as a whole. The results were definitely a better clue as to what worked and what didn't. As for his question about what would make Concordia survive... Masin new exactly what she wanted. "Well, first of all I think that a navy needs to be established. We have never really practiced naval warfare, neither did Camp Jupiter or Camp Half Blood. That would be a strong thing for people living on an island, don't you think?" she started.

She took a sip of her drink before continuing on, "we need to live as if we are at war, Gregory. Because we are. And until the problem is eradicated or solved we mustn't relax even for a moment."

Navel warefare, that was an interesting and very valid idea. He hoped if that came to pass that more children of poseidon and neptune or really any water god or goddesses child. That wasn't a bad idea at all, they were so used to training for quests not war and they were at war. "There are points I agree with Masin and points I don't. The navy would be a good idea, as long as we get children of the sea and rivers to help in some capacity. I may have said that we are all to make our own path and I still stand by that but you would be hard pressed to find stronger additions to the navy that way, though of course anyone could join if they so desire." Taking another bite of his meal he swallowed before he carefully thought about the next answer. "We must live at war true, but you want to be careful to much focus on war. I believe it is important to keep the troops ready for battle but if they are only drilled and trained to be part of the army they loose their humanity. Levity needs to be brought in at times. It allows you to bond with the man or woman beside you, and allows your to lay your life down for them., taking a sip of his water he then added, "I despise the word eradicated when used in context of war. Eradication as a concept in war can lead to single minded focus, with out looking for other angles. You can be prepared and win a war, with out eradication."

created by rynstone

@masin

She listened respectfully as he spoke, eating her food while she had the chance to listen rather than to speak. The advice was sound, she understood that, but she didn't agree that the word 'eradicated' wasn't good. She wanted to flatten Camp Bast... but she always kept that thought to herself. "Hmm, I see what you mean. However, we are at war and need to behave as such. We were well protected, yes, but we got comfortable. Now, I don't want anyone to loose their humanity, but the mindset needs to be there," she took another sip of water before continuing, "bonding with your fellows is important... and so is being prepared. I would prefer to have the threat of war removed completely, though it will always be there..." this was how she tried to remove the word 'eradicate' since it made him so uncomfortable.

He sighed a little, war was something he never thought he would be part of. Camp Bast had help create the situation they were in right now and he had to concede the point, they had to be ready at all times. "You are right, we have to be ready at all times and we have gotten comfortable, a time of prosperity has happened and it has softened us." He took a final sip of his water and then ate a little bit more of his meal. "When I run my training groups they are at all times of day and night. Concordia is a tropical island as you know and there are many here who find it to hot or that they feel it is a place to party. The garrison can only do so much, we are prepared for a land confrontation, I already agree a navy is needed, but the garrison is a small number even the citizens need to be prepared as well." He finished his meal found though not a politician this conversation was eye opening and interesting when trying to figure out the best way to vote in the election. Masin was passionate and that was evident. She could lead them well.

created by rynstone

@masin

Masin was never softened, not really, but she agreed that the prosperous last five years did throw Concordia into a comfort zone. Well, she was going to change that, that much was certain. "Exactly. Well, I can guarantee you that I won't be going soft any time soon," she said, taking a suddenly firm bite out of her sandwich without realizing it. She was a vegetarian, yes, but that didn't mean she didn't treat her food the way a carnivore treats theres.

She nodded, frowning at the truth of his statement. "Numbers are indeed our biggest weakness. At least the Hunters of Artemis are allowed to recruit mortals, whereas we are not. Not that I would want to, but they do have an advantage in that regard. I think we could do it though," she said, leaning forward a little with excited eyes, "I think we could build a navy."

Masin's excitement was contagious, she had a plan that could work and she made some very important connections. The hunters of Artemis had huge advantages with who they could recruit but he was sure if they were allowed there would be family members out there who would want to be here and support them, they wouldn't all have to fight in a war but who could know how they would handle the types of gifts others would have. Life here was not an easy one despite the prosperity. Clasping his hands in front of him Dante replied, "You have thought this out. I have to agree with you with all the benefits of the hunters and the navy. I know there are mortals who would join us, family who would want to support us but would that be fair, their lives would be over and the adjustment here is more than a move to a different city, state or country. I do have to say not all mortals would have an issue though." Dante looked at Masin and really tried to read her, the only time she really was passionate was finding the right way to help the people of Concordia succeed and survive against Camp Bast, she might just be the better candidate for a wartime chancellor. Time would see what would happen.

created by rynstone

@masin

Masin bit her lip as he exclaimed that finding mortals who would be willing to move here was indeed possible. "You think so? I mean, I've always thought it was silly that those of us with troubled parents weren't allowed to care for them at Camp Half Blood. Why can't we bring them here? And, if they are willing and able to keep a secret, why couldn't they join us? I think if someone wanted to, it would be cruel of us to stop them," she said with a firm nod, forgetting her food for a moment as her and Dante talked through this idea.

Dante listened as Masin spoke about the issues at camp and how it was cruel to stop the people who wanted to come to the island if they wanted too. "I agree camp had some outdated rules but they were there and had worked for years, things stagnated. We need to think ahead Camp Bast has the numbers because they caught us by surprise, the old rules." He thought for a moment, why was it that those rules had been put in place when so many parents would try to be there for their children. "Old rules that had a place if parents remarried to people who were untrustworthy. I do not doubt it though that there would be normal mortals who would be willing to help us out. It's finding a way of finding out who would come with out giving away the location of Concordia."

created by rynstone

@masin

Masin was really enjoying the intellectual nature in which Dante conversed with her. He was incredibly well educated in these matters, not just another soldier. Masin respected that. She nodded as he spoke, and continually nodded in agreement as she finished off her food toward the end of his discussion on rules and mortals.

He had an incredibly good point, of course. "That's true... that's just it," she said, straightening up as her confidence in the matter grew, "I think they'd have to take some kind of vow, the way the Hunters do. However, then we're just getting into really complicated, and dangerous territory..." she sighed, leaning forward for a moment to sip out of her straw. When she pulled back, she bit her lip in thought. "Maybe this is something I should bring up with the other Magisters, you know? And the Chancellor... of course," Masin said, "though, by the time I have something presentable, the Chancellor may very well be myself." She actually managed to giggle a little at that point, but quickly stifled it.

Chancellors didn't giggle.

Well, Ember did, but that was beside the point.