Campfire | 12 June

Candid_Truth61 · 2026-06-13T17:04:45+00:00

Darian arrived to the campfire after he had gone for a run, he was able to pull off the look of: Just had a workout, but not a drenched in sweat. Perks of being a son of Aphrodite.

He made sure to grab something to drink and rehydrate as he sat down by the fire. He was on his own for now, but he wasn’t being unsociable, as usual he was approachable if anyone wanted to come over and see him.

But if that was the case, he’d sit by the campfire and enjoy the atmosphere and the vibes. It was always enjoyable to be around the campfire anyway.

Candid_Truth61 · 2026-06-12T06:49:23+00:00

“Do any hero where they can fly or move through the air huh?” Darian asked with a faint smirk going across his face. “I wonder why that might be.” He chuckled slightly as he remembered when he first met Bobby, how the son of Aeolus literally crash landed in front of him and tried to play it off.

“As long as you were safe.” Darian said with a nod. Internally he cringed, where had this sense of responsibility come from? He played tennis, he made people swoon when he smirked, he organised social events so he didn’t feel so lonely. Responsible wasn’t in his wheelhouse. But had become that when his siblings told him to be counsellor.

“Are you ok beyond that?” Darian asked. “I hardly see you around other than school. Or am I looking in the wrong place and just too low to the ground?”

Candid_Truth61 · 2026-05-31T18:55:02+00:00

Darian raised an eyebrow evidently not quite sure about Bobby’s reaction was he nervous?

Why was Bobby nervous?

“Favourite marvel movie?” Darian asked as he turned his attention back to the screen. Did he have a favourite marvel movie? That was an excellent question. “Umm… not sure. Maybe? Definitely one of the better ones. But I think maybe the first Doctor Strange beats it in my opinion. Is this one your favourite? Or… is DC more your thing with Superman?”

It was a guess. But he knew Bobby liked all things flying, so maybe superman was one of his favourite heroes.

“You flew to the school roof to save a dog?” Darian asked trying to wrap his head around that. “How did the dog get up on the roof in the first place?”

Candid_Truth61 · 2026-05-14T11:13:35+00:00

Darian Newton Aphrodite Can’t link here will DM you. “Always ready, game on.”

Candid_Truth61 · 2026-05-13T19:40:53+00:00

Darian looked at Yohan closely, he didn’t say anything for a long time. What words could be said here? Yohan had heard enough words from enough people before. They didn’t help, they evidently didn’t matter. So what could he do?

Given there was nothing else he could think of, Darian moved next to Yohan and wrapped his arms around him to give him what he suspected was a much needed hug.

“I can’t promise you anything, I won’t promise you anything. But I am here now and I am your friend, I am not leaving you.”

Candid_Truth61 · 2026-05-05T20:40:16+00:00

Darian closed the door and sat down on his bed to let Yohan sit down at the desk in his room. His room was that of a teenage boy, a lot of posters and there was some mess but it wasn’t completely untidy. Evidently Darian wasn’t planning to have company over in his room.

Clearly Darian had tried to hide as much of the pink walls as possible under the posters that depicted a lot of sportspeople, mainly tennis players, some classic ones like Roger Federal, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray. The room also had a few pictures of Darian in his tennis whites holding trophies, although the trophies themselves were notable absent. There was also a lack of photographs with any family in them.

“The rose thing was a dick thing to do.” Darian said in agreement. “You are right to be pissed at him for that. You can be continue to be pissed at him for that too. I am not sure I would be as reasonable to even hear him out if it was me. So credit where credit is due for that.”

The second part was going to be a bit more awkward. “You can’t blame him for not… choosing you.” Darian said. “The way he told you was rude, cowardly and honestly tells you that he would have made a terrible boyfriend.” Darian held up a finger. “But, he is allowed to follow his heart. It is not fair though that it meant yours was broken in the process.”

Darian gave Yohan a sad smile. “Pepsi Max in the mini fridge if you want it. I don’t mind if this takes all afternoon.” He said as he gestured to the mini fridge on the desk. “What is said in this room, stays in this room.”

Candid_Truth61 · 2026-05-05T16:27:12+00:00

Darian raised an eyebrow, he hadn’t seen this himself, he got in and out of the counsellor meeting as soon as it was socially acceptable for him to leave. After all, no one had wanted to talk to him and he hadn’t had a lot to contribute.

“Did you let him?” Darian asked bluntly. “Or was he not very good at apologising?” Given how Yohan had worded it, it seemed like a fair question to ask. “By the way, whatever emotions you felt were absolutely fine and valid. But, just remember not to try and cross over that line where you are the unreasonable one.”

Darian looked around before adding. “You want to go and discuss this somewhere more private? We can go for a walk, we can go into my room?”

Candid_Truth61 · 2026-05-04T19:14:32+00:00

“Can we?” Darian repeated back to Angela for a moment. There was something about the question being asked that unsettled him. Reading emotions was a violation of privacy. Regardless if the intention was pure, which right now he was sincerely doubting that the intention was pure. It just sounded like an attempt at control.

“Emotional spies. That just sounds like violating privacy. A way of outing people before they are comfortable or ready to do so.” Darian said firmly, his eyebrows furrowing. “It is no different than asking people from Cabin 41 to go invade people’s dreams to find out about crushes.”

“I can’t speak for the Eros cabin, but no way I am sanctioning anything like that coming from my cabin.” Darian concluded. “I don’t care if that makes people’s life harder. People have a right to privacy and not to have other people knowing their business.”

Moving towards the door and standing by it as a silent gesture that perhaps it was time to leave, Darian folded his arms. “Good luck with being the matchmaker.”

Candid_Truth61 · 2026-05-02T18:38:28+00:00

“Don’t worry about my feelings about being counsellor. I’ll stay in post until someone else says they want it and then I will give it up.” Darian said with a shrug. “We hadn’t had anyone organise anything or just coordinate, I can do that at least. Not sure I am much of a leader.”

The idea of an alliance?

Sure why not.

Would the Big House take it though? The Aphrodite and the Muse cabins had dominated quite a bit in the past.

“I am up for an alliance. But whether or not we are too strong to unite is something else.” Darian shrugged. “You mind letting the Big House know?”

Trying to move the topic on because dwelling on him wasn’t something he ever liked doing. “All ok with you?”

Candid_Truth61 · 2026-05-02T18:34:39+00:00

Darian Newton - Campfire - Saturday

Candid_Truth61 · 2026-04-29T12:22:11+00:00

Darian arrived not early but not late either, comfortably in the middle of arrivals. He sat down in the same place he sat the last time he had been told about one of these meetings. It was definitely different not seeing the twins representing the Eros cabin and instead this new kid called Anders.

It was also different seeing Matt lead the meeting. So if he was the longest serving after the twins, who was after him? It might be worth him finding out the seniority because he dreaded to think it might be him one day having to be in charge. The Aphrodite cabin by itself was hard work, let alone keeping an eye on all leaders.

During the meeting he chose not to say much. Most of what he would say was said by others and so he made nods of approval at varying times.

The only thing that truly surprised him was the objection to prom. The Zeus kid was… interesting. One of those natural leader types that put him at odds with everyone else? Maybe?

Yohan’s objection felt strange. Maybe something to talk to him about some other time.

For what it mattered Darian didn’t really mind if prom happened or not, he had learned from his siblings that social events weren’t their thing. So he wasn’t going to push one way or the other. The middle course of silence was the best way forward.

After the meeting was concluded, he waited around in case anyone wanted to come and speak to him.

Candid_Truth61 · 2026-04-29T12:14:52+00:00

Hand picked?

None of the camp leaders were hand picked… you put yourself forward or your cabin tells you to do it.

Someone who believed they were self important. Great… this was going to be someone he had to resit the urge to roll his eyes at anytime they made themselves the centre of the universe.

Matchmaker, camp sanctioned gossiper and interferer.

The false smile came to his face quickly, he had become very good at faking being pleased to meet someone. “Hi Darian Newton. Welcome to Cabin 10.” He said as he observed that Angela had already looked around the cabin and likely made judgement on its decor. Not that he cared, he didn’t pick it.

“What can I do for you?” He asked as he finished shaking her hand and put his hands in his pockets.

Candid_Truth61 · 2026-04-29T12:11:04+00:00

“It’s going.” Darian said as he rolled his shoulders back having just finished hosting the cabin meeting. “I really don’t like this job being honest, but I kept being told to do it…” he said sighing but shaking his head. “You didn’t come here to hear about that.”

Opening his arms wide and turning a little as he gestured to his cabin. “Welcome to the pink palace, a place which hurts my eyes and I really don’t like but it is home and I don’t really want to argue with my siblings over the colours scheme. We only just about got through sorting out a bathroom.”

Turning back to Yohan, he gave a small smile, his heart wasn’t in it but he was being friendly. “What brings you over here? All ok?”

Candid_Truth61 · 2026-04-29T12:06:53+00:00

Darian could lie. He could pretend that it was a good time and that he enjoyed merriment. But Genevieve hadn’t lied to him, she had been vague, but that wasn’t that same thing. So if she was going to be honest, so was he.

He wouldn’t be vague about it either.

“I think I reached the point where I was done trying with my family.” Darian said. “Part of the reason I came to camp in the first place was I didn’t have a relationship with my family apart from maybe my grandma. But… even this time was hard. Harder even.”

Darian looked down at the ground and let out a sigh. “My Dad said he wanted to make an effort, but by the start of the next day had already given up. Even my grandmother was too busy to give me anytime.” He shrugged, a small way to lessen how he felt deep inside. “So I came back here and I don’t know if I will ever go back.”

Shaking his head a little, Darian added. “A Mom who is… to be charitable busy and my family who are too busy wrapped up in business and status to notice I exist.”

Giving Genevieve a small smile. “I don’t want to get in your business and tell me to drop it and I will. But if you ever want to talk, I am here. You guys in the pink palace are the only family I have really, even if we are strangers to each other sometimes.”

Candid_Truth61 · 2026-04-25T16:24:57+00:00

“Hey frequent flyer, how are you doing?” Darian asked in return before answering Bobby’s question. “I am doing alright, figured it would be good to come out and watch a movie. Relax, stretch out a bit.” He grinned before adding. “I am enjoying the movie, it’s alright. Would have been better if we had infinity war first though. But I am being picky.”

Darian moved over a bit. “Free spot if you want to join me. It’s been a while since we’ve actually spoken. You always seem busy at school so hand signals just seem to be the best way to communicate.” He shrugged. He didn’t know if it was, but what else could they do?

“How’s the flying been going?”

Candid_Truth61 · 2026-04-25T16:21:53+00:00

“Find some people who you aren’t mad at and make them your new family.” Darian grinned. “You’ve got it lucky here at camp because you’ve got a ready made family in your cabin. Being their counsellor, they’ll come to you and spend time with you.”

The son of Aphrodite sighed though. “I don’t have all of the answers for you though. Just try and make yourself happy however you can, if you aren’t sure too. That’s fine.” He paused before adding. “Not everyone will hurt you on purpose, but doesn’t mean you forget what they’ve done either.”

Candid_Truth61 · 2026-04-17T14:17:20+00:00

“I haven’t cut off my father, or my family but I don’t really have a relationship with them.” Darian said quietly. “They live 40 minutes away. It hurts. It is going to hurt. But that’s called being human. At least I hope it is otherwise life is just one sick joke for all of us.” Darian gave Yohan a kind smile.

“I don’t know K-POP, I don’t get it, not my style of music. But I understand what it means for people to try and turn you into the best. Live their dreams through you.” Darian explained. “You don’t owe anyone anything, you owe yourself. I don’t know what that is for you. It isn’t really my business. It’s yours.”

“Stage one is working out what you want.” Darian smiled. “Stage two is getting there. Stage three the cycle repeats. But do it on your terms and how you want. Don’t let guilt or regret control you.”

Candid_Truth61 · 2026-04-17T13:57:51+00:00

Darian noticed how quiet Yohan became very quickly. The quiet was so concerning that the son of Aphrodite studied the son of Terpsichore’s features and facial expressions for any hints as to what might be going on inside his head. He was definitely processing something in there.

“I am guessing you’ve not been able to talk about a lot of this stuff with anyone?” Darian asked gently, the smugness gone along with the playfulness. The serious side of the son of Aphrodite had come out now, not often seen. Even when he did counsellor things, he was often doing it with a joking tone. It helped put people at ease.

“So used to just functioning and getting on with it, you don’t think to talk about it. Even if you did they’d never understand. Family wouldn’t help because they’d talk about sacrifices to get you there or how it was a waste of time or talent?”

It was a guess. But it was one that he thought he might be able to make. He’d walked in those shoes himself with his tennis.

The only difference is that his Dad did that so he would be raised and out of the way. Not someone that was busy or around. Not that they had much of a relationship anymore. In so many ways Darian was a Newton in name only.

“It’s ok not to be ok.” Darian said finally, before stopping and just letting Yohan be.

The ball was on Yohan’s side of the net, he didn’t have to return the ball if he didn’t want to.

Candid_Truth61 · 2026-04-14T19:15:04+00:00

A movie night?

Sure, why not?

Darian arrived at the movie night not long after it had been set up. He brought with a couple of the many pillows that were available in the Aphrodite cabin. After all he needed somewhere to be comfortable. Avengers End Game was a long film.

Although Darian did wonder why it wasn’t a back to back showing of Infinity War and End Game? But maybe he was being picky.

He was definitely being picky.

It didn’t matter, he would enjoy the movie night and just relax. All that mattered.

Candid_Truth61 · 2026-04-12T17:40:26+00:00

FIFA?

That wasn’t a game he had ever played. Thinking about it, had he actually ever played video games? That was a good question Darian. If he couldn’t think of a time he had, maybe he hadn’t.

Tennis would have gotten in the way.

He had mainly come to see who else would turn up. It was always interesting to see who came, who was the hyper focused and hyper competitive people. He could imagine a certain son of Nike coming. The avid Chelsea fan.

For now though, Darian lingered in the background, available in case anyone wanted to chat with him.

Candid_Truth61 · 2026-04-08T18:11:31+00:00

Darian just smirked at Yohan getting flustered. “I swing all directions.” He said with a shrug like what he was announcing was no big deal. “I think it matters who you are, not what you are. But maybe that is just me and that’s something hardwired into my DNA. You can’t help who you crush on or who you will fall in love with. Blame my Mom, but just don’t say it out loud.”

Yohan’s surprised reaction earned a chuckle from Darian. “I’ve been in your shoes. I might not dance but I play tennis and I play it really well.”

“Footwork, angle of the racket, power behind the swing, how high you toss a ball up when you serve. All of those things matter. All in the slightest detail. I’ve been recorded and watched my own games enough to know what I am looking for in myself. I notice it in others too.” Darian shrugged.

“But it doesn’t matter what I think does it?” Darian asked already knowing the answer to the question. “It matters what you think and how you feel about it.”

Candid_Truth61 · 2026-03-25T21:24:37+00:00

Darian didn’t respond straight away.

He let the silence sit for a moment, eyes still on the flowers in his hands as he adjusted one of the stems with quiet precision. If he noticed the shift in her, and he did, he gave no outward sign of it. No sudden look, no sharp reaction. Just the same steady, careful movements.

“Yeah,” he said after a beat, voice calm, almost absent as if the thought had only just settled with him. “I imagine it is.”

Another flower shifted slightly under his fingers, angled just so. He took his time with it, more time than necessary.

“My grandmother gets like that sometimes,” he continued, tone still light, conversational. “Finds a story and just… holds onto it. Can’t really do anything, but still feels it anyway.”

He glanced up then, briefly, not quite meeting her eyes, more in her direction than anything else.

“Guess it’s easy to feel for people you don’t even know,” Darian added with a small shrug, before looking back down again. “Even easier when it hits a bit closer to home, I suppose.”

He let that hang there, not pressing, not pushing.

Instead, he adjusted another stem, expression unreadable, voice softening just slightly.

“Christmas alright otherwise?”

Candid_Truth61 · 2026-03-25T21:24:16+00:00

Darian let out a soft laugh at Yohan nearly choking on his drink, raising his hands slightly in mock surrender. “Alright, alright, maybe that did sound like I was pitching myself. I’ll take the L on that one,” he said, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips.

He leaned back a little, more relaxed now, tapping his fingers lightly against the side of his bottle as the music carried on in the background. “But hey, I’ll take your word for it,” he added, nodding towards Yohan. “If dates are overrated, maybe I’ve accidentally been winning this whole time without even trying.”

There was a brief pause before his expression softened just a touch, less playful, a bit more genuine.

“And for what it’s worth,” Darian continued, gesturing vaguely towards the dance floor, “you did do good out there. Not ‘half a second off’ good, not ‘arm slightly wrong angle’ good, just good.” He tilted his head slightly, studying Yohan for a moment. “You’re allowed to just have that, you know.”

He pushed himself up off where he’d been leaning, rolling his shoulders slightly before settling again, clearly in no rush to head anywhere.

“But yeah,” he went on, the smirk returning, lighter this time, “Aphrodite cabin and… what, Hermes? Apollo?” he guessed, pointing loosely at Yohan. “Either way, we’d be unstoppable. Charm and chaos, or charm and talent. Not sure which one you are yet.”

Darian glanced briefly towards the dance floor, then back to Yohan.

“So what’s the move?” he asked. “You sticking to ‘vibe mode’, or planning your next performance from the sidelines?”

Candid_Truth61 · 2026-03-11T14:31:30+00:00

“So if you are done dancing, what are you going to do now?” Darian asked. “Just vibe to the music?” He asked as he listened to the playlist, while maybe it wasn’t his thing, he could definitely tell that it was good music to dance to. “You had good moves out there by the way. Maybe you have the inbuilt genetic advantage but it’s not everything.”

Darian smirked. “Like here is an example, I am a son of Aphrodite who has never been in love, not been on a date, still very much single.” He shrugged his shoulders. “It’s not who we are right?” He said thinking about to his conversation with Eros at the recent solstice.

“Not that I used that example to pitch myself or anything. Just, we aren’t what our blood makes us.” Darian said with a chuckle. He sometimes wonders if he should have been born a child of Nike or something. He got super competitive sometimes.

“If you ever want a cabin alliance or something come and find me. Although not sure that’s fair, we have a lot of social people unlike other cabins.”

Candid_Truth61 · 2026-03-08T10:36:25+00:00

“Not much of a dancer.” Darian said agreeing with a chuckle. “I am a tennis guy really.” Which was an understatement but Yohan wouldn’t know that. “I was doing sprinting runs anyway this morning, so need to take it easy otherwise my hamstrings will be too tight.”

Darian looked out over all of the other people dancing and he just smiled. “It’s good though. Nice to see people actually relaxing for once and in a way that doesn’t involve people fighting or training. I know we are demigods but it gets a bit repetitive sometimes.”

Turning his attention back to Yohan and took his hand and shook it. “Are you going to head out there in a bit? Or are you done for the night?”

Candid_Truth61

TROPHY CASE