Archived Roleplay:Main Forum/General/ Max and Diana's (second odd) RP!

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Beach
Max: That was actually a very good question, and one Max was still trying to figure out. Max responded in a quiet and calm voice, sitting on the sand, staring out into the water. "I won yesterday. But so did you. And if you won, I have to have lost. Even though I won, I lost. I think that's why I'm here."

Max: Max had been a little down ever since they trained togehter the day before. "Yeah. You don't you care at all? You lost too."

Max: "Yeah, I guess." Ever since he won his first fencing match in second grade, Max never understood the concept of 'everyone's a winner.' It was foreign to him. This was starting to pose an issue as he was really intrigied by and seemed to like Diana, but lost a fight they had (in his eyes at least) and she didnt even seem to care about it. He laid back on the sand next to her, staring up at the sky, not saying anything. He wasn't sure what to say, because he wasn't sure how to feel about anything.

Max: Max still couldn't process what happened the day before. It was the first time he had stopped fighting because of pain. He saw this as letting himself lose. For the first time in his life, Max had felt like he had let his mother down. "I let her down," was all he managed to say.

Max: "You're right, it doesn't. It means never losing. But I just let myself lose. I gave up and ran to the water. I still had options. And if I was only better at casting that false illusion of victory on you, I could have won. Or if I had just moved to dodge the arrow a second earlier. Or if I only didn't get hit by the dream arrow in the first place. Or if I wasn't stupid enough to think flying out of the water would work..."

Max: Max knew that couldn't be true. Only people who lose believe that they can win by losing, he told himself. "The definition of victory is deafeting an opponnent in battle. You were my opponent. I didn't defeat you. So how exactly is that victory?" Max asked this in an almost accusatory tone.

Max: "Victory isn't subjective. You don't decide you win, you just do it."

Max: Max sighed. "Well I don't feel very victorious. Sure, I guess you can show me something."

Max: For the first time in a while, Max smiles slightly. He takes off his long sleeve shirt, wich would also reveal the burn on his arm from training the day before is visible.

Max: Max had no idea what was going on. "Where are we?"

Max: Max took in his surroundings, the distant city, the oddly but beutifully colored grass... He "It's... so peaceful here."

Max: Max wasn't sure if he was able to fly too, so he just stood there. "Where are you going?"

Max: "Uh, oh yeah. Right." Max thought up and floated towards Diana.

Max: "I liked your hair just the way it was before."

Max: Max smiled. "Much. Sorry I got upset before. It sort of just happens. When I don't win, I sorta lose it." Max sighed I know I have to work on it, but I don't really know how."

Max: Max stopped 'flying' and landed. He put his head in his hands "I'm trying, it just... I... I just don't know how." Max was getting emotional, far more than he planned, and didn't want to seem vulnerable, but really wanted Diana's help and friendship.



Max: Max smiled, but only for a second. He was actually struggling to enjoy to moment. "I'm fine with without a shirt. Thanks anyway though. As nice as it is here, do you think I'd be possible for you to take me back to like regular people land? An Apollo kid gave me some stuff that I'm supposed to put on my burn and I don't know how to do it from this place."

Max: Max thought about it for a minute, and decided not to leave. "Oh ok. I just... I feel like I'm bring all of my problems into your perfect world. I don't want to ruin it."

Max: "I like you too." Max leaned in to kiss her.

Max: Max's right hand reached behind her neck, as he ran it through her soft, silky red hair as they continued to kiss.

Max: Max was enjoying the kiss, but curious about what he was in this mysterious world to see in the first place. He pulled back. "You said you wanted to show me something?"

Max: Max wasn't really sure where he was taking him, or what could be on the other side of the wall, but follwed Diana curiously.

Max: Max just looked around, nodding his head. He didn't reaally know what to say. Personally, he saw the whole thing as a bit meterialistic. In his dream world, all he would want were him and his parents just sitting together, talking. But he smiled.

Max: Now, Max officially had no idea what was going on. Max assumed that the adults were supposed to be her parents, but he had no idea who the boy was. It could be her brother, but he was pretty sure she didn't have a full brother. "Who are these people?"

Max: Max had NO IDEA what to say. Max couldn't understand why she would want to be normal, like everybody else. ''Was this REALLY the same girl who just twenty four hours ago was shooting arrows lit with greek fire at him? ''Max realized that Diana may not have been as victorious as she seemed. Max wouldn't trade his parents in for anythng, even if one was a goddess and the other a demigod, and he couldn't see them as much as he liked. Max just stood there, sort of staring at Diana and her dream family, not saying anything.

Max: Max was almost took a personal offense to the fact that she struggled to accept herself and her family, despite how talented she was in combat, and with manipiulating dreams. "So right now, when I'm here as a demigod but we are in you're dream world, are you seeing how normal people live or trying to accept yourself?" he asked this as if she hurt him by saying she wondered about normal life.

Max: Max smiled and blushed slightly at the comment. "So, can we get out of this place and like, live as the abnormal demigods we are?"

Max: Max gave her a small hug, at this point, really just wanting to leave.

Max: Max sat up. "Lets go again. Air Arena. No bows. Melee weapons only." His voice was forceful, almost too forceful.

Max: "No, I wasn't. You want me to be because its easier to deal with me that way. I'm not an idiot."

Max: Max was upset at himself, and deflecting his anger on DIana. "I do, its just, I don't also. I know that you sometimes question if your family is perfect, or if you could have had a better childhood without any of this demigod stuff, but I don't. Without any of it, I'd probably just be another kid on the bench during a high school basketball game. I also grew up being told that the definition of winning is still standing while your opponent isn't, so I'm sorry if a few kisses didn't change my entire outlook on life."

Max: Max suprisingly didn't lash out back. Max had an unconditional, unquestioning respect for his dad, and never once did he ever ask himself if he truely believed any of what his dad said, he just took it as true. He responded more calmly than Diana would probably expect. "I never really thought my dad could be wrong before. I guess at the time a just assumed, considering he met my mom, that he knew what he was talking about."

Max: Max wasn't sure why she forgave him so quickly, but didn't question it. "Sorry for lashing out before. I..." He trailed off.

Max: Max was still upset, but not because he lost. He was mad at himself for lashing out at Diana, and for hurting her feelings. He wanted to go over to her and kiss her, but felt that would upset her more. He just sat where he was, twiddling his thumbs and looking down at the sand.

Max: Max sighed. "Yeah, I know. But I'm mad at me."

Max: Max had no idea what she meant by that, but thought that she would get upset if he told her this. He didn't say anything. He just continued to twiddle his thumbs.

Max: Max knew why. He still wanted a rematch, but would never say that. "I don't know. I just feel like I failed."

Max: "I don't know. I just do. It's not really explainable."

Max: Max wasn't really in the mood for a swim. He sat on the beach, watching. When she didn't come up, he assumed it was either some sort of joke. It was only a minute later that he started to panic. He ran into the water, and swam to where she went under.

Max: Max saw bubbles rising from the water a few feet from where he was. He swam over, took a deep breath, and dove down under the water.

Max: Max took off his ring in the water, and when it transformed into a sword, he cut her free, but he saw her eyes were already closed. He pulled her to the surface, hoping that when her head was once again above water, she would regain consiousness.

Max: Max had stopped panicking, now that she was breathing, but felt he need to get her to land as quick as possible. He swam her body to shore, hoping she would open her eyes in a few minutes, and he wouldn't have to take her to the infirmary.

Max: Max was so happy she woke up. He kissed her, not really thinking about it. It sort of just came over him.

Max: When Max noticed she wasn't really kissing back, he pulled away. "Sorry, I should have thought about what I was doing before I kissed you. I'm just glad you're, well... alive. I... uh... I kinda care about you. I can back off." Max started to stand up to leave, sort of embarrassed.

Max: Max smiled, and sat back down next to her. "Yeah, I'd like that a lot."

Max: "Last time I tried that I didn't really get a response." Max wrapped his arm around her and brushed his lips against hers.

Max: Max coninues to passionately kiss Diana. He still feels bad for lashing out at her, and still wants to talk to her about it, but doesn't want to ruin the moment.

Max: He slides his hand up her back, as they continue to kiss.

Max: Max was kind of suprised she pulled away this time, and even more suprised she asked him this. "No, why do think that?"

Max: Max pulled back from the kiss. "No, tell me. Why would you ask that?"

Max: "I never really told anyone how my dad really treated me before. So that, plus the battle yesterday, I'm just feeling kind of vulnerable. So that's kind of why I lashed out and ignored you. But I care about you, so I guess I'm kind of taking a risk. And that's why I tried to cheer you up, save you, and kiss you. If that makes any sense."

Max: "So, what now?"

Max: "Well..." Max smiled slyly. "I still want a rematch."

OOC: What should Diana do? Agree just to make him shut up with it?

OOC: I don't wanna god mode, you pick. Also, chat?

OOC: Will it be quick? Or can you tell me here? Cuz I gtg to sleep soon...

Max: Yeah. Air Arena, no ranged weapons. And I want you to try. I'll know if your not.

OOC: Yeah. It will be quick. I gtg soon too.

Max: "Look, I know you don't think I'll notice, but I will," max said, as if he could read her mind.

Max: "Whatever, if you don't want to try, there is no point in even fighting. I can go find another person to train with, who will try to win and isn't so worried about my feelings while we are fighting, if you'd rather that." In reality though, Max was hoping she would just agree to the rematch and would actually try.

Max: "I already know you aren't weak. If I did, I probably wouldn't be here right now, and I'd be at the gym playing basketball."

Max: Max knew he has never had any control over himself when he lost, and probably never will, including this time. He thought about whether it was worth the risk: if he won, he would be able to regain a little confindence and fight Diana again, but if he didn't, she would see that his personality is almost unchangable, and that he is still a sore loser. And he really didn't want that. He couldn't risk it. "Whatever, I guess we can do something else. It's probably better that way, for both our sakes."

Max: "I don't know. I kind of want to head over to the gym. I don't think you're into that though."

Max: Max smiled, and shook his head. "That's not really how it works. Maybe the pool is a better option." He didn't really want to play basketball with her. He didn't think it would be fun, due to his competetive nature, and he thought they would come to restent each other if they played one more competetive game.

Max: Max really wanted to go to the pool simply because it was closer to everything that made him content: bastekball, the weight room, the gym. "Yeah. I just wanna be inside."

Max: Ugh. Max really didnt want to walk to the other side of camp, and needed some alone time for a minute, but didn't want to offend Diana or make it seem like he wasn't into her anymore. "I have to get a suit from my cabin. I'll meet you there."

Pool
Max: Max arrived at the pool in a swimsuit to find Diana already there, but it looked like she was with someone. He just stood at the doorway, trying to see if he knew the person.

Max: Max didn't recognize the face, but when Diana leaned in a little too far for Max's comfort, he just started to leave and head towards the basketball court.

Max: Max for some reason felt hurt by her action toward the boy. Max didn't acknowledge her and just kept walking away.

Max: Max turned around suddenly. "Really? because it definetly didn't look that way. I sure as hell don't lean on and cuddle with my ex!" He said harshly. He continued to walk away from her.

Max: "No, but if you told me you were and then leaned into a girl, I'd assume you were together!"

Max: "Me? Jealous?! I'm not jealous of anyone! I just don't like being led on!"

Max: ''Unbelievable. Of course he defends her, classic sign of a couple. ''"Get out of here!" He yelled at Kyle. "Mind your own business." He turned to Diana. "Whatever, you two have fun. I'm outta here." He turned to leave once again.

Max: Max stumbles backwards, but quickly regains his balence. He walks back towards Kyle. "Make me."

Max: "Coward." Max muttered under his breath.

Max: "Yeah." Using his enhanced strength, Max slammed his hands together creating a shockwave that would easily force an above adveradge sized adult man to fall backwards.

Max: At this point, Max was only standing thanks to the fack that he refused to fall. It took all of his strength to make sure his knees didn't buckle, but when Kyle turned into Diana, he broke, and fell to the ground, dringing with hunger.

Max: As soon as Kyle stopped activly making Max hungry, he wasable to quickly regain his strength and felt full(er) again. ''If he wants to fight, we'll fight, even if Diana doesn't want to see it. ''Max decided to manipulate the situation to his advantage. He would make Kyle feel and intense lust for victory, and would make Kyle believe that the victory could only be achieved by lashing out for Diana.

Max: Max saw that his mind trick was working. "No," Max said. "I have no reason to fight you. I've already won, not that you know anything about winning." He pushed Kyle even farther, making him crave victory even more than before, knowing that if he kept pushing Kyle, eventually his frustration at a lack of a fight would take over and he would attack Max for no reason. Max wanted to makeit seem like Kyle was overreactting to a situation that didn't involve him, so he could go back to talking with Diana, and Kyle would be out of the Picture.

Max: "You're on."

Max: "Yeah. Two. First, no ranged weapons. Diana may be a fan, but they are as cheap as hell, and a coward's weapon. And we fight in the air arena. Other than that i dont really care."

Max: "If you feel you need it, use it. I'm not gonna stop you from looking like a coward."

Max: "If you think you can kill me, I'm guessing you've never faced a Nike kid before. Our genes sorta makes sure that doesn't happen."

OOC: Should we make a new forum? Like an actual training arena forum?

Deep Forest
''As the sun started to set and the moon rised slowly aboved the horizon, two demigoddesses sat down in the depths of the forest, leaning on to a tree as they both stared at something Diana had made the illusion of. It was a serpent-like scorpion with three penguin heads. While Diana was trying to replicate it and enhance it, Aria was also recreating it. Sculping it from pure moonlight. SO far, hers was looking better as it somehow looked even more realistic, even though hers was all white and shiny.''

Max: Max was going for a run through forest, when he ran by the two demigoddesses, not even seeing them.

Max: Max turned and saw the two girls. He turned around and jogged over to them, drenched in sweat.

Max: Max smiled. You don't care that I'm like sweating? A lot? Good to see you.

Max: Max's smile dissipated. He gave Aria a "what the hell?" kind of look. Kyle wanted to fight me and knew you'd never agree. But a few minutes in, I realized I didn't want to fight him. So I told him his balance was off and his stance was bad, and that I would help him if he wanted but didn't want to fight. Then, knowing if he kept fighting I could didge all of his attacks, got pissed and stormed off.

Max: We originally fought because he didn't like something I said and made a scene about it, and basically straved me. I responded because I didn't want to seem weak. And trust me, if you see this guy, you'll see that he's like super thin, lacking muscle in some parts of his body, and his balence and coordination were slightly off. So, yes, I think I could have beaten him quite easily.

Max: Max smiled, entertained by the girls attitude. "Fine, I'll admit it, I'm a bit screwed up in the head. I've heard it all before, I have no sympagthy, no mercy, I'm too competetive, too cocky... but that doesn't mean I'm wrong. His stance was still off, his form still lacking, starving or nurished. Just because im screwed up doesnt mean other people aren't."

Max: "First of all, I never said her stance was flawless. I just didn't mention it. Normally, when you fight someone, you don't try to help them win. Unless, them winning is actually them losing, like in Kyle's case. No offense Diana, but you do place your feet a little far apart when you draw your bow. And what do you mean I'm cute? What's that supposed to mean?

Max: Max didn't know anything about this girl, only that she had just called him an arrogant idiot. He tried to remain calm, but was struggling to keep his temper under control. He forced a slight laugh. "Yeah, I guess it's not as bad as that." Max paused for a minute. "Who are you exactly?"

Max: Max took Aria's hand slowly, as if he was anticipating an insult as he did so. He shook her hand firmly. "I'm Max. But you seem to already have known that."

Max: Max forced a smile. "I already knew that. I tried to tell her I can't really be helped. I was sort of born this way, being the son of Nike and grandson of Ares. her insistance on helping me sort of makes our relationship, well... complicated."

Max: "I mean I guess we are in that she seems to like my body and we make out sometimes, but like, the whole emotional thing I'm totally cluless about. I mean, I guess I like her, but like... I just don't really know. But then again, if I knew whether we were a thing or not our relationship wouldn't be so complicated now, would it?"

Max: ''Shit. Ok, whatever. "Diana, what exactly are we? Like I said, I don't fully know what this'' is."

Max: "I only think you like my body because that's what you told Aria two minutes ago. You said I fight nicely and I can be cute. That's why you said you liked me. So, I'm not sure what that makes us, but I thought it was more than whatever this is till about five minutes ago."

Max: "I like you, but I like, you sometimes wish you were normal. That's like the one thing that REALLY matters to me, even more than winning, is if im gonna date someone,  they have to value thier godly ancestry. I mean, my mom is a goddess and my dad is a demigod. That makes me three fourths god. Well, technically, my grandfather is a titan, but that's besides the point... Anyway, like, normal isn't who I am. It isn't genetically possible for me to be normal, act normal, or compete normally. I do like you, and you like me, but by rejecting your father in like the slightest way, I feel like your'e also rejecting three fourths of me. I know I like you, I just don't know if I can give you the realistic down to earth me without the apathic competetive demigod me."

Max: ''She wants this more than I thought. ''"Ok, then I guess it can't hurt to try."

Max: max looked a bit hurt. He turned to Diana. "Diana?" He asked, asking for what she thought.

Max: Max shook his head, but smiled. "You know I hate it when you make me be direct like this." He paused, and took a breath. "Diana, do you want to, well... try going out with me without me like flipping out or anything?"

Max: "So, like should we go somewhere? I'm kinda sweaty and I don't wanna just leave Aria alone..."

Max: "You sure you don't wanna go on a romantic run with me for a few more miles?" he joked.

Max: Max smiled at the both of them. "Really? I was joking but I'm totally down."

Max: Max's face lit up. "For a run? Always. He took started to jog away, but not fast enough where Diana wouldn't be able to catch up in a few seconds.

Max: Max smiled at her, his grin from ear to ear. "Yes. I'm very happy. So, whats new?"

Max: "If that qualifies as nice, do I even want to know what insulting is?"

Max: "Is it bad? Like does she get worse than me when I lose? Like actually lose, which you haven't even seen. God, I hope you never see me lose at anything."

Max: "I grew up with a son of Ares for a dad. It's hard for anyone to become hotheadded enough for me to even notice. I kind of just wasn't a fan of all of the judgement of a situation I didn't really feel like she was a part of."

Max: Max slowed down his jog until he came to a stop. He didn't look like he was tired in any way, but he sat down against a tree.

Max: "Nothing's wrong. I just wanted to sit. You looked like you were getting tired. It's been a mile and a half. I thought we could just sit for a while, take, you know, before Aria makes us act all formal or whatever."

Max: "I don't know, just talk i guess. We could kiss too if you want."

Max: Max leaned in and brushed his lips up against Diana's.

Max: Max put his arms around Diana's neck. He closed his eyes as he continued to kiss her passionately.

Max: Max couldn't believe she would even think of kissing him when he was sweaty. If it were him, he would have rejected himself till he showered. He pulled back. "You really shouldn't have to kiss me when I'm sweaty. There's a small lake over there I found on my last run where we can cool off."

Max: Max got up and started walking toawrds where the pond he was talking about was.

Max: "So now, we go swimming." Max said, taking off his sweat soaked shirt. "And this time, you dont drown and I dont have to save you."

Max: Max waded into the water slowly, nowhere near as enthusiastically as Diana.

Max: Max smiled at her. "Ok then. We can have some fun I guess. Wait here." Max got out of the water and a pair of large white wings grew out of his back. He flew around ten feet into the air, and hovered over the water. His wings then disappeared as he cannonballed into the water, falling ten feet straight down.

Max: Max landed in the water, and when he came up for air, splashed Diana in the face.

Max: Max laughed, as he kept splashing Diana. "Really? Then why aren't you splashing back?" Max said, in a flirty, playful voice, pulling Diana towards him.

Max: "Of course. I'm not that boring. I can have fun. As long as I get my run in first of course."

Max: "Orange. No specific reason, I just happen to like the way it looks."

Max: Max forced his smile. "Yeah, I remember." Boy, did Max hate that place though. It was full of all of these materialistic, unrealistic wants and fantasies. He didn't show it, but that place made him really uncomfortable. Even just talking about it.

Max: "I don't know. I'm kind of more into homemade American stuff. I guess I like sushi though."

Max: "That's cool. I've never really had that before. Is it good? My dad used to take me to Chinese restaurants all the time because my day with all my sports and training was way too hectic for a sitdown meal, but he would always tell me fast food was unhealthy. So like, I always just assumed Chinese doesn't count. I'm kinda a health buff too, if you haven't noticed."

Max: Max shook his head at the mention of Italian food. "Italian food. Lots of carbs in those meals to work off. I mean, I could easily do it no problem. But you know, for some people..."

Max: "I know. That's why I don't eat cheeseburgers and fries."

Max: "Yeah, and I do once in a while. I have Italian and cake and other high carb and sugary stuff sometimes on like special occasions like birthdays and stuff to celebrate. But other than that, I stick to only whole wheat bread, white meat, nuts, celery... those kinds of things." Its boring compared to all the other foods out there, but its super good for you. Am I boring you?"

Max: Max looked Diana right in the eyes. "Of course I care."

Max: "I don't know, I just like healthy food. I'm such a health nerd. Like, check how many colories everything has before I eat it kind of health nerd."

Max: "No, just a super healthy normal person. I get my fair share of calories. I'm no Limos kid."

Max: "Oh, sorry. My diet is boring. Tell me about your family."

Max: "What's she like?"

Max: "Anything specific she told you?"

Max: "She sounds pretty smart. Sometimes, I wished I could of just taken a break from all the training. But like, my dad wouldn't let me. I... I don't know. I love it more than anything, but like, my dad can be pretty harsh..."

Max: "I'm pretty immune to harsh insults and stuff because of it. You know, tough love. But still love."

Max: Max let out a sigh. "Hi Aria."

Max: "Aria, if you don't mind me asking, why exactly are you here? The silly dinner we told you we would do isn't for like another hour, at least."

Max: Max gave Diana a "so this is Violet" look. He turned to Aria. "I never asked you to leave, I was simply wondering why you came an hour early."

Max: Max had spent the past years of his life talking himself out of fights in the locker room. He hoped talking hmself out of a fight with a psychopath wouldn't be too much harder. "Yes. Truly. I'll prove it to you. Why don't you join our conversation?"

Max: Max laughed. "No Aria, we're just talking."

Max: "What do you mean? Of course we were really talking."

Max: "Both."

Max: "Diana once told me, not everything is black or white. We can be talking about our favorite things casually, and talking about something deeper at the same time. We were also talking about our families, you know, that type of stuff."

Max: "I don't believe you. There has to be stuff to talk about, no matter what happened to your family or no matter where they are. Talking about them is important, and if there was nothing to talk about, they wouldn't be your family. If you felt anything towards them, there is something to talk about."

Max: "That's not all of it though. It's like playing favorites. The facts mean nothing. It's what's behind them. What you have to say about what happened. How you feel about it. That's what matters."

Max: "Ok. So... What now?"

Max: "Ok."

Timeskip

First Date
Max: Max knocked on the door to Pandia's cabin, dressed in a button down shirt and tie. It was less formal than what Aria told him to wear, but for him it was as dressed up as he would ever get.

Max: "Sorry. These were the most formal clothes I brought to camp. I wasn't exactly expecting going to banquets or anything while I was here, and I haven't had a chance to leave and go shopping yet."

Max: Max walked inside her cabin. No, Aria, I'm three minutes early, He thought.

Max: Max nodded. "I see." Jeez, I'm glad I'm not her boyfriend.

Max: Max awkwardly waved back at Diana making it blatantly obvious how uncomfortable he was in his "formal attire" and with the whole situation.

Max: "Great. You seem to look good no matter what you wear. You don't need to dress up to impress me."

Max: "I guess so. Wouldn't want to be late for something we all invested so much effort into," Max said sarcastically.

Max: Max put his hands out in front of him, making a "calm down" gesture. "Chill Aria. I wasn't mocking anyone. My clothes are just itchy. And I hate getting dressed up."

Max: Max caustiously took her hand. He was suspicious she might flip on him if he grabbed it in her definition of a "non-genteleman-like" way.

Max: "Aria, on second thought, we can just walk..."

Max: "Really?" Max didn't feel anything. Was he supposed to? "That was much easier than I was expecting."

Max: Max looked concerned for Diana. "Yeah sure. Diana, you don't look too good..."

Max: "What the hell Aria!" Max yelled at her. Si

Max: He looked at Diana, awaiting an answer.

Max: max suddenly became very protective of Diana. "Diana. Are you sure... We can do this another time..."

Max: ''Wow this place was fancy. ''"Yeah. This is great, thanks."

Max: "I think I'll go with the salmon. Thanks anyway for the suggestion Aria."

Max: "Water's fine with me."

Max: "Gotta stay hydrated, you know? Sugary drinks don't help there."

Max: Max just stared at the two of them, as if they were crazy. "Am I missing something?"

Max: Max just shook his head. "Whatever."

Max: ''Wow, it's like I'm not even here. It's like they have like some telepathic connection or something. Diana and I can go on our own not formal date some other time.'' "It's ok. I was just leaving."

Max: "No, I'm sorry to interrupt." Max got up and started walking towards the door.

Max: "Ok. Well then I want Aria to leave." Max sighed, before continuing. "Whenever we are alone, we seem to get along just fine. Better than fine, sometimes. but as soon as someone else bothers to show up, things start to go downhill from there. I don't want to have our first date with someone else. And I hate these clothes."

Max: "Yes. I don't want to be here, but if I have to do this stupid formal date thing to gain your friend's approval, I'll do it. But I want it to actually be a date then. And that can't really happen if Aria stays. On second thought, why don't you to just have dinner tonight, and we can do something tomorrow the two of us. Things seem to go better when we are alone."

Max: Max smiled at her, and then kissed her on the lips, as a thank you gesture. "I know just the place." He went back to the table and sat back down.

Max: "I'll take the salmon, thanks."

Max: "So, what were we talking about?"

Max: "She isn't. I never said she was. I just don't fair well with other people who I'm not trying to win against. Well, one second thought, I don't fair well with them either."

Max: "I... I don't know. I sort of see everyone and everything as a challenge, a competition. I could ask you the same thing about your curiousity though. Why can't you just be satisfied the way things turn out, without an explaination or any what-ifs?" He didn't say this in an defensive way, it was much more polite, more of a question than an accusation.

Max: "I've tried in the past. Like actually tried. Nothing ever changed. I guess I just gave up. I sort of just never saw I reason to try again..."

Max: "No. But I'd rather die bitter, having won, than happy that I lost."

Max: "That's not what I meant. I want to be happy. But I'm afraid that I'll have to sacrifice everything I've worked for up to this point in order to be happy with others. Like, how can I want to win, and like the person I'm competing against at the same time?"

Max: "It's just the only way I know how to be happy. Well, till today. I was happy when we were running together, not competetivly, just running. And when we were talking in the lake... But, like, that had never happened to me before. I've never been happy without winning before. I guess I'm kind of just starting to learn how to be happier. I'm sorta new at this."

Max: Diana wanted the truth, and she would get it. "I hate her." Max said this quickly, bluntly, and in a monotone.

Max: "She's like way too pushy, for starters. I mean, we were doing fine by ourselves in the forest and in the lake. We didn't need her to arrange this dinner, and something tells me she didn't do it out of the goodness of her heart. Also, she sort of, well, interupted our moment in the lake earlier. And she started to judge and insult me as soon as she laid eyes on me. So yeah, I'm not much of a fan."

Max: Max had not noticed the balloon or the fact that Aria was right above him. He was too busy doubting Diana. "Really? I don't think she likes me. Even if she does, I'm still not a fan."

Max: "Thanks," Max said. He still had yet to notice what was going on above him.

OOC: Can I say it bursts on him?

OOC: Whatever float's your boat. Yeah, sure.

''As the balloon touched Max, it suddely burst, making all the itching powder explode on Max. Meanwhile, Aria remade the burnt piece of the ceiling with pure moonlight before transporting herself back to outside her cabin, laughing to herself and kneeling to the ground, not being able to stop laughing. 'Crap'. She thought. 'What have I done?' Her laugh faded and a concerned look took over her face. ''

Max: The powder was all over Max's clothes, but little he touched his skin. Good thing he was wearing long pants and long sleeves. He scratched his hand. "I have no idea, but it's making my hand itch, like a lot."

Max: Max sighed. " It's itching powder. Whatever. It just itches. A lot. But the more I scratch it, the more it itches," he said, now scratching his cheek and the back of his neck." He gave Diana a look. "Hmmm... I wonder who knew we were here, doesn't like me, and could have done this, given the full moon..." he said sarcastically.

Max: "Look, I've always been a popular jock in the real world, but never had like any real friends. I kind of don't want one of my first to be an insane psychopath where I have to be grateful if I just survive a single day with them. I know she did this. It had to be her."

Max: "Ok, whatever you say. If you don't mind, I'm going to leave a bit early and go shower ino order to get this stuff off me before I scratch my skin off." Max got up from the table. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Max: "Just stop by my cabin at some point. I'll probably be there all day."

Max: Max handed Diana a one hundred dollar bill. "This should cover it for the both of us, plus anything else you get it you decide to finish the meal. I'm way too uncomfortable right now."

Max: "No you won't. I'm being rude enough, I'll pay. I insist." He left the dollar bill and the table, turned, and left the restaurant.

OOC: Not sure where to go from here, any ideas?

OOC: Maybe Timeskip to the nxt day where they have a 'picnic'.

TIMESKIP

Picnic
Max: A day later,  Max had decided to stay in his cabin all day. He knew if he saw Aria he would want to kill her, and jsut wanted to be alone. He tends to hold a grudge.

Max: Max opened the door to the cabin, only wearing shorts and no shirt, his hair a wet and a mess, as if he had just taken a shower. "Hey," he said to Diana. "Sorry, I wasn't sure at exactly what time you would stop by." Max threw on a grey T-shirt. "So, what do you have planned? Anything? Or should we just go for a walk?"

Max: Max gave her a genuine smile. "That sounds great."

Max: Max ran after her. "Hey, wait up!" he said, laughing. "Sorry about last night. I know how I must have seemed," he said, as he caught up to Diana.

Max: As they reached the sport where they would sit and have thier picnic, Max sat down, his back against a tree. "There's something I want to do. I know you think I'm campable of changing, and I know that you know that I have tried in the past, and sort of failed. And you think I'm not really trying. There's something I want to show you."

Max: Max reached in his pocket and took out a celestial bronze arrowhead, that looked as if it was recently polished, but not unused. "You shot this into my chest when we were fighting in the arena. My dad always told me that when you lost, it was because you could have made a better descision at one point or another. But what happened last night made me realize, that sometime you're just unlucky. My dad always told me to save something from every defeat, so that I could be reminded of what I did wrong. But now, I'm realizing, I did everything right. And so did you. So, I'm giving back my token of our battle." Max paused, allowing Diana a chance to say something. Before she could respond he spoke again. "Sorry, it was a stupid idea."

Max: Max shrugged. "Sure, I guess." He handed her the arrowhead.

Max: "Well, It's your arrowhead. You're supposed to think It's neat. You shot it at me, after all."

Max: Max shrugged. "Eh. It's no different than a trophy. Except It's from a fight I didn't win, so it's more humiliating than a trophy. That's why I'm getting rid of it."

Max: "Like, it just reminds me of the battle. I want to learn to not dwell on every part of my life as a competition, so I remember it as less of a trining session, and more as how we met. And you remind me of that. And that makes me a lot happier and way more motivated than a silly arrowhead."

Max: Max smiled at Diana. "I'm glad I'm understanding too."

Max: Max relaxed, as he just smiled and stroked his hand through Diana's hair. He didn't say anything, simply enjoying the moment.

Max: Max held Diana closely. He looked at her, smiled, and said, "Thanks for the help."

Max: Max just cuddled Diana in his arms, not saying anything else.

Max: "We should probably eat the food now," Max said, not really sure what to say at this point.

Max: "Ok." Max opened the basket, and took out some paper plates and some of the food.

Max: Max didn't say anything. He didn't want to ruin the moment.

Max: He gave her a smile back. "Yeah, just didn't want to ruin the moment."

Max: "Well, I haven't ruined it yet, but I'm sure something will mess it up in the next hour or so."

Max: "Just about."

Max: "No, I'm doing fine thanks."

Max: Max started to eat his lunch, as if Diana's skepticism was nonexistent.

Max: "A little cold, but I'll manage."

Max: "It tastes fishy. But I think that's a good thing, given that It's fish."

Max: "Diana, have you ever been to New York?" Max asks her, sort of out of the blue.

Max: "I'm from there. So, just wondering. I kind of miss it, I guess."

Max: "Italy. I'm pretty sure I have some Italian ancestry on my dad's side."

Max: "Yeah, that's because it's not. You know how my dad's father is Ares? Ever wonder why?"