Archived:Ash Highsmith

Personality
Typically, Ash exhibits a calm and calculative attitude when first approached, although he isn't willing to unveil himself completely. If someone were to attempt to converse at him he acknowledged he wouldn't like, he would take a distant front, saying and revealing as little about him as possible. He isn't a complete and utterly rude person, but most of the time, he takes a blunt and relentless approach. He isn't afraid to speak his mind at all, and actually accepts the consequences of his actions. No matter what others may threaten or claim to do, he is an unwavering individual who usually won't take back what he said.

Like most children of Ariadne, however, Ash is an obliging person who is unconditionally inclined to aid or help others. He's a rather nice and caring guy, once you get to know him, albeit with some difficulty. Ash is hesitant to reveal much about him, and is accustomed to hiding his true personality through a veiled persona. Overtime, as he gets to know a friend or companion or acquaintance, his veil will continuously shed until it's no longer apparent. Nonetheless, this us an honor only ascribed to his closet of confidantes, and therefore, development between him and another being will be required for him to be more open. Under his shades of personae, he's in truth, an unfortunately loyal guy.

Now during a normal scene, Ash isn't prone to negative outbursts, but if pushed to the edge, he will lash out to his perpetrator with no warning or sign of doing so. Likewise, if he were to see someone being hectored that he regards as a friend and companion, he will react the same. Bonds are an important thing to him, and if anyone were to jeopardize this, he will respond.

History
Marcus Highsmith was a child of Hermes who had left camp long ago in order to pursue a regular, mortal life. Of course, while he still had his bad habits, he settled into the city of Chicago in Illinois. Time to time, he would still pickpocket unsuspecting victims, but other than that, he was just another aspiring young man to the eyes of a typical individual. He lived a rather simple life as a substitute teacher, occasionally filling in roles when an instructor couldn't appear. While it didn't pay as good as Marcus would've liked it to, he was still fond of this life of his.

He had met Ariadne while attempting to steal her purse. Granted, it wasn't the most romantic of encounters, but this was a thieving child of Hermes we're talking about. The goddess was annoyed at the experience, and glared at Marcus, who shivered in unease once he realized his mistake. He found it quite easy to realize who exactly he was dealing with here. He bowed and apologized to the deity, not wanting to incur her wrath. When she wasn't satisfied by just that, Marcus shrugged and offered to take her to a date instead. During normal circumstances, Ariadne probably wouldn't have been so lenient, but she decided to go along with Marcus, as he amused her.

After a quick visit at the local bar, Ariadne was the one hoisting Marcus up as they headed towards his car. Like any god or goddess, she wasn't that easily intoxicated, but Marcus never had much of an immunity against alcohol. He muttered randomly and smiled happily while the sighing goddess carried him back to his vehicle, while male passersby gazed at them, more specifically Marcus, in envy. Once inside the car, Ariadne brought him back to his home. Marcus pouted and complained, saying that the night shouldn't end just like that. And to his delighted surprise, Ariadne agreed with a kiss. The satisfied demigod brought her upstairs into his room, and from there, things hit it off. Honestly, it was never Marcus' actual intentions to actually have a child with the goddess, as he rather preferred a life of solitude to family. Alas, he was drunken at the time, and in the morning, he was dreaded with the news. He was to have a child soon.

Ariadne left shortly after Marcus awoke in the morning. The next nine months of his life were perhaps one of the most perturbing moments of his life as he impatiently awaited for Ariadne's return, expecting her was a basket with his child inside like his mother before him. And sure enough, she arrived right on schedule, when it was November 17th, 1997. He was stuck with a new son to care for, whether he liked it or not. He named the boy Ash, after his grandfather Ashton, who was always a commendable thief in Marcus' eyes.

The father decided it was time he devoted himself to his child, as his mother had never given him much attention or care, and he feared becoming like her. So he quit his job as a substitute educator, changed his looks to give a more appealing impression, and joined work in the office instead. Little did he realize, however, that everyday he headed to work meant less time he spent with his son, and usually, he would stay during work until night. He acknowledged multiple times, but reminded himself again and again, This is to support Ash and me. And with that mantra in mind, he didn't stop for something less time-consuming.

Although this meant Ash didn't pick up his father's bad habits, he didn't have much of a fatherly figure in his life, and was usually cared for by his father's friend Abigail, who was a child of Apate. She basically was paid by Marcus to be his child's nanny, and Abigail obliged, knowing she would be paid good due to her relations with Marcus and his job. She also played the role as his lover, and an unfortunate Ash would have to cover his ears during the loudest of nights.

School wasn't much better for him, as although he wasn't picked on like the rest of the kids, he was still pretty much a loner. For the most part, he practically shielded himself. No one would near him or even give the slightest of regards, which annoyed him, although he dealt with it. When a bully tried to make him his new victim, Ash defended himself back by relentlessly offending the perpetrator back, and since he was a mere Elementary student at the time, the unsuspecting child bawled into tears and Ash was forced to apologize by his teacher.

His first monster attack wasn't actually reserved for him, but rather, Abigail. Ash was ten years old at the time. They were taking a walk towards the park in perfect solace, and it seemed as if nothing could go wrong. They were completely oblivious about the hellhound that stalked them from behind. The hound from the Underworld growled, sending shivers under their backs as Abigail turned to face the thing that was soon going to take her life. Panicking, she yelled at Ash to get away and run back home, which he happily obliged to. The hellhound seemed to ignore him completely, as Ash's scent still wasn't that strong, and especially considering he was only a child of a mere minor goddess. Instead, it's focus was all on Abigail. A heated chase began, and unfortunately, Abigail was slaughtered. She had gotten cocky, leaving her celestial bronze weapons back at Marcus' house, and in the heat of the moment, forgot to effectively use her powers. She barely paid attention to the lessons in camp and was always a slacker, and because of that, it ultimately led to her demise.

Ash heaved and huffed as he reached the door to his home, and quickly, he unlocked it as his heart beat rapidly. Whatever had happened, it was not natural. When Marcus had arrived, he had already learned of Abigail's death, as the hellhound hadn't devoured her completely, as it only meant to "play" with her. Her corpse had been discovered and broadcasted, and Marcus grimaced as he looked at Ash. He told him to back his bags, explaining they were moving state, and to New York.

Although it was a bit early of his son to learn of his origins, Marcus knew there was no point in hiding the truth forever. Although he took the risk of revealing Ash's lineage, thus placing him in more danger than before, he explained everything. Ash, being a mere ten years old at the time, was astounded by such news. It fascinated him, even though there were some risks involved. Marcus told him that he wouldn't take Ash to Camp Half-Blood until he turned thirteen, wanting to spend as much as time with son as possible now. They got their own apartment, and spent more time with each other. Monsters came for them time by time, but Marcus slayed those who dared to attempt to harm him and his son. He even gave Ash his watch which could turn into a celestial bronze sword. He told him it's name was Aimilios, a Greek name that meant "strength."

Finally, it was time for Ash to go to Camp Half-Blood. He spent at least a year there, as his father wanted him to a full-time camper. He became a bit more open and actually talked with some of the campers, and generally enjoyed his time there. But it wasn't meant to last. Only a year after he joined camp, Marcus had been diagnosed with cancer; more specifically, leukemia. Ash left camp, wanting to support his father, hoping for his survival. He wasn't particularly worried about possible monster attacks, as he was quite confident in his skills and only easy-graded monsters such as hellhounds chose to attack him anyway. Marcus lasted two years, but during the month of January in the year 2014, he had finally passed away. Other than his lousy uncles and aunts, Ash had no other family, so in grief, he packed his things and headed back to Camp Half-Blood to start anew when he was sixteen.

Offensive

 * 1) Children of Ariadne, while a labyrinth is summoned, have the ability to cause the walls of it to begin to close in at any location they want.
 * 2) Children of Ariadne, while a labyrinth is summoned, have the ability to create 1 to 3 lesser monsters nearby them within it; these monsters, however, will not be controlled and will attack anyone they see.

Defensive

 * 1) Children of Ariadne have the ability to create a large portion of a labyrinth wall to defend themselves from most things; the wall corrodes over time.
 * 2) Children of Ariadne, while a labyrinth is summoned, have the ability to cause the walls of it to alter them, further trapping anyone lost in it.

Passive

 * 1) Children of Ariadne have the innate ability to find their way through/around any sort of puzzle, maze or obstacle.

Supplementary

 * 1) Children of Ariadne have the ability to create a real labyrinth which traps them and anyone nearby in it for a short time.
 * 2) Children of Ariadne have the ability to cause someone nearby to believe they are trapped inside a labyrinth, disrupting them from seeing anything else for a short time.345f

Traits

 * 1) Her children are generally always helpful to others, even strangers.
 * 2) Her children generally have an excellent sense of direction.