Dawn of a New End {OPEN}

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Jason knelled in prayer within the temple. He had a lot to tell this war goddess. The next place he would go would be Mars, then Pluto to ask him to give those will fall in the war an easy life in the Underworld and to ask Mors for easy passage to the Underworld. Jason took a deep breath as his thoughts cleared and he began praying. He hoped no one else would be paying tribute at this time. It was early in the morning, the sun was just now peeking out on the horizon.

"Bellona, pretty soon we're going to shove the spear in the square outside of your temple. I pray that you watch over us and give us strength to help our fight against Saturn and his army. To help ensure the eternal city of Rome. Well, I mean, the city of Rome is still standing, but I meant the soul of Rome, from it's origins. The gods and their children. And, I want to apologize about the loss of your daughter. Valerie was a good friend of mine and what was done to her was wrong. She was someone I was able to look up to, she taught me what it took to be a real centurion. I will avenge her death for you, as I am sure Zidane will. All I pray, is that you watch over the campers and give us strength. All of them are too young to die."

Jason stopped as his voice cracked at the end. He wasn't sure what else to say. There wasn't anything else. He placed the bag lunch on the alter as an offering to go along with his prayer. He hoped he had made a good selection. He put in it all that he could remember Valerie eating when they had to sit with all the members of the second in the dining room. Time had passed since Valerie was last alive and the way she seemed to have slipped from everyones memory made Jasons heart ache. How many other names would become distant memories after this war.

This war. Gods, he had seen the letter written by the scrawly handwriting of Rhiannon Warlow, giving them a week warning of their attack. That was something nice of her to do, maybe she hadn't totally gone over the edge. She gave a warning giving up her element of surprise that probably would have ended the lives of a dozen or more Romans. Still, one week. That was all the time left Jason had to prepare, to spend time with Clare, to see the faces of everyone he knew. Because that might be all the time he had left to see them. Whose parents would he be writing letters to telling them that their child had died in a war they had no idea was happening? How long was the list going to be of those dead or missing in action? Would his name be on the list? Ethan's? Clare's? Jason found himself standing with all his muscles tensed and his jaw locked as he tried to keep the face of a leader on his face, not allowing himself to cry at the thoughts that were now invading his mind.

words: 548
notes: OPEN JASON THREAD

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I    used    to bite   my tongue and hold   my breath Jason ::Tag 567 ::Words <3 ::Notes

Tessa always found herself awake early in the morning, even when she had given her own cohort the morning off of practice. Only for the fact they would be having practice late that night. She'd give them the last few days before the day of battle to rest up, until then she was going to work them within reasonable yet painful limits. Nothing to break bones, or tear tendons. Not when they would be getting plenty of injuries once the war started. She stopped making much of a schedule for herself for the week, and after. It wouldn't go smoothly enough to have a schedule. She'd eat when she had time, sleep if she could. The faces of the youngest members of her cohort popping up in her mind whenever she would try to sleep. Had Valerie felt this worn and tired before? The thought of her former centerion nearly brought tears to her eyes. How long had they fought together? She might not have been there since the beginning as leader, but she still helped train Tessa. Along side her uncle. Jason was an expert to help with her archery, Valerie was perfect to aid in her sword work. She couldn't ask for better people to look up to. When Jason was gone Tessa's was in a panic. Loosing one person she looked up to was terrible enough, to have Jason taken from her as well? To say she was out of her mind in worry would have been an understatement. She was so excited he was back, but he was settled with paperwork almost immediately. Clare dashed into the Principia excited, as Tessa only crept forward afraid of what she was supposed to do and not do. He had been to the infirmary, HER infirmary, and she hadn't found that out until later. He had Clare with him by the time she got to the Principia. Fitting she supposed, Clare was perhaps as worried if not more than herself. Though the thought of loosing both the Centurions she knew was scary and somewhat near heart breaking, the thought of loosing her uncle was terrifying and soul shattering. War would be declared soon. Tessa wanted blessings on everyone, certainly, but she couldn't help but want a little extra for her cohort. For her infirmary workers. There were a couple temples she wanted to go to, though she wasn't sure which to actually go into first. Ronan had passed on a few of the daggers she made, a couple sat in her bag. One for Mars, and another for Bellona. Along with a huge bucket of flowers she dropped off at Apollo's temple. Flowers and herbs, bright and fragrant enough they had seemed to fill the temple with their light scent. She hoped he'd like it. Begging for his blessing on her medics to save as many as they could. It was just a little after the sun came up when he arrived at Bellona's temple, it was quiet and peaceful despite the upcoming war. No pilum lay in her patch of dirt that symbolized war. Not yet. She saw the unexpected back of Jason Kyoto. Standing straight, tall and proud like a Roman. Something seemed a bit off though, stiff. He was rigid, far more than he normally was. Her footsteps were light and soft in her flats, but still echoed in the empty temple. “Uncle?”

Lyrics from Roar by Katy Perry
Code done by step

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Jason took a deep breath at the voice he heard accompanying the soft footsteps. He was still getting use to the voice of his niece. She had been silent for so long. Making him read all her thoughts, never getting a solid reading on her. He still remembered hearing her talk for the first time. It was a bit of a shock. He figured that someone as pretty as her would have just as pretty a voice, but it was more than that. It seemed almost angelic the first time he heard it. Of course, he knew of the strength of charm speak so he kept a guard for the first few months but now he wasn't all that worried. He trust Tessa. Heck, that's why he bestowed the position of head of the infirmary on her. He saw the potential she had and he has been proud of the decision ever since. To see her grow up into the woman she had become. True, he use to be very strict about her, but she was growing up. She had Gunnar, who Jason trusted to keep her safe and Tessa knew how to handle herself. She didn't need him to protect her all the time now. In a way, it was like a father letting go of his daughter for the first time. Bittersweet. Proud but sad.

Jason turned to look at Tessa and gave her one of his smiles that he use to wear for a movie back when that was hiss thing. It wasn't genuine. Not that he wasn't happy to see her, it was just Jason had so many burdens impacting him at the current moment and too many depressing thoughts he found it simpler to put on this faked, practice smile rather than straining for a genuine one. "Tessa, sorry. Are you wanting to pray too? I just finished so if you want, I can let you have silence." Jason said. He didn't really want to leave though. To start the day and all the depressing paperwork that went along with it. Besides, he hadn't seen Tessa in awhile, but it was a depressing moment once he remembered why they both had the luck to run into each other in Bellonas temple.

Pray. For the safety of the camper. The safety of the loved ones. The safe return of those who have left. At least that was what Jason prayed for. Yet, even with all the optimism he might have once believed in the reality of the world always came crashing down onto him, usually in the form of paperwork. He heard the voices of those grumbling for the end of the war, but the end will always bring about the most pain. As the build the pyres to honor the dead or be lost in grief at those they can no longer find. Tessa, she was going to be leading a cohort this time. Gods, Jason just wished she would stay in the medical tent, but that was selfish of him. People were going to die and everyone hoped that those among the fallen would be someone they didn't know.

words: 532
notes: Jason and Tessa ^_^

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I    used    to bite   my tongue and hold   my breath Jason ::Tag 474 ::Words <3 ::Notes

Tessa had know Jason long enough to figure out his movie star smile, it was dazzling and handsome, but it wasn't him. Jason was goofy, and troubled, and a worry wart. There was no way he wasn't worried now. She didn't want to say anything about it though. Didn't want to break him down, if he was trying to put up a good front. Maybe after the war they could sit down and really talk, about anything and everything. None of these pretenses. Such as the smile she put on for him. Through her worry, she put on her practiced nurse smile. "I'm glad I didn't bother you Uncle. Just a minute though okay? I haven’t gotten to see you." Paperwork. It had caught up with both of them, and Tessa kind of buried herself purposefully. She wanted to see him, but it was difficult for her to build up the courage, and so easy to just work until she passed out. Still she walked forward, the dagger and crudely made sheath in her hands. Laying it carefully on the alter she made her prayers. Lady Bellona, I pray for your guidance in battle. For myself and everyone else in camp, especially for my cohort and for my medics. Please. Watch over them, I only want them safe. My cohort was Valarie's, your brave daughter couldn't make....couldn't make it to help us. She'll always.....always be my centurion. My ally. Help me protect....what she tried...to protect. Please. It took only a moment, since by this time she knew what she wanted to say. Her first stop with Apollo was clumsy at best, she sputtered and tripped over her words. Apologized, and thanked more often that she ever had in a normal conversation. Those two words were used to much by her she inscribed them on every notebook she had, that she might be able to turn to the page easily. She wondered if Lord Mars and Lady Bellona would find her weak for pleading with them. She wasn't as strong as her uncle, or as skilled. But she hoped it wouldn't matter too much. She hoped that no matter what they would hear her prayer, and maybe help those who had been put under her command. She turned back to Jason, her eyes glistened a little bit, but she was fine. She wouldn't cry. "Sorry..." her words a bit meek as she walked close to Jason again. "I...I just wanted.." okay, talking while trying not to cry was a lot worse than she had initially given it credit for. Her voice was a little crackly, and her throat felt dry as a desert. "Was there anywhere else you wanted to go uncle?" a second dagger was still in her hands "I mean...I...wanted to go to Mars' temple....if you didn't maybe...we could talk a little before?"

Lyrics from Roar by Katy Perry
Code done by step

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He gave a soft smile and nod in reply, saying that he'll stay. He noticed her practiced nurse smile but didn't say anything about it, what right did he have to say anything about it when he himself was using a practiced smile to keep up a good social front. It was moments like this were the fact they were related shone through. However, he turned as she said her prayers, giving her a bit of privacy, not wanting to be privy to the words she was sharing with the war goddess. But the words still entered his ears and he had to clench his eyes shut to keep himself from letting emotions come through.

Once her prayer was finished he took a deep breath and turned to face her. His blue eyes glistening from the unshed tears. Though, she started apologizing. Why in the name of all the gods would she apologize? Her, there, looking so innocent and too old for her actual age. Everything they've been through, they were only teenagers but the lives of others were dependent on them. It was too much at times. It wasn't fair. He kept quiet for a few minutes, not answering Tessa when she asked about going to the temple of Mars. Instead, he walked forward to her and pulled her into a hug.

Not just a normal kind of a hug, but a hug that showed he care. Putting so many unsaid words that he never had the chance to tell her into it. Their lives were busy, but this was his niece, and he hated how they haven't had time to banter at each other for nonsense reasons. They both understood each other and knew what to say to each other. Granted, he could always talk to Clare. But if he needed any advice on Clare, he always had Tessa to turn to help him.

"Tessa... I'm not ready for this. For another war." Jason blurted out, still in the hug. For so many days he had kept a strong composure, being the shoulder other people could cry on and throw their anxiety at him and he could just tell him that he would make sure they made it out alive. It made them feel better, but Jason didn't trust himself enough. He wasn't a front line soldier, he was an archer, a medic, an actor. Why was he even given the position of praetor?

words: 409
notes: Jason muse is finicky

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I    used    to bite   my tongue and hold   my breath Jason ::Tag 502 ::Words <3 ::Notes

For just a few moment she wondered if she had done something wrong. If she has said something that wasn’t appropriate. Perhaps Jason was angry at her for being weak, or asking for protection of second cohort and the medics. He was always looking out for everyone, and Tessa was simply being selfish. She didn't want anyone to die under her command, certainly no one did. Jason was a praetor with the weight of the legion on his shoulders. Of New Rome. Of everyone, here and the mortals that had no idea what was happening. Thankfully there was Remus to help, but this was her uncle Jason. She knew him, knew his work habits probably better than he knew them. Why she thought he was upset at her was a bit of her own flawed thinking, and emotions stirring in her heart about the entire war. Her cousin nick had left, they had been getting close. It was fun talking to him, and helping him with Kaylee. She prepared Kaylee's body, gods above she had prepared Valerie's body. It had been Jason to find her first. They hadn't talked about it. She wasn't sure if she could talk about it, or if Jason could. She didn't know where Jason went after that though, after Valerie was put into the morgue at the infirmary. Tessa had sewed up the cuts over her SPQR tattoo, it hadn't bled. Which meant it was after death. She didn't want to think about that. Not in the slightest. Nor about all the other bodies that would soon come into the infirmary. Tessa might not be the one normally in charge of cleaning the dead up – but for Nick, for Valerie – she could suck it up. Hugs were nice. Albeit she was just a bit surprised. He had closed the distance between them and she was suddenly wrapped up in his warm arms. Her face buried instinctively into his shoulder, and her hands clenched lightly at the back of his shirt. When exactly her arms had circled around him she wasn't sure, elbows tucked in to his sides, and her small fists balled up between his shoulder blades pulling him closer. She might have needed the hug. He probably needed the hug. The both defiantly needed those hugs. “Yeah.” she said turning her chin up so she wasn't buried in his shoulder anymore. “It's okay to not be ready. I don't think anyone’s really ready for another war.” To be honest it wasn't just war. War, fighting, people could be ready for. Death. Killing. Those things where what Tessa could not prepare for, and she was sure even Remus and Charlie weren't prepared for such things. Gunnar, with all he tried to be emotionless about these things, couldn't be prepared. He had lost his father last war. Had killed him with his own dagger at the others request, instead of dying slowly. She didn't believe for a moment anyone was alright with this war, except that detestable parasite.

Lyrics from Roar by Katy Perry
Code done by step

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Her arms felt like home. Not in a weird romantic sense. But he just felt calm, relaxed with her balled up fists clenching onto him. She was like his sister. Annoying and over caring at times to him, but he was the same way to her. True, through law he had Ethan as a brother and he loved him too. But, Ethan couldn't give the same feelings a sister could. Ethan giving him a hug like this, not going to lie, it would probably be a bit awkward for Jason. That's why he was grateful for meeting Tessa. Even if she had her years as a mute, she would still find ways to get on his case. It was nice to have someone looking out for him. He never had that before the legion. Before hand he was just expected to work and had no real loving care, he was trying to give that to Ethan when he wasn't working. Then he came to the legion and the gods blessed him with Tessa and then Clare. Two women to watch over him and make sure he was okay.

He looked down at her as she spoke. They both had to lead in this war. He sighed. "I'm worried I won't be able to help everybody. Being a praetor..." Jason said as he used one hand to run it through his hair, causing it too look more ragged than before. A nervous habit he had picked up within the past few months. Having perfectly brushed hair was no long an attribute of his. Instead it had gone to a disheveled state. At least it was better than him having a piece of paper stuck to his face due to sleeping at his desk. Though, he had gotten better at it and had been forcing himself away from the desk for a couple of hours to get fresh air, meet with the fellow campers, talk to them and to just leave the stress of all the paper behind. He even forced himself to sleep in his bed. Though, he always felt lonely there. He longed for Clare too much lately. She had become a crutch for him almost.

"Being a praetor is a lot more work than I thought." Jason finished with a sigh. "Remus makes it look so easy. I'm almost jealous of how Roman he can be. He fits the position so well. Just like you running the infirmary, and being a centurion. You do it so well. I'm proud of you." Jason said, knowing that a confidence boost is good for people now and then. He knew that first hand, it didn't take a degree in psychology to know that. And Jason specialized in trying to make peoples day better. Something he got from growing up around Ethan. How could you not want to make people happy when you had that good for a brother? Either way, he wanted to see Tessa smile and feel better instead of shoving all his depressing emotions at her. That wasn't what he should be doing this close to war. He knew better than to try that.

words: 539
notes: I think my characters all have the same problem I do >_>

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I    used    to bite   my tongue and hold   my breath Jason ::Tag 717 ::Words description ::Notes

She smiled at her uncle "You don't have to help everyone uncle, that's why there's two praetors, and ten centurions. We all divide up the work. Just protect who you can, and protect yourself. I don't want to see you hurt uncle. You're.....the first real family I've had." She honestly wasn't too worried about Jason not being able to protect himself. He was a strong archer, much better than she was. He had the strength for the heavier bows, his accuracy was on point. Even his swordsmanship, though not really as good as Charlie or Remus, was fantastic. He was her uncle after all. She couldn't think of anything he could do wrong, except over work himself. That was what worried her. She reached up to try and fix his hair a little bit, seeing him so worried and his appearance was failing him a bit. His smile wasn't all there, his hair was a bit of a mess the way he brushed his fingers though it. Tessa was a bit better at keeping up her appearance, she knew it was the first thing people noticed. Along with your stance, the way you held yourself. She didn't want anyone to worry about her. Even worse, she didn't want anyone to say Jason was wrong at putting her in charge of the infirmary, or the cohort. Even if it was probably a praetor discussion, mostly she found herself thinking Jason put her there. That she had to prove he wasn't wrong. Tessa enjoyed being a crutch for people. She enjoyed feeling needed, but she hardly leaned on other people. Smile, and keep yourself presentable. Work hard, don't think about your own problems too much. There's not enough time in the day for that. At least that was the mantra she lived by. Just keep moving forward. Perhaps that’s why she and Jason got along so well. They could read each other so well. Knew when the other was having a bad day, and just did what they could to help without bugging them about what was wrong. It would come out eventually if it was important. Recently she hadn't seen him as much, it was a bit difficult on her. Gunnar she loved, but he made her feel so insecure. He was so wonderful, and she was just Tessa. He was handsome, maybe with a dark sense of humor sometimes but he took care of her. Brought her food, too much of it. Forced her away from work at least once a week on a date. She needed him, but she couldn't open up about her worries. She had wanted to talk about her own parents once with him. The mood was soft, and comfortable. She was slow though, and he told her about his own family. How his mother tried killing him, how his father asked him to kill him in the previous war since he was dying already. She couldn't say anything after that. She was so lucky, her parents where so kind. It made her feel even worse sometimes, when she compared her life to his. She was simply a spoiled movie star child. Gunnar had real problems. Of course, everyone had real problems when she compared them to herself. That was why she never felt the need to talk about them. Once though, she told Gunnar something about her father she hadn't told anyone. About the gifts he always got her. About the gift he gave to someone else because he didn't know his own daughters face. "I learned from the best uncle, I was always with you. That's why you were made praetor. You're the best." she smiled at him putting her hands back at her sides, his hair was about as fixed as she could get it without a comb. "Remus might have more practice being praetor, but I think you're doing a better job with it uncle." Okay, okay. She was biased, by a mile. But she wasn't lying, or even stretching the truth. She smiled whole heatedly at him. Jason might seem like an over confident movie star to people who didn't know him, but Tessa knew he needed a boost now and then. The same way he needed a spritz of water to the face to wake up sometimes.

Lyrics from Roar by Katy Perry
Code done by step