Books and bruises [tessa]

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Ava had finished with her training, so what on earth was she doing here in the library of the university? Absolutely nothing. Well something. She had checked out a book or two written in her more native language than English. One book in Latin and another book in Japanese, which the latter she was overly excited about as books written in that particular language were few and far between. Ava was not particularly fond of idle time, but these books were for a later moment. A time when she could have just a moment or two to herself as she waited to drift off to sleep in her bunk or was in between training sessions. There was a large bruise on her arm that was black and purple, the bruise had gone up her shoulder and on to her neck, so it was fairly painful to turn. Ava didn't want to rely on the whole dealing with nectar and ambrosia. It was a teacher and a good motivator to not do what she had done again. And what she had done was get into a spar with someone in first cohort. One of the Mars children. Not that she had won that fight. It seemed the guy she had sparred with had a million more years of experience than she did. But she was making progress, though the bruise that crept up her neck would say otherwise.

She sat upon the low wall in the summer sun. Beside her sat a cup of cool jasmine tea. It was her favorite tea in the world. And while Ava was doing the best she could to make herself stronger, to be more of a Roman, she fully and wholeheartedly believed that a cup of tea and a sit down chat was good enough to clear up most problems. It was a different view from most of the people here that believed that a good whack upside the head was a good enough problem solver. She had thought about taking a break in the garden, but that wouldn't be worth the time walking all the way there, sitting for just a few moments, before leaving to go to dinner. To top it off, her cohort was going to be doing some night training. She would have to get ready for that as well. While she wasn't the biggest fan in the world of training and doing manuvers at night, she knew that there were times when battle wouldn't let you get some shut eye. Winning a war or a fight wasn't going to happen if you begged for a break.

There was a small breeze that came through the cobblestone streets. There were the sounds of families, of people that were making the time to buy the foods from vendors just outside the large gate that led to the forum. Ava wanted to retire here, though if she wanted to be honest, she wanted to go home at some point. She missed her little island even if the people were a little less than friendly. Not all of the Japanese were like that. But on a small island like that, things could be a bit dodgey at times.

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To say Tessa worked too hard would be an understatement. Currently she was taking 21 credit hours at college, volunteering at the hospital in New Rome, training nearly as hard as she did as a centurion, and pondering if she should volunteer at the orphanage as well. There were several hobbies she cut out to succeed in such a feat, but no longer did she want to do that. To enjoy herself wasn't something she cared to do anymore. Even the things she used to love, learning new medical techniques or helping people, no longer brought her any sort of joy. Tessa Yates was now living on auto pilot, working to fulfill something she put upon herself. Even the time she spent laughing and joking with friends was an act, there was no laughter in her heart. She had given up on those things. They were for other people, and she prayed for those she once loved to feel joy. To have a family, and all their dreams come true.

Sometimes when she thought no one was looking it would come to her face. How tired she was. The stress, and strain. Thanks to her lineage there where no dark circles under her eyes, no bags to give away how little she took care of her mental state. It took only a soft bit of make up to give color to her face, and distract from the lack of meaning in the soul of her eyes.

Home made tea blends was something Tessa hadn't dabbled in recently. Tea remedies for all kinds of daily health care needs, now simply turned to medications one should prescribe. There was still something left in her though, something that loved teas of all types. A gentle jasmine could lift her spirits, and hold her to pause before another demigod. Someone perched on the low wall along the streets of the Academia. Tessa gave a well practiced smile, fueled by the wiles of her grandmother and the charisma of her grandfather. The perfect combination for an actress, if only she had a bit of Mercury in her blood as well. "Hello, that's quite the bruise you've got there. Are you keeping it well iced?"