Chapter 7: Warm Welcome

"So normally, a rookie would be assigned a mentor from the same pantheon as themself, " Scott explained as he dragged Theo through the camp, oblivious to the stares they were receiving. "But you're the first from Celtic origins, so yeah. You are stuck with me."

Theo shakes his wrist, desperately trying to get Scott to let go. This has the opposite effect as Scott tightens his grip.

They finally stop in front of a large open area with several dozen tents and picnic tables. "This is the dining area. We're encouraged to make our own food over there on the campfires," Scott motions next to the tents. "The director insists on using every opportunity possible to teach us survival skills for the wilderness, and this is one of those ways: Procure your own food, prepare it, eat it."

"I see," Theo said, giving up on getting the satyr to let go with nonverbal cues. "Can you please let go?"

Scott glances down at Theo's wrist and quickly lets go. "Sorry 'bout that. Just really excited to finally have my own trainee." He is grinning again when he suddenly gets a curious and concerned look. "Theo, where does your food go when you eat? Does it just fall out of your neck when you swallow? Or do you have to somehow get it down your throat through the stump of your neck?"

Theo laughs at the questions, not expecting it at all. Something about Scott's energy is both annoying but also enjoyable. "I'm not exactly sure how it works, but I can eat normally. Chew it in my mouth, swallow, and it somehow ends up going down my throat to my stomach." He pats Scott on the back. "No need to worry. I'm not about to starve to death."

The green-haired satyr grins in relief. "Good! Dinner tonight will be on me since you just got here. Just give me about half an hour to get it ready." Scott begins to scamper off. "Wait here."

Theo watches Scott run off toward a rickety-looking shack, quickly sidestepping when a tall girl with platinum hair flings the door open from the inside. She doesn't seem to even notice that Scott is there and continues on her way.

A nearby table is completely empty, so Theo heads over there to take a seat. He looks around the cave, realizing that the dining area is almost centered, giving him a good view of the other buildings he has not seen yet. Theo can't tell what most of the buildings' purpose is since they don't have windows.

A group of people approach Theo from behind, and he hears snickering. Theo grins as he decides to give them a scare instead of just accepting whatever they want to do to him. He had been balancing his head on his neck using one of his hands, so he dropped his hand, allowing his head to roll off his shoulders and fall to the ground.

A startled shriek sounds through the clearing, making Theo grin mischievously as his head stops at the group's feet. He is looking up at them, unable to see his body from this position. "Good evening, seniors." 

"WHAA!" A girl in the group hides behind her friend, absolutely terrified. Theo assumes she was the one who shrieked a few seconds ago.

Her friend clears his throat. "Sorry to bother you." He steers the entire group away from Theo and hears him saying, "Bloody hell, what creature is he? That scared me."

Theo grins victoriously and then feels his head being picked up. He finds himself staring into Scott's eyes from a very close distance. "That was awesome! When I saw that group approaching you from the pantry window, I rushed back out cause they are known to bully rookies. Guess I didn't need to worry!"

Theo grins at Scott, "Yep until people around here learn that a dullahan is present, I can pull that trick. I wonder who will scream the loudest."

Scott lets out a full belly laugh and hands Theo his head. That's when they both realize a different girl has approached them.

Her hair is an ashy grey-white, and her skin is pure white. Her ruby eyes sparkle with amazement. "I can't believe you scared those guys off so easily! My name is Resha. I've been here for two weeks."

Scott smiles at her. "Hey, Resha. Good to see you."

"I'm Theo. I just got here today." He introduces himself.

"Theo's the first from Celtic mythology. He's got the abilities of a dullahan, and I'm his mentor." Scott excitedly said.

"Cool," Resha says, looking at Theo with curiosity. I have the abilities of Ereshkigal, a Mesopotanian goddess."

Theo is surprised. He had heard of individuals gaining the abilities of mythical creatures before but not of a deity. "Wow."

"Anyways," Scott begins. "I was about to make dinner for Theo. Want to join us, Resha?"

She blushes slightly, "I already ate, but I'll sit with Theo while you cook. Make sure no one else tries to mess with him."

Theo glances back and forth between Scott and Resha. He's not quite sure what's going on with them that they seem so comfortable with each other, but he's glad to have another new person present.

Scott rushes back to the pantry to gather his ingredients. Theo and Resha sit in silence, uncertain what to talk about.

Theo finally breaks the awkward silence, asking a question. "So, what is Ereshkigal the goddess of?"

He notices Resha nervously rubbing her thumbs. "Uhm, death." She quickly added more. "Of course, there's more to it, but most people don't want to hear me ramble on about her."

Theo frowns, angry at people he hasn't even met yet. "Ereshkigal is a deity, which means humanity may have to fight her at some point. We should use you to learn as much about her abilities as possible. Why don't others understand that."

Resha stares at him, not quite processing what was said. "So you'll listen?"

He smiles encouragingly. "Of course, I'm always looking to learn more."