Session 7

## Recap

Entry 281

Hey, Nana

It was a surprisingly beautiful day today. I didn't have time to type yesterday, so I'm doing this now. I love you, always. Today was the day that WW had told us to expect.

As a general consensus, the team as a whole had decided to wear some version or type of Greek wear. J talked me into wearing a short skirt toga and sandals that laced almost to my knees. (I can hear you gasping in surprise from here, Nana.) It was really nice shopping with J again. I didn't realize just how much I had missed it despite only having done it once.

R went out an purchased a greek themed dress for D and she was glowing. They hugged it out and it made me smile. Its nice to see everyone coming together as a team. While it wasn't the first time I had met her, seeing WW in (base) was a trip. Even dressed in casual clothing, she was stunning. She, in turn, hugged D and commented on how beautiful she was. Donna is her daughter. Check it, Nana. She even addressed D as 'daughter.' Cute. Right?

She went into detail about what we were going to do and how it was going to go down. It was like something out of a movie. These were trials called 'Ceremony' where woman come of age and join this society. The point isn't about winning. Its all about completing it. A break down looks like this:

1: Beach: Search for an oyster with a pearl.

2: Cliff: Climb to the top as a team, dispense the pearl

3: Athena: Answer a Riddle

4: Hunt: Slay a beast and bring back a trophy.

No special powers. 100% teamwork. Finish and you're one of them (unless you're a male.)

Of course, to start this all off would be a trip to a public bath house to 'cleanse ourselves.' (They really play into the greek thing, Nana.)

Walking down the street towards the bathhouse was intense. Everyone seemed so happy and over joyed to meet D and J. Happy to see WW again. They even seemed thrilled to meet R (though they asked questions about him I hope I never fine the answers to. Things old women would guffaw about. Like you are, Nana). I couldn't keep up with it at that point. You know how I am Nana. I just played with my phone until we got to our destination.

Before I did that, Ww was talking about how all of use would be her children after everything was said. She. Nana, she said she would be my mother. That she loves all of us. She doesn't even know me, ya know? Kinda sounding like another crazy person from downtown. All peace, love, and flowers. Utter hogwash, really.

The others though. I could tell they wanted it. I guess most people would. J seemed uncertain, but I supported her. People like to belong. Some people don't belong no matter what they try. The people seemed to really enjoy her. It was good to see, ya know? Happy for my girl.

The bathhouse was a new thing. Never been more embarrassed in my life. Everyone was naked. J and I were the only ones to cover in a towel. I know, Nana. Everyone has parts and we're all God's children. Doesn't mean I wanted to see anything. I don't think the others really caught on that I was embarrassed. I hope not.

Ww cornered me in one pool on my own. We shook hands and chatted.

* **Deleted Section**: She tried to reach out to me. Making some off brand remarks about how we're similar or how she understands. Something based out of similar general trauma. Something I would expect from a shrink. I fucking doubt she actually gets it, though. She's so loved. She belongs. I just. Nevermind. I'll delete that.

I eventually caught up to R and D. They were pretty understanding when I asked that they just let me tag along. I pretty much hid in R's shadow for the rest of the day. That is, until we found J passed out on the side of the water. She looked like she had drowned. D rushed to her side and we called for Ww. Ww knows how to act in an uncertain situation. She mentioned that J was overheating and rushed her to a cool enough pool that she would stabilize.

* **Deleted Section**: J woke up, speaking about how she met a god and he called her his. Ww spoke up about it being Aries. Someone watching whispered 'There's always one.' I had no idea what they meant about that, but the concern was obvious.

J had a fainting spell. We were able to get her sorted out easily enough.

That night, Ww had us all sit in on a meditation session. It was meant to connect us to the 'Gods' who 'guide us'. I didn't buy into it and just watched from the sidelines until J caught me. I had thought I was hiding my lack of happiness easily. She thought differently. Not for the first time, we went out and enjoyed our time out in the city. She's a really good friend, Nana. I know you would love her.

The next morning, Ww surprised us all with matching outfits. R was left out and I really couldn't let that happen. You remember that bracelet that Grandpa used to wear, the one you gave me? I put it on R, making sure he knew he was in our team. Always. D was cheering and J wrote 'Team D' on his back.

* **Deleted Section:** After that was the general introductions before the challenge. D was supported by a warrior goddess. R was supported by the goddess of Mercy. When it was J's turn, things went sideways. She got bigger (as she does when triggered.) Her voice was a mix of hers and something else as she declared she was supported by Ares. It was fucking trippy.

After that was the start of the challenge. Everyone who was participating took some time to stand at the front and introduce themselves. Normal things like "I'm Betty Appleson and I want to be a dog walker. I believe in Hades." It was funny to watch and perfectly normal.

For the oyster part, I stayed on the sidelines, cheering my team on. I still haven't learned to swim, Nana. I know you always regretted not teaching me and its okay, really.

* **Deleted Section:** It's my fault for not learning on my own time. I was pretty useless during this part. It. Sucked. Alot.

My team kept me in the loop and we were the first ones out of the water. D helped me scale the cliff face while R stayed back to assist J.

* **Deleted Section:** Again, useless. I really don't understand why they keep me around sometimes. I'm not super like they are.

Despite missing almost half our team, we were making good progress. I think we're a really good team no matter how the pieces are split. At the top, we had one team getting closer and closer. D dropped off our pearl and we were met with a puzzle. Would you believe me if it was the one you tried to stump me with a few years ago? The one about being 'Born from bright' and 'making people weep.' It was smoke. It was really great getting that done.

* **Deleted Section:** Guess I'm not completely useless. Rather, I thought I wasn't.
* **Deleted Section:** After that, R climbed a tree in order to scout out our prey. It was some twist of lion and elk. I won't like, Nana. That fight was really hard. This guy was huge. I was, again, really just useless. I ended up only getting in the way and missing my attacks. I think the only good thing I did was protecting R. J threw a spear straight through the beast, killing it. Well, R didn't look like he was gonna get out of the way. So. I. I threw away my safety for his. I didn't really think about it. I just saw him in danger and. and. and it just happened. Took a spear to my side and god, it hurt so much. D snapped the spear in half while R tried to stop the bleeding. Would you believe he carried me back? He was reassuring me and holding me and I was crying and I told him I loved him and he kissed my forehead. It was-

After that, we left that gaining team in the dust and went hunting for an elk. It was pretty standard affair. R did most of the tracking and, during the hunt, I ended up tripping and hurting myself. D and R helped me get back. We were gonna loose until that other team stopped to help us all get there in time for the celebration. Somehow, we ended up tying for first place. It was pretty great and everyone had a fun time celebrating it all.

I really love this team, Nana. Wish you could meet them. As always, I love you, Nana, and I think about you every day. I hope these past few days were good to you.

Love,

Alyssa