Medical Building

Morge moved to look at Luke. "Hi, Luke. My name is Morgan." she said gently. "I know this is overwhelming, and probably really frightening, but that's why we're here. To help you get through this." She offered a small smile. "Do you have any questions?"

"When can I go home," Luke replied softly. The stranger sighed softly, patting his shoulder.

"Technically speaking, you can go whenever you want. I'd really appreciate if you stayed until you're better, though." Morge said, smiling again. "I think we could become good friends."

The stranger glanced up at Morge as Luke smiled weakly through his tears. "Uh, Morge, can I talk to you? In back?"

Morge gently squeezed Luke's hand before moving to the back room.

The stranger flicked down his hood as he closed the door so he could speak easier. "The kid can't go back. This is his home now. His father's Jupiter, the whole underworld's after him, and I don't think his mother survived her beastly visitor. You can't tell him he can, Morge, he's got nothing."

"He can go home. He shouldn't, but look at him! He's terrified! He has no idea what's going on and you and Callie are content with keeping here as a prisoner." Morge replied. "He's never going to understand unless he learns for himself. Jupiter won't let him die."

The stranger shook his head firmly. "Jupiter does bugger all, along with the rest of them. We've got to take care of him, okay, not just rely on the freakin' gods, Morge! We cannot let him leave, he is going to die. Do you really want someone's death on your hands?"

Morge purses her lips. Moving around him she left the room, walking to the medical office and shutting the door.

The stranger sighed softly, flicking his hood up before re-entering the main room. "You're not going home, kid, I'll tie you up myself if I have to," he told Luke firmly.

"Back off." Callie snapped. "As Praetor, I can't allow you to keep a boy prisoner. If he wants to go, he goes. After Morge says he's clear to leave.

"And if it's for his own safety?" the stranger snarled, slowly slipping his blade into his hand.

"No one has to be here if they don't want to be. This is a camp, not a prison." Callie said, turning to face him. "People have left before."

Morge came out of the medical office and passed by the stranger, smacking the hand that held the blade. "No violence in the medical building." she said calmly and moved to check Luke's temperature.

"He'll freaking die!" the stranger protested, glaring at Morge from under his hood. "There was no violence, just insurance," he responded indignantly.

Luke turned away from her, hiding his silent tears in his pillow.

"Fine. No blades. And stop yelling. You're making it worse. If you two can't get along in here, you can take it outside. Stop upsetting Luke." Morge said firmly.

Callie clenched her fists and crossed her arms.

"We get along just fine," the stranger huffed, hiding his blade again. "He needs to be upset so he doesn't go die by being stupid."

Michael sighed softly, not really sure what to do totallydidn'tforgetheexisted.

"Enough." Morge said. "He's had an emotional first day. If you don't have any injuries and you don't work here, leave." She pointed to the door.

Callie made her way out of the building.

The stranger reluctantly followed Callie.

"I'll, uh, make some hot chocolate," Michael mumbled awkwardly.

Once outside, Callie turned around. "Who died and made you King?" she snapped at the stranger.

Morge nodded and looked at Luke. "I'm sorry you had to be here for that.

"God," Balthazar retaliated. "I'll stick you if you don't watch out." His blade lifted threateningly.

Luke didn't answer, keeping his face in the pillow and hands over his ears.

Callie moved forward. "Go ahead. All that will do is keep you from progressing for a few months. Maybe even a year." she said.

Morge sighed softly and patted Luke's shoulder gently before moving to do some paperwork.

"You're not going to fight back?" The stranger challenged.

"I don't mindlessly attack people." Callie said. "The fight is pointless."

"Not what I kn- what I've heard," the stranger replied.

Callie pursed her lips. "Well you heard wrong." she said.