He failed to realized he had drifted, until an odd dream floated into his mind. It was of someone calling his name, someone close to him. It sounded for a moment like his mother, a white light appearing just out of reach with the shadow form of a woman beconing him. He had never had a dream like this before, and he could not help but feel something was wrong with it. Even in dreams, he could catch familiar glimers of the love and happiness his mother felt for him, she always used to say he was so much like his father. But this dream...it felt void of such feelings, it felt cold and empty.

Those feelings began to close in, all around him darkness save for that light. Saddly, the light felt like the enemy, while the darkness felt safer. He could feel something, unsure what but it wasn't right. He pulled away, sitting up with a start upon the rock, his breath off. The sky had grown dark, as if it would rain. A cold feeling gripped at the air, and Angel's heart. He turned, looking to Chance asleep beside him. Something telling him he needed to wake him, now. He shook the other male, not stopping till he was somewhat awake "wake up...please....you musn't sleep...something is wrong."

With that, he turned and took off back up towards the camp. The usual bustling areas were void of people, and the feeling inside his heart grew. His hand moved over his chest, clenching lightly. He couldn't feel it...the love...the affection...the closeness that he usually felt in waves radiating from the camp was gone. There was not even a whisper of the light happy feelings that had allowed him an escape from memories back home for awhile. What was going on? He made his way to the nearest cabin, one belonging to bustling Athena children. They were always out and about, training or helping. Opening the door, it was dark. A few beds were occupied, which at least assured him he was not along.

But upon calling, none of them stirred. He tried to wake one of them as he had with Chance, but she wouldn't come to. Her body was like ice to the touch, paleness covering her skin. She was lightly breathing, showing life still, but this made no sense. He had to get to the medic tent. He took off once more, making his way down there. Councilers and other members of the staff moving about. In the beds, members from all cabins and even the Satyrs. "What is going on?" he asked. "No one knows, it is like a sleeping spell has covered the camp. More and more people are falling asleep, but once they do, they will not wake" someone tells him. His eyes turned back to the beds, to the people in them. This....this was wrong...

(And intro the plot! XD looks like Chance's plans will have to wait..bum bum bummm...)

Chance drifted in dreams of being at home in the kitchen, making food for all of the relatives coming to visit. Everything was perfect until the voice came from the distance. Angel's voice, obviously upset. "Wake up... something is wrong." It was hard to leave the kitchen where everything was so perfect, but finally he opened his eyes and saw Angel's unhappy expression. Before he could ask what was wrong, Angel turned and hurried off, and Chance staggered upright, trying to follow.

The journey through the woods was a nightmare for Chance. His body didn't seem to quite belong to him, and every root and twig on the path seemed designed to trip him. He fell several times, and each time it took all his willpower not to give in to the urge to sleep. He couldn't have done it except for the memory of Angel's voice saying 'You mustn't sleep.' That thought acted as a goad to keep him stumbling forward, barely able to walk along a path that he could usually run along light-footed.

It seemed an eternity before he arrived at camp, and another eternity before he caught up with Angel at the medic tent. He clutched a pole, struggling to keep his eyes open against their strange heaviness. A jaw-cracking yawn overwhelmed him before he could finally speak. "A-Angel? What's... what's going on? Why am I so sleepy?"

Angel noticed the voice behind him. He moved over to Chance, helping him to a cot. "It seems a sleeping spell has fallen over the camp" he says, worry in both his eyes and voice. His heart was racing a bit, as he attempted to help wake his friend up more. He lightly lifted his face, cupping his chin with his hand. "You musn't sleep...do not pay mind to the dreams they are not real..." he felt a hand tap on his shoulder. Turning, he saw Jericho standing by him. There could not have been more perfect timing. Jericho seemed to be perfectly fine and awake, but then again, being the son of the god of dreams and sleep had its advantages.

He stepped to Chance, tugging down on his chin a bit to get him to open his mouth. When he managed to get enough of an opening, he slipped a small whitish sliver of something looking similar to a potatoe inside of the Hermes son's mouth. A strong bitter taste came from it, one that flooded the senses and seemed to wake the body with a jolted start. It was rather disgusting, but got the job done, as Jericho had seen with the few other people he had managed to get to in time. Angel raised an eyebrow at the object, it seemed to be some kind of root idea, he would ask about it in a bit, once he was sure that Chance was alright.

Chance made a face as the taste registered, but it brought with it blessed alertness and drove away the sleep that had been trying to claim him. "Thanks... Ah think."

He considered spitting out the awful-tasting thing, but worry that the drowsiness might return caused him to tuck it between his cheek and gum where it wouldn't impede speech. He looked around the tent, noting how many sleepers there were, and shivered at the close call he'd had. He looked up at Angel gratefully. "If you hadn't woken me..."

Words failed him, and he stood and hugged Angel fiercely, trying to convey his thanks for the rescue. The embrace lingered as he realized other's closeness was calming, and helped banish the fear of that nightmare trip through the woods. It also felt absolutely right, as if this was the place he was meant to be forever. Letting go was even harder than following Angel through the woods had been, and when he finally did he felt sure that his cheeks were glowing red despite his dark complexion. "Sorry... and, uh... thanks."

Chance stepped back and looked away to cover his embarrassment, and found himself worrying about the still forms surrounding them. If it was that hard to wake him, how would they ever wake the rest? "Ah think... we have ta find out who did this, if we're ever gonna wake 'em..."

Angel was happy that the other was feeling better and more awake. When he stood and hugged him, Angel could not help but feel his breath catch a bit. He felt the tightness from the hug, moving his arms around the other to hugh him back. It felt good, he needed it. His heart and mind were racing, he could not stand to see others hurt and upset like this. His mind came back, as the other pulled away from him. He looked at him, seeing his eyes then move to the others once more. "We will find out what happened, and we will save them" he says. He ment it, he was not about to let these people stand like this.

He looked to Jericho "do you have any idea about this?" Jericho for a moment thought, then slowly nodded. He slipped out a pen and paper, writing in his usual script that he would look into it, that he had an idea. With that he was off. One of the other campers came over, telling them they should try to eat something. They hadn't eaten anything since earlier that day. They needed to get some food inside of them. Angel knew that was true, but he couldn't even think about eating at a time like this. He looked down, feeling a bit sick. His hand moved back on its own, slipping to Chance's. It squeezes it, holding on with his own.

Chance read the note over Angel's shoulder, and nodded reluctant approval. It made sense-- if anyone could find out about a sleeping spell it would be Morpheus' son. He silently seconded Angel's vow to save the sleepers.

Food didn't sound appealing, but he could see the need for it intellectually... and maybe it would get the taste of the bitter root out of his mouth. He was about to turn toward Angel when he felt the hand suddenly within his. He squeezed it protectively, feeling his spirits and his confidence rise while his heart melted. "Ah guess they're right... let's go get food."

He walked slowly toward the mess hall, not relinquishing the hand that felt so perfect in his. He couldn't think of anything to say, but it didn't seem necessary to say anything, so he walked silently, turning over the problem of the sleeping campers in his mind. I woke up because of Angel... Maybe he has a special power? Or... maybe it's because I'm in love with him. But if he does have a power... "Maybe... after we eat, you kin try wakin' people up? Ah mean... you woke me up."

Angel did not mind that Chance did not let go of his hand. It felt a bit comforting to have that contact with someone he cared about, and who cared for him. The feelings he felt from Chance he latched onto. Feelings of warmth and caring, with the ocassional flicker of more. He could also sense the negative in a way, but he tried to keep it out of his mind. Food sounded less than appealing, but he would attempt it. The silence gave him something else to sink into, his eyes on the ground for a moment. When the other spoke up, he looked up a bit.

"Hmm? Oh...Je serais inutile...I'd be useless" he says sighing a bit. "I can't do anything other than try to help..I only didn't fall because of the feelings I felt." His eyes drifted down again, "I saw my mother...she wanted me to go with her but...all I felt with her there was...emptiness" he shuddered slightly. His hand lightly squeezed Chance's, "I didn't do anything special with you either..I was lucky enough to wake before it got to far...I wasn't about to allow you to slip away to." He gave a half hearted attempt at a smile, "I don't know what I'd do if you had..." He wasn't even thinking about himself in this time, even though the thought of being alone and in this void of feelings terrified him.

He was more worried about the campers, about Chance. His heart was heavy not because for himself, but because so many were in danger and sick from whatever this was. "S'il vous plaît laissez-les être ok" he whispered under his breath, closing his eyes for a moment. A silent prayer for the others to be ok. He took a breath, being like this was doing no one any good, and he was not helping by worrying Chance. He looked at the other again, stepping closer to him, until they were mere inches appart..

"You're not useless. Ah jus' thought... ya woke me up. Ah couldn' hear you scared an' not do anythin' Ah could..." Chance turned to face Angel, blue-green eyes gazing sincerely into hazel ones. Angel was still frightened, and he couldn't let that go on if there was anything he could do to help. Of course, he didn't know if he could help, but he had to try.

"Everyone'll be okay. We'll figure out how to get 'em back." He put his free hand on Angel's shoulder for a comforting squeeze. "We'll make it okay."

Chance swayed toward Eros's son slightly as he moved closer. His hand moved from Angel's shoulder to the back of his neck, feeling the dark silken strands curling around his fingers. He closed the inches between them, resting his forehead against Angel's and taking a deep breath. It was strengthening just being there, breathing the same air as his beloved, close enough to kiss. "Somehow, it'll be alright."

His eyes on the other, he felt a small flutter of chills as the other moved his hand to the back of his neck. His eyes on him, their forheads against eachother. He smiled lightly, looking at him. It was comforting to have the other with him, and knowing the other was not going to let him go through it alone. He could feel his breath, and something odd sparked inside of him. He did not understand it really, he had never felt such a flutter like this before. He reached a hand up of his own, moving it over Chance's on his neck. "Thank you....I will do my best" he nods. He moved to take a step past him when his foot caught slightly on the path before them. The inches closed as he pressed against the other against his will.

He felt his heart skip a beat for a moment as their bodies pressed against eachother. "Sorry..." he ran a hand through his hair. "That's embarassing" he chuckles lightly, feeling slightly flustered with that. He was usually so poised and elegant, allert with his surroundings. But now, with this. Why had he fallen? He looked at the ground a bit. It must have been the weight of everything today. He felt the warmth of the other against him, realizing they were still pretty close. His heart lifted once more for a moment, and he took a step back. "I should pay more attention" he says.

The embrace washed over Chance, filling him with peace and confidence. Being so close made him feel invincible. When Angel finally pulled away, he was able to give him a gentle reassuring smile. "C'mon. We'll both feel better once we've et."

The mess hall was shockingly quiet, the decimated campers all conversing in hushed whispers and anxiously watching one another for signs of drowsiness. Most had come up with ways of keeping themselves awake-- everything from energy drinks to an odd contraption one of Hephaestus' sons had made that gave a mild shock whenever he relaxed too much.

Some of the younger campers-- and most of Hebe's children-- were crying, or at least fighting back tears, and Chance winced with guilt. Most of the youngsters were in his cabin at least until their parents claimed them, and he felt responsible for their welfare and happiness. "Let's sit with the kids and try to cheer 'em up. Ah know there ain't much ta be cheerful about, but it cain't hurt, an' ef they're laughin' they won't be as likely ta fall asleep."

The soup and rolls that had been set out smelled surprisingly good despite the bitter root still in his mouth, and his stomach informed him that it had, in fact, been quite a while since that skimpy lunch. He ladled himself a bowlful and got a couple of rolls, making sure Angel was doing the same-- it wouldn't do any good to go hungry.

Tray filled, Chance cautiously spat out the bitter root, and after a moment's consideration wrapped it in a napkin in case he needed it later. That done made his way to the table with the highest concentration of upset campers, and began telling ridiculous jokes and teasing the kids in between mouthfuls of food. The children began to smile, hesitantly at first, and then there were a few nervous giggles. By the time he finished eating, the atmosphere at the table could almost be mistaken for normal.

Now what do I do? Maybe come up with things they can do? He looked to Angel, and spoke softly. "Think mebbe there's somethin' they can do ta help out? Even ef it's just washin' dishes here or checkin' all the cabins fer sleepers?"

Angel gave a slight smile back at Chance, following him into the dining hall. He glanced at the food, though his emotions made it impossible to even think about eating right now. He saw Chance glancing at him a bit and sighed inwardly, he poured himself a bit of soup to ease the other's nerves. He followed him then as suggested to the table of younger campers. Angel picked at a roll, and barley touched his soup, watching a bit as Chance seemed to be able to help raise the children's spirits. The slight lift in warmer and happier feelings was a nice little reminder of a different kind of love that came with friendship and working together.

It was a nice distraction from the otherwise relative void left by the usual blast of emotions. He looked to Chance as he spoke up a bit again, pushing his food to the other table behind him so the other would not notice how little he had in fact eaten. He noded, "the camp still needs to be moving...we can't just let it stop. Grounds need to be kept, dishes...food...help with cabins and even at the medical tent.." there was a lot the little campers could help out with. They were all going to need to step up now that this had hit. He noticed most of the younger ones were now looking at him.

He could feel their emotions even now. His reputation and such pulled their attention and even in a sense made them look at him for guidance. He was usually good with people, but right now he felt more heavy and weighed down than anything. Chance was being way better and more helpful at a time like this than he...A slight fire returned to his eyes, similar to how they had been when he had been at the range earlier. "Everything will be alright...as long as we work together and stay strong" he would not give up, he could not.

The kids nodded, seeming to feel his energy a bit as they began gathering up courage and the want to work. He gave Chance another slight smile, "you were really good with them....and me...thank you." He stood, moving to take care of his dishes.