[ annabeth arrives to the welcome feast with percy in tow, looking both on guard and curious at once, still in the simple tunic they magicked on her, though she's at least very messily braided her hair. she's had a few run ins with other summoned since arriving, but this is clearly the best place to really dive in. of course she's here. ]

[ this is definitely one of the better spaces to get even more rundowns of this world, this castle-city she's been thrown in, but when annabeth walks into the banquet hall, her attention is at first drawn upward away from the people. the high ceilings, the chandeliers, the curvature along the walls - she hasn't spent a lot of time in castles to begin with, but this place makes her feel like she's walked into a fantasy novel, and she lives in a world with greek gods. she might be agitated about being here as a concept, but she can always appreciate structural achievements. seeing her a little lost in the moment, percy wanders off to find some food, leaving her standing off to the side alone and studying the crown molding rather than enjoying the party itself. ]

[ she mumbles something under her breath about archways, then mutters a few numbers, idly pointing and seemingly tracing part of the wall with her finger. she might be there a while, someone please interrupt. ]

[ later, annabeth eventually grabs herself a warm cup of tea and starts to properly mingle. she watches the magic demonstrations keenly, her gaze studious. she's listening to the chatter, about godly arrivals and storms, trying to get a sense of just what she's suddenly part of now. her vibes are a little intense, and she stands rather tall for a teenage girl, but she doesn't look like she wants to avoid people. it's more like she's looking for opportunity, vaguely shark-like. so if you happen to lock eyes, don't worry, she'll be the one to jump right into the conversation without much preamble. no need for small talk! ]

Can you do any of that? [ she gestures, vaguely. ] Unless you'd rather gossip about vampires. [ she hopes they're not like empousai. ]

[ it's a stark difference from the chatter and lighter atmosphere of the party outside, but annabeth eagerly finds herself behind the folding screens. she welcomes the quiet of it all and allows herself a moment to take in the sight of the new room, to appreciate the carvings on the wooden doors. annabeth looks around at all the faces, trying to get a sense of who might be local and who might be another summoned. the sooner she figures out the more telling signs of differences, the easier this will be. the only way to do that is to keep talking to each, she supposes. she wants to be nicer to the locals - her fellow summoned can probably handle a little more forwardness. ]

[ but tonight, she's careful to listen to the way they speak and converse with each other first. she waits until she's ninety percent sure she finds a fellow summoned before she just inserts herself into talking. she doesn't have any qualms about coming across as new, not really seeing a reason to hide it. ]

Can I ask you about the horizon? [ a beat. ] Or what kind of magic you like. Dealer's choice.

[ out of politeness, the third choice should probably be none of the above, but annabeth is not leaving room for that, perhaps presumptuously. ]

[ we can plot or combine things, come at me! ]