See You in France, Marie

A: So, meet Marie. Our protagonist with a huge problem: she absolutely *hates* open water. Her brain just cycles 'Ocean bad, ocean bad.' It's this core, debilitating anxiety.

B: That's a tough hand for a demigod. Does that deep insecurity—that 'just...Marie' feeling—impact how she navigates her world, beyond just water?

A: It absolutely does. She sees fashion as her 'armor,' her way to project confidence and find a tiny bit of normal amidst the chaos. It's how she copes.

B: And this coping mechanism is tied into the F.D.G.A., the French demigod army. How does their organized, almost elegant structure compare to, say, the more chaotic 'glow' of Camp Half-Blood?

A: Completely different. The FDGA is all order and elegance, like a beautiful ballroom where everyone has their place. Camp Half-Blood's chaos, meanwhile, allows kids to truly be kids, creating this vibrant 'glow.' And Marie's sister, Tammie, a daughter of Dionysus, is the General of this meticulously ordered French army.

B: A daughter of Dionysus running an incredibly disciplined army... that's a fascinating contrast right there.

A: Exactly. And speaking of Marie's journey, we get this chaotic moment right before they land, which really highlights her anxious nature even away from open water. You get Marie's frantic line, 'Oh gods, I am so sorry! I was up, I promise. It's just... I was dozing off and day dreaming, and when I finally got up to get ready, I just had to take forever picking out my socks of all things. Like, my white and pink Hello Kitty ones? And then I started thinking about the French demigods—'

B: And the other character, probably Leo, cuts her off gently, reassuring her: 'It's okay, Marie. We were just discussing how close we are and our plan once we land.'

A: Marie, utterly surprised, fires back, 'Wait, what? How close are we talking?'

B: Just a couple hours, we're told. Festus and his genius say two, maybe three tops. Then the question comes, 'You excited, Mar?'

A: And Marie's almost too-eager answer: 'Uh, yeah... I'm excited. Definitely excited to be home.' You can almost hear her trying to convince herself.

B: Which naturally leads to the big question about the welcoming committee: 'So, what exactly can we expect from an army of child soldiers, then?' Though that's immediately corrected with, 'They're not child soldiers.'

A: And Marie steps up to defend them: 'No! They can be a bit unexpected, sure. But their hearts are absolutely in the right place. All we can really bet on is them being over the moon to see Tammie.'

B: That 'unexpected' comment from Marie really sets up the next exchange beautifully, doesn't it?

A: It absolutely does. Leo, never one to miss an opportunity for some good-natured ribbing, throws out, 'Hey, Pink Bangs! Still sticking to your story that those

A: unexpected demigod army kids

A: aren't actually some psychos wielding daggers with Crayola crayons shoved up their noses?'

B: And Marie, ever the pragmatic one, just flatly confirms: 'Yes, I'm absolutely sure. They're... unique.'

A: Leo, of course, plays it up: 'Shame. I was really hoping for a chance to fight off a group of blood-crazed toddlers. Think of the resume points! 'Successfully navigated hostile play-doh territory, 2025.''

B: Marie's response is classic: 'You are... honestly, a very strange man. No one else thinks like that.'

A: To which Leo, not missing a beat, retorts, 'Thanks, Pink Bangs. And you? You're quite interesting yourself. Definitely not weird, just... interesting.'

B: But right then, Marie's underlying anxiety about the water, which you introduced earlier, comes roaring back. We hear her gasp, 'Oh... oh gods...'

A: And Leo, despite all his playful chaos, immediately shifts to comfort, 'Marie? Hey, whoa, it's okay. Just the boat rocking, that's all. Deep breaths, you're fine.'

B: She clearly needs a moment, offering a simple, 'I... I'll see you in France, Leo.'

A: And Leo, understanding, gives her a calm, 'See you in France, Marie.' A poignant end to that particular interaction, underscoring her ongoing struggle.