Addy chewed her lip thoughtfully as she sorted through a rack of discount shirts as her sister tugged at her shirt.
"Non, Addy," Marcie said. "Not discount."
Addy rolled her eyes. "I don't really have disposable income Marce." She mumbled, but allowed herself to be pulled around the boutique store. "But I need a couple new shirts. The lava wall sucks." Marcie nodded in sympathy.
"We can do better than that." She said, flipping her hair over her shoulder. Addy sighed heavily and popped her lips. She and Marcie had gone to Manhattan for the day, with permission from Chiron of course, so go shopping. Both daughters of Apollo were in need of a few shirts, as previously stated. The lava flowed a lot faster than Addy could climb, and it was inevitable that her shirts were going to get scorched.
"How about this?" Marcie grinned, holding up a white and blue striped crop-top. Addy let out a laugh.
"How about no," she said with a shake of her head.
"But it would look so cute!" Marcie implored. "Kai would love it,"
Addy rolled her eyes. "Kai loves everything you pick out for me."
"Because I know what looks good on you!"
Addy snorted, stretching her arms above her head. "Apparently better than me," She muttered, sniping the top away from Marcie.
"It's inexpensive!" Marcie argued. Addy glanced at the tag. It was pretty inexpensive. And Marcie was right; the clothes Marcie picked out for Addy did tend to look good on her. She huffed again and put it around her arm, to which Marcie clapped in glee. "Now we just need-"
"Is that a red cow?" Addy interrupted, caught off guard as she looked out the window. Sure enough, there, across the street, a giant red cow was munching on some grass leisurely.
"One of Papa's?" Marcie mused, looking out the window. "Should we investigate?"
"We'd better," Addy sighed, unclasping her beret, so it became her bow, gear, and quiver. "Before the old girl stops traffic." The two girls left the boutique and crossed the street hurriedly. The approached the cow, who seemed unfazed by the two demigods approaching it. "Hey there…Betsy…" Addy said, holding her hands out.
"Clouse." A voice said. The two girls turned around. "His name is Clouse." The man standing in front of them was middle-aged, but handsome. He had a sharp chin lined with stubble that matched his sandy, spiked hair. He muscular but lean, and had a nice tan, like he had lived in California all his life. He was wearing a white V-neck, and acid washed jeans, his sunglasses perched on top of his head.
Addy's jaw went slack. But Marcie beat her to the punch.
"Papa." She said, her French accent thick with amazement.
The man grinned widely, clapping his hands together. "That's the ticket Starshine." He grinned.
"W-What are you doing here…dad?" Addy asked. This was the first time she'd ever met the guy. And it was in the middle of Manhattan on a side-walk, next to a giant red cow named Clouse. Addy's head was spinning, it almost didn't seem real. She'd always wanted to meet the guy, it's just that this wasn't really what she was expecting.
"Can't a father come and say hello to a couple of his daughters?" Apollo asked, a hurt expression on his face. Addy felt guilty.
"I-I mean of course, but it's just…um, er…random?" she suggested, for lack of a better word. Apollo shrugged, back to his happy self.
"As random as it may seem. I do have a reason." He said, happy demeanor suddenly gone. Addy and Marcie glanced at each other. "I need your help." He admitted.
"With what?" Addy inquired warily, almost afraid to ask.
"Mihar." Apollo mumbled, turning away.
"I'm sorry, what?" Addy asked, straining to hear her father.
"Mytar." Apollo mumbled again, a little louder.
"Quoi?" Marcie chimed in, also leaning in.
"My car." Apollo finally said, exasperated.
Addy blinked, and she glanced at her older sister. "Your car?" She was confused, gods didn't need cars, they could literally go anywhere they wanted with a snap of a finger.
Unless…
Addy's head snapped up
"You don't mean-"
"Yes. My chariot."
Marcie scoffed. "How do you lose your-"
"I didn't lose it!" Apollo said indigently, "It was stolen."
"How do you steal the sun god's chariot?" Addy asked, slapping her forehead in amazement, trying to wrap her head around it.
"It was late!" He defended, throwing his arms out, "I left the garage open after a rather crazy party…and well…"
"Who…" Marcie said. "Who stole it?"
Apollo's expression turned sour as he crossed his arms. "My bet is on Zephyrus. He never got over it."
"Zephyrus is the god of the West wind right?" Addy asked, racking her head for the myth. "He's the one you fought with over-"
"Hyacith, yes," Apollo said. "Hy really was a nice boy. And Zephy couldn't handle that he liked me more." He said moodily.
"So he takes revenge by stealing your chariot?" Marcie asked.
"He knows it's my most precious possession." He grumbled. Addy felt a sudden twang of hurt. She knew that Apollo probably, most likely, cared for her. And she knew he had a lot of kids. But it kind of sucked being outdone by a car.
"So you need us to find it?" Addy asked. "No offence dad, but why can't you just get it back?"
"Because I don't know where the butthead took it." He muttered. The corner of Addy's mouth twitched upward slightly, and she saw Marcie's do the same." Their dad had just called someone-another god no less-a butthead. "And." Apollo continued (either he didn't notice the smile or didn't address it), "It wouldn't look too good back on Olympus is they found out the chariot got stolen. Zeus would have a fit."
"Why us?" Marcie asked curiously. Addy had to agree with her sister. After all, there were plenty of qualified, more experienced Apollo children questers back at Camp. She had never even been on a quest. She shook her head and wringed her hands.
"Dad," She said, words tumbling out like word vomit before she could contain them. "I can't do this. I…I mess everything up!" she said earnestly. "I'm not fast, I'm not tough, and I can't even read music! The only thing I'm remotely good at is shooting a bow and arrow and-"
"Addy." Apollo said suddenly, placing a hand on both her and Marcie's shoulders. Warmth radiated out of him, warming her to the core. "I need you two to do this. You're my daughter Sunburst. I know you-and Marcie-" he said, glancing at her with a smile. "Can do it."
She looked up at him.
"How do you know that?" She asked.
"I'm the god of prophesy, remember?" He grinned.
"So we…" she started. "I-" she corrected. "Won't mess it up?" Apollo chuckled.
"Well that Ads, is going to be up to you." He said, before vanishing, taking Clouse the cherry cow with him.
The two girls stood on the sidewalk, stunned. How were they go to find the Zephyrus guy? And how the Hades were they supposed to stop him and get her dad's chariot back? Addy ran a hand through her hair, and Marcie voiced what Addy was thinking.
"We're going to need help."
