Jason threw another stone across the water, smiling.
It hopped 4 times and sank with a gentle ripple.
"Beat that sis"
"Easily"
"In your dreams." he smirked.
She threw the flat pebble across the water,
"One, two, three, four! Ha! I beat you!"
"Did not! It was a draw."
They laughed, arguing over random things.
"Jason I had no idea you were so pessimistic. Just lighten up, see where the wind takes you, "she laughed, "Don't be such a control freak, you can't control everything."
"Uh-huh, "Jason smiled, "Maybe you're just too optimistic.."
And that started off the next round of squabbles.
Jason still hadn't gotten used to this light easy, free banter. Having a sister who is supposedly older than you but is frozen in time so basically the same age... Well it could be a lot of fun.
But it was more than fun, it was having someone who understood. Someone who understood living the hard way, understood not really having a good mother, someone who understood what it was like to want to hide, to curl up into a ball, out of Zeus' line of sight.
Someone who understood...
Well no, that she could never ever understand.
Thalia Grace couldn't understand not knowing where home was, not knowing which girl was which, not knowing whether your friends were really your friends or were they still influenced by false memories. And worst of all... Piper...
That was it, she was an ellipse, she could go on, she could just be forgotten, left behind. But could he do that?
And Reyna. He sighed heavily. If there was maybe someone anyone he could talk to... He didn't know anything about his powerful father. Not like he would be any help.
Thalia watched him with concern.
"What's with the long face?" she asked.
"Nothing," he mumbled. They hardly had any time with each other, the Hunters hardly ever came around. Why should he ruin all of it?
"I can tell something's wrong Jason. I'm not stupid."
"I just... I don't know, everything's out of control..." he frowned, pausing," But it's alright. I'll figure it out."
"I know what you mean Jason. When there are just so many loose ends and you can't tie them up without tangling yourself in the middle of it all. Does that sort of explain it?"
She reclined back on a sunny patch of grass thinking for a while. Then she continued," There's losing your memory, that's the big one, that lead to all these other problems which I can't say are any smaller. First there are two friends, loyal, steadfast and all, but you don't know if they still care. I mean they were false memories weren't they?"
Jason nodded, "I guess that's part of it," he broke into a smile, "You know me pretty well sis"
She smiled but the smile quickly faded into serious thought, "Just think though Jason. You are a genuinely good person and you've been on a quest with Leo and Piper, I'm sure that's good enough to cement your friendship. They respect you and they like you for who you are."
She saw his expression change, "But that's part of another problem isn't it? The liking you part. "
Jason frowned, "Piper," he said slowly, "I don't want... To hurt her."
"But by just distancing yourself and then prancing about telling everyone you've gotten back a memory of your old girlfriend, you're hurting her more."
Jason looked defiant, "So, what else can I do?" he demanded, "I haven't got any other choice."
He sulked silently. No, not sulking, more like brooding.
She snorted, trying to cover up his mistakes by acting all powerful and making more mistakes. She shook her head. Where had she heard that before... Just like-
Thalia froze, her insides iced over, remembering long forgotten words,
"Just like your father"