He steps off the ship, and he looks so cool and collected, just the way he did when he addressed the Senate. He's donned his purple cloak, so maybe he hasn't forgotten this life. She believes that he hasn't, after all Percy still remembered his girlfriend.
"Jason Grace, my former colleague. I welcome you home. And these, your friends…"
But before she can finish, she feels the energy shift. The blond rushes to Percy and kisses him, then judo flips him. "If you ever leave me again, I swear to all the Gods!" she snarls.
"Ugh, yea it's good to be back," Jason comments. He introduces Piper and Leo, a little elfish boy who flashes a peace sign. "Annabeth doesn't normally judo-flip people," he says motioning at the blond girl holding Percy.
Reyna smirks, "Are you sure you're not an Amazon, Annabeth, or a Roman?" she asks.
"I only attack my boyfriend," Annabeth responds.
And Reyna turns back to the others who came off the ship, albeit reluctantly. She spent 8 months waiting for this moment, planning every detail, but now that it was here, she was terrified. What if….
She could feel the Romans watching them. She supposed that by this time they had all come to understand the way she felt about Jason, given the fact they did most things together. They were just waiting to see what she would do.
She could feel her heartbeat racing, every impulse in her body pushing her to reach out and touch him. She didn't need a kiss, just a sign of recognition. That he remembered her, how he felt about her. Unless she had read that wrong too…
But right now, she needed to put diplomacy ahead of her personal feelings. Duty first, and all. "Come we'll dine in the forum tonight. We have much to discuss. Dakota, Bobby, get some legionnaires, and set up a dining pavilion in the forum," she orders.
She turns to say something, and notices that Percy has intertwined his fingers with Annabeth's. And gods, the way he's looking at her… And before she can stop herself, she's lost in a memory.
"I'm not sure about Aurum. He's always so stoic and serious. Argentum, on the other hand. There's a puppy. He's always looking for a good time. And he's a little silly." Jason was saying.
She felt defensive. No matter their differences she loved both her dogs equally. "Well it keeps things interesting. Aurum makes up for Argentum's lack of focus, and Argentum makes up for Aurum's lack of sense of humour. Together they're a complete set. And I think it's really unfair to judge them. They're great companions just the way they are."
Jason laughed. "Alright, alright Mama Wolf. I won't talk about your dogs anymore."
A moment of silence, and then… "They're a lot like you and me. Me being Argentum that is… since I'm the fun one," Jason teased.
She rolled her eyes. "Also the silly one, incapable of focusing on the task at hand."
Jason half smiled at her. "That's me. And that would make you the stoic, serious one, incapable of having fun."
"Hey!" she protested, and then aimed a punch at his side.
He caught her fist, and gently, unfolded her fingers. "I also think that we complete each other," he whispered, staring at her fingers.
She could feel the blush creeping up the back of her neck. She wanted to pull her hand away, but mostly, she just didn't want him to stop. She was struck by the tenderness and uncertainty in his voice. "Jason…" His blue eyes snapped up to meet hers, and the clarity made her voice stick. He looked so confident, but still so unsure. And the way he was stroking her fingers made her feel like he was sending electricity down her spine. Which, given the fact that his dad was the god of lightning, would not be surprising."
I know you Reyna, you can trust me," he stated. How did he know what exactly to say to make her fears go away? One of his many talents.
He didn't let go of her hand, but kept pulling her along the Via Praetoria towards their villas. "One day you'll believe me."
She wanted so much to hang on to that moment.
"…letting them into camp?!" Octavian is shouting, pulling her out of her reverie. She realizes the group is staring at her curiously. "Reyna?!" Octavian shouts.
"No, Octavian. I already ordered Dakota and Bobby to set up a dining area in the forum. We'll eat here on neutral ground."
"Oh much better!" Octavian declares in exasperation.
"Octavian, perhaps, as Augur you should make an offering to thank the gods for Jason Grace's safe return," she suggests evenly.
"That's right Octavian, go kill some teddy bears!" Percy teases.
She doesn't know whether to smirk or roll her eyes. This boy was exasperating, but he could put Octavian to his place.
Octavian looks at her with disgust and then runs off to Temple Hill.
She turns back to the group. "Percy, you really shouldn't antagonize Octavian. You're just giving him more fuel."
"Hey, I can't help the sass. Besides someone needs to cut Octavian down to size. You can't let him get away with so much Rey."
She frowns at the nickname, and then she notices Jason staring at Percy curiously, and for a moment she thinks maybe he's remembered the nickname. "You're
the new Praetor? Well then, you by all means, have the authority to tell Octavian to back off."
Her stomach sinks. Openly though, she rolls her eyes. "I wish the legionnaires would elect a more sensible Praetor."
"Hey, that's why we have you right ReyRey," Percy teases.
She stares at him hardly, not liking the nicknames. She notices Annabeth looking between her and Percy. She hopes Percy will settle Annabeth's fears. She doesn't want her thinking that there is any closeness between them. She barely knows the boy. But then Percy steps forward, and drapes his arm around her shoulders. "Come on Reyna cheer up. We just saved the camp from Armageddon, Jason's home, Annabeth's here, Hylla's here, and Frank can turn into an elephant! Everybody's happy!" Percy says joyously.
She pulls away from Percy. "Armageddon hasn't happened yet Percy and actually Hylla left this morning. And, as Praetor, maybe you want to show a bit more decorum?"
Percy just grins at her, then takes Annabeth's hand, pulling her into forum. He begins telling her about New Rome with much enthusiasm, and she notes Annabeth, doesn't look too happy about that.
"Reyna, Hazel and I will go help Dakota and Bobby," Frank said excusing himself. She wants to stop them, but before she can they've both run off.
"So Percy Jackson seems right at home," Jason states.
She smiles. "I think that as long as he has Annabeth, Percy could live on the streets for all he cares."
"Home is after all where the heart is," the girl, Piper, adds looking up and smiling at Jason.
Jason returns her smile, puts his arm around her waist, pulls her close, and kisses her forehead.
Suddenly she feels numb, and her throat feels like it's closing up. This isn't happening. She needs to get out of here.
"Reyna!" Dakota calls, running up to the group. He glances at Jason with his arm around his girlfriend, and frowns in confusion. Before he can say anything, she addresses him, "What is it Dakota? Are the preparations for dinner complete?"
"Mostly," he replies pulling his gaze back to her. "It's just the Arae are a little miffed they have to bring dinner down to the forum. They won't listen to me."
She nods. "Very well, I shall speak with them." Turning back to her guests, she says," Please go into the forum and make yourselves comfortable. I will join you momentarily." She avoids Jason's eyes, if she looks at him she knows she'll fall apart.
She retreats from the group with as much haste as dignity will permit. She knows Dakota will ask some pointed questions, but she really hopes he doesn't. She won't be able to bear the humiliation – everyone would look at her as if she was injured. She's wrapped up in her churning emotions, and before she knows it she's running as if hellhounds were chasing her. But her feet aren't taking her to the kitchen at Camp, they're pulling her to the trees behind the Praetors' Villas, and then she's climbing the biggest one hidden in a clump, and she collapses in one of the highest branches. She's heaving for air, partly from the running, but mostly because since she realized Jason has a new girlfriend, she hasn't been able to breathe properly. The feeling is familiar. She'd spent many days gasping for breath when he was missing. She hugs her stomach and pulls her knees up to her chest – a default defensive move. But she can't protect herself, because what's threatening her is inside, and she can't stop the pain from battering her heart, and closing up her lungs and her throat.
"Men are distractions dearests. They'll lead you astray, and when they have what they want, they'll cast you aside without a single thought."
The woman's voice echoes in her ears now, chastising her. You should have known this would happen. You should have known. You should have… Over and over she scolds herself, until soon, she can breathe slightly better.
How long has she been in this tree? People would start to wonder. She needs to get back to dinner. Why was she coming to Camp anyway? Right, the Arae need some convincing. She climbs back down, but before heading to the kitchens, she crawls into her home to clean up. She washes her face, rebraids her hair, and fixes her toga and cloak. Then she stares into the mirror, and begins to carefully reconstruct her expression until it is the right amount of cold, calculated, indifferent, serious, and aloof. The pain has subsided to emptiness, and now she feels, numb, cold, and hollow. But she braces herself for the evening's dinner, determined to put the needs of her people first. With a final check to make sure her appearance is in order, she marches out of her house and down the path to the kitchens.
"I hear that you're having some difficulty with the idea of serving dinner in the forum." The Arae whoosh past her with a sudden speed in annoyance. She has gotten used to their means of communication. "Well it's either entertain the guests in the forum, or allow them to enter Camp fully armed. Which one do you think would be better for the Romans?"
The air stills, and she knows she's won the argument. "Good, I expect dinner to be served in…" What time is it now? She glances at the clock. Holy crap, 6:30? How long was she in that tree? "…half an hour."
Having resolved the matter, she heads back to the forum, making each step last extra long so she can put off facing the Greeks a while more. In time though, she arrives, and is heralded by cries of surprise.
"Reyna, where have you been?" the girl squeals, but before she can answer, Gwen rushes on, sparing her a lie she knows Gwen won't believe anyway. "Jason's back, and he seems different," she whispers conspiratorially. As if she needs to be told.
"Gwen, Reyna!" Dakota saunters up from behind and puts his arms around the girls' shoulders. He lowers his voice and says, "Let's get this dinner over and done with."
They all gather around the table, most of them laughing and chattering, but Reyna feels removed from their conversation. When dinner has been served, she clears her throat. "So perhaps, Jason Grace, you would like to recount your adventures for us." She refuses to have any familiarity with him, and to meet his eyes, trying to make them as estranged as possible.
Jason tell his tale, and when he is interrupted by Octavian, Piper shuts him up, and tells Jason to continue. Reyna feels irritated with this girl. She has no right to address her Romans as such. But she knows her irritation runs deeper than that. When Jason is done, Percy tells his story, and very soon they're all up to date with each other's adventures. Jason is impressed by Percy's achievements, thanking him for taking care of his camp whilst he was gone. She is angry: Percy has only been there for a week, most of which he has been on a quest. She's been the one taking care of his "home" – as if he still feels this way about New Rome. But she pushes these emotions aside, knowing what is expected of her, knowing that if she shows any weakness, Octavian will pounce on her.
"Well the only thing left to be discussed is what is to be done now. Obviously the Prophecy of Seven is in motion, but now we need to pick our seven heroes."
"Me!" Jason volunteers, "and Pipes, and Leo, and Annabeth."
"And me! With Frank and Hazel."
"Woah! Wait! You can't just decide who's to go on this quest!" Octavian begins to protest, but Reyna holds up her hand cutting him off.
"It would seem that you seven are the obvious choice. Juno has chosen Percy and Jason as her heroes, and it seems the Fates have also chosen you five to accompany them. I approve of this choice." Octavian stares at her speechless.
"This is ridiculous Reyna! They can't just choose who'll be going!"
"Then we shall discuss it at tomorrow's Senate meeting. Just know that you have my support," she tells the Seven.
A silence descends on the group as they contemplate their next steps.
"Well, if there's nothing more to talk about right now, Reyna, I would like to show Piper around New Rome," Jason says.
She looks at him, and she feels a rush of anger. He just got back, and instead of thinking about checking up on his friends who have been worrying about him day and night over the past 8 months, his only concern is to spend time with this girlfriend? She can feel everyone's eyes on her. Finally she says, "Fine! I suppose Percy, you too would like to show Annabeth around?
Percy beams at her. "Make sure you take her to try the hot chocolate." Then she turns around and walks out of the pavilion.