C.C.'s Spa resort

Disclaimer: I don't own Percy Jackson and the Olympians

Our rowboat docked in between many odd sea vessels. A lady with a clipboard came over to us and greeted us loudly "Welcome! Is this your first time with us?" She asked. I looked at Percy, not sure what to say.

"Ummm…." I started but I didn't have to answer because she answered for me.

"First-time-at-spa." She said while writing on her clipboard. "Let's see. . ." She looked us up and down deciding what to do with us. "Mmmm, a herbal wrap to start for the young lady and of course a complete makeover for the young gentleman." Wait what? Something is wrong here. This is a typical trap, starts out in a way to lure you in, and then they try to kill you. I half-expected the lady to turn into some sort of monster.

"A what?" Percy asked. But the lady was too busy taking notes to hear him.

"Right!" she smiled. "Well, I'm sure C.C. will want to speak to you personally before the luau. Come, please." Percy and I reluctantly follow "I guess it couldn't hurt." I mutter. But I and Percy both knew it very well could.

As we were walking I noticed that Percy's hands were in his pockets, fingering the multi-vitamins and Riptide as though he would need either one any moment. My hands immediately went to my knife, waiting for the surprise attack. We walked into the building and it was amazing, something that I would have been proud to build. We passed by some fountains in the shape of galloping horses and I saw a smile begin to form on Percy's face but as soon as it came it disappeared, and his face became pale and hard, resembling marble.

"You okay?" I asked, concerned. "You look pale."

"I'm ok. Just . . . let's keep walking." He was going to tell me but decided not to. I didn't push him. Finally after a couple minutes of walking, we were led into a gigantic room that seemed to be endless because the end of the room was lined with mirrors. Suddenly a lady in the middle of the room started singing in front a plasma TV sized loom. The scenery was beautiful. I could almost feel the wind and I could hear the sound of water in the background.

I caught a breath. "It's beautiful." The woman turned to look at me. She had long, dark hair that was braided down her back and green eyes that reminded me very much of Percy. She had olive skin and was wearing a black silk dress.

"You appreciate weaving my dear?" She asked gently.

"Oh yes, ma'am! My mother is A-" I stopped myself. If you are a demigod, there is some sort of lie about your other parent. For Percy it was that he was lost at sea, for me it was my mother abandoned me when I was young, but then again I ran away so . . . yeah. But the lady didn't seem to notice my fault.

"You've good taste my dear. I'm so glad you've come. My name is C.C." All of a sudden the guinea pigs in the cage started squealing at top volume. Percy and I introduced ourselves to C.C. She looked at Percy with a look of disappointment. I don't know why but I felt bad for him. Even I wanted to impress this lady. But I wondered what was wrong with him, besides the obvious fact that we had jumped off a sinking ship. He looked fine to me; he looked like Percy, messy black hair, green eyes you could get lost in . . . snap out of it Annabeth, he's your best friend, and only your best friend. When I started listening to C.C. again she was talking about me.

". . . Take Annabeth on a tour, will you? Show her what we have available. The clothing will need to change. And the hair, my goodness. We will need to do a full image consultation after I've spoken to this young gentleman.

Ugh, first she insults Percy now my hair. I'm not an Aphrodite girl so it doesn't bother me but the way she says it makes it seem like she doesn't care if we hear her.

"But . . ." I said, my voice slightly hurt. "What's wrong with my hair?"

C.C. smiled, I think she noticed the hurt in my voice. "My dear, you are lovely. Really! But you're not showing yourself or your talents at all. So much wasted potential!"

"Wasted?" I ask, confused.

"Well surely you're not happy the way you are! My goodness, there isn't a single person who is. But don't worry. We can improve anyone here at the spa. Hylla will show you what I mean. You, my dear, need to unlock your true self!"

I admit she has a way with words. I guess it would be better if I made myself more attractive, maybe Percy would like me as more than a friend . . . wait back up did I just think that . . . no I didn't think that, that thought never crossed my mind. I mentally calmed myself down and tried to think of something to say.

"But . . . what about Percy?" I asked.

"Oh, definitely," C.C. said, giving me an upsetting look. "Percy requires my personal attention. He needs much more work than you." Now that's just downright mean. I know we probably look like a mess but still give us a break. I looked at Percy who had a disappointed look, like he really wanted to please her. I reluctantly went along.

"Well . . ." I said. "I suppose . . ."

"Right this way, dear." Hylla said. She led me into the other parts of the spa.

The rest of the spa was amazing. Each new room was constructed differently. My favorite was the library, for the obvious reason, wisdom, but there were so many books. I could have stayed there forever but Hylla cleared her throat and told me we had limited time, but "

They took me to a wardrobe room where they washed, combed and braided my hair. The braids had pieces of gold interwoven into them. They dressed me up in a white sleeveless dress that matched C.C's. But the worst part was the make-up. I gave up trying to tell them to not put it on because nobody was listening to me.

Finally, after what seemed like forever, they stood me in front of a mirror. I thought I looked like Annabeth, daughter of Aphrodite rather than daughter of Athena. But I'd feel a lot more comfortable in my Camp half-blood t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers. They led me to where C.C. was working with Percy

"Miss C.C.?" I called. I heard a faint sound that sounded like Greek cursing. I entered the room hesitantly. I looked around the room to see the cuff of Percy's jeans sticking out from under the table, the guinea pigs squealing really loudly, and Percy not in the room.

"Where's Percy?" C.C. smiled. "He's having one of our treatments, my dear. Not to worry. You look wonderful! What did you think of your tour?"

My eyes brightened. "Your library is amazing!"

"Yes, indeed," C.C. said. "The best knowledge of the past three millennia. Anything you want to study, anything you want to be, my dear."

"An architect." I said without hesitation.

"Pah!" C.C. exclaimed. "You, my dear, have the makings of a sorceress. Like me." Wait, hold on a sorceress. C.C?

"A sorceress?" I said, taking a step back.

"Yes, my dear." C.C. held up her hand and flames danced across her fingertips. "My mother is Hecate, the goddess of magic. I know a daughter of Athena when I see one. We are not so different, you and I. We both seek knowledge. We both admire greatness. Neither of us needs to stand in the shadow of men." Excuse me?

"I-I don't understand."

"Stay with me," C.C. was trying to persuade me. "Study with me. You can join our staff, become a sorceress, and learn to bend others to your will. You will become immortal."

"But-" I tried to say something but C.C. cut me off.

"You are too intelligent, my dear," C.C. said. "You know better than to trust that silly camp for heroes. How many great female half-blood heroes can you name?" I s she for real, there are so many we would be standing here for hours if I were to say them all.

"Umm, Atalanta, Amelia Earhart-"She cut me off again! I was getting frustrated with this woman!

"Bah! Men get all the glory." C.C. closed her fist, extinguishing the flame in her palm. "The only way to power for women is sorcery. Medea, Calypso, now they were powerful women! And, me of course. The greatest of them all!" Finally it clicked. She was Circe, the sorceress who turned men into pigs.