Piper walked along the beach of Camp Half-Blood, long after dark. After the war there was no need for harpies, so campers came and went as they pleased. With no fighting, Piper had time to focus on the little things, for now it was the crunch of sand under her feet. For now.
As she walked Piper spotted a woman, not too far away, shimmering in the moonlight. No, the woman was causing the shimmer. Mom. Pipers mother, Aphrodite, always had a flair for the dramatic. Piper sighed and trudged on and as she got closer Aphrodite got more beautiful and piper more jealous. Aphrodite flashed a pearly white smile and caressed pipers cheek, with almost a tear beading in her eye. "I always knew it would be you! Piper, I am so, so proud of you."
Before Piper had the time or cognitive ability to stutter out half a 'what', Aphrodite was gone in a flash off pink, leaving behind the scent of perfume.
Piper stormed home, wind tousling her hair, pushing horizontally across her face. "Mother. Fucking! QUESTS!" she kicked sand to and fro as she walked back to her cabin, once again left to wonder why she defended the Gods, time and time again. What she found waiting for her in her mother's altar didn't shock her. A cream white business card, outlined with gold that read "Cordial Invitation to a : Piper McLean (Demigod) for Godly business. Report to Mount Olympus- 8:00 CMT (Central Mortal Time)"
What she found when she awoke, did surprise her. She was the only one going to Mount Olympus. Argus, the 100-eyed chaffeur glanced at his watch and eyed her impatiently as she said her temporary goodbyes. "Probably just a Godly Medal of Honor", Percy explained. "Ill miss you Pipes" Jason said, before kissing her.
Now, she walked upon the cool golden floor barefoot- the gods had insisted on her wearing a formal toga. Rather flatteringly cut, she wished she had her phone so she could snap a few pictures for Jason's eyes. The gods were all in separate forms, some Roman some Greek, still Jarring for Piper. As she walked up, she noticed that it was only the male gods on the council. She approached until she thought she was in the middle and knelt. Once she did she thought "Oh god… my tits are practically spilling out- should I fix it?- they know- don't draw attention" so she sat there in her quiet agony, before breaking the silence and addressing Zeus, no Jupiter. "My L-lord?" "Silence, please" He said rather kindly. The other gods stared at Piper before mumbling and nodding, some smirking.
"So, we have a consensus then? I guess I'll have to explain it. Dismissed. Come with me, piper." The room swirled around Piper, and she was suddenly in Jupiters personal palace. Piper stumbled, and Jupiter gathered her. He was pouring out two drinks- "My lord, I cant drink that". Zeus replied with a look that said, "you can do what I say you can do". So piper took the drink and took a sip. It burned her throat and made her eyes water, but she was determined to spittle all of the King of The Gods' carpet. Jupiter gestured to the couch "Have a seat". When Piper sat, she noticed immediately in her movements that the drink was already taking effect, whatever it may be. Jupiter began "Do you know what a consort is?" Piper shook her head. "Well, in the ancient days, many warriors would take women as well- a token of power to…" "Oh" Piper said her face crimson. "Well this practice can still happen today, and still does. But now the gods have taken up a practice of personally selecting a consort out of a group of heroes. And you…. Finish your drink." Jupiter said it in such a commanding manner that Piper chugged it quickly, head feeling light. "And you've been chosen as our next consort."