Clang! Bang! Clang! Cabin Nine was alive with the familiar sound of metal hitting metal. Charles Beckendorf, the head counselor of the Camp Half-Blood Hephaestus Cabin, was working incessantly with his fellow siblings to help prepare the camp for the impending Titan War by constructing as many useful weapons as possible. As he was putting some finishing touches on a celestial bronze dagger, Beckendorf said to his siblings, "I don't think we have too many more to go. We only have about one hundred shields, fifty swords, and twenty-five daggers left to make."

"Oh, yeah. I forgot… you actually like making weapons to the point where you're about to pass out and fall over. I didn't remember how insane you are for a second. Only one hundred seventy-five weapons to go, guys! No worries, though! Hmmm… If I'm calculating correctly, we'll probably be dead by the time we finish because by then the Titan War will be over, and we might have been killed. C'mon, Beckendorf! This is ridiculous!" cried Nyssa.

"Stop being so snappish, Nyssa. Look, I know you're all tired of sharpening blades and molding metal and polishing shields, but we can't stop now, and we of all people should understand that. We have to win this war, and the best way to help Percy, Annabeth, Chiron, and the Olympians with this cause is to supply all Camp Half-Blood demigods with as many weapons as possible. I understand. I really do. I'm even getting a little bored of this, but we have to keep going."

"Whatever, Beckendorf. You've had your lecture, and now you get to see your little Barbie doll of a girlfriend. She's closing her cabin door and walking over here now," replied Nyssa.

I wish she'd just shut up sometimes. She's not usually like this, though. She's just cranky from working so hard, Beckendorf thought. I do not have a Barbie doll as a girlfriend. However, he couldn't dwell on the thought much longer, for just then, he heard the sound of smoke hissing and gears turning, and the circular, thick metal door of Cabin Nine opened. Beckendorf whirled around to see Silena Beauregard standing in the doorway, looking as beautiful as always. Her slim figure and confident stance attracted everyone's attention, and her long hair rested perfectly against her shoulders. She looked at Beckendorf with her ever-changing colored eyes, alternately blue, green, and brown, which gave him a fluttering feeling in his stomach. Beckendorf thought, She kind of does look like a Barbie doll, only prettier.

"Charlie! Charlie! Guess what?" Silena asked.

"You found either your makeup kit or your dagger?" Beckendorf replied.

"No, although I did actually find my dagger. Anyway, remember how you asked me if I could go anywhere on vacation with you, where would I go?"

"Of course, sweetheart."

"Well, I think I know where I would want to go. See, I was talking to Annabeth before, and she said that Denver seemed like a good idea. There are a ton of dance shows like The Nutcracker, and there are so many theaters and ski resorts in Colorado, and you said once that you might like to learn how to ski. Well, I guess what I'm trying to say is, I know you're really busy preparing here and everything, but wouldn't it be nice to take a break for a few days and go to Denver?"

"Sweetheart, have you really thought about this? I want to go, but it'll be really dangerous with the Titan War coming up and so many monsters trying to attack us. We'd have to be really careful. Plus, Chiron needs me to make a lot more weapons yet. I can't just leave without finishing my duty."

"I know, Charlie, but I think it would be really fun. We would always be armed and on the lookout. Remember, we're a team, not only in our relationship, but also in combat. As for Chiron, I'm sure he'd let you go with me if you just made a few more weapons and then left the remaining part of the task for everyone else. I mean, you work so hard. We'll just have to ask him. Pleeaaassse, Charlie…" She looked so desperate to go that Beckendorf couldn't say no.

"All right, I'll ask Chiron, but only as long as you promise we go skiing," he replied.

"I promise. I'll talk to Chiron, too," she said, smiling at him. Then she kissed him and walked out the door, heading in the direction of the Big House.

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