Takes place during the Titan's Curse while Nico is staying with Hermes Cabin.


Nico di Angelo was extremely bored of tending these stupid Strawberry plants, why couldn't they have a sword fighting lesson like yesterday? That had been great; even if his arm still hurt from where Travis had accidently hit him. Or Archery, that'd be cool. Especially if Chiron took the class like Ryan had said on the way to dinner last night.

He glanced around; none of his cabin mates were in site and he couldn't see anyone from, which cabin had Travis said would be helping too? Hephaestus that was it, so where was everyone? Could he make it back to the Cabin without anyone noticing?

He shivered in the winter breeze and made up his mind; if he met anyone he'd claim he had a headache and needed to go rest. The excuse wouldn't wash with Mr D or Chiron but Nico was ninety percent sure that when he got back to Hermes cabin there would be at least three or four people skipping field duty too so he'd probably get away with it.

He started walking down the gap between the rows of plants, glancing shiftily behind him to see if everyone had noticed. He made it all the way to the Cabin Courtyard before...

"Hey" a voice said from one of the Cabins on the Goddesses side "Aren't you staying with Hermes Cabin?"

Nico turned around sheepishly to his challenger; the speaker had to be about a year younger than him with dark brown eyes and two ginger bunches. She was also scowling at him "Because if you are then you are supposed to be on field duty"

Nico glanced around the area, they seemed to be alone and he fancied his chances against the girl. He crossed his arms defensively "Yeah, so?"

The girl narrowed her eyes "So what are you doing down here?"

Nico blushed slightly "I...have a headache" the excuse sounded flimsy even to his own ears.

"Liar" said the girl angrily "Why don't you go do some work instead of skiving and playing stupid pranks like the rest of your stinking cabin."

Nico spoke angrily, irritated at her for knocking Hermes Cabin "So which cabin are you then little Miss Perfect?"

The girl held her head up slightly "Phillipa Weed, daughter of Demeter"

Nico, in an action he would regret for a long time after, snorted "So what's with the high horse? Your Mum's like the lamest Olympian"

Phillipa's cheeks flushed scarlet and she stepped forward "I beg your pardon!"

Nico smiled nervously at her reaction "Well she's only got like 750 attack points though I suppose she's quite good at...Aghh!"

Phillipa had sent the grass around Nico's feet twisting around his feet, causing him to trip over and allow more of the grass to wind its way over his body "Go ahead oh infinitely greater demigod, get out of that one"

Nico could only watch as the grass started to mummify his body "I didn't mean to insult you!"

Phillipa raised her eyebrows "You're lucky my mother didn't strike you down for impertinence"

Nico squirmed as the grass started to reach his neck "You wait until I get out of this, I'll pulverize you!"

Phillipa smiled sweetly "Good luck with that...what was your name again?"

Nico had to be content with scowling as the grass had formed an effective gag.

With a smug look at the immobilised boy Phillipa walked away, feeling extremely pleased with herself.

And despite the months cleaning duty Chiron gave her she continued to feel quite smug as her cabin hailed her as a sort of mini-hero for soundly beating a kid from Hermes Cabin. Even Katie, who had to disapprove on principle, struggled not to smile as she was telling off her younger half sister.

Yes, Phillipa Weed felt very happy with the new respect everyone showed her cabin for a bit; that is, until she heard that Nico di Angelo had run away following his sister's death. Then she just felt dreadfully guilty.