Random PJO - oh, wait, HOA, excuse me - snapshot. No ending, guys, mostly because I Have No Idea what I would think happened next. This is just my personal depressing headcanon of what went on directly after Percy and Annabeth's epic fall into Tartarus. Sally and Paul just don't get enough attention, both in the books and in the fandom. I'm working on a solution, don't you worry.
And yes, Dragon Keeper 15 is in the works. I don't plan to break my promise.
She wishes Leo can do it. But no matter how much magic she uses in her words, he just doesn't believe he can connect with people. Besides, he's been at the wheel all day, talking in Morse to Festus, and she was sure she heard him crying earlier.
She wishes Jason can do it. But he's beating himself up too, and he's been consistent about believing he's Percy's replacement, not exchange. But truthfully, she doesn't trust her boyfriend to talk to them.
She wishes Hazel or Frank can do it. But they've been sticking together all day, and before they came to rescue Annabeth she's sure something horrible happened, and she doesn't know what. She can't ask them.
She wishes Nico can do it. But he's only half-conscious, and Hazel's been trying to force as much ambrosia down his throat as she possibly can. He's spent gods know how long locked in a vase, comatose, trying not to breathe. Even though he was the only one who fought the Titan War with Percy and Annabeth, she doesn't think it would go over well if the messenger was half-dead.
She wishes Hedge can do it, but as soon as he got over his shock, he disappeared somewhere on the boat to tell Grover, Percy's best friend. She hadn't realized it before then, but Hedge had mentioned to her somewhere along the way that Percy was the one who organized his troops during the war.
And even though Piper's heart is broken, she's the one who has to tell Sally. And Paul, and Fredrick, and Chiron. Because people believe her lies. Because even though Annabeth was her best friend, she was the only one fit for the job.
She goes and locks herself in the bathroom, opens the window, and turns on the shower. Instantly, a rainbow springs into appearance and she throws the first drachma.
When Sally's face shimmers into view, Piper starts sobbing.
"Honey? What's wrong, honey? Is it Percy?" Piper's heart clenches at the mother's panicked words. She forces herself to look up.
"Umm, hi, Mrs. Jackson," she says, trying to sound as soothing as she can while her cheeks are glazed with tears. "Umm, we had a … an accident…"
