This isn't really my usual thing but I'm secretly a hopeless romantic and couldn't help myself. I've tried to keep the characters in character but they will end up speaking differently than in the books - as a brit I refuse to stoop to using americanisms, so expect to see things like mobile phone instead of cell phone, ring instead of call, stuff like that. I will also have them swear foully, even dropping the c-bomb occasionally - just figured you should get a warning.
Once again, I apologise: this bloody website ruins any and all attempts at proper formatting.
Thalia Grace was less than happy. Not unhappy either, just... melancholy. Artemis had business at Olympus over the summer solstice so the hunters were in camp half-blood for the first time in years. This in itself wasn't a bad thing – Thalia got to see Annabeth, Percy and all her other friends again, but everything had changed. Percy and Annabeth were eighteen and so lovey-dovey that it made Thalia physically sick, a myriad of new cabins had popped up and Grover was away doing naturey stuff. Even her tree had grown a few feet taller. So Thalia was on her way to the one place she was sure wouldn't have changed: Zeus' Fist.
Traipsing through the woods she was stopped by the sound of voices.
'We got your stuff.' Even after two years Thalia could recognise a Stoll voice. 'But we don't want any money.'
'What do you want?' A new voice, deep and old fashioned, pronouncing every word correctly, with a hint of something else in the accent. Thalia couldn't place it, so went into hunter mode – sneaking closer to get a look.
'We want a haunting.' The Stoll twins hadn't changed; oh a bit taller to be sure but the mischievous grins hadn't changed – probably never would either.
'Oh aye?' This was the other voice. He was tall, at least six foot, wearing blue jeans and a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up above his elbows. Dark messy hair, cut shortish, covered the back of his head; Thalia couldn't see his face.
'You'll enjoy this one Nico. The Aphrodite cabin. As scary as you can make it without them knowing it was you. Or us.' Thalia's eyes widened. Nico? Everything really had changed.
'Why?'
One of the Stolls shifted awkwardly before answering. 'Can't you just do it without knowing?'
'The better the reason, the better the haunting. Come on Travis, out with it.' Nico answered, sounding decidedly amused.
'They've been taking the piss out of Katie for going out with me.' Travis mumbled, looking at his feet. Nico and Connor burst out laughing. 'Piss off! It's really starting to get to her' Travis snapped crossly.
'Sorry Travis.' Nico said, still chuckling. 'Tell you what; I'll get the best ghost I know on it.'
Connor looked perplexed on his brother's behalf. 'Who? And why? You hardly know Katie.'
'Alfred Hitchcock. The man's a genius. And why? You know why. Man Code. If you like her, I'll at least pretend to like her.'
'So, what, don't you like her?' Travis looked slightly worried.
'Like you said, I hardly know her. Seems nice enough though.' Nico answered with a shrug.
Connor handed Nico a backpack. 'Here's your stuff, mate. We'll get you the other half when the haunting's done.'
A tone of mock hurt crept into Nico's voice. 'Don't you trust me?'
The twins laughed. 'We trust you just fine, but we haven't been able to get the rest yet.'
Nico nodded. 'Fair enough. When do you want the haunting done?'
'Tonight, and every night until they leave Katie alone.' Travis replied.
'Alright, I'll see you gents at capture the flag tomorrow.' Nico clapped the Stolls on the shoulder as they left. When they had gone Nico opened the backpack and withdrew a cigarette box. He took one out and lit it before putting the box in the fold up of his left sleeve. He took a drag and exhaled slowly before saying. 'How on earth do you manage to hunt anything when you glow silver?'
Thalia sighed, got up and stood next to him. 'I suppose animals are really stupid. Y'know, I was expecting you to be more emo.'
He didn't even look at her, just waved a dismissive hand. 'No-one's afraid of an emo'
'You want people to fear you?'
'It has its uses. Besides, I'm the son of Hades; I'm not going to be loved – that's more Percy's gig.' He still didn't look at her, just leant on a tree, seemingly staring at a patch of woodland identical to the rest.
Thalia thought very carefully about her next words before deciding it was worth the risk. 'You hate me don't you? Because of the whole Bianca huntress thing.' She winced, waiting for the explosion she was sure was coming. She couldn't contain her surprise when he just chuckled.
He noticed. 'I'm over it, mostly; just don't insult her and we'll be fine.'
Thalia was really surprised now. 'You have changed haven't you?'
'People do; us mortals do anyway' Nico answered wryly and Thalia couldn't but wonder if he was getting at something. She decided to continue with her line of enquiry.
'So, do you hate me?'
'I don't hate the hunters; that would imply that I gave a shit. I just hold them in contempt – a group of four-year-olds who got dumped and instead of getting up and moving on with their lives run away and hide from the world blaming all men for the actions of one.'
Thalia was insulted. 'And what do you know about it?' She snapped angrily.
Nico just took another drag of his cigarette and said, quite mildly. 'I've had my heart broken you know.'
'Yeah. Right.' Thalia still wasn't happy.
'I'd been going out with this girl, loved her too, for about eight months before I found out the cunt had been sleeping around for the last three.'
'Oh, so instead of moving on you held a grudge instead. Hypocrite!'
'No, I got my revenge instead. Much more fun.'
'So you beat up a poor defenceless girl, who's the coward?'
'Of course not! What do you take me for?' Showing an emotion other than mild amusement for the first time; then, calming down again. 'I sent a letter.'
Thalia's curiosity finally overcame her anger. 'A letter?'
'To her parents. It detailed exactly what she had done and with which boys, and her weed habit.' He grinned. 'Her parents basically have her under house arrest now. She's not allowed out unless it's with one of them and even in her house she's barely left alone for an hour at a time.'
Thalia had to laugh. 'Okay, I admit that's pretty good. But you still haven't answered my question.'
Nico thought for a moment. 'I don't hate Thalia Grace.' He carried on talking over the sound of displeasure at the use of her last name. 'From what I hear she's brave, funny.' He shrugged. 'Someone who could be a friend.' Thalia opened her mouth to say something but Nico hadn't finished. 'The Lieutenant of Artemis, now. She's a bitch. A coward who got hurt once so she runs and hides rather than face her problems head on, just like any other hunter.' Once more, she tried to get a word in edgeways but he still wouldn't let her. Nico looked at her for the first time, straight in the eye and Thalia was transfixed by a pair of eyes such a dark brown it was hard to tell where iris ended and pupil began. 'The question is; which are you? Thalia Grace? Or Artemis' Lieutenant?'
She was struck dumb for a moment then tried to cover her slip by replying as forcefully and indignantly as possible. 'I'm Thalia, obviously.'
Nico's eyes never left hers. 'Prove it.' Then, without waiting for a reply, he hefted his backpack and melted away in the nearest shadow.
Thalia was left alone. Wishing she could. Hating herself for not being able to.
Well I hope it was worth the read. By the by, I never got why people felt the need to disclaim on this site. Unless the stupider among you think the owners of this stuff try out ideas on here it's pretty clear that if we did own it we would have put it in a book and made lots of lovely money.
