So, I got a message that told me to look over this story, so I did. I'm so glad I did. I made several changes and I hope the person who messaged me is satisfied. So here's the revised version in all it's glory!
"You shouldn't have. How- how did you...?" Reyna's question trailed off at the beautiful scenery.
"I have a few tricks up my sleeve," a smile appeared on the Son of Hades face.
"But, Italy?! We've traveled thousands of miles in seconds!"
"I've been perfecting my shadow traveling. I wanted to surprise you."
"Mission accomplished." Reyna had always wanted to go to Italy, but she never could go. She never had the time. Even these few hours were stretching it. Festus might burn some of the temples. Or Hannibal might trample some of the campers. Or Octavian might pick a fight with Percy. Reyna shuddered. She didn't want to pick up the pieces of that fight. Wet stuffing was everywhere. It took weeks to clean it up. Or maybe-
Stop it. Reyna chided her over imaginative brain. New Rome can last a few hours without a crisis, right? Right?!
As if he could read her mind, Nico answered her question," New Rome's going to fine. Trust me."
"How could you tell I was thinking about Camp Jupiter?"
"I've known you long enough to known when you're worrying."
"Six months..." and he could already tell? Was she that obvious?
Again, Nico answered her silent question," You always try to hide it so; I made sure I could tell. I want to help."
"What if I don't want any help?"
"I don't like you pretending that you're happy when you're miserable."
Reyna was starting to get annoyed, very fast. "I don't need help, I'm fine. "
"Are you?"
Reyna was about to answer that yes, of course she was, when something caught her eye. A couple was staring at them. They didn't look away after she saw them, which was odd.
"Nico..."
"What?"
"That couple over there, they're watching us."
Nico zeroed in on them and gave the man the death stare. That stare gave even Percy the creeps, but it generated the exact opposite of what Nico intended. The guy had the nerve to smile.
"Who is he?" Reyna asked, looking back at Nico.
"I don't know, but I suddenly have the urge to go punch him in the face. Come on." Nico led the way, his eyes set on the man.
"Who are you and what are you doing here?"
"Ooooh, not very polite, just like your cuz. You cut to the chase, I like that," The man said. "But you shouldn't do that. Most of us don't like that."
Reyna frowned. A god, definitely. Not Roman, even if they were in Italy. He seemed Greek, but who was he? Reyna looked at the woman beside him. She was beautiful, and was getting more beautiful by the second. Reyna couldn't help but be instantly jealous, and with her getting a dose of random anger, she wasn't in a good mood. She knew who these people were now. They weren't monsters, but that hardly reassured her.
"Venus and Mars."
"That's right, but it's the flip versions."
"Reyna, you're so pretty. I love your shirt, but you could've worn a dress instead." Reyna looked down at her shirt. It was her only dress shirt, purple with a nice flower design on the back. The kind that have a see through back side. "A purple one, since purple looks so good on you."
"Why are here?" Nico cut in.
"To come to see you of course!"
"Gods don't come to see demigods in Italy just to say 'hi'."
Ares smiled," You're smart. We didn't come to see to just to chat. I need a job done."
"Why us?"
"She wanted to see you guys, so I'm asking you. Hephaestus has something that's mine and I want it back, so I want you to go get it for me."
"Hermes can't get it for you?"
"Something about, 'that's stealing' or something, even though it was mine in the first place."
Reyna's mouth went dry. "You want us to steal something of yours back from Hephaestus? How are we supposed to do that?"
"Not my problem. You're the demigods, you figure it out. I want it back by this time tomorrow. No later. Got it?" When Reyna and Nico nodded, Ares's smile grew wider. "Good. Good luck, you're going to need it."
And with that, the two gods were gone.