Oddly, the sun appeared inexplicably mellow on such a hectic day. The Dining Pavilion that was usually filled with loud chatter and ceaseless laughter fell quiet at the behest of both Clarisse and Chiron - the former threatening to punch the heck out of whomever laughs at her outwardly... appearance. Chiron, however, insisted we all stay quiet because he needed Clarisse to carefully explain just what had happened to her. Ever the father-like figure, he listened attentively at every detail of Clarisse's version of what had happened. And I say "Clarisse's version" because although she was instructed by Chiron to tell him exactly what had transpired, she instead opted to save what was left of her crumbling pride by telling him everything but her drinking satyr piss. Typical Clarisse.

"So that insignificant Greek insect snuck up behind me just as I had the straw dummy I was practicing with in a headlock. That's when he threw the oil, " Clarisse explained, her eyes still stained with rage and anger. "And it caught me off guard so I was in a daze, ya' see, and that person took advantage of it."

"So that explains the the feathers?" Chiron cut her off. He had one eye brow up and his lips pouted.

Clarisse blushed. "Yeah. Greek insect flung a bag of feathers all around me - wanted to make me look like a chicken probably."

Stifled giggles could be heard from all around her. I would've laughed too if I weren't so nervous about getting caught.

On the other hand, Clarisse looked as if she was ready to take on the whole camp but Chiron stopped her. He also raised a hand to warn the campers about his punishments should they disobey him.

Once more, the Dining Pavilion fell silent.

"Is there any way you can describe this person?" Chiron inquired.

Clarisse scratched her head. "I think this person's a female camper."

"Female?"

"Yeah, I heard her voice. It was kinda squeaky but don't take my word for it 'cause I was uhh... caught off guard."

Chiron gave this suspicious look. You see, Clarisse was a warrior, and by nature, warriors found it hard to lie to their superiors. In Clarisse's case, she found it hard to lie to Chiron and he was well aware of that fact.

"So what did she say?" Chiron asked.

Clarisse cleared her throat. "She called me a chicken," she quietly mumbled.

Again, all around her the campers started giggling like little girls. Likewise, I remained quiet. I simply sat there all alone on the Poseidon table wearing my best poker face and feeling relieved that she suspected female campers and not the male ones.

Chiron massaged his temple. He looked distressed.

"Okay. Okay," he urged the campers to quiet down. Then he turned to Clarisse and said, "Let's get you cleaned up first. Could someone please escort her to the Ares cabin."

Some of the Ares children immediately got up to assist her. Clarisse looked hesitant for just a moment before letting them touch her - as if saying nah, it can't possibly be one of my own siblings.

And in turn, Chiron - deep in thought - headed for the Big House without saying a word, leaving the campers to finish their breakfast. When he was out of sight, the merriment and and joyful atmosphere that usually accompanied the Dining Pavilion returned, albeit boosted even more by the talk of Clarisse's misfortune. Notably, Connor and Travis at the Hermes table couldn't stop laughing and making fun of the war God's daughter behind her back.

I finished my breakfast of ham, bread and cheese and left the pavilion for my cabin. Subconsciously, I didn't even realized the fact that I was avoiding just about everyone as I made my way back. I was still far too jittery from the events of earlier this morning.

"Percy!" Annabeth called from behind me.

I flinched from the sudden shock of hearing my name being called. I steadied myself before I turned to face her. Whatever the cost, I absolutely cannot let Annabeth find out. Especially Annabeth.

"Annabeth!" I smiled awkwardly, secretly mentally giving myself a fact palm for the sort of awkward start to our conversation.

She softly pecked my left cheek with her puckered lips. I blushed a little, almost forgetting the situation I was in.

"Okay," she started, her grey eyes full of wonder. "Listen. A long time ago, I overhead something Chiron and Dionysus once said while they were arguing."

"What were they arguing about?" I asked.

"About who could party better but that's not the important bit. Eventually, the topic changed to who the better prankster was... "

I gulped. I didn't know which was scarier - the fact that Annabeth always seemed to know what was up or the fact that Chiron and Dionysus once had an argument on who the better party animal was.

"... And of course, Hermes' name was mentioned."

I tried blinking back the horror that was swelling up in me. Okay, so she's talking about Hermes now - the same Hermes who tricked me into accepting this stupid quest. But that doesn't mean she knows about it. Didn't Hermes say everyone would forget everything after this was all over? Or perhaps she really did forget but was reminded again by Chiron's and Dionysus' "argument".

"Apparently, there's this rumor, Percy."

Oh boy.

"When Zeus punished Dionysus and sent him here, Hermes - ever the prankster - cursed this place. The God cursed camp Halfblood for whatever reason and I want to find out why. As of now, I don't quite fully understand much of the details because this was about all of the information I could eavesdrop from the two but judging from what happened to Clarisse, I'm pretty sure it has something to do with pranks," Annabeth finally finished.

I stood there completely amazed at Annabeth's... knowledge. As a child of Athena, her thirst for answers was second to none and that meant bad news for a seaweed brain like me. So like every other Percy who has an extremely smart Annabeth for a girlfriend, I did the most Percy-like thing possible - I tried to dissuade her from fulfilling her curiosity.

"Look, Annabeth," I started, "instead of tackling all sorts of mysteries like you usually do, why don't you try something new for a change?"

Annabeth stared blankly at me. "I don't quite follow."

"You know," I started again. "Learn something new. You might find something you like..."

"Percy," Annabeth interrupted. "I love mysteries and I love solving things. I also love architecture, designing and... well... you I guess."

She blushed heavily.

I couldn't help but smirk like crazy. "What was that last part? Couldn't quite hear it."

She punched me in the arm.

"Look. I've already been tasked with designing the new Olympus. And I'm taking a break now to do the other things that I love, not to find more things to do. So I'm *going* to solve this mystery even if it kills me!"

I smiled. "Headstrong as ever huh? Good luck then."

I was smiling but secretly inside I wanted to cry. My quest just became that much harder to hide - and believe me, I was told to hide it lest I wanted to be turned into a snake.

"You're not gonna help me?" she asked innocently, her grey puppy dog eyes staring deep into my soul.

"Uhh no, busy with hero stuff, you know," I answered coolly. "Catch you later."

I hastily gave her a peck in the cheek, turned tail and ran all the way back to my cabin.

"One more thing Percy!" she called out after me. "Frank and Hazel are coming to visit!"

I pretended as if I couldn't hear her. The last thing I needed right now was more people to enter the camp.