Hi, people!
Sorry it took so long - I'll try to update more often but I can't promise it will be weekly.
Hugs,
V.
Clarisse's POV
It had been one week since Annabeth died, four days since Thalia was turned into a normal girl. But none of that would have mattered if Percy would act as his usually annoying self, he looked like a puppy without an owner. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I felt bad for him. I had talk to Grover about it, he needed to cheer the seaweed up or I'll seriously take the matter in my own hands.
"Clarisse," Chiron brought me back to reality. "Since it was you who brought the fleece back and thanks to that Thalia is among us again, why don't you show her around?"
I rolled my eyes at the suggestion, but I really had no choice. If Annabeth would have been alive, she would be the one giving Thalia the grand tour. It was no secret that Thalia had been like a sister to her, so Annabeth would have shown her around with pleasure. But I have never met Thalia before and I had no feelings towards her. Plus, only the children of Ares got a tour from me, and that was only because they were my siblings and I was the counselor of the cabin.
Nevertheless, I nodded at Chiron and walked towards the infirmary to get Thalia. Ever since she was de-arbolized, Thalia had slept under strict surveillance of our healing staff. Something about checking her vitals every hour. I didn't understand the fuzz about it, she had been a three, not dead. The daughter of Zeus stood up when she heard what I had to tell her and followed me outside the infirmary.
We walked around the camp. Thalia heard everything I had to say about the camp in silence. I couldn't know if she was interested or if, just like me, she just wanted to get over with it as soon as possible. She probably was still grieving Annabeth's death and Luke's betrayal. Must have been pretty tough, when you think about it, one moment you are fighting monsters with your two best friends, then you are turned into a three, you wake up years later to find out that one of your best friends died and the other one wants to destroy Olympus. And she was Percy's cousin - must be a bitch to have a cousin that retarded.
It was on the practice field that Thalia talked for the first time. "So," she said. "Thanks for saving me."
"You're welcome - I guess," I said looking at her, trying to read her emotions. "I didn't do it on purpose, tho." I let out, I was never the type of person who filters, it always got me into trouble. Not that I really cared.
She raised an eyebrow and a half-grin appeared on her face. "You are honest, I like that." I shrugged. "But you did saved the three, and that you did on purpose." Thalia pointed out. "And I was the three, so it's the same."
"The difference is that threes can't speak." I pointed out and she chuckled.
I guess she was right, but when I was sent to go to the Sea of Monsters I didn't do it for the three, I did it for the quest. I didn't volunteer for the wealth of the camp, I did it for my glory and to make my dad proud.
Thalia laughed. "I think we'll get along, daughter of Ares."
I smiled at her. "Maybe you'll be my favorite aunt." I replied, making allusion to our messed up families. "Can I call you Auntie Thalia?"
She laughed. "Please, don't."
"Just Auntie will do, then."
Thalia shook her head with a smile on her face. "Ok, when are you going to show your Auntie those fighting skills you brag about."
"What about now?" I asked, I was always up to sword fighting. She nodded in approval.
I took two swords and handled her one. "I'll try to go easy on you." I said getting into my defence position.
She just laughed and said. "When I'm done with you, you'll wish you hadn't gone easy on me."
She attacked first; usually that was my tactic, but Thalia had been a three for a long time and I didn't want to kill the most admired half-blood, so I figured I could be nice to her, just this one time. I have to admit Thalia had good fighting skills.
"Not bad, for a three." I said after a while. I was not panting but my heart rate was accelerated. You know that feeling when the adrenaline just kicked in? When all your senses are enhanced and you feel no pain? When time decelerated and everything seemed to be in slow motion? It is one of my favourite sensations, I live for that moment.
Thalia smiled wider. "And I'm just getting started."
And then words were replaced with the clashing of metals. Thalia was, by far, the closest thing to a worthy match I've encountered so far; she had Annabeth's tactics, Percy's agility and Luke's force. Her skills were a bit rusty, but nothing that couldn't be polished. Plus she had the attitude that Ares's children had: she was fearless.
I grinned at my opponent. Thalia and I would, indeed, get along.