I really wasn't expecting a reply, but I got one. Thank you so much.
Thanks to all the story alerts out there.
And to Stranded Star, I tried my best to keep them composed and in character. I was about to write that Percy looked in her eyes and said exactly what she wanted to hear, ya da, ya da, but that would ruin them! I'm giving warning though that their attitudes will stay the same but some actions will seem completely OOC. I hate that, but I thought about post-war reflections and it seemed to me that every person who's seen that type of action always has a little cord snap in them somewhere. I won't make major changes, but you may be disappointed. As much as I'll hate that, it's how I planned the story. If I change it, the whole work will fall apart.
Please don't hate me for that. I've tried not to ruin them like others have.
Annabeth clutched the sheets next to her and looked straight at him, with hate and distaste in her eyes. The feelings weren't towards him, but the mention of her mother had driven a whole through her heart.
"I haven't decided yet," she replied coolly.
"I can't help you unless you let me know what's going on," Percy reminded her. He had sat silently since she had come in his door with a grin on her face, in reference to the new code she had cracked in Daedulus's laptop, revealing a recreation of the wings, which were incomplete with plenty of potential. She had drawled on and on with pure bliss but a nagging thought interrupted her good fortune. Percy had noticed how she steered clear of all mentions of Athena.
Annabeth's eyes softened at his words as she registered the fact that he was pulling himself into her problems, willing to help. He didn't even understand what he was getting himself into. She shook her head, not wanting to allow it.
"It's nothing," she said, trying to keep her voice pure and stern. It wavered and she had to clear her throat, saying it was a 'tickle'.
"How can you hate your mom?" he pressed, not thinking about whatever consequences he could become tangled in with.
Annabeth narrowed her eyes. "I know Sally's awesome, and all, so you don't know anything about how bad a mother could be. It's all messed up. She won't stop bugging me." She crossed her arms defiantly.
"Wow," Percy started, letting his mouth shoot off without his mind, "a mom caring too much. Never heard of that before. At least your godly parent's interested in your life. You should be grateful." He regretted the words as soon as they came out, but he wasn't going to take them back. It was the truth. No sense in lying to a daughter of Athena.
Annabeth scoffed and cursed in Greek. "You're an idiot. I never said she cared. I said she was bothering me. Athena's sending all these signals, constantly reminding me of when I mess up or she tries to guilt me whenever I'm near you and—" Annabeth caught herself, blushing.
Percy's face turned a soft rose pink. "So, I'm the problem?" he managed out.
"No, it's just that… she doesn't like you," Annabeth tried reassuring. She thought about the words that left her mouth and realized that they were probably worse than what she had first said.
"Thanks," he retorted, sarcastic and blunt.
"Welcome," she mumbled, thinking of pulling her cap over her head and vanishing so he couldn't see her tomato face.
Percy stared down at the wood-paneled floor and Annabeth could see that he was thinking of what signals Athena could send. She watched him shake his head and then pause to consider a different punishment, then deciding that was un-Athena like. She nearly giggled at how cute he was with his brows scrunched together.
"Owl pellets," she told him.
He stared up at her blankly, as if she were a psycho. "What?"
"Owl pellets," she repeated. "Athena's sacred animal is the owl. Just like Hera with the cows, if I mess up or I hang out with you too long," she blushed again, "Athena sends her owls out. It could be in my spot on the bench for breakfast, in my bed. Anywhere."
"That's it? Owl poop made you hate Athena?"
"No," Annabeth told him, gritting her teeth. "It's more than that. She's obsessing over everything I do. She was watching me during training."
"How do you know?" he asked, slightly peeved with Athena already. Poseidon didn't even do all that and he only had one son. Out of all of her children, she was picking on Annabeth because of him.
"I saw an owl perched on the railing. You don't think that's odd?" she asked, knowing his answer already. And it wasn't just the stalker owls or their droppings, it was her voice. Annabeth had never heard her mother unless they were on Olympus, but her steely voice was always there, warning her to stay away from Kelp Head's kid and to focus on her building designs. Or she would advise her to train harder. You could've made that strike, she'd chastise.
"Okay, Athena's being weird right now. She'll lay off and start picking on Malcolm or something," he shrugged.
Annabeth wanted to believe him, but she knew it wasn't going to be easy to get rid of her mother. Athena was as stubborn as Annabeth, possibly even more so. Annabeth wouldn't have given up without a fight, and so she assumed Athena wouldn't either. It would take so much disrespect to get Athena off her case, but would it be worth it? Her logical side told her that, no it wouldn't. Athena had helped her more than she had hurt her.
But just as she had done with the Sirens, her needs and wants were so much more overpowering. It had to be worth it.
"No. She won't," Annabeth decided. "I'm going to have to take charge, like always."
She rolled her eyes and scooped up her worn down cap. Percy stood with her as she hurriedly slipped on the hat and ran out of the cabin.
"Okay, bye then," he whispered awkwardly, trying to understand her message. Take charge of what?
A second chapter already. You're pretty lucky.
