Louisa stood in the throne room with her brother, his son and wife on her left and Grover on her right.
The gods had called her here.
A nagging feeling in the back of her mind made her believe she was in 'deep shit trouble', as she had told Chiron earlier. Chiron had tutted at her for her language and reassured her she wasn't in trouble of any depth.
If she wasn't in trouble, why did her dad have a face like thunder?
"Louisa Smith-Jackson." Zeus called.
"Uh… yeah?" Percy nudged her. "I mean, yes Lord Zeus?" Louisa hated formalities.
"You have been recognised. Step forward." Louisa hesitated for a split second, before remembering she used to have arguments with Zeus for funsies.
She pulled herself together and moved forward.
The gods were unnervingly silent, staring at her monotonously.
"Following recent and past misfortunate events caused by your selfless actions to defend your family and loyalty to the gods, the council have decided a proposition for you." Athena said. Annabeth had told Louisa that maybe; just maybe the goddess of wisdom had more respect for Louisa than she did for Percy, mainly because of what had happened.
Louisa looked at her father. He gave a reassuring nod, his thunderous look easing slightly as he gave a small smile.
"OK?" Zeus raised his left hand. A flash of lightning brushed his fingertips and struck the floor at his feet. The mortals shielded their eyes until the lightning died down. A glowing, fiery orb hovered in the air, tongues of flame licking the air briefly before returning to its source.
"Hestia, sister, announce your presence." Zeus ordered. The fire in the hearth grew warmer and friendlier, dancing merrily. As casual as anything, Hestia stepped out of the flames wearing her usual brown dress and a white shawl. She appeared to be in her mid-thirties - motherly and caring.
The flames clung to her lovingly until she simply brushed them away. She bowed to Zeus.
"Zeus, brother." Zeus gave a nod before returning his stern blue gaze to Louisa.
"Hestia will bestow upon you a gift." Louisa held her uncle's gaze briefly before looking at Hestia. The goddess had stepped up to the fiery orb, tenderly placing her hands either side of it. The fire twisted up her arms gracefully, brushing through her hair and down her back.
In Hestia's hands was a simple Greek jar.
"Oh wow…" Percy mumbled. Louisa restrained herself from turning round and asking him what had wowed him.
Hestia moved forward with the grace of the dancing flames behind her. She smiled warmly and motherly at Louisa.
"Louisa Smith-Jackson," Louisa was still getting used to the 'Jackson' on the end of her name, "I present you with hope." Hestia held the jar out to her.
Louisa didn't take it.
Hestia's smile remained, but she titled her head to the side slightly in curiosity. "Is something the matter?"
"That's Pandora's jar."
"It is." Hestia beamed at her. "The gods deem you worthy of having it."
"I have hope. I'm not gonna take it from anyone." Hestia's smile broadened with pride. Louisa had been worried that the gods would blast her for refusing a gift.
"You speak wisely, child." Athena commented. Her expression softened towards Louisa, but the warning look the goddess had towards her rival's children remained in her stormy grey eyes. "The gods made the right choice."
Louisa refrained herself from saying 'for once'.
Instead she said, "What choice?"
"A night with me, preferably." Poseidon, if possible, angered further, glaring at something to the right of the thrones.
A man walked out of the shadows, stretching the white, feathery angel like wings on his back. He had thick dark hair and sparkling blue eyes. He looked to be in his mid-twenties, with broad shoulders and built like a swordsman with a narrow waist. He was nearing six foot, his wingspan nearing double that. He wore black jeans and a dark blue shirt that had the first few buttons undone, showing his tanned chest.
Pouf, Louisa thought, smirking slightly.
"Pothos, you were not summoned to this meeting." Poseidon growled. Thunder boomed overhead.
Percy and Louisa were trying to place Pothos in the Greek mythology they did know. Thankfully, Annabeth was nearby.
"He's one of the three Erotes."
"Oh them." Percy said at the same time Louisa said, "One of the three who?"
"Erotes."
"Dunno 'em."
"I'll explain later."
"'Kay."
Pothos smiled at Louisa. His smile was seductive, but Louisa didn't fall for his charms. Instead she returned her gaze to Hestia. The goddess's smile had been replaced with worry. Noticing Louisa's attention was on her, she smiled reassuringly, carefully holding Pandora's jar closer to her.
Pothos strolled leisurely over to Louisa, hands behind his back and studying her curiously. Hestia moved back.
Louisa clenched her fists, stopping herself from slamming the creepy smile off of Pothos's too handsome face.
Pothos stopped in front of her, his smile still in place. Louisa glared at him.
"I know what happened." He told her. "There are many emotional and mental scars left." He reached out to her. Louisa grabbed his wrist in a death grip. His smile faltered slightly, but then it returned, seductive and cocky. "Feisty one, eh?" He snatched his hand away. "I can help take those scars away."
"Get away from my sister." Percy growled, stepping between Louisa and Pothos. Pothos looked mildly surprised at the intrusion, but merely waved it off.
"She'll come to me eventually."
"In ya dreams, ya lil-"
"Louisa, watch the language in the presence of the council." Her father warned, trying to keep his temper from his voice. Louisa fell silent.
"Obedient as well." Percy's hand went to his pocket. "I wouldn't bother with the toothpick, boy."
"Pothos, be gone!" Zeus demanded. Pothos gave a nod, but turned back to Louisa.
"Fourth floor. Room 218. If you get lost, just ask her." He nodded at Annabeth. Annabeth glared back, shifting her hold into something protective around her son. "Marvellous work, you've done by the way."
"Pothos!" Zeus warned. Pothos gave another nod to Zeus.
"I'll see you at five." Louisa shoved her brother out the way, her sword growing in her hand. In one blurred movement and 1.6 seconds, Louisa had the tip of her blade at Pothos's throat. "The feistier the better."
"How'd the ladies like ya without a head?" Louisa snarled, digging the blade's point deeper into his throat. A slither of golden ichor dribbled from a shallow wound.
"This one? Loyal to the gods? Mmm… you might want to revise your decisions."
"Loyal ta the gods. Not little shits."
Poseidon rose, turning into a whirlpool that gradually became smaller as it moved towards them. When the whirlpool dissolved back into the air, Poseidon was the size of a regular guy- of similar height to Percy.
The sea god closed his hand around Louisa's upper arm.
"Louisa, join me for a walk."
"After I've ripped his wings off."
"I am sure Lord Zeus will deal with him." Poseidon looked at his brother. Zeus gave a curt nod. "Thank-you brother." Poseidon dragged his daughter away. Louisa continued to glare at Pothos.
"I'll see you later, Louisa." Pothos called. Louisa's eyes flared with renewed anger.
"Come near me again… 'n' I'll fuckin' kill you." Poseidon pulled her out of the throne room.
When Leo stepped out of the elevator, the first thing he noticed was the monstrous storm cloud hanging over Olympus.
Either Poseidon was really ticked off or one of the twins was getting angry.
Knowing gods and demigods, it would probably be all three of them.
Leo wound through the amazing village, taking in every incredible detail. Marble buildings, all designed from the Greek era. Annabeth's work was the bomb. Although… a dancing statue would like nice there… and a bench will turbo boosters would go ideal over there… mmm…
Leo was on his way to the throne room, when he heard something from a little way down the corridor.
Changing direction, he walked out onto the gardens. There was a section for each of the twelve Olympian gods. According to Annabeth, there was a section for each god and goddess all over the grounds. She had designed them with the god/goddess's personal help, Demeter, Persephone and any other flower/gardening/season gods.
Pacing in- obviously- Poseidon's sector of the garden was an agitated Louisa. Sitting on the edge of the fountain was Poseidon.
The water in the fountain was bubbling furiously. A gut feeling told Leo the stirring of the water wasn't being caused by the present god.
He looked closer to the fountain. It was of Poseidon and his two children. The statue of the god had his arms around his children and they were all smiling. Carved in the circular plinth that they stood on were tridents, all criss-crossing and covering the edges of the plinth. The water was being projected into the air from a small opening behind the three statues, falling over them as if they stood under a waterfall. In the water were miniature versions of various and beautiful sea plant life, exotic fish swimming madly through them as the water continued to bubble and thrash.
Leo returned his attention to Louisa. She had disappeared behind the fountain.
"Mr. Valdez." Leo looked at the god.
"Lord Poseidon." Leo greeted, bowing. The god smiled in acknowledgement.
"I see you appreciate Annabeth's fine work here." He gestured at the statue.
"Yeah, it's cool." Leo's eyes flicked to the statue of Louisa. "What's up with Lou?" Poseidon's smile faltered slightly.
"Pothos."
"Who?"
"One of the three Erotes."
"Oh… erm…" Poseidon waved him on. "What happened?"
"Let's just say Pothos made a few… suggestions towards Louisa. Obviously, she wasn't happy about that."
"Obviously." Leo muttered.
"Will you sit with her? I must check that Zeus has dealt with Pothos suitably and that Percy hasn't killed him either."
"Yes sir."
"Thank-you." Leo averted his gaze as Poseidon flashed away.
"Lou?" Leo called, walking forward.
"Go away."
"Lou, it's me." She didn't say anything. "The lovable, flammable Leo."
"I don't care if it's the president, just go away." Leo ventured forward. Louisa was sitting on the ground, leaning against the fountain. She looked murderous.
Leo bravely sat next to her.
"What if I was the president?"
"Keep dreamin', Valdez."
"Thanks for your support."
"Anytime." Her tone remained monotonous, an angry power burning in her sea green eyes.
"You're scaring the fish."
"What fish?" Leo nodded at the fish in the fountain. "Oh, those fish." She knelt up and dipped her hand in the water. A few nearby fish crowded round her, butting her hand affectionately. "Sorry, guys. Just kinda pissed off at the moment." The water relaxed and the fish calmed down, resuming their swims at less frantic paces.
Louisa withdrew her hand. Leo noticed it was still perfectly dry as she slouched against the fountain again.
"What are the Erotes?" He asked.
"Ask Annabeth. She knows."
"As always." Louisa nodded, looking at the ground between her toes. "What happened exactly, Lou?"
"That git… Pooface-"
"Pothos."
"Whatever. He… well, he kinda walked out the shadows when the gods were talkin' 'bout somethin' 'n' then he was being all Mr. Lovey Dovey Crap. Percy got pissed off. Dad got pissed off."
"You got majorly pissed off."
"Enough to hold him at sword point."
"Really?"
"Yup."
"Lou, you're a twisted marvel."
"Thanks."
"What happened then?"
"He kept makin' suggestions as Dad called 'em. I told him if he comes near me I'm gonna fuckin' kill him."
"Just like that?"
"Just like that."
"In front of your dad and the other Olympians?"
"Yup."
"You're not bothered, are you?"
"Nope." Leo bumped her with his shoulder.
"That's the old Lou. Doing shit for the sake of doing shit." Louisa gaped at him.
"Oh my gods, did Leo Valdez swear?" Leo elbowed her again, smiling a lopsided smile. "Who are ya 'n' what have ya done with ma fire boy?"
"Two things- boy?" He sounded offended.
"Yep."
"And your fire boy?"
"Luckily, you were on discount."
"Oh thanks." Leo slumped against the fountain. Louisa smiled sweetly at him. "You're like marmite."
"Marmite?" Louisa said, her smiling faltering as a look of curiosity passed over her features. "Seriously? Just, seriously?"
"Let me explain." She glared at him. "Well, you're like marmite 'cos it's either people hate you or they love you."
"What 'bout you?"
"What about me?"
"Do you like marmite or not?"
"Marmite… well, not really." She looked away, but not before he saw the slight flicker of pain in her eyes. He took her hand. "You're more like ice-cream right now."
"Why am I food all of a sudden?"
"I'm hungry."
"Figures." She sighed. "Why am I like ice-cream?"
"Cold, but sweet." She gave a soft laugh, smiling slightly. They sat in a comfortable silence for a short while.
Leo sighed, having plucked up the stupidity and courage to ask something that had been on his mind for a while. "Lou?"
"Mmm?" He tugged on her hand. She looked at him.
"Will you go out with me?" She blinked at him. He remembered how he had summoned the bravery to kiss her about two months ago. She had reacted by giving him a hug after he had pulled back instead of returning the kiss.
Her brow furrowed in confusion.
"I thought we were." It was Leo's turn to be confused. Louisa looked down. "Well, ya did kinda kiss me a while back. 'N' I went ta you when I had that nightmare…" Leo remembered- he had woken up with Louisa asleep on his front- they hadn't done anything.
"How about we make it official then?" He asked, tugging on her hand again to get her attention. She looked relieved.
"OK." Leo grinned like an idiot as he wrapped Louisa in his arms.
Pooface could bring it on.