Hazel hadn't been sitting in her cabin alone for very long before Piper came in. Hazel still didn't know the others on the ship very well; she felt most comfortable with Frank and Percy, but Piper had a calming presence.
The first thing she said was that of course they were going to look for Nico, no matter what Leo or Jason said – they weren't just going to leave Hazel's brother in the lurch – and those words, or maybe the way she said them, made Hazel relax immediately. She was warming up to Piper quickly.
But Piper hadn't been there for very long before the door creaked open. Hazel stiffened, afraid it was going to be Jason or Leo or even Frank – none of whom she particularly wanted to see. But instead it was the person whom, of everyone on the ship, Hazel had least expected.
Annabeth didn't come all the way in; stood in the doorway, leaving the door open. She directed her gaze at Piper first; those gray eyes really were unnerving, but Piper didn't flinch. "Hey," she said, "can you go talk to Jason and Leo?"
"Why do I have to do it?"
"Because you have more control over them than anyone else." Annabeth braced one hand on the doorframe, waiting.
"Not true," Piper protested. "Jason's been scared of you ever since you knocked him out that one time during sparring practice" –
"It was the oldest trick in the book; he should have seen it coming" –
"And Leo is just terrified of you in general," finished Piper.
Annabeth smirked; that crafty smile was almost scarier than her death glare. "That's true," she allowed. "But it'd still be better coming from you. You know you're better with words than I am."
Piper inclined her head, seeming mollified. "That's also true." The bedsprings groaned as she stood. "I'm off to scold the children. Seriously, Hazel" – She met Hazel's eyes; hers were many-colored and kind. "It's going to be okay."
Hazel wasn't sure if it was charmspeak or just Piper's earnestness, but either way she believed it. She swallowed and nodded. "Okay."
When Piper had left, Annabeth sank into her vacated seat. "Hey," she said, tucking her legs under her and turning to face Hazel. "I'm sorry about earlier."
"Don't be," mumbled Hazel, "it's not your fault."
Annabeth shrugged. "I don't think I'd blame you if you were mad at me, just by virtue of connection with" – she waved a hand – "all that."
Hazel made a noncommittal noise. She didn't really know what to think about Annabeth yet. Obviously she was smart – and even though she didn't have powers powers, she radiated an aura that was scarier than Percy's. She had become – with no deliberation or even discussion of the matter – the uncontested leader of the quest. And despite the fact that Percy had mentioned her so many times, Hazel still barely knew her.
"I know Nico, you know," continued Annabeth, seeming to figure that Hazel wasn't going to answer. But those words – though they probably shouldn't have, considering Percy's connection to Nico – surprised her.
"Really?" she asked.
Annabeth nodded. "I don't know how much you know about the Titan War . . . I guess Nico told you about it, or someone else – but he fought for the Greeks in Manhattan. He was the one who eventually convinced Hades – your dad – to help us."
"He did?" Nico hadn't told her about that – he'd mentioned the Titan War in the vaguest terms, obviously so he wouldn't have to mention the Greeks.
"Yeah." Annabeth smiled at her reassuringly. "Leo and Jason and all the others – they don't really know. But Percy and I were there. We know he always comes through for the right side. And that's why we're going to save him."
Despite herself, tears sprang to Hazel's eyes. Nico was the most important person in her life. He had saved her – now it was her turn. "Sorry," she sniffed, dragging her hand across her eyes. "Just – I owe him a lot. Nico – he's really important to me."
"Of course he is." Annabeth didn't move toward her, maintaining a respectable distance, but her eyes were warm. "I have half-brothers, too – demigods and mortals. I get it."
Hazel clenched her teeth, her anger not quite spent. "But Jason and Leo" –
"Are just being stupid," Annabeth finished. "I would say they'll get over their idiocy, but who knows. Boys can be ridiculous sometimes. I mean, don't even get me started on Percy."
"What has Percy done?" Hazel sat up straight, completely distracted. He'd seemed so . . . well, together, on their quest. So powerful – but she supposed if anyone could put him in his place, it would be Annabeth.
Annabeth laughed. "Where should I even start?" She sat back on her hands, tipping her head back. "Well, if it's stories you want, there was that time he blew up the toilets at Camp Half-Blood . . ."
...
And here we have yet more failing of the Bechdel Test. Sorry, guys. But...Annabeth and Hazel?