"What? Nico's in your store?" Percy said. On the end of the line, Zerafica was laughing. "Yes Percy, your beloved Nico di Angelo is here," she replied. The older Nephilim was taken aback on what the warlock just said, it's either that he was pleased, blushing or just shocked but nevertheless Nico is safe and sound. He agreed to come over to get him. "Don't forget my payment, Percy. Thanks." Payment. In Zerafica's definition, it is really just a bag full of Uncle Bryce's Best Chocolate Chips that can be bought at the same store three blocks away from where he is. Putting his phone back on his pocket, he quickly went to the store and buy Zerafica's cookies.
Needless the say of his fashion statement, (Black is the new term for sexy). The place wasn't that really far, it just takes one rune; Agility to get to the store for like twenty minutes. The Antique Rag, Strife's store. Percy would never understand how a warlock like her would be so interested in creepy dolls. He didn't need to wait for her to open the door and let himself in. Creeping inside, he could smell caffeine everywhere and when he got in the service hall where she usually attends her clients, he saw Nico sipping a cup, which he can definitely tell coffee. He wondered why how a fourteen year old prefer coffee instead of chocolate or tea. Another mystery unfolds.
Zerafica was the first one to acknowledge his presence making Nico glance up towards him, holding his cup tightly. "Well, well," seeing that he has the payment in his hands, the warlockran towards him getting the package. Zerafica was delighted, acting like a two year-old child getting her new doll from her parents. He didn't really mind the warlock's attitude and went towards Nico is. He was still the same as he left in the training room. His runeless body was still the same as he last saw it but would seem to be a problem in the near future. The young nephilim wanted to say something put Percy beat him first, putting his index finger on his lips.
"I'm so glad you're okay, Nico." Without second thought, he pulled Nico to him, feeling the warmth of the young nephilim. It was getting uncomfortable in Nico's part because he didn't know what to do or even what to react. He was obviously new to this environment but not the 'hugging part'. A lot of these, he had encounter on his 'previous time'. He just didn't exactly know on what to do for not getting the awkwardness in the air. Nico wanted to speak up, Percy didn't let him. Finally a fake cough can be heard, all turning their heads to Zerafica the Warlock. "Now that you have your nephilim back, Percy Jackson," her tone changed to its usual voice. With a snap, a dark vortex appeared near her blue vintage wallpaper. Dragging the two Shadowhunters in there, she pushed them inside and was now in the Institute's gate.
Leo, was helping everyone in every mundanely as he can. After the great devastation what happened in the Institute, including his laboratory was destroyed, he felt useless. Inventing is the only thing he's good at. He doesn't like to fight hand by hand per se, but he wanted to use his talents in helping his fellow nephilim in making work much easier for them. He was helping putting iratzes on every injured Shadowhunters in the Institute. This is the only way I can help Leo thought. He wanted to be useful with the inventions but he will never be complete without making anything from scraps. It's a part of him and he couldn't leave without. The infirmary's door opened, Percy and Nico di Angelo appeared. "Chiron I need to speak to you," Percy said. Chiron already knew and asked for everyone to leave, well not the injured ones though. He ushered Nico to come with but Percy said that the 'Ancestral Shadowhunter' would stay. It was a shame, he wanted to hang out with the new kid and be friends but guessing that 'talk' was more important finally let it slip in his mind.
He went to his room, tinkering, draft on whatever the fastest way to renovate the entire Institute. At this rate, the whole place will be destroyed. He didn't really like the idea of the Institute being closing. It became his home, after his mom died in the fire accident he had caused, he was felt guilty about it and find the nearest Institute that he can stay. Chiron accepted him knowing his lineage. The Valdez were one of the outstanding Shadowhunter lineages, her mother was in fact was called the 'Nephilim on Fire' for her swift movements. No one can match her abilities in which Leo lacks. He wasn't Shadowhunter material but rather that he is one of the 'special cases' nephilim.
A nephilim who doesn't have the ability to fight, but has other the 'power' to create something out of the ordinary. Leo is one of the cases.
He grabbed his hidden sketchpad from his drawer, did a quickly draft a way to help in rebuilding their home. After a few hours, he made five, seven, ten drafts on design to the new and improved Long Island Institute. Leo was glad that the feel of doing something for a cause makes him more special. A knock came on the door and Grover Underwood appeared. The satyr has bucket in his hands, which means that he was back in the infirmary and tending for injured. "Chiron asked for you," he said. "He wants to know if you have any ideas that for the Institute." The latino, smiled apparently was already going to where Chiron is and give his ideas a go. He stood up noting Grover's orders. "Yeah," Leo confirmed. "I'm just going to get myself ready."
"A rune?" Nico questioned. It's not like he doesn't know what it means but the thought of putting the first rune to his runeless scared him the most. He saw how the Silent Brothers put the runes to his sister, she screamed in the Heaven because of the excruciating pain then days after, the pain was gone but the rune was there, a black ink symbol on her sister's forearm. Percy on the other hand could see his scared expression. He asked Chiron if they could do it tomorrow or any day when Nico is ready. The question is when would be Nico ready? A month? Year? He couldn't know, "I understand if you're not ready yet but look at the circumstances Nico," Chiron said. "Supposedly Valentine attack again, how can you even protect yourself without anyone or even yet, no protection at all?" He had a point, at this time, Nico was still clueless on the surroundings around him. He wouldn't even last a second without Percy Jackson. Percy Jackson. Nico didn't understand why he just thought of the older nephilim's name. He looked at Percy, still the gorgeous human being he has ever seen. He knows that he doesn't want him to do anything that is against his own will. Without reading his mind, he could tell what was going on his Percy's mind. You can decline if you don't want to, Nico. I'm here. What would Bianca tell? Nico thought remembering his family, especially his sister, Bianca. Follow your heart, Nico. He was sure his sister would tell that to him. Bianca knows how Nico's mind works.
Clenching his fist, he took a deep breath before speaking up. "I'll do it. Tell what I should do." Chiron was delighted even though he was still bed-ridden; he tried to get up but no use. "I'm afraid that it would have to wait seeing as that I am still weak from the fight," Chiron said still trying to fix himself in his bed, Grover helped him. "I shall inform Consul Yew about this. I'll just want you to wait for further notice." And with that, he ordered Percy and Nico to leave him for now seeing as Head of the Institute needs to rest.
They went to the accommodating room, Leo, Clarisse and The Stolls were in there. "Woah, you guys look crap," Travis said. "I think you mean, distorted," Connor added. Leo was still busy tinkering on his sketchpad about his ideas. Not sure if the two of them would like to interrupt him. Clarisse was annoyed and excused herself to her room. "Make sure not to interrupt my sleeping time, freaks" she said. The latino left as well, without uttering a word about it. The Stolls could feel the atmosphere changed, looking at remaining people in the room, they had an idea which make the two of them grin. "Oh well, looks like you two will talk seriously," Connor elbowed his brother, "Right, well we'll be going now." Percy thanked them looking at them as they leave. Nico on the other hand feels distracted.
"Uhm...Percy?" the old nephilim looked at him. Curious as to what would they talk about. "Are you sure that you want to do the rune marking?" Percy asked. Ah. So that's what the fuss is about, Nico thought. The young nephilim produce a small laugh making Percy confused. "Hey! Are you laughing at me?" the young nephilim shook his head. Looking at Percy's face, he still wanted to laugh but he knows when to shut up. "Seriously Perseus,". "It's Percy," Percy corrected him. "I realized that I need to be serious if I really wanted to defeat Valentine Morgenstern.
If my family risked their lives protecting me about what I can do-"
"Woah! Hold the fuck up!" Percy threw his hands up. "What about this 'what I can do'" Nico ushered him to forget about it, but the older nephilim was persistent. "I told you to drop it," Nico said. He was serious because he doesn't want to know how freaky he is. "Just…not right now," He wasn't ready to tell him, he wasn't ready to tell the whole Institute about what his 'abilities' caused by his parent's mistake, especially Percy. Finally, Percy sighed and just let the conversation dropped. "Alright, Neeks," Nico was offended, 'Neeks?!' no one has ever gave him a nickname other than his sister. Oh how he missed his sister. "I don't really know what that 'what I can do' crap is about but if it's not the time to talk about it, I understand.
Just don't keep it to yourself. Look, I'm your friend and I wanted to help you so you gotta open up to me okay?" Percy was kind no one has ever been so kind to him even in his time. He wanted to open up he was wanted to drop the idea. What if Percy changed his thoughts about me? What if he hates me? Nico's thoughts were full of 'if'. Secluding himself away from people would be more appropriate than hating him because of his abilities. Nico stood up, fixing himself and attempted to leave. "I will tell you my ability when the time has come. I'm going to my room. Have a great night, Perseus Jackson."