Hey, gorgeous readers! I missed you. Like I mentioned in the last chapter, I've been pre-writing, and I'm not sure how long I'll wait between chapters. Anyways, here's the next chapter! Enjoy :)
As discretely as possible, they sliped inside of the Aphridite cabin, where the group of gossiping girls anxiously awaited them.
"What progress has been made?" They frantically giggled, positively squealing with meddling delight.
"I think they're coming together quite nicely." Malcolm remarked.
"Explain." Piper glanced up from where she was reading on her bed. "I was told that Thalia is here on some sort of vacation."
"Yeah, well technically she is, but that doesn't matter!" One of the girls protested. "Besides, what about this match makes you care? You usually stay out of it."
"I am the cabin supervisor, so it's my job to keep an eye on your meddling, but that's besides the point. I like to think I'm friends with the two of them, or at least, I'm friends with their friends, so I'd rather not have them on a vendetta against our cabin." she chuckled.
"But they belong together." Another girl whined.
"Thalico for win!" A guy cheered.
Piper wearily looked at the group. "I guess, just be ready for the inevitable black-and-skulls theme our cabin will have when they find out it's you behind it. Thalia and Nico both hate being manipulated."
"It's for the greater romantic good." A pretty brunette scoffed. "Now, continue. How are they coming along?"
"Like Malcolm said, they're doing pretty good. We were spying on them, and Nico was approaching Thalia, but accidentally scared her. While they were in a tangle of limbs from almost falling into the ocean, we took the opportunity to push them in ourselves." Izzy grinned.
"Did they see you?" Piper couldn't help but ask.
They two exchanged a devious look. "Yes. Thalia was particularly... Colorful, to say the least." Malcolm chuckled.
"Oh, my, God!" Most of the girls squealed.
"They might as well be dating now!" They sighed.
Piper raised an eyebrow, but refrained from commenting.
"Keep up the good work." A blonde replied solemnly. "Try something at the campfire!"
"Will do." They muttered before setting back off to continue their plot. The only thing that was making this worth it was the Aphrodite cabin was offering their alliance in capture the flag. The Ares cabin already had an advantage in weapons; they didn't need extra numbers as well.
I relaxed on a towel, soaking up the sun. I don't tan very well, but wasn't going to let that that stop me from getting the most out of my lazy time. Keeping up with Nico's mood swings is stressful; I needed some me time, and the sunlight was almost enough to pull me asleep.
That was, until a tall shadow blocked out my sun.
"Are you enjoying yourself, babe?"
I hesitantly cracked open an eye before rolling onto my stomach. "I was." I muttered darkly. "Until someone decided to stand in my sun."
"Sorry babe, but I am the sun." Apollo grinned stupidly. "Now, I managed to clear my schedule again, just enough time to give you some one-on-one pointers on archery.
"Why won't you leave me alone?" I made the mistake of wondering out loud.
"Ouch, Thals. No need to be so cold. You're not a hunter, so you're back on the market. No need to feel guilty about a little emotion."
Oh my gods, I swear his head is thicker than a Neanderthal's. I mentally facepalmed. I was half tempted to go get Nico, but if I wanted him to be civil for the campfire, he needed to sleep.
"Wait a second. I'm the lieutenant of Artemis. I already can shoot a bow." I stared at him puzzled.
"Was, my darling. Was the lieutenant of Artemis." He gently grabbed my shoulders and pulled me to me feet. "I think you'll find it's a bit more difficult now."
"Don't touch me." I snapped. "You do realize we're cousins, right?"
"No, we're not." He stated blankly. "You should know that, Thals. Gods don't technically have DNA, at least, not how mortal see it. How else do you think seventy-five percent of all relationships amongst the deities aren't incest?"
"I thought they were incest." I mumbled.
"Nope. That means everyone is fair game."
"It's still creepy. I'm leaving." I wiggled out of his grasp, but he locked his arms around my waist instead.
"You say that now, but gods always get what they want, and I am patient. I chased the nymph Daphne for a hundred years before she became my laurel. She would have been my wife if her father hadn't turned her into a tree. I doubt Zeus will turn you into a tree a second time."
"You are such a stalker. Doesn't it bother you that your kids are here, and would probably kill for a chance to hang with you. Why are you doing this to me?"
"Naw, I can't play favorites with my kids; they've got to find their own way and all that ancient law stuff, but you're not my kid. I don't understand why you haven't conceded yet. I've been told I am very attractive." He winked. I vomited a little in my mouth.
"Well, let's see. You're arrogant, you look too much like Luke, I hate poetry, prophecies are stupid, your music sucks-." I listed, rapid-fire, before he interrupted me with a chuckle.
"Whatever. Later babe, I'll tallk to ya later."
I silently fumed as he left. I had enough sense to advert my eyes as he took on his true godly form- not that I wanted to look at that idiot any longer anyways.
Its kind of a good thing I made that deal with Nico, or else I would have been crawling back to the hunters within a week of this harassment. Although, dealing with Nico did have its challenges. It was strange to think how superficially I had known him before.
He was just always the odd man out, and a bit of a loner. The few times I had bumped into him while I was with Artemis were all short, but memorable. He had always been willing to offer up any information for whatever we were hunting, if he had any (usually he did). On a couple of even rarer occasions, he would sit and listen to me complain, and he would in turn update me on the latest chaos unleashed amongst the Demi-gods. Things were good, and I considered him a good friend.
Over the past few days, I'm sure I've discovered more about him than I did in our few years of 'friendship.' Looking back at it now, we were more like acquaintances. Even so, it's strange to realize just how much I've seen him grow. I can hardly remember the scrawny little boy who was obsessed with mythomagic cards. Nico had definitely grown into himself, although his skin still was unnaturally pale for someone who was Italian. It'a definitely easier putting up this facade now that he looks my age. I know I couldn't have done this if I had continued aging; I would have felt like a cougar.
I couldn't help but wonder how much he's learned about me- or if I was an open book to him, easy to read from the start.
I really hoped that wasn't the case. I constantly surprise myself, I wouldn't want someone I didn't really know to understand me better than I did myself. That would be weird.
YAY! Chapter, done! I don't know how I feel about this chapter. I think I've made some development, but it don't know how I like it. Like I've said, I'm sorry if everyone seems totally OOC, but I'm still trying to regain my grip on these characters. Be sure to let me know what you think in the reviews! (Remember, since I'm pre-writing chapters, the more reviews, the faster you get the new chapter. Mwhuhahah!)