A/N ... I don't think this is up to my usual standards, this chapter. But here it is anyway. If it is really bad, blame homework, studying, making pudding, and eating.
The slam of the door still ringing in his ears, Nico stormed over to the couch and sagged onto it. For a while, the only sounds were his harsh breathing and Badger's hiccuping sobs.
"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."
Nico looked at the younger boy. "Why are you sorry?"
Strange how having been shouting at the top of his voice moments before, he was now almost calm, except for a slightly empty feeling.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."
"Why are you sorry, Badger?"
Hesitantly, Nico raised one arm and patted the brown haired child on the back.
After a few seconds, his sobs died down.
"It's my fault. It happened again..."
"What happened?" Nico was genuinely curious now.
"Wh-whenever I get excited, or- or angry, or really hungry, or something..." Badger took a deep breath. "People start arguing and shouting and stuff... I think it happened again jus-just now..." he hid his face in Nico's T-shirt.
"I'm so sorry!" He wailed.
Nico let out a great sigh. That explained his sudden rush of anger and resentment towards Will. He remembered the strange behaviour of the people in the cafe earlier that day - that made sense too, now.
He had a creeping feeling that he knew who Badger's godly parent was...
"Hey, hey, hey, Badger. It's alright. I'm not angry with you. We'll sort this out when we get to camp - I'll just apologise to Will, then we'll be off."
Badger gave a weak grin. "Thanks."
Upon opening the door, however, Nico found that Will was no longer in sight. A small mark on the back of the wood suggested that Will had sunk down against the door immediately on leaving; now he was gone.
"Uh, excuse me? Mister?" Badger was tugging on his sleeve.
"Yes? I'm called Nico."
The boy held out one hand, and pointed at the ground with the other. "These were on the floor..."
He was holding a couple of powder pink rose petals.
Aphrodite.
"When I find that godess!" Nico exploded. "Hasn't she made my life hard enough? And where am I meant to find her, in this city?"
He started pacing up and down the hallway, swearing under his breath.
"Um... Nico?"
"What now?"
The smaller boy pointed.
Leading away towards the staircase was a thin trail of the same pink petals.
XxX
The sculpture garden was empty. Bizarre shapes loomed out of the trees, cloaked in mist, then solidified into stone features; letters, couples embracing, a broken heart...
The moon gently illuminated the trail of flowers as Nico and Badger moved slowly deeper into the garden. Nico shivered. He did not like this one bit.
It could be a trap...
Then, one of the sculptures ahead of them definitely moved.
Nico had swung his sword almost before he'd registered the figure; now he watched in mute surprise as it stopped his blow with one, smooth finger.
"Now, now, Nico. Is that how we greet old friends? Say hello, now. Politely."
Three more figures danced out of the mist and stopped a few paces behind their Lady.
"Aphrodite." As Badger shrank behind him, Nico raised his sword once more: he fully intended to attack the godess. Hadn't she interfered with his life often enough?
But the lady only laughed. "You need not attack me, Nico di Angelo. Neither I nor my graces-" she gestured to the three girls- "will attempt to halt your progress. Nor shall we hide the one you seek."
One of the graces giggled and whispered to another, "He doesn't need hiding, thanks to you, Charity!"
The other girl - Charity - looked at her feet.
"Beauty, be quiet. We've hindered our heroes long enough, girls."
There was a flash of pink light, and the women were gone. Several more petals drifted to the floor.
"Who were they?" Whispered Badger.
"Just my second least favourite godess adv her attendants. Don't worry about it, Badger. I doubt you're related directly to her anyway..."
Will was sleeping inside a giant letter 'O', part of a square of writing reading 'LOVE'. Nico ran over to him and shook him.
As Will opened one, gorgeously blue eye, he breathed a sigh of relief.
He ignored the part of him that said, that was too easy.
Gathering Will into a tight hug, Nico muttered into his ear.
"I'm sorry, Will. I didn't mean it, I don't think you're weak. I'm sorry."
His heart plummeted when Will placed a hand on his chest and shoved him away. His face was the same colour as Aphrodite's rose petals, and confusion settled like a blanket over his familiar features.
"Will?"
Will shook his head, and breathed out slowly. He still did not let Nico approach, though.
Instead, he held out a hand, and said, quite sincerely:
"I apologise, I don't think I've had the pleasure. I'm Will Solace. And you are...?"
Nico's heart shattered.
A/N If anyone actually knows anything about the sculpture garden in New Orleans, please share it with me.
Also, if you can guess Badger's godly parent, please send me a message!
Reviews are always welcome!
~Fi