Chapter Twenty-Four – Smile – Dissenter Camp: 89 - 93
"Smile, the worst is yet to come, we'll be lucky if we ever see the sun, got nowhere to go, we could be here for a while, but the future is forgiven, so smile"
- Mikky Ekko, 'Smile'
Perseus and Annabeth hurried to get dressed, flying out of the door behind Piper. The early morning provided no eye witnesses to the trio racing silently down the hallway, taking the stairs two at a time. Piper ignored Chiron's office, pushing the doors open to the dining room and slipping through. Annabeth paused, as did Perseus, sharing a confused look. Why would the Stolls ask for them and be in the dining room?
Perseus entered first with Annabeth on his heels, shifting through the benches towards where the Stolls were currently devouring their meal. Travis made a noise of welcome around a mouthful of food, grinning happily. Again, Perseus and Annabeth shared a look, something not adding up. The boys were filthy and soaked, dripping all over the ground underneath the bench as they walked slower towards them. Connor waved them over impatiently, offering them a seat opposite. Annabeth obliged, Perseus however, remained standing. Annabeth waited expectantly, Piper with her arms crossed next to Perseus but the Stolls continued to eat as if starved, moving onto their next plate of soup.
"Well?" demanded Annabeth. "Piper said you wanted to talk to us?"
"I wanted your opinion of a 'before the impending war' party?" asked Connor, slurping his soup down happily.
"What?" asked Annabeth, dumbfounded. Perseus scoffed a chuckle, shaking his head as he wandered towards the kitchen to get food.
"That's it?" Piper exclaimed. "You made it sound as if this was life or death."
"Well it is," Travis protested around his mouthful of food. "I mean, we can't have a party if no one's going to show up… You're invited?" He added after seeing Piper's face turn stoically murderous.
"So what do you think?" Connor asked, oblivious to Piper's enraged expression and her waning restraint on not killing both of them. "Do you think your Extradites would be happy with that?"
"I'm, uh, I'm not sure," she replied hesitantly, eyeing Piper as she shifted in her seat. "We never had parties or get-togethers back at our base."
"That's perfect then!" Travis exclaimed.
"They're probably not the partying type, Travis," Perseus interjected, sitting down next to Annabeth as he slid over her tray.
"All the more reason to see how it's done," said Travis undeterred.
"Excellent. We'll have it the night after this storm passes," said Connor.
The Stoll brothers rose simultaneously to their feet, heading off in the direction of the rooms. Piper followed them and could be audibly heard screaming at them about the ideals of importance. Early risers drifted into the hall, looking back curiously to the exchange. Perseus was chuckling as he tucked into his breakfast, shaking his head as he continued to chortle.
"They're serious about that, aren't they?" Annabeth asked as she began to eat.
"Oh yeah," answered Perseus, grinning at her. "They always had the notion that if they were going to die they wanted to have one last good party before they do. They've had about five parties already."
"But what do they do for music and stuff?" Annabeth continued, seeing flaws in their plan. "And where do they have it? Surely Chiron doesn't permit it in the mansion?"
"Nar they built a small fire pit and seating area just beyond the garage next to the small clump of trees. Pretty comfortable set up," he added with a shrug, taking a spoonful of his meal. "Apollo pupils play instruments that Jake and the others build on request. We might have a few more instruments now we have more from Apollo."
"And you're okay with them organising a party when we should be preparing?" she asked sceptically.
"Sure, why not? It can't all be about doom and gloom," he said grinning.
Annabeth looked down at her bowl, dipping her spoon down into it and watching the contents dribble back into the bowl. "I'm not so sure," she murmured as a crack of thunder rattled the room.
Perseus turned to her, swallowing his mouthful. "You think Luke will attempt to get here sooner now that he has seen you?"
"I just don't think we have that long left to prepare," replied Annabeth, playing with her food. "And a party will detract from that, especially if there's alcohol involved."
"What makes you think there will be alcohol?" he asked with a grin.
Annabeth gave him an exasperated look. "If the Stolls are involved, anything is possible."
Perseus' laugh was cut short by another clap of thunder. She wanted to laugh and smile with him but Luke stayed in her head and what she remembered of him. He was like a hunting dog that caught the scent of its prey; his manic determination to catch and kill her would have increased. Annabeth looked around the dining hall to the few that were up, eating quietly with the odd smile and chatter. Even the Extradites recently unbound from Luke's army, sat comfortably, at ease thinking they were safe. The war was a lot closer than most of them realised.
After breakfast, Annabeth left Perseus to tend to the horses while she headed to her training room, where she spent the next two days as the rain pelted against the mansion. Chris had come in to join her during her first hour but it was clear after their first hard session he wasn't coping with his mounting rage and left hurriedly, claiming he would end up killing her. Once he left her to supervise the training where he wouldn't hurt anyone, she trained on her own, pushing her body to its limit. Without a training partner she knew she was missing a key component to training. The afternoon after he had left, she sensed movement by the door and without thinking she flung the practise knife in their direction. The wooden blade embedded in the door frame where Grant stood, unmoving, a light smirk playing on his face.
"What do you want?" she asked flatly, turning away from him back to her target.
"Trust me, Outsider, no one wants to be here less than I do," he drawled. She heard him pluck the knife from the door frame and walk towards her. "But I figured we both have something we need from the other."
"I doubt it," Annabeth muttered about to throw her next practise knife but Grant beat her to it, throwing his so it whizzed past her head, landing just off the centre target. She breathed out with waning patience, facing him as he came to stop at her side.
"Your little display to discredit my fighting ability proved to me that I hadn't the skill to take on the higher prized fighters Castellan has in his pocket," said Grant, his jaw clenching with his frustration before continuing. "I need to train against someone that fights like them and you, you need someone that won't hold back because they make goo-goo eyes at you or can't control their rage. You need an opponent that's trying to kill you because that's what Castellan's going to do, right?"
Annabeth tapped the wooden knife against her forearm, which was crossed over her chest. "You know about Chris' past?"
Grant shrugged, his head tilting to the side. "I know enough about battle side effects to diagnose him with extreme blood lust. I wouldn't be an Ares' student if I couldn't see it but he was a Hermes student so it had nothing to do with me to care."
"You're really the sentimental type aren't you?" said Annabeth dryly.
Sighing, Annabeth placed the knife back on the table, facing Grant again. He had a point and rightly so; he was an Ares student and their area of study was fighting and war. Grant had already stripped of his jacket and shirt, moving over to wrap up his hands, not needing to hear her affirmation. Annabeth took off her shirt but kept her singlet on, unlike Grant who was now oiling his chest and arms so if she wanted to grapple him it would be difficult. Annabeth shook her head, grabbing her hand wraps and that began their war training.
Those two days of the continual rain sparring against Grant was beneficial, but it did have its flaws. After Grant hit the mat time and time again and they took their breaks, there was no discussion, no jokes, shared smiles or friendly banter, just silence. Grant dictated when their breaks were over, considering he was always the one flung across the mat and it was only minutes before they attacked each other once again. Although Annabeth was faring better, she was not completely unscathed; her bloody nose and bruises could attest to that.
Their matches were ferocious, each attacking as if to save another loved one or themselves, each dancing around the others blows, blocking, grappling, straining to remain on their two feet. Grant was strong and read her attack combos only a second after she started to execute them and with Ares' training he was able to react faster than another opponent. Annabeth hated to admit with her lack of one on one training she struggled, fatiguing quicker than she anticipated. She was pressing forward late in the afternoon of their second day, her onslaught of attack combos driving Grant back before he got in a counter, dissolving her advantage, grabbing her shoulders trying to toss her to the ground when the door opened.
"Annabeth, I need to – hey!"
Piper ran across the room, heading for Grant. Annabeth, only having a split second to react, shoved Grant away, lunging a back kick into Piper's chest to send her skidding back towards the door. Grant, oblivious to Piper, took the advantage of Annabeth's diverted attack, moving forward with a one-two combo that collided with bruising force into Annabeth's hastily made guard. While protecting her face, Annabeth could see from the corner of her eyes Piper roll to her feet, coming forward again to engage Grant. After Grant's next swing Annabeth dropped down, sweeping out his legs. From her crouch she swivelled holding up a hand to Piper, halting her progress only a foot from her outstretched hand.
"Grant's not trying to kill me," Annabeth explained, then looked back to him before shrugging lightly. "Well, not entirely." Grant rolled his eyes as he lurched to his feet.
"What?" asked Piper confused. Her look of confusion deepened as Annabeth explained further the situation. "Why him?" she asked, pointing a finger in his direction. Grant, unperturbed by the tone of her voice, drank from his water container, his back to both of them. "Annabeth, we could've helped you, I'm sure Percy –."
"Would not attack me without emotion," said Annabeth calmly. "He would hold back, as all of you would. Grant and I, have a mutual wish."
"Just play it to her straight, Outsider," said Grant in a bored voice. He faced both of them, casually striding over. "She needs to focus on her own self-preservation rather than teach you useless lot to fight properly."
"Not quite the way I would put it," Annabeth muttered to him.
He shrugged, crossing his bare arms over his chest. "Sugar coat it all you want, our actions here are based the most basic selfish intention of all; the want to survive. They're no good guys, just the ones cleverest enough to live."
Piper was watching Grant, her face showing her confusion before she flicked her wrist, her hand expelling what he said away from the air she was breathing. "I came here to tell to look outside," she said grimly.
Annabeth, after a frown, strode over to the curtains and pushed them back, revealing a light grey scene of drizzling rain. Focused more on her training, she hadn't realised the rain had all but stopped.
"Looks like our training will be concluding shorter than we expected," said Grant amusingly. An evil smirk twisted his face at the prospect of war. Annabeth and Piper weren't as keen for the fight.
"How long?" Annabeth asked Piper.
"He started moving again at sunlight but he's still a few days away," Piper answered, leading the two of them to the door. She stopped and faced them, half out of the door. "Most of the Stoll's counter measures have been setback due to the rain and their need for a spark to work but they swear they had more done as backup … but there's still a bit of a panic. The others have gone to Chiron's office."
Annabeth nodded before Piper left, moving to the bench to throw on a long sleeved shirt over her singlet. She kept her handguards on, seeing no reason to take them off as she stomped her feet into her boots.
"What are you going to do?" asked Grant, watching her still with distrust and hatred.
"I don't know," said Annabeth quietly, tying her laces.
"Well, you better think of something fast, they're all looking to you for an answer," he continued in his drawl.
Annabeth repressed the retort she wanted to say, opting for a more considerate one. "You could always help them yourself."
Grant picked up one of the wooden knives, testing the tip with his finger before tossing to the target where it struck just outside the bullseye. There was something wistful about the way he stared at the board but when he faced her, his expression was back to a bored, unimpressed scowl. "You come up with something, Outsider, I'll make it better." He grinned then, cold and cynical before letting her leave to the meeting.
Panic filled the room as Annabeth entered, mostly unnoticed by the crowd inside. Chiron was in conversation with Perseus, nodding lightly in greeting. Silena grabbed her from the throng and pulled her to a spot near the table where Jason was in discussion with Kevin and Ryder, pointing to various spots to meet Luke.
"Everyone's pretty freaked out," Silena murmured to her.
"You don't say," replied Annabeth, gazing at the others. The girls fell silent as Annabeth listened in on the conversations.
"This rain was supposed to last a few more days," said Travis to Katie. "You couldn't have, you know, said that prediction was going to be a tad bit off?"
"Well maybe you should've stuck your head out when the lightning was arcing down and saved me the trouble!"
"Don't be so touchy, Green Thumb, unless this means you won't be my date to the party tonight?"
Katie snorted and rolled her eyes, her retort lost among the other voices.
"We're running low on firearms," said Clarisse, moving over to Chiron and Perseus. "Bullets and powder won't be issue according to Nyssa but we're going to have to use any weapon we can get our hands on. Crossbows, bows, knives, short swords."
"That shouldn't be a problem," Lee replied, moving across towards them. "We've spotted only the Extradite soldiers with firearms and the Rogues with their crudely made weapons."
"It's going to be a close combative battle," Perseus agreed. "The chance of even using weapons at close range in any scuffle is risky. Jason's showing the opened field we are planning on waiting for them to Kevin and Ryder, so we can get a rough layout of Luke's formation …"
Annabeth watched Perseus as he discussed matters. Despite the upheaval he remained calm, already prepared for the impending battle for their lives. Like her, the storm was a brief, unexpected reprieve from the inevitable, more for the benefit of the timid members rather than the seasoned fighters.
"Even with the Extradites joining us, we're still outnumbered," Connor admitted softly to Jake and Frank. "Latest scout reports show more Rogues rallying behind him for the chance to spill some blood."
"Not to mention the fact that not all of us are fighters," said Frank dejectedly. "Chiron's not going to make anyone fight if they don't want to."
"Would you want them to?" asked Jake. "You might as well dig their graves now. Me and the others are struggling with the demand of inventions that need to be made. So much so the Athenians have actually taken over the spare benches to help out; although most of the requests have come from them in the first place. I sometimes wish in these instances Beckendorf was here; he usually knew what to do –."
The doors opened and a small dirtied figure covered in black stood there, momentarily freezing the room.
"I can solve one of your issues," came the voice from the hooded figure, who pulled it back and lifted his head.
"Nico," said Perseus in relief, smiling at him.
Nico's lips twitched as if he wanted to return the smile but his eyes flittered to Annabeth, a quick flash of pain before he faced Perseus again, an emotionless mask back on his face. The others in the room, including Annabeth, waited for Nico to elaborate but before he spoke four people strode through the doors, making everyone closest take a step back, hands moving guardedly to their weapons. The two women at the front looked fierce as if wilderness had taken on human form. A black strip ran across their face over their calculating eyes. They surveyed the room and its occupants with mild interest and amusement. The leader's eyes, or who Annabeth assumed was the leader, paused on her, recognition subtly changing her demeanour, her lips twitching in a knowing smile. Behind them stood two familiar faces and a wave of anger surged through Annabeth as she gazed on Leo Valdez and Calypso.
"May I present Phoebe and Naomi, emissaries from the Nomads, who accept are request of allegiance against the Extradites," said Nico formally. After a cough from Leo, Nico reluctantly introduced the two of them, though he looked as if he just tasted something sour. "Leo volunteered to come and assist as well. Calypso came to try and keep him in line, which hasn't happened yet," he added in annoyance.
"Man, it's good to be back," Leo announced happily, smiling in particular at Jason and Piper. "Hey guys, miss me?"
"We can all catch up later, I think," said Chiron, cutting off Jason. Chiron addressed Phoebe and Naomi. "Ladies, I welcome you to our home and thank you for your assistance."
Phoebe, the one who had stared at Annabeth, stepped forward. "We are humbled by your hospitality and our leader hopes you can forgive her for not attending herself. She needed to prepare those of us fighting and organise the safety of the others who wish to remain behind."
"Not a worry, you are doing us a great service," said Chiron, smiling. "How many can we expect?"
"We can probably double your current army," answered Phoebe. Annabeth was taken aback as were a lot of the Dissenters. Their army was to be doubled and still there were more Nomads that wouldn't be fighting. How could a group that size not be noticed by Luke?
"I'm sorry, but I didn't realise there was another clan here. Nomads?" Kevin asked politely puzzled, gazing at Annabeth and Malcolm, who were just as lost for answers as he was.
"Former Extradite," guessed Naomi, grinning at him. "Always blind to anyone that doesn't make a noise. Our leader was certain of this."
"What she means to say," said Perseus, seeing a stunned Kevin and Ryder two seconds away from starting an argument. "Is that they formed for those who didn't want any part in the feud from our two groups, keeping themselves hidden from us."
"That doesn't explain how you knew they existed," said Annabeth with a frown, her arms crossed over her chest.
"We stumbled upon them by accident scouting one day," said Perseus with a shrug. "Some of us not wanting to remain at the compound left with them." He gazed at Leo as his said this and then Nico briefly, who scowled at the ground. "And we were always welcomed to ask for aid if we were desperate but apart from that, we respected their privacy and kept to ourselves."
"Yes, and now it seems that Castellan the Tyrant has forced our hand," said Phoebe. "Our leader has decreed we will join your fight though I fear they move too late."
"What do you mean?" Jason asked sharply.
"We scouted them on the way here," said Calypso quietly, talking to Perseus. Her eyes softened on him, as if they had already known each other before. Annabeth felt her stomach boil. "They will arrive before our people can get here."
Perseus exhaled slowly as the others looked at each other fearfully. Annabeth shared a look with Kevin and Malcolm, who were looking at her, as were several others as well, hoping she could come up with an answer.
"How long would we have to hold them off until they arrive?" asked Perseus quietly.
Leo looked at his Nomad friends, the smile so often on his face lost in his seriousness. "A few hours."
"We could all be dead in a few hours!" Katie exclaimed, causing uproar of panicked talking from the rest of the meeting people.
Annabeth again, sought out Malcolm's gaze. With a shrug and a shake of his head, she knew he hadn't come up with any solution. Kevin was gazing at her sadly, smiling softly at the inevitability that they were on their own. Annabeth looked away, thinking as bodies around her starting moving frantically, their arms waving, their stance uneasily as their panic gripped them. Seeing Perseus trying to calm those closest to him, Jason kissing Piper lightly on her forehead and pulling her into his arms as he tried to quell her own fear, the Nomad warriors standing impassively as they watched them slowly lose their composure, Clarisse bent head in Chris' direction and whispering quietly, Annabeth swallowed her own fear and stood forward, silencing their quells.
"Come on, we all knew the weather prediction wouldn't be accurate," Annabeth piped up, looking at all of them. "Why are we fretting about it now that it doesn't come to fruition? Personally, I'm tired of waiting."
"Yeah but we're not the one he's after, Outsider," said Benji, standing up to be heard. "We're just caught in the middle of this."
"That's a load of crock Benji and you know it," Perseus snapped from beside Chiron. "He's been gunning for overpowering us since we formed and he couldn't control us. Annabeth is just a side personal mission he wants to execute in the process." His outburst quietened the rest of his people, each looking as they wanted to contradict him and blame Annabeth but knew he was right.
" … A side mission, you say?" said Clarisse, her face frowned in thought. "What if we make it the forefront mission?"
"Divert his attention long enough to get the reinforcements in place?" Connor added, looking at Clarisse for confirmation who nodded at his suggestion.
"Would Annabeth be a strong enough motive though?" asked Jason, still holding Piper in his arms.
"Not alone," said Malcolm, scribbling in his notepad. "It's got to have something else, coupled with Annabeth's presence to make him dramatically change trajectory for those precious hours we could give the Nomads."
Kevin cleared his throat. "He was concerned, about Annabeth being in love with, Jackson. He muttered it a lot and every time he did, he would devolve faster." The Extradites in the room all murmured confirmation of witnessing what Kevin was saying.
"He said something about it when Perseus was imprisoned," murmured Annabeth, thinking back to it. Her gaze went to the person in question, who was looking at her.
"Okay," Jason said business-like. "So how do we fuel that? How do we go about this so he's blind to everything else that could potentially happen around him?"
"Wouldn't take much," Ryder mumbled as he shrugged at Annabeth's shoulder. "An act or declaration would do it."
Chris nodded. "Confirms his hallucinations to be real. Could tip him over the edge, I mean, he's unstable enough as it is."
"Could you two do it though," said Nico, gazing at both Annabeth and Perseus seriously. "Pretend you're in love?"
Annabeth kept her face emotionless as every pair of eyes turned to her. She looked at each of them, seeing their hope and need for her to be able to do this, to have a plan, though flimsy to work off that wouldn't directly involve them in a fight straight away. She looked towards Perseus who was watching her with the same internal struggle while keeping his face calm and unaffected. She nodded lightly at him, indicating if he was prepared to risk it, she was too. She already loved him but what sort of act or declaration could she do that would have Luke zero in on her?
"We can make it believable," said Perseus matter-of-factly, staring at the others. His voice was void of any emotion and for some reason Annabeth felt her heart clench. He had already stated he wanted her company but having to say he loved her might be taking it a step too far.
"Silena?" asked Jake. "Could he believe it?"
Silena, surprised at being addressed at a war council, composed her reaction quickly, staring at the two of them. She finally shrugged lightly. "He's not Aphrodite so he wouldn't know the difference. Even if its fake, if in his mind he already believes it to be true, it won't take much deepen that belief. Excessive and possessive love can do that to people."
"I'd say that we all take a break," said Chiron. "Those who need to be elsewhere do so. Don't," he added as the Stoll brothers hurried to the door. They turned and looked at him innocently. "Go overboard with your celebrations tonight. We have little time to prepare and I would prefer everyone sober to do so."
There was a smattering of snorts and chuckles as the Stolls grinned at him, being the first to leave as the others slowly trickled out. Silena squeezed Annabeth's hand before she left, an unreadable expression on her face as she did so. Annabeth looked to Chiron, who gave her a small smile before bringing Nico into a discussion. She stood a little ways away, nodding to Kevin and Malcolm as they left, Malcolm flashing his notebook quickly to say he would think of a plan to help.
"Leo Valdez," Jason greeted with a grin. He strode forward and embraced Leo warmly, laughing deeply as they clasped together, patting each other heartily on the back. Jason broke away to let Piper hug her friend, a little softer than him. "We didn't expect to see you in these walls again."
"Oh, well, you know," said Leo with a shrug, his smile broad. "Heard you guys were in a bit of trouble and you know I always need to add my two cents in, plus, Nico said Annabeth Chase had arrived here and I had to be see that considering I was positive I had blown her up almost three months ago." Leo faced Annabeth, a glint in his eyes as he approached her, lightly scrutinising her appearance. "It's good to see you on the right side, I can't help but take credit – you must have really bumped your head."
"Leo," Annabeth welcomed, grasping his outstretched hand. She smiled innocently before pulling him in abruptly closer. "Don't forget I still owe for attempting to blast me to smithereens," she murmured but loud enough for the others to hear. After a wink at Piper she pulled away, smiling sweetly again. "So don't move too far away."
Leo's smile lost a little of its sheen, and he cleared his throat awkwardly before shuffling as casually as he could in Jason's direction. Annabeth smiled, secretly gratified to know she was still an intimidating figure. Her eyes went to Perseus who was grinning at the exchange until he noticed Calypso staring at him. Moving towards her, Annabeth watched him, and listened as he spoke.
"It's nice to see you again Calypso," he said warmly, embracing her.
"Ah Percy," she sighed happily, pulling away and kissing him lightly on his cheek. "Seems like you still need me to rescue you."
His smile broadened at her jab. "I have someone else to do that now," he said lightly.
"So I hear," she said with a mysterious smile, her eyes settling on Annabeth's. Perseus' eyes followed hers, his smile warm as he looked at Annabeth. Flustered at being caught eavesdropping, Annabeth averted her gaze which fell on Jake. Remembering her idea, she hurried over to him, pulling him aside so her request couldn't be overheard. He raised an eyebrow at her request but agreed to do it nonetheless. After he left, Annabeth turned back to find Perseus but instead came face to face with Calypso.
"Annabeth Chase, surprised at our meeting again?" said Calypso, a slight smile on her lips.
"Only what it holds," answered Annabeth.
"You still have a way with words. I'm glad that hasn't changed, although other aspects have."
"Your comrades in the forest weren't Rogues as I first suspected."
"You knew we weren't Rogues but you couldn't comprehend who else it could've been."
"How did you know? About me, about Perseus changing my perspective, about me coming here?"
Calypso frowned. "You were never told? Mm… Nomads are everywhere, Annabeth, which is the reason we adopted the name for ourselves. If someone is no one, they can blend in anywhere. You, on the other hand, are rather infamous as is Percy. I believe, that if anyone can guarantee more lives to be unharmed in this battle, it would you and him."
"You think this plan will work?" asked Annabeth, who had doubts in it.
"I think the concept will, but it is how it's enacted that will make all the difference."
"How does a pacifist find herself in the middle of a war?"
Calypso smiled. "Love, for another." Her eyes went to Leo, softening as he found her gaze and smiled back. With a nod she left to join him, Perseus appearing in her place.
"What did Calypso want?" he asked curiously.
"Catch up on old times," she replied cryptically, giving his puzzled look a smile. "How do you know her?"
"You weren't eavesdropping?" he asked with a knowing smile and a raised eyebrow. He elaborated when he received an elbow to his ribs. "I got lost one day exploring new terrain for food and supplies, nearly died after I set off a trap which caused one heck of an explosion in the building I was inspecting. She found me, nursed me back to health and set me on the right path back home."
"That's it?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Sure. It was a week or two before I could travel so I got to know a bit about her in that time."
"A bit," Annabeth muttered, picturing him getting to know her a whole lot more.
Sensing her mood, he grinned. "Nothing happened, Annabeth. I'm all yours, promise," he said in a lowered voice, causing her blush, mutter something incoherent and hurried for the exit. A slight chuckle came from him as he followed her. Annabeth changed the subject quickly, still feeling the blush on her cheeks.
"Why didn't you tell me about the Nomads?" Annabeth asked, as they walked back together.
Perseus took the first few steps on the stairs before he answered. "Their leader used to be Zoe Nightshade. She and I had a, strained, friendship when we first met. I had got word that she had passed and a new leader had been chosen. I didn't know who that was so I couldn't be sure I could rely on her. I couldn't give out an option if it wasn't there."
"You seemed pretty sure when you asked Nico to find them," said Annabeth, pausing at her training room door. Perseus opened the door and wandered in, Annabeth following, not expecting him to go in. She was relieved that Grant hadn't decided to stick around.
"Yes, well …" he began, turning around to face her. "She, uh, I found out who it was a few months ago. The Nomad leader is Thalia, Annabeth."
"What? Thalia? But, how? She never … She never told me," Annabeth finished lamely, gazing at him in surprise. "Why did she tell you but not me?"
"The night you helped me escape, do you remember her telling you if you ever needed help I knew how to find her? I didn't get it at first but then I understood."
Annabeth took a few minutes to process what she was being told. "But why didn't she just tell me?"
"Because then you would've gone with her and I wouldn't have made it home," said Perseus simply, gazing at her softly. He reached out, placing a soft hand on her cheek. "I have to go but I'll see you tonight, at the party?"
"The party," Annabeth sighed, leaning into his touch. "Seems so trivial."
"I know but it boosts morale as hard as that is to believe." He dropped his hand, walking towards the door. With his hand on the handle, he paused before opening it, looking back at her. He stared at her for a few seconds longer, before another short smile and then he was gone.
Annabeth wondered for the fiftieth time whether attending Travis and Connor's 'Doomsday' party was the right thing to do. As it was, she skirted on the fringe of the party, feeling more like a chaperone at a teenager's rave instead of being a participant. Silena had all but dragged her from the training room as the afternoon grew on, forcing her into the shower than into a dress Annabeth had argued about twenty minutes about not wearing but finally under threat of being tied into the dress she submitted. Rather than being allowed to leave after that, she was forced to sit and endure Silena's makeup attack on her face.
"This is the one night before everything goes pear shaped to accentuate your beauty you stubbornly hide," she scolded, as she laid eyeliner on.
"What makes you think I'm going to be noticed? This could all be a waste of time," Annabeth tried to argue.
"Oh, you're going to be noticed," said Silena with a wink.
Next thing Annabeth knew she was being dragged, rather forcibly down to the area Perseus' had mentioned as the party appeared to be in full swing. She artfully lost Silena as she went to find the drinks and was doing a good job of avoiding her as the others danced, talked, laughed and drank around her. She was impressed as the Apollo students seamlessly played the instruments the others made, upbeat, happy and full of hope and joy for a future. Tonight, no one was worrying about what would happen in a couple of days' time. Although the humidity in the air hung around, the rain had all but disappeared.
There was one thing that Silena had gotten right; despite trying to remain inconspicuous she was attracting attention. At first it was just side glances, seeing who it was, making sure they didn't spill their drinks on her or get in her way but then they had a second glance, realising who it was and then outwardly stared. Annabeth blushed, especially when Kevin noticed her from his seated spot at the fire, his eyes widening as his mouth dropped open. He quickly composed his face, giving her a smile and a tip of his glass. Her heart ached at his heartbreak.
"You're beautiful."
Annabeth turned, her heart beating erratically at the smile Perseus was giving her as he came to stand at her side. She was having a hard time not looking at him. He was dressed in jeans and a grey button up shirt, accentuating the bright anomaly of his green eyes. His hair was as messy as always but it fell nicely over his forehead even when he ruffled his hair nervously as she continued to stare. She smiled nervously too, straightening the creases of her dress.
"Silena insisted," she mumbled, not entirely forgiving her.
Perseus laughed. "I know, she told me she had a plan in regards to you. She thinks you needed some fun in your life. Of course, she doesn't know about the fun we've already had…" His lingering gaze, made her shiver and look away towards the fire. She felt him step closer towards her, standing in front of her. "Dance?" he whispered, his hands hovering over her bare arms, his forehead resting against hers.
She shook her head, swallowing her desire although her hands rested on his elbows. Perseus' hands slid up her forearms to her elbows then slowly back to the palms of her hands, his lips brushing her forehead. "I know you're worried, I am too but he isn't here yet." He pulled away, giving her a soft smile. "Try and enjoy your night, alright?"
"Wait, where are you going?" she asked, reaching out to him when he went to leave.
"Boundary check," he answered. "Not everyone can be at the party."
"Okay, I'll accompany you," she said. She went to follow but Perseus held up a hand to make her stop. "What?"
"You should enjoy yourself for a bit," he said with a knowing smile. "Don't look so frightened, Annabeth, it's just a party. Give it a chance."
"Easy for you to say," she muttered, staring after him as he disappeared into the darkness.
With a heavy sigh she tried to do as Perseus suggested and join the celebration. The Stolls were the perfect hosts, bringing her in under their arms and dragging her to every group, shoving drinks in her hand that she handed to someone else, untouched. Jason and Piper rescued her, Silena smiling knowingly over her glass and winking as they brought her over. They sat around in a group along with Clarisse and Chris, Travis and Connor soon joined as did Malcolm and Kevin as Leo explained some of his journeys with exaggerated movements. Despite her hesitation, she found herself enjoying those few hours among them. Having her fill of stories, Annabeth quietly slipped away, giving Kevin a reassuring squeeze on his shoulder as she passed. She wandered from the fire and into the surrounding trees, wanting to get some fresh air and space from the party goers.
"I've been waiting for you."
Annabeth spun around, watching Juniper appear from the darkness. Her face was pale but set, her eyes regarding Annabeth with a cool anger. She was dressed all in black and twiddling in her hands was Annabeth's dagger. She had wondered what had happened to it, thinking more than likely it had been destroyed. The air around stilled as Juniper's intention was silently passed to her. Annabeth took a step backwards, her hands rising slightly in a placating gesture.
"I stole this from Grant," Juniper said conversationally, seeing her eyes go to it. She moved towards Annabeth. "It's quite a beautiful knife. Wonderfully grafted, according to him. Is this what you used to kill Grover?"
"Juniper please," Annabeth tried to reason, watching her warily. "Put my knife down."
Juniper ignored her, her green eyes crystal. "I always wondered what sort of hold you had over Percy but I never thought he would be one for sexual favours."
"What are you talking about?" asked Annabeth, her eyes darting towards the party.
"I saw you two tonight," Juniper said in a hard voice, still stalking closer. "I saw the way Percy looks at you. He tried to tell me nothing would happen between the two of you but I can see otherwise."
"You don't want to do this," Annabeth warned, hoping someone from the party would notice her missing and come.
"Oh but I do. I really do," said Juniper, raising the knife and pointing it at Annabeth. "I have wanted this the first time I saw you outside Chiron's office with Percy and now I finally get my chance."
"Please, Juniper, I don't want to hurt you," said Annabeth with a back step, letting her voice grow louder, hoping someone would hear.
"You did the moment you killed Grover and no one will come to help you so stop trying," snapped Juniper.
Annabeth stopped moving backwards. She was not a coward but attacking a grieving widow wasn't high on her to do list. Maybe Luke would have done so to protect his reputation but Annabeth was different. If she fought Juniper, it would give her thoughts just cause. Either way, Annabeth knew it was going to suck.
"I'm not going to fight you," stated Annabeth, lowering her hands to her side. "I never killed Grover."
"Don't lie," Juniper hissed. "I know it was you and now you've tricked everyone into believing you."
"I can't persuade you to believe me but I must ask you not to do this. It won't bring him back. This won't stop the pain."
Juniper did look rather menacing even with her small statue. Annabeth could see she was on the teetering edge of attacking.
"No? Perhaps you're right. However, it'll be a satisfactory substitute."
"What would Grover think of you doing this?"
"Don't talk about him!"
Juniper darted forward, faster than Annabeth predicted. She saw the flash of the blade, recoiling back but not quick enough. Pain laced along and across her right collarbone. Annabeth gasped as she ducked and retreated back from another slash of her blade. Juniper's inexperience with fighting and her small figure made her fatigue quicker and she was breathing heavily after her two lunges. Annabeth gripped her collarbone pulling her hand away covered with blood. She bit back a curse. Juniper lunged forward again and Annabeth darted to the side, missing the blade by inches. The knife slashed through the air, making Annabeth lean backwards. Her injured shoulder threw her off balance and it was only with years of training were her reflexes swift enough to dodge another attempt at her chest. The ridiculous dress Silena had fitted her in was not helping either.
"Fight back!" Juniper screamed at Annabeth, running at her. Annabeth avoided the blade again, keeping distance between them. "Come on and fight back!"
"No Juniper, I won't," gasped Annabeth, dodging left.
"You –!"
"Juniper!"
Both of the girl's head's swivelled to the new voice. Perseus stood there, his face pale but serious. He strode forward and Juniper raised the knife. Perseus paused but slowly walked closer towards Annabeth, who still stood there wondering how he knew where they were. She put pressure on her wound, keeping a close eye on him. He raised his hands into a peaceful gesture.
"Juniper," Perseus said again more calmly, waiting until Juniper focused on him. "Juniper, I know you want vengeance for Grover. I do too, but Annabeth isn't the person that ended his life."
"She's one of them," Juniper cried, pointing Annabeth's dagger shakily at Annabeth. Annabeth flinched back, her left hand still pressed tightly on the cut to her collarbone. Perseus looked at her, then back to Juniper, ever so slightly closing the gap between them. "She watched him die and did … did … nothing! She killed him!"
Annabeth winced again, hearing the laughter and chatter from the party through the trees.
"Did nothing?" Perseus repeated, taking another small step going unnoticed. "Before Grover was executed Annabeth stepped forward. She was about to stop it."
Annabeth's mouth dropped. "How …" Annabeth breathed, staring openly at him.
Perseus directed his gaze to her quickly, silently telling her to remain quiet before re-directing his focus on Juniper.
"It was I that did nothing, Juni …" Perseus admitted softly, tears sparkling in his eyes.
"No, Perseus …" Annabeth started to say but Perseus silenced her. Juniper looked at him with wide eyes.
"I had to watch as my best friend hobble onto the dais. I had to look him in the eye and watch the light fade from his eyes as the trigger was pulled and there was nothing I could to stop it. If you want to blame anyone, blame me."
"Perseus …" Annabeth tried to say again but he wasn't listening to her. Juniper seemed to have forgotten about Annabeth entirely. She was fixated on Perseus, the knife in her hand shaking uncontrollably.
"I should've insisted that he stayed behind. He was so determined to accompany us and I knew the risks, I knew it would be too dangerous for him with his condition but he convinced me it would be alright. I wanted to believe in him and instead I had to watch him die and accept the fact he would never see you again and I will never forgive myself for that, Juni. So, really, the person who deserves to be stabbed and slashed to ribbons is me."
They stood facing each other, silent before Juniper let out a banshee like cry and threw herself towards Perseus. Annabeth called his name and rushed forward to protect him from the blade aimed for his heart. For a second Annabeth thought he was going to let her stab him in belief he deserved it and she wouldn't get there in time to prevent it. At the last second, Perseus grabbed Juniper's wrist, turning her so she fell into his chest. He wrapped his other arm around her waist, securing her body against his. Annabeth's knife slipped from her grasp and she screamed at him, screamed cruel obscenities at him. Perseus took her insults, flinching each time as if they were knives stabbing into his heart but he continued to hold her even against her struggles.
Eventually her screams turned into sobs and tears ran down her face as her pain escaped her body. She collapsed against him and he gently brought them both down to the ground, his own tears sliding silently down his cheeks. Her hands were now gripping his shirt, her face pressed into chest as her heart-breaking sobs echoed around them. Annabeth silently walked around and picked up her knife.
"I just … miss him … so much," Juniper cried, her chest heaving.
"I know, I know. I miss him too," said Perseus softly.
His eyes went to Annabeth's over Juniper's sobbing frame. His eyes were dry but the tears lingered on his cheeks, his pain reflected in his gaze. Annabeth felt her face soften, trying herself to hold back her tears. She tried to show him how sorry she was, how much it hurt to see him in pain and not do anything to help, how if she could she would change everything that happened that day. Could he see? Could he feel how much she loved him as she stared at him, her heart threatening to break at how helpless she was to him? He didn't need that though, he just needed her, where she was, where she would always be; at his side. He stared at her, as if she was the only thing that anchored him, that kept him from falling apart and so she stayed there, holding her knife and her injury, holding him together as he held Juniper.
Once Juniper had calmed down, Perseus picked her up, carrying her back to the mansion, making sure their travels were unseen. Annabeth followed behind him, ignoring the dull ache of her collarbone. He led them to Juniper's room that was a few doors down from Silena's room. He asked Annabeth to find Hazel while he stayed with her. Hazel was talking quietly with Frank in their room, their conversation halting as she leapt towards Annabeth, exclaiming about her injury. Waving away Hazel's attempts to inspect the wound, Annabeth explained the situation, Hazel following her without any more encouragement. Halfway back, they ran into Silena, who was looking for Annabeth. The three girls entered Juniper's room, and while they were engaged with her, Annabeth slipped out, heading back to her room.
Annabeth felt emotionally drained, relieved to slip out of the dress and into one of Perseus' singlets and her pyjama shorts. Moving to the bathroom, she inspected the shallow cut to her shoulder, cleaning then dressing it, wincing at its sting. She threw on a long sleeved shirt after that, going over to where she had placed her knife. She picked it up, feeling the familiarity of its weight in her hand. She returned it to its sheathe where it belonged and it sat beside Poseidon's knife. Beside the knives sat her leather jacket and without thinking she grabbed it, holding it in both hands. With nothing else to do but wait, she perched on the edge of the bed, trying to shut down her brain until Perseus entered the room, which he did, looking at her quickly then away, closing the door softly behind him. Annabeth rose slowly to her feet, her jacket still in her hands.
"How's Juniper?"
Perseus sighed, looking as if he aged in the past half hour. "Hazel's talking to her. Silena's keeping guard."
"Okay."
"Are you alright?" he asked in a husky voice. "How's your shoulder?"
"Just a graze. If it wasn't for that damn dress I could've gotten out of the way."
Perseus smiled but it didn't reach his eyes. Silence fell between them and Annabeth didn't know what to say to break it. Something had passed between the two of them as he held Juniper; not so much a spark but something else, something deeper.
"When you, uh, went to get Hazel she told me …" Perseus swallowed, looking down, his jaw clenching. "She said that she didn't understand, how I could move on and … love, someone else." Annabeth's heart started to pound. He glanced up at her quickly but then looked away. "I told her that Rachel was like water but you, you are my oxygen. She wished that her pain would leave and she couldn't forgive me for that; for causing her this never ending pain."
"Didn't you tell her?" Annabeth asked softly, fiddling with the jacket in her hands. "That our love is all an act. A decoy so Luke targets us more than focus on the others."
The jacket had been the one she was wearing when they escaped; her last tie to her former group. Her thumb ran across the rip at the shoulder. Her jacket was a memento of the days escaping with Perseus to his camp, fighting the people she used to claim as allies. Her fingers traced the rip that Arron had repaired as they walked back to their compound. Thinking of his death always saddened her. She sighed and threw the ripped jacket towards the heap of clothes she had accumulated from her time with the Dissenters.
"Is that all it is to you?" His quiet voice caused her to glance up at him.
He looked so vulnerable, a golden halo playing on his hair standing under the light. After the events earlier with Juniper he couldn't hide his emotions and the look he was giving her, one full of honesty and a need for her to accept him, accept his feelings towards her.
"I …" She gazed at him, her eyes widening as she couldn't quite believe, or more likely had refused to see what was so obvious. "You're not pretending?"
Perseus' expression changed, softened, that slightly lost look gone and replaced with determination. He took a step towards her until they were an arm's length apart. Annabeth longed to reach out to hold him or brush his hair from his face but she remained frozen in place, staring into the depths of his green eyes. Perseus reached out and cupped her face with his hand. He drew in closer, gazing at his hand with a seriousness that suggested he was trying to memorize the texture of her skin against his palm. His eyes found hers once again. Her heart accelerated at his touch.
"I don't have to pretend to love you, Annabeth," he whispered to her, his breath washing over her. He waited patiently for her to give accept his feelings for her, or to shun him away but her answer had long ago been solved.
"Neither do I."
Perseus with a bright smile, leaned forward and pressed his lips lightly to hers. The tension Annabeth had worked up within herself fell away in that light kiss. One kiss turned into two and then three as they succumbed to their desire. Annabeth skimmed her hands against his neck as she wound them around the back of his head. Perseus' hand that was resting against her cheek had followed the curve of her body down to her waist, wrapping her closer to him so their bodies pressed together.
Perseus, with a moan and a sigh, placed his hands lower so he could lift her up. Annabeth gasped against his lips at the sudden difference in height but moved her hands to under his jaw to steady herself as she trapped his lips back to hers. Perseus, after a few wobbly steps, brought them to the bed and all but fell onto it with her. Annabeth laughed and Perseus allowed himself a small chuckle before dipping his head to rest on hers.
"I knew … as soon as you hesitated punching me on our first meeting," he murmured. "I knew."
A few panted breaths passed between them until Annabeth finally brushed his fringe from his face. A faint smile crept onto his lips and as her hand drifted down his face he gave it a light peck. "It scared me how much I wanted you. I tried to fight it but I … I don't want to anymore. Percy, Perce if it's only a few days I have, I want to spend them with you as much as possible."
He lifted his head to find her kiss which grew with more passion at every contact. Annabeth's hands drifted to the buttons of his shirt on their own accord and he was kissing her neck in the next second with only his singlet between her and his chest. He moved deftly above her and wiggled from his pants, sucking on the sweet spot of her throat. Annabeth sighed in pleasure, her hands slowly running up his back as she whispered his name.
Perseus' lips travelled across to her collarbone. His hands travelled down to her hips where her shirt had risen. Goosebumps rose on Annabeth's skin and she gasped at the sensation. She stopped her strumming of his back and grabbed his head, smashing their lips together. Perseus obliged willingly and only broke their kiss when he pulled Annabeth's shirt over her head. His singlet had risen and sparks of lust burst through their skin. She wanted him, needed him because he loved her and she loved him …
She loved him. That ran through Annabeth's mind and made her heart burst. She loved him and he loved her, since they met from what he said. His singlet came off, as did hers and heat consumed her as they wrestled for domination, their kisses increasing in fervour. Perseus had rolled them back into their original positions, when his hands hesitated at her pants, his fingers tracing their edge. There was a pause, where he looked at her, asking silently if he was allowed to continue. Did he even need to ask? She reached up and wrapped her arms and legs securely around him, cementing him to her side. With a broad smile that liquefied her heart, Perseus leant down and together they surrounded their room with their love for each other.
"You called me Percy," he noted later as he held her tightly against his chest. His fingers traced up and down her bare arm, eliciting a fresh wave goosebumps every time.
"Did I?" asked Annabeth, worried she had offended him.
He nodded kissing her cheek. "It sounds, nice. I like the way you say it."
"Percy," Annabeth tried again before smiling. He tilted her head so he could kiss her, leaving her slightly breathless when he pulled away. She gazed up at him, his face light and relaxed, eyes warming as he caught her stare. In a few days, she might not see him like this; she might not get to see him like this again. Her smile faded and his hand faltered, his eyes questioning. "I don't like the plan," Annabeth murmured.
"There's no other way," said Percy, his breath against her neck sending shivers down her body.
"There's always another way," Annabeth disagreed, causing him to smile. His lips went to her neck, his fingers moving silkily over her bare skin, sending rushes of tingling fire over body. She dimly registered his fingers dancing over her hips again, finding her bare skin there and at the base of her spine, reaching lower. "Perseus … Percy, Perce."
"This isn't distracting enough?" he asked innocently, his fingers still roaming.
"I don't know, is this?" asked Annabeth playfully, moving her own hands over his body. He stilled, his eyes growing dark with desire. Rolling on top of her, he enveloped her, kissing her soundly over her smile.
Further into the night, when they had both cooled down slightly, Percy had gone to get food, slipping back in with his haul. They tucked into their food, Annabeth throwing on his buttoned shirt, which brought a smile to his face. After they had eaten their fill, Percy rested against the headboard, his arms around as she rested her head on his shoulder.
"What would you do, if you survived all of this," Annabeth asked softly. "Would you stay here?"
Percy took a long time to answer, weighing up her question deeply. "There was a cabin, along a beach to the north. White sand, blue seas; it is a beautiful place. My mother used to take me there on holidays, every year, without fail, to the same cabin. She told me that was where she met my father and that was where I met him too, for the first time. Full of wonder and awe I was, seeing my mighty father, the one I had heard so many stories about," he smile was brief and small, forged from a memory so long ago it had since paled in his mind to a whimsical dream. "But it would always be mother and my secret hideaway. I think I would go and find it again and stay there."
"What happened to your mum?" she asked. Percy's jaw clenched, his eyes gleaming. "I'm sorry. If you don't want to tell me, that's fine. I just … I can hear how much you love her when you talk about her and at the Extradite camp you were freaked that I might mention her at the interrogation. I just want to know a bit more about her."
"She would've loved you," he told her softly, brushing his fingers against her cheek. "She was so worried, when I went away with my father that I would have no one to look out for me, care for me. She always told me I needed a girl to put me in my place and made sure I never did anything foolish." They both laughed softly at that. He was still looking at her when he spoke. "Yes, she would be very happy I found you."
"You blame your father for her death," Annabeth deduced quietly. Percy bowed his head, unable to look at her, proving she was right. "That's why you can't stand your father, why you renounced your claim to his heritage and left him during the war, why you hate seeing his portrait because you're worried you'll do the same thing to someone else you love."
"All he had to do, was protect her," Percy said, trying to remain emotionless but his voice was unsteady, his hands shook. His jaw clenched and unclenched as he tried to regain control. "But he had more important things to do than worry about her, the woman he claimed to have loved. I knew something was amiss, I knew she was in danger and he wouldn't let me go, wouldn't let me check and …" His breath caught, his fingers dug into his eyes and he tried to prevent the tears from falling down his cheeks. Annabeth's own eyes welled, seeing him so distressed. "… by the time I was allowed to leave …"
The two of them sat in silence, Annabeth cradling his head in her arms. She brushed her hand through his hair as he settled down in her lap, his breathing slowly evening out. It wasn't long after he had calmed down that there was a knock at the door. It creaked open and Jake hobbled in, resting his weight on his cane. He looked at the two of them on the bed without comment but he did raise his eyebrow at Annabeth's attire. She blushed as he addressed Percy, who sat up, sliding from the bed.
"Sorry, the Stoll's are causing a ruckus with this party and Ryder wants to speak to you," said Jake. "Plus, there's some reports that they thought one of you might want to hear."
Percy sighed, giving her a brief smile. "I'll handle all of it and I'll check on Juniper while I'm at it. You should sleep."
Once Percy got changed and left, Jake hovered as Annabeth moved over, knowing why he had volunteered to send the message. He silently reached into his pocket, pulling at a leather strap with a single green bead, identical to the ones she already wore.
"I'm sorry the leather is a little bit longer than the original, I see," he said, gesturing to her exposed necklace from the opened grey buttoned shirt of Percy's she still wore.
"Oh, it's okay," she said with a blush, covering up her shirt and receiving the necklace. She gave him a smile. "Thank you for doing this, I know you have a lot on your plate at the moment."
Jake shrugged. "I knew you wouldn't ask if it wasn't important." They were silent for a second before Jake said, "I know you asked for it to be plain but I, uh, added a symbol on there anyway."
Frowning, Annabeth looked down, twisting the bead until she saw the three pronged shape artfully etched into the bead. Her finger traced the delicate intricacy of the trident's design. Anyone that saw this would know who it symbolised. She looked up at him, a little stunned. He replied with a knowing smile, not needing any other explanation or words of gratitude as he took his leave.
Annabeth felt the covers being pulled back from her side and then the dip in the mattress as someone slipped in beside her. She made a noise of protest as the same person lifted her side, placing their body underneath hers before wrapping their arms around her waist.
"It's just me," said Percy in her ear, wriggling to get comfortable. Annabeth snuggled into his chest.
"Was I taking up too much bed space?" queried Annabeth groggily, turning her head so she faced him.
Percy kissed her forehead lightly. "A little but then it gives me an excuse to hold you like this." He gave her waist a little squeeze.
"Smooth Jackson."
Percy chuckled as her arm wrapped around his. "I'm guessing if you were more awake you would've punched me?"
"Mm-hmm…"
He kissed her forehead again. "Sleep Chase, I'm just making sure you don't run away on me."
Annabeth, already sinking into the darkness, opened her eyes wide. Her spare hand went to her second necklace, where its lone bead rested against her heart. He might've said it jokingly but she realised how she could execute their plan; and he wasn't going to like it.
Well, there you are folks, the next chapter. Some things had to be said, acknowledged, closed up and now the battle is just about to come and boy if I can pull it off it'll hopefully be epic. Thanks for all the comments, favourites, followers; all are welcome.