Author's Note:
HEY! HEY YOU! YEAH, YOU! I'M ABOUT TO DROP SOME SHAMELESS SELF-PROMO!
My new year's present to you all was a short story called, Some things should remain unbroken. It's completed, and only like, five thousand words, so if you want some angsty, not typical Percabeth High School stuff, you should read it, link, of course, in my profile. That is all, on with your regularly scheduled A/N
What is projection, lol? Certainly not what I'm doing right now.
Just a little AU one-shot I came up with, so no gods or powers or anything. Also not very long, I wrote this one purely for me, and because I was very frustrated with someone. Sorry if Piper is a little OOC.
Cheers!
justapercyjacksonfan
Mine
Piper was excited. The design contest, the one for the most high end and important of designers simply known as Aphrodite, owner of the biggest of brands in luxury fashion Venus deMilo Beauty, had only ended two days ago. And they were already calling her in? It was the best day of her life.
She could imagine the notoriety it would bring her. I mean, being the newest designer on Aphrodite's payroll? She couldn't wait. As she giddily bounced in her seat, waiting to be called in for a private meeting with her idol, she wondered at Aphrodite's real name. It was common knowledge that it was a pseudonym, but then again you had to be pretty confident to call yourself the goddess of beauty.
Someone else walked in. Piper glanced up, expecting to just say hello to the stranger. Except it was not a stranger.
"Drew." Piper swallowed her pride, willing to be cordial. "It's….so good to see you."
Drew rolled her eyes. "Right." She sat down a chair away from Piper.
Piper narrowed her eyes, but didn't respond. Both of their attention was caught by the secretary, who broke the uneasy silence with the intercom.
"Madam Aphrodite? They're both here."
A muffled voice answered something akin to, "Send them in."
She looked up at the two women. "You're to meet Madam Aphrodite now. Be respectful. Follow me."
She led them through the door behind her, through a hallway, and then knocked lightly on a set of maple double doors with a plaque that read, "Aphrodite, CEO"
Piper tried to contain her giddiness, putting on a professional face.
"Enter." A woman's voice answered.
The secretary opened the door, and the two women walked in. Aphrodite smiled, and stood up from her desk. The beauty and charm she radiated was so natural, even though her whole business was making beauty products and designing high end fashion.
"Thank you, Dawson. That's all for now. Girls, would you sit down here?"
The secretary nodded, and closed the door, leaving. Aphrodite led them over to an alcove to the side where there were two chairs and a couch around a low table with a tea set on it. The tea pot was steaming.
As Piper got a better look at the dress Aphrodite was wearing, she had to hold in a gasp. It was...it was her design. What was...what was going on? Why was Drew here?
"This is a lovely black tea I've grown quite fond of." Aphrodite said, and air of grace as she herself, the biggest woman and maybe person in general, in the industry served tea to two undiscovered visionaries. "I hope you'll enjoy it. Would either of you like cream? Sugar?"
Piper shook her head, a mixture of being both too excited and too anxious to speak before she found her words, "No thank you, ma'am." But Drew did take some.
Aphrodite handed them each their cup with a saucer before picking up her own and stirring her own cream in before methodically tapping it and then setting the spoon down onto the tea tray.
She sipped away, allowing both women to relax slightly. "Why do you think I've asked to meet with you?"
Drew took the lead. "I would imagine it has to do with the contest, ma'am."
"Hmmm….and why do you think, dear?" she asked, turning to Piper.
"I...I would say the same ma'am."
"You seem nervous."
"I...it's just that I've always looked up to you, ma'am. You're a pioneer of the industry, and a personal hero of mine."
"Hmm. That's very gracious of you, dear." She set down her cup and leaned forward. "Drew dear, what can you tell me about my dress?"
"It's beautiful, ma'am."
"Anything else? You don't recognize it?"
"No ma'am. Should I?"
She only gave another 'hmmm,' considering something a few times in her mind before turning back to Piper. "And you dear. Tell me about the dress."
Piper hesitated a moment before diving in. "The silhouette is fifties, the fit and flare style being reminiscent of 'The New Look,' designed by Christian Dior. However, there are several modern homages and original bits, most notably the pockets and the removal of the bullet bra style that would have been traditionally worn underneath this style of dress in the fifties. The neckline is the most original part, with the cut outs, and the sleeves with the cold shoulder are a direct homage to more modern style. The way it was styled for you was a work of genius, as your jewelry ties together all the styles, making the dress even more coherent...ma'am"
Aphrodite beamed. "That's very interesting, dear. Now tell me, how do you know there are pockets?"
"Because...because I designed it."
"Yes. You did. And you dear." She turned back towards Drew. "I also think you are telling the truth. You do think it's beautiful. That's why you submitted the same design."
The color drained straight out of Drew's face in sudden realization that she'd been caught, just as Piper's face went beet red, with the knowledge that she'd been brought there to find out if Drew had stolen from her or vice versa, and then realizing that Drew had used her designs.
"In fact." Aphrodite continued, still smiling. "All of 'your' designs are identical to Piper's. I'm sure I could ask her anything about the rest of these dresses, but you would flounder. Drew dear, I don't tolerate thieves in my business. Try coming up with original work, if you really are passionate about fashion. But if I hear from any of my colleagues that you've plagiarized again." She took another sip of tea. "Well, I have an awful lot of influence. Of course, they are Piper's designs you stole, so it's up to her what she wants to do with you. But that is my response. You may go now."
Drew left in a hurry, only bothering to mumble, "Thank you, ma'am. Good-bye."
That left Piper sitting uncomfortably with a still perfectly calm Aphrodite.
She poured herself another cup of tea. "Onto the second matter of business."
Once again, she went through her methodical tapping of her spoon and first few sips before continuing. "I'd like to offer you a job."
Author's Note:
*ahem*
See, what happened is I got all salty about stuff, and then I wrote this, because what is projection?
I also just happen to LOVE fifties fashion.
Moving on, there's no one who requested this, just my own little brain.
Shout-outs!
Thank you to Milkshake and Cookies and Daniel Toxtle for following and favoriting, as well as WolfOfSilverGoddessArtemis for following and salakaugang69 for favoriting!
And now, reviews! There were a lot, because you guys spoil me. :)
(i think this is the oldest one I haven't responded too, but if I missed anyones, just yell at me, and i'll remedy my mistake)
Guest - Thank you! DamaSENDhimafriend, maybe? I'm not sure if it's you. If it is, you should update Quest for Eileytheia, because I have been missing it!
Guest I Guess - I totally read it to the tune of Christmas time is here. This is true, for both Reyna and Hazel, tbh. I feel like Annabeth would alternate between being really smart and third impostoring really hard because she overthinks everything!
I got the marvel reference, but I never watch Voltron. If I were to start watching it, where might I find it? Also, where can I find a magical fandomcorn?
PYBooks543 - jeez, you could have warned me about the smut! It's not like I mind reading it, I just was not expecting that going in.
Guest - oooooooh, now I get it. Thanks for clarifying!
HereForThemFanfics - I know you! Thanks for coming to find my stuff, that was really sweet of you!
Such a queen. We stan Hestia.
I answered in PM, but I'll just say it again, because of Yggdrasil and Boston being the nexus for magical stuff.
I'm from that very stereotypically passive-aggressive area, so this one was just like, letting out all of it into the world. Glad it went appreciated. :)
Thank you!
Nah, bro. My godly parent would be Nemesis, so I totally get the whole, "can we please serve them a slice of humble pie the size of the empire state building?" In this context! If you understand where that particular wording came from, I do NOT support who said it, I just think it's a rather funny thing to say.
We love chaos. And we love aro/ace tiktoks.
AyaTheDoggo - I mean….mood
You know what...that is slightly worse than my own sleep schedule, so I will hand off the trophy for most fucked up sleep schedules to you.
Oh, honey, I wrote a five thousand word fanfic on the day before and day of New Years Eve. We understand not interacting with other people here.
Well, there's been enough sparks for it recently, I'm sure it will come from somewhere. I'll make sure to check it out….in a little bit, probably not 'til March, because I have been neglecting my poor manuscript all of December.
Guest I Guess (again) - All of them have been added to the list! Thank you for requesting!
Have a lovely day!
justapercyjacksonfan
