A/N: Nico calls his far away cousin.

A week later we all got together at a café in New Rome. We had found the names of my relatives. Now it was time to let them know I existed.

I took a deep breath. 'Okay.'

Pollux reached into his bag and got out his smartphone and a pink note, which he carefully put on the table. 'I got the numbers.'

'Yeah, you told us,' Will answered.

Hazel looked excited. 'Let's do it! And come on, Will, liven up a little...'

'I just want to know where he got the numbers.'

Pollux grinned. 'Just accept that I did, doc.'

'Don't act all innocent, I saw you hanging around the black books in the camp library...'

'How long do you want to keep this going? Nico over here is nervous.'

I looked up at Pollux. 'Am not.'

'Sure are.'

'And how would you know?'

'Usually I would try to convince you all that I know everyone's emotions at all times due to my stellar status as a Dionysus kid, but that isn't true. I can just see it on your face.'

I peered at Hazel and Will, who slowly nodded.

I quickly looked back at the phone. 'Well... give me the number, then.'

Pollux handed me the note. 'I thought you would probably want to talk to Sofia di Angelo. She is the oldest of the three sisters.'

Hazel looked over my shoulder. 'She is twenty. That is about our age, but just old enough to be independent.'

'Exactly.' Pollux nodded.

Even Will seemed impressed. 'You thought up a whole plan.'

'Of course, doc.'

I put down the note and took a deep breath. 'As a matter of fact, poisoneye, I am indeed nervous,' I told Pollux.

'Understandable.'

I reached for the phone. Carefully I pushed the right buttons. Hazel sighed. 'It's a long number. Longer than most numbers in America, I think.'

'It sure is.'

My finger hovered over the green 'call' button. 'Okay, okay, okay.'

'If it ends up being a disaster, we'll let the mist do its work,' Will said soothingly.

'I know,' I muttered. Still, my body was filled with anxiety. I really was going to call some far away cousin.

I bit my lip and took a sip of my drink: the New Rome's chocolate milk Special, extra strong (which just meant they added cafeïne. Perhaps it wasn't the best for my anxiety).

I looked up. Pollux stared right back at me. One look at his face and I knew he would push the button if I didn't hurry up soon.

I pushed the button and he let out a sigh. 'Finally.'

'Cut me some slack.'

'I already am.'

'Anyway!' Will pointed at the mobile phone. It was ringing, which meant it was actually calling someone.

The person, this distantly related woman, had the gall to actually pick up. Wait. Stop.

'Ciao, stai parlando con Sofia di Angelo?'

I opened my mouth. '...eh…'

'Ciao?'

'You're speaking to Nico di Angelo,' Pollux said for me. Will rubbed my shoulder.

'...yes, yes you are,' I added.

'Is this a prank?' She asked, in English.

'I can promise you it isn't. 'My name really is Nico di Angelo, and… eh…' That she hadn't hung up the phone yet seemed like a miracle.

'The last Nico we had in the family was a nephew of my great-grandaunt.' Her what? I mean, that was probably right.

'Well, and me. I live in America. My… great-grandmother first came here, I was... named after this nephew of hers, who was my... grandfather. I was curious about my Italian family. I did some research, found your number in the online phone book…' I shrugged, even though she couldn't see me. 'Whole story.'

It was quiet on the other side. 'Why are you calling now?'

'I… I wanted to get in touch with my relatives,' I answered. 'Also, you speak good English,' I blurted out.

She chuckled. 'You too, if you are really a di Angelo.'

'I lived in America for most off… for my entire life.'

Another thinking pause. 'You said you're great-grandmother went to America. I know that I have a relative who did so. She fled after Mussolino came to power.'

Hazel grabbed my hand. It was suspiciously quiet around me.

'Eh, yeah, that is right.'

'Unbelievable.' Sofia sighed. 'Do you mind if I call you back after I told my family? You…' It was quiet for a moment. 'You know too much to be a prankster. Only my relatives know of this and nobody dares to joke about it, because my great-grandmother doesn't like it.' She snickered. 'She knew your great-grandmother. Only shortly, she was five when she disappeared. You might have heard that.'

'Ah.' I was too stunned to say anything else. 'I… I am just…'

It was silent for a moment. 'Can I reach you via this number?' Sofia asked.

I looked at Pollux. He slowly nodded. 'Yes,' I answered. 'You can reach me on this number.'

'I will call you back, then. Addio, Nico.'

'Yes, goodbye.'

After a few seconds, she hung up the phone. My heart was beating right out of my chest. Slowly, I turned my head around, until I was facing Will. I took a deep breath and began to laugh. 'I just…'

'You just confiscated my phone,' Pollux said, unbelieving. 'Still, I…'

'Wow,' Hazel whispered.

I moved forward to hug her. 'Isn't it great?'

Will softly cheered. 'You're in contact with your family, Nico!'

'With my relatives,' I muttered. 'You're my family.' I put my arm around Will, too. After a few seconds, Pollux sighed and moved over to us. We let him join in. He was family too, after all.

A/N: Headcanon that the general swear word for the Dionysus kids is 'poison eye' or something else that references their Very Purple Eyes. Also headcanon that all Dionysus kids have purple eyes, making it very easy to tell which cabin they belong to.