I'll once again apologize for the erratic posting schedule. I'm also sorry this chapter is short, but I'm posting the next one today, and then possibly the one after if I finish re-reading it at some point this afternoon. Thank you all so much for the reviews and messages, they definitely mean a lot to me!

Diplomacy

I'm the last one in the dining hall. After Autumn's comment last night, I wanted to give everyone plenty of time to get there before me. I took my time in the shower, even shaved for the first time in a while.

"Looking good," Luke laughs, whistling playfully as I walk through the door. "What's the occasion, oh great one?"

"It was getting in the way," I shrug, pulling out a piece of paper as I grab a glass of orange juice.

"I think he looks nice. Facial hair is gross," El stares straight ahead, her usually full plate completely empty. Luke turns red, rubbing his growing beard self consciously.

"You good?" I ask El, gesturing to her plate. The look I get from Calypso and Autumn let me know that I asked the wrong question, and Summer just silently shakes his head while he slides a piece of cheesecake onto her plate.

"Not the best breakfast, but it's something," Summer smiles, ever the peacekeeper. "Eat it while we figure this out, please."

El doesn't look happy, but she picks up her fork. Summer is very persuasive. She stabs the cheesecake like it killed her entire family, and I make a mental note to talk to her before we go too much further with this plan. Maybe she was having second thoughts?

"I think the hardest part will be our audience with Zeus," Calypso says, nibbling on a strawberry. "I don't really think any of us can speak with that dickhead civilly."

"I never had a personal problem with Zeus," El shrugs, taking a sip of her cup, full of what smells suspiciously like alcohol. I open my mouth to say something, but Cal kicks my leg under the table.

She's okay, Winter. It isn't alcoholic. She just enjoys the tastes when she has a rough night. You know how that feels, don't you?

I meet her eyes and nod silently. I sigh, shooting Elowyn a small smile. "You probably didn't have to talk to him much, then. He's a douche."

"No one did when I grew up, actually," El frowns slightly. "I think you'll have a bigger problem setting up a meeting if you want to do it the right way. Most of us have to deal with the diplomat."

"The diplomat can't be all that bad," I laugh. "Trust me, no one can top the arrogance of King Airhead."

"It's Annabeth Chase," Luke interrupts, running his hands through his hair tiredly. "Too many of us have history with her, so Chaos was saying we should-"

Luke keeps talking, but I don't hear much after her name. I've tried to avoid even thinking of that name for so long that I lost count. I know I'm not breathing, but I can't make myself care. I'm trying everything I can not to think about her, but after a box you've kept locked away for a very long time is ripped open, it's almost impossible to go numb again.

Even after all this time, I can remember the way her body always fit perfectly against mine. I still remember her sighs of annoyance that eventually turned to laughter as I bothered her during her 'study time'. I remember the way she smelled, the way she breathed, and the way her curls wouldn't always sit where she wanted them. What I remember most, though, is the sound of the engagement ring hitting the ground. Her cruel smile as my entire world shattered around me, in front of people that I had almost died to protect.

A shattering sound jerks me back to reality, and I realize everyone is staring at me. I feel a dull throbbing in my hand, and I look over in time to see the remains of the shattered cup fall to the table, a steady stream of blood dripping after it. It's weird, seeing my blood. It's still red but the constancy is different now that I'm not completely human. It's more like slime than anything. Gross, really. I hear a dull hum, and vaguely feel Spring pouring the essence of Chaos on my hand to heal the wound. I'm jolted fully awake by what feels like twenty gallons of ice water.

"Winter!" Luke yells, snapping his fingers in my face. He holds a pitcher in his hands. That explains the water.

"What the hell, Castellan?" I growl, running my hand through my hair to get a little bit of the water out.

"You've been out of it for five minutes. You didn't respond, and then you broke the cup. We were concerned," Summer interjects before Luke can snap back.

"I… Sorry, I was thinking," I sigh, rubbing my eyes numbly. "I'm back now. What did we decide?"

"To ignore the Chase girl and stoll into the throne room," Autumn shrugs, the rest of the group nodding their approval. "She isn't worth the trouble."

"Perfect," I agree, standing quietly. "One more week of training, everyone. Those asshats aren't going to welcome us in, we know that for sure. Get as ready as you can."

You going to be okay, Percy? Luke asks, eyes piercing mine worriedly.

I nod curtly, pushing my chair in. I have to be okay, but I don't have to enjoy this mission.