It was the crack of dawn when Percy leaned over the balcony rail for some air. He had only just remembered Chiron's warning about Olympian Gala's being known to last days at the very least. Percy sighed, exhausted, he could only party for so long. This was the one department where his stamina was on the mortal side. Athena leaned over the rail beside him.

"If you didn't know, cabin representatives don't have to be present for the entire Gala, only the first and final days of it," Athena explained.

"Now someone tells me," Percy groaned, "how long will it last?"

"The last time we held a Gala was when Hercules ascended into godhood. His Gala lasted three months."

"So there's a chance I might have to skip a day of my senior year, the most important year in highschool, to come here for the last day of the Gala?"

"Most likely."

Percy gave Athena an irritated look before sighing.

"I'm too tired to think about this. I'm going to bed."

Percy re-entered the chamber and fished Kira out of his tux, putting her on Khel's shoulder. He then made his way out through the main doorway.

"Percy," Zoe called as he passed, trying to take the opportunity to talk to him, "I need to speak with you."

Percy didn't notice her, he just walked down the steps and into the streets, heading back to his father's temple.

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Anita stood beside a long table with about thirty punch bowls, talking to the Hunter recruit, Nira Cole.

"It's astounding how humans act these days," Anita sighed, "you're fine talking to other people but as soon as my little brother gets close, you can't let out a single syllable without your face turning into a big tomato. At least that Aurora girl is able to talk to him for a couple minutes before realizing she's alone with him."

"It's not that easy to talk to someone that you like. And in case you haven't noticed, I don't have much experience liking people, at least not in the way that I like Percy."

Anita looked Nira over. She was trying her best to make herself look closer to Percy's age, but in trying to make herself look like a beautiful woman, she only succeeded in making herself look like a silly girl. Anita got an idea and grabbed Nira by the wrist.

"Come on," she pulled Nira out of the chamber.

"Where are we going?" Nira asked.

"To make it so that my brother is the one getting flustered by your presence."

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Percy noticed a large lump in his bed and sighed. He pulled the blanket off, expecting to see Artemis, but was surprised to see Selene curled up with a white wolf stuffy, sound asleep. Percy smiled and climbed into the bed. Selene shuffled closer when the bed shifted. Percy wrapped his arms around her and fell asleep.

Artemis watched from the shadows. She had been waiting for Percy to come in and rest since one in the morning, when Selene fell asleep in her lap, so she could rejoin the festivities. Knowing that her daughter was now in the hands of the only man she considered safe for the child, she left her uncle's temple and made her way back to the Gala. When she entered the main chamber, she noticed that the lights had dimmed.

"All right everyone," Apollo's voice resonated through the chamber, "now that our cabin representatives are out resting, it's time for the dance contest!"

Artemis rolled her eyes as a drum beat began with a thumping bass in the background. Artemis made her way to her throne, only to find that it, and all the other thrones were gone, replaced with a stage.

"All right everyone," Apollo called, "here's how it's going to work. Everyone is going to take turns dancing according to the theme I pull from the fun helm, that's what I call my helmet, don't judge me. The round ends when I blow the horn. If you are still on the stage when I blow the horn, you're out. Last twelve standing win. Are you guys ready to get down?" The room erupted into cheers, "I can't hear you! I said are you all ready to get down?" Everyone cheered even louder, "Then let's get this party started!" Apollo reached into his helmet," The first theme is," Apollo pulled a slip of paper out of the helm and read it, "White Boi."

The next chapter will jump straight to the third day when Percy rejoins the Gala. I will leave the dance contest entirely to your imagination.