(A/N Hey guys! Posting this a day early because tomorrow is gonna be a long day and I don't wanna forget. This update is a tiny bit shorter than my norm, but take into account this and the previous update were meant to be one chapter but ended up too long when together.

I'm thinking the next chapter or two are going to be formatted a little differently. It's gonna be like a collection of skits and freeze frames in time. I'm really looking forward to it and honestly I'm even considering pulling out classic Looney Toons for inspiration!

I hope you enjoy!)

Estelle

She'd come to look forward to babysitting and spending time with Grace. The few sparing moments with her brother were tense, but happy. It took every ounce of self discipline to keep from asking him to tutor her in swordplay. It drove her nuts that she could not master the techniques required.

For the moment, Griff and Chase were both watching the end of a movie while she and Grace warmed up a snack for after the boys went to bed. Grace was pretty chill as long as she didn't have a problem she was actively trying to solve.

"Estelle?" She turned her head, giving Grace her attention. "Why don't you try to convince me to join the Hunt?"

"Huh?" She had not been ready for that question.

Setting down the bowl of cream cheese, she considered their interactions. Before joining the Hunt, she'd been seven years older than Grace. They'd been close, too. Or at least as close as they could have been with such an age gap and living on opposite sides of the country. When Annabeth died, she was well aware of Grace's position. She was Percy's ward with an open invitation to join the Hunt.

Grace's situation didn't bother her, but she found it almost eerie how it was a reflection of her own; dependent upon Percy, while Artemis waits in the wings to provide a new home and new protection. It wasn't the same, Grace was being trained unlike Estelle had been. Would much even change for Grace to join the Hunt besides accepting immortality?

Shaking off her thoughts she realized she never answered Grace's question.

"I joined the Hunt, in part, because I wanted some sort of independence and autonomy. If I tried to convince you to join, I'd be taking away part of that. If you have questions, I'm more than willing to answer! But I don't wanna pressure you."

"Thank you," Grace smiled before chewing on her lip, obviously with a question in mind.

Estelle heard the movie end and the two tag teamed getting the boys settled down for bed-drinks, nightlights, and all-before they flopped onto the couch to munch their doritos. With a small prompt from Estelle, Grace voiced her question.

"Do you think your mistress has ever experienced love?"

Estelle coughed up a chip and gave the girl an incredulous look.

"Like, platonic, 'I'm surrounded by amazing people' love? Yeah, sure."

"I know you all swear off romantic pursuits when you pledge yourselves to her, but what about her own romantic pursuits?"

"She doesn't… Grace, you do realize you sound like a total aphrodisian, right?"

"It's just… Anything is possible, Estelle. I like thinking through every outcome I can before making a decision if I have the time… And I have several years."

"But she took a-"

"Estelle. Think of who I live with and my capacity for asking questions. If she wanted to, she could easily escape her vow. My question is: what happens to all of you if she does?"

Estelle sat back and thought over Grace's words. She didn't really feel that it mattered that Artemis could escape her vow, because she wouldn't. With that in mind, there was no conclusion to come to about what would happen to the Hunt. But Grace would argue since it was an arbitrary question about an individual's possible choices.

"What kind of man would she fall in love with? She's seen an eternity's worth of unwelcome men and their advances. What could anyone possibly present her that would be different from what she's rejected already?" Estelle asked in an effort to lead the conversation to a natural conclusion.

"I dunno," Grace slumped a little, obviously trying to stave off defeat but unsure what argument she could offer. "I mean, there are a few men she doesn't hate. Well, probably more than a few that she doesn't actively hate, but a few that she actually enjoys their presence, right?"

She sighed, ready to challenge that Artemis not hating her own twin brother did not count as enjoying a man's presence. But then Percy came to mind.

It wasn't uncommon to see him around camp, usually sparring with Thalia just past the boundaries during their weekly sessions. He kept himself separate from the Hunters out of respect, but most at least greeted him with a smile or wave. He'd earned their acceptance both with the courtesy he showed them and by the good graces he'd developed with their Lady. Her smile was bright and her mood was light when he was there.

Aside from seeing him during his weekly spar with Thalia, Artemis also had a biweekly game night with him and a few other immortals. And she knew they interacted keeping tabs on Grace… And probably her too…

She scowled at the thought and dismissed it. Artemis knew where her loyalties lie. And Percy would always be her overprotective brother, even if she'd been pushing him away. Scowling again, she admitted that she should probably rectify that eventually.

What other men did Artemis willingly interact with?

Several minutes passed and she could not think of a single other man her Lady saw with any frequency outside of obligation. Telling Grace as much, the little schemer got a big grin.

"Well, that'll be our test then."

"What?"

"If she were going to fall in love with any man, it would be your brother."

"Now, I didn't say-"

"If she doesn't fall for him, then I'll accept that the Hunt will continue on indefinitely as it functions currently."

"We don't even know if Percy-"

"Come on, Estelle. Percy would be an idiot not to fall for her if she actually made an advance."

"They've been friends longer than you've been alive. What would make them change now?"

Estelle was met with a feral grin that made her instantly regret her question.