Back again! Problem is, I haven't gotten any reviews! Are you even reading this? (Also, sorry for the long wait, been having a hard time finding motivation.)

So, disclaimer: I don't own Ethan or Luke, the Stolls, or even little baby Nico!

I know, horrible, but, on with the chapter!

I trotted along beside Ethan as we tried to find a seat in the huge amphitheater.

Tyche must be hating us because the only two seats open side by side was furthest from the exit. I groaned, but hopped up in the chair anyway. "Alright, so how are we going to get out now?"

I shrugged, but turned my attention to the front, "So, with the help of an unnamed camper... I have decided someone should go and try and find a certain relic to help Thalia. I have made my decision, and I want Clarisse, daughter of Ares, and two companions to go and find the Golden Fleece."

A wave of cheering overtook the campers, I barked happily and bounced around in my seat. I saw Percy shot us a worried look, but clapped anyway. As soon as the singalong began Ethan and I started picking out way over feet and other campers.

Finally, after five minutes of our eyes glued to the floor we made it to the exit.

As soon as we were out of eye shot of the campfire, the shadows started to condense around us, okay this wasn't good. Then, well, it was really hard to describe. We seemed to be moving very fast, it felt almost as fast as light, and it got really cold.

Ethan stumbled a bit once we landed on solid ground again, but gained his footing pretty quickly, I kept mine the whole time, I was just a little dizzy afterward. I looked up and saw a very tall building with a glowing sign the I'm guessing read 'The Lotus Casino.'

Just then, I realized I must have changed back because I was taller than a puppy for one thing, and second I had thumbs again. (You don't realize how helpful they are till your a dog with no thumbs.)

"This is it," I stepped forward when I thought of another flaw to this little side mission I was sent on. "Wait, how are we supposed to go in there without time slowing down for us, too?"

I looked over and Ethan just shrugged, he was smiling though, so I'll took it that he just wanted to go in. I smiled too and we walked in together.

There was a lot of noise, and color. Reds, blues, greens, any color you could imagine was there. I had to blink a few times to get used to the blinding lights, and once I was adjusted, Ethan was already running around and looking at all the games. I rolled my eyes, but did try to keep up.

I hoped the picture I had was up to date, or else my search would be fruitless.

Meanwhile, Ethan was going to town on one of the arcade games, his smile the biggest I'd ever seen it. I was happy to see him having this much fun, and considering that he was probably going to be here a long time, I went out to find the di Angelos.

I couldn't hear my footsteps over the loud music, yelling, and laughing. It was easily one of the most festive places I had ever been and it was somewhat rubbing off on me. The smile I kept pushing down always crept back up. That's when I saw a girl that matched the photo in my hands.

"Hey!" I pushed my way over to her, it has to be Bianca. Then I caught a glimpse of a little boy with messy dark hair. "You two!" She turned around, clearly confused.

"Are you talking to me?" I nodded and stumbled over once I broke through the last wall of people.

I took a deep breath and asked, "Are you Bianca and Nico di Angelo?" She nodded uncertainly and a smile broke though my straight face and I could hear the sigh of relief.

"Hi!" Nico waved and smile brightly. I laughed lightly waved back. "Who are you?"

"I'm Rose, Rose Jackson. And you must be Nico, the cutest little guy in the world," I ruffled his hair and he giggled.

Bianca looked at me strangely, as if I was a random person who happened to know exactly how they were, oh wait, I was. "How do you know us?"

Uh oh, I didn't come up with a cover story, I mean I could tell them the truth, but I have a feeling Hades would want to meet them with no big information already. "Oh! I work with... some social workers! Yeah! I'm here with my partner and we were hoping we could get to know a little bit about you."

"You're a little young..." Right, I'm only 13...

Nico shrugged, "So? Maybe she can be our friend?" He looked up hopefully into Bianca's worried face. I'm glad I didn't have to make the decision, I would have melted at those puppy eyes.

Bianca looked between the two of us, then I heard Ethan. "Rose?! Where'd you go?"

"I'm over here! I found them!" I called over my shoulder. He pushed his way over and stopped by my side.

I could visibly see him melt, "Oh my gods! Why didn't you tell me how cute he his?" He crouched down held out his hand to Nico. The younger of the two did a high five instead of a handshake, which made all of us laugh. "Rose! I'm hungry, I haven't eaten since this morning," he pouted and stood back up.

Bianca smiled, just a little, but I'm counting it as a win. I rolled by eyes in response and Nico started motioned for us to follow him. We all made our way over to what looked like a snack bar, there was a nice looking mon behind the counter putting together little one serving trail mix bags. "Hi!" Nico said as he went over.

"Hey little man! What can I get for you today?" He smiled down the son of Hades.

Nico looked back at Ethan who went to stand up beside him. In all honesty, I wasn't hungry, but I also wasn't going to deny food. We ended up getting a bag of chips and a bottle of water for everyone. Bianca stayed quiet as everyone else chatted around a small table by the entrance, Nico was keep the conversation going most of the time. Ethan was loving talking with him though, so I tried to get a little out of his older sister.

"So... Bianca? How's your day been?"

I glanced up from the water bottle in her hands, "Fine I guess, as long as Nico's happy, I'm good."

I nodded, "This is a very personal question and get if you don't want to answer, but what do you know about your father?"

She looked at me as if I was crazy, and I might be, just a tad. Live in a room with others sleeping basically on top of you for four years can do that to a girl. "Not much actually, just that he was our father... and yup, that's it." She looked like she was trying to remember something else, but just coming up with a blank.

"Hey! It's okay, I don't want to worry you about it, just wondering."

She smiled shyly and asked, "What about you? What's your family like?"

I blinked then smiled a little, "My mom is awesome! She makes the best cookies and is always so kind and generous, I don't think she likes me very much right now though. I've also got a twin brother. He's one the goofiest kids I've ever met, but he's just like mom, always putting others before himself..." I trailed off. There are times when I regretted by choice, I mean my father obviously cared enough to claim me, a lot of people didn't get the luxury.

It was Luke and Ethan that kept me there, they were just as much family to me as Percy was. "Then there's my father. I've never actually met him, but my brother seems to at least accept that he's our father and part of the family. I don't exactly agree, but..." There's no explaining myself. I hurt my friends my poisoning Thalia, betrayed Percy, and sided with an evil titan!

I'm a horrible person. I sighed and put my head in my hands, Ethan looked up and tapped my shoulder. "Hey, you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm good, just thinking," I looked up and smiled, I think he knew it was fake, but didn't push.

Bianca then replied, "I'm sure your mom and brother both love you, no matter what you disagree on." I really hoped that was true, but the odds were stacked against that. I attacked Percy when he tried to hurt Luke, I protected my brother's enemy.

I looked up and saw a gift shop, I excused myself for a minute and jogged over. There were hats, shirts, sweaters, pants. You name it, it was there. There were also lots of toys and games. There was a pack of cards and action figures there, I recognized Hermes as one of them. It was games about the world these two were going to be thrust into.

Picking up I saw that it was called Mythomagic, it looked like it was some kind of role-play collector game. I took it over to the register and payed for it.

Nico and Ethan were chatting happily when I walked back over, making sure to keep the box out of sight until I was ready to give it to Nico and Bianca. I gently dropped it into my bag as I slipping into the vacant seat. "So... what's your guys favorite color?"

Bianca sat there for a minute when Nico answered, "I like the colors blue and purple!"

"No way! I love purple!" Ethan exclaimed and they high fived. If Nico ever joined our side he was sure to have a friend.

Bianca then answered, "Green, yeah... I like green a lot." I smiled and nodded my head. Personally my favorite color was still blue, as that's what I've been eating for years, but I didn't see a need to contribute.

We stayed for a day or two, gaining Nico and Bianca's trust, we even got her to laugh a little. Then one day during lunch a mist face of Luke appeared while everyone else was distracted. "Luke!" I hissed.

"Where are you? I thought you were supposed to be at Camp," he raised his eyebrows.

I sighed, "We got side-tracked, promise we'll be back by tomorrow, okay?"

He nodded, "Fine, but I need a states update."

"Clarisse and... I don't know who went with her, but they went a few days ago."

His brow furrowed, "I've been following them for a least a week now, and Percy, Annabeth, and a new guy, Tyson I believe his there too." Wait, a week? Then again, this is the Lotus Casino, time moves slower in here.

"Rose! Come here! Ethan's about to beat the high score!" Nico called excitedly. I hadn't even noticed everyone had left the table. I smiled and swiped my hand through the mist before Luke could say another word. We just had to leave by tomorrow, we couldn't let anymore time pass.

I jogged over, my apple still clutched in my hand. Ethan eyes were glued the the screen, a smile creeping up his face as his score got higher. Bianca was laughing lightly at the excitement Nico was showing. Then a bell rang somewhere nearby, I realized that it was from the game.

"Yes!" He pumped his fists in the air and did this little danced around in a circle. I laughed and Nico and celebrated with him.

I pulled him aside and whispered, "We've got to leave like now, Luke's been waiting for us a week, and Percy's on that quest." Ethan's face showed just the slightest tint of worry at that bit, but he pushed it aside, trying to keep a positive attitude.

"Of course! Let's get packed up and say bye to those two," he nodded his head toward the di Angelo siblings. I smiled warmly at the thought of them. They were so sweet and great company. I would miss them, but we had to get back to our own home as well.

Well guys! I'm back after months of disappearing. I just haven't had the best motivation and ideas.

I gotta say, Nico was so much fun to write, so was Bianca.

This is also a special chapter as it's about twice as long as my normal chapters. This isn't going to happen very often, but I have found I just got to sit done and write and it's done like that! Wish me luck on my next one, hopefully it'll be in the next week or so.

Review and hope you enjoyed!

Word count: 2,114

-WaterWolf16