This is the last chapter of the Minific, just setting some stuff up really, and to the person that asked, no this isn't the Lost Chariot part though I get why you'd think that. It's not even really a spoiler so I'll tell you that Clarisse is in the Labyrinth. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter with oblivious Percy lol.
Sally hadn't exactly been happy about Nico running off on a rescue mission when Percy had told her, but she understood that demigod life was complicated and she'd accepted it- Percy had gotten a few Iris messages from Nico in the two weeks after he'd left- the last Percy had heard they had found a lead they were going to follow up on- that had been three days earlier and there hadn't been any news since.
Percy wasn't too worried though, she wasn't letting herself get too worried- and Leo, her mom and Rachel were good at distracting her- plus Annabeth IM'd her nightly and they'd spend hours talking or even just sitting there with one another, just taking comfort in being able to see each other.
Sally had ended up telling Paul that Nico was visiting his father- since the man had started visiting more often- he came over for family dinner quite often- and it was on one of the days that he was visiting that Rachel burst in.
He'd brought a bunch of takeaway with him, burgers and fries for lunch, and they were all in the kitchen eating happily, Percy ducking to avoid a handful of fries that Leo aimed in her direction, poking her tongue out at the younger boy. "You're such a brat-"
"The great Flameo isn-"
"Brat-"
"Children." Sally laughed, "Stop your bickering." she was smiling fondly, "Or you won't get cookies-"
"Now Sally." Paul smiled, "That's a bit harsh don't you think?"
"You are far too soft." and Percy had to admit that the look on her moms face, that soft fondness was cute- and Paul's expression when he looked at Sally was just as soft- they were clearly both falling hard and fast.
"Is it though?" Paul raised an eyebrow, "I've tasted your cookies Sally, they're the most delicious cookies ever made. Depriving the poor children of that is just cruel-"
"You're the best Paul!" Leo grinned goofily- and Percy groaned.
"Ew! Close your mouth!" Percy flicked one of her fries at him. "You're so gross-"
"Buh i's soooo goo'." Leo was clearly trying to wind her up and Percy looked away.
"Mooom!"
"And here I though that my days of dealing with five year olds were over." Sally's voice was long suffering. "Honestly children behave yourselves."
"Excuse you I'm at least sev-" Leo was cut off by the sound of the door banging open and a loud.
"PERCY! I need your help!" and then Rachel was skidding into the kitchen, a wide eyed look on her face, "Emergency!"
"Uh-" Percy blinked, staring at the other girl. She didn't look scared or injured so that was good- she did look frantic though, and she had paint in her hair and on her cheek so she'd probably been doing some painting when whatever had got her so worked up happened. "What kind of emergency?"
"My dad's making me go to a stupid party and I don't want to go alone-"
"Well." Leo was on his feet and at Rachel's side instantly, trying to wrap an arm around the taller girls shoulder, "You know, you could always-"
"Leo." Percy launched another fry at him, which hit him in the forehead, "Stop flirting with my friend!"
"Hey-"
"Percy." Rachel's voice was almost pleading, "Please I can't do it alone and my dad will kill me if I don't go."
"Okay, okay when-"
"Tonight-"
"Rache!" Percy groaned, "What time and what type of party?"
"Starts at seven, you could probably crash overnight if that's okay with your mom."
"Mom?"
"That's fine." Sally looked amused, "You help your friend out Percy. And have some fun-"
"Right." Percy nodded, "Let's go grab me some clothes- how formal is the party?"
"Uh." Rachel hesitated, "You're gonna need a real nice dress-"
"I have a bunch-"
"And so am I-"
"What?" Percy paused, "Rachel-"
"I gave a bunch of my dresses to charity and I cut up the rest to use them in my art after my dad started trying to convince me to go to this stupid school-"
"Rachel!" Percy groaned, grabbing the other girls hand and dragging her away and up the stairs, "Okay, so we fill a bag with clothes and then we go on a rush shopping trip for a new dress for you because my dresses will not fit you." Rachel was taller for one, and her build was slimmer than Percy's.
"I knew I could count on you." Rachel's expression was incredibly relieved, "Thank you- seriously-"
"Let's not thank me until we've got this done." Percy muttered the words, brushing her hair out of her face, "Right." she grabbed a bag, shoving some spare clothes and a set of pyjamas into it before she started to look through her dresses, she'd never worn most of them, "Okay- okay what one should I wear-"
"What about the turquoise one?" Rachel asked after a minute, grabbing one of the dresses out to look at it- a pretty strappy turquoise dress with a wide silver beaded belt. It was a nice one- knee length too.
"Is it suitable for the sort of party? You don't exactly talk about your dad much-"
"Yeah, yeah that's just the sort of dress you'll need." Rachel let out a breath.
"It seems kinda... dressy, more like a formal-"
"My dad-" Rachel flushed, "He's kinda.. wealthy. Big business man and all, it's a big business party, he throws it every year and I didn't realize it was so soon- I usually pretend to be sick but he told me it was today and it was too late by then."
"And you can't deal with it alone?"
"I really can't." Rachel groaned, "I just- he's the worst. He's so..." she shook her head. "Thank you. For saying you'd come with me."
"What can I say, anything for a friend." Percy gave Rachel a small smile, "Right, so." she carefully packed the dress before she slung her bag over her shoulder, "Shall we go then?"
"Yeah." Rachel looped her arm through Percy's, and together they headed back down the stairs, bidding Sally, Leo and Paul goodbye before heading out. Thankfully it wasn't too late, which meant they had time, and Percy found herself painfully glad for the fact that her mom did like dressing up occasionally because it meant she knew were to get some nice dresses- though Rachel seemed to have zero clue- probably because she actively avoided anything like that.
Still Percy managed to find her a nice dress- which she paid for despite Rachel's protests.
Once they were done they popped into a coffee place to get some drinks before they headed back onto the streets- Rachel was much more relaxed than she had been as they walked- though Percy paused midstep, elbowing her friend gently, "Wait a sec- Ethan?" her call made the boy across the street from them pause mid step, turning his head- and yeah, yeah she'd seen him before in Cabin thirteen, the Minor gods and goddesses cabin. He was a son of Nemisis she was pretty sure, and she darted across the street, smiling at him, "Hey- what are you doing here why aren't you in camp?"
"I-" Ethan looked startled, his eyes were wide, "Percy?"
"Yeah." Percy tilted her head, "Is everything okay?"
"Yeah." Ethan nodded, "I'm... my mom sent me a message." he looked uncomfortable Percy realized, "A quest. I'm on it-"
"That's great." Percy smiled widely, reassuringly. "You'll do great Ethan I'm sure of it- can you tell me-"
"No." Ethan shook his head quickly. "And I should really be going-"
"Of course." Percy nodded at the boy, laying a hand on his shoulder, "Good luck."
"Thanks." Ethan gave a small smile and a nod as he stepped backwards- turning to walk away before he faltered, glancing back at Percy when he was a short distance away from her. "You did what you could. You did everything you could for us."
"What?" Percy blinked, her brows furrowing as Ethan turned away fully and sprinted away. She considered chasing after him, trying to find out what he was talking about but then Rachel moved to Percy's side.
"What was all that about?"
"I don't even know." Percy turned her head to look at Rachel, "Let's just go to yours."
"Right." Rachel pulled a face, "I'll call for a car-"
"You'll- do you have a chauffeur?" Percy blinked, "I know my mom's pretty rich all things considered but-"
"I know." Rachel looked embarrassed, but she pulled out her phone and she made a quick call, once it was over it wasn't long before a car was pulling up in front of them, and Percy and Rachel climbed into the back of the car- and soon enough they were pulling up at the biggest house Percy had ever seen, and she blinked slowly, her eyes wide as she let Annabeth drag her out of the car and into the house- and as they entered the hall a woman with long blonde hair pulled back into an updo stepped into the hall- and she relaxed when she saw Rachel.
"Finally. Your father was worried you were going to be late." the woman's gaze flicked to Percy, "Is this that friend you mentioned, Penny or something-"
"Percy." Percy gave an awkward smile and a little wave, "Percy Jackson."
"Percy." Mrs. Dare's face scrunched up slightly and Percy resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Clearly Mrs. Dare didn't approve.
"It's short for Persephone-"
"Ah, I see. Well it's nice to meet you-" her eyes flicked to the bag, "Rachel mentioned that she was going to ask a friend to come to the party- I assume you-"
"She'll be staying overnight too." Rachel said quickly, grabbing Percy's hand tightly, clutching the bag with her dress in tighter-"
"Fine, fine. I was looking in your room earlier dear and I noticed your dresses-"
"I brought her a new one." Percy spoke up, "And I have a dress too Mrs. Dare."
"This isn't some highschool party-"
"Mom-"
"It's just fine." Percy's smile was forced, "My father's very big in the shipping businesses. This isn't likely to be the most fancy party I've ever been too I can assure you of that."
"Oh?" Mrs. Dare seemed to lose interest. "Well then, that's good. As long as you have something decent to wear. I suppose you girls can go upstairs then- you should both be ready by seven-"
"Thanks." and Rachel was dragging Percy off up the stairs quickly, all the way to her bedroom.
"I am so sorry." Rachel grimaced, "My mom's-"
"It's fine." Percy gave Rachel a reassuring smile, "You forget my dads side of my family are literally god and goddesses, pretty sure they're like the original screwed up
family." she looked around as she moved to the bed and dropped her bag onto it.
The room was huge, the walls had originally been painted a cream color but over the years Rachel had clearly left her mark, with drawings and paintings all over them, on one
wall was a huge TV, there was a big closet next to her bed and one side of her room had been set up to be an art studio- there was a desk with paints and things spread across it and a large canvas, covered up by a sheet of fabric that had been tossed over it hastily.
"I gotta say, this room is pretty cool."
"Thanks." Rachel blushed slightly, a small grin on her lips. "My dad hates it but I pointed out that if he makes me redecorate it I can just paint over the walls all over again."
"Ah yes, rebellion, the spice of life." Percy moved towards the canvas curiously, "What've you been working on?"
"I-" Rachel's face flushed even darker, "It's just- it's nothing really just something-"
"Can I see?"
"I-" Rachel hesitated- and Percy shot her an eager look.
"C'mon Rache. Pleaaase." She gave her best wide eyed puppy look and Rachel let out a laugh, her lips twitching into a grin.
"You're ridiculous Percy." but Rachel moved towards the canvas, "Just don't laugh at me." she pulled the sheet away, and Percy let out a soft gasp.
It was a beautiful painting- and Percy felt herself blushing.
Rachel had painted her and Blackjack taking off from the garden, she was on the pegasus' back, leaning close to his ear, only half of her face was visible, and... as much as Percy knew it was supposed to be her it was shocking because the girl in the painting was beautiful, deep black waves tumbling over her shoulder, sea green eyes seemed almost alive in the painting and that smile on her lips.
"Rachel." she whispered very softly after a long moment, turning her head to look at Rachel, "This- it's beautiful."
"You think so?" Rachel looked incredibly relieved, "I just- seeing you with him inspired me-"
"It's amazing- though honestly you made me look way prettier than I am."
That made Rachel laugh, a soft incredulous thing. "You have no idea how you look do you?"
"I- I'm nothing that special-"
"Percy you're one of the most beautiful girls I've ever met." Rachel grabbed Percy's hand, "Never doubt that."
"I-" Percy smiled faintly, "You're a really good friend Rachel, y'know that?" and she didn't notice the flash of sadness in the other girls eyes when she spoke again.
"Yeah, yeah I do."