Hi there! You are probably smart enough to know that this is a PJO & THG crossover, but if you aren't, then you have been warned! Don't tell me later I didn't say so. Also, if you happen to read some of my other stories, yes, I am aware that calling them trash would be an insult to trash, but I am truly sorry. I've just had this urge to writing this after re-diving into THG fandom again. Sorry. With no further ado, have fun (hopefully).
Annabeth sat on the barstool in front of Greasy Sae. She quickly traded some game and herbs for a bowl of stew. Dipping her wooden spoon into the broth, Annabeth relished the taste of a day of hard work in the woods.
It wasn't much, what Sae offered, but around here, in a world of squalor and mistrust, a warm bowl of soup helped bring spirits up, even if it was just a little bit.
As she made small talk with Sae and took sips, two strangers walked up and sat on barstools, and Annabeth glanced at them. from her peripheral vision. What she saw made her so skeptical she fully focused on them, because no-one like them could have the stuff to pay Greasy Sae for her district renowned soup, even if it barely cost anything to the general population of Paneam.
The first was a little girl, barely 5 by her guess, with olive skin, brown hair, and round gray eyes, much like her own. She wore a tattered dress and long stockings, to protect her from the fall chill. She also had an oversized leather jacket, which Annabeth presumed belonged to the second stranger.
The second stranger was a boy that was most likely her age, with olive skin like his sister, raven-black hair, and beautiful sea-green orbs. He looked down-right freezing with his worn full sleeve shirt and patched-up pants. Together, Annabeth was almost certain they were siblings, as well as from the Seam.
"Sae, one coin for two bowls," the boy announced. Annabeth inwardly snorted. Who did he think he was? Sae never took less than two coins for a bowl, if you had coins at all. As expected, Sae gave him an incredulous look, wiping her hands on a dirty towel.
"There ain't no way I'm givin' that to ya, boy." Sae informed, looking conflicted. Annabeth had seen this look on her before, but not over such a cheap deal for the other party.
"Well, I know that not many folks around here have coin to spare, and I know how badly you've wanted some fresh, real, soft bread." The mystery boy replied with a smirk.
"And, I just went over to the baker a few hours ago, and after some negotiating, he's willing to sell a loaf, for a grand total of one, shiny coin I can give you right now, Sae." Annabeth positively gaped, noting how brilliant this boy was. The baker changed his pricing, just because mystery boy asked him to? Wow. He had to be good.
As expected, Sae pounced on the opportunity, and greedily snatched the coin from the stranger, and hastily handed over two steaming bowls.
"Jus' know I'm doin' this for the girl, she need some fat on her bones." Sae said, looking ready to dash to the bakery. Annabeth did agree with Sae though. Both siblings were painfully thin, the boy so much so, you could just make out his ribs through his clothing.
Accepting both bowls, the boy gave one to his little sister, and slurped some of the soup from the bowl himself. His sister finished fairly quickly, and, to her surprise, the boy was drinking his soup at a snail's pace, though he looked positively famished.
Smiling at his sister, the boy asked, "you want more Estelle?" Estelle, shook her head no, though Annabeth could see right through her and could tell Estelle was still hungry. Annabeth was touched by her kindness though, for a 4 year old to give up possible food when she was so blatantly starving.
The boy must have seen through his sister's facade too, as he transferred half of his soup to Estelle's bowl, which she reluctantly started to sip. The boy went back to his stew too, and before long, the pair was finished.
They thanked Sae, and went their way, with Estelle riding on her brother's shoulders. Estelle whispered something into her brother's ear, and their laughter rang through the air like a cool breeze on a humid summer day.
"They care for each otha' so much," Sae started, looking remorseful. "The pair of them are too goo' for this world, I'll tell ya." Annabeth had to agree with that, thinking of her own brothers, who would never give up the meager amount of food they had, even if they just ate.
Annabeth really wished there was something that she could give to them, and decided she would give both of them some berries next time they met. They needed them more than her. What she didn't know was that she wouldn't have the opportunity to do that for a while.
Yes? No? Maybe so? Let me know.
(Who knew I was such a poet?)
