Leo grunted and pulled at a wire on his latest creation. Nico was lounging on a wooden chair nearby with Will, and Leo suspected they would start making out soon. When he risked a glance and saw them kissing, he hauled Will to his feet, and shoved him out of the door.

"Really Valdez?" Nico drawled.

Leo glared at him.

"Yes really, Di-Angelo, If you want to make out with Solace get out of my workshop!" He said, aiming a kick at Nico.

" Do you really want to go there, Valdez?" Nico snarled, getting to his feet. Shadows swirled around him, and his eyes turned black. Leo lifted his hands and prepared to fight. Fighting was.. different here. It was, for some, a way of revenge, for others, a show of trust (but never too much, the only person you can trust is yourself) for others , with one night stands, and long term partners, it was a display of passion and lust but for others still, it was simply a way of relieving their pent up frustrations. The pot had bubbled over, and Nico and Leo were ready to duel.

Leo lunged, hands burning and long, painted red nails scratching. Nico tried to sidestep, but ended up with a handprint burnt onto his left arm.

In retaliation, Nico pulled darkness out of Leo's flames and weaved complicated dances of shadows, designed to inflict as much non-fatal damage as possible. A small black arrow streamed towards Leo, and imprinted a large black, crispy blot onto his leg.

"Oh screw off!" Leo shouted, kicking at Nico's legs.

Nico leant in close and whispered "No, I don't think I will." Just then, the door slammed open, and Leo and Nico flew apart. It was dangerous to fight in front of unknown people. Hazel and Frank, followed closely by Will, slammed into the room.

Leo and Nico turned and did a small nod to each other. Just enough to expose the backs of their necks (a sign of trust) but not enough to be counted as a bow. (Never a bow, you bow to The Queen and King only). Leo walked over to Frank and kissed him. Once it started getting too heated for the present company, Hazel tapped Frank on the shoulder and spoke " That's really hot, guys, but Queen Annabeth has called a council that starts in the next 20 minutes. A traitor was found and Athena has been defeated. They need a creative way to announce our victory. General spirit has been lacking recently, after Rashna was murdered by one of the disgusting minor gods who support the Olympians."

" Ugh, yes, that particular murder was disgusting wasn't it?" Will said from where he was standing by Nico " Her eyes gouged out and her skin all cracked. The little mortal nearly threw up when they saw it"

" Speaking of the mortal, how are they doing?" Annabeth stood behind them, eyes bright with interest. The demigods all sank into a bow, but, once the usual marks of respect had been exchanged, they resumed the easy, if cautious, friendship they had.

" I hear they are becoming quite the strategist. Remind me of their name again?" She asked

" It's Ash, my queen" Frank said, his voice gravelly and rough from lack of sleep. He had been up all night training.

" And their pronouns are they/them correct?" She said. She did not expect an answer, she was testing them. " Also, it's just Annabeth when we are in private, Frank"

" How did they arrive here, darling? I keep forgetting." Percy sauntered in through the door. His black hair was wind ruffled.

" Percy, you know their parents kicked them out because Ash didn't agree with their parent's bigoted views. It's not that hard to forget." She said.

" Well, see you at the war council rooms in 15 minutes" Percy said. "Don't be late" his voice was lined with the hint of a threat.