Still continuing the Christmas!
Reyna blinked. Jessica narrowed her eyes, leaning forward slightly.
"It's dark magic, isn't it?"
"No."
"I have spent years trying to talk sense into that girl and you do it in two seconds."
"I do chase her with swords."
"So do I!"
"You do?"
"Yes! Who doesn't?" Jessica threw her hands up, half-turning away and planting her hands on her hips. "Honestly, demigods are overrated. I should get paid for this nonsense, where's Poseidon, let me yell at Poseidon. Oh, he's Neptune to you, isn't he?"
"Yes ma'am, but either one works. I know who you mean."
"None of that 'ma'am' business. Makes me feel old. Sally's more of a 'ma'am' than I am."
"Um, excuse me?" Sally protested.
"Talking about you, not to you. Where's Lou gone?" Sally shrugged a shoulder, still put out by the 'ma'am' comment. "Useless." Jessica chided. "Honestly, woman, what are you good for?" In response, Sally slugged her in the arm. "Ow." Jessica deadpanned, watching her counterpart stalk off.
"I see where Lou gets it from." Reyna remarked.
"Gets what?"
"Pissing people off."
"Oh, yeah, I mastered that looooong before Lou came along. Although, she's a natural. Don't tell her I said that. Where is she anyway?" She scanned the room, frowning. The Chases had arrived and it had become rather crowded in here. Grover was playing on his panpipes to baby Estelle, who giggled and clapped, bobbing her little head to the tune. Percy had donned her in a little elf onesie, although she had long lost the hat in babyish stubbornness. Tyson was sat cross-legged beside them, gently swaying along with the music. Annabeth was wrestling her brothers away from her desserts, her stepmother assuring Sally she wasn't old or a 'ma'am'.
Reyna hummed, scratching her chin.
"Too many people." She noticed.
"Ah. Yeah, that'd do it. What are you like climbing drain pipes?"
Reyna found Louisa on the roof, having stolen the trifle and working her way through it.
"You'll ruin your dinner."
"Have ya ever known me ta ruin my dinner?"
"Actually, no." Reyna sat beside her, dipping her finger in the topping. "Too peopley?" Louisa nodded, bouncing her leg as she scooped more dessert. "Your mother thinks I'm a witch. Don't agree to that." Louisa smiled sheepishly and offered a spoonful of trifle. "What did you do to it?"
"Nothin'. I wouldn't be eatin' it otherwise."
"Are you sure about that?"
"Mm, depends how the rest of the night goes." She shrugged a shoulder. Reyna rocked her head from side to side, seeing no argument there. Louisa nudged the spoon closer, sulking until Reyna ate.
"LOUISA!" Jessica's dulcet tones filled the air.
"WHAT?" Louisa shouted back. She leaned forward, teetering on the edge of the roof. Reyna grasped the back of her shirt, cursing her under her breath.
"Please stop doing that."
"Huh? One sec, Rey-Rey. WHAT D'YA WANT?"
"THAT IS NO WAY TO TALK TO YOUR MOTHER!" Jessica planted her hands on her hips. "GET DOWN HERE! AND BRING BACK THAT TRIFLE!"
"NO!"
"I'M GONNA COUNT TO THREE! ONE-"
"Shit, that's mad business." Louisa shoved the bowl at Reyna and leapt for the drain pipe. She wriggled down and joined her mother, tucking her hands behind her back. Jessica patted her on the head.
"Reyna, you too please!"
"Hey, how come ya ask her nicely?"
"Because she's a witch and I don't want to get turned into a frog."
"She ain't a witch!" Louisa huffed. She turned and saw Reyna already behind her, returning the bowl. "Oh damn, she might be a bit."
"Told you." Jessica smirked. "Uh, quick favour to ask though. Reyna, could you kindly use your witchy powers to keep her under control for the next two hours?"
"Oh no."
"Oh yes."
"No, no, no." Louisa groaned, dropping her head against her mother's arm.
"What?" Reyna asked, bewildered. "What's oh no?" Jessica smiled, although it was far more a grimace than anything happy.
"My mother is here. And… how should I put this? Uhhhh…." She tapped a finger on her chin, eyeing the sky as if it held the answers. "She's a massive douchebag. No-one likes her. And you've eaten her trifle. Merry Christmas, everyone."