Thanks for continuing to read! These next chapters will include some of the other characters such as Hazel and Jason. Please leave a comment and/or suggestion below! Also, check out my poll! Thanks!
Once again, two goddesses looked down on the mortal world from their secluded Mount Olympus. One was dressed in a full body of gleaming armor, while the other wore a simple white dress that flowed to the floor in ruffles.
"Hmm…" Athena contemplated. "I gave my child two gifts: an enhanced physique and a sudden extreme burst of passion. It seems that the later never wore off as intended."
"Oh darling isn't it obvious?" laughed Aphrodite. "I am an expert in these areas after all. I do know why her spontaneous passion—as you say—hasn't gone away."
"What do you mean? What possible explanation could be given for my daughter's continued lewd behavior?"
"Athena you were correct in saying that your gift wore off. It did so sometime last night I imagine, but as for the reason Annabeth hasn't stopped—"
"Choose your words carefully," warned the war goddess.
"—It's because this is her choice. Your daughter has chosen to act in this way, and nothing you did caused this."
"I see. So Annabeth has chosen her path to be a harlot?"
Aphrodite looked aghast, "Why would you say that? She will still be very much her old self, only with bursts of heat throughout her day. Most won't even notice her change, and if they do, I doubt they will think anything of it. Your daughter has a keen way of hiding her emotions from those she doesn't trust."
"Thank you."
"It wasn't a compliment."
Back on earth…
Annabeth and Percy walked hand-in-hand across the field to the Big House. Hazel was there reading a book in Latin. She wore a knee-length summer skirt and a matching knit sweater. She had always been a very conservative girl, which was apparent as she dressed quite modestly.
"Hi guys," she smiled sweetly. "I didn't see you at all last night. Jason and I were getting worried. Where were you?"
"Umm…" Percy mumbled.
"We were busy with some plans for the camp," Annabeth cut in.
"Oh, okay. You all right Percy? You look really red."
He cleared his throat, "Yea sorry. It's just hot out that's all."
Annabeth nudged him, "Percy's just being a seaweed brain." She turned to her boyfriend, "Hey why don't you go find Jason. I want to talk to Hazel for a while."
"But—" Percy stopped. "Oh alright."
The two girls watched him walk off towards the arena.
Hazel looked up confused, "What do you need to talk with me about?"
"Nothing really, I just have to show him whose boss every now and then."
She laughed thinking of Frank, "I know what you mean!"
The two girls became quiet for a few minutes, the summer breeze swirling around them, bringing a fresh smell of strawberries with it. The trees were in full bloom, along with the beds of flowers Katie Gardner had planted around the Big House. There were marigolds, roses, and a few lilies around the old wooden porch.
Hazel noticed Annabeth deep in thought, her brow slightly furrowed.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Oh nothing. It's just…"
"What? You can say it in front of me. If it's about Percy I promise I won't tell."
"No, no it's nothing like that."
"Then what is it?"
"It's about you Hazel. I always forget how much you've missed; how many things have happened since," she paused. "Since you got back."
"Frank tells me much of what has happened. Most of it is good, but I'm always shocked at all the bad."
"Does he ever talk about sex?"
Hazel looked bewildered. "Heavens no!" she gasped.
"See that's one of the things I'm getting at Hazel. People can talk about those sorts of things with each other, and nobody cares anymore."
Her eyes darted back and forth, as if she was afraid someone was secretly listening, "Even between a boy and girl?"
"Especially between a boy and girl. Most people don't even wait to get married nowadays."
"How horrible!" she breathed. "It's immodest!"
"Not as much as you'd think," Annabeth added. "Society has changed so much in the last seventy years or so Hazel. What used to be considered immoral or gross is usually completely normal today. Haven't you noticed Drew and most of the other Aphrodite clique? They all dress like sluts, but that's not why we hate them."
"It's why I hate them," Hazel replied.
"Maybe so, but what I'm trying to tell you is that being more open-minded is something that can get you very far these days. Just try that for me okay? The next time you see something that doesn't sound quite as moral as you'd like, reconsider it, and decide for yourself what it really is. Don't let the past control your life Hazel."
With those parting words, Annabeth jumped up and ran out of sight towards the U of cabins.
End of Part 13