Another round of disclaimers
+ Camp Half Blood and the characters involving it belong to Rick (god bless)
+ Cover art belongs to Viria.
+ This story deals with alcohol, if anyone is offended, I apologise in advance.
+ Within this chapter I made a comment about the Aphrodite cabin, that may irritate some readers. I believe the children of Aphrodite are much more than pretty faces, but for the sake of the plot, I went against that belief.
+ I am aware that Dionysus hasn't actually left camp, but this my own take of the events after BOO.
A few more things,
+ percabeth-pothena requested Annabeth!
+ Thank you very much for the positive reviews.
+ Word count 3,653
So here we go, enjoy (:
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o ANNABETH CHASE o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Piper was silent.
Annabeth laced her fingers through the railing above her, trying not to notice Piper. Who was still very unsure of the conversation they just had.
Annabeth and Piper were standing outside the big house, leaning against the paint peeled staircase leading to the porch. Both girls needed to speak with Chiron, they patently waited together whilst he finished speaking with Juniper. Annabeth had just told Piper of the events that unfolded this morning involving the party. After she was finished, Piper lowered her head, her eyebrows rose together and met in the middle. She was in deep thought. Annabeth would know.
After what seemed like a few minutes, Piper raised her head and met Annabeth's eyes, "Are you sure they have wine?"
Annabeth straightened up, "That's what Miranda told me this morning"
"Have you or Miranda actually seen this wine?"
Annabeth threaded her arms around the guardrail, "Well, no" she mumbled
Piper made an eloquent expression, "Then how do you know they're not making it up?"
Though Piper did have a point, she hadn't actually seen the wine. But, she doubted the Stolls would go as far as to plan a party just to fabricate a lie. Then again, it could just be another one of their pranks.
"It's possible, it could be a lie" Annabeth told Piper, "Even so, Chiron should know what the Stolls are planning"
"Why?" Despite the context of the conversation, Piper maintained a cool and soothing voice, "Why do you need to tell him, it's just a party Annabeth"
Annabeth inhaled sharply, slightly hurt. There it was again, the same thing Percy said to her this morning, it's just a party.
"It may not be just a party" she raised her voice in frustration, "There's a possibility of wine"
"I find it very hard to believe, that Dionysus left behind wine, after not being able to drink it for fifty years" Piper looked towards the lake, "And even if there is, I don't see the harm"
Annabeth tensed. "Well, I do" she spoke sternly.
Piper walked towards her with a reassuring smile on her face, she sat down on the stairs and pulled Annabeth next to her.
"Has anyone ever told you that you worry too much?"
Annabeth laughed, "I tell myself that everyday"
Annabeth held on to her knees tightly and looked up at Piper.
"I always think of the worst possible outcome and this Party could end so badly, with or without wine"
"That's true, but, all those campers down there" Piper spoke, nodding towards the bustling camp, "have just been through a war, some even two. We all work extremely hard, frankly, I'm surprised the idea of a party hasn't come up before"
"So you think we should have a party?" Annabeth questioned.
Piper slowly tilted her head to the side, "no, I think it sounds pretty stupid, But, I wouldn't stop it"
Annabeth bowed her head, "I have too" she murmured, "I can't let anything bad happen to this place, to them"
A hand wrapped around Annabeth pulling her into a friendly hug, "You do whatever you feel is right"
Annabeth softened, "are you worried?"
"A little" she admitted.
Piper and Annabeth stayed in that position for a while, Annabeth leaning on Pipers shoulder, while she rubbed her back soothly.
A thought came to Annabeth, she pulled away from Piper to look at her. "Why are you here?"
Piper let out a little giggle followed by a groan, "I was hoping you wouldn't ask"
"My siblings want me to speak to Chiron about the Camp shirts" Piper sighed, "It's hard to make orange look appealing" she recited.
"I couldn't tell, your siblings, they always look so…" Annabeth struggled for the words.
"Beautiful, pretty, fashionable?"
"No" Annabeth said as dramatically as she could, "They look so Vogue"
Piper laughed whole heartily, "I'll be sure to pass that on"
The girls conversation was interrupted by a sudden stiffness in the air. The light hitting the porch got darker, the temperature dropped, sending chills down Annabeth's spine and giving Piper goose bumps. The sensation quickly passed, leaving the girls dumbfound.
"What was that?" Piper asked Annabeth, who shrugged.
"That would be me"
Both girls jumped at the sound of another voice, from around the porch Nico di Angelo emerged.
Nico was wearing his usual dark attire, with a shirt that read 'I see dead people'. He didn't look as pale as he had at the beginning at the year, his Italian features become more apparent. His hair was still long, but he now tied it with an elastic.
"I didn't mean to frighten you" Nico suppressed his smirk.
"Shadow traveling, Nico?" Annabeth taunted, "I thought you didn't do that anymore"
Nicos face fell, "Just don't tell Will"
"Why are you here?" Piper rephrased her question "I mean, aren't you meant to be in the underworld"
His expression hardened, "Yes, I am"
"Are you staying at camp?"
"Apparently" Nico stared absent mindedly towards the ground, then looked up at the girls, "are you here to speak with Chiron"
"Yes, so get in line" Annabeth patted the seat next to her and Nico obliged.
"So, why are you here Piper" Nico asked in the most playful tone he could manage.
Piper grunted, "Trying to get the camp shirts changed, my cabin doesn't like the colour" she gestured to her own camp tee.
"I don't blame them, it is quite…orange"
Annabeth snickered, "Not a fan, Nico?"
He made a disgusted expression and shook his head, "are you here about the camp shirt"
Annabeth swallowed debating whether she should tell Nico about the party, "No, I'm here to talk about this stupid party that's going on"
"A party?" Nico repeated, "Is Jason and Percy behind it?"
"No, Jason is visiting Camp Jupiter" Piper clarified.
Nico looked slightly disappointed to hear that, "so what makes this party so 'stupid'"
Annabeth decided to tell Nico what happened this morning, or what supposedly happened this morning.
When she was done Nico looked confused, "How did Connor manage to get his hands on wine belonging to Dionysus?"
"He found it, up in his old room" Annabeth gestured towards the big house.
"I find that rather difficult to believe"
"That's what I thought" Piper chimed.
The three continued with casual small talk, until Chiron was ready for them.
Not long after, they heard his wheelchair roll around the side of the porch with Juniper by his side. Piper got up from the step ready to greet him.
"Thanks again Chiron, I'll be sure to tell Grover what you said."
Juniper gracefully ran down the stairs and waved at Annabeth, "Hey Girls…and boy" Then disappeared into the camp.
"Mrs Mclean, Nice to see you" Chiron said from the porch.
"I think I know what this is about" he chuckled
Piper awkwardly nodded and headed up the stairs, Chiron then greeted Annabeth with a kind nod. He gave a questioned look to Nico, who was still sitting beside her.
"Mr Di Angelo, I didn't expect you to return so soon"
Nico kept his head down and mumbled something inaudible.
Chiron's expression altered to something unreadable "Well then, this session is nearly over, get your camp shirt on and head over to your next activity"
Nico did a quiet smirk and stood facing Chiron, "I'm fine with what I'm wearing, Chiron."
Chiron challenged, "It's regulation to wear the shirt"
"To bad I don't own one" Nico countered.
Chiron shook his head, "Well, you can easily purchase one from the camp store, come inside I'll give you a few drachma"
"I don't need any drachma" Nico growled.
"Nether less, I wish to speak with you and Mrs Mclean here" Chiron wheeled himself around the side porch out of view, wishing to hear no more of Nicos excuses.
Nico deeply inhaled as he shuffled past the girls and around the porch; Piper looked at Annabeth and gave a reassuring smile.
"Wish me luck" she joked as she walked towards Chiron and Nico out of sight.
Annabeth waved her off and stretched herself out over the first few steps.
She gazed out towards the bustling camp, the view was breathtaking from the big house. The camp sprawled out so clearly, the ring of cabins around the central green, the arena, the stables, where Annabeth should be right now. She spotted Grover siting in the middle of the strawberry fields, over at the forges she saw two boys talking against a column. Annabeth squinted, trying to make out who it was, it was either Connor or Travis and- Leo?
Annabeth looked away and rested her head against the baluster. Closing her eyes, trying to pass the time. A scream echoed from across the camp, Annabeth immediately stood up and she ran over to the side porch, recognizing Leos name.
Annabeth couldn't see much from far away, but she made out one of the Stolls running down the hill followed by who she assumed was Leo. Something was rolling in front of them.
Piper, Nico and Chiron were leaning against the porch above Annabeth.
"Is that Leo?" Piper said to no one In particular.
"That's either Travis or the other one" Nico observed.
Chiron sat forward in his wheelchair, "What on Olympus are they chasing?" he spoke as if he already knew the answer.
The four of them watched the two boys race down the hill chasing the mystery item. Whatever it was, it was heading towards the cabins. Annabeth looked on with interest waiting for it to collide with the buildings ahead. The item hit a slant and flew through the air, Annabeths eyes widened. Clear now, the item was a glass bottle filled with purple liquid.
Wine.
Annabeth and Piper exchanged glances, they both watched as the wine smacked back to the ground and straight for the Hermes cabin. The bottle collided with the wooden structure. The two boys stopped running and Annabeth suppressed her relief.
She looked up towards Piper, whom was smiling down at her. Nico swiftly moved around Chiron and Piper towards the stairs. Chiron wheeled himself around.
"Thank you for understanding" Chiron called towards Nico, who was already walking out the driveway.
Piper made her way forward.
"Same to you" Chiron spoke regarding Piper.
Piper made her way down the stairs and stood beside Annabeth, "Oh, I understand, I don't think the rest of my cabin will quite agree"
Chiron lightly chuckled and turned towards Annabeth, "What can I do you for dear?"
Annabeth looked over to the cabins where the wine had just broken and then back to Chiron, "Actually, I was just waiting for Piper"
"Very well, prepare for your next activity" Chiron wheeled himself over to the side porch and gave a worried glance towards the cabins, signalling them to leave.
Annabeth waited until she was a few meters away from The Big House before she addressed Piper, "They did have wine" she said smugly.
"They had wine" Piper giggled, "But they managed to break it within two hours"
Both girls were laughing now.
"I should have known better than to think they could pull this party off" Annabeth remarked.
Piper caught her breath, "I'm just relieved"
"Tell me about it"
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o NICO DI ANGELO o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Nico was sitting in the arts and craft pavilion not doing any actual arts and craft. Instead, he helplessly tugged the collar of his new camp shirt trying to relive himself of the discomfort.
The pavilion was a spacious room framed by mosaic walling, excluding the front which was supported by greek columns. Thin white drapes hung over the large entrance, but in the morning breeze they danced around exposing the camp outside.
The pavilion was rather busy today, each bench was overflowing with campers buzzing with friendly conversation. Apart from Nicos, at his bench sat Pollux a son of Dionysus and Clovis a son of Hypnos, whom unsurprisingly was sprawled atop the table sound asleep. Other than the three boys, the bench was empty, as it was every other day.
Pollux effortlessly worked on a clay vase, while Nico sat across from him observing the mosaic imagery surrounding the area. He and Pollux rarely ever spoke to each other, nor did Clovis if he was awake. Sometimes they would exchange, "good mornings" or "it's nice out". Other than that, the boys didn't engage in conversation, it was an unspoken agreement between the three. Nonetheless, Nico enjoyed their company.
Nicos mind was elsewhere today anyway, his head still wrapped in the conversation he shared with his father no more than an hour ago. It was an agreement they made, if Nico were to spend a few months at camp, he could return to the underworld for a few weeks. Mainly just to have a break from people, living people at least, and to see his father he supposed. After a few days, Hades unexpectedly told Nico it would be best for him to return to camp. Nico knew there was no point arguing, he collected his things and left, not bothering to ask when he was able to return.
Nico took his eyes away from the mosaic and looked around the pavilion, just in time to see Leo Valdez enter. He wasn't smiling, which was odd. Leo's face was drained of his usual colour, his mouth was tight to match his eyes. Nico watched as Leo searched for an empty space, purposely ignoring the myriad of space available at his bench. Eventually Leo gave up and began to make his way towards the bench.
The thought of Leo unsettled Nico.
Nico knew about the physician cure, he knew Leo had died and come back. The very idea of that unsettled him, it was unnatural. Leo had cheated death, he had cheated his father, in some ways he had cheated Nico. Since Leo returned to camp he had been avoiding Nico, as if Nico were going to drag him back to the underworld. Like, "Hey dad, don't mind me, just condemning a Spanish elf to death, what's for dinner?" Nico smirked at the thought.
Leo uneasily stood at his table, his expression distraught.
"Is he dead?" Leo asked, referring to the sleeping Clovis.
"No, just sleeping" Pollux replied, not taking his eyes of his Vase.
Nico looked over at Clovis, just to be sure, his stomach rose and fell peacefully.
Leo took a seat next to Pollux. "Oh, you two just look like you're in mourning"
Nico internally rolled his eyes, that's one thing he didn't miss about Leo, his humour.
Leo looked awkward and out of place sitting next to Pollux, he kept exchanging nervous glances towards Nico.
"Is there a reason you're here?" Nico didn't mean for it to sound rude.
Leos expression changed to a look of determination, "Actually, I came to tell you something"
Neither Nico nor Pollux spoke, they displayed little interest in whatever it was Leo came to tell them.
"Have either of you heard about a party that's happening tonight?"
Nico narrowed his eyes towards Leo, he knew all about the party, of the wine and how it crashed into the cabins not long ago. Nico opened his mouth to speak, but Pollux spoke for him.
"Do we look like the kind that would be interested in a party?"
Despite being a son of Dionysus, Pollux wasn't the party type, he was restrained and quiet. Though he did seem to develop his father's social adequacy.
Leo shifted his body around so he was facing Pollux directly. "I think you'll find it interesting"
"Try me"
"Apparently, your dad left a bottle of wine at camp and Conner got his hands on it"
Pollux raised his head and looked at Leo for the first time.
"You're lying" he spoke slowly and sternly.
"I suppose you'll have to see for yourself" Leo said rather victoriously, as if he'd just accomplished something.
Pollux shook his head in disbelief.
"Dad, he would never leave his wine, Castor-" Pollux took a shaky breath, he never spoke of his brother, "Castor and I used to count his collection, there were always forty in total, he would never leave one behind"
Nico found it strange that Dionysus would keep so much wine at camp, when he was forbidden to drink it.
"Have you seen it? The wine?" Pollux pounded Leo with questions.
Leo hesitated "No, Connor just told me about it"
"You haven't seen it?" Nico clarified, seeing through his lie.
"No, but, Connor sounded convincing"
"So what were you chasing downhill this morning, it seemed awfully like a bottle of some sort"
Nico and Leo maintained speechless eye contact, he was lying and Nico knew it.
"It wasn't wine" He finally said, "It was my brass polish"
"Brass Polish" Nico repeated, "I didn't realise it came in a big bottle like that"
From on top of the table Clovis began to move, "- Poseidons nipple"
Leo maintained a chuckle, while Nico looked at Clovis disgusted, what kind of dream was he having?
Pollux looked back towards Leo, "Connor, He's lying"
"Come tonight, cabin one after campfire"
Nico scoffed, "Cabin one, great Idea"
Leo ignored him.
"So, will you be there"
Nico noted how he spoke to Pollux rather than the whole table. Clovis was awake now, dazed but awake.
"Be where?" Clovis yawned, barely audible.
"Leo, wants us to come to a party" Pollux told him.
"The same party everyone's talking about?"
Nico leaned across the bench towards Clovis, "Who's everyone?"
"Um-well, the Stolls and Will were talking or fighting about it. Then there was Percy during armed combat"
"Will? As in Solace?"
Clovis nodded a faint smile on his lips.
To Nico, Percy and Will seemed like the two most unlikely people to agree with this party.
Leo met Nicos eyes.
"So, will you be there?" he repeated himself.
Pollux stood, "I'll go, just to see their lies"
He lowered his chin towards Nico and Clovis, signalling a goodbye. Then he swiftly left the Pavilion.
Clovis pressed his two middle fingers against his temple, then flicked them away. "Adios"
"All we needed was some orchestra music to play as he left, otherwise, that was one hell of an exit"
Nico looked at Leo blankly.
"Oh sorry, that was one Tartarus of an exit"
"I'll be there" Nico spoke before he could process what it was he was actually saying.
Leo didn't look too happy about that. Clovis on the other hand perked up.
"Just so you can brood in the corner?" he joked.
"No, for the same reason as Pollux, I want to see your lies"
Nico knew Leo had seen the wine, he may have even gotten his hands on it. But, that didn't matter as the wine had crashed and broken. It was far gone.
Leo rose thinly from his seat. "I'm going to get some air, Clovis, Nico-, always a pleasure"
Nico knew there would always be tension between them. He nodded his head curtly at Leo and watched him leave.
Clovis was sitting crossed legged on the table, elongated his arms and addressed Nico.
"Tell me, what was all that 'to see through lies' stuff?"
"The wine" Nico replied, not taking his eyes away from the white drapes Leo just exited from. "Pollux doubts they ever had wine, I doubt that they still have wine"
Clovis shifted uneasily. "Wine? What wine?"
Nico briskly moved his eyes towards Clovis and back on the drapes.
"The wine" he repeated, "The whole reason we're having this party"
"I didn't know about the wine" Clovis said confounded.
Then he quickly jumped from the table with a silent curse.
"I have to tell Percy"
He staggered a little as he walked, giving a quick wave back to Nico before exiting. He now sat alone at the bench.
He found it strange.
Strange, that his father asked him to leave the underworld, the day the camp was to hold a party. He found it strange that Dionysus took thirty nine bottles of wine back to Olympus and left one behind. He found it strange the Chiron saw the wine this morning, but said nothing of it.
Nico sat alone at his bench and pondered his judgements for the rest of the session, trying to make some sort of connection. As he sat alone, drumming his fingers along the wooden table, gazing at the clay vase Pollux left behind. A question came to thought.
Nico questioned whether the wine spontaneously appeared in Dionysus closet or if it was left there purposely.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o DIONYSUS o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Dionysus lounged on his leopard print sofa, counting drachma.
The drachma were split into uneven piles of eleven, each pile marked an Olympians name. The Olympians always enjoyed a friendly wager an honest contest.
He counted nine drachma and placed them under the pile listed Apollo, from the muses. Then another ten drachma and split them evenly among the Hades and Hermes pile, from Charon.
Six towards Demeter from Triptolemus.
Seven on Zeus from Hercules.
Twelve for Poseidon from Iris.
Five on Athena and another seven on Ares from Nike.
Fifteen from Hebe.
Eleven from Jauns.
Six from Hypnos.
The bets kept coming.
Dionysus placed five drachma in his own pile, for his son.
By the looks of the bets, the immortals had no issues with his plan, excluding a few. It was the mortals, the demigods that were against it. Against the idea of a party. He had to influence a few of them to agree. Nevertheless, the wine was still intact and the party was still underway.
Hephaestus TV blared in front of the wine god as he counted. It showed an Image of Connor Stoll, talking to other campers. Dionysus looked up, his eyes shone a wild purple.
"They don't even know what they're in for" He smirked before changing the channel.
"OO – The Real Housewives of Olympus, I love this show"
How about some feedback?
1. How did you like this chapter?
2. Whose POV would you like next? (I do two a chapter with exceptions)
3. Do want the next chapter to continue with Camp Half Blood or should we go to Olympus?
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Thank you very much for reading and have a fantastic day/evening or night xx