Woah it's been like nearly two years since I last updated…I doubt people will still read this but I guess I'll just finish this to fulfill my own satisfaction pfft.
Annabeth's eyes widened as the sudden realization dawned upon her. Of course, Aphrodite! How foolish she was, not having noticed that before. Silently, she scolded herself, thinking about all that could be avoided if she had figured that out earlier! Now she would go up to that phony love goddess, go right face-to-face, and confront her. After all, she was just a love goddess.
Just a love goddess.
Yet Percy and her...the intimate, smooth relationship broke that easily. Were they not close enough yet? Was it starting to get one-sided, this seemingly infinite love of theirs?
"Percy," she whispered softly, suddenly gripping the boy's hand for support.
"It's...Ap...Aphrodite. Remember the wings? That's a dove right? Of course it was. It was Aphrodite, spying on us, plotting a plan to thwart our love life. Then my dream...two goddesses said the deity of dolphins and sea foam was causing all the chaos. I was deluded, and decided that it was Poseidon...Oh Percy, I'm sorry. I really am."
Percy stared at her, mouth gaping, for quite a moment. Then he remembered everything from the day at the beach. Before, part of his memory seemed hazy and such, even his emotions were all over the place. He felt sudden urges of anger, frustration and depression at the most untimely times and he couldn't even coordinate his body movements clearly. In the end, it really was some deity messing with all of them.
"It's alright," he said soothingly. "But let's go find that Aphrodite now."
"Oh no, someone found out!" Clarisse giggled childishly. "Did you forget about our existence, my poor son of a barnacle beard?"
She reached out her hand and summoned Maimer. The electric spear seemed to spark in obedience, but a pink bow was tied near the head, making it not look intimidating at all. Percy tried hard to stifle laughter that was threatening to explode. A small grin escaped, a small fatal grin.
"What are you grinning at, S.O.A.B.B.?" Nico growled, but it wasn't quite easy to be terrified of one's voice when it was pitched so high, like a girl's. "Ooh Clarisse, new nickname for Prissy."
"Shut up, you insolent creature!" Clarisse snapped. Then she turned towards Percy, "Don't laugh, Prissy. This spear makes you unable to love again if it touches you. So if I were you, I wouldn't be off guard."
"Sure sure, no one's off guard," Percy backed away two steps, holding up his hands in a protective manner. "Where's Aphrodite?"
"Stuff it, beast!" She shoved her spear tip near Percy's throat. "Or I'll either kill you, or make you lose your love for everybody."
Percy wisely said nothing in reply, though a storm was starting to rage in his sea green eyes. Smirking proudly, Clarisse lowered her spear. Her eyes were crazed, pupil narrowed to something that resembled a slit in the sea of brown. A demented grin was also prominent on her face, just like those typical yandere characters going insane. Nico was of not much difference-a delirious smirk with matching wild brown eyes.
"It's good that you know what's good for you, eh boy?" A hideous laughter rang out loud and clear from Clarisse. "Nico, take them. We're bringing them to mistress."
"Of course, of course!" Nico yapped in agreement, just like an obedient yet innocent puppy.
Annabeth was disgusted and felt ready to puke at the sudden character change in him. It was revolting, forcing a person to act against his own will and to make him pretend to be someone who he wasn't. Whoever that possessed them...must be a heartless person. Which was quite ironic, of course, since deities of love should have a heart and be somewhat loving. Well maybe not.
With a ear-splitting whistle from Nico, two huge birds, one sparrow, one dove, flew down and landed next to the two demigods. Trapped. Those birds weren't normal-sized; they stood even taller than an average man and had sharp, seemingly polished beaks. Their talons were encased in rich diamond, transparently glamorous yet strong.
"Off you go to the love goddess! She has been dying to talk to you again," Clarisse yelled out, grinning widely. Her arms were on her waist and she lifted one to wave farewell to the two as they were plucked from the ground and lifted up by beaks.
"My T-shirt is tearing."
"Don't worry, you will look handsome without it."
"Thanks for the sarcasm, but the fall will hurt."