"Hello brother," Hades says as he greets Poseidon.
"Well, well, look who escaped from the Underworld," Poseidon says with a chuckle then embraces his brother warmly, or at least warmly for the two of them.
"So you are not upset by my presence?" Hades asks.
"No, so long as you leave my boys alone," his brother tells him.
"I have nothing but congratulations today," Hades promises.
"Have you talked with Percy?" Poseidon asks.
"Not yet," Hades says, "I didn't want to shock the boy by just walking up to him."
"Come on, I'll take you to him," Poseidon says then leads his brother toward his son.
"Percy, look who has come to wish you well," Poseidon tells his boy.
"Uncle Hades!" Percy says in shock.
"Congratulations, son," Hades says offering his hand.
Percy gives him a suspicious look but then shakes his uncle's hand figuring with his dad there his uncle surely wouldn't try anything stupid. Then again, it is Hades.
"So are we OK now," Percy asks cautiously.
"For today," his uncle says then laughs.
"Well thanks for that, I guess," Percy says then finally smiles.
"I understand that you talked my son into staying at camp this summer," Hades continues changing the subject.
"Yes sir, he…" Percy says starting to defend himself.
"It's fine. The boy needs a little time away from the Underworld now and then even if I do miss him. We know I wish I could leave sometimes. Will you do me a favor while he is here?" Hades asks.
"If I can," Percy says thinking that if Hades needs a favor, it might not be that easy to accomplish.
"Would you make sure the boy gets laid? He is so depressed all the time."
Poseidon laughs so loud that several guests around them actually turn to see what is going on with the three of them.
"Well, I'll try sir, but it's not like I can take care of that all by myself," Percy says with a smile, "Nico is gonna have to do some of it himself."
Reyna is talking with Katie and Will, who will both be returning with her to Camp Jupiter for the summer, when someone comes up behind her and says, "Hello Beautiful."
"For gods sake Leo, let it go," she says, as she turns.
"Not Leo," he says with a chuckle.
"Lord Apollo!" she now says after seeing who was really behind her. "I'm sorry My Lord. I did not realize…" she says now really embarrassed.
"Not to worry," he says with a smile that blinds her.
"Dad, you're not really going to hit on a girl right in front of me are you?" Will asks in disbelief.
"Run along and play with your friend son," Apollo says shooing the two younger demigods away.
"Come on Katie," Will says, grabbing his friend by the arm, "We don't really want to see this."
"So praetor, how are things in Rome these days?" Apollo asks.
"I could not say My Lord, I have not been to Rome," Reyna answers truthfully.
"New Rome," he corrects.
"It's lovely this time of year, and this spring it has been very peaceful," she tells him with a polite smile.
"Maybe I should stop in for a visit. I can't remember the last time I was there," he says then reaches for a lock of her hair and starts playing with it. "Would you personally show me around?" he asks then actually smells her hair.
"My Lord, I'm sure a tour by Octavian would…" she starts to say when he abruptly stops her.
"No, not that upstart," he says sharply, "I should think that a god would warrant a little of your time, praetor."
"Yes, My Lord, of course. I meant no disrespect," she says fearing that she's angered him.
"No need to apologize," he says now smiling again so brightly she almost shields her eyes.
"My Lord, I fear you seek more than I have the experience to provide," she says then looks away a little embarrassed.
"My sweet," Apollo says with a comforting laugh, "You need not worry about experience. I have enough for both of us."
Reyna looks at him for a second then has to laugh herself, "Oh my gods, that is so not a good pick-up line."
"But is it working?" he asks with a smile.
Iris is helping Sally with the cake when Percy walks up to the two of them.
"Lady Iris, I wanted to tell you again how glad I am that you came today," he tells the goddess.
"You're one of my favorite demigods, besides my own children of course, I wanted to be here today," she says caressing his cheek.
"Iris has been a big help to me with the food as well," his mom tells him, as she grabs the cake server.
"Um, did you make the cake?" he asks looking at Iris and praying she says no.
"I offered, but your mother had already ordered that. Fleecy and I brought the veggies though," she answers.
"Oh good," he says relieved, but then notices Iris' feelings seem to be hurt, "The veggie were awesome."
Iris smiles now and says, "100% organic."
"Would you and Annabeth let everyone know we will be doing the cake soon," his mother now asks.
"Sure Mom," he says then kisses her and walks away to find his bride.
"Does it have to be a half-blood?" Travis is asking when Nico walks up to the guys.
"What's up?" Nico asks.
"Nothing," Connor says sounding guilty of something for the second time today.
"Did you guys hear I'll be at camp this summer?" Nico continues.
"Yeah, we were just taking about that," Travis says then Leo punches him in the side. "I mean a few minutes ago."
"You three are up to something," Nico says suspiciously.
"Us, no man," Leo says trying to sound innocent since the Stolls are incapable of sounding that way.
"What?" Nico insists.
"We were just thinking of some girls to fix you up with is all," Leo finally admits.
"I'm capable of getting a girl on my own," Nico says defensively.
"Then why did your dad…" Travis says but gets punched by Connor this time.
"My dad what?" Nico asks now getting pissed.
"Nothing," Leo says knowing they are getting into some dangerous territory now. After all, Nico is the son of the Lord of Death.
"Whatever," Nico says then starts to leave.
"Nico man," Leo says grabbing his arm, "Look, we're all in the same boat as you. None of us has had much luck with babes. We just need to support each other and see what we can do to help each other with the ladies."
"Yeah, OK, actually I had someone in mind for you Leo. I kind of overheard something today," Nico says.
"Really," Leo says then leads his buddy away to talk.
"Hey wait! What about us?" Connor yells, as he and Travis start after them.
"Hi guys," Annabeth says when she happens upon Will and Katie.
"Annabeth," Will says giving her a hug.
"So I noticed you talking with Reyna earlier. You should maybe pursue that this summer while you're with her at Jupiter," Annabeth says sweetly.
Katie motions for Annabeth not to go there, but it's too late.
"Looks like dear old Dad already beat me to it," Will says then glances back toward where he left the two of them.
"What?" Annabeth says not understanding.
"We were talking with Reyna when Apollo ran us off so he could hit on Reyna," Katie explains.
"I'm sorry, but look, I know Reyna. She's too smart to fall for your dad's moves," Annabeth says trying to make him feel better.
"I don't know, she seems to be pretty interested," he says still watching his dad and Reyna laughing together.
"Well there are other girls at Camp Jupiter," Annabeth continues. "I wanted to let you know that we will be cutting the cake in just a few minutes."
"We'll be there," Katie says then puts her arms around Will.