I stabbed myself today.
Oh, don't worry; I'm not dying, obviously. We're making lino prints in art and we're carving out bits that we want to keep white when we're printing. I just wasn't paying attention (by this point, I had been carving out bits of lino for nearly two hours) and stabbed my finger. And it hurt.
Anyway, I don't think anyone was happy with my cliffy last night, so here's that update you all want. One question- what colour is nectar? I've got it down as amber, but for the life of me, I can't remember.
Crystal opened her eyes groggily and instantly saw a pair of silvery-grey eyes staring down at her. They were quizzical, yet concerned, but she also saw relief in them.
"Are you OK?" Alvie asked.
"Wh- what happened?" Her voice was hoarse and her throat felt like someone had poured acid down it.
"I'm not sure." Alvie admitted, turning away briefly. He looked back at her, holding a glass of amber liquid. He held it out to her, but her hands were shaking terribly and she didn't trust herself to hold it. Instead, Alvie helped her drink it, telling her it was nectar and that she was only allowed a little bit.
Crystal didn't want a little bit of nectar. It tasted so heavenly, so amazing- she protested when Alvie took it away. "You're only a little bit godly." He told her. "Nectar and ambrosia would burn mortals and leave them as, um…" He paused, frowning slightly. "A smoking pile of ashes, Dad said."
"Nice way to go." She muttered sarcastically. Alvie didn't pick up on that.
"I don't think burning from the inside out is a nice way to go."
"Alvie, I was joking."
"Oh." His cheeks faded pink. "Sorry." He mumbled. Crystal laughed softly, reaching for his hand. She did feel a bit better already, well enough to tug his hand and make him sit down next to her.
"You're adorable." She smiled.
"Tobias says 'adorable' is an offensive to his manliness."
"Everything with Tobias is an offensive to his so-called manliness." Crystal rested her head on his shoulder. "You're comfortable as well." She said, finding herself impressed at his growing list of talents- he read, he was smart, he could do a girl's hair, he could cook some things, he was psychic with telekinetic abilities and he made a good pillow.
"He has a list." Alvie told her. "Jessica said his spelling was terrible, but he has a list he keeps on the fridge."
"A list on what is offensive to his manliness?" She felt Alvie nod.
"And what isn't." He added.
"Huh. Normal people have shopping lists or to-do lists on their fridges. He has a list of do's and don'ts on manliness."
"We're not normal people." Crystal gave a short laugh at his blunt reply.
"You've got that right." They fell into a comfortable silence. Crystal laced her fingers with his and stared out the window opposite her bed. It gave a nice view of the Camp with the lake glistening in the distance, the sun warming the strawberry fields and making the strange assortment of cabins seem more homely.
"Why did you scream?" He asked, breaking the silence. Cold dread ran through her, settling in her stomach and leaving a metallic taste in her mouth.
"Don't freak or anything, but-" She told him what the voice had said and then mentioned the sudden burning agony that had made her feel as if someone was ripping her skull in two. "Honestly, Alvie, I wanted to rip my head off, it hurt so much."
"I don't think that would've helped."
A knock on the door interrupted them and Nico stuck his head round.
"Everything OK?" He asked.
"Where's Dad?"
"Oh, I'm not good enough?" Nico mocked a hurt look.
"No, I just-" Nico grinned at him, leaving Alvie confused.
"Percy and Annabeth are on their way up." Nico walked in, leaving the door open behind him. "What were you talking about?"
"I asked Crystal why she was screaming and-"
"And I told him I was hearing a voice in my head, but nothing else, like you lot talking."
"And then you said something about wanting… wanting to rip your head off?" Nico looked amused, yet questioning. Crystal explained again and by the time she had finished, Percy and Annabeth arrived and she had to explain again.
"Great…" Percy said, drawing out the word with mock enthusiasm. "Another weird kid."
"Hey!" Nico and Crystal protested. Percy grinned cheekily. Crystal folded her arms sulkily while Nico looked like he was planning to hurt Percy- a lot.
"Anyway," Annabeth shot her husband a pointed look. "Did you recognise the voice at all?" Crystal shook her head. "How are you feeling now?"
"Alvie gave me some of that nectar stuff, so better thanks." Annabeth just nodded. "Am I going crazy?" They all smiled.
"Welcome to our world." Percy grinned.
They didn't get to the bottom of the random voice in Crystal's head, but it never came back, much to her relief.
Crystal got the tour of the Camp, which she wanted, and Alvie directed her around, which made it even better. They didn't talk about the prophecy once. Not until they passed the hearth in the centre of the ring of cabins.
Normally, Crystal would walk past something like this. Alvie didn't, detouring and kneeling at the edge. A fire was burning, warm and homely, even though it was fairly warm anyway. Crystal didn't understand at first and was somewhat shocked to see a six year old girl casually walk out of the fire.
Alvie beckoned her over as the girl sat next to him. Crystal stumbled forward and sat on Alvie's other side.
The girl looked young, obviously, but her eyes were warm and kind, with wisdom far beyond her years etched deeply within.
"Lady Hestia, this is Crystal." Alvie said. Hestia? Crystal's knowledge on gods was a little rusty, but Hestia sounded familiar, she just couldn't place it.
"Granddaughter of Hades." Hestia inclined her head in greeting. "Your father visits me from time-to-time."
"Nico?" Hestia nodded again.
"He's a good man." Hestia turned to Alvie. "Your prophecy will unfold in the next few weeks and everything will become clear. I'm afraid I'm not allowed to say anymore." (Because Art says so). The goddess looked back at Crystal. "Hades has been kind enough to clear your mind of that voice and they won't return." Crystal smiled. "He expects some form of thanks."
"Um, how?"
"You burn food for him." Alvie responded as casually as if he were discussing the weather.
"Burn food?" Alvie just nodded and didn't elaborate. "Oookay… Any specific food?"
"Hades likes tofu burgers, courtesy of Leo Valdez." Hestia smiled. "But any form of burgers will do." Crystal nodded, making a mental note to burn food for her grandfather later.
"Is there anything you're allowed to tell us about the quest?"
"No."
"Why?" Hestia glanced at the sky.
"Those are my orders."
"Gods get orders?" Alvie nudged her. "Sorry, sorry." Hestia looked amused though. "What about who's going on this quest?" Hestia shook her head. "Ugh…"
"I would love to help, child, but Lord Zeus requests otherwise."
"Zeus?" Crystal had to think for a few seconds. "Oh, the guy with the lightning." Hestia nodded. "He's so cool." Crystal grinned. "Anyone he doesn't like and it's just zap- Lightning powers! Hey, do you know if I can meet Hades?"
"Meet Hades?" Hestia frowned slightly. "He is Lord of the Underworld. He is very busy."
"Underworld…" Hestia glanced at Alvie.
"Is she always like this?" Alvie just nodded, smiling sweetly at Crystal.
"I am not. I just want to know this stuff."
Nico took Crystal home later that day. She wanted to stay at Camp and Nico honestly didn't mind, but they had to get through the Boss first.
"Have you ever met your dad?" Crystal asked Nico. Nico pulled a face.
"Yeah."
"Daddy issues?"
"Mm-hm. Long story." Thunder rumbled. "You know it too, Dad. Demeter and her bloody cereal…" Crystal blinked at that. "Don't worry."
"Alvie said you're not always at Camp."
"Son of Hades. People find me a bit creepy." Crystal studied him for a few seconds.
"I have no idea why." She said sarcastically. Nico smiled. "You're not very talkative, are you?"
"What's to talk about?"
"I don't know. What about family?" Nico's smile faltered slightly. Crystal softened her tones. "I know you said about your sister, but anyone else?" Nico sighed.
"Do you know Hazel?"
"Um… is that the short one that's dating that really big guy?" Nico nodded. "I think so, yeah. Why?"
"She's my sister. On the godly side." He added, noticing her confused look. "Except, she's Roman, so she's a daughter of Pluto."
"So, all three Big Three gods broke that promise thingy?"
"No."
"No, but how-?" Nico gave a twisted grin.
"I was born about… eighty years ago, I'm guessing. Hazel died sometime around World War Two." Crystal stared at him, as if he were from another planet. "Uh, I don't remember much, but I've talked to Dad and some ghosts- yes, I can do that- and what I know is that Zeus killed my mom." And Crystal had called Zeus 'cool' earlier. "Um, Dad managed to save me and Bi- my sister." His voice had caught. "And we were put in a hotel- Lotus Hotel and Casino. Lots of fun, but once you're in; there is a very slim chance you'll get out. You could be there for a thousand years and not notice; you won't age or die or anything. We were in there for, like, seventy odd years and some lawyer guy got us out. We went to this school and we met Percy, Thalia and Grover there. Annabeth had fallen off a cliff with a manticore. That's another story."
"You're so telling me all of this." Nico smiled lopsidedly.
"Uh… there was a quest and I made Percy promise to keep B- my sister safe, but… she didn't… she didn't come back. She died getting me a stupid toy." His hands tightened on the steering wheel and it was the second time Crystal had seen a negative emotion so strong in his eyes. "I used to hate Percy. But we sorted it out eventually and he's pretty much the big brother I never had."
"You don't say your sister's name." Nico winced at that, but didn't say anything. Crystal didn't press him, trying to think of a change of subject. "Do you reckon I can do anything Hades-ish?"
"Maybe." He replied quietly. "It's tiring though."
"What can you do?" He thought about it for a few seconds, chewing his lip before replying.
"Well, I can shadow-travel. It's really cool. And, uh, I get some control over ghosts and that. You know, summoning the dead and all that with Happy Meals."
"What?" His grin returned and he explained the rest of his powers and how to use them. Crystal listened, but she was still trying to get her head around summoning the dead with Happy Meals.
Nico pulled over, bouncing up the kerb (curb). "Here we go." He smiled.
"Hey, that's William's car…" Nico and Crystal shared a look before jumping out the car and sprinting up the steps to their home. Nico noticed that the door had been kicked in and motioned for her to stay behind him. He suddenly held a black short sword. He moved forward on silent feet, Crystal close behind him. She wished she had a demigod weapon or something, but she was yet to be trusted with one.
The apartment was as neat and tidy as they had left it. The TV was still playing Joy's soaps while her coffee sat on the table next to a plate of chocolate digestives. There was no sign of a disturbance or a fight, but that only increased their worries.
Nico padded forward, drawing a knife from his pocket and holding it out to her without looking round. Crystal, in any other case, would have grinned like an idiot, but where was her mother?
They checked every room together, finding Joy in the bedroom.
Joy's hands were bound behind her back, her ankles tied together and a strip of cloth keeping her quiet. A rope formed a noose around her neck and was tied to the headboard. Her eyes widened when she saw them and she tried to shout at them, her voice muffled.
Nico put his arm around Crystal protectively, scanning the room and the apartment.
"Go and cut her free." He told her quietly, following and keeping an eye out. He even checked under the bed and the closets, but found nothing.
Celestial bronze cut through the rope and the bounds easily. She removed Joy's gag by hand and Joy held her tightly.
"Oh, my baby, you're OK."
"Mom, what's going on? William's car was outside and-" Joy just shushed her, as she would a baby. Crystal glanced at Nico. He was frowning in concentration, his eyes closed. The shadows in the room stirred while the temperature dropped.
"H-he went out a few minutes ago. He said he'll be back soon." Joy looked at Nico with pleading eyes. "Take Crystal somewhere safe, please."
"I'm not leaving you, Joy." Nico sat on the bed next to her, taking her hand in his.
"Aw, isn't that nice?" They all looked round and saw William standing in the doorway, a handgun pointed at Crystal. Nico instinctively moved in front of the pair of them. William cocked the gun. "Move."
"Make me." Nico spotted recent wounds, scabbed over, were his shadows had carved deep lines in William's flesh.
"I'm taking my wife and I'm going. If you don't move now, I will shoot you."
"Go on then." Nico challenged. William re-aimed the gun at Nico's head.
Mmm… cliffy.