Soft notes were coming out of the Big House. A delicate melody floating through the air. Every single compass played with the proper feeling, with passion and longing for everything already lost. Beautifully accompanying the last wind of September.

He knew what was being played. It was a Sonata, more specifically it was Piano Sonata no.14 "Moonlight Sonata". He didn't remember any of his brothers and sisters practicing this particular piano piece. So, who was inside the Big House?

Carefully, without making any noise, the head counselor of the Apollo Cabin entered, walking slowly towards the living-room were the piano was located. What he didn't expect to see was the dark-haired demigod in full concentration going through the piece without any music sheet, just his memory, a small smile on his face, not a happy one, though.

He stayed there standing next to the door, glued to the floor, listening and admiring. He didn't even notice when the song was over.

-What are you doing here, Will?- the nostalgic demigod said without even looking at the healer.

-I heard you... how did you even know I was here?-

Nico scratched his neck -I...um... I felt your soul.-

-But your powers, you shouldn't—

-This isn't something I do willingly, I can't just 'turn it off'.-

-Sorry.—the healer looked down at one of the couches— Where did you learn to play?-

Right now it was the turn of the son of Hades to look away, fidgeting with his skull ring, trying his hardest not to make any move on the shadows inside the room. The only hearable sound was the fire of the chimney and both of their breathings. The blond boy sat on a couch, resting his elbows on his knees, still looking down.

-I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked.-

The dark-eyed boy quickly glanced at Will's voice, feeling sorry, he knew the son of Apollo was trying to help him and he was putting nothing from his part. At least that's how he felt. After an uncomfortable silence he said in low.

-It was my mom.-

Taken back from the surprise, he looked wide-eyed at the boy sitting by the beautiful instrument.

-You play really well.-

-I'm out of practice, though. I swear I could play this with my eyes closed, but it's... been a while. I missed some notes here and there, I'm sure you noticed.-

Will gave him a smile that didn't reached his eyes, slowly standing up, making his way out of the Big House. He felt a ghostly touch on his wrist, long skinny pale fingers softly grabbing it. He turned around.

-Something's bothering you.— Nico let go his hold— I know you're helping me, but if you ever need someone to listen... I'm here for you, too.-

-Thank you.-

People were roaming around the Hades table, Nico could see it from his peripheral vision. He had to maintain his face straight. Ha! He raised his bet, the others were good, he had to admit. Even though he knew they were counting cards.

-I call a showdown, guys.- Nico said while examining his competitors. The sons of Hermes thought it was a good idea to challenge him to pokerFor my father's beard! I lived in a casino for 70 years! Poor little souls, about to lose all of their money and junk food! They looked like they thought that they were going to win, but Nico knew better, he could see their hidden insecurity.

All of them showed their cards.

-Well, people, I've got a Full House.- said Chris.

-You loser, I have Four-of-a-Kind.- retorted Travis.

-Ha! You owe me ten bucks, but I surely win with my Straight Flush!- swaggered Connor.

All three of them looked at the Prince of the Underworld expectantly. The child of the Big Three tried to look as heartbroken as he could before revealing his hand.

-No way!-

-You've got to be kidding me!-

-That's so not fair!-

A smug smile crept into Nico's face. -Well, really, what did you expect? I won fairly with a Royal Flush, so now I'm going to take what is rightfully mine.- That was it until he looked around his table. Way too many people were there, cheering at him, but still it was too much social interaction. He politely excused himself saying that he had some prizes to enjoy.

He had almost sneaked all the way to his cabin when a nerdy-looking blond came running to him.

-Malcolm.- he greeted the son of Athena.

-Nicola.-

-Don't use my complete name!-

The other boy just rolled his eyes. -Annabeth is here, visiting us. She asked to see you, she is waiting in Cabin 6.-

As Nico opened the door of the Athena Cabin he noticed the bunch of papers on the floor, together with books, pencils, pens, maps... well, you name it, every single office gadget was there, either on the floor, or shelfs or tables. He made his way through, careful of not crushing anything. Annabeth was sitting on a bed, looking at him expectantly.

-You know that you couldn't postpone this day forever.-

-I know.-

-Well then, take a seat, di Angelo. Now, the last time I was aware you were at school was three years ago. You're 14, right? —Nico nodded— As you know, I'm concerned about your education because I know this might be hard, but consider you have a future beyond the demigod life. Here in camp you can get a degree that shows that you completed you're studies, but for that I need to know in what grade to put you in. How much do you know.-

-Right.-

-Shall we begin? What's an atom?-

-Is the smallest particle that can be divided.-

-What's a cell?-

-It's the assembly of organelles.-

-What's the difference between organic chemistry and inorganic chemistry?-

-Organic chemistry studies the process, structure, composition, properties and transformations of the compounds that have carbon, inorganic chemistry studies the compounds without carbon.-

-What's the largest gland in the human body?-

-The Liver.-

-What does the cerebellum control?-

-Balance, equilibrium and fine movement coordination.-

-What percentage of the Earth is covered by water?-

-71%-

-What natural barrier lies between China and India?-

-The Himalayas.-

-75% of what number is 411.-

-548.- Nico answered after a few seconds of thinking with ease.

Three hours had passed and they were almost done. Nico's brain hurt, he knew Annabeth was trying to confuse him, rotation between science, math, english, languages and history. He knew this was her way of showing she cared. She was right after all, he never thought about a future, assuming that if he ever survived the war he would stay in the Underworld or traveling around like he used to do before. He really never thought that he would get a home, even less two.

-What was the excuse to begin World War I?-

-The assassination of the Archduke Ferdinand.-

Both of them visibly tired. Rubbing their eyes, yawning.

-How do you say 'I come from France' in German?-

-Ich komme aus Frankreich.-

Sixteen questions later, four languages, more history and physics, they were finally done.

-So... what's the verdict?-

The daughter of Athena smiled softly at him -Well, lets say I'm very proud of you. You just need like one year of High School before you can go to College. Were did you learnt all of that? Some of the questions I asked aren't even necessary.-

-Well, the spirits of the Underworld are happy to do anything aside from wandering around, they will do anything to stop feeling useless. At least the majority are nice to me, nice enough to teach me anything the knew how to do when they were alive.-

-I see... By the way, you should stop by Sally's apartment. Sally wants to check that you are really alive and Percy keeps complaining that you don't even visit because 'he-is-not-your-type'. We would like to have news about you once in a while.-

-I'm sorry, once Will lets me shadow-travel I'll visit, I promise.-

After a really long day, the son of Hades finally managed to get to his cabin without any further interruptions. No quizzes, no Jason asking for sparring, no Hermes kids, nobody. He actually enjoyed everyone's company, but sometimes it was too much, he wasn't used to it. He still felt like it would shatter, that he would have to run away again.

What he didn't expect was a mop of blond hair buried in a pillow. What is Will doing here?

-Will?-

-Huh? — he turned around, now facing Nico — Oh... I'm sorry, Kayla kicked me out of the Infirmary saying that I needed to rest... and I needed to be alone so... I'll just leave now.-

The healer stood up from the bed, making his way to the door.

-Who said I was kicking you out, too? — Nico frowned — You've been acting strange since this morning, is everything alright?-

-I... No.-

-Do... do you want to talk about it?- Why do I even suggest this? I suck at comforting people!

-I... is just... why does everyone has to be awesome but me?-

-What do you mean?-

Both boys sat on the floor in front of each other, looking down.

-Michael, Lee... they were true sons of Apollo, they could sing, they could heal, the could shot and arrow straight! — the blue eyed demigod sighed — I'm just a stupid healer, no other talents, everyone has something special, everyone except me! Really, there's no need to talk about this... you know, it's a really old issue.-

-Will... —Nico bited his lower lip thoughtfully — Is it because I was playing the piano?-

-I... —

-You don't need to feel bad about it... has someone ever tried to teach you?-

-Of course they have! But eventually they gave up on me... I guess I gave up, too.-

-Will, please look at me. —reluctantly they other boy complied— So what if you can't do those stuff? You're an amazing healer, you're the best in both camps! You always manage to stay positive, you're patient and... you're one of the few people I know that don't judge before knowing. Don't give up on yourself. You gave me chance, so I want to give you one, too. Tomorrow we'll star training, I can teach you how to shoot, how to use a sword... any weapon you want, really. I can teach you whatever I remember about piano and —Nico slightly blushed— I know how to sing, too. I don't think you need this to be a great person, though.-

-I... thank you. I would really like that. I'm supposed to be the one to be helping you, no the other way around.-

-I'm not exactly as open as you are, give yourself a little credit. You help me, I help you, deal?-

-Deal.-