[A/N I almost skipped this chapter because it was such a pain in the ass to write. It's not entirely what I had originally envisioned, but HERE IT IS! yay.]

Grace

"So, we tried abandoning them after convincing each to go out for food. They both just flashed away."

"Maybe together," Grace pointed out. "We don't know what happened when they left."

Sighing, Estelle continued.

"We tried instigating sparring lessons. They focused on teaching everyone else and barely interacted with one another. We tried tricking them into tripping one of Hephestus's traps. We tried sabotaging a game night. We even faked you being sick! It's not going to work, Grace. Artemis is an eternal maiden."

Crossing her eyes and giving a dramatic harumph, Grace stuck her tongue out at Estelle; it felt good to be a petulant child every now and then. She still had two plans to instigate, but one involved manipulating a friend and the other involved manipulating a god. Both should be doable and pursing her lips she got ready to tell Estelle just that.

Percy

"This isn't…what I thought it was," Percy really couldn't think of anything else to say.

Apollo had said a small gathering of friends, akin to their biweekly game nights. He felt pressured and guilty for neglecting his friends from before his stint as Lester Papadopoulos and was hosting this 'small get-together' to try to reconnect with some of them and hopefully influence their mindsets, showing him what he'd learned from the mortal world.

At least, that's what he had said when he invited Percy, encouraging him to bring a plus one. And Percy had been so proud of him too.

But now, too many pairs of eyes turned to him. Too many drinks were being poured and shared generously. Too many Olympians jumped to conclusions too easily.

"I'm gonna find your brother, you head back to your camp," he whispered down his shoulder to the woman at his elbow. She took a breath and squared her shoulders, steal in her silver eyes.

"No. I do not need a 'white knight,' Percy. This was bound to happen. I'll make my rounds to those I consider respectable on the Mountain. I cannot scurry away from every inconvenience and discomfort."

"Alright, Artemis. But I'd still like to find Apollo."

"Then lead the way."

Four stilted conversations, three refused drinks, and two unsubtle innuendos later, they found Apollo practically crying over a clipboard.

"Why?" Percy asked, not even trying to hide the annoyance in his voice.

"Percy! You came!" Apollo sounded relieved as he turned to greet him. "And you brought my sister?!" All relief clogged in his throat as despair took over his features again. "Artemis, you shouldn't be here. I know you're still avoiding certain-"

"I'm fine Apollo. What happened to your plans?"

He sheepishly glanced between the two.

"It was just supposed to be the Muses, Percy, Rachel, Aphrodite, and Dionysus. But Talia asked to take over planning and I just couldn't refuse her and now…" he gestured around and shrugged helplessly. "Why did you bring her?" he asked Percy, incredulous.

"You said this was gonna be like a game night and she's a good Taboo partner," he shrugged, earning a push in the shoulder from her.

"Thank you for your concern, Apollo, but I'm more worried about you."

"No, no. It's alright," he waved her off. "It's just…not what it was supposed to be. But have fun! Even if it's not…your usual type of fun."

They spent the evening with Aphrodite, Hestia, and cranky Nico and sunshine Will. Watching Artemis and Aphrodite interact for such an extended period of time was more than a little amusing to the rest of the group.

When Percy left the group for a moment he was less than enthused to find himself alongside Ares.

"So, how'd you manage to get Artemis as a date?" he asked, as if they were old friends discussing the weather. Percy scowled and grit his teeth but maintained his temper so that he didn't cause Apollo any more stress than he'd already walked into.

"I asked her to come as a friend," he growled.

"Oh. Yeah, I guess I see that, little dude."

Percy rolled his eyes and sidestepped away from him, managing to make it through the brief interaction without causing a scene or instigating a fight. He kinda thought that deserved a pat on the back.

Ares hadn't even been the first to ask them about their 'date!' Persephone had expressed her surprise and hoped all went well, and Dionysus had insinuated they'd be perfectly annoying together. Both had been set straight, but it was so surreal.

By the time he got back, Artemis had obviously used all of her 'social atmosphere fuel' and he made his excuses and apologized about making her leave early. Once they were alone she lightly punched his shoulder, telling him she saw right through his lies… and that she was grateful for them.

Thalia

When it was time to retire from an exhilarating day of tracking the fox, Thalia was a bit surprised by what waited around the campfire.

Percy, Piper, and Grace were all munching on s'mores, marshmallow smeared on their noses and chins, grinning at the Huntresses as they filed into camp.

"Perseus," Artemis nodded at him, obviously surprised, but not unwelcoming.

"Piper wanted so surprise you and asked for our help!" Grace chirped, picking up another bar of chocolate, her smile wide and her eyes twinkling.

Chuckles spread through their ranks and they all dispersed to whatever task was calling them. Two asked Percy for pointers in perfecting their swordplay, while another seven were bouncing on the balls of their feet trying to get him to shoot against them. Several others sat down and started putting together their own s'mores, and a few went to wash up.

The atmosphere was calm and happy. Content even. Several conversations floated around the camp, laughter filling the air. Artemis and Percy stayed present, but kept themselves on the outskirts of the conversations. Piper and Grace fit into the Hunters' company well. It was odd, seeing Piper so aged; not old, but obviously older than everyone else.

"So, real talk," Phoebe piped up, "how strong is your chamspeak?"

"Oh," Piper blushed. "Uh, pretty strong."

"Would you demonstrate?" Reyna chimed in with a smirk.

"Give me your graham crackers," she practically purred. Immediately everyone within earshot shot up and ran over to give her whatever graham cracker they could get ahold of. Even Thalia, to her own surprise. Piper blushed and apologized and allowed everyone to sit back down.

"Do you use it much?" Grace asked.

"Not really. I used to use it a lot without even knowing it-before I knew I was a demigod."

"Would you use it now if I asked you to?" Estelle asked eagerly. Thalia bit her lip, concerned about what Estelle was plotting.

"Sure, if it's not something too ridiculous."

"Ask Artemis or Percy to share a secret that isn't dangerous or too embarrassing."

Piper blinked, surprise written on her face, then she smirked and scrutinized the two gods.

"Artemis," she purred out. Artemis' expression softened as she looked towards the group. Percy's eyebrows scrunched as he analyzed Piper, recognizing her charmspeak. "Will you tell me about your ring?

Thalia perked up and leaned forward, all thoughts of this being morally wrong gone from her mind.

"It was a gift. A choice. From your mother."

"What choice?" Thalia found herself asking. Several others were looking at her in awe and confusion too. Artemis scowled a little, the charmspeak fracturing at Thalia's interruption.

"Sorry, Lady Artemis," Piper said, the magic gone from her voice. "I don't mean to pry, I just thought that would be an easy question."

"Oh…" Artemis blinked a few times before her vision truly cleared and then she fiddled with her ring some, a common nervous tic. This time, Thalia watched her analyze it, running her fingers over the black lines that webbed across it. "That's alright. It's not really a secret, it's just…uncomfortable."

Everyone sat back, thinking that that was over, that Artemis would choose to keep her vulnerabilities close to her vest.

"I need to follow it sometime," she spoke almost to herself. "I'm surprised he's still alive these years later." Artemis locked gazes with Piper. "It's my soul string, or whatever you wish to call it. Aphrodite wished me to know my soulmate was living out their third life before reaching the Isle of the Blest. If I wish to meet him… I almost did. While Apollo was…" Artemis sighed and shook her head like she was shaking the thoughts away. "I have no need of a soulmate," she shrugged with more confidence in her voice. "Not when I surround myself with such people as this," she smiled.

Thalia felt warmth at her declaration, but saw pain on Piper's face.