Ch.8
All rights belong to Riordan
"Alright everyone, let's get this meeting started," Zeus stated firmly. "As you all know, we want everyone to attend the premiere tonight. Olympians, you shall go with your partner approved by me if you wish to have one attend. The minor hero gods will also be in attendance, with partners also approved by me. Any questions?"
None of the gods raised their hands, each sporting a different expression as they contemplated their potential companions for the evening.
"Alright then. Let's go down the line. Me and Hera will be attending together as expected. Brother, what about you?" Poseidon looked up before smiling. "I will take Lady Amphitrite." Zeus nodded before turning to Athena, who promptly wrote that down on a pad.
"Continuing on, sister?" Demeter appeared thoughtful. "I won't be taking anyone, brother." Zeus nodded, acknowledging Athena's note-taking.
"Apollo?" Apollo was too preoccupied glaring at Percy to notice he was being addressed. "APOLLO!" Zeus bellowed, causing him to snap out of his reverie. "I'm not taking anyone, father." With that, he returned to his intense stare-down with Percy, who matched his glare with equal intensity.
"Okay then. Artemis, my dear?" Zeus addressed his daughter, his tone tinged with curiosity.
Artemis glanced down at Percy before meeting her father's gaze. "I'm taking Percy," she declared.
The room fell into a stunned silence, filled with a myriad of mixed reactions. Zeus displayed a look of confusion, tempered with a begrudging acceptance. Poseidon wore a broad grin, mirroring that of Hermes. Demeter's expression lit up with excitement, while Aphrodite radiated joy. Athena smiled softly before jotting down the information on her pad.
"ABSOLUTELY NOT!" Apollo's voice thundered through the room as he rose from his throne, his expression contorted with anger. He took a menacing step towards Percy, who, to his credit, remained steadfast and stood his ground, much to the shock of the other gods, including Artemis.
"My sister will not be going to such an esteemed event with this demi—" Apollo's words were abruptly cut off as Percy stomped his foot, unleashing a surge of power inherited from his father. With a resounding crack, a piece of the ceiling dislodged and plummeted down, crashing directly onto Apollo's head. The god of the sun crumpled to the floor, his tirade abruptly silenced.
The gods stared at Percy, who simply shrugged before retaking his seat. Poseidon's anger flared as he turned to Zeus, his expression demanding action. "Control your son before I do it for you," he warned, his voice laced with a hint of menace.
Before Zeus could respond, Apollo began to rise again, prompting Poseidon to raise his trident threateningly. However, before Poseidon could act, an unexpected intervention occurred.
Hephaestus, of all gods, waddled over to Apollo. With surprising agility, he swung a giant mallet, bringing it down with a resounding thunk on Apollo's head once more, rendering the sun god unconscious yet again. The unexpected turn of events left the room in stunned silence, with all eyes now fixed on Hephaestus.
"Hephaestus?" Poseidon questioned, clearly puzzled by the god's unexpected intervention. Hephaestus grunted in response before settling back into his seat. "I have places to be and I don't want to be held up," he explained.
"Anyway, moving on," Athena continued, unfazed by the previous commotion. "Ares?" Ares grunted in acknowledgment before pointing at Aphrodite, who responded with a warm smile. "Alright then."
"I am not taking anyone, father," Athena declared firmly as she made a note of those who hadn't been assigned partners yet.
"Alright, Hephaestus, who are you taking?" Athena inquired, directing her attention towards the god of craftsmanship.
"I'm not taking anyone," Hephaestus responded gruffly, clearly more interested in his tinkering than the upcoming event.
"Okay, and finally, Hermes, as we know Dionysus will be taking Ariadne." Hermes appeared thoughtful for a moment before turning to Zeus. "I'll take Calypso," he announced decisively.
Athena sought confirmation from her father, who nodded in agreement. With Zeus's approval, Athena promptly made a note of Hermes's choice.
Percy regarded Hermes with a mixture of confusion and slight suspicion. Calypso was a close friend, and Percy couldn't help but wonder about Hermes's intentions. He noticed Hermes's pleading expression, which seemed to convey a silent message of "trust me for now, I'll explain later."
Holding Hermes's gaze for a moment, Percy weighed his options before nodding reluctantly. A sense of relief washed over Hermes as Percy accepted his choice.
"Now that that's taken care of, we need the minor hero gods to confirm their attendance and partners," Zeus declared, shifting the focus of the meeting.
Percy's eyes widened as he realized the impending consequences of his current seating arrangement. With a quick glance at Artemis, he silently conveyed a message of concern. Artemis looked back at him, puzzled, until Percy gestured towards his chair, indicating the imminent trouble that awaited them.
Percy sat at the foot of her throne, a position that would undoubtedly trigger Annabeth if she were to see it. Reacting swiftly, Artemis waved her hand, causing Percy's chair to teleport from her throne to Poseidon's, eliciting puzzled looks from the other gods.
"We'll explain after," Artemis asserted firmly, her tone brooking no argument. The gods nodded in understanding, turning their attention to the center of the room as the hero gods materialized.
The hero gods glanced around the room, their gazes pausing as they took in the sight of Apollo's still-unconscious form, which Hermes had retrieved from the floor and placed back on his throne. Their expressions registered a mix of surprise and confusion at the unexpected scene before them.
"Heroes, welcome to the meeting. We wanted you guys here to confirm your attendance to the premiere tonight. Who is attending with a partner, and who is not," Artemis addressed the gathered heroes.
Jason stepped forward first, holding Piper's hand. "Piper and I will be attending together," he announced confidently.
Next, Frank and Hazel stepped forward, followed by Nico and Will.
Finally, it was just Annabeth and Reyna remaining. Reyna stepped forward first. "I'm not attending with anyone," she stated succinctly before stepping back into line with the others.
Annabeth hesitated for a moment before finally stepping forward. Her voice was quiet as she spoke, almost a whisper. "I'm also not attending with anyone," she stated before stepping back, her expression unreadable.
Zeus nodded in approval before turning his attention to Athena. "Daughter, please ensure all preparations are in order and enlist Hermes to assist with any tasks requiring expedited completion."
Athena nodded crisply before rising from her seat and disappearing in a flash of light, swiftly followed by Hermes.
Turning to Artemis, who was tenderly gazing down at Zoe, Zeus addressed her. "My dear, please take Zoe home with you and make preparations for tonight."
Artemis glanced up, meeting Percy's gaze, before nodding in understanding. Percy gestured towards his father, prompting a smile from Artemis, who then nodded and vanished in a flash of light, Zoe in tow.
"Percy, please go with my brother to prepare as well. We'll see you tonight," Zeus instructed, his tone gentle yet authoritative.
Percy nodded in acknowledgment, then glanced up at his father, who offered him a reassuring smile before they both vanished in a flash of light, heading off to make the necessary preparations for the evening's premiere.
A few hours later, as the time approached to get ready for the evening's event, Poseidon turned to Percy with a meaningful look. "I have a suit that I had Athena help make. I think it will complement Artemis and Zoe's dresses," he said, his tone filled with pride and anticipation.
Percy's expression shifted from surprise to curiosity as he nodded in response.
Leading Percy through his grand home, Poseidon stopped at a closet tucked away in one of the corridors. With a sense of reverence, he opened the closet door and retrieved the suit he had mentioned.
As Percy's eyes fell upon the suit, he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe wash over him. The suit was a striking shade of sea blue, with intricate ocean wave designs adorning the fabric, cascading along the arms in mesmerizing patterns. Each wave was outlined with delicate silver thread, giving the impression of moonlight dancing upon the surface of the sea.
In the center of the suit, over Percy's heart, was a glowing silver emblem depicting a crescent moon suspended over a rolling wave, intricately woven into the fabric.
Percy was speechless, utterly captivated by the beauty and craftsmanship of the suit before him.
"Holy shit, dad, how much work did you guys put into this?" Percy exclaimed, his eyes still fixed on the stunning suit.
Poseidon chuckled warmly. "Lots of planning went into this, that's all I'm gonna say," he replied cryptically, clearly pleased with the outcome.
Percy continued to marvel at the suit, running his hands lightly over the intricate designs. "Well, if I have to attend an event of this magnitude, I might as well look the best," he remarked with a grin.
Poseidon laughed again, his deep voice filling the room with warmth, before heading out to retrieve his own attire for the evening, leaving Percy to admire the suit in awe.
Zoe was brimming with excitement as the time to get ready for the evening arrived. She darted towards Artemis's room, eager to find the perfect outfit. However, after searching through the closets fruitlessly, she turned to her mom with a disappointed expression.
Artemis watched her daughter's antics with amusement before speaking up. "Aphrodite already designed outfits for us to wear," she announced with a smile.
Zoe's face lit up at the news as Artemis walked over to another closet that Zoe hadn't explored yet. With a sense of anticipation, Artemis unzipped the garment bag and pulled out two dresses, one larger than the other. She handed the smaller dress to Zoe, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Zoe's eyes widened with excitement as she laid eyes on her dress. It was a stunning mix of sea blue and silver, perfectly complementing Artemis's predominantly silver attire. Zoe couldn't help but imagine how her father's suit, likely in the same sea blue hue, would harmonize with her own dress.
Without hesitation, Zoe dashed to the spare bathroom to change into her outfit. Emerging moments later, she made a beeline for a standing mirror tucked away in the corner of the room. As she gazed at her reflection, a gasp escaped her lips.
The dress was truly breathtaking. Its hues of blue and silver intertwined elegantly, creating a mesmerizing effect that seemed to capture the essence of the ocean itself. Though devoid of intricate designs, the colors were so exquisitely woven together that the dress radiated a timeless beauty all its own.
Excitement bubbled within Zoe as she heard the bathroom door open, signaling her mother's emergence. Turning around eagerly, she couldn't help but gasp in awe as her eyes landed on Artemis's dress.
It was utterly stunning, perhaps the most gorgeous dress Zoe had ever seen. Artemis's attire was predominantly silver, but what truly captivated Zoe were the intricate blue ocean waves woven seamlessly into the fabric. Instantly, she realized that these waves perfectly matched her father's suit, completing the harmonious ensemble.
Artemis gracefully executed a small twirl, allowing Zoe to admire the entirety of her stunning ensemble. The dress, off-shoulder with a daring split thigh, showcased the intricate ocean waves that encircled the middle before descending gracefully towards the non-split side. To Zoe's delight, she noticed a gleaming trident intricately woven into the fabric, adding a touch of divine elegance to the attire.
"Damn, mom, you look amazing in that," Zoe exclaimed, her admiration evident in her voice.
Artemis beamed at her daughter's compliment. "You look amazing as well, Zoe," she replied warmly.
With a confident stride, Artemis made her way to the door, opening it and sticking her head out. "APHRODITE!" she called out loudly before closing the door with a determined thud.
In a burst of pink smoke, Aphrodite materialized into the room, her presence immediately captivating. Her eyes lit up with delight as she laid eyes on Zoe, unable to contain her excitement. "OH MY GOSH, ZOE, YOU LOOK AMAZINGGG!" she exclaimed, her enthusiasm infectious. Zoe giggled with joy before indulging Aphrodite with a quick twirl, showcasing her beautiful dress.
Aphrodite's smile widened even further as she turned her attention to Artemis, her expression filled with awe. "Oh... my... god. You look radiant, Arty," she squealed in delight. Artemis chuckled, her own laughter ringing out as she obliged Aphrodite's request for a twirl. The goddess of love couldn't contain her excitement, squealing once more before darting over to inspect Artemis's dress, ensuring that every detail was perfect.
After ensuring there were no flaws in either dress, Aphrodite hurried over to the table, where small boxes were scattered everywhere. With eager anticipation, she sifted through the boxes until she found what she was looking for. With a delighted squeal, she grabbed two boxes and dashed back to Zoe.
Handing Zoe the boxes, Aphrodite eagerly watched as she peeked inside. The first box revealed a pair of sparkling diamond earrings, while the second contained a stunning necklace adorned with a bow crossing a trident pendant.
Zoe lifted her hair to allow Aphrodite to delicately place the necklace around her neck. Once that was settled, Zoe sat down at a nearby table to carefully put on the earrings. Meanwhile, Aphrodite hurried back to the table, quickly grabbing two more boxes before darting over to Artemis.
With a flick of her wrist, Aphrodite waved her hand at Artemis, who watched as her hair transformed into a stunning waterfall braid, cascading elegantly down her back.
Aphrodite turned her attention to Zoe, repeating the process and styling her hair into a matching waterfall braid like her mother's. Then, she returned to Artemis, presenting her with the boxes. Artemis slowly opened the first one, her breath catching at the sight of the earrings. "They are beautiful, Aphrodite," she murmured softly. The earrings were adorned with small tridents, each featuring a glowing sea-green gem at its center, perfectly matching Percy's eyes.
But Aphrodite wasn't finished yet. With a smirk, she encouraged Artemis to open the second box. As Artemis lifted the lid, her eyes widened in amazement. Inside lay a silver necklace with a pendant depicting an intricate ocean wave, with a glowing moon hovering behind it. "It's... perfect," Artemis breathed, her gratitude evident as she looked at Aphrodite.
With their jewelry in place, Artemis and Zoe exchanged smiles of appreciation before Aphrodite helped Artemis secure her necklace. Once ready, Aphrodite stood in the doorway, her satisfaction evident as she addressed them. "Ladies, I believe it's time to meet up with the gentlemen outside."
Artemis and Zoe grabbed their handbags, making sure everything was in order, before following Aphrodite out to the front. Along the street, cars were lining up to pick up the gods and heroes, each vehicle slowly passing by the homes to collect their occupants before setting off towards the premiere venue.
The girls stepped outside, the anticipation of the evening palpable in the air as they waited on the front lawn for their ride. After a few moments, Aphrodite's keen eye caught sight of a familiar silver car approaching down the street. She couldn't contain her excitement as she pointed it out to Artemis.
"Artemis, there's your ride," Aphrodite exclaimed, her enthusiasm evident in her voice. Artemis perked up at the sight, though a tinge of confusion clouded her expression as she turned to Aphrodite.
"But where is Zoe going to go?" Artemis questioned, her concern for her daughter evident in her tone. Aphrodite's smile widened as she reassured Artemis of her plan.
"Don't worry, I'll take Zoe to drop her off with the other hero gods. She'll get to see her dad later on," Aphrodite explained, her voice laced with reassurance. Artemis nodded in understanding before crouching down to envelop Zoe in a warm hug, which Zoe eagerly returned.
"I'll see you soon, Mom. I love you," Zoe expressed, her voice filled with affection. Artemis returned her daughter's sentiment with equal love, her smile tender as she replied, "I love you too. Be safe." With that, Zoe turned to Aphrodite, who placed a comforting hand on her shoulder before they vanished together in a puff of pink smoke.
Artemis turned gracefully towards the approaching car, her poise reflecting her regal demeanor as she awaited its arrival. As Hermes emerged from the driver's seat, a warm smile graced her lips at his greeting.
"Hello, Hermes," she acknowledged, her voice carrying a melodic quality. Despite her appreciation, a hint of confusion colored her tone. "Aren't you supposed to be with Calypso?" she inquired, her brow furrowing slightly.
Hermes returned her smile with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "Ah, caught me in the act," he admitted, his tone light and playful. "But fear not, I'm managing to be in two places at once," he added with a chuckle.
Artemis chuckled along with him, finding his explanation amusing. With a nod of affirmation, she waited gracefully for Hermes to open the door, her anticipation growing for the evening ahead.
Hermes teased Artemis as she approached the car. 'Your boy awaits inside." She couldn't help but smile widely as she slid into the back of the car. Inside, Percy greeted her with a grin, looking absolutely dashing in his sea blue suit adorned with silver waves.
"You look dashing, Percy," Artemis complimented him, her smile warm and genuine. Percy chuckled before gently taking her hand, his gaze softening as he returned the compliment.
"And you look radiant, Arty," he replied, his voice filled with admiration. Artemis's smile widened as she settled in beside him, her heart fluttering with excitement as the car began its journey toward the premiere.