Annabeth hummed softly as she took a sip of her wine. She leaned back against the wall as her eyes darted around the large room. At first, everyone mingled around the bar to get drinks. After a few shots and bottles were passed around, they all spread out to talk.

Soft music played in the background, but that didn't stop a small dance competition from breaking out. Piper and Percy were probably the ones who started it. Or encouraged it. Hazel and Frank were mingling with some of the younger fighters.

"Miss Chase."

Annabeth turned her head to look at the fighter that was a few feet from the bar. Her eyes widened, and she bowed her head, "Miss Diana."

Diana's face twitched into a small smile, "I've been wanting to meet you in person for some time now."

Diana was an amazing fighter, but she had never actually fought in the Olympic League. As far as Annabeth knew, Diana fought in the Delian League, gaining world renown and fame. She helped put the league on the map as the number two promotion.

Then, she retired after losing her title and began to fight in underground leagues, saving the young men and women who were dragged into it. Annabeth would even say that Diana's charity work put Lupa's to shame.

"It's an honor to meet you," Annabeth said.

"I could say the same," Diana returned. Her eyes moved around the room. "I am looking forward to your fight with Reyna."

"It's going to be a challenge," Annabeth admitted.

"Have a seat," Diana offered. Annabeth nodded quickly and did as she was told. "My twin brother and I have our own bet about which of you are going to win. I assure you that I am rooting for you."

"You were an amazing fighter," Annabeth began. "One of my favorites to watch growing up."

"You're going to make me feel old," Diana commented. Annabeth let out a small laugh.

"Sorry. I just wanted you to know that you were an inspiration. I wish I got to meet you when I was still in the Delian League," Annabeth explained. "But, it is an honor to meet you now."

"We are equals, Miss Chase. That is why you are going to call me Diana," the former fighter said. "How are you enjoying Lupa's gym?"

"I love it," Annabeth answered. "I have one of the best mentors that I can get. My fellow fighters are some of the best in the world."

"And iron sharpens iron," Diana stated as her eyes flickered across the room. Annabeth followed her gaze. Reyna was near the other end of the bar and had an untouched beer in her hands. Nico and Will were right next to her, chatting away.

Reyna's eyes were focused on her beer, and she didn't look up as two people studied her. It seemed like she was lost in her thoughts. Or maybe still nervous from stage fright. Granted, Reyna got a look in her eyes halfway through her speech. She lost any signs of nervousness and had a flawless speech.

After the speech? Reyna had looked like she wanted to throw up again. Annabeth took her gaze from her teammate and future opponent. She turned her attention back to Diana, "It does. I've learned a lot since joining."

"I can see the improvement from your time in the Delian League," Diana commented. Annabeth's eyes widened. "Yes. I have followed your career. If I had my own gym, you would have been one of my first recruits.

"Many fighters would," Diana continued.

"That means a lot," Annabeth said with a bow of her head. "Thank you."

Diana smiled at her and looked off in the distance. She looked back just as quickly, "I've come offering advice."

Annabeth felt herself sitting up straighter. All of her attention went to Diana, and even though she didn't say a word, the older woman smiled. Diana spoke, "Stop being afraid."

"Afraid?" Annabeth repeated. She remembered Reyna giving her a somewhat similar piece of advice before.

"You hesitate at times in which you shouldn't. Your fighting skill is some of the best in the league," Diana explained. "And, you are smart. You need to stop overthinking during a fight."

"I'll take your advice to heart and do my best to use it," Annabeth promised.

"Your next opponent will not give you a chance to breathe. Your strategy must be ever changing as she throws different things at you. This will be the toughest fight you ever had," Diana warned. Annabeth nodded her agreement.

"It will be," Annabeth agreed. "I'm not going to take Reyna lightly. Not at all. She won't be ready for what I throw at her."

"I like the look in your eyes," Diana complimented. "Keep that confidence. It will make you unstoppable."

"Thank you," Annabeth said. Diana turned her head and stood.

"I have some others to meet, but I will be back for you, Annabeth."

"It was a pleasure," Annabeth said as she bowed her head. Diana smiled at her and stood from the bar. She walked away. Annabeth grinned as she stood and looked for her friends. She made her way toward them.

Most of her friends and the team had found themselves a table. Three of them were missing. Reyna was still at the opposite side of the bar and was talking to a fighter that Annabeth couldn't place. Octavian was off talking to another person that Annabeth thought was from the league. Or a manager for another fighter. Lupa had attracted a small crowd and was talking to all of them.

"Having fun?" Piper asked.

"I am," Annabeth answered as she was handed a beer. She started to drink it. "What about you?"

"This is great," Piper replied. "Great food. Amazing drinks. I'm getting a lot of face to face time with other managers and I got to meet a lot of former fighters."

"I'm having a great time," Annabeth stated. A happy sigh left her. "This is amazing."

"And who was that you were talking to?" Percy questioned as he moved in closer to them.

"Diana. She was a former fighter in the Delian League," Annabeth answered. "She was amazing."

"More so than Lupa?" Piper teased. Annabeth glared at her. "I'm joking."

"It wasn't funny," Annabeth huffed. Percy chuckled. "I don't want to make it a competition."

"You love competitions," Thalia chimed in as she threw herself between Annabeth and Percy.

"How are you handling being here?" Piper questioned as she looked at Thalia.

"Gouging on food. Not alcohol," Thalia promised. She motioned with her hand. "I'm not the only one abstaining from a drink."

Annabeth followed the motion and focused on Reyna again. Her fellow fighter was staring ahead. It was too hard to see if her eyes were staring down at her drinks or looking around the room. But then, her eyes flickered to the side and focused on one individual: Lupa.

"She hasn't touched a drop all night," Piper commented. "I keep offering, but she keeps denying and acting like her beer isn't warm."

"That's not like her," Percy commented. Annabeth nodded her agreement. Reyna wasn't an alcoholic by any means, but she did like to try out new drinks and at least get buzzed. To turn down alcohol in a foreign country meant something had to be wrong.

"She's probably just still nervous from the speech," Thalia commented with a shrug.

Annabeth studied Reyna. The woman kept her gaze on Lupa. She didn't look worried about being caught staring or anyone making a comment. Instead, her brows were creased slightly, and she looked focused.

"There's something going on," Annabeth commented. "But I don't know what."

"It's not for us to worry about," Thalia said with a wave of her hand. Percy nodded his agreement. Piper didn't look as convinced, but she snagged another appetizer for them to try.

"I guess not," Annabeth commented as she turned to look at her friends. "Let's have some fun."