#depending on if the headache goes away and if i manage to finish this lecture quickly instead of looking at my phone

[wolfchans]

Ooo the channie cards I won in a giveaway arrived today to the mail office 🎉

[frostedfaves]

Repercussions (3)

Masterlist

Pairing: dark!Natasha Romanoff x fem!reader

Summary: Natasha seeks to define her relationship with you and strengthens her friendship with Wanda.

Warnings: dark themes, stalking (let me know if I missed any!)

A/N: I originally had a completely different plan for this part but I changed the storyline a bit as I was writing and I’m so happy with the finished product. I hope you are too and I’m excited to hear your thoughts!

Previous part

-

Once inside your room, Natasha felt the peace return to her mind and body. The more time spent with you, the harder it became to leave you, and she feared a time when she wouldn’t be able to leave you at all. She hated the dependency and urgency that came with falling for you, welcoming it in the same breath because you were special. In what way, she wasn’t sure yet.

You were shivering slightly in your sleep, and she ran the tips of her fingers along your bare legs to see you react to her touch. A quiet chuckle escaped her lips as she pulled the blanket over you, climbing in bed next to you. Her head fell back onto the pillow while wrapping her arm around your waist, her hand occasionally moving to stroke your thigh as she attempted to match your breathing. Part of her was impatient, wanting to experience sleeping next to you every night for the rest of her life. It was too soon, though. All the pieces weren’t in place yet.

A phone call announced itself by loud ringing, and Natasha let out a string of curses when she realized it was coming from her pocket. She fumbled for the phone and answered, shushing Wanda as she waited with rigid muscles for your reaction. She breathed a sigh of relief when all you did was squirm a bit under the weight of her arm, light snores continuing.

“What’s up, Wan?” she quickly whispered, bracing herself for questions.

“I was going to ask where you were but I think I know now. Hot date?”

“You could definitely say that,” she breathed as her hand trailed over your body once more. “I’ll be back soon, okay?”

She hung up and slid the phone back into her pocket, reaching over to kiss your temple before pulling away and leaving the bed altogether. She left the way she entered, fixing the curtains, closing the window and replacing the screen all in under a minute. She was home in a short amount of time as well, and a sigh left her when she spotted Wanda waiting on her bed.

“Am I going to get a lecture about something?”

“No.” Wanda released a sigh of her own as she waited for Natasha to sit next to her. “I just worry. I’ve never seen you this enamored with anyone and I don’t want her to take you down a path you can’t return from.”

“I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine. Y/N is just special, and I don’t think it’s fair that I have to share her with other people. She’s the first person I’ve ever met that I could truly see myself falling in love with, no consequences whatsoever. I don’t think it’s a crime to want to protect that.”

“Then I want to help.” She pulled out a large silver ring holding a few keys. “May or may not have manipulated Tony into giving me these. He has a house upstate with a pretty amazing security system and a lot of privacy. I can set it up for you while you work on building your relationship.”

Natasha examined the keys with a frown, holding it as she looked up again. “Not that I don’t appreciate your willingness to help, but what changed your mind? You seemed to disagree with my plans at first.”

“Well I may have done a little stalking of my own.” Natasha’s eyes widened and Wanda responded with a sheepish grin. “This morning I kind of made another trip to the bookstore while Y/N was working there, and her thoughts were full of you the whole time. I think the two of you could have something beautiful together.”

“I knew you were my best friend for a reason.” A laugh escapes both of them as Natasha throws her arms around the grinning woman, pulling away after a few moments and lying next to her on the bed. “I love you, Wan.”

“Love you too, Tash. Now tell me your whole plan.”

-

In all of your years of existing, you’d never had such a dry feeling in your throat upon waking up. You wanted to blame it on an almost hangover, but you only had one glass of red, right? Besides, there was no headache, just the discomfort of the sunshine in your eyes.

Wait, sunshine.

Your head popped up from the pillow as you realized you hadn’t heard your alarm, and you quickly rolled over to grab your phone from the bedside table. A loud groan echoed into the room when you realized you never placed it on the charger last night and the battery died. The groan was followed by a gasp when your screen came on and revealed the time.

“Shit!” You paused in your movement of getting up when missed calls and a text appeared from the store owner.

Couldn’t reach you, so I got Ron to cover your shift. Hope everything’s alright!

You went to the contact to press the call button with shaky fingers. You knew your boss was understanding, but you hated disappointing anyone, especially someone you worked for.

“Hey!” you spoke as soon as the phone was answered, tone full of the guilt that coursed through you. “I’m so sorry I didn’t show! I forgot to charge my phone and it died, so I ended up sleeping well past my alarm time.”

“It’s okay, you clearly needed the rest! I’m just glad that you’re alright. See you in a few days!”

“Okay, see you then. Sorry again!” you quickly added before hanging up and placing the phone back on the table with a frustrated huff. You ran your hands over your face as you slouched forward, sighing again when your phone rang and quickly answering. “Hello?”

“Good morning, printsessa.”

You straightened from your defeated position, a smile appearing almost instantly at the sound of the warm and inviting voice on the other end.

“Nat, hi! Good morning to you too.”

“I hope I’m not interrupting you at work.”

“No.” You let out another one of those tired sighs that seemed to be second nature today. “I slept through my alarm and missed most of my shift. I’m just now waking up.”

“Did your manager give you a hard time?”

You frowned a bit at the hard edge that seemed to suddenly frame her tone, shaking your head and suddenly remembering she couldn’t see you.

“No, nothing like that. Quite the opposite, actually.”

“That’s good!” The sweetness returned. “So why do you sound so down, then?”

“I just hate letting anyone down, but especially my boss. They’re always so kind and understanding and I don’t want them to think I’m taking advantage of that.” You laughed a bit as you flopped back onto your pillows. “Sorry, I have a tendency to beat myself up with things.”

“It’s okay, I get it.”

“Really? Even someone as perfect as you messes up sometimes?”

“Of course not.” You laughed again, a little louder this time. “You know, I could send a car to bring you here to spend the day and maybe the night with me. How does that sound?”

“Any time with you sounds amazing. Give me an hour to get clean and packed!” 

You both exchanged warm goodbyes and you continued to lie there with a wide grin as you saved her number in your phone. You decided against facing the sunlight and instead turned the other way to get up and get ready, just missing the strand of red hair on the pillow beside you.

-

The car that arrived for you had tinted windows and a divider between the front and back seats, and you were met with a deep grunt in response to your warm greeting after climbing in. You watched the city life pass by on your way to the Avengers tower, smiling when you caught a glimpse of Natasha outside of the building as you arrived. She took your bag and grabbed your hand with her free one, all with a smile and adoring eyes.

“I see you made it here in one piece.”

“I did, thank you. Are all of your drivers that grumpy?”

Her head turned to look behind you as you walked toward the entrance, eyes lingering for a moment before returning her gaze ahead of her.

“Just the one.” She led you inside the elevator and freed a finger to press the button to her private floor. “I have a nice lunch prepared for us. It’s takeout from a restaurant, so I wouldn’t run the risk of killing you with my cooking.”

“I appreciate that,” you chuckled, squeezing her hand slightly. “But you know, I don’t mind showing you a few things in the kitchen.”

“I’ll take you up on that offer.” She leaned in to quickly peck your lips, dragging you out of the elevator and toward a table set up with covered meals and wine glasses. “Don’t touch anything until I get back!”

You sat down in one of the chairs, admiring the spacious dining area while you waited for Natasha to drop your bag off in her room. When she returned, grins appeared on your faces as you met eyes again, holding the gaze as she began to pour the wine. You were pleasantly surprised when the plates were uncovered and you realized it was your favorite meal from one of the first places you fell in love with after moving to New York.

“How did you know?”

“It’s my job to know.” She laughed. “I also may have made a guess based on what you ordered last night. Speaking of last night, I just want to say that it was the best date I’ve ever been on, and I would love to pursue something more serious with you. If that’s what you want too, of course.”

“I do,” you told her without a moment of hesitation, knowing that you felt the same way about last night. “In the short amount of time that I’ve spent with you, I’ve felt warmer and lighter than any other previous romantic experience, and I’m curious to see where this goes.”

“Same here.” She leaned across the table and you met her in the middle, smiling through the kiss until you pulled away, and she held her wine glass out to you. “To the beginning of something amazing.”

“To the beginning of something amazing.”

The two of you ate in a silence occasionally filled with light banter and echoing laughter, nearing the end of your meal when the elevator dinged and footsteps were heard in the hallway.

“Tash, where are--oh.”

“Wanda, this is Y/N. Y/N, this is my best friend Wanda, who will probably hug you as she greets you.”

“Only if you don’t mind,” Wanda clarified with a sheepish grin, to which you responded with a laugh.

“No worries, I don’t mind!”

You dropped your fork and stood up, smiling just as widely as the cheerful Avenger that approached you, bright eyes holding a bit of a red tint. Her arms went around you as yours neared her torso, and suddenly everything went dark.

-

Tags: @littlegasps @imnotasuperhero @nat-km-mh @emilyprentisswife @cherrieloco @fayhar @muted-stoneheart @witchxaf @sakurat123 @bebe404 @its-a-long-way-to-ba-sing-se @trikruismybitch @darkangelxoxo @becka107 

[breakyourhaloandley]

03: And We Can’t Breathe When We’re Not Together

The past two shows are a blur to me. I vaguely remember lots of screaming kids, more than I’d ever seen on tour before. I remember signings and meet and greets that felt like my own special blend of torture. I remember shaking, being almost on the verge of a breakdown as the curtain dropped each night. I remember the solitude of my bunk, everyone else enjoying the first nights on tour. 

I am falling apart at the seams and if anyone notices, they don’t care. The fans are too absorbed with their constructed idealized version of me to notice and my bandmates are too busy living their dream to realize that I’ve become stuck in a nightmare. Matt has been keeping his distance, probably thinking I just need ‘time to myself’ when that’s the last goddamn thing I need. 

I’ve experienced stage fright before, back when I was new to performing, but nothing like this. This is pure terror at the thought of dragging my body into the lights to let the world take it’s best shot at me. 

The meet and greet before the show took everything out of me. It felt like every kid that came through was telling me how I’d saved them or how they admire my strength and so on. I faked a smile and thanked them for listening to us, told them to keep being strong and ‘never give in’. The hypocrisy in my words hit me hard, I’m lying to everyone. They all think I’m some fucking savior instead of a fucked up kid trying to keep it together. 

I lie to them every night I go out on stage and pretend to be this character that I’m not. They look up to a false idol, a mask. I wonder what they would think if they knew the truth, would they give up as well? 

John pounds on the door to the bathroom stall. “Andy for fuck’s sake get your ass out here. Curtain time is in five fucking minutes.” 

I grab at my chest, coughing as I try to breathe. Tears run down my face, threatening to smear my war paint. I can’t do it... I’m frozen, unable to move even if I wanted to. The past two nights I’ve barely made it on stage, somehow mustering the courage just in time. Not tonight, tonight is a fucking break down. 

“Andy!” he yells at me again. “I will break this fucking door down and drag you out there.” 

“I’m not going out there.” I manage to choke out. I don’t care if my career goes down in flames I have been trying so hard to pretend that I am okay but I’m at my breaking point. 

“Fucking hell” I can hear the rage in his voice, I don’t blame him. He didn’t sign up to deal with this. I heard the main door to the bathroom slam as he leaves, probably to go beg the venue stall. 

The panic only spirals as I realize that I’m destroying my career. My inability to get my shit together is going to be the reason I fail. Everyone back home told me I wasn’t going to make it, my whole life people have told me that and here I am proving them all right. I lean back against the wall of the stall, trying to calm myself but it doesn’t work. 

“Andy open the door.” the voice on the other side is calm, not angry like John. There’s a hint of annoyance in it, but not anger. Ashley. 

I reach over, unlocking the door. Ashley presses something against my hand, the coolness of the glass feels good against my flushed skin. “Drink it.” he states.

“But-”  “Now.” I down the glass of whiskey, the burning in my throat calming my nerves from the relief I know it’ll bring. Not even seventy-two hours. 

“Ash I-”  “Shh, stop,” he whispers, pulling me in tight, wrapping his arms around my shaking frame. 

I melt into him, holding onto him like my life depends on it. At this moment, it feels like it does. He traces calming circles on the small of my back. “You have to go out there, Andy,” he says. 

I don’t want to let go. I want to stay here with him just like this. He strokes my hair and it threatens to break me. There is so much pent up inside me, so much hurt and sadness. He lets go, the warmth leaving my body. He tugs my hand, pulling me out into the hallway where I can hear the cheers of the fans. 

I don’t look at any of my bandmates or John who are lined up, ready to go on. I can’t face them. If I go down so do they, and I think they know that. I can feel their resentment. 

--

I lift the bottle of whiskey up to my lips, taking a long drink. If I already broke, then why stop at one drink? I want to turn tonight into a blackout and I plan on doing just that. I had come very close to throwing it all away tonight. I don’t care though, I know I should but I don’t. 

None of the guys talked to me after the show, not that I wanted them to. I quickly packed up my things and headed to the bus the second the lights on stage went out. They’re all asleep now as I kill this bottle of Seagram’s by myself. I watch as the highway races by outside the window. I wonder if anyone would stop me if I just opened the door and jumped out, would the impact kill me? 

“Hey...”  “If you’re here to lecture me about please don’t.” I plead. 

Ashley is leaning against the threshold to the front of the bus. He’s washed all his makeup off, standing there in a pair of black sweat pants, his toned chest bare. He has his arms crossed and I can’t tell what he’s thinking. I’m too drunk to try and explain myself, not that I really could. What would I say? You don’t love me and having to see you every day is actually killing me? 

“I’m not going to lecture you, you wouldn’t remember it tomorrow anyways.” he sighs, walking over to me and grabbing the bottle from my hand before I can take another drink. 

I grab for it, not wanting to give up my liquid comfort. “No, you’ve had enough.” 

He places the bottle on the counter before sitting down beside me. “You need to shower all that paint off and go to bed.” 

“I don’t want to do this anymore Ash. I can’t.”  “You don’t want to do what Andy?” he asks, concern in his voice. 

“This. Be on tour, sing... lie to people that I’m something I’m not and never going to be.” I curse myself for letting more tears fall, he must think I’m the weakest person in the world. 

“You really want to quit? Give up everything you’ve worked for, let this band fail all because you’re going through a tough time?” “It’s not just a tough time Ash... I can’t handle this.” I cry, so close to giving up. 

He grabs my face, turning it towards him. I look into his eyes, wishing that I knew the secret to his courage, his ability to keep himself together no matter what. “Andy I know that’s not what you want.” 

“Ash I need you. You were the only reason I was able to make it this far.”  “Shh... go take a shower and clean off, then you can come sleep in the back with me okay?”

I nod, standing up, unsteady on my feet. Ashley ends up having to help guide me to the small bathroom on the bus. My head spins from all the alcohol and I lean on him for support. He starts the shower, handing me a towel before shutting the door and leaving me by myself. 

The water turns black as I wash away all the makeup and sweat from the show. I almost blackout a few times from the combination of heat and being drunk. Somehow I manage to finish cleaning off and get dressed without falling over. I look at myself in the mirror, the person looking back at me is frail, pale and broken. 

The alcohol has calmed the ache in my soul but it has just left me with the void. The nothingness that is my existence, the numb feeling of being empty. I mourn the boy that I used to be, full of life and hope for the future. I don’t think I’ll ever get that boy back. 

I walk out of the bathroom, holding onto the sides of the bus to steady myself. The wooden door in the back is cracked open and I hesitate for a second outside. I can see Ashley through the crack. He’s sitting on the bed, reading some book. I bite my lip, remembering all the nights we spent together. 

He and I always were paired on hotel nights and often times I would end up falling asleep next to him as he read, my head on his lap as he played with my hair. We were so close... did he really blame me for thinking we could be more, for wanting more? It’s not normal to fall asleep in the arms of your ‘straight’ friend, but I did. 

Even when things got back with my drinking, he wouldn’t get angry with me. He would practically carry me into bed, he would stay up with me, holding my hair back when I got sick from drinking too much or when I was hungover.  A wave of sadness goes over me, did I waste the time I had with him like that being drunk? How many precious moments are lost to the void? 

“You can come in,” he said, not even looking up from what he’s reading. 

I open the door, walking in and shutting it behind me. I stumbled over to the bed, all but collapsing onto it. Ashley sets the book down and pulls me over to him. I rest my head on his bare chest and I can hear the steady beat of his heart. 

His hand feels cool on my cheek as he brushes my hair back out of my face. There is a calmness that overcomes me and I’m not sure if it’s just the alcohol or his touch. I try and fight to keep my eyes open, praying that I’ll remember this tomorrow. 

He pulls the covers over us, turning the lights out leaving only the occasional passing headlights to illuminate the small room. I feel safe in his arms, I feel grounded and at home. 

“I don’t want to have to watch you destroy yourself, Andy,” he whispers. 

“I-I don’t know how to stop.” My words slur together. 

“Just sleep tonight, okay?” he whispers. I try to hold onto this moment, but the alcohol in my system wins as I slip into a dreamless sleep. 

---

I wake up to a pounding headache and a nauseous feeling in my stomach. I remember bits and pieces of the previous night, but for the most part it’s all a blur. I sit up, rubbing my eyes and wincing at the light streaming in through the windows. I’m not in my bunk, I’m in the private room, Ashley’s room. I look around as my eyes adjust to the light, I’m alone. There’s a bottle of Advil on the bedside table next to me with a bottle of water. According to my phone, it is almost noon, I can hear chatter from the front of the bus and it only makes my headache worse. 

I want nothing more than to just fall back into the bed and pass out for another couple of hours before John drags me into whatever venue in whatever city we’re playing tonight. My stomach, on the other hand, has other plans, the sick feeling intensifies and I know the feeling all too well. I’m gonna fucking puke. I almost blackout as I stand up, my head spinning as I make my way up to the front. 

The guys all stop talking when they see me, I’m sure I look every bit as dead as I feel right now. Ashley is sitting at the table, scrolling through his phone. He stops, his honey-brown eyes darting up at me. He probably thinks I don’t remember being in his arms last night, but I do. I wish he was right... 

My stomach lurches forward as the bus hits a pothole. I groan, holding onto a seat to balance myself. “John... fuck pull over.” 

“We’ll be stopping for lunch in thirty minutes,” he replied, his eyes not leaving the road. 

“I’m gonna throw up, pull over,” I warn him. He mumbles something under his breath but pulls over on an exit ramp, several cars honking as they whiz past the bus. 

I barely make it out the door before throwing up the little in my stomach on the side of the road, my throat burns, already damaged from the copious amounts of whiskey I drank last night. I feel dizzy as another wave of nausea comes over me, fuck why did I have to drink last night... It’s all Ashley’s fault, he forced that first drink on me. 

I close my eyes, trying to make the feeling pass. Tattooed fingers lace through my hair, pulling it back, a hand on my back steadies me. “Just get it over with, you’ll feel better.” Ashley sighs. 

“W-What are you doing?”  “I mean, I was the one who forced you to break your no drinking rule last night...”  “Its’ not your fault.” I mean it is, but it was between breaking my promise (again) or ending my career. 

I straighten up, my stomach finally settling back down. Ashley hands me a piece of gum, helping me back on the bus. John is glaring at me and the rest of the guys just look at me with blank expressions. They can all keep their judgments to themselves. 

I make my way into the bathroom as John starts the engine back up, pulling back onto the road. I brush the taste of acid out of my mouth before popping the piece of gum. When I see my reflection, I understand why everyone was staring. I look like I’ve been drug through hell, my hair is a mess, my face is ghost white and my eyes look sunken in. Oh, the joys of a hangover... 

“Here, take this for your head.” Ashley’s soothing voice says, pushing the bottle of water and a couple of pills into my hand. I take them, looking over at him as he stands in the doorway. “Thanks..” 

Is he really doing all of this because he feels guilty for giving me a drink last night? Or is there something more to it, does he actually care about me? Does he miss the way we were? I shiver, the chills setting in, I need a fucking drink. 

“Take a shower, then when we get to the restaurant you can get something to eat. You’ll feel better then.” 

“I’d rather just have a fucking drink.”  “Andy...” I can hear the disappointment in his voice and it feels like daggers in my chest. 

He sighs, shaking his head before turning around and leaving me by myself. The door to the bathroom shuts and I let out a shaky breath. I’m too numb to cry.  

[drakonfire12]

MCGA and PJO crossover

That Awkward Moment When a Valkyrie Chose a Greek Demigod

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12602549/1/That-Awkward-Moment-When-a-Valkyrie-Chose-a-Greek-Demigod

     I didn't think I would end up in Valhalla (then again who does?). It was a simple mix-up. Wrong place, wrong afterlife. Anyone could have made that mistake. I would be surprised if I was the first.

     I was eating with my new flatmates when a letter was delivered to the thanes table. As soon as the thanes read the letter, one motioned for a Valkyrie. She nodded and walked towards me with a confused expression.

     "Your number's not up," she said, "back to the living you go." I look back at my flatmates as I start to follow the Valkyrie. What a curious bunch they are, from what I hear the games are really deadly, just as I like them. It's a shame I have to leave so soon. Typically getting out of the Underworld is more difficult, usually it involves dodging a variety of monsters, probably bribing Hades or making a deal depending on his mood. Seeing as how I'm dead (or so they tell me) I would think the act of escaping would be that much harder.

     I didn't comment on this abrupt turn of events, trying to play it cool expecting her to elaborate but she did no such thing.

     As the awkward silence in the elevator ride lengthened I couldn't stand the silence much longer. "So, what? I just go, just like that?"

     "Seems so, wrong demigod. Sorry for the inconvenience, " she explained. For someone getting a glimpse at another world she is strangely uninterested or maybe those were just her orders. From what I know different Pantheons don't like to mix, I can imagine the chaos it would cause.

     Eventually after a small eternity she couldn't stop herself, "so you're what, a Greek demigod?" I try to remember her name, Adelinde, Ada-, oh forget it.

     "Ya, is that important? I didn't know the rulers of the underworld were so xenophobic."

     "They aren't." She stated, seemingly lost in though. "We accept regular mortals and demigods." After a moment, she asks about the Greek world.

     I tried playing it cool and ended up bragging about my knowledge of the other world (which was very little seeing as I was exactly the cabin councilor)."Well we are more organized then you guys but the Romans top everyone in that department. Typically, we meet up at Camp Half Blood-," she cut me off before I finished bragging.

     "Romans? The Roman pantheon exists too?"

     "Egyptians too. It's supposedly only a rumor thought but in Camp Half-Blood it's hard to keep a secret around the Hermes Cabin. We rigged the Big House to listen in on the War Council and general stuff that Chiron doesn't want us to know, like the encounter with the Egyptians."

     "So, you're a child of Hermes?"

     "Ya, did my acceptance of chaos give me away or the way I died?" I wasn't too happy about dying after buying (okay, stealing) some comic books (I didn't even read them yet!). Death by Empousa wasn't exactly as hot as death by vampire on TV. I also may have added to said chaos in Valhalla, but who's going to miss the cutlery? They seem to have plenty to spare. Plus, I still need proof of this weird encounter, my cabin is going to be so jealous!

     Before she could question me further, the doors opened and we finally made it to the first floor. The hotel manager greets us as we make our way to the doors, "Hello, I must apologize for this inconvenience in your afterlife. The Valkyrie responsible for your visit is currently facing the consequence of her actions. I have also been informed to ask you to return the kitchen cutlery that you currently carry, please and thank you." Well there goes my proof. I handed him back his precious cutlery. "All of it please," he looked expectantly, trying to be patient and cautious not knowing what to expect from me. He looked at me as if I was an alien. Told ya, xenophobes the bunch of them! Chill dude, I'm only a Greek demigod!

     I give him back the rest of my loot. He continues, "Now please follow me to the exit, from there I was told your ride will be waiting." Ride? What ride? Did Chiron ask for some of the other campers to pick me up or maybe sent a pegasi? I hate Pegasus travel, I always end up car sick.

     He instructs Adelita (finally remembered her name) to go back to serving food to the einherjar. As Adelita goes back to the elevator, Helgi guides (READ: pushes) me to the doors.

     He opens the door for me and recites, "Thank you for staying at Hotel Valhalla. Please never come again." Wow both polite and insulting, all at once. I wonder how long it took him to master that?

     Walking out of the building I notice my ride. Contrary to what I thought, my ride was the Gray Sisters' taxi, just great. I'll be needed a paper bag it seems. So much for coming back in style. The whole camp will get to see me throw up.

     As I get in the taxi the sisters they state that my ride is already paid for, courtesy of Chiron. I ask for a paper bag and each of them give me the look. Oh yes, the look of perpetual annoyance and frustration (I'm quiet used to it from everyone, comes with the parentage). I grab the paper bag as one of the sisters passes it (not sure which, I wasn't exactly paying attention to that lecture on the Gray Sisters). The two who aren't driving keep turning their heads, probably waiting to hear the retching noises which would indicate that their precious car will need a wash.

     As I look back on today, I wonder, what was it that I wanted to show off to the Hermes cabin? Something about the Empousa back at what-its-name. Right the comic store! Stole a few comic books, got attacked by Empousa, almost died, saved by demigod who made me return the comics and called Chiron resulting in my ride of shame (there is no way that the he didn't hear about the stolen comic books). The demigod who saved me made sure to give Chiron the details of my situation. What was the demigod's name again? There was also something about a girl wasn't there? My savior's daughter maybe? Gods, that concussion from getting thrown at the dumpster by the Empousa is catching up with me. I'm so going to need some aspirin once I get to camp.

     The speeding car stops abruptly dropping me off near the boundary to camp. I thanked the Gray sisters as I slip out of the taxi and start walking to camp. I'm not sure exactly what happened today but I know what I'm going to tell them. After all, an adventure is an adventure, might as well get some points towards bravery. Maybe if I tell the story just right I can get out of chores for a week.

     As I look back at the taxi racing away, for a second I think of a huge hotel with-. Just like that the image is gone. The more I concentrate the more the information slips my mind. Oh well, no point giving myself a bigger headache over it. I continue walking towards the Golden Fleece waving in the wind with Peleus crawling around the tree. The Athena Parthenos gleams in the sun, she seems to look at me as if she knows something I don't, but that could just be my imagination.