Dealing with Drama

Leaving the Lies

AN: Okay.... this entire five chapters a week thing is getting to me, so next two weeks will be slower updates, though I hope I will still be faster than any other author out there.

Time: Another few hours later

Percy had never felt more comfortable, and happy.... and sane, than when he sat down for dinner that day.

Nothing, not even Athena, could spoil his mood.

He assumed his usual seat, smiling brightly at everyone around him, surprising a few people, as he leaned casually against the sliding glass door.

The night outside was windy, promising a storm, or at least a tropical mid-summer shower, that night. The waves were higher than ever, crashing onto the beach with a fierce intensity and creating a cacophony of deafening noise that drowned out much of whatever was happening outside. The palm trees swayed and rustled in the cool wind, the waters of the pool choppy. The sky was overcast with dark clouds that occasionally rolled with thunder and bright flashes of lightning, blocking out the stars and the moon. There was not a sign of life outside, despite all the activity going on. A faint smell of ozone, and the sweet, invigorating fragrance of fresh, moist earth hung in the air outside. The glass door rattled slightly in its frame.

Angela and Sydney sat by Percy's sides, pushing Artemis and Thalia to take the positions next to them. With slight scowls on their faces, the two daughters of Zeus reluctantly agreed, not wanting to start a scene just before dinner.

The table was laid with hot, piping soup and delicious looking ramen, a deviation from the usual European/American dishes that Hestia made. Calypso and Piper were serving the others, Hestia was still in the kitchens with Cynthia, making a salad. Percy idly watched with mild amusement as Neo, Rose and Violet were engaged in an intense game of.... something which he did not recognize. He seriously had to repair his lack of a childhood.

Ruby and Atalanta were chatting idly about space pirates and yetis, Drew was examining herself in her handheld mirror, getting tips and pointers from Aphrodite, while Phoebe was sleeping with her head in her empty bowl of ramen. Rachel was sketching something in her pad, while Reyna and Cathy were engaged in an intense argument as to which brand was better- Adidas or Nike, with the Huntress obviously rooting for her mother's brand.

And, of course, as constant as the fact that the sun rose from the east, Athena had her nose in a book.

It was a beautiful family scene, and any unaware onlookers would mistake Percy to be the brother of twenty different looking, all hot, sexy and gorgeous sisters.

"Dinner!" Phoebe finally cried out in anticipation, making a few stifle giggles.

Atalanta, who was sitting beside her, smacked her head. "Dinner has been served a few minutes ago, sleepyhead."

Phoebe ruffled her lush mane of red hair sheepishly, accepting the soup that was offered by Reyna.

"You should eat something." Reyna elbowed Rachel to have her stop sketching.

Percy smiled serenely at them, accepting his bowl with a grateful nod.

"What's wrong with Jackson?" Artemis and Thalia spoke together, making them glance at each other before their attention was turned to the Dark god.

Hestia giggled nervously. "I might have done something to make him feel relaxed."

"What did you do?" Rose piped up, looking up from her bowl.