The Daughter Of Olympus

Chapter 10: The Return of Shripzilla

Nick had it up to his neck with Luna's constant nagging. He usually tried to be a very calm and gentle person, but Luna was really hacking away at his last nerve. Not to mention the awkward swaying of the ship was giving him serious seasickness. He leaned back in the poolside chair and watched Luna as she angrily paced the deck of a cruise ship they had recently boarded. He brushed some stray hair out of his face.

"Luna, please sit down. You're making me nervous." He said, crossing his arms over his stomach, hoping it would help keep the sickness at bay.

"Don't tell me to sit down! YOU SIT DOWN!" She barked. Nick was going to say he was sitting, but decided against it. He liked having his extremities attached to his body.

"You're on a cruise ship, love. Enjoy it, there isn't anything else to do." Jasper encouraged from the pool. His black hair looked blueish in the sunlight as he bobbed up and down in the water. Nick couldn't stand water. He loved drinking it and showering in it- but voluntarily swimming in it? No thanks.

"We could be trying to find where in Rome Zan is!" Luna retaliated, "AND DON'T CALL ME LOVE!"

"Whatever you say, darling." Jasper cooed, smiling. Luna gave him a death glare. He winked. Nick could tell he was just doing it to annoy her. Jasper, you are going to get yourself killed. Nick thought, rolling his eyes and smiling.

Jasper was always one to play with a tiger as if it was a kitten. As a child he would often pull the most dangerous stunts and make the biggest messes. Then blame them on Nick. Luckily Ambrosius had always been wise beyond his years- and a good lie detector.

Luna shifted slightly, "How did you guys find out Zan was in Rome, anyway?" She asked, looking at Nick.

"Well..." He delayed, unsure of how to start. He subtly motioned to Jasper for help. Jasper came out of the water and grabbed a nearby towel which happened to belong to some lady. She didn't seem to care. She gawked at him instead.

"Spit it ou-"

"I tracked the vampire lady." Jasper cut in, pulling on a black t-shirt.

"What? How?" Now it was Luna's turn to gawk.

"Easy. I just threw some stuff around and put it in her pocket." He said. He was being humble. Nick remembered how much time and effort Jasper had put into constructing the tiny intricate machine, and how many nights Jasper had annoyingly muttered to himself as he drowned in books. Turns out all of his work was really worth it.

"Well... you did good." Luna muttered.

"What? Say it a little louder, I couldn't hear you." Jasper teased, cupping his hand to his ear. Luna sighed and rolled her eyes.

"You did good." She repeated a little louder. Jasper grinned.

"Thank you. You shouldn't expect any less from a child of Athena."

Suddenly Nick felt a very uncomfortable nauseous feeling creeping up from his stomach. He jumped up and ran to the edge of the boat, clinging to the railing with all his might. Then he lost his lunch.

"Man up, Snow White." Luna said.

"Snow White?" Jasper asked. Luna frowned.

"He has white hair... Snow white.", Jasper raised his eyebrow at her, "Ah forget it." she grumbled, walking off.

Jasper grinned in victory. He turned to Nick who collapsed against the railing, breathing heavily. He walked over to him and patted his back.

"You're going to be needing a Prince Charming, princess. Everyone needs a lover." Jasper teased. Nick blew air out of his nose as a small laugh.