Dealing with Drama

Thalia's Tent

AN: Ugh. I'm getting so tired of this.

Time: A Few Months After Prologue Part 2

"And that is how you stop a friendly Cyclops high on Red Bull." Thalia finished solemnly, evoking laughter from all sides as her tale concluded.

Life at the Hunters had come back to what it was, well, as close as could be with less than half the number of members. The three children of the Big Three had come as a breath of fresh life, with almost everyone jumping in to teach the new, powerful demigods all there was to learn.

About all sorts of things. While Artemis and Phoebe taught them hunting and close combat, Atalanta taught them rudimentary medicine and basic first aid, etc. Meanwhile, pranking was something that had become staple at the Hunters' Camp, with everyone wary of each other, and always looking before sitting, or carefully inspecting their tents upon return for anything. Percy and Thalia were the ones who bore the brunt of pranks, because the two only seemed to target each other relentlessly, and everyone else jumped in for the ride.

Campfires had become a pleasant nocturnal ritual again, with every Hunter sharing anecdotes while roasting marshmallows around a roaring, bright campfire that lit up the surrounding area with a bright, orange flame.

Although everyone enjoyed it, the spark that burned bright at the Hunt was missing, with both Artemis and Percy being away on a scouting mission. They had left a few days prior, after receiving orders to scout a relatively large nest a few hundred miles to the southwest.

The night was one that evoked nostalgic memories of so many others like it, spent with their sisters underneath the open sky in different parts of the world. The bright silver of the full moon's orb bathed the wild landscape in ivory light that gave everything a silver tinge, showing off its goddess' happy mood. The star-studded, dark purple sky was clear and beautiful, and the eternal Huntress stood like a lonely, twinkling sentinel looking over her sisters. A slight breeze whispered through the tall, gently swaying coniferous trees, making the leaves rustle with the mysterious language of the forest. Insects added music to the chorus of the nocturnal forest, accompanied by the soft hoot of an owl flitting through the branches, and the perpetual, beautiful sound of a stream nearby. The air was fresh and sweet, as expected of a deserted forest so deep in uninhabited territory, and carried with it the gentle, sweet smell of the first flowers of spring.

Occasionally, the eye would catch glimpse of a wild animal's silhouette captured against the moonlight, but none paid them any attention, knowing that the power of Artemis, goddess of wildlife and forests, protected, and watched over both.

If they missed their parents, none of the Little Big Three gave any indication, for the family they had received was greater than any family they had left behind. Occasional bouts of homesickness still plagued them, but it was gone as soon as it came, the three preteens content with their overpowered brother's silly, childish antics, overprotective sisters and loving family.

"Alright now, let's go! No more stories, lights out for the night." Thalia ordered as lieutenant, glancing at the moon to confirm that it was indeed, late, later than usual.

Amid slight protests from the Hunters, she stood unyielding, unmovable from her staunch position to get all of them to sleep. Hands on her hips, she glared at the dissenters, the bright orange tongues of flame from the campfire reflected in her bright, electric blue eyes.

"Oh, I get it. Get the three younglings to bed, and then we'll chat, grown-up stuff, right?" Ruby smirked, elbowing Cathy and making everyone roll their eyes.