𝙄𝙉𝙁𝙇𝘼𝙈𝙀𝘿; heroes of olympus

crackle and hiss

ERITH JAY
AT 9:00PM SHARP, Erith sat in her cabin with a drachma in her hand.

In her other hand was a handful of grapes. A spray bottle sat on the small table by her bedside.

Her cabin was nice and cozy, and quite frankly, Erith was exhausted. She'd only slept about an hour in Jason's cabin after using her powers, and she figured she was on the verge of passing out right about now. 

She had retired to her cabin early, partly because of the Iris message she had promised Jasper and Reyna, and partly because of how tired she was. Everyone seemed like they didn't want her to go, save for Frank and Hedge. Hell, even Hazel had hesitated, like she had wanted to talk to her.

But there was always time to talk later. Now? Well, Erith had more important people to talk to.

She set her grapes on her table and picked up the spray bottle. She pressed the small trigger on it and watched mist spray in the air.

"O Iris, goddess of the rainbow," Erith said, hoping that location wouldn't much matter, "show me Jasper Eliano." She threw the drachma into the mist and watched it shimmer and then dissolve.

At first, Jasper didn't see her. He was talking to two Romans. But when one gaped and pointed at the message, Jasper turned, and his expression turned to something panicked. "Be right with you," he said, before swiping his hand through the message, dissolving their connection.

Erith sighed and plucked a grape from its stem. Sure enough, a few minutes later, the Iris message reappeared. This time, instead of outdoors, Jasper looked to be in a small, dimly lit but cozy room―a tent?

"I just got Reyna," was the first thing he said to her. He removed his helmet as he did so. His hair was a rumpled, sweaty mess. "She'll be here soon. Sorry about cutting you off. Had to make sure the Romans didn't think I was..." his lips twitched as he turned toward her finally. "Consorting with Greeks. Octavian is close to having a fit."

Erith allowed herself a warm smile. "Go figure. He looks a bit like a maniac."

"Oh, he is," Jasper said. Now he was full on in the Iris message. "I wish I could hug you. How are you doing? Are you alright? You look tired."

"I'm okay, Jas, stop fussing over me." Erith shook her head, but she didn't really mind. "I'm more worried about you and Reyna. I―I mean, my friends left you guys in quite a tricky spot back there."

Jasper's face darkened and he frowned, but he shrugged. "Nothing we can't handle. What even happened, anyway?"

"I'll explain when Reyna gets here. It's a long story." 

Jasper nodded. "Just a warning, we're coming after your ship. Reyna and I are trying to stall as much as possible, but... Octavian is hellbent. And he's a good manipulator, especially to an angry crowd."

Erith sighed. "I know. I'm really sorry."

"It's alright. I trust you."

Erith's lips quirked up. "What if I told you I didn't know what I was doing?"

"I'd say... I still trust you a hell of a lot." His smile was so warm she felt something inside of her melt.

Jasper turned suddenly. "Hey, Rey." 

Reyna came into the image. Her hair was a hastily braided mess. She practically stumbled into the tent. "Hi." She looked up into the Iris message. "Erith."