Discovering Recovery (Brypu fanfic/ Origins of Olympus AU)

Ch 23 - A Ball Seems Swell...

(T/W: Minor descriptions of forceful arm amputation and blood)

Moku (Focus: Bri)

Bri gasped awake, her body jittery as she adjusted herself. She looked outside: it was daybreak.

She groaned in her hands, thinking to herself, 'Another stupid nightmare. I swear these aren't helping me at all.'

She decided to get out of her bed and go onto her balcony. She squinted as she watched the sun on the horizon, taking in a refreshing breath of sea salt. She closed her eyes, enjoying the scampering of Cocos and the cries of the animals. Unfortunately, though, this fragile peace was disrupted.

"BRI!" a voice cried, the person crashing next to her in a flurry of feathers. Bri startled and jumped to the side, hands ready to cast a spell. The person got up and tackled her, wetness seeping into her bosom.

"...Bryan?" she whispered. The person nodded.

She dragged him onto a nearby chair and gently placed him on it. Bri frowned as she saw a multitude of cuts, bruises, and bent feathers. She put her hands on his, sending a weak healing magic flow. Bryan looked up at her. His face was flushed and his eyes swollen. He let out a shuddering breath, tears beginning to flow again.

In a soft voice, he told her, "Helios died." 

Bri blinked, "E-excuse me?"

He looked up, "He's dead Bri, the Rose got to him. He's gone."

Bryan sniffled, Bri only shook her head and held her brother in a winged embrace, "Do you at least still have his pendant?"

He pulled it out from inside his himation, gingerly passing it to Bri. She grasped it weakly and hugged her brother tighter.

He sniffled again, "The Ball is today..."

Bri pulled back, a disapproving look on her face, "Excuse me mister, but just because we planned this ball doesn't mean we have to go. I mean, look at you! You're emotionally and physically drained! And those eyebags will be needing a whole lot more than just some concealer."

Bryan let out a weak chuckle, "But if we don't go, then we might be seen as bad still. Plus...this means a lot to me Bri, so...please."

Bri gave him an apprehensive look, "Ugh, fine. But only because I'd feel bad and you're older or whatever."

He looked up at her and with a defeated sigh, stood up. "Bri," he said, suddenly serious, "We promised the campers a decent ball, and plus," he leaned in to whisper, "mother might not be pleased if we don't hold this ball, you know how she is."

Bri nodded forlornly. She knew how spite was basically a genetic trait at this point, and she knew the stakes at hand. Bri stood up and dusted herself off.

"One more thing Bri," Bryan sighed, "The Rose...it looks like me, other than the reversed clothes and red eyes, it looks like me...I think that if it didn't look so similar, then maybe I would've done better...would've helped Helios faster..."

She looked over to Bryan and offered him a hand, "Well, even with all my magical healing, I can't bring back someone from the dead. Buuuttt, I'm great at makeup, and if what you say is true, then I'll be more than happy to make you look different. We have at least 6 more hours before we need to double-check everything."

"Ok."

~~~

Aphrodite Ball (Focus: Inpu)

Inpu watched in fascination as he and other campers approached the cloud. The sparkling lights and pink decor contrasted sharply with the surrounding night sky. The fairy horses and their riders soon arrived at the landing platform, where a chest awaited everyone. Demigods tapped their horses and returned them to the amulets, smiling or gasping as they took in the scene in front of them.