Moon Signs {-THEYNA-}

CHAPTER 2 - THALIA

'Venus.' Reyna sighed.

'Aphrodite,' Thalia gasped.

'Girls, hello!' The goddess of beauty smiled smugly.

Artemis looked at the demigods, 'Aphrodite, can I please get you to leave?'

Thalia stared at the person beside Artemis who was looking familiar. Thalia had to take a second look at the woman beside Artemis. She had long dark hair with small braids in her hair let loose hanging to the Aphrodite's shoulder blades, similar to the traditional hairstyle of the Roman goddess of war.

Adorning her figure was a skirt that reached her ankles that was dark blue, almost black, with silvers swirling along it making patterns that constantly kept changing. Her top was limited with a strapless crop top that was the same blue as her skirt. Hanging from her head was a parker that was white in colour, by the hoodie.

'You like my parka?' the goddess of beauty caught Thalia's gaze, 'That seems to be the trend at the moment.' She gestured at Reyna, Artemis and then Thalia. 'Piper, my daughter, also seemed to take a liking to this clothing item. You know Piper, right?'

Aphrodite's eyes met Thalia's blue ones. The goddesses eyes were ever changing but the colours weren't all natural, neon pink to a deep red and then to a glowing yellow. Her skin tones also changed but always had an olive tone proceeding to change gradually to a tan.

Before Thalia's eyes the goddess shape was changing. Not the slim figure which Aphrodite was decipited with in most sculptures. The fat on her arms was thickening and Thalia imagined that the same was happening on her section.

'Aphrodite... PLEASE leave.' Artemis was getting annoyed, 'You have no authority to organise a quest among my hunters.'

Thalia felt Reyna tense beside her at the mention of a quest.

The two goddesses had a staring competition, but it was also clear that they were having a telepathic conversation.

Thalia shifted from foot to foot, feeling awkward. If it had just been Artemis, the daughter of Zeus would have already wandered off. Except Thalia was in Aphrodite's presence and probably wouldn't be acceptable if she just walked off.

Reyna knuckles brushed against the black-haired girl's, Thalia felt reassured. On the low chance that Artemis would agree to whatever Aphrodite's idea was, if either of them were chosen for a quest they would definitely choose each other for their trio.

Artemis sighed heavily, 'Thalia, Reyna you may leave... We have some things to discuss.'

Thalia and Reyna turned around, milliseconds apart. The two girls walked back into the forest in which they had been chasing each other.

It's probably best if we don't stick around while they 'chat' Thalia though.

They daughter of Zeus and Bellona walked in silence, before either daring to speak, sharing their thoughts of a possible quest.

Thalia and Reyna reached the other side of the forest into the suburban area. Then they looked at each other and started laughing.

Reyna's laugh was low and throaty, a genuine belly laugh. Thalia expected that she got it from the pirates and the time they spent travelling.

Nothing around them was remotely funny but after being tense and silent for so long, which was definitely unlike Thalia. Reyna, on the other hand, could go for almost two days without speaking, which Thalia had learned when Reyna had joined the hunt. Though it was revealed that she had somehow inhaled helium and made her voice go all squeaky. No one had figured out while the effects lasted so long.

The two laughed on the edge of the forest until we were both out of breath and our sides hurt. Thalia couldn't remember the last time she laughed so hard.

'So... what do you want to do?' Reyna gasped breathlessly.

Thalia thought hard. 'I'd say go beat up some jerks but we'll get into trouble.'

Reyna smiled, 'Only if you get caught!'

Thalia looked at the smiling roman demigod, hardly believing the cheeky side of Reyna which she just revealed.

'I think the screams will get us caught.' Thalia sighs, overreacting to her disappointment. 'Maybe we could... go to laser tag?'

Reyna looks over to the sign revealing that there was a laser tag at the end of the street.

'Sure. I don't see why not.'

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After paying and waiting in a long line, they finally got into the room, both on the same team. There had been a birthday party there, so all the kids at the party had been split into two teams and already had the max amount on each team. That meant that Thalia and Reyna were by themselves.

The staff there had asked if the two girls wanted to go on a later session but Thalia and Reyna both felt like a challenge.

Walking into the dimly lit room with brightly coloured lights. The various levels in which would hide the participants, Thalia only felt as if this was an easy version of capture the flag which she played at Camp Half- Blood.

After causally shooting down multiple people and cornering the other team like deer in headlights the game was over. Reyna and Thalia both had come first out of the three teams and within that they had tied. Exactly 272 kills each, setting a new record for the Laser Tag arena.

"Good game.' Thalia shook hands with everyone from the birthday party. Reyna was also doing the same but was held when awkwardly standing while a group of boys harmlessly flirted, complimenting her skills.

A small part of Thalia was annoyed at the boys. Though Reyna did look especially good looking with stray strands of hair plastered against her face from the sweat and her long hair plaited down her back. She had ditched a silver parker revealing a purple athletic singlet, the shirt as a reminder of her time at Camp Jupiter. Her slim legs were covered by the cameo patterned jeans, but instead of the army greens and browns, the shapes were greys and whites like the moon.

The Roman demigod looked over towards Thalia and beckoned for her to walk over.

'Thalia is my partner' Reyna introduced the boys to Thalia, 'Thalia, played with me in the game of laser tag. She's my equal when it comes to... athletics.'

Thalia couldn't help but notice that one of the boy's faces fell when Reyna said partner.

'Sup?' Thalia casually lent against the wall behind her.

'Hi?' The boys replied.

'Hey, Reyna... don't we need to go?' Thalia asked the girl beside her.

Technically, the Hunters of Artemis were being summoned and they did need to go but it was also getting Reyna out of the awkward conversation.

Reyna nodded seeing the wolf walking in. 'Yeah.' She nods towards the boys and walks towards the entrance.

'Much appreciated, lieutenant.' Reyna whispers.

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They follow the wolf through the forest again towards the camp.

Thalia could feel the dread seeping into her; this would determine whether or not there would be a quest. If there was the daughter of Zeus of was certain that as the second in command of the Hunters of Artemis she would be a participant of the quest.

The last quest assigned by a god other than Artemis, had only ended with half dead and everyone else about to go to war against Luke.

Thalia wasn't ready as she saw Artemis with a grim face, standing outside of her tent.