The Flow of Time~ PJO RTB/WTM

1:2

Once the chapter had finished Artemis was still suspicious of the description of Maristela's sword. So, from the right side of the room, the goddess leaned forward on her throne and asked, "Do you still possess this sword, Stela Jackson?"

Not surprised by the question, but wary of the goddess's reaction, Stela gave a simple nod and replied, "I do." Artemis clasped her hands in her lap and asked, "May I see it?" Stela nodded again and reached into the back pocket of her shorts.

Everyone watched as a simple ballpoint pen rested between Stela's fingers. Then, with a dramatic flourish, she uncapped the pen and watched with a fond smile as it transformed into a sword.

Now seeing the sword for a prolonged amount of time, Artemis was able to recognize the weapon. Stela's grip on the sword subtly tightened as she watched Artemis's eyes harden. With a steeled voice she asked, "How did you acquire this sword?"

Stela slowly recapped her sword while she took deep, even breaths. She was proud of herself for not automatically retorting, but her resolve was quickly breaking.

Nico had lifted his head from her left shoulder when he felt her start shaking. Turning his gaze to her face, he sighed when he saw Stela biting her lip to suppress laughter.

Leaning forward so her eyes faced the ground, she rests her elbows on her knees. Stela then moved her hands that held her pen/sword between them and rested them on her forehead.

All of the demigods watched with bated breath for what Stela would do. The gods and goddesses all looked very confused.

Everyone had started silently looking at each other when all of a sudden there was quiet laughter heard throughout the throne room.

Stela's shoulders were now visibly shaking. Her laughter quickly went from quiet to full on belly laughing. She had slumped on her beanbag and was consistently wiping tears from her eyes. And while she was able to see she looked around at the faces of her friends and the younger versions of the gods and completely fell apart.

With his head tilted in slight confusion, but a smile tugging at his lips, Hermes turned to the group of demigods. First looking at his sons, and then the others, he asked, "Does this happen often?" Connor and Travis made a so-so gesture with their hands. The other demigods had about the same reactions. Annabeth and Grover shared a glance before looking at Hermes and saying, "Too many times to count."

The god of thieves gave a slow nod to the answers he received. He then turned his attention back to Maristela. There was the barest hint of admiration in his eyes as he watched the demigoddess quiet her laughter and slightly stumble and flop back into her fluffy seat.

When Stela had wiped her eyes a final time, she turned her attention to Artemis. She the barely restrained anger in the goddess's eyes and didn't hold back her smirk. Clearing her throat she said, "I mean no disrespect when I say this Lady Artemis, you're actually one of the gods that I like, but we just read exactly how I received the sword." Stela pressed her lips together to suppress another bout of laughter when she saw the goddess's eyes flash with irritation, but also slight embarrassment.

Several of the other gods also had to keep their laughter at bay. Hermes came close to breaking, but he knew Artemis would retaliate. Apollo knew the same, but that didn't stop him.

As Apollo let his laughter burst from his lips Artemis's head snapped away from Stela and directly across the room towards her twin. Without a second thought she materialized her bow, notched an arrow, and shot Apollo directly in the shoulder.

The god wailed in pain for a good minute or two before yanking the arrow out and healing himself. Afterwards he didn't say a word, but he did cross his arms and pout while simultaneously sending Artemis a glare.