The Moon's Shine (PJO)

Chapter 38

Social interaction wasn't tough with demigods; they'd fought through thick and thin together and considered themselves honorary siblings. But that only applied to friends.

You see, Percy wasn't on friendly terms with his fellow demigods. Each day, he attempted to limit his time in public places as friends and family alike betrayed him because of unfounded rumors, which was why he would rather face a pack of hellhounds than the hate of camp.

"I don't get it," Percy told Mr. D, trying not to panic. "Please let me go. For both of our sakes." 

Of course, he didn't say the last part—but it was clearly conveyed through his urgent tone.

"I like your guts, brat," the god of wine said, ignoring Percy's plea. "Which is why, as the camp director, I believe that my lowly subordinat—I mean, demigods, would fare well by learning about your experiences."

Next time, try not to insult me before buttering me up, Percy thought, rolling his eyes.

Meanwhile, Chiron looked away, feigning interest toward the neighboring table, where a group of demigods was currently playing a heated game of poker—but Percy had the feeling that the centaur was attempting to hide his exasperation. And then he understood what was happening.

"Someone paid you to watch over me, right?" Percy guessed. "And this is the first time you've celebrated your birthday at Camp—which is pretty weird. Did you do all of this . . . to supervise me?"

"Watch your words, brat. Do you know who you're talking to?" Mr. D snapped, as if he'd hit a nerve. "Do you think this Olympian would take orders from another god—?"

"I believe that Lady Aphrodite requested for Milord to watch over you," Chiron told Percy. "Though I don't know why he accepted . . ."

"Do you have a crush on Lady Aphrodite?" Percy asked Mr. D in a frank tone, abandoning his attempt to be the epitome of politeness. 

"Of course not!" Mr. D shivered at the thought of it. "The lady would kill me!"

"You have attempted to seduce her at every Olympian banquet," Chiron reminded him.

"That's not really important at this moment, is it?" The god lowered his voice to a whisper. "Plus,   if she didn't like the attention, she probably would use an uglier form . . ."

As Lady Aphrodite's champion, would beating Mr. D up count as defending my patron? Percy thought to himself. I don't think anyone would mind.

". . . Besides, the woman holds unimaginable power—but is fair about it." Mr. D had a magnificent smile on his face as though his mind was somewhere far, far away from Camp Half-Blood.

"Did she promise you a soulmate?" Chiron asked.

"You bastard! Why'd you have to say it so loudly?!"

Chiron shrunk back. "I'm very sorry, milord . . ." Percy'd never seen the centaur this meek before.

Mr. D looked around uneasily, as if worried that something—no, someone would appear. He raised his voice as if to address his surroundings. "Why would I need a soulmate when I have my dearest Ariadne?"

Chiron's eyes lit up with understanding. "Oh! How could I forget about your faithful wife? You wouldn't dare to cheat on someone like that . . ."

Doesn't he have a few children at camp? Percy thought, suspicious.

"Well, I guess I'll grab some food . . ." Percy said as Chiron and Mr. D burst into a fit of nervous laughter.