𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐀, 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐲 𝐣𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐨𝐧

03 - a goth teen exposition yaps

˖*࿐ •*⁀➷

MABEL WAS PROBABLY NICO DI ANGELO'S BIGGEST FAN. Now, that wasn't really saying anything, because not a lot of people liked Nico. But that's not a bad thing, since Mabel can count on two hands the amount of people that like her in her whole life, so she knew what it was like. 

But Nico was just an interesting kid. A good two years younger than her, he acted like a fourteen-year-old adult going through his goth phase. He had the whole emotionless, mysterious, scary thing down just like Mabel, and his poker face was nearly impenetrable. Basically Mabel but little and emo. 

Hazel led the other two demigods to Pluto's temple, a black crypt built into the side of Temple Hill. The entire building shimmered with ghostly energy, putting off a cool draft that marred the warm summer afternoon. 

Standing right outside was Mabel's favorite ghost boy, dressed in black jeans and an aviator jacket— both of which seemed far too heavy for summer; but Mabel was certainly not one to judge, standing in the heat in her grey long-sleeve and black cargos. 

"Hey, Ghosty!" the daughter of Trivia called, only the slight twitch of her lips breaking the steely calm of her face. 

Hazel grinned. "Hey, we brought a friend," she said as they approached.

Nico turned, his eyes glancing over Hazel, then Mabel, before landing on Percy. There was a flicker in the young boy's eye, a movement so imperceptible that no one would notice, but Mabel knew micro-expressions. She knew them well. And when Nico's face went through about seven different emotions in a split second, Mabel knew something was up.

The son of Pluto's dark eyes looked haunted, like shattered glass as he regarded Percy with a clenched jaw. Mabel's gaze was pulled to a misty form flickering in the air behind Nico, one she'd only seen a couple of times. Bianca.

Nico had told her a little bit about his late sister one night when she'd been out for a walk to avoid the nightmares. They'd run into each other outside of the sword arena past midnight, and a light conversation had led to life stories. But there the girl stood, dark hair pulled into a braid down her back, freckles blurring into olive skin like they might've been a figment of one's imagination. 

Hazel didn't really seem to notice too much, though she looked wary as she introduce the son of Pluto to Percy, who, when Mabel focused on him, looked desperate. 

"This is Percy Jackson," Hazel said. "He's new here. Percy, this is my brother, the son of Pluto."

Nico schooled his expression, holding out a reluctant hand to the taller boy. "Pleased to meet you," he murmured, though that seemed like a flat-faced lie. "I'm Nico di Angelo."

The two teens shook hands, both looking uncomfortable in the situation. Percy's brows pulled down into what Mabel was learning was his thinking face. "I know you," he decided, studying Nico. 

Nico raised a brow. "Do you?" He glanced to Mabel and Hazel for an explanation. 

Mabel crossed her arms over her chest, letting Hazel explain Percy's situation while she stared at the younger boy. He was trying to act casual, to ignore his slip up, but it wasn't working on her. Something was weird. 

Nico frowned. "This story about Gaea's army... you've told Reyna?"

Mabel nodded, chewing her lip. "Evil Mother Earth," she mumbled under her breath. "Like Moana."

Percy looked like he wanted to laugh as he asked, "Gaea... she's the reason for the Giant War, right?"

Nico looked uncomfortable, but he nodded. "She got mad when the gods took over for the Titans. She married Tartarus, the spirit of he abyss, and gave birth to a race of giants. They tried to destroy Mount Olympus, but the gods finally beat them. At least... the first time."