Annabeth Does Obedience School
We stood in the shadows of Valencia Boulevard, looking up at the gold lezzers etched in black marble: DOA RECORDING STUDIOS.
"I still can't believe we found our way," Annabeth mutters.
Underneath, stencilled on the glass foors: NO SOLICITORS, NO LOITERING, NO LIVING.
It was almost midnight, but the lobby was brightly lit and full of people. Behind the security desk set a tough-looking guard with sunglasses and an earpiece.
I turned to my friends. - Okay. You remember the plan.
"Plans never work," Thalia snorts.
"Why do you say that?" Artemis asks with interest.
"Because plans never really work. Something always happens, a monster shows up, or whatever. The point is, something always happens," Thalia answers with a shrug.
Artemis nods at Thalia's response and continues to watch the girl.
Apollo smiles happily at the sight, hoping that his sister has also found a soulmate.
- The plan, - Grover gulped. - Yeah. I love the plan.
Annabeth said, - What happens if the plan doesn't work?
- Don't think negative.
"Is Ariel always this laid-back?" Hermes asks with curiosity
"On the outside, it seems that way, but Ariel is always worried because she doesn't want anyone to get hurt. She has too big of a heart sometimes," Grover replies.
Poseidon looks at his daughter with concern, glad that she has a good heart, but knowing that this could also be her downfall as a demigod.
Apollo and Ares exchange a brief glance, both agreeing that they will protect Ariel from anything or anyone.
They don't yet realize that Ariel can defend herself perfectly, but in time, they will come to understand.
- Right, - she said. - We're entering the Land of the Dead, and I shouldn't think negative.
"I shouldn't have said that, I'm sorry," Annabeth says, looking at Ariel with regret.
"Don't worry about it, Annie. You were just being honest, just like I was," Ariel says with a smile, and Annabeth smiles back.
Ares and Apollo roll their eyes.
I took the pearls out of my pocket, the three milky spheres the Nereid had given me in Santa Monica. Theey didn't seem like much of a backup in case something went wrong.
"Those pearls can be very useful," Triton says.
"Yes, now I know too," Ariel smiles at her brother, who melts at the sight of his little sister's smile.
Annabeth put her hand on my shoulder. - I'm sorry, Ariel. You're right, we'll make it. It'll be fine.
She gave Grover a nudge.
Ariel looks at Grover in disbelief, who just smiles at her shyly.
- Oh, right! - he chimed in. - We got this far. We'll find the master bolt and save your mom. No problem.
Amphitrite squeezes Poseidon's hand reassuringly.
I looked at them both, and felt really grateful. Only a few minutes before, I'd amost got them stretched to death on deluxe waterbeds, and now they were trying to be brave for my sake, trying to make me feel better.
