BY fates design

Shopping

Everyone turned in early that night, exhausted from the long day of seeing so many new things and people. Even Cassiopeia caved to her brother's calling.

It was before sunrise when the wards sent a ripple
of magic through Cassiopeia to alert her of a new presence. Jolting from her sleep, she rolled out of bed, only stopping to slide on her slippers before hurrying to the floo system.

"Peia!" A body came crashing into her as she turned the corner. Huffing a sigh of relief, Cassiopeia hugged the 'intruder' back. "Good morning to you too, Betty." She smiled giving the blonde a kiss on the cheek before backing away. She took note of how Achlys had neglected to change out of the fuzzy white PJs she slept in.

"Aww you look adorable." Barty teased, pinching his daughter's cheeks. Achlys glared at him half heartedly and whacked his hand away.

Behind Achlys stood a slightly shorter, platinum blonde girl with dazzling blue eyes also dressed in nightwear. "Good morning LuLu." Cassiopeia greeted giving the younger girl a hug, "how are you both? You're early, nearly scared me to death when the wards told me you came."

"Oh we're fine, sorry for scaring you. The nargles were bothering the home so we came early." Luna said, her eyes wandering around the entrance hall. Cassiopeia smiled and patted her head softly. "Well I hope there are no nargles here to bother you. Would you like to see your rooms before dinner?"

Both girls nodded in confirmation. Cassiopeia took them on a quick tour before stopping at their rooms, they were along the same corridor as Corvus and Astro. After dropping off their things, and changing their clothes, the trio went down to the dinning room for an early breakfast.

Just as they were finishing their food, footsteps echoed in the passageway outside the hall. One by one, Annabeth, Delilah, Sally, Grover, Clarisse, Conner, Astro, Corvus, Percy, Remus and Will came trudging into the room, some with notably more energy than others.

"I love Sally." Achlys whispered to Luna who was sat beside her. The younger girl nodded in agreement with a smile.

"Good morning." The girls greeted. The new faces startled the demigods slightly as they waved awkwardly to the two blonde girls. "This is Betty and Luna." Cassiopeia introduced gesturing to each girl, "they go to school with me and will be staying here as well." She informed.

"It's nice to meet you girls, I'm Sally Jackson, Percy's mom." Sally introduced with a smile patting her son on the head.

The others took turns introducing themselves as they took their seats around the table to eat their own breakfast. Cassiopeia stayed sitting as they ate, sipping on a cup of earl grey tea that Pola had brought her.

"I was thinking," Remus spoke up, "if you, Cassiopeia, take your guests shopping as planned, I assume Betty and Luna will be going with you, then me and the boys can stay here to help begin preparations for the ball." Cassiopeia nodded.

"That would be much appreciated if you don't mind. I know we still have some time but I don't want to be rushing the preparation on Yule eve." She smiled at her uncle and cousins. She could never express enough of her gratitude for her family.

Everyone excused themselves to dress for the day, preparing to leave within the hour if they could. Cassiopeia waited with Achlys and Luna in the art room, she was showing them her latest project, asking their opinion on the perspective. "It looks lovely." Luna complimented with a light hearted smile.

Even if it wasn't their first time seeing the painting, the amazement hadn't faded. Each stroke of her brush was so deliberate and precise, breathing life into the image.