BY fates design

Date?

When morning came, Cassiopeia was reluctant to get out of bed, thoroughly enjoying the warmth of her husband and comfort of the blankets. However, with a little convincing from Percy, she agreed to go on the condition of getting both dragon fruit and figs for breakfast.

The Great Hall was already packed by the time they arrived, and it appeared they were only waiting for a few more people before the next film would begin.

Achlys waved them over to sit with her, Euphemia, Sally, Walburga, Druella and Alpahrd. As promised, Cassiopeia received her fruit as the next film began.

After their quest, there was just over a month left of summer break. Percy had decided to stay for the rest of this time and after asking a hundred times, he convinced Cassiopeia to do the same. Unfortunately, her siblings couldn't stay.

Jake had duties to attended to as Cassiopeia's advisor and second in command, Alex had documents and papers to sort through as the accountant and Kira said she wanted to work out a more thorough training regime for the guards. The only one that didn't have to leave was Eleana, however, Cassiopeia assured her that she would be fine without her lady in waiting and urged her to go and supervise her siblings.

"We did not need supervising." Kira huffed, rolling her eyes.

"You, single handedly, set fire to the training room in the Black Manor." Eleana reminded.

Jake had been the most frustrated about leaving, saying he wanted to help Thalia settle in more before he had to go, but despite Cassiopeia assuring him everything would be fine if he stayed, he decided it was best he returned to complete his responsibilities (plus he missed their dad and friends).

For the most part, the summer passed by smoothly. Cassiopeia took up the task of helping Thalia get settled in again after Jake left, giving her a far more detailed run down of the past few years.

They got on well, despite Thalia being rather prickly at first, and as it turned out, the daughter of Zeus refused to talk to anyone who wasn't Annabeth, Grover, Chiron or Cassiopeia. Within Thalia's first week back, Argus had driven her, Cassiopeia and Annabeth out to a shopping centre to buy some new clothes and essentials for the girl at Cassiopeia's demand. Though Thalia didn't say it at the time, she really did appreciate how much effort the daughter of Nyx was putting in to make her comfortable.

Thalia smiled softly at the memory, she truly did appreciate all the effort Cassiopeia had put into making her feel comfortable around camp, especially after Jake left.

Sitting by the edge of the water, Cassiopeia waved to the naiads as they weaved baskets below the waves. Every now and then a breeze would brush by and drag her hair into her face, but she couldn't find it in herself to be annoyed as it always carried the familiar smell of the sea.

From the top of the sand dune, Percy watched her. Not in a creepy way. He had every intention to go and join her, it was simply that she looked so beautiful and content by herself that he didn't want to disturb her.

"You look like a creep." His hand reached for Riptide before he realised who it was. Thalia stood beside him, messy dark hair blowing around in the breeze, her electric eyes rimmed with striking black eyeliner.

"I do not." Percy protested, glaring at the girl beside her.

"Real convincing." Nico rolled his eyes with a barely concealed snicker.

"Yeah, real convincing, shrimpy." Thalia rolled her eyes, returning the glare.

"What is your problem with me?" Percy bit, "in fact what's your problem with everyone here? All we've done is try to help you and you're making it so difficult."