𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐀, 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐲 𝐣𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐨𝐧

23 - i knew you in another life

˖*࿐ •*⁀➷

MABEL HAD NEVER BEEN big on parties, but for once, she didn't mind this one.

Campers, Amazons, and Lares crowded the mess hall for a huge dinner, per the Feast of Fortuna. Even the fauns were invited, since they'd helped out by bandaging the wounded after the battle. Wind nymphs floated around the room, delivering orders of a variety of foods, all flying at terminal velocity.

Despite the battle merely an hour or so ago, everyone seemed to be in pretty good spirits. There had been very few casualties, and those that did fall during the fight were honored the right way.

The few campers who'd previously died and come back to life, like Gwen, hadn't been taken to the Underworld, which was pretty cool. Maybe Thanatos had turned a blind eye, or Pluto had given those folks a pass, like he had for Hazel.

Colorful Amazon and Roman banners hung side-by-side from the rafters and the restored golden eagle stood proudly behind the praetor's table, the walls decorated with cornucopias that spilled out waterfalls of fruit, chocolate, and fresh-baked cookies.

The cohorts mingled freely with the Amazons, jumping from couch to couch as they pleased, and for once the soldiers of the Fifth were welcome everywhere. Mabel lost track of her friends within minutes.

She ended up near the edge of the room, leaning against the wall and observing the festivities. It was nice to see the campers so laid back, freed from the constant clutches of discipline and routine they were trained to obey. She thought they should be like this more often.

A few campers came up to her, usually travelling in pairs and looking terrified, to congratulate her on the quest and make small talk. Mabel didn't completely mind— it was nice to talk to some of the kids she'd grown up with. Since the incident back in August, not many people had wanted to talk to her.

Dakota swung by for a few minutes, leaning against the wall beside her with a grin and offering a silver flask. When Mabel cocked a brow at him, he just tilted his head, purple eyes twinkling. "You've had a long ass week."

The daughter of Trivia considered him, then let out a sharp breath that might've been a laugh. "Long doesn't even start to cover it," she huffed before swiping the flask from him. Sniffing the contents, Mabel pulled a face at the sharp smell before allowing herself one sip.

As he took his drink back, Dakota just winked, pushing off the wall and disappearing back into the crowd.

As she observed the room, Mabel witnessed a lot of flirting and arm-wrestling— which seemed to be considered the same thing for the Amazons. At one point, Kinzie, the Amazon who'd helped them in Seattle, made her way over. Mabel did end up declining the offer to join the Amazons.

Fortunately Kinzie took it well. She told Mabel what had happened after they'd left Seattle— how Hylla had defeated Otrera in two consecutive duels to the death, so that the Amazons were now calling their queen Hylla Twice-Kill.

"Otrera stayed dead the second time," Kinzie said, batting her dark eyes. "We have you to thank for that. If you ever change your mind... Well, we'd be thrilled to have you. You could even bring that boy of yours, if you must."

Mabel tilted her head, amusement pulling at the corner of her mouth. "I'll keep it in mind."

Eventually, Percy spotted her at the edge of the room and his face brightened as he began to push his way through the crowd. He looked tired and overwhelmed, all messy hair and dirt smudges from the battle, but his smile was like the sun.