We Work With What We Can

Chapter 1

Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson or any of the characters mentioned below.

Non-official disclaimer: I haven't written for a very long time so I sincerely apologies for the not-very-up-to-standard writing but I had to start somewhere.

"My lady, it has been a long time since you've last visited," Thalia mentions casually without turning around as she brushes her hair, her eyes lingering on a pair of scissors as she contemplated if she should cut her hair again.

"And your senses are as sharp as ever," Lady Artemis replied, striding over to take a seat at the centre of Thalia's camp. "There is something I need to discuss with you, a misunderstanding I hope you could clear up, if you please."

At this, Thalia turned to face Artemis, confusion evident in her eyes. "Misunderstanding, my lady? Is there something I have done wrongly?"

"Well," Artemis smirks a little, letting out a small chuckle, "Everything, if we are comparing how you manage the camp as compared to the highly traditional style Zoe Nightshade had used to manage the huntress. Although it's about time we had an upgrade and it is not this that I have come to discuss." She paused for a moment, as though unsure how to continue (a little strange, considering the fact that she is goddess despite how young she may appear). "It has come to my notice that the hunters now 'return' to Connecticut every few weeks and the huntress have an ongoing rumour."

"Rumour..." Thalia blinked, surprise. The way the goddess said it hinted clearly that it wasn't just any rumour. It was the rumour. The ultimate treachery that the huntresses love to suspect others of committing. "That I'm visiting a boy?"

"Quick, as usual, my lieutenant. Indeed, they seem to think that you return rather emotional from your 'visits' and the most common idea is that you have an on-off affair with a boy."

Despite the serious tone that the goddess had addressed her with, Thalia burst out laughing. "Did we recently recruit a daughter or legacy of Aphrodite?" she snorted, doubling over with laughter at the thought of it. "I am not Lady Artemis, and I am sure you would know if it was otherwise. I have, however, yet to ask if you do have an issue with the huntress setting camp in Connecticut every other week? There is an impressive number of monsters appearing here every since the gods have started claiming their children and the influx of demigod had caught the attention of the monsters as well." Thalia reasoned, pulling herself up to deliver her message as convincingly as possible

"I cannot deny that, but I would still need to know who you have been visiting. It is, well, another unusual practise for the huntress to set semi-permanent camps after all. I've heard that there are medical supplies actually being kept here and there are 'trainings' that are being carried out here as well."

Thalia frowned as they fall into a rather sensitive topic she'd much rather not bring up. The worst part is that she couldn't really tell Artemis' take on the topic from her tone as Artemis had kept her tone fairly ambiguous and she couldn't gauge what stand would be a good one to take. Well, honest it is then. "May Castellan is... the closest thing I have to a parent I suppose, with my mother... deceased, I have been visiting her. It's just a way I pay homage to my lost friend, if that is not an issue with you, my lady. The medical supplies are kept at, well, my old safehouse - one that, Annabeth, Luke and I built that is since I figured it allows us to travel faster if we packed light. About the training, there hasn't been time to request permission with how busy the huntress have been recently after the war but many of us have entertained the idea of holding 'training' for new huntress, especially for those who do not know how to fight yet. Our idea is not to have a repeat Bianca, my lady, if you will allow it, of course."

Artemis pondered for a moment as Thalia awaited her verdict. Sometimes, Artemis wonders if she gives Thalia too much leeway for she is her half-sister and she is more sentimental than she lets on. But Thalia had the aptitude, steadily improving the huntress strength and numbers since she has taken over, and has been able to reason out all her actions well enough that it is fair to let her get away with it. Her actions are a little unusual, very different and slightly advantageous to what Thalia wanted to do, but ultimately still an improvement for the huntress. After a while, Artemis makes her decision, giving a 'go-ahead' sign as she stands, preparing to leave.