A Different Reality (Percy Jackson Fanfiction)

Chp 110 - Piper's POV

MONDAY

Piper was in their little office, leaning her head on her hand, staring blankly at the computer screen. Claire had left five minutes ago to get them snacks, and Piper was still trying to come up with something to write about.

Any idea?

One that you would accept to write? None so far.

Maybe Claire can help us.

Maybe chocolate can help us. I hope she's bringing some.

The sound of a doorknob turning caught her attention.

Finally, I'm starving.

She was too fast, I hope she didn't forget what she was gonna do halfway there and came back empty-handed.

Wouldn't be the first.

More like thousandth...

The door opened, but who stepped inside their room wasn't Claire, but Niel.

Oh, no, not him again.

What is he doing here?

Maybe looking for Claire?

Well, she's not here; he can leave.

Niel took his time to approach her desk, looking everywhere, taking each step slowly, like he had any time in the world. Piper was watching him warily, until he stopped right in front of her desk. She held his eyes, not standing up.

"So, pirate, what can I do for you?"

"You could clarify who are you?"

Piper blinked twice.

"Seriously? Well, okay then."

She stood up, plastered a fake smile in her face and extended her hand to him, using a high pitched over-excited voice.

"Hi there! I'm Trish, nickname for Patricia, it's so nice to meet you!"

He stared at her hand like it was a poisonous snake. She pulled it back, letting the scowl slide back to her face.

"It wasn't what you wanted?"

"The jig is up love, the least you could do is stop making a fool of yerself. We can still be adults about this."

She snorted, sitting again.

"You can start being the adult and stop making silly questions."

He sat in the chair in front of her desk, even if she didn't invite him to do it.

"Only children never question love."

Piper took her time to close every window in her computer, before raising one eyebrow to him.

"Do you deal with children? They're the ones who question more! Why is the sky blue? Why can't I lie? How are rainbows created? Why do people get sick?"

"I said we could be adults and yet you persist to deflect. I'm trying to be mature about this."

She sighed, before crossing her arms and legs. The body language was clear, 'back off'.

"Okay. Let's be mature. Ask away."

Niel narrows his eyes looking for guile, a trick. He nodded, as deciding to trust that she might be serious.

"I've seen you fight. It takes years of intense study to be as polished as that."

Or a war. You learn things amazingly fast when your next breath depends on it.