Areteanni:Daughter of Poseidon

Chapter 2

Chapter 2:City that never sleeps

Percy

We finally arrived in New York the next day through two excruciatingly long bus rides and we went straight into a diner. I ordered eggs with a side of bacon and a cup of coffee. Tyson ordered a stack of pancakes, a burger, a big slice of apple pie and a pitcher of orange juice while Grover ordered eggs, pancakes and a big glass of soda and proceeded to eat the tissue as dessert. You know the expression, I'm so hungry, I could eat a cow? Tyson and Grover could definitely do that. Well maybe not Grover seeing as cows are sort of his kin. Sort of.

"Guys, how do we find this Arianni girl?" Grover mumbled with a mouthful of tissue in his mouth. We were all famished but it seems like the only one who finished his food was Grover. We had no clue at all where this girl could be. New York is a big and bustling city. Anyone of the girls could be Arianni.

"Maybe we should just stroll around New York. We'll find her soon enough." I shrugged nonchalantly and Grover looked at me as if I was a madman. I knew that it was ridiculous but I had to find a way to lift up their spirits.

"Percy, New York is one of the biggest cities in the world. It could take months for us to backpack around New York. And plus, how do we even find her when we're moving around so much? She could be anywhere we miss." Grover pointed out and I knew that he was right. We could easily miss her.

"I know, Grover. But we have to try. My dad was really upset about this. Something's going on and I want to find out just what." I declared determined. I didn't like my dad keeping secrets from me. The last time he did it almost cost me mine and Annabeth's life. Just then two girls entered the diner somewhat looking frantic. They went right up to the counter and ordered.

"We have to get this to her fast." the redheaded one said and the other blonde one nodded. It was hard not to eavesdrop on them when they were talking so loud.

"Yeah. But she's not the mean type.We can probably make her wait a few minutes."the blonde insisted but the redhead's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Hello, do you have any idea who you're talking about?! No one makes Arianni Poseies wait." the redhead said and I looked up in time to see the two girls slip out the door. I threw $20 on the table and ran out to follow the girls with Grover and Tyson right behind me. We bobbed and weaved through the crowds of people going to work on a typical Wednesday morning. We struggled to keep up with the two girls but finally we reached a studio where the girls entered.

~>~>~>~>~>~

A photoshoot was happening and everyone in the room was in a frenzy. Tyson and I started looking around for someone that would strike us as an Arianni but then we realized that it was stupid to assume that someone was Arianni judging by her looks.

"Uh, guys! I think I found her." Grover said somewhat dreamily. Tyson and I turned around to find Grover gaping at something. I followed Grover's gaze and gaped dumbfounded. The model being shot was in all black lace lingerie and had an amazing body. But most of all, she was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. Even more beautiful than Annabeth. Wow...I can't believe I just thought that. She was about 5'9 and she had the body of a Victoria's Secret model, voluptous and statuesque. She was fair and her flawless skin gave off a luminous glow which made her look ethereal and mesmerizing. She had waist length wavy golden blonde hair that fell around her face in a seductive way. She was biting her luscious red lips and her cheeks were rosy, full of life. But her eyes stood out the most. Her eyes were a striking blue-green not more than the other colour but in between; they were hypnotizing. And to top it all of she seemed vaguely familiar to me. How and why, I didn't know.

"Okay, cut! Beautiful, beautiful, Arianni! You're amazing, sweetheart.Let's wrap it up people!" the photographer's voice boomed and I broke out of my reverie. Arianni had moved from the centre of the room to a corner where she was already wearing a robe over her...revealing outfit. She was talking to the blonde from the diner just now. She was laughing animatedly at something the blonde was telling her. We each gave each other a hesitant glance before going over to her. The blonde left and Arianni was drinking some Volvic water. Grover pushed me forward to confront Arianni. Wuss.

"Um, Arianni Poseies?" I asked hesitantly. Arianni stiffened and turned around after a fraction of a second. Her answering smile was enough to make Grover dizzy and Tyson had to support him to keep him up right.

"Yes, that's me." Arianni replied in a soft and smooth singing-like voice.Even her voice was the loveliest voice I had ever heard.

"Uh, we uh...well...we wanted..." I kept trailing off much to my bemusement because Arianni's assessing stare was distracting. Arianni's smile fell and her lips tightened into a hard line.

"Who sent you?" she asked threateningly. I cringed at her tone and immediately realized that she knew about the Greek world around her. I didn't see the sense in lying so I told the truth.

"The Oracle of Delphi sent us." I admitted and Arianni's brows furrowed in confusion.

"There hasn't been an oracle for decades." she said suspiciously. She did have a point. The Oracle of Delphi was unable to take a host because of the curse Hades put on her. But Rachel came along a year ago and turns out she was the rightful host of the oracle. Whoever this Arianni was, she's not been updated about the recent happenings concerning Olympus.

"Um...the rightful host of the oracle is my friend. She bonded with the oracle's spirit a year ago during the second Titan war." I explained but Arianni was still eyeing me doubtfully. She doesn't trust us.

"Who are you?" Arianni asked.

"Percy Jackson. And these are my friends Grover and Tyson." I introduced myself and the other two boys. Arianni eyed us curiously as if she knew something we didn't.

"A satyr and a cyclops. You are here because of what exactly, demigod?" Arianni interrogated me. I flinched at the last word Arianni said. She knew...who is this girl?

"My father gave me a quest. He was...desperate. All I know is this quest has something to do with you." I answered her and she nodded deep in thought. She turned around and paced away from us. Suddenly,she stopped moving at all and just completely froze on the spot.

"Who is your parent,Percy Jackson?"Arianni asked sounding deadly serious with her back still to us.

"I'm the son of Poseidon." I answered warily and Arianni let out a small gasp of realization and at the same time shock.

"You know my father?" I inquired, noticing Arianni's discomfort.By now I was itching to know just who exactly this Arianni was.

"I guess you could say that." Arianni murmured and turned back to face us. There was a much softer expression in her eyes now. Almost as if she wasn't weary of us anymore.

"Look, we have no idea who you are but can you help us or not?" I pleaded. The sooner I finish this quest the closer I am to finding out the truth and returning home to Annabeth. I saw Arianni's eyes soften with...Affection maybe. But why?

"What is your quest?"'Arianni asked softly. I shifted my weight uncomfortably. I mean I was glad that she was finally cooperating but this woman was complicated.

"He said we must complete our quest -finding someone who can guide us- and return immediately to Oceana. He said a race's survival is on the balance." I filled her in and she listened closely. After I had finished she groaned frustrated.

"I'm so stupid." she cried and Tyson stepped forward to stand beside me.

"Why are you stupid?" Tyson asked and Arianni's head whipped around and she looked at Tyson. She hardly noticed he was there.

"You are also Poseidon's son aren't you?" Arianni asked him and Tyson nodded eagerly.

"I will help you. But we must hurry. The Summer Solstice is in four days." Arianni announced and my heart leapt for joy. Finally, they could start on the quest.

"First, let me get dressed." Arianni said while staring down at her half exposed body.

"Yeah," I cleared my throat, "that would be good." Arianni excused herself and went to change.