Grape Vines and Angel Wings

Chapter 8: Hey! I remember you! Uh, who are you again?

~Blair POV~

"And we can grow grapes and shit? And make people go mad? And throw awesome parties?! Excuse me, but why are we so cool?"

My newfound brother and Pepsi enthusiast, Pollux, had quickly become my favourite person ever. He was funny, and dorky and really loved staying up till three in the morning rocking to party music.

Basically, we got along very well.

"That's a good question, Sister."

We were currently sat cross-legged on my bed, getting to know each other. And let me just say, our cabin was possibly the coolest crib I had ever seen.

A squat, stone building with grape vines, strawberries and other fruit scaling the walls. Large windows, and purple curtains. Silky, lavender sheets and fuchsia pillows. A fluffy purple carpet and a disco ball. There were two bunk-beds, a black leather couch, flat-screen TV, cabinets filled with grape and strawberry jelly, and a wooden porch outside the door with a couch swing outside.

Super sweet, am I right, lads? Or am I right, lads?

"So, do we get like, discounts in the camp store oooor what?" I asked, hugging a bundle of grapes shaped pillow with a Kawaii face.

Pollux cocked his head, "What, because our dad is Camp Director? Um, well, I've actually never tried that before..."

I gasped, "Seriously? Brother, dearest, why the Hades not? It must have crossed your mind at some point."

He shrugged. Oh my gods, he is so uncorrupted... Not for much longer! "Okay, Brother dear, we are testing that out tomorrow!"

He shook his head and changed the subject. "So, what weapon did Dad give you?"

Mcscuse me? "Wait, what?" I perked up curiously. "What do you mean? What weapon?"

He looked surprised, "Oh, Uh, it's just... Dad gave me my weapon. And he gave one to Castor, too. I guess I just figured he would give you one, as well. Did he not...?" He rubbed his neck sheepishly.

"He did not, Brother dear, but if you wouldn't mind accompanying me. We are going to fix that right now! Come on!"

Heck to the mother flipping nah, Blair Ivy will not go weaponless with this knowledge!

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"Daaaad? Helllllooooo?" I called.

Pollux and I stepped into the Big House, peeking around the door. Technically, we were breaking curfew. But I liked to think of it as 'Talkin to dear ol dad'.

"Maybe we should wait till morning..." Pollux whispered nervously. His eyes darted around the room, and I could feel his fingers holding on to the edge of my jumper.

I glanced back at him, "You fought in a how many end-of-the-world wars and you're scared of harpies?"

He scowled, "Its not that! I just think if we are gonna talk to Dad, we should do it when he is rested and reasonable."

That made me pause. He was right, of course. Fuqin smart-ass, lucky we're bffs now.

Out of the two of us, he was the reasonable one, we'd learned that quickly. I relied on instinct, he relied on his intelligence. But I was a rusher and he was an overthinker. I dove in head first, while he was contemplating. Now, all we needed was someone who was reliable and brave enough to keep us together.

I relented, "Fine, let's head back. But keep quiet. Last thing we need is for one of us to get eaten."

He nodded rapidly, "Okay, fam."

We shut the door silently and tiptoed our way back to our cabin.

We had just left the porch when someone whispered, "Where are you two going?"

Pollux let out a strangled scream, but I slapped my hand over his mouth. Quickly checking over my shoulder, I saw the boy who had rescued me all those years ago. (Okay more like a day and a half ago, but it felt like years!)

"Jesus Christmas Pie, don't sneak up on us like that!" I whisper-yelled.

I saw the corner of his mouth twitch up as he crossed his arms. "Sorry. But seriously, what are you doing?"

I released Pollux, who had begun slapping my arm to get my attention. "Oh, sorry Brother Dear." I giggled.

"Anyways. What are you doing, Di Angelo? You're outside past curfew, too." Pollux said, poking the black-haired boy's arm.

He poked Pollux back, "Good point, Pepsi. I was on my way back from tucking in Mrs. O' Leary. She gets nervous without Percy."

I understood none of what Mr. Angel said, but my brother seemed to get it as he nodded. "Yeah, she must miss him and Annabeth."

Mr. Angel tilted his head, his eye reflected the light of the full moon overhead. "So? Your turn, Purple."

I scoffed, "Excuse you, did you just call me Purple?"

"Yes, now explain."

"We went to ask our Dad something, but he seems to be busy. So we were heading back to our cabin." Pollux answered smoothly.

It raised my hand, "Um, Wait question. Who are you? You saved me, and somehow I never got your name. I totally forgot, sorry mate." Mr. Angel just chuckled, "Right, my apologies. I am Nico Di Angelo, son of Hades." He held out his hand.

I looked at his hand, then back at him. So formal, Jeez. What, was he born in the 80s or something? "Um, Blair Ivy. Daughter of Dionysus. Nice to meet you."

"And I'm Pollux, also son of Dionysus. Now that we all know each other, how's bout we hide before those harpies eat us!" My brother hissed, gripping my arm and dragging me behind the nearest cabin.

Nico followed us, and we all crouched in the shadows. It got so quiet, so quickly that I could hear my own heartbeat drumming in my ears. Suddenly, my breathing seemed too loud, and I imagined the harpies Sharp talons digging into my flesh.

Holy Howell, ohmygods, I'm gonna pass out. I covered my mouth trying to mask the freaking ultrasonic sounds escaping my lips. Our backs were pressed against the cold wall. I glanced up, and met Nico's eyes.

He held a finger to his lips, signalling for silence and pointed up. Following his finger with my eyes, I saw a woman flying above us. Mostly. Her skin was wrinkly, and her vulture wings were jet-black. Her beady eyes and beak shone darkly, and she wasn't alone. Two other harpies fluttered by her side, occasionally letting out a squawk or sneering about 'those damned demigods and their trash'.

I felt Pollux press against my shoulder. I closed my eyes, trying to ignore the Bird-ladies looking for a late night snack. It didn't help. All closing my eyes did was amplify their creepy noises. So, instead I opted for staring into Mr. Angel's eyes. His black eyes that shone in the dark like they held all the stars in the sky were strangely comforting. And for a moment, I forgot about the almost definite death that hovered just above my head.

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The three of us stayed against that wall for a half hour. Eventually, the harpies had finished scouring the area for food- I mean half-bloods, and moved on. Without a word, we silently snuck back into the Dionysus cabin. Once inside, we all let out a collective sigh.

"That was spoopy." Pollux joked after a while.

"No kidding. You guys don't play around here, do ya?" I said, definitely trying to sound less shook than I was and failing.

"Ah, well, that was fun. But I better be on my way." Nico said, peeking out the curtain. "We can talk tomorrow after you two get some rest.

"Mkay, laddie." I said, nudging him playfully with my elbow.

He glanced at me, but it was slightly more dismissive than before. "Ciao." He said, speaking some kinda alien language. Then he vanished.

Like literally, just POOF! Gone.

I stared at where he stood. "What the fuc-"