Fate (PIPABETH FF) ✔️

The Talk

P I P E R

I sank into my bed, grateful for the comfort, especially after such a horrid experience. I sat up, covering my face with my hands in shame. "Piper, you stupid..."

I felt terrible. The urge to charmspeak Annabeth had been nothing more than an intrusive thought, until it wasn't. I was briefly transported back to my pre-Camp Half Blood days. My days of "kleptomania" and troubles.

I resisted the urge to cry out in frustration. I hated how I felt. I hated how reminiscent this was to me acting out to get my dad's attention, and I hated how unpleasant it felt to see my friend's usually sharp gray eyes go hazy and dull by my own entrancing words.

Eventually, I came to a conclusion. This was intended to be my last resort– my very last resort– but I could take it no longer. 

Taking a deep breath, I leaned back into my pillow and shut my eyes. 

Aph... Ahem. Mom, if you're listening... I really need to talk to you right now.

The words repeated in my mind like an endless mantra as I felt myself begin to drift off into a heavy sleep. Aphrodite, Aphrodite... More and more her name repeated in my brain. Words had power, and frankly, I needed her to evaluate the situation now. I felt my mind slip into another dimension, another place as I drifted from reality to the dreamworld. 

"I've been waiting, dear."

It felt like I wasn't asleep at all. It felt like I had just been transported to another area. One that happened to contain a beam of shining, angelic light– not that Aphrodite was overly angelic, of course, it was more her inescapable presence and appearance. 

"Mom..." My voice was unsure and quiet. All my experiences with her so far had been... 

Well, they were definitely experiences. 

I couldn't help but stare as her figure shifted every instance, each figure seemingly more beautiful than the last. From a strikingly carefree appearance to a presence that demanded attention, I found it hard to focus in general. The goddess' eyes shifted colors constantly, and it would almost be soothing if she wasn't reminded of her own eyes.

This is so dumb. I'm so dumb. I want to leave.

Aphrodite's expression twitched slightly. "You were the one who wanted to see me, no?" Her voice was dainty but also firm. "Don't leave so quickly. After all, the party has only begun." The corners of her heart-shaped lips tilted upwards in a radiant half-smile. "And we both know that you have more important things to be worrying about other than leaving, do we not?"

I swallowed. I didn't like how she had hit the target straight on. A bullseye, daresay. The goddess continued, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. "After all, you tried so hard just to get my attention."

I flushed in embarrassment. "I... it's important," I finished, trailing off softly. 

"I already know."

I couldn't believe my ears. Well, I could– I just didn't want to believe what I heard. I felt my face burn slightly. "This is so embarrassing..." I couldn't help but groan aloud. Aphrodite allowed a laugh to escape, but along with all her other laughs, it sounded so incredibly "pretty" that it was almost haughty. 

I didn't know whether it were fake or not, but I decided not to be rash and find out.

"I know the reason you're here is to ask if I've been tampering with your feelings nowadays." She paused and studied her nails, although it was obvious that she was only doing it to occupy herself. After all, she would never allow herself to have things even as minor as uneven cuticles, much less a chipped nail. "And I am here to say that I am not."