Snowfall

Birds

Thalia almost regretted agreeing to go to New Rome with Percy and Nico. She had figured it would be fun, seeing the place her brother grew up in and led.

She hadn't been prepared for the eagles.

She had heard mentions of the Roman's eagles thrown out in conversations but never thought much of them. She hadn't been prepared for how annoying they would be.

She had always known she could speak with birds. It was a lot like Percy and horses: Zeus creates bird, children communicate with bird. Percy always spoke highly of horses though, never called it annoying or anything bad. But the eagles wouldn't leave her alone.

"My lady, we caught a fish for you!" She could hear the wings flapping as the bird tried its hardest to stay in one spot in order to hand her the fish.

Thalia groaned. "I don't want it."

"Oh, but my lady, we insist!"

"Listen, no means no. Go give it to Jason!" Thalia commanded, pointing towards the praetor's villa.

"But he is with Horse Lord. Horse Lord doesn't like when we bring fish."

"Go drop it on 'Horse Lord's' head then!" Thalia yelled. The eagles were infuriating her to the point of insanity. Oh, why did Nico have to leave?

"But then my lord will get angry at us!"

"I'm angry at you!"

"I'm sorry, my lady. What can we do to gain your forgiveness?"

"Leave me alone, that's what you can do!" Thalia was absolutely done with the eagles. If they weren't under Rome's protection, she would've shocked them so hard that all of their feathers would fall off.

"Would you like a bigger fish?" That's it. She was finding Percy and making him stay with her just so the goddamn birds would leave her alone. She stormed off towards the villas while the eagle followed her, cawing about some nonsense that Thalia definitely didn't care about.

Percy was minding his own business, on his way to visit Frank and Hazel, when Thalia suddenly stomped up to him and yanked him by the ear. She did not look happy.

"What the fuck Thals? Can a person not just do what he wants?" He demanded.

"Where did Jason go?"

"He went to go meet up with Piper." Percy was currently very confused. "Why? Do you need something?"

"I need the damn eagles to go away, that's what I need!" Thalia shouted with anger, glaring at three eagles gliding in a circle around them.

Percy wasn't any less puzzled. "Why do you need me?"

"Because they're afraid of you," Thalia grunted. "You're my defence."

"My lady!" Thalia heard. "Come back!"

"We brought more fish!" Another added.

"Why do I hear voices in my head screaming for help?" Percy asked slowly.

"Because the eagles keep bringing me fish but they're scared to come close to you with sea life. That's why you are coming with me while I make Jason force the birds away from me," Thalia explained.

"So I have to hear the fish screaming at me the whole time?" Percy asked sarcastically.

"Hey, at least you aren't being offered the fish."

"Touché."