Pipabeth 2

Chapter 14

"Oh." Annabeth said, not realizing it until Aphrodite mentioned it.

Aphrodite chuckled. "You must love her."

Annabeth's face turned red. "I think I do."

"Well I think you're perfect for each other. And I would know, I am the goddess of love after all." A moment of silence. "She loves you too you know. In case you were wondering."

"She better." Annabeth replied laughing.

Aphrodite tensed up suddenly and began smoothing her hair and her robes. Strange, thought Annabeth.

Then Athena arrived, all glorious with her head held high, black hair piled up on top in a bun. She had dark blue robes on that flowed behind her, and an owl perched on her shoulder. "Aphrodite." She said. Keeping eye contact with her the whole time as she walked in, not bothering to even glance at Annabeth. "How are you?"

Athena kept eye contact with Aphrodite, who seemed to be dying. "F-Fine." Annabeth could feel the tension in the air, whatever was going on between them was wild. You'd think the goddess of love wouldn't get nervous around attractive people. Annabeth wanted to slip on her invisibility cap and sneak out to leave them alone. But Athena slowly moved her gaze from Aphrodite to Annabeth.

"Quite the dilemma you're in I hear?"

"Yes. This lipstick won't come off." Annabeth said, standing up while trying again to wipe it off.

"That's what happens when you go off to kiss people instead of studying and applying for colleges."

"I've applied for every Ivy League university."

"You aren't going to apply for a university near your father?"

"No. I would rather be closer to camp anyway."

"Hm. You're welcome to stay here as long as you need I suppose. I'd advise you to not talk to Zeus. He might not like your presence here." She stood there for a second staring at Annabeth. "Would you mind watching my owl?" Athena asked, transferring it from her shoulder holding it out for Annabeth.

"Sure. What's its name?" Annabeth asked, taking it. Its claws dug into her hand but she ignored it.

"I didn't think to name it. But you are welcome to." She swiftly turned and walked towards the archway, "Come, Aphrodite." Aphrodite quickly followed after her, leaving Annabeth and the owl by themselves.

Annabeth studied the owl. "Athene noctua, little owl. Athena's owl. Her symbol." The owl just stared back. "You look mean. All owls do. Maybe that's because Athena is mean. But you're cute." Annabeth said, running her fingers along its feathers. "I think I'll name you Minerva, after the Roman version of Athena."

Annabeth transferred the owl to her own shoulder, and started to walk outside. "Lets go look at the stars, Minerva." She was surprised the owl didn't fall off or wobble as she walked. It was surprisingly cold outside, but they were really high up.

The two of them walked around and admired all of the architecture. Annabeth gave lectures on who invented what and why things were certain designs and how it helped the structure. The owl sat on her shoulder and listened to it all. "Do you have a proper home, Minerva? No? Well, I should come back up here again and build one for you. You're special and you deserve it."

Minerva let out a long hoot. Several owls in nearby trees responded with their own hoots. "That was beautiful." Annabeth said. "Does that mean you like me? Because I said you're special?"

Minerva hooted once again but it was short. "Good. I think Piper would like you. I should bring her up with me when I build your house. I miss her. Just 8 more hours. I've never worn lipstick this long. It's kind of annoying."

Annabeth set Minerva down on a bench as she stretched. They had been walking and standing for a long time. "Want to see a cool trick?" Annabeth asked. She pulled on her invisibility cap and stayed quiet. Minerva looked startled and hooted. She looked all around and even walked to the end of the bench trying to find Annabeth.

At last, Annabeth pulled her cap off and said, "I'm right here." Minerva screeched, scared by Annabeth, but then flew up onto her shoulder and nestled against her head. "I'm sorry if I scared you. I won't do that again. You have to agree it was a bit funny."

Minerva dug her talons into Annabeth's shoulder. "Okay okay. I guess not. I'm sorry."

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Annabeth and Minerva wandered around Mount Olympus until they found themselves with Hephaestus in his workshop. He was bent over some project he was working on, but he knew they were there. "So, you and Piper huh?" Hephaestus said, not taking his eyes off of his work.

"Yes. How do you know?"

"Aphrodite tells me these things. I'm thinking of putting a segment up on Hephaestus TV. The gods love you guys you know."

"So I've heard." Says Annabeth, rolling her eyes. "I wish everybody wasn't in our business so much." She complained.

"You guys are very special. It took a lot to bring you two together again."

"Again? What do you mean by that?"

Hephaestus finally took his eyes off of his work and turned around to face Annabeth. "Nothing, I didn't mean anything by that. I was too distracted by my work I wasn't thinking. How's my boy Leo?"

Annabeth raised an eyebrow. "Leo? He's fine. Being his usual annoying self. But that's what makes Leo Leo, that's what we like about him."

"That's good to hear. He definitely is something. I saw you throw that knife at him."

"You saw that?" Annabeth asked.

"Um...Hephaestus TV? We see everything."

"Great. So all the gods know about what happened?"

"Like I said, they're really invested in your life and relationship." There was an awkward moment of silence before Hephaestus said, "Your knife is okay you know. I can't read minds but I was thinking you might be worried about what Leo would do with your knife. It's completely fine. Piper has it, Drew told her you left it on the Athena table."

"Piper is never going to believe that. She knows I'm not that careless with my knife."

"Maybe she shouldn't believe it. Look, I may not be an expert on love and relationships like my wife is, but I do know a thing or too. You should tell Piper about why your knife was left behind, why you're up here, what happened, etcetera. It's best to be honest."

"You're right. You give better advice than my Mom. I'll tell her everything when I go back. Thanks Hephaestus."

"You're welcome." He noticed Minerva on Annabeth's shoulder. "Who is this little fellow?"

"Athena's owl, its name is Minerva."

"I could make some good battle armor for them. Perhaps a little helmet and breastplate?"

"I...don't think they need it. We aren't in a battle right now so it's not necessary. Maybe another time."

Hephaestus frowned. "Alright. I'll draw up a blueprint in the meantime, just in case you'd like to take me up on the offer." Then he turned back around to tinker some more.

Annabeth and Minerva wandered around talking to whoever they came across, mostly nymphs, none of the big gods. Annabeth took a look at her watch. "Time's up Minerva. Time for me to go back to camp."

The two of them made their way to the throne room. Luckily Athena and Aphrodite were already there.

"Did you have a good time?" Athena asked.

"Well it's not everyday that you get to come to Mount Olympus..besides you guys of course. But yes, I had fun."

"I'm glad."

"My owl." Athena said.

"Right." Annabeth said, taking Minerva off of her shoulder. "Goodbye Minerva." Annabeth whispered. Minerva chirped in response as Annabeth handed them over to Athena.

"Ready to go home?" Athena asked.

"Yes." Annabeth replied.