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Camp Half-Blood
With her parka folded next to her, Zoë sat on top of a boulder near Zeus’s fist as she leaned back on her hands, staring at the stars and quietly reminiscing to herself as time passed. She knew she was being watched but opted not to say anything, instead letting her watcher reveal herself when they felt ready.
A branch snapped under someone’s foot and a quiet curse was let loose.
“Uhmm… hi?” an anxious voice greeted her and Zoë turned her head to face the newcomer.
“Thou does not have to be nervous, Thalia Grace.” the huntress replied with a small smirk and hopped off the rock gracefully and without a sound. She observed how the demigoddess frowned at her last name and noted it before approaching her.
“Am I that obvious?” Thalia wondered as she tried to better conceal her emotions from the Hunt's lieutenant. She rocked on her heels slightly as she couldn’t help but feel that this was probably the most awkward introduction she’d been a part of.
Zoë nodded but gave a reassuring smile, “To me, yes, but I cannot blame thee for being such. After all, it is not every day you meet the woman thy father loves.” she joked, not wanting Thalia to feel like her emotions weren’t justified or for her to feel like this was a serious meeting. She walked over to a fallen log and sat down with her back against it before gesturing to the spot next to her. “Perhaps thou should sit? I imagine that thee has questions that would like to be asked.” she offered, and a bit of relief surged through her as Thalia nodded and sat down beside her, albeit hesitantly.
Thalia bit her lip and twiddled her thumbs, trying to find the nerve with her eyes occasionally glancing over at the huntress who was still staring at the stars, seemingly not feeling the awkward silence. She watched her head tilt with a tiny smile as her mouth opened.
“Thy father and I would spend hours staring at the night sky looking at the stars and constellations. I was under no illusion that he knew many of them but he said that he simply liked to hear me talk about them. He would joke that every star he saw reminded him of me because of it.” she revealed with a look of longing for those times.
“We would catch Dad looking up at the sky on most nights before he tucked us in. We asked him about it once and he said that it reminded him of something.” Thalia quietly answered while rocking her feet side-to-side.
Zoë looked at her and gave a grin, “Perhaps thou can tell thy father why he does such a thing upon your next return to him.” Thalia couldn’t help but give a small grin back before it faltered and she looked away in slight embarrassment.
“I’m sorry that this is weird for you. It’s probably not what you had in mind when you wanted to meet with me.” the daughter of Perseus admitted, keeping her eyes away before she felt a hand tap her knee gently almost admonishingly.
“This is not a weird interaction by any means. I have had far worse with many of my sisters. Understandably, thou would like to take this slow. Thy father mentioned as much in his letter to me so I do not hold any ill-will towards thou. I would very much like to know the child that My Love has developed a fondness for.” Zoë encouraged.
“Where should I start?” Thalia offered with a weak chuckle.
“Wherever thou would like.” the huntress offered with a patient look.
And for the rest of the night. Thalia told Zoë how Perseus found her and took her brother and herself in as his own. No matter how many times Thalia unexpectedly rambled on about something, Zoë sat next to her listening with a smile and letting loose a chuckle when Thalia shared something that made both of them laugh.
“Dad misses you like crazy.” Thalia shared in a whisper and Zoë smiled sadly at her.
“I miss him too.” she rolled the amethyst stone with her fingers before looking up at the sky and frowning slightly. “It is getting far later than I expected it to be. I am aware Chiron has a curfew set and I do not wish for trouble to befall thou.” she explained with a concerned look and stood up.
Thalia groaned at the reminder of the curfew and reluctantly stood up.
“You reside in Cabin One, correct?” Zoë asked and Thalia huffed and nodded, clearly unhappy that her father figure had no cabin at camp which forced her to reside in the cabin of her no-show father.
“Then I will walk thou back. It would be far easier for me to explain to Chiron in a way that would free thou from punishment. I do not imagine Perseus would be too pleased to hear that Chiron punished thou for something such as this.” Zoë convinced in case the demigoddess was against being walked back to her temporary residence.
On the walk back to Zeus’s cabin, Zoë couldn’t help but ask about her earlier observation. “Thou reacts poorly to her last name. May I ask to inquire?”
While Thalia had a look of slight surprise on her, she didn’t mind the question and shrugged, “It’s just a bad reminder of my mother.” Zoë resisted the urge to find out what kind of woman Beryl Grace was and settled for making a sound of disgruntlement “Like I said, I don’t have the best memories with her and I would much rather forget about it.” she explained with another shrug before a light grin appeared. “Jason and I thought it would be cooler if we had Dad’s last name anyway.” she expressed with a light chuckle.
Zoë smiled upon hearing that, “Perseus never really had one. Apollyon was more of a title bestowed upon him after the first war with the Titans.”
“Yeah, but it would sound cool though.” Thalia mock-pouted, her reaction making Zoë try and conceal a laugh but failing.
“Thalia Apollyon certainly has an interesting ring to it.” she answered and hearing it from someone else made Thalia chortle.
The pair stopped in front of Cabin One and Thalia stared at the cabin with a look of disgruntlement before looking back at Zoë with a hopeful expression, “You think we could do this again tomorrow? I liked doing this.” she admitted, and watched a smile form on Zoë’s face.
“Of course.” she instantly replied, determined to connect with the younger demigoddess more. “Thou should know that seeking me out is also an option when I am in camp. One does not have to wait for myself to come seek thou.”
Thalia beamed and nodded, “I’ll remember that.” she looked contemplative about her next move and surprised Zoë as the huntress was surprised to feel Thalia give her a brief hug.
“Night, Zoë!” Thalia blurted before dashing inside, leaving a stunned Zoë standing outside before she composed herself and made her slow way to Cabin Eight.
Cabin Eight
Phoebe rolled onto her side from the top of the bunk when Zoë walked into the room and the former looked at her curiously once she saw the expression on her sister’s face.
“What’s got you smiling?” Phoebe inquired as Zoë sat down on the bottom bunk and unbraided her hair at the same time she chucked her boots off.
“Meaning?” her sister questioned slowly while she ran her hand through her dark hair and loosened any knots that were formed.
“Ever since we got to camp, it’s been like you’ve been expecting something to happen and you walking in like you just did makes me think something happened. You smiled more tonight compared to your time the past handful of centuries. You can hide it from most but I would like to think that I know you far better than the others do.” Phoebe stated even as she returned her gaze to the ceiling.
Zoë sighed softly as she caught herself in a hard place. She knew her sister could be trusted but Zoë was already set on protecting Thalia from anything that was within her control and while her relationship with Artemis was no longer what it once was, Phoebe on the other hand, while she wouldn't necessarily spill whatever secret that was told to her-had a much harder time lying to their lady. With that in mind, Zoë made up her choice.
“It is nothing that should bring concern to thou. A matter I have handled.” Zoë told her, hoping that her tone was enough to end a potential line of questioning.
Phoebe sighed as she recognized the tone that Zoë took. It wasn't her official ‘lieutenant’ voice that she took with the rest of her sisters but it was a tone that Zoë had started taking with those close to her after Perseus fell. The short, and almost closed-off tone had initially made many of them worry until it eventually became the norm around their camp and even more so when Artemis was with them as all conversations turned impersonalcolder.
“Alright but you know I'll always be there to back you up whenever.” Phoebe acquiesced. “Goodnight, Zoë.”
“Goodnight, Phoebe.” Zoë returned as she got in bed.
The next day
It was still some time before breakfast, yet Thalia was already up and found herself standing in front of the door of Cabin Eight with a hand raised and ready to knock when the door swung open and Thalia found herself face to face with a somewhat irate Phoebe.
“Can we help you?” Phoebe asked non-too-politely and Thalia found it appropriate to respond in kind.
“Well, you certainly can’t.” Thalia replied with a snort and Phoebe’s eyes narrowed at the insult.
“Ok, what in the actual fu-”
“Is there a problem?” Zoë’s voice denoted confusion as it rang from behind Phoebe and the aforementioned huntress turned her head around while Thalia craned past the doorframe and peeked inside.
The lieutenant of the Hunt stood in the main room already dressed with a hand on her hip as she looked on questioningly and her posture told them that she would prefer some clarification.
“Hi, Zoë!” Thalia greeted and Zoë’s eyes widened upon seeing the demigoddess, clearly not expecting her to be up so early.
“Hello, Thalia. I must express that I did not expect to see thou wake up so early. Also, thou must excuse Phoebe. She rolled off the top bunk and it has put her in a mood since.” she explained with a laugh while Phoebe spluttered indignantly at being exposed like that. “There is still quite some time before breakfast.” Zoë said as she glanced at a clock.
“Yeah, I didn’t expect myself to be up so early. Kinda surprised honestly but you did say that I could come find you when I wanted.” Thalia admitted with a shrug.
Zoë confirmed with a smile, “I recall saying that, yes.”
Phoebe watched the exchange in silent shock at how her sister conversed with a demigoddess that they’d supposedly never met before. “There’s no way I’m still dreaming right now?” the huntress mumbled.
“It is something that I have handled, Phoebe. Thou should not have to worry about it.” Zoë reasoned with a nod and a pat on the back before she stepped past her and faced Thalia. “Was there something that thou needed from me?”
“Uhh yeah… I was wondering if you could help me with my archery?” Thalia asked and Phoebe choked on her breath at how willing Zoë looked and even happy.
“Of course.” Zoë happily answered and grabbed her quiver and bow from where it was resting near the door.
“Wait, aren’t we departing like soon?” Phoebe questioned as she wondered if the two even had time for a lesson and especially if her sister was teaching, putting aside the fact that it was some random demigoddess asking.
“Correct, we are leaving after breakfast but I see that there is still some time before then. Do not fret, Phoebe, lest our younger sisters call thou the worried one.” Zoë remarked with a laugh as she walked in the direction of the archery range with Thalia next to her.
Phoebe face-palmed and groaned from where she stood under the doorframe, “You know what? I’m going back to sleep.” she muttered to herself before closing the door.
“Stop letting the thy elbow sag so much.” Zoë instructed as she tapped Thalia’s left elbow lightly with her finger.
“Right.” Thalia muttered as she kept her elbow as straight as possible. Zoë nudged Thalia’s feet with her own, making her stance more stable.
“Loose.” Zoë instructed and Thalia sent the arrow flying right into the second-inner ring of the target.
Zoë rocked her head side-to-side, “Thou is consistent at the very least.” she observed the arrows grouped from a distance. “We can retrieve the arrows and thou can be off to breakfast.” she offered as she saw the sun rise slowly over the camp.
“Alright.” Thalia agreed as she put the bow back on the rack and walked down the lane with Zoë to retrieve the three dozen arrows she shot.
“So you’re leaving this morning?” Thalia questioned as she grabbed a dozen arrows by the end and ripped them from the target.
“Yes. It seems Lady Artemis has another task for us to complete.” Zoë scowled as she ripped the remaining two dozen arrows out and inspected their heads. “Still enough for refinement.” she muttered to herself before looking at the demigoddess with a much softer look. “While it may be a while until I see thee in person, that does not mean that I do not want thou to not use other means to reach me if I am ever needed.”
A smile found its way onto the face of the demigoddess and she released a breath that she never knew she was holding upon hearing the fact that Zoë did want to hear back from her although there was still a trace of doubt lingering in her mind.
“You mean it?” Thalia asked as she wanted to fully believe her and Zoë fixed her with a look.
“Would I ever say something that I do not mean?” Zoë questioned her with a teasing grin on her face. She gestured to the demigoddess using the arrow in her hand loosely and pretended to be stern but her eyes were lit in mirth, “I do expect updates regarding thou’s life consistently when I am not here.”
“I can do that.” Thalia promised with a smile.