I sat sullen and moody at the table. I picked at my food. I didn't feel like eating. I felt sick and exhausted. Aphrodite just talked about redecorating and the Olympians drama. I tooned her out a long time ago.

"Nora!"

I jumped. Will had kicked me hard in the shin under the table.

"Ow! What was that for?" I grumbled.

"Eleanora, dear, how's the boy situation." Aphrodite asked.

I looked up sharply, and narrow my eyes at her.

"I've been on a quest trying to save the world and trying not to die." I snapped.

"There's always time for love... So how is it going?"

"None of your concern, actually." I dropped my fork and crossed my arms.

"Well, it is my concern. I can make it more interesting. More exciting. Would add some real drama to your life." She beamed at me as she sipped tea from an Ikea show room mug.

"I'm a demigod in a deadly quest to save you gods." I snapped, "pretty sure my life has enough drama."

"Are you sure? Your love life can be so much more... interesting!"

"Stay out of my none existent love life!" I snarled and stood up. I threw the napkin down and went to turn away.

"Carful child." She warned. He voice was even, but there was definitely a warning in them.

I turned back to her, "I understand your thing between love and anger. I understand your deep seed desire for drama and angst, but don't come at me and mess with my love life!"

"Nora...!" Will whispered, I could see how worried he was, he kept glancing at Aphrodite like she was going to burst into flames. Or snap her fingers and I'd drop dead. I actually kind of wished she would, I was angry and hurting and I wanted no god poking around in my life more then they already were. But instead, she just looked back at me calmly.

"I only invest my time and efforts into those I think are worthy."

"Well let me be unworthy. Thank you for breakfast. But we have a senile Titan God to find."

I turned away from the table again. I hadn't seen Ares or Raph and I was getting worried. I took two steps when Aphrodite spoke.

"Do you know the story of the Sunflower?" She asked.

"What?"

"You have a sunflower, painted on the back pocket of your jeans. I find it... interesting. You chose a sunflower of all things."

I frowned at her. What did she mean of all things. Why would that peek her interest. It's a flower. I draw them all the time, they have been my favorite for as long as I can remember. I didn't like the look on her face but I realized there wasn't much I could do, I had no idea where Raph was. I glanced at Will and he shrugged, looking just as lost.

"Well let me tell you. Sit down, dear. It's a good one. Ares, is still off with that son of his."

I groaned and slumped down into the chair.

"Well it started with a beautiful water nymph, her name was Clytie. And she was deeply in love with Helios, the Titan God of the Sun. He was charming and handsome in his youth, like Apollo. They were quite similar in their youth. But unlike my nephew, Helios didn't usually love his woman as deeply and profoundly as Apollo. The beautiful Clytie had his attention for quite some time. Some say he actually loved her. However... Sadly, he left her for another."

"Typical." I muttered. She hummed and dunked her tea biscuit into her tea for a second. She nodded her head like she agreed. I just huffed and rolled my eyes.

"Clytie still loved him with all her heart and soul and couldn't let him go. She watched Helios crossing the sky in his golden chariot for days and days, without any food or water. Eventually, her grandmother, Tethys she was the mother of the River gods." Aphrodite added for Will and my confused looks. "Anyways the poor Clytie was unwavering in her love for Helios, she refused to move and continued to watch him travel across the sky in his sun chariot, before she died of a broken heart her grandmother transformed her into the first ever sunflower."

She paused dramatically like we were supposed to be impressed or something.

"That's why sunflowers always face the sun, because Clytie still follows the sun, even though Helios retired and Apollo now drives. But isn't that a beautiful story?"

"It's horrible! If he hadn't just up and left her for some new side fling-"

"It's a beautiful testament to love!"

"We have different ideas of what love is I guess." I spat.

I heard heavy footsteps coming back down the hall, I stood up and turned to see Raph and Ares walking back towards us.

"Are you done dear?" Ares asked.

"Yes. All done. I think we'll go with the white one."

"Oh thank Zeus! Let's blow this place. It's boring. We'll unfortunately see these annoying runts in a bit."

"What?" Will said, he had been oddly quiet, Aphrodite jumped like she had forgotten all about him.

"Yes Little dears. Did you read the tickets Hermes gave you? It's an exclusive event, very hard to find extra tickets!"

"It's a flower show..."

"Persephone has been working hard all July for this big show! All the who's who of Olympus will be there."

"Oh can't wait!" I said mustering as much snark and sarcasm as I could.

The ball of anger and resentment towards the gods was growing, burning hard and bright. I noticed Ares was watching me, he was regarding me with a look of stone, and like his son I couldn't figure out what he was thinking. But I felt the anger boiling under the surface, I wanted to punch a wall or Aphrodite right in her stupid god face. He finally turned to his son.

"Choose wisely son. And remember what I told you."

"Yes father." He placed his fist over his heart and bowed his head. "I will. Thank you."

"As you were demigods." Ares barked. He snapped his fingers. We suddenly stood in front of the Ikea back exit. The kitchen show room was gone, the food was gone, Aphrodite and Ares were gone and all the people bustled behind us.

"Well there's the symbol." Will pointed and placed his hand over the ∆ and the big neon EXIT sign glowed blue. Raph pushed the door open and we descended into the darkness of the Labyrinth.

🔆

We had only walked about three steps when I pulled out my knife and held it up for light. Will had pulled out a flashlight.

"So will you tell us what you saw in your dreams?" Will asked.

He had decided to take the led, which was fine, the path narrowed making us walk single file. Raph walked behind me, so close I almost felt him breathing down my back.

I told them everything I could. Except the Nico part. I knew Percy wanted to keep him and his identity a secret, and I kept that part to myself. Looked so young and miserable and lonely.

"Well...I don't think your seeing the past, like most demigod dreams and it's not dreams...you seem to be able to see what's happening in real time." Will thought out loud.

"Yeah... but how?" I asked.

"No idea."

"What did the doctor want back at the nursing home?" Raph asked quietly.

"Asked about my abilities and powers, did a check up. Said he would hopefully have answers if we get back."

"We'll get back." Raph said.

"What did Ares want?" I asked.

There was a pause. I wasn't sure if Raph was hesitating because he didn't want to tell us or because he wasn't sure himself.

"Said some of the same things you did... I did what I had to. He told me...hes really umm.."

I stopped walking and turned towards him. He looked like he wasn't sure what to feel. He was shifting his chest plate and fiddling with the strap of his scabbard.

"Raph..." I said quietly and stepped closer. His face was cast in shadows in the dark hall, only the glow of my knife was out light source.

"He said he was proud of me. For not always giving in to the anger and bitterness. He said he admired how...how I thought this has through and only fought the important battles, and not all of them for the sake of a fight. He said he had begrudging respect for the self control."

"That's good, though... isn't it?"

He shrugged. "He also said though... I needed to start embracing who I am. I'm the son of a WAR god, anger and fights are part of me, but as long as I know which side I'm fighting for, who I'm fighting for and why your fighting...it's 'okay.' Battle is inevitable. Fights are gonna happen. But WHY am I fighting?"

"Sounds an awful lot like the love versus anger speech Aphrodite gave me."

"Oh ya?" He asked raising an eyebrow, his nervous discomfort was gone, replaced by his usual smug crooked smirk.

"Would you two pick up the pace?" Will called from further up the hall.

I turned and jogged to catch up. I could feel my face heating up and all I could think of was please don't mess with my love life.

🔆

We had followed the hall for what felt like forever. Nothing happened. No connecting halls. No monsters (thank Apollo) and no exits. We had taken a water break and kept going. Will was reading the information on the back of the tickets with his flashlight.

I was lost in my gloomy thoughts when Raph tapped my shoulder.

"Is it just me or is it getting brighter?"

I looked up and around. He was right. I slid my knife into my belt and then I noticed the smell. It was earthy, like dirt, and sweet like...

Will gasped, "Flowers!"

"Did we actually find it?" Raph wondered.

"One way to find out?" And Will headed further down the hall.

They were right. The further we went the brighter the hall became and the stronger the smell became. We came to a stop infront of an old door. Will pressed his hand on the mark and the wall split like a zipper.

"Well let's find us a Titan." I grumbled.

I stepped through first, the guys right behind me. We had stepped into the hustle and bustle of a kitchen. The staff were running around yelling at each other. A man in a stained apron and had about 12 arms all sticking out of all over the place stood at the stove yelling orders. He was clearly the head chef.

"What do we do?" Will whispered.

"Sneak out."

We had slid along the wall and were half way to the swinging double doors that led out of the kitchen.

"You three! Freeze!"

Of course we were caught. The man with arms coming out of everywhere were pointing at us.

"What are you doing sneaking around my kitchen?"

"Ummm. We got lost. Sorry to disturb you." I waved and took another step towards the doors.

"I don't think so!"

"We have tickets!" Will protested and pulled them out.

"Do ya now? Who did you snitch these off of, little demigod?" He came stomping over and grabbed Will by the ear, the back of Raph's shirt and my arm and dragged us from the kitchen. "Let's go see the host. She gets to say if your staying or not."

"Great. Another goddess." I grumbled.

The chef dragged us through the doors and into the great big room which was full of people and all kinds of creatures, Nymphs, Dryads, Naiads and Sytres. The room was covered in ivy and vibes and flowers of all colours and sizes.

Everyone was laughing and chatting. everyone floated around in fancy Greek tunics or dresses, chitin. I felt very out of place being in a ripped and bloody camp t shirt. No one seemed to pay us any attention. Waiters wove through the crowd carying silver trays of dark purple wine, and bubbly champagne.

The chef pulled us out the door and into the big garden. The air was fresh and warm. It was a beautiful sight. The stars twinkled above us and the flowers around us, music from a small stage plaid, people were dancing in the court yard.

"Where are you taking us?"

"To the host. She needs to check your tickets little demigods."

He dragged us around the perimeter of the court yard and over to what I assumed was the front gate. A woman stood with her back to them while a satyr checked off people from the guest list she greeted them all by name, shaking hands and kissing cheeks if the women.

The chef cleared his throat. "Ma'am. Your Highness... I uhh- We have some party crashers." The chef stammered.

The woman turned around. My jaw dropped she was even more beautiful, in my opinion, than Aphrodite.

She had warm brown eyes and lustrous black hair that was partially pinned with all kinds of fresh flowers. She wore a dress that shimmered with colors and flower patterns which changed and bloomed - roses, tulips, and honeysuckle, her arms were bare, revealing milky white unblemished skin. She was younger then I pictured.

"Persephone." I stated.

"Young demigods. What are you doing here?"

"Hermes...he...he gave us tickets." Will stammered. His big blue eyes were even wider, and had gone completely glassy as he stared at her. I rolled my eyes and elbowed him. He shook his head and then became very interested in his shoes, his face and tips of his ears had gone bright pink.

"Indeed?" Even get voice was soft and gentle like the pettles of flowers. "Let me see then."

Will sheepishly pulled the tickets out of his pocket and handed them over. She looked them over and handed them to the Saytr.

"Oh! Look, you did make it!"

I groaned when I heard Aphrodite's voice. Persephone turned with a tight looked smile.

"Aphrodite."

"Oh it's SO good to see you again. You spend so much time away from mount Olympus."

"You do know I have guest rooms, your more then welcome to visit any time, dear sister." Persephone said the word sister with a little bit of a sneer.

"Oh you know black is not my colour." Aphrodite waved a hand. She turned to me and the guys. And then frowned.

"Oh dear. Oh no! This is unacceptable! This is a party! Not a gladiator fight! What are you wearing?" She gasped.

"Well in case you forgot, we've been on a quest in the dark creepy tunnels of the Labyrinth." I snapped, while folding my arms. "Well, my party dresses didn't fit next to my deadly weapons."

Aphrodite frowned. Persephone pressed her bright red lips together like she was trying not to laugh.

"Not to worry sister. I'm sure this is right up your alley. Now, go fix them up. I need to get back to my duties. Now, young demigods feel free to enjoy the party. And please no killing it maiming. Chef, back to the kitchen. Aphrodite has these young ones. Thank you for bringing this to my attention."

The chef let go of us and scurried back to the kitchen.

"Thank you your Highness." Raph said with a dip of his head.

"Come now young lungs. Let's get you fixed up for a party."

She usered us to the bathrooms. I grumbled and groaned all the way there. She showed the boys into the boys bathroom with the instructions to wash up and meet back out here in a few minutes.

"It might take me an extra minute with this one. Her hair is...awful!" My cheeks went red with embarrassment and frustration.

"I think it looks fine." Raph shrugged.

"You would say that dear boy. Now shoo."

Aphrodite had my wrist clamped tight in her grasp and dragged me into the bathroom. She made me stand in front of a mirror and she looked me up and down and made me turn slowly in a circle. She snapped her fingers and my entire appearance changed. I was so caked in make up and heels so tall I wobbled. The dress was so tight and short.

"I'm 15 not a stripper!" I cried.

"Hmm your right. And it's not your colour." She agreed. She snapped her fingers again. She shook her head and frowned. She snapped her fingers again and I wore a dress that looked like it was made out of disco balls and I was covered in sparkles.

"What the heck is this?!"

Aphrodite kept snapping her fingers. My hair and make up changed every time, my dress and shoes kept changing some long some so incredibly short I couldn't move. I was getting more irritated by the second. Until finally her face lit up and she smiled. She snapped one last time.

"There. Beautiful young demigod. The daughter of Apollo, a true daughter of light." She winked and walked out of the bathroom leaving me completely confused. I slowly turned to the bathroom mirror.

My jaw dropped. I wore a simple white one shoulder dress, it was light and gauzy, a belt of gold and the shoulder was held together with delicate gold chains and a brotch. It was Greek inspired but it was a modern dress, falling to the floor dusting the ground, when I stepped simple gold strapped handles peeked out. It had a simple slight up the side that went half way up my thigh. I was adorned in gold jewelry and a gold and celestial bronze tiara tucked into my hair. It was snapped with larel branches and a sun set in the middle. I stared at myself, my makeup was bronze and gold and shimmery. It was simple and neutral and I felt...pretty.

My necklace from Apollo was gone and I panicked for a second, but I saw on my wrist was a gold and celestial bronze bracelet with a whole bunch of charms. I saw my bow and arrow among other charms and symbols of Apollo. I also saw the perle and she'll from Aphrodite on the braslet.

I took a shuddering breath. I don't know what happened to my backpack, but I assumed it would appear when we needed it. I ft urned away from the mirror feeling pretty, but awkward. I pushed the door open and almost walked into someone.

"Oh. Sorry, I'm sorry." I looked up and froze. "Raph?" I stammered.

He looked...good. like really good. My cheeks went pink while my eyes went wide. He was clean and all his battle wounds were gone. He wore brown and black leather and bronze armour, there was some red accents in the amour. He wore the leather armour skirt over a black knee length warriors chitin. His belt held the single of a boar and wolf, the symbles of his father. His sword strapped to his hip. His bare arms showed off all his tattoos. And sitting around his thick dark clean hair was a gold laurel crown. There was no question that he was the son of the War god. He had the rugged handsomeness that was accentuated by the warriors outfit.

"Hey Sunshine, you done staring?" He smirked. But his dark eyes flicked over my face and then trailed down my body, taking in my dress and jewelry. I tried to swallow, but my mouth was dry, and my breath felt stuck in my chest.

"Uhh..." I stammered. I could feel my face heating up, but I couldn't rip my eyes off him. He smirked. I finally came to myself. And blinked a few times. He stared down at me with a smirk, and I stared up at him, my stomach fluttering.

"You...you look-" he cleared his throat. "You clean up nicely Sunshine."

Before I could say anything Will came hurrying over.

"Hey! Nora! Looking beautiful!"

Will wore a black knee length chitin showing off some of his chest and bare muscles arms, he was also adorned in gold. His hair was clean and he almost glowed, her wasn't a very good archer, but he had a quiver of bronze and white feathered arrows on his hip, it seemed more for looks then anything else, the arrows were delicate and beautiful.

"Your glowing!" Will beamed at me.

"Well. Shall we join the party?"

"And find a senile Titan."

Raph held his arm out of me to take and I slipped my hand through his arm and I held onto his bicep Will offered his other arm, and I held the boys and they led me into the crowd of the party.

🔆

Sorry. A longer chapter!

what they look like for the party.

Nora

Raph

Will