Nico walked into the Poseidon cabin. He hadn't been there before, but he saw Percy's untidy bed, with his clothes strewn everywhere. Typical. Nico walked over to the back of the cabin, where the fountain stood. The fountain was somewhat patched up, but at least it had water spewing out fit. He fished out a coin from the water and opened up a window so light would come in to form a rainbow. Sure enough, it was there. Nico tossed in the coin. "O, Iris, accept this offering. Show me Hades."
An image began to shimmer in front of him. It showed Hades talking to someone in a hushed tone. "Dad," Nico called out. Hades turned around, startled for a moment, but gathered himself.
"Nico, what a surprise. Is something the matter? Did something happen?" Hades asked. Nico could see the silhouette of the person his father was talking to walking away.
"Uh, who was that you were talking to?" Nico asked.
"Huh? Oh, that's not really important, don't be concerned about it. Tell me why you called me."
Nico bit his lower lip, trying to prevent himself from asking questions. His dad was obviously hiding something, but that would have to wait. "Listen, I encountered something strange yesterday; a skeletal pegasus. Did you have anything to do with it?"
Hades raised an eyebrow at him, "Nico, what do you mean by that?"
"Look, Will Solace had seen a skeletal pegasus the other day and he showed me where it was and I couldn't feel a presence or anything so I was wondering if you- what's wrong with your face?"
Hades' mouth was turned up at the corners, in what seemed like a smile. "Oh, nothing. Will Solace, he's a son of Apollo, correct?"
"Uh, yeah. Why?" Nico had no idea where this conversation was going, but seeing his dad smile made him concerned.
"So, you've made a new friend?"
Nico blinked, completely bewildered of his father's sudden interest in his relationships at camp. "Well, I wouldn't say he is my friend. I guess he's just someone other than Percy and Jason that I can hang out with at camp."
Hades nodded his head. "Nico, I'm glad you are making more friends. Socializing will do you good."
"Er, yeah, I guess. It does feel nice. Anyway, back to the main point. So-"
"How is everything at camp?" Hades interrupted him.
"Fine. Dandy. We're renovating stuff. Anyway, dad, about the pegasus-"
"Where are you anyway?"
Nico was starting to get impatient. "I'm in Percy's cabin. He and Annabeth are scoping the forest. Father, please, I really need you to answer my-"
"Nico, you look malnourished. Are you eating well?"
"Oh my gods! I swear I'm gonna-" Nico closed his eyes and sighed, trying to stay calm. "Father, I have been feeling a bit under the weather because I overworked myself so I might look more like a skeleton than I usually do. Anyway, could you please shut up so I can ask you my question?" Hades blinked, but nodded his head slightly. "Thank you. Now, do you know how the heck it got into camp? I mean, where did it come from? Is it one of yours?"
Hades raised a hand and scratched his chin, thinking. "No, my horses are made of shadows, and none are pegasi. Sorry, I'm not a horse expert. Maybe I'm not the one to ask, Poseidon might be a better candidate. Although, he might be busy rebuilding the ocean and what not."
Nico let his shoulders sag and let out a sigh. "So you really don't know anything?" The god of the Underworld shook his head.
"I'm sorry I could be of no help, Nico. However, I'm glad we got to talk." His face was like stone, but there was emotion in his tone. The mirage of Hades faded away into nothingness.
"Great, I guess it only leaves Seaweed Brain," Nico mumbled as he got up from the floor.
"I thought only Annabeth called him that," a voice said from behind. Nico jumped at the sound of the voice and whipped around to see who it was. There in the doorway was one of the twins, Connor Stoll. "Unless, you two are getting it on," Stoll said this with a mischievous grin and waggled his eyebrows up and down. Nico rolled his eyes.
"Get lost, Stoll. I'm busy." Nico shouldered by him through the doorway, walking briskly towards the woods.
"You know, I used to think you were pretty scary and creepy, but now, you're just downright adorable," Connor said, gushing the last words out. Nico could feel the tips of his ears burning. He'd been called many things, but none of them was ever 'adorable'.
"I am not adorable, I am the darkness," Nico grumbled. Stoll let out a laugh as he tried to catch up with Nico's pace.
"Wow, okay now that was adorable." He started laughing again, and Nico started walking faster. Connor's laugh started to fade away in the distance as Nico continued towards the woods.