I DO NOT OWN THE PJO/HoO SERIES, RICK RIORDAN DOES!!! THIS IS JUST A FANFIC!!!

Chapter 11

Celeste spun her fork around in her spaghetti.

She wasn't in the mood for pizza that night, nor was she in the mood to make it blue.

She wondered what her father thought about her little speech. Celeste still resented him slightly, but she was truly grateful for him taking her in.

Despite everything, she'd be nothing without him.
Nora entered the room with a frown on her face. She swam up to Celeste and slammed the pendant down on the table.

Celeste jumped, shocked at Nora's forcefulness.

"Do you think you can just hand me this and then leave and think I'll be okay with it!?" Nora shouted in anger.

Celeste blinked and stared at her friend.

"Celeste, you realize I care about you right? You're like my little sister. I had a sibling once, and now he's gone. I will not lose you as well, do you understand me?" Nora steamed.

Celeste froze in disbelief. A stray tear slipped down her cheek. "I'm sorry." Celeste murmured.

She got out of her chair and wrapped Nora in a hug. She heard Nora choke out a faint sob before squeezing Celeste as well.

Both of them were unaware of Poseidon and Night watching them from around the color.

"I don't know if I can do this. Celeste would never forgive me." Poseidon whispered.

Night rolled her eyes. "How many children do you have Poseidon? Why is this one any different? Besides, it's not like you're killing her."

"But like we discussed, the curse will break eventually. Kayla will be weak at first, but over time she will grow even stronger. I-I can't let Celeste die. She might be our prophetic savior." Poseidon said.

"Poseidon, I understand your concern, but you have another demigod child." Night said.

Poseidon glanced at the goddess in surprise. "You know about-"

"Yes, I know about little Perseus. You kind of dropped too many hints during our previous conversation. Anyways, how do you know he isn't your prophetic savior?" Night said.

Poseidon sighed and glanced back at Celeste and Nora, who had stopped hugging and started talking.

"Well, maybe I can wait. Place the curse when Celeste starts to show more signs." Poseidon said.

Night growled. "Poseidon, she has shown enough signs! Are you blind!? She killed a merman, you told me. She has cause major catastrophes throughout your castle and if Kayla is truly controlling her, she will grow powerful enough for a mass killing! Do you want that?"

Poseidon closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "No, of course not."

"Well then do something about it." Night seethed.

She disappeared in a sweep of shadow.

"Dad?" A voice interrupted the god's thoughts.

Poseidon looked up to see his daughter staring at him.

"Are you alright?" Celeste asked.

"Yes, Celeste, I'm fine. Do you still want to talk, or do you want to wait?" Poseidon said.

Celeste rubbed her neck. "I think I'm just gonna hang with Nora for awhile. Thanks though. For understanding, I mean. It means a lot." Celeste smiled and then turned to link arms with Nora.

Now was his time.

Poseidon could set the curse before something catastrophic happened.

But he couldn't bring himself to do it. She was happier than she's been in the 2 years she'd lived with him.

He had promised Sally to keep her safe, he had a duty to protect Olympus, but he couldn't let his daughter take innocent lives.

Sighing, Poseidon turned to go to his throne room. He needed to think.

•••

Celeste walked into her room with Nora.

The pendant was now swinging happily around her neck as she looked for something to do.

"Ooh! You could dress me up and do my hair again like you did on my first day!" Celeste said, surprised at her own sudden enthusiasm.

Maybe it was the fact that her father was going to help her get rid of her voice.

It was a big relief to get the secret off her chest and the elated feeling that everything was going to be alright made her as happy as a bee.

Nora smiled. "Sure. That sounds great."

Celeste sat at her vanity table and flipped her curly black hair back for Nora mess with.

Celeste stared at her reflection in the mirror. She looked more tired and ragged than she felt, but she ignored it.

Her hair was a complete mess. The normal bouncy curls that usually flowed to her shoulders was now a fluffy mess of hair strands.

"Gods, I guess I should brush my hair more." Celeste giggled.

Nora smiled and pulled a brush through the knotted hair.

Celeste winced at her hair being pulled, but managed to keep her smile.

"So, now that we settled our little dispute, what were you talking to Poseidon about?" Nora asked.

Celeste felt a stab at her gut.

The voice hissed at her, "Keep your mouth shut..."

Celeste took a deep breath. The voice seemed to control her every action. Panic seized her as she felt a strangling at her throat. It immediately went away as Celeste coughed.

Could the voice...kill her?

Shaking her head, Celeste composed herself to answer Nora's question.

"Just my powers and stuff. Nothing too bad." Celeste said.

It wasn't exactly a lie, but she felt the guilt of her answer settle over her. Didn't she trust Nora? Or was her voice changing that...

"Well that's good. The more you learn to control them, the closer you are to doing cool tricks like this." Nora said as she put the hairbrush down and twisted her hand out.

A bubble of air appeared and Celeste stared in awe.

Nora shifted into a shape until the form of a Pegasus took form.

"Woah. Are pegasi real?" Celeste asked.

Nora laughed. "Of course! Merpeople are real."

Celeste shrugged. "Well, you never know."

Nora popped the bubble with a chuckle and went back to brushing Celeste's hair.

They sat in silence for awhile and Celeste just watched through the mirror as her friend gently stroked her black hair.

When she finished, she tied it into a side ponytail and studded it with seashells.

She placed starfish earrings on her ears and handed her a real blouse to wear.

Celeste put it on and then a pair of white silk leggings.

She spun around for Nora to look at her handiwork.

"Beautiful, as always." Nora said.

Celeste rolled her eyes and studied her reflection.

She really did look pretty. Nora always overdid herself.

Celeste spun and smirked at Nora.

"What?" Nora asked.

"Your turn!" Celeste said, grabbing the mergirl's wrist.

"Wait, what!?" Nora exclaimed as she was thrown into the chair.

"I'm going to do your hair now. So, sit still." Celeste said.

Nora rolled her eyes but sat still as Celeste brushed her hair.

All was well...for now.