✦ ༉‧₊˚⋆˚( ᵖᵉʳᶠᵉᶜᵗ ʷᵒʳˡᵈ )˚⁺✧₊˚.*♡

🍦— 002. a reunion goes well.

VIVI COULDN'T get enough of those sea-green eyes. Nor could she keep her hands to her side and keep them away from his disheveled, jet black hair swept to one side as "if he just got a walk to the beach". She remembers him being sarcastic all the time at school; grinning at her with his troublemaker smile. Vivi wanted for Percy to know he is attractive; the boy always spoke so lowly of himself, saying that Vivi was the one caring the looks in their duo. But that wasn't true. Percy didn't understand the number of girls that found him extremely attractive. He didn't hear the way Aphrodite Cabin speak of him, but Vivi did.

She has been in the Camp, what, two months or so, and she has heard stories about the great Percy Jackson. Of course, she didn't register that they were talking about her Percy Jackson, a boy who she didn't want to leave when she moved away. And then he appears in the Camp and of course Travis and Connor ( who became really protective over Vivi, especially Connor ) had to make fun of her, pick her up from where she was talking with Will Solace in front of Cabin Seven and carry her where Percy Jackson was with their new swordsmaster.

Which is how Vivi was stuck in this awkward moment, staring at Percy the way he stared at her, with her brothers and Quintus watching the pair.

Vivi cleared her throat, "Percy, hi." the only reaction she got was him blinking furiously. She turned towards Connor and Travis who were trying not to laugh, "You have five seconds to run or I'm kicking your asses right now."

"See you Percy!" Travis yelled after he begun running.

"Don't hurt her!" Connor shouted, following his brother.

"Idiots." Vivi sighed, closing her eyes and pinching the bridge of her nose.

What she didn't expect was to feel a body colliding with hers at such force that made her stumble. A pair of strong arms wrapped around her petite body, as warmth spread though it. She stood frozen for a second, her eyes wide, before a smile broke on her face and her arms found their way around Percy's waist, hugging him as tightly as he hugged her. He smelled of ocean air, warm and comforting, just like Vivi remembered. She always thought it was weird, but now everything made sense. A part of her that was missing finally came back, like the two were made for each other, a puzzle pieces that fit together so perfectly.

"You're here," Percy said after a minute, "You're here?" he pulled away from the hug, his hands firmly on her shoulders, "What the fuck are you doing here?"

Vivi could only laugh. Shaking her head as she looked down, composing herself, before looking at his sea-green eyes, "Apparently, my dad is Hermes, so, I'm here."

"You're a demigod, too?"

"And you are a demigod too."

The pair smiled at each other.

"So, I finally get to meet the Percy Jackson," Vivi said, eyeing him up and down, "Not the same guy I used to know. My Percy Jackson was always shy and held to himself; this guy I heard about, is nothing like that."

"Oh, please," Percy hissed, "What have Connor and Travis told you?"

Vivi laughed, "A lot, but not just them, everyone." she said, "Can't get a day on without hearing about you and your amazing accomplishments."

Percy shook his head, "I did nothing. Those are just the stories."

"Yet, I've seen the Golden Fleece and," Vivi took the white piece of hair sticking among the jet black between her fingers, "Held the sky to save Annie. Those are amazing stories."

"Annie?"

"She's so lovely," Vivi grinned, "She helped me a lot during these past weeks, even training with me during our sessions and teaching me Greek. I've got to say, I'm pretty good with both."

"That I'm sure of," Percy looked down at her, "You've always been the star student and a quick learner. One of the strengths I saw in you, beside your beauty." 

Vivi's heart nearly stopped. 

"Percy, there you are!" Chiron's voice was heard from behind the pair, "Ah, and you've met Vivienne. Great, great."

He must've just come from teaching archery. He had a quiver and bow slung over his #1 CENTAUR T-shirt. He'd trimmed his curly brown hair and beard for the summer, and his lower half, which was a white stallion, was flecked with mud and grass.

"I see you've also met our new instructor." Chiron's tone was light, but therewas an uneasy look in his eyes. "Quintus, do you mind if I borrow Percy and Vivienne?"

"Not at all, Master Chiron."

"No need to call me 'Master,'" Chiron said, though he sounded sort ofpleased. "Come. We have much to discuss."

Hanging around Annabeth Chase means you get all the gossips that spread around the Camp. You also get to be involved in some serious demigod stuff that no one supposed to know. If Vivi had to describe Annabeth to someone who wanted to get to know the blonde girl, this is how it would go:

Annabeth is an intellectual genius, wise and very witty. Her eyes look calculating, like she is analyzing whoever she is looking at during a first meeting, as if "thinking of the best way to take the person down in a fight". She loves architecture and spends her free time designing new buildings or visiting national monuments. She has a soft side for those who seek knowledge.

Annabeth is very strong-minded and stubborn, showing to be incredibly determined and daring. In stories Vivi heard, Annabeth has shown many signs of bravery, courage, and dauntlessness ─ where after holding the sky for hours and starting to die, she vehemently protested against Artemis for taking her burden.

To put it simply, Annabeth Chase is a fucking badass.

Somehow, the two girls got together well in such a short time. Vivi can say that she trusted Annabeth with her life and vice versa. There was some kind of understanding and appreciation between the two girls that got them to open up one night and talk about everything and anything. It was that night where Vivi told Annabeth how she knew the "famous" Percy Jackson and Annabeth told her she used to have a crush on him, but that went on quickly. The two shared bunch of stories and learned a lot about each other. The pair is now inseparable and could say they are each other's best friend.

And now, as Chiron galloped past the cabins with Vivi and Percy on his back, Vivi didn't want to be anywhere else, but Camp Half-Blood. She finally found herself even if she was still learning about this new side of her.

Chiron plunged into the woods. Nymphs peeked out of the trees to watch them pass. Large shapes rustled in the shadows ─ monsters that were stocked inhere as a challenge to the campers. They went through a tunnel of old willow trees, past a little waterfall, and into a glade blanketed with wildflowers. A bunch of satyrs were sitting in a circle in the grass. Grover Underwood, a satyr Vivi had a pleasure of best friending, stood in the middle, facing three really old, really fat satyrs who sat on topiary thrones shaped out of rose bushes. Grover seemed to be telling them a story. He twisted the bottom of his T-shirt, shifting nervously on his goat hooves. 

Standing off to one side of the circle were Annabeth, Clarisse and Juniper, Grover's girlfriend. Chiron dropped the pair next to them. Clarisse glared at Percy and muttered, "Punk," and nodded at Vivi as a greeting. Annabeth had her arm around Juniper, who looked like she'd been crying. 

"It's going terribly," Juniper sniffled.

"No, no." Annabeth patted her shoulder. "He'll be fine, Juniper."

Annabeth looked at Percy and mouthed the words Grover's girlfriend. 

"Master Underwood!" the council member on the right shouted, cutting off whatever Grover was trying to say. "Do you seriously expect us to believe this?"

"B-but, Silenus," Grover stammered. "It's the truth!"

The Council guy, Silenus, turned to his colleagues and muttered something. Chiron cantered up to the front and stood next to them; the elders didn't look very impressive. 

Silenus tugged his yellow polo shirt over his belly and adjusted himself on his rosebush throne. "Master Underwood, for six months ─ six months ─ we have been hearing these scandalous claims that you heard the wild god Pan speak."

"But I did!"

"Impudence!" said the elder on the left.

"Now, Maron," Chiron said. "Patience."

"Patience, indeed!" Maron said. "I've had it up to my horns with this nonsense. As if the wild god would speak to. . . to him."

Juniper looked like she wanted to charge the old satyr and beat him up, but Annabeth and Clarisse held her back. Vivi couldn't blame her. These old satyrs were getting on her nerves too.

"Wrong fight, girlie," Clarisse muttered. "Wait."

"For six months," Silenus continued, "we have indulged you, Master Underwood. We let you travel. We allowed you to keep your searcher's license. We waited for you to bring proof of your preposterous claim. And what have you found in six months of travel?"

"I just need more time," Grover pleaded.

"Nothing!" the elder in the middle chimed in. "You have found nothing."

"But, Leneus ─ "

Silenus raised his hand. Chiron leaned in and said something to the satyrs. The satyrs didn't look happy. They muttered and argued among themselves, but Chiron said something else, and Silenus sighed. He nodded reluctantly.

"Master Underwood," Silenus announced, "we will give you one more chance."

Grover brightened. "Thank you!"

"One more week."

"What? But, sir! That's impossible!"

"One more week, Master Underwood. And then, if you cannot prove your claims, it will be time for you to pursue another career. Something to suit your dramatic talents. Puppet theater, perhaps. Or tap dancing."

"But, sir, I ─ I can't lose my searcher's license. My whole life ─ "

"This meeting of the council is adjourned," Silenus said. "And now let us enjoy our noonday meal!"

The old satyr clapped his hands, and a bunch of nymphs melted out of the trees with platters of vegetables, fruits, tin cans, and other goat delicacies. The circle of satyrs broke and charged the food. Grover walked dejectedly toward them. His faded blue T-shirt had a picture of a satyr on it. It read GOTHOOVES?

"Hi, Percy, Vivi," he said, sounding depressed. "That went well, huh?"

"Those old goats!" Juniper said. "Oh, Grover, they don't know how hard you've tried!"

"There is another option," Clarisse said darkly.

"No. No." Juniper shook her head. "Grover, I won't let you."

His face was ashen. "I ─ I'll have to think about it. But we don't even know where to look."

"What are you talking about?" Percy asked.

In the distance, a conch horn sounded. Annabeth pursed her lips. "I'll fill you in later, Percy. We'd better get back to our cabins. Inspection is starting."

Every afternoon, one of the senior counselors came around with a papyrus scroll checklist. Best cabin got first shower hour, which meant hot water guaranteed. Worst cabin got kitchen patrol after dinner. Hermes Cabin always got the worse score, that's what Travis told her, until Vivi came. Not that Vivi was a neat freak, but she liked everything to be perfect and be in its place; and as there were so many campers in Cabin Eleven, someone had to take control over its arrangement.

"Whose shorts are these?" Vivi asked, picking the item up with a pen in her hand.

"Mine, sorry Vivi!" a small twelve year old run towards her and took the shorts.

Vivi sighed, "Keep your clothes in check, Nathan!"

"Will do, Vivi!"

"Okay," she turned back to where her siblings' beds were, "Nina, pick up your socks!"

"On it!"

"Cecil, keep your supplies in check!"

"Yes, V!"

"And you two," she turned towards Connor and Travis, who had their hands full of things Vivi didn't even know existed, "Get that back to the store."

"Hey! You can't tell me what to do. I'm the senior counselors!"

Vivi raised an eyebrow, "So?"

"Nothing, back to the shop!"

The two raced out of the door, almost knocking Silena Beauregard who just coming inside to check their Cabin.

"I'm impressed," daughter of Aphrodite mused.

"Blame, Vivi, she's the reason everything is perfect." one of the unclaimed kids yelled from the back.

"You should be thanking her, cuz I'm giving you four stars." Silena said, writing down on her inspection scroll.

Vivi felt proud.

Apparently around three in the morning an Aethiopian drakon had been spotted at the borders of camp. Vivi slept though it, not hearing anything because of her ear plugs. The magical boundaries had kept the monster out, but it prowled the hills, looking for weak spots in our defenses, and it didn't seem anxious to go away until Lee Fletcher from Apollo's cabin led a couple of his siblings in pursuit. After a few dozen arrows lodged in the chinks of the drakon's armor, it got the message and withdrew.

"It's still out there," Lee warned them during announcements. "Twenty arrows in its hide, and we just made it mad. The thing was thirty feet long and bright green. Its eyes —" he shuddered.

"You did well, Lee." Chiron patted him on the shoulder. "Everyone stay alert, but stay calm. This has happened before."

"Aye," Quintus said from the head table. "And it will happen again. More and more frequently."

The campers murmured among themselves. Everyone knew the rumors: Luke and his army of monsters were planning an invasion of the camp. Most of the campers expected it to happen this summer, but no one knew how or when. It didn't help that the attendance was down. The camp only had about eighty campers. Connor told her there had been more than a hundred once. Some had died. Some had joined Luke. Some had just disappeared.

"This is a good reason for new war games," Quintus continued, a glint in his eyes. "We'll see how you all do with that tonight."

"Yes. . ." Chiron said. "Well, enough announcements. Let us bless this meal and eat." he raised his goblet. "To the gods!"

Everyone raised their glasses and repeated the blessing. The Hermes Cabin took their plates to the bronze brazier and scraped a portion of food into the flames. As Vivi was about to sit back down at her Cabin's table, someone pulled her away, making her almost drop the plate and yelp at the sudden move.

Annabeth pushed Vivi down to sit onto the bench and the blonde sat next to her. "I'll tell you what it's about. The Labyrinth."

"Good morning to you two," Percy's voice said next to her.

Vivi looked at him, then at Annabeth, "We're not allowed to sit at different table, are we?"

"Beside the point," Annabeth said, "Look, Grover is in trouble. There's only one way we can figure to help him. It's the Labyrinth. That's what Clarisse and I have been investigating."

"You mean the maze where they kept the Minotaur, back in the old days?"

"Exactly," Annabeth said.

"So. . . it's not under the king's palace in Crete anymore," Percy guessed. "The Labyrinth is under some building in America."

"Under a building? Please, Percy. The Labyrinth is huge. It wouldn't fit under a single city, much less a single building." 

"So. . . is the Labyrinth part of the Underworld?"

"No." Annabeth frowned. "Well, there may be passages from the Labyrinth down into the Underworld. I'm not sure. But the Underworld is way, way down. The Labyrinth is right under the surface of the mortal world, kind of like a second skin. It's been growing for thousands of years, lacing its way under Western cities, connecting everything together underground. You can get anywhere through the Labyrinth."

"If you don't get lost," Grover muttered. "And die a horrible death."

"Grover, there has to be a way," Annabeth said. 

"Clarisse lived." Vivi said, pointing a fork at the satyr she stole from Percy's plate of blue pancakes.

"That's my breakfast!"

"Back off."

"But she barely survived!" Grover said. "And the other guy ─ "

"He was driven insane. He didn't die."

"Oh, joy." Grover's lower lip quivered. "That makes me feel much better."

"Whoa," Percy said. "Back up. What's this about Clarisse and a crazy guy?"

Annabeth glanced over toward the Ares table. Clarisse was watching them like she knew what we were talking about, but then she fixed her eyes on her breakfast plate.

"Last year," Annabeth said, lowering her voice, "Clarisse went on a mission for Chiron."

"I remember," Percy said. "It was secret."

Annabeth nodded. "It was secret, because she found Chris Rodriguez."

"The guy from the Hermes cabin?" 

"Who happens to be my brother, by the way, so no ill talking." Vivi sang.

"Last summer he just appeared in Phoenix, Arizona, near Clarisse's mom's house." Annabeth said.

"Hold up," Vivi cut in, "That was near me? You didn't mention that."

"I said in Arizona," Annabeth said.

"Arizona is huge!"

"Wait," Percy interrupted, "What do you mean he just appeared?"

"He was wandering around the desert, in a hundred and twenty degrees, in full Greek armor, babbling about string."

"String,"

"He'd been driven completely insane. Clarisse brought him back to her mom's house so the mortals wouldn't institutionalize him. She tried to nurse him back to health. Chiron came out and interviewed him, but it wasn't much good. The only thing they got out of him: Luke's men have been exploring the Labyrinth."

"Okay," Percy asked. "Why were they exploring the Labyrinth?"

"We weren't sure," Annabeth said. "That's why Clarisse went on a scouting expedition. Chiron kept things hushed up because he didn't want anyone panicking. He got me involved because . . . well, the Labyrinth has always been one of my favorite subjects. The architecture involved ─ " her expression turned a little dreamy. "The builder, Daedalus, was a genius."

"Annie,"

"Right, sorry, the point is, the Labyrinth has entrances everywhere. If Luke could figure out how to navigate it, he could move his army around with incredible speed."

"Except it's a maze, right?"

"Full of horrible traps," Grover agreed. "Dead ends. Illusions. Psychotic goat-killing monsters."

"But not if you had Ariadne's string," Vivi said. "In the old days, Ariadne's string guided Theseus out of the maze. It was a navigation instrument of some kind, invented by Daedalus. And Chris Rodriguez was mumbling about