eachdraidh | [Text/Action; Seelie] 05 Shadows

[Nico debates saying anything over voice, but decides against it. He doesn't trust himself to remain collected. Honestly, he feels...drained. Not only is he left with Bianca's shard, but he's now left with Piper and Jason's.

This is too much for him to think or speak clearly. Text is the better option, despite his dyslexia.

The son of Hades takes a deep breath before typing.]

Jason Grace, Piper McLean, and Bianca di Angelo are no longer with us. I currently have their shards.

[He knows for a fact that Thalia will come running to find him in Caer Glaem, so he doesn't bother sending her a private message. This, he thinks, is something that needs to be talked about in person.

Currently, Nico is out on the grounds, sitting next to his gigantic hellhound and looking much like he had when he'd first arrived in the Drabwurld. Alone, sad, and putting up familiar barriers against the pain of loss. Clifford whines at him, not only sensing Nico's distress, but also the loss of one of his favorite demigods.]

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If you didn't sense them leave, at least that means they didn't- [ he can't even say it, can't bring himself to. even trying to say that it means they didn't die is too much -- because who knows what any of them are in for once they return home, other than Bianca.

Percy knows all too well what awaits her. ]

Yeah. Yeah, so am I. [ there's a bit of a sniff, then a deep breath, because he's been doing his best to not linger on it. to think that she'd be back, maybe. that their being apart wasn't something that was meant to happen so frequently. ] You'll let me know if I can help, right? I mean, I know that you and Jason were close. And, I mean, Bianca.

Edited 2014-11-20 02:18 (UTC)

I don't know for sure, though. I can't sense their souls at all.

[He can't bring himself to tell Percy about what he's heard from another person who'd asked the Monarchs about it. This just really isn't the right time for it on either side of this conversation.

Nico takes a breath and slowly lets it out.]

I promised I would. I seem to recall promising the same to you, too. As for Bianca...I'm never going to be fine about it, Percy. But...I'm grateful that I got to see her one more time.

I get that, and I don't think anyone would ever expect you to be fine with it. I wouldn't be.

[ and he isn't. not when he thinks about how this is the last chance he gets with Luke, how it could Zoe or Silena that comes here. how it could be any of the people they've lost over the years. and it isn't comparable to losing a sibling, because Percy can't even fathom how it would feel if it were Tyson, but- at least he gets it, partially. ]

I have a friend on the Unseelie side who could get her shard. I mean, if you don't have a way of safely getting to it yourself.

No, I wouldn't want your friend to do something that would jeopardize their position at Caer Scima. I can go get it.

[Besides, it might get his mind off of things for a bit. Not that he's holding out much hope for that, but still.

...He also tries for something lighter. Nico is terrible at it, he knows, but it does say something in the attempt alone about how he's changed.]

If he comes back, though, I call first on punching him at the Feast.

Okay, okay. But be careful, we're not exactly supposed to be over there. You especially.

[ what with the bounty and all. can't blame him for worrying. ]

....can you reach that high? [ muffled laughter? muffled laughter. ]

[The brief silence may just indicate that Nico kind of sort of forgot about the bounty on his head for a moment there.]

Stealth is my thing. I wouldn't worry too much. Besides, I've sneaked in there before, so I'm familiar enough with the layout.

[The face Nico is making right now would probably send Percy into unrestrained laughter.]

If I'm short, then I'll just use you as a step-ladder.

Just, y'know, let me know that you make it back safely. Last thing we need is more missing demigods around here.

[ if only this had been video and not voice- ]

I don't mind giving you a boost, means you can reach prime face-level. Use the scar as a target? Joint effort.

[Percy can probably hear Nico's eyeroll. People caring about his safety and everything gosh he'll be fine.]

I will, but I'm not going to end up missing.

[He snorts.]

If not, I'm definitely not short enough to not kick him in the shins or punch him in the gut.

[Nico is relentless that way. At least Jason doesn't deserve a kick to the groin.]

Yeah, you better not. I think the others have had their fill of search parties over the last year or so.

[ yeah, Percy, and whose fault is that. ]

If you get his shins, I'll get his face. I'm sure Thalia will want to get in a headlock or two.

I was sick of it the moment it started, honestly.

[Nico has a very wicked smile on his face. This conversation has definitely been distracting him from the pain this whole situation has caused.]

Leo will probably want to help you with the face-punching. Jason won't be leaving that Feast without bruises.

Don't tell me you were looking for me, too.

[ it was bad enough that most of camp was in on it, but Nico as well? man. ]

Maybe Leo will singe his eyebrows off instead. It'd be a good look for him.

Of course I was! I did actually care what happened to you. Besides, Mrs. Jackson and Annabeth both asked me to help when it was clear you weren't in camp anymore.

[What can he say? Percy is well-connected and well-loved.]

As long as he doesn't singe the hair on his head. Piper wouldn't be happy with that, I'm sure.

Hey, I never said you didn't care. I just figured you had more important things to do.

[ but- ]

Wait, you talked to my mom?

[Nico hesitates, mostly out of embarrassment.]

...I kept her and Annabeth informed about whether I'd found you or not while I was...roaming. All I could say definitively to them was that you weren't dead.

[ it- helps. at least a little. he hadn't spoken to his mom in a year, and talking to Solais only made him miss her more -- she was just like Sally in a lot of ways. ]

Thanks. For doing that for them, and for me.

You know your mom would be proud of you, right? Even if she grounds you for a year when you see her again.

[Lord Hades, the many times he's heard that threat from Sally when he spoke to her over an Iris Message....]

A year? More like the rest of my life.

[ he pauses, hesitating. one of his biggest fears has always been Sally being disappointed in him -- the idea that she's proud? Percy doesn't really know what to say about it.

so he defaults to what he knows. ]

Who wouldn't be proud of this handsome face, come on.

Maybe she'll shorten your sentence for good behavior.

[There's an eyebrow being raised, though Percy can't see it.]

You mean other than the Olympians and other gods who hate your guts? Honestly, can't think of anyone.

Good behaviour. Me.

[ he just. laughs. a lot. ]

Yeah, man, and who counts their opinions, anyway.

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