[Text/Action; Seelie] 05 Shadows

[fell_to_hell]

[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.]

Comments

[fell_to_hell]

[Nico shakes his head.]

That doesn't make you any less his older sister.

[He looks away from her. Part of him feels guilty for admitting this, but the other part thinks it's justified.]

I don't...think I'm the right person to make any decisions about it. The same with Piper's. I'll be giving hers to Leo when he gets back.

[astrapi]

I know that. [ she'd always be Jason's older sister. No one was going to ever take that away from her. ] But you were his friend. And a close one. So, as far as I'm concerned you are.

[ one-handingly pushing herself off the ground, thalia gives him a confident look. ] As far as I'm concerned, there isn't anyone I would trust more for a decision like this.

[fell_to_hell]

[This...is kind of a big deal for him. Her confidence in him is so much like Jason's that it kind of hurts. At the same time, it's...comforting. Like a fundamental part of his life hasn't changed just because it can carry on in a friendship with Thalia.

Nico crosses his arms as his eyes go back to meet hers.]

Either way, you're family. Anything that happens to his shard should be your decision. I would've done the same thing if it was you.

[It's also why he's keeping Bianca's for a time.]

[astrapi]

[ Thalia can't resist a soft chuckle before playfully nudging Nico in the arm. ]

You're family too, you idiot. It doesn't end with blood. [ There were more people that she considered family that weren't actually related to her than people that were. Even when it came to the gods she'd rather pick Artemis as her family over Zeus. ]

[fell_to_hell]

[There's a flash of surprise in his eyes at that. He just doesn't expect hearing that he's part of someone else's family. Well, Nico's heard it once from Hermione, but she's from another world. Hearing it from someone who's from the same world he is...that's different.]

...No, it doesn't.

[Nico wavers a little, kind of marveling at how much he doesn't mind being part of the Grace siblings' family. He gives her a somewhat wry look.]

I suppose I wouldn't mind being part of the Grace family, but only on the condition that you don't try to recruit my half-sister for the Hunters.

[astrapi]

[ Half-sister? Jason had told her about that, it was some girl called Hazel. She couldn't blame Nico from being wiry of the idea after what had happened to Bianca. Even if she had been against Bianca joining the hunters when she did, Thalia had ended up making the same choice. Surely for different reasons, but being a hunter now made her feel some responsibility. Especially since she was on the quest that Bianca met her fate on. As if she had taken on the guilt that Zoe felt for it once she became lieutenant. ]

I think if you asked Jason, he'd say you already were a part of it. [ But she gives a light shrug. For once, having the last name of Grace didn't feel so bad. It wasn't just a connection to her alcoholic mother anymore. ] But if helps, she is completely banned from joining.

[fell_to_hell]

[He does relax somewhat. Granted, Nico doesn't think Hazel would've left Frank for the Hunters, but still.

This does, however, bring up a good question for him to ask the daughter of Zeus.]

By the way, how much did Jason tell you about what's happened at home?

[astrapi]

[ Thalia furrows her brows. She and Jason didn't talk much honestly. Every now and then they'd send each other small messages, but that was it. Enough so she knew who his friends were and if he was doing stupid. Honestly, messages that she got from Annabeth were way more detailed. ]

Not much. He usually get send general things. Like if he was going on a quest or if something interesting happened.