WIN

Who?? Wait, a daughter of Venus Greek? Please tell me you mean Piper.

Should I…. take my shoe off right now? Because I could totally take my shoe off right now.

Uh... no, not her.

Oh dang, anybody I know? Wait, wait, why has Sofia been scarce?? 

I figured I’d wait until everybody was done givin’ me the love so I didn’t freak any one out. Or, scare them away with the smell of my feet

Yeah, actually, I’m pretty sure you know them. [She shrugs.] I don’t know, like I said, she’s been around but not a lot.

What do you mean?

Oh, no, I just shoved my shoe back on after I found it, ate some ambrosia, and figured I’d find out sooner or later.

Well, the Greeks got a quest, too. And Sofia’s been scarce. Pretty sure I heard something about Piper going to school but I could be wrong about that one.

I mean, some of it, sure, but I’m no child of Venus.

It wasn’t a joke. When I said I almost died a couple times, I mean. But I’m here and I have my tree bruise and all in all, one piece. Minus a pinky toe, I think.

Those have been coming and going, too.

What, seriously? Where’s all the love going?

Oh, no, nothing like that. Mostly just trying to bring out all the good gossip and that usually starts with romance and I’d also love to keep it pretty light.

Maybe you took it with you when you left.

What can I say? Humor makes the world go round.

So what did I miss? Any juicy gossip or new relationships since I’ve been gone?

Not that I know of? If anything it’s the opposite. Kendall and Laurel broke up, Jason and Piper briefly broke up. Apparently there’s been drama on the Greek side, too.

I actually got this one tripping on a tree, so the other guy looks pretty leafy if I’m being honest.

Happy to see that after such a traumatic quest you still have your sense of humor.

I almost wasn’t a couple of times, but look! [He holds up his arm to show a very faint, very small scar] I got a battle wound!

[Fiona raises her eyebrows a bit but smiles all the same.] Very impressive. I take it the other guy looks worse?

I’m gonna take that as a GIANT yes!

Of course!

Maybe we need to make a pact then. Actually pick up something and hope it sticks. [He furrows his brow.] I have no idea what I would find enjoyable that I don’t already do though.

Well what are your hobbies then? And by the way, there’s nothing wrong with someone’s hobby being running.

I don’t really have any. I’ve also been told to pick some up. Just passing some good advice along. [She shrugs.] A hobby can’t be your job. Although running isn’t really a requirement anymore, it’s not like I’m in track.

Why isn’t building things a hobby?

That would be like if running were my hobby.

I guess… I don’t know. I train. I build things. That’s kind of it.

You should find a hobby. 

Relaxed reading doesn’t sound very interesting to me.

Well you weren’t always this busy. What do you usually do when you’re not working? And tinkering and strategizing don’t count.

Yesterday. In New Rome. I was studying an old story about the Second Illyrian War. Demetrius and Scerdilaidas really did have a great method in deciding to split their forces to run different invasions.

As fascinating as that sounds I’m not sure it counts as a relaxing read.