Entertainment
"So, I could just walk out of here right now if I wanted to?" Percy asked. Cassiopeia gave him a look. "Do it, I dare you."
"Really Cassi?" Asked Grover. "I wanted entertainment." Cassiopeia replied. Beauregard laughed at this. "This reminds me of the time you got Cas number 2, to jump off of the stairs in the Slytherin common rooms." Caspian threw a pillow at him for mentioning this. Cassiopeia chuckled at the memory. Caspian was about to throw a pillow at her, but was stopped by Regulus Black.
Annabeth threw Cassiopeia a look, before turning back to Percy. "It would be suicide, but you could, with Mr. D's or Chiron's permission. But they won't give you permission until the end of the summer unless-" Annabeth trailed off in thought. "Unless?" asked a confused Percy. "You were granted a quest. But that hardly ever happens. The last time-"
"I am going to stop you right there, wise girl." Cassiopeia interrupted. Annabeth was about to argue with her. "It is not your place to tell him about what happened." Percy could tell from Cassiopeia's words and tone that the last time did not end well. In order to stop a fight from happening he decide to change the topic.
"What happened during the last quest or whatever?" asked James Potter. Cassiopeia scoffed at this. "None of your business Potter." Cassiopeia replied.
"Back in the sick room, when you were feeding me that stuff-" "Ambrosia' Annabeth cut Percy off. "Yea. You asked me something about the summer solstice." Annabeth straightened her posture. Cassiopeia turned to Annabeth and smirked. "Woah. Was the Cabin six Wise girl harassing a patient? For Information?" Annabeth ignored her. "So you do know something?" Annabeth asked.
"Well-no. Back at my old school, I overheard Grover and Chiron talking about it. Grover mentioned the summer solstice. He said something like we didn't have much time, because of the deadline. What did that mean?" Cassiopeia looked down in thought trying to decipher what they meant. Annabeth clenched her fists. "I wish I knew. Chiron and the satyrs, they know, but they won't tell me. Something is wrong in Olympus, something pretty major. Last time I was there, everything seemed so normal."
"You've been to Olympus?"
"Some of us year-rounders-Luke, Clarisse, Cassiopeia and I and a few others-we took a field trip during winter solstice. That's when the god's have their big annual council." Percy looked confused. "But... how did you get there?'' Cassiopeia looked at Annabeth with an eyebrow raised. "The Long Island Railroad, of course. You get off at Penn station. Empire State Building, special elevator to the six hundredth floor." Annabeth shot him a look like He must know this already. "You are a New Yorker right?" Annabeth asked.
Percy shot her a look before replying with a "Sure"
"Right after we visited," Annabeth continued, "the weather got weird, as if the gods had started fighting. A couple of times since, I've overheard the satyrs talking. The best I can figure out is that something important was stolen. And if it isn't returned by summer solstice, there's going to be trouble. When you came, I was hoping... I mean Athena can get along with just about anybody, except for Ares. And of course she's got the rivalry with Poseidon. But I mean, aside from that, I thought we could work together. I thought you might know something."
Cassiopeia just shook her head. "My cabin feels the same about yours." Before walking away. In the distance she could still hear Annabeth talking about how she needs a quest. Cassiopeia made her way back to Cabin five. She walked into the cabin to see her brother Hector wrestling her other brother Simon. She walked over to Alexander. "Hey, what happened between Clarisse and the New Kid?" Alexander turned to his little sister. "Clarisse was doing the normal routine of just scaring the new kid and wasn't going to do anything bad, just a few taunts. But it escalated when the wise girl introduced Clarisse to the New kid. When the New kid heard that she was the daughter of Ares he said 'that explains the bad smell'. So-" He got cut off by Cassiopeia. "He said what!" Her eyes had a hint of red in them.
Eurytion, who heard her yell, came rushing over from the other side of the cabin. "What is wrong?"
"I told her what the new kid said."
"I am going to kill him." Cassiopeia said as she was walking out the door. "Don't do anything." Clarisse told her little sister. "He said our father stinks! What do you mean wait?" Cassiopeia yells. "just wait until Friday for capture the flag.'' Cassiopeia stopped and looked down in thought before smiling.
Percy and the ones involved in the incident winced. Evan Rosier noticed this and asked "What happened during Capture the flag?" Cassiopeia turned towards her favorite Rosier and smiled. "It will show in the magic device Ev."
"Were you really going to kill him?" Asked Sirius Black. Cassiopeia turned to her supposed brother, and turned on her pureblood mask. "I had no such intentions of killing him. I was simply going to teach him a small lesson." After Cassiopeia spoke Acacia decided to defend her friend. "And if I remember correctly Mr. Sirius, you have no room to talk. Everyone in the school sees how you treat Severus Snape." Sirius just turned to look at the screen.
"Fine." Cassiopeia said calming down. They heard a crash to their left to see Hector and Simon broke a table. "Two drachmas on Hector." Alexander told his sister. "Deal. Two Drachmas on Simon." Cassiopeia stuck out her hand for her brother to shake. Alexander took her hand and shook it.
A half an hour passed when Clarisse shouted "Cabin five Fall in." Everyone got up from what they were doing and stood in line by seniority. Cassiopeia was in the front of the line behind Clarisse. They walked out of the cabin into the commons yard. Campers from other cabins were also walking out too. They made their way over to the pavilions. They sat down in their designated area. Satyrs and Nymphs were walking out of the woods towards the pavilion. Cassiopeia saw Percy walking into the pavilion with the rest of cabin eleven.
Percy made his way over to the overcrowded eleven table and squeezed his way on to the edge of the bench. He looked around and saw Grover sitting at table twelve with Mr. D, a few other satyrs, and a couple of plump blonde boys.
The demigods had a sad smile on their face when they saw Castor.
Like Mr. D, Chiron stood to one side, the picnic table being too small for the centaur to sit. Annabeth sat at table six with a bunch of serious looking athletic kids, all with her gray eyes and honey blonde hair. He looked over to see the cabin five kids sitting around the table and laughing. He looked past Clarisse and a buff guy arm wrestling to look at Cassiopeia smiling and laughing. That's when he noticed all the kids at the cabin five table all had athletic builds, black hair, and scars.
"She was already catching your eye even before you realized-" Before thalia could finish that sentence Cassiopeia threw a pillow at her. Thalia shot her a look but quickly understood when she saw Cassiopeia shaking her head no. Regulus Black, Remus Lupin, and Lily Evans caught on to what she was about to say. Regulus looked at his sister with a sad look knowing why she wants to keep it a secret. Regulus only hopes that when their mother and father find out they won't freak out.
Cassiopeia was laughing with Eurytion and Alexander when she felt eyes on her. She looked up to see Percy Jackson staring at her. Before she could tell her brothers Chiron pounded his hoof against the marble floor, and everyone fell silent. He raised a glass. "To the Gods!"
Everyone else followed along and raised a glass as well. "To the Gods!" Wood nymphs came around the pavilion placing down platters filled with grapes, strawberries, cheese, apples, bread, chocolate, and barbeque. Cassiopeia grabbed her glass and spoke into it "water" Her cup filled with water. "Here you go Cass." She looked over to see Eurytion handing her a plate, filled with everything. She grabbed the plate and stood up with the rest of her table walking over to the fire. She overheard Percy's and Luke's conversation.
"Burnt offerings for the gods. They like the smell." Luke told Percy.
Percy looked confused at this. "You're kidding"
Cassiopeia shook her head. "Did he not watch the orientation video"
"I did not" Percy said. "That explains a lot." Clarisse responded.
It was now Cassiopeia's turn she passed Percy and gave a slight head nod. She made her way to the fire and bowed her head. She threw in the biggest piece of brisket and whispered "Ares". She then threw in three pieces of chocolate for Hera, Hebe, and Aphrodite, Two Strawberries for Apollo, and Hermes, A piece of an apple for Persephone, Cheese for Hades, and a small piece of brisket and a strawberry for Enyo. After throwing in her offerings into the fire she makes her way over to table twelve and places two big grapes onto, Mr. Ds plate. Cassiopeia bows her head at him before making her way back to cabin five's table.
"What are Offerings, and why do you give them?" Narcissa Malfoy asked. Cassiopeia turned to her favorite cousin. "Offerings can be many different things, food, drinks, spoils of war, anything that the gods might like. Demigods give offerings to their godly parents out of respect. I always give my father the biggest piece of meat I have on my plate, and spoils of war. Not every demigod gives offerings to other gods like I do; it is personal preference. I like giving Lady Hera, Lady Hebe, Lady Persephone and Lord Hades offerings because at the time they didn't get offerings and I have huge respect for them. I give Lord Apollo offerings because his kids have healed me multiple times. I give Lord Hermes offerings because he allows kids that aren't his to stay in his cabin and he helps deliver letters I need to send. I give Lady Aphrodite offerings because I have a high respect for her. I give Lady Enyo offerings because she is often forgotten by many. And lastly I give Mr. D offerings because Camp Half-blood would not be Camp Half-blood without him, I also wanted to give him something he isn't supposed to have." The wizarding world nodded their heads taking in the information. While the demigods finally learned the reasoning on why she gives offerings to so many gods.
After they finished eating Chiron pounded his hoof again to gain everyone's attention. Mr. D stood up with a huge sigh. "Yes, I suppose I'd better say hello to all you brats. Well, hello. Our activities director, Chiron, says the next capture the flag is Friday. Cabin five presently holds the laurels."
At this Cassiopeia and the rest of cabin five cheer.
"Personally," Mr. D continued, "I couldn't care less, but congratulations. Also, I should tell you that we have a new camper today. Peter Johnson." Cassiopeia chuckled at that, while Chiron murmured something.
"Er, Percy Jackson," Mr. D corrected. "That's right. Hurrah, and all that. Now run along to your silly campfire go on." Everyone got up from their table and made their way to the campfire. Where the Apollo Cabin lead-the-sing-along until it was Luke's turn.
Luke: Oh, things couldn't be worse,
When your parents run the universe.
Luke: (Spoken) Everybody
Ensemble: Oh, things couldn't be worse,
When your folks run the universe.
Luke: My dad is Hermes, he messengers things.
You'll know his sign by his shoes, with those wings.
I'd wait by the phone, but the phone never rings, oh, no!
[Ensemble murmurs)
When your dad's a god, life can be tough.
I met the guy once, and once was enough.
Random Background Person: Oh, I hear that!
[spoken]
Annabeth?
[sung]
Annabeth: My mom's Athena, she's smart and she's wise.
She's sworn off gluten and she's sworn off guys.
If she came to camp, it'd be a surprise, oh no.
Luke and Katie: Oh no.
Oh, and my step-mom she hates me and my dad works all day.
So I left Virginia, and I ran away.
[spoken]
Percy: Wait. Is that true?
Luke: Everybody!
[sung]
Ensemble: Oh, things couldn't be worse, when your parents run the universe.
Oh, things couldn't be worse, when your folks run the universe.
[spoken]
Luke: Alright, who's next?
Katie: Okay, let me see, uh...
[sung] My mom's Demeter, goddess of grain.
She gets excited when it starts to rain.
But planting, and planting, and planting's a pain! Oh, no.
Ensemble: Oh, no.
[spoken]
Katie: Right?
[sung]
For their sixteen birthdays my friends got a car.
I got a fern in some dumb mason jar.
[spoken]
Grover: Bahahaha! Ooh, my turn!
[sung]
I'm the child of Pan, god of the wild.
For those who love nature, they're often beguiled.
He's not really my dad, but I'm sort of his child, oh no.
Ensemble: (unenthusiastically) Oh no.
Grover: He went for a hike, to explore new frontiers.
(Crying) And no one has seen him for thousands of years!
Ensemble: Oh, things co8uldn't be worse,
When your parents run the universe.
Oh, things couldn't be worse,
When your folks run the universe.
[spoken]
Percy: Hey Chiron, who's your dad?
Chiron: Oh. Well...
[sung]
Chiron: My father is Kronos.
[silence]
Remember my lecture, he ate his children.
[spoken]
Luke: Chiron wins.
[ensemble murmurs in agreement]
Random Background Person: His dad's definitely the worst.
Luke: How about you, Silena?
[sung]
Silena: The goddess of love, my mom's Aphrodite.
She tries to be cool, but mainly she's flighty.
I'll bring home a boy, and she's there in her nighties.
Ensemble: Oh, no!
[spoken]
Silena: It's so embarrassing, guys!
[sung]
I try to seek help, from even the fates.
But she steals my mascara and all of my dates.
[spoken]
Luke: Alright Percy, it's your turn.
Ensemble: Yeah, (come on Percy!)
Percy: If I tried to sing, it'll probably cause an avalanche.
Luke: We're all friends here, come on, give it a shot.
Percy: Okay, um...
[sung]
Percy: My mom was named Sally, she loved scary movies,
And food that was blue, and-
[spoken]
Katie: He's doing it wrong.
Silena: Yeah, who's your godly parent?
Percy: Oh, I don't know.8
Luke: It's alright, a lot of half-bloods never know their godly parent. Just give it a try.
[sung]
Percy: So my dad is some god, that's great, I guess.
Did he not want me or not want the stress?
Too bad he's the worst, and my life is a mess! Oh no...
Ensemble: Oh yeah, Percy!
Percy: I hope he shows even a trace,
Cause I've got some choice words to throw in his face!
[ensemble cheers]
Ensemble: Oh, things couldn't be worse,
When your parents run the universe.
Oh, things couldn't be worse.
Luke: But I don't care where our parents may be,
As long as you you are here with me.
Ensemble: We don't care where our parents may be,
As long as you are here with me.
As long as you are here with me!
All of the wizards pay attention to the lyrics and look down in sadness. "Is this a normal song you guys sing?" Andromeda Tonks asked. Annabeth looked towards the disowned Black and smiled. "It's a variation, the lyrics change, different people sing." Orion looked at his daughter and looked at her sadly wondering how she is treated by her godly parent. Everyone is sending the demigods looks of pity. Cassiopeia hated this feeling. She just wanted everyone to stop looking at her. She turns to Regulus. "My moon, can you get them to stop looking at me?" "Of course Etoile." Regulus stood up from his seat and turned towards the rest of the great hall. "The next person to send my sister a look of pity, or even dare look at her will be hexed and kicked out of the great hall." With this warning everyone turned towards the screen.