Restricted Fear
[The screen changes from the train compartment to Marina sitting at the bottom of the lake with the naiads. She looks like she fits right in with them, her pops divine features shown in her own face. One of the naiads is braiding her hair in the way of Atlantis, her fathers kingdom. Marina is young, looking about twelve or thirteen. They are showing Marina how to braid her hair in the Atlantean braids while she practices the braiding on one of the younger naiads.]
Poseidon beams when he sees the Atlantean braids in Marina's hair and Theo's eyes brighten at the sight of Marina's braids, soaking in the sight of her beauty. Her friends and loved ones think she looks great with the braids since she hardly ever dresses up.
"Then the outerpiece goes under this one." They instruct Marina who watches Lydia, the naiad sitting next to her, hands as she shows her how to do it. Marina copies the move on the young naiad's hair which Marina's doing.
They tie off the braids, finished with the braids. "There you go Maggie, How did I do Lydia?"
[Lydia checks Maggie's braids and gives her approval of the braids. Marina feels both at peace and like crying at the feeling of Cora braiding her hair, she misses her aunt Sally but she promises herself to bring Sally back.]
"What happened to Sally? Why would you need to bring her back?" James questions Marina and Sally; Lily, Remus, and Sirius also wonder what happened to Sally. Marina and Sally share looks while Hades looks the other way as Poseidon side eyes him.
Marina speaks up before Sally can, "Something happened to aunt Sally at one point and I thought her dead but she was alright however you'll have to wait to find out."
Majority is shocked that Marina thought her aunt Sally was dead and they are all wondering what truly happened.
[Apparently, naiads have their own cultural braids which they promised to teach Marina later. Cora finishes on Marina's braids, according to the naiads, Marina's braids are different then their own which are currently in Atlantean styles. Marina's braids symbolize her status as a princess of Atlantis, the naiads had learned from their nereid cousins who sport Atlantean braids when in Poseidon's court. Marina's princess braids are the ones that the nereids had seen on princess Rhode when she came to visit her family.]
Poseidon smiles at that, knowing that Rhode would love to see Marina's braids replicating one of her own styles. However, when he looks at her now, Marina seems to have developed her own style of braids which include influence from the princess style and normal Atlantean braids, the naiads style of braids, and her own style. He feels warm in that she has made them her own, knowing that he's spotted her style influence the naiads of her camp and the nereids of his court.
People admire the braids, and are shocked at the reminder that Marina is a princess, despite being a bastard child of Poseidon's.
Theo has always admired Marina's braids since she started wearing them in their third year. She's always been a beauty but he went breathless when he first saw her braids when she came back for their third year.
Annabeth touches her own hair, trailing her fingers to the small braids that Marina put in her curls upon learning the myth of Pallas and Athena. Marina has told Annabeth that Atlantis was part of her and her mothers history even if her mother was cast out following the death of her best friend and sudo-sister.
Maggie turns to Marina, "You're about to go on your very first quest! Are you scared?" A baby catfish swims by with its mother in the lake stopping to brush against Marina before continuing on.
"Yes, I am scared. Demigods die on quests and it's been two years since Luke went on his and quests were forbidden after his went wrong. I've only been here a week and now I have to go on a quest that could kill me." Marina's voice is young and small.
Annabeth and Grover flinch at the mention of Luke and his failed quest while Clarisse looks angry as does Thalia who still feels hurt about Luke's betrayal of camp. Marina's anger hides her hurt that still remains at his betrayal. Hermes looks sad at the mention of his son while Apollo comforts his brother.
The people from the wizarding world are confused by their reactions. Theo catches the glimpse of the hurt that Marina hides, kissing her hand and wrapping his arms around his girlfriend. She kisses his cheek as she holds him close as well, promising that no one will ever take Theo from her or they will face her godly wrath.
The people of the wizarding world are worried about Marina, especially her loved ones. Sally knows that Marina ends up okay but she does wonder about the truth of the quest and things that Marina hid from her.
However, the people of the Greek world are shocked that Marina confessed her fear. Heroes rarely do but then again Marina isn't a typical hero.
The naiads move closer and comfort her, "You'll be okay. You are a daughter of the water, we are always okay."
[Marina knows that isn't exactly true, she knows quite a few myths of daughters in mythology that go wrong. However, she is somewhat thankful for their words. She just hopes that everyone will make it out okay.]
Those that know about Greek Mythology agree with Marina. Daughters and women in mythology tend to get the short end of the stick.
"May the way of water support you on your journey." Cora tells Marina, as the older naiad pats Marina's braids.
[Marina looks at the naiads around her, she takes in the support of the naiads around her.]
[The scene changes to Marina who is older now, closer to current age, maybe a year or two older. Her braids are now her own style, not a copy of the Atlantean style like they were when she was younger. She looks tired like she's been fighting for too long, her clothes look messy and dirty like she hasn't showered or taken care of herself in a while. She sits beside Hermione who looks about the same state as Marina, they are in a basic but kind of run down camp.]
Everyone is curious as to when this is and why Marina and Hermione look like crap, wondering where Ron, Theo, and Blaise are as well as they are almost always around the girls.
"We'll have to get more supplies soon?" Marina looks around their camp.
Hermione points out things that they would need, Marina says that she'll run into the nearby town and steal some stuff. Hermione asks, "When do you think Ron will come back?"
Hermes jokes, "My children taught you well."
"They did teach me well," Marina gives a little chuckle but it sounds a little hollow. Thinking back to those lessons, and those blue eyes that shone with hidden pride at Marina's progress.
Some are wondering why Marina would need to steal when she's rich but assuming that it has to do with their situation.
Marina thinks for a moment, "He probably just needs some time, the whole wizarding world is in shambles and his family is potentially in danger."
Hermione hesitates before speaking her thoughts, "Marina, how are you not scared? We're on the run with people hunting us but you haven't shown any fear at all."
Hermione agrees with her on screen self, Marina hardly ever shows her fear anymore. She used to when they were younger but as they got older, there has been a coldness and distance to Marina that wasn't there before.
The Weasley's are shocked that they are in danger and that apparently Ron has run off, they hope that they are all safe.
"Demigods are used to being on the run or traveling on quests. We try not to stay in one place for too long as we attract monsters who try to kill us. Running for our lives is a daily mission if you don't have somewhere safe to stay." Annabeth explains to Hermione.
The people of the wizarding world are shocked, "You live your entire lives like that?" Blaise questions the blonde who he sits close to.
"Of course." Clarisse says that like it's not obvious by the fact that Annabeth has just said it.
Annabeth explains a little more, "Once you get old enough or sometime enough of a reputation, the monsters will leave you alone. However, most demigods don't make it to adulthood, we tend to die young."
The people of the wizarding world are horrified. Theo holds Marina's hand, understanding why she's always told him that she was destined to die, she has the odds stacked against her.
Blaise looks at the pretty stormy grey eyes, holding onto hope that he sees those eyes in the future.
Marina looks at Hermione and sees her worry, "I'm not allowed to be scared, I have to continue fighting even if I'm constantly terrified." Marina's voice breaks for a moment as her fear shows a glimpse in her eyes before she hides it once more.
Hermione hugs Marina tightly which makes Marina hug her back just as tight, Marina's tense shoulders relaxing a little as does Hermione's.
The fact that Marina isn't allowed to show her fear due to her continued fight makes people feel bad for her, she was just 11 and 12 when her fight started. She was still a child when she was forced to become a hero and savior.
Her friends and loved ones are worried for her and her mental health.
Poseidon wishes he can just whisk her away and hide her in his kingdom forever so she will be safe. James and Lily cry a little that they couldn't protect their daughter as they are dead.
Sally, Remus, and Sirius are upset that they couldn't protect her even more. Sally is only allowed to help so much in the wizarding world and can't help Marina in regards to the Greek world. Sirius is still a fugitive on the run even if his name would be cleared soon. Remus can't do much legally due to his affliction and the result of that in regards to his status in the wizarding world.
There is only so much that Marina will talk about with her friends and they know this so they have to wade through conversations carefully in order for her to reveal how she truly is. Even Theo doesn't know everything, as he's only just found out about the Greek world.
[The screen changes. Now on the screen is a camp, the children and teens sport bright orange shirts and some are currently carrying weapons. A lone figure stands out among the kids who bow as the tall man walks past them in a blue bird and palm tree printed shirt. There is a forge on one side and mismatched cabins on the other.]
"Oh, it's camp halfblood." Everyone else who hasn't been there, look around at the camp taking in what the camp looks like.
Zeus scowls at his older brother, "What are you doing at the camp, brother?"
"Nothing for you to worry about brother." Poseidon dismisses while hiding his smirk, knowing that there is only one reason he would be at the camp and that having to do with his daughter.
Poseidon stops two campers that are holding hands, the girl has long black hair and she clearly styled her bright orange camp shirt while the guy she's holding hands with is a big burly black boy, "Where is Marina Jackson?"
"Who are those two?" Ron asks when he notices the smiles on the demigods and Grover's face and the one on Aphrodite's face.
"Silena and Beckendorf." Clarisse tells them about her best friend and the girl's boyfriend.
Marina clarifies a little more, "Silena is a daughter of Aphrodite and head counselor of the Aphrodite cabin while Beckendorf is the son of Hephaestus and head counselor of the cabin and the head blacksmith at camp."
The two bow to the god quickly, "Lord Poseidon. Marina is in the arena training right now."
[Poseidon nods before making his way to the arena. He looks around the arena, his eyes passing over some of the few remaining demigods training at the late time of the day. His eyes stop on the Marina. Freezing as his eyes take in the sight.]
[The image before him is one of the past, of a time long past. Two figures in ancient armor are sparring; their spears paring against the others, dodging the pointed blades as the other jabs their spear. The dark braids of the two women that have fallen from their hairstyles swing around their heads and shoulders underneath their helmets.]
Athena, Poseidon, and Zeus freeze at the sight. Athena's face falls at the sight of her fallen sister while Poseidon's face goes stormy but the pain is in his eyes. Zeus looks away from the screen, and his daughter and brother in the room.
The other gods share looks but keep quiet. The demigods, Grover, and Chiron are shocked as people typically avoid speaking of Pallas, Marina has only spoken about it with Annabeth when she gave Annabeth Atlantean braids after learning the myth.
The wizarding world are confused, they see glimpses of Athena's face but the other woman's identity isn't clicking in anyone's minds. Majority is hesitant to ask due to the reactions of the Greeks.
The two sisters in all but blood share smirks as they spar, sea green eyes meeting those of stormy grey. "Try to keep up Athie!" Athena parries Pallas' spear, swinging it back around and stopping the tip of the spear just before Pallas' throat. Pallas freezes before the two women relax.
Athena looks stricken at the sound of her childhood nickname. Poseidon's own expression falters at the sound of Pallas' voice.
The wizarding people freeze at the sight of Athena almost stabbing the woman in the throat before relaxing when she stops just before. They calm their racing hearts and breathing, glad that they didn't just see a young woman be stabbed in the throat.
The greek are glad that Pallas' death isn't being shown as they thought for a moment that was the scene that was going to be shown.
"Thank you for the spar, Pallie." Athena gives her sister a smile, the two women removing their helmets with smiles on their faces.
[Athena with her dark hair braided into an updo of Atlantean braids, her braids similar to the other woman's, showing Athena has the same status as the other woman. The other woman however, looks not as human with her pointed ear fins and blue tinted skin, dark hair and sea green eyes. The non-human looking woman looks like Poseidon and Marina in her features.]
Theo asks Marina, "Who is the blue woman? She looks like you and your father."
The people of the wizarding world and Rachel listen closely. Marina hesitates for a moment as she casts glances at her father and Athena but they are still staring at Pallas on the screen, "That was Pallas. She's my niece, the daughter of my brother Triton."
That clears up the confusion for those who know enough about Greek mythology. The ones still confused are stopped from asking any more questions at the past tense in which Marina talks about Pallas. Theo and Blaise share looks as they sit between Annabeth and Marina.
Pallas' smile gets bigger when she spots Poseidon, "Grandfather! Have you come to watch us spar?" Athena turns towards Poseidon as well, a happy smile still on her face.
[Poseidon snaps out of the flashback with a gasp. In front of him is Marina sword fighting with Annabeth, Marina's hair is in her usual Atlantean braids but Annabeth's own hair sports a few Atlantean braids as well. The two girls are in their armor, Annabeth parries Marina's sword away and swings back at her.]
Marina smirks at Annabeth as she sidesteps the sword, teasing her, "Try to keep up, Annie!"
Everyone gets deja vu from the previous scene of Athena and Pallas. Marina's words are a direct parallel to Pallas' words for Athena. Marina and Annabeth share a look, shocked that they are a parallel for the two ancient women.
[Annabeth's sword meets Marina's, the force behind Marina's swing making Annabeth take a small step back. Annabeth takes another step back before Marina, quickly sweeps Annabeth's feet.]
[Hitting the ground with a thud, Annabeth looks up to see Marina's sword resting just before her throat. Marina won the mock battle.]
[Poseidon watches the two girls, still reeling from the flashback and the parallel of the teen girls. Athena has won in the past but Marina has won this time.]
Annabeth groans, "Using my own move against me, Nina."
Marina laughs as she helps Annabeth up from the ground, before she notice's Poseidon. "Hey pops!" Annabeth turns towards Poseidon as well, a slight smile still on her face as she gives the god a bow.
"Marina, I see you are having fun with your friend." Poseidon says, giving the stormy grey eyes a side glance.
Marina nods, "Yeah, we were just sparing. What brings you up to the surface?"
Poseidon gives his daughter a soft smile, "I wonder if you would like to join me for dinner." Marina perks up and agrees before saying bye to Annabeth before rushing off to shower before they leave.
[Annabeth and Poseidon watch Marina run off, Poseidon eyes the Atlantean braids among her curls but refrains from saying anything. Poseidon feels the nostalgia and grief of the memory and reminder of Pallas and her sistership with Athena.]