Thalia Grace

Since becoming the new lieutenant for the Hunters of Artemis, Thalia knew a challenge was inevitable but when it came, it still caught her off guard. Artemis had left them near Babbitt Peak outside of Reno for some business in Olympus and the hunters spent the day hunting what game was to be had. That evening, they roasted rabbits and one small deer over open fires, while some of the girls spared and wrestled. Thalia had been staring off towards the girls making s'mores–thinking of boys she'd be ashamed to admit; whether William would be alright, if there was anything left of the Luke she knew and if Annabeth was going to be okay with Percy–when she realized her name was being called.

"Yeah, I'm talking to you Thalia," Beth, an old friend of Zöe Nightshade's, yelled from above her.

"What's the drama?" Thalia asked, her voice calm though an edge of exasperation touched the edges.

"I said, 'Will you spar?' or are you too important to bother with us?"

Thalia sighed and stood into Beth's personal space. Not the most diplomatic move she knew but she didn't care. Beth had been troublesome for a while now; mostly anytime Artemis wasn't around, all half-challenges and disparaging remarks. It was high time to nip that in the bud. She had to be careful though, Beth had a few hundred years on Thalia, not to mention outweighing her. "Sure," she said pleasantly, like this was nothing more than a friendly bout. Her toothy smile belied the tone however. "How are we playing this? First blood? Cry Uncle? I'll need to know when to let up on you."

"Oh that's good." Was all the warning Beth gave Thalia before bull rushing and slamming her into the Joshua tree Thalia had been leaning against.
The next day, Thalia was walking the length of South Virginia street with a slight limp. Beth had given her a good fight, a bruised hip, split lip, black eye, and a scraped cheek, but Thalia had won in the end. I really need to learn to wrestle, she thought since most of what kept the fight going was how long Beth had been able to hold on to her.

She also knew there was going to be Tartarus to pay when Artemis returned. The Goddess did not tolerate infighting with her hunters.

The dry heat felt good on her bruises and, even with the split lip, she smiled at some of the memories this town brought to her. She had spent a few weeks here before finding Luke. Weeks spent with a couple other girls, all looking out for each other. Almost like my first pack, Thalia thought. She continued this way for some time, ignoring the gamblers and tourists, until several small yips caught her attention again. Looking up, she spotted a homeless girl, a few years older than her, and a box of puppies. Thalia paused, half wondering if she could have a puppy, if Artemis would allow it.

She crouched then, to get a better look at the animals. They were a warm brown and had short wiry fur with something like a ridge or main of fur down their backs. Somehow she knew they were in good health, though they were a little young to be away from their mother. They were also a little skinny. Thalia wondered if the mother was still in the picture.

"How much?" She asks when one, which had a caramel coat and an espresso snout and mask, came over and suckled on her finger.

"$10?" A hesitant voice answered and there was something about that voice that seemed familiar.

Thalia looked up to study the girl and nearly squealed in delight once recognition tore away the years. Was this really one of those girls she used to run with? "Lisa?" She asked in disbelief. Not like anything weird happened in her life.

Lisa flinched at her name and blinked. "Yeah," she said fearfully.

Thalia's nostrils flared as she caught Lisa's scent. She studied her old friend closer and saw weariness. Despite the dry heat, Lisa's complexion was sallow and greasy. Drugs of some kind. They had all promised to stay away from drugs and keep each others back. But then, Thalia had left so who was she to admonish a broken promise? "Lisa, look at me. It's Thalia."

Lisa looked closer but had trouble keeping her eyes focused and open all the way in the heat. "Thalia? But..." Confusion and embarrassment were clear in her voice.

Smiling, Thalia takes a seat next to her old friend. The afternoon is still young and she has a few hours until she needs to meet up with the hunters. "I know. It's been a long time."

 After the rain passes, Thalia is still feeling worn out and confused. Should she give William space? SHould she try and be friendly with him? Should she avoid him? She just doesn't know. She knows who would though, someone who always has a plan. A note left with Bar won't really work as a) she'd have to wait until Annabeth came to Milliways to receive it and b)William is likely to be there. Could she send an Iris message from Milliways? The Gods influence can be felt here, heck they even visit.

That decided, she looks around for a rainbow but doesn't see any. She could throw a rock in the lake but the splash wouldn't last very long. Looking up into the remaining clouds for inspiration, Thalia gets an idea. Concentrating, she coaxes two breezes to come to her. They play in her hair and she can't help the smile before she tells them what she wants them to do. Working together, they create a small water spout–not two feet tall–and pull some of the lake water up into a spray; a mini rainbow in clear view.

"Lady Iris, I beg you accept my offering," Thalia says and tosses the drachma she had pulled from her pocket into the rainbow. "Carry my message to Annabeth Chase..."

 She tossed and turned, trying her best to find sleep. As if the hours spent in the Head Cabin while Chiron and Dionysus arguing wasn't enough, now she couldn't get to sleep. The arguing wouldn't have been so bad if she had been able to get in a word but like most adults, they talked as if she wasn't even there. If Annabeth hadn't been there to hold her hand, Thalia would have just ran; now it was too late.

She opened her eyes with a sigh to stare right at the statue of her father, Zeus; talk about creepy. Scowling she got up to find another bed that wasn't being stared at only to discover every bed was within His view.

Finally, she found an alcove and, with several blankets and all the pillows, made herself a nest. She settled back with a sigh and pulled out the photostrip of her, Luke and Annabeth. If only things were like they were then, just the three of them against the world.Thalia sat at the table alone pretending she didn't notice the other campers pretending not to stare at her. As if being the living legend wasn't bad enough, now she had to sit at the table for Zeus' cabin all by herself. Of course Percy had to sit by himself at the Poseidon table too. Stupid rules.

Cloudbusting - Kate Bush
Call Me When You're Sober - Evanescence
Raising Cain - The Mission UK
Anything - The Damned
The Dream - The Birthday Massacre
The Sword of Damocles - The Independents
Decode - Paramore
Love Out Me - Siouxsie and the Banshees
We Are Pilots - Shiny Toy Guns
Super Heroes - Ruth's Hat

It's all been like a dream for Thalia. Waking up beneath the pine tree everyone says was her (how messed up was that?), the hour or so spent in the infirmary where that Apollo kid tried his best to find something wrong (Thalia was beginning to think the guy was hitting on her) and now sitting in the Head Counselors cabin while Chiron and Dionysus did want all adults tended to do with kids and teenagers, namely talking about them as if they weren't even there.

"This changes everything," Chiron is saying. "We have no idea what my father is planning. He has out maneuvered us again."

"Yes yes," Dionysus replies with his usual disdain. "Terribly dangerous and all that. I suppose we'll have to open up Daddy's cabin now."

"We must prepare," adds an elder satyr.

Thalia felt like screaming and likely would have if Annabeth hadn't been there and this Percy...and there's a whole other can of worms. Percy, son of Poseidon, camp hero. It was pretty clear to Thalia that Annabeth liked him though like most boys he seemed completely clueless. Which was fine and normal but the trouble was her own feelings on the matter. She kept catching glimpses of him out of the corner of her eye and her heart would leap as if she knew him, but how could she? Plus, once he opened his mouth, a strong sense of disappointment always followed. It was as if Percy were someone else, the wrong someone else. Maybe she had sap in her head still.

It's weird having to dress warm to go swimming but such is the nature of Milliways where one has to walk through Scottish Fall rains to get to Caribbean warm waters. Thalia's carrying the basket this time and she's loaded it with goodies both from her time (Cheetos, rice candy, etc.) and Williams (sarsaparilla, apple pie, etc.). Beneath her warm clothes she's elected to go with a simple one piece black suit and she wonders what swimwear William's opted for.

Costume:
http://maskworld.scene7.com/is/image/maskworld/104418-sklavin-kostuem-female-slave-costume?$bigview$
http://maskworld.scene7.com/is/image/maskworld/103790-goettin-artemis-goddess?$bigview$

Masks:
http://origin-images.ttnet.net/pi/eto/10/27/83/46/10278346-15b.jpg

The mouth of the cave almost seems to stare at them as they approach and Thalia can't help but scowl back. She adjusts the strap of her backpack hoping no one saw her scowling at a cave, that would just be a silly thing to do. She checks her sword in its scabbard and the set of the quiver of arrows. Her spear is in her hand and the short bow stowed across her back.

"Everyone have water and food?" she says though she knows Annabeth asked this three times back in the bar.

"Last chance to turn back", she thinks.

1. Keeping the red tiles to your right at all times will prevent you from getting lost.
2. If you can get any monsters to drink water you have brought from outside they will become your ally.

Just some notes for brainstorming.

From PJ and the Lightning Thief:
pp. 87.
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pp. 184.
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From Sea of Monsters:
pp. 112.
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From The Titan's Curse

From The Last Olympian
pp. 137-140.
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