March 16, 2006. 10:25

"Alright Percy, I'm coming in with an overhead strike, what do you do?" Phoebe takes her stick and swings it downwards.

Percy brings his stick up and deflects the strike down to the side.

"Nice job little brother!"

That was what all the Hunters called Percy: little brother. Because that's what he was. Artemis had taken a small scouting group out to check on some disturbance, leaving around seven Hunters (and Percy) to guard the camp.

Phoebe was using this as a chance to work Percy's swordfighting.

"Now let's see that disarm."

The two go back and forth, practicing different moves and strategies.

"When you have the shorter blade you...?" Phoebe presses

"Get in close!" The young demigod replies.

"Good job Perseus." She smiles, and is then splashed, "Hey!"

Kayla walks up, "You know not to call him that."

"Why do you think I do it? Besides, he doesn't look too upset."

Kayla then turns to Percy, "Why don't we work on your archery now."

"Awww, but I'm not good at it." He whines.

"That's why we're working on it, come on little bro." Kayla directs him towards the archery targets.

At that moment, Andromeda runs up, "Girls," She pauses, "and Percy. Artemis is coming back!"

"Artemis is back!" Percy starts running up to Andromeda.

"Woah, slow down there tidal wave. She has some uh... Guests with her." She looks down at Percy, "And you know what that means."

Because of the...complicated situation involving Percy, the Hunters decided to keep him out of sight while Artemis is talking to potential recruits. This sometimes led to quite a scramble, but has become easier the older Percy has gotten. At this point, he's realised his unique position, and why he has to remain hidden.

Percy scampers into the head cabin and hides behind a curtain. Then he smacks his head, 'Why would I hide in Artemis' tent?' He asks himself.

The young demigod is about to leave and find a new hiding place when he hears a voice from outside.

"Stop staring at them Luke." SMACK!

"Ow...Thalia!"

"What do they want Luke?" A new voice asks.

"I don't know Annabeth." The guy, Luke, replies.

Percy then hears Artemis, "The two young maidens will come with me. Zoe, watch the boy."

"Hey! I have a name!"

"Shut thy mouth!" Percy recognized Zoe's distinct old English.

SMACK!

"Ow! Will you girls stop hitting me?!"

"No." That must be the new girl Thalia.

Percy hears rustling and Artemis enters, two girls behind her. He risks a peek to see what they looked like. The older one, who looked Zoe's age, had jet black hair and shocking blue eyes. She's wearing what could best be described as punk. Percy detected a distinct scent of Ozone on her.

The other girl, about Percy's age, has blonde hair flowing down in princess curls and startling gray eyes. She was wearing an army jacket that looked three sizes too big. Both of them looked like they'd gone through Hades and back.

"What do you want with us, Lady Artemis?" The older girl asks.

"Well Thalia, that's simple. I want to know if you would like to join the hunt." Artemis says.

"What happens then?" Thalia asks.

"Immortality."

Percy grins. This is the part most don't believe.

"Suuuure. Say I believe you. What's the catch?"

"Follow in my own footsteps. Forsake the company of men and join the Hunt under my command."

And this is where they second guess the ideas. Percy grins.

"So...eternally?"

Artemis nods.

"I would have to leave Luke."

Artemis nods again.

"And Annabeth?" Thalia presses.

Artemis looks the young blonde over, then shakes her head, "She's young still. I will not ask such a question to someone so young."

The tent is quiet for a long time, then Percy hears rustling, "I'm sorry Lady Artemis, but I cannot abandon Luke."

"I understand, and I do not hold it against you."

"Thank you. We will bother you no more."

Percy hears the two girls get up and exit the tent. Outside, Percy hears Zoe talking to Thalia.

"Let's go Luke."

"So thou has decided not to join the Hunt?"

"That's right." Thalia snaps back.

"Is it because of thy friend, the boy?" Zoe presses, and when there is no reply, continues, "He shall betray thee, mark my words. No male is worth it."

"I'm right here!" Percy hears Luke say.

Percy has heard the "all boys are horrible" line a lot. He also knows that the Hunters consider him an exception. At first, it had bothered him, but after numerous discussions with Artemis, Zoe, and Phoebe, among other, he knows why each of them feel that way.

After the voices of the three visitors fades away, Artemis speaks up, "Percy, you may come out now."

Percy steps out from behind the curtain, "Sorry Lady Artemis I -"

She holds up her hand, "It's ok. Now I believe you should be with Kayla at the archery range."

Artemis smiles as Percy groans and drags himself over to the range, where Kayla stood, smiling evilly.