Chapter 45 – After the Party
The morning sun filtered through the half-open door of Cabin Three, casting long shadows across the chaotic interior as Percy woke up in his bunk with a massive, throbbing headache that felt like a Cyclops was hammering inside his skull. The air was thick with the stale smell of spilled nectar punch, grilled meat gone cold, and something suspiciously like vomit in the corner. He groaned, rubbing his temples, and slowly sat up.
He then looked around the disaster zone that used to be a neat cabin and saw Grover passed out face-down on the wooden floor near the fireplace, one hoof twitching occasionally. The satyr was still clutching an empty beer can in one hand, chewing absentmindedly in his sleep as if dreaming of enchanted tin cans.
Percy surveyed the whole cabin—overturned bunks, streamers dangling from the ceiling beams, empty goblets scattered like battlefield casualties, and mysterious stains on the sea-green walls—and muttered in disbelief: "What kind of hurricane passed through here?"
At that moment, he heard heavy, deliberate hoofsteps approaching from outside. He stumbled out of bed, nearly tripping over a forgotten shield, and hurried to the door just as a knock sounded.
Percy flung it open and said, trying to sound casual despite his disheveled state: "Director Chiron, what brings you here?"
Chiron, in full centaur form under the bright morning light, arched an eyebrow at the scene behind Percy and said dryly: "Well, I think it would be several cabins complaining that a certain demigod was throwing a very noisy party full of fights, broken furniture, and... creative uses of sacred artifacts."
Percy attempted innocence. "Well, who would say such a thing? It was just a small gathering of friends—nothing major."
His defense was immediately interrupted by sleepy, giggling voices from one of the bunks deeper in the cabin—the Aphrodite demigoddess daughters who had somehow ended up crashing there—calling out lazily: "Percy, come on, let's play some more..."
Percy's face turned beet red as he glanced awkwardly at Chiron and stammered: "Well, this isn't what it looks like..."
Chiron's expression remained stern but amused. "This would be more convincing if you were at least wearing underwear, Percy."
Percy suddenly realized his state of undress, hastily covered himself with his hands, and forced an awkward smile.
Chiron continued evenly: "Well, and I also removed the demigod who's tied up on your ceiling. He's recovering in the infirmary now—with a few bruises and a lot of confusion."
Percy glanced upward guiltily and saw the faint outline of ropes still dangling from the beams—the demigod from yesterday who had refused to get down, swinging like a piñata and driving everyone crazy.
Percy suddenly remembered the hazy events: after a few too many drinks, he, Grover, and even Luke had teamed up in a tipsy act of revenge, hoisting the annoying camper up there and leaving him as "cabin decoration."
Percy looked at Director Chiron sheepishly and said: "Don't worry, director. We'll clean everything up—promise."
Chiron nodded, though his eyes scanned the wreckage doubtfully. "Well, just don't increase the camp population even more. I don't think you want to be a father right now, right? Some responsibilities come sooner than expected."
Percy answered quickly: "Of course, sir—no way."
Chiron was already turning to leave, his thoughtfully, when he paused and remembered something. He turned back. "Ah, yes, Percy. Have you seen Dante? I haven't seen him since yesterday evening."
Percy scratched his head, still foggy from the night. "Well, he said he was going on a date and only comes back in two or three days."
Chiron, hearing that, sighed deeply and thought privately as he gazed toward the distant Athena cabin: Well, it looks like I already know exactly where Annabeth is. And well, I really hope they don't go as two people and come back as three. Well, I can't do anything about young love. I'm just a director. Athena and Poseidon can sort this out between themselves—if it comes to that.
He then looked at Percy firmly and said: "Well, then clean up this mess now—every inch—and meet me at the dining pavilion afterward. After a good meal to settle your stomach, we're going to train hard. Understood?"
Percy saluted weakly. "Yes, dining pavilion and training. Understood."
On the other side of the world, in sun-drenched Italy—in the heart of bustling Rome—Dante was being enthusiastically pulled by Annabeth through several high-end clothing stores along the fashionable Via del Corso. The streets were alive with the chatter of locals, the aroma of fresh espresso from cafés, and stylish window displays that caught the light beautifully. Annabeth's eyes lit up with genuine excitement as she darted from rack to rack, holding up dresses and accessories for his opinion.
Dante watched her with an amused smile and said: "Well, it's really true. No matter if it's a normal woman or a demigoddess, she'll always get excited shopping—like it's an Olympic sport."
Annabeth said, smiling as she looked at him over a elegant sundress: "It's not because I'm a demigoddess that I can't like normal things. Every girl dreams of this sometimes."
Dante said, trailing behind with shopping bags already accumulating: "Well, but did you need to make me walk with you through several stores? Why not buy everything in one single store and save my poor feet?"
Annabeth said logically, holding up a pair of sandals: "Well, you don't understand. That store had beautiful shoes, but the dresses weren't pretty enough. But in the second store there were beautiful dresses, but it didn't have the bag I wanted. And the third had perfect accessories..."
Dante, hearing that detailed explanation, just sighed deeply and thought: This is more tiring than fighting a horde of monsters. How is that even possible? My dragon stamina is being tested by shopping bags.
Annabeth, noticing Dante looking a bit discouraged amid the elegant storefronts, said with a playful smile: "I think you deserve a surprise for being such a patient . Come, I'll take you to a store you'll love."
Dante perked up slightly. "Does this store have the best sweets in Italy? Otherwise I won't like another clothing store—no offense."
Annabeth laughed lightly and said: "Well, come with me and find out."
They then paid for the latest purchases—Dante handling the bags without complaint—and Annabeth pulled Dante eagerly toward the next store, weaving through the crowded pedestrian street.
Arriving at the boutique, Dante saw that it was a high-end swimwear store, with mannequins displaying colorful bikinis and trunks in the sunlit windows.
Dante then said, pausing at the entrance: "What are we doing here? Planning a beach day?"
She then said mysteriously: "Stay here and wait. You'll see."
Dante then sat in the comfortable chair of the private fitting room area—a luxurious space that looked like a giant, elegantly decorated room with mirrors, soft lighting, and plush seating.
Dante leaned back and said: "Well, this is Italy. The clothing stores here take customer comfort seriously—private suites like this. Well, but I think each piece of clothing here costs a right and left kidney. That probably helps maintain this high standard of service."
At that moment, the curtain parted and Annabeth entered wearing a sleek black bikini that hugged her athletic figure perfectly, her browns hair loose over her shoulders.
Dante looked at her, his golden eyes widening slightly. He stood up immediately, took her gently but firmly in his arms, and said: "You're really testing me a lot, you know? Looking like that..."
Annabeth said, a mix of boldness and shyness in her voice: "Well, I have to make sure if you really like me before anything more happens, right? Can't rush into things blindly."
Dante said huskily: "Well, meanwhile I'll collect some interest."
He then leaned down and kissed her deeply.
Annabeth then wrapped her arms around his neck and returned his kiss with equal passion.
Dante then started using his hands to squeeze her breasts and her butt gently but possessively, exploring with growing intensity. But when he tried to touch deeper, more intimately, she stopped kissing him suddenly and said breathlessly: "Not here, no."
Dante, looking at her all shy and cute—cheeks flushed, eyes averted slightly—remembered clearly that he was her first boyfriend and that she was experiencing everything with him for the first time. He then lightly kissed her lips again, tender and reassuring, and said: "Alright. If you don't want to go too far in this place, I'll save it for an occasion you consider special, okay? No pressure."
Annabeth kissed him back gratefully and said: "Yes, and thanks for being so nice about it."
Dante said, lightly biting her ear in a teasing way that made her shiver: "Yes, I don't mind waiting. We can wait until you want to increase the world population."
Annabeth laughed softly and said: "Yes, then let's go."
She tried to step toward the fitting room curtain to choose another outfit, but Dante pulled her back into his arms, sat down on the plush chair with her straddling his lap comfortably.
Annabeth said, surprised but not resisting: "What are you doing?"
Dante kissed her neck slowly, sending little sparks through her, and said: "Well, you're not ready for the final step yet, right? But I don't think there's a problem with me touching and kissing my beautiful girlfriend a little—nothing too far."
Annabeth, hearing that, smiled warmly and said: "And when did I become your girlfriend?"
Dante said, teasing her with a mischievous grin: "Ah, so you're not? That means we're just friends with benefits? I don't need to take responsibility for anything. Cool—saves me a lot of trouble."
Annabeth, hearing that, got mad instantly, glared at him fiercely, and said: "If you dare think that, I'll ask for my mom's sword to cut your balls while you sleep."
Dante said with a tired but genuine smile, raising his hands in surrender: "It was just a joke. Of course you are. You're my girlfriend—officially."
Annabeth relaxed, satisfied. "That's better. I'm not an Aphrodite daughter who goes out with a guy after he winks at her."
Dante said, resuming kissing her softly and caressing her body with gentle hands: "Yes, I know. And I love that about you."
Annabeth then also returned Dante's affection fully, her hands exploring his back as she started kissing him deeper.
On the other side of the ocean, back at camp, Grover and Percy were still cleaning the cabin—sweeping confetti, scrubbing mysterious stains, and hauling trash bags outside under the bright morning sun.
Grover complained loudly while on his knees cleaning vomit from the floor with a rag: "Percy, I was supposed to be your protector, not your maid."
Percy said, gathering endless trash into piles: "You had the idea for the party and enjoyed it more than anyone. Now help clean properly. After this, we have to go to the dining pavilion so I can eat something and continue training afterward. Or did you forget the dangerous quest we have to do soon?"
Grover said stubbornly: "I'm your protector. You can count on my help always—unless it's cleaning drunk demigod vomit. That's where I draw the line."
Percy said grimly, eyeing the closed bathroom door like it was a monster lair: "That's not even the worst thing. There's still the bathroom, remember? Whatever died in there..."
Percy and Grover looked at the bathroom door, both trembling slightly at the thought of what horrors awaited inside.
In his quiet office at the Big House, Chiron stood by the large window, gazing out at the calm blue sky and distant sea horizon. He thought solemnly: This peace won't last long. You have to hurry, Percy, and get stronger—much stronger. The storm is coming