Inexperienced

I gasped.

In front of us, suspended in the air, was a walkway that led to a bristling city full of strange buildings and mystical creatures. As we walked through the twisting streets, I spotted dozens of satyrs and nymphs, but also a few Cyclopes, centaurs and the occasional monster.

We approached the blazing white hall of the gods, and I steadily grew more anxious. All that I knew about my father I knew from Percy, from the books. He'd been described as kind and easy-going, though sometimes strict too. In my mind, he was someone who had tricked my mother and then left her behind.

I hoped he turned out to be the first. Only I couldn't imagine him having a good enough excuse about the abandoning-my-mother-thing.

As we walked through the twisting Main Street, people turned to look at us. I tried to look composed and not too nervous. I don't think I did a really good job.

We stepped through a white marble doorway, and walked though a white marble hallway lined with torches, which spread around a pleasant light. At the end of the hallway was another doorway, which led to an enormous throne room which held a dozen thrones.
And which was completely empty.

'Um, hello?' I said, rather dubiously. My and Aloisyus' steps echoed in the empty space.
Suddenly a little girl stepped out of the hearth.

'They'll be here soon,' she said, smiling kindly. Even though she was only wearing a simple brown dress, she had an air of authority about her.

'Are you... Hestia?' Aloisyus nodded next to me as the girl answered,

'Yes. I am the keeper of the hearth, and the last Olympian.'

The last Olympian was the title of the fifth book, but I hadn't gotten that far yet.

I jumped as suddenly two men appeared in the thrones in the middle. One of them sat on a fisherman's chair with a trident in the holder(Poseidon, obviously) while the other sat on a simple throne made out of white marble(Zeus). Both men were bearded, but while Zeus wore a white toga, Poseidon wore beach shorts and a flowery shirt.

Another noticeable fact was that they were both about 4 meters tall, contrary to Hestia, who had appeared human length.Their thrones rose far above our heads.

Aloisyus made a short bow.

'My lords.'

I quickly copied him, and then stared up at my father. He studied me with the same intensity.
I cleared my throat.

'Um, I think you know why I'm here..,' I said, my voice trailing away. Their gazes were still fixed on me, and not really gently, especially Zeus'.
Poseidon leaned back in his chair.

'Yes. Have you made your decision?' This left me a bit dumbstruck. I had made the decision, but that was not my primary reason to come here. I sensed the sea god knew that, but was trying to avoid the subject. His brother just sat next to him, surveying the scene.

'Why? Why did you do it?' My voice sounded desperate in my ears, desperate for answers.

My father rubbed his forehead, sighing.

'It's-it's hard to explain. You see, she didn't love me. She didn't even know I loved her. She was in love with another, mortal man. I-'

'I know what you did!' I snapped, 'It's obvious, isn't it? But why did you never tell her? You just tricked her and then left her behind, without knowing that she had been,' I blushed,' made pregnant by a man that was not the man she loved? And a god, too? And what about me?'

The last came out in a whine. I sounded like a child, but I couldn't help it. I was close to tears, and the thing that kept me standing and talking was the feeling of Aloisyus presence.
Poseidon was looking at me worriedly, looking tired.

'I do not think I can provide a good enough reason to justify what I did. It was wrong, and I will not do it again, have not done it since. I can raise you to a dirty, a proper one, with a title and powers. That is all I can do, and I understand if you could not forgive me.'
My hate towards him softened slightly. Slightly. I bowed to him, and said,

'I accept your offer.' I heard Aloisyus' sharp intake of breath, a mixture of relief and fear.
Zeus' rumbling voice took over, telling me to kneel and decide what I wanted to represent. I had the answer ready.

'I want to be the goddess of Arts and Sciences.' I saw my father's eyebrows rise, but he didn't intervene. Zeus showed no emotion.

'Then you shall be. You shall manifest powers that are befitting to your status, and receive a place here, on Olympus.'

Here, I intervened.

'I would prefer to stay in the mortal world, at Camp Half-Blood.'

At this, Zeus did show surprise, but he granted my wish.

'And so it shall be, but know that Olympus will always welcome you. '

My father smiled at me, though guilt shone through.

'Rise, Anne, Goddess of Arts and Sciences.'

Notes