riptidejackson (riptidejackson) wrote in madisonvalley, @ 2016-10-11 11:55:00 |
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The aroma of freshly-baked cookies filled the kitchen of Methos’ boarding house as Reyna pulled a tray of them out of the oven. It was video game night at Xander’s, and she figured she’d bring some snacks with her since he was providing the hardware and the instructions. She wasn’t sure what he’d like, but chocolate chip cookies ought to be safe. And if not...well, there was a boarding house full of teenagers who would happily polish them off for her. She just needed to make sure they didn’t have any before she got to offer them to Xander. She set the baking sheet on a cooling rack and eyed them as she considered. Did she dare leave them here to cool while she showered? ...no. Percy Jackson lived here. They wouldn’t survive her absence. She would just have to wait until they cooled down so she could scoop them into a bag to hide them. Until then, she could mix herself up a shake. *** Percy was laying in bed staring up at the ceiling, bored. He had, for once, completed his homework early and wasn’t sure what he wanted to do. His mind wandered, and he went through the various things he had done here and his stomach couldn’t handle anything else sweet from Hinkles or the other stores. He had done the obstacle course a week or so ago and he was eager to go back and do that again. Maybe a capture the flag game with Reyna on the course with weapons would be the best thing. He sprung out of bed and threw on some clothes that he thought passed the smell test and headed out to look for Reyna. It took him a moment before he found her making a shake and next to fresh baked cookies cooling. The smell was good and he grinned at her, his hair totally unkempt. “Protein shake or delicious shake?” he asked, curious if she was powering her body or just enjoying a milkshake. “The cookies smell good. They’re like a magnet, drawing me to them. Lucky for you, my stomach can’t handle anymore sweets right now. For at least like another 30 minutes” he said. *** “It started off as a protein shake but I think it's more of a smoothie now,” Reyna said as she poured the contents of the blender into a glass. There was some extra, so she lifted it towards him, eyebrow raised. “Are you at least able to handle a smoothie? What did you eat that made you that full?” At least her cookies would be safe. But a Percy who wasn't even hungry for cookies was a Percy who gave her cause for concern. He did look like he'd just rolled out of bed though, as unkempt as he looked. It was so…Greek of him. Reyna, on the other hand, was perfectly coiffed with her long hair in a braid. *** “I’ll always make room for good stuff” he said, still eyeing the cookies and taking the the blender from her and taking a sip. “A little bit of this, a little bit of that. Some more of this, you know” he said, grinning. “So, you want to go to the obstacle course? Figured we could run it while sparring. Have some fun with the structure and really put it through its paces” he said. “It’ll be fun” he said, hoping to entice Reyna with combat. *** Reyna did like the idea of combat, especially with the added challenge of the obstacle course, but she already had plans to do some sort of virtual fighting. “Tomorrow morning?” she suggested. “I have plans for tonight.” She took back the blender when he was done with it. “Don’t make room for the cookies,” she warned. “Those are claimed.” *** “Plans, tonight? And someone has already laid claim to the cookies?” Percy said in a mock tone indicating he was hurt by this news. “Are you going out with your friends? No room for a cast off Greek demigod with a penchant for talking to horses and saving the world?” he asked. His eyes tracked Reyna as she moved, since there was always the possibility of a sneak attack. He’d never put anything past her. *** “You, cast off?” Reyna let or a disbelieving huff of a breath. “A child of the Big Three who had a direct hand in saving the world not once but twice? I hardly think the word applies to you.” The cookies had cooled by now, and Reyna started to set them in a container. She was well aware she hadn't answered his question. While the evening with Xander wasn't really a date, and it wouldn't have been Percy’s business even if it were, she felt a little funny telling him about it. They'd managed to get back to normal after that moment of awkwardness at the pool on the cruise, and Reyna didn't want to jeopardize that. *** “Hey now” Percy said as if taken aback by her words “I seem to recall at least one other demigod who had a hand in saving the world” he said, before winking at Reyna. “And I can’t believe you’re containing those cookies. Don’t you know they need to be able to be free range cookies and go into whomevers mouths they choose? I’d like to lodge a formal protest on the Senate floor about the treatment of those cookies” he said, trying to hold laughter in. “I can still do that, right? As former praetor, I still have power in the Senate? I’m sure Praetor Zhang would side with me on the poor treatment of those cookies and you leaving me behind.” *** “Praetor Zhang is much more practical than you,” Reyna pointed out. She was trying to give him a stern look, but his humour was contagious. She had to smile as she continued. “He’d remind you that you just said you couldn’t eat any more sweets. Eating these is just going to make you sick. Even demigods’ iron stomachs have a limit.” Once the cookies were in the container, she bagged it up securely and set it on the opposite side of the counter than Percy. *** “I’m pretty sure I can hold up with these” he said, a bit disappointed that nothing was coming his way. “I can’t believe you’re ditching me. I mean, I get it. Have to prep for the obstacle course and everything for tomorrow” Percy said with a grin. “I guess I’ll have to find something to do” he said, starting to think of what he was going to do now that he’d have to go solo. *** “You can prep,” Reyna replied, giving him a dry look that suggested that he was going to need it. He might be a better swordsman than her, but on the whole she was a better fighter. “I’m going to visit a friend.” Well, Xander wasn’t a friend, not yet, but it was better than saying she was going to the home of a boy she’d only just met once, a few weeks ago. *** “Oh, I’ll be prepped and ready for you” he said invitingly. “You go and have a good time with those cookies and that friend” Percy said, wondering if he should root around in the fridge for some extra snackage for later. “I’ll find something to keep me occupied” he said. |