[Blood Archive Entry]
As the car sped peacefully through the roads, the mood inside it was still heavy. Everyone seemed unsure as to how to treat one another.
The two eldest demigods felt as if they were walking on eggshells, careful not to anger the boy, who had humiliated them so thoroughly in their fight.
As for the youngest… After ten minutes of driving, she promptly fell asleep. Letting the fatigue that had accumulated during their perilous journey catch up to her.
Rebekah seemed keener on talking with Isolde than talking with the unexpected additions to the entourage. Meanwhile, Isolde did seem to want to talk to the children but couldn't quite find the way to 'approach' them.
Darian was entirely indifferent to the heavy silence. In his mind, he had already done more than enough by granting them safe passage to their destination. He had little interest in making friends with the teens—though he did find Annabeth and Luke somewhat of pleasant company in their own way. Luke was a natural conversationalist as far as Darian could see. Annabeth was quite smart for a girl her age—not on the same level as Darian himself, but close enough—she was curious and eager to learn everything the world had to offer, her inquisitive violet eyes drinking every sight eagerly.
"Where did you guys come from?" Isolde asked out of nowhere, trying to make some small talk.
'Really, mom? That's the best you could come up with?' Darian thought amusedly, though he didn't stray his gaze from the treetops blurring as they sped alongside them.
"Westport, Connecticut," Luke answered. "Though if I'm being honest… I don't miss it." His tone became a bit heavy, his gaze darkening with anger almost imperceptibly.
Thalia noticed it and placed her hand over his. Luke's eyes widened, but he soon gave a soft smile in response.
Safe to say that Luke was quite annoyed with how Thalia had behaved when they met this strange group, but this moment reminded him why he had fought tooth and nail to keep his friends—his new family—safe.
He interlocked his fingers with hers. "Annabeth is from San Francisco."
Isolde looked at Thalia through the rearview mirror. "And you?" She asked in a sweet and motherly tone.
Thalia looked like she was about to answer in a not very polite manner, but a growl to her left, and a gentle squeeze from her right, made her do otherwise. "It doesn't matter; I'm not going back." She answered in a restrained tone.
"I see… Well, I'm from Mystic Falls, a quiet city in Virginia." Isolde said.
"Is Darian from there as well?" Luke asked.
"No. He was born and raised in Seattle."
"Why?" Thalia questioned curiously.
"What do you mean by 'why'?" Darian asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Why weren't you born in the same city as your mother?"
"I fail to see how that's any-"
"Darian, don't be rude. It's a harmless question." His mother chided him.
"I just find it incredibly hypocritical that someone who refused to answer the same question is now asking questions so nonchalantly," Darian said as he narrowed his eyes at Thalia.
"Then just don't answer the question, you asshole," Thalia answered like a cat that had its tail stepped on.
Rebekah giggled amusedly, appreciating the drama, as it was far more interesting than just staring at the landscape.
"He was born in Seattle because I left Mystic Falls after some family disagreements," Isolde answered Thalia's question. Meanwhile, she looked at Darian with the look only an angry mother was capable of making.
"Oh, seems like someone is in trouble…" Thalia poked fun at the boy to her left.
Still staring at the window, Darian's eyes glowed softly in annoyance.
"How was Mystic Falls like?" Luke asked, trying to defuse the situation.
"As I said, it is quiet. There is not much to do over there. But it has its charms, as most small towns do." Isolde replied in a reminiscent tone.
"Do you miss it?" He asked.
She shook her head. "Yes and no… There are some good memories I made in that place," her expression turned a bit nostalgic. Then she looked briefly at her sulking son. "But now I have something much more important to care for, and wherever he needs to be, that's where I will go."
Luke smiled, but both Thalia's and his expression became a bit downcast. "You seem like a good mother," Luke said in an honest tone.
"She is the best," Darian answered on the side.
Isolde smiled brightly. "Thank you, the two of you."
Darian strayed his gaze from the window to the two teens sitting beside him. "What god gave birth to you guys?" Darian asked nonchalantly.
Luke's lips thinned into a straight line, while Thalia's expression became difficult.
Luke seemed hesitant—though not as much as Thalia—but in the end, he chose to answer, honoring the honesty of Isolde, and the safety both Darian and Rebekah offered. "I'm the son of Hermes, god of speed, messengers, merchants, thieves, and the guide of dead souls."
Darian whistled. "Quite a list, huh?"
Luke chuckled. "Gods are arrogant like that."
For the first time since they met, Darian smiled genuinely at the blonde demigod. "And what did being the spawn of Hermes grant you?" He asked curiously.
"I'm quite fast," Luke said before hesitantly adding, "and sneaky."
Darian laughed, and Luke answered with a cheeky smile of his own.
The young vampire then turned to Thalia. "I think I already know your answer, as that little sparky show of yours earlier was a dead giveaway."
Thalia shook her head, trying to hide the amusement and frustration that came from her strongest powers being called a 'sparky show'. "Yeah, I'm the daughter of Zeus."
"Hoh, hoh! We have royalty over here… Should I bow down?" Darian quipped.
Thalia giggled. "Maybe you should, then I wouldn't have to look at your face."
"Dream on, sparky!" Darian smiled.
"I'd rather not dream of you, thank you very much!" Thalia teased him back.
Atop Luke's lap, Annabeth stirred. The violet-eyed demigoddess was woken by the loud conversation.