Now, where was I?...

"I said 'you're in my seat'." Max repeated seeing their blank faces. "I heard you the first time. But we are not moving. If you didn't notice our friend here is a handicap." with barely suppressed annoyance Luke pointed at Grover, who was sniffing curiously.

"So why don't you just piss-off." this was from Thalia. "Riiiight. Like I'm supposed to believe that? I can smell the goat from here." all four of them froze. The three of them stood up and put Annabeth behind them. Grover pulled out a set of reed flute and Luke pulled out a knife, it looked like celestial bronze and Thalia just brought her fists up.

Max started to laugh and sat down in an empty seat, this face-off looked hilarious. "Being a protector you're not doing a very good job are you?" he looked at Grover.

Grover was stumped, how in Tartarus did he know that, he resolved himself and asked, "Who are you? How did you know that?". Shaking his head, Max sighed, "Look I'm not an enemy, okay so-" "We'll be the judge of that you tattooed freak." Thalia was showing a lot of hostility.

Max found this quite adorable that she was putting up a brave front in front of him. Before he could say anything Grover spoke up, "Wait. He smells like a demigod." Max gave a warm wide smile, "Ten points to Gryffindor!"

"Tsk. Why dint you say that in the first place? We got ready to fight you know. No one saw through the Mist." they put away their 'weapons' and sat back down, visibly relieved.

"Hey! I'm a Ravenclaw by the way. So what's your name and where are you going?" Grover asked. Max face palmed himself, "Dude, One: you never ask anyone who is travelling about their destination. Two: its polite to give your name first before asking one's. Three: the name's Maximus Morelli, you can call me Max, on my way to Camp Half-blood."

There was an awkward silence which was interrupted by Maximus, "Oh, and four: why are being chased by monsters?" "What? That can't be....no no no no. I thought we got a head start and made some distance..." Grover trailed off. Thalia and Luke shared a worried look and Annabeth started sobbing, her whole body trembling in fear.

Max felt bad, so he got up from his seat and crouched I'm front of Annabeth's pale face, now red from crying. He got an idea. He reached inside his shirt brought out 'Smarágdi', 'Dee' for short, naming her after her green scales, the Boa constrictor. Max named her while having his food in the diner looking it up in his dictionary that he 'borrowed' a few months back in the orphanage.

Thalia instinctively wrapped on arm around her backing her away from Max, "Wait! Don't be scared, she's harmless. She happens to be my best friend. Annabeth instantly stoped crying and her face lit up like the sun.

She jumped down from her seat as her legs were too short, breaking Thalia's grip and evading Luke's. Annabeth stretched out her hand slowly rubbed the underside of her jaw, Dee seemed to like. There was a slight gasp from Thalia, but Annabeth ignored her and looked at Max as if asking for permission.

He looked at Dee and gave a slight nod. She seemed to understand as she slowly slithered onto her hand nudging Annabeth to continue her rubbing. Max gave her a small smile and asked, "What's your name?" after a little hesitation, "Annabeth Chase"she half whispered, half squeaked.

"Well Annabeth can you do me a favour and sit here so I could talk to your friends here?" Max asked patting her head. "I guess." and shuffled to his seat plying with Dee. "Her name is Dee, short for Smarágdi." Max gave her a final ruffle of her hair before turning his attention to the other three. Taking Annabeth's seat, much to their growing annoyance, "Now where was I?".