HP: Monochrome

Silena Beauregard

Her second, much longer life as a slave started quietly and without much fanfare. She preferred it that way, though she was sure it would become less dull now that Percy had arrived. She got up at five o'clock in the morning, worked out for an hour, took a quick early shower, and then began with two or three hours of housework. Believe it or not, she enjoyed cleaning. Then she ate a quick breakfast. Now that Percy had arrived, a few changes had to be made in her daily routine.

Now that her new owner had arrived, and thinking of him that way would take some getting used to, serving him would be added to her list of responsibilities.

Having had quite some time to obsess over the matter, just about every possible scenario had gone through her mind. Everything from Percy being a perfect gentleman to him actually expecting and demanding her services as a concubine and mistress had crossed her mind. Admittedly though, the fear that Percy would be cruel or abusive hadn't seemed all that likely, and the prospect of sleeping with Percy wasn't all that bad.

Silena had even considered making a pass at Percy when she was fourteen and would have if Annabeth hadn't already staked her claim. The Athenian had quite openly marked Percy as hers without even admitting it to herself, which had caused some distress for a few girls at camp.

Silena almost smiled at the memories of a happier and simpler time.

What Percy didn't know, and what Annabeth wouldn't even be caught dead admitting to later, was Annabeth would have perfectly willingly been his girlfriend pretty much after the sea of monsters incident if Percy had picked up on what had in her mind at least had been very open advances and signals. Annabeth had even confessed to Silena that she had considered sleeping with him. That had been after he had saved her from Luke and the Titans. He could have been a very lucky man if he had only made a move during that dance. Annabeth had been expecting a kiss or something and would have been willing to take the following steps herself. Yes, Annabeth Chase had been quite smitten with Percy Jackson for a long time.

Back to her situation. The thought that Percy, while not being cruel, would act like a very horny young man had seemed quite realistic. After obsessing and stressing over the matter enough it even seemed quite likely. The reckless part of her that was bored out of her mind, was even a bit hopeful. In the end, she managed to convince herself that he deserved those services though. The deal she had accepted and the oath she had sworn to Percy very much entitled him to those services. She was his woman, and what that exactly meant was entirely up to him.

For better or worse, her fears seemed entirely unfounded.

If anything, Percy seemed to be even more uncomfortable with the arrangement than she was.

Her concerns aside, she made Percy a generous breakfast. Toast, bacon, and eggs, with orange juice. Once finished, she put the platter under infrared lamps to keep it warm and waited at her master's door, listening intently for any sound of Percy's awaking.

Once she did hear him yawn, she hastily retrieved the platter and returned to Percy's door. Then, after taking a deep breath and putting on her best smile, she entered the room and found her glorious overlord sitting in his bed shirtless. After gawking at Percy's chiseled torso for a few shameful seconds and fighting the urge to touch his chest, she gathered her wits and beamed at the young man. "Good morning, Percy. Breakfast?"

"Wahhh?" He asked and blinked a few times, perhaps having a stroke or still disoriented from just waking up. "Ahm, good morning, sure!" Percy hastily stuttered, suddenly blushing.

Silena smiled at him more gently, figuring that going full Daughter Of Aphrodite on him when he wasn't even properly awake yet wasn't very sportsmanlike.

"Do you need anything else?" Silena asked, placing the platter next to the young god.

"No, are you still hungry?" Percy asked.

"I already ate," Silena explained. " If I may ask, what are your plans for today?"

Percy shrugged. "For one, I would like to move you into a proper bedroom. You are, after all, a permanent resident."

"I wouldn't be opposed to that..." Silena admitted.

"Also we should get you some proper clothes. I am sure we can arrange an extended shopping trip for you to get you a proper wardrobe."

Percy Jackson

While going shopping wasn't his favorite pastime by a long shot, Percy felt obligated to make Silena's existence a bit less miserable. If memory served him, Silena had always been fun to be around.

So after making sure to enjoy the breakfast that Silena had provided him with properly, they got ready.

As they headed out into the sacred cities and bustling streets, Percy made sure to have Silena walking at his side; instead of trailing him as she had initially tried. Anything else would have been way too weird.

As they walked Silena first tentatively, then quite adamantly, continued to question everything camp-related. Who was dating who? What was going on? How was Chiron doing? She also seemed quite interested to hear about New Rome and offered passing interest in visiting it, which Percy made a mental note of.

Before long, they worked their way through the stores on Olympus and Percy realized how lucky he was that Annabeth hadn't expected this of him. He also noted with some amusement how quickly progressed from being her owner to her bag carrier.

Percy spent most of his time just standing or sitting around while Silena tore through the store's merchandise, disappearing countless times into changing rooms and expecting Percy to tell her what he liked. It was a quite unsettling realization that he enjoyed himself as Silena reappeared again and again in different well-fitting outfits that seemed to show more and more skin as they got closer to the swimming wear.

When Silena came out of the cabin in a simple black bikini, his pants started feeling uncomfortably tight. Percy was quite aware of the hungry looks Silena was getting from some of the other male customers and the jealous looks he was getting. Not that he could hold it against them. Silena had a body that rivaled any bikini model. Despite her short stature, Silena had a mouthwatering hourglass body, and a firm-looking, nicely shaped ass, with toned shapely legs that reached all the way to Canada. She had always been athletic, and though recovering from death she looked the part.

"So, what do you think? Silena asked innocently, turning around and showing the garment.

"Ahm, yeah," Percy mumbled, slightly distracted. "It's nice." It was hardly his most graceful moment, as both Silena's owner and a man. There was a new uncomfortable bulge in his pants. In his defense, he reacted much the same way when Annabeth first got naked in front of him, and Annabeth lacked Silena's skills as a seductress.

To his great shame though, it wasn't of Annabeth that he thought that moment.

The employee and Silena only laughed. To Percy, it seemed as if the two women had been purposefully torturing him.

"I think he approves," Silena announced lightly and disappeared into the cabin. The next piece of swimwear she returned in was a lot less revealing. It was a form-fitting black one-piece with a zipper in the back that was clearly designed for athletic activities. That wasn't what he saw, though.

Percy could almost see his fingers brushing over her smooth, flawless skin in front of his mind's eye. He could almost imagine the taste of her perfectly shaped lips and imagine what it felt like to have her naked body pressed against his.

These were truly shameful thoughts, and he knew it. Ones that crept forth, and belonged banished to the darkest corners of his mind. Sadly, merely knowing that he literally owned the subject of his desires made those thoughts much more potent. In his shameful fantasies, Percy was already taking Silena back to his residence where he would live out every dark fantasy he had. The worst part was that the only thing separating fantasy from reality was his initiative and he was undeniably temped.

With an uncomfortable tightness in his jeans, Percy forced those unforgivable thoughts aside and looked up, only to realize that Silena was looking down at him expectantly. He hadn't even noticed that she had changed out of the swimwear and back into her dress.

Percy paid for Silena's clothes, and they continued in uncomfortable silence. At their last stop of the day, Silena bought a surprisingly modest amount of makeup. When asked, she only said that she could work with less and had already spent enough of his money on her behalf. When Percy tried to encourage her to pamper herself a bit, she only smiled lightly and patted his arm, which sent painful tingles down his arm.

So, laden with a heavy burden of shopping bags, they made their way back home and arrived shortly before sunset.

There, sitting on the marble stairs leading up to his door, sat Percy's favorite cousin. The huntress wore her usual attire. Combat boots, gray jeans, and a silvery camo jacket with a war bow and a quiver of arrows slung over her back. A silver band rested on her head. She had dropped the goth/punk part, and Percy realized she was actually reasonably pretty.

"Sup, Pinecone face," Percy greeted her, grinning from ear to ear. Thalia looked up and sighed.

"Kelphead, up for a drink? Welcome back to the world of the living Silena!"

"Sure," Percy said. He unlocked the door, and invited her in.

"Wow," Thalia announced and hung her bow and arrows onto the weapons rack at the door. "Artemis forgot to mention how sweet this place is.."

"You are welcome anytime, Thalia."

Thalia turned around and embraced him tightly for a moment. "You've been hiding from everyone," Thalia accused him.

"With your permission, I would go out get the girl's stuff," Silena asked and when Percy nodded, she hurried back out into the city. "We'll talk later." The daughter of Aphrodite called over her shoulder.

Thalia looked after her thoughtfully for a moment.

"I think she might be embarrassed with the situation," Percy explained apologetically. "Give her some time."

Thalia only shrugged and then looked at Percy. "You know, everyone misses you."

"I am trying to reevaluate my future existence," Percy explained and the two of them sat down at the bar counter. "How is the rest of the gang doing?"

Thalia Grace shrugged. "Haven't seen most of them recently. Hazel is doing fine so far. Jason too, he's going back to school. I thought you were planning to as well."

Percy raised an eyebrow. "I am a god now. No reason to hurry."

Thalia shrugged. "Can't say that I blame you. I didn't continue with school either. Now to the Annabeth thing..."

Percy sighed, "I don't hate her anything. Who am I kidding, I love her. But right now I am doing my best not to think about her."

Thalia raised her hands in surrender and Percy poured each of them a glass of the expensive liquid. "So, do you need me to catch you up on what I know about local gossip?" Thalia asked and took a deep swig from the glass and made a face.

"I am more of a Cocktail girl," she finally admitted and earned a chuckle from Percy. "So is Silena," he muttered.

"I'll take the gossip...:" Percy finally announced and turned to face his cousin.

"Well, word at camp is that you are engaged to Artemis," Thalia started, and Percy spewed a mouthful of whiskey.

"What?" Percy spluttered.

"Yeah, believe me. Artemis was just as surprised to learn of her engagement as you are."

Percy couldn't help himself and started laughing. "By the fates, can you imagine? They'd have to put her in chains and drag her to the altar!"

Grinning, Thalia shook her head slowly. "I am sure the Wedding night would have been a blast as well. Cabin ten was thrilled, even offered to design Artemis's dress."

"I am sure Artemis was grateful," Percy commented dryly.

"Ever so," Thalia confirmed and sniggered. "She said that as flattered she would be to be considered worthy of your hand, she would regretfully have to cause a scene at the wedding and would hope for your assistance."

Percy made a small mock salute and raised his glass.

"What am I missing? Leo and Calypso have constantly been arguing. Truth be told, I think that the only reason why Caly and Leo are still together is that Calypso is off to high school. Nothing against Leo but honestly, I don't really see what Calypso sees in him. They are the least likely romance I have ever seen. According to Hazel, Piper and Jason also hit a rough patch as well. Between the two of us, I still have my fingers crossed on recruiting her to the hunt. It was hard to get good recruits after the San Juan incident. We lost a lot of our most experienced members. If Zoe were still around, I think she would handle Orion a lot better..."

"Don't think like that. As epic as Zoe was she fought her battle; Orion was yours. From what I hear, you did well enough," Percy reasoned. "The fates know, I have lost my fair share of people down the line."

Thalia raised a freshly refilled glass at Percy, and they bumped their glasses. "To absent friends?" Thalia asked.

"To absent friends," Percy agreed, and they clinked glasses.

Silena Beauregard

With as much of a graceful exit as she could muster, Silena skittered away from an undoubtedly tense moment. She may only be a lowly domestic slave now but neither did she wish to suffer a high-nosed huntress's scorn, or worse, her pitty. How could it not be? Not only was Thalia a hunter, but the lieutenant of them all! Cheeks burning red in shame and ears burning from self-inflicted resentment, she made haste to vacate the scene.

Silena's first stop was straightforward enough, the pharmacy or apothecary was right around the corner and any girl could understand why Percy was the last man she wanted at her side there. She remembered how awkward her father had been when she had first asked him to get her feminine hygiene products from the drugstore. Or his pained expression when they were in town together, and she bought contraceptives at the pharmacy, something she had been using just in case long before ever starting to date for real. In the world of Greek mythology, one could never be too careful.

She repressed the urge to giggle at the thought of Percy, her master and now only viable partner, at her side as she made her purchases. She couldn't bear the potential expression of shame bound to carve itself into his quite handsome face should she even hint to him that their relationship has essentially labeled him as the owner of everything about her, even her sexuality. She might as well have struck him in the face with an open hand.

To his credit, he tried quite hard to hide how badly he wanted her. Unfortunately, Percy Jackson had never been much of a liar.

With her purchases made Silena hurried further up the city spire and found the boutique she had once noticed during her last life, but never thought she would ever see from the inside.

This was another one of those stores that one would have forced her to visit with Percy. It would have been just as humiliating to her as for him. Truthfully, Silena herself didn't quite know why she was there in the first place apart from playing her role as a diligent servant and anticipating her master's needs.

Silena entered the stoor and looked around, her gaze brushing over the elaborate exhibits and mannequins until she found the saleswoman, a brunette nymph, standing behind the counter. "Good evening," Silena greeted the nymph politely and smiled.

"Hey there, how may I help you?" The employee replied.

"I am looking for something for the man in my life," Silena replied evenly, deciding not to elaborate on their exact relationship, and approached the closest exhibit.

"Is there anything particular you are looking for? My name is Maple, by the way."

"Silena," Silena introduced herself. "Not really sure. Something nice...his favorite color is blue?"

The nymph's eyes widened. "Silena Beauregard?" the nymph asked. "That hero from the Titan war? I thought you were dead!"

Silena shrugged, blushing awkwardly. She hadn't anticipated being recognized. "I wouldn't go that far, and I was, but they brought me back."

The nymph threw her arm out in a wide circle. "I would love to help you but blue isn't much to go on. You will find everything from lacy undergarments to leather bodysuits."

"Perhaps you will allow me to help my daughter find what she is looking for," A very familiar voice greeted them from behind.

Both girls jumped in surprise and spun around to see Aphrodite standing close behind them. "I am quite sure we can find something that will be to his taste."

"Mother!" Silena gasped, standing frozen solid.

The goddess looked at her patiently. "Sweety, I wanted to talk to my favorite daughter and this seems like the best excuse to." The goddess explained and glanced at the saleswoman. "Would you be so kind as to give us the room?" She asked although it was abundantly clear that this was a command.

"Yes, my Lady," The nymph squeaked and sped off.

"Do you really think I wish to pick out lingerie with my mother?" She asked, keeping her voice neutral. Her burning cheeks made an effort quite pointless.

Aphrodite cocked her head quickly and Silena sighed, giving up. "Very well, so, what do you think he would like..?"

The goddess led her to the far corner and started sifting through sparkling and skimpy panties. "I see you are still a maiden so I take it he hasn't forced himself on you. Or is he making you prepare yourself... Has he been treating you well?" The goddess quickly asked in a low voice.

"Not that it would be any of your business, but no. Percy has been a perfect gentleman," Silena replied, not knowing why she suddenly felt so defensive. "He hasn't made any advances whatsoever."

"Then why are you seeking to buy lingerie?" Aphrodite asked pointedly.

"Mother.." Silena complained and then sighed deeply. "He is my owner and I prefer to be prepared." She decided to leave out that despite still being crazy about Annabeth, it was fairly obvious that Percy wanted her.

Silena had every intention of maintaining her discretion. Strictly speaking, it was none of her mother's business what Percy did or didn't do with her or, in this case, wanted to do with her.

"You are still grieving over that son of Hephaestus, aren't you?"

"Maybe I am just a devious slave trying to seek her master's favor and improve my lot by stealing his heart," Silena ignored her mother's question as they continued on down the rows of shelves.

"No, you aren't..." Aphrodite said bluntly and then switched topics. "Drew would have it in her but you don't. Partly why I considered offering her the position of a concubine to Perseus until Hades brought you back. Now, darling. You aren't looking for one set of lingerie. You are looking for multiple sets fitting different occasions. I recall you said blue was his favorite color? What are you really hoping to be to Percy? A wife?"

"Mom, I swore to Percy that I would be his loyal servant and make his life easier in any way I could. I know why Hades also chose a daughter of Aphrodite..." Silena blushed furiously, trying hard to find the words to describe her position delicately. "So if Percy ever requests any sexual favors, I would prefer to be prepared. See it as a reward for saving the world twice. I don't know what I want, Percy is handsome, and kind, and I am lonely and maybe I just need something life-affirming after the underworld."

She sighed. "I never slept with any of the boys I loved, not even Charlie. I wanted to, but there were countless reasons not to. It just never seemed right... it's just now there is an excellent excuse to do it. I am literally his slave after all..."

The goddess seemed to be only mildly amused at her daughter's confusion and predicament. "You aren't making much sense, dear," She said and stopped at a top shelf and pulled a set of lacy dark blue bra and panties fashioned from a tight netted mesh embroidered with flowery symbolism.

"This is something you can wear under your everyday clothes. Don't worry, I know your size. I have a few quite similar sets for when I go out on dates and suspect that things might get interesting afterward. It is modest enough to leave up quite a lot to the imagination, and it'll be quite easy for Percy to open when the time comes," Aphrodite explained, apparently oblivious to how awkward her daughter felt.

They then stopped, and Aphrodite picked out two more sets. "Your pajamas. In case you plan to spend the night with him,... Silk, simple, esthetic, show off what you have to offer while again leaving quite a lot for the imagination and for him to unpack. The first one you wish to seem more natural yet enticing. The other should you feel bold and wish to get the message across. Let us face it; your owner is quite oblivious."

Aphrodite had picked out a light-dark blue nightgown that reached down to her mid-thighs. A small but neat bow of the same color was placed right between where her breasts would be. The shoulder straps could be clasped behind the wearer's neck to keep the back free, and the bust area was embroidered with artful circular patterns.

The second was a very light skirt that would barely reach her tights if she wore it. While the bust area was made out of a thicker meshed fabric, embroidered with white and blue flowers, the silk gown itself was almost completely transparent. The set was completed with a set of comparatively simple blue panties.

After dumping the three outfits in her daughter's arms, Aphrodite looked her daughter over.

"Now to the interesting part," the goddess mused, clearly enjoying herself considerably.

"Wait here. I've got this," Aphrodite then announced, but Silena followed anyway.

They finally stopped in front of an glass vitrine mannequin with a very similar body type to Silena's. When she saw what adorned the figurine, her jaw dropped. Had Aphrodite abandoned her sense of decency?

"You have got to be joking," Silena gasped, looking at her mother wide-eyed.

The bra seemed to be embroidered with dozens of sapphires, each cup adorned in ornate floral patterns. A matching thong offered decent coverage to her pubic area but left absolutely nothing else to the imagination, what with the thin straps to hold it on her body. Sheer onyx stockings meant to stress her legs would be held by the final piece, a garter in the same shade of blue bound to make any straight man's mouth water.

Though that would have already been more than Silena would have been comfortable wearing, Aphrodite saw fit to complete it with a pair of jet-black four-inch stilettos and a necklace, the silver medallion hanging from the ornate string embroidered with what looked like diamonds and a large sapphire. Overall, Silena wasn't sure if she should be impressed with her mental picture or ashamed that this near whorish outfit seemed tailor-made for her and her needs. Whorish wasn't the right word. Royal mistress? Royal escort? Imperial Concubine?

"I think you will know when to use this... you could even wear this under a more elaborate dress if you had to," Aphrodite mused.

"Mother, you are making it sound like I am planning on seducing him," Silena protested. "I was only hoping to have something nice on hand in case Percy made certain requests. This is probably more worth than I am..."

Aphrodite pondered the comment as if it were an academic question. "I think you sell yourself short, darling. You would be the prize sale on any auction."

The young woman looked at her mother in exasperation. "Do you ever listen to yourself? This is by far out of the budget that I can hope Percy won't ask any questions over..."

This time it was the goddess's turn to look exasperated. "Obviously, I will be the one buying this stuff for you. See it as an anonymous gift to your owner. And we have got to get you that slave Leia costume over there. I don't know why but the young men of this generation seem to love it. Maybe it is the leash? Who knows, perhaps lord Perseus might acquire a taste for having a slave."

"Mother!" Silena protested feebly but knew better than to hope to stop the goddess.

Knowing full well that there was no stopping the goddess, Silena gave up and let Aphrodite call over the saleswoman. If she put up any fuss, Aphrodite might corner Percy and start demanding grandchildren or something. For better or worse, the goddess rarely seemed to care for Olympus' customs and conventions.

After making the phrase, Aphrodite and Silena stepped out of the door. "If Percy doesn't treat you right, let me know," the goddess said.

"I am sure he will. Once again, even if he doesn't, it would be none of your business."

With a playful spark in her eyes, the goddess embraced Silena before walking off down the street. All that was left for her to do was stand in stunned silence and ask herself what all that had just been about.

So, burdened with a bag filled with content that weighed heavy on her heart, she made her back home to find a tipsy Thalia Grace joking around with her master.

She used the moment to slip downstairs unseen to her new room and stashed the newest phrases at the very back of her wardrobe. Who knew, perhaps she would never use them.