New Tricks

Nico pouted slumping to the ground. The ground thudded beside him and something huge and black obscured him in a huge shadow.

"You should go outside," Nico said out of breath, in a mockery of a certain someone's voice, "Doctors orders."

The huge Hell Hound beside him thumped her tail on the ground, shaking the patch of earth Nico was sitting on. A huge squeaking sound nearly popped his ears.

A red rubber ball skid onto his head, soaking him in dog drool.

"MS. O'LEARY!" Nico cried.

"She wants you to play, Nico!" Will said, "Maybe you could teach her a new trick."

Nico looked up at the towering Ms. O'Leary. Beyond her was the sun shining down. Even in the shade it was easily hot enough to make Nico sweat.

"It's too hot." Nico complained, "I'm going back inside."

He got up, but before he move towards he his cabin a tight grip grabbed his wrist and pulled him back.

"You can't," Will insisted, "You have to play outside! Doctor's orders!"

Nico glared at him, stuck between hate, and annoyance, and affection.

"Fine." Nico said, "Ms. O'Leary! Chase!!"

"What?!"

Nico didn't think that when Will said teach Ms. O'Leary a trick, he meant have the hundred pounds Hell Hounds sit on the Son of Apollo, but suddenly it was a lot more fun being outside.