Nika was waiting by her car, Ares's sunglasses on her face and his trademark smirk adorning her lips. "We'll stop and get some snacks and drinks and things, because I'm not stopping until we're in New Orleans. That's where he lives, by the way. And you may or may not have heard of him. Julian of Macedon."

"I think we touched on him once or twice in class," Dawn replied, thinking. "I didn't know he was one of your brothers, though. Of course, my most famous brother is Orpheus, so I'm not one to talk." She got into the car and settled in for a long trip. She had her iPod with her, since she couldn't follow the radio anymore, so she would be able to keep herself sane on such a long ride.

"Yeah, he's a demigod like us. He chose Athena as his patron, which pissed off Father a lot, so we're not really supposed to talk to him. But I talk to him anyway. He knows a lot about everything."

"Any starting point is a good one at this rate," Dawn replied as she got into the car. She hated being outside of the camp borders when she was so vulnerable, but she had no choice.

Nika saw the tension in her shoulders as she got in. "Don't worry. We'll get your brother back. I may not be Ares, but I'm the next best thing, and I'll do whatever I can to make sure you get back safely."

"It's not just that," Dawn replied as she settled into the car. "I'm worried about Aaron, but...." She shuddered a bit. "I don't know how you can go with so much silence all the time. It's...almost painful."

"For you it is," Nika replied. "Besides, I do have music most of the time." She started her car and turned on her music, keeping it quiet for the time being. "Warning you now, New Orleans this time of year is hot and humid. I hate it there."

"It's not the same," Dawn replied. She didn't stop Nika from turning on the radio, though. "The silence hurts a little... I'm so used to hearing heart songs that the absence is unsettling." She settled into the seat. "I hate the heat... I'll live, though."

"I do too," Nika said with a little grumble. "But Julian is the best person to go to. I can guarantee you that no one will be messing with him." She started driving, stopping at a grocery store. "You want to come in or shall I just get some things for you?"

"I'll come with you," Dawn replied. "I feel uneasy enough right now without being separated." Leaving her bow and quiver in the car, she made sure her dagger was on her hip before getting out. A dagger was easier to hide with the Mist than her bow was.

Nika nodded and got out, keeping two daggers, one at each hip, but leaving everything else in the car. She headed inside and started picking up food, mainly some snack things that she could eat while driving.

Dawn grabbed a few bottles of water, as well as some snackfoods for herself. She probably wasn't going to eat much on the trip. It would be easier to sleep through the trip so she wouldn't have to constantly fight back a panic attack from being essentially defenseless.

Nika went up front and motioned for Dawn to put her things down, paying for everything there. "Alright, let's go." She headed out to her car once she'd gotten her food and drinks.

Dawn just followed Nika silently. She was nervous and a little jumpy, and would be glad once they were in the car again. Turning on her iPod would help her nerves a lot.

"I hate this," she murmured. "It's too quiet, and I usually have visions often enough that this just feels unnatural."

"We'll be in New Orleans as fast as I can get us there," Nika said, unlocking her car. "Come on, we'll get going now and hopefully be there within twelve or fifteen hours."

"Alright," Dawn replied. She settled into her seat and turned on her iPod. At least with that, she didn't need her powers to know the songs. Putting in her earbuds, she rested her head between the window and the headrest and absently tapped her fingers on her leg. At least that felt a little more normal.

Nika started driving, breaking about every speed limit known to man as she did. She wanted to get to New Orleans as fast as she could. At least she didn't have to worry too much about being caught.

Dawn did her best to tune out the rest of the world and focused on her iPod. Hopefully, they would find a way to get things back to normal soon. She wouldn't be able to handle things the way they were for very long.

Nika drove through states as fast as she could manage, driving around everyone else who was being too slow for her. She never even saw a cop, let alone get pulled over by one.

It had been twelve hours by the time she finally rolled into New Orleans, dodging around the traffic and heading over to Julian's house. She parked in the driveway and leaned over to tap Dawn's shoulder. "We're here."

Dawn took one of her earbuds out of her ear when Nika nudged her. Turning off her iPod, she stretched and tried to ignore the fact that the world was almost painfully silent. She distracted herself by checking that her dagger was in place and that her arrows were in the proper order in her quiver.

"Ready when you are," she finally said.

Nika nodded and got out, walking right up to the door and knocking. Loudly. "Julian get your ass down here!"

The door opened a moment later to show Julian, his blonde hair rumpled and wearing only pants and an open button-up shirt. "Nika! It's been a while since you stopped by." He hugged her briefly before he noticed Dawn.

"This is my friend Dawn, from camp. We're here for information."

Julian's eyebrows shot up at the word 'friend'. Last he'd heard, Nika didn't have any friends. "Come in, then." He stepped aside to let them in. "Grace, we have company."

Dawn was also slightly surprised when Nika referred to her as a friend, but she supposed it was just the easiest way to explain things. At least she wasn't the only one surprised to hear the word from Nika. She automatically tried to listen for Julian's heart song, but the silence only reminded her that she'd been stripped of her powers. Quietly, she followed Nika inside.

Julian glanced at Dawn again. "So, what am I trying to find out about?"

"Something called the Void," Nika said, sitting down across from Julian. "Anything you know will be helpful."

"The Void? It's been a while since I've heard that name," Julian said, leaning back in his chair. "Why do you need to know about it?"

Dawn just stayed quiet and let Nika talk. She didn't want to interrupt, and Nika had given her the same respect when Dawn had been talking to Professor Andersen.

"Because it's been taking demigods like us and stealing their powers, and thereby the gods'."

Julian paused for a moment. "Wait. Are those...?"

"Yup. I stole everything from Father dearest." Nika grinned.

"You are a dead woman walking, Nika. I'll see what I can do to help. Maybe Mom can talk to Ares and get him to forgive you."