It was the time. My time to show everyone my face. I was extremely nervous. For sixteen years I have been hiding behind a mask. My mother – Sally - died giving birth to me. Nobody blames me for her death but me myself when I feel already depressed. My father, Poseidon, was married already when he met my mother. But they still fell in love. And I could understand why. Dad has some photos of my mother. She was especially beautiful. And from what my Dad has told about her, she was kind, loving, caring… A perfect mother. She was just a mortal. But when she fell in love with my Dad she moved with him to his underwater palace… Yeah, you know, Poseidon, the Greek god of seas.

You can only imagine how angry my step-mother was. Not only Dad brought a mistress to the castle but got her pregnant too. She was mad at first and with a help of some miracle my mother got her to her good side. And when she perished Amphitrite adopted me immediately. Plus, Aphrodite owned my step-mother a favor so (I still don't know why) the love goddess gave me her blessing so I would grow to be one of the most beautiful woman's on Earth.

Triton, my half-brother fell in love with me even though I was a creation of his father and another woman besides his mother. He still is a perfect big brother, maybe a little over protective. You should have just seen how he reacted when a little shark wanted to bite my finger off when I had made it angry with my curiosity. He almost got a heart-attack. And so did the shark. After the lecture and a couple of permanent scars from Triton the shark hasn't come near Atlantis where we lived.

My father loved me immediately and created an over protective daddy mode as soon as I was born. I don't know what hit him, but he wanted to hide me from the evil species known as men… He didn't want to let me go, ever, so he made Hephaestus to design me a mask which grows with me. Now when I think about it, I really haven't talked to any males besides my family and some servants. And indeed he did a beautiful mask, perfect fit to me. It was a green mask with golden lining and golden shapes in it. It was made of some mass which was light and soft so sometimes I forgot that I wore a mask. And also, nobody could take it off me besides me myself.

I never was allowed to go outside without my mask but inside with my family and servants I could be without it. So practically there are about 15 people who have seen me without my mask. When I complained about the mask once, we came to an agreement with my father. When I would turn sixteen I could forgot about the mask and go where ever I wanted without it if I would keep it on until then.

And now, it was my sixteen-year birthday. My father had planned enormous party to me. He invited all "worthy" mere people to participate. He also invited the Olympians and some minor gods to the party. And all the gods and goddesses could bring three children of theirs in the party if they wished to do so. All the gods said that they will be here, as if I wasn't nervous enough. I have studied Greek mythology with my teachers and father and knew a lot about them, but I have never seen them in person. Even Zeus said he will come. And now I was supposed to show my face to everyone for the first time. I didn't really like the attention so much, it make me feel a little awkward and self-conscious.

I was pacing in my room, very nervous. My tail wobbled a little, I was so out of line. I had still my mask on. The party was supposed to be a masquerade and when the clock is twelve, everyone would remove their masks. And all the eyes would be on me. I gulped and tried to soothe my nerves.

The servants had brought me earlier a beautiful, but kind of short, dress which was pure emerald green like my tail and eyes, with golden lining like my mask. Oh yeah, some of my Father's demigod children have ability to change their legs to a tail. I was glad that I was one of them, it helped me to integrate and I didn't look so different from other mermaids and mermans. Someone of the servants had combed my hair and made beautiful curls in my usually straight hair. Usually I thank them and chat with them, and I always notice who does what, but I was too concentrated to my thoughts that I didn't even remembered to thank them or pay much mind to them… I felt ashamed.

I heard a knock from my door. I spun around to look where the sound had come from. "Enter." I said in a shaky voice when I realized that it was the door. Triton opened the door and smiled at me. He wore a beautiful black mask with white shapes on it. He was wearing black and white, too. "Hey, sis. You look beautiful, like always." He said and kissed my cheek. I smiled at him.

"Ready to go?" I took another deep breath and closed my eyes for a moment. When I opened my eyes again I smiled and said: "Let's go, brother."

I was waiting for the party in the evening with excitement. I had heard a lot of things about the sea princess. The servants who have seen her face have said that she is more beautiful than any diamond or jewelry they have ever seen… And they also like to earn money with the tales of the princess. Some even say, though in a small voice so Aphrodite wouldn't hear that she was the most beautiful person in the world, even more beautiful than the love goddess herself.

And some say that her voice is more beautiful than the most beautiful sound of any instrument. I didn't know what I was supposed to think about that fact. Or rumor, if you will, for now at least.

Let's say that I was eager to see her face though I haven't seen her at all before. I was wearing the best I could imagine to make a good impression to her. So were the other Olympians. I even heard that Athena was trying to bring out every virtue she had. Maybe rival was not all Poseidon was to Athena. I laughed at the idea.

I was also a little nervous. What if the girl wasn't so beautiful as everyone say? What if she had an abnormity in her face which she had tried to hide? You can't trust to servants. Though I have asked them about the princess myself, and I could tell that they were not lying.

"Apollo, are you coming or not?" I heard Hermes' voice.

"Yes, of course. Just a moment."

"Apollo, you look good already. You are such a girl." I swung around to see Hermes on the doorframe. "You don't look bad yourself." I said, lifting my eyebrows.

"Why, thank you." Hermes said maliciously. He had some mischievous glint in his eyes. He was wearing a dark grey suit (as advised in the invitation) with red tie. In his arms was a small white mask, which fit him perfectly, bringing his good sides on the view I could tell without seeing the mask on him.

I took my own golden mask in my hand and nodded. "I'm ready."

I heard the music on the other side of the big door. I stopped dead in my tracks before Triton could open the doors. "Is something wrong?" Triton asked a little worried. His over protective side was coming to display. I was too nervous to roll my eyes at him. "What if they don't like me? What if they think I'm ugly? How am I supposed to act! What if-" I couldn't panic anymore because Triton put his hand on my shoulder.

"Sis, you are beautiful and everyone will love you. You wrapped me around you little finger at the moment I first saw you. You act just like yourself, and I will be with you. I won't let you be alone when the mating season is coming and there is so much mermans just waiting to get a hold of you." In the end his voice got an angry edge. I giggled a little. Yes, I was a submissive mermaid because I had only one tail. Triton on the other hand had two tails, which means that he was dominate one. Even mermaids could have two tails and a merman could have only one. So mermaids and mermans could both be fathers and mothers. My father had obviously two tails, too, and my mother only one.

I smiled at Triton. "They would have to go through father first, if they wanted to court me." I said, pushing Triton a little. He smiled evilly. "Yes." He laughed like a maniac.

"Triton, if we are talking about mating season now, do you have eyes on someone?" I asked. Triton blushed a little, his green skin becoming more green. My eyes widened and eyebrows shot up. "You have! Who?"

"Shhh!" Triton said. It was not new that Triton flirted to girls, sometimes more, I think that almost every mermaid and sea nymph have been with Triton. But Triton hasn't ever courted anyone. "It is a one merman. Sweet, and young, and his mother hates me and my reputation."

"You can't exactly blame her, can you?" I asked sarcastically. Triton smiled a little. "Yeah, I can't." Suddenly he looked a little sad, and I wanted to make him feel better. "You should go talk to him. Maybe bring a gift to the mother or something. You should try and get a soft spot in his mother's heart before someone else steals his heart." Triton looked at me, surprised. "Am I seriously listening to my little sister's advices for love when she hasn't ever loved anyone?"

I grinned. "Oh, yes you are, big brother." He just rolled his eyes. "I know you are right about the stealing part… I would hate it. Hmmm…" Triton fell into his thoughts and went to the doors me besides him. Then he smiled brightly at me. "I will make him mine." He said before kissing my cheek and opening the doors.

Inside was many, many people. They were all dancing, talking, eating, drinking… Enjoying the party. I sighed and sneaked a little bit closer to Triton. I didn't take his hand though, I wasn't than little. I would survive this. Triton gave me amused smile and started to swim forward me behind him.

Some of the guests looked at me for a second before going back doing what they did. Of course they wouldn't know who I was and Triton was well masked. I recognized him so fast because I have spent so much time with him.

Triton swam toward dad and mom. I was happy to go to their side. I felt like an outsider in my own party. Father wore an expensive looking suit (it was funny seeing him in a suit). Mother wore a beautiful dress with amazing jewelry. "Father", Triton said when we reached them. Poseidon was just talking to a man with a white mask, who pretty short (with legs I noticed). He had a sandy hair which was combed neatly. Besides him were three boys, a little younger. They were all shorter than the first man and two of them were dressed the same way. The third boy looked the same with the first man, when the other two looked the same.

"Ah, Triton." Father smiled at him when he looked our way. His smile widened when he saw me behind my brother. "Ah, Percy, meet Lord Hermes and his boys Luke, Connor and Travis." I was beside my father when I looked at them. They all had mischievous glints in their eyes when they smiled at me. "It is an honor to meet you, my Lord." I said and bowed a little. I saw the admiration in his eyes when he waved his hand.

"The honor is all mine. And please, no need to be so formal. This is your party after all." He said and kissed my hand. I looked at him with big eyes and nodded. "Hermes", my father said, clearing his throat, when Hermes didn't let go of my hand. The god of messengers let me go immediately after that. "Yes, Poseidon?" He asked with an innocent face. I had to smile a little. He was certainly god of thieves as well. "I think that my daughter would like something to drink?" He said it as a question, looking at me in the end. I smiled a little. "I would love to." I said, taking Triton's hand. "Come with me?" I asked and when he nodded, I started to pull him towards the refreshments.

I was talking with Poseidon about the party – which was awesome by the way – when I heard a masculine voice say "Father." I looked the way the sound had come from and saw a handsome merman. Triton, my mind corrected. Behind him I saw a mermaid with an amazing shining and slender but sporty tail. She was wearing very nice dress, which hugged her body. Her mask fitted perfectly to the dress and her pitch black hair was curly. Her eyes were so green and clear, like an ocean, that I immediately would have declared the mermaid beautiful. I could have looked her eyes forever and I wouldn't tire of it. I felt my boys tense beside me when they looked at the girl. Could this be..?

"Ah, Percy" I heard Poseidon say. Somehow I got a feeling that I had missed something he had said. Percy was beside his father and looked at us with curiosity. "Meet Lord Hermes and his boys…" I tried not to look like I was imagining ways to get a kiss from this masked beauty. I smiled at her. When she heard who I was, her eyes got bigger – which was extremely cute – and she moved her gaze from Travis to me. "It is an honor to meet you, my Lord." She said bowing a little. Oh and she was polite, too! Could she really be Poseidon's daughter? I felt Poseidon's and Tritons glare at me, but I just smiled at her, ignoring the daddy.

"The honor is all mine." I could almost feel how my boys rolled their eyes at me. Huh, they just wanted her attention to themselves. "And please, no need to be so formal. This is your party after all." I continued. Then I took her hand and kissed it. Her skin was perfectly tanned and matched nicely to her eyes and dark hair color. Her skin was smooth and warm and I really didn't want to let go. My lips touched her hand I watched her expression. It didn't really change; she looked amazed and perhaps a little happy though.

The moment was ruined by Poseidon way too soon to my liking. He suggested Percy to get something to drink and she took Triton with her. I was certain that the little princess was extremely nervous. After all, she had had her mask on for sixteen years. What if she didn't have enough courage to take it off? Though I have heard that she was a fearless and smooth warrior from some servants of hers. But of course daddy Poseidon would have killed everyone who had slashed or harmed his little ocean… So maybe she didn't have so hard opponents.

I watched her go for a while before Poseidon cleared his throat again. I looked at him and noticed my boys doing the same. I grinned. "Yes?" I asked the smile still in my eyes though Poseidon didn't look so happy. "Don't you have someone else to annoy?" He asked. Amphitrite smiled a sunny smile. "Of course. It was good to see you, uncle." I said before walking off. Luke, Travis and Connor bowed a little to the ruler of seas before going to their own ways. I hardly could wait till the clock hit twelve.

I and Percy were on our way to the get some drinks when she turned to me. "Why did he kiss my hand?" Percy asked confused. Her eyes were still big. I laughed. "Seems like he tried to flirt with you a little." I could swear that Percy blushed a little under her mask. "He did not." She said and looked forward. I laughed a little, amused for her behavior. "Of course not." I said sarcastically.

We arrived to the table. Behind it were five nymphs taking orders from the celebrators. "Lord Triton." The one nymph coming to take our order said and bowed a little. "And princess Percy!" He said, eyes now big. Percy smiled at him and I could almost see the drool in his chin. "What can I get to you?" He asked, his tone changed now. I raised an eyebrow. Who knew my sister's charms would take effect with one smile. "Me, whiskey. What do you want, sis?" I asked and smiled at her. She was in her thought for a while. "Just bubble water, please." The nymph smiled and nodded his head before retrieving our drinks. "He likes you." I said, just to play with her. I really hated it when people started to flirt with my little sister.

She looked at me, eyes big all again. "You think everyone flirts with me!" She said in a mocking tone. I grinned. "I know." She just sighed and shook her head. I laughed a little when the nymph came back. "Here are your drinks, my Lord and Princess." He said, setting our drinks to the table. "Thank you." Percy said, taking her drink as I nodded and did the same. The nymph looked Percy for a moment before running to deliver some other orders.

"How can you drink that stuff?" She asked me, obviously disgusted. I become master at reading Percy's emotions under her mask a couple of years ago. "I don't know." I said, grinning at her. She just looked me in the eyes, disapproving. "Don't worry about me and drink you water." I said mockingly. She just rolled her eyes and took a sip from the glass.

"Triton!" I heard a voice and searched for the speaker. "Oh gods!" I said, now panicking. Percy shot a sharp glance at me. "What? " She asked annoyed. "He's here!" I said panic still clear in my voice. Percy looked the way I was looking just seconds ago and grinned. "Oh, he's just too cute." She said and looked at my blush. "Go get him, tiger." She said as I looked Marius approaching me.

"Hey, Marius! What are you doing here?" I asked as he came closer. His beautiful purple tail was not as lean as my sister's, but it was beautiful to me. He had sparkling brown eyes and he was kind of small but strong. "Your father invited us." He said. Triton blushed a little under his mask. So now his father knew about his crush? "That's great Marius! Do you want something to drink?"

"Oh no, I'm fine thank you." He smiled brightly at me and I just had to smile back. Then he looked behind me. "Is this your famous sister?" He asked as he admired her. Percy looked at our way from her drink and smiled, almost a blinding smile. "You must be Marius! Triton has told much about you!" She said happily and winked at me when Marius looked down, cheeks more green than ever. "He-he has?" Marius asked, quietly. "Of course. And I totally can see why." She said. I looked at her warningly and she sighed a little. "It was so nice to meet you." Percy said and offered Marius her hand. He took it slowly and let go of her quite fast. She smiled and swam somewhere else with her drink.

Marius looked after her for a while before he looked at me again. "Well, she is nice?" It sounded a more like a question. I laughed at his bright face and his tone. "She's nice, don't worry. Are you sure about the drink?" I asked him again. He had just turned eighteen so he wasn't a drinker. "Yeah, I could take a shot." He said and swam to the stool next to me. "One Apple Martini, please." I looked at him surprised, but then grinned again.

This might just be my chance.

After I saw Marius, I could clearly see why my brother cared about him. He was warm and kind, and extremely cute. And I loved his tail color. I was so in my thoughts that I didn't notice the man in front of me before it was too late. I bumped straight to his side so that his drink spilled on his shoes. He turned to look at me, looking angry. "Who do you think you are, punk?" He looked at me with his burning eyes. I almost could see all bloodshed happening on the land. I was too stunned to speak for a second before I came back to my senses. "I'm sorry, sir. I didn't look where I was going."

"Damn straight, punk. Are you going to get me a new drink or what?" He asked, still angrily looking at his now alcohol smelling shoes. "I can fix your shoes." I informed him, before I waved my hand and the water gently washed the alcohol away. Now the man before me looked at me sharply. "Who are you, punk?" I decided that I should keep this man as happy as possible. "My name's Percy, sir. And I'm sorry for not paying enough attention to my surroundings." The man looked at me for a moment before his eyes flashed and they turned less flaming. "Not Percy as the Percy daughter of Poseidon?" He asked and looked at me more closely. I saw his attitude change almost immediately. Now he almost sounded… nice.

"Yes, that would be me." I said to him and smiled a little. My own drink had spilled in the crash and I suddenly felt my throat dry under the man's gaze. It was so intense and… searching? And his aura radiated aggression and war. A god?

"Well, nice to meet you beautiful. Name's Ares." He said and put his hand in front of me. I took the hand a but warily and he shook it roughly before letting go. "Pleasure to see you, my Lord." I said and bowed, just to be save. "You too, beautiful. If you weren't the beauty everyone says, you would be getting me a new drink."

I looked at him a bit disbelievingly. But yes, he was being serious. Figures, he was the god of war. "Maybe you could get a new drink with me, my Lord?" I asked showing me my empty glass. His eyes flashed for a second and before I could tell what it was, he was back to normal, though he had a smile. "Sure, beautiful." I furrowed my eyebrows. I didn't really like it when he called me beautiful, he dated Aphrodite the last time I checked, but who was I to snap at an Olympian?

We walked to the table and I could see Triton and Marius in the other end of the table. I sat down with Ares and the same nymph as before came to us. "Back so soon, princess?" He asked and smiled at me. I could hear Ares growl beside me but I ignored him. "Yes." I said smiling at the nymph. "Could you get me the same as before, if you remember what it was?" I asked politely. "Of course!" He said, maybe a little too happy. "And what can I get to you, sir?" He asked and looked at Ares. I could see him flinch under Ares' stare. "The best you got, and fast, punk." He more or less growled. The nymph nodded, obviously scared and swam away to get the drinks.

When we got the drinks I smiled at him and thanked. He smiled a weak smile to me before swimming away. Triton hadn't even noticed me here, he was so concentrated on Marius. "So, beautiful." I heard Ares say and I felt a hand on my tail. I looked at the scarred hand and then at Ares, anger in my eyes. "Could you move your hand, Lord?" I asked with as much patience I could muster. He just grinned at me wickedly. "Why would I? I like it just where it is." He said and leaned forward. I on the other hand jerked backwards as soon as I could. "What are you doing?" I asked, still angry. I wouldn't show fear to this man. "Feisty, I like it." He said and grinned some more. He was still leaning forward, his hand just getting a tighter grip and I couldn't back off any more without falling off the chair. I was feeling more uncomfortable than ever before.

Just when Ares' face was close to mine I slapped him with all force I could muster. His face jerked to the side before he looked at me, angry. "Don't test me, beautiful." He said, his voice was hoarse as if he was exited… Oh gods.

"Don't you dare to come closer." I growled at him but he just grabbed my tail tighter, it started to hurt. He laughed and started to lean forward again. "Let go of me!" I tried to keep my voice in control but it started to shake with fear. My other hand was on his chest and the other one on the chair so I wouldn't fall off.

"Ares, you heard the lady. Let her go." I heard a warm, but at the moment angry, voice say. I sighed in relieve when Ares went away and let my thigh go. "What do you want, lyre boy?" it was his turn to growl. I looked at my savior and my eyes widened and I was sure that I blushed. He was tall and he had amazing blond hair which framed his face very nicely. He growled at Ares and I could see his perfect, too white teeth. His mask was golden with warm red lines on it. I could see his deep blue eye, just as the sky. He was muscular but athletic. And he looked angrily at Ares, which was just a big bonus.

"I want you to let the mermaid alone." He looked at Ares disapprovingly, trying to hide his anger. "Yeah, and I do everything you say." Ares laughed and took a sip from his glass. His laughing stopped when he looked behind my savior. Behind him was one of the most beautiful women I have seen. And she glared at Ares before turning on her heels. She looked really fashionable and her long golden hair moved with his movements. "Aphrodite!" Ares yelled and got many strange glances from the people in the huge room. He took his drink and ran after the love goddess.

The man looked him go before turning to me with a smile. "Hey there. Are you okay?" He asked and sat beside me on the stool where Ares sat just few seconds ago. "Yes, thanks to you." I said and smiled back. He looked like he was deep in thought as he looked at me. "My name's Apollo. Who might you be?" He said, offering his hand. I almost choked my drink when I heard his name. "Apollo, as the god Apollo?" I asked. He looked at me and laughed a little. "Guilty." He said and grinned at me, his hand still in front of me. "My name's Percy." I said as I took his hand and shook it gently. Now it was his time to look shocked. "The birthday hero?" He asked and smiled a very, very bright smile. "That's me." I confirmed again and smiled back at him after few gulps of the water.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Percy." He said and looked straight to my eyes.

"As it is you, my Lord." I said and was just going to bow, when he held his hand out.

"Please, call me Apollo." He said and grinned at me again.

Thanks for reading!

I still don't know who should Percy fell in love with? Do you have any suggestions? All characters in the PJO books are candidates!

So please, tell me who should it be! Percy is still a demigod, all doors are open ;D

I will change the rating as the story develops