Chapter 7

The portal blanked out again, this time swirling in a strange pattern they had never seen before. Hephaestus and Janus were working on it to get the reception back. The rest mingled about or spoke of the parts they had seen to that point. Poseidon was brooding.

Once more his little girl had to fight monsters and go on impossible quests to save the world. Why was it his child that was cursed so? Had he angered a higher being? Most likely it was Chaos, or perhaps another primordial. He supposed he should be happy she seemed to have some good peaceful years in that world before all of this started. And if Hades was right, she could have decades if not centuries more.

Was that fair to her though? While he hated that his demi-god children lived such short lives, he didn't quite wish upon them the pain that was immortality. He had been born this way, his brain wired to accept the passage of time. Mortals were different, even those that became gods. They mourned so much for those left behind. It could literally drive one mad, Dionysus could be a very good example of that, even if his godhood is technically madness. There was a reason for it. It was not that he thought Percia didn't have the fortitude to continue on, but she had already lost so much, it would hurt her to see those she loved turn old and die, leaving her alone. Though he supposed she wouldn't be alone if she was connected to the blond menace. If she was, he had better court his baby girl right! She was a princess of the seas, and that pointy-eared bastard better treat her like the goddess she is!

"You're growling dear," Amphitrite whispered to him, amusement tingeing her tone. "It's scaring some of the younger ones."

"Well it should," he huffed, crossing his arms over his chest in a very male display of displeasure. He was NOT pouting.

"Hello, anyone there?" The voice coming from the portal startled them all.

"This is Zeus, god of Olympus," his brother called out impetuously. Did he always have to sound so pompous? "Who is this?"

"Wonderful, I was worried I caught the wrong wave length," a tall looking male stated as his visage grew clearer in the pool. "Terribly sorry for interrupting your feed. I am Ulmo, Valar of the oceans of Arda. I thought I might set up a little call between yourselves and Percia. Let her hear from her family."

"Yes," Poseidon proclaimed loudly before Zeus could say anything. No need for his little brother to ruin this chance. "I would be most grateful."

"Of course," Ulmo responded jovially. "Anything for a fellow sailor." The two sea gods shared understanding looks and suddenly Poseidon felt infinitely better, for now he knew another like himself was keeping an eye on his little pearl. "It'll just take a minute or two."

He leaned back into his chair as the screen blanked again, ignoring the indignant look Zeus was throwing his way or the amused looks the others shared.

"Hey, it's Percia!" The loud exclamation came from Hermes, broke his po…uh brooding.

He found her face inside the portal waving back at the Messenger god. So she could actually see and hear them? More of the gathered gods turned towards her throwing out greetings.

"Percia, are you all right," he asked, though more like demanded. Well, it had been a very stressful day, sue him.

"I guess, a little freaked out right now, but otherwise good," she replied quizzically. "How are you doing dad? You look a bit stressed…"

"That is because you keep getting into ridiculous situations sister," Triton informed her slyly, throwing a cheeky grin at his father. "He can only take so many heart attacks you know."

Percia blinked clearly not expecting that answer. "Wait… have you been watching me? How is that even possible?"

"That water Valar dude in that world helped set it up so ol' fish breath could peek in on you time to time," Apollo informed her jovially, ignoring the look Poseidon sent his way. "But when the interesting stuff happens, we all get to enjoy the show."

"So glad I can provide you with entertainment," she drawled sarcastically. Gods he missed his child, even her sarcasm.

"Then start picking more fights," Ares growled at her. "It's boring just watching your little group hike about. I want more bloodshed."

"There will be no bloodshed," Poseidon yelled, sending a glare at his nephew. Really, to suggest such a thing. "You hear me Percia! Do not go looking for any more trouble! You were almost lost to that beast!"

"I'm not looking for it dad," Percia sighed. "It comes with the territory. Ya know, questing to stop a great evil from taking over the world. Tends to lead to a bit of bloodshed."

Surely as her father he still had the right to ground her for all eternity, especially if she WAS immortal now, but Amphitrite laid a calming hand on his shoulder.

"Your father knows that." Here she sent him a meaningful look to keep him from saying anything. Why was everyone against him? "He just can't help but worry dear. What he means is to be more vigilant against your foes. And to make sure they die first."

"Working on it," Percia agreed, throwing Amphitrite a grateful smile. Finally his wife and daughter were getting along and she had to be in another universe. "Thankfully there aren't any more of those Belrog things. So we should be okay."

"You are forgetting about the wraiths," Hades warned. Yes, please bring THOSE up. "Be sure not to let them touch you're bare skin. They are unnatural creations of death magic; you do not want to see how they would affect you."

"Yeah, good point." She grimaced clearly remembering those creatures. "Any way to kill them?"

"Most likely you'll need to kill their master," Nico piped in, his tone bored, but Poseidon knew the boy truly cared for his daughter and was telling her what he knew to help her. "He is their link to the living realm."

"Right, easy," she muttered, rolling her eyes. Then she perked up, smiling brightly. He had truly missed that smile. "So how's everyone been? And who are those adorable little guppies? Please tell me you named one Ariel!"

Triton huffed and rolled his eyes but it was in good humor. "You are such a dork. This is my son Titus and my daughter… Ariel..."

"Yes! That is SO awesome! Now you need to six more daughters, so get crackin'," she chortled. Turning to the kids she waved happily. "Hi you two! I'm you're auntie Percia! Are you guys having fun in the palace? Eating lots of cookies and getting into mischief? Mischief is very important at your age. Tyson, you need to show them how to sneak sweets!"

"Hey! Stop corrupting my children," Triton yelled as his children, wife and brother all laughed.

Again Poseidon felt a wave of sadness that Percia was not here with them, helping his grandchildren terrorize the palace. He could just imagine the shenanigans they'd get up to.

"It' is my solemn duty as an aunt to corrupt your children," she informed his firstborn haughtily. "It says so in the Book of Aunts and Uncles."

"You made that up," Triton argued back gamely. "There is no such book."

"Yes there is, you just don't have one because you're not an uncle yet," she shot back, sticking her tongue out playfully.

"Actually big sis, he'll be one soon," Tyson interrupted their playful banter, blushing when all eyes turned to him in shock.

This was the first time Poseidon heard of this! He knew Tyson was dating but he hadn't even been hand fasted yet! His baby boy was growing so fast!

"Really," Percia squealed happily. "Oh, you'll be a great dad Tyson! Who's the lucky lady? You guys did give her the appropriate shovel speech yes?" The last bit was directed to Triton and Poseidon.

"Of course," Triton answered petulantly.

"That is wonderful son," Poseidon congratulated his youngest. "You must bring _ to dinner so we can celebrate."

They spoke for a bit longer, some of the other family members chiming in every now and again, also informing her of things in their lives. All too soon though the mirror waivered, indicating the connection would soon end. Poseidon felt his heart break a little but tried to remain strong for his daughter.

"Looks like it's time for me to go. We're heading out soon," she told them gently.

"You be careful Percia," Triton told her firmly. "You make sure your enemies know why it is a mistake to challenge a child of the sea."

"Good bye big sis," Tyson managed to blubber out. "I miss you, and I'll tell my children all about you!"

"Stay strong Percia," Amphitrite encouraged. "And remember your family loves you very much."

The others called out their own farewells and encouragements. Suddenly he couldn't take it any longer and walked towards the mirror forming a wall of water between himself and the others so he could speak to her privately.

"I am so sorry Percia, for the way I was tricked into pushing you from my life," he started out softly, wanting to say so much more. The words caught slightly in his throat as he kept the tears at bay. "I want you to know I am so very proud of you and I love you very much."

"I love you too dad," she whispered through the tears starting to form in her eyes, the same eyes she inherited from him.

"Take care of yourself and be happy. We will be watching over you from time to time," he told her in his patent paternal tone. "And stay away from males, they are unscrupulous…"

"Dad," she cut him off with an incredulous laugh.

He huffed a bit, before smiling sadly at her. "Farewell princess."

"Bye daddy."

The magic of the mirror ended abruptly and Poseidon let the wall of water fall once he managed to get his composure back. A few looked irritated with him, but his immediate family knew he needed that time with his daughter.