PIRACY chapter 9

Percy entered the captain's cabin, which was spotlessly clean and well-kept with a grime-free little window letting in a cheery ray of sunshine. Jason really was a true Roman (friggin' clean freaks they were). Percy was about to leave, when something caught his eye. There was a pristine letter, unopened, resting on Jason's pinewood desk. Percy craned his neck to look at the seal. It looked like it was made of gold, real gold, and had a simple and elegant lightning bolt stamped upon it. Percy frowned in confusion. When had Jason received the letter? Why wasn't it opened?

Percy emerged back onto the swept deck, the sea breeze ruffling through his sticky hair. Nico and Jason were strolling on the shore and they were actually talking. Percy looked at their surroundings. There was a small tropical forest past the sand, and the sky was a bright blue beacon, all traces of the storm completely gone. He climbed back down, feet splashing in the five inches or so of water around the ship's base. He approached Jason and Nico and caught the tail end of their conversation:

"...have you ever met him?" Nico was asking in grudging fascination.

"Yeah, a few times, actually. He's this big guy with a long silver mullet and quads like a dinosaur. You should've seen 'em. He was only wearing a toga, and a short one at that, so I had a full view. But honestly," Jason added, lowering his voice cautiously and glancing at the sky, "I don't really like him. He's a little.. odd." He shrugged wearily. "But who am I to judge, right?"

"Don't really like who?" Percy asked, having caught up with them. Jason tried to conceal a flinch, but Percy noticed it all the same.

"One of my relatives. How about you?" he asked suddenly. "Got any funky ones?"

Percy scratched his chin, wondering why Jason skipped around his question. "Uh...well, I dunno. I just live with my mother." He felt his face redden. "I mean - I take care of her, you know?"

Jason's eyes gleamed and flicked conspiratorially towards Nico then back. "Of course," he said in an oily voice.

"So - what next?" Percy asked anxious to change the subject. Nico was staring at him. Jason said, "Well, do you want to leave right now? Or tomorrow?"

"Now," Percy and Nico said at the same time, the first word Nico had said in a while.

"Alrighty, then. I'll go get the her ready."

"I can help," Percy told him.

"Okay. Sure. Why not."

"Me too," Nico butted in childishly, not wanting to be left out. Jason laughed a bit. "I suppose I have a crew now." Nico scowled at this. "Well, lads, get your asses up there then we're off!"