(A/N Hi, hello, how are you! I am back! So sorry I've been gone, my dad tested positive for Covid [no worries, he's fine and back to work now] so I took over my mom's babysitting duties and have been under the dictatorship of the Council of Seven. All time not spent with them has been spent being generally exhausted and cranky lol. I am hoping [fingers crossed here] that I can get back to a semiregular schedule.

As always, I am loving the reviews [yes negative is great too bc I can't get better if I don't know what is wrong!] and have not forgotten you guys.

This is a bit shorter than usual, and the majority is not the active narrative, but I will write what is necessary lol

Hope you enjoy!)

"My dear young cousin, if there's one thing that I've learned over the eons, it's that you can't give up on your family, no matter how tempting they make it."

Hermes words replayed in his mind as Annabeth and Tyson came to the surf saying they'd heard him calling for help. He explained the conversation and the packed bags to Annabeth, but family was still on his mind. Annabeth trying and failing to spell cyclops was a nice distraction though. Wise Girl that she was, she was still dyslexic just like him.

Family. Again.

It was odd relying on his father, even just talking to him was weird, but the hippocampi were a welcome aid. Perhaps Percy should put more effort into knowing his father.

.

Percy was acting...weird.

Sure, they hadn't actually worked out the tension they'd created by not speaking to one another for a week, but they were back to familiar territory. Questing together. Relying on one another. Playing to the other's strengths.

Tyson being along was...uncomfortable, but she trusted Percy. And she was concerned that something was hurting him.

But it would have to wait until morning, because right now her pillow was very comfortable, no matter how off the ship felt.

.

"Disemboweling practice?" she exclaimed as she stuck her head in Percy and Tyson's room. Tyson was still waking up and Percy shared a look with her before asking if she had a few drachmas he could borrow. Incredulous of his faux calm she watched him make an offering to Iris to send five letters.

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Dad,

I'm on another quest. I know, you hate that, but Annabeth is with me, so I'll be fine. I don't call her Wise Girl for nothing. I was talking to a god last night and he said something that really…

I know why you and Uncle Julius can't meet. I get it. I hate it, but I do understand.

But I'm not part of the House.

I need my family. All of it. Carter sent me a letter last summer and I really want to keep in touch with him better. I'm going to write regularly. (I know that won't work during the summers well, but I can deal with that.) Hopefully I can even meet up with him.

I'm writing Sadie too…. And Uncle Julius. I miss him.

Maybe I could pass news between you two!

I don't know.

But I can't give up on my family, no matter what the outside forces have decided.

I love you! I'll let you know when I get back!

Percy Jackson-Kane

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Uncle Julius,

Hey! It's been a while!

I'm sorry I missed your visit last summer, I miss you. I know you and Dad have… unresolved differences. And I can respect how thing have played out between you, but I have nothing to do with that. I'm done playing by other's rules that wouldn't apply to me at any rate.

I'm only 13, but it's been years, so I am a bit more mature than you remember me.

I have summer plans, but I'm hoping Carter and I can get together during fall break?

I know it's a ways away, but I figured planning ahead would be best.

Thanks! Love you!

Percy Jackson-Kane

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Carter!

Carter!Carter!Carter!Carter!

(Dad tells me that's what I sounded like the first few months after my adoption lol)

Look. I'm sick of the adults.

No, that's wrong. I'm sick of the adults' pointless rules and I will no longer be playing by them. I asked your dad if we could meet up over fall break. Come up with a good begging point and pull your biggest eyes because if I can find you I will show up on your doorstep unannounced if I don't get a proper invitation.

Can't wait to see you!

Percy Jackson-Kane

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Sadie,

Don't know if you remember me (XP), but it's the cool kid from your childhood. I had a heart to heart with someone and realized I need to stop complaining about how our family was ripped apart and work on putting it back together myself. But I don't have a cell and we're kinda on separate continents, so snail mail it is.

Can we be pen pals?

I probably won't be a reliable conversationalist in the summers, and I have no clue how long it takes mail to get back and forth between us, but I need to try something.

At the very least we can swap prank stories and ideas. There are these two guys at my camp ! You'd love them! They are constantly giving me a run for my money.

I miss you,

Percy Jackson-Kane

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The five recipients of the letters found it strange that the letters seemed to just appear, but each was grateful for the sentiment from Percy.