Disclaimer: The song Perci sang is a Ukrainian lullaby, Luli. And the title is from the Jonas Brothers' Cool.
CHAPTER 9: Must've Done Something Right
"… I mean, what in Hades were you thinking! Do you know how dangerous and irresponsible and impulsive of you to- to go and challenge Clarisse like that! I only know you for less than twenty-four hours and I am already playing babysitter… Ugh!"
Annie's been lecturing me for the last half hour. She barged into the Big House Infirmary, dumped a water bucket on my head, and began her non-ending rant.
Oh, I met my doc, Michael Yew. Nice guy. He had black hair and brown eyes and was my age. And I guess I gave him an aneurysm before I left him. He was cursing me to Hades and back… in Ancient Greek.
To bad buddy, I am already planning a trip to visit dear old Uncle Hades. But he didn't need to know that.
And we had a fight. Multiple ones.
"You have a bullet sealed into your thigh! And you just want me to ignore it while you take it out? No!"
And-
"Godsdammit! Just let me check your wounds and makes sure they weren't infected… What… No… Just… Argh!"
And the last thing he said before I hightailed out-
"You can't fucking put a blue bandage over a fucking gun wound! No, no, no! Sit the fuck back down! You can't just fucking leave like that! Oh my gods! Why the Hades did I ever accept this- this-Ugh! I am never taking a shift for you Will, never again!"
The blue bandage was under the short-short jean shorts Silena Beauregard, a pretty brunette daughter of Aphrodite, gave me. Mine were literally bloody and smoking strips a fabric.
I still had my army, green hoodie on. And the pen Poseidon gave me was in my pocket. I'll have to really take a look at it some time. Along with my remaining arsenal.
We reached Cabin Eleven.
And I was not impressed. Seriously, this place did not look like a place where fucking children of gods should live.
The place looked like worn down wooden cabin. Or like a place mauled by a bear. Or rabid dogs. Take your pick. It was old, shabby, with paint peeling. But the place was homey…. I don't know why either.
It had high rafters, a couple dozen beds, and lots, lots of sleeping bags. The place was a mess of auras, unlike other cabins where all colors were either different shades of a color or just compatible colors that feel related.
Here, here… it was fucked up. Like, what the hell is an Ares kid doing here? Demeter? Hell even kids of minor gods were in here!
Though I could tell the Unclaimed from, the claimed. The claimed kids' auras where more pronounced and bright.
I literally did something… so ADHD, impulsive, and just… whacked up that indicated just how much I need sleep and not blackouts.
"Nope, nope, hell no, nope, nuh-uh, nope, fucking no, nope," I mumbled as I grabbed random Unclaimed kids and dragged them outside the fucked up cabin with a Caduceus to their right cabins. I ignored everyone's 'What the Hades!' and 'Where the fuck are you taking me?' and Annabeth's tortured 'Why are you like this….'
After all the Unclaimed with cabins out of the way, I turned to the other kids of minor kids and grouped them according to parent.
I seriously wanted to sleep. When was the last fucking time I slept for the sake of sleeping and not blacking out? I don't know.
I just knew that my impulse control was completely absent. And that everyone left in the now considerably more comfortably empty cabin was staring at me in either fear, awe or curiosity.
I stood back beside Annie. "What?" I snapped, rather rudely, and raised an eyebrow. "Creeps. The wittwe kitty ate your tongues."
A seventeen-year-old blond, with blue eyes and a wicked scar on his face, finally had the gut to speak. Pussys. "Who are you?"
"I am your father, Luke."
He raised an eyebrow. I resisted the urge to stick out my tongue. What the hell is wrong with me?
"Well, then, I'll start," he began, his eyes shone with amsment. Fucker. "Luke Castellan, son of Hermes. Councilor of Cabin Eleven."
I giggled a bit, and again resisted the urge to repeat what said before. Hehe…
"Fine," I sighed. I know I might be bitchy sometimes, but who knew sleep-deprivation could make you more bitchy? "Percilia Jackson. But it's Perci. For everyone."
"What the Hades was that?" Annie seemed to finally wrestled her tongue out of the kitty's grip.
"What was what?"
"That."
"What?"
"What you just did."
"Which was 'that'?"
"What?"
"What?"
"Ugh, you're infuriating!"
"I know," I smirked.
"So," Luke cut Annabeth off. Smart. "You do know what you just did. Right, Perci?"
Before I could answer, a Caduceus glowed over several of the Unclaimed in the Hermes group. (And I have no idea why they stayed that way…)
"Okay, what is that glowy shit?" Glowy signs just kept popping as I dropped kids of at cabins. Which got everyone gasping. And not-so-sneaky glances at me. Just like now.
"That," Luke pointed at the fading symbol. "Is getting claimed."
Oh. Ooh. Ooh. Okay. What now?
"So?" Even as I said that I knew it was a big deal. A Big big deal. The now Claimed looked so happy.
Even those Unclaimed in groups trusted that they were sorted with their siblings.
It was nice. The gloomy and melancholic cabin, now looked so happy and bright. Some even came and hugged me. That was… peculiar. I'm not against physical contact, the opposite in fact. It's just I normally have those if-you-come-near-me-I'll- decapitate-you vibes, and people just choose to turn away.
Even in my insomniac state, I smiled.
At some point Annie left to report to the old horse and drunk, or some shit like that. Everyone else was celebrating and talking to their new found siblings and friends.
I sighed and snuggled into my hoodie as I slid down the wall. I hugged my knees to my chest.
"You have no idea what you've done, have you?" Luke settled beside me. His tone left me a little confused. I mean he had a smile on his face, but… There was anger under too many onion layers. Sometimes I hate that I can read people so well.
His aura although, a soft and soothing baby blue had an ugly and repulsive golden haze near his head. He is a good guy that was being manipulated. Just another problem to notch in my belt.
"I didn't realize I was such a bad guy," I said softly.
"What? No," He answered softly, though a little bewildered.
"You're angry, Luke."
"You have no idea how happy I am for all of them. Nor do you have any idea what you just did to all the Unclaimed, how important you made them feel, how you made them feel like they belong," his voice was soft. He loves them all like family.
I hummed in response. He had more to say, but he needed a nudge.
He sighed, "It's just… Sometimes a demigod is instantly Claimed. Sometimes it takes longer. And sometimes it never happens, Perci. Now… you basically told the gods what to do. You put them in a position where they can't ignore us. You forced them to not ignore us. They go around having affairs left and right and leave us, demigods, to die. Do you know how rare it is for a demigod to reach adulthood? Way too rare for anyone's good. Most of us die before we even reach Camp. We get picked off by monsters. If not that, then it's a god's fucking quest. The gods, they don't love us… We're just there to play pawns. For them to use. They, they…."
By now everyone was outside, something about a dinner horn. Conch shell, fucktards. Only Luke and I were left in the cabin.
He was crying silently. I didn't have the heart to make fun of his daddy issues. There was so much anger and frustration. It was heartbreaking. I put his head into my lap and ran my fingers through his hair. It's a soothing gesture. Always works like a charm.
I hummed a soft lullaby, Mom used to sing it to me after an especially, bloody mission.
I soon started singing,
"Ay Lu Lu Li Lulli
Na Lai Çili Vulli
Na Lai Çili Vulli
Tai Silli Na Lulli
Stali Do Ma Tia Dat
Çim Did Yat Ko Gadovaht
Çi Buble Tçka çi Met Con
çi Solot Ki Moloç Ko
Mi Buble Tçka Cupit
Ay Me Dotçok Flupim
Ay Kaş Kima Vari
Ay Malatçkasparim
Colisotçka Ri Ri
A Di Tin Kah Spit Spiit
Kohl Misatçka Ne Ne Stala
A Di Tii Naç Kolune Stala"
"Hmm," he had his eyes closed and a small smile on his face. "You have a beautiful, comforting voice."
"So, I've been told," I answered, still running my hand through his hair. He was just an angry kid. I noticed the golden haze lessen. Not disappear, just lessen.
"What language was that?"
"It's a Ukrainian lullaby, Luli. I'm surprised you didn't know," I said in a soft teasing voice.
"And why in Hades would I know Ukrainian?"
"Your father is the god of merchants, roads, and traveling, all of which include more than one language. You would at least have tiny clue."
"You know who your godly parent is, don't you?"
I hummed.
"I'm guessing you're keeping it to yourself."
"Yup. I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise of my claiming. Knowing who my father is, it might get dramatic and over the top."
"Looking forward to it then." He gained a mischievous glint, "I'd like to see you being embarrassed by your dad."
"You're a terrible person," I said shoving his head off my lap.
"Come on, kiddo," the fucking bastard said, ruffling my hair. He ruffled my hair.
I hissed and swatted his hand away, "Fucker."
"My, my, what potty mouth you got there."
"Better to cuss you out with, honey."
"Ouch," he stepped back and put a hand on his heart.
Even though the cabin was considerably less full than when I first barged in, there were still not enough beds. So, genius me suggested a hammock. He looked at me funny.
After I dumbed it down for him, we ended up tying a blanket to the rafters. 'Yes, I could get down safely, Luke' and 'No, Luke, I won't fall off in the middle of the night.' He stole me a comforter and a couple pillows, also some toiletries.
It never fails to amuse me, a male blushing while holding tampons like they're explosives.
We were- I was laughing as we left the cabin to the dining pavilion.
"Shut the fuck up, kitten."
"Now why would I do that, idiot."
"You're impossible," he sighed.
"I know."
We reached the dining pavilion. Twelve table for the twelve cabins. Oh, and it was almost night time, dusk, I think.
"Do they always take this long to settle down?" Seriously, people were still standing around. Chiron was trying to bring order to the chaotic demigods.
"Trav, Con what's happening?" Luke asked his brothers, who were standing around. The pair were almost identical. Brunettes with elfish features. One was taller than the other, and a couple more unnoticeable details.
"The newly Claimed are too overwhelmed," one shrugged.
"Poor fuckers," the other continued. Luke went with the rest of the senior counselors to help Chiron.
They noticed me.
"Ah, Perci, we were wondering, when we'd meet you."
"I'm Travis Stoll," said the tall one.
"And I'm Connor Stoll."
"Thank you, for making us rich," they said together. "It was a risk that paid off."
"Ah, so you're the fuckers throwing around bets," I nodded gravely.
"You're one to talk," they grumbled, pouting.
"And why is that?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Well, for one, you took out the Kindly Ones on your own," Travis ticked a finger.
"The Minotaur," Connor ticked off another.
"You out matched fucking Clarisse."
"You already have an arsenal of magical weapons people would kill for."
"And last but not least, you got demigods claimed, godsdammit."
"I see the grapevines are thriving here," I mumbled.
Luke came back and everyone took a seat at their designated table. At least my ass isn't falling off. I was squished between Luke and Travis.
I groaned, "Does no one in this godsforsaken place have common sense?"
They raised an eyebrow.
"Couldn't gods afford longer tables," I huffed as I gave up and just plopped on Luke's lap. "I'm not getting squished any further."
"You have no boundaries," Luke said more than asked. The Stolls snickered.
I laid my legs on their laps, "Nope."
They all grumbled. "Hey, cheer up. It means I like you, little bros."
"You are literally the youngest of the four of us," Connor grumbled, though a smile was on all their faces.
"Technicalities," I said dismissively. They laughed. Fuckers.
Food appeared on the empty plates Harry Potter style. Briskets and rolls and fresh, juicy fruit… mmmm.
My stomach decided whale mating sounds was a splendid idea. I hid my face in my hands.
"When was the last time you ate something?" Concern and amusement waring in Luke's voice.
"Speaking of, when was the last time you slept?" Connor asked.
"You got target, hag eye's," Travis put in.
"The fuck are target, hag eyes?" I asked. They looked at me. I looked back.
Seems that power in numbers works well, and I was tired, okay?
"Last thing I ate was my Mom's heavenly, blue cookies yesterday morning," I grumbled. "And four days without sleep. Unless losing consciousness from blood loss and lacerations twice today is considered a siesta," I finished sweetly.
Before they could answer, I stood up from their laps like everyone else and looked at them curiously, "I'm guessing this is not for desert."
Luke walked beside me, as the Stolls ran away 'not wanting the food to get colder.'
"They're offerings for the gods," he said as he threw the reddest apple in the fire. He murmured Hermes. "They like the smell."
"Of burned food?" I raised my eyebrow. But actually… it smelled fiiine. Damn.
Hm, I wonder.
I dropped an apple. I decided to think my words instead of saying them out loud.
Dear Poseidon… fuck you. You're a fucking god! Not some mortal who's pride won't affect the world's fucking wellbeing! You do not keep fucking silent while your pissy, little brother declares World War III! You didn't steal either of your brothers' power symbol, then fucking say it. And don't act like a pretty, pink princess, and sit on your ass doing nothing expecting the world to make it better. Oh, and thanks for the sword/pen. Love the irony. See ya!
Dio and Chiron looked from the crashing waves, to the thundering sky, to me and sighed while shaking their heads when I shrugged and smirked. Oh and I gave my drunk cousin a one finger salute.
So it does work. They hear me.
I threw warm rolls for my Uncle Hades and Aunt Hestia. I didn't think they got enough attention.
Take care of my mother, Uncle. Please. And hang in there. And please don't jump into conclusions, though I know how hard that might be. Just… take care of yourself.
Thank you, Aunt Hestia, for being the only one who stood up to your idiotic brothers when everyone else screamed 'fight'.
I walked back and sat on my comfy couch of three laps, which 'oomfed' apparently.
Oh, there were cool cups that filled up with whatever you wanted. Except alcohol. Bugger. I got blue lemonade.
We ate the rest of the food, with me avoiding eye contact with anyone. I was afraid I'd jump someone right now, my mind not registering friend from foe.
Clarisse and I rainchecked our meeting. I was dead on my feet, and she had new siblings that need situating.
"Put me down," I protested. "Put me fucking down…"
Luke had the audacity to shush me while carrying me. Who the fuck does he think he is? And to my utter embarrassment, I fucking purred and snuggled when he ran his fingers through my hair. I purred and snuggled…
I… I just curled up in my swaying hammock, nuzzling my fluffy pillow and cozy, blue comforter. I didn't even bother taking off my weapons' holster, being more used to sleeping with weapons was like sleeping with stuffed animals for other kids.
"Good night, kitten," Luke's murmur was the last thing I heard before succumbing to a, hopefully, dreamless sleep.
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-3anona