In which I genuinely love Desjardins, because he is a good man at heart and he does what he believes is right. And also, he may have a teensy soft spot for Percy.
Replies:
Undeath9087: I mean, it's not the 'oh fuck' part yet, and honestly I kinda think this chapter is adorable because I love their weird relationship. And you heard it here first, Desjardins respects Percy!
batmanuchiha: I mean, he's also a total asshole so it's a super bad mix
When Percy woke the first thing that she noticed was that she was in a bed.
She blinked slowly, pushing herself up onto her elbows, only to have a hand on her shoulder press her down- Percy let out a startled yelp, head turning to the side and- "Desjardins?" her eyes went wide, and the man looked terrible, weaker than Percy had ever seen him, but there was a stern look on his face.
"Calm yourself child. Menshikov is not here." he was sat on a chair by the bed- which was huge Percy realised- she must be in his rooms.
"I- what's going on?"
"Vladimir had you in a deep slumber, but I've awakened you."
"Why?"
"Because I am no fool." Desjardin's shook his head, "I do not trust him, I may not trust you Kanes either but- he was far too pleased to have captured you. I knew then that something was truly off."
"He's working for Apophis." Percy said quickly, "They- they want something from me."
She pulled her knees to her chest- she wasn't stupid enough to try and escape- she was in the Chief Lectors rooms, she'd have a long way to run if she wanted to escape and the chances were she'd never manage it, there would be too many people ready to catch her- and the gods only knew how many of those were Menshikov's people.
"That is a serious accusation." Desjardins eyes narrowed very slightly, "Do you have proof child?"
"I-" Percy hesitated, shaking her head, "I mean- no- he basically admitted it to us in Russia but all you have is my word and I guess that doesn't count as proof." she swallowed hard, "Please Desjardins you wouldn't have woken me up if you didn't think the same as we do-"
"I admit that I don't trust him but with no proof-"
"I can't prove that he's working for Apophis but I can prove how much he's been lying to you!" Percy gasped out suddenly, back straightening, a determined look on her face.
"Oh?"
"Well, kind of. I- he knows what I am. How I broke out of your house that time-"
"I have been wondering about that." Desjardins eyes narrowed, "How did you do it child?"
"Because. I'm a demigod." Percy didn't hesitate, despite the tight worried feeling in her chest- she knew how dangerous telling him was, but... maybe it could help her. And she saw Desjardin's eyes widen in shock.
"A de- you're Greek- that's how you understood Lord Iskander so well- and the water-"
"My biological dad is Poseidon." Percy told him, "Dad knew. It's why he gave me so many amulets- to hide me from the Greek stuff that would want to kill me."
"But- you're Blood of the Pharaohs." Desjardins looked rather like he'd been punched in the gut unexpectedly.
"Yep." Percy nodded, "Blood of two worlds, divine on both sides-"
"You- there's never been a child of both worlds did Lord Iskander-"
"He knew. I think he knew the moment I spoke Greek." Percy bit her lip hard, "He- he didn't care Desjardins. He said I might bridge the gap between Egypt and Greece. He said it like he thought it was a good thing he liked me."
"He did." Desjardins expression was troubled, "I may not have always agreed with him but Lord Iskander always did what he believed was in the best interests of the House of Life. And there is no denying that he liked you."
"And it's not like I asked to be born." Percy pointed out, eyeing Desjardins carefully, loosening her grip on her knees and sitting so that she was cross legged instead- and she noticed that she'd been changed into the typical linen of most magicians.
"That is true." Desjardins ran his hand down his face- and gods but he looked so old, "Your mere existence is dangerous though- I don't know what it means for the house- and Menshikov's interest in you-"
"If I knew what he wanted from me I'd tell you." Percy didn't even hesitate with that, "If I knew I'd tell you and- I wish I knew because he scares me. Apophis scares me and whatever they want with me I know it's gonna be super bad and I don't like it. I don't like any of this Desjardins."
"I have no intentions of allowing you to be harmed." Desjardins reassured her- though Percy wasn't sure how reassured she felt by that, "That is why I ordered you brought to my chambers- if I keep you close I can keep you safer. And you say- you say Menshikov knows what you are?"
"Yep." Percy nodded, "He didn't exactly try and hide it. He knows I'm a demigod. It's part of why they want me, or I think it is."
"I see." Desjardins closed his eyes, "Technically the laws would have me execute you- the mixing of pantheons- it's not done, yes in the ancient times we did have run ins with your kind from time to time-"
"My- I'm a magician too." Percy pointed out, letting out a huff, "It's not my kind because my kind is both. I'm Egyptian
Magician and Greek Demigod all rolled into one awesome package-"
"Yes but you do know what I meant." Desjardins gave her a faintly amused look. "You Kanes- you can't seem to resist the urge to cause trouble for me can you? Because though your existence is forbidden I do not believe you to be malicious- powerful and dangerous yes but-" he shook his head, "I do believe that you are doing what you and your family think is right. I understand that, and I respect it even if I disagree with the paths you take."
"Iskander thought we were doing the right thing. Why else would Zia have joined us?" Percy pointed out, "Desjardins please. You- you're a good man. You saved my life before- on the pyramid. Twice, once from the demons when you pulled me away and once from Set when he would have hit me."
"It would not have been right to allow a child to be harmed." Desjardins said the words stiffly- and was it just Percy or was he- was he almost embarrassed?
Percy knew she probably shouldn't tease, even if she was tempted, "Still. You hate us Kanes, it'd have made your life easier-"
"We were facing a common enemy." he paused, not meeting her gaze, "And I dislike most of the Kanes. I would not use the word hate. I do respect your strength and convictions." he paused, "Especially yours child. I admit I regret hitting you when I captured you in my home. It was unjust of me- you were but a child. And yet I don't think that even if I had decided to go further I could have gotten information from you. You have conviction."
"Isn't that what the police give you when they arrest you?" and Desjardins burst out laughing at the question- and for just a second he didn't look like a weak old man, she could see a spark of the man she'd met three months earlier, of the man who saved her life.
"You know full well what I mean child." his expression shifted, turning far more sober. "Yes, I shall admit that I find myself oddly fond of you Percy Kane. But that does not make this any easier, you know that?"
"Yeah." Percy nodded, biting her lip, "But- you know what the right thing to do is Desjardins. You're not stupid. You know. You know what Menshikov is. A mad man working for the most evil being in all existence. You know. I know you do."
"It's not that simple child." and he looked ancient again, and Percy felt a surge of anger, swinging her legs off the edge of the bed and standing up, glowering at the man- and sat, hunched over as he was she was taller than him- he almost looked small.
"It is though!" She almost yelled the words, "It is and you know it! You're just being a stupid stinky coward is all you're doing!" she blinked rapidly, forcing back frustrated tears. "You know he's working with Apophis and you know we're working against Apophis. That's it, black and white. Either you help us or you help him, I don't care what you think about the gods, there's not a choice anymore the House isn't strong enough to defeat Apophis and you know that! You have to!"
"Child-"
"No! No you don't call me a child when you're the one acting like a frightened little kid! Pick a side Desjardins because you're running out of time and he's turned you into a weak old man who can't even make a decision. You are not the man I met three months ago, I can't believe that man would be say here unable to make up his stupid mind."
And Desjardin's gaped at her in shock, his eyes wide. Which was understandable, Percy doubted there were many people who'd be willing to tear into the Chief Lector like that, with zero hesitation at all. And Percy didn't even care if she got in trouble, heck she'd be happy if he got mad at her, at least it would show that there was still a spark of life in him.
"If you're gonna be a pathetic old man then just kill me now because you won't be able to stop Menshikov from doing whatever he's planning and whatever it is I'd rather be dead than be used as a pawn to help him and Apophis."
"Child- Percy-" Desjardins rose to his feet but Percy didn't falter, she ploughed onwards, not letting herself stop because if she stopped she was afraid she'd shatter- because deep down she was terrified of what might happen, of what, almost certainly, would happen if Menshikov came back for her- which he would do, that or he'd send someone to do his bidding.
"Please. Please just do it. I don't- whatever they want with me I don't want it I don't-" her voice cracked, "Please."
And Desjardins must have seen something in Percy's eyes because he rose to his feet, clamping his hand on her shoulders, "Child would you let me speak?" there was a faint flicker of amusement in his eyes as he said that and Percy flushed, but, well, she wasn't going to just shut up.
"Only if you're gonna say something good that isn't a stupid excuse."
"I will not allow Menshikov to take you." Desjardin's swore, "I promise you child I will safeguard you from him-"
"But that doesn't-"
"Let me speak!" Desjardins spoke over her, not shouting but his voice was very firm, "You will listen to me now Percy Kane. You will behave, you will listen to me and when I tell you to do something you will do it." and Percy's mouth snapped shut, her eyes going wide, "If we are to travel through the Duat to help your siblings and stop Vladimir I will need to trust that you will listen to me."
"Y-you're going to-" Percy's eyes widened and her face split into a wide grin, "You're going to help us?"
"I may well come to regret this but if you are right it seems I have no choice. So yes, I will help you. And I cannot trust those here to protect you so you must come with me through the-" he was cut off by Percy crashing into him, pressing her face into his chest as she wrapped her arms around him as tightly as she could.
"Thank you! Thank you thank you thank you!" she babbled the words, "Thank you so much Desjardins thank you thank you thank you."
And after a moment of hesitation Desjardins slowly wrapped his arms around her in return, exhaling slowly.
"Honestly child." his voice was almost exasperated, "There's no need for such sentimentality." but despite his words, his arms around her tightened slightly. "Now we must leave if we wish to stop Valdimir."
"I-" Percy paused as she lifted her head to look up at him, "Can you promise me something?"
"What is it?"
"If-" Percy bit her lip, "I dunno what they want with me but- if- if they manage to grab me- if- if whatever it is is that bad- Carter and Sadie won't be able to- but if you have to... if it'll stop him and Apophis... promise me you'll kill me." because she knew, they needed her for a reason, and she didn't want to be the reason Apophis rose again.
And Desjardins stared down at her, his eyes wide and horrified before he closed them and exhaled, his expression pained, "I swear to you. If I must... if there is no other choice, I will kill you."