In which Percy changes career paths, is disgusted by Carter and Sadie being in love, and wants to be the fun aunt. Also, people may figure out how she's going to meet a certain daughter of Aphrodite!

It was kind of surprising how quickly things went back to normal for the residents of Brooklyn House. You'd have thought that fighting a giant chaos snake and saving the world would change things- that everything would be different- but it wasn't really- as the days passed Percy could feel the world settling back to normal- better than normal even, because to her normal had been constantly being aware of the looming threat of Apophis but that was gone.

They had the world ahead of them- a world that was whole, and it was a wonderful feeling.

And she knew that Carter and Sadie were both very happy too- Sadie was settling with her new relationship- and maybe
it was a little weird that Walt was now Anubis at the same time- but she was happy and that was what mattered.

As for Carter- Zia had returned to Brooklyn House as soon as she could- and she and Carter had agreed to try and be normal teenagers- they'd even asked Sally to enrol them both in school- Percy had too, and she had been very excited about that- she was in some of the same classes as Felix- and while it wasn't always easy she was still in the giddy stage at the idea of getting to be a normal kid, at least for a little while. Though hopefully not too normal.

And Sally was doing well too- she'd managed to publish the second in her new series of books- and she was starting on the third- with Percy, Sadie and Carter explaining their adventures eagerly so that she could write it all down- and the first one had been an instant hit.

Four months after what Percy had privately dubbed Snakageddon she even got a call from her publishers telling her that there was some interest in turning the books into movies.

When Sally told them that Percy had to admit she got excited- it was pretty awesome news after all- and she and Sadie had instantly started discussing who would play them- whilst Carter and Zia stood in the background staring at them both as if they were insane.

Sally had been laughing as she watched them, bouncing Alexander in her arms whilst Bast- who was visiting, bounced Estelle.

And it was Carter who gave Percy the ridiculous idea- as she'd later point out to him. He'd laughed at her, rolling his eyes and shaking his head. "You can go on all you like about how weird it'd be to see someone playing you on screen- but you can't complain unless you tried out for the part yourself right?" he said it jokingly- but Percy blinked once, twice and then her gaze snapped to her mom- who's eyes widened.

"Percy-"

"Mom-"

"Honey-"

"You know what I want-"

"Percy now come o-"

"Please!" Percy almost threw herself across the table at her mom, giving her usual wide eyed look- and Sadie was cackling, almost falling out of her seat.

"You've done it now Carter." Sadie choked out, "She's never going to stop-"

"Pleaaaaaase!" Percy grinned widely, "You could at least let me try!"

"I-" Sally opened and closed her mouth before she let out a long suffering sigh, rolling her eyes and shaking her head.

"Fine. Fine. They seem to be pretty eager to make it into a film- as long as it doesn't take too long I'll let you audition-"

"Hah!" Percy almost cackled, "It's literally playing myself mom. How could it go wrong."

"Technically you'd be auditioning to play Ariadne." Sally pointed out with a wry smile, "Ariadne Blake-"

"And who is Ariadne Blake based on?"

"I- she's based on you." Sally chuckled softly, "Honestly sweetheart- I don't even know for sure when they plan on starting casting- and it hasn't been fully greenlit yet. I know that one of the companies executives daughter loves the book- that's why he approached me and he seemed to want to get started on it very quickly."

"Good." Percy beamed, "He best hurry up, I don't wanna grow to old."

"We'll see" Sally rolled her eyes fondly, shaking her head before, "Please tell me the rest of you don't want to start an acting career-"

"Oh please." Sadie waved a hand dismissively, "I don't want to get my start playing myself."

"No." Carter shuddered, "Oh gods no I don't want to- no way. I get embarrassed doing presentations in school-"

"He can make a great dramatic meaningful speech in front of like, a bazillion magicians but put him in front of a bunch of dumb school kids and he turns into an idiot." Sadie declared, "My brother everyone. Zia are you proud of your boyfriend right now."

"I am." Zia pressed a kiss to Carter's cheek- which instantly made Carter beam like a little kid in a candy store.

"Oh I have missed you three." Bast chuckled, bouncing Estelle again as the baby let out a whining little cooing noise.

"Of course you have." Sadie looked proud, "We're awesome-" she paused, mostly because her phone was beeping- and Percy watched as she pulled it out- and Sadie's eyes widened. "Oh crap! Percy- we're gonna have to go if we wanna meet Bes and Tawaret for that picnic!"

"Oh!" Percy's eyes widened and she was scrambling to her feet quickly, "Sorry guys, I'm sure you'll miss us but Sadie and I gotta go-" and Sadie was laughing as she grabbed Percy's hand.

"You two behave." Sally smiled wryly, "Tell them I said hi-"

"Tell them hi from us too." Carter chimed in, "Zia and I would have come but we've got a date in Egypt planned out-"

"Blegh." Percy pulled a face, "Boring! At least Sadie's still cool-"

"I've got my date with Walt tomorrow." Sadie chimed in, a sly grin on her lips as Percy shot her a betrayed look.

"Disgusting! Abandoning me, your poor baby sister-"

"Don't worry kitten." Bast shifted her grip on the baby in her arms, "You and me, the training room tomorrow. If Sadie wants to abandon you we can do some training-"

"That sounds awesome." Percy admitted with a light-hearted grin, "We can bring Shelby in- she likes watching-"

"Percy you cannot give her a sword yet." Sally gave her a stern look, and Percy pouted.

"But mom-"

"You didn't get a metal blade until you were older. Shelby is four years old. I do not want the chaos that would unfold if you gave that girl an actual edged weapon."

"We can get some wooden ones." Bast looked very amused, "I do like Shelby- she has spirit."

"She's either going to grow up to be a wonderful little girl or a mass murderer." Sadie declared, "And I genuinely don't know which-"

"I mean, it's only snakes that she's obsessed with killing." Percy pointed out reasonably. "And I mean-snakes suck."

"You've got a complex about snakes these days." Carter snorted, "Mom, did Sadie and I tell you what happened when we went to the zoo last week-"

"Silence!" Percy pointed dramatically at her brother, "You swore that you wouldn't mention that ever again."

"One of the zookeepers had a snake out-" Sadie was snickering-and Percy's mouth dropped open.

"No! No I'm surrounded by traitors! How can you do this to much! Such cruel and twisted betrayal-"

"Oh no." Sally groaned as Bast and Zia started to laugh, clearly aware of where the story was going- after all it wasn't hard to figure it out. "Percy. Honey please tell me that you didn't actually try and fight a perfectly normal snake."

"It hissed at me." Percy pouted, crossing her arms over her chest, "It hissed at me in a very provocative way. It was asking for a fight."

"We had to drag her away." Carter told Sally, "From a completely normal snake mom. The looks we got-"

"That snake was asking for it!"

Sally let out a long suffering sigh. "Honestly I don't know why I'm even surprised. Honestly sweetheart you're ridiculous sometimes." but the smile on her lips was fond, "Now off with you-and don't forget to pack your bags when you get back from the Duat- we're going away for the weekend."

"I wish you'd tell us where we're going." Percy pouted.

"Well, it wouldn't be surprise if I did." Sally pointed out reasonably, "Now go- before your really are late."

And so the two girls rushed off quickly- and less than half an hour later they were on the beach by the Lake for Fire- and they rushed to Bes and Tawaret's new little home- and the two gods greeted them warmly, with hugs and happy welcomes.

And they stayed there for hours, chattering happily, visiting the old gods at Sunny Acres, who were still filled with new life and joy, and who always loved having visitors.

And when they returned to the sandy beach as they were getting ready to leave Percy noticed Tawaret and Bes exchanging grins- as if they were excited about something- and it was Sadie who decided to question it, folding her arms over her chest and raising an eyebrow "Okay you two." her voice was firm. "What's up, you look like you're bursting to tell us something."

And Tawaret was grabbing Bes' hand tightly- and Bes had a very proud grin on his lips. "Well, it's a shame Carter couldn't make it today- we invited you kids here because we had some news, good news."

"What is it?" Percy tilted her head curiously.

"You kids might have to get yourself around for a while- not that you've called me lately-" Bes gave a mock offended huff, "and here I thought you'd be calling me up at all hours-"

"You did say you wanted some quality time." Sadie pointed out with a laugh, "We were just respecting that. So, why won't you be able to chaperone us for a while?"

"You kids probably know this these days- after all you're probably helping that mother of your with those baby siblings you've got now- looking after babies isn't easy."

"Looking after-" Sadie paused before her mouth dropped open. "Really?" She gasped, "You- you're-"

"There's gonna be baby Bes's and baby Tawarets?" Percy squealed, "That's so awesome!" Percy practically threw herself at Bes, hugging him tightly as she did. "You'll let us know when the baby's born right? So we can come and play with them and babysit for you. I'm totally a good babysitter- I help mom with the twins all the time right Sadie?"

"I mean-" Sadie was trying not to laugh, "Other when they need changing you're pretty good."

"Of course we'll let you know." Tawaret beamed at them, "If it wasn't for you kids this wouldn't even be happening- it'll be wonderful." she was almost glowing with joy. "We really do owe you so much."

"It was a pleasure." Sadie declared with a wide grin, darting in close and hugging her tightly. "I personally am looking forward to being the fun aunt for those babies-"

"Hey-" Percy gave Sadie a mock annoyed look, "I want to be the fun aunt!"

Bes let out a loud laugh, "You two are gonna be terrible influences-"

"Well duh." Percy's grin was slightly wild, "I am the living embodiment of Chaos now. Isn't it like, in the job description?"
"I can't wait." Bes declared proudly.

And with that the two Kanes said their goodbyes, and together they headed home.