In which Percy officially meets her first Greek deity!
Replies:
Undeath9087: Kronos desperately trying to find out about this child who keeps screwing up his plans 'Where the fuck did this brat come from?!' Percy, grinning, 'Gramps, I didn't know no one ever told you the birds and the bees' Kronos, 'That's it you little shit!'
Ryan Fowler: I know, they really are aren't they?
Guest: You shall have to wait and see- but uh. Percy knows how to use her connections.
Guest: Yeah Ares never found Luke, and Luke's left camp on his own to try and track down Percy but uh- there may or may not be a sneaky twelve year old with an invisibility cap following him trying to find out what he's up to. Which is gonna end up real fun.
rl15435: It's largely because they naturally stay away from one another when they know what they are, instinctually- but Sally didn't know when she met Posiedon, she only found out and became a magician after the fact.
rage2091: I mean, Percy hasn't even admitted her feelings.
Noir Nyan: Uh, Annabeth is going to be very conflicted over Luke but there will be a lot more anger than in canon.
Guest: she hasn't, that was mostly a typo lol.
Jubby1905: Just picture Sadie figuring it out and watching super smugly like 'Hah! You spent so long mocking me for my feelings, now you're worse than I ever was.
Im really sorry: Lamia is a child of Hecate actually, in canon anyway.
Guest: They really are right?
Thing went quiet for a few hours after Percy and Piper's conversation- time passed and passed- it was infuriating for Percy, she hated having to just watch the world go by.
But she had no choice. And at least things were going well- they were peaceful. That was a very good thing.
It was while Piper was gone- she needed a toilet break that something interesting finally happened.
Percy had been doodling on a little note pad that Piper had brought with her when she heard someone sliding into the seat across from her.
She lifted her head, expecting to see Piper, opening her mouth to ask- as she had every time the other girl had taken a toilet break, and as Piper asked her every time she did the same- if there was any sign of trouble.
But instead of Piper it was a woman- Percy couldn't place her age- though there was something very familiar about her.
She was tall, beautiful too, with long dark hair, curly and soft looking that swept past her shoulders and down her back.
There were little lines in the corner of her eyes- Percy could remember her mom telling her that people with those laughed a lot- not fake nasty laughter but warm real laughter.
She was wearing a dress, a plain white one, and her expression was curious.
And Percy could feel power rolling off of the woman. She knew in an instant that she wasn't a mortal- wasn't even a magician or a demigod. No this woman was much more than that.
"Uh- hi?"
"Hello." the woman's smile was warm- it made something deep inside of Percy feel safe, "Calm yourself child- I'm not here to harm you."
"I am calm." Percy said after a moment, "I shouldn't be but I am. I feel like I should know you somehow."
"Perhaps you should." the woman was staring at Percy, "Whatever it is that is concealing the power of the Bolt and the Helm is doing better than I would have expected- but if I was able to follow the trail then my grandchildren will too, faint though it may be. Whatever your plan is, I doubt you have the time you need. The twins are close. You won't have long to run- I can shield you from their view for a short time but not for long."
"Y-your grandchildren?" Percy's voice was hesitant, "I don't- and I don't know what you're talking about the B-"
"Child I may be ancient but I am not a fool, my senses are as sharp as ever and I know you have my sons symbols of power-"
"You-" Percy's eyes widened in shock as realisation hit her, "You're Rhea." she breathed the name, "You're Queen Rhea-"
"Not Queen any more." a sad smile played across her lips and she shook her head, "So tell me child. How did you come across my son's symbols of power?"
"I didn't steal them if that's what you're thinking." Percy swallowed hard, "I- well I guess I kinda did but I stole them from the thief. I didn't know what was in the bag. Had them stuffed under my bed for a while, forgot about them."
"Did you now?" Rhea leaned back slightly in the chair and Percy stared at her- and it was strange- because those eyes were exactly the same shade as Percy's she realised. "Tell me." Rhea spoke again, "Tell me why all I can sense is the Bolt and the Helm. Tell me why you feel almost like a normal mortal despite the fact that you're clearly much more."
Percy swallowed hard at that.
Well at least the amulets did protect her from being sensed by the gods- even if it was clear that the spells around the bag holding her precious cargo weren't strong enough to conceal it entirely from the gods.
"I-"
"I see myself in you." Rhea's voice was soft, almost distant, "Those eyes. You know only one of my children inherited my eyes my sweet one. And All of his children seem to have those very same eyes. And I see them in you. But I watch for my grandchildren- I watch out for them as best as I can. I have never completely missed the existence of one of them before. So tell me child. What's your name and how have you hidden for so long? Usually I find out about my grandchildren by the time they're eight or so. So how have you been so hidden for so long?"
"I'm not sure I feel comfortable telling you that." Percy said slowly, tugging at her braid nervously- she wished she had a pen or something to occupy her hands- she always fidgeted with them when she was nervous.
But at least her braid had already been tugged over her shoulder- the way it was hanging should hide the mark on her neck.
"Of course." Rhea nodded, "I imagine this is rather terrifying for you child."
"Nerve wracking maybe." Percy said slowly, "I wouldn't say terrifying."
Set had been terrifying.
Menshikov have been terrifying.
Apophis had been so far beyond terrifying that Percy was pretty sure she'd never feel that way ever again.
This kind looking Titaness wasn't even scary really. It was something about the warmth that seemed to ooze out of her. Percy couldn't imagine the woman actually hurting her or wishing her ill.
Rhea laughed, "You're a brave on. But then the children of Poseidon often are- though I must admit that he's never had a demigod daughter before. And never a child with such hair. If it wasn't for those eyes I wouldn't have made the connection." she paused, "And I doubt the others will either. Not so fast as me in any case- I love my children but they aren't as perceptive as I am when it comes to these things."
"Why are you here lady Rhea?" Percy asked the question carefully, "I- you know who's behind all this. Right?"
"If you're referring to the fact that it was my husband who's schemes led to the Bolt and Helm being stolen then yes. Yes I do know who's behind it. Tell me how you know."
"I had a dream." Percy admitted, "He was talking to the guy who did the actual stealing. He wasn't happy with him."
"No." Rhea's voice was tight, "I'm sure he wasn't. Kronos was a manipulative person- and cruel too. The thief who failed will undoubtedly regret incurring his wrath." she tilted her head, a strange gleam in her eyes as she looked at Percy, "You've dreamed of my husbands scheme." the way she said that made Percy think that there was something very big brothering her.
"Yeah."
"And tell me. What do you plan on doing about it?"
"I'm taking the Helm to Hades." Percy said firmly, "And- I'm hoping he'll be able to help me find a way to get the Bolt back to Zeus without me having to take it in person."
"I see." Rhea nodded, "Tell me why you're willing to face Hades and not Zeus? Most would prefer it the other way around."
"I-" Percy shifted, "I have a soft spot for the Underworld." she said after a moment- which made Rhea raise an eyebrow slightly, eyes shining with curiosity as the daughter of Poseidon added, "And uh- I know the myths- and I know Hades gets a bad rep for no real reason. He's the most reasonable of the three brothers from most of the stuff I've read. He's the most loyal to his wife, most willing to listen to mortals pleas. He keeps his word."
"I'm glad." Rhea's smile was genuine at that, "It seems that you're not as blind as some are when it comes to my eldest son. If you approach him well enough he may be willing to help you. If not- I fear you will have no choice but to venture to Olympus yourself."
"I'd rather not do that." Percy let out a huff, blowing a loose curl out of her face. "If I have to then I'll do it but- I don't want to get smote."
"If you must go there then call for me before you enter the Empire State building." Rhea told her, "I hope for your sake that my son helps you but if he doesn't I will take you to Zeus." she pursed her lips. "The situation is worse than you realise my child. With the way my sons are arguing war will break out soon. I only hope you're able to stop it before it gets that far." she reached out, and Percy hesitated before sliding her free hand across the table, taking the Titanesses hand nervously.
"You'll help me?"
"Of course sweet one." Rhea nodded, "You are my blood." she squeezed gently, "Unfortunately I cannot linger any longer- I cannot risk my husband sensing me- even now I have no doubt that he searches for me. The longer he stays unaware of your existence the better for us all." she paused, "I will not tell any of my children of this meeting." she leaned across the table, pressing her other hand to Percy's cheek. "Whatever magic has protected you for this long- I hope it lasts for a little while longer. So much depends on it."
"What does that mean?"
"Nothing that you should worry for yet." Rhea shook her head as she rose to her feet, "And- before I do leave, I have a word of warning for you. I can sense the twins, they're on the train and it will not take them long to find you. You must find a way off this train- if they find you they will capture you and take you to Zeus- and if that happens he will not give you a chance to explain. No you must run child. Run as fast as you can. Find a way off this train." and then she was gone- she just disappeared and Percy was left gaping at the empty seat.
She hesitated, just for a moment before lurching to her feet and leaning over the table, snatching Piper's backpack from the spot next to where she had been sitting.
She quickly pulled her own backpack onto her pack and she gripped the straps of Piper's tightly as she swallowed hard, staring at the seats.
Could she really trust Rhea? She didn't know the Titaness at all. She could be lying, trying to delay their journey. To buy Kronos' servant time to catch up. She had loved him once after all but- Percy took a deep breath, swallowing hard.
She had good gut instincts usually. She'd learned to trust them over the years, and something in her gut was telling her that Rhea wasn't trying to trick her. That her help was genuine. Which meant that she needed to find Piper and get them both off this train as quickly as they could.
How to get off was kind of tricky of course but she was sure she could figure something out.
Maybe if she smashed a window and turned them both into birds.
It wasn't ideal but it was probably their best chance of getting out without being caught.
She made her way through the carriages towards the toilets- and she met Piper halfway, the other girls brows furrowing with confusion when she spotted Percy.
"Percy what-"
And Percy was reaching out, grabbing Piper's hand tightly- and at the other end of the carriage Percy could see someone- a man, tall, muscular, tanned with blond hair- he had his back to them, he was talking to someone- Percy couldn't quite see them.
But Percy could feel the power.
She gritted her teeth."
"We need to get out of here." she started towing Piper back the way they'd come, forcing herself not to run. Running would only draw unnecessary attention.
No. She needed to play it cool and calm.
"Percy-"
"The Sun and Moon are here." Percy said quickly- saying their names would draw their attention with them so close "We need to go. Now. I have a plan. I just need to to trust me."