In which Piper and Percy have a few hours to waste before the bus and they are children. Also, Percy is adorable and Piper thinks it's so sweet.
Replies:
Thickneck: You shall have to wait and see what happens.
Undeath9087: Yeah, like, Percy's used to being with them. And Carter and Sadie are bound to want to help their baby sister but she's growing up.
Rage2091: Darn right.
Guest: Carter and Sadie still have roles to play, if not as central as before, and they know everything Walt and Sally know.
Jubby1905: She would do it, no hesitation.
Guest: No the backpacks sort of become part of them while they're transformed, and you shall see.
Guest: That's a good question. Honestly I think given time and preparation they'd be able to seal him- unless he knew in advance and had time to plan or whatever. It all depends on circumstances.
Guest: Percy will only bother being careful if they're very close and don't know of her. But uh- she does have a good nickname for Zeus.

Once the two girls were finished with their breakfast and done with the phone call there was the question of what their next step would be.

Thankfully it wasn't too hard for Percy to look up the best route on her phone- after some deliberation and discussion with Piper, the two girls had agreed that they'd try the bus- flying still wasn't an option and after their near miss taking a train felt like a pretty risky decision- so they'd get the bus.

Which was all well and good except for the fact that it was still fairly early in the morning, and the bus wouldn't be leaving until seven that evening- it would take them to Dallas and they'd have to transfer once they were there.

"So." Percy shoved her hands into her pockets as they headed out of the diner- "We have-" she glanced at her watch, "Ugh, it's only like, ten. We have like nine hours to kill before we've gotta leave."

"That sounds crazy." Piper snorted, "We're on a mission that may well stop a huge war and we're just waiting around?"

"We agreed that the bus is our best bet." Percy remarked, "So wait we must. There's gotta be something we can do in the meantime right?"

"Like what-"

"I dunno." Percy looked around as they wandered down the street, pausing when she spotted a sign, a smile spreading across her lips, "I mean, if we have to wait we could have a little fun while we wait right?"

Piper followed Percy's gaze and she laughed. "You're terrible you know that Percy?"

"You love me really though." Percy grinned, hooking her arm through Pipers, "So, how'd you feel about a visit to the zoo Pipes?"

"I think it sounds like great fun."

And so the two girls headed to the zoo, it was maybe a half an hour walk, and then they were there- before long they were inside, though they did get a few looks from people who realised that they were there with no adult supervision.

And Percy got quite a few wide eyed looks from people who recognised her- though they managed to make it half way around the zoo before someone actually interrupted them.

They'd just grabbed some ice cream and were continuing their slow meandering walk around the animal enclosures when Percy noticed a woman walking with a little girl, maybe around six seven years old, holding the girls hand tightly- and the girl was tugging her moms hand frantically, pointing towards Percy and Piper.

Percy couldn't help the slight smile that crossed her lips.

Piper must have noticed because she followed Percy's gaze and she shook her head, "You know even my dad doesn't get recognised as often as you do when we're out."

"What can I say." Percy shot Piper a small grin, "I stand out."

"Yeah." Piper reached out and grabbed Percy's hair, yanking it gently, "You don't say."

"Hey, I happen to think I look badass."

"Striking." Piper said after a moment, "You look striking. Almost ethereal."

And that made Percy go bright red, "Piper-"

"Excuse me!" Percy turned her head at the voice- it was the mother of the little girl- she looked exasperated, "My daughter says-"

"It's Ariadne!" the little girl's voice was excited, "Momma, it's Ariadne!"

"I'm sorry she think you're some character from her favorite movies-"

"That would be because I am." Percy laughed at the way the mothers eyes widened, and the little girls face lit up with pure joy.

"I knew it!"

"What gave me away?" Percy asked playfully, handing Piper her ice cream and crouching in front of the girl, "Is it the hair-"

"It's so pretty!" the little girl was almost bouncing as she stared at Percy, "You're so cool- momma promised to take me to see the next movie when it comes out!"

"That's awesome." Percy declared brightly, "I think you'll really like it."

"Can my momma take a picture so I can show all my friends?"

"As long as your momma doesn't mind my friend taking a picture." Percy declared, "I wanna tell all my friends I met such an awesome kid."

That made the little girl gasp loudly, her eyes wide as she whirled around to look at her mother "Momma- momma say yes please please pleeeeeease!"

And the mother of the little girl was wide eyed, she looked shocked, "I- well- that's fine of course- are you really-"

"Yep." Percy grinned, straightening up, "Percy Kane, everyone's favorite on screen magician." she winked, "Unless you prefer Senna or Cyrus- which I mean, is fair I guess but we all know I'm the coolest."

"You really are!" the little girl gave an adoring smile, grabbing Percy's arm tightly, "Momma! Take the picture!"

"And you Pipes-" Percy turned her head to look at Piper, who had a wide smile on her lips and was shaking her head fondly.

She usually tolerated Percy's fans- but Percy knew Piper had a soft spot for the little kids too, and she pulled out her phone as Percy shifted, draping an arm over the girls shoulder and grinning at Piper and the mother who were pointing their phones at her.

Once they both nodded Percy moved her arm, straightening up. "I hope that makes you happy-"

"It does it does!" the little girl looked like she was floating as she darted over to her mom, "Lemme see mom lemme see!"

"Here you are honey." the mother showered the little girl the picture on the phone, and Percy grinned as she moved over to Piper, and more people had stopped to watch now- which probably meant that they'd get more stares as they wandered around.

"It was nice to meet you guys but I think my friend and I should be going now- lots more animals to see." she hooked her arm through Piper's again as Piper shoved her phone into her pocket.

"That's fine." the mother still looked somewhat stunned, "I- thank you. I think you've made her day- Maddie say thank you to miss Kane-"

"Thank you!" Maddie beamed widely, "I hope you and your friends have lotsa fun."

"We will." Percy declared, "We're off to see the tigers."

"Oooh, they're super cool! Are you gonna see the lions too?"

"Oh yeah." Percy nodded, "We couldn't miss those."

"And thank you Maddie." Piper gave the little girl a playful grin, "My friend gets super happy when awesome kids like you
recognise her-"

"I do. It's true." Percy said, completely unabashed. "And you're pretty awesome Maddie."

And they quickly headed off again, Percy almost bouncing, trying to ignore the not so stealthy way that people were staring, and a few people took pictures. She was mostly used to it- and it was rarer back home because people were used to seeing her around.

"After the tigers I wanna get some food." Piper spoke up, "It's like, two and I'm starving."

"'Course." Percy slipped a hand into her pocket, pulling out the zoo map and unfolding it, stopping for a second and moving so that they were out of the way of other visitors, "Okay, so... yep there's a burger place there." she pointed at it on the map, "And it says it does vegetarian options."

"Sounds perfect." Piper nodded, "Let's go eat, then maybe go to the splash fountain- don't grin at me like that-" she laughed, "I know you too well Percy, of course we're gonna take time to go somewhere you can splash around in sprinklers like a crazy person-"

"I love you!" Percy cheered the words, throwing her arms around Piper's shoulders and planting her lips on her best friends cheek.

Piper had to half catch her- but she was grinning so Percy was pretty sure her bestie didn't mind it.

"Careful Percy, or people are gonna talk." she teased, "They've been taking pictures of us all day."

"Eh, I don't care if they talk."

"Well as long as you don't care-" Piper smirked and planted her lips on Percy's cheek before pulling back, "Now, let's go get those burgers before you faint from starvation- poor thing."

"You truly are too good too me." Percy giggled, and together they made their way to the burger bar, ordering their burgers and sitting outside with them, sipping their soda's as they ate.

"So." Piper spoke up, "It'll be like, three by the time we're done eating. I'd say we should probably stay another hour- maybe an hour and a half and then head off? We don't want to miss the bus out of here."

"Of course." Percy nodded, "That seems pretty fair." she tilted her head back, leaning so that she could feel the sun on her face, "I'll probably get changed after the splash fountains- we can use the toilets to get changed."

"Not as good as a shower but I guess the fountains are better than nothing." Piper snorted, "You can dry me off once we're done right."

"Of course."

"It will be nice too cool down in the fountains."

"I do love the summer." Percy declared. "Now let's finish our burgers and go and have some more fun."

And Percy was more than willing to admit that the splashed around like a five year old when they did reach the fountain area, she kicked off her shoes and ran through the fountains, cackling as she swung around, enjoying the feeling of the water, the familiar bursts of strength and energy that always filled her.

She laughed even harder when Piper joined her, running barefoot through the fountains, water splashing at their feet as they messed around, splashing one another- not using powers of course, that wouldn't be fair on Piper.

Percy didn't really want to leave, but around four Percy and Piper headed into the toilets to get changed before they headed off, popping into the gift shop before they actually headed out, buying themselves some new water bottles which they filled up- after all the walk to the station that they needed was about an hour long and it was very hot- they'd both need the water.

Percy was glad that she'd gone with shorts and a loose halterneck top- it was probably the coolest clothing option she could have gone for.

Even then both her and Piper were hot and sweaty by the time they reached the bus station, and Percy did summon them both up some more water for their bottles.

At least they were able to wait for the bus in the shade.

And when seven rolled around the two girls got onto the bus to Dallas, sitting near the front- Percy had enough experience with being on the run to know that you always made sure that there was an easy exit, and whilst they weren't exactly on the run- though- well technically they were, if you counted being on the run from the gods hunting for Zeus' Bolt and Hades Helm.

So yeah, they were on the run- which felt weird since they'd spent hours in the zoo just having fun but hey- that was just how it worked out.

And as the driver pulled away from the station Percy shifted so that she could look at Piper, "Well." she gave a wry grin,
"We're on our way. To Dallas we go."

"Ah yes." Piper snorted, "An eighteen hour bus journey, sounds like we're gonna have a great time."

"Sarcasm does not become you Pipes-"

"That's because you're usually the one doing the sassing." Piper laughed, "And I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Of course." Percy shifted, leaning her head on Piper's shoulder, "You want first watch or should I have it? I mean, this us another overnight ride."

"I'll take first watch." Piper said easily, "You're the one who's been using magic and having the weird dreams."