And here we get some action, if not a huge amount yet. And Percy does know how to restrain herself. Sometimes.
Replies:
Undeath9087: And so does Phoenix. Now I wonder if our girls will be heading there at all... And yeah, Carters got a bit of time.
Guest: She knows her father created them but she doesn't know she can talk to them at this stage.
MKDemiGodzilla-Warrior: In which Percy cannot help but piss off the Furies.
Rage2091: I see why you'd think that, but not quite.
Guest: Percy just sat there trying not to cause a scene because she's famous so it'd make news, unless someone's meddling. Just saying.
Guest: I hate the no phone thing, seriously. So yeah, Percy and Piper have phones because screw them not having phones. Especially in this universe in which Percy needs to be contactable by her family more than ever. And they were talking about Silena not the girl from the zoo.
Jubby1905: I'm sorry my dear, but that shall not happen lol. Their boss maybe but not them
"What do we do?" Piper didn't even hesitate, a familiar knife materialising in her hand, which was resting on the seat between her and Percy, out of sight from the monsters- a birthday present from Percy- it could be summoned at will, a long thin blade, a delicate handle, an elegant weapon. Walt had done the enchantments for her.
"We stay calm." Percy tightened her grip on the bag as the three women turned, their gaze scanning up and down the bus, the lead old ladies gaze focusing on Percy- on the bag in her lap. "We don't panic for one." her mind was racing as the doors slid shut and the bus started moving- that was- well she wasn't sure if that was good or not. Their journey was taking too long as it was, the idea of getting off and having to wait at least another twelve hours to leave wasn't one that she was happy about- but if they'd gotten off they may have been able to get away from the old ladies. And there would have been more space to fight.
Still that wasn't an option now. One of the ladies sat down in the seat across the aisle from them, and the other two- oh wonderful, they were sitting down in the seats directly behind the two girls.
Percy took a deep breath, laying her free hand on Piper's knee and squeezing gently. "Everything's going to be fine. We've dealt with stuff before." she said that in French and she made sure to pitch her voice low- the monsters may be able to understand it but hey, maybe they wouldn't.
"I know but- but this doesn't feel the same-"
"It's because it's not just a random monster." Percy pointed out, "These ladies are clearly actively hunting what we have. But we have to stay calm. And you have to trust me."
"I do." Piper took a deep breath, clearly calming herself, "I trust you Percy."
And Percy nodded, staring straight ahead as she tightened her grip on her bag- every muscle was tense, ready to move.
She wouldn't take any risks, Piper was with her and she was not letting her friend get hurt.
Nothing happened for maybe an hour- the ladies were staring- Percy could feel the gazes from the two behind her- but they were clearly biding their time.
Then, after what felt like a lifetime Percy heard a voice- she forced back the urge to turn her head and look- and she squeezed Piper's knee again to stop her from twisting to look. She already knew what she would see.
An ugly old lady face leaning forward between the two seats.
"Hello honeys." that voice was sickly sweet-and very, very fake, "I think you've been very bad girls haven't you?"
"Nope." Percy felt a sort of calm descending on her. The nerves fading away.
She was used to this sort of thing. There was nothing for her to be afraid of.
The old lady made a tutting noise.
"Now now children. I don't like liars. You have something in that lovely bag of yours that doesn't belong to you."
"Unless you're a god in disguise it doesn't belong to you either- and I mean, no offence but I don't think any god could ever make themselves that ugly." and Percy's lips twitched at the way Piper's eyes widened and she pressed her hand over her mouth to stifle a hysterical giggle.
"Rudeness won't be tolerated." and suddenly a bony hand was on Percy's shoulder, and very sharp nails were digging in with strength that a hand that bony shouldn't have.
Percy forced back the urge to snort.
Oh this bitch was lucky that Percy wanted to avoid causing a scene.
"Remove your hand from my shoulder."
"Or what-"
"Or my friend here cuts it off." Percy didn't even turn her head, didn't falter.
"I will." Piper's voice was steadier than Percy had expected- and she felt a rush of warmth- she freaking loved Piper so much. She was incredibly brave all things considered.
"Now that's not very nice honey-"
"I'm not a nice person to monsters trying to threaten me." Percy hissed, "And believe me I've fought bigger and badder monsters than you. I don't know who or what you are but I will not let you stop us from getting where we're going."
"You won't be going anywhere other than with us dearie-" the old woman cooed the words- and again Percy forced down the urge to turn around, if only to deck the lady.
"We're not going anywhere with you." Piper snapped the words, "We haven't done anything wrong and we're not in the mood to be eaten thanks."
And Percy's mind was racing.
The ladies wouldn't just let them get off the bus at the next stop- and staying on the bus with them wasn't an option really- they needed something, a momentary distraction- and Percy's mind was racing- she could see trees- palm trees she though, they were lining the road.
And okay, okay Percy could work with that. It wouldn't be ideal but she could work with it- hopefully no one would get hurt but there wasn't much choice.
She stared at one of the trees- it was getting closer every second and she focused on her magic. "Hu-Ai." she whispered the word- and there was a cracking noise from outside of the bus and the long tree was suddenly toppling, cracking at the base and falling into the road.
The driver let out a shocked yell, and he must have slammed the breaks because the bus came to a sudden halt- and he must have turned the wheel to try and avoid hitting the tree as well because they swerved- and it worked wonderfully.
Percy had managed to throw her free arm out in front of Piper to stop her from flying forwards and she'd already braced herself.
The granny on the aisle seat behind them fell into the aisle- and Percy pulled her arm away from Piper, ramming it backwards into the face of the granny who had jerked forward and gotten temporarily stuck- though in retaliation those nails dug in- becoming claws- and Percy forced back and loud pained yell- that hurt like a bitch as she tore herself forward- and she could hear other passengers yelling and complaining but she didn't waste time- they had a few seconds before old lady monsters recovered, they needed to move.
So Percy was grabbing Piper, dragging her out of her seat and into the aisle- kicking at the old lady who tried to grab Percy's ankle as they rushed to the door- and Percy didn't even bother wasting time, letting go of Piper's hand to point towards the door as she gasped, "Ha-di!" and the door burst open, quite literally shattering, and Percy caught Piper's hand again, dragging the other girl off the bus even as she heard outraged shrieking from behind them.
Percy glanced back over her shoulder as they ran-and her eyes widened in shock and horror as she saw the roof of the bus tearing open and-
"Oh Horus' gym pants that's bad-
"Horus' gym pants?" Piper gasped out incredulously before- "Oh." her voice sounded small-and Percy could not blame her for that.
They were definitely monsters- with huge leathery looking wings that reminded Percy of bats, claws that she could tell from the pain in her shoulder were razor sharp and- were those things fiery whips? The fuck?
"Well." Percy blinked, "Piper, I think our best chance in a situation like this is to run like fuck."
"Right." Piper swallowed hard, "Right-" and Percy swung the backpack back onto her shoulder and then they were running, Percy's feet pounding against the hard hot cement as she dragged Piper along with her.
There was no cover here- unless they headed into one of the buildings in which case they'd ben an enclosed space, with lots of mortals around who could get hurt so that wasn't really an option.
And not for the first time Percy cursed her hair- it might be pretty but by the gods did it make her stand out like a sore thumb.
Percy reached out into the Duat as they ran, pulling her khopesh out- and it was just in time because one of the monsters came swooping down towards her, and Percy wondered what the mortals thought they were seeing, a lot of people were yelling and pointing- but Percy didn't waste time- she spun around, swinging her khopesh, hooking it around the monsters neck as it dove at her, and she sliced through it, letting out a disgusted noise as the head fell at her feet
and Piper almost shrieked- a sound she'd undoubtedly deny making later.
Piper did like pretending nothing could gross her out but- honestly some stuff was just disgusting.
"Keep moving!" Percy bellowed the words, and Piper did pretty well to keep pace with Percy as they kept running- and it was easy to see that the monsters were keeping their distance now- that made sense, they didn't want to lose their heads like their buddies.
And if they were keeping their distance- well- maybe it would be safe to get inside under cover, they could figure out a way out from there- so Percy verged to the left, rushing towards a large shopping centre.
Once they made it inside they stopped running and Percy took a moment, coming to a halt, bracing her hands on her knees and ignoring some of the shocked looks they were getting.
"What now. They'll be watching the exits." Piper asked, clearly winded.
"I know." Percy grimaced, "Believe me Piper I know." Percy straightened up, "We need to be smart- I need some way to cover up my hair- no matter how cool it is it stands out- they'll be able to see us a mile away. And then-" she paused, a thoughtful look on her face, "We need crowds for us to blend into."
"Well a cap could cover your hair." Piper pointed out, "You could tuck it into it or something-" she paused, "Or maybe if you wear it in a bun- your hair's ridiculously long."
"I love my hair." Percy declared, "But you're right, a cap could work. Okay, so we get a cap- maybe some new backpacks- different colors. I'll just tuck this one into a larger one." she decided.
"And what about the crowds-"
"I think I know how to deal with that." Percy grinned- she did love a good plan- and by that she usually meant a ridiculous on the fly plan. "Now let's go and get me a new cap and some back packs."
And it didn't take long- there were plenty of clothing stores- and Percy and Piper quickly acquired new backpacks and a cap for Percy before they headed to the toilets- where Percy brushed and braided her hair before twisting it into a bun so that she could tuck it under the cap out of sight.
She looked at herself in the mirror, nodding even as Piper rested her chin on Percy's shoulder, the uninjured one
"That should work." the other girls voice was slightly unsteady, "But- Percy your shoulder."
"Is fine." Percy said, "Grab me some tissue or something a sec."
And Piper helped her clean the wounds- thick deep punctures that turned into claw gashes from where Percy had ripped herself free.
The water on the tissue helped- though they didn't have much time so Percy didn't bother trying to get it to heal completely.
Instead she pushed the backpack with the bolt and helm in it into a larger backpack before they headed out of the toilets.
"What now then?" Piper raised an eyebrow. "What's your plan?"
"Now-" Percy thrust her hand sideways, putting her khopesh away, "I start a fire."
"A fire-"
"Well if the fire alarms go off what happens Piper?"
"We-" Piper's eyes widened, "We all have to leave the building." she breathed out, "Which means large crowds we can get lost in."
"Yep." Percy popped the P, "And we can easily slip away and get away from those monsters."
"You know, for someone who acts so dumb sometimes you're actually like, a genius-"
"Hush, don't tell Sadie-" Percy stopped, mostly because Piper planted her lips on her cheek- and Percy gave a giddy grin. "Okay okay. Let's do this thing."