In which Set is there purely because he secretly likes Percy and wants to help- also, he likes annoying her. And Percy does not want to be amused by him.
Replies:
rage2091: To be fair Piper's never truly adventured with Percy before! This is all new to her. But hey, she's getting the hang of it.
Undeath9087: Percy is trying so so hard not be be amused by him at some points- and he's just so smug.
Thickneck: Set has a soft spot for her, which is very fun.
Guest: See so many questions and so many potential spoilers- the others at Brooklyn House definitely know Percy isn't normal, and some have theories though they're never outright going to ask, the only ones who definitely know are the Kanes, Walt, Zia and Desjardins, though people like Felix and Jaz who are closer to the Kane siblings have suspicions as to what Percy is just from stuff they've overheard.
Guest: The furies are very, very confused and angry and they're reporting back to Hades right now.
Guest: You do have a point- but it is very vey useful lol.
Guest: Since they seemed to be heading there anyway Percy decided to head to the Mountain where the Red Pyramid stuff happened just to sort of see it again and process.
Jubby1905: Oh it's gonna get even more ridiculous- I'm a sucker for platonic cuddling to begin with so I mean, they don't even know they have crushes. And just wait for Annabeth. She's gonna be dealing with a lot but the first moment she properly meets Percy she's basically going to fall in love without even realising it because of how. And uh, for the record. It is a adorable.
Jason: Don't worry she won't be easily soloing gods, not major ones anyway.
"Set." Percy crossed her arms over her chest as she came to a halt right in front of the god- who winked at her looking very amused. "What are you doing here and how are you here?"
"Oh I just decided to pay this place a visit." he slapped the rock hard, "It's just a mortal, I won't be sticking with him for long." the god grinned at her, "And I wanted to see you too. Honestly you don't visit enough, I'm beginning to think that you don't like me-"
"Whatever could give you that impression?" Percy snarked, "So, are you going to tell me what you're doing here? You were waiting for us-"
"Now what makes you th-" he caught Percy's eye and laughed loudly, shaking his head, "Oh you do amuse me kid. Sure I'll admit that I was waiting for you. My son isn't as stealthy as he thinks he is. I saw him all panicked on his way to talk to my dear brother-" he rolled his eyes, "And it doesn't take a genius to figure out that something was happening with you."
"It could have been Carter or Sadie-"
"If it was Sadie he'd have been by her side and if it was Carter- well he probably wouldn't be reporting to Osiris." Set pointed out logically- which annoyed Percy. How dare he use logic against her!
"That doesn't automatically mean it's me-"
"Ah but you're still his baby girl. Everyone knows that. He loves your little-" Set waved a hand, "The small ones, but you're still the one he has the soft spot for. And you're the one who's situation is the most precarious-"
"What does that-"
"You're torn between two worlds-" Set's eyes flicked to Piper, "Now more than ever I think. Let's face it all of us have been waiting for something to shift- even me. And now it has hasn't it?" his eyes almost gleamed. "You've been making your way across the country without travelling through the Duat. Now I figure there's only one reason for that. There's trouble brewing on the other side of the River and you're involved."
"Set-"
"Oh relax." Set smirked, "I'm not going to cause trouble- well, not too much anyway. I like a good bit of chaos as much as anyone, but I don't particularly want a war against the Greeks at the moment."
"At the moment." Percy deadpanned, "So that's subject to change then."
"Well of course. I am the god of chaos I'm not supposed to be predictable-"
"And Percy's the manifestation of Chaos." Piper spoke up suddenly- and Percy shot her a proud grin as her friend straightened up slightly, "I'm pretty sure that means she outranks you. Right?"
"Oooh. The quiet little Greek has fangs." Set looked incredibly pleased at that. "And little Percy might be the manifestation of Chaos now but I am still a god-"
"A god who's wife I have on speed dial." Percy gave a sickeningly sweet smile.
"Honestly-" Set still had that twinkle in his eyes despite the way he sighed heavily. "Threatening to tell my wife on me. Now that's just low."
"I can go lower." Percy remarked, thrusting her hand into the air- and a moment later she was drawing her khopesh from the Duat and Set threw his head back, laughing even louder as he clapped his hands together.
"You really are my favorite you know that." there was almost a fond note to his voice. "Relax there baby hurricane. I told you I don't want a war at the moment-now if things change and they get weaker then I might consider it but right now? I'm not feeling it."
"Why?" Percy raised an eyebrow, "You thrive off chaos, I figure a war like that, you can't get much more chaotic-"
"Yes but a war like that, there would be no balance there. And you know what I am, why I exist- why you are what you are now."
"There has to be balance." Percy pressed her lips together and exhaled heavily. "And you- we- are that balance."
"Ding ding, you've got it in one kiddo. Anyway Ra has a soft spot for you and- well you know me-"
"If there's one person you are loyal to it's Ra." Percy agreed- after all that was a large part of the reason he'd done what he'd done- after all Isis had been responsible for Ra's long absence. "But that doesn't explain why you're here Set? You're waiting for us."
"I've been- keeping a distant eye on you, I knew you were going to have to pass through Phoenix. I figured you wouldn't be able to resist coming here."
"I guess you figured right." Percy huffed, blowing a lock of her hair that had come loose out of her face. "So you what, just came here to check up on me?"
"I'm wounded that you think I have some evil intentions-"
"You're the god of evil." Piper pointed out, "It's not exactly like she was being unfair."
"True, very true." Set smirked at Piper, "You're a smart one. But honestly-" he winked, "I'm an open book-right now anyway." he spread his hands out, as if demonstrating opening a book. "You want the truth? I was just curious." Set chuckled, "And I've been bored, you're always entertaining." his eyes flicked to the backpack, "So, will you answer if I ask you what you've got there in that bag of yours?"
"No. I won't." Percy gripped the straps of the bag tightly.
"Eh, doesn't matter much." Set decided, "Whatever it is is Greek and important right?"
"Yes." Percy said after a moment, "Yes, you're right-"
"I don't suppose you'd let me take a-"
"Set I say this as nicely as I can but I would rather cut off both my arms than hand this backpack over to you."
"Hm, bit dramatic but I take your point." Set chuckled, "Relax, I won't take it from you-"
"Because you're being nice or because you don't think you could?" Percy raised an eyebrow at him and he grinned back.
"Good question. A bit of both-" his eyes flicked up and down, taking her in. "You're not the frightened little girl who stood up to me in the British Museum any more, not the little girl who held a blade to her uncles throat. I always knew that you'd grow up to be powerful if you were given the chance. I was clearly right about that. Besides, like I told you before, I like you kid, sure I could probably take that bag from you, but you'd put up a damn good fight and I'd probably have to kill you, and neither of us want that."
"Gee, how sweet of you."
"I know, I'm just that kind." Set smirked, pressing a hand to his chest, "You can call off the other little Greek, I've seen more intimidating glares on puppies."
"Oh go slap yourself." Piper snapped the words- and Percy resisted the urge to burst out laughing when Set's hand jerked upwards before he stopped himself- and his face almost lit up.
"Oh! Oh now that is fun." his eyes were glued to Piper, who crossed her arms over her chest and took a step forward, so that she was stood right by Percy's side. "Well look at your little friend."
"I'm not little. And you were right when you said I have fangs, and if you piss me off I'll use them."
"That you do." Set straightened up, leaning forward slightly as he took in Piper, "Where did you find this one kid?"
"None of your business." Piper shot back, "The important thing is that I'm here. And I might not be a magician but you shouldn't overlook or underestimate me."
"She's right there." Percy nodded sagely, her lips twitching as she tried to force down a smile. "I wouldn't want to piss her off."
"I'm sure you wouldn't." Set chuckled, "Oh I am going to enjoy watching whatever chaos you two cause."
"It'll be a pleasure to entertain." And Percy couldn't help the smile that flicked across her lips, there was something about that look in his eyes that made it impossible not to feel amused. "You know you might be evil and annoying but just rarely-"
"Oh you can be honest." Set laughed loudly, "You and I have a lot in common kid, we're both creatures of chaos. You enjoy it just as much as I do- you just aren't evil, which means that we like different kinds of chaos."
"I can't even argue against that." Percy admitted, a sheepish grin on her lips as she shook her head, "This doesn't mean I like you Set, you know that right?"
"Of course," Set grinned, "That would be far too easy."
"And I'm not one known for making things easy." Percy remarked, a smile playing across her lips as she tilted her head. "So, now that we've established that you're just being nosy as fuck is there anything else you want or can Piper and I move on? Because I think I'm about done here." her eyes flicked towards the mountain. "You were right- I think I did need to see it again but it's over now. What happened here- what you did.. my dad- it's in the past. I've grown up a lot since then."
"That you have." Set nodded. "But uh, you know if you ask nicely I might be able to help you."
"Oh?" Percy raised an eyebrow at that. "My first question would be why? The second would be how? And the third would be do you think I am completely out of my mind Set?"
"I've helped you before." Set declared, a smirk playing across his lips, "Don't you remember, I warned you about that-"
"Only just you didn't exactly give us time to prepare." Percy huffed the words, rolling her eyes "Seriously Set, you know that I don't trust you as far as I could throw you." she paused at the raised eyebrow and raised a hand, "Okay- okay I can concede that point, I don't trust you as far as-" she paused, thinking for a moment before, "As far as Cleo could throw you-" that made Piper snicker.
"You know that's not fair- Cleo-"
"Is very smart but she is not a fighter." Percy remarked. "Mom is actually really badass so I couldn't use her, so are Sadie and Carter. The twins- well I'd never underestimate them even though they're like, totally babies. And of course Piper just there could just order you to throw yourself super far-"
"I could." Piper agreed with a small nod, her lips twitching. "I'm pretty good at telling people what to do."
"Word of advice girl, you might be skilled with your powers but you're not on that level yet." Set eyed Piper, "Though you could be. Some day."
And Percy shot Piper a smile, because the girl was straightening up, a proud gleam in her eyes at his words.
Sure Set was the god of evil- but in this case he didn't have much reason to lie, and it was a hell of a compliment, and Piper's back straightened, and Percy could see her confidence growing- it was an awesome sight.
"So Set. How exactly could you help us?" Piper asked, crossing her arms over her chest and tilting her head back slightly.
And honestly Percy couldn't help but feel very proud of that, Piper was strong, stronger than even she knew. The sight of her pulling herself together and standing tall and proud, that was something Percy loved- especially since she knew that Piper could be somewhat insecure, she wasn't a magician, and she knew Piper felt bad for how little she'd done so far-as if her presence wasn't helpful.
And Set chuckled, "Well, I'm sure you can find a way to get wherever you need to go- but I think flying through the air as a storm cloud would be a lot faster, don't you?"