Well, they're at Brooklyn house- Percy knows stuff and Sadie and Carter are just really, really confused right now. Poor kids.
Replies:
Ryan Fowler: I think Bast would just be like 'Awe, an adorable little warrior baby. She's mine now.'
The Official Clarisse: I know! I mean everything she feels is understandable but you also know that it's not Percy's fault so it's a tricky situation.
NymphadoraBlackMalfoy: I have counted your vote.
Guest: I mean she could swim in the river- but she'd definitely still be surrounded by all sorts of crap, and since she hasn't grown up there she's used to much nicer rivers so I mean, it's understandable that it wouldn't appeal that much.
WaterHCL: You flatter me! And I've counted your vote.
IronMagic1221: Your votes been counted!
Guest: Thank you and I've counted your vote.
Guest: She just needs time, and your vote has been counted.
Guest: They'd have definitely been pretty shocked at the very least. And I have counted your vote
Guest: The water being calmer is a subconscious thing, and she's still got magical protection remember. And I have counted your votes.
Poll
Pipercabeth: 21
Percy/Apollo: 13
Percabeth: 7
Perlia: 6
Pereynabeth: 5
Pipercy: 5
Percy/Bianca: 4
Pereyna: 3
Perlianca: 3
Perachelbeth: 2
Pereylia: 2
Perlissse: 1
Pereyna: 1
Percy/Ares: 1
Perachel: 0
Other: (Say who)
Percy was stifling a yawn as the boat glided to a stop next to a small dock on the Brooklyn side of the river. In front of them was an industrial yard filled with piles of scrap metal and old construction equipment. In the centre of it all, right at the water's edge, rose a huge factory warehouse heavily painted with graffiti, the windows boarded up.
"That's not a mansion." Sadie said after a moment, blinking slowly.
Percy grinned despite her exhaustion, "It's magic."
"Look again children." Amos pointed to the top of the building as he plucked the fedora and coat from the steersman and hopped onto the land, and Percy grinned as she looked up, letting the adult take her hand as he helped her onto the dock, staring up at a five story mansion perched on top of the warehouse- and she had to admit, magic was super cool.
"H-how- how did you-" Carter's voice caught, "You couldn't build a mansion up there and- and why didn't we see it before-"
"I saw it." Percy piped.
"Yes." Amos flashed a wry smile, "But you knew to expect it little one-"
"Ugh." Sadie rolled her eyes "Just when I was starting to think that you weren't completely insufferable."
"Sadie." Amos' voice was chiding, "Now is not the time. Now, I think it's time we headed inside- we need somewhere private to speak."
"Why here?" Carter's voice was hesitant, "I mean-"
"Well for one thing it's nice, private- on the East of the river of course."
"Why does that matter?" Sadie's voice was curious.
"That's a good question Sadie. In ancient times, the east bank of the Nile was always the side of the living, the side where the sun rises. The dead were buried west of the river. It was considered bad luck, even dangerous, to live there. The tradition is still strong among...our people."
"Our people-" Carter started to ask before Sadie cut in.
"Does that mean that you can't live in Manhattan?"
"It-" Amos paused, glancing down at Percy, who's gaze automatically moved to the other side of the river- "It's a complicated situation- we've always known that Manhattan has other problems. It's not that we can't- but- it's better to stay away. For not at least."
"The Empire State Building." Percy's voice was quiet, "That's it isn't it?"
"I believe so- your mother probably knows more about that than me I'm sure you can ask her when she arrives-"
"What's so special about the Empire State Building?" Sadie frowned, "You're being all cryptic. It's annoying."
"Percy has certain connections to Manhattan-there's much to explain." Amos shook himself, "But first we must head inside." he led the way towards the metal staircase that wound all the way up the side of the warehouse to the mansion on the roof, gently pushing Percy ahead of him- which was probably for the best because even with her earlier nap she was still unsteady on her feet, and with Amos right behind her there was no chance of her slipping and falling as he was there when her less than steady feet slipped.
As they made their way up the steps Amos spoke again, "Well children. I'd like to welcome you all to the Twenty-first Nome."
"Gnome?" Carter's voice was confused, "Like those little runty guys?"
"Heavens, no," Amos said. "I hate gnomes. They smell horrible."
"But you said—"
"Nome, n-o-m-e. As in a district, a region. The term is from ancient times, when Egypt was divided into forty-two provinces. Today, the system is a little different. We've gone global. The world is divided into three hundred and sixty nomes. Egypt, of course, is the First. Greater New York is the Twenty-first."
"Dad told me about it." Percy piped up, glancing back at the others as she kept walking, "He said that he grew up here right? Brooklyn house. He said he wished he could bring us here." she could see Sadie and Carter exchanging looks, and Sadie twirling her finger by her head as if to say that they were crazy.
"Yes, well the circumstances have changed a bit- now I fear it may be the only safe place for you three." he paused- not even looking back "And no Sadie, I'm not crazy. There's much you need to learn."
"And Percy doesn't right?" Sadie's voice was slightly sarcastic with a tinge of bitterness.
"No. Percy doesn't need to learn- Julius made a choice, one which I understand, but it does mean that Percy knows many things that you two don't. It may not be fair but the world often isn't." as Amos spoke they reached the top of the stairs, and Percy took in the mansion with wide eyes, It was at least fifty feet tall, built of enormous limestone blocks and steel-framed windows. There were hieroglyphs engraved around the windows, and the walls were lit up so the place looked like a cross between a modern museum and an ancient temple.
Percy moved forward towards the entrance- which was the size of a garage door—a dark heavy square of timber with no visible handle or lock. Percy glanced at Amos- who didn't move to do anything so she started to reach into the Duat, intent on grabbing her staff- but Amos caught her hand, gripping it gently.
"No Percy. You have done enough for one day. No more magic for you without a good nights rest."
"But-"
"Carter." Amos spoke over her, "After you."
"Um-" Carter froze, he looked like a deer in headlights and Percy bit her lip as he turned his gaze to the door, "How do I-"
"How do you think?" and Percy was tempted to giggle at the look on her brothers face- she knew Carter better than anyone else, and Carter was probably only just stopping himself from making some rude comment- he had much better brain to mouth filters than she did- he'd be able to stop himself from saying what he was thinking even if he couldn't stop himself from showing it on his face- or maybe it was just how well Percy knew Carter that let her read his expressions.
Sadie snorted and rolled her eyes at that, but both girls watched as Carter's gaze shifted to the door again. And then he stretched out his arm, and Percy's back straightened, which made Amos gently squeeze her hand, an amused smile playing across his lips as Carter raised his hand ad the door slowly followed his movements- and okay Percy had to admit that was pretty impressive. She wasn't great at stuff like that- it took her a lot of focus and energy, the fact that Carter had never knowingly used his magic before and could do that- yeah it was impressive and Percy found herself beaming as she watched his eyes widen in surprise and Sadie gaped at him in shock.
"H-how..."
"I-" Carter hesitated, his face flushing as he suddenly looked embarrassed, "I don't know. Motion sensor, maybe?"
"You two are ridiculous." Percy grumbled the words as Amos stared- and he looked surprised- slightly worried even.
"Interesting. Not how I'd have done it but very good Carter. Remarkably good."
"Thanks, I think."
Sadie tried to go inside first, but as soon as she stepped on the threshold, Muffin wailed and almost clawed her way out of Sadie's arms.
Sadie stumbled backward. "What was that about, cat?"
"Oh, of course," Amos said. "My apologies." He put his hand on the cat's head and said, very formally, "You may enter."
"The cat needs permission?" Carter blinked.
"That cat does." Percy declared, looking at Muffin curiously- she hadn't exactly spent much time around the Goddess after all.
"Special circumstances." Amos added, walking inside, releasing Percy's hand as he did- though she followed close on his heels, with Carter and Sadie just steps behind her, this time Muffin didn't wail. Not that Percy would have noticed if she did. The room they'd stepped into was beautiful. The cedar-beamed ceiling was four stories high, held up by carved stone pillars engraved with hieroglyphs. A weird assortment of musical instruments and Ancient Egyptian weapons decorated the walls. Three levels of balconies ringed the room, with rows of doors all looking out on the main area. The fireplace was big enough to park a car in, with a plasma-screen TV above the mantel and massive leather sofas on either side. On the floor was a snakeskin rug, except it was forty feet long and fifteen feet wide—bigger than any snake. Outside, through glass walls, Percy could see the terrace that wrapped around the house. It had a swimming pool, a dining area, and a blazing fire pit. And at the far end of the Great Room was a set of double doors marked with the Eye of Horus, and chained with half a dozen padlocks.
But the real showstopper was the statue in the centre of the Great Room. It was thirty feet tall, made of black marble. It was of an Egyptian god, Percy could tell that instantly because the figure had a human body and an animal's head—like a stork or a crane, with a long neck and a really long beak. And based on the fact that it was inside- Percy was pretty sure she knew who it was.
The god was dressed ancient-style in a kilt, sash, and neck collar. He held a scribe's stylus in one hand, and an open scroll in the other, as if he had just written the hieroglyphs inscribed there: an ankh—the Egyptian looped cross—with a rectangle traced around its top.
Percy looked around in awe- sure she was used to seeing amazing things- but this... this was somehow different. This belonged to her family.
"Oh my god." Sadie sounded just as stunned as was expected- and Amos smiled slightly.
"Yes. This is the Great Room."
"I can see why." Carter breathed out, snagging Percy's wrist and pulling her in close to his side, sliding an arm around her- and Percy took the opportunity to grab at him- she'd done pretty well making her way up the steps without a word of complaint but her ankle was starting to ache again now- and her hands- and her whole body basically if she was honest- her nap had helped but it hadn't helped that much. She was pretty sure that she'd crash soon- and noticing that Carter tightened his grip on her.
Suddenly Sadie's voice cut through the quiet of the room, "That's it! Per Ankh!" she was pointing at the statue of Thoth, at the scroll, the hieroglyphs written on it. Percy could read it but only because she'd been taught about the Per Ankh. Sadie- Sadie would have probably never seen it before.
Carter looked stunned, "All right, how can you read that?"
"I don't know," she said. "But it's obvious, isn't it? The top one is shaped like the floor plan of a house."
"How did you get that? It's just a box."
"It's a house," she insisted. "And the bottom picture is the ankh, the symbol for life. Per Ankh—the House of Life."
"Sadie's got a gift with hieroglyph's I guess Carter
"Very good, Sadie." Amos looked impressed. "And this is a statue of the only god still allowed in the House of Life—at least, normally. Do you recognize him, Carter? Percy- don't say anything. I know Julius would have made sure you know all this-"
"Awe-" Percy pouted but she nodded, "I guess he did. But I mean, you should definitely know too Carter." she gave her big brother a grin and Carter hesitated before looking carefully at the statue.
"I- Thoth?" his voice was careful, "It's Thoth right? The god of knowledge. He invented writing."
"Indeed," Amos said.
"Why the animal heads?" Sadie asked. "All those Egyptian gods have animal heads. They look so silly."
"They don't normally appear that way," Amos said. "Not in real life."
"Real life?" Carter scoffed "Come on. You sound like you've met them in person."
"I suppose technically-" Amos' gaze flicked to Muffin, still in Sadie's arms, "But your father has more experience there- and Sally too-" his eyes flicked to Percy, who flushed a bright shade of red. "But that's not important right at this moment- the gods could appear in many forms. Usually fully human or fully animal, but occasionally as a hybrid form like this. They are primal forces, you understand, a sort of bridge between humanity and nature. They are depicted with animal heads to show that they exist in two different worlds at once. Do you understand?"
"Not even a little," Sadie said.
"Mmm." Amos didn't sound surprised. "Yes, we have much training to do. At any rate, the god before you, Thoth, founded the House of Life, for which this mansion is the regional headquarters. Or at least...it used to be. I'm the only member left in the Twenty-first Nome. Or I was, until you two came along."
"Hang on." Carter looked desperate. "What is the House of Life? Why is Thoth the only god allowed here, and why are you—"
"Carter, I understand how you feel." Amos smiled sympathetically. "But these things are better discussed in daylight. You need to get some sleep, and I don't want you to have nightmares, and I wish to talk to young Persephone privately before she goes to bed." he clapped his hands, "Khufu!"
And then a- monkey of some kind, Percy wasn't sure what, was there, clambering down the stairs wearing a L.A. Lakers jersey over it's golden fur.
"There you are. Khufu, can you show Carter and Sadie to their rooms. And I'll take this-" Amos snatched the work bag from Carter's hand despite his protests, "You'll get it back when the time is right. It will be for the best, I'll lock it in the library when I'm finished with Percy." and then without another word Amos was taking Percy's hand and pulling her away from Carter, whisking her off before her brother could protest.