Hello guys, I hope you enjoy this chapter, which is actually pretty peaceful all things considered. Also, Sadie and Percy are adorable when they're being nice.
Replies:
Ryan Fowler: Well here you go. Here's more.
Undeath9087: Percy is just there like 'He may be an asshole but he saved my life guys! Twice!' which yes will come up again later. And yeah, I can see why that would be jarring.
MKDemigodzilla-Warrior: I've said this before but I shall clarify again- the PJO stuff doesn't even start until Percy is twelve. The KC plotline will be ending while Percy is ten so the actual plotlines won't intersect if that makes sense.
Guest: All of the gods have gone back to the Duat, And the Poseidon Chapter will come at the end of the KC plotline if that makes sense.
Anonymous: The KC series takes place over the course of around nine months so I mean they've got a lot of work to do.
Percy didn't know how long she slept- but when she woke up, still aching all over, she was led on the couch, a warm blanket draped over her.
She groaned softly, lifting her head slightly and looking around- she quickly recognised where they were- Brooklyn House- someone must have carried Percy inside.
Admittedly it was still very much a mess- a burned out wreck, but someone had already made an effort to set up a temporary sleeping area. In the clearest part of the room, under an intact section of roof, there were seven mounds of pillows and sheets set up as sleeping places.
Percy winced as she pushed herself up so that she was sitting- she noticed that her clothes had been changed- she was in a loose fitting nightgown now- and there were lots of bandages- the stark white of the one wrapped around her arm drew her attention- and when she looked down at her leg she could see that someone had strapped her ankle up with a makeshift splint.
She pressed her lips together as she looked around- she couldn't see anyone else right now but she could hear voices outside of the room.
Percy glanced around, pressing her lips together before she gave a small nod to herself and started to push herself up off the couch- only to yell and topple back onto it when she heard, "Don't even think about it!" and she turned her head quickly, gaze focusing on Zia, who was stood in the doorway suddenly, her eyes narrowed.
"What?! I wasn't doing anything-"
"Your mother nearly had a heart attack when she saw how battered you were. You have broken bones and you just didn't tell anyone!"
"I-" Percy blinked, "Sorry?"
"Your mother said that you're going to keep your butt on that sofa until she says otherwise- and you were covered in cuts and bruises."
"I mean- we did have to fight a god-" Percy paused, focusing properly on the older girl- she looked somewhat pale and tired- and there was a cut on the side of her face next to her eye- and bruises all around it, "How are you feeling? How long was I out."
"I feel much better now- your mother gave me some potion to help with the healing- my ribs were broken- much like yours actually but they're already healing well. As for how long- I woke up perhaps a few hours after we got home- you were asleep for over a day."
"Oooh." Percy winced, "That sounds-"
"You nearly burned yourself out Persephone." Zia's expression was just filled with disapproval-and Percy felt her face going bright red.
"I didn't mean to- I mean- we were fighting Set-"
"And after that when you summoned the boat?" Zia just raised an eyebrow.
"I wanted to get us home as fast as possible- we were all tired-"
"And that was not your responsibility- it may have taken longer but Sally would have been able to get us all home some other way." Zia was crouching slightly in front of Percy, reaching out and gently squeezing her shoulder, "Try to remember that."
"Yeah yeah." Percy let out a little huff, rolling her eyes, "I'll remember that." she paused, "Everyone else is okay right? Where are they?"
"Your mother is with Carter and Sadie- they've started trying to clear things up. It may take some time."
"You don't say." Percy looked around, shaking her head. "It's kinda a mess." she hesitated, "Is- is uncle Amos- I mean- he didn't look so good."
"He-" Zia looked hesitant, "He's- I don't believe the issue is physical. What Set did- it damaged his mind and soul. Your mother is doing everything she can for him but it's still early days."
"I want to see them." Percy decided after a moment, "I want to see my mom and Carter and Sadie right now. I don't care that my ankle is broken I need to see them." because it was over- they were finally safe and she needed to see that, needed to see that they were fine despite everything.
"Percy-"
"Zia I swear if you try to stop me I will turn you into a fruitbat-"
"What is it with you Kanes and fruitbats?" Zia let out a laugh despite Percy's threat, shaking her head, "Fine, but only if you allow me to help you." she moved closer, holding out a hand, and Percy took it, sucking in a sharp breath as Zia helped her rise to her feet- and the other girl didn't even give her a chance to put any pressure on the injured ankle, sliding an arm under Percy's shoulder, pulling her arm over her shoulder.
Once Percy was safely standing they moved together, Zia leading the way- Carter, Sadie and Sally were together in the kitchens when they reached them- and it was Sadie who spotted them first, grinning widely.
"Percy, you're awake." her voice was pleased, and Percy grinned back at the other girl, "You had us all super worried when you collapsed."
"Yes you did." Sally's voice was tight as she turned around, crossing her arms over her chest and giving Percy a disapproving look, "You should have told us that you were so hurt. You nearly burned yourself out sweetheart- you have a broken ankle, and broken ribs- and that cut on your arm I-" she shook her head, "I mean- you could have died."
"I'll be fine mom."
"Yes, you will. Because you're resting for the next week." Sally was moving quickly, taking Percy from Zia and guiding her towards the island in the centre of the kitchen to sit down at one of the chairs- which Sadie pulled out for her- and the kitchen was in surprisingly good condition- Percy was pretty sure that they must have been working on it- which made sense, they could live in the Great Room for a while until the rest of the mansion was repaired, but they were going to need food.
"But mom I want to help you guys-"
"You can do that once the weeks up." Carter piped up, "Like mom said, you nearly burned yourself up. No magic for you."
"Oh come on-" Percy's gaze shifted to Sadie- she seemed to be the most likely one to back Percy up with this- after all she hated being told what to do too. "Pleaaase."
"Oh fuck no." Sadie laughed, holding up her hands, "I am not gonna argue with them about this Percy. You're on your own."
"And suddenly I no longer love you all-"
"Oof." Sadie clutched her chest dramatically, "Your words, they have mortally wounded me. However shall I recover from such cruelty-"
"Screw you." Percy poked her tongue out at Sadie- which earned her a light clip to the ear from Sally.
"Persephone Ariadne Kane, play nice." Sally was smiling widely though, and she pressed her lips to the top of Percy's head. "You're lucky you know?"
"I don't feel very lucky." Percy pouted, "You're basically putting me on bed rest for a week-"
"Except, y'know, you don't have a bed." Sadie spoke up with a playful grin, "So it's more like couch rest."
"Can't you just do me a potion and magically fix me up mom?"
"My magic was strained by everything that happened." Sally shook her head, "I won't be using too much for the next few days sweetie- I do have some poultices that will help with the cuts and bruises- you've got those on already but- the broken bones are harder to fix- I've made some potions but they're not as strong as my usual ones." as she spoke Sally moved towards one of the cupboards over the sink, opening it up and pulling down a glass bottle, "Carter, grab me out a glass please."
And Carter moved to another cupboard, quickly fetching a glass for Sally, who filled it halfway with the soft blue liquid in the bottle before handing it to Carter,
"Thank you honey. Give that to your sister."
And Percy took it from Carter very gratefully, tipping it down her throat and swallowing- and she was very relieved by the warmth that flowed through her, the ache easing from almost unbearable to bearable- she was still in pain but it would get better. "That's better. Thank you mom."
"Well it's all I have for now. I think I'll pick up some normal pain medication later- just to tide us over while I can't make too many potions. Besides-" Sally glanced up at the clock on the wall, "It's seven- and I think we've done a pretty good job today. The kitchen's back in one piece- though the electrics aren't all reconnected yet, and at least, we can start working on the next floor tomorrow- and possibly the terrace and the pool- I'd like to get those fixed up if we can- the plumbing's all damaged so we only just have running water in the kitchen- at least if we have the pool it'll help Percy heal faster. As it is the best we can manage is washing from the sink for a few days at least and that won't do enough."
"Sounds like a plan." Carter nodded, leaning on the island, "And I am hungry-"
"Unfortunately." Sadie piped up, "We don't actually have any food left here. We're out of the cereal that Khufu managed to salvage for us."
"Where is Khufu?"
"He'll be with Muffin and Amos." Sadie's expression turned pained. "He took them to a quiet room that's safe enough upstairs- he's taking care of them."
"Zia said Uncle Amos is-"
"He's going to need time." Sally's voice was gentle and she moved to lay her hand on Percy's shoulder, squeezing it very lightly, "We will help him through this but it's not a wound that I can heal." she pressed her lips to the top of Percy's head again, "Now, kids, since we don't have any food in the house, how do you guys feel about pizza?"
"Pizza?" Percy perked up, her eyes widening, "Pizza sounds awesome."
"I could eat twelve pizzas." Sadie said quickly.
"Pizza's good for me."
"I haven't had pizza before." Zia added, "But since the others seem so excited I think I'd like to try some too."
"Wonderful." Sally smiled at them, "Carter, you come with me to help me carry it all, I think we'll be ordering quite a lot of pizzas.
"May I come too?" Zia asked after a moment, "I don't know what I would want on it."
"Of course." Sally paused, eyeing Percy and Sadie, "Can I trust you two to behave while we're gone?"
"Of course." Percy nodded, "I don't have the energy to do too much anyway."
"And as much as I usually like causing trouble... I don't want to now." Sadie admitted. "I'll look after Percy-"
"I'm not a baby." Percy pouted, "I don't need looking after-"
"Of course you don't." Sally nodded, brushing her fingers through Percy's hair again. "Right, now what does everyone want on their pizza?"
"Pepperoni." Sadie said quickly, "Lots of pepperoni."
"Meat." Percy declared, "Lots of meat mom."
"As if I didn't already know yours." Sally laughed softly. "Carter, Zia, you can decide on the way. We'll get Amos pepperoni too. Most people like it so hopefully he'll at least eat some. And I'll pop into the shop- pick up some basics- we don't have a working fridge or freezer right now but we'll sort that tomorrow hopefully."
"Sounds like a good plan." Carter spoke up, grabbing Zia's hand, "C'mon let's go get out coats from the Great Room."
And within a few minutes Sally, Carter and Zia were gone- and Percy listened to their retreating footsteps until she heard the thud of the door to the entrance being closed.
"They'll be fine." Sadie said suddenly- she must have noticed how Percy had been listening to them leave.
"I know." Percy exhaled slowly, slumping in her chair. "Just... be nice to be together for more than five minutes y'know?"
"We will be." Sadie's voice was soft, "We're a family right. And family sticks together doesn't it?"
Percy paused at that, straightening up, "Does that mean you're gonna stay here? With us? I-" she faltered- she wasn't sure what she'd expected Sadie to do.
After all now that it was over- for the time being at least- well she'd be able to go back to England without worrying about the Faust's getting hurt.
And England was Sadie's home. She'd basically spent her entire childhood there hadn't she? She had a place that was a home- unlike Percy. To Percy her family was her home. And Sadie had become her family too, in a way she'd never been before. No matter how much Percy had wanted her to be.
"Where else would I go?" Sadie gave Percy a confused look.
"Back to England. That's your home right? You have friends there and everything-"
"Eh." Sadie gave a small shrug, "I figure I can get you to summon up one of those boats- or maybe I can portal there to visit. No way am I leaving you guys now. Not after everything-" she was cut off by Percy lurching out of the chair and colliding with her- and Sadie wrapper her arms around Percy. "You didn't think I'd run off back to England and forget about you guys did you? No way- I just got my own personal baby sister, I'm making the most of this. I get to be the bad influence-"
"Bad influence?" Percy raised an eyebrow, "Do I look like I need a bad influence?"
"Good point- still, we can be rebels together." Sadie winked and flipped her red tipped hair over her shoulder, "Think I should go bright red all over?"
"Hah!" Percy laughed, "Nah, your hair looks cool as it is. I wish I could do mine like that."
"Well, not everyone is as awesome as me." Sadie grinned as she draped her arm over Percy's shoulder.
"You are pretty awesome." Percy smiled softly at Sadie. "The best big sister ever."