In which Percy loves her sister, is an adorable person in general, and has a strange unpleasant dream.
Replies:
Thickneck: You shall have to wait and see.
Undeath9087: Odd, and yeah, Zia's the expert- you can just picture her chasing the Kane's wondering why she's the only one with common sense.
Ryan Fowler: They are wonderful sisters- as you shall see here.
Guest: I mean, currently he just has no idea- but I like to picture her just turning into an eagle just to say fuck you to him.
B99 Fan: Your string of reviewsmade me laugh.
Their arrival back at Brooklyn House, while eventful had gone well. Bast had revealed that the fire was caused by Ra's power. The scroll, it turned out, was part of the Book of Ra. Thankfully it seemed they'd been lucky- Bast had pointed out that if they kept up with their plan to wake Ra the next fires they set off might not be so harmless- and she'd managed to dial down the sensitivity of the scroll so that it wouldn't burst into flames at the faintest touch of any kind of energy.
And once Percy had spoken to her mom-who was back from whatever she'd been doing- really Percy would love to know where Sally kept disappearing to, she grabbed some cookies and headed to find Sadie- who Bast informed her had gone to her bedroom.
Percy knocked on the door when she reached Sadie's room, and the first two times she was ignored-but on the third time knocking Sadie opened the door, a scowl on her lips "What is i- Percy?"
"I wanted to make sure you were okay." she held up the plate that had the cookies on. "Wanna share some cookies?"
"I-" Sadie hesitated, her eyes flicking between Percy and the cookies before she stepped aside, letting Percy into her room, shutting the door behind her before moving to turn off her music quickly then facing Percy again, "You seriously came to share cookies?"
"You looked upset when you left." Percy stated simply. "What's wrong?"
"You-" Sadie stared at her for a moment before her expression softened and she moved to sit on the bed. "It's nothing."
"But you looked upset Sadie so it can't be nothing." Percy moved so that she dropped onto the bed next to Sadie, giving her sister a serious look.
"Oh-" Sadie let out a breath, shaking her head as she draped an arm over Percy's shoulder. "I messed up at the museum and Carter's annoyed with me. If Zia
hadn't been there then it would have gone so much worse and it would have been my fault-"
"But it didn't." Percy curled into Sadie's side, "It turned out okay and we got what we went there for right."
"Yeah, I guess so." and Sadie still looked sad. Which made Percy sad.
"Cookies will cheer you up." she held up the plate, blinking at Sadie- who let out a laugh and shook her head.
"How did I ever not like you?"
"Because you used to have poop instead of brains." Percy answered without even hesitating as Sadie grabbed a cookie. "Now you don't. So you love me, as you should."
"Don't push it shortie." Sadie flicked Percy's ear. "Thank you." she added after a moment, "For checking up on me. It's really sweet."
"Well you can't feel bad tonight." Percy declared, "It's your birthday tomorrow."
"You- You remembered."
"Of course I did." Percy paused, "Did you think I forgot?"
"I thought everyone forgot. Other than Bast." Sadie ducked her head, a sad look on her face, "I turn thirteen and no one's said anything. It sucks."
"You're 'sposed to be goin' to London tomorrow right? I think that's why mom hasn't said too much. She doesn't want you to feel like you gotta stay here when you want to go to London. I know she's got you a present. She said about baking you a cake but she figured you'd rather have your grandparents get you one."
"Sally's really sweet." Sadie let out a breath as she grabbed a cookie and took a bite. "And the woman does make the best cookies." she looked happier now,
"I wouldn't have said no to a cake- but I guess I get it." she snorted, "I don't even- I want to see them again. And my friends, it's just-" she groaned, combing her fingers through her hair. "I haven't seen Gran and Gramps since Christmas Eve and I'll still annoyed at them for the wedding thing. I would ask Carter to come with me but- he hates them."
"You don't wanna go alone." Percy paused, "What about Bast?"
"I feel like she'd threaten them-" Sadie paused suddenly, giving Percy a thoughtful look. "Could you come with me?" her voice was almost hopeful, "I know it's stupid and you probably don't wanna see my grandparents or my friends but-"
"I can come." Percy smiled widely. It still made her feel warm inside, knowing that Sadie wanted her around.
"Awesome." Sadie hugged her tightly before pulling back, "Thanks for the cookies." she paused, "We should both try and get some sleep."
"Right." Percy's smile didn't falter- and she kept it up until she left Sadie's room.
Sleep. That was something that had been getting harder and harder for her to get- at least decent sleep anyway. Percy wasn't sure if it was just nightmares- with everything going on that'd be pretty normal, or if there was more too it. But most nights she heard whispers in her dreams, words she could just barely make out.
She knew she should probably mention it to someone- her mom, or to Carter or Sadie but- she didn't want them to worry about her. It was just dreams. And when morning came they always seemed to fade away- they were hard to grasp, she couldn't remember much other than the feeling of fear.
No. No she didn't want to go to bed yet-but maybe- she nodded to herself and headed to her bedroom, changing into her pajamas before she headed to the kitchen. No one else seemed to be around- the others were all probably in their own beds or doing other things.
Luckily Percy wouldn't need any help. She'd baked cakes before with her mom. And Sadie had said that she'd have liked a cake.
And so Percy got to work, cracking eggs, measuring flour, sugar, all of the ingredients that she'd need, turning on the oven as she prepared the mix,
rummaging through the cupboards until she found the cake pans- it took her a long time- hours, but when she was done with her baking- and decorating she decided she was quite happy with the results, it wasn't as good as one of her mom's cakes, but it was good- covered with white buttercream icing, with the words 'Happy Birthday Sadie' piped onto it in blue, and in black Percy had carefully drawn a Tyet.
By the time she was done Percy was yawning as she sat down at the kitchen table- maybe she should just rest her eyes for a few seconds- and before she'd even made up her mind Percy's eyes were fluttering closed and she was drifting off.
And unfortunately, as usual these days Percy found herself surrounded by darkness, a vast blackness that was almost as terrifying to the nine year old as a tight closed in space.
"H-Hello?" she called out hesitantly- though she wasn't sure if she would rather be alone or hear that voice again-probably the former if she was being honest with herself- but still being alone wasn't much fun either.
"Hello little one." the voice was low, deep- like an echo in some deep cavern. It made the hairs on her arms stand on end.
"W-why can't you leave me alone? Who are you? Is this even real."
"What does it matter if it is or isn't real little one?" the voice was almost- Percy wasn't sure, somehow it sounded both mocking and as if it was trying to sound comforting all at once. "You know what's to come-"
"I dunno what you mean-"
"Will you be brave and foolish? What will you do for those you love little one. Child of two worlds- the power you hold- yes. Yes you will do-"
"Who are you?" Percy spun around uselessly- all she could see was blackness. "What do you want from me?!"
"You'll see soon, little one. The true question is- when the time comes, will you have the strength to protect your loved ones. To do what you must do?"
"I don't understand-"
"Hush now my brave little warrior. The time will come. It will come soon."
Then the voice was gone, and Percy was alone, alone surrounded by endless darkness.
She opened her mouth, screaming as loudly as she could- and the scream faded uselessly in the black emptiness that seemed to suck up everything.
She shook her head, she had to try- even if she knew it was useless she had to try and get out if the stupid dream.
She started running- sprinting through the endless dark in which nothing changed- then after what felt like hours she felt a hand on her shoulder and she
jerked upwards, eyes shooting open, a panicked look on her face as she whirled around, ready to summon her khopesh and- her eyes widened in shock before a smile split across her face when her gaze focused on the familiar figure looking down at her.
"Uncle Amos!" and the man looked far better than he had the last time she'd seen him, he'd regained the weight he'd lost, and his eyes had a warm twinkle in them. And he was as fashionably dressed as ever. He wore wire-rimmed glasses, a porkpie hat, and a black wool Italian suit that made him seem a bit less short and stout. His long hair was braided in cornrows decorated with pieces of glittering black stone—obsidian, perhaps. He might've passed for a jazz musician (which he was) or an African American Al Capone (which he wasn't).
Percy moved quickly, throwing her arms around the man's shoulders and Amos gently wrapping his arms around her in return. "It's good to see you again
Percy."
"I didn't know you were coming back."
"I hoped to surprise you all." Amos smiled warmly, pulling back slightly before his expression shifted, "Percy- I wanted to say that I'm sorry- for what-"
"You didn't do anything. Set was a stinky head and he used you to do bad things but you weren't the one who did them." Percy stated firmly, which made Amos relax.
"I have missed you children." he admitted. "Very much." his eyes flicked behind Percy and his lips twitched again. "It seems like someone didn't go to bed last night though."
"I-" Percy blushed, "Mom wasn't making one 'cause Sadie's going to London tomorrow-and so am I now but Sadie said she'd have kind of liked one so-
"I'm sure she'll love it." Amos squeezed her shoulder very gently. "Why don't we go and wake her up so you can give it to her- I'm sure she'll appreciate it. And it is about time for her to wake up." he glanced at the clock and Percy followed his gaze- he was right it was seven in the morning- and with the time difference between New York and London- Sadie wouldn't want to get there late.
Percy nodded, carefully picking up the plate that held the cake- grinning when Amos grabbed a few plates and a knife to cut it, and she carefully carried it up to Sadie's room- she could hear some initiates moving around but it was still early. Most of them were in bed still.
Amos let them into Sadie's room, the man smiled as he shut the door behind them while Percy moved to set the cake down on Sadie's dresser before she darted towards the bed, jumping on it- "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" and Sadie jerked awake with what could only be described as a shriek, her eyes wide as she almost fell out of the bed.
"What the fuck?!"
"Happy Birthday Sadie! I baked you a cake-"
"You-" Sadie focused on Percy, "You made me a cake-"
"She did." Amos chuckled, "I found her asleep in the kitchen, must have stayed up most of the night baking it. And it looks pretty good I must admit."
As Amos spoke Percy quickly scrambled off the bed and grabbed the cake, rushing back so that Sadie could see it. And Sadie grinned widely, "That's the best present I've ever gotten Percy." she hesitated before, "Can we eat some cake and talk." She looked at Amos, "I just had a really worrying dream."