In which Percy knows how to play men like Antinous- after all if she could fake it with Alabaster she can fake anything. Also- I would like you all to just picture Annabeth stood there resisting the temptation to get physically violent. Also- I'm just saying now Percy could have got the information on her own if given the chance.
Replies:
Thickneck: I think it's more just wrapping up their stories and such after so much time dedicated to this- over a year. And I mean, let's be honest BoO had some great scenes but it wasn't the best of the books. I love my Reyanca stuff- it's the other stuff I struggle with.
Undeath9087: Thank you, that means a lot. And yeah- after all she knows Odysseus and she's heard about the suitors from him personally so she knows more than even Annabeth. Also- they may not realise it but Percy knows how to get what she needs these days.
Noir Nyan: Messy is the word- I agree there.
Guest: I hope so- I love my Reynanca stuff- it's just the other stuff I don't feel as confident with. Some of it anyway.

Percy watched as the dead party goers roared with approval, and she pulled a disgusted face as Antinous called out, "Any more statues?" And when there were no more offerings he called, "No? Then I guess we'll have to wait for some real gods to sacrifice!"

"Ugh." Percy pulled a face as his comrades laughed and applauded as the ghost plopped himself down at the nearest feast table.

Percy noticed Jason clenching his his walking stick tightly. "That guy just disintegrated my dad. Who does he think he is?"

"I think that's Antinous right?" Annabeth glanced at Percy, "You said that Odysseus told you a lot-"

"Yep." Percy nodded, "He was the first of them to die- and he deserved it. He tried to have Telechmaus murdered- the only reason he survived was your mothers help." she directed that at Annabeth. "He also harassed Penelope a lot." and that was something else that infuriated Percy- given her past experiences. The idea of some asshole trying to force someone made her lose her temper. Odysseus did the right thing when he shot him through the neck with that arrow."

Piper winced. "You'd think that would keep a guy down. What about all the others? Why are there so many?"

"I don't know" Annabeth said. "Newer recruits for Gaea, I guess. Some must've come back to life before we closed the Doors of Death. Some are just spirits."

"Some are ghouls," Jason said. "The ones with the gaping wounds and the grey skin, like Antinous … I've fought their kind before."

Piper tugged at her braid, frowning, "Can they be killed?"

"Not easily." Jason shook his head, "They're strong and fast and intelligent. Also, they eat human flesh."

"So what you're saying is that we basically have some real life zombies out there." Percy gave a wry smile, "Sounds fun."

"You would say that." Annabeth's lips twitched, "But I don't think we have any option except sticking to the plan. Split up, infiltrate, find out why they're here and if things go bad-"

"We use the backup plan-"

"It's a great plan."

"It is not a great plan." Jason Percy an incredulous look, "You're ridiculous."

And- okay so maybe it was a bit of a dangerous back up plan. Before they left the ship, Leo had given each of them an emergency flare the size of a birthday candle. Supposedly, if they tossed one in the air, it would shoot upward in a streak of white phosphorus, alerting the Argo II that the team was in trouble. At that point the four demigods would have a few seconds to take cover before the ship's catapults fired on their position, engulfing the palace in Greek fire and bursts of Celestial bronze shrapnel.

"It'll be fine-"

"You are far too relaxed about this-"

"You guys forget, I actually know how to fit in amongst these guys- I spent months chilling out with dead guys from their time. And I know how to get information. If I can handle the shit that went down in the pit I can handle this."

"You don't get information by bashing people over the head." Piper sounded amused, but Annabeth had a slightly curious look on her face.

"This should be interesting- but you're not going in there alone-"

"Ugh." Percy rolled her eyes, "Come on guys I could handle it-"

"No." Jason shook his head, "No way Percy."

"Ugh, you guys are ridiculous." But Percy was aware that this wasn't a fight she could win.

"We're doing this together. And- be careful okay, all three of you."

"We will be." Piper kissed Jason's cheek, and Jason gave her a soft smile-and Percy turned her head to look at Annabeth, a smile playing across her own lips.

"These suitors are the types to get handsy Wise Girl- I don't like it any more than you do but please don't try and chop any hands off-"

"I can handle them getting handsy with me." Annabeth looked offended for a second- but Percy snorted.

"Wise Girl, I was more getting at the fact that you've been jumping out of your skin every time I so much as hinted at being uncomfortable for the past two days- the sight of some creep grabbing my ass- I don't want you losing your shit I can handle it."

"I-" Annabeth paused, "I did not actually think about what I'd do if they grabbed at you- are you sure I can't chop off their fingers at least-"

"Only if you want to ruin our cover."

And with that said they split up, and Percy slipped in and joined the ghosts very easily, Percy smiling warmly as she deftly stole a tray of food, moving throughout the ghosts- making a beeline for Antinous, shooting him a fake shy smile, ducking her head as she offered up the tray of food, her eyes taking him in carefully.

He looked even worse up close than he did from a distance- his eyes were a solid yellow, his lips stretched paper-thin over wolfish teeth. His dark curly hair looked like it was disintegrating almost, but Percy realised that a steady stream of dirt was trickling from Antinous's scalp, spilling over his shoulders. Clods of mud filled the old sword gashes in the ghoul's grey skin. More dirt spilled from the base of the arrow wound in his throat. That meant that Gaea was keeping him alive- for lack of a better word, was holding him together.

She focused quickly as he snatched a chunk of cheese, his eyes flicking Percy up and down, a lecherous grin on his face.

"Well aren't you a pretty one-"

"Thank you my lord." Percy fake giggled, "You flatter me."

"I do love a pretty serving girl." his hand was twitching, as if he wanted to reach out and grab at her- ugh. Some men had zero tact.

Was it any wonder that Penelope had been so against it all. "Shall I fetch you some wine my lord?"

"I can think of something I'd much prefer to wine." he popped the cheese into his mouth- and Percy had to wonder how he'd deal with actually swallowing. Ugh, that was a gross thought. Though not as gross as Percy was sure it would go.
He grabbed the platter from her hand, as Percy had half expected- tossing it to the side- which caused a roar of laughter from the other ghosts- and he grabbed Percy's wrist, yanking her down- gripping her chin- and out of the corner of her eye Percy could see how tense Annabeth had gone, the way her eyes were glued to Percy.

And Piper looked pretty worried too, though she hid it better.

Percy forced herself to focus on the present though, letting out a little shocked noise, "My lord I couldn't-"

"I insist." his other hand moved, resting on her ass- and gods but she wanted to break his face. Still, it wasn't as bad as Alabaster. Nothing would ever be as bad as Alabaster, so she let him haul her in close, so that she could perch on his knees, biting her lip and fluttering her lashes at him.

"My lord- so forward-"

"Call me Antinous." his voice was probably what he thought was seductive. "Gaea must really want to please us if she sends us pretty souls like you."

"My job is to serve." Percy reached up, giving him a little smile as she brushed a stray curl out of her face. "I would never presume anything." and this was good- Antinous was slathering over her like a dog- pathetic but useful, very, very useful. Admittedly she did not like the way his hand was resting on her knee, slowly moving upward, pulling the skirt of her chiton with it slowly.

Thankfully a distraction came in the form of old man Jason- the son of Jupiter had reached the edge of the crowd- and Antinous had spotted him, "Iros!" and really- did he have to yell right into her ear? But at least it seemed that the Mist was doing what Hazel had wanted it to do- they were seeing what they expected. "Is that you, you old beggar?"

And Jason met Percy's gaze- there was a hint of uncertainty in them- and Percy's mind was racing. She gave a very slight nod- it wasn't perfect but if they thought they saw Iros then that would work- he'd been their errand boy- it meant they weren't likely to kill him at least. Not if he played his cards right.

"That's me." Jason called back, "Iros!"

A dozen more ghosts twisted to look at him- some of them scowled slightly gripping the hilts of their glowing purple swords- Percy forced herself not to panic. They weren't attacking- it was still manageable, she forced herself not to let her fear and the tension in her body show how worried she was as Jason hobbled forward, his expression turning rather cranky looking. "Guess I'm late to the party. I hope you saved me some food."

One of the ghosts sneered in disgust. "Ungrateful old panhandler. Should I kill him, Antinous?"

Percy saw Jason tensing- she could hardly blame him- and she felt Antinous squeeze her thigh, pulling her closer and whispering in her ear.

"And what do you think pretty one?"

"He's just a beggar." she whispered back, faking a flirty grin, "It'd be a shame to make a mess with him don't you think my lord?"

And Antinous laughed, tossing his head back, "Hm... perhaps you're right my beauty- Iros you're lucky. I'm in a good mood today. Come, join me at my table- feast your eyes on my latest little prize." he shifted, still gripping Percy tightly as he slid a golden goblet and a platter of food across the table. "I didn't expect to see you here Iros. But I suppose even a beggar can sue for retribution. Drink. Eat. As long as you don't touch what's mine."

No twitching. No lashing out, no punching. Percy had been through worse she could handle this.

Still it was so very incredibly gross that she didn't even have the words for it.

She watched Jason, masking her concern with curiosity- he had to sell the act- he seemed to hesitate for just a second before a look of determination appeared on his face and he ripped off a chunk of meat with his fingers and stuffed it into his mouth, guzzling down some of the wine- Percy could see the disgust in his eyes but he made a good show of it and Percy resisted the urge to smile proudly.

"Yum." Jason wiped his mouth, "Now tell me about this... what did you call it? Retribution? Where do I sign up?"

The ghosts all laughed at that- pushing at Jason's shoulder, he rocked back slightly, a flash of worry in his eyes, though he hid it very quickly.

Antinous shifted, his hands moving again, resting on Percy's hips, pulling her slightly closer as he leaned forward "Tell me, Iros, hat do you have to offer? We don't need you to run messages for us like in the old days. Certainly you aren't a fighter. As I recall, Odysseus crushed your jaw and tossed you into the pigsty."

Percy could almost see Jason's brain working as he put the pieces together.

"You made Iros- You made me fight Odysseus. You bet money on it. Even when Odysseus took off his shirt and you saw how muscular he was … you still made me fight him. You didn't care if I lived or died!" and Percy felt fingers digging into her hips tighter as Antinous based his pointed teeth.

"Of course I didn't care! I still don't. But you're here so Gaea must have had a reason to allow you back into the mortal world. Tell me, why are you worthy of a share in our spoils."

'What spoils?'

Antinous spread his hands. "The entire world, my friend. The first time we met here, we were only after Odysseus's land, his money and his wife."

"Especially his wife!" A bald ghost in ragged clothes elbowed Jason in the ribs. "That Penelope was a hot little honey cake!"

And Percy shifted, pulling a disdainful face, moving as if to pull away from Antinous, only for him to pull her closer. "Now now pretty. No need to get jealous- you don't have to do anything other than look pretty. I think I want to keep you-"

"Was she prettier than me?"

"Not even close." Antinous smirked, "You're something else. I think Gaea must have brought you back just for me."

"I doubt that." the bald ghost rolled his eyes, "That was always your problem, friend. You don't have a lick of tact in your body." and Percy resisted the urge to smirk.

Now that she could use.