And we get some more of the Percy Ethan show lol.
Undeath9087: Yeah, Percy would be screaming and throwing things because gods damn it they were about to have a moment!
Jubby1905: That is essentially what Percy would say.
Guest: I won't claim to fully understand how it works, but I mean it's a bright sunny day in a wide open place and Bianca needs to be able to both be in shadow, and be close enough to bring the Parthenos and the others with her which would be somewhat awkward given the fact that they're high up away from any shadows on the ground with no reasonable way of getting the Parthenos down quickly. And I believe only Bianca has to be in shadow. And yeah fire can hurt werewolves- Leo used it against them during their run in.
Percy was glad for a little break- Frank and Piper had gone gone on land- they'd headed to Pylos, both because apparently Franks ancestors had told him to go there, and also because they needed some mysterious poison from the island.
Percy had needed to stay on the ship anyway- there was a giant red sea serpent swimming off the port side of their ship, it wasn't doing anything bad or trying to attack but, well there was always the slight risk that it might attack if she left. The daughter of Poseidon's presence could easily be holding it off.
Besides, Will had temporarily grounded both her and Leo, Leo was healing- and he was healing very well all things considered but still. And Percy, well she'd drained herself quite a lot during her fit of rage towards Nike.
She hummed to herself, leaning back slightly, stretching her back as she tilted her head back, enjoying the warmth of the sun on her face. It really was the best feeling, the sea beneath, the sun above.
She didn't turn her head when she heard footsteps- they were familiar. And she'd admit she was so very hyper aware these days. It wasn't exactly normal to be able to recognise someones footsteps in the way that she could. "Hey Ethan."
"You know, that's real creepy Jackson." and at that Percy did turn her head, watching as the son of Nemisis sat down next to her. "I don't know how you do that."
"I'm just that good." Percy remarked lightly. "So, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"
"Eh, figured I'd come and say hi when I saw you sat here. I would ask how you're doing but-"
"But that's a dumb question?" Percy gave him a wry grin. "Hey, I made it back from Tartarus and lived to tell the tale. And- I won't pretend I'm all perfect these days but I'm dealing okay I think." she shifted, moving her gaze back towards the sea- and it really was beautiful, almost sparkling in the sunlight.
"Thank you." Ethan said the words after a long moment, and Percy turned her head to look at him again, raising an eyebrow.
"For what Nakamura?"
"Killing him." Ethan gave a tight smile, "I haven't forgot how that son of a bitch stabbed me when I was supposed to be protecting Estelle. I failed to protect her. I haven't forgiven myself for that. I'm not even sure if I can." he shook his head, "But... you managed to kill him. I know you were the one with the most reason to fear him but- a part of me was afraid of him too Percy. So thank you."
"I did it because it felt good-"
"I bet it did." Ethan bumped his shoulder against hers. "Don't forget, my mothers the goddess of revenge. Believe me whatever you did to him, I have zero doubt that he deserved it. And I know it can feel pretty good."
Percy's lips twitched into a faint smile. "It did." she conceded, "Which should probably worry me-"
"Eh, we've all got a bit of darkness in us." Ethan declared, "Nothing wrong with that Jackson." he smirked, "Just as long as you don't go asking me for vodka to drown out the guilt or pain." he looked incredibly amused as he said that, and Percy groaned, unable to stop her laughter as she shook her head, "Seriously. One time."
"On a quest-"
"You were drinking too-"
"Yes, but I didn't then go and drink enough wine to drown an elephant with Hercules."
"It was good wine!" Percy shoved his shoulder. "Stop making fun of me or I'll shove you into the water."
"Oooh, how cruel of you." Ethan mocked, "You truly have gone evil, making threats like that- why I should- AHHHH!" he yelped and flailed- because Percy was shoving him off of the ship.
Percy leaned forward, smirking as she watched him fall towards the water- though she made sure that when he hit the surface of the water it wouldn't be a hard hit- after all they were far enough up that it was a genuine concern. For Percy it would be fine, for a normal person it would be a painful impact, probably break a couple of bones.
Instead the water rose up slightly to catch him, and she smirked down at Ethan as he splashed and glared up at her- and even from this distance she could see that he was flipping his finger up at her.
Percy grinned, waving down at him. "Shouldn't have teased me!"
"Who was teasing you now?" And Percy turned her head, grinning slightly as her gaze focused on Rachel- and gods but she still loved that sight.
She knew Annabeth was below deck talking strategy with the others whilst Percy kept watch, but Rachel had clearly gotten bored and wandered onto the deck- and she did look very pretty, stood there smiling at Percy, her red hair burning in the sunlight, eyes shining with amusement. "Well if it isn't my dear Daredevil. No one you need to-"
"FUCKING GET ME UP YOU BITCH!" the voice from below was faint, but Percy couldn't manage to keep a straight face.
"I'm not apologising."
"Is that-" Rachel moved to peer over the edge of the ship and she laughed, "You're so mature Percy. What did Ethan do."
"He teased me despite my warnings."
"You should probably bring him back up." Rachel was pulling Percy in close, her lips twitching slightly.
"And what's in it for me-"
"Hmmm-" and then Rachel's lips were on hers and Percy felt a slightly giddy feeling, she slid her arms around Rachel's shoulders, humming into the kiss.
She also formed a platform of water below, and she raised it quickly, and Ethan flicked some of the water at her as he hopped off it.
"You two are disgusting." He remarked casually before, "And you might want to stop making out before Frank and Piper get back."
And Percy pouted, pulling away from him, craning her neck to see the others, they were a little further down the Argo II-but they were climbing aboard and Percy laughed as she heard Piper calling; "What did he do?"
"He was rude!" Percy called back, waving a hand to dry Ethan off before she and Rachel moved towards the others, "How'd it go anyway."
"Pretty well." Frank gave a small smile, "We should probably call the others on deck to talk about everything-"
"I'll run and tell Leo to call everyone up." Rachel pressed her lips to Percy's cheek, "Love you Percy."
And it didn't take long for the others to gather on the foredeck-and Percy perched on the railings, glancing down at the sea serpent that she'd been keeping an eye on, it really was bright red.
Luke noticed she was distracted, kicking her ankle- and Percy glared at him. "You may be my brother but I will stab you."
"Pay attention the- oh gods I sound like a teacher." Luke looked horrified.
"Anyway-" Frank raised his voice slightly to be heard over Percy and Luke, "According to my Pylos cousins, the chained god we're looking for in Sparta is my dad... uh, I mean Ares, not Mars. Apparently the Spartans kept a statue of him chained up in their city so the spirit of war would never leave them."
"Oo-kay," Leo said. "The Spartans were freaks. Of course, we've got Victory tied up downstairs, so I guess we can't talk."
Jason leaned against the forward ballista. "On to Sparta, then. But how does a chained god's heartbeat help us find a cure for dying?
"Not a clue." Nico spoke up when everyone looked at him- after all Death was more his domain than Hazels. "My dad doesn't exactly like that sort of thing though. I doubt he was happy." he shifted, leaning into Will's side. "I feel like that's closer to your dad's deal."
"I don't know." Will frowned, "It does sound kind of familiar I think." he paused. "Didn't- I think my dad have a demigod son," he was clearly thinking very quickly, "I can't remember his name but I think he cured some follower of Artemis, brought him back to life and was struck down by Zeus. I remember Michael once telling me I'd be the next- ugh I can't remember... but I think he was brought back as a god in the end."
"It's a good lead. We do want to find Apollo and Artemis anyway." Thalia pointed out, "We can get more information from him."
"And maybe some of Piper's visions can help us with planning." Hazel suggested.
And everyone looked at Piper, who seemed distracted to say the least, though after a long moment she noticed the attention because she shook herself, "Sorry, what?"
"I was saying about your visions. You told me you'd seen some more stuff in your dagger blade."
"Uh- right of course." Piper shook herself as she unsheathed Katopris and looked at it. "I don't see anything in it right now. But one vision did keep popping up. Annabeth and I are exploring some ruins-"
"Ruins!" Leo rubbed his hands. "Now we're talking. How many ruins can there be in Greece?"
"Quiet, Leo," Annabeth scolded. Piper, do you think it was Sparta?"
"Maybe," Piper said. "Anyway … suddenly we're in this dark place like a cave. We're staring at this bronze warrior statue. In the vision I touch the statue's face and flames start swirling around us. That's all I saw."
"Flames." Frank pulled a face, "No offence Leo but that's not something I'd be happy about."
"I don't like it." Percy agreed, "Leo-"
"I'm fireproof, I'd be good back up to deal with that-"
"Or me, if we gotta deal with Ares-" Percy gave a grim smile, "Well, I'm sure I'd provide a very good distraction for him."
Annabeth stared at the coastline of Pylos, now retreating in the distance. "If Piper saw the two of us going after the statue, then that's who should go. We'll be all right. There's always a way to survive."
"You don't say." Nico remarked wryly- and Percy snickered as she met his gaze.
After all they'd survived the impossible.
Then Frank held up the vial of the poison he'd gotten- Pylosian Mint. "What about this stuff? After the House of Hades, I kind of hoped we were done drinking poison."
"Store it securely in the hold," Annabeth said. "For now, that's all we can do. Once we figure out this chained god situation, we'll head to the island of Delos."
"The curse of Delos," Hazel remembered. "That sounds fun."
"Hopefully Apollo will be there," Annabeth said reluctantly. "Delos was his home island. He's the god of medicine. He should be able to advise us."
"I want to go if he is." Rachel piped up, "I want to find out about... about what the stuff that happened when I met with the Romans meets."
"And I'll go too." Will declared, "He's my dad, hopefully that'll make him more helpful-"
"Percy should go too." Thalia snickered, "He'd like-"
"Thalia." Annabeth glared, "Don't even joke."
"Awe." Percy gave a goofy grin, "Annabeth's all jealous- you're very cute when you're jealous Wise girl, y'know that?"
"Blegh." Ethan pulled a face, "You're all disgusting. And shouldn't we discuss this when we're actually there? Not everyone who wants to go will be able to go. Weirdo's."
"No we're-" Percy paused, eyes narrowing as off the port bow the bright red sea serpent spewed steam.
"Okay." she straightened up, "Now it's checking us out. Leo, we need to take to the air just in case I think. Since Willace has forbade me from doing anything to-"
"Oh hush it up Jackson." Percy dodged the roll of bandages he pulled from his supply bag and launched towards her.
"Okay okay." Leo laughed, "Airborne it is, Festus! Do the honors buddy!"
The bronze dragon figurehead creaked and clacked. The ship's engine hummed. The oars lifted, expanding into aerial blades with a sound like ninety umbrellas opening at once, and the Argo II rose into the sky.
"We should reach Sparta by morning," Leo announced. "And remember to come by the mess hall tonight, folks, 'cause Chef Leo is making his famous three-alarm tofu tacos!"
