I'm sorry for keeping you guys waiting! I am trying to get back to usual but things are so busy! I swear I haven't abandoned anything!
Replies:
Undeath9087: I'm definitely looking forward to the Camps reaction to everything when it all comes out.
Guest: You shall have to wait and see. And the full family are the Kanes, obviously, Walt and Zia, Desjardins would probably be included to, along with Bast, and at this stage also Piper and Annabeth because let's be real, Sally definitely knows.
Zephyr0f8: Lots for you to wait and see- and honestly with Circe, I am not a big fan of her, but it is certainly interesting having them interact.

There was a long moment of silence before Carter spoke up. "Okay. I think I speak for everyone when I say we want more detail here."

"The Golden fleece." Annabeth's back straightened very slightly, and there was a determined gleam in those gray eyes of hers. "The fleece of a golden ram. The most famous stories about it are about Jason and the Argo's voyage to get it. It was lost a long time ago. But all of the myths say that it had incredible healing powers. There's nothing else that can heal the tree- not according to Lord Hades, and I don't think he'd have spoken about it if he didn't believe it. Not knowing how much of a soft spot he has for Percy."

"That makes some sense." Zia spoke up, her brows furrowed, "What of this... sea of monsters? It doesn't sound good."

"It probably won't be fun. But Uncle Hades seemed pretty sure that's where it is." Percy informed them, "He told us the Sea of Monsters is in the Bermuda triangle-"

"Holy crap." Sadie straightened up at that, her face lighting up as she slapped Walt's arm, "I told you! I told you I was sure there was more to those conspiracy theories."

"I didn't disagree. I just said that the Egyptian gods had no involvement with the triangle." Walt laughed, shaking his head.

"So- you want to go there?" Sally spoke up slowly, a frown on her lips."

"It's better to save the camp before it falls than have to relocate a bunch of terrified demigods in the aftermath." Piper pointed out seriously.

"You have a very good point." Sally sighed, "Still, it does sound dangerous- though I suppose- it is a sea even if it's not exactly a normal sea."

"Do you guys even know what you'll have to face there?" Carter's brows furrowed, "I mean, I think I remember most of the things-"

"I've read the Odyssey." Percy rolled her eyes fondly. "Ask Pipes and Annabeth-"

"She has." Annabeth grinned, "And we've actually been discussing the potential threats on the way here. We know what we're likely to face-"

"And we know to expect the unexpected." Piper spoke up, "Since nothing ever seems to go to plan."

Carter leaned forward slightly, resting his palms on the smooth polished wood of the table, his expression tight with worry. "As much as I hate this you three are probably right. We want to be fully in control when the time comes for us to actually reach out a hand of friendship. And we've-" he nodded at Percy, "Discussed wanting to hold out as long as we can to avoid Kronos discovering that Percy is a magician and a demigod in one because as long as he's in the dark we have an advantage. If we do need to take in a bunch of demigods we'll be blowing said advantage sky high."

"Oh wow." Sadie snickered, "Finally we've found something that Percy doesn't want to blow sky high."

"Uh, first of all rude, second of all, you say that as if you don't also spend half of your life wanting to blow things sky high."

"She has a point-" Walt dodged the elbow to his side, a smile playing across his lips as Sadie glowered at him.

"Oh you traitor. You're my boyfriend, you're supposed to be on my side."

"Not how it works." Carter spoke lightly, "Zia and I are in love but Zia's often not on my side."

"Someone needs to make sure you don't get big headed." Zia's voice was teasing as she pressed her lips to Carter's cheek. And Percy had to admit, it was amazing seeing how far everyone had come- it was moments like this that it struck her with the force of a bus.

Everyone had changed so very much since it had all started, Zia had opened up, oh there were still moments when she closed herself off, but she was a thousand times more open and warm than she had been, more trusting.

And Walt- he no longer had the burden of the knowledge of his own death. He got to be a normal teenager, as did Anubis. And it was nice, seeing them all so happy. Even if Percy thought they were all ridiculous.

Then she shifted her gaze to Piper and Annabeth, who were both laughing, and Sally was rolling her eyes as she shook her head, crossing her arms over her chest. "Children, children focus-"

"You know I'm not actually a child any-" Carter started to protest before pausing at the look that Sally shot him. "Sorry mom!" his voice was slightly higher- and Percy and Sadie both snickered at their brothers plight.

"You will always be my child." Sally declared, a slightly smug look on her face, "Now, focus time. Girls I hate it but it seems like you three have made up your minds. And there's no stopping you."

"Maybe we should-" Sadie started to speak but Walt was shaking his head, laying a hand on her shoulder.

"Sadie," Walt's voice was soft "This is Percy's path. She'll be in her domain."

"I will." Percy said quickly, "It'll be fine you guys."

"We'll need to start making plans then." Carter spoke up firmly, his expression almost shadowed- he wasn't exactly trying to hide the fact that he wasn't happy about this. "You'll need a boat- and we need maps- to figure out all of the details, where you'll leave from, how long it should take, supplies."

And Percy felt something inside of her relax.

Last time she'd ran off on an adventure Carter hadn't known about it before. He hadn't been given any say in it- and technically he did have a say. After all he was the Pharaoh. Technically he had the power to order her to stay at Brooklyn House. Admittedly she'd just ignore him but still, he was the Pharaoh and that mattered.

And more importantly he was her big brother. If there was one person who's approval really mattered to her, it was his. Though she'd never admit that out loud.

As if he was reading her mind Carter offered her a little smile, holding out one arm silently, and she darted forward, pressing into his arms and pushing her face into his shoulder.

"You're always gonna be my baby sister." he muttered the words softly, "But I know you're growing up and finding your own way now. Even if I don't like it, I trust you. Just be careful okay?"

"Of course." Percy hugged her big brother tightly before pulling back- and she noticed that her mom had a soft smile on her lips as Sadie moved closer.

"Just remember that if you get yourself killed I have permission to kick your ass for it."

"Oh don't worry." Percy gave a faint smile, "If I died I'd ask dad and uncle Hades for special permission to haunt you guys." she let Sadie wrap a protective arm around her shoulder, squeezing before she released.

"Oh I do love you three." Sally's voice caught slightly, and her eyes were slightly shinier than usual, a sure sign that she was fighting back tears. "You're all so grown up."

"But never too grown up." Percy told her swiftly, "No matter what."

"Of course." Sally chuckled softly, shaking her head, "Is there anything else you need to bring up before we start planning?"

"Uh, actually-" Percy paused, "There is"

"Oh!" Piper's eyes widened, "I forgot about that."

"So did I." Annabeth shifted, "I was so worried about Thalia's tree."

"Oh gods." Carter let out a low groan, "Please tell me it's not something else incredibly dangerous or I might have to change my mind."

"Nothing like that." Percy shook her head before taking a deep breath, "Uncle Hades has two kids. It's a really long story but right now they're hidden away- have been for a long time but uh- he doesn't want to send them to Camp because Camp's likely not to treat them the best. And I mean- I think he figured it'd be safer for them here. And no one here's going to treat them badly. Let's face it we're all cool with the Underworld stuff."

"You-" Carter paused, "What do you know about them?"

"I think they're around nine and eleven if I remember right. A boy named Nico and a girl named Bianca. Their mom was murdered by Zeus."

"Oh those poor things." Sally's expression softened. "And I can't blame Lord Hades for wanting to find somewhere that his children will be treated well."

"I have nothing against the idea." Carter said after a moment of consideration. "We already have three demigods in Brooklyn House. Two more are hardly going to cause any trouble."

"I'll reach out to Hades." Sally's voice was firm, "Make the arrangements. If those children need a home then we'll give them one."

"And I suppose if they need help with any powers I would probably be the best person for them to come to in any case." Walt's voice was thoughtful, "Their gifts aren't going to be exactly the same as magic of course- but Death magic will probably be the closest thing to what they can do and it can be scary if you're new to it."

"Awe." Sadie grinned at Walt, "Am I going to get to see my wonderful boyfriend being a teacher."

"I already am a good teacher." Walt laughed, "I teach charm making, in case you've forgotten."

"Yes but that's different. I wonder what they'll be like."

"Probably young and scared." Sally pressed her hands together, "Right. Percy you don't have to worry about a thing. Like I said I'll reach out to Lord Hades. Now you children should probably get on with your planning. I'll go and get some food for everyone."

"Oooh, blue cookies?"

"Proper food."

"Blue-" Percy paused, clearly thinking about her options before; "... Mac and cheese?"

"I-" Sally opened her mouth before closing it, clearly forcing back her laughter as she shook her head fondly. "Does anyone have complaints about blue mac and cheese?"

There was a chorus of no's, and so a moment later Sally was descending up the stairs out of the library-and Carter was ordering the retrieval shabti's to fetch maps and books.

After about half an hour of pouring over them the group relocated upstairs, moving out to the terrace, where they set out the best map that they'd managed to get their hands on on the table, weighing down the corners with stones.

Annabeth carefully drew the triangle onto the map- and they'd all agreed that the best plan would be for Percy to get a boat in New York- it would possibly be a longer sea voyage than if they travelled straight to Miami- which was much closer to the triangle, but with Percy's powers it shouldn't make too big a difference and it would be simpler and easier for all involved.

When Sally returned, bearing a plates of blue mac and cheese she'd reassured them all that she'd handle paying for a boat- and it would be easy enough to convince any mortal they brought one from that they had all the necessary documents using magic.

And when the sky started to turn dark- as they kept planning- ready for the day to come-because they would be setting off in the morning, for better or for worse, Percy found herself staring out at the night sky.

After all she wasn't stupid. This was the second time in two years she'd made the choice to go on an adventure connected to the Greeks.

And she knew that soon enough her anonymity would be gone- their enemies as well as hopeful allies would know the truth.

And she should be scared, she was sure of that, but as she stared at the sky, Percy felt uneasy.

The more involved she got, the less time they had. The less time she had to prepare herself.

And how long would it be?

How long before Percy met her father?