Our Job

An: I don't own PJO or HoO that belongs to Rick Riordian

'Thoughts'

" primordial, or titan speech"

Jason's POV

After two days of endless wandering and monster fights it became clear that we needed food and money. We only made it this far because Lady Vesta managed to get us some supplies without dear ol' dad noticing. But that was only temporary as the chance of him finding out increased. So me and Percy decided to find work Lady Vesta suggested that we work somewhere monsters can't easily sense us. Her pick the Zoo. The potent smell of all the animals in the area would hide our own godly scent while allowing us to earn money.

So after getting some fake papers and id courtesy of Hermes(maybe there were some okay Olympians) we approached a now hiring New York zoo.

I looked on nervously while Percy let out sigh he be working with the zebra exhibit which was kind of alright with him since could talk to them when he was bored. I was put with the bird exhibit which was going to get annoying real quick since they tend to talk all day and night since some are nocturnal.

"Well I guess we'll make the best of this am I right?" Percy said. I couldn't help but chuckle at him. He never seemed to fall down and stay down. Always popping up with some optimistic remark on the situation, even after all he has been through. He was something else and I knew that before he managed to fit a whole big Mac in his mouth that Lady Vesta gave the aqua teen. I shuddered, that was the freakiest thing Percy had ever done in the two days I'd known him. I shook my head slightly to get back into focus.

"Yeah I have no problem with it. Ready to go?" I asked. He smiled and nodded and we stepped in the gates. As soon as we did however we were grabbed by the manager.

"Oh thank God finally you're here, are those your papers? Let me take that so you can get started. My name is Austin and on the behalf of the New York zoo blah blah blah glad you're here. See you at lunch time!" And with a quick handshake he was gone.

"What the Pluto just happened?" I asked shaken but by the looks of it was fine as if it was a daily occurrence.

He just puffed up his and said, "Hey this New York and in this city it's go fast or pass."

"But I thought you were from Manhattan?" I questioned confused.

"Same thing". He replied.

"That's it New Yorkers are something else for sure." I grumbled. We said our goodbyes went to get started on our shifts.

LATER THAT DAY

I probably jinxed myself somehow because there is no way that I have more twigs in my hair than I have room to spare. Percy was already there looking exhausted but all together okay. I shot him an envious look before plopping down in one of the chairs in the breakroom. "Dude what the Hades happened to you? You look like shit." He laughed.

I growled before saying, "A bunch of baby tocans and one pissed off cockatoo." Percy's mouth just formed an oh expression before looking down at the table. "So how was your end?" I asked.

"Well..." he started.

FLASHBACK IN PERCY'S POV

It was going good actually the zebras there were pretty cool and fun to talk to and the kids visiting thinking I was some sort of wizard liked asking what the zebras were saying. Unfortunately I am still Percy Jackson there an accident was just waiting to happen. I was talking to one of the giraffe caregivers when suddenly one of the zebras screamed. "Oh God my knee why is this the end?!" I turned to look at the deranged zebra currently freaking out on the floor. His name is Darius and according to Cody the giraffe caregiver he always freaks over the smallest of things then when they try to get him checked out he attempts to escape. Nowadays however no one believes his little schemes.

I walked over to the zebra before giving him a pat on his muzzle. "Sorry man but they're not buying it". Darius looked at me.

"But I'm serious about it this time".

I rose an eyebrow at him then asked, "Okay then what happened?"

"Alright you see I was minding my own business trottin' around thinking zebra things you don't need to worry about- don't look at me like I'm crazy I know what my rights are.- Then I hear pop and I'm down. I can't bear to look but I know I was shot in the leg Perce I know because that kid with the weird eyes is looking at me funny. Avenge me go get him for me. Wipe that smug ass look off his face."

I turn to look at the so-called perpetrator only to pale considerably. That wasn't a kid but a monster in disguise it must have snuck in with rest of the children. 'Canadian' I thought, 'it had to be Canadian'. The last time I fought them it didn't go so well so I wasn't sure what to do. But then I noticed something. He wasn't paying attention to me only the zebra which gave me an idea.

"Hey Darius distract the crowd for bit while I check it out ok?" The horse let out breath in response.

"As long as you get that kid it's fine by me". Afterwards though he began to groan loudly in fake agony catching the surrounding crowd's attention. Then while it was distracted I grabbed the little monster from behind. while struggling uncapped riptide which expanded right behind his back unpacking and vaporizing him into golden dust before capping my sword and continuing on as if nothing ever happened.

BACK TO PRESENT

"Well then that's why you look so glittery but should we worry about this incident do we have to move before we even get any payment?" Jason inquired. I narrowed my eyes in concentration before answering.

"No as I said it was was just a coincidence nothing more. We can stay but keep our eyes open". Jason nodded at me firmly before our new co-workers started trickling in. We quickly traded our battle hardened expressions for carefree ones and started conversations with other people more than once they asked we were related since we came in together. I was about to say we were cousins before Jason gave me a look saying remember your identity.

"We're brothers". I told them.

"What no way you guys look nothing alike". Alexis the lion caretaker said.

"You got us Percy is adopted but I love him anyway". Jason commented messing up my hair more than it already was. I swatted his hand away. "Okay if anybody is adopted its you not me don't get it twisted in that twiged up head of yours." Jason flushed with embarrassment having forgotten about the twigs entirely then rushed to the bathroom to clean it out.

We were laughing as he bolted though I knew I was going to have to apologize later. Then came a question I wasn't prepared for. "So hot shot got a girl?" My smile instantly wavered into non existence. How I suppose to answer that?

"I uh... I used to like someone but she..."

"She what? you can tell us you know." I wasn't so sure about that. Can I really trust them? I only told Jason because... well he seemed more trustworthy than these people okay. After our first time fighting monsters together we noticed we were very different.

For example the way we fought. While I'm more fluid with my Greek style Jason's style was strict and formulated, planned. So when we finish taking out some dracanae I asked him about it.

FLASHBACK

"Hey Jason have you always fought like that?"

"What do you mean? Every Roman learns to fight like this."

"Wait, Roman? So you're not Greek?"

"Of course not. Why would I be unless...no way."

"What?"

Jason turned to look at me. "You know what this means right?"

"uh no I don't you won't tell me." I said stressing every word.

"You came from a camp too right?" I nodded still confused. "What is it called?"

"Camp Half-blood."

"A place for Greek demigods to stay safe and train right?"

"Rriiggghht?" I drew out the word. What's he getting at?

"Well I came from a place called 'Camp Jupiter' for Roman demigods."

My eyes widen in realization as I understood what he was saying. "But that would mean," Jason nodded.

"And let me tell you, I didn't know Camp Half-blood existed let alone the Greeks. The gods have been hiding us from each other."

"But why what are they so afraid of?"

"They probably think that we'll kill each other. Greeks and Romans never did get along."

"Except for you and me ,right?"

"What? Oh yeah you and me are cool but if we met say on the battlefield."

" Then things might have been different." I muttered to myself. Just like when I met Carter somethings just shouldn't mix. "Maybe we should get to know the others style so it can help us fight better." I inquired.

"Sounds good while we're at it let get to know each other too." Jason said.

FLASBACK END

We may trust each other but I can't do the same for people I just met at work. "She moved away, far,far away. My bro is all I've got." I told them.

"Aww I'm touched that almost makes up for the twig thing."

I jumped startled. I was so focused on my answer that I didn't even notice him come back. Finally satisfied with my answer the rest backed off. The manager came and said we're free to go for the day but to be ready for tomorrow. Great now that left one thing.

"Say Jason where do we live?"

Jason just face plants and walked away. Why in fates name can things be easy.

END

KN: Finally it is done toke me forever to write that. Please review and tell me if you want more Zoo chapters before they're offered the one near Japan. Also I don't really know what animals are I n the New York zoo so sorry if somethings are wrong. KN out.