The four of them stood in a line so straight they must've been taught by a flat iron. They all looked scared, too. The four people looked at me, and I looked at them, unable to speak in full sentences. They were like me. There were others like me.

The first one came up cordially, her hair flowing beautifully. It was long, raven, and set in such perfect curls that I almost ripped them out of her head. She was perfect, doll like in the face, but her body was lean and muscular, like an athlete's. She had a competitive look on her face, an alluring one. "I'm Rowena Brown, granddaughter of Ares and Aphrodite."

Rowena went back and the second came forward, a small, olive-skinned boy came up. "I am Paolo di Angelo, grandson of Hades and Persephone."

I nodded at him, watching as he went back into the line and a girl came up behind him. She was pale and redheaded, with oodles of freckles and the rosiest cheeks in the world. Her eyes were a medley of colors, and a glassy orb sat in her hand. I could feel electricity and magic emit from it. "I'm Cynthia Harrison, granddaughter of Hecate and Iris." The orb flashed brightly before fogging up again and dimming its harsh light.

The fourth was a brawny, yet brainy-looking boy. His hair was dark and messy, and his skin was pinkish and fair, in a cute sunburned way. He gave me a one-over, possibly deciding what to do next. He approached me, informally putting his hand out for me to shake. "I'm Devon. Grandkid of Athena and Ares. Devon Dawson."

It was cool, shaking hands with a good-looking kid who actually didn't act like a robot. I shook his hand as we exchanged smiles.

I saw a hint of jealousy in Rowena's eyes. I drew back immediately, almost tripping on my own leg. "I-I am Thalia Jackson. I'm the granddaughter of Poseidon and Athena."

"Jackson?" questioned Rowena enviously. "As in Perseus Jackson? Annabeth Jackson?"

"Annabeth Chase-Jackson," I corrected quietly. The four of them stared at me, each with a slightly different expression, but all with bulging eyes and in awe. "Yeah, that's Mom and Dad."

"Wow," scoffed Cynthia as she made her orb turn blue to gold to green. "Prove it. The Poseidon thing."

I looked to Dionysus for help. He handed me a can of Dr. Pepper silently.

"Use the carbonated water to do something," said Devon encouragingly.

I opened the can and poured some Dr. Pepper into my hand. I focused on the water, only the water. A small tug behind my navel pulled harshly. The soda sprayed up into the air before turning on Cynthia, showering her in Dr. Pepper.

She spit out some soda before sourly saying, "That. Didn't. Prove. Anything."

I thought of something, but Dionysus spoke before my thoughts materialized.

"Call Black jack. He'll only answer to those of Poseidon kin. Whistle. You can, can't you?" asked Dionysus as he sipped his Dr. Pepper thoughtfully.

I knew all about Blackjack, the black pegasus who called my father "Boss". Dad told me about him constantly. "Yeah, I can whistle. Dad taught me."

I whistled, drawing it out sharply. There was no answer for a few seconds, but a speck of black in the air came closer, morphing into Blackjack. He landed near me, neighing happily. "Hey, Boss."

I looked the horse over. His mane was long, black, and fishy. Seaweed clung to his flanks restfully, in a way my father would love. I didn't love it, though. It was disgusting. "Ew. Leave, please."

"You're not Boss," said the pegasus sadly. His sadness turned to defiance in two snap seconds. "I don't have to listen to anybody who isn't Boss. Who do you think you are anyway?"

"His daughter," I replied sourly.

"Boss' daughter?" he asked. Blackjack didn't wait for an answer. "Wow, kid, I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to offend you. I'm at your service. Anything you want?"

"Yeah,"I replied. "Don't call me 'kid'. And, leave. I'm not your boss, and you aren't at my service. You're just a smelly horse with wings."

The pegasus looked sad, but that was what I was aiming for. I licked my chapped lips and toyed with my sandy hair. "Go, now!"

Blackjack stared at me for a second, wondering whether he should stay or go. At last, he flapped his wings and began to hover up into the sky, but not very high up. He gave me a last hurt look and spoke gently, "I never thought another sea person would act like this toward me."

"Well, I'm not a sea person. I'm not a smart person, either. I'm me. So don't label me by my parents. They weren't a very good match together to begin with. I'm not Annabeth Chase-Jackson's daughter, or daughter of Percy Jackson, or grandkid of Poseidon and Atthena," I said. "I'm me."

I left, then. I left the other Hybrids to their gossip and Dionysus to his sipping and staring, and I walked into the cabin, alone. That's all I wanted. I wanted to be alone.