Neptune watched with trepidation when the trio arrived at Garden Gnome Emporium.
While he understands that they are tired and hungry, there is something wrong with this place. For one, all garden statues are life-sized. As if someone plunge real human (or animal. Or faun) onto cement mix before pulling them out and leaving them to dry under the sun.
Don't get him start on the face. The all-too-real expression is terrifying on its own.
What human call it again? Red flag? Yes. A Red flag.
"Hey…" the Satyr warned.
"The lights are on inside. Maybe it's open."
"Snack bar?"
"Snack bar."
"Are you two crazy? This place is weird."
The Faun, the only one who can smell monsters because the demigod haven't properly developed sixth sense towards nearby monster and dangerous situation, get ignored.
Yeah. That was it. The demigods are under charm.
Okay. What sort of monster give powerful charm to ensnare child of the sea? Siren? No source of water nearby unless this place has large pool at the backyard. Empousai? No. This doesn't seem like their modus operandi.
Or is it?
Neptune didn't know. He didn't pay attention to common monsters.
Certainly, that was mistake.
Mars is going to mock him for next century if he knows.
At least Neptune can be assured Minerva won't do the same. She's just as arrogant as the rest of them, she just rather good and lucky at ad-libing at the right time. that and her daughter also cannot fight the monster's charm.
The door swung open and a tall woman in black attire that completely cover her being except for well-cared coffee-colored hands stood by. Her voice come across as inviting and soothing. Neptune would have peg her as ordinary old woman who once was very beautiful… if not for something bug him.
Something about the woman was terribly familiar.
But he can swear up and down he never saw her before until today so…
Poseidon. It must be Poseidon's memories. One of his exes?
But which one?
Wait
Covered up from toes to feet, specifically her face, as if ashamed of her looks.
Statues.
Em. 'M'
Neptune can feel the beginning of panic attack.
"POSEIDON!" He screamed.
His counterpart is truly disaster-prone back in the heyday! If he doesn't curse someone, he offends another god or goddess to do the cursing! And look where it takes them at! Seriously, his Greek counterpart, why are you messing with Medusa in the first place?! Look what happen now! Perseus and his quest-mates willingly went deeper into monster lair and at risk going to Pluto's realm the permanent way!
Dammit! One of these days he's going to find a way to strangle his counterpart without strangling himself in the progress!
Perseus inherit that foolishness. Instead leaving, he initiates conversation with Medusa! Chaos damn it, Perseus! Why can't you just take all of Poseidon's good aspect and leave the bad ones?!
And, oh look. He feels bad.
To be honest, Neptune had to applaud Medusa for her sob story. She can make Neptune feels twinge of guilt. Or maybe that's his Poseidon side. Ugh. His other half. Please tell me you didn't have hots for her anymore…
Neptune feel his body tensed when Perseus got caught up by Medusa's thrall too much (please don't have pseudo crush on her!) and allow her to led the trio into the back garden. As future statue.
Hallelujah for the other two to finally realizes full weight of the situation and making sure Perseus didn't see Medusa's face when veil finally off.
Neptune does, though, and the only think that come up in his mind (since he was immune to petrification, perk of being spirit) was "Ouch"
He means it. Minerva went overboard with her curse.
…great. Now he is sympathizing with monster.
It's all Poseidon's fault.
"Percy! Duck!"
Neptune saw the Faun holding a branch while on the sky using the shoes (huh, he does learn fast), eyes closed and nose twitching. That jostled Perseus into action and rolled out of the way before the Faun could nailed Medusa across the face.
Neptune whistled.
That was a nice hit. Mercury would be very proud of him. Especially when the Faun nailed her again.
Minerva's brat show up and told Perseus to pull his namesake. Going as low as emotionally manipulates him. Had it been anyone else, Neptune would have been proud at it. But since it was his Perseus, he hit her upside the head when she tried to talk physic mumbo jumbo (only for his hand to go through).
The downside being spirit, people.
Perseus caves in and attack.
Just in time as Medusa finally get the Faun. Thankfully no one is statue… yet.
"Hey!"
Neptune watched with trepidation as Percy advances. One hand holding the sword, other hold the crystal ball which he used to look at Medusa without turning into stone. Awkward stances, but need do what need must.
Wait.
Why is Medusa letting him go closer? Shouldn't the monster get ready to attack or flee?
"You wouldn't harm an old woman, Percy, I know you wouldn't."
Neptune feel shiver going down his spine and resist the urge to throw up.
That thing is still into his counterpart…!
"Perseus, don't you date to drop your guard!"
"Percy, watch out!"
Medusa cackles. "Too late!" and lunges.
Perseus bend backward to dodge the outstretches talons and closes his eyes as he swung his sword. It made contact with Medusa, slashing her head off.
Neptune breathe a sigh in relief.
Crisis over.
Now all that was left is covering up the head before it can turn either of them into statue.
Then arguing.
Classic argument. Over Medusa at that.
Neptune patted the Faun's head in when he stopped them. He know what the Faun feels. Seeing those two argues, it gives him migraines.
May Venus never take interest in this development.
Perseus' expression is still dark.
"I'll be back." He abruptly stood up and went inside the building.
Curious, Neptune follows him. Watching him ransack Medusa's office. His eyebrow rose when he saw the last shipment of the statues. Pluto and Proserpine's Garden? He knows his brother and sister-in-law/niece lived among the damned, but to think they have such morbid taste of decor…
The bill is good. Finder's Keeper and Victor Keep It All. They need the money if they want to go to their destination… which based with how Perseus keep the DOA Recording Studios, it's Pluto's palace.
Joy.
Perseus went through Mercury's Express Bag until he grins triumphantly holding one.
Wait.
That size.
"Perseus, are you…" Neptune was at loss for words.
Because, yes. Perseus put Medusa's head into the bad, and cheekily write on the delivery address:
The Gods
Mount Olympus
600th Floor,
Empire State Building
New York, NY
With best wishes,
PERCY JACKSON
This is around the time Poseidon still at debate with the rest of Olympians due Jupiter putting up a bitch fest. So they all would get the package.
Just as Perseus want.
Neptune don't know whether to laugh or cry.
