"Percy?"

Percy turned and almost thrown back as being made of powerful, lithe muscle practically slams onto him.

His first instinct was saying he was being attacked.

But he felt pair of strong arms wrap around his back.

"You're alright. Thank Chaos you're alright." His assailant(?) practically panted in relief.

He was shaking and take deep breath. As if he swims all the way from Atlantic Sea do Mississippi, with sprinter speed instead marathon course.

Percy noted that this guy has two fish tails. Merman?

"I… thank you?"

He doesn't seem hostile. And honestly, it was nice to have someone worries over him, aside from his mom. Especially with all the crazies since last school term.

It takes a while before the Merman(?)let go of him.

"I take you are no longer in harm?"

"Err… no." Percy shook his head. The Chimera poison no longer hurts. In fact, it was as if it was never in his system to begin him.

"Ah good. That means even with this whole," the Merman waved his hand around, expression screaming distaste as he glanced at the trash around them, "pollution, your water healing still very much in effect." He paused. "I wonder if it was because Neptune. Our father's Roman Counterpart is God of Freshwater before the Romans remember he is originally God of the Sea." He mumbled under his breath.

Still audible for Percy to listen.

"What?"

Did he hear it right?

The Merman rummages through his bag, and scowled. "Fuck." He swore. Turning to Percy, he sighed. "Look. I know you are on time crunch, what with our bastard of Uncle being an ass." He threw up his arms. "Seriously, he demands you to find his missing toy and yet had the gall to sends the Mother of Monsters and one of her spawn after you! I swear, it was as if he doesn't want you to success or something! O honorable lord of the sky," the Sarcasm is thick enough that even artillery bullet cannot pierce it, "when you make decision, Pick a side and STICK WITH IT!"

Thunder rumbles in the distance.

The merman looks like he wants to flip a bird at it.

"Anyway, before you set on Underworld, go so Santa Monica Beach, California. I'll be waiting there for you."

"What? Why?" Percy questioned.

"Just do it okay. Also." He shoves something to Percy's hand. "I think you'll need those."

It was a sling bag. Inside was a few stuff that makes Percy stare.

He pretty sure this made up the stuff he lost when Mrs. Dodds and her ugly sisters attacked.

"Um, thanks."

The Merman waved it off. "Just don't drop your provisions this time. Anyway, we've talk long enough. Any longer and your quest mates would be turning gray with worry."

Right. Annabeth and Grover were still up there. With that fire-breathing Chihuahua and its snakey fat mother at the Arch. Waiting to finish him up.

Percy saw Riptide too. It was relief that his sword hasn't abandon him. Just... stuck among trash.

One thing.

"Who are you?"

The merman smirks a little.

"Oh right. I haven't introduced myself." He makes an exaggerated bow. "My name, little brother, is Triton. Nice to finally meet you in person, Percy Jackson. Please do try to not mouthing off to monsters. Or gods. It's not good for my health. Or father's."