Percy led Theseus back to the pavilion for dinner, where the daily feast had already been laid out on the table. They joined the line and filled their plates with food. At the end of the line, Theseus walked past the offering brazier in the middle of the pavilion and started looking for a place to sit.
"Hey, you're forgetting something," Percy called to him. Theseus turned to watch Percy mumble something under his breath and scrape part of his plate into the fire.
"What was that for?" Theseus asked.
"An offering for the gods," Percy explained. "You better do it if you don't want to be set on fire or something."
Theseus followed suit, scraping off a portion of his meal into the brazier. "I'd like to see them try."
"You're really new to all this demigod stuff, aren't you?" Percy asked.
Theseus stared at him. "Yes."
Percy took this as an opportunity to explain how the seating worked during meal times and a couple of other camp rules that came to mind. He explained how, because Theseus hadn't been claimed yet, he was welcome to sit anywhere he wanted and offered him a seat at the Poseidon table.
"Are you sure? I'm not going to be blasted by Poseidon himself for sitting at his precious table?" Theseus asked, his tone serious and less sarcastic.
Percy eyed him carefully. "Yeah. You have nothing to worry about. If anything, it gets pretty lonely sometimes. Come on." He took his plate and sat down at the Poseidon table, motioning for Theseus to join him. "Maybe I can fill you in on anything else about camp you're confused about."
Theseus took his plate and sat down across from Percy. Facing Percy at the table, he had to admit that it was like looking in the mirror. He took off his backpack and set it beside him on the bench, "I noticed earlier on my tour around camp that some of you clean up around here," he started, "Do we all have chores? I came here to train, not clean up after people."
Percy laughed a little. "Yeah, it kinda sucks, but everyone's gotta do it. Just try and stay on everyone's good side, or you might get stuck cleaning the bathrooms."
Theseus's lip twitched in annoyance. "Yeah, yeah." He took a few bites out of a hot BBQ wing until there was nothing left but the bone. Without warning, Theseus changed the direction of their conversation, "So, what's your mom like? Is she nice?" Nonchalantly setting aside the meatless wing, he effortlessly picked up another, his actions concealing the keenness of his interest in Percy's response. It was an undoubtedly personal question to ask someone he had only just met, but Theseus was resolute in his pursuit of information, unafraid to adopt a direct approach to obtain it.
Percy paused his chewing and stared at Theseus for a moment. Seeing his own face reflected back at him was so disconcerting that the seemingly innocuous question took on a more suspicious tone, especially considering the attention Theseus had paid to the photo earlier at the cabin. Finally, he replied, "She's great? I like her. But she's my mom, so..."
"So? Just because she's your parent doesn't mean you have to like them. My father raised me, but even then, he was terrible to live with." Theseus swallowed the last of his wings, leaving behind a plate scattered with chicken bones. A peculiar sensation crawled down his spine like several eyes were watching him. He maintained a casual posture, yet his peripheral vision revealed the numerous campers fixated on him with inquisitive stares. Theseus leaned in closer, a subtle intensity in his voice. "This attention, the staring—it's not going to stop, is it?"
Percy shook his head, looking around at the rest of the campers, many of whom averted their eyes when he met their gazes. "It's not every day someone's doppelganger wanders up to the dining pavilion in the middle of lunch. Usually, stuff like that means something bad is about to happen."
A faint chuckle escaped Theseus' lips, a well-calculated response to ease any lingering tension. He had hoped to keep a low profile, to blend seamlessly into this new environment, and execute his plans without attracting undue attention. Still, considering his stark resemblance to Percy, it was going to take some work. "No need to worry," he reassured Percy with a disarming smile. "just another demigod seeking refuge in a safe haven. Nothing to be concerned about." The words rolled off his tongue effortlessly, carefully crafted to downplay any sense of threat he might inadvertently exude. He knew that gaining Percy's trust was essential to achieving his objective, and that meant presenting himself as nothing more than a fellow camper seeking a place to belong.
Observing a nearby empty goblet, Theseus distracted himself momentarily from his inner conflicts. As he picked it up and glanced inside, his eyes widened in surprise. The goblet filled itself with ice-cold water, an unexpected display of enchantment that intrigued him. Quenching his thirst, he took several refreshing gulps, relishing the sensation of the cool liquid washing away the lingering taste of barbecue.
Placing the goblet back on the table, Theseus couldn't resist the allure of this magical item. For a fleeting moment, the thought of keeping it for himself crossed his mind. The temptation to possess such a convenient artifact was undeniable, but he quickly brushed it aside. He knew better than to attract undue attention by stealing someone else's property.
Focus, Theseus, he chided himself inwardly, reminding himself that indulging in such could compromise him. There were far more pressing matters at hand than a magical goblet. As the goblet refilled itself once more, Theseus stifled the longing to keep it as his own. Instead, he redirected his thoughts back to Percy, maintaining the image of an ordinary demigod seeking refuge.
The rest of the meal passed without incident. The two exchanged casual discussions until, finally, it was time for the nightly campfire. As Percy walked with Theseus to the campfire area, he couldn't keep his mind from speculating about this new camper and his history. Despite their numerous similarities, Percy felt vaguely reassured by his conversations with Theseus that they could not both be sons of Poseidon and that their obvious resemblance was nothing but a crazy coincidence.
There are at least six people in the world who look exactly like you. Percy reminded himself of a fun fact that he was sure he had picked up from Annabeth at some point. Still, something about the situation made him nervous. He hoped that the relaxing atmosphere of the campfire would soothe him, counteract the tension of the scene earlier in his cabin, and hopefully provide some answers.
"You might even get claimed by your godly parent tonight," he told Theseus as they walked up. "That's pretty exciting. You'll finally know who your mom is."
The fire was just starting when they walked up, and the clearing began filling with campers. Hazel and Frank sat together on a log and waved when Percy and Theseus walked in. Nico, characteristically, was nowhere to be seen.
"Oh," Theseus mumbled, the posture in his shoulders slumping down with uncertainty. "Can they do that?" he questioned.
"Well," Percy frowned slightly. "They're supposed to, but they don't always do it right away. You can't tell the gods what to do." Percy sighed and clapped Theseus' shoulder in the well-known gesture of It'll be okay, buddy. "I wouldn't worry about it, though. We'll find out who your parent is eventually."
Theseus' lip twitched downward into a frown, "I would rather they didn't," he muttered. He followed behind Percy to the sitting area where two unfamiliar campers sat on a log, waving the two of them over.
"Hey! Welcome, new guy!" Frank greeted Theseus by standing up and extending his hand for a handshake. He met Theseus' eyes, causing a chill down his spine.
Theseus looked down at his bulky hand, "Uh, yeah. Thanks." He awkwardly grabbed his hand and shook it, "Theseus. And you are?"
"Frank Zhang. Son of Mars."
"Mars?" Theseus asked since he wasn't up to date with the whole Roman thing.
"Ares. Mars is the Roman side." Frank explained.
"The gods have a Roman side? Every single one?" Theseus asked, genuinely surprised.
"Yeah, the Roman side is usually meaner and scarier," Percy replied.
"The Roman gods are just more in touch with their warlike sides," Hazel piped up from her seat, giving Percy a disapproving glance. She stood up next to Frank and extended her hand to Theseus. "I'm Hazel Levesque, daughter of Pluto. Welcome to camp."
Theseus was more comfortable shaking Hazel's hand, "And Pluto is…?"
"The Roman side of Hades!" Hazel sat back down on the log and patted next to her. "Do you guys have a seat yet? You can sit with us."
"Interesting," Theseus commented as he sat beside her. He didn't fully understand the existence of other gods but was able to study some of them during his time on the road. "And Hades is the god of the underworld, correct?"
Hazel nodded.
"Super cool guy," Percy muttered, also taking a seat. "We go way back."
"I will admit, he's not really the fatherly type," Hazel laughed.
"That's enough talk about the god of the dead. I feel like he's listening in on us the more we mention him," Frank said, looking around like he'll find Hades staring back at him. "Anyways, Theseus, do you know who your godly parent is?" he asked, wanting to switch the conversation as fast as he could. "Hopefully not Hades."
"Watch what you say, or he might smite you," Hazel joked and kicked at Frank's leg playfully.
"He doesn't know yet," Percy replied for Theseus. "But! We are keeping an open mind that he will find out tonight, right Theseus?" He nodded encouragingly.
Theseus tried to smile but couldn't force one out even if he wanted to, "Yeahh," he dragged out unenthusiastically. He crossed his fingers, "Hoping for the best," he chuckled awkwardly.
"Don't be nervous," Hazel said gently. "I was kind of shocked to be claimed by the god of the dead, but it still felt better to know for sure, to have some closure. I'm sure it will be the same for you."
"Maybe we can guess," Percy suggested, turning to look at Theseus better. "You said you lived with your dad, but do you have any memories of your mom? Or feelings? Or weirdly specific interests or hobbies?"
Theseus shook his head. "I never met my mother. No feelings, no memories, and definitely no hobbies."
"Maybe we can guess based on looks?" Frank offered, "But I guess that won't really work since he looks exactly like Percy." He thought for a moment, "Are you sure your mom is the godly parent?"
Theseus scoffed, "I wish she weren't. Maybe then my father wouldn't have been around to screw with my life. For sixteen years of my life, my father manipulated me and fed me lies. It wasn't until I gained the courage to go through his things that I found out the truth. I managed to escape after that. I've been living on my own for the past two years, and only then did I find out I was a demigod." He finished his sob story, hoping that would be enough to satisfy these people. He didn't want them asking any more questions about where he came from, mainly because he didn't have the energy. He intentionally tried to tell them personal information to feel too uncomfortable to question him further.
The group was silent for a minute, effectively stunned by Theseus' sudden outburst of his traumatic story. Finally, Hazel patted Theseus' hand softly and said, "You're safe now."
Theseus looked down at her, unfamiliar with the sudden act of compassion, "Yes. I know." He slowly removed his hand from under hers. He placed it in his jacket pocket, hidden away from any other unsolicited acts of touching.
After the traditional camp songs and general gossiping, the campfire began to die down to just a pile of glowing embers. The whole night, Percy had found himself feeling exceptionally on edge, glancing over every few seconds to check the air over Theseus' head for a radiant, glowing wheat bushel or peacock or something that might give a clue to Theseus' godly parentage. Still, nothing came, and soon, the clearing began to empty as all the claimed campers slowly separated into their respective cabins for the night.
Percy showed Theseus to the Hermes cabin, feeling the inexplicable need to apologize for what he assumed was as stressful and disappointing evening for the newcomer as it had been for him.
Theseus was given an empty cot to claim as his own. After curfew was set in place, Theseus lay awake in bed, waiting for the moment when everyone fell into a deep slumber so that he could slip out into the night unnoticed. A few hours after midnight, the breathing in the cabin became a chorus of long snores. Silently, Theseus slipped out of the cabin, careful not to trip over any number of random objects covering the floor.
Thankfully, no one was out at this time of night, but still, he kept to the shadows to avoid detection as he made his way back to the Poseidon cabin.
Percy's status as a celebrated hero, the savior of the world, and even a contender for immortality left Theseus grappling with an overwhelming sense of inadequacy. With each accolade he heard about Percy, he couldn't help but feel a tinge of bitterness. Theseus wrestled with the question of what he could have achieved if fate had dealt him a different hand.
So, he made a plan to claim the glory for himself. For many hours, he had stared up at the night sky above him, putting an ephemeral cloud of ideas into a coherent master plan to guarantee supremacy. Percy was Poseidon's favorite, the little hero, but what would he be without his title and the respect it afforded him?
What was Theseus right now? An outcast.
Step one: discredit Percy Jackson. What good is a hero if no one can trust him?
With a determined exhale, he reminded himself that he was here for a purpose, a chance to prove himself on this unfamiliar battleground. The shadows seemed to embrace him as he advanced towards the cabin where Percy was peacefully asleep inside.
Percy Jackson, he thought, you won't realize it, but after tonight, your life will never be the same. He silently tried the door handle, the outcome not surprising him; it was locked. He snuck around the cabin, following the lake, for he remembered how the cabin opened directly into the lake, making the cabin front door locked all the less secure. He scoffed as he carefully made his way around on the ledge of the cabin and leaped onto the wooden dock that connected with the inside.
He took a step inside, the wooden floor creaking beneath his feet. His body froze, and his breathing stopped, the only sound coming from the lapping waves of the lake against the wooden pillars of the dock. Several seconds passed before he deemed it safe to continue inside, his eyes glued to Percy, who was sound asleep in his bed.
He reached Percy's bedside unnoticed, eyes glaring down at Percy's peaceful resting face. His gaze shifted lower to the beaded leather necklace around Percy's neck. He silently leaned over him, his face inches away from Percy's, his eyes dark and vacant.
Theseus swiftly unfastened Percy's camp necklace and placed it in his pocket. An involuntary twitch in his eye betrayed the turmoil within, and a profound frown etched onto his countenance, and he pulled himself away from Percy. He slowly picked his way back to the dock at the back of the cabin, moving as quietly as he could so as not to wake Percy and be caught now when the heist was nearly over. He took one last glimpse at Percy, lying there in blissful oblivion. Beneath his calm facade, a smoldering fury threatened to breach the surface. Yet, Theseus maintained an outwardly composed demeanor as he departed the cabin, leaving no trace of his intrusion behind.