Chapter 05
"Sponsorships?" Andromeda asked, skeptically, having regained her wits. "Who would want to sponsor us?"
"And why?" Annabeth chimed in.
"Don't sound so surprised," Thalia said. "This sort of thing goes all the way back to the days of ancient Greece. Even over two thousand years ago, it could be profitable to be an athlete or hero. From tax exemptions and statues erected in their honor, to lifetime passes to dining clubs, cash bonuses, and even special seats given to them at certain events where it would be beneficial for the organizer to have them be seen."
"Sort of like that part in Hercules," I said. "During the song Zero to Hero where he's got branded sandals and action figures."
"One of the few things that movie got right," Thalia nodded. "Even if they did so in an absurd manner."
"Still, what's that got to do with us?" Andromeda pressed.
"You three were part of the first successful quest group of demigods in over half a century. That's the sort of thing that attracts attention. The fact that your journey was featured on Hephaestus' T.V. network just works out even better in your favor as many people have already seen your faces."
"So what sort of sponsorships are we looking at?" I asked.
"Well, for starters, since you were the one to lead the quest, and given your previous exposure on the Winter Solstice, I can secure you a place on the front of the Panchondros Cereal box," the goddess said. "I might even manage to get you a commercial spot for some extra exposure - along with the associated benefits - if you're willing to take a spokesperson role."
"I've never heard of that before," I said. "Is it any good?"
"I'll get you set up with a box so you can make your own informed decision," Thalia said.
"What about us?" Annabeth asked.
"Well, with Autumn kicking into gear, there's a number of fashion sponsors looking for someone to model the latest styles," Thalia said. "Audiences reacted well to the outfit you were wearing when you returned the bolt to Lord Zeus."
"Me. A fashion model?" Annabeth sounded skeptical.
"Absolutely!" The goddess beamed.
Andromeda quickly shook her head, "No. I... That's definitely not for me."
"Yeah, I still remember the last time..." Andros started to say, only to be smacked by his sister.
"Hush!" She hissed. "At least I made it to the runway. You have zero room to talk."
"Oh, now I'm curious," I said. "You were a fashion model?"
"I don't want to talk about it," Andromeda blushed, turning to regard the goddess. "Do you have anything else for me?"
"Hmm, maybe..." Thalia frowned, thinking. "There is one product you would be perfect for, though. Or maybe it would be perfect for you? You have a very distinctive head of hair, and I am sure it's no easy feat keeping it tamed."
Andromeda blushed slightly.
"As luck would have it, there's a line of hair care products that are designed specifically for hard to manage hair. You don't have to agree to anything today," the goddess said, cutting off Andromeda's response. "Just take a couple bottles and give them a try. If they work for you, maybe consider giving them your seal of approval."
"I guess I can try it," Andromeda said, sounding very reluctant.
"Wonderful!" Thalia beamed. "I'll just get you all set up now, and you can let me know your thoughts in a week."
"How will we get hold of you?" Annabeth asked.
"I'm on the Iris Network," the goddess said. "Or, if you aren't too rushed, you can send a prayer. I am a goddess, after all. Anyway, I shouldn't keep you any longer, I can see the old man is getting agitated."
"Watch the 'old man' comments," dad groused.
"I'll have everything sent to you via Hermes Express Delivery so you can go over it all before getting back to me, okay?"
"Sounds good," I said, and the others nodded.
"Great. Oh, and Happy Birthday, kiddo," she said, turning to leave.
"That reminds me," I said, turning back to my dad after Thalia had gone from sight. "How am I going to get the bike back home? I can't exactly ride it down the elevator."
"I thought of that," he said, cracking a wry grin. "It shrinks down so you can carry it in your pocket. Just say ελαττώνω to shrink it, and mεγέθυνση to return it to normal size."
As he spoke, the bike shrank and then enlarged again on command.
"That's amazing!" I said.
"Yeah, well..." he murmured, glancing away. "Oh, and even as safe as it is, you'll still need a helmet. Don't think I forgot about that. Even used those crafting materials you sent me."
"Crafting materials...?" I asked, then recoiled as he produced a snake head shaped helmet from thin air. It was a true work of art - beautifully crafted with individual scales in perfect detail - but it gave off a sense of foreboding presence.
Andromeda and Annabeth both reeled back and away while Andros practically leapt into Percy's arms like Shaggy and Scooby Doo. Okay, that might be a mild exaggeration - he only grabbed onto my brother's arm - but given his generally prickly disposition all day, the idea of him initiating any kind of physical contact was noteworthy.
"Figured I'd put a new twist on a classic design," he said. "Instead of modeling the helm to resemble her face, I'd model it after one of the snakes instead. It's also got a more mild effect of the revulsion that Athena's Aegis carries."
"Thanks," I said, gingerly accepting the helmet.
"Why don't you put it on and give the bike a spin?"
"Wait," my eyes widened. "Really? Hell yeah!"
The wind on my face felt incredible as I pushed my new bike to top speed. You might think that a winding mountain top road would be the worst place in the world for a new rider to go, but there were ample long, straight stretches of road where I could really open her up and let loose once I got out of the city itself.
My heightened battle senses were working overtime as I pushed the accelerator forward, allowing me to sense everything around myself in stunning detail. I may have been a blur to everyone else, but to me it was as though they were all standing still. It was almost as if the bike was responding to my thoughts rather than my body, and with only the slightest movement of the handlebars, I easily avoided obstacle after obstacle in my path.
My only regret was the knowledge that my mom would probably ban me from riding again until I was at least sixteen - so I wanted to get as much time on my new bike as possible before I had it taken away 'for my own safety'. Maybe I could lend her the manual my dad wrote so she could see the safety features for herself. It couldn't hurt, right? After around an hour or more, I finally headed back to my dad's mansion-slash-temple to find my friends and brother waiting for me out front with Lonnie.
"Hey," I said, dismounting from the bike. "ελαττώνω. What's up?"
"It's starting to get late," Percy said. "We didn't want to overstay our welcome here, and felt it best if we wrapped things up and got back home so our moms wouldn't worry."
I frowned, but nodded thoughtfully; "Yeah, I guess that makes sense. Is it alright if I go say goodbye, first?"
"Sure thing," Lonnie said.
I darted inside to find my stepmother alone in the sitting room with a book. Everyone else, it seemed, had already gone their own way.
"Oh, hello dear," Aglaea said, looking up from her book as I entered. "I thought you'd be on your way back down by now."
"Almost," I said. "I didn't want to leave without saying goodbye first, and also thank you for having us over. I had a really good time."
"Not at all," she smiled. "We were happy to have you. I know my sister plans on having you and your friends back eventually, so feel free to stop by and say hello then as well."
"You're sure?" I asked, a little surprised.
"Of course," the goddess replied. "You're family, dear. Besides, I have a feeling the girls will be excited for the chance to dote on their new little sister."
"What about my other siblings back at camp? Are they welcome too?"
"That's a complicated situation," she said, frowning slightly.
"How so?" I asked.
"Well, the short answer is they have to approach your father first. One of Zeus' edicts regarding the gods and their mortal children means the demigod must make the first overtures. Your father, bless him, isn't the most emotionally open god to begin with, either, and those Solstice meetings tend to make him close himself off even more. So it just makes sense that his children view him as aloof or disinterested and decide to keep their distance."
"Then what about me?" I asked. "He invited me here personally."
"You had just completed a quest," Aglaea reminded me. "That was more than enough of an initial overture on your part that he could get away with that - even in front of his father."
"So..." I hesitated, thinking about what I had just learned. "If the others approached dad first, then he would be allowed to talk back to them and they would have a chance to meet you and the others as well?"
"In theory," she nodded. "Of course, you may find it harder to get them to open up first. The current culture at the camp - while not necessarily hostile - isn't very friendly toward what they regard as their absentee parents."
I frowned, but couldn't argue. Even in the time I had been at the camp, I had noticed an undercurrent of low level animosity directed toward the Olympians - and not just from Cabin Eleven.
"Maybe I can do something about that," I said. "Like, change the camper's perception of the Olympians."
"How would you go about doing that?"
"To start with, I'll tell them what you told me," I said. "Maybe if they know what to do, more of them will make the effort. Of course, I'll also continue making trips up here as regularly as I can. Maybe I can remove some of the mystique by sharing mundane stories of shopping with nymphs or getting coffee at the diner."
"And if that doesn't work?" she pressed.
"I don't know," I admitted. "But, I'm sure I'll think of something."
