Notes: Nothing

It was going great until I got trucked by a griffon. I was making my way down the highway, to New Jersey, following the map. I had on a pair of roller blades and I had grappled onto a car, letting it pull me along. Funnily enough, no police came to interrogate. The one's I did see just pointed a radar gun at me and shrugged.

He's going under the speed limit, so it should be fine Johnson.

So, going at around 60 mph trailing a medium sized SUV was about as exciting as it gets. I had to watch my rope for any fraying, while simultaneously dodging roadkill and scraps of tires. The gravel being kicked up by the tires wasn't helping.

With the wind in my face, I relaxed a little as we crossed the overpass. It's been a few hours and no monsters. I realized happily, perhaps the quest would be a quick one.

Of course, with my luck, I got trucked by something, coming straight from my blind spot. The griffon (which I only found out later about) screeched as it collided with me. I flew through the air, off the overpass and directly into oncoming traffic.

A gust of wind carried me into a thicket by the side of the road. I laid there, my sides thrumming from the pain. Griffons sure are bony

I watched as the monster flew away, heading in the same direction I was. I thought I glimpsed a chariot attached to the animal, but when I rubbed my eyes, it was gone.

I'm probably just a little lightheaded I took a sip of nectar from my water bottle. Instantly, my pain receded. I untangled myself from the bushes and looked around. There didn't seem like there was any way back up to the overpass, so I started to follow the road, looking for a way back up.

I stumbled into a statue garden half an hour later. Seeing a bench, I sat down and took a quick break.

These are pretty lifelike I mused, observing the closest one. It seemed to be of a satyr.

Whoever had made it had paid attention to every detail, even the fur on his legs seemed to have been directly copied from a real one. Each curve was shaped so well that it was eerie how lifelike it was. I looked at the face. While the rest of the body had been beautiful, the face was contorted in fear. The face sent chills down my spine. It looked a little familiar, though I wasn't quite sure where I had seen it before.

Voices drifted through the air, prompting me to hide. It would be hard enough to explain what a lone teen was doing in a statue garden. I hid behind the likeness of a family standing together, as if for a picture. The voices came closer and I peeked over the shoulder of the mom.

The figures stopped before they came into view, though I could see the shadows against the wall.

"Tartarus hurt like a bitch! Curse that son of Poseidon. I just wanted to make a beautiful statue."

I ducked down instantly, analyzing what I had just heard. Son of Poseidon? Tartarus? It had to be a monster, that much was for sure, but which ones.

Statues? Lifelike? Percy! It made sense, the slight serpentine nature of her speech, the garden littered with statues. I had wandered into Medusa's lair. I guessed that the satyr I had seen before was an unfortunate victim, though if I thought back to Annabeth's story of her first quest, I seemed to remember.

"It's Uncle Ferdinand" I whispered to myself. Apparently not quietly enough because I heard Medusa hiss in surprise.

"Who's there?" Footsteps came closer.

Even though I knew that she would petrify me given the chance, as my Mom had been responsible for cursing her, I couldn't resist a pang of sympathy. She had a beautiful voice, even when cursing, it was musical and lyrical all at the same time.

Quickly I tried to formulate a plan, unfortunately I didn't have anything reflective with me. I would have to improvise. I made my way to a nearby garden hose, turning it to the mist option and keeping it in place with a rubber band. I took a spare flashlight and tied it to the hose, making a rainbow appear. I left the hose in the hand of a little boy, who had been in the process of covering his eyes. The rainbow appeared slightly overhead and I tossed a drachma in before running to a fountain opposite it. Using the tip of my tonfa I jabbed the centerpiece, causing another spray to appear. Taking out my book, i flipped the flashlight on, making another rainbow. O Fleecy, do me a solid and show myself. I stood anxiously, waiting for the connection to finish. Eventually, I saw a slightly hazy image of myself. Thank the gods.

Having made enough noise to surely alert Medusa, I placed my feet in the fountain and splashed around, soaking my feet. I kept my tonfas extended, though I hid them with the huge book I was 'reading'. I watched through the rainbow as a beautiful woman slowly glided across the grass, hardly making a sound. I felt my breath catch in my throat.

Even though I knew her true identity, it didn't stop me from appreciating her body. A tight, black pencil skirt wrapped around her shapely hips, covering a pair of stockings that were tightly drawn on her slender legs. She was wearing a dark blouse that barely covered her shoulders and had a generous v neck, showing off her assets. I took a good look at her profile, knowing for sure that I wouldn't be petrified. The myths all stated that she was ugly, though I could see that was artistic choice. Through the veil she wore, I could see that she had a proud face, with high cheekbones and pretty lips that were rose red, contrasting heavily from her porcelain skin. However, her eyes were a piercing yellow, with reptilian slits for pupils.

"What are you doing here boy?" she said, standing about ten feet behind me.

I had to resist the urge to turn around, even though I could already see her. Every word seemed like it wanted me to look her in the eye.

"I'm just washing my feet!" I replied, playing dumb.

"That isn't what that's for." Her lip curled into a sneer.

"Come over here boy. I have a shower inside." I ignored her, playfully splashing water on some statues. Medusa snapped. She sauntered up to me, close enough to smell. Cinnamon and snakes. She raised her hands, which were sharpened claws, over her head. I continued splashing about, but made sure both my feet were firmly planted in the shallow basin.

Right before she struck I slammed into her with my tonfas, pushing her backwards. I kept going, eyes closed as I charged. I felt a jolt as we hit a wall.

"Swear on the river Styx that you won't petrify or kill me. " I grunted, eyes still closed.

"Why would I do that?" Her body wriggle under my tonfas trying to break free. I ignored her hair as it tried to snap at me, too low for them to reach. "I knew I smelled a demigod. But I didn't think you would be stupid enough to wander near." she said, trying to taunt me.

"I could send you to Tartarus right now " I growled. I slowly thumbed the blade switch, slowly extending it. I felt as the blade pierced skin and caused her to bleed.

"You fucking child of Athena! I won't fall for your tricks!"

"I swear on the river Styx I will not kill you if you abide by my terms."

Thunder rumbled overhead, at the same time, Medusa stopped struggling.

"What are you doing?" She asked incredulously.

"Bargaining, but I guess it's a little blackmail too" I said, still not letting go. I thumbed the release for the blade above her heart, making an audible sound. Even though I couldn't see, I could feel the heat of her gaze.

"I swear... on the river Styx, to not petrify or kill you." Thunder rumbled again.

I immediately sheathed my weapons, pulling away from the gasping monster. I picked up my bag and brought out some medical supplies. I opened the bandages walked over, meaning to patch her up. Medusa watched, still not moving her hands from her wound.

Exasperated, I tried to move an arm, she didn't budge.

"Do you want my help or not?"

"Why are you even doing this?" Medusa still seemed shocked.

"I'm a little different."
***************************

We went well into the night, discussing various pros and cons of having a petrifying gaze. She seemed to have it all worked out, the veil being just enough to prevent petrification, but thin enough that her eyes didn't seem weird. I observed the veil carefully.

"Did you make this yourself?"

"No, I didn't. I got it from a special someone who also spited your mother."

I felt the fabric, marveling at the sheer softness and strength. It had faint magical enchantments, which I supposed Medusa kept supplied herself.

"Arachne" I breathed, a little frightened that I even said her name aloud.

Medusa nodded, "It was a pretty interesting reunion that one, I heard that mortals have so called high school reunions and such. I supposed this one was a 'Athena screwed us over' one."

She briskly walked over, snatching the veil and putting it back on, then she gestured me to follow. We got into the kitchen, where she started to put on an apron.

"What are you doing?" I silently elongated my tonfas, ready to defend myself.

"I'm making dinner"

"What?"

"What kind of host doesn't even give this sort of service?"

She crossed over to the fridge, bending over as she surveyed the contents. My eyes went to her rear, her voluptuous flesh stretching the skirt.

What the fuck am I doing? She's a monster!

Little Xavier didn't seem to mind, starting to divert blood to his position.

"What else do you need?"

Her voice shocked me out of my stupor. I quickly sat down, too quickly. I knocked a mug to the floor. It shattered, sending ceramic fragments shooting everywhere. I winced at Medusa's turned back, which had stopped moving.

"Sorry?" I said sheepishly.

Medusa simply sighed and started to sweep up the fragments.

"Don't mind me, you haven't answered the question yet."

I opened the heavy book, turning to Medusa's section. Thanks to her rather abrupt change of heart, I had been making progress. The ability section was already very well documented, and her appearance as well as combat tips seemed to be complete as well. I flipped through the pages, scanning. There's only 'that' one left.

"How about you call your children back for a little family picture."

Medusa pursed her lips, "They aren't that easy to contact... Though I'll see what I can do. It has been centuries since we've been together again."

I nodded lamely, I don't think an immortal flying horse and a super seasoned pirate are easy to contact at all.

After a simply delightful meal of freshly grilled salmon and mashed potatoes, I asked for a place to retire.

"You can take the guestroom" said a rather tired Medusa, who was wearing a beauty facial mask. After replacing her bandage one more time I also retired.

As I laid in bed, I couldn't help but think about how quickly her demeanor changed. After our oaths on the river, she became more laidback, as did I. The fear of death no longer lingering over each other's heads, I explained that I was on a quest to record every monster and I wasn't required to kill any of them. While centuries of prejudice against me wasn't going to disappear overnight, the shock, combined with my sincere plans helped Medusa open up to me.

"I can almost forget you're a child of Athena" she had said at one point. I suppose that was high praise coming from someone like her.