Not much action in this chapter- we're close to the end of this one my lovelies. But don't fret there is more to come. Some of the Minific chapters will be interesting for you guys :).
Replies:
DualEquinox: Yeah uh, Zeus is certainly unhappy- and there is a lot of shock going around. And who knows maybe we will see Hestia sometime. She is after all the best of the Olympians in many ways.
Undeath9087: Well I mean, between certain parts of it maybe. Once the shock wears off Hades and Poseidon are gonna be sending one another messages and Poseidon is gonna be bragging about his little girl. And even Athena said that she wasn't entirely wrong in what she was saying so she's more to Percy's side. And so are Apollo and Artemis and Aphrodite.
NuzhatT: I managed to be somewhat productive what can I say. And thank you I'm glad you enjoyed. I tried to make it as realistic as I could. Percy is young but very sort of aware of how that sort of thing works thanks to how she was raised. You could even say she was... wise. Heheh. Athena must be stunned lol.
TDS1337: Yeah it was extremely traumatic and Percy does still find the memories traumatic. Which does make it hard for her, a part of her is still afraid of her own power but she's getting less afraid.
Kennji: He needs sense slapped into him that's for sure. She's given him a lot to think on lol. And yeah the gods who Percy actually cares about are on her side. And that is a question for the future.
AsharaAyomide: Thank you! At the end of the day she is still a teenager. She's smart and well educated but she's not perfect but that gives it more power.
Krypton Writes: YAY! I'm glad you liked.
Yazinz: Well it'll certainly set some of them thinking.
Guest: He wants to be. He's just desperate and misguided and fucking it up. He tried pushing it too soon and Percy refused to take that lying down. And yeah, yeah Zeus is having the realisation that Percy has the potential to be very, very dangerous indeed to him.
Venus Jackson: Hermes is complicated and a bit stupid but he does care. And he will get the chance to at least speak to Percy in the minific so you can look forward to that!
Guest: Percy is not classed as a clear sighted mortal as she is a Demigod. But uh... theoretically speaking a magician could in fact be the clear sighted mortal. Though it won't be one you're expecting I imagine. As for the Hermes situation. She got pissed off that he refused to back down when told and refused to take no for an answer despite the fact that Luke didn't want to talk to him. And he phrased things poorly and Zeus interfered so it went bad.
Guest123456789: No, no I've had that planned for a while lol. Zeus is short tempered and Percy is irreverent and speaks her mind. It had to happen. And Zeus needs it to happen I think. To actually get his brain working.
Guest: Hera sat there like 'Why that insolent little brat I ought to- oh shit she just floored my husband! I ain't touching that!'.
Guest: I doubt it at this stage but maybe a cameo some day.
Drizzle: Well that's Percy for you.
Ryan Fowler: Well she definitely did that lol.
Percy turned her head slightly to the side when she felt a hand sliding into hers, fingers intertwining. Her lips twitched when she saw Piper, saw the proud gleam in the daughter of Aphrodite's eyes, and then she felt the same on her other side and she turned her head again, gaze focusing on Annabeth's stormy gray's.
Fuck but she was lucky.
Neither of them spoke of course. None of them needed to. Everything that Percy had needed to say had been said. There was no taking back or changing what had just happened and she wouldn't want to. She was proud. She would not stand there and be silent when the gods acted like assholes. She refused to be that sort of person. They saw that as acceptance of poor behavior.
And they couldn't even truly lash out against her because they needed her. Sure, Percy couldn't be sure how long they would need her, but she did know that they needed her for now. And she would make the most of that.
And maybe something of what she'd said had sunk in. Stranger things had happened hadn't they. She'd certainly been given some appraising looks on her way out- along with some glares but, well, that was expected and Percy wouldn't let herself stress out too much about that yet.
They made it most of the way down the winding paths when a voice called for them to slow, and Percy turned her head, raising an eyebrow as she saw Chiron cantering after them.
"No offence Chiron but if you're here to tell us that I just made a mistake or something along those lines I'm really not interested in hearing it I won't be apologising for what I said."
"I wouldn't dream of it." the Centaur shook his head, "Perhaps you could have said it in a more... polite way but I won't deny that there is some truth to your words and I respect your courage. And Lord Zeus did attack first. Your reaction was self defence... Though I'd advise caution in any future interactions with Lord Zeus." His lips twitched. "I need to return to camp. Argus is waiting for me down below with the Minivan and I thought I should offer you children a ride too. It will be an easier ride for you to ride with us I'm sure. There's space there. And I imagine your mother's been waiting anxiously for word of your quest's outcome. You'll be able to return to your home with her."
"I mean, that works for me. What about everyone else?" Percy looked around at the others, who all seemed to agree, though Thalia spoke up.
"I-uh... Percy offered to let me visit Brooklyn House, I was hoping to maybe spend a little time there. I think I need some space and time away. Not that I don't love camp I just-" Thalia swallowed hard, clearly struggling until Percy saw Bianca slipping her hand into the daughter of Zeus' and giving a gentle squeeze. And that seemed to bolster Thalia a little. It was enough that she straightened her back slightly and when she next spoke her words came out more confident. "I've spent the last six months trying to make myself the perfect Child of the Prophecy. I've been so stressed and anxious and I need space away from Camp to figure myself out."
"Well." Chiron's smile seemed a little sad, almost melancholy. "I must say I can't blame you. I know much pressure was put on you as soon as you woke. It was unfair and I would be most pleased if you get the chance to recover from that and discover who you want to be outside of the prophecy. But I would like you to return to camp."
"We'll set up a schedule." Percy's voice was bright, cheerful. "I want to visit camp in the future. Maybe spend a week or so at a time there during the holidays and stuff. Possibly check in on weekends. Though my work schedule might make that a little tricky."
"Especially if your mom decides to publish the next in the Blake Chronicles." Annabeth's voice was almost gleeful. "You know she's written them right? She has to have-"
"Oh great." Luke groaned, "More humiliation for me." because he was smart enough to know he'd at least be mentioned.
"Of course I know." Percy scoffed, "The only reason she never published was because at the time we were sorta lying low when it came to the Greek stuff."
"Oooh." Piper grinned, "Does that mean that there'll be a Penelope and a Annabell?"
"Ugh puhlease." Percy waved a hand dismissively, "It's Parker and Annalise. I've already read the book with mom."
"Wait-" Annabeth stiffened next to Percy, "You're saying your mom's written our adventures and not only did you not tell me, you didn't give me the damn books to read?"
"Uh oh." Piper's voice was singsong. "Someone's in trouble-"
"Annabeth, Annie, love oh my love don't look at me like that-"
"I am going to break every bone in your body and then throw you in the lake so I can do it all over again." Annabeth's voice was all fake sugar, "You traitor-"
"Oh no-" Percy slipped free from Annabeth and Piper, breaking into a run, the sound of laughter echoing behind her as Annabeth rushed after her.
Percy managed to make it to the elevator before Annabeth caught her, slapping the button repeatedly, glancing back over her shoulder as Annabeth got closer- and further back she could see the others, Bianca half holding Thalia up because she was just cackling with laughter, and she could tell that Chiron was shaking his head.
The doors were sliding open and Percy was about to dive into the elevator when Annabeth crashed into her, tight arms closing around her and sending them both tumbling to the floor of the elevator.
Percy actually squealed with laughter as the daughter of Athena scrambled to sit on her back, cheering out her victory as Percy managed to turn her head back to look at her girlfriend?
"Annabeth-"
"Silence!" Annabeth was almost cackling. "Let me celebrate my victory over the great and mighty Persephone Kane, greatest of warriors!"
"…You're lucky that I'm in love with you."
That made Annabeth falter, face flushing and eyes widening. "Ooooh. Can you say that again please?"
"Annabeth Chase I am in love with you. Also with Piper Mclean-"
"Damn right you are." That drew both teens attention to Piper, who was stood in front of the elevator doors, her lips quirked up into an amused smile. Wry and fond. "You're also both idiots but what else is new?"
"Are we cute idiots?"
"Very."
And Percy could see the others gathered behind her. Chiron's expression was one of sternness, though she could see that he was trying to use it to hide his amusement.
"Children. As much as I am glad for your youthful spirit I would much appreciate it if you could at least wait until we've left Olympus-"
"Uh, blame Annabeth-"
"Hey!"
And Percy could see Luke, lips pressed together tightly, eyes screwed shut as he tried to contain his own laughter.
Thalia wasn't even trying to hold it in, she had a wide grin on her lips, eyes shining with amusement.
Bianca. To give her credit where it was due, was used to their antics and simply had an eyebrow raised as she stared at them.
"Sorry Chiron but you're not going to have much luck there. Percy's got a certain… irreverence. It comes from being… well being her."
"Awe. Bia you know me so well."
"I sense that I'm going to have many headaches due to you children." But despite his words Chiron looked pleased beneath the façade. Which made sense. Percy doubted he saw as much real joy as he'd like. Oh certainly there would be good moments at camp. There would be childish happiness and joy. But there would always be that shadow over it she was sure. The burden of reality. The fact that very few of the gods cared about their children. And those children were well aware of that fact.
Percy, Bianca, Piper and Annabeth didn't have that weight in the same way.
Oh Piper and Annabeth had issues with their parents, ironically more with their mortal parents than their immortal ones. But that shadow that might have darkened that joy had been banished by their time in Brooklyn House.
Piper grabbed Annabeth, dragging her off the daughter of Poseidon, who pulled herself to her feet quickly, grinning as the others slipped into the elevator.
With Chiron it was a bit of a tight fit, but they made it, and when the doors opened once more they all made their way out of the elevator.
It was strange. The lobby of the Empire State building was empty, bar one man- a very strange looking man, though Percy wasn't too bothered given some of her experiences.
He looked almost like a blonde surfer dude, except for the fact that he had a hundred blue eyes all over his body. He was also stood behind a sleek expensive looking wheelchair.
"Ah, Argus I see you got my message." Chiron seemed pleased as they all emerged from the elevator.
Argus didn't speak, he simply nodded as Chiron moved towards him. And Percy had to admit it was weird watching the Centaur's lower half disappearing into his wheelchair. But then again she had fit the Parthenon Marbles into her backpack so who was she to judge.
Soon enough Chiron was in his wheelchair- and Percy realised that would make it easier for the travel- he'd hardly fit into a normal minivan if he was in full Centaur mode.
The minivan was big enough for them but it wasn't that big.
Still, it was a comfortable enough fit for the small group, and the journey to camp was pleasant enough.
Percy could even say it was relaxing, the familiar rumble of an engine beneath them, Piper and Annabeth slotting in on either side of her.
Luke was sat next to Chiron, looking a little uncomfortable but honestly more relaxed than Percy had been expecting.
When he spotted her looking at him he offered her a wry smile, and she could see the gratitude in his eyes.
That was nice. She was glad he appreciated what she'd done. Still if Hermes did want to reach out she got the feeling she'd have to play middle man. Maybe she could encourage letters at first. Something nice and simple that would ease into a physical meeting. It definitely wouldn't work out well if the god tried to show up when Luke was out and about she knew that much.
She'd have to try and get him to tell her more about his past, get him to open up to her.
Percy shook those thoughts away, running her fingers through her hair as her gaze shifted to Thalia and Bianca, who were talking quietly together.
Percy felt a sudden rush of guilt.
Fuck. How could she have been so stupid? She'd been supposed to try and talk to Zeus about Jason. "Thalia-" her voice was heavy and Thalia lifted her head, eyes meeting Percy's, and she seemed to practically read her mind.
"Don't apologise." Her voice was light. "It's fine."
"Apologise for what?" Chiron looked curious and Thalia waved a hand.
"It's- well I won't say it's not a big deal but it's not important right now. Percy just forgot to bring something up with a god."
"Thalia I promised-"
"You promised you'd try." Thalia snorted, "And to be fair you had your hands full, little miss popular." She snickered. "I get why it slipped your mind Percy. You had other priorities. I can't blame you for that. I- I'll figure things out. There's time."
"And I'll help her." Bianca piped up, bumping her shoulder against Thalia's.
And that was nice. Sure Bianca had had Kya since coming to Brooklyn House but still, it really would be good for her to have more than one friend. Especially if Thalia was going to come to Brooklyn House.
"Do we need to know what that's about?" Annabeth asked as Thalia and Bianca went back to their soft conversation.
"Not at the moment." Percy's voice was soft.
"Good." Piper's lips pressed to her cheek. "Because all I want right now is to cuddle my girlfriends while we head back to camp."
"Ooooh," Annabeth grinned, "Piper you may just be the genius here-"
"Shut up." Percy blushed- but, well, she'd never complain about her girls arms around her, safe and warm.