Athena in this chapter: Hmm, the girl was impressive earlier but I doubt it will last.
Hmm, okay, perhaps the girl is well educated, but-
Ah, well perhaps I can see why my daughter might be infatuated with her but-
Oh holy shit this girl- do I approve? I think I approve I can't approve can I?! It's Poseidons child I can't approve! But... damn it I have no choice.
Meanwhile Aphrodite's there just like: Hehehehe. I ship it.
Also guys, my writing may suffer, my granddad has covid and I'm caring for him so we shall see how it goes.
Undeath9087: You'll have to wait and see. And no I don't believe this will have Rachel in it at all, sorry guy! I has my plans.
Zephyr0f8: Well it certainly would have never gone like this, heheheheh.
DannyPhantom619: Well we shall see.
NuzhatT: Heheheheheheh. You think that was a good lecture.
MKDemiGodzilla-Warrior: It will certainly differ.
Krypton Writes: Sorry bud!
Ryan Fowler: I hope you enjoy.
It took Percy several minutes to convince her girlfriends to let her speak to Athena alone.
Chiron had left swiftly but the two girls had wanted to stay- they didn't like the idea of Athena alone with her. Especially considering the fact that A, Percy was Poseidon's daughter and their rivalry was legendary, and B, Percy was dating Annabeth and it wasn't likely that Athena would approve of them. But Percy wasn't afraid of the goddess.
For now at least killing her would be the worst possible move to make strategically speaking and Athena was not the type to make such a stupid move. And although Athena's expression wasn't entirely friendly it also wasn't hostile. And given some of the gods Percy had had run ins with that was honestly pretty good for her.
She managed to convince Annabeth and Piper to leave her side by pointing out that Luke was looking very uncomfortable trying to blend on with the wall on the other side of the throne room. Annabeth had reluctantly agreed that someone should probably keep an eye and make sure no one said anything to him. He was on their side now yes but Percy didn't want the progress she'd made with him damaged at all. Especially not considering just how much progress she had made.
Once they slipped away Percy turned to face the goddess. "So Lady Athena, you want to speak to me?"
"You're not as dim witted as Poseidon's spawn usually." And wow. Wow that was a great way to open things.
"Uh- thank you? I think." Percy blinked, staring at the goddess- and gods but her eyes really were just like Annabeth's, that startling shade of gray. Though her hair was dark.
"You saved my daughters life. I owe you my thanks for that." Athena didn't look happy to say those words but hey, she was still saying them right? That was totally a victory wasn't it? "What is the nature of your relationship with her?"
"I-" Percy felt her face flushing. "I mean I think you already know based on the look you're giving me. But her, Piper and I are together. It's… it's still pretty new to me but apparently she's had a crush on me since like, forever."
That earned a raised eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"
"I-" Percy gave a sheepish smile. "I'm an actress." And there, there was more disapproval in Athena's gaze. "And I'm also sort of a nepotism baby I guess you could say? The main characters in my moms books were literally based on me and my siblings, and when they were turned into movies I auditioned and got the part. So I've basically been playing myself on the screen for years. And they were Annabeth's favorite books and movies so…"
"I see." Athena sniffed. "Tell me. What do you think Annabeth sees in you?"
"You mean aside from the girls star quality and her beauty?" That voice came from the left and Percy turned her head slightly.
Another goddess, tall, beautiful with features that shifted, flickering between brunette and blonde, with gray eyes and with swirling kaleidoscope eyes.
"Aphrodite." Athena's voice was cool, "I was talking to the girl-"
"Now now." Aphrodite waved a hand, "I want to talk to my daughters girlfriend too. I would talk to your daughter but you get so defensive. And Poseidon is distracted right now with Triton." Which explained why he hadn't come after her trying to talk.
That would come soon enough she was sure.
She got the feeling she'd be bumped from god to god wanting to talk with her. If she wasn't so used to being in the presence of gods it might be a little overwhelming. But she was, she'd had the Egyptian gods bow to her and her siblings when she'd been nine.
"It's nice to meet you Lady Aphrodite-"
"Aphrodite to you darling, oh you are a precious one." Aphrodite's hand shot out, gripping Percy's chin and tilting her head up a little, "Exquisite features. You know I really am proud of Piper, managing to catch herself two of the most spectacular girls of her generation."
"She's pretty spectacular too Aphrodite."
"Good, I'm glad you see her worth." Aphrodite clicked her tongue. "You're a heart breaker you know, your fame and your beauty, oh you are going to make things so fun for me. First crushes are always entertaining and you've just got hordes of fans haven't you?"
"I've got a few yeah." Percy was blushing.
"And yet so humble." Aphrodite cooed, "You really are adorable. Honestly Athena look at her and tell me that she isn't worthy of your daughter just because she's Poseidon's.
"Not everything is about appearances Aphrodite-"
"No, it's about feelings. And I can feel how much those three love one another." Aphrodite declared, "It's adorable really. I haven't felt love this strong in a long time. Not even from one of my own children. Piper's done very well for herself, and so has your daughter."
"Intelligence and logic are important too Aphrodite-"
"The girls clearly intelligent." Aphrodite waved a hand dismissively. "She even had you eating your words with that beautiful speech. It was very impressive by the way darling."
"I- thank you-"
"I've already acknowledged that the girl has more brains than Poseidon's spawn usually do-"
"I mean, I don't think I'm dumb or anything." Percy spoke up, "Though I can also acknowledge that I grew up much more privileged than most demigods because I was home schooled by someone who actually understood why I struggled until I was ten."
"Hm." Athena pursed her lips. "Were you only educated about Egyptian-"
"No. No my dad was very firm that he wanted me to understand both aspects of myself." Percy said quickly, "I admit that because I was surrounded by Egyptian stuff at a young age I probably know more about it but I do know a fair amount about the Greek side of things. I've read most of Homers works-"
"Oh?" Athena raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised to hear that, "Have you now-"
"Yeah. That-" Percy flushed a little, "I usually use magic to translate them to ancient Greek to make it easier. I was reading the Odyssey out loud when Annabeth woke up after we got her back to Brooklyn House."
"You- you sat by her bedside reading the Odyssey in ancient Greek to her." Athena was blinking slowly. And was there a gleam of realisation in those eyes?
"Yeah." Percy nodded. "Lady Athena I get that you don't like my dad and the whole me being Egyptian too probably makes you a little suspicious but I care about your daughter. And- and I'm not what you probably want to think I am."
"Perhaps not, but you have yet to prove yourself-"
"Uh-" Percy shifted her grip on the backpack, "I might be able to give you something that might make you like me a little more. Might prove that I'm different than you think." She paused, "I don't have anything for you Aphrodite-"
"Oh don't be silly you don't need to win me over." Aphrodite winked at Percy.
"What could you possibly have?"
"Right. So before I give you this I need you to understand that I didn't plan for there to be a six month delay between getting them and sending them home but the actual plan went wrong due to monster interference so I've been waiting for the heat to die down first?"
"The heat?" Athena's eyes narrowed, "Did you break the law-"
"Yes." Percy gave a little grin, "But in my defence is it really stealing if the items you steal were stolen by the people you were stealing them from?"
Athena considered that, "That depends on the circumstances-"
"I like to consider it repatriation… though I didn't get to step two of that process yet. And for the record I have been wanting to do it for years- long before I met your daughter. I wanted to do it because it's the right thing to do." Percy handed over the backpack. "I think you can choose what to do with these." And she watched Athena unzip the backpack to look inside, her gaze snapping up after a moment to look at Percy, a stunned expression on her face.
"You!"
"Yes. Yes me." Percy gave a toothy little grin. "Sorry?"
"You-" Athena faltered, "You wanted to do this even before you met my daughter?"
"Of course." Percy huffed, "I love visiting Greece. I go to Mykonos yearly and we usually make time to visit the Acropolis. Annabeth nearly fainted from joy when she realised she'd get to come along that first time. I've always thought that it was wrong that the British Museum refused to return the Parthenon Marbles to their rightful home."
"Ooooh." Aphrodite practically cackled. "Oh that is good. That is perfect."
Because Athena was staring at Percy with wide eyes, her mouth hanging open in shock. But Aphrodite's words snapped her out of it and her mouth quickly snapped shut.
"Shut up Aphrodite. I- thank you child." Athena's expression was appraising now. "Perhaps I misjudged you. I suppose even Poseidon's children can't all be idiots."
"I like to think I'm not." Percy gave a small smile. "Just- I'd like it if they could be returned to their rightful home. Though I'd understand if you want to keep them close."
"Do not worry." Athena gave a small nod. "I will ensure that they're returned to the Acropolis child." There was an almost faint smile on her lips. "Perhaps I shall give you a chance. Just a chance mind you."
"Thank you Lady Athena-"
"My goodness you actually did it." Aphrodite's voice was teasing, "You've won over the famously chilly Athena-"
"She has not." Athena glared, "I am simply giving her a chance that is not the same thing Aphrodite-"
"It seems like it to me." Aphrodite's voice was singsong. "You've done well Percy." She twirled a lock of Percy's hair around her finger, humming. "You know the hair's pretty but something about it doesn't fit quite right."
"I-" Percy blinked, startled at the sudden change before shrugging. "I mean, it was only died because my natural hair is a little too distinctive."
"In what way?" Athena looked curious. "Most of Poseidon's children have dark hair that would hardly stand out even if you are as Aphrodite has said, incredibly famous."
"My hair was black, now it's not. I guess it's not natural exactly but my hair changed after… a magical incident that put my body under an extreme level of stress."
"Oh? What incident?"
"I was…" Percy faltered slightly before, "Someone wanted me to be their Eye. I didn't agree." Percy was glad her hair was
covering her neck. She could almost feel the scar burning- a psychological thing she knew but even so an unpleasant sensation. "So I forced them out. I was nine and the strain on my mind and body almost killed me and when I woke up my hair was different." She felt her fingers twitching, wanting to tug at the blue green curls. "Took me a long time to come to terms with the change but honestly now it feels like I'm betraying myself by dying it."
"Hmmm. Let's see what it really looks like." Aphrodite waved a hand- and Percy felt a faint tingling that vanished after a moment, and when she shook her head very slightly she saw the familiar white of her natural hair.
"I see why you dyed it." Athena blinked after a moment, "That is most distinctive."
"Oh it is beautiful though." Aphrodite cooed the words, "Just look at you, a truly stunning sight. Honestly my daughter really does have the best taste in girls."
"I suppose mine could have done worse." Athena said slowly- which made Percy blink. She got the feeling that coming from Athena that was practically a ringing endorsement.
Well she'd take that.
"Thank you my Ladies." She bowed her head slightly. "I really do appreciate your approval-"
"Nieces, Aphrodite-" Hades' familiar voice was amused. "I hate to interrupt but I do believe that if Poseidon doesn't get to speak to Persephone within the next sixty seconds we may have Earthquakes."
"Oh." Percy blinked, turning her head so that her gaze could focus on Poseidon, who was stood with Triton, his eyes scanning the crowds almost frantically. He must have lost sight of her. And the change in hair color probably didn't help.
"Thank you uncle Hades. I'll go talk to him now."