Ch17

The ship shook as they locked the door again and quickly exited the room. So far no monsters. Yet Percy kept his hand on Riptide just in case while carefully eyeing their surroundings.

On deck it was a mess and darkness was everywhere. Water was everywhere and the wind was so strong he feared it would knock them down. Out in the distance he could only see the dark expanse of the sea

"This way!" Lou yelled, pointing to a red sign that red lifeboat.

The ship lurched to the side spraying water on the ground. The ship lurched and he nearly fell down but Alabaster grabbed him. "Thanks." They made it to a small orange lifeboat that looked like a giant capsule.

"Get in!" Alabaster yelled. They quickly got inside and found that it wasn't as cramped as he thought it would be.

Alabaster gripped the bag Hermes gave them. "Don't worry I'll protect us, Lou support me."

The two children of Hecate reached into the bag Hermes gave them and took out various markers, candles, and incense sticks. Lou and Alabaster quickly placed them around the room and lit them. They glowed green giving an ominous feel as the two children of Hecate drew a bunch of symbols all over the craft.

"Lets hold hands and pray," Alabaster said his eyes glowing green.

Lou smiled at him and extended a hand to each of them. They formed a circle around a large candle and incense stick the smell of which made him feel a bit light headed. "Oh mother hear our prayers," Alabaster muttered. "Guide and direct us through these waves. Lord Poseidon bless our craft and us with a safe travel through these waters."

Alabaster and Lou began to chant in a mixture of Ancient Greek and Latin while he awkwardly did his best to pray to his father and Hecate.

Hey Dad please help get through this. Lady Hecate help us find the fleece and save camp. He didn't really know how to pray so eloquently but he figured he should throw in a few words. Thank you for Tyson he really is a good guy. Help us get through so we can find a cure for him.

Alabaster and Lou's eyes glowed as green light filled the area. The lifeboat then fell into the water with a loud thud but the candles did not move as the smoke from the incense turned green. It was then he noticed the symbols Alabaster drew all over the boat began to glow providing an ominous comfort in the current 's cards then flew around the inside of the lifeboat clinging to all the surfaces and glowing ominously as the children of Hecate chanted.

Ok guys I hope you both know what you are doing. As the boat was submerged in the water he noticed the ship begin to move quickly as it sped through the rapid waters. Yet looking at Alabaster and Lou they were both calm and praying as if they were in a peaceful meadow.

They have so much faith and love in their mother. Maybe I should have some faith in my father Taking a deep breath he thought of his own mother and even his father. We'll see this through.

He continued to pray to his father and Hecate asking for their help. If Alabaster and Lou had faith in their mother than he could have faith in her and his father too. After what felt like an eternity the boat began to slow down and rise.

A calm hand then tapped him on the shoulder. "Percy it's ok," Lou said calmly.

Opening his eyes he saw Alabaster and Lou both looked exhausted while the candles and incense were extinguished. "We made it in," Alabaster said rubbing the sweat off his forehead.

"Our mother's protection spell always does wonders," Lou said as they all got up and looked out the window.

Alabaster muttered a spell that quickly cleared the window and he saw what appeared to be various ships docked at a resort. It was as if they were on a normal beach and for a moment he felt relaxed as he heard the sound of gulls and the water hitting the sand.

"Looks like we made it to Circe's place," Lou said with a smile. She grabbed his arm. "Come on I'll introduce you to her."

"Yay," Alabaster said sarcastically.

"Um sure but where is The Princess Andromeda?" He asked.

"I didn't detect the ship," Alabaster said as he looked around the harbor where a variety of ships were parked. "They could be anywhere or could've turned back."

"I doubt Luke would turn back," he muttered. Hopefully he's at the bottom of the ocean. Though he knew it wasn't likely.

As they exited the ship the smell of the sea hit his nose as he got out and stretched. "Man that was crazy."

Lou then waved at a group of people coming towards them. "Hey!"

A woman with long black hair and a wide smile came up to them. "Lou! Alabaster! It has been ages since I saw you both." She then turned to him and smiled. "And you must be Percy Jackson."

"Uh yes mam," he said. The hairs on his neck stood up as he looked at her. Something about her smile unnerved him.

Lou grabbed his arm. "Circe he is with us ok?" There was a hint of something that sounded like a warning in her voice.

Circe chuckled. "Of course dear. Your mother told me you three might come here, any friend of our mother is a friend of mine now come on."

Lou held onto his arm as Alabaster walked beside him. He carefully looked around and noticed that no one else was around except for Circe and her lieutenants.

Circe led them all into a large lounge filled with caged guinea pigs. "Alright before you all go back on your quest let me freshen you all up." She then turned to Lou. "Dear sister come with me, my attendants will deal with the men."

Lou nodded. "Alright just remember a lot is riding on this and our mom is counting on us."

He swore he saw Circe's brow twitch. "I know she made that very clear to me."

Lou then turned to him and Alabaster and smiled. "We'll leave as soon as we can."

With that he and Alabaster were led to a room where they quickly showered and changed clothes. "So have you met Circe before?" he asked once they were alone.

Alabaster nodded. "A few times. Truthfully she is can be tricky but I doubt she would be foolish to harm you."

"Why not?" he asked.

"Because you are Poseidon's son and your father stood up for our mother," Alabaster said frankly. "She'd be a fool to harm you; but still be careful around her or she'll turn you into a guinea pig."

"Oh." Well as long as she helps us out of here we are good. The sooner they found the fleece the better.

"Don't take it personally, she is a bit of a snob and never cared for the sons of Hecate," Alabaster sighed. "She'd always gossip with my sisters."

They heard a knock at the door. Circe came in with a smile on her face. "Son of Poseidon I hope you and my little brother are enjoying your time here."

"Uh yeah thank you," he said. "But we need to continue on our journey."

Circe nodded. "I have a ship prepared for you all. But first I understand you need an antidote." She handed him a small vial. "This should cover it."

"Thank you." He quickly put the medicine in the bag Hermes gave him.

It was then Lou came from behind her. "Hey Percy."

Woah. He was taken aback by how she looked. Lou wore a nice fitting outfit, her hair was neatly combed back. Staring at her he had to admit she was pretty.

Alabaster cleared his throat. "Anyway thank you for everything."

He awkwardly looked away as some of Circe's attendants snickered and Lou's face reddened.

"Of course," Circe said with a smile. "Follow me to your ship, don't worry I have many of them at my disposal."

"Um you look nice," he told Lou as they were led out to the dock. It just dawned on him that her hair and makeup were new.

"Thanks you too Percy," Lou said with a smile that made his face turn red.

He swore he saw Alabaster roll his eyes out of the corner of his eyes and mutter something in Latin.

Circe led them to a large pirate ship. "Alright good luck heroes. I gave each of you a complementary C.C. beach towel and a life time pass to any of my resorts, so enjoy!"

As they got on the ship they quickly began to ride through the waters. "Percy I'll cast a protection over your ears," Lou said. "We'll be entering the territory of the sirens soon. They can drown people in these waters by showing them their deepest desires."

"Got it." He had learned about the sirens from Greek Mythology class at camp and he'd rather not deal with them personally.

Lou cupped his ears and muttered something in Latin. A tingling sensation washed over him, he could still hear but his ears felt a little

"Thanks," he said.

After a while he noticed Alabaster was leaning on the side of the ship looking intently at the waters. He didn't think much of it but noticed he leaning really closely on the edge his gaze seemed preoccupied with something else.

"Al no!" Lou yelled as she quickly ran to her brother.

He swore as he quickly ran to help her. Alabaster stared into the water as if entranced as he slowly leaned closer to the edge. The son of Hecate extended and arm trying to reach for the water.

"Hey Alabaster wake up!" he yelled as he tried to hold him back.

Yet the son of Hecate only continued to stare into the waves and tried to move forward. Looking down he peered into the waters and saw what Alabaster was watching.

He saw Hecate wearing a fancy outfit sitting on a throne in Olympus talking with Zeus and the other gods as if she were an equal, she was respected and honored. He saw Alabaster in waves with a man who he assumed to be his father in a nice house with Hecate. The three of them were together laughing like a family and Alabaster looked like a normal kid.

It took him by surprise watching those scenes, Alabaster never spoke of his home life. Yet looking at the images he honestly was surprised at how happy the family looked.

"Al snap out of it! Lou yelled as they tried to restrain him.

"Hey come on wake up!" He yelled as he struggled to prevent Alabaster from jumping into the water.

Lou then grabbed her brother by his head and muttered something in Latin. Alabaster's body went rigid before he passed out. "Come on lets take him inside."

"He's always doing reckless things like this," she muttered as they placed him in a bed. Lou sniffled as they dragged his body to one of the rooms below deck. They placed Alabaster on the bed and Lou grabbed a tissue to clean her eyes.

"He really wants your mom to be recognized."

"We all do," Lou said as she sat down next to her brother her eyes watery. "But he wants to do it all by himself, he can't shoulder the universe." She sniffled and cleaned her eyes. "He's always like this."

He looked down at the ground and thought of the other images he saw. "What was his home life like?"

Lou frowned. "I don't know honest; Al never spoke of it but I know he butted heads a lot with his father. Like most demigods he lived on the streets and only had us." She took a deep breath as her body shivered. "But even then he always keeps his distance. He only spends about half of his time in our Cabin and the rest in yours."

His heart sank as he looked at Alabaster on the bed. "Why?"

"He's always been alone. I think he's gotten used to it," Lou said softly. "He prefers to keep us at a distance, even at our Aunt's lectures." She paused and looked down at Alabaster. "I think he's afraid of letting anyone in, in case we leave him too."

A pang hit his heart as he looked at Alabaster. "That's too bad," he muttered.

"He sometimes stays with some of us," Lou said looking at the ground her voice a half sob. "But he doesn't want to impose on us." He thinks he's being strong by acting along and living by his own rules but we all worry about him at times."

"It must be hard on him too," he said. A pit formed in his stomach, Alabaster was a nice guy he couldn't stand the idea of him being on the streets alone.

Lou sighed. "Frankly I think the camp is the longest he's been at a place for a while. For the longest time, he would just live in abandoned houses and use magic to make people avoid it."

"Really?"

Lou looked down and nodded. "It's a common trick most children of Hecate learn when they are on the road. I know the camp doesn't care for us but for Al." She paused and looked down at her brother. "I think he's doing his best to make it work. If not for him for me and my other siblings who may not be as strong as him."

A pang hit his heart, he didn't Alabaster had it so rough. "I'll make sure he enjoys it." He never knew what it was like to live on his own but he couldn't imagine being by himself at such a young age. "Is your situation the same?"

Lou shook her head. "No. My father sells incense but does some tarot card readings on the side. He's a nice guy, my mom saw his potential and knew he could see what others couldn't. She rewarded him with me and he then married a nice wiccan lady who is a devotee of Hecate."

"Wiccan?" He didn't know much about it but heard it was some witch religion.

Lou cleaned her eyes as a small smile spread across her face. "All gods had to rebrand and gained new dominions as the world changed. Our mother always drew in those who sought her. Many mortals still pray to her and seek her guidance."

Alabaster let out a moan. "Are we there yet?"

Lou's face contorted as she grabbed her brother's collar. "What were you thinking? Why did you want to listen to those sirens?"

Alabaster sat up and avoided his sister's gaze. "I um just wanted to see what it would like."

Lou slapped her brother across the face. "You idiot! Do you know how worried I was?" The sharpness in her voice took him by surprise. Lou was always calm but now he could see fire in her eyes

Alabaster looked down, his face stunned. "I'm sorry."

"You know people outside our mother care about you!" Lou yelled her voice a half sob. "Stop acting as if you were the only child of Hecate in the world!"

Alabaster avoided her gaze his body trembling as his sister sobbed by his side. "Don't you care about us?" Lou asked as she cleaned the tears from her face. "Don't you think we wouldn't miss you if you left?"

"I'm sorry," Alabaster muttered.

"So don't worry use like that again!" Lou yelled before storming out of the room and slamming the door behind her.

As soon as Lou left and closed the door behind them he turned to Alabaster who stared at where his sister was in shock. "So you ok?"

Alabaster avoided his gaze. "Yeah. You both saw it too?"

"About your mother? We did."

The son of Hecate rested in his bed his eyes betraying wetness. "She was always there for me growing up. I want to repay her for all that she has done for more."

"I know. But you don't have to do it alone," he said as he pulled up a chair. "You have your siblings and me too if you want."

He looked away not really knowing what to say. Frankly he would do anything for his own mother.

Alabaster rested on his pillow and looked up at the ceiling. "She was always there for me. After everything with my father, she still taught me how to survive and be on my own. I would do anything for her."

He sat down next to Alabaster, a part of him could relate to him, he would do anything for his own mother. "I also saw you and your father."

Alabaster avoided his gaze. "It must have been a mistake. I'm only devoted to my mother."

He raised an eyebrow at the bitterness in his voice. "No I definitely saw you with him. You look happy with him and your mother."

The son of Hecate paused and looked down. "My father was stubborn and never believed in magic until he insulted and humiliated some of my mother's disciples," Alabaster said gripping the sheets tightly. "For him everything was scientific and magic was fantasy. Well my mother decided to show him how little he knew."

The son of Hecate stopped, his eyes betraying wetness. "He eventually fell in love with her and she gifted him with me but not everything lasts forever." Alabaster's body shook. "My mother was always there to help me out. She trained me and taught me how to survive on my own, without her and Aunt Medea I wouldn't have survived."

He stared at Alabaster not knowing how to respond. Man demigod life really is hard enough when you are a child of the major Olympians. Who would've thought monsters wouldn't discriminate against a person's godly parent.

"I know the camp doesn't care for us but I'll make it work for those that want it," Alabaster said softly. "Some accept us but others not so much, all because our mother isn't recognized. The Olympians treat our mother like an afterthought just like the campers treat us."

"That's too bad," he said softly. His anger began to boil, he knew very well what it was like to be treated as an unwanted nuisance and he wasn't going to allow the campers to treat Alabaster or anyone he cared about like crap. "Do you want it? To make the camp work"

Alabaster avoided his gaze. "Frankly the camp is one of the safest places I've been in for a while and not all children of Hecate are fighters." He paused and slowly nodded. "But it is nice despite how people view us."

He got up as determination swelled up inside of him. "Well I'm glad to have you and your family at camp. If you want to make it work I'll help you."

Alabaster cleaned his eyes, his face betraying a small smile. "Come on we have a quest to finish."

AN: Fun fact but cruise ships have very large life boats, they are really big.

Also according to some sources, Hecate was considered a virgin goddess though there are stories of her having children depending on the interpretation or whoever told to the story, so I figure she just gives children out similar to Athena. Since in the one canon story we have of Alabaster references his father as being stubborn I pictured him as being a strong logic-based scientific guy sort of like Dr. Strange before he became sorcerer supreme. If it came off as similar to Annabeth's background that wasn't my intention.

Researching Hecate I noticed she is quite popular among neo pagans and Wiccans though I haven't thought of a good way to incorporate those elements into this story yet though I've been flirting with giving her a Wiccan form in addition to her Greco/Roman form. Just an idea.