A/N:
This is going to involve quite a lot of diving and a lot of social media, which is ironic because I cannot swim and I'm very bad at social media. I've done a lot of research, but I'm not above making stuff up because it's fun.
Concrit and challenge/trend suggestions are welcome
Chapter 1: How it began
Percy entered the apartment he shared with Annabeth in New Rome, dropped his bag on the floor, and flopped face down on the bed. "Urgh."
"That bad?" Annabeth sat down next to him and rubbed his back.
"I have no idea what I want to do with my life."
They moved into their apartment at the end of July. As a former Praetor, Percy was entitled to living quarters, free tuition, and a small pension from the Legion. The senate was still arguing about how Graecus service equated to years in the legion for scholarship purposes, but no one was prepared to deny any of the Seven any the addition of Annabeth's college fund, they had enough money to live comfortably during college.
Unpacking hadn't taken long, as they were limited in what they could bring from New York, and orientation had been going well, but...
"Didn't you have a meeting with your faculty advisor today?"
"She started talking about career options and six year plans and positioning myself in the job market. At least she listened when I explained that my focus was on defeating Kronos and Gaia and then graduating high school, which was more than any mortal counselor ever did."
"You had been thinking maybe marine biology?"
"I like hanging out with fish. Can you see me trying to work with fish around mortals? A great white shark would swim up to say hi, and everyone would freak out. Or worse, a sea monster."
Annabeth laughed. "Or running experiments on fish! 'Can an octopus change colors to look like this floral sofa?' 'Bob could if he wanted to, but he's tired of performing for you. Also, he's hungry.'"
"Or wildlife rescue and rehab! 'Why is this sea lion acting strangely?' 'I don't know, maybe it's because she's stuck in a tiny pen when she's used to the entire ocean! Also, she's tired of humans throwing their trash into her home.'"
"Your mom didn't dare take you to aquariums as a kid, did she?"
"We went once. It did not go well."
Their jovial mood calmed. "I still have no idea what I'm going to do with my life. Is oceanic vigilante a valid career path?"
"Not outside of comic books, Aquaman. What did your faculty advisor suggest?"
"That I finish my core requirements and take any class that looks interesting while I 'find my passion'. Ugh."
"That doesn't sound terrible. And your college and major living expenses are covered. If it takes you an extra year or two to graduate, it won't cost any more. You know the architecture program I'm in takes five years."
Percy brightened a bit. "I'd never object to spending more time with you, Wise Girl." His expression fell again. "I'm on a marine biology-ish path anyway, since it should be easy, but all of the fun classes have prerequisites. I have to pass a bunch of basic science classes before I can take anything interesting."
"What did you sign up for?" Annabeth asked with genuine curiosity. Her course schedule was largely dictated by the NRU/UCLA Berkley joint architecture program.
"Intro to biology, film studies, math for biologists, Roman history, and intro to social media."
"There's a class on social media? That's an actual class? Is putting a room full of demigods on the internet a good idea? This is probably the only university in the country that still accepts papers typed on manual typewriters."
"I asked. Dr. Benson said it's at the same time the Legion does maneuvers. If a monster decides to attack, it's good practice for them. Beyond that I don't careāMom promised to post pictures of Estelle on Facebook, and I want to see them."
Annabeth laughed. "And the threat of monsters will never get between you and your sister."
"Never."
