Not-So-Triumphant Return (Action)

[againstallodds]

[Most people (newbies excepted) would probably recognize the teenager that walks straight out of the ocean on the afternoon of the 19th, just as casually as if he were walking down the street in Anytown USA. If the fact that he's choosing to swim fully-clothed in October in New York doesn't give away who he is, the fact that he isn't soaking wet probably does.]

[He needs to meet with Chiron, but the first place Percy goes is actually the Poseidon cabin, closer to the ocean and his home-away-from-home, so he can drop off the small pack he's carrying - but less than ten seconds after he walks through the door, he tears back out it again and back down to the ocean.]

When were you gonna tell me I had a sister?!

[Yup, he's totally screaming at the ocean. This would have been nice to know, okay Dad?]

Comments

[allnerves]

[ Annabeth might just be the only person who is immune to those sad, puppy eyes. ] No, it's not a book. I found it in one of these "Made in Washington" stores in Seattle and I thought you might like it, that's all.

[ Of course, she's determined to find him a book that he'll actually be interested in. Graphic novels count, she supposes, maybe she can start there. ]

[againstallodds]

[She's not. The other one is his mom.]

Oh. Uhhh, okay, what is it then?

[Get him a book about things exploding. Or a James Bond novel, that might work.]

[allnerves]

Give me a second, will you, Seaweed Brain? I told you, it's in my bunk.

[ She does brush a kiss against his cheek before they reach the Athena cabin and Annabeth heads inside. She returns with her hands clasped behind her back. ] It reminded me of you. [ A blue mug is revealed and she holds it out to him. ] It changes color depending on if you have a hot or cold drink inside.

[againstallodds]

[He'll wait outside the cabin until she comes back - having already been caught alone in there with her once before, for the moment he's willing to play with the rules.]

[When she puts the mug in his hand, a slow grin grows on his face as he inspects it. So she shouldn't be too surprised to find him reaching for her with both arms so he can pull her pretty close and kiss her properly.] This is the most awesome mug I've ever seen, Wise Girl.

[allnerves]

[ She tilts her head back to allow for that proper kiss and beams. ]

It came in other colors, of course, but I'd be an idiot not to get that one for you. The maker also does other kitchenwear, not that we'd have much use for it here. The science behind color changing anything is interesting. It's called thermochromism.

[againstallodds]

I'll, uh... I'll take your word for it. [Typical them. Once Annabeth gets going on the technical things, Percy makes an effort but honestly fails at it almost all the time.]

So how'd your trip go? Mine wasn't too great in the finding stuff out department.

[allnerves]

[ She huffs immediately, her expression darkening somewhat. ]

I have next to nothing. Or, I guess, nothing I'm too satisfied with. Gabe said the whole thing sounded like a bad TV show premise, needing more Norse kids to unlock a key to their memories.

[againstallodds]

Ugh... he can be an ass sometimes, but it sounds like he's right about this. Getting all of them together and then bang new life? Old life? Whatever life. That sounds ... way too simple and kind of stupid.

[Considering that, except for prophecies, gods he knows are a lot more direct? Yeah, that doesn't make a lot of sense.]

[allnerves]

Nothing is ever that simple. Prophesies or -- vague instructions are often misinterpreted, we know that better than most people.

It's definitely a slower process to ease into their former selves.

[againstallodds]

Yeah. But if it's all we have to go on...

[And both he and Annabeth know how difficult it is to act with everyone's best interests at heart sometimes, given lack of information.]

Have any of them just decided to get together and have a meeting of their own? We've got what, four? Five? I don't know if I've seen any of them hanging out in a group yet. Even if there's only a few of them, that could spark something.

[allnerves]

You'd think they'd all be curious about each other, given the circumstances. I'm sure someone - me, I suppose - would be able to facilitate a meeting. Or get the ball rolling, at least.

[ She pushes her hair behind her ears and rubs her throbbing temples. ]

I need to rest, first.

[againstallodds]

Yeah, you do look kind of dead. [And that rather tactless remark is at least followed up by him leaning over to kiss her temple lightly in a rather comforting gesture.] You want to take a nap in my cabin? Since I've got Annie there now, they can't bust us for being alone together and it's gonna be a lot quieter than your place.

[allnerves]

Thanks. [ Annabeth scoffs.

But his idea does sound appealing. She has missed being close to him and this is a decent way of not breaking the rules while getting what she wants. It'll be nice to meet Annie too. She nods. ]

I'd like that.

[againstallodds]

Come on then, let's get you in bed.

[-And then he flushes as he realizes what he just said.]

Uhhh, for that nap, I mean. Not anything else.

[That's be kiiiiiinda awkward with Annie there, yes.]

[allnerves]

[ A smirk crosses her features and she gives him a little kiss, linking her arm through his. ]

Maybe another time.