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

[annieisntokay]

It's nothing! Percy, stop it. Just because you're half-brother doesn't mean I'm going to tell you everything! [A rare moment when Annie snaps and you can see the fire in her that got her the position of Centurion of the First Cohort.] I've known you for what? Half-an-hour?

Just drop it.

[againstallodds]

Sheesh, okay. [Yeah, if she used to be like that all the time instead of this shy, scared girl - he can see how she got to be a Centurion all right.] Don't have to take my head off for just wanting to make sure you're okay.

[Girls are crazy. So let's get that unpacking going, little enough as he has.]

[annieisntokay]

[She takes a moment and breathes, closing her eyes and grounding herself again.] Sorry. I- I don't like to get like that. Sorry, Percy. I know you only wanted to help. I shouldn't have done that.

[Just don't call her crazy out loud]

[againstallodds]

[He won't, not after what she told him. But sheesh, girls are so weird sometimes - even having one as a best friend for five years hasn't clued him in on how to deal with them any better. And her very quick 180 from sweet and shy to snapping kind of sets his head spinning a little.]

It's okay. Whatever it is, it'll be fine. [He's trying to reassure her, but not knowing what to reassure her about, he can't say anything more explicit.] Look, I know I can be an idiot sometimes, or a lot of the time if you ask the Ares cabin. But if you need me...

[Well... he'll be there.]

[annieisntokay]

I know. I know, I'm sorry. You're great. I appreciate it. I do. I just... [She presses her lips together, looking down.] Sorry, Percy.

[againstallodds]

Don't worry about it. [And really, he can't say anything else. He doesn't know why she was so snappish at him asking what's wrong, and obviously she's not gonna explain. So he gets on with unpacking his sack, throwing dirty shirts more or less in the laundry pile.]