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Chapter Text

“No making fun of me,” Percy said from behind the door.

“I promise, I won’t even crack a smile Seaweed Brain,” Annabeth responded, completely and totally sincerely.

The bedroom door opened and Percy appeared, clad in a black and purple striped blazer over a grey sweater vest and black slacks. Annabeth’s solemn expression lasted a grand six seconds before an inelegant snort came out of her nose.

“Oh c’mon, you promised,” Percy groaned, tilting his head to the ceiling with a heavy sigh.

“And we both knew it was a lie because that looks horrendous,” Annabeth responds, mirth still apparent in her voice, “and we both know that too.” She was also in her uniform, one much more inconspicuous with a light grey blazer and skirt. “Its not my fault your new school has a terrible color scheme.”

“Why am I even doing this? You’re here, mom’s here, Olympus is here. What is the point of going to a fancy private school two-hundred miles away?” Percy grumbled as he flopped down next to her on the bed.

Annabeth rolled her eyes, remembering the three other times they have had this conversation, “Because no school in New York thinks they can get you through the rest of high school on time given you missed most of your sophomore year. Even without ADHD and dyslexia, the summer school programs wouldn’t give you enough credits to graduate in two years. So fancy private school it is.”

“I’ve done private school before; it didn’t help much.” Percy said, “Some monster is going to attack, they’ll blame me, and I’ll have wasted months I could have spent near you.”

“The other schools didn’t come with a godly seal of approval though, for whatever that’s worth. Seems like monster attacks won’t be much of an issue.” Annabeth responded gently, shifting over to lay on top of her boyfriend.

“Well, if it’s such a good school, why aren’t you coming with?” Percy said, mouth right next to her ear.

Annabeth hummed for a moment, the vibration travelling to Percy’s chest. “Because I like my school. And I doubt Hera would be willing to pull strings to get me in. For one she hates me and for two she didn’t owe me for an eight-month long nap.”

“Lucky me,” Percy sarcastically bit out.

“Yeah, lucky you. This way we’ll both be set for New Rome University in two years. I know the distance will suck but we have gone through a lot worse. Iris messages morning and night, I’ll fly up with Blackjack at least once a month, and we’ll get through it like everything else.”

Bolstered by her confidence, Percy nodded. “Okay, fine. It’ll be fine. We’ll be fine.”

“We will be. We just need to stick to the plan. Prayers and offerings to Hestia and Morpheus every night for a peaceful rest should keep the nightmares to a minimum. Deep breaths and safe spaces when we get overwhelmed. At least one weapon on hand at any time.”

“Thank you for talking me through this again. I know you have stuff to do for your school too.”

“I love you Percy, I’m happy to help in any way I can. You would do the same for me, right?” Annabeth responded, pulling away to look him in the eyes.

“Of course. I love you too Wise Girl.” Percy said, smiling up at his girlfriend’s face. “Now, I’m leaving in three days, so we need to make it count before you lose me.”

A grin split across her face while a glint of hunger appeared in her eyes, “Oh I intend to. Believe me.” She said before leaning back down and stealing his breath in a fervent kiss.

Before he lost himself in the moment, Percy spared a final thought for his new school.

Nevermore Academy. Weird name but how bad could it be.

He really should know better by now.

Chapter Text

The air still carried a hint of summer as they made their way to Nevermore Academy. Both his mom and Paul came to drop him off for the transfer student orientation, two days before the rest of student body arrives, allowing the small number new students to get used to the school before the new freshmen and returning upperclassmen can cause too much chaos.

They already drove through the small town of Jericho, Percy noting that he has only traveled through similar towns on quests. Deep into the woods, they come across the entrance to the school grounds, a black wrought iron gate in an opening of a head-height stone wall. The gate had what Percy assumed to be the school’s name spelt out above the gate, the jagged lettering and raven motifs likely much more eerie when not backdropped by a pleasant summer sky.

Nonetheless, his mom turned around to look at Percy, a bit of tension bleeding through her soft smile. He understood the expression, reminded of the last time she dropped him off at a remote private school, leading to a hectic two-week rescue mission to save Annabeth and Artemis from the forces of Kronos.

“Are you ready Sweetheart?” she asks “Because if you aren’t we can…” she trailed off quietly, not sure of what better options they have right now.

“I’m sure it will be fine mom; no monster issues here remember. And anything big enough to ruin this would be a problem anywhere else,” Percy reassured her. Paul gave a slow nod from the driver’s seat though Percy’s last point didn’t do much for Sally’s peace of mind.

As the trees thinned, they got their first look at the campus, Percy instantly thinking of how Annabeth would love the buildings. The buildings seemed more like a castle than school, exposed grey stonework on the walls and heavily sloped roofs working with the Gothic arch windows on the front façade to present a sophisticated image. He knows Annabeth could name the style the school was designed with, but Percy was just proud he remembered enough of one of her rambled lectures about old windows enough to know the styles. He really can’t wait for her to visit so he can watch her geek out about it all.

They pull up to a large cobblestone courtyard where a few other cars are dropping off other new students. As they park the car Percy looks at the other families. From what Percy can see there are not many in the same situation as him, but nothing stands out as too suspicious. When they get out of the car an auburn-haired woman approaches them carrying a clipboard and a stack of folders under her arm.

“Hello, I am Miss Thornhill, the biology teacher here at Nevermore. I am also welcoming the new arrivals today. Can I get your names for check-in?’ she asks, grabbing a pen from behind her ear.

“Paul and Sally Blofis-Jackson checking in Percy Jackson.” Paul replied as he walked to open the trunk.

“Thank you. I’ll assume that you mean Perseus Jackson.” Miss Thornhill said, reading off her clipboard before turning her attention to me, “You prefer to go by Percy then?”

“Yeah, Perseus is a bit fancy for everyday conversation.” Percy says with a small smile, hoping he comes off as friendly. He’s never had a good impression last more than a few days with any teacher, but a man can dream right?

“Okay, great. Try to remember to tell the registrar when you get your schedule so they can make a note on the final class lists.” As she is speaking, she shuffles through the folders before pulling one out to hand to me. “This is your orientation packet. It should have your dorm assignment and a personalized itinerary for today before the general orientation at 2 PM. I’ll let you all get to unloading and welcome to Nevermore Academy.”

As Miss Thornhill walks off, Percy hands the folder to his mom to read through before going to help Paul unload my bags. “Your dorm seems to be in Julius Hall, on the fourth floor. Looks like it’s a single, which might be for the best, you know, weirdness wise,” she says with a teasing smile. “I’ll lead the way and leave the heavy lifting to you young strapping men.”

Paul gives a quick chuckle before hauling a duffle bag of clothes onto his shoulder. Percy grabs another, along with his backpack and a cardboard box. It’s a quick walk to the dorm, a four-story building just outside the main courtyard with balconies outside the upper floor windows. Percy isn’t a huge fan of stairs, but the top floor could be nice, especially for burning offerings to the gods since it is unlikely the Nevermore keeps braziers lit in the cafeteria.

They get to the top floor and find his dorm, room 406, and open it up. It’s the largest dorm room Percy has ever had, about half the size of the Poseidon cabin at camp. The room itself is quite dark and sparse, a twin bed, desk with drawers, along with a dresser and cabinet for clothes. As they place the luggage down Sally speaks up. “I can start unpacking while you two grab another load. We need to unload pretty quick; we have a welcome meeting with the principal in…” she looks at her watch, “forty-two minutes.”

As we go down for the next load Paul turns to Percy and asks, “So how is all this looking?”

“I don’t know. Looks a little Frankenstein-y but that may just be the building.” Percy answers.

“I thought the same thing. I suppose Frankenstein isn’t too scary for you, eh.” Both of us shared a quick laugh as we got back to the car. As Percy grabs the two last boxes Paul gets the last of the clothes.

They don’t talk much until they get back to the dorm room, where Sally has already started putting clothes in the dresser. She looks up as the two enter. “I put the… uh, special supplies in the bottom left drawer of your desk. They should be safe there for now, but you might want to find a better place for them later”

Percy nods and walks over to take a look in the drawer. He sees a flask of nectar along with some ambrosia squares, a pouch of drachmae and an Apollo cabin approved demigod first aid kit. As they continue unpacking the room fills up a bit more. Some textbooks and school supplies end up on the desk while pictures and a few, mortal-passing, keepsakes go on top of the dresser. A small brazier goes outside on the balcony and an electric fountain for Iris Messages gets plugged into the wall. They had just finished unpacking Percy’s belongings when Sally said it’s time for their meeting with the principal. 

Chapter Text

As they enter the principal’s office, Percy’s attention is immediately grabbed by the depiction of Medusa over the fireplace. Given his history with Gorgons, his guard immediately comes up and the slightly eerie vibe the school had becomes a lot more concerning. His eyes shift to the individual seated behind the desk, a short haired blonde woman that looks a few years older and about a full foot taller than his mom. A placard with Principal Weems rests on her desk. Nothing about her screams monster but he grabs Riptide from his pocket anyway. The principal gives a small, professional smile in greeting.

“I believe you are the Jackson’s. Welcome to Nevermore I am Principal Weems,” she said.

Sally takes lead in the conversation, “Thank you. I am Sally, Percy’s mother and this is my husband Paul, Percy’s stepfather. It’s a pleasure to be here.”

Principal Weems gestures to them to take a seat in the two chairs and Percy motions to Paul to take one of the seats. Percy prefers to stand, to be ready in case there is a monster attack. After the adults are settled, Principal Weems begins to speak. “Now, I like to meet with all of our transfer students to help them settle in before classes start. Incoming freshman are eased into the system here, but it can be more difficult for transfers to dive in, especially for someone like you Mr. Jackson.”

The other three are slightly confused by the principal’s closing remark and Percy is the first to respond, “What do you mean someone like me?”

“I don’t know if you have noticed but Nevermore’s students are a bit different from the rest of the world. We usually would never have admitted a normal student like you but when our admissions counselor saw your application and because of your… history, we thought you wouldn’t be too out of place here at Nevermore.” Weems explained, though not much was made clear to Percy.

“Okay. If I am normal, then what sort of students attend Nevermore?” Percy asked.

Weems gave a small smile, maybe a weak attempt to comfort the others in the room, “As surprising as it may be to here, Nevermore Academy is a sanctuary for a variety of supernatural creatures, where they can learn and grow away from the judgement of the normal world. Among your peers are psychics, werewolves, and vampires, amongst a host of other species. As a whole, we call ourselves Outcasts.”

The mention of both werewolves and vampires confused Percy even more, as he is familiar with both Empousai and Lycanthropes but both species of monsters detest the other names mortals attribute to them. While Percy is thinking about that, and Paul is adapting to another shift of his fundamental world view, Sally continues to question Principal Weems, albeit a bit scattered, “Supernatural creatures. Sure. Not the weirdest thing I have ever heard. Close though. Do you think it will cause Percy any trouble? Being, uh, normal?”

“Honestly, he might find the students wary of him at first, as many Outcasts are taught to be careful around Normies… sorry normal people. That said, the students here are good people and I’m sure they will warm up to Mr. Jackson soon enough.” Weems answered pleasantly, though Percy is still on edge. “I expect you will get to know a few of your future peers at the general orientation later and you will see that underneath the surface, we are all people here. Do you have any other quick questions about Outcasts Mr. Jackson? You will most assuredly learn more about them in your electives should you wish to.”

“What kind are you?” Percy asked bluntly, blinking in surprise afterward as he did not mean to ask that so abruptly.

The principal was slightly taken aback by his question, more likely at the speed of it, before locking eyes with him intently. After a few seconds Percy was beginning to feel a bit awkward about the situation, then Weems began to change, her jaw and brow becoming more defined, skin turning into a warm tan color and eyes shifting to a familiar seafoam color.

“I believe you should be able to guess at this point Mr. Jackson.” Principal Weems quipped.

All three members of the Jackson-Blofis household were shocked at the abilities the principal just demonstrated, Sally and Percy trading intent glances as Paul stared with wide eyes at Weems.

“There are many kinds of Outcasts and not all abilities are as grand as my own. Whatever they are out in the world, at Nevermore they are students first, as are you. Your academic discipline record has never shown you behaving aggressively towards anyone who did not start the altercation, Mr. Jackson. I trust that will not change because we are different from you?” As she spoke her feature returned to that of the blonde woman that Weems originally had.

“No ma’am” Percy replied instantly, somehow more at ease with the situation after Principal Weems’ question. Maybe it was her worry that he could be a danger to the other students as a normal mortal. If that’s true a demigod should be somewhat safe around any dangerous Outcasts he might come across. Demigod logic is not always the most straightforward or gentlest, but it is often accurate at the end of the day.

“Excellent. And the same sentiment applies to you as well. While you may not be an Outcast, you are a student here and your safety and peace of mind is important to the staff. Please speak up if any students are being aggressive to you so the staff can mediate any disputes early on.” For once, Percy believed a school administrator meant it when they said that to him. Principal Weems continued “I think that will be all for now. I’m sure your peers could answer many other questions you might find yourself with in the future, along with most staff members. I would recommend you phrase them a bit more delicately in the future. The transfer orientation begins at 2 PM and a complimentary lunch for all of you is available in the cafeteria. Enjoy yourselves until then.”

At that clear dismissal, they left Principal Weems in her office and went in search of lunch.

Leaving the meeting, Sally led the other two to the cafeteria where Paul let out a low whistle at the selection of sandwiches available to the students and parents.

“If this is how they’re feeding students year-round I might consider enrolling,” he joked while loading a plate with three different kinds of sandwiches. Percy, after weeks alternating between his mom’s cooking and camp, is less impressed but by no means critical and follows Paul in line before joining Sally at one of the courtyard tables. Another pair sit further down, an obvious father-son pair with wild brown hair eating matching meat-lover’s sandwiches. They pause when Percy sits down between his mom and the older man, their heads cocked and eyes narrowing at him.

“Uh… hi, I’m Percy… I’m new here, obviously,” Percy says to the pair, “What are your names?”

The father is the first to speak, “I’m Isiah Thompson. This is my son Jedidiah.” The man’s voice was gritty, like a two pack-a-day smoker and his tone wasn’t much more pleasant.

The son chimed in, much more relaxed, “I prefer Jed.”

“I get it, my full name is Perseus,” Percy replies with a quick smile, happy that the boy is more friendly than his father.

“No offense, but you smell kinda weird,” Jed comments. “A bit like a siren but not near as strong. What are you?”

Percy gives a short laugh before responding, “Principal Weems advised me not to ask that question bluntly like five minutes ago. According to her I’m the first normal person admitted to Nevermore. I guess I was allowed in cause I’m a magnet for trouble.” The pair are quite shocked at the normal part. “I’m guessing you two are werewolves, from the meat-lover’s sandwiches and the sense of smell.”

“Yeah, we’re werewolves, good eye,” Jed replies. “Shit. Never thought there would be a Normie at Nevermore. Your kind isn’t too popular among Outcast, especially here. I’ve heard the locals like to cause trouble for us and I doubt we’re angels in return you know.”

“Great. I’ll be honest, didn’t know anything about Outcasts before coming here. I was just desperate for a school that would let me graduate on time. I missed most of sophomore year for some health stuff. When the admin here said it could be done in two years, we applied and didn’t look twice.” Percy skirted around the truth, a skill every demigod gets good at if they survive long enough. Now that he thinks about it, he might have to be extra careful here, not telling how effective the Mist is on these Outcasts.

Jed laughed at Percy’s reasoning before offering his own, “That’s crazy. I’m just here cause some pack drama back home is getting a little out of hand and my parents decided it’d be best to do senior year here, where it’s calmer. Got a few cousins that have gone here.”

“Where’s home then?” Percy asked.

“Middle of nowhere Missouri. What about you?” Jed replied.

“New York City, Manhattan.” Percy said with a wistful tone. “Never gone to school this far away before.”

Jed nodded. “I get that. This is the furthest I’ve ever been from home myself.”

“So, mind helping a newbie out?” Percy asked. “Cause I’d rather not say the wrong thing and start something here. Principal Weems mentioned psychics, werewolves, and vampires earlier, and you said something about sirens.”

“Good catch there. Happy to help. Those four, along with gorgons, are the most common you’ll see around Nevermore though there are plenty of others. I’ll start with Werewolves, for obvious reasons. Our changes really start around puberty. We’re a bit faster and stronger than normal and we’ve got these all the time.” Jed raises his hand, and his nails elongate into sharp claws about an inch long. “Outside of the full moon that’s most of it. On the full moon the school’s got cages for us to transform in. It gets a little hairy the first time, so they’ll be extra careful with any freshman who haven’t transformed yet.”

He stopped to think for a few seconds before continuing, “I don’t know too much about the others, never even met a gorgon in person. But vampires are typically old, maybe dead, definitely drink blood. Can’t eat garlic or see in the sunlight. The ones here should only drink from blood bags or from animals so you shouldn’t worry about them too much. Sirens can be trouble cause their song can force people to obey them. Outside that, they mostly just grow a fish tail in the water and swim real good. Decent singers too. My cousins warned me about gorgons, cause they are the most likely to cause an accident. Chill people in general, but if you see their snakes uncovered, you’ll spend a day or two as a statue before it wears off. Keep their hats on and you should be good. Last we got psychics. It’s a bit of a catch all for a bunch of different powers, but they all center around the mind in some way. Don’t know much more about them myself.”

“Damn, that’s a lot to take in right away. Thanks though.” Percy said, feeling distressingly like those first days at Camp Half-Blood years ago, thankfully without the missing mother this time.

“I’m sure it is, but don’t worry too much, I’m sure you’ll pick it up quick enough.” Jed replied.

Sally and Paul had been quiet while the two boys were talking, trying to take as much of the information in as they could without interrupting. When it seemed Jed had stopped Sally let Percy know it was getting close to 1 PM. “Percy, Sweetheart. It’s getting close to our time to leave, and you still need to change into your uniform. Could you see us to our car?”

“Happy to,” Percy replied. Turning to Jed, “Thanks for talking with me, I was a bit worried about all of this.”

“No problem, man. I’ll see you at orientation.” Jed said as they were leaving.

At the car Sally turned to face Percy, a slightly manic laugh bubbling out of her, “Of course you end up in a school full of werewolves and vampires. How in Hades did Hera think this was a good idea. Didn’t she say that there weren’t any monsters here.”

Percy let out a short sigh before responding, “Thinking back, she said monster attacks wouldn’t be a problem here. I think that might mean the teachers won’t think a hellhound showing up is much of an issue.”

“That’s an improvement at least. Okay, you’ll be fine, right?”

“I’ll be fine Mom. Whatever comes, I’ve faced worse and won.” Percy answers. He ordinarily isn’t so confident, after the Pit, but it’s easier do it when it helps his mom feel better.

Her eyes closed, likely so he doesn’t her start to tear up, Sally responds, “Good. Okay, I guess we should get going then. Not too old to hug your mom goodbye yet, right?” She asked the same question when Percy was twelve years old in front of Yancy Academy.

Percy immediately wraps his arms around her, his eyes stinging a little bit. “Never. I love you, Mom.”

“I love you too, Sweetheart.” She holds onto him for a few more seconds before letting go and quickly getting in the car.

After she gets in Paul walks up to Percy, having given them space to say their goodbye. “Stay safe and good luck Percy.”

“Thanks Paul. Take care of Mom.”

“Always. Remember to call. At least once a week.”

“Can do.”

And with that Paul got in the car and they pulled out of the courtyard.

And now what every kid with ADHD dreams of. Orientation. Fun.

“You’re kidding me.”

That is the third time she has said that.

Through the mist of the Iris Message, Percy can see Annabeth sitting upside-down on her bed, legs straight up against the wall. Looking at her in lavender sweatpants, a grey T-shirt that he suspects is his, and her hair splayed out behind her head, Percy is having a hard time remembering why going to a boarding school is so important in the first place.

“I am not kidding you. Werewolves, vampires, psychics. Some weird hairy things and people with no face. Somehow my life has gotten weirder than Greek gods and monsters. And not just the Egyptians.” Percy has honestly gone past the panic part and is now firmly in the amused territory.

“And you’re sure this is safe?” Annabeth has not joined him in amusement land. She has, however, joined him in sitting right-side-up.

“I’ll be fine. They are only as strong as a dracanae or other minor monsters.” Percy reassures her, before attempting to distract her from potential dangers. “More importantly, you should see the electives they offer. They have Werewolf Reproduction, Gorgon Anatomy, Ethical Phlebotomy, and three different levels of booby-trapping classes.”

“That is absurd. What kind of classes are those?” It seems that his distraction has backfired on him. Her face is making the same frustrated expression he elicited so often before they started dating. “Please tell be you are taking reasonable classes.”

“You’ll be proud of me. I am taking Botanical Sciences, Intro to Trapping, and Basic Toxicology. All classes could be useful in college and in demigod business.” Percy says with a proud grin.

“Okay. Good. I am proud of you. I know this might be difficult but it’s good we’re looking to the future. We’ll make it work and be happy. And all the shit will be worth it then.” Annabeth declares with a soft but strong voice.

“It’s already worth it. We’re here and healthy. That’s worth everything.” Percy replies more seriously than he has been for this entire conversation.

“Alright. I have an early morning workout before class tomorrow, so I need to get ready for bed. Have you done your offerings yet?” She asks standing up.

“No, I was saving it until after I saw you.” he replies.

“Be sure to remember. A new location likely isn’t the best for a good night’s sleep.”

“I know. I’ll do them right now. Goodnight Annabeth. I love you.”

“I love you too, Percy. ‘Night.” Annabeth waved a hand through the image and dispelled the mist.

Percy then grabbed the napkin of food he snuck out of dinner and brought it out to the balcony. Separating the food into four portions he lit a fire in the enchanted brazier he brought from camp and began burning offerings to the Gods.

“To Poseidon. Protect Mom and Paul. Watch over me and Annabeth. Thank you.”

“To Hera. Thank you for giving me this opportunity.”

“To Morpheus. Grant me a peaceful sleep, free of dreams. Thank you.”

“To Hestia. Bless my new home and this hearth with safety and peace. Thank you.”

And with that, it’s time for bed.

Chapter Text

The rest of the students began arriving on Percy’s second day at Nevermore Academy. All day long cars pulled up to the school, laden with suitcases, boxes, and bags full of whatever the students felt necessary to bring. Percy spent most of the morning in his room, not wanting to get in the way of all the students and parents carrying boxes throughout the hallways. Instead, he decided to look at the textbooks that he received at orientation the day before.

The English, math, and history textbooks were immediately discarded, and the Latin book soon joined them. The elective books stuck around significantly longer. He didn’t spend too much time on A Basic Guide to Poisons and Antidotes since the book was mostly walls of text or recipes, he had no idea what the purpose of was. The other two, The Power of Plants and The Beginners Guide to Dastardly Ploys and Entrapment were more interesting, mostly the illustrations. The illustrations in The Power of Plants were extraordinarily detailed and colored, the plants almost looking alive on the page. It didn’t hurt that the details of the diagrams seemed to frequently use Latin instead of English, making them much easier to read. The book seemed to focus on more dangerous plants, the thornier, the more carnivorous, or the more toxic the better. Despite that, it was The Beginners Guide to Dastardly Ploys and Entrapment is what really held Percy’s attention.
This one had even more diagrams, with only rare sections of text of text. The diagram labels were only short descriptions of the components and occasional special instructions. For once, Percy felt like his dyslexia wouldn’t be too much of an issue with a class. He already recognized half of the trigger mechanisms from helping the Athena and Hephaestus cabins set up traps during Capture the Flag matches. Between this and Latin, he might get the highest grades he ever has this year.

Early in the afternoon, the moving process is still ongoing, but Percy’s stomach drives him outside. His decision to lay low in the morning was validated when four people almost ran into him because they had boxes covering their eyes. He grabbed a simple lunch from the cafeteria and took it outside to eat. As he ate his lunch, he watched the chaos of moving day, taking note of the different types of Outcasts he saw. The more obvious ones were the faceless ones and the hairy people. The gorgons also stood out since they always wore large beanies to contain their snakes. Anyone wearing the hats that noticed Percy seemed to look away quickly, making Percy wonder if they could sense anything different about him, due to either Poseidon’s or his own history with the Gorgons of myth. The vampires were also obvious, pale, and wearing thick, dark sunglasses even in the covered walkways of the courtyard. Their gazes lingered on Percy when they looked at him. One almost seemed to salivate the closer she got. Percy decided he would try to keep his distance from any of the other vampires.

The others were harder for him to pin down. Werewolves, sirens, and psychics seemed to have no discernible differences from normal people, though he noticed some students had very pale eyes. He is guessing that those students are sirens, since Jed the werewolf didn’t have noteworthy eyes when they met and psychics are supposed to be the most normal looking of all the Outcasts.
Once he finished his lunch, he decided to check out the rest of the school, far away from the train of luggage and people traveling between the front yard and the dorms. Surprisingly, his first stop was the library. Gods, what is happening to him; Annabeth will be thrilled. But demigods shouldn’t use the internet if they can help it, to minimize the chances of a monster attack. Unfortunately, that means he’s stuck with physical textbooks if he wants to do well this year.

The library looks old, with floor to ceiling bookcases full of leather bound and old looking books. When he looked at the spines the writing was in faded English that was hell for his eyes so he didn’t spend much time on them. Eventually he did find some shelves that had Latin on the spine instead. He took out a few to see what they were about.

Luckily, one was a botanical journal, some of the diagrams reminding him of ones he saw earlier that day in his textbook. The academic side of Nevermore keeps getting better and better for a demigod. If there are more books like this studying will be easier than it has ever been for him. Who knows, maybe they have some weird Outcast medicine for ADHD. Percy isn’t allowed to take Adderall since the first time he took it he forgot to eat for a few days. Apparently, that is a common issue with demigods. Go team!

Having broken his record for the longest time willingly spent alone in a library, Percy then tracked down his classrooms, so he didn’t get lost on his first day… again. That did not take long as, despite his friends’ accusations, he does know how to read a map, it just takes a bit to parse out some of the writing when there is too much going on around it. Feeling like he has been enough of a responsible student for the day he finally lets himself escape into the school grounds. Honestly, the grounds remind him of camp. Large lawns giving way to larger forest land and a decent-sized lake close to the campus. While it can’t beat the beach at Camp Half-Blood, proximity to any substantial body of water is a plus to a son of Poseidon, especially when he is feeling boxed in or stressed.
That has been something Annabeth and Percy have been working on since escaping the Pit, finding ways to deal with the memories and avoid flashbacks and panic attacks. While demigods typically deal with trauma better than mortals, rare pro of demigodhood, Tartarus is way past normal for anyone, so they have found their own ways to cope. Making their own sanctuaries has been helpful, for Percy its submerged in water, in the Poseidon cabin or with Annabeth and his family. Annabeth prefers her own cabin or her favorite workspaces, along with being near Percy. Godly blessings can also help, Hestia’s blessing on their rooms/cabins/apartments helps them feel at ease in their homes and a blessing from Morpheus can grant rest without nightmares. Neither is infallible but it has helped them heal significantly in the short time since the war ended.

Routines help too, which Annabeth stressed a lot when Percy getting ready to leave. Morning swims to center himself before the day begins and evening workouts to stay sharp and wind down before sleeping. Percy has never had a set routine in his life, but it has helped him focus and he probably could have benefitted from it years ago.

As he returns to the campus Percy notices someone moving around a bunch of boxes around an old shed. Since no one else seems to be around Percy decides to go over and offer a hand, put his best foot forward with his new peers. When he got to the shed, he saw a short boy with thick glasses and dark curly hair handling what looked like the beekeeping equipment Demeter cabin has stored near the strawberry fields. Percy slides his feet along the dirt to make noise to alert the other boy to his presence and speaks up when the boy starts to turn. “Um, hello. I’m Percy, just transferred here. What are you doing here?”

The boy speaks up in a high, excited, slightly nasal voice. “I’m setting up the beehives for the Nevermore Hummers. I’m the Founder and President, Eugene Ottinger. We’re getting ready for the clubs second year.”

“We?” Percy asks, only slightly worried there is some invisible person or ghost around that he hasn’t noticed yet.

“Oh. Well, I suppose I am the only member right now but I’m sure a bunch of people will join during activities fair.” Eugene answers a little shyly.

In that moment, Eugene reminds Percy so much of Grover, Tyson, and Nico when he first met them that he can help but like the kid. “That’s tomorrow, right? I’m not sure how I feel about beekeeping, but I’ll come by for any events you have.”

“Really?” Eugene asks, excitement coming back in full.

“Sure. Could be fun. Want any help now? I’m trying to avoid the mess the dorms must be right now.” Percy responds.

Eugene nods happily and begins directing Percy to set up the stands for the beehives and then the shelves. He keeps up a constant chatter about bees and other insects that goes mostly over Percy’s head but it’s relaxing, reminding Percy of Grover talking about conservation or Annabeth about architecture. By the time they finish setting up Percy is almost certainly going to join the Hummers, but he hasn’t handled any bees yet and should probably check out what else is at Nevermore. The bees apparently didn’t spend the summer at Nevermore and will be delivered the next day, the day before classes start. A beekeeping club without bees would be pretty lame, so the Hummers’ introduction event will be in the late afternoon, leaving the rest of Percy’s day to check out other activities at Nevermore. When dinner time comes around Eugene tells Percy to head back to the cafeteria alone since he still has a few solo tasks that need to get done.

When he gets to the cafeteria it looks like the other students have already rejoined their numerous cliques and Percy is feeling a bit tired from helping Eugene, so he decides to eat on his own and relax in his room. He can meet more people tomorrow.

The next morning, Percy is looking at the list of clubs at Nevermore and is having a hard time finding ones that interest him. There are a few musical clubs and while Percy is decent at campfire songs he isn’t too interested. His attention span isn’t good enough for the cinema club, especially any foreign films with subtitles. Sports are morally tricky for a demigod and even more so for Percy. He could probably join a team and outperform anyone with his enhanced speed and strength alone. Though, Nevermore being a school for the supernatural could level the playing field. Their athletic clubs are a bit different from his previous schools though. There are no basketball, baseball, or football teams, his main options being fencing and archery. There is also a social roving club that does uses canoes and kayaks that he could join without feeling any guilt.

Walking into the fencing arena thing, Percy is reminded of how different fencing is from the real combat sword fighting he is used too. Most of the people are gearing up in white outfits and holding helmets with masks that look like pasta strainers. He stands for a minute just within the doorway before a boy with glasses approaches him.

“I’m assuming you’re here to fence?” he asks.

“Yeah,” Percy replies, “I haven’t done any real fencing before, you know, with the outfits and stuff.”

“That’s alright, I hadn’t before last year. There is extra kit for anyone who doesn’t have their own over there. I’m Rowan by the way.” The boy, apparently named Rowan, gestures to a few carts that have a bunch of suits and helmets. “I can help get you set up if you like?”

“I’d appreciate that. Thanks.” Percy says as they walk over and Rowan looks at him for a bit before grabbing a pair of pants, a jacket, and an armguard.

“That should fit well enough, you can throw it on over your shorts and T-shirt. Armguard on first, under the jacket. Then try on helmets until you find one that fits. It should be a little snug, so it doesn’t wiggle when you move but not uncomfortable. What made you interested in fencing?”

“We do some sword fighting stuff at my summer camp. Great way to get a bunch of hyperactive kids in line is to bribe them with wooden swords and lessons on using them.” Percy jokes as he puts the clothes on. “Like I said though, never done anything with these kinds of swords, if I’m honest I thought these were onesies when I walked in.”

Rowan laughs a bit. “For the record, they are called sabers. There are also foils and épée in fencing, but we mostly use sabers here. With these hits count with the tip or the edge of the blade. The others are tip only. Valid strikes are above the waist.”

“Good to know.” Percy comments trying on a helmet. It doesn’t fit tight enough so he goes looking for another. It takes until the fourth helmet to find one that fits well, and Rowan takes him over to the sabers.

“These are our loaner sabers. The edges and tips are blunted but can still hurt a bit if you aren’t careful. Don’t poke anyone with them unless you are training, and they go nowhere near anyone’s head unless they have a helmet on.” Rowan hands Percy one of the sabers after he finishes his warnings.

Percy gives the saber a few low swings. He almost shudders in revulsion at the blade. It’s too long, too light, and too flexible. The balance is worse than any sword he tried at camp before getting Riptide. Honestly, the flash of frustration at an improper weapon makes him feel like an Ares kid, which is a red flag, Frank excluded. Giving himself a second to let the feeling pass, he becomes almost grateful for it. If the saber fit him like Riptide did this club would be far too easy.

While Percy is managing his complicated feelings about his stupid twig of metal, the instructor calls for everyone’s attention and begins introductions. By the time Percy shifts his attention, he already missed the coach’s name and opening remarks but hears the first direction. “I want all current members of the club to pair up with a newcomer and show them the ropes.”

At that Rowan puts a hand on Percy’s shoulder and directs him to one of the open spaces on the floor, “Figured you would be alright with pairing up.”

Percy nods before putting his helmet on. “So how do we start?”

Rowan walks a few paces away and shifts to a side-face stance, his saber held lightly in front of him with the tip angled towards Percy’s chest. His left arm goes back and is held up behind his head. “This is a good general stance. Low strike area, with your sword in front of you and other hand behind, so it can’t get hit and it can help keep your balance.”

While Percy mimics his stance Rowan continues, “With sabers you will thrust, slash and parry. If you have done some sword work before I’m sure you know what that means. I’ll be honest, I’m not really good enough to critique your form much so we probably should just do a bit. Have some fun.” With that Rowan puts on his helmet.

“Sounds great.” Percy responds.

“Okay, begin.” Rowan says.

Rowan waits a bit for Percy to try a thrust. When a few seconds pass he tries a thrust of his own. Percy likes Rowan so far, nice enough to help the new kid and all, but by the gods the boy is slower than molasses. Percy lazily parries the thrust away, giving a bit of ground instead of taking advantage of the opening. Percy then returns the thrust at a little under half of his real fighting speed and Rowan gives a strong parry in return. To Percy’s eye, his form looks fine, but his speed is an issue. Percy lets them trade blow for a bit before giving a quick thrust after he parries and scoring a hit square in the chest.

“You’re picking this up quick.” Rowan remarks, taking a step back to catch his breath and reset.

“Well, a thrust is a thrust and all that. On some level it’s just reflexes and speed.” Percy responds. “Ready for another one.”

At Rowan’s nod they continue to spar. Percy doesn’t let the next few bouts go on as long as the first one because Rowan’s breathing is starting to get labored After the fifth bout, Rowan calls a break and moves to grab something from his bag against the windows. He pulls out an inhaler and takes a puff of it before raising his arms above his head to expand his diaphragm.

While he is doing that another person in fencing attire walks up to Percy. Taking of their helmet, Percy sees that the newcomer is a tall, pretty girl with dark skin and short hair. Percy immediately takes notice of her pale colored eyes, that he thinks means siren. The girl looks briefly at Rowan before turning to Percy, “You looked pretty good. Not that Rowan is hard to beat. Have you been fencing long?”

Percy was a little taken aback at her tone when referring to Rowan. “Um… no. Not really. I have been doing sword work for a while but never actually fenced before.”

“Do you want to spar against someone who actually knows what they are doing?” she asks with a cocked eyebrow.

“Could I get a name first?” Percy asks, getting a little annoyed on Rowan’s behalf. There’s a line between being honest and being a dick and this girl is about two steps past it already.

“Bianca Barclay. I’m the new captain this year.” She says with a proud look in her eye.

“Percy Jackson. I just transferred in if you couldn’t guess.” Percy responds, a quick thought of the other Bianca he knew peeking in and dimming his mood. It passes quickly, as they always do. Happens to often for demigods, names reminding you of fallen friends, “Sure, let’s go.”

As Bianca gets in position, Percy studies her form. Pretty tall for a girl, good balance, and light on her feet. She looks athletic the way mortal girls tend to be, slender compared to the more solid frame most demigods develop if they survive long enough. He should expect speed and precision, which seems like the name of the game in fencing; his strength won’t be much of an asset, but his reach will.

“First to three.” Bianca says as she turns.

“Sounds good,” Percy answers.

Helmets on, they take up a ready stance and nod to show they are set. Bianca starts off with a high thrust that Percy knocks away. She recovers and gives another two jabs that Percy dodges before responding with a thrust to the center, parried, at slash at the neck, dodged, and another thrust towards the navel, parried again. Percy disengages to reflect on the start of the bout.

She is good, makes sense that she is a captain. Fast for a mortal, a match for Annabeth when they first met. Of course, Annabeth at twelve has nothing on Annabeth at seventeen and Percy typically wins three of every four matches when they spar with swords now.

He is drawn back into the spar when she lunges at him. His response is automatic and lightning fast, moving his body out of the way and tagging her on the upper arm before she can bring her saber back to guard.

“One.” Percy calls and backs off to reset.

Bianca gives her head a quick shake before matching Percy’s ready stance. Again, they nod to each other before beginning. Bianca takes the lead again, more cautious than the first round. Percy parries the thrusts as they come. He can tell she is trying to find weaknesses in his guard. There are weaknesses, he can already tell, due to the difference from his usual style. She would probably win if he were mortal, or if she was as fast as demigod, but right now he is too fast for her to break his defense. Her testing became more complex, adding slashes or follow up thrusts. At that point Percy begins responding so he doesn’t have to give ground.

After around a minute of these exchanges Percy breaks the pattern with a sudden thrust to her neck. Bianca brings her guard up to parry but once she fell for his feint Percy drops his tip and scores at touch on her hip.

“Two,” Percy says, returning to his original ready position. Bianca is quick to match him, though a bit winded from the second round, and they are ready to begin again. At this point he notices that the instructor must have come over during the second bout.

This time Percy takes the offensive, beginning with a thrust to the shoulder. Bianca parries it to his left and he transitions it to a slash at her middle. She blocks this one, letting it connect towards the hilt of her saber. Percy almost laughs for a moment when he notices their position. It takes him back to over five years earlier, when Luke taught him a disarming technique at his first swordsmanship lesson. Before he really thought about it Percy shifts his blade on top of Bianca’s, presses down and finishes with a twirling flourish. Bianca’s blade comes out of her hand and clatters to the floor a few feet away from them. Percy raises his saber to her neck and say, “That’s three.”

“Shit,” she breathes out weakly. More out of surprise than exhaustion. The last round only lasted about five seconds and she barely moved.

“I’m not sure if that last move is legal in fencing but it looked cool, right?” Percy says casually, looking down at the saber in his hand as he steps away. “Not really sure this is my thing though; the saber feels too weird in my hand.”

Out of the corner of his eye, Percy sees the instructor’s face go from impressed to stricken and Percy barely keeps from laughing as he walks over to Rowan, who is staring at him a bit wide-eyed.

“I think I’m gonna go. I want to shower and grab some lunch before heading down to the lake for the rowing club thing.” Percy says as he begins removing his gear.

“What do you mean go. You were amazing.” Rowan says, his voice barely over a whisper.

“Sure, but I don’t think I’ll find this fun long term, it’s too different from my usual style.” Percy responds easily. “But if you enjoy it have fun.” Once he has his gear off, he places it back where he got it and left the hall, feeling at least three pairs of eyes on him as he leaves.

As he is walking down to the lake he passes by the Archery range, standard circular targets at about fifteen paces. At camp that is how the beginner’s archery class is set up. As he is going by, a long-haired boy, around Percy’s own height, walks up to him.

“I saw you at the fencing practice earlier, I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone beat Bianca like that. Are you interested in archery?” the other boy asks.

“For everyone’s safety, no. I tried it out at summer camp years ago and was banned after the first lesson. Somehow, I almost shot the instructor when he was standing behind me. No one knows how it even happened, but I know to stay far away from bows and arrows.” Percy responds, voice tinged with amusement at the memory of Chiron’s bewilderment.

“Yeah, you probably should stay far away. I’m Xavier, Rowan’s roommate. Thanks for going easy on him earlier, Bianca can be hard on him and it looked like he was enjoying your spar.” Xavier says, eyes shifting to somewhere over Percy’s shoulder.

“She was pretty mean when she was talking about him earlier. Kinda why I let myself win.” Percy comments.

“Sirens don’t always learn to be nice growing up. Their powers generally make people agree with them. When they get to Nevermore and have to get by without them… it can cause problems.” Xavier gives a little shrug. “Though Bianca is typically good enough to back it up.”

“So, she is a siren? Are the eyes an easy way to tell?” Percy asks.

“Yeah, never seen a siren before?” Xavier replies.

“Not really,” Percy hedges, thinking back to the ones he and Annabeth came across in the Sea of Monsters. “I didn’t even know Outcast’s existed before I came here.”

“Wait. Are you a Normie? Are you from Jericho?” Xavier sounds wary now.

“Yeah, guess I’m the first one allowed into Nevermore.” Percy responds. “And I’m not from Jericho, I was born and raised in New York City.”

“Cool. Sorry if I was weird for a bit, some guys from Jericho jumped me last year, roughed me up.”

“Shit, man. That sucks. That’s not my thing at all. If someone tries something like that again I’ll help out if I’m there. Hate bullies, you know.” Percy says, tone hardening towards the end. He checked the time on his watch, “Anyways, I need to go down to the lake. I’ll leave you to it. Nice to meet you, Xavier.”

“Good meeting you too, Percy” Xavier gives a nod farewell and walks back to the archery range.

The rowing club ended up being a relaxing way to spend an afternoon. Percy did end up meeting a few more Outcasts, a canoe full of gorgons were both very high and very informative. Apparently, the faceless ones are imaginatively named faceless, while the hairy ones that he has seen a few times are called Itts. Some sirens were in the club and got out to swim. They look way more like the Little Mermaid than actual merpeople, though they don’t swim near as fast.

That group is a lot looser than other clubs; they go out on the weekends when the weather is nice and spend the day on the lake. Show up when you feel like it and bring some food along for lunch if you want to.

After he left those guys, he headed up to meet Eugene for the Hummers meeting. He was early so he wasn’t surprised to be the only one there. Eugene was in a white suit with netting all around his head, looking into one of the hive boxes that rested on the stands they had put up the day before.

“Hey Eugene,” Percy calls out, “Is there anything I can do to help you set up?”

Eugene closes the hive he was working at and turns around to face Percy. “No, I’m good right now. What have you tried today?”

“Started the morning with some fencing and then did a canoe ride on the lake. Wasn’t much of a fan of fencing but I’ll enjoy the lake until the weather gets too bad. Did you try any new things?” he responds.

“No, I spent most of the day preparing for the bees.” Eugene says, gesturing to the various hive boxes that are around them. “Do you want to try on a suit?”

“Should we wait a bit more, I’m a little early.” Percy replies.

Eugene shakes his head. “I’m sure it’s fine. Less to do later when others get here.”

Eugene gets him a bee suit and lets him put it on in the clubhouse. When he gets it on and comes back outside, no one else has shown up. Eugene is still working with the bees and when Percy walks up to him, he begins to explain the different parts of the hive boxes and how they are better for both the bees and the keepers than natural hives. That turns into a lecture on different types of bees, then the importance of pollination, before going into honey collection techniques and other aspects of beekeeping. Percy doesn’t really understand what Eugene is talking about past a certain depth, but he is able to track whatever instructions Eugene passes on for what he is actually doing with the bees which is really all Percy needs. The time goes by quickly and soon the bell rings that signals dinnertime.

While they are putting away their suits Percy realizes that no one else showed up for the Hummers meeting but when he mentioned it to Eugene he said, “You came though, so that’s one more than last time.”

It wasn’t really a question to Percy whether he would join and while the two walked up to the cafeteria Percy asked Eugene to explain how to transfer the bees from hive to hive during honey collection.

Chapter Text

“So, third week at Nevermore. How has it been?” His mother is sitting at the kitchen table, a half-completed puzzle on the table in front of her. He knows Sunday afternoon are her puzzle time and that is the best time to send an Iris Message.

“Honestly, it’s been pretty great. I mean, the regular classes aren’t much different than anywhere else, but the teachers have been really understanding about my dyslexia and stuff. I get copies of the teachers notes before every class so I can focus on listening and not worry about messing up my notes. When I asked for help my history teacher just said that they are used to accommodating the needs of different students is kinda the norm here. I guess compared to all the different types of Outcasts, dyslexia is pretty normal.”

“That’s great Sweetheart.  I’m glad this is working for you. And how are your electives? Annabeth mentioned some but I want to hear it from you.” It’s nice to hear the happiness in his mom’s voice when he talks about school after all the years of her stressing about his grades and finding a new school every year.

“When did you see Annabeth? She didn’t mention anything about that.” Percy asks.

“Oh, I’ve been taking her out for breakfast on Saturday morning the last two weeks. We both miss being able to see you, so we get together instead. It is nice to have some girl time.” Percy’s heart simultaneously warms and freezes at that. He loves that his mom and girlfriend like each other so much, but if they start strategizing together his already low percentage of arguments won will dwindle to nothing. “Anyway, your electives?”

“Oh, yeah. Toxicology is kinda boring most of the time, but lab sessions are fun. I am not sure how things are graded since the last lab had us making something that dissolves stomach lining. I really hope there is a better way to test it than the obvious. And I’m even more worried about the antidote unit.” Her eyes have gone wide over the course of that report. He should probably minimize the amount of poison talk with her, for her peace of mind.

“The Trapping class is pretty fun too, though the teacher likes the subject a bit too much, you know. He talked for an entire lecture period about the pros and cons of square versus circular nets in various situations when we were supposed to be discussing tripwires. But I am going to dominate in Capture the Flag next summer. And botany is alright. The teacher likes to interact with the class a lot and that keeps it from getting stale. Her focus on carnivorous plants helps too. They are way more interesting to work with that roses and stuff.”

“And homework? Are you keeping up alright?”

“Yeah, I’m keeping up. The computer lab here has a few side offices that have a good text-to-speech program I have been using to write. Apparently the Itts, I don’t know if you remember the hairy ones from when you dropped me off, they really hate typing and writing, I guess the hair gets caught places, so the school found a way around it. It’s a godsend to me too.”

“I am so happy you’re enjoying it this much. And the other students, no trouble so far?” she asks, like she had the last two calls.

“They have been fine, no trouble so far. Well, one of the werewolves tried to start something after dinner last Monday. Apparently, I disrespected him for some reason. Rowan says some werewolves can get like that around the full moon. But I just stared him down and he backed off. I mean, I could stare down Lupa without flinching. A pimple sophomore isn’t anywhere near her league.” Percy answers casually, not mentioning that the boy’s claws had come out and he took a swing at Percy. Still, unless the werewolf is fully transformed it’s not much of a danger to Percy, so he feels no guilt omitting that part.

“And how is Rowan? And Eugene?” she asks, a small smile at the fact that, for the first time in his life, Percy has made two school friends.

“They’re fine. Well, Eugene had a small cold last week, so I had to handle the bees myself on Thursday and Friday but he’s feeling better now. I’m not that good at harvesting the honey yet, but production is slowing down since it’s fall now so we left it for after he was feeling better. And Rowan had been meeting me for help with his fencing. I’m not sure it’s really helping since it’s mostly his asthma and endurance holding him back but I’m still happy to help him get extra practice. Still hate the saber though. What is the point of something so light, its useless against anything with a bit of armor.”

“That’s good he is feeling better. And be careful with Rowan. Asthma attacks can be serious if you aren’t prepared.” She says concerned.

“I’ll keep an eye out. Oh, you know how I said Rowan is a psychic?” Sally nods affirmative, “Well he showed me his telekinesis last time we sparred. I defended against his floating saber for like thirty seconds. It was a bit clumsy but still really cool. I was thinking of asking Hazel if she could figure out something similar with Imperial gold, because floating swords might be a useful trick against some monsters, like the ones that explode.”

“How many monsters explode when you touch them?” She asks concerned.

“I don’t know, but at least one. Learned that one the hard way.” I reply, only half kidding.

A defeated exhale escapes Sally’s nose. “Please don’t make me think about you exploding on such a peaceful day Percy. Didn’t you go into the town yesterday? What was that like?”

“I’m not sure how exciting small towns typically are, but this one was pretty boring. There are only, like, two restaurants and one café. The café did have good hot chocolate though. And the diner had great fries. Otherwise, Eugene just showed me around. We got a bunch of staring cause they don’t like Nevermore students much, but no one tried to start any trouble. Apparently, there is an event halfway through the semester where we go to town and volunteer for the day so I should have more to say about it then.”

Sally nods contemplatively “That sounds just like a small town. Do you have any plans for next week?”

“Eugene says that some sort of moth should be doing something important this time of year, so we will look for it in the woods next Saturday if the weather is decent. Other than that, just school stuff. What about you?”

“Well, I don’t know if you remember but Paul and I first met this time of year and the anniversary of our first study date is coming up this Friday, so we are going out to a nice dinner to celebrate it.”

“That’s sweet mom. Maybe I can take Annabeth to the first place we killed a monster together next summer, though I am not sure Auntie Em’s is still around.”

“I think you could do something a bit more romantic Percy.” She says critically, trying and failing to smother a laugh.

“I know. But it would be funny.” I say smiling. “I think that is all I have to report ma’am. Permission to return to duty?”

“Permission granted. I love you, Percy”

“I love you too, mom. Goodbye.” He says as he dispels the mist and ends the connection.

Chapter Text

As Percy settles into a routine at Nevermore the days begin to pass by quickly. By the time anything truly noteworthy happened two months had passed, and the leaves had changed colors for the fall. Eugene says there are only a few more weeks before the bees go into hibernation for the winter, so they are preparing to winterproof the hives. Rowan has been meeting up with Percy for extra fencing practice and is slowly gaining endurance. Percy is passing all his classes, making a B average for the first time in his academic career.

Typically, on the weekends Eugene and Percy explore the forest or venture into town. Rowan is not much of a fan of the great outdoors, so he doesn’t join them in the woods. He did come along for on of their trips to Jericho, though the conversation between Rowan and Eugene was stilted. When it comes to time away from camp the last two months were hard to beat. The only things he is missing at Nevermore are his mom and Annabeth, but he talks to them both via Iris Message often.

It is only natural that comes to an end in a gruesome manner. Percy is a demigod after all.

It starts when Percy starts hearing about a new student, a girl who was expelled for feeding a kid to the school of piranhas. As someone who has been the troubled new kid before, Percy resolved to take the rumors with a grain of salt. After all he had also heard that she eats the flesh of her victims and sacrifices puppies to the devil.

He doesn’t actually notice when she arrives until everyone starts talking about Wednesday Addams. The first concrete thing he learned about her was that she got a special all black uniform, which Percy was jealous of because the purple vertical stripes have not grown on him over his time at Nevermore. Next, he hears she challenged Bianca to a duel to first blood and lost. Then he hears she almost got crushed to death and that Xavier tackled her out of the way. All in all, he felt like he now understands how the rest of the world saw him growing up. He was almost wary of meeting her until he saw her at the cafeteria at dinner on her first day at Nevermore.

At all of five foot three, in three-inch lifts, Wednesday Addams looked like a mix of Annabeth, Nico, and Thalia when they are stewing mad. It says something about Percy as a person that he finds that combination hilarious. Before he can think more about that, he gets drawn into a conversation with Eugene about the schedule for the years last honey harvests and any thoughts of Wednesday Addams move to the back of his mind.

Later that night Percy meets up with Rowan to spar in the yard leading to the docks and Rowan is late for the first time in the two months they have been doing these sessions. When he gets there, he mumbles an apology and starts warming up. Percy decides not to comment on it, everyone can have an off day, but Rowan is still distracted when they start to practice. After he makes some sloppy mistakes, Percy calls the spar and gestures for Rowan to sit down on one of the benches.

“What’s going on man, it looks like your mind is twenty miles away?” Percy asks, setting his mask down and grabbing a water bottle.

“I’m sorry Percy, I’ve been off all day.” Rowan replies doing the same.

“Any idea why?”

“It’s the Addams girl.” At this, Percy’s interest is peaked. “She just… uh… she challenged Bianca at fencing today.”

“I heard. That can’t be too surprising. I mean, I did the same thing.” Percy comments, shifting his gaze away from Rowan so he doesn’t get nervous.

“Yeah, I guess. I just…” Rowan trailed off, his face pale.

“Do you know her or something?” Percy asks.

“Only by reputation I suppose.” Rowan replies. “I don’t know why it’s affecting me so much.”

“Bad reputations can make people nervous. Trust me, I know. But they aren’t always true, you know. You have to look past what you think you know about someone to learn who they really are.” Percy says, surprised at how elegant that came out.

“Did you read that off of a fortune cookie or something” Rowan joked, looking relaxed for the first time tonight.

“You know I don’t read if I can help it.” Percy quips back. “Do you want to go again/”

“No, I don’t think I’m up for it tonight.” Rowan replies, standing up. “Not going to get any better if I can’t focus.”

“Fair enough. But we’re practicing tomorrow night, at ten.” Percy says, “A night off is fine but it’s not good to stray too far from routines. It’ll ruin your momentum.”

“We have the Harvest Festival in town tomorrow, remember?” Rowan asks.

“I know. Just don’t eat too much fair food.” Percy responds.

“Alright man, I’ll see you tomorrow, 10 o’clock.” Rowan packs up his bag and leaves Percy on the bench. Sitting outside, Percy hears music playing in the distance. He can’t tell what is playing but it’s a good enough background for him to take in the view of the lake with.

Percy is falling.

It’s a dream, it’s his most common dream these days.

It’s the falling that gets to him.

Not the Cocytus, not the Arai, not Akhlys. Not even Nyx.

He keeps falling.

Sometimes it’s for a few minutes, sometimes it’s for hours.

He falls but never lands.

When most people dream of falling it’s the landing that wakes them up.

Percy wakes when he sees the face.

Pure malice, terror, unfathomable hatred.

Percy scrambles awake, heart beating wildly and the familiar weight of Riptide in his hand, already transformed and its magical glow bathing the room in soft light.

His first thought is to scan the room for threats. The next is to get control of his breathing.

It takes a few minutes for him to slow his heart rate, but he knows it won’t really settle again tonight if he doesn’t do anything. This is only the second time he has dreamt since arriving at Nevermore. The first time it wasn’t as bad so just took a shower to settle himself and managed to go back to bed. This time he figures it will take a bit more. He looks at his bedside clock and sees it at 3:32 AM. Still early, but five hours of sleep is enough to get through a Saturday. Percy decides to get a start on his morning swim, nothing better at restoring his feeling of control and security than immersing himself in water.

Despite his attempt to straighten out his head, Percy seems to have inherited Rowan’s off day. Thankfully it was a Saturday, and he didn’t have to worry about classes. Since they were going to the Harvest Festival that night and Percy wasn’t in the mood to go traipsing around in the woods, he let Eugene know at breakfast and grabbed one of the school’s kayaks, spending most of the day drifting on the lake. He ended up falling asleep for a few hours, the kayak drifting ono the shore of a wooded island in the middle of the lake.

Feeling much more rested than he did when he woke up early this morning, Percy gets out of his kayak and drags it further up on the shoreline. He walks around the shoreline for a few minutes until he comes to a point that is obviously a more popular landing spot and spots a narrow trail leading further into the island. Figuring he had nothing better to do, Percy followed the trail.

It wasn’t long until Percy came to the end of the trail. There was a large, ornate stone building with two massive angel statues flanking the door. It looked old, the stones weathered and blackened but the building as a whole was well preserved. Above the door, etched somewhat crudely into the stone arch was what Percy assumed was a name. The lettering gave him a bit of trouble, but he figured out the name Joseph Crackstone.

Now, Percy was curious about the crypt, but he has spent enough time around Nico to know it’s best to use caution when there is a chance of disturbing the spirits of the dead. Sure, most are safely contained in the Underworld, but the ones that aren’t are typically the dangerous, vengeful ones that you should steer clear of.

Figuring he could just ask someone about the crypt it is since the island is such a popular landing spot, Percy turns around and follows the trail back to the lake, then backtracks along the shoreline to his kayak. He still takes his time heading back to Nevermore, as there is nothing planned for the day until the visit to the Festival after dinner.

At dinner, Percy is joined by both Rowan and Eugene, which is rare for a weekend meal. Since he had both of the people he usually goes to for questions about Nevermore on hand, he decides to figure out the details about the crypt he found earlier.

“Hey guys, weird question, but do you know who Joseph Crackstone is?” Percy asks while cutting into his grilled chicken breast. Of all the schools Percy has ever gone to, Nevermore has the best meals by a wide margin. His plate is covered in chicken, garlic-roasted asparagus stems, and gloriously creamy mashed potatoes. Apparently, the school has an agreement with some of the local farms for fresh produce, which might be Percy’s favorite thing about the school.

“Yeah, of course we know who he is. I’m pretty sure everyone here does.” Rowan answers, though he looks a bit unsettled, “You’ve seen a picture of him. He’s on all those Pilgrim World posters in town He founded Jericho like four-hundred years ago and they’re still obsessed with him.”

“Why are you asking now?” Eugene asks Percy.

“I ended up on that island on the lake earlier. Found the trail that led to the crypt. Surprised that thing looks that good if it’s that old.” Percy responds. Eugene nods in understanding.

“Did you go in?” Rowan asks, “I’ve heard that it’s a tradition to spend a night there in senior year before you graduate.”

“No. I like to think I know better than to disturb the dead for shits and giggles.” Percy looks at the other two contemplatively. “What is the Outcast take on ghosts and stuff. Real or made up?”

“I think the consensus is that they are real but reside in a spirit realm unconnected with this one. Generally, not something you have to worry about unless you are a powerful witch, or you piss one off.” Rowan says, picking at his food.

“What did you guys do today?” Percy asks the other boys.

“I slept in ‘til around noon,” Rowan says tiredly. “Took forever to fall asleep last night. Had a small argument with Xavier about stupid roommate stuff right after I got up. So not a great day so far.”

“I saw a monarch butterfly in the woods. It was surprising, it should have been way further south this time of year. It’ll probably freeze if there is an early cold snap.” Eugene answers earnestly.

“That is considerably more entertaining than Rowan’s day, no offense.” Percy says, nudging Rowan with his elbow.

“None taken, it’s a low bar.” He deadpans.

“Monarchs are the orange and black ones, right?” Percy askes, hoping to keep the conversation going, which it does. It goes from butterflies to classes to vacations and before long it comes time to head to town. Percy leaves before the other two since he decides to walk instead of taking the bus.

Percy had never been to a fair like this before. He’s been to Coney Island, but this is the kind of small-town America experience that they put in movies he doesn’t have the patience to sit through. There are colorful tents and flashing lights all over and for once the locals mesh with the Nevermore students in attendance. It might be easier for them to coexist when they aren’t wearing the Nevermore uniforms. Maybe Percy could use that as a reason to convince Weems to throw away the dress code. Or better yet, tell it to someone who is more willing to argue with the administration, so Percy doesn’t have to do any of the work.

Most of the games seem to revolve around throwing things and while Percy is not an Apollo kid, he probably could win a few of the games. The bus carrying the other students passed Percy when he was a few minutes away from the fairgrounds, so he was on the lookout for his friends. He found them watching a couple try and fail to toss a ring onto an array of bottles. Walking up behind them he greeted them with a question, “How was the ride over?”

“It was the most amazing five minutes of my life. Sucks you missed it.” Rowan remarks dryly. Percy laughs, happy Rowan seems lively enough to make jokes.

“It’ll torment me forever.” Percy quips back. “You guys see any games you want to try?”

“I don’t know. My moms say that all these games are rigged.” Eugene says.

“They probably are, but you could do it for fun and not worry about prizes. Or Rowan could help us cheat.” Percy responds.

“Sorry to disappoint, but I would be a bit obvious if I used my telekinesis.” Rowan interjects.

Eugene doesn’t seem to care about Percy’s remarks, looking at some of the rides. His eyes catch on the bumper cars and points. Percy is happy to join them but when they start over Rowan doesn’t join them.

They turn around when they hear him say, “You guys go ahead. I’m going to look for Xavier. I wasn’t the best roommate earlier and I probably should try to apologize.”

“Alright man, we’ll see you later.” Percy responds.

Fifteen minutes later, Percy is hanging around one of the picnic tables, waiting for Eugene to come back with an elephant ear from one of the dessert carts at the festival when Xavier walks up to him.

“Hey Percy, what are you doing hanging around alone? Where’s the bee guy?” He asks Percy, looking a little down.

“Uh, Eugene is getting some food. Figured I’d grab us an open table while he’s gone. Have you seen Rowan? He left looking for you a while back. Said he wanted to apologize for whatever happened earlier.” Percy responds.

Xavier looks surprised at that. “Whatever happened. That’s rich. He’s been weird all year and this morning he just explodes and throws me against the wall.”

“That’s what happened?” Percy says, taken aback, “When he mentioned it earlier, he just said you fought over stupid roommate shit.”

“That’s rich. God, I really don’t know what’s wrong with him. He had this…” Xavier trails off, now looking over Percy’s shoulder. “Shit.”

“What?” Percy asks as he turns around.

“You see those guys with the baseball bats. They’re part of the group that beat me up last year.” Xavier explains.

“They’re probably not here for batting practice then.” Percy says, getting up from the table.

Xavier stands up as well. “What are you doing?”

“I’m going to have a word with them.” Percy responds, “Stay here.”

“No way, man. That’s three against one.” Xavier shoots back.

“Alright but stay behind me.” Percy says, walking fast.

He takes a longer route off the main drag of the festival so he can cut them off. When he gets closer, he takes a better look at the three. Three males, around his age, likely younger. None of them are especially strong looking. The look on their faces and the grips on the bats suggest they are looking for someone specific, but who that is Percy has no idea.

When they are about twenty feet away Percy gets in front of them and calls out, “Hey, what do you think you’re gonna do with those bats.”

The one in the middle, a bit doughy looking, is the first to respond. “None of your business freak. Get out of our way.” The three continue to advance.

“I don’t think so.” Percy says. When the same boy tries to shoulder past him, Percy stops him with a hand on the chest. A quick shove pushes the boy back several places.

All three are now completely focused on Percy. The boy Percy pushed steps forward again, swinging the bat high, towards Percy’s head. Once it comes within reach Percy’s left hand shoots out to catch it, stopping the swing cold. The impact hurt a bit, but not enough to elicit a reaction from Percy. The next moment Percy yanks the bat away while shoving the boy with his right, much harder this time.

The boy flies a few feet before landing on his back. The other two’s expressions have changed from anger to fear. Percy flips the bat around and slides his hand to the bottom before looking at the boy on the left, the one holding a metal bat.

“Put the bat down and walk away or were going to have a problem.” Percy says, voice going cold and expression promising a world of hurt on anyone foolish enough to ignore his warning.

The three boys look at Percy, to shocked to react.

“Now!” Percy snaps, raising his voice.

The two other bats are dropped into the dirt as the three boys turn and flee into the crowd. Percy leans down and grabs the other two bats, tucking all three under his arm. Turning around, he sees Xavier, having forgotten that he was followed. Xavier is looking at Percy, a mixture of scared and impressed that Percy has gotten used to from younger campers over the years.

“You’re pretty scary, you know that right?” Xavier says, eyes shifting to the bats under Percy’s arm before coming back to his face.

“Yeah. I’m aware.” Percy replies with a small sigh then a wry smile. “What are the chances no one else from Nevermore saw that?”

“I’d put it at around five percent.” Xavier responds.

“Yeah, figured. Didn’t really want this reputation.” Percy says with a sigh. After a short pause he continues, “Do you think they’ll let me take the bats on the bus.”

“Probably not.” Xavier answers. “They are technically weapons. You really want to keep them?”

“Of course,” Percy responds, “I like baseball. Why turn down a free bat.”

At that point, Eugene walks up to Percy, carrying a large piece of fried dough wrapped in parchment paper in his hands.

“I was wondering where you were. Did you not find a table?” he asks.

“No, I found one, but I gave it up when some guys from Jericho showed up looking like they wanted to cause some trouble.” Percy answers, calling attention to the bats he is carrying.

Eugene’s eyes go wide. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. Don’t worry. But I think I’m gonna keep an eye on them for a bit before heading back to Nevermore. I didn’t sleep great last night, and I don’t think they’ll let me bring the bats back on the bus. Will be alright going back alone?” Percy asks Eugene.

“I’ll be fine. Stay safe.” He responds.

Percy turns to Xavier, “Thanks for backing me up.”

“Didn’t really look like you needed it.” Xavier says back.

“I didn’t, but it’s the thought that counts.” Percy jokes, getting a small laugh out of the other boy.

“Alright. I guess I’ll see you around, then.”

“Yeah, see you around. And if Rowan finds you, let him know I headed back to school.” Percy says before leaving to look for the three stooges from earlier.

The walk back to Nevermore was uneventful and Percy dropped the bats off in his dorm room before going to the spot by the lake that he and Rowan use for practice. He gets there a bit before ten and takes off his shoes and socks to soak his feet in the water.

Percy waits there for a while and when there is no sign of Rowan, he checks his watch. It already read 10:37 PM. Thinking Rowan is not going to show up, Percy fishes a drachma out of his pocket and uses his powers to make a mist out of some lake water.

Throwing the coin into the mist Percy calls out, “Oh Fleecy, do me a solid. Show me Annabeth Chase at Visions Academy in Brooklyn.”

The coin vanished into the mist and an image began to appear. Percy saw Annabeth in sweatpants and his old Goode High School sweatshirt working on a cardboard model of a building. From Percy’s point of view, it looks a bit like a domed amphitheater, a mix of Ancient Greek and modern styles that Percy thinks will become Annabeth’s personal style when she becomes a professional architect. There is a faint jazz instrumental coming from a record player in the corner of the room. The record player was supposed to be a seventeenth birthday present from her dad, along with some of his own record collection but they were busy on the quest to defeat Gaea at the time, so it became a going away present when Annabeth started the new school year.

After about thirty seconds Percy gave a low whistle to get her attention. Annabeth’s head snapped towards him, one hand going under the desk to grab whatever weapon she hides there. It only takes an instant for her to recognize Percy and a grin breaks out across her face, which widens the one that Percy grew when he was watching her work.

“Hey, it’s good to see you. I was going to call you if I didn’t hear from you in another half hour. Did you just get back from the festival?” She asks immediately.

“No, I got back about an hour ago. I was supposed to meet Rowan for training, but he didn’t show up.” Percy responds.

“Oh, has that happened before?”

“Not even once. He called it early yesterday, couldn’t focus. And I was talking to his roommate earlier and he said Rowan’s been acting differently this year. He said Rowan attacked him earlier today. I was going to talk to him about it, try to see what’s going on but he never showed up.”

“That’s not good. What about earlier, you mentioned a nightmare. Are you feeling better?” she asks, concerned. It’s not the first time they have had these check-ins after one of them has a rough night. It’s part of their agreement, complete honesty about their nightmares and other issues so they can give each other the best support possible. Percy doesn’t think he could be this open with anyone else, but there is no one he trusts as much as Annabeth.

“Much better. I spent most of the day on a kayak, drifting around the lake. Took a nap for an hour or two. When I woke up, I’d drifted onto this island on the lake that has a four-hundred-year-old crypt on in, for the founder of Jericho. I should show you if you are able to make it up here.”

“I’m sorry I haven’t been able to get away, this school is a lot harder than my last one.” She says, sounding slightly guilty for breaking their agreement.

“Don’t be, it’s not like I can get away either. And you’re going to the best high school in New York City, you never have to apologize for the workload they are giving you. I still get to see you when we talk like this, and I’ll see you in what? Six weeks. Blink of an eye.” Percy says with an easy grin.

The same grin is mirrored on her face. “Okay fine, no beating myself up for things I can’t control. And how was the fair?”

“I didn’t stay long. Eugene and I rode on the bumper cars after Rowan wandered off and when Eugene went to get food, I was talking to Rowan’s roommate and he noticed some guys from town who were looking for trouble. They were carrying bats but they weren’t too hard to scare off.”

“Oh, look at my boyfriend. Such a hero.” She teases him, voice saccharine sweet.

“Fuck off,” Percy whines elongating the vowels in both words, “But, enough about me. What did you do today? Did you see mom?”

“Not today, I postponed to tomorrow, I’m going to swing by your apartment for lunch. I decided to try the full marathon today instead of in two weeks like I originally planned.”

“Oh, how did it go?”

“Two hours and eight minutes.”

“Is that good?”

“World record is two hours and one minute, so pretty good given I have only been training for a few months, of course I do have an unfair advantage.”

“Nah, my girlfriend is just amazing. Best human ever. And I’ll fight anyone who says different.”

“Even me?”

“Anytime, Chase. I haven’t had a decent spar since I left.”

“Six more weeks, Seaweed Brain.”

“Blink of an eye.”

“I think it’s time for me to call it a night.”

“Okay, I love you Annabeth.”

“Love you too Percy, goodnight.”

She tosses a cloth through the image to end the call.

Percy checks his watch and sees the time is a little past eleven. After the early morning he had it is probably time for him to call it a nigh too, so he puts his socks and shoes back on and returns to his dorm.

Chapter Text

The next morning Percy starts the day with his usual swim before a shower and breakfast with Eugene in the cafeteria. Walking through the halls he notices that the other students are having more whispered conversations than usual. It’s not that out of place for Nevermore, the school can get cliquey, people mostly sticking within their groups, whether that be species, dorm, or club.

Percy doesn’t see Eugene when he looks around the cafeteria, not unusual, so he grabbed some empty space at the end on one of the tables after getting his food. A trio of vampires are at the other end of the table. If Percy is being honest, the vampires are the only Outcasts he has a problem with. Nothing has happened yet, but their attention to him just makes the hair on his neck stand on end. Since that reaction typically only occurs when he is being stalked by a monster that wants to eat him, Percy feels justified in his wariness.

One of the vampires slides down the bench to talk to him as he is eating his French toast, “Hey, you’re friends with that Rowan guy, right?”

“Yeah,” Percy responds, “Why?”

“Just wanted to know if you knew what is going on. We heard that the cops have been looking for him all night. Apparently, that new girl, Addams, was telling people he got eaten by some monster. None of the staff has said anything.” Percy’s blood went cold as the after the girl mentioned the cops, but he didn’t say anything until she finished speaking.

“When did all of this happened?” Percy asks, worried.

“Around 10:30 last night, I guess. At least that’s when they started herding us back to the bus.” At this point Percy notices the girl’s focus has shifted from his face to his neck, despite the sunglasses obscuring her eyes. Exactly the reaction that makes him not like the vampires here.

“Sorry, I think I know less than you guys.” Percy says as he gets up, his breakfast only half finished but his appetite long gone.

Placing his tray in the dish collection area he leaves the cafeteria, nearly running into Eugene as he rounds the corner.

“Percy, I was looking for you.” Eugene squeaks as he sees him.

“Same, did you see Rowan at all after I left last night?” Percy asks.

“No,” Eugene says, fidgeting, “I just sat at one of the tables with a snack until the staff tried to get us all on the bus. I was hoping you knew something.”

“I just found out.” Percy says, “I’m going to check his room, and if he’s not there I’ll ask Xavier if he knows anything.”

Percy hurriedly makes his way to Rowan’s room in Othello Hall. When he gets there and knocks no one answers. He tries the handle, but the door is locked. He does back down to look for Xavier. As he is leaving the dorm building Xavier is coming back in.

“Xavier, hey. Have you seen Rowan at all? I’m getting worried.” Percy asks, stopping him at the door.

“I haven’t seen him, but I just heard some deputies dropped him off a few minutes ago.” Xavier responds, a weight lifting off Percy’s chest at his words. “I guess they found him hitchhiking on the highway sixty miles south of town. Brought him back here. He’s in with Weems right now, I doubt we will be seeing him until at least dinner, staying out all night like that and making everyone worry like that.”

“Thank the gods,” Percy mutters. “Thanks for letting me know,” he says to Xavier.  He holds the door open for Xavier to let him inside before returning to the cafeteria. He spots Eugene, grabs some more food and walks over to him.

“You heard they found Rowan?” Eugene says as Percy sits down.

“Yeah, Xavier told me when I saw him.” Percy answers, “he said that Rowan will be busy with Weems for a while. I’ll talk to him later, try to see what’s going on with him. He told me he’d meet me at ten last night for practice. Not like him to flake.”

“Since we probably won’t see him for few hours, do you think we could get some work done on the hives? I don’t want a cold snap to catch us by surprise.” Eugene asks, wanting to distract Percy from his worrying.

“Sure, I’ll change into something better to work in after I finish eating.” Percy says before digging into his second attempt at breakfast.

A few hours later, the beehives have a layer of insulation on the edges of the openings. Eugene has told Percy before that bees make their own glue from regurgitated something or other that is used to seal the hive for winter. The man-made sealant is more effective, they just have to remove it before the bees wake up in the early spring. Percy wants to check on Rowan again, Weems can’t have kept him in her offices that long. He lets Eugene know what he’s doing before going back to Rowan’s dorm.

When he gets there the door is cracked open but when he glances inside, he doesn’t see Rowan, or Xavier for that matter. It takes a few seconds to notice that one side of the room now looks empty and judging by the sketchbooks and charcoal pencils on the other desk, it’s Rowan’s stuff that is missing. Percy has packed up his stuff mid-semester enough times to know that means Rowan is leaving Nevermore, though whether it’s willingly is hard to say.

Percy rushes down to the front of the school, hoping to catch Rowan before he leaves and arrives to see Rowan around one of the old school cars. Rowan is loading one of the last pieces of luggage into the back before

“Hey, Rowan. What’s going on?” Percy asks as he comes to a stop a few feet away.

“I’m leaving Percy. Kinda what happens when you spend the night trying to be anywhere but here.” Rowan responds shortly.

“But why did you ditch me last night? We were making progress.” Percy keeps pressing.

Rowan’s face grows puzzled for a moment before the expression passes. Percy wouldn’t have noticed if he wasn’t as concerned as he was. Playing a hunch, he continues, “What am I going to do about my math class now, we have a test coming up.” Percy makes a hint of panic come into his tone.

“If you really need a tutor Percy, I’m sure there are other students you could ask. The office could give you a referral.” At this response, Percy is sure his hunch was dead on. Whoever is posing as Rowan has no idea about their sparring sessions and is reflexively giving out academic advice. While Percy only knows of just one shapeshifter, it’s good to confirm that it is Principal Weems posing as Rowan, the question now is why.

Before he can begin to think about that question someone calls out for the fake Rowan’s attention behind them, “Rowan! We need to talk.”

They both turn and see Wednesday Addams rushing up to them, her attention fixed on the fake Rowan. Percy takes a step back to get further from Wednesday’s focus, hoping Wednesday will forget he is there.

“Wednesday, I’m not allowed to speak to anyone.” Weems is much more forceful with Wednesday than she was with Percy, though Percy has been mostly removed from the situation while Wednesday has been in the thick of it from everything he has heard.

“You had a lot to say when you tried to kill me.” Wednesday fires back. Three days ago, Percy would never have believed Rowan would try to hurt anyone, but with how he was acting after Wednesday arrived at Nevermore, coupled with his attack on Xavier, Percy is starting to think that there was a lot to Rowan that he didn’t understand. “Told me I was destined to destroy the school, remember?” Where did you get that drawing?”

Destined to destroy the school. A drawing. There is a lot more to this than Percy was aware of.

At this point, Weems has also recovered from Wednesday’s words enough to respond, “I just went into the woods to clear my head. Then you came after me.”

Ms. Thornhill walks out of the hall behind them and walks up to the car. “Wednesday, Percy. You shouldn’t be here.”

“Yeah,” Rowan agrees, “Back off and leave me alone.” Rowan gets in the car and slams the door.

At Thornhill’s acknowledgment of Percy’s presence, Wednesday turns to him, finally realizing Percy was standing there the whole time. The car starts to move, and as it passes them Percy spots what looks like a hand resting on the rear fender of the car. He notices Wednesday giving a small nod to the hand as it passes. At this point Percy is extremely confused, the way he only really gets when more than three gods get involved, though he has gotten much better at spotting gods, even in disguise, and this headache seems to be divine-free, a nice change of pace.

Wednesday’s focus has returned to Percy, her intent glare and pale face staring up at him reminding him of Nico during the quest in the Labyrinth. Or Thalia during their quest to save Annabeth from Luke. Or, if she wasn’t as sickly pale, Annabeth when Percy first came to camp. Why do so many people in Percy’s life glare at him so much? Well not anymore, but still, he wasn’t that bad. Wednesday’s voice brings him back to the present.

“You are Percy Jackson.” She says, not needing an affirmative before continuing, “Enid says you were Rowan’s only friend.”

“I wouldn’t say only friend, but yeah. I was probably the closest to him of anyone here.” Percy responds before asking, “Who is Enid?”

“My roommate. Blond. Colorful. Loud.” Surprisingly, Wednesday’s meager descriptions do bring to mind a girl that Percy has seen around, though they have never met.

“I think I know who you mean.” Percy says, “What did you mean about Rowan trying to kill you?”

A hint of frustration is added to Wednesday’s glare, likely because she realized he had overheard everything she said to Weems earlier. “That’s none of your business.”

“You were saying Rowan died in a monster attack last night. He was my friend; I think it makes it my business.”

Wednesday’s expression shifted a bit when she caught his use of past tense to refer to Rowan. “You believe me? But Rowan was just in front of us.”

“I’ll make you a deal. You tell me what happened last night, and I’ll tell you why I know Rowan never came back to Nevermore.” Percy says. He can see the decision being made through the furrowing and relaxing of Wednesday’s eyebrows.

“Deal. But not here. Somewhere we won’t be overheard.” She responds, already turning to leave.

“I know a good place.” Percy overtakes Wednesday, not hard given his stride is significantly longer than hers and leads her to the Hummers’ work shed.

As they walk up, Eugene is still working. When he looks up and sees them his face brightens. He looks at Wednesday and says, “Great, you’re back.”

“You were here earlier?” Percy asks.

“Principal Weems insisted I join an extracurricular so I can become more ‘well-rounded’.” Percy can make out the air quotes Wednesday puts around ‘well-rounded’ despite her voice never leaving its deadpan tone.

“Well then welcome to the team,” Percy says to Wednesday before turning to Eugene, “We need to talk in private for a bit. You mind keeping a look out?”

“Of course,” Eugene responds, “Hummers stick together.”

“That we do,” Percy says before leading Wednesday into the shed. When the door closes behind them Percy turns back to Wednesday, “Okay, we’re alone. What happened in the woods last night?”

“You first.” She fires back.

“No, our deal was you tell me yours first then I tell you mine.” Percy wanted hers first, so he had something over her head I she tried to leave bits out.

 Wednesday gave a short exhale of frustration before she started in on her story. “Last night I was trying to get a ride away from here, but we were interrupted by some idiots from Jericho.”

“Three teenagers with baseball bats,” Percy interrupts.

“Yes. Did you see them?” She asks.

“I did. Took their bats and sent them off. Not particularly good at fighting.” Percy replies.

“No, they are not. We had an altercation at the Weathervane in town the day before and they did not impress me.” She said, almost disappointed with their lack of challenge. “Back to the point, I didn’t want to make a scene at the fair as it would ruin my escape plan, so we turned around and tried to lose the Neanderthals in the crowd.”

“We?”

“Tyler Galpin was my ride out of town. He works as the barista at the Weathervane. Stop interrupting.”

“Sorry, go on.”

“I saw Rowan walk into the woods and followed him, didn’t think the others would follow me that way. Tyler wanted to go another way so we split up. When Rowan noticed me he turned around and used his telekinesis to pin me up against a tree. He started talking about how his mom had a vision of me destroying Nevermore and how he promised her that if he saw me here he would stop me. He tried to kill me the day before, crush me with a gargoyle, but Xavier Thorpe pushed me out of the way.”

She took a small pause to take a breath before continuing, “Before Rowan could finish me off, a monster came out of the woods and attacked him. Rowan was forced to let me go and went for help before passing out.”

“What did the monster look like?” Percy asked.

“It was humanoid. But large. I only noticed long hair on the top of its head. Long claws and fangs. Large eyes as well.” Wednesday answers. “No more questions until you uphold your end of our bargain.”

“Alright. So Rowan and I would meet up a few nights a week to practice fencing.” Percy begins.

“Why you? You are not on the team?” It seems interrupting is only allowed when she does it.

“That’s only because I think it’s stupid. No offense, but the toothpicks you use are an insult to swords everywhere.” Percy responds. “I joined an open session at the beginning of the year and sparred with Rowan then. Afterwards we met up for training at night to work on his speed and reflexes. When you showed up I noticed he was acting weird and we cut practice short that night, he was supposed to meet me last night for a make-up session but never showed which is unlike him.”

“So that’s it. He missed one session, and you believe that he got killed be a monster?” She asks pointedly.

“No, I was ready to believe the official story until that bit at the car earlier. He seemed confused when I mentioned him ditching our plans, so I made up something about him tutoring me in math. He said it wouldn’t be too hard to find a new tutor. So, whoever was at the car was not Rowan. And I only know of one shapeshifter at Nevermore, Principal Weems.” Percy finishes.

Wednesday is quiet for a moment before asking another question, “How do you know Weems is a shapeshifter?”

“She does meetings with all the transfer students at the start of the year, with their parents. When she told me about Outcasts, I asked what kind she was. She just shifted into me, wasn’t hard to put the pieces together after that.”

“I had that meeting as well, though without the demonstration. She probably does not do it for all the new students. But why is she covering up the murder of a student?” Percy thinks that question is mostly rhetorical, but he has been thinking the same thing.

“I mean, Nevermore is marketed as a sanctuary for young Outcasts. Not a good look for them to lose a student.” Percy says, not pleased with how they are covering up his friend’s death, despite what Rowan was doing before he died.

“That makes sense. What’s is the life of one child compared to the image of our great institutions.” Wednesday responds, her derision evident even through her lifeless tone.

“You left out the bit about the drawing.” Percy comments, watching the way Wednesday tenses up at the mention of the drawing. She reluctantly pulls a piece of paper from insider her jacket and unfolds it.

The drawing obviously depicts the Nevermore courtyard, the stone arches easily recognizable. The flames are a new addition, not really fitting the usual vibe of the school. A figure of a girl stands amidst the flames, the clothes and hair strongly resembling the girl standing in front of him. He notices that the page is ripped on the left side and that there is no border, indicating that this is only a piece of a larger drawing.

“This is why Rowan tried to kill you then?” Percy asks, noticing her avoid his eyes.

“His mother drew it. Psychics painting their visions is fairly common in Outcast circles, and one of the more reliable methods of seeing the future.” Wednesday answers, more darkly than before. Percy thinks that she is more worried about all of this than she lets on.

“A piece advice about prophecy, they always come true. You can’t cheat them or escape them. But there are loopholes. If you are really worried about destroying the school, remember that this drawing only shows one moment. How you get there is your own journey. This is only part of the full drawing, don’t worry too much about the details until you have the whole picture. Have you read many Greek tragedies?”

“My mother read them to me as bedtime stories when I was young. My favorite was Antigone. You are alluding to the trope of the self-fulfilling prophecy?” Wednesday answers.

“More about the ways that they tend to misread prophecies. Like I said, this image will come to pass, but your role in all of this is unclear. If you try to help the school, who says you aren’t the one who saves it.”

At this, it looks like some weight is lifted off Wednesday’s shoulders and she appears more resolved. “I need to take another look at where the attack went down, look for more clues.” She says, turning to leave before stopping herself, “Weems said she would be keeping an eye on me, but she is posing as Rowan right now.”

“It’s not like she couldn’t just ask anyone else to take over for a bit.” Percy responds, taking the wind out of her sails.

“I suppose I will have to arrange a decoy to avert suspicion before I leave. That may take some time.” Wednesday says, a plan obviously forming in her mind.

“Let me know when you leave, you shouldn’t be going out there alone.” Percy warns.

“Are you going to protect me, then?” Wednesday responds, judgement in her voice. “I do not need your protection.”

“Really. I heard about you fight with Bianca.” Percy comments.

“What about it?” Wednesday asks suspiciously.

“Nothing. I did the same thing a few months back. But when I did it, I won.” Percy responds, seeing a hint of anger in Wednesday's expression mixed with a tinge of respect.

“I need you here for my plan to work. The beekeeping suit is perfect for passing someone off as me. You will need to be here to sell it.” Percy can see the merits in her point but he still isn’t convinced.

“How about this, you meet me tonight and we spar a bit. If I think you’re good enough to handle yourself, I will help you sneak off alone. But this is a one-time thing. If you want to go out into the woods again, you bring someone to watch your back.” Percy argues, already expecting to regret the offer later.

“That sounds acceptable. Where and when shall we meet?” She asks.

“By the docks at ten o’clock sharp. I’ll take you to the training spot Rowan and I used. Do you have a sword of your own.”

“I do. As well as some knives.” Wednesday replies.

“Good, bring those as well. It’s good to have a back-up plan.” Percy responds, feeling like he is back at the training arena at camp for a moment. “We should probably get back to Eugene. If you’re joining the Hummers, you need to be shown the ropes.”

“Are you in love with bees, too?”

“Not really. It’s fun enough but I joined more for the company. Eugene reminds me of some people.” Percy responds. “C’mon, let’s suit up.”

Chapter Text

Wednesday picked up the details of beekeeping significantly faster than Percy did. She seems to take direction well, no matter how bluntly it’s given, so long as she thinks that the person who is giving the direction knows what they are talking about. When it’s time to go their separate ways, Percy and Wednesday agree that it is best if they don’t interact until they can meet up later to avoid Weems’ attention.

Instead, Percy finishes some homework that he put off in favor of the fair the night before. The Latin botanical journal he found in the library was extremely useful for his botany work, making it go much faster. He also diagramed and built a foot snare trap for his unit exam in Intro to Trapping. He can already imagine watching Clarisse swing upside down from a tree as Annabeth crosses the boundary line to win at capture the flag. As far as they have come, all goodwill is thrown out the second the teams are established.

When he finished his work he called his mother, seeing her and Paul on the couch, his mom lightly crying while Paul is smiling like a loon.

“Is everything alright?” Percy asks, hoping for the best because he can’t deal anything else right now, especially since there is little that he could do about it from Nevermore.

“Oh, Percy!” Sally wipes her eyes quickly. “No, everything’s fine. It’s good news. I’ll tell you when we go to see you for Parent’s weekend. Until then, don’t worry about it.”

“Yeah,” Paul agreed, “Another reason for us to look forward to visiting.”

“Has Annabeth been by yet? She mentioned she was going to swing by today.” Percy said, about thirty percent sure he knows what news they want to give him.

“She left around two. And don’t go to her for information, she’s sworn to secrecy.” Make that sixty percent sure.

“Fine, scouts honor.”

“You were kicked out of scouts two months in.”

“Not my fault. Those were Harpies, not ducks. The Mist just made everyone think they were ducks. I would never skewer a duck with a marshmallow roaster.”

“Would you have finished the year if they didn’t kick you out?” Paul asks. Percy is happy that Paul is settling into the family dynamic. Sure, they got married over a year ago, but Percy wasn’t around much for the last year.

“No, I hated it.”

“Anyway, how was the fair? Did you boys have fun?” With what they were alluding to, Percy isn’t sure he should tell his mom about what happened to Rowan.

“Not really. I was only there for around twenty minutes; I didn’t sleep well the night before and I had to stop some guys from town that tried to cause trouble. I was ready to head back after that.” For now, Percy felt that he should stick to the cover story with regards to Rowan, a monster running around Jericho would probably not be good for her stress levels. “And Rowan had been weird recently. He stayed out last night, and some deputies brought him back this morning.”

“Have you talked to him about it?” his mother asks.

“I tried to, but apparently, they expelled him this morning. Not really, but I guess his dad agreed to pull him out without a fuss and nothing ends up on his academic record.” Percy was impressed with the lie he came up with, even if he will probably pay for it later.

“Oh, I’m sorry he left, I know you two were becoming good friends.” Sally

“I don’t think I really knew him at all. I doubt they would go this far for a first offense. He got in a fight with his roommate the same day he ran off. Attacked another student at the fair too.”

“Oh my god. Did he give any signs beforehand?” Paul asks. That same question has been rattling around in Percy’s head since he talked to Wednesday earlier.

“The night before, he left our practice early, said he couldn’t focus. This new girl arrived and he started losing it. I asked if he knew her and he said they had never met. She is the one he attacked at the fair. I talked to her earlier and I don’t think she did anything to Rowan.”

“That is strange. I hope he gets the help he needs elsewhere.” Now Percy feels extra guilty about lying to her about Rowan, but he has committed to the story for now.

“And how is Eugene?”

“He is good. We just got a new member in the Hummers. The new girl, Wednesday. She said that the principal made her join an extracurricular and she chose us.”

“Oh, what is she like?”

“She might be the strangest mortal I have ever met. She has a specially made all black uniform, never shows any emotion, and I think she has a Frankenstein hand as a pet. Like, a single hand covered in stitches.” Percy explains, having trouble finding the right word to describe Wednesday Addams. “She seems like a good person though.”

“That’s what matters most at the end of it all. Sorry to rush you sweetheart, but is there anything else? Paul and I have some calls that we need to make.”

“No, that’s all the important bits. I can let you go. Love you mom. Bye Paul, see you next week.”

“I love you too Percy.”

“Stay safe. See you next week.”

Wednesday was waiting for him when Percy arrived at the docks, dressed in an all-black fencing outfit sans helmet, carrying a black leather case in each hand. The one in her right hand looks like it is carrying her sword, much longer and narrower than the case in her right. Percy has a blunt-edged short sword that Percy uses for training with novice half-bloods that are in their first summer at camp. He doesn’t like using it, but accidents happen more often with beginners, and he has learned that there is too much he can’t control when leading a class.

In comparison, Percy is wearing a tee-shirt and basketball shorts. He thinks that his clothes is more applicable for real-life scenarios than formal fencing attire but he didn’t specify what to wear so he doesn’t mention it. His sword is in an oiled leather scabbard that is older than he is, carried in his left hand.

He leads her further away from the school, towards a gardeners shed a fair distance away. On the opposite side of the shed are some porch lights that, when he turns them on, provides adequate light to spar in. The ground illuminated is reasonably level but not like the flat surfaces in a proper training space.

“This is your training ground.” Wednesday says setting down her cases. “Do you mind if I stretch first?”

“Go ahead,” Percy responds, swinging out his arms to loosen them up. “How long have you been training?”

“For most of my life. Both of my parents learned to fence here at Nevermore, but my father is the only one who continued past that. He enjoys collecting antique weapons. His favorite piece is a sword that belonged to François de Montmorency-Bouteville, who used it to kill the Marquis de Portes in a duel in the 17^th century.” Wednesday explained, seeming more sentimental than he has seen before. She opens her case and takes her sword from its place.

It is not one of the flimsy weapons that he saw used by the fencing team. The sword was longer than Riptide, but thinner, only an inch wide. The blade was single edged with the same thickness until the taper at the tip. The hilt was single handed, with a simple ring to protect the fingers. Percy also removed his practice sword from its sheath, twenty-six inches of double-edge bronze and a cross-guard that curved away from the handle. Unlike Riptide, which is an ancient Xiphos, this sword is styled more like a medieval arming sword. Despite the different shapes, both swords have similar weights and balance points, making switching between the two easy for Percy.

“Let me know when you’re ready,” Percy tells her while going through the motions of limbering his body.

He continues to stretch for a few more minutes before Wednesday indicates she is ready to begin. Her stance is similar to the side-facing stance Rowan showed him at the first fencing session, though she tucked her off-hand behind her back rather than raise it towards her head like Rowan preferred.

Percy’s stance was different, his feet staggered and sword held in closer to his body. His stance is better for generating power in his swings while hers favors precise, solid thrusts. That is exactly how she begins, thrusting at this left shoulder, which he drops out of the way in time with a swing coming at an upwards angle towards the edge of Wednesday’s ribcage. She brings her blade back down to block his strike, off-hand braced along the flat rear edge of her sword to provide extra stability. Percy’s strike still rattles her form, making her stagger before artfully recovering. He follows up with a overhand strike that would cut into her upper chest but she parries it away while giving ground. Percy advances with a high horizontal strike, expecting her to duck under it. She does and her response of a upward thrust which is parried is followed by a diagonal slash that Percy stops cold with the flat of his blade. He shoves back, overpowering her and breaking her sideways stance. He begins a new attack with a trio of solid strikes that rattle her guard, the first a downward strike towards her right shoulder that is ducked and parried, a horizontal strike that she blocks knocking her blade out of position and providing an opening that his third strike takes advantage of. The edge of his blade presses against her ribs, over her heart.

Percy disengages and motions for her to ready her guard for another round. “You’re not strong enough to block my strikes flat out, give ground and try a new angle. Ready?”

“I am.” She responds quietly.

This time Percy makes the first move, getting close with a thrust towards her neck, she shifts her body to dodge, making a thrust of her own to his stomach. Percy leaps back to dodge and Wednesday advances, keeping him on the backpedal. After her third thrust Percy’s longer strides have given him enough room to recover fully but Wednesday notices and stops her advance, keeping her balance and resetting her guard. Percy is impressed, though not too surprised. While Bianca had overextended in their duel, she could do so against most opponents without issue because of her longer reach. Wednesday’s shorter reach would require her to be more conservative in that area. Percy gives a series of powerful strikes, forcing her back. As he is making an upwards strike from her right hip to left shoulder Wednesday rolls off to Percy’s right, turning to make a strike to his unprotected back. Percy whirls around, blade in a downward vertical guard, batting away her strike and he lashes out with a kick that plants her on her back before resting his blade tip on her stomach.

“Remember, the only rule here is to pull your hits, if you went for my legs my guard would have been too high and you would have won.” Percy says as he offers a hand to help her up. She is skilled, as fast as Bianca was. Her eye for opportunity is better, but she is hampered by her lack of reach.

“And you need to stop overcommitting on your strikes.” She responds, catching his mistakes from earlier.

“I’m giving you openings on purpose.”

“Why? I doubt the monster will take it easy on me.”

“Because if I tried my best neither of us would learn anything.”

Wednesday thinks about that for a moment and gives that a contemplative nod, dusting off her pants and walking over to reset for another round.

As they continue to spar, Percy continues to give advice between bouts, most inspired by the previous fight but sometimes Percy would give unrelated tips.

“Tie your hair up before you go out, the braids could be used against you.”

“If you are attacked by the monster, take every advantage you can get. In the woods, put trees between you and it. It’ll give you a second to breathe and could give you an opening as it moves around the tree.”

“Target the joints and tendons if you don’t have a good opening for a killing stroke. You don’t get any points for speed here, only for survival.”

After a half-an-hour of near continuous sparring Wednesday looks ready to keel over but hasn’t said a word of protest. They switched to some knife work for the last few rounds, both of their skills rougher with the knives compared to the sword. Each match was approached with the same measure of precision, despite her style changing to reflect her depleting energy reserves. With each loss she focused on whatever notes Percy would give, even the ones not really related to the previous bout.

He realizes that some of his advice is getting closer to the truth of his demigod life than he probably should, but with everything going on at Nevermore he can’t quite bring himself to care. With how she described the monster earlier, any advice would be useful if she was attacked.

“You can definitely handle yourself.” Percy says while he is grabbing them both some water. “But stay alert out there, it is never good to go out without back-up when something like this is going on.” Sure, Percy doesn’t usually follow that advice himself, but he would if it was an option.

“Do you have a lot of experience hunting monsters?” Wednesday asks, questions digging at the opening that Percy made with his advice.

“More than just about anyone you could find, but that is my business, just like your past is yours. Maybe you’ll find out one day, but I don’t know you well enough to tell you yet.”

“I understand.” She responds, though Percy knows she will keep an eye out for any clues he might let slip about his godly side, though the mist should keep most of it covered.

“You ready to call it a night?” Percy asks, checking the time on his watch.

“I doubt I could perform well enough anymore to make this worthwhile. But I would like to do this more, I have learned more about my weaknesses tonight than I have in the last six months.”

“Happy you enjoyed it. I guess I need a new workout partner now as well. We can work out the details later. Now, c’mon. I’ll show you the best way to get back without being seen.” Percy says, turning off the lights and starting to walk back to the school, Wednesday’s quiet footsteps following him.

Percy is back in his dorm room, fresh from his shower. He knows that he can just use his powers to dry off, but there is something wet hair right from the shower that he likes. Also, he is going to call Annabeth and doing it fresh from the shower might get her skin to turn into a pink color that is only a few shades off from a sweet potato. In pursuit of that noble goal, he also doesn’t put a shirt on before sending an Iris Message.

When the image forms, she is not in her room. She looks to be sitting on a rooftop, presumably the one of her dorm building but Percy has not been up there to recognize it. She is currently swinging a training sword at what seems to be a punching bag hanging from some bits of scaffolding.

His plan to tease Annabeth has backfired, his face already starting to heat up looking at her in her workout clothes. Why do his plans never work against her, not even when she doesn’t even know that there is something to plan for. Maybe it’s Athena’s fault, arranging events so Percy never triumphs against her daughter. If this is how he loses though, he doesn’t mind as much. Just to piss her off, Percy pulls out his greatest wolf whistle. It’s pretty terrible to be honest, but it gets her attention and the roll of the eyes that he was going for when she turns around to see him.

“If you were anyone else, Seaweed Brain, I’d punt you off this roof for that. Actually, not sure you’re exempt from that list.” She says in lieu of a greeting.

“That’s why I only did it in safety, from hundreds of miles away,” he says with a silly grin on his face.

“The great hero, everybody. Bravest man alive.” Annabeth drawls out.

“You forgot prettiest.”

“I’m sure half of Aphrodite’s boys would take issue with that statement, and a few of Apollo’s.”

“Would the rest agree then?”

“If only to shut you up.”

He tried to keep a straight face for as long as he could after that, but he ended up bursting into giggles, the kind that you can only get when being an idiot with your oldest friends. Annabeth joins him soon after and they both take a moment to just enjoy this moment together.

Percy breaks the silence first, “So, mom said lunch went well today.”

“It did, and before you ask, I’m not telling you anything.”

“C’mon Annabeth, we promised no secrets.”

“No. You are not pulling the no secrets card here. There needs to be an exception for surprises. And presents. Also, its not my secret to tell.”

“Fine, I’ll let it go, but you will make it up to me later.”

“Six more weeks.”

“Anyway, some big shit went down since last night. Not sure how to feel about all of it yet, it’s got really confusing, really fast.” Percy says, getting off of his bed to pace around his room as he talks.

“So last night, Rowan didn’t show up because he was killed in a monster attack.” Percy hears a slight gasp from Annabeth, but he continued before she could say anything. “When he was attacked he was actually trying to kill another student, the new girl Wednesday Addams. Apparently, he tried to kill her once already by crushing her beneath a falling gargoyle but someone saved her. So yeah, my friend was killed while he was attempting to commit murder. Not sure how to feel about it.”

“That makes sense, I guess. Hard to get past murder. Do you know why he tried to kill her?” She asks.

“Prophecy. I guess his mom had visions and would draw or paint them, pretty accurate. Years ago she painted a picture of the school’s courtyard on fire and Wednesday was in the picture. She made him promise to stop her is Wednesday ever came to Nevermore.”

“All of this over a prophecy. What is it about glimpses of the future that make everyone so crazy. Present company included, at least on occasion.”

“I don’t know. Anyway, the school is covering it all up, but the Wednesday wants to investigate it and she needs my help for some parts. I’m going to help, cause even if Rowan wasn’t who I thought he was, the monster that killed him still needs to be stopped.”

“Where is your shirt?” Percy turns to look at the image of Annabeth, her eyes focused firmly on his abdomen.

“Same place yours is.” Percy replies, using her question as an excuse to focus his eyes on her abs. “You have a really cute belly button, you know, for someone who was born through thought.”

“Just my belly button?”

“Every bit of you is cute. If I was there right now, I’d prove it to you.”

“Six more weeks.”

“I’m not sure I can make it that long.” Percy jokes.

“It sounds like you will have plenty to keep you busy there, but don’t let the mystery distract you from school. You will still have finals after you save the town or whatever.”

“That might be the lamest thing you have ever said Wise Girl. I’d say I can bear to look at you after that, but we’d both know I would be lying.”

“Back on topic, what’s your next move?”

“Apparently the administration is watching Wednesday like a hawk, so tomorrow she is going to have her roommate double for her at Hummers while she does some more investigating. Eugene and I are going to help them sell it.”

“Is the roommate a shapeshifter?” Annabeth asks skeptically.

“No, the only shapeshifter here is the principal, as far as I know. But the bee suit should keep Enid, the roommate, covered enough to pass for Wednesday at a distance.”

“And you’re letting a mortal go off on her own with a monster around?”

“I don’t think this is one of our monsters, from what she told me about it. No mist obscuring details and it went after a mortal when I was close by. And I thought the same thing, but we did some sparring and I’d put her even with some of the kids of minor gods.”

“That good?”

“She’d be even better if she wasn’t all of five feet tall.”

“Busy day tomorrow then?”

“Yeah, don’t think it’ll just be tomorrow. What about you?”

“My highlight was just seeing your family, just did some studying otherwise. You’re the trouble magnet here.”

“You don’t need to remind me. I should probably let you go, like you said, busy day tomorrow. Love you.”

“I love you too, Percy.”

“Also, could you not tell my mom about the whole monster attack thing. I didn’t want to stress her out right now, so I told her the school’s cover story. Pretty please!”

“I’m in love with an idiot. Fine. Goodbye.”

That ended well. But he kinda expected it.

Chapter Text

Percy and Eugene are already working in the clubhouse when Wednesday walks in, with a taller girl that Percy recognizes as her roommate. While Percy could ordinarily recognize her from her hair, blonde with the ends dyed pink and blue, she is already wearing the white beekeeping suit. She is looking around and cringing at just about everything she sees. Percy guesses that she wasn’t willing to enter the clubhouse without putting the suit on for protection.

Hoping that he is not considered as cringeworthy as the bugs, Percy speaks up to get her attention, hoping that focusing on something else will help her relax. “Hi, you must be Enid. I’m Percy.” He says, reaching out to shake her hand.

She takes his hand and begins pumping his hand vigorously, “Yes, I am. It’s really nice to meet you, I tried looking you up online after I heard about you beating Bianca at the start of the year. I couldn’t find anything outside of reports from years ago about a manhunt. Why don’t you have any socials? They are such a great way to learn about people.”

Chapter Text

“I am going to assume that we are not going to be ritually sacrificed to appease an eldritch abomination.” Wednesday comments.

“Of course not. We’re not savages.” The masked figure in the middle responds, voice partially distorted by the mask.

“Pity,” Wednesday actually does sound disappointed at that. “You can take the mask off, Bianca.”

The cloaked figures begin taking off their masks, Percy only recognizing Xavier, Bianca, and Kent. He also sees a vampire, a gorgon, and a siren that he has seen hanging around the people he recognizes. Of course, a vampire is the one that tried to grab him.

“Wait, I preferred you with it on.” Wednesday comments, a hint of mockery entering her voice.

“How did you get down here?” Xavier asks.

“Rowan showed me, he had a drawing of the symbol that’s I tracked to the Poe statue. Then I solved the riddle.” She answers, leaving out about half of the details by Percy’s estimation.

“Wait, there’s a riddle? I thought we just snapped twice.” Kent asks, confused.

“Well, aren’t you the brightest of the bunch.” Wednesday mocks, as the same thought is forming in Percy’s mind. It seems like Wednesday is handling the sarcastic commentary tonight so Percy’s mouth can take the night off.

“The nightshades are an elite social club. Emphasis on elite.” Bianca explains calmly, likely trying to shift attention away from Kent, who seems to fall short of elite, at least in Percy’s eyes.

A boy to her left joins in, evidently a gorgon by the hat on his head, “We have roof parties, campouts, the occasional midnight skinny-dip.” While all of those can be fun, he gets enough of that at camp, with people who don’t try to kidnap him… outside of Capture the Flag.

“And Yoko’s an amateur mixologist.” That might be the lamest flex he has ever heard but points for enthusiasm.

“She makes a killer virgin mojito. It can get pretty wild.” Never mind, it’s been dethroned.

“Wow,” Wednesday remarks, “Do you guys even have a bedtime?” Wednesday is really letting them have it tonight. Percy thinks it is because Bianca seems to be in charge here.

The members look at each other, looking mystified as to why neither of them is impressed until Wednesday speaks up again, “Last I heard, the Nightshades had been disbanded.”

Xavier is the one who answers, “Yeah, the group kind of lost its charter thirty years ago after some Normie kid died.” A callous way to talk about a death, but since it was thirty years out and Xavier does not like the people from Jericho, Percy doubts he cares too much.

The vampire elaborates, “But we have a lot of wealthy alumni so Weems looks the other way as long as nobody makes any waves.” Ah, the privilege of wealth, something a childhood at private schools taught Percy about a long time ago.

“Someone like Rowan?” Wednesday asks, surprising Percy since Rowan had never mentioned this club before.

Bianca quickly responds, “We booted that loser last semester.” Way more heartless than Xavier, until Percy remembers the rest of the student body thinks Rowan was expelled. Still rude though. Bianca moves on, “Question is, what are we gonna do with them?”

“I say we invite them to pledge.” Xavier responds after a few seconds, surprising many in the room. “She is a legacy, and Percy is a good dude.” The way he says it makes it seem like Percy is an afterthought, which is alright by him right now.

“After the crap they pulled at the Poe Cup, there’s no way in hell.” Bianca counters, “We talk about not making waves? She’s a tsunami.” Of the two of them, Percy is more similar to a tsunami, quite literally, but he refrains from making that comment out loud.

“Just because I beat you at your own game?” Wednesday challenges, “Let me save you the trouble. I’m not interested in joining.”

One of the others, that Percy thinks is also a siren, says, “You’re seriously turning us down.”

With the most inflection Percy has ever heard come out of Wednesday, she says, “Can you believe it.”

Percy then decides to speak up, drawing the rooms attention to him since he uh… almost brained a student with a flashlight. “I’m not interested either. No offense, but elite really isn’t my vibe.” He moves to leave with Wednesday, and the others tense up, Kent moving to block the doorway.

Percy turns a glare on him but projects his voice to the entire room, voice as hard as steel, “And if you’re thinking about trying to do something about us entering your little sanctum, rethink it. Now.”

Kent immediately backs down, Wednesday and Percy climbing the stairs out of the room.

Percy turns to Wednesday, “I want to take a closer look at that book, I’ll meet you on your dorm’s roof in ten minutes.”

“Alright, I’ll wait outside the large round window.” She responds, turning towards Ophelia Hall.

Percy circles the building once to scope out the best place to scale the building, finding a route with plenty of sturdy ledges and handholds, a plus-side of all the creepy architecture at Nevermore. By the time he gets to the roof, he finds Wednesday waiting outside and sees Enid inside, waving at him. He waves back before Wednesday opens the book to the page with the drawing.

“I skimmed this while I was waiting. There is not much helpful information outside of the drawing, apparently the only other thing Rowan’s mother knew about it was that it would hurt someone she loves.”

“Which it already has,” Percy comments, “What do you think of the man in black?”

“I have not decided yet. He appears to be attacking the school. At least from my view.” She replies.

“Agreed. Which makes it likely that you will be the one who tries to stop him.”

“Why me? Or why just me? Where are you, or everyone else?” She questions.

“I could be somewhere else, I mean, that man doesn’t look much like the monster you described. If they are connected, I could see why I would be busy.” Percy answers, “As for everyone else, if the school is being attacked, they are hopefully evacuated.”

“Or you could be hiding for an ambush.” She posits, “Tomorrow we should compare this to the courtyard, try to figure out as much of the image as possible to give us more options later.”

“That’s smart.” Percy agrees, “If the image is really accurate then we might be able to find the point of view and figure out where he will be standing. That trapping class may come in handy.”

“We have to meet in the courtyard tomorrow at nine, the assembly for Outreach Day. If we get there at eight, we could begin scouting it out.” Wednesday plans out. While Percy lacks neither brains nor brawn, at least when it comes to this stuff, but he does feel more comfortable when someone else can take the lead in the brains portion. He is better in the moment, but years of practice with Annabeth has made him a decent sounding board for ideas.

“Sounds good, I will see you then.” Percy then gets up to leave, needing to scale back down the building to get to his dorm.

This time, Percy is down in the courtyard, waiting for Wednesday to scout out the courtyard. There are a few students lounging around the yard, but not enough to get in their way. Wednesday comes up to him with the book already open to the drawing.

After they both study the drawing again, they try to place the point of view. It looks like, by the placement of the tree, the man in black would have been closest to the hallway leading to the boy’s dorms and the cafeteria. Wednesday’s figure is between him and the tree, with the front entrance to the school situated in the back of the drawing.

“Okay, so you are standing around there,” Percy says while pointing just in front of the tree. “Are you any good at trig?”

“You want to try to extrapolate the relative positions of all of the figures in the painting using the different heights.” Wednesday responds, putting it way better than Percy would have. “Do you think the image is that precise?”

“I don’t want to bank on it, but if it might give us an edge, where’s the harm in trying. Do you mind standing over there?” Percy asks, pointing where she seems to be in the drawing.

She moves over there without saying a word, mimicking the stance she has in the drawing. Percy moves around a bit to find the right perspective. He has to kneel to get Wednesday’s head to line up with the shorter arch with similar clearance.

“Okay, this looks like the viewpoint. But the archways are at a tilted angle in the drawing. I don’t think we can trust this that far.” Percy says, a little sad that his idea wouldn’t work out. It seemed clever when he first came up with it, maybe good enough that Athena might stop giving him that look whenever she sees him with Annabeth. At least, Percy assumes the owl that sometimes stalks them in dates is Athena. Its gaze is certainly judgmental enough to be the goddess of wisdom.

“It was a good idea. But given the lack of detail on my clothes and face, I would have to agree.” Wednesday responds, “But we know where this could start, so we can try to plan an ambush if we get enough warning for the attack.”

“No coming from the main lecture halls. And avoid the courtyard when evacuating.” Percy confirms, “Have you had breakfast yet?”

“You enjoy abrupt non-sequiturs; did you know that?” Wednesday says, looking at him like he is a specimen she is studying.

“It’s the ADHD, can’t really focus for too long. Unless it’s a fight or something like that.” Percy answers blithely.

“Regardless, I have not. You may join me if you wish.” She says as she begins walking towards the cafeteria.

“I could eat,” Percy says as he follows her.

Later, Weems gave her speech about the importance of Outreach Day and the assignments have been handed out. Both Percy and Eugene received Pilgrim World for their assignment. He checked with Enid before they got on the bus, happy to learn she will be joining them at Pilgrim World. Wednesday, on the other hand, was assigned to an antique store in town.

As they get to town, Percy looks out the window of the bus. The town looks the same as always, classic small-town buildings, a few people walking around, Pilgrim World advertisements hanging everywhere.

Percy takes a double take at the ad hanging from a streetlight, looking at the figure in the middle as they pass by. The hat and cloak stick out to him, remembering the man in black in the drawing. He looks around the bus for Wednesday, but she is sitting to far away to tell her now.

Once they get off the bus, they are directed to follow the staff to the green field at the town center. Percy sees Wednesday veer off to Xavier, who is looking at a large white square on a wall, where Percy presumes some graffiti was placed in the past. He tugs Wednesday away to talk to her, pointing up at one of the banners, “Look at the figure in the middle. The hat and cloak. Remind you of the man in black at all?”

“Are you suggesting that the thing trying to destroy the school is a pilgrim?” Incredulity entering her tone.

“Not just any pilgrim. That picture its supposed to represent Joseph Crackstone, the town’s founder. They love him here, especially at Pilgrim World. Like half of that place is dedicated to him. Him or fudge.” Percy explains, as they get near the green.

“Fudge?” she asks.

“Mediocre fudge. Overpriced too.”

“Wait for me after the speech, I want to check out Pilgrim World.” She tells him.

Percy zones out while Weems and the mayor speak, assuming he can ask Wednesday or Eugene what was said later. Afterwards, he lags at the back of the group headed to Pilgrim World, waiting for Wednesday. She soon meets up with him, while Enid is notably absent.

“How did you get her to switch assignments?” Percy asks.

“Ajax is also volunteering at Uriah’s Heap, it did not take much convincing.” She responds.

“Who is Ajax again?”

“The gorgon who was at the Nightshades’ lair last night.”

“Oh, Mr. occasional skinny dipping.” Percy says, remembering him.

“It is better than the virgin mojito girl.” Wednesday comments, derision entering her tone, “’It gets pretty wild.’” She mimics, a normal amount of inflection in her tone for once.

“Fair.” Percy agrees, remembering Grover when he was drinking his weight in coffee every day trying to find Pan. “Probably best she is far from all the fudge too. I don’t really want to see her even more energized.”

At Pilgrim World, they are all assigned to work at Ye Olde Fudgery, despite Wednesday’s attempt to work inside the meeting house. Percy calls on his memories of his mom’s old job at Sweet on America to peddle fudge to tourists until he runs out of samples.

Soon after he does, he sees Wednesday leave the Fudgery, likely to take a look at the meeting house, and whatever Crackstone artifacts are in there. He puts his empty sample tray down inside before following her. It takes a minute to catch up with her but he is glad he did when he sees her with the three idiots from town he dealt with at the Harvest Festival. Two of the boys are holding Eugene, who doesn’t look very good, his pilgrim bib thing stained with something, as well as his face. The third boy is currently being embarrassed by Wednesday, getting up from being tripped by her. He takes a swing at her and she ducks. The boy follows up with a grab but Wednesday gets him in a wristlock before pulling him into a nearby stockade, sealing him inside.

He hears her say to the other two, “Are you two still here?” Percy then steps up behind her and the boys back away further when they see his face.

Following their eyes, Wednesday turns to look at Percy.

“Have fun?” he asks her, smirk situated on his lips.

“Hardly. I didn’t even get to spill any blood.” She responds.

“Shame. Looks like they ran away already.” He says, before focusing on Eugene, “Are you alright? What happened?”

“I’m fine, I ate too much fudge earlier. When those guys tried to mess with me, I got scared and kinda threw it back up.” Eugene answers, making Percy cringe.

“That is really gross. C’mon, let’s get you cleaned up. The, uh, privy is over here.” Nodding his head down the road for Eugene to start walking. When he leaves, Percy leans down to look at the boy in the stocks. “Last time, I didn’t do anything, but this is the third time you have gone after a friend of mine. If I catch you again, I will be much less gentle than Wednesday was. Understood?”

“Yes,” the boy whimpers.

“Good. The same thing goes for your friends, let them know.” Percy says, as he lifts the stockade bar. “Now get going, you need to change.”

After the boy leaves, he finds Eugene and Wednesday near the privy, Wednesday wiping the vomit on his face. The first thought through Percy’s head is better her than me, not wanting to clean up any puke.

He hears Eugene as he walks up to them, “but I never really had any friends.”

“Well, now you have two,” Percy says, shooting a look at Wednesday to ensure that she doesn’t say anything callous in response.

“You remind me of my brother,” she comments instead, “sans the desire to strangle him every waking moment.”

“Mine too, except mine puts most linebackers to shame.” Percy adds. “Total sweetheart though.”

Wednesday stands up, saying “Now follow me. I need to know more about Crackstone. We have a meeting house to break into.”

They quickly find the meeting house, its door unsupervised but the latch locked with a pad lock. Wednesday checks the lock before turning to Eugene, “Give me your retainer.”

“What? Why?” Eugene responds confused. “Your teeth are really good. Not as straight or white as Enid’s but…”

“Hand it over.” Wednesday prompts, holding out her hand.

“Better yet,” Percy interjects, grabbing something from his wallet. “Use these, they haven’t even touched vomit yet.”

He hands Wednesday a lockpick and a torsion wrench, both sixteenth and you-didn’t-die-and-saved-western-civilization presents. They helped out when he couldn’t remember anything earlier this year.

She raises an eyebrow at him in question and he responds, “Gift from some delinquent friends. They come in handy sometimes.”

 “What if Mistress Arlene catches us?” Eugene asks, worried.

“Hive code, deny everything.” She answers dismissively.

“That’s not hive code!” Eugene exclaims.

“If something happens follow my lead.” Percy orders, turning away to look for observers.

“What he said,” Wednesday says as she finish picking the lock. “Keep watch.”

“Wait,” Percy says before she can close the door. “Two knocks for hide, three to come back out. I’m going to lock it behind you so no one gets suspicious, give me the pick.”

“Alright,” she replies, handing the pick over. “I will keep an ear out.” When she finishes talking she slips in the meeting house and closes the door behind her, Percy fastening the padlock when she does.

Percy and Eugene keep watch for a few minutes, chatting about one of Eugene’s homework assignments when Eugene spots Mistress Arlene coming down the street. Percy gives two knocks on the door frame before twisting Eugene, wiping his face with a towel that he had grabbed earlier.

When Arlene gets to them she asks, “What are you two doing here? The meeting house is off limits.”

“We were just looking for somewhere out of the way to clean him up.” Percy lies, “He swiped a little too much of the fudge samples. Figured you guys wouldn’t have wanted us to do this in a high traffic area.”

She loses some of the severity in her expression but presses on, “And have you seen anyone enter the meeting house? The dour looking girl from your school, perhaps?”

Percy trades a glance with Eugene before turning back, “You mean Wednesday? Last we saw her, she was arguing with some townies over near the stockades. No one has been in or out of this door since we’ve been here. Pretty sure the door is still locked.”

Arlene tests the door, finding it locked and turns back to them satisfied. As she does, Percy asks “Do you guys want his costume back or should we just throw it out?”

“Please throw it out. They’re outrageously cheap,” she says, before adding under her breath, “like everything else here.”

After she walks away Percy knocks three times on the door and starts re-picking the lock. When he opens it, Wednesday slips out and they close it again. “Anything?” Percy asks.

“Nothing genuine,” she answers, “but I think I know where we should look next. The old meeting house, the one from the 1600s.”

“Okay, but where is that?”

“I don’t know.” She says, continuing after a few seconds, “But I know someone who might.”

“Great, where to next then?” he asks.

“The Weathervane. But we should change first.”

“Awesome. Their spiced hot chocolate is amazing.” Percy says, happy with this turn of events.

As Percy and Wednesday enter the Weathervane they see Xavier wiping off tables, wearing the red apron that all Weathervane employees. Percy doesn’t think he would have minded being assigned here, but the Pilgrim World assignment was more useful. Xavier quickly goes over to them.

“I thought you two were supposed to be at Pilgrim World.”

“I deserted it while my sanity was still intact.” Wednesday responds.

“I just got bored,” Percy says easily.

“Oh yeah? You want a coffee?” He asks, “It’s one of the many perks of this wonderful assignment.”

Wednesday doesn’t respond immediately, instead walking to the front counter. “I’m actually here for Tyler.”

Xavier’s mood take a turn at that, his voice a little strained when he says, “I told you he was bad news.”

“Twice,” Wednesday responds sternly, “but who I talk to is my business.” As she finishes she rings the bell on the counter, making a sharp ding ring out through the café.

“I’ll have a spiced hot chocolate, if you know how to make one.” Percy says, trying to dispel some of the tension that has grown since the mention of Tyler, who Percy kind of remembers from past trips to the Weathervane. Tall-ish, pale, light brown hair in that poofy curly haircut that some of the younger demigods had at camp.

His description was accurate, the guy in question emerging from the back with a jaunty, “You rang?”

His opening caused Xavier to scoff and walk away to keep wiping down tables.

“Want the usual?” Tyler asks Wednesday.

“And some help.” She replies.

“Also, a spiced hot chocolate,” Percy adds, getting Tyler’s attention.

“Sure, I’ll ring you up once I’m done here.”

“No, he’s with me.” Wednesday says to Tyler.

“Oh, sure.” Tyler responds, the wind in his sales diminished.

Wednesday seems to notice, “He is helping me investigate Rowan’s death. They were friends.” Percy raises an eyebrow at that. Wednesday correcting a misconception to be sensitive to someone’s feelings, unprompted. That’s new.

“That’s… is nice the right thing to say here? Cool?” Tyler asks awkwardly.

“I don’t know man. Don’t worry about it.” Percy replies.

“Okay well, let me get those drinks ready for you and we’ll see about that help.” Tyler says, moving to the espresso machine.

A few minutes later they are sitting at a booth with a map of Jericho in front of them.

Wednesday doesn’t bother with pleasantries, “You know the original pilgrim meeting house, the one from the 1600s?” At Tyler’s nod she continues, “You know if it’s still around?”

He is still nodding as he says, “What’s left of it is out in Cobham Woods, but it’s pretty much a ruin.”

“Show me,” Wednesday prompts.

“Uh… there, but look, it’s kinda sketchy.” Tyler says carefully pointing at a green section of the map, looking wary of Wednesday’s reaction. “Squatters and meth heads use that place as a crash pad. My dad has it cleared out every couple weeks. What is this about?”

“Nothing,” Wednesday deflects, causing Tyler to turn to Percy.

“Other than investigating, I don’t know. I’m just the muscle right now.” Percy says while taking a sip of his hot chocolate.

He turns back to Wednesday, amusement entering his tone, “You’re becoming obsessed with this monster in the woods thing.”

“Would you rather I develop an obsession with horses and boybands?” She asks. Percy thinks they might be flirting, if you can call it that. It’s a little disturbing seeing Wednesday try to flirt, given her usual monotone. “Thank you for the help.” She says as she begins to leave.

“Hey, listen, the ruins are kind of tricky to find. I could take you this afternoon. My shift ends at two.” Tyler offers.

To spare Wednesday having to turn him down, though he suspects she might actually enjoy doing so, Percy claps him on the shoulder as he gets up, “I think we’ll be alright, but thanks man.”

The two leave the Weathervane and start moving towards Cobham Woods.

When they get to the meeting house the can both see that Tyler was right, it is ruined, just a collection of old lumber for walls with some supports and stonework remaining. When they enter the ruins Wednesday drops her bag on the ground and a hand crawls out.

Percy takes a look at the hand, “So this is Thing. I’m Percy.”

The hand makes a series of motions that mean nothing to Percy.

“Yeah, I got none of that.” He says to Thing.

“He is saying that it’s nice to meet you.” Wednesday says from in front of them.

At that point a old bearded man comes form around the corner of some rubble. “What are you doing here little girl?”

“Use ‘little or ‘girl’ to address me again and I can’t guarantee your safety.” A little harsh by Percy’s estimate but he’s heard worse.

“This is my place,” the man hisses before shouting. “Get out!”

Wednesday remains unfazed, calming calling out, “Thing, a hand here?”

The hand instantly charges the man, climbing up the man’s leg and chest to grab him around the throat. The man panics and tries to dislodge Thing, eventually running away from the ruins.

They begin to look around, not that there is much to see. When Wednesday voices this, Thing flashes some hand signals.

“No, I can’t just touch something. My visions seem to happen spontaneously.” Wednesday answers Thing.

“What visions?” Percy asks as Thing performs some more hand signals.

Wednesday does not seem to hear Percy, “I would rather dye my hair pink than ask my mother for advice.”

“I’m sure Enid would love to help. Again, what visions?” Percy repeats.

“I have been getting psychic visions recently, connected to things I touch. I cannot control when I get them or what I see, but they generally involve death or pain.”

Thing walks over to part of the ruins and pokes at it.

“Oh, you want me to prove it to you?” She asks Thing.

“Could it hurt?” Percy asks, seeing Thing’s point.

Wednesday turns a glare on him before whirling around and touching parts of the ruins.

“No… Nothing.” She bends down to pick up some trash left by the bearded man from earlier. “Ah, I bet this will give us some real insight.” Turning her head to the sky, she shakes her body briefly before discarding what ended up being a Taco Bell bag.

She goes to leave, grousing, “My visions are about as predictable as shark attacks.”

Percy is about to say something in defense of sharks when, the instant Wednesday touches the gate to leave, her eyes snap to the sky and she collapses.

Percy rushes over to her to check her vitals. Her heart is racing but her breathing is calm. He looks at Thing and asks, “This is what her visions look like?”

Thing seems to nod.

“Alright, we’ll wait it out. Keep an eye out, or whatever you use to find stuff. I’m not thrilled to be out here with her unconscious like this. We’re sitting ducks if the monster attacks now.” Percy orders, which Thing immediately complies with, perching on the wooden wall.

A few minutes pass, with rain starting to pour and thunder rumbling in the distance. Percy doesn’t think this is his uncle’s work, but he can’t be sure.

Some time later, Wednesday jerks back into consciousness, loudly calling out, “Thing I saw her! The girl from my visions.” Percy hasn’t heard anything about a girl in her visions, so his interest is piqued. “Her name is Goody Addams, and I believe she’s my ancestor from four hundred years ago.” That is not what Percy expected, though his expectation was just some nebulous weirdness, so the ghost of an ancestor does fit.

When Percy is about to comment, he hears a sound from out in the woods. Wednesday seems to have heard it as well. She goes over to the eastern wall of the ruin, peering through the gap. Percy follows and palms Riptide, ready to uncap it at a moment’s notice.

Wednesday relaxes after a few moments of quiet, turning back to say, “Must’ve been the bearded man from earlier.”

Sweet summer child, it’s never the bearded man from earlier. It’s always the blood thirsty monster.

Percy is proven right a few seconds later when a monstrous growl sounds and a massive eye looks through the gap in the wooden boards.

Percy shoves Wednesday behind him and uncaps Riptide, the familiar weight of the sword easing his mind and preparing him for combat. Honestly, there are times when he thinks that this is the moment when he feels most himself. Annabeth had said the same thing when he asked her about it, positing that it is either an inherent demigod thing or a result of surviving so many fights with monsters.

The monster turns around and runs into the woods rather than attacking and Wednesday runs to chase it. Percy follows her, quickly overtaking her to get between her and the monster. He thinks that he could have run it down but wants to stay close to Wednesday in case it doubles back on her when he is too far away.

They chase the monster for a while, but don’t lay eyes on it. In a bit of deep mud, tracks of the monster are clear. Wednesday bends down to take a closer look while Percy sees a humanoid figure approaching. After a few moments of study she quietly voices her discovery, “The monster’s human.”

As Percy is processing the new information, having recognized the figure as Xavier, he tenses again. The thought flashes through his brain that Xavier could be the monster before remembering that at the Harvest Festival, when Rowan was attacked, Xavier was standing a few feet away from him. Unless that was another Weems doppelganger, Xavier can’t be the monster. At that thought he caps Riptide and returns it to his pocket.

“What the hell are you doing?” Xavier asks as he gets close.

“We were following the monster.” Wednesday replies.

“You saw it? It’s here? Do you guys have a death wish or something?” Xavier says, concerned.

“What exactly are you doing out here?” Wednesday asks. Percy knows she has had the same thought that raced through him earlier when he saw Xavier, but she doesn’t know that he was with Xavier when Rowan was attacked.

“I overheard you say you were checking out the old meeting house. I guess it’s lucky I showed up when I did.” Xavier comments. Percy isn’t sure how much of that is ignorance, bravado, or delusion, but he supposes Xavier doesn’t know how big the monster is.

“You’re the one that went following us, alone, when we said we were monster hunting.” Percy comments wryly. “Besides, I’m scary, remember.” Percy adds with a dangerous twist to his smile that he has been told can be unsettling.

Xavier does shift his eyes away from Percy uncomfortably.

“Why are you guys out here in the first place?” Xavier asks.

Percy glances at Wednesday, not sure if she wants Xavier to know the details of their investigation given she never mentioned her visions to Percy before now.

“We were trying to find out more about Crackstone.” Wednesday answered, “Percy figured out that he was the figure in the painting. We want to see how he fits in to everything here.”

“And you were trying to use your psychic abilities, right?” Both of them are surprised Xavier guessed the truth so quickly.

“What makes you think I have any?” Wednesday asks.

“Lucky guess,” Xavier brushes the inquiry off, “When did they start?” An answer Percy would also like to know.

“About a year ago,” Wednesday responds, “When they happen, it feels like I’m touching a live wire. I usually enjoy that sensation.”

“Yeah, but you can’t control it and that freaks you out.” Wednesday is surprised at Xavier’s insight. “My dad’s a psychic.”

“Vincent Thorpe,” Wednesday responds unprompted. “My brother’s his number one fan. Watched his Vegas Special so many times I’m surprised it’s not imprinted on his eyeballs.”

Xavier nods absently, “So I’ve lived with a self-described master. The first thing he’ll tell you is that visions can’t be trusted. They only show one part of the picture.”

“But it still is part of the picture.”

“I’m just saying, psychic ability isn’t rooted in logic, or truth. It’s triggered by emotions. And emotions aren’t really your strong suit.” At this comment from Xavier, Percy can tell that he has worn out the last of her patience, so he steps in.

“Look, a monster killed Rowan, we know that. And Wednesday’s visions led her to the book that implicated Crackstone. We’re not jumping at shadows yet, we’re investigating. The monster is the current priority and since it found us today, I think we’re in the right track.”

“Rowan left; we all saw him go.” Xavier argues, but not passionately.

“You saw Weems leave, shapeshifted into Rowan.” Xavier’s surprised expression tells Percy that Weems’ abilities are not common knowledge at Nevermore. “I checked; it wasn’t him.”

“Whatever, just be careful.” He says to both of them, before turning to Wednesday. “The visions might not always lead you to the right place. Don’t let them rule you.”

“Emotions may not be my strong suit, but rationality is.” Wednesday responds, which Xavier absorbs with a solemn nod.

“We should probably pick up the pace,” Percy says, “if we want to get back for the ceremony on time.”

As they got closer to the town center, Wednesday filled Percy in on what she saw in the vision, and some of her past ones. She mentioned how Crackstone killed dozens of Outcasts early in the town history, almost killing her own ancestor, Goody Addams. He can tell that Wednesday isn’t taking this that well, especially that they are going to a celebration of Crackstone right now. Percy just hopes she doesn’t do anything rash.

Before the dedication begins he runs into Enid. The first thing she says to him is, “Boys are idiots.”

“Tried out hints then?” Percy asks, amused.

“All day. They were so obvious.”

“Sure, but eventually you got fed up and just blurted it out right?”

“I did,” Enid said, holding her chin up, unashamed before dropping it. “It would have saved so much time to have just asked him straight out. So you were right. But I have a date tonight so I don’t care.” She finishes with a sweet smile on her face.

Curious about how the rest her day was he asks, “And how was the, uh, the Heap?”

“It was so gross. There were stuffed animals, like, everywhere.” At that she let out a high-pitched squeal. “What about you? How was Pilgrim World?”

“Wednesday and I ditched pretty early, checked out a ruin in the woods following a lead. We saw the monster that killed Rowan. But we didn’t get any proof, so we need to do some more work.”

“Really, are you alright?”

“Yeah, we’re both fine. And you should probably get ready for your dance.” Percy says, seeing a group of people in outfits similar to Enid’s grouping together.

“Oh, shit. Bye.” She says as she runs off.

Percy makes his way to the stands, sitting with Eugene. He checks in with him, hears about the rest of his day at Pilgrim World. When the mayor begins the dedication, Percy doesn’t listen and soon the sound of the marching band playing some song breaks through and gets Percy’s attention. At some point in the song, Percy sees a flicker of flame traveling from behind the gazebo, towards the fountain.

He can guess what has happened, not flinching when the flame reaches the statue and it erupts into flames. People start panicking while Percy feels around mentally for available water sources if this gets out of hand. He feels the lines running to sprinklers under the lawn and a fire hydrant along the road. Percy sees a man wearing a red hat still sitting in his chair near the flaming statue. When he gets up to move the man he sees Wednesday still there, playing a dramatic song on her cello. He shakes his head at her dramatics, before remembering that he mailed Medusa’s head to Olympus and deciding he has no leg to stand on. He moves the sleeping man away from the fire and observes until the staff starts corralling students back onto the bus.

That night, Percy fills Annabeth in on what happened that day. She accepts everything that happens with the grace and attention that he is used to seeing from her by now.

“So, a long dead genocidal maniac is prophesized to return from the dead to attack your school and the new girl you’ve been investigating with is destined to face him, possibly alone.”

“That’s the gist of it, yeah.”

“Is she good enough to handle herself?”

“Yeah. Skill-wise she could match most Hermes or Demeter kids with a sword. Really good for a mortal. But if this thing is superhuman, she will have some trouble.”

“That just means that you need to be there to help. We never go on quests alone for a reason. The moment may only specify one hero, but the rest of it needs a team if you want to get back alive. You’ve saved the world Seaweed Brain, you can save her too.”

“Thanks. I kinda needed that. What has happened with you? I could use some normal right about now.”

“Do you want to hear about the integration techniques we covered today in calculus?”

Percy let out a low groan at the notion of hearing about math right now.

“We went climbing after class, some people in my Physics class. I wasn’t even the best.” At this, Percy looks up, interested, “This one guy, Miles, left me in the dust.”

“Is he…?” Percy trails off, knowing she will know what he means.

“Mortal, yeah. I tried nicking him with my knife and it passed right through. But I’m going to keep an eye out anyway.”

“Maybe you’ll get a school adventure too.”

“Gods, I hope not. I’d die if I got too far behind on homework. They’d find my desiccated corpse tucked in the corner of the library in like, twenty years.”

Percy lets out a laugh at that, which turns into a yawn. “Sorry, I was out late last night looking into some stuff. I think I need to head to bed.”

“That’s alright. Sounds like you had a busy day, I just wish I got to see you in the pilgrim costume.”

“I made sure no evidence exists of me in that stupid costume. Alright, I’m gonna go. I love you.

“Love you too. Goodnight, Percy.” Annabeth says before standing up to get ready for bed herself. Percy watches her grab her toiletries and head to the door before dispelling the message and doing the same himself.

Chapter Text

“I need to break into the morgue.”

“Good morning, Wednesday, did you sleep well? I slept great.” Percy says dully, mostly to his breakfast.

“I had a dream I was trapped in a burning building. My best sleep in weeks. I need to break into the morgue.” She responds, not acknowledging his sarcasm.

“Alright, how quickly? Do we have time to plan first?”

“Tonight, preferably. No sense in wasting time.”

“Okay, not much time. Know anything about the security?” Percy asks, ignoring his lack of real experience in mortal B&E.

“No, but it is surprising this town even has a morgue, I doubt it is well secured. Thing can do reconnaissance and report back.” Wednesday pitches, confident in her abilities.

“If he can get in there, can he find what you need?” Percy asks, not wanting to spend time around any more dead bodies than he must.

“No, because I do not know what I need from there yet. I am hoping the bodies of the victims will help us identify the monster of locate it.”

“So, what do you need me for? Cause I don’t really know much about dead bodies.”

“Lookout duty. I can handle the inspection.”

“Can do, when are we leaving?”

“After dinner. By that point Thing should be back with a report on the security measures.”

“Sounds like a plan, see you then."

Why did he agree to help break into a morgue?

Saving lives from a homicidal monster/person terrorizing the only school that Percy has done well at.

It’s a solid reason, but morgues are more Nico’s territory. He’d probably enjoy this. All dark and creepy, feel right at home.

Wednesday has gone around back and found away inside while Percy is on the lookout for anyone entering the parking lot.

Lookout duty is really boring, just watching the road from behind some bushes. Barely any cars are even driving past, two blue sedans, a horrible green SUV, a black sedan, a burgundy mini van, a Sheriff’s truck, a black SUV…

Wait, Sheriff’s truck. Shit.

Percy jumps from the bushes and runs to the back, where there is a roll-up door that is used to move the bodies in and out of the morgue. When he gets there, he bangs on the door twice to let Wednesday know people are coming before taking a step back to give room for Wednesday to escape.

The door doesn’t open and he soon here’s muffled voices inside having a conversation. No shouted accusations occur, leading Percy to believe that Wednesday found a place to hide, and all Percy can do now is wait.

He hates waiting. So much.

After a five-minute-long eternity, the door begins to roll up and Wednesday rolls out before it begins to shut again.

“I have pictures of the bodies and overheard a conversation between the sheriff and the coroner. Seems the monster is taking trophies, but not ripping them off. Cutting them with a surgical saw.” Wednesday reports, not waiting for Percy before moving to the place they will be collecting Thing.

“Collecting body parts? Like for a Frankenstein kinda thing?” Percy asks, slightly disgusted.

“No, for that they would need larger part,” Wednesday answers. “I suppose they could be part of a spell, but I don’t know enough about that to say what kind. Human body parts are magically versatile so it could be any number of rituals. Or they could just be souvenirs.”

“When you say spell…?” Percy trails off.

“I mean witchcraft. And not the dance naked under a full moon kind. The blood sacrifice kind.”

“Is it weird I think I’m more comfortable with the blood sacrifice?”

“No. I feel the same.” Her response doesn’t comfort him that much.

At this point Thing drops from the roof, where he exited the ventilation system.

“I will lay out the evidence when we return to my dorm.” Wednesday says as they start back to the school.

“Two problems with that. One, I’m not allowed in your dorm and two, you have a roommate.”

“What does Enid have to do with this?”

“Do you think she wants to look at pictures of mutilated corpses right before bed. Use the Hummers shed. I don’t think anyone but us have been in there all semester.”

“Good point. I will wait until tomorrow then.”

Percy doesn’t see Wednesday the next morning at breakfast or afterwards during his free period. When he checks the Hummers shed, a black posterboard is up with all of the pictures that they grabbed the night before. Pictures of the victims, both from before and after the attacks, and of the crime scenes were laid out.

Looking at the pictures, Percy begins to think about the locations of the attacks. Wednesday forgot to add Rowan’s location to the board. Rowan’s was near the fairgrounds which is on the other side of the town from the ruins of the meeting house at Cobham Woods. The other attacks occurred in the woods around Nevermore. Wednesday said that the monster saved her from Rowan, and for the squatter, the monster also returned to the ruins where they had seen it earlier that day. Both of those attacks had explanations, however weak.

The other three attacks seemed random, none of the victims of special note in the town or Crackstone, or with connections to Nevermore. If they were victims of convenience, then the monster could have a lair or territory that it frequents. He makes a note of his thinking before he has to go to his next class.

Later in the day, Percy is back in the shed, looking at the board and waiting to see Wednesday when Eugene walks in.

“Hey, I was looking for you earlier. Wednesday and I figured out where the monster’s lair is. We were there like half-an-hour ago.” Eugene says excitedly.

“What? Where is it?” Percy responds immediately.

Eugene walks over to the map on the murder board, marking a point in the woods with a pen, “It should be around here. I saw it months ago when looking for some gypsy moths, they like to do mating dances in that area in the early fall. I think I told you about them.”

“That rings a bell. What was the lair like?”

“It was a cave dug into a rock, I think it originally was a natural crevice though, the entrance just got expanded later.” Eugene says, “There were a bunch of animal bones all over, some shackles mounted to the wall.”

“Shackles,” Percy mutters, does that mean that the monster is chaining themselves up, taking captives or is a captive themselves. The first attacks seem like the first option but it falls apart later, the second option is disproven since there have been no reported disappearances around Jericho that haven’t resulted in corpses, and the third doesn’t have any evidence either way.

“How did you figure that this cave was the lair?” Percy asks after a minute of thinking.

“It was in a drawing Wednesday had. It was the creature standing in a bunch of circles. I realized it looked like the entrance to the cave.” Eugene responds, sounding proud.

“Where did she get this drawing?”

“She didn’t say. She just had it on the board when I walked in.”

“Well, did she tell you what else she had done today? She must have found it sometime since breakfast.”

“She doesn’t really say much that’s not about the investigation. But she did mention that she’s going with Xavier to the dance.” When Eugene mentions Xavier, it starts coming together for Percy. Wednesday got the drawing from Xavier, stole it more likely than not. Probably investigating him thinking that Xavier was the monster. He probably should have mentioned that Xavier couldn’t be the monster earlier, but it kinda slipped his mind when Xavier and Wednesday started arguing about how her visions worked.

“Okay, I need to find Wednesday. Or Xavier. Do you know where either of them is?” Percy asks, grabbing his bag.

“Wednesday was going into town. And I think Xavier has a studio in one of the old sheds on the east side of the school.” Eugene answers.

Thinking that town isn’t specific enough to find Wednesday quickly, Percy tries to find Xavier’s studio to check for him before trying to search the massive school. Following a trail away from the manicured grounds, Percy sees someone walking ahead of him. The pigtails and black uniform give away who it is.

“Wednesday!” Percy whisper-shouts, causing her to whirl around to face him. “Why the hell did you take Eugene to look for the lair without me?”

“We agreed that I wouldn’t go out in the woods alone, I wasn’t alone.” Wednesday replies succinctly before continuing down the path.

“Eugene doesn’t count as back-up unless there is a beehive nearby,” Percy argues, following her. “Find me before you bring him out alone.”

“Beehive?” She asks, intrigued.

“His powers, psychic connection with bees. And some other bugs but not as strong. Something about the community structure and communication methods. I don’t really get it.”

“I will remember that. I found one of the monster’s claws in its lair. I want to find some DNA evidence from Xavier for the Sheriff to compare.” Wednesday says, explaining without prompting for once.

“Sounds good, except Xavier isn’t the monster.” Percy says, stopping Wednesday in her tracks.

“How do you know? He has pictures of the monster all over his studio and knew where it’s lair was.” Wednesday challenges.

“Sure, but he was standing about five feet away from me when Rowan was attacked. Xavier is the one who pointed out those guys from town that were chasing you. I don’t think he can be in two places at once, though I suppose with Outcasts it could be a possibility.”

“It’s not in a psychic’s skill set. But then how does he know so much about the monster?” Wednesday answers as they arrive at a slightly dilapidated building.

“I don’t know. He could still be involved another way, but his DNA won’t match the claw you found.”

“Well, what else are we supposed to do?” Wednesday asks, her only identified suspect no longer an option.

“You could always just ask.” A frustrated voice calls out from behind them.

They turn around to see Xavier looking at them, expression tense.

“Alright,” Wednesday begins, not fazed by the awkwardness of the situation. “How do you know so much about the monster? You know what it looks like even better than I do, and I’ve seen it twice.”

“I see it every night. Dreamed of it for weeks. Painting it gets it out of my head, at least for a while.” Xavier turns his head to the side showing scratch marks on his neck, “But it also runs the risk of animating it. The one I did yesterday took a swipe at me.”

“So that’s why you have so many sketches of the thing?” Percy asks.

“Yeah, not sure if I should dump them or paint over them later.” He answers before his eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Wait, did you go through my studio?”

“No, man. I haven’t.” Percy responds, which makes Xavier turn to Wednesday. Something about her expression makes his face fall.

“Is that why you asked me to the dance? Because I caught you out here and you wanted to throw me off.” Xavier’s voice rises some, tinged in anger and hurt. “You are unbelievable.”

“It’s nothing personal.” Wednesday responds. Percy knew immediately that was not going to go over well.

“No, it never is with you, is it?” Xavier says heatedly, “I mean, do you even care about anyone or anything at all?” When he finishes, he doesn’t wait for an answer before going into his studio, slamming the door behind him.

“That was not fun.” Percy comments, “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. Why would I not be?” she responds evenly, beginning to walk away from the studio.

“Well, what he said to you was pretty harsh, though what you did was a little shitty.”

“I was not able to come up with a convincing reason to be following him. I didn’t come up with the date idea, he did.” Her voice is sharper than usual as she explains, the same way it gets when a lead doesn’t pan out. “Though I am relieved that I will not have to attend that disturbing ritual of teenage socialization.”

“Note of advice. If someone is mad at you for something you did, saying ‘it’s nothing personal’ will not make it better. Actually, it will probably do the opposite.” Percy offers, “I’m pretty sure an ‘I’m sorry,’ and the truth would have gone a lot further.”

“But I do not feel sorry for what I did,” she counters, “and I don’t care about his feelings.”

“Sure, fine. But if we need his help in the future, we likely won’t be getting it.”

“I’m sure we will make do.” She says as they return to the school.

Entering the pentagonal shaped quad, they see Eugene inside, posture abnormally slumped, sitting on the rim of the centerpiece/tree thing.

“Hey, man. What’s going on?” Percy asks sitting next to him, while Wednesday stands a few feet away.

“I tried to ask Enid to the dance, but she said no. I guess she already had a date.”

“It’s not like I didn’t warn you.” Wednesday says, despite their last conversation being centered around showing compassion. Though she just might not have cared about what Percy had to say. It is sometimes hard to tell with her.

 “I’m sorry, buddy.” Percy tries to console. “But hey, since none of use have dates tonight, we should do something together.”

“Did something happen with Xavier?” Eugene asks.

“He figured out why Wednesday asked him. Not happy about it.” Percy responds.

“We should stake out the cave and identify the monster.” Wednesday suggests, in a tone that was not a suggestion.

Percy looks at Eugene first, who seems interested, before turning back to Wednesday. “Sounds like a plan. Front hall at eight?”

“That is fine. I will see you two there.” Wednesday agrees, glancing over at a now enthused Eugene, who nods at her, before walking away.

“Come prepared,” Percy calls out to her, knowing that she will understand prepared means armed. “How are you really feeling?”

“I was really worried I’d have to go alone to the dance. This is much better.” He responds happily.

“Alright, get your gear together. And bring the bear spray, could be useful.” Percy says as he stands up. “I have to get my stuff together too. I’ll see you at eight.”

At twenty minutes to eight, Percy is double checking his bag of gear. Flashlight, map, compass, first aid supplies, and emergency squares of ambrosia. Also a few snacks for everyone in case they get hungry. Stakeouts typically involve snacks in Percy’s experience.

He also grabs the metal baseball bat he took from one of the guys at the Harvest Festival for Eugene, since he figured Eugene doesn’t have anything but the bear spray to defend himself with and who knows how good that is against a monster. With both options, Percy hopes that there will be enough time for him to get to Eugene if the monster separates them.

Once he has all of his stuff he heads down from his dorm. As he enters the courtyard some of the couples arrive to the dance. He gets a few weird looks, instead of wearing white he is dressed in jeans, hiking boots, and a sweatshirt under a tough canvas work jacket. As he walks to the front hall he is stopped be Enid.

“Percy, what are you wearing? Are you not going to the dance?” She asks, causing him to turn and face her. Her hair is now a vibrant pink and her dress looks kind of like a fluffy sweater. Walking with her is the same Normie boy that Percy took the bat he has tucked into his bag from. He first glares at the boy before turning to Enid with a questioning eyebrow.

She meets his gaze with a bright smile, shaking her head so he doesn’t question it. Instead, he answers her question, “No, Wednesday, Eugene, and I are going to hang out tonight. No way am I going into a dim, crowded room with a bunch of vampires. I caught one drooling at me earlier this week. Besides, dances aren’t much fun when they remind you that your girlfriend is a few hundred miles away.”

“Aww. Well at least you guys aren’t spending the night alone. We should hang out soon, I need someone to talk tea with, and let’s face it, Wednesday isn’t really an option. We didn’t get into any of the school gossip last time.” As she is talking, her date is looking more and more uncomfortable, avoiding looking in Percy’s direction. Wise.

“Sure, we can figure out a time later.” Percy agrees, turning to her date before continuing, “I’m sure you will have a great time at the dance.” Conveying a clear or else to the boy.

The boy gulps nervously before nodding and telling Enid, “We should probably get inside.”

“Right, bye Percy,” Enid says while waving farewell.

Entering the front hall, he finds Eugene already waiting in his usual hiking gear. “Got all you stuff?” Percy asks as he sets his bag down next to his feet. “Weird, Wednesday always beats me when we meet up.”

“Got the usual plus snacks, flashlights, extra batteries, bear spray, emergency whistle, and hiking flares.” Eugene answers. “Do you have the lair marked on your map yet?”

“Not yet, do you mind?” Percy crouches down and grabs his map from Eugene, before taking Riptide out and uncapping it, placing the cap on the hilt immediately to return it to pen form, ready to write. It took Percy five years to learn that trick and now he gets to use it organically. While he has his bag open, he grabs the bat to give to Eugene, who is surprised.

“Why do I need a bat?” He asks, “I’m pretty sure that you would be more useful in a fight.”

“Don’t worry about me, I have my own weapons.” Percy responds, “And if you need to use it, don’t be a hero, just stay a safe as you can until I can get to you.”

Eugene nods, then grabs the map and the pen, marking the lair with an X as well as some landmarks nearby. Pictures and words because he knows that words alone won’t help too much if Percy is in the dark and rushed at all.

It takes a few minutes, and the map is returned to Percy’s bag. He checks his watch and reads 8:04 PM, making Wednesday late for the first time in their acquaintance. He shows Eugene the watch, “Wednesday is never late. Should we check on her?”

“I’m sure she’s fine. It always takes girls longer to get ready. At least it does for my moms.” Eugene says.

“If you value your life, never say that to Wednesday’s face.” Percy replies, not sure if he is joking.

A few minutes later Percy sees the barista Tyler in the front hall waiting by the stairs that lead to Ophelia Hall. Percy is confused that he is here without a date, remembering that he was trying to flirt with Wednesday when he was last at the Weathervane. For a second Percy ponders whether he is there for Wednesday, but she is the one that suggested the stakeout. Given her distaste for most general teenage milestones, he doubts she changed her mind without telling anyone.

As he is thinking that a black dress descends the steps from Ophelia Hall, proving Percy wrong. For once, Wednesday’s hair is not in her usual pigtails, now braided into a crown. Tyler is waiting for her at the end of the stairs, looking taken aback. They talk for a bit before Eugene notices them. When he sees Wednesday his face falls a bit and, after taking a moment to collect himself, he walks over to Wednesday. As he gets there, she turns to him, a little surprised when he blurts out, “Wednesday, what’s going on?” sounding slightly hurt.

Percy follows behind him, “What happened to our plans?” an eyebrow raised in question.

“Thing convinced me to try going to the dance.” Her emphasis on Thing indicating it really wasn’t her idea. Knowing how she struggled finding a way out of asking Xavier before, Percy almost feels bad for her new predicament, but he is mostly just amused.

Eugene is less so, prompting Percy into doing damage control, “That’s nice of him. You guys have a nice night.” He says, smiling at the two of them. Clapping a hand on Eugene’s shoulder, he says “I guess we’re having a boys’ night. Maybe it’s for the best, since now Wednesday can’t insult our snack choices.”

Wednesday manages to see the opening Percy left, “Yes, you two can consume whatever heart-attack inducing monstrosity you wish to poison yourself with. If the décor is too appalling in there, I might be inspired to have my own.” Her eyes flick to Percy with a quick, you’re sure? resulting in him giving a slight nod.

Eugene let’s out an unsure, “Have fun,” before giving an awkward wave and turning to leave.

Percy and Eugene have been hiking though the woods for twenty minutes by the point Eugene begins to talk again.

“I don’t understand why she ditched us when this was her idea and her investigation.” He says, annoyed.

“Thing arranged it without her knowing. She doesn’t do well when she gets blindsided in social situations. That’s how she ended up asking Xavier earlier.”

“How?”

“She didn’t know how to explain why she was following him to his studio without telling him that she thought he was the monster,” Percy explains, “so when he offered her an out, she took it. She panics when she can’t figure out her next move and it makes her sloppy.”

“But she always seems so confident.” Eugene argues.

“She seems confident because acting aloof is easier to some people than showing empathy or emotion. Doesn’t mean they don’t feel it, they just have trouble expressing it. I’ve known a few people like that.” He means about half of the Athena and Hephestus cabins when they are stressed. Annabeth is loads better than she used to be at it, though she preferred anger to aloofness when she was younger.

“Oh, I never thought of that.” Eugene says, sounding relieved that she wasn’t trying to ditch him.

“Yeah. I think she is getting better with it, since she found a way to tell me without making it obvious. She showed me that she cared about our feelings without telling the truth outright and hurting Tyler’s.”

“That’s pretty cool that you could figure that out.”

“I have some practice, had to get decent at it given some of my friends at the summer camp I go to.” Percy responds.

“Okay, we’re getting pretty close to the lair so we should keep it down.” Eugene orders, pointing off in the distance. In this lighting, Percy can make out the outline of a rocky hill, possibly a large rock outcropping, behind some trees.

The advance more slowly now, and eventually they are able to make out the entrance to the lair, a large circular hole dug into the rock face. They find a log about two-hundred feet away from the entrance and hide behind it, Eugene taking out his set of binoculars to keep an eye on the entrance and they get ready to wait.

A common theme in Percy’s life recently is waiting. He hates waiting so much, time stretching each moment just to annoy him. He knows that he and the god of time don’t get along, given he helped consign him to Tartarus again, but this is just petty. Or ADHD. It’s a toss-up.

After about an hour-and-a-half of waiting and quiet, fleeting conversation, mostly concerning snacks and a bit about a club-horned grasshopper, they see lights approach from behind the cave entrance, headlights. Eugene puts his phone to his mouth and whispers, “Eugene Ottinger. Twenty-two, forty-two hours. Potential suspect has arrived at location.”

A figure in a long black coat approaches the entrance and, at the mouth of the lair, lights something indistinct on fire and throws it in the lair. Percy is familiar with many different types of improvised incendiaries, since fire is more reliable than steel when it comes to monsters, and he realizes that it is likely a form of Molotov cocktail.

The figure flees the lair, heading back to their car when Percy shifts to chase after them, getting their attention. With the flashlight pointed in their direction, Percy can’t make out any details of the firebomber, but he starts running towards them right before a ball of fire erupts from the lair, likely destroying any remaining evidence.

Unfortunately, the figure had enough of a head start to get to their car before Percy could reach them, reversing away from him. The headlights of the car blinded him, preventing him from seeing any details of the firebomber.

Turning back, he realizes that he can’t see Eugene where they were hiding, figuring he must have run the other direction when the firebomb went off. Percy figured that he will move towards the school, northwest of the lair, so he heads that way, flashlight out and swinging around to look for Eugene.

For about fifteen minutes Percy searches the area, not seeing a hint of Eugene, moving south to continue canvasing since it is directly opposite the cave entrance. When he is considering turning around to check further north, he hears a whistle ring out from further west alerting him to Eugene’s location. He immediately sprints towards him, hearing a shouted “Eugene” as he gets closer, in what sounds like Wednesday’s voice. He barely notes Eugene’s response as he sees the hulking figure of the monster advancing on his friend. Just as the monster gets close enough to strike Eugene, Percy leaps forward and collides with the monster in a full-body tackle, taking them both rolling through the dirt.

He times his release for when he is under the monster, ensuring he is between Eugene and the monster as momentum carries the monster a few yards further. Percy immediately uncaps Riptide, the faint glow of the sword illuminating part of the clearing.

The monster does not hesitate to charge Percy, leaping with claws extended in front. Percy rolls to his right side and advances on the beast. When it turns to him it lashes out with its right arm, which Percy ducks. While its side flank is exposed Percy plunges Riptide into the monster’s side.

He is expecting resistance on the strike, but his thrust carries straight through to the hilt, his celestial bronze sword phasing right through the monster.

Shit is all he has time to think before the monster’s arm swings back and hits him, knocking him through the air. Before he can stand up the monster pounces and Percy somersaults backwards into a crouch. This time it takes a swipe with its left, but Percy closes inside of the swing, duck under the beast’s shoulder while hooking his arm around the beast’s torso and hauling it to the ground.

Once the monster is on its back Percy scrabbles to get it in an arm lock, holding its forearm to his chest and arresting its shoulder with his right leg. The beast struggles within his grip, unable to reach over or dislodge him. With his free leg Percy kicks at the beast’s head, planting his boot heel in its eye when it tries to turn at him. On his fourth kick the beast lunges and catches his boot within its massive mouth, fangs tearing through the outside and coming down on his upper ankle.

Pulling at his leg with just its neck, the beast manages to lift Percy in the air, bracing on its right arm. Guessing the monster is going to slam him onto the ground, he abandons his grip on the monster and drops down onto is side. As fast as he can he swings his fist around to punch the monster directly in the throat. With his leg positioned awkwardly it doesn’t do as much damage as it could have, but the shock loosens the grip on his foot enough to rip it out of the monster’s grasp.

Percy scrambles away from the monster knowing that there is not much he can do without a weapon at this point. He stands up and sprints to where he left Eugene. He can hear the monster getting up as he yells out, “The bat! The bat!”

Eugene doesn’t understand but Wednesday, who is now standing in front of Eugene turns and takes the bat from Eugene’s bag. She tosses the bat at Percy as he hears the monster rushing at him. Once the bat is close enough Percy reaches to grab it and, as soon as his hand grasps the handle, turns to swing the bat as hard as he can. The strike catches the beast on its left forearm, a crack sounding out and the beast landing off to the side. When it stands it looks a little worse for the wear, both its left eye and forearm showing damage.

Percy slowly advances on the beast, shuffling between it and his friends. Again, it rushes him. It doesn’t lunge this time, just barreling into him and sending them both sprawling. Percy manages to recover faster and he charges on its blinded left side. He swings the bat at the beast’s left flank as it is pushing itself off the ground, the impact of the strike severely denting the bat and sending the beast flying a few more feet. It manages to catch itself on its knees and right arm bracing its body but does not give Percy another opening.

Favoring its injured left side, the beast backs way, before running off into the woods. Since Percy has two friends to worry about, an injured foot, and a damaged blunt weapon he decides not to give chase. His adrenaline begins to leave him, the pain from the beast’s fangs digging into his ankle finally registers.

Percy limps over to his friends, seeing Wednesday still standing in front of Eugene, holding the bear spray in her left hand and a dagger in her right.

“Are you guys alright?” Percy asks as he gets closer, not noticing the Wednesday is covered in blood. “What the hell happened to you?”

“Nothing. It’s fake.” She replies, sounding disgusted by that fact. “What about you?”

“I think you saw what happened.” Percy jokes back, choking out a mirthless laugh. “It got at my left foot. The rest will just be scrapes and bruises.”

‘We need to get you to the hospital!” Eugene says, panicked.

“No.” Percy shuts that right down. “We need to find my bag. I think it fell off when I tackled the monster. It has first aid supplies. Could you guys help look?”

Percy doesn’t need to wait for an answer, limping in the direction of the start of his fight. The other two are faster than him and by the time he gets over there Wednesday has already found the bag and brings it over to him. He immediately sits down and gets his first aid kit out. Bandages, sutures, antiseptic, splints, actual healing salves, and kitten band-aids all standard in Apollo cabin approved first aid kits.

“You any good at first aid?” he asks her, expecting a somewhat concerning comment on how she learned to stitch at a mental asylum or something.

Instead, she just gives a solemn nod.

“Eugene, I need light.” She orders, voice even and focused. “On his left foot.”

Soon they all can see the mangled condition of his boot. Wednesday quickly cut away his laces and removes the boot, his sock following soon after. She rests his foot on her knee, keeping the wounds away from the dirt.

There are six gouges in his leg from the beast’s fangs, blood starting to flow again from them.

“Dump some water on them first.” Percy directs. Eugene quickly hands Wednesday his water bottle.

She pours some of the water on each side, washing away some of the blood and unknowingly alleviating some of Percy’s pain. She follows that up with some antiseptic, cleaning around and over the wounds on the inside of his ankle.

“They don’t seem that deep,” she says, looking up to meet his eyes, “but they will need sutures.”

“Figured.” Percy responds. “There should be a jar with a green cork on the top. Put that in the wound before you stitch it up.” Wednesday quickly locates the jar and opens it up, the pungent cream carries a somewhat bitter smell, but it will keep the wounds clean and promote healing. The joys of magic.

Wednesday is silent as she works, clinical in her movements. Soon the paste is applied, and the gouges are closed on the inside of his foot and she rotates his leg to the other side. These marks are not bad as the other side, caused by the monster’s bottom fangs and protected by a thicker part of the boot. These she just cleans and applies the cream, telling Percy that sutures will not be necessary. Once a thick bandage is applied, they wrestle the boot back onto his foot, careful not to mess up the bandage much.

It takes them more time to get back to the school than it did to leave and by the time they get back the clocks have already struck midnight. Eugene goes back to his dorm while Wednesday helps him back to his room, since she wants to take another look at his leg.

Up there, she does take a look at his ankle, the stitches holding throughout their walk back. Her examination doesn’t take as much time as he thought it would and when she finishes, she stands up and just stares at him. Eventually Percy raises his eyebrows in question.

“I do care. About some things.” She says tonelessly, Percy’s mind immediately returning to Xavier’s words to her earlier that day.

Percy smiles at her softly, “I have never thought you didn’t Wednesday.”

In response she only gives a small nod, turning to leave. When she gets to his door her hand freezes on the handle and she looks at him again, “And someday you are going to tell me about that magic sword of yours.” Then she opens the door and leaves.

Percy’s only response is to look up at the ceiling and laugh.

Once he gets dressed for bed, he fishes out a drachmae and tosses it into a conjured mist. “Hey Fleecy, do me a solid. Show me Tyson at Camp Jupiter.”

It is mid-evening on the west coast and the conjure image is just of Tyson sitting on a couch with Ella, her reading a book while he tinkers with some gadget.

“Tyson!” Percy calls out to get his attention.

“Percy!” Tyson exclaims as he looks around before seeing Percy’s Iris Message. “How are you brother?”

“In general, pretty good. At the moment, not so much.” Percy says easily. “I had a tough fight earlier and need a bit of time to recover.”

“Was it a big monster?” He asks.

“Not really. It just gave me trouble because it wasn’t one of ours.” Percy explains, “That is actually part of why I called, I need a favor.”

“Whatever you need.” Tyson answers without hesitation. Percy really loves his brother, his heart warming at Tyson’s words.

“This monster wasn’t affected by Riptide, like a mortal. I need a sword to fight it, made from steel or bronze. Something that can hurt it.”

“I can do that. What kind of sword do you need?” Tyson asks.

“As close to Riptide as you can make it. But heavier if needed. I know there is some density stuff to work out. Can you do that?” Percy responds.

“I can. How fast do you need it?”

“As soon as you can. This thing has already killed five mortals. Six, if I had been any slower tonight.” Percy answers seriously.

“Okay, Percy. I will make it as fast a I can.” Tyson says seriously.

“Thank you. I’m sorry to cut this short but it’s late here and the fight took a lot out of me. You two can come to New York this December, right?”

“Yes, we can! We can sled and have the best snowball fights.” Tyson replies, a grin stretching across his face at the thought.

“We will. I love you, man.” Percy says with a fond smile.

“I love you too, brother. Goodnight.” Tyson says before returning to his project and Percy cuts the mist connection.

Percy considers calling Annabeth as well, but tomorrow is a Saturday and he can call her when there is less of a chance he passes out on the call. He turns off the lights, limps over to his bed and has scarcely laid his head down when he falls asleep.

Chapter Text

After all the excitement on the night of the Rave’N, the next week presents an uneasy calm. The Hummers harvest their last batch of honey for the year, Percy and Wednesday continue their sparring appointments, and classes continue. Percy has never had to deal with this timeframe before.

The Titan War was long periods of peace interspersed with short bursts of action while the war with Gaea had no significant breaks once he arrived at Camp Jupiter. This whole week Percy continues like everything is normal while keeping a constant ear out for any news of another monster attack. At the end of the week almost all the students are excited for the arrival of their families for Parent’s Weekend, after spending the last few months only talking over phones or on computer screens.

Percy is much the same, especially because of the news he is expecting to hear from his mom. On Saturday morning Percy wakes up and gets ready to greet his mom and stepdad when they arrive in a few hours. Before he leaves for breakfast he takes a look outside his window and sees a familiar figure dressed in black walking along the rooftops toward the front of the school.

Deciding that her behavior is curious, even for Wednesday, he gets a few slices of buttered toast for breakfast, along with some fruit and goes up to join her. When he gets there, she is standing on the roof overlooking the entrance carrying a file in one hand and a telescope in the other.

“Good morning, Wednesday,” Percy says in greeting. “Why are you up here so early? Or at all?”

“I am keeping watch for my family so they cannot surprise me.” She replies. “New information has come to light since they abandoned me at this school. I will not be unprepared when I get an opportunity to address it.”

“Would you like to share the information with the class.” Percy prompts. “I’ll trade you info on my parents, or mom really. I don’t see my dad enough to talk about him.”

“Is your information scandalous?”

“Depends on who you ask. There is a bit to it that I would prefer not to think about.” Percy says, holding in a smirk at her possible reaction.

“Fine. Out with it, then.” She demands.

“My mom is pregnant. She wanted to tell me this weekend, but I already figure it out.”

“That is not a fair trade. Though I can relate to not wanting to think of amorous parents.” Wednesday gives a very static expression of a shudder, which should not be possible given the nature of shuddering.

“No, it isn’t. But you agreed.” Percy says, releasing the smirk he held back earlier.

She gives him a glower that he blithely ignores. “When my parents were students at Nevermore, my father was accused of murdering another boy from town. I believe you remember our meeting with the Nightshades. That was the original cause of their disbandment.”

“Okay. That is much bigger than my information. What went down?”

“On the night of the 1990 Rave’N dance a boy by the name of Garett Gates was found dead in the Courtyard of Nevermore Academy from a fatal stab wound to the chest. A student, Larissa Weems, saw the body fall to the ground from the courtyard balcony level and saw my father standing on the balcony with a sword in hand.”

“All that and he wasn’t arrested?”

“He was, but never charged and I don’t know why. Weems also reported that my father and Gates had argued in the past, over my mother.”

“I’m assuming Weems refers to our principal.”

“Yes, she was also my mother’s roommate at Nevermore.”

“Ouch. Bad reputations are bad enough without having to deal with the staff knowing your parents’ shit.”

“Are you well versed in having a bad reputation at school?”

“Nevermore is my ninth school in ten years.”

“It is my ninth in five years.”

“Look at you. Overachiever.” Percy quips. “You have any breakfast yet? I have a banana and some cold toast.”

“I would like the banana.” She holds her hand out for Percy to hand her the banana.

“What’s the endgame here then? I’m assuming that you don’t want your dad in prison.”

“I don’t. I want them to tell me the truth. My father is not a cold-blooded murderer, if he did kill Garett Gates there is a reasonable explanation as to why.” The last bit comes with the most passion that Wednesday has ever shown in Percy’s presence.

“Fair enough.”

They sit there for a while, eating their respective breakfasts and watching the cars start to arrive. Wednesday uses her telescope to look at the arriving vehicles.

“If you see a blue Prius let me know.” Percy tells her, receiving a nod in return.

A minute later, Wednesday breaks the silence, “Congratulations. On a new sibling.”

“Thanks, Wednesday”

Percy joins Wednesday in the courtyard after she spots her family in a large, black town car, much fancier than anything his family would have.

When they get down there Enid is waiting in the center of the courtyard, and they join her.

Percy is the one to greet her, “Hey Enid, is your family here yet?”

She gestures over to a pack of wrestling boys with a defeated air.

When one of them begins to howl Wednesday speaks up, “I knew I should have brought my plague mask.”

Percy gives a quick laugh, “If either of you need a break from your families, feel free to join me with mine. My mom loves meeting my friends.”

Enid gives Percy a small smile while Wednesday shoots a dubious glance.

“Yes, Wednesday. We are friends. Deal with it.” This causes Enid to laugh before she sobers up.

“Okay, I’m going in. I give my mom thirty seconds before her judge-y claws come out. Wish me luck.” At that, she squares her shoulders and makes her way to an older woman with unkempt hair and a tall, bearded man behind her. By the time Percy looks back to Wednesday, she has left to join her family, standing stiffly several yards away from them.

When he looks around again, he doesn’t see his family but he does see Eugene waving to him, standing with two kind-looking women he assumes are his mothers. Walking over to them, Percy puts on a friendly smile and greets them, “Hi, you must be Eugene’s parents. I’m Percy.”

“It is so nice to meet you Percy, we’ve heard a lot about you. Please call me Sarah and my wife Jane. It can get confusing when people try to call us both Mrs. Ottinger.” The one that bears the most resemblance to Eugene says.

“That makes sense.” Percy responds with a smile.

“We are so happy that Eugene has people to help him with the bees. It is not the most popular job to do but it is so important.” Jane says.

“I know. One of my oldest friends is a conservationist. He has talked to me about the importance bees have in larger ecosystems.” Percy responds, “Besides, the job hasn’t been too hard since Eugene taught me so well.”

He can see Eugene puff himself up at his words, which Eugene’s mothers also notice.

“Are your parents here yet?” Sarah asks.

“No but they should be here any minute. My mom and stepdad were driving from New York and I’m sure they hit some sort of traffic on the way.”

“Eugene has mentioned that you missed most of your last school year because you were sick. You’re feeling better now, right?” Jane follows up.

“Yeah, I’m feeling great. I spent most of the summer rehabbing but I’m back to normal now. I don’t really like going into it though.”

“Oh, sorry for bringing it up.”

“Don’t worry about it, I’m used to that part of it. The details just bring me down sometimes. Did you have a long trip out here?” Percy asks, changing the subject so he doesn’t need to come up with a feasible lie in the moment.

“We have a hotel room in Burlington, so we got in yesterday,” Jane explains, “But he spent most of yesterday traveling. The plane and the drive back-to-back were draining.”

Over their shoulders, Percy catches a glimpse of his mother walking in, Paul behind her. “I’m sorry, I just spotted my mom. It was nice meeting you guys.” Percy says before making a beeline towards his mom.

She notices him when he gets within twenty feet, rushing to meet him in a crushing hug. “I’ve missed you so much sweetheart. I don’t think I really appreciated the time you spent at home enough.”

“I missed you too, mom. I know I wasn’t home long enough after being gone for so long.”

“Oh, it’s not your fault. I’m just happy you’re healthy.”

Before they can continue, Principal Weems gets everyone’s attention and begins a speech. As she starts Percy greets Paul with a quick hug as well and a few whispered sentiments. The speech is not particularly interesting, containing mostly platitudes about the Nevermore community and its mission that the school has trouble performing lately.

Thankfully Weems doesn’t mention the attacks before Percy has an opportunity to tell her himself. Annabeth has told him several times to come clean about it, his mom is a grown woman who had a half-blood child at nineteen. It’s not Percy’s place to decide what she can or can’t handle.

“Percy, is there a place we can go and talk? I think you mentioned something about hot chocolate in town?” Paul asks, Sally’s face lighting up at the mention of hot chocolate, sharing Percy’s sweet tooth.

“Yeah, the Weathervane. It’s the only café in town, like a ten-minute drive. We should be able to get there and back before lunch.”

There are not many patrons at the Weathervane when they arrive, though they are in between breakfast and lunch so that is not too surprising. Percy doesn’t see Wednesday’s friend Tyler behind the counter. He tells them to find a table while he orders.

When he comes back to the table, they have already settled in one booth away from the other customers and Percy takes a seat at the other side of the table.

“So, you guys want to tell me the news right now or leave me in suspense even longer?” Percy asks with a bright smile.

Sally looks over at Paul, “Well, it would be funny to make him wait.” Percy lets out a betrayed gasp, hand splayed dramatically against his chest.

“I think we should put him out of his misery, Sal. Look at him, he’s in agony.” Paul responds with a teasing smile.

Sally pouts at him, “You’re no fun. Fine.” When she turns to Percy the pout has changed to a beaming smile. She reaches across the table, palms up to take Percy’s hands.

“I’m pregnant sweetheart. You’re going to have another sibling.” Percy already guessed but hearing hit from her feels so much better, an excited laugh bubbling out of him. He stands up and she joins him, meeting each other in a tight hug. He rocks her around for a few seconds and only lets go when he notices that the barista has approached with their order, so they sit back down.

“Congratulations.” Percy says to Paul, “Okay, give me the boring details now.”

“I’m just past ten weeks and thankfully the morning sickness hasn’t been severe. That’s actually how we found out.” Sally explains, “I thought it was just a bit of nausea from a cold or something but when Annabeth was over, I got sick. She is taking a health class this semester and they went over pregnancy symptoms in class the day before. It made sense so Paul ran to get a test after we finished lunch. I hope you didn’t badger her about it.” The last bit was said with a stern eyebrow raise.

“I didn’t!” Percy exclaims defensively. “She shut me down immediately and told me to wait for you to tell me. I mean, I guessed when you told me you had news, but she didn’t say anything about it. Anyways, when will I get to meet my new sibling?”

“The doctor put the due date on July 8^th, but you were early so it’s best to just say early July.” Sally answers. “

“I guess I’ll be splitting time between home and camp next summer then. Especially if I am coming here again next year. Maximize the sibling time and minimize the changings.”

“Oh, you’ll be pulling your weight, I promise you.” Sally retorts archly.

“If you insist.” Percy concedes to complete the joke.

They take a minute to enjoy their drinks and chat before Sally locks eyes with Percy and leans forward to rest her elbows on the table. Threading her fingers together, she rests her chin on her hands and begins an inquest. “So, what have you been keeping from me?” Sally asks, her eyes narrowed in accusation, making heat rise in Percy’s cheeks at being caught out.

The directness throws Percy off, he thought his attempts at hiding were more successful but his mother is too savvy to fool. He raises on arm to rub the back of his neck, being caught out by his mother still making him feel like a little kid.

“I didn’t really want to get into this until later, you know.” He begins, “Not spoil your news. Or make you worry when you couldn’t do anything about it.”

“Percy, if I have learned anything from being your mother it’s that, Tartarus excluded, what I imagine is typically worse than whatever actually happens.” Her tone is sober, the prolonged eye contact driving her point home. “I can handle whatever it is Percy, be honest with me.”

“Okay, fine. Long story short, there have been six monster attacks around Jericho so far this year, all by the same creature. One of theirs, not one of ours. Five dead so far, including Rowan.” Sally gasps at this, reaching out a hand to take one of Percy’s.

“When was this?” Paul asks with bald concern.

“The Harvest Festival a few weeks back. He was killed while he was attacking another student, I think I mentioned that to you before.”

“But you said he was expelled?”

“That’s what the school is saying. Remember how Principal Weems can shapeshift? She used that to make everyone think Rowan left.” Percy explains. “I was one of the only people close enough to Rowan to notice the switch. Anyway, the student that Rowan was attacking when he died was Wednesday and the two of us have been looking into the attacks since.”

“You said six attacks. If there are only five victims, what happened at the sixth?” Sally asks.

“Last week, Wednesday and Eugene found the monster’s lair. During the Rave’N dance, Eugene and I went to stake out the lair. Someone else, no clue who yet, threw a firebomb in and when I tried to chase them down the monster appeared and went for Eugene.” At this, both of the adults gasped in horror. “I got back to him and fought the monster off. It didn’t go great, uh… Riptide doesn’t really work against these monsters. But baseball bats do and I brough one along for Eugene if we got separated.”

Sally gives his hand a tight squeeze, “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. It got a bite at my foot but my boot stopped most of it, I needed a few stiches for some of the fang marks but Wednesday knows how to do them. They’re already gone, barely a scar. Other than that just some bruising that was gone by Wednesday.”

“And what are you going to do next time? The bat again?” This one is from Paul. Paul’s comments in these situations are usually very practical, which both Percy and Sally appreciate. Percy thinks it’s how he copes with the crazy, treating it like an obstacle rather than a complete U-turn from the accepted state of reality.

“No, the bat is pretty much broken now, a lot worse off than the creature. I called Tyson afterwards and asked him to make a new sword for this, one with steel that can be used against these monsters.”

“And everyone else.” Sally adds somberly.

“Sometimes, mortals can be the monsters?” Percy responds in a similar tone.

“How are you going to get the sword then?”

“I don’t know exactly. He called yesterday to say that it’s done, and he’ll send it right after. He didn’t specify the delivery method, but he said I should have it soon. I figured Hermes mail is a bit more likely than U.P.S. or whatever.” He explains, “Anyway, there haven’t been any sighting since, probably recovering from our fight. I did hit it pretty hard, if it wasn’t supernatural it wouldn’t have much of a ribcage left. If I get the sword soon then it shouldn’t be a problem.”

Sally nods at this, confident in her son’s capabilities. “Alright, seems like you have this handled.” She checks her phone for the time, flashing a look at the other two after she does. “We need to get going, there is a lunch event at the school soon.”

Chapter Text

Both Percy and Paul are thrilled at the spread provided by the school for their lunch, the large variety of food available. Percy can almost see Paul weighing the costs of trying to transfer jobs to teach at Nevermore just for the lunch options, given that Sally can write from anywhere. Unfortunately, every member of the Jackson-Blofis household has an undying love of New York and would likely never leave permanently.

Sally has already found them a spot to eat, choosing not to forage the tables for an eclectic lunch. When they join her she laughs lightly, looking at the mess of different cuisines on their plates. “You boys do realize that almost none of those foods go together, right?”

“Well, we will just have to eat them one at a time then.” Paul responds readily.

“Or we could just go for it, like the wild animals we are.” Percy counters, as he puts mashed potatoes on top of a perfectly made fajita. Both adults’ faces screw up in disgust as he takes his first bite. “Never mind. That was not an improvement.” He says before proceeding to finish his unholy creation.

“So, Percy. How have classes been so far. The regular ones. You’ve already said a lot about your electives in our calls.” Paul asks.

“I’m not sure if you’d love my English class or hate it. It focuses a lot on horror and tragedy instead of the usual stuff. Poe, Frankenstein, and stuff like that. I like it more than the books we had to read for some of my other schools, so they aren’t as much of a drag. Next semester there is a big unit on Greek Tragedies, so I’m hoping I can grab the Greek translations we have at camp over break, it’ll be a lot easier if I can read it all like that. Then I’ll just have to sit down and do the reading instead of fighting every page. Also, I already know most of the stories, so that should help.”

“With Math and History, I’m doing alright. History focuses on the cool parts, kinda like Chiron did when he was my Latin teacher. And I actually understand trig well enough to try to use it in a real way. It didn’t work but I had the right idea.”

Sally is the one to comment this time, with a wide smile on her face. “That’s great sweetie. I always said that you just had to find the right fit, you always were smart enough to do great.”

“Yeah, I guess. The electives are going well too. The Toxicology class is overlapping with Botany right now, since they are covering plant-based toxins so we skipped to that section for a bit in Botany to match up for the students in both classes. This sort of stuff is in one of the old botanical journals I found in the library at the start of the year, already written in Latin. There is a bit that wasn’t accurate, I guess it was disproven like a century after the journal was written, but I’ve started comparing it to the lecture notes the teacher gave me. It’s a lot easier than reading the regular textbook.”

Right as Percy was going to get into his traps class, a troop of Deputies enters the courtyard, led by the Sheriff. The Sheriff quickly bypasses Weems and announces, “Gomez Addams!”

Percy immediately looks over at Wednesday’s family, seeing a short man in a nice suit turn to face the Sheriff, saying something he can’t make out before the Sheriff makes another announcement.

“You’re under arrest for the murder of Garrett Gates. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, one will be appointed to you. Do you understand these rights as they have been read to you?”

Percy can’t hear Gomez Addams’ answer to the Sheriffs question, but he gives his mother a look before standing up. As he starts to move towards Wednesday, the Sheriff takes Gomez away. He also sees Enid and Eugene looking at Wednesday with concern.

When he gets to Wednesday, he instinctively reaches out to give her a comforting touch on the shoulder, aborting it when he remembers her distaste for physical contact. “Are you alright? That really shouldn’t have been so public.”

“I’m fine.” She says shortly eyes resting somewhere over his left shoulder. “Making sure my father doesn’t go to prison will be a much better use of my time than the stuff the school has planned.” Her voice is its usual monotone, though Percy can tell she is not as settled with what happened since she is slipping in the precision of her speech.

Wednesday’s mother, a tall woman in a long black dress, approaches them, with a somewhat pudgy boy that Percy assumes it the brother Wednesday had mentioned following her. “Wednesday, who is this young man?” Her voice seems calm but has a tremor of unease lying under the surface, likely due to watching her husband being arrested.

“Mother, this is Percy Jackson. He is in the year above me and is a member of the Nevermore Hummers. He has been assisting me in investigating the recent killings in Jericho.”

“I would say it’s a pleasure, but the circumstances could definitely be better Mrs. Addams.” Percy says, extending a hand to her, which is accepted in a demure handshake.

“Call me Morticia please Percy.” She responds before gesturing to the boy. “And this is Wednesday’s brother Pugsley.” The boy gives Percy an awkward smile which he returns.

Percy turns back to Wednesday, “I’m assuming you are gonna look into all this Gates stuff. Let me know if you want any help. I’ll stick around the group so you can find me.”

“Thank you.” Wednesday keeps her eyeline away from Percy’s face and, knowing he isn’t going to get any more out of her, Percy flashes the other Addams’ a quick smile before returning to his family.

The mood for the day takes some time to recover after the drama at lunch, light and cautious conversation between parents, students and faculty members about their classes and activities seemingly the only topics abound. Wednesday had quickly made herself scarce after her father’s arrest, the rest of her family also fading into the background.

After the lunch, some of the clubs had meetings to show the families what they had been working on, but the Hummers’ work does not lend itself easily to presentation. That said, both Eugene and Percy led their families to the Hummers’ shed to show them the bees and honey collection. The day before Percy and Eugene straightened up the shed and prepared some jars of honey to give to their families. There were three jars, though the Addams family was understandably not present to receive their jar. Percy also hid their murder board, as the images laid out there are probably not good for their parents’ nerves. 

Percy assigns himself to the role of magician’s assistant while Eugene gives their parents a tour of their work, the younger boy giving a detailed explanation of beekeeping equipment and practices. He can tell that Paul and his mom aren’t completely following the explanations while Eugene’s moms already know most of the information Eugene is lecturing on. They are all indulgent of it though, as Eugene really comes into his own when he it talking about his bees and it is nice to see him like that.

Both families decide to sit together at the picnic event later, all parties grateful for the excellent weather at Nevermore, blue skies and shining sun blunted by the chill in the air. Seated around a fire pit, Percy takes the position of S’more-master, his years at camp having perfected his marshmallow roasting technique. The parents get to know each other, explaining their work, Eugene’s moms owning and operating an orchard on the West Coast, living a very different life to two New York City natives, though they get along well. Sally and Janet both have a love for historical fiction and spend a good twenty minutes discussing the books they have both read.

Percy, being a good host, makes everyone else a S’more before making his own, taking extra time to create the perfect golden-brown sugary masterpiece, placed on a bed of chocolate and pressed down between two pristine halves of a graham cracker. Finishing his masterpiece, it is heart wrenchingly torn from his grasp before he can bring it two his mouth, a pink-clad arm snatches the treat away.

He turns to see Enid plop down next to him, taking a large bite out of the S’more while glaring at the fire. She chews furiously for a few moments before she notices that everyone’s attention has locked on her, causing her to blush in embarrassment. Covering her mouth she mumbles, “Sorry, um… I really needed this.”

Her slumped posture kills any indignation Percy feels about the theft of his snack, so he begins a new marshmallow while introducing her, “Everyone, this is Enid, Wednesday’s roommate and honorary member of the Hummers. Enid, on the left is Eugene’s moms, Janet and Sue, and on the right is my mom, Sally, and my stepdad, Paul.”

“It’s nice to meet you Enid,” Percy’s mom says, “Percy has mentioned you before.”

“It’s nice to meet you all,” Enid replies, finishing the S’more and moving on directly to a chocolate bar that had not yet been opened. “Sorry for crashing, my mom was just driving me crazy.”

“The usual?” Percy asks, aware of Enid’s issues with her mother.

“Worse,” she grumbles, speaking to her toes, “she gave me a bunch of werewolf camp brochures as a ‘gift’. I know I am having trouble wolfing out, but I do not need to go to a conversion camp.” All of the parents look slightly confused at the topic of conversation, though that is unsurprising since none of them have much experience with werewolves. Noticing the looks of confusion, Enid elaborates, “They are not fun places to be. A werewolf’s first transformation isn’t controlled by the moon. Typically, it just happens but it can also come in response to a threat, to protect you. The camps are supposed to force a transformation so…” She trails off, feelings of surprise and horror rolling off of her audience at her descriptions. “I am not gonna put myself through that for my mom’s sake.”

Sally leans over to squeeze Enid’s hand, her voice soft. “Of course, dear. Nothing should come before your safety or peace of mind.” When Enid looks up to meet Sally’s eyes some of the tension bleeds from her shoulders. “You shouldn’t have to force yourself to change for other people. You are who you are and that is always enough.”

“Thanks. I think I needed to here some one else say it right now.” Enid responds quietly, “Thinking it isn’t always enough.” The entire group falls silent for a few moments, before moving on to lighter topics. At this point, Percy has finished his new S’more and offers Enid the marshmallows and his skewer, thinking she could use something to focus on at the moment. She takes the supplies from him and leans to him while she prepares the skewer. “What did Wednesday say earlier?” she whispers, not quite quiet enough to not be heard by Paul sitting on her other side.

“Just that she was gonna look into everything. She thinks that this is a mistake.” Percy answers. “She already knew about Gates but wasn’t expecting this. I told her to let me know if she needed my help but I haven’t talked to her since.”

“Okay, better you than me there. I don’t think I’d be that good at solving a murder. Especially not one from last century.”

Paul, who had been discretely listening in, decided to grab Enid’s attention by asking about her classes and what freshman year is like at Nevermore. His gift for easy conversation set both Percy and Enid at ease for the moment and the rest of the picnic passes without drama, Sally and Paul eventually managing to pull Enid’s usual exuberance to the surface.

Later, Percy has already said goodbye to his mom and Paul an hour ago when he hears a tapping on the window from his small balcony. Looking over he sees Thing pressing against his window, causing him to walk over to the balcony door. Once he opens it Thing flashes a series of hand signals, none of which Percy can understand.

“I didn’t get any of that. How about we try charades.” Percy suggests. The disappointment Thing manages to convey in his posture is clear, though Percy isn’t familiar enough with reanimated hands to judge impressiveness of the gesture. Thing hops up on the edge of the balcony and points to a corner of the courtyard, where Percy can make out the outline a figure he assumes is Wednesday. He looks over to Thing saying, “I’ll be right down.”

Grabbing a flashlight and a baseball bat Percy is really hoping he gets a proper weapon soon, just hoping that the monster is still inactive. Making his way downstairs, Percy doesn’t see anyone else. When he meets Wednesday in the courtyard she begins speaking when he is close enough to hear her raised whisper. “My mother is waiting for us in our car outside the school gates. We need to move quickly.” She sets off at a brisk pace without waiting for a response.

Percy follows her, waiting to get some distance from the campus before asking any questions.

“So, you mind explaining what is going on?”

“My mother has informed me that she was the one to kill Garrett Gates to protect my father. There is a lead that could possibly exonerate both of them, without requiring a justification of self-defense.” Wednesday answers without turning to look at him or slowing down.

“What’s the lead?” Percy asks.

“My mother described Gates’s appearance and behavior the night he died. He was foaming at the mouth and his pupils were blown wide. Nothing they said or did got through to them. Those signs point to-”

Percy cuts her off, surprising Wednesday with his answer, “Nightshade poisoning.” She gives him an impressed look. “Don’t be too impressed. We are in our plant derived toxin unit in toxicology. Nightshade was covered on Tuesday.”

“Yes well, there are ways to prove that Gates had Nightshade poisoning when he died. That is our current objective.” Wednesday answers as they approach the school gates. It takes them both a few moments to scale the gates and arrive at the Addam’s car, chauffeured by a thin, tall man with an unnatural pallor. “Galpin reopened the case after the coroner committed suicide this morning. There was a note that indicated a cover up of the Gates case. One neither my mother nor father instigated.”

As he follows her into the car she continues, “How much experience do you have with grave robbing?”

Not for the first time Percy thinks of how well Nico and Wednesday might get along. “None. Are we digging up Gates’ grace?”

“Yes, Nightshade poisoning leaves long term evidence on the deceased. His skeleton should be able to prove he was dying before he was stabbed.”

“Nothing with you is ever dull.” Percy says, getting in the car behind her. The car being the most luxurious he has seen since he talked with Aphrodite in the Arizona desert, Percy notices Morticia Addams in the same long black dress she wore earlier in the day. Before he thinks about it a comment has already left his mouth, “I’m not sure that you’re dressed for graverobbing.”

“Mother has never been disposed to manual labor.” Wednesday replies, “That will fall to us tonight.”

“So you are just using me for my body?” Percy jokes to Wednesday, though she does not seem to pick up on it.

“You are also a better liar than I am, at least when I have no time to prepare.”

“Lurch, please take us to the town graveyard.” Morticia speaks, presumably to the chauffeur. Her gaze shifts to Percy as the car begins to move. “So Wednesday has told you of our predicament.”

“Yeah. We’re looking for evidence of Nightshade poisoning on Gates’ body. I don’t really get how that will absolve you of a stab wound, but I don’t really understand the legal system so I’m fine following your lead here.” Percy answers, perhaps too unconcerned under the circumstances.

“Excellent. There are shovels in the trunk of the car.” At this, Morticia’s gaze drifts out the window leaving a slightly awkward silence on the drive to town. Knowing Wednesday is perfectly comfortable in the silence Percy resolves to wait it out in respect to their situation.

When they arrive at the graveyard, the area is empty. In the interest of stealth, they don’t talk as Percy and Wednesday start digging. Once they have made respectable progress with no interruptions it seems Morticia has relaxed enough to start speaking. “This reminds me of when you got your first grave-digging kit. You were so happy, you nearly smiled.”

Wednesday pauses to give her mother an arch look, “Are you sure you don’t want to join?”

“Um… No, that’s okay, darling. I don’t want to spoil your fun.” She responds quickly.

Percy lets out a quiet chuckle at that, sobering when Wednesday’s shovel makes a sudden thud instead of the smooth slice of metal through dirt. She gets down on her knees to clear away the dirt and uncovers a plaque reading Garrett Gates, 1972-1990 on a brass plate. Percy climbs out of the hole to give Wednesday space to open the casket.

“Moment of truth,” She says, uncovering the decomposed corpse and taking a deep breath in to take in the scent. “Hello Garrett.” The skeleton doesn’t look as clean to Percy as he would expect a thirty-year-old body to look, the skin pulled tight over the bones. Percy is not a stranger to corpses, given his time in the Underworld, the Sea of Monster’s and around Nico in combat but he can tell that something is different about this one. His suspicions were confirmed when hears Wednesday say, “I was right.”

At the same time, Percy notices the shine of headlights come from the graveyard entrance, turning around to see an approaching Sheriff’s deputy walk towards them.

“Well, well, what do we have here?” The deputy says as she approaches. Both Wednesday and Morticia turn towards the deputy and watch as Percy moves to intercept her.

The deputy is surprised to see Percy, unaware of who he is in relation to the Addams’. Her instinct at his movements is to reach for her gun, but before she can Percy reaches out to her and snaps his fingers. A fog of the Mist drifts from his fingers into the deputy’s face, causing her eyes to lose focus.

Immediately, Percy begins to speak in a calm, comforting tone. “You didn’t find anyone when you got to the graveyard. It’s been a long night and you need a break. You’re gonna grab a coffee and a snack before calling the in open grave, but the diggers are long gone.”

The deputy immediately starts to walk back to her squad car, muttering about needing some caffeine. Percy turns back to the Addams’ and starts giving orders. “Grab what you need and get rid of any fingerprints. We need to get out of here.”

Wednesday is glaring at him in suspicion while Morticia doesn’t seem aware of what is going on. After a few moments of holding Percy’s gaze, Wednesday turns away and grabs something from the coffin while Percy grabs their shovels. After Wednesday hoists herself out of the grave, they leave to find the Addams’ car.

“What was that?” Wednesday hisses at Percy.

Percy looks at Wednesday before flicking his eyes at her mother briefly. “I’ll tell you later. Let’s focus on Gates first. What do we do now?”

He can tell that she is not satisfied with Percy’s response, a rare flash of indecision passing across her face, before her gaze drops to a cloth in her hands. She unwraps the cloth to reveal a severed finger taken from Garrett Gates’ corpse and holds it up to display.

“Look at the soft tissue preservation. That and the blue tint confirms that Gates had a lethal dose of Nightshade in his system when he died.”

“I’m assuming that wasn’t mentioned in the coroner’s report?” Percy asks.

“No, only the stab wound was mentioned.” As Wednesday was taking another breath to continue her head shot towards the ceiling and her eyes roll back into her head. Morticia instantly comes to attention focused on her daughter, before glancing at Percy.

“You’ve seen her get visions before?” She asks him, her confident tone covering all but the barest hint of worry.

“Only once, but she said they aren’t rare. Especially now.” Percy responds promptly, hoping to put her at ease.

“Good. I have been expecting them to start for her for some time. I worried that this might be the first.”

This vision was far shorter than the one at the meeting house, Wednesday coming back to the world less than thirty seconds after leaving it.

“The Nightshade came from Gates’ father. He was supposed to poison all the Outcasts at the Rave’N, finally fulfil Crackstone’s mission for Jericho.” Wednesday explains her vision to the other two as she regains her bearings.

“So it was Papa Gates that covered it up.” Percy says, offering the most obvious theory.

“They were the wealthiest family in Jericho. They had the influence to manage it.” Morticia adds in agreement. “Garrett had told me that the Sheriff’s office was in his father’s pocket. It’s why my complaints did nothing when he was stalking me.”

“The mayor.” Wednesday states firmly. “He was the Sheriff at the time.”

“And was elected the next year, if I remember correctly.” Morticia continues, a small smile appearing as tension bled out of her. Percy hadn’t even realized how tense she was, less than surprising given that he had only know her for a few stressful hours. “I believe that is the leverage that we can use to secure your father’s release.”

“That will have to wait until morning, trespassing into the mayor’s home will not help our cause.” Wednesday tells her mother before turning to Percy, “We should get back to Nevermore.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to stay with your family tonight?” Percy asks already half-certain of her answer.

“If they need any physical comfort, I am not the person to go to.” Wednesday responds promptly, not drawing a reaction form the other occupants of the car.

“Alright.” Percy replies. “I will let you two talk to the mayor tomorrow. I would like to stay off of his radar if at all possible.”

Neither Addams have much of a reaction to his statement leading Percy to assume that they agree with him staying back. The rest of the ride to Nevermore is quiet, the chauffeur dropping Percy and Wednesday off near where they picked them up. The instant the car departs Wednesday begins her interrogation. “What did you do at the graveyard? You just mind controlled the deputy.”

“That was a long way away from mind control, which is something that I am not, and likely will never be, capable of doing.” Percy says, stalling for time to skirt the truth enough for right now. “The world is far more complicated than you understand.”

“That means nothing. Try again.”

“I am getting to it. People are not supposed to really see the world for what it is, did you notice that your mom didn’t notice anything odd?”

“I did. Did you do something to her too?” Her intense curiosity shifts into accusation at this point.

“Not me and not specifically. She can’t see the truth of the world so her mind filled in the blank for her. That’s kinda like what I did to the deputy. But instead of not being able to see the truth behind the curtain, I covered something normal with that curtain and filled in the blanks for her.” Percy explains, trying to avoid any of the mythological terms as best he could.

“Have you ever done that to me?”

“No. I don’t think I could. Some people are born with the ability to see, others can learn if they find out. I think you can just see which means that if I tried to use it on you then you would see right through it.” Percy wants to keep Wednesday in the dark about the gods for as long as he can. While mortals don’t have a demigod’s scent, being aware of the gods and monsters generally does make it more likely to get their attention. “You’re not the first person I’ve met like that. I’ve been told that it is more common with artists and writers, as well as those open to the possibility of the supernatural. You fit the bill pretty dead on.”

“But you weren’t born with it?” She asks, curiosity overtaking suspicion again.

“No, I was happily unaware for most of my childhood. Being in the know is not fun.” Percy stops walking to make sure his next point hits home. “I’m not going to tell you anything more. I know that won’t stop you from trying to figure it out, but I am asking you not to for your sake. The truth is not kind to anyone.”

“Ignorance is never a desirable quality.” She counters stubbornly. “If it’s dangerous then forewarned is forearmed.”

“Not here. The more you can see, the more that can see you.”

“You said I can already see.” She challenges.

“But you don’t understand. Any attention that you give can be returned for the worse. If you’re smart, you’ll ignore anything that isn’t actively after you.” Percy warns, knowing it won’t do much to stop her. “If you do figure it out, I will tell you more so you can protect yourself, but for now not knowing is the best protection you could have.” Percy speeds up walking to finish the conversation for the night and Wednesday seems to accept that, not trying to keep up with him at this point.

By the time Percy gets back to the campus he is about a hundred feet in front of Wednesday. As he is sneaking towards his dormitory, he catches a comforting and familiar scent in the air, leading towards the lake. Knowing what he is likely to find Percy makes an earlier turn to get out of Wednesday’s sight before following the scent to the docks.

At the docks he sees two beach chairs that he has never seen before on the Nevermore docks, one already occupied with a fishing pole sticking out from one side, line cast out into the water. Feelings of happiness and unease begin to fight in Percy’s mind as he approaches. It’s only after he sits down in the empty chair that he greets the other man.

“Hey dad.” Percy says. “Not that I’m not happy to see you, but why are you here?”

Poseidon turns to look at Percy with a gentle smile on his bearded face. Instead of his usual beach attire, he is wearing a flannel shirt under a khaki fishing vest and a pair of old fishing waders.

“Well, I heard it was your parents’ weekend. What better time is there to visit.”

“Just talk then? No surprise quests?”

“Not this time.” With this confirmation, the unease Percy was feeling unravels and the happy smile he was struggling with comes to the fore. For all the pain he has gone through for the gods, he still covets any time with his father that he can get, especially in peaceful circumstances. Poseidon turns in his chair to look directly at Percy. “You seem to be doing well. I can almost feel it in you. I am almost surprised it’s so strong this far from the sea.”

“What does that mean?” Percy asks in confusion.

“A sort of vitality. I’m sure you’ve noticed that you’re stronger in the sea than anywhere else. It’s part of myself in you. Or rather the immortal essence that created you, provided by me.” He answers, settling back into his seat. “This far from the seat of my power, I would normally expect it to weaken. Even mine is slightly diminished here.”

“I guess I’ve never seen you this far from the see before.”

“I will admit it is not the most comfortable for me. All of the world’s oceans feel like home, except the few places where older beings dwell. But there is a secret that I would appreciate you not mentioning when my brothers could hear.” He leans in conspiratorially with a small smirk that Percy is sure has graced his own face a thousand times. “Almost everybody of water in the world is connected to the sea. I am sure you are familiar with the water cycle.”

“Yeah, of course. Evaporation, condensation, precipitation and runoff.”

“Yes. Near all the water in the world has been a part of my domain at one point and if I stretch enough then the rivers and lakes are my domain as much as the sea is. I would prefer my brothers don’t find that out if possible, so I avoid exerting control over clouds and aquifers that could perhaps be considered their domain. It could make them even more paranoid.”

“It’s more than just rivers and lakes though.” Percy adds, think back on his own abilities. “When we were in the Pit, me and Annabeth ran into Akhlys. I took control of the water in her poisons when she threatened us.” He looks up at his father to gauge his reaction, worried that his admission would anger him. “I almost tried to destroy her with her own poison. I could have, and I don’t think it would have been that hard.”

“Why did you not?” Poseidon asks calmly, as if Percy had not just confessed to almost killing primordial god, though he doubts Akhlys is popular among the Olympians.

“Annabeth stopped me. She said some things are not meant to be controlled.”

“That was a wise decision,” agrees his father, nodding his head softly while staring out over the lake. “I could not have turned her poisons against her. A god’s power is limited to their domain, and while I can stretch my powers some, directly interfering in another’s domain is prohibited. You are not a god, so you have more freedom in how your powers can be used.”

“If it isn’t prohibited for me, why should I not try to control it?” Percy responds, trying to figure out where his father is going.

“Ordinary poisons, I think you should learn to control. It could save your life one day if you can sense things like that. But Akhlys’ poison was the essence of a primordial goddess. To destroy her with her own essence could have had extreme consequences, ones I doubt you would consider favorable.”

“Like what?”

“Potentially, apotheosis.” Poseidon answers bluntly. “It has been less than two years since you turned down our offer to become a god, I doubt your opinion has changed much.”

“That can happen?” Percy says, mildly panicked by the notion of randomly turning into a god.

“Honestly, I am not sure. I don’t think it has ever happened before.” His dad rubs his hand over his beard in thought. “I think that destroying an immortal with their own domain could make you the master of that domain, which could come with immortality attached. Though you might not need that to end up one of us.

“I don’t think I have to tell you that you are an exceptionally powerful demigod, even for one of my children. You have proven yourself equal to or above many of the great heroes of old, at a younger age besides. I would say that the only similar demigod in history was Heracles. And as he got older, he kept getting stronger. Mortals are, after all, capable of a growth and change in ways that are beyond the gods. Eventually he was strong enough that my brother was worried that his son would become a rival for the throne of Olympus. I shared his suspicions that Heracles would eventually become more than just a demigod, but what form that would take was unclear.”

Percy’s head is spinning from his father’s confession, almost dreading what else he might reveal but unwilling to interrupt.

“While the myth of his poisoning from the centaur’s blood is true, I have long believed it was one of my brother’s plans to keep his throne. Raising Heracles to immortality ended his growth eternally, so he could never challenge my brother for the throne of the gods.”

“And you think I am like Heracles?” Percy asks worriedly.

“I don’t know, in truth. But it is likely that you will only continue to get stronger. If you do, you might eventually become too strong for a mortal body to contain. Whether that means death or apotheosis… eh” Percy doesn’t think that his potential death or ascension merited the indignity of a simple ‘eh’. “I would suggest you do learn about poisons; in case my brother tries to secure his rule again in the same manner. And perhaps find other ways your powers can be used than just waves and hurricanes. I do not want to hear of your death for a long while yet.”

“Are you not worried about what I could become?”

“Not as a potential threat. My only worry is how this could cause you pain. What you may become will still be the man you are today. The one your mother raised.” Poseidon’s face takes on a fond but sad smile at this point. “I trust both in her influence and your heart.”

“Thanks for that.” Percy responds awkwardly, unsure how to react to this unprecedented display of affection. In attempt to change the subject he mumbles out, “Mom is pregnant again.”

Poseidon’s smile grows at that news. “Good. Sally had mentioned that she wanted a larger family, after losing her parents so young.” Percy is surprised his father still remembers that; he never thought gods would care to remember things like that. “Impressed?” he says at Percy’s expression. “I loved your mother more akin to a mortal’s love than I thought possible to feel. I remember nearly everything about it. In another world I would have been happy to build a family with the two of you, rather than one constrained by edicts that confine the gods.”

While Percy is processing his father’s words, Poseidon looks up towards the moon. “I think that our time is up for this evening. I will admit I did not come solely to talk. I decided to use a delivery as an excuse to visit. Perhaps below my station, but , I am grateful for the opportunity regardless.” He reaches off to the other side of his chair and grabs a long bundle of leather and cloth. “Compliments of your brother. His work is excellent as always. Though I did add a personal touch, much like your other blade. Be cautious in how you use this blade Perseus. Steel can carry a heavier weight than Celestial Bronze.”

The weight of the package settles in Percy’s hands, without the feeling of unease that he feels with every blade that is not Riptide. While he looks down at his new sword a gust of wind, scented like the ocean breeze, blows around him in farewell and Percy is left alone on the dock.

Percy waits until he returns to his dorm to unsheathe his new sword. Removing the cloth wrapping and the hard leather scabbard, Percy pulls out a gleaming steel sword, a perfect copy of Riptide, save the magical bronze glow. Swinging the blade around, Percy finds that this sword is heavier than Riptide, due to it being steel rather than bronze, but enough to cause issue.

With a smile Percy returns the sword to its sheath, reminding himself to call Tyson to say thank you when he can, and at an appropriate hour for the west coast.

The next morning, Percy’s family joins him at campus for breakfast, an admirable spread provided by the school, which both Percy and Paul take full advantage of.

Percy waits until they are all seated to tell his mom of his dad’s visit the night before. Drowning his waffle in syrup, Percy throws out, “Dad and I talked last night.”

Sally doesn’t show any surprise at his announcement, “Was this a dream visit or an in-person one?”

“In-person. He used delivering the sword Tyson made as an excuse to come. It was different than usual. No great crisis hanging over our heads and no-one else in the family listening in.” Percy responds. “He was really nice, though it wasn’t the easiest conversation.”

“What were you talking about?”

“Not really a conversation for now. I can tell you later on a call. But I told him about the baby, cause I figured there’s not guarantee that I’ll see him anytime soon.”

“Oh. What did he say?” Paul asks, a little worried about a god’s reaction to his past lover having another child.

“He just said he was happy mom will have a larger family like she always wanted.” Percy says with a smile at his mother, which she returns instantly.

“And what else happened last night?” Sally questions, “Because you don’t look like you slept that much.”

“I helped Wednesday uncover a thirty-year-old mass murder plot so she could get her dad out of jail.” Percy comments nonchalantly, causing Paul to choke on the bacon he was eating and Sally’s silverware to clank abruptly with her plate. That he could still shock them after everything is one of the little joys of Percy’s life, since his mom stopped reacting to crazy demigod stuff years ago. “Everything should be handled at this point.”

“You are not just going to leave it like that.” Sally commands, “What happened?”

Percy spent the rest of the breakfast filling them in on the events of the night before, and telling them all about the Gates murder plot. They are an exceptional audience and the topic lasts until breakfast is over and Percy escorts them to their car in front of the school. Paul still has some work to do before the school week begins so they have to leave early in the day to get back to the city.

At the car, the farewells are easier than at the start of the semester, since there is only a few more weeks until Percy will go back to New York for the holidays.

Sally is giving Percy a fierce hug as she details his orders for the rest of the semester. “I expect updates on this monster situation Mister. And make time to study. You are still in school. Murders and monsters are extracurricular activities and homework comes first.”

“Yes ma’am.” Percy responds as he lets go of her. “I want updates on the baby, too. And give Annabeth a hug from me next time you see her.”

“I will. And give her my love. I’m sure you will I.M. her before I see her next weekend.” Sally says as she gives Paul room to say goodbye as well.

“It was good to see you, Percy.” Paul says while extending a hand for him to shake. “Be careful and let me know if you want me to proofread any papers you write. I have a bit of practice in that field.” He finishes with an amused smirk that draws a laugh out of Percy.

“I definitely will. Proofreading is my least favorite part of writing, and I don’t like the other bits that much anyway.” Percy responds. “Drive safe and take care of her as much as she lets you.” Which gets a laugh out of both of them as they get in their car. Percy watches them go and waves as they disappear down the school’s long driveway.

A few hours later, Percy is hanging out in his room, doing some of his class reading when there is a knock on his door. When Percy opens it, he sees Gomez Addams on the other side, now released from holding, wearing a neutral expression on his face that splits into a grin when he sees Percy on the other side of the doorway.

“Hello, Percy Jackson. I was unfortunately detained before we could be introduced yesterday. Gomez Addams” The man’s voice is accented and somewhat emotional as he reaches out to offer a handshake. Odd for an Addams, at least in Percy’s experience. “I just wanted to thank you for helping my little viper in her work. While she is singularly capable, it does ease my heart to know she has people to help her with her burdens.”

“I’m always happy to help a friend.” Percy responds warmly. “It’s always an adventure when she’s involved, keeps things fresh.”

“Yes, well. I wanted to extend my gratitude for your help in securing my release. We are set to leave soon so I must be brief. I hope you will consider yourself a friend of the whole Addams family and feel welcome to call upon us to return the favor we owe you.”

“I’m just happy I could help, but I’ll keep that in mind.” Percy replies.

“I believe I must depart. It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance with Mr. Jackson, however briefly. Look after my storm cloud.” Gomez says before making his way back down the hallway. While it is a low bar, Percy thinks that Gomez is likely the most normal of the Addams’, at least in terms of social cues.

The rest of the afternoon goes quietly until he hears a commotion from outside that causes him to rush out into the courtyard. Following the mass of students he pushes his way out to the front of the school, where he can see flaming letters burned into the yard. Letters made of flickering fire wreak havoc on his dyslexia so it takes him a few moments to piece together what it says.

FIRE WILL RAIN

As he is looking at the flames, a presence he subconsciously recognizes as Wednesday appears at his side, taking in the words. “This is concerning.”