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And so, the two sons of Poseidon set out on their talk together, walking along the sidewalks of the sunny Las Vegas Strip.
Percy crossed his arms. “So. Did Dad just want to congratulate me on getting this far?”
Triton scoffed. “Hey, you’re like, twelve. Going anywhere without dying is a feat, especially if you’re a demigod who’s always surrounded by death traps.” His voice took on a slight edge. “I wasn’t sent on my first quest until I was at least sixteen. I think I’ve only had two quests in my entire immortal life.”
“What were they for?” Percy wondered.
“No one really remembers. But they were also in the human world.” He paused. “Despite what you might think, none of us gods hate mortals. I love being in this form, you get to create a new secret identity and experience all kinds of fun human stuff.” His face turned softer as he started to remember an old fond memory.
“For example. Back when Athens was first being renovated, this very pretty daughter of Athena taught me how to walk on two legs instead of fins. Also showed me how to cook loukoumades for her family’s Eight Night Festival of Lights, which I still celebrate to this day whenever I’m human.”
“You mean Chanukah? I do that too, but… But didn’t the Maccabees refuse to build statues for the Olympians?”
“Yeah yeah, but I wasn’t one of the gods that was there when all that happened. Besides, I don’t have to be ‘on’ all the time.” He gestured for the pair to sit down on an empty park bench. “Anyway. I’m telling you all of this because you probably also struggle between your sacred unshakable duty as a god, but also wanting to be a normal mortal with no responsibilities. You have to have a balance. Please do finish this quest so that no one will ever doubt the family of Poseidon again, or its strength. You and Annabeth Chase and Grover Underwood are all going to be amazing heroes one day, but even heroes deserve some happiness.”
Why did he have to speak so fast? Percy wondered. “I’m not sure I know what you mean.”
“Look, just make sure the next rest stop you all take isn’t one that’s going to kill you or others, got it? All three of you need some time for yourselves when this is over. Go to the movies. Treat Grover to a soda. Kiss a girl.” He nudged Percy with his elbow. “I bet you think that Annabeth Chase is pretty cute, right?”
Percy put his head in his hands. “I do NOT have a crush on her,” he lied. His arms fell back down to his lap. “But thank you, I guess, even if this doesn’t make any sense.”
“Hey, hopefully someday it’ll mean something to you.”
“Thanks,” he replies, not entirely convinced. He thought for a second, trying to confuse or annoy him right back. “Hey, if you’re Triton, does that mean we’re related to The Little Mermaid and her sisters?”
“All of those movies, even though they’re all amazing, are fictional,” Triton replied.
“Yeah, but you don’t know that!” Percy teased.
Triton burst out a laugh, but then grew stone-faced. “Get out.”
And with that, Percy was suddenly portalled back to the fountain where his friends were waiting.