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Chapter Text

Percy entered the apartment he shared with Annabeth in New Rome, dropped his bag on the floor, and flopped face down on the bed. “Urgh.”

“That bad?“ Annabeth asked as she sat next to him and rubbed his back.

“I have no idea what I want to do with my life.”

They moved into their apartment at the end of July. As a former Praetor, Percy was entitled to living quarters, free tuition, and a small pension from the Legion. The senate was still arguing about how Graecus service equated to years in the legion for scholarship purposes, but no one was prepared to deny any of the Seven any privileges, so Annabeth's tuition was covered as well. With the addition of her college fund, they had enough money to live comfortably during college.

Unpacking hadn't taken long, as they were limited in what they could bring from New York, and orientation had been going well, but...

“Didn't you have a meeting with your faculty advisor today?”

“She started talking about career options and six year plans and positioning myself in the job market. At least she listened when I explained that my focus was on defeating Kronos and Gaia and then graduating high school, which was more than any mortal counselor ever did.”

“You had been thinking maybe marine biology?”

“I like hanging out with fish. Can you see me in the ocean around mortals? A great white shark would swim up to say hi, and everyone would freak out. Or worse, a sea monster.”

Annabeth laughed. “Or running experiments on fish! 'Can an octopus change colors to look like this floral sofa?' 'Bob could if he wanted to, but he's tired of performing for you. Also, he's hungry.'”

“Or wildlife rescue and rehab! 'Why is this sea lion acting strangely?' 'I don't know, maybe it's because she's stuck in a tiny pen when she's used to the entire ocean! Also, she's tired of humans throwing their trash into her home.'”

“Your mom didn't dare take you to aquariums as a kid, did she?”

“We went once. It did not go well.”

Their jovial mood calmed. “I still have no idea what I'm going to do with my life. Is oceanic vigilante a valid career path?”

“Not outside of comic books, Aquaman. What did your faculty advisor suggest?”

“That I finish my core requirements and take any class that looks interesting while I 'find my passion'. Ugh.”

“That doesn't sound terrible. And your college and major living expenses are covered. If it takes you an extra year or two to graduate, it won't cost any more. You know the architecture program I'm in takes five years.”

Percy brightened a bit. “I'd never object to spending more time with you, Wise Girl.” His expression fell again. “I'm on a marine biology-ish path anyway, since it should be easy, but all of the fun classes have prerequisites. I have to pass a bunch of basic science classes before I can take anything interesting.”

“What did you sign up for?” Annabeth asked with genuine curiosity. Her course schedule was largely dictated by the NRU/UCLA Berkley joint architecture program.

“Intro to biology, film studies, math for biologists, Roman history, and intro to social media.”

“There's a class on social media? That's an actual class? Is putting a room full of demigods on the internet a good idea? This is probably the only university in the country that still accepts papers typed on manual typewriters.”

“I asked. Dr. Benson said it's at the same time the Legion does maneuvers. If a monster decides to attack, it's good practice for them. Beyond that I don't care—Mom promised to post pictures of Estelle on Facebook, and I want to see them.”

Annabeth laughed. “And the threat of monsters will never get between you and your sister.”

“Never.”

Chapter Text

“What the fuck?!”

The entire class turned to stare at Percy.

“Given the abruptness of legionnaires' summons to Camp Jupiter and the nature of the Mist, mortals often come up with interesting explanations for their disappearances, which can lead to rather lurid headlines.” Dr. Telcom nodded at Percy. “I assume the Graecus are no different. Nothing you see should be a surprise, so I would thank you to keep your language appropriate, Mr. Jackson.”

“I knew about the weird headlines—I was there when they were published. But all this? What the fuck?” He continued to stare in disbelief at his monitor.

Melody, a legacy of Apollo and recently retired from the legion—introductory icebreakers were very different at NRU than any other school Percy had ever attended—looked over his shoulder and her jaw dropped in shocked disbelief. “Sorry, Professor, but I think Percy's right. 'What the fuck' is the only appropriate response.”

The professor tapped a couple of keys on her computer, and Percy's screen replaced her own (rather boring) results on the projector.

>The Bizarre Cross-Country Kidnapping of Percy Jackson – Three preteens commit insane crimes from New Jersey to California. Are they victims or terrorists?

“I see,” she said as she continued to scroll.

>FALSLY ACCUSED: Percy Jackson – When a bus exploded on the New Jersey turnpike, police were quick to accuse 12 year old Percy Jackson. By the end of the week, he was wanted for assault, kidnapping, and terrorism. But all was not as it appeared...

>The Kid Who Blew Up The St. Lewis Arch - FAM: THIS ONE HAS A TWIST YOU WILL NOT SEE COMING! Three years ago police found a destroyed car on the side of the road in Long Island, New York, but Sally Jackson and her twelve year old son, Perseus, were missing—and Sally's husband claimed the boy was behind it. What followed was an unbelievable series of crimes that left investigators baffled, until everything came to a head on a beach in California...

>Police F*ck Ups – This week the gals push past the thin blue line to look at some of the most egregious police errors of recent times that didn't result in death. Topics include various substances misidentified as drugs, gun misfires, and a preteen kidnap victim wanted for terrorism. Pour yourself a finger or two of dark whisky and tune in for Police F*ck Ups

>Blamed for his kidnapper's crimes? Percy Jackson – Hi friends! He spent weeks being hunted across the country as a kidnapper and terrorist until he was able to turn the tables on the man who abducted him, and he was only 12 years old! I perfect my cat-eye as we discuss this strange case.

>Arch Go Boom – This week we discuss Percy Jackson, the twelve year old who blew up a bus, several police cruisers, and the St. Louis Arch.

>The Explosion at the St. Louis Arch and a Recipe for Banana Bars – the glaze is the best part!

“Ah. I see you've discovered true crime podcasts.” the corner of her mouth twitched in what couldn't quite be called a smile.

“What?”

“The internet has given rise to a new career known as 'content creator'. These people create videos and audio shows for others to listen to. Podcasts, in particular are usually intended to be downloaded and listened to later, though some utilize videos. True crime is a popular genre of this. The hosts will explain a crime to their audience, often accompanied by witty banter or some other gimmick.”

“So I go on a quest to retrieve Zeus's master bolt and save the world, and all I get is a reputation as 'that kid who blew up the St. Louis Arch', and now a bunch of people on the internet make a living explaining,” he paused and looked at the screen again, “what drink pairs best with it?!”

“Yes.”

Percy groaned and put his head down on his desk. “Why is this my life?”

Chapter Text

Assignment 1: Facebook - Create a Facebook account and profile for yourself. Friend Dr. Telcom and your classmates. Join the Class group. You may add your family and friends if you like. Your profile should be mortal safe.

[Image description: A screenshot of an almost blank facebook account with very few fields filled out. The profile picture is a generic image of an ocean, obviously stolen from the internet. The account has 26 friends: 24 classmates, the professor, and Sally Jackson Blofis.]

“Mr. Jackson, did you understand the nature of this assignment?”

“Yes, ma'am. Make a Facebook account.”

“You understand that it is supposed to be a personal Facebook profile.”

“Yes, ma'am.”

“The only information you provided is your home location.”

“Is Manhattan too specific? I considered using New York City, but I didn't want to be associated with the weirdos in Brooklyn.”

“Will you please explain to me why you are using the name 'Peter Johnson' for your personal profile? This point of this class is to set students up with usable social media accounts for when they enter the mortal world after graduating college. An account under an assumed name will do you no good.”

“It's good enough for my mom, and I'm just here for pictures of my baby sister. You saw my google results, Professor. I'm not putting my own information anywhere near the internet.”

“Nevertheless, Mr. Jackson, I do need a correct personal Facebook profile from you.”

“Dionysus calls me Peter Johnson all the time, Professor. Are you saying a god is wrong?”

Chapter Text

Chapter 4 – Assignment 2: Continue to build your presence on Facebook. Make at least three posts to your timeline and like or comment on at least ten of your classmates' posts. Everything you post should be mortal safe

Facebook

Account: Peter Johnson
Friends: 26

Post 1

[Image description: Picture of an infant laying laying in a blue baby lounger. The child has dark hair and is wearing a pink onesie.]

Caption: She's perfect!

8 Likes

1 Comment:

Melody Curius: Your sister? Cute!

Post 2

[Image description: The same child as before is now lying in a carseat. She is wearing a green onesie with an elephant applique and a matching headband with a bow]

6 Likes

2 comments:

Marcus Antonius Jones: quid habes tot imagines infantem?
---Madeline Telcom: @Marcus Antonius Jones: English, Mr. Jones

Post 3:

ἀμφὶ Ποσειδάωτα, μέγαν θεόν, ἄρχομ᾽ ἀείδειν,
γαίης κινητῆρα καὶ ἀτρυγέτοιο θαλάσσης,
πόντιον, ὅσθ᾽ Ἑλικῶνα καὶ εὐρείας ἔχει Αἰγάς.
διχθά τοι, Ἐννοσίγαιε, θεοὶ τιμὴν ἐδάσαντο,
5ἵππων τε δμητῆρ᾽ ἔμεναι σωτῆρά τε νηῶν.
χαῖρε, Ποσείδαον γαιήοχε, κυανοχαῖτα,
καί, μάκαρ, εὐμενὲς ἦτορ ἔχων πλώουσιν ἄρηγε.

1 Like

1 Comment

Marcus Antonius Jones: Graecus!

“Welcome back, Seaweed Brain!” Annabeth called as Percy let himself into their apartment and set his backpack by the door.

“I was just at class?”

“I know. I could hear the Griffin attack from here.”

“It was not our fault, and you can't prove otherwise!”

“I believe you.” Annabeth's tone indicated that she did not,in fact, believe him. “Is the class worth the hassle at least?”

“I guess? It's kinda nice to know what all my high school classmates were talking about.”Percy flopped down on the couch next to Annabeth. “The last couple of classes have mostly been lectures on what 'mortal safe' means, and why we don't put legion business on the internet.”

“Your hymm to Poseidon didn't go over well then?”

“Telcom didn't even mention it. I'm not the worst offender by far. Marc writes all of his posts in Latin and Lillian keeps talking about practicing formations with her cohort.”

“We're getting spoiled. It's so strange to not be the strange ones in class.”

“I know! I haven't been called a delinquent once this year! I could burn the band room down fighting empusa and they'd probably thank me! Telcom is the only professor to sort of give me a hard time.”

Annabeth leaned forward, her protective instincts roused. “I thought she got over the Peter Johnson profile.”

“She did. It's not usual, but most of her students don't have people talking about them all over the internet. She said that I can't just keep posting Mom's pictures of Estelle. In the next unit, I'm going to have to take my own, and I have no idea what I'm going to do.”

“The Pacific Ocean is fifteen minutes away by pegasus. Surely there will be someone there who will pose for you.”

Percy blinked for a minute, considering. “That's a really good idea, Wise Girl. Want to go to the beach next weekend?”

Chapter Text

Chapter 5 – Assignment 3: Instagram – Create an Instagram account. Make at least five posts, using images you created. Friend Dr. Telcom and your classmates. Comment on at least five of your classmates' posts. Profiles should be mortal safe. (Cameras may be checked out from the AV department. Students are responsible for lost, damaged, or eaten equipment.)

Account: Son_of_Neptune
Followers: 157; Following: 27 (private)

Post 1:

[Image description: a silver fish with black-tipped fins, taken while both photographer and subject were underwater. The fish is alone and perfectly centered in the frame, but the photography is a little rough—it's not quite in focus and everything looks slightly blue.]

Meet Bob
Species: Walleye Surfperch (Hyperprosopon argenteum)
Likes: crabs
Dislikes: sharks, humans
What he wants to tell humans: Stop throwing your trash in his ocean

8 Likes, 2 comments

Apollo'sFavoriteChild64976: First!

RetiredCenturion: decoris

Post 2:

[Image description: A large, mottled brown fish lying on its side on the ocean floor. There are two eyes facing up. ]

Meet Makenzie
Species: California Halibut (Paralichthys californicus)
Likes: squid are tasty!
Dislikes: sharp rocks
What she wants to tell humans: Watch where you step!

10 Likes, 3 comments

Apollo'sFavoriteChild64976: First!

Ramona8658653656: Weird!

SneakySneaky: Are you just posting pictures of fish? Isn't that cheating? I approve.

Post 3:

[Image description: A red-brown octopus swimming in open water. All eight legs are neatly arrayed around it, and it's looking at the camera. It looks posed.]

Meet Andromeda
Species: East Pacific Red Octopus (Octopus rubescens)
Likes: Sneaking up on prey
Dislikes: When prey escapes
What she wants to tell humans: Please bring me more fun toys

389 Likes, 8 Comments

Apollo'sFavoriteChild64976: First!

SneakySneaky: We have something in common!

REDare (verified): You're making Tinder profiles for fish! Very cute!
---Son_Of_Neptune: @REDare (verified): What's a Tinder profile?
---8ArmsNoWaiting: @REDare (verified): Swipe right!

(more)

Post 4:

[Image description: Mama Sea lion and her cub, swimming underwater. Like the others, it looks posed. The quality of the photography is improving.]

Meet Maia and Gregor
Species: California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus)
Likes: Basking in the sun, playing
Dislikes: Annoying tourists
What she wants to tell humans: Feed the sea lions!

528 Likes, 11 Comments

MelodyMakesMusic6: First! Haha suck it @Apollo'sFavoriteChild64976

REDare (verified): Awwww!!! Can you do otters next? They're my favorite

20kLeaguesUnder: Where are you getting your pictures? They're amazing
---Son_Of_Neptune: @20kLeaguesUnder: I just went for a swim

SurfsUp98: So cute!

(more)

Post 5:

[Image description: An otter, swimming at the camera. It does not look friendly.]

Meet Malus
Species: Southern Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris nereis)
Likes: tormenting divers
Dislikes: humans
What he wants to tell humans: *^%^*% &* ^&^% %^$#^$#

735 Likes, 42 Comments

Son_Of_Neptune: I hope you appreciate this @REDare (verified). Otters don't like me much. He wasn't very nice
---REDare (Verified) @Son_Of_Neptune: I do. Your suffering was worth it

OtterGurl07: Why are you insulting otters like this! Their so cute!!!

JunieBJones15: Slander!!!

SeaMeRun: how dare you!?!!?

SneakySneaky: now you've done it

(more)

“Annabeth, did you tell Rachel about my Instagram account?” Percy asked as he returned to their apartment after his social media class. He was not expecting to get the amount of attention he was—his classmates were lucky to get a couple of comments per post. Rachel Elizabeth Dare (and her 2.8 million followers) were the only possible explanation.

“You're working so hard on it, I thought it deserved to be appreciated.”

“It's because I dragged you to the beach and left you alone while I took pictures of sea life, isn't it?”

“It's absolutely because you abandoned me on the beach to go talk to fish, Seaweed Brain.”

“Did you put her up to the otters too?”

“That was all her. She did some fundraiser thing at the zoo, and the zookeepers told her that the otters were the scariest animal by far.”

“They weren't wrong. Sharks are sweethearts compared to them.”

“Why did you pick the name “Son of Neptune, anyway? Are you officially going Roman?”

“I had ten minutes to come up with something, I wasn't going to use my real name, and Seaweed Brain is reserved for you. Half the people here call me 'Son of Neptune' anyway, so I figured I might as well.” Percy smiled lovingly at Annabeth. It was even mostly sincere.

“That's so sweet. I'll tell Rachel not to ask about jellyfish like she planned.”

“Oh thank Hestia.”

Chapter Text

Assignment 4: Add hashtags to posts and perform ongoing maintenance of current accounts. Make at least three posts to Instagram or Facebook and comment on at least ten of your classmates' posts.

Account: Son_Of_Neptune
5 posts; 385 Followers; 27 Following (private)

Post 1:

[Image description: A beautiful picture of a silver fish, its scales shining with iridescent blue and green. If it's possible for a fish to look sad, this one does. The sun is shining, the water is crystal clear, and someone has obviously introduced the photographer to the camera settings since the last round of posts, because the blue cast is gone.]

Meet Eloise
Species: Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus orientalis)
Likes: Swimming in clean water with her friends
Dislikes: Losing friends and family to predators, especially humans
What she wants to tell humans: Fishing nets kill! Especially when lazy fishermen toss their old nets overboard instead of disposing of them properly!

#friendsnotfood #Savetheoceans #sushi #cancelsushi #tuna

623 Likes, 35 Comments

Son_Of_Neptune: @REDare (verified): In honor of your favorites, I hear sushi is your favorite food. I hope this helps!
---REDare (verified): I hate you
---Son_Of_Neptune: <3

SneakySneaky: ooooo drama!

Apollo'sFavoriteChild64976: Boo! Quit commenting on your own posts!

FeedMeSeamore: I didn't realize fish could be pretty? Am I going to have to give up sushi?

20kLeaguesUnder: What dive shop/gear are you using?
---Son_Of_Neptune: I borrowed a GoPro

(more)

Post 2:

[Image description: A single shrimp climbing a rock in crystal clear water. It appears to be waving at the camera. The photographer appears to be laying on the riverbed in order to be on eye level.]

Meet Hiram
Species: California Freshwater Shrimp (Syncaris pacifica)
Likes: Rocks. Rocks are good
Dislikes: Changes to his home
What he wants to tell humans: Why do humans want to eat me?

#friendsnotfood #Savetheoceans #sushi #cancelsushi #shrimp

548 Likes, 29 Comments

Son_Of_Neptune: Yeah, @REDare (verified), why do you want to eat Hiram?
---REDare (verified): you're not going to be happy until I go full vegan are you?
---Son_Of_Neptune: Fish are friends, not food!

SpilltheTea: I am living for the Drama!

(more)

Post 3:

[Image description: A spotted orange-red lobster is looking out of a rock burrow, waving the viewer in]

Meet Betty
Species: California Spiny Lobster (Panulirus interruptus)
Likes: I'm very proud of my burrow
Dislikes: Storms
What she wants to tell humans: Go Away!

#friendsnotfood #Savetheoceans #sushi #cancelsushi #lobster

702 Likes, 42 Comments

REDare (verified): I despise you and everything you stand for
--- Son_Of_Neptune: My work here is done

SneakySneaky: enough of the low effort posts!
---20kLeaguesUnder: @SneakySneaky: low effort!?
---SneakySneaky: @20kLeaguesUnder: for him? yeah

TheBrineyDeep: Your comments show that you're new to diving, so you might not have learned that you should never harass the wildlife. Just exist in their space and appreciate that they are willing to come near you
---Son_Of_Neptune: @TheBrineyDeep: absolutely! Consent is important. I'd never bother anyone who wanted to be left alone. Anyone I photographed was happy to talk to me. I need to figure out how to record videos. Betty gave me a tour of her burrow, and it was really cool

(more)

“Uh oh. That look in your eyes doesn't bode well for someone.”

“I don't know what you're talking about.”

Percy had returned to their apartment a full hour after he usually would on Thursdays. Normally Annabeth would assume he had lunch with a friend, but he was holding his GoPro—a not uncommon sight these days.

“I've known you far too long to fall for that fake innocent look, Seaweed Brain. You're currently ahead in your beef with Rachel, so someone else must have annoyed you.”

“Beef? Nevermind. You know how I went for a swim in the Little Tiber to get that picture of Hiram? When I was down there, I saw way too much litter. I expect it in New York, but if anyone tossed their trash in the lake at camp, the nymphs would have tossed it right back. So I went down with a bag and picked up as much as I could.”

“I don't suppose you're just going to tell Frank and Hazel like a reasonable person, are you?” Annabeth clearly didn't believe he would.

“I will eventually.” Percy's troublemaker grin was firmly in place.

“I do not want to know.”

Chapter Text

Assignment 5: Stories – Post a story to your Instagram account.

Account: Son_Of_Neptune
8 posts; 437 Followers; 27 Following (private)

[Story post description: Thirty second video plays of a gloved hand and arm reaching out to pick an empty coffee cup from where it was lodged against a rock several feet under water. All sounds are muffled by the water.]

Post 1
[Image 1 description: a still of the same coffee cup from the Story post.]
[Image 2 description: a filthy plastic candy wrapper underwater]
[Image 3 description: a tangle of ropes of different sizes and colors half stuck under a rock underwater, clearly abandoned.]
[Image 4 description: a wet bag of trash sitting beside a body of water of indeterminate size. The bag and contents have clearly been pulled out of the water. There are no other landmarks that might indicate the location.]

People are disgusting. I'm tired of pulling your trash out of the water. The next time someone tries to litter, there will be consequences.

#savetheoceans #savethefish #savetheplanet

702 Likes, 42 Comments

MelodyMakesMusic6: I'm terrified

RetiredCenturion: Suddenly, I'm very happy to be retired

REDare (verified): We should do a collab!
---Son_Of_Neptune: @REDare (verified): A what?
---REDare (verified): @Son_Of_Neptune: A collaboration. A joint post
---Son_Of_Neptune: @REDare (verified): I'm still not taking you swimming with Orcas
---REDare (verified): @Son_Of_Neptune: Loser
---FeedMeSeamore: @REDare (verified) @Son_Of_Neptune: I'm so confused. In what universe is this an option?

(more)

“Percy.”

“Frank.”

“Percy.”

“Frank.”

“Percy.”

“Frank.”

Frank sighed, giving up. “Do you want to explain why the Field of Mars flooded during the war games this afternoon?”

“I had class. I don't know why you're blaming me.”

“Because rivers don't just flood for no reason. It's not raining, and there's no rain or snowmelt up stream. That leaves one logical explanation: a son of Neptune.”

“It's Poseidon, actually. Graecus.”

“I might buy that, except a certain Son_Of_Neptune wrote on the internet that there would be consequences for littering.”

“Someone threw something in the Little Tiber? I don't know why you're bothering me then. It's basic science, as explained by the Greek mathematician Archimedes! When you throw shit in the water, the water level rises.”

“Your classes clearly aren't keeping you busy enough. Do I have to talk to your professors?”

Chapter Text

Assignment 6 – Filters: Make at least three posts on Instagram using filters or other photo-editing tools. Continue to use hashtags and comment on your classmates' posts

Account: Son_Of_Neptune

11 posts; 3,679 Followers; 27 Following (private)

Post 1:

[Image description: A perfect side view of an Orca in full breach. The picture has been run through so many filters and color changes that it looks like something out of Lisa Frank's nightmares.]

Swimming with an Orca Pod. No one tell @REDare (verified)

#orcas #savetheoceans #annoyREDare

3,483 likes; 207 comments

REDare (verified): Are you trying to hurt me?
---Son_Of_Neptune: @REDare (verified): Do I need to try harder?

SpilltheTea: @Son_of_Neptune, @REDare (verified): Do you like each other?!?!? Do you hate each other?!?!? I have to know!!!
---REDare (verified): @SpilltheTea: he tried to stab me once
---Son_Of_Neptune: @SpilltheTea: She's awful. You should have seen what she did to my grandfather
---REDare (verified): @Son_Of_Neptune: Watch it, Barnacle Boy. I have another hairbrush
---16thDoctor: @SpilltheTea: I ship it

20kLeaguesUnder: Please tell me you have an unedited copy of this photo!!!!
---Son_Of_Neptune: @20kLeaguesUnder: yea I'll post it later

(more)

Post 2:

[image description: A close up of two orcas pulling apart a salmon. The colors have been punched up to make the blood more obvious.]

#orcas #savetheoceans #annoyREDare

1,758 likes; 385 comments

REDare (verified): ew yuck! This has got to be against community guidelines!

Cetacea_kate: Why do they wear salmon hats?
---Son_Of_Neptune: Don't judge! They don't question your fashion choices

20kLeaguesUnder: Seriously dude, how are you doing this? I know wildlife photographers who would love to get this close to this many animals this quickly
---Son_Of_Neptune: They like me I guess

(more)

Post 3:

[image description: five different orcas are in frame swimming away from the camera; the photographer is clearly swimming in the middle of a pod. A color fade filter has been applied and the photo looks very artistic.]

The local pod was nice enough to let me hang out for the afternoon

#orcas #savetheoceans

18,857 likes; 620 comments

TheBrineyDeep: You really need to understand that any tourist company that lets you pay to hang out with or touch animals is really unethical and bad for the animals! Don't give them your money and leave the animals alone
---Son_Of_Neptune: I didn't pay? I just asked the pod matriarch if I could hang out and take pictures. She's really great

Anakin_Oceanswimmer: What an amazing experience! I bet you'll treasure it forever
--- SneakySneaky: Ha! For him, it's Tuesday

LiveLaughLover: That's so adorable! I need to take my kids to SeaWorld!
---Son_Of_Neptune: Blocked

(more)

“You're really having fun with this, aren't you?” Annabeth asked.

Percy had just returned from another expedition to the ocean, windswept, hungry, and the happiest he'd been in a while.

“I am. I didn't expect to, but I am. I've spent so much time in the water on quests; it's nice to just hang out instead. And I've never spent much time in the Pacific.”

“You should make a weekend of it. Pack some food in a waterproof container and go down towards South America or Hawaii.”

“That's a great idea,” he said, tentatively. “I haven't explored much of the Pacific yet. Maybe I can go into the deeper waters for a change.”

“Do it. The weather is supposed to be terrible next weekend; maybe you'll have better luck avoiding lightning strikes a couple of miles below the surface.”

Percy looked at her, his expression turning suspicious. “Frank didn't recruit you to get me out of town, did he?”

“I don't take orders from Frank. I have that big project due the following week, and if you're cooped up in our apartment and bored when I'm trying to work on it, there will be bloodshed.”

They both chuckled.

“Seriously, Seaweed Brain, spending this much time in the ocean has been good for you. The last few years have been rough, and it's good to see you joke around again.”

“I love you too, Wise Girl.”

Chapter Text

Assignment 7 – Join Twitter; post at least three tweets. Follow Dr. Telcom and your classmates. Interact with at least five of your classmates' posts. Everything should be mortal safe.

Account: Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune

Banner: [Image description: The photo of an orca in full breach from the last round of IG posts, without the edits]

Profile picture: [Image description: a picture of an orca “smiling” taken underwater from only a few feet away. The water is crystal clear and well lit.]

Location: The Pacific Ocean

Biography: I have no idea what I'm doing here.

Tweets: 5; Following: 26; Followers: 386

Son_Of_Neptune @Son_Of_Neptune
I'm on Twitter
💬 0 🔁 0 🖤 4

Son_Of_Neptune @Son_Of_Neptune
@REDare Now what am I supposed to do?

THE Rachel Elizabeth Dare ✔ @REDare
@Son_Of_Neptune First, fix your name

THE Rachel Elizabeth Dare ✔ @REDare
@Son_Of_Neptune Second, fix your bio

THE Rachel Elizabeth Dare ✔ @REDare
@Son_Of_Neptune Then post whatever. Twitter is mostly random nonsense and petty drama

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
@REDare Should we petty drama?

THE Rachel Elizabeth Dare ✔ @REDare
@Son_Of_Neptune You were a hamster and your (step) father smelt of elderberries!

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
@REDare guinea pig get it right

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
@REDare I fart in your general direction!

Percy looked up when the iris message shimmered into being next to him. The Historiae was better than anything assigned in any of his mortal history classes, but he still didn't mind being distracted.

“Hey, Percy! How's west coast life treating you?”

“Hey, Rach! It's so much better than high school! How's Paris? How's camp? Has your dad gotten over your decision to take a gap year yet?”

“Paris is amazing, but camp is positively boring this year without you guys. It's been a whole two months since I've delivered a prophesy. And I think my dad's just happy that I'm doing art school and high profile charity work rather than going out of my way to embarrass him for being a corporate asshole.” She peered into her side of the message. “No Annabeth today?”

“It's her day at Berkley. She hasn't moved into the library there yet, but that's only because the Librarians can sniff out students hiding in the stacks at closing time better than most monsters I've fought find demigods.”

“I'm not surprised.” They both laughed.

“I'm impressed with how your Instagram is coming along. You've got some really great pictures.”

“I cheat. I can remove silt and particles from the water, so everything is clear. And then most sealife is happy to pose for me, so I get good pictures easily. I think Mel is ready to strangle me.”

“It's not just the pictures, it's the engagement. You're good at getting people to interact with your posts.”

“Do people actually want that? I'm just trying to not fail my class.”

“Having a lot of followers and engagement is a matter of bragging rights for some people; for others it's how they make a living.”

“Seriously?!”

“Sure. Get enough followers and companies will pay you to wear their clothes and use their stuff and go to their restaurants.”

“That's crazy. Do you do this? You have a few million followers.”

“Nah. Instagram throws money at me occasionally, and I take it because it's better than letting them keep it, but my trust fund covers my needs. I encourage my followers to volunteer and donate to charity instead.”

“This is all so weird.”

“Speaking of, I meant it when I said we should do a collab. We can spend a couple of hours picking up underwater garbage, and maybe we can get some people to donate or volunteer to do the same.”

“Cleaning up a river means spending those hours underwater. I can keep you in a bubble, but then we can't take pictures without it being super obvious that there are powers involved.”

“I can scuba dive, Kelp Head. I'm not completely dependent on you.”

“You can?”

“Sure. I had to do something with all that 'family time' in St. Thomas. I'm only open water certified, but I figure you can keep me out of trouble if we run into anything I can't handle.”

“Did you want to come out here? Or Annabeth and I will be back in the city for Thanksgiving.”

“I can be in the city for Thanksgiving. How about the Hudson? I bet it could use it.”

“It could. But it'll be freezing cold and filthy. Are you sure?”

“I'll get a dry suit.”

Chapter Text

Assignment 8 (alternate): Ongoing maintenance. Make at least ten posts across your accounts. Comment on at least 15 of your classmate's posts. Continue to use hashtags and filters as appropriate

Instagram
Account: Son_Of_Neptune
17 posts; 11,672 Followers; 27 Following (private)

Post 1
[image description: Photo of a humpback whale side on as it swims past the photographer from left to right. The entire whale fits in the frame, but barely.]

He had too far to go to stop and talk. The warm waters of the south pacific await!

#whales #humpbackwhales #savethewhales #savetheoceans
15,064 likes; 428 comments

20kLeaguesUnder: He's heading south. Did you flip the picture or are you further out to sea than the whale?!
---Son_Of_Neptune: @20kLeaguesUnder: yes

REDare (verified): I'm not picky. I'll happily swim with any kind of whale
---Son_Of_Neptune: @REDare (verified) Humpbacks have too far to travel this time of year. Distracting them is rude
---REDare (verified): @Son_of_Neptune: So Thanksgiving in Hawaii?

(more)

Post 2
[Image 1 description: A silver fish with a long, sharp pointed nose swims directly at the photographer

[Image 2 description: A side view of the swordfish; it's centered diagonally across the frame pointing right and upwards.]

Meet Gaius
Species: Swordfish (Xiphias gladius)
Likes: Hunting
Dislikes: Sharks
What he wants to tell humans: Try me!

#swordfish #savetheoceans
8,749 likes; 395 comments

RetiredCenturion: Xiphos vs gladius at noon in the practice ring, Graecus
--- Son_Of_Neptune: @RetiredCenturion: Try me!

20kLeaguesUnder: Where did you manage to find a swordfish in daylight?!?! They usually only come to shallow waters at night!
---MichaelJones15: @20kleaguesUnder Do you really have nothing better to do than fact check every single one of @Son_of_Neptune's posts?
---@20kLeaguesUnder: @MichaelJones15 I'm a marine biologist with 20+ years of scuba experience. When a newcomer starts posting dozens of shots a NatGeo photographer would kill for, I take notice
--- MichaelJones15: @20kLeaguesUnder get a life, nerd

(more)

Post 3

[image description: A reddish fish with a spiny back fin and a ragged tail. Details are hard to make out because the photo is dark. The photographer needs to turn his flash on.]

Meet Mitchel
Species: Pacific Ocean Perch (Sebastes alutus)
Likes: Exploring
Dislikes: Nets
What he wants to tell humans: Go away!

#PacificOceanPerch #PacificRockfish #RoseFish #RedBream #RedPerch #savetheoceans

1,746 Likes; 157 comments

Visit_My_Island: Is this the same as a yellow perch? I need it for my aquarium!
---Son_of_Neptune @Visit_My_Island: Um no? It's red?
---KKSliders#1Fan @Visit_My_Island: Close enough! 240 bells!

Dive_for_my_Life: How deep was this? It looks like you're losing daylight
--- Son_of_Neptune @Dive_for_my_Life: 157 feet
--- Dive_for_my_Life: @Son_of_Neptune: you know AOW certs max out at 100 ft, right? Where's your dive light?

DavyJones468: Yum
--- MelodyMakesMusic6: @DavyJones468: Read the room, dude
---Son_of_Neptune @DavyJones468: Fish are friends, not food

(more)

post 4
[image 1 description: an old shipwreck sitting on the ocean floor. It has clearly been there awhile, given the amount of accretions and coral covering it. Several schools of fish swim around it. The water is crystal clear, but the photo is dark]

[image 2 description: a close up of one of the pink corals growing on the wreck]

[Image 3 description: a close up of some of the fish living in the wreck. Details are hard to make out due to how dark the image is]

I got a guided tour of the USS Brant, thanks to Mitchel and his school

#shipwreck #diving #coral #savetheoceans
15,728 Likes; 593 comments

JoyceByersIsMyMom: That is so cool!
---Son_of_Neptune @JoyceByersIsMyMom: I thought so! Mitchel was really excited to show it off!

TheBrineyDeep: What rig and camera setup are you using? You really need some dive lights
---Son_of_Neptune @TheBrineyDeep: I'm working on it
---Dragon_Mechanic Hah! I'm working on it!

FortyFathoms: How deep are you? And how many deco stops did you have to make?

(more)

Post 5
[Image description: A black square]
Note to self: bring lights along next time

1,856 Likes; 463 comments

TheBrineyDeep: How are you diving if you can't see?!?! There's no way this is safe
---Son_of_Neptune @TheBrineyDeep: I could see. My camera couldn't
---TheBrineyDeep: WTF
---@20kLeaguesUnder: I can't even

(more)

Post 6
[image description: picture of a smashed and waterlogged GoPro in an equally smashed clear case sitting on a wooden tabletop]

It turns out GoPros can't go below 200 ft. No one will lend me another one, so I'm getting my buddy to make me a camera. He says it'll work in the Mariana Trench, so this shouldn't happen again

#GoPro
3,903 Likes; 302 Comments

SpilltheTea: you know we're going to need to see photos of the Mariana Trench now
---Son_of_Neptune @SpilltheTea: Obviously. I'm going to have to test it somehow

20kLeaguesUnder: How deep did you go?!?! I took mine past the max depth and the only thing that happened was I couldn't push any buttons?!?!
---Son_of_Neptune @20kLeaguesUnder: I'm not sure when it stopped working

FortyFathoms: What kind of case is that? There are aftermarket cases rated to 1,000 ft
---Son_of_Neptune @FortyFathoms: I don't know, it came with the camera

Anakin_Oceanswimmer: Deep dive, nice! What gas mix are you using? How long were your deco stops?

(more)

Twitter

Account: @Son_Of_Neptune
biography: Drizzle bringer, Flowerpot shaker, brother of horses
Tweets: 11; Following: 26; Followers: 6,294

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
Ocean fun fact: There are about 5.25 trillion tons of plastic waste in our oceans, and studies expect it to triple in the next two decades
💬 185 🔁 204 🖤 23

-

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
Ocean fun fact: Only 5% - 20% of the ocean has been explored. Certainly no one has found my father's palace
💬 527 🔁 453 🖤 1,356

Wanda @ScarletWiccan
Breaking: @Son_Of_Neptune confirms existence of Atlantis

-

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune

Ocean fun fact: scientists are constantly discovering new species. Untold numbers of monsters could lurk below
💬 1,730 🔁 962 🖤 11,385

THE Rachel Elizabeth Dare ✔ @REDare
@Son_Of_Neptune We need to work on your definition of “fun”

Dr. Walter @20kLeaguesUnder
@Son_Of_Neptune Science has disproved the existence of megaladons and other giant ocean predators

Marnie @DrJohnHolmes
@20kLeaguesUnder Don't ruin the fun!

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
@20kLeaguesUnder No they just haven't found one yet

-

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
Ocean fun fact: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a 1.6 million km2 floating garbage island. I may move there
💬 833 🔁 630 🖤 1,395

THE Rachel Elizabeth Dare ✔ @REDare
@Son_Of_Neptune You'd fit right in!

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
@REDare We can't all be children of billionaires. Have you seen rental prices lately?

“Please, Leo.” The Iris message opened in a workshop piled high with wood, celestial bronze, and a wide variety of half-finished creations. None of them appeared to be a camera.

“You can't rush genius, ese.”

“Can I motivate the engineer? Telcom's alternate assignments are killing me.”

“I accept all forms of groveling and recognition of my brilliance.”

“You are truly the greatest engineer, metalsmith, and all around inventor ever to live in Indiana.”

“I'm not loving that qualifier, Percy.”

“I can't come up with another ten text posts in four days, and Telcom won't let me get away with reposting pictures of my sister any more. If I keep leaning on Rachel, I'll get her banned too.”

“You have a lot of followers on your accounts?”

“I think I'm up to 10,000 on Instagram?”

“Put me in one of your posts. This much awesomeness deserves to be shared with the world.”

“Deal.”

Chapter Text

Assignment 9: Photo credit. Post a picture of you taken by someone else. Credit the photographer

Instagram

Account: Son_Of_Neptune
19 posts; 18,338 Followers; 28 Following (private)

Post 1

[Image description: Blurry image of a probably-human figure in murky water taken from the side. They appear to have dark hair and are surrounded by a school of silver fish. They are wearing close-fitting dark clothing, presumably a wetsuit. There is no visible breathing apparatus or other diving gear. They might be male? There is no way to identify the person in the picture.]

Me
Photo cred: Cassandra the Giant Pacific Octopus (Be nice to her—it's her first time using a camera.)

#Savetheoceans #octopus
14,030 likes; 492 comments

TheBrineyDeep: You're free diving????

The10thWalker: I may be showing my age, but is anyone else getting “An octopus stole my camera” vibes?

Anakin_Oceanswimmer: At least say what brand/thickness wetsuit you're using
---Son_of_Neptune @Anakin_Oceanswimmer: My dad gave it to me. I think the palace tailors made it?
---Anakin_Oceanswimmer: wtf?!

(more)

post 2

[Image description: beautifully composed picture of an octopus in crystal clear water. She's waving one tentacle. There are no technical issues at all]

Meet Cassandra the Giant Pacific Octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini). She kindly agreed to be my assistant photographer today.

#octopus #savetheoceans
23,697 likes; 302 comments

Anakin_Oceanswimmer: You got a new camera? What kind?
---Son_of_Neptune @Anakin_Oceanswimmer: I did! My buddy made it for me! More details later

20kLeaguesUnder: Another day, another sea creature where it shouldn't be, doing something it shouldn't do
--- lilyhocken427: Buzzkill

(more)

“I still think you cheated,” Melody said as they gathered their stuff after class ended.

“I followed the instructions,” Percy said. “I'm not—”

“—putting your face on the internet. I get it. Hero of Olympus, Praetor of Rome, Teenage Terrorist.”

“Oh God, tell me you didn't actually listen to any of that shit that came up when I searched for myself.”

“Of course I did. I needed a good banana bar recipe.”

“Ugh, I hate you.”

“There, there.” Melody patted his shoulder in mock sympathy. Do you have plans for the big Halloween project?”

“Now that I have a camera that can handle the depths, I do. There a lot of weird looking fish in the deep sea. You?”

“Making spooky noises on my various instruments. Are you sure yours passes for mortal safe?”

“I originally wanted to post a picture of a sea monster, but Annabeth said it would be a bad idea.” He grinned. “No one believes I actually talk to the fish; it'll be fine.”

“Save the sea monster for April fools. Lunch at Vinny's?”

“Are you buying?”

“You're the one with the Praetor's pension, cheapskate. Some of us have instruments to buy and maintain.”

“I see how it is. You're only asking me to lunch to pick my pocket. Are you sure you're not a Hermes kid?”

“I'm sorry, who took a picture of your busted camera when no one else on campus would let you touch theirs? And who assured you that Telcom doesn't actually hate you and would give you an alternate assignment when you ran into technical difficulties? And who—”

“Fine!” Percy interrupted. “You win. You saved my podex. The least I can do is buy you lunch.”

“I'm glad you decided to be reasonable.”

“Have you met your uncle, Will Solice? You're as pushy as he is.”

“I will take that as the compliment it is.”

Chapter Text

Assignment 10 – Communities – join at least one Facebook community, follow at least three hashtags on Instagram and Twitter. Make five posts relevant to these on at least two of your accounts

Instagram

Account: Son_Of_Neptune
22 posts; 20,355 Followers; 28 Following (private)

Post 1
[image description: picture of an old fashioned-looking camera sitting on a wooden table. It has a large rectangular body and a giant lens sticking out of the front. It appears to be made of bronze]

new camera, ready to go; my guy promises it'll survive the Mariana Trench

Photo credit: @MelodyMakesMusic6
camera credit: @Dragon_Mechanic (I apologize to the world for introducing him to instagram)

#diving #photography
4,254 likes; 261 comments

SpillTheTea: now we're going to need to see a picture of the Mariana Trench
---Son_of_Neptune @SpilltheTea: obviously I need to test it

Katelyncoz78: That looks like it's made of metal? Doesn't it get heavy?
---Son_of_Neptune: @Katelyncoz78 Nah. It's lighter than my sword
---LadyoftheUnderground : You use a sword, not a trident? I thought you were the son of Neptune?
---Son_of_Neptune: @LadyoftheUnderground: don't give my brother ideas

(more)

Post 2
[Image description: Picture of pure blackness with a couple of points of light]

So It's really dark when you go deep in the ocean, and my camera can't see anything. Sorry you're missing some amazing fish. I'm going to go talk to my camera guy

#diving
2,464 likes; 473 comments

Anakin_Oceanswimmer: wtf AOW cert shouldn't be that diving deep, you didn't bring lights?!?! do you want to die???
---Son_of_Neptune @Anakin_Oceanswimmer: I was fine
---Anakin_Oceanswimmer: Normalization of deviance, dude. Look it up

Dragon_Mechanic: you asked for a camera, not a deep sea lighting rig
---Son_of_Neptune @Dragon_Mechanic: what's the point of taking a camera to the Mariana Trench if only I can see it?
---Dragon_Mechanic: @Son_of_Neptune: Any other problems?
---Son_of_Neptune @Dragon_Mechanic: Nope. Everything worked perfectly. Nothing exploded
---daisy_alex: Is an exploding camera a real risk???
---Dragon_Mechanic @ daisy_alex: The explosions are half the fun!

(more)

post 3
[Image description: a crushed dive light on a wooden table]

The Amazons failed me. No Midnight Zone pictures until @Dragon_Mechanic finishes my lights

#diving #photography
2,634 likes; 247 comments

SpilltheTea: You mean Amazon.com, right? The website?
---Son_of_Neptune @SpilltheTea: Um yes? Absolutely. That's what I meant.
---SpilltheTea: Now I'm imagining Wonder Woman kicking Bezos out of his office and taking over
---TheBloodOfAngryMen: @SpilltheTea: yes please!

20KLeaguesUnder: I'm not sure why I bother, but: the deepest a scuba diver has ever gone was 332.35 meters (1,090 feet). This record was set by Ahmed Gabr in 2014, and it took years of work and an entire team of support divers. It's also well above the midnight zone.
---SpongeBobNoPants6969 @20KLeaguesUnder: You do get he's fucking with us, right? It's a bit.

(more)

Twitter

Account: @Son_Of_Neptune
biography: Gyro of Olympus
Tweets: 15; Following: 26; Followers: 8,738

-

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
Ocean fun fact: Half of the oxygen we breathe is produced in the ocean, so stop throwing trash in it! #savetheoceans
💬 2,226 🔁 1,253 🖤 15,269

-

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
230,000 marine species are known to exist. Scientist speculate there as many as 2 million total. Of course there are sea monsters #savetheoceans
💬 2,226 🔁 1,253 🖤 15,269

lorelai @lorelai_marie87
If you're running into new species, you should collect specimens

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
how dare you

Lorelai @lorelai_marie87
It's for science

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
Science can raid the oceans and kidnap fish without my help

Facebook

Account: Peter Johnson
Friends: 26

Groups: New Rome University

“Piper says Leo says he's planning his social media career.” Annabeth's tone was dry, but Percy could hear the laughter hiding underneath. “It's going to involve a lot of building things, a lot of explosions, and he's probably going to get eaten by a monster. She blames you.”

“I'm happy to take full credit. It sounds like fun.”

“You say that now, but just wait until Piper has you clucking like a chicken in front of the whole camp.”

“I'm not afraid,” Percy said as he finished loading his photography gear into his backpack. “I'm off. I should be back tomorrow afternoon.”

“You're going out and deep?”

“Yeah. Porkpie should be able to track down Blackjack and the Hippocampi if there's an emergency.”

“Just don't get eaten by a sea monster. I don't want to have to tell your mother that I let you out unsupervised.”

“Never.” He grinned. “You should come along next week. I can keep to the shallows for awhile.”

“Not next week—I have that big project coming up. But definitely by the end of the semester. I want to see photographer Percy in his element.”

“It's a date.”

Chapter Text

Assignment 11: Halloween – make at least 5 Halloween themed posts across your accounts

Instagram

Account: Son_Of_Neptune
28 posts; 32,208 Followers; 28 Following (private)

Post 1

[Image description: Photo of a reddish squid with blue eyes and two fins on its mantle. A membrane connects its eight arms almost down to the tips. The water around it is dark.]

Meet Larry
Species: Vampire squid (Vampyroteuthis infernali)
Likes: Amphipods
Dislikes: The bad food (He means microplastics -SoN)
What he wants to tell humans: keep the bad food away

#savetheoceans #halloween #squid
28.253 Likes, 627 Comments

HattieBelle: I know this is supposed to be scary, but it's adorable. I feel a sudden urge to make an amigurumi vampire squid
---LiveLaughLover: @HattieBelle: OOOOO yes please! Drop an etsy link!

JunieBJones15: It's weird, but it's cute. I'm conflicted.

(more)

Post 2

[Image description: Photograph of a shark with a long snout and protruding jaw. Its skin looks pinkish grey. A long sweeping tail is visible over the shark's back. The ocean around it is dark.]

Meet Ellie
Species: goblin shark (Mitsukurina owstoni)
Likes: squid
Dislikes: nets and boats
What she wants to tell humans: Come visit

#savetheoceans #halloween #sharks
62,374 Likes, 1,426 Comments

SeaMeRun: I'm scared

TheBrineyDeep: It's irresponsible to tell people that sharks are aggressive. You're more likely to be killed by a vending machine than a shark, and humans hunted sharks to near extinction after Jaws came out!
---Son_Of_Neptune: @TheBrineyDeep: It's irresponsible to tell people that sharks are harmless. They have teeth; they can bite. If you harass a shark because you saw a video of someone “playing” with a shark, you will get bit. Humans need to leave sharks alone.
---TheBrineyDeep: @Son_Of_Neptune: My friend, you're harassing the shark?
---Son_Of_Neptune: @TheBrineyDeep: I treated her with respect and asked permission to take her picture. We had a very nice conversation. Also I'm not human.

MelodyMakesMusic6: Where is 20kleagues? It's not a SoN post without 20kleagues freaking out in the comments!
---SneakySneaky: @MelodyMakesMusic6: Keep scrolling. I think SoN finally broke him

(more)

Post 3

[Image description: Photograph of a dark fish with needle sharp teeth and translucent fins. It has a filament with a glowing tip growing from its head.

Meet Decima
Species: Pelagic Anglerfish (Lophiiformes Ceratioidei)
Likes: fish
Dislikes: sharks
What she wants to tell humans: What are humans?

#savetheoceans #halloween #anglerfish
52,628 Likes, 1,269 Comments

SpillTheTea: I was kidding about the Mariana Trench?
---Son_of_Neptune @SpilltheTea: this isn't the mariana trench. That's too far to swim in a weekend. Maybe over the holidays
---FortyFathoms: @Son_of_Neptune: I'm sorry, swim?

TheBrineyDeep: This getting ridiculous. Paying to access wildlife is is incredibly unethical and harmful.
---Anakin_Oceanswimmer: @TheBrineyDeep: I don't think you can EcoTourist to access DEEP SEA ANGLER FISH
---Dive_for_my_Life: @TheBrineyDeep @Anakin_Oceanswimmer: Didn't that one aquarium have them?

(more)

Post 4

[Image 1 description: A side view of a long tubular fish with long forward facing eyes and several fins near the back. It's mostly white with brown speckles along its length. The ocean around it is dark]

[Image 2 description: A front view of the same fish—this one is much scarier. The fish has two huge, pearl-like eyes set in wide sockets. It has a wide mouth full of needle sharp teeth.]

Meet Tatius
Species: Telescope fish (Gigantura indica)
Likes: dinner
Dislikes: Anglerfish
What he wants to tell humans: keep catching big fish

#savetheoceans #halloween #telescopefish
61,126 Likes, 1,712 Comments

MichaelJones15: lol it looks like a tampon with eyes
---PriscillaMalfoy: @MichaelJones15: look at the second image; you'll change your mind. freaky

20kleaguesUnder: wtf wtf wtf Where the hell did you get these photos
---MelodyMakesMusic6: Is it bad that I judge posts based on the quality of the meltdown @20kLeaguesUnder has? This one is clearly 10/10
---Truffula_Planter: @20kLeaguesUnder: I'll bite. Why are you WTFing?
---20kleaguesUnder: @Truffula_Planter: because these pictures cannot be real
---MichaelJones15: @20kLeaguesUnder: This again? He stole them. Or photoshopped them
---20kleaguesUnder: @MichaelJones15: Then he must have stolen someone's unpublished research. These pictures do not exist
---MichaelJones15: @20kLeaguesUnder: Sure Jan

(more)

Post 5

[Image description: A photo of a white and brown tadpole-looking fish with glowing white eyes on a dark background

Meet [it doesn't translate to human language -SoN]
Species: Faceless Fish (Typhlonus nasus)
Likes: good meals
Dislikes: lights
What he wants to tell humans: What are humans?

#savetheoceans #halloween #facelessfish #facelesscusk
44,834 Likes, 801 Comments

JoyceByersIsMyMom: Okay, This one is freaky
---carmel-c20087: @JoyceByersIsMyMom: ikr???

Anakin_Oceanswimmer: No seriously, man. What kind of equipment are you using for your dives? And where are you getting your bottles? These things live deep.
---FortyFathoms: @Anakin_Oceanswimmer: I want to know too. There's no way any reputable dive shop would be encouraging this

TheBrineyDeep: And now you're resorting to photoshop?
---Happy_Little_Trees95 @TheBrineyDeep: I don't think it's photoshop or digital art. Disney would kill to have CGI this clean

20kLeaguesUnder: How???

(more)

Post 6

[Image description: A head-on photo of blue-silver fish resting on its fins on the sea floor. It has long trailing whisker-like filaments protruding from its body. The ocean around it is dark.

Meet Me [I don't think he quite understands the concept of names -SoN]
Species: abyssal spiderfish (Bathypterois longipes)
Likes: food
Dislikes: Not!food food falling [Again, microplastics - SoN]
What he wants to tell humans: What are humans? What is the surface? Why do they drop not!food food?

#savetheoceans #halloween #abyssalspiderfish #spiderfish
82,548 Likes, 1,344 Comments

20kLeaguesUnder: asdffjkl; refjireoajo ravhunaj
--- MelodyMakesMusic6: @Son_of_Neptune: Yep, you broke him. 11/10

SpongeBobNoPants6969: Why is everyone freaking out about being trolled by some rich asshole?
---Anakin_Oceanswimmer: @SpongeBobNoPants6969: Cite your source
---SpongeBobNoPants6969: @Anakin_Oceanswimmer: He participates in an expensive sport. He has custom gear including a custom made camera. He travels to expensive locations to dive. He probably pays companies who exploit the animals or uses high quality photoshopped or stolen images.
---Anakin_Oceanswimmer: @SpongeBobNoPants6969: you can't ecotourist your way to the abyssal zone
---SpongeBobNoPants6969: @Anakin_Oceanswimmer: Bullshit. Any research organization would be happy to give a millionaire a seat on their sub in exchange for a generous “donation.” Or it's a private submarine. James Cameron can't be the only rich fuck to own one.
---TheBloodOfAngryMen: @SpongeBobNoPants6969 @Anakin_Oceanswimmer: Don't forget, he's friends with Rachel Elizabeth Dare, the daughter of one of the richest men in the country. Do you think she hangs out with a lot of us poors?
---Son_of_Neptune: you know I can see this, right?
---TheBloodOfAngryMen: Eat the rich

(more)

“You certainly ignited a storm online.” Rachel grinned at Percy through the Iris Message window.

“I know.” Percy grinned back. “Everyone is freaking out, and it is hilarious.”

“You really are a chaos gremlin. Are you certain you're not secretly a child of Hermes?”

“Don't lie; you're enjoying it as much as I am.”

“I am. I wish I could have that kind of anonymity online.”

“I'm happy to not be officially associated with it. Only I timed this photo drop badly. We're supposed to interact with people outside the Roman and Greek world next week, and I have a feeling that would not go well for me right now.”

“So lean into it. Play up the bit. You should do an AMA.”

“A what?”

“AMA. Ask me anything. Tell people to post their questions with the tag #AskSon_of_Neptune and you'll answer the ones that look interesting.”

“People will actually go along with this?”

“Sure. I'll send you a couple of examples.”

“My mom doesn't know it, but she thanks you. You're probably the only reason I'm passing this class.”

“I will remind you of this later.”

Chapter Text

Assignment 12 – All platforms: interact beyond the class and the greater Roman (and Greek) world. Make at least ten comments in reply to strangers. All content should be mortal safe.

Twitter

Account: @Son_Of_Neptune
biography: I don't claim the monsters
Tweets: 67; Following: 26; Followers: 23,375

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
Ask me anything! Tweet your questions with #AskSon_of_Neptune and I'll answer questions until I get bored
💬 14,263 🔁 16,459 🖤 30,203

-

John Taylor @GoodnightSweetPrince
Are you really the son of the god Neptune? #AskSon_of_Neptune

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
No actually. The god Poseidon. The Romans just get more press

Marnie @DrJohnHolmes
Aren't they the same thing?

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
Kinda sorta not really

-

Briney @TheBrineyDeep
Where did you learn how to dive? #AskSon_of_Neptune

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
mom started taking me to the beach when I was a baby

-

Allen @Anakin_Oceanswimmer
What gear do you use? #AskSon_of_Neptune

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
My buddy @Dragon_mechanic made me a camera and some lights. Dad gave me the clothes

Nosey @SpilltheTea
So your wetsuit has mystical/godly powers?

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
It's armored against sea monsters, but mostly it's “Suitable for my rank.” My stepmother doesn't trust me to dress myself

Wanda @ScarletWiccan
Are sea monsters a problem for you?

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
Not so much any more. They mostly leave me alone. Or invite me to family dinner.

-

Nosey @SpilltheTea
Are you going to be cast as the next Aquaman? #AskSon_of_Neptune

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
My girlfriend says I'm hotter than Jason Momoa

THE Rachel Elizabeth Dare ✔ @REDare
She wants me to inform everyone that this is not true

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
traitor

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Donna @16thDoctor
Do you have any siblings? #AskSon_of_Neptune

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
Thousands. Dad is known as the Father of Monsters for a reason. I claim two

Donna @16thDoctor
Your Christmas card list must be murder

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
Since they usually try to kill me, family reunions aren't really a thing

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
also, not christian

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Enjolras @TheBloodOfAngryMen
If you're a prince, why are you complaining about rent #AskSon_of_Neptune

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
Surface landlords don't take sand dollars and gods don't pay child support

Idontwannadothisanymore @Idontwannadothisanymore13
How rich are you?

Sea Prince @Son_of_Neptune
I'm not.

Idontwannadothisanymore @Idontwannadothisanymore13
Isn't your dad king of the oceans?

Sea Prince @Son_of_Neptune
Yeah, but I have a few thousand older siblings. I'm not the heir.

Sea Prince @Son_of_Neptune
I have a room in the palace and Dad gives me presents sometimes. That's it.

-

Dr. Walter @20kLeaguesUnder
What are your qualifications? #AskSon_of_Neptune

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
I like to swim and I have a camera. Also my dad is a god

Dr. Walter @20kLeaguesUnder
academic qualifications

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
I've failed a lot of science classes

Dr. Walter @20kLeaguesUnder
...I can't even

-

Karen @LiveLaughLover
I really want to swim with dolphins. Where's the best place to do that #AskSon_of_Neptune

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
Your imagination

Karen @LiveLaughLover
Hypocrite. Your banner is you swimming with orcas

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
I didn't track them down. I bumped into the pod while out for a swim and asked if I could hang out and take pictures

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
If dolphins want to swim with you, they'll find you

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Lori @Lorelai_Ann1998
Where did you take the Orca pictures? #AskSon_of_Neptune

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
In the pacific ocean

Lori @Lorelai_Ann1998
Specifically

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
I'm not going to dox anyone

-

Katie @Cetacea_kate
Where are the whales!? #AskSon_of_Neptune

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
They're busy migrating. I mostly hang out with people who want to talk to me

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Jelly @Jelly_the_Bear
Are you related to Ariel? Are you Ariel? #AskSon_of_Neptune

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
I'm very sorry to tell you this, but Ariel isn't real.

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
Triton is my brother, though

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Nosey @SpilltheTea
What happened to your twitter beef with REDare? #AskSon_of_Neptune

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
We're beefing about what to beef about now

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Gremlin @The_Gremlin_of_Tomatoes
Seriously how is all your equipment so good???? And how much did it cost? #AskSon_of_Neptune

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
had to pay to replace the gopro I broke. And for the broken lights

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
and I owe @dragon_mechanic a favor

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
Don't tell him I said this, but @Dragon_Mechanic is an amazing creator 70% of the time

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
Of course, 40% of the time his stuff explodes

Mr. Fixit @Dragon_Mechanic
Fuck you, it's supposed to explode

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
At least 10% of the time

-

Raptor @RaptorStrikeTR
Has a sea creature ever attacked you? #AskSon_of_Neptune

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune

Scylla and Charybdis. My sister Kymopolei. A few other monsters

-

Jess @Jessicahoward2k18
Can we get a face reveal? #AskSon_of_Neptune

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
Nope

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Blue @2bluetwo85
Who was your favourite to photograph? (You can only pick one) #AskSon_of_Neptune

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
Only one? You're mean

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
The orca pod was a fun afternoon, but Betty was so incredibly nice

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Phantom @Fried_Phantom
What kind of sea creature hates humans the most #AskSon_of_Neptune

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
Most sea creatures don't really understand the concept of hatred

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
Gaius was the most aggressive towards humans

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girlgamer @girlgamer
What's your favourite seafood? #AskSon_of_Neptune

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
How dare you?! Blocked

THE Rachel Elizabeth Dare ✔ @REDare
That's not how you block people, Kelp head

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Bookworm @BookwormGirl
how do you come up with / do your fish interviews? #AskSon_of_Neptune

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
I shout out and see if anyone wants to talk to me. If they do, I interview them.

Bookworm @BookwormGirl
And I noticed you keep saying about the fish being confused by what humans are, or translating what the fish "say" into human language. How does that work when *you're* human? #AskSon_of_Neptune

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
I'm not human. I speak fish.

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Daughter_of_the_Muse @Daughter_of_the_Muse
How long do you think it will be until people go into / start to go into red-string conspiracy theory territory to make sense of your account? Who do you think will be first?
#AskSon_of_Neptune

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
@MelodyMakesMusic6 was first, and she started roughly ten minutes after I created my account. But she's trying to create chaos, not make sense of anything

Melody @MelodyMakesMusic6
Five minutes. And did you tell the people about that time you washed up on Ogygia yet?

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
No one believe a word she says

Nosey @SpilltheTea
Ohhhhh @MelodyMakesMusic6, are you the girlfriend????

Melody @MelodyMakesMusic6
Eww no. I can do much better than his scaly ass

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Ella @EllaBooks
If there was one sea animal you could take a picture of to post what would it be? Can be anything from real life to mythology. #AskSon_of_Neptune

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
I want to post the sea monsters, but my girlfriend says I need to develop impulse control. And also self preservation.

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Cat @THE_CAT11
what did u mean u arent human #AskSon_of_Neptune

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
My dad is a god. I'm half god.

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No Man @NoNameWonder
@Son_Of_Neptune, what's your favorite beach? #AskSon_of_Neptune

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
The one my mom took me to every summer as a kid

No Man @NoNameWonder
What beach is that?

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
It's the one where she met my dad

Nosey @SpilltheTea
What beach is that?

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
No. Just no

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Jackylein @Jackylein250
With what boat do you get to your diving locations #AskSon_of_Neptune

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
I just swim there.

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
If it's really far away, I'll ride my pegasus, Blackjack

Marnie @DrJohnHolmes
Pegasus tax! We're going to need a picture of Blackjack

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
Can't. He doesn't swim

Jackylein @Jackylein250
Cameras work above the surface

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
I don't want to risk an explosion

Mr. Fixit @Dragon_Mechanic
Asshole

“Rachel, wake up!”

The IM portal shimmered into existence about a foot from her pillow.

“Wha? Perce? It's...Gods, I don't know what time it is. What do you want?”

“Can you get on the internet and find a sea turtle rescue near the California/Mexico border?” He was treading water in the middle of the ocean and was clearly agitated.

“Percy, it's three in the fucking morning. I'm sleeping. I'm not demigod google. Call back at a reasonable hour.” She reached out to swipe her hand through the window.

“Wait! Please!” Percy lifted a badly injured sea turtle into view. “The palace healers are too far away, and I need some place to take Mireya now!”

“Shit.” Rachel sat up and reached for her phone, finally coming to full wakefulness. “Near the border, you said?”

“Yeah. We're about twenty miles out to sea, so a few miles in either direction won't matter.”

“Head for San Diego; I'm seeing a few different possibilities there. I assume you'd like me to call ahead and arrange a meeting?”

“That would be great. I just need the latitude and longitude.”

“I'm going to be calling from a French number. How do you want me to explain you?”

“As long as they show up at the right coordinates, I don't care. I'll use the Mist to hide my face.”

“I found one that looks promising. Message me back when you're closer to shore and I'll tell you where to meet them.”

The IM window disappeared as Percy slipped back under the surface of the ocean.

“Well shit,” Rachel said.

Chapter Text

Assignment 13 – Schedule posts. Use the various platforms' tools to schedule at least five posts in advance across your accounts.

Instagram

Account: Son_Of_Neptune
33 posts; 73,268 Followers; 28 Following (private)

Post 1

[Image description: Picture of a sea turtle lying on the ocean floor. There is a dark cloth draped over its shell and three of its flippers, but it's obviously badly injured. The photograph is not as well-composed as usual, suggesting the photographer was rushed.]

Be careful when boating. Propellers kill. Mireya didn't deserve this.

Thanks to @SDSeaTurtleRescue for looking after her.

#savetheoceans #savetheturtles #seaturtles
116,954 Likes, 12,254 Comments

SDSeaTurtleRescue: you'll be happy to know that she's doing well. She came through surgery just fine and settled in a recovery pool while undergoing a course of antibiotics. Check out our account for details.
---Son_of_Neptune: @SDSeaTurtleRescue: I'm glad she's settling in. Tell her I hope she feels better
---SDSeaTurtleRescue: @ Son_of_Neptune: We will!
---JoyceByersIsMyMom: OMG this is precious

20kLeaguesUnder: Turtles breathe air, not water. If it was trapped on the bottom like that, it would have drowned
--- Son_of_Neptune: @20kLeaguesUnder: I had to provide first aid and stabilize her for transport, and that was easier on a solid surface. We went back to the surface immediately afterwards to meet the rescue's boat

TheBrineyDeep: Normally I'd say don't take pictures, just get help but... good job getting her to a rescue

Truffula_Planter: People are awful. Who could hurt a poor innocent turtle like this?!?!?!

(more)

Post 2

[image description: a small silver fish caught in a clear plastic bag, desperately swimming towards the bottom]

This is what happens to your garbage in the ocean. Dispose of your trash properly so fish don't die.

#savetheoceans #savethefish
63,485 Likes, 3,263Comments

RetiredCenturion: No more floods!
---Son_Of_Neptune: @RetiredCenturion:You're safe (for now). This was in the ocean, not the river
--- FeedMeSeamore : @RetiredCenturion: so the “consequences” last time was a flood?
---(comment deleted)
--- Diminisher2003: What is going on here?
---MichaelJones15: @Diminisher2003: @Son_Of_Neptune likes to claim six impossible things before breakfast, and other people on here like to stir up shit. Just go along with the bit, or you'll end up as crazy as @20kLeaguesUnder

MichaelJones15: How much time do you spend in the water?!?!
---Son_Of_Neptune: @MichaelJones15: My girlfriend has been really busy lately, so a lot

(more)

Post 3

[image description: Photograph taken underwater of a dolphin swimming along wrapped in a fishing net. It looks like the dolphin is wearing a toga.]

Pay attention to where your fishing gear ends up! We all know togas aren't comfortable!

#savetheoceans #savethedolphins #dolphins
102,998 Likes, 9,236 Comments

RetiredCenturion: Barbarian!

TheBrineyDeep: Nope, I'm criticizing again. You should never get in the water with an entangled whale or dolphin. Always stay on the surface and maintain a distance of at least 100 ft while you call or radio the proper authorities.
--- Son_Of_Neptune: @TheBrineyDeep: you're absolutely right. No one likes being bothered when they're at a disadvantage. Lewis is not the first dolphin I've been summoned to cut loose.
--- TheBrineyDeep: @Son_Of_Neptune: You work in wildlife rescue?
---Son_Of_Neptune: @TheBrineyDeep: I rescue a lot of sealife

FeedMeSeamore: People suck

(more)

Post 4

[image 1 description: Photograph of a seal completely wrapped in a net on the tide line of a rocky beach. There are other seals around, but no people. The photographer is on the beach facing the ocean, so there are no identifiable geographic features.]
[image 2 description: A pile of cut net lays on the beach as the formerly entangled seal heads back out to sea.]

Keep track of what happens to your fishing nets! Hundreds of thousands of marine mammals die every year from entanglement.

#savetheoceans #savetheseals #seals
98,486 Likes, 7,229 Comments

battle_maps: Sea doggo!

DrJohnHolmes: So your camera does work above the surface! Still waiting on the picture of Blackjack!
---Son_Of_Neptune: @DrJohnHolmes: He'd be outraged if he found out I put his picture under another animal's post!
---DrJohnHolmes: @Son_Of_Neptune: we don't mind a new post
---Son_Of_Neptune: @DrJohnHolmes: but this account is for posting ocean life, and Blackjack doesn't swim!

(more)

Post 5

[image 1 description: A close up photograph of the face of a great white shark with a large hook caught in its mouth]
[image 2 description: A close up of a bloody silver colored hook sitting on a black-gloved hand. The glove is fish scale patterned]

White Sharks will do as they please. It's probably best you don't try to retrieve your fishing gear from them. (But you should avoid using stainless steel hooks! It's better if the hook can rust out on its own. Sharks look badass enough without a lip piercing.)

#savetheoceans #savethesharks #sharks #whitesharks #greatwhitesharks
109,331 Likes, 11,994 Comments

MelodyMakesMusic6: I'll be honest, I'm kind of surprised you're wearing gloves
---Son_Of_Neptune: @MelodyMakesMusic6: I'm not dumb enough to stick my hand in a shark's mouth without some kind of protective gear. Removing hooks hurts, and flinches are natural. Kaleigh wouldn't mean to harm me, but I'd still be down a hand.
--- 20kLeaguesUnder: @Son_Of_Neptune: mature White Sharks have a bite force of 4,000 psi. It would take more than a pair of gloves to protect your hands. Do not stick your hands in sharks' mouths.
---Son_Of_Neptune: @20kLeaguesUnder: I was fine

Fish_doctor: I research human impact on marine species, and this is all very useful data to have. Could you possibly share where and when you found these animals?
---Son_Of_Neptune: @Fish_doctor: You're using it to help sealife? PM me your details and an official email address. If you check out, I can send you coordinates

Anakin_Oceanswimmer: Where the hell is your cage my dude????
---Son_Of_Neptune: @Anakin_Oceanswimmer: Cages don't belong in oceans
---Anakin_Oceanswimmer: @Son_Of_Neptune: They keep people safe from sharks
---Son_Of_Neptune: @Anakin_Oceanswimmer: keep the sharks safe from people and leave them alone

(more)

Percy knocked softly on Dr. Telcom's office door, and opened it at the invitation from within.

“Mr. Jackson.” The professor's thin smile couldn't be called warm by any stretch of the definition, but since she spent most classes utterly expressionless, Percy would take it.

“Professor.”

“I'm rather pleased with how far you've come in my class.”

“I,” he paused. This was not the conversation he expected to have. This wasn't a conversation he had ever had. “Thank you, ma'am?”

“As I said in class, we're at the point in the semester where I like to touch base with each of my students individually. We're only a few weeks away from the end of the semester. Your final project should already be planned and under way. Have you settled on a topic?”

“Uh, yes ma'am. Sharks.”

“I have a feeling that will be popular with your followers. I can't help but notice you have a natural talent for attracting engagement.”

“I really didn't mean to. It's Rachel's fault.”

“Are you trying to place responsibility for your actions on Apollo's chosen oracle, Mr. Jackson?”

“Uh, yes?”

“You're a son of Poseidon. Children of the gods always attract attention—none more so than the children of the sons of Saturn. You may reject it, but I would be far more surprised if you didn't draw the audience you have found.”

“I really didn't plan to become internet famous twice. My goal was to avoid attention.”

“You're a Greek hero, Mr. Jackson. You should be familiar with self-fulfilling prophesies.”

Percy just groaned in response.

“It's a good thing.” Telcom's voice turned kind. “You have the potential to turn this into a real career. You're already well on your way there.”

“You mean,” Percy said incredulously, “ I take can pictures of fish and get paid for it?”

“The downside for will be that you will have to tie your real name to your accounts. It need not be publicly known, but the various platforms you'll need will have to file the appropriate forms with the IRS.”

“I don't love that part.”

“Sign up for my 200 level class, Mr. Jackson. It's intended for people who plan to use social media as a source of income. I think it will be worth your while.”

Chapter Text

Thanksgiving Bonus Assignment – Engagement: increase your follower count. Pick one of your social media accounts and make at least one post during Thanksgiving break. Bonus points will be awarded based on the increase in your follower count (by percentage). Maximum five points.

Instagram

Account: Son_Of_Neptune
38 posts; 87,085 Followers; 28 Following (private)

Post 1
[Image description: Picture of a female figure sitting on a stone wall next to a river in full drysuit, hood, and mask with a scuba tank strapped to her back.]

@REDare (verified) and I are cleaning up trash from the Hudson River today.

#savetheoceans #savetheriver #NYC
71,432 Likes, 9,121 Comments

FortyFathoms: There's no way this is legal
---SpongeBobNoPants6969: @FortyFathoms: I told you, rich people break all the rules and get away with it

The10thWalker: I've seen that river. Good luck. I hope your shots are up to date

Anakin_Oceanswimmer: New York in November? Are you crazy?
---Son_of_Neptune @Anakin_Oceanswimmer: well obviously

(more)

Post 2
Repost from REDare (verified)
[Image description: Under water picture of Rachel posing for the camera in her full gear, lit by Son_of_Neptune's camera flash. No natural sunlight is coming through. The water around her is brownish green with silt and algae, but she's clearly visible.]

@Son_of_Neptune and I cleaned up the Hudson River today! I didn't get eaten by a shark!

#savetheoceans #savetheriver #NYC
77,953 Likes, 15,016 Comments

LadyLucy: In what universe was that a possibility?!?
--- MelodyMakesMusic6: @LadyLucy: you must be new here

SeaMeRun : Holy shit, how cold is that water?
---REDare (verified) @SeaMeRun: About ten degrees colder than a tech billionaire's heart.
---TheBloodOfAngryMen @REDare (verified): your father is a billionaire.
---REDare (verified) @TheBloodOfAngryMen: So I know what I'm talking about

(more)

Post 3

[image description: A hazy photograph of the back of a man, barely visible through the murky water. The back of his neck is paler than the black suit he's wearing, and his dark hair waves in the current. He's struggling to pull a bicycle out of the muck at the bottom of the river.]

This isn't why I told you to hold the camera, @REDare (verified)

#savetheoceans #savetheriver #NYC
97,853 Likes, 15,016 Comments

REDare (verified): Not my best work, I'll admit. I had a terrible subject.

SpillTheTea: new photo of SoN dropped!! And we got a hair reveal! Sort of.

Anakin_Oceanswimmer: Dude, where the fuck is your hood. In those river temps, exposed skin means hypothermia
---Son_of_Neptune @Anakin_Oceanswimmer: I was fine
---Anakin_Oceanswimmer: @Son_of_Neptune Are you nuts
---Son_of_Neptune @Anakin_Oceanswimmer: I though we established that already

(more)

Post 4

[image description: Photograph of the face of a shark appearing out of the murk].

Aimee the Bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas) stopped by to say hello! fun fact: Bull sharks are diadromous, which means they can live in salt or fresh water. They've been found in the Mississippi River as far north as Indiana!

#savetheoceans #savetheriver #NYC #savethesharks #bullshark
105,334 Likes, 23,590 Comments

REDare (verified): Fun fact: It is absolutely terrifying when one swims up to you out of the algae haze
---Son_of_Neptune @REDare (verified): Aimee is a sweetheart. Don't be mean
---REDare (verified): @Son_of_Neptune: Aimee is 12 ft long and likes to eat people
---Son_of_Neptune @REDare (verified): 8 feet. And humans are bony and taste nasty. She just nibbles on them a bit
---REDare (verified): @Son_of_Neptune:That's not better
---JoyceByersIsMyMom: @Son_of_Neptune: ”them”? How many people has Aimee nibbled?

20kLeaguesUnder: I call bullshit. The Hudson in November?!?! This is outside their range and far too cold! This has to be fake
---MelodyMakesMusic6: Another @20kLeaguesUnder freakout. 7/10

JusticeForSusanPevensie: This isn't why I followed the billionaire's account, but I'm here for it.

(more)

Post 5

[image description: A picture of a huge pile of trash bags and old bikes heaped inside a dumpster. The overflow is piled next to it.]

All done

#savetheoceans #savetheriver #NYC #savethesharks #bullshark
87,663 Likes, 11,075 Comments

CallMeKaylee: illegal dumping?
---REDare (verified): @CallMeKaylee: dad owns the building. He can afford it

ScarletWiccan: this is in broad daylight in NYC. How he hell did no one notice?
--- MichaelJones15: @ScarletWiccan: because it's NYC. This is the only part that's plausible

Dive_for_my_Life: what do you use to collect trash?
---Son_of_Neptune @Dive_for_my_Life: just a regular fabric bag
---Dive_for_my_Life: @Son_of_Neptune: What kind of fabric can hold up to that much wear and tear?
---Son_of_Neptune @Dive_for_my_Life: No idea. I stole it from my dad's place

HattieBelle: you should do treasure hunting videos
---Son_of_Neptune: @HattieBelle: what?
---HattieBelle: @Son_of_Neptune: That's when you take a metal detector to the sea floor, look for trash, pick up treasure, and film it so we can enjoy
---Son_of_Neptune: @HattieBelle: I asked a metal detector, and she said no
---HattieBelle: @Son_of_Neptune: uh, metal detectors don't have feelings?
---Son_of_Neptune: @HattieBelle: how dare you! One of my best friends is a metal detector

“No, Percy.”

“Come oooooooon.”

“No, Percy.”

“But you're the best metal detector I know!”

“The precious metals I find are cursed.”

“That's fine. Everyone knows pirate treasure is supposed to be cursed!”

“I might consider it, except the Field of Mars flooded again. Do you happen to know anything about that?”

“I mean I could—”

“No, Percy.”

Chapter Text

Assignment 14 – LinkedIn: Create a LinkedIn account. Fill out the profile and connect with your classmates.

LinkedIn

Account: Peter Johnson

Banner image: [Photograph of a blue sky with a few clouds]

Profile image: [Photograph of a young Hispanic man. (It's Leo Valdez)]

Position: Student at New Rome University

University: New Rome University

Connections: 25

Annabeth blinked owlishly as Percy slammed her introduction to architecture book closed, clearly taking a moment to remember where she was. “What?”

“It's time to take a break.” Percy held the book shut.

“What? No!” She snapped out of study mode and back to reality. “If you want to keep your fingers, Seaweed Brain...”

“You've been studying all day.”

“I need to ace my exams. There's this one guy in my intro class that thinks he's hot shit, and I have every intention of making him eat every snide comment he made this semester.”

“You literally redesigned Mt. Olympus, Wise Girl. This guy doesn't stand a chance. But classes are over, exams aren't for another week, and I made lasagna for dinner. It's time for a break. We can make an early night of it, then head to the beach tomorrow.”

Annabeth started to object again, then paused. “Does this have anything to do with the latest flood?”

“I've been trying to get you in the ocean all semester.” Annabeth stared at him. Percy broke. “So the timing might be related. Hazel was kinda annoyed with me earlier.”

“What did you do? I know the garbage in the river pissed you off, but this is the third flood in two months, and you're not that petty.”

“Fourth,” Percy mumbled.

“Percy! I'm surprised the praetors haven't hung you from a cross by now. What did you do?!”

“I found the river Naiads—they live in a really nice grotto just upstream of the camp. And I might have convinced them to stand up for themselves and not take disrespect from the legionnaires.”

“Oh, gods.” Annabeth covered her face with her hands, muffling her voice, and Percy couldn't tell what her tone was. He really hoped she wasn't upset.

“And now some of the legionnaires have figured out that throwing shit in the river is a good way to get maneuvers canceled.”

Annabeth's shoulders shook, and giggles finally broke through. “Fine. You win. We'll get you out of Dodge tomorrow. But you need to come up with a way to fix this. We both need to spend the rest of this week studying.”

“Yes, ma'am.”

Chapter Text

Dead Week Bonus Assignment – Going Viral: One post can be the difference between obscurity and mass acclaim—or notoriety. Post to any of your social media accounts. Bonus points will be awarded for the number of likes you get on one post (calculated as a percentage over your follower count as of today.) You may make as many posts as you want—only the post with the most likes will count. Max 5 points.

Instagram

Account: Son_Of_Neptune
42 posts; 96,448 Followers; 28 Following (private)

Post 1
[Image description: view looking up at a kelp forest from the sea floor. The water is blue and perfectly clear.]

Took my girlfriend for a swim

#savetheoceans #kelp
68,992 Likes, 5,483 Comments

SeaMeRun: That's off the coast of San Diego, right? I've dived there; it's beautiful

SneakySneaky: boring

(more)

Post 2
[Image description: close up of a seal peeking out from behind kelp leaves]

Taylor isn't very good at hide and seek, but I can't say I mind.

#savetheoceans #kelp #seals #savetheseals
103,154 Likes, 47,006 Comments

OtterGurl07: Sea doggo!

KKSliders#1Fan: Those eyes!

(more)

Post 3
[Image description: A back view of a woman from the waist up. Her face and shoulders are obscured by her flowing blonde hair. From behind the cloud of hair, she reaches one purple-clad arm out to scratch a seal under its chin. The kelp forest sways in the background]

My Girlfriend

#savetheoceans #kelp #seal #savetheseals
117,237 Likes, 40,253 Comments

AureliaAustria: omg she looks like a Disney princess

PriscillaMalfoy: How is she breathing???
---DrJohnHolmes: @PriscillaMalfoy: Obviously she's a mermaid
---ScarletWiccan: My girlhood mermaid fantasies have officially been reactivated

TheBrineyDeep: ffs don't touch the wildlife
---Son_Of_Neptune: @TheBrineyDeep: We're in the middle of the open ocean. If Taylor didn't want to be touched, we'd know

(more)

Post 4
[Image description: Close up of a man's backside. It's clothed in a tight-fitting suit that appears to be made of interlocking black fish scales that gleam faintly bronze around the edges.]

I let my girlfriend hold the camera

97,776 Likes, 31,654 Comments

LizzieDee23: Dat ass
---JusticeForSusanPevensie: Dat ass
---CallMeKaylee: Dat ass

20kLeaguesBelow: That's not neoprene. What the hell kind of wetsuit is that supposed to be?
---Anakin_Oceanswimmer: Holy shit is that scale mail?
---FortyFathoms: I've been in the SCA for a decade and I've never seen scale mail using fish scales. The articulation on that is amazing
--- Dive_for_my_Life: He did say it repelled sea monsters
---TheBrineyDeep: How much does it weigh???
---SpongeBobNoPants6969: Nerds. You're examining a close up of a man's ass and you're talking about his wetsuit
---Anakin_Oceanswimmer: It's a nice ass?
---20kLeaguesBelow: That's not a wetsuit!
---SpongeBobNoPants6969: Gay nerds.

SpilltheTea: @MelodyMakesMusic6: you didn't say it was a nice scaly ass!
---MelodyMakesMusic6: @SpilltheTea: Eh. I've seen better
---DrJohnHolmes: @MelodyMakesMusic6: Where?!? Share the wealth!

REDare (verified): I see you've discovered thirst traps
---Son_Of_Neptune: @REDare (verified): What's a thirst trap?

(more)

“That was fun. We'll have to do that again.” Annabeth sat on the couch in their apartment, teasing the knots out of her hair with a comb.

Percy grinned. “I told you so.”

“Except for the aftermath. There isn't enough conditioner in the world to deal with this mess.”

“So you'll come again?”

“Next semester, sure. Just remind me to braid my hair back. I'll even talk to Rachel about getting scuba certified so you won't even have to worry about keeping me in oxygen. But right now, I really need to spend the rest of this week studying. And so do you.”

“I'll talk to Dad about getting you a proper suit.”

“Later, Percy. It's time to study now.”

“The praetors are going to sew me into a sack of weasels when they catch up with me, which won't help my performance on my finals. I'm only hanging out in the ocean because I care about my grades.”

“You know where else they won't find you? In the library.”

Unfortunately, Percy realized this was true. He was rather well known for avoiding the library. “Dammit. I hate finals.”

Chapter Text

Final project: make at least ten posts across all of your social media accounts over the course of the week. Use all tools available to you carefully. Scoring will consider the consistency to your personal brand, quality of posts, tagging, the use of filters and posting tools, and engagement.

Instagram

Account: Son_Of_Neptune
49 posts; 122,537 Followers; 28 Following (private)

Post 1
[Image description: A picture from the sea floor looking up towards the surface. There are at least fifty hammerhead sharks in the shot.]

I declare it shark week!

#savetheoceans #savethesharks #sharkweek #sharks #hammerheadsharks
98,135 Likes, 27,026 comments

alexandera92-ale: It's not shark week? That's in the summer. It's a Discovery Channel thing
---Son_Of_Neptune: @alexandera92-ale: If a TV channel can declare shark week, so can the son of the sea god

Selachii-chi: Yes! A week of shark posts!
---MelodyMakesMusic6: Yes! A week of @20kLeaguesUnder freakouts!
---20kLeaguesUnder: @MelodyMakesMusic6: I'm glad the soul crushing pain of my ongoing existential crisis is amusing to you
---MelodyMakesMusic6: @20kLeaguesUnder: Well now I feel bad. 1/10

(more)

Post 2
[Image description: A grey shark swims between strands of kelp. It has dark grey stripes down its back with dark spots around the stripes]

Meet Ashton
Species: Leopard Shark (Triakis semifasciata)
Likes: shrimp
Dislikes: Nets
What he wants to tell humans: bring shrimp next time

#savetheoceans #savethesharks #sharkweek #sharks #leopardsharks
88,765 Likes, 27,026 comments

Truffula_Planter: Beautiful

SneakySneaky: Boo! Get to the man eaters already!
---Son_Of_Neptune: @SneakySneaky: Keep your reticulus on

TheBrineyDeep: You can't keep encouraging people to behave irresponsibly around animals. Someone is going to get hurt.
---Son_Of_Neptune: @TheBrineyDeep: What is it this time???
---TheBrineyDeep: @Son_Of_Neptune: “bring shrimp next time”
---Son_Of_Neptune: @TheBrineyDeep: Seriously? 1) I didn't write it. I just repeated what he told me
---Son_Of_Neptune: @TheBrineyDeep: 2) Anyone dumb enough to swim in the ocean carrying shark food deserves to be bitten

(more)

Post 3
[Image description: A photo of a large brownish-black shark with a huge gaping mouth and rubbery lips swimming in the open ocean. It has a stout body and a bulbous head.]

Meet Tailah
Species: Megamouth Shark (Megachasma pelagios)
Likes: plankton
Dislikes: long travels
What she wants to tell humans: I'm ignoring you. Let me.

#savetheoceans #savethesharks #sharkweek #sharks #megamouth #megamouthshark
131,854 Likes, 42,994 comments

Swims_with_the_fishes: I don't know how you do it, but I am so insanely jealous that you manage to get this close to so many types of sea life
---TheBloodOfAngryMen @Swims_with_the_fishes: *cough*money*cough*
--- Swims_with_the_fishes: @TheBloodOfAngryMen: If you could pay for this kind of access, I'd be first in line
---Anakin_Oceanswimmer: @TheBloodOfAngryMen: seriously, there are only 69 documented encounters with a Megamouth shark ever, and most of those were already dead. This isn't a tourist attraction
---MelodyMakesMusic6: @Anakin_Oceanswimmer: If it's that rare, where is @20kLeaguesUnder?
---20kLeaguesUnder: @MelodyMakesMusic6: In the corner. Crying.

Hinata4856: Just when you thought it was safe to go into the water...
---Dive_for_my_Life: @Hinata4856 They're filter feeders. They don't have any teeth
---Hinata4856: @Dive_for_my_Life: I don't care if they live on sunlight and good vibes, I'm not getting that close to something that big

(more)

Post 3
[Image description: A photo of a large shark swimming towards the photographer's left. She is blue-grey on top with a white underside and she has a mouth full of sharp teeth.)

Meet Braelynne
Species: White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias)
Likes: tuna
Dislikes: orcas
What she wants to tell humans: You may bring tuna, but don't touch. And stay away from my feeding grounds. If I want to see you, I'll come to you

#savetheoceans #savethesharks #sharkweek #sharks #WhiteShark #GreatWhiteShark
164,632 Likes, 53,994 comments

LadyLucy: Nope. Nope. All the nope!

JaneSmith123456: Boop the snoot!
---willazoey: @JaneSmith123456: Do not!
---LizzieLee: @JaneSmith123456: Stay away from the murder torpedo!

Anakin_Oceanswimmer: I'm guessing you didn't use a cage this time either
---Son_of_Neptune @Anakin_Oceanswimmer: Nope. Still fine though
---Anakin_Oceanswimmer: @REDare (verified): If @Son_of_Neptune dies doing something stupid, will you tell us?
---REDare (verified): @Anakin_Oceanswimmer: Absolutely! I'll make sure to have pictures and all the embarrassing details!
---Son_of_Neptune @REDare (verified): Why are we friends again?

TheBrineyDeep: Once again, it's irresponsible to tell people to tell people sharks safe to be around.
---Son_Of_Neptune: @TheBrineyDeep: It's irresponsible to believe what you read on the internet

(more)

Post 4

[Image description: Photo of a large shark swimming from left to right in clear blue water. She has the distinctive hammer-shaped head that gives her species its name.]

Meet Ryleigh
Species: Scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini)
Likes: Kaylee and Mariee (her best friends)
Dislikes: humans
What she wants to tell humans: F$%^ off with your nets and your feeding.

#savetheoceans #savethesharks #sharkweek #sharks #Hammerheadshark #scallopedhammerheadshark
164,632 Likes, 53,994 comments

LadyLucy: I am now caught up on the lore. I am no longer surprised @REDare (verified) was afraid of being eaten by a shark in the Hudson River. I am now surprised she got in the water with @Son_of_Neptune at all.
---REDare (verified) @LadyLucy: He does attract them. Despite that, he's a very safe dive buddy.
---Dive_for_my_Life: @REDare (verified): I call bullshit. He has no safety gear at all, and he takes all kinds of stupid risks with wild animals
---REDare (verified) @Dive_for_my_Life: Oh he has no sense of self preservation at all, but he has great situational awareness when it comes to other people
---Son_of_Neptune: @REDare (verified): This is not true
---REDare (verified) @Son_of_Neptune: I'm sorry, who is currently hiding from two of his best friends lest they visit unspeakable torments upon his person?
---Son_of_Neptune: @REDare (verified): You and my girlfriend are no longer allowed to speak to each other
---SpilltheTea: Oh, we are getting fed this week!

JanetEllie: That is so cool! I thought Hammerheads were aggressive?
---Son_of_Neptune @JanetEllie: You'd be aggressive too if people invaded your living room and started poking at you. Leave them alone and they'll leave you alone

Selachii-chi: This week is not disappointing!

(more)

Post 5
[Image description: A photograph of a dark grey shark with small fins and a rounded nose. The water is dark, and the shark is lit by the camera's flash.]

Meet Braxton
Species: Pacific sleeper shark (Somniosus pacificus)
Likes: octopus
Dislikes: orcas
What he wants to tell humans: nothing

#savetheoceans #savethesharks #sharkweek #sharks #PacificSleeperShark
87,737 Likes, 19,125 comments

FortyFathoms: Serious question: how are you not dead?
---Son_Of_Neptune: @FortyFathoms: You are not the first person to wonder about this

Fishing_in_the_Dark: This is the shark that likes to hang out under volcanoes, right? Do I dare ask where you were taking pictures?
---Son_Of_Neptune: @Fishing_in_the_Dark: The shark breed, yes, but not Braxton. I promised my girlfriend no more volcanoes. Once was enough
---XenaIsQueen: @Son_of_Neptune: I know enough mythology to be very concerned by this
---MelodyMakesMusic6: @XenaIsQueen: The reality is worse than you can imagine, I promise

20kLeaguesUnder: I really don't know why I'm surprised anymore
---MelodyMakesMusic6: boring. 2/10

(more)

Post 6
[Image description: A closeup of a dark grey shark's face lit by a flash as it swims up to the camera lens. Her face is covered with thorn-like protuberances.]

Meet Eulalie
Species: Prickly shark (Echinorhinus cookei)
Likes: My home range
Dislikes: humans
What she wants to tell humans: Keep not bothering me and I'll keep not bothering you

#savetheoceans #savethesharks #sharkweek #sharks #pricklyshark
84,331 Likes, 15,268 comments

Anakin_Oceanswimmer: These guys like DEEP water. How far down were you
---Son_of_Neptune: @Anakin_Oceanswimmer: I forget?
---20kLeaguesUnder: @Son_of_Neptune: Uh huh

SneakySneaky: Weaksauce. Bring back the ones with the teeth!
---20KLeaguesUnder: @SneakySneaky: these are so infrequently seen in the wild that the IUCN classifies them as Data Deficient. If @Son_of_Neptune actually documented his finds in accordance with scientific best practices, this would make a significant contribution to our understanding of the species, and you call it “weaksauce”????
---SneakySneaky: @20KLeaguesUnder: yeah? If it's not a man eater, what's the point?
---MichaelJones15: @20kLeaguesUnder You get that he probably took this picture in an aquarium somewhere, right?
---20kLeaguesUnder: @MichaelJones15: He really didn't
---MelodyMakesMusic6: There's the freakout I've been waiting for! 9/10 post

SpilltheTea: The sharks are impressive and all, but when are we going to get more pictures of your girlfriend? Or by your girlfriend?
---DrJohnHolmes: Seconded!
---Son_of_Neptune: @SpillTheTea @DrJohnHolmes: She's busy right now

(more)

Post 7
[Image description: [A photograph of a small pinkish-tan shark swimming through dark water. It has two dorsal fins on its back, many more fins below, cat-like eyes, and a long flat snout.]

Meet Phanessa
Species: Longnose catshark (Apristurus kampae)
Likes: Crabs
Dislikes: Cages
What she wants to tell humans: stop dropping cages and scraping the seafloor

#savetheoceans #savethesharks #sharkweek #sharks #catshark #longnosecatshark
87,931 Likes, 19,875 comments

20kLeaguesUnder: The fuck? How many rare shark breeds did you track down????!?
---Son_of_Neptune: @20KLeaguesUnder: there was no tracking down. Phanessa was perfectly friendly and happy to talk to me
---20kLeaguesUnder: @Son_of_Neptune: Right. You just bumped into each other at your favorite bar, which happens to be 1000m deep.
---Son_of_Neptune: @20KLeaguesUnder: Basically, yeah
---20kLeaguesUnder: @Son_of_Neptune: I hate you. I hate you so much

JusticeForSusanPevensie: This is cute. Weird, but cute.
---The_Glass_Pen: @JusticeForSusanPevensie: Yeah, I'm not really sure what to think

16thDoctor: I'm just guessing here, but doesn't Poseidon/Neptune live in the Mediterranean/Atlantic Ocean? Atlantis and all? Why are you hanging out in the Pacific Ocean
---Son_of_Neptune: @16thDoctor: Because Dad lives in the Atlantic
---16thDoctor: @Son_Of_Neptune: Are there Pacific sea gods?
---Son_of_Neptune: @16thDoctor: With my luck, probably

(more)

Twitter

Account: @Son_Of_Neptune
biography: charismatic megafauna
Tweets: 79; Following: 26; Followers: 74,998

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
It's Shark Week! #sharkweek
💬 5,237 🔁 4,847 🖤 60,483

Wanda @ScarletWiccan
It isn't though.

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
It is if I want it to be

-

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
Shark fact: A group of sharks is called a shiver
💬 2,342 🔁 1,285 🖤 4,555

Nosey @SpilltheTea
This is very tame for you. Where's the drama?

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
Be patient ;)

-

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
Shark fact: Sharks existed before trees and before Saturn had its rings. And they will go on surviving long after humans are gone
💬 46,495 🔁 25,654 🖤 95,734

John Taylor @GoodnightSweetPrince
This is crazy, Can someone get that astrologist guy to verify?

-

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
Shark fact: Sharks can eject their stomachs when under stress, threatened, or if they are full and want to eat more.
💬 43,954 🔁 20,746 🖤 73,535

EmberElla @EmberEllaofGenua
TIL I have something in common with sharks

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
You should probably talk to someone about that

-

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
Shark fact: White sharks use the markings on the inside of their pectoral fins to communicate to each other and human divers. Usually they're saying “Fuck off.”
💬 53,659 🔁 39,654 🖤 83,344

John @LastQuarterMile
I call bullshit on this one. They're fish!

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
100% real. Shark agonistic display

-

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
Shark fact: Many shark species urinate through their skin, just in case you needed another reason not to touch them
💬 83,372 🔁 64,898 🖤 102,472

Marnie @DrJohnHolmes
Oh ewww! I didn't want to know that!

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
Don't pet the sharks

Marnie @DrJohnHolmes
No danger of that!

-

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
Shark fact: Sharks can’t get cavities because their teeth are coated in a layer of fluoride. I'm not jealous at all. Really.
💬 63,472 🔁 52,787 🖤 83,462

John R @TruckYeah
God, the woke sjw big government propagandists have made it here too? Quit trying to poison our children!

Sea Prince @Son_Of_Neptune
@TruckYeah: What?

THE Rachel Elizabeth Dare ✔ @REDare
@Son_Of_Neptune: It's best to just not engage with these sorts

John R @TruckYeah
@Son_Of_Neptune @REDare: Globalists! I bet you're pro vaccine too!

Facebook

Account: Peter Johnson
Friends: 26

Post 1
[Image description: Picture of Estelle in a shark onesie]

It's a shark!!

11 Likes 2 Comments:

Madeline Telcom: Mr. Johnson, we discussed this
---Peter Johnson: This isn't a repost! I took this picture!

Christmas morning at the Jackson/Blofis/Chase residence was a quiet affair. All that remained of the breakfast cinnamon rolls and cheese strata was crumbs, but the coffee was fresh when the family settled in the living room to open presents.

Estelle was too young to get into the spirit of the holiday, but she thoroughly enjoyed playing with the wrapping paper. Percy and Annabeth sat on the floor by the Christmas tree, so they could distribute the gifts to the proper recipients, and Sally and Paul sat on the couch watching, content to let their kids do the work as piles of opened presents accumulated around them.

Percy emerged from under the tree with a plain business sized envelope with a blue bow stuck to it. “This one's for you, Mom.”

Sally took it from him and opened it slowly. As she read the paper inside, an huge smile spread across her face. “Really, Percy?”

“3.5! I made the Dean's List!”

“I'm so proud of you.”

Paul took the paper from her and read it, smiling too. “I knew you could do it, Percy.”

“On the subject of NRU,” Annabeth said, fishing around behind a pile of presents and pulling out a scroll tied closed with a purple ribbon. “I have a special delivery for you.”

Percy eyed her suspiciously. That looked far too official to be anything good. He unrolled it and was quickly proved correct. “'To Perseus Jackson, Praetor Emeritus. You are hereby ordered to report to New Rome and resume service with the Twelfth Legion until such time as peace has been restored with the Little Tiber River Naiads. Happy Dies Natalis Solis Invicti. Signed Praetor Hazel Levesque and Praetor Frank Zhang.' Really, Annabeth?”

“I made a deal with Hazel. If she agreed to wait until after finals to do anything about the flooding problem, I'd make sure you got whatever it was.”

“So you put it under the Christmas tree?”

“She agreed that it would be a nice touch.”

“Traitor! I'm not sure if you deserve this,” Percy said with a mock pout, pulling a large present out from the bottom of her stack, causing everything on top of it to spill across her lap.

Annabeth laughed and began pelting him with discarded wrapping paper. “Give me my present, Seaweed Brain! Just because I won't help you evade your responsibilities...”

“Fine! But don't think I forgot that you used the threat of Hazel to get me to spend more time studying!” Percy laughed as he handed it over.

Annabeth immediately began to examine it, the rest of her presents forgotten. It was roughly the size of a large department store clothing box, but she didn't think Percy was the sort to buy her sweaters. She tore the paper off to reveal a polished wooden box. Inside was a set of Atlantian light armor like Percy's, only this set was enameled light blue-grey. A sliver of abalone shell with an inset pearl sat on top.

“It's beautiful,” Annabeth said, then paused. “But how did you get it? I thought this had to be specially fitted? I haven't been in the water since before finals; I certainly haven't seen an armorer.”

Percy smiled sheepishly. “I can tell where the water isn't. So when you're in the water, I have a good idea of your size and shape...”

“And you used that to make a replica of me the armorers could work off of.”

“Yes?” Percy said sheepishly, aware that this could be considered creepy.

Annabeth smiled. “Thank you. I was not looking forward to getting prodded by strangers.”

Percy grinned. “You use the guitar pick-looking thing to make an opening—just run the edge of the pick along the armor and it will open a gap, then you just press the edges together to close it. If you activate the pearl, it'll take you directly to Dad's palace. And you need to be careful if you dive with anyone but me. That blue will camouflage you pretty effectively in the ocean. I'll always know where you are, but mortal divers will have a harder time.”

“We can test it when we visit Rachel in St. Thomas next week.”

“I look forward to it.

Chapter Text

Instagram

Account: Son_Of_Neptune
50 posts; 183,473 Followers; 28 Following (private)

[Image description: A beautiful scene of a coral reef. Colorful fish are swimming around, and in the center of the photo a whiteboard sits on an easel. In thick block print, it reads “Changes ahead!”]

Thanks for an amazing few months! @REDare (verified) and I have a new project in the works! Details coming soon!

#savetheoceans #annoyREDare
93,964 Likes, 45,855 comments

REDare (verified): Here's to the beginning of a beautiful partnership!

MelodyMakesMusic6: This is cheating, asshole!
---SneakySneaky: Seriously, this is not fair dude!
---EricaMatthews9074: @MelodyMakesMusic6: How do you cheat at Instagram?
---MelodyMakesMusic6: @EricaMatthews9074: You use a billionaire to build an insane follower count in no time. We started our accounts on the same day and I don't have 180k followers.
---Son_Of_Neptune: @MelodyMakesMusic6: 💙Sucks to suck!💙
---MelodyMakesMusic6: @Son_Of_Neptune: Coffee is on you for the rest of forever, Algae Breath

SpilltheTea: OOoooooo!!!!!!! Whatever it is, I can't wait!

20kLeaguesUnder: Oh god, what now? An interview with a megalodon? A tour of the lost city of Atlantis? Discovering the Le Griffon shipwreck? Your new Mariana Trench apartment?
---MelodyMakesMusic6: @Son_Of_Neptune: Are you taking notes? These all sound like great ideas!
---Dragon_Mechanic: @Son_Of_Neptune: you never did depth test the camera I made you
---20kLeaguesUnder: Fuck. My. Life.

DrJohnHolmes: Are we finally going to get a face reveal???
---16thDoctor: @DrJohnHolmes: Almost! Check out @REDare (verified)'s account
---DrJohnHolmes: @16thDoctor: Clearly someone (@REDare (verified)) loves us
---SpilltheTea: @DrJohnHolmes, @16thDoctor: She may be my new favorite person

Anakin_Oceanswimmer: I'm starting my bingo card. Whatever the new project is, it will involve no safety gear whatsoever
---TheBrineyDeep: And touching things that shouldn't be touched
---20kLeaguesUnder: And several impossible photographs
---FortyFathoms: And at least one completely clueless comment
---Dive_for_my_Life: and absolutely no breathing apparatus or air tanks
---Swims_with_the_fishes: Don't forget the coterie of weird followers making vague but disturbing allusions to past events
---SeaMeRun: Bingo! Look at @REDare (Verified)'s post

LiveLaughLover: I hope it's videos! My kids love this account so much I just had to take them on a Disney cruise. The dolphin encounter was so much fun! You should do one of those!
---Son_Of_Neptune: Blocked

(more)

Instagram

Account: REDare (verified)
7,863 posts; 3M Followers; 179 Following

Rachel Elizabeth Dare
@REDare (twitter)
Artist, Activist, Annoyance

Repost from @Son_of_Neptune

[Image description: A beautiful scene of a coral reef. Colorful fish are swimming around, and in the center of the photo, a whiteboard sits on an easel. In thick block print, it reads “Changes ahead!”]

Thanks for an amazing few months! @REDare (verified) and I have a new project in the works! Details coming soon!

#savetheoceans
842,486 Likes, 103,843 comments

EnidWexler: My interest is piqued. The last project with @Son_Of_Neptune was a river clean up. Are you doing something coral reef related this time?

SpilltheTea: Yes! Yes yes yes! More collabs! This is going to be great!
---Bi_Bi_Bi_2000: @SpilltheTea: You don't even know what it's going to be
---SpilltheTea: @Bi_Bi_Bi_2000: and I don't care. It's going to be amazing!

HappyLittleTrees: Did you sacrifice your MABF field easel to the cause!?!?!
---REDare (verified): @HappyLittleTrees: I sacrificed nothing. My easel is as good as new. (Do not submerge wooden easels in the ocean unless you have a handy @Son_Of_Neptune to dry them off afterwards)

(more)

-

[Image 1 description: A black-clad male figure kneels approximately a foot above the seafloor as he attempts to position a whiteboard on an easel in front of a coral reef. He is hampered in his attempt by the eight foot long lemon shark nosing at his side. His head is not visible, but the camera has an excellent view of his bare feet and backside. He's not wearing scuba gear.

Image 2 description: the man from the previous photograph has clearly been bowled over by the shark. The easel is laying on its side on the ocean floor, and only the man's feet and legs are visible from behind the shark.]

BTS on our announcement photoshoot. I can't take @Son_Of_Neptune anywhere.

(He's fine. Apparently that was the shark equivalent of a hug.)

#Savetheoceans #Savethesharks #lemonshark #UnexpectedShark #Shark #SharkCuddleAttack #scuba #BeatItBarnacleBoy
2,854,883 Likes, 347,933 comments

LadyLucy: Why do you keep diving with him?
---REDare (verified): @LadyLucy: This one was funny. I wasn't in any danger
---LadyLucy: @REDare (verified): Do we need to stage an intervention?

Anakin_Oceanswimmer: Are you willing to talk about your scuba certs and gear? Unlike @Son_of_Neptune
---REDare (verified): @Anakin_Oceanswimmer: Sure. I just took an OWD refresher, and I'm planning to work towards an AOWD. This was a really simple dive, so we just used the standard bottles and didn't need deco stops.
---Anakin_Oceanswimmer: @REDare (verified): If he's free diving, he can't be your dive buddy
---REDare (verified): @Anakin_Oceanswimmer: I was perfectly safe, I promise. He is an incredibly conscientious buddy, and we weren't the only two in the water anyway

LSUchicka16: Terrifying, and yet strangely adorable.

TheBrineyDeep: WTF?!?! I give up

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[Image description: The outlines of two people are barely visible embracing inside a tornado of bubbles surrounded by the perfectly clear, calm ocean. The one on the right looks like a shadow, clad entirely in black. The one on the left is barely visible at all except for blonde hair. The black-clad one has a single arm extended through the bubbles towards the photographer, middle finger upraised]

BTS on our announcement photoshoot. @Son_Of_Neptune needs to quit making out with his girlfriend and get back to work. Some of us actually have to worry about our oxygen consumption and bottom time.

#Savetheoceans #scuba #BeatItBarnacleBoy
634,831 Likes, 84,520 comments

SpilltheTea: This is what I'm here for! @Son_Of_Neptune and his mermaid girlfriend are adorable!
---EnidWexler: @SpilltheTea: What? We're literally looking at a full body shot of the both of them
---SpilltheTea: @EnidWexler: Do you see any legs? Look at this post and tell me she isn't a mermaid

Truffula_Planter: This looks like something out of a magazine
--- MichaelJones15: @Truffula_Planter: A Johnny Cash spread maybe

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“This isn't a bad way to spend New Year's,” Rachel said. She, Annabeth, and Percy were sipping umbrella drinks on the back of her dad's yacht off the coast of St. Thomas. Normally this would have required a crew that could have stopped them from speaking openly about all things Greek, but since Percy was quite capable of sailing it himself and lounging around at the same time, they decided that the privacy was worth having to fend for themselves.

Annabeth clinked her glass against Rachel's. “I'll drink to that. I am not ready to go back to the real world.”

Percy groaned and hid his face in his hands. “No real world. We're on vacation. And asking Dad for an undersea palace of my own to retire to is sounding better and better all the time.”

Annabeth laughed and prodded him with her toe. “It's not that bad, Seaweed Brain.”

“What's wrong?” Rachel asked, concerned. “Not looking forward to brokering peace between the Naiads and the Legion?”

Annabeth laughed again. “He has a plan for that. Paul spent an evening explaining individual versus collective punishments to him. Once a couple of legionnaires get dragged into the river, the strategic littering should stop. No, he let Sally log in to his Instagram account.”

“Ugh. Did you know Instagram allows private messages?” Percy said from behind his hands.

Rachel started to giggle.

“It's not funny!” He looked up. “I have a ton, and some of them were really nasty! And my mother was looking at them!”

“We got the sexual harassers reported and blocked, Seaweed Brain. The others are the funny ones.”

“The others are worse!”

“What are the others?” Rachel asked.

“Offers! Sponsorship deals! Commissions! The actual honest-to-Poseidon Discovery Channel wants me to do a shark week feature for them! They said they won't ask any questions about how I get my footage as long as they have enough for a special!”

Both women were now giggling in earnest.

“And what's worse, Telcom is going to be all over this schist! It's going to fit right in with her class! And I can't do anything with it, because I'm not giving any of those harpies my name!”

Rachel put a hand to her chest and calmed herself down with great effort. “I actually have a solution for that.”

Percy eyed her suspiciously. “What?”

“We should start a business together—probably a not for profit, but possibly a standard s-corp; we'll have to talk to the lawyers—for the purposes of environmental activism. We can fund it via social media: your Youtube, Instagram sponsors, and straight donations, and we can put a lot of the income towards good works. You'll still get paid, just not as much. And you'll get to keep your identity hidden.”

“If I get paid,won't I have to give my name somewhere? Like to the IRS?”

“I have the entirety of the Dare Enterprises legal team at my disposal. They're very good at hiding where money goes. We can set up a second business entity of your own to collect income.”

“He could do that right now,” Annabeth broke in. “Without the layer of your partnership.”

“He could.” Rachel turned to look at her. “I'm not trying to take advantage of him. I've been aimless these last couple of years. There hasn't been a big prophesy since the mess with the emperors, and while art school is fun, it doesn't require my whole attention.

“The environment is important. I think this is a good direction to focus on; we can make a big difference in the world. And Percy is on track to be a big deal in that space whether he wants to be or not. I can help. I know how to run a business. I've lived in the wealthy charity spaces my entire life. I'm good at getting money from rich people and leveraging social media to send a message.”

She smiled at Percy. “And this way I get to help my friend out. If you just want to make silly videos and get paid for it, I will put the family lawyers on it. But we have a chance to really accomplish something here.”

Percy looked at Annabeth, a question in his eyes. She nodded her agreement. Percy held his hand out for Rachel to shake. “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful partnership, Ms. Dare.”

“It's going to be a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Jackson.” They smiled at each other.

“Wait a minute!” Percy said, and Annabeth groaned, knowing where his mind went. “This means oceanic vigilante is a valid career path!”

Rachel started to laugh again, and the three friends clinked their glasses together in a toast to their future.