So This Is Manhattan [Open]

[james]

James looked out the plane window as he had been for the last… well, the entire trip really. But especially when the skyline of New York City came into view. So this was the great Manhattan? The location of the single greatest battle his kind had ever fought, or at least that he knew of. This was where his half-brother had accomplished his great feat. This place. And here James was. It was one of the rare instances when the otherwise- stoic man, at least this day and age, was truly excited. Not only would he see Manhattan, but also the other children of gods, demi-gods, people like him, who lived here. Sure, Morpheus had warned him in advance that they were mostly just kids still, but that didn’t take away from the thrill of the opportunity to not be so very different for once.

He waited impatiently, by his standards, for the plane to land at LaGuardia and for the tedious wait to get off. It was so worth it though. Even the airport, jammed as it was with people, was a fascinating new experience. It was certainly the busiest airport he’d been in. And so close to Manhattan. His bag over one shoulder and suitcase in his other hand, he set off to find a taxi to take him to the nearest subway stop. May as well get the full New York experience, after all. The lines were awful and the crowds thick, but James still enjoyed every minute of the long ride to Central Park.

Central Park itself was amazing. So many museums and any other countless attractions - though in his opinion the museums trumped all - it was astounding. And the park itself was beautiful. After over a year in Anchorage, Alaska, it was nice to see green again. And lots of it. And there, like a crown, rising above one end, was the mini mecca for his type itself. Or, rather, it was a good deal of a walk south, but it could certainly be seen. The Empire State Building. To think Mount Olympus was floating high above that needle spire. It had been two years since he’d learned about all of this, and he was still trying to get used to it. It sounded like one of the peculiar mental case studies from his old textbooks, it was so unreal. But apparently not so much. James sighed, more content than anything else, and found himself an unoccupied bench near one of the many bodies of water in the shadow of the Plaza Hotel and studied his surroundings with silent fascination.

[Joel Harbor]

Joel was playing hookie. He was tired of Camp Half-Blood and wanted to get back to what he had done before Camp. He wanted to be his own self proclaimed superhero even if only for a day. He wandered Manhattan with a few bucks in his pocket and another pocket full of drachma. Joel wondered what the exchange rate was for a drachma. Not like he had a place where he could exchange it for cash anyway. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jacket. Everytime he passed by a payphone Joel contemplated using some of the cash he had to call Maggie. It had been a few weeks since he’d spoken with her and he wanted to know if she was all right.

A terrible image entered his head, Maggie’s lifeless body and cold eyes staring up at him. Joel shook it from his head. Phobos told him he had to stay at camp in order to prevent that from transpiring. It wasn’t like Joel left Camp for good, it was just for the day to get away from the confines of the place. He was crawling the walls, the lonesome Triton Cabin was too quiet for him to handle.

What Phobos didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him. It was one reason Joel didn’t rush to contact Maggie. If Phobos was keeping tabs on his family and somehow found out that Joel had called, he would know that he had left the Camp. Joel still had every intention of bringing Percy Jackson crumbling. Why should one son of a sea god get all the glory. Joel had most of the same abilities, sure he wasn’t a son of the Big Three but he deserved some attention for all of the good he had done outside of Camp Half-Blood. Percy Jackson was an over rated glory hog.

Just thinking about Percy made Joel scowl. He kicked the nearest thing a mailbox. The blow vibrated through his shoe, to his foot and up his leg. The pain followed soon after. Joel muttered a few choice curses in Greek before hobbling away. He drew a few onlookers but ignored them. He stalked down the street in a fouler mood than before. His foot throbbed in pain. He blamed Percy. Perfect Percy. He was so sick and tired of hearing about him.

When the pain of his foot became more than an annoyance Joel flopped down on the closest bench. He leaned over and massaged his foot. Hopefully he didn’t break it, which would royally suck. Joel didn’t even realize he had sat down next to someone. He glanced over at the guy. Joel felt unexplainably weary and tired. He shook it off and looked the guy up and down before returns to rubbing his foot.

“Mailboxes aren’t as soft as they look.” Joel muttered in a quick explanation. He wasn’t sure why he felt the need to explain a reason for why he was rubbing his foot. Joel took off his gray shoe and set it on the empty piece of bench next to him. No blood on his sock. That was a good sign.

OUTFIT:: H E R E
WORD COUNT:: 524

[james]

James had been pondering which museum to visit first when his attention was drawn to someone coming towards him. He appeared maybe 20 or so, and judging by the look on his face, he was not having a good day. That and he had a strange ever-so-slight limp, which was what drew James’ attention to him in particular. Though he assumed he would likely never know. One thing he’d noticed about Manhattan so far: people walked around as if in a little bubble of their own world. Hardly anyone paid attention to anyone else unless they had to. It was such a strange place. Back in Anchorage, everyone knew everyone, and if they didn’t know someone, they were just as friendly and welcoming as if they did.

He had just pretty much assumed he might be better off not asking if the young man was alright and simply let the situation go when, as the Fates would have it, the boy sat next to him seemingly without even meaning to. Sure enough, he started fussing over his foot. James watched him silently until he finally seemed to notice that the bench was not vacant indeed. Though the young man’s greeting was a little unusual. “They never struck me as appearing particularly soft to begin with. You stubbed your toe, perhaps?” He looked up at the sound of loud honking on one of the streets around the park as a bicyclist was nearly plowed over by a car. The driver laid on the horn like he was getting paid for it and flipped the guy off, and the cyclist hardly seemed to notice. New York certainly was a different world.

James turned his attention back to the young man with the mailbox problem next to him. He’d taken off his shoe and seemed to be checking for any major damage. “Are you alright?” He had stubbed his own toe plenty of times and knew it was unpleasant, though he wouldn’t be surprised if somewhere like this crazy city the mailbox couldn’t have just jumped up and bit the boy’s foot instead.

[Joel Harbor]

Joel felt every inch of his foot and while it hurt a whole hell of a lot, everything seemed to be in place. There wasn’t anything broken from what he could tell. He was willing to bet there would be a good bruise on it in days to come. And of course it would be a little sore to walk on. He exhaled and glanced back over at the man on the bench next to him. He was older probably mid to late twenties. He surveyed the man over a few times, something he didn’t do upon first speaking to him. He looked like an all right guy. Joel stifled a yawn. That was weird, he felt so awake after kicking a freaking mailbox.

Joel let out a small chuckle. “Yeah. Stubbed it, let’s go with that excuse.”

He brow furrowed slightly in curiosity as the a car driving by distracted the man on the bench. He looked startled by the horn. It took Joel a few seconds after that to piece everything together. The guy wasn’t used to the city and the sights and sounds of it all. Joel further smirked. “I’ll manage to survive the brutal attack by the mailbox.” He replied placing his shoe back on his foot.

Scooting back on the bench until his back hit the base he turned his head back to the guy. Joel sucked in a deep breath held it for a second and exhaled. “Big city huh? They say it’s the city that never sleeps. Or is that Chicago, San Francisco?” Joel mused trying to think of the proper city for the saying. He thought for a moment deciding that New York was the proper one. “Anyway, I can only guess that you aren’t from around here. Call it intuition but I can tell you’re new to this whole New York city big buildings and lights deal.” He said gesturing to the cityscape around them.

With a crooked half grin Joel leaned forward and extended his hand to the guy. “I’m Joel Harbor.” He almost added son of Triton to that introduction, boy would that have been embarrassing and confusing for the guy. Joel turned his head to the side and yawned. “Sorry.” He apologized. “Long day I guess. So where are you from that makes this place look like a whole new world?”

OUTFIT:: H E R E
WORD COUNT:: 393

[james]

James pondered the young man’s curious attitude. He was certainly hiding something. Whatever had happened in regards to the mailbox must have been embarrassing or something; no other real reason not to share it. Though the ruckus of the car horn and rather foolish cyclist seemed to change the young man’s mind as he afterwards referred to it instead as a brutal attack. Joking around, must be, James figured. Something he had never been very good at, joking around. It wasn’t that he didn’t try though. He smiled. “Well, that is good news. I shall make a memo of the vicious mailboxes in this area and make a point to avoid them.”

He leaned back as well, looking around the buildings at the young man’s question. “Yes, quite large. They say every city has its own flavor, if you will, and I am beginning to agree even more strongly.” He paused and looked to the young man. “Yes, I do believe you are correct in this city's nickname, though I've mostly only heard that one refering to Las Vegas myself. Chicago is known as the ‘Windy City’ and San Francisco as the ‘Golden City’. Ironic, really. I'm sure there's some time the entire city must have slept,” he added, though it was hard to tell if he was joking or not. It was, in fact, the great Battle of Manhattan that made him see such irony in the name. Then again, the mortals hadn't known it had even happened, so let them believe what they may. He smiled pleasantly as if this was perfectly normal conversation topics anywhere other than a complete nerd convention. “You would be correct in your guess that this is all quite new to me. Your intuition serves you well.” With a half-smile, he looked up, straight at the Empire State Building. Yes, it was very, very new.

When he looked back from the towering building, though, he noticed all the yawning and overall drowsiness of the young man that hadn’t seemed to have been there before. Oh great, it was happening again. Which was why, when he reached his hand out to shake, James did nothing in response. It might raise attention if he put the lad to sleep right then, after all. “It is a pleasure, Mr. Harbor. I am Dr. James Shreve. Forgive me if I don’t shake your hand. I’m just getting over a cold. Wouldn’t want you to get sick.” It was an excuse he’d used too many times. “I grew up in South Carolina, in the farm lands, but have lived in Anchorage for the last few years. So, yes, you could call this radically different. I came to see Long Island to be specific, but thought I’d see the city sights first. And yourself? You seem quite at home in this place.” Even though he didn’t seem like he was from around here. Judging from the people he’d seen so far, Joel was far too friendly to be a New Yorker.

Word Count: 541

[Joel Harbor]

Joel smiled awkwardly at the guys comment about avoiding vicious mailboxes. At the guy knew how to take a joke. He shifted his position on the bench slightly as his backside began to fall asleep. It was bad enough that he was tired he didn’t need every part in his body passing out. Joel was about to tune out of the conversation as the guy started to talk about Chicago but he couldn’t help but smile a little at the last comment. Oh yeah, this city slept time two ears ago. Joel had heard about that one, but he didn’t think on the Battle of Manhattan for too long it all boiled down to Percy Jackson and his wonder team of demi-gods.

Joel chuckled a little and shook his head staring out at the city. “Oh I’m sure you’re right.” He said as if he was sharing some inside joke. Joel found it ironically funny. He couldn’t help but beam broadly out at the people who went on about their business. He wished he could have been here to see the entire city a sleep. That would have been something very interesting to see. Too bad he was still in high school and living in upstate New York at the time of the incident. Joel was certain he would have been able to take on that Luke/Kronos fellow.

“My intuition has been known to be pretty awesome now and again. It’s also saved my life a few times.” He muttered quietly. Joel didn’t even really realize that he had said the last sentence it just slipped out. He cleared his throat and waited for the guy to take his hand. Joel shouldn’t have been surprised in the least to be left hanging there with his hand extended like a fool. He retracted his hand at the cold excuse. It wasn’t the first time Joel had heard that used whenever someone didn’t want to shake your hand. Hell, Joel had used that on occasion though to be fair he used it back in High School. “No. I guess we wouldn’t want that.”

Joel was surprised to hear that the guy was a Doctor. Neat. He nodded as he listened to James speak. Joel had never made it past Notrth Carolina in his travels. He didn’t like to travel far of course because of Maggie. He was only in North Carolina because of a special case of monsterness. He and his sister were visiting their aunt and uncle’s summer home. Joel thought they should have a summer home somewhere more summery, like Florida perhaps.

“I’m from upstate. But I’m not a stranger to Manhattan. I’ve visited several times in last year, business stuff. Long Island I know too, I actually kind of live there right now. It’s a semi permanent residence just until I get a few things taken care of. Then I’m heading back to live with my Aunt.” Joel gave a shrug, “I’m not sure if home is the word I would use. Still don’t feel like it’s home, not even my place in Long Island. It’s just I’m used to big cities. I’ll always be a city boy I guess.”

OUTFIT:: H E R E
WORD COUNT::531

[james]

James smiled slightly, though it more resembled a smirk, at Joel when he mentioned that Manhattan likely had been asleep all at once at some point. He wasn’t fully sure, but he thought he heard something in the young man’s voice that was a bit different than average conversation. It made him wonder a bit just how much he knew. He sat back as Joel continued speaking. “Well, that is quite good to hear it has done you such a service on occasion. That is certainly something to be thankful for.” When the young man offered his hand to shake, James immediately felt a little bad, not to mention alienated - though that one wasn’t a knew feeling - that he couldn’t shake it. And he had a feeling Joel saw right through his excuse, as it was one of the oldest in the book. How he sometimes wished he could tell people why he did what he did, what he really was. But that was why he was going to this Camp Half-Blood, right? To be around people like himself for a change, and to see how they lived and dealt with their… gifts.

He nodded slightly as Joel explained his own vague residency. It was almost sad to see one so young as this boy already finding no home in the world, though perhaps that was simply due to the coming-into-adulthood phase and other things of that sort that James could talk for hours on end about. He decided store that little idea away for later pondering. No need to have a full interview in the middle of Central Park on his first day here with the very first person he’d met. It was curious though that he was here on ‘business’, as he claimed. Wasn’t he a bit young for that? Unless he simply looked young for his age.

James was about to say something in response when something that stood out even in this great metropolitan area caught his eye. He looked over to where he could just see through all the trees and walkways and everything to a glimpse of the far side of the park. Something was over there, and it wasn’t human. He had only met a handful of monsters over the years due to his location and his relatively, well, minor parentage; it wasn’t like he was a big three brat or even a child of one of the Olympians, though of course there was no doubting his father was rather… influential. Still, he could tell a monster when he saw one, and the creature just on the other side of the street, though he couldn’t tell just what it was, fit the bill. He looked back to Joel, remembering that the young man was there - curse this ADHD! - and smiled slightly. “Perhaps you might show me around a bit, if it’s not too much trouble? I admit I’m rather lost in this maze of a city. I was hoping to see the Empire State Building, but I’m not all that positive on how to get to it really. And would you know at least directions that might lead one to Long Island the fastest from this area?” Sure, he did need help finding some of these places in this huge city, but more than that he wanted to help get at least this young man away from the area before whatever that was caught sight of them. It was the least he could do.

Word Count: 602

[Joel Harbor]

Joel wasn’t sure what to think when it came to James. He was interesting to talk to for the most part and pretty nice. Most people in New York were bitter and cold, but since James wasn’t from around here he was the exception. Joel chewed on his lower lip as he listened to James speak. It was still a little odd that James didn’t accept his offered handshake. There was something not quite right about the guy but Joel couldn’t put his finger on it. He stifled another yawn and nodded. Why was he suddenly so tired? Joel felt completely fine prior to sitting down on the bench. He felt extremely awake after kicking the mailbox and practically breaking his toes.

“Yeah I guess.” Joel replied half distracted as he tried to fight away the sleepiness. He rubbed his eye and forced a chuckle. “I’m sorry, just got tired all of sudden. Weird.”

Joel cleared his throat and sat up straighter on the bench. He opened his mouth to say something but he saw James glance a way as something else caught his eye. Joel’s eyes followed to see what had caught the attention of this odd doctor named James. He did a double take. His demi-god sense was tingling so to speak as he stared off in that direction of the park. Something wasn’t right. Something wasn’t human. His eyes narrowed and his shoulders went back in alert. Joel snapped back to attention when James spoke again.

He watched James cautiously, now suspicious of him. Glancing from the point of interest back to James Joel raised a brow for a second. He licked his lips slowly, “You know, I’d love to but…” His eyes met the monster for a second. “I have to go. I’m sorry. It was nice meeting you.“ Joel stood up quickly adjusting the strap of his bag. He swallowed and looked back to James. This guy had seen something. What other reason would James have to look in that direction? It was too much of a coincidence. Joel went to walk away but hesitated.

Turning on the balls of his feet Joel gave James a look up and down one more time. He had grown extremely and unexplainably tired when sitting down on the bench next to James, James refused to shake his hand and claimed to be sick, and there was a possibility that James sensed the monster just across the way. Joel’s mind worked fast, the guy also wanted to get to Long Island and see the Empire State Building. Joel pursed his lips and would have to make this quick. If James were who he thought he was then what Joel was about to say would not sound like the ramblings of a lunatic.

“You know, I never fully introduced myself.” Joel said slyly. “I’m Joel Harbor, son of Triton.”

OUTFIT:: H E R E
WORD COUNT::479

[james]

It was too much like James’ younger days back home, before he knew his real powers. Watching Joel all but fall asleep, it reminded him of his sister. For a moment, his mind wandered. He’d talked to his sister on the phone about a month ago, and even confided in her that he was a demigod. She had been surprised, but understanding, and more than a little curious. But still, that was just over the phone. He hadn’t actually seen her since he’d gone off to college, gods-only-knew how many years ago now.

When Joel cleared his throat, James looked back to him, or rather, actually saw him again rather than the random ponderings. It was lucky he had come back to though, as a monster had shown up, which tended to be bad. Try as he might to make it seem normal, he had a feeling staring at nothing, or whatever else mortals saw of the thing through the Mist. He tried to play it off by asking Joel for a small tour, which seemed a poor excuse to get away, but at least it was one.

It didn’t work. He immediately noticed Joel looking where he’d been looking, seeming oddly… alert, or something along those line. It was all quite peculiar. Why would he be so upset by something that most likely, at least from past experiences, looked just like a normal person? And then there was the suspicious look. Well, this was going swimmingly. Not an hour in Manhattan and he was already working on his off-his-rocker-oddity-of-nature reputation. Splendid. It was no surprise to hear Joel come up with some reason to leave. How many times had that happened. As Joel turned and walked away, James slipped back into his usual silent introspection and picked up his bag with an inward sigh.

He was just about to walk off when Joel’s voice made him turn. For a moment, he wondered what could possibly have stopped him, though he didn’t have to wonder for long. His eyes lit up and a broad smile crossed his face. ‘You’re a demigod!’ He mouthed silently, knowing at least enough not to say such a thing too loud. The rest he didn’t worry about so much. “Fantastic.” He dropped his bag and stepped up, holding his hand out automatically. “Absolute pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Harbor. Absolute.” Then he noticed his hand and let it drop. “Oh, right, terribly sorry. And I do apologize for the exhaustion you may have been experiencing. Though there is a significant chance it would be considerably worse if I actually shook your hand. But I digress. It is, I believe, high time I fully introduced myself as well. James Shreve, doctor of psychology and son of Hypnos.”

Word count: 489

[Joel Harbor]

Joel couldn’t help but give James on of his sideways grins at his reaction. It was a good thing Joel’s intuition was spot on. Otherwise he would have looked extremely foolish. He almost took the guy’s hand but James dropped it. His brow creased. This guy was pretty reluctant to make physical contact with Joel. As weird as it was Joel had to assume James had a very good reason for it all. And if James wasn’t making contact with Joel because he could kill him with a touch, or send him flying then Joel was all right with it.

As if reading Joel’s mind James proceeded to explain the reasoning behind the no touchy rule. He nodded carefully. Yeah, he was glad not to have shook the guy’s hand. It explained a lot and by power of suggestion Joel reached up and rubbed his eyes. He tried to hold back a yawn but it was difficult. Joel chuckled a little and forced his eyes to stay open. It was curious to meet a kid of Hypnos. His powers were pretty strong and could be useful to have on his side. And by his side Joel meant Phobos. Inadvertently Joel played the roll of recruiting manager. Bring down Percy Jackson, and gather the troops. He wanted to tell Phobos to shove it but it would be unwise.

“Hypnos eh?” He said sounding impressed. “I’m glad we’re all out in the open now but uhh I think we have something to take care of.” Joel glanced over to monster in disguise. There was no way the two of them could go out and attack the thing, whatever it was, here in the open. Joel didn’t want to risk innocent lives. Plus, he wasn’t sure what kind of skills James had under his belt. Joel chewed on his bottom lip for a moment. “So Sandman, you have any special skills, besides the obvious of course.” He yawned again. “Sorry. Think I may have to constantly drink coffee around you.”

Joel wanted to press for more information from James after finding out he was a demi-god but it would have to wait. He would of course lead the guy back to Camp but monsters and stuff came first. Joel may have worked for Phobos secretly but he wasn’t completely evil and cold hearted to let people get hurt. Besides if they didn’t get rid of this thing before they left there was a good chance it would follow them all the way to camp.

OUTFIT:: H E R E
WORD COUNT::421

((sorry if its terrible! >.<))