Ticket To Ride {Q} nick & annabeth

[Ψ ADMIN SUSHI Ψ]

Percy drummed his fingers nervously on the windowsill of the compartment the three of them were able snag. He fidgeted and moved onto tapping his foot and drumming on his knees instead. Staring out the window at the trees and buildings Percy just wished they could appear at the lake instead of this painfully long journey. But the journey was half of the stupid quest. It didn’t help that his ADHD kept him on his toes and unable to sit still for long periods of time.

He stole a look at Annabeth for a moment before continuing to look back at the scenery. Percy absently felt his inside jacket pocket; Riptide was safely tucked away in pen form. He had been on quests before, so why in the name of Poseidon was he so nervous now? After a few minutes in silence he clapped his hands together and looked to Annabeth and Nick.

“So. We know that we’re heading to Lake Superior, so there is that line of the prophecy. There was another one that told us we were looking for the other half of a whole. Does anyone have any clue as to what that might mean?” He glanced over to Annabeth with an encouraging smile, the best one he could manage at the moment.

[Annabeth Chase]

Annabeth listened to the sound of the constant drumming coming from the person beside her as she studied the advertisement on the compartment wall above the seat facing her and Percy’s. It was the least she could do to keep her mind occupied. Being a demigod, and having ADHD just like any other demigod, travel of this manner didn’t come easy. It was always horrible visiting home simply because it was such a painfully long airplane ride and her hyper-alert senses (another gift (or curse in this case) of being a demigod) made getting any decent rest on said trips very challenging, especially if there was turbulence. Oh gods, turbulence was awful. But thankfully, trains didn’t have turbulence.

What trains did have, however, was a full percussion section, apparently. She felt a little bad for Percy, as she knew travel was no fun, but at the same time, couldn’t he… do a puzzle or something? Something a bit less distracting? And then, praise the gods, he stopped. Silence. Around him, it was often a novelty. Which was soon apparent when he clapped his hands, making Annabeth jump.

She had to smile at him; he really was sweet to be acting so encouraging and everything despite the fact that he seemed more bored out of his skull than anything else. “I’ve been thinking about that,” she said with a slight sigh after a moment. “It’s just so vague though. As much as I hate to say it, I have no idea.”

[Nicholai Hawthorn]

Nick was stretched out in the seat in front of the other two which was just one big booth shaped thing. He had his head leaning back against the side of the compartment as he tapped his large foot against the other side, in rhythm with Percy’s fingers. Not that he even noticed he was doing it. Like the other two Nick was seriously ADHD and was slowly losing his mind, and the fact that he was about 6’4 in a compartment with two other people didn’t help any. He had already tried to read the posters around the compartment, but English being his second language on top of being dyslexic he gave up on that quickly. He had now resorted to looking down at his hands, holding them both about an inch away from each other and watching as an electric current flowed between his hands, looking like something you’d see in science class.

He had actually been lost in his own little world, watching the light travel between his hands when Percy clapped and Nick jumped. Hitting his head on the roof of the compartment and sending off a spark right above the other two’s heads. Though easily missing them. When he sat back down he took a deep breath, rubbing the top of his head.” Sorry…but no Im not really sure. Is there anything at camp broken?” He said in his usual Russian accent, trying to rack his brain as he looked at the other two. Then he had a bit of an idea as he looked at the other two.” Any helpful dreams? I myself got nothing…” He knew it was a long shot, but he knew Demi god dreams always meant something. So maybe Annabeth or Percy had dreamed of some clue?

[Ψ ADMIN SUSHI Ψ]

Percy ducked his head as the sparks flew. He looked to Nick his eyes narrowing, and one of his brows rising slightly higher than the other. Maybe clapping wasn’t the greatest idea but it got the attention of the two of them, which was a plus. Not to mention, seeing Nick hit his head made Percy smile a little inside. Not that he wanted to see Nick hurt, it was just that the kid was big and well, could take Percy down a peg or two. Seeing him do something as comical as that made Percy feel a little happy inside.

He cleared his throat and tried to wipe the smirk from his face. Hearing that neither of them had any idea he gave a deep sigh. “Great.” Percy leaned back against his seat. The dream. He had almost completely forgotten about the dumb dream. He sat forward almost as soon as his back touched the seat. His eyes were wide. “Actually, yeah.” Percy glanced over to Annabeth hoping she wouldn’t be too upset that he had failed to tell her about this sooner.

“This morning I had a dream. It wasn’t about the half of a whole, but I think we may have solved the mystery of finding the light and gaining control.” Percy thought back to his dream. “I dreamed of a lighthouse. And there was a guy standing next to it, he was probably our age and wore a leather jacket. There was writing on the lighthouse, or well a sign next to it. It read Royal or Royale I think. I don’t know it looked jumbled to me. You guys don’t think that we have to fight for a lighthouse do you?”

[Annabeth Chase]

Annabeth ducked in unison with Percy as the sparks came a little too close for her comfort. Perhaps she should have warned Percy it wasn’t always a good idea to startle Nick… The news that he didn’t know of anything wasn’t encouraging, either, though it was a good idea about the dreams. Demigod dreams usually did have some meaning. That was about when her own dream from just last night came back to her. Speaking to Luke in that old playground they used to go to so often all those years ago… But he had warned of something.

She was about to say something when Percy beat her to it. He had had a dream? And hadn’t, you know, thought they should know before now? Then again, she was one to talk, but that was different. She gave Percy one of her patent-pending ‘Why-did-you-not-bring-this-up-before?’ looks, then resumed listening silently. Well, it was helpful. A lighthouse, with either the word ‘Royal’ or ‘Royale’ in the name. And a teen in a leather jacket? “That’s definitely possible… I wish I knew more about the lighthouses in the area…” She gave Percy another ‘I-might-have-been-able-to-research-this-if-you-told-me-sooner’ look. “Do you have any idea who the person might have been?” The only person who was even close to their age who might wear a leather jacket that she could think of was maybe Nico, but he seemed more inclined to aviator’s jackets.

After a moment, she added. “I… actually had a dream too. Though not so much about the quest, I don’t think. There was just a warning of old and evil forces coming. And maybe others. That Camp Half-Blood may be in danger. But again, I don’t think that’s the quest. Not very reassuring, all the same.” She looked between Nick and Percy as though apologizing silently for the less-than-happy news.

[Nicholai Hawthorn]

Nick caught the look on Percy’s face after he hit his head, well he was glad he was able to amuse him. Not..But he didn’t mention it. Last thing Annabeth needed was him and Percy arguing at the moment. As he sat back down properly in his seat he held his side quickly, they where still sore from his fight with Gail but all he could do was hope the other two didn’t notice. Yeah he was hurt but the cuts weren’t that deep and he was to stubborn to let them slow him down and get himself or Percy and Annabeth killed. Well, at least not the other two..When Percy started telling them about his dream, Nick wondered why he hadn’t brought it up before and by the look on Annabeths face she was wondering the same thing.

“ Royal? Royale? That’s R-o-y right?” He asked as he looked at Percy, because he wasn’t exactly sure because of the language thing.” because I think I saw something labeled like that on a map Annabeth had..Do you remember it?” He asked looking at her, wondering if he didn’t remember right. Just he had been looking over her shoulder last time she had been looking at the map. He just couldn’t remember what side of the lake it was on.” Only kid I know that wears a leather jacket is me, and I think he would have noticed if he was 6’4” He said when she asked them if they knew who it could have been. He really had no idea, why did Annabeth ask him to come again? He didn’t really seem to be much help…

Though when she said she had a dream too he rose an eyebrow. What she did way was rather cryptic, he had a feeling that she wasn’t saying the whole dream. But since she would have told him it was important, and the fact what she had to say sort of sucked he didn’t push her on it.” Camp in danger?…Old and evil forces.” After that he swore in Russian and just mumbled to himself a bit. That wasn’t good, not at all. And he had left Gail back there, not to mention a lot more of his other friends. What if something happened while they where gone?

[Ψ ADMIN SUSHI Ψ]

Percy expected the glares and probably rightfully deserved them. He gave Annabeth an apologetic look followed by an innocent shrug. He licked his lips and thought back to the person in his dream. Percy had a sneaking suspision of who it was and he knew Annabeth wouldn’t like it. He had had a dream about Phobos before and had actually heard him in the lake. Keeping the information from Annabeth proved detrimental to Percy’s health. Besides it was important to know what they were up against.

“As much as I hate to admit it, I’m about 90 percent sure it was Phobos our very own God of Fear.” Percy rubbed his temples. His eyes fell on Nick. Royale? He hadn’t remembered seeing anything on that map Annabeth had. Then again his dyslexia didn’t help in a pinch. It would take more than one glance at something. “No. Wait, so we really are looking for a lighthouse then? I didn’t think the prophecy would be that literal. ‘Find the light and gain control’.” He face sunk with realization. “Which means we’ll probably have to come in contact with Phobos. Great. That sounds like a party. Why can’t there be a metaphor in there somewhere?”

He did a double take and stared at Annabeth as she decided to share her own dream. Percy scoffed a little, way to call the kettle black. “Danger?” Percy grabbed for Annabeth’s hand. “How are we supposed to help them if we’re on a quest? You know I think that great prophecy Rachel gave two years ago is about to come full circle. Annabeth get out the map let’s find this lighthouse. The more we know about this place the better chance we have…against a God.”

[Annabeth Chase]

Annabeth glanced at Nick with he held on to his side a little too quickly. That wasn’t a good sign. His words provided enough distraction that she didn’t get around to bringing it up (yet) though, besides a quick ‘are-you-ok?’ look. She paused. So he’d seen something on the map? “No, I don’t remember anything. Then again, I wasn’t looking at lighthouses, or for that word.” She reached into her bag to fish around for the map while the other two talked. So it was Phobos in Percy’s dream… great. And Percy was being a bit whiny… also great. “Well,” she said calmly, though a bit cold, as Percy’s attitude was a little annoying, “that can happen with prophecies, you know. There probably is a some play on words in there somewhere though. You know that.” She rolled her eyes.

Speaking about her own dream, however, seemed a really bad idea, as both of the other two suddenly more-or-less panicked. Nick going off in Russian was never a good sign and usually indicated something was about to end up fried to a crisp, which was really not good in such a tight space. “Calm down, Ni-“ She was cut off, though, when Percy practically grabbed her free hand for dear life. For the gods’ sake! “I think I realize that, Percy. Honestly. You think I want to be poking around some lake against an insane god any more than either of you? And I am getting out the map if you didn’t notice,” she said, pulling the map out and waving it. “I know patience isn’t exactly your strong suit, but really. And how about you calm down too, Mr. Grumpy Gills, or you’ll start sounding as depressing as Rachel. What will come, will come. And we will face it when it does.” Though it still was a bit worrisome, the whole idea…. She wish she knew more so she could start working on a good strategy…

[Nicholai Hawthorn]

Nick looked at Annabeth, shit she had noticed him grabbing his side. He looked into her eyes, his own looking hesitant for a moment before he nodded to tell her he was just fine. Lucky for him that the next conversation was able to distract her from his sides, for now at least. Phobos? He looked at Percy as he explained who it probably was.” The god of fear, well that just sounds peachy. We will just have to try and be prepared for whatever he tries to throw at us. And since he is the god of fear, probably try and remember that some stuff we see may not be what it seems.” He said as he looked at the other two, knowing that this quest was definitely going to be hard and that they would have to work together.

“ You would prefer it not to make as much sense? Honestly I thought we have been getting off easy that it has been so easy to figure out. And wasn’t one of the lines that one of us would have to face our fear?” He said the last part with a little less determination. He honestly wasn’t sure what his worst fear was, but he also didn’t want to find out. He didn’t want Annabeth or Percy to have to either, but how could they avoid it?” Though the line about finding some guy in darkness, it could mean your Phobos friend. Or someone else…” He said gently but it was more like he was thinking out loud.

Though when Annabeth told them about her dream, he did freak out a little until she told him to calm down and he took a deep breath. They didn’t need him frying anything else.” Yeah it’s a god, but it wouldn’t be the first you two have dealt with right? And we have to have some chance..” Annabeth was one of the smartest people he knew, not to mention the fact he and Percy where sons of the big three, As Annabeth brought out the map he leaned forward a bit, wincing just because in such tight corters it was easier to aggravate his sides. He looked down at the map before asking.” Well, when do I get to start frying some fear god?” He said with a small smirk, hoping to get a little bit of their spirits up. All three of them needed it…

[Ψ ADMIN SUSHI Ψ]

The tone in Annabeth’s voice grated on Percy’s nerves. He knew that she was probably pissed at how he was acting but could she blame him? Percy snorted and glared over at Annabeth at the reference to the movie Finding Nemo. Yeah, he had seen it not in theaters but his mom had wanted to rent it to watch it. Percy sat up a little and threw his arms in air. “Sorry if I sound a little on edge. I’m just a little concerned with us being attacked from both ends. Maybe Phobos is up to something, drawing us away from camp so he can attack?”

As Nick voiced his opinion Percy couldn’t help but give a little smirk. Though inside he was terrfied (ironically) at who would have to face their fear. He tried not to look over to Annabeth at the thought. Percy didn’t want to guess what her numero uno fear was. Not that Percy wanted to be the one the prophecy spoke of. He wasn’t ready to lose Annabeth, he just couldn’t’ let it happen. This only left Nick to the be the target which wasn’t exactly what Percy wanted, he didn’t want to throw the guy under the bus.

“God or no God it’s still, well a God.” Percy shook his head and started again after the confusing sentence. “I’ve faced Phobos before and I got lucky. I mean, we were in an aquarium and I had some aquatic help for snapping me out. Phobos is dangerous just like any other God. Right now he might be more dangerous than any other God we could be facing because I hurt his pride."

Percy made a face and sat back against the seat. "Which is like kissing your ass good-bye when it comes to the Gods. They don't like it too much. Not to mention his dad Ares still hates my guts and is still probably looking for any reason to turn me to ash. I’d love to jump in and take him on cause I’m all invincible but I don’t want you too to get hurt.”

Percy drew in a breath and held ti for a moment as he reached again to take Annabeth’s hand. He looked back and forth between the two of them. “If it comes to an actual battle can you two promise me that you’ll let me take one for the team? I mean if we have to find the other half of a whole, which makes no sense to me, then you two find it and I’ll take care of the James Dean wannabe.” How very like Percy to throw himself under the bus. Truth of the matter was if it did come to a battle he was the only one who could take on a God and still stand a chance. Then again, with Phobos’ power no one really stood a chance. Percy would just have to remember not to look in the guy’s eyes. Cause that would be an easy task. Percy forced a grin to his face.

[Annabeth Chase]

Annabeth nodded solemnly at Nick’s words. Yeah, just remember everything might not be real… piece of cake right? Oh great. And the part about one of them facing their fear? Not encouraging. She sighed. “Well, at least we have each other, right? We’ll have to help each other out if it comes down to seeing what is and isn’t real, especially for whomever that line is talking about. I’m sure we can do it. And finding someone in the dark…” She paused, thinking. "I know I don't fancy meeting this Phobos person in the dark. Then again, wouldn't want to in the daylight either. Let's hope it means something else." She tried to laugh to help lighten the mood, but it only marginally worked.

Percy's voice drew her attention, though her ADHD had forced her to forget what that topic had been. “What? Oh.” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly before continuing. “Yeah… well, it’s not like everyone back at Camp is defenseless. You know how hard that place is to attack.” Annabeth bit at her lip slightly in thought as Percy went on, the seriousness of the situation keeping her from laughing at his contradictory statement. “Percy, what exactly happened the last time you met Phobos? Why did he come after you? Is there anything at all that you remember that might help if we have to face him during this quest?”

Of course Percy had insulted this Phobos guy. It seemed a bit much to expect that he wouldn’t; like it was a hobby of his or something. Her mind had wandered back to the time they’d met Ares when she felt him take her hand and she looked over at him. It took her less than a minute to jump in. “Percy, no!” She squeezed his hand, laying the map on her lap and placing her now free hand over his. “I don’t care if you are invincible. We’re in this together. As long as we work together, there’s less chance of anyone getting hurt.” She looked to Nick as well. She didn’t want either of them hurt, but the idea of losing Percy… She looked back to Percy and added a little quieter. “Please promise me you won’t.”

[Nicholai Hawthorn]

As Percy freaked a little bit more Nick sighed, hoping they wouldn’t have to sedate him until they got there.” Even if that is Phobos’ plan, if we turn around now we will fail the quest and probably not get there in time to be any use to them. Not to mention Annabeth is right, we aren’t leaving them defenseless. It isn’t the easy place to attack, and we aren’t the only big three kids.” He said softly, though he knew one of the other kids was Percy’s sister. His point was the fact that Annabeth had two sons of the big three with her wasn’t exactly crippling the camp.” and all the other demigods there, we seem to be getting more kids every other week.”

Nick leaned back in his seat as Percy explained his last run in with this guy, he had insulted him? Oh well this was going to get interesting. Just at least he would know what they where going up against more then he had thought before. However when Percy asked him to let him take one for the team he shook his head.” No way In Hades can I promise you that.” He said determined and he was glad that Annabeth seemed to be on the same page as him.” You going in it alone will get someone if not yourself killed, I knew there was a chance that I wouldn’t come back when I agreed to go with you guys.”

“Even if you are invincible, wasn’t that Castellan guy? And Achilles? If you hadn’t noticed neither of them died of old age.” He knew that he was pointing out a dark fact, but what was he supposed to do? Percy was getting ready to go up against a god on his own and invincible or not that could end with him going to meet their good ole uncle.” Im going to have both your backs until the end, so get used to it.” He said with a small smirk to Percy and then he looked at Annabeth with a comforting smile." Just is there anything you know that will help us?" He asked them both.

[Ψ ADMIN SUSHI Ψ]

in the D A R K i hear a call C A L L I N G me there
* * * * *
i will go T H E R E and B A C K again

Percy knew that there would be some arguments about his self-sacrificing plan. He sighed and impatiently listened to Annabeth as she tried to talk him out of it. His gaze shifted over to Nick who seemed more outspoken on the subject than Annabeth. He saw a look of determination in the son of Zeus’ eyes. It was intimidating. Then again, Nick was intimidating all by himself without having to say a word.

When Nick made mention of Luke he automatically glanced at Annabeth waiting for that look to enter her eyes whenever someone spoke of Luke. Percy had been aware of it since their first meeting. He felt a tug on his heart but understood what Nick was trying to do. He was just trying to protect Percy, and so was Annabeth.

He sat forward on the seat a little and bounced his knee, “As long as Phobos is unaware of where my Achilles Heel is then I’ll be fine. Besides, what Luke did saved everyone. If I had the chance to do the same thing well, I wouldn’t hesitate.” Percy swallowed not bothering to glance at Annabeth knowing he would receive a deadly stare. He would figure out a way to fight Phobos on his own later on and it was safer to just agree with the two of them.

“If you two get killed don’t blame me alright?” He forced a grin to Annabeth and leaned over to give her a kiss. Percy sat back in the seat flushing pink forgetting about Nick for a split second. "Sorry. Um, nothing more than don't ever look Phobos in the eyes. Its how his powers work, he shows you your worst fear and it's almost impossible to break from. So do you have a plan Wise Girl? For when we get to where we are going?”

[Annabeth Chase]

Annabeth shifted slightly in her seat at the mention of Luke. Sure, it had been nearly two years now since he’d taken Annabeth’s own dagger to his Achille’s heel (or… armpit?) and ended the war against Kronos, and his own life. But it seemed like just yesterday. It was something she still had nightmares about occasionally. Not something she wanted to be reminded of yet again. Thankfully, Nick changed the subject. She nodded slightly. “Thanks, Nick…”

She stopped short and looked to Percy when he spoke. She wished he wouldn’t talk like that, but that was Percy for you: stupidly brave. No matter how much she hated it. She was ready to argue, though what she would say she had no idea, when he leaned over and kissed her. That always had a way of shutting her up. Though it didn’t last long. She could tell his smile was forced and no matter how much he joked, she couldn’t bring herself to smile. This quest was going to be a lot more dangerous than they originally thought. The ‘bone, spirit, and faith will break’ line from the prophecy was beginning to seem all the more daunting.

She nodded slightly, starting to feel a serious sense of foreboding. Well, guess it wouldn’t be much of a quest without that, right? Okay, so just don’t look in Phobos’ eyes? How hard could that be? Considering this was a god and quests were never easy… probably really hard. Annabeth was deep in thought, her mind going a million different directions at once, which really wasn’t that unusual for her. She snapped out of it, though, when Percy asked her a question. “To the lighthouse? Well, it’s hard to say what we should do there until we actually know what is there. Probably our best bet, should there be no other real indication, is to search any outbuildings. Especially if there’s like a keeper’s house that no one is living in, that seems an ideal place either for this Phobos guy to be hiding, or for whatever we’re looking for to be hidden. The light itself, by general designs at least, would likely be very basic and the chance that anything would be in the tower itself if much slimmer. Not saying she shouldn’t check of course. We just need to be on the lookout. Treat it like we’re in Medusa’s layer, if this guy does his damage with simple eye contact.” She paused. “Speaking of which, Percy, do you know if it has to be direct? Like, unfiltered, unreflected sight? For instance, would we have any advantage looking through something or off something? That might help trying to search this place if we don’t even know where the threat is.”

[Nicholai Hawthorn]

Nick could tell that something about what he had said had gotten into Percy’s thick skull, at least a little bit, because just the way he looked over at him. Well progress was progress right? He didn’t really want his 'cousin' scared of him but he also didn’t want him to get himself killed either. He didn’t catch Percy's look towards Annabeth when he mentioned Luke, however he did notice how thankful she sounded for the change of subject. Was there something he didnt know?

Though as Percy went on he decided that now wasn’t the time to wonder about that, they had more pressing things to worry about. Like getting them all threw this breathing, yeah that would be nice. As he mentioned Lukes sacrafice Nick nodded, he agreed with him there." Lets not have it come to that though alright?" He said as he crossed his arms over his chest before laughing weakly." Oh if I die, Im going to enjoy driving hades up a wall." He joked before Percy kissed Annabeth.

Deciding a little teasing may help the mood, the son of Zeus made a face." Oh come on guys! Small spaces here...awkward." He said with a teasing smirk, hoping they both realized he was playing with them. Well, a little bit. He still kind of felt a little third wheelish when they did that, but he couldnt really blame them. They seemed to love each other as far as Nick knew, and knocking on deaths door probably? Yeah he would want to be close to someone too. When Annabeth went on about her plan Nick nodded in agreement." Maybe spilt up? You guys go one way and Ill go another, If I need back up I'll send up a spark. If you guys need the same, Percy think you can get some waves to get my attention?" He said as he looked over at him, though he knew it would all matter what they had to deal with when they got there.

When Annabeth mentioned filtered vision, Nick pulled something out of his pack. Pair of dark sunglasses." Well if that works Im covered, and Im sure there will be a souvenir shop if we need more...Or are we just not going to be able to look him in the eye period?" He asked looking outside to check where they where before back to Percy and Annabeth.