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Post by Nicholai Hawthorn on Jul 30, 2010 22:03:06 GMT -5
Nick had been the last one to keep watch while the other two slept, and had woken them both up when the sun breached the horizon. Time was everything right? They had no idea what they where going into. While Percy and Annabeth where having breakfast Nick had scouted ahead and saw that there was a tour boat leaving soon and it would go close to where they wanted. Well, maybe they'd swim it? He quickly ran back to the other two and told them his plan. Sneak on the boat, and swim the rest of the way. He had a feeling Annabeth wasn't to thrilled about sneaking, but they all thought it was their best bet.
It wasn't long until they had headed for a entrance of the boat that was off to the side, it was probably for kitchen staff or something. They boat was pretty big after all. There was just one guy watching the door." I got this...Wait here.." He said as he walked up to the door, the guy watching it was about 4 inches shorter then Nick and allot skinnier." Uh....Only Authorized personnel here..." He said as he tried to keep the sound of authority even though Nick looked like he could beat the guy senseless." Oh, we're Authorized.." He said before he placed two fingers under the guy's ear and he fell to the ground. When turned to the other two and waved them ahead." Come on!" He said in a loud whisper before he made his way threw the deserted kitchen, the other two behind him. Once they where out in the hall way where other passengers where allowed he looked at Percy and Annabeth." He will by fine!...I promise." He said as he leaned against the wall behind him." But Ive felt like you guys have been keeping something from me all morning, what's up?"
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Post by Annabeth Chase on Jul 31, 2010 17:34:35 GMT -5
Annabeth didn’t concentrate on much in the morning, which wasn’t really that uncommon, considering the ADHD inherent in all demigods. After hearing about Percy’s dream last night, she was less than thrilled to be on this quest, to be honest. Then again, every other quest had seemed hopeless at about at least five to six points during its duration, right? So it was normal. But Phobos’ plans… a soul for a soul… She shivered. This really was turning into three years ago all over again, just minus a living architectural structure trying to either kill them or drive them mad. And they were up against a god rather than a ghost. She’d take the ghost again any day. She vaguely remembered being woken up, and eating a granola bar, and then Nick mentioning a tour boat they could sneak on. She wanted to argue, but there really didn’t seem much else in the way of ways to get to the Isle Royale. It was sort of in the middle of nowhere. Better than swimming the whole way. Percy might like that, but she, personally, was not a fish.
Against her natural desire to lead everywhere, she let Nick show the way. It made sense, after all, as he knew where the boat was, though it did nag at her all the way. It reminded her a little too much of Rachel. But finally the boat came into view and she could relax again, though didn’t it just figure Nick took command again. Annabeth pursed her lips when his back was turned, though whether it was because they weren’t exactly following the law, or that she wasn’t able to do anything herself, was a bit more up in the air. She stood back next to Percy instead, her arms crossed, while Nick went and played Mr. Intimidating. That is, until he made the guy crumble to the ground. Her eyes wide, she only just kept herself from yelling at him and instead made sure no one on the dock had been looking.
She ran after Nick into the kitchen, assuming Percy had enough sense to follow. “Nick, what did you do to him!?” she said in a loud, and slightly angry, whisper. Yeah, making mortals drop to the ground senseless was always a good idea. NOT! She was still giving him a you-better-not-have-screwed-up-this-quest look when they stopped in the hall. “Fine? Yeah, tell that to the people who find him and wonder what in Hades happened and start getting suspicious. We’re going to have to really lay low now.” But then Nick changed the topic and Annabeth’s anger subsided considerably. She glanced down the hall. “Let’s talk somewhere a little more… private than a hallway, shall we? Come on.”
Without waiting for a response, she turned and led the way down the hall, looking for somewhere a bit more promising. It wasn’t really a huge boat, which didn’t lend itself to many decent spots. But finally she managed to find a small side hall that seemed promising. She stopped and turned to Nick and Percy, her expression slightly worried. “There is something….” She gave Percy a meaningful glance. “We think we know what Phobos is up to. And… he knows what we’re up to too.”
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Post by Ψ ADMIN SUSHI Ψ on Aug 4, 2010 10:20:34 GMT -5
Percy was still preoccupied from the dream he had the night before. He kept running over the scene in his mind. It was terrible and unheard of. He adjusted the strap of his book bag, his eyes distant in thought. “How could she say his name?” Percy whispered a loud. He cleared his throat hoping neither Nick or Annabeth heard him. He forced a smile to Nick and took Annabeth’s hand for a second and gave it a squeeze.
He couldn’t get his mind off of that detail. Percy knew he should have been focused on the whole, soul for a soul deal. And who the name of Hades was Riley? Percy thought to Ethan and scowled. Yet another half-blood led astray by the pretty little lies of a God wanting to dethrone Olympus. Percy couldn’t understand what would possess anyone to listen to Phobos or any God like that. He wouldn’t be caught dead doing any deed for Phobos. He would sooner die, unless it was to protect Annabeth. Percy bit his bottom lip; maybe that was what Riley was doing it for? He did mention a sister.
Percy drew in a deep breath as they approached the boat. Percy’s dad may have been God of the Seas but this was a Lake, freshwater not fully part of the territory. He eyed Nick skeptically as he moved up to the door. What was Nick about to do? Percy watched lazily for a moment. As the guys body dropped to the floor like a sack of potatoes Percy’s eyes grew wide and his jaw dropped. “What—“
He moved over to examine the guy. He wasn’t angry like Annabeth, more impressed than anything. Percy chuckled and slapped Nick on the shoulder. “Remind me not to get on your bad side.” He looked over to Annabeth and gave her a quick hug. “Come on, Wise Girl don’t worry about it. Besides I didn’t see you leaping forward with an idea.”
The lightness of the situation faded, Percy and Annabeth had to tell Nick about the dream. Percy gave a sharp intake of breath and traded a look with Annabeth. He followed after her down the hall where they could talk privately. They were alone before with just the unconscious body guard. Percy blew through his lips and leaned back against the wall. He went on to explain his dream—leaving out the kissing scene in the beginning—to Nick trying to recall every detail he could.
“Phobos was sitting with some other half-blood. I’ve never seen him before. His name was Riley. I think he’s only following Phobos because of his sister whoever that is. Phobos was talking about a soul for a soul. Trading Riley’s soul for another.” Percy scratched his head and sighed. “So basically. Phobos knows we are coming on the down side but on the plus side we know what he is planning.”
He looked at his watch. “T minus two and a half hours till we jump ship.” Percy said tapping the face of his watch. “We have planning to do.”
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Post by Nicholai Hawthorn on Aug 4, 2010 13:39:27 GMT -5
Nick wasn't sure if he was more angry or guilty at the fact Annabeth was ripping on him on his idea. Yeah maybe he should of stuffed the guy in a closet, but he had been caught up in the moment to get them in there! Leave it to him to screw up on the first quest he was ever apart of. However he tried to not let any of his doubts show." He will be fine, I only knocked him out...If anything they will think he fell asleep on the job." He said in a low and even tone. Just when Percy hit him on the arm, sounding impressed." I'll be sure to keep that in mind for you." He said with a small chuckle as they walked into a room off the hallway and he listened to what the other two had to say.
He watched as they both exchanged looks, he had a sinking feeling that he wasn't going to like what the had to say. He was right." He knows we are coming? Well isn't that the most wonderful news.." He said after Annabeth spoke, but when Percy continued Nick just stared at them both." A half blood named Riley? " With a sister...
His mind for a moment was back on the beach at camp where he had met Sami, daughter of Hermes. “Riley’s my twin. He’s a son of Hermes too. No, it couldnt be.. I know Riley is still alive. I don’t feel like I’m completely myself without him around. Like I’m notwhole.” It could, It wasn't just a coincidence, it couldn't be. " Guys....I think the kid is who we are looking for. A friend of mine back at camp, Sami Mitchell Daughter of Hermes. When I met her she told me about her twin brother Riley and how she believed he was out there, alive and that without him it didn't feel like she was whole..." It all fit, didn't it?
Percy brought him out of his thoughts when he said how long it was until they took a jump for it, he looked down at his watch without really thinking about it and let out a weak chuckle." We going to sinc our watches now too? Your sounding so 007" He hoped that he hadnt just boosted Percy's ego a little to much or something.
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Post by Annabeth Chase on Aug 4, 2010 22:08:15 GMT -5
If Annabeth had expected Percy to take her side on the whole security guard matter, which in itself was up in the air, she was sorely mistaken. The fact that he was completely impressed, she could deal with. But what he said after that stung worse than anything, and she'd had her share of pretty bad injuries.
‘Besides, I didn’t see you leaping forward with any idea.’
Annabeth bit her lip. Ever since they’d left, she’d felt like she’d been losing control of this whole quest. Percy had thought of the lighthouse. Nick had seen the Isle Royale Lighthouse on the map. Percy had figured out what Phobos was up to. Nick had found this boat, as well as gotten them on it. She, the ‘leader’ of the quest had done… nothing. She hadn’t managed to contribute a single thing. At least when they’d gone down into the labyrinth people actually looked to her for something. Before Rachel entered the picture, that is. Now it was like Rachel was back all over again, and she was just a passenger on her own quest. Gods, she hated this!
She stayed moodily silent as Percy explained his dream, listening only enough to catch what was being said. And then he had the gall to be all like ‘hey, we need to do some planning!’ That was the last straw. He was just having a grand old time taking over her quest, wasn’t he!? She crossed her arms. “Well then, since you two are so wonderful at making all these plans, I’ll just leave you to that, shall I? I’m going to go look around the boat for a good way off when the time comes we need it.” She didn’t bother waiting for a reaction, but just turned on her heel and marched off. She didn’t need to listen to this. They probably didn’t care in the slightest that maybe she might want a say in her own quest. And she’d been so keen on proving herself after what happened last time. Well, bang went that idea.
It felt like forever that she was walking around the boat, looking here and there and occasionally talking to people just to seem a little more casual. Then again, she wasn’t paying attention to time. She never once glanced at her watch. Let the ‘007’s handle that, she thought bitterly. She heard voices ahead, hardly bothering to listen. That is, until she heard something unusual. “Three halfbloods. Yes, I’m sure of it. And best yet, two are male. I can handle them easily.” That silky tone, and talking about taking down Percy and Nick specifically because they were male… And then to top it off, the monster crossed the room, thankfully further from the door… and her footsteps definitely did not sound like normal, or even matched, feet… And it had been such a [relatively] uneventful trip so far…
As silently as she could, Annabeth ran off to find the other two before the empousa did…
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Post by Ψ ADMIN SUSHI Ψ on Aug 5, 2010 21:54:08 GMT -5
Percy’s brow furrowed. The name Sami rang a bell; he had heard it just recently the night before. Annabeth had talked about a prophecy Rachel gave and how a half-blood named Sami had heard it. If this was her brother Percy was going to do his best to bring the kid back alive. Sami was, after all Nicks friend. He remembered Bianca and Nico and how Nico reacted when Percy came back without his sister. Percy didn’t want that to happen again. He back to the first line of the prophecy.
“You seek to find the half of a whole.” He murmured. Percy smiled at Nick and gave a nod. “Yeah, I think you’re right.” But the smile quickly faded. “We need to find Phobos fast when get to the island. We can’t let him trade Riley’s soul.”
Percy turned to Annabeth, they had figured out another piece of the prophecy. He expected her to look excited or relieved or some kind of emotion other than what she was wearing right now. Percy blinked in confusion at Annabeth’s sudden anger. After she stormed off Percy sighed pitching the bridge of his nose. He was playing the hero again. He automatically took the lead, and this was Annabeth’s quest. What an idiot. Percy thought about following after Annabeth but ultimately decided against it.
“Let’s find a place where we won’t get into trouble.” At that moment his stomach growled. Percy patted it and pursed his lips. “On second thought I’m going to find a place where food is present. You coming?”
Percy wandered off without waiting to see if Nick followed or not. He was preoccupied with hunger, and the realization that he had been a complete jerk by taking control. His stomach churned as Percy passed by a room with a alluring smell. Was it the kitchen perhaps? The boat ride was like 3 hours; did they have meals on the boat?
There wasn’t anyone around this room or even in it. However there was a table full of a food. Not even bothering to think of how odd or wrong it would be to barge in and start stuffing his face, Percy followed his gut literally and entered. He looked around. No one. The table was filled with trays of cheese, crackers, vegetables and dips and there was even a fruit salad accompanied by fresh whole fruit. It wasn’t exactly the double bacon cheeseburger he was looking for, but it would have to do.
“Look at this.” He muttered making a grab for the cheese and crackers. Percy looked around one more time. The moment the food touched his tongue Percy smiled. For some reason this food just tasted better, maybe it was because he was so hungry. Food always tasted amazing the hungrier you were.
“I like a boy with a healthy appetite.” The female voice from his right made Percy jump. A piece of cracker got stuck in his throat. He coughed a few times and cleared it out. Percy turned not expecting to see a tall blonde round about his age maybe a year or two older. She had a dazzling smile. Percy stopped chewing and stared wide eyed at her. She was beautiful. Percy swallowed hard as the blonde stepped closer to him. She clearly had no idea what personal space meant, but to be honest Percy didn’t care.
“Heh…” Was all Percy managed to get out.
The blonde smiled and reached over to the fruit tray and grabbed a strawberry. She offered it to Percy. He opened his mouth and allowed her to place it inside. He could feel his face turning bright red. As he chewed Percy couldn’t help but feel and odd sense of déjà vu. For some reason this felt familiar. And another part of Percy’s gut and brain were telling him to be careful. After he swallowed the blonde leaned in closer.
“You’re so cute, I could just eat you up.” The blonde was only inches away, her lips so close that Percy could smell the peach lip-gloss. He could even feel the warmth of her breath on his face and she got closer. The danger signal was going off in Percy’s head but he ignored it. He closed his eyes and waited for their lips to meet.
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Post by Nicholai Hawthorn on Aug 5, 2010 23:07:03 GMT -5
Nick had been about to respond to Percy about him probably being right about the prophecy when he saw Annabeth storm off and he looked confused for a moment. Then he had his palm connect with his forehead while he swore under his breath in Russian." We where idiots weren't we?" He hadn't even really noticed until now that Percy, and even him had been playing hero. He couldn't help it, he wasn't exactly used to working with others, not to mention letting someone else lead. He was the only person in his cabin, and an only child on his mothers side. Well, as far as he knew, he hadn't spoken to her in two years. Who knew what was going on in her life now.
When Percy said he was going to go find something to eat he nodded, he wasn't that hungry but he also didn't feel like they should be separated more then they already where. If Phobos knew they where coming, was anywhere safe? He fallowed behind Percy but then he saw a guard eye him funny, so he quickly made a turn down an opposite hallway to try and avoid him. He would have to catch up with Percy later. As he walked threw the deserted hallways he put on his sunglasses, and pulled up the hood of his hoodie that he was wearing under his lucky jacket.
However, a guy who was about six four wearing glasses and a hood brought more attention then Nick would of hoped. It wasn't to long before a guard was grabbing his leather clad arm." Hey kid, where's your ticket stub?" Thinking quickly, Nick kept his head down and did his best to make his accent sound even more noticeable then usual." К сожалению, не владею английским языком дурак. Теперь позвольте мне, прежде чем я ударных вас." The guard just stared at him." Uhhhhh...." He thought he may actually get away with this one, when he recognized the guard and he did him." HEY! Your the punk that knocked me out! He had about enough time to think Shit! before he saw the guard getting ready to yell." STOW-waaghhhhhhh" Nick had hit him in the neck again, and was now hoisting the guy over his shoulder." You ever thought of laying off the dougnuts buddy?" He said to the knocked out guard as he snuck him down the hall and stuck him what looked like a break room on the couch before quickly making an exit.
" Now where did Percy and Annabeth get too..." He said to himself before he decided to check the kitchen, Percy had said he was hungry and hopefully to two love birds had met up already and not to mention made up. He wasn't sure what was worse, feeling like a third wheel. Or being in the middle when those two where fighting. However when he got to the kitchen Percy was with a girl, but it WASN'T Annabeth. A beautiful blonde girl that looked about his and Percy's age was about to kiss him....wait no...bite him, or was she going to kiss him? He could of sworn he saw the girls eyes go red and head for Percys neck. Either way he rushed forward and grabbed the girl by the scruff of the neck and pulled." Hey! He is spoken for lady." He said as he looked down at her, the girl just smiled.
"Oooo! Aren't you a big specimen. And foreign too, I love foreign food!" She said as she grabbed a hold of Percy's wrist while looking up at Nick. He kept on thinking something wasn't right, but she was so pretty and he just couldn't help but smile and totally miss the fact she had called him food." I'd love to have you boys for dinner. Doesnt that sound lovely?" She grabbed onto the neck of Nicks shirt, pulling him down to her. All while keeping an iron grip on Percy's wrist..
(Russain: Sorry, don't speak English you idiot. Now let me go before I shock you.)
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Post by Annabeth Chase on Aug 6, 2010 23:03:21 GMT -5
Annabeth felt like she must have searched the entire boat. It wasn’t this big when she was actually looking through it before! Or maybe it just seemed bigger because she had to find the other two. Naturally, things almost always seemed more complicated when one really, really needed to reach the answer. Of course they weren’t back where she’d left them - she’d checked there first. Olympus only knew how long ago that had been. She was starting to get seriously desperate when she heard an all-too-familiar voice up the hall through one of the open doors marked ‘Galley’. Figured.
It already sounded like something was going on. She could hear Nick there, that was good news, sort of. At least she knew where he was. Percy, she had no idea, but knowing his aptitude for getting into dangerous situations, he’d be worse off than Nick. The empousa was speaking, and Annabeth wasn’t about to wait around out here and try to figure out what she was planning. Pulling her dagger out, she ran to the doorway, blocking it. “Hey! Let them go now or I swear I’ll run you through!”
Annoyingly, the empousa just smiled coldly. “I’m afraid I have no more room for another… ahem, guest at dinner, missy. And besides… I don’t believe in killing girls.” She smiled what would have been a nice smile if it weren’t for what she had just said, as well as the fact that she wanted to murder Percy and Nick.
Well, she hadn’t really expected the negotiation idea to work; most monsters didn’t really believe a demigod could destroy them until it actually happened. So plan B. Trouble was, Percy and Nick being completely to near-completely starry-eyes and stupid right there in her grasp wasn’t helping much. Then Annabeth noticed something: a nice big bowl of fruit punch on the table near the door. Grabbing it, and sending the red liquid sloshing all around in the process, she heaved what contents were left - a significant amount - at the empousa, Percy, and Nick. Nothing like being showered in sticky beverage to wake one up. And the empousa letting go of Percy and Nick so she could scream about how her dress was ruined was a nice touch too. Annabeth took the opportunity to lung at the empousa with her dagger, shoving Nick out of the way and aiming for the monster's heart.
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Post by Ψ ADMIN SUSHI Ψ on Aug 7, 2010 9:50:33 GMT -5
Nick’s voice didn’t even register with Percy. He heard someone talking what sounded like miles a way, but he never thought it would be Nick. His attention was too focused on the blonde who was about to kiss him. Percy moved to lean in to close the distance between them but his head kept moving. Opening his eyes he saw the blonde looking away and over at another person. After blinking a few times he recognized the tall dark haired guy as Nick.
Percy tried to piece together what was happening. Something wasn’t right, and slowly his mind was starting to catch up. When he turned his eyes back to the blonde Percy couldn’t help but give her a goofy smile. The tight grip on his wrist hardly resonated with Percy. He flinched slightly which set off another warning to his brain. Percy forced himself to see the situation for what it was. His wrist started to hurt.
He heard Annabeth’s voice next but it still sounded faint. Percy couldn’t take his eyes off of the blonde. He wanted her to try and kiss him again but something had caught her attention.
As the bowl of punch splashed all over the empousa she hissed and her form immediately changed. Her blonde hair became flaming and the bright eyes she once had were now deep red. She glared at Annabeth as the half-blood came for her. “I take back what I said. I’m going to kill you for that!” she growled. The empousa caught Annabeth’s wrist before she struck her in the heart with the dagger. With a tight grip the empousa bared her fangs and snarled at Annabeth. “We were having such a good time.” The empousa leaned forward about to sink her razor sharp fangs into the half-blood’s shoulder.
Percy sputtered as the punch washed over him. His wrist was free and he staggered backward blinking the sticky liquid from his eyes. Everything became clear in that instant. He was aware of Annabeth and Nick. Outraged by the unexpected and unwanted shower Percy exclaimed, “Annabeth! What did you do that for?”
He shook his arms sending drops of punch everywhere. Glancing up from examining his wet clothing Percy saw the blonde for what she really was, an empousa. His eyes grew wide. “Holy Hades!” Percy reached into his pocket and took out his sword, which to the untrained eye was a simple ballpoint pen. He uncapped Riptide and a pen quickly turned into a celestial bronze sword.
“Hey, Twilight!” Percy called out hoping to get the empousa’s attention. “Let go of my girlfriend.”
Before Percy could run forward something grabbed him from behind. A second empousa had entered the scene. She clutched onto the hood Percy’s jacket and then his hair and pulled him back.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
Percy tried to maneuver Riptide around to cut something, anything off of the monster but was unable to do so. Just so he wouldn’t be able to try again the empousa took hold of Percy’s wrist and squeezed until he dropped Riptide from his hand.
“Nick!” Percy shouted. “Get Annabeth and go.”
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Post by Nicholai Hawthorn on Aug 8, 2010 18:54:15 GMT -5
Nick almost knew something bad was going on around him, but all he could think of the pretty girl that had a hold of his neck wanting to kiss him. Kiss him, yeah! not bite him. Just then he felt a splash of cold water all over him, wait....he smell something fruity? He looked down and saw that it was fruit punch all over him and Percy too. He then looked up , pulling a piece of pineapple out of his hair in the mean time." Hey! Annabeth what the heck?!" Just that was when he saw her run at the girl and the girl at her. Just it wasn't a girl, it was a ugly as Hades monster. Nick had never actually ran across a Empousa before but he had read about them back at camp.
Like Nick and Percy, the monster was covered in fruit punch. Leave it to Annabeth to be able to think on her feet. He was about to turn to Percy to say something when he saw that he now had his hands full." You got to be kidding me!" He had to choose between two friends of who to help. thinking for about half a second it looked like Annabeth was in hotter water so he quickly reached behind the monster, grabbing her by the shirt and pulling her off his friend." Annabeth! go save your boyfriend. I got this one!" He said praying Annabeth would listen, and that he could handle this demon bitch.
"Lets Dance big boy!" She hissed before tackling Nick to the ground, her hair ablaze and catching fire to a near by table." Come on cutie! it will only hurt allot. You know you want it!" Nick then growled, unable to grab his sword on his wrist while wrestling with the monster." Sorry, your not my type!" He said as he used all his weight to roll them both over and grab onto the monsters neck. There was then a sound that resembled a machine short circuiting as Nick shot all the power he could threw his hands, into the neck of the monster. She wailed and then turned into dust under him. He got to his feet quickly, grabbing the lightning pendent off his wrist which quickly turned into a sword in his hand. When he turned around he saw that the whole prep table in the middle of the kitchen was on fire." дерьмо!!! GUYS!" He said hoping the others where under control, though he quickly grabbed a hold of the intercom the ship crew used to say when dinner was ready." Grease fire! Abandon ship!" The fire was spreading quickly and he didn't want to take the chance of Annabeth and Percy's friend making it worse, and the mortals not knowing to get out." Guys! I don't know about you....But my vote is jumping ASAP"
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Post by Annabeth Chase on Aug 11, 2010 20:16:02 GMT -5
Leave it to a couple of boys to be saved from an empousa and all they can think of to say is ‘What’d you do that for?’ Annabeth would have rolled her eyes if she wasn’t focused on the real problem. She had been so close to taking care of that stupid empousa, just one little dagger to the heart would have done it, but no, of course not. She felt like her wrist could break any minute under the force of the empousa’s grip. She heard Percy snap out of his stupid moment, but he must not have been moving fast enough because the empousa’s fang’s were way too close for comfort. She tried pulled away as far as she could, which only seemed to be a source of entertainment for the empousa, who grinned all the wider and sank her claws into Annabeth’s arm so she couldn’t move away any further. She was about to try something, anything, no matter how foolish, to get away, when the empousa backed up.
No, not backed up. She was pulled back. Annabeth noticed - she could hardly believe she hadn’t before - Nick behind the monster. She leaned away, trying not to be pulled right along too, though the empousa’s surprise was enough to let Annabeth free. She stumpled back a step, feeling pain in her upper arm and opposite wrist, but ignoring it. “Thanks, Nick!” No, Percy. She turned to Percy and immediately saw the opening. Thank the gods monsters were idiots.
Gripping her dagger a little tighter, she ran over and twisted for a better angle, then dug her dagger into the exposed side of the empousa. With a scream, she exploded into dust, giving Percy and Annabeth a not-so-pleasant shower. “Stay away from my boyfriend,” she muttered between clenched teeth. When she turned back to Nick, though, all that was left was… a flaming kitchen. “Oh gods! Come on, this way! I know a way out!”
Not even waiting for the other two, assuming they’d follow, she sheathed her dagger and ran from the room, down this hall, around that corner, down this flight of stairs, and down another hall. Finally she ran through another door marked “MAINTENANCE” and found the wide heavily-latched door in the opposite side. With some effort, she unlatched it and let it swing open. It was a six foot drop to the water along the side of the ship. Without even pausing, Annabeth dived.
There was one thing she learned really fast: Lake Superior was REALLY cold.
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Post by Ψ ADMIN SUSHI Ψ on Aug 12, 2010 7:28:31 GMT -5
If there was one thing Percy needed it wasn't rescuing, it was his sword and the empousa to let go of his hair. And of course Nick didn't heed his command to take Annabeth and split. Percy shouldn't have expected either of them to go a head without him. They already had that talk on the train. But when Nick turned the tables and told Annabeth to save her boyfriend, it made Percy feel a little less adept to the situation. Did they both think he needed that much rescuing? If they had given Percy another minute or two he might have found a way out of the monster's grip. That is if he could duck and dodge the two sharp fangs that were headed for his shoulder.
He wanted to tell Annabeth to be careful but those words were not needed. She quickly disposed of the empousa sending a shower of dust over the punch drenched clothing. Percy sputtered and glanced down as the dust settled in and made itself at home on his clothing and in his hair. Looking back up to Annabeth he tried to look as thankful a she really was.
"Thanks, Annabeth." He said in a tone that would suggest anything but thanks. He was grateful though. Just not in that moment where he was now twice as dirty.
The way she had said, 'stay away from my boyfriend' made him grin on the inside. Despite receiving two wanted showers today, he was proud of Annabeth and couldn't help but gloat and think Yeah! That's my girlfriend! He kept his thoughts to himself as other more pressing issues arose. Sparky had started the fire that would lead them to jumping ship slightly a head of schedule.
"I agree." Percy said to Nick at the suggestion they leave. He ran after Annabeth who claimed to know where to go. As he ran to avoid the flame Percy hoped that everyone on board got off safely and prayed to his father that A: there were no more surprise monsters a board, and B: they would reach the island safely from the water. Annabeth was the first to dive in and suddenly all Percy could think about was her safety in the water. He dove in after her. The initial coldness of the water sent a shock through Percy's system but as usual he remained completely dry. Which kind of sucked seeing as how he was still covered in fruit punch and monster dust.
He didn't have time to worry about that though. Percy swam away from the vessel where the flames had engulfed a good quarter of the ship. He could see people in lifeboats and others even in the water. Percy grabbed Annabeth's hand and started to pull her along behind him. When he was certain they were a safe distance away Percy bobbed on the surface for a moment. He saw the island in the distance. It wasn't terribly far, by the son of Poseidon standards. But he knew Annabeth and Nick wouldn't last the tiring swim. It would take at least an hour to swim to their destination. Unless you knew the right aquatic life.
Percy knew that they would be out of luck in the area of dolphins, sharks, or other large aquatic inhabitance such as whales. He didn't know what resided in the lake but anything was better than nothing. Maybe if he was lucky the Loc Ness monster lived here. But as Percy Jackson luck went, the odds weren't looking good. He could probably make the journey without getting too tired so Percy worked on help for Nick and Annabeth.
"Wait here, I'm gonna try to get help." He said. As if Annabeth and Nick had a choice of whether to stay or not. Percy submerged himself fully into the lake. He looked around but could only see where the sun penetrated through the surface. There wasn't much around in their area and it might had something to do with the ship that was a flame and sinking only yards away. Regardless, Percy tried to call out to any all of his aquatic pals. If there was anytime to feel like Aqua Man, this was it.
About half a minute later Percy saw a small group of fish approach him from the right. They weren't as big as Percy would have liked, each of them were about 12 to 14 inches in length. After second guessing getting help from the locals, Percy allowed the fish to go on their way and came back to the surface. He looked at Annabeth and Nick and gave a shrug.
"I guess I'll be the one getting us there. Um, just keep your heads above the water and don't move too much." Percy drew in a breath. Nothing happened at first but a few seconds later the three of them were being surged forward. Doing this would probably tired him out but it was better than watching Annabeth and Nick try to make it on two large fish. "Aqua Man to the rescue." He proclaimed as the water pushed them forward toward the island. NOTES: I enjoy this post greatly! lol Let me know if I should change anything!!
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Post by Nicholai Hawthorn on Aug 12, 2010 20:34:48 GMT -5
Nick was relived that Percy and Annabeth where able to get past the other empousa in one piece. It may have been corny but after all they had been threw on the quest, if something happened to his friends the world would have to deal with one pissed off son of Zeus. Just once they all agreed that they needed to get off the boat, he fallowed Annabeth and Percy threw the Maintenance door and it wasn't to long before he was diving off the boat after the other two, his head breaking the water before his feet totally cleared their diving point.
He blinked once he hit the water, he didn't find it too terribly cold. What could he say? When you grew up in Russia you where used to cold water. Once he was under the water he saw Percy grab Annabeths hand, and he guessed that the fish knew where he was going, it was his turf after all. Once they stopped Nick broke the surface and looked at them, trying to hide the pain in his face. He still had the scrapes from his fight with Gail and swimming didnt really seem to agree with them." Yeah, help sounds good..." He said as Percy dissapeared under the water. Though then he looked at Annabeth." You alright?" Though he used the term alight very loosely.
Though when Percy came back with no little fishie pals he sighed, that wasn't a good sign. However he seemed to be on top of things. As they where pushed forward Nick couldn't help but go." Woah!" That was definitely not something he had been expecting. He nodded to Percy, keep head above water aka don't drown. He could do that, he hoped.
About an hour later, Nick was walking onto the shore of the island, looking up at the light house that wasn't to far off. He turned to Percy." This what you saw in your dream?" Though he had a feeling it was. When he looked up at the sky he saw a bunch of storm clouds rolling in." Well....I'm not sure if I should find that comforting or not." His father was lord of the skies after all, but those storms also seemed terribly ominous. He took a moment to take off his jacket and air it out in wind, at least he didn't smell like fruit punch anymore." What next?" He asked as he looked at Annabeth, trying to make up for being a bit of a jerk when they found the boat.
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Post by Annabeth Chase on Aug 13, 2010 16:15:45 GMT -5
Annabeth had to swallow some seriously harsh comments at Percy’s less-than-pleasant thanks. Oh sure, just take advantage of me having to save your sorry butt. He was really starting to get on her nerves. For how he was acting this quest, she may as well not be here at all! And it was HER quest. One more stupid comment like that from him and, invincible or not, she would smack him. No joke. Luckily, so to speak, the fire sort of distracted her for the time being. That and, when it came to it, the insanely cold water. Apparently, Lake Superior had not gotten the memo that it was now summer. Oh, why couldn’t this quest have taken them to Honolulu or something?
She swam as fast as she could away from the flaming boat, but naturally Percy was faster and she soon found herself being pulled along by the hand. She glanced back and was glad, and a little surprised, to see that Nick was keeping up just fine; was she the only one bothered by this water at all? That, of course, didn’t exactly improve her mood that she was apparently the weak link yet again. Damnit.
After a few minutes, Percy let go of her hand and disappeared under the water in one of his I’m-going-to-go-chat-with-fishies routines. Alrighty. Well, if it got them out of hock, that worked just fine. She tread lightly where she was so she’d stay afloat, and looked to Nick. “Yeah, fine. You? Good job with that empousa, by the way.” Unlike Percy, she believed people should be recognized for doing well. As for herself, so maybe ‘fine’ wasn’t the best term, but it worked. She was pretty sure her arm was bleeding where the empousa had grabbed her, but at least the cold water was keeping it from hurting as bad as it could be. So physically, she was fine.
Annabeth looked over as Percy returned with… nothing. That was unusual. But when he started going on about doing it himself, she braced herself before he could even warn them to; she was too used to being around him. That wasn’t to say that water pushing you along at gods-only-knew how fast was a pleasant experience for anyone save the self-proclaimed Aqua Man maybe.
The ride took forever, and Annabeth was pretty sure she’d lost feeling in her hands and feet from not moving them much in the cold water by the time they got to the island. Which made stumbling onto shore probably worth a good laugh from the other two. Trying to act as normal as she could despite the shivering, she wrung out her hair and looked up at the sky when Nick mentioned it. “Yeah, that really doesn’t look pleasant.” She looked back to the other two when Nick asked about what they should do next and was a bit surprised to find he was looking at her expectantly. She held back a smile; it was a simple little question, but it meant a lot that he was asking her instead of just assuming what to do. She knew full well it was her fatal flaw, but even then she couldn’t always keep her pride in check. She looked back to the lighthouse and the adjoining building, looking so innocent despite the foreboding prophecy centered around them, then looked back to Nick and Percy. “We should start at the keeper’s house. There’s never much space in the lighthouse itself, so it’s pretty unlikely we’ll find anything there; we can save that for later. This place has been abandoned, automated, for decades, so we won’t have any trouble with mortals. Tours don’t even come out here. Though I can’t promise the house itself will be in the best condition, so watch out for that.” She looked between them. “What do you two think?”
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Post by Ψ ADMIN SUSHI Ψ on Aug 13, 2010 20:53:29 GMT -5
The journey to the island didn’t bother Percy in the slightest. He glanced over at Nick and Annabeth occasionally and felt a little guilty for what they had to go through. When they reached the island Percy lingered in the water for a moment he willed himself to get wet and submerged his head cleaning off the monster dust and the sticky fruit punch. He came back up and walked out completely content. There was a grin on his face as his clothes started to immediately dry off.
He glanced over to Nick and then up at the lighthouse. It was the lighthouse he saw which meant they were in the right place. He hoped. Phobos and Riley had been somewhere else not on this island. Percy put his hands on his waist and he craned his neck to look at the lighthouse. “Yeah that would be it.”
Percy made a face at the storm clouds and shrugged. He slapped Nick on the back. “That’s your dad’s area. Just in case I say we try and finish this quest before that hits us.”
Looking over to Annabeth he saw her shiver and immediately Percy bolted forward and wrapped his arms around Annabeth. He hugged her close trying to warm her up. He kissed her on the top of her head. Just when he couldn’t get any more oblivious. She was probably freezing the entire way. If she died of pneumonia it was on his head. Crud.
He listened to Annabeth’s plan and nodded. He was pleased to hear that there would be no mortals to worry about. One less thing to try and explain. Percy looked over to the keeper’s house and gave a nod. “Sounds good to me. It’s your quest.”
The house was a little beaten from storm damage and it smelled musty. Other than a few hundred cobwebs and spider webs it wasn’t terrible. He leaned over to Annabeth and whispered playfully, “Stay close. I’ll protect you from any and all eight legged freak.”
He looked around for any sign of Phobos but no one had been in this house for a long time. Percy held onto Annabeth’s hand and looked over to Nick. “I don’t know about you guys but I don’t think Phobos has been here. Kind of not what I would imagine for a bad guy headquarters.”
Thunder rumbled from outside it was soft at first but the next set was suddenly louder and more violent. Percy’s brow furrowed. “Don’t think you dad is too happy right now.”
Percy did a double take. He thought he saw something outside of the window across the room. He let go of Annabeth’s hand and walked over slowly. He stayed off to the side so he wouldn’t be seen. There were defiantly two people outside. He signaled for Annabeth and Nick to come over. Percy couldn’t get a good look form the angle they were at, but it probably wasn’t safe to speak in normal voices anymore. He mouthed the name PHOBOS and pointed out the window. So this was it, another battle with a God. Oh how fun this was going to be.
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