I don’t think Mr. Brunner/Chiron gets enough attention in this fanbase so I figured I’d talk a bit about what I wanted to go for with my take on him.
To preface, I am not a black Chiron truther. I think that show Chiron is a great character but the energy he carries is different than what I would hope to see from Chiron.
As I hope to go about it, Chiron is a teacher who knows how to reach out to students in need and help them navigate a dangerous system which does not care for them the way they need it to. However, I think that is only half of what Chiron should be.
Chiron is also known for training a great many heroes, and I feel like that should mean something to him. I chose to take the route of him being in a kind of retirement. He taught the greats, saw his students form kingdoms and dynasties, slay monsters, and almost invariably suffer tragedies that were entirely their own faults.
I wanted the tragic nature of Greek heroes to be a large part of Chiron’s character, something I feel Riordan did a good job of capturing in the original books. He is no longer a wise sage promising glory and godly praise, he is an old man who has seen centuries of young people go out, do incredible things, and die because they could not overcome their own shortcomings.
There is an emphasis in the books on how the characters have fatal flaws, I wanted my Chiron to be focused less on raising a new generation of monster slayers and more on teaching the kids how to live with themselves and the trauma which always follows them.
Once I got over the fact that my Latin teacher was a horse, we had a nice tour, though I was careful not to walk behind him. I'd done pooper-scooper patrol in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade a few times, and, I'm sorry, I did not trust Chiron's back end the way I trusted his front.
-Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief
Why is he so funny?!😭 bitch his centaur former teacher poops everywhere 🤣
Percy spends the next few days in and out of consciousness, which is weird, because at this point I’m pretty sure that his wounds are all psychological. Occasionally he’s fed “something that tasted like buttered popcorn, only it was pudding” by the girl from the end of the last chapter.
When she saw my eyes open, she asked, "What will happen at the summer solstice?"
I managed to croak, "What?"
She looked around, as if afraid someone would overhear. "What's going on? What was stolen? We've only got a few weeks!"
Unfortunately for The Girl, a guy covered in eyeballs comes in to tell her that it’s still too early for this much foreshadowing.
Eventually Percy wakes up sitting on the porch of that farmhouse, feeling weak. Grover is there, wearing a “CAMP DEMIGOD HALF-BLOOD” T-shirt but otherwise looking normal. Then he hands Percy a broken Minotaur horn and confirms that yeah, his mom ostensibly exploded last night and he’s still got hairy goat legs under his jeans.
Percy is just “FML,” which, y’know, fair.
I was alone. An orphan. I would have to live with...Smelly Gabe? No. That would never happen. I would live on the streets first.
"I'll put a pin in that idea.” —Rick Riordan
Grover, who is honestly weepier about this than Percy, advises him to drink something which looks like apple juice but tastes like “my mom's homemade blue chocolate-chip cookies, buttery and hot, with the chips still melting.” It makes him feel a lot better, though Grover implies that the stuff would kill him and possibly Percy if either of them drank too much.
Grover then leads Percy to the back of the house, and we get our first real glimpse of Camp Half-Blood:
Between here and there, I simply couldn't process everything I was seeing. The landscape was dotted with buildings that looked like ancient Greek architecture—an open-air pavilion, an amphitheater, a circular arena—except that they all looked brand new, their white marble columns sparkling in the sun. In a nearby sandpit, a dozen high school-age kids and satyrs played volleyball. Canoes glided across a small lake. Kids in bright orange T-shirts like Grover's were chasing each other around a cluster of cabins nestled in the woods. Some shot targets at an archery range. Others rode horses down a wooded trail, and, unless I was hallucinating, some of their horses had wings.
At the end of the porch, Percy sees The Girl and a man who “looked like a cherub who'd turned middle-aged in a trailer park.” (I must admit, I do like that description.) They are apparently Annabeth and Mr. D.
Percy is surprised to also see Mr. Brunner, who it turns out is actually named “Chiron.”
“Scale? Never heard of it.” —Some ancient Greek artist
"Ah, good, Percy," he said. "Now we have four for pinochle."
He offered me a chair to the right of Mr. D, who looked at me with bloodshot eyes and heaved a great sigh. "Oh, I suppose I must say it. Welcome to Camp Half-Blood. There. Now, don't expect me to be glad to see you."
[...]
She glanced at the minotaur horn in my hands, then back at me. I imagined she was going to say, You killed a minotaur! or Wow, you're so awesome! or something like that.
Instead she said, "You drool when you sleep."
Then she sprinted off down the lawn, her blond hair flying behind her.
You know, Hogwarts has a much nicer welcoming ceremony. There’s a feast and everything.
(Also, it should be “blonde,” with an “e.” Just saying.)
Mr. Brunner says that he’s glad that Percy didn’t get horribly killed, as that would have made his tenure at Yancy Academy “a waste of time.” (See, he clearly had no interest in the other students.) Apparently Grover was planted at the school to look out for future protagonists, and when Chiron heard about Percy he murdered the previous Latin teacher and took a job at the school in order to watch him.
Percy finally cuts to the chase and asks what the heck is going on, and Chiron reveals that the Greek gods are real.
Oh, and Mr. D is one. Specifically Dionysus, god of wine, though he doesn’t like going by that because “names are powerful things” and I still don’t understand why we’re doing this bit. As far as I know, the ancient Greeks weren’t scared of using Dionysus’ name, and it apparently doesn’t hurt him or anything, so...? The point is, Zeus is mad at him, so now he has to spend the next century running a summer camp and getting no rum for his rum and Coke.
So, let’s talk about Dionysus for a minute.
“No, I’ve never actually seen a leopard. Why?” —Some ancient Greek artist
He’s actually a pretty complex character. If you don’t want to watch this very interesting 17-minute video, we can summarize by saying that he originally seems to have been a scary god of madness, but over time he developed into a younger, friendlier god with some scary stories still attached to him. The thing is, Mr. D doesn’t fit either of those portrayals very well. I think Riordan was going for the creepy original version (there’s a whole paragraph describing some of his scary stories), but he comes off more grumpy than terrifying. I guess the lack of booze is making him irritable.
He fits the role of grouchy camp counselor pretty well, though I’m not sure why he hates Percy so much in particular. Unless Riordan just needed a Snape for his Harry Potter bingo card.
"If you were a god, how would you like being called a myth, an old story to explain lightning? What if I told you, Perseus Jackson, that someday people would call you a myth, just created to explain how little boys can get over losing their mothers?"
No, Chiron, he was created to encourage little boys with learning disabilities. Get your facts straight.
First off: kudos on Percy’s first name, I like that detail. Secondly, I have to question: why don’t people believe in the Greek gods anymore? Mr. D says that Percy will be incinerated if he refuses to, but by that logic, why isn’t Zeus hurling lightning at people until they burn up some BBQ for him? How’d y’all let Christianity take over your cosmic empire?
"Well, now," Chiron said. "God—capital G, God. That's a different matter altogether. We shan't deal with the metaphysical."
Hmm.
He kicked your ass, didn’t He?
Nah. He sent His kid to do it.
The adults are still being vague, expecting Sally to have explained things a bit more. Eventually Mr. D leaves with Grover, saying that they need to discuss “[his] less-than-perfect performance on this assignment." Percy asks Chiron a few more questions, and learns that the “Greek” gods have apparently moved Mount Olympus to America.
“What you call 'Western civilization.' Do you think it's just an abstract concept? No, it's a living force. A collective consciousness that has burned bright for thousands of years. The gods are part of it. You might even say they are the source of it, or at least, they are tied so tightly to it that they couldn't possibly fade, not unless all of Western civilization were obliterated. [...] America is now the heart of the flame. It is the great power of the West. And so Olympus is here. And we are here."
*rubs temple* Do I want to try and unpack this? ‘Cause there’s so much to go over.
Like: what counts as "Western civilization," at a time when globalization is spreading it to non-Western countries? Or conversely, when the West takes on non-Western traits? Are the gods only tied to Greek influences, or influences from the new countries that they come to? If they’re the embodiments of Western civilization, what does it mean that said civilization has been primarily defined by Christianity for so long, and follow up, does that mean Christianity dying in Western countries, ironically, hurts them?
Don’t get me wrong, having characters as the personifications of cultural traits is an interesting concept. I just don’t think that Riordan plans to go into that as much as he should.
And heck, I can imagine them moving without making it all philosophical. Look at Greece’s economy. The Olympians wouldn’t be the only ones emigrating.
So Percy is kind of freaked out about being included in this “physical embodiment of Western civilization” thing, and finally asks “Who...who am I?" Chiron admits that he doesn’t know, but that in the meantime, he'll help him get settled into camp and also reveal that he’s a centaur.
I mean, the next chapter confirms that Percy knows the myths about Chiron, so he shouldn’t really be surprised.
Anyway! The characters are okay-ish, but the plot is overly complicated even though it’s barely begun. Come back next time when Percy finds out more of it and also blows up some toilets.
First Chapter || Previous Chapter || Next Chapter || AO3
I moved into my dorm.
Setting it up was fun.
My roommate hasn’t arrived yet, so I picked the side by the window and started setting up.
I put my bedding on the bed (blue of course), my clothes in the dresser (his school ones and his nice clothes from Triton), my rainbow stone and star globe on the table by the bed, my books on the shelf, I put the candy my mom gave me in the drawer, put my collection of stuff from the sea (assorted gifts from my mer friends and some cool shells and coral pieces I like) on the shelves, and finally set up the fish tank for the human fish I’m still trying to turn back human.
The fishes name is Carl, which is really boring but…
I also put my copies of Avatar on the shelf, and small amount of memorabilia around the room. I’ve heard rumors of a sequel, how fun!
I frowned, studying my side of the room. I don’t think I’m missing anything…
Other than Triton and my mer friends…
Ugh, I hate boarding school already.
I sulked but moved to shove my notebooks on the shelf too.
Classes don’t start for a few days, so I suppose I could spend the next few days looking around the campus. Hopefully this year there wouldn’t be any… incidents.
I grabbed my ocarina and my music book and settled on the bed to practice.
I really like the ocarina, it makes such nice tunes, and it’s made from a really dense coral, it’s brilliant.
I began the warm up tunes, carefully running through the notes, furrowing my brow in concentration.
I’m going to get amazing at this. Triton said that if I get good enough at it by the winter solstice then he’d give me the next book on the Siren’s Song! Then I’ll get to practice actually using the Siren’s Song, using the ocarina of course. Triton said I wasn’t to try it with just my voice until Triton cleared him.
That’s fine though, I’m was still excited.
I started playing one of the simple tunes to start.
Carefully placing my fingers and following my memory of practicing this song until it was perfect.
It was one of the most basic, but I still like it. It’s soothing to practice.
I finished that song and turned to the next one.
I’ve only mastered the first two, I can do those two without looking at the instructions at this point. I’m also pretty good at the third one and alright at the fourth. I can play through the fifth song if I really focus hard.
I haven’t gotten around to trying the sixth yet.
I reached the fourth song in my play throughs. I started playing it for the second time to fix a note I keep messing up but paused when the door opened.
I looked up to see a boy with pasty skin, curly red/brown hair, and a rainbow tie-dye shirt.
“Uh, hi?”
I nodded in greeting, “Hi, are you my roommate?”
“Yeah! Or well,” the boy glanced at the paper in his hands, “You are… Percy, right? Hang on let me check the room number again, this is- Yeah okay, I think you’re my roommate!”
I offered a smile, following the lessons Triton drilled into me, “I’m Percy Jackson, glad to be roommates. What’s your name?”
“I’m Grover, nice to meet you!”
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
Grover’s side of the room was nice, he had some books, a few plants, his school supplies of course. It didn’t have the sparklines of my side, what with my Rainbow Stone and Starglobe, but it was nice.
I noticed Grover giving Carl some odd looks when Carl commented on how boring Grover’s side was, or how he needed better clothes, or how he was hungry ‘Percy feed me’.
I of course fed him, I’d hate to be locked up like Carl. Least I can do is make it comfortable.
Grover blinked slowly and stared more confused.
It was almost like he could hear Carl.
…
Please say I’m not rooming with another mythological being that wants me dead.
…
Nope, not dealing with that today.
I grabbed my ocarina and music book and told Grover I was going outside to play.
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
Grover wasn’t bad, he went with me to explore the campus despite the limp he had.
I made sure to keep my walking slow, I don’t want to strain Grover. La’akea had a permanently injured tail so had to use currents to help her move and while she’s pretty quick now, Grover couldn’t do the same with land.
We found where all our classes would be first, then found the nearby bathrooms and water fountains. Then we went to find the library, we already knew where the cafeteria was thanks to needing food.
We only ended up exploring the inside today (mainly because I got distracted in the mythology section of the library, it had a few books in ancient Greek, which, while not as easy as Halmaheran language, is still easier than English).
The next day we explored the grounds. I like the fountains I could see around the grounds, they’re pretty, and the water sparkles in the light.
We met a few other students, I did his best to smile and act like Triton taught me, it seemed to work better on these kids than the ones from his other schools.
But befriending Grover already seemed to be getting negative views.
I resisted the urge to glare at the student I heard mutter something insulting about Grover. Did they have no manners for disabilities? Triton would kick their butts if he heard it. But Triton would also lecture me if I lost my temper on the first day.
“Ha, look at the cripple, I don’t know why schools let those people in, don’t they want to keep appearances up? Having a loser like that here just ruins the schools rep.”
I smiled sweetly at the boy, “Well you would know if someone should be kicked out for appearances, wouldn’t you?” I gave the boy a brief look over, making my meaning as clear as possible, then turned and walked away.
I walked away with my head held high, Grover following me.
“You didn’t have to do that. But thanks man.”
I huffed, “he was rude, you didn’t deserve that. Just cause you have a disability doesn’t mean he gets free range to insult you!”
Grover grinned, “thanks again”
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
Classes started again, they were boring.
I covered the math with Triton, and as long as I wrote in Halmaheran it was easy. Of course, then I have to go back and translate to dumb Arabic numerals but…
Geography was as annoying as ever, land geography was so boring!
I do enjoy Latin, I’m not bad at it I don’t think. We’ve only just started the basics of it, learning some word meanings and not yet at conjugating, but I don’t think I’ll struggle too much if it stays this easy.
Honestly my biggest trouble will probably be grammar in that class.
And of course, in English class.
I hate English class.
They also have art which I enjoy. I would prefer music, so I can practice my ocinara, but it is fun to make things. I figure I can give what I make to Triton or mom.
Science is dumb though.
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
Carl is seventy percent sure that Grover can understand him, so I have to be careful not to reveal I can also understand my fish.
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
So, there are clubs, Grover was nervous to sign up for them, and I’ve never signed up for a club before.
But Triton would probably encourage it, so I decided to look through the clubs to see.
I shouldn’t do swimming, if Grover is a Mythological being than that would give me away real quick.
I decided that model UN should be good, it will let me practice my “princely” stuff, since I won’t have Triton bugging me about it.
And… ooh, the music club. That would give me more opportunities to practice my ocarina!
I couldn’t help but hum happily, I can practice my ocarina, and I can do some fancy talking (that will make Triton happy probably) so it works out!
“What are you going to do Grover?”
“Uh, I’m not sure, what about you?”
I grinned, “Model UN and music club!”
“Oh well, those sound good, maybe I’ll join them too?”
“Do you know an instrument? Or are you going to learn one in the club?”
“Er… I play the reedpipes?”
“Oh cool!” I bounced on my toes, “I’ve never played the reedpipes before, do they sound nice? Are they hard to play? What songs do you know?”
“Uh- they’re nice, I’m not that good yet, they’re kinda hard to play, and I know a few calming songs.”
“That’s cool, let’s go sign up!”
I planted myself beside Grover and tried to copy Triton’s ‘I will end you’ smile that he used at the events, pointing the smile at the jerk that tried to cut Grover in line.
“Whatever,” The guy grumbled, stomping back and kicking Grover’s crutch on the way.
I fought really hard to keep my smile in place as I helped Grover steady himself.
“I’m fine,” Grover muttered.
“He’s a jerk,” I grumbled back.
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
We went to the first club meeting of Model UN. It went fine, they just introduced what we’d be doing in the club this year.
It was kinda boring.
The first meeting of music was more fun though.
First everyone picked their instrument, then the teacher had all of us that already knew how to play our instrument demonstrate some.
I played the first song I know on the ocarina, I have it memorized so I looked good when I did it.
Grover played the reedpipes, I did my best not to show that my ears hurt.
Maybe Grover could use a little more practice… just a little…
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
The Latin teacher disappeared?
Like, he was there one day, then a new teacher in a wheelchair appeared.
My eyes narrowed on the wheelchair.
It gives me the same feeling that some of Triton’s gifts give me. That’s no ordinary wheelchair.
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
I pulled my Rainbow Stone out when Grover was away for a bit.
I tossed in a drachma resisting the urge to bounce, “Oh Iris, goddess of the rainbow, please accept my offering and show me Triton, where ever he is.”
I grinned when Triton appeared.
I’ve called Triton a few times before and I recognized the backdrop as Triton’s room.
“Percy.”
“Triton! How are you?”
We talked for a while, just trading stories.
I told him about model UN and music club, Triton was pleased.
Triton told me about some of his duties, and how annoying the fish were now that I’m not there anymore. Apparently, they’ve grown fond of me.
I finally started explaining my suspicions.
I explained Grover being able to understand Carl and explained the teacher with the wheelchair that was definitely enchanted.
Triton nodded, his gaze serious.
“It doesn’t sound like a harmful being but keep an eye out. Update me when you can but be careful, if I’m right this Grover is likely empathic, and you should keep your emotions in check around him.
I nodded, what mythological being was empathic?
Oh well, Triton would tell me if it was important.
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
Welp, apparently there was a robbery right near the school. The person had a gun, so all the students were locked in the classrooms.
I was in Latin when the announcement came. Mr. Brunner had all of us students put the desks in front of the door, then wedged some of his old shields in the way too.
I don’t know if they’ll help at all, but I guess it’s better than nothing.
Mr. Brunner quietly told us stories about the rise of Rome until the announcement came that it was safe to leave again.
That was scary, hopefully nothing else like that happens again.
I really want this year to be calmer.
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
Apparently, a computer in the library overheated, and promptly blew up.
I didn’t know that was possible but now we’re were standing outside in the rain waiting for the fire department to clear everything.
Or everyone else was, I was trying one of Katara’s tricks, the rain was sliding away just above me!
This year was going great so far, hopefully it was just these things and nothing else…
I purposefully ignored Nancy mumbling that it’s a shame Grover made it out.
I also ignored the way that the rain around her became just a little colder, just a little harder, just a little more like sleet than rain.
That was just a coincidence, I certainly didn’t do that, Triton wouldn’t have been happy.
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
Music club was going great! I’ve now mastered the first six songs in my book and I’m practicing three more.
It’s so much fun!
The first ten were fairly short, after those it would start taking a lot longer to learn them.
But for now, I’m enjoying the simple songs.
Grover was slowly improving some too so that was good. I know that some students have been mocking his reedpipes behind his back, I usually have a snappy comeback if they do it in front of me, but it’s still hard on Grover.
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
Model UN is going great, I get to watch Grover argue for environmental reforms. It’s delightful.
This club seems a whole lot more interesting now.
I ended up having to go against Grover, so I promptly channeled all the knowledge I have about the pollution in the ocean and rivers and started arguing for it (I don’t enjoy going against Grover, especially on this subject).
Of course, the students get switched around, and I’m easily able to reverse my argument, it’s the side I actually stand for anyways. I’ve been cleaning the rivers in Manhattan for a while, I know loads about the negative effects of pollution, at least in water environments.
Grover does not like arguing for pollution, that was nearly as fun to watch as him tearing others apart in the against pollution argument.
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
I opened my eyes.
I was deep in the ocean, a faint red glow from underwater magma spots.
I stared, I’ve of course read about them in the books Triton has given me, but I’ve never seen them before. They weren’t in the territory that Triton would bring me too.
I turned around and gasped when I saw the palace in front of me.
It’s definitely not Poseidon’s palace.
A mermaid swam towards me, glowing in the same way that Triton did, her tail more flowy than any I’ve seen before and glittering blue and silver.
She opened her mouth, her head tilted.
I woke up.
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
Apparently, a student claimed they saw a guy that matched the description of a criminal. So once again the school was emptied so the police could search the grounds.
On the bright side we all got a field trip to the aquarium.
On the down side we all got a field trip to the aquarium I got expelled from before.
Hopefully that guide didn’t work there anymore.
Grover and I ended up separate from the rest of the group, it was fun, they looked at this fish, I complimented their scales, and their swimming, and their coral. It was nice to talk to fish again.
Grover laughed at me for talking to the fish, but it was friendly.
I’ve never had a human friend before.
I supposed I still haven’t, but at least now I have a land-dwelling friend.
…
Hopefully.
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
I’m doing alright in math, even though the teacher sucks.
English was going to end me though.
I have to write the papers in Halmaheran first, then in English, and of course I can’t read the stupid books because they’re in English.
I wish I had audio books for the class, but noooooo.
I’m pretty sure it’s illegal for them to not help me with my disabilities. But I don’t know much about land laws.
I should probably fix that.
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
Latin is fun, even if I’m suspicious of the teacher, and I was making sure to tell Triton what I notice.
We’re were having a test today though. I can do the words, I’m great at remembering the meaning of the words, but the grammar was killing me.
I lost half my points on doing the grammar wrong.
It’s annoying.
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
I moved towards the palace this time, it’s not like Poseidon’s palace, from what I’d seen from a distance (a large distance).
This one is dark, carved out of the side of the trench that I’ve now realized I’m in.
But it’s still lit up.
Lantern fish swim all over, some coming near me with their sharp teeth.
I’ve never been afraid of the beings of the sea though, so I didn’t flinch back. I made sure to complement their lights, I’m not sure they could hear me.
There’s also a sea serpent this time, it’s eye focused on me.
It’s massive, easily able to circle Poseidon’s palace at least three times over.
I decided respect was for the best, and quickly did the proper twist of my hand, even if I have legs and not my tails like I would prefer, this would still show the respect that the great serpent deserves.
I made it to the entrance and, after hesitating, pushed in.
I woke up.
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
I just cannot catch a break.
Some student brought a cursed item to school.
I can feel it.
Everyone else is just convinced the school was haunted.
Carl thinks it’s funny. He would.
Grover is jumping at shadows and even more nervous than usual. I’m not worried though.
I’ll know when the cursed item gets close enough, I’m good at sensing that.
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
It took three weeks, but I’ve finally found the cursed item.
A stupid book.
Everyone was baffled that the ghost vanished.
I just sighed and focused on rereading the chapter in one of the books Triton gave me on Purification.
It took me a week to do it, but at last the book is curse free.
I know have to sneak it back to the owner, ugh.
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
I was standing at the edge of a deep pit. I can’t even begin to see the bottom.
A burning sensation edged my senses.
“How interesting, so faint yet there. It’s slowly getting clearer…”
I frowned, “Hello?”
A low chuckle filled the area, “Hello little Half-Blood.”
“Who are you?” I called, leaning over the edge.
“You may wish to step back little Half-Blood. A fall would be dangerous.”
“You didn’t say who you were.” I replied, but I did step back.
The being chuckled again, “I am-“
I woke up.
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
I’m excited, field day is here!
I’m signed up for the tug-of-war, the water sponge, and one of the running events.
It’s fun, I won the water sponge by a landslide, and my team came in second for the tug-of-war. I did alright at the running, I’m certainly not the fastest, but I have decent stamina from all the time I’ve spent swimming and running from the river to my apartment.
I didn’t do the worst, so I suppose that’s good.
Field day is actually a lot of fun, even if Grover can’t participate.
It would’ve been perfect if the field hadn’t caught fire afterwards though.
I have no idea how that happened.
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
I hummed as I read through one of the more advanced books on Purification magic, this chapter talked about how to infuse items with purifying energy to keep a room clean.
It was really interesting, when Grover was gone I’d try it out.
Carl’s happy about it too, he wants a stone infused with purifying energy in his tank.
I was beginning to wonder if Carl even wants to be turned back human again, Carl seems to like being a fish.
It’s weird.
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
Grover and I are working on our speech for Model UN, we’re were arguing for environmental reform.
Shocking.
I’m pretty confident in our ability to do this. Grover is really well informed on land pollution, and I have first-hand experience with sea pollution.
I even managed to get Triton to tell me about dealing with oil spills and stuff to help!
We’re gonna kill it.
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
I glared at the palace in front of me.
Am I gonna wake up the moment I get close again?
I just want to see what’s inside.
It’s strange though, only some of the fish and beings around seem to actually see me.
I sighed and started moving towards the palace again.
This time I got inside! I looked around in awe.
“Well, it appears I have an uninvited guest.”
I turned to see a merman with almost glowing blue hair, and sharp sea green eyes. His tail a deep green with flowy glowing blue on it.
It kinda reminds me of my tail, but his was greener and has specks of blue in the scales too. And it’s not quite as flowy.
The Merman studied me in turn, “And what is your name little Half-Blood?”
“I’m Percy-“
I woke up.
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
I’m getting really annoyed this year.
Other years normally have one big disaster that end in my expulsion, this year though, it seems as if the universe just wants to make me suffer slowly.
The Principal had a heart attack.
And I was in the room with him when it happened.
Only I was in the room when it happened.
I did try to help with healing water, but I’m not good enough at that to heal others like Katara. It just hasn’t been a focus of mine with all my work on Purification.
Plus, I don’t have anyone to practice on.
I got a teacher but I still had to explain the symptoms to the emergency responders.
Next thing you know the schools gonna have a pandemic, honestly.
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
So, the school had a Pandemic.
A flu pandemic to be precise.
Nearly everyone’s gotten sick at this point.
Grover, Mr. Brunner, me, and a handful of other students are the only ones holding strong.
On the bright side it meant we don’t have to attend class for a few days while the teachers recover.
On the downside everyone has makeup work, and also, I’m was stuck inside with Grover.
Now don’t get me wrong, Grover is a great friend! We hang out a bunch and agree on a lot of stuff and I keep the bullies off his back.
But I can’t call Triton with Grover there, or practice my waterbending, or my Purification magic.
I’m bored.
The flu pandemic just can’t end quickly enough.
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
I’m at the edge of the pit again.
“Welcome back little Half-Blood.”
“My name is Percy, not little Half-Blood.”
The voice hummed, I think it’s a guy but I’m not sure.
“Well then little Percy,”
The voice is totally just trying to annoy me.
“Where do you live?” It finished.
Faint whispers reached me, I can only pick out a few odd words, something about disgusting and mortal? He heard a faint whisper of clearer, and last time?
I wonder what that was about. They sounded like multiple voices now, I don’t know who they are.
“I’m not supposed to give my location to dream strangers Mr. Pit Voice, my mom said so.”
And why does the voice want to know where I live anyways? That seems creepy.
The voice chuckled again, I swear I that heard some snickers beneath it too.
“A fair point little Percy, very well then. What-“
I woke up.
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
I’m working on my present for Triton for the winter solstice.
I maybe kinda might be sulking about missing the equinox.
I did manage to get my hands on some pearls (the normal kind) while I was in the ocean over the summer. Now I’m trying to make Triton an arm band to go with the ones he normally wears.
They’re basically part of his crown (they show his station and the carvings show how significant he is). Most sea beings with any kind of rank have them. They’re valuable.
I don’t have any mind you, but I’m technically of land. And family is supposed to give them. Hopefully Triton doesn’t take me making him one as an insult.
Thankfully I don’t need to do complicated carvings, I managed to get nice wire from the art room, I was carefully shaping it into some runes shapes, then I’m gonna (very carefully and did a lot of practice before doing it) carve careful strengthening and color changing runes in.
I only have like a dozen runes mastered to the point that I can safely use them, two preservation ones, two color changing ones, three peace inducing ones, two purifying ones and then the new ones, three strengthening ones.
Runes are a lot harder to master than people think.
I’ll add the pearls last, the order and colors are important too.
And of course, I have to make my other friends something too.
Oh, and Grover, I figure I can make a wood carving of a tree for Grover, I’ve already gotten the wood too.
I’m planning on doing some fancy shell and pearl necklaces for Samoa and Elei, colors matching to their scales of course. I’m still trying to figure out how to infuse them with gentle purifying energy, it’s a work in progress.
For Masina I found a really nice spiral shell and I’m infusing it with purifying energy, using a rune base to help hold it.
For Fetu and Lagi I’m painting some cool rocks I found, I’m also planning on infusing them with purifying energy.
So, sue me, I’m running low on gift ideas. And I’m not super close to them, we only see each other every now and then.
I still don’t know what they might like as a present.
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
I’m standing in a hall, looking around I realized I’m back in the undersea trench. I peered out the window to see the lantern fish swimming around.
Well at least this time I don’t have to make my way into the palace.
I turned to try and find my way through.
Wandering around I stared in awe at the sparkling inner walls of the palace.
For all that the outside is dark and scary, the inside is bright with glowing walls and misty effects at the ceiling.
The patterns on the floor are cool too.
“I see you’re back little half-blood.”
I whipped around to see the merman from last time there again.
I noted more details this time, like the bands around the merman’s arm.
…
OH
I quickly twisted my hand into the proper show of respect, this was… this was…
“What are you doing in my palace little half-blood?”
I bit my lip, “I didn’t mean too, I went to sleep and ended up here.”
The merman hummed, “Prophetic dreaming then? Interesting…”
Going here without permission could end badly.
“I’m sorry for intruding.”
The merman’s eyes gleamed, “I sense my power on you, you’ve interacted with something of mine.”
I frowned, I have no idea what he’s was talking about. But maybe he’s…
“What’s your name again little Half-Blood? I didn’t quite catch it last time.”
“I’m-“ It feels like I’m drifting, but leaving without answering wouldn’t be smart, “I’m Percy Ja-“
I left Oceanus’s Palace and woke up.
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
I’m back home for winter break, I finally get to see my mom again (I missed her a lot), and ignore Gabe. The best thing though, I get to see Triton in person again at last!
I couldn’t help wondering at my dreams though, apparently prophetic visions? That’s what Oceanus said.
I got to meet Oceanus, my probable dad. He even made a comment about sensing something of his, maybe he just didn’t realize it was me?
I’m honestly almost giddy.
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
I traded gifts with Triton first, giving Triton the arm-band I made, Triton thanked me for it. He didn’t seem insulted, but he ducked his head so I couldn’t really see his face.
He seemed pleased when he left though, so I’m satisfied.
In return Triton gave me a knife. It was made of Abyssal Platinum, found in deepest parts of the ocean trenches. It’s a valuable material, rare but highly coveted in ocean warfare.
The knife is small, but would do damage, it’s hilt is coated in sea serpent scales. And wrapped in Kraken leather.
It’s amazing.
I love it so much. I’ll make sure to keep it in perfect condition. It’s worth a lot more than my partially Celestial Bronze trident.
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
I traded gifts with my friends, I left my gift for Grover with him before I left, and now gave my merfriends their gifts.
Somoa gave me a shell that played the sounds of the sea, since they knew that my teacher went on land a lot.
That way I could always have a bit of the ocean with me.
Elei gave me some armor for my chest, interlocking plates that were apparently made of sea serpent scales.
It’s really pretty, I’m definitely going to treasure it.
Masina got me a stone that would still the waters if I tossed it. It would be useful for low level storms and the like, but apparently it wouldn’t work for much else yet. They were still improving the technique.
Fetu got me a book on the Siren’s Song, he apparently found out I was working on it. It was a rarer one from his parents library. I’m really looking forward to reading it.
Lagi got me the start of a healing kit. I really need to work on my healing more, but Purification is so interesting, and so’s Siren’s Song. I just haven’t had time for it.
I’ll have to try to make time.
Overall, it’s been a great Solstice.
Of course, that’s when the Ocean erupted into a storm.
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
I was back on shore quickly thanks to Triton, he told me to go home and stay there while Triton finds out what happened.
It took a week for Triton to get back to me. And even then, he didn’t appear himself, or Iris message.
He sent one of his most discreet messengers, a seagull that was exceptionally good at avoiding attention.
Apparently, Poseidon was being accused of a theft, a really major one.
It could mean war.
I’m supposed to lay low. Iris messages couldn’t be trusted until the situation calmed down.
Triton would contact me when it did.
Until then I’m to act as if nothing happened.
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
I went back to Yancey Academy and pretended that I wasn’t sick with worry.
I acted like nothing was wrong, nothing at all.
We got a new teacher, Ms. Dodds.
I have a really bad feeling about the rest of the year.
