tushanshu | o5 ♆ video

[Percy is firmly established in Annabeth's suite again. He's frowning absently at the screen, almost like he's totally forgotten what he was going to say. Instead of words, you get the steady pop pop pop of him messing around with a sheet of bubblewrap in front of him. From the right angle, he appears to be popping it in the shape of a sword. Or a stick. Or maybe just a line.

All of a sudden, his hands stop. He glances at the camera like he's just remembered that it's on, and opens his mouth. Shuts it. Open it again] Hey, I think...I'm seventeen now.

[There's a brief moment of silence before a wide grin breaks out across his face. He laughs, and there's a certain relief in the sound.] Not bad for someone who wasn't supposed to make it past sixteen, huh? Oh man, how did I miss this?

[He leans in towards the screen intently, a certain determination stealing his features. Percy's ADHD brain has caught onto an idea, and it is Extremely Important that it be addressed Right Now] Okay, I know that things are really tight and tense right now for everyone, but this is...well, it's important. Or at least, it'd mean a lot to me. Does anyone know where I could get my hands on some blue food dye? Or like, something that dyes...food...blue.

[That's the same thing, Percy.] I can pay. Or, I don't know, blast you with salt water. I guess no one really wants to swim in the canals right now. [Briefly his expression falls, reminded of what he sees as his failure in trying to save the Water Sector] But yeah, if anyone knows where I could get some, that'd be great.

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[Percy raises his eyebrows a little.] You too, huh? [But he won't dwell on it if she wants to move on] Thanks! Belated, I think. I'm not exactly sure when it happened, just that it probably should have by now.

Less of the "wasn't supposed to" and more of the "most likely going to die". [Be nonchalant, Vanessa. It's cool. Make it seem like it's not a big deal.] I arrived here on my seventeenth birthday, so I get what you mean.

Edited 2013-04-22 21:36 (UTC)

Yeah, I kind of had a mixture of both. Could've done without either, to be honest. [His expression falls a little] Oh man, you got dragged here on your birthday? That's like, new levels of cruel and unusual. Come over later, you can have some of the birthday cake I'm gonna make.

I'm pretty sure that's how anyone would see it, especially at our age. Too young to die. [Not that it stops them. At all. Her eyes widen as she shakes her head.] Oh, no. No, it's okay! That's your cake, and I really don't want to intrude or anything.

I don't really think the gods care when it comes to 'too young'. [He doesn't mean to sound so bitter, but it comes out anyway. There's a pause, before he pulls on an easy smile.] Hey, I spent my birthday last year fighting titans and trying to keep Manhattan from turning into a pile of ash. Cake with friends sounds like a way better way of celebrating.

[She frowns. This conversation went to bad places. She's sorry.] I don't really care what the gods care about. It's not like they've ever been of much use. [Speaking of bitter.

She smiles back. Yeah, her 16th was spent trying to free a demon's soul. So...] Really? [About the friends part. Not the 'it sounds better part'. Anything sounds better than that.]

Why get involved when they can let mortals do the hard work and claim the credit later? [Bitter bitter bitter.

But a smile was achieved! So he's going to focus on that] Definitely! I don't know if it'll be the best cake in the world with rations and all, but it'll be something.

[This is a terrible topic.] You've had it pretty hard. Uh, you and the other demigods, I mean.

[She purses her lips.] I can contribute some of my rations. It is your not-birthday, after all.

[Percy bitter long time 8c He pauses for a second, then shakes his head] I don't know. All things considered, I had it pretty good. I think I'm just getting tired of cleaning up messes I didn't make.

[He blinks, and then shakes his head] No, no way. That's definitely not necessary

You think there'll ever come a time when you won't have to anymore? [She thinks about how her 17th meant she was supposed to make a Choice, and how that hasn't happened yet. She wraps her fingers around her amulet, not really thinking about it.]

No, really. In fact, I insist. Consider it my birthday present to you.

[His fingers tap against the desk for a moment] I kind of thought it did, after last year. And then two months later I was kidnapped and put to sleep, and now I'm falling into-- [He breaks off, shaking his head] I guess that point is I'm pretty sure that when I start thinking that again, that's when the universe'll drop something else into my lap.

[He smiles, something in his countenance relaxing] I guess if you're going to insist. Thanks, Vanessa.

[She's quiet for a long time before nodding. She gets it, bro. She's not ready to come on out and say it, but she gets it.] If there's one thing I've learned, it's that holding onto hope that things will get better is never the wrong thing to do. So, just hold onto hope that it'll get better when you get home.

[She grins.] No problem.

[He pauses, and then manages a smile. It’s a little tired around the edges, but it’s still a smile] Hey, if there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s holding on to hope. [There’s a strange tone to his voice, almost like he means it literally.]

You and me both. [Because she has to, she guesses. And because she's seen what happens when hope's gone completely. Staring at him for a second, though.]

[It takes him a second, but he registers the stare] Oh, uh. Sorry. Did I get weird there? I totally did.

No! No, no. It's okay. I mean, I get weird, too. Weird happens. Not that you're weird. [Breathe.] No, it wasn't anything.

[He starts to laugh] Sorry! I'm not - I'm not laughing at you, promise. Thanks for the pep talk, it - it helps. [And he's totally sincere when he says that] I'll see you tonight, okay?

[xc] Anytime. [And then a grin.] I'll see you later.

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