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[ozones]

You're supposed to be wary of people who offer you gifts. That's pretty much lesson number one.

_{( Actually, it's "fear Greeks bearing gifts." But given Jason's recent experiences, saying so seems disingenuous. Speaking of which, here's Jason: sitting at a console somewhere in the city, elbows up on the table and fingers steepled together. He's regarding the console carefully through bright blue eyes, skeptical but determined. )}

But it would be pretty dumb to say no to having a place to sleep, since I don't know how long I'm going to be here. I've taken a look around, and this place is really... something. I barely know where to start.

_{( His face scrunches, like he's considering something. Then he lets out a breath, offering the console a half-smile. )}

Hi, I'm Jason. It seems like there's a lot going on here, and I'd like to do what I can to help. So whatever's going on--I heard something about rationing? And someone mentioned other problems--please, let me know.

_{( He nods, with some sort of finality. He's about to end the feed, but thinks better of it, blurting out as an addendum: )}

And, guys? If you're out there, it'd be great if you could check in. ASAP.

_{( Looking slightly sheepish, he ends the communication there. )}

Comments

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[sophos]

[That makes three children of the big three here. Two alone in the last day or so. e__e]

[And Leo with his fire. Too many powerhouses. e___e]

How nice a gift the suites are depends on where it is. Some sectors are a little... worse, than others. Wood's okay, for the record. [She can tell from the background where he is ok.] Rationing is definitely a thing, though. And there's a lot of problems I could go into.

[Awkward pause.] Hi, Jason.

[ozones]

I think the principal applies, anyway.

_{( He wants that to come off cheerful, nonchalant. It really doesn't. Because he's kind of gaping at the screen and there's a mix of relief and also flat-out surprised spiraling around in his head. )}

That's really you, right? _{( If she was someone he knew better, he'd come up with some sort of signifier. A question no one else could answer. As it is he just... yeah, he's got nothing. )}

Hi.

[sophos]

[Of course Annabeth notices the expression on Jason's face. Reading people is second nature, something she does without even trying. It gives her pause, and she doesn't even need to ask what he lasts remembers, because it's not hard to tell.]

[But his question offers her a way to break from her own tension, what with the way he's looking at her.] Actually, we could technically all be clones. [Drops it nbd. Then a pause.] But generally speaking, yes it's me.

[ozones]

Please be joking. <sub>( Since reading people definitely isn't his thing, and given the giant turtle that doesn't seem horribly outside the realm of possibility.

He runs a hand down his arm, a gesture that would seem nervous coming from someone else. )</sub>

I'm glad you're okay.

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[kelpful]

[Percy spent most of his shock on Nico earlier, but there's still a faintly puzzled edge to his expression] Welcome to the turtle, dude.

[ozones]

_{( After Annabeth, he shouldn't be surprised. But he still really, really is. So there's a moment's pause before he gives Percy a flat look. )}

Thanks, man.

Don't take this wrong way, but, how are you here?

[kelpful]

Honestly? No one really knows. I've been here like, four months though [Percy shoves a hand back through his hair] What's the last thing you remember? Before showing up here, I mean. [He'll answer questions later, promise. Right now he just needs to find this out]

[ozones]

_{( His eyes get a bit wider at "four months", but he doesn't comment on that immediately. Instead he runs a hand over his face and then shifts his gaze away from the console for a moment. )}

We got back to the Argo II. Right after you and Annabeth...

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[wintershepherd]

The housing may be a gift but the rest of the stuff you've got to buy, so think of it more like a trade than anything.

[ozones]

Well, that seems a bit better. Even, at least.

[wintershepherd]

I'd offer you the standard welcome speech but it sounds like you've already picked up on a lot of what it includes.

[ozones]

Yeah, the people _(???) who dropped me off here were pretty helpful, that way.

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[fatedchaos]

It's not really much of a gift. More like a boon for being kidnapped across dimensions. [Vanessa gives a brief smile.] The rations are in place because Tu Vishan is sick, so everything's dying. I know they're always looking for more hands out on the farms for food.

[ozones]

That makes it even more suspicious, actually. _{( He returns the smile with one of his own, almost subconsciously. )}

No chance of giving the turtle a healthy dose of Vitamin C, huh?

[fatedchaos]

As far as I know, nothing about the suites is really all that dangerous. Suspicion is good, though. [You're so wonderfully optimistic, Vanessa.]

No. [She frowns then.] There isn't any real cure.

[ozones]

It works for me, maybe nine times out of ten.

_{( He purses his lips, thoughtful for a moment. )} Well. That's hopeful.

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[fotia]

[OH MY GOD IT'S JASON no second thoughts about responding even]

Jason! Bro! What took you so long?

[ozones]

I didn't realize I was late.

Maybe you were just early.

[fotia]

Uh, rude; you don't get to decide that when I'm the one whose been stuck with those two lovebirds and constantly walking in on their make-out sessions for almost four months!

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[necromania]

[ tell me you brought my sister with you. ]

You too, huh? Everyone's a winner.

[ozones]

_{( it's not my fault we managed to leave everyone important behind, sorry. )}

Yeah, this is some kind of prize.

[necromania]

More like the one gift that wasn't on the registry.

[urbanmagic]

Welcome to the turtle. As far as I know, the place they gave you is safe, so don't worry about accepting it.

[ozones]

Thanks. _{( In response to the welcome. )}

It's more the principle of the thing, really. But that's good to know.

[urbanmagic]

I can totally get that. I had to double-check the stuff they gave me to make sure they were completely harmless on my first day. [Very harmless, thank goodness.]