tushanshu_logs | time it took us // to where the water was

_{( He spends a lot of time flying over the turtle, just checking things out. It’s such a new and different place, even if he resents it a lot for the way he was forcibly brought here. He goes sector by sector, makes sure he knows the lay of the land in case disaster strikes again. He’s a tactician, really, and it’s those instincts that have taken hold over the past few weeks.

And then sometimes he spots Percy Jackson beating things up, and strategy and preparedness have very little to do with what happens next.

He lands a ways away, not wanting to interrupt. But he does walk up eventually, his own sword at his waist, his gaze carefully assessing. He wants for a pause to speak. )}

So, are you good with the water, or do you want another opponent?

[Percy has stopped for a drink as Jason approaches, and he accidentally inhales some of the water at the offer, because he's smooth as hell. He tries really hard not to cough, but that doesn't go so well, so he takes another gulp from his bottle to cover it.] Hi Jason, good to see you too. [Mostly. Sort of.

He doesn't answer the question right away, mulling it over. On the one hand, there's a burning desire to prove himself when it comes to Jason (to him, or against him, Percy's not sure). On the other hand, an insidious voice whispers in his ear (what if he really is better than you?).

In the end, both hands hands shove him into answering.] I could go for something that hits back, yeah.

_{( “I thought you could breathe in water,” he almost says.

It’s probably never going to be easy, or even uncomplicated, when it comes to him and Percy. There had just been too much build up, too much hearing about him for months and months before he’d finally met him, and then all that happened once he had. And now, the weight of failure is heavy on Jason’s shoulders every time he sees the son of Poseidon. Percy had done something selfless, and Jason had been distracted and stupid and hadn’t been able to save him or Annabeth.

Needless to say, none of it makes dealing with him any easier. But he’s trying.

So he takes a few steps closer, raises both his hands. )}

Ready when you are.

[Percy wonders if this might not be a bad idea, but he's already raising Riptide and stepping in closer as Jason does. It's not the first time he's thrown himself headfirst into a bad idea, after all, and if he's luck y it won't be his last.

Jason doesn't have his sword out, but Percy takes him at his word] Now works. [And he lunges in, ready to pull Riptide if necessary. But from what he's heard about Jason and seen so far, he doesn't think it will be.]

_{( It happens instinctively, as he reaches with his right hand to draw the sword at his left hip, pulling it up into a classic and almost textbook guard in front of his chest. The swords meet, for a moment, before Jason takes a step back to re-position before shifting on his heel and stepping forward, now on the offensive. )}

[A grin flashes across Percy's face when Jason gets his sword up in time, a surge of pre-emptive adrenaline pulsing through him. He's glad he didn't have to pull the strike, although he knows about as much about a textbook guard as he does about actual textbooks.

Percy defends himself, but he doesn't give any ground as he does so. He throws his weight behind his counterattack, curious to see if Jason will meet it, or try and dodge. He hasn't necessarily thought through what will happen if Jason manages to use that force against him, but he'll figure it out when he gets to that point.]

_{( If this was just a training exercise, Jason might be more focused on that—training. But instead all of his instincts have kicked in, and instead of giving way at any moment he meets Percy’s counterattack with full force. There’s definitely a significant difference to their styles, but maybe not their general approach.

He tries to catch Riptide above them with his own sword, looking to hold Percy there for a moment so that he can find an opportunity to make a more strategic strike. )}

[There's another grin from Percy as Jason stands his ground. One, because it means he doesn't overbalance and end up on the ground, which is great. Two, because there's just something about being able to meet the other guy head on that he appreciates. There might be some symbolism there, but like Percy's going to notice it.

He might not be as fast as Annabeth, but he's learnt to be light on his feet over the years and he knows that getting his blade locked overhead isn't in his best interests. He disengages, backing off this time so he can come at Jason again from a different angle, trying to throw him off.]

_{( Jason isn’t quite smiling, but his lips do pull up at the corners in a way that suggests he’s getting there. He braces himself when Percy steps back, eyes searching for the other demigod’s next angle, and he realizes it a second too late. He takes a step back but isn’t quite prepared for whatever Percy’s about to hit him with. )}

[It's an elbow, mostly because whatever tension is lying between the two boys, Percy doesn't actually want to cut Jason open. It involves jerking his blade aside and replacing it with his body, and it works, catching Jason in the side, but it also puts him at a disadvantage he wouldn't have had with his sword, leaving him open open. He attempts to dance back out of Jason's reach, but it's possible he's just not fast enough]

_{( It's a hit, and one that slows him down, but it also gives Jason a fresh burst of determination. He really, really doesn't like losing. He takes a few steps forward, following Percy's evasive move, and then takes a direct swing for him. )}

[Percy manages - just barely - to catch the blade on his, but the angle's awkward, twisting his arm] Ow. [This is a necessary announcement] Ow, ow-- [Finally he manages to disengage, but it forces him to stumble back again, with no time to go on the offensive. He doesn't seem put out, though. He's starting to get a picture of the way Jason moves - directly]

It can't be that bad. _{( Jason smirks--just slightly--but it's not as if this is particularly easy for him, either. He arcs his sword over his head, trying to build momentum before he brings it down again. )}

Hey, you're welcome to volunteer to try it out. [Jason brings his sword down, but Percy isn't there anymore, slithering off to one side. He regains his balance, brings his blade against Jason's from the side in an attempt to throw him off] Are you always this - direct?

_{( And he does--throw him off, that is. Jason ends up blocking, but its an awkward movement, his elbow bent oddly as he side-steps. He doesn't loose his balance entirely, but there's definitely a moment where he pauses to think, and that's a pretty fatal move in a fight. )}

When it works, yeah.

[Percy doesn't hesitate, following up with a series of fast, biting strikes.] What about when it doesn't work?

_{( Jason has to step back to avoid those strikes. The longer shape of his gladius helps out some, with blocking, but for the most part its a series of steps that he can't even think about before making.

To the question, he shrugs. Then he tries to catch Riptide in the middle of one of those strikes, relying on his strength and not much else. )}

Adjust.

[It works, because Percy is good, but he can begrudgingly admit that so is Jason. He hisses a little as the shock reverberates up his arm, but recovers quickly. He throws himself back into the fight, seemingly tireless]

I'm a big fan of adjusting. [Maybe he shouldn't be wasting breath on talking, but he can't deny that he wants to...understand Jason a little better. He trusts him as much as he trusts the rest of the seven, but they aren't exactly friends] When did you find out you were a demigod?

_{( Jason's not really banter-y, so the conversation takes half his concentration and he goes back and forth between moments of casually blocking what Percy throws his way and being actively slipped up.

He shrugs at the question. )}

I can't really remember not knowing. Except for, well, when I didn't know anything.

_{( And he gives Percy a sideways look, because that's such a strange point of solidarity to have with someone. )}

I've been at Camp Jupiter since I was two or three. At least, I think so.

_{( It added up, now that he had Thalia's side of the story and his own birthdate. )}

[Percy doesn't hesitate to take advantage of Jason's slip ups, although he can't quite manage to disarm him. He can't decide if he's pleased by that, or annoyed.

The look Jason gets in return for that comment is along the lines of 'I feel you bro', both on the lack of memory front, and on the weirdness. He wishes he knew more about what to do with Jason's general existence in his life.

There's a muffled curse, and he nearly loses his grip on Riptide in his surprise.] Since you were a toddler?

_{( Jason's not really sure what to do with that reaction--it's not great when people react to the facts of your life like they're a bad thing--and then shrugs, again. He takes Percy's moment of inbalance as an opportunity to shift his grip on his gladius, pulling up his sleeve a bit to reveal all twelve of the tattooed lines under Jupiter's eagle. )}

It's a long story. _{( Also one that he describes as being an ugly baby. )}

[Percy has his own tattoo, he knows what the marks mean. But for some reason, it had never really computed just what it meant that Jason had so many]

That's a long time. [He sounds almost irritated. It's not directed at Jason, though. Nope, this is just one other thing to add to Percy's growing list of beef he has with the gods]

_{( Jason catches the irritation but doesn't realize where it's coming from, and his expression flattens a bit as he gets defensive. )}

Yeah. It's my life.

_{( Because despite reuniting with Thalia, he doesn't remember a life before Camp Jupiter. He definitely doesn't remember his mother. )}

[Percy blinks, a little taken aback at that reaction. He signals for a time out and stops, stepping away from the other guy. He's panting, takes a moment to catch his breath.] That wasn't directed at you, man.

[He shoves a hand back through sweat slicked hair and makes a face] I just don't think it's right. That we get dragged into this stuff so early.

_{( Jason takes a step back, drops his sword to one hand and uses the other to rub the back of his neck. He dips his head, not quite apologetic. )}

There wasn't much other choice, in my case.

--how old were you? When you found out?

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my icons for this thread are going to be super dumb jsyk

it only improves it tbh

nodding

also i have no idea what i'm doing it's great

same here we are winners 8Db

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