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

[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?

[He rolls his neck a little, like he's trying to ease some tension in the muscles] None of us really get a choice. Not unless you can avoid monster smell-o-vision.

[There's a pause. It's weird, how he barely even thinks about it anymore. His life has a whole new normal] Twelve. My mom managed to keep it from me my whole life, until Luke stole your dad's lightning. Hades' helm got taken as well, and he thought I did it. Sent one of the Furies after me disguised as an algebra teacher.

_{( Jason nods, through the story. Someone stealing from Jupiter and Pluto is horrifying, but Percy getting to be with his mother until he was twelve... Jason's not jealous. He can't be, since he can't even fathom that. )}

Sounds exciting.

With me--well, it's Thalia's story, too. The gods couldn't let a Roman and a Greek demigod grow up together. So when I was two...

_{( This is the hard part. The part he's never quite able to wrap his head around. )}

My mom gave me to Juno. And Lupa.

Exciting like a hole in the head, maybe. There's not realy easy way to find out your best friend's a satyr, but getting into a car crash with the Minotaur chasing you definitely isn't ideal.

[He's trying for some levity, honest. But that gets sort of blown out of the water with Jason's next comment] They couldn't - what?

[They definitely aren't close, but it's pretty clear that Percy is kind of outraged in Jason's behalf right now]

_{( Jason manages to snort out a half-laugh, but when Percy looks at him like that, he can't really meet his eyes. He's barely talked to anyone about this--Piper and Leo included--and for some reason, it feels like a weakness. And he definitely doesn't want to expose his weaknesses to Percy.

He shrugs, tries for nonchalance. )}

Juno was angry, when I was born. Because my dad fell for my mom twice. It was the only way to calm her down, and the Roman-Greek divide didn't help.

I mean, it's not like I remember any of that happening. I didn't even know until I met Thalia again, a few months ago. Before that, Camp Jupiter was just where I'd always been. It's always been home.

_{( And now, it's not. He's a traitor and the camps are at war and everything is awful. So, that's great. )}

[Percy's jaw clenches a little, but even he can tell from the way Jason doesn't quite meet his gaze that this probably comes under the subject of 'things we don't talk about'. Percy tries to imagine how he'd feel if his mom had given him up, and finds that he can't.

He definitely knows how to feel mad at the gods, though.

There's a pause from Percy, before he sighs, giving his head a shake] When I was thirteen, my friend Grover - the satyr I was talking about - got kidnapped by a Cyclops. Polyphemus. The only way he was able to not get eaten was by wearing a wedding dress and agreeing to marry him.

[yes, Percy is telling dumb stories to lighten the mood]

_{( Jason doesn't realize it, himself, but his personality doesn't lean much to levity. Even his humor is kind of serious, sardonic in a way. But he can't help but laugh at Percy's story--or at least, he chokes a bit, which is as much a laugh as anyone's going to get out of him if they aren't named Piper or Leo.

After a moment he runs a hand over his face, trying to hide the remains of a smile. )}

People talk about him a lot. At Camp Half-blood. But he was gone searching for you the whole time I was there.

[Percy gives a lopsided grin in return, recognising the sound for what it is. He's kind of pleased he managed to get that much out of the other guy, if he's honest.

The grin turns into an expression of true happiness when Jason says that. In contrast to the Roman, Percy's as open with his emotions as ever.] They do? I mean, they were talking about him when I was there, but it was right after the Battle of Manhattan. Everyone was talking about everything, then. He deserves the recognition. [The smile becomes more subdued then, though, before ultimately fading] Yeah. I was the only one who got knocked out, but it's like everyone else's life got put on hold, too.

[There's guilt in his tone, and anger. He tries to hold back a sudden spike of bitterness towards Jason. Jason, who had been considered stable enough to be conscious in the interim months]

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

same here we are winners 8Db

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