the world's a beast of a burden//you've been holding up a long time

[kelpful]

Characters: Percy Jackson and you!
Date: October 4-8
Location: All around Keeliai
Situation: Percy is trying to cope with the prospect of literally going to hell, and failing miserably. Sparring, Water Sector fun and getting your head bitten off (not literally) are all options. If you want a specific thread starter, lemme know!
Warnings/Rating: None for now

Starters are in the comments!

Comments

[kelpful]

[He works almost on autopilot with the dummy, untying its restraints until he can shove it over to the remains of the other one. That done, he picks up a third and starts setting it up, trying to avoid the temptation to bite Rachel's head off]

For the first few months, that's what it was. [His voice sounds curiously numb, like he's afraid of his own emotions right now.] But the longer we leave it, the heavier it gets. The wondering, the nightmares, the-- [He stills, resting his forehead against the stupid dummy for a second. It's only because it's Rachel that he admits this] We're fighting. All the time. And not like - not like normal, stupid stuff. Really awful, horible fights. So we have to find out, because no matter how bad it is, we can't live with not knowing anymore.

[truesight]

[ oh. oh. it takes her a second to follow his trian of thought, but she nods once she does ] Fair. [ but she doesn't know what to add, because he's setting up another dummy so obviously talking about this isn't helping him in ..any way, shape, or form. which sucks. it makes her feel antsy, like she's not doing enough. or doing the right thing at all. how can she help? ]

Why wait? I mean, you're right, we do have the right to know. So why don't we call them out, ask them now?

[ because that, that she can do ]

[kelpful]

Because-- [The dummy set up, he hits it in the torso again. It's not as satisfying right now, although he can't put his finger on why] --the Emperor only shows people their future during audiences. And she's dropped off the face of the turtle lately. So we have to wait for her to come back and agree to see people again.

[Thump thump. He hits it again anyway, and then sighs, running a hand back through sweat slicked hair as he turns to Rachel.] Normally I don't really care abou calling people out. [Big understament] But you have to bargain with the Emperor to get her to agree to show you your future. I don't wanna screw up and have her ask for something I can't give. Or have her decide to take it out on Annabeth. So we're waiting, right now.

[truesight]

[ oh, she's heard that before. having to bargain to see glimpses of your future. which is frustrating, yet another frustrating thing, because she shouldn't have to do that, not when she still gets the bad dreams and the icky vibes from bad situations or bad people. she shouldn't have to feel all of that and still ask to get to know the future. but she is curious about it, of course, so- ]

You'll let me know when you go talk to her, right? Maybe I can help you make a deal.

[kelpful]

No, I'm not - no ones making any deals for me. [He manages to offer her a smile, strained as it is] Thanks. I mean that. But I've got plenty of stuff the Emperor can use. I don't need anyone to sacrifice anything else for me.

[truesight]

[ she just nods, mostly because maybe she expected him to decline her offer, but maybe that's not all it was ]

Well... Maybe I should go so I can start trying to think of a deal of my own. [ which makes her squint, because she's perfectly aware that it's not exactly easy work, making that deal. ] What if we all went together-? [ different memories, sure, but same world. like a group discount! ]

[kelpful]

[He shifts, a little awkward. Uncomfortable] I don't...

{He's hurt her and everyone else enough lately that he really has to stop here and force himself to think about his words. He screws his eyes shut for a second, rubbing a hand over his face] I really just - it's not you. But we really just need it to be us. [His expression is vaguely helpless here] I'm sorry. But - if you do make a deal, be careful about what you offer.

[truesight]

[ oh. she expected that, maybe, expected it but hoped for something different. so she nods, licks her lips and nods again just to waste some time. she'd look around at somewhere that wasn't Percy's face, but she's sure she'd accidentally look right at Annabeth and that'd probably come off all wrong ( or all right ) so, nope, just nodding and- ]

I will. You too. [ and she's just going to push right along- ] Ah, I should get out of here. Let you get back to your dummy destruction. Just wanted to talk to you, and- we did that, so. [ she'll even start taking a few steps backwards, yep, totally leaving ] I'll see you around, yeah?

[kelpful]

No, wait--

[He moves fast, the kind of speed that comes from having had to run for your life too many time. He reaches out, grabs her wrist so she won't go just yet.

Honestly, he would prefer to be alone right now, but it's not because of her. It's because he's reached a point where he's scared of what he'll say to his friends, what his frustration and hurt and no small amount of terror will force out of his mouth. He doesn't want to put them through that.

But the way Rachel looks right now, the awkwardness in the air, he doesn't want to put her through that, either.] Have you been training at all? Back at Camp, I mean. Or here, I guess. Because I could teach you. Not with Riptide, obviously, but we've got a few extra weapons that Leo threw together.

[truesight]

[ there's a little bit of 'are you sure?' when he first grabs her wrist, an unspoken response to an unspoken 'stay.'. but she won't question it because of course she wants to stay, she wants to push past all the awkward and the tension in whatever way she can. so when he offers to teach her how to fight- ]

What kind of weapons? I mean, no, I haven't been training. Oracles weren't really built for fighting. [ okay, bad joke ] But I would be interested in learning, sure, of course. If you want to.

[kelpful]

Whatever you want to learn, pretty much. I mean - okay, I'm gonna be best at teaching you how to use a sword, and you definitely don't want me teaching you how to use a bow and arrow. You could go to Frank for that, though. And Annabeth could teach you how to use a dagger.

[It takes some doing, but he manages to dredge up a smile for her] I want to. I wouldn't have said so, otherwise.

[truesight]

[ his grin gets one to match, and she tugs her wrist out of his grip just to hold his hand for a moment before letting go. he's trying, for her, and she definitely appreciates it ]

Well. You tell me, hero. Do I look more like an archer, a close-combat dagger ..fighter, or a swordfighter? I have a feeling both skills require a lot more upper-body strength than I actually have, though.