MAELSTROM [femPercy x DC]

Chapter 17 - An Awkward Introduction

This was awkward.

Percy had just been called in to be introduced to the family. Well to those who hadn't met her yet.

And it was awkward.

Across the room, lounging across the sofas, were four boys, two of which were acquainted with her. The other two were new faces. One tall, broad chested man in navy, dark hair and crystal blue eyes, and another, slightly taller, in a black top, brown jacket, black jeans and red converses. His hair dark, with a small streak of white right at the front. Eyes that seemed to change between blue and a light, lazarus green.

Percy walked carefully right upto the sofas, and bowed lightly, before raising her head and introducing herself.

"Well, hello. I'm Priscilla Jackson, Tim's classmate, actually. I'm working here as an apprentice butler during break to start saving up for college, if I do get it, I mean. I'm twenty. I was held back two years in middle school... yeah that's about it. It's nice meeting you all!"

Percy mentally chided herself for the over cliched first impression she just gave. How in the hades was that interesting? They probably thought she was some dumb little girl.

"Right, hi! I'm Dick- I mean Richard, but you can call me Dick, everybody does" Richard said, adding the latter bit as he received a weirded out look from Percy.

"Jason. Don't talk to me."

Percy knew it was coming, but couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness at the sound of Jason's name. She quickly covered it up with a brief smile, and acted peppy.

"Ok, Red!"

...

silence.

Everybody in the room suddenly turned to look at Percy as if she just said the most unforgivable curse ever.

"What? It's because he's wearing red shoes and I don't feel too comfortable calling him Jason... was that a bad nickname, does he not like red or something?"

"... It's just... a nickname that not many people call me."

"Oh! Well.. may I? I'm not too comfortable with calling you with Jason, because I had a cousin, Jason- Jason Grace. He.. passed away. Two years ago, and I only just got notified about it a couple days ago."

"Your cousin Jason... died?"

"Yeah... he was amazing. He was super strong, could fight like hell - a total pro, but he wouldn't beat up people unless necessary, because he was a total golden boy, he had a real leader personality, and was just very dependable. You could rely on him."

"Definitely not like our Jason then." Tim piped up

"Yeah! Our Jason is alive" Richard said, his voice cracking slightly.

'Please, you guys are idiots. I mean, I already know everything about you guys. Well... mostly.' Percy thought to herself, trying to hold back a smile.

"Right..."

"Dick!" Alfred and Bruce reprimanded, "apologize to Priscilla!"

"Oh.. no it's alright. I'm glad that your Jason is alive. Mine is... well, not, but I'm sure he is happy wherever he is, and hope he can finally rest, and be proud of all of his achievements in life. I would hate for him to be disturbed in any way, you know? I actually learnt something, in my twenty years of life. You can never spend too much time with family, because you never know when they're going to leave you behind."

"That's right, which brings us back to today's family dinner. Alfred, Priscilla, is the food ready?"

"Yup, set up and all! It's Mexican, hope you guys like pozole!" Percy said with a dazzling smile.

"That's good. Right. Well, have you already had dinner Priscilla?"

"Hm? Oh, yes. I had an early dinner at my place with my roommate. Vi.. wanted me to eat. She made food for the first time in a while", Percy lied. She wasn't hungry. Not much, anyways.

"Alright. Then I suppose you can go to your room for now. We'll call you if we need anything."

"Sure!" Percy said before walking down the hall back to her 'butler room'.

Today had been eventful. She was tired.

-

It was late. Percy assumed that the family was on their... field trip by now, with Alfred in the cave giving directions. She was thirsty. And a bit hungry.

She silently walked out of her room and crept down the dark stairway, too lazy to feel the walls for the light switch. She stumbled a bit, but eventually made her way to the kitchen.

Percy was staring out the large window onto the garden, which looked mangled as always.

'Damian must have trained much today.' Percy sighed.

If only Damian liked her a bit more, she could have gotten close with her family. Her only cousin on her mother's side. Besides... he was a legacy... Percy wasn't sure if he would need any help, but as far as Talia told her, their training was enough, all their blades were infused with one percent Imperial Gold, making them able to kill monsters. Only that Damian didn't actually know what the monsters were. Or what he was. Not yet.

The bats were interesting. Each one of them had their story. And she had her own. Percy couldn't help but feel drawn to them. Not only was she actually related to one, but... they just had this sort of unintimidating, welcoming, yet slightly cold feel. One that she seemed to like, oddly enough.

'Ah, I need to visit Annie tomorrow. I should wake up early to bake cookies for them...' Percy thought, as her mind wandered.

She leant against the counter, sipping water slowly, munching on a few peanuts, as she looked up into the sky, at stars twinkling in intricate patterns, each of which unknown to her, except one. One that she memorised in all locations throughout the year.

"Hello Zoë, Bob says hello." she murmured softly.

"Who's Zoë?" somebody asked, suddenly, from beside her.

Percy remained unfazed.

"Well, Damian. Do you see that constellation over there. In the middle, right above the spike on the gate. It's a huntress. It's about a lady named Zoë. In my religion, as Greeks, we believe that she was a brave woman who sacrificed her life to save the goddess, Artemis. I had a relative named Zoë. She died in an accident. It wasn't supposed to happen... So I remember her like this. Her grandfather, Bob, told me to always say hi to her for me. He's blind, you see, so he can't really... see the stars."

"Tt. What a lame story."

"I.. I guess you wouldn't understand yet."

"What do you mean by 'yet'?"

"You'll get it when you understand, kiddo." Percy said, ruffling his hair a bit, before remembering she was a butler, and she had just touched her master. A master who really enjoyed flaunting his power.

"I apologise. I shouldn't have said anything. I'll go back to my room. Ring me up if you need anything."

"Tt. Aren't you going to ask why I'm up so late?"

"It doesn't concern me, does it? I like my job, you don't like me. I'd presume that staying on your good side would be beneficial for me."

"That is correct." Damian said, his overflowing ego inflating even more with those three words.

"..."

"..."

"Goodnight, Damian. I hope you find whatever you're looking for, or do whatever you're doing. Sleep quickly, call me if you need anything."

"Tt."

Percy smiled softly. This.. this was progress. Even if only just a shard of it.