RIPTIDΣ | PERCY JACKSON [ON HOLD]

five

as Grover follows Percy into Medusa's home, she shouts from another room, "you must be hungry. i left snacks on the table while i get something proper going." Grover walks about Percy, "you think its safe to eat?" Percy whispers to Grover, keeping his eyes onto the food. "Percy, im not gonna lie to you, im really hungry, and im ready to take that chance" Grover pleads

Vida walks into the room with Annabeth behind her, being very cautious. "thanks for coming" Percy says to Vida. Vida smiles with tight line by her lips. she did not want to go in there. she did it for Percy. she kind of trusts him, and whatever he says. she doesnt trust anyone often. its really rare if she did.

"this isnt the same for me as it is for you" Vida says with disgust. "why?" Percy asks but before Vida could respond, Medusa walks in. everyone turns their faces away from her eye sight. "youre concerned i would hold a grudge against you simply because you are a daughter of Zeus" Percy's eyes go straight to Vida. he was shocked to hear that.

"you shouldnt be. we're not our parents after all. and you and i might have more in common than you think, Annabeth. please, sit and eat" medusa pours a drink into glass cups. Annabeth shakes her head while Grover, Vida, and Percy sit down at the table. "so you're not a monster, what are you then?" Percy asks. "a survivor" Medusa smirks

"you must be a little more than that. there's a fury out there that seems terrified of you" Percy puts something onto his plate. "because she knows what i think of her. i dont like bullies. when one shows up at my doorstep, they end up spending a lot more time there than they planned for. the gift the gods gave me is that i cannot be bullied anymore" Medusa smiles

"what my mother did to you wasnt a gift, it was a curse" Annabeth taunts her. "you are loyal to your mother" Medusa says lowly. "yes." Annabeth answers. "you stand by her?" Medusa asks. "always" Annabeth says as it was obvious. "you love her?" "of course, i do."

"and so did i. so did i." Medusa says. Vida matches the pieces and realizes what this means. she had a thing for Athena. "do you know the story of how i came to be this way?" Medusa asks. "i do" Grover raises his hand as he mumbles with food in his mouth. "do you?" Medusa asks as a bell rang. "do i?" Grover asks around

"Athena was everything to me. i worshipped her, i prayed to her. i made offerings...she never answered. not even an omen to suggest she appreciated my love. i wasnt like you, sweetheart. i was you. i would have worshipped her that way for a lifetime...in silence. but then one day, another god came, and he broke that silence. your father. the sea god told me that he loved me. i felt as thought he saw me in a way i had never felt seen before. but then Athena declared that i had embarrassed her and that i needed to be punished. not him. me. she decided that i would never be seen again by anyone who would live to tell the tale" Medusa said. Vida felt bad for her but she did not trust her.

"that isnt what happened. my mother is just, always." Annaberh said. "the gods want you to believe that, that they are infallible. but they only want what all bullies want. they want us to blame ourselves for their own shortcomings" Medusa shrugs. "that is not what happened. and you are a liar." Annabeth fires, her finger pointing at Medusa with rage. "somethings burning. would you give me a hand in the kitchen? i think lunch is ready" Medusa walks into the kitchen.