Celestial Menagerie Online, Surely Artemis won't mind sharing!
[Monster Hunter: Pukei-Pukei] - 200cp
A bird wyvern known to store toxins within its body. It uses its tongue like a whip and can stretch or shrink it at will, allowing it to grab up food. As a defence against threats, Pukei-Pukei have numerous toxic attacks. Keep an eye on both its mouth and tail!
Oh yes, that's what the gods are known for. How generous and reasonable they are. I'm sure she'll share a few dozen arrows right up my ass. The screams fill the campfire air as… a giant fucking chameleon appears next to me, a massive tongue licking its own eye. It's only Athena's aura that stops anyone (Ares' brats) from attacking the monster. The fourth orb is shaped like a treasure chest, open and filled with weapons, jewels and treasures.
Celestial Reliquary Online, again, don't tell Hephaestus that we have cooler shit than him!
[Extended Mokeskin Pouch] - 100cp
A pouch that can only be opened by the owner. There is as much space on the inside as there needs to be. The opening is around 25 square inches.
Won't he already hate me since, you know, he's married to my mom and is definitely not my dad? Are you just going out of your way to piss him off? My answer is, predictably, another orb with the image of an asian style building inside it, hitting me in the face.
Celestial Dojo Online, let's challenge Ares to a honourable duel!
[Beast Tamer] - 200cp
Some people are great with animals. You are even better. Forget Horse Whisperer, you can carry on conversations with any kind of animal and they might just sit there and listen. Your skill with animals is great enough to tame nearly every animal in the Human World and with some effort even those in the Gourmet World. You gain the skills needed to properly care for, train and ride most any kind of animal.
Err, let's fucking not. Finally, an orb that glows with a soft pink light and has the image of a heart inside it enters me.
Celestial Bordello Online, Remember to thank Mommy!
[Pillow Princess] - 200cp
In any sexual encounters you have, people tend to, for whatever reason, seem focused on maximizing your pleasure rather than their own. This is entirely subconscious, but definitely noticeable. You can toggle this if you'd like.
I am not a fucking Pillow Princess!
As the lights fade, I stumble and fall, being caught by Athena before I can eat dirt.
"This was totally… not my fault," I gasp out as I pass out, my head resting against Athena's bosom. The laughter of my dear dickhead father lulls me into the arms of Morpheus, leaving me with the lovely realisation that my time at camp is going to be… complicated as I hear the sound of thunder above.
Meh, at least it won't be boring.
— Bonus Scene — Luke Castellan
As he watched Athena carry away the unconscious Adon, his mind raced. He wasn't nearly as familiar with the Norse Gods, but it didn't take an expert to recognise Loki's symbol, and Athena confirmed it herself.
But why would Loki try to claim Aphrodite's child? Unless they were both his parents, in which case wouldn't he be a full-blooded God, not a Demigod?
But then, had the Pantheons ever… intermingled like this before? If they had, Luke couldn't recall any offspring which either meant it had never happened or someone, perhaps someone who was currently causing a thunder storm above their heads, had put an end to the resulting children.
But even still, it didn't explain the second light show with the orbs that just radiated power. Or the… giant green chameleon that Chiron was reluctantly guiding as it attempted to follow after Adon.
"So, definitely one of yours then?" Luke asked Silena, getting a quiet, disbelieving laugh from her.
"Well, we don't have a Loki cabin, so I suppose so," Silena agreed softly. He could see the way she was tensing up, her eyes flicking from him to Adon. She hid her emotions well, but the hint of guilt that crossed her face made Luke mentally frown. It would be hard to get her to spy on her own sibling, despite the chaos and confusion around Adon.
He didn't want to resort to threats, yet. It would work for a while but Silena wasn't nearly as weak as some people believed Aphrodite's kids to be.
"Everybody, the show's over. Go to your cabins," Mr D shouted, causing a wave of moans and complaints which Mr D ignored with his usual attitude. "I better not see a single one of you outside tonight. Head Counselors, round up your siblings and get them inside, now."
Knowing not to test him and draw unwanted attention, he gave Silena and Annabeth a smile as he began to round up the Hermes cabin kids, the biggest group by far.
As he began to make his way to their cabin, he paused one last time to look toward the Big House where Adon was being kept. Deep inside him, he felt Kronos stir in curiosity.
— Adon —
Waking up with a start, I look around what seems to be an infirmary with rapid eye movements, relaxing after a moment. Well, that sucked.
I'm guessing I'm still at the Demigod Dumping Ground that is Camp Halfblood. Huh, am I even a Demigod? Maybe I'll get a promotion to full blood god so I can go to Olympus and get smited in person by Big Daddy Z.
Is it smited or smote?
Let's just call it thunderstruck.
100cp granted. 100cp total.
Huh. Neat.
Well, fuck laying around. I don't know where I am exactly, but I know that I don't want to be here. Time to skidaddle and see where I end up. The door is a trap. I'm taking the window.
Making an illusion of myself in bed, I slip away with a satisfied smirk as I crack open the window (making it look closed with another illusion) and hop out.
Landing on the ground, my amusement is cut short by a golden net springing up from the ground and entangling me, flipping me upside down as it holds me in the air.
"For a trickster in training, you are laughably predictable at times," Athena says bluntly, appearing with a sigh.
"Well, you're literally the Goddess of Strategy and Warfare. Give me time," I say with my best attempt at a shrug. "Did you put traps at all the doors and windows?"
"No, just the window furthest from your bed. As I said, predictable," Athena responds dryly. That actually gets a frown from me as she simply thrusts her spear toward the rope and entangles it, carrying me over her shoulder like one of those little sacks on a stick.
"Has anyone told you that you're kinda mean?" I ask, not getting an answer as I'm carried into the Big House and back to the office for the second time today- wait, is it even the same day?
Mr D's laughter as I am delivered makes me scowl as she finally lets me out of the net.
"This could have been avoided if you just used the door like a normal person, Adon," Athena points out bluntly.
"If I was a normal person, I wouldn't have the Goddess of Wisdom and Reason babysitting me," I shrug. Her eyes narrow, but I can tell I got a point there. "So, what'd I miss? Any other gods decide to claim me while I was sleeping? Is Ra my second daddy?"
"Do we need to give you the talk, brat?" Mr D snorts.
"Eh, it's Gods. I don't know how you lot reproduce. You telling me it's not possible for someone to have seven dads when the Gods are involved? Hell, you're supposed to be a virgin and yet you have kids. How does that work?" I ask Athena, getting another of her 'I would like you to stop talking' looks before she sighs again. I've learnt that I can get away with more if I phrase it as a question.
"It is called Parthenogenis. I can conceive a child when my divine thoughts mingle with the ingenuity and genius of truly exceptional mortal men. It is a clean, graceful process," Athena explains, and the look in her eyes is telling me that making fun of it will get me stabbed.
Mr D seems disappointed when I don't take the bait.
"Brat's got a point, though. Maybe we should check with Dite to see who else she slept with. Could have a bit of every pantheon in him for all we know," Mr D snorts. Ha, I was right. Gods could totally have multiple fathers for one kid. Or multiple mothers. Huh, how would that even work?
Wait, didn't my dad fuck a horse once? Or get fucked by a horse? Did that actually happen? Eugh, maybe I should stop wondering about the Gods' sex lives.
"That won't be necessary. At this point, his parentage is without doubt," Athena says bluntly. "What remains in question is the source of your… powers."
"Wait! What happened to my giant chameleon thing?" I ask, mentally reaching out. Huh, it's… in the Aphrodite cabin?
"Your… summon is fine. Silena was able to convince it to leave your side, as there were worries that it would harm anyone checking in on you, and fears that some were already seeking to hunt it," Chiron explains.
"It's called Pukei-Pukei," I explain happily. Wait, is Silena wearing a dress decorated with Pukei feathers? How long was I out?
"We also found this next to you," Chiron continues, pulling out my Mokeskin pouch. I focus for a moment, the pouch vanishing from his hand and reappearing in mine.
"You seem oddly aware of the details of your new… abilities and acquisitions," Athena states. She doesn't phrase it as a question, or an order, but I know her enough to realise that it's both. Now, I could lie… but that's fucking Chiron, Lady Athena and… some drunk dude. "I attempted to meld my mind with yours to seek out the source of these powers, but while your mind was open to me, the power within you rejected me."
"Wait, super important question," I ask, getting a raised eyebrow. "Didn't you just say that's basically how you reproduce? So, technically, doesn't that mean that we-"
"I stated that the minds of truly exceptional mortals could intermingle with mine to create a brainchild. As such, there is no threat of that happening," Athena retorts coolly. "What I do with those I deem worthy is a personal and private matter that is far more intimate than mere… sex. What I did to you is more like rummaging through garbage to find scraps of evidence. So no, Adon, we did not have sex and you will not claim otherwise."
"Ouch," I reply, holding my hand over my heart. "And here I thought we had something special. If for no other reason than because you haven't cursed me yet. You did a lot of cursing in the myths."
"I have, multiple times. However, Aphrodite removes them before they can affect you. Believe me, Adon, there will be a reckoning when your mother stops babying you," Athena promises, steely eyes glinting in the light. "Gods have long memories, and mine is perfect. I will never forget a single slight, joke, crude comment, or mockery."
"So, you're saying I'm unforgettable?" I reply with an angelic smile.
"What you are, Adon, is trying to change the subject," Athena replies sternly. Ah, well it was worth a shot. "Six orbs entered you, and two of them correspond to the summoning of Pukei-Pukei and your bottomless pouch."
"It's Mokeskin!" I explain happily.
"…and what is a Moke?" Chiron asks, catching me of guard. Huh. What is a Moke? I feel the Menagarie respond but it doesn't answer, only telling me that it holds the answer.
"Good question," I compliment. "What is a Moke, really?"
"The orb holding the paw print relates to your monster summon. The treasure chest, your artefact. What did the Forge, the Tome, the Heart and the… building relate to?" Athena asks, her voice cutting through any further small talk.
Yeah, I get the suspicious feeling I don't get to choose here. Just a hunch.
"The Grimoire gave me a power to turn slain monsters into weird weapons," I explain, and I see some of the tension leave Athena. Either she already knew, or she has a way to tell if I'm talking out of my ass. "The Dojo gave me the power to tame animals. The Forge gave me the ability to forge traps…"
I trail off, because there is no way in hell, or Hades I guess, that I'm about to tell fucking Athena that I am apparently a Pillow Princess.
"And the heart?" Athena asks, eyes narrowing at my silence. "Adon."
"Adon, we truly want to help you but your powers are unknown to us. We have no idea what Loki has done, only that it has caused a rather massive diplomatic incident," Chiron explains softly. Good Cop, Bad Cop, Drunk Cop.
"Itmakesmypartnersfocusonmypleasureinbed," I mumble out, words blurring together. Somehow, I'm not surprised that all three seem to understand as Athena sighs, Chiron coughs into his hand and Mr D bursts out laughing.
"Only Aphrodite," Mr D snorts into his wine cup.
"Artemis will not be pleased about your animal taming. She is the Mistress of Animals," Athena sighs. "Nor, do I suspect, will Hephaestus appreciate one of Aphrodite's bastards getting artefacts or anything to do with forging. Actually, he'll likely hate you making monsters into weapons as well."
"If I didn't get any crafting powers, would he hate me less?" I ask.
"No," Athena replies simply.
"Figures. So, it doesn't matter that he won't like them then, right?" I ask optimistically. If he's going to hate me with or without powers, I might as well have them.
Well, it could be worse!
Feat Achieved: You said the thing, 100cp granted. Gain Ares' animosity, 100cp granted. Gain Hephaestus' animosity, 100cp granted. 300cp granted, 400cp total.
Well fuck you too, Hepatitis. Like it's my fault you're such a cuck. And what the fuck is Ares' problem?
Oh wait, didn't he have a thing for Mom as well? Well, if I need to worry about people who have the hots for Aphrodite that's going to include… let's see here, every single straight male, most of the gay ones, all the lesbians, most of the straight women (because they're like spaghetti, only straight until wet) and probably every monster as well. Might as well add all the animals in as well, even if that's more of Zeus' thing.
Wait, Gods can't hear when you think their names right?
Feat Achieved: Gain Zeus' animosity, 100cp. 500cp total.
I'm going to assume that's a coincidence and my system thinks it is funny. The dude already had it out for me anyway. Oh, you were born? Lightning bolt, lightning bolt, lightning bolt.
…you know what, I'm going to fuck his wife. You hear me, Zeus. I'm going to bed Lady Hera over your throne and make her cry my name. I bet she's not had a real fuck in centuries while you've been fucking animals and-
"He cannot hear you. I, however, am still melding with your mind," Athena cuts in.
Wait, has she heard everything I've been thinking about her? Specifically her body?
"Yes."
"I mean, at least I was complimentary?" I try with an awkward laugh. "If I ask nicely, will you end your mind fuckery?"
"No. And what exactly is complimentary about wanting to pull the 'spear out of my buttocks and replace it with something bigger?'" Athena asks, her unblinking stare drilling into my soul.
"It was taken out of context? And I was very complimentary about your buttocks!" I try with a sheepish grin. Oh fuck, please tell me she hasn't heard everything I thought about her during my time at her place.
"I did not, but perhaps I should," Athena wonders.
"In my defence, I am sixteen and you are literally the hottest woman I've ever seen," I try to explain.
Mr D's braying laughter does not help.
"Believe me, I have no desire to see whatever sick fantasies you have concocted around me. I am well aware of the base lust of teenage boys and their inability to not think about every woman they meet naked," Athena finally sighs. "Adon, I am still in your head. Stop thinking about me naked."
"I wasn't until you said it!" I defend, trying to wave away the thoughts with limited success.
"No, you're trying to disturb me into leaving your mind because being this exposed scares you," Athena replies.
Huh, no I wasn't. Wait, was I? I don't have a reason to be scared, because I'm not dumb enough to actually try to lie to fucking Athena. Damn it, don't put fucking and Athena in the same mental sentence Adon, bad thoughts, go away.
"So, uhh, did I miss anything fun while I was taking my nap?" I ask, changing the subject. "How long was I out, anyway?"
"Two days. Several things have happened since, but the main issue is that Odin attempted to claim you for Asgard, as the child of his blood brother," Athena explains.
"Huh. How did he even know so fast?" I wonder aloud.
"It seems he was tracking Loki after your father escaped his punishment for his part in Balder's death. It seems Loki was not hiding as a mortal to trick Aphrodite, but to hide from the Aesir who believed him to be still imprisoned," Athena replies. "The current belief is that he hid in our territory as it was the last place the Aesir would think to look. We also know that he entreated the Norns, the Norse version of the Fates, through a proxy shortly before his escape. Thor was sent to find Loki after his escape became known, and Loki was not subtle in his actions at Camp Halfblood."
"He couldn't have been less subtle if he tried. That little trick with the campfire was basically broadcasted across the realms, a bright, screaming neon sign saying 'look over here'," Mr D snorts. "Of course, by the time Thor came barging in, Loki was long gone. Hestia chased him off. Haven't seen her that angry in a while, but he did put out her campfire."
"So, what's happening with me?" I ask, eyes narrowed.
"Zeus doesn't want you here. He wants you in the hands of the Norse even less," Mr D snorts.
"There was a council between Asgard and Olympus while you slept. The first true communication in many years. Loki has blurred the lines we have kept, and it seems that he had some aid from an Olympian God so we cannot simply ignore Odin's demands," Athena explains. "But neither will Zeus, or Aphrodite, willingly let you fall out of our hands. They stopped arguing with each other long enough to argue with the Norse. In the end, Hestia was the one who stepped in and suggested a middleground. We have accepted Asgard sending someone to keep an eye on you, as Asgard fears that Loki is seeking to bring about Ragnarok before its time, using you as his tool."
I am nobody's tool.
"So, I can add Odin to the pile of Gods that want me dead?" I ask with a derisive snort.
"No. Odin is more likely to want to turn your powers into a weapon for Asgard, to further his preparations for Ragnarok," Athena admits. "But a weapon against the Jotunn can just as easily become a weapon against Olympus and Zeus will not permit it. Your power is an unknown, and even the divine fear the unknown."
What I'm hearing is that I need to get stronger because it seems like every pantheon in existence is going to want a piece of this before long. Being caught as the rope in a tug of war between Odin and Zeus isn't exactly a fun scenario to be in.
I can feel the Celestial orbs inside me, and I got some energy from my 'feats' earlier. So, how do I-
[Balor's Power Eye] - 100cp, 400cp remaining.
A small piece of jewellery, worn as an earring or piercing of some kind, that allows one to accurately and instantly gauge the current power level of any being that they can see. This is organised in the same fashion as described earlier in the Power Level perk, giving a reading on their overall Power Level and then separating it into Magic, Strength and Spirit. The Eye will never shatter on reading a Power Level too high either.
Oops.
As I catch the golden amulet, a red eye in the middle and three swirling golden tentacle-looking things coming off it, I scratch my chin.
"I had hoped that your power was done," Athena admits with a frown. Wait, can she see the same boxes I can? "No. Whenever you are interacting with your power, I get… static. I can tell when your power is active, but not what it can do or whatever form it takes for you. What does this… trinket do?"
"It lets me gauge the power levels of anyone I see, and damn. Gods are strong, huh?" I ask, impressed at Athena's power level. "Wait, Mr D is a God? I thought you were just some drunk babysitter they hired off craigslist or something."
"Don't forget it, boy, or I'll turn you into a red wine," Dionysus mutters. Well, I suppose you can be a God and a drunk babysitter at the same time. I swear I catch Athena's lips twitching, but she doesn't say anything.
"That's fine, but only if you feed me to some hot goddess," I counter. Oh, he should get Hera to drink me so I can say I was inside the Queen of the Gods.
Athena's sigh reminds me that my intrusive thoughts currently have an audience. Well, it's not my fault you won't get out of my head. You know what, I'm gonna think about you naked even more.
Anyway, I think I've worked this thing out.
[Unholy Voice] - 200cp, 200cp remaining.
Are you a witch? Because you surely have the voice of one. For unspecified reasons, like Cosmina that was branded as a witch in the Western Country, your voice is capable of manipulating people in order to compel them into following your orders and wishes. There are limitations for your terrifying voice, as it doesn't work on those with strong wills and strong emotions may help someone to resist, with your voice being more effective on mundane people, so don't expect it to work with actual warriors.
"Huh, neat," I admit, my voice almost echoing before I focus. "Testing, testing. Is this thing off?"
"Some form of Charmspeak? Unsurprising for a child of Aphrodite and Loki, two of its most powerful users," Chiron mutters, rubbing his chin. "You can just… develop new powers at will?"
"Nah, there's an energy cost," I admit. "But I think I can…"
[Madness Immunity] 100cp, 100cp remaining.
While pretending to be a Marauder might be fun, you wouldn't want to actually risk allowing your magick to corrupt you. You never need to fear mental illness, neither the mundane kind or ones inflicted by supernatural powers such as the state of Quiet.
Booyah, I've got this shit figured out.
"Your mind just gained a strange… quality to it," Athena mumbles.
"Apparently I'm immune to mental illness now, both regular and from having my head fucked with," I explain with a shrug. It's nice to have.
…why did I just feel something harmlessly splash against my mind?
"So it seems," Athena agrees, as if she didn't just try to curse me. "It is… impressive."
Yeah, baby. You love my big, strong… brain, don't you? You just can't get enough.
Athena's stare remains unimpressed. Still, this is great. I just poke the funny orbs and they give me cool shit.
[Youkai Fox] - 100cp, 0cp remaining
You've picked up a foxy trickster, a relatively young and single tailed fox magician. Oddly enough she prefers to take on the forms of your existing companions, but like all foxes her ears and tail will give her away, if you can find them. Secondly, she's a bit inexperienced with the art of shapeshifting and liable to make minor mistakes during impersonations, such as putting the braid on the wrong side of her head. She also comes with a pair of Kuda-Gistune, a male-female pair of small magical fox youkai that work as her familiars, that can bring wealth and good fortune in exchange for consuming your own health.
As a four foot tall girl in a shrine maiden outfit appears next to me, a pair of blonde foxy ears on her head and a single swaying tail behind her, I briefly consider my earlier comment about every Pantheon having a problem with me, what little I know about Japanese gods, and make my decision.
"I didn't do it," I claim, entirely convincingly I'm sure. My father is the God of Lies after all.
"Is that a fucking Kitsune," Mr D finally says after a long, uncomfortable pause.
"No," I reply, as my new friend giggles.
"Don't worry, Inari Okami knows I'm here! I'm Senko, Master. I'm here to make all your problems go away!" Senko introduces, as a pair of tiny white fox creatures appear on each shoulder.
"Can you make her go away," I ask, pointing a thumb at Athena.
"Erm, well maybe not all of your problems?" Senko corrects. "N-not that I'm calling a Goddess a problem, of course!"
Athena remains silent, but I can feel her frustration. Because this wasn't complicated enough with just the Norse lot getting involved.
"Adon. Go away. I have work to do. Do not leave the Camp, do not cause any more diplomatic incidents, just… keep out of trouble, understood?" Athena finally sighs tiredly.
"Does this mean you'll finally get out of my head?" I ask.
"Yes. Even a Goddess would go mad from a constant connection to your unfiltered thoughts. Do not think this means you can deceive me, however," Athena warns dangerously. "I will be watching."
Oh yeah? Maybe I'll seduce Annabeth and she can watch me bang her hot nerdy daughter.
"You hadn't ended the connection yet, had you?" I ask, feeling her stare burning into my flesh.
"Leave, Adon," Athena orders.
"I'm going, I'm going. I need to see a girl about a giant, poisonous chameleon monster anyway," I say, waving her off. "Come on, Senko. I can tell when we're not wanted."
As I step outside, I feel the eyes of the campers on me and I just give them a lazy wave as I begin my trek to the Aphrodite Cabin. I don't plan to make another scene, and besides…
How much trouble can I really get into-
I pause, sighing deeply as a bright light fills the clearing and a symbol appears above my head. Looking up, I spot a glowing golden apple floating above me with a symbol carved into it shaped like two C's back to back with a line in the middle inside a circle. Oh hey, I know this one. It's Eris, right?
From the direction of the Big House, I swear I hear a frustrated shout that sounds oddly like Athena but my mind is elsewhere.
I was right! Gods could totally end up with two mothers both being the biological mother!
Wait, does that mean that I have three parents and still ended up an orphan? I had a spare mom and still got dumped in an Orphanage? Man, that's like being double-unwanted.
Celestial Powers Granted due to [Father: Eris]
[Shararat Teahouse] - 200cp
A deed to the famed Shararat Teahouse. By using this deed you can place a copy of the famed teahouse in your current area (though you may update it to fit into your current setting) This teahouse serves some of the best tea and sweets anywhere in Vana'diel, it is so good that the waiting time to get in is sometimes months long. You will receive a new deed once per world.
A… teahouse? My power from Eris is a teahouse? Well, she is the Goddess of Chaos and that is pretty unexpected. Wait, Father? How does that-
Fucking Gods, man. Literally, Gods that are fucking. Well, at least I can't offend a God with a fucking teashouse-
[Lyre of Apollo] - 100cp
The god Apollo is one who possesses a multitude of divine roles, but perhaps his most famous is as the god of music. You now find yourself in possession of his lyre, crafted of the finest materials, and virtually indestructible. It is perfectly tuned, and the music it produces will always be pleasing to hear, even if played by a complete novice. If played by a master, you could even bring the gods to tears through your craft.
"Adon! Is that what I think it is?!" Athena shouts.
"Fucking book it," I decide, grabbing Senko and lifting her in a princess carry as I make a break for it. Nope, I have no idea what she's talking about. "It's not my fault!"
— Athena —
She would not mistake the Lyre of Apollo, and yet…
Apollo had seemed confused when she asked her half-brother if he still had his Lyre, and he'd been able to produce it. While Adon tried to hide his version, which she could feel held Apollo's divine power, under the bed of his room at the Aphrodite Cabin.
And yet, was it Apollo's divine power? It felt like him, but… different. It was his Lyre, and yet at the same time, it was not. It reminded her of his Charmspeak, so similar to the Charmspeak of Aphrodite's children and yet different.
Whatever, wherever, Adon was pulling his powers from, she was increasingly convinced it was far bigger than originally believed. And given that the Norse pantheon originally believed that Adon's powers could lead to Ragnarok, that was saying something.
But, despite the shock and confusion, there was one thing she knew for sure. She was going to beat some answers out of Eris when she found the trickster goddess.
Somehow, she suspected she'd just found who helped Loki escape his imprisonment.
— Silena Beauregard —
Knocking on the open door, she watched through it as Adon flinched and shuffled, trying to hide whatever he had stuffed under his mattress. She caught a glimpse of gold before he moved in front of it.
"Is this a bad time, Adon? I heard you were back," Silena started, trailing off as she spotted a small woman with animal ears and a tail sitting at Adon's desk. "I think I mentioned that I was the head of the Aphrodite Cabin before everything got strange."
"Nope! Now's a great time," Adon replied easily. "Nice to officially meet you, sis. And thanks for looking after Pukei-Pukei for me."
"Oh, it was no problem. Well, actually that's a lie. I've had to stop the Ares cabin from hunting him, a huntress of Artemis and then any of our siblings from trying to Charmspeak it into submission," Silena admitted with a quiet laugh. "They got the hint after the first idiot got a faceful of poison spit, and Chiron ordered the others to stop trying to hunt him, but Pukei is a sweetie really. He was just worried about you. He's in the forest at the moment, he was getting crowded and it was stressing him out."
Her eyes flickered to the girl, who just waved happily.
"Oh right, this is Senko. She's my… err…" Adon trailed off.
"Servant is the closest, master," Senko finished for him. "I was summoned to aid Adon, however I can. I won't get in the way, promise!"
Senko was adorable, but Silena just offered the smaller girl a hand. She had no idea what was going on but she could roll with it.
"So, uhh, weird question, but is there anywhere I could put a teahouse?" Adon asked.
"Life is going to get complicated with you here, isn't it?" Silena replied after a long moment, and Adon just laughed sheepishly.
"If it makes it any better, I genuinely am not doing this on purpose. Chaos is just in my blood, apparently," Adon admitted. "I think I could attach it to the Cabin, but I am going to be a good boy (for once) and ask for permission first."
"I… you know what, go for it," Silena finally said with a shrug. Luke wanted her to find out what Adon's powers did, and while the guilt stung at her heart, she could do this much at least. "We're allowed to modify our cabin."
"Is that why this place looks like Barbie's Dreamhouse?" Adon asked, getting a laugh from her.
"Yeah, pretty much. I didn't choose the colour scheme, for the record," Silena said defensively, holding up her hands as Adon chuckled.
Following him outside, she watched as he produced a… property deed from thin air, waving it around and shaking it as he seemed to be trying to work something out before they both flinched at a flash of light.
Now, behind their cabin, was a small, ancient grecian themed teahouse. Hm, it was going to be a fun one to try and explain this, wasn't it?
"Sweet, literally," Adon said, looking around inside. Wait, it had staff? "I don't think they're real people. They're like automatons, I think."
He'd obviously seen her staring at the waitresses and bartender as Adon sat down, gesturing for her and Senko to do the same.
"So, are you staying in Camp Halfblood then?" Silena asked, looking over the menu. "I mean, are you even a demigod if you have two divine parents?"
The fact that the Norse pantheon was real was still fresh in the minds of the campers. Even Athena couldn't hide it when Loki himself infiltrated the camp.
"That's where you're wrong. I have three divine parents! I'm half Olympian, half Jotunn and half Olympian again for good measure," Adon explained with a snort. She'd heard some rumours that he'd been claimed again today, but surely that was…
"So it's true, Eris claimed you? And isn't that three halves?" Silena pointed out.
"Yup. Also, it's three halves so far. It's still early in the day. I'm hoping for a Celtic God next personally," Adon joked. "But as far as I know, I'm not going anywhere. I guess they're just stamping Demigod on me because it sounds better than 'freak of nature'. Damn, they weren't kidding, this place has some amazing sweets."
Sampling her own, her eyes widened in surprise as she let out a small satisfied moan.
"Mhm, you're not wrong. You realise that our siblings will descend on this place like a swarm of locusts?" Silena joked. Senko sipped her tea, her tail swishing back and forth excitedly.
"Eh, go for it. Maybe they'll treat me like less of an oddity if I bring sweets. Anyone from another cabin has to ask nicely and I'll think about letting them reserve a table. So, how much do they hate me? I saw the glares when our mutual mommy gave me the whole light show," Adon replied with a wry smile and a sigh.
"I wouldn't say they hate you, but some of the boys are jealous. Frankly, you're hotter than them and they take that seriously, and some of the girls are pouting that your Claiming was far more… intense than their own. Give them time," Silena promised, placing her hand on his soothingly. Despite his joking nature, she recognised the brief vulnerability for what it was.
It was gone just as fast, his playful grin back on his lips in an instant.
"Oh, I'm hot, am I?" Adon asked. She just rolled her eyes.
"You're a son of Aphrodite. It comes with the territory," Silena pointed out. "But yes, even by the standards of Aphrodite's Cabin, you are dangerously good looking. It's almost unfair."
"It is unfair, but fortunately, I'm a trickster demigod twice over and fairness is for fools," Adon laughed.
"A good mindset to have, since my next question is whether you want to take part in the Capture the Flag tomorrow, and we're against the Ares, Hephaestus, Apollo and Athena Cabins," Silena joked. "A little unfairness will help a lot."
"Am I allowed to unleash a giant poisonous chameleon on them?" Adon asked. "Or a four foot tall kitsune?"
"I… actually do not know," Silena admitted.
"Well, either way I will happily bend every rule I can find in the pursuit of victory," Adon promised. "Wait, is there a forge I can use?"
Her eyebrows raised, wondering what he was planning before she heard his plan and grinned. She had nothing against Apollo, Athena or Hephaestus' cabins, especially given the fact that her boyfriend was head of the Hephaestus Cabin, but she also knew that the Aphrodite cabin was seen as weak.
Something she was eager to change, even if it meant a little humiliation for Charlie.
— Bonus Scene — Drew Tanaka
As she spotted Adon, she frowned thoughtfully.
"So, you're fighting with us tomorrow?" Drew asked, using the distraction of the teahouse to get Adon alone. Most of their siblings had moved in, and she could admit that it had damn good snacks and drinks but she had bigger plans than snacking.
Her siblings were lucky that it was hard for Aphrodite's kids to put on weight.
"That's the plan, assuming nothing ridiculous happens between now and then," Adon admitted with a shrug. "Which is more likely than not, to be perfectly honest."
"Look forward to seeing what you can do, new guy," Drew finally said, her mind racing.
Silena was a weak leader. Even worse than that, she was letting herself be led around by Luke. It was bad enough that she banned the Rite, falling for someone as pathetic as Charles, but then to let herself, a daughter of Aphrodite, be controlled by one of Hermes brats was insult to injury.
She didn't know if Luke was fucking Silena or not, but he had her wrapped around his finger and it was an insult to their entire Cabin and their divine mother. Aphrodite's kids were the ones to manipulate and control people, not the other way around.
And yet, Silena was stronger in a fight than her and she could shrug off Drew's own Charmspeak, which meant that Drew couldn't challenge Silena and expect to win. No, she needed to be smart about how she was going to take Silena's spot as top dog.
And Adon was going to help her.
Author's Note: Of course he rolled Apollo's Lyre. Why not.
Priapus' note: Apollo got his first lyre when Hermes gifted it to him to make up for making off with and killing his herd of sacred cows.
Clearly this means that Adon needs to give Apollo a herd of cows to make up for the lyre, as that is the established exchange rate.
Malcolm's note: Is it a stereotype that Aphrodite's cabin now literally has "the tea"?
Marethyu's Note: I wouldn't be surprised if his next roll is a herd of cows lol
– Annabeth Chase –
"Why do we even need to plan? We're against the Hermes misfits and Aphrodite's pretty boys and girls," Clarisse scoffed. "This match is laughably one-sided. Mr D clearly had had too much to drink when he set this one up."
"And Dionysus and Demeter's Cabin, both of whom tend to have the power of Chlorokinesis, while we're fighting in a forest," Annabeth replied simply, letting out a tired sigh. "Luke is a smart leader and strong enough to be a problem by himself. Rushing in without a plan is just going to get us humiliated. Adon is the wildcard. I can't say what he's going to do."
"Please. Chiron said he couldn't use his pet monster. Just don't let him speak, and he won't be able to pull off his charm-speak bullshit. Aphrodite kids are easy to beat if you just rush them before they can speak," Clarisse grunted. "We have the Apollo archers, Ares warriors, and I guess the Hephaestus kids can help. Assuming you're not busy drooling over Silena."
"I'm more than capable of separating my relationship from the match. Silena wouldn't want me to throw the match for her anyway," Charles drawled, looking as annoyed as Annabeth felt. She did not want to lose this match when her mother was at the Camp. "I'm with Annabeth. Luke is tricky enough without a son of Eris pulling whatever the hell he wants out of his back pocket. Lady Athena wouldn't be here if Adon wasn't worth worrying about."
Lee, the head of the Apollo Cabin, just hummed in agreement, making Clarisse let out a disgusted scoff. Something about Adon seemed to get under Clarisse's skin, and she was practically vibrating with a desire to beat him. Maybe it was the attention he was getting, or maybe she just took his loud comments about her glaring as sexual tension worse than it first seemed, but it was clear Clarisse wanted to humiliate Adon.
At the very least, the hot-head was listening as they worked on their strategy for the capture the flag game. The Hephaestus Cabin would handle defence, aided by some of the Apollo and Athena cabins, while Ares would go on the offensive with the rest of the Apollo and Athena cabin members.
The annoying truth was that they just didn't know enough about Adon and his skills to properly plan around him. He could shapeshift, which they'd need to be on guard for, and turn invisible. If she had that power, she'd simply try to steal the enemy flag and run off with it, as finding an invisible figure in the forest would be nearly impossible. The Hephaestus cabin would set up some traps around the flag to try to trip up any invisible figures, but it wasn't a foolproof plan.
Could Adon make other people invisible? If so, Luke was bound to take advantage of that to lead a small group to steal the flag. Their best bet, despite her reservations, wasspeed. They needed to capture the other team's flag before Adon could pull off any nonsense and besides Luke, her own team did have the advantage in a head-on battle. Ares' kids might be arrogant, but most of it was deserved, as they were very good in a fight.
Aphrodite's children were beautiful and charming, and Clarisse wasn't wrong to fear their charmspeak… even if she'd never admit that it was concern that they'd take control of her that was driving her words. An invisible trickster with charmspeak sounded like a nightmare waiting to happen, if he got in close and whispered into the ears of the weaker-willed members he could cause their entire team to fall apart to infighting. So, the less time he had to sneak around, the better.
She was not going to lose in front of her mother.
– Later –
"I've never seen a more obvious trap in my life," Lee snorted, his eyes fixed on the golden lyre that Adon was plucking at with exactly zero skill and yet still somehow managing to make a pleasant tune.
Sitting on a log, Adon played with the lyre carelessly, ignoring their presence as the flag stood right behind him.
"Have you heard of the Empty Fort strategy?" Annabeth asked, her lips twitching as Lee shook his head, and she regaled the footnotes of the tale of Zhuge Liang playing his guqin while sitting atop an open gate. His rival retreated, fearing an ambush, where there was none, simply out of the fear of Zhuge Liang's reputation. "The trick could be that there isn't a trap at all."
"Or you're overthinking things, and we should just beat his ass. He's all alone, and the flag is right there," Clarisse pointed out, glaring at Adon, who blinked in surprise, seemingly noticing their presence. Stopping his playing, he gave them all a friendly wave.
"I want to know where he got that lyre," Lee said simply, his eyes fixed on it as he nocked an arrow. "Annabeth?"
"Try it, we might as well see if this is an illusion," Annabeth agreed, watching the arrow fly straight and true toward Adon. Oddly enough, it was not encouraging when the arrow flew straight through his form, dispersing it entirely.
"Ugh!" Clarisse scoffed, storming forward toward the flag as her brothers and sisters followed behind. Annabeth went to call out, before she paused and shared a look with Lee. Well, they'd found the canary to test the mines with. If this was a trap, it was better that Clarisse be the one to blunder into it as she admittedly had probably the best chance of fighting her way out of it.
Lee kept an arrow ready, and Annabeth scanned the area for any ambushers with her sword drawn. Clarisse marched forward, snatching the flag from its post and instantly, everything went to shit. Thick smoke flooded the clearing, as they heard Clarisse let out a shout of surprise and anger, several pitfalls opening up and dropping some of the Ares kids into the muddy water below.
What caught Annabeth by surprise was the fact that nobody stormed the field to take advantage of the chaos, as she watched the Ares kids pull themselves out of the holes, covered in mud, all scowling angrily. Clarisse clawed her way out of her pit, and Annabeth heard Lee stifle a laugh at the sight of her covered head to toe in glitter, clutching a bright pink cloth that was certainly not the flag.
"Not a fucking word," Clarisse snarled, trying in vain to wipe away the glitter.
"All I'm wondering is… why did nobody try to take advantage of this?" Annabeth asked, frowning. One of the Ares kids had twisted their ankle, but Lee healed it with a tune, leaving them embarrassed but no worse off than before. "Why set up a trap when nobody is here to spring it?"
Clarisse just let out a disgusted sound, tossing the fake flag to the ground. It wasn't until it was already falling that she spotted the tiny silver disk falling out of it. Her eyes widened in surprise, and a cry left her as it hit the ground, only for another pitfall to open up and drop all three of them into the thick, sticky mud. Lee let out a sigh, almost seeming amused as Annabeth scowled and Clarisse let out a screech of frustration.
As they clawed their way out, Clarisse 'accidentally' kicking her as she tried to get out first, Annabeth wondered what that thing was. It was gone now, no sign left behind but was it some kind of magical item? Using magical items wasn't against the rules, after all.
"Watch out for anything silver," Annabeth told Lee, knowing that an enraged Clarisse wasn't going to listen to them. Lee nodded, and it wasn't long until they found the answer to their earlier question.
Nobody was around for the fake flag… because Adon had set up more. They barely walked for a minute before they came across another fake flag, hanging from a branch. Then another, stuffed into a log. Then another, and another, and another.
One of them was simply on the ground with a sign saying 'real flag' next to it and a conspicuously suspended giant net above it. Annabeth took one look at it, before she sighed deeply and wondered what she'd done to deserve this.
"Where is everybody? What the hell are they playing at?!" Clarisse growled, finding no opponents to take her anger out on. It was an apt concern, after all… if none of the other team were on their side of the creek, then how was their own flag faring? Had Luke left Adon on defence to frustrate and confuse them while he led the entire team on a raid?
Clarisse slashed at a nearby tree in a temper tantrum, and Annabeth could only watch with bemusement as a net sprang from beneath her feet, wrapping around her and hanging her upside down from the branches as her curses and shouts no doubt alerted the entire forest to their location.
At least, as they helped her down, they hadn't lost anyone yet.
– Luke Castellan –
Listening to the shouts, Luke chuckled to himself.
Adon was having fun.
Slowly crawling out of the pit, he gave Silena a nod as they moved onto the next phase of their plan. The sleeping Clarisse remained in her glitter-filled prison. Adon's charmspeak was powerful, and between him, Silena and Drew, even Clarisse stood no chance when caught by surprise.
And being dumped into a glitter-filled pit was definitely a surprise. The hotheaded daughter of Ares was under their thrall before she'd even managed to realise that she wasn't alone in her pit. And it wasn't like any of her team were going to investigate the hole too closely when 'Clarisse' crawled out of it.
So, as Adon led Annabeth and Lee on a wild goose chase around the forest, he had his own work to do. Clarisse wasn't going to stay asleep forever, and the rules forbid you from binding defeated enemies. Instead, a couple of Hermes members would move her to the jail. All the better, they wouldn't need to protect her to stop her from being freed because nobody even knew she was captured.
"Your brother has quite a few tricks up his sleeve," Luke chuckled, tossing a silver disk into the air with a curious look. Adon's ability to forge traps was intriguing; maybe it came from Loki? And yet, that didn't feel right to him. "Come on, we have our part to play in this script Adon has written," he joked.
If he knew Annabeth, she'd already be worried about her own flag thanks to the complete lack of people on this side of the creek.
Time to make that worry into a reality.
– Annabeth Chase –
She knew it.
As they rushed back, the horn sounding out warned them that their flag was under attack. Their raid had ended in failure, simply stumbling into trap after trap, with no sight of the real flag or even a single member of the enemy team.
And yet, as they reached their flag… the battle was over, and the flag remained untouched. It just didn't make sense. Nothing was adding up.
"Charles?" Annabeth asked, getting the Hephaestus counsellor's attention. "What happened?"
"Luke and Silena led a raid, but… I don't know. It felt off. Luke's a good fighter but it felt like he wasn't even trying and he retreated the moment he heard you were all coming back," Charles admitted.
"Coward," Clarisse scoffed, glancing at the flag with a deep scowl on her lips. "We should chase them down before they can go into hiding again."
"I agree," Lee admitted, getting a nod from Clarisse. "This is the first time we've even seen them, and we're not going to win if we can't even find our opponents."
Clarisse moved up to the flag, moving her hand toward it with a suspicious scowl. Despite herself, Annabeth also let out a sigh of relief when her hand didn't pass through it. At least Adon hadn't snuck it away in the chaos.
"I agree as well. We need to follow them carefully, which way did they go?" Annabeth asked, getting their direction as Clarisse led the charge. It wasn't hard to follow the many footprints back to the creek and across-
"The Blue Team wins!" Athena's voice called out as Clarisse stepped over the creek and they all froze, sharing confused looks. What- but the flag was back with Charles? How could-
Adon could shapeshift.
"Man, you are Athena's daughter. Well, she'd have caught on like an hour ago but still-" Clarisse said, hands behind her head with an uncharacteristic grin on her face as Annabeth stared at her, both angry and embarrassed. Her figure shimmered, Adon revealing himself and the sword in his hand fading to reveal… a red flag.
They'd let him walk right into their hiding spot, grab the flag and then escorted him back to the creek.
"You wouldn't believe how glad I am that we didn't get into any fights. I can walk and talk like our angry friend, but I sure as fuck can't fight like her," Adon admitted, tossing the flag into the air lazily.
"Which is why Luke pulled back so quickly," Lee sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well played. Well fucking played."
"Why Clarisse?" Annabeth finally asked, watching him scratch his chin.
"Oh, I figured she'd be the easiest to impersonate. I was watching you lot wander around and you didn't strike me as close. Besides, you were enjoying watching 'her' fall into my traps too much to look too closely. I saw that little shit-eating grin when 'she' got caught in the nets," Adon explained with a cheerful smile.
"Wait- where is Clarisse?" one of the Ares lot finally asked, catching up and realising the depths of how badly they'd been played.
"Either still in the glitter pit or in the jail. Luke was going to smuggle her away after we left," Adon explained, tossing Clarisse's weapon to one of her brothers. "No hard feelings, right?"
His smile was radiant, and seemingly entirely unaware of the glares of every Ares demigod as he wandered off toward his team, whistling to himself. Annabeth wasn't glaring. Instead, she was cursing herself and looking anywhere but toward her mother. She didn't want to see the look on Lady Athena's face after Adon had pulled the wool over all their eyes so easily.
Luke clapped Adon on the shoulder as the Aphrodite, Hermes and Demeter cabins surrounded him. Already, arguments were breaking out between the Ares and Aphrodite campers but Annabeth tuned them out with practised ease. Her eyes fixed on Adon, both furious at how badly he'd tricked her and… reluctantly impressed.
She'd identified the biggest threat right at the start, his shapeshifting. She'd told herself and the others to watch out for it. Then, she'd fallen hook, line and sinker for it anyway.
"So, Clarisse isn't going to take the whole knocking her out and stealing her identity thing personally, right?" Adon asked, a beaming grin on his face. Somehow, she knew that he was well aware that 'taking it personally' was going to be an understatement. "Or do you think I'll… La Rue the day I met her?"
In the distance, she saw the real Clarisse, now free, storming toward them with her weapon clutched tightly but Adon didn't even turn to face her as a flurry of petals engulfed him and dispersed, Adon nowhere to be seen.
After Adon had taken advantage of her willingness to watch Clarisse get humiliated to trick her, she really shouldn't have found Clarisse's scream quite as amusing as she had. Somehow, she doubted she was the only one smothering a small smile as Clarisse cursed and shouted for Adon to return.
– Adon –
Hehe.
Sneaking away, I am glad my illusions can affect sound as well as sight, as I giggle to myself at the sheer rage the angry girl is showing. Ah, she's fun. Silena warned me about the 'initiation' Clarisse and her goons like to do, and I've enjoyed frustrating her attempts to find me over the past day.
100cp granted. 100cp total
Feats Achieved: Win the Capture the Flag game, 100cp granted. Embarrass Annabeth in front of her mother, 100cp granted. Become Clarisse' eternal rival, 100cp granted. 300cp granted. 400cp total.
Heh.
I get to embarrass people and get paid for it? This place is pretty cool.
[Specialist's Hammer] - 200cp, 200cp remaining
Bridging the mystical and the mundane, with the tools of man, are there many acts more satisfying than that? With a solid hammer and good ember, you are capable of just such feats. You may harness the qualities of magical, supernatural or just outright strange materials to improve existing constructs not composed of such things. An iron sword could be imbued with the arcane nature of the soul to better bypass armour, or a shield with the power to halt darkness-infused attacks. You are also bestowed skills in smithing, although these skills are quite basic outside of infusing equipment with special qualities.
Neat. I don't exactly have any supernatural materials right now, but I'm sure I'll get my hands on some eventually. And besides, surely the Hepatitis C Cabin won't mind sharing the forge, right? I had to make my traps in my bedroom because I didn't want to give the game away, but I… maybe borrowed some materials from the camp forge, but only because Luke said it was communal, not just for the forge kids.
[Medicine Set] - 200cp, 0cp remaining
Chances are, you are going to get hurt when fighting Shadows. Nothing will help to rejuvenate your spirit as quickly as this handy set of Tae Takemi's special medicine. Holding five relax gels, five doses of Takemedic-All Z, Five Soul Foods, Five Life Ointments, Five Hiranya's and Five Kundaclear-R. All that is used from this Set will be restored the next day.
And given the Ares cabin's desire to make my internal organs external, having a bunch of medicine isn't a bad thing! Wait, which god is the god of medicine again? Have I insulted that one? I think it's… oh right, Apollo.
Maybe I shouldn't have fucked around with his Lyre on the mission, but it was worth it for the baffled looks on the Apollo campers faces. Besides, Athena didn't take it off me so I'm sure there's no real issue with me having-
As I arrive at the Teahouse for my celebratory snacks, I pause as I spot the incredibly handsome man sitting at the counter, flowing blond locks that make me mildly jealous before I remember that I'm also super hot.
"Hey," the guy who is definitely not Apollo (please, Zeus, don't let it be Apollo) says, giving me an almost lazy wave. "This place has some good snacks."
"I know, right?" I agree easily, seeing Senko trying to tell me something through hand gestures.
"Nice giant chameleon as well. It did try to spit at me, but I've dealt with worse. My sister is definitely gonna want to see it," he continues.
"Is she cute?" I ask before I can stop myself.
"Eh," he says after a moment, his lips twitching. "So, you gonna pretend you don't know who I am, or are you going to show me the Lyre you pulled out of thin air?"
Why did I pray to Zeus? He hates me. I should have prayed to… Hera? No, I'm a bastard. Athena? Nope, she'd just give me that scowly look. Mom? Dad?
Mom, come pick me up, I'm scared.
"I'd like to start this by saying that it was totally not my fault and please don't shoot me with arrows. My good looks are all I have going for me and a few extra holes would not help them," I say, clicking my fingers as the Lyre appears in my hands.
"Don't look so grim. I promised Athena I wouldn't smite you. That is undeniably a golden lyre, empowered by a God of Music," Apollo agrees, tilting his head as I offer it to him with some reluctance. "But not me. It feels like me, but…"
As he speaks, he clicks his fingers in the same gesture as his own, slightly different, lyre appears in his hands. Lazily, he strums his and the sound sends shivers through my entire body as the idle gesture produces music that puts anything I've ever heard to shame. Then, it vanishes and he takes my version into his hands and does the same. Once more, the world seems to fade away as he effortlessly plays a song more beautiful than I have words to describe.
"This is the Lyre of Apollo. It's just not the Lyre of Me," Apollo finally decides, ending his performance. I'll admit, it takes me a moment to shake myself out of the trance, something that seems to amuse him. "But there is a clear piece of divinity in this… I wonder if-"
As he speaks, he tries to do something to the lyre in his hands before a wave of golden light knocks him flat on his ass. I'd be mildly amused if the same light didn't send me flying out of the door as I tumble through the garden of the Aphrodite Cabin.
Hope Senko is alright, she's so tiny compared to us big muscular men.
As I rise, shaking my head, I watch the Teahouse repair itself as Apollo brushes himself off. It's not until he stares at me that I realise that I'm holding the lyre now. Instantly, I go to speak but he cuts in.
"Lemme guess. Not your fault? Yeah, I get the idea," Apollo snorts, looking unamused as he glares lightly at the lyre that sits in my hands. "Probably wasn't my best idea, anyway. I get the feeling that thing doesn't like me."
"Adon! Are you alright- oh fuck," Luke trails off, spotting Apollo with wide eyes as he and Silena freeze. Apollo just gives the pair a raised eyebrow before turning back to me. How does he still look so good after he got put on his ass? There's not even a single hair out of place. Damn it, he does have better hair than I do.
"I don't suppose you've pulled any more of my things out of your little bag of tricks?" Apollo finally asks.
"...does this weird medicine count?" I ask, producing a handful of my new medicine. He actually pauses at that, scratching his neck.
"That was a rhetorical question," he admits, taking one of the Life Ointments and sniffing it. "Huh, this is good stuff, for mortals anyway. Athena has her hands full with you, huh?"
"I would never go out of my way to make Lady Athena's job harder," I reply instantly, but his laughter tells me that he may have heard a few stories already. "So, uhh, can I keep the lyre?"
Apollo pauses at that, staring me down.
"Do you even know how to play it?" Apollo finally asks.
"I can learn?" I answer without having to actually admit that, no, I don't have fucking clue.
"You've got a month. If you can't give me a good performance at the end of the month, I'm using you for target practice and taking it back," Apollo finally decides.
"I can learn fast," I correct, getting a laugh from him.
"Oh? Then you'll do it in a week, instead," Apollo agrees.
"Wait, no," I say, but he holds up his hands.
"No takebacks. Next Sunday," Apollo says bluntly.
"Shit," I say simply as he vanishes in a golden ray of light. "Hey, Luke. I don't suppose you know anyone who can play the lyre?"
"Yeah, Lee. You dropped him into a mud pit, trapped him in a net, then covered him in glitter," Luke admits.
"But he's a good sport about it, right?" I ask, definitely not desperate.
"Honestly, you did worse to Clarisse so… probably. But hey, you got your first quest already!" Luke says, cheering me up as he throws an arm around my shoulder. "So, that really was Apollo's lyre, huh? Lee had a million questions after you slipped away."
"Are you okay, Adon? We saw the golden blast and figured it was you," Silena admits. It's nice to know that I already have a reputation.
"Well, I'm okay for another… eight days at least?" I say optimistically. "That's eight whole days when I'm not a divine pincushion. I can do a lot in eight days."
"You have a plan, then?" Luke asks, as I give him a confident grin.
"Absolutely fucking not," I admit.
Feat Achieved: Survive hurting Apollo's ego, 200cp granted. 200cp total.
"But look and behold at my almighty power. Power, give me… something. Anything," I demand.
[Red Tinted Spectacles] - 100cp, 100cp remaining.
Okay, it's not quite like the vision of a certain time-travelling assassin, but looking at people – or pictures of them – gives you enough of an insight into their skills and capabilities – or lack thereof - to let you know if they'd make a valuable pawn for whatever plan you have. Maybe they're in debt? Perhaps they're ill? Maybe they're just an idiot? Either way, this should help getting people on your side that you know how to manipulate, though you'll need to find out what they're good at another way.
"Nice shades," Luke admits. Huh, he's actually pretty fucking good himself. But what is… eh, not my problem, my problem is the god about to shove golden arrows of sunlight up my ass.
"Okay, very funny, power. But knowing what people are good at isn't going to fucking help right now. Go again!" I demand.
[Flight] - 100cp, 0cp remaining
One of the most common abilities among the X-Men, you just don't get anything to go along with the power of Flying. You get to choose what type of flying you have: gravitational, magnetic, telekinetic, magical, or energy.
As I float off the ground, both Luke and Silena stare in a mixture of shock and confusion at my graceful flight, glowing with golden light because I look good in gold.
"Fuck. I don't think I can fly faster than his arrows," I admit. "Well, that didn't work. Fuck it, plan B! Eris! You got me into this mess, get me out of it!"
300cp granted as a loan from Eris. She will be coming to collect later.
"Huh, that worked?" I ask, scratching my chin.
"Adon?" Luke asks, but I hold out a hand.
"Witness," I say simply, focusing again.
[Forbidden Treasures (Lesser)] - 200cp, 100cp remaining
You looking for some weird stuff? Maybe the bottled laughter of a newborn infant, or the dream of a maddened artist? How about the colour of the sunset as seen from a specific mountain peak found only in the South? Well, if you buy this option, you'll have those things. 200cp gets you a regular source every week of relatively hard-to-find exotic resources and reagents, which can be used to dramatically aid in the speed and efficiency of artefact creation. You may specify the type of resource you get each week if you have a particular need or desire in mind, and you may freely choose something different the next week.
Okay, that's super neat and goes well with my new forging perk (which means I should probably assume Hephestus is already on his way to beat my ass). Sticking my hand into inventory, I pull out a bottle of nightmares and shake it, listening to it scream.
"Neat," I admit, scratching my chin. "Yeah, I think I'm fucked. Well, once more onto the breach. I've got one more pull in me."
[The Books of England] - 100cp, 0cp remaining
Value far beyond money to the eyes of any collector or lover of literature, this Victorian-era building contains a copy of every written work published within England and the British Empire. First editions in perfect condition, from the oldest fairy tales and manuscripts to more recent plays and novels, even the scripts for modern entertainment programs can be found. Provided it is public, an impeccably maintained version can be found within this library, which is also fitted with many comfortable lounging chairs, fireplaces and a variety of refreshments to make the reading all the more pleasant.
"Adon, I mean this in the nicest way. How in the fuck did you just make a ye olde building appear?" Luke asks, but I am too busy crying bitter tears.
"It's a library with every written work made by the English. All first editions. HOW THE FUCK IS A LIBRARY GOING TO HELP ME, MOM? Or Dad? Still not sure on that one," I admit. "Eris didn't help, and I'm not sure if it's because she couldn't affect what I got or because she found it more funny to give me a library and a collection of weird materials instead of literally anything that could help me. Also, I might be in her debt now."
"Annabeth is literally never going to leave that place if she hears that," Luke mutters in amusement. "Seriously though, what the actual fuck is going on?"
"My power gives me things when I poke it, but I'm out of energy at the moment. Sometimes it's a copy of Apollo's lyre, a teahouse, the power of flight or a fucking library," I admit with a shrug.
Feat Achieved: Get Kronos' attention, 200cp granted. 200cp total.
"Or not. We're back in business! Thanks, Kronos!" I say, beaming as I roll again, ignoring the way Luke chokes on his spit.
[Intuitive Mimicry of Skill] - 200cp, 0cp remaining.
There's a saying that imitation is the highest form of flattery, but your imitation begins to take on a whole new level. If you are able to watch someone for a time with a higher level of skill than yourself (or if you can temporarily gain additional skill), then you can determine exactly what makes them more skilled and incorporate it into what you're doing. The more advanced they are over your current skill, the longer it takes you, but as long as you can replicate what your target does, nothing is out of your reach.
"Let's fucking go! Kronos has my back!" I cheer, beaming. "Yeah, I'm gonna be fine. This is totally doable. Wait, why are you staring at me like that?"