/ thálassa | pjo \

/ chapter thirteen | annabeth scuba dives & we reach our destination \

edited. 

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 We didn't have a problem with our mode of transportation this time–the ship continuing to be an extra limb for me and my brother. With gentle coaxing, it listened to every command we gave it. It was almost like the ship was alive, and as it belonged to Black Beard–I would not be surprised if it was imbued with some kind of ancient magic from Ares.

I bet Clarisse would be crapping her pants if she were here right now.

But the ease of our sailing seemed to make Percy and I align with our team again. And it had been a while since it actually felt like we were working together to get something done and doing it well–especially after our fight at Camp, which made things a little tense between us, even after the apology to Tyson.

At the thought of my brother, I pushed it away–not wanting to cry again as I focused on gently adjusting the Queen Anne's Revenge a couple degrees to our left.

At the moment, I was focusing on what was perfect.

And that did not really include being a pirate captain while wearing a stupid Greek chiton and bedazzled sandals. Even though I really did think they were beautiful, it did not take me long to abandon the shoes below deck. I just walked around the ship barefoot and prayed that I didn't get any splinters.

So far–I was good–knock on wood.

I was just readjusting the woven belt over my chiton when Percy asked me for the fourth time if I was okay staying above deck for the first shift of the night. He and I had been taking turns sailing the ship, and I had very quickly volunteered to take the night shift to avoid sleeping.

I know he was worried about me–I could see it all over his sunkissed face, but I just leaned against the main mast of the Queen Anne's Revenge, giving him an annoyed little sister look, "Yes, Jackson. I'm alright. Go check on your girlfriend below deck. Make sure she hasn't vomited everywhere."

Percy's face went red at my comment, "She's not my—"

I cut him off with a smirk, "Not yet."

He looked ready to punch me in the face, but instead just shuffled on his feet and said, "You don't need all of that stuff, by the way...the make-up, dress...ya know. You're pretty without it."

I tried not to say anything about how I was already thinking about how dull I was going to look when all the island magic wore off and I was back to wearing my regular clothes.

To hide my internal embarrassment, I rolled my eyes, "Don't lie to me."

My brother's face was so sincere it almost hurt to look at, "I'm not lying! I swear it! Any guy would be an idiot not to see!"

I blushed a little, deciding to just accept the compliment, "You're a good brother."

"I really am being serious, Sal. Even though I'll kill any guy who looks at you, you're pretty with and without make-up," He nudged my shoulder.

I smiled at him, "Thanks..." I picked at the little pearls I hadn't noticed were woven in the neckline, "It is pretty, though, and it makes me feel pretty–but yeah, it's a little much." Then I thought back to how gorgeous my hair looked with its now healthy waves, "But I'm gonna keep my hair. I don't know what products they used, but I love it."

Percy tugged on one of the little braids woven with gold, "It does look pretty cool." He side-hugged me, giving me a brow-raised look, "Call me if you need me."