𝓪𝓻𝓬𝓪𝓷𝓮 - 𝓅𝑒𝓇𝒸𝓎 𝒿𝒶𝒸𝓀𝓈𝑜𝓃

1.22

Percy pulled the front door of the DISCOUNTED WATERBEDS shop open. He strides into the shop, music played from the speakers within the shop filling the space with some type of elevator music. Percy's eyes scanned the different waterbeds as he made his way further down the aisle.

"Welcome, weary traveler!" a unknown voice announced from the back of the store. "Come on in and take a load off. These beds will change your... life." The man hesitated as he revealed himself to Percy.

Percy's eyes raked up and down the man's body as he took in his appearance. Who the hell wears green and red together? He looks like a concerning version of Christmas.

"Well, hello there. Missing our mommy, are we?" The man asked.

"I know who you are." Percy stated not leaving any room for manipulation. "You're Procrustes. Son of Poseidon, and murder of travelers."

"Crusty, please." Crusty asked somewhat politely as he took a couple of steps towards Percy. "And you... you've got your dad's eyes. Take a load off. Relax for a minute." He tried again, this time opening his arms up and gesturing to the beds that were laid all around him.

"The beds are a trap. That's how you do it. How you murder your guests." Percy accused, putting his part of the plan into action.

"I do?" Procrustes asked, placing a hand on his heart as he tried to fake innocence.

"I know there's a secret passage to the Underworld here. I know you were left here to guard it. But I need you to let me through. Please?" Percy tried, giving plan A, a go.

"In addition to being incredibly comfortable, these beds are great for your self-confidence." Crusty denied turning away from Percy and walking further into the store.

"I'm really not interested-"

"They show you how to fit." The man interrupted. "Fitting's not easy for guys like us, right? Our parents make it so hard. Stretching us and twisting us and hacking off pieces to make us seem more like them." The man spoke as he took several steps towards Percy. As he reached a close enough distance, Crusty reached out a hand and placed it on Percy's shoulder, trying to get the boy to cooperate with him.

"Anywho..." The man continued letting go and stepping away. "These beds will take all that away." He slapped the bed closest to Percy, causing the water in the bed to slosh around and create little waves. "With these beds, you just... fit. Try it. I think you'll feel much better."

You see this is where the plan is put into action. Unbeknownst to Crusty when Percy had entered the building Amaya and Annabeth and slipped in right behind him. Annabeth had her cap of invisibility placed on her head and Amaya had activated her invisibility powers which only lasted her a very short period but seemed to be enough for this cause. Both girls had stood behind Percy the entirety of the interaction. Amaya had her hand placed on Percy's back to let him know that she was right there with him, the girl only moved away when Percy gave the cue for them to do their part of the plan.

"You first." Percy stated, a light smirk painted over his lips.

Crusty had just enough time for a look of confusion to spread onto his features before both girls shoved the man back and onto one of his own waterbeds. As soon as Crusty hit the bed Amaya turned off her power coming to stand in front of Percy, her eyes scanned over his face looking for any sign of injury or emotional distress.

"You okay?" The dark-haired girl asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine." The blonde responded his eyes flicking quickly to her before resting on Crusty again.