VIOLENT DOG - pjo

1.12

IT TAKES ALEX ALL OF 30 SECONDS TO PACK EVERYTHING SHE NEEDS FOR THIS QUEST. She puts her 7 items into her bag before heading out to the entrance of camp where Chiron told them to meet. Griffin and Grover stand leaning against the wall, Chiron beside them.

When she approaches, Chiron gives her a flask of nectar and a ziplock bag of ambrosia. He reminds her that this is only to be used in an emergency... yada yada. She knows she'll only use it if Griffin and Annabeth tell her to. Chiron also hands her 4 $50 bills in mortal money and a pouch of golden drachmas. She doesn't ask what he thinks they may need it for.

As he drops the money into her hand, he whispers slightly, "You're carrying Percy's money too." He pauses, "It's not that I don't trust hi-"

Alex just nods, "I get it. He tends to misplace things."

A few campers gather near them to say goodbye, mostly children of Athena and Apollo. Griffin speaks with Lee and Micheal who are taking over his councillor duties while he's gone. Griffin seems frustrated, like he's been repeating the same orders to them over and over.

Alex stands next to Annabeth and Percy as she explains where she got her Yankee cap that makes her invisible. She talks about how it was a gift from her mother for her 14th birthday. She also shows the twins her knife she hides in her sleeve.

"Don't go through a metal detector with that." Percy jokes. Alex nods strongly, ignoring his humorous tone. She isn't exactly sure how they would explain that to security.

When everyone says goodbye, the group of 5 head up towards the road. Griffin stops briefly at Thalia's tree, taking a deep breath before standing beside Alex, who looks at Chiron and Argus. It was quite a scare when Alex first met Argus as she was not prepared to be looked at from a million different eyes. Thankfully, today he wears a long sleeve shirt, meaning she can only see the extra eyes on his hands and face.

"This is Argus," Chiron introduces the guy standing next to him despite Alex and Percy already knowing his name. "He'll be driving you into the city and uh... keep an eye on you."

Alex tries not to smile, instead turning to look at Luke who jogs up the hill. "I'm glad I caught you."

He takes a deep breath, like the short run up the hill winded him, before handing a pair of shoes to Percy. "I thought maybe you could use these."

Percy accepts the shoes, looking at them, confused. Alex glances up at Luke, silently questioning herself if she's missing anything as these just look like regular high top converse, the same ones she wears on her own feet.

Just when the twins are going to question him, Luke speaks again. "Maia!"

White wings appear out of the back of the shoes. Percy drops them in surprise, taking a step back to see them flop around on the ground for a bit before going limp.

"Awesome!" Grover mumbles.

"Those served me well when I was on my quest. Gift from Dad. Of course, I don't use them much these days..." He sighs before looking up, "Just don't let Griffin use them. Last time he ended up with a broken arm."

Griffin scoffs loudly, his arms folded across his chest, "Maybe because you pushed me out of the air?"

Luke lets out a sound as if he's considering Griffin's suggestion. "Nah."

"Hey man," Percy says, "Thanks."

"Listen, both of you," Luke starts slowly, looking at Alex and Percy, "A lot of hopes are riding on you. So just... kill some monsters for me, okay?"

They both nod, Percy shaking his hand before Luke pulls Alex into a hug. He mumbles something that she barely catches, "Keep an eye on him for me?"

Alex doesn't need to ask who he's talking about so she simply nods, "I'll try my best."