Before I Die (Split Souls part 1)

51: Gala Goes Great, Grand, & Grave

PERCY POV

The Avengers were playing... Was that monopoly? And not just them, but Loki and my sister, too. It was loud. Natasha and Clint were partners, Tony and Bruce were a duo, and Steve was trying to teach Thor. 

Loki sat on a sofa, reserved and watching with interest. My sister sat beside him, crisscross-applesauce. They were a team too, it looked like. As my sister looked at the board, she zoned out.

Loki glanced over to her and saw that she was blankly staring. He raised a hand and placed it on the back of her head softly. His eyes glowed for a moment, and my sister blinked furiously for a second. Loki casually returned his hand to his lap.

My sister looked at him. "I did it again, didn't I?"

He nodded minutely, and continued observing the game unfold. My sister sighed. "Thanks again." 

Loki smiled for a second with the corners of his lips, and didn't say anything. The others didn't notice their exchange.

Everything hurts. Holy Hephaestus. Ow. I try to open my eyes, but it's so gods damned bright. Did someone bring the sun here?

Where is here?

That thought forces me to open my eyes. After I adjust to the light, which doesn't take as long it should- wait, I'm a god, it's probably fine- I realize that I'm back at the tower. Is this the infirmary?

Oh. Right. I'm hurt. I lift up my arm to inspect the damage. It feels heavy. I promptly lower my arm after I get a look at the red. Gods, was that my skin? 

What happened? Oh, right. Zeus. Dick. I snort at how accurate that insult was. Then I choke a bit and cough. 

I catch my breath and groan. "JARVIS? You there?" I call out to the empty room, my voice scratchy.

"I'm always here." The AI responds casually.

I smile momentarily, but it's painful, so I stop. "You know, that might sound creepy to some people."

JARVIS is quiet for a moment before replying. "It is the truth."

I laugh a tiny bit. "Never change, J. What time is it? How long have I been out?"

"You arrived here early afternoon yesterday. It is currently 4:27 am, you've been unconscious for over twelve hours."

"Oh." That's a while.

"Would you like me to inform others of your consciousness?" JARVIS inquires.

"Is anyone even up?" I frown, and then refrain, because it still hurts.

"Captain Rogers and Miss Chase are in the kitchen."

"Yeah, J. Tell them I'm awake." Oh, I'm about to get yelled at. Let's get it over with. Maybe if I'm injured, they'll take pity on me. One can hope.

"It is done." JARVIS replies.

"I don't know what we would do without you, J." I realize how often we use him to find/discover simple things. We'd be running around like headless chickens without him.

"I believe, that without me, Mr. Stark would be making me."

I chuckled a little, painfully. "You know, it's pretty dam awesome that you have a personality."

"Why, thank you."

"See? That's what I mean. You could fake being a human. That's weird and crazy, but most of my life is anyway." I note.

"From what I have observed, you may be correct." JARVIS says.

Annabeth and Steve walk in maybe a minute or two after that. Surprisingly, I don't get yelled at. Just glares.