Of Shocks and Seashells

Of Aphrodite and Intervention

Disclaimer: If I said I owned Percy Jackson, Apollo would curse me and make me speak in limericks for about three weeks, and I DO NOT WANT THAT! NOT AT ALL! And because of that, I will say this: No, I do not own Percy Jackson. Just shut up and read the story already!

Percy's Point of View

Did you know that your whole day can go downhill because of a goddess?

I was sitting on a bench with Thalia, when Aphrodite started poking around in my head.

Well? Are you going to make a move or what? the sultry voice said.

Erm...who in Hades are you?

Language, Percy. It's Aphrodite.

Oh, sorry ma'am. Didn't mean offense.

It's quite alright, Percy, it's quite alright. But onto other matters, are you going to make a move or not?

Excuse me, make a move?

*Sigh* Look, Percy. I know it, all of the gods know it, Thalia knows it, you know it, everyone in the whole camp knows it! So just tell Thalia you like her already!

What?

I'm trying to make things easier than you! In fact, you should be thanking me.

But I don't! I don't like her! I mean, not like that, but as a friend I do...I mean...you know what I mean!

Oh, Percy, Percy, Percy...you should know by now that if you don't make a move, then I will force you. That, or I will put my daughters and sons up to it.

What? No! But, wait-

Sorry Percy, I must go. Zeus is calling a meeting, and I must be there. Goodbye! For now...

Oh, gods.

Thalia's Point of View

I was sitting on a bench with Percy by my side when Aphrodite decided to start messing around with me.

Thalia?

Who are you and what the Hades are you doing in my head?

*Sigh* Can't I just ever get a hello? Gods, you and Percy are so much alike.

Yeah. I've heard.

That's a good reason why you should go out.

I mean, everyone thinks we're like twins-wait, what? GO OUT? AS IN DATE?

Yes, Thalia, as in date.

ARE YOU CRAZY?

Do not insult me.

Right, right, sorry. I was being hot headed. I apologize for my actions. It might sound like I'm kissing up to Aphrodite, but gods get offended easily. And if they do...well, I really don't want to go there. But...Percy and I? I don't really think that would work out...

Urgh. You are both so blunt.

Wait, both? Have you talked to Percy about this?

Maybe...anyway, Thalia, if neither of you will make a move and tell each other how you feel, then I must intervene.

Intervene? Wait-

Or my kids will. Either way, Thalia, you and Percy will be together; I will make sure of it. But now, I must go. Zeus is holding a meeting. Goodbye...for now...

Wait! But it was too late. She was already gone. Stupid love goddess.

I heard that!

Percy's Point of View

I spend the day training in the arena with Thalia. Man, she is an amazing sword-fighter. Probably even up to par with me. And...Luke. But she's really much better at using her spear.

Right now, blades are flashing, hilts are whirling, sweat is pouring down both of our faces. It's an intense battle of the Daughter of Zeus and the Son of Poseidon. The maniacal ferocity is so tangible you can almost see it. That is, it is until Thalia and I both find a weakness in each other and both of our sword-tips end up at each-other's throats. Both of us breathe hard, the adrenaline rush wearing off. Thalia grins and sheathes her sword.

"Nice job, Perce," she says, taking out a water bottle bringing her lips to the rim.

"You too, Thalia," I reply, wiping sweat off of my forehead.

A girl comes galloping up to us, her wavy, dark brown hair streaming out in the gentle breeze. "Percy! Thalia!" she calls, her dark eyes sick with worry and her ivory skin pale. "Come quick! Silena's gone senile! She keeps babbling crazy things...you guys need to get Mr. D!"

"Wait, how did this happen? And what's your name?" Thalia demands, coming up to her.

"I have no idea! And I'm Laila, daughter of Aphrodite."

"Of course you are," I mutter, and the three of us break out into a run. "So, where's Mr. D? How about Chiron? Does he know about this?"

"Yes, Chiron's with Silena and the rest of our cabin right now. He said Mr. D's down in the basement of the Big House. I have to go back to my siblings. Please hurry!" With that, Laila races off, towards the direction of the Aphrodite Cabin. Thalia and I pause and look at each other.

"We should go get Mr. D," Thalia says, and heads off towards the Big House.

"Thalia, wait," I say, gabbing her arm, which she immediately wrenches out of my grasp. "What if it's a trap?"

"I don't think it is, and if it is a trap, that's a risk we'll have to take," Thalia says grimly. She keeps running and disappears inside the Big House. After a moment's consideration, I follow her.

We walk past the furniture in the house, making sure not to knock anything over, which proves to be hard, since Thalia and I are both pretty klutzy.

The cellar door is right in front of Thalia and I, and she opens it. "Mr. D?" she calls out, stepping down the stairs. "Mr. D? Are you there? We need you!"

I start down the stairs too. "Mr. D?" I promptly trip and curse. "Di immortals! Where are the lights?"

"Right here," a familiar voice says from a few feet above me, and the lights flicker on. Silena, looking completely sane, stands at the top with a battalion of her siblings.

"Oh no," Thalia gasps, her eyes dilating.

"NO!" I shout, and I run up the stairs, but I'm too late.

"Have fun!" Silena says, and she and her siblings wave, their eyes sparkling as the door slams shut and the lock clicks.

"Oh gods," Thalia moans. "We are so screwed."