FINDING A HOME | PJO

/ eight /

"That looks about right."

Nancy stared distastefully at the very real weapon Percy has just placed in her hand. "How does this look right?"

Percy shrugged. "The xiphos seems to fit in your grasp the snuggest. We could try a dagger if you want, but everyone else today has a sword. It's a lot harder to block and parry with a smaller knife."

Nancy clumsily held the sword out in front of her, looking around at the scattered groups of two who were actually swiping at each other with a variety of double edged swords. She glanced back at Percy, still wrinkling her nose. "Is this really necessary? I've never touched a weapon in my life."

"I don't know, those peanut butter sandwiches were pretty lethal. . ."

"Stop bringing that up."

Percy laughed, holding his arms up in surrender. "Look, it's required to give everything a try before you choose a regular." He frowned. "You should see me with a bow. It's not pretty."

"Don't sell yourself short, punk. You managed to miss Chris's heart last time."

Nancy turned at the new voice, immediately picking up on the bitter sarcasm. Behind them stood a large girl with a tall spear leaning over her shoulder as casually as you'd hold a fishing pole. Her brown hair was held back by a bandanna (which Nancy thought was an interesting fashion choice), and her camp shirt was more brown than orange. A scary sort of aura surrounded her as she looked at the son of Poseidon with a challenge.

Despite the provoking tone and look the girl was giving, Percy smiled. "Clarisse. I almost thought you were going to bail on us."

Clarisse frowned, obviously upset Percy hadn't taken the bait. "Darn you, Jackson." She looked around sharply. "Which shrimp am I dealing with today?"

Nancy swallowed nervously. She had a feeling that "shrimp" was her. Darn you, Jackson, she agreed silently.

"That would be Nancy here." Percy gestured towards her, not breaking eye contact with Clarisse. "And you're going to take it easy today. She's learning."

There was an underlying warning in his voice, much to Nancy's surprise. But what surprised her more was the way the scary girl didn't snap back, instead seeming to confirm her understanding with a short eye roll.

Who was Percy to these people?

"Where are you going?" Nancy asked him, not wanting him to leave her alone with Clarisse, but not willing to admit it.

Percy reached into his pocket and withdrew a small ballpoint pen. He proceeded to uncap it, causing Nancy to jump back slightly.

"Excuse me, what?" One moment he was holding a pathetic pen, the next he had a fully fledged sword.

Percy gave her a lopsided smile. "This is Riptide." Then he lowered it and pointed behind him. "I'll be right over there with Connor and Annabeth. Chiron put us in charge of watching him for the day," he said, lowering his voice and grimacing.

Nancy didn't bother asking.

"Okay, I think that's everything. Let me know if you want to try wielding something different, and--" Percy reached over to adjust the way she was holding the sword, "--don't give Clarisse too much trouble."

The brunette tched behind them.

Nancy nodded numbly, watching as Percy jogged off. Slowly, she turned to Clarisse, who gestured to the weapon in her hands.

"Hold it up, like this," she said gruffly. "Try swinging downwards. No, not like that. My gods, did Kelp Head teach you anything?"

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