Someday my Prince Will Come

[belegendary]

Life on Ithaca had seemed like it was settling down once Odysseus was finally home, but then the fishermen were struggling, and nobody could safely leave the island, because the seas were constantly beset by storms and rough waters. So a deal had to be made, a peace treaty with Poseidon for the sake of the people.

Telemachus had understood the need for it, had even understood when his father told him the deal had been a betrothal - him to a child of Poseidon. He was a prince, he'd always sort of resigned himself to the fact that his marriage would likely be decided for him for the good of Ithaca.

He knew the gods could be fickle, and tricky, so he was at least relieved to know his father had been very clear to close off any loophole that would allow Poseidon to present his betrothed as, say, Polyphemus.
Unfortunately the agreement was not protected from the loophole that allowed Poseidon to decide Telemachus would marry one of his future children, the trick that took Telemachus away from home and put him into a magical sleep, awaiting the day a suitable match would come of age, while the world moved on around him.

For Telemachus, when the day came, it felt like waking from a restful sleep, as though only a night had passed.

It had been significantly more than one night.

And now he's standing in the hallway of a strange building in his best chiton holding a missive from Poseidon to his son to explain the situation and this he didn't understand at all.

Still, he does as he was instructed and knocks on the door, waiting for whoever was inside.

Comments

[natation]

[Percy can be heard, asking his mother if they were expecting anyone, before offering to get the door since she is busy. The door opens to reveal a boy with dark hair and eyes the same green as the ocean, a symbol of his being one of Poseidon's sons. Percy is familiar enough with the Gods and the sort of things they did. Has been on Quests, involved in prophecies, helped the Gods and been offered to become one himself. He just doesn't necessarily expect.....this.

He blinks at the stranger at the doorstep, his head tilting and his mop of messy hair shifting as he raises an eyebrow, green eyes looking him over. He notes the clothes. This was....definitely something to do with the Gods again. Inwardly, Percy curses, asking himself why he had ever thought he was done with this nonsense. Still, he can't just leave the guy standing there.]

Um. Hi?

[belegendary]

[Telemachus gives the young man a hesitant smile, really wishing that Poseidon had been able to stick around and actually make the introduction rather than making him do it himself.]

Are you Percy? I'm Telemachus, your father sent me?

[As soon as he knows he's speaking to the right person (as if those eyes didn't confirm it all on their own) he holds out the neatly rolled missive]

He asked me to give you this as well, he's explained everything here.

[natation]

Y-yeah. That's me. Um, I guess you'd better come inside....

[To avoid any potential staring or anything if any neighbours might be around or something. Percy steps aside to let Telemachus in, taking the offered letter. His clothes, a blue hoodie from his school, being in the swim team, and jeans and socks are probably strange alongside everything else. But he does at least let him in, before he reads the letter after closing the door. He frowns, running a hand through his mop of dark hair, messing it further as if it was ever really tidy to begin with.]

This is....what? He never mentioned this.

[It's probably evident that Percy is talking about his father. Not Telemachus. Though the other's name seems vaguely familiar. Something do to with Odysseus? Percy should probably know this. Remember more than he does. But honestly, when your family history involved the Gods, it's hard if not impossible to keep track of everything.]

[belegendary]

[Telemachus thanks him politely and steps inside, hardly able to keep himself from looking about curiously. Everything about this place is strange to him, from the clothes Percy is wearing to the way the building is decorated to the building itself. Poseidon did explain to him how long it's been but he's still processing that fact. It's a lot.

His attention returns to Percy when he speaks though and he smiles sympathetically.]

Yes he mentioned that you wouldn't have been told about it before. He said to apologise that he couldn't be here himself. Though he didn't explain why he couldn't.

[That's gods for you]

[natation]

Uh-huh. Of course, he apologizes. Not like he was around to explain about me being a demigod or anything either. That's hardly new.

[He's not sure if Sally is aware of this either. Probably not? He's not sure if he should show her this. She likely wouldn't be thrilled to find out that Percy didn't get a say in all of this. He's also just....not sure how to explain Telemachus to her otherwise. That isn't exactly going to be as easy to hide as his tattoo. Percy bites his lower lip, sighing and glancing to whichever room his mother was in, before he tries to reassure Telemachus.]

Look, this isn't....it's not your fault. I just...wish I got some sort of warning about this stuff. Things with my dad are...always kinda complicated.

[belegendary]

[Telemachus can empathise - he spent so many years without his father as well, although at least he knew that there was nothing his father could have done about that, he's not entirely sure what's stopping Poseidon.

He does appreciate the reassurance it isn't his fault, even though it's clear that Poseidon is the one Percy is annoyed with, it's not like Telemachus isn't intimately familiar with the ways people can take their frustrations out on somebody just because they happen to be there...]

Thank you. I understand, though, anything involving the gods is usually complicated...

[They're fickle, and easily offended, and just as likely to harm you as help you, but he's not going to say that out loud lest he incur their wrath]

I'm not sure it helps, but I've only had a few days to get used to it myself. [It's not like he could process it while he was unconscious] Although at least my father did tell me directly...

[natation]

Complicated is one word for it. But dad's probably off doing some important God stuff or whatever. At the least I've met him. More than some of us demigods can say.

[Given Percy's dealings with the Gods. He's well aware he isn't exactly a favourite of some of them. Mainly Hera. And Ares. He's still upset at the Gods for being so casual and sometimes not even claiming their kids. But still. He tries to focus on his mother, on his mortal family. On Annabeth.

Annabeth. What would she make of this? He's not sure he would want to be his father with her fury and upset at discovering this. He knows he would need to tell her at some point as well. Percy groans, running his fingers through his hair before glancing back to Telemachus.]

A few days? What's your story exactly? I mean, the clothes lead me to think you're from like. Forever ago.

[belegendary]

[Telemachus is a little surprised to hear the comment about some demigods not having met their parents - the gods weren't exactly constantly there but it still wasn't completely strange to have met one, he knows his father's spoken to at least six, and four of them Olympians, so it seems strange to him that they wouldn't meet their own children. Not that he can claim to understand the gods.

Before he thinks on it too much, however, Percy distracts him with the question and he smiles slightly sheepishly, nodding]

Yes, Poseidon did mention it had been many years, it's just that I haven't really been...aware of them? You see my father had angered the se- um, your father, and so many of our people rely on fishing that he really couldn't afford to have Poseidon's ire affecting the whole island.

[Especially not when so many families were also angry about the loss of their sons... even if every man among them totally deserved what they got]

So father made an agreement, to wed me to a suitable child of Poseidon. He said he didn't have a suitable child at the time so I would go into a sort of enchanted sleep until he did.

[He pulls a face, he's still a little sore about that decision, about having to leave hie father behind having only just got him back]

So it has been a very long time, I've just been... asleep for most of it.

[natation]

Sounds about right. Deals or Quests or whatever to get back in the God's good books. What'd your dad do to piss him off then?

[Percy wouldn't be surprised if it was something petty. Because. You know. Gods. Probably something Percy wouldn't even blink at. It makes sense though, that if the other's people relied on fishing, on the ocean, that they would want to keep things civil with Poseidon. He can't blame the other's family for doing his best in that situation. And he supposes it could be worse? Given some of Poseidon's children not being human. Especially given that he, Zeus and Hades were among those who agreed not to have children to not bring more demigods into the situation. But he can tell this isn't easy on the other either.]

Asleep for.....a long time, by the looks of it. Probably a lot to adjust to. Even without...this.

[He gestures to the papers.]

[belegendary]

[Telemachus nods, but the question makes him look a little sheepish]

Well he sort of, uh, blinded his son. I mean, that was after he killed father's best friend and many of his men, and actually the blinding was a mercy so they could escape instead of killing him but... Poseidon didn't see it that way.

[He pauses for a second, looking even more awkward, uncertain if - for all his apparent grumbling - Percy would find the next part somewhat objectionable]

He did also... torture him a little bit. With his own trident. So that he would call back the storm and finally let him come home....

[He nods a slightly emphatic agreement to the comment about there being a lot to adjust to, though. He could already tell that]

[natation]

[For all that Percy gets along with Poseidon, he is well aware that the Gods could be....a lot. Petty. That none of them are perfect. That they have a history of feuds. Of mistakes. Grudges and history with each other. Let alone particular mortals. Some were more well known than others for their involvement with the Gods. Usually for less favorable reasons, to put it mildly. Percy just nods, his lips pursed.

It takes him a moment, before he does remember. Or. He's pretty sure. From what the other says. Why his name had seemed somehow vaguely familiar.]

Polyphemus. Odysseus.....? That's why your name seemed familiar.

[belegendary]

[He doesn't seem angry or vengeful, at least, and then when he speaks it isn't to condemn his father's actions but to confirm who he was. Cautiously, Telemachus relaxes a little and nods]

Yes, my father is Odysseus of Ithaca. I'm not surprised you've heard of him, he is a great man.

...was...

[His pride softens into something sadder as he is reminded, again, that it has been more than enough years for both his parents to have passed to the underworld]

[natation]

[It isn't like Percy can be that mad. He himself had fought Gods before. Their children. That was nothing new. Percy understands that. And he vaguely recalls the story of Odysseus, his journey back home taking far longer than it should have. Besides, he isn't mad about it when Telemachus wasn't involved in all that. It isn't like Telemachus was the one that harmed Polyphemus. That had fought his father to get back home.]

He's kind of a big deal. Lots of people know of him. I'm sorry you got dragged into this.

[Percy was just about to ask if Telemachus wanted something to eat or drink, or offer to take him to Percy's bedroom for a bit more privacy when Sally enters, checking on Percy and hearing him talking to someone.]

[belegendary]

[His father is kind of a big deal, but he's a little pleased to hear Percy say it. He may be gone but he lives on in people's minds, that's not nothing...]

I'm sorry you did too...

[When Sally enters his slightly more relaxed posture straightens up again, wanting to make a good impression - a quick glance between her and Percy and he can see the resemblance, it's not difficult to connect the dots]

You must be Perseus' mother? Please allow me to introduce myself, I am Prince Telemachus of Ithaca, it's a pleasure to meet you.

[natation]

Prince Telemachus?

[Percy shifts, seeming almost sheepish and awkward himself as he passes the letter to his mother. He's prepared for her to not exactly take this well. As if she needed more reason to worry about Percy because of his involvement with the Gods. Because of his father. Percy is well aware how protective his mother could be of him. And he also doubts if she had been considering anything to do with him getting married yet.

Percy is able to catch the plate of cookies from her as she reads it, saving them from falling to the floor. Sally shifts to sit down on the couch, needing a moment. Percy doubts if his father had deigned to mention this agreement with Odysseus to her either. That she was aware that this might happen. He puts the plate of cookies on the coffee table, hovering before sitting next to her.]

[belegendary]

[Telemachus flinches forward himself when the plate drops, though he's nowhere near fast enough without Athena's boon. He is impressed that Percy is, though, and he thinks with reflexes like that he must be a skilled warrior. It's not a bad match, certainly, for all that the situation is less than ideal.

He can tell by the look on her face as she reads that Percy is not the only one who wasn't told about this arrangement and he's starting to feel a little worried. What if they try and refuse it? What will happen to them, to him, if they defy the will of the gods?]

I'm... I'm very sorry to have brought this news without warning...

[natation]

No, it's not your fault. It's just that Percy's father never mentioned this to me either.

[Percy can read her well enough to know that even if she was trying to maintain composure that she wasn't thrilled about this. But neither of them blame Telemachus for this. This was on Poseidon, for not telling her, or Percy, about this prior. Percy places and arm at her back in some attempt at reassurance as she tells Telemachus this isn't on him. The plate of blue cookies are ignored for the time being by them as she processes this.]

I didn't know about this until just now either, Mom. But uh, for now, I guess...we can get Telemachus comfortable while we figure this out? There's cookies. We can get you a drink, I can let you borrow some of my clothes?

[Percy says, trying his best to figure this and focus on what they can do at the moment.]

[belegendary]

[Telemachus relaxes a little when they assure him he's not to blame, though he can't help that lingering worry in the back of his mind. Still, they are offering him hospitality and it's clear they're not just going to throw him out and dismiss the entire thing out of hand, so he'll take what he can get for now.

He glances down at his own clothes, and then gives Percy a sheepish smile]

Yes, please, as I likely don't have anything suitable.. also what are cookies?

[natation]

What are -- here! Um, they're just coloured blue. We do that in this house, but they aren't usually necessarily coloured. It's flour, sugar, eggs, chocolate chips? Careful, these might still be a bit warm, though.

[Percy offers the plate of cookies so Telemachus could take one to try, grabbing one himself before squeezing Sally's hand one last time before he straightens, standing and gesturing for Telemachus to follow him to his bedroom. Leaving Sally to have a moment. They could try talk to Poseidon about this in a bit. For now, he tries to focus on Telemachus and supporting him. It gives him something to do, to focus on beyond his frustration at least. He gestures as they go past the kitchen, the bathroom so that Telemachus will sort of know his way around at least. Before he gets to his bedroom and rummages through his clothes. He hopes they would fit. He grabs some jeans, a simple t-shirt and offers a hoodie if Telemachus might be cold.]

Here, you can try these. I'll give you a bit to change, okay? Hopefully they fit alright.

[belegendary]

[Telemachus has no idea why or how they're blue, or even what half the ingredients are, but he takes a cookie politely and follows him through the house, nodding along with the tour even though some of that goes right over his head as well. While Percy is digging out clothes for him he bites into the cookie and his eyes widen]

Oh my gods

[The words are groaned through a mouthful of cookie and the expression on his face is someone having some kind of religious experience. His eyes are still wide by the time he's finished the first bite and he blinks over at Percy like he hadn't quite processed what he's said. Then he catches himself and his face flushes red]

Sorry. Um. This is... I think possibly the best thing I have ever eaten? I'll just.. change now... thank you.

[natation]

Heh. They're good, huh? I make them all the time with Mom. Plenty more where that came from. I'll let you change, anyway. I'll be back in a bit. Just uh, give me a yell if you need help with anything.

[He says, chuckling at how Telemachus reacts to the cookie. Giving a wave before he shuts the door and leaves the other to get dressed. They barely know each other, so of course Percy wants to respect his privacy. Even if they were apparently engaged. He stays close enough that he's in earshot if Telemachus needs a hand with the clothes, sitting back in the lounge with Sally, trying to reassure her and calm her down. Focusing on supporting her.]

[belegendary]

[Telemachus thanks him again as he leaves, then turns towards the clothes. He decides he will deal with them in just a moment... once he's finished the cookie. He's at least quieter about it this time, but the second bite is no less divine. Maybe there is something divine about them, if Percy makes them... he doesn't worry too much about that though, not when they taste so good.

It takes him a little time to dress, but the clothes are relatively simple and he works out how to do the jeans up - he's fascinated by the zip and spends a few minutes holding them up and just zipping and unzipping it, watching the way the teeth lock together with amazement. Then he finally dresses, folding his chiton neatly and leaving it on the bed for now.

When he comes back through to the lounge he suddenly just looks like a normal guy, albeit a slightly awkward one, still getting used to the way the clothes feel]

[natation]

Hey. You managed with the clothes alright? They seem to fit okay at least. Not too small.

[Percy checks with him, as Sally gets up to get drinks.]

I know it might not quite be what you're used to. I just figured. That might be warmer. More comfortable. The closest I have to your clothes is probably my armour and I don't wear that all the time.

[Telemachus might not have poked around the room to see too much, but Percy does have his gear if he is in a fight. He's been involved in two wars, after all, even at his young age. He thanks Sally when she brings them drinks, taking one and having a sip.]

[belegendary]

[Telemachus nods, smiling slightly]

Yes, thank you, I think they fit alright. They are warmer, and quite comfortable, just a little strange. And yes, better than armour.

[he chuckles slightly, clearly not thinking it's that strange that Percy has armour, though it does make him think of a story, and if they're betrothed they should probably get to know each other, so he shares]

When I was very young, my mother gifted me my first set of armour. She'd had it made specially to look just like father's, and I was so excited that I refused to take it off for a month. I wanted to be wearing it when he came home, you see, and I was convinced that he was on his way... Mother was only able to convince me to take it off and bathe when we received news that the siege was still ongoing.

[He shakes his head slightly in fond amusement for his past foolishness. He'd more than outgrown that armour by the time his father did return, but the memory makes him smile all the same]

[natation]

Good. I'm glad that worked out at least. We can figure shopping to get you some stuff later.

[Percy listens, relating to the idea of not having a father around. Of waiting and wondering. It had been years before he had eventually resigned himself that his father didn't care and would never show up. That he was just some deadbeat. Before everything had changed with the minotaur. With the incident at school, at the museum. When Sally had finally told him the truth.]

Heh. It was a while, if I recall. I get it though. I guess I'm lucky, that I was claimed. That I've actually met my dad. That we get on okay. I know not everyone has that. But I know what it's like, to grow up with just your mom.

[Even if they have Paul now. He doesn't count Gabe.]