dollymixtures | Someday my Prince Will Come

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

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.]

From:

belegendary

[Telemachus nods, a soft smile of understanding on his face. It's nice that they have something in common, at least, even if everything else seems so different, even if it's not a particularly great thing to have in common]

Yes it... took him a while. I've heard the tale, so many problems causing delays one after another... everything he did just to get home...I don't think I could have been as strong as he was, withstood so much.. I could barely hold my own in a fight without Athena's help.

[He gives a little self-deprecating laugh]

From:

natation

I get it. I mean. I've had practice. A lot of fights. It takes training. I guess my being a demigod doesn't hurt either, but. You had Athena supporting you?

[Percy won't go into detail. He could maybe later share a list or something so Telemachus is aware of which Gods might be pissed off at Percy, and maybe him by association. Percy knows his father had his reasons but he can't help feeling bad about it. Odysseus had missed so much of Telemachus growing up. Not that Poseidon was much different. Given his ignoring Percy for the first twelve years of his life. And even then, he's met the guy a few times since.]

I know her.

From:

belegendary

Isn't she great?

[Telemachus' smile is bright when he talks about Athena and he clearly has a lot of admiration for her]

One of my mothers' suitors attacked me and she stepped in to help, it was amazing... I did, uh, well I did still lose, but I held my own for way longer than I would have without her. She's my friend.

From:

natation

[Percy agrees. Nods. Because, really, he knows Athena isn't the only one to blame for whatever was going on between her and Poseidon. He had gradually been more accepted, more tolerated by her at least, over the years.]

I mean, she would definitely be able to help. I've seen that firsthand. Annabeth is one of her daughters, and I would not want to mess with her.

[He still remembers the judoflip of their reunion. Among other numerous examples. Annabeth was not someone to underestimate. That's for sure. Percy has a healthy respect for women given his role models. Being raised by Sally.]

From:

belegendary

She made my thoughts so far it was like time slowed down...

[It had been such a great feeling, finally able to fight back against Antinuous, actually get a few hits in for the way the man had spoken about his mother]

You're friends with one of her daughters? I'd love to meet her!

From:

natation

You probably will meet her at some point. Likely sooner than later.

[Given Annabeth comes around or meets up with Percy frequently enough. He's still not sure how he is going to explain this to her. But one thing at a time. He at least can focus on figuring this out, on Telemachus, and Sally is aware of the situation. He takes another cookie and nurses his drink, debating if he should message her or something later. Send her an Iris message.]

From:

belegendary

[Telemachus smiles, pleased at the chance to meet more of the people in Percy's life, in this place. Hopefully the more he gets to know, the less out of place he'll feel.

His gaze strays to the second cookie in Percy's hand and then the rest of the plate, debating politeness for a second before desire wins out and he nods towards the plate]

May I?

From:

natation

Yeah, go for it. There's plenty. Every so often we make some more when we feel like it.

[It isn't like cookies were that difficult. That they take too long. They were there to be eaten. So he and Sally don't mind if Telemachus wants another one. Percy also offers a drink if Telemachus wants one, a glass of milk. He shifts, listening as Sally asks about Telemachus, wanting to get to know him, support him in this as well as her own son.]

So, Telemachus. That's -- Odysseus? Am I remembering that right? This must be quite a change for you. I'm sure that Percy is doing his best as well, but if you need anything, let us know. We'll figure this out together. And I will be talking to Percy's father about this.

From:

belegendary

Thank you

[Telemachus' smile is bright and grateful as he reaches for another cookie, his expression just as blissful when he bites into it. Its deliciousness has not diminished for being his second at all. He does turn to Sally politely when she speaks, though, not allowing the cookie to distract him too much from good manners]

Yes, that's correct, Odysseus is my father. It is quite a significant change, yes, but Percy has been very kind about it, I'm very grateful for the warm welcome you have both shown me, despite the unexpected nature of my arrival. I do apologise if my father and lord Poseidon's attempt to resolve their disputes is causing a problem.... I am a prince, I always expected a match to be arranged for me, but I know that is not everybody's expectation.

From:

natation

It's not your fault. Or your father's. It's....my dad didn't tell me. Or mom. So it's just neither of us were aware. Knew that you might come.

[Sally listens, her lips pursed. She certainly does want to have words with Percy's father about this. Just because Percy was possibly the best option, at the least being half human. Doesn't mean she is thrilled about this. Or at least, that neither of them had any warning about this possibility. She knows how her boy feels about Annabeth. She can't help worrying. About all three of them, getting mixed up in this, with none of them having had any say in the matter.]

It's not a problem we blame you for. We want to help. To figure this out. It's just....ah, unexpected. Is all.

From:

belegendary

[Telemachus nods]

I know, though I do appreciate the reassurance, I am still sorry, but sorry for you, you understand? I can see this is all completely out of the blue for you, and while I haven't had much longer to get used to it, I at least knew the chain of events that lead to it, it didn't just turn up out of nowhere.

I know there's probably little I can do to help in turn, but whatever you have need of I'll happily provide where I can.

[The last thing he wants to be is an imposition, he's had more than enough of unwelcome guests to last him a lifetime and then some, he'd never want to be one himself]

From:

natation

You're as much a victim in this as we are. It's our dad's. I take it you didn't get much if any say in this yourself either. It's alright. We'll figure this....together.

[Percy reassures the other. Not thinking twice on just. Offering to help where he can in all this. He's used to situations involving the Gods and their hijinks. At the least, this isn't some Quest or prophecy again, but even so, even if it isn't ideal. It's not Telemachus's fault and the other has plenty to figure out on his end as it is with adjusting to more modern settings.]

Yes. I'll be talking to your father later about this.

[Cue Percy pausing with his mouthful of cookie looking sheepish and raising an eyebrow at Sally. He can only imagine how well that is going to go.]

From:

belegendary

[Telemachus gives him a warm, grateful smile, he likes the way that they're including him, that even though the situation is far from ideal they still want to work with him to a happy resolution.

That smile immediately fades into something worried when Sally says she's going to talk to Poseidon]

Is.. um... is that... safe? I wouldn't want you to put yourself at risk of angering him...

From:

natation

Honestly, I'd be more scared of Mom being mad than him.

[Percy says, looking a little sheepish. But then again. He's not really seen his father mad. He's grown up with Sally though, and knows he would not want to be on her bad side. Sally shakes her head, reassuring Telemachus. Because she knows Poseidon, and knows they both want the best for their boy. For Percy.]

Oh, don't you worry about me. I just want to talk to him about this.

From:

belegendary

[They both seem very casual for people discussing a god who killed most of his father's men and threatened to drown all of Ithaca. And him and his mother. And to gouge his eyes out. His father hadn't actually told him that last one but he had overheard him telling his mother. The wrath of any of the gods was terrifying, but he's seen Poseidon's first hand, so he still looks a little concerned]

I'm... well, of course, you surely know him better than I, it's just... the gods can be so wrathful if you're not careful...

From:

natation

Oh, we know all about what the Gods can do. Trust me. Do not get on Hera's bad side.

[Percy says, taking another bite and finishing his cookie as Sally purses her lips. Probably to restrain herself from adding to that. She still remembers the stress of wondering where Percy was all those months he was gone, having lost his memories because of Hera.]

I'm just going to talk to him. I'll be careful. But I'm sure nothing will happen. If you boys really want, you can come too.

From:

belegendary

[The idea of facing down Poseidon himself, even if he doesn't say anything, is more than a little daunting, but despite his own fear he knows that if it were his mother he wouldn't hesitate to stand at her side, just in case, so he looks over at Percy questioningly]

What do you think? You knew them both better than I, so I'm happy to go with your judgement

From:

natation

Hm. I do wanna talk to him to. Not sure if all of us going at once is a great idea. Don't want him feeling like we're ganging up on him or whatever. Plus, I know it's been a while, but. I can't promise how thrilled he will be about all this, either.

[Percy says with a shrug, unsure how thrilled his father is about this. If he even remembers. It's been so long at this point. Still, he figures he can at least give Sally some privacy with him. Percy could talk to him another time. Go out to the beach another day. Or simply try an Iris Message. Either way. He doesn't mind waiting a bit. Doesn't want to push anything, with what Telemachus might be comfortable with, given the history between their fathers.]

From:

belegendary

[Telemachus nods in understanding - he can definitely see how it might seem like that, and the last thing he wants is to be the reason the god gets angry and defensive just because he worried too much about him getting angry and defensive. Gods are complicated.

At least Percy and Sally seem to have a better idea, so he's certainly not going to keep arguing about it.]

That makes sense. If you're both sure it will be fine, I trust your knowledge. I'm sorry to have questioned it, it's just my experience with the gods is.. well, I'm sure you're aware.

[At least of his father's if not his own, which is admittedly much smaller and actually slightly more positive since his major contact had been with Athena, who is lovely as far as he's concerned. Though, he still wouldn't want to piss her off, obviously]

From:

natation

I might chat with dad later. But you can go talk to him if you want. I can wait here with Telemachus. Were you gonna head to the beach or I can give you a drachma to send an Iris Message?

[Percy offers, not minding giving her a drachma. But Sally says she doesn't mind heading out to the beach, just asks Paul to keep an eye on Estelle, who is still asleep having a nap. Percy waves goodbye to her and sighs, running a hand through his mess of dark hair before sipping at his drink.]

Would not want to be dad. She's not gonna be happy with him about this.

From:

belegendary

[Telemachus says goodbye as well, sitting quietly with his drink for a moment and maybe side-eyeing the remaining cookies once or twice. Quite by coincidence as he's trying to think what to say, that's all. When Percy speaks he looks up in surprise]

You worry for him more than her? But.. he's a god?

From:

natation

You haven't seen my mom when she's mad.

[Percy says with a laugh, shrugging and gesturing for Telemachus to help himself if he wants more to drink or another cookie. There's plenty left. He keeps an ear out but doesn't hear that Estelle is awake yet. He relaxes back against the couch, sighing and running a hand through his mess of hair. Wishing he had a better idea of what to do about all this. For now, he's just doing his best to welcome Telemachus and keep him comfortable while they figure things out. He hasn't thought beyond ensuring that the other was fed and had something to drink, a change of clothes, yet.]

Besides. He still loves her, so I know he won't hurt her. She'll be fine. I know he still cares about us. He wanted to come see me. But he couldn't at first, because of that agreement that he and Hades and Zeus weren't supposed to have demigod kids.

From:

belegendary

[That was a lot of information all at once, even though it doesn't seem like it, so while Telemachus nibbles on another cookie he considers it for a moment. He still loves her... the gods are complicated, their loves lives more complicated still, but if he thinks about Poseidon not as a god but as Percy's father, then it makes sense. His father is one of the greatest warriors in the world, but Telemachus knows who he'd be worried about if his mother was mad at something his father had done.

The agreement, that shifts his attention rather effectively.]

They made an agreement? That's... interesting...

[In a thought he's not sure he would dare voice out loud he can't help but wonder if Zeus would even be capable of not siring a child for five minutes, let alone for an ongoing agreement with his brothers]

So he couldn't visit you because he didn't want to give away that you existed?

From:

natation

Yeah. I mean, eventually I got older, more powerful so I kinda had to be revealed as a demigod and learn how to fight the monsters and all, but. That's why for the first twelve years I just thought my dad walked out on us. That he didn't care. About me or mom. It's all kinda...complicated. But he claimed me. I just didn't realize how big a deal that was at the time, initially.

[There wasn't much choice in the matter though. Percy's abilities made it rather obvious just who his Godly parent was. Even without officially being claimed. He was also just that much more susceptible to the monsters finding him. Percy doesn't mind trying to explain. He's not sure how much the other might have been told. About him, about Camp and demigods and stuff.]