Two Duos

Mom shot up as she realized how much time passed. "Oh, shoot, I have to start making lunch! Do you want to join Amphy and I?"

"Amphy?" I asked.

"I've become... friends with your ex-stepmom," Mom said with a blush. "She's honestly fun."

"Alright, I'll join you," I said.

When Mom asked me to join her and Amphitrite preparing lunch, I had expected some awkwardness but cooking at the same time.

What I hadn't expected was Amphitrite standing in the kitchen, without even a stitch of clothing on.

"Perseus!" Amphitrite said with a surprised grin. "I didn't know you'd be here!"

Quest Completed by Amphitrite: Show Perseus your naked body!
1 Charis and 20 Drachma Earnt.

"What?" I asked.

"Yeah, Quests are easy to complete," Amphitrite said. "It's all about getting closer to you, and things like that."

"No, not that," I said, even though that was interesting to know. "Why are you naked?"

"Oh, that," Amphitrite said. "Well, ever since Clarisse showed up here and helped your mom, I've been doing the same."

"And I appreciate it, Amphy," Mom said as she grabbed a bowl.

"See?" Amphitrite winked at me. "Your mom approves. Now, cut these vegetables for me, would you?"

As I cut the veggies, Amphitrite stood next to me, doing her own preparations. "So, how are you feeling on your morals?"

"You know I haven't switched up," I said. "Annoying me all the time will just make me like you less."

"I want my daughters to join me, same as your mom," Amphitrite said seriously. "I want them to have a chance. Yes, maybe Kym is brash, and I don't think she should be on the Council, but I shouldn't outlive my daughters. And I think that Rhode deserves a chance at Olympus, so I'll pave the way for her. I know she'd do better than her cousins on the Council, and for once, she might have the chance to prove it. So, if I have to be annoying and make you like me less, I'll do it."

I sighed. "I don't think I can change on this."

"You'll have to," Amphitrite said.

I chose not to respond and finished chopping the veggies, then I turned around to see what Mom was doing.

"I didn't think you'd turn around," Mom said with a blush.

Quest Completed by Sally Jackson: Show Perseus your naked body!
1 Charis and 20 Drachma Earnt.

"Huh," I said. "Why didn't Annabeth finish this quest yesterday?"

"Oh, Quests are personal," Amphitrite explained. "So, if I had already shown you my naked body before the Island, I wouldn't have gotten that quest."

"The best way to explain it is that it's about each of our personal progression in our story of love," Mom said, standing up.

I looked away from Mom embarrassedly.

"Remember what I told you, Percy," Mom said as she moved around the kitchen. "Begrudgingly or unwillingly. Now help me with this batter."

For the next half an hour, the three of us worked together in the kitchen, talking friendly and enjoying ourselves while making lunch.

When we were done, Mom grabbed an apron and wore it, while Amphitrite wore her clothes.

"Alright, let's take the food to the table," Mom said, grabbing a tray.

Amphitrite went to grab a tray, but then I stopped her. "Amphitrite, can I ask a favor of you?"

Amphitrite looked at me curiously. "What do you have to ask of me, My King?"

"Not like that," I said. "Can you watch out for Mom? I think Annabeth might do something tonight."

Amphitrite's smile turned into a frown. "I will do what you asked without any compensation. However, I will ask if you want to be forever worried that your Queen might attack your mother. Also, I will expect you to put more thought to me and my words, moving forward."

I nodded wordlessly, then I grabbed another platter and took it to the dining hall.

At first, it looked like lunch would be drama free, until everyone except for Clarisse and Annabeth arrived.

"Where's Clarisse and Annabeth?" I asked.

Annabeth burst through the door. "Percy, Clarisse is stuck, cuz of her PTF!"

I stood up worriedly. "Where is she?"

"It took me all day to find her, but she's at the sparring circle," Annabeth said. "She's tied up by some bolas."

I left the dining hall immediately, and Annabeth and I ran towards the sparring circle, stopping short as I saw Clarisse.

"Clarisse?" I called out, and she looked at me embarrassingly. "Are you ok?"

"Yeah," Clarisse said. "Can you...?"

Annabeth skidded in, huffing and puffing as she took deep breaths.

"Why're... You... So... Fast?" Annabeth panted.

"I was worried Clarisse was in trouble," I said, then I moved to untie the bolas.

"No, wait!" Clarisse called out. "Fuck me first!"

"No," I said simply but gently. "Sorry, Clarisse."

"I'm not letting you have more points than me," Annabeth said.

I frowned at Annabeth's wording, but I continued to untie the bolas.

"Percy, do you hear her?" Clarisse begged. "She's going to sabotage all of us just so she gets the win."

I sighed. "I might not agree with her, but I made her a promise, Clarisse."

Clarisse glared at me as I untied the bolas, but I continued to untie her.

5 Charis Lost by Clarisse LaRue: Failed her PTF requirement.

Clarisse stood up angrily and clopped away, not bothering to even leave parting words.

I sighed and started walking to the dinner hall.

"You're acting like you agree with her!" Annabeth called out from behind me.

"I don't," I said, turning back to face Annabeth. "I don't agree with you either. But I've made my choices, and I'll live with them. Don't go to my mom today."

Annabeth paled as she realized I knew what she was hiding from me. "Percy, why!"

"My mom doesn't want you to," I said simply as I started walking again, Annabeth chasing after me.

"So you want me to lose too?" Annabeth asked.

"No!" I exclaimed, facing her angrily. "Annabeth, I'm a monster, I know that. I had powers that no one should have, I can feel my godhood an inch away from my soul, I've lied, I've killed, I've been the only person to ever earn the respect of both Tartarus and Nyx, but I have one rule, Wise Girl. One rule. Don't do anything wrong to my people. So, maybe I don't necessarily want to fuck everyone on this Island, but I don't want my mom and my friends getting the anger of the Fates! I won't switch my attitude about this, but I really hope you do."

Annabeth and I looked at each other for a few moments, then I turned around and went to my house.

I sat down on my bed and screamed angrily as I rubbed my forehead.

After a while of just sitting and processing reality, I received a notification from the Fates.

2 Charis Lost by Annabeth Chase: Failed her PTF requirement.

I groaned and fell back on my bed.

Life is so shit.