I sat still as the hair stylist carefully brushed out my hair, mumbling about how it was at such an in-between length now.
"Please stay still, Perseus-aia. I cannot do your hair properly if you keep squirming."
I forced myself to still again.
"You never can sit still, can you, Persi-aia?"
I huffed at Fetu's comment. I would have turned to glare at him, but I didn't think the hair stylist would be pleased.
"What's this?" Lagi asked, continuing the exploration of my room that he'd been doing since he entered. The hair stylist mumbled something about them being horribly informal in how they spoke to me.
I tried to look over without moving my head and caught a glimpse of the black fabric that made up the veil Annabeth bought me.
"Oh, that's a veil."
He squinted at it and Fetu frowned, "Uh, that's not a veil? It's definitely not made of jellyfish at all."
"Land dwellers don't make veils from Jellyfish, they make them from cloth."
"Why do they do that?" Fetu wondered. "Kelp cloth is super expensive."
I blinked, oh yeah, the clothes under the sea were all made from kelp cloth (which was the softest thing ever). Kelp cloth was really hard to make and very expensive.
"Well," I started. "On land they use animal fur like sheep, or a different plant material, like cotton. They don't even know how to make kelp cloth I don't think."
They both looked baffled.
"They use animal fur?" Lagi asked
I nodded, trying to think back to that science class where we talked about it. "Yeah, the animals that they use the fur of usually need to be shaved because of health reasons, so it helps the animals to be shaved, and we use the fur for clothing."
"How strange," Fetu said, peering at the cloth Lagi was still holding.
"So this is made out of animal fur?" Lagi asked.
"Nope," I said cheerfully. "That's made from silk!"
"What's silk?" Lagi said with a frown.
"Oh," I thought, was it spiders? Yeah, I thought so. What else made silk? "They're, I think, made of spider silk. So they collect a whole bunch and make it fabric."
Fetu blinked slowly, "Spiders?"
"Those uh, eight legged… um… creepy crawling death bringers?" I faltered. "...that's what Annabeth calls them."
They both stared blankly, "Do you mean… Arachnids?"
"Yeah! That's the… the… what's the word… the official… book lookup term…"
Fetu and Lagi stared blankly.
"You know," I frowned. "The… the term for… if you do things and it's just doing things you have to write it down for it to be… Science!! It's the scientific term!"
"Ooooh," Lagi said. "Land dwellers are very strange."
"Did you forget the word scientific ?" Fetu laughed.
"Oh, do be quiet," I grumbled, face warm.
Lagi snickered, "The struggles of land dwellers, not using science enough for the word to be remembered."
"I just forgot the word!"
"The book lookup term," Fetu declared sagely. There was a beat of silence.
"Wait," Lagi said slowly. "Did you say… they get the silk from arachnids ?"
"Arachnids don't make silk?" Fetu said.
"They make thread," I pointed out.
"No, arachnid crabs do," Fetu insisted.
"Well… arachnids do on land."
"Land is so strange," Lagi mumbled. "What's this?"
"Perseus-aia," the hairdresser said smoothly. "I need you to stay very still for a moment."
"Here," Lagi flicked over to me, showing me a tooth in his hand.
I had to think for a moment, sitting still as the hairdresser twisted my hair around the hair piece.
That's… oh, that disastrous field trip forever ago.
"Oh yeah," I said. "That's the tooth from the saber tooth tiger!"
"The what?" Lagi asked.
"It's a land animal, a really big cat. It's extinct now though."
There was a brief pause.
"What's a cat?"
"Furry four legged… thing."
Lagi huffed, "You'll need to show us one of these… cats."
"Think octopus," I suggested. "But furrier, and only has four legs."
"That's a weird animal," Fetu mused. "How does it walk? It can't swim in air can it?"
"No, that would be a bird," I corrected.
"Ah, how strange. Then what does it do?"
"Just one foot…" Oh right, merfolk didn't have feet. "They have legs and feet, like arms and hands but instead of tails or tentacles."
They both stared blankly.
"I've never seen a land dweller or… cat… before," Fetu said. "And I never want to now."
I bit my lip to keep from laughing, "I'm not explaining right."
"No no, you made them appropriately horrific," drawled a voice from the doorway.
I turned slightly to see a human figure standing there. He wore black pants with grey and emerald green stitching that were held in place with gold clasps. He was shirtless, as was the custom for most everyone undersea, and his skin was a deep bronze.
His eyes caught mine as he studied me, one sharp gold, the other the same sea green as all the children of Poseidon. His black hair curled around him in the water as he opened his mouth.
"So, you're the new kid? May I come in?"
"Er, yes."
He walked towards me, jarring in the out of place way that he moved. He was walking, in the sea…
Lagi swept between us, "Who are you?"
His voice echoed with his power, the feeling of slipping currents and the scent of my mother's perfume filling my senses.
"I'm Khrysaôr," the man said. He blinked once, then suddenly his sword was at Fetu's throat. "Don't use your voice on me or you'll lose it."
The hairdresser interrupted, pulling their hands back.
"I am done Perseus-aia."
I swept up quickly, hesitating to
"You are Khrysaôr?" Lagi asked. "Son of Poseidon-ore and Medusa-nio? Why would you be here?"
"And where is your tail?" Fetu added.
Khrysaôr's eyes narrowed, blade not wavering, "I am also a prince of the sea, in case you forgot your lessons, turhora-ia. I do not have a tail. Now leave my brother's room, it's very inappropriate for you to be here without supervision."
Lagi and Fetu bristled.
"We are not alone," Fetu pointed out firmly. "Or is the hairdresser not mer enough for you?"
"A hairdresser is not an official chaperone," Khrysaôr informed them matter-of-factly. "Besides, you are in his bedroom , so incredibly inappropriate. The bedroom is a safe, sacred space, you shouldn't invade it with your… ranked selves."
Fetu's eyes narrowed as Khrysaôr looked him over pointedly, but with a sword at his throat he dared not move.
"And who are you to judge?" Fetu questioned coolly, his fingers twining with mine for a moment.
I flushed as Khrysaôr's gaze locked onto the motion.
"His older brother," he flashed a sharp smile. "So get out."
Both hesitated another moment, glancing at me.
Well, he was my brother… Triton wouldn't let someone in who was dangerous?
Plus… he was kinda right… them being in my room wasn't super appropriate but I hadn't seen them in ages and Triton allowed it…
I bit my lip.
"It's fine," I assured. "It was nice to talk again. Perhaps we can meet later?"
"Very well," Lagi said.
They both twisted their hands in goodbye, Fetu squeezing my hand gently before letting go.
"Arhoa, hovi sa'opu em pota," Fetu murmured as he swam away.
"Tal u maiv mahur," Lagi added.
The twins swam out, shooting one more sharp look at Khrysaôr as they left.
He lowered his blade as they exited, the blade seeming to twist and vanish into curls of saltwater.
Woah.
The hairdresser quickly made a motion of respect and swept off themselves.
"So," Khrysaôr said cheerfully. "You're the little brother."
"I am," I said politely. Medusa's son, that's what Lagi had said. The brother of Pegasus. "Nice to meet you."
He hummed, "You don't look like much."
I watched him, fingering my bracelet that was missing the trident charm. "Looks can be deceiving."
He shrugged, "Perhaps. I don't understand why such a fuss is being made. There hasn't been such a big deal made of a child since Pallas."
I forced myself to smile, "They seem very excited."
"Indeed," he mused. "I suppose they would be, what with the rumors that Okeanus-"
"Oh," grumbled a much more familiar voice. "It's you."
Khrysaôr's gaze lit up.
"Triton-re'tai! My dearest older brother! How are you?" He spun to him, throwing his arms out grandly.
Triton glowered at him "You're back. How delightful ."
"Did you miss me?"
"I could hardly sleep for missing you so," Triton said with an eye roll. "Persi, are you alright?"
"Isn't his name Perseus?" Khrysaôr pointed out.
"I'm fine," I assured Triton. "The hairdresser said I was ready."
Triton nodded, swimming over to me and ignoring Khrysaôr.
"Hmm, we'll have to remove the necklace for now, the cord is too light, it'll get in the way. We'll buy a chain for it to weigh it down a bit."
"You'd almost believe he was your child," Khrysaôr mused.
Triton took a slow breath, "Are you all set? Your hair looks good, the shells twisted in right, and your tail is shining."
He was looking me over, face tight.
"You seem all set," he murmured.
He turned, eyeing Khrysaôr, "You'll need to get to the Oftunep soon or you'll be late."
Khrysaôr hummed, "Of course, of course. Wouldn't want to be late to the announcement."
He turned to leave, pausing at the door.
"Oh," he shot me a vicious grin. "Welcome to the family."
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
Poseidon POV
Delphin swam around, keeping an eye on everyone and ensuring there were no issues.
Putting Ryujin and Nāmaka in the same room was rather asking for conflict— those two were constantly fighting over the Hawaiian waters.
Ryujin just needed to let Nāmaka live in peace, She didn't really try to branch out beyond Her islands.
I shook my head, now was not the time for politics. As long as I didn't have to interfere because the two got into a fight it would be fine.
The room was looking good. My hetai vahivu did an excellent job ensuring that the sionav set everything up perfectly.
The Ofehare Imote did an excellent job setting up the table coral, they look very elegant and the actinia anemone decorating the centers were practically glowing.
Many different Tame were swimming around enjoying the various snacks.
There were also Tatea of many varying species, from hammerhead to great whites, and quite a few Marame, most of them were Delphin's workers but a few were from further seas.
I forced a smile on my face as I swept to my throne where the rest of the family was already waiting. Only three people were missing.
Just as I had that thought, Khrysaôr waltzed in.
I winced, I always forgot that that particular son of mine only had a human shape. I could already see the looks being shot his way.
He was my child though, and the child of Medusa… I would give him the same honor I gave all my children, even if he didn't have tails (nor want them).
I focused back on task, now only Triton and Perseus were missing.
Triton went to retrieve Perseus so they would both be here shortly. Once everyone had arrived we could begin the announcement.
"Khrysaôr," I said with a nod. "Glad that you could join us."
"So happy to be here, Metua. Oh, hello Kymopoleia, make any storms lately?"
I sighed as he swaggered over to Kym to start talking about the chaos they caused.
Those two got along way too well.
"Are you ready," Amphitrite murmured beside me.
"Of course, hereaen," I soothed. "I am completely prepared. Okeanus will not steal my child from me. He's failed before, and he'll fail again."
"Ah, my daughter, how are you?" Okeanus swept up before us.
Speak of Okeanus and he shall appear, areo .
"We are doing well," Amphitrite responded. "And you?"
"Quite well, looking forward to your little announcement."
"I'm sure," I murmured. "Everyone is very excited for the announcement of another prince of the sea."
His eyes gleamed, "Well, he'll be a prince regardless of the outcome of our, ah, arrangement."
I smiled tightly as Tethys glided over as well.
Lovely, everyone was here again.
"Poseidon, Amphitrite," she said smoothly. "How is Persi-tou?"
My eye twitched.
I still didn't know how they met him but he'd clearly recognized them when they'd arrived.
"He is well, simply preparing for the announcement."
"Yes," she glanced at the coral table that held two elegant armbands. "And those are his armbands, then?"
"They are," I said with a small twist of my hand in acknowledgement.
She studied them, taking in the silver bands with the intricate kraken design on them— Triton had insisted. The kraken held a trident (which all my children's bands hold) in its tentacles, and if you looked closely you would see the scale patterns in the background, as well as conch shells and corals hidden amongst the tentacles.
Maeki-sem worked through the tides' changes to make them so quickly with such mastery. They truly were the greatest Fepasem in the sea.
"It looks lovely," Tethys said. "I simply adore the little fork it's holding."
My eye twitched, "Yes, it's a very lovely trident."
"Ah yes, that," she smiled brilliantly. "So when is Persi-tou arriving?"
" Perseus will be here shortly."
As I spoke the doors opened and allowed Triton to sweep in with his conch shell in hand.
He took a breath, then blew into the conch shell.
It's sound echoed through the room, catching everyone's attention.
"Beings of the Sea, may I bring your attention to our newest arrival, announcing: Perseus Yakson, the Son of Poseidon, Prince of the Sea, Retriever of the Master Bolt, and Survivor of the Underworld."
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
Okeanus POV
Listening to the rumors around the room was always rather entertaining.
It's been so long since a full court was called, not since that mess with Nodens and Lír happened. Nearly five hundred years, how the time passed.
Everyone had something to say, most of it very entertaining.
"I heard that the meeting is because his son started a war."
"And here I'd thought it was because he ended a war."
"No no, he fought the God of War! And ended him ."
"He killed the God of War?"
"Which one?"
"The Greek one-"
"Of course it's the Greek one-"
"Which Greek one-"
"Didn't he fight the Khimaira?"
"I heard it killed him-"
"No he killed it-"
"He didn't kill the God of War, he's mortal!"
"But Ekhidna was off licking her wounds after their fight-"
"Oh I heard from Ranga-pe that he's getting adopted-"
"He's getting disowned you mean-"
"No he's getting promoted-"
"Can we go back to him fighting the God of War?"
"That's last week's news, catch up."
"Okeanus tailed over here real fast-"
"Did you see the way that He and Poseidon were talking?"
"I do hope they don't start another war-"
"Did you hear that a war almost started-"
"That's what I was just saying!"
"He got that Bolt thing, the one that that king in the Greek Pantheon uses."
"You mean the one that is constantly fighting with Poseidon?"
"I like that guy-"
I shook my head as I swam towards Poseidon and Amphitrite. They were looking very confident that their scheme would work.
It was certainly a good way to make it difficult for me to adopt him. The sea would likely acknowledge Persi-tou as theirs if Poseidon managed this properly and interfering would only make me look bad.
I would simply have to hope he screwed this up.
Who am I kidding, of course he would.
I greeted my daughter, and held in my laugh at my love's comment about the trident on the arm bands.
They were rather well made, especially for being done on such short notice, but ours were better.
When we adopted Persi he'd have arm bands as our child, and they were far lovelier.
I turned as the doors opened, right on cue.
Triton's announcement was suitably grand, and it was rather impressive that Persi-tou already has two titles to his name (along with the one's he was born with of course).
And then Persi entered.
His deep blue hair was pulled up and pinned into a small bun with coral pins. There were assorted shells threaded through his hair. His green and blue scales glittered in the light of the Manisi pearls, going up his sides some, though not nearly as far as those from deeper or more southern or northern waters.
He wore only his bracelet, the same one he'd had since we'd met him, and a shell necklace that I recognized as the kind Poseidon gifted to all his most treasured children. He wore no other jewelry or embellishment.
He swam in, head held high, hands tucked behind him looking every inch the prince of the sea that he was.
We swept back, settling amongst the group as Triton and Persi-tou moved to the front. Triton passed by him to settle at his own throne, to the direct right of Poseidon's.
Poseidon smiled faintly, before raising his hand to greet Persi-tou. Persi-tou raised his hands back.
"Perseus-aia," Poseidon greeted.
"Poseidon-re'ore," Persi-tou responded.
Poseidon turned his gaze to the crowd that I stood in.
"Welcome, Aritohav, Arinitav, and others. I thank each and every one of you for gathering here today for this special occasion." His gaze swept across the crowd, lingering on me for just a moment.
His expression didn't falter as he continued, "Today, in this most prestigious of days, I am delighted to present a new member of the royal family of Atlantis."
There were a few murmurs from the crowd now as rumors were proved and disproved in turn.
"Thirteen years ago I had a son, but due to the restrictions of Olympus and Zues' never ending wrath, I had to keep him my closest secret. Today that changes."
He smiled, spreading his hands to bring attention to the child standing in front of him.
"My son has not only proven himself as a worthy child of the sea, but as a prince, a demigod, a hero, and a son. He found and returned Zeus' Master Bolt, braved the dangers of the Underworld to speak to Hades and then sought out his missing Helm of Darkness. He faced the God of War in battle and emerged victorious."
I frowned at the clear looks of approval from the crowd, they were pleased with this. Of course it was impressive, but the point was that he shouldn't have had to do all that.
"He has done all of this at a too young twelve veruo."
The murmurs grew louder at that bit of news. Persi-tou was small for his age but they had likely assumed him older than that despite his size.
"May I present to you my youngest son, Perseus Bellerophon Yakson!"