Chapter 48: Party Crashers

                                    

                                          
Posiden was standing in the doorway, a smile on his face as he regarded Sally. He had come for Percy's birthday. He was wearing Bermuda shorts and a Hawaiian shirt and Birkenstocks. His black beard was neatly trimmed and his sea-green eyes twinkled. He wore a battered cap decorated with fishing lures. It said NEPTUNE'S LUCKY FISHING HAT. 
I could tell Sally was flustered, and she was blushing. Her and Posiden exchanged some words and then she opened the door. My dad was looking back and forth between us, trying to read our expressions. Finally he stepped forward, "Hi, I'm Paul Blofis."
Poseidon raised his eyebrows as they shook hands. "Blowfish, did you say?"
Really? This Posiden son of the sea god was gonna do this? I took a step forwards already feeling the familiar tingle in my fingers but Raph grabbed my waist and pulled me back. Between him and Percy.
Posiden glanced over and saw my scowl. His face lit up, the same way Percy's did. And he started to sign. I frowned and cocked my head. I had to concentrate hard on his hands.
"Percy's sister. Eleanora Blowfish. I've heard quite a bit about you."
"It's Blofis you puffed up-"
Raph smacked my hands interrupting me. 
"He's a god Nora!" 
I glared at Raph but looked back at Posiden. He had the same mischievous twinkle in his eyes as Percy. So it was hard to tell when he was joking or not. 
"Your sign is different." 
"I learned the Oceanic Sign. My direct will be slightly different. Sorry." 
I shrugged. "Appreciated though. Thank you."
He smiled and nodded. He looked back at Sally and Paul. He held a hand out for my dad to shake. Which he did. 
"Glad you could uhh...drop by Percy's birthday. Come in." Paul signed slightly stiffly, but he stepped aside and Posiden came into the apartment and Sally closed the door. 
Poseidon smiled at Percy who stood beside me still. "There you are, my boy. And Tyson, hello, son!"
I appreciated everyone signing their conversations for me.
"Daddy!" 
Tyson only knew a few words, and daddy was one of them. But his voice vibrated through me and his huge feet made the apartment shake. Tyson bounded across the room and gave Poseidon a big hug, which almost knocked off his fishing hat.
"I couldn't miss Percy's fifteenth birthday," Poseidon signed. "Why, if this were Sparta, Percy would be a man today!"
"That's true," Paul said. "I used to teach ancient history."
Poseidon's eyes twinkled. "That's me. Ancient history."
"Yes, the Olympic gods have been around a while." Paul signed. I could detect the sass in his words. He knew all about this world, especially with me being part of it. Dad would have to be incredibly dimwitted if he had no idea... But I didn't know how much of Percy's life Posiden knew. I didn't know if Posiden knew Sally was dating a guy who's daughter was also a demigod and very much involved in this Greek world. But the way he was acting I'd say he didn't seem to put it together, or maybe he was just messing with us...I had no idea. 
"Sally, Paul, everyone else...would you mind if I borrowed Percy for a moment?"
He put his arm around Percy and steered him into the kitchen. A minute later Posiden poked his head into the living room. He pointed at me and indicated I should follow. I hesitated and only moved when Raph gave me a gentle push