06 - you greedy kids finally get some lore

                                    

                                          



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MABEL DIDN'T HATE THE SEA AS MUCH AS SHE GUESSED A ROMAN SHOULD. Apparently the sea is a Roman's Number 1 Opp, but she felt comfortable out there on the water. The breeze was cool and smelled of salt, blowing strands of hair around her face, and the hypnotic sway of the hull had her relaxed. 
The four of them sat in silence for a bit, Hazel looking queasy and Frank looking concerned, while Mabel spaced out staring at the shore and Percy spaced out staring at Mabel. Perfect matches, honestly. 
After her hair blew into her mouth a few too many times, Mabel reached back to pull it into a loose bun, rubbing a tired hand across her face. After her dream, sleep had not come again, leaving her to stare at the ceiling above Jason's bed, watching the glow-in-the-dark stars they'd put up there a couple years ago. It was one thing to relive the moment with her father— traumatizing certainly— but the second part of her dream had left her reeling. Something about the boy felt so familiar, and the mere sight of him brought forward grief she didn't remember feeling. 
Percy sat next to her, his shoulder brushing her own as his gaze switched from the brunette's face, to the shore, then back. He watched her like she was interesting, something worth studying. It was a strange feeling and it made Mabel's ears warm. 
When her eyes strayed back to the shore of San Francisco, Mabel's gaze caught on a homeless man. Now, this wasn't uncommon in the Bay Area, but it was a little weird that he was sitting on a dock in the middle of the water, surrounded by sea lions. The old man's eyes seemed to catch on Percy, and he pointed a gnarled finger at the boy from across the water. His mouth moved, and Mabel was pretty sure he said something like  'Don't even think about it.' 
Her face scrunched in confusion as she glanced back at the son of Neptune, who was staring at the shore like it had kicked him in the stomach. 
Hazel spoke up, sounding ready to hurl. "Did you see that?"
Mabel nodded quietly as Percy managed to choke out, "Yeah, I—" He stopped, reaching up to rub his forehead like the words were pounding at his brain. "I've been here before, I think. I was... looking for my best friend?" He said the words like they were more of a question.
"Annabeth," Frank murmured, his brows pulling down. "You mean, on your way to Camp Jupiter?"
Mabel turned toward Percy, watching him grapple for memories like smoke in the wind. A form flickered in the space behind him, that girl from the first day—  pretty braids and stormy eyes—  before she disappeared again. Mabel could practically feel the boy's frustration grow, his fists clenching in his lap. Pursing her lips, she slowly reached over, placing a gentle palm on one of his tight fists, his skin warm against her own. 
Letting out a soft breath, Percy glanced over at the brunette, his face softening. "No," he shook his head, his hand unfurling to twine his fingers with Mabel's as he looked back at Frank. "Before that."
The son of Mars nodded softly, turning to converse softly with Hazel. The boat rocked lazily beneath them, bobbing with the waves as they traveled north.
Mabel glanced over at Percy to see his gaze set on his lap, staring unfocused at their intertwined fingers. The gray streak of his hair gleamed in the setting sun, glowing silver against the rest of his dark curls. The daughter of Trivia paused, mindlessly stroking her thumb across the back of his hand before asking, "You okay?"
The son of Neptune looked up, meeting her gaze with tired eyes, the irises swirling sea-green and bright. The color seemed to match the ocean they floated upon, his father's domain. He let out a slow breath, pursing his lips. "I just—" he started, pausing to take another breath. "I hate that I can't remember."