LOSE YOUR MIND

"i never got the chance"

     SHE HAD ALMOST THROWN WHOEVER WAS BEHIND HER OVERBOARD. Their hands had grabbed her, and she was ready to let them slam into the ground before realizing it was a familiar touch.

Percy raised his eyebrows at his girlfriend, who cringed and mumbled a small apology before going back to what she had originally been busy with.

The two were the first ones up, surprisingly. Annabeth wasn't one to be up early, as she usually tended to go to bed rather late when she became too focused on design layouts. The rest were snoring in their beds.

The Argo II was on the way to Kansas. Wind blew back Ariadne's hair while she hurriedly shoved a few pieces of a muffin in her mouth while attempting to put her curls on top of her head. She was struggling.

"Need some help," Percy said, watching in amusement.

She huffed. "No."

Her hair falling down was enough of an answer.

Her boyfriend gently took her hair into his hands. His fingers brushed through it as quickly as possible, twisting the curls inside out before tying it behind her head. He was always great at braiding her hair. She guessed it came with the Poseidon part of him.

"Thanks," she said.

Percy smiled, although she couldn't see it. He wrapped his arms around her waist, letting his chin fall onto her shoulder. They watched as the sun began to rise. A question entered his mind.

"Why are you up so early?" he asked. "Usually you like sleeping in."

"Couldn't sleep." Her response was vague. So many thoughts ran through his Brian about nightmares and anxiety, even some of him. "Don't worry, Kelp ahead, it's all good. I used to wake up early at camp after you were taken. I would go set up the arena and other things for the day, and I would make sure your cabin stayed clean."

His sea-green eyes studied the horizon in interest. "Remember when we woke up really early to go to that little diner that was only open from eleven-to-seven?"

Her lips quirked up. "You mean because your mom wouldn't let us out that late so you dragged me out of bed to get waffles?"

"Yeah." His eyes glazed over. "That's one of my favorite memories. You wore a green t-shirt with jeans and your vans. Your hair was in a bun while you wore one of my jackets."

Ariadne turned around to face him. Her back pressed against the railing, her hands on his waist. "You remember this why?"

"Because I remember watching you tiredly reach for the syrup but you poured water over your food. I laughed so hard I began choking on a piece of my pancake, and you just laughed while trying to use a napkin to somehow save your soggy waffle."

She laughed. "And I joked about you dying from a piece of a pancake and not a war."

Percy laughed loudly. He pulled her closer to him, his hands pressed to her cheeks. His eyes scanned her face which held a smile, her lips pursing to stop it from growing larger.

"Stop doing that."

"What?" he asked. "I'm not doing anything."

"You're staring." Her eyes twinkled. "It's creepy."

"I can't help it. You're beautiful."

Her face flushed at his comment. Ariadne chuckled to herself, her hands rested on his chest, where she could feel his heart thumping. It calmed her to know that he really was there. Percy Jackson was made of the sea, unbridled loyalty, and impulsive decisions—but he was there with her, holding her, and it felt as if she had tamed the sea all on her own.

It was impossible, she knew that, to tame such a wild spirit like the ocean, for he was like the waves themselves. But somehow, every time he crashed onto the shore, he was there for her.

Percy meant everything to her.

Ariadne glanced over the colors filling the sky, spreading across the clouds like dawn was spilled paint. Sunlight poured into her skin, igniting every curve and flick of her jaw, her arms. Her freckles glistened in the bright light that seemed made for her.

His hands brushed against the stray curls atop her head. She was with him. Ariadne Phoenix was built on power, aggression, and a warrior's soul. Yet, here she was, caring for a boy who, only years ago, beloved himself to a burden and worthless. Sure, he still felt that way a few times, but knowing that someone as important as Ariadne cared for him—the real him—helped ease those worries.

Ariadne didn't care about how he was the Hero of Olympus, who stopped the Titans from taking the gods' thrones. No—to her, he was Kelp Head, the silly and infuriating boy who could make her laugh and smile. To her, he was a normal kid with a normal life.

Percy tilted her head to him. His thumb traced her top lip before bringing her closer. Lips tasting of cherry chapstick pressed against his in a meaningful, yet sweet kiss.

A kiss that felt like the first sight of a flower in spring, the taste of a cool glass of lemonade on a hot day. Her lips were like earning the last piece of your favorite cake when you were so desperately craving it. His lips represented listening to a song you forgot you loved, and falling for it all over again, feeling the rhythm between your fingers.

It was just right.

***

THE SHIP'S LANDING GEAR EXTENDED. Piper climbed on deck and joined the others as the Argo II settled in the middle of a field of sunflowers. The oars retracted. The gangplank lowered itself.

The morning air smelled of irrigation, warm plants, and fertilized earth. Not a bad smell. Percy was the first to notice Piper. He smiled in greeting. He was wearing faded jeans and a fresh orange Camp Half-Blood t-shirt, as if he'd never been away from the Greek side. The new clothes had probably helped his mood—and of course the fact that he was standing at the rail with his arm around Ariadne.

Piper was happy to see Ariadne with a sparkle in her eyes. She had been a great comfort the last few months, with her endless jokes and her ability to intimidate anyone, it was nice to have a honest person who didn't tiptoe because of her father's fame.

Ariadne gave the girl a wave, leaning against the rail. She looked effortless in her camp t-shirt, a pair of jean shorts, and her hair in a thick braid.

"So!" Annabeth plucked the bagel of of Piper's hand and took a bite. Back at camp, they'd had a running joke about stealing each other's breakfast. "Here we are. What's the plan?"

"I want to check out the highway," Piper said. "Find the sign that says Topeka 32."

Leo spun his Wii controller in a circle, and the sails lowered themselves. "We shouldn't be far," he said. "Festus and I calculated the landing best we could. What do you expect to find at the mile marker?"

Piper explained what she's seen in the knife—the man in purple with a goblet.

"Purple shirt?" Jason asked. "Vines on his hat? Sounds like Bacchus."

"Dionysus," Percy muttered. "If we came all the way to Kansas to see Mr. D—"

"Bacchus isn't so bad," Jason said.

Ariadne scoffed. "Unless you're his daughter."

Percy glanced down at his girlfriend. "But why would he be hanging around in Kansas? Didn't Zeus order the gods to cease all contact with mortals?"

Frank grunted. The big guy was wearing a blue tracksuit this morning, like he was ready to go for a jog in the sunflowers.

"The gods haven't been very good at following that order," he noted. "Besides, if the gods have gone as schizophrenic like Hazel said—"

"And Leo said," added Leo."

Frank scowled at him. "Then who knows what's going on with the Olympians? Could be some pretty bad stuff out there."

"Sounds dangerous!" Leo agreed cheerfully. "Well...you guys have fun. I've got to finish repairs on the hull. Coach Hedge is gonna work on the broken crossbows. And, uh, Annabeth—I could really use your help. You're the only other person who even sort of understands engineering."

Annabeth looked at Ariadne. "He's right. I should stay and help."

Ariadne waved her off. "It's fine. I'll deal with my hell of a father. We'll be back. Promise."

Percy kissed her on the cheek. "You won't be alone, Curly Fry."

They were so easy together, it made Piper's heart ache.

Frank slid his bow off his shoulder and propped it against the rail. "I think I should turn into a crow or something and fly around, keep an eye out for Roman eagles."

"Why a crow?" Leo asked. "Man, if you can turn into a dragon, why don't you just turn into a dragon every time? That's the coolest."

Frank's face looked like it was being infused with cranberry juice. "That's like asking why you don't bench-press your maximum weight every time you life. Because it's hard, and you'd hurt yourself. Turning into a dragon isn't easy."

"Oh." Leo nodded. "I wouldn't know. I don't lift weights."

"Yeah. Well, maybe you should consider it, Mr.—"

Hazel stepped between them.

"I'll help you, Frank," she said, shooting Leo an evil look. "I can summon Arion and scout around below."

"Sure," Frank said, still glaring at Leo. "Yeah, thanks."

Hazel turned to Percy. "Just be careful when you go out there. Lots of fields, lots of crops. Could be karpoi on the loose."

"Karpoi?" Piper asked.

"Grain spirits," Hazel said. "You don't want to meet them."

"That leaves four of us to check on the mile marker," Percy said. "Me, Aidan, Jason, Piper. I'm not psyched about seeing Mr. D again. That guy is a pain. But, Jason, if you're on better terms with him—"

"Yeah," Jason said. "If we find him, I'll talk to him. Piper, it's your vision. You should take t he lead."

"Of course. Let's find the highway."

Leo had said they were close. His idea of 'close' needed some work.

After trudging half a mile through hot fields, getting bitten by mosquitos and whacked in the face with scratchy sunflowers, they finally reached the road. An old billboard for Bubba's Gas 'no' Grub indicated they were still forty miles from the first Topeka exit.

"Correct my math," Percy said, "but doesn't that mean we have eight mikes to walk?"

Jason peered both ways down the deserted road. "No cars..." he said. "But I guess we wouldn't want to hitchhike."

"No," Piper agreed, gazing nervously down the highway. "We've already spent too much time going overland. The earth is Gaea's territory."

"Hmm..." Jason snapped his fingers. "I can call a friend for a ride."

Percy raised his eyebrows. "Oh, yeah? Me too. Let's see whose friend gets here first."

Jason whistled. Ariadne knew what he was doing, but he'd succeeded in summoning Tempest only three times since they'd met the storm spirit at the Wolf House last winter. Today, the sky was so blue. Percy simply closed his eyes and concentrated.

She rolled her eyes at the two boys. They were so trying to assert who was better. But, obviously, they both knew that it was Ariadne and Annabeth who took that spot.

Thunder crackled in the clear sky.

Jason smiled. "Soon."

"Too late." Percy pointed east, where a black winged shape was spiraling toward them.

"A black pegasus?" Piper said. "Never seen one like that."

The winged stallion came in for a landing. He trotted over to Percy and nuzzled his face, then turned his head inquisitively toward Piper and Jason.

"Blackjack," Percy said, "this is Piper and Jason. They're friend."

The horse nickered.

"Uh, maybe later," Percy answered.

"What does Blackjack want?" Piper asked.

"Donuts," Percy said. Ariadne snorted. "Always donuts. He can carry all four of us if—"

Suddenly the air turned cold. Ariadne's ears popped. About fifty yards away, a immature cyclone three stories tall tore across the tops of the sunflowers. It touched down on the road next to Jason and took the form of a horse—a misty steed with lightning flickering through its body.

"Tempest," Jason said, grinning broadly. "Long time, my friend."

The storm spirit reared and whinnied. Blackjack backed up skittishly.

"Easy, boy," Percy said. "He's a friend too." He gave Jason an impressed look. "Nice ride, Grace."

Jason shrugged. "I made friends with him during our fight at the Wolf House. He's a free spirit, literally, but once in a while he agreed to help me."

Percy and Jason climbed on their respective horses. Piper accepted Jason's hand and climbed on. Blackjack, on the other hand, snorted and moved away when Ariadne tried to climb on.

"Really?" Ariadne gave him an exasperated look. "Are we gonna do this now?"

Blackjack whinnied, he sounded angry. Percy cringed. "Uh, boy, let's not say that to my girlfriend."

Ariadne pointed at the pegasus. "Did our bonding moment mean nothing to you? I thought you would like me by now!"

Percy placed his hand on Blackjack's mane. "Let her on. I promise she won't do anything."

Finally, Ariadne was able to climb on. She gave the horse a dirty look while wrapping her arms around Percy's waist.

Tempest raced down the road with Blackjack soaring overhead. Fortunately, they didn't pass any car, or they might have caused a wreck. In no time, they arrived at the thirty-two-mile marker.

Blackjack landed. Both horses pawed the asphalt. Neither looked pleased to have stopped so suddenly, just when they'd found their stride. Blackjack whinnied.

"You're right," Percy said. "No sign of the wine dude."

"I beg your pardon?" said a voice from the fields.

Tempest turned so quickly, Piper almost fell off.

The wheat parted, and the man who resembled her father stepped into view. He wore a wide brimmed hat wreathed in grapevines, a purple shirt-sleeved shirt, khaki shorts, and Birkenstocks with white socks. He looked maybe thirty, like a frat boy who hadn't yet realized college was over.

It was her father.

"Did someone just call me the wine dude?" he asked in a lazy drawl. "It's Bacchus, please. Or Mr. Bacchus. Or Lord Bacchus. Or, sometimes, Oh-My-Gods-Please-Don't-Kill-Ne, Lord Bacchus."

Percy urged Blackjack forward, though the pegasus didn't seem happy about it.

"You look different," Percy told the god. "Skinnier. Your hair is longer. And your shit isn't so loud."

The wine god squinted up at him. "What in blazes are you talking about? Who are you, and where is Ceres?"

"Uh...what series?"

"I think he means Ceres," Jason said. "The goddess of agriculture. You'd call her Demeter." He nodded respectfully at the god. "Lord Bacchus, do you remember me? I helped you with that missing leopard in Sonoma."

Bacchus scratched his stubbly chin. "Ah...yes. John Green."

Oh, good to know he was still terrible at names in his Roman form."

"Jason Grace."

"Whatever," the god said. "Did Ceres send you, then?"

"No, Lord Bacchus," Jason said. "Were you expecting to meet her here?"

The god snorted. "Well, I didn't come to Kansas to party, my boy. Ceres asked me here for a council of war. What with Gaea rising, the crops are withering. Droughts are spreading. The karpoi are in revolt. Even my grapes aren't safe. Ceres wanted a united front in the plant war."

"Plant war," Percy said. "You're going to arm all the little grapes with tiny assault rifles?"

The god narrowed his eyes. "Have we met?"

"At Camp Half-Blood," Percy said, "I know you as Mr. D—Dionysus."

"Agh!" Bacchus winced and pressed his hands to his temples, for a moment, his image flickered. Ariadne saw a different person—a grumpy man in a much louder, leopard patterned shirt. Then Bacchus returned to being Bacchus. "Stop that!" he demanded. "Stop thinking about me in Greek!"

"Percy blinked. "Uh, but—"

"Do you have any idea how hard it is to stay focused? Splitting headaches all the time! I never know what I'm doing or where I'm going! Constantly grumpy!"

Ariadne slid off of Blackjack, giving the horse a pat. She looked at her father's split persona with a bored expression. "Seems pretty normal for you, Dad."

The god's image flickered again.

"You, my dear, need to watch who you are speaking to," Bacchus warned. "I am a god."

"Yeah, couldn't tell. You're having a split personality issue right now. Soon, you'll remember what a jerk you are."

Piper watched with horrified fascination. Even if it was her father, Ariadne was talking to the god like it was someone who deeply upset her.

"Lord Bacchus!" she interrupted, slipping off Tempest's back.

"Piper, careful," Jason said.

"Sorry to trouble you, my lord," she told the god, "but we actually came here to get your advice. Please, we need your wisdom." She used her most agreeable tone, pouring respect into her charmspeak.

The god frowned, but the purple glow faded in his eyes. "You're well spoke, girl. Advice, eh? Very well. I would avoid karaoke. Really, theme parties in general are out. In these austere times, people are looking for a simple, low-key affair, with locally produced organic snacks and—"

"Not about parties," Ariadne interrupted, leaning against Percy's legs. "It's about our quest."

She explained about the Argo II and their voyage to stop the giants from awakening Gaea. She told him what Nemesis had said: that in six days, Rome would be destroyed. Piper described the vision reflected in her knife, where Bacchus offered her a silver goblet."

"Silver goblet?" The god didn't sound very excited. He grabbed a Diet Pepsi from nowhere and popped the top of the can.

"You drink Diet Coke," Percy said.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Bacchus snapped. "As to this vision of the goblet, young lady, I hav emptying for you to drink unless you want a Pepsi. Jupiter had put me under strict orders to avoid giving wine to minors. Bothersome, but there you have it. As for the giants, I know them well. I fought in the first Giant War, you know."

"You can fight?" Percy asked. He sounded incredulous.

Dionysus snarled. His Diet Pepsi transforms into a five foot staff wreathed in ivy, topped with a pine cone.

"A thyrsus," Piper said. "Oh, what a mighty weapon!"

"Indeed," Bacchus agreed. "I'm glad someone in your ground is smart. The pinecone is a fearsome tool of destruction! I was a demigod myself in the first Giant War. The son of Jupiter!"

Jason flinched. Ariadne felt bad that he was related to her father in a way.

Bacchus swung his staff through the air. "Of course that was long before I invented wine and became an immortal. I fought side by side with the gods and some other demigod...Harry Cleese, I think."

"Heracles?" Piper suggested politely.

"Whatever," Bacchus said. "Anyway, I killed the giant Ephilates and his brother Otis. Horrible boors, those two. Pinecone in the face for both of them!"

It was clearer.

"They are twins, right," Ariadne said. She didn't bother a dressing him with any respect. "Those two giants, Ephilates and Otis...would they happen to be twins?"

He nodded. "Yes, twins. That's right."

She shared a look with Percy: Twins snuff out the angel's breath.

"That's why we're here," Piper told the god. "You're part of our quest!"

Bacchus frowned. "I'm sorry, my girl. I'm not a demigod anymore. I don't do quests."

"But giants can only be killed by heroes and gods working together," she insisted. "You're a god now, and the two giants we have to fight are Ephilates and Otis. I think...I think they're waiting for us in Rome. They're going to destroy the city somehow. The silver goblet I saw in my vision—maybe it's meant as a symbol for your help. You have to help us kill the giants!"

Bacchus glared at her. "My girl," he said coldly, "I don't have to do anything. Besides, I only help those who give me proper tribute, which no one has managed to do in many, many centuries."

Blackjack whinnied uneasily.

Percy voiced his question. "What kind of tribute?"

"Bacchus waved his hand dismissively. "Nothing you could handle, insolent Greek. But I will give you some freed advice, since this girl does have some manners. Seek out Gaea's son, Phorcys. He always hated his mother, not that I can blame him. He didn't have much use for his siblings the twins, either. You'll find him in the city they named after that heroine—Atalanta."

Piper hesitated. "You mean Atlanta?"

"That's the one."

"But this Phorcys," Jason said. "Is he a giant? A Titan?"

Bacchus laughed. "Neither. Seek out the salt water."

"Salt water..." Percy said. "In Atlanta?"

"Yes," Bacchus said. "Are you hard of hearing?" If anyone can give you insight on Gaea and the twins, it's Phorcys. Just watch out for him."

"What do you mean?" Jason asked.

The god glanced at the sun, which had climbed almost to high noon. "It's unlike Ceres to be late, unless she sensed something dangerous in this area. Or..."

The god's face suddenly went slack. "Or a trap. Well, I must be going! And if I were you, I'd do the same!"

His eyes found Ariadne's. They stared for a few seconds, time passing by quickly. Then, he became Dionysus for a fleeting moment. "My daughter," his voice raspy, as if it hurt to talk, "beware what I said. Watch yourself."

The god shimmered and disappeared with a sound like a soda-can top being pooped.

The wind rustled through the sunflowers. The horses pace in agitation. Despite the dry, hot day, Ariadne shivered. The same cold feeling as the day before.

"We need to go," she said. Right now—"

Too late, said a sleepy voice, humming through the fields all around them and resonating in the ground at Ariadne's feet.

Percy and Jason drew their swords. Ariadne drew hers'. Piper stood on the road between them, frozen with fear. The power of Gaea was suddenly everywhere. The sunflowers turned to look at them. The wheat bent toward them like a million scythes.

Welcome to my party, Gaea murmured. Her voice was like the crackling of a fire, or a hissing of steam.

What did Bacchus say? the goddess mocked. A simple, low-key affair with organic snacks? Yes. For my snacks, I need only two: the blood of a female demigod, and the blood of a male. Ariadne, my precious, choose which héroe will die with you.

"Gaea!" Jason yelled. "Stop hiding in the wheat. Show yourself!"

Such bravado, Gaea hissed. But the other one, Percy Jackson, also had appeal. Quite handsome, hmm? Choose, Ariadne Phoenix, or I will.

She glowered at the ground. If she could find Gaea's face, it would've been torn to pieces rather quickly.

"You're insane!" Piper shouted. "She's not choosing anything for you!"

Suddenly Jason gasped. He sat up straight in his saddle.

"Jason!" Piper cried. "What's wrong—?"

He looked down at her, his expression deadly calm. His eyes were no longer blue. They flowed solid gold.

"Percy!" Ariadne looked to see Percy gallop away from them. He stopped thirty feet down the road and wheeled his pegasus around. He raised his sword and pointed the tip toward Jason.

"One will die," Percy said, but the voice wasn't his. It was deep and hollow, like someone whispering from inside the barrel of a cannon.

"I will choose," Jason answered, in the same hollow voice.

"No!" Piper yelled.

All around them, the fields crackled and hissed, laughing in Gaea's voice as Percy and Jason charged at each other, their weapons ready.

Ariadne cried out at the splitting headache hitting her head.

authors note:

A treat because I love ya guys

I legit love writing how that kiss felt for them because it felt like poetry. Should I do that more???

Anyways, I hope you guys can see that slowly, as the books go on, Ariadne doesn't see her father in the same light she once had.

I think that as we all get older, we see the flaws that weren't there before, and life affects us all in different ways, some minor, some major.

Ariadne realized that her father was selfish. Although he has his moments, he only wants whats for him, not her or Pollux. She's become bitter, which is where I feel like she understands Luke a bit, but destroying the world she wanted to live in was is a no for her.

Tell me what you guys think about that or how it's going to proceed from here!

Q: Are you guys good mentally and physically wise?
A: I'm doing okay. That's all I can say, really.

Hope you guys are good!

Love you guys!!