Good Cop, Bad Cop....
Max had came back after his 'stroll' around the garden in the palace to find the Zeus and Hecate, standing in front of the door, apparently waiting for him to come back. Seeing me Zeus' whole demeanor changed, "Where is Pan?" He eyes were devoid of warmth and his voice, harsh and threatening.
[Straight to the point huh?] "How should I now? I saw him in some kind of vague dream and that's it. I have not seen him since." Max replied evenly, he did not want to look nervous. Hecate placed a hand on his shoulder speaking softly, "Maximus,I know you are scared and you are carrying a heavy burden. But you should understand that we want to do everything to bring him back."
"But I really dont know where he is. I saw him once in my dream, some field that's all I remember." [Are they playing 'good cop, bad cop' with me? ].
Zeus abruptly leaves without telling anything, he looked like Severus Snape with his billowing greek dress and gliding walk. Hecate tries to say something but I follow Zeus into the room, with the rest of the gods.
The gods had asked few other questions, all the time Zeus kept silent, watching Max. Zeus did not like this boy. Not for being the son of Pan...no, but something else, he could not tell. [I have to consult Athena later about this.]
Max was preparing to leave, when Poseidon came to him, "Max, I have a favour, I have sent my other son to camp. His name is Tyson. Will you-" "Sure." Max gave a nod and turned to leave. "He's a cyclops Max. He is going to-" "Doesn't matter." Max cut him off again shaking his head, "He a good kid?" Poseidon looked surprised, but nodded, "A very good kid, a bit naive but a good kid none the same. I'm just worried about how Percy's gonna take this. I don't want him to...you know?"
Max just gave a smirk, "You underestimate your son Lord Poseidon. He has a bigger heart than anybody I know. Although I told you about Percy's life in camp, I will tell you how he is as a person. Your son is a brave kid, fiercely loyal to those he considers family. He will defend you, even if the whole world is against you, I should know, he is my sworn brother. I'd be honoured to have another son of Poseidon be my brother."
Poseidon eyes shined a deep blue and gave a wide smile patting his back. "Thank you Max. I had planned to bribe you, but since that was not necessary I shall gift it to you instead." The Sea God took out a beautifully crafted glass vial with carving looking like a many headed snake.
Inside the vial were two ruby like gems. "Give this to Tyson with your weapon, he'll know what to do."
Max left with Dionysus after a few pleasantries were exchanged, back to camp.
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Max called a meeting of all Cabin heads, to Dionysus office, the actual resident was sitting on a leopard print beanbag, sipping cola and reading a book, grumbling about his 'wine' problems.
Max took out each gift and gave it to them. Clarisse was particularly ecstatic. After receiving hers she started to give it a try, changing it to different weapons, it also had red coloured lightning running on the surface of th weapon.[So, she got Maimer, from canon], Max thought. Annabeth was also really happy about her gift from her Mom. Percy asked were his gift was, a bit sad and confused, Max just gave him a knowing smile and said it was on its way.
Thalia had gotten a spear and the replica shield of Aegis. She found that it was easier to channel her lightning through the spear. Alex Steele got a rune-crafting chisel and hammer; Charles got a forging hammer. They also got seven celestial bronze ingots and seven imperial gold ingots, with a personal hand written note saying, "Go Nuts".
With all the gifts given out, Max sneaked out at night avoiding the sentries and lookouts to the border of the camp, Dionysus was waiting for him. Max planted a seed and grew a pine tree out of it. He then went to each corner of the camp, corresponding to the direction and planted all four trees. [The barrier has activated] Max thought to himself after seeing a shimmering light.
Mr.D gave him a nod and went back to Olympus to inform Zeus that it is complete. Max went back to his cabin-house and sat on his bed, when he saw someone sitting in his chair. He almost pounced to attack, when the moonlight fell on the person sitting. It was the Oracle of Delphi.
*sigh* [ I'm getting too used to this, but it doesn't make it any less irritating... that thing keeps telling me what to do, knowing my future, having control over me. I t doesn't even give good clues...so fucking vague all the fucking time] "tsk....what does it want this time?" he asked himself.
The mummy lady'e head shot up. It's usual green coloured eye-holes and green smoke out of its mouth absent, instead it had a shimmering silver. It opened it mouth and spoke. Not in its usual hoarse whisper like voice, no. But an ethereal and beautiful voice that spoke as if it was singing. Although it sounded urgent it sounded melodic, Max was in full attention-mode.
"The curse of Pan...