"Do you want my help or not?" Retorted Annabeth, the ravenette nodding since she'd take all the help she can get.
"Excellent. This afternoon, we can take you as far as the bus terminal in Manhattan. After that, you are on your own." Chiron said, pleased that the group was now formed and just needed to prepare.
Before they all looked up as lightning flashed across the sky and rain poured down on the meadows that were never meant to see violent weather. The questers trading looks with each other, knowing they didn't have any time to waste, before they immediately left to go pack and prepare.
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Jakob was packed and ready to go.
Katie (bless her soul) gave him a backpack with a toothbrush, ambrosia and nectar, ten gold drachmas, fifty U.S. dollars in mortal money, as well as some spare clothes.
The drachmas were as big as Girl Scout cookies and had images of several Greek gods stamped on one side and the Empire State Building on the other. The ancient mortal drachmas were silver, Chiron told him, but Olympians never used less than pure gold.
Chiron said the coins might come in handy for non-mortal transactions. The ambrosia and nectar were given in the case of emergencies. It was god food, Chiron reminded him and the others. It would cure almost any injury, but lethal to mortals. Too much of it would make a demigod very, very feverish. An overdose would burn them up, literally.
Jakob also received a new gift, courtesy of the Hephaestus cabin. They had taken his black hooded bomber jacket and attached a metal hook to the back, forged in the shape of the Greek symbol for war. It was for the Leviathan Axe, rather than have it at his waist all the time. Jakob had thanked them and told them to not strain themselves in working on his cabin, but they told him not to worry and declared they'll have it done by the time he gets back, filled with everything he wanted.
Jakob also said goodbye to Silena, who wished him luck and even hugged him and he couldn't help but hug her bac, ignoring the giggles of Silena's sisters.
Annabeth was bringing her magic Yankees cap, which she told him had been a twelfth-birthday present from her mum.
She carried a book on famous classical architecture, written in Ancient Greek, to read when she got bored, and a long bronze knife, hidden in her shirt sleeve. Andromeda said she was sure the knife would get them busted the first time they went through a metal detector.
Grover wore his fake feet and pants to pass as human. He wore a green rasta-style cap, because when it rained his curly hair flattened and you could see the tips of his horns. His bright orange backpack was full of scrap metal and apples to snack on. In his pocket were a set of reed pipes his daddy goat carved for him, even though he only knew two songs: Mozart's Piano Concerto no. 12 and Hilary Duff's "So Yesterday," both of which sounded like dying cats on reed pipes.
The questers waved good-bye to the other campers, took one last look at the strawberry fields, the ocean, and the Big House, then hiked up Half-Blood Hill to the tall pine tree that used to be Thalia, daughter of Zeus.
Chiron was waiting for them in his wheelchair. Next to him stood a surfer-looking guy with many eyes.
According to Grover, the guy was the camp's head of security. He supposedly had eyes all over his body so he could never be surprised. Today, though, he was wearing a chauffeur's uniform, so he could only see on his hands, face and neck.
"This is Argus," Chiron told the kids. "He will drive you into the city, and, er, well, keep an eye on things."
"That was terrible." Jakob deadpanned after hearing that. The centaur looked sheepish at that.
The group heard footsteps behind them.
Luke came running up the hill, carrying a pair of basketball shoes.
"Hey!" he panted. "Glad I caught you."
Annabeth blushed, the way she always did when Luke was around. Jakob chuckled, getting her to glare at him, but he just chuckled heartedly.
"Just wanted to say good luck, and I thought…um, maybe you could use these." Replied Luke, handing the Daughter of Poseidon the sneakers, making her frown in confusion at what she could use them for.
"Maia!" Luke said, with Andromeda being surprised when white bird wings sprouted from the heels, dropping them on the ground, where they flapped around for a few moments until the wings folded up and vanished.
"Awesome!" Grover said, smiling in amazement at Andromeda getting flying shoes.
"Those served me well when I was on my quest. Gift from dad. Of course, I don't use them much these days…" Said Luke with a smile before his expression turned sad, with Andromeda smiling and picking up the shoes.
"Hey, thanks." Andromeda said, with the Son of Hermes nodding with smile.
Luke turned to Jakob. "Couldn't get you a pair, but I doubt you'd need them given you're the son of Thor and all, capable of flying yourself."
Jakob waved it off. "It's fine."
"Listen guys…a lot of hopes are riding on you. So just…kill some monsters for me, okay?" Luke asked, as the ravenette nodded as they shook hands. Then Luke shook Jakob's.
Before he patted Grover on the head between his horns and hugged Annabeth goodbye, making the blonde look ready to pass out.
"You're hyperventilating." Jakob said bluntly.
"Shut up!" Annabeth said, blushing.
"You let him take the flag instead taking it yourself, didn't you." Stated Andromeda as she looked at Annabeth slyly, causing her to glare at the ravenette as well.
"Why do I want to go anywhere with either of you?!" Annabeth retorted before stomping down the hill towards a white van, with Argus following after her.
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