video ][ action ][ desert city

[ethos]

[ Crash landings in random cities that don't exist on any map — all in all, it's not something Percy's entirely unfamiliar with. It really could've been a lot worse. He's still not exactly happy about it, not least because he's wearing a ridiculous bed sheet-turned-toga and purple cape. This would've looked weird, if there were any people out here to appreciate it. At least his brain seems mostly in check this time.

So, City, say hello to a peeved-off son of Poseidon. He's been walking the desert, trying to find signs of A.) donut shops B.) suspicious bag ladies or C.) water. The network device isn't on that list, but he'll take what he can get: ]

Let me guess. Arizona? New Mexico?

[ He doesn't sound like he believes either. ]

Yeah... If this is another test, I'm pretty sure I'm bombing it.

Comments

audio:

[charring]

Try pocket dimension.

1/2

[ethos]

[ Ohhhh the world gets weirder... ]

audio:

[ethos]

What is that supposed to mean?

audio:

[charring]

Essentially, it's a place that exists Nowhere but exists just the same. It's called the City and usually actually looks more like a city and less like the Sahara. You've been pulled here for reasons unknown. Whatever you were doing back home? The very last second you remember there? You'll return to that, despite how much time you spend here.

Hi. I'm Charlie.

audio:

[ethos]

I'm Percy.

[ Pauuuse because that's a bit to process. For reasons unknown rings a bell but the rest of it... ]

Do you know who we've been pulled here by? Or how?

[inmyothertights]

Those are pretty good guesses. Though I think Arizona has more vegetation.

[ethos]

I've been there before. It's got more of a lot of other stuff too.

[inmyothertights]

Cacti? Cacti that you get fined for hitting with a car?

[ethos]

That would've made it a lot more awesome than it actually was.

[ WAIT WHAT ]

You can get fined for that?

[signatures]

Last I remember, Arizona and New Mexico looked nothing like this.

[ethos]

Yeah, they at least have grocery stores.

[signatures]

Among other signs of general civilization, absolutely.

[ethos]

Is it always this empty [ of things that aren't monsters ] or did everyone evacuate to somewhere safer?

[errandry]

... those've gotta be tests from hell if they send you to America for 'em.

You get the explanation yet?

[ethos]

Uhh, what's wrong with America? [ YOU DID NOT JUST INSULT AMERICA-IS-THE-BEST-PLACE-EVER which is why he's asking for an explanation mmkay even if the Underworld really is under Hollywood ]

And the basic idea, yeah. Any details I should know?

[errandry]

Any test where they've gotta send you some faraway place's usually pretty weird.

I dunno, what's the basic idea? Curses, bastard deities, dimensional loop, the part where this wasn't a desert two weeks ago?

action ][

[hexuality]

[And enter one redheaded witch, who seems to think roaming a desert wasteland is a good idea to begin with. Blame being a Gryffindor or blame wanting to get away from an overprotective brother for a few blissful hours (but only blissful if the monsters decide to leave you alone). Who can really say? But Ginny is walking through the crumbling Desert City with a broom strapped to her back and a wand up her sleeve and a scarf wrapped about her face and hair—and then she sees Percy and pauses.

She recognises him. Or she thinks she does. It's been some time since she's seen the son of Poseidon so she can't quite place the familiarity yet. Hence... the staring.]

Er—hullo? You alright?

action ][

[ethos]

[ Percy notices someone approaching. It's hard not to when his list of Stuff Found is made up of nothing, monsters and even more nothing. Whoever it is doesn't immediately attack him or anything, but staring is almost as bad, especially since he can't tell if she's an ex-hippie bag lady under that scarf. ]

Uh...

[ Possibly one with a British accent. ]

Yeah, I'm fine. Who are you?

action ][

[hexuality]

[Excuse you. Bag lady is insulting.

Ginny cocks her head a fraction then raises a hand (her left, mind you, her right is still armed and waiting) to push the scarf back so she's a little less mysterious and a little more wildly freckled and sunburned. Merlin, he's familiar, why can't she...]

Ginny. I'm Ginny Weasley.

[Would that name ring a bell to him? Haven't they had this conversation before?]

And you're— [Percy. No, that's the brother she's been with for the past few... No, that's right, it's the same name, isn't it?] Hang on, have we met? It's been a bit. Maybe.

Video

[worldofourown]

Why...are you dressed like that?

Video

[ethos]

[ YOU HAD TO ASK, BRO ]

It's kind of a formality, I guess. Trying not to feel stupid wearing it probably falls under the job description.

Video

[worldofourown]

Job description? [He smirks. He wears an opera mask and cape when he feels particularly bloodlust-y - or nutty - so who's he to judge?] You're saying you're paid to dress this way? Or is it part of a schoolboys' prank?

[archivy]

[ Have a little girl peering at you with a very serious expreession. ] You are in the City, a pocket dimension. People arrive here and leave with no discernible pattern. No time passes in your own dimension while you are here. There are curses at times and the environment is not always stable. Currently the City has been divided into the glass city and the desert city. As you are in the desert city, it would be adviseable to find the safe zone. It is somewhat crowded, but it has water.

[ All this in a somewhat monotonous voice, but then she smiles, just briefly. ] I like your cape.

[ethos]

[ Whoa hey, creepy little all-knowing kid. ]

Um, thanks.

[ He pauses to consider all that. He's all for safe zones and water, but glass city and demigod sounds like a bad combination. ]

Are you alone here?

[archivy]

[ That's her. ] You're welcome.

I am the only one from my dimension here, but I am not alone in the safe zone. I have hired a bodyguard and babysitter since my arrival here.