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.

[inmyothertights]

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

1/2

[ethos]

[ Ohhhh the world gets weirder... ]

audio:

[ethos]

What is that supposed to mean?

[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?

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.

[inmyothertights]

Sure. It's illegal to hit Saguaros. Or cut them down. Or touch them if they've fallen.

Don't ask why I know this, I picked up some really random trivia when I was grounded last year.

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?

audio:

[charring]

Nice to meet you.

I've heard people say it's the City itself. I've also heard people say it's the Deities that run the place.

[ethos]

[ hit whats ]

Don't worry, I won't. Is that what you got grounded for?

[inmyothertights]

Nooooo...I got grounded for way more complicated stuff. Stuff like being part of a nationwide battle for citizen's rights.

I mean, technically. Anyway.

Hi, I'm Billy Kaplan, and normally this place is not a desert.

audio:

[ethos]

Figures. At least that sort of makes sense.

Anyway, back at you. How long have you been here?

[ethos]

I'd say that's a pretty good reason.

I'm Percy Jackson. And that's... reassuring. But it looks like it's been like this for a while.

Re: audio:

[charring]

I'm impressed. You're handling this pretty well. I've been here for five months

[inmyothertights]

That's what I said! But my parents didn't really like the 'got arrested' part so there I was.

About two weeks, which is 13 days longer than these things usually last.

audio:

[ethos]

I've got experience with this kind of thing. Not that it's any less wrong.

Five months is definitely a while. Have you ever talked to any of those Deities you mentioned?

[ethos]

It happens.

Huh. Things like this—?

Re: audio:

[charring]

On the rarest of occasions. They're not really high on my list of people to seek out for a conversation about the weather.

[inmyothertights]

Usually every few days there's a curse. They make you do things you would normally never do.

Like...I don't know. Turn into a cat? A girl? Gives you superpowers? Or sometimes they turn the City into other stuff. This one....is a little different. Usually they last one day, occasionally 2.

[signatures]

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

audio:

[ethos]

Right. So what does everyone do around here? Fight monsters all day long?

[ethos]

[ A girl? ]

Seriously? What's the point?

[inmyothertights]

Dude, if I had any idea at all, I would tell you. But mostly, I don't know.