The Kool-Aid drunken senator stumbled forward, and dropped to the floor. Given his current condition, I wasn't sure if it was a show of respect or him passing out. He gazed up at Reyna wide-eyed.
"Um. I mean, sure I accept," he slurred. "But why pick me?"
Reyna shrugged, "You may be unorthodox and wasted on sugar every other day, but you are among one of the most humble of the centurions and I feel that we need more humility within our ranks." She gave a gentle smile. "Such is the case as you come from the Fifth Cohort. That and after these past few years, I could use a rest. Lead well Dakota. You can choose your replacement as centaurion when you recover from your current shock."
Zeus stood, "So be it. From this moment henceforth, Reyna Avila Ramirez-Arellano, you no longer stand as praetor of New Rome. The praetors now stand as Frank Zhang and Dakota… err… what was your last name again?" Zeus looked down at Dakota passed out on the floor, no doubt the result of a sugar crash. Zeus sighed. "Well you were right about unorthodox. Nevertheless, enjoy your rest Ms. Arellano."
Reyna gave Zeus a slight bow and returned to the group.
The gift giving continued as the group was granted their wishes. Frank no longer had his lifeline dependent on a piece of firewood. Hazel's curse for evil jewelry to appear before her was half lifted, preventing people who touched it from having horrible things happening to them, though her ability to control it was dampened. Piper was given Khione (she seemed too distracted to argue against it). Annabeth was offered classes by both her mother and Hephaestus on the art of building and crafting so that she could use new techniques for her architecture plans.
Nico decided that he wanted to shadow travel without fatigue so that he could travel between the camps without worry of passing out. The gods argued that this was something out of even their own abilities, as even Hades would tire from the effort. As such, they gave him an unlimited fund gift card that worked at any eatery. I wanted to joke about resurrecting the dead with more cheeseburgers, but I held my tongue.
Zeus's form flickered. Without any screaming or declarations of a splitting headache, he stood before us as Jupiter.
"Jason Grace! My son! Please come forward." It was then that I remembered my concern from earlier.
No one moved or came forward or even said "Give me a sec, I'm back here." Piper looked flustered as her thoughts of Jason missing were just about confirmed.
Jupiter sighed. "We have had enough absences today! And I will not allow one of the seven of the prophecy, especially my son, to go unrewarded!" He held his fingers to his temple. "Ah, there he is."
Everyone turned away as a flash of light appeared near the hearth. When the radiant glow dissipated, a collective gasp let out. Jason sat there, oblivious to the world as Gwen, Dakota's co-centaurian, bounced on his lap with nothing on their legs to separate them.
My heart dropped as Piper let out a choked sob. "Ja… Jason…? What… "
The sob of his girlfriend pulled him back to reality. He scanned the mass of demigods before him, then turned to the gods, all of whom were as startled by the situation.
"Dammit… I didn't see that coming," he mumbled.
Gwen climbed off of him and tried to reach for her pants, but those were back wherever those two were having fun.
Jupiter coughed. "Well… uh, I guess he really does take after me."
He chuckled to himself, but no one else dared to make a sound. The tension was so thick that you could cut it with a knife.
Piper looked shattered. Her eyes fractured in color, split as her heart was by the scene before her. Annabeth moved to hold her, and even Piper in her fury knew better than to try and overpower Annabeth.
Jupiter broke the tension yet again. "I think we can agree that Jason has already claimed his prize. But I will give him a pass and some pants, along with his new lover here." He raised his hand and both of the two demigods were once again clad in their clothes. "I move to give him the same gift as mister di Angelo."
The other Olympians gave a reluctant nod as a gift card appeared in his back pocket.
"As for the young lady, I believe my son is enough of a reward," Jupiter joked.
The two demigods attempted to sulk back into the crowd, trying to hide themselves, but the crowd gave them no such opportunity. The mass of demigods split down the middle, making a path that led right out the front doors. Both of them shuffled toward the entrance. Jason attempted to reach for Piper, who lunged at him with her fists balled only to be restrained by Annabeth.
"Hey Jason," Annabeth warned, "I think it would be best if you took a hint and left."
Tears streamed down Piper's face, but not a word left her mouth. As if she were afraid that she would get blasted for what she felt like saying.
Jason dropped his head and trudged out of the throne room with Gwen. What a pity: one moment the hero; the next, the villain.
As the moment passed, I focused to the best of my ability on the present situation. I came to the sudden realization that it was my turn. It took only a few moments for everyone to recover from the incident that passed as many of them came to the same realization.
Jupiter's form flickered and he returned to his Greek form.
"Percy Jackson! Please step forward," he bellowed.
After Jason's little scene, I decided to listen to what I was told. So I came forward and bowed before Zeus to then go and kneel before my father. A kind smile shined down at me, his eyes glowing with pride. "Rise, my son."