Sally hears about Annabeth long before meeting her—everything from casual “Annabeth emailed me!” to long disjointed explanations of their quest to Hades, how she saved his life, how amazing and smart she is. It’s obvious how much Percy cares about his new friend from how he talks about her. When he prints out the photo Annabeth emailed him and sticks it on his binder, Sally smiles knowingly to herself. Percy's never had a crush before.
When she finally meets Annabeth, the girl in front of her doesn’t match the descriptions Percy gave at all. The Annabeth from his stories is fearless and unstoppable, the smartest person in the room and she knows it. The Annabeth that Sally first meets is quiet and reserved and almost overly polite. She expected Percy was a bit biased, but not this biased.
Later, she needles it out of Percy: how Annabeth’s father and step-mother treated her like a burden, how she ran away when she was 7. Sally decides right then and there that Annabeth is going to be hers. She tells stories of her own brash youth, she extends all the care in the world to this girl. She does everything in her power to hammer into Annabeth's head that she has a home with the Jacksons, that she will always be not just welcome, but wanted here.
Slowly but surely, Annabeth starts to believe it. Of course, Annabeth has always thought Sally was a good mom, has always envied Percy’s relationship with her. But it takes her awhile to realize that Sally’s unconditional love could ever extend to her—she’s never had a parent or parent figure like that before.
But they really bond when Percy goes missing.
Annabeth goes to Sally's apartment to tell her, clearly expecting Sally to get angry, to blame her. Instead, Sally wraps her up in a tight hug, and they cry together, and Sally invites her back again and again the entire time Percy is gone for tea and cookies and comfort. They talk for hours at a time, about Percy, about the search, of course, but also about Annabeth's schoolwork and her parents, about Paul, and Sally's writing career. In truth, Sally needs the comfort and support just as much as Annabeth, if not more. They get through those eight months together.
And one day, years in the future, Annabeth and Percy come over for dinner, all sly smiles and conspiratorial glances, clearly holding back news, until after dinner, when Annabeth beams and shows off the shiny new ring on her left hand.
"Sally--" Annabeth starts to say. Sally cuts her off with a shake of her head, eyes full of happy tears.
"Call me Mom."
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Why aren't people talking about ARISTOS: The Musical?
It's just so beautiful.
Achilles and Patroclus, their voices so carefree and hopeful in their youth, Achilles singing to Patroclus, knowing that he loves him.
Achilles saying that he would become whatever Patroclus was. Achilles saying that wherever Patroclus went, he would be by his side. Achilles telling Patroclus, doesn't he know? Achilles' childhood was in Patroclus' eyes. And Achilles will never leave Patroclus, because where Patroclus goes, Achilles will go with him.
Achilles and Patroclus, comparing themselves to Cleopatra and Meleager.
Achilles and Patroclus, their voices starting to break now, knowing what is to come but still happy, to just be with each other, and dreading not being able to be with each other. Achilles and Patroclus, able to read each other so easily. Achilles, telling of how he would be by Patroclus' side for evermore, and Patroclus being shocked by how far Achilles would go for him. Achilles not wanting Patroclus to leave, but Patroclus having to leave. Achilles, scared that Patroclus would not return to him. Achilles, scared to ever hurt Patroclus, and Patroclus, promising Achilles that they had all the time in the world.
Achilles and Patroclus, not recognising each other, as Achilles refused to fight, and Patroclus stepped up to fight. Achilles fearful for Patroclus, Patroclus fearful for Achilles. Achilles and Patroclus, remembering the days of the past, of their childhood. Achilles and Patroclus, both knowing that they love each other.
Achilles and Patroclus, in their silence, still loving and trusting each other. Achilles and Patroclus, almost like strangers as Patroclus leaves. Achilles and Patroclus, with so much to say.
Achilles, seeing Patroclus. Achilles, mourning Patroclus. Achilles, weeping, Achilles, not being able to be by Patroclus' side by and by.
Achilles, wasting away, stricken and broken, Patroclus, watching Achilles in his sorrow, knowing him even in death.
Achilles, making Hector pay, knowing his death would soon arrive. Achilles, avenging Patroclus, and accepting his prophecy, because what is living without his beloved?
Achilles, all alone, talking to Patroclus, as if he were still there.
Achilles in the past, still around Patroclus and joyful, wistful, beautiful, loving him so easily, talking to him so easily. Achilles, where they still had all the time in the world.
Achilles, now, and Achilles, then, he always loved Patroclus.
Achilles, who had been Patroclus'. Achilles and Patroclus, two boys who raced each other to the sunrise. Achilles and Patroclus, where one went too far, and the other went with him.
Achilles and Patroclus, who wanted to be whatever the other was.
Achilles and Patroclus, boys, men, lovers, fools, soldiers, heroes.
Achilles, Aristos Achaion.
So I'm begging you, whoever you are, to listen to this musical.
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A thought I had today...come walk with me...
If Talanah had stayed at the base in HFW--as we now know was the original plan--one would assume that the flower would still be her gift for Aloy after finishing her Companion Quest™, just like the rest of the gang. Which by itself is enough to make me wanna put my head through walls until I pass out, but also consider--
What might Aloy's comment have been the first time she scanned it?
"I'm really glad Talanah stayed. It seems like it's cheering her up after everything. Makes me happy to get to spend more time with her, too."
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