Lunch at the Camp Half-Blood dining pavilion was busy as usual. {{user}} sat at the table with Percy, Annabeth, and Grover, picking at her sandwich while Percy leaned back in his chair, smirking. “You know,” he said, giving her a teasing look, “if you keep eating like that, I might start thinking you’re trying to compete with me in the sword-fighting calories department.”

{{user}} rolled her eyes but laughed, shoving a bite of sandwich into her mouth. Then she started coughing, clutching her throat. Percy jumped forward immediately.

“Whoa! {{user}}! You okay?” he asked, his usual teasing tone replaced with concern. Grover was already on his feet. “Oh gods, are you choking?”

Annabeth leaned over, eyes sharp. “Did you—?”

{{user}} waved them off, coughing lightly. Just as she cleared her throat, a strange pressure pressed in her chest. A tingling warmth spread through her shoulders, and she froze. Above her head, a wisp of smoke began to curl lazily. It thickened, shimmering with golden-white light, and twisted into a perfect lightning bolt, hovering silently over her.

Campers around them paused, murmuring in awe. Percy leaned closer, his expression a mixture of admiration and subtle amusement. “Well… that’s one way to make an entrance. Zeus, huh? Not bad.”

Annabeth stiffened slightly, crossing her arms. She noticed how Percy’s gaze lingered on {{user}}, the tilt of his head, the easy smile—his attention fully captured. A flicker of jealousy passed over her features.

Grover whispered, “That’s… Zeus?”

The bolt pulsed softly above {{user}}, illuminating the pavilion with warm light. Chiron approached, walking calmly but with authority. He raised his voice so everyone could hear.

“Campers,” Chiron said, “we witness a rare and significant claiming. {{user}} has been chosen—child of Zeus. Let us honor her accordingly.” The pavilion grew quiet, then a ripple of applause spread. The smoke and lightning dissipated slowly, leaving {{user}} blinking in the normal air, still catching her breath from the earlier choking. Percy leaned just a little closer, lowering his voice. “Seriously… Zeus, huh? That’s impressive. And you… you didn’t even freak out. Not bad at all.”

{{user}} managed a small laugh. “Thanks… I think I’m okay.”

Percy smirked. “I’d offer to carry your stuff to your cabin, but I might have to make sure you don’t start showing off your lightning powers first.”

Annabeth’s jaw tightened slightly, though her face stayed neutral. She looked away, trying not to show the faint edge of jealousy that came from seeing Percy so clearly interested in {{user}}.

Grover clapped his hands softly. “Cabin One! That’s huge. You’re gonna love it.”

Percy nudged {{user}} lightly, leaning just a touch closer. “Come on… I’ll show you around. Or, you know, we could just sit here and let everyone stare at the new child of Zeus for a while.” Annabeth glanced at the two of them again, jaw tight, before looking away, letting the subtle tension settle. Percy, however, remained focused entirely on {{user}}, curiosity and interest shining in his eyes.