leo valdez was no stranger to getting stranded alone on questions, but by poseidon's soggy breechers, he would never get used to it. the initial affront came in the form of an unceremonious ejection from his rebuilt bronze dragon, festus-- not an uncommon occurrence as even the best machines could break. however, the second indignity proved far more grievous-- a forcible plunge into the ocean's briny depths. he was a son of hephestus, a fire boy, and fire and water fundamentally did not mix.

yet, by some celestial whim or benevolent intervention, he did not drown, probably being rescued by some water nymph because the gods went oh wait, this demigod hasn't suffered enough! and spared his gluteus maximus from being whipped by the waves.

he came to, washed up on some beach with salt water grafting his shirt and sand in his messy hair; but by the immediate auditory barrage of chattering around him and squawking seagulls, he instantly knew that this was no ogygia.

and you, peering over him with concern, were no calypso.

"hey, i'm not roadkill." leo quipped with a wry grin, cautiously rising to a seated position. as far as he was aware, you were some mortal on vacation with your family in california, who was under the gauze of finding some scrawny latino passed out on the beach. "uh, just for reference, where am i? i totally intended to take a nap here. fully clothed and without swimming trunks, you know?"

he was grasping at straws to make up some groggy explanation that didn't make him look insane; considering his bravado, it wasn't like he hadn't tried.