#but calypso and Rachel represent the runaway thing

[decaffeinatedpartymuggoop]

Something something PJO and themes of responsibility. Specifically with Bianca and Percy.

Idk I just think it’s funny how, in TTC, you have Bianca, who has been responsible for Nico for FOREVER. Has had to raise him like the mother they never got to keep. Has had the weight of having to raise him for as long as she can remember. She’s taking care of a child when she’s only a child herself. Discovers she’s a demigod, and is FINALLY given an out. And out to leave her responsibilities, even tho she’d have to abandon her only family.

And then we watch Percy go through the EXACT same dilemma in the next book! Staying with Calypso WAS his out! He’s been living with the weight of the prophecy since he was 12, and while he doesn’t exactly know the details, he knows something horrible is going to happen once he reaches 16. Idk how y’all feel, but that’s a lot to have been dealing with since the age of 12. But, he’s finally getting a way to escape his horrible fate! The only catch is essentially abandoning his friends and family.

And you know what dragged them in? The lack of responsibility! The idea of having that heavy weight being lifted! In ttc, it’s not immortality that finally pulls Bianca in, it’s the prospect of being surrounded by people who wouldn’t need to depend on her so heavily. THAT is the reason Bianca joined the Hunt. Percy calls Calypso his biggest what is because what if he STAYED. What if he stayed and was no longer the prophecy child? What if he got to live his life free of responsibilities and worries on her island? What if it didn’t have to be him. THAT is his biggest what if.

They both crave some sort of normalcy SOO bad. And at this point, the closest thing to that is being an immortal in a hunt/ on an island.

In the end, they both made separate choices. Bianca joined the hunt. Percy left the island.

These two get a LOT of backlash for these particular plot points. Bianca was practically crucified for abandoning Nico, and Percy is so hated for calling Calypso his biggest what if people disregard his BOTL characterization entirely. But, imagine you’ve had SOOO much pressure on you for so long. You wouldn’t at least be a bit tempted when an exist is being served on a silver platter?