Jason Grace
Birthdays are, for Jason, a day like another.
It's a normal day.
Nothing out of the ordinary comes from completing another year of living.
When came the day of his third birthday, Lupa gave him a little more food than the other cups.
As for Camp Jupiter...
Well, Jason never bothered telling his fellow comrades his birthday date.
Every time someone asked him "When's your birthday ?", he would always shrug it off and divert the attention somewhere else.
That was until Reyna came along and baked him cakes every single day of the year.
"If you won't tell me, I'll assume it's always today." She would tell him, presenting him a burnt cake with wax dripping from the ignited candles.
He should have know waging war against the daughter of Bellona would mean defeat.
And so, in their first year of friendship, Reyna learns that Jason Grace's birthday is July 1st, in honour of Juno, his patron goddess.
But to his insistence, they don't celebrate it.
"Why ?" She asked him one night, the both of them watching the city from above, in Bacchus' gardens.
"I already have enough attention as it is." He lies, because the truth is that he wants to preserve his birthday like he knows it.
A blurred image of a blue-eyed girl, swinging him around and singing him "Happy Birthday !". He fears that if he celebrated his birthdays, that memory would fade.
"My full name is Reyna Avila Ramirez Arellano." Reyna said out of the blue.
"That's a mouthful." He smiled before trying to pronounce it. "Reyna Avila Ramirez Arellano, it's-"
"Don't say it again." Reyna cuts him, her hands clutching her t-shirt, "Never."
"Okay." He replies and he understands why she said it to him.
A treaty, a deal between them.
Two things only they know of each other, a proof of trust.
That night, Reyna became the person Jason trusted more than anyone.
Years passed and nobody bothered to ask him about his birthday.
War is looming on the horizon, a storm ready to fall upon them.
They need to see him as a general, a fearsome warrior ready to lead them to victory.
He is the son of Jupiter and wether he is fourteen or fifteen matters not.
It's not until his sixteenth birthday that Jason understands why birthdays are a special date.
A day to commemorate your life, to celebrate living another year.
When Piper hands him a cupcake, with poorly made frosting, Jason eats it, savouring every bite.
That memory goes lock itself next to Thalia's.
When the war is over, Jason thinks that celebrating his seventeenth birthday with all his friends wouldn't be that bad.
(In canon, Jason never makes it to seventeen. Here, we throw canon out of the window because birthday boy deserves some happiness.)
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Jason plops down on his bed, sighing.
What a long year it had been.
His sixteenth year of living began with a fight on the Acropolis, where he basically told his father he was a idiot for punishing Apollo.
Only for said god to barge into his dormitory months later, very mortal looking.
Then, his home is attacked by a zombie army lead by a dead roman king.
And how could he forget Piper breaking up with him.
Overall, that year wasn't the best of years Jason lived.
Except for all the friends he met and the sense of peace it brought him.
Not fully Roman, not entirely Greek, Jason is a children of both.
He has every right to feel at home in Camp Jupiter or Camp Half-Blood, where his father's statue is looking at him right now.
Jason lays in his bed, head purposesly facing the wall, and lets Morpheus greets him in his oneiric realm.
As Artemis leads her moon chariot in the night, June 31st morphs into July 1st.
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"HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUPERMAN !"
A lousy voice startles Jason out of sleep and he jolts awake.
"What ?" He asks disoriented and tangled in his sheets.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUPERMAN !" The same voice screams and it comes from a flying table making circles in his cabin.
"Buford ?" Jason yawns, "what are you doing here ?"
"WISHING YOU A HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUPERMAN !" Buford yells in his electronic voice, "FROM THE HOTTEST BOY ON EARTH !"
"Right, right, thank you. Can you tone it down a little ?"
"FROM THE DREAM OF ALL LADIES !"
"Yeah, I get it. But please, it's-" He checks the clock, "it's seven am."
"FROM THE SUPREME COMMANDER OF THE ARGO II !"
"What ? I gotta say his name ?"
"FROM YOUR BEST FRIEND !"
"Okay," Jason laughs softly, "thank you Leo for wishing me a happy birthday."
"YOU'RE WELCOME BLONDIE ! NOW GET DRESSED AND COME OUTSIDE !" Buford zooms out of the cabin by the open roof.
Jason shakes his head and quickly puts on a Camp t-shirt and a pair of jeans. When he opens the door, there's no one.
"I know you guys are hiding !" He screams as he scans his surroundings. "Buford told me-" He huffs as a weight settles of his back and arms snake around his neck.
"Happy birthday Jason !" Leo screams in his ear, "Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy-"
"birthday, thanks." Jason completes, holding Leo on his back.
"Amigo, you are going to live the best day of your life !" Leo claps his shoulders, excited.
"Did you plan it all ?"
"With some help but yes, it was me." Leo shrugs, "Now, it's time for breakfast."
"To the Pavillon we go."
Camp's grounds are empty as they walk towards the eating Pavillon.
"Nobody was woken up by Buford ?" Jason asks, surprised, "he made quite the noise."
"Don't worry about that." Leo flicks his head, surely grinning like a madman.
"Fine, but I don't want to bother anyone-" He falters as they enter the Pavillon.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY JASON !" The whole camp scream, whistle, whoop.
He feels his face going hot, "Thanks you guys ! It's very nice of you to-"
At the Apollo Cabin, Will takes a mic and begins to sing.
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, Jason Grace, happy birthday to you !" He finishes amidst his siblings' applauses.
"Woah, thank you Will." Jason says, his face probably the colour of a tomato.
Will bows and sits back, himself a little red but pleased with himself.
Leo jumps down from him, "Camp rules still apply so I gotta leave you here. But don't worry, I've got other surprises planned out for you." Leo winks and goes join his siblings.
Jason makes his way towards his table, murmuring "thank you", "really appreciated it", "you're the best." to all the campers he crosses.
When he finally sits down, another little surprise awaits him.
Blue brownies with a note.
"Sorry I'm not here buy you know, studies. Still, Annabeth and I wish you a happy birthday and you'll get our gifts later ! Enjoy your day, I'm still better than you because I win Kansas- ouch Annabeth ! Yes, I'm writing it because Jason will be my witness of your attitude. Appreciate the letter bro because it took me a while with dyslexia.
Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase
PS : I made the brownies (as if it wasn't obvious.), shut up Annabeth. Wait, can I still say shut up if you're writing ? (End the letter.), right, okay, ending the letter now."
Jason chuckles fondly, munching on a delicious brownie while he reads the note.
Most of his friends are at Camp Jupiter, Frank, Hazel, Annabeth, Percy.
He knows they would be here with him if they could, but the praetors are too busy to leave and Percy and Annabeth had exams coming up.
He tucks the note into his jeans and finishes the brownies, sacrificing a conjured apple to his father.
Hello, Father. Thank you for, hum, conceiving me ?
Yeah, that'll do.
He almost faceplates when Leo jumps on his back again.
"You're like a leech." He huffs, readjusting him so they are both comfortable.
"Don't know what that is but I'll assume it's something good." Leo replies, poking his neck. "Head towards the arena please, you have sword fighting class."
"No I don't."
"Yes, you do." Leo chirps, "now go."
"Leech." Jason groans.
Another surprise awaits him at the arena.
"Nico !"
The son of Hades gives him a small wave, "Hi Jason. Happy birthday."
"You came all the way from the Underworld ?" Jason asks with a big smile on his face, "for me ?"
"Don't flatter yourself that much Jason." Nico replies drily, "Will is the main reason I'm here."
"Of course," Jason grins, "how presumptuous of me to assume otherwise."
"I hope I'm not interrupting-" Leo pipes in.
"You are."
"Hush Di Angelo, I got best friend's privileges." Leo continues, "Give him your gift."
"You got me a gift ?"
"Yes." Nico mumbles, glaring at Leo, "I am here for your birthday after all. And Will of course." He adds, taking out a small box from his jacket and handing it to him.
He shrugs Leo off his back and takes the box.
It's pin, with "best cousin awards" written in big golden letters on it.
"It's-" Jason smiles, "it's just to piss Percy off when he sees it, isn't it ?"
"No." Nico says with a straight face. Jason looks at him. "Maybe a little," he concedes, "but I do believe you are not a bad cousin to have."
"Thanks Nico." Jason says earnestly, "I would hug you but..."
Nico smiles, "I can make an exception." and opens his arms.
Jason hugs him briefly and as soon as he's done, Leo climbs again.
"Right ! Now Nico, go find your boyfriend and Jason, direction the Big House !"
This little game lasts the whole day, Leo taking him to different places and people greeting him, wishing him happy birthday.
Malcolm gives him sets of models and black glasses.
"From Annabeth and Percy." He said.
"I understand Annabeth's gifts but did Percy explained ?"
"Yeah." Malcolm suppressed a grin, "It's to help you disguise yourself, like Clark Kent."
Jason rolled his eyes but hanged the glasses on his t-shirt's hem.
Drew gifted him contact lenses.
Connor offered him a book on geometry and architectural design.
"Annabeth might have helped a little." The son of Hermes confessed "And I promise I bought them fair and square."
Katie, Nyssa, Pollux all give him gifts.
It warms his heart that they care so much.
"You did help save our camp." Katie smiled, "It's the kind of thing that makes us appreciate you."
He now has a beautiful plant, a new set of armour and a ticket to an arcade room in New York.
The sun sets and it's time for dinner.
"Leo," Jason calls him as his friend join his table, "thank you for this day, it was the best birthday gift ever."
His friend's eyes glint, "Ah but Jace, the day's not over yet !" and he leaves cackling.
What could have he planned ? Jason thinks as he eats his fries.
Two hands suddenly obscure his vision.
He waits for the person to speak but she doesn't, "I have to guess ?"
He takes the silence for a yes.
"Hum," Jason thinks, who could it be ? One of his friends from Camp Jupiter ? Or... maybe... "Thalia ?" He call out hesitantly.
"Great guess little brother." Thalia laughs as her face appears next to him, "great guess."
He hugs her instantly, "You-"
"Came especially for your birthday, yeah." Thalia finishes, "how could I not ? My little brother is seventeen !" She ruffles his hair, arm on his shoulder.
"For me," Jason repeats, "you came for me."
"Yeah," Thalia says, "I'll always come for you Jason, always." She smiles before adding, "happy birthday."
"You were my only memory for a while you know." He gulps, feeling tears pooling in his eyes. "I'm sorry- I don't know why I'm crying, it's a happy moment, I'm happy-" He takes a big breath, Thalia's circular hugs on his back soothing him.
"You always loved this." Thalia says wistfully, "It always succeeded to calm your tantrums."
"Still works." He sniffles, leaning into Thalia's touch.
"Fate is a cruel thing," she whispers, "I never thought I would see you again after mom left you in those woods. And I've missed all your life, all your birthday parties-"
"You didn't, I never celebrated my birthday until last year." Jason whispers back, "I wanted to keep how I remembered it, with you swinging me around in the house."
Thalia chortles, "You already loved being in the air as a baby, you would always sit next to me and ask to be carried."
"I'm too big now."
"Hey," she nudges him, "no matter how taller you get, you will always be my little brother."
"I'm older though."
"Tough, you're still younger in my eyes." She snarks back, her head resting on his shoulder. "Leo's the one that invited me. I would have come nonetheless but I'm glad you found him, he's a good friend."
"Yeah," he agrees, "he is."
"I didn't come alone." Thalia adds, "there's another hunter with me."
"Hello Jason." A new voice says from behind.
"Reyna," Jason replies, "you're a huntress now."
She nods, "It's what is best for me."
"I'm going to leave you two alone," Thalia says, standing up, "I'll sleep in Zeus cabin tonight so see you later."
After she leaves, Reyna makes no move to go seat with him.
She's as Jason remembered, exuding an air of royalty and undeniable leadership.
She's the leader everyone see when they look at her, the woman who lead New Rome by herself, the demigod that killed a giant.
But Jason can see the small scar on her right wrist, the one she got for teasing Aurum too much with his food.
Or how she's nibbling her lip, indicating she's hungry and the way her hands are clasped behind her back, so that Jason doesn't see them trembling.
She's vainly trying to put a facade Jason can see right through.
"I'm sorry." He says, because it's all he can say.
"What for ?" She tilts her head, "you didn't ask Juno to capture you."
"But you loved me." He adds, because they need to address it, "you loved me and I came back with another girl."
She stiffens and Jason knows that her hands are tightly clasped, Reyna willing herself to stay composed.
"It wasn't your fault, I shouldn't have assumed you liked me back." Reyna clears her throat, "You had every right to date Piper."
"But-" He protests because he expected her to be angry, to be cold. She shouldn't be understanding, "I-"
She laughs bitterly, cutting him off, "You and Thalia share it, you know ? That unshaken belief that you are the cause of everything, that you have a hand in each matter evolving around you. I suppose it is divine heritage." she muses.
She scans the tables, her face lingering on Cabin 10.
"Venus' children ?" She asks and he nods, "Do you remember Charleston ?"
"Hum yes, we went to retrieve imperial gold-"
"I met Venus that day, and she told me that no demigod would ever heal my heart and that I will never find love where I hoped or wished to find." Reyna tells him, still looking at the Aphrodite Cabin, "I never told anyone that" she turns her obsidian eyes on him, "except you."
An olive branch.
An echo to the start of their friendship.
"I'm sorry for leading you on, for never making clear that I considered you a good friend." Jason apologises, feeling angry towards the goddess for ruining his best friend's life, "I hope the hunters of Artemis bring you the family you deserve Reyna."
He leans towards her, "I'm a little jealous of you to be honest," he smiles, a grin devoid of mirth, "I never had such a family before, and I don't think I ever will."
A secret for a secret.
That's how started their first friendship and that is how begins their new one, Reyna quietly seating next to him and directly stealing his fries.
"We'll come visit," she assures him, "every time we are near your location."
She eats quietly for another moment, her eyes fixed on Leo making laugh Harley over some joke.
"I think you're wrong."
"About what ?" He asks.
"About having a family, I think there's someone who would very much like spending his life with you."
"His ?" Jason picks up, "who is it ?"
"Leo Valdez could also make with some family," Reyna muses, "don't you think ?"
"Yeah..." He says slowly, "yeah, I suppose he can."
Next to him, Reyna grins slightly. "I'm sure he would be delighted if you were to sit next to him at your campfire, I'll tell Thalia not to wait for you."
"Maybe I want to sit with Thalia."
She raises her eyebrow, "She'll be here for the next two days, you'll have time to see her."
"Okay, okay" he relents, "I'll ask him when dinner ends."
They spend the rest of dinner chatting about the shrines Jason has to build, the relief of not being predator anymore, Aurum and Argentum, Reyna's new lifestyle.
"Leo !" He calls the son of Hephaestus who looks surprised to see him, "Wanna sit with me at campfire ?" He asks nervously.
"You're not going with Thalia ?"
For a reason unknown to Jason, Nyssa sighs loudly behind them and pinching her nose.
"She's staying a few days, I'll see her later. Right now, I want to go with you."
He gestures his back and Leo laughs but obliges, his head resting on his shoulder.
"Lead the way, Superman."
After two hours of singing, roasting s'mores, laughing until it hurts, Jason lays in his bed in Cabin 1, with a smile as Thalia's light snores fill the room.
Birthdays, Jason has come to find, are extraordinary days that he cherishes a lot for they bring all his friends together.
He cannot wait for his eighteenth birthday.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JASON GRACE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I know I'm a little late but it's because it ended up being way longer than I thought it would 😅
Sweet, fluffy, comforting story because he deserves it 💖
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Dionysus: The Multifaceted God of Wine, Ecstasy, and Transformation
Dionysus, also known as Bacchus in Roman tradition, is one of the most complex and multifaceted deities of ancient Greek mythology. As the god of wine, revelry, and ecstasy, Dionysus occupies a unique place in the pantheon, embodying themes of transformation, liberation, and the duality of human experience. This essay explores the various aspects of Dionysus, his mythology, and his cultural significance.
Origins and Birth
Dionysus’s origins are both divine and somewhat mysterious. According to myth, he is the son of Zeus, the king of the gods, and Semele, a mortal woman. The story of his birth is one of transformation and intrigue. Hera, the jealous wife of Zeus, tricked Semele into demanding that Zeus reveal himself in his full divine splendor. The sight was too much for Semele, who perished in the blaze. Zeus saved the unborn Dionysus by sewing him into his thigh, from which the god was later born, making Dionysus a god with a unique connection to both the mortal and divine realms.
God of Wine and Festivity
Dionysus is most famously known as the god of wine, viticulture, and festivity. He represents not only the pleasure and intoxication associated with wine but also its transformative power. Wine, in the Dionysian context, is not merely a beverage but a conduit for experiencing the divine and transcending ordinary reality. It symbolizes both ecstasy and chaos, revealing the dual nature of Dionysus's influence.
Festivals dedicated to Dionysus, such as the Dionysia and the Bacchanalia, were central to Greek culture. These festivals involved theatrical performances, particularly tragedies and comedies, which were believed to be inspired by the god. The Dionysian festivals were not only a celebration of the harvest but also an opportunity to explore the boundaries of human experience and to engage in communal revelry.
The Cult and Mysteries of Dionysus
The worship of Dionysus was marked by ecstatic rituals and mystery cults. The Dionysian Mysteries, which were held in various forms across Greece, were initiatory rites that promised personal transformation and enlightenment. These mysteries often involved rites of purification, symbolic death and rebirth, and ecstatic dance, reflecting the god’s role in breaking down social norms and exploring the depths of human consciousness.
Participants in these rituals often wore masks and costumes, embodying the god’s ability to transcend ordinary identities and societal constraints. Dionysian worship emphasized the ecstatic experience of divine presence, achieved through music, dance, and the consumption of wine. This state of ecstasy was seen as a way of connecting with the divine and accessing hidden truths.
Symbolism and Attributes
Dionysus’s symbols include the grapevine, ivy, and the thyrsus, a staff entwined with ivy and topped with a pine cone. The grapevine and ivy represent his association with fertility and growth, while the thyrsus is a symbol of his power and authority. In artistic depictions, Dionysus is often shown in a state of revelry, accompanied by a retinue of satyrs and maenads, who embody the wild and untamed aspects of his nature.
Dionysus’s dual nature is central to his symbolism. On one hand, he represents joy, liberation, and creativity, often associated with the freeing effects of wine and the exhilaration of artistic expression. On the other hand, he also embodies chaos, madness, and the breakdown of order, reflecting the destructive potential of his divine influence.
Mythological Narratives
Dionysus’s myths often explore themes of transformation, conflict, and the struggle for acceptance. One notable myth is the story of his journey to establish his cult in the city of Thebes. King Pentheus, who refuses to acknowledge Dionysus’s divinity, is ultimately torn apart by his own mother, Agave, who has been driven into a frenzied state by the god. This myth illustrates the consequences of resisting or denying the transformative power of Dionysus and highlights the god’s capacity for both creation and destruction.
Another important myth is the story of Dionysus and the pirate ship. According to legend, Dionysus was once captured by a group of pirates who did not recognize him. As punishment, he transformed the ship into a sea of wine and turned the pirates into dolphins, demonstrating his power and the divine retribution against those who do not honor him.
Cultural and Philosophical Impact
Dionysus's influence extends beyond mythology and religion into art, philosophy, and literature. The concept of the Dionysian, as articulated by the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche in his work "The Birth of Tragedy," represents a fundamental aspect of human existence, characterized by a celebration of chaos, creativity, and the primal forces of nature. Nietzsche contrasts the Dionysian with the Apollonian, which embodies reason, order, and rationality, suggesting that a balance between these forces is essential for a full and meaningful life.
In literature and art, Dionysus has been a symbol of the power of transformation and the limits of human understanding. His presence in tragic dramas, such as those of Euripides, often serves to challenge societal norms and explore the nature of divine influence on human affairs.
Conclusion
Dionysus is a deity who embodies the complexities of human experience, from the ecstatic highs of celebration to the dark depths of chaos. As the god of wine, revelry, and transformation, he represents both the joy and the danger inherent in breaking free from societal constraints and exploring the full range of human emotions and experiences. Through his myths, rituals, and cultural impact, Dionysus continues to be a powerful symbol of the divine’s capacity to both create and destroy, to liberate and to confound. His legacy endures as a reminder of the profound and often paradoxical nature of existence itself.
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