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You Will Not Believe Me, But I Am Proud Of Your Strength. Sometimes. . . Sometimes The Only Way I Can Care For My Children Is To Keep My Distance.
-Rick Riordan
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You Will Not Believe

Rick Riordan
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You Will Not Believe Me, But I Am Proud Of Your Strength. Sometimes. . . Sometimes The Only Way I Can Care For My Children Is To Keep My Distance.

Understanding the Quote: "you will not believe me, but i am proud of your strength...."

This quote by Rick Riordan reflects deeply on the theme of children. It connects to the universal human journey of purpose, motivation, and reflection. Often categorized under Children, Distance, Believe, the quote offers insight, emotional clarity, and intellectual inspiration to readers worldwide.

Whether you’re a student exploring new ideas, a leader trying to motivate your team, or someone seeking direction in life — this quote provides value. It resonates because it’s more than words — it’s a bridge between experience and wisdom. It shows how Rick Riordan interprets life's core challenges and triumphs.

Lessons From the Quote

This quote teaches resilience and focus. It reminds readers that no matter where they stand in life, reflection and self-awareness lead to growth. Each word has meaning, and when studied, it becomes clear how impactful thoughtful language can be.

About Rick Riordan

Rick Riordan is celebrated for insightful thoughts on children and distance. Their legacy lives on through writings that guide, comfort, and inspire. Discover more on their profile page.

Actionable Takeaways

  • Reflect on how this quote applies to your current life path.
  • Share the message with someone who needs inspiration.
  • Write your thoughts on this quote in a journal or blog post.
  • Use it as a daily affirmation or reminder.

Closing Thoughts

Quotes like this endure because they capture universal truths. They comfort us in solitude and empower us in groups. Carry this quote forward — live by its wisdom, share its message, and keep its essence alive.

Views: 58711
Topic
Children
Distance
Believe
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A Telkhine Was Hunched Over A Console, But He Was So Involved With His Work, He Didn't Notice Us. He Was About Five Feet Tall, With Slick Black Seal Fur And Stubby Little Feet. He Had The Head Of A Doberman, But His Clawed Hands Were Almost Human. He Growled And Muttered As He Tapped On His Keyboard. Maybe He Was Messaging His Friends On Uglyface.com.
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School
Kids
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Writing
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Two
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Army
Skeletons
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Liz
Emma
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Helping
Mood
Unfair
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Should Have
Years
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Jason
Excuse
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Rome
Purple
Bed
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Feelings
Body
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Forever
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Dirty
Thinking
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Calling
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There's Another Problem," Percy Said. "i'm Not Good With Air Travel. It's Dangerous For A Son Of Neptune." "you'll Have To Risk It...and So Will I," Frank Said. "by The Way, We're Related." Percy Almost Stumbled Off The Roof. "what?
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Air
Risk
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What If
Calypso
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Pain
Way
Court Jester
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Children
Punishment
People
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Tired
Home
Bird
Travis: The Aphrodite Kids Were Ripping Each Other’s Clothes And Throwing Lipstick And Jewellery. It Was Like A Rabid Herd Of Wild Bratz.
Kids
Clothes
Aphrodite
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Knives
Evil
Magic
To A Degree, The Greek And Roman Mythological Heroes Are Just The First Superheroes. They Appeal To Children For Much The Same Reason. These Gods And Heroes May Have Powers, But They Get Angry And They Do The Wrong Thing. They Are Human Too.
Children
Hero
Greek
One The Next Corner Stood A Cinder Block Restaurant With A Hand-painted Sign That Read Chicken & Waffles. There Was A Queue Of Twenty People Outside. “you Americans Have The Strangest Taste. What Planet Is This?
Block
Hands
People
Great. I've Made A Friend.
Made
I'd Love To Tell You I Had Some Deep Revelation On My Way Down, That I Came To Terms With My Own Mortality, Laughed In The Face Of Death, Et Cetera. The Truth? My Only Thought Was: Aaaaggghhhhh!
Way
Faces
Revelations
[my Mom's] Funny That Way, Celebrating Special Occasions With Blue Food. I Think It's Her Way Of Saying Anything Is Possible. Percy Can Pass Seventh Grade. Waffles Can Be Blue. Little Miracles Like That.
Mom
Thinking
Blue
All I Could Think Of Was That The Teachers Must've Found The Illegal Stash Of Candy I'd Been Selling Out Of My Dorms Room. Or Maybe They'd Realized I Got My Essay On Tom Sawyer From The Internet Without Ever Reading The Book And Now They Were Going To Take Away My Grade. Or Worse, They Were Going To Make Me Read The Book.
Teacher
Book
Reading
Love Is Powerful. It Can Bring The Gods To Their Knees.
Powerful
Love Is
Knees
I Love Teaching. I Love Working With Kids... Maybe Some Day I'll Go Back To The Classroom. I'm Not Ready To Say It'll Never Happen.
Teaching
Kids
Classroom
What I Did Next Was So Impulsive And Dangerous I Should've Been Named Adhd Poster Child Of The Year.
Children
Years
Next
Hestia Shook Her Head. "i Am Here Because When All Else Fails, When All The Other Mighty Gods Have Gone Off To War, I Am All That's Left. Home. Hearth. I Am The Last Olympian
War
Home
Gone
You Both Passed Out,” Percy Said. “i Don’t Know Why, But Ella Told Me Not To Worry About It. She Said You Were…sharing?” “sharing,” Ella Agreed. She Crouched In The Stern, Preening Her Wing Feathers With Her Teeth, Which Didn’t Look Like A Very Effective Form Of Personal Hygiene. She Spit Out Some Red Fluff. “sharing Is Good. No More Blackouts. Biggest American Blackout, August 14, 2003. Hazel Shared. No More Blackouts.” Percy Scratched His Head. “yeah…we’ve Been Having Conversations Like That All Night. I Still Don’t Know What She’s Talking About.
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August
Talking
Percy Glanced Over. He Saw The Fallen Giant And Seemed To Understand What Was Happening. He Yelled Something That Was Lost In The Wind, Probably: Go! Then He Slammed Riptide Into The Ice At His Feet. The Entire Glacier Shuddered. Ghosts Fell To Their Knees. Behind Percy, A Wave Surged Up From The Bay-a Wall Of Gray Water Even Taller Than The Glacier. Water Shot From The Chasms And Crevices In The Ice. As The Wave Hit, The Back Half Of The Camp Crumbled. The Entire Edge Of The Glacier Peeled Away, Cascading Into The Void-carrying Buildings, Ghosts, And Percy Jackson Over The Edge.
Wall
Ice
Wind
Grover: It’s A Very Sweet Love Story. I Get Misty-eyed Every Time I Play It. So Does Percy, But I Think That’s Because He’s Laughing At Me.
Sweet
Thinking
Play
A Styrofoam Egg Carton Caught His Eye. He Opened It And Found A Single Silver Orb With Little Blinking Red Lights. "this Is Cool, Too!" He Dropped It Into His Backpack. "dan, No!" "what? They've Got Plenty Of Other Stuff, And We Need All The Help We Can Get!" "it Could Be Dangerous." "i Hope So.
Eye
Light
Eggs
Ptah? Son Of Ptooey? What Is He God Of Spitting? I Asked
Son
As Long As We`re Together
Long
Together
Great, I Thought. We Just Blowtorched A National Monument.
Monument
Everybody Was Patting Nico On The Back, Complimenting Him On His Fighting. Even The Ares Kids Thought He Was Pretty Cool. Hey, Show Up With An Army Of Undead Warriors To Save The Day, And Suddenly You're Everybody's Best Friend.
Kids
Fighting
Warrior
If Annabeth's Mother Was Athena, The Goddess Of Wisdom, Then Why Didn't Annabeth Know Better Than To Fall Off A Cliff?
Mother
Fall
Cliffs
Piper Patted His Shoulder. “trust Me, Valdez. Beautiful People Never Lie.
Beautiful
Lying
People
So For Magic Problem-solving 101, We Headed To The Training Room And Blew Stuff Up.
Magic
Training
Stuff
The Sign Was Spray-painted In Arabic And English, Probably From Some Attempt By The Farmer To Sell His Wares In The Market. The English Read: Dates-best Price. Cold Bebsi. "bebsi?" I Asked. "pepsi," Walt Said. "i Read About It On The Internet. There's No 'p' In Arabic. Everyone Here Calls The Soda Bebsi." "so You Have To Have Bebsi With Your Bizza?" "brobably.
Pepsi
Soda
Cold
Nico Strode Forward. The Enemy Army Fell Back Before Him Like He Radiated Death, Which Of Course He Did. Through The Face Guard Of His Skull-shaped Helmet, He Smiled. "got Your Message. Is It Too Late To Join The Party?" "son Of Hades." Kronos Spit On The Ground. "do You Love Death So Much You Wish To Experience It?" "your Death," Nico Said, "would Be Great For Me." "i'm Immortal, You Fool! I Have Escaped Tartarus. You Have No Business Here, And No Chance To Live." Nico Drew His Sword-three Feet Of Wicked Sharp Stygian Iron, Black As A Nightmare. "i Don't Agree.
Party
Son
Army
So Why Are We Practicing This, Anyway?" Percy Asked. "do You Guys Spend A Lot Of Time Laying Siege To Fortified Cities?
Cities
Guy
Siege
I Wondered If She'd Ever Written On Her Notebook: Geb + Nut = True Love Or Mrs Geb.
Notebook
Nuts
Written
Right," Sadie Said. "and Set Will Just Stand There Calmly While I Read Him To Death.
Sadie
Said
See You On The Other Side. -percy Jackson
Sides
I Hadn't Seen My Dad Get Violent Since The Great Spatula Incident, And I Wasn't Anxious To See A Repeat Of That.
Dad
Violent
Spatulas
I Stepped Forward. Call Me Old-fashioned, But I Wanted To Keep His Focus On Me And Not Annabeth. I Think It’s Polite For A Guy To Protect His Girlfriend From Instant Incineration.
Girlfriend
Thinking
Focus
I Still Don't Understand What A Sea God Would Be Doing In Atlanta." Leo Snorted. "what's A Wine God Doing In Kansas? Gods Are Weird.
Wine
Atlanta
Sea
Just Because You Don't See Me Doesn't Mean I Wasn't There
Mean
Annabeth Laced Her Fingers Through His. In The Light Of His Bronze Sword, Her Face Was Beautiful. 'we're Together,' She Reminded Him. 'we'll Get Through This.
Beautiful
Light
Together
I Stared At The River Far Below. "why Did You Park Us On The Mountain? Why Not Closer?" Bast Shrugged, As If This Hadn't Occurred To Her. "cats Like To Get As High Up As Possible. In Case We Have To Pounce On Something." "great," I Said. "so If We Have To Pounce, We're All Set.
Cat
Rivers
Mountain
There’s Nothing Here,” Carter Said. “what Do You Want?” I Asked. “we’ve Got Wax, Some Toilet Papyrus, An Ugly Statue.
Toilets
Ugly
Want
If You're Heading Downtown From Centeral Park, My Advice Is To Take The Subway. Flying Pigs Are Faster But Way More Dangerous
Pigs
Advice
Flying
We Are Servants Of Ma’at—order And Justice. We Don’t Kill Our Enemies For Things They Might Do In The Future.
Order
Justice
Enemy
If You've Ever Tried Ba Travel, I Wouldn't Recommend It-- Unless Of Course You Fancy Turning Into A Phantom Chicken And Rafting Uncontrollably Through The Currents Of The Duat.
Rafting
Fancy
Phantoms
To Foreswear Romantic Love Forever. To Never Grow Up, Never Get Married. To Be Maiden Eternally.
Growing Up
Romantic Love
Forever
Most Helmsmen Would’ve Been Satisfied With A Pilot’s Wheel Or A Tiller. Leo Had Also Installed A Keyboard, Monitor, Aviation Controls From A Learjet, A Dubstep Soundboard, And Motion-control Sensors From A Nintendo Wii. He Could Turn The Ship By Pulling On The Throttle, Fire Weapons By Sampling An Album, Or Raise Sails By Shaking His Wii Controllers Really Fast. Even By Demigod Standards, Leo Was Seriously Adhd.
Fire
Wii
Nintendo
He [death] Pulled A Pure-black Ipad From Thin Air. Death Tapped The Screen A Few Times And All Frank Could Think Was: Please Don't Let There Be An App For Reading Souls
Reading
Thinking
Air
Bessie?” I Looked Down At The Bull Serpent. “but… He’s Too Cute. He Couldn’t Destroy The World.” -percy Jackson
Cute
Bulls
World
Well . . . Sure Good To Be Together Again. Arguing. Almost Dying. Abject Terror. Oh, Look. It's Our Floor.
Together Again
Dying
Looks
Thankfully,two Old Friends Stood Next To The Throne. Horus Wore Full Battle Armor And A Khopesh Sword At His Side.is Kohl-lined Eyes-one Gold, One Silver-were As Piercing As Ever. At His Side Stood Isis In A Shimmering White Gown, With Wings Of Light. "welcome," Horus Said. "um, Hi," I Said. "he Has A Way With Words," Isis Muttered, Which Made Sadie Snort.
Eye
Light
Isis
True, You're The Weakest Of Us All, But You're Still One Of The Five, And There Is Power In Collecting The Complete Set." He Paused, Then Grinned. "the Complete Set! That's Funny! Now Let's Consume Your Energy And Entomb Your Soul, Shall We?
Soul
Energy
True You
I Can’t Believe Sadie’s Going To Let Me Have The Last Word. Our Experience Together Must’ve Really Taught Her Something. Ow, She Just Hit Me. Never Mind.
Believe
Mind
Together
Percy, Meet Gladiola. Gladiola, Percy." I Stared At Annabeth, Figuring She'd Crack Up At This Practical Joke They Were Playing On Me, But She Looked Deadly Serious. "i'm Not Saying Hello To A Pink Poodle," I Said. "forget It." "percy," Annabeth Said. "i Said Hello To The Poodle. You Say Hello To The Poodle." The Poodle Growled. "i Said Hello To The Poodle.
Cracks
Annabeth
Poodles
So Beckendorf Was Pretty Popular?" Leo Asked. "i Mean-before He Blew Up?
Mean
Polyphemus Stiffened. "who Said That?" "nobody!" Annabeth Yelled. That Got Exactly The Reaction She'd Been Hoping For. The Monster's Face Turned Red With Rage. "nobody!" Polyphemus Yelled Back. "i Remember You!" "you're Too Stupid To Remember Anybody," Annabeth Taunted. "much Less Nobody.
Stupid
Remember You
Remembers You
How Flattering,” I Grumbled. “my Soul Glows.
Soul
Flattering
My Soul
We Wandered The Halls Of An Infinite Magic Nursing Home, Led By A Hippo Nurse With A Torch. Really, Just An Ordinary Night For The Kanes.
Home
Nursing
Night
I Had Nightmares About What Poseidon Might Turn Me Into If I Were On The Verge Of Death-plankton Maybe." -percy Jackson
Might
Nightmare
Poseidon
Humans See What They Want To See.
Ignorance
Knowing
Perspective
"all Roads Lead There Child. You Should Know That." "detention?"
Children
Should
Just Keep Moving
So, Yeah. Our Cat Was A Goddess. What Else Is New?
Cat
Goddess
Yeah
If I Couldn't Trust Her, I Couldn't Trust Anyone.
Ifs
Percabeth
Weapons Are Allowed. Dirty Tricks Are Expected. But Try Not To Kill Anybody!” Tantalus Smiled At Us Like We Were All Naughty Children. “any Killing Will Result In Harsh Punishment. No S’mores At The Campfire For A Week! Now Ready Your Chariots!
Children
Dirty
Naughty
Met Them. Killed Them. Got The T-shirt.
T Shirt
Shirts
Mets
No," I Said. "i Choose The Prophecy. It Will Be About Me." "why Are You Saying That?" She Cried. "you Want To Be Responsible For The Whole World?" It Was The Last Thing I Wanted, But I Didn't Say That. I Knew I Had To Step Up And Claim It. "i Can't Let Nico Be In Any More Danger," I Said. "i Owe That Much To His Sister. I…let Them Both Down. I'm Not Going To Let That Poor Kid Suffer Any More.
Kids
Suffering
World
You Spoke The Truth, Percy Jackson. You Are Nothing Like... Like Hercules. I Am Honored That You Carry This Sword.
Spokes
Honored
Zoe Nightshade
Families Are Messy. Immortal Families Are Eternally Messy. Sometimes The Best We Can Do Is To Remind Each Other That We're Related For Better Or For Worse...and Try To Keep The Maiming And Killing To A Minimum.
Family
Home
Trying
Writing Is Like A Sport - You Only Get Better If You Practice
Sports
Writing
Practice
Everyone Hates Clowns," Otis Said. "even Other Clowns Hate Clowns.
Hate
Clown
Said
I Am Your Friend Bob!
Bob
Think Long And Hard About How You Proceed, Nico Di Angelo. You Cannot Lie To Cupid. If You Let Your Anger Rule You... Well, Your Fate Will Be Even Sadder Then Mine.
Lying
Fate
Thinking
Now, You'll Have To Answer My Questions." "oh, Very Well," Set Said. "i Like Brazil For The World Cup. I'd Advise Investing In Platinum And Small-cap Funds. And Your Lucky Numbers This Week Are 2, 13--" "not Those Questions!" Menshikov Snapped.
Numbers
Lucky
Investing
Sometimes You Have To Lose A Piece To Win A Game.
Winning
Games
Pieces
The Truth Hit Him. Jason Wasn't Quite Roman Anymore. His Time At Camp Half-blood Had Changed Him. Reyna Had Recognized That. Apparently, So Did The Undead Legionnaires. If Jason No Longer Gave Off The Right Sort Of Vibe, Or Aura Of A Roman Leader.
Blood
Leader
Jason
You Have A Humming Dodo Bird," I Said Stupidly.
Bird
Dodo Bird
Said
The Wood Nymph Instructors Left Me In The Dust. They Told Me Not To Worry About It. They'd Had Centuries Of Practice Running Away From Lovesick Gods. But Still, It Was A Little Humiliating To Be Slower Than A Tree.
Running
Dust
Practice
Wait Just A Minute," Ares Growled. He Pointed At Thalia And Me. "these Two Are Dangerous. It'd Be Much Safer, While We've Got Them Here—" "ares," Poseidon Interrupted, "they Are Worthy Heroes. We Will Not Blast My Son To Bits." "nor My Daughter," Zeus Grumbled. "she Has Done Well.
Daughter
Hero
Son
I Missed Him So Much I Would Sometimes Turn To Tell Him Something Before I Forgot He Was Gone. In Spite Of All That, And All The Emotion Boiling Around Inside Me, All I Could Think Of To Say Was: “you’re Blue.
Thinking
Blue
Gone
I Will Call Him Small Bob," Said Bob. "he Is A Good Monster." End Of Discussion.the Titan Hefted His Spear And They Continued Marching Into The Gloom.
Monsters
Bob
Ends
I'm So Glad You're Here," Aphrodite Said. "war Is Coming. Bloodshed Is Inevitable. So There's Really Only One Thing To Do." "uh... And That Is?" Annabeth Ventured. "why, Have Tea And Chat, Obviously
War
Tea
Annabeth
Even Strength Must Bow To Wisdom Sometimes.
Inspirational
Wisdom
Understanding
“there’s My Baby!” I Cried, Quite Carried Away. “there’s My Poochiekins!” Ammit Ran At Me And Leaped Into My Arms, Nuzzling Me With His Rough Snout. “my Lord Osiris!” Disturber Lost The Bottom Of His Scroll Again, Which Unraveled Around His Legs. “this Is An Outrage!” “sadie,” Dad Said Firmly, “please Do Not Refer To The Devourer Of Souls As Poochiekins.”
Baby
Dad
Osiris
I Think Kids Will Read More Good Books Than We Can Possibly Produce.
Book
Kids
Thinking
Poseidon Held Out His Arms And Gave Me A Hug. I Realized, A Little Embarrassed, That I'd Never Actually Hugged My Dad Before. He Was Warm—like A Regular Human—and He Smelled Of A Salty Beach And Fresh Sea Air.
Beach
Dad
Sea
My Experience With Khonsu Had Taught Me Not Be Greedy About Time. It Was Best To Appreciate What You Had And Not Yearn For More.
Appreciate
Taught
Greedy
So, You Wrecked Alcatraz Island, Made Mount St. Helens Explode, And Displaced Half A Million People, But At Least You're Safe." "yep, That Pretty Much Covers It.
Islands
People
Alcatraz
Spontaneous Combustion Is A Form Of Harm, Mr. D," Chiron Put In.
Spontaneous
Form
Harm
Just My Luck, On Top Of Everything Else I Had To Take Baboon Medicine.
Medicine
Luck
Baboons
The Sign Read Mouse Pass Gas Frank: "that's Wrong
Gas
Frank
Mice
Blackjack," Percy Said, "this Is Piper And Jason. They're Friends." The Horse Nickered. "uh, Maybe Later," Percy Answered. Piper Had Heard That Percy Could Speak To Horses, Being The Son Of The Horse Lord Poseidon, But She'd Never Seen It In Action. "what Does Blackjack Want?" She Asked. "donuts," Percy Said. "always Donuts.
Horse
Son
Olympus
Beckendorf Walked Up With His Helmet Under His Arm. 'she Likes You, Man.' 'sure,' I Muttered. 'she Likes Me For Target Practice.' 'nah, They Always Do That. A Girl Starts Trying To Kill You, You Know She's Into You. 'makes A Lot Of Sense.
Girl
Men
Practice
Which Meant His Only Assets Were One Whiny Imprisoned Goddess, One Sort-of-girlfriend With A Dagger, And Leo, Who Apparently Thought He Could Defeat The Armies Of Darkness With Breath Mints.
Girlfriend
Army
Darkness
Elections Only Happen In Two Ways," Reyna Said. "either The Legion Raises Someone On A Shield After A Major Success On The Battlefield-and We Haven't Had Any Major Battles-or We Hold A Ballot On The Evening Of June 24, At The Feast Of Fortuna. That's In Five Days." Percy Frowned. "you Have A Feast For Tuna?
June
Two
Battle
You Will Not Believe Me, But I Am Proud Of Your Strength. Sometimes. . . Sometimes The Only Way I Can Care For My Children Is To Keep My Distance.
Children
Distance
Believe
That's What Happens When It Snows In Texas Lady. It. Freaking. Melts.
Texas
Snow
Happens
No Which Fish Are Big Enough To Land
Land
Enough
Bigs
Now, My Brethren!" Poseidon's Voice Was So Loud I Wasn't Sure If I Was Hearing It From The Smoke Image Or From All The Way Across Town. "strike For Olympus!
Voice
Way
Hearing
During Their Separation, Something Had Happened To Annabeth's Feelings. They'd Grown Painfully Intense-like She'd Been Forced To Withdraw From A Life-saving Medication. Now She Wasn't Sure Which Was More Excruciating-living With That Horrible Absence, Or Being With Him Again.
Feelings
Annabeth
Saving
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