“people saw what they wanted to see. They didn't need the Mist to warp their perceptions.”

“But Annabeth knew that people saw what they wanted to see. They didn’t need the Mist to warp their perceptions.”

“Humans see what they want to see.”

“I do not know how much they see through the Mist. I doubt it would matter to them if they knew the truth. Sometimes mortals can be more horrible than monsters.”

“Of course, most mortals can't see magic clearly, so I'm not sure what they thought they saw as we passed overhead. No doubt it caused many of them to adjust their medication.”

“People usually asked her if she had a belly button. Of course she had a belly button. She couldn't explain how. She didn't really want to know.”

“What was I up to, you may ask? I certainly didn't want to meet Monsieur Evil again or creepy old Lord Salamander.”