To an outsider, the life of a demigod seems to move a mile a minute. We’ve been led to believe that an ordinary day for one of these heroes involves non-stop action and adventure. Bouncing between battles with monsters, giants, and progenitor gods, frantically ticking off the boxes on their ancient mythology checklist.

But the truth is that most demigods can’t travel across the world (or the Underworld) significantly faster than we can. Sure, a flying Greek trireme looks more impressive than a 737, but how does its speed compare? Especially when the engine sputters out and the ship has to rely on its sails.

All this to say, if you’re planning an epic road trip (sky trip?) with six of your best friends to confront an ancient evil, you should also prepare for a lot of downtime. Even if you’re traveling in a state-of-the-art flying war machine built by the teenage children of Hephaestus. (Nobody tell the FAA.)

Here’s what we suggest you put your energy toward before you go mad with boredom and your teammates consider tossing your butt overboard.

Revise Your Battle Strategies

Want to feel productive? Put down the game controller and crack open those history books. Who knows what you’ll discover if you dig deep enough. Maybe Clytius the giant has a secret walnut allergy that you can exploit. Or maybe you really can defeat Arachne, the Mother of all Spiders, by using a spray bottle filled with water and white vinegar.

Get creative, think outside the box, and be sure that you and your friends are walking into your next fight with all the bases covered.

Unless of course, you have someone like Annabeth on your crew. In that case, you’d probably just be getting in the way of their genius game plan. But don’t feel useless! Demigod heroes can always use a new dummy to test out their new moves.

Uh, we mean dummy in the metaphorical sense.

Get to Work on Chores and Maintenance

We’re operating under the assumption that you and your friends are temporarily borrowing the Argo II for your adventure. So, please, we really don’t want to see the onboard cabins resembling your messy bunks back at demigod camp.

Check the engine room at least twice a day. Use extra-strength bronze cleaner to brush the teeth of the dragon head at the top of the mast. And seriously, do not forget to swab the pegasi stables. We can’t emphasize that enough.

Oh, who are we kidding? Half a dozen or so teenagers on a ship by themselves with minimal to no adult supervision? Your enemies should consider themselves lucky that you’ve decided to meet them on their turf. One look at the state of the main washroom after the first few days and even Gaea would recoil in terror.

Amuse Yourself with Pranks

So, don’t be angry, but I may have accidentally dropped your ultra rare Mythomagic cards off the side of the boat.

I thought it would be funny if I put your invisibility cap on my pegasus. And, uh, now I can’t find either of them.

As it turns out, “poop deck” doesn’t mean what I thought it did . . .

Is it wise to intentionally mess with a group of super-powered, stressed-out teenagers who are armed with divine weapons? No, but if you play your cards right, it could be very funny. For a few seconds, at least. And then you’re going to need to find a very good hiding space.

Either that or prepare to be tied to the mast for the night. Just try not to attract any Stymphalian Birds. And beware of flyby droppings!

Compare Tragic Backstories

Let’s say no one’s in the mood to laugh. Maybe the low, slow ride to the enemy’s lar is causing all of you to reflect on the moments that led you to this situation in the first place.

If you and your friends wind up on the Argo II, it’s safe to assume that at least one of you has an interesting history. The lives of Greek and Roman demigods have been rife with melodrama for centuries.

Perhaps you’ve been hurled through time to 100 years after your birth. Or maybe your life is tied to the well-being of a single piece of wood. (We know what you’re thinking. That’s a terrible idea for a prank).

Feel like your own history isn’t as notable as that of your teammates? Wow. Sounds like you need to de-center yourself and actively listen.

(And write down a few notes for that fantasy adventure series you’ve secretly been working on. This is juicy stuff!)

Commiserate Over Demigod Camp

Worried about the personality clashes that could arise between kids from competing demigod camps stuck on a single vessel? Or that your own undying camp pride will ultimately get the better of you?

Think of the Argo II as a safe and open place to bridge the divide between Greeks and Romans. This could be the opportunity both sides need to realize that they’re camps aren’t so different after all.

You both get way too intense about games of capture the flag. You both host less-than-stellar talent shows. You both know the best place to sneak to after lights out (the amphitheater, obviously).

Perhaps you could even bond over the common things that bother you about your respective camps. How the rules are too strict. How the food is kind of boring (strawberry smoothies again?). How the people running the place can never remember your name.

And worst of all: how seemingly every year there’s at least one kid who seeks to rule the camp with an iron fist. Or worse, betray the camp to the Titans. But that’s not necessarily the staff’s fault. When it comes to troubled youth, problems usually start at home. . . .

Commiserate Over Your Godly Parents

The best part of a group venting session? There’s no judgment if things start to get real. When you start by complaining about camp, eventually you’re going to want to discuss the reason you were brought to camp in the first place: your divine parent.

Just as every Greek and Roman demigod hero possesses a notable backstory, they also share a unique relationship with their godly parent.

Do you wish you were closer to yours? Or would you rather stay as far away as possible? Are you troubled by their power? What about their history? Their sense of fashion?

Remember, you may never again find a group of people who will understand what it’s like to have a mom or dad who indirectly caused the fall of at least one ancient civilization. So make the most of it!

Say Your Prayers

But don’t say anything too nasty. Remember, you’re about to go into battle! Likely with a foe who punches way above your weight class. A team-up with your godly parent may be inevitable.

Trust us, you’re going to need all the help you can get. Especially if you’re also up against a prophecy that spells certain doom for at least one of you . . .

Uh, on second thought, maybe it would be best if you contributed to those battle strategies after all . . .

How would you kill time on the Argo II? Be sure to let us know!