[ He gives another one of those almost-laughs, something in the set of his shoulder loosening a little the longer Vex stays wrapped around him. How long has it been since Percy's had someone he trusted so implicitly that he could just let go? ]

Bad News and the rest. [ Diplomacy. Retort, for all that the pistol is missing now. Percy has guarded himself well enough. ] There's been use for them. The shades, you saw. Other things.

[ He opens his mouth, then closes it again. Better to let that lie in the past. Instead he lets an almost fond smile flicker across his face, even if she can't see it. ]

There's a forge I share with a friend. Hiccup. You'd like him. [ An unlooked-for younger brother. Percy still isn't entirely certain how that happened, but he can't bring himself to regret it. ] I've managed to stay occupied.