Ah! Sharpshot! That's the one I met. Shoulder sized, big bulging eyes? A terrible terror, I think he called it. No toothless dragons, though. [It was a pretty busy day in the market.]

[ Vex trusts Percy to be straight with her, and she's patient enough to wait until he's good and ready, when it isn't something she's called him on directly. She is very perceptive, after all, and what he doesn't say might reveal more than he does.

But oh. Oh, she sees that twist, and she has to bite her lower lip as eyes widen, dancing with laughter. Laughter she keeps reined in, but the smile still skirts at the edges of her mouth as she replies.]

Oh. Oh no. Oh, I'm so sorry, darling. [She knows how much you hate magic! She pats his arm consolingly] Is your magic at least useful for your tinkering?

[and there goes the redirect, the compliment earning Percy a pleased and flattered look. Before she smirks at him, one eye closing in that trademark wink.] They last longer than my brother's, too.

[because innuendo AND one-upping Vax is all in a day's work, even if her terribly missed twin isn't here to be taunted about it]