[ There is a comfort to Percy being closer, the light pressure of his shoulder pressed up against hers. She leans into it, indulges in the feeling of him there, the warmth that seeps through. ]

Of course, Pike was there and if there was any chance we could have brought you back we had to take it. We had to take you home.

[ It's what he wanted after all, even if his letter said he would have been content with being left in a ditch. They... Vex couldn't let that happen, no matter what. She couldn't leave him like that if there was still a chance. ]

Cassandra, she didn't arrive until after the ritual. We didn't tell her any of the particulars but I think she managed to understand what had happened. We were all a mess.

[ She glances over at him, dragging fingers across the surface of the water. ]

She called you useless, told you to eat, and slapped you a little.