Hello darkness, my old friend, I've come to talk with you again [W3, Saturday, Post-Trial]

[hydrokinetics]

[It's midnight and he can't sleep. He knows Mrs. O'Leary might be okay to walk but he's carrying her anyway, dagger strapped to his hip and eyes wild as he leaves the hotel. He has every intention of looking for a fight even if his knuckles are still bruised and bloodied, but instead his wanderings lead him to somewhere that's been on his mind.

The saloon. They never did figure out who slept here, did they? Did Annabeth's killer really possibly hide out here? The thought makes him sick, and yet curiosity gets the better of him as he approaches.

The doors to the church open though and he turns his head, spotting a familiar figure walking out.]

Why aren't you back at the hotel yet? [Forgive him, Jason, he just sounds Exhausted.]

Comments

[impulsiveness]

[He is forgiven. Jason looks like he's about to drop, but he's likely not feeling anywhere near as shitty as Percy is. Doesn't stop him from looking surprised for all of two seconds before he huffs out a laugh, all humor drained from his voice.]

I implied my roommate and her husband were murderers.

[So. Shrugs.]

... What about you? Why aren't you in your room with Harry?

[hydrokinetics]

We don't know that they weren't. [It's a hollow tone, an implication that they messed up and didn't catch the right culprits. No one is innocent, really.

His question is also surprising and Percy's gaze drops to Mrs. O'Leary instead.]

...I can't sleep, you know? If I sleep, I'll wake up and I'll wake up knowing this wasn't all a bad dream. [It's murmured softly as he shakes his head, turning his attention back to the saloon.] I don't know if I can handle more people looking at me like they are.

[impulsiveness]

I know. [And though he knows they all have a reason to be suspicious of each other, he feels sick to the stomach thinking about what ifs. The gunshot was heard at midnight, but what happened before then? What if they focused on the period of time before that, or considered that their two planned murderers were in cahoots?

But it's too late for that. Nisha and Tarvek are going to pay the price for their mistakes.]

Let me stick with you. I can't do anything to change all of this, but — we can do something else. Something to take your mind off all this bullshit. [A pause, and quietly:] ... We won't be able to do anything later if you wear yourself down now, Percy.

[Finding Annabeth's killers will be impossible if Percy is dead, man.]

[hydrokinetics]

[He considers that for a moment, unsure if he wants to have the company or if he should be responsible and tell Jason to head back to the hotel.

He knows he's right though. He needs to recover a bit before throwing himself back in headlong, even if that's what he wants. He doesn't speak for a moment, staring at his dog before nodding slowly.]

Something about what was said about the saloon still bothers me. I was going to check it out, make sure people weren't still hiding there. See if I can figure some stuff out. [Which. Doesn't at all sound like taking his mind off of things. There's a huff of a laugh, though humorless and empty.] Natalie said I should take the night off. I'm working on it. You up for a bit of sleuthing?

[It keeps him moving. Maybe they'll figure out something for closure there.]

[impulsiveness]

["Taking the night off" and "sleuthing" seem to be very contradictory statements. Jason quirks an eyebrow at him, but. Well. You know. He'd be the world's biggest hypocrite if he pointed that out, considering who he is and who he works with. So... as long as it keeps Percy from spiraling downwards, he's up for it.]

I am always up for sleuthing. [His tone is still quiet, but he tries to be casual for him.] If you want to check the bed upstairs, I'm with you.

[... That said, there's something else that caught his eye. Gently:]

But before we get our Junior Detective badges— [Trying to bring this up without, you know, upsetting him more.] Could you show me your hands, Percy?

[He's not blind, bro.

Not yet, anyway.]

[hydrokinetics]

That's exactly what I want to go look at, yeah. [There's a grin, something forced and not at all like himself, but it's some sign of emotion at least which is better than nothing.] It won't help us now, but...I don't want to overlook it.

[Still. He pauses, looking at Jason carefully before tilting his head and holding up Mrs. O'Leary a bit.] Kinda full, man. My hands are fine. [Jason didn't say anything about them not being fine, and that's Percy's on doing. So, he pauses before continuing.] ...they're fine.