[Percy does not startle right out of his skin, but the thing he’s working on does spark briefly. He pushes it away, and it looks like a half-finished explosive arrow. Apparently someone else is hoping Vex is around here somewhere as well.]

Vax, I’m fine. I ate breakfast, and that was, what, just an hour ago?

[Percy, it’s past lunchtime. But he puts the tools down, turns fully to Vax.]

Just how long have you been standing there for? [He would not put it past Vax to have been standing there the entire time.]