Percy's P.O.V.
That was not what he was expecting, to say the least. Percy expected some buff dude to be Kaz Brekker, not a crippled teen. "Wait, you're Kaz Brekker? But uh- your leg." He said before he could stop himself.
He could see Annabeth out of the corner of his eye, and she looked exasperated. Percy could already tell he'd get a nice little talking to about how to keep his mouth shut. What could he say? When someone said they were looking for a gang boss, who would imagine a dude with a cane?
The kid that was supposedly named Kaz cocked an eyebrow at him. "Looks can be deceiving." Kaz replied, and Percy felt a shiver go down his spine. It felt as though Kaz knew something he didn't, which was odd since Percy was sure that he knew more. Percy took a moment longer to study him.
Even with a cane, Kaz stood tall. His pale skin made it seem as though he had never seen the light of day. His raven black hair, which was nicely groomed, and dark coffee colored eyes were a harsh contrast against Kaz's skin. Usually Percy would fine a teenager in a suit hard to take seriously, but the suit just seemed to make Kaz more intimidating.
A moment of silence passed of them sizing each other up before Kaz spoke again. "And why are you looking for me?" He asked, his voice making it clear that he expected either Percy or Annabeth to have a good and satisfying answer.
Honestly though, Percy was consumed in trying to figure out where the girl - who he could have sworn was right in front of him just a second ago - was now. He missed the question, but thankfully Annabeth answered for them.
"We need you and your crew for a mission, right Percy?" Annabeth said, nudging him sharply to bring Percy back to reality. His head snapped towards her, and he met her eyes. Annabeth's stormy grey eyes were filled with annoyance and he got what she wanted to say. Don't get distracted. Easier said than done, was what he wanted to say back, but didn't dare.
Percy cleared his throat, and looked back into the dark eyes of Kaz Brekker. "Yeah- uh- but where's that girl?" He asked confused. He couldn't be hallucinating, right? Percy had ADHD but he wasn't crazy (Though a lot of people would disagree).
Kaz's amused and smug expression returned, which honestly made him want to punch the guy. "Who?" Kaz asked innocently, clearly enjoying whatever game he was playing.
"You know- The girl with a braid? She was on your desk, and now she's gone!" Percy tried to explain, getting more and more frustrated. Annabeth's eyebrows furrowed together as she took notice that the silent girl appeared to have disappeared.
Then, Percy felt the cold metal of a blade against his neck. Percy reached for Riptide instinctively. The cool metal cut into his skin, but not far enough to draw blood. He saw Annabeth's eyes widen, and she quickly reached for her dagger.
"I would recommend that you stay still, unless you would like a headless boyfriend." Kaz said, a cold, humorless, smile danced on his face. A million thoughts raced through his head, most of them were some variation of; how did I not hear or see coming?
Now that Kaz had them both where he. wanted them, Percy noticed that Kaz's stiff posture became more relaxed. Both of the guy's gloved hands were resting on the head of his weird crow cane.
"Why did you need to threaten us? We weren't going to attack!" Percy was fully aware that he most likely sounded like a young kid complaining about how something wasn't fair. He didn't really care.
He felt his captor let out a sigh, and he wanted to glare at them. Sadly that wasn't possible when someone had a dagger to your throat.
Kaz raised an eyebrow, and looked at him as though the answer was obvious. It probably was, and that made Percy feel even angrier. He realized Annabeth was probably rubbing off on him, as he hated the fact that this kid knew more right now than he did.
"Because negotiations are always..friendlier when someone owes you something. Or has something against you. In this case, it's your head." He said in a matter-of-fact tone. Percy supposed it was true, now they really couldn't do much. Unless of course Annabeth decided that she was fine with him getting decapitated, though he was pretty much 100% sure that wasn't what was going to happen.
"Now, mind explaining what this Mission is?" He twirled the cane around, the crow's eye reflecting the little bit of light that there was in the room. Percy glanced at Annabeth, and she seemed to be looking around, scanning their. surroundings. He guessed that she was probably looking for something they could use in their advantage.
Now that Percy was stuck, he took the time to look too. It wasn't much, really. Just an old little room with a desk tucked in the corner, and a bed large enough to fit two pushed against the wall. There was a simple candle on the desk, and on a wooden nightstand. Both lit, and shadows danced in the unlit corners. The only other piece of furniture was a bookshelf next to a desk. There was also a door, maybe the bathroom.
"We got a prophecy-" Annabeth got cut off by Kaz scoffing, but he gestured for her to continue. It was clear as day that Kaz thought prophecies were ridiculous. If only.
"As I was saying." Annabeth continued, and despite their circumstance, she managed to glare at Kaz. Percy had to admire that, but at the same time he was begging her mentally not to piss Kaz off too much. After they finished him off, he had no doubt they would go after her. He was okay with dying as long as she lived, but now he knew wasn't the time to try and negotiate.
"The prophecy told us of a threat that apparently came from here. Your world." Kaz arched an eyebrow.
"Our world? Do you mind explaining what in Ghezen's name you mean by that?" Though it was phrased as a question, even Percy could tell it wasn't. It was a demand. An order.
Annabeth looked slightly smug, clearly happy that she had some information that he had, and Kaz's face was unreadable. Percy got even more worried, if those two argued neither would come out okay. Quite frankly, he didn't want to be in the middle of that, so he cleared his throat. "We came from another place, another world. I dunno how that's possible, but it is. So, we need to take you back there so you can help us stop this threat."
Kaz seemed to think about this for a moment, and Percy's spirits lifted. Maybe it wouldn't be too hard. At least that's what he thought until Kaz opened his mouth.
"Fine. Me and my gang will help with whatever this threat is." Percy grinned, and then Kaz continued. "As long as you promise 5,000 in gold pieces." Percy's heart dropped. 5,000 drachma would be nearly impossible to get, and Annabeth sent him a warning look.
Still, he said, "Deal."