Bandits and Sheriffs

The old abandoned train station on the outskirts of the town had been desolate since the factory exploded a few years back. Without it, the town around the factory grew smaller and smaller until there was nothing left but empty half standing buildings and tumble weeds. Percy dismounts Blackjack and looks sadly over at the factory ruins, still visible from where he stands on the train platform. Nico stands beside him and bumps him with his shoulder.
"Come on," he says, taking his own look, mouth a hard grim line. "No time to be dwelling on the past."
"Yeah..." Percy shrugs and follows Nico into the old building. They scan the empty terminal, which is as old and abandoned as the front of it.
"I coulda swore this was..." Percy clicks his tongue and sighs.
Nico notices a stairwell in the corner that leads to a lower level of the station and elbows Percy again. "Don't count yourself out just yet." Nico says, and walks toward the opening.
"Any reason your taking us to a ghost town?" Leo calls from the entrance, looking confused, "because if you were looking for non-man power, then I'm guessing your joke is that were recruiting the dead!" he laughs and slaps his knee for emphasis.
Nico narrows his eyes, "That wouldn't be a joke," he says softly and starts his descent down the stairs. He puts his finger to lips and then signals for Leo and Percy to follow him. Slowly descending and trying to keep the creaking to a minimum.
"Yeah let's all go down the creepy stairway," Leo says and shudders, "Need I remind you that, that's where dead are!?"
Nico looks back at the silly boy. "Leo could you just-" he hears movement behind him. " Duck!" Nico shouts as he does.
"Wha-?" Leo starts but before he can finish, he gets a fist to the face and is knocked back into Percy who steadies him.
"Intruders!" a girls voice calls.
"Um, peaceful, yet strangely handsome intruders?" Leo says with blood dripping down his chin. "Damn that hurt, whoever that girl was…” he winces, "She's got a damn good right hook."
Nico grunts, and rushes down the stairs, Percy hot on his heels and barely missing another fist from around the corner.
"We're only here to talk with Red!" Percy insists from behind him, "Please no more broken noses! One is enough. And poor Leo was never lucky with women on the first place."
"Hey!" Leo takes offense as he catches up, shirt cover in blood. "I will have you know I am very popular. Granted its usually in a similar manner to this,” He gestures to his broken nose, "But still, you call yourself my friend?"
Percy laughs and dodges another fist.
"Nico! trip wire!" Percy calls. Nico looks down at Percy's warning and somersaults over the wire; the other two follow suit; Leo's flips being more of a flail with an ungraceful stagger at the end. He's mechanic damn it, not a circus performer.
Their flips take them into a wide storage room. There are people, mostly girls sitting on top of crates that line the walls and at the far end of the room there is a beautiful mahogany study table.
"I wasn't really expecting a warm welcome, but I wasn't expecting an all out brawl either." Nico says to the room.
"And it not like we could send a letter ahead." Percy jokes by his side.
"maybe we should have knocked." Leo pants behind them. "and who is Red, and where the fuck did you meet him, because whoever he is he seems to really hate me. Maybe we should still leave while I'm still alive."
Percy laughs again, "I thought you said you'd be our man for all our suicide needs?"
"Yeah!" Leo glares, "YOUR suicide needs! Not mine, Percy!"A voice interrupts, echoing off the high ceiling. "Red…Is not a man." Rachel Elizabeth Dare sits behind the desk, boots up on the table, a smirk on her lips. "Shells n' Skulls! How you been? I see you met the greeting party."
Percy cricks his neck and grunts from the discomfort of the tumble. "Yes we have, " he smiles ,"Though I think a doorman could go a long way for you darlin'.'"
"Someone kick him-" Rachel begins with a strained smile that goes surprised as, Leo kicks Percy's knees out from the back without a second thought.
Rachel laughs, "Good save. I was gonna finish with 'or shoot him' and we all know which one is easier for my friends."
Leo blushes and rubs the back of his neck awkwardly. "Wait..." He gets a better look at Rachel now that Percy isn't towering in front of him. "Aren't you that pretty girl that kissed-... You're a bandit!? A bandit QUEEN?"
Percy groans as he gets up and bonks Leo lightly on the head. "Whose side are you on?... And don't be callin' her a queen it'll inflate her head, you see that little hat she has? You can't tell cuz it's a bit dark down here, but that's actually a normal sized hat... So she don't need none of it"
"Hey! Don't be feedin' others misinformation, Shelly! My hat is tiny. Like a tiara." Rachel corrects, taping it with a finger. "And he can call me queen if he wants."
"Yeah, Percy. We don't all have a perfect wife like you do." Leo gives an agreeable nod.
"What?! I-" Percy suffers a severe case of acute word loss.
"You have girls here suffering from the sickness right?" Nico says his voice assertive. He's in no mood to make stupid small talk when there were more important things to be done.
"We're girls. And bandits. Of course we do." Rachel leans back in her chair. "What's it to you? We aren't looking for big strong men to come take care of us, so if you're trying to arrange something, you can forget abo-"
"No!" Nico shakes his head, "It's nothing sleezy. We need your help. And maybe what we're after will benefit all of you too." Nico crosses his arms and nudges Percy to continue.
Percy nods, taking over as the better public speaker, "So we heard tell from the head sheriff right, there's this magical healing staff that apparently cures the mist sickness."
There's quiet murmuring from the surrounding bandits, and Rachel's eyes spark with excitment. "Please, do go on." she says, fighting the urge to rise from her seat. "You have my full and undivided attention."
"This staff is going to be shipped off with the next spirit train as tribute, so we're coming up with a plan to steal it," Percy says, "We need as many people as we can get..." He approaches the desk and hunches over to meet Rachel's eyes, not in a flirtatious way Rachel notes, but with genuine sentiment.
"Will you help us?" He asks.
Rachel smirks back up at him. "Do I have volunteers?" she calls to the room, eyes not leaving Percy's. And a chorus of "yes's greet their ears. "Imma say that you do, partner." she smiles. "But first, I think we're gonna need a little bit more information about the train, and this staff."
"Good," Percy sighs, "for a second there I thought you were gonna ask for.... Another....deal" he says.
Rachel laughs. "Too bad too...it was a nice, you kissing Skulls over there all passionate like...Looked real sexy." she says climbing on the desk and getting close to Percy.
"Sexy? Kissing Nico? Heck, I could do that...I could do that right now," Leo says.
Percy shakes his head " Leo, you might wanna save some of that dignity for later..., you know, in case you need it."
Nico gives Leo a look as well. "Or... You could do anything... anything else," he says.
Leo clears his throat. "Right..! So...the uh, spirit train is intricate, but all info about its cargo and schematics are locked up in the mayor's mansion. you know. Like everything we want usually is. Bastard has everything."
"Not the easiest place to get into," Nico grunts as his input.
"Oh, don't worry. Its only hard if you don't have the right connections!" Rachel sing songs, and proceeds to dig through one of her desk drawers. "You see I was wondering what do with this invitation. But now..." she holds up an envelope, sealed with a broken golden wax seal. "Just how good are you boys at espionage?" she smirks, and winks at Leo.
Leo feels his face flush and looks to Percy, who looks to Nico and then back to Rachel.
"What did you have in mind?" Percy says with a smile.
* * * * * *
Percy adjusts his collar and squirms uncomfortably in his vest. "How in the name of Hades' ass do socialites where this shit all the time," he groans.
Leo scoffs through the cubby hole, "At least you get to be a socialite, Jackson," he says, brandishing his reigns to showcase his obvious jubilance for being chauffeur.
"Well they'd recognize you, now wouldn't they Leo?" Percy says and looks out the carriage window, "Are we there yet?"
"Not unless they're actually all squirrels and we're socializing in the forest." Nico says, seated across from Percy, ankle crossed over his knee, looking out the window and tapping his cane impatiently against the floor of the carriage. "Wouldn't surprise me. They're all rodents anyway."
Rachel giggles and Percy grunts in agreement as the mansion comes into view. It looks a lot different than it had the last time they were here. There were lights shrouding every contour of the mansion, and the bustle of the crowd could be heard even from where they were. Percy sits up and adjusts his hat. "Showtime!" He feigns excitement.
The man at the door offers to take their coats and canes. Which Nico is instantly upset about; the cane could have come in handy in a pinch. Another man further in extends his hand to see their invitation.
Rachel pulls it out of the top of her blue bodice, and hands it to him with a smile, enjoying his shocked expression. "Do put your tongue back in your mouth." she chimes just as easily, and clings to Percy's arm, Nico trailing behind them, with a disdainful expression that seems to fit in, much to his displeasure; he likes to think ne has nothing in common with these aristocrats.
The man clears his throat and gestures to let them past. Percy smirks down at Rachel and back at Nico, with a piece-of -cake wink.
The ballroom is filled with people dancing, drinking and having a good time. The large, ornate staircase shines in the light of the chandelier at the other end of the room, but nothing catches Percy's eye more than the glint of familiar golden curls across the way. His heart races as the beautiful Sheriff Chase descends the stairs. He looks her gown up and down, and chuckles to himself, because although she does look gorgeous in her dress, he can't help but feel she is just a little out of place in it.
"And what are you looking at now?" Nico says, knowing exactly what's caught Percy's attention, and he'll admit, he's feeling jealous about it.
Rachel hums and tsks, "What did I tell you before, Shelly? Not good to look at people other than your wife." she nods sagely and pats Nico's shoulder.
Percy glares at Rachel and looks back at Nico, "Seems like Chase n' Grace aren't gonna be too much trouble for us tonight," he says. "Leo says the archive is in the study upstairs...how do you suggest we approach this, we can't all of us go up there, it'll look suspicious."
"Well, I know who I'm supposed to distract." Rachel says, eyeing Jason who's set himself up next to a suit of armor, like he hopes it will protect him from the numerous girls eyeing him. "You two can duke it out for Trickster." she calls Annabeth.
Nico looks up at Percy and sighs. "We both know you'll be a better distraction than I will," he deadpans, finishing in his head, and your shit at sneaking.
"Alright," Percy looks over to Annabeth and then back at Nico. "You be careful, partner," he puts a hand on Nico's shoulder, "And you too." He says to Rachel but he knows her job is much less dangerous.
"Oh, don’t worry about little old me." Rachel says, and sashays away, a bounce in her step. She approaches Jason as she does most things, head on with secrets on her lips. "Care to dance, handsome?" she raises an eyebrow and places a hand on her cocked hip. "It might be worth your while."
Jason wasn't expecting a girl to ask him to dance, usually it happens the other way around, an uncertain, "Umm" is all he manages.
"Oh come now, Sheriff, let’s not be shy." Rachel twirls into his arms, so her back is pressed to Jason's chest. She rugs down on his collar and looks back at him over her shoulder. "We're not strangers, after all." she whispers.
"Wait... What?" He doesn't even have a moment to be flustered before she pulls him into the dance. He looks at her more carefully and tries not to step on her feet. Eventually it occurs to him that the red hair should have been a dead giveaway.
"It's you," He realizes, "from the train."
"Oh yes it's me." Rachel says. "I really thought you'd catch on quicker. Not many people have red hair, you know."
Jason looks indignant "well I wasn't really paying attention to that..." He trails remembering the confusing image of two male bandits kissing on a train they were robbing. Jason's supposes they really are partners. He doesn't let Rachel out of his sight, every time she nears something of value, he pulls her closer.
When she's eyeing an expensive vase he grabs her hand and spins her to his chest his other hand firmly placed on her waist. "Stop that" he says assertively, and then lets her go, realizing how improperly he's holding her. "S-sorry."
"Oh now, now, can't a girl look?" Rachel winks and looks blatantly at a woman's pearl necklace. “It’s not like they need all this stuff anyway. What are they going to do without their vase? Buy a new one? Hardly tragic."
"Well, as a sheriff, it's my job to make sure they...don't!" Jason spins her into his arms again as she looks at the silverware. He grunts as her body collides with his but he stands firms "...have to," he exhales.
Rachel looks up to him and winks which makes him even more flustered. She laughs and spins out if his arms, and sliding into a graceful courtesy as the song ends. Jason gives an exasperated sigh, and adjusts his gloves.
Rachel smiles at how easily distracted the sheriff is. She glances over to the stairwell where Nico has ascended undetected, vanishing down the hallway. She looks back at Jason and raises an eyebrow as a new song starts."'Nuther round?" She asks.
* * * * * *
Nico strolls up the stairs like he belongs there, and doesn't look back. He knows Percy will be suitably distracting, as well as distracted, and he has to trust Rachel with Grace. Dim lights line the hall way, as Nico follows the map Rachel's made him memorize to Octavian's study, which, surprisingly enough, has no skeletons or body parts in jars to accompany its owner's rotten personality. He shuts the door swiftly and silently, hoping against hope that what he needs is out in the open. Nico scans the organized room; there isn't a single paper out of place. There is, however, a single scroll of paper laid out on the desk held down by expensive, gaudy, jewel encrusted paper weights. and he looks at the drawing of what he believes is The River, and a schematic for a large complicated structure...not the Spirit Train, the thinks, and thus useless.
"Well seriously, Di Angelo, did ya think it was gonna be that easy?" Nico says to himself.... It's never that easy...never.
He continues looking through drawers, there are all sorts of records and plans, if they are organized in a system, Nico doesn't understand it, and he isn't Hazel, in comparison, his reading skills are lacking.
Looking toward the other side of the room, he sees only to see a fountain, which makes him groan in disgust at the thought that the head Sheriff was pretentious enough that not only did he needed a fountain outside his residence, but in his office as well.
There are at least a dozen cabinets that line the walls of the study, and it would take him much longer than the ball allows to find what he was looking for. He was so frustrated he could kick something... It's too bad the head Sheriff wasn't actually in his office.
He shuts another drawer to no avail, biting his lip as he hears the door knob move. Instinctively, he dives behind the desk, peering around the corner to see Octavian enter. Maybe he would get to kick him after all, he reflects, and laughs in his head.
Octavian turns on the fountain without preamble. It sprays little streams of water in a fan formation and the sheriff tosses a coin into the spray. "Iris of commune and color, I pray you put me in contact with Hera of Wives and Weddings," he says. Within seconds, a watery image of the goddess Hera materializes.
Nico's eyes widen, and he can hardly believe what he's heard. Hera, the goddess who is responsible for his little sisters sickness, who killed his mother, his sister and Sally, shimmers a few feet from him. His wrist twinges and fire burns in his gut. Her beauty only enrages him more, like she's stolen it from all the beautiful women in his life, drained it from them with their lives. He holds his breath, trying to keep the magma in his stomach to keep from spewing out of his mouth. He's never hated anyone more then at this moment, finally able to put a face to a name.
"Oh...it's you again... " Hera says in obvious distaste. "What is it?"
"I wanted to talk to you about tomorrow's tribute."
"Yes?"
"I offer you a powerful healing staff, ...I uh..procured from the spirituals for you my lady"
Hera's bored expression lights up.
"You mean the one that-"
"The one and the same" Octavian grants eagerly.
"Excellent!" Hera says, her eyes shining "that ought to teach the spirituals to be a little more reverent, I-...what exactly is it that you want in return then?"
"My lady....there had been all kinds of technological advancements over the years, the machinery I ask for is complex, and I need several...for progress there must be sacrifice?" He says in such a way that Nico understands that Octavian is quoting her own words at her.
"Fine....show me where in the train..." She says
Octavian opens on of the filing cabinet drawers and pulls out the schematic to the spirit train.
Nico eyes the pierce of paper hungrily. It's what he came here for, and it's what he'll leave with now that he knows where it is. He waits silently listening and hoping Octavian's little meeting will give him all the information he needs and end quickly. He can't bear to look at or listen to the goddess for much longer. Her very existence is a blight on Nico's soul; like nails on a chalk board, or a cheese grater on his brain.
Octavian points to the schematic "The third to last compartment" Octavian states like it should be obvious his biting tone not escaping the goddess' attention as she narrows his eyes at him. But then she looks to the schematic.
"Fine you will have your tech, just make sure you rid the world of that wretched staff."
"Of course" Octavian assures her as he places the schematic on the table near the fountain and puts one of the small ornate paper weights on it.
Octavian is about to stop the water when Hera nonchalantly menations, "Oh, and by the way, you have a little eavesdropper behind your desk."
Nico freezes for only a second, looking for a possible weapon. He laments the loss of his cane again before his eyes land on the paper weight. It's perfect. He vaults over the desk, kicking Octavian's legs out from under him, an grabs the weight and paper at the same time. He smashes the fountain spout once just for the conductive pleasure of wrecking Hera's image, and then lands a hit with the weight on the Sheriff's head. His hope of knocking Octavian unconscious are dashed as he rolls with the hit and away from Nico's immediate reach. "Have a nice, night, Sheriff." he shoots over his shoulder as he sprints out the door at top speed, skidding on carpet as he exits.
******
Percy spots Annabeth across the way. He meanders over trying to be as gentlemanly as possible and walks up to where Annabeth is standing next to a tall man who Percy deduces is her father. "Good evening" he says in a charming accent "Mr. Chase," he bows slightly.
Mr. Chase turns his gaze toward him, eyes as grey and intelligent as Annabeth's. "Good evening, sir. I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage, as I don't believe we've met." he holds out his hand for Percy to shake as Annabeth turns her attention to them both for only a quick glance before looking away.
"Jameson Cartwright...I'm new to town, and I hope I'm not being too forward but I would like to request a dance with your daughter...after all I'm frequently told how Elysium's citizens are hospitable, good" he glances to Annabeth " people?" he finishes as his green eyes flash in a familiar glance.
Annabeth sighs and despairs at James' form of flirtation. She really isn't interested, and she'd rather stand near a suit of armor all night and keep an eye out for trouble; but her father's hand presses against the small of her back to push her forward. "Annabeth would be honored, good sir. Wouldn't you Annabeth?"
"Fath-"
Mr. Chase bends forward to whisper in her ear. "Please, Annabeth, for once try to be a lady. You're sick, and I don't want you to be alone in this world." Her protests die on her lips and she takes a breath.
"Of course, sir Cartwright. The honor is mine." she manages in monotone, her voice tipping into disrespectful territory. She'll try, but she won't try too hard, not even for her father's piece of mind.
Mr. Chase gives her a stern look, and Annabeth plasters a smile on her face and holds out her hand. Only to be confronted with familiar green eyes that shock her into silence as the so called "James" smiles at her with the tell tale grin. "you..." she starts and stops, gritting her teeth and glancing at her father. "..lead the way." she finishes.
"Of course" he says with a confused glance at her father, he wonders why, if she does recognize him, she doesn't say anything to him. Surely they would trust her intuition as a sheriff?
Percy leads her onto the dance floor and integrates into the waltz. He looks at Annabeth's glaring face. "My dear" he teases, "is something the matter" he says with a voice that is extra pretentious to have more of an effect.
"The matter? You're asking that, and you're here!" she hisses, "Why are you here? No. Never mind, I can guess why. But I'm not going to let you!" she glares extra hard for emphasis. "Riverson."
Percy laughs softly, "Oh, Sheriff Chase you flatter me with just how quickly you recognize me." he says as he slides to the side and pulls her in by the waist, a little more closely than the dance calls for. "You must really pay attention." He whispers into her ear while he has her close.
"You're just, unforgettable." Annabeth bites out, but her cheeks tint pink. "And don't... Don't call me that, here." she feels flustered but glares through the uncomfortable feeling. "Now what's your game, Bandit? What did you come for?"
"Wait...why...." Percy smiles and then is hit with realization. He continues to execute the steps of the dance which Annabeth is surprised he knows, when the dance allows he comes close to her again. "Sheriff Chase, are you leading a double life?" He says feigning scandalized. He does it mostly to tease and partly to mask the fact that he finds it somewhat impressive.
"None of your business, Riverson." Annabeth twirls into his arms as the dance demands, and find their faces extremely close together. "I'll live my life as I please, with no regards to your opinion of it." her words come out less aggressive and more breathy than she'd like, the green laughter in Percy's eyes drawing her in before she has to twirl out again and break the spell.
Percy watches her twirl out, her hair whips around and flashes brightly, like the first sunbeam that shines through the window in a calm morning. It almost takes his breath away, until he remembers the train. He shakes it off. When they are close again he speaks to her again. "No...you just like to play your little tricks on everyone don't you?" He says a little more harshly than he intended.
Hurt flashes through her, showing through her eyes before her expression turns angry and stubborn. "It's called being smart." she steps on his foot with her heel. "They're not tricks!... But I am... Sorry." she grits out. "Even I know using medicine as bait is a horrible thing to do."
Although the stinging sensation on his toes is not the greatest, he finds that he can't stay mad at her, especially as he looks into her softened gray eyes and finds genuine remorse. He sees that young girl again, the one he'd seen on the platform helping that poor man...the Annabeth he'd liked even before he'd known it was her...he knew she hadn't changed that much.
They meet with connected hands.
"That's why I told you where the medicine was" Annabeth says, the guilt apparent on her face
"Yeah, still... It was a pretty dirty move" Percy says as they continue to execute the practiced moves of the dance. "Tellin' us probably got you into quite a bit of trouble though, why'd you do it?" He asks
"Well... Maybe I took your advice" Annabeth says, "and reassessed my view of what makes people 'good'." She smiles and Percy can't help but smile back
"Is that so?" He says and laughs quietly to himself.
"Good or not though Riverson, I'm not gonn' allow you to steal tonight... There's plenty of pretty and valuable things I this room and I know you just itchin' to have your pick" she says her softened expression turns stern.
"Pretty huh?" Percy says and leans to whisper in Annabeth's ear "well then, I'd say I've already made my decision."
Annabeth inhales and blushes. Then collects herself. "You implying I'm a thing, Riverson?" She asserts.
"Your beautiful heart...I'm going to steal… Sheriff..." He says, his breaths brushing against her neck. "I know it's still in there..." He adds his face nearing hers as the song finishes.
Annabeth can't help leaning forward as well, even as protests leave her lips. "It won't work Riverson. I don’t even like- I mean because I'm a- a sheriff and-" their lips are almost touching, "you're a-"
"Theif!" Octavian’s voice echoes through the ballroom. And the entire crowd’s attention is pulled toward the study as Nico darts to the stairs with the schematic in hand. He flings himself onto the banister and slides down it, landing on his feet at the bottom of the stairs, almost artfully, as if he's done it a million times before. The lady next to him stares at him with wide eyes.
Nico tips his hat at her "ma'am" he says as her eyes flutter and she faints from...distress? Nico can't tell but he hasn't the time to figure it out as reinforcements swarm the exits.
Percy sighs, "That's my cue," he winks and tips his hat at Annabeth. "Sheriff" he says and darts over to Nico.
"Show off." Percy laughs and claps Nico’s back upon arrival. He glances around, surprised at how quickly the guards responded, and in such a large number.
Rachel joins on the other side of Nico, having twirled out of Jason's reach and away as soon as Octavian's voice was first heard. Her eyes catch sight of a familiar couple who are looking at her hopefully. She turns away, refusing to acknowledge her parents. They're probably the ones that called law enforcement in attempt to get her to come back home. Rachel only considers it unlucky that they were here.
"Wanna refresh me on our emergency exit plan, Red?" Percy says to her, refocusing her on the here and now.
Rachel's smirk widens, and she grasps the under skirt of her dress, beneath the sheer panels, and rips it off, revealing pants and a pair of guns in holsters strapped to her thighs. she takes them out and twirls them on her fingers, enjoying the shock and scandalized expressions on her countrymen's faces, and especially her mother's who faints into her father's arms. "Our getaway carriage should be in the court yard, ma'Gentlemen." she sing songs, and casually shoots out a stained glass window to the outside. "Let's get out of here!" She blows on the tips of her guns and winks at the crowd.
Nico raises an eyebrow at the display. "And here I thought I had style...." he pushes Percy out the window first and follows, leaving Rachel the jump happily out after them.
"Show time Leo!" She shouts and whoops with excitment.
Leo comes by in the carriage, and the three of them jump on grabbing whatever they can to keep them in place as the carriage rushes off. The guards follow them to the courtyard and mount their horses in pursuit. Jason comes out in the lead, riding his pegasus, looking a little out of place in his gentleman's attire.
"Catch the thieves!" Jason calls.
"Ha!"Percy laughs, "Instead of Chase'n Grace we have a chasin' Grace!" he says looking back as he grabs his pistol out of the carriage and shoots Jason's top hat off of his head.
"Not a good look for you Sheriff! Your welcome!" Percy calls back to him.
Jason growls at Percy's smirk and puts his hand to summon lightning.
"Leo, tell me you gathered some water from the fountain" Percy calls to Leo, not taking his eyes off of Jason.
"Not like I had much to do while y'all were partyin'" he says bitterly then looks to Rachel and Nico (and has to do a double take as he sees Rachel has lost most of her skirt somewhere along the way). "Um" he shakes it off, "the targets should be coming up if you guys are ready?" he says.
Rachel jumps into the carriage compartment and reappears with a fancy rifle. It's a piece of artistry, emblazoned with a family crest, and Rachel holds it with a familiarity she doesn't show with pistols. "Now I am." she says, and, after making sure it's loaded, clicks everything back into place.
Nico is kneeling quietly next to Leo, peeking over the top of the carriage to where Rachel and Percy are standing. He folds the paper up into small square, "Hold this, wont you?" he puts it into Leo's vest pocket and pats it. "Try not to set it on fire." he adds, and grabs the gun at Leo's side.
Rachel is having a bit too much fun, laughing manically as she shoots off top hats left and right, "You know, it's not often that I'm the one on the carriage!' she calls over the wind while she reloads.
Percy laughs, "I'm sure you still prefer robbing them, huh?" he says and sees Jason finish charging his bolt. "Ok people!" Percy calls, putting his empty gun in his boot and uncapping the jug of water. The carriage passes the trap and the two targets they had set in the trees are now visible.
"Fire!" Percy calls
Rachel and Nico don't even glance at each other, having planned which target they'd hit before hand, and shoot, splintering wood as their bullets hit home.
Jason launches his attack just as the trap springs, and as Percy sets a thin wall of water. The lighting hits the water wall, charging it, and the trap net stops the s]Sheriffs just short of the water. Jason struggles with the net and then tosses a rock at the water wall which gets shocked upon contact.
"Just as I suspected" Jason says to himself, as he watches the bandits ride away. The wall trickles down as they get farther away, eventually no longer live with electricity. "Let's turn back, men." Jason says.
"but, what about-?"
"I said...Turn back" Jason asserts as he mounts his pegasus and turns back. He knows that they could probably catch up to them, and pursue this chase to its final stupidity, but seeing as Percy could have set that live wall just before the net...Jason isn't so keen on catching them.
Percy laughs as he plops back down into the carriage exhausted. "They ain't followin' us no more," he says breathily and leans on Nico's shoulder. "You get it partner?" he asks.
"Yeah." Nico smirks up at him. "Course I did." he lets out a breathless laugh, honestly surprised that the Sheriff's forces gave up so easily. He pulls it out of Leo's pocket with two fingers and taps Percy's nose with it. "and there was... something else too..."
Percy scrunches his nose and sniffles upon contact. "huh? what is it?" Percy asks.
"I know exactly where the staff is going to be." he gives Percy a shit eating grin.
"Yeah?" Percy's eyes brighten, "good thing we sent you then, eh partner? So! Where's it at then," he smiles as he unfolds the schematic.
"Third car." Nico says, and Rachel sits down on the other side of Nico. "Head Sheriff was... talking with Hera. Through a rainbow." as he says it he knows it sounds ridiculous, but it's what happened. "Weirdest thing I ever saw."
"A rainbow?" Percy asks incredulously, shaking his head. "Rich people..."
"Well we are just gonn' hafta have Leo decipher this map for us, and make us a little plan..."

Notes

co-written with thomas-life on Tumblr.
Disclaimer: We do not own any of these characters they belong to Rick Riordan, Hayley Riordan, and Disney Hyperion