Percy laboriously pushes himself up into a sitting position so that he can be face to face with her. "The talking, I can help with that." He might not be as quick as Annabeth - who is? - but he is friendly, and he has a way with people most of the time.

He shuffles forward on the bed until he's nearly tipping off it, reaching out and laying his hand over her tapping one. "We'll get him out, okay? This just a - what, a tactical retreat?"