Bottled Up | PJO

⇝δώδεκα(XII)⇜

"Even Karma gets its payback, sooner or later"

Back at the cave she found Skylar and Nakoa still arguing. 

"No, I'm not going to try to charm-speak the fucking wall," Skylar hissed at Nakoa while Nakoa was doubled over laughing. At least the two were having fun while she was gone. Estelle jogged closer to them and into the inner room of the cave. 

"I found a hint," she said and gave a suspenseful pause.

Skylar, clearly unimpressed, said, "well, go on. I for one am all ears for whatever smart idea you cooked up"

"Because all he's been doing is character impressions," Nakoa explained, "and they were beyond horrible" 

"Were not"

Estelle interrupted them before a pig fight started in the holy grounds of the oracle. Who knew if she'd step out her grave and strangle all three of them together. "I talked to an old man. He said Encuentra el lugar donde los dioses susurran. Escucha." 

"Yeah, I can definitely understand what you said," Skylar nodded sarcastically

Meanwhile Nakoa looked like he had a revelation. "Of course! This was just a clue. Or even the archaeologically sound place for the Sybil to be. But if we talk about actual mythology, she's probably somewhere else"

Estelle nodded as she exchanged a glace with him, "So we just have to find the place where the God's whisper. Then we start listening"

"Wait," Skylar suddenly held up his hands, "where is this 'find the place where the God's whisper' thing coming from? Because all I heard was that you" he pointed to Estelle, "talked to a loony old man and he started blabbing in whatever language this is" 

"Well at least I was being helpful," she stabbed an accusatory finger towards his chest, "not over here playing charades with the spirits"

Skylar ignored Estelle—because apparently she was even less reliable than a son of Hermes, and turned to Nakoa, "what if it's a trap?"

Nakoa shook his head, "they wouldn't know we're coming, they're too busy with," he tilted his head like he was giving a secret signal. Estelle's frown became more pronounced. If they were going to play buddy buddy so desperately they should at least try to hide it. No need to make her feel like the obvious third wheel. 

"So does this mean we trust my dumb discovery or are we going back to chit-chatting with the wall. I'm sure there's a few people here who'd like to do that," Estelle asked with her arms crossed

Skylar rolled his eyes and muttered, "bitch"

Nakoa sighed like he was stuck babysitting toddlers, "we can start by trying to find the place where the God's whisper" 

The trio took turns doing everything they could. From talking to the walls and praying to the gods to actually trying to charm-speak one. They didn't get too far before the sound of voices reached them. None of them payed attention because there were obviously going to be at least one or two people wanting to tour here. Though now, Estelle desperately wished she had.

Estelle noticed something was wrong when the voice in her head yelled, duck. It was almost funny how long it took for her to realize that there were no ducks in the ruins and that her brain wanted her to duck down. Obviously she did, she wasn't going to turn her back on her consciousness with how helpful it was starting to get. 

Estelle swore. Then, moving on pure instinct, she swept her attacker's legs out from under him.

He hit the ground with a grunt.