Winter's Crest Evening Celebration - Invitation only

[st_ockandbarrel]

Despite telling Mac that he had no intention of organizing any kind of gathering, that is precisely what Percy found himself doing over the next few weeks. In between working on gifts for each of his friends, Percy secured a room and allowed himself to be hassled by Caroline about a menu and other details. Once she'd put him through a grueling series of questions on his preferences, she'd gone away. A few days later, she'd returned with a book of carefully constructed plans. It was both impressive and terrifying. He'd approved it all and let her handle it. The wine he took a personal hand in, choosing every bottle by hand from the inn's rather delightful wine cellar. He wasn't sure where most of the places of origin were, but a guide (written by a man named Parker) gave detailed descriptions of each bottle and provided a score. France was a popular location for wine, apparently.

The evening of Winter's Crest was cool, but not cold, in spite of the snow still lingering on the ground from the battle royale earlier in the day courtesy of Pike. The sky now was clear, and the stars bright. He rapped on Vex's door to escort her to dinner and adjusted his cuffs beneath his new coat, acquired from the shop. It was not his usual blue suit, but Caroline had assured him in her bossy way that it was extremely modern and fashionable. It was certainly well tailored.

Trinket had taken a lot less time to get ready for dinner, Vex assuring him he was the most dapper and handsome bear in his collar and tie. She was putting the finishing touches on her hair when the knock came, so it was the bear who laid his heavy paw on the door lever and opened it to Percy. Vex turned from the mirror, satisfied with her efforts, as Percy entered. The suit was new, and she took the time it took them to meet in the middle of the room to appreciate the way the cut accentuated his form. "Joyous Winter's Crest, my darling," she told him as she ran her hands over his shoulders and leaned in for a kiss. Vex had made an afternoon of it last week, trying on every suitable outfit remotely close to her size in the boutique. Her second choice was hanging in her closet, but for tonight, she'd chosen a column dress in a deep midnight blue that left most of her back bare. She was hopeful Percy would approve.

"Joyous Winter's Crest, Lady Vex'ahlia." He obliged her the kiss, not that it was anything other than purest pleasure. His hands ran down the bare length of her back and was it not for the duty to show up to the dinner he'd arranged, he'd have suggested staying in. Instead, he wrapped an arm about her waist and appraised Trinket. "Very mannerly, good bear." He'd expressed a desire to let the bear stay home for the evening but a simple "Trinket's family" from Vex had been enough to have him relent. "Shall we go?"

Finding dress to Winter's Crest had been trial. White and pale gold were colors most available in shop, but she did not wish wearing anything so pale as she. Nu. At end, she had Sunny helping and saying her short as knees was normal. But when she stood before mirror changing faces it felt again too much short. She sighed. This was only dress and she liked purple and flowers next to her albino human face. If comfortable later also, when Kash said her yes or Percy, it made room of legs and tail.

She drew herself up as tall as she could and faced her so pale altered self. "I am Baronesa Lillith Anioska Daturai. No party shall best me."

Kash did not stand in front of a mirror. He did not fuss at his clothes. The shop had provided black pants and a black jacket that fit well and required little in the way of tailoring. He wore a crisp white shirt, but refused to wear the pointless strip of cloth that had no use beyond choking a man. If he could have, he would have worn his armor.

If he could have, he would have taken Snow and Curnen on a ride and snow picnic.

He was still thinking about it when a knock sounded at his door. "I'm not going, Lilli. Just go without me."

"You will come, Kash. You will come now."

She was nervous. He could tell. Her accent was strong. "We could have dinner in my room. You and me," he called through the door, but he was already getting to his feet.

"Kashaw Vesh. Come to door. You have guests, you will come and you will not make me late."

"Do I have to?" Kash opened the door--and his eyes. "Holy god. Can you wear that in public? I mean, you look..." Amazing didn't cover it. "But..." Lillith planted her hands on her hips and scowled. Even in a human shape, she had never looked more like Zahra. Shit. "Right. Yes. I'm sure it's fine. Better than fine. You look beautiful. Now can I go back to my room?"

Lillith rolled her eyes and took him by the arm. "For my cousin's sake, I will not raise my voice to you. Collect yourself. We are leaving."

Kash had never thought of Lillith as a particularly fearsome woman. Zahra had warned him otherwise, but she was always sweet, kind and awkward. He liked this side of her. And he hadn't felt so much at peace in months. "Yes, ma'am." To Curnen's room it was.

Curnen's room, where she was trying to fuss with her hair and really rather failing to do so. And eventually she just did what she always did and let the whole dark mass of it tumble freely around her shoulders.

She'd had a hell of a time trying to pick out anything to wear, and had finally only settled on the dress she was wearing when Vex had taken pity and picked something for her. It had needed some tailoring (a concept she didn't much understand, but went along with) since a petite frame didn't just mean short, but in the end her dress was comfortable and pretty and if Vex had picked it she supposed it must be appropriate and that was a weight off her mind.

She still fussed when the knock came, though, smoothing her hair, her skirt... leaving her shoes until the very last second, but cringing her way into them.

She was chewing her lip when she opened the door. "Will I do?"

When he knocked, he'd glanced back at Lillith. His "Remember what I said" earned him a Stop dithering, Kashaw glare. So the opening door caught him in the act of pantomiming I'm not, I knocked already. Only acute awareness of the abuse Curnen had suffered turned the gesture into an offer for her hand in time.

"You look beautiful." That was easily said and more than true. She always did. From behind him, Lillith offered, "What a wonderful color. The dress is lovely."

Noting her nerves, Kash glanced past her into her room. "You're missing something. Did you want to bring the guitar?"

"Thank you." Curnen glanced back at the case and hesitated only a moment before she trotted over to it and strapped the instrument to her back. Immediately she felt better with the weight of it there. Now she was ready. "Okay."

"Perfect," he told her and then stepped aside to let her out. And Lillith didn't even get a chance to clear her throat (about which he felt obscurely proud) before he said, "Curnen, Lillith. Lillith's a wizard. Lilli, Curnen. She's a musician." Not a bard, not until Curnen was ready to claim it.

He let the women get acquainted (because the Zahra in his head told him to) and lead the way to Snow's mother's room, where once again, he knocked.

Snow White was not goddamn doing this in a dress.

When she opened the door her jeans were new at least, dark uniform wash and not a tear or hole to be seen, as well as a silk blouse. It wasn't what was expected, she imagined, but it wasn't her usual attire either. And after she'd let Regina put her hair up, for once she actually looked rather like the young woman she was.

She glanced down at herself, and then defiantly back up at Kash. It was this or she wasn't going.

Having had a similar reaction, Curnen could only empathize. "What tribe?" she asked, skipping right past niceties. It cut through any potential dread.

Snow blinked at the question, at the tiny woman, at her strange hands. Then shrugged and said, "Crow. You?"

Curnen shook her head. "Oh, not a drop in me. But my people lived alongside the Cherokee a while, so some of my cousins are."

Snow nodded, as if that exchange hadn't come entirely out of nowhere. And then her gaze turned toward the pale woman she definitely didn't know.

In the face of Snow's defiance, Kash smiled. He pointed to his open neck and started to say Trinket's wearing fur, you're fine, but Curnen was already talking. He knew the words but it didn't help him with the meaning. It was more than the where-are-you-from-what-is-your-totem-do-I-have-to-kill-you he expected from the word 'tribe', much more. That he could tell. He was going to have to ask. When Lillith lifted an eyebrow at him, he shrugged his cluelessness.

"Snow, this is Lillith. She's family." Of Lillith more than any of Vox Machina, that was simple truth. Zahra was his family. Her cousin was his cousin. "Lillith, this is Snow."

"Hello." Had Kash not warned her, she might have suggested they ought to trade names. But she feared it might go over badly.

Which was actually all Snow needed to hear and her body language relaxed. Kash was not exactly an open and trusting person. If he claimed this woman as family, that was enough. It was really all that was getting her through this, knowing that that was how he saw this group of people. And she liked Vex. And Vax was okay. Snow nodded back. "Hi."

Pike was excited about Winter's Crest, she really really was. But as her excitement grew so did the loneliness that seemed to be her constant companion these last few years. Which meant that she waited until she was safely in the shower before letting herself cry. Her family was a perceptive lot and she needed the heat from the water to make sure no one would notice. Scrubbing her face, her words from so long ago floated back, 'I'm just going to pretend I'm happy so everyone can be okay.'

After letting herself feel, she put her smile back on and got dressed. Thanks to the almost magical skills of Corbie, Pike actually had something to wear to the dinner. The deep-blue dress fit perfectly though she still hadn't gotten used to the sensation of her holy symbol against her skin. If he were here, a certain gnome would have been left speechless. Pushing that thought as far down as it would go, she left her room and made her way to the main banquet hall alone.

Blue was a popular choice for Winter's Crest, always had been - maybe the cool color spoke of ice and snow, the daunting beauty of the deeper shadows and muffled stillness. Maybe the harsh conditions reminded everyone that they needed one another to huddle for warmth. Or maybe, like Vax'ildan, everyone had a sibling working the garment shop downstairs, and they intended them to look smart either alone or as a set, thank you very much. ...No, that one was probably just him.

He'd told her he didn't care what he wore, but Percy had made clear he wanted them all looking as posh as possible. Truth be told, Vax cared a bit, or at least he put aside his moody uncertainty about who he was inviting to this dinner party, if anybody, so that he could enjoy playing dress-up with his twinnie. Eventually, she informed him he'd be wearing a dark blue 'windowpane' suit with fabric noose and silk chest-napkin. He felt somewhat odd in it, rich fabrics and fussy buttons unlike their usual Exandrian garb, but Vex was pleased with her work and he was willing to indulge his family this far. They were marking a holiday of their own in this foreign land, and it was comforting to remind themselves that they few were here together, if not all of them.

Vax finished tying back his hair and straightened his jacket in the mirror, reminding himself that Percy would have a litter of kittens if his dithering about if he should or shouldn't do the thing made them all start late. He watched himself a beat, and then two, and then thought on how indecision ended up being a decision in itself, if you left it long enough.


Percy had thought the place cards were a bit much for a family dinner, even for him, but he'd decided not to argue with Caroline. He did rather wish Cassandra was here. The two would either get along or murder each other. Still, it did make for an easy time arranging everyone at the table, even if Trinket did immediately abandon his assigned location and lumber down to wedge himself between Lilith and Snow.

The food was already on the table, covered by lids. "Family style service", Caroline had called it. Large plates of food that could be easily passed around, each person taking what they wanted. Percy stood at the table and lifted his wine glass. "Joyous Winter's Crest all, new friends and old. It is an honor to be here with all of you and I look forward to many more years to come." Toast delivered, he leaned forward and lifted the lid off the largest tray - venison provided by Vex's own hunting bow. "Let's eat."

Comments

Vex: OTA

[st_ubby]

During Percy's toast and while they filled their plates, Vex looked out over her family, and those on their way to becoming family. Her thoughts, and love, went to the ones who weren't there to celebrate with them: Keyleth, Grog, Zahra, Cassandra. Even, she could let herself admit, Scanlan. Her hand found Percy's, fitting together long enough for a gentle squeeze and lingering touch before they began to eat.

A table filled with good food, and too many who'd known hunger at least part of their lives, it shouldn't have surprised anyone if the beginning of the meal held more eating than conversation. Eventually, though, the balance shifted, and Vex opened another bottle of the excellent wine Percy had chosen, to refill her glass. "More wine, anyone?"

Re: Vex: OTA - after Steph arrives

[st_ockandbarrel]

"Please," Percy moved his wine glass toward Vex, then leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek. It was a rare act of affection, but this wasn't precisely public.

"This is going well." It wasn't like last year, where euphoria and exhaustion had given a newly freed city hope, but it was in its own way more joy than he'd felt in ages. Mostly due to the half-elf at his side.

Re: Vex: OTA

[st_ealthless]

"Always!" Pike hopped onto her seat and proffered her empty cup to Vex.

Vex: After Percy

[st_rangepalette]

Lillith did not leave her conversation with Percy and go immediately to speak with Vex. That would be both obvious and unseemly. Still, she did not dally long before carrying her once-again freshly filled champagne glass over to where Vex had left off speaking to another.

"You look beautiful, dear Vex. That color becomes you very well," she said and leaned in to kiss the other woman's cheek.

Re: Vex: OTA

[st_abby]

Vax set his emptied glass beside where his twin had taken to playing hostess, once she'd finished stirring other conversations 'round the table. He'd enjoyed watching her, seeing her so satisfied as 'Lady Vex'ahlia,' chin lifted and shoulders back as if she'd always been nobility. Percy appreciated having her there, which was his best feature really.

It wasn't anything Vax had ever wanted for himself, but they'd always supported one another, even where they differed.

"You've thought of everything for tonight, haven't you?" He couldn't help himself, reaching to tug one side of her dress like the bratty brother he was.

Stephanie - OTA

[st_upidgravity]

For an evening that had started off with nothing fancier than a Friends rerun and popcorn, Steph was feeling slightly overwhelmed. When she and Vax had stopped at the shop, she'd found to her relief that someone, probably Vex, had left a dress with her name on it in the dressing room. A pair of shoes, a dash of eyeliner and she'd been ready.

Coming into the room and seeing not just the long standing family unit, but also Snow and Curnen, made it feel a little less like a Meet The Family moment.

Settled into a hastily produced chair set between Pike and Vax, Steph did something she almost never did. She poured a glass of wine and took a sip, then prepared to have a good time and not think about the implications of all this.

Re: Stephanie - OTA

[st_ealthless]

Pike was, of course, completely out of the loop when it came to Vax's love life. She'd knew that there was something going on, but that was about it. In her mind, sh simply had no right to pry or gossip about issues of the heart. She'd kept her own feelings a secret for so long, it didn't seem fair to expect the others to tell her that sort of thing.

So when Steph sat down next to her, it was simply a pleasant surprise and Pike completely missed the looks being passed between the other members of her family. "Oh! Hello! It's lovely to see you."

Re: Stephanie - OTA

[st_ingofthehundred]

Eventually, Kash found a moment when there was an empty seat beside Stephanie and he dropped himself into it. "I'm glad Vax nutted up and brought you."

Re: Stephanie - OTA

[st_arkcrowblack]

Family dinners had never been part of Snow's life. Her father would deign now and then to have her at the dinner table, but it was not a family dinner, because she was not there as his daughter. She was there as a miniature of her mother, as an aesthetically pleasing addition to the room.

So finding herself here, while she wasn't displeased since she knew most people around this table and a few of them fairly well, it was still... well, few things were not awkward for Snow. Even with Trinket next to her.

Maybe it was because someone seemed to feel just as out of place, maybe it was because it was Steph. All the same, she gave Steph a tiny smile across the table.

Vax: OTA

[st_abby]

Vax'ildan had hardly sat down behind his plate with some half-hearted prodding at whatever he'd put there before he'd got back up onto his feet again. "Nature calls," he said for the questioning look his sister gave him.

But he wouldn't be back for another twenty-five minutes, and he returned with Stephanie gloriously in tow. (Good for them these fancy dinners always dragged on and on.) Not that Vax said it was glorious, or that towing was quite the right word for the way he cupped her shoulder briefly as he introduced her to the group - maybe 'presented' was a better word, since most if not all of them knew perfectly well who she was. He couldn't help but feel his sister's attention again, all the more wry and pointedly amused on him now. He helped push a place clear and find a chair for Steph at the table, picked up the forkful of whatever it was from his plate where it had gone cold long ago, tumbled in amongst the conversations he'd only catch the very end of, and could not seem to keep the small, stupid, persistent smile from his face.

Re: Vax: OTA

[st_ockandbarrel]

Percy had noticed Vax's disappearance but hadn't credited it with anything. Vax often disappeared without a word and just as often reappeared after accomplishing whatever task he'd decided on. The meal continued without his presence and wasn't disrupted until his return. With the blonde.

He was not so rude as to snub Vax'ildan's guest. She'd been invited and accepted.

But after several minutes, as the dinner resumed, he leaned back and around Vex and tapped Vax on his shoulder, then gave him a significant skeptical look.

Re: Vax: OTA

[st_rangepalette]

Lillith had been among these people long enough to notice when something out of the ordinary had happened. Such a thing was Vax leaving dinner and returning with the very pretty young blonde woman named Stephanie, when she believed he had long since been in love with Keyleth. What she knew of Vax made that even more extraordinary.

She might assume that anyone Vax would bring to a family dinner could be trusted. Certainly she trusted Kash's friends implicitly, but she had asked him, also, what she intended to ask Vax when she called him aside briefly, after dinner had been served.

"I would not wish to take you from your guest, but might I speak with you a moment?"

Re: Vax: OTA

[st_ingofthehundred]

Seeing Vax return with Stephanie produce several pangs in the general vicinity of Kashaw's heart. First, for Keyleth, still the most annoying person he'd ever met but also one of the dearest. Next, for Vax himself, what it would have cost to make the choice he had, and what he might gain by it. A third, for Stephanie. He'd make it a point to let her know he didn't resent her presence. A fourth for Molly, because he'd hurt her by not giving her the place Vax chose to give to Steph and because by reason of the fifth and most resounding pang, he almost certainly never would.

Before he'd finished suffering said pangs (as if he ever would), but after Stephanie had been seated and Percy had said his piece to Vax, Kash found a free moment to draw Vax aside. "Whatever de Rolo said, good on you for bringing her. Zahra would want me to say that your happiness is important, and that if the time comes that there's a need, I'll help Keyleth understand."

Once, he might have meant he'd love Keyleth himself. But even Keyleth could no longer step into Zahra's place. It was hers. And always would be.

Curnen - OTA

[st_oneswidow]

Curnen had brought her guitar, but actually playing it--this was after all not her gathering and she didn't want to intrude on their time and space--was not something real until she actually found herself being encouraged to play after dinner. All butterflies from head to heel, she babbled her way through making sure her instrument was in tune and getting settled with it. Her shoes had disappeared at some point and were probably hiding under the table, but she felt better without them.

"This is an old song," she said. "And like most old things that're passed on, it's got a lot of faces. More'n most songs, I reckon. Some people do it as a dirge. Some people do it as a rowdy drinking song. There's a million verses to pick from, you can make it what you like. Any mood you're in, there's a way to play it. And..." she smiled shyly. "I dunno. it's fun. If you can carry a tune in a bucket, don't hesitate to jump in on the refrain."

And she launched into "Bedlam Boys." Not a dirge or a drinking song, but with the air of an epic ballad. Because the Tufa knew anything with a man and a woman in it was actually a love song.

The premise was right there in the first verse: the people in this song were mad, so it wasn't going to make much if any sense. And on a first listen, it didn't mean anything. It was a string of nonsense adventures through a frightening world. It was easy in the chaos to forget that there were supposed to be characters at all. But Curnen's voice never let it descend into nonsense, at least not for her. She never forgot that this was Maudlin's song, and the determination and despair of the madwoman coloring her voice lent a keen edge to the piece even as the pace and the tone stayed upbeat, wondering, and fun.

Bliss would have known it right away if she were there to point it out. Curnen was singing to, for, and about Brushy. As much as Curnen dared, she was introducing herself to these people. Which probably influenced her decision to slip in this verse near the end.

I now repent that ever
Poor Tom was so disdain-ed
My wits are lost since him I crossed
And now I must go chained

When she was done she smiled and bolted up to put the guitar away again.

Re: Curnen - OTA

[st_ingofthehundred]

Before Curnen had finished the first verse, Kash knew she was singing about her self somehow. Ordinarily, he wouldn't pay attention, since music was something to drink to. But knowing her to be a bard of some kind made all the difference.

Then she sang "my staff has murdered giants" and Kash felt tears begin to gather. Zahra'd been murdering giants with her staff just moments before he left her, and to hear that in the context of what only a fool couldn't understand was a love song... the one thing he hadn't done for Z, or himself, was weep and this was not the place to do it.

Fortunately or unfortunately, Lillith noticed before Vex or anyone else and slipped into the seat beside him. In her quiet way, she wound her tail around his ankle and took his hand. It could've broken him, but the soft smile of understanding made it all right to breathe and enjoy the song.

When Curnen had finished, Lillith slipped away again to talk to Vex, who would also be missing Z. Kash pulled his shit together and went to sit with Curnen. "You weren't the only one he cursed, were you?" He wasn't always great at people, but some things...he just knew.

Re: Curnen - OTA

[st_upidgravity]

When Curnen came back from putting away her guitar, Steph got up and circled around the table to crouch next to her. "That was so good! You're only going to do one song?"

Re: Curnen - OTA

[st_ubby]

Vex was going to go talk to Curnen after her song, but Kash got there first, and then they fled for awhile. With others she might have teased what they got up to while they were gone, but she'd seen the tension in Curnen's shoulders and the protectiveness in Kash's as they left, and the wrung out but better set when they returned later.

"I should've had Percy set up some hidey-holes around the room," Vex said quietly as came up beside Curnen. "There are enough of us here who'd appreciate them. I'm so glad you could join us tonight, darling."

Lillith - OTA - after speaking to Vax, after dinner

[st_rangepalette]

Even among friends, Lillith rarely went about in her exposed Tiefling shape. She had been veiling herself so long, it was a comfortable habit. But Percy had said that if any of those gathered did not like her Tiefling form, they could leave, and Kashaw disliked her "hiding who she was."

So after speaking to Vax about his guest, and several glasses of champagne, Lillith stopped concentrating on her Alter Self spell. "Oh," she said softly and stretched her tail to its fullest. It should not make a difference, since her altered form was adapted to her posture, but for her, it always did.

Re: Lillith - OTA - after speaking to Vax, after dinner

[st_upidgravity]

Steph was doing her best to talk to everyone at the table. It seemed like the best thing to do when she was the last minute addition. Lilith was the only one she'd never met at all, being as she'd only just arrived.

Seeing her turn from a pretty woman to a pretty...what was it they were called? She was almost sure Vax had mentioned it at one point. The word escaped her. Pretty still, whatever it was, just really different. Like something you'd run into hanging out with Klarion.

If she was here, she was obviously cool though. After all, it apparently took a miracle to get an invitation past Percy. Steph approached with a smile. "Hi. Nice dinner, right?"

Always smooth, Steph. So smooth.

Re: Lillith - OTA - after speaking to Vax, after dinner

[st_ockandbarrel]

The evening was going tolerably well, Percy reflected. Even Lilith appeared to be relaxing enough to drop her illusionary guard. Picking up a bottle of champagne, he went to join her. "More wine?"

Re: Lillith - OTA - after speaking to Vax, after dinner

[st_oneswidow]

Curnen had watched as the big Indian girl next to her had goggled at Lillith's sudden transformation, and then shrug it off, while she herself had done neither. She'd felt the hum of magic around the pale woman and had thought nothing of it. When it turned out that she wasn't human, she couldn't exactly be shocked. After all, she wasn't either.

Just she... effectively, she didn't know how to take her glamour off anymore and be what she actually was.

When she came back from what had turned into a mutual meltdown with Kash, she decided the best way to shake off that awful looming depression was to go be friendly. "I'm sorry, we got introduced and then we ain't really had a chance to talk at all."

Pike: Closed to Percy (after dinner)

[st_ealthless]

Pike was pleasantly surprised just how much fun she'd had at dinner. Being around friends and family always helped distract her. It didn't hurt that the food was delicious and the wine plentiful.

But then she heard the strum of a guitar. For just a moment she caught her eyes rolling playfully out of reflex because - of course - it was about that time of the night for Scanlan to make a fool of himself so they could laugh themselves breathless.

But it wasn't Scanlan. Scanlan was gone. He'd left them. Left her. And now she's was in another dimension.

Tears stinging her eyes, Pike hesitated for a moment, then turned and exited the room as quietly as she could. She'd apologize later.

Re: Pike: Closed to Percy (after dinner)

[st_ockandbarrel]

Percy was not intending to police how his guests chose to spend their time. When Vax had vanished, he'd accepted it. When Trinket had relocated himself, he'd accepted that too. And when Curnen had fetched her guitar, he'd even been pleased at the gesture.

But Pike was rushing out in a way that he recognized as her trying to move without being noticed and immediately understood that something had to be wrong. With a murmured word to Vex, he excused himself and went after their dear friend.

He caught up with her in the corridor, his voice pitched to reach her ears and no other. "Pike? Is everything all right?"

Snow White - OTA

[st_arkcrowblack]

Family dinners had never been part of Snow's life. Her father would deign now and then to have her at the dinner table, but it was not a family dinner, because she was not there as his daughter. She was there as a miniature of her mother, as an aesthetically pleasing addition to the room. He would tell her governess to put her in white, because he liked to see her black hair against it. He would have her put in black, to make her skin look lighter against that. Sometimes he'd have her dressed up as a Crow girl with her hair in two braids. Sometimes in a cattleman's hat with her gun. But she was always performing for him, even when she didn't know what exactly he wanted her to do.

And then Mrs. H had come into their lives. Snow couldn't think of a time the three of them had ever sat at table together.

She'd started the evening performing a little at least. The part of her was Miss H would never leave her completely, no matter how much she might want it to. Her table manners were the kind of effortless that came only from years and years of ingrained practice, and she said very little unless spoken to first. The only outward sign that this was nerves and not iciness was when Trinket lumbered between her and Lillith, and she'd leaned against the bear for a long moment, listening to the thundering of his huge heart.

She was less stiff after that, if still quiet.

Re: Snow White - OTA

[st_ingofthehundred]

Ordinarily, Kash would pass right by something like a girl leaning against a bear. Especially if that bear was Trinket. It wasn't that he didn't notice shit like that. It was that he didn't fucking care.

Ordinarily, Kash didn't give a fuck. But these people were if not his family, the closest thing he had to family without Z. And that included Snow. Which was why, when dinner had settled into quiet conversations, Kash made a point to sit in Lillith's vacated chair with his leg pressed solidly against Trinket.

"Hey, bud." He reached down and gave Trinket it a fond scratch behind the ears. "Snow feeding you enough?"

Giving of Gifts

[st_ockandbarrel]

Dinner became dessert, became music and socializing. As the evening grew later, Percy judged it time for another Winter's Crest tradition.

He stood and fetched a bag from under a side table where he'd placed it earlier in the day. He set it on the table in front of him and prepared for one of the true joys of this holiday. "In Exandria, we have a tradition of giving gifts on Winter's Crest. Vex and I have brought a few things for you all with that in mind."

One by one, he passed out the gifts he'd brought with him. Most were tagged from Vex as well except where she had decided on a gift separately.

For Pike: a shell hair ornament, and gardening tools sized for her smaller hands.

For Kash: a leatherbound notebook and drafting tools so that he could continue his siege defense plans.

For Curnen: a book filled with songs from Tal'Dorei. Vex had helped him recall as many as possible. Each was written out in basic chords. He was no Scanlan to recall every note but his education had been first rate so he could manage simple musical notation. Like Pike, there was also a shell hair ornament.

For Snow: a stuffed replica of Trinket with fur donated by the bear himself, as well as a shell hair ornament (the trip to the beach had been useful in many ways.)

For Lillith: another shell hair ornament and a brooch made bright with gemstones re-purposed from the shop.

For Trinket: Percy had made covers for his claws that would allow him to wander around the inn without scratching up the floor.

For Vax: A worked metal setting in the shape of fall leaves in silver, gold and copper. It would combine perfectly with the raven's skull pendant that Percy had already given.

And for Vex: Five arrows, each with their own special result. And a hair piece with the crest of Whitestone emblazoned in the metal.

Re: Giving of Gifts

[st_ubby]

Vex had already given Pike her gift, unable to wait. But the deerskin gardening gloves went perfectly with the tools Percy had made.

For Lillith, to pair with the brooch was a silk scarf, in bright beautiful colors to look like a stained glass window.

For Kash, she pulled a low basket from its hiding place under a table. In it was a young figwort, and a small section of a bleeding heart. The latter had been hard to find, not enough of the right kinds of woodlands for it to be anything but rare, and after dividing the rootstock, she'd replanted the rest of the plant where she found it. Both had medicinal uses, she knew, but how and what to use them for was Kash's area.

For Trinket, a large jug of fresh honey on the comb, and the promise to take him back to the hive for more after the jug was empty. But not for eating tonight; he'd get a tummy ache if he had honey after all the yummy food from the dinner.

For Vax, she'd picked out the perfect pair of boots from the boutique, in the inn's signature pink no less. But if he looked inside the left boot, he'd find the real gift inside the gag, a deerskin hair wrap, dyed black thanks to Percy's know-how, with leather feather dangles and teal and silver beads.

And for Percy, something she'd come across when the last portal to another world was open. She'd been perusing a shop that made jewelry, and the woman there had had the most delightful of tools. The woman had been happy to trade paper money used in the area for Vex's gold, and directions to a store where Vex could purchase such a tool for herself. The hardest part – after parting with the gold, but making Percy happy would be worth that – was waiting until Winter's Crest to give him the Dremel, with all its bits and bobs. Especially when he'd been working so hard on presents for everyone.