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

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_rangepalette]

Even before she had spoken to Vax about Stephanie, Lillith had noted the awkwardness of her arrival. She had sympathy, very much of it, for the poor thing and intended to show her kindness. In this setting, and only those similar to it, could Lillith rely on her upbringing to guide speaking. Otherwise, she would be as awkward herself.

She chose not to call attention to Stephanie's discomfort. Her appearance, it was not the first time it had produced a choked reaction. "It is, yes," she answered with a smile that did not flash her fangs. "I confess," she then offered somewhat conspiratorially, "Winter's Crest is not my favorite festival. I need only look in the mirror if I wish to see so much frost and pale."

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

[st_upidgravity]

Stephanie had never seen anything like Lilith outside of a hallucination but she could still tell the other woman was pretty. "I don't know. If I looked like you, I would probably enjoy looking in the mirror. We don't have Winter's Crest where I'm from. We've got Christmas. It's all red and green and gold. And tinsel. So much tinsel."

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

[st_rangepalette]

"Thank you. You also are very pretty," she told Stephanie, without even a hint of guile. She had lovely features and lively bright eyes that Lillith found enchanting. "I think I would like your Christmas for the red and green at least. Growing up so pale, I learned to love color more than almost everything."

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

[st_upidgravity]

"Judging by the lobby, you'll have plenty of color this Christmas. Did you notice the lights have little Christmas elves hanging from them? they're easy to miss with all the lights and garlands." The Inn's Christmas decorations were pure visual chaos and Steph loved it with every gram of her tacky soul.

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

[st_rangepalette]

"Is that what they are supposed to be?" Lillith had noticed the strange decorations when she had been looking at the 'electric' lights. So clever, the confinement of lightning energy to make light. "I could not decide whether they were meant to be gnomes in red costumes or red caps. They look more like red caps, but I could not imagine why anyone would hang symbols of such nasty fey creatures."

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

[st_upidgravity]

Steph thought about the looks of the little elves - which, to judge by the half-versions in this very room, were not particularly elfy - and decided the assumption was reasonable.

Or at least, it sounded reasonable. "What's a red cap?"

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

[st_rangepalette]

"Uggh." Lillith shuddered and it was not at all feigned. Leading Beatrycze through the Feywild had been a trial. They had narrowly avoided the creatures more than once. "They are fey. Evil fey who cherish nothing but murder. Their caps are red from soaking in blood. They are the very farthest thing from the elves and gnomes I have known."

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_rangepalette]

Although she had known from Zahra that Percy and Vex had finally found their way to each other, there had been little chance before now for Lillith to observe them together. It was truly a pleasure to see some of the pain and anger bled from his features, and even, occasionally, to see him smile. He had been so consumed by his hatred when first they met.

Ah, and he had spotted her. She smiled with a warmth she had learned almost exclusively from Beatrycze and Zahra and inclined her head graciously. "Thank you, Percy, yes."

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

[st_ockandbarrel]

Percy topped up her glass and set the bottle aside. "Season's Greetings, Lillith. I'm pleased you're able to spend Winter's Crest with us."

He was genuinely pleased. This was, after all, only the third Winter's Crest in his recent memory that had approached something pleasant after all. Having friends to share that time with was not to be taken for granted.

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

[st_rangepalette]

"Joyous Winter's Crest, Percy." Her pinkish-red eyes still managed to sparkle with something like warmth rather than demonic glee. "I am pleased to spend another Winter's Crest with you so soon after the last. It is only two months for me."

She would not have wished herself to this place without Zahra and Beatrycze, but she did find it a relief not to look over her shoulder for her sisters at all times. "You seem more...content...than I have known you to be. I am pleased for that, too."

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

[st_ockandbarrel]

Percy considered that, thinking back over the last year, which had begun with the destruction of Emon and Vex's death in the Tomb of the Raven Queen. He thought of the two months before arriving in this place, and the frantic terror of racing against time to stop Thordak.

He thought of dying, and of being here at the inn with only Vax and eventually Kash. He thought of Vex's arrival.

"I suppose I am. There are a great many things still missing, but the calm has been appreciated."

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

[st_rangepalette]

"People, as much as things, I think," Lillith replied gently. Although for Percy, as for herself, lack of tools and materials would be an irritant. "Would it help to know Cassandra was well when I left? And Keyleth?"

She did not think Percy overly sentimental, but she knew the darkness of his vengeance and her wishes for the same. Best, perhaps, he know the people for whom he would invoke new vengeance were not endangered by his presence here.

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

[st_ockandbarrel]

"That...is very good to hear, yes." Cassandra had been through much in her young life and now had the weight of Whitestone on her slender shoulders. He knew that she was strong enough to bear it, but it helped to know that she was well.

Keyleth... "What news of Keyleth? Vex'ahlia said she completed her AraMente." Not without loss and sacrifice. She'd told Percy of the fight with the kraken.

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

[st_rangepalette]

The story she had been told surfaced in her mind and Lillith smiled. "Not news, and I should not smile, perhaps, except it was well in the end.

"One journey took you near a seashore, but high upon a cliff. By chance, valuable gem was thrown over cliff. Dear Vex was loathe to leave it and sought Keyleth's help. Pleased to be of help, Keyleth dove off cliff and became small gold fish. Below..."

She suppressed her smile for a moment. "Was not sea but more cliff. And far, too far for fish. And then fish was Grog-smashed jelly. Vex had revivify coin from Taryon so all was well. But Keyleth has been much teased."

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."

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

[st_rangepalette]

Naturally, Lillith had seen Kash's interactions with Curnen and been told that he cared a great deal for her. She felt... she supposed she felt somewhat more protective of her cousin than was necessary. Kash had not lost his love for her, nor did it seem likely he would. But there was a baby or babies to think about now.

Still, she was important to Kash, and Lillith would do nothing to make her feel uncomfortable. Zahra would not wish it, she did not believe. So when Curnen approached her, Lillith smiled a genuine kindness at her. "Apologies are not necessary. I could have come to speak to you also, and I had not yet either."

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

[st_oneswidow]

"It's been a busy night," Curnen allowed them both, offering a lopsided little smile. "With more than a couple of surprises."

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

[st_rangepalette]

"Not least one of the best performances I have ever been present to hear," Lillith said, the residue of a courtly upbringing there in graciousness but not at all in manner. "Thank you for the music." And for giving her an insight into just how deep dear Kash's wounds ran. "Are you a bard in your world?"

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

[st_oneswidow]

Curnen blushed and lowered her eyes. Surely Bliss couldn't get mad at her for spilling some beans if people were just going to notice and ask her questions like that. "Not as such, no. Least not from what I understand you mean by bard."

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

[st_rangepalette]

"A performer, first," Lillith answered, to give Curnen a few breaths to recollect herself. "One who can make magic with music. If they have been speaking to you of Scanlan...when bards turn also to heroics, they may heal, charm, lure... subtle magics that protect their allies and weaken their foes. I do not mean to pry, and I will say nothing to the others, but you do carry an aura of magic, so I am curious."

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

[st_oneswidow]

"Then... I guess I am," Curnen allowed, her gaze coming back up but not quite meeting Lillith's.

It was true. But it wasn't accurate. Still, she could not find it in her to explain what the Tufa actually were. She hadn't really been able to gauge what people at the Madonna thought of fairies, but it wasn't like she didn't know they had something of a terrible reputation.

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

[st_rangepalette]

"A bard but not a bard," Lillith mused, not troubled by the ambiguity. Curnen did not seem to be trying to deceive her, only somehow uncomfortable with the truth.

"I am a Tiefling, if Kash did not explain. My race is descended from humans who made pacts with demons to gain their powers."