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 - after Steph arrives

[st_ubby]

The wink Vex gave Percy as she filled his glass was soft and warm with love over a hint of the usual suggestiveness. Percy showing that sort of affection in public showed how comfortable he was here, with their family.

"You've done a wonderful job, darling. We all needed this."

Re: Vex: OTA - after Steph arrives

[st_ockandbarrel]

"To be entirely honest, I did very little of it. That Caroline woman is frighteningly competent when you give her a task." But he smiled anyway, pleased by the compliment. "It's rather heartening to see Kashaw making friends and it's nice to have Lilith here as well." He tapped his glass against hers. "It does make me wonder if we'll see any of our other friends in the next year."

Re: Vex: OTA - after Steph arrives

[st_ubby]

Knowing when and to whom to delegate was, Vex rather thought, an important part of leadership and nobility, but since Percy ran far and fast from any hint of leadership (while still wearing his duty to family and Whitestone as faithfully as Cabal's Ruin), she kept that thought to herself.

"Reading my mind now?"

Re: Vex: OTA - after Steph arrives

[st_ockandbarrel]

"If I could read your mind, I'd be in trouble far less often." They did very often think along the same lines, however. Both ambitious and both brilliant, each of them fiercely protective of those they considered their own. They sometimes had different ideas of how to do that.

"Is that what you were thinking? Wishing the rest were here?" Keyleth, he didn't say, but he thought it as his gaze cut past the twins to the blonde woman currently talking to Pike.

Re: Vex: OTA - after Steph arrives

[st_ubby]

"In trouble? When have you ever done something that gets you in trouble?"

Vex followed his gaze, and the thoughts behind it, but her own traveled slightly further around the table, to Pike. "Do you think Pike could've convinced Grog to bathe?" Formal attire was a lost cause with the Grand Poobah, but stinking a bit less would've been nice.

Re: Vex: OTA

[st_ealthless]

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

Re: Vex: OTA

[st_ubby]

Vex came around the table to fill Pike's glass, giving her a hug with her free hand. "I'm so glad you're here with us for this, dear. And you look beautiful."

Re: Vex: OTA

[st_ealthless]

"Well, thank you!" Pike twisted her hips to make the dress float a little. "But look at you! I didn't think it was possible, but you're even more gorgeous than usual!"

Re: Vex: OTA

[st_ubby]

Sparkling at the praise – it was probably wrong and vain of her, but sincere compliments always made Vex feel warm inside – "I had to try my best. I am representing Whitestone now," she said, a teasing lilt to her voice covering the truth of her words, that she wanted to do right by Percy, who'd given her so much.

Re: Vex: OTA

[st_ealthless]

"No one could ask for a better Baroness of the Third House of Whitestone and Grand Mistress of the Grey Hunt." Pike may be a bit oblivious sometimes, but she knew how much having a place meant to Vex. "When you and Percy get married, will your title change? Like, will you be of the First House?"

Re: Vex: OTA

[st_ubby]

Vex's gaze sought out Percy across the table, and she softened unaware. Married. Her and Percy. That was a wonderful thought. "I don't know. We haven't talked about it." Whether she meant the titles or marriage, she didn't specify. What she knew was Percy was hers, and she was his, and she could not imagine not spending the rest of their lives by each other's side.

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: After Percy

[st_ubby]

Vex kissed Lillith's cheek in return. "I could say the same, and I do. You look stunning in that dress, dear. And I'm so happy you could be here with us tonight."

Re: Vex: After Percy

[st_rangepalette]

Lillith did not answer quickly but instead sipped her champagne while she considered what was right to say, or what she wished to. They were often not the same thing. Vex did not make her feel uncomfortable or awkward. Lillith simply wished not to make small words when there were so many large ones to say.

"I am every day grateful to you and Vox Machina for the kindnesses you have shown to me. It is because of you that I can know how to relax at all. I think... I wish that Beatrycze and Zahra could be here to know this feeling of safety, no matter how temporary. By which I mean to say that, yes, I am also happy to be here with friends and to--" She turned a warm and affectionate smile toward Vex. "--see them having time to love and heal."

Re: Vex: After Percy

[st_ubby]

Lillith had said that very well, and smiling back as warmly Vex knew how she felt. "My brother kept saying we all needed a vacation. I don't think he meant this enforced one, but it does have some advantages." Including Lillith being safely away from her sisters and able to show her true self more freely. "I do wish you weren't separated from Zahra and your Beatrycze, but I hope you know you're not without family here." A brighter flash of grin, only sort of as cover, and she added, "I've even got Kash mostly believing that."

Re: Vex: After Percy

[st_rangepalette]

Again Lillith paused, but this time it was to remind herself that she had decided that what happened in the future was not her story to tell. "Kash is my family because he is Zahra's, but in your future and even Pike's, you are all dear to me." Here, she smiled again but softly. "I celebrated Winter's Crest with you only sixty-three days past."

She glanced past Vex to Kashaw and then to Vex again. "I believe you may be the only reason he still lives, so for my cousin's sake and my own, I thank you."

Re: Vex: After Percy

[st_ubby]

Vex followed Lillith's gaze over to Kash and back. "He did the same for my brother before I got here. And beyond being fond of the idiot, I wasn't going to explain to Zahra that I let him pine away into doing something terribly stupid. I still won't."

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.

Re: Vex: OTA

[st_ubby]

"That would be Percy, actually." The arrangements were all his doing... and Caroline's, but at Percy's instigation.

She didn't stop him from tugging on her dress, or try to get him back for it. If he'd pulled the wrong way and she ended up flashing half the room, it would serve him right. Also, the dress fit very well, and with its construction, she felt fairly confident it wouldn't fall that far out of place. She did take a moment to fluff the silk in his pocket and smooth his lapel before pouring his wine. "I merely offered my sartorial wisdom." She was, after all, responsible for almost half the outfits worn tonight. Including the lovely Stephanie's.

Re: Vex: OTA

[st_abby]

"In that case, I'll have to tell Percy how I don't believe it was a coincidence that Stephanie found a beautiful, suitable dress tailored to fit her on a moment's notice for this dinner." He watched her pour as if it was very interesting.

Re: Vex: OTA

[st_ubby]

"Oh, well if we're going straight to the important subjects, then yes, that was all me," Vex told him, smug as a cat.

"It's hard enough feeling like people think you don't belong. Not having the right clothes makes it so much worse." Her eyes sought out Percy, drawn by memories of feeling that exact way, and how wonderfully supportive he'd been for her then. "I wasn't going to put Stephanie through that if you ever made up your mind what you wanted to do. Took you long enough, brother."

Re: Vex: OTA

[st_abby]

"I'm sure he knows his own dress size and what would look good on him, being a noble, but for someone else..." Vax glanced back at his sister. "Did you think I would invite her?" Even he hadn't really known until he'd done the thing.

Re: Vex: OTA

[st_ubby]

"I had absolutely no idea what you were going to do." So impulsive, her brother. When he wasn't brooding himself into a stump. "But I thought there was a chance. I didn't expect you to put it off until after the last minute, though. What made up your mind for you?" They all knew it wasn't Percy, who had – thank the gods – fallen back on his charming manners to accept Stephanie's presence tonight as important to Vax.