Having a new home took some time getting used to. Vox Machina used to spent their days sleeping out in the wild or, on lucky days, at an inn. Of course the ones who adapted pretty quickly were Keyleth, Percy and maybe Scanlan. Grog and Pike didn't really act that differently to their new home. But the twins and Miel? Well, they had spent most of their years out in wild, since they were kids. The three hadn't a home in years. So it took them a little longer to adjust.
"Good morning everyone!" Keyleth announced happily when she entered the dinning area, where everyone was
The rest of the group looked at her in confusion at her perkiness so early in the morning
She then noticed Vax next to her, since he was just getting his food, "oh, good morning Vax" she said happily, hoping for a happier reply...which she did not get. All she got was a muffled 'morning' from him since he had bread in his mouth.
Vax made his way to the table, about to sit in front of Miel, when Grog, still eating, brought his fist out and hit him in the groin. Vax whimpered as he dropped everything and he too fell down
"Seven to Two" Grog said happily
"Damn it, Grog, he still needs that!" Miel yelled as she kicked him under the table
Grog whimpered lightly, "and one for Miel"
"I never agreed to this stupid game" Vax growled as he tried to stand up
"You know, you can just show his dick the kindness it will need at the end of the day, Miel" Scanlan chuckled, barley dodging a kitchen knife that the female half-elf threw.
"Must you?" Percy asked, annoyed at the how childish his team mates could be
"We can't all be aloof tight-asses, de Rolo" Scanlan muttered with his mouth full of chicken
"I'm simply suggesting you could all benefit from some well-practiced restraint" Percy said
"Emotions aren't meant to be bottled up" Vex said as she hugged Trinket, "maybe you should cut loose once in a while"
"Is that the same line you told Vax so he could 'cut loose' with Miel last night?" Scanlan chuckled
Miel and Vax blushed in embarrassment and anger. "Scanlan, you ducking pervert!" Miel yelled, "were you listening!?"
"Hey I can't help it if I woke up in the middle of the night, happened to walk out for some water and happened to hear you two" he laughed
The couple glared daggers at him. Vax summoned his dagger and Miel grabbed Grog's knife, but before they could jump on the gnome, they heard pounding coming from the front door.
"Hello? Vox Machina?" They heard a voice come in, "uh, are you there?"
The group got up and tried to open the door, but it wouldn't budge.
"It's stuck" Keyleth said and the rest started pounding, kicking, pushing and pulling
"Urg! Fucking doors" Scanlan grunted
"These old hinges are rusted" Vex said
"I told you guys we should've checked this old ass castle earlier" Miel growled
"Grog, give it a little shove?" Pike asked
"Yep, one sec" Grog said and he kicked the door so hard that it flew past Allura.
"Lady Allura" Vax chuckled, "welcome. Hope you didn't feel the need to bring a housewarming present"
"I didn't" she simply replied, "alas, I'm only here to remind you that Sovereign Uriel expects you at his dinner"
"Oh shit. That's tonight?" Vex asked
"Finally! A proper evening of protocol and civilized conversation" Percy said happily
"It's more than a party" Alurra said, "dignitaries from across the realm are here to form a new security pact. We must put our best foot forward"
"Right. And which foot is that?" Grog asked as he through the rest of his food over his shoulder
"Hey, Pike, want to be my date?" Scanlan asked, " I promise to be on my best-worst behavior"
"Oh, I-I'm okay" Pike chuckled nervously
"Lady Allura, we appreciate the gravity of the situation and will present ourselves with the utmost dignity" Vax said somewhat proudly, until he he swung his arm back full force to hit Grog on the groin.
Grog groaned, "good one. Seven to five"
"Five? He was just at two" Keyleth asked out of curiosity
"Yeah, that was a three pointer" Miel chuckled, happy for Vax's revenge
"You see, the rules of ball-tag are as complex as they are beautiful" Scanlan said
"I shall brief them on royal etiquette and manners" Percy said quickly, as he walked Allura away, "you have my word, nothing will go wrong"
Grog fell forward and started wailing, "my balls" he cried as he banged his fist on the floor, "it hurts so much"
"How's that for scrawny, Grog?" Miel laughed
"Fuck you!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For the rest of the day, Percy spent it going over manners and etiquette as if the group were a bunch of children. And after going over manners, he took everyone shopping for formal clothes for the event. Scanlan found his outfit pretty easy. Vax didn't want any fancy outfit but they eventually found something that could suffice for at least the evening. Grog was the hardest since he was so big, but in the end they settled for a nice formal sash for him. The girls were a little easier to shop for. Pike found a pretty white dress that went well with her hair. Keyleth found a light green dress that matched with her horn ornament. Vex found a stunning dark blue with black dress with a slit on the left. Miel went with a simple wine red dress with a slit on the right side.
After getting their clothes, everyone went back to the keep. Percy gave Pike and Keyleth the job of helping Miel and Vex get ready, along with hair and makeup. As for him, he mostly had to deal with Vax, who kept fighting him on why he had to 'clean up' so much for a simple dinner event. Which resulted in Percy going on a lecture rant about it while he was getting him ready.
By the end of the day, everyone was ready.
"Remember what we practiced" Percy said when they were outside the castle, "be reserved, be charming. Protocol."
Vax and Grog looked at him and curtsied. Miel chuckled, not really knowing if they were joking with him or not...well, maybe Grog wasn't.
Percy sighed, "just follow my lead"
They all followed Percy in and, after leaving their weapons at the front with a guard, they made it to main ball room. A Sargent was there announcing whoever walked in.
"From Kraghammer, Gradim Greyspine. From Emon, Vox Machina?"
Scanlan sighed in disappointment, "is that all you got? Allow me," he said then cleared his throat, "Vox Machina, champions of Justice, hunters of dragons, destroyers of chastity!"
People gasped at his announcement, and Percy walked up to him, "right, let's stick together. Follow my lead for formal greeting and..." he trailed off when he saw everyone spread off, "or, you know, do whatever" the only who stayed near him was Vex
Grog and Pike walked up to one of the servers. Grog scoffed as he grabbed the glasses, "how's anyone supposed to get drunk from these things?"
"Uh, I'm pretty sure they're fancy shots, Grog" Pike said as she took one from him and had a server give her two more, "two for you and three for me" she said
"Cheers!" They both said as Grog drank both his glasses and Pike drank one. Then they smashed the glasses down
"What are you looking at?" Pike called, "doofus"
"What-what? You want to get freaky with me!?" Scanlan called, almost making a scene in the whole room, "sir, I don't even know you. You are a libertine and cad" he said and walked away, "and I like it."
"If only I knew how to cast that invisibility spell" Miel groaned as she held on to Vax's arm
"But then no one would see how stunning you look" Vax chuckled in her ear, gaining a small blush on her cheek. She just sighed and waved him to back away from her ear.
"I hate large crowds" she muttered, "how did you deal with them?"
"I didn't. Even if our father wanted us at the large galas, I wouldn't have gone. Bastard mostly kept us in our rooms" he sighed then brought Miel closer, "well, at least we're not alone in here"
"This is Fantastic" Percy said, happy to be in his element again, "diplomats are her from all over Tal'Dorei. Fort Daxio, Kymal, Westruun, even-"
"From Whitestone, Lord Sylas and Lady Delilah Briarwood"
Miel looked over to see who walked in, mostly out of boredom, then glance around to look for their friends and noticed Percy's expression as he stared at the new arrivals in hyperventilating horror.
"Uh, I think we might need to make sure Percy is alright" she whispered to Vax without taking her eyes off of the human. Vax turned his gaze to his lover in question, then looked to his friend and noticed what she was talking about.
"I say you're right" he said as they made their way to Percy, along with everyone else.
"Percy what it is?" Vex asked him
"It's them" he gasped, "Whitestone was my home. Until those fiends took everything from me."
"What do you want us to do?" Vax asked, "should we say something? To Uriel?"
"We can't"
Miel looked over and tapped Vex's shoulder then pointed to the stairs, where a servant was taking a chest upstairs. "Looks like they're staying overnight"
"Why don't I make myself scarce and slip into the chambers?" Vax suggested, "see if I can figure out what they're up to"
"Yeah sounds like a plan" Scanlan said, "but in case of trouble, we should have a safe word. Grog? Suggestions?"
"Right. The safe word is: chenga"
"Okay...my safe word is mommy"
With that, Vax started walking to the stairs and the rest of the group walked to the dinning hall. Before following the rest, Miel went up to Vax and grabbed his hand. The rogue turned to look at her, only to see concern and worry in her eyes.
"Be careful, yes?" She said before glancing to the Briarwoods, "just looking at them freaks me out"
Vax smiled and gave her a quick kiss, "you know me, I'm always careful. I'll be in and out. You'll see" Miel nodded as she let his hands slide out of hers and he disappeared up stairs. She'd go with him, but everyone knew that Vax was the best when it came to stealth, especially alone. And the last thing she wanted was to raise any chance for him to be caught.
"Where's Vax?" Miel heard Kima ask once she caught up to the rest of the group
"Oh, uh, he has the squirts" Scanlan came up with
"I see, delightful" Allura said, "well, if you'll follow me. Seats for the sovereign's dragon slayers"
Miel looked over to the table and gulped when she noticed that their seats were right across from the Briarwoods. She even heard Percy growl in anger.
"Oh, shits about to get real" Grog squeaked
A couple minutes later, the sergeant clanged his staff in the ground to get everyone's attention, "Attention please be given to our Sovereign Uriel Tal'Dorei III and Empress Salda Tal'Dorei"
Someone cleared their throat. Miel looked over to the front and noticed that only Keyleth stood up with everyone else. The rest of the group quickly stood up. Once Uriel was at his position, everyone sat down.
"Nothing like a dragon attack to bring us all together, eh?" He joked, "thank you everyone for making the journey in. Please, allow me to introduce our dining party"
Miel's mind quickly drifted off to how Vax might be doing. There was no way in hell, she doubted his skills. But one couldn't help but think to how their lover was doing in a situation where, if caught, it would look bad, and they could all get in trouble. And it may have looked like there was only one scrawny looking servant, but for all they know that servant could be strong or something. Before Miel could think of anything else negative, she heard Scanlan.
"He's just staring like a perv"
Mile followed his gaze and saw that was just glaring at the Briarwoods the whole time, not moving at all, like a statue.
"He said the Briarwoods took everything from him" Vex whispered to Pike and Grog
"What does that mean?" Pike asked
"We cannot be caught unprepared again" Uriel finished the speech that they weren't even listening to.
"Percy" Pike whispered as they brought over the food, "talk to us. Percy!" Pike grabbed her fork and threw at Percy, hitting his own fork. It made a loud enough sound that it caught everyone's attention. Keyleth chuckled nervously as everyone starred at them.
"I'm fine" Percy forced out
"oh, yeah. Sure" Keyleth glared at him
"Percy" Grog called, "I say you walked over to the Briairwoods, say 'hello' to break the ice, then punch them in the face. See what happens."
"Grog, no" Pike said
"Eh, I don't hate Grog's idea" Scanlan said
"Honestly, neither do I" Miel added
"We have to wait, "Vex said, "give Vax a chance to gather some intel"
Miel nodded as she turned her gaze back down to her plate. Before she knew it, she was back to thinking negative, worried, thoughts about Vax being all alone upstairs. After about a couple more minutes of being stuck in her thoughts, Miel got up.
"Please e-excuse me" she said meekly before going to Pike, "please come with me" she asked and grabbed her arm
"oh, okay. I guess I'm going too" Pike said as she followed along with Miel
Miel and Pike walked into a bathroom and the half-elf turned to look at the gnome, "please help me look into Vax?" she pleaded
"What?"
"I don't doubt Vax, but not knowing what is up there is what's making me worry for his safety"
"You mean like Scrying?"
"If possible, please?"
"uh sure okay" Pike said as she grabbed Miel's hands and had them facing upwards above her own. "go ahead and concentrate as hard as you can, concentrate on Vax" she explained slowly
Miel closed her eyes as she tried to concentrate hard. She felt her magic flow to her hands. Her hands were starting to glow, but before anything else could happen, a small explosion-like reaction occured. Pushing them back a bit in a sort of rejection kind of way.
"Oh! Why can't I get these spells right?" Miel questioned
"I'm sure you just need to practice more, don't worry about it" Pike said giving her smile, "Me and Keyleth can help you like we always have. Let's just head back for now and wait for Vax" she said as she made her way out the door.
Miel followed after her rather sadly. 'It seems I always need help when I need to cast a spell' she thought with her gaze downward. Whenever she wanted to learn a new spell or even wanted to practice one, she always had to ask either Pike or Keyleth for help. And if she was desperate enough, Scanlan, which she almost is never that desperate.
Through the rest of dinner, Miel wasn't listening to anything that was going on around her and Percy kept starring at the Briarwoods.
"Have we met before?" Deliliah asked, specifically to Percy
"We haven't met. I'm Vex'ahlia" she introduced before Percy could say anything, "I'm so sorry, what was your name again?"
"Deliliah. What an absolute pleasure to meet the Protectors of the Realm" she said then introduced her spouse, "My husband, Sylas"
"Charmed"
Percy was gripping his glass so hard that it broke, "Uh, those are beautiful beads" Scanland said trying to take attention away from that, "I have a set just like it, you know"
"Beads? I've never once seen you...ew!" Keyleth groaned once she realized what he meant
"Interestingly enough, we're not originally from Whitestone" Sylas started
"Of course you're not" Percy said not so quietly
Deliliah noticed, "Tell me, have you heard how we became caretakers of Whitestone?" she asked and everyone could tell that she was trying to play with Percy's emotions at this point, "the official story is that the city was administrated by the de Rolo family until they succumbed to a rare disease. But I'm afraid the truth is, we concocted that tale to protect their legacy." she explained as she gave a knowing smile towards Percy, "the sad reality is that the de Rolos abdicated. They grew bored of ruling, and after their children raided the treasury, they abandoned their people to rot"
"LIARS!!"
Everyone gasped when Percy stood up so suddenly with a look that could kill anyone in front of him. He was panting in anger as his gaze never left the Briarwoods.
"Thank you, Sovereign Uriel" Sylas said, "but I think we will retire for the night"
"It was a lovely dinner" Deliliah followed, "we especially enjoyed the company. So refined" she finished as they both got up and walked out
Miel glanced at Percy with worry and noticed his hand was bleeding from the tight grip he was making. "Excuse us for a moment" Vex quickly said as she signaled for the group to walk out and tried to get Percy to follow, who stood still. Miel chuckled nervously as she went to Percy's other side and started to push him along, helping Vex.
In a secluded corner, Percy paced back and forth until Vex spoke up, "Percival, darling, what did we say about emotions?"
"You don't understand" Percy said
"Then help us understand" Pike said as she held his hand and Grog placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder
Percy let out a sigh as he felt it was time his friends knew, "The Briarwoods, they murdered my entire family" he finally said, leaving everyone shocked
"Percy, why didn't you tell us?" Miel asked
"I've tried to tell many over the years" Percy said, "no one's ever believed me"
Miel gasped, almost so loud that she scared her friends, "Vax! He's still up there. Alone. What if he needs help?"
"Plus he's got the squirts" Grog said
"okay, I'll distract, you go...quietly" Scanlan said and then made his way to a table and climbed on top of it, "ladies and lords, allow Scanlan Shortholt to delight you with an after-dinner song I like to call Pull My Beads of Love"
"Okay, I'm out of here" Miel rolled her eyes as she immediately made her way out the door before she could hear the lyrics of the song. The rest followed closely behind and were about to head out, until they had to stop to get their weapons back. They couldn't even remember who had the ticket. Miel sort of growled in annoyance as she and Vex waited a little ways off from the rest of the team.
While everyone was still searching their clothes for the stupid piece of paper, Miel and Vex heard a couple of noises coming from the outside. First, a bang that seemed like it came from above outside, and second, a splash of water.
"Vax" Vex whispered and Miel silently gasped at her voice, "we have to move"
"We lost the ticket?" Pike asked angerly, "screw it, Grog!"
"Come here, fuck stick!" Grog said as he yanked the guy out of his booth and Percy and Keyleth started looking for everyone's weapons.
Miel growled while they were still looking, "Fuck this!" she yelled and ran out
"Miel wait! Don't run ahead alone" Vex said but Meil went ahead and ran out of the castle
"There's no way out tonight, my friend"
Miel heard Sylas' voice as she got closer to the water fountain in front of the castle. Once she was closer, she saw the giant man holding up Vax by his neck. The rogue was beaten and bruised with slashes in his front. Broken glass everywhere suggested that Vax jumped out the window into the shallow fountain.
Miel gasped as she glared at Sylas. Before she knew what she was doing, she outstretched her arm, pointing it at Sylas and shot a ball of fire at the man. Missing him but still getting his attention, making him turn his gaze to the young girl who's eyes were glowing slightly.
"Miel..." Vax groaned weakly
"Let. Him. Go!" She yelled
"Foolish girl" Sylas chuckled, "come to save your lover with no weapon?"
Miel growled as she felt a tingling feeling around her hands. But before she could move, a falcon came down and distracted Sylas. The man smiled and dropped the half-elf in the water as he dodged the bird.
"VAX!" Miel ran for Vax. Behind her, he saw the rest of the team, with their weapons ready
Delilah shot her magic at Keyleth, knocking her out of the sky and morphing back to her original form.
"Sylas! Delilah!" Percy yelled as he pointed his gun at them and shot a couple rounds. Delilah used her magic to change her position to be next to her husband just as Percy's gun jammed.
"Would you look at that, dear?" She said slyly, "it's the pup who survived, all grown up"
"Step off, bitch" Vex said as she sent three arrows at her. Only for Delilah to have them brake and sent the two flying back. Vex got back up and shot another arrow as Grog ran past her to swing at Sylas.
"No one kills Vax but me!" He yelled
"Pike! Help me!" Miel cried as she had Vax on her lap, out of the water
"We've got you Vax" Pike said as she placed her hands over Miel's "come on, come on, come on, please" she whispered as their hands glowed.
Vax gasped slightly after a couple seconds, "thanks Pickle, you too love" he grunted as he held Miel's hand, "Had him right where I wanted him" Miel and Pike smiled at him as Vex and Keyleth ran past them.
"These are Emon's Protectors of the Realm?" Sylas laughed and punched Grog. Percy came up behind Grog and shot Sylas. The man doubled over slightly, but when he looked up them, the wound Percy just made closed up.
"Oh shit" Pike said and Miel looked over her shoulder at them, "that ain't good"
Sylas laughed and placed his hand over his shoulder. A black blade appeared in his hand and he pointed it at them, "my blade thirsts" he said and lunged at Percy, knocking his gun out of his hand. But before Sylas could cut Percy, Grog came up behind him and block his attack
"You got a sword, aw that's cute" he said as he pushed Sylas back
Percy ran for his gun, only to be hit by Vex and Keyleth. Who were thrown back by Delilah.
"So, we're not doing terrible, right?" Keyleth asked, trying to stay positive
"No, this is terrible" Vex grunted
Miel saw that Grog was struggling a bit and look at her friend, "Pike, go ahead and help Grog" she said
"Are you okay to heal him alone?" Pike asked
"I-I...yes. I'm fine now go" Miel said quickly. Pike nodded and let go of her hands and ran to Grog's aid. "I got you Vax" Miel whispered as she lowered her forehead to his, a bit saddened that she couldn't do more to help.
A pained scream made her shot up and look over to see Pike being stabbed by Delilah's magic.
"Pike!" Miel cried
Sylas hit Grog and flung him away. Then quickly ran for Pike, stopping in front of her. Pike gasped as she looked up at him
"You're god can't help you now" he said as he raised his blade
"Oh no, no, no! Pike!" Keyleth cried. Before Sylas could swing, Keyleth made a wall of thorny vines. Separating him from Pike
Right then, they heard some guards yell, "what's going on? Go get the captain!"
"There they are. In the courtyard!"
Miel saw the Briarwoods freeze at the sound of the guards. Then Delilah shouted, "Desmond!"
And, as if he was just waiting around the corner, the servant sped up to them with the carriage, "Lady Briarwood, I did what you ordered" Desmond said as Sylas ran at him, "Your belongings are here-" Sylas grabbed Desmond and pulled him off, taking his spot
"I'll drive thank you"
Miel's hands were still on Vax, dimly lit. The two hadn't moved from where he was. She feared she'd open a wound since she couldn't heal as fast as Pike.
"Stop them!!" Miel flinched at Percy's voice and the couple of shots he fired at the vine wall.
"Come visit us sometime, Percival" Delilah called as they drove off, "you're always welcome back home"
Vax started to stand up slowly. Percy's rapid shots brought him back a bit, enough to get himself standing with a bit of help. Miel stood with him, his arm over her shoulder as he held on to her for support, right as Percy burst through the wall, gun ready to fire. Only for it to click empty.
"No! I had them!" He growled, "had them!" He then turned his gaze to the couple, eyeing Miel, "And you let them slip away!!" The couple gasped at how gruff and harsh he sounded as he glared daggers at Miel. "You could've stopped them!"
Vax glared back at Percy as he felt Miel tremble lightly, "n-no I- Vax was still..."
"She was still healing Vax, Percy" Vex defended her as she stood infront of the two.
Suddenly, they all heard Desmond as he stood up from where Sylas had thrown him. Percy turned his glare from the female to the servant. "You" he growled and started walking over to him, reloading his gun. When he was in front of him, Percy kicked him back. "Start talking" he said holding up his gun, "why we're the Briarwoods here? What we're they after?"
"They were invited like you" Desmond trembled, "by Sovereign Uriel"
"Sylas and Delilah have never left the confines of Whitestone before. Why here? Why now?" He demanded as he pointed his gun at the servants' face. At this moment, black eerie-like smoke was floating, every lightly, off of Percy as he took out a black plegue mask, "answer me now"
"What the actual fuck?" Vax said as they all stared at Percy
"Holy shit, Percy, what are you doing?" Vex asked
"Please. I-I'm only a servant. They-they don't tell me anything" Desmond begged, "please don't hurt me. Please don't hurt me!" He cried as he shielded his face, only for Percy to shoot at his hand. Blasting his fingers off.
The group gasped in horror at Percy's actions. "Percy, stop!" Vex yelled, only for it to fall on deaf ears, it seemed
Desmond whimpered as he crawled away from the mad man in front of him. Percy only walked up behind him and placed his foot on his back, his gun pointed at his head. "You fool. Now your soul is forfeit" Percy's voice sounded almost...demonic, as he spoke.
Before he could pull the trigger, they all heard "Halt right there!" Uriel commanded, "what is the meaning of this? Guards, arrest Vox Machina"
Guards immediately made their way outside and pointed their weapons at all of them.
Scanlan, covered in a dessert, then walked up behind Uriel, happy by performance, "They loved me on there!" He said, "I was on fire!" He then saw what was going on in front of him, which was his friends on their knees with their hands in the air and the guards' behind them. "Fuck"