farsickness | 001::arrival

WHO: Vex'ahlia

stolentrinkets and you!
WHEN: Beginning of December
WHAT: Arrival
WHERE: The road into the city, Gazin itself
WARNINGS: None yet?

Well, it certainly wasn't Whitestone.

Nor, honestly, was it any place she had seen before. Vex had been to a lot of places in Exandria with Vox Machina, even as far east as Wildemount, but the names on the signs at the crossroads were unfamiliar. Her heart pulled as she looked up ahead as she walked; her brother was more of the city person than she was. The pain was still far too fresh even months after what happened.

Even moreso, she was without her beloved bear son and that hurt just as much. Trinket was so ever present in her life as much as her brother had been and for her not to arrive without him? She had wept a good moment to herself before composing herself and headed into the city.

Her first order of business was to figure out her surroundings, then find a place to stay for the night, and then at some point, food. She's careful as she wanders the streets, eyes and ears open for any trouble that might arise. And, if by chance she hears some juicy gossip, she'd be inclined to stay a bit longer in the area to listen.

The night finds her in the nearest inn, keeping near the door for the first few minutes to feel for her gold pouch at her hip. Gold was gold, right? It should be accepted here, and if it wasn't, Vex had a smile and a wink to possibly persuade the Innkeeper.

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Cassandra is in the market, as she is most days when it’s open; she’s become quite fond of Gazin, and this world she’s found herself in. There’s a freedom here that she’s not had in... a very long time. She’d almost forgotten what it felt like. Rome had reminded her, a little, although there hadn’t been much freedom, there. Not fighting the war for the gods as they had. The City, less so. But here? She can go wherever she wishes and do as she might please.

It’s wonderful.

Laughing, she takes the loaf of bread and bag of pastries from Lia the baker. “I’m sure your son is very charming, but I...” she trails off as she realises that she was thinking about Geralt, then. Blushing a little, she finishes “I’m quite happy with the way things are, that’s all.”

Lia shakes her head. “I know that look. Seen it before. You’re besotted, you are.”

“Maybe,” she answers just a little evasively, before grinning. “I’ll see you next market day. Unless I come by your bakery sooner.” She adds the loaf and pastries to the basket slung over her arm, which is already full of fruit and vegetables and even a bottle or two of mead, turning to leave. She’ll head back to the inn, perhaps, and then go out for a ride on Melora.

She stops before she can go more than a handful of steps, brought to a halt by the all-too-familiar face she sees. “Vex’ahlia.” She hasn’t seen anyone from Vox Machina since the City, and it does complicated things to her emotions to see her brother’s girlfriend here. She’s long since grown immensely skilled at hiding what she feels, and she does it know without thinking.

It was only a matter of time, she supposes, before someone from home found their way here. Wished their way here. But she could have gone a very long time before seeing her brother’s friends again. Save Grog. She misses Grog.

Vex did a quick pan of the market again, wanting to make sure she didn't miss anything, when she spots a familiar head of hair. She's come to recognize it as much as her own husband's head of hair. "Cassandra?"

Vex steps a few paces forward, and when she's sure it's her, her face breaks out into a large smile. "Cassandra!" Vex nearly runs over, looking absolutely delighted that she's found a familiar face. "It's -" It's great to see you. It's great that she's not alone. "I'm so happy to have found someone familiar."

Oh, the complicated snarl of emotions is only made more so by the large smile on Vex’s face when she sees her. And despite all that’s happened, despite how hesitant she is to trust someone as close to her brother as Vex is... she can’t help but be glad to see her, a lopsided smile blossoming on her lips. “Hello, Vex. It’s... been a long time.”

Long enough that Cassandra has lost count of just how long she’s been gone. Time hasn’t run the same way everywhere she’s been. Rome. The City. “You must have just arrived. Come with me.”

Keyleth wasn't even sure how long she'd walked before she realized that she didn't know where she was. It was a strange (and slightly shameful--all things considered) feeling. Even stranger still embarking on an adventure on her own. Not that she'd ever be able to adventure with her people again--not the way they once had. She was trying so hard not to think about that, although it seemed like the harder she tried, the more she thought of it.

She was thinking about it as she made her way into the city. Asking--silently, thank you very much, she wasn't an insane person--for some kind of sign, anything that could tell her, if not where she was then at least why she'd been led there (because surely it had been some divine providence that had led her there). And she was so focused on this sign-seeking ritual that she didn't notice the familiar head of dark hair until she nearly ran directly into it. Which, if she were to analyze it (which she might, later), seemed like a sign in and of itself. "...Va-" No. Wrong twin. Wishful thinking. "Vex?!"

She knew that voice all too well. Years of traveling, intimate conversations, and countless of drunken shenanigans led her to know this voice as well as her own.

She spins, and she immediately looks up. The red hair, the antlers - tears quickly fill her eyes and she immediately hugs Keyleth as tight as she possibly can. If this were an illusion, just kill her now. "Oh gods, Keyleth!" If she couldn't have her brother here, Keyleth was the next best thing.

"I'm so happy you're here!"

Keyleth is crying before she even registers that she is, or why. She flings herself tight around Vex, full body, as if she's going to disappear if she isn't clinging as tightly as she can. "I asked for a sign," she blurts, still crying, still clinging tight. Vex will have to be the first to break, because Keyleth will not. "And gods I'm so glad you were what showed up." She tucks her face in for a moment, reveling in the safety of this place, and then pulls back without letting go.

001::arrival

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