Strangers in the North

Chapter Twelve

Several hours had passed since the Mephit attack and the city came back to life. Once the fog was gone the citizens realized it was safe again. Pike decided to leave, in a manner of speaking since there wasn't a reason to stay the night. Keyleth did what she always did when they went drinking and was already sick. Vex decided to take her back to the Inn for the night.

"Damn, those icicles hurt like hell," Vax'ildan complained as he slammed his empty cup down and motioned for the waitress to bring him another. Percy eyed him wearily wondering how much drinking he was planning to do this evening. They had managed to find a bar that had wine and he had almost finished a whole bottle and was ready to call it a night. As Vax's next round arrived he leaned forward lazily giving the gunman a curious look. "I don't think I've ever seen you drink ale."

"You haven't, cause it's gross," Percy replied as he finished the wine in his glass.

"Ever tried it?"

"No, I've seen how shit faced the rest of you get and I doubt it's for me." Vax grinned a little more, pushing his cup across the table, spilling some along the way.

"I mean a taste couldn't hurt right. It was a crappy night, might as well have something a little stronger." Percy's mouth twisted to the side as he looked down at the ale.

(Half an hour later)

"We'll need two more over here," Vax called to the waitress with a silly grin on his face.

"I don't think I can handle another one," Percy admitted feeling flushed. At least he couldn't hear that shrill tone as much now.

"You know, you really need to learn to loosen up and have a little fun, like Vex. We drink each other under the table all the time."

"I've noticed. We should probably call it a night."

(Two drinks later)

"Ugh", Percy leaned all the way back in his chair, staring at the ceiling with his legs stretched out all the way, "your sister…" he started catching Vax's attention, "she's alway telling me not to take things so serious and then we start having a little bit of fun and she gets all…cranky," he couldn't think of a better word at the moment.

"Yeah she's good at telling everyone else what to do but doesn't always follow her own advice," Vax realized his drink was empty, made eye contact with the waitress only for her to shake her head 'no' concerning another round.

"I think we've been cut off," he grumbled.

"Probably for the best," Percy mentioned as he adjusted in his seat and was now leaning over the table for support. "Sometimes she can drive me crazy," he looked up at Vax over the rim of his glasses.

"What do you think I've been dealing with all these years?"

"I swear she…she," again he lost his train of thought, "She's terrifying," he finally laughed. "I'd seriously hate to make her mad." Now Vax was laughing.

"I don't know, you might like it…Kind of funny."

"She gets that look on her face, you know the one where her eyebrow twitches and she scrunches up her nose but in a cute way," Percival's last words slurred a bit.

"Careful, De Rolo," Vax warned him, "Not particularly interested in what you like about my sister. Of course sometimes I wish one of you would make a fucking move already."

"Wait, what…" Vax rolled his eyes.

"There's no way you're this oblivious. I get we've got a lot going on right now but honestly." Percy lifted his chin some trying to think of a reply.

"First of all," he went to stand up dramatically only to have to wait a second to keep from being sick, "it's not that easy,…we can't all make declarations in the middle of a life or death situation."

"And why not?" Vax rummaged through his pocket to pull some coins out. He was starting to feel slightly more lucid and figured it was a good time to head back to the Inn. Carefully he pulled Percy to his feet where he thankfully remained.

"Tell me again how that worked out for you. I mean I get it, nothing more romantic than fighting the undead." They carefully made it outside where it wasn't nearly as noisy.

"Oh gods, how are you still this pretentious when you're drunk?"

"Years of practice," Percy held onto the wall for a second to catch his balance.

"You know it's not all about some perfect magical moment. At least Keyleth knows how I feel." He walked past Percy on surprisingly steady feet. Clearly Vax wasn't nearly as bad off even though he had more to drink.

"How are you not falling over after drinking so much?"

"Years of practice", he replied with a grin before finally grabbing Percy's arm and putting it over his shoulders to help him balance. His friend inhaled sharply as though he was clearing his head.

"I guess it's just not that easy for everyone. To just say what you feel. I had to push down so many emotions for so many years it doesn't come naturally." They made it to the Inn's main lobby.

"Trust me, you never know what's going to happen that can change everything. What if you never get the chance? Our destiny seems to shift every day," Vax told him now sounding much more sober than he was. Again he couldn't help but notice the Raven Queen standing nearby. She was also with them in the bar too but seemed to be hovering closer to Percival than him. For whatever reason he didn't like that. They reached their suite and quietly entered the main room. Everything was dark except a light in the corner. Vax made sure Percy got to his room before entering his own for the night.

…

The next morning was blissfully peaceful compared to the one before. When Vex'ahlia woke up she stretched out on the large bed before letting out a satisfied yawn. For the first time in a while she actually felt rested for a change as she reluctantly got up to get dressed. As she left her room, she immediately smelled coffee and could hear Keyleth and Pike laughing as they sat at the dining table.

"Morning," Keyleth waved at Vex as though inviting her to take a seat with them. She recalled how the night before had gone and her eyebrow twitched. As she made her way over she couldn't help but wonder how the mage never seemed to have a hangover. She certainly threw up enough.

"So feeling alright, I see," Vex stated as she went over to the kitchen to grab a cup.

"Yeah, I feel okay."

"Great, glad to hear it because you definitely weren't okay last night," the younger twin pulled a chair out and took a seat across the way.

"Guess I got a little carried away," the mage laughed but realized Vex was not amused, "a lot."

"I'm all for a good time but spending most of the night holding your hair back wasn't it. If you want to be a functioning alcoholic it might be best to ease into it a little slower is all." The one bedroom door across the room was pushed open and hit the wall behind it with a loud slam.

"For the love of the gods will you please stop yelling," Vax let out a groan as he held his head and leaned against the doorway. Pike grinned and turned back to Vex.

"Functioning, huh? You mean like Vax?" He muttered a slew of cuss words under his breath before turning to go back in his room. Pike and Keyleth did their best to keep it down but couldn't help but laugh.

"What did they do last night after we left," the mage said between bursts of laughter, "I mean if Vax is that bad off this morning I'd hate to see how Percy is." Pike knew an embarrassing opportunity when it presented itself, "Only one way to find out," she nudged Keyleth's side and she got to her feet.

"Well we should at least check on him to make sure he's okay," she offered heading towards his room. Vex let out an annoyed sound as she took a sip of coffee.

"If you get yourself shot it's your own fault," she warned Keyleth from her seat. Holding her breath, Keyleth carefully reached for the doorknob. Pike was now covering her mouth with both hands. The door squeaked loudly on the hinges and now the red head was having a hard time keeping it together. Her stifled giggling came to a halt as her expression shifted to one of worry.

"Um, Percy," she called out looking around the room. After a minute or two she closed the door and went back to het seat at the table with a perplexed look on her face.

"Well," Pike finally got her attention.

"So he's not in there. That's weird…right?" Vex leaned her head back as she let out an annoyed sound before getting to her feet.

"Tell me Vax didn't get him drunk and then seduced him," she stomped towards Vax's room.

"Eww," both Keyleth and Pike commented in unison. "I'm sure you're joking," Pike didn't get an answer which only confirmed it. Vex immediately pulled the drapes open before turning to her brother.

"Alright, what happened last night?"

"Why do you hate me so much right now?" He pulled the blanket over his head. Vex blinked in surprised when she realized Percy wasn't in Vax's room either. She moved quickly back out to the main room and into the nearby bedroom. Pulling the curtains open in that room as well she confirmed what Keyleth had said. After checking the bathroom as well she left the room to see the other two watching her every move.

"He's gone."