[Vex blinks as her relic makes noises and she answers it. The voice on the other end isn't really one she was expecting, but okay...]
Caleb? Are you sure you're okay?
[Even as she's asking the question, she has dismissed the campers around the range, leaving Trinket as guard over the bows before she lets her wings out and flies towards the clinic.]
Yes, I know Steve. He is a very nice man. Stay there until I get there.
[She flies as fast as she can, pushing her wings as hard as they can go. Head injuries are a big deal and she's not sure that the wizard isn't made out of glass, honestly.
She reaches the clinic and lands, not bothering to put her wings away as she pushes in.]
[And Caleb will indeed be there by the time she arrives, undoubtedly. Settled in and bandaged -- mostly since one of the blows had split his skin, and his hair is red but not that red. He did try to wave them off, but it is impossible to argue with a determined nurse.
He's seated on a cot, refusing to lie down and still fussing that he is fine. He's had worse before, and he's conscious which means he can keep going. The sound of his name stops him though and he raises a hand.]
Vex! Over here.
[He looks a bit worse for the wear, but he'll live.]
[Vex'ahlia might be slender, but she's not a small woman. She pushes her way through to reach the wizard. When one particularly fussy nurse tries to make her leave, Vex bares her teeth and slips around the woman, standing in front of her new friend.]
How did this happen? Who did this?
[She reaches a hand up to his head, casting Cure Wounds to close up the still bleeding wound. It won't completely take care of everything, but it will knit the skin together and allow Caleb to feel some relief.]
[Caleb watches all this with the faintly dazed look of a man with a significant concussion. But he has to stifle a smile when he sees Vex stare down a nurse. Not getting in Vex'ahlia's way is a lesson he learned day one.]
I don't know. They were wearing a mask, like a fox. And after Steve kicked them... much farther than I'd expect someone to be kicked... they ran off.
[Cure wounds is a welcome feeling and he sighs slightly. It's not gone, but it's better. He can deal with better.] Thank you.
I think perhaps they weren't in their right mind. There's no need for shooting.
[If that nurse doesn't think that Vex would knock her out, she obviously doesn't know Vex very well. If someone gets in the way of her and her friends, murder would be the last thing to worry about.
She rakes worried hazel eyes over Caleb's form to make sure that he's actually okay, even after her healing.]
Hm, yes, Steve is pretty strong, but you should have seen his eyes when I used my bow to grapple the fisherman character.... [She narrows her eyes as she puts two and two together.] Wonderful.
[She reaches out to help him stand, casting Cure Wounds again, at level four this time.]
Do you need to be escorted back to the house? You shouldn't be alone if you have a concussion. I can stay with you.
[Most bows and arrows do not do that, right? And he got the sense that Steve was not from a world where magic was near so prevalent as it is in Exandria.
He stands with help, but he feels the rush of that spell, the ease of some of the ringing and throbbing in his head. He murmurs another thanks, even if she shouldn't have wasted another spell on him. ...but then he's so used to constant battles, maybe that's less of an issue here. Usually anyway; clearly he managed to find trouble. And there was that incident with the creature that snatched his new friend the other day.
No he stands by what he says. No wasting spell slots.] I'm sure I just need a little rest. The dizziness is much better. And the pain is fading. [Thanks to Vex.]
It's incredibly useful, that's for sure. And it keeps me from wasting a spell slot to cast Grasping Vines.
[When your bow is a Vestige of the Divergence, it comes with fun little extras. Bramble Shot is definitely more useful than Oracle shot in a fight.
And the use of the second spell seems to do the job. She knows that her healing isn't as great as that of Keyleth, Scanlan or Pike, but that's not going to keep her from helping someone who needs her. She has more than enough opportunities to hurt someone in battle if she needs to without casting anything that requires a spell slot.]
Good. Let's head back over to the archery range. I left Trinket there with the weapons and I can convince him to let you ride him back to the house if you'd like to rest somewhere people won't constantly prod and poke you.
I would be exceptionally happy to be somewhere not be poked or prodded. I am sure they intend to help, but...
[Caleb spent far too long in a sanitarium to really be comfortable in any hospital-like settings. The clinic at least is small enough that it doesn't set all that memory off.]
Thank you, Vex. I am sorry to have pulled you away from your work.
Trust me. You're hardly the worst patient I've dealt with, Caleb. At least this time I'm not stuck with poultices and tricking you with sleeping draughts.
[She gives him a half-hearted wink as she slides under his arm and puts an arm around his waist to help him walk to the range.]
Don't worry about interrupting me. You were hurt. We're friends. It's what one does.
[Don't drug him to sleep, Vex. He'll behave. He doesn't protest the assistance walking, draping his arm over her shoulders. It's steadying, even if he's feeling a great deal better thanks to the well placed spells.]
Yes, we are friends, aren't we? [He sounds quietly pleased by this confirmation.] If you ever need me, I will be there as well. Not with anything so useful as healing magic, but I can light something on fire if that will help.
Do you know how hard it is to keep even a half-elf down with sleeping draughts? One downside to being incredibly good-looking.
[Fey ancestry is a pain in the ass for healing, okay? This is why she prefers spells. So, Caleb is safe. For now. If he behaves, no sleeping magic. Probably.]
You sound surprised. You live in my house, aren't related or sleeping with me. We'd better be friends.
Ah, a consequence you must bear for beauty. Such a heavy burden.
[He's definitely behaving. He didn't even do anything to get into the trouble he got into this. This time. He's usually the cause of his own peril, but not today.]
That is all true. Then that certainly decides it.
[Friends. It's nice. It's nice that the Mighty Nein have bullied him into being better at accepting things like friendship and trust too. Less than a year ago, and Caleb would have had a very different experience in this place.]
I mean, I am beautiful, sure, but sometimes, I'd like to be able to knock Vax's stupid ass out for a bit so that he heals up before we go out and fight again. It's a pipe dream, though.
[It's slow going to get back to the range, but she's relieved to see Trinket keeping an eye on all of the training bows and arrows that she left with him. There are a few more advanced students working on their own, and she's fine to leave them there.
She reaches out and pat's the bear on his head before sort of pushing Caleb at him.]
Trinket, watch Caleb while I clean up. Someone attacked him.
[The bear half-growls, half-whines, but he keeps his eyes on the wizard like told. Vex runs around and locks up everything. Ten minutes later, she's ready.]
I need you to let him ride on your back, buddy. I don't have my broom or the carpet.
Well, he's not the worst, I suppose, just the most annoying.
[Since, you know, twin and all.
Trinket turns his head to the side at Caleb's question. It's obvious that the bear is not sure about the human, but his Vex told him to watch out for him. So, he does.
Vex squints her eyes as she returns, trying to figure out what's going on with the two, but she gives it up and addresses Caleb's question.]
Of course not. You're conscious and nowhere near as big as Grog. You should be fine on his back. Trinket, down, please. [Hey, that sure is a bear laying down for Caleb to sit up on his back.]
[Family. Caleb has missed his own and the guilt associated with that can be crushing. But it also gives him every reason to want to see the people he cares about happy with their own family, whatever that family may look like.]
Right then, yes. I am conscious.
[He carefully climbs onto the bear, taking a seat on his back.] Thank you for the help, Trinket.
We're twins. We only had each other to rely on for a very long time. The rest of our teammates and friends... we met them a few years ago.
[But, seriously, they are better off not being each other's entire world again. It's good that others from Exandria have shown up. It's reminded them that they can rely on others. It's reminded Vex that there are others worth trusting.
When Caleb is sitting behind Trinket's shoulders, the bear stands.]
Hold on to the armor. You'll need it to stay on him while he moves. I don't want to you to fall. [She pops out her wings as if she's been doing it her whole life, the green and gold feathers spraying out around her and only bringing attention to the sunlight aura she's carrying.] I hope you're ready. Let's run home Trinket!
[Because between that and what he's heard of Vex's Percy (it's not that big a house. he hears things.) it certainly sounds like,] ...your friends sound like they are also like family.
[It's an educated guess, and also.] Mine are as well. When we first met, I wasn't even sure why Veth and I were staying with them. But that has changed so much.
[Caleb makes sure he has a good grip on the armor.] I also do not want to fall. I will hold on.
[Oh gods running. He wonders if this will be more or less terrifying than Steve's motorcycle.]
Yes, including Keyleth. [She takes a moment to pause.] They are like family, and we love them dearly, but there are some things that only he and I [Trinket makes a noise] and Trinket truly understand.
Vax has always been more willing to trust people than I have.
[And she lets that rest where it is. It's time to fly while Trinket runs. They keep a good pace, but she can tell as she watches the bear move that he's aware that he has an injured passenger and is moving slower than he normally would. She keeps apace with them, but she doesn't try to talk to the wizard so that he can concentrate on holding on. It takes them a better part of twenty minutes before they're in front of the treehouse they're calling home.]
Trust can be difficult. I understand that. [All too well.]
[He'd trusted the wrong person in the past, and the consequences had been the worst thing that has ever happened in his life. But then he's holding on very tightly. But Trinket is kind, and Caleb is good at clinging.]
Not that bad. [Caleb echoes, even if he looks a little paler than usual. He pats Trinket's neck gently.] Thank you. I will owe you one.
I've learned that if people don't like my bear, then they aren't worth being around.
[So learn that, Caleb. She also doesn't want to let anyone else come and try to use her love for Vax or Percy against her again, or vice versa. She's so tired of it.
When Caleb dismounts, Trinket licks his face. Bear love. Accept it.]
If you want to pay him back, he likes apples and beef.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
branchandroot
voice
Date: 2022-07-19 01:46 am (UTC)Caleb? Are you sure you're okay?
[Even as she's asking the question, she has dismissed the campers around the range, leaving Trinket as guard over the bows before she lets her wings out and flies towards the clinic.]
Do I need to reach out to the others as well?
voice
Date: 2022-07-19 01:49 am (UTC)[It doesn't matter anyway.] Oh yes, the tall nice man is named Steve. He says he knows you.
[See? That must mean it's fine. Steve seems the responsible type.]
voice -> action
Date: 2022-07-19 02:03 am (UTC)[She flies as fast as she can, pushing her wings as hard as they can go. Head injuries are a big deal and she's not sure that the wizard isn't made out of glass, honestly.
She reaches the clinic and lands, not bothering to put her wings away as she pushes in.]
Caleb? Where are you?
no subject
Date: 2022-07-19 02:25 am (UTC)[And Caleb will indeed be there by the time she arrives, undoubtedly. Settled in and bandaged -- mostly since one of the blows had split his skin, and his hair is red but not that red. He did try to wave them off, but it is impossible to argue with a determined nurse.
He's seated on a cot, refusing to lie down and still fussing that he is fine. He's had worse before, and he's conscious which means he can keep going. The sound of his name stops him though and he raises a hand.]
Vex! Over here.
[He looks a bit worse for the wear, but he'll live.]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-19 02:49 am (UTC)How did this happen? Who did this?
[She reaches a hand up to his head, casting Cure Wounds to close up the still bleeding wound. It won't completely take care of everything, but it will knit the skin together and allow Caleb to feel some relief.]
Tell me who I need to shoot, Caleb.
no subject
Date: 2022-07-19 03:09 am (UTC)I don't know. They were wearing a mask, like a fox. And after Steve kicked them... much farther than I'd expect someone to be kicked... they ran off.
[Cure wounds is a welcome feeling and he sighs slightly. It's not gone, but it's better. He can deal with better.] Thank you.
I think perhaps they weren't in their right mind. There's no need for shooting.
no subject
Date: 2022-07-19 03:50 am (UTC)She rakes worried hazel eyes over Caleb's form to make sure that he's actually okay, even after her healing.]
Hm, yes, Steve is pretty strong, but you should have seen his eyes when I used my bow to grapple the fisherman character.... [She narrows her eyes as she puts two and two together.] Wonderful.
[She reaches out to help him stand, casting Cure Wounds again, at level four this time.]
Do you need to be escorted back to the house? You shouldn't be alone if you have a concussion. I can stay with you.
no subject
Date: 2022-07-19 04:38 am (UTC)[Most bows and arrows do not do that, right? And he got the sense that Steve was not from a world where magic was near so prevalent as it is in Exandria.
He stands with help, but he feels the rush of that spell, the ease of some of the ringing and throbbing in his head. He murmurs another thanks, even if she shouldn't have wasted another spell on him. ...but then he's so used to constant battles, maybe that's less of an issue here. Usually anyway; clearly he managed to find trouble. And there was that incident with the creature that snatched his new friend the other day.
No he stands by what he says. No wasting spell slots.] I'm sure I just need a little rest. The dizziness is much better. And the pain is fading. [Thanks to Vex.]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-19 05:00 am (UTC)[When your bow is a Vestige of the Divergence, it comes with fun little extras. Bramble Shot is definitely more useful than Oracle shot in a fight.
And the use of the second spell seems to do the job. She knows that her healing isn't as great as that of Keyleth, Scanlan or Pike, but that's not going to keep her from helping someone who needs her. She has more than enough opportunities to hurt someone in battle if she needs to without casting anything that requires a spell slot.]
Good. Let's head back over to the archery range. I left Trinket there with the weapons and I can convince him to let you ride him back to the house if you'd like to rest somewhere people won't constantly prod and poke you.
no subject
Date: 2022-07-19 05:04 am (UTC)[Caleb spent far too long in a sanitarium to really be comfortable in any hospital-like settings. The clinic at least is small enough that it doesn't set all that memory off.]
Thank you, Vex. I am sorry to have pulled you away from your work.
[But he really really appreciates it. A lot.]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-19 03:18 pm (UTC)[She gives him a half-hearted wink as she slides under his arm and puts an arm around his waist to help him walk to the range.]
Don't worry about interrupting me. You were hurt. We're friends. It's what one does.
no subject
Date: 2022-07-19 09:14 pm (UTC)[Don't drug him to sleep, Vex. He'll behave. He doesn't protest the assistance walking, draping his arm over her shoulders. It's steadying, even if he's feeling a great deal better thanks to the well placed spells.]
Yes, we are friends, aren't we? [He sounds quietly pleased by this confirmation.] If you ever need me, I will be there as well. Not with anything so useful as healing magic, but I can light something on fire if that will help.
no subject
Date: 2022-07-19 10:41 pm (UTC)[Fey ancestry is a pain in the ass for healing, okay? This is why she prefers spells. So, Caleb is safe. For now. If he behaves, no sleeping magic. Probably.]
You sound surprised. You live in my house, aren't related or sleeping with me. We'd better be friends.
no subject
Date: 2022-07-20 01:41 am (UTC)[He's definitely behaving. He didn't even do anything to get into the trouble he got into this. This time. He's usually the cause of his own peril, but not today.]
That is all true. Then that certainly decides it.
[Friends. It's nice. It's nice that the Mighty Nein have bullied him into being better at accepting things like friendship and trust too. Less than a year ago, and Caleb would have had a very different experience in this place.]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-20 02:30 am (UTC)[It's slow going to get back to the range, but she's relieved to see Trinket keeping an eye on all of the training bows and arrows that she left with him. There are a few more advanced students working on their own, and she's fine to leave them there.
She reaches out and pat's the bear on his head before sort of pushing Caleb at him.]
Trinket, watch Caleb while I clean up. Someone attacked him.
[The bear half-growls, half-whines, but he keeps his eyes on the wizard like told. Vex runs around and locks up everything. Ten minutes later, she's ready.]
I need you to let him ride on your back, buddy. I don't have my broom or the carpet.
no subject
Date: 2022-07-20 02:45 am (UTC)[Beau, wherever she is, whatever plane far removed from this one, should probably feel her ears burning because Caleb is absolutely talking about her.
Then he's being left in the custody of a bear. Hello good bear, best bear. Caleb will linger.] So... a good day in the woods?
[Is he trying to make small talk with a bear? Yes, yes he is. Which he figures is for the best when Vex comes around.] You are sure he won't mind?
no subject
Date: 2022-07-20 03:05 am (UTC)[Since, you know, twin and all.
Trinket turns his head to the side at Caleb's question. It's obvious that the bear is not sure about the human, but his Vex told him to watch out for him. So, he does.
Vex squints her eyes as she returns, trying to figure out what's going on with the two, but she gives it up and addresses Caleb's question.]
Of course not. You're conscious and nowhere near as big as Grog. You should be fine on his back. Trinket, down, please. [Hey, that sure is a bear laying down for Caleb to sit up on his back.]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-20 03:30 am (UTC)[Family. Caleb has missed his own and the guilt associated with that can be crushing. But it also gives him every reason to want to see the people he cares about happy with their own family, whatever that family may look like.]
Right then, yes. I am conscious.
[He carefully climbs onto the bear, taking a seat on his back.] Thank you for the help, Trinket.
no subject
Date: 2022-07-20 03:47 am (UTC)[But, seriously, they are better off not being each other's entire world again. It's good that others from Exandria have shown up. It's reminded them that they can rely on others. It's reminded Vex that there are others worth trusting.
When Caleb is sitting behind Trinket's shoulders, the bear stands.]
Hold on to the armor. You'll need it to stay on him while he moves. I don't want to you to fall. [She pops out her wings as if she's been doing it her whole life, the green and gold feathers spraying out around her and only bringing attention to the sunlight aura she's carrying.] I hope you're ready. Let's run home Trinket!
no subject
Date: 2022-07-20 03:50 am (UTC)[Because between that and what he's heard of Vex's Percy (it's not that big a house. he hears things.) it certainly sounds like,] ...your friends sound like they are also like family.
[It's an educated guess, and also.] Mine are as well. When we first met, I wasn't even sure why Veth and I were staying with them. But that has changed so much.
[Caleb makes sure he has a good grip on the armor.] I also do not want to fall. I will hold on.
[Oh gods running. He wonders if this will be more or less terrifying than Steve's motorcycle.]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-20 04:11 am (UTC)Vax has always been more willing to trust people than I have.
[And she lets that rest where it is. It's time to fly while Trinket runs. They keep a good pace, but she can tell as she watches the bear move that he's aware that he has an injured passenger and is moving slower than he normally would. She keeps apace with them, but she doesn't try to talk to the wizard so that he can concentrate on holding on. It takes them a better part of twenty minutes before they're in front of the treehouse they're calling home.]
See? Not that bad, right?
no subject
Date: 2022-07-20 04:27 am (UTC)[He'd trusted the wrong person in the past, and the consequences had been the worst thing that has ever happened in his life. But then he's holding on very tightly. But Trinket is kind, and Caleb is good at clinging.]
Not that bad. [Caleb echoes, even if he looks a little paler than usual. He pats Trinket's neck gently.] Thank you. I will owe you one.
no subject
Date: 2022-07-20 04:51 am (UTC)[So learn that, Caleb. She also doesn't want to let anyone else come and try to use her love for Vax or Percy against her again, or vice versa. She's so tired of it.
When Caleb dismounts, Trinket licks his face. Bear love. Accept it.]
If you want to pay him back, he likes apples and beef.
no subject
Date: 2022-07-20 08:45 pm (UTC)[Caleb will do his best to stay on the bear's good side and Vex's It's certainly a goal.
Then oh. Oh bear kisses. Very gross. But he only smiles soggily and reaches a hand up to pet gently at his neck.] Apples? I will keep that in mind.
no subject
Date: 2022-07-20 09:29 pm (UTC)[She can't help but smile as poor Caleb is introduced to Trinket's brand of love. Welcome to her life. It's great though.]
Yes, apples. He will appreciate it. Now, let's get you inside and maybe some food that isn't prepared by cats or blondes with no taste buds, shall we?
(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:Rolled a 25 insight, figuring he's telling the truth. =P
From:haha he is no shifty wizard this time
From: