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 Posted: Sun May 08, 2016 9:31 am
And the storm raged.
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Vaixen had taken a job protecting some miners and their goods on their way from Sero back to the mining settlement of Mani. Once his job was done, though, and he'd been paid, both Vaixen and Arecio decided to avoid anymore settlements for the time being. Between being in the city, hunting for a job, and then the constant company of the Poshum miners over the last two weeks, both of them were strung out and edgy. They hadn't gotten much sleep since they were the only ones who would keep watch, so they would sleep in short, alternating shifts that didn't do much to give them rest, seeing to make them more tired than anything else. If Sonnerie had been around, then they could have slept more, confident of the raven's ability to wake up the whole world when he wanted to. But, the raven was off on another one his long disappearences, probably at Arecio's bidding.
So, once the job was finally done and they had been handsomely paid, the bonded pair decided to camp out in the neutral wilderness for a while. He felt strange in the Poshum settlement, not quite unwelcome, but more like an oddity. Everyone watching him and his Astral. It was too much to handle on his already frayed nerves, so they had set out away from the settlements, wandering the countryside because they could, following the river when they wanted, finally stopping on the far east side of the largest lake in the area. It was far enough from the nuetral Tastha settlement to the west that he and his astral felt alone, but close enough in case of emergency. Not that they were expecting anything to be amiss, but if something came up, Arecio could carry Vaixen to the settlement with easy. Ah, the glory of being able to fly. Though, Arecio was keen on being ridden while in flight, as it made this much harder, though he was fine with carrying Vaixen and their gear on a normal basis. It kept Vaixen from having to get a horse to travel, which would, in the end, just slow them down and cost more money. But, still, Vaixen walked most of the time. It wasn't like they were expected anywhere at any given time. so neither of them minded taking the slow way to where they were going.
The first few nights they were out by the lake were calm, peaceful even, though there was a strong wind blowing in from the southeast. But it was cool on a hot day, so Vaix didn't think anymore of it. He didn't set up their shelter, since the wing kept the pair of the cool and kept the bugs away. Vaixen would lay out on the grassy bank of the lake and watch the stars silently while Arecio kept watch. Arecio would actually sleep while Vaix kept watch, but the halfbreed was still a bit to wound up to sleep yet. He probably wouldn't sleep for a day or two more, letting the solitude wash away the uncomfortable feeling he got whenever he as around too many people for too long.
The wind had picked up late one evening, carrying with it the scent of rain. At Arecio's instance, Vaix put up their shelter, a large tarp, help up off the gound by four poles. Each corner of the tarp had a long, narrow strip that stretched to the ground and was hammered into the ground using iron stakes. While it was big enough for the both of them, and Arecio's raven when he was around, it wasn't likely to get ripped up by the wind.
Vaix had stared to doze off around midnight that night, though there was no real way to tell the time given that clouds had rolled in across the sky, blocking the light of the moon. But Vaix had a good sense of time, and where he was, laying back against his astral, he felt midnight was a good estimate. He felt safe enough, pressed back against Arecio, to finially start to sleep.
Arecio had been on edge for days, though no quite as much as his companion. After all, the Caelesti had gotten a few hours of sleep here and there, while Vaix had been awake, going on a week now. Arecio knew he would crash soon, so he insisted his companion put up their shelter, so he could lay down in the center, with Vaix laying against his side. Arecio was careful to keep his breathing even and shallow enough so as not to disturb him.
Arecio raised his head and kept watch, eyes picking out things easily in the darkness. Normally, he had the light of the stars to guide him, but he could rarely see them, as clouds rushed by over head. Between the tarp and the clouds, it was hard to keep a good sense of direction, but Arecio had made marks in the soil nearby, a simple X mapping out the basic cardnial dirctions. He'd be able to find his way, no matter if he could see the stars or not.
The Caelesti lifted his head, marking glowing slightly in the inky black of night, and inhaled. It smelled like rain on grass, so there was a chance they might get a bit of that rain. He wasn't expecting anything else, though. So, he enjoyed the quiet, letting the wind toss his hair around as he made the attempt to shield his companion with a large wing. As soon as they regained their balance, they would be off to find another job, just drifting from place to place. Wherever the wind took them.
Arecio knew what he was searching for, though he had yet to share that information with Vaixen. He knew his brother was out there, somewhere and while wandering around aimlessly wasn't the best way of searching for him, Arecio really had no other option. He had Sonnerie doing a more systematic search, as much as he was able, but so far, there had been no sign of either the scroll or a manafested Caelesti. Arecio found it disheartening, but he was determined to keep searching until he found Amante or some sign that he was gone.
Stars above, he would even tell his companion if he thought it would help. Honestly, he felt it would cloud the issue, so he wasn't going to tell him just yet.
Arecio was drawn out of his musings by the taste of water on the wind, and the sudden rhythmic patter of rain on the top of their animal hide tarp. He looked up with one gray eye as Vaixen stirred slightly, sitting up enough that Arecio knew he was awake.
The rain started slowly enough, soaking everything quickly and steadly.
"Good call on putting this thing up." Vaix said softly, just loud enough to be heard over the hush of the rain. "At least we'll stay dry."
Arecio snorted. I hope so. The soil here is not packed tightly enough to hold our shelter in place, should the wind pick up.
Vaix just huffed and him and flopped back down, closing his eyes, apparently done with the conversation. Arecio covered him with a wing again and settle in to watch the storm. He hoping that wherever Sonnerie was, he wasn't caught it in. The bird hated getting wet, and if he had on this mission of his, Arecio would have to put up with his whining until Vaixen got fed up with the noise and threw something in Sonnerie's direction. Then Sonnerie would pester Vaix for a while.
The first flash of light was far enough away that the crash of thunder only made him twitch, instead of startling him to his feet like he normally would. Neither of them were fond of sudden, loud noises. Vaixen just pulled at Arecio's wind, muttering about finally being tired enough to sleep and stupid storms.
The wind was starting to pick up, also, coming from the East. Arecio was the one getting wet, the feathers on his left wing starting to get soaked and heavy. He may be made of starlight, but the rain would ground him the way it gounded all other winged creatures. Arecio shifted just slightly, so the water wouldn't splash off him onto his companion.
It was a moot effort, though. After a few mintues, the storm picked up, howling across the flat countryside, seeming to come screaming for them on the bank of the lake.
The calm, almost glassy surface of the lake started to froth and move, the wind forcing the water away from this side of the lake. It might even be flooding on the other side, Arecio couldn't say. Honestly, he couldn't care, either. One end of the tarp ripped out of the ground, flippping up and waving wildly in the wind. Both of them were on their feet in an instant, trying to avoid the worst of the rain. The tarp had torn, too, Arecio could see the iron stake still in the ground with the tattered end of the hide.
Vaixen was cursing at the storm, like that would make it lessen it's fury any. It seemed to do the opposite, the wind rising to a screaming howl as the rain pelted the earth. Hard enough it was kicking up little bits of dirt with every raindrop.
Their little shelter really stood no chance. Vaixen was fighting with it, but Arecio could see the other ends starting to tear, and he grabbed his companion by the belt with his teeth in the moment before the whole thing ripped from the earth, carried away by the wind almost immedietly.
It nearly took Vaixen with it, causing a sort of rope burn from where he had tried to hold on.
With no shelter, now, they were both soaked to the skin, shivering in the wind. Vaix had his glaive slung over his shoulder already, squinting through the rain for some sign of a place they could hunker down until the storm had passed. Their packs were mae of a water resistant hide, the water rolling off in beads. But even that wouldn't keep their things, including their food, dry for very long.
We have to head for shelter! Arecio knew his 'voice' would carry to his companion, though anything Vaixen had to say was lost in a crash of thunder. Grab your things and climb on, we ride for Tastha. No protests! He half reared when it seemed that Vaixen was going to protest, but the storm was to loud to hear anything the companion might have said.
Vaixen made sure his weapons were fixed in place, and sure of their sheaths, before he pulled their pack onto his back and slogged over to the caelesti, climbing up to ride bareback behind Arecio's wings.
The weight was disorenting for a moment, but Arecio didn't have time to worry about that as Vaix leaned as far forward as he could, practically laying down against Arecio's neck, one arm holding a part of their shelter over their heads. It didn't help much, but it was something.
Arecio started off slowly, making sure the ground wouldn't suck in a hoof and break it, but caution was thrown out the window when the first of the hail started to fall. He ran, trailing sodden stardust behind him.
It wasn't a clear path to Tastha, as they had to round the lake and cross the river, barely able to keep their heads above the rising water as Arecio forded the lake. They were soaked completely though, their supplies likely in ruins. Vaixen was shivering on his back, cold between the wind and the rain. And Arecio. Arecio ran.
The storm was a massive thing, following them from their campsite and sprawling ahead toward Tastha, black clouds cutting off the moonlight, and the starlight. But still, Arecio pushed ahead. The hail was right behind them, he could hear the sharp impacts just behond his back hooves. He could not stop, he couldn't even slow down, or the hail would catch up and beat them to death.
Pushing himself to his very limits, Arecio managed to get a few moments ahead of the hail, and let out a tired cheer at the sight of an inn, it's lights a hazy glow through the rain. It even had a stable for a caelesti of his size.
Getting his second wind, he raced toward the building, turning and skidding into the side of the inn to get them under some sort of shelter as quickly as he could. Probably made an god-awful thump inside, what with a few hundred pounds of horse and rider hitting at such high speed. Not to mention his companion's weapons slamming against the wall too. Arecio figured it was a miracle that they didn't end up breaking through the wall entirely, but there seemed to be no damage.
Not that he cared. It was all Arecio could do stay standing, sides heaving either every breath he took. He'd gotten them there, now it was up to Vaixen to secure them a place to stay. Arecio was perfectly fine just standing in the shelter of the overhanging roof, trying to regain his breath.
Vaixen slid off Arecio's back slowly, careful not to put any more strain on his Astral. He dropped their sodden gear on the ground in front of him, making sure that he was only carrying his weapons and his money pouch. Which he would likely need to empty to try and get a room and a stall for the pair of them. Patting his astral on the side of his neck, Vaixen slipped around to the front of the building, just as it started to hail in earnest. He pulled open the front door and glanced over his shoulder at the deadly rain, knowing they had been that close to getting beat to death. Any amount of money he had to pay to keep them safe was well worth it.
With one last glance to make sure Arecio was alright, he slipped inside.
The inn seemed sturdy, but not all that large. The common area had scattered tables and chairs, a raised platform in one corner for some sort of performer, probably, and a whole lot of people.
Vaixen was hoping this was just the local bar as well, and that the majority of the people milling around and making an ungodly amount of noise were not actually staying at the inn. Or there might not be room for either of them.
Water puddled at his feet as he shivered slightly. The common area was warm, but he was soaked through and through, and everything felt cold to him. His weapons wear shiny with water, the leather sheaths dark and heavy with water. He would need to clean the and get them dry as soon as possible to prevent damage. HIs normally braided hair had come loose, hanging around his face and dripping water doen his spine. He had no idea what condition his leathers were in, but as wet as he was, it probably wasn't good.
Resting his hand on his short sword, mostly because it was a more suitable weapon for this environment than the glaive, Vaix made his way toward the bar, and who he supposed was the innkeeper. People muttered angrily as they moved out of his way, either annoyed at having to move or at the water Vaix was tracking everywhere.
The Innkeeper took one look at him from where he was cleaning a glass, and shook his head sharply. "No rooms."
Vaixn bared his teeth, annoyed and fed up already. He hated being in any place that was crowded with people like this, add that to the discomfort of wet... everything, and an innkeeper who apparently was perfectly fine with condemning him and his Astral to death by hail, and it put him perilously close to losing his temper and making room for him and Arecio. At whatever the cost.
"Look." He started, trying to keep his voice even. "It's raining death outside. I'd be willing to share a stall with my Caelesti, or hell, sleep on the floor out here, but we need some place to stay and this is the only place we could find."
The innkeeper looked slighly moved, but still shook his head. "We have space for your Caelesti, but you won't fit next to him in the stall. We have no room for you. If you want to pay to keep your Astral safe, by all means, but you are going to have to find someplace else to stay."
Vaixen opened his mouth to protest again, but the innkeeper cut him off.
"And you will have to leave. Only room for the people who are staying in rooms right now. Sorry."
Vaixen's grip on his short sword when white-knucked, blue eyes glaring at the innkeeper as his world seem to narrow, the noise of the crowd becoming muffled, practicially fading out as his mood shifted south. Vaix was not going back out in the storm, not even if he had to fight everyone in this place to secure himself a safe place to stay. HIs lip curled up in a silent snarl and he pulled his sword an inch out of it's sheath, a silent threat.
((Word count: 2,912))
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Posted: Sun May 08, 2016 10:12 am
Tastha was a small city. There weren't always people there, but with the increase of mining materials needed by the Rikono for their boom in military growth, the Poshum had seen the money and had gone out full spade for the different settlements. That meant that Mani was fit to bursting and the crowd spilled out to wherever they could find. Lucky for Tastha's coffers, that meant that every inn and home had been filled and sold. Store fronts were opening everywhere they could be built to accommodate the increase in need for supplies and wherever there was a settlement or economy boom, the entertainers, healers and merchants were soon to follow.
Of course, this made it ridiculously difficult to get a room in the few inns or taverns that were there. Having the rooms occupied most of the week was one thing, but when the storms hit (which were not uncommon surrounded by water and volcanic activity) anyone who usually said <******** it, I'll sleep in a tent came crawling out of the woodwork soaking wet and begging for a room.
Vaixen and Arecio just happened to be one of the unlucky ones who had not gotten there when the air blew the smell of rain. Everyone knew what that meant - and had high-tailed it to The Pele Maid.
Luckily for Edan, he had a room there on a semi-permanent basis. He had an understanding with the innkeeper - the room was never rented out, and Edan would come once or twice a season to bring in customers who, cheered by his singing and performances, opened their purse strings and overspent every time.
It was a symbiotic relationship - and those were Edan's favorite kind.
Edan had been in town precisely thirty minutes when the hustle and bustle a storm brings in began. He'd been up in his room, unpacking his baggage and preparing to entertain the patrons while the storm raged when he heard the innkeeper get into an argument that he knew too well. Keirnin wasn't exactly known for being a softy, and anyone who was arguing with him had to be new.
Which didn't bode well for the newcomer or anyone else.
The redhead sighed and rubbed his temples for a moment, taking a glance in the mirror to make sure he didn't look a complete mess. While he preferred to look perfect when ascending into the madness, he supposed that he could forgo his grooming process to potentially save a life.
He fussed at his hair for just a moment, smoothing it down with some hair product made of a lovely smelling plant that he couldn't bother to recall (The moisture in the air caused frizzing in the best of them, unfortunately) and, after assuring himself he was still incredibly handsome, he stepped out of his suite and locked the door behind him before gliding down the stairs.
"Problem, Keirnin?" Edan asked, leaning against the bar and turning his emerald greens in Vaixen's direction. They took in his defensive stance, the slightly drawn blade and the look of rage on the man's face and inwardly rolled his eyes and sighed. Drawing steel in an inn full of grumpy Poshum when one was a Rikono was probably not the best idea - halfbreed or not.
Hey, Vaixen may have been able to somewhat pass for a human, but he certainly smelled like wet dog with all that water dripping down from him. Edan had slept with enough of them to know that smell. Ahem.
The Innkeeper shook his head, "Not if he puts that sword away."
"Hey, mate," Edan said, brogue becoming a bit more apparent now, "How 'bout ye settle yer hand off o' the death stick and we talk about what can be done nice and proper, eh?" The swan's wings folded back slightly as he turned to fix a look on Vaixen. "It's ********' rainin' cats and dogs out there, mate, and this is the biggest inn 'round. Ye do nae want tae get on Grumpypant's bad side if ye ever want to stay here again, aye?" He was a traveller. Alienating innkeepers could literally be the death of him.
He sounded friendly enough, hopefully, to smooth the ruffled feathers and lower the hackles for a minute so they could have a civil conversation. Edan so hated to get blood on his clothes. They were so hard to replace.
Word Count: 737
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Posted: Sun May 15, 2016 11:21 am
Vaixen was just shy of growling at the innkeeper for how cold he was being. Vaix understood that the rooms were full, but to try and turn the out in this storm was a death sentence/ The innkeeper should at least try to figure out a way for them to stay. He'd gladly sleep on the floor if it meant he and Arecio were safe for the night. He knew his Astral was huddled up against the wall, using the meager protection of the overhanging roof to the fullest. And Vaix new he'd be out thre beside his Astral if he got turned away. Or well, he'd be out there, standing as tall and as still as he could while Vaix made sure Arecio had a room in the stables. Even if it meant standing outside all night, or at least until the storm had passed, he wanted Arecio safe, at the very least. Vaix could probably survive the storm. He had a smaller mass to keep safe from the hail, so hudling under a tree or near a building closed for the night was a possibility. Not one he really cared to entertain, but if the innkeeper refused him one more time, then that's what he would do. His temper was mellowing, slightly, even though he still wanted to fight everything and everyone in here to get a room for the night. Just to be safe for one night. Why was that so much to ask?
Vaixen's slighty pointed ear twitched a little at the sound of someone who was not Poshum approaching. The footsteps were lighter, for one thing. Now, Vaix would have noticed anyone approaching, because they possibility of getting jumped from behind because he had his short sword an inch out of it's sheath. It would be a rather stupid move, since he still had his glaive strapped to his back. It may still have a leather strap covering the sharp part of the blade, but it would be easy to shake that off if someone attacked him from behind.
But, that's not what was happening here. Vaix didn't resheath his weapon any as the Papin wandered over to the bar, looking like he didn't have a hair out of place. Obviously, he was one of the people who had shown up before the storm had gotten bad, or the Papin would look as soaked and windblown as he did. Perhaps moreso, with that long hair of his.
Vaixen tilted his head slightly, so he could keep both the innkeeper and the Papin in his field of vision, the braid in his hair finally giving up and sliding loose, sending a spill of wet, black hair sweeping down to cover half his face. Normally, that would bother him enough that he would stop what he was doing to fix it, but he didn't want to take the risk of having someone take advantage of that momentary distraction to try to attack or disarm him. As a general rule. he preferred to live away from others, especially those whose reactions to his mixed heritage was unsure. And Vaix had never spent much time around the Poshum, so he really didn't know.
And then there was the fact he had his sword slightly drawn, which as something he suspecting some of the others might start to notice soon. Honestly. he didn't want a fight. It was tired, wet and miserable, not to mention worried about his Astral and hoping that the raven had enough sense to stay away until the storm was over.
A crack of thunder shook the inn, windows rattling in their frames. Vaix heard Arecio's cursing through the wall, probably sounding like a horse in distress to anyone else that could hear him. Torn between the desire to run out to see what happened and the pressing desire to get them under a proper shelter before the storm got any worse.
Arecio? Are you alright? Vaixen let his attention wnader and focus on his Astral. Even if he wasn't as prepared for a random assault, he needed to be sure that Arecio was alright.
I'm fine. Stupid thunder startled me and I hit my head on the roof.
There was a childishly annoyed tone in his Astral's "voice" that made Vaix smile tightly, but he resisted the urge to tease Arecio about it, and instead, tried to pay attention to wha the Papin was saying.
Vaix was always interested in accents. It usually said a lot about someone, where they came from, or what they wanted you to think about them. It was one of the reasons he didn't have an accent. He basically came from nowhere, and not having one left people without a vague guide to where he might be from, or might be going. It was just another thing that made him easy to overlook, easy to forget.
Well, probably moreso when he wasn't a blink away from actually growling at everyone and everything and unsheathing his weapon entirely. that was something people tended to remember.
Vaix's hand twitched slightly at the request, the blade sliding home in its sheath, but he kept his hand on the weapon, not willing to let go of it just yet. But if it meant someone actually willing to talk to him as opposed to just rejecting him out of hand, then he would make what allowances he could.
"I don't care about staying here 'again' when he is going to throw me out now to fend for myself in this storm." He started, voice pitched low and deadly. "I just want a roof over Arecio and me until this storm is over. Not to keen on being beat to death by hail because some arrogant a** won't shelter us from the storm."
He might be a little more angry about it than he originally thought, but Arecio was still outside, even if he had the minimal protection of the overhang. Vaix was more concerned for the astral than he was for himself, as per usual, and it was messing with his already fractured calm.
"So unless you plan on clearing out and letting me have your room, I don't know what it is you think you can do to convince," His blue eyes cut in the direction of the innkeeper. Vaix knew that the Papin had stated his name, but he didn't think it was important enough to learn it if this was going to go the way he thought it would. "him."
((Word Count: 1, 08 cool )
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Posted: Fri May 20, 2016 6:51 pm
Stubbornness was not going to get Vaixen anywhere and the Papin knew it. The innkeeper was a gruff sort of fellow, but generally a fair person. If there was no room then there was no room, and Edan wasn't about to go arguing about it. The stalls weren't bigger simply because most Poshum who were in the area, due to the mine, had Tiri who were smaller and also a source of light. The larger Astrals weren't usually a problem.
Now, the problem that Edan was faced with was how to de-escalate the problem. Vaixen was not going to go down without a fight - and he didn't blame him for that - but also there wasn't going to be a lot of wiggle room. A brief glance at the overstuffed room told him all he needed to know. There wasn't even going to be floor space tonight once they all stretched out to sleep by the warmth of the fire. Chances were, Keirnin didn't have a whole lot of tack in the back, either.
Briefly, Edan's selfish nature reared it's ugly head when he thought about sharing his nice, large suite with a wet dog of a stranger. Who didn't look like he would be particularly warm in the bedroom, anyway - which was usually the only reason Edan shared his quarters. Tongue clicked against his teeth a few times and he sighed, rubbing his temples with his long, elegant fingers. "Look, there's nae goin' to be any room to even huddle in a corner, so down here is no option and the rooms above are already spoken fer, Now, I'm nae goin' to clear out o' my own room to give it to a stranger, but I'm sure I can convince this old goat," he received a glare, "To give me an extra pillow and a blanket so ye can tuck in with me. I promise I will nae molest ye no matter how handsome ye are," He gave a wink his way, trying to be as jovial as he could given the situation at hand.
"As fer yer Arecio I--"
"I said the Astral can stay in the stable." The innkeep said gruffly, setting his glass down and eyeing Vaixen with a bit of disdain for the ruckus he was causing. Too many eyes were now staring at them because of that sword, and hands were twitching on axes just in case.
"Well there ye have it. Safe fer ye both, aye? Now, how 'bout ye calm yer tits a wee bit and sit down. We'll get ye somethin' warm to eat," He gave the Poshum a look, "To warm yer cockles and a wee bit o' hay for the Astral." Even though Astrals didn't need to eat, a lot of them enjoyed it and he figured it'd smooth some ruffled feathers to treat the guy's bonded like an actual horse.
And damnit, the half breed had better graciously accept his offer, or the swan's wings were going to start beating down some pain. It took a lot for Edan to give up his comfort and solitude and not even get laid out of it.
"I'm goin' to be performin' here in a wee minute anyway, lad, and it's a treat ta see, aye? I've got me songs and there is no better bard than a Papin, ye know it's true." Especially him, if he did say so himself. Which he absolutely did, because he was Edan, and Edan tended to think extremely highly of himself at any given time. It was amazing he fit in even the giant suite that he did have along with his ego.
As he was talking, Edan kicked under the bar counter to Kiernin's shin. The innkeep grumbled and turned away, hobbing toward the kitchen shouting something unintelligible towards the room - likely getting him an order of whatever warm soup was on the hearth at the time. It seemed as though they were working together now so Vaix had no choice but to accept the agreement. Surely he was hungry and cold?
Word Count: 683
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Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2016 2:43 pm
Vaixen couldn't help the eye roll at the Papin's offer. Well, not the offer so much as how he offered it. Inwardly, he appreciated that Edan was offering to share his room, and probably his bed. It was odd, he thought, that he was still trying to keep things calm and be friendly. It made Vaix wonder what he wanted. Surely, the Papin couldn't think that he had anything of value given that he had wandered in her with a hellstorm on his heels, wet and ragged. Obviously, he wasn't someone important or highly regarded. It raised his hackles, wondering what the other would be getting out of this little arrangement.
Still, there wasn't much choice. He could go back out into the storm, and spend the night huddled up against the side of the building with Arecio, or he could take Edan's over, no matter than it stung his pride to have to rely on someone else. A fight would end badly, he knew that, he was just on edge, worry for his Astral and himself made him more likely to bite than just bare his teeth.
With a silent snarl, Vaix rolled his shoulders, letting some of the tension drain out of him, and finally removed his hand from his sword. He was getting what he wanted, after all, even if it was a strange way to go about it. Feeling a large number of the patrons watching the little display, he made a point of putting his hands carefully on the bar with a faint smirk.
"Of course, no better bard than a Papin." Vaix repeated back, voice flat and slightly mocking. Which wasn't a good way to thank his host for the evening, but he couldn't help the dry reply. Vaixen was always ready to drag those who thought too much of themselves down a peg or two. Of course, if the Papin was a good as he obviously thought himself as, then that would be a different matter. Vaixen had no skill with any instrument and his voice sounded more like a dog's dying howl than anything else.
Watching the innkeeper leave, Vaix felt the childish urge to stick his tongue out at the b*****d, having gotten his way. Without bloodshed, even.
With an actual grateful nod to the Papin, he pulled out his coin purse and carefully counted out what it would be for a room of his own and a meal or two, and laid it out on the bar for when the innkeeper got back. Better to pay for the room he wasn't getting than to get spit in his food or something worse.
"Thank you." The words were easy to say, even if he didn't know the Papin's motives for wanting to help him. At this point, he needed the help and was more than willing to accept it. And if the Papin did something he didn't like... Well, Vaix did sleep with a sword. "I really appreciate what you are doing for me and mine. I'm going to go see my Astral settled and be back shortly. Please see to it that he," Vaix couldn't help but growl in the direction of the innkeeper. "gets this as payment. It should cover the cost of... the inconvenience."
Vaix left the bar, eyes sweeping over the assembled group, wondering which of them would have tried to stab him in the back if he pulled his sword. He didn't duck or hide or do anything other than glare moodily at them, trying to impart that if things hadn't gone down the way they did, he would not have hesitated to cut down every soul in there just so he and his Astral had a place to wait out the storm.
Shoving hard on the door, since it was caught in the wind and didn't want to open, he managed to get outside with out loosing a finger or two when the door slammed shut behind him. He glared at that too, for a second, before the wind chill caught up with him, making him shiver. Within moments, he was drenched again, even standing under the poor protection of the overhang. Vaix made his way quickly to Arecio, who was huddled as close to the wall as he could get, wings raised in defense, trying to ward off the storm. He looked utterly miserable.
Are you done making new friends? Can I get warm now?
Feeling bad, he rubbed the side of his Astral's neck and started to run the short distance between where they were standing and the barn, Arecio right on his heels as he wrenched the door open and got them safely inside.
It was much warmer in the barn than he thought it would have been, but any place sheltered from the rain and wind would be. Vaix let Arecio choose where he wanted to spend the night, stopping to grab some of the promised hay for the Caelesti and setting in a trough for him. Then, Vaix pulled their packs off Arecio, and rooted through them until he found something he rarely used, because it was rarely needed. After patting Arecio dry, he started brushing.
Mmmm.
Arecio was in the middle of eating, and didn't seem to have anything else to say, but Vaixen knew it was a simple pleasure, something to make the last few hours seem a little further away. Vaixen lost himself in the task until his own stomach gave an unhappy growl and Arecio nudged him gently.
Go and take care of yourself now. You've done well by me. He was amused, the light dancing in his eyes. Give your bedmate a kiss from me.
Vaixen slapped him on the flank with the backside of the brush, hard enough that the Astral's laughter just danced through his head.
Now that everything was settled, though, Vaix was starting to have misgivings about the arrangement. Rolling his shoulders, still too damn wet to be comfortable, he prepared to go back out into the storm. He grabbed their soaking wet pack and held it by its handle, not wanting to get caught with it on his back. If he was uncomfortable, he could always sleep on the floor. Wouldn't be the first time.
The storm seemed to be worse as he managed to secure the barn door so none of the Astrals would be subjected to the cold winds or stinging rain. He raced back to the door to the inn, half expecting it to be locked, but it opened with no small amount of effort from him. He kept his head down, though, as he fought with the door, since hail was slamming into his back. He could go without the concussion, thanks. A few bruises he could handle. He winced when he finally got the door opened far enough to slip inside and a large hailstone slammed right in the center of his back. Vaix didn't have time to see the size of the thing before he was slamming the door shut, the hail hitting the door hard enough that the sound echoed in the room.
Shaking himself off, and probably getting water on others in the process, he shivered again. Half because of the cold, and half because if he'd been hit in the head with that last hailstone, he didn't think he'd come out of it well. It felt a large as a fist, and the place where it had landed was throbbing.
Vaixen paused, debating whether to find the Papin's room and get himself cleaned up, or try to eat something. His stomach made the decision for him and, dripping, he crossed the room to the bar, eyeing the hot soup that had been set aside for him. He was hungry enough now that he wouldn't even care if it had been spat in. He sat down at the bar, shifting so his glaive wouldn't hit the floor or anyone else, and sniffed at the food, oh so hoping that it was his.
Word count: 1,340
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