[Closed] Blood, bones, smoke and gunpowder

[usedhuntersmark]

WHO: Vex'ahlia, Vax'ildan and Percival
WHEN: After the August Event
WHERE: Vex & Percy's temporary lodgings
WHAT: Discussing differences in timelines and things
NOTES\WARNINGS: Language, violence, angst, talk of deaths, some heresy/atheism

After sending a message inviting Vax'ildan to her apartment with Percy, Vex has taken to pacing when she isn't fletching new arrows. It's been this way for about the last three hours. Normally, it's Percy who's all nervous anger and jittery production. If they were back in Whitestone, she'd go patrol the forests around the city with Trinket or visit Galdric to see how he was holding up. Or visit Pike. Or work in the bakery.

She'd have a million different things to keep her occupied while she worked through things.

Here, however, she's only got time until the city decides what new trick is up its sleeve and an angry Percy (angry on her behalf she knows) to really figure out how to deal with things.

"You know, darling, Vax'll be here shortly. If you could... not yell at him. At least not right away. I'd really love that."

Comments

[twin_blade]

It's a relief to know that Vex doesn't hate him. Still, Vax can't help but feel the blame set upon him for what his future self has done. Even if he would stand by a choice like that. They forgive him, but not his actions, though his actions all stem from his love for his sister. Not that he'd ever want Vex to sacrifice herself for him, so he understands her feelings. It's all too complicated for this half-elf to process right now.

When Vex reaches out to touch his face, Vax closes his eyes and lets her do the work. He had forgotten the sting of it already with so many other things on his mind.

With a soft huff, he sets his glass down but remains on his feet. Things are square between them, but it’s going to take a while for him to be comfortable with all of this. And them. "Well, now that that's... settled." He thinks. "If you want to know anything about this place, you can ask. I'm not about to say I'm an expert, though." Despite how long he's been here.

[badnewsandshitlist]

Percy leaned forward, the faintest spark of interest lighting his pale eyes. “You have survived here longer than we have, which makes you the closest thing to an authority. Tell me about the machinery. The trolley, for instance. Was it singular, or are there other examples of construction beyond what Exandria can produce? Automata, lighting, weapons? Are they curiosities, or does the city replicate them?”

His fingers tapped once against the rim of his glass before going still. “If there is no craftsman, then something is placing these designs into the world. I intend to know who, or what, is responsible.”

He studied Vax closely, a thin smile cutting across his face. “And the rules. Not custom, not courtesy, but the city’s own strictures. What have you seen? Does it punish those who break them? Are its games absolute, or can they be bent? I am very interested in the places where it falters.”

Percy raised his glass at last and drank deep, the burn only sharpening the look he fixed on Vax. “So. Begin with the technology, then the rules. The rest, I will dismantle myself.”

[usedhuntersmark]

Vex stares at Percy before rolling her eyes. She hasn't forgotten that she's supposed to be angry at him for his stunt. It's just not that important now that the three of them have established a few baseline rules while being stuck here: mainly that they're family and Vex won't abide by cruelty to each other.

His obsession with technology is a great deal of why she loves him. His brain works in wondrous ways and most of the time it's beneficial. The fact that he's gone this long without dismantling something is a bit surprising. "Percy, I doubt that Vax can answer all of that. He's not Tary."

She feels a slight pang in her chest. Watching Percy and Taryon plot and tinker together was one of her favorite things to do in the year that Vox Machina took as a break. With everything the way it is now, she hasn't really processed that Tary won't be in Whitestone if she's back home. He's gone back to Deastok and to find his Lawrence. But she misses him. Especially at this moment, with Percy going in about things and the rest of Vox Machina missing in action.

"I'd like to know how this place functions without some sort of economy. Everything is just given to us. That feels like a trap."

[twin_blade]

Oh boy. Vax expected this. He's not really the best at answering these sorts of questions. The two who would normally take that role in the group are currently in the room, but they're the ones that need the information. All Vax can provide is his best, as limited as that may be.

Where to start...

To help himself think, Vax paces in the direction of the window to look out over the city that's been his 'home' for almost a year now. "The trolley isn't the only vehicle. There are some who have their own means of transportation in moving carriages. Cars. We had to build one for a previous mission." Percy would've liked that.

"You've probably seen the companion bots by now. They take care of the day-to-day things. A lot of times, stuff just appears overnight like food and other necessities. Sometimes, a whole building or even a district will be here when we return from a mission."

His eyes turn to scan the room they're in. "Lighting is managed with those switches on the walls. That kitchen has machines that serve different functions for cooking and such. I don't mess with them much. Since everything is free, I typically eat whatever I feel like picking up that day from the city. A lot of people have opened businesses like bars or shops and serve food. It probably gives them something to do with their time between missions. So no, it's not a trap. It's just weird."

"As for rules, pretty much, don't be a dick. I get the feeling whatever runs this place isn't going to look kindly on breaking things, but I haven't tested it myself, and there's no real list of laws anywhere. As for the people here, they're quite good and often try to help others. If someone were to cause a problem, I'm sure many would not tolerate it."

[badnewsandshitlist]

Percy listened carefully, his expression thoughtful. When Vax finished, he let out a quiet breath and spoke with deliberate calm.

“Automatons that serve, transport without horses, districts that appear overnight… none of it without design, even if the hand behind it hides. I will want to see what passes for thought in these constructs before I trust them.”

He turned his glass slowly in his hand. “And an economy without coin. Comfort given freely is more dangerous than control taken by force. Though I suspect you, darling heart, will mourn the lack of markets more than I will.”

Setting the glass down, he allowed himself a thin smile. “As for rules, if they exist only as suggestion, then they are meant to be tested. Not that I have ever been the most obedient student in that regard.”

He leaned back, eyes resting on her with a touch more warmth. “So tell me, what do you make of it?”

[usedhuntersmark]

"It's less about the actual economy and markets that has me concerned. We all know that everything has a price. I just like it when the price is presented up front and I'm able to measure it against what I think it's worth to me.

"Nothing is free, so what is the price we are being made to pay? Is it just that we're supposed to help save this world like the mysterious Aurora said? Or is it something more sinister? I don't trust anything about this place. I suppose I'll have to do some investigation into things myself."

And if either man thinks they can stop Vex, well, they're idiots.

"Darling, I only ask that you at least remember that if something happens to you, I will happen to you. And you won't enjoy it."

[twin_blade]

Vax knows Percy will be trying to work out every little thing about this world and how it operates. He's going to be frustrated when a lot of it doesn't conform to the sense he wants it to.

As the two pass pet names to each other, Vax glances away and out the window again, as if he’s trying to give them a bit of privacy while standing in the same room. He rests his shoulder against the wall, gazing out until he finds a reason to add some details.

"We're not saving this world. We're saving ours." He looks over to them again, crossing his arms over his chest. "All the people here come from different universes. There are so many universes, it's all collapsing on itself, or so we're told. We're here to prove our world is one of the few worth sparing. The others will be eliminated."

Naturally, Vax sounds skeptical of this whole arrangement. Mostly because he's never been able to speak to Echo directly or through Aurora, and he can't contact his Matron.

[badnewsandshitlist]

Percy looked at Vex, his expression hardening. “You are right. Nothing is free. What unsettles me most is not the price itself, but that it is hidden. Someone profits from keeping us ignorant. Food appears without farms. Districts rise without architects. Automatons serve without a hand to build them. That is not providence. That is concealment. It means someone is measuring what we do in exchange, and they are not showing us the ledger.”

His gaze shifted to Vax’ildan, voice colder now. “And look at who they chose to represent our world. You, champion of the Raven Queen. Vex, chosen of Pelor. And me, a man who willingly bound himself to a demon and made war mechanical. That is not an accident. It is design. A triad of faith, death, and corruption, set at the same table. Why us, Vax’ildan?”

His jaw worked as he flexed his gloved hand, feeling the low thrum of Diplomacy’s current. “My guns fire. Diplomacy still sparks. Iron and powder obey. But what of the rest? What happens when the hex falters, or illusion shatters, or when divine bonds are cut without warning? Vex cannot feel Pelor. Can you feel your Raven Queen? Or do you wear her mantle in silence?”

He pushed his glass away, the sound sharp against the table. His eyes were cold steel when he spoke again. “This is not judgment. This is manipulation. Aurora. Echo. Whoever hides behind those names. They weaken the very strengths they claim to measure and call it a trial. And if they believe I will sit quietly while they weigh us broken, they are mistaken.”

[usedhuntersmark]

Vax isn't the only one skeptical of this whole thing. Vex doesn't have to have a year under her belt to see the plot holes in this whole situation.

"My question is what sort of profit does someone make from keeping us in this platinum cage? We're to prove the worthiness of our worlds right to exist? That sounds like more crap than what Vecna spouted atop his crappy ziggurat as he practically spilled his whole grand plan before we could stand up to him." She scoffs at the thought of the Lich that would be God.

"At least Thordak had the excuse of being driven mad and used by Raishan for his shitty behavior."

[twin_blade]

Vax listens as Percy comes to his conclusions. All are thoughts Vax has had before. He's not as sharp as Percy, but he's had almost a year to sit here and be pissed about it.

When the Raven Queen is mentioned, there's a slight narrowing of Vax's eyes, as if he expected an insult would follow, and then a shake of his head. "I don't know." Vax has no idea why they are here. Or why he was brought here much earlier to face Echo's trials alone.

"I cannot. I've called to her, but." He's never been able to contact his Matron in all the time he's been here. The armor works. Percy has seen him use his wings at the trolley. His ability to speak with Her has been severed, however. As much as they may dislike the Raven Queen after their recent events back home, Vax is sure they would accept her help out of this situation.

Percy's words of resolve are met with silence. What will he do that no one else has attempted already? Naturally, Vax expects his friends will do something. Already, he imagines Aurora is going to hear a mouthful from Percival the next time she makes herself available for questions. Whatever it is Percy attempts, it's going to be interesting watching him try. 

"This place has more questions than answers, sister. The closest one to Echo is Aurora, but she denies knowing anything beyond what Echo tells her to do and says she cannot contact Echo directly."