WITHOUT DEATH

He chuckles. “Better you than others that I can think of. You, at least, are pleasant company.” Which wasn’t saying much, considering he could find pleasant company in many things. A look of thoughtfulness crossed his expression at her words, and he leaned back ever so slightly in contemplation. It would be good to have someone for himself from and for Whitestone, but he wasn’t quite sure Percival something something something something de Rolo the Third was that someone just yet. Amusement soon replaced thoughtfulness as he teased, “Come now, that sounds like like a threat. Are you going to start a harem of champions now? Is one not good enough any more?”

“I don’t think it could ever return to what it once was, but I do hope it gets better.” That’s all he can do really: hope, trust in the people and maybe send the occasional blessing. But to place his trust in the tinkerer? Perhaps, with some encouragement, that might happen. “I believe in his sister more than that boy, and even then…” Even then that belief is tentative. He trails off for a moment before he smiles. “If he does, I’ll be proud of him.”

Her size is not nearly as immense as it had been in his early dreams of her, nor as large as it had been for much of his first honest communion with her, but eve as this fact sticks itself with his mind, another memory joins it - one of a woman, not a goddess, with a warm face and warm hands and soft lips, all at once invoking her former humanity while making her all the more powerful in Vax’s own eyes. He’ll never find it in himself to see her as anything less that stunning, awe-inspiring, breath-taking— and a myriad of other phrases meant to simply prove he loses himself when simply thinking of her. 

Her hand at his cheek now feels chillier than one may expect, but such is the nature of death and Vax wouldn’t dream of  shying away. “My Lady,” he bows his head, eyes closed as he collects himself before her, then stands tall once more. “I do not mean to take your attention away from matters elsewhere, if they were at all elsewhere… and I admit a small ounce of foolishness, but - it has… been some time since our last conversation.” He pauses, sucking in a breath, then puffing out an awkward laugh of sorts. “It… does not feel right, to go so long.”

If this was a dream, this was the most peaceful dream she’s had in years. Even though she knew the Raven Queen’s domain, there was no fear, no hesitation. Confusion and wonder, much like she’d seen on her brother’s face many time over the last month or so. But where to start?

     “Should I start at the beginning?”

Out of everywhere Vex can escape from her problems, her dreams are one place that only make them worse. She’s left alone in her own mind with every thought, every memory. Not to mention the weight of death that was so recently upon her. She was trapped, caught by every emotion until she heard a voice. Soft, at first, but something about it sounded strikingly familiar. She turned to see the presence of the Raven Queen besides her, hand outstretched. It takes her a moment to realize, even if she’d wanted to, she couldn’t ever have thought up the Raven Queen in her own mind. Vex took a deep breath in, trying to calm herself as she let her hand come up and rest in the one outstretched to her.

       “ have trust. ”  the only words she speaks as vex’ahlia takes her hand. she moves to step in front of her, another hand coming to settle over top of vex’s. without much warning she allows herself to fall backwards, inevitably dragging vex with her. they fall but it’s not something of panic. she’d like to think that this would almost feel as calming as the broom or carpet to vex’ahlia. she knows very well the need she has to feel the wind rushing past her ears and through her hair.