[GP] Arrivals and Departures

[st_huntermom]

As Mary made the lobby ready with baked goods, she did so with a quieter disposition than she normally did. She was well aware of man behind the check in counter sorting through room keys There were a lot people who must be gone, though she wasn't quite sure the number yet. She had, of course, already made sure Sam, Dean, River, and James were still around. It was a little selfish, but for her, those were the ones that mattered the most to her. Still, she couldn't help wonder if the hotel would be quieter now or if this was some major move on whoever was in control. If it was a move, she wondered what the move was working toward - hopefully nothing like the incursion several months ago.

She set down a basket of chocolate chip cookies and then stretched, arching her back. Maybe she should go get a drink from the bar today.

Comments

[st_ockandbarrel]

Vex was not in the shop. Percy hadn't expected her to be, either on an 'everything is normal' level or the level of dread that was slowly infusing his body. He'd come here because it was easier than walking up to the counter and asking the shade that pretended to be a person where his wife was.

Because it was easier than going back to his room and looking for signs that she was still here, that all bits of her hadn't been erased.

"I saw her last night." Of course he had. They'd fallen asleep together, skin to skin. Once, she'd curled up when she slept, body curved protectively about itself. Now, she slept holding onto him, possessive in the way that he loved so much.

[st_abby]

"I'm getting my armor now. I'll go looking outside, with my wings." It shouldn't take long. He was being paranoid, probably. Vex would probably smirk and roll her eyes, cutting them both with a wry quip for all the fuss later tonight. That's what Vax really wanted to believe. What he needed to believe. "You keep looking for her inside."

[st_ockandbarrel]

Percy stepped behind the counter where the never used cash machine sat. There were a few things of Vex's there, bits and bobs that she'd picked up since arriving at the inn. Her goggles were there. If she'd gone hunting, she'd have taken her broom. If she'd taken the broom, she'd have the goggles.

"Vax."

It was not agreement.

"You should come to the lobby instead."

[st_abby]

He knew that tone in Percy's voice. It was the same as he used ordering servants about Whitestone, or telling the rest of Vox Machina exactly what they should do about something. That 'I know I'm right, so let's get this done, shall we?' tone. Fuck all if Vax was in a mood for it just now.

"Well someone's got to watch Elaina. If you're so set to come with me, maybe Corbie can take her."

[st_ockandbarrel]

Elaina couldn't hear her uncle but she gave a wail as if she could. Percy wrapped his arm over her protectively.

Once, he'd left his only family behind while she bled out. Once, he'd thought himself alone with only ghosts and vengeance.

"I'll meet you in the bar."

[st_abby]

Vax breathed an Elvish curse, but he'd already dropped his fingers from his pearl. Percy would only stop him going if he knew something. But if it was Vex, if she was there, found, all put right, he would've just come out with it. Whatever it was, he wasn't going to want to hear it.

Twenty minutes later, wearing his black armor, nevermind the summer heat, Vax found where Percy had holed up in the bar. He came on as quiet and sober as a shadow, watching the other man from the doorway for a few long minutes before he approached.

[st_ockandbarrel]

He'd fed Elaina and now she slept with her face smashed against his chest. A dark damp spot of drool stained the front of his shirt, and he could feel each quick breath she took.

The goggles dangled from the fingers of his left hand, while the right spun a glass of amber liquid around and around on the polished wood of the bar. He wasn't drinking it. The rest of the bottle was there, still full. His gaze was on the goggles, as though they'd give up the location of their owner if only he hit upon the right incantation. Made the right deal.

Even if Vax hadn't been the stealthiest motherfucker on the gods damned planet, it was doubtful that Percy would have noticed he was being watched. As it was, it took Vax appearing at his side before he finally looked away from the goggles.

"The most obvious path is to ask the desk clerk."

[st_abby]

The most obvious path?

Vax didn't sit with him. He leaned over the table, fingers curling into fists, all-over tense as wire cables. One of them should bloody get out there, to see if Vex had fallen and hit her head on a rock or got bit by a snake or if invaders had taken a dimension door in to snatch her or gods knew what else might've happened. His voice bristled with impatience and agitation and more than a fine edge of fear. "What are you even talking about?! It's not like they keep track of everyone's comings and goings-"

He stopped himself short, breath gone out of him like he'd been winded with a sucker punch. His eyes dropped to the goggles.

Vax had meant that the shades that attended them didn't report every move they made, and probably wouldn't even if they could. But they did keep some records, actually. Check-Ins. And Check-Outs.

[st_ockandbarrel]

"It's the fifteenth of the month."

If she was out there, bleeding, hurt...it would still be better than what he feared.

[st_abby]

It was logical, he knew as Percy said it. But it didn't make any fucking sense.

"She has an infant here," Vax soft-hissed. "Even this place can't be so cruel as that."

[st_ockandbarrel]

"Have you known this place to bring us anything good without taking it again?" Percy pushed back from the table, and rose. He wore working clothes, a simple pair of pants and linen shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows. Yet somehow, it was possible to detect the line of a coat, the weight of two guns, one at his hip, the other at his back. It was there like a shadow, like smoke that curled around him.

"Perhaps I'm wrong."

Percy never said that and meant anything other than 'but I'm not.'

[st_abby]

Percy didn't need to speak the final words for Vax to know exactly what he meant. Vax was cut to the quick by how readily the other man seemed to have accepted this. Had he truly decided Vex'ahlia was gone already? And he was just...going to let that be?

"It doesn't matter if you're correct. It wouldn't be fucking right!" His voice wavered. A part of him was as primally terrified as he'd once been seeing his sister's death-still body on the floor of an underwater tomb. The other part was keeping the first in check with the numbing fortitude of uncertainty. If Vex was hurt or captured out there, panic wouldn't save her. Action would.

Vax fled for the door, neither asking for Percy's company nor expecting it. He didn't want to hear any more morbid theories. "I'm off to find Vex. If I have to turn over every inch of the soil with my bare hands, I will."

[st_ockandbarrel]

Percy could have chased him but he'd never have caught up. Vax moved like the wind when he wanted to. Instead, he snatched up the glass from the table and drained it, squared his shoulders and walked out to the lobby.

"Lord de Rolo," the shade at the desk greeted him pleasantly. "I see Lady Vex'ahlia has checked out. Will you be wanting a room change or fresh towels?"

Percy considered shooting the thing. It would have scared Elaina.

Instead he turned on his heel and went to build a better gun.