[backdated March 4] Sup Ya'll? (Closed to Vox Machina & Co)

[st_illsinging]

The day after talking to Pike, Scanlan decided it was probably time to actually talk to everyone else. He had mixed feelings considering he knew a whole bunch more than literally everyone else. And also some of them were going to be pissed at him. Again.

Several days of rest had done the Gnome good and he moved to sit down in the lobby. A public place was probably good in case there was a huge fight, right? Settling down on one of the couches, Scanlan spoke into his earring.

Hey, so, you all probably heard I'm here already, but here's my official hello and I'm in the lobby if you want to say hi.

Then he picked up his lute and started playing a little, but he was mostly tuning and fixing - it was as if being in a big battle against a god could damage your instruments or something.

Comments

[st_illsinging]

Scanlan jumped when Vex appeared and had to reach for his lute before it fell off the couch. He had expected Vax to do the sneaking around, not Vex, but of course she did. He caught his breath and took her in. She looked good, even though what she was wearing seemed strange on her. Vex could probably make a potato sack look good though. She had her ways.

"Well.. I'm pretty partial to my knees in general, for one. And if I need to help you guys out, walking is probably better than hobbling or crawling?"

[st_ubby]

"Oh, is that something you care to do now? Help us out?" The words were as pointed as one of her arrows, and she wondered how much of the sharpness was her own and how much spending time with Percy. Truth was, it had been so long, and she really was trying to remember – sinaeth – she had mostly forgiven him already, and would have entire if not for how terribly he had hurt Pike. And Grog and Percy... well, all of them, but her own hurts she could move past more easily.

"Because you didn't seem all that interested when you threw your tantrum and walked out. Or using drugs and lying about it. Forcing Jarrett to do your dirty work. Really Scanlan.

"You do remember doing all those things, right?" If he was from before, and didn't, she was going to feel bad. Maybe. Not if it kept him from being so boneheaded this time around.

[st_illsinging]

"Yes, I do. And you're right. You're right about everything. I didn't handle leaving well.. but it was something I had to do. It made me a better person. Or at least a little less terrible - I'm still pretty terrible." He offered just a hint of a smile, though he actually meant the sentiment.

[st_ubby]

"You've always been terrible. Just like the rest of us." That was something he'd overlooked, that horrible day. They were all terrible. And broken. And overall, better together than they'd ever been apart.

"We needed you. We needed you, and you weren't there. And what if you had needed us? We wouldn't have been there for you either."

[st_illsinging]

"I know. And.. I'm sorry." He really was, at least to some degree, but the truth was he wouldn't change leaving for the world as it gave him a lot of time with Kaylie he didn't think he'd have otherwise. "But I came back, not that you'll have that memory yet. I just... needed time."

[st_ubby]

Vex was quiet a moment. Scanlan had actually said he was sorry. Not that she could tell if he really meant it. He was, as he'd been so happy to point out the day he left, a really good liar.

"Did you at least learn how to be a decent father to Kaylie?" It was the only thing about Scanlan leaving Vex understood. Because, like Kaylie, she understood about having a shit father.

[st_illsinging]

"I did." He nodded, then paused. "Or, at least better. Kaylie still puts me in my place a lot and I'm still making mistakes, but we're working together and we talk and I think I haven't entirely messed it up yet."

[st_ubby]

"I knew I liked that girl." There was a humor to Vex's voice that hadn't been there since she'd found Scanlan in the lobby, but understanding too. He was separated from his daughter now, through no fault of his own. Although Vex held to the hope he was still there as well, since none of them had noticed anyone who'd been here going missing at home.

"I'm not making any promises. You hurt a lot of people the way you left. Whether they forgive you or not is up to them. I will say, if you so much as think about pulling another stunt like this, I will have Trinket sit on you until you come to your senses, and put a few arrows where you least want to be pricked. You understand?"

[st_illsinging]

He held up his hand like he was making a vow. "Understood loud and clear. No more running away or going off on my own like that."

Scanlan was glad that while Vex seemed a little angry, she didn't full out hate him and that was nice. Especially since things with Pike were more rocky.

"I am glad you're all here."

[st_ubby]

She nodded and gave him a small grin. "I'm glad you're here too. This place has been way too boring. You can't even imagine."

[st_illsinging]

"I'll get right on de-pantsing your brother in public as soon as I can." He half-joked with a smile. He did miss pranking Vax and Grog, even if it was a bit childish.

[st_ubby]

A not exactly ladylike laugh slipped out, and Vex rolled her eyes. "As though Vax has ever had any shame." On the other hand, if Scanlan was going to start up with the pranks, better Vax than the others, at least for now.

She sobered. "Give them time, Scanlan. They'll come around, if you keep giving them reason to."

[st_illsinging]

Scanlan nodded. "Somehow it was easier when there was just a big bad to fight." Not a lot easier, especially with Pike and Grog, but having an evil god trying to kill everyone and everything really helped to focus a group of people.

[st_ubby]

Lillith and Zahra hadn't said much about what they had been facing, but Vex could tell it was something big. And if it had brought Scanlan back to them...

"I'm not sure I want to know what sort of big bad we've run up against when you're from, but I imagine needing to save the world would speed up the forgiveness process. Here, unfortunately, we have nothing but time and more time. And no way to really avoid each other for long."

[st_illsinging]

"Yeah, I'm starting to get that." And even his disguise self would get pretty old. Maybe he'd true polymorph a lot.

"Any tips?"

[st_ubby]

"No hiding. And no lying." She didn't have to think, the words just came out. "You can't rebuild trust if people feel like they can't trust you. You wanted us to know you; you have to give us a chance."

[st_illsinging]

"Alright." He nodded. He'd have to work on the second part more than the first, but often Scanlan fibbed more than lied. "Thanks." He paused. "And Vex -" I'm sorry about your brother. "I'm glad you and Vax are here."

[st_ubby]

"No one can part us for long. You know that." Vex flashed a grin to cover the real hurt knowing Vax had been here for months without her, and the memory of him dying in the water plane.

"We're glad you're here too."