He carries himself the same way, and they might as well be walking through the gardens of Whitestone. These flowers were my mother's favourite. And here's the poison garden - it's centuries old, and quite dangerous to walk through ungloved. We'll observe from afar. Fortunately, the landscape is nothing like home, damp and untamed, and he can push old memories from his mind easily.
(It helps, too, that he never went walking like this with a woman, when he was still a boy. Vex's hand resting on his arm is familiar in terms of etiquette, not experience.)
"I've heard enough about ball tag for one lifetime," he agrees dryly, as they carefully pick their way over exposed roots and around brambles. "Which is unfortunate, because I've gotten the sense that I'm going to hear quite a bit more about it in the future. But I'd like to know more about you."
It's not terribly smooth, as transitions go, but this is still rather new to him - and so is she.
"Ah, just wait until they expect you to play," Vex teases easily. There's an immediate pleasure in Percy's company, having someone who is not charmed by the vagaries of ball tag who isn't Keyleth. (Nothing against Keyleth, per se, but her particular brand of naive schoolgirl uncertainty and flustered dodging does not lend itself to the kind of bitchy judging Vex needs in her life.) "Then you'll know they've accepted you as one of their own."
"If that's the standard," he answers dryly, "then I'm content to be an outsider for the rest of my days. I rather like my balls unbruised."
It's as clear as answer as any, on her part, and he hopes the same is true from him. Don't ask me about myself. All right, I'll judge your brother's choice of pastimes instead.
"Do they have any other games I should be aware of?" Safe territory, continuing the judgemental bitchiness - it comes naturally to him. "If I should be guarding myself against having my hand slipped in a bowl of water whilst I'm sleeping, I'd love to know in advance."
"Noted, darling," Vex says in a teasing tone—one that implies some kind of interest in his balls, though whether keeping them unbruised or bruising them herself might be somewhat more open to interpretation. Likewise, whether it's a threat or an offer.
"It's a fairly loose group, I admit. Casual, recreational thievery is common."
"Fortunately for me, I haven't a copper coin to my name. They'll have a hard time stealing picking my pocket." It's nice, being here with her. Light jokes and pleasant conversation, discussions that don't have to mean anything. He's chatted with people before, obviously, but he's always been on his guard. Thus far, at least, it doesn't feel like he has to spend the whole time wondering just what Vex is thinking, whether this or that cover story is actually coming off believable. (It's a wonder, what the truth will do for a person.) "Perhaps once I have, I'll let you manage my coins for me."
"Brave of you to assume that coin is the only thing they'd steal," Vex teases, though in truth most of the affectionate larceny is between her and her brother. In that case, she's just as much a participant as anyone.
There's more than one half-elf with sticky fingers.
"But, I can assure you if you trust your money to me, it will stay safe. It will also go as far as possible. I have a keen eye for a bargain."
"I haven't got much of anything else, either." The clothes on his back would only fit one of the prime suspects, and not terribly well. "I'm used to keeping a close eye on the pepperbox, though."
The affection in his voice is unhidden as he adds, "I've already seen your way with negotiation - and I'm not sure I've ever seen its like. I can't help but pity anyone sitting across a counter from you."
Vex might have pursued the topic of recreational thievery, but his compliment takes her off guard. A warm, pleased look crosses her features. Vex'ahlia is not a woman immune to flattery. Especially in this instance.
"Most people don't consider that one of my more attractive qualities," she points out, half challenging.
"That's because they're sitting across the counter from you." They might not consider her ability to drive a hard bargain one of her finer points, but Percy's benefited from her work. "Shopkeepers don't appreciate a quick wit when it's cutting into their profits."
And whatever else is true, Vex is clearly a quick wit.
"Then let me encourage you." Both to keep making fine deals on their behalf and to continue on like this. He can't see her smile all that clearly - his sight in the dark has nothing on that of a half-elf's - but he knows it's there, and he likes knowing it's for his sake. "I rather like the results."
Percy pauses, standing there in the dark wood with her, and turns to face her. He's a little clumsy, but his palm finds her cheek, and in a moment of pure, stupid bravery, he tries to kiss her.
If Percy is a little unsure, a little nightblind, Vex is more than equipped to make up for both. Her chin tips up to met him, her head tilting, and she goes up on her toes to finish closing the distance. Lips part delicately and one hand balls into a fist in the back of his coat.
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pathography) wrote2004-12-29 06:14 pm
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(It helps, too, that he never went walking like this with a woman, when he was still a boy. Vex's hand resting on his arm is familiar in terms of etiquette, not experience.)
"I've heard enough about ball tag for one lifetime," he agrees dryly, as they carefully pick their way over exposed roots and around brambles. "Which is unfortunate, because I've gotten the sense that I'm going to hear quite a bit more about it in the future. But I'd like to know more about you."
It's not terribly smooth, as transitions go, but this is still rather new to him - and so is she.
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It's as clear as answer as any, on her part, and he hopes the same is true from him. Don't ask me about myself. All right, I'll judge your brother's choice of pastimes instead.
"Do they have any other games I should be aware of?" Safe territory, continuing the judgemental bitchiness - it comes naturally to him. "If I should be guarding myself against having my hand slipped in a bowl of water whilst I'm sleeping, I'd love to know in advance."
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"It's a fairly loose group, I admit. Casual, recreational thievery is common."
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There's more than one half-elf with sticky fingers.
"But, I can assure you if you trust your money to me, it will stay safe. It will also go as far as possible. I have a keen eye for a bargain."
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The affection in his voice is unhidden as he adds, "I've already seen your way with negotiation - and I'm not sure I've ever seen its like. I can't help but pity anyone sitting across a counter from you."
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"Most people don't consider that one of my more attractive qualities," she points out, half challenging.
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And whatever else is true, Vex is clearly a quick wit.
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It might be in his benefit to encourage her.
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Percy pauses, standing there in the dark wood with her, and turns to face her. He's a little clumsy, but his palm finds her cheek, and in a moment of pure, stupid bravery, he tries to kiss her.
no subject
If Percy is a little unsure, a little nightblind, Vex is more than equipped to make up for both. Her chin tips up to met him, her head tilting, and she goes up on her toes to finish closing the distance. Lips part delicately and one hand balls into a fist in the back of his coat.