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Vax shivered lightly, drawing his cloak tight around himself, doing his better to ignore the steadily growing ache in his spine as he and the others walked. It was freezing despite being early in the season. Vax really wished they were home in their nice warm keep, or the castle in Whitestone. But no, instead they were out, miles away on a job. Normally Vax wouldn't mind it, he liked being able to help others. But right now, it was cold. Vax, specifically, was cold, and he hated it. He never really enjoyed it to begin with, sure, but after the incident where he'd broken his back after being thrown into a tree, he despised it more. With the cold, came the terrible aching stiffness in his spine. He ignored the growing ache as much as he could as he walked. Despite them all being rather close to each other in an attempt to keep warm, Vax was in the back, bringing up the rear. His sister was more then capable at leading them through the woods on her own. The half elf puffed out a breath, grimacing as he watched the white cloud float up.
"Any chance we'll be getting out of here before sundown?" he asked.
"Likely not." Vex called back as she glanced around. "We'll likely have to camp for the night." she added. Vax bit down a groan.
"Can't we at least use the mansion?" he asked looking at Scanlan who was on Grog's shoulder. Scanlan paused in his playing before blinking and seemingly taking a moment to think. "You do have it prepared right?" Vax asked staring at him. This made a few others glance at Scanlan.
"Of course I do!" the gnome answered. Vax narrowed his eyes. "I have it prepared. Really. No worries, we'll all be nice and warm tonight." Scanlan assured.
"Good, As nice as camping out under the stars is, it is far to cold to be sleeping outside." Pike stated, she then looked at Vax, worry on her face. "Oh, that reminds me, how are you doing Vax?" she asked. Vax smiled at her and made a show of burrowing into his cloak more.
"I'm fine. Just freezing my ass off." he said. He didn't mention the now searing ache in his spine. He didn't need the others worrying over him. "I'll feel better when we either get out of these woods, or inside the mansion." he adds. He shifted moving towards Percy who was towards the back with him, pressing against his side.
"Well, it is a long journey. hopefully if we aren't out tonight we'll be out tomorrow." the gunslinger said, moving to put an arm around Vax, who gladly sank into his side for the shared body heat. The rogue relaxed and leaned more into the human, wincing as he tilted his head down so that the hood of his cloak his face more easily. "Everything alright, Vax?" Percy asked quietly, his voice barely a whisper.
"I'm fine. Nothing to worry about. Just cold." Vax answered. He had to bite down a hiss as Trinket suddenly moved to press against his other side, but reached out to rub the bear's soft and warm fur . "Hey buddy." he greeted. Trinket looked up at him worriedly and grunted nudging him. He sighed, because of course Trinket could tell his uncle wasn't ok. He rubbed his nephew's ears. "Stay close, buddy." he said. Trinket grunted and pressed closer, effectively trapping Vax between him and Percy.
"If you need a break you can just tell us." Percy told him glancing down at him with a frown as he tightened his arm around him. Vax looked up at him and shook his head.
"I'm fine, really." he reassured.
"No, Percy's right. I knew that something was off. If your back is hurting we should take a break." Pike stated. Vex had stopped and spun on her heel and looked at her twin.
"You should have said something sooner." Vex said glaring. Vax groaned, this was what he'd been trying to avoid. He didn't need everyone worrying over him.
"Stopping now, means wasting time. I'm fine. Its just the cold. Like i said, i'll be fine once we're someplace warm." he said in annoyance. "Let's just keep moving." he added.
"I think we should take a break." Keyleth stated frowning. "Especially if you're hurting. It might make it worse if we keep moving."
"Keyleth's right." Pike said. Vax rubbed his face.
"No, standing and not moving will make it worse because now I'm feeling even more cold. Can we please just keep moving?" Vax asked scowling.
"Sorry darling, I fear that you are out numbered on this." Percy stated in amusement.
"it won't hurt to stop early for the night. Besides its only an hour before sun down." Vex stated looking up at the sky. "Scanlan, darling would you mind summoning up the mansion? I think we'd all appreciate some warmth." She added looking at the bard. Scanlan nodded and hopped off Grog's shoulder.
"Sure thing." He said pulling out his flute and playing a few notes.
"So we're stoppin' here?" Grog asked crossing his arms.
"Seeing as our family has decided as much, I guess so." Vax said with a huff. There was a soft flash of purple arcane light and the door to the mansion appeared. Scanlan opened the door.
"Oh, hush. Stop being so stubborn and hurry inside." The bard said before stepping inside. Grog shrugged and followed with Pike. Vax grimaced and sighed letting Vex hook their arms together and pulls him in with Percy following behind. Keyleth had ducked inside already. Despite his earlier complaints, the warmth of the mansion made Vax relax and sigh. The door shut behind them as Trinket lumbered inside behind them, huffing softly.
"Alright, Vax come here. Let me see if I can help ease the pain." Pike said moving towards the den area. Vax followed, knowing better then to object. He mentally rejoiced at the sight of the den, having been made into a mess of pillows and blankets, with a nice warm fire place burning. While they usually tended to use their own rooms Scanlan made for them in the magical house, Vax was glad that his suggestion of just a blanket fort in the den stuck and stayed. Though, they only ever used it after the more harrowing fights that left them shaken and not wanting to be apart.
"You don't need too, Pickle." He said even as he settled next to her. Trinket had waddled in after him and moved to flop into the nest of pillows near them. Pike gave the rogue a look.
"Non sense. Of course I do. I will not let you just sit here in pain." She told him she reached out with a hand and murmured a few words. Vax sighed softly and closed his eyes as the warmth spread through his back and the seating ache of his spine slowly faded. He felt himself melt and he slumped into the pile of pillows. "Better?" Pike asked, grinning. Vax just gave a silent nod. He lifted his head as he heard shift and smiled as Percy settled beside him. Vex moved to settle on his other side with Pike. He vaguely heard the others shuffle over and join.
Vax shifted and squirmed a bit to burrow between his sister and Percy more, happily relaxing into the rather impromptu cuddle pile that his family had started to form around him. He felt Vex press her back against his, he left moving to hook around one of his own. Percy had settled down, sliding an arm around his waist, and he could see that Keyleth had beast shaped into Minxy, curling up at the gunslinger's back. Turning his head slightly he found Trinket by their feet. Grog had taken to settling close with Pike and Scanlan laying against him. Vax smiled some, and closed his eyes, moving to nuzzle into Percy's shoulder. The last of the cold he felt melted away as his family settled in close.
He still hated the cold, but he had to admit, he didn't hate the cold nights that led to moments like this. He let his mind slip, more then happy to just soak in the warmth and closeness of his family.