After Vox Machina temporarily disbanded until the unforeseen future, Vex’ahlia and Percy returned to Whitestone together. They wanted to help oversee the rebuilding after the attack from Thordak’s offspring before their defeat. It was, and would always be Percy’s home afterall, and his only family member was there too. Besides, Percy joked that Vex needed to experience Ladyship first hand. And so, 2 weeks went by.

Vex missed her brother, and missed having a purpose. Of course, she would never change her choice of staying with Percy, but she couldn’t deny a part of her missed the adventure. Percy was in a better place then her, after all, he was home. However, he hated seeing his lover look so lost at times. He did his best to distract her, give her a voice in decisions, and so on. Those were only temporary fixes though.

They were walking around Whitestone as evening fell one day. The rebuilding was coming along nicely, but the loss still weighed heavy on the hearts of the people. Many lives had been lost, and even more had been lost when the troops of Whitestone had marched to face Thordak and his children at their lair. Still, they persisted. That’s what Whitestone did, they endured.

As they walked, Percy looked over at his lover, who was holding his arm. Percy was still walking with a cane for extra support after being resurrected. Vex had that distant look in her eyes again.

Percy sighed softly as he stopped, bringing her hand to his lips. “Vex, my love, I know you always say you’re happy here with me, but your expression often gives yourself away.”

Vex smiled a little at his gesture of affection, but it faded at his words. “I know, darling,” she conceded. “I promise, I am happy with you, Percy. I’ve just never known a life like this, peaceful and happy, and without Vax. I just feel restless, but it’s nothing of your fault.”

Percy believed her. “I know. Perhaps we need to find you something else to dedicate your time to,” he suggested.

“Like what-” Vex began before they heard the sound of something falling in the alleyway they stood in front of.

Immediately, they were both a little on edge. Whitestone was a loving place, where everyone knew someone. There was no reason for someone to be hiding, unless they knew they weren’t welcomed. Percy drew Retort, his current pistol, as Vex crept forward with a dagger after leaving her bow at the castle. She didn’t see anything at first, until one of the crates moved because of something underneath it. She signals to Percy to come closer. Once he did so, Vex flipped the crate off whoever was hiding under it.

Both of them froze their initial attack when they found a child underneath. A lost, dirty child, that clearly wasn’t from Whitestone originally.

Percy immediately put his gun away as Vex hid her dagger, not wanting to spook the child anymore. Percy made the first move, going down onto one knee as he offered the child a hand.

“It’s alright,” he said, trying to keep his tone light and friendly. “Don’t be afraid.”

Vex looked around both exits of the alleyway, searching for any sign of an adult. “Where are their parents?” she wondered outloud, even though she knew deep down the answer.

Percy knew too. “I don’t know,” he said, in case the child understood Common. “Can you tell me your name, Little One?” he asked the child.