#Lord Percival Fredrickstein von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III

[cillivnz]

gunplay [percy de rolo]

PAIRING — LORD PERCIVAL FREDRICKSTEIN VON MUSEL KLOSSOWSKI DE ROLO III x F!READER

WORD COUNT — 2502

WARNINGS — cursing, alcoholism (it’s vox machina, what do you expect), slayer’s take!reader, dark!percy, full-fledged jealousy, implied vex’ahlia x percy, implied reader x vax’ildan and reader x kashaw, fighing, percy points a gun (the gun) at reader, degrading themes, degrading name-calling, pet names, gun-play, mention of gun penetration, fingering, orgasm denial, breasts/nipple play, cum-eating, cunnilingus, overstimulation, biting, possessiveness, sex/pillow talk.

A/N — just a little somethin’-somethin’ for my favourite noble.

you had no idea how you ended up like this.

except it came to you, bits and pieces, as you rubbed your temples. despite having done it this long, you could never get accustomed to the hangovers that came with partying with vox machina. you were bare, not a strip of cloth covering your skin. about to get up and leave, when you felt a calloused hand wrap around your arm, and a strong arm pulling you in place. “stay,” an all-too-familiar voice requested, expect raspier, an underlying tone you’ve never heard in it before.

your eyes widened at realisation; the same very moment, those arms pulled you back to bed, keeping you flush against a cold chest, the same arms wrapping around your waist. your ass was pressed against his crotch, and the realisation elicited a groan from him.

“percy!” the realisation dawned on you when you saw the glistened, new-and-improved pepperbox on the nightstand in front of you.

HERE’S HOW IT STARTED: you’ve been with vox machina for a while; not an original member, but you were tasked with assisting them on the pursuit of the vestiges of divergence. the slayer’s take became cold and indifferent towards you, hating your departure, that they claimed to be your betrayal, but the order came from none of other than osysa, so every mortal was to oblige.

from the minute they barged into the home of the take, you had eyes on the white haired assassin. sure, vax’ildan was cute, but he seemed to be too out of it from the beginning. you also soon found out the ginger ashari claimed “dibs”, so you proposed a friendship instead. percy avoided you during team split ups, ignored your presence and voice entirely during plan discussions, and volunteered to go with vex’ahlia instead, whenever you offered to team up with him.

you never let it get to you, though. perhaps, it was just hostility rather than dislike because you weren’t a part of vox machina, but then again, grog and scanlan called you one of them on numerous occasions.

HERE’S HOW IT HAPPENED: after grog’s gruesomely glorious victory against his uncle, the then thunderlord of the herd of storms, the lot of you have been chugging barrels after barrels of booze. you had a high endurance to alcohol, but befriending vox machina turned you into the alcoholic you didn’t know you could be.

right now, you were seated between keyleth and pike; keyleth blabbered about vax while pike gazed nonchalantly at something you couldn’t make out in the corner of the room; vax just wandered out on his own, but no concern grew. “where’s-” ah, there he is. percy was with vex, her arm on his shoulder, a flushed grin on his face, vex twirled her braid in her other hand while saying something that caused percy to rupture into laughter.

you scoffed, downing the rest of your drink. getting up, you made your way to the bar, which was right behind them. “great,” you rolled your eyes, walking towards them. with swift strides, you picked up an unattended drink from a random table on the way, letting the oddly fruity taste stream down your throat. the contrast from your favourite grimly bitter drink was revitalising.

by the time you reached them, vex’s sultry voice only cheered the word “darling!” while hearty laughs roared in the room. they didn’t notice you, not until you made them. bumping into him so hard, almost dislocating your shoulder, you made mercy drop the pepper box, eliciting a gasp from vex.

he looked at you, an eyebrow raised at your audacity, while his jaw, one you know could cut a diamond into two, clenched, once he realised it was you. “watch. where you’re going.” he spoke through gritted teeth. “fuck off, de rolo.” you spoke with disdain. “excuse me?” he questioned your audacity. you flipped him off, a crimson and black flame of magic dancing behind your hand. “it’s foolish to disrespect a noble, slayer.” again, with the constant reminder that you’re not one of them. “especially,” he paused, and in a flash, the dropped weapon was in his hands, “an armed one.” he finished, pointing the pepperbox right at your temple. “percy, darlin-” “don’t bother, vex’ahlia.” you interrupted her. “i’d like to see ‘percy darling’ try.” percy snarled when the nickname left your tongue, the sound of it turned his face pale with disgust. “now that you don’t have a demon in there, i do wonder what you do with it.” his eyes, narrowed to slits at your remark.

yeah, you knew about orthax. osysa gave you enough information about each and every member of vox machina before you departed. plus, keyleth is an oversharing drunk, so this fact was backed up.

“well, don’t leave me hanging, baby. are you gonna shoot me? because,” you slowly turned towards him, closer to him with every word you dragged flirtatiously, “i’d like to see you put that thing to other use.” you finished, letting the tip of the gun graze your lower lip, softly pulling the plump lip down.

AND THAT’S HOW YOU ENDED UP HERE; in lord percival fredrickstein von musel klossowski de rolo III’s room. he’s still obnoxiously dressed, barely parted with his cravat, while you’re stripped to the bone; either leg placed on his sides, spread wide for him. one of his gloved hands is snaked around your waist, firmly holding you in place, dismissing your squirming, while lo in behold in his hand, the pepperbox — tracing your jaw, the valley of your breasts, and finally resting against your lips. “open.” he ordered, and you hesitantly did. the tip of the gun snaking in your mouth. you groaned when the brutally cold metal came in contact with your tongue. “suck it.” you pulled out, “percy, i want your cock…” he ‘tsked’. “no. you asked for this, and this is what you’ll get.” his authoritative tone made your cunt ache.

“now open your fucking mouth.” he demanded, the dominance in his tone was mocking you, so degrading, as if percy were a god, sick of hearing your endless devotions. being his devotee, you had no choice but to comply to him, your god. complying, you began sucking on the metallic weapon, tongue lapping at it, wetting the barrel. “good girl, at least you’re capable of something.” he halfheartedly praised, pulling the gun out of your mouth with a ‘pop’ sound. you knew he was lying when he said that, he did too. on countless occasions had you saved their asses, single-handedly. tonight, however, was not the night to let you know; praise you in any way, unless you fuck your way for it.

“i am capable.” you stated, relieved that your voice hadn’t given out. “are you now?” he questioned, amused. his fingers trailed the skin of your thighs, sending shivers down your spine. before you knew it, the grip on your tightened. you were left gasping for breath, only when your eyes clouded with panic did he let go and grabbed your mouth, forcing it open with a rough squeeze of your flushed cheeks. he shoved three of his fingers in, and you were quick to wrap your tongue around each of them, earning a rewarding groan from percival.

his digits began gagging you, pulling away, before shoving in deeper. his wet fingers then reached down to your weeping cunt; spreading the with his index and ring finger, percy showed in his middle one. “fucking drenching, just like i imagined.” “fuck, percy!” you moaned when he added the fingers spreading you, into your hole. “slow, please-” you gasped, your cry falling on deaf ears. “now, you say you’re capable,” he had an animalistic look in his eyes. you’d only heard of this craze, this ferocity dancing on percy’s face in stories told by vax, back when orthax was rooted in his soul. now that it’s in front of you, you can’t help but clench around his fingers, pummelling your cunt like a man (still) possessed. “yet,” he continued, “you’re so fucking tight — barely able to take in my fingers.” your half open eyes met his green ones, darkened with lust. “how on earth will you take in this, hm?” he used his other hand to press the cold, wet barrel of the pepperbox against your clit. you moaned so loud, you were sure the adjacent rooms were aware of your devilment.

he slowly began to move the weapon against your swollen clit. “don’t tell you weren’t planning on having it inside you. what’s the fun if you’re not gonna be fucked with it?” the relentless pace of his fingers, his dirty mouth — the smirk plastered on it, his gun on your clit. “but don’t worry, by the time i’m done with you, you’ll be stretched enough to take it,” he chuckled sinfully.

the darkest of your fantasies unravelling today, you were at the mercy of this assassin, and you loved every bittersweet bit of it. you knew your smartmouth wouldn’t last a second in his chambers, and he proved to be above you, oh so cruelly, the erotic feelings becoming unbearable.

he straightened his posture, easily moving you with him, as if you were featherlight in his embrace. his lips parted to let out his tongue, it circled your hard nipple, before engulfing it whole. his mouth was contrasting the icy feel of his fingers inside you and the metal that mocked your clit with every graze. it was blazing, as his mouth pulled and tugged on your nipple, before taking it between his teeth. you moaned a shriek. “fucking hell,” he pulled away, his tongue drawing wet circles around the bite. how he managed to stimulate every inch of you left you flabbergasted. “is this what you wanted?” percy looked at you through his lashes, “having my fingers inside this hot pussy, my mouth on these perfect fucking tits?” you moaned his name in response, he nodded with a smirk. “didn’t know nobles could talk dirty.” you managed to taunt between a moan. “not all, just me.” he clarified. “just like not every noble gets to fuck this pussy, more like anyone from now on.”

“who’s pussy is this?” he questioned, curling his fingers inside you; all three making your legs twitch. “yours, percival.” you whispered without thinking. “even when i’m flirting with vex, and you’re all alone pity drinking?” your ego was jabbed over, and over again. “yes, percival.” “aw,” he teased, “even when you were flirting with kash when we stopped by?” “yes, percival.” “ha-ha, and why’d you turn him down, baby?” “because… fuck, i’m gonna cum-” his movements halted. “answer me, my love.”

my love, what— “fuck, no, please let me finish!” you begged, the pressure of stopping coaxed tears out of your eyes. “you’re crying, my love? pathetic.” “i… i said no to him because i saw you and i… fuck, i wanted you from the moment i saw you, percy. i knew only you could do me right, and it fucking hurts when you don’t.” you were fucking relieved to surrender to your feelings and let them be known to the man eliciting them.

“kiss me,” he closed his eyes, swollen lips parted in wonder. “kiss me while i make you cum for me.” he patiently awaited your lips, ones he’s craved since the minute he set foot in vasselheim, and when you brought your plump lips to his, his movements resumed in your cunt, as did those of the pepperbox.

when your tongues danced to the fiery tune of the squelching sounds your cunt made, every fibre in your being raptured. this was unlike any feeling you’ve ever felt.

“oh, percy!” was all you chanted, while he cooed praises along the lines of ‘good girl’, ‘so good for me’, ‘that’s it, cream on fingers’. he placed you on the bed, the gun, beside you on the nightstand, and fervently discarded his clothes. shirtless, he climbed on, spreading your pussy once again, before diving in. “percy, i can’t- oh!” you moaned when his tongue wriggled inside you. he ate you out, you grabbed onto his ivory locs, using that beautiful face you’ve spent day and night fantasising about, to ride your high.

often, you had wondered what de rolo would be like in bed, obviously not anticipating that he and you would ever be sleeping together. even when you and the gang were camping in the open, he would make sure to sleep as farther away from you as the proximity of the fire would allow him to, so yeah, to say ‘surprised’ would be like reducing osysa and kamaljiori to mere kitties.

“fuck, percy, just like that.” you moaned when he began sucking on your clit. “god, you’re gonna make me cum again,” your voice was getting shriller, hand gripping on to the sheets for dear life. “good,” was percy’s response, and he lapped at every drop flowing out of your fucked out cunt, fingers pinching the clit to coax more out.

you saw white, yet again, when he had you coming undone on his tongue. your legs threatened to shut close, but percy didn’t falter, still determined to overstimulating you, as if that were your punishment for the bratty behaviour today.

the last thing you remember was him tucking your naked frame in the sheets before he spooned you, arms wrapped around your waist as if you were a celestial dream that would fade away at the brink of dawn.

NOW: you were being held on to for dear life, while you thought of a way to slither away from his embrace. deciding to try your luck, you just grabbed his, surprisingly muscular, arm and placed it on his side, ready to make a run for it — about to get up and leave, when you felt a calloused hand wrap around your arm, and a strong arm pulling you in place. “stay,” an all-too-familiar voice requested, expect raspier, an underlying tone you’ve never heard in it before. “we’ve done what we wanted to, let me leave.” you said without facing him.

“well, i’ve got a lot to apologise for, and so do you.” he spoke, nonchalantly.

“best way to do that is by submitting to me like you did last night.” he piqued your interest, “you— remember it all?” you asked, slowly turning toward him. “of course.” he chuckled, the sound made you rub your thighs against each other.

“kind of hard to forget the women you fancy getting her clit rubbed by your gun.” wait did he just— “yes, i do fucking fancy you, dummy. i’d tell you all about it if you could just sleep with me for five more minutes.” he said before he yanked you towards him; landing on his cold chest, you let him soak in your warmth, his large hand holding your shoulder, while yours placed on his heart, felt it beat, for you.

main masterlist. more from ‘the legend of vox machina’.

[retrokid616]

so a gun sword? huh lord de rolo

og critters:

please don't post final fantas-

me:

well well hand no clue lord de rolo was in the church of toku god himself kamen rider gaim but hey were all learning tonight

[cmdonovann]

oops i'm obsessed with percy vox machina now. coupla shitty little sketchbook things, since i still don't have my computer & tablet set up at the new place

here's even more, including other members of vox machina

plus a bonus linhardt&lysithea in the second-to-last one, lol

[unholywriter]

The lack of Percy de Rolo x Readers makes me feel like I need to pick up the slack. 💅🏻

[julidiot]

Lady Vex'ahlia de Rolo, Baroness of the First House of Whitestone and Grand Mistress of the Grey Hunt and Lord Percival Fredrickstein Von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III

[imtiredthatsalligot]

I love people arguing about the three newest episodes and I’m out here twirling my hair kicking my feet that I got to see Percival Fredrickstein von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III Lord of Whitestone be brutally murdered by his past torturer and the demon he sold his soul to.

[little-miss-doe]

Here are some Fun Facts™ about Mr. Lord Long Name, a.k.a.

Percival Fredrickstein Von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III

brought to you by my research for this dumb game I'm trying to help out with

He only uses his full name 15 times during Campaign 1, in 13 episodes. Over half of which were before the Chroma Conclave attacked in episode 39. The last time he introduced himself that way was in episode 86 to Taryon.

The first time another player character calls him "Percival" is in episode 17.

The only player character to never call him "Percival" in Campaign 1 is Pike. Grog uses the name only once, in episode 40.

The nickname "Freddie" first gets used in episode 36. It gets used most often while the party is in the Nine Hells, because they decide to use aliases. The last time it's used is by Vax during his goodbyes in the final episode 115.

Vax is actually the player character that refers to him as "Percival" the most often, over 150 times during Campaign 1.

[cherryficmc]

I don’t know if this has been said yet but I feel that Percival would be lactose intolerant

Yes, Lord Percival Fredrickstein Von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III, slayer of dragons, the guy that made pacts with demons, the one that killed the Briarwoods, quivers upon a piece of cheese

He still eats it tho

[bloodinmymilkshake]

What pairings in LOVM do you like, besides Perc'ildan?

Hmmm... Let me think... Percivax, Percyvax, Vaxcy, Vaxpercy, Vax x Percy, Percy x Vax, Percival and Vax'ildan, Percival Fredrickstein von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III and Vax'ildan Vessar, Lord of Whitestone and Champion of the Raven Queen

[nipple-tearz]

This is very Lord Percival "Percy" Fredrickstein Von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III coded if you ask me.

[littlebosslady7]

Happy @percahliaweek! - Chapter 1- Treasure

Chapters: 1/6 Fandom: Critical Role (Web Series), The Legend of Vox Machina (Cartoon) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Percival "Percy" Fredrickstein Von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III/Vex'ahlia, Scanlan Shorthalt/Pike Trickfoot, Zahra Hydris/Kashaw Vesh Characters: Percival "Percy" Fredrickstein Von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III, Vex'ahlia (Critical Role), Vesper Elaina de Rolo | Percy and Vex'ahlia's Child, Cassandra de Rolo, Wolfe Kristoff de Rolo, Grog Strongjaw, Leona Pike de Rolo, Pike Trickfoot, Scanlan Shorthalt, Vax'ildan Frederick de Rolo, Keyleth (Critical Role), Vax'ildan (Critical Role), Gwendolyn Zahra Melanie Von Musel de Rolo, Zahra Hydris, Kashaw Vesh, Deanna Leimert, Wilhand'ildan Shorthalt, Juniper Shorthalt, Velora Vessar Additional Tags: Fluff, Domestic Fluff, Family Feels, Temporary Character Death, Light Angst, Angst with a Happy Ending, Humor, Spoilers for Campaign 3 (Critical Role), Minor Original Character(s), Minor Spoilers, Lifespan Angst, Canon-Typical Violence, Fluff and Humor Series: Part 36 of D's Critical Role Stories Summary: Lord Percival and Lady Vex'ahlia de Rolo had carved quite an exciting life for themselves post thwarting Vecna's ascension. Join them, their children, and their found family in Vox Machina in times of bliss, grief, surprises, and fun adventures.

Excerpt:

"I appreciate you. However, that doesn’t mean I require assistance with every small task.” “All right. I’ll ease up a little bit.” Vex shot him a knowing glance. “Very well. I’ll ease up a lot. I do have to go to work anyway.” “Wait!” She insisted, grabbing him by his dapper blue coattail, “Don’t go yet.” Eyes wide with worry, he fretted, “What’s wrong?” “You didn’t kiss me goodbye,” pouted his wife. Percy obliged her multiple times over kissing all over her face and the swell of her belly twice. She giggled at his overt displays of affection.

[unholywriter]

sad and horny at 1 am and I need a certain de rolo to fuck me to sleep 🥴

[sourb0i]

WIP Wednesday 10/30: Denial

The hall in Drynna wasn’t nearly as nice as Whitestone, but it was a massive improvement over Whitestone’s dungeon. Polished wood columns arched high to a finely carved ceiling. An intricately woven rug muffled Percy’s footsteps as he paced back and forth across the hall. His shoes were ruined, nearly falling apart on his feet. The rest of his clothes weren’t much better; his shirt and coat were torn in several places, and stained dark with blood. He hadn’t even had a chance to see himself in a mirror yet. In short, he was wholly inadequate for his surroundings. But he didn’t have any other choice. A herald emerged from a side door and thumped his staff loudly against the floor. “Announcing the Honorable Lords of the Council of the Sunrise Lodge!” The council filed in slowly, with all the dignity of rulers assured of their power, and took their places on the thrones situated in a horse-shoe shape around the room. Percy stood in the middle, surrounded on all sides. His heart hammered in his side. “For their Grace’s consideration, announcing…” the herald frowned at Percy, then the card in his hand. It had taken every last remnant of Percy’s diplomacy and courtesy lessons just to convince the steward to let him in. “Lord Percival Fredrickstein von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III of Whitestone.” Percy swallowed, and bowed to the Head of Council. He’d never met her in person, but her grand hat and position at the center of the loop made her easy to pick out. He just had to convince her, and the rest would follow. “Your Grace. Esteemed members of the council. I come here on behalf of my family, to seek refuge and beg the aid of Drynna in restoring my home.” The councilor’s brow arched. “Refuge? Aid? Tell us, what has befallen Whitestone to bring it so low?”

Thank you @kalira @asha10100101010 @hurricanebreeze @eriquin @whimsicalmeerkat @stonemaskedtaliesin @kallisto-k and @post-and-out! You can read the rest of this fic here!

[critter-genfic-events]

Gods and their Followers: A Critical Role Rec List

Hello friends! Please enjoy these twelve amazing fics featuring the various gods of Exandria and their followers! Oh, and don't forget to show the authors some love if you liked their work!

The Purest Priorities by wtgw (4133,Teen) Warnings: No archive warnings apply Pairings Artagan & Jester Lavorre

Lord Artagan of the Morncrown meets a delightful little creature and feels himself start to become something different.

Reccer says: Artagan's voice here is amazing and I love the concept - of him accidentally tripping and falling into godhood.

(how could i) look at anything in this world and tremble by Chrome (4539,Mature) Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence Pairings Caduceus Clay & Melora the Wildmother, Caduceus Clay & Fjord & Jester Lavorre

Caduceus is on a mission from god, and forgets that just because he has Melora, it doesn't mean he wouldn't need further backup.

Reccer says: There's a simplicity to Caduceus's devotion to Melora and his thought patterns that's extremely interesting, and I love Jester and Fjord's reactions to him going off on his own.

Morning Elvis by fruitzbat (1000,General) Warnings: no archive warnings apply Pairings Lucien & The Somnovem

A songfic about Lucien making a pit stop near the end.

Reccer says: It's short, atmospheric, and horrifying

Gods and Otherwise by sabinelagrande (2381,General) Warnings: No archive warnings apply Pairings Caduceus Clay & Jester, Jester & The Traveler (Critical Role), Caduceus Clay & The Wildmother

Caduceus and Jester have a late night conversation about gods.

Reccer says: It's very sweet and has a very good voice for Caduceus and Jester both. It's rare to see those two interact in fic, and I'd love to see more of that.

Hope Is A Seed That Blooms In The Heart by Angel Ascending (angel_in_ink) (1744,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings Orym & Melora

One night, Orym reaches out to the Wildmother. The Wildmother reaches back.

Reccer says: I liked it

Troubled Water by CitizenMocha (1327,General) Warnings: none Pairings Fjord & Melora, Fjord/Jester (background)

With/in spite of most of the Mighty Nein gathered in their new home, Fjord takes a little time to himself to try and reconnect with the Wildmother.

Reccer says: I love fics that spend some time exploring Fjord's emotions, and this fic takes place in the middle of the Mighty Nein Reuninted, so he's having a lot of them.

Deity Support Group Meeting by YesIAmPlease (1539,General) Warnings: none Pairings Essek thelyss & The Luxon

The Luxon attends a support group for deities after her attempt to claim Essek as her very first champion.

Reccer says: It's absolutely hilarious

Bitter Earth, Briar Sting by thetickingclock (2407,Teen) Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence Pairings Caduceus Clay & Eadwulf Grieve, Eadwulf Grieve & The Raven Queen, Past Blumentrio

Eadwulf worships death. Eadwulf gardens. It's the same thing, in the end.

Reccer says: I love this in-depth look at how and why Eadwulf worships the raven queen, and how that's changed over the years.

It Means Puppet by Beauteousmajesty (1677,Teen) Warnings: Major Character Death Pairings Caduceus Clay & Melora the Wildmother

Melora's point of view on Caduceus Clay

Reccer says: It's gorgeously written and has some interesting concepts in there

Endless Ambition (Athenaeum Finite) by Monarchetype (1434,General) Warnings: none Pairings Ioun the Knowing Mistress & Scanlan Shorthalt, Ioun the Knowing Mistress & Percival "Percy" Fredrickstein Von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III

A very cynical take on Ioun's thoughts during the events of The Endless Athenaeum.

Reccer says: It's a very interesting idea on why Ioun chose Scanlan over Percy

and she's breaking my world by grayintogreen (2318,General) Warnings: none Pairings Cree & Jester

Cree and Jester compare minor deities

Reccer says: Jester in particular comes off incredibly well - she comes off as flighty, but it's all setup to rock Cree's worldview. And Cree herself - tragically devoted to Lucien, is very compelling

Fear of Cold by NKMLN (1525,General) Warnings: None Pairings Vaxildan & The Raven Queen

Vaxildan must become something new, now that he is properly the Champion of the Raven Queen. Its a difficult process, but at least he isn't alone for it.

Reccer says: I just really enjoy the care and compassion that the RQ shows to Vax as he adjusts

If you liked this rec list, follow along for more! We'll be posting a new list with a new theme each Monday. And if you would like to make a rec yourself, feel free to reach out to @professor-rye to request access to the submission form! Next week, we'll be presenting gen fics about Holidays! Get ready for some divine devotion!

[waltwhitmansbeard]

go on, claim my heart: chapter thirty-three

see my masterpost for what came before this.

Pike doesn't hesitate. She doesn't have the time. Her legs are little, but she pumps them as fast as she can, nearly rivaling Vax in speed as she beelines for Percy's side.

(What nauseating angle, what unseeing eyes, what still chest—her friend is dead. She can fix it. She can fix it.)

Her hand roots around in a pouch affixed to her hip. She knew. Maybe this was Sarenrae's forewarning, the nudge in the back of her mind to bring it with her, the small pocket of diamonds granted to her by the sovereign so many years ago. She curses under her breath; there is so much in this damned pouch, so many components and tools of her trade, and she can't find—

Her fist closes around a section of smooth velvet. "VAX!" Her voice echoes violently around the cavern. "KEYLETH, COME QUICK!"

As she spills the diamonds over Percy's unmoving chest, she motions for Vex, who still stands trembling and speechless just a few feet away, to come closer. The woman falls to her knees as Keyleth crawls up, hardly breathing through the force of her own sobs. Vax arrives in just a few moments, and even through her intense focus, Pike feels the balm of seeing baby Vilya in his arms ease her racing heart, just a bit.

She rips a piece of chalk from her pouch and begins to draw the carefully practiced symbols around Percy's head. "We have very little time," she explains, speaking in a rush. "We must coax Percy's spirit back to his body now."

"How?" Vex breathes, reaching down to grip his hand. Pike's eyes flick up; there is a flame of hope in Vex's watery eyes, and Pike will need that hope if they are to succeed in this.

"Say something. Anything. Whatever you think will make him want to come back." She drops the chalk, the final symbol completed. "Someone start!"

Vax looks down at the child he cradles so delicately. "She needs you, Percy. My daughter needs you. She needs an uncle, someone to teach her the things a father can't." He looks, then, to his wife, who weeps openly on the stone floor. "She needs you, too. You asked me once, if I could break her heart to save her life. The answer turned out to be no, because I am simply incapable of breaking her heart. And I think you would say the same, brother."

Pike looks down at the chalk markings around Percy's head. They glow, and she sighs in relief. "Next, please."

Keyleth sniffles, a loud, violent sound, and grabs onto Percy's free hand. "You already know why you must come back. We may have retrieved Vilya, but my family is not yet whole again. I cannot know peace without my brother by my side—and neither can Cassandra, who waits for you now in the woods above. We are not done loving you, Percy.

"I could not have made it here without you. I don't just mean to Whitestone, to Vilya, I mean...I could not have known that such love and happiness were possible for me if I did not first have you to show me that I were worthy of such things. And we have lost so much, you and I, and I simply cannot bear to lose any more. I know that I cannot be the leader that the Ashari deserve without you, my dearest friend and most loyal counsel, by my side, and so..." She wipes at her eyes, straightens her back. "I am ordering you, Lord Percival Fredrickstein von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III, back into your body and back by our side. Your future sovereign demands it."

Once again, the symbols around Percy's head glow, and Pike nods to Vex for her to finish the ritual. Vex stares at Percy, reaches up, brushes some hair from his staring eyes. She squeezes his hand, then takes a deep breath, holds it, and lets it out. Pike's fingers tap a nervous rhythm atop her knees; she doesn't want to rush Vex, but they are rapidly running out of time.

To her surprise, Vex leans down, hovering just above Percy's body, and brings her lips close to his ear. She whispers, her voice little more than a ghost in its own right, and Pike knows that there is no hope of Vax or Keyleth hearing what she says.

But Pike does.

"I need you, darling. We both do."

Vex straightens back up, and as the symbols glow for a third time, Pike swears she sees one of Vex's hands press into her belly for just a moment.

There's no time for Pike's mind to dwell on that for even a second, because suddenly, the symbols go dark, the chalk dimming to a dull gray that becomes almost invisible against the stone. No one breathes, all eyes locked on Percy's lifeless face. Even Vilya is silent in her father's arms. The moment stretches out infinitely, and Pike's heart sinks deeper and deeper into her stomach, sure that she has failed, sure that her friend is lost forever.

Then a cough, and his sightless eyes blink, and everyone's bodies sag in relief. They all gasp out sighs as Vex launches herself onto Percy, who is halfway through sitting up and catches her with a breathless oof. "Oh," he says, his voice still faint. "Well. Sorry about that."

Pike buries her face in her hands. She did it. He's alive. She sends a quick prayer to Sarenrae: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Everyone is still somewhat speechless—no one has yet written an etiquette guide for best social practices after a friend has been risen from the dead—except for Keyleth, who clings onto Percy's side, babbling some teary, incoherent nonsense at a thousand words a minute. Percy just chuckles and pulls her into a one-armed hug. "Just needed a quick nap, is all."

Pike watches him exchange a look with Vax, his eyes darting between father and daughter in question. Vax nods and mouths, She's alright, and Percy's shoulders slump, the tension leeching away.

Just then, a small sound from deeper in the cavern draws their attention away from the formerly dead man. Pike looks past Vax to see a bruised and battered Lady Briarwood, up on the dais, her once-coiffed hair falling about her shoulders and a long, trembling finger aimed directly at the group on the ground.

Pike's heart leaps into her throat; Vax and Keyleth's backs are to her, but her shout of warning dies as panic overtakes her at the sight of crackling green energy gathering at the tip of the outstretched finger. Pike knows that she does not have the tools necessary to revive another lost friend, not here, not now—

It happens so quickly, she must put the pieces together after the fact. There is a thunderous boom, and then Lady Briarwood is a pile on the dais, and in the dancing flames of the torches, Pike can see viscous, red-black blood oozing from a round hole in her throat. She blinks, and now she sees Percy's gun in his hand, still raised and smoking. Pike cannot fathom the reflex, the quickness with which Percy snatched his gun up from where it had fallen beside him and aimed a perfect shot at Lady Briarwood's neck. He breathes heavily, eyes unblinking as he watches her choke to death on her own blood. Pike grips the holy symbol around her neck—Sarenrae, goddess of compassion, of healing, of redemption—and prays that Delilah Briarwood is carried on the swiftest of wings to the deepest bowels of hell.