Critical Role Oneshot Stories

Grog Learns His LGBTs

            Emon, filled with all sorts of people. All sorts of races, gender, orientations, and backgrounds. Grog Strongjaw and Pike Trickfoot would love to walk through the town, meeting new people, learning new things, trying new things from many cultures. Grog, being the not-super-intelligent man that he is, is generally very accepting. He usually doesn't care who you love, or don't love for he doesn't really understand.  Pike was ecstatic about his acceptanceness, until this one day. One fine day the sibling-like pair was taking a stroll down the street in Emon. Whilst strolling they came across a herb stand, a lovely young woman standing behind it. Pike pulled Grog over, she needed some herbs for dinner and spells."Hi Uh what kind of herbs do you have?" Pike asked the woman. The woman, looking down at the small woman very excitedly, began to ramble on about some herbs. Grog stumbled back a bit, shock filling his mind at the woman's voice. The woman suddenly cuts herself off, "Do you have a list of specific herbs you need?" Pike nods, digging through her bag eventually pulling out a slip of paper."Here you are! I love your dress, wherever did you get it? Isn't she beautiful, Grog?" Pike asked, looking up at the large man. She cocks her head upon seeing the shock. "Grog? Are you okay? I'm sorry about him, he's a bit....silly sometimes. Grog, can you tell her what you want?"Grog shook his head to clear his mind, leaning down to Pike's ear to whisper to her. Unfortunately, Grog still struggles between his whisper voice and his indoor voice, both loud enough for literally anyone within 7 feet can hear clear as day. "Um, Pike? Why is that guy wearing a dress?" He asked. A look of shock came across Pike's face. She, being better at whispering, whispered, "Grog that person is not a man. She is a woman."Grog looked confused. That's when the argument between the two began to break out. Mostly consisting of Grog saying that the stall owner is absolutely a man and pointing out the "masculine" aspects. While Pike was arguing that what he may see doesn't mean anything, it's about the person inside and insisting he apologize. Eventually, the argument got loud, resulting in the entire square turning and watching. Needless to say, the woman was embarrassed and ran off, tears falling down her face. Pike watched in horror, embarrassment, and anger at her friend.She stomps closer to Grog, grabbing his beard (considering how close he was to her face) and dragging him through the town back to the keep. This was hugely embarrassing for Grog, to have such a small person dominate him. Once back in the keep she all but threw him into a chair, pure fury evident in her face. "You will sit in this chair while I change out of my armor. You will not move or so fucking help me Sarenrae. Do you understand me?" The gnome asked sternly to which she was met with silence. So she walked to him and stomped on his pinky toe. "I SAID DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?!" She shouted.Grog yelped out in pain, followed by a shout of yes. He sat there for roughly 45 minutes, staring at nothing but the wall. Once she got back, the initial rage seemed to have subsided. She grabbed two glasses of water, handing one to her large friend (who looked absolutely terrified) then pulling up a chair to chat. "Grog, do you know why I'm so angry?" she asks, receiving a head shake of no. She lets out a big sigh. "Okay. I'm going to go pick up a few books-", to which a loud groan is heard, "and we are going to spend the rest of the day and through the night learning. You wait in the keep. I'll go get the books." And with that, she left. Grog was finally allowed to get up and move. He stood up, stretching. He walked around the mostly empty keep, heading to the courtyard. He went to the tree and sat in front of it. He traced his fingers over things he and his friends carved into it. One was a heart with the letters 'V+P' not that he fully knows what those letters are. Another heart nearby that has 'V+K'. He scooted around the tree looking at the drawings. One was a thing Scanlan carved in of him and Pike holding hands, one that Grog drew of himself and Pike hugging. One that he also drew of all his party members. He sighed and spent the next few hours in the courtyard. One of the keep's workers eventually called through the Keep that dinner was ready. Grog very sluggishly made his way to the dining room, slumping down in a chair. The chair creaked as he sat on it, reaching out and dishing up for himself. Many of his friends were there, save for a few. He didn't understand where Keyleth and Vax were but he understood they were busy. Vex was looking around, noticing the small woman was gone."Grog?", Vex asked, shaking the large man out of his thoughts. "Where's Pike?" That simple question made him look ashamed."Grog darling, what happened?" Vex asked. So Grog broke and explained, ending with a shaky, "I don't know what I did wrong!" The party looked away, sighing quietly. Just as soon as dinner was finishing up, Pike walked in. She had a sack of books, a box of paper and quills, and a stone-cold face of determination. Once Pike was in, the table was cleared and the party said good luck to Grog. Grog gulped, swallowing the big wad of anxiety and spit in his throat. Tary came behind Grog and patted his shoulder, mouthing good luck to him.Pike laid out each book and began her lesson. She taught everything, from the origins of society and the lgbtqia+ to modern-day terms. She taught laws, she taught acceptance, she taught everything. By the end, Grog was crying. He understood what he did. He understood what he might've caused. By the time he finally learned, the sun was up, he was dehydrated, and practically begging Pike to take him out to find her."Grog you have to wait now. You have to eat, and clean up, and-," he stopped her. He hasn't interrupted her in a long long time."Pike I have to go find her! Pike I'm going now!" he was telling her at this point. She shook her head and sighed."Fine, fine. But you have to buy me breakfast." she caved, she could barely resist her best buddy. He scooped up the little woman and ran out the door. He spent the better part of 2 hours looking for the stall and the woman. Turns out she had moved her stall to a different part of town to avoid the large oaf. Once he found her, the anxiety began to set in. He was.......scared to face her. He wanted to turn and run."Oh no, you don't Grog. You apologize right now." she angrily encouraged. He walked up and kneeled down below the cover of the stand. The woman saw him and immediately looked like she was gonna cry."Wait hold on, please let me explain. I...I'm sorry. I said some mean stuff and it was wrong. I didn't know it was bad to say or think that. I hope you can forgive me over time." he began to shake, feeling the emotions welling up in him. She took a deep breath and patted his large hand."I understand, and I will forgive you. I think I need you to prove you're truly sorry. Maybe you can help me move my stuff around." she smiled. He only understood half of what she said. But at the end of the day, he understood.~Fin