Critical Role x Reader [Open]

Naliin (pt1)

For: CaelaSinclare
Fluff.

~~~

A small temple in Whitestone's outskirts houses a humanoid figure, currently knelt by a full-body statue of Lady Tatania. She is quiet, deep in prayer. Her blonde bob cut stands out slightly from her green and brown leathers and cloaks. After a long moment, she stirs.

Naliin pushes off from the floor, rising from her prayer position carefully, her head still bowed.

"Thank you for your time, Lady Tatania." She murmurs, tilting her head up to admire her patron. A feeling of peace and warmth spreads through her chest as she takes in the large statue, reveling in it's beauty. Naliin knows she will never get bored of studying it, in awe of her patron's presence and ever thankful for her kindness.

A small nose rubs at her cheek, pulling her from her thoughts. Nel's smile spreads wider and she scoops her cloud ferret off her shoulder. Bubbles snuffles at her, a blob of brown and tan-striped fur in her palms.

"Alright buddy, we'll get ya some food." Naliin coos, scritching the tiny head in her hands gently. She rises and heads out to start the short walk home.

*

Some hours later, in the afternoon, a soft knock at her door draws her attention from her dutiful sorting of herbs. Bubbles rouses from his food-nap curiously. Naliin grins, the knock familiar.

"Come in!" she calls. A moment passes in silence. Her brows furrow. "I said, come--"

She startles when she turns, her best friend standing a few feet from her and grinning deviously from under his dark hood.

"Vax!" Naliin fumbles a small vial, barely catching it with a relieved sigh. "You gotta quit doing that."

The rouge cackles. "Sorry, Nal. It is too funny when you jump, I can't--" He wheezes again. "--can't help myself."

Nal throws a vial stopper at Vax and he devolves into laughter. It's infectious, and soon the cleric finds herself joining.

"So what did ya stop by for anyway? Just to scare me?" She questions once she regains her breath.

"Not entirely..." Nal catches the glint in his eye as he trails off.

"You're hiding, aren't you?" She prods, grinning. His dark eyes track her gold ones as they take in his body language. He shifts under her scrutiny.

"I may or may not have gotten hella bored and bailed halfway through a meeting and my sister may or may not be mad at me. She'll calm down by tomorrow... Don't give me that mom look!"

Nal chuckles and lets her hands fall from her hips.

"Anyway, as I was saying. I dipped out and Vex is kinda mad but I wanted to do something in the woods reeeeally badly. And could use company other than Vox Machina for a bit. I love them all dearly, don't get me wrong, but sometimes they're a little much. So here I am."

"You ramble when you're flustered." Nal notes, grinning. Vax blushes lightly, shoving her playfully.

"Shudduuuup." He whines, the tone causing them both to giggle. Naliin considers for a moment.

"Alriiight," she drawls, "tell you what. You sort my herbs while I pack a bag. Can you do that?"

Vax is briefly reminded of helping Keyleth and Pike, nodding with certainty.

"Don't worry," he reassures. "I've sorted herbs before. I won't mix them."

Nal nods sharply with satisfaction and retreats to her bedroom.

"...too much, at least." Vax murmurs, getting to work.

A few quiet minutes pass before Vax hears her footsteps approaching with purpose.

"And!" Nal starts as soon as she sees him. "I also don't want to get caught. Your sister probably has sent word to the guards to keep an eye out for you so she can drag you back and yell at you-- I don't want to be a part of that. So, I guess what I'm asking is... Can you sneak us out?" A lopsided smile is already tugging at her lips before she even finishes the question.

Vax's grin is confident and just a touch devious.