Opportunity

Morning came and they all headed down to eat, after breakfast, they all gathered on the couches again preparing for the worst, "Wait" Veth interrupted "Would it be reasonable if I brought Yezza and Luke here? I don't know just in case the queen gets mad and tries to take them again?", "It may be safer to do that, they've been through enough already" Fjord nodded and with the Veth was off.

Darting through the streets Veth made her way to the La'vachatou, scurrying up the stairs and knocking on Marian's door, "One moment please" her voice rang before the door peaked open "Oh Veth If you're looking for Luke and Yezza" sta turned around grabbing something off a nearby table and handing her a folded note "Yezza said this is their new address" Veth smiled taking the note "Thank you, You look as gorgeous as ever before darting back down the stairs and outside to find the address.

It didn't take her long to find the apartment, rapping on the door she heard Yezza make he way, cracking open the door, his face lighting up to see Veth as he swung the door open and pulled her into his embrace, Luke hearing Yezza's welcoming rushed over to join in the hug.
For a moment Veth stopped worrying, enjoying the deeply missed connection with her family before pulling away "Does this mean you're done? are you finally back home?" Yezza looked to hopeful, which is why it pained Veth even more, to share a sad look with him "No, no, not quite yet, we need to finish up some business, and its.." she looked down at Luk, his big innocent eyes gazing up at her "...could we talk outside?" she directed back at Yezza, Yezza shooed Luk back into finishing his studies, which he reluctantly obliged.

As Yezza shut the door behind him, he rested his hand on Veth's arm, trying to console her "It's ok, you cal talk to me, what's going on?"
Veth took a deep breath "Things got complicated while we were away, and right now, right here I can't explain everything, but... I need you and Luk to.." she sighed "to stay with another friend of ours, it's safer at him home and... I'm so sorry for this, it looks like you got a nice house and had moved in, and I promised when we get back it would go back to normal I- I just-"

Veth's babbling words were cut off by a hug from Yezza "Shhh shh, I know the work your doing is important, and yea, I'm a little upset it isn't over by now, and that we're in danger, though I don't blame you for that, I know you, I can tell you're trying, I'm with though through "all of this ok? "
Veth looked up at him, tears rolling down her cheeks "Have I told you that you're the best fucking husband every?", Yezza smiled "And your the best wife ever" they shared a kiss before Yezza called Luk and they made their way back to Yussa's.

The M9 didn't do much while Veth was gone, with the help of Essek they wrote out what Jester would be saying in her messages to the Dusk Captain, and praying for the best result. When Veth returned she muttered direction to the guest room and Yezza took Luk up, quietly greeting everyone and making an obvious curve around the familiar Drow, Luk with a big smile waved at everyone and then gawked at Essek pointing "Daaad, dad that a drow, look looook, so pretty" Yezza sped up, Everyone smiled at Yezza and gave a wave back to Luk, snickering at his reaction to Essek.

Essek hadn't seen the Halfing man since 'The Dungeon of Penance', he found himself relieved to see how much healthier he was, though the weight of guilt hit him like a sledgehammer as he arced by, The child's reaction was not what he was expecting, at first he gently raised his finger to raised back, then stunned to be called 'pretty' his face growing hotter as some of the M9 teased him a bit before Veth took her seat and nodded, satisfied to Jester.

"Hello Dusk Captian, This is Jester of the Mighty Nein, We were wondering If it was possible to use our help in the peace negotiations-"
"To possibly ask for mercy on behalf of Essek? We know he did some bad things, but we fully believe he has a good heart-"
"We understand, The Queen is angry, which is why we ask you, to help, calm and convince her, please? this would mean a lot, please?"

There was a long pause before a reply "I agree that my Queen maybe letting her anger get the better of her just now, but she has her reasons... If you truly believe in Essek so much as to risk yourselves... I will see what I can do, no promises, it may take a while, but I do believe that if she does concede to your request, he should come and face her to face what lesser punishment she delivers "

"Ok so it seems the Dusk Captain will talk to her, but she's not promising anything, and she says that if the Queen decides to... go for a lesser punishment, she thinks it would be right for you to face her Essek" Jester explained
Everyone grew still and watched Essek who blinked in disbelief, this was probably the best way it could go "That would be fair, we are lucky she even heard us out" he sighed, laying back, "well for now we wait, see what can be managed and keep you safe here" Caduceuse spoke.

After that everyone separated off on their own, Beau and Jester wandered off to a section of the room to chat, Fjord had asked Caduceus to help him meditate, Veth had run upstairs to be with her family, and Yasha decided to practice her harp in another corner of the room. Caleb shuffled next to Essek "All went well considering? if you would like we could go over some spells, or if you would like to rest after that I wouldn't blame you, you look a bit worn" Essek stood, stretching a bit, I wouldn't mind studying a bit" He watched Veth run back down in into what seemed to be a kitchen "... I think I left something upstairs though, I'll be right back"

Essek made his way upstairs to the rooms, and gently rapped on the door, The halfling opened it, happily expecting someone else, then gulping at the sight of Essek, Luk tried to squeeze past to see, but he told him to go study, Yezza kept the door barely open, as he waited for Essek to speak
"I uh, I just, wanted to apologize, for everything, I don't know how much Veth has told you, but, I would still like to offer my sincerest apologies... that is all" he bowed his head and walked away, passing Veth on the stares as she gave him a suspicious look, before doubling her speed up.

Essek met up with Caleb back downstairs "Did you find it?" he asked, "What?", "The thing you were, you left up there?", "Oh no, uh, left it at home, nothing important" Caleb searched Essek fora second before dropping it "Ah, unlucky", and so they sat, spell books open and Caleb going over what he learned about the collar, and hours passed by.

Beau and Jester found a quiet place in the corner of the room, their conversation jumping around, asking how each of them was doing, briefly on the topic of Essek and their now tangled pathway, Jester trying to optimistic as always, and Beau, being a little more logical, and maybe harsh, they shared smiles and laughs, shoulder to shoulder for a while till Beau wanted to be closer and put her arm around her, she smiled at Jester, she loved her so much, she smiled admiring the freckles on her nose and cheeks, she smiled at the was shed blush every time she called her 'Jessy' which she had been doing for a while, but now it just felt more important, and they just talked, enjoying each others time together.

Veth had made it back upstairs with some drinks and snacks, entering the room, immediately Luk was distracted by the food and Veth managed to pull Yezza aside "I just saw Essek leave, Is everything alright?", Yezza gave a confused nod "He just came to apologise? he wasn't sure 'how much you told me' but he just wanted to let me know he was sorry"
Veth nodded, and sat down on the bed, Yezza joined her, hand intertwined "Hey, Lukypoo", Luk glanced up as his mother wide smile " I think Jester still had some cupcakes, if you asked her nicely I'm sure shed gove you some, Luk wide eyes burst out the room and downstairs, Yezza sighed, imagining the sugar rush they'd half to deal with.

Veth explained everything to Yezz, who listened, appreciating the pauses for him to digest, and as the story went on his eyes just got wider ad wider till Veth finished, "Yea, wow, wow, that's that's a lot to process, let alone deal with...", "Are you ok?" she asked, Yezza shot her a concerned look "Compared to you I'm sure I'm fine, I had no idea what you had been dealing with, and I can't believe what we're actually involved with" Yezza combed his hands through his hair, "But we're safe here, and Calebs very smart I'm sure he wouldn't minds helping Luk out with studies, he's an amazing teacher"

Yezza nodded, "I just, hope this pans out, Luk can't stay here forever, he needs to go out and meet people, make friends, go to school",
"I know, I know, we're going to wait for the Dusk Captains response, and go from there, I promise you though, you and Luk's safety and life come first" Yezza nodded, and for a while, they just sat there.

Caduceus and Fjord made their way onto the balcony after Wensforth assured them it was also under the protection of the tower, and Caduceus guided Fjord through his meditation, to feel and listen to the earth around him, the gentle whispers of the wind and song of the birds, once Fjord seemed to get the hang of it, he stopped to admire him, his hair had grown long enough for the front to be pulled back into a small ponytail, a few short strands softly fell over his forehead, he started getting some pretty good stubble into. which really helped show off the tusks that were beginning to protrude, he smiled as he sat down next to him, and began meditating himself.

Essek was enjoying studying with Caleb, though there was more distance than who the previously worked together, he could accept that, so long as he didn't recoil at his touch or tell him he never wished to see him again, so long as he could still be in his life, that was enough, for now, but how he wished he could study one-on-one life this long, but Yussa made his appearance looking for Caleb, smiling as he descended the stairs, looking over the M9 as they did their own thing, trying to relax and let things happen, he spotted Caleb, and Essek on the couch, books and papers sprawled out "Looks like you've been busy, mind if I ask what you're researching?" He directed the question to Caleb, seemingly overlooking Essek, "I thought it might help to let Essek look over sone of the work of the collar, He, other than yourself, of course, is one of the smarted mages I've met, so I felt his input important... I hope you do not mind?", "No, no, it is your project, the more help the better anyway, hmm?" giving Essek a tight smile before he looked through the papers as he sat down between them.

Caleb was not a fool, He had notices Yussas precaution to Essek, and it was understandable, especially since, until studying with Yussa before breakfast, he wasn't fully informed of the situation, and he's opinion had certainly not lifted after finding out, but, he seemed to trust the M9, after the 'Happy Ball' incident, dare he say even grown fond of them, maybe studying together would be good to loosen the tension, though right now it seems Essek had sheepishly drawn into himself, and hardly talked after Yussa joined them.

Dinner came and went, everyone was downstairs this time, it was a quiet dinner, no-one talked, other than Yezza and Veth when reminding him not to stare, eat his veg, and to thank Mr Yussa, before sending him off to bed.

Yussa retired shortly after, and the rest stayed up a few more hours, hoping for some sort of message, but when Caleb announced it was 10 pm, they all made their way to bed, Veth Yezz and Luk took what was once Esseks room, and he found himself bunking with the M9.
Each finding a spot to nestle down in, Jester and Beau sat up a bit longer than the rest, Jester fell asleep first, and Beau just watched her for a while, lightly brushing the hair out her face.

This time, taking a lighter sleep of meditation, using his superior dark vision, he looked around and saw everyone peacefully asleep, Jester and Beau once again curled into each other.
With a flick of his hand and a few symbols drawn in the air, he took out his book and began going over his notes, they were doing so much for him, yet he found he could only sit there and let it happen, so, he'd at least try harder, to help find a solution to Caleb's collar conundrum.

Essek glanced over at the human, as he was curled up, hair scattered over his face as he was deeply asleep, memories filled his mind, from when he first saw this human, offering up one of the beacons he had given away, never is a million lifetimes, did he ever expect such a miscellaneous group of individuals to turn his life so suddenly around, never did he expect for one measly human, to make him feel things he had not felt in such a long time, memories of his study session with this scruffy but surprisingly intelligent and quick learning man.

Memories of the others surfaced too, Jester's instant hug when he had given them the 'Xhorhouse' as they called it, to then visit a couple of days later to find a massive tree on top while Caduceus and Jester, precariously strung up jars filled with liquid light.

Memories of the dinner he finally attended, how weird it felt to not be held to his usual expectations, except, struck a barrage of questions, ranging from weird to just plain embarrassing and somehow coaxed up to their hot tub, it all seemed like a pleasant dream now, shattered apart by the nightmare of that night.

On the ship, Essek expected the same hostility thought the entire conversation as when Caleb had threatened him, which he could tell was a shock for everyone else, But as he explained, and sat there, awaiting judgment and for them to run to the Queen, they didn't do anything of the sorts, instead he was shown such compassion, it made him feel so, humiliated that he has expected anything else.
Though they were kind to him, it was understood, that his relationship with them had been severely damaged, possibly beyond restoration.
But now, here he was in a room with them as they slept, risking everything for him, for whatever conversation they had upstairs.
unconsciously his hand reached out to brush the hair out of Caleb's face, and he smiled, grateful for this chance.

Yussa had retired early, moving to his chambers below, followed shortly by a nervous Wensforth "You seem to be, disturbed recently sir, anything I can do to help?" entering his chamber Yussa did away with his form, his size swelled, his light-brown skin turned to dazzling gold scales, as he stretched out in the large environment "just keep an eye on that drow, I don't want him destroying with whats mine after all" and with that Wnsforth left.

He made it sound more selfish that it was, it was true dragons liked collecting and hoarding, he didn't see the M9 as his property, but they were his friends, they had come to help hin, and contacted Allura when they didn't need to when they could have easily taken advantage of the situation and plundered his tower. Other than Allura, they were the only others he trusted as much, and he wasn't going to let anyone cause them harm.