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The new normal was weird.
After necromancers, dragons and gods, the day-to-day life in Whitestone was so quiet and sombre. And on the days where everyone was out in the world the castle was a bit too big and too quiet. But if there was one thing Cassandra could bet on, it was Vox Machina making up for it whenever all of them were there.
They were sitting together with the group in one of the smaller rooms in the castle, faces only lid by the light from the big fireplace. It was actually one of the slower nights. Scanlan and Kaylie were back from Marquet and Keyleth was there on a visit as well.
After swapping news and stories and a lot of boozing the Shorthalts got out their instruments and started playing. It was wonderful, almost everyone joined in. Percy of course didn’t but she knew that with enough bottles of courage even he would. But her eyes were focused on someone else anyways.
She had been looking forward to Kaylie’s return to Whitestone, more than she would admit. After a lot of back and forth, long letters and awkward conversations, the two had officially gotten together a few months ago.
They had talked about telling their family and not having to sneak around as much. There had never been a good moment and to be quite honest, she was a bit afraid about Percy’s reaction. But after Vex had walked in on them in the library the other night they decided it was time. Not without making Vex promise not to tell anyone just yet.
They still didn’t have a plan but when Kaylie started a new melody on her violin, she had an idea. Trying to get her attention Cassandra moved next to her and begun humming the melody. A bit confused Kaylie smiled at her and with a big breath Cassandra started to sing:
She played the fiddle in a Travelin band
But she fell in love with a Whitestone gal
Kissed her on the neck and then I took her by the hand
Said, "Baby, I just want to dance"
She tried to ignore how quiet the room had gotten and locked eyes with her girlfriend instead. Kaylie had a look of surprise on her face but continued to play, matching Cassandra’s energy.
I met her on Grafton street right outside of the bar
She shared a cigarette with me while her father played the guitar
I asked her what does it mean, the Gaelic ink on your arm?
Said it was one of my friend's songs, do you want to drink on?
She took Jamie as a chaser, Jack for the fun
She got Arthur on the table with Johnny riding a shotgun
Chatted some more, one more drink at the bar
Then put Van on the jukebox, got up to dance
She remembered that day. It was even before Vox Machina settled down, when she and her father had played a gig in one of the taverns the group liked to frequent. After Scanlan had left the tavern, Kaylie had stayed around and made it an unforgettable night for her. It hadn’t even been the first time she had seen Kaylie there. That had been before she even knew that Scanlan had a daughter. Kaylie had been traveling with Dr. Dranzel through Whitestone and they had played during a festival around the sun tree. But she would never forget that night in the tavern.
You know, she played the fiddle in a Travelin band
But she fell in love with a Whitestone gal
Kissed her on the neck and then I took her by the hand
Said, "Baby, I just want to dance"
With my pretty little Kymal Girl
You're my pretty little Kymal Girl
With a big smile Kaylie started playing stronger and louder and she stood up to move more freely. That prompted Cassandra to finally look at the group around them. Vex had as expected a knowing smile on her face, similar to Pike who proudly watch both girls. Scanlan and Percy were a different story all together. With their mouths open they just stared between them and each other back and forth, not really comprehending what was going on. Maybe Scanlan wouldn’t be as surprised if Kaylie was singing the song about some girl she met for a night, as the apple sometimes doesn’t fall far from the tree. Not saying, that Kaylie was actually like this. But it was the proper and prim Cassandra singing about kissing and boozing and dancing. She could see a glimpse of concern in Percy’s eyes. Cassandra quickly looked back up to Kaylie twirling with the music and she continued singing. It was like she couldn’t stop anyways, wanting to prove something to her brother, even if she didn’t know what exactly that was.
You know she beat me at darts and then she beat me at pool
And then she kissed me like there was nobody else in the room
A loud cough accompanied by an even louder laugh made her look up again. She only saw Vex clapping Percy on the back and taking his half full wine glass out of his hand, while Grog held his belly, laughing at Percy.
As last orders were called was when she stood on the stool
After dancing to Cèilidh singing to trad tunes
I never heard Carrickfergus ever sang so sweet
A capella in the bar using her feet for a beat
Oh, I could have that voice playing on repeat for a week
And in this packed out room swear she was singing to me
You know, she played the fiddle in a Travelin band
But she fell in love with a Whitestone gal
Kissed her on the neck and then I took her by the hand
Said, "Baby, I just want to dance"
My pretty little Kymal Girl
My, my, my, my, my, my, my Kymal Girl
My, my, my, my, my, my, my Kymal Girl
My, my, my, my, my, my, my Kymal Girl
Kaylie had started to hum with her. Slowing the melody down Kaylies eyes were filled with a wistful look. When she began to sing, Cassandra could feel the memories and the love in her voice.
And now we've outstayed our welcome and it's closing time
I was holding her hand, her hand was holding mine
Our coats both smell of smoke, whisky and wine
As we fill up our lungs with the cold air of the night
I walked her home then she took me inside
To finish some Doritos and another bottle of wine
I swear I'm gonna put you in a song that I write
About a Kymal Girl and a perfect night
Cassandra pulled her girlfriend down and kissed her. Full of emotions she ignored the stab of the violin against her shoulder and the cooing sounds from Keyleth. They only stopped when no air was left and someone cleared their throat especially loud. Coming back to herself Cassandra felt the stares of everyone on them and it was quiet for a long moment.
“Really? A Shorthalt?” Those were not the first words Cassandra had hoped to hear from her brother. Maybe she shouldn’t have done this. But before her mind could start to spiral out of control the room was filled with a loud “PERCY!” from the women of the group. Keyleth was the first to hug the two girls and out of the corner of her eye she could see Vex give Pery a light smack on the back of his head. The rest of the group followed quickly to say congrats to the pair and Pike opened a bottle of Courage to pour another big round.
After a few minutes everyone settled down again and the conversation shifted to a different topic. She could still feel her brother’s protective look on her. But she could accept that and the conversation she knew would happen the next day, if it meant having Kaylie snuggled into her arms and being able to kiss her around the others. Maybe this wasn’t a mistake after all.