After witnessing Scanlan's junk, not once but twice, and painful memories of their past, Hazelnut cannot fall asleep, as they tiptoed over Grog, Trinket, and the twins, heading out of the alleyway that Vox Machina is sleeping in currently.

They let out a sigh, seeing that it is still dark out, if they had to guess, it was probably 4 hours left before sunrise. They removed their sword from their waist, placed it at the entrance of the alleyway, walked a few more feet away from the alleyway and found a well, headed to it, started slowly removing their armor.

First, they removed the gloves that looked more like gauntlets, pulled the rope up with ease, got some water that sloshed around and started cleaning their hands first. Their hands were surprisingly light tanned but clearly could see some faint scars from fingertips down their arms, then their gauntlets, they paused for a moment, letting her gauntlets soak.

'I'm not sure about Hazelnut, they come off as honorable but can be twice as brutal like Grog, smart like Percy but secretive like the twins-'

Keyleth's words echoed around Hazelnut's armored head "Honorable but twice as brutal, smart but secretive, huh?" Hazelnut muttered, removing the gauntlets from the bucket, and shaking them off roughly as water splattered everywhere, making sure it was dried in and out, before putting them back on, double checking to make sure no one was watching, they removed their horned helmet, as they look at their reflection from well water, thankfully the moonlight was bright enough to see their reflection.

Light green eyes and blond hair that was tied into a ponytail greeted back. It was still hard to tell gender since their face is so androgynous.

"Almost forgot what I look like...." Hazelnuts touch their face, even giving an awkward grin showing a pair of yaebas, as they paused once more...

'And, we are not even sure if you're a male or female due to that suit of armor that hides all your features, or about your real name, don't get me wrong, Hazelnut is a great nickname for you but I, no we want to know your real name. But, it's like you purposely keeping us at a distance' Keyleth's words once more entered their mind. 

"Why can't you speak up?" Hazelnut muttered mostly to themselves, looking at their hands, for a moment, they saw an image of blood before it disappeared when they blink. "I know... it's...My memories of the past are is what holding me back, that's why I cannot speak up...Fuck." They cuss, looking at the sky with a sad look, then they turn serious, looking at their reflection again.

"Time to change...alright, let's do practice runs" Trying to hype themselves up. After 20 mins of practice, each one failing due to their nerves, the last practice run started amazingly well.

"My name is Arya Selgi Bronzeheart and I'm a woman" They, well, saying that clearly to themselves....well, now herself, it made her feel proud that she was about to say that without being a stuttering mess, however, saying that to the group is another story which caused her to sigh just thinking about that, as she grabs her horned helmet. "Maybe...another time, yeah" Just when she put the helmet back on, she heard a familiar voice that always made her heart soar.

"Mmm Yawn Hazelnut?" Vex tiredly asked, walking forward, sort of stumbling out, drunkenness turned to slightly buzzed "Oh, there you are" Vex looked at her with a lazy smile "Thought you skip town on us" She joked, letting out another yawn escape her lips.

Hazelnut snorted, her heart skipping a beat mostly because she hoped that Vex didn't use her ninja stealth to peek at her face and act but from what she can see Vex isn't acting or having her signature smirk "Please, I wouldn't leave my weapon and B, You know I couldn't leave" Hazelnut giving Vex a pointed look, as she got fresh water for Vex.

She let out a lazy laugh "True" patted Hazelnut's armored shoulder, accepting the fresh water, drinking some of the water, letting out a happy sort of sigh, then flashing the cold water on her face "ahh, that felt great"

"Cold water helps with a hangover" Hazelnut watched "At least, from what I can remember" She looked away from Vex's interested look.

"Really? That's good to know" Vex said, dumping the water to the side, and leaning against the well. "Though, I'm curious what sort of drunk you are"

Vex gave Hazelnut a charming tired smile.

"No comment" Hazelnut refused to talk about the time she got drunk.

Vex let out another laugh "Now, I'm even more curious!"

"....Will tell you the story one-day" Hazelnut couldn't help but make a compromise.

"Really? Cannot wait, now let's not beat around the bushes" Vex went from tired half-elf to her usual self. Hazelnut sort of tensed up hearing Vex's serious tone.

"W-what is it?" She asked.

"Have you been sleeping?" Vex asked, concern written all over her face, something she usually doesn't show.

"Huh?" Hazelnut blinked, wasn't expecting that question, she was expecting a question about removing her helmet or name already preparing an answer but not that.

Vex gave Hazelnut a raised eyebrow look and a hand gesture that said 'you heard me'.

So, she answered "Yes" Which was, of course, a lie, Vex knew it was because she frowned, making Hazelnut silently cussed out, knowing that Vex knows.

"That's a lie and you know it" Vex didn't hesitate to call Hazelnut out on her lie.

"Alright, fine, been getting 2 hours asleep before being woken up by....something" Hazelnut admitted, looking away, arms crossed.

"I know looking at Scanlan's balls can do that to someone but that ain't all is it?" Vex flat out said that even showing her disgust clearly and showed a knowing look that made Hazelnut smile sadly under her helmet.

Leave it up to Vex to know something is up, Hazelnut thought, as she ran her hand down helmet "You're exactly right, that isn't all..."

"Care to share...or is it related to the 'not share real name and remove armor' topic that is currently off limits with you?" Vex's tone was between sarcastic and slightly angry tone, making Hazelnut pause, wondering why Vex is so butt hurt over this, then it hit her, Vex was the first person that talk to her, help her, gave her a nickname and here she is, insulting the generous help that this she-elf gave her.

"It is related..." Hazelnut started, as Vex narrowed her eyes at nothing, her anger clear as day now as she bit back a venomous insult. "But, I'm willing to share with you, Vex'ahlia" For a moment, Vex looked surprised, she looked at Hazelnut, and then this spark between them grew intenser.

Vex didn't look away, as she asked "Even your name?"

"Yes"

Vex couldn't help but ask another question "When I ask you to remove your helmet? Will you?"

".....Yes"

"Even your gender?"

"I don't see how that is important but yes?" hazelnut confusedly asked. "However, I'm not going into full detail about my past, Vex, not because I don't trust you, it's more of fact it is...." Hazelnut tried to find the right words. 

"Painful?" Vex offered, giving Hazelnut an understanding look.

"Yeah, that." Hazelnut sighed. The spark between them disappeared.

Vex chuckled, not moving from where she was leaning. "Well, As much as I would love to see your face, let's start slow" Vex gave Hazelnut another lazy smile that Hazelnut quickly grew to love.

"I-I would love that" Hazelnut chuckled.

"Okay, tell me why are you not getting much sleep?" Vex asked

"Not going into too much detail about my past" Hazelnut let out a long sigh. "But, long story short, I lost my home, the way I lost it, was something I don't wish on anyone and that is what has been waking me up" Hazelnut looked at the night sky that was fading into light purple color.

Vex looked at Hazelnut, Vex knows everyone has a tough past, including herself but the way Hazelnut acted and spoke seemed like...it was deeply carved into their heart. "I would offer to listen to you, but we just agreed to do this slowly" Vex chuckled softly.

"That we did," Hazelnut snickered, "Anything else, Vex?" Hazelnut asked.

"Yeah, your gender?" Vex curiosity asked, making Hazelnut stare at her for a few moments "Well, um, female but been told I can pass for a boy" Hazelnut admitted.

"Really? Huh, one day you will show me your face" Vex smirked.

"One-day" Hazelnut chuckled.

"Now my last question, Promise" Vex gave Hazelnut a wink.

Letting out a soft laugh "Go ahead and ask it then" Hazelnut said, looking at her.

"What's your real name?" Vex asked, once again a Spark blooming between them.

Silence. nothing but silence. Off in the distance a cricket chirps. Vex wondered if she pushed her luck when she heard Hazelnut speak.

"I'm sorry, What? Kind of space off" Vex apologies.

Sighing, she repeated in a clear tone " Arya Selgi Bronzeheart"

Arya Selgi Bronzeheart...Vex repeatedly repeat the name in her head, for some reason that name sounded so sweet in her mind, as she decided to say it out loud "Arya Selgi Bronzeheart"

Hazelnut, no, Arya stood completely still, hadn't heard anyone call her that in a long time, it almost brought her to tears, never been more grateful that her helmet is on her face and hearing her name from Vex's lips? Oooo boy, it made her shiver under this entire armor, not in a bad way, in a VERY good way. She kind of wanted to just pin Vex against this well and-Oh lordy, Arya had been spending way too much time with Scanlan or at least hearing his lewd ass stories, so she punched herself.

"?!" Vex looked at Arya with bewilderment, and did not expect that at all!

"Don't worry, it was a bug" Arya lied as smoothly as a shitty merchant.

Vex looked greatly amused, knowing that Arya is lying but decided to play along "Alright, Darling" Then Vex looked at the sky "We should get more sleep, or at least you, I don't know how you're functioning"

"Long story short, Had strict mentor" Arya stated, as she put the bucket back in the well "Will perhaps tell you a tale with her, at later date"

"It explains everything but also not" Vex bemused stated. "But looking forward to story time with you, Darling, now let's go rest"

Together, Vex and Arya went back to the alleyway to get more sleep.

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3 AND A HALF HOURS LATER
   
     Birds chirping in the morning sky, and sounds of people getting up and starting their daily routines like opening shops, cleaning, doing odd jobs, etc etc.

However, Vox Machina is not having a great day. For starters, Arya here has fallen into a deep sleep and it took everyone to wake her up their clothing, minus Arya is covered in vomit, the smell of ale, and dried blood and they cannot afford to take a shower or a bath or clean up using well water due to constant work that workers are doing in that area and everyone in a crappy mood, even Arya, that probably because she wasn't a morning person.

They were making their way up the grand stairs to see the sovereign.

"Ugh, couldn't we sleep a little longer?" Scanlan grumbled, rubbing his eyes "Some of us require 8 hours of sleep to look this handsome" He added dramatically, as he let out another loud yawn.

"Risk missing our chance to meet with the Sovereign?" Percy shoots Scanlan a seething glare. "Not happening, its requirement that all the members are available"

Scanlan grumbles tiredly. 

"Oh boy, I could go for a sandwich right now" Grog grumbled, rubbing his stomach that let out an inhuman growl "I know Mr.stomach, I'm hungry too" Grog talked to his stomach, just growling in anger.

"It's alright buddy, we will get you food here soon" Pike was on Grog's shoulder, patting his head in a sisterly way. "Hopefully" She silently added.

"Hazelnut" Vax shifted over to Silent Knight.

"Mmm?" Arya looked over at Vax.

"Did you sleep okay? I know my sister been concerned about you" Vax ask with concern in his tone, which was surprised since last night when Keyleth said that these two didn't give fuck about everyone but themselves "Frankly, I am as well, we may not know everything about you, which is fine, since we barely know each other but if I have to pick someone to trust, I'll pick you" Vax whispered, his tone was laced with seriousness and concern and Arya felt touched yet also guilt.

"I-" Arya glanced over at Vex who silently moved slowly, probably to hear this conversation "for once, I slept okay, it wasn't no 8-hour rest but it was the best slept I had in years, so thank you for asking, Vax" Hazelnut place a hand on Vax shoulder, before moving on. 

"For a moment, I thought you were going to bite my head off as you did with Pike when she tried to talk to you" Vax jokes, keeping pace with Arya.

"I-shit I owe Pike an apology" Arya facepalmed, feeling bad about snapping like that at the little gnome.

"Pretty sure Pike will forgive you even if you didn't give her apology" Vax pointed out because Pike is the type of person to forgive minor things.

"That be rude, Vax, always apologies for stuff you did even if it's a minor thing, it wasn't her fault that I'm not a morning person," Arya explained, as each step she took was starting to feel heavier, and heavier, ugh, lack of sleep is catching up.

Vax raised an eyebrow "Sometimes Hazelnut, you come off as knave but times like this, you have this chivalrous aura, I truly wonder who you are, Hazelnut" Vax wondered as he went to talk to Grog to take his mind off of hunger. 

Arya watches Vax go, she gets this conflicted feeling all of a sudden, the more she hears about her party asking about who she is, the more she wants to just rip this stupid armor off and tell them. Is this how her queen felt? Arya frowned beneath her helmet, having flashback moments, as she shakes her head and continues, not the time to think of her right now.

When they got to the top, Keyleth couldn't help but ask "We're gonna see the Sovereign looking like this?" Keyleth gestured to herself and her outfit which was covered in her vomit and dirt.

Arya was now right next to Keyleth, giving her a gentle pat on the back in sympathy.

Two guards were dressed in freshly and dent-free armor, what was noticeable was the red colored cape that flowed smoothly when they crossed their spears, guard on the left quickly yelled out "HALT" stopping the party from advancing.

Well at least these guards are smarter, Arya thought as Vex reached in her pocket, pulled out crumbling ball paper, unfolded it, then presented it giving the guard her signature smirk despite her....unladylike appearance.

Both guards shared a look, and the second guard let out a sigh as if this was a normal occurrence for them as he spoke "Okay, we'll take you in..." Notice bear, immediately wants to pet it, continue "But the bear waits outside."

Vox Machina glanced at Trinket, ears perked up, then went down as he growl sadly, his head drooping, he wanted to go in with his friends.

Arya pat Trinket on the head with Vex while the guards on the door, when Vex turned, Arya whispered "Trinket, behave, and maybe after this we can go hunting together"

Trinket's ears perk right up, letting out a happy growl, as Arya chuckled, giving the bear one more head pat.

Doors were open, and as together the party walk through it, Guard 2 would sniff and groan quietly, muttering "God, this party smells"
 
Vex, much like Arya did but not caring if anyone sees her babying her bear "it's okay, buddy, we'll be back soon, Maybe Our little armored friend can take you hunting" Vex cooed before she got up and walked away after one last pat.

Even though Arya and Vex tried to keep Trinket's mood positive, he couldn't help but feel sad that he couldn't go with them, as guards looked from the party to the sad bear.

To be continued...

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A/N: 
    Chapter 2 is finished, I shorten it compare to chapter 1, mostly because I'm trying to split episodes into like 3-4 chapters so the arc is longer and to slowly get into the groove of my character. 

Beside that? How do you guys like the bonding moment between Arya and Vex? Do you like her name? Are you curious to learn more? well, follow me to get notifications on this book. 

I will also like comments either in DMs or below to hear your thoughts!

Chapter 3 is in the works already~

P.S Chapter semi edited

now Sora is signing off~
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