A Date to Die For
Yo Rue, could you hit me up with some D&D goodnes? It can be from the disaster trio or the lost potential quintet, or literally anything else. Thanks. Love you.
@je11oprodigy
A/N: Here ya go dear Erin! Imma do the Disaster Trio next (because why choose just one XD). It’s been a while since I’ve written anything because college, but I hope you enjoy this Cal and Nezzy shit, with some Sid antics as well! ...And Nao being... Nao... Is there any other way to describe her? XD (Also oops it’s long, sorry) ~Rue
Word Count: 2187
“Go spar with her,” Sid hissed. The human jumped and whipped around quickly, eyes locked on the large cat woman. He frowned, lips pursed tightly together.
“I’ve got an idea,” Cal said, “How about you let me take care of this, and you go off and kill a bird or something okay?” The human was miffed, not wanting to admit that Sid was right. He never wanted to admit that Sid might be right. She was always right, but would you catch Cal admitting that? No. Especially not when it was about a red-headed Aasimar. “Look kitty cat, as much as I appreciate your help, I’ve got this one in the bag. I’ve charmed my way through plenty of people.”
“And how many of those people have you actually gone on dates with you sad, pathetic excuse for a man?” Okay, now that was harsh. Cal opened his mouth and closed it, staring daggers at Sid and flustered about not having a comeback that would knock all nine lived straight out of her. All the Tabaxi did was shrug, “Cal, all I’m saying that if you don’t make your move, eventually someone else will, and then you’ll be alone all over again.”
“Oh someone like you? Pussy Master 9000?”
“I- What? No. She’s,” Sid sighed and gripped the bridge of her nose, “She’s not my type. Besides Calithas Gray. This isn’t about me. This is about you.”
Gods he hated it when she used his full name. He was tempted to say no. He was tempted to tell off that dumb cat. Tempted to tell her that he had everything under control. Then he turned around just in time to see Nezzy slice one of the dummies from head to base.Gods he was in love. “Alright, alright. I’ll go spar with her, but only to prove how wrong you are!” he huffed. No sooner had Cal decided to step into the clearing to meet with the angel, he was met with an ax dangerously close to his adam’s apple. “Woah, woah, woah!” he started saying quickly, “It’s me Angel Face! You can put the sword down.” This was that dumb cat’s plan all along, get him killed by the most beautiful girl in the world.
“You startled me,” Nezzy said calmly, putting her weapon back into its hilt behind her back, “What do you need?”
He startled her? Cal made a mental note to never sneak up on Nezzy… “Oh me? Nothin. Just checking up on my favorite angel. Seein what she’s up to,” Cal said trying to forget that he had almost been decapitated, “So what are you up to Nez?”
Nezzy thought for a moment before motioning over to a flyer she had pinned to a tree with a dagger, “I’m practicing for that.” Cal raised an eyebrow and moved closer. He glanced over the page before realizing what it was. “Angel, that ain't no participation fight, it's a show.”
Nezzy paused in her administrations, to give Cal a questioning look.
“It's like a joust or a gladiator fight. People fight in the ring and other people spectate,” he said.
Nezzy's look only grew more confused. “Why would people only want to watch a joust or a fight? Wouldn't it be more fun to jump in? My family and I used to fight all the time in good fun,” she frowned, trying to work through what she was being told. Humans were such odd creatures.
“Well, not everyone enjoys being directly involved in these types of things Angel.”
Cal was only met with silence and an even more confused Celestrian. He coughed and ran his hand through dark hair, “Buuuuut, if you still want to goooo… I could take you. I mean you can say no, I get that it wasn't what you were thinking and you pro-”
The conman's heart nearly stopped as the angel of vengeance smiled at him. She smiled at him. Of course it wasn't the first time, but still-!
“I would like that Cal,” she said softly, “I would like that very much.”
********
“It’s good to see you’re actually taking the girl on a date.”
“It’s not a date, Kitty Cat. We’re just getting together to see a little fight jousting thing.”
“You’re looking nicer than usual.”
“So what? I wanna look nice. It raises self esteem.”
“...It’s a date Calithas.”
Cal shot a glare at Sid. The Tabaxi’s smug expression wasn’t helping him one bit. Okay, maybe it was a date that he was feeling a little nervous about…. And maybe he was afraid of completely screwing it up. But Sid didn’t need to know any of that. So what if her advice was sometimes write, that didn’t mean he wanted her running what he did in his maybe kind of almost relationship. He was competent enough to do some things himself! ...Right?
“Alright. So what if it is? I can handle it myself.”
Sid smirked, “I never said you couldn’t Cal. Are you projecting?”
Alright. That did it. No more. He turned around so he was completely facing Sid and huffed. Honestly, Sid thought he looked funny with how frustrated he looked, cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk or like a young boy who was trying to prove a point to a parent. “Don’t you have to be collecting gifts for your ‘goddess’ or killing innocent woodland creatures or something?” Cal huffed, crossing his arms. He said it in hopes of pissing Sid off enough that she would just leave, instead she laughed and left. This made Cal feel even more angry. As the Tabaxi left, the Aasimar entered. She looked at Sid with curiosity before moving closer to Cal. That’s when she noticed something new.
“Is that a bowtie?” she asked, staring at the new article of clothing. Before Cal could even respond, Nezzy said, “I like it.”
Walking to the event hadn’t been too bad. Of course Cal could still feel the nerves picking at his fingertips, but he quickly started to relax in the silence with Nezzy. It wasn’t bad… And it wasn’t an awkward silence either. Every now and again he’d look over and see that smile. That wonderful radiant smile. If he could wake up and see that smile every day, he’d die a happy man. What made it even better was when she looked at him.
In other news, this joust gladiator fight thing was a lot bigger than he had anticipated. He thought that there’d be someone selling food, but there were vendors set up all around the arena. The human hadn’t even gotten time to process where Nezzy might want to go first before a large man appeared in front of them.
“Welcome fellow enthusiasts!” he boomed, “The name is Jocust Briar! It’s always dashing to see someone lookin like she’s ready for a fight.” He took the armored Celestrian’s hand and kissed it, and Cal’s jaw tightened. Jocust turned to look Cal up and down, “Oh… And uh… Nice bowtie.”
“Yeah… Thanks, we were just on our way to get ready to watch the fight,” Cal said through gritted teeth, reaching down to grasp Nezzy’s hand, “C’mon Angel, let’s get going.”
Nezzy stopped and looked at Jocust, not following Cal’s lead, “You are familiar with fighting? These fights in particular?”
Cal couldn’t help but let his jaw drop and Jocust smiled, “Of course my dear! I suppose you could say I’m a connoisseur of battles and carnage.” With that, Cal watched helplessly and followed along as Jocust put a hand on Nezzy’s lower back and started leading her away.
The beginning of the fight wasn’t too much better. He was sitting to Nezzy’s left while Jocust took up most of her attention at her right. He stabbed mindlessly at his plate as he listened to them jabber on. Each second filled him with annoyance and anger. What did Nezzy even see in this guy that was worth talking to. Just because he was bigger, knew more about fighting, and- Well whatever. It didn’t matter all that much. Soon Nezzy would be done with that giant oaf and her attention would be back on him. Right? Right.
Then he heard her laugh, and Sid’s words came flooding into his memories.
If you don’t make your move, eventually someone else will.
He had to do something. He looked around the ring and thought about what his best course of action would be. Then it hit him.
He felt for his dagger and a grin lit up his face. Without another word he stood up and bolted, catapulting himself over the border of the arena.
“Cal?” Nezzy called. She watched intently as Cal stood in the arena, ready to make his mark, ready to inflict damage. Only to promptly be sent flying into the borders of the arena by a horseman, a thud resounding as he his the wall. The audience started cheering, and Nezzy was sure Jocust said something to her, but she blocked all of it out. Only one thing was on her mind as she drew her sword and sent herself flying into the arena. Sword drawn, Nezzy parried a few arrows and blows sent her way until she was standing between Cal and the rest of the arena. She slashed at the side of what she believed to be a goblin in some sort of armor and sent what was left stuck on her sword flying at one of the horsemen. All she had to do was get this idiot out safely, then all would be well.
*****
“If he doesss not make it, could we placcccce hisss ssstuff in the fund for my following?”
“No,” Nezzy saud shortly. She knew that Cal was going to make it. He had just been rendered unconscious when he was sent sailing into a wall… Head first… That and Nezzy probably wouldn’t let Nao have it anyways. She wasn’t a god and Nezzy didn’t understand why she insisted that she was one. Nao, however, seemed unsatisfied with the angel’s answer, turning to Sid.
“Priessstessss?”
Sid was perched at the foot of Cal’s bed. After seeing what happened, Jocust had shown Nezzy to an inn and helped her gather the rest of the party, but left soon after. After all, he had to follow the joust.
“We’ll see,” Sid mumbled, “I’ll do my best your Holiness, and if he does recover, I’ll find something else to satisfy you.”
Nao seemed pleased with this answer and curled up in a corner, waiting for the okay to have Cal’s things. However, Cal started to shift. Nezzy watched with relief as his eyes opened.
“You’re an idiot,” were the first words Cal heard from Nezzy’s mouth.
“It’s good to see you too Angel and- Oh gods,” Cal’s expression immediately dropped when he saw Sid’s smug expression at the foot of his bed. He knew those silent words she was saying, but he didn’t understand why. It’s not like what she said worked or-
“Could I have a moment?” Nezzy asked, “Just a brief moment.”
Nao, who seemed rather miffed that she couldn’t have Cal’s things to add to her ‘offerings’ was already making her way out the door. “Come Priessstesssss,” she sighed, “We mussst take to the ssstreetsss.”
“Coming your Holiness,” she said, her tone a bit too cheery for Cal’s liking.
Once they were gone, Nezzy turned back to Cal, “Cal-”
“No need for words Angel,” Cal sighed, slumping against the pillows, “I know, I screwed up. I ruined your time, and I’m sorry. You could have been watching the show and having fun, but I was an idiotic dumbass. I screwed up.”
As Nezzy listened to Cal, she couldn’t help the smile that spread across her features. Then, to Cal’s surprise, she started laughing, “Oh Cal, you didn’t ruin my time.”
“...Come again?”
Nezzy sat down on the edge of the bed and smiled, “I didn’t think I’d be participating in the fight at all Calithas! And while I was concerned for your safety… You gave me the chance to participate in it. It was amazing Cal! They even gave me a bouquet at the end! Isn’t that something? Getting flowers for carnage. So no, you didn’t ruin my time. I believe this ‘date’, as Sid called it, went well, and I wouldn’t mind doing something like that again.” Before Cal could register what was happening, the Aasimar scooted closer to place a kiss on his cheek, “Thank you Calithas Gray, I appreciate what you did for me today.” With that, Nezzy stood up, “I’ll go get you some water, you need to stay hydrated.”
If Nezzy would have turned around, she would have seen Cal lift a hand to his cheek, she would have seen his face change color as he whispered a soft ‘okay’, she would have seen the face of a man in shock, but she had a task to complete.
Nezzy didn’t know many things about the material plane, but she knew one thing: For the first time since her family was torn apart, Ara Nezerine felt genuinely happy.