"Have some sympathy for the recently dead," Percy grumbled, but allowed Shaun to pull away. He knew he couldn't actually avoid talking to Cassandra forever, even if it was an appealing idea.
"That...has been said," he agreed. "I know, Cassandra. I know. And I am sorry. But it was..." He had to force himself to breathe as he tried to say the name. "It was Ripley. And Orthax. And I could not just allow the monsters I created to wreak havoc on the world. You must understand that." Cass understood better than anyone, he imagined. She had seen what Ripley had done to him when she had tortured him. She knew how dangerous she was.
He gave a quiet, brittle laugh. "I am...far from all right," he admitted. "And I imagine it will be some time before I am all right again. But I am alive. And I am here. And that is...enough. It has to be. I should rest. I don't know that I can eat just yet...but I will do my best to rest." The words rang hollow. He was exhausted, but sleep was a terrifying concept. He didn't want to relive what he had suffered at Orthax's metaphorical hands, and he was sure that was what would be waiting when he closed his eyes.
He allowed Cass to hug him, bringing his own shaking hands up to return the embrace. "I know," he whispered, closing his eyes and pressing a kiss to the side of her head. "I know. Just...just a few dragons and then I will take a break from all this adventuring and be boring for a while. How does that sound?"
While the siblings talked, Hartley gave Vax a deeply unimpressed look. "Do that again," he said mildly, catching Vax's wrist in a gloved hand, "and I will put you through a wall." Yes, he was wearing his gloves. He'd wanted to be prepared just in case the resurrection went sideways and they had to fight some kind of demon. Which, it had turned out, hadn't been far from what had happened. Except that the redhead had done the fighting. With magic.
Speaking of, He turned and offered Keyleth his hand. "Hartley," he introduced himself. "It's very nice to meet you, Keyleth. It's nice to see Percy has at least one other friend who isn't an idiot. And yes, I am including my colleagues in that." He rolled his eyes at Harry and Vax, as they proceeded to prove him right.
Percy, meanwhile, gave a weak smile. "I suppose a proper bed would be better," he agreed, "if I must sleep." He wanted to ask Shaun or Vax, or both, to stay with him, but it felt terribly selfish to do so. Vax would likely need to worry about Keyleth or Vex or the both of them. And it wasn't fair to put his worries on Shaun. He would be fine. Or he would manage. Something. He had a great deal of experience being fine in spite of the odds.
"I imagine that would make things quite awkward," he said, before stopping. Keyleth was here. And he very much doubted Vax had time to explain the way things were with him and with Shaun. It was probably better to give them some space for the moment. "Keyleth, I imagine you are very confused. This is rather a lot to take in and we had a bit more time and less chaos to do so. I have no doubt Vax'ildan can explain everything if you need. I would offer, but I really am exhausted."
Getting to his feet, he stumbled, swaying slightly before righting himself. "We should really go. I think we have caused enough fuss here today."