You're A Book That's Not Yet Finished | Critical Role

You're A Book That's Not Yet Finished (I'll Stay & Watch You Fill the Page)

His hair looks like fire, Fjord couldn't help but think.
The coppery locks lit up with light, the sun creating a halo over his head as Caleb bent over his book, the usual serious expression overtaking his face. The man's forehead always seemed creased with worry, his eyes always tired, and his lips always in a frown. Yet when he read his face became more focused, filled with childlike curiously as he got more and more engrossed in his book. Fjord watched in fascination as his companion sat down beside him wordlessly, completely unaware of how radiant the usually scruffy human looked in the autumn morning.

The party had stopped to enjoy the day, watching the sun rise over the hills and filling the sky with a blaze of beautiful colours. Jester had insisted they had their breakfast on a gorgeous cliff side overlooking the sea. The meadow atop it filled with flowers for Yasha to choose from. As usual, The Mighty Nein had gotten easily distracted. Nott and Beau were now racing around the trees, threats and curses flying through the peaceful air as they dove for the finishing point. Jester picked various plants to present to Yasha. The young tiefling girl would search for a specific kind, only to be distracted by another pretty plant. Yasha watched on with amusement, quietly pressing the flowers into her book. Caduceus watched on with a serene smile, gently sipping his tea calmly. The firbolg looked content to close his eyes and drink his tea, probably feeling closer to the wildmother out in nature than in the city.

Fjord tilted his head in confusion as he focused on the steaming up of tea. When did he make that...?

"Caleb!" Fjord startled when a little green figure dashed towards them. The goblin girl went scurrying over, a wide eyes expression on her face as she skittered right in front of Caleb. Nott shook her friend hard until the skinny human finally looked up from his page. "Was?" Caleb asked in confusion, looking to Nott patiently.

"Jester saw shells on the beach!" Nott pointed towards the path leading towards the show. "Shells Caleb! And they're not even near the waves!"

"Ah," Caleb said, his blue eyes brightening a little with fondness. "That is good, ja?"

"We need to go before the tide comes in." Nott continued seriously. She shuddered a little as if she was imagining the water spreading up the sand.

Caleb hesitated and looked longingly at his book. "Ah- I see." He rubbed at his nose as he fought to gather his words. Nott waited, knowing that the zemnian man often liked to choose what he said carefully. "I was hoping to finish my book."

"Oh." Nott frowned. "The others are coming along. You can't be here alone! You're squishy and weak! Someone could attack you!"

Caleb shook his head, lips twitching briefly. "Alright, I will come with you." He very painfully and reluctantly went to put his book away. Fjord felt a stab of sympathy knowing that Caleb wouldn't be able to get a quiet moment like this to read for awhile. Their next job involved a whole lot of killing and a ton more demon guts.

"I can stay with Caleb if you're comfortable with that." Fjord offered before he could realize the words were coming out of his mouth.

Nott and Caleb both looked at him with mixed expressions of confusion and shock. It was the goblin who got her bearings first. Her yellow eyes narrowing suspiciously at him.

"What kind of game are you playing here?" She growled. It was almost comical how the small creature tried to intimidate him. The obvious threat in her tone almost made Fjord want to back away a little.

"No game at all," Fjord replied, putting on his best soothing tone. "I just know that Caleb here really seems to be enjoying that book. This way you won't worry about him while you're down there getting your shells."