[ it was easier than expected, to walk through the streets of minrathous undetected. his hood was drawn up as he navigated the cramped streets, ignoring the stench of bodies (blood, spite whispers in the back of his mind) and the hum of venatori magic in the air. how they had taken the entire city so swiftly, lucanis had no idea -- but his stomach had churned when he had discovered that dock town was in shambles, along with the shadow dragons hideaway.
neve had not come back to the lighthouse. lucanis could hardly blame her; if it had been treviso... but it was not. it was minrathous, and while he had given neve her space for the last week, he could not stand not knowing any longer if she was safe. so, the demon of vyrantium went to work to find the unfindable.
like all things in tevinter, it had taken money. well-paid scouts and bribes, coin in the palms of hands that belonged to the scum of the earth, but he had successfully tracked down the safe house where neve gallus was (allegedly) squirreled away.
it was clever, really -- a seedy bar, tucked in a back alley. the crow had nearly walked past it were it not for spite briefly seizing control, managing a hissed neve before lucanis blinked, refocusing his attention on the signage. the crooked crow. a bit on the nose, but lucanis supposed tevinter was one for mockery.
upon entry, lucanis scanned the surroundings. two men in a corner, playing a game of wicked grace over cheap beer. a woman behind the bar itself, cleaning out a water-stained mug. and, almost imperceptible to the naked eye, a tiny symbol carved just behind a dusty bottle of wine. a dragon.
his contact was correct, then. this was the place. ]
A glass of the '37 port.
[ it was said evenly as he pushed back his hood, taking a step to the bar. the bartender glanced up, searching his features, and lucanis slid three gold pieces across the worn wood, along with another token -- a brass coin, with a single scratched line through the middle.
it buzzed with magic. lucanis hated it.
after seeing the payment, the bartender took the coins without a word, turning to take the bottle. instead of lifting it, the bartender pressed on the bottle lightly, and the two men in the corner playing wicked grace stared at him as a door slid open just behind the bar. scouts, lucanis realized, but he paid them no mind as he disappeared from sight, taking the stairs down into what appeared to be a dark network of tunnels.
after a few moments, he enters into a room full of supplies and a few people shifting boxes about. none of them pay any mind to lucanis, though he doesn't exactly pay mind to them either, zeroing his attention on one woman in particular who seemed to be running the show. his shoulders relax half an inch with tension he hadn't known he had been carrying, almost dizzy with relief. ]
Neve.
[ in an exhale as he steps forward, sidestepping a box neatly. he sets a bag he had been carrying on top of the crate, his heart already beginning to thrum in the steady beat that only happened whenever he was within speaking distance of the woman standing in front of him. it wasn't the time, obviously -- but she was just as beautiful as she had been the last time they had spoken. ]
she's been away from the lighthouse for a week. in the back of her mind, she knows this. and the rough calendar hanging nearby also says as much. the thing is, it hasn't felt like a week. it's felt like a month, like every breath and blink she takes is passing precious minutes that she could be doing something–anything–more useful to help rebuild.
neve has been working since she got here, to tevinter, to minrathous, to dock town. even with all of her coordinating and clean up efforts, it doesn't feel like enough. it isn't enough. people are still missing, buildings are still in pieces, the entirety of the precarious balance that the tevinter governing bodies hung in has been upended. venatori roam the streets and the sickly charge of their magic hangs in the air as a miasma.
she knows, realistically, that rebuilding will take more than a week; it will be months, if not years. still, she cannot rest or stop until she reaches some kind of satisfactory point. there's simply too much to do and not enough hands in which to do it with.
so, when she hears someone address her off to the side, she gives him a passing glance and points to a stack of bundled medical supplies on a nearby shelf. ]
Those have to go to Ferryman Row, an apothecary named Arctus will hand over patient names so we can match them to missing lists.
[ venhedis, she's tired. it even feels like her hair follicles are exhausted. but, there was still work to be done. and the last batch of errand runners hadn't reported back yet. ]
caught off guard, lucanis glances toward the stack of supplies. they do, indeed, appear to be in need of delivering. and he was more than capable of doing so, but he had expected something more than a casual assignment of duty. was she truly upset with him, for not coming to minrathous' aid? did he really have a choice in the matter, given treviso had no standing army? and rook... rook, who could never abandon treviso, and who lucanis knew was carrying the weight of minrathous on their shoulders. what if neve never wanted to come back?
the brief train of thought is derailed by spite, who has gotten better at seamlessly taking control of lucanis' tongue. and, apparently, better at taking advantage of the very rare moments where lucanis' ironclad control slips in favor of getting lost in his own thoughts. ]
Did not come here for. Arctus! Came here for -- Neve. [ but just as soon as the demon's words slide from his lips, lucanis grits his teeth, uttering an irritated: ] Dios me ayude, would you shut --
[ it was then that lucanis noticed one of the (presumed) shadow dragons watching him a bit warily as they picked up said medical supplies, tossing a slight nod to neve on their way past. an acceptance of the duty, or a warning that a new crazy person was now in her midst. either way, an incompetent first start in this ridiculous attempt to take care of someone he cares about. great.
the crow inhales swiftly (get a grip.no. you get a grip.) before gently taking neve by the arm, tugging it slightly. an attempt to get her to look at him. ]
Neve? [ let's try this again, with a better look at her face. the circles underneath her eyes, the streak of dust across her cheek. she doesn't appear hurt or injured, and thankfully, no sight of blight. just exhausted, worn thin, and on edge. in desperate need of a soft bed and a good meal. and, perhaps, a thicker coat -- it was colder underground than it was in the city above. ] Where are you staying, here?
[ starting with a private corner would probably be better than the middle of a supply closet. ]
[ with the apothecary supplies being taken care of, now she could turn her attention to the next set of thin–
did not come here for. arctus! came here for -- neve.
spite's distinctive voice cuts through the air and she turns her head to look at him better, realization dawning. she's so tired she hadn't even recognized lucanis' voice at first. which makes a small flush of shame crawl through her; isn't this who she's been working alongside? the other lone person at the lighthouse who's been up in the small hours to be some kind of strange company?
a movement nearby catches her attention and she gives a small nod to the shadow dragon–Erasmus–picking up the supplies she'd tried to pawn off on lucanis to take. erasmus hurries out and leaves her alone with the antivan assassin once more. the gentle tug on her arm does get her to turn her complete attention to him and the worry on his face almost makes her want to cry.
which. she won't. because that's not the kind of person she is.
so instead of crying, she feels a bit of tension slough off and then her brows knit together in confusion. ]
[ for a moment, he wants to say something stupid. something like — oh, here for the scenery. or the abundance of venatori to murder. but all he can think of in the moment was how much he had missed her, and how tired she looked. how she had been so tired that she hadn’t even recognized him.
so, for once, he lets himself give in to impulse, and he steps forward to gently pull her into a warm hug. partly for her reassurance, but also his own. a quiet way to see if she truly is injured, but mostly to make up for the fact that he hadn’t seen her in a week. ]
What kind of question is that? [ a soft huff, squeezing her once before letting her have the option of more space, letting his hands slide to her arms. catching her gaze with a reassuring smile. ] I would be no other place but here.
[ he squeezes her arms once before letting go, ignoring spite’s proverbial rattling of the bars on his cage to continue holding her. ]
But if you insist on details, I am here to bring you a decent meal and a good night of sleep, if you will have it. Though I will not object if you need me elsewhere.
[ slightly teasing; he knows the supplies weren’t truly meant for him. ]
[ there's something simmering in the air between them, she thinks. something other than their usual tension–a mix of caution and curiosity, most of the time.
before she has longer to ponder it, she's pulled into a careful hug, Lucanis' strong arms wrapped around her middle. despite the week she's had and all the internal warning bells, she slumps a bit in his hold, tentatively returning the hug. ]
But...the contract? [ her look is still puzzled as he lets her go. she decidedly brushes off the feeling of yearning to be folded in his embrace again. now isn't the time to indulge. ] You and Rook must have so much to do. And Treviso?
[ it didn't get hit nearly as bad as Minrathous, considering Rook's intervention–something she is still sore over, even if it was an impossible choice–but it was attacked all the same. ]
I've eaten. [ she replies vaguely, oddly unwilling to see Lucanis' look of disappointment. ] There's still too much to do.
[ a whole night of sleep would feel amazing, surely. it would also feel like a tremendous waste of time. ]
[ the expected litany of reasons for lucanis not to be here is familiar, and expected. so lucanis lets neve work through what she needs to work through, instead turning his attention to the bag he had set aside in favor of getting her attention. ]
I am capable of multi-tasking; the contract will be completed in due course, and you require help now. [ matter-of-factly; he has never left a contract unfinished, and he does not intend to start now. he picks up the bag, turning to meet her gaze again with a tired smile. ] Besides, Treviso will be fine, under Viago and Teia's attention.
[ rook, too, has set their mind to efforts there, for now. organizing aid efforts to minrathous, though lucanis keeps that to himself, for now. rook had been reluctant to remain behind, truth be told, but teia had told rook they were needed in treviso for... something. lucanis suspects nothing of great importance, and teia merely had provided an excuse for lucanis to come here alone. something to thank her for, later. ]
So, I am here -- to lend aid to you. Because no contract or job will be completed if you run yourself ragged. Do you have a place to sit and eat?
[ and he holds out the bag, expectant. ]
I brought lunch, as I assumed you would not want to leave your city absent being dragged against your will.
[ because he would be the same, if it was treviso. ]
I didn't– [ she starts, feeling a bit flat-footed with his gentle correction that he could multi-task. because of course, she knows that. she's seen him do it plenty of times. it's just...she's wholly unused to this idea that there are other people who are willing to catch her when she starts to stumble.
not to say the Shadow Dragons have ignored her or anything. no, they're all leaning on each other in these times, as they have before.
Lucanis' flavor of help is...well, it's different. he isn't just someone she's in the trench with. nor is he overly paternal. her brow furrows more as he turns back towards her, holding out what is clearly a bagged up meal. and knowing him, homemade down to the very sauce, if there was any.
having at least some manners, she doesn't gape at him like she desperately feels like doing. instead, she takes a couple steps to the right, shuffling a stack of papers, a tightly wrapped bundle of canvas, and a small crate of jarred vegetables off to the side. underneath is a tiny wrought cafe table and chairs, the paint having long peeled off. the tabletop itself is intact, the tevinter style mosaic forming geometric patterns. ]
Here. Delia lets us use the tables in the bar but, it's better if I keep a low profile. [ too many people would recognize her. ] You really didn't need to come all this way.
[ despite the protest, she does slowly lower herself into one of the cafe chairs, recognizing the argument had been lost as soon as he'd walked through the door. ]
[ she moves like a wary street cat who wants food, but isn't entirely sure whether or not said food is safe to eat. lucanis supposes his feelings should be hurt, but they're not. neve had just lost everything, and half of her cohort had not shown up to defend her home. lucanis would be equally wary, he supposes, if the roles had been reversed.
so he unpacks the bag without comment once neve clears off a space, tossing her a faintly amused look at the you really didn't need to come all this way. a non-starter, and he opens a few containers to set on the table. they are piping hot, and as lucanis sets out plates, serving spoons, and cups, he says: ]
Pasta alla vodka, with grilled chicken. A side salad, and a bottle of ... well. [ and lucanis turns the bottle slightly to read the label, brow furrowing as he thinks to himself. it was not from his own vineyard, but one he borrowed (stole) from the diamond's bar on his way out of treviso. ] I will not call it the best Antivan red available, but the best one I could procure on short notice en route to Tevinter. It will do for the purposes of this meal.
[ and he sets to make her plate, soon setting the meal in front of neve, along with a fork and spoon. he then pours her a glass of wine, setting the bottle down before taking a seat to serve himself with a warm smile. ]
I brought plenty to share with your comrades, here. [ there's plenty of leftovers in the bag, for the dragons who may also be sheltering here. ] So do not hesitate to take seconds, hm?
[ with as tired as she is, she lets him handle setting the table, eyebrows going up in increments the more he sets out. so unused to this kind of–pampering–that's the best word she has for it, right now, she feels even more shock start to drip through the aches and sorrow. but, what did she expect? this is Lucanis. maybe she should feel silly for thinking he'd brought anything less than the works. and her favorite of the dishes he'd made at the Lighthouse.
complete with a bottle of wine.
some more of the tension she'd been holding onto starts to loosen and she rolls her shoulders, giving him a thin smile. ]
"Not the best Antivan red", says the man who brought me wine from all the way across the continent.
[ there are eluvians involved, obviously, which has made it easier. but even so. the thought definitely counts. ]
Enough to share? [ she questions, a forkful of pasta halfway to her mouth. ] ...Exactly how long did this take you, Lucanis?
[ they've spent enough late nights together in the kitchen that she knows some of what he makes is quite complicated. this isn't a pot of (very exceptional) coffee, after all. finally taking her first bite, she swallows the urge to do something very drastic. like burst into tears or lunge across the small table to kiss him.
but both of those things cross her mind. it's been that kind of week. ]
[ obviously, neve!! but as he settles into his seat to enjoy his own meal, turning his plate into position, it's clear he's teasing. at least a little, sheepishly. he probably did not need to bring the wine at all, but after witnessing her home melt to dragonfire... well, lucanis would want a bottle of good wine, too.
at her question, though, he pauses before he takes his first bite, thinking to himself on how to answer. ]
Not long. [ it seems to be a truthful answer, impaling another piece of pasta on his fork. ] Fresh pasta does not take too long to make, and it is often easier to make it in large batches than small... chicken cooks relatively quickly. I think the longest part of the process was chopping lettuce for the salad. For dinner, anyway -- dessert took longer.
[ so. maybe a few hours?? but he shakes his head all the same, gesturing at her to eat. ]
How long it took is unimportant; it was my pleasure to cook it, and food is meant to be shared. Besides, you cannot possibly tell me you have been eating well with the city being in the state it is; this will help you feel better.
[ hopefully, anyway. ]
You need energy, Neve; there is no replacement to that save food and sleep.
[ eating fried fish from Hal with wine felt kind of silly, honestly. that wasn't the point of that food though. and she would argue it was good food, even if Lucanis would probably disagree.
just like he disagrees with how much time all of this took. after her first bite, she digs in with relish, the taste reminding her body that she was hungry and hadn't eaten something proper in days. and while she eats, she listens to the effort he went through to make everything. fresh pasta, even. and dessert to cap it all off? she casts a glance at the bag he'd brought along with him, curious what he would've made. and how he managed to fit all of it so neatly. ]
Not long–I've seen you get lost in a recipe before, you know. [ she shakes her head at him, still quite floored (and grateful) he'd gone to such lengths. ]
I have been eating; not as well as this, but not too poorly. The Dragons are all looking out for each other right now. Delia's not one to waste food either, so she'll save leftovers so we can keep working.
[ truthfully, she's been a lifesaver. ]
Sleep is the hard part. The city...it sounds– [ her lips press into a thin line as she glances down at her glass, focused pinned on the deep red liquid. ] –different. Wrong.
[ having lived here almost her whole life, she knows every peep and sigh that echoes through the streets. the Venatori have brought with them a chorus of misery. more crying than usual floats up from the cramped alleys. the best way to avoid it was to avoid resting altogether. to simply keep moving. ]
[ he lets her dig into her food with a gusto that lucanis knows comes with not eating a solid meal in awhile. he knows the feeling well. the year spent within the ossuary is a blur, and the venatori had fed him only to supplement zara's atrocious experiments... or, maybe he just needed less than usual now that spite shares his body. at any rate, he had nearly cried upon his first sip of real coffee.
when she slows down to share information and tell him about the city, lucanis does as well, giving her his full attention. spite is practically gnawing at the bars, pacing the room at the news neve shares. confirming that the city is steeped in the blood of the innocents who dared to oppose the new venatori regime.
but more importantly than that, is how neve describes it. how the sound of her city is different. he knows the feeling well. coming home to treviso, occupied by antaam and caterina gone... and now the subsequent dragon attack. minrathous, obviously, is much worse off, but something that you should know like the back of your hand being foreign and alien... ]
We will free Minrathous, Neve. [ it's said gently, but no less certain or firm. it will not be pretty, and will take years, but it would be done. ] The Venatori cannot possibly hold captive a city like Minrathous while also spreading their influence to other areas of the North and South... they will crack, as they always do. They are spread too thin.
[ that being said: ]
But we cannot do that without you. [ as he covers the container of what remains of the pasta alla vodka... for leftovers, but also to make room on the table. after all, he had promised dessert. ] I know how -- [ he pauses, thinking through his words for a moment. wanting to be careful about what he wants to say, to avoid seeming too forward. ] I know how it feels to have everything ripped from underneath you. Without choice.
[ he offers her a faint smile. tired, but genuine. ]
You need sleep. [ as did he. as does he, really, but sleep has gotten much better since his agreement with spite. the demon seems to be sated to entertaining himself while allowing lucanis to rest, now, anyway. ] So come to Treviso. Just for the night, to recover. And to tell me what Minrathous needs most, so I can have it delivered swiftly.
[ the trip from salle to treviso is long and uncomfortable. but viago found he didn't mind it as much as he typically did, though he was keen to stretch his legs the moment he had arrived. after a small amount of undignified stretching attempts within the carriage, he stepped out onto the streets as unruffled as ever, his two trunks (an increase in years past, but he had brought enough in anticipation of a lengthy stay). staff had appeared almost instantly outside of the diamond to greet him, and viago said nothing until they began unloading his things. at the first sign of a jostle, viago frowned. ]
Don't drop my snakes.
[ the cold instruction caused the staff (and fledglings, viago noted of the younger members of the help) to move a bit more carefully.
long strides carried him through the lower halls of the diamond, sliding through the early gamblers without much fuss. the long steps up to the top of the diamond were welcome, in a way -- further opportunity to stretch his legs. he knew he needed to pay his greetings to caterina, but to do so, he needed to be presentable. right now, he wanted to be free of road dust and stiff limbs before he notified the first talon of his arrival to her city.
instead, he asked a member of the diamond's staff to pass a message to her through the crows, which was taken happily. he nearly asked the same staff whether or not the mistress of the house was in, but he held his tongue.
andarateia would make herself known eventually.
upon entry into the room he had been guided to, he relaxed half an inch, letting his shoulders drop at the sight of the immaculate room. somehow, his trunks had beat him there, and three different glass terrariums were situated against a large window overlooking the canals, sunlight beaming into each of them.
the sight caused him to smile a little. thoughtful.
within moments, emil and his compatriots were within their respective enclosures, happily sunning themselves. the rest of his belongings were being unpacked after thoroughly checking and cleaning the room. once his clothes were away, he set a weary look to the remaining cases, which contained the contents of his lab.
caterina had instructed him to prepare for a lengthy stay. but all he wanted to do right now was sleep, versus continuing to unpack vials of poisons and his beloved creatures. or, perhaps, seeking out the woman that he hadn't been able to stop thinking of during the days-long ride to treviso. ]
Soon. [ he murmurs to himself as he slides his case of vials on a table, opening it to ensure nothing was shattered. next, empty vials and beakers, labels, and carefully curated bags of powder. ] Work to be done, first.
[ truthfully, she's only been charged with the Diamond for a handful of years. since a few months past her ascent to Seventh Talon. but, for as little background and practice her family had in running a business as successfully as, say, House Kortez, Teia had taken to it like a fish to water. nothing happened in the Diamond that she didn't know about in some capacity. that reached all the way to the nooks and crannies, through every rank–crow and help alike.
which is to say: she knows the exact moment that Viago de Riva arrives.
even if she hadn't caught the whispers or the faint sound of a carriage (expensive; the wheels turned too nicely) pulling into the rounded drive, she would know. over time, she's built something like a sixth sense for Viago's presence. it's strange to think. a younger Teia would have balked at the mere idea that one singular man could hold such sway over her. now, though, she merely smiles at the prickle she feels at the back of her neck; as if Viago being in the same building meant he filled it with the same charged air he carried within his personal bubble.
knowing he was likely to be a bit grumpy from being cooped up in a carriage for hours at a time, she gives him some time. just a little. it affords her the ability to square away some of the contracts she's been reviewing for a better part of two hours. eventually dropping the rejected papers into their sorting bin, she gets up to stretch, eagerness setting an itch under her skin. she does not rush to the upper floors, but there is, perhaps, a spring in her step.
as is habit, she doesn't bother knocking once she does reach the door. moreover, the Diamond is hers, so naturally she has a key for every lock. it's not like she's going to catch Viago unawares, anyway. even if she still holds out hope that one day she will. swinging the door open, she saunters in, walking a loose loop around the familiar floor plan to see where he's set his things down. nosy as ever. ]
You've made yourself comfortable, good. I trust the location is to your liking?
[ she casts an amused little smile over at the glass enclosures, the late afternoon sun streaming in and casting the occasional small rainbow across the polished wood floor. turning her gaze from the trio of snakes, she observes Viago himself, keeping a lid on her pout when she sees he's lost some weight since she saw him last. instead, her expression warms, sorely tempted to sink her fingers into his hair to take some of his tension away. ]
And did you bring two trunks this time, Vi? If I didn't know better, I'd say that was a sign of permanence.
[ he senses her before he hears the door opens, and he allows himself a small private smile to himself (typical teia, who refuses to respect a single shred of privacy because no one has told her off) before settling into his more familiar sigh, setting another vial in its place carefully as teia noses through his belongings.
he doesn't look up, not yet, but she carries with her the scent of vanilla, cinnamon, and coffee. he can almost taste it. focus. ]
How do you do, welcome in, of course you can have a tour. [ mildly, finishing his arrangement before turning to her, watching her flit about the room to her liking before settling into one spot. her hair cascades around her shoulders, framing her face. somehow even more beautiful than the last time he had seen her, lips framed into not-quite a pout as she teases him. he casts something of a long-suffering look at his luggage. ] The First Talon advised of a longer stay in Treviso than normal; I couldn't leave them behind.
[ the snakes, that is. he doesn't trust anyone else with them, and they have precise feeding schedules. also, emil bites. so, the additional luggage was necessary to bring what was needed for their care, in addition to his portable laboratory.
his eyes rove over her, once. she looked well, mostly. perhaps a bit tired. aren't they all. he slides his gloved hands into the pockets of his trousers, to avoid curling and uncurling his fingers with the urge to cup her face within his hands and kiss her. ten seconds, and she's already trapped him in her web. ]
You look... [ gods. what does he even say. ] Good.
[ she replies easily, cheekily, falling into the rhythm of their conversations. this was what she was always eager for, their little tit-for-tat. Viago, much like his precious reptiles, had such a searing bite in his words. hearing his dry tone never failed to cause that bubbly feeling in her stomach, like she's had too much champagne. ]
Mm, she mentioned. She wasn't altogether specific, though. [ just what was Caterina cooking up? normally, Teia could wheedle it out of her with enough time and effort. this time, though, she'd been rebuffed every time.
putting it from her mind for now, shes's just glad to have Viago close by for an extended stay. closing some of the distance between them, she looks at him looking, a smile curving her mouth at the clumsily delivered compliment. reaching out a small hand, she pauses just before her palm makes contact with his bare cheek, head tilting in a question: is this okay? ]
You look thin. [ thinner but no less handsome, in her opinion. she cannot resist the magnetized pull she feels when they're in the same space. even now, with the tired circles under his eyes and the gaunt exhaustion and road dust, she wants so very badly to drag him into the plush behind her and kiss him senseless. ] No one at House de Riva to make sure you're taking care?
[ there's the slightest hitch of his breath as her small hand lays against his cheek, but it isn't for paranoia or anxiety crawling into his throat. . . . well, perhaps a bit. there was no stopping it, really, but increasingly, teia's touch was found to be safe. she would never hurt him, which terrified him in a different way.
still, she had hesitated, which caused warmth to bloom in his chest. it only increased at the warmth of her palm against his cheek, something she almost had to stand on her toes to do. so he slides one of his hands out of the pockets of his pants, reaching up to take said hand in his own to tug it away from his face, only to squeeze her fingers gently. clearly thankful for the gesture.
but, in a dry tone: ] Taking care? After our catastrophe last year, the Crows of House de Riva would sooner not see me at all. [ viago wasn't exactly a pleasant person to see on a good day, and he had worked twice as hard to restore honor to his house's good name after rook's... incident. everyone was kept on a tight leash, and should the master of the house not need to see you, then that was considered a blessing. ] I'm left to my own devices, for the most part.
[ which, for most days, is a good thing. now, though, he gently tugs teia a little closer, seemingly giving in to her spell, the last remnants of tension in his form, so he could bring her fingers to his lips for a kiss. ]
Though I suspect you will give me no peace, while I stay in Treviso. Given I'm wasting away before your very eyes.
[ as usual, the first amount of contact unfurls the desire for more like a flower blooming in the light of spring. but, she knows pushing the boundaries while Viago is still warming up will end in disappointment for them both. so, she is patient, waits until he returns the touch, his long fingers folding over hers and giving them an affectionate squeeze. the unspoken thank you shines in his eyes, a faint crinkle of happiness tugging at the corners.
if she didn't know him, she never would have been able to pick it out. she's spent countless hours learning how to read and speak Viago, though, and was probably the best aside from Rook. Viago's not one to show his fragile feelings in a way that's obvious, instead opting for a subtlety that often felt invisible. sometimes, it's been frustrating. Teia has settled on being glad that she gets these glimpses, because focusing on the negative is something she leaves in Viago's court. ]
I think your Crows and Fledglings like you more than you would imagine, Vi. [ that isn't to say they're going to be overly friendly towards the head of their house. easy camaraderie and being able to switch between that and being a leader was not a skill Viago was particularly good at. ] Do I need to start corrupting an upcoming Fledgling to keep an eye on you while you're in Salle?
[ she asks around a grin, letting herself get reeled into his embrace. the grin softens as he kisses her fingers, her heart skipping its usual beat; how he always manages to make her feel like she's indulging in a girlish love, she doesn't know. perhaps he has poisoned her. or used one of his influencing balms. a cologne, maybe. whatever the case, she gives in willingly. ]
Peace was never an option, as you well know. Clearly, signore, you're underfed, underslept, and underkissed, if you need my professional diagnosis.
[ on that note, she leans into his hold some more and gently tugs her hand free so she could wrap her arms around his middle, chin against his chest as she keeps his gaze. ] I missed you.
[ he only rolls his eyes at her first suggestion, because he knows it's not an empty threat. viago is shocked that she doesn't have eyes in salle already, to be honest. keeping tabs on him, reminding him to eat. but his expression softens almost immediately as her small form folds against his, arms looping around his waist. it has an instantly soothing effect, her weight against his.
teia was so... delicate, but viago knew there was steel underneath those fine bones and high cheekbones. she could kill him easily, from this angle. a blade between his ribs, sliding neatly into his heart. how she kills all of her marks, though viago doubts any of her entanglements begin like this. so intimately.
he tries not to think about it, most of the time. it causes his stomach to churn. he would rather take his daily dose of adder's kiss than consider someone else touching her, however foolish and possessive it was.
he brushes a few loose curls out of her face before cupping a hand against her neck, a gloved thumb running along her cheek. missing her felt so incomplete. he ached when he was away from her. underfed, probably. underslept, that was typical. underkissed, well, there was only her. he would never allow anyone else to get this close. ]
Mmm. [ he doesn't agree or disagree with her assessment, which means she is correct. he's too busy resisting the urge to kiss her. ] I wanted to be here sooner. [ but the antaam needed to be pushed back in his own section of antiva, before arriving in treviso. he soon gives in to his impulses, just a bit, by pressing a kiss against her forehead, a soft sigh escaping. ] I missed you, too.
[ a pathetic understatement. ]
But you've now gotten hundreds of malms of travel on your shirt. [ for his fussing, he doesn't seem inclined to move, speaking into her hairline, his lips still against her forehead. ] I hadn't gotten the chance to shower before you waltzed in.
[ the touch of his glove against her neck and along her cheek has her tilting her head towards the contact, eyes slipping shut for a brief moment. the impatient part of her wishes she could tear the leather off and guide his bare hand under the double layer of her shirts. but, another part of her enjoys this quiet moment, the fragility and rarity of it feeling suspended in time.
a master seductress, she's no stranger to touch. in fact, she's experienced so much of it over her career, in so many configurations. Viago is far from the first to hold her in a similar way; he is the first to do so in such a genuine manner, though. a gift in itself, as he's the last person anyone would expect to let his prickly armor fall away.
this is a treat, just for her. so, she gladly tucks her head under his chin as he swathes her in more affection, the familiar tickle of his beard along her brow making her smile. ]
Always so much to do. [ that goes for both of them. she doesn't begrudge him for taking a while to come back–the Antaam were persistent, well-equipped. and while Salle feels so very far away, Antiva is not nearly as large as their neighbors; it would only be too easy for the Antaam to overwhelm them in the countryside and surround the cities. ]
Never mind that, I'll need to wash up and change before dinner in any case. [ it's her ritual. ] Besides, you know a little dust won't stop me. You've barely even got mud on your shoes.
[ not that she took particular pleasure in being a mess, but she wasn't nearly as neurotic about it as Viago is. ]
[ dinner. right. a hard thing to keep in mind as she tucks her head underneath his chin, enveloping herself in him as she makes herself comfortable. her fingertips are against his back, and viago wants nothing more than to nudge her to bed and fall asleep. but... dinner.
so he squeezes her once before guiding her face up so he can give her a brief kiss, exhaling softly against her mouth as he gently untangles them. resisting the urge to keep going, to sink his fingers into her hair and tug her head back just enough to expose her throat. it will never stop if he does that, and as teia pointed out... there is much to do. ]
May I have the privilege of accompanying you to said dinner?
[ in a teasing tone, running his thumb against her cheek a final time before letting go. ]
After you spent your requisite two hours showering and selecting what to wear, of course.
[ for as neurotic as he is, showering and getting changed tends to be a quick affair. maybe a bit longer, given he isn't in his usual home in salle, but it isn't as if he owns much to go through. teia, on the other hand, has too many clothes to fit into a single wardrobe, and selecting the perfect outfit often takes much longer. not that he minds. the end result is always worth it. ]
[ although it is brief, nearly chaste, she can sense he's holding himself back as much as she is. perhaps to reacquaint himself with this much touch. or perhaps just exercising control over himself, as he usually does. or maybe feeling the unspoken question hanging between them. they had parted on friendly enough terms, certainly. and greeted each other in such an affectionate way, also true. but, each reunion felt as though they were always wondering what am i, to you?
for now, she puts the familiar question–with its equally familiar memory, of Viago staring down at her with intensity and longing lacing all the hushed syllables of only if i'm a footnote–at the back of her mind. there would be time later, to sort such things out. ]
Such a gentleman. I gladly accept your offer.
[ she smiles, swaying just slightly after his light touch. and then she stops herself from rolling her eyes, settling for giving him a playful swat on the shoulder at his teasing barb. ]
As I've said: it takes time and effort to look this good. Besides, consider my magnanimity in giving you all that time to reorder your poison case and stretch those ridiculously long legs of yours.
[ long legs she cannot wait to see out of their current leather clad casing. that is for later. for now, she must think of what to wear. there are so many options to ring in a more acceptable greeting. ]
[ he takes the swat on the shoulder with grace, as it is likely deserved. he does look a bit amused at being told he's going to reorder his poison case, and almost informs her that it is always in immaculate condition when he begins to think through whether or not that is actually true. things may have shifted in transit, after all. and though everything is immaculately labelled, maybe some need to be replaced.
... maybe teia has a point. ]
You look perfectly fine. [ beautiful, as always, but he holds up his hands slightly in surrender at her insistence; far be it for him to tell her how long to get ready. it is a battle he has never won, and he does not plan to start now. ] But I'll take the two hours to stretch my legs, if they're being given out freely.
[ he responds with his usual insistence that she looks fine. of which she does not doubt—she never looks like she has a hair out of place, if she can help it. and she knows he's sincere, consistent; he will say the same thing when they wake in the morning and she's as lovingly rumpled as their bedsheets.
her need to primp isn't because she thinks he's wrong or that she lacks confidence. more that it does feel nice for her to take extra time to dress up and do her makeup and extravagant beauty rituals—all so she can watch him fluster and blush. or look at her with a rapturous gaze that will darken over dinner. there's a satisfaction in it. ]
Such a charmer. [ she says, giving him an affectionate pat on the chest before finally stepping away. ]
We shall. [ Teia smiles, feeling that eager flutter under her skin. she stops by the door, though, turning a bit to cast a glance over her shoulder. ] Do try to relax, Vi, there will be plenty of time to get wound up while you're here.
[ and perhaps she'll be doing some winding up of her own, later. ]
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neve // minrathous
neve had not come back to the lighthouse. lucanis could hardly blame her; if it had been treviso... but it was not. it was minrathous, and while he had given neve her space for the last week, he could not stand not knowing any longer if she was safe. so, the demon of vyrantium went to work to find the unfindable.
like all things in tevinter, it had taken money. well-paid scouts and bribes, coin in the palms of hands that belonged to the scum of the earth, but he had successfully tracked down the safe house where neve gallus was (allegedly) squirreled away.
it was clever, really -- a seedy bar, tucked in a back alley. the crow had nearly walked past it were it not for spite briefly seizing control, managing a hissed neve before lucanis blinked, refocusing his attention on the signage. the crooked crow. a bit on the nose, but lucanis supposed tevinter was one for mockery.
upon entry, lucanis scanned the surroundings. two men in a corner, playing a game of wicked grace over cheap beer. a woman behind the bar itself, cleaning out a water-stained mug. and, almost imperceptible to the naked eye, a tiny symbol carved just behind a dusty bottle of wine. a dragon.
his contact was correct, then. this was the place. ]
A glass of the '37 port.
[ it was said evenly as he pushed back his hood, taking a step to the bar. the bartender glanced up, searching his features, and lucanis slid three gold pieces across the worn wood, along with another token -- a brass coin, with a single scratched line through the middle.
it buzzed with magic. lucanis hated it.
after seeing the payment, the bartender took the coins without a word, turning to take the bottle. instead of lifting it, the bartender pressed on the bottle lightly, and the two men in the corner playing wicked grace stared at him as a door slid open just behind the bar. scouts, lucanis realized, but he paid them no mind as he disappeared from sight, taking the stairs down into what appeared to be a dark network of tunnels.
after a few moments, he enters into a room full of supplies and a few people shifting boxes about. none of them pay any mind to lucanis, though he doesn't exactly pay mind to them either, zeroing his attention on one woman in particular who seemed to be running the show. his shoulders relax half an inch with tension he hadn't known he had been carrying, almost dizzy with relief. ]
Neve.
[ in an exhale as he steps forward, sidestepping a box neatly. he sets a bag he had been carrying on top of the crate, his heart already beginning to thrum in the steady beat that only happened whenever he was within speaking distance of the woman standing in front of him. it wasn't the time, obviously -- but she was just as beautiful as she had been the last time they had spoken. ]
You are not an easy woman to find.
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she's been away from the lighthouse for a week. in the back of her mind, she knows this. and the rough calendar hanging nearby also says as much. the thing is, it hasn't felt like a week. it's felt like a month, like every breath and blink she takes is passing precious minutes that she could be doing something–anything–more useful to help rebuild.
neve has been working since she got here, to tevinter, to minrathous, to dock town. even with all of her coordinating and clean up efforts, it doesn't feel like enough. it isn't enough. people are still missing, buildings are still in pieces, the entirety of the precarious balance that the tevinter governing bodies hung in has been upended. venatori roam the streets and the sickly charge of their magic hangs in the air as a miasma.
she knows, realistically, that rebuilding will take more than a week; it will be months, if not years. still, she cannot rest or stop until she reaches some kind of satisfactory point. there's simply too much to do and not enough hands in which to do it with.
so, when she hears someone address her off to the side, she gives him a passing glance and points to a stack of bundled medical supplies on a nearby shelf. ]
Those have to go to Ferryman Row, an apothecary named Arctus will hand over patient names so we can match them to missing lists.
[ venhedis, she's tired. it even feels like her hair follicles are exhausted. but, there was still work to be done. and the last batch of errand runners hadn't reported back yet. ]
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caught off guard, lucanis glances toward the stack of supplies. they do, indeed, appear to be in need of delivering. and he was more than capable of doing so, but he had expected something more than a casual assignment of duty. was she truly upset with him, for not coming to minrathous' aid? did he really have a choice in the matter, given treviso had no standing army? and rook... rook, who could never abandon treviso, and who lucanis knew was carrying the weight of minrathous on their shoulders. what if neve never wanted to come back?
the brief train of thought is derailed by spite, who has gotten better at seamlessly taking control of lucanis' tongue. and, apparently, better at taking advantage of the very rare moments where lucanis' ironclad control slips in favor of getting lost in his own thoughts. ]
Did not come here for. Arctus! Came here for -- Neve. [ but just as soon as the demon's words slide from his lips, lucanis grits his teeth, uttering an irritated: ] Dios me ayude, would you shut --
[ it was then that lucanis noticed one of the (presumed) shadow dragons watching him a bit warily as they picked up said medical supplies, tossing a slight nod to neve on their way past. an acceptance of the duty, or a warning that a new crazy person was now in her midst. either way, an incompetent first start in this ridiculous attempt to take care of someone he cares about. great.
the crow inhales swiftly (get a grip. no. you get a grip.) before gently taking neve by the arm, tugging it slightly. an attempt to get her to look at him. ]
Neve? [ let's try this again, with a better look at her face. the circles underneath her eyes, the streak of dust across her cheek. she doesn't appear hurt or injured, and thankfully, no sight of blight. just exhausted, worn thin, and on edge. in desperate need of a soft bed and a good meal. and, perhaps, a thicker coat -- it was colder underground than it was in the city above. ] Where are you staying, here?
[ starting with a private corner would probably be better than the middle of a supply closet. ]
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did not come here for. arctus! came here for -- neve.
spite's distinctive voice cuts through the air and she turns her head to look at him better, realization dawning. she's so tired she hadn't even recognized lucanis' voice at first. which makes a small flush of shame crawl through her; isn't this who she's been working alongside? the other lone person at the lighthouse who's been up in the small hours to be some kind of strange company?
a movement nearby catches her attention and she gives a small nod to the shadow dragon–Erasmus–picking up the supplies she'd tried to pawn off on lucanis to take. erasmus hurries out and leaves her alone with the antivan assassin once more. the gentle tug on her arm does get her to turn her complete attention to him and the worry on his face almost makes her want to cry.
which. she won't. because that's not the kind of person she is.
so instead of crying, she feels a bit of tension slough off and then her brows knit together in confusion. ]
Lucanis, what are you doing here?
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so, for once, he lets himself give in to impulse, and he steps forward to gently pull her into a warm hug. partly for her reassurance, but also his own. a quiet way to see if she truly is injured, but mostly to make up for the fact that he hadn’t seen her in a week. ]
What kind of question is that? [ a soft huff, squeezing her once before letting her have the option of more space, letting his hands slide to her arms. catching her gaze with a reassuring smile. ] I would be no other place but here.
[ he squeezes her arms once before letting go, ignoring spite’s proverbial rattling of the bars on his cage to continue holding her. ]
But if you insist on details, I am here to bring you a decent meal and a good night of sleep, if you will have it. Though I will not object if you need me elsewhere.
[ slightly teasing; he knows the supplies weren’t truly meant for him. ]
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before she has longer to ponder it, she's pulled into a careful hug, Lucanis' strong arms wrapped around her middle. despite the week she's had and all the internal warning bells, she slumps a bit in his hold, tentatively returning the hug. ]
But...the contract? [ her look is still puzzled as he lets her go. she decidedly brushes off the feeling of yearning to be folded in his embrace again. now isn't the time to indulge. ] You and Rook must have so much to do. And Treviso?
[ it didn't get hit nearly as bad as Minrathous, considering Rook's intervention–something she is still sore over, even if it was an impossible choice–but it was attacked all the same. ]
I've eaten. [ she replies vaguely, oddly unwilling to see Lucanis' look of disappointment. ] There's still too much to do.
[ a whole night of sleep would feel amazing, surely. it would also feel like a tremendous waste of time. ]
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I am capable of multi-tasking; the contract will be completed in due course, and you require help now. [ matter-of-factly; he has never left a contract unfinished, and he does not intend to start now. he picks up the bag, turning to meet her gaze again with a tired smile. ] Besides, Treviso will be fine, under Viago and Teia's attention.
[ rook, too, has set their mind to efforts there, for now. organizing aid efforts to minrathous, though lucanis keeps that to himself, for now. rook had been reluctant to remain behind, truth be told, but teia had told rook they were needed in treviso for... something. lucanis suspects nothing of great importance, and teia merely had provided an excuse for lucanis to come here alone. something to thank her for, later. ]
So, I am here -- to lend aid to you. Because no contract or job will be completed if you run yourself ragged. Do you have a place to sit and eat?
[ and he holds out the bag, expectant. ]
I brought lunch, as I assumed you would not want to leave your city absent being dragged against your will.
[ because he would be the same, if it was treviso. ]
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not to say the Shadow Dragons have ignored her or anything. no, they're all leaning on each other in these times, as they have before.
Lucanis' flavor of help is...well, it's different. he isn't just someone she's in the trench with. nor is he overly paternal. her brow furrows more as he turns back towards her, holding out what is clearly a bagged up meal. and knowing him, homemade down to the very sauce, if there was any.
having at least some manners, she doesn't gape at him like she desperately feels like doing. instead, she takes a couple steps to the right, shuffling a stack of papers, a tightly wrapped bundle of canvas, and a small crate of jarred vegetables off to the side. underneath is a tiny wrought cafe table and chairs, the paint having long peeled off. the tabletop itself is intact, the tevinter style mosaic forming geometric patterns. ]
Here. Delia lets us use the tables in the bar but, it's better if I keep a low profile. [ too many people would recognize her. ] You really didn't need to come all this way.
[ despite the protest, she does slowly lower herself into one of the cafe chairs, recognizing the argument had been lost as soon as he'd walked through the door. ]
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so he unpacks the bag without comment once neve clears off a space, tossing her a faintly amused look at the you really didn't need to come all this way. a non-starter, and he opens a few containers to set on the table. they are piping hot, and as lucanis sets out plates, serving spoons, and cups, he says: ]
Pasta alla vodka, with grilled chicken. A side salad, and a bottle of ... well. [ and lucanis turns the bottle slightly to read the label, brow furrowing as he thinks to himself. it was not from his own vineyard, but one he borrowed (stole) from the diamond's bar on his way out of treviso. ] I will not call it the best Antivan red available, but the best one I could procure on short notice en route to Tevinter. It will do for the purposes of this meal.
[ and he sets to make her plate, soon setting the meal in front of neve, along with a fork and spoon. he then pours her a glass of wine, setting the bottle down before taking a seat to serve himself with a warm smile. ]
I brought plenty to share with your comrades, here. [ there's plenty of leftovers in the bag, for the dragons who may also be sheltering here. ] So do not hesitate to take seconds, hm?
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complete with a bottle of wine.
some more of the tension she'd been holding onto starts to loosen and she rolls her shoulders, giving him a thin smile. ]
"Not the best Antivan red", says the man who brought me wine from all the way across the continent.
[ there are eluvians involved, obviously, which has made it easier. but even so. the thought definitely counts. ]
Enough to share? [ she questions, a forkful of pasta halfway to her mouth. ] ...Exactly how long did this take you, Lucanis?
[ they've spent enough late nights together in the kitchen that she knows some of what he makes is quite complicated. this isn't a pot of (very exceptional) coffee, after all. finally taking her first bite, she swallows the urge to do something very drastic. like burst into tears or lunge across the small table to kiss him.
but both of those things cross her mind. it's been that kind of week. ]
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[ obviously, neve!! but as he settles into his seat to enjoy his own meal, turning his plate into position, it's clear he's teasing. at least a little, sheepishly. he probably did not need to bring the wine at all, but after witnessing her home melt to dragonfire... well, lucanis would want a bottle of good wine, too.
at her question, though, he pauses before he takes his first bite, thinking to himself on how to answer. ]
Not long. [ it seems to be a truthful answer, impaling another piece of pasta on his fork. ] Fresh pasta does not take too long to make, and it is often easier to make it in large batches than small... chicken cooks relatively quickly. I think the longest part of the process was chopping lettuce for the salad. For dinner, anyway -- dessert took longer.
[ so. maybe a few hours?? but he shakes his head all the same, gesturing at her to eat. ]
How long it took is unimportant; it was my pleasure to cook it, and food is meant to be shared. Besides, you cannot possibly tell me you have been eating well with the city being in the state it is; this will help you feel better.
[ hopefully, anyway. ]
You need energy, Neve; there is no replacement to that save food and sleep.
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[ eating fried fish from Hal with wine felt kind of silly, honestly. that wasn't the point of that food though. and she would argue it was good food, even if Lucanis would probably disagree.
just like he disagrees with how much time all of this took. after her first bite, she digs in with relish, the taste reminding her body that she was hungry and hadn't eaten something proper in days. and while she eats, she listens to the effort he went through to make everything. fresh pasta, even. and dessert to cap it all off? she casts a glance at the bag he'd brought along with him, curious what he would've made. and how he managed to fit all of it so neatly. ]
Not long–I've seen you get lost in a recipe before, you know. [ she shakes her head at him, still quite floored (and grateful) he'd gone to such lengths. ]
I have been eating; not as well as this, but not too poorly. The Dragons are all looking out for each other right now. Delia's not one to waste food either, so she'll save leftovers so we can keep working.
[ truthfully, she's been a lifesaver. ]
Sleep is the hard part. The city...it sounds– [ her lips press into a thin line as she glances down at her glass, focused pinned on the deep red liquid. ] –different. Wrong.
[ having lived here almost her whole life, she knows every peep and sigh that echoes through the streets. the Venatori have brought with them a chorus of misery. more crying than usual floats up from the cramped alleys. the best way to avoid it was to avoid resting altogether. to simply keep moving. ]
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when she slows down to share information and tell him about the city, lucanis does as well, giving her his full attention. spite is practically gnawing at the bars, pacing the room at the news neve shares. confirming that the city is steeped in the blood of the innocents who dared to oppose the new venatori regime.
but more importantly than that, is how neve describes it. how the sound of her city is different. he knows the feeling well. coming home to treviso, occupied by antaam and caterina gone... and now the subsequent dragon attack. minrathous, obviously, is much worse off, but something that you should know like the back of your hand being foreign and alien... ]
We will free Minrathous, Neve. [ it's said gently, but no less certain or firm. it will not be pretty, and will take years, but it would be done. ] The Venatori cannot possibly hold captive a city like Minrathous while also spreading their influence to other areas of the North and South... they will crack, as they always do. They are spread too thin.
[ that being said: ]
But we cannot do that without you. [ as he covers the container of what remains of the pasta alla vodka... for leftovers, but also to make room on the table. after all, he had promised dessert. ] I know how -- [ he pauses, thinking through his words for a moment. wanting to be careful about what he wants to say, to avoid seeming too forward. ] I know how it feels to have everything ripped from underneath you. Without choice.
[ he offers her a faint smile. tired, but genuine. ]
You need sleep. [ as did he. as does he, really, but sleep has gotten much better since his agreement with spite. the demon seems to be sated to entertaining himself while allowing lucanis to rest, now, anyway. ] So come to Treviso. Just for the night, to recover. And to tell me what Minrathous needs most, so I can have it delivered swiftly.
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teia // treviso (dav start)
Don't drop my snakes.
[ the cold instruction caused the staff (and fledglings, viago noted of the younger members of the help) to move a bit more carefully.
long strides carried him through the lower halls of the diamond, sliding through the early gamblers without much fuss. the long steps up to the top of the diamond were welcome, in a way -- further opportunity to stretch his legs. he knew he needed to pay his greetings to caterina, but to do so, he needed to be presentable. right now, he wanted to be free of road dust and stiff limbs before he notified the first talon of his arrival to her city.
instead, he asked a member of the diamond's staff to pass a message to her through the crows, which was taken happily. he nearly asked the same staff whether or not the mistress of the house was in, but he held his tongue.
andarateia would make herself known eventually.
upon entry into the room he had been guided to, he relaxed half an inch, letting his shoulders drop at the sight of the immaculate room. somehow, his trunks had beat him there, and three different glass terrariums were situated against a large window overlooking the canals, sunlight beaming into each of them.
the sight caused him to smile a little. thoughtful.
within moments, emil and his compatriots were within their respective enclosures, happily sunning themselves. the rest of his belongings were being unpacked after thoroughly checking and cleaning the room. once his clothes were away, he set a weary look to the remaining cases, which contained the contents of his lab.
caterina had instructed him to prepare for a lengthy stay. but all he wanted to do right now was sleep, versus continuing to unpack vials of poisons and his beloved creatures. or, perhaps, seeking out the woman that he hadn't been able to stop thinking of during the days-long ride to treviso. ]
Soon. [ he murmurs to himself as he slides his case of vials on a table, opening it to ensure nothing was shattered. next, empty vials and beakers, labels, and carefully curated bags of powder. ] Work to be done, first.
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which is to say: she knows the exact moment that Viago de Riva arrives.
even if she hadn't caught the whispers or the faint sound of a carriage (expensive; the wheels turned too nicely) pulling into the rounded drive, she would know. over time, she's built something like a sixth sense for Viago's presence. it's strange to think. a younger Teia would have balked at the mere idea that one singular man could hold such sway over her. now, though, she merely smiles at the prickle she feels at the back of her neck; as if Viago being in the same building meant he filled it with the same charged air he carried within his personal bubble.
knowing he was likely to be a bit grumpy from being cooped up in a carriage for hours at a time, she gives him some time. just a little. it affords her the ability to square away some of the contracts she's been reviewing for a better part of two hours. eventually dropping the rejected papers into their sorting bin, she gets up to stretch, eagerness setting an itch under her skin. she does not rush to the upper floors, but there is, perhaps, a spring in her step.
as is habit, she doesn't bother knocking once she does reach the door. moreover, the Diamond is hers, so naturally she has a key for every lock. it's not like she's going to catch Viago unawares, anyway. even if she still holds out hope that one day she will. swinging the door open, she saunters in, walking a loose loop around the familiar floor plan to see where he's set his things down. nosy as ever. ]
You've made yourself comfortable, good. I trust the location is to your liking?
[ she casts an amused little smile over at the glass enclosures, the late afternoon sun streaming in and casting the occasional small rainbow across the polished wood floor. turning her gaze from the trio of snakes, she observes Viago himself, keeping a lid on her pout when she sees he's lost some weight since she saw him last. instead, her expression warms, sorely tempted to sink her fingers into his hair to take some of his tension away. ]
And did you bring two trunks this time, Vi? If I didn't know better, I'd say that was a sign of permanence.
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he doesn't look up, not yet, but she carries with her the scent of vanilla, cinnamon, and coffee. he can almost taste it. focus. ]
How do you do, welcome in, of course you can have a tour. [ mildly, finishing his arrangement before turning to her, watching her flit about the room to her liking before settling into one spot. her hair cascades around her shoulders, framing her face. somehow even more beautiful than the last time he had seen her, lips framed into not-quite a pout as she teases him. he casts something of a long-suffering look at his luggage. ] The First Talon advised of a longer stay in Treviso than normal; I couldn't leave them behind.
[ the snakes, that is. he doesn't trust anyone else with them, and they have precise feeding schedules. also, emil bites. so, the additional luggage was necessary to bring what was needed for their care, in addition to his portable laboratory.
his eyes rove over her, once. she looked well, mostly. perhaps a bit tired. aren't they all. he slides his gloved hands into the pockets of his trousers, to avoid curling and uncurling his fingers with the urge to cup her face within his hands and kiss her. ten seconds, and she's already trapped him in her web. ]
You look... [ gods. what does he even say. ] Good.
[ nailed it. ]
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[ she replies easily, cheekily, falling into the rhythm of their conversations. this was what she was always eager for, their little tit-for-tat. Viago, much like his precious reptiles, had such a searing bite in his words. hearing his dry tone never failed to cause that bubbly feeling in her stomach, like she's had too much champagne. ]
Mm, she mentioned. She wasn't altogether specific, though. [ just what was Caterina cooking up? normally, Teia could wheedle it out of her with enough time and effort. this time, though, she'd been rebuffed every time.
putting it from her mind for now, shes's just glad to have Viago close by for an extended stay. closing some of the distance between them, she looks at him looking, a smile curving her mouth at the clumsily delivered compliment. reaching out a small hand, she pauses just before her palm makes contact with his bare cheek, head tilting in a question: is this okay? ]
You look thin. [ thinner but no less handsome, in her opinion. she cannot resist the magnetized pull she feels when they're in the same space. even now, with the tired circles under his eyes and the gaunt exhaustion and road dust, she wants so very badly to drag him into the plush behind her and kiss him senseless. ] No one at House de Riva to make sure you're taking care?
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still, she had hesitated, which caused warmth to bloom in his chest. it only increased at the warmth of her palm against his cheek, something she almost had to stand on her toes to do. so he slides one of his hands out of the pockets of his pants, reaching up to take said hand in his own to tug it away from his face, only to squeeze her fingers gently. clearly thankful for the gesture.
but, in a dry tone: ] Taking care? After our catastrophe last year, the Crows of House de Riva would sooner not see me at all. [ viago wasn't exactly a pleasant person to see on a good day, and he had worked twice as hard to restore honor to his house's good name after rook's... incident. everyone was kept on a tight leash, and should the master of the house not need to see you, then that was considered a blessing. ] I'm left to my own devices, for the most part.
[ which, for most days, is a good thing. now, though, he gently tugs teia a little closer, seemingly giving in to her spell, the last remnants of tension in his form, so he could bring her fingers to his lips for a kiss. ]
Though I suspect you will give me no peace, while I stay in Treviso. Given I'm wasting away before your very eyes.
[ he almost sounds pleased by the thought. ]
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if she didn't know him, she never would have been able to pick it out. she's spent countless hours learning how to read and speak Viago, though, and was probably the best aside from Rook. Viago's not one to show his fragile feelings in a way that's obvious, instead opting for a subtlety that often felt invisible. sometimes, it's been frustrating. Teia has settled on being glad that she gets these glimpses, because focusing on the negative is something she leaves in Viago's court. ]
I think your Crows and Fledglings like you more than you would imagine, Vi. [ that isn't to say they're going to be overly friendly towards the head of their house. easy camaraderie and being able to switch between that and being a leader was not a skill Viago was particularly good at. ] Do I need to start corrupting an upcoming Fledgling to keep an eye on you while you're in Salle?
[ she asks around a grin, letting herself get reeled into his embrace. the grin softens as he kisses her fingers, her heart skipping its usual beat; how he always manages to make her feel like she's indulging in a girlish love, she doesn't know. perhaps he has poisoned her. or used one of his influencing balms. a cologne, maybe. whatever the case, she gives in willingly. ]
Peace was never an option, as you well know. Clearly, signore, you're underfed, underslept, and underkissed, if you need my professional diagnosis.
[ on that note, she leans into his hold some more and gently tugs her hand free so she could wrap her arms around his middle, chin against his chest as she keeps his gaze. ] I missed you.
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teia was so... delicate, but viago knew there was steel underneath those fine bones and high cheekbones. she could kill him easily, from this angle. a blade between his ribs, sliding neatly into his heart. how she kills all of her marks, though viago doubts any of her entanglements begin like this. so intimately.
he tries not to think about it, most of the time. it causes his stomach to churn. he would rather take his daily dose of adder's kiss than consider someone else touching her, however foolish and possessive it was.
he brushes a few loose curls out of her face before cupping a hand against her neck, a gloved thumb running along her cheek. missing her felt so incomplete. he ached when he was away from her. underfed, probably. underslept, that was typical. underkissed, well, there was only her. he would never allow anyone else to get this close. ]
Mmm. [ he doesn't agree or disagree with her assessment, which means she is correct. he's too busy resisting the urge to kiss her. ] I wanted to be here sooner. [ but the antaam needed to be pushed back in his own section of antiva, before arriving in treviso. he soon gives in to his impulses, just a bit, by pressing a kiss against her forehead, a soft sigh escaping. ] I missed you, too.
[ a pathetic understatement. ]
But you've now gotten hundreds of malms of travel on your shirt. [ for his fussing, he doesn't seem inclined to move, speaking into her hairline, his lips still against her forehead. ] I hadn't gotten the chance to shower before you waltzed in.
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a master seductress, she's no stranger to touch. in fact, she's experienced so much of it over her career, in so many configurations. Viago is far from the first to hold her in a similar way; he is the first to do so in such a genuine manner, though. a gift in itself, as he's the last person anyone would expect to let his prickly armor fall away.
this is a treat, just for her. so, she gladly tucks her head under his chin as he swathes her in more affection, the familiar tickle of his beard along her brow making her smile. ]
Always so much to do. [ that goes for both of them. she doesn't begrudge him for taking a while to come back–the Antaam were persistent, well-equipped. and while Salle feels so very far away, Antiva is not nearly as large as their neighbors; it would only be too easy for the Antaam to overwhelm them in the countryside and surround the cities. ]
Never mind that, I'll need to wash up and change before dinner in any case. [ it's her ritual. ] Besides, you know a little dust won't stop me. You've barely even got mud on your shoes.
[ not that she took particular pleasure in being a mess, but she wasn't nearly as neurotic about it as Viago is. ]
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so he squeezes her once before guiding her face up so he can give her a brief kiss, exhaling softly against her mouth as he gently untangles them. resisting the urge to keep going, to sink his fingers into her hair and tug her head back just enough to expose her throat. it will never stop if he does that, and as teia pointed out... there is much to do. ]
May I have the privilege of accompanying you to said dinner?
[ in a teasing tone, running his thumb against her cheek a final time before letting go. ]
After you spent your requisite two hours showering and selecting what to wear, of course.
[ for as neurotic as he is, showering and getting changed tends to be a quick affair. maybe a bit longer, given he isn't in his usual home in salle, but it isn't as if he owns much to go through. teia, on the other hand, has too many clothes to fit into a single wardrobe, and selecting the perfect outfit often takes much longer. not that he minds. the end result is always worth it. ]
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for now, she puts the familiar question–with its equally familiar memory, of Viago staring down at her with intensity and longing lacing all the hushed syllables of only if i'm a footnote–at the back of her mind. there would be time later, to sort such things out. ]
Such a gentleman. I gladly accept your offer.
[ she smiles, swaying just slightly after his light touch. and then she stops herself from rolling her eyes, settling for giving him a playful swat on the shoulder at his teasing barb. ]
As I've said: it takes time and effort to look this good. Besides, consider my magnanimity in giving you all that time to reorder your poison case and stretch those ridiculously long legs of yours.
[ long legs she cannot wait to see out of their current leather clad casing. that is for later. for now, she must think of what to wear. there are so many options to ring in a more acceptable greeting. ]
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... maybe teia has a point. ]
You look perfectly fine. [ beautiful, as always, but he holds up his hands slightly in surrender at her insistence; far be it for him to tell her how long to get ready. it is a battle he has never won, and he does not plan to start now. ] But I'll take the two hours to stretch my legs, if they're being given out freely.
[ it HAD been a long ride. ]
Shall we meet in the lobby in two hours, then?
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her need to primp isn't because she thinks he's wrong or that she lacks confidence. more that it does feel nice for her to take extra time to dress up and do her makeup and extravagant beauty rituals—all so she can watch him fluster and blush. or look at her with a rapturous gaze that will darken over dinner. there's a satisfaction in it. ]
Such a charmer. [ she says, giving him an affectionate pat on the chest before finally stepping away. ]
We shall. [ Teia smiles, feeling that eager flutter under her skin. she stops by the door, though, turning a bit to cast a glance over her shoulder. ] Do try to relax, Vi, there will be plenty of time to get wound up while you're here.
[ and perhaps she'll be doing some winding up of her own, later. ]
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