[ 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.
[ ever the pragmatist, she cannot fathom hoping for such an outcome. Minrathous has been balanced on the edge of a knife for years now, the push and pull of its politics always so close to pitching right over the edge. every time it had looked like they were getting somewhere, the deep corruption of people in power nudged them back a step or two. and now the Venatori had such a huge foothold, she was having a hard time imagining that they'd crack.
especially if they had been promised the backing and power of the very gods behind it all.
pulling her gaze away from her glass, she meets Lucanis' eyes, feeling momentarily winded when he says he knows how it feels. a part of her wants to rage, the devastated and grieving piece that had shaken loose as soon as Rook had chosen to save Treviso instead of her city. but no, that wasn't fair, not to either of them. so she swallows the barbed words on her tongue, letting the honesty wash over her.
Rook–well, she'll come back to him. he'd made the call and she's struggling to make her peace with that.
Lucanis, though, he does get it. the Venatori had held him captive, had made it possible for the Crows and his grandmother to think him dead, for Zara to be able to torture him day in and out, trap him with a demon against his will for the rest of their existence. and when he'd finally made it out? he found Treviso occupied by outsiders, an unknown traitor in the Crows, his grandmother gone, and two insane elven gods to kill.
if there's anyone in their merry little band who could understand and show up, she's glad it's him. in a silent way, because it seems too sore to bring up.
spearing a piece of pasta on her fork, she slides it through the leftover sauce in her dish, sighing and giving up on the argument. she hates the idea of leaving when the other Shadow Dragons don't really have that option. but, she wasn't going to be much help, as he's pointed out, if she didn't get some sleep. the rest of the Shadow Dragons didn't have her connections, nor her detective abilities; juggling both alongside the scuffles with Venatori has really taken it out of her over the last week. ]
Just for the night. [ and hopefully she'll have the will to actually leave. Treviso wasn't sunshine and roses, but it was better than her town is. ] You're already doing a lot, Lucanis, and Treviso should keep what provisions it does have.
[ he says in reassurance, unflinching. because lucanis is not a pessimist, but he isn't an optimist, either. he plans for things going wrong, seeing every step of the way before him before choosing the best option. and to him, there is no option that will allow minrathous to be controlled by the venatori. or for neve to permanently lose her home. it isn't an option. so, therefore, there must be another path.
his expression shifts from stoic reassurance to a bit more relaxed, allowing himself to smile as his shoulders relax a bit. seemingly pleased that neve has agreed to common sense so lucanis would not need to do something more drastic.
he gives neve room to finish dinner while he packs up the dishes and leftovers -- the leftovers set to the side, the dishes going back in the bag in exchange for a large thermos, two clean cups, and another container. when neve finishes, he opens the container to reveal a small (personal size) pie, and lucanis offers her a fork. ]
There are no leftovers for this. [ this, it seems, is just for neve. and he sets to pour her a cup of coffee from the thermos, adding: ] And the supplies are already paid for; I only need to know where to deliver them.
[ as he sets her cup down, amused: ]
I have long since learned to ask for forgiveness rather than permission when it comes to you.
[ coming from nearly anyone else, the affirmative that Minrathous will be freed would rankle her. or at the very least, leave a bitter taste in her mouth. because so few could see the enormity of the task and how little in the way of hands they have to complete it. the Venatori-free Minrathous is almost like a child's dream; she's fighting for it anyway, because she cannot stand idle. none of the Dragons can.
nor could Lucanis—she should've known this would be his answer. Zara did unspeakable things to him in that prison. even before then, she got the impression many of the Crows killed off Venatori as their act of charity.
so, despite her pessimism and all of her doubters skills, she finds she believes him.
something she turns over in her head like a puzzle as she finishes her meal, trying to make sense of whether it was her heart or head that was making more progress in this moment. maybe she was just overtired. ]
You know, if you were trying to poison me, this would be the quickest way. [ she says in lieu of the overwhelming warm fuzzies that threaten to spill from her mouth. not only had he brought dessert, he had made her favorite. and then miniaturized it for easy travel. the little gooseberry pie is so cute she almost can't make herself eat it.
almost. ]
I see you took some hints from Ashur.
[ not that she sounds entirely put out. especially not right now, with a mouth full of pie and a cup of coffee that smelled fresh and not oddly burnt. ]
Since you've left me no choice—I'll confer with the Dragons, to see what post could use the supplies. [ inventory could change drastically in a matter of hours, depending on whether there was an incident with the Venatori, illness, a fight; anything, really. ] But, I guess I can forgive you, as you did bring me pie.
[ amused, though he is pleased to see she is enjoying her (cute, small) pie. he sets his attention to his own coffee, taking a long slow sip as neve works through her complaints and agreements. accepting help is difficult; doubly so when the problem is so massive that one has no idea where to begin.
this, though, he could do. send help. kill venatori. it was practically a holiday.
he sits in quiet silence as neve finishes her pie, huffing a soft laugh to himself at her forgiveness. he waves a free hand, clearly indicating that such thanks (and, quite frankly, forgiveness) are not necessary, but he does add, slightly teasing: ]
Your acceptance to stay in Treviso for the evening is suitable punishment for my transgressions. [ as if it were ever a chore, to spend time with neve. no, he looks forward to it. seeks it out, even. her hopeless fixation on doing what was right was... nice, really. it almost made him believe that people could be good, after the ossuary. ] And who knows -- perhaps the visit comes with more pie.
[ sweetening the pot. like leading a feral cat to a warm bed. ]
It definitely comes with a hot bath, a warm bed, and whatever room service your heart desires, at the very least. [ he sips his coffee again, settling himself into the wrought-iron chair he is in to make himself as comfortable as possible. ] Your comrades are welcome to respite, too, if they desire it.
[ it isn't as if lucanis couldn't simply just... book out every hotel room in treviso, really. and once he offers it, the crow seems to consider something before he adds, a bit wryly: ]
Perhaps? Lucanis, you've already got your hooks in, I don't need to be bribed more.
[ she says it with a wry humor approaching her usual tone, still baffled by all the gestures but not finding any reason to turn it all down. he had laid out his argument logically, after all. and what's more: she's thinking better now that she's actually had time to sit, eat, and drink. another thing Lucanis had obviously been right on, even if she had done her best to push the help away out of some misguided view of self-sufficiency.
it's just...not something she's used to. this isn't pampering, not really, but it feels like it is, especially after the week she's had. ]
Alright, alright, I see this was a losing argument from the start. [ some part of her is miffed. or maybe annoyed? but she shoves it aside and focuses on the fact that he's here. he showed up, food and drink carefully in tow, with a full plan in mind. Neve thinks she can count on one hand the amount of people who have done this kind of thing for her in the past. while she can count on the Dragons now, for the most part, they're also stretched thin.
what Lucanis is offering, with a strange kind of ease for a paid assassin, she thinks, is different. warm. a crystallized kind of good that even Zara couldn't torture out of him.
she finishes her pie and flashes him a tired smile. ]
I'll pass the word along; I promise not to abdicate to Ashur. [ she's never considered herself a particularly lonely person, but the mix of Lucanis' care, a full belly, and... well, who is she kidding, the sharp line of his body sitting slouched in the chair across from her–it causes a question to bubble up, no filter to catch it. ]
[ that lopsided smile of hers sparks a faint laugh, because point well taken. and lucanis is about to finish cleaning up and ask her what she needs to bring to treviso when her eyes seem to scan him. it's a brief flicker, and lucanis tilts his head, a silent question in his gaze. it doesn't take him long to find out, as neve asks her question.
his eyebrows arch slightly. for half a moment, lucanis thinks neve is asking for... well, general company. but that is quickly overridden by the realization that neve means him, and he blinks. clearly, a little surprised. not put off, necessarily, but surprised.
company, with her? obviously. ]
Well. [ he says with some faux consideration, tone thoughtful as he sets down his cup. as if he were thinking over his plans for the evening (he has none). and, seemingly confirming silently that he has nothing on his imaginary agenda, he says: ] If you want company, then company you shall have.
[ and lucanis offers her a warm smile, a little amused. ignoring the (pleasant) churning in his stomach, because surely neve doesn't mean company company. right? obviously. ]
It would be more than a little rude to leave you in Treviso without a guide, hm?
[ having known Lucanis at least for a short but somewhat comprehensive time, his surprise is—well, she should've known. sipping her wine, she doesn't push him, just lets him puzzle through what he needs to. because, she thinks, he's probably assuming she means general company.
the realization she means his company in particular dawns over his face and she shoots him an encouraging smile. ]
I won't say no to a more curated tour. [ of course leave it to him to misconstrue what she means even more. tentatively, she reaches over, gently cupping her hand over his one wrist. ] But, I was thinking of a more personal company. If you want.
[ her hand curves around his wrist, and his eyes flicker down to it as it seems to sink in what, exactly, she wants. or rather, what she's asking for. he opens his mouth to say something, but he seems to hesitate, setting down his cup with his free hand. ]
Neve.
[ it's said in a breath, and he wants to follow it up with ... so much. how she's reinvigorated his belief that people can be good. how she makes him believe the world can be a better place. how her steadfast stubbornness and company in the early hours of the morning are the thing he looks forward to most every day, and how the lighthouse has been practically unbearable without her presence. how lonely it is, without her company at night. but saying that here, in the basement of a pub in the middle of minrathous... it doesn't feel right.
so he turns his wrist to take her hand into his, squeezing her fingers gently as he runs his thumb over her knuckles. her hands are cool, which lucanis isn't surprised by. after all, neve could freeze a man's blood in his veins with a wave of those same hands. ]
My company is yours whenever you wish it. [ he says, squeezing her hand again, to reassure her before he says: ] But I would rather talk of such things in the privacy of our own room, rather than in a basement in Minrathous.
[ he tilts his head a little, seeking out her gaze. ]
[ her name is so short, without much room to linger. and yet, when it comes from Lucanis, there's something in the way his shapes the syllables. it feels like the warmth of a hearth, the primal comfort of being wrapped in a blanket. she's never considered herself a romantic, but she thinks maybe Lucanis could make her a believer.
(funny, how someone so adept at killing could nurture such a thing).
so, her name sits in the air between them, dissolving like honey in hot tea. there's more, she senses–the slightest inhalation of breath, the way the molecules settle as he holds it in. Neve cannot say she knows what he wants to continue with, only that it means a lot.
soon enough, his more calloused hand curls over hers, the pad of his thumb tracing her finer knuckles. his fingers are warm, even in the coolness of the storage room. she suppresses a shiver, dark eyes tearing away from their joined hands as he speaks up. ]
Okay, yeah. I would hate to have to explain to Tarquin that I'm in the middle of a serious discussion so he's not allowed in the cellar yet. Can't imagine he would be thrilled.
[ nor is she, really, at the thought of being interrupted. whether this goes where she's hoping or not–Lucanis is...well, he's snuck up on her. fitting, for the assassin of all assassins. but somehow, she isn't as bothered by the way he's slid the gentlest knife between the plates of her armor. it's as though there's a treasure under the rusted mail; the pearl of an oyster, but he wants to keep both intact.
she swallows down the rest of her wine and pushes herself out of her creaking chair, regretting the absence of his hand in hers.
(which is–she'll get back to that. later.)
Let me leave a note for the next shift, then we can go. Otherwise, Mae will start tearing all of Minrathous apart thinking I got kidnapped or something.
[ similarly, the lack of her hand in his causes an unexpected ache. but neve is already up and moving, planning the next five actions, and he can't suppress a slight laugh as he rises to his feet as well, setting aside the dishes in a neat pile. ]
Neve Gallus, kidnapped? [ amused, turning to collect his cloak only to wrap it around her shoulders, fastening it at her neck. while he does enjoy her brilliant teals and whites, they would be taking to the shadows to get to the eluvian. best one of the most wanted women in minrathous melts into the walls like a crow, rather than the empty streets amongst the bodies. ] I pity the man who would try.
[ because if neve did not kill him, the demon of vyrantium would.
it takes some time to navigate the way back to the eluvian. a few close calls, but with neve's suggestions, they make quick work of the path. he has her hand in his nearly the entire time; while he trusts neve with his life on a near daily basis, she is tired. her reflexes are likely not as quick as they typically would be, and so he ensures that she stays in his shadow -- much to her chagrin, he is sure.
he breathes a faint sigh of relief once they slip through the eluvian and wind up in treviso, in the attic of the diamond. safe. it takes a few moments to slip to the stairs to the actual casino halls below, mostly to avoid any crows who want to ask him questions he does not want to answer. he pauses only long enough to request the largest suite available, and instructs the teller to send the bill to him.
once they reach the room, lucanis is relieved to see it is the one he was thinking of. it's more of an apartment than a hotel room, and as lucanis shuts the door behind them, the noise of the casino drowns to a dull murmur. it's not lavishly decorated, but classically elegant, complete with a large bed, comfortable settee, a fireplace, a dining set against the window overlooking the canals, and plush carpet throughout.
not home, necessarily. but close enough. ]
Make yourself at home. [ easily enough, shrugging out of his outer jacket to hang on a nearby coat rack, trying to ignore the thrum in his chest at the conversation that he had suggested lying between them. ] The bath is just beyond that door, if you want to use it right away.
It's been attempted. Poorly, but attempted. Been a while though.
[ probably because they got wise to her being an accomplished mage. moreover: she was too well-connected. too entrenched in the community; so many owed her a favor or knew someone who owed her a favor. anyone who tried to carry her off would find an entire swathe of Dock Town blocking their way.
the thought warms her as much as it sobers her–those same people are suffering at the hands of the Venatori.
she pulls herself away from that dark path and leaves her note, packs up her meager belongings, and gratefully accepts the cloak that Lucanis drapes over her shoulders. it's a practical thing, being a darker color that didn't stand out like her standard whites and teals. the only problem with it, really, is that she has to stop herself from turning her nose towards the stiff collar. is she so sleep deprived and touch starved that she's dreamily inhaling the scent of Lucanis' cologne that sticks to the fabric? no. maybe.
well, okay, yeah.
it's much of what occupies her thoughts, alongside the steady warmth of his hand in hers, as they wind their way through the convoluted streets of Dock Town. she's called upon to get them past a few sticky parts, but otherwise their journey is fairly undisturbed.
as soon as they step through the eluvian and breathe the strange magic-laden air of the Fade, some of her tension lowers. more sloughs off when they cross the rippling silver of Treviso's eluvian and onto the sturdy dark stained wood of the Diamond's upper floor. there's a jab of envy, resentment, that this place is intact while her home isn't. but then guilt from the thought sweeps it away, leaving her chewing her lower lip while Lucanis sneaks them through the Diamond, clearly intent on avoiding being spotted by his fellow Crows.
once they both head into the suite (a whole suite, she marvels), the silence that follows the closing door is a balm that slides across her senses. and then suddenly, she acutely feels every hour she hasn't slept.
undoing her borrowed cloak (with a touch of reluctance, the same feeling she has when she lets go of his hand again), she perches on the all-too-plush bed, stretching her legs in front of her. ]
I think...I need to garner some strength before I end up accidentally drowning in a hot tub. [ brightening a bit, she shoots him a teasing smile. ] Unless you're playing lifeguard.
[ her expression melts into a much more familiar tease, a casual flirting that lucanis has grown accustomed to, with neve. the idea makes him laugh, a little, and he soon joins her to sit next to her, tossing her an amused look. ]
I do not think I would make a very good lifeguard.
[ he knows what she means, but his job isn't necessarily to save people. though drowning isn't exactly his preferred method. too brutal, and messy. painful, even. he was a killer, not a monster. mostly. he mulls over that for a moment, his eyes flickering to the corner of the room where spite is lingering, entertaining itself by peering out the window toward the canal. a latent insecurity gnaws at the back of his mind, wondering whether or not embarking down this path was necessarily fair to the woman sitting next to him. after all, the demon was not going to go away. and honestly, lucanis was not entirely sure he wanted it to go. ]
I was worried, when the dust settled here. That the worst had happened to you.
[ he said finally, resting his hands on the bed, palms pressed to the smooth comforter simply begging to be curled up in. neve does have a point; the bed sounds far more appealing than the bath, at the moment. lucanis considers adding that rook was worried sick, but he chooses not to; rook earning neve's forgiveness was something he needed to do on his own.
he hesitates for a beat, but he had said he would talk about it when they got to the room. but she was tired, and it didn't seem fair to suddenly dump all of his confused, tangled emotions on her lap right after she lost her entire city. so he settles on a simple truth: ]
[ but, she lets it go after that, seeing his expression sober up. following his eyeline, she catches sight of Spite loitering near one of the large windows, where its curiously peering down towards the streets and canals. knowing Spite was not likely to cause much trouble at the moment, she turns her attention back to Lucanis, studying his face and waiting for what he was obviously gearing up to say.
it isn't...exactly surprising, when he admits to being worried. honestly, she had been worried, too. Minrathous had not been in a good way, during the dragon attack. and in the aftermath, she hadn't been sure she'd make it.
but, he goes on, after a moment of hesitation, and while she is tired, something in her is awoken, paying a great deal of attention to his words. Lucanis, she has observed, is not one to say things he doesn't mean. nor is he someone who is very open with his emotions, generally. so, the vulnerability in the moment is stark.
and yet, not unwelcome.
her heart squeezes in her chest, an ugly fear welling up right on the heels–an old story she's told herself–that she isn't worth it. that she only brings bad luck and hurt and pain. a string of losses behind her that feel endless. Neve swallows the words that want to spill forth, tentatively taking one of his hands in hers. ]
I don't really know what to say. But, I do know, despite everything, you've made me feel...listened to. Seen. Cared for. That–you mean more than I can express.
[ there's something of a tension, and lucanis is about to apologize for saying anything at all when neve takes his hand. his eyes flicker down to watch her fingers curl over his. definitely not as rough of his own, hewn by knives and arduous training since he was a young boy. but deadly in their own right, for however delicate they seemed to be.
he can't help but frown, though, at her response. not because it isn't wanted -- no, the news that neve shares his amorphous feelings of caring causes his heart to skip several beats, but the notion that being listened to, seen, or cared for was something of a unique experience for neve.
he lets neve hold his hand, allowing her to set the pace. a million things run through his head to say, all of them embarrassing or incredibly stupid.
instead, he says: ]
Despite everything? [ he doesn't need an explanation, really. they were both suspicious of one another, in the beginning. but lucanis has never been one to unnecessarily assume or carry a grudge, especially with someone who had risked their life to protect his, sight unseen. he squeezes her fingers a little, turning slightly to catch her gaze, eyes imploring. ] Neve, anyone who does not see you must be blind.
[ she is smart, cunning, beautiful, and dangerous - how anyone could avoid getting to know her for... whatever reason is beyond his comprehension. he had been struck the moment he saw her. and, honestly, how she hadn't immediately attempted to kill him once correctly spotting the demon lurking by lucanis' shoulder. even now, neve sees spite and doesn't skip a beat, accepting its presence without judgment or pause. ]
Besides -- [ and he reaches up with his spare hand to brush a loose piece of hair out of her eyes, tone wry. ] You are not the one with a demon grafted to your soul.
[ he doesn't balk, just as he hadn't earlier in the hideout, when she takes hold of his hand. their walk to the eluvian had seen them with linked hands as well but that was easier to pass off as practical.
though, clearly, both of them were feeling similar. it was too early to call love and to chalk it up to simple attraction felt inaccurate. there were softer feelings here, being cradled tenderly in the space between them. wrought by them working side by side, spending the small hours drinking coffee. or the times in the middle of battle, falling into a rhythm that had felt so natural. ]
I'm Tevinter, Lucanis, and not an altus or laetan and I cause enough trouble with my investigations to annoy all three mage classes.
[ she's made inroads with the slaves and soporati because she's typically helping them. but, that took time and plenty of effort. vints did not trust easily, not with their entire culture full of backstabbing and blood magic. ]
You didn't ask for a demon to get magically attached to your soul. [ Neve shrugs, as if that answers everything. ] Spite's pretty tame, as demons go.
[ lucanis knew, of course, of the tiered system in tevinter when it came to magic. mages were highly prized currency, but even amongst them, class and blood mattered most. unlike antiva, what you were born as truly mattered. anyone could become the first talon, in theory. even lucanis, the heir of one of the oldest and wealthiest houses in antiva, now had no real family left to his name. anyone could be killed, and at the end of the day, money did not protect you from a knife between the ribs.
and now, there was no first talon. something lucanis knows he has to deal with, eventually. but the contract took precedence. the last thing caterina wanted him to do took precedence. and truthfully, he was not suited to the job. not like this, a half-demon entity who had allowed his house crumble before him. maybe viago would want to take up the mantle.
all irrelevant, given the woman in front of him, who is shrugging off the fact that he is some twisted half-demonic entity. the compliment does not escape spite's notice, a delighted croon from the corner, which lucanis steadily ignores. he and the demon were on the same page, now, but that didn't mean lucanis had to pay mind to spite's intrusions. ]
Aggravating the Imperium seems to put you in good company. [ amused, squeezing her fingers gently. he wants to lean forward, he realizes, and kiss her. slide his fingers into her hair and pull her closer. it's a horrible idea. whatever this was. neve deserved better than whatever lucanis could provide her, but he didn't move. he also didn't lean forward. ] But all the same.
[ and he covers her hand with his, patting it gently before gingerly letting go. reluctantly. entertaining this was foolish; letting himself get attached is beyond foolish. besides, he had brought her here to rest, not... whatever was lingering in his mind.
coward. a hiss in the back of his mind as spite lingers next to lucanis, turning its piercing gaze onto neve for a long moment, a deep frown setting into place on the demon's stolen visage. lucanis doesn't necessarily disagree. ]
You need sleep. [ gently, as he gets ready to get back up. ] I can check to see if there are any pajamas in the drawers; Teia often pre-packs this particular suite with different luxuries.
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Date: 2025-01-11 09:06 pm (UTC)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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Date: 2025-01-12 01:58 am (UTC)[ ever the pragmatist, she cannot fathom hoping for such an outcome. Minrathous has been balanced on the edge of a knife for years now, the push and pull of its politics always so close to pitching right over the edge. every time it had looked like they were getting somewhere, the deep corruption of people in power nudged them back a step or two. and now the Venatori had such a huge foothold, she was having a hard time imagining that they'd crack.
especially if they had been promised the backing and power of the very gods behind it all.
pulling her gaze away from her glass, she meets Lucanis' eyes, feeling momentarily winded when he says he knows how it feels. a part of her wants to rage, the devastated and grieving piece that had shaken loose as soon as Rook had chosen to save Treviso instead of her city. but no, that wasn't fair, not to either of them. so she swallows the barbed words on her tongue, letting the honesty wash over her.
Rook–well, she'll come back to him. he'd made the call and she's struggling to make her peace with that.
Lucanis, though, he does get it. the Venatori had held him captive, had made it possible for the Crows and his grandmother to think him dead, for Zara to be able to torture him day in and out, trap him with a demon against his will for the rest of their existence. and when he'd finally made it out? he found Treviso occupied by outsiders, an unknown traitor in the Crows, his grandmother gone, and two insane elven gods to kill.
if there's anyone in their merry little band who could understand and show up, she's glad it's him. in a silent way, because it seems too sore to bring up.
spearing a piece of pasta on her fork, she slides it through the leftover sauce in her dish, sighing and giving up on the argument. she hates the idea of leaving when the other Shadow Dragons don't really have that option. but, she wasn't going to be much help, as he's pointed out, if she didn't get some sleep. the rest of the Shadow Dragons didn't have her connections, nor her detective abilities; juggling both alongside the scuffles with Venatori has really taken it out of her over the last week. ]
Just for the night. [ and hopefully she'll have the will to actually leave. Treviso wasn't sunshine and roses, but it was better than her town is. ] You're already doing a lot, Lucanis, and Treviso should keep what provisions it does have.
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Date: 2025-01-14 02:01 am (UTC)[ he says in reassurance, unflinching. because lucanis is not a pessimist, but he isn't an optimist, either. he plans for things going wrong, seeing every step of the way before him before choosing the best option. and to him, there is no option that will allow minrathous to be controlled by the venatori. or for neve to permanently lose her home. it isn't an option. so, therefore, there must be another path.
his expression shifts from stoic reassurance to a bit more relaxed, allowing himself to smile as his shoulders relax a bit. seemingly pleased that neve has agreed to common sense so lucanis would not need to do something more drastic.
he gives neve room to finish dinner while he packs up the dishes and leftovers -- the leftovers set to the side, the dishes going back in the bag in exchange for a large thermos, two clean cups, and another container. when neve finishes, he opens the container to reveal a small (personal size) pie, and lucanis offers her a fork. ]
There are no leftovers for this. [ this, it seems, is just for neve. and he sets to pour her a cup of coffee from the thermos, adding: ] And the supplies are already paid for; I only need to know where to deliver them.
[ as he sets her cup down, amused: ]
I have long since learned to ask for forgiveness rather than permission when it comes to you.
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Date: 2025-01-15 07:57 am (UTC)nor could Lucanis—she should've known this would be his answer. Zara did unspeakable things to him in that prison. even before then, she got the impression many of the Crows killed off Venatori as their act of charity.
so, despite her pessimism and all of her doubters skills, she finds she believes him.
something she turns over in her head like a puzzle as she finishes her meal, trying to make sense of whether it was her heart or head that was making more progress in this moment. maybe she was just overtired. ]
You know, if you were trying to poison me, this would be the quickest way. [ she says in lieu of the overwhelming warm fuzzies that threaten to spill from her mouth. not only had he brought dessert, he had made her favorite. and then miniaturized it for easy travel. the little gooseberry pie is so cute she almost can't make herself eat it.
almost. ]
I see you took some hints from Ashur.
[ not that she sounds entirely put out. especially not right now, with a mouth full of pie and a cup of coffee that smelled fresh and not oddly burnt. ]
Since you've left me no choice—I'll confer with the Dragons, to see what post could use the supplies. [ inventory could change drastically in a matter of hours, depending on whether there was an incident with the Venatori, illness, a fight; anything, really. ] But, I guess I can forgive you, as you did bring me pie.
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Date: 2025-01-18 03:21 am (UTC)[ amused, though he is pleased to see she is enjoying her (cute, small) pie. he sets his attention to his own coffee, taking a long slow sip as neve works through her complaints and agreements. accepting help is difficult; doubly so when the problem is so massive that one has no idea where to begin.
this, though, he could do. send help. kill venatori. it was practically a holiday.
he sits in quiet silence as neve finishes her pie, huffing a soft laugh to himself at her forgiveness. he waves a free hand, clearly indicating that such thanks (and, quite frankly, forgiveness) are not necessary, but he does add, slightly teasing: ]
Your acceptance to stay in Treviso for the evening is suitable punishment for my transgressions. [ as if it were ever a chore, to spend time with neve. no, he looks forward to it. seeks it out, even. her hopeless fixation on doing what was right was... nice, really. it almost made him believe that people could be good, after the ossuary. ] And who knows -- perhaps the visit comes with more pie.
[ sweetening the pot. like leading a feral cat to a warm bed. ]
It definitely comes with a hot bath, a warm bed, and whatever room service your heart desires, at the very least. [ he sips his coffee again, settling himself into the wrought-iron chair he is in to make himself as comfortable as possible. ] Your comrades are welcome to respite, too, if they desire it.
[ it isn't as if lucanis couldn't simply just... book out every hotel room in treviso, really. and once he offers it, the crow seems to consider something before he adds, a bit wryly: ]
But the suite is reserved for you.
[ no giving it up to ashur, ok. ]
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Date: 2025-01-31 03:01 am (UTC)[ she says it with a wry humor approaching her usual tone, still baffled by all the gestures but not finding any reason to turn it all down. he had laid out his argument logically, after all. and what's more: she's thinking better now that she's actually had time to sit, eat, and drink. another thing Lucanis had obviously been right on, even if she had done her best to push the help away out of some misguided view of self-sufficiency.
it's just...not something she's used to. this isn't pampering, not really, but it feels like it is, especially after the week she's had. ]
Alright, alright, I see this was a losing argument from the start. [ some part of her is miffed. or maybe annoyed? but she shoves it aside and focuses on the fact that he's here. he showed up, food and drink carefully in tow, with a full plan in mind. Neve thinks she can count on one hand the amount of people who have done this kind of thing for her in the past. while she can count on the Dragons now, for the most part, they're also stretched thin.
what Lucanis is offering, with a strange kind of ease for a paid assassin, she thinks, is different. warm. a crystallized kind of good that even Zara couldn't torture out of him.
she finishes her pie and flashes him a tired smile. ]
I'll pass the word along; I promise not to abdicate to Ashur. [ she's never considered herself a particularly lonely person, but the mix of Lucanis' care, a full belly, and... well, who is she kidding, the sharp line of his body sitting slouched in the chair across from her–it causes a question to bubble up, no filter to catch it. ]
Does the suite come with company?
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Date: 2025-02-01 12:03 am (UTC)his eyebrows arch slightly. for half a moment, lucanis thinks neve is asking for... well, general company. but that is quickly overridden by the realization that neve means him, and he blinks. clearly, a little surprised. not put off, necessarily, but surprised.
company, with her? obviously. ]
Well. [ he says with some faux consideration, tone thoughtful as he sets down his cup. as if he were thinking over his plans for the evening (he has none). and, seemingly confirming silently that he has nothing on his imaginary agenda, he says: ] If you want company, then company you shall have.
[ and lucanis offers her a warm smile, a little amused. ignoring the (pleasant) churning in his stomach, because surely neve doesn't mean company company. right? obviously. ]
It would be more than a little rude to leave you in Treviso without a guide, hm?
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Date: 2025-02-01 11:22 pm (UTC)the realization she means his company in particular dawns over his face and she shoots him an encouraging smile. ]
I won't say no to a more curated tour. [ of course leave it to him to misconstrue what she means even more. tentatively, she reaches over, gently cupping her hand over his one wrist. ] But, I was thinking of a more personal company. If you want.
[ surely that will help clear it up. right? ]
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Date: 2025-02-02 11:23 pm (UTC)Neve.
[ it's said in a breath, and he wants to follow it up with ... so much. how she's reinvigorated his belief that people can be good. how she makes him believe the world can be a better place. how her steadfast stubbornness and company in the early hours of the morning are the thing he looks forward to most every day, and how the lighthouse has been practically unbearable without her presence. how lonely it is, without her company at night. but saying that here, in the basement of a pub in the middle of minrathous... it doesn't feel right.
so he turns his wrist to take her hand into his, squeezing her fingers gently as he runs his thumb over her knuckles. her hands are cool, which lucanis isn't surprised by. after all, neve could freeze a man's blood in his veins with a wave of those same hands. ]
My company is yours whenever you wish it. [ he says, squeezing her hand again, to reassure her before he says: ] But I would rather talk of such things in the privacy of our own room, rather than in a basement in Minrathous.
[ he tilts his head a little, seeking out her gaze. ]
So shall we go?
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Date: 2025-02-04 01:55 am (UTC)(funny, how someone so adept at killing could nurture such a thing).
so, her name sits in the air between them, dissolving like honey in hot tea. there's more, she senses–the slightest inhalation of breath, the way the molecules settle as he holds it in. Neve cannot say she knows what he wants to continue with, only that it means a lot.
soon enough, his more calloused hand curls over hers, the pad of his thumb tracing her finer knuckles. his fingers are warm, even in the coolness of the storage room. she suppresses a shiver, dark eyes tearing away from their joined hands as he speaks up. ]
Okay, yeah. I would hate to have to explain to Tarquin that I'm in the middle of a serious discussion so he's not allowed in the cellar yet. Can't imagine he would be thrilled.
[ nor is she, really, at the thought of being interrupted. whether this goes where she's hoping or not–Lucanis is...well, he's snuck up on her. fitting, for the assassin of all assassins. but somehow, she isn't as bothered by the way he's slid the gentlest knife between the plates of her armor. it's as though there's a treasure under the rusted mail; the pearl of an oyster, but he wants to keep both intact.
she swallows down the rest of her wine and pushes herself out of her creaking chair, regretting the absence of his hand in hers.
(which is–she'll get back to that. later.)
Let me leave a note for the next shift, then we can go. Otherwise, Mae will start tearing all of Minrathous apart thinking I got kidnapped or something.
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Date: 2025-02-05 12:12 am (UTC)Neve Gallus, kidnapped? [ amused, turning to collect his cloak only to wrap it around her shoulders, fastening it at her neck. while he does enjoy her brilliant teals and whites, they would be taking to the shadows to get to the eluvian. best one of the most wanted women in minrathous melts into the walls like a crow, rather than the empty streets amongst the bodies. ] I pity the man who would try.
[ because if neve did not kill him, the demon of vyrantium would.
it takes some time to navigate the way back to the eluvian. a few close calls, but with neve's suggestions, they make quick work of the path. he has her hand in his nearly the entire time; while he trusts neve with his life on a near daily basis, she is tired. her reflexes are likely not as quick as they typically would be, and so he ensures that she stays in his shadow -- much to her chagrin, he is sure.
he breathes a faint sigh of relief once they slip through the eluvian and wind up in treviso, in the attic of the diamond. safe. it takes a few moments to slip to the stairs to the actual casino halls below, mostly to avoid any crows who want to ask him questions he does not want to answer. he pauses only long enough to request the largest suite available, and instructs the teller to send the bill to him.
once they reach the room, lucanis is relieved to see it is the one he was thinking of. it's more of an apartment than a hotel room, and as lucanis shuts the door behind them, the noise of the casino drowns to a dull murmur. it's not lavishly decorated, but classically elegant, complete with a large bed, comfortable settee, a fireplace, a dining set against the window overlooking the canals, and plush carpet throughout.
not home, necessarily. but close enough. ]
Make yourself at home. [ easily enough, shrugging out of his outer jacket to hang on a nearby coat rack, trying to ignore the thrum in his chest at the conversation that he had suggested lying between them. ] The bath is just beyond that door, if you want to use it right away.
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Date: 2025-02-05 02:43 am (UTC)[ probably because they got wise to her being an accomplished mage. moreover: she was too well-connected. too entrenched in the community; so many owed her a favor or knew someone who owed her a favor. anyone who tried to carry her off would find an entire swathe of Dock Town blocking their way.
the thought warms her as much as it sobers her–those same people are suffering at the hands of the Venatori.
she pulls herself away from that dark path and leaves her note, packs up her meager belongings, and gratefully accepts the cloak that Lucanis drapes over her shoulders. it's a practical thing, being a darker color that didn't stand out like her standard whites and teals. the only problem with it, really, is that she has to stop herself from turning her nose towards the stiff collar. is she so sleep deprived and touch starved that she's dreamily inhaling the scent of Lucanis' cologne that sticks to the fabric? no. maybe.
well, okay, yeah.
it's much of what occupies her thoughts, alongside the steady warmth of his hand in hers, as they wind their way through the convoluted streets of Dock Town. she's called upon to get them past a few sticky parts, but otherwise their journey is fairly undisturbed.
as soon as they step through the eluvian and breathe the strange magic-laden air of the Fade, some of her tension lowers. more sloughs off when they cross the rippling silver of Treviso's eluvian and onto the sturdy dark stained wood of the Diamond's upper floor. there's a jab of envy, resentment, that this place is intact while her home isn't. but then guilt from the thought sweeps it away, leaving her chewing her lower lip while Lucanis sneaks them through the Diamond, clearly intent on avoiding being spotted by his fellow Crows.
once they both head into the suite (a whole suite, she marvels), the silence that follows the closing door is a balm that slides across her senses. and then suddenly, she acutely feels every hour she hasn't slept.
undoing her borrowed cloak (with a touch of reluctance, the same feeling she has when she lets go of his hand again), she perches on the all-too-plush bed, stretching her legs in front of her. ]
I think...I need to garner some strength before I end up accidentally drowning in a hot tub. [ brightening a bit, she shoots him a teasing smile. ] Unless you're playing lifeguard.
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Date: 2025-02-06 12:32 am (UTC)I do not think I would make a very good lifeguard.
[ he knows what she means, but his job isn't necessarily to save people. though drowning isn't exactly his preferred method. too brutal, and messy. painful, even. he was a killer, not a monster. mostly. he mulls over that for a moment, his eyes flickering to the corner of the room where spite is lingering, entertaining itself by peering out the window toward the canal. a latent insecurity gnaws at the back of his mind, wondering whether or not embarking down this path was necessarily fair to the woman sitting next to him. after all, the demon was not going to go away. and honestly, lucanis was not entirely sure he wanted it to go. ]
I was worried, when the dust settled here. That the worst had happened to you.
[ he said finally, resting his hands on the bed, palms pressed to the smooth comforter simply begging to be curled up in. neve does have a point; the bed sounds far more appealing than the bath, at the moment. lucanis considers adding that rook was worried sick, but he chooses not to; rook earning neve's forgiveness was something he needed to do on his own.
he hesitates for a beat, but he had said he would talk about it when they got to the room. but she was tired, and it didn't seem fair to suddenly dump all of his confused, tangled emotions on her lap right after she lost her entire city. so he settles on a simple truth: ]
You mean a great deal to me.
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Date: 2025-02-09 12:53 am (UTC)[ but, she lets it go after that, seeing his expression sober up. following his eyeline, she catches sight of Spite loitering near one of the large windows, where its curiously peering down towards the streets and canals. knowing Spite was not likely to cause much trouble at the moment, she turns her attention back to Lucanis, studying his face and waiting for what he was obviously gearing up to say.
it isn't...exactly surprising, when he admits to being worried. honestly, she had been worried, too. Minrathous had not been in a good way, during the dragon attack. and in the aftermath, she hadn't been sure she'd make it.
but, he goes on, after a moment of hesitation, and while she is tired, something in her is awoken, paying a great deal of attention to his words. Lucanis, she has observed, is not one to say things he doesn't mean. nor is he someone who is very open with his emotions, generally. so, the vulnerability in the moment is stark.
and yet, not unwelcome.
her heart squeezes in her chest, an ugly fear welling up right on the heels–an old story she's told herself–that she isn't worth it. that she only brings bad luck and hurt and pain. a string of losses behind her that feel endless. Neve swallows the words that want to spill forth, tentatively taking one of his hands in hers. ]
I don't really know what to say. But, I do know, despite everything, you've made me feel...listened to. Seen. Cared for. That–you mean more than I can express.
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Date: 2025-02-09 01:52 am (UTC)he can't help but frown, though, at her response. not because it isn't wanted -- no, the news that neve shares his amorphous feelings of caring causes his heart to skip several beats, but the notion that being listened to, seen, or cared for was something of a unique experience for neve.
he lets neve hold his hand, allowing her to set the pace. a million things run through his head to say, all of them embarrassing or incredibly stupid.
instead, he says: ]
Despite everything? [ he doesn't need an explanation, really. they were both suspicious of one another, in the beginning. but lucanis has never been one to unnecessarily assume or carry a grudge, especially with someone who had risked their life to protect his, sight unseen. he squeezes her fingers a little, turning slightly to catch her gaze, eyes imploring. ] Neve, anyone who does not see you must be blind.
[ she is smart, cunning, beautiful, and dangerous - how anyone could avoid getting to know her for... whatever reason is beyond his comprehension. he had been struck the moment he saw her. and, honestly, how she hadn't immediately attempted to kill him once correctly spotting the demon lurking by lucanis' shoulder. even now, neve sees spite and doesn't skip a beat, accepting its presence without judgment or pause. ]
Besides -- [ and he reaches up with his spare hand to brush a loose piece of hair out of her eyes, tone wry. ] You are not the one with a demon grafted to your soul.
[ she, clearly, is the catch in this situation. ]
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Date: 2025-02-15 03:18 am (UTC)though, clearly, both of them were feeling similar. it was too early to call love and to chalk it up to simple attraction felt inaccurate. there were softer feelings here, being cradled tenderly in the space between them. wrought by them working side by side, spending the small hours drinking coffee. or the times in the middle of battle, falling into a rhythm that had felt so natural. ]
I'm Tevinter, Lucanis, and not an altus or laetan and I cause enough trouble with my investigations to annoy all three mage classes.
[ she's made inroads with the slaves and soporati because she's typically helping them. but, that took time and plenty of effort. vints did not trust easily, not with their entire culture full of backstabbing and blood magic. ]
You didn't ask for a demon to get magically attached to your soul. [ Neve shrugs, as if that answers everything. ] Spite's pretty tame, as demons go.
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Date: 2025-02-16 12:41 am (UTC)and now, there was no first talon. something lucanis knows he has to deal with, eventually. but the contract took precedence. the last thing caterina wanted him to do took precedence. and truthfully, he was not suited to the job. not like this, a half-demon entity who had allowed his house crumble before him. maybe viago would want to take up the mantle.
all irrelevant, given the woman in front of him, who is shrugging off the fact that he is some twisted half-demonic entity. the compliment does not escape spite's notice, a delighted croon from the corner, which lucanis steadily ignores. he and the demon were on the same page, now, but that didn't mean lucanis had to pay mind to spite's intrusions. ]
Aggravating the Imperium seems to put you in good company. [ amused, squeezing her fingers gently. he wants to lean forward, he realizes, and kiss her. slide his fingers into her hair and pull her closer. it's a horrible idea. whatever this was. neve deserved better than whatever lucanis could provide her, but he didn't move. he also didn't lean forward. ] But all the same.
[ and he covers her hand with his, patting it gently before gingerly letting go. reluctantly. entertaining this was foolish; letting himself get attached is beyond foolish. besides, he had brought her here to rest, not... whatever was lingering in his mind.
coward. a hiss in the back of his mind as spite lingers next to lucanis, turning its piercing gaze onto neve for a long moment, a deep frown setting into place on the demon's stolen visage. lucanis doesn't necessarily disagree. ]
You need sleep. [ gently, as he gets ready to get back up. ] I can check to see if there are any pajamas in the drawers; Teia often pre-packs this particular suite with different luxuries.
[ which. typical. ]
You should be comfortable.