twoforsurprise | One Short Day In Antiva City

One Short Day In Antiva City

Davrin might have forgotten Lucanis' offer about the tailor, but he had not. Not all of their excursions were for fighting demons or cultists or darkspawn, and eventually Rook was going treasure hunting on the Rivani coast with Taash and Harding. And just them. Quite adamant that only Taash and Harding were needed, in fact.

Andraste preserve them, Rook was apparently becoming interested in matchmaking.

It worked out, though. The timing. Lucanis ever so casually mentions that Davrin promised to assist him in some errands in Antiva and Rook is just so happy they're not at each other's throats that they're told to not take however long they need. Lucanis makes a mental note to pick up something nice for Rook when they're in Antiva City.

Ah, Antiva City. A less beautiful Treviso, Lucanis used to say. That was before the Ossuary, before the occupation, before the blight. Now it's hard to not see everything that's been lost. He doesn't insult Davrin by assuming the man can't keep up with the Crow routes along the rooftops and across ziplines, so much faster than the weaving crowded streets up the hill the city is built on overlooking the harbor the few times they need to duck down to street level.

"Should be right around - ah, there it is," Lucanis declares once they're half way up the hill, the financial district of the city settled between the Palace at the top and the harbor and all the wealth the shipping industry brings. This time when he drops down to the street level it is where they'll stay for the time being, heading to an understated store front with a simple hanging sign that looks like an embroidered rose carved into the wood of it.

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Evka and Antoine had apparently insisted Davrin take a break, so... there were worse ways than a picnic out in the forest. It wasn't like Lucanis didn't need a break, too.

Even if he was eyeing the yams with more suspicion than they deserved. It was almost enough for him to overlook the tea.

Almost.

"This smells like a focaccia. I don't think that's how tea is supposed to smell."

((up to you if they've saved Caterina yet or not and he's first talon, just let me know))

"You have no idea how tea is supposed to smell."

Though this one certainly smelled different than any Davrin had brewed before. That was besides the point, though. The coffee maestro didn't get to comment on the tea. Assan chirped at them both, happy to be involved in the conversation, and Davrin decided the griffon was agreeing with him as he continued brewing the...interesting beverage.

It had been a bit of time since they'd managed to actually be alone. Their lives what they were, there was a reason it had taken a lecture from his fellow Wardens for Davrin to actually carve out some personal time. That Antoine had held prolonged eye contact in that overly sincere way of his and emphasized how even he and Evka had dates might have made him blush just a bit- luckily nothing, he hoped, that could be seen in the hazy light of the wet lands. But he took the point to heart. A fire, tea, some snacks (including yams), and a bag with a thick blanket and some other items just incase. The point was just to spend time with Lucanis, but a grey Warden was always prepared.

Edited 2025-01-03 17:50 (UTC)

Lucanis continued to hem and haw over the tea as it brewed, but he didn't actually refuse it. It was ... nice. He never considered himself much if a forest person - existence in them was a necessity at times, but he did not spend time in 'the great outdoors' as his fun.

(Just don't ask what he DID do for fun, as that list was basically nonexistent. )

Being out here with Davrin - and Assan - though, it was good. There was a peace he had not considered before. The sunlight felt warmer, the breeze gentler.

It was, kind of, their first date.

He had not yet dealt with his cousin. There was a plan in action for it though. He was going to make a power grab for First Talon at the end of the month. It would be smarter for Caterina to not be around for it - but it would have been smarter to kill her immediately. If he had not done so yet, he would not before he had the position of First Talon, whatever stayed his hand.

("He wants her to see him take power," Lucanis had told Davrin and Rook later. It was a trial, realizing the whole of his life had been basically a power struggle between cousin and grandmother.)

Acting before then would only put Caterina at risk. So they had to wait, and gather as much information as they could. It was making Lucanis restless, even if it gave him the time he needed to talk more with Spite one on one now that the worst misunderstanding between them was past. And for Teia to tease him about 'his Warden'. Viago disapproved of the match initially - 'He's not even FROM Treviso' had been said at least once, but Teia argued successfully that Davrin had done more for Treviso than any noble in power put together. That counted for something. Lucanis had to wonder if Viago would still be so judgemental of Lucanis' romantic choices if he had any idea that he had once been one of them - and that Lucanis was definitely taking that secret to the grave, as far as any Crows were concerned.

"Assan is surely agreeing with me."

But he wasn't going to turn down a chance to tease Davrin.

"Assan wants to just eat them raw," he glanced over at the ear-perked griffon, a small smile appearing unconsciously. "You have to share if you want us to get the appeal."

This was, if not a winning argument, at least acceptable to Assan who, with a sad glance and the ginger wort in the kettle, wandered over to curl up next to (and partially on) Lucanis. Davrin wasn't entirely sure if Assan understood the difference between Lucanis and Spite, that only one of them was part of his aerial romps, but the griffon seemed to like the man whatever his eye color or voice. Davrin could understand the sentiment.

It was only another few seconds for the tea to be ready and Davrin to distribute it- a large mug for himself, a much small cup that may or may not have been borrowed without permission from Neve or Emmrich for Lucanis.

...Even if this was all his idea, surely it was a good plan to let it cool for a second before partaking.

"I brought some mint, if it's that terrible you need to rinse the taste out."

He privately suspected Lucanis may have smuggled coffee into this date in preparation for just that outcome, but he would let the Crow keep his secrets.

Truly, it was better to assume the man was prepared to make coffee on a moment's notice than not. One never knew when emergency coffee would be necessary. It was like keeping basic antidotes on-hand, just good practice.

Lucanis let out a little exhale of breath as Assan decided to make a pillow out of him, raising an arm up and out of the way so the griffon could have his run of Lucanis' lap, setting it over him and gently stroking his feathers when Assan had gotten comfortable to his liking. He accepted the cup with both hands, noticing it was not one of Davrin's and raising a little eyebrow but saying nothing about the potential theft. Such a petty act was strangely heartwarming.

"Hopefully enough for two, so I don't have to suffer through the taste a second time when kissing you if it's so bad."

"I'm touched I'm so hard to resist."

He cleared his throat slightly before he replied, still getting his footing with Lucanis dabbling in being the hunter over the hunted, and used blowing on the cup and the heat it sent up over his face to hide any faint blush.

"A toast to not accidentally poisoning ourselves?"

"To not accidentally poisoning ourselves- not an uncommon toast amongst Crows, I might add."

Davrin had himself to blame - or credit - for that. Lucanis was sure he would have eventually gotten around to it, taking up the pursuit himself, but only after a lot or worrying and second-guessing every possible course of action until he couldn't stand it. Probably right before they went to go face down Elger'nan himself. But Davrin making the first move, and that simple act of reminding Lucanis they'd both agreed to this gave him a lot of bravery to push ahead in spite of never having done anything like this before. Not even for a job. Sure sometimes he had to think on the spot when a mark got a little handsy and he was undercover, but where it was known to be those kinds of jobs it was Illario's expertise, not his. So this was entirely new ground for him.

Seeing that he could make someone like Davrin get flustered though, a man seemingly made of cool-headed confidence, it gave Lucanis quite the thrill indeed.

Taking a slow experimental sip of the tea, Lucanis didn't even try to hide the face he made - though maybe he did exaggerate it a bit for entertainment.

"That is ... ginger."

Ginger tea was always something he associated with medicine, the only kind he drank and only for that reason.

"And mushroom."

And dirt, despite how well the truffles had been washed. 'Earthy' was a better word for it. He'd mentally go with earthy.

"Honestly? Not as horrible as I thought it would be."

For all the experience Davrin may have had with various short lived relationships, that his big first official date was them drinking something he thought might be poisonous and probably disgusting did not speak highly of his long-term relationship skills. But this was hardly a typical first date and they were far from typical people. Anything without at least a slight chance of death didn't really seem their style.

Assan gave a little chirp of interest and, for this reason and this reason alone, Davrin scooted off his sitting log to join Lucanis on his, shoulders lightly brushing as he offered the mug to the griffon in the other man's lap to inspect.

"You want some?"

Oh, certainly, the only reason. And if their shoulders brush again to make sure Davrin has full access to the griffon, well. Coincidence.

"Ha. Even you thought it would be terrible."

Okay, maybe Lucanis is a little smug about that. But surely he had earned it, hadn't he?

"If Assan wants to finish it, I can make us coffee, too."

He still bravely took another sip. There was something about the smell he couldn't quite place that reminded him of something...

{{ CURIOSITY. IT SMELLS LIKE CURIOSITY. }}

Lucanis's smug expression shifted back to lightly horrified. He was trying to ignore Spite less as part of their arrangement, but he was not repeating that aloud to Davrin.

"That's not a smell."

Whatever horror Spite had ignited in Lucanis at that, Davrin was happily oblivious to it. He assumed Spite had just spoke through Lucanis, as he always did when he had something important to say. He hadn't noticed the lack of purple eyes, his own eyes locked on Assan, watching as the griffon sniffed and then ultimately decided not to drink. Given the deep love Assan had for the truffles, it made Davrin a bit concerned just how off the tea might be. Still, he started this. He takes the mug back and downs another mouthful, like a child taking their medicine.

Lucanis stares at Davrin. Leaning over Lucanis' shoulder so he could better smell the tea brew, Spite stares at Davrin.

"Did you just-" Lucanis starts to ask, but Spite has opinions and now he is going to be heard!

{{ CURIOSITY! THE ONE WITH THE FEET! AND HANDS! }} Spite says, so excited he's not even mad about Davrin not understanding the first time, a thing that normally frustrates him.

"He means Manfred," Lucanis adds, in case that wasn't clear. "Can you - Did you just hear him? Can you hear him??"

That last part was to Assan. He was not expecting an answer, but fuck at this point he might as well ask too.

Spite talking over- as in concurrently- with Lucanis was a new one. Davrin frowned as he swallowed, the tea somewhat hurting as it went down due to how much he consumed in his surprise.

"...We left the Fade, right?"

For all he knows they've secretly been there the whole time. Except Assan hadn't been in the prison. Assan that was simply sitting there, happily looking back and forth between Davrin and Lucanis (notably not at Spite), happy to be so included. Gods, they needed to start bringing a supervising mage along just to explain what was happening to them.

Assan not looking at Spite gave Lucanis a little hope, too, even if Spite visibly pouted quite a bit to see his best friend (Assan) not included in the 'now can see him' bubble. Davrin was a close second, at least. And as he was still wearing Lucanis' face, it was probably pretty comical to see what amounted to Lucanis wearing an excessive pout.

"We did. We definitely did."

He took a VERY SLOW, VERY CAREFUL sip of the tea - not swallowing right away, just holding the liquid in his mouth and trying to pick out every individual flavor in it for a few moments first.

"What, specifically, is in this tea and how did you prepare it?"

"Ginger wort truffle. Boiled."

Plant in water, the key to tea. Darvin frowned in concentration, taking the most mortal approach of all options towards the unknown and slowly reaching out to try and touch Spite's shoulder. The demon could punch Lucanis, but they were bound together. Whether or not he could feel-

No, his fingers went through the purple, pouting Lucanis. Hm.

"It's said to have some medicinal properties- which can overlap with magical."

Spite was going to start dosing him now, wasn't he. Anytime he wanted to complain and Lucanis wouldn't let him have at it.

It was a distinct possibility. But that would require a lot of steps. Then again, if he was so chummy with Manfred he had someone who could make the tea...

Lucanis looked into his mug. Took another drink. Fuck it, why not? It was just the two of them, there was nothing weirder he could see than Spite, who was always there anyway.

"I'm going to bring some to Viago to see what he knows about it. I've never heard him talk about it, but maybe it has another name."

"If the Crows start competing with me for the truffle supply, you'll have the griffons to answer to."

It's said idly, his mouth keeping up with banter even as his eyes were fixed on Spite. Something Assan was not a fan of, since from his perspective his bodyguard/handler/dad was just staring off into vacant space. It earned him a small nip to his hand, redirecting his attention.

"Hey, don't look at me. Lucanis is the one looking to steal your treats."

"Am not," Lucanis said, annoyed. He pet Assan. See, he was paying attention.

{{ WOULD NOT LET HIM. }} Spite insisted to Assan, even though Assan apparently could not see or hear him. It was the thought that counted... or something.

"I want to find out if it's already used in a poison. That's what Viago does. Like Illario and seduction. It's his thing. Probably not on its own, no sense in just making someone hallucinate without something else to it... but I want to know if it will make us get sick later."

As funny as it was to see Davrin like this, he'd feel awful terrible if the Warden ended up sick because of it. He had to pause in his petting of Assan to shift his cup to the other hand so he could reach out and pat Davrin's hand.

"I would take care of you if you were, though."

Davrin had his mouth open for a reply- then closed it as Lucanis finished, looking down at the hand on his. This wasn't going to be the date he'd expected. Even knowing Spite was always there, there was something different about actually seeing the demon that made his faint plans of pushing Lucanis down into the grass at some point during the trip seem more awkward. But this was still sweet. He turned his hand over to intertwine his fingers with Lucanis' before he could fully pull away after the pat.

"Whatever Viago says, it'll be a little too late. Still, I appreciate the sentiment. But this...hm. It's an opportunity, I suppose."

To address something that had been nagging at the back of his mind, but now that the chance was here he couldn't quite find the words to use. How did you ask if the demon living inside the object of your affection approved of your pursuit? What did you do if it said no?

Lucanis was pretty sure he wasn't hallucinating yet... though, the butterflies that glowed seemed a little brighter, leaving trails of blue in their wake, the light playing even more beautifully on the leaves on the trees. Maybe...

Hard to tell. Magical forest, maybe this was just what it was doing.

He threaded his fingers with Davrin in turn either way.

"An opportunity? To see what it's like to hallucinate, Orsacchiotto?"

Lucanis' smile was none the less fond as he asked.

{{ WE SHOULD FLY. }}

"No."

"Maybe."

He smirked, happily leaving it ambiguous if he meant hallucinating or flying with that. Assan was just a cub still, if he wanted to get up in the air Spite might be his best chance.

But to the matter at hand. It wasn't a non-serious question- if Spite decided he was against sharing Lucanis in anyway they were going to have to deal with that. But the tea made things easier- or was it just being able to actually meet Spite's eyes, instead of talking to the air? Who knew. High or just confident, either worked.

"Spite. I need to ask you something."

Spite hissed with delight.

{{ ME! }}

Lucanis rolled his eyes.

"Yes, yes - make use of it while you can."

He could not be sure what Davrin would need or want to ask Spite, but he had to admit interest. He took another drink from his tea and carefully set it down so that hand could be used to pet Assan again, since he simply could not let go of Davrin's. For safety reasons, since they were drugged.

Assan was more than happy to be pet and pampered again, chirping and half rolling onto his back in Lucanis lap to better facilitate the adoration. It was a good, temporary distract for Davrin to watch as he tried to put the question into a sensible order.

He looked Spite right in his- well, Lucanis' purple eyes.

"What do you think about what's going on? Between Lucanis and me."

Spite's eyes widened a bit - Lucanis' a second behind him as he realized what Davrin had asked. A hot rush felt like it was crawling up his chest onto his face.

"Spite, don't-"

But it was too late, Spite was already laughing with triumph at being asked to give his opinion. He leaned back quickly when Lucanis paused the petting to grab for him, using the wings to facilitate the quick movement as he darted to put Davrin between them.

{{ A WARM ANCHOR, CALLOUSES FROM SWORD AND SHIELD HE PUTS HIS HAND ON THE BACK OF HIS NECK AND REMEMBERS WHAT YOURS FELT LIKE THERE. FIRE IN THE BLOOD BUT HE WANTS TO BURN, }} Spite's voice was a delighted growl over Davrin's shoulder, near his ear. Lucanis thought he might very well die right here in the forest and getting his body back to Treviso for proper ceremony was going to be such a hassle. {{ A LONG WAY TO FALL BUT YOU MAKE HIM REMEMBER HE CAN FLY. }}

"Spite-!"

Spite's eyes narrowed a little bit as he looked at Davrin, thoughtful.

{{ WANT TO TRY KISSING DAVRIN, TOO. }}

And who would thought Davrin would ever want to kiss a demon back, just in thanks for confirmation? Though he tried to bite his grin back as much as he could, almost able to physically feel the embarrassment rolling off the life-long, next-in-line to lead the Crows, assassin besides him. It probably didn't work well, not with the warmth spreading from his core all the way to tingle at the tips of his fingers, heart and mind nicely melted by drug and emotion.

"So you approve?"

{{ YES! }}

Spite's wings fluffed up with happiness.

{{ BETTER WITH YOU. ORSACCHIOTTO. BELLO. CACCIATORE. - }}

"Okay, that is enough, go - I don't know. Elsewhere. Don't give away everything."

Nothing else for it. Lucanis let out an annoyed huff, and hid his face against Davrin's shoulder. Yes, dying here would not be so bad at all. It was a lovely spot, maybe Assan could dig a hole to drop him into or something. He squeezed Davrin's hand.

Spite laughed, fluffed his wings further and flitted about their little campsite, quite pleased with himself.

Gingerwort Tea

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Lmk if this works, I can modify anything!

perfect

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(Davrin you are not prepared for this answer...)

Certainly not. But at least he's high

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