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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only | Expand All

"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.

"Should I be worried one of those is a meal?"

He didn't speak the language, but he'd traveled enough to at least know food when he heard it in whatever village he was passing through. The question was asked into Lucanis' hair, Davrin having moved to press his lips against the top of the head currently hiding against his shoulder. It was possible Lucanis could still feel the grin he had, but overall it just served to let the scent of the Crow's hair into his nose and throat.

That was somehow even worse, and it makes Lucanis sigh and huff against Davrin's shoulder, shoulders shaking lightly with his own repressed laughter. This was so terribly absurd. He had known some of it was coming as soon as Davrin asked - he had come up a lot in their conversations as they laid the groundwork for where to go from here, how to work together. And Lucanis had realized that while the demon didn't exactly work like a person in terms of attraction and desires, much like Bellara had tried to explain ... near as Lucanis could tell? Spite was interested in Davrin too. Something Lucanis had no desire to explain, given how tenuous this peace was, but it turned out he had no reason to worry about how Davrin would take it.

At least, not while he was high on mushrooms. Maybe later he would be more concerned.

"Big bear," Lucanis recited. "Handsome. Hunter."

He felt the heat on his neck for admitting that last one, especially.

"Handsome hunter, hm?"

He shouldn't gloat. He shouldn't bask. He was a Grey Warden, the definition of duty and sacrifice. But it turned something in him liquid and warm to feel the honesty and embarrassment. He could see and hear Spite, for now, but just maybe the spirit was a better wingman than Lucanis- or all of history- gave the entities credit for.

He slanted his shoulder, trying to slide Lucanis' head off his arm, to catch his chin with his fingers and tilt it up to look the man in the face again.

"You must know how gorgeous you are."

Handsome hunter, yes. Who for some reason had chosen Lucanis as his prey. And even after seeing Lucanis' messed up mind, he hadn't changed his mind. It was not something Lucanis expected. Not at his worst, broken heart laid bare. Nothing there worth loving.

And yet, as soon as they were out, Davrin had given him the sweetest kiss of his life.

He tilts his head up when Davrin directs him to, how could he pass up a chance to look into that stunning face?

"A few months out of being held in prison for a year? I've looked better."

Said with a slightly wry smile. He was still working on shedding those signs. Slowly but surely, one day at a time. He knew he was decently attractive for a human man of his age, but gorgeous? That was pushing it.

"That's not what I meant."

He was still half expecting Spite to swoop back in and involve himself in the conversation, but he was warm and calm and looking directly at the target of his hunt- except he was more than that. When a hunt was done, it was over. Move on. He may have caught Lucanis, or Lucanis him, but he was far, far from done. He could admit that to himself. He frowned slightly, trying to find the words, and leaned in for a brief kiss to keep the moment from turning against them as he struggled.

"All of you. Body and..." he glanced over at Spite briefly, "souls. Nothing could hide that."

Spite was letting them talk... though he was very much watching it happen, a wide grin on his face. Lucanis knew he should be suspicious, like when an animal suddenly goes quiet, but Davrin's sweetness was terribly distracting.

"Men like you are why the Wardens have the reputation they do. Brave, honorable, everything a hero should be," he said, reaching up to touch Davrin's wrist. "... I am sorry you felt out of place in your family, and what made you leave, but... the world is a better place for having you out in it, helping people."

Treviso alone had felt the benefit of Davrin's help in countless lives.

Lucanis had felt the benefit of Davrin's attention. For all that they'd started off at odds, without Davrin and Rook, Lucanis isn't sure where he'd be right now.

No, he knows. Dead at the bottom of Rialto Bay. Maybe face down in one of the canals choked with blight and bodies already, one more casualty.

{{ HE THOUGHT YOU WERE ATTRACTIVE RIGHT AWAY. }}

Aaand there was the moment killer.

"Not helping, Spite."

Moment very much killed, but Davrin could only find it in himself to grin. Maybe the first date was going to be a bust for grand romantic moments, but this was good, too. A day out with Lucanis and the kids- and he bit down a laugh with that thought. Spite wouldn't appreciate the comparison. Neither would Lucanis, likely.

What was there to do but carefully but the tea down and embrace the moment? He slid his arm around Lucanis' shoulders, shifting to lean a bit against the Crow's side, grin just growing as Assan shifted and stretched to use the pair of them as somewhat bumpy bed.

"I thought you were dangerous and going to get as all killed." Something he had truly excelled at keeping to himself. "But also very nice to look at. And listen to."

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

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

Certainly not. But at least he's high

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject