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[ Honestly, part of why he'd come here was because he knew that Luca knew him, or rather, knew his tastes. He's desperate for connection, and nearly desperate enough to eat anything. But the fact that Luca is so diligent in removing the carrots, that he ensures he has something hydrating to go with it, makes him feel... cared for, perhaps.
When you feel lost and unmoored, what more could you want than that? ]
Thank you.
[ But for all that he hasn't eaten, he doesn't take a bite of the stew right away. He lifts the spoon in his hand, yes, but more to push at the bits of vegetable and meat floating in the broth. Soon. But not yet. ]
And I am glad that you are here. It is... comforting to know that I have a place to go.
When you feel lost and unmoored, what more could you want than that? ]
Thank you.
[ But for all that he hasn't eaten, he doesn't take a bite of the stew right away. He lifts the spoon in his hand, yes, but more to push at the bits of vegetable and meat floating in the broth. Soon. But not yet. ]
And I am glad that you are here. It is... comforting to know that I have a place to go.
[The corner of Luca's mouth twitches downward. He does have half of a mind to say something to Joshua, to encourage him to eat instead of toying with his food. The words die on his tongue just as they form, though. The fact that Joshua had come at all would have to be enough. He wouldn't push this, not when he knows just how hard it can be.]
You will always have a place here.
[Not just because it's his business, and he'll always be taking money. No, Joshua is one of the most dear people he has here at this point. He wouldn't let the man go through this alone. He'd taken a step back, yielding to Dion after Clive's disappearance, especially in the wake of his own grief and the fallout of it all, but not this time.
Which... does bring a question to mind.]
Where are you staying, currently?
[The house, once so full of life and love, seems so much emptier now. Were Luca in his shoes, he doubted he could stomach staying.]
You will always have a place here.
[Not just because it's his business, and he'll always be taking money. No, Joshua is one of the most dear people he has here at this point. He wouldn't let the man go through this alone. He'd taken a step back, yielding to Dion after Clive's disappearance, especially in the wake of his own grief and the fallout of it all, but not this time.
Which... does bring a question to mind.]
Where are you staying, currently?
[The house, once so full of life and love, seems so much emptier now. Were Luca in his shoes, he doubted he could stomach staying.]
[ Joshua knows. He knows, and yet hearing it spoken aloud makes him feel... better. The company, the presence of other people, the food and warmth. It's a good place to be. ]
Thank you. I am glad to hear it.
[ Glad enough that he finally does scoop up a spoonful of stew. He blows on it lightly, knowing that to fail to do so will scald his mouth, and then places it in his mouth. And he will politely chew and swallow it before replying. ]
I am still in the house. It would feel... awkward, perhaps, to stay elsewhere, all things considered. Torgal is there, and I have Ambrosia in the attached stable.
Thank you. I am glad to hear it.
[ Glad enough that he finally does scoop up a spoonful of stew. He blows on it lightly, knowing that to fail to do so will scald his mouth, and then places it in his mouth. And he will politely chew and swallow it before replying. ]
I am still in the house. It would feel... awkward, perhaps, to stay elsewhere, all things considered. Torgal is there, and I have Ambrosia in the attached stable.
[the following morning, there's a knock on the bar door before opening hours. kiera looks less like themself than they did as a vampire, given the opalescent horn on their forehead, the hooves and the long tail, but they are standing here when luca appears with no issue, and that is what matters. they're so relieved to see him, they honestly don't care if it might be concerning for him to see such a wide, unabashedly happy smile on their face before they pull him in for a hug.]
Get comfortable. I'm not letting go for a while.
Get comfortable. I'm not letting go for a while.
[The only reason Luca is particularly concerned is because Kiera looks exactly like her worst nightmare. Not that he has time to say any of that. He gets tugged in for a hug and, well, if he even tries to shift he's just going to get impaled. So yeah, hugs and honestly? Maybe a tear or two.
Leave him alone, he missed her.]
K-Kiera... [A huff.] Can we at least move inside. Beasts forbid someone see you have an emotion.
Leave him alone, he missed her.]
K-Kiera... [A huff.] Can we at least move inside. Beasts forbid someone see you have an emotion.
Edited 2025-06-03 03:08 (UTC)
[Note to self, be sure to remind Joshua that he belongs here more often. Just in case.
For now, though, he quirks a brow at Joshua.]
I don't suppose you are up for company? I suspect it may be rather lonely in that large house, and I would not want you to suffer on your lonesome. [A beat.] Or rather, without human company.
For now, though, he quirks a brow at Joshua.]
I don't suppose you are up for company? I suspect it may be rather lonely in that large house, and I would not want you to suffer on your lonesome. [A beat.] Or rather, without human company.
[ It's like hearing a magic word, or a switch being flipped, though subtly so. But still, Joshua's ears perk at the request. If Luca truly wants to... ]
I... suppose it does get a bit lonely. I've taken to wearing my brother's bone ring just to have someone to talk to when I'm not at the clinic.
[ Maybe it's a bit of a strange thing to admit, but. Well. It's the truth. At least he can talk to the animals of the house. ]
But of course. You are welcome to come by whenever you wish.
I... suppose it does get a bit lonely. I've taken to wearing my brother's bone ring just to have someone to talk to when I'm not at the clinic.
[ Maybe it's a bit of a strange thing to admit, but. Well. It's the truth. At least he can talk to the animals of the house. ]
But of course. You are welcome to come by whenever you wish.
[maybe if they had been turned into this before, they would be more upset. maybe they will be more upset, once it settles in. right now? it's like the weight of the whole godsdamned planet has been lifted from their shoulders.
despite his tears and the shakiness of his voice, they can't help a gentle laugh.]
If you're that worried about me, alright. [they could jab that he's showing more emotion than they are right now, but decide against it in favor of nudging him inside.]
despite his tears and the shakiness of his voice, they can't help a gentle laugh.]
If you're that worried about me, alright. [they could jab that he's showing more emotion than they are right now, but decide against it in favor of nudging him inside.]
It makes no difference where I lay my head.
[The Watchtower is comforting, but he can be without it for a few nights. For Joshua's sake.]
I'm glad you've had someone to communicate with. But a little more company never hurt anyone, especially in a time like this.
[He leans in, just a little. And if he just so happens to idly tap Joshua's water glass as a reminder, so be it.]
Would it be acceptable for me to slip in after I finish up this evening?
[The Watchtower is comforting, but he can be without it for a few nights. For Joshua's sake.]
I'm glad you've had someone to communicate with. But a little more company never hurt anyone, especially in a time like this.
[He leans in, just a little. And if he just so happens to idly tap Joshua's water glass as a reminder, so be it.]
Would it be acceptable for me to slip in after I finish up this evening?
Of course I'm worried about you, idiot.
[A huff as he all but wrenches her into the bar. Yes, he's locking the door behind him. Service can wait an hour or two.]
How do you feel? Are you hungry? I... imagine it's been awhile since you've consumed anything, even with your, ah. Offering.
[A huff as he all but wrenches her into the bar. Yes, he's locking the door behind him. Service can wait an hour or two.]
How do you feel? Are you hungry? I... imagine it's been awhile since you've consumed anything, even with your, ah. Offering.
[it's actually quite embarrassing, how immediately her stomach growls following the word "hungry."]
... I'm fucking starved, Luc. I felt myself losing my grip again, but I didn't... I couldn't...
[they shake their head and sigh wearily.]
Yes, I could eat. Phoenix feathers, I miss food.
... I'm fucking starved, Luc. I felt myself losing my grip again, but I didn't... I couldn't...
[they shake their head and sigh wearily.]
Yes, I could eat. Phoenix feathers, I miss food.
[ Ah. Right. The water. Joshua's ears tilt back a little, but he sighs softly and settles his spoon in the bowl to lift the glass. Luca is trying to help him. The least he can do is comply. ]
I will never turn down the extra company. And I'm sure that Torgal would be glad to see you, as well.
[ Look, he's even taking a sip! But it really is helping. ]
So long as you don't mind the books scattered everywhere. Our library investigation is still ongoing.
[ Despite it all. ]
I will never turn down the extra company. And I'm sure that Torgal would be glad to see you, as well.
[ Look, he's even taking a sip! But it really is helping. ]
So long as you don't mind the books scattered everywhere. Our library investigation is still ongoing.
[ Despite it all. ]
You were strong, Kiera. You were so strong.
[Surviving off of only one voluntarily received offering of blood sounds like a hell of an accomplishment to Luca.]
Food, then. I have the usual stew on, and some bread. Or I can cook something, if you would prefer it. [He knows they're not the fondest of red meat, after all.] Chicken and rice, perhaps?
[Surviving off of only one voluntarily received offering of blood sounds like a hell of an accomplishment to Luca.]
Food, then. I have the usual stew on, and some bread. Or I can cook something, if you would prefer it. [He knows they're not the fondest of red meat, after all.] Chicken and rice, perhaps?
It would be good to see the old boy as well.
[Maybe Luca's avoided him a little. Torgal's a good dog, but there are parts of him that so vividly remind him of Clive that it's been difficult to swallow.
He'll deal with that later. For now, he offers a smile for Joshua's efforts.]
Maybe I can even give them a look over. If there's something to be learned, a fresh pair of eyes may be able to track it down.
[Maybe Luca's avoided him a little. Torgal's a good dog, but there are parts of him that so vividly remind him of Clive that it's been difficult to swallow.
He'll deal with that later. For now, he offers a smile for Joshua's efforts.]
Maybe I can even give them a look over. If there's something to be learned, a fresh pair of eyes may be able to track it down.
[to that, they don't respond. drinking anything at all felt like throwing away their conviction of possible decades, a betrayal of self that could not possibly run any deeper. it feels so terrible, in fact, that just as luca surmises, they are in no mindset for red meat.]
Bread would suffice. You don't need to trouble yourself, but perhaps for some butter and herbs...?
Bread would suffice. You don't need to trouble yourself, but perhaps for some butter and herbs...?
Bread for now.
[The whore devours some Hors d'oeuvres. Or something.
Anyway, he heads to the kitchen, pulling out both bread, butter, and herbs as requested. He brings these out to Kiera before dipping back into the kitchen. He makes sure he angles himself to at least be able to hear her if she talks, all while prepping some chicken and vegetables.]
It'll be a minute before something proper is ready, so eat up.
[The whore devours some Hors d'oeuvres. Or something.
Anyway, he heads to the kitchen, pulling out both bread, butter, and herbs as requested. He brings these out to Kiera before dipping back into the kitchen. He makes sure he angles himself to at least be able to hear her if she talks, all while prepping some chicken and vegetables.]
It'll be a minute before something proper is ready, so eat up.
[between the sight of the bread and luca making for the kitchen once more, kiera groans with relief.]
You don't have to do that, Luc. [but nonetheless:] Thank you.
[sorry, she is now going to go apeshit on this bread. please don't judge her, she hasn't eaten in a month. in fact, luca better not peek out of the kitchen, because there are most definitely tears streaming down her face.]
You don't have to do that, Luc. [but nonetheless:] Thank you.
[sorry, she is now going to go apeshit on this bread. please don't judge her, she hasn't eaten in a month. in fact, luca better not peek out of the kitchen, because there are most definitely tears streaming down her face.]
[Unfortunately, he does peek out. It just proves that this meal is important for them both. Anything to make sure she's able to feel something again.
If he's a little heavy handed on the spices, so be it. Especially on the garlic. She deserves all of that and more.
Once he's done and the chicken is set to roast, he makes a show of washing his hands and clearing his throat. That way, his leaving doesn't take her by surprise. Plenty of time for her to wipe her tears.]
If he's a little heavy handed on the spices, so be it. Especially on the garlic. She deserves all of that and more.
Once he's done and the chicken is set to roast, he makes a show of washing his hands and clearing his throat. That way, his leaving doesn't take her by surprise. Plenty of time for her to wipe her tears.]
[the gesture is appreciated, but kiera finds she doesn't have the energy, or desire, to hide this particular display of emotion from luca. if they're self-conscious of anything, it's the fact that there's nothing left in front of them. even the butter dish is wiped clean. their face tinges deeper red at the sight of it.]
I'm -- sorry. I ought to have left you some.
I'm -- sorry. I ought to have left you some.
You struck the first blow, you know. You and Mamika together, I suppose but... [He trails off. The memory has turned a little bitter, considering who it was all for. But he presses on.] You convinced me to stay my hand. To extend kindness...
It had been years since I had done that. I thought I'd forgotten how. But you didn't let me.
It was a turning point, I think.
It had been years since I had done that. I thought I'd forgotten how. But you didn't let me.
It was a turning point, I think.
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