[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?
[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...?
[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.]
[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.]
[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.]
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.
I... didn't realize it had meant so much to you. [it was a little humiliating, how much they'd bared themself to everyone present at the time. there's something reassuring in luca sharing their sentiment, though.]
[they stare down at their empty plate, the concept of prattling on inevitably turning back to dark thoughts. they shouldn't burden luca with this, but...]
... I've never told you about the first time I tasted bread.
[kiera is silent for a long moment, even as it's clear luca recognizes the gravity of the situation. the last thing they want is to make him regret his efforts... but it makes them bittersweet, after all.]
I was practicing my camouflage, as it were. Ended up in the servants' quarters, close to their kitchens. There was -- the most beautiful smell I'd ever experienced, coming from that place. One of the cook's children... didn't realize who I was. Said I looked starved, and offered me a single piece of flatbread.
[their eyes close.]
I can still taste the caraway seed, still smell the oils of freshly chopped coriander and garlic. I can feel the clarified butter in my mouth. It... was the single best thing I have ever tasted, to this day.
[they sigh, deep and suffering, and find themself looking around the table for a bottle of spirits that isn't there.]
My mother found out. Looking back, I know now she could smell it on me. She had the servant child brought in front of the entire court and ordered me to... to consume what I was meant to consume.
[Luca can practically taste it in the way she describes the bread. He has a horrible feeling, though, namely from the moment she mentions servant's quarters. It's the kind of place that the Aurelius home had never had. And under the wrath of the Empress, who had molded Kiera so intently, he can only guess how it will end.
Only guess. Which means he doesn't expect where the story winds up. He knows the child she describes, only from Even if only from Kiera's own memories. It makes his stomach churn angrily.]
If I ever meet her... [He doesn't finish the sentence, knowing far too well how upset Kiera would get at the mere idea.]
I'm sorry. The things she put you through, the way she warped you... cruel is too light of a word.
I will pray every day, to the end of my days, that you never do, Luca.
[she tries to resist, she really does, but she can't help it. she needs a drink. as she stands up to fetch the closest bottle of hard stuff, she shakes her head.]
I must be the most selfish person on this or any planet, to be so glad to be here instead of there. How many of my brothers and sisters, my nieces and nephews, still suffer under her vicious reign? I know for a fact that each and every human in Castilla does. And all I can think in this moment is... how lucky I am, to be worlds away from that devil.
So much back there hurt us, Kiera. It's norma o try to avoid that pain.
[Truthfully, Luca is happier too, especially knowing that things had settled down back home. More comforting still is that time hadn't passed until he'd returned. It left him... optimistic that Aquila wasn't actively missing him in the moment.]
Say we do go home one day. Would you want to stop it? Do anything about what's been happening there?
[they think on this as they ferret out a glass to pour their drink into. it wouldn't do to drink right out of a bottle that they might use for customers later. they figure... two glasses right away will do wonders for their mental state. then they can move on to good-tasting wine.]
... As I said. I'm selfish. Even if I -- was brave enough to face her, I'm well aware you would not allow me to do so alone. And I will do everything in my power to ensure she never sees your face.
[it almost feels wrong, to almost outright say that kiera would condemn an entire nation just to save one man. but luca knows what he means to her. she would be foolish to deny it.]
[Luca should be content to leave things as they are. Renova is at peace, and the Phoenix no longer remained to menace him. But he can't help but think of his newfound power, how it would be the perfect weapon against them.]
You don't worry that they may try to attack us again?
[kiera hisses to themself, partly over the sharp taste of hard liquor, and partly in response to luca's words. they don't want to do much as imagine castilla making such a bold move against renova.
it's an inevitability. they know this. they have yet to fulfill their duty, and eventually, the empress' patience will run out.]
... I don't want to think about this, Luc. It's -- irrelevant, right now.
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... 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.
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[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?
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Bread would suffice. You don't need to trouble yourself, but perhaps for some butter and herbs...?
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[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.
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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.]
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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.]
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I'm -- sorry. I ought to have left you some.
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I ate not too long ago. And I wouldn't take food from a poor, starving thing like you.
[A playful little nudge.]
Feel better?
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I feel... like a child again. Taken in and nursed back to health by a warm-hearted Aurelius.
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[He squeezes a little closer, then lays his head on her shoulder.]
Besides, you've done a fair bit of caretaking for me, of late.
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[of more than one flavor, even, but kiera will fight to hold on to the positive one.]
Have I? I don't feel it. Seems you've put yourself back together while I sat useless.
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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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I... didn't realize it had meant so much to you. [it was a little humiliating, how much they'd bared themself to everyone present at the time. there's something reassuring in luca sharing their sentiment, though.]
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[He shrugs.]
You would have found another way, I'm sure. But I'm glad it happened sooner, rather than later.
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[she is so terrible at being genuine, but by gods, she is trying.]
... As do I. I don't know what I would do without you.
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[It had taken months. Years even. But he was finally where he needed to be. And he wasn't leaving this time, either.]
But we don't need to think about all of that, do we? Plenty more we could prattle on about.
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[they stare down at their empty plate, the concept of prattling on inevitably turning back to dark thoughts. they shouldn't burden luca with this, but...]
... I've never told you about the first time I tasted bread.
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[But it is, and Luca already knows to sober up. He turns his full attention to her, quips dying down. He's the picture of seriousness and focus.]
What happened?
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I was practicing my camouflage, as it were. Ended up in the servants' quarters, close to their kitchens. There was -- the most beautiful smell I'd ever experienced, coming from that place. One of the cook's children... didn't realize who I was. Said I looked starved, and offered me a single piece of flatbread.
[their eyes close.]
I can still taste the caraway seed, still smell the oils of freshly chopped coriander and garlic. I can feel the clarified butter in my mouth. It... was the single best thing I have ever tasted, to this day.
[they sigh, deep and suffering, and find themself looking around the table for a bottle of spirits that isn't there.]
My mother found out. Looking back, I know now she could smell it on me. She had the servant child brought in front of the entire court and ordered me to... to consume what I was meant to consume.
... You know the rest.
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Only guess. Which means he doesn't expect where the story winds up. He knows the child she describes, only from Even if only from Kiera's own memories. It makes his stomach churn angrily.]
If I ever meet her... [He doesn't finish the sentence, knowing far too well how upset Kiera would get at the mere idea.]
I'm sorry. The things she put you through, the way she warped you... cruel is too light of a word.
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I will pray every day, to the end of my days, that you never do, Luca.
[she tries to resist, she really does, but she can't help it. she needs a drink. as she stands up to fetch the closest bottle of hard stuff, she shakes her head.]
I must be the most selfish person on this or any planet, to be so glad to be here instead of there. How many of my brothers and sisters, my nieces and nephews, still suffer under her vicious reign? I know for a fact that each and every human in Castilla does. And all I can think in this moment is... how lucky I am, to be worlds away from that devil.
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[Truthfully, Luca is happier too, especially knowing that things had settled down back home. More comforting still is that time hadn't passed until he'd returned. It left him... optimistic that Aquila wasn't actively missing him in the moment.]
Say we do go home one day. Would you want to stop it? Do anything about what's been happening there?
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... As I said. I'm selfish. Even if I -- was brave enough to face her, I'm well aware you would not allow me to do so alone. And I will do everything in my power to ensure she never sees your face.
[it almost feels wrong, to almost outright say that kiera would condemn an entire nation just to save one man. but luca knows what he means to her. she would be foolish to deny it.]
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[Luca should be content to leave things as they are. Renova is at peace, and the Phoenix no longer remained to menace him. But he can't help but think of his newfound power, how it would be the perfect weapon against them.]
You don't worry that they may try to attack us again?
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it's an inevitability. they know this. they have yet to fulfill their duty, and eventually, the empress' patience will run out.]
... I don't want to think about this, Luc. It's -- irrelevant, right now.
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