[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.
[Part of him wants to press, if only so they can be ready for whatever comes next, before they get there. The other part of him knows that memories don't linger when they go back, at least the way Luca did. Any planning they did do would go by the wayside.
You can help by sitting on your ass and staying out of my way.
[He chirps it to Kiera as he enters the kitchen. There's a bit of clamoring around, but eventually he comes out with a plate of chicken and roasted broccoli.]
[well, alright. she huffs, as clearly everything is alright by luca. they'll even do as they're told, and melt a little into their chair when he brings the food out.]
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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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In the end, he just gives a nod.]
I'm sorry for bringing it up.
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[and kiera, as always, is trying to find solace in ignorance at the bottom of a bottle. it almost sours the idea for them entirely, but falls short.]
... I am grateful it isn't starting an argument. I missed you, and that is not how I want to spend our time together.
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[A gentle nudge as he tilts his head into the air, scenting it.]
Dinner should be done soon.
[He excuses himself politely as he goes to check on it.]
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[they do feel a bit of guilt, as he walks away. they're the one who broached the subject of that bitch in the first place, after all.
before they do anything else, they knock back that second glass and recork the liquor bottle.]
... May I help at all?
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[He chirps it to Kiera as he enters the kitchen. There's a bit of clamoring around, but eventually he comes out with a plate of chicken and roasted broccoli.]
Adequate?
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More than. I love you, brother. Thank you.
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[He sets their plates down, then takes his seat beside her. Rather than digging right in, he claps her on the shoulder.]
Dig in.