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.
[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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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2025-06-03 07:43 pm (UTC)[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.
no subject
Date: 2025-06-03 08:46 pm (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2025-06-03 08:51 pm (UTC)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.]
no subject
Date: 2025-06-03 08:58 pm (UTC)[He shrugs.]
You would have found another way, I'm sure. But I'm glad it happened sooner, rather than later.
no subject
Date: 2025-06-03 09:26 pm (UTC)[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.
no subject
Date: 2025-06-03 09:31 pm (UTC)[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.
no subject
Date: 2025-06-03 09:48 pm (UTC)[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.
no subject
Date: 2025-06-04 12:17 am (UTC)[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?
no subject
Date: 2025-06-04 02:40 am (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2025-06-04 02:45 am (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2025-06-04 02:57 am (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2025-06-04 03:01 am (UTC)[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?
no subject
Date: 2025-06-04 05:38 am (UTC)... 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.]
no subject
Date: 2025-06-04 05:44 am (UTC)[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?
no subject
Date: 2025-06-04 06:16 am (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2025-06-05 03:06 am (UTC)In the end, he just gives a nod.]
I'm sorry for bringing it up.
no subject
Date: 2025-06-05 03:50 am (UTC)[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.
no subject
Date: 2025-06-05 04:09 am (UTC)[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.]
no subject
Date: 2025-06-05 04:13 am (UTC)[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?
no subject
Date: 2025-06-05 04:16 am (UTC)[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?
no subject
Date: 2025-06-05 04:35 am (UTC)More than. I love you, brother. Thank you.
no subject
Date: 2025-06-05 04:37 am (UTC)[He sets their plates down, then takes his seat beside her. Rather than digging right in, he claps her on the shoulder.]
Dig in.