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.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
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.