Chapter Text
Art by Seta Melody (instagram @ setamelody)
Careful feet descending golden stairs were silent. Reaching out a hand to brace herself against one of the massive columns decorating the upcoming threshold, Akoni snuck forward and hugged the wall. Her pitch black eyes glinted as she just barely peeked around the doorway’s edge and into the room beyond.
With its walls of dark, polished wood and stone, accentuated with details carved in gold and jade, it was impressively large and extravagantly opulent, especially with the large crystalline chandelier that hung high above and the plush sofas sprawled before her– a small sitting area, for those awaiting an appointment with the club owner. Intricately woven rugs depicting cranes and koi bordered with floral motifs in traditional Canthan style laid across the smoothened rock floor.
Behind a massive mahogany desk was a man, sitting with his back to the far wall, flanked on either side by a pair of life-sized, bronze phoenixes with their wings swept up towards the sky. Casting his frame in silhouette, a massive fireplace roared, the heat welcome in the cooler depths of the club.
Hung on the wall above the flames was a framed picture that stood taller than Akoni did, though that didn't say much considering her height, or rather, lack of it. Said picture was a wanted poster, to be more precise: a stylized portrait in black and white of the very Sylvari sitting below, with the bounty details scratched out in a single strike for a single word to be written in elegant cursive above.
Canach.
A bold announcement to all visitors of how far the Secondborn had come.
He hadn't noticed her, and she pursed her lips thoughtfully. He seemed engrossed in the papers spread over the surface of the desk, a quill in one hand scribbling across parchment whilst the other flipped through an open book, and for the briefest second, she wondered whether this really was a good ti–
"What are you scheming, pet?"
A barely audible meep squeaked out of her as she startled, but from the way the corner of his lip twitched, she was sure he caught it. She let out a slightly offended grumble, and his smirk grew wider, before she stepped into the room.
His cockiness dropped, though, when he finally looked up, thorned brows arching high above violet eyes. Now it was her turn to grin.
It was nice to see that she could still surprise him after all this time, and she couldn't deny that the glimmer betraying his interest– a bold orange that raced through the crags of his bark– was a welcome boost to her ego. She felt a bit more confident in her choice to change things up, especially for the current 'mission'.
Nothing overt, really, but despite some people's opinions about her fashion, she did like to think she had good taste, with her magpie tendencies leaning towards things that were both delicate and understated. Bonus points if it was accompanied with a subtle shine or glow.
For today, she'd opted for something casual instead of her usual battle gear. Her favourite pants hugged her curves snugly, the leather soft and beautifully supple, coloured a deep, burnt umber with a reddish hue that surfaced only in the light. Canach seemed fond enough of it and expressed his appreciation on multiple occasions; in more ways than one. The weapon harness that she usually wore strapped around her thigh was left behind, though The Shining Blade hung ever present by her hip. She had cast aside her ley chest plate as well: even she wasn't so socially inept to realize it wouldn't suit the occasion, and after the entire emotional mess she had to trudge through over the past several weeks, she had to agree with Taimi that she deserved to just sit back and relax. Instead, she had picked out a sleek, backless halter top that had caught her eye in New Kaineng earlier. Made of black silk embroidered with red lilies, and featuring intricately detailed metal clasps to fasten the collar and front together, she'd been pleased to find it was both comfortable and cooling, which was more than welcome in the heavy humidity of the Echovald Wilds.
"What are you scheming?" This time though, his voice was lower with a telltale husk to it, and she couldn't help but preen, just a little. Setting his quill down, he leaned back, propping an elbow up on the arm of his chair as he casually rested his chin on his knuckles to slowly take her in.
"I'm not scheming anything!" The frost blue Sylvari's protest was undermined by the grin that curved her lips as she scooted around to hop onto the desk and face him.
She'd missed her entwined more than she realized, her Self nudging against the bright spark that was his mind, and she found herself letting out a quiet purr as she felt him strum comfort back, the familiar heaviness of his presence instantly wrapping tight around hers.
Evidently, the feeling was mutual.
"You do realize that's even more suspicious, don't you?" He drawled with a smile, rakish on his rugged features, as he trailed fingers down her calf.
Her bark twitched despite herself, the pleasant tingle running through her nerves almost making her miss his next words.
"You're usually up to something, and for my sake, it had better not involve herding those siege turtles into Arborstone again. The Kestrals still haven't quite forgiven me for hiding you from them."
White freckles on Akoni’s cheeks twinkled bright even against the blazing gold of the fire and she smothered a giggle at the memory, her favourite being several of the gigantic turtles becoming so enamoured by a random cat that they had followed it up to crowd the inn's lobby, much to the receptionist's horror.
"I just want you to cancel your plans for tonight," she said airily with a couple easy kicks of her heels. "We're going out for dinner."
"Oh? " Delight danced in her thoughts, betrayed on his end by the way his orange flared once again, marred only by the mischievous gleam in narrow-set eyes. "We are, are we? After all these years, love, are you finally comfortable enough to ask me out on a date? I've almost given up hope."
"You–!" Gods, but she could feel the flush of heat across her cheeks. Why was he always like this? "It's just–! Rama's managed to convince Min to go for dinner, and–"
A small, amused snort escaped the Secondborn at the mention of that romantically awkward man. "He made sure she'll show up this time?"
The comment was met with a light swat from her. "Don't be mean. He's asked Taimi, Gorrik, and me to come along. To… well, you know what he's like around Min. I think we're supposed to play wingman. Somehow."
Thorned brows dipped in mock disappointment. "Rama and Min, Taimi and Gorrik. So I'm just an afterthought because you don't want to feel left out?"
Oh for–!
"Taimi suggested that you and I could make a night of it, but you're being a jerk." Akoni gave an indignant hrmpf and hopped off the desk, white vines whipping around as she prepared to march off. "So nevermind, it's fine. I'll ask someone else. Maybe Laranthir, since we didn't manage to catch up last ti–!"
Canach grabbed her elbow just as she spun around, giving a firm tug backwards, and she landed with an inelegant oof onto his lap, her back smacking hard against his chest. Arms snaked around her waist as he gave her a small, warning nip on a long, furled ear.
"What time is this dinner?" he muttered.
She sniffed haughtily at him, trying to ignore the way he was starting to nuzzle his way downwards. "I wouldn't want you to think you're an af–" But stuttered to a stop when she felt his breath, hot and damp, against the sensitive line of thorny nubs on her neck, accompanied by the whisper of the sharp bristles of his goatee. A line of bright cyan burst along her spine as she shuddered in his embrace.
His voice was an impatient growl. "What time , Akoni?"
"We're meeting up at seven near Soojung Heights," she finally said with a pout. "Outside the Red Duck Teahouse."
His eyes flicked to the clock on the table. Less than an hour to go. "Horrifically short notice," he sighed, pressing a light kiss on her nape before reluctantly letting her go; nudging her so he too could stand. "Before we leave, is there a particular dress code I should be aware of?"
She blinked at him. "Um, no? I don't… think so?"
"I'm curious since… well," he waved a hand at her vaguely, before giving her top a light tug to emphasize his point.
That blush made its return on her cheeks, and this time she could feel its heat creep up the back of her neck. "I just– I just felt like wearing something different."
"Hm. Smart casual, then." But, his dark green lips twitched; turned lopsided to soften his normally smug features, no doubt having caught her unspoken thought.
I wanted to look nice for you.
A slow, heavy warmth diffused through her mind: appreciation for the gesture and the ever present affection intertwined, with just the smallest sprinkle of awed disbelief. Outwardly though, his words were nonchalant as he carried on, "It's such a pity about your poor friends, though, pet."
Jarred, she stared up at him, confusion furrowing her petal-like brows as freckles dimmed slightly. "My friends…?"
He moved to shrug off his jacket and vest– elegantly tailored, in addition to the pinstripe shirt he wore under them: his usual business wear when attending to his casino– and tossed them carelessly over his chair. She wondered briefly if he was beginning to pick up some of her habits, despite complaining of them himself.
Only briefly, though, as the small display of his chest from the few top buttons left undone– firm; defined, yet so comfortable and warm to snuggle against– caught her eye.
"Well." That arrogant smirk of his returned, his glow gleaming as he noted her distraction. "Look at us. We're stunning."
"Canach–!" Her laughter morphed into a small snort instead as she muffled it with the back of her palm.
Chuckling softly, he took that hand in his and pulled back to hold her at arm's length. Violet eyes swept her up and down to inspect her critically, only for a sharp, disappointed tsk to conclude whatever thought was running through his head.
"One moment, Petal. Your outfit seems to be missing a certain… something." Leaving her with that cryptic statement, he turned abruptly to disappear out the door.
Akoni stared after him in bewilderment before looking down at herself, the line of her mouth thinning. What was wrong with it? He had seemed to like it when she first walked in, so what was the problem?
Whatever confidence had been built up suddenly crumbled, leaving a sickening hollow in her guts.
Suddenly unsure, she absently reached up to touch a horn, running a finger along its coarse surface. Canach was far more social than she was– he always had been, when he chose to turn on the charm– and had easily mingled with the people here as he developed his connections amongst the patrons of his establishment as well as the underground scene, and he always had a certain style; a certain flair about him. She'd thought she had managed to compliment it, at least with the halter top and its intricate design.
The only other accessory she had was her ever present dragon's-eye chain that adorned her forehead. Was it too casual for a date? For… him?
That hollow feeling twisted.
Coldness, sharp and prickling, suddenly sliding against her temple made her jump with a small meep. A hand clamped firmly on her shoulder to stop her from jerking away, and she realized Canach was back, just as she felt something long and thin slip into her hand.
"Wha–?"
A scent drifted past, then: cool and honey sweet, but subtle, with the faintest bite of spice. Familiar.
Her entwined smiled, pleased with himself as he carefully adjusted the Maguuma lily that now nestled against her left ear. She looked down to see he had handed her a couple stems as well, their white-edged raspberry pink petals full and plump.
Her favourite flowers. When did he–?
Fingers– large, calloused; warm– laced with hers and he brushed an absent kiss on her forehead, the metallic chain that draped across it jingling faintly as a thorny needle caught onto it.
"Perfection. Shall we, love?"
His baritone, quiet and slightly rough, as well as the feel of him pressed against her sent a shiver down her back, her freckles searing heat across what had to be the deepest blush of the day. That hollowness that had been wallowing deep in her belly dissipated in a sudden burst– delicious in its fierceness– and before she knew it, she'd hopped up to press delight on the corner of his mouth.
She had been silly to worry, and felt the small flick of a spark chiding her in her mind, though it was softened by his amusement and the squeeze of his hand around hers.
The tips of her ears were tingling now, but she managed to say, "Let's knock 'em dead."
And they would. They were both stunning, after all.