Work Text:
“And Illario should be here by now. Let’s go before he gets himself in trouble.”
The words earn a soft laugh from Dalia, her feet immediately starting to move in the direction of Cafe Pietra. But there’s a small nagging feeling in her stomach. Lucanis had gone and bought things with everyone else on the team in mind but hadn’t purchased anything for himself. Surely there had to be something that he wanted. As they pass a weapons stand, she takes a pause, noting his look of curiosity out of the corner of her eye. She takes a glance over everything, finally taking note of a wyvern tooth dagger that stands out amongst the various pieces. Without a second thought, the coin is handed over before it’s picked up. Then she’s spinning on her heel, looking at him as she offers it out to him.
“Buying something for everyone else but yourself, I just can’t allow it. So here. This is for you.”
His eyes light up, a joy shining in them that she’d yet to really see since meeting her fellow crow. Not that it was surprising given his current circumstances. But taking note of how he looked over the weapon as she started to walk again was enough to make her chest warm with pride. She’d done something good for the man, she could tell.
“A wyvern tooth dagger. I’ve always wanted one, you know. Caterina wouldn’t let me have one as a child, though.”
Despite his words, there’s still a fondness when he speaks his grandmother’s name. There’s also a hint of sadness to it that she wishes she could take away. To come back from the hell he’d endured only to have one of the only people he still had in his life ripped away before he could see her again was just cruel. But hopefully, Ilario had the information that they were searching for. She takes note of Lucanis putting the dagger on his belt as they approach the cafe, that same pride from before washing over her again. Dalia shakes off the feeling, however, as she pushes open the door to the cafe, walking inside ahead of the man and taking a look around.
It’s not hard to spot Illario where he sits at one of the tables. She’d only met the man a few times in the process of helping Lucanis escape his prison and join her rag tag group, but she’d gotten good with faces over the years, something that was important as a crow. He seems to sense them before they even make a move to approach and she offers a small smile, though he offers one that’s wider and brighter in return. Quietly, she moves over and pulls one of the chairs out, settling into it as Lucanis does the same in the chair between them. Just as it wasn’t hard to notice Ilario, it’s not hard to notice the tails they have on them as they settle there at the table. Three crows meeting for coffee was bound to draw some attention.
“And here I thought I was going to be left all alone.”
The words cause Lucanis to roll his eyes, though there is a small fondness to the smile that tugs at his lips.
“As if I would ever pass up the coffee at Cafe Pietra.”
“You see, Rook? My cousin thinks only with his stomach.”
She can’t help the soft laugh that escapes at that. Dalia had taken notice of Lucanis’ love of coffee in their time spent together. Everyone had their own little quirks: his just happened to be an infatuation with caffeine. Not that she could blame him. He’d mentioned to her that staying awake was one of the only ways to keep Spite at bay. The coffee was probably something that helped him with that, though she suspects he’s always had an inclination towards the drink.
“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.”
Was that a smile that passed over Lucanis’ face or was it just her imagination?
“Thank you. Don’t mind him. He’s all about himself anyway. Can’t appreciate anything that can’t be seen in his own reflection.”
That earns another laugh from her, though it makes Illario grimace. The truth must hurt. Lucanis decides to continue as if he hadn’t just roasted his cousin.
“The speciality roast here, Andoral’s Breath, is one of my favorites. It’s bitter and sweet, like a kiss goodbye. You should give it a try.”
“Sounds perfect.”
Her answer seems to spark something in him, his eyes flashing with something she doesn’t quite recognize before it’s gone. All that’s left is a small smirk that never seems to truly leave the crow’s lips. She reaches up, tucking some of her hair behind her ear before she’s turning to look back at Illario.
“Think we’ve done enough of the ‘three crows in a coffee shop’ act? Or do we still have some spies watching us?”
“Just about. Thankfully, the most persistent one gave up when Lucanis started getting romantic about the roasts.”
“It’s a good roast. Just because you can’t appreciate it…”
Illario is quick to roll his eyes but he says nothing. Lucanis decides to take the initiative before Dalia can.
“You said you had something?” His cousin is quick to nod his head, hands folding atop the table. “I had some crows following Zara’s movements. Her trail leads to her going back to Vyrantium.”
“I don’t buy it.” Her words escape her mouth maybe a little too quickly. But something about the information just felt wrong. “I mean she was just here in Treviso to kill Caterina. There’s no way she’s made it back to Vyrantium already.”
As if impressed with her deduction, Lucanis nods his head, looking from her to his cousin.
“Rook is right. She’s given you a false lead. Or maybe the people you have following her gave you a false lead.”
“What are you insinuating?”
From the sound of it, Illario isn’t too happy with being told his information was wrong. Most crows aren’t fond of being told they’re wrong, especially when it comes to a job. But it was important to be called out on something rather than risk letting it lead them down the wrong path and let Zara get away.
“We’re compromised. You know we are. How else would she have gotten to Caterina? You need to keep yourself focused and keep your eyes here in Antiva.”
“You think she’s foolish enough to stay? With you out for blood?”
“Of course she would.” Dalia can’t help but interject. It’s always infuriating when someone refuses to listen to reason. “Especially if the crows protecting her are here.”
It was hard to think that there were traitors amongst the crows, that there were those that would turn their back on everyone to work with a blood mage of all people. But she’d been talking with Lucanis enough that they’d both come to the conclusion that it was the only thing that made sense. Ilario looks less than pleased with both of them.
“You’re both paranoid.”
The words make anger bubble up in her but even more so, it would seem, in Lucanis if the way he shifts in his chair is anything to go by.
“I am not paranoid . She came after me, after Caterina. She could very well come after you too.”
Illario pushes himself to his feet.
“Fine. If it’ll make you feel better, I’ll clean house. Just leave it to me.”
And then he storms off, shoulders tight with what she can only imagine is annoyance. She shares a look with Lucanis before she pushes to her feet, moving to follow after him. But somehow in just the few moments it takes for her to move from the table, he disappears into the crowds. Not too surprising given that he’s a crow, but it’s annoying given that she’s one too and should be able to follow the movements of another. She returns to the table after trying for a few minutes to find him, only to spot Lucanis with two cups of coffee at the table, his own already in hand. Dalia sits in her seat again, hands reaching to wrap around the cup that sits in front of her.
“He disappeared. I tried to find him but it was no use.”
“Let him go. He always caves under pressure. I’m sure he’s just letting his emotions get the better of him with everything going on.”
She can’t help but agree. It’s not like it was easy to learn your grandmother died and that her killer was still out there. It’s also not easy having to continue on instead of having time to grieve. She would know.
“Let’s focus on Zara. We need to figure out her next move so that we can strike when it’s time.”
Lucanis nods at her words, agreeing with her silently. And then he’s lifting his cup, taking in a deep breath to soak in the smell of the coffee as the steam hits his face. She watches, lips tugging into a warm smile as she does. He takes a sip and she can’t help but watch the way his lips settle against the rim of the cup. When he pulls it away, she looks down to her own cup. His words from earlier come back to her and she looks back up.
“Like a kiss goodbye, huh? Do you have experience with that?”
He looks up at her, that ever present smirk only seeming to widen.
“Perhaps.”
It’s all he says and part of her finds it infuriating while the other part finds it tantalizing. What a weird mix of feelings this man brings out of her. She pauses to lift the cup, blowing at the steam before she takes her own sip. He was right, it did taste bitter and sweet at the same time. Where she had no experience with kisses, it certainly felt like a goodbye to taste the coffee. She hums softly as she sets the cup back down, once more looking to her companion.
“If this is like a kiss goodbye, what would a first kiss be like?”
She’s not sure where the confidence comes from to ask such a statement, but she can’t help herself. There’s something about him that she finds alluring. He pauses, swirling the coffee in his mug around as he thinks about her words, seemingly unbothered by the flirtatious nature of the question.
“Honey and lavender cream. Sweet, intriguing.” A pause as he looks up at her, his eyes swimming again with something unfamiliar. “And how would you describe it?”
A return of the flirtation, something she wasn’t expecting. Heat rises up her neck, coloring the tips of her ears. She clears her throat slightly, looking down at her cup once again.
“I’ll have to get back to you on that once I know for myself.”
She hopes he doesn’t pick up on the truth behind her words, on the fact that she’s never kissed anyone in her life. She’s always been so busy with the crows, busy with fighting for her future. And now she’s busy trying to save the world. Kissing hadn’t exactly figured into her life. He must pick up on her meaning before his next words ring out like he’d read her thoughts.
“Obligations tend to take precedence. I know this too well. Even before I was taken, my life was never truly my own.”
“I can only imagine what it was like. Having to live as the first talon’s grandson must come with quite the load of expectations.”
“Much like House De Riva.”
She laughs, warmth spreading through her as she shakes her head.
“You know, ever since I took initiative against the Antaam, I don’t really need to worry about disappointing them anymore.”
A hand comes to settle on her arm and she looks up, meeting his gaze.
“There’s no need to doubt yourself, Dalia. And if you find yourself doing so, I’ll be here to convince you otherwise.”
Her heart flutters in her chest, stomach twisting as she imagines what it would be like to feel the warmth of his hand against her skin right now. Just as quickly as it was placed, however, it’s pulled away and despite there having been no true warmth, she feels a chill pass up her arm from where she imagined it was.
“How’s your coffee?”
“It’s wonderful. You were right. It’s a very good roast.”
He smiles at that, lifting his cup as if to hide it as he takes another sip of his own coffee. It’s silent for a few moments, both enjoying their cups until she decides to break it.
“Ready to head back?”
“Not just yet. I’d like to sit for a little longer if we can.”
“Of course.”
Truthfully, there was no place else she’d rather be.