Chapter Text
Chapter 6: Hidden scars
Lucanis hasn't seen Rook leave Neve’s office since the dragon attack. After she went to help him in Treviso it was already too late in Minrathous. The detective had been hard on her the moment they arrived, and he saw the light leave her eyes when Neve brushed them off. It's been three days since and now she barely eats anything or speaks to anyone besides Bellara when she insists. He felt guilty of course, for her current situation and hated to see her out of her usual shine. So he kept himself busy: he cooked at the Lighthouse when Bellara couldn't, went to Treviso to help with the repairs or he was in the pantry trying to calm Spite down.
“Need to. FIND. Rook !” Spite was pacing back and forth. “Sad…so much pain ! Do something !”
He sips his cup of coffee before exhaling. “I can't do anything, Spite. She wants to be alone we need to respect that-”
“No ! We. Want. Rook !” He snarls, now closer to his face. His arm trembles from how hard his demon was trying to take control.
“Spite enough ! You'll just upset her more.” He put his mug down seeing his arms darkening with fur and pin feathers. “You can't just… force your way out because she doesn't want to see us.”
The demon glares quietly before moving away with an annoying groan, Lucanis had won for now. He did miss her too but having Spite roaming around the Lighthouse looking for her again, he won't allow that accident to happen twice. With the power of coffee on his side, Lucanis could keep the Itch at bay but for how long he doesn't know… He'll eventually need to sleep and Spite was at his strongest when he was tired. He'll have to do something before his demon decides it could be more ‘productive’ than him.
“…I can check on her but promise to behave-”
“Finally ! yes yes. won't control.” His demon claps its hands happily before vanishing from his vision as he stands up.
“This better be true…” He pinch the bridge of his nose before getting out to look for Rook.
The door to Neve's office was half open so he let himself in. It was empty, the wisps seemed to not be around when the detective wasn't here to enjoy their company and no sign of Rook either. Then, he went to check in her room next, going there always gives him shivers, the aquarium at the far back reminded him too much of the Ossuary.
“Not here either…” He mumbles to himself, closing the door.
“Keep looking !” Spite urges in his head.
She couldn't be with the others, since it was technically nighttime… even if day and night don't work in the Fade. She wouldn't have left without leaving a note, would she ?
“Idiot ! We can. smell her.” Spite said, appearing next to him and sniffing the air. “She's here… somewhere behind the walls.”
“I don't smell her like you do-…oh.” Spite was suggested to be more involved. “I'm still not used to that, Spite.”
When Rook got injured in the Wetlands, Lucanis and Spite somehow fused in a panic to help her. They were one back there, not quite human and not quite demon. He was aware it had also occurred when he had killed Calivan but the connection was weaker at the time. Now, however, it was deeper than that and he never knew where he began and Spite ended. Sometimes he could feel it happen, like the demon wants to help but does not require full control over him, it wants to do it like a team.
“Lucaniiiiis !” Spite whines circling him. “Rook is waiting !”
He groans, shaking his head. No, he won't let that happen, this isn't him… He cannot be this again. “Can't you just… show the way ?”
The demon points at the wall, annoyed. “Behind !”
“Seriously. There's nothing behind there, Spite.” He was ready to give up, waiting in the main hall was going to be his best option until he felt Spite tug at his control.
“You said we would. CHECK. On her. No more WAITING !”
This is seriously giving him a migraine. Demons were really demanding.
“Lucanis ?” A voice snapped him from his thoughts.” Is… Everything okay ?” Bellara was looking at him yawning tiredly and her hair down to the ground. “Are you looking for Eli ?”
“Mierda… Sorry, I didn't wake you up did I ?” He should have waited until morning to check on Rook. What was he thinking trying to look for her in the middle of the night talking to himself like a mad man ?!
Bellara waves her hand unbothered. “Don't worry about that ! I was actually going to check on her myself but…” She smiles at him, a glint of mischief in her eyes. “I think it would be nice if it were you for a change.”
“Me ?” He blinks at her surprise. He wasn't really the recomforting type, he was an assassin, not a therapist… but again, he wanted to see if he could help Rook by any means necessary. “Do you know where she is ? She's not in her room…”
“Oh, she's probably dancing somewhere… have you checked the music room yet ?”
“We have a music room ?” He was getting more and more surprised by how much space this Lighthouse seemed to have.
“Yeah, it's just behind this door.” She approaches the wall and a secret door opens suddenly.
Lucanis glances at Spite who was giving him the smuggest of smiles before he follows Bellara inside. In the tunnel leading to the music room, he could finally smell her perfume and the sound of music echoing from further down the path. His guide stops and crosses her arms before turning towards him.
“She's there alright,” Bellara whispers to him.
He was about to walk further but she stopped him.
“Oh and Lucanis ? Whatever you do, don't interrupt her if you value your life okay ? Good luck !” Then she was gone.
Well, this was ominous. He took her warnings at heart though, and walked more quietly towards the music room where Rook was dancing. The music sounded Orlesian there's no doubt about that. As he entered the room, several violins and the grand piano were playing lovely notes that were ringing in his ears. Rook was doing an arabesque in the middle of it all with a bottle of wine in one hand, her movements were slow and deliberate. It was fascinating to see her able to do all those ballet moves without breaking a toe, her développé was flawless even drunk. Her long wavy hair was swirling around her, almost touching the ground. Rook and Bellara shared a similar length but while the Veil Jumper kept it in a tight bun her friend went for a single thick braid.
She was back at him at the moment but he could tell her body started to tense feeling someone in the room with her.
“Bellera seriously I don’t need you to check on-” She turned and her eyes widened when Lucanis was here instead. “...on me” She blushed brighter and stopped dancing, the music soon followed.
“You dance beautifully, Elise.” He said, walking towards her.
She chuckled dryly, her face darkening and she stood still. “If you know my real name, it's one: because Bellara told you or…” She glanced away from him. “Or you had read my background.”
*
When he was helping at the Cantori Diamond with some repairs from the attack, he had asked Teia for information on Rook. Anything that might be of use to get to know her more in-depth but… He wasn't expecting any of this:
Elgara Elise Aldwir
race: elf
age; 31
Born in the Emerald Graves in Orlais.
Became a former slave at the age of 14 to Livius Erimond and was sold to Ambrose Forfex as an experiment at the age of 25 years old.
Reported to be rescued by Lucanis and Illario Dellamorte along with other salvageable slaves during Forfex seasonal wig show in Vyrantium.
Currently in Arlathan Forest helping in a Veil Jumper camp since.
The paper had fallen from his hands then, his fixation on her hair, that striking copper red colour… She was an abomination too… or close to one. ‘I’m sure we’ll owe each other before this is all over.’ she had said in the Ossuary. It was her way of saying she was repaying him for rescuing her from Forfex's cruel experimentation. Everything was starting to line up in his head; it explained Spite's obsession, it's because he felt the red lyrium probably still in her veins, spirits are extremely sensitive to this stuff. During that specific contract, he had only eyes on his target, making the magister surfer was the only thing he had in mind while his cousin was freeing the slaves with still their legs attached to them. He, of course, does not remember ever seeing her but he would never forget that hair color. He remembers the way she fights, how her weapon swirls around her body while her hair clashes with it, never cutting through them.
*
“The second one…” He admitted, coming back to the present. “I'm sorry I didn't remember-”
She shakes her head. “Let's not dwell on the past.” She sits down on the piano stool, chuckling to herself. “I'm too drunk to be sentimental right now.”
He sits next to her quietly. “It's not going to make you feel better…”
“Nothing does...” She gently touches a few keys. “I always wanted to learn how to play… It's popular in Orlais.”
He glances down at her pale fingers touching the keys, not following a pattern or a specific song. She seems to be a million miles away as she keeps playing random notes humming quietly to herself. She looks nothing of a leader at that exact moment, just a person with heavy burdens on her shoulders.
“I can show you what I know.” He suggested placing his right hand on the keyboard, almost touching her fingers. “Illario was the one with the lessons but he taught me a few of his favorites.”
It was nothing too complicated, he just had to hit a few keys and hope Rook will repeat after him on her side. When she started to pick up, they were creating a lovely little music he remembered fondly playing to Viago once. She was a bit clumsy due to the alcohol but he could see her smile a little. Her head gently lay on his shoulder and he tense up, like all the time she touches him.
“Thank you Lucanis… for doing this.”
He felt his face burn up and it took all his willpower to not smell her head, she was so close he felt like he could melt into her in an instant. His heart was racing in his chest and he was completely oblivious of what to say or do. It felt like he was back in Café Pietra, time seemed to stop around them, if he leaned a little closer he could almost feel the heat radiating from her, her lips parting a little plumb and full, he could almost taste it from here.
“Bite her.” Spite said, his ghostly form lying on the piano side.
“W-what !?” He responded out loud, he pulled himself away violently and noticed the confusion on her face. “Mierda… sorry, Spite was… he just said something stupid.”
She looked at him with her lovely golden eyes before laughing, probably at the face he was making. His tension eases seeing her laugh genuinely after so long seeing her not smiling at all. It was nice to see a bit of the Rook he knows back, even if it would be for a short while. She deserves someone who isn't stuck with a demon telling him to bite them, seriously he almost… he almost wanted to kiss her.
When she calmed down from her laughter she offered him the bottle she’s been drinking from. “Don’t hate me but I snatch this from under your bed.”
He huffs rolling his eyes with a smug smile on his face. “Of course, you stole from the assassin's secret stash.” He took the bottle and smelled the fine aroma of Antivan wine. “I don't blame you, Antiva makes the best wine in all Thedas.”
“So umh… What did Spite say ?” She said, trying to find something to talk about.
“Nothing important.” He took a small sip of the warm red before putting it down next to him. “Elise I… Teia sent word for… for Caterina's funerals and I would like you to be there.”
“You want me there ?” She genuinely sounded surprised. “Don't you Crows do this kind of thing only within your own organization? I doubt Teia would like a random person coming at the First Talon funeral…”
“Don't doubt a second the Crows didn't acknowledge what you did for Treviso with the dragon attack.” He hesitates before putting his hand on her shoulder reassuringly. “Besides, Teia likes you, she’s been asking about you a lot recently.”
She gives him a small smile. “You really think I can come ?”
“Of course ! If anyone has a problem with that they’ll have to deal with me.”
“Us !” Spite says through him, wanting to be part of the conversation too.
He can see her think about it before nodding slowly. “Alright, I guess Bellara told me to get out more…”
“You should get some rest first.” He said, helping her up. “We won't see them until nightfall.”
“Alright, I'll… Try to get some sleep and you should too.” She said walking towards the exit. “You look like a beaten dog.”
He nods to her before waving her goodnight, knowing fully well he won't get any shut-eye.
*--------------------------------*
The Cantori Diamond was -thankfully- still in one piece after the attack, the ice dragon didn't have the chance to get its claws to it when Elise showed up. It was still hard on her thought. She is constantly plagued by the outcome of her decision to save Treviso and leave Neve to fight off the Venatori AND a dragon… If it wasn't for Lucanis she would have stayed with Assan in front of a big warm fire in the hearth.
“Good ! You're here.” Teia said once she saw Lucanis and her approaching.
“Thank you for making the arrangements, Teia.” Lucanis said, trying to stay neutral the best he could.
“For Caterina… How can I do otherwise.”
Illario was here as well. He was glancing at her like she didn't belong here with them. He had the same irritated look on his face when he had her by the throat a while ago.
“Rook.” Elise tensed up hearing her name. “Thank you for coming with him. I need one Dellamorte to plan this. His cousin has been no help at all.” Teia said exasperated.
“I'm sorry Teia… This is just too much right now.” Illario said, crossing his arms and looking down like a wounded puppy.
“...If there's anything I can do to help…” She decided to say, fidgeting nervously with her hair.
Teia smiles warmly at that. “You're always such a dear, Rook. Hopefully, those two are paying attention.”
“Teia. Don't flirt with my-... My colleague.” Lucanis said.
She smirks, rolling her eyes. “Jealous ?” He looked at her insistently and she sighed. “Fine, to business then.”
Elise was lost in thought when they started talking about the preparation, all she was thinking about was Lucanis being jealous. Was he really ? Or was Teia teasing him ? Did he tell her stuff about her ?
“Maker help us. Yes, Caterina's ashes. From the cremation ?” Teia said, her arms up in the sky. “This was your only job Illario, how could you forget about this ?”
Illario straightened at that before nodding. “Ah, yes. Of course, I'll get them to you right away.” He said, seemingly tense.
“Illario… What happened ?” Lucanis mumbles, his hands into fists.
“What do you mean ?” He said defensively.
“To Caterina… How did the Venatori manage to get to her ? When ? Where ? At the Estate ? In the city ?!” Lucanis starts, his eyes with a hint of purple in them. “How did they get past our people ? What did they use ? Poison ? Blades ? Please, I need to know.”
Lucanis' arms were trembling a little, clearly, he didn't come to terms with it and she couldn't imagine what was going on inside his head right now.
“Cousin stop,” Illario warned. “You can't dwell on this, it'll drive you mad.” He sounded so arrogant there.
“I am not dwelling.” Lucanis hisses. “ Zara killed the first Talon and I need to know how to stop her-”
“And I told you.” Illario cuts him. “I am handling it.”
“Boys ! Enough of this !” Teia brings the two Dellamorte's attention to her. “We have other things to discuss.”
“My apologies, Andarateia.” Illario said with a small bow. “Continue without me. I’ll… get you the ashes.”
“I'm going with you,” Elise said, walking towards Illario with confidence.
Clearly, the idea didn't please any of the two Dellamorte: One looked at her disgusted and the other was extremely worried.
“Rook…” Lucanis caught her hand. “He can handle it…”
She brushes him off gently. “He'll need someone to keep him in check.”
“Oh, I assure you, Rook. I do not need a babysitter.” Illario was sending daggers at her with his glare enough to chill her on the spot.
She sighs, crossing her arms. “At least let me get you to the door.” She looks at Lucanis with a small smile. “I'll be back okay ?” Then she trails after Illario.
When she knew they were out of earshot and further away from Spite's sensitive earring she couldn't help the question bubbling in her throat.
“She isn't dead is she.”
Illario stops dead in his tracks, almost ready to squeeze her head off. “What makes you say that ?” He said, gritting his teeth.
“Back there you didn't sound like a grandson in grief but more like an animal backed into a corner.” She glares at him suspiciously. “I do want to know too, how did the Venatori manage to get to her not knowing Lucanis would have broken out from the Ossuary ?”
He stayed quiet not meeting her eyes, he was hiding something she could smell it. But what part he plays in all of this, she still wasn't sure. He walks towards her, invading her space, his presence now suffocating everything else. They were just outside the casino but Crows were everywhere, he wouldn't choke her again here.
“stupid girl.” He whispers to her full of venom. “You think you figure something out but here's the thing. IF Caterina was still here do you think she’ll agree to let you be with Lucanis ?”
She froze, this was not where she thought this would turn about. Is her crush on the other Dellamorte so obvious that now everyone knows about it ?! Or did Lucanis-
“House Dellamorte is the First House of all the Crows in Antiva.” Illario continues. “Oh and let me tell you, Caterina cared a lot about her heritage more than anything else… Me and Lucanis had lost both our parents during a very unfortunate event and House Dellamorte was always about family.” His face got closer to her pointed ear. “A non-Crow elf getting her filthy hands all over her favourite grandson like that… Lucanis would have nothing to say if Caterina was there and turned you down… What do you think that’ll make you ?”
His words cut her more than any blades would have ever done. She knew little about the Crows code and less about Caterina before she ‘died’. But if Illario is right, and loving Lucanis is bound to fail at the end…
“What’s going on here ?” A cold voice said, snapping them both away from each other.
“Rook was just about to get back to Lucanis.” Illario said, smiling politely at Viago who was standing in front of them. “I need to get Caterina’s ashes for Teia.” Then he was gone.
Viago led her back inside and during the entire walk back her heart was breaking into millions of pieces. Lucanis meant a lot to her even before she rescued him from the Ossuary. They had started flirting around one another, he opened himself up to her and she did the same because they were close like that. But she dreads to know what would happen after they defeated the gods. Will he go back and never look at her the same, knowing they can't love each other the way they want ? Will he abandon her like that ? Does Caterina have that kind of power on them ?
Talking to Lucanis now felt barely possible. He looked at her with such lively eyes… She can't do this to him, to her. She guesses her only option now is to lock her emotions deep down and go with the flow. She was the leader of the team, she had more difficult decisions to make and her future with anyone would have to wait until the gods were dead.
She can't afford to lose more people she cares about because of her feelings…