A/N: Sorry, this is a really, really short chapter. But I just felt like writing something because it's been too long, despite being time poor… So this is the result.
Taking trips to the Towns was always a dangerous thing when the Unseelie had it out for him, so Blake always went there prepared for the worst-case scenario. Under his back leather jacket, he had a dagger and a knife within easy reach. Keeping a wary eye on his surroundings, he stopped in at a shop where he often purchased some ingredients for the poisons he made. The shopkeeper knew what he liked to buy by now, and Blake only had to mutter a request of "The usual," before the shopkeeper pulled out a small, sealed package for him. Taking it and paying, he was then quick to head out again.
He had one other place to stop at, needing to get a deal done for some extra money to get him through the week. Slipping into one of the local Downworld taverns, Blake found it rowdy and noisy, the smell of smoke thick in the air, coming from a couple of werewolves smoking near the entrance. It was certainly not his favourite tavern, but he had still been considering stopping for a drink, mostly to be around some of his own kind. It was quiet at his apartment, and sometimes he missed the hum of something going on.
Making his way towards the bar, his gaze scanned the room casually, making sure there was no danger. Any Unseelies of course, would mean trouble. However, he froze, hiding his surprise when he spotted Savannah instead, towards the back of the room. She was sitting with a couple of vampires and she had covered up her Runes, but her dress was still quite revealing. She laughed at something they said, before her gaze shifted, catching sight of him. Their gazes locked for a moment, and she was careful to keep any recognition from her eyes. She stared at him for another long moment, before shifting her gaze back to the vampire beside her. Leaning in closer, she whispered something in his ear, before pulling back and taking a sip of her drink. Blake quickly averted his gaze, looking back at the bar again. She was preoccupied, obviously, likely there on business or something of the sort. It was better that they didn't interact. He couldn't help but wonder if she let them suck her blood, and the thought made him cringe, quickly pushing the picture from his thoughts.
Making it to the front of the queue at the bar, he slid over a package to the bartender, who was a werewolf that he often did business with. The werewolf gave him some money in return, and Blake subtly turned away to count it, before pushing it into a pocket and moving on. Any temptation he'd felt previously to stop for a drink was now gone, not particularly wanting to see Savannah there with the vampires. He couldn't pinpoint what bothered him so much about it, which only served to annoy him further. Sighing, he was quick to head out, just wanting to get back to his apartment.
Caspian's emotions had often got the better of him, and he supposed this time was no different. After he'd talked to Wren, he had sought out Eculeus, keen for a ride away from the Hunt. He did not want to see the patrol faerie's questioning gazes, or any reminders of Aspen at the Hunt. Instead, he urged Eculeus to ride faster and faster, away from it all. The wind whipped through his hair, and even attempted to blow away his thoughts. The unclaimed lands were tempting. The Towns had never suited him, and the Hunt was not the home it once was. At least in the unclaimed lands, it was still the land of his home, just a different part.
Eculeus was eager to blow off some steam as well, and he moved with ease, dodging the trees and the shrubs. Caspian hated that something could affect him so much, that his weakness could override his sense in such a way.
Urging Eculeus to a stop near a small lake, he slid down to the ground, before walking over to it. Drawing out the gold acorn from the folds of his cloak, Caspian stared at it for a long moment. It had been marked, but somehow it had still survived all that time. What an idiot he'd been. He then threw it far into the water, letting out a sound of frustration as he threw it, and hearing a splash as it landed. It deserved to be buried somewhere beneath the murky depths, never to be seen again.
He forced his emotions down, his gaze still on the water. What if he ventured into the water and never returned? Maybe that would finally cause an end to everything, including the pain. Inhaling, he almost took a step forward, before Eculeus butted his head against Caspian's arm, snapping him out of it. Almost as if he knew. Swallowing, Caspian gave him a pat, murmuring some words to him in an old fae language, before moving to mount him again.
"Let's go, my old friend," he said, the words disappearing into the wind as they turned back around again.