Lucanis walked quietly with Rook as they entered the de Riva estate. She greeted the staff as they walked in, explaining that they would only be in town for a few nights. A few of the people recognized Lucanis from his position in the Crows as they called him by his surname, showing him more respect than he preferred. He started to understand why Rook had wanted to sneak in the first time they entered.

Rook guided him upstairs and down a different hallway from where he had been previously. It seemed that the guest rooms were in a different part of the house than the residential suites. She pointed out different aspects about the house that would interest him as they went, but he could feel Spite fighting him for control. The demon was unhappy with the idea that they would be so far away from Rook during the night.

"This is the guest room that's usually ready," Rook explained as she opened the door. It was a large room complete with a large bed, wardrobe, vanity, and a writing desk in the corner. There was even a small bathroom attached to the room. Lucanis stepped inside, taking in the accommodation.

"Thank you," he replied, giving a strained smile.

"It's probably not as fancy as the Dellamorte house," Rook mentioned, nudging him with her elbow. He huffed with a half-smile, glancing over at her.

"It's perfect, don't worry," he reassured as she thinned her lips.

"Do you want me to lock you in, or did you want to eat before we head to bed?"

"Lock me in?"

"So you can sleep without worrying about Spite trying to leave," Rook reminded as he nodded.

Tell Rook we will sleep. If she sleeps next to us.

She needs to sleep too.

She slept last time. She slept in our arms.

That answer is no, Spite.

Then you can't sleep.

"Is he giving you grief?" Rook asked, stepping towards him. Lucanis sighed, rubbing his face before nodding. "Spite, you need to let Lucanis sleep."

"He's not going to," Lucanis replied.

Not. True. One way. You won't let it happen.

It's too soon, Spite.

"Might as well eat then. I can make something in the kitchen," Rook mentioned as Lucanis glanced up at her. "If you're going to be awake, might as well join me for dinner."

"Is it going to be poisoned?" he teased before she rolled her eyes.

"Mine will be. I have to keep up my immunity, but yours won't be. I'll make sure of it," Rook promised as Lucanis nodded.

"Sounds great. I'll get comfortable in here and meet you downstairs in a little while," Lucanis answered.

"Alright," Rook replied before she left, leaving the door open a little behind her. Lucanis stared at the door for a moment before latching it closed.

Too soon?

What?

What is too soon? Holding her too soon?

That is something that couples in romantic relationships do. Not with colleagues or clients.

Then how do we become romantic?

There are different ways to go about it, I guess, but that isn't in the cards for us.

Why not?

Because we have a contract with her. Until that contract is finished, it would be messy to get romantically involved with her.

This contract is taking. Too long.

This contract is the only thing keeping her near us.

Then give her a reason. To keep her around. Before someone. Snatches her.

You don't get to claim her; she's her own person. She can make her own decisions.

Want to be near her. Smell her. Hold her.

You can do two of those things.

Not enough. Wardens already took. Others might take.

No one is going to take her in the night. She's at her home at the de Riva estate. She'll be fine. She knows this place better than anywhere else.

Safer in the Fade. Safer with us near.

She's fine. She doesn't need a bodyguard.

Promised to keep her safe!

She doesn't expect you to watch over her constantly.

Spite continued to argue as Lucanis tried to tune out the demon. He was only willing to argue in circles for so long before he started getting headaches. He removed his overcoat and hung it inside the wardrobe before rolling up his shirt sleeves. He should've guessed that they would be here for a few days and packed accordingly.

Once Spite grew bored of yelling at him, Lucanis made his way down towards the kitchen. It was strange walking around a Trevisan estate again after being gone for over a year. It was also a relief to walk around the house without sneaking around Viago, which meant that if he did run into the Talon, he most likely wouldn't be angry to see him.

After a few wrong turns, he found his way to the kitchen where Rook was making something on the stove. Lucanis stood in the doorway for a moment, taking in the calm moment. It was odd, seeing Rook in such a domestic view. She still wore her Crow leathers, even those her gloves and her cape had been removed and were replaced with a dingy apron.

"It's an old recipe," Rook mentioned over her shoulder. "Zuppa di stelline. It's one of the few things I know how to make on my own."

"Did Viago teach you how to make it?" Lucanis asked as he walked towards her.

"Viago never really cooked growing up. He always preferred to spend his time in his alchemy labs and hire out cooks. Always said it was a waste of time for an aspiring Crow."

"He didn't have you cook growing up, did he?"

"The moment I became a de Riva, I never needed to cook for myself. The House provided since I showed such potential," Rook answered, stirring the pot. "When Viago took over, that continued. Varric was the one who taught me how to cook again after I was banished."

"Is every de Riva taught that cooking is useless?"

"Originally, yes. Viago doesn't care about such things now that he's in charge. When he first became Talon, he was just more concerned about me becoming the best Crow I could be," she explained before she grabbed two bowls. "The previous head of the House only cared about raising Crows that could complete contracts. Viago cares about that too, only he actually sees the Crows as people as well."

"I heard that Ignacio ran a tight ship," Lucanis sighed, leaning against the counter next to her. Rook served the soup into the bowls, handing one into him, scoffing.

"He was a slave driver. It's a mercy and a blessing that Viago is in charge now," Rook informed, gesturing towards the dinning hall. She sat down in the same seat at the table she had a few nights prior as Lucanis sat across from her. "Ignacio was the one who found me as a child. I pickpocketed him when he was in the market, and he barely caught me. I had already turned to run with his coin purse when he grabbed me. Generally, I would have been arrested, or possibly even kidnapped. I suppose, in a way, I was. If you could call taking an orphan off the street kidnapping."

"So he took you in to be trained as a Crow?"

"Exactly. Viago had been taken in a few months before I had. We had a similar work ethic, and he was the only one that ever really acknowledged me. Ignacio saw that and when Viago became a promising Crow, Ignacio felt threatened. I was assigned to Viago the day after he was initiated as his Fledgling to train."

"That's unorthodox."

"Exactly how the rest of us felt about it. I was a teenager around then, so I was aware that this was going to cause issues," Rook shrugged. "But I learned from him and eventually became his protégé. Ignacio was livid by that outcome, but Viago was already one step ahead of him. Ignacio did his best to try to get rid of me, but Viago had already built up my immunity to common poisons and how to spot ambushes from far away."

"Ignacio tried to have you killed?" Lucanis asked as Rook smirked.

"Of course. He wanted to break Viago so he couldn't take what Ignacio thought was his. Viago ended up outsmarting him, and Ignacio didn't make it. A few months later, Viago was instated as Talon, as I'm sure you remember."

"I guess I didn't realize that Ignacio had such a vendetta against the Crows in his own House. Especially someone as young as you were at the time."

"Ignacio was ruthless, so he probably expected someone to stab him in the back someday," Rook shrugged, shaking her head. "I didn't mean to regale you about my training. I did promise bad wine when I told you, but all I have to show is zuppa."

"I'll take zuppa if you made it," Lucanis reassured, taking a bite. It was a simple dish, but it was a comforting soup full of flavor and warmth. Something that he was sure that he would have when he was sick as a child.

"You are too kind. It's nothing compared to the meals you and Bellara make, but I think it'll do for tonight," Rook smiled, bringing the spoon to her lips.

Lucanis thought of bringing up her scars again, seeing the edges of them without her gloves, but he also didn't want to ruin the evening. He could at least ask her later, when she hadn't given her intense training explanation.

"I was thinking of going to Café Pietra tomorrow for breakfast," Rook mentioned, catching his attention.

"Can't get enough of their coffee?" he smiled.

"It's better than any coffee Viago keeps on hand, at least. He's a connoisseur of wine, not coffee. Besides, it would be fun to go out just as regular people rather than Crows meeting for information," she explained. Lucanis leaned back a little with a small smile.

"I think that would be nice," he answered. "I think tomorrow evening will be trying, so a good start to the day will be helpful."

"Agreed," she nodded. "And if you feel that you do need an extra day or two to process everything, you are welcome to stay in Treviso to take that time. I can handle everything back at the lighthouse for a few days."

"Thank you, Rook, but I'll be fine. I think staying by myself in Treviso would be harder than being at the lighthouse with the team," Lucanis argued softly. Rook grimaced with a nod, understanding where he was coming from.

"If you're sure, because I'm not letting you get out of any missions we have once we get back. I told you; you're going to be my partner in this until you let me help you," Rook reminded, pointing her spoon at him. Lucanis rolled his eyes.

"At least I'll get to keep my eye on you, I suppose," Lucanis exhaled, pretending to be exasperated. Rook shook her head.

"I better not see a single stelline in that bowl, Dellamorte," she informed sternly, struggling to hold back a smile.

"Thank you for dinner, though," he informed, changing the subject. "A meal doesn't always need to be extravagant or difficult. Sometimes a simple delicious soup is just what's needed."

"I appreciate that," Rook grinned with a chuckle. "Why do you prepare such crazy dishes then? If you know that something simple will do."

"Because it helps me relax. It gives me something to focus on something outside of our regular jobs and the blighted gods. And, usually, it's something in my control that I can show off to you and the rest of the team," Lucanis explained with a sigh.

"I'm glad you enjoy cooking, then. Maybe you can teach me some of your not so complicated recipes sometime. I would like to be able to make something other than pastina soup and a few other simple dishes."

"I would be happy to. Whenever you're free after a mission, let me know. We'll cook for everyone together."

"A team building exercise," Rook replied with a laugh. If Lucanis hadn't known any better, he would have guessed it was an awkward laugh. "I would love that."

"Something to look forward to then," Lucanis agreed before returning to his soup. Rook also ate her meal with her cheeks flushed a little and a smile on her face.

Once their meal was done, Isabella had offered to clean up while Lucanis went to bed, but he had insisted on helping. It had surprised her, since he was a guest in her home, but he had always been very polite in these circumstances. So, she allowed him to help clean and put away the dishes she used for dinner.

"I thought you had a kitchen staff," Lucanis mentioned as he placed the clean pot above the stove.

"They already cleaned the kitchen when I started cooking. I'm sure we could get them to come clean it again, but I think most of them have gone home at this point," Isabella explained with a shrug. "I don't mind cleaning up after myself anyway. I think Viago mostly has a staff to keep up appearances. Most of them are here just to keep an eye on the estate to make sure there aren't any strangers sneaking in and such."

"Ignacio really did a number on the two of you," he sighed.

"It wasn't just Ignacio. Viago talked about a few other Houses that made a couple threats and attempts on his life over the years. Some I was around for, some I wasn't. I didn't get a lot of details on which Houses did what, but I was told to always keep my guard up," Isabella continued before smirking. "Viago was very irritated with Illario when he decided that he was going to help me with my initiation contract."

"Illario just decided to help you on that? He wasn't assigned to you?"

"The person who was assigned was injured the week before. We were going to delay my initiation and find another contract, but Illario stepped in. I think he was showing off for someone he was dating at the time. A pretty Crow from another House, which didn't end well. Illario agreed to help, then didn't show up for the first week of the contract. I had to track him down and nearly drag him onto the job."

"I can understand why Viago was irritated," Lucanis chuckled.

"Illario and Teia were the only two Crows that I really trusted outside of House de Riva for a long time. Viago kept telling me to keep my guard up, but I never could with Illario or Teia. Illario always seemed like a harmless flirt, at least to me," Isabella smirked. "And Teia became an older sister as soon as Viago became my trainer. When Viago would get frustrated with me, it was Teia would scold him for yelling at me until I could yell back at him."

"And what about me? I'm not a de Riva," Lucanis reminded as Isabella hummed, looking him over.

"I think the jury's still out on that one, Dellamorte," she winked before smiling. "You've shown me that I can put my life in your hands, and you take that seriously. It's hard to find people like that. Especially among the Crows."

"So, you trust me?"

"Yes, I think I do. Don't tell Viago, though. I think he would implode if I told him that I trusted a Crow outside of House de Riva."

"What about Teia?"

"Teia's different. I grew up with Teia, more or less. I just met you a handful of weeks ago. I think Viago would call me foolish for trusting you," Isabella sighed, her brows furrowing together. "Although, he knows you too, so I would think he would trust you."

"Viago and trust aren't usually used in the same sentence," Lucanis reminded. "Plus, I've been gone a long time. A lot of things can change in a year."

"True, but I think you've changed for the better. Viago might be cautious around you, but I don't see any reason to be."

"I'm possessed by a Spite demon."

"And yet, Spite has never harmed me either. In fact, that little demon has helped me on two accounts so far. I'm hesitant to call him a demon at all."

"That's because he doesn't constantly scream in your head," Lucanis reminded. Isabella laughed, shaking her head.

"Fair enough. My point is you, and Spite, have earned my trust so far. You've proven that I can rely on you to keep me and our teammates safe," she continued, drying the last bowl. "If that ever changes, we can discuss from there, however unlikely I see that happening."

"Do you trust the rest of our teammates?"

"I do. I've traveled with Harding for nearly a year now, and she's as honest and hardworking as they come. Bellara is as sweet as pie, and I don't think she has a malicious bone in her body. Neve will tease you over the smallest things, but she has your back no matter what during a fight. We make an odd team for sure, but I think that I can trust them with my life," Isabella answered. There was a particular uncertainty in her voice at the end before she smiled. "I don't do a great job showing it, but I do trust them. It's hard to let my walls down."

"Crows aren't known for our abilities to show our vulnerabilities," Lucanis added. "Even to our allies, our weakness can still be exploited."

"Now you sound like Viago, but you aren't wrong. Our line of work can get dangerous, especially for allies if they get caught in the crossfire. Still, it would be nice to be able to talk to them like regular people."

"Like you're talking to me?"

"Sort of. I've told you what you could have found out from Teia or Illario. Unfortunately, you haven't lowered any walls yet," Isabella lamented teasingly as Lucanis frowned. She was telling the truth, however. "But you have asked more questions than the others have. Harding doesn't even know about Ignacio. Of course, I think those stories would give her nightmares now."

"She hasn't taken well to dreaming."

"No, she hasn't," Isabella sighed before drying her hands. "Speaking of which, I think it's best I head to bed. I would encourage you to sleep so you feel your best tomorrow, but I also don't want to waste my breath. Goodnight, Lucanis."

"Goodnight, Rook," he answered as she walked out of the kitchen. She headed up the stairs, wondering if he would allow himself a moment of rest before the funeral.