Lucanis stood in the lighthouse library, staring at the books again. Spite had been quiet after his outburst a few days ago after Rook had left, and Lucanis wondered if a novel would help them both relax. It would at least take their minds on something else for a while. It also didn't help that everything seemed to be going on at once.

Harding and Taash left to help Taash's mother with something a few days ago, and neither of them had been back yet. Bellara had left to help with the Veil Jumpers the day before, but to Lucanis's dismay. The Jumper assured him that she should be back before Rook, but it wasn't as reassuring as she had hoped. Neve even had to step away because of something happening in Docktown she needed to see to.

Emmrich had to go back to Nevarra to complete a ceremony, one he had wished to take Rook on. Rook had expressed an interest in Nevarra's culture and wanted to know more. Davrin had followed Bellara in hopes of letting Assan stretch his wings. Lucanis guessed it was also a good distraction from the aftermath of Weisshaupt.

Which left Lucanis alone in the lighthouse with a quiet Spite, who brooded more than he did most of the time. Lucanis essentially took over the cooking duties of each meal, needing the distraction that it provided. Bellara had complained the first few times before she realized that she had more time to work on her archive artifact. Harding seemed to be glad to be rid of the responsibility as she worked on her stone magic and traveled with Taash.

With a sigh, Lucanis focused again on the shelf in front of him. His mind was constantly running away from him for the last few days, and he felt like he could hardly focus on anything. He pulled a novel off the ledge, trying his best to thumb through the pages to get an idea of the book. It was an action adventure as far as he could tell, which was probably preferrable. He wasn't sure how much Spite would enjoy a romance at the moment.

He heard the eluvian room door open below him, and he wondered which teammate had returned. He had hoped that it was Bellara or Harding since Teia had mentioned that it would be the most beneficial for Rook to see them first when she returned. Lucanis replaced the book on the shelf, deciding to keep looking, and he turned to see who had returned.

Like a halla in torchlight, Rook stood frozen at the top step leading from the eluvian room. Lucanis stared at her, realizing that she was trying to sneak past him. Of course she didn't want to talk to him, and he couldn't blame her. However, now her anxiety and concern permeated the room to create an awkward silence. Spite perked up and immediately went to her side, inspecting her for anything out of the ordinary.

Lucanis's brain caught up to him, and he realized that this was his chance to start to make things right. He knew it wouldn't be as easy as a single conversation, but this was his new start. He inhaled before he faced her fully.

"I'm so sorry for what I said before you left. What I said was out of line and harmful. I'm sorry," Lucanis apologized before swallowing. He couldn't remember the last time he apologized so honestly and genuinely, but he hoped that she would see his sincerity.

Rook stared at him for another moment in silence before she dropped her pack. It was a blur of motion before she leaped at him, throwing her arms around his neck. Lucanis froze, surprised by this reaction from her. She usually wasn't tactile on most days, but he wrapped his arms around her torso anyway. She held onto him tightly, burying her face in his shoulder, before she released him.

"Thank you," Rook whispered with a smile. Lucanis saw tear streaks down her face, and he reached out to wipe them away. "I'm sorry for leaving, I shouldn't have left like that."

"You had every right to be upset with us, especially Davrin and me. I'm glad you had a chance to step away and clear your head," Lucanis replied with a gentle smile. "How's Treviso?"

"As well as it can be. Antaam are still there, but none found me there. Rook is still a ghost to them," she reassured as he nodded.

"Speaking of Rook," he sighed as she raised an eyebrow. He cleared his throat, feeling horribly embarrassed about what he was going to say. "I hear that's not your real name."

"Ah, who told you?" she teased, clearly relieved.

"Teia scolded me," he chuckled dryly. She sighed before shrugging.

"Well, it's true. Rook is a codename I've given so I can go back to being a normal Crow when this is all over. Rook will continue to be a ghost once the gods are dead," she informed dramatically, feeling a little more herself.

"And who is that?" Lucanis asked as she smiled wide and genuine.

"Isabella of House de Riva," she answered before bowing with flourish. Lucanis chuckled at her theatrics before she stepped closer again.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Isabella de Riva," he remarked. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"You never asked, so for a while, I assumed you didn't care to know or were waiting for the right time to ask. Then I realized you thought it was my name, which at that time it was hard to bring up. There was also me being an ass and wanting to see how long it would take you to figure it out on your own," Isabella admitted with a sigh. Lucanis stared at her incredulously with a half-smile.

"I surprised no one in Treviso used your name," he added as she winced. He raised an eyebrow. "Wait, who used your name around me?"

"Illario did. A few times, but it's easy to misinterpret what he meant to be fair," Isabella reassured as Lucanis scrunched his face in confusion.

"I would've known your name was Isabella if he used Isabella," he replied plainly. She sighed, stalling for time.

"He uses a shortened version of my name," she hinted before grimacing. "Bella."

"Mierda," Lucanis cursed, covering his face with his hands. Isabella touched his forearm as he lowered his hands. "He called you that in the letter."

"He did."

"You told me it was a nickname, too. Why does Viago hate it?"

"Viago loves puns, right? Well,Corva Bellacan mean beautiful crow or Crow Bella, as you know, so it's a play on words. Illario uses that one the most because it pisses off Viago, and it sounds like he's being sweet on me."

"Is that also why Illario kept kicking me for using Rook when we met him for coffee?" Lucanis guessed as she shrugged. "You could have told me when you got the letter from Illario."

"I should have," Isabella agreed with a curt nod. "I just didn't know how to bring it up. But you know now, which is the second-best time to learn something."

"I ought to send you back to Treviso," Lucanis groaned, struggling not to smile. Isabella bit her lip as she stared up at him. "But seeing as you just got back, and Spite and I have been waiting for you to return, I suppose you should stay."

"That's a relief. I think Viago would send me to live in the Crossroads if you tried to send me back now," she exhaled before lifting her chin up at him a little. "I also heard that you caused a scene at the Diamond after I left."

"I didn't know where you went," Lucanis reminded, starting to lead her out of the lighthouse, grabbing her pack on the way. Isabella followed, humming in thought.

"I thought you wanted to focus on the contract so you could finish it," Isabella mentioned. Lucanis sighed, his shoulders drooping slightly. "Making a scene at the Cantori Diamond doesn't seem like focusing on the contract."

"You left a resignation letter in the middle of the night. I wasn't going to let you get out of this that easy," he informed, trying to keep his tone light. She pulled her hands behind her back, turning towards him a little.

"What did you mean when you wanted the contract to end? I had assumed that you wanted to go back to Treviso quickly, and partly because you were upset with my poor leadership skills," Isabella pointed out before she tilted her head in thought. "But my theory falls apart the moment you appear at the casino looking for me. Why would you want to contract to end quickly and never see me again, only to track me down the moment I decide to leave?"

"Because I don't want the contract to end so I can leave you behind," Lucanis answered plainly. Isabella blinked up at him as he turned towards her as they walked. "It's quite the opposite, actually. You're the client of the contract, so there's a level of professionalism that I am accustomed to. However, you are hellbent on throwing that out of the window. Ending the contract quickly seemed the easiest way to remove the professionalism in my way."

"So, to be clear," Isabella clarified, staring at him. "You want to kill the gods as fast as possible so I'm not your client anymore?"

"Right," Lucanis affirmed, walking up the steps to her cottage. She blinked, thinking of his words. He opened the door and placed her pack on the sofa he had brooded on a few days prior. Isabella entered as she folded her arms.

"To what end?" she asked as Lucanis shrugged.

"To whatever end we find. I still have things I need to sort out myself, but without a contract binding us both, we are free to do as we please," he reminded. Isabella took a deep breath, doing her best not to roll her eyes.

"I know we talk about this like a contract, and by some standards it is, but there's no paperwork or anything binding you here anymore than me. Well, Viago is technically keeping me here, but not you. Everyone I've recruited is free to leave whenever, and that includes you," Isabella informed as she stepped towards him, her arms falling to her sides. "I know your grandmother promised me a mage killer if I broke you out, but I'm not going to make you stay here if you really don't want to be here. I know you do, as we've discussed, but this is the most informal contract I think the Crows have ever seen."

"Caterina really didn't have a contract written up?" Lucanis wondered as Isabella shrugged.

"If she did, I've never seen or signed it. It was a verbal contract. I assume it was probably going to be something more concrete when we returned, but it went downhill before we returned," she sighed, shaking her head. "My point is that we're all here for the same reasons, and there isn't a hierarchy. For some reason, you all listen to my ideas and suggestions, but that's about all the leadership I have."

"You really don't see yourself as the client?"

"Not really. I can't pay you, and if you spout some nonsense about payback from breaking you out of the Ossuary or something, I'll stab you," Isabella warned, shaking her head. Lucanis chuckled at that. "I'm serious. I can't pay anyone here, as much as I would like to. Everyone is risking life and limb to fight against the gods, and I can't even offer a decent paycheck."

"That would make you a poor client," Lucanis remarked with a sigh. "And I'm pretty expensive."

"Hey, you're the one who didn't even ask about payment before taking the job," Isabella teased, folding her arms.

"Did Varric pay you?"

"I suppose he could pay the bills, but that wasn't in my contract with him. My payment was getting back into Viago's good graces. If I could stop a rogue mage from tearing down the Veil to fill the world with demons, then I was sure that would mend my relationship with the Crows. To be fair, it did. Viago asked me to come back into the fold before I went to get you."

"I didn't think Varric would've been swimming in coin," Lucanis remarked carefully. He remembered the brief conversation with Neve about Isabella's understanding of Varric, so he treaded this carefully.

"He funded our trip in Tevinter for nearly a year before the ritual. Now we're lucky the lighthouse doesn't cost anything. I'm sure we would've found somewhere to stay, but it's nice to have a neutral place the gods can't reach," Isabella sighed. Lucanis relaxed as they veered away from Varric.

"So, it sounds like to me we should be thinking about ways of making money while we're helping people. I don't mind footing the grocery bill, but I've noticed a lot of our gear is starting to look a little banged up," he remarked as she sighed.

"I was thinking about that as well. Maybe we could ask Viago for a contract or two while we're in Treviso. I'm sure the other factions might have some options for us to make some coin as well. That way we can keep our armor polished and weapons sharp."

"Do you think Viago will give you any?"

"Maybe. He'll probably give you some as long as you're nice about it," Isabella mentioned as he sighed. "Maybe ask Teia, too."

"Teia might be a good idea," he whispered as Isabella smiled. She glanced around her cottage, grabbing her pack as she emptied it onto the bed. Lucanis sat down on the couch, turning his body so he could watch her put her things away.

"Anything interesting happen while I was gone?"

"Emmrich needed to do that ceremony thing he wanted to show you."

"Damnit, really? I was looking forward to that," Isabella complained, setting her alchemy supplies out on the table. "I'll have to see when the next one is."

"I'm sure he'll just take you to the Necropolis if you asked. I don't understand why you like it there so much."

"It's just different and fascinating to me. Besides, it's not often a teacher gets to show you around a new place. He shows you the things you wouldn't see otherwise. I thought you might've found it interesting, too."

"How so?"

"Well, with you and Spite. A whole place full of spirits, and you have one attached to you."

"Spite is a demon, not a spirit," Lucanis reminded, pointing at her. He could see Spite hover near her again as she rolled her eyes.

"Spite is unlike any demon I've ever seen, and we've fought quite a few by now. If Spite's a demon, then I'm the Queen of Antiva," Isabella remarked firmly. Spite tilted his head at that comment, not sure what to make of it. Lucanis frowned, not sure either. "Emmrich's magic usually deals with spirits, right? Has he said anything about Spite?"

"He can hear Spite sometimes," Lucanis admitted as Spite grumbled.

"Emmrich told me that in Nevarra that they don't see a distinction between demons and spirits. They're all just spirits with different energies and intents. I think that maybe we should start thinking about Spite that way," Isabella mentioned as Lucanis grimaced. He had missed her in the past few days, but he had forgotten about her strange opinions towards Spite as a whole.

"I'm not sure it really matters."

"What does Spite say?" she wondered, walking over to the dresser to unpack her leathers and armor. Lucanis turned to Spite, who shrugged.

"She can call me. What she wants," Spite answered, turning back to Isabella.

"He says you can call him what you want," Lucanis relayed as she nodded.

"He doesn't have a preference then?"

"Doesn't seem like it. I think he's just going to let you do whatever you want in this regard."

"I forgot he's quite smitten with me," she chuckled, shaking her head. "What does he call me?"

"Well, Rook up until now," Lucanis answered before Spite stared at her.

"Bella. Pretty Crow," the demon responded as Lucanis grimaced. It was bad enough that Illario referred to her as that. Now he had to deal with Spite as well.

"He's going to use Bella," Lucanis replied with a sigh. Isabella shrugged.

"A good name as any."

"What do you prefer?"

"Oh, well," Isabella replied, surprised by the question. She hummed before lifting her shoulders. "Isabella is fine, but I think I prefer Isa over Bella. Spite can keep calling me Bella, though. That can be his."

"And do you want me to use your real name around the lighthouse, or should I still use Rook? I'll admit, it's going to be hard to use the name Rook now, but I will use it if you want me to," Lucanis wondered. Isabella glanced at him before tapping her chin in thought.

"I think Davrin and Taash are the only two who don't know my real name now," she admitted as he frowned. "Use which ever you'd like, honestly. I'll respond to both. Let's just use Rook when we're out in the field, though. I really do want some anonymity when all is said and done."

"Could be good for your reputation, though," Lucanis offered before she shrugged.

"I don't need reputation from this. Before all of this, I think Viago was planning on promoting me to guildmaster once I completed enough contracts. Nothing was set in stone, and I'm just guessing, but he always talked about having me move up the ranks before my banishment. I would be giving the contracts rather than completing them, keeping me out of harm's way," Isabella mentioned with a wink. "You know Viago."

"It does sound like him," Lucanis admitted. "Is that what you want to do? Be a House de Riva guildmaster after this?"

"I would make good money from it, and I would probably work closely with Viago still."

"Would you still be in Treviso? I know that House de Riva is mainly in Salle."

"I would be where Viago is, which is usually where Teia is. I've never been to Salle myself, so I wouldn't want to live there without anyone I knew," Isabella explained before glancing at him conspiratorially. "Afraid that I'll disappear once this is all over?"

"Maybe, but I wasn't too worried."

"That's good. I'll stay in Treviso for as long as I have a say in it."

"As far as I'm concerned, you should always have a say in it," Lucanis scoffed, shocked by her words. Isabella turned to him, finished unpacking, and walked to the back of the couch near where his arm rested.

"I think we agree on that at least," she smiled, pushing his arm off the ledge of the sofa. "Treat me to dinner? I'm starving."

"Oh, you want me to make you dinner?"

"Absolutely I do. I've gone four days without your cooking or coffee. I think you've spoiled me."

"And what makes you think it's my turn to cook?" Lucanis asked as she leaned in, resting her forearms on the back of the couch.

"Because I noticed that it's just you and me here," Isabella informed with a smirk. She stood up and started toward the door. "Come on, I think you still owe me from telling me you didn't need my Sentimental Crow routine."

"I am sorry about that, I shouldn't have said that to you," Lucanis reiterated, wincing at her words. Isabella turned to him with a grin.

"Agreed, and thank you," she replied, patting his arm as he approached. "I think a lot of things were said that day that no one meant, but I think a delicious dinner is the perfect step in the right direction."

"You're going to hold that over me, aren't you?" Lucanis wondered as she held the door open. She clutched her chest dramatically before lifting her shoulders.

"Well, maybe for a day or two," she admitted, letting him leave first.