You’d Be Harding In Hightown

I love the variety in the 'maw' and 'snake' designs, with the smaller face snake up top being one of my favorites of all of the tattoos in the game, for any faction.

If anyone ends up making art with these, or the previous set, I'd love to see it so throw me a note or tag!

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Tags are always no pressure, check this fun thing out, with no expectation of response ❤️

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Marcello is the second born child and first son of Caterina and Faustino Dellamorte. The eldest sibling, Carmilla, is Lucanis's mother. Nera de Acutis is the eldest sister of Noa and Neri de Acutis.

Marcello and Neri knew each other since they were teen fledglings. Even though they both liked each other, Nera played hard to get which was just fine with Marcello. He enjoyed playing the game of "pursuit" with her. Eventually, the game ended and they began a romantic relationship.

When it was time to discuss marriage, Nera's parents quickly approved the union. Marcello is a Dellamorte after all. Caterina was slower to accept but she recognized the history of the de Acutis family. Nera, for her part, proved to be an excellent Crow, as well.

Marcello and Nera married at the age of 20 and five years later, Illario was born. In another five years, his little sister Isabel was born. Then, two years later, his parents and sister would be killed in a coordinated attack on House Dellamorte.

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Chapter 1:

Viago’s study was exactly as ever, orderly, clean, and faintly scented with ink and something corrosive. One detail stood out: the vase that usually held fresh flowers was empty and had been placed on the highest cabinet in the back corner, as though it had been exiled.

Ah. He and Teia were off again.

Which meant the conversation ahead would be prickly, but not personal. A small, irrelevant part of him hoped otherwise before he tamped it down. Viago never welcomed personal conversation, but didn’t even allow the hint of personal when things weren’t going well; time had only made him more tight-lipped about certain things.

Aydenne turned as Viago entered. The First Talon had removed his leather apron and replaced his poison‑making gloves with a thin black pair that offered both dexterity and plausible deniability.

Viago shut the door behind him with a soft click, then paused a fraction too long as he adjusted the layering of sleeve and glove. Aydenne caught the hesitation and felt his stomach tighten. Viago seated himself, eyes on his desk. “I understand you’ll be traveling to Ferelden soon,” he opened, steepling his fingers in front of his face.

“You were invited, too?”

“We—I was, yes.”

Definitely off with Teia.

“Are you going to attend? The eluvian web will make travel simple.”

Viago exhaled through his nose. “There are several critical priorities at the moment, but I believe I will be able to attend.”

Chapter 2:

“Viago was in a bad mood when I visited.”

“Oh, yeah. I heard him and Teia broke up again. Did he say something about it?”

“I… no? I think he was telling me he was tired of me being sad about…you know who… and he might have suggested that it interferes with my work.”

Not everyone in Houses de Riva and Dellamorte knew how steadfastly Aydenne cared for Illario, but enough were aware of it and for those there was no question: it had never once interfered with Aydenne’s work. He’d concealed his feelings from Caterina herself, which was no small feat. If in the tumultuous relationship they’d sustained up to this point caused Aydenne untold mental anguish, he kept it to himself most of the time, hiding his pain like a housecat disappearing to lick its wounds.

Zalan’s silence lasted up the stairs and into the family wing of the home, a weighted, deliberate quiet that made Aydenne wish he’d kept his mouth shut. He tried to match Zalan’s calm, to breathe evenly, but his pulse kept stuttering. When Zalan finally asked his question, his voice was light; a sure sign he was holding something back.

“What exactly did Viago say that made you think that?” They’d arrived at a guest suite Aydenne insisted Zalan consider his home away from home, though House de Riva’s Treviso headquarters weren’t far.

Aydenne winced. “It’s not important.” 

divider by strangergraphics from this post

Abandonment is the first chronologically, and this story speculates on how and why Illario might have entertained Zara's opening move. He wakes up from a nap to a letter inviting him to learn information Caterina would kill for (not that that's a stretch for, you know, an assassin).

Your work at the Forfex estate did not go unnoticed. You were precise where others chose chaos. You held control where another indulged sentiment. The future First Talon should distinguish himself, not hide in the shadows of his House. Antiva needs clarity and strength—not age or impulse. I offer you information on the Antaam’s massing invasion, knowledge your Talon seeks but cannot confirm. This I extend as payment for a simple service: the death of a rival. If you wish to serve the Crows and stand in the light as a man respected, I offer a path. Where faith was abandoned, the light of knowledge still burns. Seek me, if you are worthy to claim it.

All it takes is one little foothold, and Zara has more than one at her disposal. (I headcanon that she was after Illario all along; his strength and ambition makes him the perfect host for her demon-birthing program. Lucanis was a happy accident, a test run and a way to ensure Illario could never get away from her because she'd have the ultimate leverage over him.) Illario listens to her offer, then leaves, thinking he's got the upper hand and can control the situation. I do plan to revisit this, but we all know how it ends--I just wanted to put my spin on how it began.

“She’s probably harmless,” he muttered. “This will all come to nothing.” If it was something, he’d ensure the fallout was in his favor. He did not think the word blood mage anywhere except in the depths where he covered it with other words: A jealous manipulator. Someone who wished to play games with a Crow and would learn how dangerous that could be. A lead to follow. He clung to the lies because it was easier than admitting the truth. He had already stepped over the line simply by listening. And he would step over it again. Her voice taunted him in memory. “You stand on the margins of a life that was never meant for you. A life shaped by others’ expectations, others’ ambitions, others’ fears. You have been told who you are, what you are worth, and how far you are allowed to rise.” This was the lie. Illario Dellamorte would not have his limits defined by another—not even by his grandmother.

Variable is currently next: Aydenne is assigned to watch Caterina's grandson in the aftermath of the events at Lago di Novo.

“You’ve been called to serve the House in a search for a traitor among the Crows.” Aydenne’s mind went blank for a moment. His fingers curled against his knee before he forced them still. “Here in Treviso?” “In all likelihood, yes.” Viago’s voice was low, controlled. “Someone is feeding the Antaam intelligence. Someone with access to Crow channels. Someone with political cover.” Aydenne felt the weight of that. “Do you have suspects?” “All of them.” Viago’s mouth tightened. “Every House with a presence in this city. Every operative with access to intelligence. Every ally the First Talon insists is loyal.” Aydenne swallowed. “You think it’s internal.” “I know it is.” Viago’s expression darkened. “The Antaam’s movements are too precise. They know where our defenses are weakest. They know what Caterina does not. That means someone is giving them information.”

You guessed it: Viago is suspicious of Illario, who started attending meetings and asking strategy questions that don't fit his character. (Un)fortunately for Aydenne, he sees more than he's been asked to.

Illario played along, but Aydenne saw the moment his smile faltered. It was a flicker of loneliness so quick most people would miss it. A caged Crow. Aydenne knew the feeling all too well. He had worn that expression himself in rooms where he did not belong but was expected to perform anyway. It was like looking in a mirror, except the reflection was tall, good‑looking, and silver‑tongued. Illario excused himself after a few minutes and slipped into the shadows at the edge of the courtyard. He leaned against the wall, head tipped back and eyes closed. Just for a moment. Just long enough for the mask to drop. Aydenne’s heart thudded once, hard. Illario looked tired in a way that had nothing to do with the hour. Soul tired. Aydé knew that shape too.

Zalan de Riva (@blackwall-my-tiny-husband 's Rook) was always a planned part of the story; I thought it would be juicy to have someone from House de Riva who's a good friend of Aydenne's see all this stuff he's going through with Illario and [redacted later Crow drama] but then Zalan tripped and fell in love with Aydenne long before our collective introduction to Aydenne, which was beautifully revealed in Shin's story The art of toeing the line...so Zalan did much more than just rescue Aydenne for a night of freedom after 6 months of living with Caterina alone in Jailbreaks, Fireworks and Other Acts of Devotion:

Aydenne didn’t hear the lock pick, or the whisper of feet on stone. He didn’t even hear the soft click of the door easing open. He was too tired for that—too wrung out, hollowed by Caterina’s endless tests and the suffocating silence of the Villa. What he did hear was Zalan’s voice, soft as a knife sliding free of its sheath. “Aydé. We’re leaving.” Aydenne jerked upright. “Zalan? What—how did you—” Zalan squeezed his shoulder. “Come on. Before Caterina notices.”

This is getting long but thanks for reading if you made it this far haha

In Tending What Remains, we see plant daddy Aydenne win over Caterina's frozen-ass heart in the back garden, and receive permission to recruit new Crows into House Dellamorte.

Finally she said, “Those are not herbs we cultivate here.” “No,” Aydenne murmured. “They’re de Riva cultivars. They grow well in poor soil.” Another silence. Longer. He dared a glance up. Caterina’s expression was unreadable, but her eyes—those cloudy, dark eyes—were softer than he expected. Not warm or anything that could even generously be called approving. But at least they were free of judgment. “You are planting something that does not belong here,” she said. Aydenne’s heart sped up, though he tried to keep his breathing steady. Holding Caterina’s gaze was like making eye contact with a bear just before it mauled you. The attack itself was always unpredictable. “But,” she added, and the word landed like a stone in still water, “perhaps that is not always a mistake.” He blinked. “Caterina?” She looked past him, toward the rosemary bushes she tended herself. “This House has lost much. Too much. It is…easy to forget that things can grow again.”

The "ducklings" as Zalan affectionately called them, imprinted on Aydenne beautifully.

Zalan sighed. “You’re doomed.” “They’re just recruits,” Aydenne said, rubbing a hand over his face. “They’re your recruits,” Zalan corrected. “Which is worse. They’re going to follow you around like ducklings with knives, testing you.” Aydenne tried not to smile; failed. “They’ll need time.” “They’ll need supervision,” Zalan said. “And possibly leashes.” Aydenne elbowed him. “Stop.” Zalan leaned back on his hands, watching the recruits with a softer expression. “They’re good kids. Rough edges, but good. You’ll make something out of them.” “That’s the dream. I’ve got plenty of help. I hope most of them survive.” Aydenne let out a slow breath. “I hope I survive.” “You will,” Zalan said, nudging him with his shoulder. “You’re annoying like that.”

Aydenne picks up one final, special Crow in Ink and Ash. Fiorella was raised exactly the same way Aydenne was: in a créche with other orphans, some born to Crow parents, others rescued and sent there for training when they're old enough. They're lifers, quite literally. She, like Aydé, doesn't know her parents and is determined to join a Talon House someday (at this time, I'm not sure Dellamorte qualifies, but Fio's got a dream)

He stopped a few paces away, giving her room. “Fiorella Maialen Berezi?” She seemed surprised for a heartbeat, then stepped forward and bowed, proud and polite. “Fio,” she corrected, quick and sure. “Fio,” he repeated. “May I speak with you?” The other Fledglings pretended not to stare, and failed spectacularly. Fio wiped her palms on her trousers and clambered over the low wall marking the training yard’s boundary. “You’re Master Dellamorte.” Aydenne almost corrected her. He almost said ‘just Aydenne’. He almost asked her not to use the title that still felt too large. But she said it with such certainty that he let it stand. “I am,” he said. “I’m here on assignment. I’ll be leaving in the morning, but I stopped here to ask Heir for a recommendation.” Her eyes flicked over him—boots, posture, the way he carried himself. She was cataloguing him the way a Crow should. “You need a scout? I can scout. I’m ready for my first kill too.”

The other parts of In Shadow are more about Xiqaa, Emmrich, Lucanis and Spite, how they live now that Vigil's Keep is their permanent home (I'm planning a story about them formalizing their union that spans two stories: one is just an excuse to have a wedding, a party and absolutely nothing sad happening, but the other is Three of Crows, a very angsty story about Aydenne going to the wedding and seeing Illario again after two years apart--apart is putting it mildly. Zalan's forced to watch while carrying a quarry's worth of complicated feelings for his old friend.) Aydenne and Illario is an open secret among the inner circle, and as you might imagine, it's complicated.

If this is interesting to you, check out the whole series from the beginning here. Still to come: a Crow civil war, more love geometry (not sure how many triangles we'll go through), and a secret identity reveal! Can I write it all? We'll see hahahaha

tagging some friends of Aydenne and to tell me on some today if you'd like?? @grad-writes (there are technically no spoilers for It's Still You here lol) @davrinsleftpectoral @redaresss @pixiedurango @chaosherald @serialsforbellara @gatesofminrathous @cimmanombagel @theelderdemon @sorrygoldfish @dags-over-caravans @jenn2d2 and 🫵🏾 if you made it all the way here I'd love to be tagged to see what you got!