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Thank you so much for the game @illarioappreciation and @lustaniasaxon 💜🫂
Day 4 Prompt
Week Prompt List
Hunger/Sustenance
He thought this endless thirst, this rapacious hunger could only be sustained the moment he donned the First Talon mantle, the moment he forced everyone around to see and to acknowledge him.
But he was mistaken.
It turned out that it was enough to be seen by his most important only one person.
Still the biggest of thank yous to @illarioappreciation and @lustaniasaxon for hosting and organising 💜🫶
Caterina Dellamorte is a shitty human and no I won’t be taking any comments or questions 🤷🏼♀️
Hunger
She never did it long enough to show physical signs, it would be unbecoming of the first talon to have her prized possessions running around looking like skeletons. Good, obedient, little attack dogs, yes, but not a pair of waify strays that could barely move for their bodies failing.
Read the rest here on AO3!
TW for child abuse, starvation, dealing with the effects of starvation
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Summary: In the aftermath of Illario's attempt to take First Talon, he is interrogated by Viago and Teia about his allies and motivations.
Read on AO3 or below (755 words.)
Thank you so much to @illarioappreciation and @lustaniasaxon for hosting this week!
• ───────────────── •
Date: 9:53 Dragon, 7 Drakonis
Present: Viago de Riva, 5th Talon; Andarateia Cantori, 7th Talon; Illario Dellamorte, Master Assassin, House Dellamorte.
Purpose: Interview, requested by the First Talon, Lucanis Dellamorte, to ascertain Venatori contacts, resources, and other entanglements promulgated or possessed by Illario Dellamorte through his involvement with their cult.
Viago (de Riva): State your name.
Illario (Dellamorte): You know my name well enough, already, de Riva.
Andarateia [Teia] (Cantori): Illario. You promised—
Illario: I promised to cooperate, not dance for your amusement.
Viago: If you are needed to dance, you will dance, Dellamorte. State your name, and we can dispense with the formalities.
Illario: Very, well, Talon. Illario Dellamorte, Master Assassin, and the lesser of Caterina Dellamorte's grandsons. Do you need my middle names as well? I have an impressive array of dead relatives catalogued in that list.
Viago: No.
Illario: Your loss.
Viago: I shall have to bear it. Now, to the business at hand. Tell us about your new friends.
Illario: laughter You, of all people, should know I do not have any friends. But I will generously assume you mean the Venatori, in the spirit of cooperation. What do you wish to know?
Teia: Why them, Illario? Why our enemies?
Viago: We will get to why later—
Illario: Why not now? Venatori are easily manipulated. They were arrogant, disorganized, powerful, and incredibly stupid. Venatori are singularly focused on their glorious ambition, and pay little attention to anything else. They're willing to cut deals with anyone they think they can double-cross—"
Viago: With so much in common, I think my confusion about your degree of amity can be excused.
Teia: Vi! Illario, just tell him what he wants to know, or we will all grow old while you two bicker like old women with a grudge about their niece's wedding banquet two decades ago.
Illario: I am being quite cooperative. The Venatori do little work on their own, but a large amount of money can do a lot work for you if you spend it correctly.
Viago: Numbers?
Illario: In Treviso? Not much more than what you saw. They are not welcomed by the Antaam, no matter how much either one takes in power from these so-called old gods.
Teia: They're not working with them?
Illario: No. They are two different knives, only likely to succeed when wielded separately. Useless in the same fist.
Viago: So you have nothing?
Illario: I have less than that. My cousin sits where I once aimed. My allies are scattered, my cousin won't even do me the courtesy of a quick death, and my city still sits under the thumb of an invading army lead by a madman.
…
Illario: Oh, don't give me that look. If you have someone pull the green leather books from the shelf nearest the fireplace in my room, I can give you something to at least keep me breathing the air outside of Velabanchel for the night.
Viago: Are they trapped?
Illario: I am wounded by the accusation. Of course they are.
Teia: Illario.
Illario: Nothing your people should have any trouble with, Teia, I promise. I have Venatori supply lines, contacts, and smugglers they lean on frequently. Schedules, routes, estimated numbers and a couple of their codes.
Teia: Any names?
Illario: For the cultists? Only the lower level lackeys, or those so high up they can't remain hidden, like Zara Renata. There should be more than enough in there to track them, though, or at the least hobble their network.
Viago: You had this information for how long, Dellamorte? How many of our people did you let die while you gathered your insurance?
Illario: It wasn't insurance, it was my plan. The Venatori eliminate the Antaam, the Crows do what we do best and eliminate the Venatori. Treviso is free.
Viago: With you as First Talon.
Illario: As I should have been! I have done everything I was ever asked to do, but somehow this is too far? Too much? It is not enough. It has never been enough.
Viago: That your grandmother and cousin are still both alive to stand in judgment over you should be enough of an answer to that.
…
Viago: Is that all you have, then? All you are? Failed ambition, overwrought hair, and some information about supply lines?
Illario: I am also a very snappy dresser. But if you insist, do ask your questions Viago. Perhaps we will find there is a small bit more to me than my very public failures.
• ───────────────── •
Tags are always no pressure, check this fun thing out, with no expectation of response ❤️
Illario can't get the de Riva mage out of his head, especially after completing a contract together. He just doesn't know how to go about courting her in a more serious manner. With Lucanis's advice, Illario asks her out properly, which causes Adelina to seek advice from Isa. It seems that the mage now has a date to go on.
AO3
Lucanis walked back towards his office from the library at the Dellamorte Villa when he noted that Illario was staring out the window nearby. The Talon walked over next to his cousin to see nothing out of the ordinary. Pursing his lips, he glanced around, surprised that he hadn’t caught his cousin’s attention yet.
“Illario?” Lucanis asked, staring at him.
Illario quickly turned his head toward Lucanis with a surprised look before he sighed. Lucanis furrowed his brow, concerned about his reaction.
“What has your head in the clouds, cugino?” Lucanis asked as Illario hummed.
“I’m just thinking about the last contract I went on,” he replied.
“Oh, yes, I saw that report. Congratulations, by the way,” Lucanis offered. “That was a clean job. The client was very happy with the outcome, and he sent over an additional sum as a thanks as well.”
“That wasn’t what I was thinking about.”
“I had a feeling. So, what were you thinking about?”
“The Crow I was on the contract with,” Illario sighed.
“Adelina? What about her?” Lucanis asked, placing his hands behind his back.
“I can’t get her out of my head, and I don’t think she even cares that I exist,” he complained, closing his eyes. He folded his arms, shaking his head a little. “I have no idea how to manage it.”
“You’re bothered by the fact that Adelina hasn’t responded to your flirtations?”
“Is that so terrible?”
“Of course not. I just found that surprising,” Lucanis answered, turning away.
“Which part?” Illario wondered.
“She doesn’t seem like your type, I suppose. You also usually don’t care this much if someone doesn’t respond to your flirtations. You tend to move on pretty quick.”
“Generally, yes. There’s something about her that has me captivated, though.”
“Is it because she doesn’t have any interest in you?”
Illario frowned at him for a moment before rolling his eyes.
“I felt this way since I saw her the first time. Before she didn’t reciprocate my banter,” he explained.
Lucanis stared at his cousin for a moment before dipping his head. He hadn’t expected that answer, either.
“Is that why you asked for Adelina to join you on that contract?” Lucanis guessed.
“Yes. It didn’t pan out like I had hoped. She hardly recognized that I was there aside from when she needed to interact with me on the contract,” Illario commented.
“Well, I would maybe try to ask her out to dinner or something instead of doing a contract together. Don’t you usually do that?” the Talon reminded him.
“Usually, yes, but I wanted to try something different this time. I thought that it might have worked,” Illario mentioned before laughing to himself. “It works with you and Isa.”
“What works for Isa and I isn’t going to work for you and Adelina. Adelina is a different person, and we are practically opposites as well,” Lucanis reassured him with a smirk. Illario rolled his eyes again. “I wouldn’t worry about it too much, though. I would just speak to Adelina like an adult instead of inviting her on a strange contract out of the blue.”
“Isa and Adelina are more similar than I think you realize,” Illario complained, not actually sure if that was true.
However, it seemed that the de Rivas were trained too well against his charms. It hadn’t bothered him when it was just Isa, but now he was irritated that Adelina was trained against it. Damn Viago and his paranoia.
“Well, Isa likes coffee. Maybe you could start there. Maybe Adelina likes coffee as well,” Lucanis offered, deciding not to argue with his cousin. Illario sighed before he nodded.
“I’ll at least talk with her and see if she’d like to do something,” Illario sighed as Lucanis placed a hand on his shoulder.
Adelina stared at the strange invitation that was handed to her before finding herself in front of Isa’s room. It had been a subconscious response, as she wasn’t entirely sure what to do next now that she had the letter. She knew the cousins best, so it made more sense than seeking out Viago.
Isa opened the door a few seconds later, and Adelina realized that she hadn’t been keeping her footfalls quiet like she usually would have. Isa likely heard her stop outside her door and wait.
“Dela?” Isa asked, confused.
Adelina looked up to meet her gaze before sighing. She could explain the situation, but she thought that just handing her the letter made the most sense.
Isa gave her a concerned look before reading over the message Adelina had been given. It wasn’t something Isa had expected to read, either.
Señora Adelina,
Thank you again for accompanying me on the last contract. You performed with perfection and grace, and I am grateful I was there to witness it.
I was wondering if you would want to meet on more casual terms. Perhaps for coffee or a nice lunch, if you’d like. I am also open to other possibilities as well. I find that I miss your company, señora.
I hope to hear from you soon.
Illario Dellamorte
Isa blinked before rereading the letter, bringing it closer to her face. Adelina thinned her lips, realizing she wasn’t sure what reaction she had wanted from her fellow Crow.
“Is... is Illario asking you on a date?” Isa whispered, mindful that Viago could be in his office.
“I think so,” Adelina admitted before frowning. “I’m just not sure why.”
“You don’t know why?”
“Well, I’m more confused that he is asking me, and through a letter as well. Is that usual for him? He seems more straightforward.”
“He usually is,” Isa admitted, noting that his behavior was strange. “But I think he’s trying something new with you, which is interesting.”
“Why?”
“Because it means he’s serious this time. Well, that’s not fair. It’s not that he hasn’t been serious before, but things haven’t worked out for his serious relationships in the past.”
“So, he’s being more formal than he usually is?” Adelina guessed before Isa handed back the letter.
“This is the most formal I’ve ever seen him. He is not formal, until right now,” Isa clarified. “I’ve never seen him like this.”
“Do I need to be worried?”
Isa raised a brow at her, examining her. Adelina exhaled, aware of that look. Isa was reading her, which would be annoying if it wasn’t helpful.
“Do you want to be worried?” Isa countered.
“A horrible question.”
“Do you want to go on a date with Illario?”
Adelina clenched her jaw as she glanced to the side.
“I hadn’t considered it before the letter. I didn’t think he saw me like that, but I will admit it puts the contract and his attitude towards it in a different light,” she admitted as Isa nodded.
“It sounded like you two got along pretty well during the job, though. From what you’ve told me, at least,” Isa offered.
“Did Illario talk to you about it?”
“Illario mentioned that it went well, but he didn’t say anything more than that. He seemed like he had mixed feelings about the contract.”
“Well, he didn’t want to seduce the target, but the target seemed to be taken with me instead anyway. I ended up seducing and poisoning the target, and Illario wasn’t thrilled with the outcome,” Adelina sighed.
“Well, that would explain why he never talked about it, given the new context. He likely wanted to seduce you instead, but it didn’t work out like that,” Isa teased.
“I was focused on the job,” Adelina groaned.
“I’m sure Illario was too aware of that, but it seems that he’s willing to try again if you’re interested.”
Adelina exhaled, feeling undecided. Viago’s concern from before the contract popped into her mind, but she pushed it away. It was too soon for her to be worried about her Talon’s reaction.
“Are you interested?” Isa asked bluntly.
“I mean...” the mage muttered with slight fidgeting. “I think it would be fun, at least.”
“Fun’s all you need, right? Send him a letter about what you want to do, but I would also give him a time frame.”
“Alright.”
Illario,
I thought we agreed to drop the formalities? Especially if you want to take me out as you mentioned.
And I think it would be fun to spend more time casually with you as well. Coffee does sound nice, but I would also be interested in getting a drink if that’s better for you. I’m flexible.
I’m also free for the next few days. I haven’t requested a new contract yet, but I was hoping to get back on the job by the end of the week. I would like to see you before I go off on another contract.
Dela de Riva
Illario wrote back after he received the letter from Adelina, saying that he would love to have a drink with her. While he did enjoy a good cup of coffee, wine was much more his style. He even gave her a more concrete time, and she had agreed. He really hoped that she knew that this was a date, though. He had tried to take a more neutral tone with a light romantic tint to his wording to make sure that it didn’t sound like he was seducing her.
He sat at a booth at the tavern they had agreed on. It was a nicer one than the ones along the dock, and he hoped that it would impress her. It was one that he would frequent on special occasions at least.
It wasn’t very long before he saw Adelina walk inside the building, and she took his breath away. She was wearing a nicer dress than what she wore at the party during the contract, and he found that it suited her very well. It was a long black dress with lace details, and Illario wondered if she lied to him about being a mage instead of a seductionist like he was.
Her eyes lit up when she saw him, relieved that she was in the right place. Adelina walked over to the table, and she sat down across from Illario, who stood as she took a seat.
“I wasn’t sure I was in the right place at first,” she mentioned as she lifted her shoulders.
“I am glad you found the place,” Illario replied. “It’s good to see you, Dela.”
“I was surprised to get your letter, but it was a pleasant surprise,” she admitted with a smile. He hummed, a little surprised himself.
“Really? I thought that I was being clearer than I was, then,” he mentioned as she shrugged.
“I thought you were looking for a professional for the contract. I didn’t think that you were looking to get to know me personally or to flirt with me specifically.”
“I was flirting, though.”
“Because it was a part of the contract, though,” she reminded with a laugh. “You were supposed to act like my husband. Aren’t you supposed to flirt with your wife?”
“I wasn’t supposed to be a good husband, though. I was supposed to appear to cheat on you, if you remember,” Illario sighed with a weak smile. “It was part of the reason why I wanted to switch up the job a little. I didn’t want to cheat on you, even if it was for a fake relationship.”
“Then it seems that I’m the one with egg on my face, then. I turned out to be a poor wife.”
“Only because I didn’t explain myself properly. You were just looking to complete the job, which you did in record time, by the way.”
“The target was overeager, and I think the idea of getting caught by you spurred him on,” Adelina chuckled with a shrug. “I’m just glad that I had a chance to put on my poisoned lipstick before he pounced.”
“I agree. It usually takes me three times as long to complete the contract,” Illario chuckled. “I don’t have your access to poisons, after all. I have to usually stab my targets in the back or push them from a high window.”
“Sounds horribly messy.”
“It can be. I find that it can be satisfying, though.”
“Fair enough,” she hummed. “I’m still surprised that you invited me here.”
“What has you so surprised? Even knowing that I wasn’t acting in Rialto,” he asked, leaning forward on the table.
“Well, I don’t exactly look approachable,” Adelina pointed out. “I’ve been told I look intense, and I just assumed that was a turn off. It’s not really something I can control.”
“Who’s been telling you look intense? How so?”
“Peers, mostly, and I think it’s the way I tend to stare, I suppose. My eyes look... soulless? I think that’s a good translation.”
“What did they say exactly?” Illario asked, concerned.
“It was a long time ago. I think they said something along the lines of privi di vita. It’s missing something. I always thought they said that they were soulless,” Adelina answered with a shrug.
Privi di vita. Devoid of life.
“They clearly have no idea what they’re talking about,” Illario replied, shaking his head.
Her eye color was lighter than he usually saw, and he would admit that the way she looked out at the world could be unnerving. However, it was the way she stared at the world like she was daring it to attack her that he had noticed. He had found the light bluish green color of her eyes pretty, but he couldn’t understand why they said they were privi di vita.
“I’m glad you think so,” Adelina laughed, shaking her head. “I know I have an intense look. You don’t have to lie.”
“You aren’t as intense as you think you are.”
“You saw me on the job.”
“You are no more intense than any other de Riva than I encountered,” Illario chuckled.
He wondered if that de Riva intensity he had noticed was something trained by Viago, or if it had something to do with her previous Talon. Isa had talked about the horrible man before Viago managed to do away with him, which would explain why Viago was the way he was as well.
“Truly?” she asked.
“Absolutely,” he answered with a smile.
“It sounds like you know a lot about the de Rivas, then,” Adelina remarked with a sharp look in her eye.
“I’ve spent a lot of time around Viago and Isa, especially recently. I thought you knew that,” Illario reminded her.
She watched him for a moment before dipping her head. He raised a brow at her before she watched him for another moment.
“You do have a tendency to stare, I’ll admit. Not that I mind, of course,” he commented with a laugh. “You stare like you are studying for a test.”
She turned away quickly with a blush spreading across her cheeks. Sighing, she turned back to him, seeing that he was just smiling at her still.
“I suppose you aren’t wrong,” Adelina admitted with a sigh. “I don’t mean to stare, but most people don’t notice as much as you do.”
“So, what are you thinking about then?”
“You aren’t what I expected, so it’s hard to reconcile that with what I already know.”
“Ah, so you’re trying to solve me like a puzzle,” Illario grinned.
“If you want to think about it like that, then yes, I guess so. You don’t hate it, though,” she chuckled with a smirk.
“No, I don’t,” he agreed, leaning back.
She noted that he looked more comfortable now. She wasn’t sure what had changed, though. She rested her arms on the table so she could lean forward.
“Why not? Most people don’t like a steady gaze on them. Especially Crows,” she pointed out.
“If one person is watching me closely, then I have an alibi, don’t I? Being known as the Traitor Crow makes life difficult if no one is watching,” he explained. She blinked at him with wide eyes, not expecting that answer. “Before the gods, I would have hated it, sure. Now, it’s like a safety blanket. If I know that you are watching, I know that no one can accuse me of doing anything.”
“A different perspective.”
“One that I think will be beneficial.”
“Is that the reason why you’ve taken a liking to me?” Adelina asked, more bluntly than she had meant to be.
Illario faltered, also not expecting that question. He cleared his throat before he shook his head.
“No, it’s a bonus, if anything,” he admitted as she raised a brow. “I was captivated by you the moment you walked into the villa the first time we met.”
“Really?”
“You don’t sound convinced.”
“I’m not,” Adelina answered, continuing to watch him. “It doesn’t make sense.”
“Why doesn’t it make sense? Are you saying that I can’t make my own decisions?” he asked, tilting his head to the side.
She took a deep breath before she turned for a moment. The waiter came by with a bottle of wine and two glasses as Illario thanked him. Adelina offered a kind smile before turning back to Illario with a nervous expression.
“You can absolutely make your own decisions, I’m just saying they might not be informed decisions,” she clarified before frowning. “When it comes to me, at least. You don’t know a thing about me.”
“That’s why we’re here, isn’t it? So, I can get to know you, and you can get to know me,” Illario argued gently, wanting to reach out to her.
“Well, yes, but-”
“Then if you’re worried about it, tell me what you think I need to know. I doubt it will do anything to change how I feel about you.”
Adelina bit her lower lip before she took a deep breath. Illario placed his arm on the table, gently reaching out to her in case it helped. She shook her head and relented.
“Viago told me not to tell anyone,” Adelina chuckled with a smirk.
“Then he’s probably overreacting,” Illario teased, hoping to put her at ease. She looked at him for a moment before she exhaled.
Day 1 ✦ Day 2 ✦ Day 3 ✦ Day 4 ✦ Day 5 ✦ Day 6 ✦ Day 7
"Masque/Exposed" for Day 3 of @illarioappreciation
A bird in cage, when Lucanis have him locked away and supervised by other Crows, after his betrayal was exposed.
(Ending where Lucanis imprisoned Illario after A Murder of Crows)
Illario Week Day 3: Masked/ Exposed
I told you. This is Crow business.
(Thought Illario looked a little more conniving than usual in the leadup to Zara's confrontation.)
🚫 Please ask before reposting!
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Free to watch • No registration required • HD streaming
Thank you to @illarioappreciation week for hosting
Each day, I will be borrowing a friend's Rook to write letters from or about Illario.
Today, thank you to @handsignals for letting me borrow Gigi
Gorgeous Gigi,
Do you know how frustrating it is - to have the perfect character, a presence so undeniable and so completely your own - and have someone who just cuts it to pieces? I am the centerpiece of a museum, and yet you throw paint across with abandon.
If I knew how easily you shredded my perfectly put-together mask by finding every little nick and crack, I would have never let you close. Kept you at an arm's distance, far enough that you could never see where the mask's straps are starting to fray, where my hair slips from under the wig.
But I can't.
Now that I know you, now that you've started to peek underneath it, I crave it every day. Something that I should never have allowed even once makes me feel more alive than any mask I've ever worn.
"You look ravishing, Rook. I didn't know you had it in you" a smooth voice said as a hand came to rest on Rook's lower back.
"Illario" Rook sighed, before she looked up at the Dellamorte who had just crashed her current assignment. "What the hell are you doing here?" she said, eyeing his mask and then frowned "did you get a contract here too?"
"No. I didn't. I am here because I enjoy parties with good food and wonderful wine" he chuckled, eyes scanning over her form. She looked ravishing for sure, as he'd said. Her hair was in a style that kept it out of her face- ready for whatever kill she needed to make tonight- and her eyes looked gorgeous next to the bright blue butterflies that overtook half her mask. "And of course gorgeous company" he winked
The comment got him a laugh that made him feel like he won some kinda prize. Rook was laughing at him where he wanted her to laugh. For him that was a win.
"you look charming yourself, handsome devil" she nodded at his mask at the praise and Illario chuckled back, reaching up to lightly tap one of the horns.
"it is fitting with how I am seen amongst the crows now" he sighed. "You know, I never did thank you properly for convincing my cousin to give me another chance"
"eh. Lease I could do. Besides, it was better for him in the long run.... He shouldn't have had to face losing his cousin who he grew up with like a brother" she said pointy, giving the other a look. "But if you dare try and pull what you did again realize that contract or not my blade comes to meet you" she said, taking his hand as she put down her empty drink "come on. Dance with me- help me appear normal" she said, tugging him out onto the dance floor.
He was more then happy to let her be the one he focused on tonight- maybe take her out after her contract was over to celebrate. Fuck if shed let him he'd help her out. But no, he knew she didn't need the help.
If only the mask he wore normally came off as easily as the one he wore tonight...maybe he'd be able to tell her how he felt, how he wished he could sweep her off her feet outside of just a dance like this.
I’ve combined the prompts again for this one, and featured my Rook Juniper de Riva (I had to get her in there somewhere 😉)
💜💜🐦⬛
Crack in the Mask
So far “keep him out of trouble” had consisted of locking him in his room with someone standing guard on the door.
Like he even wanted to leave. Like he even could. His whole body protested at the slightest movement. Fighting his cousin, easy. Fighting a demon possessing his cousin, slightly more difficult. Someone had stabbed him. Probably Lucanis, maybe the mage - that scepter had a nasty looking point on the end. The blood seeping through his vest and shirt was sticky against his skin.
You can find the rest here on AO3!
💜🐦⬛💜🐦⬛
Another big thank you to @lustaniasaxon and @illarioappreciation for organising! 😘💜
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
✓ Live Streaming✓ Interactive Chat✓ Private Shows✓ HD Quality✓ Free Actions
Free to watch • No registration required • HD streaming
Day 3 is here, and with it, the prompt I took the longest to write something for.
Thank you, @illarioappreciation @lustaniasaxon, for the questions you sent with the prompts, btw; those really helped. 😘
The full chapter is under the cut or on AO3.
The night was filled with masks and glittering jewels. Half-hidden daggers flashed in the light of hundreds of candles. And the crowd was a lively field of brightly colored cloth.
A Crow maskball. Teia had offered to host this year, closing the Diamond for the public. Not all the houses were represented, of course. As always, some found a reasonable political excuse not to mingle.
House Dellamorte had accepted. Much to Illario's delight. He had missed this.
The noise, the revels, and the dancing, of course.
Illario prowled the edge of the dance floor, waiting for Mira to finally arrive so he could continue pestering her to dance with him. She hadn't said 'no' specifically - her exact words had been, "If you ask one more time, I will burn down another building". From her, that was almost an encouragement to keep asking.
From behind his plain silver mask, Illario watched Lucanis lead Caterina to her chair. For quite some time now, the old woman actually looked her age, leaning harder on Lucanis with each step. He chased the thought away before the realization of what this meant could settle.
Despite all, his grandmother's sense seemed sharp as ever. She must have felt his eyes on her. Her face snapped up, her dark gaze scanning the room; it caught on him for half a second before sliding away.
With a small, triumphant smirk, Illario slowly drew back into the crowd. His costume for the evening had been a deliberate choice - like all his "battle gear".
In the months since Lucanis had changed his status from prisoner to family under house arrest, people had been whispering all around him every time he set foot into Treviso. Most stopped talking altogether when he walked by, and then watched him from narrowed eyes.
He was so fucking tired of it. Was it too much to ask to do it politely when he was out of earshot? Despite the island offering little entertainment aside from Mira and Illario yearning to return to the city to go shopping with her, visit cafes, or go dancing, the persistent hum of disapproval always made him sigh a breath of relief when he could finally turn his back on the city.
But work had him come to Treviso more and more, sometimes not returning home to Mira and their calm island for days.
Tonight, with everyone being masked, he was finally given a chance to move about mostly unnoticed.
His suit for tonight was surprisingly plain - for his standards. Not too drab as to draw attention by sticking out like a sore thumb, either. A sober shade of blue and charcoal grey, silver buttons and an uninspiring silver trim around the cuffs and collar.
He wore his hair down, gathered at the neck with a simple leather string. And the mask he had chosen covered half of his face.
The only thing remarkable about him tonight was his height. No way to hide that without bending over. But Viago was among the crowd, as well as a few other men around his height. So long as Illario wasn't standing right next to Lucanis, he should be fine.
So far, at least, it was working.
People bowed and smiled at him as if he were any other person in the room. Some offered easy but shallow conversation here and there. He didn't dare to talk too much with people who knew him better, but not talking at all would be rude - and boring. Also, he was curious how long it would take people to figure it out.
In the shadow of a column, two figures dressed in almost similar plum colored suits and cloaks stood and talked. Their eyes darted across the crowd.
Hernando and Julio. Illario immediately recognized them by their posture and the way Julio waved his hands about. Those two were the only ones who had remained remotely friendly with him even after all that had happened.
He hadn't been so stupid as to hope that any of his old friends would still stick with him, but these two hadn't avoided him. On the contrary, they gladly talked to him. It had felt good, even if at first, Illario had been cautious. But he was short on any kind of friends these days, so tossing them aside wasn't something he could afford if he ever hoped to not just rely on Lucanis' protection or the distance from Treviso to not be killed by his own people.
A slow smile broke on Illario's lips. Let's see how long it would take them to recognize him.
"…told you," Julio hissed with a knowing look.
Hernando snorted. "The evening is still young; he will show up. Not like him to miss something like this."
Of course, Illario thought, they are talking about me.
"Good evening, gentlemen," he greeted, keeping his voice on the softer side.
Both of his friends flinched, like children caught at doing something they shouldn't.
"Say, Miguel, is that you? Nice threads," Julio said, mistaking Illario for another of their old friend group.
Illario bit back a smile. No one was supposed to reveal themselves. That was the fun of an evening like this: hiding your identity for as long as possible. You could dance and talk and drink; others could make their assumptions about your identity in silence. And even make a bet. Lots of money was lost on evenings like this. In the past it was usually to Illario. He didn't need to see a face; most people shouted out their identity with too many other little things; they might as well have embroidered their name on their cloak in big letters.
Technically, lying was considered cheating, but this was Antiva. Cheating was part of the fun.
But then, no need to lie. Just answer with a truth, just not the truth the other was asking for.
"Indeed," Illario smirked and let the other two inspect his suit. "I might wear this more often. Any betting started yet?"
Julio chuckled; the sound sounded wrong, but maybe it was because of all the noise around them. "Only one bet currently running."
"Oh?" Illario raised a brow, but hidden behind his mask, the others thankfully didn't see. "On who?"
"Our little traitor," Hernando sneered in a low voice. "Señor Dellamorte the annoying."
Something cold pierced Illario's sternum. And for a second he thought that it was a real blade, but an almost casual brush of his hand over his chest revealed nothing amiss.
"What about him?" Illario asked, fixing his smile before it could slide off his lips.
Julio leaned in, whispering, "Whether he dares to show up at all. You'd think his cousin had enough sense not to force his society on us on every occasion."
"Well, neither of them was ever good at reading a room, right?" Hernando chortled.
Julio clinked his glass with Hernando's. "Sad but true. And to think Illario always lauds himself for being able to see through people."
"He is too full of himself to see anything." Hernando nudged Illario's ribs lightly. "But then again, him actually believing we'd truly take him back as our friend, when he never was to begin with, it's so pathetically funny."
"Maybe that could be his new moniker," Julio suggested, barely containing his mirth. "Illario, the pathetic."
For one foolish heartbeat, Illario waited.
Waited for Julio to laugh.
For Hernando to admit it was all a joke.
To say his name.
Neither man did.
Instead, Hernando joined in. "Illario, the-"
Ah, of course, Illario thought bitterly, while the two men thought of new and not very clever titles to bestow upon him. He smiled through it.
And it isn't like there were no warning signs; a treacherous little thought came unbidden into his mind. Then a series of memories played before his mind's eye: conversations shifting abruptly, smiles freezing, then awkward laughs, too many reassurances. He had seen it yet chosen not to see it.
Why?
Because, just this once, I wanted to be wrong.
When Hernand and Julio finally changed the topic, Illario excused himself with a numb smile; his cheeks already hurting with the effort, he mumbled something about getting himself a drink and left them standing.
All around him, people danced and sang - and laughed. At him? No, but it surely felt like it.
Too many whirling colors, too many voices.
His chest felt like it was being crushed by all of it.
Air.
He needed air.
Holding on to that crumbling smile with a vengeance, Illario stumbled through the crowd. Someone clapped him on his back.
"Too much wine already?"
He didn't wait to see who it was, and forged on, throwing open the closest balcony doors and staggering out into the night.
Blood rushing in his ears, face burning, he grabbed the railing with a white-knuckled grip. Almost painfully, he forced that first breath of cool evening air down into his lungs.
You are a grown man, damn it.
A Crow. We should know better than to trust too easily.
Pull yourself together.
Steps behind him.
Doors closing, swallowing the sounds of the revels within.
Then, "Illario? Are you alright?"
Mira.
Another breath, easier now.
Glad for the mask, he turned. He didn't even try to shape his mouth into something resembling a smile. His face might crack if he tried.
"Mira, amore." Could she hear the rough edge in his voice? He hoped not.
Behind her dark mask, shaped like bird wings, her grey eyes watched him. First with worry, then suspicion.
"What happened?" she asked.
Illario didn't dare to let go of the railing. His hand, he knew, would be shaking. The lie "Nothing. I am fine." was already on his tongue, but it caught behind his teeth.
Truth between us. And no one else.
That had been their promise.
With a sigh, Illario released another long breath, then softly said, "I- There was some unpleasantness with some old…acquaintances. Nothing terrible. I should have expected it, really."
Mira took a step closer, the dark dress she wore whispering mysteriously. "Nothing terrible, huh?" Her hand caught his chin, keeping him from evading her probing stare. "Then why do I feel like going in there and ending a few bloodlines?"
A short sound broke from Illario's throat, not really a laugh but close. "Because you are a bloodthirsty woman."
"Only when I have my reasons." She now cradled his cheek. He knew she would use those gentle hands in not-so-gentle ways if he pointed out the ones who hurt him.
And that knowledge was more than enough to calm his racing heart and steady his hands. It wasn't the whisperers that mattered. The whole world might mutter the word "traitor" until it grew hoarse. He just needed to remember to trust his instincts again.
And so long as Mira was there - calm, caring, and with that aura of a painful death - he could bear the consequences of having ignored them.
Turning his head, he kissed her palm. "I think I am fine now. So, let's not crash the party just yet. Not when I still want to whirl you across the dance floor."
"If we were to crash the party now, then there would actually be space for us on that dance floor."
With a chuckle, Illario pulled her closer, feeling her hard muscle under the flowy dress. "We can always dance here."
She didn't move. Just stood there, in his arms, then tilted her head.
"Does dancing with me mean that much to you?"
"Anything with you means the world to me."
He felt her relax against him.
"I don't like dancing in front of people," she admitted. "My old dancing master told me, I move like I'm wearing full armor."
"I have seen you move while training," Illario murmured, gently guiding her into the first steps of a slow dance. "Just pretend we are practicing in our courtyard."
She didn't resist his guidance; though a little tense at first, she soon followed his steps smoothly.
"Do I get to slam you to the ground when the music ends?"
Laughing freely now, Illario spun her around, making her curse. "No, amore. But you can help me win the demasking competition and then have victory sex with me wherever you choose."
Her steel eyes glinted with humor and the competitiveness he loved so much. "We win this together."
He whirled them around once more, both laughing now, then held the balcony door for her, bowing slightly.
