#..actually she and davrin might share first place

[lostiel]

mods edits

[sorcerly]

ok but what if neve and lucanis get together during datv, break up because they're both working through their damage on top of having a fuck ton of new stressful responsibilities, and don't see each other for a year, two, five?

they try to write messages to each other, but - they're both important people. they just don't have time. they might share stories once in a while through the post, sure, but any important things they have to say to each other... it's difficult to write it all down properly, in ink on paper like that. most attempts perish as crumpled parchment thrown into a fireplace.

there's a stretch of many months, maybe even a full year, when they don't hear from each other at all. until SOME twist of intrigue brings them elbow-to-elbow in the shit again.

I think for Lucanis it's a surprise, that he can feel some glimmer of ease again when he's around Neve (she was always the one who could make him feel safe, comfortable). The time since the veilguard has been nothing but the stress of carrying on the Dellamorte name and answering to Caterina's expectations and trying, trying so hard, to be who he needs to be as First Talon - putting his head down and slogging through all the parts of the job that he hates, dreads, never wanted in the first place.

I think for Neve it's a bit of a shock, because she actually does not recognize him immediately. and it's not because he's changed his appearance - he still wears his hair in that neat mullet (though now with some gray in the black), dresses smartly in crow leathers, keeps his beard trimmed. truly the way he carries himself hasn't changed that much either (he's always been guarded, careful). but his face. his eyes.

Neve remembered relishing every unguarded glance she caught from him. those eyes that shone so brightly in the light of the kitchen candles when they were both up at ungodly hours. even though he had seen so much pain and misery and death, Lucanis' eyes showed his heart; still soft. open. welcoming. easy. dark and warm like shadows cast by firelight.

when she sees him for the first time in years, those eyes are cold. hard. closed off. even though he slept so little at the lighthouse, Neve can't help but feel that she has never seen him look so, so, so tired.

and i think it likely doesn't take long for Neve, greatest detective in Thedas, to see the way he interacts with the other Talons, with Teia and Viago, with Caterina - and put together exactly what's been going on. And I think she'd stop at NOTHING to try and fix what she sees as a terrible mistake made by the veilguard, including her. they aren't to blame, of course not, how could they have known? but even so - when the veilguard ended, Lucanis was left to the snakes and the dogs.

so maybe she makes a pact with Teia and Viago, who had almost given up on Lucanis when Neve showed up again. maybe she finds a surprising ally in Illario, who has always known what First Talon would mean for Lucanis. maybe she calls on Davrin, Rook, anyone else from the team who might be able to help. one things for sure tho. Neve and Caterina fucking hate each other.

and then neve and lucanis kiss

[hyperions-light]

Hmmmmmm. For the codex prompts - can we see an entry from Rook's journal, please?

For sure! Thanks for asking! [Codex prompts here] 2, 17, 21 have been asked/answered!

Hello journal,

Emmrich says I should write in you to ‘process my feelings’ or something. Am unsure what he’s talking about and do not understand the function of this. You write things so other people will read them, right? But Emmrich said this was supposed to be private? Told him I would try it, but I am skeptical.

Perhaps he’s lying about it being private? Doesn’t seem like him, but maybe it’s like when Viago leaves paperwork around that he ‘doesn’t want me to see’ so that I’ll go handle whatever he doesn’t want to deal with. If I asked Emmrich about it I wonder if he would be offended?

He said that I should “write out the events of your recent experience in order to reflect upon them.” Suspect this will be very dull, since at least eighty percent of what I do is stab people.

What do the others write in their journals? I’ve seen Taash and Lucanis writing in theirs, and there is no way they’re ‘processing feelings’. We all agree the best way to stop being sad is to grab the nearest dangerous object and kill someone with it. (I also think tackling Viago to the floor and getting him to fight me is a good solution, but no one else is willing to do that. They’re missing out.)

Yesterday we went to Minrathous because Neve had a case to work. I think Lucanis and Emmrich went shopping. I don’t know, I was with Harding and Bellara— we were trying to find something for Bel to mess with. Did find some weird magical artifacts in a back alley in Docktown, but she didn’t even look. Brought one of them home to see if she might work on it later, but it’s just sitting in the Fish Room. Hope it doesn’t explode.

She’s really worried about everything with Anaris and her brother. I told her it would be fine, and I was mostly not lying, even— I’m sure we can just punch him until he calms down and then bring him back here? I know he’s killed people, but I mean... Lucanis and I are Crows. They can’t expect us to care that much about that.

I suppose it’s different because Bellara knew those people. And it’s not his job, or anything, he’s just a murderer.

I’ve known a lot of murderers, though (not assassins. murderers), and they’re mostly fine. It seems like Cyrian already feels bad about it, so he’s a lot more pleasant than some of the ones hanging around the Drowned District. We just have to figure out the right incentive to get him to stop, and then he can stay here until they aren’t trying to capture him, anymore. (I saw a cell in the Veil Jumpers’ camp. Not taking chances.)

Hopefully that’s fine with everyone. Will they be upset? I guess he can have the Fish Room if they don’t want him in the rest of the Lighthouse. I’ve slept in more uncomfortable places than the library.

I wonder if they think that I’ve never killed an innocent person. I heard Lucanis tell Davrin that he doesn’t believe he has, a while ago, and all I could think was that he was lucky. I guess if you’re the grandson of the First Talon, you don’t have to get your hands as dirty as the rest of us. (Or he was lying to appease Davrin. Don’t think he cared about Dav’s opinion at the time, though.)

Varric cares about protecting innocent people SO much. I have no idea why he wanted me to be his second. I don’t think he and I even share the same opinions about most things.

I did save him, but it could have been anyone being taken by the Antaam— he didn’t owe me anything more than anyone else. The rest of them just thanked me and ran off; I guess he maybe felt bad, since he was there when Viago kicked me out? But he didn’t have to leave me in charge.

I don’t like it. I wish he would hurry up and stop being injured. I would like to stop making decisions.

Should burn this. Especially if it’s not actually private. But maybe will ask Emmrich about it first?

Goodbye (forever?), journal