#i have like a dozen mini scenes i wrote and do nothin with bc i dont have a longer fic home for them currently (despite like 5 WIPS)

[maythedreadwolftakeyou]

thinkin bout the Lucanis in Teia's Armor Mod (edit: made by @emmavakarian-theirin!!) again and i can't draw comics so--

“Mireda,” Lucanis mutters as the chaos of battle recedes back to silence, and Rook glances over out of habit. He’s holding the shredded remains of his cape, and as he shakes it out, both the Venatori’s knife and severed hand tumble from the folds to the grass.

“Gross,” she comments, as he inspects the long slashes in the fabric.

“Spite got overenthusiastic. Just blood would have washed out, but now I’ll have to replace the fabric,” he complains. “And carry this around until we get back to the Lighthouse.”

“Just toss it over the edge,” Davrin suggests as he wipes down his own sword. “Maybe it’ll fall forever, or whatever lives beneath the Crossroads can eat it.”

“Do you think there’s monsters down there?” Rook asks, curious. “Just like, floating around?”

“I try not to think too hard about this place at all, Rook. Nothing here makes sense.”

Lucanis looks down at the fabric, considering, and begins to walk over to the gap between stone walls at the edge of the clearing, where the ground ceases and rocks tumble away into the Fade’s twisted sense of gravity. Rook watches him head away with a sudden intensity.

“Wow,” she says. “That cape really was hiding a lot.”

“Really, Rook?” Davrin rolls his eyes, and then also turns to watch as the assassin steps up to the edge, peering over. “Huh,” he amends a moment later. “Not wrong.”

“Do you think he’d notice if I threw away the rest of his capes, too?”

“He’s a Crow. He’s rich enough to have a different one for every day of the year. It might take you a while.” He pauses, and Rook can feel him turn to look at her. She keeps her own gaze on Lucanis, watching as he seems to debate whether or not to actually throw the blood-soaked bundle over the side. Why hadn’t she noticed before that his armor had so much leather hidden under the cloaks? They were far tighter than the trousers he wore at the lighthouse.

“You know, you’re not the only one I’ve caught admiring the view,” Davrin comments. “You are usually the one walking up front.” Rooks face and ears flush, and she knows he’s noticed by the way he elbows her side suggestively. “You’ve been spending a lot time with Lucanis lately.”

“Ah, well, you know me,” Rook tries to deflect. “I flirt with everyone. I flirt with you all the time. We all have our hobbies.” 

“You used to flirt with everyone,” Davrin corrects. “Lately you’ve seemed more… targeted in your pursuit.”

“Not that it’s doing me much good,” she confesses. Across the field, Lucanis seems to think better of the plan, and turns to head back with the cape still in his hands.

“See any monsters?” Rook calls.

“No, but I decided if there really was something down there, it’d be better not to give it my scent. Or blood, if any of mine made it on there.” He shakes his head as he rejoins their circle. “Back to the Lighthouse?”

“You’ve got some more Venatori blood on the back of your boot,” Davrin points out, and Lucanis twists to inspect the leather.

Rook shoots the warrior a pointed gaze, but he simply mouths a silent You’re welcome, as Lucanis pulls a handkerchief from his pocket and bends over to wipe the red flecks away before they dry. 

Rook pretends not to stare again.