Open Bar

[unheiring]

[Luca has spent a few days grappling with the concept of death. Again.

He didn't know Vash, but he knew people that knew him. Ain and Livio, two people Luca would call friends, cared for him. And Joshua, who had already lost so much, had loved Dion.

It's hard to deal with. Hard to swallow. And though Luca has made so much progress on himself, he still doesn't know how to handle grief like this.

So he does the only thing he can think to do.]

Free drinks. All month.
Food too.
... We shouldn't be alone right now.
Again.

Comments

[unheiring]

[Luca stops short on his way back over to her (No, he didn't actually think she was after liquor). He stares at the jewelry she holds out, before bringing himself to take one step, then another, toward her.

He stops short, however, and quickly turns away.]

Just a second. They're great, don't get me wrong, just. Wait.

[His voice sounds strangely flustered, almost sheepish, as he turns and bolts up the stairs. Thankfully, he's back before long, with a pair of rose-quartz adorned bracelets in hand.]

I... saw something similar in the shop recently. They allow us to communicate with one another across distances and... pick up if something is wrong.

[He holds one out to her.]

A trade, perhaps?

[cryopathy]

[even with his reassurances, kiera worries, in the time it takes him to leave and return, that they have overstepped. if he'd taken much longer, honestly, she might have chickened out and fled. but what he brings is... flattering, and humbling, all the same.

kiera tries to pretend they didn't just make a pitiful sound in the back of their throat, as they accept the bracelet and replace it with an amulet.

for all of their life as siblings, kiera has always assumed that she cared about luca far more than he did her. not because he ever rejected her, but simply because... she's damaged. dangerous. untrustworthy. who in their right mind would love her? think of her in matters of sentimentality, affection?

luca does. he still does. he always has.

she laughs, quiet and choked, as she turns the bracelet in her hand, allowing the light to catch the crystal.]

We both picked out one another's colors.

[unheiring]

[Under different circumstances, Luca might have ignored the the noise she makes. However, when he hears the whisper of her voice, without the movement of her lips, he knows he can't sweep it under the rug. It's probably just his own head, making assumptions on her part but... it's enough to twist his heart.

He takes a step forward, regardless of the way she inspects the bracelet, and wraps his arms tightly around her. Affection time, bitch.]

We're both damaged, you know. Difficult to deal with. Scarred up from what we've been through. But I still love you. I'll always love you.

[He leans back and gives her an awkward smile.]

I wanted something that would remind me of you. I assume it's the same for you?

[He does start to take the brooch but... stops short.]

Would you help me put it on?

[cryopathy]

[ah. this, again. kiera... would rather luca never be privy to these horrid, innermost thoughts. she knows he's prone to blaming himself, and to cause him additional pain is nightmarish. but also, it's... terrifying, being known.

but in the end, if she had to choose, there's no one she would rather bare her entire soul to.]

I'll always love you, as well. [their voice is so pitifully quiet, so often, these days. it's humiliating.]

I wanted to be able to protect you, even when we aren't close by. Additional ways for you to defend yourself, or to hide, to flee...

[despite everything, she smiles when he asks for help. tenderly takes the amulet in her hands and pins it wherever he directs her to do so, then laughs once more.]

You know how I feel about hearts. But I somehow find this tolerable.

[unheiring]

[He doesn't love how feeble their voice is, but he knows this is hard on them. The fact that they've reciprocated is enough for him. Hell, if they'd even looked at him and nodded, he would have taken it.]

I... admit the idea of flying with Polaris is most tempting of all. [He does chew on his lip for a moment though.] Be careful with the flame. It can protect you, but I know you fear it. That's when it's most dangerous.

But... hopefully the healing helps.

[He pats the amulet when it's all said and done and gives them a smile.]

Glad to know I'm the only one that holds your heart. I don't think I would be any good at giving your partners the talk.

[cryopathy]

[they can't help but smile in return, especially as they fasten their own amulet next to cyrus' broach.]

Most Castillans who learn to take a bird form choose something like a raven. [fucking edgelords.] It is one of the few things I'm grateful for, as far as those... talents go. I hope you enjoy it.

[they don't know when they'll be in the right mental state, if ever, to summon flame, but... who knows? maybe one day it will be of use to them. it's comforting, at the very least, to have a piece of luca on hand.]

Hah! I can promise you, you will never be obligated. Lucky you!

[unheiring]

[Luca studies the amulet where it settles. There's a hint of melancholy there, but in the same breath, it feels right to see. Kiera had at least embraced Cyrus's love. Hopefully this was a step in the direction of her accepting Luca's love in kind.]

I much prefer your form. Subtle, but still strong.

[In any case, Luca tilts back and laughs. Hard. It feels good. Some of the ache in his chest, the subtle one that had been present since the loss of Clive and the breakup with Zahliya, eases.]

[cryopathy]

That's because unlike those brainless nobles, I know when to peacock and when to blend in. [they give a wink and a hearty laugh, themself. it is so unbelievably nice to see luca in good spirits. even if it may be temporary, even if it's bittersweet in a way... luca is so insistent that the boy he used to be is gone, but in moments like this, kiera knows he's still in there. he just isn't all of who luca is anymore. he's become more.

in turn, kiera clasps the rose quartz bracelet on themself. it'll take some getting used to, but they do love shiny things. guess they have a little bit of corvid brain, after all!]

[unheiring]

You? Know how to be subtle?

[His mouth parts in faux shock, expression bordering on scandalized. Never has he heard of such a thing!

But he settles as he watches her clasp that bracelet on. He does the same with his own, now adequately equipped with their respective gifts. It feels... right.]

Can you hear me, then?

[cryopathy]

[kiera gives one curt, uncharacteristically loud laugh. her tone is still plenty playful, though.]

I ought to pluck you for that.

[once the link is established, there's... quite a bit of fear. their deepest self being laid bare, their darkest secrets and innermost thoughts. but there's overwhelming love underneath it, a desire to be close despite the horror of being known. and so much relief that the sentiment appears to be returned.]

Beasts, I certainly hope we can extinguish the thought-link at will. Can you imagine having to listen to my every thought, all day?

[unheiring]

[Luca takes a very pointed step back, namely before the flood of emotion starts. He will swat at her if she even so much as reaches for a feather.

Still, once those emotions flood in, he's very quick to take that step back toward her. He doesn't crowd her, of course. He gives her space, even as his eyes prickle with ashamed tears. They aren't his own. It's just his own natural reaction to such strong feeling.

In kind, Kiera will feel trepidation, the intrinsic knowledge that only a sibling can have. This is hard on her, and he knows it. But with it comes both love and acceptance. This is Kiera, his sister, and he will never pull away from her again.]

I'm not so much worried about your thoughts but what you might feel at certain times. Provided, of course, you are ever able to bed someone again. How is that dry streak going, sister dear?

[The impish rush of mischief cannot be understated.]