Chapter Text
Chapter 1: Sweet Respite
The party is in full swing. Hosted by House Dellamorte, it is an extravagant affair. Every House has sent their highest ranked Crows to attend. Viridia had joined her Talon Viago because of her position as his second, and unbeknownst to the rest of the crowd as his plus one since he couldn’t publicly bring Andarateia.
Keeping close to her Talon is Viridia’s top priority, but her second one was a command given to her before they arrived. “Do not, for the love of Andraste, get involved with either of the Dellamorte heirs,” was Viago’s command and plea wrapped up into one.
Looking around the vast ballroom of the Dellamorte opera house, Viridia catches sight of the Dellamortes; the First Talon Caterina, her eldest grandson Lucanis and her youngest grandson, the one that caught her eye, Illario. The youngest Dellamorte briefly looks away from his current conversation partner and locks eyes with her before she looks away to focus on her Talon.
The Fifth Talon scowls at her, and Viridia winces, “apologies my Talon, I’ll be more on guard.” Nodding firmly, Viago turns away, “see that you do. Associating with the Dellamortes will only lead to death.” A welcome voice cuts in, “ah, Vi, let her look. Besides she doesn’t need to be on your coattails the entire night, let her have some fun for once.” Both De Riva’s turn and come face-to-face with Andarateia Cantori the Seventh Talon.
Sighing ruthfully, Viago nods in greeting, “Teia, you look as radiant as ever.” Mistress Cantori is dressed in a deep crimson silk gown, clinging to her in all the right places and revealing so much of her torso without being indecent. She hooks her arm through Viago’s arm to his grumbled annoyance, “Viridia dear, I have this grump. Go, enjoy the night. Maybe a strapping young man will sweep you off your feet.”
Making an outraged sound, Viago glares off into the middle distance, “better not be a damned Dellamorte. My second or not, that is unforgivable.” Teia sighs as she rolls her eyes and shoos Viridia away, “Vi, it’s not the end of the world if one of the boys earns her. Besides it might be only a single night without feelings.” He huffs and subsides, straightening his black silk cravat and patting out the creases in his navy velvet tailcoat.
Curtsying, Viridia wanders off, her gaze flitting around the ballroom as she avoids colliding with her fellow Crows. Finding a space to lean against the wall, she looks for her Talon and watches him with Teia. Jaw twitching as she overhears some nearby gossips, “I cannot believe the Fifth Talon would risk the reputation of his House by naming an elf as his second. And for him to flaunt a relationship with the Seventh Talon is completely out of character for that man.”
Scowling as she tests a wineglass for poison, Viridia doesn’t notice the person approaching until he speaks, “might I know the name of the De Riva second or should I worry about being poisoned?” She tenses, glancing to the side and sees the youngest Dellamorte, Illario, “what makes you think I want to talk Dellamorte?” Smirking he leans in, dropping his volume to a near whisper, “because you want to be distracted from your unrequited feelings for your Talon. I can help you forget him, even if it’s just for the evening.”
Eyeing him suspiciously, Viridia sips at her wine, “don’t think that I will be another conquest for you, Dellamorte.” Smiling charmingly, Illario offers his hand with a bow, “I would expect nothing less from House De Riva’s second.”
She finishes the glass and places it on the sideboard, taking his hand and letting him guide her onto the dancefloor. The music changes into a bolero-style song, the pair of them take their starting positions and slowly moving through the dance.
After one of the twirls that bring her close to him, he whispers, “don’t look now, your Talon is watching and glaring at me.” On the next move, Viridia glances around the room and catches sight of Viago’s disapproval, before she ends up facing Illario again for the final move and bow.
“It was a pleasure to dance with you, I hope your Talon isn’t to mad with you.” Viridia curtsies and leaves him, getting accosted by Viago on her way off the dancefloor, “what were you thinking idiota?! Dancing with the Lesser Dellamorte is a monumentally risky move. Beyond reckless of one who is my second.” She scoffs, “I told him that it means nothing. If he’s smart, he’ll stay away.”
Entering Viago’s office after the mess with the Antaam, Viridia clasps her hands behind her back, staring at his desk. Viago finishes his final page of paperwork and sits back in his chair, “you have ruined a much bigger Crow operation with your stunt with the Antaam. The First Talon has graciously allowed me to handle your punishment.”
Shifting on her feet, she winces momentarily, “I wasn’t being told anything. And I couldn’t do nothing when faced with their prisoners.” He scoffs, standing and pacing around his desk, “months of work between many Houses ruined in one night, by one Crow. The First Talon expects me to do the traditional punishment for such matters.”
She pales, jolting to look at him, “death? But I didn’t…” He holds a hand up and she trails off, “but I decided to exile you. Never return to House De Riva. There’s a final contract for you on the desk.”
Picking up the rolled parchment, Viridia’s hands shake, and Viago continues, “Oh and Viridia, there was never going to be an us in anyway more than Crow and Talon.” She swallows and bows, of course Talon De Riva.” She turns and leaves the room.
Standing in the hallway, Illario hids amongst the shadows when she leaves her Talon's office at the Diamond. Watching her, his heart breaks and the welts from the caning Caterina did, sting less than what he overheard. Knowing that if he pursues her, he is at risk of being hunted down like the Crowkiller.
He turns and walks away, his heart in pieces from loving her truly, and from what he did to get out of Lucanis's shadow. His actions sit heavy on his mind and guilt naws at his conscience.