*[as he starts to open it, the box shakes a little, making him pull back. What in Andraste's name had Illario done now?]*

*[carefully, he cuts open the box with his knife and opens it. His eyes widen when he sees a baby wyvern looking up at him expectantly.]*

How did...!? Illario??

*[opens the door and is met with a large box blocking his way. Only one person would go this over the top for his birthday.]*

Rio? *[he glances around, knowing he's there somewhere, but then decides to open the box.]*

Still older than you, cousin... 🫩

Why are you like this, cousin? 🫩

But... happy birthday. Here's to a year of freedom and healing. Maker knows it's long overdue.

*[Spite grins at the pats]* <𝐘𝐞𝐬! 𝐍𝐨 𝐨𝐧𝐞! 𝐆𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐞! 𝐋𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬. 𝐈𝐬. 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐞!>

*[Lucanis shakes his head affectionately at Spite's protectiveness]*

*[He glances away in shame for the Crows at his question]* Certainly before... yes. Either you died, or you trained the next generation. Anyone who tried to leave...

*[he shakes his head]* But not anymore. My cousin wished to leave to be with his partner, and I'm not going to take that from him.
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Precisely. Until now, my whole life has been a path chosen for me.

I intend to break that cycle. I may not be well-liked for it among certain Crow families, but having a demon does help deter many attempts on my life.

<𝐍𝐨 𝐨𝐧𝐞! 𝐇𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐦𝐲 𝐋𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬!>

That is another practice I am trying to extinguish. The Crows aren't a life I would force upon anyone. Not again.

I have learned that my mother didn't want this life for me. She should have been able to make that choice... to give ME a choice.

I've missed you, too, cousin.

<𝐁𝐮𝐭! 𝐖𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐰𝐢𝐜𝐞!> *[Spite throws a potato at Illario]*

*[pinches the bridge of his nose]* Sorry... Spite is a bit... stir crazy.

*[Spite throws another potato at Envy]*

Thank you, Cole. That is my goal-- to transform the Crows into what they should be. United. No more infighting. No more tearing families apart.

Perhaps it is naive of me, but I don't want another child to suffer as I did.

Not as curious as you it seems 😒

Name one.

He wasn't sure what to say. Socializing and comforting were never his strong suits, even with those he was close to.

He wanted to see her smile again.

"I... yes, thank you." He mentally cursed himself that THAT was the only thing he could think to say. "It smells absolutely divine."

And they had only just met.

Spite's eyes glanced curiously between the two as he tried to follow the emotions flowing between them.

Her shift in demeanor as she turned away was not lost on him. As if her words of kindness and affirmation meant for him did not reach back to herself.
+

Lucanis tensed momentarily when she touched him, but it passed quickly as she spoke. His shoulders relaxed, and he watched her in wonder as her words washed over him like a gentle tide warmed by the sun.

No one had ever said anything like that to him before. Had SEEN him so clearly before.
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