#apprentice aveana

[devoraakss]

I was able to commission ashpyreArt over on twitter for my apprentice and Lucio!!!! I'm absolutely thrilled with it and you guys have to go check out their stuff!!

[schaaadenfreude]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

a birthday gift for @devoraakss! i hope you like it!!!

“’Veana!”

Aveana studiously ignored Lucio’s singsong voice calling her name. It was rarely a good sign when he sounded that smug.

“Aaveeeaaaanaaaaaa~!” He was close now, close enough that she knew he saw her. But, in true Lucio form, he just kept calling her name. Even started singing, too. “Little bird, little bird, the wily virago no one can tame~”

Oh hell no, he wasn’t. “Sing one more phrase of that song and I’ll–”

The cool glide of metallic fingers up the back of her neck made Aveana cut herself off with a shudder and a soft noise, not quite loud enough to be a moan. “You’ll what?” Lucio purred into her ear. And when she didn’t immediately respond, he chuckled, knowing how the wash of his breath over her ear would affect her.

“Are you done here? I have something to show you.”

Didn’t that sound swell. “What is it?”

“You’ll see, little bird. You’ll see.” Without waiting for Aveana to respond, Lucio grabbed her chair and pulled it away from the desk. In another swift movement, he had her by the arm and whirled her up into his arms, where she couldn’t avoid looking into his grinning face.

That grin did things to her. Aveana slipped out of his grip and hoped the heat she felt rushing to her face didn’t show up in a blush. It was a vain hope. “Fine. Where is this thing you want to show me?”

“This way!” He took her by the arm and towed her, will she, nill she, through the palace. They passed his quarters, they passed the lesser audience chambers, and finally drew up to the big double-doors that led into the big ballroom. Aveana thought she heard people, lots of people, on the other side. Had she missed the memo about some ball Lucio had decided to throw?

Before she could decide how to feel, Lucio threw the doors open. As soon as they did, a band Aveana vaguely noted at the back of the room struck up a lively song with a familiar tune – the one Lucio had sung minutes before.

The rest of the ballroom was decked in shades of gold, red, and tyrian purple. Two banquet tables dominated either of the long sides of the room; one was laden with food, and the other with parcels of all shapes and sizes. The cleared space in the center of the ballroom was populated by dozens of people, some of whom Aveana recognized. All were bedecked in their festive finest, as if this was the Midwinter Ball and not some unremarkable day in May.

While Aveana was busy gaping, Lucio towed her into the room and up to the shimmering gold and crimson shape next to the gift-laden table. “I knew you wouldn’t have gotten dressed in anything special today, so I had this made for you,” Lucio told her, gesturing grandly to the dress on display. It was cut scandalously low in the front and back, fell to the floor and then some, with slits all the way up to the hips to allow her to move. “Happy birthday, Aveana.”

Either she was going to rip Lucio a new one for pulling this on her, or…

“Veana?”

His trademark shit-eating grin made Aveana flush all the deeper. “You didn’t need to do this.”

“Of course I did.” His expression slid quickly into a scowl. “It’s your birthday.”

Reflexively, she glanced at the crowd of people still milling about the room and noted with a little thrill of relief that no one was looking at them currently. “But did you have to do all this? In public?!”

“’Veana,” Lucio sighed, curling his right hand under her chin.

She jerked her head out of his grasp. “This isn’t something everyone needs to be in on!” At the near-frantic tone in her own voice, Aveana tried not to wince.

“’Veana.” Now Lucio sounded almost angry. She finally focused on his face. The scowl had softened into a frown. “They,” he waved absently toward the room, “don’t matter except to make this more amusing. If you want them gone, I’ll throw them all out.”

“That’s not…” She sucked in a deep breath and tried to calm down.

Both his hands wrapping around her upper arms made her reopen her eyes. “Come on, little bird. At least try on the dress and open your presents.”

[ali-the-bard]

This is @devoraakss ‘s apprentice, Aveana!

She’s a gal with a thing for Lucio. I love her design! 💕

Want me to draw your apprentice? Drop me a ref!

[boociforme]

a gift for @devoraakss ! i love aveana and how they write lucio mmm good stuff

[dreamyarcana]

Aveana/Lucio Headcanons

for the lovely @devoraakss

> Aveana sings to Lucio softly when he’s having a hard time and makes sure she brings some white roses for him.

> When alone together, Lucio greets his little bird with a kiss on the cheek.

> Lucio loves it with Aveana wears the color red and wears very revealing clothing

> He tries his best to pepper her with affection, but probably comes off as overly aggressive sometimes, tbh

> If they snuggle, Lucio plays with Aveana’s hair. She teaches him how to braid and sometimes he braids it 

> Can I say Veronica and JD from Heathers

> Lucio teaches Aveana how to sword fight one day because she wants to learn. They spar frequently.

> When they’re in a relationship for a long time, both of them start to open up to each other; once they start spending time with each other, they talk more and more and learn more about each other

> They probably bet against each other. Talk about friendly competition.

> Aveana’s the little spoon and Lucio’s the big spoon, typically.

> Lucio would never, ever admit it but Aveana’s his kryptonite - he’d do anything for her.

[nadia-satrinava]

Aveana/Ellis angst

Aveana belongs to the amazing and perfect @devoraakss

"Aveana..." Ellis murmured, brushing her fevered cheek and observing her red eyes that were full of disease. His hazel eyes were concerned and saddened at the inevitable death that was looming over like a storm cloud.

"I...I'm fine." The blue and gold eyed apprentice turned away, swallowing hard and coughing. She hadn't come back to be pitied - she came back to say goodbye, to save Ellis from my heartbreak. "I'm sorry, but we can't be together. Not while I'm like this." Shaking her head, she started to walk away.

Suddenly, she felt the blonde apprentice take her hand. Alarmed, she turned around only to feel his cool lips on her own. Ellis weaved his fingers in her hair, feeling the waves and pulled back for breathe.

"I don't want you to leave - I want you to stay with me as long as you're here living." His eyes pleaded before he cupped her chin and wrapped his other arm around her waist.

"Please, Aveana."

[devoraakss]

Some uh... doodles of my Devil!mc au I made, featuring my mc Aveana as the Devil... and um. She loves her Lucio.

Bonus: he was a good boy so he gets a treat

[schaaadenfreude]

arcana fic masterpost

i might as well put all these in one place and hope i remember to update it. putting it under a cut to save space and also bc a lot of them are nsfw. arranged in order of pairing, more or less.

fics with nonspecific MCs:

uncomfortable: Portia x MC. Portia returns from her duties to find the apprentice sleeping in a rather awkward place. sfw tho it gets a little spicy.

vampire AU: as the title implies. MC finds themself at the mercy of powerful vampire Nadia. i might continue this if only bc Nadia is so damn fun to write. sfw.

Nadia bath ask: as the title implies. nothing explicit, but it’s pretty nsfw.

starry-eyed Asra ask: as the title implies. sfw.

merc!Lucio: not being a brat for once. for an ask. sfw.

did you know: Asra x apprentice Dane. nsfw. some soft body-worship with a transman apprentice. 

light bondage ask: Nadia x MC. spicy enough to call it nsfw.

Nadia ask: Nadia x MC. Nadia enjoys teasing MC. sfw.

fics with others’ OCs:

killer king: Lucio x apprentice Evelyn. a very nsfw encounter with Lucio being a bratty sub. 

bath talk: Nadia x apprentice Emirion. a take on the bath scene in Book 8. sfw.

happy birthday: Lucio x apprentice Aveana. it’s Aveana’s birthday and in true Lucio form, the celebration is extravagant. sfw.

garbage: Lucio x apprentice Adelaide. nsfw. Adelaide enjoys sassing His Majesty.

holy: Nadia x apprentice Alex. nsfw. technically an AU, not that you can tell easily. Alex greets Nadia when she gets home from work.

cave scene: Asra x Alex. a nsfw addition to the scene in the lisa frank cave. feat: dfab Asra.

fics with Kye:

missing you: Julian x Kye. Kye has taken responsibility for Lucio’s murder, much to Julian’s distress. sfw. to be continued soon.

give me a love: Julian x Kye. a direct continuation of missing you. nsfw due to mentions of blood and injury. part 2 of ???

get off the island: part 3 of that ^ series. sfw.

another Nadia ask: Nadia x Kye. in which Nadia has a nightmare and Kye comforts her. sfw.

so beautiful: Nadia + my apprentice Kye. set shortly before the beginning of the Chariot book; in which Nadia is convinced to wear Kye’s clothes to blend in. may be continued later; i want to at least explore more of the events in her route. sfw.

words: Julian x Kye. some sappy confessions of feelings. nothing explicit, but it’s spicy so let’s call it nsfw.

untitled: Julian x Kye. some self-indulgent fluff in which Julian finds a stray dog. sfw. might continue eventually.

all-nighter ask: Julian x Kye. vaguely fluffy, sfw.

guilt trip: Asra x Julian x Kye for which i am The Biggest Sucker. some angst when Kye relapses into catatonia. part 1 of 2 posted, may be continued later. sfw.

trust issues: Asra x Julian x Kye. part 2 of ?? of the catatonic Kye storyline. sfw.

also untitled: Asra x Julian x Kye. more self-indulgent fluff in which they flirt a little. sfw.

emptiness: implied Asra x Kye. another angsty ‘bad end’ scenario, this time after Kye has died and left a spectre on the Lazaret. sfw as long as you don’t mind some slightly disturbing imagery. 

Asrian:  

little touches: Asra x Julian. nsfw. Asra plays with Julian and they both enjoy it a lot. part 1 of 2, followed immediately by:

aftercare: Asra x Julian. a direct continuation of little touches. sfw. a short-lived tickle fight followed by some much needed discussion.

lies we tell ourselves: Asra x Julian. nsfw, more than a lil angsty. just exploring that relationship and the feelings therein a bit.

Julian pairings:

an ask: Julian x apprentice Timo, in which a transman apprentice gets some lovin’. nsfw.

Nadia pairings:

quality Nadia ask: in which Nadia is surprised by the apprentice after a bad day. sfw.

Nadia x Julian ask: pretty nsfw. i want to continue this even tho it’s not a pairing i’m usually about. hhhhhh

“can i choke you:” an ask feat; Nadia x Portia. nsfw tho not terribly explicit.

no particular pairing: 

angst: Asra pining after MC. sfw. 

temper tantrum: exploring the possibility that Kye was the mage responsible for Lucio’s arm. sfw.

Nadia ask: Nadia giving herself some much-deserved pampering. nsfw

[devoraakss]

Pinup of my apprentice Aveana, she loves dressing up for her count ;)

Let's play tumblr roulette n see if this gets flagged also click for better quality >:(

[devoraakss]

I FINALLY DID AVEANA IN THE ARCANA STYLE AND GAVE HER A GRIMOIRE PAGE!!!! I'm so proud of this it's insane, huge thanks to the devs for Portias new Sprite with her hair down so I could use it as a reference 😪😪😪

[devoraakss]

Maybe tumblr will actually let me post it this time! I Commissioned the lovely @basedmoni over on Twitter to draw my darling Aveana!!!!! Please go support her and her work, shes perfection!

[devoraakss]

Reunions of this kind are the sweetest, aren't they? Aveana changed her look, and hey, so did Julian!

I referenced howl and Sophie for this because ofc I did. The parallels are UNMISTAKABLE and I LOVE it. Bg from the game!

[devoraakss]

I ADORE your writing! I don’t know if you’re taking prompts right now but I would die if you wrote a “moving around while kissing, stumbling over things, pushing each other back against the wall” type of passionate kiss for Lucio/Aveana!

oh no my weakness, fuck me 

ft. Lucio’s Non-Canonical Upright ending (I made it vague on purpose, so I don’t have to change it or edit it if we do get his route.)

It was… difficult, for everyone involved. The disaster that was the masquerade, shattering the Devil’s bonds and freeing those involved, disrupting the ritual… But it worked out in the end. Aveana had gone on the journey to the Devil’s realm alone, armed with the energy and hope of her friends and loved ones behind her and the power of her magic, renewed by the truth of her missing past and the hope for a brighter future. 

But the hardest part was telling the truth of her feelings. The disbelief from her friends, the heartbreak from the most trusted of them– But she couldn’t deny her heart, even after all that had transpired. She loved Lucio, the Ex-Count and insufferable disaster himself. She broke the chains the Devil had bound him with, returning her to her body and giving Lucio the body he had lost three years ago.

It was overwhelming, almost. Suddenly being physical again, everything she couldn’t feel between worlds rushing her senses all at once. The energy and excitement that Lucio’s entire aura emanated was captivating and lacked the dizzying sickly feeling it had when she had first arrived and encountered him.

 In the middle of the ballroom, he had looked at her with silver eyes, untainted by red for the first time in forever, rose to his feet slowly… before he rushed her towards her. 

Asra started to call out to her, Muriel startling from beside him and for once looking ready to fight, Nadia and Portia too. Julian nearly ran to her, tripping over himself– 

And Lucio kissed her breathless. 

The world disappeared from around her, silence falling over them. Nothing registering but the hand on her waist, the cool metal on her cheek, the soft lips against her own. She returned the affection without noise or complaint, heart hammering against her chest.

Lucio would have gotten carried away, if not for the sound of someone clearing their throat behind her, and it shocked her out of her momentary bliss. 

Aveana felt the heat rise to her cheeks as she broke the kiss, but Lucio’s arm around her waist didn’t leave, and she didn’t step away from him. 

a woman in a carved wooden mask in the visage of a cheetah separated from the crowd, dressed in fur pelts that draped over her form like armor, a spear at her side… icy blonde hair tumbling down her back and shoulders. Dread fills in the pit of her stomach as the similarities between the woman and Lucio click in her head. Oh, gods, is that his– 

“We’ll have all the time to do that and talk about what happened here after that Devil is dealt with.” Her voice is firm, but her gaze doesn’t leave Aveana. Maybe she was amused but it was impossible to tell behind the mask. What parts of her expression could be seen never wavered. It was unnerving. 

But she was right. 

No one asked any questions, thankfully, but Asra’s gaze was pained every time he looked at her. She knew she had to explain… but not now. With the power of Asra and his parents, alongside Muriel and Nadia, Aveana had entered the Devils realm. 

There was no shortage of shit talking from him, the Major Arcana mocking her feelings– time and time again he attempted to chain her, trap her into making a deal, and time and time again she rebutted his proposals, waiting for the time to strike. 

“I tire of your meddling, Fool!” the Devil snarls, lifting a hand to summon chains from the sides of the room, moving like snakes to grab her– 

Aveana raised a hand, a pulse of white, opalescent energy surging from her gesture, making the chains shriek and clatter. 

“As do I.” 

She focuses her energy in front of her, all she can muster, blinding energy building and making the chains recede further. Cracks of white light burn and appear over her skin– just a little longer– She shuts her eyes and flings all that energy towards the Devil, the shrieking of chains and the Devil himself filling the room before… 

Nothing but light. 

When Aveana woke, she was in the middle of the Devil’s realm. the hellish red walls had turned into smooth, polish marble, the entirety of the realm having changed from a literal hell into… something calmer, and in the center of it all, a grey marble statue of the Devil, radiating malice and frozen in a scream of agony, head turned to the skies. 

After that… it was easier to confront the problems back home. Asra was… understandably heartbroken, but they agreed to still remain friends… so long as whenever she came to visit him and Muriel, Lucio stayed home. 

Nadia was a bit less understanding, though her ire was directed at Lucio rather than Aveana… which made her more pleased than she would care to admit. Aveana understood her want to exile Lucio from Vesuvia, and a small part of that was still upset that she had died from the plague agreed with Nadia… But she was ready to accept exile with him, until the woman from before spoke once more. 

“I believe I can offer a solution.” She removed her mask, looking at it almost annoyed before her attention turned to Lucio. “I did come here for a reason, after all.” 

Lucio shrunk back when her gaze landed on him, looking guiltier than she had ever seen him, taking a step behind Aveana as if to hide from the woman’s gaze… though, it was futile, as aveana stood at 5′2″ and Lucio was at least 8 inches taller than her. 

“Morga, was it? that’s what the Devil called you.” 

The woman gives Nadia a respectful nod. “Yes… M–” she pauses, lips quirking up in a slight smile. “…Lucio is my son.” the way she says his name makes Aveana quirk a brow in confusion. 

“Momma, please…” Lucio groans softly, covering his face with his metal hand. Morga remains seemingly amused, but says nothing more to him, turning her gaze to Nadia once more. 

“I want to bring him home. I see no reason why that should change… and I welcome the addition of his… friend as well. She seems capable of holding her own quite well.” Morga speaks, sounding a bit sad as she begins, before her tone returns to the mild amusement she had previously, icy gaze finally settling on Aveana.  

Nadia shakes her head. “I don’t care where he goes, so long as he doesn’t come back to my city. ever. again.” She enunciates the last few words, glaring pointedly at Lucio cowering behind Aveana. 

Morga says nothing, looking to her son. 

Lucio looks up from his embarrassing attempt at hiding, cheeks flushed red and lips twisted in a pout, glancing at Morga. “What?!” 

She levels him with a firm glare, and he glares right back, face flushing darker, but he doesn’t seem to want to fight with her. 

“Oh, for–UGH- Fine! Yes, yes, I won’t ever come back, you’ll never see me again! Never shall I again set foot in Vesuvia, yadda, yadda….” he grumbles, resting his chin on Aveana’s shoulder. 

Aveana cuts her eyes at him, jabbing him in the side with a finger. “She’s giving you another chance, stop being a dick about it.” her voice is cutting and stern and knocks the shame right into him. He sheepishly straightens his posture, scratching at the back of his neck and looking down at the floor, rightly scolded. 

When he continues to say nothing, Aveana nudges him again and he mutters something, glaring at her half-heartedly… before he sighs and turns to Nadia properly.

“………Thank you……… Nadia……” 

Nadia looks at him, unconvinced, but the tension in her shoulders eases just the slightest. “Don’t thank me yet…” she steps towards him, offering her hand to him. He frowns, looking puzzled, staring at her hand before looking at her face. She looks at him expectantly, so, ever so slowly… he takes her hand. 

As he does, she pulls him towards her, grip on his hand crushingly tight and her other hand clapping him on the shoulder. she speaks to him, quietly enough so only he can hear–

“If you hurt her… in any way, I will hunt you down, and I will kill you. I promise you that.” 

She steps back and releases him, smiling almost kindly. “Well then,” she turns to Aveana, a type of fondness returning to her gaze. “You should pack if you intend to go with them. Do you need someone to look after the shop while you are away?” 

Aveana glances at Asra, briefly, before she shakes her head… “Ah…I don’t think so… But, thank you, Nadia… really.” 

Nadia smiles, giving her a sincere and gentle hug. “You never need to thank me, my friend. I hope you are making the right choice.”

She smiles, returning the hug as she fights the tears behind her eyes. “I am.”  

They stood on a tall hill, below them the city of Vesuvia, shining in the sunlight. Their horses slowed to a stop, Morga glancing to her side at her son. “I… I am glad to see you again, Monty,” she says, slowly. She gently sets a hand on his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze before she spurs her horse to move once more. “Don’t linger behind too long. I won’t wait for you two.” 

Lucio watches his mother trot ahead, suddenly nervous when he hears a burst of giggles. his head snaps back to Aveana, a blush rising to color his cheeks. “What?! What’s so funny?!” 

“’Monty’?” Aveana sits behind him, arms wrapped around his waist, her hair tied back in an intricate style his mother helped with– it caught him by surprise, seeing a familiar style like that on her was… pleasing. 

He quickly shakes his head, turning back to look at the road ahead and nudging their horse to move. “Stop laughing… It’s… a nickname.” 

Aveana smiles, resting her head against his back as they move, watching the city shrink smaller and smaller into the distance. “Sure, whatever you say… Monty.” 

Lucio groans and Aveana just laughs, their path taking them towards a brighter, happier future… for both of them. 

~~

SO I GOT TOO CARRIED AWAY AND OFF TOPIC OF THE PROMPT BUT I GUARANTEE THAT HAPPENED WHEN THEY GOT TO LIKE. AN INN OR SOMETHING. IDK BUT ENJOY K THAMKS 

[devoraakss]

After binding the Devil, Aveana found peace, a new sense of purpose. She knew the truth and just like that, it was as if the entire world was at her finger tips. The Devil gave her a little scar to remember him by, but that was about it!

She is excited about planning her and Nadia's honeymoon to Prakra, and can't wait to see what's left in store for her life.

(Bg from the game again cuz I suck at backgrounds and am lazy)

[devoraakss]

Masquerade anyone? trying to kick some shit and this was born. enjoy. 

---

Aveana was, for lack of a better word, stunned. How was it even appropriate for someone to look that gorgeous?! She could only stare as Nadia stepped out from behind the changing screen, her eyes wide and mouth agape.

“You… wow.”

Nadia laughed, a perfect sound that had Aveana weak in the knees. “I take it from your expression that I look stunning.” Aveana can only nod, her mouth screwing into a grin when her sense comes back to her. “You look radiant, Nadia.”

“Such high praise…” Nadia muses, smiling as she walks closer and runs her hand along Aveana’s cheek. “But don’t think i’ve forgotten about you, my love, if im radiant then you must absolutely shine. I will have nothing less for you.”

Aveana blinked, shocked. “Me? I um…” she recalled Nadia mentioning how she loved to spoil her… and while it made Aveana feel strange, it made Nadia happy… and being a little spoiled wasn’t so bad. “A-alright.”

Nadia’s smile makes her heart stop and she can’t stop her own smile, happiness was contagious around Nadia… something Aveana hadn’t felt in a long time.

Nadia moves across the room to pluck a carefully wrapped package from her armoire, and as she approaches Aveana with it in her hands, the magician spies the fabric beneath the wrapping. It looked… bright. Almost alive. A delicate mask of red and orange feathers sits on top, and the small rubies around the eyes are more expensive than anything Aveana has ever touched, let alone wore.

Unveiling the dress, Aveana is further stunned into speechlessness. Nadia only smiles, amused, as she helps the other woman into the rich fabric.

Feathers of red and orange with gold dust scattered on them envelope the bodice, giving the appearance of wings wrapping around her chest, gold and white fabric make up the skirt, starting solid around her waist and getting sheer as it goes down. The same fabric drapes over her arms, but this is enchanted, she can tell, to take on the appearance of flames as she walks. Nadia helps with her hair, pulling it away from her face and making a braided crown, twined with threads of red and orange ribbon, and letting the rest fall in a clean waterfall down her back. The scene feels strangely intimate, and Aveana can’t help but wonder if one day… every morning will be like this. Helping each other dress for the day…

Nadia gives her shoulder a soft tap when she’s done, pleased with her work. Aveana turns, and Nadia presents the mask, carefully and gently adorning her face with it. The red feathers at the top swoop back to give the appearance of a tailfeather, a small black beak follows the bridge of her nose, and the rubies around the eyes make the gold and blue of her own stand out--almost like they are glowing.

“Ah. Perfect.” Nadia’s voice is hushed, almost reverent, and she turns Aveana by the shoulders to look in the mirror.

Together, the both of them are actually stunning. Nadia in her owl regalia and Aveana… a phoenix. Her cheeks flush, and she smiles up at nadia.

“Well, don’t we look like quite the pair.” Nadia purrs in her ear and she can’t help the shiver that rolls down her spine.

“We could kill with these looks.”

Aveana’s comment makes Nadia laugh, the countess’ hands leaving her shoulders to instead take her hand. “True, though i would like to avoid another murder.”

The magician chuckles and when portia knocks this time, they are ready. Aveana holds her head high as she walks out by Nadia’s side, a true, genuine smile on her face…

Someone would be jealous.

[devoraakss]

a little something to vent and also break my writers block that has been dragging on for weeks. who fucking knew family was so draining 

The silence that drags between them is like salt on his wounds, it makes his bones scream and his pride rage. Aveana sits by the window, her eyes cast to the rain, her hands folded in her lap like she were a proper lady of the courts--she might have been, if she weren’t as inherently gifted in magic as she was, if she hadn’t been sold off like some kind of cattle, if he hadn’t saved her. And this was how she repaid him, silence, in his hour of need?! It was bad enough that that stupid doctor and spiteful magician couldn’t help him, but now they had turned his little bird against him! Lucio, powerful and unbreakable, reduced to… to this. Pathetic, lifeless, practically a corpse already. “Why must you sit there like that?” he demands, voice seething quiet rage, a snake in the grass ready to strike. “Like what?” Her voice replies, as calm and collected as ever, yet her eyes still never rise to meet his. Was she sickened by him? Were the plague ridden red of his eyes too much to bear? Lucio forces himself to his feet, stumbling, grabbing onto the post of the bed before he fell. “Look at me dammit!” His voice is louder now, a sickly wheeze following his words. He looked like a shell, a hollow of a man. She lets out a sigh, tired and ghostly, she sounds broken, beaten, cut to the very core of her being. He can’t find himself to care, he was the one dying, she had no right to be worse off than he did. When she still does not rise to meet his gaze he yells in frustration, rage. He moves, grabbing the nearest thing off the mantle and throwing it in her direction. The glass vase shatters mere inches from her face and she jumps, her eyes flickering shut as her chest rises with a sharp intake of breath. “Why do you taunt me so?! You stay here, yet you do not speak to me, do not even look at me! Do i frighten you? Is my sickly visage too much for you to bear, my dear?” His voice stings with the razor of a lover scorned, a last desperate cry for her to fly to him, kiss his wounds and heal his heart. But one cannot heal what isn’t there, and Aveana’s magic only goes skin deep. “Do you even love me anymore?!” Lucio screams at her, pushing for her to do something, strike at him like he knew she could. But she didn’t. The witch rose from her seat, hands still clasped neatly in front of her, her expression unchanging, but her gaze sad and filled with an unshed ocean of tears. She doesn’t say a word as she walks to the door. That only makes his anger boil hotter in his veins, and he’s too weak to flail for another thing to throw. He’s helpless but to watch her on weakened, shaking legs. Yet he refuses to back down, remaining firmly put, metal hand gripping the bedpost so tight the wood groans. “Do NOT walk away from me! Answer me Aveana!” he curses himself, his voice breaking on her name. There was a strange feeling in his chest that had him writhing on the inside, a terrible fear snatching him by the throat. Because she turns, and her gaze finally meets his, and he knows the answer; plain as day. “I don’t know.” is her voice, like tart berries, sweet lilac… and then she’s gone, shutting the door behind her, and Lucio allows himself to crumble. Falling to his knees like a broken man, and the feeling in his chest made him scream in rage… because that’s exactly what he was.