anothercontinuity | (no subject)

Not gonna lecture me, are you? [ tony mutters into his cup without raising his eyes. he should he more respectful to the guy who's taken him in and helped best he can, but right then tony can't seem to bring himself to care. ]

[ He gives a half-shrug. ]

Would it make a difference?

[ If Tony had disappeared, he'd have gone looking for him. But he hasn't, and here they are. ]

Probably not.

[ tony finally meets lucanis's eyes, more a roll of his head, lax as can be while slouched back into the couch. ]

So. Where do I find a job?

[ There is a finality there that says his efforts of finding a way home are at an end, at least for now. Lucanis has his own leads he is following, but he does not imagine waiting for news will improve Tony's state of mind. ]

Mm. That depends. Do you have something particular in mind? You do not seem the sort for menial labor.

I can build--things. [ a hitch to his speech there; tony was about to say something else. looking away, he waves a hand. ] Fix things. Anything mechanical. I doubt Thedas has anything I can't crack.

Mechanical? Hm.

[ The coffee swirls lightly in his mug before he takes a slow, thoughtful sip. ]

We could use someone looking over the mechanical aspects of the ziplines we keep along the rooftops. We've been spread a little thin as of late, and less glamorous matters like simple maintenance may suffer for it.

I'm sure the other Crows would be grateful for someone helping to keep them in the air and off the streets.

You mean the other assassins?

[ the way tony emphasizes assassins speaks of his distaste for them. not great enough to leave their estate and care, no, and at the time and now what choice does he have? the profession still rubs him the wrong way. lucanis explaining the particular contracts he took was his saving grace, but no guarantees other crows are as...altruistic. he'd prefer to have zero risk of having his throat slit during his sleep.

not that his own (previous) profession was all kittens and rainbows, but no matter what some reporters may claim, tony did it for more reasons than just the money. it boiled down to having protection. ]

[ It's not an uncommon reaction, and Lucanis smiles in a way that doesn't quite reach his eyes. ]

Yes. The other assassins.

[ Tony can judge all he likes, but the Crows are the only life Lucanis has ever known. They are family, above all else.

Outsiders are not required to understand or approve. ]

[ tony breaks the eye contact first. back to the cup held on his thigh. ]

Whatever. How much it pay?

[ A low hum. ]

A weekly stipend of one hundred andris. That should keep you in drink, at the very least.

[ Dryly. It's also not nearly enough to get him into trouble, but he won't want for anything while he's making his way around the city.

Not unless he suddenly becomes an art collector. ]

Sounds great.

[ after a moment, tony raises his cup to his mouth and then tilts it and his head back and back till he swallows all of it like he really, really wished the coffee were one of those drinks. ]

Edited 2024-11-04 21:36 (UTC)

...I would ask that you refrain from bringing more 'guests' here. It would be very unfortunate if one of you were to trip over one of the traps left for intruders.

[ Sip. ]

[ who? oh...right. that woman.

cup set down, tony stands. ] Not planning on it. Too much hassle. [ now that he has no one to hustle them out the door for him, that is. ]

[ He is reminded, not for the last time, of Illario. Countless lovers, faces and names he forgets as quickly as he learned them.

It never sits right with him, but then, who is he to judge? Does remembering the names and faces of those he kills make him a better man? ]

Indeed. Shall we go, then?

I'm washing up first.

[ tony claps lucanis twice on his shoulder and makes to slip past him through the doorway. ]

Startin' after!

I wasn't going to mention the smell, but...

[ With a light smirk he steps back, allowing Tony to make his way down the halls. Even hungover, he should be able to find his way to the bathroom, with its large ornate tub, marble decor, and assortment of scented bath oils.

Tony washing up will give him time to down another cup of coffee. That should get him through the day. ]

[ tony returns smelling like fresh cedar and wearing a more practical outfit to work in, the suggestive open-collared white shirt and dark scarf exchanged for an earth-toned shirt, unbuttoned tunic, and elbow-length gloves. he's cleaned up his beard and his hair he gave a small effort to comb and style. after weeks without a haircut in thedas, bits are curling past his ears and thicker on his neck, but he can make it work for now. artistically messy. despite the upcoming task, he's taken care with his appearance. he's going to look good no matter where in the universe he is.

that, and he plans to go out again tonight. once he's done. and probably the night after that, too. ]

This won't take long, [ tony says as he struts back in. not arrogantly--more matter-of-fact. ] Just give me tools and point me at 'em. When were the pulleys last checked?

Edited 2024-11-05 02:02 (UTC)

I've been out of the city for a year. Don't look at me.

[ A little snort, before he tilts his head and indicates for him to follow. It's a good thing Tony opted for something a little more durable, as there will be *climbing* involved.

At least he won't make him scale the trellis. ]

Last hit took a while, huh? [ an offhanded, disinterested comment, but yes, tony follows. the job is beneath his notice, but beggars and choosers... he needs the money. he can't coast on lucanis's good will forever.

if he were honest with himself, he just wants the distraction. something to occupy his daylight hours, keep his mind off how he's lost...everything. his money, his fame, his friends...his purpose. ]

Edited 2024-11-05 12:54 (UTC)

You could say that.

[ But those are details he hasn't divulged yet, and has no cause to. So far Spite has been behaving himself -- barely -- in Tony's presence. That's all he can really ask for.

Outside of the estate's gate and across the canal, Lucanis beckons for Tony to follow before smoothly hoisting himself atop a stack of crates next to a building wall. In the space of the blink, he's managed to make it to a second floor balcony before turning around, taking a knee and offering a hand down to help Tony up.

There's a reason civilians on the ground don't make use of the ziplines, they're not exactly easy to reach. ]

Edited 2024-11-05 17:21 (UTC)

[ tony tilts his head up at lucanis and one corner of his mouth pinches tighter, that cheek dimpling, before he sighs and climbs up the crates more, you know, normally. he's no rooftop-running assassin. with a small hop he grabs lucanis's hand and tries to imitate the path, feet and fingers braced against and into the crevices of the stone wall, but he slips once with a surprised "hunh!" and sharp tug on the hand supporting him.

he catches himself quickly. between lucanis pulling and tony hoisting himself up, tony soon perches his forearm on the balcony. the rest of him follows, crawling up onto his hands and knees.

decidedly less graceful, he admits, but aside from sex and some heavy lifting, physical ability isn't one of his focuses. he sighs and drawls, ] Don't suppose the Crows have hazard pay, [ as he gets to his feet. ]

Edited 2024-11-06 01:09 (UTC)

I didn't realize last night had tired you so. You seemed so enthusiastic, then.

[ There's a little smirk on the assassin's face as he patiently waits for Tony to steady himself and catch his breath.]

Edited 2024-11-06 01:51 (UTC)

[ it only takes that one sighed breath as tony's standing up and one deep one afterward. he's in shape, just...comfortably so. the surprise from the slip winded him more than the climb itself.

coolly: ] Oh, I could relay in great detail what tuckered me out. [ a wave--keep leading. ] Found out about Qunari males, actually. [ nearly chirped: ] Big all around.

Edited 2024-11-06 05:08 (UTC)

Imagine that.

[ Oh, he hasn't missed this part at all. ]

A rather bold way to take my advice to 'take in the sights', but you know yourself. I assume.

To be fair I was the one being taken.

[ tony lazily points down the walkway. walk and talk, let's go. ]

This way?