SON OF SERKONOS

"I have seen many horrors. A child beaten by thieves. A nest of bloodflies. Your blood soaked hands." --- rank: subgiant housing: condo 414, archimedes ward --- sidebar credit.

[bladeverbenas-blog]

👀 Does banana bread taste good?

“It’s too sweet for my tastes, usually.”

[rprnemes]

Send me a “👀 + a question” and my muse has to answer honestly!

[bladeverbenas-blog]

haemoneiron‌:

“Maybe.” She tried not to look directly at him for a moment, but that’s all she wanted to do. “I think so. Don’t blame yourself though, that was probably just a catalyst, I’m…” She trailed off for a moment. “You know I’m different. Thrice removed, now.”

She smiled, the warm sensation of serenity seeping through her at his touch. She leaned her head against his hand. “First the beast blood. Then the Queen’s refined it. Then I started eating Great Ones. I think I’m more like them, now.” 

Crow fell silent for a time. Would that change your opinion? What about the eyes you can’t see? She didn’t want to ask for fear of the worst answers. 

As Crow falls silent, Corvo says nothing but draws her closer to him and wraps his arms around her. He thinks on her words, then recalls the bits of knowledge that she had hinted at, here and there.

What little he understands makes a part of Corvo feel very small. It's the same feeling he felt once as a young soldier, watching a pod of whales pass beneath the ship that took him to Dunwall. He felt it once more on those times when he strode through the Void, at the beck and call of the black-eyed Outsider. In that moment, all curled up in bed with his lover in his arms, a small part of him feels like a wisp of smoke before a hurricane. He clutches Crow tighter, as if it was her turn to disappear before his very eyes.

"You've been through so much." It's a weak, pathetic, hilariously obvious thing to say, but Corvo knows well that words have always failed him whenever he needed them most, but what else can he do? "Void, that's plain as day, but... you're not alone. I don't understand much of what's happened—happening, to you, but I want you to know that I'll stay by your side, whatever happens, whatever’s waiting for the two of us."

[haemoneiron]

@bladeverbenas

Crow lay looking up at the ceiling in silence for a moment.

“It first happened when they restored me, do you remember?”

“They got bigger when you were gone. A lot of strange things started happening more frequently then.” She turned those starlight gateways towards him “What do you think? What would you think if it was the whole eye?”

[bladeverbenas-blog]

"Yes, I recall." A pang of guilt plucked at Corvo's heartstrings as she mentioned his absence. He paused, then hesitantly asked: "Do you think it had something to do with my departure?"

That feeling of guilt only intensifies when she asks him what he thinks of this change that has come upon her—did she think that he would fear her for that new strangeness that was foisted upon her? Crow certainly was not like most people, and it was something Corvo was still coming to understand, even a year after their relationship began.

"It wouldn't change my opinion at all, Crow." He reached out, cupping her cheek with one hand. "It's certainly not something, and if your eyes... continue to change, it wouldn't affect a single thing."

[bladeverbenas-blog]

Closed starter for @landsharkbite​!

The dive bar that they agreed to meet at looks inviting enough, its wear and tear somewhat charming. He lets out a blustery sigh, tucking his hands into his pockets, glancing up at the flickering neon sign of the establishment. It clearly was a place that was well loved by its patrons, even if it could only be called a 'fixer-upper' if one was being generous.

His thoughts are interrupted by a familiar voice calling his name. When he spots Rosa turning around the corner, Corvo approaches, already approaching her with his stride quickening to a brisk walk.

"I had wondered if your taste in bars had gotten any better in the time that I’ve been gone." The smile on his face is a little frayed at the edges, but it's genuine.

[haemoneiron]

Waxing Crescent

The gates opened on their own when he approached, a smooth glide before swinging slowly shut behind him

The grounds were dark and strange. Not wicked, but profoundly eerie. It was darker than it should be, like the shadows clung hungrily to the plants and trees. A darkness that crept closer, only receding when turned to directly. The deep creaks of slowly strained words broke the silence while faint and for off lights drifted in and out of existence on the periphery.

The groan of shifting roots and earth amplified as he approached the castle, an urgency to it but without a clear source or result. Patches of ghost like glowing flora shone with intensity when he stepped close. At the top of the stairway the great doors to the castle opened and for the first time in weeks a warm glow spilled out. 

Crow stood frozen halfway down staircase of the foyer, eyes wide as she gripped the hand rail tight enough to send small cracks through its surface. She stood deathly still, a cat caught in the headlights. Silver hair tumbled down her back and a dress impractically long draped down her form. Black as midnight with the stars to accompany. 

Corvo. He’s here. He’s back. Is he really here? Is this really him? What if he’s not real? His scent reached her and tears welled up in her eyes. Then she vanished.

She appeared only feet in front of him, clattering into him with barely controlled force and immediately embracing him. She couldn’t say anything at first, only bury her head into him. Trying to be mindful of her strength, she still clutched him as if he might vanish were she to let go.

“…You were gone. I thought you were coming back… You… You…” The tears flowed freely.

“Please… Are you real? I need you to be real…”

@bladeverbenas

[bladeverbenas-blog]

When Corvo returned and the haze of confusion settles, his first thought is of Crow. Dread and happiness mingle in his heart—he's back, he's here, but Crow, Outsider in the void, he left her behind.

His journey to the estate—their home—went by in a flash, taking Corvo from train to taxi in something akin to a mad dash through Spirale, barely paying attention to anything or anyone in his way.

It simultaneously felt like an eternity and the span of a single second before he made his way back to those familiar gates. No, not familiar, not entirely anymore. There was a strangeness there now, a pervasive sense of something Corvo just couldn't identify. The grounds themselves had come to life, it seemed.

He entered the great double doors, and was immediately greeted by Crow. She was dressed in a black dress, an elegantly impractical thing that seemed so strange to his eyes, to what he knew of his lover and her tastes, and her hair, that silky hair of hers that he so loved, fell down her back in great tresses.

When their eyes met—and what eyes she now had, glittering like constellations—Corvo's chest tightened, and whatever words he had died in his throat. Then, in a flash, her arms were around his, that familiar warmth of her body, and the warm wetness of her tears soaking through the fabric of his jacket.

For a long moment he can do nothing but hold her, stroke her hair, try and reassure her with his presence when his words—as they always seemed to do, in moments of crisis—felt so paltry.

"I'm here, Crow. I'm right here."

[haemoneiron]

The sun was setting over Spirale city but a city never sleeps and this one was no different, and for the two on this rooftop night was no end either. 

Crow sat across Corvo’s lap with both of her legs to one side, her head resting against his chest as her silver hair tumbled down her back. It had really grown now; she had had thought that before leaving the house. The last time she’d cut it was over a year ago, that fiasco with the costumes and heart guns. 

“You were right; it is beautiful up here. It’s so easy to live here and not appreciate it. Thank you.”

The thanks was for the suggestion to come here, and much more unsaid.

“I’d like to keep coming up here.”

@bladeverbenas

[bladeverbenas-blog]

Corvo rested his chin atop Crow's head. One hand gently tousled her long hair--that long, soft, silvery hair of hers that he so loved--as they looked down at the sea of lights before them. There was a sense of wonder that was hard to shake off, even after years of captivity in cities whose technological prowess far outstripped the achievements of natural philosophy in the Empire of the Isles.

But Corvo's thoughts were not focused upon trying to unravel the mysteries that glittered in the night, no, instead he was thinking of the woman curled up on his lap.

"I don't blame you. Life here can get boring sometimes, can't it?" The city had no end to its stunning vistas, and for one bearing the Outsider's mark, weakened as it was, it was no problem for the two of them to explore the nooks and crannies of their home. "I've always found a change in perspective to be refreshing, in more ways than one."

When Crow thanked him, Corvo didn't reply but instead curled his around her in a gentle embrace, drawing her closer to him.

"Of course. We have all the time in the world."

[bladeverbenas-blog]

closed event starter for @haemoneiron!

Of all the days for some strangeness to rear its ugly head and interrupt the quiet routine of his life, it had to be on Crow's birthday, the day they had set aside to visit a particularly nice restaurant in the Golden Ward.

It would have been perfect—a quiet evening between the two of them, good food and wine, maybe even some dancing, but no, some Void-spat cat-monster had to rear its ugly head and turn the entire ward into its playground! It didn’t even have the good grace to return his powers to him for the duration of this madness: all he had was a sword and his ability Blink. It would be enough, hopefully, but still it rankled...

Trouble hadn't reached him yet, as they were far above street level, but the chaos on the streets was clearly visible from the windows. It would soon reach him, if his previous experience with this sort of thing was to be trusted...

Corvo stood up, phone in hand, already dialling Crow's number. As soon as she picked up, he didn’t even bother to say hello.

"Please tell me you're not in the Golden Ward."

[bladeverbenas-blog]

closed event starter for @arsnova!

"Roman, what are you waiting for?"

Corvo glared at the balloon-cat-monster that he had trapped beneath a fallen shelf. Outside the convenience store, chaos reigned. It was only a matter of time before the temporary peace they’d found was lost to whatever new madness this K’horii beast had in store for them.

"Pop the damn thing. We have to keep moving."

Somewhere in the back, the cashier sobbed, clutching an umbrella as if it would save their life.

[bladeverbenas-blog]

haemoneiron‌:

“Do you remember me?”

“I was… Well I was kind of an ass, honestly.”

“Not very well, though I thought we—them?—spoke, once, maybe at a party.” As he speaks, Corvo’s tone becomes marginally more confident. “You were bossing me around.”

“Perhaps that ‘other you’ was an ass, but... does it worry you?”

[bladeverbenas-blog]

haemoneiron‌:

“You know, it’s probably nothing. Remember that thing that was not too long ago? With everyone losing their memories and having alternate history versions of themselves instead? That whole thing. ”

“Do you remember any of that?” 

“Vaguely, yes. It was strange...” The mind is a strange thing, especially in a place like this. “Nothing concrete, though.”

[haemoneiron]

@bladeverbenas

“Hey, do you have a minute? I’d like to talk to you. It’s nothing serious.”

“Well, semi-serious but not really.”

[bladeverbenas-blog]

“Of course.”

“What’s on your mind?”

[bladeverbenas-blog]

closed starter for @zabaniyarm!

The days stretch on, and Corvo grows restless. He often turns these energies towards easing into the home he and Crow are still in the process of moving into, but sometimes it just isn't enough.

So he dons his mask and coat, slides his folding blade onto its familiar loop on his belt, and throws himself into the night. He tells himself he's familiarizing himself with this strange city, or else looking for a new venue for the training hall, but most nights he comes home with sore muscles and little else.

However, tonight is different. He's perched atop a dilapidated apartment building when he senses it.

A presence.

"I know you're there." He doesn't turn around, but neither does he reach for his blade. "Are you just shy, or is there something I can do for you?" His jovial tone (admittedly, he’s not very good at the ‘sounding friendly’ thing, but he’s getting better) is muffled somewhat by the mask, which is far from friendly-looking.

[bladeverbenas-blog]

closed mini-event starter for @haemoneiron!

"Okay, you were right." Corvo leans back, refilled wineglass in hand. "The hot tubs were definitely a good idea."

Somehow, the two of them have this particular tub all to themselves. Their guests are off in other parts of the house—for all its size and splendor, their friends are somehow making enough noise that they can still be heard.

"Hm. They seem to be having fun." He glances at Crow, on the other side of the tub. "How about you?"

[bladeverbenas-blog]

mini-event starter for @latrocinari!

"I'm a little surprised we managed to get so large a home in the first place. And then moving in was a little difficult." Zero and Corvo are sitting at a table, sharing a bottle of wine between them. He’s a little drunk at this point.

“Well, I think it was all worth it in the end. I haven’t been to a party in ages, and Crow’s really enjoying herself, I think.”

[bladeverbenas-blog]

mini-event starter for @landsharkbite!

"I'm glad you could make it, Rosa." Corvo smiles at his friend from across the tub. “Actually, after this, you’re free to come over whenever you want to take a dip.”

"Can I offer you something to drink?" He gestures to a table near the hot tub, where several bottles, glasses, and a bowl of ice sit. "We bought more alcohol than we know what to do with." His hand returns to cup the . "Crow was pretty enthusiastic about this. The idea for the party, I mean. We hadn’t even moved in yet—we’ve some boxes left to unpack—before the idea crossed her mind.”

[bladeverbenas-blog]

closed mini-event starter for @actuallymuffet!

“Ah, Muffet! It’s wonderful to see you again.” Corvo smiles at his friend. “It’s certainly been a while. I hope you’ve been well... and I hope you’re enjoying yourself tonight.” He gestures to a tray on a nearby table. “Crow got some really good cooks to cater—I’m quite partial to the ‘bruschetta’...”