Evariste question regarding my special interest: What does he think of Illario?
Evi's first impression of Illario was that he appeared to be an ideal Crow. Clearly dangerous, shrewd, intense, and capable of anything. Then again, Evariste knew almost nothing about the Crows, so...grain of salt. After bringing Lucanis back, finding Caterina gone, Illario's behavior set off warnings. Evariste has eight siblings. With that many kids, at least two of them at any given moment were about to break something, currently breaking something, or hiding that they'd broken something. Followed swiftly by a theatrical performance of innocence, or some other impassioned misdirect. His parents were fair and forgiving. The kids all knew it, and still they broke things, still they feared the specter of disappointment. Everything about Illario from that point forward struck Evi as a performance for the benefit of a small, distracted audience. The stakes grew out of Illario's control so quickly. He judged the man for doubling down on bad choices, like...a lot of bad choices. But there was never malice in Evi for Illario, never hatred. You don't raise a child on pain and scheming and then balk when he schemes and causes pain.
Illario impressed Evariste in their fight...and by that I mean that Evi was cursing, sweating, and feeling every ache of his 48 years. He was surprised not by the power Illario put into his moves, but by his speed and reach (which he sensed were only minimally enhanced by blood magic). Nearly as fast as Lucanis, but without the benefit of a demon, Illario was properly fucking scary. Much later in life, Evi and Illario develop a respectful, familial relationship. Which greatly improves Lucanis's quality of life, lol. Illario becomes First Talon, a title he earns, admitting that it feels much better than taking it. Caterina lives long enough to see it, even if she struggles to support it. Evi and Illario share the same joke every time they get together: Evariste remarks, "The Crows picked the right Dellamorte." Illario responds, "So did you."
