>>6076750“I know you don’t smoke,” he greeted her. “But I should still have a slice of cake in my satchel, let me check. Dell’Obertengo surely knows how to cook, for a noblewoman.”
Carnaval sat besides him, folding her huge wings around her just as she wrapped her arms around her naked legs.
“I would certainly enjoy it,” she replied, a hollow ring to her words. Ibardo pulled the slice of cake from his satchel and put it in her hand. There. A little slice of paradise, sure to mend more than a wound. “Thanks. You did not have to give it to me. I laud your generosity.”
“Maybe I am just watching my weight in my old age. It won’t happen to you,” he glanced at the angel’s perfect proportions, her taut stomach. “Should be counting your fortunes instead of brooding over what happened. We were both blinded,” he added. “Most ironic.”
Carnaval set the slice against her marble-like lips, taking in a bite. She let out a muffled approving sound.
Surprising how the Bane of the Lion, the Angel of Ansàrra, the Crimson Comet, as well as bearer of many other names — could just sit in silence, absorbed by a slice of cake. Carnaval had always been gorgeous, stunning beyond words, but in that moment, shuffling her feet and trying to keep her wings from making too much noise, she was precious.
“It tastes great.” A pause as silence stretched between them like a taut bow. “What is going to happen to you now?”
Ibardo shrugged.
“The Amaranthines will begin an investigation on my actions. It will be most amusing seeing them chafe their teeth against that.”
“You seem confident.”
“I have confidence in the Dawn,” he replied with a smirk. “That’s the only thing anyone can be confident about. Or should be.” Carnaval agreed with a sharp nod.
“It was my fault,” she shuffled her feet on the grass, her wings crinkling behind her. “I hate it. I hate how hollow it feels. I ought to know better, I almost sent your disciple to her death, to— worse.”
“That is not true,” he pulled the pipe away. He did not want to smoke next to Carnaval anyway. “And it certainly it is not what happened.”
Carnaval pursed her lips. Her wings tinkled besides herself. She opened her mouth as if to say something, as if dancing on the edge of a confession, but that all she did was take another bite of the cake.
“Can I stay here a little longer?”
“As long as you wish,” he smiled handing her over the satchel. He did not need that apple either.
[cont.]
I am -itching- to use The Stilladìa more in the quest, but Carnaval is a close second. I just want her and Argia to interact, even though I know it's far too soon. Starless Night, what a conundrum. 