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Crowds were always a challenge when they were as big as this. Loud, slow moving and always disturbingly hot. And it always seemed so much worse when there was somewhere they needed to be. Illario tightened his grip on Lust’s hand and pushed forward, hoping that the scowl on his face would stop people getting too close. He was sure the crowds weren't normally this bad, but after everything that had happened over the last couple of years, the people of Treviso were clearly desperate for any chance to celebrate. And who was he to deny them that opportunity? Especially when it meant them celebrating the woman he loved.
“Illario this isn't going to work. We're going to miss the beginning.”
He barely managed to keep a straight face. The exchanging of gifts had taken longer than it was meant to, and that was probably his fault. The problem was that his gift of a weekend in Dairsmuid had needed to be explained as it didn't exactly have any physical components. Her gift of a painting from an Antivan master had been much simpler. “We won't, I know a shortcut. You turned down a spot with the talons because you didn't want to be too early anyway.”
He glanced back to see amethyst eyes watching him. "I turned down that place because the parade is already going to be strange, I wanted at least some normality.”
Illario tried not to smile. Whether she had meant it as a compliment or not the fact that she thought he also fit in with that normality meant everything to him. He had determined already that everything he did today would be to be the man she deserved. A man far better than who he had been.
They emerged from the shortcut just in time to hear a distant roar. Lust gave him a strained smile and slid almost effortlessly through the crowd, watching intently as a float slowly came into view. He spotted the dragon first through the smoke around it. The nearly black creature was stood in what was obviously meant to represent a broken building and was roaring at three figures that stood in front of it . A warden and two crows, each of them wearing elaborate feathered facial masks.
"The masks were my idea. The organisers wanted the entire veilguard to be involved but Lucanis refused as soon as they came up with the idea. I didn't want to either.” The three figures were dancing around the dragon, stage weapons flashing as they moved. “Watching is always more fun. Especially if I can find some chiacchere and cioccolata calda to help me warm up.”
Illario smiled slightly. Whoever had decided the Satinalia parade needed to be at night to celebrate the Second moon had obviously never been to a city so close to the sea. Lust was bundled up in the same hand-knitted scarf and gloves that had been Lucanis’ Satinalia gift as he was (although he was quite sure that his cousin had put a great deal more effort and time into hers than his), but she still looked absolutely freezing. He squinted through the gloom, trying to spot one of the small vendors that dotted the parade route. “I'll look, if you stay here.”
He glanced at the crowds again and frowned. Just as thick as they had been outside his apartment. Lust drew his attention back to her when she kissed his cheek. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily, don't you worry.”
Illario grinned.
By the time they’d finished the last of the slightly orange flavoured fried pastries they’d watched multiple floats depicting cartoonishly foolish Antaam and Rook racing to disrupt their plans. The crows had appeared just as often, but the reaction from the crowds made it clear who they thought was truly responsible for saving them. They were grateful to the crows certainly, and the general cheering when they arrived just proved it, but the volume always increased a little bit more when it came to Rook. Lust blushed each time and even though nobody had recognised her tried to turn away from the parade.
"This is just too strange,” Lust groaned quietly as the crowd roared in approval of her killing the butcher on the next float. "He helped us in the end. He was the one who told us where we needed to go.”
"To the island where I nearly lost you forever. I don't know if I would consider that much help.”
Lust frowned. "It wasn't much fun on my end either. The only one who can be blamed for that though, is Solas,” She tipped the small cup of hot chocolate up hopefully but that was as empty as the tree of pastries. "Can we go? We've got to be near the end and I don't really fancy staying around to see quite how awkward the crowd can make me feel after we finally free Treviso.”
Illario paused before he answered. He could understand perhaps a little too well that being the centre of attention was only fun when you were the one in charge of the situation. "Given the crowds, where do you want to go mi amor?”
Lust grinned. "Seems like the perfect opportunity to take to the rooftops".
It did. They made their way slowly back to the shortcut, and scaled the wall, both of them trying and failing to not turn it into a competition. Trying not to gloat over the win, Lust took his hand as soon as he reached her and then she began to lead them both away from the parade. She stopped when the noise of the crowd had become distant and a cloud moved in front of the second moon, leaving them in a vague twilight.
“Happy Satinalia, Illario.”
He watched her carefully, still not quite believing that after everything she was still willing to give him another chance. He honestly didn't think he could ever tire of the way her eyes almost seemed to sparkle when she looked at him or how her smile grew even bigger when it was aimed at him. Not to mention the effect her actually being there had on him. How his heart felt like it was both full and impossibly light at the same time and how every toucher from her left him desperately wanting more. Her hands quickly found his collar and she pulled him in for a kiss. Their lips met only briefly before he pulled away slightly.
“Happy Satinalia, Lustania.” Illario leaned in again to kiss her properly as the clouds shifted and they were bathed in the light of Satina.