Midnight training... Simple, right? (Open)

[Dante Machiavelli]

Feeling Lucina's tears rolling down his chest and the warmth of her hands against the bare flesh he couldn't help clutching her just a little closer to him, as if by doing so he could protect her from any form of harm in the world, she seemed so fragile. To be honest he was actually enjoying having close contact with another human again in spite of it being under these sorts of circumstances. As Lucina looked up at him with those blue, tear-filled eyes and told him that she didn't think what happened to Arianne was his fault Dante could only sigh as he met her gaze, the usually cold, indifferent look that they held absent, with a thoughtful glint to them. "Perhaps I did no directly kill her however it was my actions- or my lack of them that led her to that choice. I am as responsible as the damned Maleficar. Her blood is still on my hands." He stated, remembering briefly the violence with which he had slain the Mage. Forcing the image of the man's crushed skull from his mind he focused back on Lucina, taking note of the blush on her face he removed one arm and gently pushed upwards underneath the templar's chin. "I... Had always hoped that I might find someone who made me feel like she did..." He whispered, gazing into Lucina's blue eyes.

[Lucina Custodia]

Lucina relaxed in Dante's embrace, having not had this kind of Human contact in..... Too long to actually recall save for the odd moments with her Grandmother..... But this? This felt.... Different, foreign but..... Comforting as Lucina let herself be enveloped by Dante in his strong arms, even as her tears stopped and dried.

Hearing his reply, Lucina sighed. "Then by such accounting, then I am just as responsible for what happened to Meredith.... And not that damnable idol which I was sent to collect on her behalf........ Or should have questioned her sanity when it seemed clear that the idol was poisoning her mind...." She stated as she shook her head, "You and I both feel responsible for things that we can no longer change.... What we can change.... Is what happens now...." She whispered softly.

Feeling her chin being lifted, Lucina looked up at Dante as he said these words and she felt her heart suddenly leap in her throat, they were sworn to the Maker...... But then again, these were uncertain times as her eyes remained on his save for the odd flicker down to his lips which were oh so nearby and yet seemed so far away at the time as Lucina felt her heartbeat pulse rapidly.

[Dante Machiavelli]

Feeling Lucina relax in his arms Dante started to do the same until she pointed out what he had just said "I- " he started, hesitating for a moment before a low chuckle escaped his lips. "Well, you've got me there I suppose, maybe I should learn to heed my own advice before giving it to others!" He sighed, a faint smile on his face. It was unusual that someone made him crack quite like that, allowing his emotions to slip through. Slowly, seeing the way she was looking at him, and feeling his own heart thumping in his ears, he considered his next move carefully, knowing full well that his next move would determine so much of their future, he knew full well that The Lord-Seeker would disapprove... But then, right now The Lord-Seeker could do one, right now the only ones who really mattered were himself and the blonde woman in front of him. Making his decision he leaned in to kiss the Templar. It was a bold move but then sometimes that was the only way to go.

[Lucina Custodia]

Laughing a little with Dante as he laughed, Lucina smiled. "Perhaps you've just... Not had a good enough sparring partner?!" She stated, recalling his earlier words just before their little spar which ended up as this.

Watching him think, Lucina was about to pull away when she saw him approach her. She knew that Cullen and the whole Order would probably look down upon this sort of distraction but..... Oh, sod it, the Maker gave them feelings for a reason so Lucina reached forward with her own lips, meeting his in a tender but uncertain meeting between them, her eyes shut as she had her very first kiss.

Her heart leaped at that moment as she sighed against his lips, her hands on his chest winding around his neck as if on autopilot, or simply natural.

[Dante Machiavelli]

Feeling the rest of the world beginning to melt away, leaving only their interlocked forms in a tableaux that felt as though it lasted half an eternity the high seeker lost himself in a moment of bliss, the city of chains disappearing around him. And why shouldn't he enjoy a moment of peace in this world that he had dedicated his life to protecting? He had resisted the charms and temptations of dozens of demons and had almost lost his life slaying Abaddon, so he would take this opportunity at true happiness, at having someone to fight for and come back to. Even as their lips brushed over each other he allowed his hands to wander, slowly snaking down Lucina's back until they rested on her lower back. Slowly and somewhat reluctantly he broke the kiss, a smile on his face. "Perhaps you would do me the honour honour of sparring with me again in future?" Clasping one of her hands in his he looked deeply into those beautiful blue eyes, "As romantic as love under the moon is, perhaps this isn't the best place considering how... Certain individuals would view us. Maybe being a little uh, clandestine could help for now.." He whispered, thinking of Lord-Seeker Lambert's agents and even some of those under other high seekers, he had no doubt that there were those in the order who would take advantage of them. Mentally he swore that while he breathed no harm would come to the blonde.

[Lucina Custodia]

The world seemed to stop around them as Lucina's heart sighed happily. For so long, she'd never known why some of the younger Templars were so downhearted about not being allowed to fall in love and she didn't understand how Briana could just leave. Now she was understanding and empathizing with how that feeling was so wonderful.

Feeling his hands wander down to her lower back, Lucina sucked in a breath as his hands slid over her skin, a strange shiver running up her back which caused it to arch and thus her front to arch into Dante.

A groan escaped her lips as Dante pulled away and her eyes opened. The ice pretty much gone save for almost looking like diamonds in her sky blue eyes as she looked up at him and nodded. "I'd like that..... Being able to spar with a fellow Two hander is rather refreshing..." She stated with a warm smile, her hands stroking the back of his neck before they were pulled down and held within his own.

Nodding in understanding, Lucina sighed. "I wish it didn't have to be so..... If only I'd met you earlier in my life..." She whispered softly. She knew some of the Templars would ask questions if they knew about this and she really had to focus on her duties as the Knight-Captain. How Dante and her were going to keep contact and be able to balance their duties and this new found love was going to be hard but Lucina was determined to see it through.

[Dante Machiavelli]

Sighing sadly in response to Lucina's comments Dante closed his eyes silently as he thought. "Two years ago I wouldn't have cared, the gossips can say what they want and what could they say? That you've found someone, they'd have no idea as to who I really am... Politics among the high seekers are somewhat... Orlesian though, and not just because we all like to dress up in daft costumes. There are those who would do harm to you, solely to see me fall and I will not let that happen." He muttered, opening his eyes only as he finished, the tender care still present but mixed with a steely resolve. The only part that he had not stated was that he would die before allowing it. Sighing he leaned in and pecked her on the lips once more, intending to savour the opportunity before him. Perhaps he should... Or was it too soon? Then again, he had no way of guaranteeing another opportunity. Swallowing slightly he looked into her eyes once more. "Perhaps you would do me the honour of allowing me to escort you back to your chambers miss Custodia?" He asked, carefully wording the question so that should Lucina not wish to take the matter further yet then it would not create an awkward situation for either of them.

[Lucina Custodia]

Lucina sighed softly, "Most politics of Thedas seemed to have turned somewhat Orlesian these days..... At least from what I recall from what my Mother told me of how 'The Game' worked..... Mind I never really understood it..." She replied sadly before looking at him with a renewed and fierce determination. "We can, and will, make this work Dante..... The Maker willed it that we met tonight, I'm sure of it!" She stated with passion, looking into his eyes with her own.

Savouring his peck on her lips, Lucina replied with a gentle and assuring kiss of her own before looking at him as she contemplated his words and then smiled. "Well.... I did twist my ankle after you knocked me down... So a little help and escort would be... Helpful...." She stated, dropping in an excuse if anyone saw them together as she put some of her weight off one of her ankles. She had her ways of coming up with excuses.

How else would she have managed to get a few more trustworthy Mages out of Kirkwall and into Ferelden underneath Meredith's eyes anyway?

[Dante Machiavelli]

(Sorry this took so long)

Sighing as Lucina pointed out that politics all over Thedas were turning Orlesian Dante couldn't help but agree, times like this were when the opportunists tended to come to the fore. He couldn't help smiling however as he saw the resolve and fire in Lucina's eyes, his own resolve returning in that instant, for the first time in a long time he was sure about something, she was right, this would work and he would do everything in his power to make it work, the order be damned. His smile twisted into a smirk however as Lucina came up with her excuse. "Well, being that I'm to blame I suppose I'd best help you and... Hang around to help should you need it come morning right?" He grinned, winking at the Templar, before retrieving his sword and sheathing it before doing the same with his axe, placing it neatly through the loops on the back of the scabbard. With his weapons retrieved he turned back to Lucina, a surprisingly mischievous look in his eyes. "The only problem is, with my height supporting your weight wouldn't be comfortable for either of us... That in mind," in a flash the seeker grabbed the Templar, literally sweeping her off of her feet and holding her in his arms with surprising ease. "A different solution is in order." He grinned for a moment before taking the safest route to the Templars' quarters, silently praying that their excuse would be unnecessary.

[Lucina Custodia]

Seeing Dante's wink at the end of his sentence, Lucina blushed as she slightly walked with her blade whilst Dante got his weapons together. If she was as young and naive as she once was, she wouldn't even thin about this type of relationship. Now though, to the Deep Roads with the Order's way, male Templars were allowed to marry and have affairs and such after all, so why not females?

Turning back to Dante, Lucina saw the mischievous look on his face and was about to comment on it when he suddenly picked her up, forcing her to suppress a shriek though a gasp did escape her lips. It would surprise Dante to feel how light she was really, what with being a two-hander and her figure as a Templar, she was surprisingly delicate with some of her features. Wrapping one arm around his shoulders, Lucina carefully held her blade atop her legs and in her other hand as she smiled shyly at Dante. "Looks like I'm at your mercy.... High-Seeker Machiavelli." She whispered gently, trusting him though she was a little bit nervous, that much could be seen in her eyes.

But she wanted this, and for a very long time it would probably seem.

[Dante Machiavelli]

The High-Seeker couldn't help chuckling slightly as Lucina gasped, it was sort of...cute really. Smiling back at her, trying to look reassuring, he couldn't help noticing the nervousness in her eyes. "Well then my dear, rest assured that there are few that you will find as merciful as myself." He whispered back as he took the first few steps.

The journey back to the templar quarters went almost without a hitch until the moment that Lucina's quarters were just in sight, at which point one of her colleagues stopped the pair, wondering as to Dante's identity and purpose.
"Knight-Captain Custodia! What- I mean who is this accompanying you?" The templar stumbled, his confusion evident in his voice. Swearing mentally Dante drew on one of his covers to ensure that the man would stay out of their way.
"I am Roberto Medici, a master swordsman and instructor from Antiva." He stated, his Antivan twang thickening into the broad accent of his childhood. "Your captain asked for some training but picked up a minor injury, I was merely escorting her back to her chambers safely." Allowing the statement to hang in the air Dante mentally prayed as he awaited the Templar's response...

[Lucina Custodia]

Lucina blushed when Dante chuckled at her gasp, her cheeks adding further colouring to her pale complexion, but smiled still at his reassuring whisper. "Good thing I tend to be just merciful...... Despite orders...." She whispered back, her hold on his shoulder was relaxed, completely trusting him.

When she saw a colleague of hers just prior to her quarters, Lucina sighed with a slight growl in her throat before looking at him. "It is quite alright Knight-Corporal, Serah Medici is just making sure that I get back to my quarters safely and to ensure my leg gets better.... There is no need to inform the Healers or the Knight-Commander, it will be gone by morning. Dismissed." She stated with a slightly firm tone but also a voice of assurance to the young man as her blue eyes looked into his, a little bit darker when she used her authoritative toning in her voice, but it was the only way for younger Templars to listen to her.