[color=f26522][h2]Cassandra[/h2][/color]

It was starting to look like Cassandra would at least have someone to talk to for the rest of the night.  Though, she reflected, it was a shame they couldn't watch the sunrise together, as that's what Cassandra really wanted to do.

Before the vampire could return the courtesy, though, a series of vehicles were barreling into the cul-de-sac.  A cadre of soldiers marched from them into one of the houses, and Cassandra and the unknown vampire were approached by, of all people, Princess Nox herself.  

“[color=ed145b]You will be Countess Marivaldi’s mage. The Astorio whelp turned left with his tail between his legs shortly after orientation.[/color]” 

Cassandra's first stunned thought was, [color=f26522][i]Wow, I really did scare him off...[/i][/color] Though she realized moments later it was most likely unrelated.  

“[color=ed145b]By the authority of the Royal Guard invested by Queen Noila and the Moonlight Council, your belongings, including your mage and hers, have been seized as possible threats to the Council. Once your belongings have been cleared by the Royal Guard, they will be returned to you and you may return to your lodgings along with your new mage. You and your mage are required to return to the Astorio dormitory at once.[/color]” 

[color=f26522]"Um, wait, I'm..."[/color]  It wasn't often that Cassandra was at an actual loss for words, but she couldn't seem to construct a complete sentence in the face of the events unfolding around her.  It was just dawning on her that she had a partner again, when that same person started in on... the [i]princess[/i].

“[color=f49ac2]With all due respect Queen’s kin, I demand an explanation.[/color]” 



“[color=f49ac2]Should I be warning Lord Salazar to watch his back with the very Council he is sworn to serve and protect? You have made your position on how our family is run very clear despite your own situation. Perhaps you were not satisfied with the results of your investigation after my father’s death, but that does not entitle you to take advantage of the situation to continue your blatant harassment. Don’t you think it was a little inappropriate to send one of your drones to pick a fight with me just before raiding my home? This treatment is absolutely unacceptable![/color]”

Cassandra didn't have any idea what was happening.  She was paired again, now with this vampire, and they hadn't even finished introducing themselves.  A human, a mage, was being forced violently from her home, and they were taking everything from the Countess, her new partner.  

Fuck it.    

[color=f26522]"Yeah!"[/color] Cassandra joined the conversation loudly.  She pointed past both countess and princess to the scene by the truck, [color=f26522]"Look what they're doing!  She's not even fighting them, where do you get off using this kind of force?"[/color]

She could feel the fire flaring inside of her as her temper rose.  She grabbed it, and held it tight, but didn't let it out.  The burning felt like strength to Cassandra, and she was glad to have it, but she knew nothing good could come of using actual magic in front of these soldiers.