[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/9jXtrcl.png[/img]
[color=000000][u][b]Location[/b][/u][/color]
💀 Mission Location.

[color=000000][u][b]Interactions[/b][/u][/color]
💀 N/A.

[color=000000][u][b]Mentions[/b][/u][/color]
💀 Viktor.
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Winter was, unsurprisingly, Casper’s favorite season. He had often come across a comparison between himself and the eternal beauty of falling snow, a comparison he appreciated. A compliment. It brought memories to the forefront, moments of when the boy found himself at the highest peak of Castle Blackwood, eyes turned towards a sky of infinite, glacial petals slowly descending from an endless sea of clouds. A hand extended, snowy pearls gently gathering upon ebony claws as the Wraith’s tail slowly swayed in tune with bliss. Though chaos was soon to arrive, he could not help but appreciate the moment, a ghost in hazy rime. With eyes closed beneath his mask, Hex took another step forth, a weightless motion pushing his foot into a blanket of snow. How he wished for this ivory purity to be spared crimson strife. It was, however, a promise the teen could not make. 

Indeed, it caused Casper’s mind to center itself on a single thought, his attention shifting towards Viktor. ‘Leaving allies behind’. Had the battle hardened warrior shed himself of the respect otherwise earned throughout two weeks of camaraderie? With a single statement, he had warranted a sense of skepticism. What was the Young Justice League without its entirety? Was it truly so easy for the living to abandon their kin? No, it was an individual decision, one Viktor would likely find difficulties in issuing. Would others blindly follow an order? If this was the case, they were merely echoes of what the Justice League fought; men and women simply following orders issued by amoral superiors. 

Though the Wraithborn was unable to fully comprehend a human’s desire for survival, he understood enough to draw reasonable conclusions. It did not matter if they knew of an afterlife, and it mattered less that Casper would shepherd them onto greener pastures. They wanted to live. It was the only existence they knew, and the prospect of joining another, abandoning what was their sole reality strung along a daunting path to say the least. 

With this in mind, was it truly so easy for a man to abandon his comrades willingly? Contemplating Viktor’s statement pointed Casper in a single direction; insubordination. In truth, Hex had been incorrect, springing from his very initial reaction. It was never about following orders, and it wasn’t about issuing them. This was not a platoon, and neither Viktor, nor Talon were commanders, sergeants, or chiefs. The heart of this exercise was a concept of trust. The ability to place one’s faith in another, and follow instructions as they were presented. 

Taking a moment to consider this, Casper paused, his teeth clenching. He was wrong. One could not approach a group of teenagers in a manner reminiscent of military exploits. They were not soldiers, and orders in lieu of instructions would backfire immediately.

Crossing his arms, Hex’s bliss had reached its end. Beneath his stealth suit of glacial white lingered a mellow expression. Had he lost all faith in Viktor before the mission even began? It was difficult to say. Perhaps their fearless leader would surprise him, but the notion of a fearless young man found itself blatantly questioned in the willingness to abandon the team. Would Batman do the same? Casper did not know much of the caped crusader but he had been told of Bruce’s compassion. There was a heart beneath that armored suit. Did Viktor lack that most crucial ingredient? 

Taking another step, Hex gazed across the night, his spectral eyes allowing for clear sight. He preferred this, the comfort of darkness. Though witnessing little more than two souls in the distance, a conclusion could be drawn that several more resided within their target destination. Was Team A enough to deal with what awaited inside? [color=FFE4C4]”Coal,”[/color] Casper began. 

“Yup?” Came a response, wings stretching as the bird flapped. 

[color=FFE4C4]”Would you reckon that outposts are to be considered?”[/color] Hex crossed his arms. 

“Ya’, probably. They wouldn’t just have a factory out here without scouts patrolling the place,” Coal responded, “and backup if shit goes sideways. Like us. We’re shit going sideways.” 

[color=FFE4C4]”One can hope that we are so successful,”[/color] Casper noted, followed by a slight shake of his head.

“Boy, you have [i]no[/i] faith in this, do you?” The spirit chuckled, nudging his spectral friend, “look, if this goes to hell..,” Coal whispered, close to Hex’s ear from where he stood atop the Wraith’s shoulder, “we really leaving the kids to croak?” 

[color=FFE4C4]”My dearest friend..,”[/color] claws moved to gently comb their way across Coal’s feathers, [color=FFE4C4]”we shan’t shepherd a single soul here to the afterlife. Not for a very long time, yet.”[/color]

Though silence briefly lingered, Coal nodded his head, “you’re a good kid, Cas.”