[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/1trNZ24.png[/img][h1][color=fdc68a]&[/color][/h1][img] https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/654438713455149084/873479307715051540/image.png[/img][sub][color=goldenrod]Interaction[/color] | Kassandra / Mirage
AKA [@Mistress Dizzy]
[color=goldenrod]Location[/color] | Kassandra’s Room
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While the escapades of their ‘break’ between missions proved interesting, it was honestly still a little strange a feeling to be doing nothing. Well, that was an overstatement; Kila couldn’t ‘do nothing’, but with regard to doing things catered more towards his leisure. Even in the year with his amai, it felt strange to be separate from militarian activities. She explained that the stains inflicted within him would take much time to mend. All that said, even Kila could admit that he somewhat enjoyed himself that night with Viktor and the Speech Devil.

However, there always came time for duty to be handled. This time, it would take them to the seas, as Red Tornado had explained. Despite the simplicity of the mission’s description, Kila had a sneaking suspicion that it wouldn’t be as simple as an escort. If it were, why not select only one of them? Regardless, there was a certain familiarity, being in the presence of a king, even if only digital. Kila instinctively felt the need to stand up straighter and maintain eye contact when King Arthur spoke.

There was no surprise, especially given the team’s tendency to switch between leaders every mission, that Kassy was selected. It was her homeworld after all. Yet, when she spoke, Kila’s head turned to her. It irked him a little, the level of confidence she was lacking. He waited until Red Tornado essentially gave them clearance to move freely before deployment. 

Briefly excusing himself, Kila found himself on the elevator after Kass had gone to her quarters. He wasn’t sure why, but a sort of warm prickling came to his core as he neared his destination. It wasn’t quite anxiety that he felt though…

The doors to the elevator opened to a small corridor, exposing an open space through another, smaller open door to Kass’ Room. He instinctively walked through it, but caught himself mid-motion and walked backwards out of it. Despite being open, Kila knocked on the stone surface. 

Kassy’s doorframe was neatly decorated with a shell-covered sign that simply read “Kassandra”. Alisa had clearly assisted with some fancy calligraphy. The Atlantean girl inside was sitting in her tank bed, knees tucked to her chest, breathing in shudders. The idea of leading their team was clearly getting to her. She was partially dressed in the green leotard part of her costume, the orange surcoat draping a dresser. She was mumbling to herself.

[color=orange]“I can do this. It will be easy. They’ll listen to me and everything will be just fine.”[/color] A soft groan. [color=orange]“Ohhh, I can’t do this. Why send all of us for a simple escort? Who is this man, is he in danger of some kind? What exactly is he researching? Something doesn’t feel right.”[/color] 

At Kila’s knock she jerked her head upward, orange eyes wide. [color=orange]“Oh!”[/color] She relaxed visibly when she saw who had darkened her doorway. [color=orange]“It’s just you. Hi.”[/color] She paused, wondering how long he had been standing there. Maybe if she ignored that fact, he would too. [color=orange]“...did you have questions?”[/color]

Kila’s lips pursed, studying her posture. He heard the questions she had murmured aloud, but didn’t comment on them. Instead, he took a few steps in, rubbing the back of his neck as he did so. She was clearly more on edge than Kila originally thought…He wasn’t quite sure how to offer reassurance correctly, so he imitated his Amai.

[color=Goldenrod]“I do…it is a simple…but still very important question…Are you okay?”[/color]

Kass was taken aback by his question. She had been expecting a mission inquiry. Instead he had just come to check on her.

[color=orange]"Um."[/color] He had bothered to show up, it wouldn't do to lie. [color=orange]"No. I'm not. I've never led anything in my life and my brain is full of everything that could go wrong. And it will be my fault."[/color] She sighed, running her hand through her thick white curls.

[color=orange]"But I must do as my King commands. I have no choice."[/color]

Kila took her words in and slowly nodded. [color=Goldenrod]“I understand that feeling. I was sixteen when I first had to take the lead on missions. Through my failures, I’d learned to remember that I was not alone. To trust in my squad’s specialties, and that they would trust me in turn.”[/color] He didn’t realize that his eyes had started to wander, nor that he paced a bit, walking through his memory. Still, he continued:

[color=Goldenrod]“You are smarter than I was then. Your attention to potential failures proves so. What you also have, that I did not, is a team that is also composed of your friends. You have us to fall back on. Some are more bull-headed than others, but we can follow a lead that we trust. Who of us would be greater to trust in the oceans than you? Besides, your King could have sent someone else to guide, and we could have been back up. Yet, he chose you. Which must mean he trusts you, maybe you should trust yourself…at least this once.”[/color] 

Kila continued walking through his thoughts aloud to her before pausing. Looking up at her, his expression came to a quick flash of a smile before faltering. In a moment of some vulnerability, he struggled with this next question. [color=Goldenrod]“Does that make sense…?”[/color]

Kassy quietly watched as Kila walked and talked, her eyes following him back and forth. He brought up some interesting points; not to mention a tidbit about his past that she hadn’t heard yet. Then again, some of them really didn’t talk about what came before the team, Kassy herself included.

It was nice to see him smile though, even for just a moment.

[color=orange]“Yes, I think it does. I wouldn’t have thought that this means the King trusts me specifically. I guess that’s a good sign.”[/color] Chin in hands, she wondered aloud. [color=orange]“Although my brain is still full of the possibility that something is amiss here, I feel better thinking that I wasn’t just an afterthought.”[/color] She would just have to question this Dr. Bingley about his work when they met. [color=orange]“It’s strange. I still don’t feel quite ready - and I don’t think I actually will until the mission actually gets underway. But I do feel much better.”[/color] She flashed a sharp-toothed sunny smile at him. [color=orange]“Thanks. I think I needed the pep talk.”[/color] Pausing, toying with one of her curls, she tipped her head in question.

[color=orange]“Are you okay? You’ve been…”[/color] She gestured loosely with her hands. [color=orange]“Different, since the circus. Not a bad different, I promise. Just… more quiet and serious. Did something go wrong with the tiger, or was it just seeing a poor animal in such a state that upset you? I think I’d be bothered if someone was pulling out a shark to do tricks.”[/color] Atlantis had their own brand of entertainment, but carnivorous animals were usually left out of it.

Kila’s smile returned when hers emerged but his eyes wandered towards the ground. Different? The young man himself hadn’t noticed much difference in his mannerism since the circus…was he more distant than usual? The memories from the tiger did leave an unsettling pit in his stomach when it happened…but that was weeks ago now. Still, whatever change was going on with him was enough for Kassy to notice.

[color=Goldenrod]“The tiger was neglected by the circus…it was a mother…plucked away. From both the wild, and its cubs…It struck a chord within me, I suppose. Having been taken from my home and family once…to do things at the will of someone else.”[/color] The more that he spoke, the more he realized just how much that tiger was like him. The realization was written all over his face.

[color=Goldenrod]“But I am okay now…Thank you for asking.”[/color] Was his answer, returning his attention to Kassy. It felt strange, even if only for a brief second. He came down here to relieve her of personal issues, only for his own to bear on him.

Kassy seemed to recognize some of the silent pain within Kila. She might have given him a hug, but she was soaking wet from her tank, and didn't want to mess up his clothes. [color=orange]"Good."[/color] She murmured quietly, but sincerely. [color=orange]"The ocean may be beautiful, but it is also dangerous. I want you to be able to focus properly. You're going to be my… oh, what's the word that Zach uses… ah, wingman! My second just in case trouble arises. Since you're the only other person who can really swim with me. What animals do you think you'll need?"[/color]

Kila’s nod and attempt to smile in support was interrupted by her last question. This was yet another reference to him having some animal ability…Did he display something to the team prior? It was constantly referenced, but, outside of those instances of inner impulses from Daphne and the tiger’s memories, Kila felt nothing. 

[color=Goldenrod]“I…Tell me something…when was the last you have seen me use my animal abilities?”[/color]

Kassy frowned slightly, thinking about it. [color=orange]“Well, you definitely did something with the tiger at the circus. And then after that, you…”[/color] She stopped, her frown deepening. [color=orange]“Actually, I’m not sure past that. You haven’t really been active as much.”[/color] It took a bit of thought, but her mind made a subtle connection.

[color=orange]“Did something happen at the circus? Did someone mess with you like they did with Talon?”[/color]

[color=Goldenrod]“I…do not think so…yet, I also don’t remember…The exact events before containing the tiger are a thick mist to my thoughts.”[/color] Kila responded. Perhaps the times when his memory fogged were when his animal abilities took over? He could ironically recall many events that happened apparently through a blurred lens in his memory…The idea of which unnerved him a little. To do things without cognitive control or accurate memory.

The young soldier again caught himself blinking at something a thousand miles away from the current moment. [color=Goldenrod]“I am sorry…I didn’t mean to come down here to steal away your focus…”[/color]

Kassy shook her head. [color=orange] “It’s really okay. I’d rather know now if something is wrong, rather than in the middle of the mission.”[/color] Still, it was worrisome that he couldn’t fully remember. She asked the next question as delicately as possible. [color=orange]“Um. Do you think you’re up to this? It’s really okay if you’re not. If you tell Red Tornado that something is wrong, maybe he’ll let you sit this one out?”[/color] She definitely did not want to just kick him off - it was more that she was concerned about him.

Kila chuckled, oddly enough. [color=Goldenrod]“It is okay, Kassy. I do need time to figure this out…but, I have a feeling that is something I will be doing for the rest of my life. Besides…how many opportunities would I get to see a kingdom under the sea? Much less with a smart and caring leader?”[/color]

The resulting smile felt both foreign and natural to him, shared with the enchanting ocean girl. [color=Goldenrod]“I trust your leadership, trust my ability to support.”[/color]

Kassy grinned back at him. Why was it so warm in the room, suddenly? [color=orange]“I’ll be glad to have you, then. You’re going to love Atlantis, it’s so beautiful there.”[/color] She was relieved that he’d make the mission - he was the one she trusted the most. 

[color=orange]“Alright. I think I’m ready to face this now.”[/color]

Kila slowly nodded, taking a few steps back towards the elevator. There was a certain warmth in his chest now that replaced the anxious prickling from before. She was the cause, the boy was not fooled by his body’s responses. However, there’d be a time to attempt to break it down further. For now, they had a mission to attend, and that was more important.

The blur in his memory…the connection to his power, there was some kind of correlation. His question though…would it overtake him on this mission? Is there a way to make himself remember? 

There was only one current way to find out.