[color=lightgray][center][h1][color=Lightsteelblue]Cassius[/color] & [color=AFB3E0]Charlotte[/color][/h1][/center]

[hr]

Cassius leaned against the wall nearest the wine table, his mind billowing with hundreds of thoughts all at once. He was a man that was fine being left to his solitude, but the quiet of a massive house like this did not suit him well when his storm of a mind raged like it was in this moment. There was nothing around to distract him from the contemplations and questions that he was yet to find answers for. Nothing other than his wine. 

As he sipped, he savored the taste on his tongue. For too long he had accepted the comforts of cheap drinks, but if he were to be a Lord as his father so temptingly offered…perhaps it was time to get used to such luxuries. He scoffed at the thought of himself as a noble. It made him laugh. As he stood there, his dark clothing had literally been stained with blood earlier in the evening. He was a mut, a mercenary, and often the kind of man that became a menace to nobility. Yet here he was on the precipice of joining the fold...Such an odd reality to process. The difference in his life that the previous twenty-four hours had made was something that even he who lived it had difficulty believing. 

His musings were interrupted by a knock at the door. He looked around, expecting a servant or staff member to appear out of thin air to answer the knocking, but alas…he was completely alone in the foyer. With a quick gulp, Cassius downed the rest of his wine and placed the glass back on the table. Pulling himself off the wall, he stretched his shoulders a bit before sauntering over towards the door. [i]Finally, a distraction.[/i] He thought to himself as he reached out and pulled the door open with a grin. 

Suddenly, the tempest raging in his mind quieted as his eyes met the person on the other side. It was an eerie thing for a storm to grow so calm so quickly. Sometimes it was an indication that the eye of the very storm itself was overhead, and that the worst was yet to come. Other times, as a storm dies down… all that remains is calm. 

The woman standing outside the door was a stranger to Cassius. His eyes had never met hers before, nor had they ever been graced by her presence. Yet it was odd, for he felt such a spark of familiarity ignite as he took in the sight of her. He tilted his head not unlike a dog as he tried to make sense of it, but it was to no avail. Instead, he took in the beauty of the woman. Her glorious raven black locks framed her face in the most stunning of ways. The red velvet dress she was wearing looked as soft as anything he had ever touched. Then there were her melancholy eyes. The kind one could lose themselves to if not careful. In all of their sadness, they were beautiful. The calm that came over Cassius the moment he saw her allowed him to drink her in no different than he was the wine that filled his glass moments ago. He had not the slightest clue what to expect when he opened the door, but even so…she was a worthy surprise. 

Cassius let his grin turn into an alluring smile as he licked the last bit of wine from his lips before finally addressing her. [color=Lightsteelblue]“Fuck me, you’re gorgeous, aren’t you?”[/color] He pulled the door open a bit more and stepped fully into the threshold, placing a hand at the top of the frame, he leaned into it nonchalantly. [color=Lightsteelblue]“Are you lost, darling?”[/color]

Charlotte had braced herself, her heart pounding, as the door swung open. She had hoped to see the sight of her dear Crystal or to see the pensive Violet standing there, alive and well.  She had also dreaded the appearance of Count Calbert, the master of the estate, and for a fleeting moment she had thought that was just who had been standing there as a male form appeared in front of her, emerging from the shadows of the foyer.

But he was none of the above. As the moonlight graced his face in an almost ethereal way, it illuminated his stormy gray eyes that matched the silver in his hair. As the two stared at each other at the foot of the door, more details came into focus. A scar struck through his right eye on his face, somehow only adding to his allure. She had never seen anyone quite like him. He reminded her of a poem. He held a certain mystery and a beauty that one would unfold more and more before the reader with each reread.

Her gaze involuntarily dipped, her curiosity piqued by the peculiar attire adorning the stranger before her. It was evident that he did not belong to the ranks of servants—[i]So just who was this man?[/i]

Charlotte had been trying to recall the reason she had even come here when he finally spoke up. The words sent a rush of warmth to her cheeks, and her eyelashes fluttered as if she had awoken from a deep slumber. 

[color=AFB3E0]“I… I beg your pardon?”[/color] she stammered, her lips parting into a tentative smile. With a slow nod, as if coaxing herself to regain composure, she continued,[color=AFB3E0] “Oh… I am not lost. In fact, I am quite found, or rather…”[/color] Frustration tinged her expression as she furrowed her brows, seeking to articulate her thoughts.. [color=AFB3E0]“…Who are you again?”[/color]

He watched in glee as the girl struggled to articulate. It was cute that she was already flustered. Perhaps she was an innocent little priss. He savored the quick thought of how he could perhaps corrupt such a lovely and wholesome thing. Her eyes dipped to take in the sight of him, and his smile only widened as he observed her attempt to collect herself.  

[color=Lightsteelblue]“Oh…you like what you see, don’t you?”[/color] Cassius teased, using his free hand to motion towards himself. [color=Lightsteelblue]“I can’t say I blame you...I am rather stunning.” [/color] He let his eyes dip and explore her frame, looking over her curves and the beauty of her slim body. He then turned his attention back to her melancholy eyes as he answered her question. [color=Lightsteelblue]“Who am I? See that is an excellent question, because whether you truly are lost or found, you currently [i]find[/i] yourself blessed to be in the presence of Cassius Vael.” [/color] He smiled arrogantly at her, letting all the charm in the world drip from his words. [color=Lightsteelblue]“Or rather, Cassius Damien…depending on who you ask. Turns out the Count has a bastard son. Lucky him.” [/color] His gaze turned seductive as he leaned through the threshold of the door, inching ever closer to her. [color=Lightsteelblue]“Really…I should be saying lucky you. Whoever it is that you may be. Tell me love, what is your name?”[/color]  
 
Charlotte crossed her arms tightly across her body as she watched his eyes travel over her body just the way that Farim had done not long ago. She wondered if there had been something strange about her that prompted them to leer in such a manner. Perhaps they just wanted to intimidate her. Nonetheless, the man continued on without interruption from Charlotte, introducing himself.

Any trace of a favorable impression she had of him faded away with each and every word, continuing to reveal himself as yet another self-absorbed individual to add to the overwhelming population of such characters in Sorian. The revelation that he was the illegitimate son of Calbert elicited an expression of genuine surprise… [i]with a hint of dread[/i].

[color=AFB3E0] [i]...Another one!? The world truly is unjust. The last thing I needed was Calbert the sequel. No way. I refuse to play games with two of them… That's assuming he's even telling the truth![/i][/color]

With a forced smile, she introduced herself curtly,[color=AFB3E0]“…My name is Charlotte.”[/color]

 Eager to cut him off before he embarked on another arrogant monologue, she interjected,[color=AFB3E0] “Cassius Vael. Is anyone else home?”[/color] Her question, tinged with impatience, came across more as a demand than a polite inquiry.

The woman’s expression transitioned, and Cassius particularly enjoyed watching her cross her arms in irritation at him. Something about riling up a beauty like her put a smile on his face. Mockingly, he stood straight up and pulled his hand down from the door frame to cross his arms as well. With a wink, he flashed her a playful smile before responding.

[color=Lightsteelblue]“The sound of my name on your lips is so…very…sweet.”[/color] He teased with his words, absolute confidence soaking into each and every annunciation. 

[i][color=AFB3E0]“...Excuse me?”[/color][/i]

 [color=Lightsteelblue]“Say it louder. I dare you.”[/color] The cheeky grin on his face highlighted the rugged handsomeness that he exuded; the sun-kissed skin of a man who has known the road for many years, the unkempt hair that is just begging to be freed from its tie, and the cut of his shirt that reveals just enough of his chest to entice wandering eyes…it was as though he had been designed by the gods themselves as the kind of man mothers warn their daughters about, and he was very aware of that fact. He did not allow her to respond to his dare. Instead, he began to lay it on even thicker. [color=Lightsteelblue]“I’m not sure where the others are. I’m a stranger to this place, after all. I know that [i]father dearest[/i] had business to attend to elsewhere so you just missed the Count. Lily is off getting me a bite to eat. I have no idea where Crystal would be this time of night; probably up in her room playing with dolls or pining over that boy from the archery tournament.”[/color] An interesting expression emerged as he considered mentioning Violet as well, but given the content of some of what he was able to overhear during the argument earlier he decided to simply not. [color=Lightsteelblue]“As for you…I do not know who you are or what you want, but I know that if you come with me perhaps we can search for my room [i]together[/i]?”[/color]

Charlotte’s face reddened as a multitude of feelings engulfed her, the most prominent being that she felt her blood might start to boil at this point. She wondered at that moment if everyone had lost their minds that night.

[color=AFB3E0][i]I think… I think I want to hit him. [/i][/color] 

Quite frankly, she wasn’t sure if she had ever had a thought like that before. After the day she had, she was simply tired of the constant turmoil.

However, she refused to give Cassius the satisfaction of knowing he had rattled her. Suppressing her rising fury, she attempted to compose herself and asked her questions with strained restraint.  [color=AFB3E0] “... How about Violet?...Is she home?...”[/color] 

However, her composure crumbled within moments of making her inquiries. Taking an assertive step forward, her eyes narrowed as the words slipped her lips,[color=AFB3E0]"You know what? You... You're nowhere near as charming as you seem to believe."[/color] 

She had a little fire in her. Cassius liked that. He liked that [i]a lot[/i]. 

Cas watched as she squirmed a bit. It was as though she didn’t know how to take what he had just suggested. It was fun to watch her barely keep from falling to pieces, but he was proud of her effort. For a moment, the girl held herself together and even managed to inquire about Violet. [i]Perhaps it’s safe to discuss her after all.[/i] Just as he was about to answer her inquiry, the woman lost her composure. A mischievous smile curled across his face gleefully from the small victory, and he did not budge an inch as she closed the distance between them. 

Her claim that he wasn’t as charming as he thought he was could very well be true. But at the end of the day, he was always just charming enough. 

[color=Lightsteelblue]“Well well…you just couldn’t resist getting a little bit closer could you?  Hide behind that fire all you want, sweetheart. I see you. I see the desire in those sad eyes of yours. You’ll be begging for me in no time.”[/color] As he spoke, Cassius bent slowly to bridge the gap between their height differences. By the end, he was close enough to smell the sweetness of her perfume. [color=Lightsteelblue]“But I’m not adverse to a little patience. We’ll see how long this little game lasts, and when you’re ready to beg…we can see how long [i]you last[/i] beneath me.”[/color] Cassius paused just long enough for his words to sink in, but he did not give her the opportunity to respond. [color=Lightsteelblue]“As for Violet…she’s upstairs in her room. [i]Mommy and Daddy[/i] made her very angry. Perhaps she could use a friend.”[/color] 

Charlotte held her ground, her anger palpable as her eyes darted across his face. She was in disbelief at the nerve of this man. For once, she decided to say exactly how she felt. Glaring up at him from below, she confronted him with growing venom in her tone,[color=AFB3E0]”…You mistake my repulsion for having even the slightest interest in you… [i]The only time I’ll be anywhere near you again is in your dreams.[/i] …You’re disgusting and you should strive to not be such a vulgar jerk for a change... Maybe then you’ll have friends too.”[/color]
 
Practically seething, she stepped into the door frame and paused, recalling it wasn’t technically her house. She lingered there at his side, her gaze fixated forward into the foyer, finally muttering, [color=AFB3E0]”…Could I go in please?” [/color]

Her aggression was a surprise, and a welcome one at that. He had seen that fire in her but had underestimated its intensity. He was impressed. Perhaps she wasn’t as meek as she first seemed. Cassius took her words in stride as though they were music to his ears. Her insults showered over him no different than the compliments of a honey-tongued princess. Love him or hate him, it mattered not. He had made his impression, and this woman would never forget his name. Even in all of her seething, he could see the desire hidden deep within her eyes. 

[color=Lightsteelblue]“Oh love, keep talking dirty to me like that and I’ll give you anything you so desire.” [/color] Cassius teased as she requested to pass him. [color=lightsteelblue]“But since you asked nicely like a good girl…and even said the magic word, go on in.”[/color] He leaned into one side of the doorway, giving her just barely enough room to step by him. [color=Lightsteelblue]“But before you go…It was a pleasure to meet you Lady Charlotte. As you said, I’ll be seeing you in my dreams. Just the same way you will be seeing me in yours.”[/color] His eyes were full of charm as they settled on hers.

She narrowed her eyes at him and took a step inside. However, his words had sunk in as the seconds ticked by and she whirled around once more with clenched fists,[color=AFB3E0] “The only desire you see in my eyes is the desire for you to leave me al-“[/color] Her words broke off as Cassius suddenly reached a hand up to brush the hair in her face behind her ear.

[color=Lightsteelblue]“One more thing, love. If you’re going in…you to need to be able to see clearly.”[/color] His movement was gentle, and his expression was sweet despite all of his bravado. [color=Lightsteelblue] “There…that’s better.”[/color] His hand lingered as he smiled at her warmly.

Charlotte breathlessly stared at him, frozen in her spot momentarily. Surprise encompassed her expression briefly, then finally  sadness.[color=AFB3E0] [i]Head games... He is his father’s son afterall.[/i] [/color]

With a grimace, she gently batted his hand away and moved inside.[/color]