[color=lightgray][center][h1][color=red]FLASHBACK TO AUCTION DATE[/color][/h1] [h2][color=lightsteelblue]Cassius[/color] & [color=D0B4EC]Charlotte[/color][/h2] [hr][/center] And with that…the bid was done. Cassius was declared the winner, and Calbert was…well…1000 gold the poorer. Cas rose from his seat as the auction moved on. He took the opportunity to place a gentle hand on his sister’s shoulder as thanks for what only she knew she offered him during that time. Leaving her to tend to her own business, Cassius could still hear the shock and awe from the crowd. [i]One thousand[/i]. He could feel the amount of gold burning in their mouths, raising envy from some and gratefulness from others. This was all meant to be for a good cause, after all. The crowd parted for him as he walked. Some members of the audience approached to thank him for his contribution. He entertained them for the briefest of moments, but he did not allow anyone to linger as he kept his stride towards Charlotte as steady as he could. He looked back over his shoulder, the full mask of his pride and arrogance worn on display as he peered at both Kira and Prince Callum. His expression, performative as it was, said it all. [b]He had beaten them.[/b] Finally, as the stage loomed closer, Cassius Damien allowed his eyes to find [i]his prize[/i]. She did not look happy to see him approaching, that much was clear, and despite the brilliance of his devil may care persona…his heart was pounding in his chest, and his throat was as tight as could be as he moved ever towards her. [color=lightsteelblue]“Hey stranger…”[/color] Cassius greeted her. It was all he could manage, especially under the guise of suave nonchalance that he was forcing. Given her expression, the clear tension between them, and the reason why Cassius bid on her at all…what the fuck was he even meant to say at this point? So, he left it there and awaited her response. Charlotte held his gaze for a long, simmering moment, her eyes steady as they bore into his intensely. Then, at last, her lips curved into a smile devoid of warmth. Without a word, she lifted one hand and crooked a single finger toward herself; a motion that could be mistaken for playful to some, yet to him, perhaps, looked more like a command. She turned on her heel and crossed the grass without waiting to see if he would follow., until a picnic blanket came into view beneath a willow tree. After setting her wicker basket down, she settled down onto the blanket and smoothed her dress. Only then did her eyes flick back to him, her tone gentle but with a slight edge. [color=D0B4EC]“Nadeyus', vy golodny.”[/color] [i](I hope you’re hungry.)[/i] From the basket, she began to draw out an array of food that had all been elevated by the hand of Gilbert. She first pulled out a warm loaf of garlic bread, the buttery scent filling the air. But this was no ordinary loaf. When sliced, the crust revealed layers of tender meat and rich sauce baked inside. Then, crepes were folded with cream and fruit, the tops dusted with sugar. Beside these, a small plate of crackers layered neatly around a mound of cream cheese with glistening red pepper jelly on top. She set out ham-and-cheese croissants as well, which were still warm. Charlotte arranged each piece without ever looking at him, her composure seemingly intact. Yet the faint tremor in her hands betrayed what her face refused to show. Cas’s eyes never dipped as her gaze bore into him, yet once she turned away he allowed himself to feel the lack of warmth in her presence before following her veiled command. The picnic area she led him to was beautiful, but his vigilance had his eyes wandering the grounds…doing what he could to make sure they were safe from more of Kira’s wicked machinations. His eyes found Charlotte once more as she sat down on the blanket. He moved to join her, the forced grin of hubris shifting to one more genuine as she started speaking one of Varian’s native tongues. He answered her in kind. [color=lightsteelblue]“O, ya vsegda goloden.”[/color] [i](Oh, I'm always hungry)[/i] Whatever game Lottie felt she needed to play with her indifference was fine by him, though he could not deny that he missed the comfort of her gentle smile. Charlotte’s performance, as poised as it stood, was betrayed by the way her fingers shook as she arranged the delectable food in front of them. His eyes chose to focus on her gaze instead, allowing the secret to be safe with him. He had seen her true composure…and that was enough. [color=lightsteelblue]“A teper' posmotrite na eto... Yeda, dostoynaya samikh bogov.”[/color] [i](Now look at this... A meal fit for the gods themselves.)[/i] He smiled at her, offering the warmth she so clearly would not. [color=lightsteelblue]“My mother used to call meals these [i]podarki zhizni[/i].[/color] [i](Life’s little gifts.)[/i] It was then that Charlotte handed him an empty plate to fill. Though her expression didn’t soften, her tone was genuine as she told him, [color=D0B4EC]“Nadeyus’, tebe ponravitsya.”[/color](I hope you enjoy.) [color=lightsteelblue]“Kak tut ne poveselit'sya?”[/color] [i](What’s not to enjoy)[/i]. Cas asked in response, shifting back to the Eromorian tongue as he continued. [color=lightsteelblue]“Good food…beautiful surroundings…[i]pleasant[/i] company.”[/color] He let the sarcasm hang on the word pleasant and reached forward to grab one of the ham and cheese croissants, allowing it to travel to his mouth for a bite. It was buttery and delicious, but before taking a second bite, he addressed one of the elephants in the room. [color=lightsteelblue]“As much as I love a chance to speak Krasivayan here in Sorian, Lottie…I can’t help the curiosity. Why the Varian twist on our little picnic here, huh?”[/color] Charlotte selected a crepe for herself, laying it neatly upon her plate. She lifted her fork and knife, then cut into the pastry. When she looked up, her blue eyes glimmered with irony. [color=D0B4EC]“Oh, well. I was under the impression you did not understand Eromorian.”[/color] The words were soft on the surface, to say the least. [color=D0B4EC]“After all, I told you quite plainly last night to leave me be, and yet here you are. So I must assume you simply failed to comprehend me.”[/color] Her knife slid through the crepe again, before she added in a quieter pitch but with underlying bite: [color=D0B4EC]“I was also under the impression you think rather woefully of me… So that brings me to my question: What is it you truly want from me today?”[/color] The practiced smile on Cas’s face dropped as she revealed her reason. He froze in confusion, pondering what she could possibly mean regarding last night. All he recalled about his night was the whiskey, the women, and just how withdrawn from it all he felt upon waking. It took him an awkwardly long moment to respond. [color=lightsteelblue]“You said these things to me…last night?”[/color] Her expression softened at last, though it was not with warmth; rather, with sorrow, her lips parting as if she had been surprised by the situation herself. [color=D0B4EC]“Yes, Lord Damien. We were cross last night.”[/color] Her voice was steady, but the sadness in her eyes betrayed her. [color=D0B4EC]“I told you to stay away… However I do suppose you were…rather inebriated.”[/color] The words carried no malice, only weary resignation…yet they stung him all the same. After a moment she met his gaze. [color=D0B4EC]“I already settled matters with your father just the other day… I must confess I do not understand why you continue to antagonize me.”[/color] Cassius let his gaze break away, his eyes falling to the ground as he tried to remember. There were…[i]feelings[/i]…from the night before. Lingering echoes of frustration, desperation, even things like [i]pride[/i], but no memories. He had no recollection of seeing her, no remembrance of her there at the tavern and certainly not of some kind of quarrel. His heart sank into his gut as he wondered what could have happened…the stinging of her words calling him out for being so inebriated causing him more pain than expected. He, for better or worse, was used to that level of oblivion…but he was not used to forgetting it all. How had he treated her? What pieces of himself had been floating at the surface to make her so cross with him? Had it been worse than the banquet? Certainly not…that was a pain he wished to never replicate. For a moment, he panicked at the thought that he may have forced her to replicate that very pain last night. However, the next words out of her mouth broke his focus and pulled his eyes back to meet hers once again. He responded without even taking the time to process it all. [color=lightsteelblue]“What do you mean you settled matters with my father? What does Calbert even have to do with this?”[/color] Realization flooded him, and his eyes narrowed at the thought of what she was suggesting. [color=lightsteelblue]“Wait…do you really think that I’m here as some kind of…agent…for him? That all of this was some kind of ploy? Are you that foolish?”[/color] Those last four words were bad enough. But the tone they were wrapped in…that was where the real damage would be done. Charlotte was silent as she absorbed his words. Fury had surged within, and a torrent of words in her own defense quickly perished on her tongue, quelled by the harsh reminder that it would only be a waste of breath. Finally she spoke, steady despite the emotions swirling within, [color=D0B4EC]“Perhaps I am.”[/color] She set her fork aside, but gaze did not lift to meet his, not this time. [color=D0B4EC]“Even more reason for you to leave me be.”[/color] The words hung there like the closing of a door. Cassius regretted the severity of his tone before the words had even finished being voiced, but her response…it only compounded that regret. [color=lightsteelblue]“Charlotte, this isn’t me trying to terrorize you. I…I was trying to…”[/color] The words got stuck on his tongue as he froze, pondering how to explain it all. He had hoped to avoid having to tell her about Kira at all, but now…now he wasn’t sure how to proceed. Cassius simply felt lost in the weight of the moment. [color=D0B4EC]“…It’s alright, Cassius.” [/color] Charlotte told him, her voice surprisingly gentle this time, yet it carried a hint of resignation. She picked up a strawberry in her hand, rolling it between her fingers. However, she never moved to eat it. [color=D0B4EC]“Please enjoy the food. Don’t worry about last night …or any of it.” [/color] She dropped the strawberry back in the plate after a pause, lowering her head as her lip quivered. Then, she slowly rose and brushed off her dress. [color=D0B4EC]“Please excuse me.” [/color] Cassius watched as she began to stand, the quiver in her lip threatened to sunder what little control he had over his own thoughts and feelings in the moment. Mostly, he was just desperate. Desperate to explain, desperate to defend against the perception she had formed of him, but above it all…he was just desperate for her to stay. As she began to move away, Cassius wrestled with the waves that were drowning him. Before he could even consider what to do, or say, he rose to meet her…and gently grabbed her wrist. The hand that bound her there was shaking as he pulled her back to face him. [color=lightsteelblue]“Charlotte, just wait a moment…Please.”[/color] As much as he tried to play his usual demeanor, he had lost it here. The hint of desperation was obvious in his voice. And so she did. She lingered, her melancholic blue gaze raising to meet his as her heart fluttered faster against her ribs. [color=lightsteelblue]“I’m not here to torment you, Charlotte. This isn’t some kind of sick game to me. I bid on you because…because I was trying to protect you.”[/color] His jaw clenched as the words finished flowing, and he stood there waiting for her response. Though he didn’t even realize he was still holding onto her. She hesitated, holding his gaze, her eyes narrowing slightly. Then she asked, [color=D0B4EC]“...From?” [/color] Cassius hesitated. His instincts begged him to keep his cards close to his chest. But his heart, it begged for something else entirely. [color=lightsteelblue]“The woman who bid on you with Prince Callum…”[/color] He said, stopping to really question his next words before continuing. [color=lightsteelblue]“She’s dangerous. No, she’s [i]worse than that[/i], Lottie…She’s a killer.”[/color] Charlotte’s gaze slowly darted past him, sweeping the crowd as though she might catch a glimpse of the woman again. But the face was gone, lost among the sea of nobles. Her lips pressed together, her thoughts racing, before she finally returned her eyes to Cassius. [color=D0B4EC]“You mean Kira?”[/color] she asked softly, the name slipping out. She was silent, thoughtful for another moment. Then she added, [color=D0B4EC]“…What could she possibly want from me?”[/color] He watched as she searched the crowd, eyes never leaving her as he witnessed the thoughts and emotions come flooding. The moment she dropped Kira’s name, Cas’s head tilted in confusion and he reached out to gently turn her gaze back to him. His voice came out serious, and carried urgency. [color=lightsteelblue]“How do you know her name? Has she contacted you before? Lottie, tell me everything.”[/color] Charlotte arched a brow. [color=D0B4EC]“She attended an event, and she introduced herself at our table.”[/color] Though her voice had been calm, internally she was rather perplexed. She couldn’t understand why this all even mattered to him, especially when it was impossible to pull her focus from the feeling of his skin against hers; a sensation she had missed more than she wanted to admit. Without missing a beat, Cas responded, his hand still resting underneath her chin. [color=lightsteelblue]“You must stay away from her, Lottie.”[/color] The words came out more like a command than he had meant, but there was no getting around the severity of this situation. Kira was far too dangerous. Charlotte’s gaze initially dipped to where his hand lingered against her, her cheeks flushing. She lifted her eyes back to his, her brows furrowing. [color=D0B4EC]“I’m not afraid of her. I can take care of myself, quite thank you.”[/color] When her eyes met his again, he let his gaze rest there as he searched them. Unlike his last words, Cassius did not blurt out his response. Instead, he simply reached down and lifted the hem of his shirt to reveal his bandaged and bruised abdomen. Even with the accelerated healing afforded him by his father’s hired mage, the damage was still visible. [color=lightsteelblue]“You’re not afraid? Well, take it from me, Charlotte…you should be.”[/color] Charlotte’s eyes widened at the sight of his abdomen, her breath catching. [color=D0B4EC]“Then… then we should tell the guards, have them arrest her.”[/color] Cassius let his shirt fall back into place, his hand finally dropping from her chin. [color=lightsteelblue]“I’m sorry, but it’s just not that simple. I know how she operates. She’d be long gone before they could capture her, and even if they got lucky, those bars wouldn't hold her for long. Either way, she'd only come back angrier. Deadlier."[/color] As the words sank in, her chest tightened and she lost composure just for a moment. [color=D0B4EC]“But she cannot just get away with harming you!” [/color] She protested. This time, Charlotte had been the one to suddenly blurt out her words. The reaction caught Cassius off guard. Out of instinct, he leaned into the space between them, closing the gap ever the slightest. His lips parted but no words came at first. Instead, he just stared. It was the closest to her warmth that he had felt since before their quarrel at the banquet. That protective energy…the same that he carried for her during the bid. What did it mean? After what felt like too long a time, Cas’s eyes fell from her as his head lowered from her gaze. With a deep breath, he steadied himself, and his tone shifted to that of a promise. [color=lightsteelblue]“She won’t.”[/color] Two simple words, but the conviction…the absoluteness they carried was heavy. Charlotte’s brows remained furrowed, her gaze fixed on him, her cheeks warm as she wondered how long he meant to hold her there beneath his stare. At last, he looked away and spoke, and in turn she answered,[color=D0B4EC]“Then see that you keep your word.”[/color] Subsequently she muttered something rather incomprehensible and turned sharply on her heel. Charlotte then knelt down and busied herself with hurriedly gathering the scattered food back into her basket. Cassius watched as she started getting everything back together so she could take her leave, and he took a long time to answer her. Though eventually, he did speak. [color=lightsteelblue]“I will, I promise…”[/color] He said with intent. [color=lightsteelblue]“And Charlotte…I’ll do what you asked of me before. I’ll leave you alone.”[/color] Those last words almost burned their way out of his mouth. They felt wrong, but if that’s what she truly wanted, he’d give her that kindness. Charlotte’s movements had slowed as his words lingered in the air. She did not lift her gaze, her hands stilling. Eventually, she did finish and gather her things, tucking the last of the food into the wicker basket. Without another word, she rose and departed through the grass until only the hollow silence of her absence remained alongside Cassius. [/color]