[hr][hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/0SdKWRg.jpeg[/img][hr][COLOR=CCA1A1]Location:[/color] Mikkail's Sitting Room
[COLOR=CCA1A1]Grimoire:[/color] N/A
[COLOR=CCA1A1]Skills:[/color] N/A
[url=https://i.pinimg.com/originals/26/90/9f/26909fcc172c4b9c3263269a858b3bb1.jpg]Current Outfit[/url]
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Cassie could only stare in disbelief. To have her put down like she was a child after she had sacrificed herself to obtain the knowledge asked of her, to help his brother, and have it thrown back in her face. And what? She was supposed to bow down to him because he helped her? A decent person helps another and does not ask nor beg for acknowledgement. The sheer gall of Barty to believe he is on the side of anything just. She felt her emotions rile up inside of her and she felt it take hold. All she had to do was unleash it and Bary would be dust. Nothing but specks on the ground under her boot and then what would he say? 

Cassie felt the darkness take hold and she….stopped it. She felt it swell, but she let it rest. Because, deep down, as much as she hated to admit it to herself, Barty was right. And while she was upset over his hold over Jake, for Jake agreeing to the pact, on Willow remaining silent, at Nicky for allowing his brother to take charge, she was mainly mad at herself. She had failed.

But she knew she had control of the journal still. She could feel the power over it, but she also knew it would not last. If they were to gain any knowledge from it before destroying it, it was now or never. But she knew Cal would not hand it over willingly. Cal, one of few people she trusted in this moment alongside Connie. Cal had shielded her, stood by her and challenged Barty. But she also knew he would fall on the proverbial sword before allowing her a moment longer with the journal.

[color=CCA1A1]”Cal, the journal needs to be destroyed, but I know I can get something from it before doing so. The spell I performed still has a hold over it. I can get information from it and then you can do what you want. But please, let me try.”[/color] 

Cal turned his head. He opened his mouth to deny her but paused. He could see the determination on her face. His face fell and he looked at her where her hand should be. [color=#B22222]”You've already sacrificed more than you should have Cassie… We do not know what your magic has awakened within the book. What if it has as much of a hold on you as you the book?”[/color] 

[Color=8a9a5b]”If you truly believe she has sacrificed more than enough for this, then why make it be in vain? If the girl truly has a hold over the book in some manner of spell work, it won't last forever and she would have lost her hand for nothing. I say let the witch do her attempts, all you can do is shield her should the magic backfire again. I can stand by and aid in healing should it come to that.”[/color] Barty pulled his flask out, taking a swig of Scotch. 

Cassie was a little thrown back at Barty backing her up, though her untrusting nature of him made her think he would relish in her failed attempts. But even then his words were true. If she didn’t at least try to get what she could from the journal, then all she sacrificed would be for nothing other than her failure. [color=CCA1A1]”Please Cal, let me try. I can feel the hold on it still, but I know it’s slipping. After I try, you can destroy it. I promise.”[/color]

Cal turned disbelieving eyes into Barty. [color=#B22222]”Are you seriously agreeing with Cassie after targeting her and calling her a child? No. You wouldn't be agreeing to this unless there was something in it for you, and I'm not letting you gamble with her life.”[/color] Cal looked back at Cassie. He didn't want to disappoint her but this was bigger than they thought.

Barty gave Cal a flat look. [Color=8a9a5b]”If it was up to me, I would've enchanted you to hand me the book and I would simply toss it to her. I half considered doing it earlier when you refuted my brother's aid. But yet here I am, deciding to plead to your better side instead. I gain nothing from aiding this witch, save for the peace of mind in knowing that this infernal thing will be dealt with. If there happens to be some information within the tome to aid in your mystery then all the better. So which shall it be Cal? Are you going to be willing to let the witch try her hand once more, or am I to intervene and make it happen?”[/color]

Things were getting tense, which would normally have made Cassie back off. She had never been one for confrontation. However, this was different. This was, very likely, a chance for her to prove herself not only to Professor Mikkail and her coven, but to herself. She needed to take chances, risks. Wasn’t that part of controlling chaos magic? It was unpredictable, which means she had to be also.

[color=CCA1A1]”I have control over it currently. That will not last long. There’s information to be gained. I need to do this. Otherwise..”[/color] She looked down to where her hand was. [color=CCA1A1]”I trust you have my best interests at heart Cal, but I need you to trust me now. I will be careful, and as Barty said, he is here as back-up in case it goes wrong. The moment I notice something off I will back away.”[/color]

Cal glared at Barty, wanting to dare him to do it. [color=#B22222]”Fine. But we're going to Mikkail’s tower. And you need to be honest in return. If you start to lose control, I'm stepping in. No third chances,”[/color] Cal said to Cassie directly. 

Barty smiled sarcastically. He could tell that Cal wasn't pleased to be threatened with force, and yet here Barty was holding himself back. Strides of improvement some might say. He made a shooing motion with his hands at the pair of them. [Color=8a9a5b]"Let's get a move on then. I still have [i]my own[/i] Mystery to attend to, and ours is barred by time. Time I'm wasting here."[/color] 

Cassie didn’t have time to worry over whether Barty planned to do anything. [color=CCA1A1]”I agree to those terms,”[/color] she told Cal. But she wouldn’t, couldn’t lose control. She had to do this. She allowed Cal and Barty to take the lead to Mikkail’s tower. She needed to prepare.