[color=lightgray][center][h1][color=D0B4EC]Charlotte[/color] & [color=lightsteelblue]Cassius[/color][/h1][/center]

[h2][color=lightsteelblue][center]Part 2[/center][/color][/h2]

[color=lightsteelblue]Time:[/color] [color=D0B4EC][b]9:15am[/b][/color] (Earlier than starting point)
[color=D0B4EC] Location:[/color] Lover’s Lake

[hr]

Cassius had moved swiftly after that, cutting and cleaning the fish he had caught. Charlotte could tell easily from his technique that he was skilled at the task as she watched on.

Luckily, there had already been some gathered wood once he had finished preparing the fish. Soon, a small fire was crackling to life beside the water and the smell of smoke mingled with the breeze. The fish crackled as its skin crisped over the flames.

Charlotte had taken the opportunity to lay a napkin over a nearby log, creating a makeshift seat for herself. She sat gracefully, her skirt carefully arranged as firelight played across her features. 

He glanced over at Charlotte out of the corner of his eye, taking in the sight of her perched elegantly on the log. His gaze lingered for a moment longer than intended, a soft smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

[color=lightsteelblue]"Look at you…"[/color] he teased, turning back to the fire as he adjusted the fish over the flames. [color=lightsteelblue]"Sittin' there like some proper lady out for a picnic."[/color] He shot her a playful look, those storm-gray eyes glinting in the firelight.  [color=lightsteelblue]“I’m beginning to wonder if I’m underdressed, princess.”[/color] 

With another blush, Charlotte laughed, [color=D0B4EC] “Do you usually dress to the nines when you invite others to join you for some fish roasting?”[/color]

Cassius chuckled, the sound of his voice was low and warm as he kept his firelit eyes on her. [color=lightsteelblue]"When they’re as pretty as you are, maybe I do."[/color] he replied smoothly. 

With a statement as direct as that, she couldn’t quite ignore it. With a nervous giggle, she lowered her gaze and smiled at the ground. [color=D0B4EC]“Thank you… That’s really nice of you to say.”[/color] Her voice lowered in tone and the smile on her face turned a little lopsided. Admittedly, Charlotte wasn’t so used to receiving compliments as much, especially as her reputation had soured. 

Cassius watched her closely, noticing how his compliment seemed to have struck a chord. The way her gaze dropped and her smile turned a little shy only made him more curious. He finished up the fish, letting the silence hang in the air just long enough to keep the moment alive between them.

[color=lightsteelblue]“You’re welcome.”[/color] he murmured, a bit softer than before as he took a piece of the perfectly cooked fish onto a fork. He brought it to his lips, blowing on it gently to cool it down before turning his attention back to Charlotte.

With deliberate slowness, Cassius leaned in a little closer, holding the fork out to her. [color=lightsteelblue]“Here, try this,”[/color] he urged her, his voice inviting, the hint of a smirk still playing on his lips. [color=lightsteelblue]“Tell me how it tastes.”[/color]

Charlotte hesitated for just a moment, a bashful look on her face. Then she leaned forward slightly, taking the bite off the fork. A rich and smoky flavor filled her mouth, and she let out a pleased hum as she chewed. [color=D0B4EC]“That’s better than I thought it would be!”[/color] She exclaimed enthusiastically, and added teasingly, [color=D0B4EC] “I understand the reason for the slaughter now.”[/color]

He watched Charlotte’s reaction closely, his smirk broadening into a genuine smile as she hummed in delight. Seeing her enjoy the product of his effort made the endeavor all the more worthwhile. 

[color=lightsteelblue] “I’ll take that as a massive compliment.”[/color] He teased right back. 

As he turned his attention to the fire once more, tending to the rest of the fish, his mind wandered back throughout the time they had spent together thus far that morning. Something about it all had felt so…[i]easy[/i]. However, it was the memory of when he first arrived that found him curious. She’d been talking to someone…or at least that seemed to be the case. 

He glanced over to her, his expression gentle. [color=lightsteelblue] “You know, Lottie…when I first saw you this morning, it sounded like you were speaking to someone.”[/color] he remarked lightly, trying not to pry too much. [color=lightsteelblue] “Perhaps you were simply praying…but I’m not sure I buy that.”[/color]   

Her gaze lifted to meet his briefly before falling back to the flickering flames. [color=D0B4EC]“I was talking to someone,”[/color] she admitted, her voice softening as her smile turned bittersweet, tinged with both sadness and nostalgia. [color=D0B4EC]“I lost my father some years ago, and when I find myself missing him terribly, I like to believe he’s still somewhere close, listening to me.”[/color] The corners of her mouth curved slightly, though her eyes remained fixed on the fire. A gentle, almost wistful laugh escaped her as she added, [color=D0B4EC]“It’s rather silly, I suppose, but sometimes I even sing to him, just as we used to. We would sit by the fire, much like this, with his guitar, and we’d sing together for hours.”[/color]

Cassius paused for a long time, almost long enough to make Charlotte worry. His eyes too fell to the flames. Finally, he spoke. [color=lightsteelblue] “I would spend what felt like little eternities with my mother as she played piano for me. I remember nights like those that would last until the sun came up. Just us, the piano, and the sound of her voice as she sang to me.”[/color] His words carried a hint of sorrow yet were full of earnestness. [color=lightsteelblue] “I can still hear the songs in my dreams.”[/color] He paused again, but this time only for a moment before his eyes found her face once again. [color=lightsteelblue] “I’m sorry for your loss, Charlotte. It’s hell, isn’t it?”[/color]  

Charlotte hadn’t met his gaze again until the very last words. When she did, her eyes were warm with understanding as she offered him a small smile. Gently, she reached out to take his hand tenderly, [color=D0B4EC] “It sounds like she really loves you.”[/color] She sincerely told him. [color=D0B4EC] “Music, at least to me, is a language of the soul for us musicians—a way to express our deepest emotions, our passions, our dreams, our love… For her to spend hours at the piano, playing through the night just to see you smile… Well, I don’t need to have met her to know that she absolutely adored you.”[/color]

As she spoke, Cas’s eyes dropped to take in the sight of her hand in his. The gesture was kindness in its purest of forms. He could feel the connection of that kindness from her touch alone. He hung there, at that moment for an instant…seemingly going elsewhere in his mind as he processed the weight of her words. A weight that perhaps he was not yet prepared to burden. Acknowledging her reassurance with a nod, his eyes slowly climbed up to meet her gaze. 

[color=lightsteelblue] “I can tell you adored him by the way you honor him with your words, and I would die on the hill that your father felt the same.”[/color] He spoke honestly. [color=lightsteelblue] “And you’re not alone, sometimes I find myself talking to my mother much the same as you were to him. There is a comfort there that I understand deeply.”[/color]

 [color=D0B4EC] “I know he did.”[/color] She agreed with a smile.  [color=D0B4EC] “It is rather comforting… I sometimes talk to my mother too whenever I’m alone…  Our relationship wasn’t as good as it used to be in her last years, though I do miss her very much.”[/color]

[color=lightsteelblue] “You lost them both? Lottie…I’m so very sorry.”[/color] He replied solemnly, his own grip on her hand tightened in hopes of comforting her. [color=lightsteelblue] “How old were you, if you don’t mind me asking?”[/color]  

Her expression softened as she felt the warmth of his hand, [color=D0B4EC] “Not the best hand to be dealt, huh?”[/color] She replied gently, with an almost teasing tone. [color=D0B4EC] “My father passed when I was ten years old, and my mother just a year ago…”[/color] She put a hand over her heart and smiled with fondness, [color=D0B4EC]  “But don’t worry, I’m not alone. I have my stepfather Lorenzo.”[/color]

Cas nodded with a warm smile, his eyes still tinged with weight. [color=lightsteelblue] “I mourned the idea of having a father when I was still a boy. It still feels odd to think that all this time, he was right here living his noble life in the lap of luxury while we…[/color] He stopped himself with a strategic little chuckle and turned back to the fire and after a small pause, he continued. [color=lightsteelblue] “As for my mother…tomorrow will be a month.”[/color]

Charlotte’s smile faded. Cassius hadn’t needed to finish the sentence for her to fill in the blanks. She wondered if Calbert had known all that time. With how dreadful of a personality he had lately, it was hard to give him the benefit of the doubt. Finally, she spoke sympathetically, [color=D0B4EC] “I’m so sorry. That must feel so fresh still… If you ever need anything, as I’ve said, I’m always right next door.”[/color] 

Cassius nodded slowly, appreciating Charlotte's sympathy. [color=lightsteelblue]“Thanks, Lottie.”[/color] he said with a soft smile. [color=lightsteelblue]“And the same goes for you. If you ever need anything, you know where to find me.”[/color]

Aware of the time, he shifted the conversation, not meaning for the wonderful mood to grow too heavy in the first place. With a glance at the fish, he let out a light chuckle. [color=lightsteelblue]“But enough about that! No point in roasting these beauties if we’re just gonna let ‘em sit.”[/color] His tone was casual, but there was warmth in his words, a gentleness that not everyone got the opportunity to see in him. 

[color=D0B4EC] “ You’re right. Let’s dig in!”[/color] Charlotte responded enthusiastically. After that, she ended up kebabing some of the fish on a stick to enjoy. As time passed and the two finished their meal, she stole a glance at the sun rising in the sky.  [color=D0B4EC] “I suppose I better make my departure for the party…” [/color]

He thought about the party, and how his father asked him that very morning to attend, but he could not help taking the opportunity to be a bit cheeky. [color=lightsteelblue] “Well, if I’m to accompany you to this [i]grown man’s birthday party[/i]…it would indeed be wise if we left soon.”[/color] Cassius teased playfully, his words caked with charm. [color=lightsteelblue] “Can’t have us being late for our second date now, can we?”[/color]  

Charlotte arched a delicate brow, her smile softening into something both sweet and teasing. [color=D0B4EC]”[i]Date[/i]?”[/color] she echoed with a playful lilt, though her action betrayed her as she rose, then led Tempestes over to him. [color=D0B4EC]“Well then, we mustn’t keep everyone waiting, must we?”[/color]

Cas approached Tempestes with a calm and steady presence, his hand reaching out to slowly stroke the horse’s mane one more time. [color=lightsteelblue]“Hey there, big guy.”[/color] he whispered. Carefully, he leaned down, bringing his forehead to rest against the animal. It was a brief, almost instinctual gesture, but one filled with genuine respect. He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the horse get used to his scent and energy. He could feel the warmth of the animal’s breath against him and the subtle shift of muscle under its sleek coat as he petted it in a calming motion. 

Turning his head to look up at Charlotte, he smiled. [color=lightsteelblue] “He’s a beautiful horse.”[/color] Cas stated with reverence. Shifting away from the animal, Cassius allowed room for Charlotte to take her place on the mount and offered his hand to help her up. [color=lightsteelblue] “Shall we?”[/color] 

Charlotte watched Cassius interact with Tempestes, her heart warming at the gentle way he approached her beloved horse. There was something so endearing about the way he quietly connected with the animal, a tenderness that she hadn’t quite expected. When he looked up at her and smiled, complimenting Tempestes, her own smile grew soft and genuine.

[color=D0B4EC]“He is, isn’t he?”[/color] she replied. As Cassius offered his hand, she took it with a graceful nod, feeling a slight flutter in her chest. [color=D0B4EC]“Thank you,”[/color] she uttered softly, allowing him to assist her onto the mount. Once she was settled, she looked down at him and it finally registered in her brain.

Cassius would be sitting right behind her, close enough for her to feel the warmth of his presence. Her cheeks flushed at the realization, and she found herself momentarily flustered, her hands fidgeting with the reins.

Her gaze flickered to Cassius, who was preparing to mount behind her, and she quickly looked away, her heart beating just a little faster. They didn’t have another horse, so it made sense, she told herself.

Without hesitation, Cassius swung himself onto the back of the horse behind her. As he settled in, his hands naturally found their place around Charlotte’s waist. He could sense the subtle shift in her posture, and could almost feel the flutter of her nerves as he did so. 

His own heart rate began to rise ever so slightly at their newfound proximity, and with a playful little grin worn proudly on his face, he leaned in just slightly, his breath warm against her skin. [color=lightsteelblue]"Comfortable?"[/color] he asked, more than satisfied with himself. 

[i][color=D0B4EC]“It’s as if I’m in a bed with hundreds of pillows.”[/color] [/i]

And with that, they departed to the party.[/color]