[h1][color=red][center]FLASHBACK[/center][/color][/h1] [color=lightgray][center][h2][color=D0B4EC]Lottie[/color] & [color=lightsteelblue]Cas[/color] [/h2] [h3]Part 1[/h3] [img]https://i.imgur.com/3xLx2dH.png[/img] [color=D0B4EC]Time:[/color] Late Night, Sola 25th [color=lightsteelblue]Location:[/color] Vikena Estate [/center] The trio lingered by the lakeside for a while longer, allowing Olivia to regain her strength as the night stretched on. The cool breeze carried the distant echoes of the city’s unrest, but here, wrapped in the quiet of nature, they found a brief respite from the chaos. Cassius remained watchful, his gaze flicking toward the horizon now and then, ensuring their cover remained intact. Charlotte kept close to Olivia, offering soft reassurances as warmth gradually returned to her friend’s limbs. Despite the night's earlier dangers, a comfortable camaraderie settled over them. Laughter…however faint, occasionally slipped through as conversation wove between lighthearted remarks and more solemn reflections on the fire and ways of Eromora. It was a repose formed under the moonlit calm of an otherwise chaotic evening. Once they were certain Olivia had recovered enough to move and that the city watch had been sufficiently distracted by the warehouse fire, they agreed it was time to return. The walk back to the Vikena estate was cloaked in the hush of night, the distant echoes of the city’s antics fading into a quiet lull. The streets, now slick with lantern light, bore no trace of the fire’s earlier rage, as if the night itself conspired to smooth away the evening’s sins. Cassius walked with an easy, unhurried gait, hands resting at his sides, exuding a confidence that suggested he belonged in the night as much as it did in him. The grand estate loomed ahead, its elegant façade and the colors of the flora decorating the grounds painting quite the picture of luxury. As they reached the entrance, Olivia...still shaken but composed...offered a final glance of gratitude before slipping inside, disappearing beyond the heavy door. Charlotte moved to follow, but before she could cross the threshold, Cassius reached out...slow and deliberate...his fingers catching gently around her wrist. Not a restraint, not a demand. Just enough to stop her, to hold her in that moment with him. The warmth of his touch, even through fabric, was unmistakable. As she turned, he was already close, standing just within the veil of shadow, his compelling eyes catching the light in a way that made them gleam with something unreadable...something deeper than mischief, smoother than charm. He didn’t rush, didn’t stumble. He merely let the silence stretch between them, letting the air grow charged with the weight of his presence before finally, smoothly, effortlessly, he said it... [color=lightsteelblue]"Come out with me tonight."[/color] His voice was velvet, dipped in heat and temptation, carrying a certainty that made the invitation feel more than enticing. His smirk...just the barest hint of it, curved at the corner of his lips, not arrogant, not pleading, but knowing. As if he had already imagined the night unfolding in a way neither of them would regret. As if, for just a little while, the world outside this moment didn’t exist. And in that pause, in the space where breath met possibility, Cassius waited for her response. Charlotte's breath hitched ever so slightly, her lips parting as if words might form, yet none came. Her gaze locked onto those storm-gray eyes, holding her there in the hush of the night. The space between them felt charged with something unspoken as the moment drew on with only the sound of crickets to fill the void. At last, she found her voice, though it came softer than intended and touched with uncertainty, [color=D0B4EC]“It is… rather late, Cassius.”[/color] she finally managed, her words lighter than she intended, almost breathless. Cassius let his smirk deepen, a quiet, knowing amusement flickering behind his eyes as he studied her hesitation. The way her breath hitched, the way she held his gaze yet wavered ever so slightly...it was enough to tell him she wasn’t wholly rejecting the idea. Still, he didn’t press. Instead, his grip softened, fingers barely tracing against her wrist before he withdrew, as if releasing her from some unspoken spell. He tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable, save for the ever-present glint of something roguish in his eyes. [color=lightsteelblue]"Mm…it is rather late, isn't it?"[/color] he murmured, voice low, edged with something dangerously smooth, yet absent of disappointment. If anything, there was patience in his tone, like a man who already knew the answer, even if it hadn't been spoken yet. Then, with effortless ease, he stepped back, granting her space but not relinquishing his hold on the moment. [color=lightsteelblue]"Tomorrow, then."[/color] His words were simple, assured...not a question, but a promise left hanging between them, laced with certainty that the night they might have shared would simply wait for them. Charlotte’s gaze flickered away for a mere second, but the second was all he needed. When she looked back, his smirk had deepened, amusement twinkling behind his storm-gray eyes. Her breath caught as he had slowly let go of her, and her gaze had slowly lowered, tracing the ghost of his touch along her wrist, where warmth still lingered even after he stepped back. A warmth crept up her neck, brushing against her cheeks. She raised her eyes slowly, only realizing at his last statement that she had been holding her breath. Exhaling suddenly, the release came unsteady, betraying the storm within her. When she opened her mouth to speak, her words tumbled out in a splutter— [color=D0B4EC]“I—Uh—I… Yes, very well—”[/color] Her lips pressed together immediately after, mortified at her own lack of composure. A fleeting pause, then—determined to salvage what dignity remained—she attempted to bandage the wound with a practiced, graceful smile, as if she hadn’t just unraveled beneath his gaze. Cassius watched her unravel with the kind of satisfaction that came not from arrogance, but from the simple pleasure of [i]knowing[/i]. Knowing she wasn’t unaffected. Knowing his presence stirred something in her, just as she stirred something in him. His smirk lingered, but his eyes...sharp, perceptive...traced the warmth blooming on her cheeks, the way her breath wavered before tumbling into a flustered response. He didn’t move, didn’t so much as shift a muscle, only letting the weight of the moment settle around them, allowing her to gather herself, to try and smooth over the crack in her composure with that practiced, graceful smile. For a long, drawn-out beat, he simply regarded her, his expression unreadable save for the glint of something dangerously knowing in his gaze. Then, with all the ease in the world, he let a soft chuckle slip past his lips...low, rich, indulgent. Not mocking. No, there was something almost fond in the way it rumbled from his chest. [color=lightsteelblue]"It’s a date, then…Sweet dreams, Lottie,"[/color] he murmured, voice dipped in something warmer now, something like satin, before he turned away, disappearing into the night like a shadow that had merely chosen to linger a little longer by her side. [color=D0B4EC][i]Good heavens… What have I done?[/i][/color] [hr] [h3][color=gold][center]The Next Evening[/center][/color][/h3] [color=lightsteelblue]Time:[/color] 5pm, Sola 26th [color=D0B4EC]Location:[/color] Vikena Estate [color=D0B4EC]Charlotte’s Outfit:[/color][url=https://i.imgur.com/1eDQF9B.png] Dress[/url],[url=https://imgur.com/WJILZos] Hair[/url] [color=lightsteelblue]Cassius’s Outfit:[/color] [url=https://imgur.com/bf3meKe]Outfit[/url] The dim candlelight wavered against the mirror, casting flickering shadows over the trembling young woman reflected within. She lifted her chin, a fragile attempt at composure, though the slight quiver in her frame betrayed her nerves. The delicate fabric of her burgundy dress hugged her form, its shimmering embellishments catching the low light in a way that made her feel almost unreal—like a doll dressed in finery, waiting to be played with. Her fingers twitched as she swallowed against the weight in her throat. The room was quiet, save for the occasional hum of the world beyond her window, but inside her chest, her heart was beating like a drum. The long, wavy locks of her raven-black hair spilled over her shoulders, perfectly arranged—too perfect. She reached up hesitantly, loosening a strand from the pinned-up style, letting it fall softly against her cheek as if grounding herself in something familiar. But still, her reflection looked like someone else. Her blue eyes, wide and uncertain, shimmered with an emotion she couldn’t name. Perhaps she should have felt like a princess in a glimmering ensemble like this, yet, she couldn’t quite decipher what exact emotions at the moment. [color=D0B4EC][i]What have I done?[/i][/color] Her own question haunted her in that moment. She had impulsively agreed to a date with Cassius Damien, Calbert’s son of all people. A man who set her pulse racing in ways she had yet to understand and whose touch still lingered, branding warmth into her skin long after he had vanished into the night. And yet, beneath those honeyed words of his, he was still [i]his[/i] son. Her lips parted, though no words formed. What did this mean for her, for the investigation, for [i]him[/i]? She knew better than to allow herself to be swept away, to let the lines blur between intrigue and foolishness. For a moment, she tried to convince herself that maybe she was doing this [i]for[/i] the investigation. That was what the others would assume after all. Charlotte swallowed hard, reaching up to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear, only to let it fall again as she exhaled. The night ahead promised something thrilling, that was for certain. Perhaps, just for one evening, she could allow herself to forget the questions, the hesitations, the weight of all that loomed between them. Just for one evening. And so, with one final glance at her reflection, Charlotte turned away from the mirror, gathered her resolve, and stepped down the stairs. For whatever reason, the Gods had blessed her with an empty foyer. She made her way over to the towering front wooden doors to the Vikena Estate and opened them. The dying sunlight streamed through the open window of Cassius’s chambers, painting the space in hues of amber and gold. The faint scent of leather and bourbon lingered in the air, a reminder of the man who occupied the room. Steam curled in delicate wisps from the washbasin where Cassius stood, a towel slung loosely around his hips, beads of water trailing down the sculpted ridges of his abdomen. The remnants of his bath clung to his skin, glistening in the light as he raked a hand through his damp, tousled hair. His fingers brushed against the familiar unevenness of an old scar across his chest as he wiped some of the wetness from his body…a whisper of past battles, of wounds that had healed but never quite faded. He exhaled, slow and deep, rolling the tension from his shoulders. Excitement hummed beneath his skin, coiling low in his gut. The anticipation of the night ahead was a force he didn’t quite know how to name, a fire he wasn’t sure he wanted to tame. [i]Charlotte.[/i] Her name drifted unbidden through his mind, and for a fleeting moment, his hands stilled. She had occupied his thoughts far too much lately. It was unsettling, how she lingered there, like a melody he couldn’t shake. How her voice echoed in his ears long after she had spoken. How her breathless hesitation from the night before had left him wanting. Not just for another moment, another chase, but something deeper, something he couldn’t put words to. He scoffed under his breath, shaking his head. [i][color=lightsteelblue]Gods, what has she done to me?[/color][/i] Pushing the thought aside, he let the towel drop and reached for his clothes. He dressed with the ease of a man who had never second-guessed himself a day in his life…movements fluid, unhurried, like a master slipping into his finest coat before a hunt. The crisp linen of his undershirt stretched taut over his broad shoulders before he rolled the sleeves up to his elbows, exposing the strong forearms laced with faint, silvered scars. His fingers made quick work of fastening the dark leather vest over it, the rich material molding to his frame like it belonged there. A belt cinched at his waist, the glint of his silver necklace reflected the basking light, subtle, but never forgotten. He smirked at his reflection, tilting his head slightly as he tugged the collar just enough to hint at the appeal of his muscled chest beneath. And yet, despite his ease, there was an edge to his anticipation tonight. A restlessness. Not born of nerves, but of something deeper, something he hadn’t quite allowed himself to name. With a final sweep of his fingers through his hair, he grabbed his coat, slinging it over one shoulder as he strode toward the door. Charlotte was waiting. So was he. And he’d be damned if he would wait even a second longer. Cassius moved through the Damien estate with a steady, unhurried stride, his boots echoing against the marble floors. The residual aromas of parchment, wine, and something [i]distinctly Calbert[/i] clung to the halls, but he paid them little mind. His thoughts were already beyond these walls, fixed on the path ahead. Stepping outside, the evening air greeted him…crisp with the lingering warmth of the setting sun. He shrugged into his coat as he descended the grand steps, his eyes flicking toward the Vikena estate, just a short walk beyond the courtyard. The distance was nothing, yet each step felt charged with anticipation. The lanterns lining the path cast a flickering glow against the cobblestone, shadows dancing at his heels. It was a quiet walk, save for the distant hum of the city beyond the noble district, but his pulse thrummed with something far louder. Reaching her home, Cassius ascended the front steps, rolling his shoulders once as if shedding the weight of whatever stray thoughts lingered. Then, with a smirk playing at his lips, he rapped his knuckles against the wooden door, the sound crisp in the evening hush. The door opened almost instantly, revealing a pale face framed by wavy black strands. Her gaze flickered over the figure standing on her doorstep, the moonlight catching the shimmer of the sheer cape draped over each of her elbows. For a moment, she simply looked at him, the space between them stretching. Then, as if waking from some fleeting reverie, her red lips parted into a gentle smile. For a moment, Cassius forgot how to breathe. The door had barely swung open, and already she had him undone. Charlotte Vikena stood before him, bathed in the soft glow of the evening lanterns, and gods above...he had never seen anything so effortlessly beautiful. The burgundy dress was all class, but it clung to her in ways that made his mouth run dry, accentuating the soft curves of her frame while the sheer cape draped over her shoulders gave her an air of something almost ethereal. The rich color contrasted against her pale skin, making the blue of her eyes even more striking. And those lips...red like the sweetest sin...curled into a smile that sent heat curling through his veins. Cassius had spent years surrounded by beautiful women, had danced with them, flirted with them, tangled himself in their sheets...but none had ever hit him like this. None had ever made his pulse stutter with something deeper than desire. And then she spoke. [color=D0B4EC]“Hi there,”[/color] she greeted, her voice touched with a breathy lightness. As if realizing something about her demeanor, she quickly shifted, straightening her posture before leaning ever so casually against the doorway, only for her elbow to nearly slip. Recovering with a soft [i]ahem[/i], she placed a hand on her hip and quipped, [color=D0B4EC]“Selling cookies, are you?”[/color] She presented him with a cheeky smile. [color=D0B4EC]“I'll take the thin mints, please. Though I suppose I could be persuaded to try whatever else you're offering.”[/color] Thin mints? Cassius might’ve burst into laughter if he hadn’t already been reeling from the sight of her. Instead, a slow grin tugged at his lips, something utterly helpless and completely charmed. Dweeb. Adorable. Endearing…absolutely and completely [i]her[/i]. Without missing a beat, in the most [i]Cassius[/i] way possible, the words were out of his mouth before he could even think to stop them. [color=lightsteelblue]"Sex on the promenade then."[/color] It took half a second for his own brain to catch up, and [i][color=lightsteelblue] ...ah, fuck[/color][/i]. His smirk wavered just slightly as realization dawned, the memory of their first meeting flashing across his mind like a warning bell. He had promised himself he wouldn’t be so crude again, wouldn’t push his luck, and yet, here he was...Cassius Vael, [b]the master of self-sabotage[/b]. But the words were already out, hanging in the air between them like a lit fuse. No taking them back now. So, he did the only thing he could. He doubled down. Cassius shot her a wink, roguish, playful, and entirely unrepentant, his gaze watching hers with keen amusement. Would she fluster? Fire back? Slam the door in his face? Either way, he was utterly, hopelessly entertained. Charlotte blinked, her lips parting as if to form a response, only for a breathless giggle to escape instead. She raised a hand to her lips as if that might contain it, but the laughter still danced in her blue eyes as they flicked back to his. [color=D0B4EC]“No, no,”[/color] she finally managed with a lilting voice, touched with that airy sort of sweetness that made even a refusal sound almost affectionate. [color=D0B4EC]“Absolutely not.”[/color] And yet, the corners of her lips remained lifted, and the warmth still lingered on her cheeks. She shook her head ever so slightly, as though she couldn’t quite believe him, and yet, at the same time, [i]completely could.[/i] With a soft exhale, she straightened, smoothing the fabric of her dress with an almost regal grace before folding her hands in front of her.[color=D0B4EC]“Well then.”[/color] A pause, just long enough to compose herself and clear her throat before she continued, [color=D0B4EC]“Shall we start making our way?”[/color] she asked, tilting her head with a smile. [color=D0B4EC]“Do we need to obtain a mode of transportation?”[/color] As if on cue, the steady clatter of hooves against cobblestone filled the quiet air of the early evening. A sleek black carriage, in all its very [i]Damien-esque[/i] glory, rounded the corner of Cherry Lane, its lanterns flickering like fireflies in the twilight. The driver gave the reins a small flick, slowing the horses as the carriage came to a smooth stop just a few steps away from them. Cassius barely spared it a glance, his storm-gray eyes fixed on Charlotte, watching her reaction with quiet amusement. His smirk had settled into something softer now…less teasing, more intent. He took a step closer, closing some of the space between them, though not nearly enough to overwhelm her. His voice, when he spoke, was low, edged with something almost conspiratorial. [color=lightsteelblue]“The carriage ride will be short,”[/color] he admitted, tilting his head slightly, [color=lightsteelblue]“but what comes next…”[/color] His lips quirked at the corner, eyes gleaming with something unreadable. [color=lightsteelblue]“For that, you’re going to have to trust me.”[/color] Cassius let the words linger between them for a breath, studying her face, the way the lantern light played across her delicate features. Then, with deliberate slowness, he extended a hand toward her. [color=lightsteelblue]“Do you trust me, Lottie?”[/color] [/color]