hollow stasis

[cassian-a]

An arranged marriage (Closed thread)

[cassian-a]

mrsdorn

Raina nodding her approval at Cassian, a smile coming to her lips. “Boltgun is a far more practical weapon to be good with, Although you might be on to something with using the standard..although I’d always considered that rather taboo. Perhaps you could offer to train the acolytes in the fine art…”

She finished placing the last of the papers on the wall.”Chainsword and stormshield. Close and personal.” She scavenged around her room for a moment before finding the darts and handed several to him.

“As the future groom,” She said in a amused voice. “ I think you should do the honor of throwing the first one.”

“Thank you, milady.” Cassian bowed with an exaggerated flourish and retrieved a few of the offered darts. He rolled them about in his hand, testing the weight of it so he wouldn’t throw them too hard. 

“Oh, another addition to this idea.” He turned to Raina with a grin. “Perhaps you could cover my eyes while I throw one, that way it will be truly random.” He grinned with a kind of boyish charm, the roundness of his face accentuating his youthful look. “And I’ll do the same for you.” 

[cassian-a]

An arranged marriage (Closed thread)

[cassian-a]

mrsdorn

“Yellow and black it is. Not bad either they can’t complain to much about the colors.” She laughed softly. At his suggestion she looked relieved.

“You’re brilliant, I approve. Make this whole horrific thing so much faster.” Raina moves to her desk drawer and pulled out several sheets of paper and pens for them both.

“Of course if there is something you really want from this godforsaken list. Just say so. But this…” She gestured to the dataslate with the wedding list. “Is to damn much, this was my mother’s speciality. Not mine.” There was a painful silence before she briskly recovered.

“You take first page and write it out, I’ll do the second?” She asked quickly already beginning to write the various options on food and supplies on to the paper and ripping each piece off as she did so.

Cassian laughed lightly as Raina perked up from his suggestion. He was glad to have been able to alleviate her worries about this, if just for a moment. He noticed her lapse into silence as she mentioned her mother, and made a mental note of it, something to be asked after at a later time. 

He nodded, following her lead, and soon they had all the different things written out on paper. Gathering them into a pile, he looked around for a good spot to pin them up, looking to Raina for some guidance. This was her room after all, and he didn’t want to put something where she wouldn’t want it. 

[seven-of-ten]

She noticed his hesitance and smiled. “The wall by my room should be good for this game.” Raina pulled a roll of adhesive from a drawer then crossed the short distance to the wall in question. She quickly began placing her own pieces of paper on the wall the adhesive didn’t seem to want to cut quickly she let out an annoyed sound before commaning

“Here, give me your papers. If you cut the adhesive that would make this go much faster.” Raina gestured to Cassian’s own small pile. A frown creased her face as a question formed in her mind.

“I just realized, I’ve never seen you fight.” She tilted her head and asked. “What weapons do you favor?”

[cassian-a]

Cassian took the roll of adhesive and began trimming it into smaller pieces, and handing each to her as they were ready. They worked together easily, he noted after some time. 

“Mostly a boltgun, I’m able to use it one handed now and I’m quite proud of that.” He went a little pink as he said this. “I’ve had to use the standard as an actual weapon maybe once or twice though, but I wouldn’t really say I favour it as a weapon.” He laughed. 

“What about you?” 

[seven-of-ten]

🎁 Cassian?

Raina struggles for weeks trying to think of what to give him.She did her best to keep it a secret as she dutifully worked to create her gift. “I know it isn’t that good. So I won’t be offended if you don’t like it.”

She offers him a newly forged sword, the hilt of black and gold. Engraved into the blade itself in Inwit runes was the battlecry of the Black Templars.

[cassian-a]

Cassian let out a barely contained gasp, a hand flying to cover his mouth even as the other reached out to accept the beautifully crafted weapon. 

“Raina, I...” He ran his fingers reverently across the runes. “It’s far from it. It’s perfect, and I love it.”

[cassian-a]

An arranged marriage (Closed thread)

[cassian-a]

mrsdorn

“Yellow and black it is. Not bad either they can’t complain to much about the colors.” She laughed softly. At his suggestion she looked relieved.

“You’re brilliant, I approve. Make this whole horrific thing so much faster.” Raina moves to her desk drawer and pulled out several sheets of paper and pens for them both.

“Of course if there is something you really want from this godforsaken list. Just say so. But this…” She gestured to the dataslate with the wedding list. “Is to damn much, this was my mother’s speciality. Not mine.” There was a painful silence before she briskly recovered.

“You take first page and write it out, I’ll do the second?” She asked quickly already beginning to write the various options on food and supplies on to the paper and ripping each piece off as she did so.

Cassian laughed lightly as Raina perked up from his suggestion. He was glad to have been able to alleviate her worries about this, if just for a moment. He noticed her lapse into silence as she mentioned her mother, and made a mental note of it, something to be asked after at a later time. 

He nodded, following her lead, and soon they had all the different things written out on paper. Gathering them into a pile, he looked around for a good spot to pin them up, looking to Raina for some guidance. This was her room after all, and he didn’t want to put something where she wouldn’t want it. 

[cassian-a]

An arranged marriage (Closed thread)

[cassian-a]

mrsdorn

Raina stood and after a moment took his hand. Walking beside him toward her room, it was a comfort to have someone close. Especially after so many years spent in isolation. She walked in silence, lost in her thoughts it wasn’t long before they had reached the destination. She keyed in the entry code and turned to Cassian.

“Thank you again, I think I owe you one.” She spoke in a soft tone. “I’m honored to be the betrothed of one as noble as you. I’ll uh, see you tomorrow.” There was a pink touch to her cheeks as she stepped into her room.

He laughed lightly, though his cheeks coloured a little. “You flatter me. I haven’t done anything of the sort…” Still, he gave her a smile as she entered her room. “See you tomorrow.” 

The next day was free for him, so he spent it cleaning his armour and weapons, while waiting for a message from Raina about the meeting to pick out their wedding items. He didn’t really know what that entailed, exactly, so he was feeling slightly nervous, and he had caught himself redoing things he’d already done in his state of scattered mind. 

[seven-of-ten]

It was agternoon before Raina finally sent a message to Cassian summoning him to her room. She had done all in her power to delay the meeting. Several data-slates had been left in her quarters with pictures and lists of the various wedding items needing decideing on. It seemed unnecessarily complicated. It was an arranged marriage did it really require this much celebration?

Aside from that she was perfectly capable of doing this alone. Why had she bothered him with this? He had to have other duties. It was impractical and silly to have imposed this on him.

/I do want to see him again./ She sighed and took a sip from her mug of recaff.

Raina grumbled after a minute as she picked one of the data-slates up and scrolled through its contents, awaiting Cassian’s arrival.

“Why the hell, would I care what kind of wine is served or the colors…” She shook her head and placing the data-slate back on the table as she heard a knock on the door and went to open it.

[cassian-a]

“Hi.” Cassian said, a small smile greeting her as she opened the door. He wasn’t really sure what today’s proceedings would entail, but was eager to see Raina again. He only had a loose understanding of what a wedding even involved, and hopefully she would know more than he did with regards to that. 

“So, um…” He tugged nervously at the hem of his shirt. “What have we got?” 

[seven-of-ten]

“A lot of stupid things.” She said bluntly picking up the first tablet. “Apperantly you pick colors for a wedding, any preferences? Also there are these wine options, I’m all for going the most inexpensive route. I really don’t know why they are even insisting on a wedding and reception.”

She picked up a second data-slate and handed it to Cassian the information on it mirrored the one in her hand so they could see one another’s choices.

Raina shook her head and let out a sigh. “It isn’t like we love each other, or have friends and family to celebrate this. It all seems so over the top.” She scrolled through the tablet further. “I was informed I needed to pick appropriate attire for the wedding. So I’ll be needing your help looking dresses too…throne this is a lot.”

[cassian-a]

"I... Hmm." Cassian tilted his head, unsure what to make of it and slightly overwhelmed by it all. "I don't really know either. I guess... Maybe something yellow and black? To show where we're both from."

Scratching the back of his head, an idea suddenly struck. "Hey, how about we write out all the options, stick them on a wall, and throw darts at them, then pick whichever one they stick to?" He grinned hopefully.

[cassian-a]

An arranged marriage (Closed thread)

[cassian-a]

mrsdorn

Raina stood and after a moment took his hand. Walking beside him toward her room, it was a comfort to have someone close. Especially after so many years spent in isolation. She walked in silence, lost in her thoughts it wasn’t long before they had reached the destination. She keyed in the entry code and turned to Cassian.

“Thank you again, I think I owe you one.” She spoke in a soft tone. “I’m honored to be the betrothed of one as noble as you. I’ll uh, see you tomorrow.” There was a pink touch to her cheeks as she stepped into her room.

He laughed lightly, though his cheeks coloured a little. “You flatter me. I haven’t done anything of the sort…” Still, he gave her a smile as she entered her room. “See you tomorrow.” 

The next day was free for him, so he spent it cleaning his armour and weapons, while waiting for a message from Raina about the meeting to pick out their wedding items. He didn’t really know what that entailed, exactly, so he was feeling slightly nervous, and he had caught himself redoing things he’d already done in his state of scattered mind. 

[seven-of-ten]

It was agternoon before Raina finally sent a message to Cassian summoning him to her room. She had done all in her power to delay the meeting. Several data-slates had been left in her quarters with pictures and lists of the various wedding items needing decideing on. It seemed unnecessarily complicated. It was an arranged marriage did it really require this much celebration?

Aside from that she was perfectly capable of doing this alone. Why had she bothered him with this? He had to have other duties. It was impractical and silly to have imposed this on him.

/I do want to see him again./ She sighed and took a sip from her mug of recaff.

Raina grumbled after a minute as she picked one of the data-slates up and scrolled through its contents, awaiting Cassian’s arrival.

“Why the hell, would I care what kind of wine is served or the colors…” She shook her head and placing the data-slate back on the table as she heard a knock on the door and went to open it.

[cassian-a]

“Hi.” Cassian said, a small smile greeting her as she opened the door. He wasn’t really sure what today’s proceedings would entail, but was eager to see Raina again. He only had a loose understanding of what a wedding even involved, and hopefully she would know more than he did with regards to that. 

“So, um...” He tugged nervously at the hem of his shirt. “What have we got?” 

[cassian-a]

An arranged marriage (Closed thread)

[cassian-a]

mrsdorn

Raina stood and after a moment took his hand. Walking beside him toward her room, it was a comfort to have someone close. Especially after so many years spent in isolation. She walked in silence, lost in her thoughts it wasn’t long before they had reached the destination. She keyed in the entry code and turned to Cassian.

“Thank you again, I think I owe you one.” She spoke in a soft tone. “I’m honored to be the betrothed of one as noble as you. I’ll uh, see you tomorrow.” There was a pink touch to her cheeks as she stepped into her room.

He laughed lightly, though his cheeks coloured a little. “You flatter me. I haven’t done anything of the sort...” Still, he gave her a smile as she entered her room. “See you tomorrow.” 

The next day was free for him, so he spent it cleaning his armour and weapons, while waiting for a message from Raina about the meeting to pick out their wedding items. He didn’t really know what that entailed, exactly, so he was feeling slightly nervous, and he had caught himself redoing things he’d already done in his state of scattered mind. 

[seven-of-ten]

📱 to Cassian?

I’m waiting for the part were I find out this is all a lie. When are you going to tell me the truth?

I thought I’d hate you, but I don’t. It’s kind of nice actually.

I think you might be on fire, only reason you could be so hot. :^]

Do you want to have dinner and stay over tonight? I have Mjod…

If you want to give me a wedding present, maybe you could see about getting me a custom Stormshield? C:

“I’d like to spar with you later, let me know when you are available.” 

[cassian-a]

An arranged marriage (Closed thread)

[seven-of-ten]

“Thank you.” She mumbled, taking a seat she looked quietly at him for a long moment before speaking.”I need to know, do you think this can work? Could you think you could at least someday…lo-be content with me? I know what I appear to be.” She is quite again. “Despite the hand dealt me, betraying the Imperium isn’t what I wanted. It is flawed, but it is the best thing for humanity.”

Her cheeks flush, she had never been this forward with her feelings. “I don’t take to most people, but I think I like you.”

[cassian-a]

Glancing to the woman beside him, who seemed to suddenly be tense and slightly afraid, so different to the image she portrayed a few moments ago. He couldn’t even imagine being forced into a situation like this, where to accept an offer like this was a life or death option. As far as he was concerned, she seemed to be a perfectly good person, and he had no reason to dislike her. 

“I don’t know what you think about yourself.” He said quietly, laying a hand on hers to offer some sort of comfort. “But you appear - to me at least - to be a fine woman. I…” He had to pause, and play the words over in his head, so he wouldn’t trip over them.

“I would be proud to call you my wife.” 

[seven-of-ten]

She took his hand, her thumb stroking his fingers. “That is a start at least, you’ve been kind to me. I appreciate it and I won’t forget it.” Raina sat silent again looking out the observatory into darkness of space and distance stars. Her next question, she tried to soften as much as possible. If stated the wrong way or to the wrong person this would be grounds for execution. 

“I know beliefs very, and with so much changing right now…” She struggled to find the right words still. “Do you believe the Emperor was a god? Do you worship him like that?”

[cassian-a]

Cassian was silent for a long moment. The Emperor was a great man indeed, but would he go so far as to call him a god? This was where the Primaris Black Templars differed somewhat. 

He knew that his older brethren were far more zealous in their reverence of the Emperor, that they almost worshipped him, and that set he and the Primaris apart. They had been alive during the time of the Emperor, during the time of the Heresy, and though the memories were dim now, faded from ten thousand years of stasis, he could say that he had know what it was like to live during a time when the Emperor was revered not as a god or a being of legend, but as a man, praised for his great vision and many tangible accomplishments. The difference was slight, but to look at it now, so many years later, was almost hard to believe that such a large gulf had developed simply due to variance in viewpoint. 

“No, I don’t.” He huffed slightly, fingers curling around hers. “It must be strange, to hear it from someone like me.”

[seven-of-ten]

“No, it’s a huge relief. I won’t have to walk on egg shells around my own husband. The insanity and fanticism of some of them is…incredible.” She smiled at him again. “Part of why I ran from the Imperium was the worship I couldn’t stand it.”

The level of indifference she had held toward him began to falter. He seemed good, kind, genuine and very handsome. In another life someone she’d have wanted. Did she deserve that now? After all this time?

“I should probably go back to my room, I received a message saying I had to pick some silly decorations out for the wedding tomorrow. Please tell me you’ll be there?” Some how the idea of him being there made it all the more bearable.

[cassian-a]

He nodded in agreement, finding it somewhat ironic that he - a Black Templar, and reputedly one of the most zealous chapters - would hold this belief. He sat silent for a moment, simply taking in the sight of Raina, her form lit softly by the light of the stars. 

“Of course.” Cassian had not been told that such a thing would require his attendance, however if Raina wanted him there, then he would be present. 

He got out of his seat, holding a hand out to her. “Shall we?” 

[cassian-a]

An arranged marriage (Closed thread)

[seven-of-ten]

“Thank you.” She mumbled, taking a seat she looked quietly at him for a long moment before speaking.”I need to know, do you think this can work? Could you think you could at least someday…lo-be content with me? I know what I appear to be.” She is quite again. “Despite the hand dealt me, betraying the Imperium isn’t what I wanted. It is flawed, but it is the best thing for humanity.”

Her cheeks flush, she had never been this forward with her feelings. “I don’t take to most people, but I think I like you.”

[cassian-a]

Glancing to the woman beside him, who seemed to suddenly be tense and slightly afraid, so different to the image she portrayed a few moments ago. He couldn’t even imagine being forced into a situation like this, where to accept an offer like this was a life or death option. As far as he was concerned, she seemed to be a perfectly good person, and he had no reason to dislike her. 

“I don’t know what you think about yourself.” He said quietly, laying a hand on hers to offer some sort of comfort. “But you appear - to me at least - to be a fine woman. I…” He had to pause, and play the words over in his head, so he wouldn’t trip over them.

“I would be proud to call you my wife.” 

[seven-of-ten]

She took his hand, her thumb stroking his fingers. “That is a start at least, you’ve been kind to me. I appreciate it and I won’t forget it.” Raina sat silent again looking out the observatory into darkness of space and distance stars. Her next question, she tried to soften as much as possible. If stated the wrong way or to the wrong person this would be grounds for execution. 

“I know beliefs very, and with so much changing right now…” She struggled to find the right words still. “Do you believe the Emperor was a god? Do you worship him like that?”

[cassian-a]

Cassian was silent for a long moment. The Emperor was a great man indeed, but would he go so far as to call him a god? This was where the Primaris Black Templars differed somewhat. 

He knew that his older brethren were far more zealous in their reverence of the Emperor, that they almost worshipped him, and that set he and the Primaris apart. They had been alive during the time of the Emperor, during the time of the Heresy, and though the memories were dim now, faded from ten thousand years of stasis, he could say that he had know what it was like to live during a time when the Emperor was revered not as a god or a being of legend, but as a man, praised for his great vision and many tangible accomplishments. The difference was slight, but to look at it now, so many years later, was almost hard to believe that such a large gulf had developed simply due to variance in viewpoint. 

“No, I don’t.” He huffed slightly, fingers curling around hers. “It must be strange, to hear it from someone like me.”

[seven-of-ten]

☭ with Cassian? (if you're still doin em)

((HELL YES!!! You just enabled me my friend…I’m assuming I can do this with Raina? I really hope so.))

Battle Theme: “Fallen God” Joshua Nickelson

Battle intro: You shouldn’t be here…

Victory: That was far easier then I’d anticipated. 

Defeat: I didn’t think you could…

Taunt: Is that the worst you’ve got Cass?

Reacting to Taunt: You’ll pay for that.

Tie: Your fighting skill is impressive.

Perfect Victory: I was born for this, you didn’t really stand a chance.

Final Finisher: So this is how it end…

- - TAG QUOTES - -

Assist: We make an effective team.

Your muse down during Assist: I could use a hand here…

Using item on your muse: This should get you back on your feet.

Healing/Buffing your muse: There are still more of them, come on! I can’t do this without you.

Tag Team Special: I’ll take right, you take left? Because I’m always right.

[cassian-a]

An arranged marriage (Closed thread)

[seven-of-ten]

“Thank you.” She mumbled, taking a seat she looked quietly at him for a long moment before speaking.”I need to know, do you think this can work? Could you think you could at least someday…lo-be content with me? I know what I appear to be.” She is quite again. “Despite the hand dealt me, betraying the Imperium isn’t what I wanted. It is flawed, but it is the best thing for humanity.”

Her cheeks flush, she had never been this forward with her feelings. “I don’t take to most people, but I think I like you.”

[cassian-a]

Glancing to the woman beside him, who seemed to suddenly be tense and slightly afraid, so different to the image she portrayed a few moments ago. He couldn’t even imagine being forced into a situation like this, where to accept an offer like this was a life or death option. As far as he was concerned, she seemed to be a perfectly good person, and he had no reason to dislike her. 

“I don’t know what you think about yourself.” He said quietly, laying a hand on hers to offer some sort of comfort. “But you appear - to me at least - to be a fine woman. I...” He had to pause, and play the words over in his head, so he wouldn’t trip over them.

“I would be proud to call you my wife.” 

[cassian-a]

An arranged marriage (Closed thread)

[ continued from here ] @mrsdorn

“I’m afraid I will just as inexperienced as you in that regard.” Cassian took another sip of the wine. 

He looked away as she broached the second topic. In truth, he saw it as merely another one of his duties, that he had to perform in service of his Chapter. His happiness was not a factor in this decision, and while he hoped that his match would be at least amiable - which Raina certainly seemed to be, so far - he did not think too much on it. Far from him to believe that he might be able to find some semblance of love from this match, but some small part of him still dared to hope. 

“Truth be told, I have not given it much thought. You have a very… colourful history, it has to be said, but I hope we will at least get along.”

[seven-of-ten]

Raina grimaced, the scar across her left cheek becoming more prominent for a moment. “Colorful, I suppose that is one way of putting it. I think, traitor and heretic where the exact words used by the Inquisitor.”

Her faces hardens. “I have no unrealistic goals in this endevour.” Raina’s dark eyes are fixed on her wine glass. “I would make one request of you, never lie to me. I don’t care who you are with, I don’t expect someone to be lonely on my account.” She placed her glass down and eyed Cassian as if she didn’t know what to make of him.

“Did your Captain tell you three before you refused to marry me?”

[cassian-a]

“Well, when have you ever known the Inquisition to be reasonable?” Cassian shrugged. “I’m sure you had good reasons for doing what you did.” 

He returned her wary gaze with a cool stare of his own. “I’m a Templar. We’re not exactly known for being liars.” He sighed, fingers playing with the stem of his glass. She seemed to be extremely defensive, but he supposed she had every right to be. Truth be told, there was very little about her personal life in the files he had read, just the supposed transgressions she had committed against the Imperium.

“I… no. Three?” He huffed a laugh. “They are fools, then. Only a blind man would turn down the offered hand of a beauty such as yourself.” 

[seven-of-ten]

“Unlikely anyone would want someone this scarred. But the compliment is appreciated.” Raina smiled for a moment at him. “I suppose, I just don’t understand, why anyone of rank would choose to marry me. But I thank you, for being cordial and saving me from the alternatives.” She sipped from her glass, “Inquisitors…” she shook her head as if trying to wipe something away. “I like to think you wouldn’t lie.” Raina went silent. “I don’t even know you and I’m judging you. My mother would be ashamed.”

[cassian-a]

Cassian almost immediately regretted the words as he said them, the line making him sound like some cheap gentleman carousing ladies in a seedy hive bar. But at least Raina seemed to take it in her stride. 

“You’re… welcome, I suppose.” He chuckled. “Hopefully I am not found wanting.” 

[seven-of-ten]

“You’ve sold yourself short, I don’t think you could ever lack anything. You are what most brides dream of, brave, handsome, loyal.” Raina finished off her second wine glass. “It is I who should be saying that.”

She smoothed her red shirt as she stood reaching for her coat laid out in a chair. “I want to go for a walk, would you like to come with me? It won’t be all that exciting so I won’t be offended if you’d rather leave.” She muttered the offer as if it had been an after thought to whatever was running across her mind.

[cassian-a]

The Templar perked up with a small smile, finishing the wine in his glass as she said this. “Why would I be offended? I would love to accompany you.” He wasn’t sure if the flush on his face had appeared because of the wine they’d been having, or from what Raina said of him. 

Getting up from his chair, he easily reached the door before her, and opened it to let her pass through first. She looked rather dashing in her coat, and had a certain kind of roguish charm about her that made him want to ask her about all her adventures, even though he had read about most of them in her dossier. 

[seven-of-ten]

“Are you always such a gentleman?” She teased. “Can’t remember the last time someone got the door for me.” She wrinkles her nose. “Well, last time I wasn’t in handcuffs and the door was opened for me.”

She shook her head and set a leisurely pace. “Can I ask you something, a favor really?” Raina sighs before she speaks again. “Can you think of anywhere we can go that we can be alone? I know my room is being monitored. I…I’d like to speak with you more freely…”

She goes silent as she meets Cassian’s gaze. Raina doesn’t break stride but fighting the anxiety in her chest she offers him her hand.

[cassian-a]

He considered Raina’s question, holding her hand gently in his. There was a small viewing gallery nearby, which had a large window that looked out into space. It was here that he took her, and thankfully no one else was there at that moment. 

“Hopefully this will suffice.” He said, sliding into one of the seats that faced the window. There was a row of seats that stretched across the small room, large enough for Astartes to sit in comfortably.

[cassian-a]

An arranged marriage (Closed thread)

[ continued from here ] @mrsdorn

“I’m afraid I will just as inexperienced as you in that regard.” Cassian took another sip of the wine. 

He looked away as she broached the second topic. In truth, he saw it as merely another one of his duties, that he had to perform in service of his Chapter. His happiness was not a factor in this decision, and while he hoped that his match would be at least amiable - which Raina certainly seemed to be, so far - he did not think too much on it. Far from him to believe that he might be able to find some semblance of love from this match, but some small part of him still dared to hope. 

“Truth be told, I have not given it much thought. You have a very… colourful history, it has to be said, but I hope we will at least get along.”

[seven-of-ten]

Raina grimaced, the scar across her left cheek becoming more prominent for a moment. “Colorful, I suppose that is one way of putting it. I think, traitor and heretic where the exact words used by the Inquisitor.”

Her faces hardens. “I have no unrealistic goals in this endevour.” Raina’s dark eyes are fixed on her wine glass. “I would make one request of you, never lie to me. I don’t care who you are with, I don’t expect someone to be lonely on my account.” She placed her glass down and eyed Cassian as if she didn’t know what to make of him.

“Did your Captain tell you three before you refused to marry me?”

[cassian-a]

“Well, when have you ever known the Inquisition to be reasonable?” Cassian shrugged. “I’m sure you had good reasons for doing what you did.” 

He returned her wary gaze with a cool stare of his own. “I’m a Templar. We’re not exactly known for being liars.” He sighed, fingers playing with the stem of his glass. She seemed to be extremely defensive, but he supposed she had every right to be. Truth be told, there was very little about her personal life in the files he had read, just the supposed transgressions she had committed against the Imperium.

“I… no. Three?” He huffed a laugh. “They are fools, then. Only a blind man would turn down the offered hand of a beauty such as yourself.” 

[seven-of-ten]

“Unlikely anyone would want someone this scarred. But the compliment is appreciated.” Raina smiled for a moment at him. “I suppose, I just don’t understand, why anyone of rank would choose to marry me. But I thank you, for being cordial and saving me from the alternatives.” She sipped from her glass, “Inquisitors…” she shook her head as if trying to wipe something away. “I like to think you wouldn’t lie.” Raina went silent. “I don’t even know you and I’m judging you. My mother would be ashamed.”

[cassian-a]

Cassian almost immediately regretted the words as he said them, the line making him sound like some cheap gentleman carousing ladies in a seedy hive bar. But at least Raina seemed to take it in her stride. 

“You’re… welcome, I suppose.” He chuckled. “Hopefully I am not found wanting.” 

[seven-of-ten]

“You’ve sold yourself short, I don’t think you could ever lack anything. You are what most brides dream of, brave, handsome, loyal.” Raina finished off her second wine glass. “It is I who should be saying that.”

She smoothed her red shirt as she stood reaching for her coat laid out in a chair. “I want to go for a walk, would you like to come with me? It won’t be all that exciting so I won’t be offended if you’d rather leave.” She muttered the offer as if it had been an after thought to whatever was running across her mind.

[cassian-a]

The Templar perked up with a small smile, finishing the wine in his glass as she said this. “Why would I be offended? I would love to accompany you.” He wasn’t sure if the flush on his face had appeared because of the wine they’d been having, or from what Raina said of him. 

Getting up from his chair, he easily reached the door before her, and opened it to let her pass through first. She looked rather dashing in her coat, and had a certain kind of roguish charm about her that made him want to ask her about all her adventures, even though he had read about most of them in her dossier. 

[cassian-a]

An arranged marriage (Closed thread)

[ continued from here ] @mrsdorn

“I’m afraid I will just as inexperienced as you in that regard.” Cassian took another sip of the wine. 

He looked away as she broached the second topic. In truth, he saw it as merely another one of his duties, that he had to perform in service of his Chapter. His happiness was not a factor in this decision, and while he hoped that his match would be at least amiable - which Raina certainly seemed to be, so far - he did not think too much on it. Far from him to believe that he might be able to find some semblance of love from this match, but some small part of him still dared to hope. 

“Truth be told, I have not given it much thought. You have a very… colourful history, it has to be said, but I hope we will at least get along.”

[seven-of-ten]

Raina grimaced, the scar across her left cheek becoming more prominent for a moment. “Colorful, I suppose that is one way of putting it. I think, traitor and heretic where the exact words used by the Inquisitor.”

Her faces hardens. “I have no unrealistic goals in this endevour.” Raina’s dark eyes are fixed on her wine glass. “I would make one request of you, never lie to me. I don’t care who you are with, I don’t expect someone to be lonely on my account.” She placed her glass down and eyed Cassian as if she didn’t know what to make of him.

“Did your Captain tell you three before you refused to marry me?”

[cassian-a]

“Well, when have you ever known the Inquisition to be reasonable?” Cassian shrugged. “I’m sure you had good reasons for doing what you did.” 

He returned her wary gaze with a cool stare of his own. “I’m a Templar. We’re not exactly known for being liars.” He sighed, fingers playing with the stem of his glass. She seemed to be extremely defensive, but he supposed she had every right to be. Truth be told, there was very little about her personal life in the files he had read, just the supposed transgressions she had committed against the Imperium.

“I… no. Three?” He huffed a laugh. “They are fools, then. Only a blind man would turn down the offered hand of a beauty such as yourself.” 

[seven-of-ten]

“Unlikely anyone would want someone this scarred. But the compliment is appreciated.” Raina smiled for a moment at him. “I suppose, I just don’t understand, why anyone of rank would choose to marry me. But I thank you, for being cordial and saving me from the alternatives.” She sipped from her glass, “Inquisitors…” she shook her head as if trying to wipe something away. “I like to think you wouldn’t lie.” Raina went silent. “I don’t even know you and I’m judging you. My mother would be ashamed.”

[cassian-a]

Cassian almost immediately regretted the words as he said them, the line making him sound like some cheap gentleman carousing ladies in a seedy hive bar. But at least Raina seemed to take it in her stride. 

“You’re... welcome, I suppose.” He chuckled. “Hopefully I am not found wanting.” 

[cassian-a]

An arranged marriage (Closed thread)

[ continued from here ] @mrsdorn

“I’m afraid I will just as inexperienced as you in that regard.” Cassian took another sip of the wine. 

He looked away as she broached the second topic. In truth, he saw it as merely another one of his duties, that he had to perform in service of his Chapter. His happiness was not a factor in this decision, and while he hoped that his match would be at least amiable - which Raina certainly seemed to be, so far - he did not think too much on it. Far from him to believe that he might be able to find some semblance of love from this match, but some small part of him still dared to hope. 

“Truth be told, I have not given it much thought. You have a very… colourful history, it has to be said, but I hope we will at least get along.”

[seven-of-ten]

Raina grimaced, the scar across her left cheek becoming more prominent for a moment. “Colorful, I suppose that is one way of putting it. I think, traitor and heretic where the exact words used by the Inquisitor.”

Her faces hardens. “I have no unrealistic goals in this endevour.” Raina’s dark eyes are fixed on her wine glass. “I would make one request of you, never lie to me. I don’t care who you are with, I don’t expect someone to be lonely on my account.” She placed her glass down and eyed Cassian as if she didn’t know what to make of him.

“Did your Captain tell you three before you refused to marry me?”

[cassian-a]

“Well, when have you ever known the Inquisition to be reasonable?” Cassian shrugged. “I’m sure you had good reasons for doing what you did.” 

He returned her wary gaze with a cool stare of his own. “I’m a Templar. We’re not exactly known for being liars.” He sighed, fingers playing with the stem of his glass. She seemed to be extremely defensive, but he supposed she had every right to be. Truth be told, there was very little about her personal life in the files he had read, just the supposed transgressions she had committed against the Imperium.

“I... no. Three?” He huffed a laugh. “They are fools, then. Only a blind man would turn down the offered hand of a beauty such as yourself.” 

[purpleshadowhorse-deactivated20]

Nightmares and dreams

[cassian-a]

purpleshadowhorse

She hear him and her eyes open up wide and she was tumble and shaking. “It it was trying to kill me in my dream Cass.  I i don’t want to sleep i just don’t.”  she had tears roll down her cheek as she look at him. “how are that getting me in my dream?”  

She had her arms around him as if scared to let him go and that she was going to be taken away.

“I don’t know.” He held her close, careful to keep her still bleeding arm elevated to stem the flow of blood. “We don’t have to sleep, I can just sit here with you if you like.” 

[purpleshadowhorse-deactivated20]

She nod her head head and look at him. “I don’t want to sleep.”  She rest her head on his chest feeling sick now but why?  She think be for looking to her arm and her eyes went wide. “Cc-ass i i think the daemon made me sick.”  She was shaking as she her eyes look at him. “Just from the wound.”  

[cassian-a]

“What?” He pulled the sheet aside and saw that she was right - the wound was still bleeding despite all the pressure he was placing on it. Gritting his teeth, he bundled her in his arms, heading for the door.

“We’ll go to the apothecary.” 

[purpleshadowhorse-deactivated20]

The wound would not stop bleeding and her skin was sickly pale as she she put her face in to his chest. She start to burn up a bit. “The daemons want me weak that want to take over but if i am weak i am using for them to do that.” She felt her body tumble as she look at him. “there only two ways a daemon could do that to kirin born.  At young age or get us sick.” 

She rested her head on him. “I don’t want to be host to daemon.”  

[cassian-a]

“You won’t.” He gritted his teeth, breaking into a sprint, holding her close. He could feel the heat emanating from her, and it almost felt like a mini-furnace against his chest.