Post by Orin Evans on Mar 26, 2020 16:47:08 GMT -5
[ORIN] Daylight spilled into the room and slowly crept it's way towards Orin's face as the morning progressed. As he began to wake, he could see the bright light underneath his eyelids, warning him not to open his eyes. Not that he wanted to, anyway, because his head was pounding horribly. But something didn't seem or feel right to him. He rolled over and away from the sun, pulling the covers over his head to block out some of the light. Orin groaned in pain as his head throbbed from his movement so he clutched to it, massaging his scalp to try and alleviate some of it. Something was really off, and he felt like maybe he wasn't in his own room. It had a different smell--a feminine smell, though he couldn't quite pinpoint what it reminded him of. Hesitantly, he opened his eyes slowly, instantly squinting from the light until his eyes adjusted. He finally pulled the blankets off him as he slowly sat up, wincing in pain. He wasn't in his room. So where the hell was he? And why was he naked? He moved to the edge of the bed, letting his feet touch the floor, but he held his head in his hands.
I'll just sit here until the room stops spinning, he thought. He tried to recall the night: something to do with Aric and whiskey. Please, God...let this have nothing to do with Aric… He searched the floor for his clothes and found them strewn around the room. Still, he couldn't remember how they got off of him. He groaned in frustration and finally moved from the bed, gathering his clothes and putting them back on. His mind was a muddled mess. How would he get through the day like this? Or maybe he should just sleep the day away. Then he suddenly remembered the Saelis incident and he cursed under his breath. Should probably find out if any others were found. Hopefully I didn't already while drunk. Slowly, and groggily, he moved to the door, leaving the empty room and out into the hall. Why did his shirt smell like tea? Orin moved down the hallway, his hand running along the wall so he could keep himself steady. Honestly, he still felt a little drunk.
[CASSANDRA] She barely slept. She could barely even function while her mind kept running with a million thoughts. With voices in her head telling her how foolish she had been, that she was a whore, that she was inconsiderate...they wouldn't stop. Cassandra had lied there for what felt like hours before she finally gave up on sleep. The sun had barely been peeking over the horizon when she sat down at her vanity, lit only by a couple of candles as she wiped away the small tears that hadn't fallen from her eyes. No matter what her guilt told her...she didn't regret it, even if she was terrified now. Fingertips gently ran across the red markings he had left along her neck and collarbone before she washed herself quickly and clothed herself in a high-collared dress. It was a good thing that the weather was cold enough for such attire, because she'd be having to cover those for a few days. That had been hours ago. The duchess had left her chambers to see to some wedding planning, finding anything to keep herself busy. Every time she walked by the infirmary, she had this urge to go in; a memory of her old governess leaving her with curious ideas...but she would keep moving. That was a thought for another time. But presently, she was stepping out of Henry's room, quietly shutting the door behind her as a couple of nurses tended to him. Her breath staggered out of her lungs before she fixed her posture. And that was the very moment that she caught sight of Orin lumbering his way down. Completely frozen in place, her eyes wide and unsure, she didn't know whether to simply turn her back and walk away, to stand there and wait...for what? Her heart leapt into her throat because she didn't know what to expect.
[ORIN] He was struggling as he staggered down the hall. Not due to drunkenness this time, but because his head was pounding. He was holding it and grumbling under his breath as he trudged down the hallway.
It wasn't until he heard footsteps that he looked up and saw Cassandra heading in his direction. He sighed inaudible, not really in the mood to talk or listen to her berate him over looking at her breasts when he was clearly just trying to check on if she had been wounded.
But as he took another step, he felt this harsh surge of pain shooting through his head causing him to fall back and slide down the wall, clutching his head in both hands. Migraines were a bitch (though not sure if they knew of those back then.)
[CASSANDRA] Her breath was caught in her throat when he finally noticed her. It was an agonizing few seconds, trying to silently decipher what he did and didn't remember, if he'd even care to acknowledge it. No, he wasn't that cruel...but when she saw nothing but light irritation from his sigh, she felt her throat get tight. There was no time to let her mind run rampant because he was suddenly slumping against the wall. "Orin?" she called out in alarm, feet quickly carrying her over to his side. A headache by the looks of it- a severe one. She was reaching over to press the bareness of the inside of her wrist against his forehead to detect how warm he was. And he was fairly warm. Swallowing heart against her own secretive emotions, remember just how warm he had been last evening, she spoke. "Are you dizzy?" she asked gently.
[ORIN] He sat there on the floor groaning and wincing as he waited for the wave of pain to subside. Then Cassandra was at his side, feeling his head and asking questions. "Yes..." he groaned in response. Though he caught that familiar scent again. The same one he had smelled on the sheets of the bed. It slightly distracted his mind from the pain for a moment as he tried to think of what that scent reminded him of. He finally groaned, speaking with a low raspy voice as his throat had been burned raw. "I drank a little much last night.." he admitted to her.
[CASSANDRA] It was most likely just residual grogginess from the whiskey, and drinking that much always caused one's head to ache. This just appeared to be a little stronger than usual. Forgetting her own worries at the moment, she took his chin between her fingers to tilt his face up so that she could look at his eyes. Those blue-green eyes that had looked at her in such a different way...a way he didn't even recall, it seemed. A flicker of pain in her own gaze, her determination to forget failing, she turned her attention away. "I know," she responded, her voice lacking the humor it probably should have at such an admission. "You and Aric had...quite a time. I tried to keep you from waking up your sister, but-" Stop. She was rambling now, and he probably wouldn't care with his head throbbing. "Just, um...wait here," she told him and rose to her feet. In a flurry of navy skirts, she was rushing to her chambers and disappeared for a minute. When she emerged, she was holding out a small, brown bottle to him. "This will help." It'd mostly taste and smell like peppermint, but there was a bit of caffeine, valerian and a few other herbs ground into the small tonic. She hadn't learned a terrible lot from Elodie, but that was one of the first things she had tried...because, for one who liked to drink, well, it was a steeple to have.
[ORIN] His brows furrowed as she grabbed his chin, forcing him to look at her. He studied her face and noticed the twinge of pain in her eyes. Instinctively he was about to ask her what was wrong, but she was speaking again, filling him in with the fact that they had crossed paths in his drunken state. He groaned rubbing his face until she was up and walking away. Yep, he would just stay there. That scent was trailing off as she left him.
When she returned with the small bottle, he regarded her again, curiously. He took the bottle from her and couldn't help bit chuckle. "What is this, poison? You tryin' to poison me?" He opened the bottle and smelled it. Clearly he was joking, because he was taking a sip from the bottle. "Sorry if I said or did anything stupid around you last night." He had no clue.
[CASSANDRA] He had no idea. He really had no remembrance of last night. Cassandra told herself before that it wouldn't matter, that maybe it would be better if he didn't...but she couldn't ignore how her stomach twisted into knots, how her throat nearly closed up when he apologized. She didn't even have a witty comment about the tonic being poison, like she normally would have. Realizing this, she forced a small grin on her face but it didn't reach her eyes. The hand she rose to tip that tiny bottle to his lips shook slightly, "You need to down it all quickly." The way he had been drinking last night should make that real easy. "And you were fine," she managed to say after, to acknowledge his apology finally. He was more than just fine...but it hadn't been enough to break through that drunken fog apparently.
[ORIN] As she tipped that bottle back for him to drink the remaining contents, he did, drinking the liquid until the bottle was completely empty. He was reminded of that bottle of whiskey that emptied quickly between him and Aric. But as he finished, he quickly grabbed her wrist, his fingers wrapping around it completely. He looked at her and spoke with that raspy voice again. "I keep smelling something... since I woke." The smell made something inside him burn. The smell was intoxicating and he couldn't figure out why. But the smell was on her and he narrowed his eyes on her questioning something. He tried hard to think about the night but it was all a jumbled mess. Why, though, did he feel this strange pull towards her as he looked into her saddened eyes.
[CASSANDRA] Inside, she was screaming at herself to pull it together. Maybe she should just tell him, but maybe it was too late to just drop a truth like that. Every second she remained there near him clouded her judgement in completely opposite ways. Her heart was thundering in her chest and she couldn't figure out what to do, when he ceased her wrist and made her gasp in surprise. Green eyes immediately dropped to his mouth as he spoke, that confliction hitting her once again as those marks along her skin seemed to burn beneath her clothing. "What is it?" she asked him quietly; eyes lifting to meet his own, beginning to glint softly with possible tears again.
[ORIN] He silently watched her, noticing that something was amiss with her. She wasn't her normal self that he had gotten to know. So when he saw the tears causing her eyes to glisten, he took her chin into his free hand and stared at her, ignoring her question about the smell that was haunting him. "What's wrong? Did something happen?" He wondered if she was shaken up by the Saelisian guard that grabbed her. Or if Edward had said or did something to her. He had seen this woman upset several times now, to know she wasn't herself and something troubled her. Little did he know that he was the cause of her pain. Before she answered him, he pulled her into his arms and held her, hoping she'd known that she could let it out and he wouldn't judge her. And as he held her there, he got this strange sensation that he couldn't explain. Then there was that smell again. He lowered her face into her hair and breathed her scent in before he spoke into her ear. "It's you that I am smelling..." He thought, straining to remember what he could but his head was still pounding. He lifted her off of him and looked at her again. "I did something to you last night, didn't I?" He suddenly looked nervous, worried even that he had taken advantage of her and hurt her.
[CASSANDRA] This wasn't his fault. None of it was. If anyone was at fault, it was her...because she had been sober. If anyone took advantage, it was her. But she had been so foolishly blinded by whatever affections had developed that she didn't entirely care at the time. She was an inconsiderate whore. Cassandra didn't know how to answer him, and it was made all the more worse when he drew her closer. She was still suffering from that undeniable and enigmatic pull towards him. Fingers curled into his tea stained shirt when he inhaled the smell of her hair, his voice in her ear. In that moment, Cass forgot they were out in the open, in a hallway anyone could walk down at any second. And then that moment was gone when he moved her away, leaving her having to stare at him again with a mixture of emotions. His question should have elicited a laugh, but not this time. "We, uh..." Cassandra shook her head, trying to find the words, but the next ones left her lips in a barely audible whisper, "I'm sorry."
[ORIN] He had his fingers wrapped around both of her arms as he held her at arm-length distance from him. When she spoke, his brows furrowed in confusion. She didn't need to say any more because he was picking up from her tone what she was implying. Green-blue eyes widened slightly, his jaw clenching as he stared at her. She was sorry? He was trying to form words but nothing was coming from his mouth, instead, his gaze just remained on her, as if he were trying to remember one shred of something-- anything. Finally, he spoke. But his words were fragmented in his disbelief. "What? Why? But--" He shook his head. "Cassandra--" He didn't know what to say. Only, he was feeling guilty. She was a married woman and he should not have done things with her. If anyone found out-- He most likely would be the one in trouble. He let go of his arms and sat there on the floor, knees bent upward, feet planted on the floor, and he rested his elbows on his knees, rubbing his face suddenly. He was at a loss for what to say.
[CASSANDRA] The more he couldn't remember, the more it hurt. She knew better, but she was often too impulsive for her own good. As he held her there, she didn't try to free her wrists, feeling helpless and lost. When he finally did, and his head hung low, she felt the first tear fall down her cheek in defeat. She should just walk away. He was taken aback, possibly regretting it, and it was all because she was weak. "Orin..." Her voice cracked, and she gripped onto his forearm. Desperate, she checked the ends of the hall before she leaned in, pressing her forehead against the side of his face. Her words were spoken quickly and quietly, fearful she might break down even further, "I'm sorry. It's not your fault, it's not. I promise. I could've walked away, but I didn't." She had to withdraw from him quickly lest she be unable to. "I didn't want to leave," she added as she climbed to her feet to retreat before she completely crumbled.
[ORIN] He couldn't bring himself to look at her. He was cursing himself out for allowing himself to get so drunk that he couldn't remember things-- especially something like this. He had started to develop feelings for her, but knew she was out of his reach. She was married and not willing to fight for her own life, allowing everyone else to dictate it for her. He had told himself to keep away. How could he have been so careless?
He felt her small hand grab his forearm and then her forehead press into the side of his face. There was that intoxicating fragrance again. He listened to her as she took the blame for it all, but it wasn't how he saw it, despite if he remembered or not.
Though when she admitted that she didn't want to leave, he lifted his gaze and watched her as she stood. There was a faint memory that suddenly clicked into his head, then, and he spoke in response, quickly grabbing her wrist before she could walk away, "then why did you?"
[CASSANDRA] She was remembering last night again. When she had walked away from his bedside, so close to simply leaving and keeping everything to herself...when he grabbed her wrist. He was doing it again now, halting her immediately, questioning her like he also had just those many hours ago. Cassandra stopped breathing, wondering why she was struggling with honesty while it was out in the open now. What did it matter? Drawing in a staggered breath, she turned just enough to look back at him, "Because..." she began, pausing for a brief moment because she felt so incredibly torn. "Then I would never have left." Anger at herself shifted her features and she had to look away from him. "You remember nothing...and maybe you should go back to that." At least, maybe, he'd be safe from any harsh judgement, from above or even on this plain. Her guilt was eating away at her, and yet through everything, she still couldn't feel sorry that it had happened.
[ORIN] They were having this conversation, dangerously and out in the open. Anyone could walk down these halls, eavesdrop and then the rumors spread like wildfire. He pushed himself up off the floor, his headache was actually a bit lessened from whatever she had given him. He grabbed hold of her arm and pulled her with him as he walked back down the hall and back into that empty room. He didn't mean to, but he had actually shoved her into the room before he was shutting the door and turning to look at her. His expression was laced with so many different emotions. Anger. Because he didn't know why or how this had happened. Because he couldn't remember. Confusion. Because he didn't understand why she would have done this. He did not know of her promiscuous ways in Tresteria...and why she had chosen him. And because she said she would have never left? What did that even mean? And sadness. Because she was upset and hurt by the fact a drunk man couldn't remember what happened.
He was fuming with all of these emotions as he confronted her now. "What the fuck were you thinking?!" He stared at her. But no, he didn't want to blame her for this. He turned away and let out a long sigh, trying to calm himself before he looked to her again. "And what do you mean you never would have left?"
[CASSANDRA] After she spoke- trying to be truthful but vague at the same time because, yes, they were out in the open- Cassandra knew she had to keep walking away. She was crumbling, losing herself and her composure faster than she would have thought. For a woman who could expertly mask her emotions, put on a show to hide her true intentions, she was too exhausted for it now. Before she could think anymore on it, he was dragging her away, forcing her back into that room. Cass stumbled just a couple of steps before wheeling around to face him, her guard instantly up. Then he was yelling, and it was both breaking her apart but making the sleeping defiance begin to emerge. "I don't know!" she screamed back at him. She had tried to stop it, knowing she was taking advantage, but he hadn't cared. How could she explain that to the man who had been so drunk he didn't remember any of it? It would seem like a lie to cover herself. Even as he calmed, she couldn't, no matter how hard she tried, his next question piercing her straight through the chest. "I tried. I tried so hard to walk out of here! I knew this would happen, I knew how much I would be judged, how much of a risk it would be...but I stayed. Because I wanted to, because I wanted it. And I shouldn't still." She was fuming despite her tears, and although his tone had sparked this sudden raging fire, she wasn't mad at him. The only person she could be angry at was herself. And now she felt trapped, a part of her wanting to bolt for that door. "I took advantage...and there aren't enough words in the world that will explain to you how sorry I am for being so weak."
[ORIN] He was completely baffled by her now. Where was this even coming from, and so sudden? He didn't feel like he had given her any reason to even care about him, nevermind want to sleep with him. But then again, he was oblivious to things like that. Feelings, emotions? What were those? He shook his head and held his hand up as if trying to silence her before she said anything else. When the room fell silent again, he sighed out loud, turning from her and rubbing his face as he tried to think of something. But he was so at a loss for words.
Finally, he turned to her again and was shaking his head again, "No... you shouldn't .. I am not a good man... You don't need to get involved with me." He warned her, his tone a bit more steady.
She was crying and although he wanted to try and console her, he didn't know how or what to do. So he turned away again and rested a hand on the wall, an arm's length away, letting his head hang low in that empty space.
He thought to himself quietly, unsure how to proceed. Should he just leave it at that, and walk away? Leave her to figure out what to do with her own emotions, and he his? His jaw clenched tightly the longer he thought about it. Maybe he was just angry with himself. With his drunken, stupid self, and whatever he had done to make him think this was ok to do. For making her want him. She had admitted that she wanted it. And she still did? Well, here goes nothing. Orin quickly turned and closed that space between them, grabbing her face in his hands and forcefully kissed her.
[CASSANDRA] So, this is what rejection felt like. As a woman of status, Cassandra nearly always got what she wanted. She didn't understand what true denial was. Yet, when he silenced her, telling her he wasn't a good man, she couldn't help but wonder if he was trying to put her down lightly. It would be out of character for him, considering Orin rarely bit his tongue and would tell you exactly how it was...but this felt like rejection. It felt like she had stupidly misconstrued his drunken words in front of his sister and Aric, and this whole mess was just spiraling out of control. She let that misconception fuel emotions she thought she had a handle on until last night. Emotions that were leaving her confused and cold. It was good he didn't try to console her, because she wouldn't have allowed it. She didn't want the pity. Left to stare at his back in that agonizing silence.
Even if he was denying her, she didn't like the thought of him speaking that way about himself. "Shut up," she spat. Well, that wasn't really the tone to use to comfort someone, but her emotions were a jumbled mess and running rampant. "You...have been the only one to see through the shit of society, through the mask I wear to hide who I fear I can never be. I didn't just do this for the hell of it." Although her tone was stern, it wavered every now and then, as if she was trying to keep herself together; trying to stay mad because it was just easier. The silence lingered, and she swore she could hear her own heart as it pounded in her chest, so loudly in her ears. She needed to leave that room before the last stones of her resolve cracked away, but he wasn't letting her. Surprised by that kiss, Cassandra was merely stunned for a second before the stupid part of her brain reacted; fingers curling tightly into the front of his shirt as if to pull him down even closer. All her anger and frustrations, all the emotions she couldn't share with words poured into that kiss, whimpering softly as she felt one of those tears trail down her cheek.
[ORIN] He had ignored her words that she spat at him, in response to what she thought he was putting himself down with. She did not know him. She didn't know his life, his past. None of it. So how could she disagree? He didn't consider himself a good man. He was cold and distant, he had made so many mistakes and bad decisions in his life, he didn't care about much, (or so he convinced himself). He had warned her though. It was only a matter of time that she would leave him, as all the others had, because of his bullshit and because he just wasn't good at this.
He kept his hands on her face , fingers combing into her hair eventually as he returned that kiss with all of that emotional mess. His anger and confusion... He let her know just how he felt as he kept his mouth hard against her own in a desperation to taste her.
[CASSANDRA] Maybe she didn't know him, or much about him...but for the most part, none of that mattered. It was how he made her feel. How he even bothered to comfort her all those times she broke down, how he felt it deeply that anyone had the strength and right to change their life. It was easier said than done, but maybe all of this right now was her way of trying to take control of hers. If he was cold and distant, she was impatient and overly judgemental...but he was still kissing her. She could most likely have had anyone else if she dared...but she was still kissing him, despite the risks. Her frustration grew at the thought of him not remembering, enough for her to shove him up against the closed door; fingers still curled into his shirt so tight that nails very well might tear it if she had been strong enough. Gasping, she drew back just enough to whisper against his mouth. "I don't care...about the risks if you don't." She was trying to make her thoughts clear but it was impossible right now. And she knew it was stupid to do this, to wish to pursue it further...but as she said, she didn't care.
[ORIN] The longer that kiss lasted, the more he began having these strange dream-like memories of being with her. It was choppy and fragmented though and he couldn't seem to make sense of any of it. He nearly stumbled back as she shoved him against the door, his body causing a loud thud sound as he hit it. The way she clutched to his shirt, and the way she smelled, was enough to drive him crazy. But when she was pulling away to whisper against his lips, he grasped her wrists with both his hands and lightly pushed her back away from him, keeping her at arm's length. He didn't let go of her wrists, though, and he was staring at her. He wasn't sure if he was in shock by her words, or turned on. Finally, he pulled her back to him, and spoke in her ear with that raw and raspy voice thanks to the whiskey. "The risks I will face, or the risks you will face?" Or perhaps both. But the risks were different for both of them. Maybe worse for him.
[CASSANDRA] The smallest of gasps fled her lips when he forced her away, leaving her temporarily dazed. Although that delicious voice was at her ear only a few moments later, her body molded against his, his words made her shake. Her throat began to tighten up, realizing how selfish she was being again. She didn't care about the risks because, for her, if may not be as terrible because of her family name. But Orin? Turning her head enough to look at him, green eyes flooded with that worry, changing her face immediately as she couldn't help but trace a thumb across his bottom lip in a memory that had to be just that. "I can't do that to you..." she finally confessed, her voice so quiet.
[ORIN] He watched her as she seemed to be suddenly conflicted by his question. Arms snaked around her as she leaned against him and he let out a frustrated sigh. It wasn't until she looked at him and traced her thumb along his bottom lip, that he looked back at her, watchful as she spoke. He took her hand by his mouth and grabbed her wrist again, planting kisses along it, before he spoke. "Oh, but you already have... Didn't you?"
[CASSANDRA] It was hard to deny anything while he held her like that. A part of her wished he would be mad at her for what she's done, because it would make it easier to walk away. "One time," she said, her eyes preoccupied with his lips at her wrist. "And you don't even remember it." Her gaze narrowed slightly, the first sign of playfulness in hours of dread, and she tried to lighten the darkness that loomed over them. Even if a little. "You can deny it, forget it. Be safe." Although her tone was lightly joking, she was being serious. She couldn't blame him for taking that way out, either.
[ORIN] He smirked slightly at her remark, his lips continuing to press along her wrist. "I remember enough." He admitted, as he had started to recall pieces of it. And to prove it, he gripped her wrist and pulled her close to him, bringing his lips to her ear again before he whispered into it again. "I only wish you took longer to finish so we could still be at it now." He repeated the threat he had made to her just before she came. He wasn't sure of what would happen between them or how much of a risk it would be. But he wasn't thinking straight now with her there, that scent on her, and the memories that were starting to cloud his mind.
[CASSANDRA] That was his way out. As much as it would hurt her, she would have let him go because she cared more about keeping him from whatever fate could befall him should this all come to light. But he didn't seem to be listening, and her resolve was very quickly disappearing. Her breath left parted lips in a shudder when he drew her back, his whispered words making her knees buckle. Fuck. There was no walking away now. Biting her lip in thought as those eyes dropped to his mouth again, there was a smirk on her own, "Shouldn't speak such things until your head is on straight, vagabond." She'd been in this room for too long and knew she had to leave, just to show her face at the very least, but it was far too difficult to. And despite all of this, she was leaning forward, drawing his earlobe between her teeth before murmuring, "But we can simply pretend we never left..." And there was that conflict again, the stupidity, the not caring about the consequences. She never really did like rules.
[ORIN] Perhaps she was right. His head wasn't on straight right now. He had duties to get to. She had a wedding to plan for Alexandria. His sister. What would she think of him right now? He was about to come to his senses when she had his earlobe between her teeth. He groaned after those words were whispered to him. She was evil. He breathed inward, trying to fight her. Trying to fight his sudden desire to throw her onto that bed and have his way with her. Again He wanted to feel all of it and remember it fully this time. As he exhaled the breath he had been holding, he finally held her away from him, a grin on his face. "Not right now." He said with almost a playful tone to his voice. He held his arm out as if holding her away from him, to avoid her from tempting him any further. "I want you to spend your entire day thinking about what you've started.... and think about me and how bad you really want this...And if you really do" He stared at her, challenging her. Before he continued. "I will surely think of you throughout my day" He motioned downward, his pants were barely hiding the hardened bulge she had caused. He sighed. Frustrated because this was taking so much willpower right now. "If you change your mind, I'll understand. If not... meet me back in this room when it's dark. Midnight?"
[CASSANDRA] These fluctuating emotions were going to kill her. As he was pushing her an arm's length away, she may have actually growled a little in irritation, but his grin kept it at bay. Not right now. Was that a promise? Or was it just a polite way of putting her down slowly? Her mind was all aflutter as a sly grin began to curl the corner of her mouth; listening to him, desperately trying to keep herself from swatting his arm away and crashing back into him. But no, not right now. Somewhere in the back of her mind, passed that blinding desire, she understood. They couldn't risk it, and they had daily tasks to attend to. Yet, for the first time in her life, Cassandra didn't want to plan an event. She just wanted to be right here. Oh my, this was going to be a long day. She didn't answer him verbally, but the bright smile she suddenly wore should have been answer enough. Gently, she moved his arm away but did not press forward; her hand was reaching for the handle of the door that he was currently leaning against. "I'll leave first," she finally spoke, her voice dropping an octave and laced with pure amusement. Green eyes took a moment to assess his "situation" below the waist before lifting to his face again. "It would seem you need a few minutes anyway." Brows lifted in delight, waiting for him to kindly move before she could slip back out into the hall.
[ORIN] It was going to be a long day, indeed. His green-blue eyes watched her as she approached him and reached for the handle. He didn't move out of her way, right away. His eyes followed her gaze as she commented about it. He smirked and leaned towards her whispering into her ear again. Not sure if she was insinuating that he should take of it himself, so he responded with, "I wouldn't want to spoil my dinner..." And he moved aside for her to leave.
[CASSANDRA] His comment elicited a laugh while she swatted at his arm. When he moved out of the way, she was opening the door to step out, quick to shut it behind her. Halting, Cassandra was alarmed to find her cousin but a few feet away. "Aric!" she exclaimed in surprise...and perhaps a little too loudly. Hopefully Orin did stay in that room for a few minutes. For a second, she was afraid to move.
[ARIC] Dark eyes blinked as Cassandra suddenly emerged from the room, laughing. His mind was still a bit muddled, but that seemed a bit odd to him. He also noted that it wasn't her room or Henry's. "What are you...doing?"
[CASSANDRA] Don't panic. The duchess knew how to lie, so this shouldn't be difficult. She just looked flustered now because he had taken her by surprise. "Oh, I was just looking for my earring. I think I lost it the other day." She could tell that he was still confused, still not sure why she'd have been in an unclaimed guest room to begin with, so she spoke again as she smoothed out the front of her dress. "I suspect you slept well?" The smile that curled her face was sly, as if she were insinuating he slept very well. Wink-wink. When you needed to lie, just change the subject quickly to something they had to argue back. But with her cousin being still messed up from the whiskey, she didn't suspect it to be very hard.
[ARIC] No, he wasn't understanding it, but honestly was too tired to really care at this point. When she insinuated, of course, he gave her a pointed look. "Yes, but no." He was vague on purpose, but she'd still understand nothing happened. "My head is pounding, though...have you any of that hocus pocus of yours?"
[CASSANDRA] "I wish you wouldn't call it that," she murmured, only half annoyed. "Come on." She'd take him by the arm and lead him to her room where she supplied him with one of those tiny brown bottles. She was running low, and if these men kept drinking themselves sick, she'd have none for herself!
[ARIC] A low chuckle, he followed her to her chambers to receive the tonic. "Would you, uh...see if you could find some of Alexandria's ladies? She needs help getting dressed." He saw Cassandra's mouth opening, knowing exactly what she was going to do- insinuate again, so he interrupted her before she could. "I need to find Orin, if he's still alive, and figure out what's going on with this Saelis mess."
[CASSANDRA] Laughing lowly, she snapped her mouth shut. The amusement left her face for but a moment when he mentioned Saelis. And Orin. But she would nod. "Sure," she told him. Most of the queen's handmaidens were being put to work, by Cassandra, and she didn't expect them to like having to rush back and forth between duties. So she would handle it.
[ARIC] He nodded. "Thanks." Moving to leave, he paused. "And thanks for all your help lately." The smile on his face was sincere. Then, with his headache cure in hand, Aric left her chambers to head down the hall, guessing he'd check the training room first before taking the check to the military building.
[CASSANDRA] Her smile was genuine in return. "You're welcome, cousin." It was rare that she heard gratitude...maybe because she rarely did anything to deserve it. When he was disappearing down the hall, she left her room and went the opposite way towards Alexandria's; knuckles wrapping gently upon her door.
I'll just sit here until the room stops spinning, he thought. He tried to recall the night: something to do with Aric and whiskey. Please, God...let this have nothing to do with Aric… He searched the floor for his clothes and found them strewn around the room. Still, he couldn't remember how they got off of him. He groaned in frustration and finally moved from the bed, gathering his clothes and putting them back on. His mind was a muddled mess. How would he get through the day like this? Or maybe he should just sleep the day away. Then he suddenly remembered the Saelis incident and he cursed under his breath. Should probably find out if any others were found. Hopefully I didn't already while drunk. Slowly, and groggily, he moved to the door, leaving the empty room and out into the hall. Why did his shirt smell like tea? Orin moved down the hallway, his hand running along the wall so he could keep himself steady. Honestly, he still felt a little drunk.
[CASSANDRA] She barely slept. She could barely even function while her mind kept running with a million thoughts. With voices in her head telling her how foolish she had been, that she was a whore, that she was inconsiderate...they wouldn't stop. Cassandra had lied there for what felt like hours before she finally gave up on sleep. The sun had barely been peeking over the horizon when she sat down at her vanity, lit only by a couple of candles as she wiped away the small tears that hadn't fallen from her eyes. No matter what her guilt told her...she didn't regret it, even if she was terrified now. Fingertips gently ran across the red markings he had left along her neck and collarbone before she washed herself quickly and clothed herself in a high-collared dress. It was a good thing that the weather was cold enough for such attire, because she'd be having to cover those for a few days. That had been hours ago. The duchess had left her chambers to see to some wedding planning, finding anything to keep herself busy. Every time she walked by the infirmary, she had this urge to go in; a memory of her old governess leaving her with curious ideas...but she would keep moving. That was a thought for another time. But presently, she was stepping out of Henry's room, quietly shutting the door behind her as a couple of nurses tended to him. Her breath staggered out of her lungs before she fixed her posture. And that was the very moment that she caught sight of Orin lumbering his way down. Completely frozen in place, her eyes wide and unsure, she didn't know whether to simply turn her back and walk away, to stand there and wait...for what? Her heart leapt into her throat because she didn't know what to expect.
[ORIN] He was struggling as he staggered down the hall. Not due to drunkenness this time, but because his head was pounding. He was holding it and grumbling under his breath as he trudged down the hallway.
It wasn't until he heard footsteps that he looked up and saw Cassandra heading in his direction. He sighed inaudible, not really in the mood to talk or listen to her berate him over looking at her breasts when he was clearly just trying to check on if she had been wounded.
But as he took another step, he felt this harsh surge of pain shooting through his head causing him to fall back and slide down the wall, clutching his head in both hands. Migraines were a bitch (though not sure if they knew of those back then.)
[CASSANDRA] Her breath was caught in her throat when he finally noticed her. It was an agonizing few seconds, trying to silently decipher what he did and didn't remember, if he'd even care to acknowledge it. No, he wasn't that cruel...but when she saw nothing but light irritation from his sigh, she felt her throat get tight. There was no time to let her mind run rampant because he was suddenly slumping against the wall. "Orin?" she called out in alarm, feet quickly carrying her over to his side. A headache by the looks of it- a severe one. She was reaching over to press the bareness of the inside of her wrist against his forehead to detect how warm he was. And he was fairly warm. Swallowing heart against her own secretive emotions, remember just how warm he had been last evening, she spoke. "Are you dizzy?" she asked gently.
[ORIN] He sat there on the floor groaning and wincing as he waited for the wave of pain to subside. Then Cassandra was at his side, feeling his head and asking questions. "Yes..." he groaned in response. Though he caught that familiar scent again. The same one he had smelled on the sheets of the bed. It slightly distracted his mind from the pain for a moment as he tried to think of what that scent reminded him of. He finally groaned, speaking with a low raspy voice as his throat had been burned raw. "I drank a little much last night.." he admitted to her.
[CASSANDRA] It was most likely just residual grogginess from the whiskey, and drinking that much always caused one's head to ache. This just appeared to be a little stronger than usual. Forgetting her own worries at the moment, she took his chin between her fingers to tilt his face up so that she could look at his eyes. Those blue-green eyes that had looked at her in such a different way...a way he didn't even recall, it seemed. A flicker of pain in her own gaze, her determination to forget failing, she turned her attention away. "I know," she responded, her voice lacking the humor it probably should have at such an admission. "You and Aric had...quite a time. I tried to keep you from waking up your sister, but-" Stop. She was rambling now, and he probably wouldn't care with his head throbbing. "Just, um...wait here," she told him and rose to her feet. In a flurry of navy skirts, she was rushing to her chambers and disappeared for a minute. When she emerged, she was holding out a small, brown bottle to him. "This will help." It'd mostly taste and smell like peppermint, but there was a bit of caffeine, valerian and a few other herbs ground into the small tonic. She hadn't learned a terrible lot from Elodie, but that was one of the first things she had tried...because, for one who liked to drink, well, it was a steeple to have.
[ORIN] His brows furrowed as she grabbed his chin, forcing him to look at her. He studied her face and noticed the twinge of pain in her eyes. Instinctively he was about to ask her what was wrong, but she was speaking again, filling him in with the fact that they had crossed paths in his drunken state. He groaned rubbing his face until she was up and walking away. Yep, he would just stay there. That scent was trailing off as she left him.
When she returned with the small bottle, he regarded her again, curiously. He took the bottle from her and couldn't help bit chuckle. "What is this, poison? You tryin' to poison me?" He opened the bottle and smelled it. Clearly he was joking, because he was taking a sip from the bottle. "Sorry if I said or did anything stupid around you last night." He had no clue.
[CASSANDRA] He had no idea. He really had no remembrance of last night. Cassandra told herself before that it wouldn't matter, that maybe it would be better if he didn't...but she couldn't ignore how her stomach twisted into knots, how her throat nearly closed up when he apologized. She didn't even have a witty comment about the tonic being poison, like she normally would have. Realizing this, she forced a small grin on her face but it didn't reach her eyes. The hand she rose to tip that tiny bottle to his lips shook slightly, "You need to down it all quickly." The way he had been drinking last night should make that real easy. "And you were fine," she managed to say after, to acknowledge his apology finally. He was more than just fine...but it hadn't been enough to break through that drunken fog apparently.
[ORIN] As she tipped that bottle back for him to drink the remaining contents, he did, drinking the liquid until the bottle was completely empty. He was reminded of that bottle of whiskey that emptied quickly between him and Aric. But as he finished, he quickly grabbed her wrist, his fingers wrapping around it completely. He looked at her and spoke with that raspy voice again. "I keep smelling something... since I woke." The smell made something inside him burn. The smell was intoxicating and he couldn't figure out why. But the smell was on her and he narrowed his eyes on her questioning something. He tried hard to think about the night but it was all a jumbled mess. Why, though, did he feel this strange pull towards her as he looked into her saddened eyes.
[CASSANDRA] Inside, she was screaming at herself to pull it together. Maybe she should just tell him, but maybe it was too late to just drop a truth like that. Every second she remained there near him clouded her judgement in completely opposite ways. Her heart was thundering in her chest and she couldn't figure out what to do, when he ceased her wrist and made her gasp in surprise. Green eyes immediately dropped to his mouth as he spoke, that confliction hitting her once again as those marks along her skin seemed to burn beneath her clothing. "What is it?" she asked him quietly; eyes lifting to meet his own, beginning to glint softly with possible tears again.
[ORIN] He silently watched her, noticing that something was amiss with her. She wasn't her normal self that he had gotten to know. So when he saw the tears causing her eyes to glisten, he took her chin into his free hand and stared at her, ignoring her question about the smell that was haunting him. "What's wrong? Did something happen?" He wondered if she was shaken up by the Saelisian guard that grabbed her. Or if Edward had said or did something to her. He had seen this woman upset several times now, to know she wasn't herself and something troubled her. Little did he know that he was the cause of her pain. Before she answered him, he pulled her into his arms and held her, hoping she'd known that she could let it out and he wouldn't judge her. And as he held her there, he got this strange sensation that he couldn't explain. Then there was that smell again. He lowered her face into her hair and breathed her scent in before he spoke into her ear. "It's you that I am smelling..." He thought, straining to remember what he could but his head was still pounding. He lifted her off of him and looked at her again. "I did something to you last night, didn't I?" He suddenly looked nervous, worried even that he had taken advantage of her and hurt her.
[CASSANDRA] This wasn't his fault. None of it was. If anyone was at fault, it was her...because she had been sober. If anyone took advantage, it was her. But she had been so foolishly blinded by whatever affections had developed that she didn't entirely care at the time. She was an inconsiderate whore. Cassandra didn't know how to answer him, and it was made all the more worse when he drew her closer. She was still suffering from that undeniable and enigmatic pull towards him. Fingers curled into his tea stained shirt when he inhaled the smell of her hair, his voice in her ear. In that moment, Cass forgot they were out in the open, in a hallway anyone could walk down at any second. And then that moment was gone when he moved her away, leaving her having to stare at him again with a mixture of emotions. His question should have elicited a laugh, but not this time. "We, uh..." Cassandra shook her head, trying to find the words, but the next ones left her lips in a barely audible whisper, "I'm sorry."
[ORIN] He had his fingers wrapped around both of her arms as he held her at arm-length distance from him. When she spoke, his brows furrowed in confusion. She didn't need to say any more because he was picking up from her tone what she was implying. Green-blue eyes widened slightly, his jaw clenching as he stared at her. She was sorry? He was trying to form words but nothing was coming from his mouth, instead, his gaze just remained on her, as if he were trying to remember one shred of something-- anything. Finally, he spoke. But his words were fragmented in his disbelief. "What? Why? But--" He shook his head. "Cassandra--" He didn't know what to say. Only, he was feeling guilty. She was a married woman and he should not have done things with her. If anyone found out-- He most likely would be the one in trouble. He let go of his arms and sat there on the floor, knees bent upward, feet planted on the floor, and he rested his elbows on his knees, rubbing his face suddenly. He was at a loss for what to say.
[CASSANDRA] The more he couldn't remember, the more it hurt. She knew better, but she was often too impulsive for her own good. As he held her there, she didn't try to free her wrists, feeling helpless and lost. When he finally did, and his head hung low, she felt the first tear fall down her cheek in defeat. She should just walk away. He was taken aback, possibly regretting it, and it was all because she was weak. "Orin..." Her voice cracked, and she gripped onto his forearm. Desperate, she checked the ends of the hall before she leaned in, pressing her forehead against the side of his face. Her words were spoken quickly and quietly, fearful she might break down even further, "I'm sorry. It's not your fault, it's not. I promise. I could've walked away, but I didn't." She had to withdraw from him quickly lest she be unable to. "I didn't want to leave," she added as she climbed to her feet to retreat before she completely crumbled.
[ORIN] He couldn't bring himself to look at her. He was cursing himself out for allowing himself to get so drunk that he couldn't remember things-- especially something like this. He had started to develop feelings for her, but knew she was out of his reach. She was married and not willing to fight for her own life, allowing everyone else to dictate it for her. He had told himself to keep away. How could he have been so careless?
He felt her small hand grab his forearm and then her forehead press into the side of his face. There was that intoxicating fragrance again. He listened to her as she took the blame for it all, but it wasn't how he saw it, despite if he remembered or not.
Though when she admitted that she didn't want to leave, he lifted his gaze and watched her as she stood. There was a faint memory that suddenly clicked into his head, then, and he spoke in response, quickly grabbing her wrist before she could walk away, "then why did you?"
[CASSANDRA] She was remembering last night again. When she had walked away from his bedside, so close to simply leaving and keeping everything to herself...when he grabbed her wrist. He was doing it again now, halting her immediately, questioning her like he also had just those many hours ago. Cassandra stopped breathing, wondering why she was struggling with honesty while it was out in the open now. What did it matter? Drawing in a staggered breath, she turned just enough to look back at him, "Because..." she began, pausing for a brief moment because she felt so incredibly torn. "Then I would never have left." Anger at herself shifted her features and she had to look away from him. "You remember nothing...and maybe you should go back to that." At least, maybe, he'd be safe from any harsh judgement, from above or even on this plain. Her guilt was eating away at her, and yet through everything, she still couldn't feel sorry that it had happened.
[ORIN] They were having this conversation, dangerously and out in the open. Anyone could walk down these halls, eavesdrop and then the rumors spread like wildfire. He pushed himself up off the floor, his headache was actually a bit lessened from whatever she had given him. He grabbed hold of her arm and pulled her with him as he walked back down the hall and back into that empty room. He didn't mean to, but he had actually shoved her into the room before he was shutting the door and turning to look at her. His expression was laced with so many different emotions. Anger. Because he didn't know why or how this had happened. Because he couldn't remember. Confusion. Because he didn't understand why she would have done this. He did not know of her promiscuous ways in Tresteria...and why she had chosen him. And because she said she would have never left? What did that even mean? And sadness. Because she was upset and hurt by the fact a drunk man couldn't remember what happened.
He was fuming with all of these emotions as he confronted her now. "What the fuck were you thinking?!" He stared at her. But no, he didn't want to blame her for this. He turned away and let out a long sigh, trying to calm himself before he looked to her again. "And what do you mean you never would have left?"
[CASSANDRA] After she spoke- trying to be truthful but vague at the same time because, yes, they were out in the open- Cassandra knew she had to keep walking away. She was crumbling, losing herself and her composure faster than she would have thought. For a woman who could expertly mask her emotions, put on a show to hide her true intentions, she was too exhausted for it now. Before she could think anymore on it, he was dragging her away, forcing her back into that room. Cass stumbled just a couple of steps before wheeling around to face him, her guard instantly up. Then he was yelling, and it was both breaking her apart but making the sleeping defiance begin to emerge. "I don't know!" she screamed back at him. She had tried to stop it, knowing she was taking advantage, but he hadn't cared. How could she explain that to the man who had been so drunk he didn't remember any of it? It would seem like a lie to cover herself. Even as he calmed, she couldn't, no matter how hard she tried, his next question piercing her straight through the chest. "I tried. I tried so hard to walk out of here! I knew this would happen, I knew how much I would be judged, how much of a risk it would be...but I stayed. Because I wanted to, because I wanted it. And I shouldn't still." She was fuming despite her tears, and although his tone had sparked this sudden raging fire, she wasn't mad at him. The only person she could be angry at was herself. And now she felt trapped, a part of her wanting to bolt for that door. "I took advantage...and there aren't enough words in the world that will explain to you how sorry I am for being so weak."
[ORIN] He was completely baffled by her now. Where was this even coming from, and so sudden? He didn't feel like he had given her any reason to even care about him, nevermind want to sleep with him. But then again, he was oblivious to things like that. Feelings, emotions? What were those? He shook his head and held his hand up as if trying to silence her before she said anything else. When the room fell silent again, he sighed out loud, turning from her and rubbing his face as he tried to think of something. But he was so at a loss for words.
Finally, he turned to her again and was shaking his head again, "No... you shouldn't .. I am not a good man... You don't need to get involved with me." He warned her, his tone a bit more steady.
She was crying and although he wanted to try and console her, he didn't know how or what to do. So he turned away again and rested a hand on the wall, an arm's length away, letting his head hang low in that empty space.
He thought to himself quietly, unsure how to proceed. Should he just leave it at that, and walk away? Leave her to figure out what to do with her own emotions, and he his? His jaw clenched tightly the longer he thought about it. Maybe he was just angry with himself. With his drunken, stupid self, and whatever he had done to make him think this was ok to do. For making her want him. She had admitted that she wanted it. And she still did? Well, here goes nothing. Orin quickly turned and closed that space between them, grabbing her face in his hands and forcefully kissed her.
[CASSANDRA] So, this is what rejection felt like. As a woman of status, Cassandra nearly always got what she wanted. She didn't understand what true denial was. Yet, when he silenced her, telling her he wasn't a good man, she couldn't help but wonder if he was trying to put her down lightly. It would be out of character for him, considering Orin rarely bit his tongue and would tell you exactly how it was...but this felt like rejection. It felt like she had stupidly misconstrued his drunken words in front of his sister and Aric, and this whole mess was just spiraling out of control. She let that misconception fuel emotions she thought she had a handle on until last night. Emotions that were leaving her confused and cold. It was good he didn't try to console her, because she wouldn't have allowed it. She didn't want the pity. Left to stare at his back in that agonizing silence.
Even if he was denying her, she didn't like the thought of him speaking that way about himself. "Shut up," she spat. Well, that wasn't really the tone to use to comfort someone, but her emotions were a jumbled mess and running rampant. "You...have been the only one to see through the shit of society, through the mask I wear to hide who I fear I can never be. I didn't just do this for the hell of it." Although her tone was stern, it wavered every now and then, as if she was trying to keep herself together; trying to stay mad because it was just easier. The silence lingered, and she swore she could hear her own heart as it pounded in her chest, so loudly in her ears. She needed to leave that room before the last stones of her resolve cracked away, but he wasn't letting her. Surprised by that kiss, Cassandra was merely stunned for a second before the stupid part of her brain reacted; fingers curling tightly into the front of his shirt as if to pull him down even closer. All her anger and frustrations, all the emotions she couldn't share with words poured into that kiss, whimpering softly as she felt one of those tears trail down her cheek.
[ORIN] He had ignored her words that she spat at him, in response to what she thought he was putting himself down with. She did not know him. She didn't know his life, his past. None of it. So how could she disagree? He didn't consider himself a good man. He was cold and distant, he had made so many mistakes and bad decisions in his life, he didn't care about much, (or so he convinced himself). He had warned her though. It was only a matter of time that she would leave him, as all the others had, because of his bullshit and because he just wasn't good at this.
He kept his hands on her face , fingers combing into her hair eventually as he returned that kiss with all of that emotional mess. His anger and confusion... He let her know just how he felt as he kept his mouth hard against her own in a desperation to taste her.
[CASSANDRA] Maybe she didn't know him, or much about him...but for the most part, none of that mattered. It was how he made her feel. How he even bothered to comfort her all those times she broke down, how he felt it deeply that anyone had the strength and right to change their life. It was easier said than done, but maybe all of this right now was her way of trying to take control of hers. If he was cold and distant, she was impatient and overly judgemental...but he was still kissing her. She could most likely have had anyone else if she dared...but she was still kissing him, despite the risks. Her frustration grew at the thought of him not remembering, enough for her to shove him up against the closed door; fingers still curled into his shirt so tight that nails very well might tear it if she had been strong enough. Gasping, she drew back just enough to whisper against his mouth. "I don't care...about the risks if you don't." She was trying to make her thoughts clear but it was impossible right now. And she knew it was stupid to do this, to wish to pursue it further...but as she said, she didn't care.
[ORIN] The longer that kiss lasted, the more he began having these strange dream-like memories of being with her. It was choppy and fragmented though and he couldn't seem to make sense of any of it. He nearly stumbled back as she shoved him against the door, his body causing a loud thud sound as he hit it. The way she clutched to his shirt, and the way she smelled, was enough to drive him crazy. But when she was pulling away to whisper against his lips, he grasped her wrists with both his hands and lightly pushed her back away from him, keeping her at arm's length. He didn't let go of her wrists, though, and he was staring at her. He wasn't sure if he was in shock by her words, or turned on. Finally, he pulled her back to him, and spoke in her ear with that raw and raspy voice thanks to the whiskey. "The risks I will face, or the risks you will face?" Or perhaps both. But the risks were different for both of them. Maybe worse for him.
[CASSANDRA] The smallest of gasps fled her lips when he forced her away, leaving her temporarily dazed. Although that delicious voice was at her ear only a few moments later, her body molded against his, his words made her shake. Her throat began to tighten up, realizing how selfish she was being again. She didn't care about the risks because, for her, if may not be as terrible because of her family name. But Orin? Turning her head enough to look at him, green eyes flooded with that worry, changing her face immediately as she couldn't help but trace a thumb across his bottom lip in a memory that had to be just that. "I can't do that to you..." she finally confessed, her voice so quiet.
[ORIN] He watched her as she seemed to be suddenly conflicted by his question. Arms snaked around her as she leaned against him and he let out a frustrated sigh. It wasn't until she looked at him and traced her thumb along his bottom lip, that he looked back at her, watchful as she spoke. He took her hand by his mouth and grabbed her wrist again, planting kisses along it, before he spoke. "Oh, but you already have... Didn't you?"
[CASSANDRA] It was hard to deny anything while he held her like that. A part of her wished he would be mad at her for what she's done, because it would make it easier to walk away. "One time," she said, her eyes preoccupied with his lips at her wrist. "And you don't even remember it." Her gaze narrowed slightly, the first sign of playfulness in hours of dread, and she tried to lighten the darkness that loomed over them. Even if a little. "You can deny it, forget it. Be safe." Although her tone was lightly joking, she was being serious. She couldn't blame him for taking that way out, either.
[ORIN] He smirked slightly at her remark, his lips continuing to press along her wrist. "I remember enough." He admitted, as he had started to recall pieces of it. And to prove it, he gripped her wrist and pulled her close to him, bringing his lips to her ear again before he whispered into it again. "I only wish you took longer to finish so we could still be at it now." He repeated the threat he had made to her just before she came. He wasn't sure of what would happen between them or how much of a risk it would be. But he wasn't thinking straight now with her there, that scent on her, and the memories that were starting to cloud his mind.
[CASSANDRA] That was his way out. As much as it would hurt her, she would have let him go because she cared more about keeping him from whatever fate could befall him should this all come to light. But he didn't seem to be listening, and her resolve was very quickly disappearing. Her breath left parted lips in a shudder when he drew her back, his whispered words making her knees buckle. Fuck. There was no walking away now. Biting her lip in thought as those eyes dropped to his mouth again, there was a smirk on her own, "Shouldn't speak such things until your head is on straight, vagabond." She'd been in this room for too long and knew she had to leave, just to show her face at the very least, but it was far too difficult to. And despite all of this, she was leaning forward, drawing his earlobe between her teeth before murmuring, "But we can simply pretend we never left..." And there was that conflict again, the stupidity, the not caring about the consequences. She never really did like rules.
[ORIN] Perhaps she was right. His head wasn't on straight right now. He had duties to get to. She had a wedding to plan for Alexandria. His sister. What would she think of him right now? He was about to come to his senses when she had his earlobe between her teeth. He groaned after those words were whispered to him. She was evil. He breathed inward, trying to fight her. Trying to fight his sudden desire to throw her onto that bed and have his way with her. Again He wanted to feel all of it and remember it fully this time. As he exhaled the breath he had been holding, he finally held her away from him, a grin on his face. "Not right now." He said with almost a playful tone to his voice. He held his arm out as if holding her away from him, to avoid her from tempting him any further. "I want you to spend your entire day thinking about what you've started.... and think about me and how bad you really want this...And if you really do" He stared at her, challenging her. Before he continued. "I will surely think of you throughout my day" He motioned downward, his pants were barely hiding the hardened bulge she had caused. He sighed. Frustrated because this was taking so much willpower right now. "If you change your mind, I'll understand. If not... meet me back in this room when it's dark. Midnight?"
[CASSANDRA] These fluctuating emotions were going to kill her. As he was pushing her an arm's length away, she may have actually growled a little in irritation, but his grin kept it at bay. Not right now. Was that a promise? Or was it just a polite way of putting her down slowly? Her mind was all aflutter as a sly grin began to curl the corner of her mouth; listening to him, desperately trying to keep herself from swatting his arm away and crashing back into him. But no, not right now. Somewhere in the back of her mind, passed that blinding desire, she understood. They couldn't risk it, and they had daily tasks to attend to. Yet, for the first time in her life, Cassandra didn't want to plan an event. She just wanted to be right here. Oh my, this was going to be a long day. She didn't answer him verbally, but the bright smile she suddenly wore should have been answer enough. Gently, she moved his arm away but did not press forward; her hand was reaching for the handle of the door that he was currently leaning against. "I'll leave first," she finally spoke, her voice dropping an octave and laced with pure amusement. Green eyes took a moment to assess his "situation" below the waist before lifting to his face again. "It would seem you need a few minutes anyway." Brows lifted in delight, waiting for him to kindly move before she could slip back out into the hall.
[ORIN] It was going to be a long day, indeed. His green-blue eyes watched her as she approached him and reached for the handle. He didn't move out of her way, right away. His eyes followed her gaze as she commented about it. He smirked and leaned towards her whispering into her ear again. Not sure if she was insinuating that he should take of it himself, so he responded with, "I wouldn't want to spoil my dinner..." And he moved aside for her to leave.
[CASSANDRA] His comment elicited a laugh while she swatted at his arm. When he moved out of the way, she was opening the door to step out, quick to shut it behind her. Halting, Cassandra was alarmed to find her cousin but a few feet away. "Aric!" she exclaimed in surprise...and perhaps a little too loudly. Hopefully Orin did stay in that room for a few minutes. For a second, she was afraid to move.
[ARIC] Dark eyes blinked as Cassandra suddenly emerged from the room, laughing. His mind was still a bit muddled, but that seemed a bit odd to him. He also noted that it wasn't her room or Henry's. "What are you...doing?"
[CASSANDRA] Don't panic. The duchess knew how to lie, so this shouldn't be difficult. She just looked flustered now because he had taken her by surprise. "Oh, I was just looking for my earring. I think I lost it the other day." She could tell that he was still confused, still not sure why she'd have been in an unclaimed guest room to begin with, so she spoke again as she smoothed out the front of her dress. "I suspect you slept well?" The smile that curled her face was sly, as if she were insinuating he slept very well. Wink-wink. When you needed to lie, just change the subject quickly to something they had to argue back. But with her cousin being still messed up from the whiskey, she didn't suspect it to be very hard.
[ARIC] No, he wasn't understanding it, but honestly was too tired to really care at this point. When she insinuated, of course, he gave her a pointed look. "Yes, but no." He was vague on purpose, but she'd still understand nothing happened. "My head is pounding, though...have you any of that hocus pocus of yours?"
[CASSANDRA] "I wish you wouldn't call it that," she murmured, only half annoyed. "Come on." She'd take him by the arm and lead him to her room where she supplied him with one of those tiny brown bottles. She was running low, and if these men kept drinking themselves sick, she'd have none for herself!
[ARIC] A low chuckle, he followed her to her chambers to receive the tonic. "Would you, uh...see if you could find some of Alexandria's ladies? She needs help getting dressed." He saw Cassandra's mouth opening, knowing exactly what she was going to do- insinuate again, so he interrupted her before she could. "I need to find Orin, if he's still alive, and figure out what's going on with this Saelis mess."
[CASSANDRA] Laughing lowly, she snapped her mouth shut. The amusement left her face for but a moment when he mentioned Saelis. And Orin. But she would nod. "Sure," she told him. Most of the queen's handmaidens were being put to work, by Cassandra, and she didn't expect them to like having to rush back and forth between duties. So she would handle it.
[ARIC] He nodded. "Thanks." Moving to leave, he paused. "And thanks for all your help lately." The smile on his face was sincere. Then, with his headache cure in hand, Aric left her chambers to head down the hall, guessing he'd check the training room first before taking the check to the military building.
[CASSANDRA] Her smile was genuine in return. "You're welcome, cousin." It was rare that she heard gratitude...maybe because she rarely did anything to deserve it. When he was disappearing down the hall, she left her room and went the opposite way towards Alexandria's; knuckles wrapping gently upon her door.
