A Cassarian Story
Varian always knew that he cared for Cassandra. But he didn't realize how much until she was gone.
Six long years after Cassandra leaves Corona, she finally returns. Varian is overjoyed, but she comes bearing terrible news. A stran...
"Those flying-things sound fun!" Opal says, spreading her arms wide as if she is flying herself. She leans over too far, and almost falls out of the bed, but Cassandra quickly catches her and sets her up right.
"They were... something," Cassandra says with a chuckle. "I guess I enjoyed it a little more than I thought I would. It reminded me of another time." She shares a smile with Rapunzel as they recall how free they felt when they were transformed into birds.
"So where was Hugo leading you?" Opal asks, her attention back on the story.
"He was taking us to meet with someone who could help," Cassandra replies. "And, much to my displeasure, someone I had already met before..."
Great, back in Pincosta...
This is not exactly Cassandra's favorite place, considering the last time she was here she spent days in jail... along with Eugene, Lance, Hook Foot, and Shorty. That is definitely not a visit she wants to repeat.
But anywhere is better than being in the Dark Kingdom right now. Spending too long there, she was starting to have some major flashbacks. Memories she wishes she could forget. Actions she wishes she could take back.
She also doesn't want to be anywhere near the Angst. She remained silent when the subject was brought up, but she feels as if she may have been the reason the creature showed up today. Last night, when she yelled at Varian and Abhu... she lied. Lied about not wanting a relationship. Her past self, sure; it was the last thing on her mind. But now, the thought of having a significant other doesn't sound as horrible as she used to believe.
If only it weren't for her fear. She is afraid to open up to somebody, to be vulnerable. To seem weak. Plus, who could ever truly love her once they learned of the things she has done?
"I could," Varian says.
"What?" Cassandra says in surprise, her train of thought derailed.
"I asked if you think I should use my Truth Ray on Hugo again," Varian says. "I could, just to check that he's really taking us where he says he is."
Phew, she thinks, sighing with relief. "For a second I wondered if you had used that stupid contraption of yours on me."
"Why would you think that?" He asks, the edge of his mouth twitching as if he is holding back a smirk.
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For a moment, she smiles without realizing it. "I..." But once she sees a small glimmer of hope flicker within his eyes, she remembers the tense situation between them and any ease she felt around him quickly fades. "Never mind," she says, turning away as her mental walls go up.
"Oh... okay," he responds. She doesn't have to look at him to sense his deep disappointment.
Varian has already confessed his love for her. But she wonders how genuine it could really be. He is fully aware of the things she has done. The things she did to him. Could the love he believes he feels for her just be an echo of the childhood crush he once had on her? The longing for things to return to the way they used to be, before either of them decided to turn on their kingdom?
