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...
"Wow, that was exciting!" Opal exclaims. She pats Varian's arm gently as she adds, "I'm sorry about your head though, Daddy."
"Thank you, Little Gem, but I was fine," Varian says.
"Yeah, he just took a short nap," Cassandra says jokingly. "But while he rested, I came to a huge decision..."
"Varian? Varian!"
Cassandra shouts at him, but he doesn't budge. Sighing exasperatedly, she grabs the orb and places it inside of his backpack. She lifts Varian up under his armpits from behind, and drags his unconscious body through the exit that was opened by Hugo. Outside, it is no longer raining.
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"Looks like Freckles had too much of adventuring," Hugo jokes. He then clears his throat as he adds more seriously, "Really, though, is he okay?"
Cassandra sets Varian up against the trunk of a tree. "This fell on him and knocked him out," she says, pulling out the orb and tossing it to Hugo.
"Whoa!" Hugo catches the orb, his eyes wide. "You guys got it! Nice!"
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"That's three down," Cassandra says. "One to go."
"The balloon isn't far. Abhu's already there. It's a little bit around that way," Hugo says, pointing. "But, uh, looks like your Romeo could use a rest first."
When Cassandra nods in agreement, Hugo feigns a shocked expression. "What? No biting remark for me? No threat that you'll off me if I ever insinuate you're harboring romantic feelings for Freckles again?"
Cassandra feels frustration and irritation bubbling inside of her, but she no longer has the need to lash out. She did before because she was fighting these feelings so diligently. She still is to some degree, but now she admits to herself that they are real and true.
"I'll let you off with a warning this time. Just... go make sure Abhu doesn't get into trouble," Cassandra tells Hugo. "I'll wait here with the klutz until he wakes up."
