Forever and Always

2 - Impressing Cassandra

The clatter of pots and pans provided a rhythmic backdrop as Varian paced a tight circle around Eugene, the remains of his cinnamon roll forgotten in his hand. Eugene, mid-bite of a giant carrot, watched Varian with a raised eyebrow.

"Special place?" Eugene echoed through a mouthful of carrot. "For who?"

Varian winced, his cheeks flushing a suspicious shade of pink. "For, uh... the party, of course! You know, a special place for... whoever wants to chill. A quiet corner, maybe with some fancy lanterns or something. Decorations with scientific flair, obviously." He forced a laugh, the sound a little too high-pitched.

Eugene swallowed his mouthful of carrot, his eyes narrowing with amusement. "Varian," he drawled, "you're a terrible liar. Spit it out. Who's the special place for?"

Varian winced again. There was no point in denying it anymore. He sighed dramatically, slumping into a nearby chair.

"Alright, alright," he mumbled, poking at the crumbs on his lap. "It's for Cassandra. I was thinking, maybe if I set up this special corner, you know, with some thought put into it, she'd be, uh... impressed? Not that I'm doing it for her or anything. Just, you know, party planning and all that."

Eugene leaned back in his chair, a grin splitting his face. "Aha! So, the great Varian has a soft spot for the feisty warrior princess, huh?"

Varian's blush deepened. "I do not!" he protested, though his voice lacked conviction. "It's just... Cassandra appreciates good design, wouldn't you agree? And a strategically placed, scientifically illuminated relaxation zone is peak design, wouldn't you say?"

Eugene chuckled, clapping him on the shoulder. "Look, Varian, I don't know what goes on in that brilliant mind of yours, but if you want to impress Cassandra, a fancy lantern corner might not be the first thing that comes to mind."

Varian groaned, burying his face in his hands. "See, this is exactly why I don't talk about these things! You make it sound so... complicated."

Eugene nudged him with his elbow. "Relax, buddy. Here's the thing about Cassandra – she appreciates strength, both physical and... well, intellectual. Maybe a corner with some cool science experiments wouldn't be a bad idea. Something interactive, something that shows your mind and your... well, your feelings, in a way that's still Varian-esque."

Varian peeked up at Eugene, a spark of hope flickering in his eyes. "Science experiments, huh? That I can do. Interactive ones, even better. Maybe a... self-illuminating crystal garden powered by geothermal energy? Or a bioluminescent algae display that reacts to sound waves? Or..."

He trailed off, his mind already buzzing with ideas. Eugene laughed, holding up a hand. "Woah, woah, slow down there, Einstein. One mind-blowing experiment at a time. Now, let's go brainstorm some ideas for your 'feelings corner' that won't blow the whole castle up, alright?"

Varian grinned, a newfound determination replacing his nervousness. Maybe impressing Cassandra wasn't about fancy lanterns, but about showcasing the things that made him, him. And with Eugene by his side, this party decoration mission might just turn into a chance to showcase his scientific brilliance and, just maybe, a hint of his heart.

The days leading up to the party were a whirlwind of activity for Varian. Eugene's suggestion of a "feelings corner" had taken root, morphing into an elaborate plan that combined Varian's scientific genius with a subtle touch of sentiment.

While the castle bustled with preparations for the grand celebration, Varian embarked on a covert mission – tackling Cassandra's least favorite chores. He spent an agonizing afternoon meticulously cleaning the royal armory, painstakingly polishing every sword and dagger until they gleamed. The next day, he found himself scrubbing the training grounds until they shone, muscles protesting with each vigorous sweep of the broom.