Forever and Always

4 - Cassandra Knows

Kiera, a wisp of a girl with bright, curious eyes, tugged on Eugene's sleeve with an urgency that belied her small size. "Eugene! Eugene!" she squeaked, bouncing on the balls of her feet.

Eugene, lounging by the punch bowl with a comically oversized goblet in hand, looked down with a playful grin. "Hey there, pipsqueak! What's the fire?"

"Varian's acting strange!" Kiera blurted out, her voice filled with concern. Her friend, Catalina, a little taller with dark braids flying as she followed, chimed in.

"Yeah! He locked himself in his workshop all yesterday and today," Catalina added, her voice hushed as if revealing a secret. "And Pascal keeps peeking out with these worried eyes!"

Eugene raised an eyebrow, trading a glance with Lance, who was fiddling with a crossbow bolt, his brow furrowed in thought. "Varian acting weird?" Eugene mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "That's a first."

Lance snickered. "Maybe he's brewing something super-explosive this time."

Kiera gasped, her eyes wide with alarm. "Do you think it'll blow up the castle again?"

Eugene chuckled, ruffling her hair gently. "Don't worry, kiddo. Varian's explosions are usually more sound than fury. But hey," he added, straightening up and placing his goblet on a nearby table. "Maybe we should check on him. Come on, Lance, let's go see what our resident alchemist is up to."

Kiera and Catalina's faces brightened. "Can we come too?" Kiera begged, bouncing with excitement.

Eugene winked. "Only if you promise not to touch anything shiny or that glows funny," he teased.

The girls squealed with delight, their worries momentarily forgotten as they followed Eugene and Lance towards Varian's workshop. As they approached, they could hear muffled sounds of clanging and frustrated muttering emanating from within.

Eugene knocked on the door with a flourish. "Varian! Open up, old chum! It's your favorite bard and his trusty sidekick, here to offer moral support... and maybe some snacks."

There was a long pause before the door creaked open a crack. Varian's face peered out, his eyes bloodshot and his hair a mess. "Eugene? Lance? What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice hoarse.

Kiera peeked around Eugene's leg, her eyes wide with innocent curiosity. "We heard you were acting weird, Varian!" she chirped. "Is everything okay?"

Varian's cheeks flushed a rosy pink. "Uh, everything's fine," he stammered, his voice unconvincing. "Just... working on a little science project. Nothing to worry about."

Lance, ever the skeptic, crossed his arms. "Sure, buddy. If by 'science project' you mean muttering to yourself and throwing sparks everywhere, then yeah, everything's fine."

Varian sighed, defeated. "Look, it's nothing you guys need to worry about," he mumbled. He glanced at the curious faces of Kiera and Catalina, a flicker of a smile gracing his lips. "Maybe... maybe another time, alright?"

Eugene, sensing Varian's desire for privacy, stepped forward. "Alright, alright, we get it," he said in a placating tone. "But if you need anything at all, Varian, don't hesitate to holler. We're always here for you, explosions and all."

With a wink and a wave, Eugene ushered the two girls and a confused Lance away from the workshop door. As they walked away, Kiera turned back, her brow furrowed in worry.

"Do you think he's really okay, Eugene?" she asked.

Eugene smiled reassuringly. "He'll be alright, Kiera. Varian's a tough nut to crack. But hey," he added, a mischievous glint in his eye, "maybe we can keep an ear out for any... unusual explosions, just in case."