ᴋɪɴɢᴅᴏᴍ ᴏꜰ ᴀꜱʜᴇꜱ: ꜱᴇᴍɪ-ᴀᴅᴠᴀɴᴄᴇᴅ ʀᴏʟᴇᴘʟᴀʏ discussion
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Gabriella was one week into her new job and she had already fallen in love with it. The children were adorable and the work was fulfilling. Every day, she eagerly looked forward to going in and the hours just flew by. However, she was not prepared when it came to supplies for her students. She had to make a trip to the town market to get everything they needed. As she stepped out of her room, she overheard whispers about an attack on Queen Aubree and Consort Jude. An attack? Why would anyone dare to attack the crown? It didn't make sense to her. As she made her way through the halls, she tried her best to avoid any conversations, hoping no one would stop her and reveal more about the situation.
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Cassian had been avoiding Gabriella best he could, and he found it wasn't hard. He had barely exchanged two words with her during her week here, and that was completely okay with him. She made friends that never talked to his friends, and he generally avoided the children anyways, so even the people they talked to didn't interact. And when he was told, she was going to the market, he didn't think twice about it, just thought of it as a time to relax and not look over his shoulder all the time. But then he thought about it once more and remembered that people were more upset with the Crimson's than usual, causing him to move quickly throughout the palace to find her. Since, you know, it was his job for now.
He eventually found her near the gates and caught up to her with ease. "Miss Hart, I'm not sure if you heard, but it's dangerous to go out to the village right now. I'd advise sending someone else out with a list instead of going there yourself." If she was insistent on going, he'd have to go with her, which sounded like a disaster. Please just say yes.
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As she approached the tall gates, she was startled by a distant voice calling out her name. Cassian! The sound of his voice brought back a flood of memories, reminding her of the long hours they had spent together. "Oh, Cassian! Yes, I heard about this," she said, her expression turning somber. "I didn't think about that." She pondered for a moment and then spoke up, "It wouldn't be fair for me to delegate my duties to someone else. I should go myself," she said firmly, determined to take charge of the situation.
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He should have known better than to ask. "Well then, if you're sure, then I have to go with you." Cassian made sure his knife was strapped to his waist. "I can't let you go without any protection, and since you seem adamant about going, then I'm not going to waste my breath trying to convince you otherwise. If you haven't eaten, I'd suggest eating before you go. And I'm not sure how bad it is down there, so I can lend you a knife to use for desperate measures."
Cassian wouldn't let anyone get close enough for her to even need the knife, but he wanted to be safe rather than sorry. (Ladies and gentlemen, and everyone outside or in between, get ready for our leading act, grown man in denial). All of the safety talk made it sound like he cared a lot, but he didn't, not really. It was standard protocol, which Cass took seriously. He took his job seriously in general, and right now, Gabriella was his job.
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Gabriella's heart pounded with hesitation as she stared at the weapon offered by Cassian. Her grip tightened nervously, her fingers trembling slightly. "But, Cassian," she began, her voice filled with uncertainty, "I've never held a knife before. What if I accidentally hurt myself? Or worse, what if I unintentionally harm someone else?" The weight of her fear deepened, causing her eyes to widen in apprehension. "Is it truly going to be that dreadful?"
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Cassian pursed his lips and slipped the knife in a little cloth sleeve. "Here. Now, you can't hurt anyone unless you take it out. I promise, it's not the hard, and I doubt you'll have to use it anyways. It's just a precaution to make sure you at least have something if I'm unable to fight. But that's an unlikely situation." And yes, he was fibbing just a little when he said, "I doubt it's even that bad. We just don't want to take any chances." Because it probably was that bad, maybe worse. He didn't regret lying though- traveling with an anxious Gabreilla didn't sound fun.
What, you thought he lied because he didn't want her to worry? No, no, you overestimate Cassian's character development. While we've established, he has the ability to feel things, that doesn't mean he's going to lie purely for the sake of helping a girl he barely knew. And while you could argue it was a subconscious reason, he won't acknowledge that, so neither will we. I think we all need to remember that Cassian Peters is not a good person.
Not yet.
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Gabriella's heart was pounding as she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. She had always been a cautious person, but the events of the day had left her feeling particularly vulnerable. As she looked up at him now, she felt a sense of calm wash over her. "Okay. Okay, then," she said, her voice still trembling slightly. "I'll feel safe as long as you're by my side, then, Cassian. I trust you." As she spoke those words, she felt a weight lift off her shoulders.
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And on that note, Cassian just nodded, and led her over to the carriage, not allowing himself to think about what she just said. "I'll drive, you just call out if you need anything," he said, and opened the door for her. The stairs were steep, so he held out a hand to help her up. I trust you. Cassian, I trust you. The though made him want to laugh. She trusted him. He'd been rude and callous, pushing her away at every moment, acting in a way so he deserved nothing but glares and insults, and yet she Trusted him? Not only that, but she felt safe with him. He almost scoffed, even as a strange prideful feeling bubbled up.
He decided in the moment that Gabriella Hart was dangerous. Problem was, he had a knack for anything and everything regarding danger.
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Gabriella's heart pounded with hesitation as she stared at the weapon offered by Cassian. Her grip tightened nervously, her fingers trembling slightly. "But, Cassian," she began, her voice fille..."
(( plot twist: gabi is the one who threw the knife lol ))
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With a warm smile, Gabi accepted Cassian's rough hand and used it to climb into the carriage. As she grasped his hand, she couldn't help but wonder if she held onto him for a moment too long. The carriage began its journey, and soon they arrived in the bustling town. The clatter of hooves and the creaking of the carriage was all around them as it came to a stop. Gabi hesitated for a moment, unsure if she should wait for Cassian to help her out, but she decided to take the initiative and stepped out of the carriage onto the bustling streets. She didn't want to keep Cassian waiting, after all. They had a long day of shopping ahead of them!
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Cassian hopped off the horse and tied it to a nearby post, paying someone to make sure it wouldn't be stolen. Not that anyone would be stupid enough to steal a Crimson carriage, but he didn't want to take the chance and end up stranded. He walked over to Gabriella and kept a hand on the hilt of his sword. "Do you have everything?" he asked, his tone and expression bland. He never did like shopping, and now he would be shopping with someone who would most certainly deny him any moment of silence he might have been able to obtain. Wonderful.
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Wow. It'd only been a week since Gabriella had been to the village, but she'd missed it. She used to spend her days making her way around town, talking to various vendors and spending too much money at sweet shops. Looking around now, Gabi was feeling a vague sense of nostalgia. So much so, she almost missed Cassian's question. "Wha-? Oh. Yes, I do! I have my list right here." She grabbed the neatly folded paper from her dress pocket, smiling as she unfolded it. "Where should we start first? Stationeries or clothes?" She asked the other, looking at him excitedly. She loved shopping! Especially for other people!
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Cassian didn't dread much. He considered himself brave, a risk-taker. But he felt a definite and deep sense of dread at the thought of shopping for clothes with the radiant beam of light called Gabriella. "Uh. I'm not really someone who goes shopping a lot. It's your decision." He rocked back and forth on his heels, glancing around the area to make sure they weren't being watched.
It's not that he dreaded being near Gabriella- nervous and annoyed, yes- it was more he dreaded the constant talking and conversation that would ensue. He knew for a fact that she would talk his ear off, and in turn expect him to talk her ear off. She had a pretty voice, objectively, and her company wasn't all that bad. It wasn't personal in the slightest, it was just the fact that she would try to get to know him. He could not let that happen.
Sure, his friends knew him fairly well. His father and sister knew just about everything about him. He didn't fear people knowing him- for some reason, he just didn't like the thought of Gabriella knowing him.
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Gabriella's face lit up with a smile as she strolled towards her favorite clothing boutiques. She was so focused on catching a glimpse of Cassian that she barely registered the charming sights of the village around her. "So, Cassian!" she exclaimed, eager to learn more about the mysterious figure beside her. As she spoke, Gabriella's mind raced with curiosity and anticipation. She wondered what secrets Cassian might reveal about himself, and if there was more to him than just the armor he wore.
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Cassian had be slightly on edge the entire trip, glancing around at the people who were staring, hand on his sword. He walked up to her, so he was at her side. "Yes, Miss Hart?" he asked, making sure he didn't sound too bored. He didn't want to make her cry again, especially not in front of a lot of people. That would cause a scene on top of him feeling like an ass.
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She smiled up at him, bouncing on the edge of her toes, "Tell me about yourself. Please?" Gabriella broke her gaze away in time to notice a close friend of hers. She waved at the woman before turning back to Cassian. " I'm certain there's more to you than just the armor you wear."
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He glanced over at the woman she waved too, then looked back at Gabriella. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before answering her. "I assure you, there's nothing of note that I could tell you. I'm most likely exactly what you think of me." And while he didn't want to talk about himself, against his will Cassian was curious about the bubbly woman. "You, on the other hand...well, I've always been better at listening than talking."
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Gabriella sighed unhappily. This was unfair! He didn't want to tell her anything, but he wanted to know about her? "I'll tell you about myself when you tell me about yourself." She decided, crossing her arms. "It's okay! Listening is good, too!" She promised, "But would you please just tell me about you? I'd love to know you."
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((asdfghjkl i love herrr))
Cassian looked at her deadpanned, and he truly wished he hadn't come. It was strange, because he knew this would happen, and yet he did come, he did his job and honestly, he was nicer to her than he had meant to be. What did I do to deserve this? He had been a jerk, that's what. "Fine," he sighed, cursing every god he could think of. It was better than offending her, he supposed. "What would you like to know?"
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((samee!))
"Oh don't give me that look!" She said in response to her deadpan. "Anything you'd like to tell me. What was your childhood like?" She asked, then following, "A super serious one coming up: What's your favorite color?" Gabriella looked at him super seriously before laughing, unable to keep a straight face.
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((hunger gamesss))
The corner of his lips quirked up at the question, and it was a struggle to not smile when she started laughing. He hated to admit it, but Gabriella's happiness was contagious. "Funny," he mused and leaned against the wall, watching as she picked out clothes. "I suppose my favorite is brown. Not like a muddy brown, but a rich one, you know?" He shrugged. Cassian jumped to answer her next question before she could ask it. "And before you ask why, it just reminds me of the outdoors."
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((shhhhhh xD))
Gabriella grabbed a couple garments and hung them neatly over her arm. "Rich brown," she repeated softly, as if trying to memorize it. "Mine is light blue. Pastel, really." She replied, "Because when I was little, after a hard day, I would go outside and lay on the ground so that the only thing I would see is the soft blue of the sky." She glanced at Cassian, smiling shyly before grabbing a cute little hat and putting it on, "Yes or no?" She asked, modeling it for Cassian.
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Cassian did smile this time, unable to stop himself. She was sweet and fun, nice enough to give him a thousand chances. He wasn't quite sure why he was so set on making her hate him. And if he was right, she'd end up hating him anyway, so it couldn't hurt to indulge in her antics. "Why not?" he replied, arms shoved in his pockets. "It looks nice."
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Gabi couldn't help but smile wider as she caught Cassian's eyes. His smile was nice. Very much so. She paid the vendor for the hat she had just put on and walked back over to Cassian, not even bothering to take it off. She wanted to keep it on. As she approached him, she asked, "So, what was your childhood like?" She was genuinely interested in getting to know him better and wanted to keep the conversation going.
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Cassian considered lying to her, but then he would mess up the story, and she might ask more questions, and so he just said in a monotone, "It was fine. Mostly uneventful. Peaceful. Then half my family was killed when I was like seventeen, so that seventeen, so that sucked." He shrugged like it was no big deal because he most certainly didn't want her pity. "What about you?"
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Gabi bit her lip. She knew from experience that the words 'i'm sorry' did absolutely nothing, but she had to hold back from saying them. She looked to the side before looking back at Cassian, "It was pretty good. I guess. Until um, my parents left. Everyone tells me they were killed.. by the rebels, but I think they just left me."
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Cassian just nodded, the look in her eyes making him want to say 'i'm sorry' even though he hated those words himself, and in a desperate attempt to change the subject, he plucked her hat from her head and placed it on his. "How do I look?" he said, a whisper of a smile on his face. "I'm sure the answer is fantastic." It was corny and out of character, but better than see that goddamn look on her face. He never wanted to see it again- it looked unnaturally somber on her usually giddy self.
And before Cassian could process what she said in response, a knife whizzed past him and stuck to the wall. He pushed Gabriella down behind him, just before another knife struck through the air. The third one got him in the shoulder, and while he knew it would hurt like a bitch, the adrenaline allowed him to stand his ground and pull out his sword.
"Gabbriella, I need you to get out your knife and stay behind me," he bit out, and he ripped the knife from out of his shoulder. It wasn't too deep, but he was most certainly bleeding a ton. "We're going to walk quickly to the carriage. Try not to be noticed. Understood?"
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((well shit))
Gabriella's face instantly transformed. Shock to amusement, Gabi laughed and was about to confirm that he indeed look fantastic before Cassian was pulling her away. She squealed and ran with him, practically shaking as she slowly reached for her knife. "Okay," she whispered.
Moments that felt like eternities passed as they quickly moved to the carriage, climbing in quickly. A different Crimson soldier drove because of Cassian's injury so he was in the back with Gabriella. She winced once they had finally got going, noticing his wound, "Oh, Cassian," she murmured, her voice strained, "Does it hurt? Will you be okay?" She took off her scarf and wrapped it right above the wound, being careful not to hit the weapon. She tied it tightly, hoping that would stop the blood flow.
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Cassian's face contorted into one of pain, the adrenaline rush leaving, replaced with an ache in his arm that made him grit his teeth. "I'll be fine, Miss Hart," he assured her. "I've had worse." He tried to protest when she used her scarf, but of course, she didn't listen. Instead, he let her wrap his wound, expertly making it to held with the bleeding. The solider grunted and shifted his arm, wincing as he did so. "Thank you. Did you get hit or hurt anywhere?" he asked, feeling stupid for not asking her earlier.
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"Stop moving," she told him firmly, "You're only going to move the knife." Gabi shook her head softly, "No, I'm fine. And please, call me by my name," she met his eyes, "I think we've moved past formalities, yes?" She fell silent, thinking and thinking some more. Why would someone go after them? Was it because Cassian was a palace knight? Or because they just felt like it? "By the way," she said softly, "You looked more than fantastic in the hat."
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A smile peeked through, surprised at the slight command in her tone. "Yes ma'am- Gabriella," he teased, then went back to his usual stony expression. During her silence he told her, "I'm sure they were only attacking because of me. The recent riots have gotten worse with Aubree going out more and more. Things like that happen all the time." Cassian was mostly just relived that Gabriella was okay- because then he wouldn't be guilty. Then she wouldn't cry. Once again, not because he cared about her. It would just be an annoyance to have to patch her up.
But then here she was, patching him up with her own scarf, making sure he's okay, even though she was obviously shaken up. She was being kind, and brave, and not a nuisance at all, yet he was still telling himself she was. When the truth is that Gabriella is anything but.
Cassian snorted. "I appreciate it. I think you wore it better though."
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The blush that adorned her cheeks when Cassian teased her was short lived. It faded away almost as fast as it came, her small smile turning into a frown. She looked up at him and gently pushed a strand of hair out of his face, "Will they catch the perpetrator? That's treason, isn't it?"
Gabriella smiled again and shrugged, "And I think you wore it better."
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"Maybe," he sighed. "Maybe not. It's treason, yes, and assault. But I doubt we'll be able to pinpoint who it is. And honestly? If we spent all our time going after treasonous upset loyalists, then we'd have no time to do anything else. Don't worry about it, Gabriella. And it's not like I have a personal vendetta against them. I know what it's like to hate who's in charge- I'm not going to be a hypocrite when I hated whoever was in my position when the Royals were in charge."
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Gabriella listened to his monologue, nodding softly throughout. "Right, I guess that makes sense. But you don't deserve being hurt like this. Hypocrite or not, you don't."
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"It's not about deserving or not deserving, sweetheart," he drawled, the name slipping out before he could take it back. "It's about who can throw the knife, and who's strong enough to take it. And honestly, I probably did deserve that. Contrary to what you seem to thing, I'm not a great person."
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Sweetheart? Why would he call her such a nickname? She watched as a flash of regret passed over his features before he reformed his face back into his signature monotone. "Well. Prove me wrong, then, Cassian. What have you done?"
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"Gabriella, I promise you. You don't want to know." He moved his arm to a more comfortable position. "It's nothing you'd like, I can assure you. Which is why you shouldn't want to know me or be friends, or any of that shit. I suck. It's just a well-known fact."
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She looked at him unconvinced. "I promise you. I want to be your friend. What could you have done? Hurt others? I'm sure they deserved it. Please, Cassian. Let me in."
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"Gabriella, I've killed people. A good amount of people. I've become the person I tried to take down, and all that tropy shit, okay?" He ran his hand through his hair. "When people study this dumb place years and years in the future, I will be written as the bad guy. And you won't be. Gabriella, you're a good person. And I'm not. Simple as that."
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She reached over and gently grabbed his hand, "Cass. You were only doing what you had to do. It sucks that you killed people, but it'd only be bad if you didn't regret it. And you do. I can tell. You're not a bad guy. Simple as that."
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He looked over at her, and a panic started to rise. He had been sure when she found out that she'd run screaming. That had been his defense, but now it doesn't seem like she cares, and she still wants to be around him for some reason. "I've been nothing but awful to you. I made you cry," he protested.
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She smiled a little bit, "And that's so hard to do, hm? I know I"m sensitive. I cry when I have to smoosh flies. That doesn't make you awful."
