Dreadlords Cowardice

[Cassius Amore]

• Quinn Mie
• Level 2 Dreadlord

She was looking at him for quite a long time. She wasn't the one leading this distribution but in the same it was unsettling to have her eyes on him this long. He didn't detect lust or curiosity, just something apathetic. Which made it all the stranger that she was looking at him as long as she was. Cassius made a point to not do or say anything during these that made him stand out at all. Collect his mission, do it without question, don't get bothered. Say what you want about sheep, at least they get to keep eating.

• Boris Anuila
• Level 1 Dreadlord

He'd been leading the discussion, but Boris had a tendency to drag his sentences. He rarely got straight to the point when it came to these things. While a stoic man, he still did what little he could to offer the 3's and 4's praise in his form of it. That usually showed itself by way of a downward nod or a "you got it?" He wasn't terribly hard to read, just exceptionally hard to listen to when he prattled on forever. Still, Cassius could get like that, too. Shouldn't blame him for that.

The young dreadlord could have fallen asleep it had been taking so long. He almost didn't notice it when he barely heard the name 'Amore' spoken. He snapped back to registering the conversation in the midst of Boris' sentence.

"-a field mission. Tracking and keeping tabs on potential enemies of the state. No need to engage unless necessary. Their information will be in the dossier."

Cassius nodded compliantly.

"What day is this supposed to happen?"

Normal questions asked to show 'how much he cared!'

"A month from now, on the 22nd day."

Cassius went to agree, and Boris would move on without a moment to praise the level four. Not unexpected. What was unexpected was that that day was the same he was supposed to meet Elspeth for Viego's Curse. He could always ask for a change, right? He didn't want to miss that. He always did his job, anyways, so what was the harm?

But when he went to speak again, he could feel Quinn's eyes boring into him still. For whatever reason she continued to do so, she did. It made him anxious. Afraid. Positive that if he spoke up for his own interests it would backlash and be pointless. Instead, he kept his mouth shut as others were divvied their tasks, sitting in somber contemplation as to how to tell his only friend he wouldn't be seeing her.

 

[Hail Kanada]

"...and that one will assist you," she pointed at Hail, who was leaning against a nearby wall. He was wearing a white tunic and blue vest with a little red flower peeking up from a chest pocket. His pants were navy blue, velvet and silky. Looked like he was there on a nice hot date. A scar ran from his eye to cheek– its shape a forgotten continent lifted from an ancient map– like skin removed. Hail nodded at Cassius. His long blond hair fell bunched behind his back.

Hail's specialty was cloaking, invisibility, the art of deception. Of course, the powers that be would pair him with another on a mission that demanded tracking. Hail's skills were unequaled, albeit, still developing. The young dreadlord pinched his nose and gawked at Cassius with one eye. Judging by the state of his timid companion, it would be up to Hail to provide them with style points.

Cassius Amore

 

[Cassius Amore]

Cassius was lucky to not be able to show intense emotion in this moment. He remembered Hail. From that strange midnight. He was a curious Dreadlord, and if he weren’t upset he may even relish the opportunity to get to know him better.

It was just, such a pain. He did not want to miss the show. Miss the chance to spend more time with the only one he called friend. Instead he now had to follow a caravan of something or other. Whatever, he’d read the fucking dossier.

As the level one continued to pass around orders to others, Cassius could not help but ball a fist. Just ask, you coward. Just say absolutely anything.

Hail Kanada

 

[Hail Kanada]

Hail quickly recovered, standing up straight and putting a plain, normal look on his face. He rummaged in his pocket for some loose change and stood on one foot as he stared at the ground. Sniffing the air, he continued to listen to the woman list out names, pairing people off, perhaps on missions from which they would never return.

He looked at Cassius again. The guy was sweating. Hail cursed under his breath and raised his hand.

"Yes, quickly, what is it?"
"Is this all final? Our pairings can't be changed?"
"They cannot--" she smirked and fixated her gaze on Hail-- "unless you want to appeal."

Hail slunk against the wall and bit his tongue. He looked again at Cassius.

Cassius Amore

 

[Cassius Amore]

Despite it being in line with his desires, Hail’s words were harsh. The guy knew virtually nothing about him and still desired to be given a different assistant. No, not even assistant. Cassius had been named lead of the operation.

He sat up then, looking at his to-be partner with a small frown, then back to his two higher ups.

“If possible, I’d be happy with another mission. He’d be welcome to the leadership role if he so desires it.”

The room was a bit quieter now. Requests such as these weren’t impossibilities but they weren’t common. All that kept Cassius’ head above water was the idea that he never ever argued. He’d always done his job, begrudgingly or not, he never showed it.

The two looked at each other briefly.

“Can you express a valid reason why?”

Oh, right. That’d be an important aspect. But as it stood, all he had was a play he wanted to go to. He couldn’t drop that as an excuse.