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Cassian is exhausted. He can feel it in the very tendrils of his wings, like poison, or smoke. The streets of Caraverre are quiet as the people settle in for the night but he still has some ways to go before he is due for his shower and his bed.
If only the guards in the north tower would hurry up and sort out whatever problem they were having. They had warned him it would take at least two hours, but he was an impatient man, and forty minutes later the pacing had started burning holes in the grass patch.
The warehouse gates behind him rattle but when he turns to see what it is, there is nothing there but murky darkness and a swinging chain. He waves it off as the wind and goes back to pacing, feeling that time is being especially cruel as it crawls towards the lighter hours.
He just wants to go home, and lie on his bed, and forget about the world. And maybe he'll be able to avoid his friends who although he loves, he doesn't have the energy for. He doesn't have..... what? He just doesn't have.
There's a thud to his left. He doesn't have the patience to deal with this.
"Whoever you are," He sighs, "You're not fooling anyone."
A shadow slinks by, nothing but a black patch against the dim light of the warehouse walls.
"Oh just an animal," He pouts, feeling a little foolish for assuming.
Something growls in response, and before he can react he is being thrown to the ground and a cat, as black as space, and strong as most of his guards put together, lands on his chest.
Its eyes are green, bright forest green. And they hold a world of mischief in their slits.
"Didn’t like that huh?" He stares at it. He's a little afraid to look away in case it takes it as a sign to gauge his heart out or something.
He doesn't really know much about animals.
It purrs soflty, as if to say "Well I did something about it didn't I?" There is arrogance in its gaze that he cannot help but feel is entirely too human.
The cat is larger than a normal housecat, but smaller than what he'd expect you see in the wild. It seemed however, no matter it's species it was all fierce.
He is still, barely even breathing. His wings are uncomfortable as they try to support his body weight, and that of the cats without being crushed. After their extensive shredding, they had been more sensitive than ever. Fun, if he was using them for fun bedroom activities. Not so fun, when they are pinned down against his will. Still he dares not move; the claws look sharp enough to ribbon his bones.
"Apologies for offending you," He takes a split second to look at the surroundings, trying to give him leverage to escape the situation without hurting either of them. The animal is a nuisance but it is not harming him. "But please could you get off me, my wings are being crushed."
He is fully prepared for it to ignore him, hands already reaching for its body. But with one final snap of its jaw, it pounces off and lands on the ground in two feet.
He is up, and then he is falling to the ground again. Shock racing through every nerve in his body like electric wires.
"What the f—"
"Don't you know it's rude to swear in front of the lady who's land you stand on?" She raises a black brow, sculpted with as much care as their temples.
"My Lady," He scrambles to his knee, bowing his head, "I uh, apologize for...uh everything." She does not usually appear as a cat but he should have known when he saw those emerald green eyes, ever unchanging no matter her form.
"I haven't known you to be so penitent Cassian," She grins.
He can't help his face from twisting into a look of disapproval. "I'm on the job Your Grace and I'd like to keep it that way."
"So very proper all of a sudden."
He chooses to brush past her little smirk, no matter how much it makes his heart pound. "Is there anything I can help you with My Lady?"
"I'm just taking a tour, making sure everything and everyone is well."
"With someone like you as leader it's impossible not to be."
"Ah there's the charmer," Her laugh is like temple bells. Musical. Holy.
He can hear the guards making their way back, clattering into everything they possibly can by the sounds of it. He's grateful he supposes, because at least it warns him.
"My Lady," He bows his head again, "My guards are coming back, I must—" He gestures behind him trailing off.
She nods, but there is something like disappointment flashing in her eyes. It crashes into him like a tidal wave. Drowns his logic.
"Unless..." His voice is softer now, more gentle. "Would you like to stay?"
"Are you suggesting a workplace sneak off?" Her face is the portrait of outrage. "Oh Cassian darling you do know in the grand scheme of things I’m your boss?"
"In the grand scheme of things you're also my—"
"Cassian who are you talking to?" One of the guards pushes past the gate, frowning at him.
He glances to the side to see a cat slinking into the darkness. "Oh uh, just myself. Gets a little lonely waiting outside."
They laugh, slapping him on the back. "Alright mate."
"Everything run smoothly in there?"
"Yea it was just a....." They fade out as he peers into the darkness, trying to catch a glimpse of the sleek coat of a midnight feline. He sees nothing but the spurting trees and the fading moonlight.
"That's great man," He smiles distractedly, "Listen i’m going to head home for the night, if that's cool?"
"Yea, yea go ahead you old man. We'll see you in the morning."
Before they can change their minds, or another problem can crop up he is unfurling his wings and racing through the skies.
He lands on the roof of his apartment building with a soft thud, and there sitting on the edge, licking her paw with the air of royalty is the cat.
"My Lady," He bows again.
She transforms into her human body, one he know doesn't alter form but he finds more beautiful with every passing day, minute, second.
"Snuck away from work?"
"Excused myself," He smirks.
"Someone should tell your boss you're slacking."
"Write a letter, Your Grace,"
Her eyes twinkle with cheek, "I'll stamp it with my favourite lipstick."
"Can I get a matching stamp?"
"Where?"
Every nerve in his body lights itself on fire. "Everywhere."
She giggles, wraps her arms around his neck, let's her fingers brush his veined wings. He shudders out of existence.
"How about I start here?" Soft lips press to the sensitive skin behind his ear.
He holds in a groan that swallows his politeness. Hands wrap around her waist, pressing their bodies together like they can become one.
He walks them backwards, stumbles into the rooftop door, pushes it open with an awkward hand. "Would you like to stay, my lady?"
"Forever." Lysandra whispers.
He can't help but agree. He let's his girlfriend in.