Old Friends

Cassandra Pentagast wasn’t one to give into fear or nerves. The very thought seemed useless and pointless in the long run, especially now when chaos was the rule of law. As she approached the ancient elven stronghold her body bristled, the tattoos on her wrists almost seeming to writhe against the constraints of her skin. Myta snoozed none the wiser curled around the back of her neck, soaking up the warmth of her skin, her black scales reflecting the sun with a rainbow of color when it trickled down to her through the woods. She hummed a song as they rode through the trees. 


The others hadn’t quite felt comfortable wandering into the territory. Even the elvish members of her band seemed a bit concerned. It was nothing to do with Arlathan on its own just that Cassandra was about to knock on the doorstep of the famed Inquisitor without so much of a warning. They trusted she knew what she was doing, but felt safer camping out until they had achieved an invitation.


There was a bit of a concern. Cassandra hadn’t seen Vela in years. She didn’t even know if her old friend was aware she was alive. She didn’t remember the exact date she’d gone missing. So much of that was a blur. She was on a mission for the Shadow Council, she fell asleep, and woke up in her clutches. 


It was weird to think of it like that now. To think back on how their relationship had started and what it eventually became and who she was now afterward and away from her. She played with the stolen amulet around her neck as Myta popped her head up on her shoulder, suddenly awakened, nostrils flaring as she sniffed the air. 


”What is it, girl?” Cassandra asked in Nevarran, as that was what she had grown used to speaking with her crew recently. The dragonling maid a chittering noise as she pushed up on her front legs to get a better sniff of the air, ”Don’t take off. We don’t know if there’s anything bigger than you around looking for a snack.”

Kumiko was leading Aelera through the woods, the outskirts of Arlathan. Not because she wanted to, she didn't like the halfling, but because Solas had ordered her to. And she'd always heed orders. The little redhaired girl was dancing and twirling in front of the Shadow, giggling playfully as she tried to coax the older Elf into playing with her.

It was to no avail, though. Ko was stoic and silent as she followed the child; content to pretend she was leading her off to drop her in the wilderness far from home. It was a nice daydream, at the very least.

It was a different type of daydream than the ones that occurred when she thought of Cassandra. Dreams of what could have been, of what was. It was like she'd drifted upstream during their relationship, and upon her death...

She was drifting back down memory lane.

The Seeker was alive and healthy—relatively safe. The elf she had sent to tail Cassandra was under oath to not reveal themselves as part of the Sylvas network. Kumiko didn't want to intrude on Cassandra's life; the woman deserved to believe she was dead.

Aelera broke free of Ko's hold, giggling and squealing, Catch tel'quiet, Kumiko! The child giggled, as she ran as fast as her little legs might carry her. Aelera was about three, the best they could gather. Perhaps four, but no-one had yet been able to determine her real age.

But fuck, she was fast.

Kumiko heard the child shriek, and Aelera was gone from her vision, the dread wolf toy that Solas had enchanted for the child left on the path. Aelera! Aelera, your father's going to be upset with you for going on the path! She called, though she didn't sound overly concerned for the girl. It was probably concern for herself, and what Solas might do if the brat got injured.

Ko eventually stepped into a clearing, to find the child standing in front of...

Her heart dropped. Shattered. This wasn't right.

...Cassandra?

For what is likely the first time ever, Kumiko is caught off-guard. Her informant had not told her that Cassandra was visiting Arlathan. She would have gone to Skyhold, elsewhere, anywhere else...

Aelera. Her voice is sharp, but the child is too busy staring up at the dragonling.

Cassandra didn’t know what she expected to come barrelling through the woods but a toddler was not it. The Seeker looked around as the girl appeared and froze in front of her, expecting an adult to appear not long after, when one didn’t she knelt down to make sure she was made a less impressive figure. Myta took off from her shoulders and circled lazily around them, her black scales shimmering in the light filtering through the canopy of the Arlathan forest. The little redhead's eyes darted up to watch the dragonling put on a show for her. Cass’s eyes followed the girl’s to just watch for a moment before she spoke, hoping the little thing understood common at least.

Where did you come from? she asked tilting her head again. She still didn’t see anyone coming, I hope you’re not alone. Is there someone out here with you?

The little girl nodded and pointed up at the dragon as she made another circle, ”Can I pet it?”

Cass sighed a bit in relief, standing, she then whistled for the dragon to come. Myta landed on her forearm like a large heavy falcon and Cassandra moved back down to kneeling, She won’t bite if you’re gentle.

The toddler ran up to her and reached out to pat the dragon on the head. Cass smiled, stroking Myta behind her wings as the animal let the little girl run her hand over her head.

”What’s her name?”

I call her Myta. She seems to like it well enough. My name is Cassandra. What’s yours?

”Aelara!”

As the girl said her name Cassandra became aware of someone else appearing in the clearing. She stood and looked over at the adult, freezing when she saw who stood there. Looking like she’d seen a ghost.

She had to take some slow deep breaths. Myta tensed as well, feeling that her mother was instantly on defense, and moved into a spot on her shoulder, bristling there. It couldn’t be her. She had to be hallucinating.

The girl seemed to take a moment to realize that her name was being called, but when she did she turned her red hair fanning out behind her, she shouted ”Kumiko! Look! A dragon!”

It was her. Fuck, it was her. She was here. Standing in front of her. She wasn’t dead. All the courage she’d plucked up to seek out Vela was crumbling as she stood there. There was a heavy layer of shame and guilt that had prevented her from seeking out her old friend, from even letting the woman know she was alive. She rested her hand on the hilt of her blade and waited, watching her for a moment. Cassandra found herself suddenly back inhabiting the space she’d inhabited right after the Veil had fallen where she was so lost in the darkness that she didn’t quite know what to do. It had been a blessing when Purpose had taken residence within her because it helped her keep from going to much further into it.

Cassandra took another deep breath and raised her chin, Didn’t expect to see you here, Kumiko.

Kumiko's lips pulled into a slight smile, albeit weak. Cassandra. Mhm, I'm not usually here. But I'm on babysitting duty, as you can guess. She gestured to the child circling Cassandra.

And she stepped forward, shoving one hand through her hair nervously as she approached the other. I see your dragonling is healthy. Good. I'd hate to find out she died. It'd been a parting gift that Ko was still proud of, to this day.

Chewing her lower lip, she came to stop just in front of the Seeker. Draw your blade, pet. Remember the games we played, m'dear? She's nervous but it doesn't show in her voice; only in the way she fidgets. And Cassandra had been around Ko long enough to recognize when she was unnerved.

Aelera was oblivious to what was going on, playing with the dragonling, or attempting to.

Yes, I can see, she looked at the child and looked back up at Kumiko and smirked a little, Not yours, then the idea of her former lover and mistress a mother wasn’t something that ever crossed her mind. Maker, the idea of her even babysitting a child was odd enough. Cassandra looked between the small girl and the elven assassin.

Yes, she is thriving. It’s amazing what happens when something is trained by someone who puts care into it, she replied to the woman, a subtle dig as she scratched the dragonling under the chin and smiled a little as she preened. She could see the little girl’s eyes on the dragon and made a clicking noise, releasing the animal from her position on her shoulder indicating she go down to the little girl. Myta flew down to land at the girl’s feet and snake between her legs like a cat.

Even with that distraction, she was aware of Kumiko moving closer. The wind picked up her scent as she entered Cass’s bubble, Purpose prickled and bristled under her skin as if it felt the lingering yearning of Cassandra from before the veil, from when serving Kumiko was her purpose. Her hand tightened on the hilt and she took a deep breath and then released it, deciding not to give into her baiting especially when she noticed how nervous the other woman was.

Unfortunately, I do not have time to play games, Kumiko. I’m here for a reason.

Kumiko snorted. I was never the sort to want children, dearest. And still, the little elven girl was watched from the corner of her eye. She wanted to risk no ire, should the child wind up injured.

Her attention doesn't stray far, and she smirked towards the other, Ah, did I not train you with care, pet? I can do better. Perhaps someone younger, easier to train... Her voice is amused, though there is very little to be amused about in her words.

The dragon is within touching distance of the child, and Ko's dark eyes wander over Aelera for a moment. Mmm, pity. I always did enjoy our games. She purred the words, reaching out with one hand to tug a piece of Cassandra's hair between her fingers.

Next to them, the little elvish girl was attempting to speak draconic, and Kumiko tittered. The child was still learning, and the language was clumsy off her lips. Aelera, let's show Cassandra to Arlathan. She encouraged the child.

No, I guess you weren’t. Whose is she anyway? Pretty little thing. Part of her was amused that the figure of her nightmares and dreams had been regulated to that of a glorified babysitter. Sure, if the girl was important having someone like Kumiko making sure she didn’t get hurt made sense. It also seemed like it could have been some sort of punishment by those in charge at Arlathan and it made her lip quirk a little.

Her former Mistress’s words had her blood run cold. The idea of another woman, a younger woman, falling prey to the games that The Shadow had played with her had bile churning in her stomach and the grip on her blade tightened. This emotion swirled with guilt inside of her and she took a deep breath as her newfound magic ability started to build. The spirit of purpose that now resided within her easing her and reminding her why they were there. The former seeker calmed her features and spoke with as much ice as she could manage, You did not train me at all. You corrupted the training I had earned on my own.

That ice was useful in the next moment when the other woman reached out and tugged at her hair, I’m glad someone did. was all she said and whistled for Myta who took flight in front of the girl and landed on her shoulder.

She straightened her shoulders a bit and stood taller as Kumiko called to the girl to follow along and attempted to steel herself.

Vela's, with Solas. Kumiko replied, no hint of the lie on her features. Because it wasn't really a lie. The girl had decided that Vela was her Mamae. And Solas had adopted her.

Kumiko chuckled softly, Do you know how much I had to undo about you, pet? Then again... that was the entire purpose of our little tryst. To ruin you, destroy you... I was supposed to have killed you but damn, you're gorgeous. Her smile was chilled. She licked her lips, like an animal looking at something just out of reach, too tasty a morsel to grasp in its jaws.

Pity you'll never admit you loved me. But I know. I know your mind like no-one else. With those words, Ko turned and started to lead the way to Arlathan, Aelera pulled behind of her.

Cassandra’s face darkened considerably at the mention of Solas and the implication that the child was theirs. So, Solas was alive and back in the picture. Well, if he was around he had a meeting with her fist and maybe her blade if she thought he could get away with it. She didn’t have to kill him. She would honestly settle for castration.

You tortured me. Kept me awake for months and months and haunted me when I could sleep, she exhaled and shook her head not wanting to continue. The way Kumiko called her gorgeous stirred up an old feeling deep inside her. It was like a scarred over wound that still ached despite years of being healed. Usually it was a dull almost numb pain, something she could push down and ignore. Standing in front of Kumiko however the pain was as acute and sharp as if the knife was being slid into her at this very moment. And the way she looked at her? It almost had her doubling over.

She was proud of how she was able to keep her features schooled, gritting her teeth and tilting her head up. There was a beat where she almost didn’t follow. Almost decided it wasn’t worth it. Myta must have sensed her upset because she flew to curl at her neck, nuzzling up under her chin. Cassandra squared herself and made moved to go to Arlathan and face her shame.

Kumiko studied the other, tilting her head thoughtfully. You did not enjoy my voice in your dreams? Pity. She led the way to Arlathan, Aelera dancing ahead of them. The little girl was oblivious to the discomfort of the adults.

Well, I missed you, Cassie. She almost looked like she meant it; but she'd never openly admit to a true weakness... Even though she'd do almost anything for the woman walking next to her.

Arlathan. She could hear the excited chatter of people in the market, the laughter of kids chasing one another through the streets. And as Aelera darted off into a stream of children, she chuckled and moved to follow the small elf.

Come see me after you're done with the Keeper.

Cassandra tried not to think about Kumiko visiting her in her sleep. She tried not to think about how after the initial breaking, after she'd given in and stopped fighting it, not having her in her head for the last five years had been lonely. She tired to ignore how she missed the sound of her captors voice and presence in her sleep. Not that she slept much anymore. She avoided it when she could, but the times when she couldn't stave it off anymore and sleep over took her she was aware something was missing.

Not that she would tell the woman walking next to her that.

Though there was a small uptick of her lip though when the elf said she missed her. Cassandra knew Kumiko and she knew when the woman was telling the truth, even when it was hidden in sarcasm and such. The way she'd said it so casually was indicative of the fact that she was trying to a bit too hard to hide her true feelings. Or at least, once upon a time, that's what Cass had wanted to believe.

As they made their way into the main square of Arlathan Myta curled around her neck, making herself small and unassuming as Cass had trained her. The place was so alive and Cass found herself quite proud of Vela and the others involved for what they'd created here. She glanced over tat Kumiko as the child ran off, unsure of what to say or do now. She didn't want to see Vela for the first time in years with Kumiko by her side. There would have been no way for her to hide the history between them.

Fortunately Kumiko saved her that fear, moving to follow after the child and calling a command after her. Leaving Cass to determine if she was going to do as she's told.