Even as they fell asleep, Cassandra could still feel his soft touch upon her, remembering the lingering of his lips, as if he really would never let go. He fell to sleep so quickly, much too quickly, and she saw with the slow even rising of his chest that he was indeed complacently resting. Her own mind rushed, keeping her awake even as his embrace around her loosened.
Despite their time together, she had come to realize this was the first night that he had stayed with her sober and even as she realized it might not be the best time for them to be seen together, she could not bring herself to arouse him from his deep sleep. He looked at peace while he slept so soundly, as if the world he lived in was not an elaborately set stage. Could she deny him that simple pleasure? That one time where he could really be himself?
Before she knew her own breathing synchronized to his and she too had slipped into sleep, comforted by his simple presence, feeling as if together they could take on the world. Together they had survived Shepherd, had come to survive Mahanoy so far, any future challenge seemed much more possible with him at her side.
With that last remembered idea playing in her dreams, the sudden knock at the door startled her. Despite the darkness in the room, she could tell a light hue was breaking outside. Brandon was still asleep, his arm draped over her loosely, his breathing still as slow and deep as she had remembered. He had not moved since she had fallen to sleep and she could see he very much needed the sleep he found that night. Slipping from him and reattaching her prosthesis, she was about to open the door when the door opened itself, Patterson peaking it.
“Normally I would respect your privacy, but Aria insisted you should come this very moment. No worries about getting dressed, it is just us,” he spoke, peaking over Cassandra’s shoulder at the other body in the bed sleeping soundly.
Pushing him out the room, she quickly stepped outside and closed the door before Patterson could confirm Brandon when Aria slipped around the corner. As if the woman had lived in a perpetual state of beauty, the woman was dressed despite the early morning hour. Her regale voice sounded softly in a hushed whisper, “I was just about to make sure that you were both coming. Please, come quickly, you do not want to miss this,” she spoke as she slipped her arm under Cassandra’s and walked her along the corridors to the gardens outside. The crisp cool air mountain air reminded Cassandra of home for a moment, the freshness of this Sector some surreal image of them stretching out to pristine untouched lands. Guided along a series of paths both Patterson and Cassandra were surprised to find Aria finally stop when the ground cut off and they overlooked an untouched valley spreading beneath them.
No sooner did they arrive then the softening gray horizon broke with golden light. As it slowly advanced, spilling its soft rays across the valley, it seemed to come to life around them. The sound of the rushing waterfall sparkled with each ray cast upon it and they both could see an unusual herd of white deer drinking from the water. Their behaviors almost seemed human enough, a few alpha males scattered to protect the herd, young couples nearing the other, proud parents watching their young fawn play peacefully with one another. The white fur seemed to be the only major distinction and when the sun spilled out the valley, a large buck stepped forward over the herd, the herd yielding to its protection.
They watched in silence for a moment when the male looked up at them, its stance in every way suggesting it had known they were there. It seemed to gauge them for a moment before it turned away and with it the herd leaving as well, dashing away quickly into the woods.
“The Jacoula,” Aria began as the rising sun continued to bring to life the valley, “is one of the rarest and oldest species of mammals in Mahanoy. That is the only known herd still in existence. It had survived time, their leaders mindful of any threat to their existence. We only get the opportunity to see them at the break of dawn in this valley and only this time of year. It is unfortunate that they cannot be found any other time of the year and so very fortunate that you happened to be with us when they arrive to this valley. The white deer are a legend in Mahanoy, outlasting many species and events that have passed through this nation. I must apologize for so hastily dragging you out of bed to see this, but I wish you to see the real essence of Mahanoy while you can. We are a nation that values the protection of the old while integrating the new. This valley is untouched by our people, we have for ages stood over and watched the them as they watched us while we build above. Today you will see some of Mahanoy’s top technology and as Armendia had her own words of wisdom, I too must leave you with mine. Remember this nation as integration. In our strive for perfection, remembering and respecting the past and those who share this world with us has become very important. So while we continue into the future, we exist with creatures who have survived time to remind us that life is very tenuous and fragile. We must hold onto those brief moments of the happiness we find and never forget the simplest of pleasures. Today you saw a jacoula, while you may not find it as impressive as the fighter jets you will see at Kuro, it is equally as important in Mahanoy. I hope you will come to understand this during your stay here,” Aria spoke as she allowed them a moment with the natural beauty of this place before winding them back inside.
The house stirred awake as they returned, some of the guests beginning to mull about while Aria’s house staff began to bustle around preparing for breakfast and serving the guests. Smiling to Cassandra and Patterson, “Thank you for joining me this morning. I again apologize for waking you so early, but I do hope you will come to appreciate what you witnessed this morning. You are welcome to prepare for your day and join us for breakfast in about an hour.”
“Thank you Aria,” Cassandra spoke as she watched the elegant woman depart again.
And it was when they were alone that Patterson seemed to questioningly glance at her with the question looming in his mind all morning, “was that Dinardeau?”
Despite her steely will not to let him know the truth, the ever slight blush at being caught flushed in her face and Patterson, a man of much simpler ways could not ignore the sign. He was after all her mentor…knew more about her quirks than she even realized.
Laughing Patterson nudged Cassandra in the side jestfully, “Fraternizing with the enemy! No wonder Shepherd wanted him dead. I was guessing that fall Dinardeau sustained was a cover and had my suspicions since the start, but all seems to make sense now.”
“James…please don’t,” Cassandra began, mortified with where the turn of the conversation may go.
“Commander, it is not my job to interfere with your decisions. You are a superior officer and I must trust you know what you are doing. As your mentor, I have seen you progress and earn the position you have today because of your own hard work and efforts. I have no doubt that you are capable of prioritizing your importances and doing what is best for both our nation and this man. As your friend, I can only tell you to do what you feel is right. Trust yourself, you are smarter than you know. The guy might be Mahanionian and might not be able to shoot for shit, but he is not so bad. I know your father passed away and since then you have had to make some hard decisions without paternal guidance. If I may Cassandra…some of us want to see you happy. If he makes you happy, do not be afraid to seek it. He has my blessings for what it is worth. We just need to put him through some good ole Alleghenian training. How can he protect you if he cannot hit a target right in front of his face!?” Patterson playfully laughed while again nudging Cassandra to do the same.
“Commander!” the soft voice of Armendia seemed all too excited to see her, “I hope you slept well. It is very good to see you awake so early. You should hurry and ready yourself, we are having a game before breakfast. You both should join us. While you were away last night, your officer here was dominating our men. Seems he is making friends quickly here, is that right James?” Armendia laughed, having heard the stories about Patterson’s legendary dart throwing from the previous night.
Before she knew it, time had passed so quickly and Cassandra was ready for her morning and already engaged in a heated game of darts.
“You missed! How the hell could you miss!?” she found herself yelling at the man who had missed their team’s third bullseye and thus the game to Patterson and his team.
“And the master triumphs again!” Patterson laughed, taking the opportunity to playfully gloat at Cassandra. “Maybe you need to accept that I cannot be defeated!”
“Over my dead body! Re-match!” she challenged, losing herself for a moment in this Mahanionian atmosphere devoid of official responsibilities. Despite the knowledge that this nation was a stage, she felt comfortable there momentarily as they challenged another, thinking perhaps there were times when the masks were removed and everyone could just relax, It was then she grew aware of how casual and at ease everyone was compared to yesterday and it was then she realized that through her whole morning, Brandon was not there. She had left him so suddenly and had completely forgotten that he was still sleeping in the rush of their morning.
In the moment she was about to leave to get him, Aria entered the room almost as if timed, issuing them all towards the dining hall and it was then Aria’s whispered words to Brandon replayed in her mind. She could see now that Aria was right, the definite change was noticeable when he was not around, everyone far more relaxed and comfortable with being themselves.
Slipping her arm around Cassandra, Aria guided her to the table, “you must try some of our breakfast. My home is usually busy with guests who pay us a visit just for the meals, I must admit.”
With the comment came a flurry of laughter, no truer words being spoken as it seemed everyone had come from their respective rooms to gather for breakfast with the only obvious loss being Brandon and the two men from the previous night. It was then Aria smiled at Cassandra with a silent knowledge…Aria was stage master. She had set the stage and let the actors take hold with her props. The facade she may or may not have been playing was irrelevant, she could only move her props and backdrops and hope that they created a much more pleasant atmosphere for her actors.
The lavish dinner had gone well, Patterson and Cassandra both losing themselves in the Mahanionian atmosphere again, and it was not until they were done eating and the guests who were preparing to join their entourage departed to ready themselves that Armendia rejoined her, pulling her off to the side. “Cassandra, where is Brandon? I have not seen him all morning. Is everything alright?”