cassianlord

[cassianlord]

The voice and the laugh had Cassian turning to face the stranger. The look on his face was carefully neutral but his dark eyes were riveted on the other. He could see the playful nature of him at once, was entranced by the way he twirled on the stool and leaned so, so casually.

He'd never been so intrigued by a person right off the bat before. He was usually too self absorbed to notice others, too occupied with how he came off to them. It was an odd feeling somewhere under his breastbone that he couldn't decide if he liked or not as he was given the cursory up and down.

"You're talking like you know all the nastiest places to go," he replied with a hint of a lopsided grin. It looked like it belonged on his face, like he was used to teasing. "I never had an interest in searching for things like that before. I was too busy. But I might now, if you'll be my guide, sweetheart." A pet name for a pet name. It was only fair, wasn't it?

"I'm new in town," he admits. "I'm the new physician at the clinic. I was just taking a walk tonight and stopped in here on a whim. But again, if you're wanting to show me the nitty gritty... I wouldn't mind. I had some preconceived notions about this place before I'd come and I'm finding that I should have kept a more open mind. I'm willing to do that now with your help."

Forward of him, yes, but Cassian couldn't bring himself to care. This one was beautiful. Ethereal, almost, in his eyes.

"My name's Cassian. What can I call you other than gorgeous?"

"You're not from around here, are you?" Gwyn quipped to the stranger with a bubbly laugh, slowly spinning around on the adjacent barstool with his own drink dangling precariously from one hand, "Krovstown is a town in name only, as far as I see it. If you want the real grimy stuff, you'll have to get off the main street and away from all the deep pockets." Not that there were many places in Krovstown that weren't flush with cash, the way the castle's inhabitants bandied it around. Mr. Tall and Handsome who had just wandered in didn't look like he was running out of money anytime soon, which only made the comment funnier in Gwyn's mind.

He slouched against the bar with a lopsided grin, quirking his brows at the other man and he gave him an intrigued up and down. The night was still young and, for the sith, wide open. Plenty of time to mess with the fresh meat, if this gentleman was indeed fresh. "Not that you look the type to go bumping elbows in a dive, my sweet. Was your goal really to seek out this oasis of luxury amidst the snow just to go slumming it?"

[cassianlord]

Lee Pace as Ned PUSHING DAISIES | 1.07

[cassianlord]

If Cassian was honest with himself, he would have never thought he'd make nice with a colleague so quickly after moving to Krovs Town. He thought he'd be alone for awhile, playing it cool and aloof as the new physician. He was not cool and he was not aloof. With the lack of back to back appointments and barely any time to breathe between them from yesterday and today, Cassian actually had time to set up his office and get to know his staff. Ravi was one of them.

They'd hit it off immediately and that was something that Cassian did not often get to experience. He loved the medical field and everything that came with it. It was his passion, his main interest of interests. It was not often that he met someone who wanted to use their gained knowledge in the subject as a tool to break down the mystical barrier between the woefully human and wonderfully supernatural. To be offered to share a meal with someone like that is not something that Cassian took lightly. He was excited to talk more to Ravi. To make... Make a friend. Maybe.

He waited just outside the Thai restaurant that Ravi had mentioned yesterday. He'd gone home (aka to the hotel he was staying at until the final renovation of his house was complete) to change so he didn't smell like the clinic. Cassian cut a stern picture in fitted slacks, a button-down, and a matching suit jacket. It was the combination of his height and his resting bitch face, the way his shoulders were squared as his hands tucked into his pockets. Everything about him boasted high quality goods from the way he smelled to the fine tailoring of his suit. He liked to save money on lots of things, but making himself look good was not a time to be modest.

Cassian drew one hand out of his pocket to glance at the rose gold Patek Phillipe watch on his wrist. He was still a little early but damn if the smells from the restaurant weren't making his stomach grumble.

[cassianlord]

Immediately, he wanted to ask why Soren had come all the way out here to Krovs. It was a bit odd, wasn't it? Humans seemed to be the minority here. He wanted to know, suddenly, what motivation that Soren had for being the lab tech in this clinic of all clinics. Maybe he had a connection here that he hadn't mentioned yet. They'd been so caught up in talking about Cassian and his own reasonings that Cassian hadn't thought to turn the question back on Soren. Ah, the rub of being woefully selfish. Cassian knew his faults and he wasn't even going to try and argue with himself about them.

The smile doesn't fade. Cassian has had handfuls of friends over his three hundred years but he tended to keep by himself. It was easier not to plan social obligations if he didn't have those he needed to cater to in the first place. He usually loved studying by himself, loved exploring by himself to see what knowledge he could gain. It didn't occur to him that maybe he'd craved companionship until he found someone who could understand his niche interests.

He huffed a little laugh, "A pitch, huh? Sure. Tomorrow will be great. We'll see how their pad see ew shapes up. Dinner's on."

A buzz vibrated from his pocket and Cassian dipped his hand in to produce his phone. He gave Soren an apologetic look as he tapped at the screen that was too small for such large thumbs. Cassian's phone was a couple generations behind and smaller as a result. He didn't see why he had to pay money to get the same exact thing over again. Frugality was a virtue to him.

"I've got to make a phone call, I'm sorry. I've kept you longer than you probably intended, too," Cassian says gently, "See you tomorrow?"

"Perhaps..." Soren scrubbed a hand over his beard, thoughtful, a gesture that had replaced an ungainly adolescent habit of gnawing at his thumbnail when he was deep in thought, "But illness tends to consume much more energy than wellness. If that were the case, I'd think they'd be feeding far more frequently, even on par with human appetites to keep up with it - unless they're more efficient at extracting the nutrients they need than we are from our food. The question becomes what you receive from blood better than any other source, which I could speculate on for days."

He met Cassian's eye, snorting at the way the other trailed off and nodding knowingly. It was strange, to think a dragon would still find the vampires worth talking around, even with the two of them in private conversation. "They are, indeed," Was all the human said, a bitter kind of amusement to his tone, "I've been fighting that fight for years. Not just with them, either. Half the incentive for a man like myself to come all the way out here. Krovstown has a... very unique kind of diversity." Soren hadn't realized just how outnumbered he'd be as a human until he'd arrived. Perhaps he still wasn't accurately guessing the scope of things. It was as thrilling a thought as it was intimidating.

Soren absorbed Cassian's very genuine-seeming excitement with an almost surprised smile. But it made sense, didn't it? The older man only talked about his 'friend' as a singular, no one else around. No matter the massive gap in experience, background, a million other things between them -- at the end of the day, he was far from home, forging a new life nearly alone. It was hard to exaggerate just how deeply Soren could relate. He could feel himself relaxing, just a bit, from his usual stoic professionalism. Perhaps Cassian would be a useful friend to have, if he played his cards right. "Glad to hear it. Just give me a night to get my pitch in order and we could go as soon as tomorrow, if you're able. There's a shockingly good Thai place not far from here."

[cassianlord]

"Less from you? Of course not," he answered back genuinely. Roland has never let him down if he ever asked anything of him. Cassian didn't make it a habit to, especially from someone he looked up to, but there have been cases in the past where he needed help and Roland was there to save his day.

There it was. The blasé attitude towards the slaves. It wasn't so much about the variety of slaves or what they could provide. It was that they were slaves. They were there against their will, stripped of their abilities, and made to be exactly as Roland said: unpaid prostitutes. The vampires had shaped the world as they knew it into what they wanted but it was still jarring as a non-vampire. Cassian felt, as a dragon, more important as a species, but to enslave other species for being weak? He wasn't sure his greed extended so far. He liked knowledge, liked standing, liked money. He couldn't say he liked being a person who owned another person, even if for a brief moment.

Cassian reached up and caught the phone out of the air. His thumb scrolled and tapped as he sat up. His brows furrowed ever so slightly as much as he tried to keep his expression neutral. It was a market of flesh made portable, digital. He could say with confidence that he'd never had to hire a prostitute. All his sex up to this point had been free. Dark eyes flitted over the available slaves. These were people. He didn't want to think about it right now. He clicked the lock button on the phone and set it on a small table. Cassian knocked his gin back and set his empty glass next to it, moving towards Roland on the couch. Big shoulders rolled attractively under his button-down as he practically prowled, crawled his way over.

"I don't want to share tonight," he purred. "I want you."

One big hand braced on the arm of the couch that Roland leaned against, the other on the back of the couch itself. Dark eyes were intent as he gazed at the vampire before him, beautiful in his resplendence and indifference.

"Kiss me," he demanded.

"Did you expect anything less?" Roland smirked as he teased back, always happy to flirt. He did it with most people who he liked or who intrigued him and it was a familiar game with him and the storm dragon at this point. The touch only made his smile widen before he settled on the couch, amused that Cas chose to sit all the way on the other end. That would likely change soon enough but the vampire supposed they should converse a little first and catch up before he enticed him closer or vice versa. Knowing the two of them, either was likely really.

"Intimidates you?" His eyebrows rose, a little surprised at the comment. Roland was so used to the Undercroft that it seemed strange to him that someone else might not be, though it made sense in Cassian's case. "No, not like you at all. There's no reason for it, I assure you. The slaves have variety but at least half of them are happy to be rented just to get out of there. There are defiant ones, of course, though they can be fun in their own way. Think of it as buying time with a prostitute, if that helps, the money just doesn't go to them directly." Roland was entirely unbothered by the whole slavery situation. The vampires had won two wars to establish their supremacy over the other races so it only made sense to him that they should do whatever they want with that power. Keeping everyone else in check by taking slaves was a prudent measure. That being said, Roland was probably one of the nicest masters if only for selfish reasons. His tastes didn't really run towards sadism or causing pain, he was much more interested in pleasure.

"There's an app if you don't want to head down yourself." Roland took a sip of his wine then pulled out his phone, opened the directory, and tossed it to Cassian. "Browse and see if anyone catches your eye. If they do, you can have them delivered right to your door, or up here if you're inclined to share." He grinned devilishly.

[cassianlord]

"Contrariwise, vampires can wither from lack of blood and whatever nutrient they seem to gain from consuming it. What if the vitality is a side effect of the cells trying to fight it like a flu? But whatever force is at play seems to unlock latent capabilities within the body... Perhaps the mind. The 'disease' could be the hunger or simply the body going into overdrive to crave a specific nutrient. These two things could stand to be researched but I'm not sure a vampire would donate specimens to the cause. They're very..." he trailed off, giving Soren a look that suggested that they probably had the same opinion but wouldn't dare voice it aloud.

Cassian watched as Soren received his email, pleased. With the way they both lit up at the chance to hypothesize, he had little doubt that his findings would go unread. They weren't much, especially since he hadn't exactly had the time to really sit down and research as much as he wanted to, but he'd had a chance to really summarize his questions and the root of his questions. How was the supernatural... Supernatural?

He tilted his head at the way Soren stands to straighten his posture when he mentioned his samplings. Did he not know what Cassian was? Was he intimidated? A part of him, a deep seated primal part of his biology, liked the reverence. He was a textbook breed example of a storm dragon as much as he didn't want to admit it. Cassian didn't fight it, either and there lay the rub. It was his nature but what about his nature made him lean so animalistic? Another question for another day.

"Dinner?" he questioned, bright and happy as a mutt at the prospect of sharing a meal with a colleague. He gave a full smile, his eyes crinkling and his thick eyebrows going up briefly in surprise. Cassian tried to make friends where he went as a 'scratch my back and I'll scratch yours' type of situation. As a being who would likely live for centuries, he felt it was best to build as many bridges as he could.

"That'd be great. I'm a sucker for a well made meal. Just tell me when you want to go. I don't have any plans other than seeing my friend and setting up my home away from home." he gestured around the office with the flap of a big hand.

"I... yes, exactly! I couldn't agree more." Soren's eyes widened a fraction, the corner of his mouth quirking up in a surprised smile. Part of him almost couldn't believe what he was hearing. He uncrossed his arms, bracing his hands on the back of the chair across from Cassian's desk and leaning in, intrigued, as the other man went for his computer. "I remember asking my mentor in undergrad the same kind of questions and feeling flabbergasted that we were somehow in the 21st century and no closer to the answers. It stuck with me, for a long while."

A little after that, he'd begun to realize that so much of that research seemed frozen in time because many of the subjects of it were uninterested in being understood. Vampires, for one, were less than eager to let humanity start picking apart their mysteries. It wasn't that Soren didn't believe that research was happening, but he was sure it wasn't going to include mortal researchers anytime soon. They were on their own. "I would argue against disease. If anything, vampirism seems to be the exact opposite. An unfettered abundance of vitality, absent the challenges that arise with overproduction as with cancer cells, though it needs frequent supplementation. It makes you start to think harder about the processes of DNA repair, doesn't it? What are they actually getting from blood as a feeding process?"

The sudden chime from his trouser pocket was enough to prompt Soren out of his intense musing; 'Ravi' had barely any contacts outside of work, no girlfriend or family checking in, most of his notifications now were silent news alerts. It had taken getting used to, not wading through email pings for half an hour before bed every night. He hazarded a peek at the screen, right around the time Cassian explained. "Excellent," Soren said, impressed. The designation of which samples were 'mine' was not lost on him. It was a confirmation, albeit one Soren had absolutely not expected. He straightened up again, feeling a mite self-conscious even with this surprising new rapport between then. Soren didn't think he'd ever stood face to face with an actual dragon before, let alone been alone in a room with one.

He rubbed his hands together, slow, trying not to let the gesture make him seem any more nervous. "You and me both. Perhaps..." Ah, to hell with it. If something sounded too good to be true, it was worth it to doublecheck anyways. Dragon or no, they'd be a door away from each other for likely months. Soren couldn't just pass that up. "Perhaps after work one day I can show you one of the better restaurants out here, if you're interested. More nice places than you'd expect, being in the middle of nowhere." Councilman privilege, to be sure. "If you can tolerate talking business off the clock, I think you might be interested in hearing more detail about my research. We've put a lot of a time and a lot of money into trying to answer those very questions, over the years. I'm still trying to answer some of them myself." Funny, being on the other side of the elevator pitch. Something told him Cassian might just take it.

[cassianlord]

"Immunology," he purred, as if pleased to have the topic brought up. "A fascinating subject in today's world. What makes it so that some people have systems that can withstand nearly anything? Why do some develop cancer or fight a transplanted organ when every single piece of data points to it being a perfect match?" Cassian pushed off the desk and moved around to the proper side, ignoring the ergonomic and expensive chair to stand instead, setting his laptop on top of the pile of frames. He opened it, keying in his password with deft fingers.

"My question is, why can certain people contract cancer or autoimmune diseases when some physically can't? Vampires, we know are frozen in time. But how? Is it technically disease? And what about other species? What about living creatures who have walked this earth for millennia and surely missed a strain of evolution that would cause a crack in their genetics? There's always one exception to the rule. Always. So what's causing such... Genetic and bodily perfection? And don't get me started on hybrids. Absolutely fascinating and mind boggling."

Cassian's laptop wallpaper was a beautiful shot of a stormy countryside with rolling, green hills. There were big, pregnant storm clouds obscuring the sky but no rain. Only craggy, slithering bolts of illuminating lightning striking in the distance like broken spears from above thrown by a raging god. It was there and gone as he pulled up files, compressing them together and attaching them to an email. He opens the contact list given to him from a receptionist and finds 'Ravi' quickly to send it off with a subject of '!!!' and no body text.

"I've sent you some drafts of research I've conducted over the past decade or so. I've never exactly had the time to do much more than this on immunology but I'd love for you to take a look and get your opinions. It's a bit skewed heavily towards humans and dragons and only includes a handful of sample specimens. The dragon blood, marrow, and tissue are mine. A couple of old scales. It's a small drop in the vast ocean. But now I have free time."

He looked to Soren and watched his gaze flicker to the leaning frame that he'd abandoned. It was his doctorate of osteopathic medicine. It wasn't his first, wasn't his only doctorate. Cassian typically liked to study and go to school for a medical subject that caught his attention, earn his doctorate and any certifications, then go play in the field until he got bored and found something else to hyper fixate on for about twenty years or so. The pile of frames hold his latest accomplishments. Sometimes he has to go study and test again to renew some things. He realized that he was using his degrees to hold up his laptop and sheepishly closed it, moving it off to the side and making sure no glass cracked.

"Ah, anyway." He cleared his throat and gave a bit of a sheepish grin. "Funny you should mention what you did. That is my passion. I want to know what separates man from 'monster', if you will. What makes all our bodies tick so in tune and out of sync all at once."

Soren's brow quirked up at the spine of a faded brown tome, leveraging it out just enough to see that Cassian did, indeed, seem to casually have a frighteningly early edition of Gray's Anatomy lounging about on his shelf. Too intimidated to actually try opening the thing, Soren slid it carefully back into its space, smothering back a low whistle of appreciation. "Perhaps I'll slide you something of mine to look at when sniffles are in short supply. Can't have a man getting bored, even on vacation. Have you done much study in immunology?"

His tone was casual enough, but Soren was genuinely intrigued, already considering the possibility that the older doctor might actually get invested enough in their research to prove an ally to his organization. The group as Soren remembered it was long since scattered into satellite labs, now a fragile network rather than a united front as it had been when the human was just a donor successfully hooked in by their founders' message. Perhaps now Soren was using the Prometheus Group to legitimize his cover just as he'd once been happily used by them to help keep the lights on, but that fact didn't lessen his genuine zeal for what they labored to do. What he was laboring towards, now.

That in mind, Soren turned back to the other man with a thoughtful expression, keen consideration in his eyes before he caught Cassian midway through the act of levelling him with that unreadable up-and-down. Soren stopped halfway, hands tucked into his pockets, trying to resist the urge to return the favor. He knew when he was being assessed, even if he couldn't be sure of what for. He squared his shoulders against his own uncertainty, lifting his chin. Deference was good, but part of him itched against the idea of playing dumb to one of his peers. No matter what Cassian was. "I'm glad to hear it," Soren replied calmly as he met that dark, amused gaze, "I like to be useful."

He held the look a moment, but was inevitably the first to glance away, clearing his throat as his eyes flit briefly over the frame left tilted against the wall. "D'you have any of your own passion projects, doctor?" Casual, reaching back for the safe sort of topic for a first conversation, "Or will your free hours be more for pleasure than business?"

[cassianlord]

The way the other seems suspicious of him is not lost on Cassian. Even still, his general easy-going demeanor doesn't change or falter. He kept his eyes on Finn as he carefully set his glass on a coaster, fingers turning it just so. Perhaps he should tread a little more carefully with his words on the Castle. He knew the situation was polarizing but he didn't know it was to this extent. He reached out his own hand and grasped Finn's, shaking firmly before letting go.

"Nice to meet you, Finn," he says, genuinely pleased to be speaking to him. His head swayed ever so slightly as he considered his next answer. Tread carefully, tread carefully. Maybe it's not so wise to drop his association with one of the councilmen in such a public space.

"I've worked nonstop in hospitals and private practices since I earned my first degree. It's been a long, hectic time. I wanted to still work but slow down so I could study more into my personal interests. Maybe write a medical journal or two. I'll have the time to do that here. And with the saturation of supernaturals, I'm hoping to make friends to get opinions and insights from. A bit of a selfish endeavor, huh?" He winked.

There. True to the last word and without truly giving his connection to Roland away.

Finn's eyes narrowed ever so slightly despite the smile never wavering on his features. The way this Cassian phrased things sounded like he was unfazed about the whole slavery situation happening here. "Finn," he introduced himself, freeing up a hand to extend towards the other in greeting. "Of all the places to work as a physician, why come to Krovs? Surely there are much more lucrative and rewarding opportunities in hospitals elsewhere you can actually help with healin' folks?"

[cassianlord]

Lee Pace in Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (2008)

[cassianlord]

"You'd be surprised, Ravi," Cassian replied. The few times he'd done Botox, it had been on species with a slightly higher rate of aging. Not by much, but enough for crows feet and smile lines. A few units of Botox did a world of difference to make them look perfectly youthful once more.

He didn't mind Soren looking through the books he chose to keep at work. They were a point of pride for him even though it wasn't his chosen hoard. There were leather-bound first editions of medical texts, books where Cassian had been a consultant, and books grouped by specialty. He considered himself a jack of all (most) medical trades thanks to his interest in the field for so long. He'd done everything from plastic surgery to physical therapy and a little bit of phlebotomy. Anything about altering, researching or healing the body? He knew at least something on it. The only thing he'd never been interested in was dentistry, cosmetic or not.

"No, they don't in general. But there's always a fight and somebody's gonna get hurt, and gotta be tended to," Cassian replied. "I'd be happy to lend any knowledge I have on the subject if you're interested. I know that we probably won't have much work other than the odd villager sniffle and studying for the good of the future goes a long way."

He came around to the front of his desk and leaned against it, long legs out enough to stretch and cross at the ankle as he crossed his arms over his chest. His eyes rove over Soren again as he tilted his head. Once again, he had a mischievous little glint in dark eyes like he knew something Soren did not. Like there was some humor to be found in the other's words.

"Thanks. I really appreciate it," he said sincerely, voice gentle and deep. "And don't be so sure. I can find nearly anybody useful."

"Botox? Seriously?" With their main task complete Soren had migrated more obviously over to the bookshelves, sparing another short laugh at the idea as he tilted his head to examine the spines. Cassian surely had a much wider breadth of education than he, if the older man was capable of shifting his specialty so easily on a whim. Then again, if the gossip was true, Cassian had also certainly had far more time to obtain that knowledge, too. It was hard not to feel a faint stirring of envy at the thought. Back to human limitations all over again.

Cassian's comments did turn Soren's head from his perusing though, his own spark of interest catching on that dangled thread. "I don't know if 'fun' would be the first word I'd choose, but the concept is fascinating. That kind doesn't usually need our help," He gestured vaguely back towards his lab coat, meaning doctors in general, "But I've read a few fringe case files. Compound fractures healing over before a bone can be properly set, complications around removing foreign bodies. Exceptions, more than the rule. That was one of the major incentives that led me here, actually..." Soren briefly wondered if perhaps their interests overlapped more greatly than he'd thought.

He registered the change in Cassian's tone, the thoughtful pause, and turned back to the shelves a bit more purposefully to hide his own expression. It was difficult not to feel edgy at the mention of any of the councilmen but... illuminating to hear his new boss was apparently with cozy with one of them. You couldn't go anywhere in town without someone having a connection to the castle, it seemed. Cassian's motivations were evolving by the minute.

"Welcome, then," Soren said finally, feeling a flare of apprehension about working in close proximity with someone who clearly wasn't going to be shy about what went on in Krovs, who would likely take advantage of it himself. Cassian certainly seemed to have enough money for it. "Though I'm sure I can't offer you as rich of one as a councilman can. I hope it proves to be worth your while." There, perfect neutrality.

[cassianlord]

"You could have, but you got it perfect on the first try," Cassian replied with an easy grin. He was a flirt with people he liked and it came as easy as breathing. It got him in trouble more than once but flirting his way out of reprimands was his nearly fool-proof way of dealing with it. Cassian thought of himself first and foremost and he'd do nearly anything to keep his reputation sterling.

Since he'd turned into a full-fledged adult, Cassian had had a minor thing for Roland. A childhood crush, perhaps. He couldn't see himself ever settling down or even trying to ask Roland to do the same. Where they were, casual friends with benefits, was good for both of them at the moment. He was sure that there were things that Roland didn't ever divulge about his personal life to him when they took the time to catch up.

He lifted a big hand to trail it over Roland's back as the vampire moved by him to take his seat. Cassian followed suit to take up the other end of the couch, more leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees, his gin glass hanging from his grip. Dark eyes watched Roland, trailing over him as if there were changes to take in. As if vampires weren't eternal. He huffed a breath, a little buzz of static lighting behind his teeth. His tongue chased the trail out of habit to soothe the ticklish sensation.

"I don't know what to think of Krovs," he answered honestly. In Cassian's years, he'd never had an opportunity like this one. He hadn't sought it out or been in a place where an establishment like Krovs was easily accessible. "It's new to me. The slavery. Buying another being. I'm so used to meeting people naturally that the thought of the Undercroft intimidates me. And you know I'm not usually like that."

"I suppose not, in small doses." Roland agreed. He'd been there, obviously, though he much preferred Europe. The New World still felt too new and while Roland craved novelty and new experiences and interest he still, as made evident by his suite, clung to old comforts. His beloved 18th century was reflected in most of the decor. He was pleased to see that Cassian clearly appreciated it and would have to make a note of that to Rhys as clear proof of his taste.

Their eyes met as Roland touched him for that brief moment, a charged look that held promise but it was much too early to start with that. Roland did so like to draw things out and Cassian had only just arrived, after all. He should at least be given the opportunity to finish his drink. Still, it was good to see that the attraction hadn't waned given the years since their last meeting. Cassian had always held such awe and reverence for him and Roland couldn't help but enjoy and soak it up. He was also genuinely fond of him and his family but the clear admiration the dragon had for him was also greatly appreciated.

"Bien, I was counting on that. Though I could have made something else if you'd changed your mind." He motioned to the incredibly well stocked bar where he kept only the best of everything, of course, as well as a healthy stock of blood wines and liquors. Roland inclined his head to acknowledge the respect, smiling and turning to watch Cassian pick up his drink. "Naturally. I'd hardly think of serving you anything less." He walked over and picked up his own wine glass, filled with an excellent vintage of faerie bloodwine. He took a sip and watched Cassian over the rim then brushed by him and settled on the couch, lounging comfortably though also making it look a little like he sat on a throne. He motioned to the spot beside him with his free hand. "Come, sit down. Tell me what you think of Krovs so far. I assume you haven't had time to visit the Undercroft yet? We have quite a selection."

[cassianlord]

His first trip up to the Castle and of course it was to see Roland. He owed his friend a visit for managing to convince him to come out here. Well, only most of it was Roland's fault. Cassian wouldn't have come all this way without wanting to or having a good reason for it.

Cassian did as instructed and checked in with the guards first. He managed to keep eye contact with them while they checked his credentials but the moment they started to lead him through the place, his head was on a swivel. Dark eyes took in the decor of the place, gaze lingering on necks to see the collars of staff and slaves. The power balance was tangible enough to taste. He wasn't sure what to make of it. Cassian was only ever interested in himself and what he could gain from any given situation. To witness, not just hear about, the slavery in practice? It made him begin to wonder.

Called into Roland's suites, Cassian's greeting smile melted into an expression of awe. He shouldn't have expected less of Roland to have rooms so... So opulent. Everything was gilded and pearl, creamy white and expensive looking. Perhaps a bit out of touch for the century, but impressive to the dragon nonetheless.

"Roland," He huffed, rolling his eyes good-naturedly at the tease. "America isn't so bad in small doses."

His gaze was intent on Roland as his cool touch graced hot skin. Cassian had always had a soft spot for Roland. He'd grown up hearing great things about him from his parents. He admired his standing, his riches, his attitude. It was everything that Cassian could want for himself.

"Still a dragon with a hankering for a good gin and tonic," he replied with a handsome little grin. He dipped his head to Roland to show respect before moving to the table to pick up his drink. He could smell the high quality liquor from a foot away. He was chuffed that Roland still knew him after decades of not seeing one another. He swirled the glass out of habit before raising it to his lips for a taste. He rumbled a deep purr-like growl in his chest.

"Impeccable as ever."

closed starter for @cassianlord

Roland was incredibly pleased that Cassian had, in fact, taken him up on his suggestion to come to Krovs for an extended vacation of sorts. They'd been chatting not long ago and while the dragon had complained about the plastic surgery business, Roland had mentioned that perhaps he should take a break and come here. The vampire enjoyed being surrounded by friends and Cassian tended to give him the best kind of attention given how long they'd known each other. It was only fitting that he should have the younger man to his suite shortly after his arrival, especially since his house hadn't been prepared on time and he was staying in some kind of hotel. That would hardly do. Given that Roland had a free evening it only made sense to entertain the old friend he hadn't seen in person in a couple decades. Of course he'd told Cassian he'd have to check in with the guards and have them escort him to the councilmen's residential wing but those were all just details.

Drinks poured to be ready for when Cassian arrived, Roland was settled in a chair to wait, idly scrolling through his phone when the knock came at the door. He called for the dragon to come in and tucked the phone away, smiling as he watched the other man enter. He gave him a moment to take in the surroundings before he pushed himself up and glided over to him. "Bienvenue. Good to see the stress of your American endeavors hasn't aged you too badly." He teased, his smile widening as he reached up to press cool fingertips against non-existent worry lines in Cassian's forehead, letting his touch linger for a long moment before he slid it away slowly. "Do come in and make yourself comfortable. There's a drink on the table for you. I take it you haven't changed your preference in the last couple decades?"

[cassianlord]

"Yeah, kinda funny isn't it?" he huffed at himself. Cassian didn't exactly know how to relax. While he didn't exactly feel any pressure, he had grown up with parents who were very focused on growing their wealth and satiating their hunger to be fulfilled with their chosen careers. Cassian had only inherited the greed, the drive. Why squander away his money and do nothing when he could be building something. What if he wanted to use his wealth to start his own business or some venture of the like? He had a long life ahead of him and there was no certainty in anything.

He finished up the last box and nodded his thanks to Soren, picking up the bundle and moving it towards the door so he wouldn't forget to take it out when he left for the day. He absently patted the top of the boxes as if for a job well done before moving to his desk. There was a pile of frames carefully stacked on top, all different sizes. He lifted the first one and held it by the sides, turning and measuring it up to imagine where he might hang it on the wall. He squinted and shifted it a foot to the right.

"Nah, I didn't come here expecting to do much cosmetic surgery. I knew there were a bunch of supernaturals who take up residence." He looked away from the wall to Soren, barking a laugh, "Immortals are vain but I've done some Botox for some. Not quite done a face lift yet but I'd be eager to get my hands on someone who will let me try. The fun's in how fast their healing factor works."

A glint shone in his eye. Cassian was fascinated and borderline obsessed with how different supernatural beings healed or regenerated. He wanted to know what made different species tick and had dedicated a good chunk of his research to the subject. He wasn't about to let Soren know that just yet, though. He was willing to bet that he'd find out on his own sooner or later.

"Yeah, first time. One of the councilors is..." He trailed off for a moment, carefully bending down to lean the framed certificate against the wall on the floor. He didn't know how to describe one Roland de Rochefort. Friend of the family? Casual friend with benefits through the centuries? "...A friend. He's the one who actually convinced me to come all the way to Russia and take a breather here. He's tried to tempt me before but I always had other stuff going on. Now? I'm here."

The next time Soren's gaze flit back from the books to their owner, he startled the smallest bit, feeling caught out by the knowing humor in Cassian's dark eyes, his own widening a fraction before he glanced quickly away. Nor did he miss the confidence there, the self-assuredness written into the very stance of the other's shoulders. Outwardly, the two men didn't look too distant in age, if a stranger had to guess maybe Cassian had a decade on him by pure visuals. It didn't feel that way though and maybe Soren being reminded of his schoolboy days before had been prescient, for all he felt like he was playing dress up in front of an actual professional in that moment. In some ways, he was.

Soren tried to focus on his own box, the easy and methodical movements of pulling and flattening the cardboard to stack. Some gregariousness was an act, but some of it was genuine. No reason to ruin it all ahead of schedule. "A vacation?" He couldn't help some startled amusement of his own, brows shooting up as Soren shot one more brief glance Cassian's way, "Interesting choice for that. Not exactly the Maldives." The other's reasoning did creep closer to sensical as he went on, but the answers he gave did little to clarify Soren's image of him as it was slowly forming.

"Getting away from clientele like that, I understand." Soren huffed a sympathetic laugh. Being in Krovstown now was about the longest he'd been separated from that kind of wealthy, snobbish milieu since he'd come of age. Probably since before that. "If you're sticking with cosmetic, I wonder how much personal business you'll get in a place like this, though. Plenty of money and vanity but not a lot of sagging skin with how few humans are around." He was wandering perilously close to accidentally saying something off, he realized, especially if Cassian wasn't human. But it was a odd question, thinking of the fact that while the non-immortal supernaturals lived a long damn time, they still technically aged. "You would know better than I, though," Soren admitted, tossing out the first hypothetical he could think of: "Do werewolves care enough to get face-lifts?"

Three weeks here and Soren still had no idea what the right way to act was when Krovs came up in conversation: pretend he found the castle and all it implied normal or be authentic about how badly it unsettled him. Which would be expected? Sympathized with? "First time around a castle like this?" Soren defaulted to casual, shunting away from revealing much of his own view on the wretched place, Taliesin's face, inevitably, swimming into his mind's eye, "The law in the village and the rules up on the hill are supposedly separate, but they seem to drift into each other, from what I've seen. You'll probably spy a few collars walking around town before long."

[cassianlord]

Thick eyebrows shot up at the sound of somebody airing out their grievances. His glass still poised at his lips, Cassian turned to look and see who it was as he took a very careful sip. A former slave, apparently, who now worked here. He tries very, very hard to maintain a neutral expression when he's suddenly the target. A calm is poised on Cassian's shoulders when met with what felt like hostility. He didn't know for sure. Best to be polite just in case.

"Little old me?" he questioned sweetly, lowering his beer. A funny joke for him, since he was so tall. "Name's Cassian. I'm just a doctor. I'll be working at the clinic down the way." He hazards a smile, trying to be disarming.

"I'm not running from anything. I don't particularly think I'm a psychopath, either, but I'm not sure if an actual psychopath would ever see themselves as one." He hums and sways his head side to side in thought. Cassian grinned once more.

"You seem to have a very strong opinion on the Castle."

Shade had finished dinner service upstairs, by no means was he done for the night, but he was done serving. Still in his chefs coat that hung open now showing the white shirt underneath as he came down less than quiet bitching to Finn like he usually did since it wasn't a weekend so it was slow downstairs and usually full of regulars. Finn would already be getting him a beer and a shot ready knowing what he'd want as he complained the same way he did every time.

"Mother fuckers act like my ass is still a fuckin slave up there, I swear to fuck if they didn't pay my ass I might actually stab a mother fucker in the eye. Askin me to get under the table and suck a dick, suck my dick, suck my fuckin dick, you know how long it took me to make that main dish. Fucking vampires have no appreciation, place would have a Michelin star if it wasn't stuck in the middle of nowhere Ru-who the fuck are you?" Shade's ranting came to an end when he came around the bar to his drinks and saw the new face. Everyone recognized a new face in Krovs, wasn't that big and regulars were regulars. This guy wasn't a regular. "And what fucked up shit brought you here? Vendetta, running from some shit, or you one of them sociopath/psychopath types?" He got a chance to answer since the cambion took his shot and started chugging his beer as a chaser.

[cassianlord]

Cassian watched Soren with unmasked amusement, his eyes crinkling at the edges as he tried to resist a grin. This one was squirrelly, wasn't he? He watched his eyes go from Cassian to the books, back to Cassian. Any time Soren happened to look at him, Cassian made it a point to have intense eye contact. He liked being respected and just a little bit scared of. Just a little.

"Ha. So we're both newbies. At least I don't feel so alone," he said, giving a pleased hum deep in his chest that nearly sounded like a... Purr? A growl? Something that could easily be mistaken for human if one wasn't listening too closely. He cracked another box and folded it, wedged it in next to the first one. When asked about why he moved all the way out here, he paused and gave a true smile. A hand lifted as he tilted his handsome head back, long fingers pushing back his hair. They lingered at the back of his head for a moment before slipping down to the back of his neck instead, gripping.

"If I'm being honest, this is a vacation for me," he answered, "I was out in California in the US doing plastic surgery for about a decade but the clients or their assistants or whatever were really grating on me. I was sick and tired of the meetings, the emails, and all of the garbage. I was only ever in it for the money and the artistry. After so many rhinoplasties, boob jobs, and buccal fat removals, I didn't see the point in dealing what came with them when I had more than enough money." He paused and then added, "For now."

He rolled a shoulder in a shrug and dropped his hand, focusing on breaking down another box. Cassian rolls his eyes at the thought of what he'd left behind. Good riddance.

"Anyway, this is about as far as you can get from all of that. Little town in Russia, nice and tucked away at the foot of an honest to Gods mountain. And between you and me, I'm curious about the whole... Krovs Castle situation. Polarizing subject, I know. But color me curious."

Soren took in as much as he could of the newcomer without too obviously sizing him up and was... surprised. The doctor -- Cassian, was rather tall even by Soren's standards, but otherwise looked completely unsuspectingly like any other man. A bit roguish, maybe, in his mannerisms, like the fathers of his old boarding buddies who kept up their youthful personas long after they'd swapped out uniform jackets for a suit and tie. Cassian nearly sounded like one of them too, though Soren's own affected accent was actually a bit crisper, toeing the proper line far more aggressively. It was an easy one to lean into, when Soren had nearly spent as many years in the UK as he had in his native Mumbai by the time he had all his schooling under his belt.

"Cassian it is then," He replied agreeably, covering up his mild confusion with a polite smile. The man was approachable to point of it circling back around to unsettling again. Or maybe Soren's nerves were just getting worse. Maybe he had interpreted the gossip wrong. "Happy to help. Done plenty of this myself the past few weeks." It probably would've been easier to fake some excuse for needing to get back to work, but he'd offered and was beholden to that now. If anything, proving he knew how to be useful might at least leave a good impression.

Soren rolled up his sleeves, draping his lab coat over the back of the unoccupied chair facing Cassian's desk as he tried to hide the apprehension that crept over him at the way the other played around with the sounds of his given name. "Not long at all," His eyes were drawn inevitably to the heavily laden bookshelves, unable to resist the urge to ferret out where Cassian's interests lay, if any of them were complimentary to Soren's practice, "In fact, I think I have you beat by only twenty-one days, exactly. It's a... unique place." To put it lightly. "Not the most obvious spot for a career move, either. What brings you all the way out to Oymyakon?"

[cassianlord]

When Cassian had secured this new position for himself, he had truly thought that it'd be a tiny little clinic in nowhere, Russia. He should have known differently. Krovs Castle had a reputation, had had a reputation for a long time. Why had Cassian thought that the funds being used for the slaves wouldn't trickle down into Krovs Town? He's thoroughly impressed with the modern equipment and any doubts he might have had about this place were put to rest. As a doctor, this place would be his home away from home.

The morning had consisted of meeting most of the staff. He made sure to get a good look at everyone he'd met to match names to faces, especially his nurses. After a tour of the facility, he'd tucked into the office that was going to be his. Luckily, his boxes had arrived safe and sound from the United States where he'd last lived. He'd hung up his suit jacket on a coat rack left behind by his predecessor, rolled up his sleeves, and began to unpack.

Most of what he'd brought with him were books and medical journals to reference. His memory was like a steel trap and he knew them cover to cover, but he still liked to look at his collection. He's just finished sliding the last couple of books onto the expansive shelf when he hears his name. Cassian turned and set his hands on trim hops, dark eyes flitting over the staff member he hasn't met. An assessing expression melted into more of an easy-going one, broad and squared up shoulders relaxing like he forced them to.

"Dr. Lord, yeah. But all staff can call me Cassian." his voice was deep-ish and pleasant, a slight tinge to his tone like he found something particularly amusing. "Settling in great. Just finished up unpacking and now I just have to break down these boxes to recycle if you really wanna." A big hand gestured to the stack of moving boxes as he moved toward them himself.

"Ravi, Ravi, Ravi." He said as if tasting the other's name, rolling the syllables around on his tongue. "You lived in Krovs Town long?" He picked up a box with big hands and ripped the bottom flaps holding it together. He folded it and tucked it into another box for ease of carrying.

for @cassianlord

Soren thought there'd been a mistake at first, when he saw the big office being emptied out adjacent to his lab. It had taken clinic gossip to realize he hadn't accidentally been given a spare place and there would be another new doctor in residence -- his superior, in technicality. Cassian Lord. Definitely a formidable name, at least when reading it in passing off of the new placard on the door. Soren tried to put his nerves about the new arrival to bed in the days before the doctor's arrival, comforting himself with the thought that he'd probably only deal with the man in passing when their duties happened to overlap. A bit of small talk about their personal histories, the patient demographics of the area. Soren wasn't even as much help there as the established nurses would be. So he would keep it polite, give the attention he owed the newcomer in a professional capacity. Smooth sailing from there.

Then he heard the word 'dragon' strolling past two of his coworkers at lunch one day and all Soren's easy expectations had tumbled down again. He really wanted to think it was just an exaggerative turn of phrase. He suspected it wasn't. Manners were even more critical, then. The human presented himself mid-afternoon, late enough that the other would have had time to unpacking his things but not so close to the end of the day that Soren would be keeping him from getting home. Trepidation was perhaps the most prominent of his emotions, but Soren somehow felt himself curious as well. There were too many factors he hadn't identified yet.

The biggest lie was the simplest one, the one Soren had already said the most since arriving in Krovstown, rolling easily off his tongue as he hovered in the new doctor's door with his hands clasped behind his back: "Doctor Lord, is it? I'm Ravi Surendra, your - neighbor of sorts." He gestured over his shoulder to the door leading to his lab, "I wanted to introduce myself and ask how you've been settling in. Can I offer any help?"

[cassianlord]

His head swiveled back to the bartender. His dark eyes swept over him now that he'd done more than serve him his drink. Trying for friendly, he gave a half-grin. "I'm very new. It's my second night," he replied easily. "Just got in yesterday. Had a flight from America and a long drive from the airport. I'm actually functional tonight." A pause. "Mostly." He huffed a breath of a laugh and took another sip of his beer. It's not a brand he recognized but it was delightfully crisp. Cassian tilted his head briefly, nodded after. He'd noticed the street that the venue was on was a bit higher end. "I was expecting... Less. That's my own mistake. I should have connected that the clientele from the castle would come down here to enjoy themselves as well. I'm Cassian, by the way. I'll be the new physician at the clinic."

"You must be new 'ere," Finn replied as he cleaned up some empty glasses left behind by some patrons now that he'd given Cassian his order. Course he didn't recognize the man when he walked in and Finn had been in Krovs long enough to know nearly all the names and faces in both castle and town. A pretty important and necessary skill in his opinion and his former line of work. Cannabites wasn't busy at this hour and no one was requesting him so he could chat for a bit. The familiar smiled warmly at the other man then. "You'll find this isn't your ordinary small town, plenty of luxury shops and "fancy" sorts of restaurants and nightlife are all along this street. Considering the majority of clientele stayin' in the castle up the top of the mountain, it makes sense nothing 'ere is basic."