Fourth Floor Common Room, Friday Afternoon

[seeks_truth]

There was some manner of holiday this weekend, apparently, which had led to quiet and two days of no classes. Cassandra actually quite enjoyed her Friday class - provided Cara wasn't feeling vengeful - and to make up for the loss of it, she had spent the morning training rather harshly in the salle. Now her muscles ached in a good way, and her stomach rumbled-- so she took her mud-spattered pauldrons into the common room.

As such, anyone ducking their heads in would find Cassandra alternating between eating bits and pieces off a large plate of eggs and bacon, and scrubbing at the mud and dirt splattered across the metal. She was content, as such.

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Comments

[giveherahand]

Mara popped her head in. "Oooh, is there more bacon?"

[seeks_truth]

"There should be some left on the stove," Cassandra said, waving vaguely towards it.

Mara should be glad this was one of the few things Cass could cook without setting fire to.

[giveherahand]

"Thanks!" Mara said, going over to snag some. "It's weird to have four free days in a row without a trip," she added, sitting down.

[seeks_truth]

Cassandra looked up and opened her mouth to agree...

... then realized who she was talking to. "Mara!"

... Yes, Cassandra. Mara. "I mean. Yes. It is odd."

[giveherahand]

Mara gave her a little wave. "Yeah, it's me. It hasn't been that long, has it?"

[seeks_truth]

No, but they hadn't been alone in a room together since before Cass and Garik... well, that. And that had initially involved a great deal of grilling Garik about whether he was doing right by Mara.

Which made this somewhat awkward.

"...No," she said. "I... hope you are doing well."

[giveherahand]

True, and Mara was probably not have been mature enough to attempt this before Eggsy.

"Very well," Mara said, smiling. "Thank you for the bacon. How have you been lately?"

[seeks_truth]

"Fine, thank you."

Cassandra would have still answered as such if she'd been bleeding from several stab wounds right now, but it was the thought that counted. "How have you been yourself?" she blurted out, just a moment too soon. "We seem to... rarely talk."

[giveherahand]

Mara nodded, smiling a little wryly to herself. "It definitely seems like that," she admitted, "which was something I wanted to fix today. I'm good. Busy with work from home, but it's not that challenging, just time consuming."

[seeks_truth]

"I am aware of that brand of work," Cassandra said, fiddling with her hands, then realizing she was still wearing her (muddy) gloves. She took them off. "I... should have talked to you sooner. I."

[giveherahand]

"He's just a boy, and we're both so much more interesting than that," Mara said, focusing on her bacon. "I think, at least."

[seeks_truth]

"I agree," Cassandra said, and the relief was audible in her voice. "Wholeheartedly."

Maybe a little more heated with girl power than just relief, actually.

[giveherahand]

Mara smiled at her. "So, what have you been reading recently? I'm all out of good stuff and briefings from home are just so dull."

[seeks_truth]

Cassandra brightened further. "I have discovered this fascinating series about two women who have been friends sinds childhood," she said, "Who decide to take up dragon hunting to save their village."

[giveherahand]

"Oooh," Mara said eagerly. "And are they dressed normally? No weird outfits that wouldn't work in the real world?"

Mara was soooo over the catsuit.

[seeks_truth]

"They frequently wear sensible armor," Cassandra said, nodding. "I have yet to hear of any character with a divot between their breasts."

[giveherahand]

Mara laughed. "That's good. Or ones who fight in long skirts with not a hair out of place? Because that's not a hairspray I've found yet."

[seeks_truth]

"Ugh," Cassandra said succinctly. "Long skirts are terrible... for battle."

And in general.

[giveherahand]

Mara nodded. "I mean, imagine the disaster if something showed up at prom. No room to maneuver at all."

Not that she secretly hoped for that each time. Mara had strange hobbies.

[seeks_truth]

"I took that risk last time we had a dance," Cassandra admitted. "I found myself missing some decent leathers, at the very least. We should also be allowed to carry weapons on campus, I feel."

[giveherahand]

Mara nodded. "Just in case. I agree." She coughed. "Not that I need them at home ever but here feels slightly less safe, you know?"

[seeks_truth]

"It does not feel less safe than my own world," Cassandra said. If she sounded stern, that was just because she was built that way. "But I find it more comforting to have a weapon. Especially since this island contains its own dangers."

[giveherahand]

"Like turning into a small brat for a weekend," Mara said, making a face.

[seeks_truth]

"I did not," Cassandra said, "I... may have noticed somewhat late that others had it occur to them. I... was your ordeal terrible?" Beat. "I hope not," she added quickly, just in case Mara misunderstood.

[giveherahand]

"It wasn't terrible, but I remember being a lot more well-behaved than it turns out I was," Mara said. "I was very rude to Kathy."

[seeks_truth]

"She can be fairly rude herself," Cassandra said mildly.

[giveherahand]

"True," Mara said, laughing softly. "But I was very demanding on my breakfast choices."