Chapter 51: It was just a sip

Chapter 51: It was just a sip Cass would be the first to admit it. He was a sucker for a good park. How the man found out about it, was a completely different story, if he even knew it. Cass had always found peace in nature. It was why it hurt so much when Sam had restricted his movements again after he had tasted the freedom of the gardens around the mansion. This? Outside, where he could hear the birdsong, the sounds of people moving about their everyday life, and the soft whisper of violin music in the distance? He would never admit it to Lord Vespertine, but it was a good way to earn brownie points with him. He was never going to admit it to him though. "How is your food?" Lord Vespertine asked and Cass blinked. He’d been lost in thought, staring at the fountain and listening to a couple have a not so quiet argument nearby. "Oh. It’s...good." Cass told him and Lord Vespertine chuckled. "It looks...appetizing." Lord Vespertine told him and Cass knew he was trying to be complimentary. Even his tone sounded...like he wasn’t sure he’d even want to put it into his mouth. Cass pushed a piece of chicken around on the plate, chuckling at the bland colour of it. "Honestly, I wish I didn’t know what food tasted like before this. Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t notice the difference. It’s not bad, I just...miss some things." Cass admitted. "It’s interesting that I can drink pretty much anything, but eating? It does not follow the same principle." Cass told him and Lord Vespertine shifted, interested. "How interesting. What do you remember tasting?" He asked. Cass licked his lips, staring at the white meat on the plate before him. "Flavour." Cass muttered and Lord Vespertine sputtered, before he tossed his head back and laughed. He had to put down his goblet so he didn’t spill his drink. Cass noticed that the man had only taken a few bites of his sandwich, but had drunk a full bottle of whatever was in that goblet. Interested. Cass was very interested in what was in that goblet of his. "Lord Cassian, does your food lack it?" He asked, laughter in his gaze as he looked at Cass. Cass swallowed, pushing another piece of chicken around. "I hadn’t tasted gravy in years until that test the other day." Cass sighed. "I didn’t realise I missed it." His words felt like they came from not just him. The feelings, too. It was an odd time for Lord Blackburn to voice his concerns, but at the same time...maybe not. He’d been eating this bland food for a longer time than Cass. "Oh. Uh, I’m sorry then. I hate that it causes you so much pain. Do you...know what causes it?" Lord Vespertine asked carefully, cautiously and Cass worried his lip, frowning. "Well, I have a few ideas, but..." For some reason, Cass didn’t want to speak more of it. Lord Blackburn didn’t want him to say more. Cass just wanted to make it seem like Cass knew what was going on, but Lord Blackburn felt like he was panicking inside of him. It appeared Lord Blackburn did not like this topic of conversation. He hated it, about as much as when he’d taken over Cass’ body last time. Cass, nervous that he was going to do the same thing, worried his lip more. Lord Vespertine watched him, taking in his nervous behavior and let out a soft sigh. "Is there any way to prevent this? Where you could have...gravy again?" He asked carefully and Cass let out a harsh laugh. "I...there are a few things that are preventing me from that. I doubt...with my current circumstances that it would ever be a reality for me." Cass told him, his hand clenching around the fork in his hand. He reached for his goblet, taking a big gulp of the liquid inside before mindlessly grabbing for his bottle and topping himself up. Lord Vespertine watched him, his own brows furrowed. "This doesn’t sound like a normal allergy. Have you...thought about going to the temple for help?" Cass flinched. He didn’t need Lord Blackburn to tell him that would be a bad idea. After he’d read up on the world around him after he’d already gone to the temple, he’d realised that his family had a terrible relationship with the temple. Especially after whatever had happened with his Mother and his Father. His Father had cursed the temple before he’d stepped down as the Duke. It had not won them any favours with the common people, since the temple took care of quite a few of the poorer districts, and the Blackburn’s were seen as forcing that level of poverty. That, and add in Cass’ own hatred of the ’gods’ specifically, it didn’t seem like a good idea for him to go to a main temple. "I...don’t think that would be a good idea." Cass muttered and Lord Vespertine frowned. "What if you went with me? And wore a cloak? No one would know it was you, and I’m sure my Father would be excited to see you. It’s been ages since he last saw you, and he still talks about you. He keeps track of your name in all of the newspapers that come out." Cass blinked. What? That wasn’t written down anywhere, and his brain was coming up a blank as Lord Vespertine’s expression brightened. "You really should come. He’d probably even break out the good china for your visit. We should go! Oh, we can get Gideon to come with us too! It’ll be all of the next Dukes in one room! Wouldn’t that be fun? We could go for tea after and really shake up the capital!" Cass opened his mouth, unsure what to say, and then closed it again. "Uh...Are you sure that’s a good idea? Don’t we...aren’t we close to finding another lead? Should we be discussing things like this so casually when we’re on a quest?" Cass asked and Lord Vespertine rolled his eyes. "I never took you for a workaholic, Lord Cassian, but maybe I should have. It’s good to take breaks, and I think it would be good for you in particular to get away for a little bit. You’re so pale. You never see sunlight, do you?" Cass didn’t want to hear that from him of all people, but he had a point. "I...do my best. I just have a lot on my plate." Cass muttered quietly, nervous. He knew he needed to keep his walls up against him, but it was hard when that handsome face smiled at him and expressed his concern for him. Cass had always been a sucker for a handsome man, even before. "We all have a lot on our plate, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take a break. We should go next week! I’ll let Gideon know!" Something in Cass surged forward, and he lost control of his lips again. "I’ll be busy next week. I have to take it off, as usual, Lord Vespertine." Cass tried not to gasp for air as he was suddenly thrust back into the body. He felt himself tremble. He felt like throwing up. God, that wasn’t anything like the last time that Lord Blackburn had taken over him. He’d seemed desperate, worried. Concerned. It had been so quick as well. Why had he turned down Lord Vespertine? What was- Oh. He remembered now. Lord Blackburn always took about a week, sometimes five days off at the end of the month without any fluctuation. Cass had no idea what it was about, but he guessed that it was drawing near. Lord Vespertine frowned. "Oh right. I forgot about that. I guess we’ll have to do it when you are free then." He said, turning a smile towards Cass and Cass nodded nervously, pouring the goblet’s liquid into his mouth. Fuck. He was so thirsty suddenly. Cass reached back and grabbed a bottle, Lord Vespertine’s gaze turned away as he watched a couple pass them nearby. They were a couple, even if they were pretending not to be. Two men, out for a stroll in matching outfits. They were adorable, and Cass felt his lips turn up as he watched them behave nervously. Worried that someone was going to call them out. Damn it. His grandfather did that, and by extension, so had he. He was going to have to fix that before he left here. Another thing to add to the list. He wasn’t going to let that be a burden on his mind if he could avoid it. Cass finished filling up his cup, putting the bottle back behind him just as Lord Vespertine glanced back at his movement. Cass was already raising the goblet to his mouth when Lord Vespertine’s eyes widened. "Wait! Lord Cassian, that’s-" Cass had already taken a sip, the liquid running over his tongue nothing like the black tea that he was expecting. It was thick, flavourful, and slightly...minty? With a tinge of metal? What the hell was this? What on earth? Cass stared down at the cup while Lord Vespertine waved his hand, his goblet floating in the air as he grabbed Cass’ face in his hands, his eyes wide and panicked. "Spit it out! Dear gods above, spit it out!" Lord Vespertine was shouting, and Cass stared at him blankly. "I...already swallowed." Cass told him and Lord Vespertine closed his eyes, his face full of pain. "Oh fuck. I’m going to be in so much trouble if you get sick because of me. You should have been more careful! Both of our bottles were there, and you grabbed mine! Normal-It’s a health tonic! Specially crafted for me, so you might get ill. I have no idea the full ingredient list in it." Lord Vespertine told him rapidly, panic painting his words. "I promise it wasn’t my intention to get you to drink it. I didn’t want to see you ill again." He was desperate to get Cass to believe him. He didn’t have to try hard. Cass could tell by the honest way the panic suffused into his expression. The man was well and truly concerned. "I believe you, Lord Vespertine, but you should move back. I wouldn’t want...to cover you in my blood if I get sick." Lord Vespertine looked horrified. "Oh god. You’re going to throw up again. I’m going to be the cause. I have no idea how to beg you for your forgiveness." He was flustered, his hands still gripping onto Cass’ and Cass couldn’t help himself. He laughed, placing his hand on top of Lord Vespertine’s. He smiled at him, chuckling, and Lord Vespertine froze. "I made a mistake. I should have been paying attention, Lord Vespertine. It’s not just on you. I know that you wouldn’t be this cruel. It’s also such a long plan to try to do something like this. I wouldn’t expect that of you." Lord Vespertine swallowed thickly. "I...I don’t know if I should feel insulted by your words or not." He muttered and Cass shook his head. "It wasn’t an insult. We’ll just have to...wait and see." Cass muttered, preparing for the crippling pain that he had experienced last time. "We should probably call Sam over. Hopefully he has the powder for my healing tonic. If not, I feel today will be cut short." Cass muttered and Lord Vespertine looked broken. "You just got better too. Oh, I feel horrible!" He was practically wailing, as if he was the one who was going to experience the pain. Cass shook his head. He was overreacting, but he would admit, it was nice to have others be concerned for him like this, even if it was fake.