Invitations [Cassian]

And so, the dashing adventurer returned with a quest well done to the guild to receive his payday, not a scratch on his garments. Though he was trying to look common, his flowy white tunic was made of shimmering satin and his black slacks were obviously tailored. His buckled boots were gleaming from a fresh polish, and he'd forgotten to take off the various gold rings on his fingers or the earring in his left lobe. The only thing that made him look remotely as un-noble as he wished was his eyepatch and low-tied long hair.

If only all of his job vig-making opportunities could existing only on the Avalon Islands. He hated leaving those tropical beaches anymore, but the lifestyle he led could hardly be supported by Velvet Reign functions alone. A few of his clients as a Host had fallen on hard times and didn't have the coin to pay for his time, and it was still several weeks off from the next gala. The frequent beach parties only put a band-aid on his hemorrhaging finances.

Could he just stop spending all of his hard-earned currency on fancy clothes by his favorite designer? Sure. Could he deprive himself of the finest dining in the whole tourist town? Absolutely. Could he lay off the booze and other substances to keep the party and the women entertaining? Yeah. However, would he ever do any of those willingly?

Absolutely not. Cassian du Villanell may be determined to become his own man with money he made all by himself, but he wasn't dead! Boring lives were for the old, dusty nobles that couldn't even get any from their own wives anymore. He'd live his life until he absolutely had to take his place as the head of the Lyndon Port noble family.

Speaking of family, he'd just met his mother at a winery about a block away for a secret handout so he could make this month's rent. All that alcohol sloshing in his belly was threatening to make him day-drunk, so he thought it'd be best to soak it up with something baked. If he wasn't mistaken, there was a bakery nearby. Predigio Bakery, was it?

It was. The blue-haired man stepped inside, his lone visible eye taking quick inventory before settling on the silverette sipping his coffee nearby. There was something striking about him. "Hello~" called the tanned man, his voice dipped in honey and smooth as the batters they baked their cakes with.

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"Hmmm," the man hummed as if he was giving it intense thought, though he wasn't really doing anything but observing the lone currently visible member of bakery staff. There was just...something off about his back. He walked farther into the cafe and leaned his hip against one of the tables while crossing his arms in a relaxed posture. This slightly altered position did little to clear things up. "What do you recommend," he paused to lean forward, dropping his eye to the tag on the apron, "Beaux? What's good here at Predigio?" he asked, not bothering to really look for himself. He wanted to know what this silverette would do.

"In fact, I think I trust you well enough. You seem like you have good taste," Cassian said suddenly, though he really had nothing to base this assumption on other than shallow aspects alone. This was an attractive young man seeming to be sizing his customer up just as much as the customer was him. If he made good choices, then he only proved himself right. If he made poor choices, well, that gave the heir something to tease him about, now didn't it? "Why don't you bring me your personal favorite?"

Now that his challenge was issued, he eagerly awaited the man turning his back so he could get a better look at whatever was going on back there... not that he looked eager. He was the epitome of masks and controlled expressions, but his curiosity was certainly piqued. Surely this young, lithe thing didn't have a humpback! That would be a tragedy most severe.

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No, his eye was definitely not on the apron. Maybe his butt a little-- it was a really nice butt, how could he possibly resist?-- but mostly the lumps higher up on the man's shoulder blades. Cassian could be subtle when it served him, but given how easily flustered this man was with a single eye trained on him, he considered it'd be much more entertaining to tease him. Beaux got adorably clumsy when he was nervous, didn't he?

Back to the lumps. As he seated himself properly at the table, he became reasonably certain that he knew what they were now that he had a better look. This young man was either a Gaiyan, likely a Creature of Olde or Angel, or an Anthro Avian or Draconyte. Given the lack of any other detectable "non-human" traits, he was willing to bet on the Angel option, though he couldn't say he'd ever met one with Beaux's temperament before. Interesting.

With his best customer service face on, Beaux served Cassian his favorites, a hazelnut mocha with whipped cream and a chocolate-filled croissant, well done and smelling delicious. Both were very sweet items. So he wasn't the savory type. That seemed to fit. If sugar could be a person, he was starting to think Beaux would be the perfect example.

"Cassian," the blue-head offered casually, the fingertips poking from under his finglerless gloves picking up the pastry and bringing it to his mouth. He took a bite, appraising as he chewed. It was quite delicious. The buttery flakes reminded him of breakfast, while the rich and creamy chocolate elevated it to a dessert. He hadn't been intending on something so sweet after all the wine with his mother, but it was still nice. Lifting the mocha to his lips, he took a sip of it as well. It paired nicely with the croissant, still sweet but with enough bitterness from the coffee to break up all the sugar. When he lowered his cup, he became aware that some of the whipped cream was on his upper lip. As he turned his sly eye onto his bakery attendant, his tongue licked the sugary foam away with intentional sultriness. "Lovely choices, Beaux. I'm impressed~" he smiled, but his attention had long shifted from putting something into his stomach.

Without missing a beat, and before the silvery employee could go about his other work duties, Cassian brought up the big, angelic elephant in the room. He was never shy and rarely ashamed, so he thought he'd just put it out there. "So, why are you hiding your wings under your shirt like that? You aren't fooling anyone, you know," the eyepatched man asked, placing one elbow on the table so he could leisurely cup his chin in his hand. There was no malice in his question, he was just genuinely curious about the decision and its consequences. "It makes you look a bit humpbacked, which is a crying shame for someone as attractive as yourself."

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Ah, the goldfish. I loved it when they turned into silly little goldfish, lips moving soundlessly searching for something to hide behind but finding nothing. Cute. Cassian smized as Beaux suffered, but it simply had to be done! This was a kindness, one that others avoided on the pretense of kindness. Really, they were just avoiding an uncomfortable conversation. It was selfish. The noble-born man was mighty selfish in many ways, but not when it came to faking ignorance to save someone's feelings. Just another of the many reasons he avoided Lyndon Port and his family responsibilities.

"Oh? Do my tasty confections come with a lengthy tale as well?" he asked impishly, defying Beaux's hopefulness with a dashing curl of his lips. Cassian was a man raised with the finest of manners, most of which he chose to ignore. He wanted to know more regardless of whether the employee was uncomfortable or not. It wasn't as if the beautiful young man could escape. Well, he could, but not without risking his job. While they could both possibly be wrong about their ignorant assumptions concerning one another, he was willing to bet the rent money he'd just gotten from his mother that this man was the responsible type that wouldn't abandon his post just to avoid an awkward conversation.

"There aren't any other customers, you know~. You could have a seat and get it off your chest... or off your back, in this case," Cassian simpered over his own play on words. He lifted his delicious drink to his lips again, sipping slowly as his visible eye remained trained on the angel with ease. "Who knows, maybe I have some ideas of how you can either find the perfect outfits to accentuate them. I'd have to see them first, of course."

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A special kind of thrill always went through Cassian when people did what he wanted. Perhaps it was his spoiled side. Given how the man was acting, he'd been prepared to be denied and have to go about things a different way (since he was rather invested), yet the man slinked off to the kitchen to comply. How fun! Peeps at Wings weren't even on the menu to the average new customer, so this was certainly a treat, as well as a jumping point for all sorts of ideas for this delicate and compliant angel boy. The noble adored a good sport. He picked at his pastry as he waited, hoping the silverette wouldn't take too

And then the angel, a proper one now, returned. The tanned face lifted from its idle place resting in his palm, tilting with interest as he scanned the revelation with a little gasp. His mouth then pulled into a pleased smile as Beaux rejoined him, looking so adorably nervous.

“Ah, what a vision you must be at parties,” Cassian purred, unable to keep himself from imagining those wintery feathers reflecting the rainbow hues from twinkling crystal lights. It was hard not to frame everything within the circumstances of his life, which was predominantly a lavish, thriving nightlife and extravagant galas. Oh, and beach parties. That pale skin could use some sun... How much better would the angel look in elegant clothing tailored to both that lithe body and those heavenly wings? He was tempted to send for his tailor on the spot.

"We can definitely work with this. Clothes with premade holes in the back aren't impossible to find, or a tailor can just alter them for you...as well as repair those cut outs. I know one in town I can show you. He might even give you a discount if we go together," the smooth man continued, his mouth pulling into a small frown at the stiffness in Beaux's shoulders and the downturn of his eyes. Walking his fingers over, he placed his hand in the angel's line of sight, then waved. "You should show those beauties proudly, just like those eyes you're hiding from me. There's nothing to be ashamed of. Why so tense, love?" Cassian asked, flirty, yes, but not without compassion. Messing with people was fun, but prolonged discomfort was fun for no one.

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The smile on the noble's face broadened as the angel visibly relaxed. Much better. There might be some hope for this guy yet, and there was definitely a ton of potential. It was disappointing to hear Beaux didn't go to parties, but he hadn't said he wouldn't. Perhaps he just hadn't had the opportunity, and Cassian only attended the best of the best so surely he could show this man how to really live it up in style.

Cassian's pleased expression faltered as Beaux's face grimaced. Perhaps he hadn't thought ahead to potentially forcing a painful memory, but then again, he had presumed he wouldn't care much. He was selfish and wanted to know something, so he usually didn't let those things go even if it made his target uncomfortable. However, seeing such a face on this beautiful man hit a little different. His flirty charm retreated altogether as Beaux revealed his horrific experience, replaced by genuine concern and disgust. Some people in Vyldermire could be so vile. His brows creased as his lips pulled into a frown. "Beaux..." he started, but trailed into uneasy uncertainty.

"I'm...so sorry," he said after a moment, sobered. It was the suave man's turn to be a bit knocked off balance and unsure what to say. He wasn't the type to be honest or genuine unless he gained something from it, and in a way that was still the case since he did hope to get some time with the man, but it was far more from the heart than usual. This wasn't exactly a typical situation or something he was used to dealing with. Serious matters weren't Cassian's thing.

Truly comforting someone wasn't particularly in his wheelhouse either, given he was a spoiled and selfish man, but he seemed to decide to make an honest effort. "There are some pretty scummy dickheads, but even that's a bit...extreme," he spoke again, troubled by just how awful it was. Normally the only ones that received that kind of treatment were Anthros, and even that was supposed to be secret blackmarket stuff that "didn't happen". To so brazenly drug and threaten a Gaiyan, which he assumed Beaux was, was so risky in these modern times. How terrified had he been to desperately try to hide his wings? "I hate that you went through that, Beaux. Thankfully, most people are less, er, awful, or at least awful in other ways. In the larger Common Realm cities, anyway. You shouldn't have to worry in Engloria," he tried to reassure, but words only meant so much. Someone like Cassian would know how shallow words were. "You might want to look into sealing your wings. I'm no angel to help with that, but I do know some angels can hide and reveal them as needed, if you're interested."

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Cassian's eye had drifted to the feathery appendages, wondering how something he considered so aesthetically pleasing could possibly strike someone with enough venom to want to cut them off. The noble was depraved in many ways, but it hadn't once crossed his mind that there might be those out there so twisted that they collect body parts of living people. Was it because they were so pretty? Was it a Gaiyan kink? "I'll find someone and put them in touch..." he said airily, his tone a bit distant. It was a bit unusual to be so helpful for potentially no personal gain, but... well, only someone heartless could hear that tale and not offer some sort of help. Cassian was a lush and a playboy, but wasn't a monster last time he checked.

Coming back into focus, his monogaze returned to the understandably downhearted and stressed Predigio employee. There had to be something he could do...and that thing just happened to be mutually beneficial. See? Cassian always found a way to get what he wanted, even if it meant being genuine for a change. "You really look like you need to let off some steam. All this stress will give that handsome face some nasty wrinkles," he said after a moment, a bit of his cheeky banter returning. "It would really be inexcusable if I let you be ruined that way, you know? I think a party would do you all the good in the world," the bluette continued, pulling his long ponytail over his shoulder to twirl around one of his fingers. He smiled easily, one corner upturned a bit more than the other which always made him look either mischievous or suggestive. "If you'd accompany me, I know of a fantastic party coming up that is just what the doctor ordered."

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Got him!

Annoyed that their chat had been interrupted by the nerve of an invading customer, his evil satisfaction that his invitation was accepted waned into a single narrowed eye at the woman. Yes, he knew how retail worked, but that didn't mean he had to like it. Cassian was used to getting his way. He wouldn't sass the woman, though. He had to maintain his suave demeanor and chilly detachment, as much as one could trying to quickly eat a pastry and finish off a now luke-warm coffee.

Upon receiving the receipt's message, Cassian sucked his bottom lip between his teeth. Even his writing style was cute. It just didn't seem fair that this guy was so unwittingly attractive, but showing true interest in the party was a step in the right direction. Of course, Beaux was genuinely interested. The noble had never been rejected. A part of him already felt bad knowing he'd likely subject the man to some... frustration down the road. Self-aware as he was, normally he'd think nothing about putting his own desires before the feelings of someone else. As calloused as it sounded, perhaps sitting and having such a deep personal conversation with Beaux had been a bad idea. If he'd always intended to play around without forming any attachments no matter who it was, as was his usual modus operandi, he should have stopped at the shallow aspects. He's cute. Fix the humpback to enhance attractiveness and reduce embarrassment. Party.

It occurred to him that maybe it'd be best, given the unusual nature of their meeting, for him to ghost the man... but Cassian was nothing if not a risk-taker, so he threw caution to the wind.

Meet me at Silverbay pier three days from now. You might want to pack a bag, maybe even take some time off work? Avalon Islands is a bit far from here, love. ♡ Cassian


Even in the days that followed, which mostly consisted of making his own way back to his home away from home, Cassian reconsidered his offer several times. He could send Beaux a messenger bird to cancel, he could just not show at the pier, there were many avenues he could've taken to nip this questionable decision in the bud. The simple fact that he was concerned about showing the angel a nice time and apprehensive about how spending time with him might affect him was out of the norm. It was also basically a new experience to doubt himself, given he was normally so unapologetic and confident in all he did, good and bad.

Reminding himself of his confident nature, the dark-complected man arrived at the port with his head held high, an easy smile on his lips, and dressed in a white, short-sleeved button-up over his tight swim shorts. This would be fine. He'd asked countless people to parties and nothing more than clinginess and tears had ever come of it. Nothing that ever affected him. This would likely be the same, and if all went well, Beaux will have had a wonderful once-in-a-lifetime experience to always reflect back on.

He was completely confident the silverette would actually show, too.

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Hearing his name, the young noble slowly turned, then squinted a little as if staring into the sun. The angel practically glowed, he was so pale! Like a lighthouse’s beacon in the night. If not for the blue floral shirt, Cassian thought he might go blind in his one good eye, and what a tragedy that would be. Despite being fluorescent, he looked every bit of someone pretty enough to ruin... in the best of ways, of course.

"Welcome to Avalon Islands, Beaux," the navyette smized, trying not to seem as pleased as he felt. Always chill, always smooth, like top shelf whiskey.

Today should be a fun time since he couldn't think of a single scenario that would be something he couldn’t handle. Besides, this party was technically on his turf. Though not on the Velvet Reign premises, it was down the beach and being thrown by one of the wealthier inhabitants. Wealthy enough to rent out a sizable chunk of the white sands for privates use in hopes of luring the rich and affluential of Mirinah into his grasp. He’d even hired some folks from the nearby faction to host and mingle, but Cassian was on the guest list properly, as was whoever his plus one happened to be. He had no intentions of revealing his less-than-common heritage, though. As usual, he felt no one needed to know he was the heir to the du Villanell estate. That always came with a slew of problems, and all of it, even the nepotism it came with, was avoided like the plague... unless it benefitted him in a more localized and selfish way. Like this one. Where he could take a date and had access to the highest quality foods and booze in a day of priceless excess on someone else’s vig.

“Blue is certainly your color, love. Great choice. It accentuates you well,” he said idly, turning to lead the silverette curiously down the pier to where a small motorboat was waiting for them. Otherwise he seemed aloof, though pleasant enough. It was all part of the game. Cassian would place out bait to lure people in, tease and make offers, but he never chased. He wanted to be desired, tasted, but never truly attainable. “We’ll need to take a short ride, but it’ll take us directly to the party,” he informed his ‘date’, the hope down into the boat revealing his slim but toned chest, since his shirt wasn’t buttoned. Reaching up, he offered his hand to Beaux so he could safely jump down. “I hope you’re ready to have some fun, Beaux~”

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So quick to draw his hand away. A shame, but the man restrained a grin, more than happy to watch Beaux and all his little movements and reactions. He said with his back to the left side of the boat, admiring the wind ruffling those snowflake feathers and shimmery silver hair. Though clearly still stressed and in need of release, there was something rewarding about the emergence of Beaux's cheerful chirps.

Though the two shared a favorite color, the angel wasn't really within Cassian's normal 'type', if it could be called that. The lush did appreciate attractive faces of all types, and Beaux certainly fit that, but personality-wise, he enjoyed the more confident, rowdy, but vapid ones to party with. The kind of people that would nearly trip over themselves to entertain him and all but begged for his attention and affections, but in the most surface level of ways on both his part and theirs. To be blunt, worthless people to be used as needed and tossed aside. Cassian had yet to find anyone worth his time and effort. It was too much trouble to deal with those who were shy and would distract him from his evenings of unabashed debauchery, but things would get boring if nothing ever changed. The noble hated boredom and predictability. Trying something new could spice up his rebellious days of freedom. Beaux screamed different, and it drew him in whether he liked it or not.

"Wild~," Cassian answered Beaux's question deviously, looking like some sort of sultry demon of vices for a moment before it melted back into his charming half-smile. "This beach party is being thrown by my buddy Hamish," he continued, though he used the term 'buddy' loosely, the guy was a parasite, "and he really knows how to orchestrate things. Not only is a premium spot rented for this private event, but he also rented the resort at the edge for those who party a little too hard. There will be loud music that's perfect to dance to, games, chef-catered foods that most people only dream of, and endless booze. What happens there stays there, if you know what I mean~." The impishness returned, his pale blue eye gleaming in anticipation. "Best yet, it's all for free and the partying doesn't stop until dawn. You'll see the worst sides of the upper crust of Mirinah, and it's simply fascinating!"

His mind wandered briefly through the past parties Hamish had thrown, what he could remember of them, before it came back in and he returned his eye to his party guest. The mist from sliced waves tickled his skin and dampened his hair as he sat there, considering and hopeful. "Tell me, do you dance?"

As the question left his lips, the aforementioned beach popped over the horizon and grew larger at a rapid pace. The thumping of bass could be heard bouncing off the waves, and the sands were dotted with lots of people dancing and laughing or passing around a beach ball. A makeshift dock was set up away from the swimmers, which is where their boat docked to let them off.

Cassian hopped out, again extending his hand out to Beaux.

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"First, we're going to ease some of your tension. It'll be hard for you to find out if you can dance if you seem like you're looking for the nearest place to hide," Cassian answered with contagious confidence. "The whole point of this is for you to have some fun and destress," he winked, starting a leisurely amble off the small pier and into the sand. Of course, Beaux had a choice about drinking and could certainly decline, but the ponytailed man would be imbibing and assumed a little liquid courage would help draw his angelic guest out of his shell.

Weaving through the crowd was easy enough, though some did cast them a glance or two. This was honestly for a myriad of reasons. From some, it was a spark of resentment toward the noble known for his wordly rowdiness, but also his detachment and aversion to his noble title, which they'd at least hoped to use for their troubles. More looked wistful, leeched on to a less attractive but more accepting wealthy person, jealous that he'd shown up to the party with someone new and different at his side. Some turned those eyes on Beaux, sizing him up, picking at him in petty whispers, while others unlinked to Cassian simply eyeballed because it was a beautiful angel with downy wings. It was a little unusual for a Gaiyan to be at such an event, let alone an angel. However, as the runaway heir navigated himself and his guest through the crowd toward one of the many full-blown bar counters set up in the sand, he held his head high, looking down on but also ignoring all of those who didn't reject their own status in a way only Cassian could pull off. With a careless smirk, he dared anyone to say anything to Beaux, and he enjoyed that this level of power was something he commanded due to his own efforts, not because of his last name. There was a reason that he, despite refusing to be treated as a noble, was still invited to these things.

As they settled into a standing table near one of the emptier bars, the one-eyed man turned his gaze onto his date with interest. The strange word Beaux had spoken earlier hadn't gone unnoticed, and Cassian wasn't the type to let something like that slide. He was a curious person who liked knowing things. He might seem lazy and uninterested in anything but partying but he was always listening, storing information away in case he could use it later. A waiter appeared to take their drink orders, which saw the man order a large, intensely blue drink befitting a beach party, a mix of tropical fruits and enough different liquors mixed in it to put him well on his way to getting drunk. It was called a Tidal Wave for a reason. After getting Beaux's potential order and leaving them alone once more, the navy head pounced. "So, what is jzhuh swee?" he asked, unable to hide his curious enthusiasm.

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The lie landed as smoothly as Cassian moved and talked. The man leaning against the table across from the silverette was by no means gullible and was normally quite sharp, but he had no reason to suspect this was anything but true. He had only his own preconceptions to go from, and as far as he knew, Beaux was a Gaiyan angel with quite a different culture. Gaiyans said all sorts of wacky things from the human’s perspective, so Cassian absorbed this and filed it away. “I see. I like the way it sounds,” he purred, tilting his head with interest. “It reminds me of the colloquialisms I heard while traveling once. Every word that left their lips had such a romantic accent, I could hardly hold myself back, which was fine because they didn’t even try,” he peppered in a story with a devious chuckle. The man loved to tell tales, though whether they were true or not was always the true mystery.

The drinks were brought around, though they were a struggle to carry on a normal tray. Cassian’s drink came in a deep cup, rim sugared and decorated with cut fruit, tiny umbrellas, and a large scoop of vanilla ice cream seafoaming the top of the brilliant blue cocktail wave beneath, chilled with a few ice bubbles. However, the flamboyant Tidal Wave was hardly the trouble. It appeared that ‘Bartender’s Choice’ was something the rebellious noble recognized as a Pot-Bellied Chomper Bowl. It came in a pedestaled fishbowl nearly twice the size of Beaux’s head. It was filled with a stronger cocktail than what Cassian had ordered, mixed into a darker blue and green layered effect with lots of chopped fruits and crushed mint leaves. On top, a large fruit resembling the texture of watermelon but blue in color had been carved into a Pot-Bellied Chomper head, mouth open where a thick straw poked out.

Cassian couldn’t help but give a surprised laugh. This drink had a different name among its previous victims. The Deflater. Despite its size, everything was delicious and fine for two-thirds through the drink, but the mixture at the bottom... well, most people didn’t remember what happened after that. “Beaux, do you hold your liquor well?” he asked with an amused grin, waiting to sip his own until he was certain his guest had a drink he would actually drink.

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