Casual Bro Talk [Cassius & Dominic]

Cassius was currently in his room at the Seymour family residence in Haling Dove. The room’s interior was filled with expensive furniture, it looked like it was out of an interior designer’s catalog. Cassius had a few items of his here, though mostly from his teenage years. A few posters on the wall, some old art supplies he hadn’t touched in years were on one of the shelves. A camera laid on top of the desk next to some textbooks from his economics and business classes. His room looked untouched for years, as if no one had been living there for a while. Yet not a speck of dust could be seen anywhere.

The reason why he was home was because his mother had insisted on a family dinner yesterday. It wasn’t the heartfelt and cozy family dinner most people probably thought they had. It was more of a business meeting. The atmosphere around the dining table had always been cold and distant. The conversation topics weren’t much different. It was either him and his siblings giving a report on how school was going or his mother or father (sometimes even both) ranting about something. They had even decided to have a family breakfast today as well, which with no surprise, the topic of the conversations during breakfast had been about Irene Ford’s newly published article.  

When Cassius returned from the family breakfast and into his room, he glanced at the phone laying on his bed before picking it up. It had been to long since he had talked with Dominic, so he thought of calling him now that he had some time for himself. He also had to report to him what he had seen while at the diner with Gwyn. He quickly found Dom’s contact info and started calling. He sat down in the office chair next to the desk while he waited for Dominic to pick up.

Dominic was exhausted. Lately, he had been used to surviving on only a few hours of sleep, but this night might have been the tipping point for his health. It could be that he had had a good night of sleep the night before which had made his body raise its standards for needed hours of sleep. It could be that his night had not only included sleeplessness but also a black-eyed Cad and a whole new array of worries. Honestly, Dominic wasn't sure anymore. Being so tired that his body felt weak and shaky made everything else melt into a blob of issues.

This wasn't the first time he had felt this tired, but usually he could force himself to sleep in on days like these, his body aching for rest. But not today. No, when the clock turned 8AM and the article was posted on the website of Cirrane Press Society, Dominic was already up, clothed and sitting in his bed with his laptop opened. Somehow, he had managed to rub his eyes enough for them to focus in on reading the article. First simply skimming it, and then reading it again and again, analyzing - possibly over-analyzing - each written sentence.
In all of his worrying, he wasn't even sure what he had expected. Probably an article twisting their words, making them seem even more villanous than before, if that had even been possible. To his surprise, that wasn't what had been done. Yet, it was only to his surprise and not to his relief. Because, while Ford hadn't twisted their words, she had included the words of someone else. Eve Lowe, a professor, whom Dominic had read a lot of articles about since this wasn't her first public comment against the EFA and nachon warlocks. His stomach turned itself into a knot as he read her remarks, his fingers clenching around the laptop. Ending the article in such a manner - it made all of his and Cadmus' comments seem like pure lies, like manipulation. Ford might not write anything like that herself, but she must have been aware of that placement. It must have been strategic.
Dominic felt sick to his stomach. And he didn't feel tired anymore. Just angry.

He had spent the entire morning in his room, on his laptop, scrolling through the internet, reading the first reactions to the news article. A lot of people applauded Irene Ford on her great journalism, while still condemning the EFA. A lot of people critiqued her, claiming her siding with a terrorist group and making light out of the crown prince's death. Plenty of politicians and other important people had already made posts about it online, saying things such as:

"The EFA's claims of discrimination are just a diversion tactic. We should not be swayed by their attempts to paint themselves as victims. The focus should be on addressing potential threats posed by their actions."

"It's alarming that the article is suggesting we should treat Nachon warlocks on par with other citizens. Their powers are inherently dangerous, and the EFA's proposal completely disregards the potential harm they can cause."

"The EFA's denial of any responsibility in the prince's death is concerning. The article should be focusing on the ongoing investigation and holding this organization accountable if they had any role in the tragedy."

It just kept on going, new posts showing up again and again, the hashtag #NoToEFA. Dominic found himself staring at that hashtag, when suddenly his phone rang. He flinched and his heart skipped a beat due to the shock of the sudden sound. He looked at his phone screen, fearing who it might be.
Cass.
It had to be about the article. About his family's reaction.
Dominic's hand around the phone was shaking as he brought it up to his ear, accepting the call while doing so.
"Hey, Cass," he said into the phone. His voice didn't shake like the rest of him. He didn't sound calm either. He sounded tense. But that seemed to be his usual sound now. "What's up?"

It didn’t take long before Dominic answered Cassius’ call. “Hey Dom” Cass started, he was a bit unsure how to go on about the conversation. Should he just go straight to business or just start off casually. But then when it came to the EFA it wasn’t like Cassius to not go straight to business. He took a deep breath before he spoke.

“I have a few things I’d like to report,” Cassius said, his voice as serious as it always was when it came to the EFA. He made sure to speak in a hushed tone, just in case someone were to walk past his door and wouldn’t hear him, but loud enough for Dominic to hear through the phone.

“Firstly, as you know Gwyn and I went outside, she did apologize, but she eventually spotted godia warriors walking around in Erast in civilian clothing.” He said. He was meant to tell Dominic about that sooner, but had ended up too busy. Cassius might not know Gwyn but he was certain she wouldn’t tell Dominic herself, so as just in case, he had decided to mention it.

“Secondly, I take it you have read the article?” Cassius continued. “So has my family, an interesting topic at breakfast,” Cass said. Gosh he needed to stop with the joking in situations like this. His mind went instantly back to the conversation at the breakfast table that morning. It had been weird to say the least.

It was nicer than Dominic had expected to hear Cassius' voice. They hadn’t talked just the two of them since the day the crown prince’s body had been found, they had barely talked at all. Not that they had had that much time to hang out beforehand, with Cassius having to keep his distance due to his families while also having his whole other life to take care of, and Dominic being busy with keeping the EFA afloat. But they had their days and were usually good at giving each other a call. Now, it seemed like forever since the last time Dominic had heard Cassius greet him. It was nice to hear him do that now, grounding Dominic. Even when his voice was hushed, revealing his stay at his parents’ before he told Dominic it himself.

However, this wasn’t a call just to chat and check up on each other. Dominic knew that even before he had picked up the phone, but Cassius also went straight to business. Which Dominic appreciated; he also wanted to check up on his friend, but there was only so much he could have his mind on at once. He could check up on Cassius, when at least some of his other worries were in order.

He adjusted the way, he was sitting and laid the laptop on the mattress next to him. “Go ahead,” he said to Cassius, and the warlock went ahead. Starting off by updating him on his lunch with Gwyn. Dominic just nodded to the first, he said, without realizing that it wasn’t the only thing he had to tell him. But Cassius’ sentence kept going: but she eventually spotted godia warriors walking around in Erast in civilian clothing.
His breath got stuck in his throat. His chest tightened and his body stiffened. Gwyn hadn’t mentioned anything about the Godia Warriors. Godia Warriors, she could spot even though they were wearing civilian clothing. Which could only mean… it had been the same Warriors that had been after her.
As mentioned, Dominic’s could only have so much on his mind at once. These news seemed to be the last drop. Gwyn had already occupied too much of his mind, being more an ocean than a drop, but at least he hadn’t had to worry about her, when she stayed at the HQ. If she had been caught by the Warriors-
Dominic felt his chest clench harder around his heart and his mind was racing because of that. Because of that feeling.

But then, he had to refocus. Cassius was still talking – luckily this was a phone conversation, where he couldn’t see Dominic’s reaction – now changing the subject to the article. Right, the fucking article.
He pinched his nose bridge with his fingers. “I’ve read it, yeah,” he said, responding to Cassius’ dry humor with a puff of air that could be a laugh, could be a frustrated exhale. “I bet,” he said, trying to be sound more lighthearted – when he was more lightheaded – and then added: “Anything your dad wants to act on?”
His heart was still beating hard and suffocatingly against his chest. He just hoped he didn’t sound as out of breath as he felt.

Anything your dad wants to act on?

The question made Cassius think back to when he had found the documents in his father’s office, which he had told Dominic about a week ago. Though he had not seen or heard anything more about those documents.

“My dad only made it clear that he did not like the article” Cassius answered, remembering his father’s clear disgust in his expression when the article was talked about. “Though I do think it has just made him more determined.” Cassius added. “My mother on the other hand…” Cassius continued. “Well I do hope she won’t run into Irene at the party tomorrow” Cassius said. At least he hoped she controlled herself despite getting tipsy. He knew his mother after all, She was a perfect example of a high socialite, especially one that grew up in high society. And like most socialites his mother did drink at parties, to his father’s embarrassment at times. Though they always used the alcohol as an excuse afterwards.

“That article was very controversial, I do hope something good comes out of it for us” Cassius said. He had been thinking about it all day. What if the article would just make everything worse? Yet it was also time for the EFA’s voice to be heard. He had a feeling that change was coming, slowly, yet he was scared of what that change would be.

It wasn’t as bad as Dominic had afraid of. It was still bad – Cassius’ dad becoming more determined was very much not what they needed right now – but in light of everything else, it wasn’t anything new to worry about. Just… the more of what they already worried about.
Dominic felt like he gained more control over his breathe again. In a way, it was a blessing in disguise how tired he was; he was too fatigued to stay tense for long. His heart was still disturbingly loud and palpable in his chest, but he managed to sit back in his bed in a more comfortable way while listening to Cassius’ update.

He huffed at Cassius’ remark about how he hoped his mom didn’t run into Irene tomorrow. Right, the birthday party for the politician Robert Jenkinson. Dominic had forgotten about that. Under these circumstances, Jenkinson wasn’t a big threat. He was an influential part of the awful Prime Integrity Party, but he hadn’t done half as much damage to the Nachon citizens in Ilomar as his father George Jenkinson and his affiliates. Robert seemed to simply copy what politicians before him had said and then having a smile and a picture-perfect reputation to elevate his campaign.

Politically, Dominic was against him. Obviously, as the man had literally said in a debate earlier this year: “We should not waste our valuable efforts on congenital criminals.”
Of course, this was a rare quote from Jenkinson, since the politician hardly ever spoke directly up about the topic of Nachon warlock rights. He did it every now and then indirectly when speaking on behalf of his political party, but almost never on behalf of his own political campaign. No, the politician’s own campaign was centered around family values, around securing the rights and protection of the proper nuclear family.
Because of that, Dominic disliked him personally as well.

He must admit that it felt a bit nice to be reminded of a person like that. It wasn’t often these that Dominic could feel a condescending bitterness towards other and that felt good – it was easier to believe your own worth when feeling angry over people like Jenkinson who had everyone convinced that he somehow was worth something.
Dominic sat in that feeling and eased up enough to start playing with a loose thread in his bedding. He decided to focus on that feeling, letting that bitterness consume his mind instead of everything else. He was mostly successful – somehow Gwyn was still at the back of his mind. He tried not to stay at those thoughts.

“Looking forward to the party?” he asked Cassius after his friend was done updating him. He didn’t hide his bitterness. He had no reason to – Cassius had several times before fallen victim to one of Dominic’s anti-politician rants. “When is it anyways tomorrow?”
He asked, because he already now had plans to call the EFA members to a meeting tomorrow, discussing the article and their upcoming plans to help deal with the overpopulation of refugees at the HQ.
Dominic didn’t comment on Cassius’ last sentence about something good coming out of the article. After having done the interview, Dominic had felt good about it, but now, when seeing those comments against them, he regretted it.
Also, he just realized that Irene Ford was publicly on good and close terms with Robert Jenkinson. How had Dominic not seen that as a red flag? So stupid of him to think a journalist friends with a politician like Jenkinson would write an article that was in the favor of Nachon Warlocks.

Dominic asked him if he was looking forward to the party. “Not really, parties like these are always exhausting” Cassius answered honestly, parties like these being high society like parties. Sometimes, moments like these made Cassius realize that Dominic was one of the few, perhaps the only person he could truly be honest with, if you looked away from all that Cassius had not told him, things that Cassius had vowed to himself to never speak of. Yet, it was still nice to have someone he could honestly answer questions like these, without a worry about what his family would think if he said somethings to certain people.

“It’s at 7, so if it gets too dreary I can always leave with the excuse of an early lecture on Monday” Cassius answered the second question Dominic had asked him, his tone showing signs of a barely there jokingly banter. Though now that they were talking about a politician, Cassius half expected Dominic to once again go on one of his infamous (to Cassius at least) rants against any politician to grace the political world of Ilomar.

“If it’s going to be like any other of the parties my family gets invited to, I will most likely end up sneaking away with that excuse within an hour” Cassius said. After years of parties like this Cassius had mastered the art of finding a solid and proper excuse for leaving such things early. It had never been his thing. Only problem was the angry grumbling from his parents when they eventually got home at how he must stick around once in a while instead of leaving at first chance, such was his duty as the heir to the family.

Cassius stood up from the bed, walking towards the window. He glanced at the darkened clouds that hung over the estate garden. A garden filled with plants from all over the world. The clouds gave the garden a grim atmosphere, and in a sense that grimness spoke to something deep within him. Usually, on a weekend day like this if the weather was sunny he would see one or two of his family members spending time in that garden. Now the garden was left behind, the inhabitants of the mansion opting to stay inside. He took a quick glance at the art supplies laying on his shelf gathering dust as they had not been touched in years. A memory flashing in his mind as he remembered the last time he had touched them. Cassius shook his head, in an attempt to shake the memory out of his mind, as his gaze returned to the solemn garden.

“I take it you want to plan a meeting tomorrow, right?” Cassius said, and he was quite certain he had guessed correctly. He had known Dominic for years, nearly a decade, and had been a close confidante for some of them now. He knew Dominic and his style of leading. And this article was definitely a reason to hold another meeting, especially if they were to figure out how to proceed now.

Dominic nodded his head to what Cassius said about the party, even though he knew the man on the phone wouldn’t be able to see it. He could imagine such events being exhausting. Several hours of playing fancy and putting on a mask surrounded by hundreds of people doing the exact same thing? Sounded like Dominic’s worst nightmare – when excluding the other more death- or genocide-related worst nightmare.  

Then Cassius told him about his idea for an excuse, and Dominic breathed out through his nose out of amusement. “Smart,” he said, before adding a bit to the joke with the same dry humor, “Or say that you forgot you had homework to do.” Dominic knew that at university it was no longer called ‘homework’, but he tended to forget, mostly because he couldn’t be bothered learning the difference between high school terms and university terms as he had barely attended either of them. It seemed like a fair excuse as well, Cassius’ at least. Who even puts a big social event on a Sunday evening? Apparently rich people had no obligations that they had to attend to early Monday morning like most citizens who worked 9 to 5 jobs.

While Cassius continued talking, he stood up, not for any particular reason, just because he felt the typical restlessness that came from a phone conversation. “You just gotta get it over with,” he said, half to support his friend, half to show his dissatisfaction of what he had to do. He did a slow-motion version of a side kick towards his heavy bag, placing the top of his foot against it. “And of course, if you hear anything, let me know,” he added.

Dominic couldn’t really visualize Cassius at those sorts of parties. Sure, he had seen pictures and videos of him from different news outlets – rarely about Cassius, but about his family or about an event he attended where he can be seen in the background – but it never really seemed like Cassius when Dominic looked at them. More like Cassius playing dress-up or acting as a spy. Dominic couldn’t really phantom that the EFA was Cassius’ secret life, not the other way around.

Dominic didn’t even think about how Cassius guessed correctly on the first try. He just kept playing with his work out gear and answered: “Yeah, we need to talk about our strategy going forward, now with the article out and all.” His stomach coiled inside, just mentioning the article. He pushed that aside but turned away from the heavy bag. “We also need to talk about a new refugee route.” He couldn’t hide the worry and tiredness in his voice, when continuing: “Two showed up today. A 21-year-old woman who’s just been evicted by her landlord before he informed the Godias about her. And a 16-year-old teen” His voice tensed, as resistless anger flared up inside him. This particular story hit too close to him. “who’s been living on the streets for the fast few months after being kicked out.”

The HQ were getting way too packed. Before this, it was a rare sight that the bunkbeds all were occupied. Now, the only way all refugees had a bed to sleep in was because the two new refugees, who had gotten close in their search for the EFA, was fine with sharing the twin size bed, that was available, because Andy and Sophia, who had become a couple, were okay with sharing a bed with each other. In the long run, this wasn’t viable, and Dominic had ordered four mattresses to be received next week. But even with that, they would soon run out of floor to place the mattresses on. And then with Gwyn still having to sleep on the couch.
Dominic felt his chest tighten again at the reminder of Gwyn. Fucking Gwyn…  

He shook his head and got a better hold of the phone against his ear. “Anyways, we’ll discuss a new route tomorrow,” he said, not wanting to discuss it further now, “And I’ll make sure to plan it so it won’t overlap with your party.” The last part of that sentence contained a slight tease towards his friend, the word ‘party’ being exaggerated dryly with a faint smirk finding its way on Dominic’s lips.

Cassius leaned on the window, his eyes still at the garden down below as he listened to Dominic speak. “That works too” He said to Dominic’s suggestion. He chose to ignore the sad reality that he realized by Dominic’s words. “I will just like all the other times” Cassius answered as he turned away from the window, moving over to the bookshelf on the opposite side, still far away from the door. “I will,” he said, his tone as that of a soldier accepting orders from their commander.

The books on the bookshelf ranged from school books from previous semesters to some old classics. Some of the books had barely been touched, yet to be read or just sitting on the shelf as decoration. Some had spines telling how they had been read through again and again. Cassius had not bought one single book on the shelf himself except the school books of course. Some he had received as gifts from friends and family, others were passed on to him from his grandmother on his father’s side, she always insisted he take one of her old books (most likely inherited from ancestors) whenever he visited her for some tea. and one book, a collection of stories, was from uncle Dorian.

Cassius turned away from the bookshelf when Dominic spoke about the meeting. He nodded along as Dominic said what the meeting would be about. Cassius did notice the worry and tiredness, even the way Dominic’s voice tensed as he mentioned the teenager. He chose not to say anything, knowing that commenting on it wouldn’t do any of them any good. Cassius didn’t say anything. Perhaps it was because he didn’t know what words were right, but what words would be right? Cassius had spent the last decade as a part of the EFA. Hell, he had seen the injustice even before then. Cassius hadn’t noticed the iron grip he had on his phone until he saw his knuckles grow white in the mirror hanging on the wall in front of him. He hadn’t noticed the step he had taken away from the bookshelf either. Cassius couldn’t quite look away at his own tired complexion, well more tired than usual. and in the faint light of the ceiling lamp behind him, he swore he could see the residue of black ashes on his hands, yet it was gone in a second.

Cassius heard the teasing tone in his friend’s voice at the last sentence. He let out a breath through his nose as sigh before he spoke. “Great, I’ll make sure I will be there” Cassius had never once missed a meeting, he always showed up. It was almost a given he would, yet he couldn’t help but confirm his attendance to Dominic.

“Thanks, Cass,” Dominic said to Cassius’ promise about being sure to be there to the meeting. The man rarely missed a meeting, so Dominic hadn’t expected otherwise. But it was still nice hearing it. And nice that Cassius felt the need to tell him. It was a part of the little ways the two men reassured each other. Reminding each other that they were there for each other, no matter what, no matter that Cassius was calling from the luxurious mansions in Haling Dove and Dominic picked up his call from the filthy, broken buildings in Erast.

However, as the conversation seemed to come to an end, Dominic felt the growing tightness in his chest lingering from the first news Cassius delivered. The faint smile, he hadn’t even noticed had appeared on his lips, disappeared again, as he decided to ask Cassius about the encounter.

“And hey – about the thing with Gwyn.” His voice was lowered as if he didn’t want anyone overhearing this part of the conversation. “Did she say anything to you about it? And are you sure they didn’t see you?”

They probably – luckily – didn’t see them, or else the HQ would have been stormed by now. But Dominic still had to ask, had to know more about the situation that Gwyn had been hiding from him. His fingers were tense in their grip around the phone, and he stood still in the middle of his room. His eyes locked on the end of his bed for no particular reason, just to have somewhere to look, while waiting for his friend’s reply.

Cassius moved his eyes away from the mirror. He took the steps back to the window again, looking down at the garden once more. He leaned against the window frame as he listened to Dominic speak, asking him more about the situation with Gwyn.

“She did say it was the same godia that had questioned her and made sure she got that visit a few days later” Cassius answered, thinking back to how she hadn’t even looked at him as she said so, rather into her lap. Most likely she had been scared. “I don’t know if they saw us inside the diner, but I am very sure no one followed us when we left” Cassius added, leaving out the part where Gwyn had asked him not to tell Dominc, it was unnecessary information which could possibly just worsen the already bad relationship between his friend and the new resident of the headquarters. It was kind of Cassius’ way to ensure that the other refugees had as much peace as possible there.

Movement could be seen in the garden and Cassius felt his body tense up, getting ready to jump into action if necessary. His mind was going over every possible scenario where something went wrong, was it an intruder? If so, how had they gotten past the security measures that his ancestors had put in, which his father had for as long as Cassius could remember was up to keep and that the maintenance was done. Cassius didn’t notice he had held his breath, not until he let it out with sigh as he saw what was some sort of bird flying away into the distance.

Dominic took in every word Cassius said, processing it, even though it sounded like an echo over the noise of his own heartbeat. He could feel himself holding his breath, but even as he tried exhaling, some of it still seemed stuck in his throat. His fingers didn’t ease up on their grip of the phone either.

“That’s good,” he said to the last part of Cassius’ response, about how the Godia Warriors didn’t follow them. If Cassius was sure, then so was Dominic. Still, his words sounded dry, due to the irony and incongruence between them and the actual situation. That’s good. What was good? That the Nachon citizens were facing harder discrimination and violence than ever before? That the EFA were on the brink of not having enough resources to save those who showed up in desperate need of help? That the interview that he had agreed to as an attempt to make things better had only caused more negative attention on their group?

That Gwyn had kept the truth from him about her having been in danger?

Dominic’s jaw clenched. The headache, which was becoming a regular occurrence, was back. He shut his eyes and rubbed his thump and index finger over the point where the aching was the most prominent; not surprisingly right where his frown was.

“Thanks for calling, Cass.” Though Dominic truly was thankful, it couldn’t be heard in his tense voice, “I’ll text you later with the time for the meeting, alright?”
He was about the end the conversation. What he actually wanted was to continue talking, dig a little deeper, tell Cassius about his sleepless nights and constant worries. Hearing his friend’s voice reminded him that this was actually a possibility. But not now, not over the phone, and not when everything in Dominic’s own mind was too disorganized to articulate.

“Good luck with your family. See you tomorrow,” he said as to end the conversation for good.