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[assassinrue]

Cassius stared then cleared his throat. "Your heart hurts all the time, your mind is always with the person you love. Everything reminds you of them. And when you're with them, it's a relief everything relaxes and time seems to slow down. Everything is about them."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Averyl's brow furrowed. "That sounds... sort of debilitating."

[assassinrue]

Cassius laughed. "Yes I suppose it does sound that way, but it's the most beautiful feeling in the world."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Averyl leaned forward a bit, her eyes trained on him. He had a nice laugh. "What does it feel like to kiss someone?"

[assassinrue]

Cassius thought about it a moment. "It depends on the kiss. But mostly it makes your head spin and then drops fire right into your stomach an all you can think about is getting closer to that person. It's a little like drinking I suppose, but better, and nothing like a hangover."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Averyl sighed and leaned back in the chair. "I feel like I'm never going to experience that for myself. I have plenty of suitors, but I don't want to marry any of them."

[assassinrue]

Cassius smiled crookedly at her. "You'll find someone. I guarantee it."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Will you find someone?" she asked. "Someone new, I mean."

[assassinrue]

Cassius shrugged. "Perhaps. It's been enough time I suppose. But this isn't the right job to meet anyone with." He smiled ruefully at her. "Most the staff are men and the girls are just children."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"I must be just a child to you," Averyl murmured.

[assassinrue]

Cassius' crooked smile widened. "I've haven't though of you as such since I began working here. There is nothing childlike about you. You act grown, you are grown, everybody treats you as such."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Sometimes I don't feel grown," Averyl said.

[assassinrue]

"Well you are young. But that feeling never stops. Sometimes I still feel like a child again, and not in the good way."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Averyl smiled at him. She liked talking to him. It didn't feel like a lady talking to her servant; she just felt like a woman having a nice conversation with a man, with no rules or expectations. "What is it like living as a commoner?"

[assassinrue]

Cassius smiled. "We don't have the pressures of important families but we have our own issues. Mostly keeping the roof over our heads and food in our bellies. But we love our lives, outside, mostly free, the hard work is good for us."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"I wish... for just one day even... that I could get away and not have to worry about all this." She waved her hand, gesturing around the lavish room. "I wish I could have simpler worries."

[assassinrue]

Cassius chuckled. "A lot of common folk would wish to be in your place." He shrugged. "We all think the grass is greener."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Actually, I think many nobles rather like their position," Averyl replied. "I know my father did. I just wasn't meant for this kind of life."

[assassinrue]

"May I ask, why are you doing this alone? What about the rest of your family?"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"My mother died when I was 12, and as you know my father died yesterday." Averyl paused. "My other relatives have mostly married into other houses. I'm the only person left to take over the Karstark title."