Shadow Slave/// Oldest Dream

The two of them sat together at the bar, and Cassia had no idea what to do with herself. What was he thinking? Why was he doing all of this? She didn't know — trying to understand a lunatic was like eating soup with fork, useless and exhausting.

He'd taken her for a ride first. Apparently, he had enough money to afford a PTV, but gods... the way he drove! It was a miracle they weren't arrested for reckless driving on the spot. And now, they were here — at a bar. Drinking.

Well, at least the drinks were good. She found herself nursing a sweet cocktail. Mai Tai, was it? That one was dangerously sweet, the kind of drink you could sip all night without realizing how much trouble you were in.

Cassia frowned as she sipped her drink, her piercing gaze fixed on Klaus.

"Who are you really? Nothing about you makes sense. You want to learn about me… well, I want to learn about you too. You're a dangerous man."

Klaus sighed and leaned back against his chair, swirling the liquid in his glass. Why was she so difficult? Couldn't she just enjoy the moment? Did the survivors of the Forgotten Shore even know how to relax? How to have fun? Was it really such a crime to find joy in something simple?

"Relax, darling," he said lazily, offering her an easy smile. "We're not enemies interrogating each other. I already told you—I like you. Don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about some ridiculous love-at-first-sight nonsense. I like you. You're interesting… and frankly, very easy on the eyes."

Her expression hardened at that. Relax? How could she? How could she allow herself to enjoy life after everything she had done? It wasn't that simple. The memories of the Forgotten Shore never truly faded. The fear, the helplessness, the constant fight for survival—it was all still there, carved into her bones. And so was the guilt. The hatred for her own weakness.

"Don't act like you know everything," she snapped. "You sit there, so smug and self-satisfied, but not everyone can live like that. Not everyone can just ignore their past, their responsibilities, their regrets. Maybe you don't care. Maybe your life is all good and easy. But not all of us are like that!"

Klaus didn't react the way she expected. He didn't get offended, didn't push back. He just looked at her with an amused smile, his violet eyes glinting under the dim bar lights. Lifting his drink, he took a slow sip of bourbon before responding, his voice calm and smooth.

"Well… good luck with that."

Cassia narrowed her eyes, irritation flashing across her face, but Klaus continued before she could snap at him again.

"But tell me—does any of that actually solve your problems?" he asked, tilting his head slightly. "I get the type of person you are. Always thinking of others. Always trying to do your best for the people you love. But have you ever thought about yourself? Have you ever done something just because it made you happy? Because you wanted it? Have you ever let yourself feel joy, excitement, satisfaction? Or do you think so little of yourself that you don't even believe you deserve it?"

Cassia stiffened, gripping her glass a little too tightly.

"I don't—"

"I'm not saying I understand what you've been through," Klaus interrupted, his voice softer now. "I don't know what you did, what choices you made, or what kind of regrets you carry. I wouldn't insult you by pretending otherwise. But here's the thing—if you don't put any value on yourself, who will?"

For a moment, there was only silence. Cassia stared at him, unsure how to respond. Klaus exhaled slowly, glancing down at his own reflection in the polished wood of the bar.

Then he looked back up at her and smiled at her gently.

"At the end of the day, no one is meant to be alone." His fingers tapped against his glass, his voice wistful. "It's just too sad that way."

The two of them sat in silence for a while, the only sounds between them the gentle clink of glasses and the low hum of conversation around the bar. After a moment, Klaus raised a hand, signaling the musicians tucked in the corner. A soft melody drifted into the air, weaving through the room like a warm breeze.

"How about a dance?" he asked, his voice light but inviting.

Cassia glanced at him, caught off guard by the sudden suggestion. Her first instinct was to refuse—dancing in the middle of a crowded bar wasn't exactly her idea of blending in—but the way Klaus smiled at her, charming and encouraging, made it hard to say no. Before she could protest, his fingers slipped around hers, gentle but certain, and he led her to the open space near the bar's small stage.

His smile widened, pure delight flickering in his eyes. "Relax. Just for tonight… let's make this moment a little magical."

Cassia hesitated, then allowed herself to follow his lead. The wooden floor was smooth beneath her boots, and the air smelled faintly of woodsmoke and something sweet—maybe vanilla. Her fingers curled slightly around his hand, and for a brief moment, it was almost easy to forget how strange this whole night had been.

Klaus watched her closely, his curiosity impossible to hide. The way she moved—light on her feet, instinctively turning to avoid other tables or chairs—confirmed his suspicion.

"Tell me something," he said, his voice soft so only she could hear. "Does your Aspect… give you a kind of second sight?"

Cassia sighed quietly, her steps never faltering. "No, not exactly. My ability lets me sense what's going to happen a few seconds ahead."

Klaus tilted his head, intrigued. "Ah… that explains a lot."

She glanced up at him, frowning slightly. Even while they danced, her head turned here and there, as if she was still trying to look at the room despite her blindness. Maybe it was habit—an old reflex to seem normal in front of others.

"Are you sure this is allowed?" she whispered. "No one else is dancing."

Klaus chuckled, his hand resting lightly on her back as they swayed together. Leaning closer, his breath brushed against her ear.

"We can do whatever we want, love." he whispered. "After all… I own this bar."

Cassia blinked, unsure whether to laugh or groan at his audacity. But as the music swelled, and Klaus spun her gently beneath the dim light, she found herself smiling despite it all.

____

They walked side by side through the quiet streets, their steps echoing softly against the pavement. This time, Klaus hadn't teleported her home, nor had he driven her in some flashy PTV. They just… walked. It was strange how natural it felt.

Cassia glanced at him, narrowing her eyes slightly at the ever-present amused smile tugging at his lips. She was a bit drunk—just enough to make her thoughts loosen—but judging by the way Klaus was walking a little too confidently, he was probably even drunker than her. He did drink a lot. Like, a lot.

And yet… it had been a surprisingly pleasant night. Even if she wouldn't admit it to his face, she'd enjoyed herself. The guy was annoying as hell, but somehow, it was the good kind of annoying.

Klaus turned to face her, walking backwards without missing a step, his grin playful.

"Why so quiet? Don't tell me you're feeling all warm and happy now. Let me guess—you're secretly swooning over me? Of course you are. I am irresistible, after all. And I have my ways with women, too."

Cassia blinked, her tipsy brain catching up to what he'd just said.

"Ohhh…" she muttered. So that's why he's... That explains lot...

Her brow twitched in irritation.

"And tell me, Mr. Klaus—are you some kind of womanizer then?"

Klaus laughed, and to her annoyance, it was the kind of laugh that sounded genuinely pleasant, like music you couldn't help but like.

"Not really. I've spent time with a few fascinating ladies, sure, but nothing serious. Why? Getting jealous?"

Her cheeks warmed, and she looked away with a huff.

"Maybe I just don't appreciate the ramblings of a perverted bastard."

Klaus clutched his chest in mock offense.

"Ouch. You wound me, my lady. But really, I'm not sixteen anymore. People have relationships, Cassia. It's normal. I mean, I once read about a girl who gave birth at fourteen—that's crazy. Me? An adult enjoying the company of someone I like? Perfectly natural."

Cassia had no idea how to respond to that. Technically, he wasn't wrong, but for someone like her—who had zero experience in any of this—it was still embarrassing.

"Whatever," she muttered, crossing her arms. "If you think you can seduce me, you're delusional."

Klaus gave her a soft, knowing smile.

"That's why I like you."

A breeze swept past, making her shiver. It was still winter, after all. Only now did she realize how underdressed she was—just a simple blue dress, no coat. Before she could dwell on it, Klaus was already slipping his own coat over her shoulders. The warmth was comforting, and she gave him a small, grateful nod.

"Why did you take me to all those places tonight?" she asked softly. "I still don't get it. Why bother?"

Klaus didn't even need to think.

"Because I like you. Is that so hard to believe?"

She stopped walking, grabbing his coat sleeve and pulling him to a halt.

"Yes."

Klaus looked down at her hand, and after a moment, she let go, stepping back awkwardly. But he closed the distance again, his voice gentler this time.

"You're beautiful, Cassia. Strong, sharp, and fascinating. From the moment I saw you, I couldn't help but want to know more. There's something about you… a kind of light that's rare in this world. I didn't want to miss it. And tonight just made me even more certain—I like spending time with you. And no matter what you think, I have no intention of hurting you or anyone you care about. Noticing you was inevitable."

Cassia stared at him, completely disarmed. Her mind scrambled for something—anything—to say, but nothing came. What was she even feeling right now? She had no frame of reference for this kind of thing.

Before she could figure it out, they reached her house.

"Oh… we're here," Klaus said, his voice dipping into something almost wistful.

Cassia followed his gaze to the familiar house.

"Yeah."

Klaus sighed, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

"Shame. I would've much preferred taking you to my place."

Cassia snorted softly.

"Right. Let me guess—your house is some ridiculous mansion?"

"Awakened might be wealthy, but I'm unreasonably so," Klaus said with a grin. "Do I fight Nightmare Creatures all the time? Nope. Do I get paid absurd amounts by the government? Not exactly. What do I really do? Ah…"

Suddenly, he spread his arms wide and laughed, loud and carefree.

"I'm Klaus! Having everything I want is just part of the package! It's the most natural thing in the world!"

Cassia shook her head, half-amused, half-exasperated.

"Have you ever seen the world?" he asked abruptly, his grin softening into something more sincere. "Not just Forgotten Shore or NQSC. I mean the world. The real thing."

Cassia sighed.

"Not really. My life was pretty ordinary. School, fencing academy… same as every other girl from my district."

Klaus stepped closer, his eyes shining with excitement.

"I could show you everything, you know. The real world. Ancient ruins, lost cities, wonders left behind by history itself. I could show you the stories hidden in the bones of this world."

His voice lowered, almost conspiratorial.

"There was a city once, called Paris—the City of Light. Beautiful. Romantic. Or Tokyo, a neon wonderland. Or Rio de Janeiro, wild and vibrant. Or we could go even further—to the Dream Realm itself. Bastion, Ravenheart, Chain Isles, Storm Sea—just name it, and I'll take you there."

Cassia's breath caught slightly. His face was close—too close—and for a second, she thought he might kiss her. Her heart stumbled in confusion.

But before anything could happen, the front door creaked open. Her mother stood there, eyes twinkling with badly hidden amusement.

Cassia groaned inwardly, brushing past Klaus to step inside.

"I kept my promise, my dear lady," Klaus said with exaggerated charm to her mother before turning back to Cassia.

"See you again, Cas."

With one last chuckle, he vanished into the night, leaving only his lingering warmth in the coat around her shoulders.