ChiefCassia takes a quiet breath of frustration, but it does not escape your notice that her ruby eyes are intently observing your reaction.
YOU"A tome? That's why you are distracting me from my duties — because of some long-dead saint?"
Chief"I beg your forgiveness, Lord Captain. It was outrageous of me to approach you with such a trifling request. Please, let us forget about this... misunderstanding." With a courteous farewell gesture of her thin hand, Cassia exits your study.
end of branch
YOU[Ignore the handkercher] "Ah, I see. Why, certainly — you are welcome to peruse my library at any time."
Chief"You truly are most kind to me, Lord Captain." Cassia picks up her handkercher and glances in disappointment at the bookshelf. "With your permission, I shall take you up on this offer right away."
ChiefCassia runs her thin fingers along the many-coloured spines of the old tomes. She picks out a few treatises of varying sizes and degrees of wear and tear, then nods gratefully. "These will do splendidly for now. Thank you for your gracious generosity, Rogue Trader. Now that I have access to your personal library, I have no reason to miss my old archive on Eurac V any longer."
end of branch
YOU[Pick up the handkercher] "Here, you dropped this."
ChiefCassia gingerly accepts the handkercher from you, making sure not to touch your hand, then nods in gratitude and looks away sheepishly. "Thank you, Lord Captain. I... I believe I should return to my chambers now."
YOU"But what about the book?"
ChiefShe graces you with a half-hidden smile and swiftly leaves the study.
end of branch
YOU"I could escort you!"
ChiefShe graces you with a half-hidden smile and swiftly leaves the study.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Nod in understanding]
ChiefShe graces you with a half-hidden smile and swiftly leaves the study.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Pick up the handkercher, bring it to your lips, then return it to Cassia]
ChiefThe soft fabric tickles your lips, and the subtle scent envelops you like a thin veil. Cassia accepts the handkercher with a nod of gratitude and, for the first time, gives you a look filled with warmth and affection. "Thank you, Lord Captain. I... I believe I should return to my chambers now."
YOU"But what about the book?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I could escort you!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Nod in understanding]continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 2 of 3
ChiefCassia takes a quiet breath — she must be greatly embarrassed by this circumstance.
YOU"A tome? That's why you are distracting me from my duties — because of some long-dead saint?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Ignore the handkercher] "Ah, I see. Why, certainly — you are welcome to peruse my library at any time."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Pick up the handkercher] "Here, you dropped this."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Pick up the handkercher, bring it to your lips, then return it to Cassia]continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 3 of 3
Chief"Lord Captain? Could you spare a moment to discuss... a personal matter?" Cassia's less than graceful movements betray her anxiety. She lowers her eyes slightly and fidgets with a satin handkercher as she waits for your answer.
YOU"I am 'Lord Captain' once again, I see. Surely you know that you may call me by my name?"
Chief"I may... but I will not. I would not wish to overstep any boundaries around anyone, let alone the Rogue Trader himself."
YOU"I am 'Lord Captain' once again, I see. Surely you know that you may call me by my name?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will admit I am intrigued. What is this personal matter?"
Chief"I am rather embarrassed to ask you about something like this, but... last I was here, I noticed a curious tome on the shelves of your personal library. A rather heavy-looking volume bound in a worn gilded cover with the symbol of the Adeptus Ministorum on it... 'Martyrdom of Saint Visteria,' I believe it was." Cassia waves her hand in the direction of the shelves, and the satin handkercher slips out of her fingers. "Oh!"
YOU"I must apologise, but I am indeed quite busy at present."
ChiefCassia clutches the handkercher so tightly that she tears it with her sharp nails, flinching involuntarily. "I understand... I dare not distract you further."
end of branch
YOU"I will admit I am intrigued. What is this personal matter?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I must apologise, but I am indeed quite busy at present."continues where this line first appears above