Vent"[Name]!" Cassia whispers the moment she finds her breath. Her pallid face is flushed, her hair is dishevelled, and her delicate shoulders are trembling with agitation and barely contained tears. "It really is you..." Cassia reaches out her clawed hand and gently touches your cheek, but then, startled by her own impulse, immediately jerks it back.
YOU[Catch her hand and bring it to your lips]
VentCassia flinches, but, instead of recoiling, she grips your fingers tighter. "I was afraid that I would never see you again..."
Vent"When you disappeared, all the worlds and stars of my dreams ceased to matter. All my thoughts were of finding you. I knew... I could feel that what happened to you was far more frightening than death. And now you have returned from the Dark City in one piece. By the Gold of the Throne, I am elated, but how did you...?"
YOU"I am Rogue Trader [Name] von Valancius. It will take more than a pathetic gaggle of xenos to break me."
VentCassia nods — slowly, without any need for words. The warm gaze of her ruby eyes is drawn to your lips.
YOU[Hold Cassia close and kiss her tenderly]
VentCassia freezes as your lips join together in a sweet kiss, but then her body relaxes and her eyes close. She reciprocates slowly, uncertainly, gently... "Please, no more! I cannot breathe... I fear I may faint..."
YOU[Kiss her again] "But that is what I am trying to do. To help you escape for a time."
VentCassia smiles faintly and closes her eyes before your next kiss. When your lips meet once more, you feel as if your nerves are electrified. She kisses you swiftly and passionately, as if she is truly trying to lose herself in the moment. "Oh, [Name]..."
Vent"What could you possibly see in someone like me?" Cassia's voice is almost a whisper. She looks away.
YOU"I have feelings for you."
Vent"No, stop..."
YOU"I have feelings for you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I do."
Vent"I... I have feelings for you as well, [Name]," Cassia says in a breathy voice as she gently holds your hand. "And these feelings frighten me. But I do not want... to give up on them."
VentA moment passes. Cassia blushes even more and hides her face in her hands. Thump. Thump. Thump. Your heart races after the rapid beating of hers, each new breath you take is deeper than the last, your body is tingling, your face is burning, and so are your hands and neck... Cassia's powers ignite your desires as you stand over her, driven by passion.
YOU[Give in to your emotions] "I want you..."
VentA scorching slap sobers you in an instant, and you see Cassia's huge eyes staring at you in fear. "I knew it. I knew that this is what you truly wanted from me all along!"
VentCassia hesitates for a while, as if wondering if it would be more proper to say nothing. Eventually, however, she braces herself and firmly takes a half-step back. "Lord Captain, your attention... is making my life insufferable. You pretend to understand me. Pretend to have truly taken an interest in me."
Vent"And yet nothing could be further from the absurd truth. Your words and actions wound my dignity. This is not the relationship I have dreamt of. A lady deserves better. I ask that you accept my words with grace: we were not meant to grow close, and thus you no longer have my permission to express sentiments that breach the bounds of propriety." Cassia jerks her chin up and looks at you intently.
YOU"I understand, Cassia. It pains me to hear that I have upset you."
VentTimid doubt flashes in her eyes, but she just nods curtly. "I... do not loathe you, Lord Captain. We can still become good companions. Friends, even. But for now... let us enjoy a moment of respite from each other."
end of branch
YOU"But, Cassia, we can still make this right!"
Vent"Out of the question." Her sharp gesture erects an impenetrable wall between you. "I do not wish to continue this conversation any longer."
end of branch
YOU"Ungrateful girl! After all I have done for you!"
Vent"From the moment we met, you have always put your own welfare first, Lord Captain. I express my gratitude by faithfully serving this ship and carrying out my duties as her Navigator. Feelings, however... cannot be compelled."
end of branch
VentShe covers her face with her veil in embarrassment and rushes out of the room without even saying goodbye.
end of branch
YOU[Hold back the urge] "I wish I could make this moment last forever."
VentCassia leans forward, quickly kisses your cheek, and places something cold to the touch into your hand. "This... This is a gift. It is nothing special. I just meant to give you this when we met again."
VentShe covers her face with her veil in embarrassment and rushes out of the room without even saying goodbye.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I do not know. But I know I cannot hope to see the light in my days ever again without you."
Vent"Yes... I can see it in your colours. Your soft, warm hues... And the bright flashes whenever you look at me as you are doing right now, [Name]. I... I feel the same when I am with you! And I am afraid that I might grow to depend on this feeling. The colours of bliss are... so very fleeting." Cassia gives you an affectionate look and a timid smile.
VentA moment passes. Cassia blushes even more and hides her face in her hands. Thump. Thump. Thump. Your heart races after the rapid beating of hers, each new breath you take is deeper than the last, your body is tingling, your face is burning, and so are your hands and neck... Cassia's powers ignite your desires as you stand over her, driven by passion.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"When I met you, I discovered myself."
Vent"Oh, I can never tell if you are being serious or speaking in jest. How could you find yourself in one who has yet to find herself?" Cassia laughs quietly. "And yet, your words warm my heart nonetheless. An auspicious sign, dare I say?"
VentA moment passes. Cassia blushes even more and hides her face in her hands. Thump. Thump. Thump. Your heart races after the rapid beating of hers, each new breath you take is deeper than the last, your body is tingling, your face is burning, and so are your hands and neck... Cassia's powers ignite your desires as you stand over her, driven by passion.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I do."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I do not know. But I know I cannot hope to see the light in my days ever again without you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"When I met you, I discovered myself."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Hold her closer] "I fear that if I were to let you go, you would run away."
Vent"No, I... I shan't leave. I promise." Cassia is not trembling anymore. Instead, she clings to your chest and rests her head on your shoulder. You can feel her heart pounding in a measured, sweet, and calm rhythm. "Oh, [Name]..."
Vent"What could you possibly see in someone like me?" Cassia's voice is almost a whisper. She looks away.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Take her hand] "Please let me stay with you a little longer."
VentCassia carefully places her hand over yours and lets out a sigh of relief. "You're alive... Thank the Emperor, you're alive, [Name]."
Vent"What could you possibly see in someone like me?" Cassia's voice is almost a whisper. She looks away.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I apologise. I did not mean to disconcert you with my improper insistence."
Vent"What could you possibly see in someone like me?" Cassia's voice is almost a whisper. She looks away.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Pull Cassia closer and press your lips to hers in a passionate kiss]
VentYou sink your fingers into Cassia's gossamer hair and ravenously kiss her trembling lips, not letting her go even for a moment. "Please, no more! I cannot breathe... I fear I may faint..."
YOU[Kiss her again] "But that is what I am trying to do. To help you escape for a time."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Hold her closer] "I fear that if I were to let you go, you would run away."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Take her hand] "Please let me stay with you a little longer."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I apologise. I did not mean to disconcert you with my improper insistence."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am terribly tired. I would like to be left alone."
VentCassia flinches as if struck with a whip, and the fire in the depths of her eyes fades. "I am sorry, Lord Captain. I merely wished... to welcome you back. So... now that I have... I dare not delay you longer."
end of branch
YOU[Hold her close and kiss her tenderly] "My thoughts of you gave me strength."
VentCassia freezes as your lips join together in a sweet kiss, but then her body relaxes and her eyes close. She reciprocates slowly, uncertainly, gently... "Please, no more! I cannot breathe... I fear I may faint..."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Interrupt her with a passionate kiss]
VentYou sink your fingers into Cassia's gossamer hair and ravenously kiss her trembling lips, not letting her go even for a moment. "Please, no more! I cannot breathe... I fear I may faint..."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I only just returned, and already you are pestering me with idle chatter."
VentCassia flinches as if struck with a whip, and the fire in the depths of her eyes fades. "I am sorry, Lord Captain. I merely wished... to welcome you back. So... now that I have... I dare not delay you longer."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Were you expecting to see someone else?"
Vent"What? No, of course not." Cassia bats her eyes in confusion. "Each and every day, I came to these chambers to pray to the God-Emperor, wishing only for your swiftest return."
Vent"When you disappeared, all the worlds and stars of my dreams ceased to matter. All my thoughts were of finding you. I knew... I could feel that what happened to you was far more frightening than death. And now you have returned from the Dark City in one piece. By the Gold of the Throne, I am elated, but how did you...?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Lady Cassia, I am overjoyed to see you in good health."
Vent"Your colours..." Cassia frowns and waves away an unseen cloud hanging over your head. "They have darkened, become more... sickly."
Vent"When you disappeared, all the worlds and stars of my dreams ceased to matter. All my thoughts were of finding you. I knew... I could feel that what happened to you was far more frightening than death. And now you have returned from the Dark City in one piece. By the Gold of the Throne, I am elated, but how did you...?"continues where this line first appears above