MainEvent 3 — Rogue Trader Dialogue Archive

Entry point 1

Vent"Lord Captain?" Cassia clasps her hands together. You can sense an air of cold aloofness about her. "We... must speak. Now."

VentCassia takes a few anxious steps around the study, then says reservedly, "I have given much thought to all that has happened. And... to us. Perhaps you do indeed have feelings for me. Perhaps I have feelings for you in turn. But we..." She falters. "We are not meant to become something more."

Vent"A time will come when my duty to House Orsellio will call upon me. And you... you have already been summoned to do your duty to the God-Emperor and your protectorate. Would it not be better, then, if we ended things now? Before... before it is too late. If I truly am dear to your heart, you will understand." A tense silence hangs in the air, and Cassia turns away to hide her emotions.

YOU"Lady Cassia, have I upset you in some way?"

Vent"No, that's not it! I just..."

YOU"I love you, Cassia."

Vent"And does it not perturb you that I'm a wretched mutant? That my own subjects see me as a monster? That your servants fear my company more than facing a mortal enemy?"

YOU"It saddens me that you cannot see your own gracefulness and beauty."

Vent"I nearly killed you!"

YOU"I could have died a great many times, and yet here I am, standing before you."

Vent"Is all this just a lark to you?"

YOU"I am too deeply in love with you to make light of such things."

Vent"Oh, [Name]..." Cassia looks at you with tenderness and longing, but then frowns in frustration.

VentA familiar sensation envelops your being. The pain in your chest is suffocating, and you fall to your knees. "Why can't you understand? I'm a Navigator! A mutant! I'm... I'm nothing but a tool in His hands, in Humanity's hands. And tools... are not supposed to have feelings."

VentCassia sobs and rolls up one of her sleeves. From her clavicle to her elbow, the skin on her arm has grown so thin that you can see every vein, muscle, and tendon within. "A new mutation, [Name]! Just like that, in the middle of the latest warp jump. And this body will go through even more ghastly changes in the future. I don't... I don't want you to see what I become. I don't want to see you grow to loathe my hideousness."

YOU[Take her hand] "Now please let me tell you about the Cassia I see."

VentShe quivers as she makes a weak attempt to slip out of your hands.

YOU"Your eyes shine like rubies against a sunset sky, and your skin and hair are like fresh snow. Never before have I seen anything so beautiful."

VentCassia listens in silence, her eyelashes lowered and her head slightly bowed. A barely noticeable smile tugs at the corners of her mouth.

YOU"Your eyes shine like rubies against a sunset sky, and your skin and hair are like fresh snow. Never before have I seen anything so beautiful."

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YOU"You have studied thousands of books. You wish to learn everything there is to learn — and I am dazzled by your keen mind and curiosity."

VentCassia listens in silence, her eyelashes lowered and her head slightly bowed. A barely noticeable smile tugs at the corners of her mouth.continues where this line first appears above

YOU"When I hold you in my embrace, I feel like I am home."

VentCassia listens in silence, her eyelashes lowered and her head slightly bowed. A barely noticeable smile tugs at the corners of her mouth.continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I find myself smitten with your raised chin, your refined manners, and the stern look in your eyes whenever you scold me."

VentCassia listens in silence, her eyelashes lowered and her head slightly bowed. A barely noticeable smile tugs at the corners of her mouth.continues where this line first appears above

YOU"When I hear your voice, my heart beats faster, and your touch makes me lose my mind altogether."

VentCassia listens in silence, her eyelashes lowered and her head slightly bowed. A barely noticeable smile tugs at the corners of her mouth.continues where this line first appears above

Vent"[Name], stop. I... I hear you." Crimson tears stream down her cheeks, but she is smiling — and hers is a smile of joy and freedom. "I can see your colours, so pure that I'm afraid I might scare them away. Only when I stand before you, fully dressed, do I feel utterly bare and defenceless. You have captured my heart. Made me fall in love with you. And shown me how to love myself."

Vent"I know not what the future holds for us. But I'm willing to take a risk... and find out together with you, my love." Cassia covers your hand with hers, and her knees buckle treacherously.

YOU"You are exhausted. Come, I shall lay you in my bed and stay to guard your slumber."

Vent"Oh, [Name], that's..." Cassia looks abashed but does not withdraw her hands. "That sounds wonderful! No one has ever guarded my sleep before. You will be the first."

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YOU"I hope to see a future where you never tire of me."

Vent"That future I can promise you, [Name]."

VentCassia's lips touch yours in a long, tender kiss. You relish each other for a while before she withdraws and, after giving you a parting kiss on the forehead, flutters out of the study.

end of branch

YOU[Kiss her] "We will be together, our fears be damned."

VentCassia's lips touch yours in a long, tender kiss. You relish each other for a while before she withdraws and, after giving you a parting kiss on the forehead, flutters out of the study.continues where this line first appears above

YOU"You have studied thousands of books. You wish to learn everything there is to learn — and I am dazzled by your keen mind and curiosity."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"When I hold you in my embrace, I feel like I am home."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I find myself smitten with your raised chin, your refined manners, and the stern look in your eyes whenever you scold me."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"When I hear your voice, my heart beats faster, and your touch makes me lose my mind altogether."

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YOU"In that case, is it really wise to waste time on preludes and quarrels? Let us instead cherish the here and now. For as long as the stars allow us."

Vent"The here and now..." Cassia smiles and unconsciously steps closer to you. "Do you truly believe in these words of yours, [Name]?"

YOU[Pull her in passionately] "I shall help you forget about the worries of this night."

VentCassia clings to your chest, her body trembling. "Then all I want is to lose myself in your embrace. Yours and no one else's."

VentAs you open your eyes at the sound of the early watch siren, you see Cassia hurriedly struggling to pull on a stocking that is refusing to cooperate. When she notices that you are awake, she recoils in surprise. "[Name]!"

YOU"Please, stay with me just a little longer."

Vent"No." Cassia quickly shakes her head and looks away. "Last night... it was wonderful! But I... I... just wasn't ready, you see? What if I made a mistake, [Name]? What if we both did?"

VentCassia hurries away, but turns around as she reaches the door. "I don't want to doubt, [Name]. And I still love you with all my heart, but... I need time to reflect on this. Time and your patience, that's all I ask. I hope you understand."

end of branch

YOU"Is something the matter?"

YOU[Offer her your hand] "I love you. Let us go to my chambers and find our bliss."

VentCassia reaches out her trembling hand and grasps yours. "I love you, [Name]."

YOU"It's all up to us."

VentCassia clings to your chest, her body trembling. "Then all I want is to lose myself in your embrace. Yours and no one else's."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I respect your wishes, Lady Cassia. If you think we must end our relations here, then so it shall be."

VentHer tightly pressed lips part in a reserved smile. "Thank you for your understanding, Lord Captain. You have been a paragon of gallantry, just like the dutiful warriors in the books I loved reading so much. How cruel it is that life is nothing like a story with a happy ending." Still smiling mirthlessly, Cassia nods and walks away.

end of branch

YOU"That is disgusting! Get out of my chambers, now!"

VentCassia stands perfectly still, unable to speak another word. With a look of emptiness and detachment, she rolls down her sleeve, turns around, and slowly, as if in some sort of trance, leaves the room.

end of branch

YOU"Is it to you? It seems that you are the one who has been toying with my feelings this whole time."

Vent"That's not true!" Cassia sobs in desperation and hides her face in her hands.

YOU[Kiss Cassia]

Vent"No!" Cassia pushes you away and steps back hesitantly. "Please don't come any closer!"

YOU"Enough! You want this to be over so badly? Well, you'll hear no argument from me. Now leave!"

VentCassia's eyes tear up, but her face and voice remain resolute and impassive. "Wonderful. Then that is all there is to say."

end of branch

YOU"I respect your wishes, Lady Cassia. If you think we must end our relations here, then so it shall be."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"You are killing me at this very moment."

Vent"Is all this just a lark to you?"continues where this line first appears above

Vent"People go mad when I'm near. They die. I could kill you by accident!"

YOU"I could have died a great many times, and yet here I am, standing before you."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"You are killing me at this very moment."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I do not care. I chose you, as you chose me. That is what truly matters."

Vent"I nearly killed you!"

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Vent"People go mad when I'm near. They die. I could kill you by accident!"continues where this line first appears above

YOU"What has got into you?"

Vent"Me? What has got into you? Why does it not perturb you that I'm a wretched mutant? That my own subjects see me as a monster? That your servants fear my company more than facing a mortal enemy?"

YOU"It saddens me that you cannot see your own gracefulness and beauty."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I do not care. I chose you, as you chose me. That is what truly matters."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Lady Cassia, have I upset you in some way?"

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YOU"Have I not been convincing enough in expressing my feelings to you?"

Vent"No, that's not it! I just..."

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Vent"Please, that is not what I meant..."

YOU"Lady Cassia, have I upset you in some way?"

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YOU"Have I not been convincing enough in expressing my feelings to you?"

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YOU"It is already too late for me. I cannot bear the thought of a life without you."

Vent"No, that is merely what your heart is telling you. I see human feelings every day with these very eyes." Cassia opens her eyes, frowns, and purses her lips. "Emotions are fleeting. They wither all too quickly sometimes. Love, fear, attachment — everything passes."

YOU"Lady Cassia, have I upset you in some way?"

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YOU"Have I not been convincing enough in expressing my feelings to you?"

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YOU"It is already too late for me. I cannot bear the thought of a life without you."

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YOU"Is this what you truly want?"

VentCassia trembles, opens her mouth, and even moves her lips, but the words refuse to come out. "This... I... I have said so already."

YOU"Lady Cassia, have I upset you in some way?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Have I not been convincing enough in expressing my feelings to you?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"It is already too late for me. I cannot bear the thought of a life without you."

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YOU"Is this what you truly want?"

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YOU"Is renouncing one's duty truly the only way to be with another person?"

Vent"It is... for me."

YOU"Lady Cassia, have I upset you in some way?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Have I not been convincing enough in expressing my feelings to you?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"It is already too late for me. I cannot bear the thought of a life without you."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Is this what you truly want?"

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YOU"Is renouncing one's duty truly the only way to be with another person?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU"You are right. Our feelings are a liability. But House Orsellio and the von Valancius protectorate could benefit from a dynastic alliance. What say you to that? Will you agree to become my dearest wife?"

VentCassia looks dazed and possibly... saddened? She considers it for a while in silence, then offers you a reserved smile. "Naturally, [Name] von Valancius. Once our incessant haste has passed. Once the turmoils of the Expanse have settled and our dynasties are ready... this marriage will take place. And I will be honoured and proud to call you my dearest husband in kind." Still smiling mirthlessly, Cassia nods and walks away.

end of branch

YOU"Who said there was anything between us in the first place? I've just been toying with you, nothing more."

VentCassia's eyes tear up, but her face and voice remain resolute and impassive. "Wonderful. Then that is all there is to say."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I respect your wishes, Lady Cassia. If you think we must end our relations here, then so it shall be."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I love you, Cassia."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"What has got into you?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Who said there was anything between us in the first place? I've just been toying with you, nothing more."continues where this line first appears above