After the Beginning

A conversation within the Coven, in which Cassair does actually know how to tie up loose ends, Iollan is too kind for his own good, and old actions come with new repercussions.


But yes, this is supposed to be an epilogue to the Imperial Address prompt and/or a prologue to the Ignition event! Also a bit of a peek into how the Grey Coven works, I guess haha there are Secret Reasons for asking for Iollan's hand at the beginning, but basically it's a signal that Cassair wants to talk about about confidential Coven-only matters. It'll still be about a month before the war is officially declared, after all.

In case it's unclear too, Cassair used to have extremely good relations with Belport and its previous Regent, Bracken. It was more of a cute personal friendship than anything but, from a political point of view, it simply wasn't appropriate. Loyalties to the Crown must be without doubt, especially in the current atmosphere, and this is what Cassair's assassination task is to prove.

(It's a punishment too, of course, for daring to be more amenable to Belport than Koben, and for Iadlain's general uncooperativeness with the capital, but this is not something that is said aloud.)

In any case, from 28th Mirrors (when he first departed for the Imperial Address) until at least 10th Arrival (when the first attack is launched), Cassair will be absent from Iadlain, and this is the reason why. :') Also the reason why I'm throwing him on the front lines haha

In other notes, trying to comic a conversation in which the participants literally just stand/sit there was, in hindsight, maybe not the best idea-- but I tried anyway o)--< What is pacing and conveying unsaid thoughts and nuances, I'm sorry if it's awkward-- I used the old designs of Bracken and Gideon for flashback purposes too :'>

Many thanks to dual for RPing out this exchange with me! And for having such a good Coven member u__u It really was nice having Iollan accompany Cass on this trip, I'm sorry too it had to end this way-

And another sorry if I got any characterisation of Iollan wrong, I had to take some liberties when translating to comic format--

Also I am the most responsible of adults, finishing this during my lunch break //runs


___

Iollan ©
Bracken ©
Gideon ©
Cassair © myself