POV: Cabil
Moments After|
Asinine, this idea of disguise. His once dark brown hair was now bleached a dirty blonde, his gray hazel eyes now cobalt blue. The itching irritation of contacts had not yet subsided, Cabil trying his best to keep from digging into his eyeballs as he stared at the hover truck's passenger-side mirror. He huffed, figuring the best approach to any situation was a full-frontal assault. But the councilman wanted covert answers, and after Cabil had left the prince, he fixed up his things for their route to the ranch. Again, he huffed, averting his head from the now red-headed Cameryn taking the wheel.
"This is ridiculous." He reclined into the seat of the steam-powered hover truck, his head deep in the blueprint of the arable farmland. "He never sent us to solo squad missions. Must be dying to keep me off radar for a couple of days."
"Why do you think Mhal has it out for you? You're paranoid, Cabil."
"Solid facts. The council even nullified the allegations of treason. There was nothing to support the claim. I probably have Desonna to thank for that. My sister… I can handle someone coming after me, but—"
"—you know, you rarely talk about her."
"I have my reasons."
"Your sister isn't his target. Now, stop worrying and enjoy our vacation! The nice breeze, the open road, the fresh countryside air..." She combed through her tresses with the flick of her fingers, inhaling deeply. "This lush scenery, it's all too beautiful—just being out in the sun, cruising. Just you and me." She winked.
He rolled his eyes. "Not sure why our aliases are partners. I'm gonna' kick Bren's ass when I get home."
"Oh, please, we're just roleplaying for a couple days. You really can't tolerate being my boyfriend for one short covert mission?"
"It's stupid. We could have been allies, siblings."
"Can't say I hate the idea of us partnering up. There's gotta be a perk to this army thing, right? Besides, the only reason I signed up for this gig was for the carnage. I love seeing me some red!"
"A little off for someone like you to be so… savage."
"Why? Is it because I'm supposed to be this helpless, blonde gullible girl who's completely dart-board dumb and defenseless? Don't let my appearance fool you chief—I'm full of surprises. Once you finally break free from that fear of dating a squad-mate, you'll find that out for yourself."
Cabil imparted no comment, his face stoic.
"We're here!" She parked the truck across the farmhouse before they dismounted and grabbed their luggage from the bed. Cabil's eyes roamed. Adolescent field workers scantly scattered throughout the terrain. One in particular caught his attention, timidly staring back at Cabil while he harvested grain.
"Oh, hello! Y'all made it!" An elder woman shuffled out from the small quaint home with a man following her. "Welcome, welcome!" she greeted with kisses and hugs. Her elder companion smirked, promptly shaking Cabil's hand. Cabil gave a short grin, the man's hands so frail and clammy, he feared squeezing in a firm salutation.
His heavily-creased, hollow eyes squinted behind a pair of round thick lenses as he uttered, "It's just a handshake, don't be coy, now." Cabil chuckled, tightening his grip the same.
"This is Greidon Waller, and I'm Mrs. Waller, but y'all can call me Graice."
"Ellyot Sharmine, Berk Claide," Cameryn introduced.
"I'm thrilled to have you as our new guardsmen for our fields, so very thrilled! We've been in such a conundrum with this foul demon taintin' our here land. Oh, we are in much need of your assistance!"
"I hope you two can step up to the challenge. That thing can get very territorial at night. We wind up findin' field worker carcasses along the borders. Such a mess to clean up," Mr. Waller added in his jagged voice.
"Not to worry, Mr. Waller, we'll get the situation under control," Cameryn pledged.
"Oh, I'm sure you two will! So full of life, just wonderful! Ellyot, darling, you are the prettiest lil' thang! And just look at you Berk, such a strapping, strong, handsome, lad." She leaned in, caressing his shoulders as if they were on display. "Oh, so firm, such broad shoulders!" She giggled.
Ellyot slipped her arm around his waist lovingly. "Aren't I lucky?"
"Now, now, Graice. Let's not harass these two. They must be exhausted from the long drive in. Come on, let's get you settled in the Westing."
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