Shade walked into his office and saw Nia doing something with papers and files behind his desk. The file cabinet looked much neater than when he had left to observe the training.
"What are you up to?" Shade asked as he took a seat on the couch and pulled out his phone.
"Cleaning, the files and paper were a mess since the new renovation happened," Nia answered as she put a yellow folder next to all the other yellow folders. "I need to put everything back."
Shade nodded as he fiddled on his phone. Nia looked up from the file she was putting together and asked, "Training new recruits and weak subordinates must be fun, right?"
"Huh?" Shade looked up and removed his mask with one hand as he shut his phone with the other.
"I saw you training Venita's epsilons." Nia said, focusing back on putting papers inside a blue file "You like showing off."
Shade reclined into the sofa with a mischievous glint while setting his phone down beside him. He declared, "There is nothing wrong with showing off." Although his tone retained its calmness, it was slightly threatening. "It's about being a role model, and if they can't perform, then they aren't worth my time or Venita's."
"That's one way to put it," she muttered, sliding another paper into a blue file. "Still, you seemed to enjoy yourself back there."
He narrowed his eyes and said, "Perhaps yes, but it's not so much a good time as it is a demonstration that no one is to question my authority."
She nodded and put the blue file with the other blue ones.
"By the way, I am sure you were here the whole time," he addressed, "so how did you know what I was doing?"
She looked at him in confusion, then, upon realization, she walked towards her desk, turned on the computer, clicked something with the mouse, and turned the screen to show him. Camera feeds of different locations with the TEC camp.
"I set them up with Aiden," she revealed.
Shade nodded in approval and remained silent.
"Also, before I forget," she said as she turned the screen back around and then pulled open one of her drawers and took an envelope out, "you got a letter."
He leaned forward slightly as he took the envelope from her hand, raising an eyebrow. "Who's it from?"
She shrugged before answering, "High Magistrate Lestrade, second in command at Libra. Probably about that meeting you've been trying to set up."
Shade smirked, opening it. "Let's see what Libra's magistrate has to say."
'To Shade, Leader of TEC, Kind regards, The Libra Council responds to your request at a held meeting. I am the High Magistrate Lestrade, and after due consideration, I have also been authorized to answer on behalf of our leadership. Our Head is not available to see you in person because of pressing engagements, but a representative with full authority will see you on their behalf. We appreciate the possibility of collaboration and investment and would like to negotiate the areas of mutual interest. Time and location are considered as you have offered. We hope to engage in a fruitful discussion on the subject. High Magistrate Lestrade, second-in-command, Libra."
He set the letter down on the desk and leaned back, saying with interest, "A representative, huh…? It seems Libra doesn't trust me enough to send their head, but they're willing to negotiate."
Nia raised an eyebrow while folding her arms.
"Did you really expect them to send their top leader right off the bat?" she wondered. "The decision to keep things measured is a wise one. Still, a representative with full authority might be just as useful—or dangerous."
He nodded, the smirk never leaving his face as he said, "True. Sometimes, the right representative can reveal more about their priorities than the leader themselves. Let's see what this meeting brings. Prep the dossiers on Libra's leadership and key representatives. I want every detail before I walk into that room."
Nia agreed and returned to her files. Shade tapped his fingers on the couch while she worked. When a thought came to him, he suddenly added, "Make sure Venita knows to have her Epsilons on standby during the meeting… I don't trust this 'representative' to come alone."
She paused, looking up from the file she was organizing to ask, "Do you think it's a trap?"
"Not a trap, but there's always a risk of it. Just make sure to have them positioned discreetly."
"Okay, I'll handle it. Anything else?"
"Prepare my schedule," he finished. "It's time Libra sees TEC isn't something to be messed with."
He stared off into the air while thinking of all the possibilities that could occur during the meeting and mentally imagined different scenarios. No one could tell what went on in his mind as he gazed towards the clock.
Once he suddenly got up, Nia looked up with surprise and asked, "What's wrong?"
He kept a stoic expression and said, "I have somewhere to be…"
With that, he quickly removed his jacket and mask and stored them safely in a closet. Then he pressed a button at the back, and a door completely concealed the closet.
"I'll see you tomorrow," he said to Nia before walking out.
"I wonder what he's got planned as the son of AU," she thought aloud.
Already into the secret tunnel, he strode along until he reached the outdoors. Waiting for him was his motorbike. He turned it on and soared onto the streets. His direction—the city.
The reason for his abrupt leave was that his mother and him were scheduled to have dinner together at a cafe she recommended.
He arrived at the quaint café just as the clock chimed the hour. After parking his bike, he paused for a moment to gather his thoughts. Right now, he was no longer Shade but Cassian. So he needed to retain that persona.
Inside, his mother sat by the window with a serene presence.
"Cass," she greeted upon seeing him. Her smile was sincere, emanating love and simplicity that seemed worlds apart from all the trouble he's faced. "Please, sit down."
"Right," he responded. "Sorry I'm late…"
"That's okay," she said. "You're actually on time."
The café was cozy, filled with freshly brewed coffee and soft conversations. Cassian noticed how his mother's choice of setting reflected her taste: elegant yet unpretentious.
"You've been busy," she said, watching his face. "I hope you're not overworking yourself."
He smiled faintly, evading any unnecessary questions. "Things have been... manageable. And you? How's the garden at home?"
A great question to ask in order to divert attention from him. She got on a rant about stubborn rose bushes and how the servants didn't seem qualified for gardening. For an instant, he almost forgot about his responsibilities as he listened, responding with genuine interest.
Their food arrived—easy, comforting things—and they ate, speaking casually with one another.
His mother truly was like the symbol of peace that AU needed. She laughed and talked about his childhood, reminding him of his time that was less complicated.
But even here, even in this break, his instincts remained sharp. He looked casually around, checking that no unwanted eyes stayed too long. It wasn't paranoia—it was a habit.
"You act so much like your father," she giggled.
As the evening drew to a close, his mother extended her hand across the table, gently resting it atop his. "You're doing well, Cass. I can see it in your eyes. Whatever you're working on, I know it'll work out somehow."
"Thanks, mom; I'm sure it will, too…"
As he led her to the car, he appreciated her care in having taken him to this café. It wasn't bad food, but his thoughts were too much on TEC to have criticized their overpriced meals.