#ft. cass | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

faoighiche · 5 months

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A Father's LEGacy | Cass & Burrow

PARTNER : @magmahearts TIMING : Current. LOCATION : The Leg. SUMMARY : While Cass and Burrow investigate the leg, Burrow investigates Cass herself. WARNINGS : Under skin.

There was a giant leg sticking out of the ground. Cass wasn’t really sure what to make of that. She’d asked her father, but even he had seemed caught off guard, though he didn’t share Cass’s curiosity. When you’ve been around as long as I have, Cassidy, some things take precedence. You’ll realize that someday. And so, she’d tried to mask her excitement. To make it smaller, to make herself smaller so that she might better fit the image Makaio might want of his daughter.

Still, she wanted to see the leg. She knew he could tell, and she let herself think he was amused by it as she ducked out of the cave one morning. At the very least, she thought he’d probably approve of her choice of company today. From their conversations thus far, Cass got the feeling that her father, like most fae, preferred the company of other fae to anyone else when he wanted company at all. Burrow, she figured, would get along well with him. Burrow was a good nymph, one who did the things she was supposed to do. Eventually, Cass would introduce Burrow to Makaio, and he would approve.

But for now, she was going to touch the leg.

She met up with Burrow in their pre-arranged meeting spot, a precaution Cass had only begun to take since her father’s arrival at the cave. Flashing the other nymph a smile as she got close, she waved. “What do you think about the leg?” She asked in way of greeting. “Do you feel anything from it? Do your parasites? Have the fed on it at all?” Unlike the Abnormality, this felt closer to Burrow’s domain than her own.

Burrow waved to the rocks — jutting structures of the abnormality — and her reflections on them waved back. They cradled the recent oddity: the leg. The leg like a barren tree, whose branches were tipped with claws. Was this another part of the abnormality, piercing through the shell below? Was this one the abnormality wanted to claim, its pieces circling it like teeth? Questions she could not answer because of the humans. They put up fences and signs and demands for payment. She observed the humans — watching their patterns and finding where their numbers were always slim. That is when she returned, chasing the humans who remained with the buzzing of her wasps and the bite of her phantom ticks. Finally, alone. Free to inspect the leg… and Cass.

Burrow knew the stranger lurking in the cave was not a passing visitor. They were still there when she sent her flies in her stead. The flies did not understand language but they did know tone. Cass and the stranger had spoken with gentle words. Their faces had been serene. They were familiar with each other, of soul and body. The stranger was chiseled in Cass’ image, seeping with the same molten blood. Observations implied they were kin, yet why was Cass not rejoicing? It was no secret that Cass yearned for family, so why was this stranger a secret? There must be something she was missing.

A thing Burrow would discover, in time, as she waved Cass closer. “I think the leg is… interesting. I do not feel anything from the leg. My kin have not claimed it.” So large, so inviting, so befitting of homing thousands of her precious ones. Yet it was absent of their pleasant touch. She would touch it for them — determine if it was worthy of their taking. She pried her fingers under the scales, but they resisted her intrusion. Her fingers split into separations that ran down her palms. They extended and curled and lost any memory of joints and bone. They became tendrils that bore into the flesh. It tasted… wrong. A corruption that made her quiver. She leaned forward, licking at what she could of the exposed skin. It gave her a full taste of the disgusting rot. She immediately pulled away, spitting on the ground. “The leg is nasty.” As her tendrils retracted back into fingers, she looked to the bits of the abnormality surrounding them. “You can have it.” Maybe it could give this rotten thing some use.

She hadn’t told her father where she was going, which was rare now. In the beginning, when he’d first arrived, she’d filtered in and out of the cave with little more than greetings and fond words of departure, but lately she’d felt the need to update him in on her comings and goings. She wasn’t sure why, didn’t understand the desire to make sure he always knew where she was. Maybe it had been a few comments he’d made here and there, or maybe she just thought it was what you were supposed to do with your parent. Regardless, she felt a little guilty about the way she’d sauntered out of the cave without an explanation today. Would he be more disappointed in her for that than he would have been if she’d told him where she was headed? He’d like Burrow if he met her, Cass was sure of it. When he was ready to meet people, she thought, Burrow would be the first one she’d introduce him to. They’d get along. She knew they would.

But for now, there was a leg to touch. Cass was more excited about it than she’d been about anything in a while now, especially out in the open where she didn’t feel the need to stifle her enthusiasm. She wanted to see what the big deal was, wanted to figure out how it worked, wanted to know what Burrow knew about it the same way Burrow had wanted to know what she knew about the Abnormality. She liked listening to what Burrow had to say. It was always interesting, even if it sometimes didn’t make sense.

And so, the excitement in her chest bubbled and built as she approached her friend, moving in closer when Burrow ushered for her to do so. She watched Burrow inspect the leg, tried not to make a face as she licked at it. This was part of Burrow’s process, she thought. Still, Cass wasn’t surprised when Burrow proclaimed the leg to be nasty, wrinkling her nose as she leaned in to press her palm against it. “I don’t think I can do anything with it, either,” she replied. It wasn’t stone; that much was certain. “So it won’t help your parasites? Won’t feed them?”

Cass appeared as her usual self: bubbly and bright and blazing. As warm and ignited as the magma hidden below her skin. The stranger, whoever they may be, had no effect on that flame. The appearance of it, at least. Just as the skin hid molten rock, Burrow wondered if that smile hid something else. She knew how easily all things were concealed. Even joys; even troubles. As she looked to the surrounding bits of the abnormality, her swarm of reflections were also familiar. Her dark eyes stared back, steady and without strain. Absent of the failure she was becoming: a parasite who took too much. Death rarely served her, and the death of the salted one was no different. It’s only purpose was to show she was not yet ready to give her parasites their home. She was not the guardian they deserved.

Even as Burrow remembered her mistakes, remembered how she faltered at protecting her kin, her reflections did not betray her. She continued to stare, strainless. Soon, her insides would match, when those feelings drifted back into nothing. Until that peace, she focused on her kin dwelling inside her. What wisdom did they offer? There was a unanimous chorus of hatred and disgust. Bad leg, rotten leg, nasty, nasty, nasty. Such wise words. “No. The leg is… rotten. The leg is disgusting.” She spit away more of its remnants in her mouth. A bath was due in her near future. “My kin would die if they ate the leg.” The leg was useless to them, but it did not mean it was without use. Her eyes flickered back to the rocks, to her reflections, before returning to Cass. “Does the abnormality want the leg?”

Burrow hated the leg, so Cass decided she hated it, too. It was a silly thing, a crutch she no longer needed to lean on. Her father had been trying to remind her of it, when it came to her friends. If they care for you, you won’t need to pretend. You can be who you are, you can be my daughter. If they love you, they won’t leave. And if they leave, they do not love you. It was good advice, but privately, she wondered why he was hiding if he believed it. Privately, she wondered if he feared her friends wouldn’t accept him, if he was just as insecure as she was. If he voiced it, she would have reassured him just as he reassured her. If they like me, they’ll like you, too, she’d tell him. We’re the same, aren’t we? Anyone who loves me should love you, and anyone who hates you must hate me, too. She would have told him this if he’d asked, but he didn’t and so she thought it silently instead. She reminded herself of it, became convinced of its accuracy. If her friends loved her, they should love the man who made her, too. And if they didn’t…

Family was what was important, wasn’t it? And she’d found hers now. Her father wouldn’t leave her, so how could Cass ever leave him? She’d never been the one to walk away before; she certainly wasn’t going to start now.

“Then they shouldn’t eat it,” she replied firmly, because she didn’t want Burrow’s parasites to die. Burrow would be sad, wouldn’t she? If that happened, Burrow would be sad, and Cass didn’t want that. She wanted Burrow to be happy and safe and okay and here. And if the last one felt the most important, she wouldn’t confess to it. It seemed a heavy thing to say. “I don’t know if the Abnormality wants the leg or not. I think… the Abnormality usually wants everything. So maybe it does. Or maybe it thinks the leg is nasty, too.”

Burrow nodded in agreement. An acceptance that brought a frown. “It is unfortunate they should not eat it. The leg could be the mighty host.” Instead, the thing was an apartment full of black mold. All those empty and waiting rooms were stacked coffins in disguise. It was cruel to tempt them all with that buffet of flesh and tissue. So many spoils for so many of her kin — so many that they could never take too much. Which was not a concern, for her kin knew better than to do such a thing. “Perhaps it is for the best. The leg attracts… too many of the humans.” The sight of the humans was a death sentence. They always boasted about helping those poor and sick hosts. What about them? What about her lovely kin? The humans would probably choose this rotten thing over her beautiful worms. No one ever chose her beautiful worms.

“I hope the abnormality does not think the leg is nasty. I hope the abnormality will make the leg useful.” Burrow did not want nature to reclaim it. That rot would return to the cycle, seeping into the soil to sprout more putrid hosts. More cruel things to tempt her parasites. At least when the abnormality stripped the lands into that hungry emptiness, too hungry for her parasites to survive, it was for a purpose. A purpose she did not know, but she hoped to find out.

A discovery that rested in the future. The present offered Burrow a more reasonable discovery: who was in Cass’ cave? A question she wanted to ask outright, but she had learned that secrets were best claimed by delicacy or force. She had no desire to ever harm Cass. So, she would start with a prick. “How is your cave?”

“It seems like a waste,” Cass agreed. It was sad, in a way. There was this thing here, and it was huge. It could feed so many of Burrow’s parasites, could sustain them for so long, but it was inedible. It couldn’t be claimed by her, and Cass couldn’t think of any other fae that could make use of it, either. So, what was it here for? For some humans to set up camp in front of it, charge money to other humans just to touch it? That wasn’t what nature was for. Her father, she knew, would find this distasteful. And so Cass, in an effort to be someone he would approve of, found it distasteful, too. It seemed Burrow agreed, and she was glad for that. It meant Makaio would like her, when it was time to introduce them. “Humans don’t know how to leave things alone sometimes,” she added, wrinkling her nose a little. It wasn’t a stance she used to have, but she was finding she believed in it more and more now.

But maybe there was still some use for the leg. If the Abnormality could claim it the way Burrow’s parasites couldn’t, if it could absorb it and make something of it, wouldn’t that be good? Wouldn’t it be better, at least, than humans using it as a tourist trap? “Maybe it’ll be good for the Abnormality.” Wasn’t that something she wanted? For the Abnormality to have something good?

At Burrow’s question, Cass found herself smiling a little. It was a genuine expression, a happy one. “Great,” she replied, the word just as honest as the smile. She was so happy with her dad in her cave; happier than she’d been in such a long time, happier than she’d thought she knew how to be at all. “It’s been really good lately.”

If only the humans were alone in their harm against Burrow. “The fae also do not know when to leave things alone.” That slap felt crueler, for the fae were things of nature. They followed its call, yet denied her place amongst its cycle. They thought they could tear her out like a weed, but weeds always came back — larger and hungrier. A weed that would strangle them all. No one cares or likes my parasites, that bitter thought returned to her. It had clung to her the day she was born. But as she glanced at her companion beside her, she felt the words shift. “Not many care or like my parasites.” A grievance she never bothered to bring to the fae. What was the point in complaining to the knife? It would not stop it from twisting inside her. But Cass also knew that knife. The two bore twin scars like birthmarks from its cut. They were cousins of that pain, which is why she liked Cass’ company. Shared pain was easier to bear.

The abnormality, too, was a cousin. A fellow taker. A fellow thing feared and misunderstood. Even its name showed that nature: abnormality. Burrow nodded in agreement. She also wanted the abnormality to have something good, even if she did not agree with its tastes. The rot still stung her tongue.

The stranger did not seem to sting. Their presence had not tainted the sanctuary of the cave. Perhaps they even enhanced the experience. So, why were they absent from Cass’ lips? People always liked to babble about good things; sometimes Burrow could not get them to stop. What was she missing? She must prick further — pry underneath and seek her entry. If only the act was as easy as the metaphor. Her tendrils were made to take the spoils of blood and chyme, not of knowledge. Her tongue hesitated as she selected her words. “Are the things that are inside your cave also ‘good’?”

Cass knew, better than most, how true Burrow’s words were. She’d been cast out by fae — the same fae who had cast her father out a generation before her. The sting of it hurt worse than the sting of the humans who were afraid of her, because weren’t fae supposed to get it? Cass met other nymphs who loved people just because they were fae, nymphs like Teagan who called her cousin and were overjoyed at the sight of her, at the feeling of butterflies in the stomach that came with seeing someone like you. That hadn’t been Cass’s experience for the longest time. And it hadn’t been Burrow’s, either. Selfishly, she found some comfort in that. She wasn’t the only one who’d been cast out — Burrow had, too. So had Makaio. And if she loved the both of them, didn’t she have to admit that this meant the person being cast out wasn’t the problem? If Burrow and Makaio were good, didn’t that make Cass good, too?

“I like your parasites,” she said, and she meant it. “I care about them.” She cared about them because Burrow did, because when something was important to someone you loved, you made it important to yourself, too. Cass would love what Burrow loved. Cass would love what Makaio loved. And, in return, both of them would love Cass. Wasn’t that the only thing she’d ever really wanted? Wasn’t this town good for giving it to her?

Burrow’s question was a little confusing. Cass wasn’t sure she understood the phrasing of it. She’d grown used to Burrow’s careful way of talking, the way she chose her words. There was always some comfort in it, in a way, because it was so entirely Burrow. The question was confusing, but Cass untangled the words in her mind with a concentrated furrow to her brow before nodding. “Yes,” she said. “Things that are inside my cave are also good. There is nothing bad inside my cave. There were before, when the crystals and goo were all over, but not now. Everything that’s inside my cave now is there because I want it there, and it’s good.”

It was still so strange to hear that. That a fae of all things cared about her kin. As the years threw more bile upon her from what were supposed to be her family, Burrow yearned for apathy. At least then, the weight of the pile would not grow. She never expected a fae to want to remove that weight. She stared at Cass, a smile forming hesitantly. A smile that never truly formed, because the weight was still there. It would always be there. Why did it have to be there? Cass made it look so easy. She said the words so effortlessly: I care about them. She had yet to know Burrow for a full year, yet cared more than those who had been there since her birth. Why did it have to be there? Even in such a happy moment, the bile ruined it. The fae, as always, ruined it. They had left their stain on her — one she did not know how to remove. Her smile twitched, unsure of what to do. She looked back to the leg.

The stranger possessed none of that complexity. They were not tainted. They were good, that was no longer a question. Burrow needed to meet this stranger: the reason for her friend’s smile. Such a secret should be shared, indulged, and enjoyed. Had it been kept from her because of her nature? Cass knew she took what she wished, but in this instance, her hands did not ache to claim. The stranger would not know her taking. They would not know what it meant to be chosen, completely, by her vines. They would not know how her vines were only satisfied when they took everything, even life. No. The stranger made Cass happy, so their presence was more useful in the cave. “I assume that means the fae in your cave is the good presence? I saw them, when…” I took the life of the salted one. I took more than I meant. I took more than I needed. “... I needed to see you.”

It was selfish, but there was some part of Cass that liked the fact that Burrow, like her, had been cast out from the aos si she’d been born into. She’d never say it aloud, never voice the terrible thought, but it lurked in the back of her mind all the same. She’d never had someone who understood her experience the way Burrow did and now, with both Burrow and Makaio in her life, she had two people who got it. She never thought she’d be so lucky.

So… she didn’t panic the way she probably should have when Burrow revealed that she knew about Cass’s father in her cave. If Burrow understood her, and her father understood her, didn’t it stand to reason that the two would understand each other, too? Of all her friends, Burrow was the one Cass most believed Makaio would get along with. Burrow knowing about him was definitely a shock, but… maybe not a bad one. Cass glanced around carefully, looking at the leg for a moment. Could it hear them? She pulled Burrow a few steps away just in case. “You can’t tell anyone,” she said lowly. “But… he’s my dad. He found me a little while ago. He’s been looking for me all this time, you know? He’s a good presence. Definitely. And he — I really think he’ll like you, too. He’s just… not ready to meet anyone yet. I think he’s scared of people, a little.”

He’s my dad. Burrow had suspected. The two had been weathered by the same winds, formed by the same lava that still glowed through the cracks. It was so obvious. Yet, despite the logic and previous assurances, her chest seized at the reveal. Her mind flashed with images — faces that clung to her like a stain. Sneering, frowning, glances away, all carved into the folds of her brain. Expressions that did not match what she had seen in the cave. The stranger, the father, had looked to Cass with full attention. He had not looked away. He had not ignored. The connection to Cass frayed a bit at the edges, for they were not as similar as she had once believed. Cass’ father wanted her — Cass’ father was good. It was correct to have kept this all a secret, because she did want to take. She wanted to claim that love of a father. She wanted to know how it felt.

Burrow could bind him. She would bind him. Tie him to herself, with the same bow she was joined to Cass. Then, the two of them would be cousins again. They would share. A rare blessing from one who only took for herself, but she made exceptions for her kin. The claws of her past no longer pierced her chest. It returned to its proper time, releasing her to her usual calm. All the while, she continued to stare, strainless. “Ok. I will not tell anyone.” She only had Teagan to tell, and it would still be a time before she rejoined the nix. Her vines had tasted the sweetness of nymph’s blood — they might crave more. But the father was made of the same molten rock as his child. Burrow may try to take his heart, but never his body. He would be safe. They would both be safe. “I want to meet him.”

Something flashed across Burrow’s face, and Cass felt her heart fracture just a little. She knew that Burrow had issues with her own father; she understood that. But part of her had thought — had hoped that Burrow would be happy for her and the relationship she was building with hers. Weren’t friends supposed to be happy for you when it came to things like this? Weren’t they supposed to laugh when you laughed and cry when you cried? Cass shifted her weight, uncertain as she held her breath and waited for Burrow to speak, waited for her to prove that she was still a friend, even if the feelings were complex.

When she did, when she agreed not to tell anyone and requested to meet Makaio, it felt like the world was righted. Cass smiled, relief flooding her. It had only been a moment. It had been a moment of uncertainty, but Burrow was happy for her. Burrow was happy for her, and her other friends would be, too. They would rejoice with her. Makaio would come to dinner at Metzli’s, would watch movies with Ariadne. She could have both. She would get to keep both. This was proof of that. “Let me ask him,” she said softly. “Let me ask him, and then you can meet him. He’ll like you. I know he will.” Makaio would like Burrow and Burrow would like Makaio and Cass would have her cake and eat it, too. It would be good. Everything would be good. She knew it.

Burrow liked the way Cass smiled. She had tried to mimic it before. Her own never matched its brightness, still flickering at the edges. Still, she did try. At the sight of a new one, her lips curled like its echo. Small, faded, and distorted. “Ok. He will like me.” By the power of their words, the ones who spoke the truth, it would be true. That truth eased her. It meant the bind on him would settle easier. She preferred when the hosts did not struggle. “I think I will like him.” A statement she never thought she would utter, back when she believed Cass’ family was much like her own. The type to scorn their own blood for the crime of existing. But the stranger in the cave was nothing like the ones who had left her, writhing in the muck of humanity. They were in the muck together, shielded by their stones. They had made their own sanctuary. It seemed almost too good to be true. But Cass assured her that the stranger was good — that he would like her. So, she believed it. Everything was good.

#wickedswriting #thread #thread : cass #ft. cass a.#under skin tw

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laceyyu · 10 months

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with @cassbrookes; redwood prom Alex and Cass are good siblings who put up with each other's bullshit <3. Featuring the usual of Alex overthinking and mentions of Sol and Cass being obnoxiously cute.

Alex

-Alex has had the question in the back of his mind for the past week, and after talking with Maya he knows he needs some advice. Unfortunately, he only feels comfortable sharing this kind of thing with Cass, not that he wants her in his not-actual relationships. Once he and Maya are separated, he quickly finds his sister (alone, thankfully) and approaches her. No use beating around the bush.- Do you think I'm leading Maya on?

Cass

-Cass smiled when she saw Alex make his way up to her, but her expression quickly turned into one of confusion- Uh... I don't think so? -She didn't really know much about her brother's relationship with Maya, other than they were good friends. She assumed there was a little more going on, but she'd never asked- Why do you think you're leading her on?

Alex

-It's the answer he wants to hear, but at the same time not the answer he thinks he can believe.- I mean, I feel it's a bit obvious. Y'know. Our... stuff. Plus going to prom together, despite it being a more mutual decision and less one asking the other. Letting her stay over in the farmhouse. Which, to be fair, I would still do the same thing over again. I want her to feel safe. At the same time I feel like lines are being blurred even though that was never my intention. I tried to make it as clear as possible that I wasn't ready for a relationship. -This entire thing was why he never did friends with benefits. It never worked out in the long run like everyone wanted it to.-

Cass

Ah. -That confirmed her suspicions. Cass leaned back against the wall they were near and thought over what Alex had said.- Well, okay... First things first, you're not the kind of guy who would ever lead anyone on intentionally. I know that's not what you're askin', but I wanna be clear about it. Second-- how clear are we talking? Do you feel like she's expecting more?

Alex

I mean, she's never said anything about expecting more. She still has her ex that I think she still has some sort of attachment to. It's not so much as I think she's outright in love with me or anything, but it's the feeling, y'know? That she is closer to wanting more than I wanted either of us to be. I don't want either of us to get hurt, and I wouldn't care so much if I was the one pinin' for her. I can handle whatever happens. -He sighed, still wondering if he was making complications where there were none. After all, if it weren't for his gut feeling, he wouldn't believe Maya had any desire for something more with him. But he couldn't ignore that gut feeling as much as he wanted to.- I never should've started anything with her to begin with. -Sexual, at least.-

Cass

I think it's smart to trust your feelings most times. -She nibbled on her lower lip in thought, trying to think of the interactions she'd seen between the two of them, and tried to think of how she might feel if she were in Maya's shoes if Maya did have feelings- I mean, you're both adults, and Maya doesn't strike me as the unreasonable sort. You guys were friends first, so I think you should be able to just sit her down and be honest about your worries. Have you outright told her that this is strictly a friends with benefits kind of thing?

Alex

-Part of him still felt bad for bringing her into this, but he was glad she was willing to try and help out with his mess that he was probably overreacting on.- Yeah, you're right. She's more than reasonable. I'll try to talk to her soon. I guess I felt we were pretty clear on the friends-only part of it, but I don't know anymore. I just really don't want to hurt her. -He wished he hadn't thought only about his own feelings before starting things with her. Usually he was the one more prone to falling for someone hard and fast, and perhaps in a different time he would've done so. This wasn't that time, as great as Maya was. He looked back to Cass, sighing.- Count your blessings that you have Sol and everything is all perfect flowers and rainbows for the two of you. -God did he miss that.- You been having fun so far at least? Sol take you out on the dance floor yet?

Cass

Has she said something to make you think she's catchin' feelings? -It could all just be in Alex's head... in fact, Cass was pretty sure it was in his head. He had a tendency to overthink things at times.- I wouldn't say everything is perfect. -Although it was pretty damned close, if she was being honest. She knew they'd have fights eventually, or annoy each other in some way. But they were only human, and right now they were in that honeymoon phase.- We've had a few dances, yeah. Mostly before I got up and sang. You guys been havin' fun? I mean, besides your overthinking.

Alex

No, I don't guess so. -Even if he was feeling slightly embarrassed about the entire thing now, it was good he had talked to Cass about this. She knew when he was overthinking things, which wasn't unusual. He rolled his eyes at 'less than perfect'. Really, he was happy that it did seem so perfect for them. Perfect was what Cass deserved. Hopefully the honeymoon phase would last as long as possible.- Pretty damn close to perfect from how I see it. Nothing wrong with that. I'm happy for you. -He gives her a small smile.- Good. You were great, despite the nausea-inducing love radiating off you two. -Obviously he's only teasing; the fact that she was able to write something again and perform it was something he was grateful for. It had been a while since he'd seen her perform, much less with others in the audience to appreciate her talent.- Yeah. No dancing, Maya wasn't gonna force me onto the floor after I told her about the dangers that presented. I wanted to tell you that we're heading back to the farmhouse.

Cass

I won't lie, it feels pretty damned perfect. Thanks. -Alex's opinions meant a lot to her and she was grateful that he and Sol seemed to get along. Which she figured might be in small part thanks to Alex saving Sol's life, but not entirely because of it. His teasing made her laugh, and she didn't even bother arguing that point. More than likely, her song and Sol's reaction to it had made several people 'nauseated'. And she didn't give a damn.- Probably a wise decision on both your parts. And okay, Sol and I probably won't be too far behind you guys.

#ft. cass #discord #discord: cass

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