In the absence of one of his own – with his studies, Edmond didn’t really have time to keep up with a pet; he thought he might someday get a cat, but that was in the far future – Edmond had borrowed one of the school owls to send a short message to his friend. He supposed he could have just as easily spoken to her in person, but he felt curiously more comfortable writing.
Not that he was very comfortable doing that. It had come as a surprise to him to realize that, well, he thought and felt somewhat differently about Cassie than he did about other people he was on good terms with. It could never go any of the places fiction informed him such things were capable of going – there was the political situation to consider, and he was very aware of what he looked like, especially compared to one of the prettiest girls in the school – but he did enjoy her company, and saw no reason why he shouldn’t permit himself to do so, at least every so often.
At present, he was concerned about whether or not he’d be able to continue doing that after next year. In a larger group, it wouldn’t have mattered much, but with just the two of them, he could see how the prefect selection could end up feeling somehow…personal. Though he would be not only pleased, but relieved if it was her, she might imagine he wanted it, and if he got it, he wasn’t sure if he’d be thinking she’d secretly wanted it – one of the things he liked about her was that she was an achiever, not like the more passive types Julia seemed to prefer – and things might become awkward. Since there was nothing he could do, at this point, about what the staff thought of them that wouldn’t be ridiculously foolish, though, he had decided to confront the issue when he had to and not worry about it much until then.
The message wasn’t long, a sharp contrast to Edmond’s customary, wordy way of talking, which was one of the reasons why he preferred to communicate that way. He could actually get a point across without tripping over himself.
Dear Cassie,
I’m planning to spend this Saturday studying in the library, near the geography section. If you don’t have a previous engagement, I thought we might review together and have dinner.
Sincerely,
Edmond Carey
0Edmond CareyOwl for Cassie Kerrigan143Edmond Carey15
Once a week, always on the same day, Cassie received an owl from her father. Much like him, she enjoyed a very specific routine. So, it came, as a bit of surprise when she received an owl that was not on the day she would normally receive one. Taking the letter from the owl, she unfolded it to see familiar writing, though, still very unexpected given that she often saw Edmond in classes and it would have been very logical to ask someone to study and have dinner at one of those particular times. However, it was also possible that he hadn’t had the chance to ask and therefore, she supposed it was the simplest thing to do and most reasonable to ensure that an answer was given before Saturday.
Settled at her desk, quill in hand, the brunette had just finished addressing it to Edmond when a little blonde intruder bounded into her room. Since she didn’t have a roommate, Veronica thought it was quite all right to simply come into her room. Though, truthfully, she probably would have done that regardless, especially whenever she wanted something. “Where’s that green dress Grandmother bought you for Christmas? I wanted to wear it tomorrow. It brings out my eyes,” her little sister asked, already beginning to paw through her closet. It amazed her that Veronica could have a closetful of clothes and still wanted to borrow her things.
Leaving Veronica to her own devices, Cassie returned to the letter she was writing. However, she was distracted when the letter from Edmond was so rudely snatched out from under her. “Oooh! What’s this?” Veronica cooed, as she waved around the letter. “Is this from your boyfriend?” She didn’t think Cassie actually had it in her to have a boyfriend. She seemed too boring for the entire romantic thing and she wasn’t interesting in finding a proper match the way she should be. Though, when the blonde saw whom it was from, she was rather surprised. Edmond Carey was more than a proper match. She had even considered him at one time for herself. So, how did her brainy sister ever manage to land that one? Oh, well, no matter. The important thing was to make sure she didn’t screw it up. “So, how were you planning on wearing your hair?” She asked, as she made herself comfortable on Cassie’s bed.
Cassie looked at Veronica with a confused expression. “Why would I worry about my hair?” But upon hearing the reply, she nearly choked. “You think that studying is a…is a…date?” The last part was stated in a whisper. Was anything involving a boy and a girl a date in Veronica’s mind? Was her little sister nuts? “It’s not a date! Edmond and I are friends. That’s all. Don’t you study with any of your friends, like Alessa or Rachel?” Cassie retorted. Though, admittedly, she wouldn’t mind if it were a date. She had never actually been asked out one and was curious to know what all the fuss was about. However, she was not about to admit that to her younger sister. She would never let her live it down if she did.
“That’s different,” Veronica said, as if it were the most logical thing in the world, which to Cassie it wasn’t. She came up behind her older sister. “Edmond didn’t just ask you to study. He asked you to study with him. Not in a group. Just with him. And he asked you to have dinner after. That’s a date.” She smirked a little. She could tell that she was getting to her sister by the faint blush that had crept upon her face. “You like him, don’t you? It’s fine. You don’t have to tell me. I can tell that you do.” She took some of the brown hair from the front and pulled it back, twisting it this way and that. “I think you should do something like this with your hair and maybe you should wear that green dress. Edmond won’t know what hit him.” She could part with what she wanted just this once. After all, Cassie might be savable since her own twin didn’t seem to be.
Cassie gave an exasperated sigh. “It’s not a date and Edmond wouldn’t think anything of how I wore my hair. Now, get going so I can reply without your interference.” Veronica gave her a final look before leaving the room. Now, she could finally finish her reply without any suggestions from the princess gallery.
Edmond,
Thank you for the invitation. Saturday would be fine for studying and dinner. I will see you around the geography section around four. See you then.
Yours truly,
Cassie Kerrigan
The owl sent, Cassie couldn’t help looking at her reflection in the mirror. She pulled her hair up, turning from side to side. It couldn’t hurt to take Veronica’s advice, could it? She shook her head and her hair out with it. She was just being silly. Edmond couldn’t possible have an interest in her.
0Cassie KerriganReply Owl for Edmond Carey0Cassie Kerrigan05