"Those leaf people seem weird," Opal says, still listening to the story with enthusiasm.
"You have no idea, kiddo," Cassandra says. "When I met them before, they were just an annoyance. But this time, they actually seemed like a threat."
"More than just the Lorbs would turn out to be threatening, though," Varian says. "Someone within our own group became a bit hostile..."
"And your father, here, didn't help the situation," Cassandra says, rolling her eyes. "It was a pretty rough first night on the island for most of us..."
Spending more time on this island is not at all what Cassandra had in mind when they arrived here, but what else can she do? These Lorbs, while small, are fierce. And she knows from experience how crazy they can get.
"Alright Alfons, we'll cooperate," Cassandra says reluctantly. "But under one condition: We get the shelter back."
"What? No!" The Lorb from earlier steps forward. "That is my home! Where am I supposed to go?"
"Deal," Alfons says to Cassandra. He turns to the other Lorb and adds, "It is only temporary. You will stay in the village for the month. We certainly don't want them staying in Lorbwalla." He jerks his tiny thumb in the gang's direction.
The Lorbs finally put away their weapons, and untie Hugo. "Toodaloo, freinfloofers!" Alfons says as the Lorbs begin to return to their village. "We hope not to see you again."
"Wait!" Varian says.
"Seriously?!" Abhu says. "Just let the leaf creatures go!"
Varian ignores him. "Alfons, do you know anything about an orb somewhere on this island?"
Alfons shakes his head. "If it has to do with magic, we don't want it!" Without another word, he disappears along with the rest of his people.
"But... but it's not..." Varian sighs as the end of his sentence trails off.
The sun begins to set as the gang head into the shelter. After choosing their rooms, everyone settles in for the night. Cassandra reaches into her bag to unpack, only to remember that most of her supplies have been taken. "Ugh... Fitzherbert better have made sure the rest of my things got back to Corona safely," she grumbles.
"What are you complaining about now?"
Cassandra turns around to see Abhu in the doorway, leaning against the frame with his arms folded.
"You're one to talk," she replies. "You complain all the time."
"I usually have reason to," Abhu says.
"I'd say being stranded for a second time on an island is enough cause for complaint."
Abhu ponders this for a moment. "True."
After a moment of awkward silence, Cassandra asks, "Is there any particular reason you're here? Because I'm pretty exhausted and would really appreciate being left alone so I could get some sleep."
Abhu stares at her, long enough to make her feel uncomfortable. "I just... I don't get you."
"You don't get me?" She repeats. "What's there to get?"
"It's hard to explain. You're not who I thought you were."
Cassandra can feel her heart sink lower in her chest. This is exactly why she has been hiding who she really is... "Well I'm sorry to disappoint."
"Me too," he says. Rather sharply, in her opinion.
"Look, I'm not in the mood to be judged right now!" She snaps at him.
"See? That! That is exactly what I mean!" Abhu says, pointing at her. "The Cassie I know would never speak to me like that!"
"And what about the way you speak to me, huh?" Cassandra retorts. "Maybe I'm sick of taking it!"
"Well this is who I am! At least I don't pretend to—"
"I'm not pretending anymore!" Cassandra shouts, tears stinging her eyes. "This is who I am!"
The two of them stand in silence again. Finally, Abhu breaks it. "When we met, I thought that you were the one. That we were meant to be." His face hardens. "My mistake."
Cassandra shakes her head, too angry to speak.
"Um, what's going on in here?" Varian says, appearing behind Abhu.
"She's all yours," Abhu says, not taking his eyes off of Cass. "Once we leave this island, I'm done." He shoves past Varian, disappearing into his own room.
Cassandra turns away and shuts her eyes tightly, not wanting Varian to see her tears. Abhu has always irritated her, from the moment she met him. She isn't even sure why she let him hang around for so long; it was almost as if she had this inexplicable feeling that he needed to stick around her. But now that he is going, she almost feels... relieved.
She is still furious, though. And upset. It isn't the fact that he is leaving that makes her upset, it is that everything she feared about being herself has come true in him. When she doesn't keep herself in check, people around her only get hurt. It's what she's been worrying about since the day she left Corona.
"Cass...?" Varian says. He has been quiet for so long, she forgot he was there.
"Please Varian, just go," she says, her eyes still squeezed shut. She rubs her arm uncomfortably; she hates feeling vulnerable.
"Okay, if that's really what you want," Varian replies. "But, if you need to talk, you know I'm here for you."
The truth is, she doesn't want him to leave. She wants him to stay, even if it is just to offer silent moral support. But she wouldn't dare admit this to him. She is used to handling things on her own. Alone.
Varian hesitates for a moment, but then finally leaves. She hopes that he goes to his own room, instead of confronting Abhu like she's sure he is dying to do. She can't handle any more drama tonight...
Varian is furious. Livid. How dare Abhu speak to Cassandra like that?! What is that guy's problem, anyway? Varian has always felt there was something off about him, but now he knows that Abhu has some serious issues. He is being this judgmental of Cass, and he doesn't even know about her past. What would he do if he knew about the things she has done? Not that Varian cares, but it is evident that Abhu would...
Speak of the devil... Varian thinks, as he catches sight of Abhu storming out of the shelter. Varian glances back at Cassandra's room briefly, and then chases after Abhu.
"What the heck is your problem?!" Varian yells, catching up with Abhu just within the jungle of palm trees.
"Leave me alone!" Abhu shouts back, still stomping forward. "I don't have to answer to you."
Varian grabs his shoulder, stopping him. "You have no right to treat Cassandra that way!"
Abhu spins around to face him. "And what gives you the right to tell me how to act? You have no idea what it's been like for me!"
"Do explain," Varian says with a sneer.
"My life feels like nothing but a hazy memory," Abhu says. "The only thing that has ever felt real was her. From the moment I met Cassandra, I felt like my life had meaning. Had purpose." He shakes his head. "But I guess it's all been a lie."
"You claimed to have feelings for her," Varian says. "If you truly love someone, you love everything about them, even their faults."
"I loved who I thought she was," Abhu says. "How can you love someone when you find out they were pretending to be someone they're not?"
"You stick with them, and figure out why they felt the need to hide who they are," Varian replies matter-of-factly. "Otherwise, how can you say you truly loved them at all?"
Abhu shakes his head. "Again, you just don't get it."
"You're right, I don't," Varian says. "I don't get why you can't see how incredible and strong and inspiring Cass is. She has weathered more storms than you can imagine, and despite everything she's been through she continues to see herself in a negative light. She needs someone who can lift her up, to help her see her own beauty and worth. She does not need someone else to make her feel like she doesn't deserve to be who she really is."
"I guess that's the difference between you and me. You don't mind having low standards."
Varian has had enough of this guy disrespecting Cassandra. Rage bubbles inside of him like a volcano preparing to erupt. In the past he has always let his alchemy or inventions do the fighting for him. But without any tools to use, he throws the first punch of his life. His knuckles collide with Abhu's eye, and Varian has to immediately cradle his hand from the onslaught of pain.
Abhu stumbles back a few steps from the blow, his hand covering the spot where Varian struck. For a moment he seems dumbfounded, in disbelief.
But his urge for retaliation kicks in, and he hits Varian in the jaw with such force that it knocks him to the ground. The pain is so excruciating, that for a moment Varian wonders if his jaw may be broken. But he simply rubs the area in shock and anger as Abhu towers over him.
"Leave. Me. Alone," Abhu says gravely, and then he disappears into the night.