Chapter 200: Loyal Wing
Much to Rain’s relief, Malz was able to confirm he was at least five ancestors removed from Cassie in terms of relation, with a clear separation of branches by the time Rainier’s great-great-great-great-great grandmother showed up.
Records going back more than a thousand years were unavailable to the general public, so while determining the point where the lesser branches split was unavailable, the separation was more than enough.
He still felt awkward though, knowing Cassie’s... particular enjoyment of the thing he didn’t want to think about.
Rain managed to avoid Cassie for the rest of the day and even that night.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t avoid her forever, especially not when the squad had to resume training the next day.
Cassie seemed grumpy about something as she stepped onto the field, and she was walking a little strangely.
"Are you alright, Cassiel?" Ozzy asked as soon as he saw her.
"Yeah. I think so. Damn fight with the roc has me walking funny for some reason... Only I can’t remember getting hit."
"It might have happened," Ozzy scratched the back of his head. "I don’t know, it’s all a big blur now."
Rain tried to hide his nervousness with a smile as he asked, "Are you sure it was the roc?"
"Can’t think of anything else it would be," Cassie tried stretching. "Ugh... that hurts." She changed her voice to something almost saccharine as she asked, "Rain, would you mind helping me stretch?"