SATe [✔]

[23] standstill

We'd played three games of checkers; with Cassiel dominating each game. I wanted to put it down to my inability to grasp the rules of it truly, but Cassiel made every move with such ease and precision. He pondered each one like it was life and death, watching my hands as they lingered over the board. I could tell my initial reaction was correct; he took so much joy in this game. Whether it be playing or winning it, every limb of his body emoted a sense of excitement and childish wonder.

I couldn't help but want to let him win. Even if I did know the rules, I imagine watching this man feeling genuinely happy about something would be enough of an endorphin boost to not care about losing.

Our fourth game had been interrupted four moves in, Perry coming up to the table and slamming his hand against the board. Several of the pieces had clattered off of the elevated surface, while Cassiel and I couldn't help but flinch. Even Alexandria seemed to clench up, her hands raised from the keyboard in a flash of movement.

"Why am I not surprised," he growled, looking down at the board with discontent. I couldn't help my body from tensing up; he looked irritated on a level I hadn't seen before. I could only tell he was likely to unleash the rage this time because Alexandria had moved in an instant, coming to his side and holding onto his hand.

"Franklin..." She'd whispered, following his gaze and it'd landed on Cassiel; who at this moment was flipping one of the pieces into the air over and over. After his initial flash of fear, he seemed to calm down; Perry was seemingly not provoking any further worry out of him. Did he not see him as a threat? Even on a professional level?

"Darwin. Do I need to remind you of the situation we are currently facing? Do I need to tell you who has been affected by it? Perhaps I should pull out the file with the current victims so you can peer at their faces while playing a damn game again," Perry had spoken each word with extra grit, his body evoking violent movement that seemed likely to cause harm to Alexandria or one of us if he tried hard enough. As he'd rounded off his questioning, he'd flipped the board from the table, an unknown point proven.

"Sir..." Cassiel had started but was quickly cut off.

"I don't want to hear it," He'd almost growled. His attention had then gone on to me. I'd braced myself to be yelled at, pulling my hands together, then to my chest. He'd exhaled breath, then sighed out my name, "Bastian,"

He'd forced himself to calm down, so I decided to relax, realising he had no reason to be truly mad at me. I'd looked up at him, and out of the corner of my eye watched Alexandria dragging Cassiel to her computer desk, "Perry,"

"Where exactly is Priestley? I'm almost positive I sent her to you. Is this another disobeyed order?" He'd started to look around the room but given up rather quickly. I debated what to tell him, he already seemed to be on edge; but realised he'd find out eventually, whether it was from me or not.

"She's with Anne. She was attacked." I said bluntly. His face had gone through several different emotions, ranging from confusion and anger to sheer panic before he'd turned on his heels and evacuated the area. I'd gotten up from my chair to watch him scurry into the infirmary corridor.