Vandal was pleased by Lady Shiva's report; Cassandra's report and confirmation heightened it. Work was being done as expected, though one minor importance was missing.
"We have yet to accrue her location," Cassandra reported despondently, standing before him in the lab, away from Psmion who remained connected to you, with Klarion assistance continuing their weaving and clipping. Klarion doing so every so gleefully.
He expected as much, Cassandra hadn't been able to extract the information subtly. Though she followed her orders effectively with you, preparing you and gaining your kinship. Opening you to be further, suggestible. Once that happened, Lady Shiva was brought in. Even with her, you had yet to disclose your location; he knew whoever you were with ensured that, minimizing the passing of information to you. A factor he capitalized on since the incident, and the heroes were none the wiser. They were blinded and Savage knew it, all those years ago they remained blinded and you remained ignorant. A part of him felt a ting of pity towards you, Cassandra saw it appear a few times in his eyes whenever she reported your progression. His eyes softened momentarily, she understood, having witnessed the same expression when he came to get her years ago. Cassandra didn't understand why Vandal delayed retrieving you after all this time and what he fabricated with you. With your life.
Though she had these questions, she threw them out; Vandal knew what he was doing and it was for the better cause. Each of those part of Vandal, he cared for equally and devised a plan for them, laying out the work. To guide them to the light, even if they must endure darkness along the way. Once they reached the light, Cassandra, like herself, would see its greatness. The thought of if it swelled Cassandra with warmness, even if she had yet to gather the information from you, soon you would be here and perhaps she could properly introduce herself to you. There was no wavering thought in her mind you would enjoy this, after being subjected to such...dull and mundane life. Living in a farcical reality with...fake connections and 'family' ties. If only, Cassandra had thought, she was there during those instrumental years or if she could have found you then...you would not have to endure the cruelty the others forced on. These lingering thoughts sweltered in her, setting a hardness in her eyes. None of this would have transpired if that...that...her fist clenched thinking about it.
Vandal rested a strong and gentle hand on her shoulder, and instantly calmness swept through her and pulled her from such thoughts. She lifted her eyes and found his staring with understanding and strength.
"Don't become lost in what was," he guided, "those thoughts do nothing and you will not see the light. You haven't failed, far from it." He assured her, lifting her doubts away and renewing with the assurance.
Proudly her eyes shined on him, his words held the highest of currency. "Yes. Of course," she agreed instantly." it just pains me." She felt his touch tighten at her words. Without words, he expressed her sentiments.
"Without pain, we can't fully enjoy the fruits of our labor," he spoke calmly and focused, providing her with strength; not a sign of weakness or crack in his voice. Again, she saw his truth reflected in his eyes. "you had to endure it. Even if briefly, most of you did. I expect no less for her either. Once her journey is completed she will be home." He paused for a moment, glanced over at Psmion for a moment, then shifted to Shiva and over to the furthest part of the lab to, them, and returned back to Cassandra, who smiled with respect and acceptance. Vandal gave a nod, frowning noticing the rising question in her eyes. "What is your question?"
Ashamed for a moment, Cassandra lowered her eyes but lifted it back with reverence, "Will you return her actual name? As you did me?"
Vandal withdrew his hand, briefly a crossed look swept over his stoic face, he gave thought before answering, "If she chooses. Though she's already using part of her name now, it will be her choice to fully embrace her given name."
"I hope she does," Cassandra admitted smiling hopefully to the side. "I'm ready to go back. It's been some time and I know she'll likely wonder again about my presence." She focused back on the task. "Would you like to come and actually meet her? I can arrange it."
"No. Not yet, but I will watch from a distance. Shiva."
Shiva came over ready. She and Cassandra walk over to Psmion and Klarion, on the table near them laid two metal circlets with a crimson jewel embedded in and ancient markings inlaid along their side, they slip them on and seconds before they felt a vacuum force pull their minds, an alarm rang out. Psmion's concentration broke and Klarion snarled.
Cassandra's heart sped up, nearly bursting from her chest, she knew that sound. Knew what it meant, her eyes widen and fall to Vandal, watching him unperturbedly cross over to the blaring monitor screen and with a single push silence it. Within seconds an image came up, of you.
"No far!" Klarion whined.
He was ignored, all eyes diverted to the screen; there you stood, unmistakably, in a black oversize hoodie, color receding from your face and your eyes filled with loss and fright staring straight ahead. It was a side picture of you, though the image wasn't fully clear, Vandal adjusted the resolution and there was no mistaking it, it was you. A picture was taken by someone sitting down a few feet away, without your knowledge. Cassandra tore off the circlet and hurried over, Vandal moved focus away from you and zoomed in to the wall behind you.
There!
There it was, the answer. Your location. A sigh of relief escaped Cassandra, they found you. They could go get you, Shiva seem to sense this and set her circlet down.
"No." Vandal said, stopping her. Cassandra turned to him in surprise, but he remained unreadable. "Call Godfrey. Send the signal, Psmion."
Cassandra couldn't hold back her question, "Why?"
Vandal turned to her and simply said, "You draw fox from its den with smoke. If you want it completely clear, you use fire."