Sure enough, "Shall we?" sounded like the gateway to hell.
One that started with a thwak as Luca extended his foot—heel first—in a sharp tango step, their arms angled to one side, their faces following the same direction as they moved with startling aggression.
Ah, yes.
That.
What happened to the waltz that Cassian suggested?
Well, the idea was thrown away the moment his physical prowess had been called into question.
In short, the Federation’s next leader had just been called weak.
Even worse, he had been called as such by someone who clearly looked like he still had more growing to do.
Such delicate features. A pocket-sized height.
How dare this one insinuate that he was weak?
Of course, Cassian knew he might be playing into the golden-eyed menace’s hands, but a challenge like that wasn’t something he could possibly ignore. Not when it had been done in public—and not after someone else had already been presented as a comparison.
So he ended up telling Luca that he was perfectly fine with the initial choice.
"Mister Benefactor, are you sure? Maybe we should just pick something else?"
Luca asked worriedly.
And that, more than anything, ticked Cassian off.
To think someone would dare act like this with him.
But maybe what was worse was that he couldn’t even feel the usual trace of malice. No hidden edge. No carefully masked intent that he could latch onto and exploit.
Normally, he would’ve seen through it immediately and used it to his advantage.
But this blockhead?
He just seemed so... so oblivious.
Completely and utterly oblivious.
Just what was he supposed to do with someone like this when it felt like he was talking to an oddly placed wall?
Well, first, he needed to take control of this stupid dance.
Because at this rate, they weren’t going to get anywhere.
But just as Cassian was about to assert that control—
He was pulled firmly to the opposite side. His head practically whipped about as it happened.
And just like that, he was dragged into what could only be described as a whirlwind.
Cassian’s eyes widened in genuine surprise.
Because before he could even begin his greeting—
"Young Lo—"
He was abruptly sent out.
A sharp pull, a controlled release, and then a clean tuck outside turn that flung him into a spin before he could brace for it.
"What the actual—"
To his horror, he didn’t stop after one turn.
He kept spinning.
The momentum carried him further than expected, and for a split second, Cassian realized that he had already abandoned his original plans the moment he understood one crucial thing.
He wasn’t dealing with someone ordinary.
"Oof!"
He was caught just as the spin should’ve destabilized him, but instead of relief, the transition into the next move snapped through his frame like a jolt.

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