Character Voice Practice - Cas

As mentioned in my previous post, I am in the process of working on a few different projects (week in and going great, btw). One thing I'm working on is my short story anthology and the plan for that.

As I decide on which stories I want to feature in it, I think of the multitude of ideas in a little Google doc just gathering dust. I have a whole thing about a group of characters half-planned.

On that note, what I often do with new characters is write tiny things just to feel out their voice and movements. I like thinking about how they interact with the world around them.

These tiny writings aren't really worth showing most of the time, but I was happy with how this one turned out. Plus, it seemed like a good way to showcase one of the ways I process ideas.

So without further ado, 300 words of randomness:

~~

Cas took a swig from his mug and let it thud back against the filthy table. Gray, viscous liquid sloshed over the side, adding to the sticky mess no one had bothered to clean.

The bell over the door chimed, and it made his spine straighten even as he told himself not to look over. If his contact were here, the man would find him.

He flexed his fingers over the handle of the mug just as a man slid into the chair across from him.

"Didn't think you'd show," Cas commented, eyes narrowed at the other man.

"That'd hurt me if I cared for your opinion of me, dross," the man's voice was raspy and dismissive.

Cas ignored the insult; it was old by this point. "And yet here you are, needing my information."

The man glowered from under a black hood but reached into his cloak and pulled out a small chain. A large knot swung at the end, which held at least 20 golden eies threaded on the line. He dropped it on the table with a metallic clatter.

"Be more conspicuous," Cas muttered but reached into his own cloak and pulled out a small slip of parchment, which he flicked onto the table, narrowly missing the spilled drink.

The man grabbed it and stood quickly, not sparing another glance at Cas.

Cas pulled the eies toward himself, the money scraping against the rough wooden table. Realistically the info he'd just sold was worth at least 30 eies, but he couldn't bring himself to care. Not like the money was going to anyone anymore except himself.

He chuckled mirthlessly, knocked back the rest of his drink, and stood. It was time to leave; he'd made his money. The last thing he needed was too many eyes on him. It wouldn't end well if he stayed in one place for too long.