Cassian was a sullen, needy child so much so that he could easily have been described as a momma’s boy...which he was, frequently, by his classmates. As time went on he became more withdrawn, deciding that the only way to not be made fun of would be to simply be more independent...to be [i]better[/i]. While the bullying--in large part--stopped in the ensuing years, a distance grew between him and the other kids, eventually leading to him being isolated, excluded from most games and activities when possible. His parents, Jane and Harold McAllister, decided to enroll him in the soccer program to give him other people his age to bond and socialize with. It worked and not only did he spread his wings and--slowly--come out of his shell, but he made a real, lasting friend in the form of Mauve.

While his time in the team only lasted a year or so due to funding, the two continued to play soccer together and hangout, sharing stories, food, and as they got older--secrets and insecurities to a degree. They were close and a big part of that closeness came from their mutual competitive spirit. In most things they did together--chess, soccer, racing down the stairs, videogames--they competed, with the intention being to drive one another forwards. It fed Cassian like no other relationship had before it. In a way Mauve was his rock in a tumultuous, apathetic stream, something to hold onto and strive for. Somewhere he could go to feel safe amid the rapids. This carried up until highschool, though the two did grow as much separately as they did together, with Cassian gaining a new appreciation for math and literature, eventually discovering web design as well. He excelled in school, his grades the highest of his class. He lost sleep in his effort to surpass his peers and meet his unrealistically high standards.

Of course, none of that mattered to him, the only thing that mattered was when Mauve graduated before him and all because he was a year ahead. He didn’t let that stop him, keeping in touch as much as he could while choosing the same college and shooting for the stars--and hitting spectacularly. Only 3 months into his senior year, he finished the rest of the material for the year...before collapsing in exhaustion. Alarmed, his parents tried to pull him out of school or at least force him to calm down, but he wouldn’t...not unless they found a way for him to skip his senior year and graduate.

A few months later it was the new semester for his college of choice, he was enrolled and moved in to the dorm. He was a semester behind Mauve, but at least this way he couldn’t fall any further behind. With the distance bridged, the two resumed almost as if they’d never been apart. Though now in a more adult capacity. Cassian joined a club or three, keeping up with his hobbies of fencing and chess in particular--though he’d largely grown out of his enjoyment of soccer(not that he didn’t play on occasion). As with highschool, he’s did well in college, deciding he’d major in mathematics while taking extra classes. With his own funds--and his parent’s assistance--he managed it all fairly well. With his coding hobby he began pulling in some money, helping classmates and some other clients with small projects here and there. Then, in his second year he met a new friend, Alex, through Chess club. Taking a liking to his observant nature, good natured personality, and tenacity the two got along well enough.