Iago Incarnate

Perception Becomes Reality, part 1

Landing the new position as Chief of Psychiatrics understandably thrilled Dr. Cassius, though his enthusiasm might have reached even further beyond work than it did at the MHC. The previous years had been tumultuous, and through some individual and shared struggles, the doctor and his live-in girlfriend managed to persevere and see themselves through, even if at times only just. Though the new position meant a new tax bracket, and the elevated pay meant Michael could finally afford the sort of engagement ring he thought his beloved Bianca deserved.

"Nick, buddy, you gotta help me here!" Dr. Cassius pleaded with a friendly smile as his trusted colleague walked into the break room to fetch himself a fresh cup of coffee. "I stalled so long, if I don't propose soon I'll end up murdered." he joked, having no way to know what the future actually held for him. Dr. Malvagio smirked and nodded, assuming, as he so often did, the role of trusted advisor. "Alright, let's see the ring. That's what this is about, right? Making sure she won't laugh and run out and fuck the doorman?"

Michael's bemused, half-hearted laugh was stifled as the doctor pulled out his phone to show a picture of what was the hot trend for 2015, though nearly already overdone, an emerald cut diamond with a halo band, all in rose gold. Nick nodded and made one of those "not bad" expressions, which was done to sew some doubt in his colleague's mind. "What? Not good? Man, I have read through every single wedding magazine and website, and this is THE style for this year." Cassius said, almost pleading for Nick to agree. "Which is great, right, as long as your wedding only lasts this year... a wedding ring should be timeless, is this always going to be what she loves, or just the first of many expensive rings you end up buying as you chase styles down?"

It was a legitimate point, and probably good advice, though Michael already had his mind made up. Though Nick's wife was crazy about him, and he had definitely married up, so he might know a thing or two about what he was talking about. "She loves you, right? So relax, the ring only exists to impress her friends and family, so don't overthink it, bud. You know what I mean? Besides, there are much more important issues... fucking Eagles missed the playoffs last year, and I blame you for missing so many games with B." Dr. Malvagio teased, getting a more sincere laugh from Dr. Cassius this time. "Though do hurry up and lock this thing up, guaranteeing you have someone to fuck you for life means you don't need to rely on your teams to do it instead. Don't even get me started on the last place Phillies, afanabola, fuggedaboutit."

For as polished and charming as Dr. Malvagio could be, Michael actually loved his more unrefined Italian side, giving an acknowledging nod. "Alright, I have several this afternoon, so let me turn off my brain and get back to work. Have an amazing rest of your day, Nick." the good doctor offered with a smile. "Won't be as good as your doorman, I tell you what." Nick quipped with a mischievous smirk as he bounded out of the room. Without anyone realizing it, he had officially moved into a penthouse apartment in Dr. Cassius' head.

Nick would spend the next couple weeks subtly and almost backhandedly sewing doubt in the head of his colleague who found himself growing increasingly anxious about the actual proposal as his insecurity about the ring choice grew. Continuing to pound the same joke about Bianca and the doorman would have lost all meaning, and so it never again got mentioned. That didn't mean that the subversive strikes against Cassius' confidence wouldn't continue. Aided by his own attractiveness, Dr. Malvagio often commented about how attractive and confident some of the men they both knew were. It was off hand and never alongside mention of Bianca, though just done to see that Michael never lost the subconscious thought that they were surrounded by engaging, charismatic, and good looking guys.

The morning Michael took Bianca to get her ring fitted after finally popping the question, the man assisting was very clearly playing for the other team, but became very friendly with the couple. He wouldn't admit it, and might not have even consciously realized it, but Michael became more focused on his fiancee's demeanor and body language as she talked with the jeweler who complimented her frequently, along with Michael, though that went entirely unnoticed.

While his bride to be was excited, almost bouncing with untamed energy in her seat the whole ride home, Michael was perturbed and knew he was being silly, but chalked up his insecurity to nerves as they began to plan their forever, never considering that those nagging voices in his head might have been placed there by Nick. Ironically enough, the couple of times the couples ran into each other, Bianca and Nick always seemed to share something of an energy that Michael was too out of touch to recognize, but the same couldn't be said for her.