A return

[grassnorcrystal]

[Franz and Ruby lands outside the gates of the Budehuc, and Franz dismounts. He’s not dressed in his uniform, instead wearing civilian clothes that wouldn’t be out of place in the HSFDF] What in the world happened? Looks like a golem came through here.

Anyways, I’m Franz, from Le Buque reporting here as… a member of the Harmonian Southern Frontier Defense Force as extra security for his Grace, the Bishop Sasarai.

This is Ruby, he’s my mantor. Don’t be afraid of him, he’s harmless so long as you’re not baiting him.

Comments

[latkje]

Hey! I'm extremely clean.

But if he likes soap, I can't imagine the HSFDF will be his favorite place.

[grassnorcrystal]

Maybe it's the specific fragrance. Then again, he liked that Ayame woman too.

[latkje]

The ninja?

[grassnorcrystal]

Yes, her. He liked playing with her too.

[latkje]

Dangerous tastes. I ran into her once late at night, locked in battle with that other one, Watari. Do they ever sleep?

[grassnorcrystal]

They're trained assassins, weren't they? If they do I doubt it's for more than a few hours at a time.

[latkje]

Who knows? It doesn't sound like a pleasant line of work to me.

[grassnorcrystal]

[Would like to say nor him, but he's a mercenary now and he's not sure if that's any better]

You take what life gives you, I guess.

[latkje]

That's one way of looking at it, I guess. But how can you tell what life gives you from what you're willing to take?

[grassnorcrystal]

[That's a question he's been asking himself since before the Second Fire Bringer War]

Survival is always preferable to death.

Beyond that, I guess it depends on whether or not you have something or someone you think is worth fighting for.

[latkje]

Not all living is fighting, I hope.

[grassnorcrystal]

Not every fight involves fists or weapons. Or other people.

[Strokes Ruby's carapace, who's still buzzing his wings excitedly at Nash, but isn't trying to move any more. It's probably a good idea to change the subject]

Duke mentioned a freak earthquake occurred. Is everyone alright?

[latkje]

You heard about it from Duke?

[ He quirks an eyebrow. ]

There weren't any serious casualties. A few broken bones, but everyone is on the mend.

[grassnorcrystal]

I'm now part of the 14th. He mentioned it in my debriefing.

That's good to hear.

[latkje]

Ah, that's right. They assign recruits to units now, some of the time. [ He pauses, and then: ]

I was in the HSDF a long, long time ago. [ Not really that long, but Nash time is a flexible thing. ]

[grassnorcrystal]

I actually requested either the 12th or 14th.

[Raises his brows] Really? And now you work for the Bishop directly?

[latkje]

[ He shrugs, and doesn't answer directly. ]

I'm not sure I'd call it a promotion.

[grassnorcrystal]

Hmm. Probably not.

[latkje]

[ Enough about Nash and that time his aunt promised he'd do Sasarai a favor. A favor that apparently lasted 15 years. ]

But His Holiness is good at finding talent in unusual places. He has a way of seeing things that most of the Temple try not to.

[grassnorcrystal]

He does. I never served under a general that treated my troops as well as he did.

[latkje]

Well, it's easier to fight for people you don't hate.

[grassnorcrystal]

Something previous commanding officers of mine could have learned.

[latkje]

Something tells me they'd be happy to learn, but would hate to be taught.