Lora had to admit, she was surprised that the position of team leader was actually split between two figures - if Krista was the one that actually showed the most prowess for teamwork and management, surely she would get the whole position? But no, Lora possessed some key critical ability as opposed to the other pilots, and her high Synch Ratio played a part in that. As the new tools and decorations were handed out, Lora took her share with a slight nod to Ritsu. She pocketed the handgun and quickly fiddled about in getting the pins on, while the lieutenant turned to speak with the other cadets.

[hr]
[b][color=0054a6]"Carry on, Cadet,"[/color][/b] the Lieutenant greeted Koehler in return, and smiled. [b][color=0054a6]"Now you kids play nice, and make sure to relax. We'll start with full throttle tomorrow."[/color][/b] She then walked away, with a much more casual swing to her hips.

Elora was quick to leave the briefing hall, still glum and pained by her faults, but Lora would have none of that. Before she could move to pursue the sullen girl, however, she noted Krista, the Archer's pilot, about to cross paths. That was right, Lora was one of the new leaders for Squad Sigma; still technically below rank of Krista, but a leader all the same. A hefty concern, certainly, considering this mismatched ragtag group of pilots, but she would have to attend to it later.

As Lora and Krista hailed each other, Lora took the first opportunity to say, [color=lightblue]"I wouldn't have guessed you to become squad leader. Congratulations, in this and the battle."[/color] A firm but gentle handshake was shared, and then, [color=lightblue]"I'd love to chat a bit, and we should discuss our roles, but I have some business of my own I'd like to catch up with first, If you don't mind, I'll meet up with you later."[/color] Not a hasty gesture, but hopefully a clear one, Lora dismissed herself and moved to follow Elora, walking just below a brisk pace of her own.

Elora managed to reach the mess hall, where she took the farthest table out of the others as she could. She had her tray fitted with some food, but she seemed to have trouble eating it. The fork she held dropped from her shaking arm, and she lowered her head on the table. She wondered how she would survive in this cruel place, filled with pain and sadness. She was starting to think that her affections were a curse; Stukov died, and Ryan was crippled. Elora believed it was her fault what happened to him; she answered wrong to the professor and was punished for it, causing Ryan to become angry. She lifted her head a bit to take a look at the other pilots, who seemed to have fun together. She secretly wanted to join in, but was too scared; she would just cause more suffering. She dropped her head again.

Lora finally caught a glance of Elora as the former entered the mess hall - the latter was sitting in a far-off table, he face buried in her arms. She looked lonesome and miserable, but at least she wasn't hard to find. Not bothering to greet the transferred replacement pilots or even get herself any lunch, for now, Lora made a beeline to Elora's table. Before she got too close, however, Lora stopped herself, taking up a smoother and more calm stride. She was concerned that she had come across as too fierce before, and she wanted to register herself otherwise. The junior leader hoped she could pull it off - being a big sister again, after so long...
 
Elora opened one of her eyes, and saw Lora approach her. She remembered how she gave some nice words to her, but kept to herself, making Elora unsure of what kind of person she was. She didn't know whether the new leader wanted to comfort her or scold her for making the wrong choice. She couldn't help it; the scary professor exerted tremendous pressure on her, and she didn't want to cause trouble for others by denying responsibility. Elora kept quiet, and waited for what the junior officer had to say, her head still buried in her arms.

A hand fell to Elora's shoulder as Lora slowly took a seat next to her. [color=lightblue]"Hey,"[/color] the older pilot began, smooth and caring as she could first manage, [color=lightblue]"I know what you must be feeling, that this really is your fault, right?"[/color] Cautiously, Lora tried to knead Elora's shoulder in a meager massage.

[color=8dc73f]"U-Uhhh-"[/color] Elora tried to voice up, still struggling to find words for what was happening. Her shoulders were stiff, so it felt uncomfortable when Lora kneaded one of hers, and she was briefly reminded of the kind of bullying she was subjected to. It soon started to feel better, though, when she started to relax, and ease up on being as tense. It was clear to her that Lora was only trying to help, and appreciated her for doing so. Still, she had doubts about herself. [color=8dc73f]"B-But Ryan got hurt, and I didn't-"[/color]

[color=lightblue]"You're taking this all wrong,"[/color] Lora insisted, attempting to sound firm while also keeping the softer tone in her voice. [color=lightblue]"Ryan... he was being over-protective and judgmental. He thought I was going to destroy you, and he broke off because of that."[/color] Lora felt a small lump forming in her throat, but she choked it down and continued, [color=lightblue]"He wanted to protect you, but more than that, he also wanted to kill me. And when Lorenzo hurt you... he wanted to kill him, too."[/color]

The older pilot took her hand from Elora's shoulder and moved to wrap around, embracing her in a half-hug. [color=lightblue]"Whatever you're thinking, you're not the cause of this."[/color] Lora shook her head, ensuring Elora was facing her. [color=lightblue]"Lorenzo... He knew you weren't guilty, but he also knew you couldn't refuse him. He simply preyed upon you, as a means to an end. Either you claimed it was not your fault and made Ryan get removed, or you got hurt and Ryan would remove himself."[/color]

Elora sniffled as she listened to Lora's mature reasoning. She didn't think about it from an outside perspective like that, and realized that no matter what she did, Ryan would have been hurt regardless. She embraced Lora's hug, which was a brief respite from the day's never-ending stream of nightmarish scenes. Lora was like a big sister she never had, who would listen to your woes and help you with them. Encouraged by her, Elora opened up:

[color=8dc73f]"Th-Thank you, Lora. I've been so afraid, ever since I ended up here...ever since I started piloting that robot, I've never stopped being afraid...until now. How could I ever pay you for this kindness?"[/color]

Feeling and hearing Elora respond like this brought a certain wonderful feeling to her. Despite having trained for so very long to be a living tool of war, to pilot humankind's heaviest weapons into battle, Lora could still be human. She could still feel, and comfort, and convince. And just as Elora looked at her like a big sister, Lora too felt like that, and it was more than a truth. More than anything, she wanted to be strong... so that she could save others with her strength, her reasoning, her care.

[color=lightblue]"Don't,"[/color] Lora finally responded after a few extended seconds. [color=lightblue]"You don't have to pay back anything. Just be strong; nothing is your fault unless you make it so. Alright?"[/color]

Elora meekly nodded. [color=8dc73f]"I...I'll do my best, Lora. I learned a lot about being strong today, when we...umm...you know, so I'll continue doing that. I promise."[/color]

With a far more friendly nod, Lora stayed a few moments longer before relinquishing her grip on Elora and standing up. Elora was now starting to feel better after she exchanged a few words with Lora. She was really glad that someone like her was part of the squad. When Lora turned to leave, Elora tugged on her sleeve.

[color=8dc73f]"Hey, um, thanks for talking with me...again. It means a lot to me."[/color]

Lora nodded in return. [color=lightblue]"Of course. If Ryan was truly wrong about something, it was that I meant to destroy you. I didn't... and I probably couldn't have, either."[/color] One more time, she turned, but then doubled back, feeling the shifting of her new decorations. [color=lightblue]"...Oh, and I guess you should technically start calling me 'ma'am' and 'leader' and such. But save it for business, okay?"[/color]

With that, Lora left, not meaning to leave Elora alone but simply wanting to get herself some food. After all the hard thought and exercise today, and with the physical and mental training to come, it was just nice to stay plain and indulge oneself.

As Lora left to her own devices, Elora couldn't help but cover her mouth with her hands and blush in embarrassment. She forgot that Lora was a junior officer now, and that she should have been greeting her formally, with a salute and all. But Lora didn't seem to mind too much, and in fact was fine with being on friendly terms outside of the super serious war stuff. Elora was fine with that, and smiled. Maybe this wasn't going to be so bad after all, she thought as she finished her food and left the table, trying to talk with some of the other pilots who were going to be her new family.