@KoL

Finis had stayed close to the lodging area, surveying it and making sure that he would be prepared if attacked while in this unfamiliar territory. When the night-watch returned, battered and bruised, it immediately caught his attention. And he skulked up to the group without even intending to move quietly.

The sergeant immediately gave him a bad impression. If this is how he acted in response to injured warriors returning back to friendly territory, and if his pride was this fragile, he would likely be nothing more than a liability in combat.

He walked behind the sergeant and began to speak in a soft, but stern voice, "I suggest that you do not allow your emotions to control you, for that has a tendency to be lethal. It would be rational to first tend to the wounded as that is more urgent then you making a fool of yourself. And I suggest you consider your words carefully before you do something you will come to regret, the Finis family do not take threats idly." He said, casually cleaning his dagger with a washcloth.

Natus fully prepared himself for any verbal or physical abuse that the sergeant would throw his way, though he hoped it would not come to that. Sadly, he was not in a position to simply kill him if needed, as that would make this situation much easier to handle.

She paused in eating for a moment when asked about the Doctor

“She’s my aunt I think. Or maybe cousin. Our family tree is pretty confusing as a result of all the adoptions”

Realising this probably made no sense to them without more information she added.

“My grandmother Ambrosia Clemmons was a noble who started adopting children who lost their parents to disease and then encouraging them to become doctors when they grow up.”

Encouraged was perhaps a little bit of an understatement, it was highly unusual to find a Clemmons who was not involved in the medical arts in some way.

“She turned her manor near ze capital into a combination hospital, medical school and orphanage called the Ambrosia Medical Institute. She’s been doing this for years now, so you’ll find Clemmons all over ze country. Some of them have even started settling down and having children. So she is either someone who was adopted and thus my aunt, or ze daughter of someone who was and thus my cousin”

She finished explaining and resumed her eating, listening to what the others might respond until the commotion outside began.

“What is going out there?”

She wondered aloud, putting down her porridge and taking a step out of their little lodgings to investigate. There seemed to be some kind of confrontation going on between a rather well dressed woman (Althea was not much of a military expert and so was unable to identify the uniform even if she had seen it before)and a rather gruff man who might have been a Sargent. Or an Officer. Someone of rank anyway. Althea more or less ignored them both once she caught sight of the wounded and rushed back into the common room, retrieved her bag. It seemed that they were once again going to be interrupted during their meal by the appearance of injured men.

“There's some kind of confrontation and an injured patrol out there. Might have been wolfs like the ones that attacked us.”

She informed anyone who hadn’t gone to investigate themselves before hurrying back out and up to the circle of onlooking troops.

“Could one of you stop gawking and go tell Dr Clemons about ze wounded? I am sure your comrades would appreciate it if they got help as soon as possible”

She asked the soldiers in a polite tone as she stepped past them and very carefully skirted around the confrontation, which Finis had joined since she last looked, and went to help the wounded.

“I have medical training, who need help the most?”

---

Esther stirred in her sleep as the sounds of the argument entered her ears. She was always weak to yelling. It made her feel nervous and guilty, even though she wasn't the one being scolded. It perhaps came instinctively from her harsh grandfather who often yelled at her for many things he perceived as her faults.

"U-uuhh, what's with all the noise?" she said as she sat up, rubbing her eyes groggily. She then climbed off her bed and wore her shoes before walking towards the source of the noise, still wearing her nightgown. Normally, she wouldn't do such a thing, as her nightgown was really not designed for public appearance. It was made with a soft, semi-transparent silk that gave a hint of her pink bra and panties. However, she was too sleepy to think clearly.

When she arrived, she saw a young girl arguing with a man quite bigger than her size. She saw no fear on the girl's face, which impressed her. She herself would have been intimidated with how much bigger the man was. Not to mention all the yelling the man was doing.

Thankfully, she then saw Natus interrupting the two. It seemed she didn't need to interrupt herself. And so she watched from the sidelines with a nervous expression. She just hoped it wouldn't devolve into something ugly, as both Finis and the man were grabbing their respective weapons.
@KoL@Leotamer

@DracoLunaris@Hammerman@Leotamer@KoL



"Sounds like she was a real great gal," said Tzi with a firm nod. He hadn't expected to be told so much about Althea's family, but that was pretty interesting stuff. Granny Clemmons being a cool old lady did explain why he kept seeing that Clemmons surname everywhere. He popped the last bit of his sandwich into his mouth, chewing slowly as he thought about that explanation. Maybe there were hundreds of them running around the countryside.

That was pretty awesome. More doctors meant more people to patch him up after a fight.

The commotion, however, distracted any further musings on the subject, and the tall, shirtless young man quickly followed Althea out to see what exactly was going on. The sight of the argument really explained it immediately. He looked around, glancing over at the injured men behind that slip of a girl, and the angry garrison members. Dang, stuff was seriously more tense than he'd originally thought. Probably wouldn't have realised it if he wasn't seeing it for himself.

He scratched his cheek. This was probably what they meant by a picture being worth a thousand words.

"Just an argument," he said offhandedly as an answer to Esther's question, having noticed the sleepy young girl arrive just then. "Let's hope nobody tries to escalate, and we ca--nnnnnn ah bug dangit blugh."

It was a tense situation. But totally understandable. They could resolve it peacefully, just focus on keeping the injured guys safe (which Althea was gonna handle, bless her), and make sure nobody else got hurt.

Natus bro don't try and subtly threaten a guy you're just going to piss him off.

The two-metre tall young man quickly moved through the crowd the moment he cut off the conversation, making his way right to where Natus was and picking the fourteen year old up. A second later, he was already retreating back into the crowd, depositing the boy and the knife being cleaned down and away from the angry sergeant. Even if the kid wanted to help, that knife really wasn't helping matters at all.

Tzi just needed to keep things from going too far.

"Woah sir, no need for weapons," he said, stepping forth once again and holding his hands out in a placating manner. "I know you're angry, but we can work it out when Aquaria's guys get a bit of heals in."

He shifted a few steps closer towards them. If anything got outta hand, he could leap in between more quickly.

"If you feel like us Cadenza kiddos are imposing too, we're sorry for that," the tall young man added. "But let's not get too heated, sir. The big guys upstairs won't like that too much, no matter the reason."

Leon Brandeau

Leon listened along silently as Althea explained her family history. It was interesting to hear that her family had such deep roots in medicine. It almost made the Brandeaus sound like layabouts, considering their achievements were mostly relegated to the one region of the Empire, rather than the whole land. Before he could follow up on his questions, however, everyone began to take notice of a commotion brewing elsewhere. Leon inevitably followed after Althea and Tzi to find out what was going on. What he found was appalling; a sergeant of the fortress was acting in a manner most unbecoming of a military man. Even if the Aquarian girl was being short with him, it was clear she had cause to do so. There was no call for an assault, and certainly not for whatever he meant by his dungeon threat.

Leon was disheartened to see none of the soldiers of the fort seemed to have the spine to do anything about this, but he was pleased to see more than a few of his direct comrades were quick to step into action. Leon was about to step in himself when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see that he had finally found his brother, Anton Brandeau. "Leon, don't get in the middle of this. I don't know what's about to happen." He spoke in a hushed tone.

"I will not stand around as this travesty continues." Leon replied harshly. He shook free of his brother's grasp and carried on out into the midst of the dispute. At any other time, he would have been keen to stop and chat with his brother whom he hadn't seen for some time, but fraternal reunions could wait until after he had done the right thing. Though for now, Leon wasn't actually intending to do anything more than stand there; Finis had already threatened the sergeant, and Tzi was trying to mediate. Leon's sole contribution was standing by Tzi, between the man and the Aquarian officer. If Tzi's bid was successful, he wouldn't have to do a thing, but between Finis' threat and the man's generally petulant temperament, Leon wasn't so sure it would be so easy. If need be, he would have to brace himself for a fight.

@KoL @Crimmy @Leotamer

Relaxation. It was an odd concept after recent events. Everything rushing and colliding until it all screeched to a halt. Debriefs and analysis of gathered information that thankfully Clean was able to avoid being a part of, the only thing of note really being that he encountered the mismatched girl that tried to abduct Althea and failed to capture her due to what could only be called abnormal flexibility. The kick was something else as well, her strength had to be at least equal to his own swing of the axe to be able to knock it from his grip so easily and it was all a reaction to an unexpected situation from her.

“Well, since I can’t seem to get this mismatched girl out of my head I’ll have to just capture her.” Soldiers moved past and kicked up dust causing Clean to frown and move of the road and onto the cobblestone path that led to lodgings. Rounding the corner there were his comrades trying to talk down a well-built soldier and too many soldiers in need of medical attention. The commotion had obviously brought everyone’s attention and quickly heard the Sergeant’s words from mingling stationed soldiers. Walking towards the soldier from behind, Clean looked him over and let his imagination take hold, his blade hamstringing the soldier quickly enough that he’d only feel a cool breeze brushing him, before collapsing to the ground as his legs gave way and writhing in what would probably be immense pain and the blood would pool and drain through the cracks in the earth… it would require immediate medical attention and the soldiers at the gates would no doubt also be treated once the medical staff were made aware.

“Nope, can’t do that. Court martial would be the result if I’m lucky. I need justifiable self-defence as a safety net first. Better not make a mess out of this.” Staring disdainfully at the ‘Sergeant’ Clean moved over towards the stricken girl.

“You don’t have to ‘play bitch’ to Aquaria. You’re obligated to play nursemaid and get soldiers proper medical attention. Your failure to comply will be reason enough for Aquaria to dissolve any direct trade routes to, from or even through this area. Justifications such as ‘the soldiers stationed there can’t be trusted to protect us’ will be made.” Letting his words sink in, Clean stared the Sergeant in the eyes, his icy blue eyes seeming all the colder with every word.

“Everyone here has seen your actions and you will most definitely be offered up as the sacrificial lamb to appease those dissatisfied and you’re nothing but a fool if you think you can keep this from getting out. The wounded are no doubt going to hold a grudge for one. Not to mention you’ve struck a soldier from Aquaria. If this reaches the wrong ears I’m sure execution would be the least of your worries. So, how about you perform your duty sergeant?” The rank simply dripping with sarcasm, Clean barely managing to keep his poker face, let a mocking smile tug at the corner of his lip never fully forming. If the Sergeant lost his temper again Clean would gladly match anything he dished out.

@KoL

Where…exactly had everyone gone to? Gradon whirled around to try and see if his fellow cadets were nearby but it seemed a second commotion had started some ways in the other room. Which was fine and all, and he was glad to catch notice of some of his classmates going to stop that struggle. But who would help him control the mayhem in the cafeteria?

There was some brief hope that Leblanc or even Clean would swoop in at the last moment to break these two men apart; at least someone who wasn’t hesitant to use force and display strength. Yet as the two continued to brawl it out, it was becoming clear that Gradon was on his own, at least until the matter with the sergeant was resolved. With a determined expression, he made up his mind and shoved his way through the crowd.

“Excuse me, uh, sirs? We should all calm our differences and wait for a commanding officer to settle this out,” he said, tapping one of the fighters gently on the shoulder. This startled the man and on instinct he whirled around to deliver a punch to the boy’s jaw. Gradon was flung like a stone, barreling into the crowd and slumping on the ground, unconscious.

So much for playing the hero; the man blinked in confusion at Gradon’s slacken form before being tackled by his earlier assailant. With a snarl and the jeers from the crowd, the two men continued their wrestling. Those who surrounded and watched them cheered on with increasing enthusiasm; some men even dared to toss them weapons of all manners.

A knife, a firearm, and even a hunking bag of gunpowder had been tossed into the ring. Each of the brawlers dived for their respective tool of destructive and it wasn’t long before gunshots rang out over the cries and applause. While it was no doubt a test of testosterone, one stray shot into the gunpowder would no doubt cause an explosive impact on all those crowded into the cafeteria. Drunken rage and bloodlust would make sure reason would be thrown out the window.

There were times it paid to be one with your surroundings, blending in plain sight to avoid notice. The proper gait to your steps and expression on your face can make people gloss over you completely in their minds, especially when obfuscated by more animated individuals.

Then Gradon had to be the voice of reason on top of his harem king self, and found himself an unconscious heap when the drunken soldiers didn't fall for his handsome features like others of their fairer variety did. A shame, thought the seaweed haired young woman as she observed from a corner of the room, this was almost as entertaining as the street fights I frequented.

"You call that a punch?" She chided, brushing aside the crowd when she didn't outright jab them in the ribs to make room for herself, several men left doubled over on the floor in her wake. Standing at the front of the crowd she entered the ring, wreathed in an aura of condescension from the way she stood to the practiced ease she looked down her nose at the drunken rabble; An easy way to provoke their enmity to say the least. "My mother could hit harder then that. In labor."

That was more fact then boast, though suffice it say the idea of a woman in the midst of child birth was more masculine then them far more motive to strike her then they needed for Gradon. A combatants meaty fist flew to wipe the arrogance from her face, an act as predictable as it was simple. Leblanc met barbarity with barbarity, arms scraping past each other in milliseconds, only for her arm to elongate amidst the sounds of dislocating joints and collide with his wind pipe before he ever had the chance to graze her cheek.

Momentum dead in an instant and staggered with an unsportsmanlike like attack, he raised his hands to his wounded throat and gasped like a fish with wide, panicked eyes.

"If you expected me to brawl you, you'll be disappointed." She said, appearing stolid as her muscles contracted and pulled her arm back to its normal length, the sound alone earning a few winges of discomfort from the audience. With the man gasping for breath it was child's play to twist herself to the side and deliver a hard kick to the inner side of his kneecap, toppling him like an oak that wouldn't be participating in these sorts of bouts for some time.

"Now if anyone else would enjoy being hospitalized for the next month, feel free to test your luck. I promise shattered bones will be the least of your concern."

@TheWindel

---

---

The sergeant looked around himself, realizing the commotion that had formed around him. While he didn't pay much heed to the threats of kids who couldn't tell left from right, much less know anything about how war is supposed to be, this much attention was getting on his nerves. "Harumph! Suit yerselves, then," the nearly seven feet tall giant said, locking his blade back on its scabbard."Yer all are gonna to 'ave a wake up call sooner or later," the sergeant said in a bitter voice while he adjusted the bearskin mantle he wore over his armor. A trained eye would be able to take a momentary glimpse of a dark spot close to his collar bone in the faint moment that he took to fix his gear and turn around. "When that 'appens I'll love to see yer faces. The only thing that's better than yer first real battle," the sergent said as he began to leave, taking the time to stare right at the skimply clad Esther and back at the Aquarian guard, "are the whimpers of an insolent girl being deflowered, after all."

Once the sergeant left for the main lodgings, the soldiers around rushed in to assist the wounded. One of them came to the Cadets, especially Althea, and bowed, pleading their forgiveness. "We are sorry. Some of us here really can't tolerate the presence of so many foreigner troops, stretching our resources, especially when Winter is coming. We would have helped before if we could but, unlike you, we are going to be here probably until the day we are discharged. We can't simply disobey the sergeant, even if some of us don't agree with his mindset."

"Anyway, you must be tired," the soldier said, placing a hand over Althea's shoulder. "Please, allow us to take it from here. That Aquarian girl probably needs you more at this moment, anyway." After saying so, the soldier turned on his heel and began to assist the others in taking away the wounded soldiers, leaving behind just those on duty, the Cadets and the Aquarian guard."Thank yo—ouch! for your help," The girl said. She still kept a brave face, smiling even though the red spot in her face had swelled enough to to force her to keep an eye half-open. Despite the bruise, she seemed content with the outcome of this situation.

"I'm Viola Ferrari, a cadet of the Aquarian Royal Guard," the girl said with a slightly pained voice while getting closer to the Cadets. "Can I—ouch! ask for a bit more of your help?" Viola said, looking at the medical supplies on Althea's hands.

---

Esther was relieved when the angry sergeant finally relented and left the scene, though not without huffing angrily at the sergeant's rude comment towards her and the Aquarian guard. "How rude! The only one that would deflower me is my husband, and I am sure I would not want you to be watching us when we do the deed!" However, once the words left her mouth, she realized what she just said and turned crimson immediately. Now she felt like she wanted to just sink down to the floor out of embarrassment.

When the Aquarian girl introduced herself, she snapped out of it and introduced herself back with her trademarked cheerful smile. "I'm Esther von Degraff. Nice to meet you, Viola!" She gave her hand to her. "That sergeant sure was rude, wasn't he? I sure am glad that none of my squadmates are as rude as him! Really, talking like that to a girl... Have he no manners at all?"

@KoL

While the confrontation had been ongoing she checked over all of the troops and was preparing to operate on some of the worst when the confrontation cooled. It was very fortunate that the sergeant backed down, she really didn’t want to have to do riot control with all these wounded people around.

She accepted the soldiers apology, a little flustered by the full grown man’s apologetic bowing and somewhat uncomfortable with his subsequent shoulder grabbing.

“It’s fine. really. My apologies for asking you to go against your orders, I get a little single minded when it comes to medical emergencies and sometimes forget about protocol.”

She was sure he was a good man but with the memory of Sargent's despicable words and the grappling with the woman on the mountain earlier still fresh in her mind she was not entirely comfortable with a stranger's contact at the moment. Fortunately he soon hurried off after the others.

After that there was the matter of her squadmates and the Aquarian girl’s facial injury. It seemed like everyone that had been in their quarters had stepped out here and they had been joined by Crispin from wherever he had been. Most notable was Esther who was wearing something incredibly inappropriate for wandering about in. Her skin crawled at the thought of the fact that the sergeant had seen her in it.

“Rude is an understatement, I’d call it incredibly creepy and vile. Anyway. I’m Althea Clemmons.”

There was a brief pause while she stroked the beak of her mask in the same manner a philosopher might stroke their beard in contemplation, as she thought about what to do for the hurt Aquarian .

“Ah, I know.”

She snapped her fingers, now covered in her silver gauntlet, and turned towards the door to the outside

“I’ll be right back with something for your face”

She said as she stepped out into the cold, momentarily leaving the group.

Leon Brandeau

The situation had been resolved, with none of their number worse off for it. However, the whole incident had left a bad taste in Leon's mouth. This sergeant was more of a degenerate than Leon had first imagined; he confirmed his threat was of an equally perverse and sadistic nature, and had even taken the time to threaten not just the Aquarian girl but also Esther. Leon could scarcely believe a man of this low character had been allowed to remain in the military for so long, let alone in a position of command. He was already beginning to consider penning a letter to his father regarding the incident; though he was loathe to use his family name like a weapon, his position of authority in the North made him the only person he could rely upon to actually do something about this. He could only hope there wouldn't be some complication and that having this sergeant dismissed would be a simple matter.

Concerns about the sergeant could wait, however, as there was a more immediate situation at hand. The Aquarian girl came to introduce herself, and Leon learned she was named Viola Ferrari. Her soldiers were now receiving the care they needed, but it seemed she also wanted something for the mark that sergeant left on her face. The conversation quickly turned to how vile the man was, and Leon couldn't help but agree. "Indeed, he must be the greatest degenerate I've ever met. To think he would make such threats so lightly..." His gaze traveled to Esther as he spoke. It was at this moment he noticed her state of dress. His gaze immediately shot away from Esther, with Leon clearly embarrassed by what he had just seen. "I'm Leon Brandeau by the way." He quickly introduced himself to Viola, hoping to distract himself from it all.

"Well if it ain't our lords and saviors?" As if Leon couldn't get more embarrassed at this point, the familiar sound of his brother Anton rang out as he came and put his arm around Leon's shoulders, bringing him into a friendly hug. "Anton Brandeau, second son of house Brandeau, this guy's older brother..." He patted Leon on the head. "...at your service. Just wanted to say thanks for putting Sergeant Jackass back there in his place. I'd do it myself, but I have to live with the guy." Though Anton was a noble just like Leon, he had adopted a casual way of speaking from his time at Orello.

@KoL @Hammerman @DracoLunaris

@Hammerman@Mercurial@DracoLunaris@KoL



"Don't think you should be letting anyone watch anyway, kiddo," said Tzi casually in response to Esther's sorta uncouth declaration, his eyes still following the retreating form of that sergeant. "Not that you should uh, tell us anyway."

That weirdness aside, the sergeant sure had been one real grump and jerkish old coot, and he had to really agree with Althea on calling him "creepy and vile". Sure, he'd seen folks like that around before, but not usually in a decent position in the military. Then again, a place like this probably wanted a good fighter over a person who was more upstanding. Dang, it was lucky they didn't get involved in a fight then, because he wouldn't want to face off a guy like that as well as all his men. It would be really awesomely fun, but then they'd be leaving all the injured out to dry, and no matter how cool a fight could be, he just wasn't cool with the consequences of doing so. Not that he thought that a fight was cool or anything. It could've just been ... fun.

Yeah.

That was it.

He glanced over at his companions. Althea had left for some more of her doctoring stuff, while Leon was looking away from Esther rather embarrassedly ... which the shirtless young man didn't really see what was embarrassing about. The little girl was wearing less clothes than usual, he supposed, but ... ah yeah, that was something. He'd lend her some clothes to keep her safe from the cold, but he'd left his uniform in the dorms. And he wasn't going to take off a nonexistent shirt to help out.

Anyway, Leon. And the new guy who had come by was his brother?

"Didn't know you had a bro," said Tzi, the two-meter tall young man glancing over at the aforementioned Anton and giving him a casual wave. "Hey there, I'm Tzi."

"Oh, and -" he said a moment later, quickly turning to the Aquilan cadet ... Viola, was it? ... to voice a question of his. "- What happened to you guys, if you don't mind me asking? Or do you have to brief the bigwigs first?"

---

---

"Indeed, that's an absolutely despicable behavior," Viola said emphatically. "That's not what a proud soldier fighting to protect people should ever say, it's a barbarian's— no, a villain's line," she added with fire in her eyes. "Actually, not even a villain would threaten a maiden's chastity like that. It's a demon, a demon, I say!"

It seemed like Viola really had a fiery spirit, after all even the bruise didn't seem to take her down, even if it was obviously not pleasant either. That said, the state of Esther's (un)dress was indeed a concerning one. "Here, you can have it. The wind is too cold, if you walk walk around like that, you may get sick," Viola said after taking off her coat and offering it to Esther in what may as well be described as a princely manner.

Viola appreciated the scantily clad girl's seeming naivete, but a maiden has the duty to zeal for her purity (However, calling Esther for this might shame her publicly. Viola wouldn't ever do such a thing to a girl). Moreover, the wind was indeed freezing cold, walking around in those clothes was certain to cause Esther to get sick. To think that none of the men around was gentlemanly enough to offer his own uniform to Esther (One of them actually walked around with his torso totally bare!) before Viola did so was indeed far more concerning."Actually, not. I don't think that there's anything worth of filling an official report," Viola turned around to answer Tzi's question. "We came here from Aquaria, as Her representatives for tomorrow's review. Yesterday, we went on a practice patrol. Everything was going well until the weather began to change we decided to come back because of the blizzard. But," Viola balled one of her hands in a fist and smacked it against the other's palm for emphasis, "four or five bears came out of nowhere and attacked us!"

"There was no way to defeat them in middle of that storm. Even then, we fought and fought some more," Viola's voice was quite lively as she told her story. The soldiers around began gossiping about how she was making things up and that they probably have hurt themselves on the cliffs, or something like this. Viola paid them no mind as she continued, "One of our shots caused an avalanche, and we used that chance to escape. We probably would never have arrived back here if it weren't for that."

Viola paused once more, crossing her her before her chest and lowering her head, she closed her eyes, creasing her face in a pensive frown. It looked like she was making quite an effort to try and recall every detail that she could. "Ah, yes!" she snapped back to her proper posture, exclaiming, "there was something more. The others said that they didn't noticed it, so it may be my imagination but, I'm more or less certain that I saw something flashing over a nearby hill when the bears attacked us. Almost as if it was a—hmm... yes! Almost as if it was a piece of glass or a mirror reflecting the bit of moonlight that filtered through the clouds. Maybe someone abandoned a piece of trash there? I don't know..."

"Either way, since I answered your question, now tell me? You are from Cadenza, right? Are you guys here for the review too or is it because of something else?" Viola turned back to look over Esther once more, making sure that she was alright before turning to Leon, Tzi and the other's. "By the way, that friend of yours is sure taking her time. I hope that you don't find this too rude, but... could we continue this talk at somewhere hotter, preferably over some food? The mess should be open at a time like this, probably." She turned back to Esther once more, reaching for the girl's shoulders in a reassuring way. "That is, after we get you to your lodgings. Just show me the way and I'll escort you," Viola said, flashing the best smile she could with that bruise in her face.

Finis did not like the situation he was in currently.

Firstly, he was manhandled by an islander of all people. Secondly, this review surprised him. He did not like surprises. Thirdly, while he at first appreciated Viola's bravery. She was way to energetic. It would was the worse thing in the world, but it simply compounded the rest of the days worries.

However, more than any of that, was the sheer amount of unknown information. He had no information on either Viola or the sergeant, which could be critical in the future. He also had no idea about this ghastly figure. The fact he could not even tell if it was a ghost or criminal infuriated him further. There was also the strange report by Viola, another unknown variable. I could be related to the ghastly figure.

Finis keep his frustrations to himself. While the others escorted Viola and handled the social interaction part of information gathering, he would search within the walls for information regarding the sergeant and the ghastly figure. In order to avoid more trouble with the sergeant, he would first start with legal means and see if more covert digging would be required.

After a short while Althea stepped back inside holding a cloth soaked in ice cold water. She handed Viola the the damp and very cold cloth and told her to “hold this to your bruise, ze cold should reduce the swelling”

Her hands now free she channeled red magic through Canus Manus for a few moments in order to create a bottle with a candy red fluid inside that smelled slightly of cherries. This was also handed over to the wounded lass and the gauntlet returned to it's bangle state.

“after about ten minutes with the cloth you should drink this, it should expedite ze natural healing process and you’ll be right as rain in a few hours”

She had missed the girls explanation of what had happened to her and the company, she would need to ask someone about that later. Either the medical staff or her squad-mates.

“Sorry that took so long, I had to find the well and then haul some water out of it.”

She noted that Esther had been given a coat during her absence, which considering how chilly it was outside it was probably for the best she put it on. She was only a little bias in not thinking Tzi should also be wearing more.

“And thank you for helping Esther dress herself, though she really has to learn to do it on her own at some point”

She joked in a teasing tone at the the scantily clad noble girl's expense.

---

Esther nodded in agreement excitedly when Althea said how the general was "incredibly creepy and vile" and Leon saying how he was "the greatest degenerate he had ever met". She didn't like that general at all, and she was glad that more people agreed with her.

"Eeh, you have a brother, Leon?" she said to him with a surprised look when Anton made his entrance. "A-ah, greetings, Sir, Esther von Degraff, at your service." She curtsied towards him.

The poor girl still didn't notice how inappropriate her attire was. She didn't catch the odd stares and blushes her teammates were giving at all. Even when Viola gave her her coat, she didn't catch on at all, replying to her with a thanks and a smile. Esther thought of her as a kind girl, and her badmouthing the general even more certainly added points to her standing with her.

She then heard her tale about her squad being ambushed as well in the middle of the snowstorm. It was curiously similar to their own experience, only with wolves instead of bears. She also said that she saw something flashing in the hills. A reflection from a mirror? Even to her naive self, she could tell that something fishy was going on.

"Y-yes, I'll lead you the way," she responded to Viola's offer.

Before they could leave however, Althea returned with a soaked cloth for Viola's bruise. After that, she gave her some sort of medicine. As expected from the medic, she thought.

“And thank you for helping Esther dress herself, though she really has to learn to do it on her own at some point”

Esther caught that comment. And said comment was finally the one that made her look down to what she was wearing. And sure enough, she saw how her pink bra and panties were showing through the semi see-through nightgown she was wearing. She had totally forgotten about how thin her silk nightgown was. If she had known, she would certainly not come out until she was changed into her proper dress.

"Eeeeeeek!"

Esther's face quickly turned beet red. She quickly covered herself tightly with the coat Viola had given to her.

"Uuumm, I'm so sorry... P-please don't look..." she said as she seemingly shrink in stature. She now felt terribly naked. It was embarrassing enough being seen in such a state by other females, but with males in the group also, she wished she could just melt into the ground right then and there.

@DracoLunaris@KoL@Mercurial

Leon Brandeau

"Wait till they find out how many we are." Anton whispered to Leon as people were surprised to learn he had a brother. He was of course referring to the fact that there were many brothers and sisters in the current main branch of the Brandeau family, mostly scattered in the North. Leon, eager to take attention off his family life, simply tried to focus on what was being discussed. Viola's tale was shockingly similar to their own; similar enough that it made him wonder if something wasn't afoot near Orello. She also mentioned something about a review that they had come to the fort for. "Our mission was simply a patrol, I believe." In all chaos of the ambush and the blizzard, Leon had somewhat forgotten the fact that their mission had been something so mundane sounding. The captain had never mentioned anything about a review, so he assumed that wasn't part of their journey. When he thought about it, he wondered if this wasn't something the captain should have known about. She wouldn't have kept that from them, would she have?

As Viola suggested they find somewhere else to talk, Althea returned, and she also finally caused Esther to realise her state of dress. "Finally noticed, have we?" Anton said with a chuckle. He was more amused by it all than embarrassed for her. "I know Leon here-"

"You can lead us through the fort, right dearest brother?" Leon quickly spat out, mostly to prevent Anton from finishing his sentence.

"Heh, alright, alright. Let me be your tour guide through the majesty that is Orello." He then motioned for everyone to follow behind him, aiming to lead them to their destination as quickly as could be.

---

"...it does get pretty rowdy in here sometimes, but it's usually-" Anton stopped talking at they approached the mess hall. It was clear when they arrived that something was going on in there. "Bloody hell.." Anton muttered as he marched in to take a good look, with Leon following close behind. They both immediately took in the sight of people having been knocked out and beaten down in the midst of a drunken cacophony. "Oi, everyone simmer down!" Anton yelled into the crowds. "We've got young maidens coming in, so let's make this place look respectable, eh?" Anton was mostly calm at first, just trying to restore some order, until he saw the firearm. He immediately grabbed it and held it up for all to see, displaying a freshly found anger on his face. "Whose bloody idea was this!? You morons seriously want to die, huh!? Someone step forward and explain this, before I arrange you all a date with your favorite sergeant!" He was of course referring to the very same sergeant that had so brazenly threatened people with "deflowering" earlier.

While Anton was demanding answers, Leon's eyes were fixed on Gradon, who seemed to have got in the middle of this and come out worse for wear. Moving to his side, it was clear he was unconscious. "Althea, come quick! Gradon's out cold!" He called out, hoping she could hear him over all this noise. He noticed Leblanc was here too, but she didn't seem to need any help. In fact, she seemed like she had been having fun.

@TheWindel @Lonewolf685 @KoL @Hammerman @DracoLunaris @Crimmy

Her show of force had shattered the drunken revelry, and the arrival of the other cadets had swept up the pieces and doused the tavern mood so thoroughly this powder keg wouldn't be in danger for at least another week. Shaking her head in disappointment, she stepped out of the ring and found not a one to resist her passage through the mollified throngs, coming to loom over the kneeling Leon.

"There's no need for Althea. At least for Gradon." Leblanc said, bending from the waist to lower herself to the slumped cadet's level and prying open his eye lid. "Hmm, I don't see anything burst here, and he's still breathing semi-regularly." Her fingers trailed down his cheek over the jaw line, pausing against the cordage of his neck. "And his heartbeat isn't anywhere dangerous. I'd hazard to guess he just needs to rest for a bit."

There was no question that Leblanc was a qualified medical professional, she was certainly qualified to speak in regards to the severity of common injury such as this. A wealth of experience and her own control over personal anatomy did afford a bit more insight then the common street thug, at least.

Seeing as his situation was wholly minor in nature, barring a possible concussion, the young sea weed haired woman finally deigned to drop into a crouch so she wasn't forcing half the room to ogle her ass and pulled the downed cadet over her shoulders with all the reverence of a deer carcass.

"I'll take him back to his room. Maybe Althea should try saving the career of the man sobbing on the floor with a shattered knee cap?" Leblanc offered to Leon, tone indifferent to the suffering caused only to start whistling a merry tune as she swaggered past the entering group of cadets with her hunky cargo in tow.

@KoL@Hammerman@Mercurial@DracoLunaris@TheWindel

@KoL@Mercurial@Hammerman@Lonewolf685@DracoLunaris



"We got hit on the way here too," added the tall, shirtless man as he accompanied the group towards the mess hall. "By wolves though, but it was real freaky and they kept rolling rocks down on us. And ... there was a ghost?"

Tzi's tone as he finished the sentence was half-doubtful, half-awkward; having been busy with protecting Wagnil, he hadn't caught sight of anything else but the wolves attacking during that intense snowstorm. He'd heard something, and Althea had certainly been fighting somebody at least, but he had to admit (even if he didn't like it) that he had almost zero clue of what was going on during that entire journey. Although the more he thought about it, the more it seemed like somebody was out to get them. First, they got hit by those strange, tattooed soldiers, and right after escaping wolves attempted to take them out, even when the animals would usually try and avoid such huge groups of humans.

And they were aiming for Wagnil too. Now, Tzi could've chalked it up to wanting to take out the weakest guy, but with their injured pal having been the one to escape those soldiers ... well, it was still just a hunch, but it was becoming mighty suss.

Bears didn't attack humans either. Not in big groups like that. If it was just them, it could've been coincidence, but with Aquarians going through some trouble too ...

Maybe he was seeing things, maybe he wasn't.

He'd have to ask the chief about things later.

The arrival at the mess hall, however, forced him to shelve those musings for later.

"Man, Farris," he said finally, trying to think of what to say at the scene of violence before him before deciding to focus on the sobbing, kneecapped man. "You did a number on the poor bugger."