Victoria watched Luke and Diana take their turns and give their counter-challenges with an air of amusement, completely confident in her odds as she brushed off being turned down. She had been drinking past the point of excess for nearly a fifth of her life at this point, she could almost guarantee she had more practice than either of the other drinkers. Not to mention the other advantages the scarred Oceanic had over them. Luke was very clearly wasted already, it looked like just a whiff of whiskey would be enough to send him right to sleep. Diana was a positively tiny little cunt, even compared to her own freakish height. There was no way that the tyke's little body could hold enough alcohol to keep up with an Oceanic's need for booze!Or so Victoria hoped. It was going to be very embarrassing her if she lost. Not because of the punishments (as good as they admittedly where.) She had certainly done weirder things than strip naked and call people "Master" while drunk. No the embarrassment would be that she had been defeated at her own game. It was truly her match to lose, she wouldn't allow herself to be bested!

"I'll take your bets, you gumby idiots. Hope you like crawling around on all fours like a dog 'n' serving me in the nuddy, cuz that's how you're going to be for the rest of the day. It's going to be absolutely amazing 'n' I'm going to be laughing for every single minute of it " She gulped down her next drink and wiped away a bit of spare foam, slamming the glass back down.

Diana's burst of rage caught her entirely by surprise, Victoria snickering at the way she shook and sloshed beer all over the place. "Calm down, you utterly minuscule cunt!" she barked uproariously. "You're wasting perfectly drinkable booze!" Apparently Diana was touchy about her height, which made sense to Victoria. She'd be a little peeved too if she was so comically small she needed help reaching high shelves. That's not fair, you dropped most of it! You should have to take another one.

The wide eyed look of shock earned Diana another giggle. "What's a matter? You heard me tell you you're going to have to strip naked 'n' you thought it was going to be crushie? sorry to disappoint you but you'd best get used to it. In fact, I'm looking most forward to you two lovebirds kissing 'n' making up! And no dry kissing shit, I want tongue!" Clearly the two had some bad blood, it was going to be funny to see them mash face. They were both much better at talking shit than they were drinking and there was little in life more enjoyable than watching two naked teens debase themselves because of a lost bet. Three lost bets in this case.

When the smallest of the trio called out to someone else Victoria turned her attention to them, lazily waving a hand in greeting. "Bonza to meet you! Most people called me slasher back home, but Victoria's fine too. Heads up, call me Vicky 'n' i'll slit your fucking throat ear to ear!" Her lopsided grin stayed etched into her face as a sign that she was joking about the threat. Mostly.

When she turned back to Luke she was suprised to see him tossing back drinks like a madman, her smile wavering for a split second as she watched the soldier knock out two beers at once. She had underestimated him, maybe this one wasn't as guaranteed as she thought.

"Or maybe it is." Slasher thought to herself disappointingly as the man slumped to the floor in a heap. For a brief moment he had shown that he had the chops to roll with her, a rare feat indeed. But the candle that burned the brightest burned the shortest, leaving only two of them left. Oh well, time for him to take his lumps. Victoria crouched down next to the unconscious drunk, undoing his fatigues with practiced hands. First the boots and socks, then the pants followed by his top, and then the underwear. He was completely exposed for all to see as he was propped back up in his chair, Victoria tugging it away from the table so it didn't block anyone's view of his manhood.

"The so-called 'champion' is down!" she announced triumphantly to the bar. "Now the old cunt of a King is dead, long live the bloody Queen!"

She picked up another mug and took a drink, eyes boring directly into Diana's. " 'N' there's still one stupid peasant left to fucking CRUSH."

Diana’s Brutal Reality – Drunkenness Tango – Amone City’s Walls (Sept. 10th)

---

Diana couldn’t help but be annoyed with her eyes directed towards Luke, which laughed at her fit of rage at him jabbing at her height. It was a match made in hell, which she thought no one this stupid could make her this angry. ”Calm down Diana… He’s a bastard alright… but mother told me not to get so angry it will cause me to lose at certain things. I think one of them were a bet that is outright stupid to do in the first place. Rebecca is so going to be angry with me, if I lose this bet, which I got myself into.” Diana thought to herself, with a smirk on her face. The latter part of her thought made her a bit nervous in telling her mother that she got into a stupid drinking competition between two of her squadmates in Amone. However, her mother Rebecca can tell when she’s lying about things she’ve done and it’s a bit scary to tell her the truth. In a moment, Luke said another stupid thing, which pissed her off a bit more, it was another insult to her height. She was seething a bit more in the moment than what she wanted to do since she didn’t want to spill this drink all over the table. ”Luke Godfrey… You are an asshole. This mug isn’t too big for me but your head is too small for your lack of grace.” Diana responded, in return. She laughed exactly with what she said towards him.

It took her a bit to double take with what Victoria said since she has a super thick Oceanic accent, even more so than Freya. She felt a bit insulted by being called an idiot by Victoria but she did chose to join this drinking competition at her own peril. ”Could be or couldn’t be who knows?” Diana questioned with a bit of a laugh at her own expense. She couldn’t really tell if the alcohol was making her a bit more angry than usual or it was Luke’s dumb face. It was pretty much obvious the alcohol was affecting her entire body but it was so good to drink after not being able to by her overprotective parents. However, it was only affecting her as much as one would except since she was not guzzling it down like Victoria. However, she did do that with the very first mug of beer she had. She couldn’t help but stare with a very angry look on her face towards Victoria, when she heard minuscule and was seething in rage because of it. However, she calmed down immediately since it wouldn’t be a good idea to piss off someone close to twice your size. It was pretty much obvious all she did was give out a small giggle and cursed under her breath. ”Uhh, yeah I suppose you are right Victoria. About taking another one.” Diana said, with a bit of a scared reaction to how Victoria reacted. In terms of everything, the tall Oceanic woman scared her a bit more than usual since they are having a drinking competition.

Diana specifically decided right now it’ll be better to try her damnedest to win, even though it’ll be very difficult. Her thoughts kinda went every, which way and immediately stopped them when she heard Victoria speak up again. ”Wait… what? I’ve never used my tongue for kissing like ever… I should not have said that… Damn it…” Diana said, blushing at that. However, it was pretty hilarious, that she didn’t say she never kissed anyone before on the lips though. She couldn’t be so obvious in the whole world, which is pretty obvious on whom she kissed before, it was her childhood friend back home. Her entire face was redder than anything, it didn’t help she was an easy book to read nonetheless. However, french kissing a complete jackass that was insulting her height didn’t sound like rosy time in the sun.

She couldn’t help but down her alcoholic beverage by chugging it because she highly embarrassed herself again. It was pretty obvious, she knew how easy it is to read her, her mother Rebecca reads her like an open book and gives her some advice to hide it easier. However, it is just hard to hide the fact she’s a bit quick to say what’s on her mind rather than keeping it in. She grabbed another one of the alcoholic beverages and chugged it as well. It was the only thing to keep her mind off what she did with Anna. ”I had to stop Anna from crying… sooo I had to kiss her on the lips. It helped even though she asked me why the first kiss she had was with her childhood friend. I told her it was better to share a sweet moment rather than crying. However, she rebuttled with I cry much more than her. I told her, hey it’s not all so bad better to laugh than cry.” Diana thought to herself with a happy look on her face, of remembering a cute moment. She was definitely obviously enjoying all those moments with Anna, minus scaring her in the bath that one time. It was mostly because of the fact Anna did it to her the day before. She was definitely blushing and had a focus on drinking her moments with her friend away by chugging alcohol like her mother. However, she wasn’t her mother obviously since for one she’s taller.

Diana specifically looked at Luke and was a bit worried about him actually beating them, but then the champion against the Imperials lost to two girls. She couldn’t stop thinking about multiple things about the whole situation. She was definitely excited, however, when Victoria got up and stripped Luke naked. She started to close her eyes in embarrassment since this is the first time she saw a man naked. It was obvious she was definitely raised weird since she was in shock at seeing Luke naked and didn’t like it one bit. ”Uuhhhh… I shondn’t be really shocked since that was apart of the bats.” Diana said, with a bit of a strange voice crack in terms of something her mother would do in utter shock or horror. She shook her head a bit since she couldn’t really remember the reason why her mother said bats before but it fits. It took her a bit to chug down her 6th beer to realize one thing chugging them down like this is a bit bad. ”Uhmmmnn… This s-sucks should’ve planhed better.” Diana said, with a bit of a drunken lisp, since she was kinda slurring her words with planned.

She couldn’t help but laugh and cheer with what Victoria had said, however. It took her a bit to realize she’s versing a super tall lady, by the name of Victoria. ”My Lia Chooices really suck today. Should’ve done something else besides drinking… But I fucking hate my elder sisters. Victoria you are going down… to the floor like small head Luke.” Diana said, acting threatening but can’t really help but laugh. She’s definitely not handling how fast she chugged the last three beers in succession. It was pretty much obvious she wanted to be as determined as her mother, when drinking alcohol, however her weight class cannot handle alcohol to the same level as her mother can. She, however, remembered something it was in the back of her mind. It was the fact she had a mug of tea next to her since she smelled it from a mile away, since that’s all she got to drink while watching her mother drink alcohol was a bit boring. However, this tea was made by the Resident Vinlander, Reyna. The smell was definitely insanely much better than the Tea in Edinburgh. She took the sip of the tea, and couldn’t help but feel much happier at this. ”What? I can have some tea whire I drink my hatred away towards my Older Sirters who are uther cant bags. I should thank Reyna for the tea, when I am not so hambered...” Diana said, with an eye brow raised and more of her words slurred from before.

@Jacky@Smike@Bushman501

---

Upon entering the room, Reyna immediately saw the state that Jean was in. The first thing she noticed was his hair. It was quite messy and although one shouldn't have too many expectations when entering someone's private room Reyna couldn't help but have a few as she gazed at the Francian. Furthermore, it looked like he was having a rough time unlike....those others that she heard. It was a sharp contrast to the smiles and drinking contests downstairs, which worried her. Well, if she could make everything better with the tea she brought then it will at least be worth coming up here. With a small but friendly smile she poured tea for Jean and awaited the result.

Jean smiled. A smile was a wonderful thing for a person to have, but it seemed that her tea at least made someone happy from an otherwise gloomy existence. "Yes, thank you. I am glad that the fine tea I have made for everyone exceeds your expectations." Reyna spoke more softly and elegantly than she did when she was outside in the field. She didn't know what to say about the remembrance of home, especially since she vaguely recalled that he didn't have a home to go to. However, good memories were still good memories and she hoped that this tea caused such things instead of driving Jean to that despair again.

Letting him take and set the tray down, Reyna was by far not prepared for what was to come next. He hugged her! Her mind processed the intention seconds before it happened and although welcoming of hugs, Reyna did not know where this came from. She smiled and hugged him back, but at the same time she couldn't help but feel a little awkwardness inside as she did so. It was only a second later before she registered that Jean was speaking to her. A thanks for a lot of things she has done? ...What did I do besides smile and deliver tea? This confused Reyna right before everything started making sense. He was depressed about the potential future that he has, that he has nothing to go back to or look forward to. He wanted someone to lean onto, not that Reyna thought she was the best person for the job of comforting people. However, the wealthy often were looked up to as the elite and examples of success and as such she still had to perform that duty of giving people someone to look up to. "Yes, I can clearly tell that you had a lot of emotion pent up inside you. But I am glad the tea helps sooth that pain." Reyna delicately agreed.

She wasn't going to tell him not to hug her, she liked hugs like most people, but when he let go she certainly let herself have her personal space back from the surprise hug. Then, he mentioned the sounds that she heard, including an especially loud woman. She knew what it meant and the thought of what was going on inside that bathroom and/or bedroom or rooms made her cheeks redden slightly as she replied with a giggle "Yes, it seems there are plenty of people in the squad that like the act of sex in the most private...or partially private places." The sound of a woman was somehow more audible to her as a thought crossed her mind. Nightmare? You're right about that. It's making me hot at the wrong time....Ok I really need to stop with these fantasies. She really shouldn't be thinking thoughts like this. She was a woman with standards, not one who gives into their base instincts so freely. Regardless, Reyna smiled despite her own shame at the turmoil inside her. "Yes...let us hope one of the women will not be bearing a child. It would be very problematic."

The next sentence, however, gave Reyna an alarm bell. It might have been the activity that was going on around them, but Reyna felt something was up, especially with how Jean was speaking. Someone in particular. Hmm... it's probably the happenings around us. It wouldn't be the first time a boy..or girl had those kinds of thoughts. Slowly putting her right arm on her hip and putting more weight on her right leg, Reyna spoke carefully. "You're welcome! I'm very happy to be friends with you and everyone in this squad, but just how important is a wealthy woman to this 'someone in particular?'" Reyna gave a small but mischievous smile as she tilted her head slightly, with the intention of doing what her mother always did to her: tease, and usually with this very stance that Reyna herself is taking. Annnnd let's see how he reacts. He might be wanting to stick that erect little soldier in at this moment. Not that that's gonna happen. Of course, Reyna was a little embarrassed herself and had a urge to not do what she was about to do but she didn't let that show. After all, it was only one friend and comrade she at least semi-knew that she was dealing with that needed some cheer in his step.

@LetMeDoStuff

Jean couldn't help but let out a small giggle to himself, a rather innocent one in fact, when she remarked about how glad she was that the tea was soothing some of his pinned up emotions. At the very least, it was nice to see someone actually understand what Jean was going through. Before this, Jean was never with someone else, neither mentally, emotionally or physically. Everyone was his opposite and yet he was still considered the strange case. No one would look at him, at least in Jean's eyes, without a clue of what he was thinking but would just nod and get along with it. Reyna was...different, though. She was far more different. There was something about her elegance, one that showed only when they seemed to talk alone, that enthralled him and piqued his intrigue in her further. The way she formulated her words and sentences really gave the impression of what a high-status upbringing she must have had in the previous years of her life. Well, at least until she volunteered to join the Atlantic Federation's Vinlander volunteer corps. As much as he felt like it wasn't a good idea for her, there was at least some comfort in knowing that he had met her through that exchange of luxury to realistic war-torn homelands of the Europan Frontier. Jean took a few more sips of his tea before finishing the mug, placing it aside and making a rather well-versed expression to express his enjoyment of the beverage. She truly did make a great tea, and she knew it well too. He wouldn't of had to remind her more than she most likely already had been. Once more, Jean let out an innocent smile and returned the compliment to her expression of the tea's medicinal factors.

"I'd say there's more factors than just the tea that's soothing my pain, to be honest." Soon enough, Jean soon found himself flustered with a red tint splitting into his cheeks as Reyna finally commented on his passing analysis of the fun going on nearby. She put it in such a straightforward tone and said it how it was, making Jean feel slightly embarrassed as he began to nervously laugh. His clean hands rubbed the back of his head during this anxious chuckle as he looked towards her elegant and polite mannerism, which had blurted out 'the act of sex' ever so casually without any hint of regret. "O-oh...I guess you like to say it how it is, Reyna? But...at the very end of the day, there's kind of a small...well...it's embarrassing to admit but there's a small beauty to it. Soldiers coming together in the relief of stress, knowing some days might be their last. Has a nice ring of innocence to it. Well...except Ines' one. That seemed to be more...uhh...well how do I put it? It seemed to be a bit more primal."

He burst into laughter himself, suddenly not being able to contain the innate embarrassment of the conversation. It was in all intention to embarrass Reyna slightly for her forwardness, but the reality stood that Jean did see some minor beauty in the connections members of his Squad were making. The unfortunate truth, however, was that everyone had seemingly found someone to share moments so tender and special with, and yet Jean was copped up in his room, having tried to end everything as he knew it, alone and afraid of the future to come. Even with Reyna's amazing attempt at calming his nerves, Jean could still not imagine that words were ever going to be enough to change his seemingly sealed fate of homelessness, hunger and neglect that was to come. After his laughter had died down, he spent a short moment losing himself in Reyna's eyes once more, suddenly wiping away that previous worry of his loneliness once more. He felt completely outmatched against her brilliance, innocence, beauty and tranquillity, imagining himself as nothing more than a peasant to her queen-ship. Either way, the short silence that encompassed him allowed for him to fully appreciate the details of her untainted irises, losing his mind within their hypnotic and alluring attraction. It was only for a few seconds that he'd found himself trapped within their gaze, but Jean was sure it was an eternity. Everything stood still when he did so, but the pessimistic realisation that she may not find his company anything of a similar level of attraction drew his eyes into a frantic shudder, looking around the room eagerly until his mind was completely scraped out from the gutter.

She posed herself in such a way that wanted to make fun of him. He could see it in her posture and the way that she spoke. How important, she asked, was a wealthy woman to that person of significance? Jean was lost for a moment, feeling his heart stand still as he searched his mind endlessly for a solution. Was she teasing him or was it something she was using as a way to further blackmail him in the future? Was there any positivity to her alluring interrogation, one where her provocative words left a sinking sensation of anxiety within his heart? Jean took a large gulp and deep breath to calm his nerves, before he finally faced some sort of courage that he'd never came across before. His hands were trembling as he tried to formulate the sentence, but he didn't keep anything as direct. Instead, something that was missing from their conversation returned. Jean began to use the same tone and flirting mechanism he'd shown Reyna previously many times before, finally finding the question as a way to joke around, but also hint towards something far more real than any of them could imagine.

"How important, huh?" He began, before sighing fully and letting out a genuinely relaxed smile of gratitude and appreciation for the damsel of Vinland. Jean wasn't sure what to admit, or how far he should admit it, but he decided it was only fair to tell some truth instead of play by the tease. "So much so that the adjective of wealthy does not concern him, enough so that many other factors do. One that gives him a realisation that diamonds need pressure to formulate, and the end product of those priceless compressions in his life is standing before him currently. Like...like how a flower needs sunlight, but...but I don't know why it does, it just does. It gives life and allows it to breathe, to continue growing into something more recognisable and better. To age and to really place itself as an influential part of the life. Wealth wasn't the concern, but the...the..." He hesitated for a moment, shuddering in his speech as he realised how far he'd gone with the teasing. He wasn't going to say it straight and flat out, nor was he going to say all of his feelings about her, but he at least wanted to make sure something was said at the end of the day. "The concern is about her well-being, her happiness, her safety, her independence, her elegance and continuation of life. I guess that's how important the wealthy woman is to that specific person."

Once he had realised it, it was too late. He looked away, his cheeks flustering all bright and fruitful colours. His heart pounded with an endless thump precisely after the previous without any noticeable intervals. The mind he held within his skull pounded, punishing himself for trying to say something genuinely true about his feelings, which was something Jean didn't do often. Was it shame? Was she going to feel annoyance or shame in his strange answer to her question? It wasn't a full confession though, was it? It was only a metaphorical anecdote towards unsolicited emotions of a significant woman towards a specific man. Jean was unsure of how to process how fast the situation had gone by his own accord, but he eventually turned back around to face her, his face clearly full of anxiety and the insecurity of his honesty.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't...I didn't mean to say as much as I...as I did. I'll...I'll go...go check on...I'll...I'll go check on Thomas a few rooms down...if...I...We can talk later, right? I still want to have the opportunity to just talk without being intruded by other soldiers, if...if you wouldn't mind? Ugh, sorry. I'll just head out." With some hesitation, Jean patted her gently on the head by the slightest and softest touch he had to offer, before he quickly ejected himself from the room, unsure of how she would react or process the newfound information he'd unwillingly spilt towards her teasing. Oh god, she was going to hate him, wasn't she? Jean couldn't live with potentially having lost someone he cared about so endearingly. It was true, Jean was set on finding a life and a future with someone special, but whether or not he'd just killed his own chances at experiencing that future was something else. And so, he turned the corner, retreated down the corridor quickly, past the exasperated noises of love-making from Isaac's and Franz's rooms, and then approached to check on Thomas' condition, using it mainly as an excuse to escape the sheer embarrassment he felt from opening up about Reyna, to Reyna.

---

The night had settled in well. Parts of the Inn were now only occupied by Squad 1, as those there before had gone back to rejoin the fighting elsewhere in the city. There was a strange quietness around the entire building once the darkness outside had engulfed the once bright rooms of the White Hart. However, there was still potential activity downstairs. Freya was indeed singing to herself with some old Oceanic folk songs she knew off of the top of her head, whilst Lucia was barely awake, her head and upper torso sprawled across the bar table. Drinks were still being served, but Lucia couldn't muster any more than the single drop that caused her to go tipsy. Michael was likely to not be too far away, having apparently whispered something to her that she didn't even hear. Jean couldn't help but smile at their connection, seeing the beauty of their blooming relationship in the midst of a revelation. On the tables was an aftermath of a drinking match that had happened earlier that afternoon, where the barmaids were still tending to the bombsite of empty bottles, tipped over bar-stools and pools of spilt alcohol. Jean partially shook his head, having spoken to the owner of the Inn about a potential prohibition for tomorrow, especially considering how wild everyone seemed to be with their alcoholic tolerance and control. Jean didn't tell anyone yet, as they all still seemed to be drinking the night away with extreme prejudice towards their own self-control. He shook his head again and then sat himself down around a large table, with plenty of spaces for the others to join if they so wished.

He was still in a confused state. He requested to at least talk to or see Reyna alone sometime either tonight or the following date, just to at least give him some appreciation and ability to talk under normal conditions. Unlike the tea incident upstairs, Jean had never fully had the opportunity to learn anything about her specific past, which he wanted to in order to preserve the beauties behind it. Or was it Reyna trying to preserve Jean? Either way, she was still wearing the amulet he gave her, the pendant of his sister's name, and that in itself was enough to give Jean a sense of ease. Now was a time of celebration, yet he didn't feel like celebrating. Jean knew that either tonight or tomorrow, he would have to tell Isaac about his...his attempt at ending his own life. He had to tell someone. He just had to. Isaac was his second in command, so it was only natural that he'd approach him, despite the differences they had. Jean wanted to make sure he built a connection with his NCO to maximise their efficiency, but even trials of fire had proven that their commanding ethos were both different from one another, and that they weren't one in the same mindset in terms of combat abilities and strategy. Either way, he had to tell someone, before he would try it again. And after saying what he said and seeing Reyna in all her glory and elegance, he didn't want to pull the trigger ever again.

Ines had closed the door behind her to ensure Franz the luxury of privacy, most certainly, and yet...Ines did not want to abandon him. Even in her impaired state, she knew Franz wasn’t in a good place. She had made him feel pleasure, as she felt pleasure - an experience they shared, but did not equivocate. Franz was a fine companion, certainly, but there were…things she knew that he did not. Ines knew that moment would have to come eventually. But just as soon she brushed it out of her mind, headed down the hallway as she prowled in search of her promise.

And just beyond a peculiar door, just near that section of the hall, that familiar voice of her NCO spoke out. No, it had to be Jean. That awkward diction, the uncertainty in ever passage of his voice; It could be no other. Jean was an attractive man, of course, yet...as Ines listened over his every phrase, nothing but the sprouts of a growing cynic came. And as the saying went, “inside every cynic, there is a disappointed idealist.” Every person had their insecurities, no matter how extravagant their paintings be, yet Jean ensured every wordage rung with the poise of a flag amidst a tempest. In just that moment, just that second, Ines wanted to barge in, almost; Throw herself in, just to tell Jean it would be alright - that they would be okay, that this was but a temporary affair and for the suffering of untold millions, what they fought for was but the grim bastion, pushed to the edge against an unyielding force in which the Darcsen people suffered naught but unrelenting servitude.

And yet...no.

She was not the one for that conversation. Someone else was for that task, and that special someone occupied that very room, for now. Ines was not his mother, nor his girlfriend, nor his sister. And as much as she thought it a good idea...somewhere, in the shallow resonant waves of her heart, she knew through noostic means that Jean would be alright. Dammit, she promised Freya even a few days ago she’d check on him. And yet...checking up on the Corporal would have to wait. Perhaps not long, perhaps all night, if his luck waned into a blossom. Inside, Ines hoped Jean had gotten some fine company for the day; He needed to relieve a lot of stress.

Down the stairs she went, down to the den of debauchery itself where it all began. In her pocket still remained her precious case, and within that case, of course, lay her ever-so-necessary Khandar smokes. Striking a match against its coarse side, Ines lit a match in a moment just necessary to ignite her smoke, taking a light puff simply to confirm the ignition of her smoke, then resumed her steady march down the staircase. The smoke munched sideways in her mouth, a steady, beady orange emanating from the cig as she fumed her way down the stairs. In a way, it had a sobering effect on her, providing stimulus once lost, and yet still a sensation pleasant, as if she were walking on clouds.

Ah. That sight of the floor did nothing to relegate her to any prior state - not that such mattered amidst some blissful haze of inebriation, mind you - but rather situated itself as a welcoming area. Off to her right, she noted the first action of the midday, that of a little contest, apparently, between the lighthead and her opponent; The brunette mudhead who claimed her drinking spirit was indivisible, in a tone some might call risible. Ines couldn’t help but salute both of the women for their confidence in the matter, especially with that other mudhead strewn about the floor like the doormat he was. Luke was in a pathetic state; while another rather gaunt earthheaded woman had taken the time to start undressing him, she positioned him on a pedestal, showing him off before the entire room like he were a game trophy. So sorry a sight could only elicit laughter from the Darcsen, and only confirmed the weak will of the mudhead against his spurious bravado. And even as her lightheaded friend confirmed her placement against her adversary, Ines remarked her promise of speaking to Diana following her fateful encounter. She approached the table with swagger, smiling as she steadily enjoyed her cig.

“Only dirthairs think drinking is a sport.” Ines chuckled, plucking her smoke from her mouth only to find Victoria’s mouth a suitable ashtray for her smoke in the meantime. In that same sentence, she picked up some random beer from the table, not particularly caring who it belonged to in that moment, and threw it back with such swiftness that she likely consumed it all in a single gulp.

Soon as she was done, Ines snatched her little spliff back from Victoria’s mouth, taking light puffs as she looked upon the struggle with intrigue. Inès could give a damn if Victoria had something to say to her; her decisively stern and nonchalant expression made that unquestionable. Victoria was her ashtray, and whatever sound the tray made was just the creek of the wood. Considering the expense of acquiring things from Khandar, allowing Ines to pop it in her kisser could even be seen as a complement.

Besides, Victoria was probably used to putting things in her mouth.

---

Well, Ines couldn’t be insulted for trying. Truth be told, her drive for the itense ménage à trois fizzled out after a bit of searching, and even though she told Franz otherwise, the more time passed at the floor of the inn, the more she got the feeling she would do well not to keep him waiting. And as entertaining as the proposition seemed, the dialectics of convincing a fellow soul to engage in said activity was...easier thought of than performed. “Yes, hello Freya, my new boyfriend is probably traumatized and I wanted to un-traumatize him by getting him into a threesome, and i’ve also had a stupid schoolgirl crush on you since we’ve met, can you help a girl out?” “Hey Silverhead, I know we haven’t ever talked before, but you like Franz and I do too and we need to cheer him up. You get top half, I get bottom half?” “Oh, hi Diana! Listen, you keep talking so much about how much your family loves Darcsens, so do you wanna give up whatever dignity your bloodline has left and get sandwiched between two Darkies?”

(“Yeah, that’s not happening.”) Even as it was, Ines found herself chucking along to those ridiculous queries almost aloud, picturing their priceless reactions. Enticement of the proposition almost made her want to commit to it, yet as she approached anyone with it, the better part of her halted her from following through. She took comfort in knowing that her wits were still about her, though, even God-knows-how-many drinks in she was. Better that she save her and a few other women the embarrassment, she thought.

With that being dismissed, it wasn’t prudent to keep Franz waiting for much longer. Ines turned her back, steadily marching her way back to the staircase...but caught Luke out of the corner of her eye. If an arrogant mudhead on display without his clothes were the stakes of their game, Ines didn’t want to miss the rest of it. She hung around until the end of their little escapade, a wolflike grin on her face while she took slow puff after slow puff, eagerly awaiting the inevitable foolishness of Luke Godfrey before she met Franz once more for Round 2.

---

Ines laid there next to Franz after countless hours of rigorous activity. Ines hadn’t felt this exhausted since she first started training as a kid. Believe her, that was a good thing; Ines hadn’t had this much fun since...she couldn’t remember when the last time she really had fun was, actually. The war had turned it all into a bleak vortex in which dark fatalism of the vapidness of life was the most fun a girl could have. When was the last time she saw her loved ones smile? That...Ines genuinely drew a blank trying to remember she saw someone grin prior to this day off. It made it all the more special, these fleeting joys. She turned to her side, seeing Franz equally exasperated by their time together.

War brought out every emotion imaginable. Love, hate, friendship, bravery, fear, horror, repulsion, life, death...to have that much stimulus all at once would overwhelm even the most iron-hearted of men. No wonder, then, that so many had to cut themselves off if they were to survive. It was almost as though you lost all of your senses at once, only for them to return with a blistening charge of ten thousand experiences in some maddening euphoria. Yet, this was a coveted moment. There was but one thing to feel. Intense, of course, but it was focused. Pure. Unrestrained. Ines was thankful, truth be told, that she could share just that little moment of order in a crazy world with someone else.

This brought up contention. Actions had consequences, Ines knew, and the actions of them both in a drunken escapade served to be grave, indeed. So it was that she started her recourse with a sigh, preparing herself for the inevitable talk. She couldn’t repeat her mistake with Lili again. She needed to tell him.

“Don’t worry.” Ines smirked, running a hand through Franz’s admittedly short hair, “If I didn’t have fun, I would have told you.”

She dropped the joke quicker than her hand fell to his side, however. That grin faded into her serious demeanor, though her hand rested upon his. Little amounts of comfort like this, as their fingers danced to entwinement, were...they were needed.

“But, you know...we need to talk...about things going forward.” Ines’ deep, wispy tone encompassed hesitation, but it was clearly prudent. She made no difficulty to show she didn’t look forward to this talk. “And...no. It’s not to say you aren’t good enough, or…”

She sighed. The pain was palpable, just even from a glance it was as though she felt herself being stabbed in the throat, so much did it well up. What was in order needed ordering, nevermind the discomfort. Ines opened her eyes, looking, staring outward, upward, into something clearly only she saw.

“...when I was with my ex boyfriend, Cedric, it was...I loved him for a while. But then, just over time...I knew he wasn’t going anywhere. No matter what I said, or how I said it, nothing I could do could ever get through to him. He...he was going to be a mobster for all his life. No ambition. No care. Just...nothing. And just after too long, I...I didn’t love him anymore...but I couldn’t tell him that. Cedric didn’t have anything. I was that something. I was that someone to live for, and I...I didn’t love him.”

“Then...I met Lili. She was...heh.” Her smile was wrenching to do, almost like she was being slit with every word she made, “...she was...perfect. She understood everything I said. She never judged me. And...I still remember meeting her. We could just...talk. For hours, and...we would connect with every moment. And we’d ask about what we wanted to do in life, and...and that was just...never there with Cedric. And so I...we...we kissed. And it was like everything was okay. But…”

“We...I...then-...”

“I...threw away the woman I loved...because I couldn’t...b-be honest with her.” Her breath nearly exhausts itself. Each word comes out like a choke, a faint rupture in pain.

“A-and...I made love with a man I didn’t...just so he could have something...but when...Lili...we…”

She blinked rapidly. Blue eyes met the cold floor, blank. Empty. Deep.

“And...Cedric...died. Waiting for me to tell him I loved him. Waiting for me to lie. And Lili...just...how could she…”

“She...found. And...left me all alone.”

There was the harrowing notion of what to do in his final moments. Ines still heard him scream. How could you not, when you are the bastion in a world gone mad? And just to think...seeing your lover in your arms, just as you made peace with the world...only for them to drop you. To abandon you. To say they never loved you. “I don’t love you, anymore.”, your final farewell with this hellish earth? How could one be so callous?

Lili could not be helped, either. First did she sin with cheating, second did she sin with lying. Third, did she collude with Cedric, even against her own wishes. Ines could not lie, and she could not tell the truth. Ines loved her, and yet could never be honest with neither the one she did love, nor the one she did not. What said that of herself, if she could not even do something so simple as be honest?

Even thinking about her was stiffening in the moment. It paralleled everything so...perfectly. Like a mirror in a book. It didn’t judge her. No, it cast down no judgement on her, and Ines, in truth received few reprimansions for what she did. Instead, it reflected it back at her, showed her for what she was, and let her be the judge. Lili nor Cedric nor even Joan never once antagonized her. It antagonized herself.

And...for just once. Ines had to be honest. For one time in her life, when it mattered the most. She needed to tell him.

"I...I need to tell you, Franz...I...kinda...like Freya. And...it's stupid. It's just this stupid kiddish crush where you share lunch and you want to be married, but...there's something about us I have to say...because there's something between us, anyway. And...I need to try. I need to know." Ines felt stupid for saying it, no matter how brutally honest she was being. In expression, she seemed disappointed. Not in Franz - she glanced at him in assurance, knowing he did nothing to deserve what she had just done - but in herself. In likelihood, she was repeating the same mistake once more. And Franz was just...idly watching.

He didn't deserve anything she told him. Maybe she should have lied to him, like she did to Cedric. But that would have meant she didn't love Franz.

“...I think we should figure things out before we go into anything. You know...see other people. Just make sure.”

She closed her eyes, then exhaled. It was coarse, rough, like a choppy gale in the winter brushing over the freezing mist of a river.

"And...this isn't goodbye. It's not 'no.' I just...I can't hurt you."

@CFProxy @Smike @Landaus Five-One

Diana’s Brutal Reality – Defeat & Humiliation – Amone City’s Walls (Sept. 10th)

---

Diana knew one thing after she started slurring her words, which was she was going to lose if she was going to get another alcoholic beverage in her. Therefore, she decided right now to be honorable and stop this before it becomes worse than it already had. She stares at Luke with a slight annoyance to her, even though she was still definitely embarrassed at him being nude. It was definitely obvious she was still enjoying Reyna’s tea, while drinking it. ”Uuhhh… I shond quit while I am ahead… Victoria. I give uppp… I am only able to drink one more alcoholic beverage and I don’t want to turn out like him.” Diana spoke with her words still slurred. This only came on mostly because of the fact, her mother told her if she couldn’t win don’t end up like the others in whatever you are doing. It’s a good tactic to live by, she risked much but doesn’t want to be stripped by Victoria. However, something caused her to pause and stop for a second, when she heard Ines speak to the table. It caused her some happiness to see Ines, however, she could tell she’s a bit tipsy though. ”Ohhh, Hey Ines. Wrat did you drilk?” Diana questioned with drunken slur. It did help her to notice that Ines did drink what would be her seventh drink to cause her to be alike the fool naked on the floor.

”I can stwip mysenf Victoria… I dol’t need your help with that...” Diana said with an obvious answer to losing at the hands of Victoria. She held out longer than Luke did at least. However, Luke was going to be in for a rude awakening because he deserved it. She got a mug of water from the waitress since she didn’t want to be that rude to Luke, even though she should. In terms of her rage, she splashed water on Luke’s face like a pretty angry lady that wants to get this over with and be done with this embarrassing moment. That her mother will find out somehow, which will be a definitely not good thing to say to her. She first finished her tea that Reyna made, which was definitely great. It would be nice to ask Reyna specifics on how she made the tea since it was pretty much the only thing that kept her mind from going completely blank from the alcohol. She slowly took off her clothes, while looking at Victoria, which was still sitting down on the chair. It felt weird taking off her clothes in front of people, which one she didn’t know to well and two felt a bit embarrassing. ”I shoundn’t have done this at all.. and been a compentent person and not joined this drinking competition…. Rebewwca told me I would lose it, even though she could easily win no matter what.” Diana thought to herself. She was finally completely naked, hopefully the ‘water’ on Luke’s face woke his ass up. It was pretty much embarrassing since she was covering her pretty large breasts for her height. She wasn’t able to shake off if Jean saw her like this he would probably blush and ask her to get on clothes.

Diana slowly got onto the floor and couldn’t help but keep her eyes away from Luke’s dong, since it was highly embarrassing to look at. ”Uuhhmmm… this is soo embarrassing had never thought this would happen to me.” Diana said, with her blushing redder than a tomato. Her mind was going a bit wild in how long of a night she’ll have to do this until Victoria gets bored or this will be constantly over her head that she lost to an Oceanic Trooper in a Drinking Competiiton. ”Luke, ya bastard… get up will ya, so we can do this hurilating thiag...” Diana spoke a bit annoyed to his direction. She was hopeful that will wake the sod up after splashing water on his face. There was only like a slight thing that was keeping her from smacking Luke’s face really hard since he was making fun of her height. She was keeping her arms around her tits though since she’s a bit embarrassed at their size. In the back of her mind, she’s not happy at being completely naked, however, its the best to see her curves since she’s an hourglass shape.

She couldn’t help but sigh again, and remember what she has to call Victoria for the rest of the night, master, unless she got a different term to use. ”Mistress Victoria… I hope I am fallowing the rules correctly. What do you want of me?” Diana asked, a bit embarrassed. She’d hope that her mother didn’t get a message that her daughter drank a bar worth of booze only to lose in a competition between squadmates. In the back of her head, it was pretty much obvious she was thinking about Jean only because he needed some cheering up at least he didn’t see her nude like she is right now. It would be highly embarrassing for her and him. The second thing in her thoughts was she was hopeful she doesn’t have to be naked for all the time because it would be pretty embarrassing to walk up to any of her compatriots like this. Victoria is one cruel mistress, it seems in her head, however, she’s a bit terrified of her still. And since she’s literally on the floor it didn’t help show how tall she is in comparison. ”T-This feels like a bad idea. Why did I go through with this? Is it because of my elder sisters and their constant being bitches or something underlying in my code that makes me who am I?” Diana thought to herself, with a worried look on her face.

Diana, with a moment of weakness she finally uncovered her breasts, even though she was blushing bigger than a tomato now. It was pretty much obvious she doesn’t like how big her breasts are, it’s pretty much evident with how she’s reacting to them out and about. She couldn’t help but look down to the ground while starring at her tits, and sighing at their size. ”Wly are you so big?” Diana questioned her own breasts. Its one of the things she usually gets to be a bit more worried around people than usual. She didn’t know how Victoria will react to her body since she’s now naked or Luke that matters. It was obvious she still didn’t like Luke since he’s a bit of an asshole, however, she do want to know about why he’s an asshole. ”Mother always told me information is key, but I wonder why he reacted when I mentioned his mother though...” Diana thought to herself a bit worried about this whole thing. However, her mind went to the now and present and looked at Luke. ”Can you hurry the fracking up so we can get this done… I don’t want to wait here all damned day sitting here nude… Luke. In terms of dealing with the consequences of my actions that is anyways…” Diana said, with a bit of annoyed tone in her voice. It was obvious this wasn’t up her alley at all, kissing a guy for one insulted her size wasn’t a good thing. However, it was pretty much obvious they had to french kiss to get this part of their punishment done and look forward to whatever else their mistress has to offer. She knows how to kiss, but she didn’t know if Luke knew and waited for him to move.

---

Time has passed as it does, in the inn, which was much later then it was. It was obvious but Diana was thinking about what had happened earlier and french kissing Luke wasn’t a fun experience. However, her mood was definitely much better than it had been earlier today. It definitely looked up for what’s going on now. She was sitting down in another part of the bar at a different table than the competition took place in, drinking a water because she’s still on a point of being utterly shitfaced drunk. However, she noticed Jean in the room and smiled happily towards him and gave him a certain look of cuteness that she had done on the hill. ”Thank god Jean didn’t see me naked… I suppose...” Diana thought to herself, with a quirky smile on her face. It was pretty much obvious she wanted to speak to him but she didn’t really want to leave her place at this table she is sitting at. She was pretty much a bit too tipsy to get anywhere other than being helped to a bed. In her eyes it definitely showed she was staring at Jean with a bit of that sweet charm one would except from a Vastergoth family member from Castleton. The headstrong and wholesome girl who kinda blurted out she wanted him on a Hill without knowing his name. It was a bit funny to remember that specifically it made her giggle much since thinking about it now was a bit stupid on her part.

She was trying to recover and relax from that hell of a competition. Even though she’ll still have to call Victoria, mistress until tomorrow that is. Which kinda irks her a bit mostly because she wished she didn’t have to be embarrassed at the fact of remembering Anna. In terms of everything, she was happy to stare at everyone in the bar, however. She finally noticed the little angel, Lucia was drunk and that made her a bit worried of their safety. In the end, she smiled since she saw Michael standing by her keeping her safe. ”This is idyllic and cute.. Lucia being more drunk than me is something to see…” Diana said with a return to her non-slurring her words but she’s not out of the woods yet. It could return any moment but she was staying vigilant on not drinking anymore alcohol, however, she did want to speak to Reyna & Jean.

Mostly because she wanted to tell Reyna, the tea she made was wonderful and can’t wait to have some more. It was one of the best things she has ever had in her life other than unlocking her emotions towards her sisters. ”Jean are you going to stare or what? Because it would be lovely to talk to you.” Diana said, with a wave over to Jean to help him get to her location. She was definitely more agreeable now than she was. It was a bit much for her to get up to walk to Jean anyway, since she was a still a bit hammered from earlier. ”Remember Diana… It could be worse, you could be yelled at by your mother telling you not to go to this dangerous place, like she did when she was sober. Right before I was conscripted… but she realized she couldn’t stop me...” Diana thought to herself with a smile on her face at realizing her mother can’t really control her life anymore. However, she is one of the children of Rebecca that follow directions very easily with a bit of her hardheadedness and naivety to go with it.

For a moment, everyone had been commenting on either their own escapades or the strange occurrence downstairs that had gone on during Jean's episode. Apparently Diana, Luke and the new-girl Victoria had all had a drinking match that went south very quickly, resulting in a naked Diana and some other strange shenanigans she apparently never wanted to think about ever again. Was this their idea of fun? Jean could never grasp the true behaviours of everyone that surrounded him on a daily basis; their strange attitudes towards relaxing was to intoxicate themselves with litres of unhealthy drinks, doing strange dares and really selling themselves short of humility and dignity. He'd heard stories all the time about how people acted when they were bored, but as someone who grew up with essentially no friends and within an isolated quadrant of Liege City, Jean was almost uncertain as to how to react to it all. On the contrary, there was a little bit of a sick kick of excitement that came with putting himself out there like an idiot as everyone seemed to be either having a laugh or a rather interesting conversation themselves. God, to think that Jean was upstairs with a rifle to his chin only hours before, and now everyone was blissfully unaware... It must've been nice not having much to worry about, or in Squad 1's case a way of pushing out those thoughts and distracting themselves with something else. If only he had that mental capacity and intelligence, common sense and folk psychology to really impress the world around him. To them, Jean was most likely a failure or one in the making. Years of isolation, only to be let out into a field of battle, was not an ideal type of commanding non-commissioned officer many of these soldiers, conscripts or volunteers had in mind. Before they left, several soldiers from Federation regiments within the White Hart stared at him, giving him odd glances at why he was the selected NCO when all around them were far more capable and adaptable warriors. Those who were new to the commanding scene were sharp looking, eager and had a brightness to their face. Those who were experienced to the frontlines and had established a sense of authority were rugged and muscular, or even sharper than their newer counterparts. However, Jean didn't seem to fit any of those quotas. He was some Francian, a Darcsen too, who'd looked like he'd been dragged through shit just to turn up in some militarised uniform and claim a rank he didn't deserve. These were the thought processes of Jean, at least, but in some regard their assumptions could've been seen as right. He was pressured into the war, chased by a white-feather movement that called him a coward and threatened the safety of his homestead. Ironic, considering his enlistment into the Atlantic Federation armed services proved ineffective at saving the doomed lives of both his mother and father. With a great sigh, Jean held the photo of Olivia in front of him, still sat in the dark corner away from his own Squad, who'd been celebrating and spending their time off with great enthusiasm, some more than others. And yet with such a happy environment, one that Jean himself was glad to see, he couldn't shake that emotion from his shoulder and continued to wear it upon his sleeve. Olivia's face looked so still and unrecognisable in the photographic format. What was previously a breathing face of happiness was now simply a strange black-and-white photo, showing a single emotion that never changed. It irked Jean. It scared him. It frightened him to know that she was gone forever, just like everyone else in this fucking war.

Thoughts of discomfort had once again circled his process of thought several more times until he finally did it. Jean looked far too stressed and stood up, almost slamming the photo of Olivia down onto the wooden table before him. He had to tell someone. Jean was no longer going to let it be bottled up, at least in solitary confinement. Someone had to know, but who? Jean would've seen the logic in turning to Reyna, but her happy and wonderful mood made his heart flutter to an extent that he didn't want to ruin it. Michael was already suffering enough on his plate, trying to deal with the horrors of Lucia's hidden past. Diana didn't always come across as the type of person who could handle such a dark story from Jean's heart, and Franz was most likely ball's-deep in Ines for the seventeenth time this evening alone. Gwyn was quite an innocent looking lad, and they hadn't properly spoken outside of the professional soldier's platform. Luke was an arsehole, so that would not go down well. Britta seemed to have a sort of motherly complex to her, but...well Britta was the kind of person anyone would get nervous when talking around. Kalisa had been rather shy or quiet in the recent days and Freya was still brooding in her own corner about something that was bothering her. Victoria too had not seen enough of Jean to really understand what he may have been going through, or had instead found another drink to guzzle down. Jean sighed, knowing that in reality there was only one person who should know during this time. There was someone who had checked up on him somewhat regularly, but never progressed past their level of a superior and subordinate. Lance Corporal Isaac Black. The Machine-gunner himself. The crusade he made on Britta's virginity had been finished ages ago, back when Jean was still trying to shoot himself, and so he seemed to be in a position of approaching.

However, Jean's manner was not out of calmness or subtle pulling over. The Francian instead moved over towards Isaac, gently placing a hand upon his shoulder and giving him a dark look. It wasn't a dark one directed towards him, but one that really sold the impression that he needed to speak to him. It was only necessary for him to equally tell his intentions before excusing his prize-soldier from his current topic of conversation. This, however, was of the upmost importance. If he wasn't going to talk to someone about it, he was as good as dead to the Squad. None of them were even aware he'd attempted, and that was what pained him the most. This time, it was for the sake of Squad 1, and not just himself. And so, when he was sure he had Isaac's attention, he looked to him, still sat down from his talk, and nodded.

"Isaac...I need to speak with you. It's...it's urgent, if you wouldn't mind?" For a short moment, he looked towards whoever was in the middle of a conversation with him and nodded quietly, bowing out of respect for his interruption. "I apologise for interrupting. This shouldn't take any more than five or ten minutes. Please, excuse us."

Jean waited for Isaac to begin following him, before the two of them went to the other side of the main bar room, far out of the reach of everyone else. Kind enough to do it for him, Jean slid out a chair as an offer to Isaac before taking a seat himself on another, placing a few notes and items on the table, though none of them were of any importance. A few pens here and there, as well as his pair of binoculars that he always carried around with him. Strangely enough, it was the very same one Jean had plucked from the dead Sergeant on Hill 58, which still had its few weathered features and scratches. Finally, Jean nodded and let the silence disappear once he first opened his mouth, his tone low and his face rather glum. There was a pain in his eyes that couldn't be compared to any other seen before. It wasn't fear, nor was it regret out of the stabbing of another woman. This time, there was some other emotion locked deeply in his graceful, yet disturbed irises. One that could have equated to guilt.

"I...I am sorry to pull you aside on such a wonderful moment and day, but I-I really need to talk to you. You are the closest to my rank after all and I thought it would be best to put it by you before anyone else." He took a deep breath, finding his words and place of comfort before he placed a hand on his own wrists, locking both ends of his arms together to avoid further discomfort and as a mechanism to press his words onward from their concealed veil. "Isaac...I...Around three to five hours ago, I...I hallucinated, something so dire and strange that I could never explain. The voices of my sister, the faces of her before and after her skin peeled from its own source. It was only a manifestation of my mind but...but...it started to get to me. It was around the time everyone was settling into the inn and having such a wonderful time, getting together with friends and doing all strange shenanigans, but...but I felt like it was necessary to inform you this in the rare case it happens again."

This was too hard for him to say. The pain and agony of trying to fumble out the words he never thought anyone would ever hear him utter was enough to strain his mind furthermore. Agony. Anguish. All of these adjectives were appropriate to describing how he felt when committing to this strange and random tale of disturbing truth.

"I'm...I'm not coping well, Isaac, I really am not. I'm stepping my game up, just as you said, as a Corporal and NCO that people can put their trust in, and all it is doing is making me lose my humanity at the same time. You want to know why I am scared? Five hours ago I held a gun to my throat, my own rifle, bolted it and pulled the trigger, expecting out of instinct to blow my fucking brains across the bedroom wall for one of you guys to find and laugh at, that's what I was expecting. After my hallucination, I changed. I wanted to die, in that moment. I wanted to end everything that had ever brought me to this fucking low-fucking-end of the spectrum and I just...just...can't deal with it anymore. I...I don't want to try it again and thank the fucking saviour of whatever fucking religion is dominant, but there was no ammunition in it. I regret it all, Isaac, and I really don't want to abandon the squad but if this ever happens to me again, as cowardly as everyone will now see me as if they hear of this, just know that I put full trust in you to take my intentions of the squad's purity and to uphold them to the end of the war. I want to see it through, I really do, but something tells me that if my body doesn't physically die here in Europa, then my humanity will first." After ranting, to an extent that nearly had him shout in certain places, he finally took a deep breath and sighed, burying his own head beneath his arms. There was a great release of stress and tension from his mind. The aggravation wasn't towards Isaac by any means and he wouldn't have been surprised if he suddenly got a verbal beating from his lesser-ranked comrade, but Jean was angry at himself. It was almost as if he were looking in a mirror and scolding himself for such stupidity and ignorance, such that made him feel like an inadequate waste of space and rations for the unfortunate group. He suddenly shook his head once more and placed a hand on Isaac's shoulder. "I...I know I've never spoke to you, or anyone, in such a way like this, but please understand that somewhere, something along the line might go wrong for me. And if that happens, I may never be able to turn back. I'll do what you insist, and try my very fucking hardest to get us through to the end of the war, trust me, and I will make sure I never break down during an assault, only after if I truly have to suffer that fate. I don't...I don't want you, or our Squad, to lose faith in me, if they even have any to start with. I just wanted to let you know, as a friend and Lance Corporal under my unfortunate command, to understand to truth behind the bleakness of our situation. In two days, we're going to head out of here and look for those tunnels...Just...let's just try to enjoy the moment we have left, okay?"

And with that, he eventually dismissed Isaac with a polite wave of the hand, burying his head beneath his hands again. Jean was going to follow his own advice and enjoy the rest of the moment, but he needed a moment to calm down. It was likely that someone would've at least picked up on his shouting, or at least his strange conversation with Isaac, but for those who had no clue it was up to the Lance Corporal to let them know from here onward. It would be logical and most likely appropriate for Isaac to relay the information of Jean's attempted suicide in the frantic disarray he was in, but at the end of the day, Jean could not will the intentions of a free man, not in his Squad. Here, Jean wanted to at least let those around him have a sense of freedom today. And tomorrow. And the day after, and forever more. Jean just...just needed a few moments to calm down, before he could plaster a smile back onto his face and to finally talk to those around him once more.

Another half an hour finally passed before Jean felt like he could face the music again. Slowly, he stood up from his table, having slowed and calmed his breathing down to a better extent, and walked towards the gathering group of his own squad. Several soldiers there were laughing and chanting together, or telling stories of their origins and further expeditions through life. Others were reminiscing of better times and simply indulging the brilliance of the White Hart's peaceful policies, not having to worry about another man aiming directly at their head. For a minute, Jean was clearly hesitant about choosing where to sit, but eventually he found a place and sat down near Diana, who was separate from the group, for the most part. Perhaps she was still embarrassed by her own incident of gambling, which Jean had missed (though whether or not it was for the good of him was another topic to debate). She'd smiled at him as he made his way over, which honestly gave Jean a strange warmth to his heart again. He hadn't had the chance to properly speak to her since Hill 58, and had shared a few small conversations with her on the way to Amone, but now was a chance for them to actually get back into one another's lives. Truth be told, Jean did still find an amazing attraction to Diana in her physical appearance. She still had that quirky aura to her, one that had stuck around since she had proclaimed an apparent love for Jean upon the first minute she laid eyes upon him. Something about that reality made Jean feel a little...happy? Was that the word? Jean did like Reyna a lot, and had made some form of informal and subtle confession towards her, but Jean still found a great deal of interest towards two individuals in particular: Kalisa and Diana, too. Even though in recent days and weeks he'd been far more attentive towards Reyna, it still was a lie to claim he couldn't see a future life with someone of the likes of the other two, who each shared their own sense of personality and qualities that enlightened Jean's soul furthermore. Freya had jokingly told him to get into a relationship with two at the same time, like Diana and Reyna, but Jean wasn't entirely sure what she meant by that. For a moment, he found himself gazing at Diana with a strange fixation upon her face and quirky smile. Her own eyes were seemingly more attentive towards her own physique, potentially seeing a strange anxiety about how she actually looked: though to those like Jean, those anxieties were not exactly something to be embarrassed about.

And then, she struck first. Diana questioned why he was staring and blatantly called out that she wanted to converse with him, finding comfort and a sense of sweetness to what he had to say. The game was on. Jean, finally found a sense of confidence within his heart, and began to grow a small smile across his face, thinking mischievously of how he could playfully interact with her. After all, Jean felt bad about giving her the impression that Jean wasn't interested in her after the abrupt confession she made in Garnia, and so it would only be fair to show some true sparks towards her own passion. It was embarrassing to think about, but Jean leaned closer towards Diana and smirked at her, roughly under half a metre away from where they were sat. Before then, he quickly shifted his seats and sat down beside her so that he didn't have to shout across the table, before chuckling to himself and playfully inciting a rather flirtatious comment.

"I thought you liked it a lot when I stared, Diana." He couldn't help but blush himself at his silly little comment, finding a sense of embarrassment and anxiety to its flirty manner, but he went along with it either way. Besides, time had shown Jean that Diana wasn't a bad person nor was she as crazy as he first thought. It was like Reyna: how could anyone turn down a lovely individual like her? "Well...if it's lovely to talk to me, ask away, I'm all ears for you, right?"

Nothing. No worries, no anger, no sadness, just… nothing. It wasn’t the first time Luke’s felt this way after a drinking session that ended with him passing out. This familiar feeling of floating within a space of nothingness, numb to the mess that was his conscious life, was single handedly the only feeling Luke has truly enjoyed in his life. If only he could stay like this forever, not having to return to the real world, to return to the twisted demons that constantly tormented him. True freedom from the raging current of mental suffering that was gradually dragging him deeper and deeper into the depths of his own hell, drowning him within his own fears and slowly chipping away at whatever remained of his sanity. He may be able to do this however, to keep this feeling of nothingness and blissful, silent peace. All he needed to do was pick the perfect way to permanently switch it all off and follow through with it. So simple, so easy, so tempting.... yet so sickening to even consider! His soul would twist in disgust from the mere thought of leaving his home, friends and family behind for his own selfish desire to escape himself because he wasn’t strong enough to overcome it. Though there was something else about the idea that made him want to puke and seethe in a burning rage of hatred. If he ever did leave his conscious life behind to abandoned the real world then he’d become the very thing he hated. He would be just like the pitiful coward that has forever cursed him with these horrible memories and thoughts. His soul shivered in fear as the thought of him becoming just like… just… like…

Luke’s unconscious mind was soon ripped from the void of blissful nothingness, throwing his now conscious thoughts into the real world. He gasped in utter shock as the first sensation the real world offered him was an unforgivable chilling cold that at first felt like tiny pinpricks on his bear skin, stinging him down to the bone, but as Luke took in a few deep breath from the sudden awakening he began to gradually get his head straight. With his eyes still closed and the feeling of his face being drenched in cold water Luke groaned slightly before wiping his face clear. “Ugh, damn it… why can’t I ever wake up peacefully?” he muttered to himself, slight annoyance in his tone before he slowly opened his eyes. As the first crack of the Inns lights slipped into his vision he hissed and closed his eyes while his head began to throb slightly, quickly helping his cloudy mind piece together what put him here in the first place. “Booze, you foul temptress, how you wound me so,” he muttered with a small chuckle before wincing at another stab of pain in his skull. Luke arched a brow as he heard the familiar voice of Diana speaking to him, an unmistakable tone of frustrated annoyance in her voice, but refused to open his eyes for at least a few more seconds.

He groaned a bit as he raised his hand over his eyes to block the light while also covering his currently annoying teammate. He frowned a bit as she spoke again, easily picking up on her slurred words and mumbling in confusion. “The hell are you going on about?” he questioned as she urged him to hurry up with whatever she wanted. Luke blinked a few times, his vision still a bit blurry, he looked down with a grunt once he realized there was a bit more of a draft in the room. “Do I have a hole or something in my uniform? Why the hell is it so… oh,” he stated simply as he blinked once more to clear his vision and see the rather obvious lack of clothes that were supposed to be on his body. “Huh,” was all he could say as he came to the realization that he was now ass naked. It did take him a moment register it, but honestly a part of him wasn’t to surprised. This wasn’t the first time he’s woken up in the nude after a successful drinking session so he was rather use to it by now, it hurt his pride a bit sure, but he was mostly disappointed he couldn’t handle his booze for the night. He let out a small sigh as he rubbed his messy hair and chuckled to himself as he still refused to look up and have his eyes assaulted by the bright lights.

His attention was caught though as he heard Diana, in a adorably slurred voice, refer to Victoria as Mistress. A bit confused, Luke took a moment to try and remember what had happened before he blacked out. There was out drinking that Imperial, meeting up with Diana and Victoria, getting dragged into another drinking contest and finally… Luke’s eyes widen slightly as he remembered the bets they had placed before starting and groaned as it dawned on him. He lost. That would explain why he was naked as he recalled that being the first thing Victoria threw out as a punishment for the losers, but he had a problem remembering the last two. With one final blink to adjust his eyes Luke finally looked up with an arched brow. “Mistress? Why the hell are you-” Luke froze before he could finish, his words getting caught in his throat while his eyes widened in shock. Was he...was he still drunk? This had to be fake. He closed his eyes for a few seconds, rubbing any of the lingering exhaustion that may still be in his eyes before reopening them to finally come to the conclusion that this was in fact, a completely nude Diana in front of him.

Instantly Luke’s face lit up like a light, his heart pumping like a trains engine and his body growing warmer from the shock. “W-w-w-wha… I… uh…” was all he could fumble from his mouth, finding it impossible to speak like his normal self. For the first time in a long time Luke’s veil of confidence and bravado went crashing through the window, plummeting to the hard earth without any way to recover. His body remained stunned as his eyes refused to look away from her nude body and couldn’t help but take in her hourglass figure, lost for words of how perfect her curves were. This was how it was happening!? This is how he was seeing a nude woman for the first time!? ‘Damn it! Jack warned me not to get to cocky with my drinking! Now here we are!’ he shouted in his head with utter frustration before his mind was retaken by Diana lowering her arm to reveal her chest, the size of her breast completely taking him off guard as he realized just how big they were. Luke’s face was now crimson red as he felt like his mind was about to explode. If it were possible steam could have blown out of his ears and nose from the utter shock and embarrassment from this whole situation. How can they be so big when she's so small!? Luke finally managed to tear his gaze away from her exposed body and quickly stood up as she complained about something being so big. ‘WHAT’S SO BIG!?’ his mind screamed in complete flustered confusion.

This was all a bit to much for, even for Luke to take in all at once. As he tried to calm himself down he began to gradually remember the bets that were made. Strip down ass naked, check. Become the winners slave, another unfortunate check. What was the last one? His question was cut off as Diana stood up and insisted that they get on with it. Get on with what? What were they about to do? What else could they possibly do to make this worse? What…‘Oh fuck me,’ he thought as the sudden realization hit him once he recalled the last bet he failed to remember. He looked down to Diana with wide eyes and felt his mouth hang open slightly, still a bit taken back by the bet. After taking a moment to get himself together Luke cleared his throat and gave a nervous chuckle as he began to try and attempt to rebuild whatever confidence and bravado he had left. “W-What, can’t handle being a loser?” he questioned, his nervousness clear in his tone while he failed in his attempts to hide it. After one last uncertain chuckle Luke looked down to her and took in a quick breath before gently gripping her shoulders, trying not to focus on the smoothness and softness of her skin, it only adding fuel onto the raging fire in his thumping heart. The inexperienced part of Luke wanted to explore even more, but he knew that’d most likely end in a broken finger or two. Maybe a busted nose. He couldn’t help but give a small sigh of defeat before looking into her eyes, a frown on his bright red face. “Remember, this was your idea, not mine,” he clarified, not wanting to be blamed for it later.

With those final words Luke closed his eyes and brought the two of them into the kiss, not wasting anytime to draw it out any longer than it had to be. This was it, this was his first kiss. Not the best way for a first time, seeing as how they were both sort of forced by their defeat in the contest. Honestly he would blame Diana some more since this was her bet, but he was a bit busy as the two of them held the kiss, doing his best to not embarrass himself as he didn’t want to make himself look like an even bigger of a fool. He mostly tried to copy her and was actually doing fine, but after the final few seconds of the kiss Luke felt his heart skip a beat as he accidentally pressed his chest against her breast and decided that this was a good place to break away. Luke took a step back, embarrassment still clear on his face while he felt as if his heart would burst through his chest. He looked over to Victoria and narrowed his eyes with a frown. “Happy my Mistress? Was that enough to satisfy you?” he questioned before letting out a heavy sigh and ruffling his hair with a frown. “Damn it, I need a drink,” he grumbled before calling over the waitress, who seemed to find the whole punishment amusing. Luke, his pride damaged enough for the night, ordered a fresh beer and sat at the table with a bitter frown.

@Landaus Five-One@Smike

---

A groan of exhaustion escaped Luke as he closed the door of his room, leaning against the door and silently praying his “Mistress” wasn’t looking for him. After a good minute of nothing he gave a small sigh of relief as he managed to successfully slip away from everyone. Normally he would stay and honor his bets, but tonight he just needed to call a quits for now. Luke still felt like shit after drinking himself out cold and was still fuming a bit from the embarrassing punishment he was forced into with Diana, though he'll admit it wasn't so bad he just wished he had time to prepare for it. Being rudely awakened from a drunken slumber and diving head first into it wasn't exactly pleasant. He slightly banged the back of his head on the door in frustration before walking over to this bed for the night and tossing his clothes atop of it, except for his pants that he managed to get on before escaping the bar. He tossed his dirty boots onto the floor next to the bed and made his way to the bathroom, feeling the need to wash away this shitty night. Luke entered his bathroom, readied a bath and threw his pants to the side as he lowered himself in with a long sigh of relief. Instantly the warm water eased a bit of the tension in his body and gradually helped him feel more relaxed.

After cleaning a few specific areas around his body Luke laid back in the warm waters while resting his arms along the edges of the tub, a long sigh of relief escaping him as his body finally began relaxed for once. “Geez, maybe it was a bad idea coming here,” he muttered to himself as he began to let his mind drift away into space. This was his second day in the field and it has been nothing but a huge pain in his ass. Of course he wasn’t expecting it to be easy, this was a war after all and there was no denying it’s many hardships, but still Luke didn’t think he’d have to deal with shit like this. As he fumed about the first days of his deployment his mind soon remember the whole episode his drunken mind had earlier and griped the edges of his tub as a bit of his tension returned. It wasn’t the first time he’s had moments like that happen to him where his horrid memories return to remind him of his shit past, but still it always brought a dark and heavy cloud over his head. Though he hated to admit that this little episode was slightly worse than the rest. It was lasted way longer than the others and was much more clearer as well. It was all just so… frustrating! Luke groaned before sinking deeper into his tub before fully submerging his head under the water, wanting to wash out these damn thoughts from his head.

With his eyes closed Luke laid under the waters with a wave of calmness coming over him, feeling at least a bit of peace for the night. He even began to remember his home, friends and sisters. Luke even realized that his birthday was only a day away. A small smile spread on his face in amusement as he would always forget about it and how it was always his little sisters who would be the first ones to remind and wish him a happy birthday. He chuckled lightly, a few bubbles floating to the top of the waters surface. For a brief moment Luke opened his eyes to see the dim light from above shine down into the waters and felt his worries melt away. In this brief moment, he felt lucky to have them in his life, he was happy. His happiness was soon torn away as his eyes widened in shock, his pupils shrinking in utter shock and fear as a shadow loomed over him, blocking the light and casting a twisted shadow over him. His body remained paralyzed in fear as the shadow remained above him and he swore he could see a chilling, devilish grin spread onto the faceless shadow. Luke opened his mouth to scream, but instead gulped in a mouthful of water. Luke shot up from the waters before he could drown and gasped for air, coughing violently as his lungs ached and burned in pain.

With a panicked and wild look in his eyes Luke scanned every inch of his surroundings, trying to find the shadow in desperation. After checking more than twice Luke failed to find it. Breathing heavily and still a bit paranoid he soon managed to get his head somewhat straight before leaning back in his bath and resting his head against the back of the tub, staring up towards the ceiling with wide eyes as he was still getting over the shock. With a groan he covered his eyes with the palm of his hands and sighed in frustration. Why now? Why did this have to happen now? He really couldn’t just catch a break could he? Gradually a small trembling smile came to his face before he began to chuckle lightly. Soon his chuckle became a fit of laughter while he kept the palm of his hands over his eyes. He had to take a minute to catch his breath as he calmed down and removed his palms from his eyes that had successfully stopped any tears from flowing. “I really am going insane,” he muttered, his eyes slightly red and his smile wavering a bit.

After a minute of silence Luke rose out of his tub and did a half ass job in drying himself off, not even attempting to dry his messy hair as he walked back into his room. Feeling a bit more paranoid Luke looked around his room to make sure nothing was lurking in the shadows before pulling on his pants, boots and threw on his shirt. He left the rest of his gear and equipment on the bed, except for his rifle that he slung onto his shoulder. Looking out his rooms window he decided that maybe some fresh air would help. He spotted a few of the cigarettes sticking out of his uniform and a box of matches that someone must have left resting on the counter next to his bed. With shrug he snatched them both up, feeling that its been awhile since he’s had a smoke. Besides, he could use one right now. Luke made his way downstairs and tried his best to slip out the front door without being spotted by anyone, not sure if anyone noticed him or not. It honestly didn't matter to him if anyone did see him or not, it was just a small habit he has when trying to get away from himself. Though before he slipped out he glanced over towards anyone remaining in the bar a felt a small smile tug on his face, glad to see that the others were at least continuing their nights with ease.

As he walked outside he spotted a few boxes near the entrance and saw it as a good place to rest. With a sigh he sat down atop the boxes and leaned back against the building, his eyes traveling upwards towards the night sky. The moonlight brighten up the night slightly with a few clouds lazily drifting by, he wasn’t sure if they were natural clouds or the smokes stacks caused by the war that surrounded them. At least it wasn’t pissing rain anymore, but there was a small drizzle that remained. Luckily though a bit of the Inns roof stretched out just enough to cover him from getting any wetter than he already was. He ruffled his soaking wet hair before popping a cigarette into his mouth and striking a match to life. Once lit Luke took a decent drag before releasing the smoke into the air, a small wave of relief coming over his mind as he let the chemicals of his cigarette do its job.

With a tired and worn out expression Luke starred up towards the moon, listening to the distant gunfire and explosions of the city. Oddly he found the distant sounds of war comforting as it took his mind off of his problems for a bit. As he took another drag Luke felt a bitter smile run along his face before exhaling the smoke once it had filled his lungs enough. “What a shit show,” he chuckled bitterly before flicking away a few ashes. His attention was soon caught by the weapon on his shoulder and decided to unsling it from said shoulder to work on. Leaving his cigarette in his mouth Luke began to silently clean and check his rifle, finding a bit of joy in doing so as it was a good distraction. He also found some comfort in it, hoping it would be ready to use at a moments notice in case he needed to.

Diana’s Brutal Reality – Taken off-guard – Amone City’s Walls (Sept. 10th)

---

Diana had a specific thought in her head, which caused her happiness. It was in essence all about all the new people she got to meet. While one of them she still wants to hit really hard in the face, since he’s an asshole. It was mostly because she dislikes being called short and has a bit of an insecurity about her height because of what her elder sisters constantly bashing her size. ”Ugh, getting reminded about my sisters is the worst… why did Luke of all people have to do that? It’s a real sore spot for me since I’m not going to grow anymore taller.” Diana thought to herself, which helped her smile and continue to drink her water. It was definitely better to drink water than drink alcohol right now. She was hopeful someone would ban alcohol for tomorrow at the inn since she doesn’t want to slur her words again, even though she’s highly embarrassed at it. It was pretty much obvious she couldn’t help but shyly blush at remembering that.

She could notice that Jean sat down and moved closer to her, which made her blush a bit harder at what he was doing. However, she was taken off guard by what he had said specifically, which made her heart skip a beat in response. It took her a bit to respond to what Jean had said, however, it came to her. ”Uuhhh… Jean I do like when you stare… that is… but it seems like you are getting better at flirting.” Diana responded to his flirt with a goofy smile and blushing redder than a tomato. It caused her to giggle since he’s pretty much a sweet guy that definitely helping her forget about what happened earlier with that drinking competition. She pretty much wishes she never started to drink alcohol but she had a feeling Jean wouldn’t speak to her. It is in her blood more or less to at least try to drink alcohol. She couldn’t help but take a bit to think on a response to his question, until it came up in her thoughts. ”Yeah, I do have a question. What’s your thoughts on everyone? I want your honest opinion on them. Because I enjoy the fact you are a corporal and not someone who would be more rigid alike Captain Grumpus, since he’s a bit of a meanie.” Diana spoke quietly towards Jean, mostly on the Captain Grumpus part. It’s mostly because of the fact it was something she wanted to hear from Jean. ”You do have beautiful eyes, Jean.” Diana said, giving a compliment and flirting with him.

Diana was cutely giggling specifically at that because she smiled every time she saw him stare at her. ”I am sorry that I was a bit of a grump when I woke up earlier, but fog gets me down it’s mostly because of what my elder sister Astra said to me before I left to this war. I so would like to tell her off for what she did specifically to me and my family. I hope the Federation doesn’t do anymore things that will destroy my faith in them. My mother Rebecca is probably throwing a fit right now since I haven’t wrote her back… I should’ve read up on the war before I got here but I was a head in the clouds type child throughout most of my life because of the constant bullying by my older sisters. I have to get this off my chest a bit sorry for that but I am grateful to you for being here and saving me on the hill so I can tell my elder sisters off when I get back home.” Diana said, kinda regretted her mood before they found this inn. She was speaking through her heart since it was highly time that she saw everything for what it is and not what it was in her mind. Being stuck in the clouds imagining killing imperials is different from actually taking someone’s life alike what she did on the Hill, that part of her is terrified what this war will do to her. It’s alike a bit of a sour taste in her mouth that she doesn’t really like but she cannot go back home until it is done. ”The friends I made in this unit outweigh what my elder sisters did to me when I was younger. The experiences outweigh any hardship you can get and I think everyone in this unit feels the same way. We are friends and will be for all time. Even though you are handsome, Jean.” Diana said, with a happy smile on her face, and blushed a bit more at what she said at the end. This was definitely helping her forget Luke specifically since that was god awful experience, even though she still wants to slap him really hard on the face, mostly because of insulting her height that is.

She cutely sighed at her getting stuff off her chest, even though she was definitely happy about just talking to Jean. It’s one of the things she always want to do talk to Jean, even though she did bring up Middleton who stole their joy. ”You are a lovely person Jean. Also, you are the sweetest guy I’ve met since it seems like we are on the same wavelength most of the time.” Diana said. It was obvious she still have a crush on Jean, even though she was a bit more realistic than having her head in the clouds. She still was blushing at the fact she did outright say she wanted him on a hill without knowing his name, however, she doesn’t want to tell Jean about her daydream since it is a bit nerve racking. However, in the back of her mind, she’s going to have something since she drank so much alcohol though. She always wondered why her mother told her to never have a hangover but it was definitely going to happen this time around. ”I shouldn’t have drank myself to slur my speech… it was a bad idea I do want some of Reyna’s tea though. I am hopeful she makes more of it because it was definitely good and make me decide to not pass out drunk.” Diana thought to herself, with a smile on her face. In a sense, that made her remind her, it was on the tip of her tongue. ”Oh yeah, did you try Reyna’s tea? It helped me realize something I shouldn’t ever bet while in a drinking contest again. Because that was embarrassing and grateful you weren’t here to see it.” Diana said, realizing what she said, a bit worried if he’ll be a bit curious. She was blushing much at what she said because it was a bit embarrassing for her to remember what she did earlier, ala, stripping herself naked. Her face was redder than a tomato in hoping that Jean wouldn’t try to poke or prod what happened.

It wasn't long, standing out there, before someone noticed him. Diana had, as stated before, been amidst some heavy drinking for a rather unusual drinking contest with consequences. She greeted him and wanted to know which one he though was gonna win.

"I'm doing alright, and I dunno who's gonna win. Never was that good at gambling, anyway."

Never actually tried, really. Any game of chance he ever played was more of a game of skill. Back in basic, he got this alot. 'Hey, Isaac. I bet you can't do this.' That kinda' thing. He either could or he couldn't, and he had a pretty good idea if it was possible or not. Sometimes, they'd try to goad him into doing something he was pretty sure was stupid and impossible to pull off, and he'd tell them that he wasn't gonna do every damn thing under the sun. He'd surprised a few people, some of the time, which is why that happened, but that didn't make him some kind of live performer for their amusement. Everybody's got a limit and he didn't need an injury. You see, that fucker that got him into this mess must've had a habit of pulling unwilling soldiers, because there was a rule: People who get themselves injured suddenly or play at being crazy were gonna be arrested and put in the stockades with meager rations. And if you were found deliberately trying to avoid combat, there was a good chance you were going to get court-martialed to death. So, he wasn't about to do himself a damage. He had to live to death first, or someone else do him an injury, or win.

That was neither there nor here, in the inn and tavern. This was a place of merriment, and he was settling down into it as he watched things progress. For now, HE was the people-watcher, while Britta did her thing. Yeah...he wasn't sure if it was love either, but they were at least friends who were willing to go that far. Isaac kind of wondered if that was happening to anyone else around here. Well, anyone from their team. He wouldn't mind even if people extended the ultimate olive branch here and a Federation soldier decided to have at it with an Imperial one. In the Gunner's eyes, that might be the sanest thing ever done in the middle of a war. He could imagine it, people advocating for peace in times of conflict, saying 'Make Love, Not War'. Who knows? Maybe it'll catch on, somewhere.

Still, he was introduced to a Victoria White, the unfamiliar soldier that he'd seen around before. Isaac just gave her a "Hey there." in response to that. She was busy, of course. Victoria was in the middle of this drinking contest, and she had a helluva few words to say on the matter, because it looked like she was wearing down the competition. Luke was down first, and then Diana, which is surprising when you think about it. Mind you, she might've come late, because those two looked like they were at it before she even walked in. Can't be too sure, though. The clock on the wall said that hours had passed, but Isaac wasn't even sure when they really got started in earnest. They were doing something now in earnest, or at least in drunken-ness. Diana and Luke had lost, so...they hadda' kiss, apparently. And uhh...well...they really went into it. Isaac felt parts of him heating up as this went on. Considering the situation with Britta still being fresh in his mind, you can understand him staring and thinking...

Damn, is this what it looks like from the outside?

Because that's what it seemed like, fresh thoughts of how it was in bed with Britta cutting across his mind. He started looking over the place to find the silver-haired Gunner. She'd been conversing with those at the bar while food was being prepared. Looks like she'd managed something that looked like brunch, breakfast and lunch food combined. Isaac didn't care. It was food, it was wholesome, and it would feel good to have some instead of the crap they were feeding them as rations. The surveying farmer's eyes roamed the tavern area again - kind of avoiding the bit with Luke and Diana for a moment - and then...Jean! He'd suddenly come in, rather quietly, getting his attention by his shoulder and asking for him to follow him for a moment to talk. Isaac looked over towards Britta, who...aww, dammit, Jean...food was ready. She was getting it now. There was a moment of apprehension where the NCO's face clearly said 'But...but food', though that came to a halt when he really saw the look on Jean's face. No, this really couldn't wait.

"Alright, lead the way."

Once they were away from everybody else, Jean was immediately apologetic.

Come on, Jean. My stomach isn't THAT important.

Really, it bothered him more that he led in with 'You are my NCO' and not 'You are my friend'. Wasn't he listening before, when he said he had at least one friend? He wasn't gonna say that right now. He's in a bad way, still. He was clearly in a terrible state, what with the hallucinations and all. Yeah, Jean really shouldn't drink. It'd turn on him. In his current state, he'd be letting loose all kinds of bad from within, a depression to end all depressions. And Isaac knew that had to be the case when he heard what happened next. The Gunner's eyes widened as Jean confirmed a worry that the Corporal had given him earlier, when they were all in that house and he showed him the picture of his sister. He tried to kill himself. He saw nothing left in his life and wanted to end it all. As soon as he paused, Isaac let him have it. No, not a punch or even verbal abuse, but by god, you know he was gonna interject now.

"Jean, I know your humanity will never break. I don't see you as someone degenerating in character. It's your spirit that's had me worried, and I'm sorry to hear that I was right about that. Consider that empty gun the message that you're not suppose to die here, breaking yourself in half, mind or body. You're not coping because you have no outlet for frustration. You don't want to bother anyone, so you don't vent that much. I'm pissed. I've just been putting that aside for the moment because I can relax and feel human again. We all are. It's probably why everybody's so into it. You don't seem to be trying that hard, though. I know it's a temporary reprieve from danger and loss, but take it. You need it. Olivia would want you to live and try to find some happiness in your life. Try and find some joy while you're here. Raise a glass to your sister, remember the good times, but please let her go in peace and live your life, Jean."

It was after this that he continued on and stated that if anything should happen to him, he was counting on Isaac to take up the slack and that he finally said that he was a friend and sounding like he was taking Isaac's advice. He also informed them that they would be here another two days and to make it last. The Gunner nodded at this, and then saluted him.

"I understand, Jean. Just be sure to take my and your own advice."

After that, they parted ways and he was going towards Diana. Well, Isaac was a'gonna avoid that business for now and get down to a table nearby Britta, who was already eating. Sadly, he wasn't in the same good mood that he'd been in earlier You don't hear all that and let it slide off. Some of that bad has to be absorbed, taken in, processed, and dealt with. He started attacking his food with a fork, that look in his eye back into place. He'd eventually settle, but Britta noted the serious expression on his face after he'd been talking to Jean and kind of put it together.

"That bad?"

"Worse. I may end up in charge."

"Well, Jean could use a brea-"

"Permanently."

That cut her to the quick with sudden understanding, just staring for a moment, just imagining... It made Britta lower her head to her meal, not exactly keen on eating it right now. Her eyes raised back to Isaac.

"We shouldn't tell the others, not yet. Maybe not at all, unless it become necessary. Maybe not everybody looks up to him - Not Luke, that's for sure - but he was still put in charge. He's the center, and he's good at it, no matter what anyone thinks. We should do something, though."

"I've done it, or I hope so. I told him to use this place to make peace with himself, and try to move on. I hope he can do it, because otherwise there'll be NO Charpentiers left in the world, and personal experience tells me that that'd be a terrible loss."

"I feel like I wanna set up one of the girls he likes to help him out there, but I dunno if that's appropriate. You and I...we found a moment, and it worked. I think we're not the only ones. There's alot of stress being relieved here. I hope Jean finds some way to get through what he's got."

"It's alot to work through. Frankly, I'd swear out a testimony to get him out of the war if I thought it'd work. He needs to pick up his shattered life. I'd fight Middleton over that one, for sure."

"I believe you there, absolutely."

She smiled at Isaac as she called him back to reality with a reference to the earlier promise. Isaac Black will see it through. That's what she believed. Maybe Jean believed that too. Maybe that would send him out of his terrible depression. Maybe... In time, they would see.

Clearly his sly attempt to slide into Diana's conversation had gone rather well as she seemed to flourish a redder tone than usual, blemishing out her brightest features with a single glow. A grin kept itself plastered upon Jean's sweetly cleaned face from earlier that morning, where he had a nice bath before the interruptions of the hallucination. He slightly missed being able to flirt casually with people like Diana and Reyna, which was something he didn't do that often in the most recent days of their time in Amone. It made his heart beat faster than it usually did and a fit of uncontrollable smiles would always encircle the regular calmness he rarely had. Diana was a sweetheart, no doubt, just like Reyna and Kalisa, but much like the other two she had her own unique personality and set of traits that was unmatched and different in its own way. Reyna had elegance on her side. Kalisa had a lovely aura of self-control. Diana? Well, Diana had the most alluring personality of them all, seemingly going out her way to actively let everyone know what she liked in as polite of a way as she could make it. It was like a slightly more experienced version of Lucia in that everything had to be straight forward and there was little restriction to what her filter went through, but in a way Jean kind of liked that about her. Honest did go a long way, even though Diana's first honesty was enough to make Jean stagger back in utter surprise upon Hill 58. Even then, Diana had a rather womanly figure to herself, which Jean hadn't actually taken any time to awe upon, mainly because of the highly embarrassing factor that Jean held some form of moral dignity when it came to his first triad of romantic interests. Here, however, it was hard not to. Diana seemed to have her uniform a bit more relaxed than before, as if only hours before she'd stripped them down completely and ignored the privacy they provided. Jean didn't specifically know that this was actually part of the truth or that her devilish failed bet with Luke was now a topic of discussion, but even then he smiled at her once he fully gathered and realised her physique.

Jean felt himself fluster slightly when Diana sweetly shot back with her true preference of Jean's flirting, finding it somewhat flattering himself that she thought that way still. At first, he didn't know how to react, knowing that Jean's first attempt at flirting with her was more of an embarrassment technique with a hint of passion laced within it, and from her response he felt a mischievous grin circumnavigate his emotions before he let a phrase or two slip out quietly, enough for only Diana and himself to contemplate.

"I'm more than happy to stare for longer then." Oh god. Jean had already dropped the ball and felt himself grow brightly red in the face. He pulled himself away from her quickly before exploding into a panicked state of embarrassment and confusion as to why he took the flirting further than he usually did. "A-Ahhh, sorry I didn't...I didn't mean to...uhm...So how are you?" It was definitely not a smooth transition, his attempt at changing the subject, and by all means was it as coarse as the memories previously flashing through Jean's broken mind, but for some reason it felt rather genuine of him to apologise. He was still far too inexperienced with this sense of courteous flirtation and romantic pursuit. Before his invitation to the 15th Atlantic Rifles, the Darcsen had no experience of friendship other than that of his very own flesh and blood, Olivia. It was a huge leap to be going after someone with the intentions of potentially committing an oath of love towards for the coming years, but Jean was still truly desperate to fill that empty hole still cascading his heart. It needed filling, and the longer it remained open and empty the more it would spread around the rest of his body.

Diana was quick to change the subject to, giving him a rather well-thought question that was sure to trip him up. Jean himself was thoughtful about what she asked, his impressions on everyone else to be specific, and instead found himself chuckling to himself with nervousness and a strange, coy smile. Was he really being asked this? Either way, Jean needed a good distraction, and thinking about everyone he'd sworn to protect seemed to be a good place to start, despite the fact he'd have to honestly open up some of his more radical feelings towards a few specific squadmates under his command. Her quizzing was carefully planned, or perhaps brought out of a state of random trails of thought, but it did help immensely with the previous melancholy he suffered from. Jean stared at her for a moment, contemplating on who to start with and how to give his honest opinion of Kalisa, Reyna and Diana herself. Eventually, he took a deep breath and nodded, finally finding his place to begin.

"How I feel about everyone? Well...I'll start somewhere dim. Luke: not a fan of him. Bigotry doesn't settle well in my stomach, if you hadn't of guessed by my...uhm...embarrassing outburst towards him. I can't deny that he might be doing his job as a soldier well, but that only gets you so far in my books. I guess I could come onto the Occies: Thomas is pretty calm and collected, only just met Victoria and Freya is a bit out-there but genuinely pleasant to converse with. Michael strikes me as a great guy, and I really enjoy talking to him. Haven't had many serious conversations because of him being swarmed by Lucia's adorableness, but he's a very philanthropic individual, and I can't help but relate to that." He paused for a minute, losing himself into looking at Diana again, her eyes and physique once more with a strange awkwardness to his mind. He knew he had to talk about Diana, and the other two beauties, very soon in order to answer her question truthfully. That was the part Jean was not particularly looking forward towards. "I...don't think a lot about the other new recruits, Gwyn and that lot. They seem nice, but I can't say I've spoken to them much. Franz is an alright chap, but has a lot weighing on his shoulders, same as me, so I can feel some empathy. Ines has her quirks, and...ability to be quite loud, I suppose. Isaac and Britta are a nice duo, and I enjoy Isaac's support that he's shown the squad and me personally over these last few months. And then..."

He stopped for a second, eyeing up Diana as she must've known her name was amongst the final three to be mentioned. Jean felt his cheeks blare a bright red once more as he tried to spit it out but failed several times, clearly embarrassed by the truth of his attraction. Why did she specifically have to ask about his honest impressions of everyone else? If she had just missed out that one word he wouldn't have felt so inclined and pressured to open up about something so secretive and benevolent as such. His face blemished more and more as the pressure built up. Oh god, this was really the true feeling of being put on the spot, wasn't it? He felt sorry for all those who'd been through this years and years before his life had even began. Eventually, Jean plucked up some small courage and lowered his voice to a gentle whisper, one enough to soothe Diana for sure.

"Well...w-well there's you, Diana, and there's also Kalisa and Reyna. I'm...well...I guess it's...it's only fair to say that...uhm...I may...just maybe, have...developed a really...really...really strong attraction to...all three of y-you." What didn't help was Diana's wholesome comment on Jean's eyes and how beautiful they were, causing him to shake his head and fluster wildly without any understanding of how to take the situation. Why was romance so hard and embarrassing? It felt as hard as Franz probably was around Ines, and that in itself was a rather discomforting thought to cross his Francian mind. Jean began to wildly apologise for the mini breakdown of his revelation, having shown that he was indeed attracted to Diana, as well as Kalisa and Reyna as much as herself. "I-Ignore that I...I am just being honest!"

Luckily for Jean, Diana went off on her own tangent about some revelations of her past, talking about the family she seemed to have bad connections with. Jean himself began to listen with intrigue and genuine curiosity. It felt a bit tragic that she had a family still around, yet the simple mentioning of their name felt more like a burden than an actual motive to keep pressing on. For that reason, Jean couldn't find any words to say then and there, instead sitting in silence and nodding his head as she continued. God, the weight of everyone's own separate burdens was enough to really unsettle Jean, making him feel more depressed that the world was treating these good people worse and worse with each passing day. It was unfair and downright sickening to imagine Europa being as sickly as it was to its own graceful occupants, even the ones who were not permitted to even bring any harm to a flower if they so could. He sighed heavily, before his eyes were caught off guard by someone standing beside him. Jean felt the tap on his shoulder and turned his head, finding that the small and innocent Lucia was stood before him with a somewhat eager look on her face. It was strange seeing that, as apparently only moments before she was drunk off-of-her-mind from a single pint glass. Either way, Jean could take the hint, and told Lucia he'd be just a second, watching her roam off on her own to another corner of the room, awaiting Jean's arrival.

With that now said, Jean turned towards Diana, giving her one wholesome smile to try and follow up from his minor confession of attraction towards her, Kalisa and Reyna in one go, before leaving an open-minded statement to keep her company as he begged his own departure. It was rather devilish of him to keep some sort of romantic undertone to what he said, but in that moment, Jean didn't care if she took it that way. At least there was some comfort in her, Kalisa or even Reyna taking any of his flirts into a romantic mindset.

"I might go to bed after I talk to Lucia, here. So, if you need me at all, and I mean anything at all, just come and find me and I'll see if I can help. Have a pleasant night, Diana, if I hadn't already made it that way." Jean placed his hand atop of Diana's head, patting it gently and ruffling around her neatened long hair with a large grin on his face. It must've made her a bit shy from the phantom head-patting that Jean could deliver. Either way, giving her one last look, and even contemplating waiting around to see if Diana wanted to take the conversation any further, Jean turned and made his way over towards Lucia, who was eagerly bouncing around in her seat.

---

"Sooooooo, Mr Robin-Charpentier...What's it like?" For the past ten minutes, Jean had sat in silence watching her guzzle down her night's meal with a happiness glowing all over her face. Every shovelling of food that entered into her mouth was followed by a strangely pleasured moan of satisfaction, one that was surely enough to turn Michael's head into a state of uncontrolled fantasy. However, these noises were just for the food she was eating for the moment. Some form of slab of meat, a steak of beef perhaps, and for the time Jean waited for her to finally say something she'd already cleaned half of her plate with immense power. She seemed to have a strangely elegant taste for food, as if she'd been starved for years before. Though the thought of that backtracked to something he'd been meaning to ask her, about a particular Captain of interest. Unfortunately for him, Lucia was first to draw her question like an outlaw fighting in the ranches of Vinland.

"I'm...sorry, what do you mean?" Lucia followed his confusion with her regularly girlish giggle, one that really brought out the youth and inexperience of her mind and body. Lucia really didn't belong here on the frontlines, probably the least of everyone else. Whilst Jean was mentally unequipped to handle the stress of war, Lucia didn't even have the correct age entitled to her actions. There was a shyness in everything she did, whether that was laughing or talking. Jean still couldn't shake the image of her crying in the trenches of Hill 58, back when she'd finally been relieved of her anti-coward duty that Middleton had forced upon her. Was that a common practice for soldiers who were considered weaker? Either way, there was a lot of questions that needed to be asked after this randomised topic had gone out of the way.

"Having a sibling, silly. I heard you have an older sister, and I read some of your letters the other night whilst you were on watch duty, asleep on Reyna's thighs." The adorable innocence of how she put it made Jean flurry into a straight crimson red, far redder than he'd been around Diana only moments before. Was it really that obvious for her? Why was she also snooping through his letters again? This must've been the sixth time, the previous five being on the train to Amone. Where had this habit and lack of tactful privacy come from? Either way, it suited her adorableness further as she giggled again at his response.

However, Jean didn't smile immediately, knowing that she didn't seem aware of what had happened to Olivia. Jean sighed and put one of his hands beneath his chin, resisting the urge to drop down onto the table and slam it harshly against the wooden surface. At least here, he could compose himself a little clearer than he could if he broke down yet again. For once, he tried to push out all the angry and sad thoughts considering her mentioning of her sister; clearly Lucia had no idea of what had truly happened.

"Uh...yeah...had a sister. She was killed in the first year of the war." Lucia's face instantly dropped as soon as Jean said so, which made Jean's heart melt immediately. She had a pure look on her face that made anyone feel guilt when her pouting of sadness or realisation of a mistake came into light. For a moment, Jean could figure out why Michael was so attracted to her, as her angelic representation shone brighter than any flare that was shot on the fields of Garnia a few days before the charge. Jean quickly shook his head and tried to defuse the situation by continuing with her question, hoping to shed some light on the situation. "It's...uhh...it's amazing though. You have someone you think you take for granted, wishing they weren't related to you, but when they're gone you truly understand why they were as great as they were. They are there whenever you feel low and defend you from any metaphysical thoughts and unpleasantness on a daily basis. Guardians, as my sister would always describe elder siblings as. And to me, she was and still is the best guardian that could've ever lived."

"Aww, that's so sweet Jean!" Lucia curled up on her chair, finally letting some tears slowly trickle down her face. Jean had clearly failed in preventing her tears, but she at least seemed to be smiling whilst her emotions once again started to take the best of her. An emotional wreck, she was, but Jean could relate. Suddenly, she chirped up and poked Jean on the face, causing him to freeze in confusion with what she had to say next. "I never had a sibling. Jean, can you be my older brother?"

Victoria snorted when Diana spoke about "quiting while she was ahead. "The only thing you're ahead of me on is hitting the fucking floor like the blotto sod you are, tiny chick." The Oceanic snorted, tossing he rmane of raven black hair like an arrogant horse so that it exposed her damaged ear. "With how small you are your blood must be 90% crappy liquid-gold! Feeling weak? need someone to tuck you in like a tyke 'n' give you a pash so you can crash like the other naked idiot?" She barely payed any mind to the onlooker at first,, focused on celebrating her victory, but fixed the soldier with a glare at the mention of 'dirthairs.' "Oi cunt! Stop with the racist yarn, yeah? You look like a jackass. If you say it again I'm going to stub out that smoke on your tongue before taking you out back and using your whore face to shovel horse shit. 'N' then we'll see whose's a fucking 'dirthair', won't we?" the tall teen hissed, spitting directly on Ines's shoes.

She was laying it on a little thick there perhaps but this "Ines" broad was lucky her head wasn't already under Victoria's boot heel. She was well aware of the fact that Darscens were a punching bag and it would have been easy for her to take out her anger over her poor life on them, but she refused. A cigarete in her mouth she could stand, but there was no room for racism or discrimination in her life and she had put her foot up someone's ass before for such language. Confident that the point was made she turned back towards Diana, wolfish smile etched onto her face as she looked the tiny girl up and down hungrily.

She snickered as Diana splashed Luke with water, already clapping her hands as she began to chant. "Take them off!" she crowed, her devious expression making it clear what "them" meant exactly. An eyebrow raised in appreciation as Diana obeyed, not even bothering to hide her leering. "Wow, so maybe the girl is a woman after all!" Victoria noted wryly. "First order: Drop your arms."

Victoria had to admit, "Mistress" sounded quit nice coming out of Diana's mouth. She snickered as the 5'4" female talked to her titties, motion for her and Luke to get on with it. She saw right through the boy's false bravado, it was cute really. "You don't look so comfortable yourself, stud. Never kissed a chick before? She scooted out from her chair and stood behind the pair, both of them earning a "friendly" swat on the ass with just a hint of groping. "Well? Get to it you two!"

And then finally they did, Victoria whooping and hollering as the pair kissed. It was adorable, the embarrassed couple in clear view of literally everyone in the bar. That would hopefully be enough for them to know who was in charge in the unit! When Diana and Luke parted ways the Oceanic trooper rested an arm on the girl's shoulder, leaning in to whisper in her ear. "Second order: Tonight you're going to head up to my room and strip again. We'll see where it goes from there. Oh, and feel free to bring a friend."

It was technically her right to command this, but Victoria wasn't going to make a fuss if the girl refused. Not everyone was as "romantically inclined" as herself. In a way, this was a test. Would Diana rise to the occasion? Or would she slink away and hide?

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Before she could jump into the pits of drunken debauchery Victoria had to pay her respects to the patron saint of Oceania's soldiers. She hadn't forgotten that Thomas "Marathon" Carter, Oceania's own legendary warrior, was in the White Hart as well. Quietly she slipped out of the bar and back upstairs, peering into every open door until she found the one she was looking for. As soon as she saw him her whole demeanor changed, she straightened up to her full height and took her hat off in respect, twisting it in her hands nervously. Carefully she crossed the threshold with the reverent manner of a worshiper in a church. "Mr. Carter, sir? My name is Victoria White. It's an honor to meet you."

She rarely went by her actual name, and referred to people as "Mr" even less often. But this wasn't some normal dude, this was Marathon! Really she wanted to kneel at his bedside and grovel, but managed to keep some level of dignity still.

@Jacky @Landaus Five-One @LetMeDoStuff @Yam I Am

Diana’s Brutal Reality – Jean Admits – Amone City’s Walls (Sept. 10th)

---

Diana had a smile on her face, while see was staring at Jean. Her thoughts were going everywhere, in what Jean was readying himself to tell her, however. She was blushing hard when she heard Jean say specifically that it made her definitely embarrassed at what he said. In terms of the words, all she could really fathom to speak was three little words. ”O-Oh my… J-Jean...” Diana said, with a highly embarrassed look on her face. She couldn’t stop blushing redder than a tomato after what he had said to her. In terms, she saw Jean blushing as well and she cutely giggled at that because it was absolutely sweet to see him blush. She heard his apology and ask how she was doing. ”I’m doing pretty good. Jean you are definitely helping my mood in being more positive.” Diana said, with a sweet smile on her face. Her face was still bright red as it could be even though the additional of the smile.

She could see him having trouble with what she asked of him earlier, it was in her best interest to know how he thought of them. In terms, when he started to speak about each person in question, which started with Luke. She couldn’t help but agree with what he said, since she dislikes hearing bigotry that outrageous it offends her parents beliefs. It then came to the Oceania squadmates, she hasn’t really talked to Thomas but its nice to know what Jean thinks of him. However, she has talked to Freya once or twice on the train, and she was definitely pleasant to talk to. Freya’s smile was definitely heartwarming when she was having trouble sleeping on the train that is. When he spoke about Michael and Lucia in the same sentence made her let out a small aww out of her lips. They were a definite cute together, even though Lucia being drunk was pretty funny besides. ”Michael is a philanthropic individual, does that mean he’s rich alike Reyna? Guess that’s why he is so smart. I do know he’s a religious person at least. Anome is his religion’s capital so to speak.” Diana thought to herself. She did put her foot in her mouth while talking to him before and did say sorry about it at least. In terms of everything, she was blushing when Jean was starring at her again, before he started talking again.

Diana continued to listen to Jean speak about what he thought about everyone. She hasn’t really talked to the new recruits that much either in terms of Gwyn, anyway. However, when he said something about Franz that has similar weight as Jean it made her a bit curious. The thing that made her giggle a bit was when he spoke about Ines and ability to be quite loud, it took her a bit and ask. ”Loud? In what way...” Diana said, unaware that Ines and Franz had sex. It would make sense in why she could smell a different type of alcohol on her breath though. She had just realized before Jean came down here Isaac was watching the crowd was blushing a bit much at the fact. It was one of the many things she regretted now every single person in the bar area saw her naked besides Jean and Reyna. She was blushing really hard right now, however, she did notice he hasn’t talked about Reyna, Kalisa and her yet. It definitely was odd to leave Reyna, Kalisa and her for last, usually people usually talk about the girls first. The biggest reason for her thinking the opposite is because she could talk about all the friends she had, even though they are only female and Darscen. ”Uhhh… I wonder what he is going to say about Reyna, Kalisa and me. I wonder...” Diana thought to herself, with a super curious highly blushing face.

She was blown away with specifically with what Jean had said, her heart skipped a beat in what he just admitted to. Her face turned so red, it was redder than the sun and she had to breath out slowly or she might faint from her mind being completely off what he would have said. It took her a bit to calm down so she could respond to what Jean had said. ”J-Jean…I-I am really surprised a-at that… Uuuhhhhh… J-Jean… You are sweet and I-I will never forget what you said to me.” Diana said flustered beyond belief and a bit teary eyed. She thought Jean didn’t like her or rejected her but hearing those words from Jean was definitely a great thing to her. ”I am going to keep you in my heart for my whole life Jean, because that must’ve taken much to admit too.” Diana said, flustered still and couldn’t help but smile sweetly at Jean. She was cutely smiling and giggling a bit, it was grateful she wasn’t passed out drunk right now. When he told her to ignore what he said, all she could do is smile and giggle cutely. ”Honesty is the best policy, what my mother Rebecca always says.” Diana said, cutely as a response.

Diana had her thoughts going in many different ways, however, the one important thing to this entire thing. It was like written on her forehead, but in how easy she’s too easy to read nonetheless. She stopped for a second and breathed in and out for a second, and gave him a big beautiful smile on her face. Even though this was the first time a guy ever said anything to this respect to literally admitting to her that he has an attraction to three girls at the same time. The silence was definitely something in terms her mind was working really quickly to think of a response other than she already said. However, nothing came crossed her mind since she was a bit lost for words since all she said was said before. ”Damn it… this is all so exciting for me… should I tell Reyna and Kalisa? Uuuhhhh… That would probably embarrass Jean even more if I did.” Diana thought to herself. It made her realize what she should say. ”I’ll keep this a secret if you want me to unless you are going to tell the other two girls yourself one of these days, Jean. If they don’t get me to tell them by complimenting me or someone else blurting it out…” Diana said, with a gentle smile on her face. She was somewhat serious about this but somewhat teasing Jean with what she said.

It took a bit and she noticed Lucia poking Jean and all she could do was aww at her specifically. The drunken little girl was here. After awhile, she heard what Jean had said. ”Oh okay, I hope you have a goodnight sleep Jean. I will definitely remember this night for as long as I live.” Diana said, with a smile on her face. When he patted her head all she could do was blush much at this, which made her almost forget about Victoria. However, speak of the devil, she felt her shoulder had someone’s head on it and the voice that came was a thick Oceanic voice. She shuddered in utter realization that she’s still a slave to Victoria. ”Crap… I almost forgot about that… and mother would be mad at me if I don’t keep my end of the deal...” Diana thought to herself, with a realization on her face. It took her a few seconds to think over what she’ll say to her mistress and felt a bit faint at the order, which Victoria gave her. It was obvious, whom she was speaking about about ‘friend’ the other slave in question, which is Luke. She shakes her head a bit. ”It would be better mistress if I just go alone to your room. He was a sissy… I kissed my childhood friend Anna. Because she was crying… The kiss helped her mood since she was crying much. And she’s a Darscen too.” Diana said, with a bit of righteous fury of how badly Luke kissed her and how embarrassed he was. Subconsciously, she was trying to protect him but one doesn’t forget the insult of her height. However, after a bit of realization she literally blurted out that she said she kissed her childhood friend Anna on the lips because she was crying. In her whole body, she shaken a bit with a bit of rage. ”Uuuhhhh… I’ll go to your room now since I am tired.” Diana said, with a bit of a flushed face and couldn’t help but feel that Luke will be appearing in Victoria’s room no matter what.

Subconsciously, Diana couldn’t help but after the cute conversation with Jean of all people, she gets interrupted by Victoria of all people. It caused her to say one dumb thing after another, specifically why she was disappointed in Luke’s kissing mainly because Anna is better at it than him. She wants to save herself for Jean, which is primarily the reason why she didn’t want Luke up in Victoria’s room mainly. ”Uhhhh…. This is going swimmingly. Wish I never got into this bet or challenge…” Diana thought to herself, with her face completely red even more so than normal, outright telling Victoria about that one sweet little thing she done for her Darscen friend. She sighed and started to walk up the stairs and walks into specifically Victoria’s room, and taking off her clothes for her mistress. It had a definite shift in her mood from excited and happy to suddenly having a weirdest thing happen to her and making her feel like she should go through with it. She was pretty much hopeful no one would drag Luke to here so she couldn’t see Luke’s dong again because he was a bit much of a dick. ”I can’t believe I am in Victoria’s room of all things, naked… I guess I should get on the bed I suppose… If Luke comes through that door I will smack him hard...” Diana thought to herself with a bit of a sigh. She laid on Victoria’s bed and in the back of her mind only could think of Jean instead of what’s going on right now. It was the most awful thing she had to do to herself. She wanted to lose her virginity to Jean and not Luke.

Thomas was propped up against the head-board of his own bed, sighing heavily to himself as the silence began to take its toll again. For him, there was nothing worse than inactivity: an inability to do something productive or worthwhile in that moment. He'd been spending his years either constantly working on a farm or serving his friends and people proudly, fighting for some sort of war he should've had no part of in the first place. However, whilst this was what occupied his last few years, he thought a break from it all would do him some good. Freya had been adamant to not let him go wild with drinking and instead forced him to rest up due to the injuries and wounds he'd received in the previous incursion. Damn, they still hurt quite badly. It wasn't anything he hadn't received before, but it was definitely the most serious of injuries he'd picked up in all of his military career. Shot several times, of course, and had to crawl through no-man's land just to return back for medical attention, but this felt different. Part of him had fallen into a weakness like no other. The stabbing wounds flashed a strange surge of agony through his bones as the hours went by, reminding him that they'd previously been the homes for several tipped blades. The inn staff were kind enough to treat his wounds properly, thanking Jean's squad for stabilising it beforehand. As always, the pain was far worse during the disinfecting stage, which always was a loathsome process for anyone who'd come across a regular blighty. Time kept slipping by heavily, as if it were dragging the entire weight of his fallen comrades in some old wooden cart that lacked any proper wheels. How cumbersome that would've been. Thomas had seen his fair share of death and destruction throughout his years of combat, losing almost every friend in the books of his own personal history. Names like Primrose Evergreen, Howard Smithson, Wesley Thompson and Amanda Horthy were no longer accompanied by real, living individuals. They were just memories. Hundreds of names he'd learnt over the course of the past's progression had ultimately brutalised the journey to the present. He didn't want to lose anymore, but in reality there was only Freya left. Freya was as careless as she was careful at times, which didn't make sense to most individuals, however to Thomas it made perfect sense. Part of him wanted to find a way to spend a special night with someone, making sure that if he was to lose Freya or lose himself in the coming months of the war, at least he would be able to die as a happy individual who proudly did his best to create happiness for others. To die as a man who did the right thing: that was Thomas' true endgame strategy and objective to live by.

The walls were quiet, for the last few hours. Around 3 hours ago, maybe more considering his loss of the concept of time, there were the unmistakable noises of love-making going around in several rooms. God, Thomas couldn't help but feel a little depressed by the noises. Not only were they rubbing it in, seemingly, it also reminded Thomas of the fact that love was one of the few things he'd never been able to grasp during his time on the frontline. It wasn't that the concept was alienated to him, as Freya had been a good case-study for when she and Naomi were together peacefully, it still made him moderately disappointed with how the world had turned out. He didn't like only being known as a soldier, or a good war-hero or whatever, but that still didn't change the fact that he wanted something to stand by after the war inevitably ended, or someone to at least make the last of his days more enjoyable if he were to not make it that far. Endorsed completely under the reality of fatalism, the philosophical belief that everyone had a set fate that was unavoidable, Thomas had already pictured that this was to be his destiny. Death came by so fruitfully, without stopping to consider who it claimed. Heroes were not exempt from its scrutiny, and so just as everyone else was Thomas was under the knife soon enough.

A knock came at the door, and suddenly, a female walked in. For a second, Thomas was a bit sceptical as to who this individual was, as he'd never seen her before, not even amongst the inn staff, and the fact he was sprawled across his bed with only his bottom trousers being worn was quite an uncomfortable position for most individuals. Across his torso, lacking the shirt of course, there were dressings of bandages and other parts patched all over in many different, yet very specific, spots. Eventually, he just let the situation play out as it was, not even bothering to cover up his top half to hide all the injuries he'd recently taken from the imperial stabbing. From the first glance, Thomas was amused with the lovely, picturesque figure of an Oceanic woman, specifically the one Freya had mentioned earlier before. She had a darker hair tone to that of Freya herself and walked around with her own confident aura, but as she came closer and closer to Thomas it seemed to dissipate. In his past, only a few soldiers who recognised him actually acknowledged his infamous name amongst the Oceanic Expeditionary Troops, but none had gone out of their own way to approach him. She did that, and with her graceful entrance she gave the most genuinely sweet introduction, suddenly causing Thomas to chuckle lightly to himself with an expression of gratitude and happiness for the change of scenery. Instantly, he sat up, trying to meet her eye level a bit more, before beckoning for her to come closer.

"Victoria, is it? Well met. And I say 'well met' because I'm sure there's no better sight to look at than the one before me right now." With his friendly tone, he gently winked at her and laughed to himself, giving a cheerful output of tone and keeping up with the standards of cheeriness he was known for. "And don't think I'm a joker. Freya may already be quite overly excited, as everyone below has learnt, but I'm still more collected and true to my word."

As she came inside, Thomas let his breath exhale quickly, allowing him to fully appreciate the newfound company. Her nervousness was truly adorable and somewhat admirable, giving him some gratitude for something he clearly hadn't done other than provide a sense of independence for the Dominion of Oceania. It was always amazing to meet someone from his homeland out here in the foreign cultures of Europa, and especially one of such good looks and taste it seemed. He noticed that perhaps his bandages being on show were a little concerning, considering he may have been thought of as some outrageous, invincible soldier without anything to lose. He chuckled at the preposterous thought of someone even thinking that, but it'd been revealed once by a fellow friend of the past that his image had that sort of ridiculousness to it. Thomas offered her a space to sit down on his bed, knowing it must've been at the very least more comfortable than standing up.

"Don't mind the field dressings. Last fight we had had me shot and stabbed a few times. Hurts like hell, but those Imps ain't tough enough to kill us Occies, are they?" He patted her on the back jovially and chuckled to himself, poking fun at the age-old saying that Oceanics couldn't die, they just leave the field of action. The thoughts behind that saying were to inspire troops and to truly let the world know how committed they were to preserving their families, their culture and their honourable fortune in morality. "You're with Corporal Robin-Charpentier, aren't you? The Francian Darcsen, of course. What do you think of him so far, if you've spoken at all?"

As she began to lay out her answer, Thomas instinctively flicked her hair randomly to try and throw her conversation off, sort of as a mini test to ensnare her interest away from her conversation, but nevertheless her reaction, he nodded for her to continue. The way she spoke was far from elegant, as Freya had mentioned before, but that was a common part of the Oceanic culture. There was no space for aristocracy, even within its governmental representatives. The Kingdom of Edinburgh always slashed away at the dignities of Oceanic Ministers, claiming that their brash and informal methods of political debates were far from the common etiquette, to which those ministers just told them to fuck off. It was a wonderful stereotype to go by, the outrageously over-the-top individuals of loud misunderstanding with their thick accents, and Thomas found pride in knowing that they had a recognised appearance to the rest of the world. It was a step closer to independence, after all, albeit a small one. Once she had finished answering his question, Thomas patted her on the shoulder, wincing slightly in moderate pain as the cuts and wounds beneath the bandages were put under the stress of movement once more. His face clenched, but after he finished moving, he gasped slightly for fresh air and panted, allowing himself to finally relax in his new position. Thomas gave her a weakened smile, clearly impacted by the pain of his wounds, before he looked towards Victoria. Something deep down started to tell the NCO to start talking with future advice for this girl. Earlier his mind had reminded him that potentially, his time was going to be up in a few months or weeks, and that he should give it his all to improve the mental states of everyone around him. And knowing the topic of conversation, Thomas nodded before looking at her directly, a friendly smile upon his face.

"Y'know, Vicky...I can call you Vicky, right? Anyway, mate, whatever Jean may seem like at the moment, I'll admit he's a good kid, despite it sometimes not looking like it. Sure he's got some nerve and flaws to his figure, but I feel like you were lucky to assign yourself to him. Reminded me of my first time in command, nervous and confused. Albeit, back then, lass, I was already used to combat. Jean though, first time commanding and in the field of battle since Garnia. Only a month or so ago did he actually come into the war. Mad, isn't it? Makes you appreciate the little things, all the very little things in life..." Thomas sighed, looking away with a sort of sorrowful glisten in his eyes. There was a sudden change in atmosphere as he realised what he was leading up towards. He couldn't flat out explain to this girl, Victoria, that he was predicting his own death within the coming future, as it wouldn't be a good way to spend time with a famous individual. Luckily for him, he managed to tiptoe around it, and just get straight to the point he wanted to make. "From first glance, you seem like a strong, capable girl, don't y'ah? If it's not too much to ask, please just stay with Jean until the war comes to a halt. I fear he might go too far in his quest to protect everyone. I heard the conversation he had next door, and...well...let's just say it seems best for him to have some support over the coming trials. He may be an NCO, but as one myself, nothing sucks more than to be looked at as just a dispenser of orders. Well, I don't know how you view me, so I can't tell you that." Gently, Thomas chuckled, noticing that the sun outside his window had completely disappeared. Darkness had engulfed the room, leaving an eerie privacy and silence between the two newcomers. For a moment, though, Thomas felt a little more alive than he did dead, and that was something to be thankful for.


"I'm...I'm sorry, Lucia...I don't quite, understand what you actually want from me?" Jean nervously shook his eyes from side to side, unsure of how to react to the absurd question she had brought upon him. The pouncing of her inquiry was similar to that of an artillery shell dropping upon a hopeless individual, unable to prepare or defend himself from the explosive ordinance that was dumped atop of their position. Jean was definitely able to cross that question off of his bingo list, seemingly finding it unfathomable that he was even asked something so bizarre. Be her older brother? What did that even mean? Jean knew that Lucia had grown up as an only child, potentially, and the shielding of her entire upbringing by Captain Middleton had brought far too much loneliness into her well-being. Time was of the essence for her to secure a sort of sibling like relationship, and this was her chance. Except, Jean wasn't her sibling. Jean had no relation to her by blood, or anything other than close friends. He couldn't help but nervously laugh as Lucia pouted at him with a bit of embarrassment towards his reaction. What a strange predicament they were both in, and it was indeed one that Jean couldn't exactly handle well with his anxiety shooting through the roof. Somewhere, in some sick mind (likely Michael's), Lucia asking desperately to have them as her big brother could've sparked some sort of twisted fantasy that you'd only expect from the south of Vinland's borders, where inbreeding was more of a stereotype.

Lucia equally went bright red at her cheeks, stumbling to formulate a sentence of her own as her question was becoming more of a nuisance than a simple request. Lucia still had no clear understanding of how social adaptability worked out and proved her ineptness tenfold with a ridiculous question like that. However, she seemed very driven to push for an answer, leaning across the table and essentially sprawling across it, laying on her front just to pressure Jean into giving her another answer. It was a lot to ask for. Jean hadn't exactly thought of himself as someone's older brother, especially with the two-year raw memoirs of losing an older sibling of his own. He shook his head in hesitation, before wrapping his fingers around the bridge of his nose so he could properly conceive the strangeness to the request. Lucia waited anxiously herself, wanting to see if he would reciprocate an answer of familial ties, bonding together as new siblings. Clearly, she had no idea what made a sister or a brother, but this seemed to be her general gist of the concept. Jean finally spoke, stuttering as he did so.

"I...I g-guess? I mean, why do you want a sibling? And...why are you asking me of all people? Why not Michael?" Associating Michael as a sibling seemingly brought her into another status of constant pouting, sticking her lips out in an embarrassed fashion once more, before she finally said something that took Jean's drink out of his mouth in a shocking spit. Even though she lowered her voice to a whisper, to share the response between the two, she still brought all the surprise and embarrassment out of Jean's system in one fell-swoop.

"Because I don't want to marry someone who might be called my sibling. That's yucky! Bleugh!" Well, that cleared up the queries Jean had about how Lucia felt about Michael; clearly she hadn't exactly told anyone she had a huge crush on Michael, though her sitting her backside onto the lap of him in a rather alluring way might've given it away. Lucia was an unpredictable girl, one with many capabilities and though-processes that challenged the average thinker. She was unable to find a direct path of socialising nor was she able to confine to a single mood. From crying to screaming, to then smiling and giggling without any sort of transition, her mind was seemingly splintered into many segments that decided when they wanted priority over her emotions. It was scary to think that, especially knowing her shady past with Middleton in the last few years. Jean wanted to press the question right then and there about her relationship with the Captain, but her mood seemed to be too high spirited to shatter with a question so forceful as that, so instead he let it slide and instead smirked at her strange reaction. "Though...I don't really know what marriage is, Jean. Is it like holding hands? I used to think that's how babies were made, but then Freya told me that its actually when you get the boy and sti-"

"How about, as your new older brother, you don't ever tell me what Freya has told you, like...ever again? She's a bit of a wild-case Lucia, and you seem far too...well...unique to really find any mutual understanding with her." Jean's face lit up like a brightened winter tree that was on fire, blushing out at Lucia's thoughtless outburst of how individuals were conjoined in sexual lust. Jean hadn't thought much about the act himself, mainly because he was more interested in the relationship that came with those acts of lust, but it was still a concept he found himself too embarrassed to publicly speak about. For now, he rested his head into his hands, before standing up slowly. "Look, I'm...I'm going to go to bed, Lucia. Don't stay up too long, even if the older soldiers do too. We all need our rest. You know the mission that's coming up, right?"

"Yeah, I know. Alex told me about it, and how the sappers will have to crawl into an impie hole. It sounds scary, and I don't like scary things that much. But that also means Michael, and Reyna and Gwyn, will all have to crawl through it, and that's scary to think about to. I don't...I don't like scary things, Jean." And just like that, Lucia's eyes started to water and welt like a drowned flower in the spring showers. The change in her mood was unsettling in how quick and sporadic it was, even taking Jean a second to shift into the realisation that she was now upset over the strange thoughts. How her mind worked was an enigma, a case of a tortured soul who'd spent years under the guidance of a seemingly mad man whose soul was dedicated to obsessing over her. Jean didn't know how to act as she silently began to weep herself for a few minutes, before wiping her eyes and weakly smiling up at Jean with an adorable innocence to her face once more. "P-Promise me you'll protect us, Jean? It must be a bit sad to send people to die but, you can stop that, right? We're doing really well alongside you, and you've given us a lot to be thankful for. I...uhm...who else would make a good big brother, r-right?"

She began to giggle with great fragility, before breaking down into another set of silent tears, whimpering to herself after disturbing her mind with the potential to lose Michael, and her friends Reyna and Gwyn, to the tunnel systems only a week or so away. It was scary. She was powerless to help. All of what Alexander had taught her would be wasted and Jean would be forced to take her under his wing, hiding her once more from the plain sights of reality. Reality was scary for her, and Jean could tell. There was always this promised land of colour, love and wisdom given to her as a child, and yet it was all taken away from her as soon as the war started. She'd developed a strong hatred for the Imperials, apparently during her first year beneath Middleton's reign, but soon found a way to suppress all emotional attachments towards the Federation's soldiers too. It was how she instinctively managed to pull the trigger and claim her first kill on her own ally back in Garnia. That was until she met Michael, and Jean too, who seemed to have sparked something that was dangerously threatening to her superior. And that emotion was the simplicity of being able to care.


Standing beside his faithful ally, Staff Sergeant Baker, Alexander watched begrudgingly as the waves of logistical troops and carts wheeled themselves by and into position, beginning the construction of several artillery launchers preemptively. The situated assault plan was far too daring for any of them to comprehend, but it had to be done, or so command said. All of Amone rested upon their decision, on whether to delay the foothold even further or simply act upon it with whatever weapons they had at their disposal. Project: Land-Creeper was yet to be completed and ready for on-field testing, and so Project: False Wind seemed to be the go-to source of experimental weaponry to finally break the stalemate. It was one of horrific proportions that brought a great deal of nerve towards many of the commanding staff centred around Amone, but they had no ultimate input on the final say of its deployment. How cruel, it could seem. The fact that the literal formations of breathable air had been converted into a tool to kill one another shocked many as its first use on the battlefield was soon to be experimented with. There wasn't really any proper testing on what the effects were like on human soldiers, as the testing had only been humanely conducted upon rodents and a single primate, which raised a lot of questions on whether or not it would be an effective deterrent to the Imperial occupation. It wasn't exactly going to be a weapon that could be deployed all over the Europan front, but it was definitely a strikingly shocking revelation that had the capabilities of altering how warfare was conducted. No longer was it just about brutal weapons designed to kill up close, but now there were tools that did it without the soldier even needing to fire the gun or swing the axe.

Baker looked at his Captain with strange intrigue, noticing a stifling anger upon his expression as the soldiers rolled by with their specifically tagged artillery shells, lined with a yellow finish all over to separate their purpose from regular HE bombardment rounds. Across their metallic body was all sort of scientific scriptures that reminded Alex of his previous life, being surrounded by similar phrases and warnings plastered across every surface. Whatever was in those canisters, Alexander had no real agreement in their involvement to the Amone siege. It put a lot of people in jeopardy, and not just the Imperial soldiers it was intended to target. Many factors could hinder the operation as a whole, such as indirect friendly-fire. Middleton could've been seen as a controversial figure, but unnecessarily choking his own platoons and regiment without any breach of conduct beforehand truly struck a nerve with him. What if those there didn't get their gas masks on in time, or perhaps didn't exactly know what their purpose was for? None of the soldiers were briefed on what their purpose was as to stop interrogations on Federation prisoners leaking information about their aerial agent. Baker sighed heavily and gently nudged Alexander with his elbow.

"Something on your mind, Sir?" He was keen to quiz him on the true emotions of his thoughts. There was a great therapeutic intention behind letting Alexander speak his mind without needed to hold up the act of a brutalised Captain in front of his men. Something was troubling him. Now, whilst Baker didn't like half of the things Alexander had done as a soldier, with some very questionable means of enforcing authority, Baker knew that deep inside him was the same man who once held that honourable personality and ethical values. Now, he was corrupted by factors of war and loss, and this was his way of coping.

"I don't want them to launch this new agent into Amone. What...what if Lucia gets hurt? Or what if she dies from the horrific deathly gas? She can't die u-until I have helped her reach that potential she needed. She can't let her life flee her whilst I am not there to protect her, damn it. Baker, I am scared of losing her permanently, especially with the threats of many other factors trapped in Amone with her, hell if she's even still alive." There was a brief silence, before Baker finally nodded and made sure to change his focus.

"It's very good that you feel some sort of fear for your own troops, Sir. Compassion reminds us that we are human, and I can tell you now that you still have that humanity somewhere, if you do not mind me speaking my own mind, Sir." Middleton chuckled at Baker's kindness, before looking down at his chained watch with a small smile on his face.

"In twenty-one hours, specifically at 0600 on the dot, these gas shells will be launched into a large trajectory all across Amone, covering as much of the Imperial pockets as possible, as far as our shoddy intelligence suggests. Once they launch, we go into Amone. I've made some arrangements with the Major to let me reunite with the regiment's remnant, hopefully so we can find Lucia. I don't like this idea of gas, Staff Sergeant, but our only other option is to wait another few months before those fucking Vinlanders arrive and claim all the glory, as if glory even matters here."

“Ya know, when I shipped out to go to basic I thought that was the beginning of something amazing ya know? It was the start of a fresh start. I’d actually get to be more than a peasant farmer. I mean my father, rest his soul, was a good man and an amazing framer who always helped the community without expecting anything in return. He was definitely the pride of our town, hell he was my hero, but it just hurts to know that such a great man isn’t known to the rest of the world. He at least deserves a trophy or something, but no, he just got a shitty hole in the ground.”

*BARK*

“Right? At least send off a great man with a bit more respect than a cold, lonely grave.”

*BARK*

Luke chuckled and looked down to his right to see his new friend, a shaggy stray dog staring up at him with a wagging tail of joy. He pointed towards him with a grin before taking another drag of his fifth cigarette of the night. “My words exactly, you’re smart Mutt ya know that?” the stray hound, now named Mutt, tilted his head in confusion and earned another soft chuckle from the exhausted looking soldier as the two rested in front of the Inn. Luke sighed before he rubbed the back of his neck to get rid of any of the kinks he gained over another sleepless night in this god forsaken city. He looked out towards their surroundings, seeing the clouds of war drift through the morning sky, the sun beginning the day and shining through whatever cracks it could fine. The distant explosions and gunfire was the nights lullaby and now they were the days alarm clock. Any sane man would have gone in to sleep in those heavenly soft beds, but unfortunately he was far from sane and found himself wanting to stay as far away as he can from that room. Every time he tried to reenter the Inn he felt his spine shiver and would always see something in the shadows from the corners of his eye. His mind and body hated him for it, but they reluctantly listened to his wishes.

Another bark of enthusiasm escaped his new canine companion and Luke looked back down to see him with a happy, slobbery smile on his face, his tongue hanging out as he softly painted. Luke smiled slightly before scratching behind his ear, earning a few rapid leg stomps from Mutt before he let out a bark of happiness. It was a bit surprising when he approached Luke last night, so surprising that he almost shot the poor bastard when he was doing maintenance on his rifle for the seventh time. Luckily he had no ammo to do the deed with so he managed to gain a new companion for the night. He definitely helped Luke get his mind off of things and ended up listening to him rant on several things no other human would hear. His issues with Darcsens, the war, his angel sisters and even the whole humiliating experience from last night. He admitted it wasn’t bad, but still he would have enjoyed if he didn’t look like a fool. It was actually quite refreshing not getting yelled at or smacked after saying what was on his mind.

His smile grew a bit as Luke rubbed under his furry jaw one last time before he heard the front door open. He glanced back to the door and arched his brows slightly in surprise to see the waitress, Emily. Emily returned the same slightly surprised expression as Luke before resting her hand on her hip and tilting her head. “Have you been out here all night?” Luke chuckled as he continued to scratch Mutts head and shrugged.

“I just needed a lot of fresh air,” he replied with a small smile. Emily sighed and shook her head before looking to his companion and walking over with a happy smile.

“Well I see you you met Shelly,” she said before kneeling down and rubbing her side with a small chuckle. “She usually bolts when strangers are around, but she looks to have taken a liking to you,” Luke arched a brow before looking to Mutt- or, Shelly.

“She?” he asked and chuckled as she nodded with an amused smile. “Sorry for calling you a manly dog all night, but you should have told me,” he stated and was responded with a quick bark. Emily shook her head and sighed before rising to her full height and gesturing for the entrance of the Inn.

“Come on inside, me and Grandpa are almost finished with breakfast. You two can be our first customers of the day,” both Luke and Shelly’s stomachs rumbled as she mentioned breakfast and quickly sat up, eager to get something in their guts. He hadn’t realized until now, but he hasn’t eaten anything ever since he entered the city. Shelly looked like she could use a bite or two since she was looking a bit skinny. Luke was a bit relieved to see that no one else had awoken yet and sat down at empty table near the bar, Shelly sitting at his side with an excited wagging tail. “Give me a sec,” she said before heading into the back.

Both stomachs of the two hungry customers rumbled again and Shelly let out a small whine. “Tell me about it,” he muttered as he rested his rifle against the table before noticing the old man emerge from the back. The old man spotted him and scoffed as he wiped a line of sweat from his forehead.

“Well at least you’re dressed, don’t think it’d be good for business if we had your bear ass shaking around again,” Luke grumbled as the old man teased him about last night. He must have noticed Luke’s expression and gave a hearty chuckle. “Oh lose that sour look, at least they didn’t have you done anything worse,” he pointed out, which Luke silently agreed with. From behind the counter the old man brewed a cup of coffee and walked over to Luke with a nod. “Last night was a shit show, but start of the day right eh?” he said before placing the cup of joe in front of him. Luke nodded before looking up to the old man with a smile.

“Thanks, but it’s missing a little somethi-” he was cut off as the old man held up a hand and shook his head.

"Sorry son, your boss told be to cut you and the rest of your team off while you're here. No more booze for you lightweight bastards," the old man chuckled. Luke frowned and leaned back in his seat.

"Seriously, none?" he asked one final time and sighed as the old man shook his head. Luke clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Damnit, what's with that guy? He must have some kind of stick up his ass," Luke muttered and looked back to the old man who arched a brow at the young soldier. "What?" he asked as the mans look began to unnerve him slightly.

"You sure you should talk like that about your superiors? Seems a bit disrespectful," he pointed out as he leaned on the table. Luke scoffed and rolled his eyes.

"Please, so far from what I can see I'm not to impressed. He's a good guy from what I've seen, but between you and me..." he paused for a moment to look around to make sure was listening in on them. After the close was clear he continued on in a more hushed voice. "The guy may not make it out of this city," the old man arched his brow and awaited for him to explain. "Just the way he does things rubs me the wrong way. First we diverge off our original path to our objective after the first fight and he decided to take the long way, which he knew would delay our mission. I don't know about you but that is frustrating when we drag on a job like this," he said with the shake of his head. "Then there's him leading the charge and all, being in front like some noble hero. Everyone knows there's a damn legendary sniper in the city gunning for people like him, yet he still leaves himself wide open, just asking to get his head popped off. The man should have one of us take the lead," the old man tilted his head slightly.

"What, you want to be in front for that sniper to kill?" he asked with a frown. Luke thought for a moment before looking back up at the old man.

"Better I go down than him. I may not like the bastard and he doesn't like me, well no one really does, but I was trained to follow his orders and keep him alive. Besides, I'm just a grunt, they can replace me if I die. He's their Corporal, the squad and the higher ups would definitely prefer me to die than him. It's just how it is," he shrugged before taking a sip of his coffee, his slightly dark outlook of things not bothering him one bit. The old man stared at Luke for a second before cracking a smirk of amusement.

"You're an odd one," he chuckled before heading back to the bar. Soon Emily returned with their food and both Luke and Shelly couldn't contain themselves as their food arrived. For Luke, a plate of eggs, biscuits and sausage. For Shelly, a bowl of meat scraps that would make any dog cry in joy. Emily giggled at their reactions.

“Here you go you two, enjoy,” she said before leaving them their food and returning to the back to prepare for everyone else. Luke and Shelly stared in awe of the food before them, gave a moment of silent and dived into their meal. It had been a long time since Luke had food like this, hell it’s been awhile since he had any meat! Both consumers continued to wolf down their meal in eagerness and savagery. For Luke, this was the perfect way to start of the day.

Victoria had waited around for a few moments after giving her "slave" an order, a predatory grin forming on her scarred visage in sharp contrast to the look of shocked realization on Diana's face. "Damn you're right cute when you're all flustered 'n' embarrassed! the Oceanic purred. "Don't you worry your tidy little rear about a thing, just head on up 'n' I'll be with you fast as lightning!" Her bandaged arms wrapped around the 5'4" fighter's waist as she whispered into her temporary underling's ear, the much taller young woman snickering at Diana's distaste for Luke. "A prissy little bitch he is, huh? He did strike me as bit too proud for his own damn good, guess we he'll just have to imagine the scene won't he?" She hadn't meant only Luke when she said "bring a friend" but it was fine with her either way. Probably best for Diana to learn to walk with one other person before she started running in a group.

But then Victoria's slave talked about some Darscen named Anna and it was her turn to be taken by surprise. So she had fooled around at least a little bit with another girl? That was interesting, very interesting indeed. That might make the transition a little bit smoother. "Diana, Diana, Diana." the habitual drinker cooed, voice dripping with approval as her fingers drummed against the girl's belly. I never would have thought that a sweet, precious little thing like you would have "experimented" with another girl. Looks like you'll be a quick student." She nipped at the girl's ear playfully before giving her another swat on the ass, a preview of what was to come. "You go ahead 'n' head on up, but don't expect to be getting much shut-eye. I'll be putting you through your paces like a fucking racehorse."

LATER

Victoria had known of course that "Marathon" (she couldn't bring herself to refer to him by his real name) was badly injured, Jean had told her that he had gotten shot or stabbed six times in the last engagement. But knowing something was different than seeing it for yourself, and she was shaken. She had seen her fair share of injuries both as a youth scrapping with pocket knives and rusty pipes and as a professional solider firing wildly at impenetrable armored cars, but this was different. It was so strange to see the hero of the hell that had been Operation Breached Gates lying covered in bandages like a common burn victim. It sullied the aura of myth surrounding him, showed that he wasn't some invulnerable superman. It was unnerving, to say the least.

It took all her self-control to not avert her eyes when Carter laughed and matched her gaze, approaching gingerly as if on eggshells. She giggled nervously at the compliment, a far cry from the confidence and bravado she usually exhibited. A hand brushed at her hair in a bout of self-conscious shame, rearranging it to better hide her damaged ear. But there was no hiding the ugly scar that trailed over her eye, a reminder of her days as a brutal thug. Her injuries were shameful to hear, blemishes on what could've been an attractive face. Usually she was able to compensate with overwhelming confidence but that wasn't going to work here. All she could do was hope that her hero didn't find her too grotesque. Who knew, maybe that's why Charles had left her? She couldn't blame him for running out on a giant, drunken knife-fighter that was all cut up.

You're too kind, 'n' I appreciate the lie. I don't get much in the way of compliments thanks to the slices and scars." Victoria gratefully took the offered space on the bed, being very careful not to bump the pride of Oceania as she settled in. Her heart was beating so loud she was almost scared that Thomas could hear it! "What the hell is wrong with you, girl?" she scolded herself silently. "He's just another boy, get the fuck over yourself!

She wanted to swoon right then and then when he patted her back but managed to get out a weak laugh instead, shaking her head. "It's gonna take a hell of a lot more than bullets to put us cunts in the ground." Victoria agreed. "Yes, I'm with Jean. Or at least I am now. My first unit was destroyed by the Imps and their armored car so I ended up attaching myself to this one. I didn't yarn much with him, but he seems fine enough." She managed to keep speaking for a bit as he messed with her hair, only breaking concentration to hastily cover her injured ear back up when it was exposed.

She froze in shock as Thomas winced and grimaced in pain, completely unsure of what to do. A trembling hand reached into her satchel and removed the always present metal flask, wordlessly offering it to dull the pain. Had anyone else tried to call her Vicky they would have been sharply reprimanded but with Thomas she let it slide, not wanting to make a fuss. Her eyes widened when Marathon explained how inexperienced her new commanding officer was. Only a month in the field? How had he ended up leading a unit this early? Her head cocked and she smiled despite herself when her hero called her "capable", glad he didn't know about the times she had woken up in an alley somewhere or how she had spent nights bawling her eyes out after Charles had left. She had no idea what conversation he was talking about but if Marathon wanted her to stick by Jean she would.

"I'll keep an eye on him." she promised, falling silent for a few moments. Eventually she spoke up again, idly scratching her thigh. "How long do you think this is gonna last? The war I mean."

EVEN LATER

After her conversation with Marathon Victoria quietly made her way back to her room, undoing her pants before she even got in the door. She was greeted by the sight of Diana naked and sprawled on top of her bed, heavy breasts exposed to the stuffy air of the room. Victoria was quite frankly amazed at their size, if she had to guess they were the same size as her own but looked much bigger on the tiny girl. "Hey, sorry I kept you waiting." she said sheepishly, kicking off her boots and dropping her bag before closing the door behind her. "Goddamn, has anyone told you how beautiful you look?"

She meant it. Victoria had lost the hungry, predatory tone of voice from earlier and replaced it with a softer, gentler one of quiet lust. She didn't want to screw this up and scare her off. The tall mother stripped off her own clothes and climbed in next to Diana, still bandaged arms wrapping around the smaller female and turning her to look in her eyes. "We're going to go as fast or slow as you want. You can leave at anytime and I'll never mention it again." A hand smoothed back Diana's hair before Victoria went in for a deep kiss, no doubt showing just how much more practiced she was than Luke.

@LetMeDoStuff @Landaus Five-One

Oh good God, this was hurting him. She had been so honest with him so she wouldn't hurt him, and all she bought was more pain. Franz couldn't even bear to look at her for just that moment, nevermind anymore to come. What was she supposed to do? Lie to him again? Suppress how she felt? It wasn't as if she didn't like Franz! Quite the contrary! Inès dared not to carry the burden of another one's life in shambles because of her own mishap. And...dammit! Why could she not so callously decry him like she did a foe in the ring, on the battlefield?! Why did these things matter?! Why couldn't she just not care?

Nothing. Silence. There was a pause for a moment, just while Franz tormented himself over the "truth" Inès brought to him, wondering why love itself was so fleeting he almost seemed undeserving of it. That was never the case. Ines tried - and failed, it seemed - to ensure Franz could still be that one. Franz was no miscreant nor sycophant. Awkward, unsettling, perhaps even morose, yes, but...behind blue eyes, Franz was...in many ways, a beautiful soul. A poet. An artist. He saw things nobody else could see, in shapes undiscovered with wisdom unfathomable. Admittedly, those feats were difficult to view. Yet Inès had, and what is seen is not so easily unseen. Clenching, gripping, a tightening grip welled up around her chest, progressing up through her spine, with every minute motion of Franz's fingers twining itself within her gentle gesture, searching for comfort. For answers. That feeling chased after her, pulsed through his twitching touch, but was that hate, or love, or envy? It melded together like the scent of a rose lost in the haze of a city gale, and entangled it in an opaque cauldron of ever-changing, ever-clashing emotion.

Ines swallowed. She hated this moment. She felt like apologizing, like taking it all back. That action almost came, and Franz's motioning mouth put an end to what petty drivel Ines would have to reconcile.

There was...a girl. From some time ago. A face as sullen as his found the softness in which he spoke simply oxymoronic, yet Franz remised his melancholy gently. Gracefully. The grave image of the self-proclaimed "Tour guide to Hell" with his one special angel, from so long ago, with such dedication to his maiden that he might save himself for their special moment...well...it was like Inès had despoiled a nun of their sacrilege, almost. Not on any higher virtue, no, but of how Franz spoke of her. Still he cared about her. And still she cared about him. And...well...

...he wanted her to be happy.

"You're not losing me..." Inès comforted. Her eyes slant down at their hands, a lugubrious look to her, "It's not like we're dead. I'll still be here. No matter what happens."

She sighs, her eyes returning up as her brilliant blues met his awe-striking azures. Glances exchange, hanging by a moment there with them.

"I...I just want us to be sure. And, I know, it's not easy, but...y'know. We've, kinda...met and had sex..."

("Fuck, there isn't a good way to say this...") Inès visually disappointed herself with her phrasing. Veracity and amenity often worked in antagonism to each other; that itself reminded Inès of why the right words were so very elusive to her.

"...sigh...Franz. You're...you're..." She paused. A smile etched.

"...I think that girl hasn't forgotten you. And, you know, it sounds like you still love her...so..."

Inès held their conjoined hands with her opposite, cradling it softly. Tugging it close to her, Inès lowered it, such that nothing would distract the duo from their shared gaze.

"We should just make sure about...how we feel about other people. See other people. And...you know...i'm not going anywhere. We'll still talk and see each other. Because...I don't want to lose you, either."

It came slowly, but still did it envelop before a reaction could partake. Inès let go of their grip, wrapped her arms around Franz, and hugged. Her exhale came soft, assured, relieved, while Ines slowly held the back of his hair in comfort. That little bit of warmth, of compassion, so true an expression was that of understanding. Franz wanted her to be happy; Inès wished likewise. Even so, that could not come at the expense of his own vivacity. Her own feelings couldn't be denied; She enjoyed Franz's company, certainly, but for now, her romantic feelings lay elsewhere. She dared not impression baggage upon Franz for which she could not truthfully provide, like she so regrettingly did to Cèdric. Above all, Inès needed to be honest.

"And...if you need to talk about anything, come to me. I won't hold anything against you." Inès promised, slowly breaking from her hug.

Rolling over, Inès slowly rose from her prone position, and as she turned about the sights of the likely-ruined bathroom, Inès laughed at so grand the mess they had made. A fine piece of work they wrought about it, setting forth havoc like the tempest of emotions they so lasciviously stormed while in the act. She looked around, then looked back to Franz, first rising to her own feet proper, then extending a hand to her companion.

"Come on. Let's get some sleep." she offered. If nothing else would soothe Franz's anxieties, then a good sleep in a bed proper might. They'd share a bed for one last time.

"...where the hell did I put my panties..."

---

Who knew how late the two got to bed? Ines awoke with her smallclothes on, at least, and Franz right by her. The first rays of the day were her alarm to awaken her, even as a lifestyle regime of demanding training tuned her internal clock to awaken at the earliest hours of the morning. Even so, there was a certain liberty in awakening to her own accord, rather than that to a morning bugle, or if the day felt particularly daft, artillery fire. She pushed herself to upright position, the blankets beneath her slowly falling off. The beds were quite the luxury; in tenement lifestyles, beds were seldom afforded to their space, and it was more common for a bedroll and comforters to be stashed in either a closet or hung from the walls or outside clothesline, then brought indoors when the time to sleep came, where their owners simply slept on the floor with their sheeting separating them from cold stone. A bed wasn't something Inès was used to. It was...oddly soft. She'd gotten the best sleep she could recall in a long time, even with the bright reverberance of gunfire and grenades permeating the night.

Inès rocked Franz slowly by his shoulder, nudging her Darcsen friend awake.

"Franz, it's morning." she said softly. Inès rose from the bed, allowing that to be her advisory, and instead relegating herself to preparing herself for the day.

It was force of habit that she stretch her legs within 15 minutes of awakening. Front, back, up, diagonally, calves, thighs, shins; Inès was no stranger to contorting herself in all manner of odd directions with her years of practice, for if she wasn't able to, one of her many instructors would certainly throw a fit. Within minutes, Inès found herself done, her muscles lithe, nimble, and ready for the day. She threw on bare dressing for the day; A simple singlet, her trousers, and her boots in the event she needed to go outside. Retrieving a small dish of water, she splashed the cold water in attempt to refresh herself for the day to come. Truthfully, it was a way to refresh herself on the now. Inès, as soon as she had awoken, enveloped herself in memory, in muse, and it never ceased, only shifted direction. As another wipe came to her face, she thought of her old unit. St. Martin, Lèon, Antoine, Dostoyevsky...Inès couldn't help but wonder if they were doing alright. How they held up in their new standing...if they were still alive, grim as it may be. People came and people went, as they did while fighting in Ostend as well as in war, yet that made it not lighter as grievous wounds took to people fighting for their lives.

Inès descended from her muse, wishing Franz a "See you later." as she departed for breakfast. Not many people were at the bar at this hour. Her favorite loser sat at the bar, partaking in a voracious consumption of sausage. Quite something, considering his little show for display last night. Embarrassment for the sake of everyone else's delight was, in her eyes, just reparation for Luke's famed acts of jerkassery.

Yet, the thought of poking fun at him was overturned by what he had on offer; A full course of breakfast. Even outside the theater of war, Inès had few selections for what to eat, at most typically being some combination of fruit and some form of grain with little else on selection. The itinerant style of the military left little to be desired, and was not dissimilar to the bland tastes of working-class breakfast. A full selection plate on offer? Inès hadn't had a complete breakfast like this in what felt like forever. Even when she was able to afford a complete array of ingredients, Inès often didn't have the time in her hectic schedule to make it all herself.

Inès pulled up a seat, sure to keep a seat between herself and the apparently starving Earthhead. She rested her forearms on the table, and waved over the attending barkeeper.

"I'll have that." Her head tilted towards Luke's plate.

"Coffee?" The barkeep offers.

"I hate coffee." she sighed.

The barkeep looked at Inès and got her resting bitch face. That would be a firm "No."

In due time, breakfast would be served, Inès expressing her gratitude with a simple enough "Thanks." Flipping a nearby fork into her left hand, she begun her dig into the most important meal of the day, taking her time to enjoy the ever-so-cherished contents of fresh, home-cooked food. She didn't care much for making conversation with Luke, although he could swear her casting occasional glimpses at him, and just immediately after, he almost could hear her giggling.

And in more due time, the Corporal himself would descend down from the staircase. His appearance suggested he, unlike so many here, it seemed, attained what was least similar to a good night's rest. Last night, for how much she drank, and for everything that happened, still resounded. She had promised Freya that she would check in on Jean, and now, more than ever, was the time to make good on that promise.

"Morning, Jean." she greeted. She seemed oddly polite, for how informal the ruffian Darcsen seemed to personify herself, "How are you holding up?"

Inès pulled up a stool next to her, off to her right - she didn't particularly think Luke hearing this conversation would be a match made in heaven - and so averted situating the two adjacent to each other, with Inès acting as the shield between the two. Motioning him with a slight nod, Inès offered up the seat at the bar.

"Spend some quality time with that special someone last night?" Inès quietly queried, her face positioned at her plate, but eyes clearly glancing sidewards at Jean, as not to draw attention to him. Say all he want about her being loud; she could keep a lid on it whenever she very well pleased.

"Lighten up." Inès snickered, turning back to him with a hushed, subdued smile, "I know about it, and no, I haven't said anything to her."

Her hips pivoted, her body more directly facing Jean now. She leaned slightly to the side, and slightly forth, not to be intimidating, no, but in a clear attempt to offer some privacy between the two while it lasted. An earnest, down-to-earth chat.

"Come on, i've seen you write. It's good stuff, you know. And you know her; A real 'proper type' like her would melt her heart out over a sweet love letter. You don't have anything to be ashamed of."

"You might not be the bravest or fearless, but...you have something not a whole lot of people out here do." Inès drew her off-hand, hovering it over Jean for a brief second, before giving him a light touch upon his left-center chest. Right above his heart.

"At least you're not my last officer."

@LetMeDoStuff @CFProxy @Jacky

Diana’s Brutal Reality – Exploring – Amone City’s Walls (Sept. 10th)

---

Diana was laying on Victoria’s bed completely nude, thinking on what Victoria had said earlier. It made her all flustered and embarrassed because it was a bit much for her to think about. She was giggling at what Victoria had said about Luke in particular. ”What would Rebecca say about this situation? Oh right… it could be worse...” Diana thought to herself, while trying to think on it. However, it did make her a bit blushing in how, Victoria wrapped her arms around her waist. Her face was even more red than remembering what Victoria had said to her earlier. She wondered why she was so flustered by Victoria of all people, which she barely knew for one. Or was it because she was under the influence of alcohol or her personality needed someone to poke at it. These were big questions, which she was a bit too afraid to tell her mother Rebecca.

Her thoughts were still going on what happened earlier, in terms of what Victoria had said to her. She did remember seeing Victoria’s face be surprised in what she had said about her kissing her childhood friend on the lips because she was crying. It was pretty much obvious she was blushing, since she remembered what Victoria was doing before she came to her bedroom, in terms of touching her stomach. ”Uhhh, everything that Victoria said to me before coming up here to lay on the bed was sweet. Even a bit lusty I guess, that’s the word?” Diana thought to herself, thinking about what Victoria will do to her in the bed. She couldn’t help but be completely flustered and outright with a cute little smile. She kept her eyes opened because she didn’t know how long Victoria would be gone for.

It felt like time passed very slowly, however, she saw the door opened and Victoria getting naked. She was a bit shocked at the reaction to Victoria reacting to her naked body, it made her blush really red. ”You are my mistress… I had a lot to think about while you were away, Victoria.” Diana responding to her sorry with a bit of a cute tone to her voice. It was obvious she was blushing really hard. However, what Victoria had said next took her by surprise since she meant it, no one has ever complimented her body in that way. It made her to have watery eyes and start crying a bit because Victoria is the first woman to ever compliment her instead of insulting her. ”N-No, you are the first person to tell me that...” Diana said, teary eyed, cutely and felt her heart skip a beat when Victoria told her that. It was only because of the tone in Victoria’s voice that made her heart skip a beat.

She was blushing hard and felt Victoria wrap her arms around her, which made her wrap her arms around her. Diana couldn’t really put a finger on anything really, her eyes was staring into Victoria’s eyes. The care in Victoria’s voice made her feel a bit safer and couldn’t help but blush. ”I don’t mind, you can pick fast or slow Victoria… Thank you for that reassurance, about that.” Diana responded cutely. In the back of her mind before Victoria kissed her, it was screaming at her why did you let Victoria choose. She was taken aback at when Victoria kissed her deeply and it was pretty amazing for her. It was like something she never felt before because her childhood friend Anna and her were pretty inexperienced when they kissed for the first time. ”Oh my god… is this what it is like to kiss a woman who knows what they are doing? I wonder what Rebecca will say. Oh wait… Did I just say that… Uhhhhh… Why did I allow my mistress right now to pick fast or slow?” Diana thought to herself, utterly in shock right now that she finally realized in what she said earlier. However, she was mostly shocked in how much of a good kisser Victoria is.

Diana was wanting to enjoy herself in the arms of Victoria, which she always wanted from her childhood friend Anna. However, her friend was shy at showing her feelings but was being a bit more open for the five times she had kissed Anna, five different days. Her mother Rebecca always was a bit worried that someone would take advantage of her daughter’s bluntness and naivety. In this case, her bluntness definitely got her in trouble, with Victoria and that drinking bet didn’t help much. She did feel the warmth of Victoria. She moved her head back after that deep kiss by Victoria, so she could speak. ”Y-Your amazing Victoria. I feel relaxed with you… It’s on the tip of my tongue though, unless you have a word for it?” Diana questioned Victoria, her face was blushing redder than the sun. She was literally allowing herself to get lost in Victoria’s knowledge of everything.

---

It was in the morning, since she was awoken by the sun peaking into the room, with her breasts still uncovered since she wasn’t able to get her clothes on. Just because of the fact how much Victoria and her did things that she was still blushing at for this specific fact. It was still amazing how gentle she was even for being a 6’3” woman. However, she moved her head a bit and felt a pain swell in her head, which made her remember that she drank six beers in a row and got hammered enough. It made her feel like utter shit right now since she remembered what her mother Rebecca specifically said, ’Do not ever get a bloody hangover Diana.’ This made her eyes go wide, and curse a little under her breath. ”There goes having another anniversary of never getting a hangover… since I ruined it… great.” Diana spoke quietly hoping not to wake Victoria. However, the last night kinda flowed in her head and her specifically was loud, hopeful no one heard her and Victoria enjoying each other. It didn’t help that Diana was pretty inexperienced since she had never once tried but Victoria helped her explore herself.

Diana was blushing a bit too much, however, she did remember the reassurance that Victoria told her, however, she stayed because she wanted to. It was the compliment that definitely got her to stay, Victoria was definitely knew what to say at the right time. She couldn’t stop thinking about what happened it caused her to be utterly flustered and embarrassed at what they did do. In terms, she felt like she was more in control of her body and could finally tell her mother she’s definitely bisexual. It was going to stay with her that she enjoyed Victoria’s lessons a bit too much though. ”I should really get on my clothes… so I can get something to eat..” Diana said, cutely. She couldn’t help but agonize when she got up since her hangover was pretty bad, it felt like she was walked on by a ten ton elephant or something.

It took her a bit to get out of bed since this was the worst feeling in the world for her. She hadn’t thought to much ahead about asking her mother about a remedy for hangovers, but that would admit to her mother she wanted to get hammered drunk like her mother. It took her slowly to get dressed, since she was pretty much cursing under her breath every single time she moved her head a bit too fast. She looked directly back at Victoria who was on the bed, which was definitely a sight. ”Victoria… thank you for the experience. Also sorry that I was a bit loud, I hope no one heard us while we were a bit… loud. I think I finally understand what Jean meant when he was talking about Ines and her loudness.” Diana said, cutely giggling and was definitely happier, besides having a blasted hangover.

She opened the door, very quietly and shut it so Victoria could get dressed since yeah. It wouldn’t be really nice if someone saw Victoria naked, it would be unfair since she didn’t lose. However, that made her blush at thinking what the staff would say seeing her again. It was good she was a much more open about her feelings and taking control of what she didn’t understand about herself helped. She sighed with a bit of regret at the fact her family will never have another anniversary on not having a hangover. ”Ugh… I hope Luke didn’t hear me and Victoria enjoy ourselves… together. Hmm.. I wonder what Jean is up too...” Diana thought to herself, with a sweet smile on her face. She took it slow and steady to get into the bar area and noticed the jerk himself eating a plate of food, which is Luke. It annoyed her a bit but she couldn’t help but give him a bit of a jab in the morning. ”Oh look its the prodigal loser, how is your food? How do anyone deal with a hangover because its quite painful right now for me… It felt like I was walked on by an elephant or something.” Diana said, with a bit of her usual self, only to notice Ines talking to Jean. She looked kindly towards the Barkeep and smiled. ”I want the same as he’s having.” Diana said, with a slight smile.

The barkeep smiled back in return and looked Diana with a bit of an annoyance since he already dealt with another one of her squad mates. ”Do you want a coffee?” The Barkeep responds to her request, even though he did remember that she made a fool of herself. Diana nods to his offer of coffee since it would be better than nothing right now since she wants to not drink another drop of alcohol anyway. The Barkeep was pleasantly surprised that Diana accepted his offer to give her coffee.

Diana deeply sighs and looks a bit at Luke and then at his food. She remembers that both of them lost to Victoria and was a bit curious about something he said before they got into Anome that is. In terms of how he utterly tried to brush off her words, it was specifically that, which made her curious about the asshole. ”I have a question Luke. What is up with you and why are you such an asshole in the first place? Do you miss your mother. I do miss my mother Rebecca since she’s a bit of a loose cannon sometimes but I love her.” Diana said, with a lighthearted grin on her face, hoping this would cheer him up. She wanted all her squad mates not to be in a piss poor mood even though she has a hangover right now. It was a good time to relax and be a bit more happier at everything, however, she did not know the thing she wrought on herself by saying those exact words to Luke. She walked over to Ines and Jean and smiled a bit happier, even though she was still holding her head because of the hangover it hurts much.

It took her a bit to look at each of them thinking exactly what she had said to Jean the day before. She decided she was going to not keep it a secret and tell Reyna at least since Kalisa has been quiet. ”Hi Jean and Ines… How was your sleep? I wish I didn’t have this blasted hangover… how do people stand these?” Diana asked, asking about the hangovers to Ines’ primarily since Jean doesn’t drink at all. She couldn’t help but blush thinking about her experience with Victoria, it was bubbling up to the surface only to shrink back down again. It didn’t help that anyone could read her really well. ”Jean, remember what we talked about yesterday? I think I am going to be honest with the others...” Diana said, with a cute little giggle coming out of her mouth. It was a bit of a cute thing for her to say, since honesty is always the best policy in between people you like, and she definitely is into Jean. She decided to sit down at a table, which was close enough to Jean and Ines talking but could hear Luke telling her his feelings about what she said. ”I am starving hopefully my food gets here so I can eat. Also please don’t yell to loudly I have a hangover.” Diana said, trying to keep quiet since she’s a bit out of it since she has a hangover. She started to cry a bit because of her ruining her family’s 500 years of never having a hangover. It took her a bit to look at Ines and Jean probably wondering why she is crying. ”I’m crying because of the fact I ruined the 500 years of never having a hangover. In my family’s history, my mother Rebecca is going to be so mad at me for ruining it. It’s an anniversary we have on this day from 1414 to now… and I ruined it… I am not a good daughter...” Diana said crying. She couldn’t help but cry at this specific thing, but her crying wasn’t helping her hangover much because it hurts like crazy now.

Heaven, pure heaven was all Luke could think as he ate his meal in peace. It felt like ages since he’s had food this good, a brief memory of the shitty meals they were served in basic. He remembered the rich and noble got to have real food while people like him were handed mush and scrabs. It was all very frustrating at the time, but at least him and a few of his bunks mates managed to raid the kitchen one night and set up a secret feast for his whole barracks. He chuckled as he sunk his teeth into a fluffy, delicious biscuit that tasted unreal. He may have been overreacting a bit, but food was food and he was chowing down like no tomorrow. As he took a sip of his coffee he saw a familiar Darcsen sit down a seat away from him. A small frown rest on his face as he recalled her seeing the shit show from last night and decided to nurse his coffee, a gut feeling telling him his good morning was about to come to an end. He was honestly not in the mood for her. If he hadn’t stayed up for the past two nights he could probably handle it, but he just prayed she’d keep to herself.

Luckily she did, well sort of. A small sigh escaped him as she began to annoy him slightly with a few quick glances and poorly hidden giggles. Luke glanced her way with a hard look and shook his head, silently warning her to leave him alone or there would be issues. He looked back to his coffee with a sober expression and noticed out the corner of his eye Shelly heading into the back with Emily. Great, now he was really alone. One last sigh escaped him before he finished off his drink and ordered a new one from the old man who graciously poured him more hot coffee. Nothing was added to the drink, but Luke didn’t care as long as he got it into his system.

As Jean arrived Luke made sure to give a quick glance and nod before returning to his own business of sipping his drink, making it last for as long as he could. So far so good, no one was messing with him to bad and were leaving him alone. Maybe he’d be able to make this morning work after all. His hopes of a good morning though was dashed as a familiar voice spoke. Luke glance dover to Diana as she called him a loser and looked down to his plate as questioned about the food. He shrugged with a small frown. “It was good, better than any shit the army gives us that’s for sure,” he said with a flat tone before arching a brow and scoffing as she complained about her hangover. “Maybe grow a few inches, you’ll be able to handle it better,” he stated, his usual humor severely lacking in his voice. He looked away from her as he briefly remembered last night a grumbled under his breath before taking another sip. His cheeks reddened a bit in embarrassment as he thought on it, but he was brought out of it as Diana spoke to him again.

Luke’s frown only deepened as she asked why he was the way he was. He even tightened his grip around his cup as she mentioned his mother, asking if he missed that witch! With gritted teeth Luke fully turned towards her with an annoyed glare and spoke. “First off I don’t have to explain a damn thing as to why I act the way I do. You don’t like it, load a round into your rifle, blow my head off and open up a spot for the next guy to take over for me. Do both of a favor!” he spat before shaking his head and turning back around. He went to take a sip of his coffee, but paused and glanced her way with an even more intense glare of rage as his knuckle’s around his cup visibly turned white in anger. “And stop bringing up my mother, that bitch is long dead and I don’t wanna be reminded of her. Just stick to spouting on and on about yours and leave it at that!” he demanded with a harsher tone. “You like to hear yourself talk anyways so it’s perfect,” he muttered as he looked forward and took another sip from his drink.

Silently he knew his outburst was a bit uncalled for, but he couldn’t help it. His frustration, embarrassment, exhaustion and rage finally boiled over. Honestly he had plenty more things to say, but he knew he needed to stop himself before he couldn’t stop. His mind began to drift off into his memories and his rage only began to grow as he remembered the night he realized the hatred for his mother. He ran his fingers through his messy hair and stared into his coffee with a heavy frown as he began to sink down into his memories, ignoring whatever anyone had to say to him and his outburst.

@Landaus Five-One@Yam I Am