[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/D9OBI9j.png[/img][/center]

[u][i]1. Arrive early.[/i][/u]

For the second morning in a row, MacKensie was on the yard of the Military Centre before dawn, helping organise the equipment and performing other odd jobs that were considered 'below her rank.'  As the sergeants under her command rolled in, along with a few of her soldiers who were also early-birds, she greeted them with a positive, energetic attitude.

[u][i]2. Respect and courtesy.[/i][/u]

She greeted everyone she pragmatically could with a handshake, by name if she knew it, and made sure to ask if they'd eaten breakfast and slept well.  Those who hadn't eaten were sent off to the mess hall, with note of permission, to quickly go and get something in their stomach.

[u][i]3. Embrace all duty and responsibiity.  Go the extra mile.[/i][/u]

[Colour=Pink]"Water?  Okay, I will go."

"Here, let me help.  Come.  Take a seat, I will get the first aid."

"Worried about your mother?  Let's talk for a moment.  Grimes... will you take over please?"[/colour]

[u][i]4. Set high standards for yourself.[/i][/u]

[Colour=Pink]"I will be running the mile with you, but I will be carrying eighty pounds of equipment in this backpack.  Don't let me best you."[/colour]

Later, during lunchtime, MacKensie got up from the tables to take her plate back to the kitchen, grabbing anyone's plate who was done and taking theirs back for them too.  She offered to help the kitchen porters wash up, but they warmly refused her, appreciating the sentiment.  Before heading back to the tables, she saw Grimes at the water cooler and went to him.

[Colour=Pink]"I'm thinking we run another emergency drill, during the afternoon sparring,"[/colour] she said to him.  They had been using a special whistle to signal the block to drop what they were doing, equip themselves with proper gear and make their way quickly to their designated street to form up for battle.  Then they would make their way, as fast as possible without getting disorganised, up the tower and to their place on the wall, with the archers taking up position, nocking an arrow and being ready to fire.  MacKensie would time this procedure from start to finish, hoping to improve the speed of their response each time.

Grimes nodded briskly.  "Affirmative, ma'am."  He watched her for a moment as she scanned the tables, then changed the subject.  "Morale is good.  The soldiers know that their captain cares about them.  It goes a long way.  And we sergeants have been enthused with your energy, helping us perform to our best too.  You are a credit to the garrison."

[Colour=Pink]"Thank you,"[/colour] MacKensie returned.  [Colour=Pink]"I am glad to be of help."[/colour]

"And I am glad to serve under you."  He saluted with a smile, then walked away with his water, while MacKensie realised that Grimes had never smiled a single time before today.  He seemed a naturally stoic individual but it never stood out to her that he wasn't one for giving out smiles.  So now she felt like she was most certainly doing [i]something[/i] right.  It was heartening.