[center][h3][color=00aeef]Henri[/color] [/h3][/center] [center][color=00aeef]La Trinidad de Manila Academy[/color][/center] [quote=@Nimbus] [color=f7941d]“It’s the humidity.”[/color] A figure in army fatigues practically fell into the seat beside Oskar, pallid face and messy blonde hair quickly following and a bowl of [i]arroz caldo[/i] thunking onto the table in front of her. [color=f7941d]“Wish I’d spent more time in the South-West as a kid, I’d have been used to it already, but as is… Didn’t take too long to acclimatise.”[/color] She spared a glance towards Henri, wan smile crossing her face below her half-lidded eyes. [color=f7941d]“Not going by rank, then, [i]Sergeant[/i]? And give the guy a break, he’s barely arrived.”[/color] She plunged her spoon into the dish, then turned towards the newcomer, extending a hand to shake. [color=f7941d]“Caroline, Lidmann, but please just call me ‘Callie’. ‘Caroline’’s what the brass and my mum should call me, and, ideally, not another soul.”[/color] [color=f7941d]“Speaking of…”[/color] Callie lifted the spoon, now heaped with rice broth and chicken, and pointed it at Henri vaguely accusatorially before withdrawing it to beside her mouth. [color=f7941d]“We’ve barely talked since Lingayen. What brings a Belgian with a Greek NA from an EU spec ops unit to the other side of the world?”[/color] she asked – followed by practically inhaling the mouthful and [i]shivering[/i] with pleasure, then going for another. [color=f7941d]“Mmmph… God, that’s good. Anyway – spill.”[/color] [/quote] [color=00aeef]"Yeah, well, it is increasingly hard to follow the full protocols of the military. Especially with teens as superior officers"[/color] Henri said, swallowed another piece of stew, and continued, [color=00aeef]"As for how I got here, I, like the rest of the Laelaps Unit, was supposed to handle internal affairs within EU. There's a lot of politicians, businessmen and the like with suspected Downward Descent connections. However, with Russia and China taking an aggressive stance, we had to change policy Realpolitik. So, I was sent here to represent EU."[/color] [quote=@Gerlando] [i]Spill[/i], it went through Nil’s mind for a couple seconds, then decided to just do it, as if it was a command and splashed her drink on Callie’s bowl, although getting some on Callie herself too. With her other hand Nil waved casually. [color=8F00FF][i]”Spill.”[/i][/color][/quote] [quote=@Nimbus] Callie sagged. [color=f7941d]“God, Nil, please don’t scare a girl like that. I’m tired as is.”[/color] She plastered the half-smile onto her face again, then reached over to ruffle her hair. [color=f7941d]“Old gang’s all here, though. That’s nice. You getting on okay?”[/color] [/quote] [color=00aeef]"Whoa!"[/color] Henri exclaimed, was lucky to avoid having any liquids gotten on him. He noticed at the side eye Myron talking to a man he couldn't remember the name of right now, but the looks of Myron, the man's presence wasn't welcomed. However, it wasn't his place to interfere unless ordered to, so he returned to the conversations. Callie's interaction with... Nil was certainly a close one. Henri didn't know much about the Arms Master, despite having worked together. Then again, Nil was a general enigma, excluding Danish seemingly being her mother tongue. Callie's comment did cause Henri to look at Nil closely. She didn't seem to be in a bad condition, but upcoming missions would be stressful. [quote=@Gerlando] As Callie dodged the splash last second, Nil just stood there, a little shocked by the sudden movement, but perhaps she shouldn’t be. The [i]Old gang[/i] probably meaning the ones from Lingayen, although missing Sophist… he didn’t end up well. [color=8F00FF][i]”Yes.”[/i][/color] Her response came pretty bluntly and without a hint of a follow up, though for those who know Nil it would be clear it’s not because of lack of interest, rather her train of thought ended there. At least until someone says something to keep the conversation going. [/quote] [color=00aeef]"So...Nil"[/color] Henri said, pondering what to say. [color=00aeef]"What brings you here?... To this table, I mean."[/color]