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“He who joyfully marches to music in rank and file has already earned my contempt. - - - -


Sutāku Toho

The pale face of Suta would not do much else as they continued to talk amongst each other as they learned a bit more about one another. It wasn't until a new figure appeared that Suta would react, his eyes starring at the man who was boasting about himself.

One thing at this point people may have not noticed was that Sutas face was covered in fine white powered, or some sort of substance, that made it deathly pale to a nearly bone color. The fire itself was making it seem warmer but most likely it would be noticed eventually.

Suta's bright blue eyes would stay fixated on Alistar for a moment, a mixture of emotions going on behind them. "I hope you are right. Otherwise you'll just end up charging into battle with a dinner bell around your neck" Suta would say in the same hollow expression before his eyes reaverted back to his shoulder strap.

His shaggy black hair would shift as he adjusted the straps a bit more, finally managing to take it off entirely. The doctors could whine all they wanted he was tired of the shoulder cramp. With that he would rotate his shoulder around for a few moments to uncramp it and undo the bandages on his hand. Before they were completely undone though oddly enough he tucked his hand away into his jacket, seemingly hiding it from view.

- - - - He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would suffice. ”

♕xAZRETHx♕ arched an eyebrow at the confidence in the newcomer's tone, tilting his blonde head to the side, green eyes wary. The young Lord ran his tongue over his teeth, but bit back the harsh reprimand he instinctively wanted to give the kid -- there was a time and place for telling your peers certain truths, and now wasn't one of them. So Azreth just motioned to the meat sizzling on the grill with a ringed hand as Sebastian grabbed a plate.

"What'll you have, Cadet? And indeed, all of us here should be recognized for our courage, if not our initiative in enlisting, but keep in mind that courage, bravery, and brevity all disappear the moment you face the Titans, friend." Azreth's green gaze was serious, solemn, as he met the youth's eyes. He held his tongue on his intended 'and beating Nobles wasn't the point of enlisting', holding his peace. Instead, he offered the man a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Azreth Kestrel Deservian, at your service. Sit with us."

The young Lord turned his attention back to the conversation, placing a hand on Sebastian's shoulder and giving it a reassuring squeeze. "I understand your reasons, kid, but train hard, and put everything you have into the trials and tasks in the upcoming months. I don't want to have to worry about you when I'm looking an Aberrant in the eyes, okay Brother?" He grinned and ruffled the servant's hair affectionately, earning him a smile and nod from the younger boy. Now that the first awkwardness of Alistair's arrival had dissipated -- yes, the newcomer was a bit...infamous around the camp already for his difficult personality -- Azreth felt himself relaxing, the warmth of the fire fighting off the chill of the autumn night.

The young Lord nodded at Nik's words and glanced over at Ana, giving her a smile. "I honestly think that's quite a noble reason for enlisting, Ana -- may I call you that, since we're throwing protocol to the wind?" At her nod -- and was that a blush? -- Lord Deservian continued. "I think that the more we learn about Titans, the better equipped we'll be to fight them. We really need people like you and some of the other researchers in the Scouting Legion to learn everything you guys possibly can about those monstrosities, so you can tell those of us on the front lines. That way, we'll be running into less and less free variables when dealing with them, and I'm sure because of the things you learn, more lives will be saved." He saw a glow of pride in the girl's eyes, and he couldn't help but give her a nod of gratitude. Hell, if more people like her enlisted, the Lord was certain that the casualty rate would drop over the next few years.

Azreth glanced to his left -- 'Nik's Spot', since they had met three years past -- and gently bumped his shoulder against his bicep, dragging his attention from the venison he was wolfing down; the way he ate always surprised the young Lord, even after years of knowing him. "And you, Nikolaus LeSaynt?" The Lord threw an arm around Nik's broad shoulders. "I assume you just couldn't bear the thought of being away for me for more than a month, eh?" His comment got him an elbow in the ribs, and a laugh reminiscent of church bells in morning fog fell from the young Lord's lips. If Azreth wanted anyone watching his back in combat, it was Nik; the two had been training together for years -- both with Maneuver Gear and without -- and worked in tandem almost as if they could hear one another's thoughts. He knew that, like Sebastian, Nik would remain by Azreth's side until one or both of them died, and was prodigiously grateful to him for that.

Azreth watched out of the corner of his eye as Sutaku removed his arm from the sling he'd been wearing, seeing the black-haired cadet roll his shoulder stiffly. The young Lord caught his attention with a nod in his direction. "Hell, we'll all end up with dinner bells around our necks if we don't put a hundred and ten percent into our training." He inclined his head at the boy's bad arm. "Use that paste I gave you a few minutes ago, Suta -- it really does work wonders for the pain, plus it'll keep the muscles from stiffening up on you. It's a mixture made by the Deservian House's personal Alchemist, created specifically for sprains, strains, and hairline fractures. It takes the pain down a few levels, reduces swelling, and increases healing time -- not much, only a day or three, but that is a lot of time when you're in training or dealing with Titans, no?" He saw Suta nod and look at the jar Azreth had given him thoughtfully. "And don't worry about conserving it -- I have two more containers of the stuff, and I can always send a runner back home to get more."

Azreth shot to his feet as a woman dressed in red emerged from the darkness into the circle of firelight, clapping a closed fist over his heart in salute as he stood at attention -- he knew the look of command even before she introduced herself. Sebastian and Nik copied his gesture as soon as Azreth rose from his seat, and when all around the fire followed his lead and saluted the Corporal, Azreth sank gracefully back to his former position when she sat down. "Thank you for joining us, Corporal Cahune. I'm Azreth of House Deservian from Stohess, and the one who organized this little meet-and-greet." The Lord grabbed two thin slices of each variety of meat and fish -- mutton, venison, beef, chicken, duck, salmon, and pheasant -- and set them on a plate Sebastian passed to him without being asked. He held the plate out to his left, Nik wordlessly placing a scoop of carrots and potatoes onto the dish. The young Lord poured the Corporal a cup of the expensive red wine and personally carried them over to her, placing the plate on her lap and the cup in her hands.

He nodded to her before returning to his spot in front of the fire, leaning back against the rocks and drawing a thigh up to his chest, resting his chin on his knee, green eyes reflecting the light of the flames. He thought for a few moments before a slow, lupine grin curved his full lips. "I have an idea, provided the Corporal here won't object. How about a healthy, friendly competition, spiced with a bet?" Immediately, he saw he had everyone's interest. The young Lord turned around and dug through his largest pack, nudging Nik with his foot to do the same as he pulled out his disassembled Maneuver Gear. "Now, I know most of you haven't been assigned your weapons yet, but I happened to, ahh, procure two sets of Maneuver Gear a few years back."

Azreth turned back around and set the pieces on his lap, beginning to assemble the various pieces; the piston-shot grappling hooks, then the iron wire propeller, followed by the gas-powered mechanism. He left off the compartment housing the blades, as well as the handgrips, of course. Nik finished putting his together a few moments later, and the young Lord fastened the machinery to its designated full-body harness, checking all the straps and buckles to ensure everything was solid. He ran his fingers almost sensually over the curves and angles of the device, looking down at it warmly.

"I'll give whoever uses this to sneak into the Officer's Barracks two Golden Crowns -- and the person who brings back the best liquor without getting caught a full Talent." He heard sharp inhalations as everyone looked from him to the Corporal and back with wide, astonished eyes -- they probably thought that he was insane for suggesting they sneak into the Officer's quarters with a Corporal listening. Not only that, but two Crowns were a lot of money, let alone a full white-gold Talent -- the rarest and most expensive of metals. "If anyone needs help getting into the harness, Sebastian, Nik, and I will gladly assist you -- it can be tricky and confusing as all Hell if you haven't done it a few times." But something told Azreth that the woman would use it the way he intended: to judge his peer's skill with the 3DMG, and their reaction to a stressful situation. Azreth was nothing if not subtle. When the Corporal didn't object immediately, he saw slow smiles on the mouths of his friends. "However, if someone does get caught, I will personally take all responsibility for it. You all have my word, both as a fellow Cadet, and as the Lord of House Deservian."

"So." Azreth stood up and held out the 3DMG, offering his companions a conspiratorial grin. "Who's first?"

ＡＮＡＳＴＡＳＩＡ ∮ ＬＵＤＥＮＢＥＲＧ

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The young lady peered at the one named Nik and frowned his way her cheeks remaining ever rosy. I-I am not a child! I know better than to get myself killed. I can be just as careful as any of you. I don't intend to die out there. she said but was happy he called her courageous. It was better than being ridiculed. As Azreth praised and encouraged her, she blushed again and her eyes shined brightly. She was very happy with his words of encouragement and felt more confident in being there with them. She pouted her soft pink lips however and appeared annoyed. It's n-not like I needed someone like you telling me things I already know. she said sinking a little wondering why she couldn't even managed a proper 'Thank you'. She crawled closer pouring them both another glass. As if someone like me would pour a drink for someone else. Be grateful for this, do you understand? she asked them, her face flushed in color. This being the only way she could express some form of gratitude. She sat back down at her spot and wouldn't look their way as she finished her meal.

She heard someone approach and looked up to find another male. This man was distasteful in his own right. Clearly blinded by vanity and delusion, but he didn't seem awfully intolerable. She said nothing the man, having nothing more to add. Not everyone signed up for glory you know? Some are just looking for an easy way out. she mentioned. I wouldn't be surprised if a large sum of trainees only enlisted for the opportunity to work in Wall Sina. she explained. She listened to the silent one speak and watched as he set the man straight.

Finishing her meal she set her plate aside and drank some more wine. Another came to join them shortly after and she watched the three stand and salute who appeared to be the Corporal. Clumsily Ana stood on her feet and saluted the Corporal as well. She was silent not really knowing what to say but merely mirrored Azreth and sat when he did. She wondered what had brought the corporal there to begin with.

At the mention of a bet Anastasia looked to Azreth with a frown, furrowing her brow in confusion. She had yet had any training with the 3D Maneuver Gear. Doing something like this, she knew she would only fail, but if she could someone do it, then the others would maybe like her and she can be more comfortable around them. She raised her arm high and her eyes narrowed at the gear in his hand. I want to go first. she said eagerly. Standing she approached the blonde and looked to the gear. H-help...help me put it on. she asked blushing, embarrassed to ask for help.

▂ ▃ ▄ ▅ ▆ ▇ █ ＮＯＷ ＰＬＡＹＩＮＧ█ ▇ ▆ ▅ ▄ ▃ ▂

► | Resuscitated Hope |
▷ | Be Grateful Peasant |
▷ | I-I'm Not Really... |
▷ | You Will Fall Where You Stand |

Lady Anastasia Ludenberg of Wall Utopia

Seems the fire had finally attracted more flies to it's circle of light. Nik was staring at the guy who's head was...well, he couldn't think of a thing sufficiently large to compare it to. He was chewing thoughtfully at his venision making mental movies involving a large headed man (head like 10 times the size of normal), wondering just how fast the titans would see him and start chasing. If ego ever translated into true size, the Titans would have a true feast for a year. Chuckling softly at Suta's remark (and adding a dinner bell dinging merrily away in his little mental movie), he started to grab another piece of venision.

He was just thinking about how he'd never ate so well till he'd met Kes, and what luxurious food he'd had - things a kid from the Shiganshina District wouldn't normally ever have, even on a lucky day. He couldn't help but wolf it all down, after all, his life until then had been filled with times of 'none of this will last forever and may be lucky to ever have it again' moments. He looked to his friend as Kes put his arm around him, grinning. "Never ate so good in my life before you. Someone's gotta spend your money, honey." Winking at Seb, he added, "And now I got the extra job of making sure you don't squash poor Seb in bear hugs every time he scrapes his knee in training."

He started to settle back in quiet contemplation of the flames, but Kes's sudden movement startled him and he quickly stood up as well, giving his own salute to the Corporal. He had no intention of making any sort of bad impression towards the leadership if he could help it. Yeah, tonight was informal, but the movement felt right, and he settled back into his spot once the Corporal sat down. He had to admit, he'd not expected her to show up tonight, but it was rather nice to see just whom he'd be taking orders from come morning. He nodded his head in greeting to her as he filled her plate with vegetables after Kes and Seb, stirring the remainder idly before sitting back once more, calling a quiet 'Good night' to Sato as he left.

What happened next, Nik had to admit he wasn't surprised at. Kes had been thinking about it for days beforehand, so when he motioned him to pull out his own gear, he complied with a grin and set about putting it together. What did surprise him was Ana's volunteering to go first...she hadn't seemed the type. He'd been studying her off and on, and noticed what she said didn't always go with what her reactions were. Maybe he should get to know her a bit better, clearly this had raised her a couple notches in his book to be the first to raise her hand. Raising his gear, he said, "Seb, let me do that. Kes's got a few other things in mind."

Standing up, he stetched a bit before taking the step or two around the fire necessary to reach Anastacia, as she stood with a blush and clearly embarrased. Giving her a gentle smile, he instructed her how to stand so he could attach it all with her arms out and legs slightly spread. Knowing just how intimate the whole set up of the 3D gear was, after all it relied on belts throughout the body, he worked quickly and with business like flair, hoping she wasn't going to slap him for some of the places he had to be. His words were quiet, telling her just what he was doing, and where he'd be going next so that she had no surprised. Double checking his work, he finally stepped back with a triumphant "There. You're ready to go. How does it feel? Takes a bit to get used to, that's for sure."

♕xAZRETHx♕ stood as Suta departed, wishing him a quiet goodnight. He hoped the boy's shoulder would heal up a bit before training got too rigorous. Lord Deservian grinned at Ana, who volunteered to be the first one to try her hand at the Maneuver Gear. Back when he first got his 3DMG off of the Black Market, he'd paid an extortionate fifty Talents for the machinery -- a ridiculous price, as even a Lord as rich as his father could live comfortably off of that for a year. But, as the Maneuver Gear was a brand-new weapon -- and a military-sanctioned one, at that -- the price had been acceptable to the young Lord. Because his father had denied him joining the Cadets when he turned sixteen, Azreth had swore to himself that he'd learn how to use the 3DMG by the time he enlisted. These days, it felt like the Maneuver Gear was an extension of his body, and he was glad for the time he'd had to train with it.

But even Azreth knew that the Training Officers would test him in ways that he couldn't even imagine, and he had no doubt whatsoever that he'd be just as clumsy during these tasks and trials as some of the Cadets would be. When Sebastian moved to the Maneuver Gear from his hands, Azreth shook his head, nodding towards 'Nik's' 3DMG. "Nik read me like an open book," He grinned. "I'm gunna wear mine so I can watch. That way, in the event someone's caught, I can speak to the Officer personally and take the fall for it." He loved how well he, Nik, and Seb worked together -- it seemed as if both of them knew what their Lord intended almost before Azreth himself did sometimes.

The blonde watched with a critical green gaze as Nik got Ana into the harness, nodding proudly when his friend didn't misplace a single strap. He saw Nik hesitate before buckling the cross-strap over the girl's chest, and again at the buckle just below her tailbone, but he worked through the normally-improper contact. Surprisingly, Ana seemed too lost in thought to even notice, which brought a small smile to the Lord's lips. As Nik worked his way fastening straps down the girl's body, Azreth tapped her on the calf with his knuckles as he bent over, and Sebastian immediately moved behind her, kneeling on the ground with a knee extended, allowing Ana to rest the top of her foot on his upper thigh. While Nik secured the brace and operating device on the small of the Lady's back, Seb removed Ana's left boot, giving Azreth the access he needed to wrap the brace on the arch of her foot and fasten the straps above the stiff fabric. Sebastian slipped the woman's foot back into her boot, and the two repeated the same process on her right side while Nik fastened the gas-emitting motor to her back. That done, the three young men stepped back and admired their handiwork.

"Well, you certainly clean up nicely, eh?" Azreth winked at Ana and pressed the hand-holds into the girl's palms, fastening each of them to the operating gear on her hips. Ana licked her full lips nervously as Azreth double-checked the length and fit of each strap to ensure there were no faults. When he stood, she met the Lord's gaze, and Azreth felt a small, proud smile curl his mouth -- she had fire in her eyes. Lord Deservian clapped Nik on the shoulder, nodding at him. "Good job, man. Not a strap out of place, and all of them are the perfect length for her. You did well." Azreth saw pride flicker in his friend's
azure eyes. The Lord turned his attention to Sebastian, and a chagrined smile curled his lips as he stooped to brush dirt off of the servant's knees. "Thanks, Seb. And don't think you won't be participating in this -- you're up after Ana."

Azreth stretched his arms above his head and caught Sebastian's eyes, nodding to him. "Alright. Let's get me suited up, kid." With the boy's assistance, Azreth was strapped in after a few moments -- he and Sebastian had been doing this since Azreth was sixteen, and as such, it took them less than three minutes to get the young Lord ready to go. The blonde man shifted his weight from side to side, bouncing as he alternated his weight between the balls of his left and right feet, feeling the pull and loosening of various straps as he did so. Reassured that he would be able to shift his weight properly once airborne, the young Lord twisted at the waist, feeling the stiffly reinforced belt on his lower back, and the weight of the emission system. He frowned and opened his mouth, but before he could even speak, Sebastian ratcheted the belt on his back, raising the gear proper a couple of inches to sit directly in the small of his back. He grinned at the red-head, nodding his thanks -- after so many years, Seb knew exactly where things were supposed to go.

Azreth flexed his fingers, and Nik pressed the metal grips into his hands. "Thanks." He nodded as Nik and Seb took a few steps back, giving Azreth and Lady Ana room. "Have you ever used Maneuver Gear before, love?" She blushed and shook her head. "That's perfectly fine. Nik will point out the parts as I explain, okay?" She nodded, and Azreth demonstrated with his own as he began speaking, and Nik showed the girl the parts on the 3DMG she was wearing. "Alright, first off, I'm going to have you anchor three of your grappling hooks into the Barracks' walls on either side of us. Now, I don't know if this is the sanctioned way to do it, but since I taught myself, this is how I figured it out. If you have three hooks anchored at all times, it's much easier to keep your balance, at least in the beginning. Use the two small triggers in the handle with your fore and middle fingers to send out a hook, and use the big handle with your ring and pinky to retract them."

Azreth demonstrated using his own, anchoring two hooks to the walls on either side of him, and a third several feet behind the one on the right wall. He waited patiently while Ana copied him. "Good. Now press down slowly on the handle, and the lines will begin to retract, lifting you into the air. Only go up about two feet until you get your balance." Azreth and Nik coached Ana, with Sebastian watching on eagerly for the next hour or so. The girl tipped over several times, but Nik thankfully caught her before she faceplanted into the dirt.When she finally found her balance, and was able to eject and retract four hooks at once, Azreth nodded and flashed her a wolfish grin. "You're ready, Ana. Let's go -- I'll be right behind you, but I'm not going into the Officer's Barracks with you; you're going to have to determine how best to get in, get the booze, and get out without being seen. I'll be waiting for you on the roof of the next building over."

The young Lord took a deep breath, feeling a rush of adrenaline wash over him -- there was nothing, nothing in the world that compared to using his Maneuver Gear. With his unique, agile acrobatics he used to move, he'd been dubbed the 'Kestrel of the Skies' because of the way he used the 3DMG. He knew if Ana misplaced an anchor or lost her balance, he could easily catch her. "Oh. Nik, Seb. While we're gone, if one of you could stay and keep young Alastair here company and tend the fire in case anyone else comes for food, that'd be great. And if one of you wouldn't mind dipping into our Barracks and convincing Suta to come and join us? I know for a fact he'll want in on our little bet, here." Nikolaus and Sebastian exchanged glances with one another -- rolling their eyes teasingly for Azreth's benefit -- but then grinned and nodded. By now, the two were used to 'taking orders' from Lord Deservian, and Azreth knew they didn't mind it in the least. "Thanks, guys."

"Alright," Azreth flexed his fingers and set his fingers to trigger and lever, grinning over at Ana. "Ladies first."

Talking: #4CB7A5

"OW!!" came Nik's cry of grief as she kicked his shin, rubbing it a little as he took a step back from her. Honestly, the damn girl confused the hell outta him, and he muttered a little under his breath about it to himself. Though, like a gentleman, and knowing just how tricky it was to get your balance in the beginning, he stood behind her to catch in when she inevitably fell. He honestly had no real idea anymore what to think of her, and just resolved to treat her as he would any person whether he liked them or not. Besides, angry women weren't pretty things to deal with, and he preferred his equipment return in one piece.

He laughed at Seb's declaration that he was gonna die, and tossled the kid's hair just before catching Ana in another fall. Assisting her up, he leaned down to whisper to the younger man, "Seb, there's nothing to be worried about. Kes, will make sure of that. You trust him, right? And you're going to be learning this starting tomorrow anyhow, might as well get a feel tonight. Besides...it's a sort of freedom you never know until you experience it...flying through the air. You'll love it, man."

An hour later instructions were given, and they were off. He took one look at Alistair, nearly told Seb he'd be GLAD to go after Suta, but the kid beat him to it. Damn his luck. Settling back down in his spot beside the fire, he grabbed some more cooling venison and asked a question he'd bet he'd regret for the next ten years. "So, Alistair, is it? While we wait...Tell me about yourself. What was life like where you're from?"

♕xAZRETHx♕ disengaged his anchors, allowing his lines to return to the machinery at his hips as he somersaulted forward through the air, freefalling, letting out a loud whoop of joy. Oh, to be in the skies again! Gods, he had missed it. When he was five feet from hitting the ground, an iron line shot out with a hiss and whine, slamming into the wall of a Barracks and he squeezed the lever in his hands, shooting upwards twenty feet with the momentum from the genius engineering. He saw the Officer's Quarters looming out of the corner of his eye and released the hook, flipping upwards and landing on his feet with all the grace and lean power of a hunting cat. He balanced easily on the edge of the roof on the building next to the Officer's barracks, stepping down lightly to stand beside the girl.

He grinned over at Ana, not even breathing hard, though his cheeks were flushed with joy. He nodded to his left. "There's the Officer's Quarters. You can get in any way you see fit, though I'd say the front door is definitely out." He shot the girl a lopsided grin. "I imagine most of them are at the Mess Tent getting dinner, but they might've left a few behind, maybe a couple of clerks, so choose your entry point carefully. I'll assist you with extraction -- circle around the building a few times before going in, get a good look at the layout, and imagine the interior in your mind. Figure one window per room, maybe three or four people inside in either the main area or in the back rooms."

The young Lord ran a hand through his hair, the metal of the Maneuver Gear's grip cool against his scalp. "I'll wait for you here while you do reconnaissance. When you figure out where you're going to get in, tell me where you're going to exit and I'll help you with extraction -- just tell me where you want me to be, alright?" He smiled at the girl reassuringly and saw her nod, determined. "I have faith in you. I know you can do this, and like I said, if you get caught, I'll take all of the blame."

He pushed her gently between the shoulder blades. "Now go."