“War is a dirty business. Especially for those caught between the bigger gears. The footsoldiers, the civilians, the families left behind.” Teppet murmured, drinking from his bowl, much slower this time. The second cup always burnt a little more in the throat than the first one.
“There are so many victories I wish I had never achieved. And yet, here we are. Still there, alive, and sane enough to bear the burden.”
He smiled, and eventually, he lifted his arm to put on her shoulder. “Even if you do not think you deserve this life…well, I am glad that you are still here. This world needs those who truly wish to make a difference. Even if this revelation came at a high price. We’re not perfect. You’re not one’a your gods, and I’m not anywhere near the virtue and might of my draconic ancestors. But you have the heart and the courage to move on, and that’s what counts. I mean, if the world were full of those who have just given up, it would never get better. And while it may not be better for us…there are those after us. The kids. Well, unless people like me fail to protect them yet another time, I guess”
He laughed, bitterly, and downed the rest of his tea.
“Same, I used to have ssssso much more bite when I was younger. Now there’s just a whole bunch of sass and complaints. Ah well, we’re here now, might as well just focus on that. Is gonna be okay, as long as we just keep movin’.”
Alive. The one solace that a soldier could stick to come the day’s end. Seeing themselves through to achieve that bitter goal of survival, or seeing others through to do the same. The weight of his arm was hardly registered for a moment - far too used to carrying the heftier weight of a shield. Looking to the pressure she let her forced grin fall, a softer one - a true one, remaining in its place.
“ I wouldn’t mind dying, you know. Just so long as I felt I was making a difference in this damned war. ” Even with the position she held, there was only so much she could do to turn the tides. “ We both might have failed to protect those we loved once ... but perhaps, well .. I’d like to think I could help atone for my past mistakes. ”
The rest of his commentary drove a quiet chuckle from the maiden, even as she picked up her glass to take away. There was still some liquid in the cup, yet she wasn’t quite up to finishing it. Whether it be too cold, or just not quite the type of drink she needed to take the edge off her mind.
“ Right. I’ll try to keep my eyes focused on the present - it wouldn’t do either of us any good if your new leader gets herself worked up over her past now! ”
It was amazing how much a lifetime could mellow a soul. She stood up to leave, pausing to offer her hand forwards to take his empty bowl with a grin nigh as warm as the sunlight that filtered through the lofty windows.
“ ... Thank you, Teppet. I appreciate that you took the time to lend an ear. ”
