"What a joke. The commander is allowing a thief into our quarters?" The soldier scoffed, placing a hand on his hips in disbelief. "What is he thinking? I get if he's just keeping her for his personal needs, but letting her stay past her share of our supplies? The least he could do is share her with the rest of us. Her face may not be the best, but I'd love to see her enchanting eyes glower in ecstasy under my arms." He snickered, a hint of guilty pleasure hanging in the corners of his lips.
@emeraldgale [[none specifieddddd so you get surprise]]
She had simply been strolling about, eyes all around to see if anyone required assistance. No names were mentioned, but it was painfully clear which commander and which thief.
Ling sighed and stopped, running a scarred hand over her face, through her hair. Perverted eyes were nothing new, she knew. They’d always be around. Many newcomers to the army were cocky and did view Ling the same way they did to Xiao Mei, which they soon learned to do otherwise. Older veterans had practically seen her grow up with them and they were much more reasonable. You just had to bark loud enough, stomp your foot and shake the ground if you needed to. Carrying hundreds more scars than they did pushed the point further.
She didn’t need her brothers backing her up to prove herself. Time to work. She stepped into their line of view.
“If I were you I’d keep exactly what your thoughts are to yourself. Thoughts,” she hissed, her tone cool as she glanced at each and every one of them. Most bowed their heads or averted their eyes from hers.
“I don’t hear you talking about me behind my back that way, and I certainly don’t hear you talking about any refugees we rescue, right?” Her voice was sweet, as she gave them each a smile.
“My brothers, and your commanders, expect the same kind of respect you give us for our guests. Besides, she’s been earning her keep assisting us, not screwing some bored soldier!” Her voice rose suddenly before it plateaued into a dark, low tone again.
“You know we’re walking through a land that doesn’t grow much this time of the year. And, she’s been helping me make those supplies you speak of. So instead of complaining, why don’t you try to keep the portions she helped make for you? I know there’s more soldiers who need it more than you do.”
Having said all that, she turned heel, leaving with their silence and awe. “Oh. And by the way, you ought to be earning your portion, if not helping us secure supplies. We’ve noticed we’re losing quite a bit of drink and other foodstuff. Can’t figure out why.”