He smirked rather arrogantly, “of course you haven’t because I have chosen to come first to you this time.”
The darked hair man waited patiently for the redhead to take her seat before he handed her the binder. He then opened it for her and slid it forward so she could get a better look at it. All the documents were nothing but certificates and credentials, letters of recommendation, a basic personnel file and a filled out recruitment contract. There was even a small portrait of himself in there which carried the Ylissean seal.
“My name is Edvard Hagerie, and I am here to enlist” he pointed a finger at her, “and I need your help in doing so.”
The man pulled back the front part of his cape so that it rested folded over his shoulders. Underneath the dark cape he wore what was clearly paladin armor, though it was clearly outdated since it only barely resembled the uniforms worn by the current paladins. Not that it the ‘antiquity’ of it bothered him in the slightest, in his opinion, it wasn’t as restricting as the current one, nor as flashy therefore not expensive. Besides, this had been an inherited uniform, one that he wore proudly and not because he was too cheap to commission a brand new one.
“I attempted to enlist once before,” he continued as he sat back in his seat and allowed the tactician to skim review his file. “However, given the specific requests I made, I was denied.” His eyes vigilantly watched her almost as if he was trying to read his mind. “I have received all the proper training to begin at officer level cavalier class. I am also decent enough with a bow and have a small grasp on basic magic.” He crossed his hands over his chest, “however I excel with a lance and my swordplay is more than sufficient.”
He was certainly not one to shy away from his achievement and skill, modesty was not an adjective associated with him. He was most certainly proud of himself, and with good measure. As his short bio illustrated, he was the only son of two notable knights who served the previous exalt. His mother who had been a powerful Falcon Knight, and his father an honorable and mighty Paladin. Being a proud nationalist was in his blood, it coursed through every vein and inch of his being. Having been denied his initial desired position had been the first hiccup that prevented him from joining the war effort against Plegia three years ago. In addition, certain circumstances had made him unable to press for his desired contract. Things were different this time, and there was nothing to deter him from joining and aiding his country against this new threat.
Edvard pulled out the enlisting contract he had completed and held it up for the tiny female before him. “This is me negotiating,” he stated, “I am willing to surrender any officer rank or status, so long as I am permitted to enlist in the position I desire.” He slapped it down on the desk, “I do not need to be provided with armor, I already have my own. I also do not require a horse companion, for I can provide my own.” He removed his fingers from the title of the application and peered his eyes into hers. The contract’s title read: Enlistment Aplication for the Royal League of Pegasus Knight. “I want to serve my nation, and I will not be denied again.”
Once more with little choice, Daedra reluctantly made her way to the desk to take a seat across from her ‘guest’. As she adjusted her posture, the man slid something across the table for her viewing. When she looked up, she saw it was a leather covered binder, filled with papers and other such amenities.
Briefly glancing at the title of the top document, the tactician blinked in confusion before looking up to the man across from her. It seemed he had a valid enough reason for his actions, but the red head was still cautious and confused on them. He certainly wasn’t going about the standard practices…
“You’re…. you’re asking for recruitment?” she hesitantly questioned.
Edvard didn’t need to repeat himself to get her an answer. The paperwork was proof enough. Out of habit, and good work ethic, Daedra pulled the folder closer and began to look over the neatly written documentation. It was the usual forms she was used to seeing, and more so.
She didn’t get to read into them too deeply, as Edvard went on to boast his credentials more. He was certainly an impressive soldier. She could definitely see that based on his list of accomplished training, as well as how he presented himself (personality aside).
However, something seemed very off in the whole matter. Generally, most recruitment requests went directly to Chrom, who served as a main commander atop his title as Exalt. If one could not reach him immediately, then came Frederick, who in reality had the best eye for potential candidates. Daedra very rarely had much say in who or who did not join their campaign. She was mostly informed after the fact to account for their numbers and where to station them.
Still, she intently listened to all of Edvard’s skills with a level of professionalism really only seen as she worked. In her head, she knew it would be unwise to pass a man of his talents up, considering how desperate they were for numbers currently. The Shepherds usually preferred those willing to fight and with the means for it, than asking locals or those without training. Chrom was very intent to keep the common folk out of the fighting as best able.
Daedra was about to ask Edvard on why he’d not been recruited already, when he presented the issue to her without much prompt. Curious, the red head turned her eyes to where his finger directed, and the sight made her pause.
“A…pegasus knight? You want to be…a pegasus knight?”
She didn’t mean to sound as baffled as she did, but she couldn’t help it. To her knowledge, Pegasus Knights had always been female. Daedra didn’t know all the details of the order, but she had never come across an account of a man joining. For the moment, she was unsure of what to say.
It suddenly made sense to her why she’d been his first choice in asking.
“Sir Edvard,” she began, turning her eyes up to meet his. “-I’m not sure what to offer you. I am only the tactician for this army, so my choice for recruitment is more suggestive than full immediate approval. That aside, I can see you’re full qualified for ground patrol, but I am unconvinced if you’d serve well as an aerial soldier.”
It was a stark contrast of how Daedra could change from her cute girlish demeanor to her business one the moment work came into play.
