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[He's not a fan of... well, anything, really. Maybe one thing. But he never had the time, space, nor drive to cultivate any interests of his own, so... he's a bit halting at first, staring off into a corner of the room as the tea quietly brews a pleasant veil of steam between them. Besides, a lot is happening and he's still groggy, so he has every reason to be a little distrait. Talking to Manuela is grounding for that reason: something more mundane to focus on in the disarray of his upended life.]

...I can't say I'm a fan of music, but I can still appreciate a melodious voice. A private performance sounds like an honor.

Oh?

[That's interesting phrasing. He's not a fan and yet he still likes to listen. Well then. Not that she has any complaints, of course. She's known more than a few odd characters in her time.]

Is there anything you are a fan of?

~~I like Ike~~

[This is hard to answer. Social awkwardness burrows in a little deeper as he focuses on the table like he would a map during a war meeting. What is he a fan of? Besides Ike, which would be weird to point out in this case. She's talking about pursuits or things, not people.]

Not really. I can't say I've cultivated any personal interests for myself. I never had the luxury of free time, money, nor the opportunity for such indulgences. Certainly nothing like opera.

Well, that's certainly like some people I know. There's no shame in that, of course. Though perhaps there are other things that interest you? Hobbies? People?

[He's a functioning person. (Hopefully.) She can't believe he really has no interests at all.]

[Functioning by the sparsest of definitions, maybe! He sure does hide how dysfunctional he truly is as a person well behind all that cold, level-headed stoicism, doesn't he? At any rate, being pried at in this way is just a little bit uncomfortable. He's not 'normal'. Never has been. How does he put this? He shakes his head, dismissing her.]

Like I said, I never had the time nor luxury for frivolous pursuits. Before I was taken from my home world, I was staff officer of the Greil Merceneries. I had many duties to attend to, especially once my company became embroiled intimately with the war that blazed across our kingdom. My commander needed me to always be sharp. It was a matter of our very survival.

Wars usually are like that. I've been involved with one for the past five years or so. They can take up a good deal of your time.

[She sighs into her tea.]

You do seem a sharp young man though. I think your commander has a good man in his service.

[ 'has'. Yes. Has. Someday... Someday, he would like to think he will be back in his service. A thoughtful glaze passes the look in his eyes, kept submerged in his lap. He stuffs his homesickness where it belongs, which is not polite conversation. His response slips out as a quiet murmur but brimming with that withheld and private emotion. The ghost of a smile may have traced the slight line of his lips.]

Thank you. He deserves the best I can be.

[At this point, he lifts his chin to focus on Manuela, expression sobering even more, but his eyes glint with curiosity. The way she brings up war is not with the gravity it warrants, but that's not unusual. Speaking of it together dismissively like it was just a waste of time are all a part of coping, he supposes. Otherwise, soldiers would be crushed by the weight of their grisly duties. Everyone who can relate does it one way or another. But Soren wants to know more.]

Five years... I can only imagine the toll that took. Ours only lasted one. You said you were a physician, so you must have been charged with tending to the wounded. Am I correct?

Edited (tweak tweak) 2020-02-11 21:12 (UTC)

[The subject is on her now then. Well, that's alright. It's not the first time a subject has drifted to her to avoid it being on someone else. She's even down that herself in order to protect someone.

Very well. She understands. He doesn't wish to discuss himself and she can respect that.]

Am a physician. A change in location hardly changes that aspect of me, dear. But yes. I have made sure I was there to take care of as many wounded as I could when I was not on the frontline fighting with the others.

[It wasn't like he was meaning to imply that he didn't think she was still a physician, but his past-tense language got misinterpreted a bit. Oh well. He finally decides to take his teacup and cradle it in his fingertips.]

A songstress on the battlefield. Isn't that something? [Then again, the Crimean Army had singers on the battlefield... but seid magic woven into their voices had been their specialty. Their songs were their role on the battlefield. He takes his first sip, appraising her.] You don't look like you've seen much of direct combat; your features are quite delicate. Does your world fight with magic?

It does. There are many a magic user. However, you're wrong on one part, dear. My features might be delicate but I can use a sword as well as magic in combat. And have on more than one occasion.

[She's not as strong as someone fully trained in swordsmanship but that Jack-of-all-Trades thing she has going? It makes her quite the force to be reckoned with.]

[He reassesses her with this in mind, what's visible of the surface of her hands. Appearances really can be deceiving. She'd be able to make good use of arcane swords, too.]

Well, you've survived all those years. I'm sure that's owed in part to your prowess. As for me, I also happen to fight using magic. I'm rather, well... inept at swords. I haven't got the necessary strength to put the endeavor to good use. It would be a waste of my time and effort.

[Which should be obvious. Look at him. What a weenie!!!]

I'm curious about your magic, though. Most of my world's magic when applied to the battlefield consists of elemental attacks and healing... as well as other tricks, like putting enemies to sleep. How does it compare?

All those years? I'm hardly old, you know.

[Someone is sensitive about her age. Does it show? (It probably shows.)]

As for what you want to learn that is up to you. However, learning something of the blade wouldn't hurt should you be unable to cast magic for whatever reason.

[It's good to have options.]

That does sound similar to the kind of magic done in my world. Of course putting the enemy to sleep doesn't appear to be something we share between our worlds.

[Whoops. Looks like the tactless tactician has stumbled headfirst into a sensitive topic. If he says anything else to that, he's liable to dig himself deeper. Best hold his tongue... and use it for sarcasm instead, thanks.]

You're absolutely right. It wouldn't hurt my opponent. Not much. [The ones who aren't squishy, anyway.] They'll just counter my feeble attempt and crush my wanting defenses in two hits or less. And imagine if my enemy has backup to finish me off... I'd be better off ducking out of combat than openly embracing my death with good weapons made inferior by my hands. Inventory could be distributed more efficiently.

I can see where a situation like this might arise, though. Enemies that carry Silence are few and far between, but it can quickly render mages and healers all but useless for a while. [Does she know what he's talking about? He's curious to see.] In that case, a sword or a dagger might suffice for self-defense.

I'm aware of the use of Silence, dear. I use that spell myself. There are several of my former students who do as well.

[Well, they do in her timeline. Keeping all the timelines straight was a nightmare she never really put effort into sorting through. There really isn't much point to trying, after all.]

I'm not sure what the mechanics of magic are where you come from but anyone can learn to use it and magic where I come from. I like the idea of people being open to many aspects of combat since there is always something that can be countered and it provides options to someone on the field.

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