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[Blade Master Model 42]

Shaelynn frowned as she listened to Iris's explanation before several wheels crashed into place. "You mean to say that Flora used you to test her creations? Flora, that's... Why?" Shaelynn's feelings toward her own brother were... Complex. But the thought of possibly putting him in harm's way, even unintentionally, was appalling to her.

[Chevaleresse]

"I see. It may be best if we have this discussion immediately; would you like me to follow you back now, or speak here?"

[Gaterhyme]

"It doesn't matter. As long as we're not interrupted."

She scanned their surroundings until she was confident Gregory had left and no one else was coming.

Then, her expression hardened.

"When we were selecting for the position of captain, Friderick refused to vouch for you for a certain reason."

"I see little reason to bring the others into this - but I want the truth from you. Explain your dereliction of duty. Now."

[Chevaleresse]

Siegfried looked down, shuffling his feet a bit. It was something that one might associate with a nervous or ashamed child; seeing it on a man as large as Siegfried was. . . odd. He cleared his throat before speaking.

"Ah-hum, well. . . It is something that it pains me to have to admit again, but I have shirked the duty given to me by my family once in the past. In fact, that is how I ended up in the Overseasland in the first place. I assure you, though, it has nothing to do with my loyalty to the Reich."

[Gaterhyme]

"And why would Friderick know of this? He measured you by it - for a Reich position, not family matters - and I cannot let that go so easily."

If he could not even meet her eyes, how could she be assured of his loyalty? She took no pleasure in pinning him with her gaze and watching him squirm, but she needed to get to the bottom of this.

"I asked for explanations. Not assurances. If you are unwilling to explain, I will get the information from someone else. I expect that will be much less flattering."

[Chevaleresse]

"It was revealed publicly not long before you arrived. In fact, I believe you were here when it happened." He sighed. "It was intended that I marry Lady Peritz in order to establish a political link between their house and Jubastascheit. I. . . did not want to, so I joined the Reich military in the hopes that I could escape my obligation."

[Gaterhyme]

That almost explained the state of the (ex-)Governor General's dining room when she had arrived, at the very least.

"... I can see why Friderick doubted you. If you abandon your duty once, it sets a precedent. Whether you did so out of ignorance or malice, you disrespected the person you were intended to marry, and you disrespected both of your families."

"Still. I've kept an eye on you. You've stayed in the fight even if you could desert. Our captain seems to trust you. You seem to have a rapport with the cavalier - Cecil."

"I'm a soldier. I've no desire to involve myself in your family matters, then. Just know that if you should abandon your duty here, I will see you answer for it."

And here the mask slipped again, here her expression softened before she meant it to. This was a man whose face hid nothing, and his old shames had been laid bare.

She opened her mouth to ask another question, and hesitated.

[Chevaleresse]

"I am quite aware of that, yes." He winced at the woman's words. It seemed that everyone wanted to take pieces out of him, whatever the reason. "I swear upon my life that I will stay duty bound until said duty ends, or I do." He noted her hesitation.

"Did you need to discuss something else?" He couldn't stop reluctance from showing on his face; Siegfried doubted that the conversation was going anywhere pleasant for him.

[Gaterhyme]

"It's not related."

She paused for another long moment.

"I've just been- I've delayed in asking this for too long, and I'm sure now isn't the time, but... did Arnold say anything to you before he left?"

[Chevaleresse]

Relief flashes over Siegfried's face for a moment before his brow furrows in thought.
"Not that I can recall, miss Suzanne. I apologize."

"If I may be so bold, why do you ask?"

[Gaterhyme]

"Just Suzanne or Lieutenant Vogt, Siegfried."

"It was just that he was displeased with the outcome of the vote, and though I know he was selected to take on another mission... I'm not certain that I don't- I wonder if I-"

She took a deep breath, afraid to see this instant of vulnerability reflected in his eyes like his shame had reflected in hers, and began piecing her mask back together again. They were alone. She told herself that, and told herself this would not happen again.

"I feel responsible. If I'd chosen a different way, perhaps he'd have left on better terms. That's all."

[Chevaleresse]

"I see. I don't believe it was your fault. You were given orders, and you followed them to the best of your ability; if anyone is at fault, it would be the one who gave them."

[IamanElfCollaborator]

"Ah. If you have something you need to say in private, I'll take my leave of course." Gregory said with a nod and a grin as he straightened up from his more relaxed posture. "I'll let you two get too it then." he finished before walking off, leaving them to their privacy.

Gregory left the two of them behind, seeking out others to check on in their small camp, eventually making his way to Cecil. He approached the flamboyant knight, raising a hand in greeting and offering him a grin.

"Howdy Cecil. I just wanted to pop by and make sure you're recovering okay. You really fought hard in that last battle, pretty impressive, took some pretty heavy blow as well it looked like it. How you doing?"

Cecil almost shrieks. He poorly hides a pair of scrolls behind his back with one hand, whirling around to meet Gregory's eyes. He waves with his free hand, grinning as best he can.
"Hello, friend! I'm....doing well! Mere w-wounds like these are simple trifles for knights of my calibre!"

[Gaterhyme]

"I don't agree, but thank you for the thought."

"I've kept you from your watch for too long already." She offered him the smallest of smiles in lieu of an apology - for the interrogation, for the burden she had accidentally revealed to him. "Good night, Siegfried. I'm not certain of the watch schedule, but I will take the next shift if no one else will."

[GiglameshDespair]

"It was necessary, that's why, and I never tested anything that truly put her in danger. But some things had to be tested on a person, and if anything went wrong, I would want my full faculties to be able to deal with it."
She met Shae's gaze squarely.
"If I had alternatives, I would have used them."
Plus guinea pigs were more expensive went unmentioned.