Feeling down

[majestic_keiki]

[As deaths, messed-up terrorists, close calls and incredibly embarrassing pilot suits piled up over the last few weeks Kei have been visibly appearing more and more stressed when not needed to seem strong to comfort those more personally affected. At a quiet moment somewhere without a huge crowd, she let out a comment on it after a long, awkward pause.]

This is what it means to be a soldier, isn't it? At least when a major war is going on.

Comments

[keep_your_dignity]

SOMETIMES. IT'S NOT ALL SUNSHINE AND LOLLIPOPS. IT'S BETTER TO NOT GET TOO ATTACHED TO ANYONE IN PARTICULAR. IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE IN THIS LINE OF JOB.

[Kagura is silent for a while as they continue walking. Having no face makes her thoughts as inscrutable as usual, though]

[majestic_keiki]

...And going around all lonely and without any emotional support is better?

[keep_your_dignity]

THAN THE ALTERNATIVE?

OFTEN, YES.

[Well, that's not grim or anything. But then, this is Kagura]

TELL ME SOMETHING, KUGIMIYA. I'M AWARE OF THE BASICS OF THE MAJESTIC PRINCE PROGRAM.

DO YOU ACTUALLY WANT TO BE HERE?

[majestic_keiki]

It's hard to tell. I haven't tried having a choice on being here or not...But I know I wanted to be given a choice or to get to choose what to do when given a leave instead of even that being based on orders.

[keep_your_dignity]

WELL, YOU'RE PROBABLY IN THE BEST PLACE FOR TAKING SOME BABY STEPS IN MAKING YOUR OWN CHOICES. THE ORDERS AROUND HERE ARE MORE SUGGESTIONS THAN ANYTHING. IF YOU HAD CHOSEN TO NOT GO ON THAT MANDATED VACATION YOU COULD HAVE.

HELL, I TOLD THEM TO GO FUCK THEMSELVES WITH THE WHOLE BUSINESS AND STAYED AT BASE

[majestic_keiki]

I guess you're right...I'm just used to stricter military discipline. It's all I've ever known.

...Maybe I should just go off to New York with Kaname like we were talking about earlier.

[keep_your_dignity]

[Kagura continues walking silently for a while. She makes surprisingly little noise for a thing that has to weigh well over half a ton. Finally, after the pause, she speaks again]

YOU CAN START WITH THAT. JUST REMEMBER. ONCE YOU TAKE A REAL DECISION, FOLLOW IT THROUGH THICK OR THIN. FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN, SHEER BLOODY-MINDEDNESS IS A GOOD QUALITY TO HAVE WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO CHANGE THE LOT YOU'RE DEALT.

[majestic_keiki]

I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for the advice...I'll try to figure out what to do, I guess.