Corvin Estate, New Thessalonica, Planet Yuma, Coronado
evening of 5 Aug. 824 A.S.
Clark was visibly irritated by Doreen's statement ( "I don't hate them." ), but as she continued to explain his look softened and he replied with a sigh "I sometimes forget that not all of Sirius had to endure what we have... There's nothing to be sorry about, doctor."
Erik on the other hand was staring blankly, at nobody. Hate... He wanted to hate them, he wanted to rage at the Gaul bastards who took his wife... but he couldn't. His inquisitive mind knew that hate would've done no good. Alas, he was no fighter anyway. And besides, he knew well enough that most of those in the Gallic armada were just following orders, not truly understanding what they fight for - having been indoctrinated by the royalist regime in Gallia.
He turned towards Peter, enjoying the sight of his son playing, and spoke with a tired voice "I don't know if hating them is right or wrong, but I'm bloody sure they need to be stopped, for our sake... for Sirius... and maybe even for Gallia." He rose up and, perhaps in an attempt to assuage his own flashbacks of loss, cheerily tried to change the subject "Well then, anyone up for another drink? I might have another bottle in storage."
Catherine kindly refused, and explained she has work to catch up on, while getting ready to leave. After saying her goodbyes, she was on her way, while the rest were still at the table and agreed to Erik's suggestion. "One last glass before we go home can't hurt." someone mentioned.