Lambert nods as Clark speaks, his eyes still taking in the man's gruesome injuries.
"Well, I'm doing fine now, you certainly shouldn't be worrying about me, that's for sure.
"I did perhaps have a tougher time in captivity, but... I didn't suffer such grave physical injuries certainly. And I'm still in the service..."
He frowns, looking directly at Clark. "So what exactly made you accept the medical discharge? I know you're in rough shape now but I figured if there were a way you could get yourself back into the fight you'd take it."
"She was the...." She stopped as she saw the girls walk into the house.
Pita watched the girls come across to where Reginald and her were sitting.
One of them waved "Hi. I'm Rika."
Pita nodded slightly, she waved back "I'm Pita."
Pita wasn't sure what to say next, it had been a long time since she had talked to other children. Pita didn't count Stewie, but she wasn't sure why. She flinched slightly as she remembered what happened the last time she was playing with other kids on Alcatraz. Reminding herself she wasn't on Alcatraz, and she was safe she smiled slightly.
Pita looked down at the floor, before back up at Rika, her head tipped sideways slightly. "Your friend... doesn't need to hide."
Rika laughed softly. "This Seraphim. She's really shy." Rika moved slightly. "It's ok."
The girl edged her way into view, holding Rika's hand with both her own. She managed a small smile and a short wavve before hiding again. Her age didn't match well with how she acted.
Rika sighed. "She just needs to warm up to you...her...social skills are underdeveloped. So...just give her some time."
Rika reached behind her to tickle Sera out of hiding, smiling. "You have a cool house." She said.
Pita smiled and waved at Seraphim. "That's a pretty name."
"She just needs to warm up to you...her...social skills are underdeveloped. So...just give her some time." She nodded, kind of glad this was the case. It would give her some time to get use to the girls, hopefully, without them noticing her own lack of social skills.
Pita looked around as Rika mentioned the house. "Its pretty amazing... There's lots of cool things here, and the trees outside are pretty good to climb"
She looked around again, this time to see if she could see where Lambert was. Pita decided it was all right she sighed quietly, relaxing a little. She nodded in the direction of two chairs on either side of a small table.
"You can pull over some chairs if you want to have a seat.."
"I could say i got tired of all the Intel screw ups. Its no secret im messed mentally. I've known it and people have known it for a while now. A big contributing factor to that is the Jacobi Protocol. I've had to space too many damn fine people because of it." Jorzza looked down for a moment "If i didnt get injured and listed as non combat worthy i would probly die floating out an airlock or dead on some rock and no one will ever know. At least Josie was smart enough to get out when she could, not get literally ripped to shreds"
Seraphim blushed, contrasting her white dress. Her skin was pale, but now was a deep red. She fidgeted a bit, but stayed where she was.
Rika smoothed her tank top down, the burning flower on the front now crease-less. She touched Sera's arm then pulled away, heading for the chairs. Sera toyed with a necklace with a black heart pendant, eyes focused on the fire.
"Th...th...thanks." she said. "M...mommy named me that b-because she th-thought I was an angel." She managed to say before Rika arrived. Setting the chairs up, Rika let Seraphim pick a chair - of course, the one furthest away - before sitting down.
"We live on top of a skyscraper. Top two floors. But it doesn't beat fresh air and nature." She said, smiling.
----------------------------
Alexis sighed. "It is a shame about Clark." She said. She then looked over to the children. "No child should be without friends. I offered to bring them over..." she smiled softly towards them. "Hopefully Sera can learn from Pita...and vice versa."
Lambert nodded, slowly. He couldn't really believe that this man, who up until very recently was one of the most gung-ho soldiers he'd ever met, had become so... defeated. Defeated and a little scared too, he thought. If it could happen to Clark, it could happen to anyone, and that was a sobering thought.
Clark obviously didn't seem ready to give out any details of the events leading up to his injuries, but Lambert realized he didn't need to. His expression, tone of voice, and what he hadn't said told the tale well enough. Whatever had happened had broken the man Clark had been.
Lambert decided to change the subject a bit, rather than respond to the former Commander's statement. "So, what are you doing these days, then? Join up with Josie at DSE, perhaps?"
Jorzza looked at Lambert "I've considered joining DSE, I've actually been staying with Josie out on that station they got. But as for work i don't do anything until i finish all the physical rehab." Jorzza extends out his arm and to stretch it "Although once that's done i may see if i can get a job at the training centers.....not sure at this point" Jorzza smirked slightly "Drill Sargent Clark, kinda has a ring to it?"
Clark smirk extended to a slightly evil grin
He grins back. "It sure does. I could definitely see you doing something like that. Training up the next generation of troops, making sure they're prepared for what's to come... it's a noble cause."
He hesitates a moment, changing the subject.
"Well, I'm glad Josie's looking after you during the recovery. You know how to reach me if there's ever anything I can do. Now... I think we've been holed up in here long enough. I should make sure Pita hasn't decided to give the other children the old tea party treatment."
He grins conspiratorially to Clark at the thought.
Jorzza chuckled. "Well she seems to be in a better place nowadays. then again anything is better than being under toe of that Moka guy"
Jorzza looks about the room this time observing the room "Actually quite the cozy place you have here. Seems good for the two of you."
Jorzza looks back at Lambert. "With what happened to you...... you qualify for benefits. you could leave the navy. Support her growing up and yourself. You have something to live for now....I envy you for that."