Wordlessly he pulled out a chair for her, waiting behind it to gently push it back into place at the small round table where they sat. You are free to wear what you wish. he said as the butler started to bring the first of their meal out. Simple pancakes accompanied by golden or maple syrups, cream and various fruit diced into portions eventually ended up in front of the pair. Special liberty was taken by Edmund to ensure that the meal was cut into more manageable servings for Elizabeth due to the nature of her injuries. Kettles with either tea or coffee were placed in the center of the table, along with two 2 cups before at last the butler ceased to bring any more and the pair were left alone. Please, help yourself. He said waiting for her to start.
Elizabeth limped as dignified as she could towards the chair, on which she managed to sit, managed because it was an effort for her, by propping herself over the table. She said nothing and started eating at once, and with the speed of a Libertonian fast food devouring competition finalist, though with considerably more grace.
Edmund sat there with a bemused expression on his face If I didn't know better, I'd say you weren't eating...you had a hell of a night last night, would you like some more? truth be told he wasn't particularly hungry himself, finding more enjoyment in her company, strange as it was, than in food or drink, although he poured himself a cup of tea nonetheless. He would, if possible, pry more into her past today, to better understand the woman they let into their home with no questions asked.
Elizabeth intended to speak, but first she had to muff a burp.
"Yes, pl-actually, no, not now. Later. I owe you an explanation, and have so for a day." Necessarily, she wiped her lips with a napkin.
"I have been trying to reach my post in New Holland for a while, but I ran into enemies every time. I wrote a report about each of my engagements, where you can see the details if you are interested. I don't quite remember them any more, there was a lot of fighting. I had to eject once, which made me a contusion of cartilage between two of my vertebrae. The counter-gravity field malfunctioned, apparently. I ignored the doctor's advice and fought again because a certain Commander... Yberg -- what an unusual name -- needed rescuing. We won that one and I didn't have to eject, but the doctor told me that if I did, I would probably never walk again. I shouldn't fly fighters until this heals, but the hospitals are too overcrowded for patients with such minor injuries as I to stay, so I was sent home. Public transportation only gets you so far, and it turns out it's rather difficult to hold an umbrella with a bandaged hand, if your other hand is occupied holding a cane. That is all, it's as simple as that. Though I feel like somewhat of a dead weight laying here and doing nothing on your expense... Is it possible for me to get a function on a capital ship that is headed for New Holland? Or maybe get something small under my own command? I think acquiring experience in capital ship command would be useful for me, as fighters seem..." She took an intentional look at her bandaged hand. "...quite detrimental to my nail polish."
He sat their patiently, sipping his tea slowly and remaining silent when she finished, contemplating what she had said. Why New Holland? I understand you grew up there but is there another reason you are so intent on being in that system?He wondered about what ship he could put her in, which vessel would be more suited to her if she were to be transferred. He ceased to think about that for the time being, by all rights she should not be flying at all, as per the doctors instructions. Time, and this conversation, would reveal what course of action he would take.
"Oh, it doesn't have anything to do with that", she waved the supposition off with her injured hand, as she was left-handed. "My father's ship, the Thunderer, is deployed there. It would be a great honour for me to serve aboard her, regardless of her place of deployment."
He nodded, knowing full well that it was but not believing that it was her only reason. Where is your mother? presumably she is still alive, why have we not heard from her?
"I'd prefer if she stayed on Sydney", she told the remaining plate of pancakes which she was not moving her eyes from. "The further from Valors, the better."
He could understand that, Sydney was by now under the firm control of Bretonia, reports of a minor insurgency had come through but as yet there was little to worry about and attacks against the civilian population were rare, if they happened at all. Very well. Tell me then, what did you do before you came to us? How did you learn of Hall's death? Edmund always found it strange that the Nobility had the means and the right to raise almost anyone up from poverty, yet equally they could cast those they had helped straight back to the gutter if they felt the need too. A few honourless, treacherous nobles enjoyed playing games with their wards, showering them with gifts and authority before throwing them out with nothing. Such individuals were largely shunned socially and at last the Police had begun cracking down on such behaviour, the privy council ruling that to do so lead to a form of indentured servitude. The Steiners never lifted anyone from poverty, they had no need nor interest in doing so until Elizabeth showed up, and while they would do almost anything to protect and improve her lot, Edmund personally had no misgivings about locking her up for fraud if she was lying. He knew, of course, that she wasn't, the documents were real and authentic, but he had to make sure himself to put his doubts aside he had to pry.
I don't doubt you are who you say, but we know very little of each other, and I make it my business to know at least something about those who come into my home. The rules of rank do not apply to you and I, not here at least. Your case is special, and it requires a more creative approach that the Military cannot provide. So before we continue, you may speak to me as an equal, as you have been doing.
She kept looking at the remaining pancakes while Edmund was talking and did not seem to have paid much attention. "If it was up to me, I would treat everyone as an equal... even animals, if they could understand me. You know, I actually considered becoming a vegetarian, but on the other side, how do we know plants don't feel pain?"
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