Things were pleasant thus far, and at least now an actual conversation beyond awkward introductions and minor misunderstandings could likely take place. He decided to start with the obvious sort of thing that you'd expect to hear from a person, their fundamental opinions on a matter of personal importance. "What do you think about the current state of things in Rheinland? I suppose you've learned a lot about my Home during your service with the Armee." He wondered how the politics and susceptibility of his House's Government to corruption looked through the eyes of someone that was essentially an outsider to the whole thing, at least initially. It was always interesting to explore third-party opinions even if for nothing other than meaningless insight.
He had adopted a calm posture, leaned back into his seat with a leg crossed over the other in a fashion that most men of a political or social status seemed to adopt. The seriousness in his face that might have been more prominent before was now rather mute and replaced instead with an absence of any particular emotional bearing. He didn't seem to make any attempt at ordering a drink given that a deployment order might come in at any moment and flying under the influence was rarely a wise course of action. If he wasn't sure before, he was absolutely certain now that he was being observed rather closely. As to why she was choosing to do that wasn't exactly clear to him at the moment.
Ren leaned forward a bit, still not crossing her legs. Keeping her back straight, but despite it still looking quite relaxed.
-- State of things? The imperialistic war against Kusari is giving a new chance for the revolution to kick in. Federal resources will get drained, workers overexploited. In addition to losses at the front, all of it will raise the social tension even more. War propaganda and the patriotic wave are usually having a short term effect. In the end, the social problems within the House will make the regime to collapse in one way or another. By that time revolutionary forces have to be ready to take power and impose justice on all of the Rheinland's space. Fight any possible reactionary revolts and ensure that the socialist government will be able to hold power for the decades to come.
Ren was pronouncing it rather quickly, with the notes of boredom in her voice. Looking like she's forced to push out of herself some obvious things.
It was what he'd expected to hear and what he'd have answered with under the same line of questioning. But he'd made one key observation from it - it wasn't a personal observation but an educated one, likely supplied to her from the Hessian viewpoint. "Well you're certainly well-informed on the state of things at the moment. But I would say we've spoken enough about job-related matters at least for the moment. Is there anything you'd like to talk about?" Depending the nature of the topic she chose and her attitude in handling them, it would act as a compass to navigate the exploration of her intentions. She seemed the calculating type so far, perhaps on the cold side but that wasn't unfamiliar to him given the average social inclination of most people he'd met. There were still bits and pieces of her personality he hadn't quite figured out just yet, further observation would likely yield a more significant impression.
Xiaolian was certainly not a person to take an initiative in conversation. She would look into the table, confused.
-- I don't know, I am not too talkative. What worries me that is I do not seem in be in favor of Anna anymore. A little worried about my career. Hopefully, it will be solved all due to time. She's busy at the moment, maybe that's why.
Her voice now sounds lower and more quite. She would not mention the last name intentionally, knowing that Lucas would figure out what person did she meant by that.
Her response revealed something that they had in common, neither of them were the talkative sort and struggled when forced to converse informally, professional communication was an entirely different matter all-together. But nonetheless he paid sincere attention to what she'd said. "Heinrich tends to be quite a tricky person to read. But I think she would have voiced her disfavor of you if she had any." He seemed to speak from experience.
Still, the circumstances seemed quite peculiar. Ren wasn't some grunt with an insubstantial service-record, by all accounts she was accomplished enough to have reached the rank of Brigadegeneral and yet somehow the current status quo seemed to have neglected bringing her back into the fold upon her return. It prompted a necessary question. "Have any of your former Comrades tried reaching out to you about taking your post back, or at the least re-entering service?" He presumed she'd say no, but at the same time wouldn't be surprised if that estimation proved incorrect.
-- Nah, no, not anything like it. I was given transponders codes and that was it. And I am not going to come and offer myself like in some cheap commercial. I am trying to have some dignity. They know my background, my abilities and know that I am being around. If there are no offers, then so be it.
Ren paused, checking her nails.
-- I will just do what matters to the cause. On my own, if it need to be.
It was an answer that he'd anticipated, but it didn't do much to change the fact that Hessian behavior at least in regards to her was strange. It was almost as if they had simply not seen much reason to make the effort, likely concluding that there wasn't much worth behind he outcome. But the problem with that line of thought was that Heinrich wasn't stupid, and would have known better than to throw personnel aside without clear reason. "I agree, it would be much too demeaning for you to run after a re-enlistment. I do recall Heinrich taking a leave of absence for a period of time, so my current suspicion is that she simply hasn't caught up with your return in the midst of everything else." While he seemed to sound certain that this was the case, it was still a guess.
Her second response made him visibly smile and he only took brief notice of her nail inspection, viewing it as simply a habit of hers. "I can respect that. It's a level of commitment that's becoming increasingly rare in the Sector." His guarded nature seemed to lessen even if by a small degree, he was marginally more trusting of her now that a commonality had been established. But the more significant contributor to this change was that he admired her conviction, especially in the face of uncertainty.
Ren did not find remarks of Lucas any useful. She hated to waste time pronouncing obvious things and disliked when someone is taking on her ears with such. Though, she is quite delicate by nature and would not allow herself to be rude.
-- I don't think that it matters that much. I cannot and don't want to do anything about Heinrich and her business. I prefer to take on things that have a practical scale. Pushing myself into the ranks and trying influence supreme commander is practical, but I don't believe that's a decent way to act.
A bit bitter smile has appeared on her face. The woman was definitely in the mixed feelings right now.
She almost looked disappointed, and he wasn't quite sure what to say. This wasn't his strong-suit, it was much easier to simply give people orders and remind them of their duty than convince them of things from a personal standpoint. "You seem decisive enough to know what the right decision is. Though I must disagree on at least some aspects of your outlook. I don't think talking to Heinrich and stating your intentions would be the wrong course of action. It would be the most logical and it would eliminate your current dilemma." He took a pause, not wanting to say too much all at once and also for the more minor purpose of pacing himself so that he wouldn't run out of breath mid-sentence. "There are two clear outcomes. First, approval. Second, rejection. Regardless of which outcome you'd have certainty rather than concern which yields no utility."
His explanation came with a fair bit of confidence, that much was natural since he believed in the words and the logic behind them. He considered it better for her to act rather than sit and play this game of anticipation, even if her taking the initiative proved somewhat demeaning it was less disgraceful than inaction in the face of ones duty to a cause. "If you do truly believe in practicality, you must see some semblance of it in my suggestion. You stand to lose more by wallowing like this. If you don't act with purpose, you might find yourself without purpose." With that he grew quiet, letting the words sink in for her consideration.
He still seemed to press on his point. Ren had no intention to convince anyone in anything. But she would stand strong against anyone trying to enforce their opinion on her. Doesn't matter if it was supposed to be 'motivating' or anything. Ren really hates such things. Her lips would go down from a weird smile to demonstrating full displeasure. Her pale skin would become even more so. With a long sigh, she would try to cut Lucas down on this.
-- I appreciate your concerns about my future, but I will not change my worldview over one conversation in the loud bar.
Now, when she hoped that this part of their dialogue is over, she would smile kindly, once again.