Alive || 86: Eighty-Six [ vers. ENG ]

before departure

When everyone was working diligently, it was difficult to shirk one's responsibilities without feeling guilty. The pile of documents Shin brought to Charlize never seemed to get any smaller. She was sure he had malicious intents in making her work for two. Or three, or perhaps an entire regiment. Due to the education she had received before the Republic descended into madness, Charlize knew a little more than other Eighty-Six of the same age. As the only child in the Kaslan household, she had always watched the people who worked for her parents closely. Their routines, the decisions they made – when and why; nothing escaped her attention. If there was anyone who knew how to handle paperwork, it was her. She did her job so well that she ended up earning nicknames from her friends, but also from other people at the base. Word of this had even reached the ears of higher-ranking officers such as Colonel Wenzel and Colonel Arenberg. Charlize had an idea who the informant was... or rather, the informant. It was surely Marguerite, her cousin, since she worked directly under Colonel Arenberg.

The sun was already beginning to give way to the moon when Charlize allowed herself a moment of respite. She went out for a walk to stretch her legs. At this hour, there was a place that was rarely visited. Behind the large hangars stood a tall tree that could hide anyone. This kind of place was perfect for recharging her batteries.

Unfortunately, when she finally arrived at her destination, she encountered someone. Corporal Ludivine Bauer. Together with her brother, Sergeant Bauer, they were responsible for maintaining her Feldre, Ashbell.

Unlike her brother, Emeric, who spoke very little, Ludivine was a real chatterbox. The twenty-two-year-old woman had a fairly extensive knowledge of various subjects. Astronomy, flora and fauna, literature, art, fashion... Her knowledge seemed limitless. Charlize always found it difficult to hold a conversation with people other than her close friends, yet talking to Ludivine came almost naturally. She even felt a certain familiarity. Her appearance was far from resembling Charlize's. She had Jet origins. Her hair was jet black. Her eyes were less dark. Very slightly. But enough to wonder if one of her parents was of a different origin.

Ludivine did not notice Charlize's presence right away. Standing with her back against the tree trunk, her gaze was lost in the horizon. She finally realized she was there when she heard the sound of a branch crack.

"Second Lieutenant Kaslan. I'm glad to see you back on your feet. I hope you're not tiring yourself out too much."

What a strange feeling. When she turned to speak to her, Charlize had the impression of seeing someone else's face superposed on hers.

"Thank you for your concern," she finally replied after a pause. "I'm taking it slowly. Has Ashbell been repaired?"

"Not yet. The repairs will be finished soon. She'll be operational shortly. Are you already planning to return to the front?" Ludivine asked.

"Yes."

Charlize's answer was quick and frank. She didn't want to justify her choice. Despite the months they had spent together, they weren't that close after all. A token of affection or some biscuits weren't going to change that. Not so quickly, anyway.