demiurgos_girl | [Action]

[The heat is getting to Elaine more than she's letting on. She's in the supply room, repairing rifles and fixing up the other materials they'd need for the war. If anyone came in with a rifle to be repaired, she was more than happy to take it, giving them a big smile. Other recruits would enter now and then, and she'd offer them a nice long drink from her canteen. But if no one is watching, she grimaces, and has to pause in her work because the frustration makes her hands shake.

Frustration at the heat was one thing, but what really got to her was her condition. A lack of magic means several things, mainly that she's back to being blind, because she can't use her magic to see. Any rifles she repairs are done by feel only, and working her way around the supply room is a pain. Not to mention she's back to looking like a twelve year old, which means that most people give her easy jobs, or don't really trust her with their rifles. She hates feeling like she isn't helping as much as she could be, and often practices her french by muttering angrily about being blind and young. Not to mention the lack of any real activity means she's bored out of her mind. She had spent the first day in the infirmary because of her blindness, but that was waaaay too dull, and eventually she had convinced the officer in charge of the supplies to let her help.

Even more frustrating than her condition or the heat is that she knows the rifles she's fixing are eventually going to be used to kill people. Stupid wars. Stupid fighting. But... when the Legion called, well... it's her duty. And she never turns that down.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Dressed in a somewhat dusty recruit's uniform, Hotaru joins Elaine in the supply room.]

I've brought you more water, Elaine. In case you're running out.

[The voice in the tent is a familiar one, and Elaine reaches out a hand in its general direction.] You really didn't have to, but thanks. [The truth was that Elaine had given most of her water away.] It's not like I'm being active right now, anyway.

You're working hard, that's what matters. [Hotaru presses a full canteen into the outstretched hand, making sure Elaine has it before letting go.]

I've just been relieved from my watch. Would you like any help in here?

I wouldn't say I'm working hard. [She gives a small sigh, as she runs her hands over several disassembled parts of a rifle. She starts to arrange them in a certain pattern.] How long were you on watch? If you just finished, you should rest here. I'd like the company.

If you won't mind. I'd probably just get in the way if I tried to help--you seem to know what you're doing better than me.

[Hotaru moves a crate over to sit on and watches Elaine work.] It was rest in the heat by myself or rest in here with you, and I'd rather have heat and good company than just heat.

[Once the pieces are in place, Elaine starts to assemble them. It's basically all muscle memory at this point, since she knows where each piece is.] You should have seen me when I started, yesterday. The sergeant who was teaching me almost gave up. But once you get the hang of it, it's pretty simple.

[Hotaru's words make her smile broadly.] That's really nice of you to say so. It really is sweltering, isn't it?

[She nods even though Elaine can't see her, and fans herself lazily, like she knows it isn't going to do much good.] It really is. It makes me miss the snow.

We really can't have normal weather. It's either too hot or too cold.

Do you miss your home much, Elaine?

[It's a difficult question. Elaine thinks for a few moments before she responds, and when she does her tone isn't quite sentimental, but matter-of-fact.] I haven't had a real home in a long time. If you asked me where I lived, I'd be able to answer you. But is it a home? [Her most recently life had been one as a guardian spirit protecting a whole universe. And a universe wasn't quite personal enough to be called a home.] I miss lots of people though. I think about them all the time. [Her tone sounds more melancholy now, and she pauses in the assembly of the rifle.]

Do you miss yours?

[It's a difficult question for Hotaru, too, and she sits in silence briefly while she considers. She hadn't been meant to survive past the age of four or five, and most of her life had been spent in physical discomfort and emotional alienation. Add to that the recently awakened other side of her, and she barely even knew who she was herself anymore, or where she fit in.] I was only just beginning to enjoy it when I had to leave. I never had before that.

From one homeless situation to another. [Elaine continues working.] And now we're out in the desert, part of a famous army, cleaning rifles and polishing boots. Who'd have ever thought? [She grins to herself.]

[Hotaru can't help a small smile.] Well, I'd have never gotten to go to Africa under normal circumstances.

Me neither, probably. Especially out in the desert where there aren't any people.

It's not the place I'd have chosen, I guess, but it's something.

[Action]

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