[h2]Gillian[/h2]
The walk back was thankfully uneventful, a fact that Gillian was somewhat grateful for. Nori, however, pestered him endlessly, as though the skeleton they found was in and of itself proof of the Cal girls innocence and he should make good on his promise to make it up to her. He largely ignored  the bunny, much to her ire. If Cal decided he owed her, he’d pay up, if only to stop the lagomorphs insistence. 

He trudges quietly towards the captains office, mentally prepping himself for some lecture or another. Hardly the first he’d heard from Fanlily’s type. All romance for the order, no recognition of the realities of their profession. Best just to nod and agree mindlessly while checking off the bingo card. He barely took notice of the group of knights around two decidedly unknightly visitors. Wasn’t his job to entertain the guest, and he was more than glad to leave it to someone else. 

[h2]Livius[/h2]
Vizer regarded the young man. “Oh, you misunderstand. The goal here is to make the captain look more like a credible threat. While some of your order is great, there are next to none of you who can raise an army on their reputation alone. Much less turn one away.” He says, patting the boys back. “Don’t take it personally. Figure head she might be, but as a figurehead she stands to carry more clout than the order itself. Comes with being chosen by gods and whatnot. You’ve still got much to provide to the people of Thaln, just…on a smaller scale over all.  ‘N I wouldn’t worry about getting him to speak to her, was the plan after all.”

Livius meanwhile spoke up. “Apologizes then….didn’t get your name ma’am. If you like, I can explain in your native language, if I k now it. And as for you…” He says, turning to Markus, “If I’d reason to think you more competent I would. But as it stands, the only thing keeping me from /building/ a better army is a lack of resources and time.” Given his tone and reputation, he atleast thought that wasn’t a boast. “But as it stands, I’m stuck with cast offs and the few good people who lead them to dea-“

He is cut off as a familiar weight slams into him, knocking the breath from his lungs. “Who the hell dare-“ He starts, the trio of golems behind him tensing up while he looks down to look at his new assailant. There is a sudden hush that falls, before a decidedly unnoble squeak of affection escapes the man. “Bunny~” He says loud enough for it to echo across the room, returning the hug tightly. Any air of menace and dignity vanishing and the golems stand awkwardly, unsure how to respond to this. 

Meanwhile, Nori tightly grabs onto her ears and suddenly takes up position behind the captain, expecting someone to come for her. “oh gods not again….” She mumbles. 

“Just a lil’ job to kill off some nasty bad people with your captain my lil’ bunny. Gods you’re so tall! I bet you and snuggles are the envy of the whole court by now!” he says, voice booming with affection one might reserve for a very young child. Vizer, for his part, just stares in awe of this, as dumbfounded as the golems. 
The hug holds for a moment, and Livius even considers apologizing for his earlier rudeness to the others, before a sudden lightness fills him. Is…is this inner peace? He’s not felt in such a way for a long time. Perhaps he’d been dealing with things in an overly cynical why is the ground coming closer?

The young mage lands with a satisfying crunch into the stone floor, glasses cracking on impact. He takes the sudden act of violence fairly well, rolling into a seating position after the assault. The golems still stand, confused, Vizer suddenly letting out ruckus laughter. “She-she” He starts between gasps. “The midget totally just stomped your shit!” He eventually manages to blurt. 

Livius rolls his neck a few times, ignoring the man. “Yes yes. It was very funny.” He says, coldness now returning. “Seems you’ve inherited more than just mother’s looks Bunny. That was a devil of a hit.” He adds, before Nero comes in to reign in their sister. “Snuggles!” He says, voice preparing to return to its former warmth before his neck protested for him to remember the last hug he got. “Ah..ahem. Surprised to see you here Nero. Mother said you were with a crew of your own making last we spoke.” He says standing. “I hope you’re both well, and I will love to catch up with both of you, but I should really speak to your captain. Lives and more important things being at stake.”