As Xerox talked, Duncan's expression slowly turned stony. [b]'... I can't say I much liked your brand of ingenuity. For one, those desks are fucking expensive and they came out of [i]my[/i] annual bonus. I won't argue with your results though; whatever you did at the second tower, taking down alone went above and beyond what you'd expect from a candidate..'[/b] With a little shake, Duncan concluded that his bottle was near empty after filling Xerox's glass and repeated chugs. In one last effort, he downed the remaining contents and cast the bottle off the balcony, eliciting a shocked gasp from a passing guest. [b]'... it's not as though they can fire me for littering.',[/b] Duncan muttered dryly.

[b]'She... isn't taking things well. Understandable. I did try to get her to come enjoy the ball but I think she wanted to be alone.'[/b] Even he had noticed Eika's emotional attachment and vulnerability, and would have preferred to keep her in sight for her own sake. Duncan doubted that she would do anything unwise, but... He accepted the glass from Xerox with a grateful smile, trying to dispel his concerns. [b]'I'm sure she'll be fine. The girl just needs time and support.'[/b] [i]Which, coincidently, I will not be able to give.[/i] Duncan's report had recommended extra psychological support for Eika once he left, but breaking his promise to keep her with him wasn't easy. The wine was sweet, if a bit dry... Duncan didn't immediately reply, gazing up at the moon instead. He imagined the monsters that swarmed over the lunar surface, pictured their faces, superimposing the image of a Galbadian helmet over the top... [b]'Aye. You could say... that a blue moon rises. And whatever happens in the coming weeks, we'll be the ones to put it in it's place.'[/b] After a moment of introspection, he downed his wine and thrust the glass out to Xerox. [b]'Landlord, another round. By the way, you spent most of the mission with Charlotte, right..?'[/b] In stark contrast to his previously serious expression, Duncan's eyebrows rose and a lopsided grin crept across his face. [b]'So tell me... Did you have any R rated events out in the woods? C'mon, I can keep a secret, lay all dem juicy details on me!'[/b]