[b]Collab between Flamelord and Ryonara[/b]

[i][b]Previously[/b][/i]

Leaving the throne room, Endian was focused on the mission at hand. Data was compiled of what they knew about the ruins, lists drawn up of supplies they would need for offensive operations and to supply the troops, as well as tentative strategies laid down. She would need to see the battlefield itself to get a better idea of what would work, but that didn't mean that she could not plan ahead. 

Yet she had not made it to her next destination when she heard herself addressed, stopping in her tracks to look back and see Hibiki approaching her. She wasn't sure why, but presumably it was related to their upcoming mission. That would be the most pressing matter they had to deal with at the moment after all.

"Yes?" The Commander turned back to face the speaker, hands at her sides as she switched her primary focus from planning to the girl in front of her. Not that she had entirely stopped, but divided attention meant she could focus on both without really suffering in either. So for now, she waited to hear what Hibiki had to say. 

First, Hibiki bowed her head towards Endian. As her commander, it was simply curtisy for her to show respect. Once the formality was out of the way Hibiki spoke. [color=f6989d]"I just wanted to say that it was not your fault. I cannot say that I know what you're thinking, but what happened in the previous battle was chaotic and we were blindsided. While you may think that we're suppose to be better then that, it does not change the fact that you managed to make the most of an otherwise horrible position. Without your command, the Eliticor could have been completely wiped out from the combined powers of the Angels and Demons. So... I promise that in our next battle, I will do my best to fight at your level!"[/color] Shizuka walked up but stayed quiet, giving Endian a bow and smile. She let her sister do all the talking.

Endian accepted the bow and as quickly dismissed it, a military formality that she paid little heed to in her desire to get to the message. This was hardly an official audience so there was no need to be bound in protocol or what have you.

She was more surprised by what Hibiki had to say, having not expected this from the girl. Not that she did not appreciate the gesture, she had just assumed that it would not occur. There was no reason for it after all, not when those involved in the event in question would have understandably been busy with their own work. And even then Hibiki did not have the same sort of view that Endian had had for the fight, making it even more dubious that this sort of thing would have happened. 

Once Hibiki was finished though Endian wasted no time in answering, her own thoughts calculated beforehand. "Though I had not intended to dwell upon the events of the previous battle, thank you for your support. However, I would not say that I am entirely faultless in what had happened. There were warning signs of the demonic corruption that I had ignored, allowing for relative autonomy to go about fulfilling assigned tasks, and only realized when it was too late." Amongst other things, though she would not lay out a list of what she had done wrong in this fight.

Letting a soft smile grace her features, she looked between Hibiki and Shizua with a smooth gaze. "The two of you did well in battle. A Commander is only as good as effective as the soldiers under her command after all, so I'm going to hold you to that promise." Indeed, they had had one of the few successes to be pulled from that disaster. But that was for the future, when right now they had a new fight to prepare for.

[color=f6989d]"Thank you, Commander. Mistakes happen, but my sister and I shall do everything within and beyond our power to ensure no mistakes in our next battle!"[/color] Hibiki bowed again, this time with Shizuka. Once she had spoken, Shizuka chose this time to say her peice. [color=6ecff6]"It would be nice to fight alongside you, Commander. I think if you were there, you would have been able to take more control over the battle."[/color] Hibiki didn't turn towards her sister, but she did close her eyes so she could hide a fearful look. Hibiki meant to raise Endian's spirits, not critque her.

While Endian finished up the conversation with Hibiki, she had not, again, been expecting Shizuka's comment. To be fair that had hit upon a point she had been thinking about for some time now, though she had yet to decide how she would go about this. But she wasn't about to chastise them for it, when it had been nothing but a simple observation.

"There are certain aspects that would be improved by taking to the field," she agreed with a nod. "Being able to have a more direct hand in combat is one of them. But it does have some downsides as well, such as the potential elimination of a commander." Among other things, but she wouldn't go on with that. It was a fair point, and she wondered if Shizuka had considered all the potential implications when she had made her suggestion.

[color=6ecff6]"If you ever entered the battle, you should call upon Hibiki and I. We will come to your aid and protect you. There are also others you could command, such as Marquis and Grafdakka. You do not need to fight alone."[/color] Hibiki stepped next to her sister and bowed her head, elbowing her sister to do the same. [color=f6989d]"I applogize. We did not mean to use up you time with our trivialities. I'm sure there are much you need to do Commander. My sister and I will be in the city for a short while and we will return to the Eliticor to prepare out things for transfer. If we have your leave..."[/color] Hibiki and Shizuka waited for a few seconds to see if Endian had anything else to ask them before they would go.

Endian appreciated the concern that the sisters were showing for her, both in terms of conduct on the battlefield as well as their own perceived offense by having this conversation with her. It was a nice reminder, and one that she would not do to waste. They were all on the same side after all, so anything that could help her was to be taken, no matter how painful it might seem to those giving said advice. 

"Don't worry about it," she replied with a shake of her head as she looked between the two of them. "I have plenty of time for conversations such as these. The two of you should be careful as well when the next battle comes. I have a feeling the demons may be looking for their chance at revenge." They were petty like that, weren't they?

A nod then, to wrap things up. "I look forward to seeing both of you on the Contender them," she said before stepping away so they could go about their business, much as she would go about hers. They had plenty to do, and probably shouldn't delay.