[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/9woPsTx.png[/img][/center][hr][center][h3][color=ed1c24][b]ORELLO[/b][/color][/h3][/center][hr]The brawl at the mess hall would come to an unexpectedly abrupt end as soon as the second wave of Cadets, along with Anton pretty much threw a bucket of cold water on the unruly soldiers' spirits. That and the quite bad injury Leblanc inflicted on one of them were enough to cause those who were looking for a way to waste excess stress to cool down.

[color=steelblue]"Well, look at that! It seems like you are getting used to the life in a frontier fort way far than I thought. That's really a journey full of firsts for you, right, Cadets?"[/color] Those words, said in a laid back, yet firm voice couldn't have come from anyone's mouth other than the Captain, who walked into the last moments of the fight, only to cause the rest of the soldiers to scatter around once a commissioned officer arrived at the scene. Interestingly enough, the uniform worn by the Captain matched that of Viola, except for the insignia denoting a far higher rank, of course. [color=steelblue]"By the way, one of you guys go gather everyone. I have a surprise for you— Actually, you may want to put your shirt back on for this one, Tzi,"[/color] she said, after taking a look at Tzi's usual state of undress.[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/9w5MLsl.png[/img][/center]As soon as the Captain was done with her comments, she was surprised by none other than Viola, who almost pounced at the Captain, with a bright smile stamped on her face. [color=steelblue]"Oh, Sis, you are really here, like you said you would be,"[/color] the excited girl said.

The look of surprise was quite evident on the Captain's face as she stepped forward and placed a hand over Viola's head, fixing part of the younger soldier's hair. [color=steelblue]"So, you arrived already, Viola? I thought for sure that you would not come here before me,"[/color] the Captain said. She halted her speech when she noticed that mark on Viola's face and asked, [color=steelblue]"What's this on your face? Don't say to me that you—"[/color]

[color=steelblue]"My squad was attacked by bears in the mountain,"[/color] Viola said, quickly interrupting the Captain's question, almost as if she didn't want to let her finish it, probably because she didn't want to tell the Captain about the warm reception she got earlier this morning.

[color=steelblue]"Bears!?"[/color] the Captain asked, astonished.[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/i6fLcHF.png[/img][/center]Nevertheless, they wouldn't have the chance to finish their talk since the bells of the fort began to toll right away, announcing that the convoy escorting the officer scheduled for the review had just arrived at Fort Orello. However, none of the men stationed at the distant garrison could expect to see who was it that left the main carriage and planted her greaves at the muddy, packed earth courtyard of Orello. No one but the Empire's Crown Princess, Ires, in flesh, bone and draconic armor.[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/FQBwoSr.png[/img][/center][color=9966cc]"The installations are certainly bellow the average, especially for a fortification that spent fifteen percent above the planned budget on the previous year. This definitely doesn't leave a good first impression,"[/color] the stern looking girl said to the fort's commander, who rushed to the gates, in order to meet her unexpectedly early arrival.

"I'm most sorry for the state of the fort, Your Highness. We were expecting your arrival for tomorrow, this wasn't supposed to—" the Commander said, trying to make up for the bad first impression as well as he could. Suddenly, a malicious gleam shone on his smile as he said, "Yes, indeed, everything was in order, until we received those Cadets from Cadenza and the Aquarians—"

[color=9966cc]"Your excuses are of no concern of mine, Commander,"[/color] the Princess said harshly, interrupting the Commander's grovelling. [color=9966cc]"It's your responsibility to keep your own garrison in perfect order at all times. Yet,"[/color] the Princess said as she walked past the Commander, reaching the aftermath of the mess brawl, [color=9966cc]"I see that you are having trouble keeping even your men on the line."[/color]

The Princess turned her gaze toward the standing Cadets as as well as the Captain, Anton and Viola, prompting the last three to drop their conversation and salute her with posthaste.

Interestingly enough, the next words to come out of the Princess' lips were kind of unexpected, at least for Viola. However, the Captain was quite aware of what to expect from one of her former pupils, as the was made evident by the slight smile on her face. [color=9966cc]"Commander,"[/color] she said, addressing the Commander once more, [color=9966cc]"given that you need to fix this mess for tomorrow's review, but just as you say, the Cadets and the Aquarians are in the way. I declare that they are to take a night's leave at Orello Village. All expenses shall be covered by the Imperial Court, under my name. Meanwhile, your men are to work at double pace, if this fort isn't ready to be review by dawn's first light, cutting your budget by half will be the least of your worries,"[/color] the Princess declared, smiling back to the Captain before leaving to the interior of the fort with the Commander in toll.