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[sub][color=Silver][i]The Siege of Amone, September 10th - [b]'What if I wasn't here?'[/b][/i][/color][/sub]
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[color=Silver]	Clearly his sly attempt to slide into Diana's conversation had gone rather well as she seemed to flourish a redder tone than usual, blemishing out her brightest features with a single glow. A grin kept itself plastered upon Jean's sweetly cleaned face from earlier that morning, where he had a nice bath before the interruptions of the hallucination. He slightly missed being able to flirt casually with people like Diana and Reyna, which was something he didn't do that often in the most recent days of their time in Amone. It made his heart beat faster than it usually did and a fit of uncontrollable smiles would always encircle the regular calmness he rarely had. Diana was a sweetheart, no doubt, just like Reyna and Kalisa, but much like the other two she had her own unique personality and set of traits that was unmatched and different in its own way. Reyna had elegance on her side. Kalisa had a lovely aura of self-control. Diana? Well, Diana had the most alluring personality of them all, seemingly going out her way to actively let everyone know what she liked in as polite of a way as she could make it. It was like a slightly more [i]experienced[/i] version of Lucia in that everything had to be straight forward and there was little restriction to what her filter went through, but in a way Jean kind of liked that about her. Honest did go a long way, even though Diana's first honesty was enough to make Jean stagger back in utter surprise upon Hill 58. Even then, Diana had a rather womanly figure to herself, which Jean hadn't actually taken any time to awe upon, mainly because of the highly embarrassing factor that Jean held some form of moral dignity when it came to his first triad of romantic interests. Here, however, it was hard not to. Diana seemed to have her uniform a bit more relaxed than before, as if only hours before she'd stripped them down completely and ignored the privacy they provided. Jean didn't specifically know that this was actually part of the truth or that her devilish failed bet with Luke was now a topic of discussion, but even then he smiled at her once he fully gathered and realised her physique.

	Jean felt himself fluster slightly when Diana sweetly shot back with her true preference of Jean's flirting, finding it somewhat flattering himself that she thought that way still. At first, he didn't know how to react, knowing that Jean's first attempt at flirting with her was more of an embarrassment technique with a hint of passion laced within it, and from her response he felt a mischievous grin circumnavigate his emotions before he let a phrase or two slip out quietly, enough for only Diana and himself to contemplate.[/color]

[color=Aqua][b]"I'm more than happy to stare for longer then."[/b][/color] [color=Silver]Oh god. Jean had already dropped the ball and felt himself grow brightly red in the face. He pulled himself away from her quickly before exploding into a panicked state of embarrassment and confusion as to why he took the flirting further than he usually did.[/color] [color=Aqua][b]"A-Ahhh, sorry I didn't...I didn't mean to...uhm...So how are you?"[/b][/color] [color=Silver]It was definitely not a smooth transition, his attempt at changing the subject, and by all means was it as coarse as the memories previously flashing through Jean's broken mind, but for some reason it felt rather genuine of him to apologise. He was still far too inexperienced with this sense of courteous flirtation and romantic pursuit. Before his invitation to the 15th Atlantic Rifles, the Darcsen had no experience of friendship other than that of his very own flesh and blood, Olivia. It was a huge leap to be going after someone with the intentions of potentially committing an oath of love towards for the coming years, but Jean was still truly desperate to fill that empty hole still cascading his heart. It needed filling, and the longer it remained open and empty the more it would spread around the rest of his body.

	Diana was quick to change the subject to, giving him a rather well-thought question that was sure to trip him up. Jean himself was thoughtful about what she asked, his impressions on everyone else to be specific, and instead found himself chuckling to himself with nervousness and a strange, coy smile. Was he really being asked this? Either way, Jean needed a good distraction, and thinking about everyone he'd sworn to protect seemed to be a good place to start, despite the fact he'd have to honestly open up some of his more radical feelings towards a few specific squadmates under his command. Her quizzing was carefully planned, or perhaps brought out of a state of random trails of thought, but it did help immensely with the previous melancholy he suffered from. Jean stared at her for a moment, contemplating on who to start with and how to give his honest opinion of Kalisa, Reyna and Diana herself. Eventually, he took a deep breath and nodded, finally finding his place to begin.[/color]

[color=Aqua][b]"How I feel about everyone? Well...I'll start somewhere dim. Luke: not a fan of him. Bigotry doesn't settle well in my stomach, if you hadn't of guessed by my...uhm...embarrassing outburst towards him. I can't deny that he [i]might[/i] be doing his job as a soldier well, but that only gets you so far in my books. I guess I could come onto the Occies: Thomas is pretty calm and collected, only just met Victoria and Freya is a bit [i]out-there[/i] but genuinely pleasant to converse with. Michael strikes me as a great guy, and I really enjoy talking to him. Haven't had many serious conversations because of him being swarmed by Lucia's adorableness, but he's a very philanthropic individual, and I can't help but relate to that."[/b][/color] [color=Silver]He paused for a minute, losing himself into looking at Diana again, her eyes and physique once more with a strange awkwardness to his mind. He knew he had to talk about Diana, and the other two beauties, very soon in order to answer her question truthfully. That was the part Jean was not particularly looking forward towards.[/color] [color=Aqua][b]"I...don't think a lot about the other new recruits, Gwyn and that lot. They seem nice, but I can't say I've spoken to them much. Franz is an alright chap, but has a lot weighing on his shoulders, same as me, so I can feel some empathy. Ines has her quirks, and...ability to be quite loud, I suppose. Isaac and Britta are a nice duo, and I enjoy Isaac's support that he's shown the squad and me personally over these last few months. And then..."[/b][/color]

[color=Silver]	He stopped for a second, eyeing up Diana as she must've known her name was amongst the final three to be mentioned. Jean felt his cheeks blare a bright red once more as he tried to spit it out but failed several times, clearly embarrassed by the truth of his attraction. Why did she specifically have to ask about his honest impressions of everyone else? If she had just missed out that one word he wouldn't have felt so inclined and pressured to open up about something so secretive and benevolent as such. His face blemished more and more as the pressure built up. Oh god, this was really the true feeling of being put on the spot, wasn't it? He felt sorry for all those who'd been through this years and years before his life had even began. Eventually, Jean plucked up some small courage and lowered his voice to a gentle whisper, one enough to soothe Diana for sure.[/color]

[color=Aqua][b]"Well...w-well there's you, Diana, and there's also Kalisa and Reyna. I'm...well...I guess it's...it's only fair to say that...uhm...I may...just [i]maybe[/i], have...developed a really...really...really strong attraction to...all three of y-you."[/b][/color] [color=Silver]What didn't help was Diana's wholesome comment on Jean's eyes and how beautiful they were, causing him to shake his head and fluster wildly without any understanding of how to take the situation. Why was romance so hard and embarrassing? It felt as hard as Franz probably was around Ines, and that in itself was a rather discomforting thought to cross his Francian mind. Jean began to wildly apologise for the mini breakdown of his revelation, having shown that he was indeed attracted to Diana, as well as Kalisa and Reyna as much as herself.[/color] [color=Aqua][b]"I-Ignore that I...I am just being honest!"[/b][/color]

[color=Silver]	Luckily for Jean, Diana went off on her own tangent about some revelations of her past, talking about the family she seemed to have bad connections with. Jean himself began to listen with intrigue and genuine curiosity. It felt a bit tragic that she had a family still around, yet the simple mentioning of their name felt more like a burden than an actual motive to keep pressing on. For that reason, Jean couldn't find any words to say then and there, instead sitting in silence and nodding his head as she continued. God, the weight of everyone's own separate burdens was enough to really unsettle Jean, making him feel more depressed that the world was treating these good people worse and worse with each passing day. It was unfair and downright sickening to imagine Europa being as sickly as it was to its own graceful occupants, even the ones who were not permitted to even bring any harm to a flower if they so could. He sighed heavily, before his eyes were caught off guard by someone standing beside him. Jean felt the tap on his shoulder and turned his head, finding that the small and innocent Lucia was stood before him with a somewhat eager look on her face. It was strange seeing that, as apparently only moments before she was drunk off-of-her-mind from a single pint glass. Either way, Jean could take the hint, and told Lucia he'd be just a second, watching her roam off on her own to another corner of the room, awaiting Jean's arrival.

	With that now said, Jean turned towards Diana, giving her one wholesome smile to try and follow up from his minor confession of attraction towards her, Kalisa and Reyna in one go, before leaving an open-minded statement to keep her company as he begged his own departure. It was rather devilish of him to keep some sort of romantic undertone to what he said, but in that moment, Jean didn't care if she took it that way. At least there was some comfort in her, Kalisa or even Reyna taking any of his flirts into a romantic mindset.[/color]

[color=Aqua][b]"I might go to bed after I talk to Lucia, here. So, if you need me at all, and I mean anything at all, just come and find me and I'll see if I can help. Have a pleasant night, Diana, if I hadn't already made it that way."[/b][/color] [color=Silver]Jean placed his hand atop of Diana's head, patting it gently and ruffling around her neatened long hair with a large grin on his face. It must've made her a bit shy from the phantom head-patting that Jean could deliver. Either way, giving her one last look, and even contemplating waiting around to see if Diana wanted to take the conversation any further, Jean turned and made his way over towards Lucia, who was eagerly bouncing around in her seat.[/color]

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[color=A9FF7D][b]"Sooooooo, Mr Robin-Charpentier...What's it like?"[/b][/color] [color=Silver]For the past ten minutes, Jean had sat in silence watching her guzzle down her night's meal with a happiness glowing all over her face. Every shovelling of food that entered into her mouth was followed by a strangely pleasured moan of satisfaction, one that was surely enough to turn Michael's head into a state of uncontrolled fantasy. However, these noises were just for the food she was eating for the moment. Some form of slab of meat, a steak of beef perhaps, and for the time Jean waited for her to finally say something she'd already cleaned half of her plate with immense power. She seemed to have a strangely elegant taste for food, as if she'd been starved for years before. Though the thought of that backtracked to something he'd been meaning to ask her, about a particular Captain of interest. Unfortunately for him, Lucia was first to draw her question like an outlaw fighting in the ranches of Vinland.[/color]

[color=Aqua][b]"I'm...sorry, what do you mean?"[/b][/color] [color=Silver]Lucia followed his confusion with her regularly girlish giggle, one that really brought out the youth and inexperience of her mind and body. Lucia really didn't belong here on the frontlines, probably the least of everyone else. Whilst Jean was mentally unequipped to handle the stress of war, Lucia didn't even have the correct age entitled to her actions. There was a shyness in everything she did, whether that was laughing or talking. Jean still couldn't shake the image of her crying in the trenches of Hill 58, back when she'd finally been relieved of her anti-coward duty that Middleton had forced upon her. Was that a common practice for soldiers who were considered weaker? Either way, there was a lot of questions that needed to be asked after this randomised topic had gone out of the way.[/color]

[color=A9FF7D][b]"Having a sibling, silly. I heard you have an older sister, and I read some of your letters the other night whilst you were on watch duty, asleep on Reyna's thighs."[/b][/color] [color=Silver]The adorable innocence of how she put it made Jean flurry into a straight crimson red, far redder than he'd been around Diana only moments before. Was it really that obvious for her? Why was she also snooping through his letters [i]again[/i]? This must've been the sixth time, the previous five being on the train to Amone. Where had this habit and lack of tactful privacy come from? Either way, it suited her adorableness further as she giggled again at his response.

	However, Jean didn't smile immediately, knowing that she didn't seem aware of what had happened to Olivia. Jean sighed and put one of his hands beneath his chin, resisting the urge to drop down onto the table and slam it harshly against the wooden surface. At least here, he could compose himself a little clearer than he could if he broke down yet again. For once, he tried to push out all the angry and sad thoughts considering her mentioning of her sister; clearly Lucia had no idea of what had truly happened.[/color]

[color=Aqua][b]"Uh...yeah...[i]had[/i] a sister. She was killed in the first year of the war."[/b][/color] [color=Silver]Lucia's face instantly dropped as soon as Jean said so, which made Jean's heart melt immediately. She had a pure look on her face that made anyone feel guilt when her pouting of sadness or realisation of a mistake came into light. For a moment, Jean could figure out why Michael was so attracted to her, as her angelic representation shone brighter than any flare that was shot on the fields of Garnia a few days before the charge. Jean quickly shook his head and tried to defuse the situation by continuing with her question, hoping to shed some light on the situation.[/color] [color=Aqua][b]"It's...uhh...it's amazing though. You have someone you think you take for granted, wishing they weren't related to you, but when they're gone you truly understand why they were as great as they were. They are there whenever you feel low and defend you from any metaphysical thoughts and unpleasantness on a daily basis. Guardians, as my sister would always describe elder siblings as. And to me, she was and still is the best guardian that could've ever lived."[/b][/color]

[color=A9FF7D][b]"Aww, that's so sweet Jean!"[/b][/color] [color=Silver]Lucia curled up on her chair, finally letting some tears slowly trickle down her face. Jean had clearly failed in preventing her tears, but she at least seemed to be smiling whilst her emotions once again started to take the best of her. An emotional wreck, she was, but Jean could relate. Suddenly, she chirped up and poked Jean on the face, causing him to freeze in confusion with what she had to say next.[/color] [color=A9FF7D][b]"I never had a sibling. Jean, can you be my older brother?"[/b][/color]

[centre][sub][@Landaus Five-One][/sub][/centre]