Isaac was off checking stuff elsewhere, so let's focus on Britta, for now.

As stated before, there had always been something about the look in Diana's eyes that concerned the silver-gray Gunner, from a furrowed brow to a deep feeling of worry, dependent on the time of day or how she acting was at the time.  The thing of it was that Diana seemed a rather sensitive sort for battle.  Okay, who among them was [i]really[/i] ready for this?  The few that seemed that they were naturally-born for combat were equally scared by its dangers in some way or another.  Isaac himself had said he was damn good at this, but he hated it thoroughly, and of course Britta had made her decision to go into battle willingly.  Diana seemed like someone put-upon and cracking around the edges, sort of like with the pressures that Jean had to absorb, or like Lucia, but without specifically command or Middleton to reinforce that feeling.  It just seemed like a genuine 'I wasn't meant for this sort of life'...at least until now, when Diana was breaking down over something that was definitely more than Luke shouting at her or the war in general  This was why she asked Diana, point-blank, what was wrong.

What she found out answered a number of questions regarding Diana, in general, as well as the personal.

To begin with, her family were all sympathizers of the Darcsens, and therefore would pick up any sort of verbal abuse from others for having done such.  People would likely drag the Vastergoth name through the mud for doing that if they hated Darcsens enough.  This explained both the pride in her family name and even why - on top of the Corporal just having that effect on ladies as he did - Diana seemed fairly attracted to Jean, or even possibly obsessed.  He had charm and her family was especially friendly towards them.  Even still, her actual distress was in beign reminded of that Richard Donster.  He joined while Diana was forced by conscription, and given his hatred of Darcsens in a sharper way than Luke, it sounded like they were big family rivals...but he seemed different when she saw him later.

[i][color=ed1c24][b]Strange...  Perhaps the harshness of the war got to him or he actually felt bad that someone of a big family name was being put through this.  That first battle was a make-or-break for us all.  Hell, I feel like Michael was probably alot more cheerful before it all started.  At least, I hope so.[/b][/color][/i]

From there, she began to start talking of personal family business, indicating that things at home could be pleasant...right up until one of her siblings spoiled it for everyone else, up to and including an apparent intention to marry Richard.  Definitely a family feud there, and perhaps a third reason as to why Richard would have to somewhat 'make polite' with Diana...being forced to think of her as a relative, no matter how much he probably didn't like it.  Big family business wasn't something that Britta really had experience with.  [i]Isaac[/i] had a bigger family, and he was only somewhat different from her in lifestyle.  'Just a simple farmer, me', was his tag-line.  Diana didn't belong here anymore than he did, and it was tearing at her almost as much as her family problems.

And then, there was the question of greed...  That seemed to be a strong motivator in the family issue, as well.  Michael worked on answering that one.  Honestly, Britta just felt that greed was largely a dark temptation of the world held onto by those who just want too much, to the point where they deny it of others in an unhealthy and obsessive way, but Michael had a take on it that was surprisingly deep.  She let him champion this end of things, and then the Gunner would do as Gunners did: Give plenty of support.  As he said, sometimes it was all about finding something that is treasured dearly, and just wanting it more to oneself.  That wasn't [i]wrong[/i], per se, but it could seem overtly selfish in the eyes of others.  The only thing Britta objected to was that hope and prayer alone was all you needed.  That was nice, but...let's be honest...it was what you did when you couldn't think of anything else, when all other ideas failed and you needed a miracle.  Maybe Diana was at the end of a long chain, unable to grab a link higher, maybe not.  What she wanted, at this point, was to make Diana feel like all hope was not lost because she might accomplish something if she set her mind to it.

[color=ed1c24][b]"It sounds like what you want most is for your family to feel more like family and less of a competition, where your own family members would do anything to get some sort of an edge on you.  If you really disapprove of Astra's actions, more than a mere sibling rivalry would incur, you should talk her out of it before she makes the mistake of forever associating your family with one that is so-greatly opposed to your personal values.  And I mean that in more than just saving the family name, but because Richard sounds so hateful that he might end up harming your sister somehow just to get at the rest of you.  He sounds petty enough."[/b][/color]

She came closer to Diana, to make sure she had proper eye contact for this, because this was what was most important.

[b][color=ed1c24]"If it hurts this much, then protect your family, Diana, and get them to see you as the caring person you are so that they won't be so spiteful."[/color][/b]

She didn't know if that would really work, but it was a start, and from there...[i]that's[/i] where you apply the hope.