Vasilia didn’t bother watching them go. She knew a lie when she heard one. She knew what they’d be speaking of. And it was fine! Ideal, even. Maybe if Dolce had better luck than she, Alexa would finally dispose of the bowing and scraping. That song was old, and the steps wearied her.

“Because.” She fell into a chair and draped herself carelessly across the nearby table. “She just appeared, alone, took command of the Ceronians, and demanded Redana and one of the Imperial agents brought before her. Gagged and chained, [i]very[/i] particular on that note.”

Is this making you [i]uncomfortable[/i] Galnius? Be honest; you’re not wearing your good parade face because she’d saved your life twice over, it’s because you’re [i]bothered.[/i] Does that make you a better soldier? Is that what keeps you in the phalanx line? 

“Go on then, out with it.” She cast a lazy eye over him. “Why did you [i]think[/i] I asked?”

**************************

Dolce, you will pull yourself together this! Instant!

You have a job, you silly, silly sheep! You have so many jobs. Much to do, much to do! How can you hope to get any of it done if you need Alexa to keep you from falling apart?!

So, just...just stop shaking. Stop leaning on her, and stand on your own two legs. Tell her you’re fine. Tell her what happened, and-

“She won’t tell me.”

And. Oh. That’s not-

“I couldn’t stop Jas’o. I couldn’t get the Ceronians on our side. I took too long to get back to her.”

Slow down! Get your words in the proper order, then-

“Everything’s gone wrong, and she...she…”

Open your eyes, you useless, useless-!

“She won’t [i]tell[/i] me.”

Dolce. Please. Pull yourself together. You’ve got to.

You’ve got to do your job.