[h2]Aden[/h2]

[quote=@Dyelli Beybi]
[h2]Zoe[/h2]

"Does that hurt?" Zoe asked, lightening her grip as she studied Aden's expression, "I'll try to be gentle, but it is remarkable how well you're healed considering how recently you were hit," she assured him.

"You dance well," she commented as they moved across the floor, "This may be especially arrogant of me, but I hadn't expected you to have had much of a chance to practice this art," she gave a slight, self-deprecating smile, "Idle scions of noble houses have very little else to do, most others do not."

"But as for your prior question," she said, her expression turning back to her more usual one of slight amusement, "I'm neither trying to change your opinion nor gauge it.  I have already guessed at it, and I'm usually relatively good at these things - though always excited to be wrong!  I'm merely sharing my insights into the dynamics in our merry band so that you are prepared if Mitteland proves to be a crisis point." 
[/quote]


“Yes……remarkable.” Aden answered; a gaze flashing to a certain Elgan with curiosity before he remembered that his dance partner was still talking. 

“Merchant family; always have to be ready to rub shoulders with your ilk.” Aden’s smile mirrored her self deprecating expression. “The better to line our pockets with frivolous purchases.” 

The next steps of the dance were awkward; but they managed it. He adjusted his offhand and gave a snort as Zoe ‘revealed’ her intentions. 

“Not to worry. I might not be Inburian but I’ll do my duty. At least for them.” He nodded to his arm; where his 46th Alpine patch would have hung. Though the patch was in the greatcoat which he had left in his appropriated locker. 

Upon realizing the gesture was pointless without the marking; he gave a sheepish smile. 

“My regiment…” He clarified. “…the 46th Alpine. Good lads. Got torn up on the border.”