[h2]Aden[/h2]

Aden for all of his troubles, experiences and brashness of youth; looked sheepish as he flicked a bit of ash into a tray.

“Ah well… I got drunk in a bar.” He motioned at the brandy. Taking another puff of his cigarette before continuing. “My family are traders. I was in Inbur to learn the ropes so to speak. Get a handle of the family business. Out ship was docked and I snuck off for some unchaperoned shore leave. I went to the more unsavory side of town. My accent stood out. Someone took offense to it. I took offense to their offense.”

He shrugged. A slight amused smile as he tapped a cheek.

“Inburian boy had a hell of a right hook. Too bad for him my uppercut was better.”

Another puff of his cigarette. 

“Spent a night in the drink tank. Woke up to them hauling me to court. Thought I was a different drunkard; a habitual fighter. One constable though gave me a choice. Said I could join the army and the charges would all be dropped.”

Aden pulled out his lighter again. The battered unit lighter with the 46th Alpine’s insignia on one side. The Inburian standard on the other. A slight smile on his face.

“I took it. At the time it seemed to good to be true. A new life away from my familial obligations. A pardon from crimes that I was being accused of. Adventure and glory….” 

The smile died at the last part. 

“I don’t regret joining up. Serving your country. Fine men. Good brothers and friends. Just wish I wasn’t here seeing the world burn in front of me. Don’t even know who’s…”

A few beats of silence as Aden’s face turned from mournful to thoughtful. 

“Say you don’t think that they would publish a list of casualties right? From the front? Like an obituary…. It would be in a newspaper right??!! Or a pamphlet.” 

He seemed to be getting excited. Not for the morbidity of the subject but rather the possibility, the hope, that someone he knew was still out there. Or at the very least not [i]confirmed[/i] dead. 

Not matter how slim. 

[@Dyelli Beybi ]