Bushman501

~ Valkyria Chronicles - Changing of the Guard ~

September 9, 1914

---

Reyna knew that there were those people out there that did not like the Darcsen race. She herself neither liked or disliked them any more than any other person. However, many like Luke fell onto the dislike side. However, the way Luke showed his dislike was what made Reyna visibly cringe. Ok, that is a dumb move. Why are you letting something that happened in the past so many years ago affect your opinion now? She was not entirely true if that was the actual case, but either way Luke wasn't very smart in this situation, especially since there were several Darcsens already in the squad.

After some time and picking up one of those improvised weapons, Reyna heard the roar of a engine. The engine would have been a welcome sight if it wasn't in the form of an Imperial attack. With Jean ordering them into the buildings, she followed Jean's group into them with a healthy dose of fear inside her. She was scared, but this was war. Rich or poor, darcsen or brunette, it did not care and it was about to show this to Reyna as she moved to make sure a room was clear via a doorway. A lesson Reyna would learn about urban warfare: that doors were the most dangerous spots.

A bullet grazed by the side of her torso, the pain barely registering to Reyna as she saw an Imperial already inside the room, a rifle raised at her direction and starting to work a bolt. However, Reyna's carbine was lighter and more suited to close quarters than a long rifle, as such Reyna with shaky hands aimed at the Imperial. Squeezing the trigger, the shot could have gone much better if she wasn't so shaky, the bullet would have went through the man's chest. Instead, however, it hit the shoulder, jerking the rifle away as the bolt was finished and the man instinctively fired into the floor. Knowing she won't have time to work the bolt again, Reyna dropped the rifle and took out her entrenching tool, rushing towards the pained Imperial.

The Imperial in turn drew his knife and held it towards Reyna, the girl swinging the tool at the Imperial, hitting him in weakened arm. However, at the same time the Imperial slashed her upper-right leg, blood trickling down it as she prepared another attack. Luck, again, was on Reyna side as the Imperial missed his next swing toward his intended spot, instead the knife getting a small stab into someplace with some cushioning: her tool kit, and Reyna's tool hit him upside the head, knocking him back. At this point, Reyna instinctively kept attacking, the fight response the most dominant here, and finally the man was knocked down from the consistent assault. As a final act, Reyna drove the shovel's blade right into the neck of the man, finally ending his life and ending the encounter.

Reyna stood there, looking down at the now-dead man with horror as she started to feel a small pain in three spots. Adrenaline kept the pain dulled for now, but that coming pain will pale in comparison to the shock of realizing that she, for the first time in her entire life, killed someone. "No, no time for this now! The others need you!" she said to herself, snapping out of it for the moment and running with a wince to others, calling to them that the room was clear.

~ Valkyria Chronicles - Changing of the Guard ~

September 9, 1914

---

Before Reyna left to go see Michael, she answered Diana's question. "What we make? Just industrial machinery and the parts of it. Dad always loved machinery and progress." A smile creeped on Reyna's face as she remembered her father: a good man and a loving father. A philanthropist that told Reyna to be humble with the less fortunate, for he also started as one of them. It took his entire life to build Hall Industries to the way it is now. Anyone could rise the top through perseverance and hard work, but they did not have to. They needed to rise up enough to achieve their dreams and do what they want in life.

However, that was not what Reyna was thinking when when both Diana and Jean made their comments to her after she teased Jean bashfully when he held her hand. Diana's comment of her looking cute as she blushed and Jean asking why she can't handle a little handhold. Truthfully, both combined comments made her laugh more but embarrassed her more at the same time. She didn't know what to say to either of them, instead dismissing herself to see Michael, who wanted to see the sappers anyway.

Upon reaching Michael, she found out what Michael wanted and was quite happy she answered his call: he was scribbling a map that could possibly be used in the tunnel system the sappers will have to go in eventually. Reyna herself was not artistic, but she could already tell that Michael had the practice of a well-educated individual. Giving her the piece of paper that could become precious, Reyna gave a small smile to the short man "Thank you. I appreciate it."

Upon returning to her part of the group, they continued on to the inside of the city. Jean once again talked to her and tried to tease her again. Though Reyna felt the blush coming to her cheeks and her bashfulness said otherwise, she had to reply to Jean with a small giggle. "J-Jean? Did anyone ever tell you you're a big f-flirt?" She meant this playfully of course, but Reyna nodded to Jean's next comment about the city. "Yeah, it is a shame. It would have been a nice place to visit with mom, dad and my brothers." From what she heard, Amone was quite the beautiful place, somewhere she would have loved to visit when there was no war.

Despite the destruction around her, however, Reyna had a small amount of confidence inside of her as they met up with another soldier, Ines by the looks of it, and started making her way through the breach. Although nearly forgetting about the cavalry charge, she won't ever forget it. Instead, despite her happiness and energy her heart was steeling itself for what was to come as she observed everyone around her. Stay strong, Reyna. No matter what happens...you can do this. A random thought came out of nowhere, however, as her eyes looked at Diana. Now that she looked at the Vastergoth woman, Reyna recalled hearing a small bit from Diana's hushed mutter. Something about an Astra. Although she didn't remember everything that was said, something told her that there was more to Diana than was meeting the eye. However, she also had the feeling that it was personal and not something to pry about.

@LetMeDoStuff@Conscripts@Landaus Five-One

~ Valkyria Chronicles - Changing of the Guard ~

September 9, 1914

---

After witnessing the slaughter, Reyna felt her head turned toward Jean, but not in any aggressive manner. Instead it was gently, as if she was a fragile piece of glass. Her mind was going a million miles per hour by the time she processed what Jean said. Her? Oh, Jean meant his sister. The pendant she was wearing was his sister's. With the mention of that, Reyna instinctively reached up to the pendant and gave a smile to Jean. Diana also came over and told them a little about their home.

Thinking about home began to calm her down, something that Reyna and in fact all of them needed. Only when she was calmed down was she able to see the logic behind everything: Jean was trying to distract everyone from going deep into the pits of insanity. It was good a good idea and one that she's seen her father use often when bad times hit on a lesser scale. A small amount of admiration in Jean's thinking rose up in Reyna before replying, not with any smile but neither with a frown, to the darcsen and Diana. "Oh...Interesting. I loved going to the local bakery in Darport! That's not a bad house either, but uh, I live in a mansion in a country town. It's really beautiful out there, with the rolling green hills and forests, not to mention the nice people! My family is kinda wealthy and own Hall Industries so we never had any problem with doing what we wanted." She heard Michael call for the sappers, but Rina decided that could wait until she was done fixing herself and tending to what Jean and the others surrounding her wanted first. One step at a time, Reyna.

That was when Middleton came back and told them to keep Lucia alive at all costs and to not put her into danger, even as they would be fighting against some legendary marksman or through a city filled with Imperials. That sparked alarm bells in Reyna's head. Wait...so if she's so important to not be harmed, why is she being put into the most possible danger? Her's was not to question why, but she questioned anyway. Was it a management mistake? Or was Middleton having some kind of relationship with Lucia?

However, something more immediate shook Reyna out of her thoughts as she felt her hand being grabbed and her heart skipping a beat as she looked to see who the culprit was: Corporal Jean Charpentier. A little redness rose in her cheeks as Reyna found herself subject to an apology. After hearing those words, Reyna started to giggle, with it getting worse by the second as she found the situation humorous and embarrassing at the same time. "G-Geez Jean! I didn't know you were so daring!" Reyna joked with a smile and a small blush. "Yeah, let's go. But first I need to see what Michael needs." With that, Reyna turned around with an attempt at a stifled giggle and went to see Michael, as he called for the sappers.

@LetMeDoStuff@Conscripts@Landaus Five-One

~ Valkyria Chronicles - Changing of the Guard ~

September 9, 1914

---

Well..end of the line. Reyna thought to herself as the train came to a stop. She knew what it meant: they all had to disembark to another battlefield. Although to those that came aboard the train on the way to Amone would have thought of her as some kind of veteran, the reality was she was far from it. Inside, she was still unshaken by the horrors of war, the horrors that she has yet to see. She just hoped that her training kicked in when they did come, for she felt that all would come crashing down at the worst possible moment. Still, her parents and friends believed that she'd be able to get through it, and so she held on to that hope that she would.

Getting off the train and listening to Middleton's speech, who was now a captain, Reyna went over to change into the new uniform. For a second, Reyna reminisced getting into a dress. Although sometimes against her will when she insisted on dressing herself, the hired maids of the family have helped her do this task before. Usually, there was a lot of preparation and adjustments. Now? Reyna was all by herself. The uniform was a little tight on the chest, but other than that it was within acceptable comfortable limits. At least it felt more comfortable than the old uniform.

After getting everything situated, Reyna reported to Jean and the rest of what will be her "squad." She listened to Jean's words and briefing as he started patting everyone on the back...except herself and Kalisa. Instead he spoke words to them. At first, Reyna did not know what to think. Then came the compliment of Kalisa being a badass and some hesitation afterward, as if Jean was trying to pick his words. Sweet..what? At the same time she thought that, her name was said. The gist of the conversation, as far as Reyna saw, was "don't die." Reyna was used to herself being singled out for conversations occasionally: after all many wanted to have conversations with her, some vying for her affection and some not. It depended on what was going on.

"Don't worry Jean. We'll be fine and won't lose anything! Take care of yourself too." Reyna replied with a smile while adjusting her harness. Where was this talk with Diana? Reyna thought for a moment before looking up at Kalisa, noting that as a darcsen Kalisa was a pretty one. Maybe it was because Jean was talking to two pretty girls and was unused to speaking to women? She'll have to ask about that sometime.

"So, you're Kalisa? Nice to meet you and glad to see you're alright. Heard you got hurt." Reyna offered a smile to the woman as she held her hand out to shake and listening to what Kalisa had to say briefly before going to collect her gear. What Reyna questioned when she arrived to collect any new gear they were being issued, however, was a peculiar mask that was assigned to them as she looked at the new equipment straight away. Reyna looked for instructions for usage, as she had the feeling that this mask had some important purpose. Perhaps it is for smoke to help them breathe? Whatever the case she will figure it out. Shrugging and clipping the mask to place where she can put it on fast, she moved with the rest of the squad, consistently checking to make sure everything was in its place and that she did not forget anything, even a trivial item.

At the spot where they had a good view of the Cavaliers, who were about to begin their charge, Reyna looked at the horses. Back home, she was not a horse girl although she did live out in a place where there were some of the majestic creatures. Reyna always appreciated nature for what it was, though she was a nuts and bolts type of girl by heart, hence why she showed a lot of aptitude of being a sapper. Aww, those horses! It's a shame they're also used for war, but they are great companions if my friends are to be believed. However, her prior knowledge of what some of the others, most notably veterans, talked about gave Reyna a bad feeling about this....

Her feelings were soon confirmed as the Cavaliers started to be gunned down quickly by machine-gun fire. The sound....Reyna heard it in the distance at Hill 58 when she was helping with moving up the artillery. It was not a pretty sound as she remembered attempting to count the bullets fired from such a lethal weapon before giving up altogether. Now, she watched in horror as the once-majestic creatures and riders of the Cavaliers got gunned down, wiped to the last. If anyone was alive over there, they weren't going to be for long.

Reyna stood there in no small amount of shock as she processed what just happened. Her eyes widened a small amount before the internal battle of her feelings told her to get a hold of herself. That she was warned she was going to see things like this... But nothing compared to witnessing a massacre like that first-hand. So, Reyna did the one thing she thought of: she looked away, put her right hand where her heart was and took deep breaths as she recovered herself and her senses, calming herself. It's ok Reyna. You...you won't end up like that. Calm down...You will make it. Oh God... She bit her lip, looking at how everyone else fared watching the scene.

@LetMeDoStuff @SMS

~ Valkyria Chronicles - Changing of the Guard ~

August 25, 1914

---

Well...I can't say I expected this. Reyna thought after she was dragged into Jean's room. After letting go of his hand and thinking nothing of it, she listened to what Jean said. Listening to that, she found out just what kind of person Jean was. He was not one of those Darcsens that sulked in depression like many she has seen before, but instead someone that wanted to do the best they could do. Sure, he was depressed now but the fact remained that this was not necessarily Jean's normal state of affairs, rather his way of coping with the horrors of war.

And he's just given me his pendant, which was his sister's. Reyna didn't think she deserved such a thing, but took it regardless with the intention of giving it back sometime. Right now, however, was not the right time. Oh geez, what do I say? Reyna thought on his words. It seemed he thought that being a leader, he had to sacrifice himself. It was true: she didn't see combat yet. However, she already felt some of the after-effects of a battle, if not the full brunt of having to go through the no-man's land. With a smile, Reyna told Jean "It's alright, Jean. However, I want you to do one thing: for yourself to survive. It is good you're willing to die for us, but know it's the other way around. Besides....I was raised believing that a leader should always make sure they and others succeed. Not that I would know too much about the subject." Reyna smile turned into a nervous one. She wasn't used to these kinds of situations. "I'm going to go. Be safe Jean and..thank you for trusting me with this." Reyna turned and left, putting Jean's pendant in her journal pouch. There was a lot to think about as she retired to her bunk and took out her journal, beginning to write in it.

---

Reyna's Journal

August 25, 1914.

So much happened this day, yet I was so lucky. We took that darn hill, but at what cost? Everyone else when they came back..the looks on their faces...it was not a pretty sight. Yet I saw many did not return. Thank goodness that at least some of them came back. I was worried that everyone was dead after I was pulled off to artillery duty. The mud on me didn't help much. Uck! Of all of my time in Dad's workshop I didn't think I would miss the good hygiene I enjoyed at home. On a lighter note, Isaac, Jean, Diana, and the others are all interesting people. A Kalisa was mentioned too, but it sounded like she's hurt. I hope she is ok.

Jean, first of all, seemed like he lost it. I had to help comfort him and more, he gave me his pendant. I intend to give it back to him someday, but I don't know when I will. Either way, helping him felt good and I am glad I was able to comfort him somehow. Thanks to the others' help of course! I wouldn't have been able to do it on my own. Though, now that I think about it he's rather cute for a darcsen.

Isaac? He's interesting. If he didn't take charge of everything going on I don't know what would have happened. Plus, he helped with calming Jean down. He seemed more used to the labors of the bottom, something I am not. He gives me a "tough guy" kind of vibe, which has it's own charms.

Diana? She's really nice, and cute too! She was also there helping me, although I think her and Jean have some kind of relationship with each other. She called him "sweetie" and I do not know what to think about that. She's either weird (and probably is regardless, I get that vibe) or they are dating. Oh well, it's not my place to judge the less fortunate. After all, I'm weird too. They're all probably wondering why a Vinlander is here after all.

Finally, there is Lt. Middleton. He is...I don't know. He's commanding, but already I am hearing subtle resentment toward him. Doesn't seem like everyone likes him. We will see: Dad said sometimes a good leader is not liked. However, I cannot say this resentment is surprising either, with what I know what happened in the battle.

I should go to sleep. It's been a very long day and I know there is more to come. I wonder...what will I have to face? Will I...end up like them too? I guess time is the only thing that will tell.

---

On the train to Amone

Reyna reread the journal she wrote as she sat in a seat on the train. Some of her thoughts changed since then, but not all of them. So many thoughts and memories, written down in that little book she kept and her father's pouch protecting it all. The train was quite busy, but Reyna sat alone. It was not because she was rejected by her fellow soldiers nor was it because she did not like them. She simply did not like crowds. Funny, considering she was showered lavish social events her entire life due to her family's wealth, yet she never desired to be in the center of attention. So she sat alone, merely observing everyone. However, she had to wonder: as a Vinlander, she was the foreigner in the Edinburgh army. It was only a matter of time before she attracted some kind of attention. Whether that was good or bad, she will see. She put the journal in her pouch after doodling a few things in the pages like she usually did and waited.

Fate/Prisma Connections (the reboot!)

So much for her luck. She did not know how the deer appeared nor did she have time to react as she was flown straight on her back, alerting Bill. She thought it was all over before Bill suddenly took off running. The fact that this was the first time she saw anyone made of stone run was worrying. What made the matter worse was she heard the shouting about some kind of challenge for glory and honor. Whatever it was, she barely managed to duck on the ground as Bill came at mach-speed. She would have rushed after him had it not been to a place where more of those soldiers would be. Pen pal or not, it was simply too dangerous for Rebecca to check on him unless it was from a distance

It was not until after the incident that Rebecca saw the cause of Bill's launch: two figures stood near the gate. A teen and a woman. Another decision had to be made as Rebecca pondered what to do for a moment, ending up deciding to take a chance and go to the figures. Still, Rebecca had a bad feeling about this but decided it was best to at least try. Quickly, she stood up and went to two yet keeping her distance. She didn't know if she would need to run or not.

"Who are you?! What did you do to my friend?!" Fear coursed through her, but she stood her ground regardless as she spoke those words. Why was *any* of this happening in the first place? Too many questions and too few answers.

~ Valkyria Chronicles - Changing of the Guard ~

---

At first, Reyna was unsure if she was being insensitive. Jean did not reply for a long time before he grabbed her wrist when she knelt down. The action surprised Reyna, making her jump slightly. However, looking at the man it seemed he needed all the comfort he could get. Letting him have her wrist and hand to hold, Reyna listened to what Jean had to say, thinking about nothing but comforting the man and listening to his story.

Though she expected the account of the battle to be brutal and traumatizing, she was surprised by how much it affected the man. The way he described the event had Reyna worried. Her imagination did the rest, as she envisioned this same man beating an Imperial soldier to death with the butt of his rifle. What was the worse part, however, was the tears that he had. He was crying, letting out the emotion that was pent up inside him. That was the most difficult thing to deal with as far as Reyna was concerned.

This, however, was the here and now. Reyna felt the need to say something as she listened to the rest Jean said, catching his name at the tail end along with the information that they were relocating. Come on, Reyna. Think of something... He seemed..scared that she will have to go through the same, though she did not think she should assure him that she will be fine. Reyna fell back to what she was taught to do by her mother: smile. Smile and hope that the smile makes his day and keeps him moving forward and assure him that no matter what happens there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. "I'm Private Reyna Hall. It's ok, Jean, you did what you could."

That was all Reyna could think of to say before Isaac turned up and gave a explanation of what happened. Reyna nodded to Isaac and looked up at the man, who was another that was much taller than herself. "That's so much to go through, and yet there is more to come." she replied worriedly. If this is what these two were going through and this is their state, she worried about the rest and how she will eventually deal with it when the time came. Reyna pieced together what happened from the testimony of Jean and Isaac. Jean lead them through basically what was considered hell and back as the ranking NCO.

After fully piecing together everything, Diana came into the picture when she spoke. At least she did not have to look up as much as she looked up to Diana, who was about the same size as Reyna herself. She returned the smile to Diana as she thought this was a good opportunity to direct any conversation away from the bad that has happened. Reyna did not, however, detect the jealousy that was in Diana's voice in either instance that she spoke as she replied with a soft smile "Nice to meet you Diana. My full name is Reyna Hall. And, thank you! Your name is adorable as well! I like it and it suits you well."

"Come on, Jean. You heard Isaac. Go on and get some rest. We can handle the rest from here." Reyna said to Jean as she stood up and slipped her hand to hold Jean's hand, gently tugging it upward to let him know that she'll help him stand back up. Besides, what was he thinking sitting down in the wettest place in the trenches without sitting on top of a box?

@LetMeDoStuff @Landaus Five-One @FalloutJack

~ Valkyria Chronicles - Changing of the Guard ~

---

If there was a word to describe Reyna's situation, most would choose "lucky" as that word. Her participation in the charge was only stopped by a lieutenant at the last minute, who grabbed her arm and ordered her to help the sappers with the artillery pieces move the artillery up. At the time, Reyna thought she could feel the resentment that some would have toward her good fortune. Whether that was true or not, she had a task to accomplish.

Of course, not everything went according to plan even on her end. While the unit was holding the hill, Reyna had to countless times use her entrenching tool to dig the artillery pieces out of the muddy ground and occasionally push them. Both activities put strain on the woman, and her frustrations only increased as she slipped in the mud twice, with many more times losing her balance and recovering. By the time the artillery got to it's destination, Reyna had mud all over her face and hands, something that irked her the entire way.

She was finally able to at least clean her head and hands by the time she was released and told to go back to her unit. By the time she was told this so much that Reyna didn't know happened happened. She did not have any word on what happened to her unit, but she required time to rest while she could. Sitting in the rear lines on a box, Reyna took the time to gather her bearings and herself. After that, she spent time cleaning the gold pendant that was her charm, tucking it back into her uniform before looking up in the direction of where she was told her unit was and moving.

That was when she spotted the lance-corporal, Charpentier, at a intersection of the trenches. Reyna only knew the man in passing, having only seen him when she arrived as a new member of the unit and his rank being mentioned. However, the look on his face worried her. It was as if he has seen something horrible. She debated giving the man space at first: after all everyone needed space every so often and it would not be too much of a stretch to guess what happened to him in a battle zone. However, Reyna did need to report back to her unit and besides, he looked like he needed something though she was not sure if she would be able to provide at all.

Following Charpentier to his destination, but not too closely, she found him in one of the most isolated spots in the trenches. Had it been any other circumstance, she would have noted this spot for later and perhaps used it. Quietly, Reyna peeked around the corner and saw what the lance-corporal was doing: staring into the abyss. Oh geez. This might get a little rough.... Reyna thought as she revealed herself and approached slowly. After all, she already followed the man: any more looking at him from a corner and he might think she was a creep, something that she did not intend to be.

"Uh, excuse me lance-corporal?" Reyna gently spoke with concern, attempting to recall all of the lessons her mother taught her about talking to distressed people. Reyna bent down on her knees a little when she reached as far as she was willing to go so she was not standing too tall over the guy though his height almost made that not necessary for such a smaller woman like her. "Uh, I'm supposed to report back. Are you ok? Do you mind telling me what happened?" Already, she hoped she did not strike a nerve or caused him to lash out at her.

@LetMeDoStuff

Fate/Prisma Connections (the reboot!)

Rebecca was grateful that she was safe...for now. However the screaming and yelling that was going on was starting to wear on her. The pressure on the young woman was huge: she didn't know what to do. However, she felt...guided, as if something was keeping her safe from the danger that was posed by the stone soldiers. Seeing Bill near the gate, she couldn't possibly harm her best friend. However, she had an idea: they were easily distracted by human sounds and each other. Perhaps she could create a scenario that Bill had to investigate?

However, that was pointless if she didn't check out what was in the trees first. Perhaps she should listen to the guiding hand and continue that way? Maybe there could be another way out or at least something useful? Only one way to find out. Rebecca thought as she retreated deeper into the trees and brush, staying out of sight as best as she could and, perhaps even to her own pleasant surprise, praying that this was the right decision.

~ Valkyria Chronicles - Changing of the Guard ~

---

Dear Reyna,

I hope you are doing ok. In the last letter you wrote to me, you mentioned you were about to head to the front. I'm so worried for you, but you have so much faith that you will be fine. Still, even for someone as strong as you going off to war must be scary even if you will receive honor and glory if what those advertisements say is true. I know you want to create your own path, but please stay safe. We don't want to lose you.

Scott and Finley have been up to no good as usual. Yesterday, I had to convince Finely's mother to not make him clean out the chicken coop. As for the events that brought this on, you really don't want to know. You know what they say, Rey: Boys will be boys. Your mother and father told me to write in that they say hello so here it is. I'll write to you again soon, I promise.

Your friend,
Eleanor

The letter made Reyna smile even as she read it. After making it through the extremely uncomfortable training, she was dumped into the almost equally uncomfortable field. She didn't know which was worse but Reyna figured she will find out soon. Cracking a smile as she lifted her head and watched the others converse around her get into groups, Reyna couldn't help but wonder what they were all talking about. Her curiosity and her shyness, however, conflicted heavily with each other. By the time Reyna decided that it couldn't hurt to join a conversation they got the order from Middleton to move. She grabbed her equipment, including the carbine and sapper equipment that all sappers were issued.

And move they did, to the trenches where countless men and women were waiting for orders or simply trying to survive the boredom. What made matters worse was the trench looked and probably was even filthier than the place they came. Foreigners and Edinburgh citizens alike caught Reyna's attention as she followed her unit, each one having a different face and different lives. She wondered what would happen to each of them as she passed by, writing off for now that they could die in the battlefield: that was too depressing. Look at the bright side, Reyna. You'll be able to fiddle with a few things when this is all over. Try something new. All of these people combined with the unsanitary conditions was starting to get to her already. Reyna finally started to do what she did when she was nervous: she started fiddling with her rifle to make sure it was in working order, then started fiddling with her entrenching tool with shaky hands, going through the issued sapper's equipment one piece at a time to ensure it was all in optimal condition. Hopefully...just hopefully she will not have to be one of those in a charge with a mass of people.