As We Dance Through the Storm

[visualspice]

Zannrick was about ready to explode. He was already less than thrilled about their partnership and it was as if he were being punished for her insolence earlier.  No..he ground his teeth and swallowed down his pride. 

She wasn't worth his rage. That anger...

It's meant for... them.

Sighing, he moved to stand at attention.

"Very well.." he began after a time, words tart but he managed to keep the gravel out. 
"Follow me."

He was too frustrated to simply call it an early night and there was nothing further dictating their agenda.  

"Let's take a walk."
And he turned from her briskly and once he was certain the pair were ready for travel, he set out towards the back gate.

[GoblinFae]

Alanna fell into step two paces behind him at his order like a perfect little soldier. Or rather it would have been perfect if she hadn't been busy making disgusted faces behind his back. Her eyes crossed or lips drew back in a sneer. Thankfully he seemed distracted by...whatever it was that people like him with logs rammed up their tears thought about in the empty void they called their brains.

She rolled her eyes so hard she nearly gave herself a headache to realize this wasn't going to be a simple walk back to quarters but something likely far longer and more time-consuming.

"Permission to speak sir?" Alanna huffed out. 

[visualspice]

He often went for a walk to clear his head, especially when cooling off. Now was more than the right time to try to curb that temper- for despite his aversion towards her.. towards this, it was hammered into him to be honor bound to his country.

But when she spoke, he felt his brow twitch. He fully aimed to ignore her, but not wanting her to repeat herself (for he found that idea more repulsive) he nodded curtly and said, "permission granted. " But why did saying it, or simply the act of spitting out those words, feel like pulling teeth?

[GoblinFae]

Alanna took a grounding breath before continuing. "Is there a point to this nightly sojourn sir or is this just your attempt to punish and break me further, sir?"

[visualspice]

Zannrick paused in midstride and turned around suddenly to face her.
"Are you so broken the simple act of walking brings you pain?"

For Ansgar's sake, they had barely even gotten anywhere and she was complaining and whining it was punishment? 

She wasn't going to last long here, that much was obvious. 

[GoblinFae]

"I never stated I was in pain." She replied calmly, chin raised defiantly. "And you failed to answer my question sir. Is there a point to this?"

[visualspice]

"Pain can be interpreted in many ways," came his smooth reply. "Obviously you're irritated." He shot her a look, but they kept walking. "And yes there is. First of all, soldiers obey orders. They're to trust their superiors and keep in line." He eyed her before turning away, their path leading towards a trail that began to incline. 

"If you can't trust your superiors, those in charge, than you have no business being in the army. We're all here for the same common goal. " 

He shot her another look.

"Are you questioning your superiors motives?" He asked sternly.

[GoblinFae]

"Blind faith in authority gets you killed," she intoned back without backing down. The incline they walked bothered her none as she easily kept pace. "A superior's respect from his subordinates is earned not demanded through his actions not his words."

[visualspice]

Zannrick actually gave a small smile at that remark but said nothing, rather he continued to lead her upwards on the winding path until the pair found themselves stepping out onto of the tall hillside that overlooked the barracks. 

Zannrick stopped nearest the more cliff like edge of the hill they had climbed and studied rhe busy barracks below.

"What do you see down there," Zannrick asked, clasping his hands behind his back. 

[GoblinFae]

Alanna rolled her eyes at his silence knowing she was right and more importantly that she knew HE knew she was right. The path uphill was not difficult and so by the time she reached the top her breath was still flowing easily through her breast.

Below them small campfires and torches flickered in the night. Soldiers milled about all with purpose within their set confines of operation. There was a quiet buzz if one listened closely to the conversation and orders being passed about.

"A hive," she responded.

[visualspice]

Zannrick studied the barracks but said no further, letting the thrum of the atmosphere continue. Men were still out practicing, others tidying up, others preparing the lanterns for the on coming night.

A hive.

She wasn't wrong. It was one way to look at it.

"A hive .... but not your hive?" He questioned.

[GoblinFae]

Alanna eyed him from the corner of her eye, gaze clearly irritated. "I never said that.

"Are you implying it?"

[visualspice]

"Just observing your words. You've described it as a thing, but with no possession towards it," he said simply, eyes still looking down at the barracks below. 

[GoblinFae]

"I am not the queen bee. I have no right to claim possession over it. I am a worker in the great framework. I know where my place is. But, I also know my worth, woman or otherwise."