#//i knooow!! and ben was so surprised to see how happy and relaxed kiara was

[apurekindness]

"No need to apologise, all men are unaware," she assured him, with a twitch of her lips. "I have always wished to become a doctor, but alas...I was born the wrong sex." Even without her powers, she thought she would make an excellent healer - she'd absorbed all the knowledge she could from any books on anatomy and physiology that she could get her hands on.

Her small smile quickly faded, and she chewed on the inside of her cheek. "I am sure he does not...but he has just turned nineteen," she explained. Hardly older than a boy. "He still seems such a child, to me."

Heart thudding uneasily in her chest, she swallowed and nodded in agreement to his words. "If that wouldn't be too much trouble? You are right, I think answers would be better." Still, she couldn't shake off the feeling that it would be bad news. "And then I can write to my mother, I am sure she is worried sick."

"Oh..." Sheepish, Benjamin cleared his throat and offered a strained smile. "I suppose I wouldn't know that...my apologies. I have no mother nor sister to speak of, so I'm afraid I'm not privy to any feminine struggles."

With Kiara's admission, the sinking sensation inside his gut increased. "How old is he?" Benjamin asked. "I was the youngest in my family...so speaking from personal experience, I can guarantee he doesn't feel 'too young' to serve."

With Kiara's concerns more plain, his conciliatory smile faded. "I could send word to his regiment, if you'd like? To see if the officers there can alleviate your fears?" Worrying his bottom lip between his teeth, he sighed and lifted his shoulders. "I understand not wanting to know -- I do -- but wouldn't it also be better to have answers? Perhaps you've been worrying for nothing."