#in terms of ranks I might start calling them gefreiter instead of private. not 100% sure yet

[dorminchu]

wip wednesday - between heaven & earth, ch02

a/n: trying for a more generalized approach to POVs this time. here's a preview for the next chapter below the cut!

On the day of their coronation, each Warrior was given the opportunity to say goodbye to his or her family.

Hoover's father was a clergyman and his mother a schoolteacher. Finger's parents were neurologists. Galliard's father showed up to see Marcel off and wish Porco good-luck before he went off to trade school. Leonhardt was the odd one-out.

Braun's mother, holding Gabi's hand. Falco trailed a distance from her. Braun accepted a hug from his mother and told her he'd be back in a year. He crouched down to say hello to his cousins. Gabi motioned to his armband. “You’re a real Warrior now.”

Braun shrugged. “It’s not that exciting. You have to do a lot of schoolwork and the instructors are pretty ruthless.”

Gabi’s expression pulled into a look of sudden seriousness. “Does your dad know?”

Falco suddenly became interested in Leonhardt. Ms. Braun shot her a severe look. Braun’s expression faltered. “Not yet. I’ll tell him about this, when I get back. By then, I’ll have the experience to prove it.”

“Aunt Karina was talking a lot about you,” Gabi said. “She said you’ve got a nervous consternation.”

“Constitution,” said the boy under his breath.

Gabi scowled. “Yeah, I said that. Quit tryin’ to talk over me.”

“Don’t be so hard on your cousin,” Braun said. “He’s got to look after you while I’m gone.”

Gabi huffed. “I can look after him just fine. Right, Falco?”

The boy frowned. “Sure, I guess.” Scanning the grounds, past Braun, his expression turned pensive. His eyes fixed briefly on Leonhardt, reclined against the partition. His face lit up. “Colt!” Falco took off running across the courtyard, threw his arms around his waist.

Colt ruffled his hair and said, “Falco. You’re getting taller.”

Falco’s grin faded. “You're going to be away again.” His eyes trailed, briefly, to Gabi and his aunt. “I wish you didn’t have to be.”

“I’ll write,” Colt said. “I promise.”

Falco nodded. “Gabi's mum keeps them all in her dresser, still.”

"Hello, Ms. Braun."

"Oh, there you are, Colt."

Grice's smile was tight. He stood a little straighter. “Ms. Braun.”

"He's so fortunate to have you as a role model." Ms. Braun took his hand. "Once this war is over, you two can be a proper family again."

Colt nodded. "Thank you for taking care of him. I don't know what I'd have done without you."