In his experiences with archaeology, assumptions were often somewhat correct. With people, less so. He wondered why that was. As flesh decayed and left only bone and stone, did the deceptive nature of humanity erode until only the truth remained? A skeleton could not lie.

Ceres could.

"We do what is expected of our rank. If I am ordered to level a city, then it will fall. There's little that I can do personally, but if I am dispatched, I will go where I am commanded. You will as well, if you are called." She would be. It didn't matter how weak she was, the call would be answered. "And you will hate every moment of it."

Howard certainly had, when he had been called to wage war near Dewford on an island that no longer existed. Regice had sustained it, and Regice had been seized by him. With it, he was now tied further to their cause.

Their drinks arrived. The admin closed his eye and took a sip, before looking at Ceres.

"If you're smart, Ceres..." He took another sip.

"...why are you here?"

---

ceres

"You get used to it, though. You hate it less." Or maybe she'd just forgotten what it was like to like anything she did. Rarely did she do anything she didn't hate. Her agreeability was always a nonfactor in the face of what had and needed to be done. Or, maybe, morally, Howard was simply better than her.

For some reason, that thought grated on her nerves despite how useless it was in the grand scheme of things.

She took a long sip of her drink, coating them in an uncomfortable silence as that question heavily lingered in the air once more. "Because it's where the victors are, admin." It's in her nature to try and appease him even when trying to be, somewhat, truthful. It's pathetic.

"Are you really that wanting for my sad, despairing backstory of how an innocent maiden came to befall you lot? Will it win me some points?" She theatrically sighed.

howard slayte