Praeteritus

[TheJarl]

Freya Eistochter

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Freya gave a disapproving look when Annika revealed the canteen. The former party leader considered alcoholic beverages as a distraction. Perhaps even as a poison, for one who was involved in a perpetual war should always be in good health and always be ready. She had learned it had its uses though. Activists who were living their lives inside an asteroid needed something to get their minds off their hardships. Drinking at a moment like this reminded her more of a certain former Oberst than the activists, though. It worried her. Her former right-hand might act tough, might actually be tough, but it was just one more sign of the struggle taking its toll. Just like it took its toll on that other Oberst. Tiredness, drinking, gloomy phrases, if it was just one of these things, one could shrug it off, but all together, the sight was eerily familiar.

“We are not forgotten, Nika. At least I know I am not, I made sure of that. You think that with the constant chaos, an activist keeps his mind occupied with the turmoil of yesterday? He has the turmoil of today on his mind and if they have been around for a some years they will reminisce about the days when the party was united. They will even long even for the internal struggles that at least everyone could understand. When it was,” she raises her left hand, “the party leader or,” she raises her right hand, “the Oberst.” She alternately moves the hands up and down, as if comparing weight. “Just a simple question of what direction the movement was to go. It is Aachen they have forgotten, it is Noth they have forgotten. The complexities.”

She puts down her hands. “Nothing is lost yet. However, you are right that we cannot return to Bruchsal. I mean, we could, absolutely, such things can always be arranged. It is more a matter of safely remaining there that would be impossible. Besides, we are not ready to win. Not now. We need to reorganise, gather our strength.”

She leans back. “That is of course, if you are prepared to trust me again...”