Welcome to the Tea & Pee Bar at Fortitudine .... enjoy your stay!

[Victor Steiner]

William chuckled at her remark ''And Edith isn't even BMF, she's Bowex...or soon to be. Tell me my dear, what made you want to join us? few people want to become escort fighters, why not join the police, or the armed forces like that fellow at the bar over there?''

---

[ASimpleMan]

"Well, my father worked in BMM, and I had heard that the BMF was doing missions outside of space. I've always wanted to go outside of Bretonia, as well as escort traders. So this job kinda does both," she replied, twirling her hair in her left hand. She stopped, then leaned in. "But, I've always wanted to escort fighters ever since my—" she stopped, careful not to say what she was really thinking.

[Victor Steiner]

''Go on lass...what is it?'' he said giving her a reassuring smile.

---

[ASimpleMan]

She sighed, and finished off the rest of the ale in three massive gulps. "My father, about 10 years ago, was on a trading mission. He offered me to come. He was with BMM at the time. He offered me and my boyfriend to come along," she started then her eyes welled up a bit. She tried to hold back the tears and the choking up voice. "Pirates came down the lane we were in in Leeds. My boyfriend was in a separate ship, escorting. He held them off to buy us time to escape. He—he didn't make it," she finished. I shouldn't be getting sad right now, she thought.

[Victor Steiner]

Oh wow He thought Damn she's forthcomingHe stared at her for a couple minutes, thinking about what he could say. It was apparent one of two things had happened, either the beer had really hit her, or she had never delt with this.

''Well....If you want my honest opinion, i reckon he died knowing you were going to escape and live on. Reckon that's what he wanted, for you to go away, mourn and move on. He died 10 years ago love, now I get that it's rough I really do, but I don't think he wants you to be carrying around his dead spirit every other day of your life. Tell me, was there anything you could have done to prevent his death?''

---

[ASimpleMan]

Her voice got softer, and her eyes stopped tearing up. "Well, I mean, no. There wasn't anything we could do to save him. He made the choice, and it was honorable. I admire his choice, though I also despise it. I admire it because it shows that he had honor, and would sacrifice his life for another," she said, then she sat back in the chair. "No, I, well, I shouldn't worry about such things anymore," she said, sighing. She looked off into the distance, kindling worse memories. "It was a long time ago."

[Victor Steiner]

''No amount of time can heal those wounds if you have delt with them lass, trust me I know....well, I have some idea at least. But before I go into a rant about myself, I would like to know why you despise his choice....is it because he 'left' you? so to speak. I understand that's a hard question, but....its important to you, so.''

---

[ASimpleMan]

She spoke. "Well, I was 21 when that happened. I was childish, and I guess I've carried a little of that over until now. I hated his decision because I lost my only love. We were to be married soon, as well. I was more angry that he died than that he chose to die, if that makes sense." She sat up straight.

[Victor Steiner]

''Perfect sense. And it is perfectly normal to be angry, trouble is...it is as I said, he died to keep you safe. What he did was done out of Love lass, furthermore, it happened, so whether or not you agree with his choice, no matter how badly you want him back the fact is...it happened, You know that. So, if you haven't done so already, mourn for him, but sooner or later, carry on.''

---

[ASimpleMan]

He's right, she thought. "You're right, I shouldn't be stressing over these things, William," she said. "Now, to turn the question back onto you, what was your reason for joining the BMF?" she asked in a sweet tone.