Judy
Kohm nods, shaking his head in amusement at their luck. Certainly wasn't the first time he had such a close shave though. Maybe he just was a better talker than he thought or someone actually talking was all it really took to snap him out of his trance?

That being said. "Miss Lee. You've been quite gracious to me, as well as acting with competence throughout the whole mission, but I must ask... Why were you and your party so deferential to I, a simple merc?" Indeed, he was quite confused at it all. What had he done to be worthy of such?
Cora
```Lee closes her eyes for a moment as if ashamed, and decides to tell it to him outright: "I... Had trouble making the calls this time. The pressure was on and my career as a detective is still shaky, especially after some things that happened shortly before and after my transfer to this new precinct," She explains. "The captain made so very clear that I'd be responsible for whatever happens to any of the men assigned to me. I kept panicking, fearing for their lives and couldn't make decisions... So I tried to offload the burden on somebody else. Some damn leader I am," She growls at herself. "Sorry if I stressed you out because of all that."```
Judy
Kohm nods in sympathy. He already had an inkling of Lee's insecurities, but could well and truly understand what Lee felt. He didn't know her history and it wasn't his business to pry, but that did not matter.
"Don't worry about it, I was just wondering about it. It's perfectly normal to struggle in making the right calls- gods know if you had asked me a decade back to stand in your place I would be shaking in my boots, much to the mirth of my band- I could have cooked, killed, but certainly not led even a single camel. Well, maybe better than that." He shook his head in amusement.
Cora
```The detective listens to Kohm's full story, and smiles happily in knowing that she isn't alone in lacking confidence about one's own leadership abilities. It makes her feel better, and inspires her to at least try harder down the line.
"Thanks for sharing that with me, Kohm," She says. It means a lot to have learned this now.```
Judy
"That being said." Kohm's expression suddenly becomes serious, the weight of his years appearing despite him not being too old in the grand scale of things. "A word of advice: Sometimes you might not be able to find the right answer- perhaps there is no right answer- and unfortunately, even if one knows that it doesn't get any easier to swallow. HOWEVER." Raising his voice for emphasis... He then clears his throat awkwardly as he nearly chokes on his saliva, but quickly swallows it, thankfully not ruining the mood.

"...The one thing you cannot do is *Hesitate*. A leader can be wrong, but they *Must* Act. No matter the circumstances, no matter how much one might wrestle with their heart after the fact- a crime of negligence is always worse than a crime of weakness. Even when no one is here to help you, to inform you how wrong you are- in the end, someone has to make the shots."

The air thickens even more for a brief moment, before Kohm sighs. "Sorry about that, got a little heated. Besides, this is merely my viewpoint- there is no miracle answer for the correct method of leadership. Besides..."
Kohm smiles once more, but this time it was more tender than humorous
"I think you'll do well. Just have a little confidence in yourself, aye?"
Cora
```Lee listens to the advice and the kind words, and when it was all over seems to have renewed confidence in herself. You can't perform flawlessly, but can at least try your best.
"I never thought of it like that. Thank you." She says.```