Jeffrey
*Upper Mentia. The Imperial Vanguard surrendered 5 hours ago. Camp is currently being inspected for gear and loot.*

*Livio held no interest in the weapons. He already had his own arquebus and gear, and swords and armor didn't fit his style. But that wasn't the reason he was having a drink in a stony meadow.*

*The Upper Mentian Imperial Vanguard, warriors of his own homeland. Fortunately, it seemed that only one had died. The rest captured. But before that, there was the capture of the castle ruin. He hadn't realized it at the time; drunk and late to the fighting, he had simply began firing and loading without much thought, and even pulled off a trickshot with buckshot of all things. It was only when he took a closer look at the uniforms of the enemy that he realized that it was one he used to wear.*

*The mercenary simply sat on a rock, sipping from a flask he had taken from the supplies.*
Vanessa
*Sonja spent some time overseeing the transfer, before leaving it in the more eager hands of the beastkin revolutionaries. She was surprised how many prisoners they had gathered from that battle. The Ursinoid had expected elite troops like the Imperial Vanguard to fight to the death. But every culture was different, she supposed.*

*It didn't take long for her to notice Livio off by himself, drinking. Again. She approached, taking a seat down on another nearby rock. Sonja remained silent for a long moment, before speaking up in her usual serious tone.*

"I've noticed Macens typically day drink to forget their troubles," *The Ursinoid stated pointedly. It wasn't just today, but before both their prior missions too. This seemed to be a pattern.* "How are you fairing?"

*To inquire how her comrades were doing, this could be characterized as atypical for the ever stoic Ursinoid. But she knew it wasn't always easy to go around slaying one's own people. Turning your back on them was one thing, raising arms against them was something else entirely.*
Jeffrey
"Huh?"

*Livio quickly turned to see Sonja sitting on a nearby rock. He didn't even smell her, muchless hear. Was he really that out of it?*

"Oh, hey Sonja. Just me, I suppose. Most macen aren't such an alcoholic like I am."

*Another swig of alcohol was followed by a sigh. He shook the flask to see how much liquid was inside; around halfway.*

"I'm... Fine. Just a little uncomfortable with the current situation. Can't have everyone knowing that I used to fight for Upper Mentia, am I right?"
Vanessa
*Though not having intended to startle her companion, it seemed to have happened anyways.*

"Hmm. Do you usually show up to battle intoxicated?" *The Ursinoid wondered, raising an eyebrow. They'd only fought a few battles together so far. And for more than one of them, Livio had shown up drunk. Perhaps it was just a symptom of his alcoholism? She couldn't say with any certainty.*

*As Livio admitted his discomfort, she nodded slowly in acknowledgement and turned her gaze towards the beastkin who were still gathering up the siezed weaponry for transport.*

"You formerly collaborated with their current enemy." *Sonja succinctly summarized, motioning to the group of rebels.* "But so did most of the others here, the emancipated slaves. It's impossible not to with their boot on one's throat. If they have any hope of success, they'd appreciate your expertise rather than chastise you over the past."

*Admittedly, this wasn't a perfect comparison. Soldiers typically had more autonomy than slaves. If only barely.*
Jeffrey
"In the army, no. And I typically don't do battles much. It's more of a one shot stop type of thing, if you get what I mean. A surprising amount of high value people aren't very tough."

*Livio wasn't sure why he was showing up to battle drunk more and more, twice in a row in fact. He raised the flask as if to take another sip, but decided against it and set it back down.*

"They were my brothers. We lived, ate, and trained together. I was drafted, yes. But still."

*Livio looked to the group of rebels.* "I was a bit of a rough one to handle, but everything I did was voluntary. Plus, I don't swear loyalty to anyone anymore. Appreciation comes in the form of gold, and it comes from the highest bidder."

*Livio looked to the Beastkin transporting gear. He raised one hand, fully extended, covering one eye, but keeping the Beastkin in sight for him.*

"Tell me, what would you feel if I fought on the side of Upper Mentia? As a mercenary, of course. They wouldn't accept me back as a deserter. And just for the record, I'm not going to. I'm going to get paid for this job."