Master Guilford? Now where did that come from? The Seraph resisted the urge to frown. An over the top professionalism was radiating from the eyes of the speaker and that alone told him that he should tread carefully. Whatever is on her mind, right now his choice of words would either sever them forever between the invisible wall of duty or serve to clear the doubts they both had. She was distant, the space between them and the way she handed over the paperwork a yelling sign. Never had she intentionally called him Master Guilford whenever they were directly speaking to each other, this was a first. He pointlessly gulped down a mouthful of air, an act to clear his throat that didn't need it.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Thank you."</span><br/><br/>His first words after carefully taking the offered paperwork. Normally he would have started with cheerfulness but it was hard to find a strand of strength to even pull that off. The hand that held the paperwork fell slowly to his side, purple eyes tracing the lines on Lethe's face, trying to figure out what was in the mind of the woman. Guilford gave up the attempt almost immediately. For the longest time they had spent together under Squad Seven, reading certain thoughts running on this woman's mind had never become his forte, especially when she's closed off like this.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"What I did was irresponsible for a Seraph."</span>he began, eyes lightly averting the image of his fellow Seraph.<span style="color: #0080FF">"I caused a lot of unnecessary grief, worry, needlessly exhausted a lot of people and wasted a lot of time."</span>he continued, shoulders lightly slumping from their normally proud position. Lethe was probably the most exhausted out of them all.<span style="color: #0080FF">"I will not apologize, nor will I justify my actions more than I already did in those chambers. I only know I did the right thing."</span>he finally paused and found the courage to look Lethe in the eyes.<span style="color: #0080FF">"I can only give you my sincerest and deepest gratitude for all your time, effort, tears you have shed--if there were any--and for taking in the handful that was my squad. Thank you Lethe. Really... thank you very much."</span>he bowed, deeper than he normally does to anyone when he expresses gratitude. He held the bow for a few seconds before coming up and turning to the other end of the hallway. His next set of words was hard for him to say when looking at her clear blue eyes.<br/><br/>He hesitated, flinched even, but regained composure and then began.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Also... that one night in my kitchen... I realized I was being unfair. I pushed something that I shouldn't have knowing you're not ready."</span>he voiced out, a hint of sadness blending in with his tone.<span style="color: #0080FF">"But I don't regret doing that, not one bit. Yet I don't want that to be a burden to you. Sorry, I should have been more considerate about you."</span>he finished, hiding a slightly visible frown by turning his head to the side. Having said all those, he felt like he had already ran out of words. They were after all, hardly in the right place to talk privately.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Well then, I'll be in my squad quarters looking into these."</span>he dangled the papers given to him.<span style="color: #0080FF">"I'll be waiting for that summary too."</span>Gil said and began to make his way to Squad Eight quarters. Before he could walk farther away, Gil stopped and glanced back at Lethe's whiteness.<span style="color: #0080FF">"I'll try to see if I can bargain a day with the council to let you and your squad get some R&amp;R. It's not enough really, but allow me start making up for my irresponsibility."</span>he paused and waved a hand.<span style="color: #0080FF">"It's really good to see you again..."</span>he trailed and continued on.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________</div><br/><br/>Back in his squad quarters, Guilford immediately made a beeline to his desk. He flopped the papers down on the table and paused, resting both arms on top of his desk. Why was his heart pounding so hard? The others whom he didn't even notice that were chilling inside followed his movements with their heads, resting their gaze on Guilford as he sat quietly by his desk.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"...ptain... you okay?"</span><br/><br/>"Captain are you alright?"<br/><br/>The words jammed his senses back in place. Guilford shook the daze out briefly before turning his head over to the speaker, it was Alfrei. Just now he had noticed that the rest of his squad had already returned. What in the Light happened to him? Why was he so out of it? With a deep sigh, Guilford gathered himself and shuffled the paperwork handed to him by Lethe.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"I'm fine. Just... worried about the paperwork."</span>he said with a forced smile. No, it was not the paperwork he was worried about.<br/><br/>The veteran members of his squad exchanged wierded out looks at each other. Since when did their Captain ever worry about paperwork? Nevertheless, none of them decided to pry. The man seemed preoccupied enough with his thoughts for them to add to the mix. Guilford cast aside the papers and instinctively reached for his chest only to grab nothing but air. Perfect timing, the item he needed to start the paperwork was missing.<br/><br/>"You haven't been wearing your Faith since the last time we saw you captain." Georg helpfully jogged his memory. The other only dropped his hand back to the desk with a sigh. Of course, the last time he had it was when he gave it to Lethe hoping for a speedy recovery. He could always use his spare but he had to make sure that his knights aren't here to see he even had one. With a shrug of his shoulders, Guilford sifted through his desk for clean sheets of paper. Grabbing his feather pen, he dipped it in ink before beginning to write. The rest of his squad resumed the easy chatter while he jotted down a new training regimen for his knights. They had to shape up if they were to even stand a chance in the battles ahead. It took about half an hour for him to finish.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Alfrei, hand these out for me will you? You have your names on top."</span>he called out, handing his Vice Captain seven sheets of paper. The other took the pages and began distributing them, keeping the one with his name for himself.<br/><br/>Hyuga scrutinized the content and suddenly frowned upon realizing what it was. "Captain are you serious?!" he complained, his enthusiasm simultaneously draining from him along with his words. He received that same piercing glare he was just thinking he would undoubtedly recieve to confirm what he already knew. Oh how he missed that glare!<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"I thought I already told you, we're going to be a different squad and I won't go easy on you."</span><br/><br/>"This is torture Captain..." Alfrei wearily blurted out, eyes scanning the contents of his own training regimen.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Well, I need you all to shape up before we get deployed. We don't know how much time we have left before the enemy makes their move. I've been too lenient with your training to be honest. Take the rest of the day off, you'll need it. Fiona, you're staying for a bit. The rest of you are dismissed. Go home and rest."</span><br/><br/>"Wait a second Captain! Why does miss graceful over there," Natalia screeched, head turning to where Fiona was sitting gracefully. "doesn't have one these?"<br/><br/>Guilford sighed. Only now was he beginning to realize that some members of his squad really is a handful.<span style="color: #0080FF">"That's because I have yet to determine her role in the squad. She's going to be training with me while I try to figure out what she could do for our team."</span><br/><br/>"Then I'm staying too!" the squad baby pouted, eyes leveling a competitive stare at the other woman. "I could use the extr--"<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Nat. Home. Now. This is non-negotiable."</span><br/><br/>"B-B-But--"<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Okay, you really want extra training? Go visit Corwin and make sure he's alright. You can also stay there for the night if you want."</span>Guilford offered. He knew the butler can keep Natalia busy and teach her a lot of things. Corwin has shown a certain fondness for this lady after all.<br/><br/>The thought of staying in his home almost immediately had the blonde folding. "Will you... be coming home tonight? I'll make dinner." she shyly offered, cheeks glowing rose red as she did so. Whether it was her bluntness or defiance of their Captain, the rest of the squad was still surprised. Since when did Natalia become so bold with her emotions?<span style="color: #0080FF">"Not tonight. Sorry Nat, there's so much to be done."</span><br/><br/>The blush vanished almost instantly. Guilford felt bad for shooting down an offer of kindness. Although he knew that she was just probably still excited about him coming back from the dead, he also knew how crucial this time was for them. Truth be told, none of them even had the luxury of idling around.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Nat, I need you to focus. It's not that I don't want to eat your cooking, I just don't have the luxury of time. None of us do with what is going on recently. Let's not be selfish okay?"</span><br/><br/>Joaquim decided to intervene before the blonde decides to throw a tantrum. He plucked her out of her seat with the help of Alfrei and the two bowed before Guilford in apology. The Seraph simply smiled in gratitude. One by one his squad filed out of the quarters. When Vlad was about to step out last, Guilford called for the man's attention.<br/><br/>"Yes Captain?"<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"I haven't forgotten about you. You're not so helpless as you think you are to make me worry about you too much. Vlad, sometimes finding one's strength means having to find one's weaknesses first. I know that look, I've seen it when we first met. Don't worry, I'll help you this time for sure."</span><br/><br/>The man forced a smile and only nodded in response before closing the doors behind him. Guilford could only sigh and slump back in his seat. Yes, there's so much to be done with so little time...<br/><br/>"Lord Guilford, would you like a cup of coffee?" Fiona smiled at him.<br/><br/>Somehow, this woman's poise and grace was a comfort. She always seemed calm and composed, always maintaining a strict air of professionalism around her. With an evaluating look, Guilford met her black eyes.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Yes please, thank you. Oh and Fiona, for starters, your first task from me, aside from getting me a cup of coffee--it doesn't count--would be to try calling me Captain."</span><br/><br/>The other bowed and gave the Seraph a polite smile before seeing through the task of fetching her Captain a cup of coffee. This was going to be a long night.