Armina remained quiet as they gathered some food, limiting herself to a cup of fruit and some water.  She followed Tetsuo across the room and took a seat opposite him. "So... maybe I wouldn't understand, but you'll never know unless you try and explain."<br/><br/>She took a sip of the water and shrugged, picking up her fork and stabbing a chunk of pineapple, "Unless you don't want to talk about it. I won't be offended if you don't." she finished, and popped the fruit into her mouth, watching her companion all the while.<br/><br/>Tetsuo sat quietly, half concentrating on his food as he thought. "I suppose I will have to get used to explaining my dishonour. No doubt any I speak to will wish to know why I am here. Whether they understand or not remains to be seen." Decision made, he nodded, then looked at Armina again.<br/><br/>"As you are aware, I served in the Steel Dragon. We fought against the Ghost Bears, on Garstadt, and on Constance. Half the Sword attacked Constance, to draw the Ghost Bears from the front. They died well. The rest faced the Ghost Bears 283rd Battle Cluster. I was a Tai-i .. you would say Captain ... at the time. It was a good fight. By the time we were releaved, losses were over 50%. My commander died to a bombing run, I received a field promotion to Sho-sa." His eyes were unfocused as he spoke, mind turning back to the desperate fighting that had gone on.<br/><br/>"My lance was defending a small town ... I do not remember the name now ... we encountered a Ghost Bear trinary, attempting to flank our position. We engaged them. Jiro fell almost immediately. A gauss rifle smashed through his cockpit. Satori took engine damage from fighting a Daishi. I think his mech lost an arm as well. I ordered the others to break contact and withdraw. I would distract the Bears. I destroyed two, a Mad Cat and a Masakari. I broadcast a challenge to their leader, and she accepted. It was the Daishi, of course. I held her for 10 minutes, before my Hatamoto-Chi was destroyed. The reactor shielding failed. It was totally destroyed." His nostrils flared at the memory, suppressing the shame.<br/><br/>"One of their elementals wished to take me as a bondsman." He turned to look at the wakazashi at his waist. "I did not wish to accept their hospitality." he said, with a faint smile. "After that, I escaped back through the lines, and returned to the Sword."<br/><br/>"I was entrusted with my mech in the service of the Dragon. By losing it, I have failed in that service. My intention is to capture a mech worthy of the Dragons service, and then I may return, with my honour restored." He looked into Arminas eyes, waiting to see her reaction.