And When He Saw Her Raised for the Slaughter, Abraham's Daughter Raised Her Bow

[princesscupcake]

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[kilimanjaro]

[He's surprised by how she's treating him, but in a good way. She doesn't seem to be too concerned with spoiling him too much or making sure he talks about what he went through. He relives that every night; he doesn't want to relive it during the day too.

Killian glances over to her, considering her for a few moments.]

What are you doing here?

[daughteroftheforest]

I'm a land girl, can't you tell? [Her tone is cheerful.] I'd have joined the army, but to be honest, I'd want to be a proper soldier, and if they were going to just stick me behind a desk to push papers for some fat general, I'd just as soon be out here, working with my hands and making sure the country's kept fed.

[kilimanjaro]

[Killian hums tunelessly, a sound that's neither agreement nor disagreement.]

...Being a soldier isn't...it's not...

[He struggles for a few moments.]

...There's nothing brave or heroic about it. You're better off here.

[daughteroftheforest]

It is. [She disagrees, though she's not puppyish or wide-eyed or naive about it.]

What's the alternative? Let the Nazis roll right over us? Every man who commits himself, every man who sacrifices, is a hero. To me, at any rate. Bravery's about doing what's necessary despite fear, not having a lack of it.

[kilimanjaro]

I have to go home and tell my mother that because of me, her favorite son is dead.

[Killian's voice is bitter, shaking slightly. His hands tremble in his lap and he curls them into fists.]

How is that a good thing? How is that...heroic and patriotic and...whatever bullshit propaganda they're spreading now?

[daughteroftheforest]

I couldn't say. [Her tone is frank.] I don't know the details, and I won't pry if you don't want to talk. But the situation you blame yourself for? You wouldn't have been in it at all if not for the damn Germans.

[Stick that in your pipe and smoke it, mister.]

[kilimanjaro]

Fuck them.

[His voice seethes with anger, the words spat out like poison. Killian's hands are still shaking, and he finds he's a little out of breath, worked up by the topic.]

[daughteroftheforest]

Right up the arse. [She agrees. This earthy girl, she is not a lady.]

[kilimanjaro]

[There's a faint smile at that and he nods, letting out a long breath.]

You're...very upfront with your opinions.

[daughteroftheforest]

I know. [She scrunches up her face.] Terrible, innit? My foster brother thinks it's hilarious, but our dad just tells me proper ladies oughtn't behave that way.

[She reaches up to unpin the kerchief from her hair, pausing momentarily.] You don't mind, do you?

[It doesn't matter, because she doesn't wait; long red hair spills down her back, and she seemed relieved for letting it flow. Having it pinned up for hours can be uncomfortable.]

[kilimanjaro]

You have no idea how refreshing it is after all these stuffy nurses.

[His smile comes a little easier this time, though it's still small and shy.]

If I wanted to be fussed over and coddled, I would have gone home.