Friends?

Veronica sighed. She had made the final round and wanted nothing more than to rest. The only sleeping places were on the ground though and a blanket could only do so much. The stars peeked through the surrounding trees and a cold wind swept through the clearing. A fire was in order, and she when about the forest collecting the necessary sticks and twigs for the source of warm. Soon a small fire pit had been made and she used some flint from her pouch to make a spark. Feeding the flames slowly, a roaring fire came to life minutes later. She smiled as her skin drank in the heat her shadow flickering in the trees behind her.

She added another log to the fire. The heat surged forth and Veronica began to relax. The worst was over. All she had to do was hold out a while longer. The people would have homes and then she could retire. Go north, or where ever she wanted. Maybe she could follow the refugees and settle in one of the villages. Finally have some peace and closure over her life. The fire cracked and spewed forth a flurry of sparks into the air. She watched as they floated away and disappeared.

Veronica was started by the man sudden entrance. Upon closer inspection by the light of the fire, she realized who it was.

"Beats..." Veronica said aloud looking at the fallen man. They had reconciled their past argument with the help of another man...who was slightly terrifying. She hoped that further meetings would be peaceful, but the few times she had met Beats, they had fought. She pulled the blanket tighter around herself.

"What are you doing running blindly through the forest?"

Veronica sighed, not knowing if he was telling the truth or he had some ulterior motive. She decided to be cautious, if he tried something she would leave. Or open fire, whatever suited her at the time.

"Well feel free to sit down if you want. I have enough wood for an hour or two." Veronica gestured to the other side of the fire. Just because she was being cautious didn't mean she had to be rude. She then promptly threw another log onto the fire, the wood catching fire instantly.

"I was helping the citizens all day, I haven't see her in a while now." Veronica answered staring into the flames. "I am sure she is busy with other items of interest." She looks at Beats raising an eyebrow.

"Why do you ask? Have you seen Lysandra recently?"

"I see..." Veronica nodded. It seemed Lysandra was also helping others, she was happy that they were both doing their work efficiently. She grew quiet listening to the fire crackle in the moonlight. her eyes widened as she remembered the man from earlier who had convinced her to talk with Beats.

"Hey that man you were with, the one who you had to speak with after I left. Who is he?"

Veronica shook her head. "I wasn't that interested in him. It's just he left a...lasting personality." Veronica shivered unintentionally.

"He was rather cold and his smile was... not the most pleasant. Is he always like that? Or did I say something to make him mad?"

Veronica's head snapped to the new voice. The flames gave him an otherworldly look, but by the firelight she saw his uniform. She immediately leapt up. The man was in a commander uniform, three ranks higher than her. She bowed.

"Commander!" It was only then that she realized that she was technically no longer part of the army and that she had reacted without thinking. She flushed a deep red and cover her face.

"Sorry! I wasn't thinking." Veronica apologized trying to control her embarrassment. "Um... who are you?"

Veronica shook her head. "I was the leader of the ANTI group, but after the destruction of Arakai, I am helping the citizens. I was asked to stay in Pendragon but I refused orders, I am probably out of a job." She looked back to the commander, giving him a quick once over.

"Are you with Pendragon? If you are I suggest you leave before the camp finds out about you."

"I don't know who he is Beats." Veronica attempted to explain. "As for your question. I found out from a higher up that the whole city was going to be bombed. I tried to argue their method but they wouldn't budge. I decided to return to Arakai to save as many people as I could." Veronica fell into silent contemplation. She remembered rushing through the woods hurrying back to Arakai.

"Maybe if I had been faster I could have helped more people." She murmured.

Veronica looked at the commander questioningly. He does realized I left the army right?

"I am sorry, but you have no authority over me." Veronica said looking directly at Reinhardt. "However I am a soldier of the people. If your task is for the people's benefit, I would like to hear your request." She stood straighter, as if at attention.