Chapter 102
Chapter 102
Giselle and I walked side by side through the streets of the lower district. The night was deep. Eerie movements stirred in the alleyways and shadows.
Whir.
I took out my standard-issue pistol and spun it around my finger. I had to make it clear I was armed—otherwise, some foolish vagrant might try to approach. Not that I particularly enjoyed resorting to such crude displays of force.
The lower-district folk adorned themselves roughly, exuding an air of violence. Many were obsessed with flaunting their aggression, to a vulgar degree. There was a reason for it. In this place, looking weak only invited trouble.
"The streets have been uneasy lately."
I tossed the remark to Giselle. Jumping straight into business felt too stiff and awkward. I wasn’t sure when I started caring about such things, but here I was.
Either way, conversing with civilians was exhausting. Military speech was usually blunt and rational. If something needed to be said, one could just say it—stripping away unnecessary emotions.
Sometimes, persuasion wasn’t even required. Authority and strength alone could settle matters. Soldiers were accustomed to the logic of power. On the battlefield, there wasn’t time to question every order from a superior.
But speaking with civilians required consideration for their emotions. It was a hassle in many ways.
...I’m thinking too much today. Damn it.
"Why uneasy?"