[for offtoloveagain]

[warwiththeheart]

[she returns to the tent several hours later, knowing full well that Hatsune will be there; while she has absolutely no desire to see her, even less so right now than she usually does, she knows it isn't something that can simply be avoided, and once she's done her part of aimlessly wandering around the dressing room under the guise of patrolling,

Comments

[offtoloveagain]

*Hatsune snaps to attention as soon as the flap raises, saluting. She, too, is trying to keep her expression as carefully neutral as possible--trying to hide the curiosity (not to mention the seed of jealousy getting ready to take root) over what she had seen before the Lieutenant Colonel shooed her away.*

Ma'am! Welcome back, ma'am.

[warwiththeheart]

[nods in acknowledgment] At ease.

[without paying any further attention to her, she walks over to her desk, and begins occupying herself with paperwork]

[offtoloveagain]

*She relaxes . . . somewhat, anyway, going back to the patrol report she'd been jotting down. Just workin', yep, trying to be discreet whenever she glances over her shoulder to see what the Lieutenant Colonel's doing*

[warwiththeheart]

[she can feel her looking at her, but that being nothing new, it doesn't take any particular amount of effort to ignore. she fills in her reports in clean, neat writing, as the fingers of her unoccupied hand subconsciously drum against the surface of the desk]

[offtoloveagain]

*"Are you okay?" No. "Who was that?" No. Man, how to break the ice on this without this resulting in rage . . . assuming that's even possible.*

[warwiththeheart]

[well, she can think that over for as long as she'd like. Luka evidently isn't going anywhere, as she seems rather absorbed in her work.

the drumming continue, a prominent, rhythmic tap-tap-tap-tap]

[offtoloveagain]

*. . . Clears her throat conspicuously*

[warwiththeheart]

[doesn't look up]

[offtoloveagain]

*dammit*

Ah . . . Lieutenant Colonel.

[warwiththeheart]

[still not looking up] What is it, Second Lieutenant?

[offtoloveagain]

Is . . . something the matter?

[warwiththeheart]

Excuse me?

[offtoloveagain]

*oh god retreat, retreat* Ah--nothing, ma'am. I just thought--well--nevermind.

[warwiththeheart]

[the drumming stops, and she finally looks at her] No, no. Go ahead.

[offtoloveagain]

*As flatly as she can possibly manage* I thought something might be bothering you, ma'am.

[warwiththeheart]

Allow me to guess -- and you are concerned?