A Commendation

[Hikaru]

January 13th, Year 1

The Freedom Fighters were just starting to settle down in the aftermath of the disastrous expedition to Australia. With everyone retreated the Freedom Fighters were now a little more able to lick their wounds and assess the damages. The afternoon sun was just beginning to make it's way into dusk, the air finally cooling. Hikaru had been called away from kitchen duty with Silver to see Jasper. The Leader of the Freedom Fighters had asked her to walk with him.

Hikaru merely picked up her mug of coffee and followed with out comment, boots scraping along the dusty paths of the camp. She recalled when Jasper had told her that the battle had been her final test before she earned his trust to officially accept her into the Freedom Fighters. Hikaru flicked her mind back over the events of the past few days... They had been tumultuous to say the least. There was certainly a huge upheaval following the events of Aladdin's abandonment of the field of battle.

Hikaru still had trouble understanding why he had done it. She couldn't bear to leave any comrade behind. If there were even one survivor, she'd try to save them. If Aladdin had retreated to gather reinforcements, to give orders, to lend other aid, ANYTHING she'd have been able to understand. But he hadn't. He had just... fled.

The ex-blackblood blew over her coffee, helping cool it a little more before taking a sip. It was burnt, the beans low quality, and flat in flavor. Silver hadn't brewed it, but even if he had, there was little he could do with the supplies they had. Hikaru missed the luxury of the coffee shops of New York. She didn't have many vices, she was a simple woman, but coffee was definitely her greatest indulgence.

She took another sip of the coffee, it had been sweetened with natural honey from the african bees out in the wild. It certainly gave the beverage an interesting nuance, but there was only so much copious amounts of honey could do for bland coffee. Hikaru hoped they'd procure some creamer soon.

[Jasper]

Silence laid heavy over Jasper as the pair walked through the camp. Thoughts pittered around his mind as he tried to think of a proper way to start what he needed to say. He did not need fancy words for Hikaru, but he still felt obligated to try. Fingers tapped against the crook of his arm as they finally came to a halt on one of the borders of the camp. An overlook of the land that outstretched so far out before them, it was not the pinnacle of pride rock but it was more secluded and private. A good place to discuss important matters. He supposed he was thankful for such a place.

Sure from Priderock they could see any danger coming for miles around but it felt like a stage. Like all eyes were watching someone constantly from there. It was so much responsibility to care over such a large expanse of land and it's people, and Jasper simply did not want to deal with that at the moment.

An ear curled towards the other before he turned his feline features to glance at Hikaru. Brilliant orbs of color studied his comrade for a long moment. Lost to his own thoughts for a few seconds. He felt weak as of late, unable to shield himself or his people from harm. He felt feeble in the eyes of his people, and with that came an insecurity that boiled in his stomach. He found himself seeking refugee in his strong forms. No longer sharing his human face with those that looked up to him. That form to him was weak, pitful. The Freedom Fighters needed a strong leader, a force to be reckoned with, so he would give it to them...

He huffed loudly as he tore himself away from his mind. His ears flicked to lay flat before his maw wrinkled with the effort to speak. "I apologize, you'll have to settle for medicore talk tonight. My great leader 'speech' ability is all worn out." He grunted before a hand rubbed over the back of his neck roughly. "I've had quite a few people come up to me and tell me how well you did in battle, Hikaru. I must say I am incredibly proud of you and happy to hear how you stood you're ground. You fought like a true freedom fighter. I would accommodate you more properly if I had something to give, but as it stands I have nothing to offer other then a better living quarter." A small flicker of a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "In all honesty, I am thankful for your help. Rafael told me if it weren't for you that our forces would still be stuck in Australia."

[Hikaru]

She still wasn't completely accustomed to the various speaking animals in the Freedom Fighters, much less the more magical anthropomorphic being that Jasper was currently. It was impressive to say the least.

She didn't shrink away when he fixed his gaze on her. Merely met his evenly and continued drinking with out missing a step. However when he apologized she pulled back from the beverage to say simply, "I prefer it that way. Simple is best."

However, Jasper's words after that caught her off guard, which she only showed with a slight blink. She fully turned to face him, expression still passive. Hikaru waited for him to finish and then responded simply, "Sir, I only did my duty. I do not see anything special in it. I don't need greater accommodations... I just want to do more. To have more trust."

And it was obvious she meant it. Hikaru wasn't being falsely modest or the like. Hikaru honestly and simply believed at her core that she hadn't done anything special. Certainly not rewarding grandly. It was just the bare minimum required. The common decency to fight your best in a war to protect your comrades.

It couldn't be any more obvious in that moment that Hikaru was genuine and guileless. Water was wet. The sun was hot. And Hikaru fought to protect her comrades.

[Jasper]

Hikaru was in the simplest way a person that Jasper often long to be. In a sense, he was but with his want to save and protect those around him came a deep foreboding hatred of his own self. One that often crept over him in the deepest and darkest hours of the night and haunted his dreams and daily life. He despised the feeling but it seemed like no amount of help did a damn thing. The darkness loomed over him in a way that predicted an untimely death for himself. His fingers moved to rub at his scalp an attempt to sway the stress that built in his torso. He brushed the curly locks backward freeing them from his forehead which they rested on. His hair seemed insisted on growing way too rapidly for the transman's own comfort.

"I trust you." A heavy sigh left him. "I'm hoping the rest of our people come to trust you too. Soon, preferably." A small shake of his head indicated his disappointment in his people. He understood why they did not trust her, but at the same time, she had proven herself to be loyal to them and no one else. She had even gone after Nasira herself on the battlefield from what Rafael had said and Rafael was the type of sabre to be straightforward and pretty damn harsh most of the time. He had no time to play mind games, and Jasper appreciated those types of mind around him. Sure he needed a cunning mind or two around him as well, but for now, he wanted and needed brute honesty. People who weren't cowards or easy to scare.

There was another uneasy moment of silence as Jasper gathered his thoughts. "I want to ask you about something, it won't be for a while, not until more of our people trust you... But I think you would do well in the position if I were to give it to you."

[Hikaru]

"Thank you sir," Hikaru sighed at Jasper's confirmation of trust. It was a step in the direction she wanted to go. An equal member of this faction. An asset in the war against the Blackbloods and the atrocities they commit. Atrocities they had wanted her to commit... A soft sigh escaped escaped her and Hikaru gave her head a small shake to dislodge the thoughts.

She didn't need the trust from the freedom fighters as a whole. Oh she would like it, certainly, but it was Jasper and the Council's trust she would need if she was going to be able to do anything in this war than wash dishes and butcher meat for Silver. While every job in an army is important, she still wanted to do more. She was capable of more.

"Hm?" Jasper's words caused her to pause. She turned to face him and gave him the full attention his words seemed to deserve. Her brow crinkled slightly, just a slight furrow, "What is it, sir?"

Position? What position could that be? After the battle she had merely hoped to be promoted from cadet to full fledged Peacekeeper. Allowed to join in regular training sessions and assignments. She hadn't expected anymore more than that. Her eye's flicked over Jasper's face, trying to read it,  but she was never good with identifying people's thoughts and feelings. Was he wary of the topic? Was she reading too far into his exhaustion? Was it something else? She couldn't tell.

[Jasper]

The thoughts that mingled within his skull were troublesome, constantly wavering between that which was current and that which would happen. None of it was ever on that same field as much as he wished it to be, and he didn't want to regret the actions he was about to take. Whether for the better or worse of his army.

His teeth met his lip, chewing briefly on it not hard enough to break the skin but to keep his anxiety quelled. He gathered his thoughts once more. His thumbs briefly settled in the pockets of his pants before he fully addressed Hikaru again. "I believe you would make an excellent council member, Hikaru. You have done more than enough to prove yourself and I trust that you would do the job wonderfully if I were to give you the rank." He then went on to take another breath, continuing his little 'speech'.

"I need people I can trust, people who didn't just blindly follow Simba. I need minds that will think, problem solve with me. If we are to get anywhere in this war we need to work together and I need people around me I can trust. Nala can only help so much, and-" He almost seemed to grimace at mentioning what came next. "Aladdin has been demoted for running away from a battle, I don't know if I can trust Jasmine. I-" He sighed heavily.

"I really need you to help me, Hikaru."

[Hikaru]

For once her surprise showed plainly on her face, eyes widening and her jaw dropping. If only just a little bit. But for Hikaru these were massive changes in her expression. This had changed faster and just... more than she had expected. She simply wanted to take part. But to lead?

"Sir..." Hikaru's voice trailed off as she needed a moment to think. She turned away slightly to sip her coffee and buy herself that moment. Slowly she nodded, her passive expression returned with her certainty. She looked back to Jasper, "You have my support, sir. My loyalty. I don't know if I can lead. I don't know if I am able to be a Council member. But you have my support. You have whatever help I can give."

Hikaru had followed her father in her life, then Sykes after his death. Eventually Sykes handed her off to Crow. With him she thought she might have found contentment in his tutelage. She had been wrong. She couldn't do that again. She couldn't follow men like Sykes or Crow anymore. Jasper seemed an honorable man. A good man. He deserved her loyalty.

Hikaru's eyes squared off against Jasper's, laser-like in their intensity, "What are your orders, sir?"

[Jasper]

His seriousness for the matter at hand had suddenly become lackluster as genuine surprise coated his companion's features. His dark brows knitted together before a look of amusement crossed his face. Rare and few such expression were for the both of them, but it was clear at that moment that Hikaru made Jasper feel some semblance of safety. Content to confide in her even for just a small moment. He shook his head, a grin lightening up his features. He couldn't believe he was able to warrant such a reaction from her, it was almost bewildering that he was able to do so.

He was forever grateful that she accepted though, despite her worries. It meant the utter world to him and more. "I believe you can." He replied gently.

Her question for orders had a soft light-hearted sigh leaving him. His posture becoming much more relaxed. His hand clasped her shoulder lightly, meeting her gaze with a level one of his own. "Nothing for now, unless you want to talk to the guards about guard duty for the next few days. Other than that I will let you know when our first meeting will be. Rest for now, dear friend. You'll need it."

[Hikaru]

Hikaru's head cocked a little to the side, to her it seemed as if Jasper had done a 180. He had been so dour a moment ago. So serious, talking of speeches and approaching her in this manner. Now he was amused and even touching her shoulder in a casual manner. Something she wasn't accustomed to.

"Very well," she nodded quietly, "Who is in charge of guard assignments? I'll get started on that now."

She was quick to act upon the suggestion. It was what she wanted after all. Assignments. Work. Things to keep her busy. Hikaru wasn't the type to be idle, so 'rest' wasn't really something she wanted to do. Oft times she found herself wandering to the mess tent to assist Silver in something or other. Even though Aladdin was now his assistant, and she no longer needed to work under him, Hikaru still liked that the man always had SOMETHING for her to do.

In her thoughts on the matter of guard duty she missed Jasper's casual use of 'my friend'.

[Jasper]

His previous seriousness was quick to melt away as the burdens that had been resting heavy on his shoulders seem to dissipate. He was thankful to have Hikaru on his side and thankful that eventually, she would be a council member after things had settled. She had proven herself to him and would prove herself to her allies. there was no doubt in Jasper's mind that things might have started to look up. He wouldn't feel so utterly trapped by all of these feelings that resided within his chest. That very thought alone brought him comfort.

At her eagerness to have a task once again, his smile tugged at the corner of his lips. No time for rest it seemed for Hikaru.

"Fa Mulan is in charge of assigning guard duties for the week. I think I saw her out by the training grounds earlier this morning." He responded in a soft tone. He rubbed his hand over his growing beard, making a mental note to trim it when he had the time.