“He only got promoted from corporal a few months ago. Guess it might have happened while you were on leave? Anyhow, he’s pretty typical of a sergeant who got his rank mostly through fighting. Which is to say, he tends to expect a fight with the Marshguards, whether it’s likely or not, and that affects his decisions. Wouldn’t call him a bad sergeant, per se, but I think he could stand to be a bit more flexible.”
“Hey!” one of the Squib Squadders suddenly shouts at you. “What are you two whispering about?”
Your conversational partner looks nervous, but luckily you know precisely how to handle this.
“I saw this dashing fellow in line and thought I’d invite him to dinner later this week,” you say smoothly. “A matter that we saw no reason to bother the rest of you with by speaking too loudly about it. But if you’re particularly interested in how our relationship is developing, well, I suppose we could be a little more public about it.”
“Hey now, I haven’t said yes yet,” the knight shoots back at you. “Don’t get ahead of yourself.”
“I suppose I’m just an optimist,” you chuckle.
The Squib Squad member gives you both a glare.
“Well. In that case, do it somewhere else. I ain’t got a romantic side.”
“A delightful suggestion! But unfortunately, my new friend here is waiting for treatment, like you all. Though, I imagine for different reasons. I just thought I’d give him some company.”
“So you’re saying you don’t have a reason to see the medic?” your interrogator asks, rather pointedly in your view.
“Not as such, no. I just happened to be in the area…”
“I could give you an excuse to hang around if you want.”
Oh dear. That sounds rather like a threat.
How should you respond?
Suggestions:
Ignore the threat. He’s snappy, possibly aggravated by some pain. No obvious wounds makes you think it’s possibly a similar issue as your friend.
Feign a sudden stomachache, perhaps that garners sympathy.
Author’s Note:
I couldn’t think of a reason why Tom Sixth would ask a random Bogknight about a grebling in the desert, so I opted to have him ask about the similarly-named sergeant instead. Tom has already taken an interest in him, after all.
The names ended up similar because I make up names as I go along and I don’t really actively try to make them different. Although I won’t object if anyone wants to theorize some connection between them.