After his introduction to General Knox and being told to go to the barracks and get settled in, Elias does so and walks through the camp to make it to the barracks, taking in the light breeze as he does. There are quite a few buildings, including a barracks for the two separate sexes, men and women. Both buildings are roughly equal in size, but there are typically less women that enlist, even if it is allowed in this day and age. Lupresia is one of the earliest nations to allow women to enlist, and that is a source of pride for them.

Walking into the male barracks and still carrying his bag of personal belongings, Elias almost immediately sees chaos happening. The barracks are pretty big with bunks galore, and in them the other enlistees are already putting their things away in their respective spots of rest. Each floor bunk has an undercarriage to fit things in, and those on top have spaces above the bunk, attached to the ceiling. This is a rather smart way to allow for personal storage whilst conserving space for many bunks, and by proxy soldiers, to fit inside of the barracks. There are quite a few military camps across the island nation, so this one was merely the one that a few of the enlistees, including Elias, were stationed for their training.

Elias walks through the barracks to try and find a bunk that is unoccupied, as there must be one if he was assigned here and tries to avoid crashing into anyone in this hectic mess of everyone walking about and lots of chatting amongst it all. It is so loud that it reminds Elias of the lunchroom in the private school that he attended as a child, which is honestly in a good way. It's been so long since then it feels, and he quite misses the lack of responsibility he had as a child. He is distracted as he reminisces, and while blanking out, he crashes into someone who is trying to cross the middle of the room. "Ah!" The man exclaims as he is hit and both men fall, him on his side, and Elias to his back with a thud.

Raising back up and seeing the guy he bumped into also lifting himself off the floor, Elias is very sorry and embarrassed of such a screw-up. Rubbing his back that is sore, he stretches afterwards and opens his mouth to speak after he is done. "Are you okay?" He asks the other man, "I'm sorry, but I just got distracted by something. What an embarrassing accident." He gives a rather uncomfortable laugh. He normally doesn't feel such a way, as he's been in the spotlight for quite a bit of his life, but he also rarely messes up in such a way as well.

The other guy laughs with a manner that makes it seem he doesn't hold it against him but is rather quite amused by it instead. His hair is blonde and has swooping bangs and he has green eyes, wearing common clothing. Elias couldn't have assumed that it would perceived like that, but he's also the type who has a habit of taking full responsibility for even playing a single part in the larger cause. "No worries, dude. Mistakes happen, and I played my own part too. Neither of us watched where we were going, so it's both of our faults." He says to Elias in a friendly voice, making it fully clear that he doesn't hold it against him in the slightest. "The name's Damien, surname: Abram." He says as he reaches out his hand.

Looking at Damien's offer for a handshake, Elias accepts it and interlocks their hands, which shake afterwards. It's a pleasant surprise to see that he is so nice, since part of Elias assumed that he'd tear him a new one. It wouldn't have done much, but it is nonetheless a really nice surprise to be met with. "I'm Elias, surname: Homings." He tells Damien, telling him his first and last name, just like what he did. The two men release hands, and Damien looks shocked. Elias realizes that he probably recognizes him from the newspaper. Unless it's a similar situation as with Knox and he is an old friend or something.

Damien pipes up as Elias considers the possible reasons that he may know him, confirming one of those thoughts. "Your name is everywhere these days. Where I'm from you are quite the celebrity." He tells Elias with a smirk, quite familiar with him. "And as far as news goes, you're called a hero by some for your role in killing the usurper Haden Holstein." He says, seeming to believe that as well. There are some that would blame him for things he had no part in, like his father's attempt at usurping the crown, but this shows that there are some who do not think that way.

This does help boost Elias' ego a bit and ease his mind about a few things. It's so loud that one can hardly think, but it's gotten a tiny bit quieter, even if not by too incredibly much. Though admittedly, Elias does not need too many ego boosts, as if he gets too full of himself his bunkmates would grow to hate him, and it is paramount to bond to behave like brothers would. And sisters, or brother and sister if the female soldiers are included in that. "I am glad to hear you speak of me that way. As of late, I've heard all sorts of thoughts about me. So, it's reassuring." He tells him whilst wearing a small smile, happy to hear himself being talked about in such a way after so many doubts about him resurfacing lately.

Stepping over to him and swinging his arm over Elias' shoulders, Damien looks at him with a smile. "Well, we're brothers in arms now. And even if some think you are traitorous, I've never been one for gossip anyways." He says, maintaining his smile as he speaks. "With our current disposition, wouldn't you say that it's important for us to unite? A combined force can overcome any obstacle." He tells him with a chuckle.

The two continue to talk as Damien, who has been in the camp for a few hours, shows Elias around his new home that will be his place of residence for a few weeks to a few months. From this, Elias feels like he may do well with making bonds so that their unit could be extremely capable, and he looks forward to it. Damien is a pleasure to speak with as he is very friendly and getting to know him could only be beneficial. The two get along really well, and he is so incredibly glad for that fact. Tomorrow, training begins, but for today, bridges can begin construction. Their force will be like a well-maintained dam that is holding back a torrent of water, and even if some of them die, they will bind up those wounds.

At the castle, River walks the halls with Stace at her side. Not long prior, she began to prepare the delegation to the Abhedy Republic, which should be finished tomorrow to depart from the capital harbor. In her nice and very queenly dress whilst wearing her crown, she walks quite properly. The guidance that Sheena has given her regarding the embargo conundrum was wisdom straight from the tap, and it has helped her profoundly. And now, she waits for the delegation to finish being organized, pacing the halls anxiously with Stace alongside her.

Stace can understand why she is anxious, as waiting always is. But right now, she is rather conflicted with what she wants to do. On one hand, she wants to help River ease her mind, but on the other hand, she is concerned of her own ability to even help after her inability as of late with particular situations and wants to learn more still. "I... I'm sorry, River." She says as she stops and River follows suit, turning to look back at her. She clenches her fists as she starts to speak again. "I wish to go back to my room. I need to... Study some things." She tells River.

Having not expected this as Stace has been sticking at her side to support her always since she became queen, River is surprised yet not opposed to it. She doesn't know what Stace wants to study, but judging by her serious demeanor, it must be important, which definitely chips into her lack of opposition to it. "Okay. What is it... What is it for?" River asks Stace, understandably quite curious about it as Stace seldom seems so seriously shaken by anything in particular.

"Well..." Stace battles in her mind about whether to tell her or not, her tense posture loosening up and fists opening as she moves one hand up to her neck and rubs the side of it, glancing off in thought. To her, she doesn't want to show weakness, as to her that is an emarrassment. She already feels like a bit of a failure, and does not wish to let that be known, but she also knows that River may be her employer, her queen, but first and before all of that, she was and still is her best friend. "I just... I feel like I'm not a good royal advisor. I haven't been of much help recently, so I... I want to study up some more." She explains uncomfortably, looking away as she finishes.

Although River has tried to calm her doubts before this, she feels that now is the time when it is most important. She is Stace's friend, and friends are there not just to be someone to have fun with, but also to help one another when they need help. And now is one such time. "Oh, Stace..." Walking closer to her with concern, River clasps her hands with her own and holds them at either side of the two of them. "You do a lot. I can't count the number of times you've put my mind at ease. That's primarily why I gave you this role. You can study more if you want, but all I need from you is a shoulder to lean on." She says with a bright yet mellow smile, still holding her hands. "You're my friend, and that's all I truly want you to be." She concludes, pulling Stace closer and wrapping her arms around her back, hugging her tightly.

Being hugged closely, Stace starts to tear up. This is the first time she's gotten this emotional in quite some time, as she seldomly has the chance to be. Even if it's supposed her job to help River, River is helping her as a friend would, regardless of their societal differences. That's one thing that makes River have so much potential as a ruler, since she has the capability to look past social standings and look at people the same despite such differences. "T-Thank you." She buries her face into River's shoulder, thankful to have such a caring friend, and queen.

As two friends hold one another closer in the southeastern part of the kingdom, in the northwestern part Elias readies for bed at his new temporary home. His place of rest in the barracks is on the bottom bunk while Damien rests on the top bunk. Wearing no shirt or shoes, only loose-fitting pants with a plaid pattern, he unpacks his bag and places the things in the large compartment under his bed. Among the items is the letter that Amelia had given to him when he first was considering enlistment. He promised he'd read it the very first night if he was accepted into the military, which is now.

Finishing putting his things away but leaving the letter out of it and standing, turning to sit on the bed, he opens the envelope with a tear. Now he will see what Amelia wanted him to know and is happy he gets to read it in the circumstances that he said he would. Clearing his throat and holding the letter with dim candlelight from the table between bunks illuminating it just enough for it to be legible, he begins to read. It reads: "Dear Master Elias, this letter is very personal to me, and is about your father, your mother, and you. You see, your father and I had been fond for one another for quite some time, even before you were born. He never wanted anyone to know this, not even you, but your mother is not dead as you've been led to believe. He wished to bury this so that his reputation would not suffer, and so lied. The reality is this: I am your mother. This scandal was something that could ruin a man of his social standing, but I could not live with myself without you knowing. We had a night of passion in our younger days, resulting in you. I will tell you more if you just ask. Sincerely, Head of Staff Amelia, your long-lost mother."

This letter is a bombshell to Elias, as he thought that his mother had died when he was born all this time. If it is to be believed, and he has no reason to doubt Amelia on this since he never has seen his supposed mother before, not even in portraits, it makes a lot of sense. As he lowers the letter and remembers how she has always treated him and taken care of him, like a mother would, he believes it wholeheartedly. And that could also explain why his father rarely mentioned his mother and didn't care for him too much. If he was the result of a scandalous affair, and his father wanted to bury it so badly, then it all starts to make sense.

His only real issue is that he is not at home as he read it, and therefore cannot ask directly. He may send a letter to ask for more information the first chance he gets, but for now it all is rather uncertain. Folding the letter up and putting it beneath the bed with his other things, he lies down to rest. But on his mind, questions keep popping up, keeping him from dozing off too soon. All he hopes is that he does make it back home so that he can ask things in person. This night is set to be a long one, but he is in for the ride, wherever it may take him.

To Be Continued...