[It's like watching days and nights pass - the way that the emotions flick through his face at such a wild pace. She watches and she tries to keep up, she tries to memorize the way that his face looks in between the shifts as she tries to remember what the fakeness of it looks like as opposed to what's real.

Still, his explanation hits home. It makes sense.

Bribery and flattery are things that she's all too familiar with herself after all, and her shoulders relax because it's.... nice, to have someone else be so candid about it. Even if she's not a blade, she was valued in her home as the only heir to her father's lands. Whoever curried her favor would surely do well with the General himself and they would often do so with their own agendas.

Agendas that she didn't agree with.

When she speaks again, her voice is soft but still just as certain.]

.... I want to be of use.

[If he's giving an explanation, so is she.]

More than anything - that's what I want. It's why I don't want to accept something in return from you, because for once I'd like to give as much as I blindly receive. [Because people are far kinder than Lili. They are always so open and giving with her, even though all she can do is take.] I understand what you're saying and people who are so treacherous are always disgusting to me - but that is why.

[ . . . as for her request in return, then-]

.... Kashuu and Mutsu and Haru and all of them.... Can you make sure that they're safe for me?

[Is that fair enough for him?]