[He keeps his gaze averted, even she she sits down. But he will glance over, just for a moment, so he can find and take her hand in his own. It's always been difficult to talk about this, and not even the passing time lessons the pain.]

It happened... not too long before you came to Luceti. I was still in bed recovering the day you arrived. [It had been the first time he'd been outside and walking around since it happened. He'd just been too excited to see Anise to care about how tired he still was.]

You're familiar with... the drafts, right? The ones organized by the Malnosso to fight the third party. [His voice shook a bit at the word, almost as though just saying it had become difficult. He gives Anise's hand a small squeeze.] They've never given us much choice in terms of who is sent out and who isn't. Even though I can't do anything to help fight, I've... been sent twice.