[It's- blunt. His chin raises at the feeling- like fingers gripping, digging in where they weren't invited. But-surprisingly, perhaps, he makes no attempt to force the foreign mind out of his own, though it would be quite easy. Instead, there is surprise, a note of irritation- permission should be requested, respect shown for rank. But while the mind that invades his own is nothing like a knife, carving away to the piece he is searching for, nor is it like delicate fingers turning over page by page, Siva'co can feel what that inelegant strike is aiming for.
Easy, then, to direct it, like a palm pressed against the back of his knuckles until they are pointing in the right direction. An early memory. Ten identical uniforms in his peripheral vision. Behind him, eleven more. Behind them, eleven more, seated straight-backed and quiet, a board in front of them with meticulous charts- troop movements, enemy numbers. Yes, a cell. A squad. A platoon. His siblings-in-arms. Hundreds of children under the eyes of cool minded, stern soldiers. This is the way of things. A cell- the ten who would protect you in battle. The ten you would protect. Reliability. Strength. Family. Do you know family, Rust?
He blinks. The memory is gone- cut off as neatly as a sword might sever a limb, and as much of a show of strength.]
no subject
Easy, then, to direct it, like a palm pressed against the back of his knuckles until they are pointing in the right direction. An early memory. Ten identical uniforms in his peripheral vision. Behind him, eleven more. Behind them, eleven more, seated straight-backed and quiet, a board in front of them with meticulous charts- troop movements, enemy numbers. Yes, a cell. A squad. A platoon. His siblings-in-arms. Hundreds of children under the eyes of cool minded, stern soldiers. This is the way of things. A cell- the ten who would protect you in battle. The ten you would protect. Reliability. Strength. Family. Do you know family, Rust?
He blinks. The memory is gone- cut off as neatly as a sword might sever a limb, and as much of a show of strength.]