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The situation was too rich to be savoured alone, and in any case, she could not have helped it. Out poured the torrents of anxiety that had half-strangled her. Mirthful tears ran unchecked down the apples of her cheeks as she took in the look of dismay of the young man.
“I don’t care if it’s true, my dear!” Chortling, she wiped away a wayward tear. “With such a crappy captain, I wouldn’t want to stay here for long.” Then lowering her voice, she hissed into his ear. “Besides, I don’t think I’d have survived a dangerous mission. This fake one is the perfect foil for me to have it easy, come back and report nothing, and get my butt kicked out.”
Drawing back slightly, she cocked her head sideways, eyeing him with concern. “But that’s not what you’re after, is it, my poor dearie? You want glory and tangible rewards.” Nodding, she spoke softly, this time to herself. “There was a time when I chased that foolish dream, too… let him find out for himself.”
Abruptly, she turned back to him and cleared her throat. “Now look here, whatever’s your name. We barely know each other, and if that blockhead of a captain had half the size of a pea for his brain, he’d have noticed that. You’re being dragged into this, because yours truly here doesn’t have even half the size of a pea for a brain, to mind her manners.” She paused, then looked him in the eye. “I’ll tell him to go to hell, but send you on a proper mission instead. How about that?”
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