Every step is carefully made, jaw set as he keeps to her pace. If she went faster, he would too despite the idea of falling. The very thought is the most mortifying thing he thinks could happen to him of his own volition. Coming to naked in that pond was the first not of his own.

He at first thought of them being here like he had, only moments, despite not being there in the barracks, but the pieces are coming together. From knowing others to others knowing him.

"You're close with them then? Enough they've mentioned me and our life back home?" How much had they mentioned? Where was he coming in on in their narrative?