ornithologist | .//INBOX

.//INBOX

[ Harold's not going to contest anything his previous commanders told him; he's not that foolish or shortsighted. He'll reserve that to his own thoughts, and possibly to what he says to John afterward. ]

From what I know, you're under extraordinary circumstances at home. Until and unless that occurs here, I encourage you to take reasonable amounts of leave, at times when you aren't needed. You aren't needed right now.

[ That feels like a goddamn test. A trap for the lazy and the greedy to fall into. But you don't contradict the commander, either. ]

Okay

[ He will not get drunk. He will train relentlessly, as if Pope himself were breathing down his neck. ]

[ Uh-huh. Harold isn't a fool. But he also has resolved not to challenge his prior commanders' orders, which means he has to be more subtle. ]

Are you still willing to indulge me in joining me in bird-watching? I'd appreciate it very much if we could at least pretend to be without a command structure on that outing.