We have officially entered Restore me territory, and may the brattiness of Alice ensue!
(if you haven't caught on on it yet: Alice hates Juliette :-) and it's not going to change for the entire restore me bit.)
This was very fun to write. I'm not sure I am getting Delalieu's attitude down as I want it, but I think this works.
"Wait, so she's actually in charge?"
"T-that is a way of putting it, yes", Delalieu said and picked up his cup of coffee.
It had been less than a day since Juliette Ferrars declared herself as Supreme commander over North America. Alice had not attended the speech she had given, but word traveled fast on base.
He wouldn't deny that it felt sort of strange to be under the command of a seventeen year old. But so had it also felt back when his grandson was first appointed role of colonel, so he supposed it wouldn't be much different.
Speaking of the colonel, Warner had yet to join them in the blue room for breakfast.
Alice glanced to the side and then back to him, despite there not being anything to the side of him, and raised her eyebrows.
"Are you legit?"
"Is there a problem with that?", he asked innocently over his cup before sipping it.
"Why isn't, like, that Castle guy in charge?"
"I think they came to a mutual agreement that she was better fitted…", he said, even though he wasn't actually sure of the reasoning behind the decision.
"What about you?", she asked.
"Me…!", he gasped.
"W-what makes you say that?", he wondered.
"You're an adult. And you're nice."
He gave a little laugh at that.
Him! Supreme Commander! In charge! Laughable.
Still he was flattered.
"So you're saying Ms Ferrars isn't nice?", he asked. Still in good humor.
Apparently it had not been the right thing to say because Alice's face contorted in disgust.
"Jasper, she's a psychopath!"
He choked himself on the coffee.
"Alice...!", he reprimanded once he had cleared his airways and returned the cup to its saucer.
He knew Alice had never been fond of their new Supreme commander, already when she lived at base and was nothing more than Warner's pet project, but you couldn't just walk around and insult them behind their back!
Especially Supreme commanders who could kill by touch!
The girl did not seem concerned over his raised voice; despite it being the first time ever that he did it to her.
"What? You know I'm right. All she does is kill people! How is she supposed to lead a continent?!"
Oh, he thought.
So this is what had his grandchildren so riled up with each other...
It was so much worse than he had first thought.
He pursed his lips, making his mouth disappear into his moustache, unsure of how to proceed.
He couldn't encourage the girl by saying her feelings were reasonable. After all, it was going to be his job for the coming foreseeable future to assist the new Supreme commander. But at the same time he didn't want to reject her feelings. After all, they were fighting for a democracy and she was entitled to her own opinion. But most importantly he feared what might happen if Alice felt like she was left on her own...
As he thought about this, however, she misinterpreted his silence for reluctant agreement.
"You do know I'm right!", she declared.
"T-that is n-not what I'm saying…!", he protested.
He did not get any further before they heard the door knob being pushed down. They both turned their head as the door opened and Warner stepped inside.
Delalieu habitually stood up to greet him, glad that him and Alice would have a chance to talk this out. But as he had a better look at him he realized his grandson looked worse for wear. Undoubtedly it had been a long night after the events of the previous day by the look of fatigue on his face.
"S-sir", the lieutenant said, his hand going up in salute.
"Good morning, Lieutenant", Warner replied. Then he shifted his gaze to Alice.
And it was as if a rubber band was pulled taut between the two blondes. Any moment either of them would snap at the other.
The lieutenant realized it a little too late: They were both waiting for an apology.
"It's been quite an eventful week-", he said to try and distract them; like a dog owner throwing out treats. But either his voice was high or he had managed to pick the wrong words because suddenly Alice pushed out her chair and declared:
"I have nothing to say to him!", and stood up.
And then she was gone.
"Oh dear...", Delalieu muttered as he dragged a hand over his forehead.
"Is she still on about that?", the young commander asked as he took the vacated seat the girl had left behind.
"On about?", Delalieu mimicked.
"Us making the wrong choice. Juliette being a manipulative, murderous sociopath", Warner listed as he poured himself a cup of coffee.
"I'm going to need another one of these", he added and tapped the cafetière.
"Ah, o-of course, sir", Delalieu said and immediately went to prepare another one.
"So, is she?"
"P-pardon, sir?", the lieutenant asked, measuring cup mid air.
"Alice, is she still throwing a fit?"
Delalieu hesitated to answer. He was still unsure on how to navigate the conflict. After all, Leila had been an only child and he knew nothing of sibling arguments.
"I-I suppose that is one way to describe it...", he said.
Warner actually sighed then. A tired, heavy sigh much older than his actual age. Then, as if gathering himself he clicked his tongue.
"Try to make her see reason once she has unraveled her little tornado. I do not have time for arguing with a twelve year old, and Juliette will have enough to think about than the opinion of a little girl." Then he sipped his coffee, ending the discussion.