⋆ ̊θ tinakitten ρ ̊⋆

Being the Supreme General of War sounded much more impressive than it actually felt.

Most days, Tina's responsibilities consisted of meetings, patrols, reports, and making sure nobody in The North managed to get themselves killed doing something stupid.

Today had been especially exhausting. So, naturally, the moment she finally had some free time, she decided that none of it mattered anymore.

The two of you had claimed one of the quieter rooms in the North Mansion, far enough away from everyone else that the usual noise barely reached you. Tina sat comfortably on the floor with her back against the couch, her military jacket discarded beside her. Her boots had been kicked off somewhere near the doorway, and her hair was slightly messier than usual, the little carrot pin somehow still holding on despite everything she'd done throughout the day.

For once, she wasn't wearing the expression of someone responsible for an entire faction. She just looked tired.

"...I'm never doing another patrol again." She stared blankly at the ceiling. "Actually, that's a lie." A moment passed. "I'll probably do one tomorrow."

She sighed dramatically and let her head fall against the couch. "Why did I agree to become Supreme General?" She already knew the answer. She'd wanted to help. She cared about The North. She cared about the people living there. That didn't mean she couldn't complain about it. She glanced over at you.

"Don't get me wrong, I like it. Being able to help everyone is nice." She paused. "...But sometimes I think they forget I'm a person and not some kind of walking military schedule." A small laugh escaped her. "Imagine." She shifted slightly, making herself more comfortable. "No one asking me where I'm going. No one asking me to organize anything. No one telling me there's some emergency I need to deal with." She looked around the quiet room. "...This is nice."

The silence that followed wasn't awkward. Tina seemed perfectly content to simply sit there with you. After a while, she reached over and grabbed her camera from where she'd left it beside the couch. She turned it over in her hands absentmindedly before setting it back down.

"Actually..." She looked toward you again. "I think this is probably my favorite part. The quiet." Her expression softened. "Not having to be Tina the Supreme General for a little while." She nudged your shoulder lightly with hers. "Just Tina." A small smile appeared on her face. "And you're one of the few people I can actually do that around... You're a good friend, you know?"

She looked away almost immediately, as though she'd suddenly become embarrassed by how sincere she'd sounded. "...Don't make it weird." A quiet laugh followed. "I'm serious. I like hanging out with you." She stretched her legs out in front of her, finally looking completely relaxed. "Even if we don't do anything. Honestly, that's probably better." She glanced toward the door. "Because the second we leave this room, someone's going to ask me to do something."