11th June, later in the day: Partnerships formed

"I hope that everything is to your satisfaction," Vickery said, addressing the two German soldiers in their own language. "If it is not, please let me know."

He had done his best with the partnerships; at a pinch, he could pair Falkenbeck up with one of the English riflemen, which was an advantage he had with very few members of the Company, as the soldiers mostly stuck with their own language. Some of them could get by in the other language, but truly bilingual men were very few in his Company.

Pye glanced at Burke once the two were no longer addressed, but the Germans were. The conversation had turned into something not really comprehensible anyhow, the German being employed. "...s' pleased to meet you." He said in a quiet whisper. "Zachary Pye, though you know that b' now." The lad said again. They could get somewhere, after they were dismissed. Size each other up, and hopefully, what Pye still feared would not happen, get along well enough to stick.

"Good t' meet ye as well," Burke whispered back with a slight nod. The lad looked a bit nervous, so he smiled in the hopes of setting the younger rifleman at ease. Surely he couldn't seem overly intimidating! Perhaps it was still simply concern from being called to a meeting with the Captain.

"'s.. first time I get me own partner." The lad whispered and regretted it the very next moment. Perhaps in admitting he was quite new, it might put the other lad off. A week was not long enough to prove oneself.

"You'um...." he began and glanced at Burke's collar. "Didn' see you 'fore..you new ?" Perhaps if he was that would put the lad's mind at more ease. Though new could not mean the same with himself and Burke. He still felt as if he had just doned the new uniform.

"New here, right enough," Burke whispered back. "Not new t' soldierin'."

He then turned his attention back to the Captain, gesturing with a slight tilt of his head for Pye to do the same. The lad was young, sure, but that would not be good enough to get them out of trouble for ignoring their officer. Burke was still new enough to want to make a good impression.

Obediently and quickly the boy straightened a little and glanced towards the Officer to see if either of them would now be addressed. He had no more questions for the moment, and many for the new man,which he hoped not to try asking all at the same time or else he felt that he might displease him. He took on the manner of standing he was most used to in the 33rd. It always helped when he needed to look very stiffly presentable.

Eyes to the captain, and he hoped the man would speak English again because as much as it had helped those speaking German, he had no idea exactly what Vickery had earier said.

"I think you had best make each other's acquaintance," Vickery said, looking between the men and switching back to English. "If, for any reason, you think that you cannot get on with the man I have paired you with, please let me know within the next week and I will endeavour to find you someone else to work with. Carry on."

"Thank you, sir." Pye looked at Burke and grinned. In a way the man was new and yet experienced, where as he was less new than Burke, but less experienced in the ways of a rifleman too. He looked a bit timid and yet could barely contain his excitement. It wouldn't do, would it? Acting so thrilled.

"Come." Being dismissed had its perks. One of them was that they could now engage in a proper conversation and 'get know'.

"Thank ye, sir," Burke echoed, saluting.

He returned Pye's grin easily and hurried after him. "'M comin'."

(they go here )