13 June; Twenty Questions

They were finally back from the strange diversion out on the picquet line. Mayden wasn't sure he really understood the deeper meaning of what he'd borne witness to, but then, he reckoned it might best not to understand. He was curious about certain pieces of the incident all the same. It couldn't be helped. It was all so odd.

"So, what," he said as he settled down by the fire again, laying his rifle across his knees. "Was that all just a little rabbit-huntin' gone wrong or something?"

".....a... a bit like." Pye answered quietly. He was quite subdued now. He stared at the floor. Adjusting his coat a little, he glanced up at the man who asked. He was from the 95th, and bore the coat of that regiment, with the black facings and collar. Their commanding officer was that Sharpe, a man who'd risen from the ranks. It was something Pye thought near impossible, but there it was.

It was bad that a man from a different regiment would hear of it, see it. And the 95th and the 60th.. near rivals. They've competed in firing, they would have probably wanted to do in merit and good behavour too. Sort of.

"A bit like?" Mayden echoed. "Like to know what the devil you was thinkin' of."

Some of his previous disgust was beginning to creep back in. It defied belief how any Rifleman could behave so.

".. Ain't like your lot never does that." Pye answered defensively. He knew that the 95th weren't angels either. Just to a glimpse at who they had for an officer could attest to that.

Mayden scoffed and reached into his breadbag for his cleaning kit. "Sure we don't go larkin' off some'ers where our own officer don't know where we're at."

"No?" Pye arched a brow, studying Mayden. "..Ain't like we was away long, anyhow." And this had been his first time straying anywhere far and away from the camp. Luck had to have it that it was the exact same day, that Captain Vickery wanted to do his counting. He sighed.

"Don't take so long for trouble to happen," Mayden answered pointedly.

"We got a Frog officer back for our troubles." Pye answered calmly. He tilted his head a bit. "One officer less in t' French army." He shrugged. "An'.. helped two hussars from our side from gettin' slain.. and their horses taken." Which they did, even if... it did not excuse them being places they were not supposed to be.

Stupid boy.

"That ain't yer 'sponsibility," said Mayden as he unrolled his cleaning kit. "The comp'ny's bus'ness comes first."

"I know it ain't." Pye shifted a bit, and then placed his rifle across his knees. "..Why ain't you with your own company now?" He asked indicating his own cuff and then Mayden's as if to suggest that the two colours were different.

" 'Cause my company's off doin' Major Hogan's errands, most like." Mayden distracted himself for a moment getting the lock off his rifle. "I were with the sawbones when they went. Got rode over by some Frog, but that was 'cause I was out an' doin' me job, weren't it?"

"...ain't we all doing it." He glanced at his hand and its fingers. They were the final proof he could return to normal duty. He could fire and though it was still an effort and caused some pain, the fear that he could never again use them was put to rest. He smiled. They were good. "Got run over at right the wrong time, then.. you."

" 'Cept you, mebbe." The lad couldn't even obey a simple order to stay within the company's bivouac. "Dunno what you'd know 'bout anythin', anyway."

"Oh. An' why not?.. I've been near pinned ter t' camp up till today." True enough. "Gone out ter t' water only in t' company of sum'one who was a'right to.. and gone right back here." He looked at his rifle.

He curled his lip. "This ain't the first time you been in it an' all. If you was where you was s'posed to be, like the rest of us..."

"..None of this would'a happened. True." Pye frowned. In a way his and Freddie's being where they were not suppose to be probably saved two lives, but in return two lads were being scolded for it. It was not excusable.

"Well, it did..An it ain't helpin' lookin' back at wot' you can't change." He released the chick from its breadbag, letting her peck at the floor around him.

"No," Mayden answered stiffly. "But it sure means you an' yer mate can't be trusted an' all."

"Trusted? ...We're here, aren't we." Pye answered just as stiffly. "...not gone. Here."

There was no sense in dignifying that with an answer. Mayden settled for a disgusted snort and turned his attention to the work of cleaning his rifle. That lad couldn't be taught, clearly.

"..Whatever you've got to say, jus' say it." Pye spoke, and sighed, feeling quite frustrated. Things just kept on going wrong. And just as he started to learn a new language, found a good friend and thought he was improving in other things too. What was worse.. he had disappointed the captain, again.

Oh he wanted to know Mayden's thoughts, did he?

"Nex' time you get a notion to go harin' off," Mayden snarled, "it'd be best fer us if you stayed gone. There ain't no place in the Rifles fer a lad what don't even know he's done summat dead stupid. Never mindin' provin' that he can't follow no orders."

Pye bit his lip, flinching. "I know I've done something dead stupid." He spoke rather quietly. "...A'right. I know." He felt miserable about it, but that did not count and he knew it did not, it was no excuse and could not make things better.

"...can't undo it... but I know. An'.. it ain't happenin' again."

Burke threaded his way back through camp, looking for Pye. Things had certainly not turned out well by all accounts, but he wanted to hear the story from his partner. Facts tended to get mixed about when they were passed around camp.

He spotted Pye sitting by Mayden, and the two of them looked distinctly unfriendly. Not the best situation Pretending not to have noticed, Burke ambled over to join them.

"'ello, Sam, Pye," he said with a smile. He ruffled Pye's hair and dropped to sit next to him, pulling out his own rifle for cleaning.

Pye blinked, stunned for a moment before he recognised Burke. He smiled shyly, and then lowered his gaze just a bit. He was thrilled to have his partner there, but rather quickly the reality of the situation and what had just happened and how it may reflect also on his partner hit him and that feeling of excitement and gladness was replaced by uncertainty and worry.

"..'ey." He spoke timidly, his hair standing at odd ends just as Burke made it.

"Burke," Mayden acknowledged, thoroughly ignoring Pye.