Editing The Commissar and His Maid (section)

==Part 9==
Emperor damnit.

I managed to fall again, tore the stitches in my leg. The medic has confined me to quarters until the stitches heal. Three days, not able to leave my quarters. And it gets worse, but I'll get to that.

6345 took the news pretty well actually, when she went to fetch some afternoon nibbles, I swear i saw her skipping down the hallway. She came back with a tray loaded with the local snacks and confections, as well as a hot pot of recaf.

Unfortunately for me, in her hurry to be a good maid, 6345 knocked the pot of recaf, and instinct took over. I tried to catch it, and I did, just upside down. I yell, she's apologizing, and a squad of Kriegers have rushed in.

The medics leave, and my hand is now looking like a puncher's glove. 6345 is pacing nervously and shooting little glances at me. I tell her to stand at attention, then to stand at ease, and then to stand easy. The bark of orders seems to settle her, as i explain that it was my fault, and not to worry about it. Such things happen, and if the Emperor forgives such things. Intent matters more than action.

I roll myself back to my sleeping quarters and change my tunic, and when i return, the desk is cleared, there is a single candle sitting beside a plate, piled with the local delicacies.

6345 appeared behind me, and guided my chair back to its place. She then knelt down beside me, and grabbed my knife and fork.

And she fed me.

<...buffering...>
It was a little awkward at first, but she was patient with me, and very gentle. I don't think she has ever had to feed someone else like this. I know i haven't.

And I have never seen a Krieger eat. When your around them, the food seems to be eaten, but I have never seen actual eating taking place.

So she fed me. All three courses. There was a final chocolate confection. i grabbed it with my uninjured hand, and offered it to her. She looked up at me, and i offered it again. She looked at the confection, back at me, and then back to the confection.

She took off her mask, and took the confection from my fingers with her teeth. I don't think she had ever had a chocolate like that one before, her entire face lit up as she savored it. I looked at her smiling, her blond hair framing her face, her high cheeks and button nose, and her smile.

A smile that could launch a thousand crusades.

<...buffering...>
She smiled at me, I smiled at her, and then she pulled her mask back down. I sighed, and turned back to the table, to help her clear it, but she gently pushed my hands away and cleared the table herself.

She's having her own dinner in the mess I think.
What do Kriegers like? How do i show her i appreciate her? Sure she's a little clumsy, but if the Emperor punished everyone for being clumsy, he'd have to have executed everyone.

Where's that Dataslate, i have an idea.

Logistics, order forms, commissarial priority. Sorry scriber, but I can't let you in on it just yet.

Recorded 4126988.M41
68th Krieg Field Artillery – Saghalain
Autoscribe #303440288