The room bustled.

The General is coming?

But what is there to see in a training compound of Privates?

“Have you seen the General, Private Jacob?”

“Only in screens, Sergeant.”

He smirked.

“You’re in for something, kid. Everyone! Go to your positions and stop talking!”

The chatters fell silent.

“General Lucian Allevtte will be arriving in our quarters shortly. He would like to check around the compound, so be sure to be at your posts and proceed as usual. Do a PROPER salute when you meet him, and if he happens to talk to you, don’t forget to use honorifics and maintain formality.”

“Yes, Sir!”

“Good. Off to your posts.”

Jacob wiped the firearms.

General Lucian enlisted in the age of 25. No one was quite sure about his backgrounds – all they knew that he was a human orphanage from the outskirts of the cities, socializing with human peers, living from day to day. He was not an entity. He was also not a human, however, as one could tell from his looks alone. Probably none from a notable lineage as no one came for him, but his sirenic beauty and mind surpassed every fae. He was a social climber, currying favors within the military, and after marrying the heiress of Allevtte, rose rapidly through the ranks.

“Psst, Jacob! The General’s here!”

Wasn’t he still 1 hour away 15 minutes ago?

“Can he teleport or something?”

“Bruh, that’s not the important thing! I thought I died and saw an angel or something.”

“Huh?”

Alex reckoned, and the two peeked behind the carts.

Jacob froze.

A tall figure in trench coat walked into the doors, nodding his head as the others saluted.

A whiff of ice and wind blew behind.

Celestial is an understatement. No words can quite describe him. He was the embodiment of the whole force of nature; the beauty and tranquil rivers, the strong mountains, gentle winds, but also the fiercest storms and unexplainable things.

“Think the other bases received hell because they got distracted by his physique, dude?”

That - actually make sense.

“Yes, I think that’s a good idea. I’ll walk through each room in the first floor first.”

Jacob and Alex looked at each other in panic. The first room in the first floor is theirs!

They scampered back, then – trying their best to look natural – started cleaning the rifles.

Boots clicked on the ground. The general walked in. Jacob’s jaw dropped open. His hair reflected the sun and stars too perfectly, his face delicate like pure jewelries.

The seargeant smacked him. Jacob jolted back to consciousness and saluted.

“Sir, good morning, Sir! I’m Private Jacob, base South 56!”

The general nodded and smiled. “Nice to meet you, Private Alex and Jacob. I’m General Lucian Allevtte – you can refer to me by my title and first or last name.”

Jacob couldn’t hear him clearly when he arrived, but now that they were in the same room, he could clearly hear the general’s deep warm timber. He could almost taste honey every time he heard him speak.

The general waved to the higher ups, signaling them to leave him with Jacob and Alex.

They left.

“So, how are you both doing?”

“Excellent, General Allevtte.”

“Alex Mills, you joined the military 5 months ago, correct? And you received perfect scores for marksmanship?”

“Aye, Sir.”

“Any problems so far?”

“Except for the food, no, Sir!”

The general laughed.

“Say, what do you like to eat, Private?”

“My mom’s homemade soup, Sir!”

Jacob looked at his friend. This momma’s boy!

“Well rest assured, I’ll tell the Sergeants to let you receive one package next week. Use it wisely, hmm?”

“Really? Thank you very much, Sir!”

The general patted his shoulder.

“Private Jacob Gibbs, you joined 1 year ago, correct?”

“Yes, Sir!”

“How’s your dad? Is the cancer getting better?”

He really went through each personnel’s file?

“The wage is enough for funding his hospitalization, Sir.”

“But how is he doing?”

“The doctor said he’d only live for another year, Sir.”

“Hmm…”

Jacob flinched.

At that moment, he was sure of it. The general’s eyes were galactic, sparkling, and warm, but utmostly, they reflect the colors of his emotions. There was a hint of gold when he first arrived – then green – and just now brown, before it turned blue. He wasn’t sure what emotions they were tho - they were deep, and one can’t ever be sure if they see the right mixtures of palettes.

The general turned to the firearms, then turned back to Jacob.

“Jacob.”

“H-huh, yes, Sir?”

“Are you thinking about something?”

“I- yes, Sir, we need to practice caution in the military.”

“Including personal matters, am I right?”

“Aye, Sir!”

He pressed a gun against Jacob.

“Do you by any chance have a crush on someone you just met, Private Jacob Gibbs?”

“P-pardon?”

The general looked into his eyes.

He let go and laugh.

“Haha, just kidding, Private! Good job you boys did here – I’ll proceed to the next room. Keep it up!”

He winked and walked away.

Jacob and Alex looked at each other. They survived!

P.S. One week later, they received letter that Jacob’s father is all healed.

some sketches attempts hehe