#generic commander

Now it was Kasmeer’s turn to hold up one hand, and three clones appeared behind her, looking stern with their arms folded. Until all three of them hiccuped in unison with Kasmeer. “Look, Commander, I was hoping not to argue with you. Just listen to what I have to say, please?” She hesitated to confirm the Commander’s response of silence, then nodded with some confidence and another hiccup before continuing. “Jory, Taimi, Rytlock, Braham, Rox, Logan, Caithe, Gorrik, even Canach and Zojja… we all got together to make sure that you, well, that you felt appreciated. We’ve all gone through a lot together, including you. Especially you. And today, if not other days, you should go take some time for yourself. Please. You need to take a break and do something fun sometimes.” 

There was a long pause where the Commander looked at Kasmeer with some apprehension, then they leaned forward and placed their hands on the table, careful not to knock over any figurines. “Truthfully, I wish I could take some time off. Pretend that all… this… isn’t happening for a few days. Or even a few months. But there’s so much to do. There’s always so much to do.” An exhausted sigh left them and they stood up again to slump against a nearby pillar. “I wish I could, Kas. I just can’t.”

Kasmeer shook her head, and the clones behind her disappeared as she relaxed a little, and she stepped forward to place the gift on the table in an empty area of the map. “You can. You can, even if it’s just for today. Look, I’ve already cleared it with the others - we can handle things here today. As much as your very experienced hand is appreciated, this attack can wait for one day while you take a break. We’re on the offensive here, after all. Didn’t you say to me once that the offensive party is the one in charge of the timeline?” She smiled and nudged the gift forward. “Please, friend. Stop being the Commander for one day.”

The Commander glanced between the gift and the mesmer, and sighed with a hesitant smile. “Fine. Just for today. You’re right, I should take some time. And today… Thank you, Kas. Thanks for doing this. I do appreciate it.” They reached forward to pick up the gift and looked briefly surprised at the unexpected weight of it. With a smirk, the Commander joked, “what is this, the weight of the world again?” The attempt at humour drew a giggle from Kas, and they both relaxed a little as the gift was unwrapped to reveal a small carved stone chest. 

Turning over the chest, the Commander noted a small inscription in Braham’s writing. “‘Commander, may your spirit forever be as strong as the strength you inspire from us every day.’” They looked up at Kasmeer, emotion filling their eyes, and was met with a silent encouragement to carry on and open up the box. Next to come out was a small wood carving of Garm and a carved crystal of Glint in the shape of Aurene, as a baby, both featuring Caithe’s subtle signature on the bottom. 

A slight gasp escaped the Commander’s lips as they pulled out the next item - a large silk flag with delicately hand-embroidered areas representing the major cities they had helped to defend: Lion’s Arch, the Black Citadel, Rata Sum, Divinity’s Reach, the Grove, Hoelbrak, Tarir, and Amnoon. “This is beautiful, Kas.” They were about to say something else when they realised there was still one last item in the chest; an Asuran holoprojector. 

Pressing the button on the side, the Commander noticed Kasmeer’s inquisitive look and they held it up for the both of them to see. With a crackle, the hologram started, showing Taimi’s face. 

“Hi Commander! This is a message from Taimi, obviously, Gorrik - say hello Gorrik! Gorrik? Pah, whatever. Zojja was here too but she just stepped out and I don’t know where she is. Aaaaanyway, we just wanted to tell you that-”

The hologram skipped, stuttering over Taimi’s next words and then shifted to reveal Faren’s grinning face, and Kasmeer suddenly looked horrified. “What? Oh no.” The Commander briefly looked up at Kasmeer, frowned, then focused on the hologram again in time to hear Canach’s voice while the view panned down Faren’s oily, mostly-naked body, then back up to his face while he happily gyrated, beginning to serenade the Commander. 

The transmission was cut short by the Commander throwing the unit across the room and storming over to the pile of weapons in the corner, grabbing a handful and barging into the door to leave. Left alone in the room, Kasmeer buried her face in her hands as the Commander’s voice echoed through the courtyard, trailing after their angry presence. 

“CANAAAAAAAAAACH!”