Congratulations are In Order (D3 EE Open Officer's Lounge)

[Gianna Rains]

"Thanks, Gi! That feels so weird though. Dunno what I should drink, so just give me something. Nothing heavy please, like that sweet strawberry stuff from new year's. Even if it tasted really good. Maybe one glass is fine?"
...
"Thanks, Richard!" And then she suddenly finds herself with a bottle of beer in her hands. "Uh ..." The small redhead stares at the normally unbearably bitter beverage with some dismay. With the big man already gone, she turns towards Gianna instead and asks. "I don't suppose this is some magic beer that doesn't taste like liquid bread crust with earwax, Gi?"

Gianna glances quickly to make sure Richard's not watching - and quickly grabs the bottle and pushes it part way along the bar away from Cat.

"No. All beer tastes that way," she says, only half joking and then grinning at the younger girl. "How about if I make you a... Um. One of my favorite drink? It's not for everyone, but it's kind of fruity and delicious, I think." She gives Cat a curious look, not pressuring, to see how adventurous she's feeling tonight.

[Catherine Maia Hayes]

"Sure!" The little Lieutenant happily agrees. "Fruity and delicious sounds good. Just as long as I won't end up drunk and embarrass myself, or worse: in no condition to go out on patrol tomorrow."

She gives the now distant beer bottle a brief glance. "And thank you for that. Richard's a good guy. Not his fault I can't stand that bitter stuff."

[Richard Winter]

...

"In fairness, the communications station was only lightly guarded, so the chance of my brief demise was very slim. But thanks Yori." he took a sip. "I did, however, document the course of the battle as best I could. I'm sure you can point out my mistakes if you like. "

[Yori Hakamada]

"In fairness, the communications station was only lightly guarded, so the chance of my brief demise was very slim. But thanks Yori." he took a sip. "I did, however, document the course of the battle as best I could. I'm sure you can point out my mistakes if you like. "

"I can do so..."
Cocking her head
"But I have been told in the past that such analysis is rarely appreciated. Most pilots prefer to be complimented when they return from a mission instead of having all their mistakes pointed out. Self-reflection is difficult."
Long pause as she stares into the reflection from her bottle.
"And often unpleasant."

[Richard Winter]

...

"It,.... is." he also stared at his bottle. "But,.." he took heart and said, "I have lost many friends because many wrong decisions were made. I was not in a commanding position at the time, but I don't want to fall into the same pitfalls as my superiors did. So it would be logical to turn to someone who I know has a better strategic understanding than I do, right?"

"But I also understand that this is not the right place to talk about it" he sighed and took another sip of beer. "It's just that it was the first real mission as a lance commander and I'm probably still a bit excited."

[John Slaktare]

John's head lolls to the side as he fully falls asleep. He went out like a light, very quickly.

[Yori Hakamada]

"It,.... is." he also stared at his bottle. "But,.." he took heart and said, "I have lost many friends because many wrong decisions were made. I was not in a commanding position at the time, but I don't want to fall into the same pitfalls as my superiors did. So it would be logical to turn to someone who I know has a better strategic understanding than I do, right?"

"But I also understand that this is not the right place to talk about it" he sighed and took another sip of beer. "It's just that it was the first real mission as a lance commander and I'm probably still a bit excited."

"You should be excited, it is a great accomplishment."
Yori delivers this in the same tone as she might act for a pencil sharpener.
"Command is difficult, it requires making decisions for others. Decisions that might get them hurt, or killed. Worse, sometimes you make decisions you know will get your people hurt or killed because the mission requires it."

Looking Richard unblinking in the eye
"But it also means they have placed trust in you. That your men and women put their lives in your hands. I am sure they would be happy their commander was not too proud to ask for advice, or that he was happy to lead them."

There's a long pause
"Your grouping was a little sloppy though, we can work on that."