"...All survivors suffering in the wasteland were comrades on the same front. Although we had never fought side by side, I believed that someone as kind-hearted as you would not refuse to be friends with the people of the Brahmin Province."
Zaide's mind raced.
Although he had not yet pulled himself free from the chaotic crash, he instinctively lowered his stance, awkwardly trying to win back some goodwill from the young lady.
"My name is Zaide... Honorable Miss Alisa, I sincerely apologize for disturbing you so presumptuously in this manner."
Although glib humor could ease awkwardness, it clearly was not endearing.
Still, seeing that he had taken the initiative to give his name, Alisa relaxed her furrowed brow and spoke in a gentler tone.
"Alisa. Nice to meet you... And you?"
Caught off guard when the distinguished young lady turned her gaze toward him, Sawa, standing behind Zaide, dared not look into those beautiful eyes and stammered.
"I... I'm Sawa."
Seeing how hopeless the fellow looked, Zaide sighed and looked at Alisa with a slight hint of apology.
"Sorry, he is... my student, as well as my assistant. He is quite capable, but a little shy around strangers."
"I'm sorry!" Sawa quickly bowed in apology.
Seeing the clumsy young man, Alisa suddenly thought of herself from last year and could not help smiling. She spoke gently.
"You needn't apologize for something like that. No one is born able to stand on their own. One of my... friends used to cry whenever she ran into trouble, but now she can calmly think of ways to deal with it. I believe you can do the same. After all, you have traveled much farther than she has."
She did not know how far away the Brahmin Province was, but it should have been