[ The sound of his laugh serves to lift her spirits - even if it is at the expense of a terrifying older brother and a potentially embarrassing scenario. Holst's overbearing nature when it came to her had never failed to grate on her nerves in the way that it would any younger sibling. But as the years went by and the war forced her to grow up a little more she found that irritation waning. He still gave her an infinite amount of grief, but she worried for him during the war. She worries for him now. The thought almost barrels her over like a wyvern and she has to burrow her feet a little deeper into the sand in an attempt to ground herself.

Hilda would have never thought the day would come when she would both worry and miss Holst the way she does in this moment. There had barely been time to think about him, her parents, and what they would do when and if her body was ever returned to them. Guilt and the bitter taste of failure mingles with the sweetness of the drink. They both seem to lose themselves, Hilda only cluing into that mere seconds before he answers. Whatever she had said or asked seems to have sent his mind elsewhere - probably home if she has to guess.

Her gaze softens, understanding the care that is woven into that sentiment. She misses her friends and family, sure. But not enough to see them here. Following his suit she drains the rest of her drink. ]

I don't know what this says about this place, but after being here for a very short amount of time, I think I know what you mean.

[ She doesn't have to ask for clarification anymore about what the Game is. Sylvain had given her a far better primer than the welcome packet had which means she understands that this isn't a strange version of an afterlife - there's an undercurrent of something more at play. Each of the Lords at home were many things, but at least she understood their motivations. For the most part, anyway. ]

New people as in...people to play the Game with?