He let out a mighty bellow at her words of several husbands and finding her rock. He knew what she spoke about there. Not the husbands part, he'd never been quite that drunk, but about finding your own rock in this play called Life where each of them starred in their own unique, personal tragedies for the amusement of the gods. And tragedies the mando'ade had plenty of.
He took another swig, nearly coughing because he had been laying on his back, then rolled to his side with head braced by his arm. Now with gravity working with him he took another swig feeling the warmth spreading from his core as the liquor did its job. Stardust told him to look at her, and he did, as she spoke about conflict, morals, duty, and family. She quieted afterwards.
"You told me to look at you. Then you admit faults. Well guess what? I'm still looking. You may not see what others see, but I do. A strong, beautiful woman in her prime. Ferocious in demeanor and kind in words. And you have no problem laughing or fighting. Yeah, I'm still looking. And guess what, family, duty, morals, that's part of life. That's part of being a leader. That's part of being the head of your people. If you didn't think you were failing half the time you would be a maniacal egotistical crazed dikut. You care, you worry, and you second guess. But never, ever, doubt that you have proven that you are worthy."
He smiled before flopping to his back once more. Her worry and concerns were mirrored in his own mind. His people, the Lo'te Legion, deserved their moment of respite and happiness instead of constant war and death. And as their Colonel, their vod, their figurative buir, it was his responsibility to lead them and protect them. Yes, he felt her fear as his own.
Stardust Solus Skirae