[ With Gen's weight off him, Eustace takes the time to peel himself away from his new best friend the tree trunk and roll out some of the stiffness starting to settle in his muscles. What he wouldn't give right now for a hot shower, but instead all he's got is a fresh wave of pain radiating through his body and an ungrateful kid about to keel over from a single strong gust of wind.

Maybe two gusts, now that he looks back down to see Gen sitting mostly upright. His posture might be better but that attitude could still use some work. ]

Then give them a reason to help you. You can't do everything alone.

[ The absolute hypocrisy of that statement. But it matters more in Gen's case, as far as Eustace is concerned. He's just a kid, poor decisions fueled by the follies of youth rather than deliberate malice. (Or so Eustace hopes.)

Not that any of his innermost thoughts show, the words sounding more like a tired rebuttal than any sort of actual advice. ]

You might not have been a soldier before but you are one now. [ There's no way this isn't going to be the first battle of many. ] If you want to make it out of this alive, then use some common sense.

[ No comment on volunteering to step in to save his ass though. ]