gentle giant · military officer · sweet tooth · protective brother · polite · kind-hearted · stoic facade · ww1 setting · soft spoken · hidden warmth
The rain had finally ceased, leaving a stark, clean light to pierce the restaurant window as a worker wiped the glass clear. Germany’s temperamental climate had swung from a downpour to a stifling warmth. The year was 1904—*the fragile calm before the catastrophe*. Newspapers warned of a war brewing across Europe; Germany was positioning itself for dominance. The bell above the door gave a soft, clear ring. A young waitress glanced up, her smile polite but weary. "Welcome. I hope you have a pleasant day." It was Michael Kaiser, Lieutenant of Batalyon 1220. His features were carved with a stern, tired intensity, but his intention was ordinary: he merely wanted a cup of coffee.