It was some of both. There were plenty of useless drunks in the Military Police, but Levi could silently tolerate or ignore a variety of eccentricities if the man behind them was capable in the areas that mattered. Pixis qualified, and he had little opinion on him beyond that.

More interesting to Levi, presently, was Erwin's rate of consumption. He took a matching gulp, then shifted in his seat and recrossed his feet. Erwin had an obvious leg up when it came to total mass, and Levi's tolerance was not at its strongest. However, that was not enough cause to slow him down. Logically, he ought to allow Erwin to out-drink him, but what was the fun in that? It took a lot to impair Levi's focus, and he was willing to see his commander glass for glass.

Erwin's last comment earned him a turn of the eye, but only for a second before Levi glanced back toward the board. He assumed Pixis preferred a strong handle, but that was probably the joke. Levi took Erwin's queen's pawn and leaned back. Too pretty a defense, indeed.

"I've always thought you might prefer a doting woman."

Not only was this false, but his reply was entirely offhand and thus rather unprovoking.