>>1272785
>>Immediately look for Tenryuu

>>1272785
>>Immediately look for Tenryuu

>>1272785
>>>Immediately look for Tenryuu

>>1272785
>>Immediately look for Tenryuu

>>1272785
>>Immediately look for Tenryuu

>>1272785
>Immediately look for Tenryuu

>>1272785
>>Immediately look for Tenryuu

I need an adult. Wait.

>>1272785
I assume that
>[There’s vomit on his sweater already]
means we start losing our spaghetti, right?

Voting for
>Immediately look for Tenryuu
anyway.

>>1272785
>Immediately look for Tenryuu

>>1272785
>>Immediately look for Tenryuu
I think we need to apologize to Tenryuu. We sort of asked her to come with us and then left her hanging around all day, using up her free time.

>>1273041
Don't see a need to. We did ask her along and we convinced her when she had nothing pressing doing.

As a commander to a subordinate, we can't be apologising for everything as well. Especially for something where they agreed to and had the opportunity to turn down.

>>1273071
We left her waiting around for five hours with no notice whatsoever. It'd be kind of shitty to not apologize for that.

File: TenGou.jpg (46 KB, 627x253)

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‘Looking for someone?’

Your companion catches your attention, her hands on her hips as she smugly stares back up at you.

‘Yeah,’ you admit—much to her chagrin—as you give the area another scan… and find that there was still no Tenryuu in sight. Kongou scowls and narrows her eyes as she peers into your good one, to which you let out a small, nervous laugh. ‘I actually—well, I kind of dragged her along with me,’ you take a few steps forward, towards the middle of the plaza, in some way hoping it would give you a better chance of finding her, ‘that was about a couple of hours ago, I think…’

You trail off. You were being a little generous with the time there—it was closer to half a morning than anything; you hope she didn’t see fit to abandon you. It was quite late in the mid-day already… and it wouldn’t be far-fetched for her to go off and do her own thing while grumbling about your inadequacy as her immediate superior.

‘I honestly don’t know what Nagato sees in you—making a girl wait like that.’ You turn to her, a frown beginning to form upon your brow before realizing that she had made it in jest more than diatribe. The giggle practically seals your ire before it could get out of its box. ‘So… who are we looking for?’

‘Tenryuu.’ Kongou makes a knowing sound at her name. ‘I thought that she’d…’

You trail off again, stepping away from Kongou and turning yourself in place slowly. You must look quite the silly sight, you admit, a grown man spinning in a spot like some child on amusing himself, but the embarrassment is shoved at the back by worry. Tenryuu wouldn’t have just abandoned you like this—

‘Oi.’

You scream like a girl, leaping to one side as the searched party makes itself know to you, clutching two plastic bags that appeared to be filled with… something.

‘Where were you?’ You let out, your voice a little more high-pitched than you had intended.

‘Where were you?’ Tenryuu glares at you, sounding like a mother that had just reunited with her child. ‘Do you know how long I’ve waited for you? Do you know what time it —?’

She interrupts herself, her eye falling on your new companion, who waves nervously and grins toothily at your Light Cruiser.

‘YOU!’

You let out a cry to stop Tenryuu’s enrage form—bringing back memories that you’d rather not revisit—as she charges at Kongou, practically burning to the core. Kongou doesn’t move, as stiff as a board, Tenryuu’s arms opening wide like some sort of bear intending to maul its prey…

Before covering her in a tight embrace, her two bags coiling around and hitting her back in the elbows, a girlish scream of epic proportions leaving her lips.

‘Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?!’ Tenryuu embraces her again. ‘It’s been too long, girl!’

>‘You two know each other?’
>Allow them their reunion, quietly.
>Write-In

>>1273083
>>Allow them their reunion, quietly.

>>1273083
>>Allow them their reunion, quietly.

>>1273083
"enrage form" is to be replaced with "unexpectedly enraged form"

>>1273083
>>Allow them their reunion, quietly.

>>1273083
>>Allow them their reunion, quietly.

>>1273083
>Allow them their reunion, quietly.

>>1273083
>Allow them their reunion, quietly.

>>1273083
Man, I don't even need to vote.

File: __kongou_kantai_collectio(...).png (399 KB, 522x775)

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‘Well, this was a bit of an unexpected call, actually.’ Kongou pulls back—although not without great effort on her part. ‘I’m due back on the grinder tomorrow; I already have transport arranged for me.’

Tenryuu opens her mouth, before closing it, pausing… and opening it again. They looked like a pair of schoolgirls that were having a blessed reunion, hopping in place and practically squealing. You let out a small grunt of amusement, averting your eyes… but unable to suppress the big, goofy grin that now bloomed upon your features as the scene unfolded before your eyes.

‘What are you doing here, anyway?’ Tenryuu finally manages, still clutching to her friend.

Kongou opens her mouth for a while… before sighing and offering a smile in the stead of an answer.

‘Official business.’

Tenryuu lets out a low chuckle, nodding in understanding as she took a step back, her hands on her hips as she observed her friend.

‘You gotta leave now?’

‘No, no, not now.’ Kongou hurriedly answers, frantically waving her hands. ‘Someone’ll come pick me up by this evening. I have it all arranged.’

Your Light Cruiser scratches her chin, eyeing Kongou up and down as an oddly-serene look comes upon her.

‘It’s just so great to see you. I mean, after I heard what happened to Ominato and Maizuru—I mean, I know that you made it but…’ She wipes away what you can only discern to be an imaginary tear—it was both touching and hilarious to see just how emotional Tenryuu was being over this, ‘it’s just so good to see you, Kongou. It really is.’

At Tenryuu’s sniffle, you feel something drop from your throat and into the deepest parts of your stomach.

‘Aw, you’re making me red, Tenryuu.’ Kongou digs her heels into the pavement, scratching the back of her head, her cheeks tickled pink, ‘I’m glad Yokosuka wasn’t so badly hit… Maizuru’s a no-go zone and Ominato… well, that’s left is left, I guess.’

‘Have you seen Hiei?’ Tenryuu asks, her hands aloft. ‘She’s on base too, you know.’

‘I heard.’ Kongou crosses her arms, glaring into the distance. ‘She’s serving under that—urgh.’

You don’t dare comment.

‘I can’t even talk about him without getting into a fit.’

‘You know… you could afford to give him some slack.’

To your surprise, Tenryuu does.

‘I know, but…’ Kongou bites her lip, before shaking her head and adopting her cheerful demeanor once more. ‘You know what? Forget him. I think we found ourselves an adequate gentleman to show us around for the day, yeah?’

Tenryuu waggles an eyebrow at you, as smug as can be.

‘Gentleman, huh?’

>‘Looks like the both of you have some catching up to you. Tenryuu, can I trust you to take care of our guest? (Leave)
>Tag along CONSUMES ACTION POINT
>Write-In

>>1273314
>>Tag along CONSUMES ACTION POINT
lets see what happens

File: the answer is everything.jpg (35 KB, 594x383)

35 KB JPG

>>1273314
>>Tag along CONSUMES ACTION POINT

>>1273314
>Tag along CONSUMES ACTION POINT

>>1273314
>>Tag along CONSUMES ACTION POINT

>>1273314
>>Tag along CONSUMES ACTION POINT

>>1273314
>Tag along CONSUMES ACTION POINT

A bad decision I will enjoy

>>1273314
>Tag along CONSUMES ACTION POINT

>>1273314
I'd ask how many action points we've got right now because I've forgotten but... oh well.

ONTO THE BONGOU TRAIN!

>>1273409

The meeting was our first stop of the day. Might be 3 left but I'm not sure if the long meeting means that we've gone over that and into a second.

>>1273314
>Tag along CONSUMES ACTION POINT

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That had been about ten minutes ago.

Since then, Tenryuu had unceremoniously—although not rudely or aggressively—requested you to carry her bags for her, which appeared to be a bunch of old sweaters all jumbled up in each bag. She and Kongou were chatting animatedly in front of you, excitedly exchanging details that you couldn’t make heads or tails of. It was a little surreal to see a girl that had been front and center on your poster just casually walking around in a pink jacket next to your subordinate, giggling like a schoolgirl as she occasionally threw glances back at you alongside her friend.

‘I didn’t know you were assigned to this Commander here.’ Kongou comments, looking from you to Tenryuu.

‘It wasn’t voluntary.’ Tenryuu jokes, placing her hands in her pockets. The mischievous grin that she wore told you as much. ‘I was assigned by Ooyodo to act as the Quartermaster when The Commander requested for me to join the Division. We’ve had a pretty good track record, when all’s said and done. I still have to do the part-time thing with Yuubari and Ooyodo; everyone here’s pulling double-duty. Especially after everything that happened with the Assault.’

‘I heard.’ Kongou answers quietly. ‘I read the reports… how quickly were you able to… ?’

You tilt your head, wondering what they were talking about.

‘Four days.’ Tenryuu answers, her voice taking a tired tone. ‘It doesn’t get any easier, I tell you. Ooyodo… I’m surprised she—she and Akashi—were able to hold themselves well enough for the rites.’ She pauses for a moment, her shoulders slumping. ‘She did as well as she could manage, I guess. I… I couldn’t operate.’

‘I don’t hold it against you.’ Kongou wears a sad, honest smile. ‘I don’t think I have the right to.’

A solemn grunt of amusement is shared between the both of them before they turn away from one another, slowly trudging forwards.

Neither of them say anything for a moment. You follow quietly behind them, your mind wandering back to the day of the attack; it had been raining and you were looking to leave the place with your tail between your legs; everything had happened so fast, so quickly… your stupid act of courage; your deliberation between cowardice and charging in; the Old Man crying out the futility of it all…

And a pair of jaws dragging you by the arm into the black depths of the—

Sea.

You trip over something, landing painfully on a knee.

That was a lesson to watch where you were stepping, it would seem.

‘You all right?’

You dust yourself off, looking up to Tenryuu and Kongou’s gazes.

A tight grin spreads across your lips as you accept their helping hands, getting to your feet.

‘Dandy.’

>‘So where are we headed?’
>‘Kongou, where are you usually posted these days?’
>[But he keeps on forgetting what he wrote down]
>Wrote-In

>>1273429
>>‘Kongou, where are you usually posted these days?’

>>1273429
>‘So where are we headed?’

>>1273429
>>‘So where are we headed?’

>>1273429
>>‘Kongou, where are you usually posted these days?’

>>1273429
>‘Kongou, where are you usually posted these days?’
Engage the bongobote.

>>1273429
>>[But he keeps on forgetting what he wrote down]
Wildcard!

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‘Kongou-san, if I may ask… where are you usually posted these days?’ You inquire, hoping to sate your curiosity. ‘I know that you don’t serve directly under a Commander or an Admiral, so… where are you stationed, really?’

You hadn’t encountered her at Ominato—despite Haruna being there you had seen no trace of her—and you knew that Maizuru had been practically destroyed. The reports had said that The Admiralty had all but moved out of the area; the town itself was decimated; flattened. You were curious as to where she could have been posted; from what The Vice-Admiral had told you, she was still active. The capacity to which she was active in, however, eluded you.

Kongou considers you, taking one of the plastic bags from your hand and tossing it over the shoulder.

‘Well, I spend most of my time at Admiralty HQ nowadays.’ She reveals. ‘They gave me an office and everything.’

You frown. That was a weird use for a Battleship that still had all her battle factors intact.

‘Weird.’

‘Sorry?’

You grumble, cursing your quick tongue.

‘No, I’m—I mean that it’s weird that you’re not on the front line or serving as an Admiral’s second or even under a Vice-Admiral. What could they want you upstairs for?’ Tenryuu eyes you, her expression unable to be fully discerned as Kongou considers your question. ‘Not that you wouldn’t be capable, of course, I don’t mean that, but… with everything that’s going on, don’t you think the front lines would be a better place for—ow!’

You rub your elbow. Tenryuu had seen fit to give you a good whack—perhaps she had perceived it as indiscretion on your part.

‘Well, I could go into detail but… let’s just say that require my talents in a more’—she grins naughtily; so much so that there’s not much differentiation in her eyes to what you had seen from Taigei of all Kanmusu—‘specific range of work.’

‘What kind of work?’

Tenryuu hits you again. She might as well adopt and baby you at this point.

‘The kind that gets Submarines on your butts if anyone so much as whispers about it.’

A trash can falls on its own down an alley.

The flash in her eyes is unmistakable; even more pronounced by the seemingly-innocent smile that she wore. You open your mouth to continue your line of questioning… only for your thoughts to catch up with you and shut it as quickly as possible. She turns on her heel to continue the journey, Tenryuu giving you a reassuring glance as the both of them catch up again, as though you had never interrupted them.

It’s not that long before you’re at the beach…

‘DON’T MAKE ME COMMIT HOMICIDE! I SAID SUICIDES!’

Where a bikini-clad Hiei was barking orders to Teruzuki and two other Destroyers, not noticing anything else around her.

‘Watch this.’

Kongou rubs her palms together before comically sneaking behind her sister for a good scare.

>>1273495
>‘You know, that’s not a very nice thing to do.’ (Spoil Kongou’s fun)
>‘I hope she doesn’t blow up anything.’ (Let Kongou do her thing)
>[Time’s up, over! BLAOW!]
>Write-In

>>1273495
>‘I hope she doesn’t blow up anything.’ (Let Kongou do her thing)

File: 1583755815.jpg (103 KB, 768x364)

103 KB JPG

>>1273498
>‘I hope she doesn’t blow up anything.’ (Let Kongou do her thing)

>>1273498
>>‘I hope she doesn’t blow up anything.’ (Let Kongou do her thing)

>>1273498
>>‘I hope she doesn’t blow up anything.’ (Let Kongou do her thing)

>>1273495
>>‘I hope she doesn’t blow up anything.’ (Let Kongou do her thing)

>>1273495
>‘You know, that’s not a very nice thing to do.’ (Spoil Kongou’s fun)

>>1273498
>>‘I hope she doesn’t blow up anything.’ (Let Kongou do her thing)

>>1273498

>‘I hope she doesn’t blow up anything.’ (Let Kongou do her thing)

>>1273498
>>‘I hope she doesn’t blow up anything.’ (Let Kongou do her thing)

File: Big Sister Middle Sister.jpg (96 KB, 850x482)

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You sincerely hope that Kongou wouldn’t shock Hiei’s weaponry into activation and have her spray her load across the beach. It was a public setting… and there wasn’t a bone in you that liked the idea of being witness—or being liable, for that matter—KanMusu’s surprise rampage. Still… you stay still, hand on the railing and eyes forward as Kongou sneaks comically, like a cartoon character, on her oblivious sister, who was prancing back and forth—but otherwise in the same spot—as she barks commands to the KanMusu on the waves.

‘HIEI!’

Hiei screams as Kongou wraps around her belly like a boa, lifting her sister with little to no effort. You’re able to make out Hiei’s terrified face for a brief revolution as the realization comes quickly upon her just who had picked her up and spun her like a circus stunt. A few seconds pass before Kongou deposits Hiei back onto the sand… and the second of the Four Horsemen gets back up, wrapping her sister in an energetic embrace of her own, practically fumbling and blubbering as Kongou takes it all in stride. Sharing a knowing look with Tenryuu, the both of you approach the energetic sisters, still clutching one another by the arms.

‘Why’re you here? Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?’ Hiei questions excitedly, leaning back briefly… before hugging her again. ‘I would’ve been on-site when you’d landed.’

‘It’s just a short visit.’ Kongou, for some reason or another, throws you a knowing look. ‘So how’re ya, sis?’

‘I’m—!’ She stops herself, turning to the sight of the KanMusu out at sea, signaling them to come back to shore. ‘You know me, I’ve been keeping busy. Between making sure that the gear’s up to scratch and making sure the Forces are running, I don’t really don’t get much time to myself.’

Teruzuki and the two KanMusu—who you now recognize to be Hamakaze and Nagatsuki—step out of the waters and onto the sand.

‘Captain, there’s still a lag on the turning system.’ Hamakaze holds out her arm, which makes a clicking sound. She thrusts it forward repeatedly for emphasis. ‘And the acceleration burst’s too sudden when I’m trying to make a turn; the factor’s too sudden and the stress doesn’t help any recoil.’

‘Noted.’ She pats Hamakaze on the shoulder, jabbing her thumb in the direction of a nearby tent, where you spy several civilians and some Admiralty personnel having their lunch. ‘Sort yourselves out; good job… and don’t forget to revise your Force Operation schedules.’

They trudge away, giving your respectful bows as they do so.

‘You still run Force Operations?’

‘Well, just because we’re a little bit better off doesn’t mean…’

>‘I couldn’t help but overhear. What’s the difference between a Force Operation and a Division Operation, really?’
>‘Our borders still run a risk?’
>[He’s nervous, but on the surface he’s calm and ready]
>Write-In

>>1274060
>‘I couldn’t help but overhear. What’s the difference between a Force Operation and a Division Operation, really?’
now that is a interesting bit

>>1274060
>>‘I couldn’t help but overhear. What’s the difference between a Force Operation and a Division Operation, really?’

>>1274060
>‘I couldn’t help but overhear. What’s the difference between a Force Operation and a Division Operation, really?’

File: HIEI MOVING OUT.jpg (182 KB, 441x623)

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‘I couldn’t help but overhear.’ You step in. The both of them towards you—once again you have to turn away that weeping pre-teen that was banging on the door to be let out. ‘I’ve never heard of Force Operations before. What’s the difference between a Force Operation and a Division Operation? I know that they fall under different categories and different leaders but… what’s the real distinction between them, really?’

Kongou and her sister share a look… before she decides to take point in the discussion.

‘Well, it’s understandable. Forces aren’t totally explained to Commanders and Vice-Admirals until they get it filed to them but I suppose a general spread on how they’re conducted isn’t against regulation.’ She crosses her arms, sharing another look with her sister. ‘The general difference between a Force Operation and a Division Operation—other than the fact that Admirals and Vice-Admirals are administrators the former and that your categorically set in the latter—is that a Division Operation has you very hands-on; a Force Operation is a field op with a KanMusu in a charge. Typically one of experience, but not necessarily.’

Hiei gestures with her hands; you realize that this was probably the most serious you’d heard from her.

‘A Force Operation covers a whole spectrum of difficulty, but the general rule is that the easiest one on deck is easier than a typical Division Operation and the hardest one is, well… it’s a lot harder to bail out of when you don’t have an Admiral or a Commander to bail you out.’

You frown.

‘Why would you conduct a Force Operation at all, then?’

They stare at you, incredulous… before Tenryuu unexpectedly steps in.

‘The lack of manpower, of course.’ She offers, her one good eye fixed upon you. ‘It may escape your notice, Commander, but you can’t just use the RAY and just utilize the Stream as you please. The stress would kill you—or in a best case scenario, render you insane. KanMusu Streams are unstable factors on their own—and we’re still not sure if the RAY makes it easier or harder on you in the long run.’

‘So a Force generally runs an Operation outside of assignment?’

‘Well, it’s still an assignment, in the most technical sense… it’s just something that falls down to us instead of you.’ Hiei shrugs nonchalantly, making a sarcastic noise. ‘Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like we’re trying to get something for ourselves or anything… we’re in this to win as much as you’re in it to survive.’

>‘How do you operate, then? Don’t you need a steady Stream to keep operating?’
>‘Is there like a certain criteria you have to meet to be in charge of a Force? I mean… administrate one.’
>‘We’re in a beggars can’t be choosers situation, aren’t we? Why not ramp up the recruitment?’
>‘All right, I get it, thanks.’ (Leave)
>[His arms are heavy]
>Write-In

>>1274206
>‘How do you operate, then? Don’t you need a steady Stream to keep operating?’

It's still tempting to >[His arms are heavy]

>>1274206
>>‘How do you operate, then? Don’t you need a steady Stream to keep operating?’

>>1274206
>‘We’re in a beggars can’t be choosers situation, aren’t we? Why not ramp up the recruitment?’

>>1274206
>>‘We’re in a beggars can’t be choosers situation, aren’t we? Why not ramp up the recruitment?’

>>1274206
>‘How do you operate, then? Don’t you need a steady Stream to keep operating?’

>>1274206
>‘How do you operate, then? Don’t you need a steady Stream to keep operating?’

>>1274206
>‘How do you operate, then? Don’t you need a steady Stream to keep operating?’

>>1274206

>‘How do you operate, then? Don’t you need a steady Stream to keep operating?’

File: Mission Prep Pretty Much.jpg (414 KB, 1920x1080)

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‘How do you operate, then?’

‘Mostly by ourselves.’ Kongou answers, shrugging nonchalantly, as though uncaring. ‘The Admiral or Vice-Admiral would usually just pass on a request or organize a schedule for us to rotate.’ She turns to Hiei. ‘Without the Stream or a Commander on-call, we’re stocked up on a different strand of magic to allow independent—albeit limited—combat capabilities. On paper, we can sustain these forms indefinitely—going into battle and hoping to last an hour is out of the question for a lot of us.’

‘Wouldn’t that allow for less expansion on your reserves anyway, seeing as you’re not hooked up to someone with a Stream that you’re able to utilize?’ You frown; as far as you’d been told, you were acting as a sort of battery as much as you were an on-field leader. The lack of something like as part of the nature of a Force Operation… worried you, to say the least. ‘Not to mention less power?’

Kongou crosses her arms, raising three fingers for you to see.

‘The average drop for a KanMusu going out a Force Operation is about three grades. We wouldn’t be able to operate at the maximum possible capacity for more than an hour. There are exceptions to the rule—Destroyers who have mastered Core control and the like can operate for longer periods… in theory, of course.’

‘How often are they run?’ Your brows scrunch in confusion. It was amazing that you weren’t aware of this side to the Base’s daily goings-on.

‘As often as we need, but never enough that they’d exhaust us.’ Kongou and Hiei share a look… before erupting into twin giggles. There must have been something that they were both in on. ‘Like, I run a Patrol Operation twice a week and Hamakaze runs an Expedition Force on request from The Magitek.’ Hiei shrugs, wearing a knowing grin. ‘It’s all dependent on a Base’s worries, really. So far, other than the odd poke, we haven’t really needed to run proper defensive interference… outside of what you pulled up in Ominato, of course.’

‘So there are different kinds of Operations, then. Different mission parameters.’

‘That description’s much too general.’ Kongou winks at you, wagging a finger.

‘It depends on the Bases, mostly.’ Hiei sighs, looking to the sky and letting out a groan. ‘Outpost Deliveries, Expeditions for Deposits, Patrols; whatever it is that’s up on short notice, The Admiral or Vice-Admiral of the base will organize.’

‘Why wasn’t I notified again?’

‘Because it’s not your job to care or know, of course.’ Tenryuu rolls her eye, prompting you to turn towards her with an annoyed glare of your own. ‘This is explicitly Admiral and Vice-Admiral territory. The Admiralty’s operated on a need-to-know basis since forever. This isn’t something that you… well… are required to know.’

Kongou lets out a grunt of agreement.

>>1274403
>‘So how does one get a Force running?’
>‘If we’re so behind… why not ramp up recruitment?’
>‘It’s a pleasure to have had this chat with you ladies, but I have my own things to tend to, as well.’ (Leave)
>[Spaghetti]
>Write-In

>>1274403
>‘So how does one get a Force running?’

>>1274403
>>‘So how does one get a Force running?’

>>1274405
>‘So how does one get a Force running?’

File: No mind.jpg (52 KB, 450x394)

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>>1274405
>[Spaghetti]

>>1274405

>[Spaghetti]
We have held it in long engih

>>1274405
I think its time for some
>PASTA

File: image.jpg (21 KB, 284x285)

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>>1274405
>[Spaghetti]
It's time, lads.

>>1274405
>‘So how does one get a Force running?’

File: spaghetti everywhere.jpg (664 KB, 500x668)

664 KB JPG

>>1274405
>>[Spaghetti]

>>1274405
>>‘So how does one get a Force running?’

>>1274405
>>[Spaghetti]

File: 1bf.jpg (9 KB, 334x274)

9 KB JPG

>>1274405
>>[Spaghetti]

>>1274405
>‘So how does one get a Force running?’

>>1274405
>>[Spaghetti]

File: Spaghettimin.jpg (291 KB, 811x2900)

291 KB JPG

>>1274405
>>[Spaghetti]

>>1274405
>>[Spaghetti]

Rolled 6, 5, 1, 1, 2 = 15 (5d6)

>>1274906
>>1274897
>>1274706
>>1274563
>>1274551
>>1274490
>>1274474
>>1274444
lets see how much spaghetti we will drop

File: Imma Do It.jpg (72 KB, 473x630)

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>>1274409
>>1274422
>>1274424
>>1274481
>>1274501
>>1274704
These are the votes to keep asking questions.

>>1274425
>>1274444
>>1274471
>>1274474
>>1274490
>>1274551
>>1274563
>>1274706
>>1274897
>>1274906
This is to fanboy.

I must be fair.

>>1275417

Let the spaghetti flow

>>1275417
My pasta. No it cannot be shared!

File: very clever spaghetti.jpg (162 KB, 850x850)

162 KB JPG

>>1275417
Here we go lads

File: excite.png (125 KB, 500x500)

125 KB PNG

>>1275417
Here we go!

File: But He Keeps On Forgettin(...).jpg (147 KB, 596x350)

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Your palms were sweaty.

They had been sweaty for some time, of course. What self-righteous fanboy wouldn’t be when confronted by two of his four idols? The number was small but distinguished—and you were explicitly not one of them. Hiei and Kongou had gone back to chatting with one another; to damn the point further, the shining sun above was like a daytime spotlight on the both of them.

Your knees are weak.

Kongou and Hiei must have fallen for your farce of an inexperienced, yet cool (Tenryuu:HA!) and collected Commander that was just doing his civic duty, all the while keeping the raging, angry man-child within you at bay. It was futile, of course—even the most steady of stone walls would eventually crumble against the crashing waves.

Your arms heavy.

‘Commander?’

You must have approached them on instinct alone. There was no point in holding it back now—there must have been something wrong with your eye, you had been overcome with a haze of something—something that couldn’t be stopped but could be mitigated. It wasn’t worth your dignity; not right now.

You were nervous… but on the surface you looked calm and ready.

Or not.

‘I’M A HUGE FAN! I OWN ALL YOUR MERCHANDISE! I THINK THAT YOU GUYS WERE THE COOLEST THINGS SINCE SLICED BREAD AND NOW I’VE GOT THE TWO OF YOU IN FRONT OF ME! AND YOU’RE LAUGHING! AND YOU’RE GIGGLING! AND YOU’RE JUST SO FLIPPIN’ COOL! DO YOU GET JUST HOW AWESOME THIS MOMENT IS TO ME?! YOU’RE THE REASON I TOOK FIVE AND A HALF BUSES AND QUIT MY JOB TO MAKE SOMETHING OF MYSELF! I JUST CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE!’

But the words you had wanted to did not see the light of day.

Their shoulders rolled, shook, before they devolved into gratuitous laughter, dropping into a crouch and doubling over as you cursed your tongue and heard the echo of an embarrassed palm meeting a face at the back of your head. When you glanced out to sea, you could have sworn there were several beings shaking their head and swimming away, eager to not have anything to do with you. Under the shade of the tents, civilians, personnel and KanMusu alike winced and shrunk at your unrestrained display.

‘We’re honored.’

You were brought back crashing down from the stretch of cosmic embarrassment by the understanding gaze—and apologetic grimace—of your two heroes, who had their hands on their hips. Hiei had even slipped an enigmatic smile of her own.

‘Always nice to meet fans.’ Kongou winked.

And that was the story of how you had a big goofy grin, wearing a pair of freshly-kissed cheeks and a pink souvenir jacket, marching down the street with an embarrassed Tenryuu in tow.

‘Yer’ an’ embarrassment to the uniform.’

You turn up your nose at the comment, tutting at just how wrong she was. You weren’t wearing a uniform.

>>1275579
3/4
>Visit Locations
>Look for your KanMusu (Specify)
>Look for Admiralty Staff
>District Management
>Write-In

>>1275579
>Look for your KanMusu (Iowa)
Welp time to give that dress another try.

>>1275579
>>Look for your KanMusu (Specify)
>Shigure

>>1275580
Is our paperwork OK? My memory is bad

>>1275616
No paperwork today. Your stack rises based on certain factors, but there's no paperwork today.

>>1275580
>>Look for your KanMusu (Iowa)

>>1275580
Hey Mech, did you say we needed to do district management once a week?

If so, we have another 3ish days correct?

>>1275580
>Look for your KanMusu (Iowa)

Well alright.

>>1275580
>find that iowa

>>1275633
You can check up to see what needs changed at any point during the week as often as you like. It's only advised that you go there once a week from my end.

>>1275641
Thanks Mech!

>>1275580
Im good with >Look for your KanMusu (Iowa),

I just want us to end our day at the Gym again, keep the gains train rolling.

>>1275644

Maybe a session of cooking too since we seem to be relatively free today.

Mech's house is having a blackout guys. he can phonepost but thats it.

>>1275685
I can get on board with that, provided we don't get side-tracked into playing cards again.

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‘Tenryuu, do you know where Iowa is?’

‘She’s with that Navy Specialist Lady—the Instructor.’ Tenryuu reveals. ‘They were talking about getting some training in last night, so she’ll probably be at the Practice Range.’

‘Wanna go pay her a visit?’

Tenryuu shrugs. She appeared to have no complaints with the notion.

You consider hiring a buggy, but a glance down the street at appeared to be a fender bender between two Army trucks makes you think twice. The both of you decide to hike it… or at least that was the decision that you made before a familiar screeching sound—a sound that no mortal being should be familiar with—reaches your ears. The clatter of feet and boxes is the next thing to hear, along with the dreadful, cheerful honk of the horn. The menacing face of the Old Man comes into view, his foot on the wheel and his body leaning over the wind shield.

‘Well, if it ain’t the Commander!’ He grins widely. ‘Headed somewhere?’

You can’t say no.

The words die in your throat; the heat comes to you as though from the depths of The Underworld itself, licking at your very soul. Tenryuu clutches at you like a lifeline, her eyes wide and veins popping: don’t do it. The words echo, seemingly into eternity as your body disobeys your command, your feet dragging towards The Old Man’s rumbling buggy, the pale, soulless forms of MPs and personnel getting off, clutching their only ties to the world in their bare hands.

You don’t even realize you’re in the back seat until Tenryuu holds your hand tighter than anyone had before.

‘Commander?’

‘Yes, Tenryuu?’

‘Don’t let go.’

Prior to the ride, you weren’t aware buggies could traverse the space-time continuum, drift on walls, fly faster than sub-sonic aircraft or leap building to building. Now… you were.

Tenryuu and you kiss the cement as the Old Man drives off, cackling madly.

Getting to your feet and entering the compound, you see that the base was well on its way to its former glory. Several of the facilities that had been brought into rubble from the assault were at least half erected at this point… and the principal office and administration buildings were practically done. At the very least, they looked like they looked in better condition compared to the rest of Yokosuka already. Most of the smaller tents had disappeared and the only larger ones that were left looked to be the on-site mess tents and the personnel quarters.

You even spy what looked like a RAY wreck—

You grimace.

That was your RAY wreck. It was a miracle Yuubari hadn’t brutalized you.

Tenryuu pauses mid-stride, prompting you to stop too.

‘Oi, before we see Iowa… I need to ask you something.’ Tenryuu stares at you. ‘And I want you to answer me honestly, sir.’

>‘Can it wait for later?’ (Mind)
>‘Shoot.’ (Allow her)
>‘The back door and front door both have their merits.’ (Joke)
>Write-In

>>1275701
>>‘Shoot.’ (Allow her)

>>1275701
>>‘Shoot.’ (Allow her)

inb4 philosophy limbo

>>1275701
>>‘Shoot.’ (Allow her)

>>1275701
>>‘The back door and front door both have their merits.’ (Joke)

>>1275701
>>‘The back door and front door both have their merits.’ (Joke)
>go ahead soldier

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‘Um, sure. Shoot?’

She lets out a breath, mumbling.

‘This is an awkward question, but… what are your intentions towards Iowa?’

>‘Um… I don’t get what you’re asking.’ (Confused)
>‘I think she’s pretty good, pretty all right. Powerful, professional—at least to an extent, anyway.’ (Innocent)
>‘I don’t think that’s any of your business.’ (Dismissive)
>‘She’s a guest.’ (Blunt, professional)
>‘Oh, you caught me. I was hoping to have her join my harem of submissive women. Curse you.’ (Joke)
>Write-In

>>1275716
>>‘Oh, you caught me. I was hoping to have her join my harem of submissive women. Curse you.’ (Joke)

>>1275716
>‘Um… I don’t get what you’re asking.’ (Confused)
increase craneal density

>>1275716
>>‘I think she’s pretty good, pretty all right. Powerful, professional—at least to an extent, anyway.’ (Innocent)

>>1275716
>‘She’s a guest.’ (Blunt, professional)

>>1275716
>>‘She’s a guest.’ (Blunt, professional)

>>1275716
>>‘Um… I don’t get what you’re asking.’ (Confused)

>>1275716
>>1275717

Also give her the most deadpan stare we can muster to make it fairly obvious its a joke.

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>>1275716
>>‘Oh, you caught me. I was hoping to have her join my harem of submissive women. Curse you.’ (Joke)

>>1275716
>Write-In
"With all that's happened, throughout this war, and in the last few weeks, I think Iowa needs friends, and some genuine compassion to bring out her best again." (Compassionate truth)

>>1275726
Man, I wish I hadn't already placed my vote. This one seems much more like what the Commander would say.

>>1275716
>>‘I think she’s pretty good, pretty all right. Powerful, professional—at least to an extent, anyway.’ (Innocent)
>Mostly I'm trying to be nice. You heard her talk about her dad right? I want to be like that. Except the going crazy part.

>>1275726
Going for this

>>1275716
>>‘I think she’s pretty good, pretty all right. Powerful, professional—at least to an extent, anyway.’ (Innocent)

>>1275716
>>1275726
This

>>1275716
>>‘I think she’s pretty good, pretty all right. Powerful, professional—at least to an extent, anyway.’ (Innocent)

But man, i wanna snark at tenryuu.

>>1275733
Me too, but I don't think this is really a good time for it. She asked for an honest answer, so we should give her one.

File: Tenryuu-Sama YOSH!.png (1.39 MB, 1447x2046)

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‘I think she’s a good person. At the very least… she’s at least all right.’ You shrug nonchalantly, not thinking too much of it. Tenryuu’s insinuation meant nothing to you—mostly because that you really couldn’t fault her for thinking that way, considering how things had gone down since you’d assumed Command. ‘I mean, you really can’t deny what she is on the front. She’s pretty, yeah—but as far as my interactions with her have gone, she’s shown herself as capable, steadfast and professional.’

‘How many trashy romance novels did you dive into to get that line?’

‘None.’ You chuckle, bowing and gesturing for her to take the lead. ‘Give me some credit, will you?’

She throws you a glance before taking up your offer and going on ahead, you walk up to her right, trailing slightly behind her shoulder. A burst of noise makes the both of you halt in your tracks—a helicopter was taking off from behind the RAY wreckage, hauling what appeared to be a large wooden crate. Several men and women were yelling and signaling a truck to turn in to the pad, where more men jumpsuits were jumping out, hauling tubes and tools. With the war still raging on, the peaceful surface was merely that: a front. Underneath, turmoil and desperation were still there—you don’t think they could ever truly leave.

You turn back to Tenryuu, your heart heavier and lighter at the same time.

‘I don’t have any sort of designs on Iowa.’

Your voice isn’t as firm—as soft and honest—as it was before. An underlying tone reserved for deception and misdirection had taken route. You hadn’t lied when you’d said that you didn’t have any intentions for Iowa.

Except for the part that you were keeping an eye on her for The Grand Lieutenant.

‘That much I can promise you.’

Tenryuu lets out a sigh, looking right back at you with her good eye.

‘It’s really hard for me to take that at face value when you’re sleeping with practically half the Division.’

You almost trip.

‘I’m able to separate the personal and the practice.’ You stutter, raising your hand to your collar. You quickly look around—it appeared that no one else had heard that little tidbit. ‘Consider it a developed skill.’

She smiles wryly, letting out another sigh.

‘You know, for all your bad times at the back of the kitchen…’ Tenryuu stretches, the bag in her hand almost swinging to make contact with your head. Her voice is playful, teasing. ‘You seem to have learned a lot of time being the resident yelling pole, right?’

You almost trip—again—as Tenryuu’s playful question hits you.

A little close to home, in fact.

>‘Misery builds character.’
>‘I’m not book-smart, so… I guess, yeah. I did learn.’
>‘The more mistakes you make… the more you know not to do in the future.’
>‘I don’t wanna talk about it.’
>Write-In

>>1275749
>‘The more mistakes you make… the more you know not to do in the future.’

>>1275749
>‘The more mistakes you make… the more you know not to do in the future.’
we will make mistakes and get hurt, that is a universal truth, but we will be wiser from it

>>1275749
>>‘The more mistakes you make… the more you know not to do in the future.’

Well, her words hurt but it's true. People chose to bang at every given opportunity, no idea how we even got past Taigei.

>>1275749
>‘The more mistakes you make… the more you know not to do in the future.’

>>1275749
>>‘The more mistakes you make… the more you know not to do in the future.’

>>1275726
(Compassionate Truth)

>>1275749

>‘I’m not book-smart, so… I guess, yeah. I did learn.

>>1275749
>‘I’m not book-smart, so… I guess, yeah. I did learn.’

>>1275749
>>‘The more mistakes you make… the more you know not to do in the future

>>1275749
>>‘I’m not book-smart, so… I guess, yeah. I did learn.’

>>1275749
>>‘The more mistakes you make… the more you know not to do in the future.’

>>1275755
Anon is pretty good at staying on target... when the target is barn-sized and re-iterated moments before.

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‘The more mistakes you make… the more you know what to steer clear of in the future.’

‘Learning through doing, huh?’

You smile—half-smile—wryly.

‘Learning through screwing up and being yelled at… and making the same mistake again five minutes later.’

Tenryuu lets out a small laugh of her own, nodding in understanding.

When you’re finally at the practice range, the first thing you hear is a volley of cannon fire.

With one quick glance to one another, the both of hurry past the battered old table and down into the range area, where you find yourself surprised by the presence of Yuubari and what appeared to be several pieces of KanMusu equipment littered along the floor. You recognize the items as the same thing that Murakumo had been hooked up to when she’d been practicing with Hiei way back when… only a lot more complicated-looking. You spy several fairies making rounds, chirping and doing flips or dancing on the top of the equipment to an audience of their peers. Cannon fire catches your attention again and you look out to the cove to see Loudmouth seated on the edge… and Iowa out on the water, the long tubes and cables hooked up to her.

Her hands were on her knees—she looked positively exhausted. Her left leg was partially submerged; she looked like she was struggling to stand on the water. Her guns, large and impressive, were out… and from here you could make out the scent of gunpowder.

‘2 minutes 35 seconds.’ Yuubari declares, stiffly but loudly. ‘Looks like the last one was just an anomaly, Miss Specialist.’

Loudmouth gets to her feet, walking towards the cross-armed KanMusu, who still had her eye on Iowa.

‘What’s the passable Operations approval period?’

‘The passable’—she eyes Loudmouth in annoyance as the woman leans in to get a better look at the stopwatch—‘is 45 percent Operating Capacity for a span of 3 hours. She hasn’t even put a dent in it.’ Yuubari takes out a notepad from her back pocket, flipping through the pages. ‘There’s a correlation between practice and production but just building up her physical stamina and resistance isn’t going to change it. It’s a miracle that she was able to last out at sea for that long… it’s not out of the question for excessive strain to have long-lasting consequences.’

Iowa steps onto land, detaching the apparatus from her gear.

‘Good afternoon, you three.’

Yuubari and Loudmouth turn to you, thoroughly surprised at your presence. Tenryuu offers a little wave of her own, marching up towards the panting figure of Iowa.

‘Thought I’d drop in for a look.’

You throw a glance at the fairies sitting on the equipment.

>‘Yuubari, what are you doing here?’
>‘What’re you up to, Instructor?’
>‘Iowa. Keeping busy, I see.’
>Watch silently
>Write-In

>>1277439
>>‘Yuubari, what are you doing here?’

>>1277439

>‘What’re you up to, Instructor?

>>1277439
>>‘Yuubari, what are you doing here?’

>>1277439
>>‘Yuubari, what are you doing here?’

>>1277439
>‘What’re you up to, Instructor?’

>>1277439
>>‘Yuubari, what are you doing here?’
we needs a clue x 4 on what troubles our iowa

>>1277510
>Your Iowa

>>1277439
>‘Yuubari, what are you doing here?’

Like, we know you're lonely but besides that?

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Two announcements from MECH here

>>1277820
she is our responsibility

>>1277878
Someone alluha ackbar'd the isp

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‘Yuubari.’

‘Commander.’ Yuubari gives a respectful bow, keeping a curious eye on you. ‘Surprised to see you here; I was under the impression that you and The Admiral were going to be busy the whole day.’

‘Not the whole day.’ You answer tightly, choosing to be a little discrete. ‘Just had a few things to cover.’

You look down to Iowa, who was drenched in sea water and sweat, her hands on her knees and her back hunched forwards. She could hardly make out words, never mind give a proper salute—let alone a response—to your arrival. Loudmouth gives a deep bow of her own, supporting Iowa as well as she could, bringing the taller KanMusu towards a nearby bench by the apparatus. You wince as Iowa practically drops on her bottom, her legs visibly quaking; apparently worried for her friend, Tenryuu leaves your side to help Loudmouth tend to her.

‘So what’re you doing here, then?’

Yuubari throws a glance towards the trio by the bench.

‘Your Specialist asked me to assist in Iowa’s rehabilitation. She doesn’t know much about KanMusu physiology… and I wouldn’t be a responsible Officer if I let inexperienced hands near our personnel.’ She pauses for moment, humming very slightly. ‘Ooyodo’s a little annoyed at you, by the way… you should have run it by her first before you handed in the recruitment forms for her.’

‘Sorry,’ you scratch the back of your head, a little embarrassed. Maybe you should have consulted Ooyodo before you decided on her placement… but what was done was done. Yuubari doesn’t show approval or disapproval of your actions, however, so concentrated was she on the notepad in her hand. ‘So… is she all right?’

Yuubari doesn’t answer your question, her face remaining stoic as she leafed through the notes.

You decide to let her reply on her own time. You don’t think that you were on her list of favorite people.

‘Depends what you mean by the term, really,’ she finally responds, turning away from you towards the recuperating Iowa, who you now notice had un-summoned her weaponry. ‘She’s able to walk, talk and run…but as a combatant, she’s massively handicapped. That’s why we’re here.’ Your expression becomes one of confusion as Yuubari turns towards you. ‘That’s why she asked your Specialist for help.’

‘So she can’t fight?’

Yuubari raises the stop-watch again.

‘Her current term for combat effectiveness is approximately… for 2 minutes and 35 seconds and a count of two shots with current gear settings,’ Yuubari announces almost automatically. ‘The current Operating Capacity that she’s able to achieve—under preset conditions—is approximately 20 percent on average.’

>‘How many trial runs have you done?’
>‘So her condition would be similar to Yamato’s, wouldn’t it? Core damage and all that?’
>‘Have you found out why she’s this way?’
>‘So do you have any suggestions?’
>Talk to Iowa
>Talk to Loudmouth
>Write-In

>>1277916
>>‘How many trial runs have you done?’

>>1277916
>>‘So do you have any suggestions?’

>>1277916
>>‘Have you found out why she’s this way?’

>>1277916
>>‘So do you have any suggestions?’

>>1277916
>>‘So her condition would be similar to Yamato’s, wouldn’t it? Core damage and all that?’

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‘So do you have any suggestions?’

Yuubari’s shoulders droop, her energy leaving her, seemingly in an instant.

‘Nothing that won’t result in someone dying.’

You tilt your head, trying to make sense of the statement.

‘Eh?’

‘[i]You feel it too, don’t you?[/i]’ She questions you. For a moment, you wonder what she was talking about; she turns towards Iowa, who was now on her feet, performing some light stretches. ‘Even from here—even in that state, as a Commander… you can feel just how much power she has.’

You slowly nod. It was hard to ignore, really, when it came down to it. You may not have been one to scale strength, but Iowa’s signature—her presence—was as unique as anything out there. It was a strange sense to have, this little ability; easily ignored, easily overlooked… but when you went looking for it, you would always be able to find them. The inner strength, the sheer [i]power[/i] and [i]majesty[/i] that you had felt from certain KanMusu. Your mind wanders to Nagato and Kaga… burning flames, but flames that were controlled, [i]tampered[/i].

Nagato had been right to feel a little intimidated by Iowa. Her flame, her power burned brighter than either of them—save for Musashi, you’re not quite sure if there was one as wild and deadly as hers.

Neither had you felt one so caged and shackled. It felt like it had missing gaps—missing [i]pieces[/i]—that shrouded the entirety of it from your senses, but nonetheless, still powerful. It was like a hamstrung warrior.

Yes, that was it.

‘There’s a simple way to get her back up and running… but, well… it’s not an easy path. As always with the fatigue that’s afflicting her core, to restore those layers and shells to their working order would be to get them open again. Akashi must have seen that the first method was too risky or she would have suggested it in the first place.’

‘First method?’

‘Direct operation.’ She answers tightly, crossing her arms. ‘If you want to put it in human terms, it’d be something like heart surgery… but considering that it’s barely holding together as is from the trauma, there’s no way Akashi’s going to try that. Then there’s what we’re doing now.’

Yuubari scowls, if only briefly.

‘What’s wrong with this method?’

‘The core connects to everything that makes a KanMusu a KanMusu,’ She sighs, scratching the back of her head. ‘It’s kind of hoping that familiar actions kick-start the Core into full operation. It’s the safest way to do it… but it’s like rolling dice: all you can hope to do is wait for the kick.’

You nod.

‘And there’s [red]Simulated Override[/red].’ For some reason, she glares at you. ‘And if you so much as consider it, I’ll risk banishment myself.’

>Don’t push your luck (Talk to others: Specify)
>‘Hey, I don’t even know what a Simulated Override is.’ (Defensive)
>‘You’re the expert.’ (Talk about something else)
>Write-In

>>1277985
>>‘Hey, I don’t even know what a Simulated Override is.’ (Defensive)

>>1277985
>‘Hey, I don’t even know what a Simulated Override is.’ (Defensive)

>>1277985
>>‘Hey, I don’t even know what a Simulated Override is.’ (Defensive)

>>1277985
>>‘Hey, I don’t even know what a Simulated Override is.’ (Defensive)

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>>1277989
>>1277990
>>1277997
>>1277998
In case your eyes hate the []s.

>>1277985
>>‘Hey, I don’t even know what a Simulated Override is.’ (Defensive)

>>1277985
>‘Hey, I don’t even know what a Simulated Override is.’ (Defensive)

>>1277985
I think we should try to unite Iowa and Yamato in their similar struggles.
>That sounds horribly intrusive.
>Hey doesn't Yamato have kind of similar problems?

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‘Hey, I don’t even know what a simulated override or whatever you call it is,’ You hastily back off, hoping not to draw any more of her ire—although you do think this time it’s very much unwarranted. ‘If you’re telling me that option two’s the only one to take, then fine, option two it is.’

‘I’m sorry, I…’ she shakes her head, her lips thinning into a line as she pauses, considering you for a moment. ‘Overrides are sensitive topics for KanMusu. If there’s one thing that we can’t stand…’

She trails off, but she needn’t continue anyway. Nachi’s fury over the matter had been insubordinate and righteous in its own way; she’d marched over to The Vice-Admiral to give him a piece of her mind and take a tooth or two in the process—and that anger had been second-hand. You’d had descriptions of what the Override was and just how it felt for KanMusu… but it wasn’t until now that you’d had a reminder to how strongly they had felt about the action—never mind the topic. Yuubari shifts her feet, a softened gaze taking the place of her hardened stare.

‘I’m sorry, it’s not something that I should—!’

‘Hey, it’s all right,’ You interrupt her, now a little distance away from Tenryuu and Iowa, who were talking by the edge while Loudmouth was off eating what appeared to be a banana burrito. You knew she didn’t mean anything by it.

Yuubari lets out a breath, a guilty expression coming upon her face.

‘It’s what it says,’ she answers grimly, ‘It’s a simulated Override.’

You nod, neither prompting her to continue or stopping her.

‘The theory is—hah, theory—is that by utilizing the Stream, you shock the Core’s components back into activity. On paper, it’s probably the most effective method that we have in the recovery of Core activity.’

‘And in practice?’

‘Still the most effective.’

You’re dumbfounded.

‘So the only stopping you is personal preference?’

Yuubari stays quiet for a moment. Perhaps you’d stepped over a boundary somewhere along the line.

‘You’re overlapping the Core’s trauma with another trauma. In lighter terms,’ she smirks darkly, ‘you’re effectively raping it open.’

You don’t answer her.

‘The theory behind the recovery procedure is to wrestle the Core into submission via the Override by using the Stream and the volunteer Commander’s sheer will. It’s as aggressive as you can get and it’s mostly successful… but other than the obvious implications, it comes at a great risk to the participating Commander as there’s no real bridge between the Stream and the KanMusu in question. The so-called trauma factor from the shock would prompt the Core’s components into action, activation… and poof!’ She drolly makes an explosive motion with her hands. ‘You have a fixed Core.’

That sounded simple enough.

‘There’s also a 90 percent chance that the Commander doing it kicks the bucket or goes insane.’

>>1278027
>‘How does an Override kill someone?’
>‘You said 90 percent.’
>‘How does the Override pry the core open like that? Doesn’t it damage the… you know?’
>‘Thanks for the heads-up.’ (Talk to someone else)
>Write-In

>>1278027
>‘How does the Override pry the core open like that? Doesn’t it damage the… you know?’
we are talking EXPERIMENTAL SPIRTUAL MEDICALS here
we are beyond any depth we can even think off

>>1278029
>>‘You said 90 percent.’

Who the hell do you think I am!?

>>1278027
>‘You said 90 percent.’

>>1278029
>>Write-In
You said 90 Percent, how often is something like this performed?

>>1278036
This

>>1278029
>>‘You said 90 percent.’

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‘You said 90 percent.’

She hums dully, staring into the water.

‘It’s a very generous number.’

‘That means there’s still a chance.’

Your prod earns you a tired, defeated, stare.

‘Overrides are in nature, invasive and intrusive,’ she raises a finger to emphasize a point, to which you nod, ‘It’s not something that you can just turn off or on. The Core fights back—our souls fight back, in essence. The procedure’s very nature is to beat any sort of resistance that we have into submission and in a word, have your way with us… in a spiritual sense, of course. However, the survival of the Commander is very much dependent on the stability and strength of their own, well… mind and such and such; you know what I’m getting at.’

‘Strong will and all that, yeah.’

At her glare, you wonder if you should have just shut up and let her continue.

‘That’s the theory, of course,’ she hastily continues, ‘it’s easy to say that all you need to do is get a stronger or more stable Stream’—her voice takes a snooty quality here—‘but the truth is, the only thing that it does is give you better odds. It can be argued that whatever is within us is a world in itself… and that’s why it’s so hard for us to let anyone in.’

You nod; slowly, solemnly.

‘There was an argument from one of the Shamans that the nature of a KanMusu’s Stream—the gateway to our selves—that accepting us is a two-way street instead of a fortress that had to be torn down, and there might be a little truth in that, but I find it hard to base cold hard fact against something that flimsy. Iowa’s state isn’t that serious—it’s hampering and frustrating, yes—but using a Simulated Override to open it runs too great a risk for the returns that we get. Unless Akashi says so or if she thinks she’s pushed that much… the option’s very much off the table.’

‘You’d call it overkill?’

Despite the solemn mood, she giggles.

‘I would call it overkill, yes.’

The both of you share a look.

‘You know, I won’t push you on the topic but,’ you hesitate to continue, wondering if you’d be taken for an over-enthusiastic moron, ‘why’d you bring up the Shaman’s argument?’

‘I just thought about covering my bases,’ she scrunches her nose and crosses her arms. ‘It’s a bunch of over-emotional tripe anyway when you look at it. There’s this sort of… idea you can call it… that the Streams could connect and stabilize enough for the Core to act as the bridge instead of the Stream, but when you pick it up and hold it to reality, I doubt that it holds any water. No two people are the same—how can you expect a KanMusu and a Commander to be on the same page if you can’t even get along with everyone on-base?’

You really have no answer to that.

>>1278044
>‘How would an Override kill or render someone insane?’
>‘Is this Shaman among us?’
>‘Wouldn’t an Override harm the Core instead of fix it?’
>Talk to the others (Specify)
>Write-In

>>1278048
>‘Is this Shaman among us?’

>>1278048
>>‘Wouldn’t an Override harm the Core instead of fix it?’

>>1278048
>‘Is this Shaman among us?’
by the love of all, let us have a shaman on base

>>1278048
>>‘Is this Shaman among us?’

>>1278048
>>‘Is this Shaman among us?’

>>1278048
>>‘Is this Shaman among us?’

[blue]Cuba try test[/blue]

File: Spoiler Image (51 KB, 343x584)

51 KB JPG

‘Is the Shaman still around?’

‘He should still be with the ISSF,’ Yuubari nods, ‘although you’re going to be hard-pressed to get an audience with those guys.’

‘They reclusive or something?’ You frown. You’d expected as much from the descriptions that your Division had given—silent, snobbish mystic-botherers.

‘More like they don’t like you.’

You nod again. This wouldn’t be the first time that someone had decided that you weren’t worthy of their time without you so much as showing your nose hair at them.

‘It’s nothing personal on their…’

Yuubari frowns before looking away, trailing off her words and looking thoughtful before turning her attention right back to you.

‘Well, it’s mostly nothing personal on their part,’ She corrects herself. ‘It’s just that The Admiralty and the ISSF aren’t on the best terms after the split. Right now the ISSF acts as a sort of outside party to Admiralty matters; they kind of had enough of the politicking and decided to bring the Carriers with them.’

‘I thought the Carriers join the ISSF because they didn’t get along with the rest of the KanMusu?’ You cross your arms, growing confused. The implications that Houshou and Kaga had when mentioning the ISSF had led you to believe the emancipation was a result of the Carriers and the rest of the KanMusu just not getting along more than anything else.

Of course, it did hit you that the Shamans and the Admiralty would have had their differences, but not so much that you thought that the ISSF was a whole branch of another tree.

Yuubari considers you, her slightly annoyed expression morphing into a troubled one.

‘Carriers and, well… the rest of us generally don’t get along—and I’d be lying if the derision between both factions wasn’t a factor, but… well, I guess you could call it a perfect storm of sorts: The Admiralty and The Shamans not wanting anything to do with each other outside of the fairies; the Carriers and the rest of the KanMusu arguing and coming to a head… a lot of things just happened at the worst possible time.’

‘So it’ll be hard to organize an audience with him?’ You uncross your arms, feeling your mood dropping.

‘If you have someone who’s well-connected to the ISSF, I suppose you could give it a try—even if I don’t see the point,’ she hangs her head, letting out a puzzled sound, ‘but as far as I can get you? No. I can probably put in a letter that you want to see him, but chances are all you’re going to get is a thousand word letter in classical language saying no.’

You actually find that funny.

‘Duly noted,’ you say with a tone of finality.

Yuubari bends over, in a slow respectful bow.

‘Now, if you’ll excuse me… I think I have to compile these numbers before we run again.’

>Talk to Iowa
>Talk to Loudmouth
>Leave

>>1278174
>>Talk to Iowa

>>1278174
>Talk to Iowa

>>1278174
>Talk to Iowa

>>1278174
>Talk to Iowa

>>1278174
>>Talk to Iowa

>>1278174
>>Talk to Iowa

>>1278174
>>Talk to Iowa

>>1278174
>>Talk to Iowa

File: Iowa2.jpg (184 KB, 1280x1780)

184 KB JPG

You decide to at least have a little one-on-one with Iowa before you leave. You had come here to see how she was doing, after all. Tenryuu, sensing the mood, decides to get up and leave you to it, giving a good-natured pat on the shoulder before leaving the bench. Iowa looks up at you through her tired bangs, her face wet in a mixture of sweat and seawater; her stare is unnerving; she resembled a wounded wolf more than anything else to you right now, the shine in her eyes practically daring for you to speak.

You allow her to make the first move.

‘Commander,’ she greets—grunts, more like—before hanging her head and letting out a tired breath. ‘What can I do ya for?’

‘Nothing, really,’ you answer casually, placing your hands in your pockets as you considered her. Even from your position, she looked like a wreck; like she could use a warm bed and some hot milk. There were bags under her eyes and you could see that there were odd tears here along the edge of her clothes. ‘I just thought I’d check on how you were doing,’ you throw a casual glance towards Loudmouth, ‘and I see that you’re making full use of the facilities.’

She cracks open a tired, if honest, smile. Maybe you’d just imagined the glare—maybe it really was the fatigue that was getting to her.

‘Well, you did tell me to make myself at home.’

You wonder if you’d said those exact words.

‘If any of the other options could work, I’d take ‘em in a heart beat.’

Iowa’s words surprise you.

‘I don’t think that there’s… a price I’m not willing to cover to get back out on the sea, really,’ she begins mysteriously, her expression wistful, ‘but that doesn’t mean I’m willing to gamble my purpose along with someone else’s. If it has to be something wagered… it has to be mine alone.’

‘Yuubari said that it was because of that…’

You make a grabbing motion with both your hands, wiggling your fingers in a movement to emphasize your point, even with your almost laughable lapse in remembering the term’s name.

‘It’s a little of that, yeah,’ she admits. ‘But risking a human’s life—their mind—just for me to return to full function?’ she grins widely—it’s a little forced, a little uncomfortable, but it’s there, ‘I don’t think it’s a toll I’m willing to put my coin into.’

You find yourself at a loss of words, so you say the only thing you’re able to come up with.

‘I… I can accept—I mean, thank you,’ you stutter at her newly-found coy half-smile. ‘Thank you for… considering us.’

‘Well,’ she laughs, one hand on her hips and the other playfully jabbing into your chest. ‘You’re not so bad that you’re not worth considering.’

She makes her way to the water, the both of you giving each other one last wave as you went your separate ways.

[red]2/4[/red]
>Visit Locations
>Look for KanMusu (Specify)
>Look for Admiralty Staff
>District Management
>Write-In

>>1278372
>>Look for KanMusu (Specify)
nagato

>>1278372
Can we try learning how to command better? I don't know exactly where we would go to / who could best train us though...

I just feel like all the girls are getting better at fighting and we get a little more buff... but they don't need our physical strength, they need a commander who can assess a situation and maybe give good call outs

>>1278372
>>1278451

TLDR: let's be more of a coach instead of trying to be a player

>>1278372
>>Look for KanMusu (Specify)
takao, we need to see takao and her maanga antics

>>1278451
Agreed. We should definitely see about trying to improve our command skills somehow. There have to be Admiralty training manuals or something.

>>1278451
You're the player. You can assume that you're getting lessons on tactics on the fly; warfare and the like comes down to your decisions. I can't translate a "+1 Intellect" buff other than battlefield advantages based on your decisions.

>>1278471
So there's no formal training available for commanders? Guess we may as well go see Takao then.

>>Look for KanMusu (Takao)

>>1278489
You can assume that you're picking things up as you do paperwork or before you drop into your bed. Ultimately, the decisions in-combat are down to what you adjudge to be the best course of action.

>>1278497
Huh. You let us go to the gym and have interactions there with KanMusu

You even had us make rolls to get gains and have had interactions with the trainer.

Yet you don't put any merit in intellectual growth? We can't meet KanMusu and play chess or go read a book to some urchins or something?

The mechanic I've read before was more creative than that.

Bruh.

>>1278870
All right, I'm going to go on the level with you on this because I'm tired and I'm running this quest and if you don't like how it's run, you can fuck off, okay? Because I run this for fun.

1. Coming up with the mechanics that I have for combat and the like? That was hard. I had to balance the planning of characters with discussions and what they wanted to do in order to execute their plans. THAT is the focus for the Quest. I can put a gain on something that I already have people on the other side of the screen, on the other side of the world, running their own discussion with other people from around the world. I feel like I've struck a balance here and I'm sticking to it. You want bonuses in combat and tactics? Read what's going on and decide whether and interception and the like is going to go in your favor or choose another offensive.

Your fellow players have done it well enough in the last 25 threads. I can't tell you to "read up" and "+1" your stats in intellect because the brains of the Commander? They're YOUR brains. He plans what you and your fellow players plan.

2. I'm not a chipmunk - don't demand things of me like I'm a sort of hoop rabbit. The mechanics are simplified and as they are so I can run this without me getting a headache.

3. The die used are simple GM vs Player style in terms of combat and Player vs DC in social terms. There is already another system on the social checks that I'll be experimenting with later. The workload as is is taxing and I've only recently considered a DC change on the social side. Do not see this as some kind of floodgate to dictate the whats and hows of the Quest. I've run the module, I've listen time and time again, the least you can do is not try to bloody insult me by going:

>"The MECHANIC I've read before was more creative than that"

If you low-ball me like this again, I will honestly end this quest. I'm a bloody person and I do this for fun - don't spoil it for me. If you don't like it, you can leave. It's as simple as that. When I have free time or I think things are going too simple or happy, maybe I'll put in a spike or two.

But demand shit like this again from me like this and that's it.

Kapush. End of.

>>1278372
>Visit Locations
Gym

>>1278372
>Visit Locations

Gym

>>1278372
>>Visit Locations(Gym)

>>1278372
>visit location
Gym

>>1278372
>>Visit Locations (Gym)
Dem Gains!

>>1278956
So if ONE player does something like that again, everyone else's fun is over? Well, fuck.

>>1278372
>Visit Locations (Gym)

>>1279146
lest hope someone dosent get board one day

>>1278956
I apologize for my tone.. I read it back to myself now and realize I didnt convey what I meant correctly at all... I'm kind of socially unaware...... if you know what I mean

Please dont end the quest I really do enjoy it thoroughly.

I'm sorry I made your day worse.

>>1279733
>Socially unaware
>on 4chan
These two things go together without saying

Okay, so net's still ultra slow.

I'll be trying to run a session tomorrow at 9.30 AM my time. You guys can stop hounding the thread for now.

>>1282050
cheers mech. Seeya later.

File: alternate universes.png (1.88 MB, 1198x8954)

1.88 MB PNG

Fresh from the Discord (as in done about 8 hours ago)

>>1283795
Can anyone join the discord??

>>1283870
Ayup https://discord.gg/t7ckywR

>>1283870
Fair warning, we already had a huge kerfuffle over quest-relevant information and discussion being done in the Discord and not the thread, so I encourage you to keep discussion going in the thread

>>1283882
Thanks I saw the argument, I'll keep it in mind

File: GYMMMMMM.jpg (77 KB, 800x1040)

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‘The gym? This early?’

You had left Yokosuka Base Compound about five minutes ago.

Despite leaning in more than two directions as to where your next destination would be… you ultimately decided that another visit to the gym would do. After all, you still had a lot of time in the day and a thought struck that you could rope in another session to add to yesterday’s surprisingly productive session. The bags in your hand swing freely as you march down the beach’s sidewalk, your Light Cruiser just a few steps behind you; you could feel her irritation and confusion from here.

You throw her a bemused glance, meeting her displeased expression head-on.

‘Yeah, why not?’

‘Because it’s only the’—she raises the watch in her hand to her face—‘barely late afternoon. Aren’t you humans supposed to do this sort of thing like… in the evenings or early mornings or something? You really gotta go and do this?’

‘Come on,’ you try to placate her. ‘It’s not like I’m planning to be there the whole day; maybe a few weights, some stretches maybe; maybe even a few minutes on the jump rope, a little—what’s with that look?’

Tenryuu snickers.

‘Maybe it won’t be such a waste of time, after all,’ she shrugs, suddenly grinning—and rather smugly, you might add. ‘I mean, it’s not everyday that you get to see your Commander try to do some jump rope.’

She hums mischievously, stepping right past you.

‘I’ve done jump rope before,’ you argue, albeit weakly. The truth was you had done jump rope before; what child didn’t have a foray in their yard skipping on a rope? However, you had also been less successful in your attempts than your confidence implied. Tasting the dirt was a common occurrence in your affair with that little activity, as were tangled legs. ‘It’s not so hard when you get a little bit of agility going.’

She throws you a flat look.

As if echoing her thoughts, a pair of soldiers let out a bark of laughter as they move past you.

‘Fine, fine,’ you roll your eye, sighing as you pick up the pace. ‘But we’re still going to the gym, and that’s that.’

‘Oh, I’m looking forward to it,’ she wears the same damnable grin, practically skipping next to you. ‘Trust me.’

Tenryuu giggles audibly… and the smug grin slowly changes into a fond smile.

‘You know, you were a bit of a chub-chub when I first saw you,’ she jabs your gut for emphasis. ‘But the last couple of weeks… you’ve really changed. What got you on this roll?’

>‘Don’t tell anyone this but… you guys changed me. Made me want to be better.’
>‘Not much to do in town other than work; it passes the time.’
>‘I’m a health nut at heart. My heart’s just been buried deep down.’
>‘Commander’s got to look the part, doesn’t he?’
>‘Don’t think that that’s any of your business, Tenryuu.’
>‘Tenryuu, are you falling in love with me?’
>Write-In

>>1285700
>‘Don’t tell anyone this but… you guys changed me. Made me want to be better.’

>>1285700
>>‘Don’t tell anyone this but… you guys changed me. Made me want to be better.’

>>1285700
>>‘Don’t tell anyone this but… you guys changed me. Made me want to be better.’

>>1285700
>‘Commander’s got to look the part, doesn’t he?’

>>1285700
>>‘Don’t tell anyone this but… you guys changed me. Made me want to be better.’

>>1285700
>>‘Commander’s got to look the part, doesn’t he?’

>>1285700
>>‘Commander’s got to look the part, doesn’t he?’

>>1285700
>‘Don’t tell anyone this but… you guys changed me. Made me want to be better.’

File: Take My Hand.jpg (171 KB, 850x1202)

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It was a simple question.

It deserved a simple answer.

The truth of the matter is that it’s not all that simple.

Watching another pair of soldiers jog on by, the thought strikes you that up until your involuntary but fortuitous turn into the driving seat of humanity’s bastion of defense, your days had consisted of you going through a cycle of sleep, work and whatever meal you could scrounge from your salary, or if you were lucky—and you were, often—the permission to take home whatever leftovers there were left from the day’s work, usually rich and thick. You would lounge around in your meager apartment, exhausted or just unmotivated, flipping through books and lying on your back while promising yourself that you’d make things better—that you’d make things change by your own hand.

It never came.

You never sought it out, despite the promises to yourself.

‘Actually, I never really bothered with myself that much until now.’

You slow down to an almost-lazy stride, your thoughts reaching back to your days prior to your KanMusu-and-paperwork-filled ones.

‘I never really saw the… point of improving myself,’ you admit, letting out a grimace. ‘Or when I did, I decided that I could put it off for another day or decide that that one time a year when I wanted a real change was enough. Then before I knew that week I decided to put off became a month a month became a season and before I knew it, the new year came along and…’

You see yourself on the floor of a messy room, raising a hand to check a watch… and just staring at the ceiling, sometimes for hours on end, waiting for your life to begin.

‘I find myself not caring and repeating the cycle again,’ you roll your shoulder, almost spitting out the words. ‘Selfish, isn’t it?’

Then they happened. Like a hurricane, things changed: there was a place that you came back to that, after so long, felt like a home; there were people—no matter what others said—that cared for you as much as you did them in return; you felt like you had to get better and better, that even if you couldn’t do it for your own sake, you had to do it for them; the moment that you’d taken your oath, things changed. The world became a stranger place; voices became clearer and your life, once so monotonous, was a chaotic scramble.

You wouldn’t have it any other way.

‘I guess… you guys changed it,’ you turn to find Tenryuu’s surprised expression, before joking, ‘don’t tell anyone.’

‘I’m not about to go around repeating your corny lines in my free time,’ she huffs, chicks pink. ‘no matter how hilarious I find them.’

She doesn’t mean it. The smile is too fond and the softness in her tone is too apparent. You decide not to tease her.

After just over half an hour of walking and idle chatter, you find yourself in front of a familiar-looking building.

‘This is the pla—!’

Something comes at you.

>Dodge! (Roll a 1d6 each)

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>1286064

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>1286064

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>1286064

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>1286064
ok

Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>1286064

[red]TEST[/red]

File: Spoiler Image (337 KB, 1146x790)

337 KB JPG

The more appropriate wording is that something was hoping to get the drop on you.

It failed… somewhat.

As fast as you can, you raise your prosthetic—at this point, an instinctive reaction—to put as much between you and the offending object. Weight comes down upon you—by your estimates, the person must have weighed at least two sacks of high-quality potatoes… and the thought comes to you that who it was, must have leapt down straight from the roof of the gym. Barely a moment passes as you feel your knees buckling from the strike coupled with the weight… and parry it, successfully, tossing your assailant away from you… and back onto the wall.

A flash of white panties makes you wonder if you’d just fallen into some sort of third-rate comic book for lonely perverts.

It’s a girl.

She’s nimble, to put it mildly.

Striking brown eyes, bristling with energy and arrogance of the worst kind, meets you for a brief instant before she practically flies over you, landing some distance from her initial landing spot—which was where you were standing—and adopting some odd pose with her hands spread out and her knee raised, her lips puffed and staring straight towards you for some reason or other. She looked pretty angry, too. You wonder if you had—?

‘WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING, YOU MORON?!’

Tenryuu, in full gear, gives the girl an almighty strike with the flat side of her blade on the crown of her head, making her drop in a tearful heap, practically in tears. It hits you at that moment that this girl, clad in orange and looking no different from a high school senior… was a KanMusu.

‘As expected from Tenryuu-san, to be able to sneak up on me like that!’

Tenryuu kicks her side, glaring down distastefully at the downed young woman. Your first instinct was to stop her… but something told you that this probably wasn’t the first time things had ended up like this for her. Tenryuu scratches the back of her head, the annoyance from before returning, spreading across her features as she stared at your still-lain would-be assailant.

‘Sendai, what the Hell were you trying to do?’

The KanMusu, Sendai, leaps to her feet energetically, dusting herself off.

‘I just wanted to say hello,’ she practically whines. Tenryuu rolls her eye as she—in an almost motherly manner—straightens Sendai’s crumpled dress. ‘No harm done, right?’

As a response, Tenryuu smacks her at the back of her head.

‘You coulda killed him, you moron!’

Her face takes an ashen quality as as she turns towards you, her form more rigid than before as she hangs her head guiltily.

‘I… I’m sorry, Commander, sir.’

>‘No apologies. No harm done.’ (Forgiving)
>‘You know that KanMusu have been banished for less, right?’ (Serious)
>‘Why the… unorthodox greeting?’ (Puzzlement)
>Ignore her and go inside
>Write-In

>>1286378
>>‘Why the… unorthodox greeting?’ (Puzzlement)

>>1286378
>>‘Why the… unorthodox greeting?’ (Puzzlement)

>>1286378
>‘Why the… unorthodox greeting?’ (Puzzlement)

>>1286378
>>‘Why the… unorthodox greeting?’ (Puzzlement)

File: Sorry.jpg (53 KB, 312x478)

53 KB JPG

‘If I may ask,’ you cough, getting both their attentions, ‘why the unorthodox greeting?’

She shuffles her feet, looking positively guilty.

‘I… I just wanted to have a little fun, I’m sorry.’

Tenryuu takes point, letting out a sigh and placing a reassuring hand on Sendai’s prone form.

‘Sendai’s a little… out there,’ she begins, to which Sendai responds by turning beet red and looking away, ‘and she can get carried away sometimes, but she didn’t mean anything by it, sir, I can assure you.’

She throws a quick glance towards Sendai… and you can see her squeezing the girl’s shoulder.

‘I-I’m sorry, sir,’ she apologizes again, taking a deep bow as she whimpers, almost pathetically—it was a stark contrast to her energetic form in her introduction. She looked positively cowed now.

>‘No apologies. No harm done.’ (Forgiving)
>‘You do know KanMusu have been banished for less, right?’ (Threatening)
>Ignore it and go inside
>Write-In

>>1286458
>‘No apologies. No harm done.’ (Forgiving)
>Just don't do it again, okay.

>>1286458
>>‘No apologies. No harm done.’ (Forgiving)

>>1286458
>‘No apologies. No harm done.’ (Forgiving)

>>1286458
>>‘No apologies. No harm done.’ (Forgiving)

File: __tenryuu_kantai_collecti(...).jpg (169 KB, 850x1133)

169 KB JPG

‘No apologies,’ You wave it off, showing her that there were no hard feelings. ‘No harm done.’

Sendai shifts in place before giving a formal bow of apology before leaving without another word. A part of you wants to call her back and cheer her up, but the more rational portion of your brain reasoned for you to—at least at this moment—leave her to her own devices rather than potentially make it worse. To tell the truth, she could have easily cracked your skull if she’d been off by a few degrees… or even broken your neck. Your prosthetic had, once again, kept the worse from reaching you.

Tenryuu stands by the gym door, gesturing for you to enter.

There weren’t many people—and strangely enough, the Trainer wasn’t in sight; not even in the ring. The half-dozen that were there were plainly going about their business, not paying the least bit of attention to you and Tenryuu. You make a beeline for the lockers, hoping to get changed without any further interruption. Everything was there—a fresh t-shirt, some baggy gym shorts. Depositing the souvenir jacket from Kongou into one of the compartments, you begin to change, beginning with your top. Your compatriot, now on the other side of the partition, keeps her silence… for a while, at least.

‘You know, you’re a lot more forgiving compared to the last Admiral she tried that shtick with.’

You don’t respond, fumbling with your shorts—whoever had designed the loop-and-tie for this one must have been a closet sadist. Tenryuu’s voice had been dripping with amusement and with a tinge of affection to it—albeit an affection that was laced with what you can only make out to be

‘She threw her into the brig.’

The reveal of the detail almost has you tearing your shit. You could understand being stern and no-nonsense, but for something that was rather playful in nature—although admittedly out-of-place—and to your understanding, non-malicious, it was a little too extreme of a direction to take things in.

You manage to tie your shorts up, awkward as they looked.

‘For something like that? That’s horrible,’ you comment, stepping out from the men’s side and back into the conjoining corridor.

Now face-to-face with Tenryuu again, you lead her back out to the gym floor.

‘Think of it as enforcing discipline and order. Not a lot of Commanders—let alone Admirals—are fond of letting their KanMusu just do as they please,’ Tenryuu elaborates… not that you could make sense of such logic.

‘I can see that,’ you frown, holding your arms up, ‘I just don’t see how something like that could garner a term behind bars.’

‘You’d be surprised at who The Admiralty picks up sometimes.’

You grunt, feeling your muscles unfurl themselves.

‘A stable Stream doesn’t require congeniality.’

>GET RIPPED! (Roll a 1d6 each)

Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>1286676