>>1220722
>>Pursue the topic
>caused an international incident and want to keep it on the down low
She knows

>>1220722
>>Pursue the topic
Would it be possible to discreetly ask her how she knows?

>>1220722
>>Pursue the topic
[wipes forehead internally]

>>1220732
>>1220734
Knows what?

File: Sergeant.jpg (133 KB, 550x469)

133 KB JPG

‘When was the last time an expulsion from The Congregation of Lords happened?’

She places her elbows on the table, frowning.

‘About fifty years ago, I think.’

Something strikes you. The time frame was…

‘Fifty years ago? wasn’t that the – ?’

You find yourself back in your middle school classroom; dark, hot and filled with chatty teenagers your age. Pictures of a desert wasteland and men standing in front of piled, burning corpses wielding blades with edges of motorized teeth and old, battered tanks make themselves known to you. It was one of the few topics in your old history class that actually kept you from nodding off – Taiyouga’s attempt in ending the seemingly-eternal Zuluvan Civil War. The deployment of biological weaponry engineered and approved by The Congregation of Lords, handed to three Warlords to restore order to the embattled region.

No one had expected the slaughter that came after.

‘That was around the time The Congregation got into international politics. – The Zuluva incident.’ She nods, crossing her legs and snorting. ‘I don’t think you need to be a history buff to know what happened there.’

‘Yeah, not as if anyone wouldn’t know about it.’

Taiyouga had taken the brunt of the blame for their interference… even if The League of Nations had shown a blind eye and a deaf ear when the approvals went through on ttheir part.

‘I think they released a comic book series based on what went down there.’

It was your turn to feel the brunt of an unamused stare.

‘So you think whatever happened… it’d be on that scale?’

‘Well… I don’t think it’s anything that bad. For one… I mean, you’d know this if you opened your average high school textbook… ’ She laughs, but it’s more forced and patronizing than it is genuine. ‘Or else everyone would’ve heard about it. If anything, it’s probably something they just can’t agree among themselves more than anything I think happened. You know how prissy people can get when they’re used to being spoiled?’

Something about the way she said it seemed… off. You’re just not quite sure how.

‘I guess.’ You shrug, reading the rest of the article.

It didn’t do much to quench your curiosity for history. You already had one set of wheels of the rails, anyway.

‘What happened to the research records? I know that The League of Nations and Taiyouga abandoned the agency and left it to rot… but the textbooks don’t actually tell you what happened after that.’

‘Confiscated?’ She shrugs, leaning in and reading with you as her lips break a half-smirk. ‘Don’t think anyone’s crazy enough to touch – let alone open – that little chapter.’

You nod grimly. No one would be stupid enough, either, in your opinion.

>‘What do you mean by what you think happened?’ (Roll a 1d6 each)
>Turn to Entertainmentt
>Turn to Sports
>Turn to Business
>Ask if she can direct you to The Major
>Write-In

Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>1220975
>>‘What do you mean by what you think happened?’ (Roll a 1d6 each)
feeling lucky tonight

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>1220975
>>‘What do you mean by what you think happened?’ (Roll a 1d6 each)

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>1220975
>>‘What do you mean by what you think happened?’ (Roll a 1d6 each)

Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>1220975
>>‘What do you mean by what you think happened?’ (Roll a 1d6 each)
dice gods pls

Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>1220975
>>‘What do you mean by what you think happened?’ (Roll a 1d6 each)

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>1220975
>>‘What do you mean by what you think happened?’ (Roll a 1d6 each)

File: Sarge.png (1.08 MB, 692x1000)

1.08 MB PNG

‘You can be a lot less… subtle, you know.’

She jumps a little, leaning back and away from the table. Her cheeks are stained red… and her eyes widen as her mouth takes an unhappy turn. It instantly morphs into a nervous, anticipatory smile as she scratches the back of her head, a defeated laugh leaving her lips. Her eyes immediately take a less guarded shine as she regards you, throwing her hair over her shoulder and resting her elbow on the table. She doesn’t look angry at all at being found out.

Perhaps she had thought that it was a futile effort, anyhow.

‘What tipped you off?’ She sighs; there’s no annoyance, but there is a sense of frustration – probably with herself.

She’d slipped before you had, after all. That had to be a small punch to her pride.

You raise a finger, making a small motion as you bathe yourself in the victor’s light.

‘Everything.’

‘So, was bumping into me the other day you gauging just how I operated or was it just you being clumsy?’

She snorts, her cheeks going from a small crimson to a light pink.

‘I’ve had two left feet since high school. It’s what I took up boxing to help with, but… well, old habits die hard.’ She sighs, scowling once more. Before you can say anything to follow up, however, you find yourself cut off by more words. ‘Don’t get me wrong… I’m not a big fan of The Admiralty, but I suppose that whatever happened between your side and theirs, it was something that your side deemed worth the hassle.’

You pinch the bridge of your nose. Maybe you weren’t entirely accurate as to her intentions.

‘Again… a lot less subtle.’

‘We’re just talking politics. No need to get in a jumble.’

Tilting your head, you concede that she did have a point. For now, you’d try to get out of her what you could… or what she was willing to part with.

‘You think The Admiralty’s behind the whole affair?’

‘Of course.’ She answers, almost lazily. ‘You’re the only side that benefits… or has consequences if anything leaked out – but anyone who has anything to say is going to want compensation and a few heads to roll, wouldn’t they, Commander?’

For some reason, you envision Nee-san hitting you for missing out on such an obvious link. Of course The Admiralty would be the only suspect when one considered the time frame of events… what’s more, you don’t think that the Imperial Army was immune to the contagion of gossip when it came to affairs of service.

‘So you think that I know something about it?’

She breaks into a playful smirk.

‘Now I do.’

A light hum escapes her lips as you grip the side of the table.

‘Or I think you do.’

You mumble under your breath.

>‘You’re… a lot less harmless than I thought you’d be.’
>‘Someone like me?’
>‘I think… we should end things here. Before one of us ends up upsetting the other.’
>Write-In

>>1221334
>‘Someone like me?’

>>1221334
>>‘Someone like me?’

>>1221334
>>‘Someone like me?’

>>1221334
>‘Someone like me?’

>>1221334
>>‘Someone like me?’

>>1221334
>>‘Someone like me?’

>>1221334
>>‘Someone like me?’

File: Did You Expect Something Else.jpg (170 KB, 806x1200)

170 KB JPG

‘It’s kind of out of left field that you think that I had a hand in whatever it is that you think is going on.’ You weigh in, frowning. It was a strange place to take things. Even more so that it somehow involved an odd conspiracy regarding The Admiralty’s involvement with the potential removal of a Lower House. ‘Even if it does involve The Admiralty… I don’t see how you think someone like me plays into things.’

But, at least… you don’t think she suspected the context of your own defensiveness; it was much too broad for her to zero in… and you were aware enough, you hoped, at least, to keep yourself a distance away from being any sort of property outside of her own range of suspicions. It was just some light prodding on her part… and you can hardly blame her.

Just because you were on the same side it didn’t meant you played for the same team.

‘You’re on the frontline and leading humanity’s last bastion against extinction. I think you’re just as much a suspect as anyone else.’ She huffs, her lips upturned in a self-satisfied manner. ‘That is… if I was someone who was trying to pin-point someone, anyway.’

You fold the newspaper, your ire apparent. It wasn’t so much that you were annoyed with her, of course… but the dancing around was too abstract for you to follow it any better. There was no point to this spiraling anymore than it had – just because she had an opinion of things and that it involved you didn’t mean that you had to just sit there and play along for the whole length of conversation.

After all, she didn’t know about what happened in Haszad and that, for now, was enough.

‘I think I’ve kind of had enough with the vague comments.’ You let out tiredly, leaning into your palm and throwing a flat look in her direction.

‘I’m sorry.’ She snickers, taking the paper away from you. ‘But you have to admit, Commander… you’re quite the standout factor, all things considered.’

‘Oh?’

‘No military background whatsoever, no real record to speak of, but… you’re doing just fine leading your Division.’ ‘You don’t need to be a spook to get these things out of people. They talk often enough that you can’t help but pick up a few things about things going around. I’m a Sergeant. Being aware is in the instruction manual.’

The previous tension eases away.

‘Well, I can’t confirm or deny anything that we’ve had a conversation about here.’ You adopt her playful stance. She doesn’t appear to notice it, however. ‘Although… I have to admit, it’s the last thing that I would have expected sitting down with a fellow Officer.’

She lets out a bark of laughter.

‘You’re effectively a serviceman that isn’t Army. Did you expect me to like you from the get go?’

>‘Tradition’s tradition, I guess.’ (Respectful)
>‘I suppose not.’ (Agree)
>‘Prodding’s a culture?’ (Antagonistic)
>Write-In

>>1221597
>>‘Tradition’s tradition, I guess.’ (Respectful)

>>1221597
>>‘Tradition’s tradition, I guess.’ (Respectful)

respectful nod

>>1221597
>>‘Tradition’s tradition, I guess.’ (Respectful)

>>1221597
>‘Tradition’s tradition, I guess.’ (Respectful)

>>1221597
>‘I suppose not.’ (Agree)

Test

>>1221597
>‘I suppose not.’ (Agree)

File: Take Care Commander.png (689 KB, 713x1000)

689 KB PNG

You stare at her, surprised.

You had never thought of yourself like that… and you’re quite sure that no one outside of The Admiralty had viewed you in the same mold as a soldier – a serviceman, by her own words. The Sergeant may have been an enigma all by herself… but the recognition she had admitted of your person came as a bit of a shock. It was well known that the traditional military arms of Taiyouga didn’t think much of The Admiralty’s involvement in the war – failure was a bitter pill to swallow every time… and more than once you’d overheard the odd soldier let out just how much of the pie they had taken from the other branches.

In a way, it was odd to be acknowledged like this – as vitriolic as it was – in tradition. You’d never considered yourself as part of any fraternity before – but it was a welcome oddity. The Sergeant sticks the paper under her armpit, pouring herself another glass of water and downing it before you can find the words to respond to this unorthodox welcome into the fraternity of soldiers.

Shaking your head, you gather yourself and lean back with a huff and a defeated sigh. She had caught you off-balance with that, but only briefly. Remembering your post, you give an acknowledging upturn on one side of your lips and another tired, yet amused sigh.

It was no stretch to say that her words were somewhat comforting.

‘I guess tradition’s tradition.’ You can’t keep the surrender out of your tone… but find that the atmosphere had lightened considerably after. ‘What’s waving a stick about without waving a little ego too?’

‘You’re getting the gist of things.’ She giggles, getting to her feet with a wink. ‘You have to admit that I’m a little right about you, Commander.’

You pause again. Perhaps you could afford lifting your opinion of yourself… a bit.

In the recesses of your mind, you can actually hear Nee-san’s balking.

‘I guess you are.’ The both of you share a smile.

Even if you didn’t find a liking for one another… at least she recognized that you were on the same page as she was – that you were here to help just as much as any decent man who joined the forces. She gives a small bow, prompting you to get to your feet and hurriedly mimic her motion.

Your stool clatters to the ground. So much of a raise in opinion of yourself.

‘Well, I suppose that that’s that.’ She gives an easy salute, moving past you with that same enigmatic grin. ‘If you’ll excuse me… I think I’ve loitered enough.’

‘It was a pleasure, Sergeant.’

You hold out a hand, shaking it.

She’s gone before long, and…

‘Ah, shit. Forgot to ask where I could find him…’

Your reputation with Mobile Command has become warmer!

>Talk to the bartender
>Talk to the pair of ranked soldiers
>Write-In

>>1221796
>>Talk to the bartender

>>1221796
>Talk to the bartender

>>1221796
>>Talk to the pair of ranked soldiers

>>1221796
>Talk to the pair of ranked soldiers

>>1221796
>Talk to the bartender

File: Bartender.jpg (26 KB, 640x480)

26 KB JPG

The bartender arrives to collect your bottle and the two glasses. You try to catch his attention, but before you can say a word or raise a hand, he’s zoomed right past the next few tables and placing them in what appeared to be a milk crate and back behind the bar again. You decide to try asking him about the whereabouts of The Major, or failing that, try to get some information that you could use. It wasn’t that you were snooping, of course… but The Sergeant seemed to be more aware of your situation than you would have suspected her to be. It would not do for you to brush off such a lesson and just remain ignorant of the affairs going around you, after all.

As soon as you begin tapping your fingers on the bar counter – creaky as it was – the bartender smacks his own hand on the table, fixing you with a look of irritation. You can’t quite tell how short his fuse was, but the expression he wears tells you that he isn’t a man of patience or willing to give an ear. He chewed on his toothpick as he regarded you, standing slightly shorter than you with a tattoo on his forearm that made it apparent that he wasn’t one to mess with.

It would have played against you to great effect… if you weren’t used to dealing with his type already.

Besides, as a man of the military, you don’t think that he was the type to start a fight on military grounds for any irrational reason.

‘Good afternoon.’

‘Your seat.’

You blink, confused. You pull out one of the stools and sit your bottom on it… only to be met with a flat look. He points towards the table that you had just vacated, and realize that it was the seat that you were previously in that he was referring to… sticking out of the table while the others were neatly pushed in.

‘Put it back.’ He crosses his arms, fixing you with a stare. ‘We’re at ease here… but we’re not without discipline.’

Unwilling to start a fight, you get out of your new stool and comply, pushing it in.

Out of the corner of your eye, the two Officers snicker as you do so, but you pay them no heed, making your way back to the table and setting yourself down. He gives an affirmative nod – he does look a mite more welcome compared to before, but you don’t make any assumptions. You open your mouth to say something, but he turns away from you again, checking on the – admittedly exquisite – row set between the crates and cables.

‘Shoulda taken that other postin’…’

>‘So, anything that I should know?’
>‘How’s the Army coping with the workload?’
>‘I’m surprised that your superiors would allow you to set up a bar. Usually all you get are Mess Halls.’
>‘I’m getting the vibe that I’m not very… welcome here.’
>‘I’m looking for The Major. Do you know where I can find him?’
>‘How much would it cost me to procure one from your selection?’ (Try to purchase bottle of spirit)
>Write-In

>>1221858
>>‘I’m looking for The Major. Do you know where I can find him?’

I'll be taking a break for prayers.

See you folks in a few hours.

>>1221858
>>‘I’m looking for The Major. Do you know where I can find him?’

>>1221858
>>‘I’m looking for The Major. Do you know where I can find him?’

>>1221858
>‘I’m getting the vibe that I’m not very… welcome here.’

>>1221858
>‘How much would it cost me to procure one from your selection?’ (Try to purchase bottle of spirit)

>>1221858

>‘How’s the Army coping with the workload?’

>>1221858
>‘I’m looking for The Major. Do you know where I can find him?’

Okay, folks, tallying the votes and running this session for the next few hours.

>>1221858
>‘I’m getting the vibe that I’m not very… welcome here.’

File: Daze.jpg (106 KB, 1280x720)

106 KB JPG

‘I’m looking for The Major.’ You decide to cut to the chase. You’d missed your chance twice – there was no way you were going to miss a third. ‘Do you know where I can find him?’

The Bartender – or at least that’s what you think he is, as there was no insignia of rank upon his person – stares at you calculatingly. For what purpose, you didn’t know; perhaps he was like the Commander from Ominato… but the negative vibe you get from him tells you otherwise. You’re pretty sure he doesn’t want you around, yes, but you’re not quite sure if it’s out of professional friction or the fact hat he just didn’t like you.

‘He’ll be somewhere doing rounds… but if he ain’t, you’re not getting to him.’

You’re thankful that he had bothered to answer at all, but the last part of his statement confused you.

‘Excuse me?’

Why wouldn’t you be able to get to him?

‘If he ain’t out there, you’re not going to have much of a chance to talk to him.’ He raises his watch to his nose, frowning as he regards it. ‘If you’re going to try and catch him on his rounds, it’ll be down to your luck. I personally don’t know how his schedule’s like, but if there’re a bunch of guys hauling crates from trucks, you can probably find him thereabouts. He’s overseeing requisition and schedules in his free time, so if you’re going to catch him, that’ll be your window.’

You frown. That did make sense, but…

‘What do you mean by a window?’

‘Well, if he ain’t out there, they ain’t gonna let you see him.’

‘I got this, though.’ You raise your tag like it was some proof of validation. The Bartender raises an amused eyebrow, crossing your arms. ‘Shouldn’t this help get me someplace?’

He holds out his hand. Slowly, you deposit the tag into his open palm… only for him to raise it and playfully smack you on the top of your head. He smirks as you rub the area it hit.

‘It gets you in here.’ He hands the offending item back to you, pressing his elbows on the surface of the counter. ‘That’s a Level One Security Tag, which means you only have a Level One Pass. If you’re trying to get an audience with The Major or any of the higher ups or the barracks, you’re gonna have to try and get higher level clearance.’

You make a face. You hadn’t expected that.

‘Can’t I just ask someone for a higher level pass?’

‘Seriously?’ He crosses his arms. ‘You know the kind of hardware we’re packing around here? Guns? Fuel? Trucks? This is as lax as things get, you know.’

>‘How do I get higher level passes?’
>‘Where do higher level passes allow me to go?’
>‘I’m with The Admiralty. Can’t there be an exception?’
>‘That’ll be all, thanks.’ (Leave)
>Write-In

>>1222243
>‘That’ll be all, thanks.’ (Leave)

>>1222243
>‘Where do higher level passes allow me to go?’

>>1222243
>>‘Where do higher level passes allow me to go?’

>>1222243
>‘That’ll be all, thanks.’ (Leave)

File: +Bartenda+.jpg (57 KB, 566x800)

57 KB JPG

‘Where do the higher level passes allow me to go?’

The man adopts a thoughtful pose, hands under his chin and likely biting the inside of his lip.

‘Well… what you have just gets you here – you know, the bar and then the garage if you want to have a look around for yourself. It doesn’t let you do anything other than visit, though, so if you so much as get behind the wheel of a jeep, we’ll pepper you with bullets.’

The tone he takes makes you think that he was definitely itchy for that chance.

‘The drivers are friendly enough folk. They usually don’t have much to do, so if your lot ain’t gonna lend you an ear, maybe you can pay the garage a visit… or if you like cars. I think there’s an old bike in there that some of the Privates are working on.’ He shakes his head. ‘Anyway, the Level Two Pass will get you into the rifle range and the temporary quarters, if you fancy hanging out there and taking a few practice rounds. Good luck trying to upgrade that high, though. You’re gonna have to butter up with some of the boys to get a sniff.’

He smirks… before pausing.

‘You fired a gun before?’

‘Um…’ You hesitate yourself – had you fired a gun before? The easy answer was that you had at the occasional carnival that you’d attended, but a fully military hardware? ‘A few rounds at a carnival at most recent memory. Haven’t had time for any of the heavy stuff.’

He nods.

‘Well, that’s what Level Two gets you. A Level Three Pass gets you into the Officer’s Camp or into Command Center. If you want to catch The Major, well… that’s what you want to get if you’re trying to get a pipeline with The Major.’

He points behind you – it dawns on you that the large tent must be where the Command Center was.

‘He’s in there?’

‘If he’s not on duty, yes.’

‘Can’t I just ask for permission to get in or something?’

The Bartender barks, clutching his stomach.

‘Good God, you’re a green one, aren’t you?’ He throws a menacing grin in your direction. ‘We ain’t part of your little club. We might be in this muck together, Commander, sir,’ you frown – that had definitely been sarcastic, ‘but we ain’t at your beck and call as easy as that. Heck, I don’t even know how ya got that, but it was probably just a damned courtesy.’

The grin doesn’t leave his face. Neither does your gaze.

‘You want access to the Major, you either break your bread or you try to catch him on the street. Army’s Army and your business is yours.’ He puts both hands on the table. ‘So let’s not try to get too familiar on that front, okay?’

You don’t reply. The man backs away.

‘There’s also an Officer’s Tag that’ll let you in, of course. But good luck getting one of those.’

>>1222367
>‘How do I get higher level passes?’
>‘I’m with The Admiralty. Can’t there be an exception?’
>'Can we talk about something else?
>‘That’ll be all, thanks.’ (Leave)
>Write-In

>>1222367
>>‘That’ll be all, thanks.’ (Leave)

>>1222367
>‘How do I get higher level passes?’

>>1222370
>‘That’ll be all, thanks.’ (Leave)

>>1222367
>'Can we talk about something else?

>>1222367
>>‘That’ll be all, thanks.’ (Leave)

File: Street.jpg (121 KB, 809x469)

121 KB JPG

‘That’ll be all, thanks.’

He gives you a nod, getting back to his work. You decide to leave – there weren’t many people here to talk to anyway… and there was still a lot left to be done for the day. Pushing yourself off the counter, you place a few coins on the table for your drink – you’re not sure what the premium went for water, but courtesy was courtesy. With a friendly wave you make for the exit, plotting what to do next.

You’re greeted by the sound of loud horns and army jeeps that thunder by, carrying servicemen of different shapes and sizes. Looking down the street, you see a young woman in uniform chatting with two Admiralty MPs – there’s some banter going on there, you supposed; both of them had odd smiles that you saw people usually wear when they were holding back from throttling someone. On the other side of the road, the maintenance crew carry their tools and materials, heading to the next reconstruction job while two children, a boy and a girl, sit by a young man that you guess to be their caretaker, munching down on what you recognized to be distributed rations with the Army’s emblem on the plastic container.

The young man points at several MPs marching past, to which the children stare at them in awe. The girl’s eyes stray from the large men… before resting on you. She stares at you with an expression you can only discern to be that of confusion… when the boy excitedly points at you, excitedly whispering something into the little girl’s ear.

Her eyes widen even more, her jaw going slightly slack.

You raise a hand, waving at the three of them. The young man’s eyes meet yours… and you feel something churn inside of you as you hold your gaze. It isn’t angry or primal… but a sort of mutual understanding between the both of you.

He gives a thankful and encouraging nod, getting to his feet and taking the children’s hands into his own. The both of them look up at the young man, grinning widely.

‘Sir… your tag, please.’

The Army MP was before you, holding out his hand and a lightly glaring pair of eyes. He must have stood there for a few minutes waiting for you to relinquish it.

You hand your tag over… before turning to the spot across the street where the three of them were.

The children and the young man were gone, the sound of the busy day and the view of the bustling street all there was before you.

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

>>1222420
>Visit Locations
Mamiya’s Restaurant

After that to the gym

>>1222420
>Visit Locations
Lets go to mamiyas

>>1222420
>>Look for your KanMusu (Specify)
>Kaga
need explanation for attempted Soul rape

>>1222420
>>Visit Locations(Mamiya's Restaurant)

>>1222420
>>Look for your KanMusu (Kaga)

>>1222496
>>1222455
>Visit Mamiya's

Then we can test our cooking on Kaga afterwards perhaps?

>>1222541
to the gym after that, we have to build some muscles

>>1222420
>>1222420
>Visit Locations
Mamiya’s Restaurant

So long as we wrap up our day at the Gym

Commencing write-up

File: Restaurant.jpg (226 KB, 677x380)

226 KB JPG

‘Hey, ya heard? We might actually be taking a step forward.’

‘Well, I guess that it really can’t be helped. It’s not like people were built for patience, anyway.’

‘Moving up the shore? That means that the Navy’s probably going to start some sort of movement of their own.’

‘What about the expulsion, if they – ?’

The chatter reaches your ears even though you didn’t so much as care for it. Bits and pieces of idle talk tells you that the topic for the day is the military’s movements. Yokosuka hadn’t been the only place the Army had been deployed to help – quite a few other cities and seaside towns had been afforded relief by the hand of the Congregation in order to alleviate the worries of the general public. Personally, you feel a bit glad that they had taken a more active step in helping curb panic… but you wonder just how pragmatic a step like this really was – relief was all well and good, but the Army – never mind the other branches – didn’t actually have the means to push back the Abyssal threat.

But you guess that a body between them and the Abyssals was more comforting than thin air.

The Admiralty couldn’t be everywhere at once. Ten years of war had proven that point again and again.

It had proven that point painfully.

‘Hey, we’re carryin’ stuff here!’

You side-step two Privates carrying a lengthy crate. One of them gives you a disappointed shake of his head while the other mumbles something under his breath as the both of them move past you. You cross the street and make your way further down to your destination… Mamiya’s.

Irako was there, of course, chatting with two men who you recognize to be part of your District restoration crew.

‘Ya mean he actually made poetry for ya? What a sissy!’

‘He talk about flowers or somethin’?’

Your blood runs cold as your two men laugh. Unwilling to revisit the topic, you shuffle your way into the restaurant. It wasn’t quite full, of course, being in the middle of the afternoon, but there was still quite a mix of KanMusu, Army personnel and those under the employ of the Admiralty lying around and chatting over one thing or the other. You immediately recognize Ikazuchi and Inazuma at one of the larger tables, several cards laid before them. Ikazuchi had an oddly smug look on her face while Inazuma looked troubled, holding several of the cards close to her chest.

‘Right, if you need me, I’ll be at the back then.’

You hear the sound of a creaking door – the Chef had gone into the pantry, while Mamiya was now tending to a customer’s order.

A bark of laughter catches your attention.

‘I know, right?!’

Hiei was there too, you find, with that white-haired KanMusu from before – Hamakaze.

>Talk to Ikazuchi and Inazuma
>Talk to the Chef
>Talk to Mamiya
>Talk to Hiei and Hamakaze
>Write-In

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>1224200
>>Talk to Ikazuchi and Inazuma
>>Talk to Hiei and Hamakaze
Let the Dice gods choose my path

>>1224200
>Talk to the Chef

No sidetracking

>>1224200
>>Talk to the Chef

>>1224200
>>Talk to Ikazuchi and Inazuma
>>1224229
yes sidetracking

>>1224222
>>1224229
>>1224260
>>1224329
Flipping a coin. Coin flipped.

File: Raiden.jpg (65 KB, 645x937)

65 KB JPG

‘Hey, you two.’

‘Division Commander!’

The both of them jump right out of their chairs, giving twin salutes. You give one in return.

‘Do you mind if I have a seat?’

Ikazuchi and Inazuma both go wide-eyed, stunned at your request. You’re not surprised at their reaction, however. It must have been strange for a Commander from a different Division, albeit the same post, to randomly request their company. They turn to each other, looking hesitant.

‘No good?’ You give an apologetic smile, scratching the back of your head.

‘No! No!’ The both of them break into their own hurried chorus, before turning red and dipping into a disciplined, if slightly clumsy, bow. Ikazuchi is the first to raise her head, gesturing towards the table. ‘It’s okay, Commander, you can sit with us.’

Inazuma, bless her, pulls a chair out for you. You give her a courteous bow and a warm smile as she pushes it right in… to the sound of a buzzing audience that had taken notice of the events. A quick glance to your right has you seeing several of the present men and women giving you distasteful looks or shaking their heads. As the frown begins to mar your features and you begin to wonder what they had taken issue with, the voices reach your ears.

‘Did that guy just make a little girl pull a chair out for him?’

‘Wow, I knew The Admiralty were sickos, but this is just…’

You turn red as you slink in your chair, embarrassed.

Ikazuchi and Inazuma had resumed their card game, with it apparently being Ikazuchi’s turn. There were a few cards on the table, face down, with an intricate… and familiar back design. You had seen it before from the old lady’s shop in your district. Inazuma scrunches her nose as she glares – ineffectually – at her widely-grinning sister, who flips several of the cards face-up, placing a card with a picture – more of a caricature, really – of an exploding island and a scarily familiar Ta-Class with crosses in place of eyes.

The move didn’t make Ikazuchi’s mood any better.

‘Ikazuchi-chan, that’s cheating!’ She cries out, pointing at the card.

‘No, it’s not – it’s my turn!’ She turns up her nose at the complaint, mimicking Inazuma and gesturing to the two flipped cards, which you recognized as caricatures of two KanMusu… but none that you knew.

‘H – How many Equipment and Mission cards can you play in a turn anyway?!’ She trembles, annoyed with the development.

Ikazuchi’s response is to only grin widely.

‘So that’s mean my Proud Destroyer Ikazuchi activates Raiden and…’

Inazuma slumps in her seat, pouting.

‘My HP…’

>‘What’s this that you guys are playing? I’ve seen it pop around my District for quite a bit.’ (Talk about the playing cards)
>‘So how have things been since I last saw you two?’ (Ask about them)
>‘Wasn’t there a third one usually around with you? (Inquire about their sister)
>Write-In

Rolled 1 (1d3)

>>1224670
>‘What’s this that you guys are playing? I’ve seen it pop around my District for quite a bit.’ (Talk about the playing cards)
>‘So how have things been since I last saw you two?’ (Ask about them)
>‘Wasn’t there a third one usually around with you? (Inquire about their sister)

>>1224670
>>‘Wasn’t there a third one usually around with you? (Inquire about their sister)

>>1224670
>‘Wasn’t there a third one usually around with you? (Inquire about their sister)

File: actually pretty funny.gif (2.51 MB, 286x258)

2.51 MB GIF

>>1224670
>‘Did that guy just make a little girl pull a chair out for him?’
>‘Wow, I knew The Admiralty were sickos, but this is just…’

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For a while, you watch Ikazuchi and Inazuma exchange proverbial blows playing the card game, whatever it was based on. They seem to be having fun, even if Inazuma’s losing streak was something to behold – it seemed like every time before she could get any sort of momentum going, Ikazuchi would play herself – Proud Destroyer Ikazuchi – and stop Inazuma in her tracks with a flurry of cards. After the third round, however, you realize something amiss with the picture before you.

‘Wasn’t there a third one usually around with you?’ You frown, realizing that the white-haired KanMusu was nowhere to be seen.

The both of them slump in their seats, quiet as can be. Ikazuchi mumbles something under her breath while Inazuma grows more distressed – you can tell that it’s not from the card game either. The both of them share a look… before gathering their cards and putting them away. Briefly, you hesitate – a realization comes soon after that neither of them seem to be comfortable with you bringing up the topic of their absent sister. As Ikazuchi puts down her cards, you make a move to apologize.

‘Hibiki-chan… transferred to Kure.’

‘Kure?’

Your remember Takao’s words – that had been the site that she had helped the Admiralty procure some time ago. You wonder what could have them so upset about a transfer – you thought that the KanMusu might have become used to it by now.

‘Did… something happen?’ You ask, tentatively. Even if nothing had, you couldn’t afford to be care less in a mind field such as this.

Experience with Iowa, Nagato and Shigure had taught you as much.

‘She… wanted to keep fighting.’ Inazuma’s mood becomes immediately somber, resting her arms on the table and her head on them, staring blankly ahead at her sister. ‘I told her that she didn’t have to fight so much, we can just do what we’re told to – to do what we can and… and things’ll just follow through.’ She buries her face into her arms, her expression hidden from you. ‘I told her not to go and she still wanted to… and when we wanted to follow she…’

Ikazuchi lets out a frustrated noise, huffing and crossing her arms as she wears a scowl.

‘Hibiki-chan’s an idiot.’ She declares, grinding her teeth. ‘It’s not like that we don’t know that we’re fighting a war… but Akatsuki-nee told us that – !’

She hisses, turning away from you. Rather than crossing her arms, she looks like she’s hugging herself.

‘She doesn’t want to see us.’ Inazuma mumbles gloomily. ‘She put the transfer in weeks ago and told us that we weren’t soldiers… that she – ! We… yelled at her.’

You’re not quite sure if they’re talking to themselves or to you anymore.

‘She even left her stupid deck!’ Ikazuchi bangs the table, pointing at Inazuma's cards. ‘It’s useless, just like her!’

‘It’s not a stupid deck!’ Inazuma cries out, glaring. ‘O – One more!’

>>1224867
>Watch their game in silence
>‘So you guys fought and she left?’ (Pursue the topic)
>‘So how… do you play this, really?’ (Talk about the playing cards)
>Write-In

>>1224867
Time for Friday Prayers.

Be excellent to one another.

>>1224867
>>‘So you guys fought and she left?’ (Pursue the topic)
time to commence dadmander mode

>>1224881
>>‘So you guys fought and she left?’ (Pursue the topic)
Dear God let's not fuck this up for two kids in front of everybody else

>>1224867
>>‘So you guys fought and she left?’ (Pursue the topic)

>>1224867
>‘So you guys fought and she left?’ (Pursue the topic)

>>1224881
>‘So you guys fought and she left?’ (Pursue the topic)

>>1224881

>‘So how… do you play this, really?’ (Talk about the playing cards)

Its time to....

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>>1225715

File: ZuchiRai.jpg (194 KB, 850x1511)

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‘So you guys fought and she left?’

The recently-lit mood of the table immediately drops again. Ikazuchi grips her cards tightly as she spares you a quick glance, but otherwise refrains from answering you. Inazuma lets out a sigh, softly but tiredly, placing her cards on the table. Neither of them look willing to answer your inquiry. Both sisters shift in their sits uncomfortably, Ikazuchi tapping the cards on her side of the table while Inazuma sets flicks the edges of her cards, looking unsure. She spares you a glance of her own – you see frustration, annoyance… and something else.

‘I play Forced Retreat.’ Inazuma finally declares, albeit in a quiet voice, placing a card down on the table. Ikazuchi doesn’t respond. ‘Ika – Ikazuchi-chan, I played my card.’

Ikazuchi looks up… and you see a brief smile appear on her lips as she turns one of the cards on the table around as she leans over the table to get a better look at the played card. She makes disgusted noise before dropping back in her feet.

‘Urgh. Two turns.’ Ikazuchi pouts, placing her hand on the table. ‘Why do you wanna play a card like that so early?’

Inazuma lets out a joyous chirp as she places another card on the table.

‘I launch Yuubari, The Tenuous Worker.’

They appear to completely disregard your question, completely engrossed in the game once more.

>‘What happened?’(Continue to press the topic)
>‘So, how do you play this game?’ (Inquire about the game at the table)
>‘How have things been on-base? I’ve seen you guys in and around.’ (Ask about them)
>Leave the table
>Write-In

>>1227085
>>‘How have things been on-base? I’ve seen you guys in and around.’ (Ask about them)

>>1227085
>>‘How have things been on-base? I’ve seen you guys in and around.’ (Ask about them)
put that line of questioning on the to do list

>>1227085
>>‘So, how do you play this game?’ (Inquire about the game at the table)

>>1227085
>‘So, how do you play this game?’ (Inquire about the game at the table)

>>1227092
>>1227096
>>1227108
>>1227127
Flipping a coin. Coin flipped.

Oh, fuck, give me some time to come up with the specifics for the card game. Like an hour, tops. Promise.

>>1227164
well then like anon said >>1225716
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFkdcQgNJHo

Okay, done. Let's see how this goes.

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You decide to drop it. They didn’t look like they were keen on answering, anyway. Ikazuchi and Inazuma rotate their turns – in an interesting twist, Inazuma, for the first time since you’d sat at their table, had the upper hand. Ikazuchi had, of course, herself on the field of play, although you do think she was a bit of an egotist for playing herself in a deck while Inazuma had three cards. Ikazuchi scrunches her face as she draws from what appeared to be her deck… and instantly brightening and making a superior face.

‘Too bad, Inazuma, I was just waiting for this.’

The voice that Ikazuchi makes upon saying that almost makes you want to grin.

Inazuma’s face immediately falls as Ikazuchi sets down one card after the other… and slumps as Ikazuchi places her hands on her hips and adopts a smug grin, staring down at the her sister’s depressed form. You grimace – you may not know anything about the game, but you definitely knew just how crushing it must have felt for Inazuma to fall when she was ahead. She pouts, gathering her cards and glaring at her sister, who offers to give her another round.

Watching them, you can’t help but feel a little bit curious.

‘How do you play this game?’ You lean in, curiously picking up one of the cards from what you understood to be the Scrap Pile. It read: ”Starting Out”.

If the general mood was depressing before, the upturn of it as soon as you’d inquired into the nature of the game dispelled any remnant of it. The both of them excitedly clamor and argue over the privilege of dragging you into the hobby, holding up cards and custom sleeves. You calm the both of them down as best you can – the rest of the patrons had turned their heads to the three of you… and you didn’t want to make the scene anymore attention-grabbing than the three of you already had.

‘One at a time.’ You chuckle, prompting them to sit and begin their explanation.

You were taking the role of an Admiral leading a skirmish against another Admiral. Your objective was to, of course, win the game: either by eliminating the enemy Flagship, getting all of their deck into the Scrap Pile or destroying a certain number of ships, all depending on the stage of the game.

‘So you can play as many Equipment and Objective cards as you want a turn, but Equipment cards go back in the deck and Objective cards… stay in the Scrap Pile?’ The both of them nod enthusiastically. You continue, ‘Objective Cards are for your opponent to do… and Mission Cards are for you to do. Objective Cards give a certain number of points or bonuses to… summon stronger KanMusu?’

‘Yup!’ Ikazuchi practically jumps in her seat. ‘The higher your level, the stronger cards you can bring out! Not that I need ‘em, of course!’

She’s smug, you can tell that much.

>Watch them play
>Leave them to their game
>Ask to have a go
>Write-In

>>1227580
>>Ask to have a go

>>1227580
>Ask to have a go

>>1227580
>>Leave them to their game

>>1227580
>Leave them to their game
We did come here to learn to cook.

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‘Sounds like fun.’ You nod. At the very least, it sounded like it was worth a round. ‘Do you mind if I have a go?’

Ikazuchi claps her hands together, her expression happier than you had ever seen her before.

‘Sure! Sure!’ She gestures to Inazuma, who tugs on your sleeve and hands you her cards. You tentatively take her 40 card deck. ‘You can use Inazuma’s deck.’ She makes a smug grin, taking a snooty tone.‘My deck’s a little specialized, so it’ll be hard for you to keep up with it. Inazuma-chan, you help him out, okay?’

The both of you set up your cards, taking a seat opposite one another.

‘IT’S TIME TO D – D – D – DUEL!’

A guitar riff reaches your ear, followed my an impressive percussion. Was Ne – ?

Wasn’t me.

The both of your draw your opening hand of five.

‘Okay, let’s draw some cards!’ Ikazuchi declares, standing up in her seat. ‘I draw… and set down my Nagatsuki, One of the Girls on the Frontline!’ A curious mechanical beep reaches your ears, prompting you to look around. ‘Because I’m going first, I can’t attack, so… I play my Equipment Card! – Small Turbine! Because it has 0 Equip Cost, I don’t have to pay anything!’ She sets down the second card on the table. You’re impressed that she hadn’t toppled at all, standing like that. ‘This card says that every time you attack my Destroyer – in this case, Nagatsuki, One of the Girls, you have to flip 3 coins. If you get 2 tails, the attack misses and your turn ends!’

The gathered crowd – which you hadn’t noticed had gathered in the first place – gasps, mumbling among themselves, commentating on Ikazuchi’s so-called advantage. The guitar riff and percussion – from wherever it was – takes an odd, hurried rhythm as your opponent points at you to start off yourself

Ikazuchi looks expectantly at you.

You shift uncomfortably in your seat not knowing what she expected of you. Her pupils practically shone.

‘See? See? Now you try it!’

You tilt your head. What was she hinting at for you to do? Get on with your turn? You reach for your deck to draw a card… only for your opponent to stomp her feet, scrunching her face in your direction.

‘Commander, there’s no point doing this if you’re not… not going to take it seriously!’

The members of the crowd mumbles among themselves. You can hear a lot of affirmative grunting. There weren’t that many people in here in the first place, anyway? Where had they all come from?

‘Ikazuchi, it’s…’

Tears well at the corner of her eyes, taking your reluctance as affirmation. Inazuma looks up at you, her eyes begging for you to indulge in this lunacy… if only just this once.

You let out a heavy sigh.

>‘DAMN! SHE’S ALREADY AT AN ADVANTAGE!’ (Get into the mood of things)
>‘It’s… just a card game.’ (Deliver flatly)

>>1227926
>>‘DAMN! SHE’S ALREADY AT AN ADVANTAGE!’ (Get into the mood of things)

can we activate our TRAP CARD?

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>>1227926
>>‘DAMN! SHE’S ALREADY AT AN ADVANTAGE!’ (Get into the mood of things)

>>1227926
>>‘DAMN! SHE’S ALREADY AT AN ADVANTAGE!’ (Get into the mood of things)

>>1227926
>>‘DAMN! SHE’S ALREADY AT AN ADVANTAGE!’ (Get into the mood of things)
full DUEL MODE ENGAGE

>>1227926
>>‘DAMN! SHE’S ALREADY AT AN ADVANTAGE!’ (Get into the mood of things)

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‘I…’

Ikazuchi’s bottom lip quivers. Your shoulders slump… before you slick your hair back and puff your chest, your face contorting into a desperate and troubled expression.

‘DAMN! SHE’S ALREADY AT AN ADVANTAGE!’ You declare, your prosthetic clenching into a fist. ‘I HAVE TO EVERYTHING… ON THIS NEXT CARD!’

The crowd cheers.

‘ALL RIGHT, SINCE YOU’RE INSISTENT ON PLAYING ME AT MY FULL POWER, I THINK IT WOULD BE RUDE TO HOLD BACK!’

Summoning all five minutes of attention you paid in theater and drama back in high school, you draw your card.

‘I SUMMON FUBUKI, DOING HER BEST!’

‘BUT THAT’S NOT ALL!’ The crowd swoons. You could get the hang of this. ‘As this is the first card I played this turn, I activate its effect: SISTER SHIP! Fubuki allows me to search for any Destroyer-Level Card of the same Class from my deck and bring it to the frontline as long as its Offensive is 2 points and below!’ You bellow, making Ikazuchi meet your stare, her determination to win all the more apparent. ‘That allows me to bring out… TOUGH AND LOUD, MURAKUMO!’

The spectators gasp. A young man with a long face and blonde hair gasps, trembling.

‘He has two ships out this early? But Inazuma never used Fubuki on her first turn before!’

A shorter man nods, narrowing his eyes at you.

‘Truly, Ikazuchi’s throne is under much greater threat than anticipate… she underestimates the slighty-overweight one at her own peril.’

You place a finger on your card.

‘Because I have two ships out early… I pay a tribute cost – and turn Fubuki into my FLAGSHIP!’

‘That early? How risky!’ Someone cries out. ‘Fubuki is only a Destroyer Class! The Flagship Promotion isn’t going to do much to her stats! She’ll be crushed as a Flagship! What plan does he have up his sleeve?’

You don’t actually have much up your sleeve. You saw the bonuses and decided that if you were going to use the card, you might as well make the most of it.

‘YOU ACTIVATED MY OBJECTIVE CARD: HURRIED FORMATION!’

‘WHAT?!’

‘That’s right… as you’ve played more than three effects this turn… the effect stands out! The positions of your KanMusu have to be switched at your discretion… and the next turn your Flagship’s bonuses are negated!’ Ikazuchi cackles, sending you into a spiral of panic. ‘But because this is an Objective Card, you can prevent that effect from taking place, so now… choose! Do you pay the cost and discard from your deck? Do you send your Murakumo to the Scrap Pile – not destroyed, of course – or do you allow it to happen?’

A cough catches everyone’s attention.

‘Ikazuchi-chan, feet off the table please.’

She meekly complies.

>Fulfill Objective (Discard from deck)
>Fulfill Objective (Send to Scrap Pile)
>Fail Objective

>>1228163
>>Fulfill Objective (Send to Scrap Pile)
i'm assuming there are cards to bring Kanmusu back from the graveyard

>>1228163
>Fulfill Objective (Send to Scrap Pile)

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>>1228163
>>Fulfill Objective (Send to Scrap Pile)

>>1228163
>>Fulfill Objective (Send to Scrap Pile)

Never move to Malaysia guys. their internet is shit

>>1228163
>Fulfill Objective (Send to Scrap Pile)

>>1228163
>Fulfill Objective (Discard from deck)

>>1228163
>>Fulfill Objective (Discard from deck)

>>1228178
>>1228188
>>1228226
>>1228274
>>1228693
>>1228918
>>1228950
I'm back. A whole day in front of a counter spent, but I have my interwebs back. I hope I don't end up on Youtube. I kind of spazzed out.

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‘I SEND MY MURAKUMO TO THE DISCARD PILE!’ You pick up the card and place it in the area, posing dramatically for effect. Not that it was a good effect, mind, but getting into the spirit of things seemed to cheer them up. ‘THAT GIVES ME ONE POINT TOWARDS THE NEXT LEVEL! AND BECAUSE IT ONLY TAKES ONE POINT TO ADVANCE TO THE NEXT LEVEL, I HAVE ADVANCED FROM CAPTAIN TO REAR ADMIRAL!’ You throw your outstretched palm in her direction, making a face that dared her. ‘THAT AUTOMATICALLY GIVES BONUSES TO MY FLAGSHIP FUBUKI!’

You hear the sound of beeping at the back of your head.

That was me. I do not know why I did that.

The crowd gasps, some of them having even fainted in the process.

‘I BELIEVE YOUR NAGATSUKI’S OPEN TO ATTACK, SO HERE I G – !’

Inazuma tugs at your sleeve, prompting you to look at her. She was shuffling her feet and twiddling her thumbs, slightly more anxious than she was before.

‘Yeah, Inazuma?’

She leans in.

‘Commander, you can’t attack the same turn you convert a ship into a Flagship.’

‘Oh.’ You turn red. ‘Then I end my turn.’

The crowd shakes their heads. You pinch the bridge of your nose; you were never going to live this down.

‘SO I END MY TURN!’

Ikazuchi covers her brow with her hand, bending over backwards and staring at you with menacing eyes.

‘NOT BAD, COMMANDER, BUT NOW IT’S MY TURN!’ She draws a card from the deck and places it on the table, making the crowd let out a whoop of awe. ‘I ASSIGN MY MISSION CARD: NIGHT PATROL!’

‘Oh no!’ A blonde young man declares, his eyes wide in disbelief. ‘Not the Legendary Night Patrol! Only fifty were ever given out in production! The advantage is definitely in Ikazuchi’s hands now!’

‘Night Patrol requires a certain number of conditions met before it’s play – !’

You sigh.

‘I can read it, Ika – !’

At her pleading, tearful stare, you stop, gesturing for her to continue after.

‘NIGHT PATROL REQUIRES A CERTAIN NUMBER CONDITIONS MET BEFORE IT’S PLAYED!’ She announces loudly, so loud that some dust falls from the ceiling. ‘THE FIRST IS THAT I CAN’T HAVE A FLAGSHIP ASSIGNED! THE SECOND IS THAT THERE CAN’T BE ANY SHIPGIRL CARDS OF KANMUSU CLASS OR HIGHER ON MY FRONTLINE! SINCE I FULFILL BOTH CONDITIONS, I CAN FULLY ACTIVATE ITS EFFECT!’ She takes a card out from her deck. ‘COME FORTH, THE MANIAC, SENDAI!’

She places the card in question on the table next to the Night Patrol card.

‘I PLAY MY EQUIPMENT CARD: Wulfgerat!’ She takes out another card, placing it under the new KanMusu card. ‘But this isn’t any typical Equipment Card. As I brought Sendai to the frontlines by – !’

‘Ikazuchi-chan.’ Mamiya glowers. ‘Foot. Off. Table.’

>Play Objective Card to counter
>Intercept with Flagship
>Take the attack

>>1229034
>>Play Objective Card to counter
Fight for advantage boys!

>>1229034
>Play Objective Card to counter

>>1229034
>>Play Objective Card to counter

>>1229034
>>Play Objective Card to counter

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‘AS I BROUGHT SENDAI TO THE FRONTLINES WITH A CARD EFFECT, MY SUMMONING QUOTA REMAINS UNAFFECTED!’ She makes a gesture with her hand, proudly puffing her chest. ‘WHICH MEANS THAT I CAN STILL SUMMON ONE MORE CARD! I SUMMON ME!’ She throws a card onto the table. ‘PROUD DESTROYER IKAZUCHI!’

‘Oh no, she’s about to use that!’ You overheard a blonde man gasping in disbelief.

‘THAT?!’

‘THAT!’

‘The say only the most dedicated of Admirals – of Card Games – are able to pull of the combo! If that Commander doesn’t stop the next barrage, it’s over!’

‘I knew it was too good to be true.’ You overhear the brown-haired man grumbling. He had an odd amount of fixation on the game, you find. ‘There’s no one that can just get their first game out and keep up with Ikazuchi of all people.’ He shoots you a quick glance. ‘This is what it means to be and Admiral… of Card Games.’

You think that the lot of them should learn to lower their soices.

‘Proud Destroyer Ikazuchi has two effects; one of which I can’t activate because you don’t have a Frontline.’ Ikazuchi raises both her hands. ‘The second, however is free for me to use – I activate – !’

‘I’M SORRY IKAZUCHI, BUT I WON’T ALLOW YOU TO DO AS YOU PLEASE!’ You interrupt, throwing your card onto the table. ‘I ACTIVATE MY OBJECTIVE CARD: ON THE FLY!’

‘For every card that you have played this turn, I get to draw cards from my deck! The conditions of negation are simple! All you have to do is render a card inactive!’

She smirks.

‘THAT’S EASY! THEN I CHOOSE NAGATSUKI TO BE INACTIVE!’

‘I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT!’

‘What?! He can’t have anticipated that!’ A young woman in a crew jumpsuit gasps.

‘OF COURSE I DIDN’T. BUT IT WAS A LIKELIHOOD I WAS WILLING TO PUT A BET ON!’ You shout to the Heavens. ‘YOU’VE TRIGGERED MY SECOND OBJECTIVE CARD: PINCER REBELLION!’

‘No way! He’s really willing to use something like that this early?! The fool!’

You jab a finger in Ikazuchi’s direction.

‘PINCER REBELLION renders any card that hasn’t been assigned on the Frontline inactive, as you don’t have a Flagship, that renders all of them unable to attack this turn… UNLESS YOU ALLOW ME TO PICK TWO CARDS TO SEND TO THE SCRAP PILE FROM YOUR HAND!’

Ikazuchi makes a face, complying with your conditions… and leveling up in the process. She had used her points up, though, so there was no immediate danger.

‘Amazing! He’s crippled her from the get-go!’

‘THAT DOESN’T MATTER. I DECLARE MY ATTACK!’

You find yourself moderately damaged; you hadn’t beaten her yet – just delayed the inevitable. It was your move now.

>Play Mission Card that searches your deck
>Play Mission Card that helps you level up
>Summon and attack with what you have

>>1229034
>Intercept with Flagship

>>1229066
>Play Mission Card that helps you level up
UUUOOOHHHHH!!!!

>>1229066
>Play Mission Card that searches your deck
Everyone knows that tutoring up some bullshit at last second is hype.

>>1229073
>Wanting to pull a Yugi
It's okay, we all have dreams.

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>>1229075
>tfw I played Dark Petition in standard when it was legal
>It sucked but all the times I got to feel smug made up for it

>>1229066
>Play Mission Card that searches your deck

>>1229066
>Play Mission Card that searches your deck

>>1229066
>>Play Mission Card that searches your deck

>>1229066
>>Play Mission Card that searches your deck

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‘AS I AM LEVEL TWO, THAT ALLOWS ME TO PLAY A MISSION CARD!’ You shout out, making her take a dramatic step back. You show the card to all those who are present. ‘AND THE MISSION THAT I’M GOING TO ACTIVATE IS: FIRE TEAM BACKUP!’

The brown-haired man and his two friends stare in shock at you. You’re not sure why you’re paying attention to them, but it was kind of hard to ignore the oddly-dressed trio that seemed to fixated on you.

‘No way! What a waste of a card!’

‘Just what is he thinking?!’

You had a plan… you just didn’t expect to be so grandiose about it. But if you stopped, you don’t think you would hear the end of it from Ikazuchi or Inazuma for being such a wet towel. You had decided some time ago that if you had to ham it up, you might as well ham it up.

‘I’M SURE YOU’RE WELL AWARE OF HOW THIS WORKS! FIRST, I FOREGO MY ATTACK PHASE AND TURN MY FLAGSHIP INTO PATROL MODE!’ You turn your Fubuki – your Flagship – sideways. ‘THEN I SEARCH MY DECK FOR A CERTAIN NUMBER OF DESTROYERS, BASED ON THE NUMBER OF SUMMON POINTS THAT I HAVE! AS I HAVE TWO, THAT’S TWO DESTROYERS TO MY HAND!’ You take a pair of cards from the deck, placing them on the table. ‘I select… Wakaba, Melancholic Witness and Plain Fumitsuki!’

The jaws of the whole crowd slacken as you make your play.

‘What?! Why would he bring out two plain cards like that?!’ The short man makes a cry of disbelief.

‘Ikazuchi’s got the upper hand now, but The Commander’s got the chance to go ahead on rank! Why doesn’t he – ?’

‘THAT’S IT!’

You sigh. Maybe you should use your influence to tell them to keep it down.

‘I haven’t summoned yet, so here’s what I’m going to do!’ You send your two newly-acquired cards to the Scrap Pile. ‘I SCRAP WAKABA TO MAKE UP FOR THE COST DIFFERENCE!’

‘He’s summoning?!’ Their eyes widen, staring slack-jawed at you – if it were possible to be more so, anyway. ‘But he can’t attack!’

‘I SUMMON NACHI, THE SERIOUS ONE!’ You cry out, making the crowd jump around like madmen, pointing and hollering. ‘I CAN’T ATTACK, BUT NACHI’S EFFECT IS SUCH: IF SHE’S SUMMONED SUCCESSFULLY BY MEANS OF SCRAPPING IN ADDITION TO THE NORMAL COST, SHE GETS A FREE SHOT AT YOUR FLAGSHIP!’

‘I ACTIVATE MY OBJECTIVE CARD: QUICK STRIKES ACROSS THE BOW!’ The onlookers clap excitedly seeing her play. You should have expected someone of her experience to have something up their sleeve like that. ‘Choose a card in my hand and declare it MISSION, OBJECTIVE OR SHIPGIRL!’ She holds up her hand, showing the back of her cards. ‘GET IT RIGHT AND GET EXPERIENCE POINTS AND A NEGATION OF ITS EFFECT! GET IT WRONG AND YOUR SHIPGIRL IS DESTROYED!’

You hand hovers…

>Mission Card
>Objective Card
>Shipgirl Card

>>1229159
>Objective Card

>>1229159
>Objective Card

>>1229159
>Shipgirl Card
She can't have much more interactive cards and she suffered hand destruction last turn, it's probably a combo piece!

Rolled 2 (1d3)

>>1229159
Rolling for this

>>1229159
>>Objective Card

>>1229159
>>Shipgirl Card

Rolled 2 (1d3)

You guys chose:
OBJECTIVE CARD

>>1229178
>>1229161
>>1229164
>>1229171
You assholes got it right. Congrats.

Pricks.

File: I Had Fun Too, Commander (...).png (536 KB, 836x1100)

536 KB PNG

‘Ikazuchi, do you think that I’m naive to forget just what you have added to your hand?’ You cackle maniacally. Ikazuchi takes a step back, surprised at the sudden turn of events. She had probably never ‘Through simple deduction, I am able to scry just what you have up your sleeve – if you had a Mission Card to spare, you would have played it! So that means that the contents of your hand could only be one of the other two! But!’ You pause for dramatic effect – not that it was necessary, but you were in too deep to back out now. ‘Seeing as things have developed the way they have in the last few turns… and your hurried searching for what you do not have, I can only discern one possibility!’

The spectators wait on baited breath as you pick out the card.

‘I pick: OBJECTIVE CARD!’

Ikazuchi trembles, turning the card around and presenting it for all to see.

‘NO!’ The young men ‘HE GOT IT RIGHT!’

‘WHAT A STROKE OF LUCK!’

‘THAT MEANS THAT – !’

‘Ikazuchi! Inazuma!’

The crowd hurriedly disperses to make way for the new arrival – The Vice-Admiral had arrived, clad in his usual unkempt jacket and wearing a grim expression. Remembering yourself, you get to your feet and offer a rigid, formal salute, which The Vice-Admiral returns. You see Hiei walking out from the crowd, wearing an expression that looked more comfortable on Ooyodo’s visage than hers. Inazuma and Ikazuchi hurriedly clear up the game, shuffling cards back into their respective decks as the rest of the gathered onlookers begin to move away one by one, their enjoyment – and to a lesser extent, yours – interrupted.

It’s not long before Ikazuchi is at The Vice-Admiral’s side, giving you a respectful bow to go with sparkling, lively orbs.

‘Commander.’

‘Vice-Admiral.’

His mouth twitches, if only a little. He doesn’t say anything else, giving you a friendly pat before leading his charges out of the restaurant.

You feel a tug on your sleeve… and look down to see a nervous-looking Inazuma, holding the deck that you had temporarily leased for use.

‘Commander… I couldn’t use it that well, but… it looks like it suits you.’ Inazuma presents the now-stacked deck to you. Bewildered, you take it from her, scanning through the cards again, this time with an odd feeling of familiarity. ‘I think Hibiki-chan would have liked to see them have actual use.’ She smiles… it’s a little bit forced, a little sad, but… it’s there. ‘Take care of them, okay?’

Before you can put in a protest of any sort… she had run out the shop, following Hiei and Ikazuchi.

You stare at the cards in your hand as you walk out.

You received: Hibiki’s Old Deck!

1/4
>Visit Locations
>Look for your KanMusu (Specify)
>Look for Admiralty Staff
>District Management
>Write-In

>>1229209
>Visit Locations
the gym

>>1229209
>Visit Locations(Trainer’s Gym)

>>1229209

I thought we came here for cooking lessons.

>>1229209
>Visit Locations
Gym

>>1229209
>Visit Locations
Lets head to the gym

>>1229211
>>1229215
>>1229222
>>1229223

Or...we stick to the original reason we came here? Fucking ADD anons all up in today.

>>1229224
I don't think there is a specified reason for you to visit here. In general RPG conventions, you visit a place to initiate an interlude. Let people do as they please instead of trying to strong arm them. In character wise, you just decided to pay a visit to Mamiya's just to anyway, so there's no violation of narration in any case.

>>1229231
That'd be because it was two threads ago it was discussed, and you're running on a Saturday when the kids are out of school.

So yeah, we blew off our reason for coming here to play a card game. I'd be less salty, but if the QM can't remember shit about his own quest I'm out.

>>1229231
There's also the minor detail that we got to do more than one thing at the bar, but somehow a card game wipes out all our time at Mamiya's, so yeah.

>>1229248
>>1229255
I have no idea why you're putting so much stock into this, but, sure, have fun wherever you go, I guess. I'm not forcing you to stay here.

If you didn't notice, you were at that table for about an hour. The card game's about 20 minutes (with theatrics), you watch Inazuma and Ikazuchi go through a few rounds, which are at the very least 10 minutes a piece. So yes, it is going to consume quite a bit of time.

In comparison, the bar's units of times consumed barely 5 minutes with the guy talking about money, about 30 minutes chatting with the Sergeant and 10-15 minutes talking with the bartender. Some things take a lot longer than others. I did give the option to leave and do something else up there and pursue it some other time, but the majority decided to stay and play it through.

So, tough break.

I don't know why you're acting like it's the end of the world.

>>1229224
Calm your tits.

>>1229209
>Write-In
>Ask for cooking lessons

>>1229209
>>Visit Locations
Gym

Already did cooking yesterday

File: Yup Like This.jpg (80 KB, 600x400)

80 KB JPG

You push open the door to the gym.

What greets you is the sight of several men and women working out. You let out a low appreciative whistle as you see two men punch it out in the ring – one with a bald cut and the other a heavily-tattooed older gentleman. There must have been about a dozen of them in there, either working on dumbbells, stretch machines or punching bags. You tentatively glance around, feeling a little intimidated. Everyone here was a lot more… filled out than you were; you run your hand over your belly, letting out a sigh. You’d dropped a few pounds, but you could definitely still feel the flab.

A strong slap on your back makes you jolt, letting out an embarrassingly feminine cry. You turn around to see the Trainer, shirtless, clad in track bottoms, his feet bare and his body glistening with sweat. As your eyes take in the full sight of him, you realize that this was the first time you had seen him looking anywhere close to tired – even when you’d jogged together the other day with Nachi and the rest of them, he hadn’t so much as felt like he was going to perspire. He gives you a big grin, hands on his hips and eying you in amusement.

‘As I live and breathe, look what the cat dragged in,’ his eyebrows dance, probably tickled by your surprise visit, ‘you look like you could take a punching bag for a spin.’

‘I’m just here for a – !’

‘Don’t tell this bugga what you need.’ He wags a finger, interrupting you. ‘He’s seen the rookies make mistakes, pears or reeds.’

You tilt your head, wondering what he was getting at for a moment, before it dawns on you.

Fat or thin.

He gestures for you to follow him. You jog past several men you recognize from the Army by their dog tags, lifting weights with increasing intensity. A woman kicks a speed bag while her friend rests on her bottom, chuckling as she makes contact.

You stop in front of a particularly large open locker in the back of the gym.

‘I’m here for my work – !’

He tosses you a bag, which you catch… and almost topple at its weight. The offending item bends both ways in your arms; you undo the zip and find a track suit, a water bottle and…

‘Um, is this – ?’

‘Don’t worry about payin’, the bill’s covered.’ He raises his hands. ‘The main man just wants to play a bit nicer, that’s what I decided.’

You acquired: Gym Locker

You’re a little stunned, so shocked you are at this gesture of kindness.

‘Thanks.’

‘We got the showers finally up and runnin’ like the aqueducts of old.’ He crosses his arms, looking proud. ‘What that means is now we got hot and cold.’

You do the only thing you know to do: bow respectfully, heading over to the changing room to –

A familiar face enters your view.

‘I thought I’d find you here.’

>Who? (Specify)

>>1229489
Kaga

>>1229489
Takao

>>1229489
Nagato

>>1229489
Nagato

>>1229489
kaga

>>1229489
Kaga

>>1229489
Nagato

>>1229489
>Nagato

>>1229489
>Nagato

>>1229489
>Who? (Kaga)

>>1229489
>Nagato

File: __nagato_kantai_collectio(...).png (343 KB, 667x851)

343 KB PNG

You Sub-Commander stands before you, a towel around her neck and a dumbbell in hand, her hair tied up in a ponytail and her cheeks positively flushed. It looked like she had just run a mile and change… or its equivalent in KanMusu distance. A woman – a Private in full dress and hauling a rucksack – gives her a good-natured smack on the shoulder, slipping Nagato a wink and marching right out of the shared entrance.

‘Nagato? What are you doing here?’

You could have winced internally. That had sounded a lot less welcoming than you thought it would. Thankfully, because it was Nagato… she didn’t hold it against you – or because she had been around you enough the past month to actually be able to read you better. She places her hands on her hips, wearing a casual smirk.

‘I was looking for you, actually.’ She admits. She was looking for you? Why? ‘But I might have gotten a little – !’

‘Good workout, girl!’ Another woman pops out of the entrance; another Private in full dress, smacking Nagato on the bum and making her jump. ‘We’ll see you some other time!’

‘Sidetracked.’ She grimaces.

You let out a light laugh.

‘Friends of yours?’

‘We… just met.’ She answers tentatively. ‘They’re good girls.’

‘They’re good girls?’ You walk past her, walking past the partition into the newly-refurbished changing section. There’s a part of you that can’t help but be amused at that. Nagato waits on the other side, but it’s not as if there was more than a wall and a corner between the both of you. You begin to undress, eager to get into your new set. ‘Really?’

‘They’re the first ones in a while that didn’t care that I was a KanMusu, I mean.’ You hear a wry chuckle from the other side of the wall. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever been praised for being able to throw a straight punch before.’

You tilt your head… maybe the Trainer could invest in thicker walls. You could hear some giggling bleeding over from the other side, too.

‘I don’t think that needs to be said.’ At Nagato’s silence, you go on, hoping that you hadn’t caused an inadvertent misunderstanding. ‘I mean… you’re more than competent. I think it’s harder to find things that you can’t do well, anyway.’

‘Are you trying to butter me up?’

You feel a smile playing on your lips. Fully in your gym gear, you step out, placing the bag into one of the larger pigeon holes. Nagato stands there, her arms folded underneath her chest, her expression one of amusement.

‘Is it working?’

She hugs you.

‘Nagato?’

A pair of girls step out from their side of the partition; you can hear incoherent mumbling escaping their lips.

‘Fucking normalfags…’

Nagato holds your hand, leading you out with an enthusiastic shine in her eyes.

‘Come on… I’ll spot you!’

>Get RIPPED! (Roll a 1d6 each)

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>1232007

Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>1232007

Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>1232007

>>1232007
>‘Fucking normalfags…’
/r9k/ is strong in this world

Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>1232007

Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>1232007
>>Get RIPPED! (Roll a 1d6 each)

File: STOP TRYING TO HIT IT AND(...).jpg (36 KB, 800x800)

36 KB JPG

She holds you by the hand, humming a tune as grown men and women stared at you. You feel your throat tightening and drying up as you move past them towards the open part of the floor – more specifically, the stretching corner. A few men were there, two pairs, in fact, helping their partners with their stretches. With a quick turn, Nagato spins you into place, one hand on your belly and another on your chest. Your body tenses up and relaxes at the same time – from her vicinity and her touch – she definitely had some experience in this sort of thing, but…

The atmosphere of the place becomes chilly all of a sudden. As Nagato assists you with your stretches, humming happily right next to your ear, her body coiling around yours like some predatory serpent, the full weight of glowering, single men and women come down upon your person. As much as she loosens you up, the mumbling of curses upon curses onto your very being has you as rigid in movement; this reaches an apex of frustration with your Sub-Commander… who becomes even more hands-on with you, bending you over forwards.

‘Nagato, this is – !’

Her lips touch your ear. You’re not sure if she’s trying to tease you or if it was just inadvertent.

‘Just a Sub-Commander helping her Commander get healthy, right?’

No.

No – from whichever you looked at it, this was just a couple in a gym basking in the envy of lonely men and women!’

The curses don’t stop. The glower of lonely singles is like an all-devouring singularity that you are only anchored against by Nagato’s firm, guiding touch.

You’re not sure how long passes… but you’re in front of a large punching bag before long, your good hand wrapped in bandages and your top long-gone.

Nagato pops out from behind the punching bag, the look of a stern teacher clear across her face.

‘Swing your whole body.’ She instructs. Not knowing what else to do… you do so, throwing your first punch. ‘A little bit harder than that. I know that prosthetic’s cheating a bit… but if you simulate by rolling your shoulder…’ She steps out even more, showing the motion proper. ‘You should be able to work out the whole side. Your knees act as your rotation along with your waist, so don’t afraid to move them.’

You throw another punch. Nagato gives a nod of satisfaction.

‘Swing, swing, swing.’

The sound of your fist hitting the leather echoes as you dance before the red bag.

A good half an hour passes before your hands are on your knees, your good knuckle quaking and both your shoulders feeling as though you had pulled a truck uphill. You cough, tired eyes looking upward at a proud Nagato peeking from behind the bag, a curious upturn of her lips as she positively beams with satisfaction.

Your back is sore and your hips feel like they’d been spun in place like a top, but…

You feel a lot better, actually.

>Gains? Gains. (Roll a 1d6 each)

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>1232217

Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>1232217

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>1232217
GAINS FOR THE GAINS GOD!!

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>1232217

Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>1232217

File: I Present To You Your Fit(...).jpg (116 KB, 600x800)

116 KB JPG

Something swells in your chest when you see Nagato beam at you like that – a sort of mix of pride and satisfaction; it’s an alien feeling for you to be truly pleased at achieving something but she makes you feel, in a word, accomplished. You lean back, stretching your back and throwing your arms out, feeling a little unbalanced. You hadn’t just worked yourself out and quite halfway through – you’d pushed yourself past your perception of a limit and hit that bag with everything you had and more. You’d been in scraps before – you’d come away with the odd victory, but this… this was different. It wasn’t about just lifting weights and having it over and done with on a checklist.

Standing here, with Nagato… you’d pushed and pushed, danced like you’d never had before, looking like a fool that was neither thin or fat trying his best not to trip over himself and throwing punches you never would have thought you would have been capable of at any point in time before now.

And it felt great.

‘Is this what they call it?’

‘Hm?’ Nagato tilts her head, staring down at you. Somehow, you’d found a spot on the floor to drop your bum on on the floor, a hazy smile playing upon your features. ‘What they call what?’

‘Being happy with yourself.’

Nagato doesn’t answer, reaching down and offering a hand. You take it – she pulls you up without effort.

‘We’re not done yet.’

Nagato leads you away from the punching bag and onto another open spot on the floor. She gestures for you to sit, which you do… before she picks up what looked like a barbell’s weight plate – with unsurprisingly minimal effort – and hands it over to you. You struggle to hold onto it… it must have weighed at least 30 pounds. Nagato, almost cruelly, pushes you down – the weight almost suffocates you, heavy as it was… and her hands on her shoulders, stares down at you with mischief.

‘Sit-ups.’ She backs away, pressing onto your feet. ‘Come on, Commander – you’ve been through worse.’

After several seconds of shifting… grit your teeth and pull yourself up to your raised knees… and having your lips inadvertently meet Nagato’s. You fall back down, your face red – she hadn’t anticipated or planned that. She’d just leaned to close and…

You feel a chill go down your spine. Winter arrives with the cry of unfulfilled young men and women, staring at you with the deepest of envy.

Ignoring them… and shaking the initial embarrassment off, you power through your workout, raising yourself and easing yourself down with surprising ease. You don’t know how long you repeat this, but before you know it… you’re in a heap, covered in sweat.

Your stomach feels like it’s being twisted, your calves are on fire and… you feel like you can take on the world.

‘Not bad.’ Nagato hovers over you, her hair tickling your nose.

>Look who’s getting buff (Roll a 1d6 each)

File: fitness.jpg (105 KB, 825x886)

105 KB JPG

Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>1232421

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>1232421
AWAKEN MY MASTERS!

Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>1232421

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>1232421

Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>1232421

File: Nagato Da.jpg (159 KB, 708x828)

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Nagato pulls you to your feet. Your chest feels a little cramped and your stomach was definitely in knots now, but that feeling of conquest – that sheer happiness with yourself makes you feel like you can take on the world. You flex your arms, letting out a heavy breath as the tightness spreads around your body – you equate the sensation with that of a rubber band being pulled and snapping into place over and over again… only all over your back and down to your thighs.

‘You all right?’

You nod, your throat dry.

Your feet are a bit lighter now, your knees looser than you’re used to – you realize this as you make your way to the next contraption… which you tilt your head at as you realize you don’t know what it is. It looked like a bench but with some odd swing-like extension at the end. Following Nagato’s instructions, you lay on your belly on the bench, wondering what you were going to do on it.

‘Bring your legs up.’ She instructs.

You try to – your throat tightens and your back seemingly bends as you struggle to bring the contraption up. Veins pop in your neck; your eyes bulge out of their sockets as you bring whatever weight it was that had caught onto your legs up. There’s a little struggle, but you do manage to bring it up right. You grit your teeth to maintain it. A fear comes over you on the probability of your knees snapping as they come down.

Nagato smacks you on the butt.

‘That’s one.’ You hear her much-too-melodious voice – complete with amused giggle. She could be a sadist when she wanted to be.

So you could push through when you needed to.

It’s the evening when you’re done. The Trainer had let out a huge bark of laughter seeing you come out at the end of your struggle, sore and in dire need of water and nutrition… and congratulated you on your successful session. You wobble, your eyes droopy as exhaustion finally demands its turn. The sun was setting far on your left – your feet are practically dragged across the sand as the waves roll peacefully, the cool ocean breeze washing over you with a much-needed sense of calm. Your back aches and you could do with a cold shower, but most importantly…

You felt like you’d done something for yourself that you wouldn’t have done in the past.

Nagato hums peacefully next to you – you recognize it as a military band tune. She wasn’t half bad at it.

‘I should have you around more often.’ A tired smile makes its way onto your lips. ‘I get a whole lot more done.’

‘I’m honored that you’d think so, Commander.’ She makes the title sound more like a playful pet-name than an official rank and role.

She suddenly winces, clutching her side… if only briefly.

>‘Are you healed up proper?’
>‘How’s the workload?’
>‘I don't think I've ever said how much I appreciate you being around.'
>‘Do you know about what happened in Ominato?' (Talk about Shigure and Yuudachi)
>Keep silent the rest of the way

>>1232583
>>‘Are you healed up proper?’

>>1232583
Also, forgot:
>Write-In

>>1232583
>>‘Are you healed up proper?’

>>1232590
>Write-In
Talk about the Leather Jacket

>>1232583
>‘Are you healed up proper?’

>>1232583
>>‘Are you healed up proper?’

>>1232583
>Write-In
You said you were looking for me?

>>1232583
>‘Are you healed up proper?’

>>1232583
>‘I don't think I've ever said how much I appreciate you being around.'

File: Iowa Gloves.jpg (116 KB, 724x1023)

116 KB JPG

BONUS: IOWA

The sound of a click hits my ears, but I didn’t need it to know that the firing mechanism had failed again. As my gear vanishes, smoke in the wind, I drop to my knees. When she’d told me that the effects were far-reaching, I hadn’t expected that they would be this bad. I roll my shoulder, letting out a sigh as I feel the flow of magic closing around my core, more a straightjacket than a comfortable layer. The expansion of my structure had caused some kind of permutation – the kind that was more an impediment than mere change. She’d been serious about the over-extension… and it’d somehow ingrained into the behavior of my magical structures every time they had shifted.

‘Damn it.’ It’s like someone was giving my liver a bear hug.

My systems aren’t as functional as I would like them to be. Even after so many days in recovery, the most I was able to draw on my combat form was eight minutes at a combat synchronization rate average of less than 20 percent. The cramp in my calves disappears, replaced by the feeling of my spine being twisted – it’s not painful, of course; by KanMusu standards it was less painful than getting a shell to the jaw from one of the big uglies. A feeling akin to electricity spreads from my chest throughout my body. This was the price I had to pay to survive.

I’d sacrificed my use for my life.

Right now I’m not sure if it was worth it anymore.

She’d told me what I could do: reconfiguration; programming changes and shifts; bringing in the Shamans; she’d offered to take a look inside herself, but with how I’d over-stretched the endurance of my systems… she wasn’t sure there was much that she would be able to do anyway. The answer had been the same every time that I’d gone and seen her – I was getting better, but there was doubt that I would ever be able to be at my best again.

Hearing that, I think… was the hardest part.

‘8 minutes 16 seconds.’ I wipe the sweat from my brow – that was the second best time I’d had in the day yet. Another half an hour and I’ll try it again; maybe I could fire off a shot this time. ‘A little more – just a little more.’

There was another option, of course. One that they couldn’t afford right now – and one I’m not quite sure I’m all right with, was assisting the mending of my core through a Stream. Letting someone else other than Dad in there… it was more than dangerous. They’d tried before; I’m not sure I could bear doing it again – I’m not sure anyone could.

But it wouldn’t be up to me.

I rub my neck, wondering just who could –

‘I don’t do good with bullies. I don’t care what shape they come in.’

I get to my feet, sighing.

The stupid sun always made my face go hot.

END BONUS

File: Nagamon.jpg (210 KB, 850x1000)

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You approach her, wrapping an arm around her waist to keep her up – she’s in no danger of falling, but remembering that she had just come out from a restoration unit in Ominato made you feel a little finicky as to the state of her health. She doesn’t look like she was going to double over either, but the embarrassed smile tells you that your touch – and assistance, as small as it was – wasn’t unwelcome. You cast a worried gaze at her, straying to the area to the left of her abdomen.

‘Are you healed up proper?’

She sighs.

‘As well as I can be.’ She grumbles, giving you a nod. She could manage on her own now – whatever it was, it wasn’t temporary. ‘I’m not particularly comfortable with high-concentration baths, but they do get the job done.’ The waves roll for a while – she’s upright again, leading the way with you right behind. ‘They patch us up too fast for our system to get used to it.’

That didn’t sound too bad.

‘How’s healing too fast a burden?’

‘It resets anything critical – dislocated bones, fusing back shards of bone, ruptured organs… but it doesn’t register the fix for the system completely; sometimes we feel something that should be fixed up.’

You nod.

‘So, sort of a… phantom pain?’

Nagato lets out a bemused chuckle.

‘If that’s what you want to call it.’

‘And this happens often?’ You continue your line of questioning. You’d always thought that KanMusu healing processes were practically instantaneous – you had Kaga as a prime example; she’d had her lower body practically obliterated and somehow come out of it none the worse for wear before – not to mention her regrowing fingers back in Ominato.

‘It’s a coin flip.’ Nagato answers, although she sounds unsure herself. ‘Akashi said there was a correlation between the severity of the injury and the condition, but like you’ve seen… I had a few broken ribs and I’m still feeling it. That Ta-Class dished it out as much as it can take it.'

She’s trying to make light of it, but…

‘I’d classify that as severe.’You frown. You’d had broken ribs before – in fact, you’d had more than just broken ribs in the last month and a half; you’re not sure how the KanMusu could take this kind of punishment and call it part of the job.

Then again… perhaps that’s why they were KanMusu.

‘Well, you don’t have a secondary flow module built into your physical structure to organize new channels for magic circulation.’ Nagato huffs, puffing her cheeks and crossing her arms.

‘What?’

She doesn’t answer you, wearing a smug smile and shaking her head.

Sometimes you just didn’t get your Sub-Commander.

>‘You were looking for me, right? Was there something you wanted to talk about just now?’
>‘The workload been kind to you?’
>‘Yuudachi and Shigure had a reunion.’
>‘I just want to tell you I appreciate you.’
>Keep silent the rest of the way
>Write-In

>>1236122
>>‘You were looking for me, right? Was there something you wanted to talk about just now?’

>>1236122
>>‘Yuudachi and Shigure had a reunion.’
>Desire to know more intensifies if she knows anything

>>1236122
>‘You were looking for me, right? Was there something you wanted to talk about just now?’

>>1236122
>>‘You were looking for me, right? Was there something you wanted to talk about just now?’

>>1236122
>>‘I just want to tell you I appreciate you.’
For all that she's done for us on and off the clock, she's the first and best friend the Commander has had.

>>1236246
i feel like that would be the best thing to say at the end of the conversation and use it to lead into us telling her about the jacket

>>1236122
>>‘You were looking for me, right? Was there something you wanted to talk about just now?’

>>1236298
I can agree with you, so long as an option we use doesn't end the conversation earlier than we expect.

>>1236587
>>‘The brass can think what they want. If she’ll get performance up, that’s all that matters to me.’
Not like she's with the Navy anymore, what with being fired and all

File: Nagato.png (1.52 MB, 1374x2000)

1.52 MB PNG

‘You were looking for me, right? Was there something you wanted to talk about just now?’

Nagato lets out a breath, looking tentative, as if there was something that she wanted to say but couldn’t quite find the words to put it out there.

‘The Navy Specialist… she told me that you were going to put her in charge of exercises and skirmishes for the Division.’ She states, looking the part of your stern Sub-Commander more than your warm, welcoming confidant. ‘You do realize that by extension, you’re going to be bringing her into the fold of The Admiralty – not matter how small the role is.’

‘Is that an issue?’

Nagato bites her lip, again, hesitant.

‘Musashi told me that she was one of the Navy Spec Ops that went in with you.’ She lets out a sigh, her expression growing even more troubled. You’re surprisingly… not surprised – there was no way that little tidbit wasn’t going to leak out, somehow. ‘I don’t think I have enough to thank her for that, but, Commander, the Congregation of Lords; the Navy and…’

She looks away, her brow furrowing ever deeper.

‘I’m just not sure how aware you are of your current stance with The Admiralty.’ She finally lets out in the tone of a stern, worried mother. She lets out a hiss, looking away from you and clutching her elbows. ‘I know that we haven’t given her a fair run, but as an administrative decision, Commander, don’t you think that this is going to turn a few heads?’ Her expression takes on a pleading quality, and she looks expectantly at you. ‘Aren’t you worried at all?’

You bring your hand to your chin, closing your eyes in thought. You hadn’t thought about it at all.

‘I think I’m just doing what I can to keep my Division up to standard.’ You shrug, almost too casually. ‘I mean… everyone’s so busy and I can’t very well turn to you every time I need something sorted out.’

She throws a flat look in your direction.

‘You know I don’t mean it like that, but… Nagato, we’re stretched as it is.’ You try to be rational and objective about the situation. ‘I referred because I think that she’ll do well getting the kinks that we don’t catch. As far as things are going, I’m covering where I can’t compensate.’ You pause. ‘I never saw you as one for political maneuvering.’

Nagato rolls her eyes at your comment.

‘I’d appreciate it if you’d consult me on this at least.’ She lets out another sigh, grimacing. ‘It’s your Division, of course, sir, but…’

She shakes her head, her shoulders stiffener as she assumes that habitual professional demeanor of hers once more.

‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to overstep my boundaries.’

She was right that this wasn’t quite an easy decision as you made it out to be last night.

‘Look…’

>‘The brass can think what they want. If she gets performance up, that’s all that matters to me.’
>‘Actually… we don’t want anymore attention, do we?’

>>1236605
>>‘The brass can think what they want. If she gets performance up, that’s all that matters to me.’
the brass might be willing to let someone with useful skills but i'll do what i need to and ask people to help me keep everything going strong

>>1236605
>‘The brass can think what they want. If she gets performance up, that’s all that matters to me.
they fired her, so she is a freelancer/pmc now
we are just reinforcing ourselves

>>1236613
*useful skills go
read before you post anons otherwise the idea sounds full retard

>>1236605
>‘The brass can think what they want. If she gets performance up, that’s all that matters to me.’

>>1236605
>‘The brass can think what they want. If she gets performance up, that’s all that matters to me.’

>>1236605
>>‘The brass can think what they want. If she gets performance up, that’s all that matters to me.’

>>1236605
>‘The brass can think what they want. If she gets performance up, that’s all that matters to me.’

>>1236605
>‘The brass can think what they want. If she gets performance up, that’s all that matters to me.’

>>1236323
Hopefully it won't.

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‘The brass can think what they want.’ You answer quickly, concisely. It wasn’t like you to worry about the details, anyway. ‘All that matters to me is that performance goes up – I’m not saying that it’s not right for you to worry, but… let me worry about it.’ You place your hands in your pockets, looking out to sea. ‘She’s got a good head on her hands… and we can use all the help that we can get.’

‘You don’t think that this course of action might have consequences?’ Her tone becomes a little more aggressive, but at the same time, dripping with more concern than you had heard from before. ‘The Admiralty, The Navy and The Congregation of Lords are already on your case. The Congregation’s trying to keep things from spilling over, The Navy’s asking for blood and The Admiralty’s got you, The Vice-Admiral and The Admiral on a really short leash.’

‘Maybe.’ You admit, albeit reluctantly. Perhaps you were being a little stubborn, but as far as things went… this wasn’t the stupidest thing you could do on the administrative side of things when it came to your role as a Division Commander. ‘And maybe it isn’t the best decision for me to bring her in so soon, but… Nagato, we’re not in a position to turn away help. Underneath all of this, I’m still… a guy that The Admiral took out of a kitchen.’

‘That’s…’ She trails off, the troubled expression on her features even more prominent than before.

‘She’s a good addition; the biggest skirmish I’ve been in – !’

You pause.

The biggest skirmish you’d been in was a brawl over international lines against a Senator of a foreign nation augmented with a bastardization of Kantai Steel that you’d taken down with a righteous hooks.

Maybe you were withholding a little too much credit.

Or not, of course – Nagato would call you out for giving yourself so much as a pat on the pack.

‘The point is that she’s a better soldier than I am.’ You argue further. ‘She’s been in fights and she’s had the hours in.’ You try to get a solid hold on your case, taking a tone of finality. ‘I’ve been dragging the Division by my own hamfisted ideas, but Nagato… we’re not going to keep getting lucky. We need to do better than me.’

Nagato stares at you, silent.

‘I need to make up for what I can’t do.’ You answer somberly. ‘Right now… I’m not a soldier. She was; she is – and she’ll cover where I can’t.’

You pause for a moment before letting out a heavy sigh. Nagato’s gaze is still fixed on you.

‘So you really don’t care about how anyone else sees this?’

>‘No.’ (Firmly, bluntly)
>‘I do, but, well, they’re always gonna hate me, anyway. So…’ (Flippant)
>‘I care about my Division being alive. If I still have the same headcount by the end of the war, they can do whatever.’
>‘When have I ever cared?’ (Uncaring)
>Write-In

>>1237596
>>‘I care about my Division being alive. If I still have the same headcount by the end of the war, they can do whatever.’

>>1237596
>‘I care about my Division being alive. If I still have the same headcount by the end of the war, they can do whatever.’
my fleet, my crew, and my city goes first

>>1237596
>‘I care about my Division being alive. If I still have the same headcount by the end of the war, they can do whatever.’

>>1237596
>>‘I care about my Division being alive. If I still have the same headcount by the end of the war, they can do whatever.’

>>1237596
>>‘I care about my Division being alive. If I still have the same headcount by the end of the war, they can do whatever.’

File: I Just Felt Like A Short (...).jpg (432 KB, 723x1023)

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It wasn’t that you didn’t think about it at times; you did. After all, you were human – how people saw you preyed on your thoughts almost every other day when you’d first stepped into the working world, mostly out of the fear of being headed for the sack. Now, though… all of that meant nothing next to your priority of fighting this war. You didn’t lie to yourself on the facts: humanity wasn’t anywhere near a fighting chance against The Abyssal threat; one or two victories here and there had been more patches on cracks than actual progress. The war had taken a toll on everyone – The KanMusu numbers were dwindling and humanity was staring at its last legs against the coming tide.

So if you couldn’t fight to win – you could at least do things to give the ones willing to fight in the stead of humanity a better chance at survival than just following the whims of a man that had been tending to a stove and yelling affirmations on meal orders just over a month ago.

It was hypocritical, but… even if you couldn’t win, you wanted to keep them alive to see another sunset.

You would take anything that would realize that objective, even if it meant the full brunt of Taiyouga’s bureaucracy and The Admiralty’s scrutiny combined coming down on you.

‘I care about my Division being alive.’ Rather than an answer, it’s more a statement. ‘If I still have the same headcount by the end of the war, they can do whatever.’

Nagato makes a noise, but doesn’t give you a straight answer, electing to walk on ahead. You’re thankful that she had held back on a comment; it must have been hard on her to not comment on just how cliché your little quotes were getting over time.

She latches onto your arm.

You remembered the Submarine.

So did she, for that matter.

‘I am in pain and you are merely keeping me on my feet.’ She states mischievously. ‘There’s nothing non-compliant about you helping your Sub-Commander when she’s experiencing bouts of pain, is there?’

The both of you share a knowing look.

>‘The workload been kind to you?’
>‘Yuudachi and Shigure had a reunion.’
>‘I just want to tell you I appreciate you.’
>Keep silent the rest of the way
>Write-In

>>1237863
>‘I just want to tell you I appreciate you.’

>>1237863
>Keep silent the rest of the way

>>1237863
>>‘I just want to tell you I appreciate you.’

>>1237863
>>‘I just want to tell you I appreciate you.’

>>1237863
>‘I just want to tell you I appreciate you.’

>>1237863
>Keep silent the rest of the way

>>1237863
>Yuudachi and Shigure had a reunion
Need to know more

>>1237863
>‘I just want to tell you I appreciate you.’