>>1629090
>>‘I’d be delighted, Miss Musashi.’ (Go with Musashi)

>>1629090
>>‘I’d be delighted, Miss Musashi.’ (Go with Musashi)

>>1629090
>‘I’d be delighted, Miss Musashi.’ (Go with Musashi)

>>1629090
>>‘I’d be delighted, Miss Musashi.’ (Go with Musashi)

>>1629090
>>‘I’d be delighted, Miss Musashi.’ (Go with Musashi)

gotta score some sushi points

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‘I’d be delighted to, Miss Musashi,’ you return, playfully offering a gentlemanly—and slightly sarcastic—bow in return.

The both of you share a giggle and a look, before Musashi gestures towards the exit, prompting for you to follow. Without complaint—despite having every right to do so, considering just how cold the evening was becoming—you step briskly along her lengthy strides, breathing quickly to heat up your head as best as you were able to. Turning to your subordinate, you find a tinge of envy as she walks in practically a short skirt and little else—she might as well have been nude … not even feel a chill from the cold air. You were half-bundled in your office wear and you felt like there was a dagger being dragged in an eight-figure from your shoulders to the small of your back.

It must have been one of the perks of being a KanMusu, to be able to not have puff out a ball of warm breath or rub your ribs to keep yourself from the cold.

Then again, it could be just you … no one else was showing that they were close to having their nose falling off from the sheer chill.

‘Do you need any help with that?’ you gesture to the duffle bag in her arms—maybe a little work would get your blood pumping.

Musashi smirks in reply.

‘I can bench press a buggy if you need me to,’ she declares proudly, shifting the duffle bag in place to emphasize her point, ‘this is pretty much a feather cushion to me.’

‘Fair enough,’ you state, deciding to just tough it out. ‘What’s in there, anyway?’

‘Stuff,’ she answers simply, prompting you to frown. That hadn’t been very informative at all. ‘Yuubari’s got me sorting some things out … there aren’t enough KanMusu to go around doing everything, and most of the volunteers aren’t exactly, you know, enthusiastic about working together with us.’

‘Under the Admiralty?’

‘Well, the public aren’t exactly bowing before us in awe and wonder now, are they? With everything that’s been going on?’

She chuckles wryly, shaking her head.

At this point, you were too familiar with it.

It’s not long before you reach your destination: a derelict plaza that seemed to be a twisted mirror to your own district.

Whatever the military had done in its efforts, this particular excuse of a street looked rotten as ever. You must have been on the northwestern part of the town … not quite near the residences. Turning to Musashi … you see that she’d gone ahead of you, walking towards what appeared to be a large tent in the distance, connecting with several derelict excuses of shop-lots. There were people here, sitting by what appeared to be makeshift tents of varying sizes; almost as many as there were on the beachfront, chatting solemnly with one another.

‘Look, I told you! If you can’t do it, don’t bother at all!’

Your attention turns to the source of the voice … a wide-faced man in a hat and coat, glaring hotly at Musashi.

>>1629181
>'What's going on here?' (Inquire)
>'Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to stop yelling at my Battleship, if you will?' (Come to Musashi's defense)
>'I see that the weather's not slowed anyone here as much as it appears, has it, sir?' (Quip)
>Let them be
>Write-In

>>1629182
>>'What's going on here?' (Inquire)

>>1629182
>>'What's going on here?' (Inquire)

>>1629182
>'What's going on here?' (Inquire)

>>1629181
>'What's going on here?' (Inquire)

>>1629182
>'I see that the weather's not slowed anyone here as much as it appears, has it, sir?' (Quip)

Pip pip and cheerio

>>1629182
>>'Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to stop yelling at my Battleship, if you will?' (Come to Musashi's defense)

File: Wide Faced Man.jpg (47 KB, 600x428)

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‘What’s going on here?’

The man in the hat turns towards you, wearing a baffled expression … before turning into a look of utter ire. He was a heavy-set mean, wide and bulky, but not flabbily-built. He was built like an oak, stocky and wide, but standing about half an inch shorter than you. His face looked like it was carved of stone, and his eyes showed disdain for everything before him … which was right now probably inclusive of the presence of the both of you. Musashi moves to cut in, stumbling over her words before finding control over her tongue.

‘Sir, I can handle t—’

‘It’s all right, Musashi,’ you cut her off, deciding to take point with the conversation before any real damage was thrown around. ‘What seems to be the problem, sir?’

You were, of course, referring to your own disposition towards the KanMusu under your command.

There was just so much you could let slip underneath your notice.

‘There isn’t a problem at all,’ he huffs, crossing his arms and staring at you, then throwing a glance at Musashi. ‘You and your … companion can take leave.’

By the emphasis on his words, there was probably a lot more on his mind than what was just said. Sparing Musashi a quick glance—and noticing her irritated, if somewhat embarrassed, gaze—you decide to get the root of the matter. Your patience was on a much weaker thread than usual, thanks to the cold, disabling your capacity to dance and tip-toe around the point until the acquisition of any singular piece of vital information than you had chosen to hone in on.

In short, you didn’t have time for this right now.

‘There must be a problem if the first thing I see around here is my subordinate being yelled at like she stole a bagel from baker,’ you place your left hand in your pocket as your prosthetic groans minutely, clutching your documents closely. ‘So I would greatly appreciate it if you would—calmly—explain to me as to why you’re raising your voice to her.’

He looks indignant, glaring hotly in response. You don’t miss a beat, though.

‘And, if possible, I would like you to accompany it with an apology.’

‘We were promised priority transport inland!’ he barks, huffing so hard you could see steam from his nose. ‘And all we get in return are these … blankets to keep warm?!’

He smacks Musashi’s duffle bag.

‘If you can’t do one thing right, you … you KanMusu, then don’t do it at all!’

Musashi, looking much smaller than she was, looks downward, her hands clenching into fists.

‘We just thought that you could use something to keep warm … it’s autumn, so, until we can sort it out…’

Her voice trails off, her expression stoic, restrained.

The man gives her—and thus, you—no quarter, taking a bold step forwards, waving a hand dismissively.

‘If you can’t do anything, then leave! We do not need your help and we do not ask for it!’

>Write-In

>>1629235
>the transport routes are limited, they need time to move everyone inland so we dont know how long it will take to get you all inland so you will have to make do untill you are relocated

>>1629235
>Write-In "These girls are fighting a war for you. Even though that transport is not her responsibility, but the Army's, she's still looking out for you all. They all do. How dare you?"

>>1629237
this'll work.also add in if he has a problem with that to take it up with the Army

>>1629235
"No, you didn't ask for help: you demanded it. But 'priority' doesn't mean 'immediate' no matter how much you insult Musashi or anyone else, because if a transport isn't available NOBODY is getting transported. That's just how the system works."

"Musashi, leave the bag. We don't have time for this."

>>1629254
This.

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For some reason, you don’t feel that cold anymore. You feel the cold spikes of the evening air kissing your shoulders, but little else. Staring straight at the enraged, stone-faced man, you take a step forward, unwilling to deal with this farce any further. It would have been—probably—a different matter if he had actually showed ire for a case that was unsolved or ignored, but to put a boot on Musashi’s—and by extension, your own—neck for something that you hardly had any manner of control over was something you just wouldn’t stand for.

If someone wanted to be angry at you over something, it should have been over something that you did or didn’t do.

Not something that you didn’t even have a single responsibility towards.

‘You know as well as I do that the transport routes are limited,’ you answer coolly, straightening the files in your hand, your tone as even as you can manage, ‘and if you still have an issue with this, you’re going to have to take it up with the Army folks, because we relinquished jurisdiction over that part for the last few weeks.’

He didn’t seem to be so easily placated, however, as he raises a fist; close enough for you to think he was going to knock you over but far enough for you to ascertain that it was just a show of intimidation. He shakes it at you, then at Musashi, whose expression grows more worried by the moment. A quick glance to your Battleship tells you that she was torn between intervening herself, but didn’t want to subvert your authority, no matter how minute it would be … or that she just had enough faith in you not to step in, but also cared enough to give a show of worry.

‘Then promises shouldn’t have been extended!’

You let out a breath, feeling your nose hairs bristle as you take a sharp intake of air right after.

‘Musashi,’ you begin clearly, slowly, ‘did you promise this man and his quarry transport?’

‘I said I’d do what could,’ Musashi answers, ‘but Yuubari said that, for now, this is the best that she's able to do.’

She gestures to the duffle bag, which you take a quick look at.

‘What’s inside?’

‘Mamiya,’ Musashi pauses briefly, ‘and Yuubari and everyone said they couldn’t sort transport anymore than they could handle the bureaucracy … that’s the Taiyouga Army’s jurisdiction now, sir, as you know. So we decided to pull together and at least make things as comfortable as possible for the people who’re still waiting, but don’t want to come to the Quarter Master for proper processing. We didn’t know what to do for the adults, because … well, they didn’t want our help, but for the kids, she has blankets and some f—’

‘Cloth and food does nothing!’ He barks. ‘We are without a home; sitting in this miserable place knowing that your carelessness—your overconfidence— was what led us into this state in the first place! If you can't give us safety, leave!'

You stare at him, incredulous.

>>1629268
>'You're going to let children get cold and hungry for this?!' (Outrage)
>'If you're not who we're here for, then we're not talking to you.' (Curt)
>'They're not worth it, Musashi. Let's go.' (Leave)
>'Musashi, we're here on your terms. What do you want to do?' (Concede)
>[Punch him in the noggin]
>Write-In

>>1629271
>>'You're going to let children get cold and hungry for this?!' (Outrage)

>>1629268
>'You're going to let children get cold and hungry for this?!' (Outrage)

>>1629271
>'You're going to let children get cold and hungry for this?!' (Outrage)

>>1629271
>'You're going to let children get cold and hungry for this?!' (Outrage)
I'd say this but lets not show outrage, keep a calm level tone but have our outward appearance show a dangerous light, narrow our eyes at him, it'll get across easier rather than escalate the situation.

>>1629271
>>'You're going to let children get cold and hungry for this?!' (Outrage)

>>1629294
>I'd say this but

I think write-in option is there for that

>>1629271
>>1629294
This

Isn't Takao still waiting for us?

>>1629271
Lets go with >>1629294

>>1629271
this half write in sounds good mech >>1629294

>>1629271
>>1629294
>>1629445
Supporting a (Seething) tone.

>>1629359
Thank you for ruining the punchline.

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To your own surprise, you manage you hold your temper in check.

The chill was scraping at your jaw and cheeks like claws on gravel, but you’re quite good at keeping yourself from cocking it right back and giving his face an even flatter quality. You spare Musashi’s duffle bag a quick glance, now aware of its contents, before turning right back to the man, fingers twitching from the sheer idiocy that was taking place.

‘You’re going to let a bunch of kids,’ you begin slowly, squaring up against him proper, ‘get cold and hungry … over how no one’s been able to sort out your transportation detail back inland?’

To your further surprise, he doesn’t look the least bit bothered by your words. If anything, he doubles down on the supposed indignation he had suffered over the course of your interaction, mirroring the squaring of your shoulders with his own and puffing his chest like some sort of prey animal attempting to look larger in an attempt to intimidate its predator. You’re not deterred, however, and the next words out of your mouth speak of your incredulity, now focused on one specific target.

‘What kind of moron are you?’

That seems to set him off, however, as you see the veins and his snarl contorting into something even more aggressive as he takes a step back, a fat finger barely a whisker away from your nose.

‘I know your brand of help!’ he practically shrieks—and to your slight amusement, the tone he takes makes him sound like a crotchety old woman. ‘I’ve known ten years of your brand of help! All we want is to get out of your sight as quickly as possible—to step out of your disgusting, blasphemous shadow! You think we wish to be here next to you? To take the offerings from the emissaries of the dark underworld itself?’

For a moment, you’re confused.

You’d dealt with lunatics and jerks before, but the tone that he takes with you is … weird. It seemed a little too preachy and upfront for you to be comfortable with.

Then you realize just who it was you were dealing with … and it only serves to make you groan in irritation.

The emblem of the dragon, shaped into a diamond figure, really should have tipped you off. You wonder why you hadn’t noticed it before.

‘Look, Pastor,’ you rub your temples, ‘I don’t care what you think is blasphemous or crazy … but Musashi’s got stuff to keep your kids warm and you’d be moronic to want them to stay this idiotic course.’

‘Suffer not the wiles of the Sorcerous!’ he yells, catching everyone’s attention. ‘Are you not a man of Mithra’s Word, lad?’

You really want to punch him now, regardless of his standing.

>‘Actually … I’m an atheist.’
>‘Yeah, I believe in Mithra—but letting some kids go cold and hungry is stupid!’
>‘You know you’re preaching to someone who practices something else, right?’
>Write-In

>>1631301
>Write-In
I believe in people, but that is beside the fact, what meta-physical being I believe in has no business here, you're not worth our time, Musashi, don't bother with this man, find someone who will get those contents to those who need it.

He's not worth our time.

>>1631301
Before anything is voted for, what the hell is Mithra's word supposed to be?

>>1631336
No clue it's why I kept it vague in my write in

>>1631336
Basically a holy book.

>>1631341
That's why I'm asking, as the commander we should know in game what he is. Is it a cult? A Christianity trade in? Buddhist? Pure fundamentalist wacko faith?

>>1631354
Well the Quran is a Holy Book, the Bible is a Holy Book, even Mormons have a Holy Book, what kind of religion we working with here?

>>1631359
It's a religion. Like Buddhism, Anglican, Catholicism and the like.

>>1631380
Same mold. Do good onto others, some kickass mythology that involves their version of the Messiah being a dragon that will protect humanity from the end times. You know, like usual.

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>>1631301
>>Write-In "The only thing I believe in R muh Waifus! Shipgurls 4eva! WOOOOOO!!!!"

>>1631301
>‘Actually … I’m an atheist.’

>>1631301
>>‘Yeah, I believe in Mithra—but letting some kids go cold and hungry is stupid!’

Rolled 4 (1d4)

>>1631332
>>1631432
>>1631436
>>1631570

>>1631332
going for this

>>1631301
>‘Yeah, I believe in Mithra—but letting some kids go cold and hungry is stupid!

>>1631576
It's too late for this, but I actually wanted this option to win. Mostly because now I have to write a whole lot more/build up a whole lot more lore on this religion ... and why you aren't as devout as you could be anymore.

>>1631605
It's ok mech, just be a filthy infidel like us and praise mithra

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It had been so long since you’d even evoked the name … but considering that you were dealing with someone who was as irrational to put children in the line of fire when they were but victims, especially with that certain someone belonging of the same denomination as you, you really couldn’t help but do it.

You just hope you didn’t slur your pronunciation.

‘Yeah, I believe in Mithra,’ you declare, jabbing him straight in the chest, ‘but letting kids go cold and hungry is just stupid!’

He didn’t take too kindly to that.

‘You call yourself a believer,’ he growls, his face contorting into an ugly scowl, ‘yet you consort with these—’

That did it.

‘Oh, get over yourself!’

His eyes widen as he all but gapes at you. This must have been the first time he had been interrupted preaching a sermon.

‘You would utter such insult to a man of—’

‘I’ll insult anyone I think is a damn moron,’ you cut him off again, waving your hand for emphasis, ‘especially if it’s someone who thinks that letting innocents suffer is some kind of endowment from God.’

His face, impossible as it was to actually say, softens, if only slightly. Seeing that he was still trying to gather his words, you decide to press on. You had had enough of this dance—as far as you were concerned, you didn’t even want to bother pussyfooting around it like you always did, especially not when it came to the subject of your faith. Even if you did share it with the man before you. Musashi, to the side, stares at you in confusion, her mouth opening and closing in apparent confusion. You don’t blame her; you don’t know things had ended up like this.

‘If you’re going to quote Mithra’s Word,’ you begin slowly, ‘you’re going to have to apply everything it says in its most literal state. You want to exemplify the very definition of his Saintliness, then hey, go ahead—I see that you’re halfway there; but we both know that Mithra wouldn’t turn away help, from heretics, sorcerers or heathens, if it meant giving the innocent and needy a leg-up. So don’t you dare pick and choose what Mithra’s Word preaches.’

His nostrils flare, as he throws a look at Musashi, then you, then her … and back again to you.

‘You would consort with—’

‘I’ll consort with whoever I need to so the ones who can’t fight don’t have to,’ you continue evenly, ‘so if you want to hate me for violating the tenets by your beliefs—and they are mine as much as they are yours—go ahead, but Musashi came here to give those kids something to keep warm; and Mithra wouldn’t care what she was so long as she wished to help.’

The man takes in a deep breath.

‘Very well,’ he puts his hands behind his back, ‘but you will tend to it yourself. I give my permission … but not by blessing or acceptance.’

That was all that you could have asked for, you supposed.

>>1631743
He steps out of the way, gesturing to the large faded tent by the corner.

‘Insaylamin’yum,’ he gestures, waving a hand and showing back to you.

You sigh. It had been so long since you’d had to address someone in return.

‘Mitrasolom’dess,’ you reply, walking past him, gesturing for Musashi to follow. She does, but not without a query of her own.

‘So, you never told anyone you belonged to the Temple,’ Musashi states inquisitively.

‘I don’t belong to the Temple,’ you reply, clutching at your files and folders tighter, lest they fell all over the cold gravel.

‘Well,’ she presses on, uncaring for your own inclinations, ‘kind of weird … considering I don’t see that you’re any bit of the religious sort at all. You seemed to be, I don’t know, whenever you wanted to reconcile with something. Any reason you don’t, you know … bring it up with us?’

You sigh, stopping at the front flap of the tent. She could be prying when wanted to be.

>‘Well … I’m just not a good follower, I guess.’ (Nonchalant)
>‘It’s … well, it’s a little personal.’ (Evasive)
>‘Well, now you know.’ (Dismissive)
>‘I guess that I just, I don’t know, I stopped caring, I guess.’ (Ponder)
>‘Because my faith is my own, even if I don’t preach about it like that numbskull back there.’ (Flat)
>Write-In

>>1631780
>‘Because my faith is my own, even if I don’t preach about it like that numbskull back there.’ (Flat)

>>1631780
>>‘I guess that I just, I don’t know, I stopped caring, I guess.’ (Ponder)

>>1631780
>>‘Because my faith is my own, even if I don’t preach about it like that numbskull back there.’ (Flat)

>>1631780
>>‘I guess that I just, I don’t know, I stopped caring, I guess.’ (Ponder)

File: Tori and Shima.jpg (238 KB, 850x736)

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Katori-Sensei and Kashima-Shishou’s Docking Extravaganza

‘I didn’t know that the Players were such religious types. This quest surely is a Schrodinger’s Box made in word form, no?’
‘I doubt that the Schrodinger would be happy being compared to a lazy writer such as this.’
‘Nee-san, Nee-san, no…’
‘I guess it’s up to us to make up for the lack of exposition then! Contrary to the name, “Mithra” isn’t the name of the religion, but that of the main Prophet featured in the Holy Book known as Mithra’s Word … which itself is a scripture—and believed to be the definitive one—of the religion of…’
‘ALLAH!’
‘WILL YOU STOP THAT?!’
‘Sorry…’
‘The Herodin religion. Thought to originate in what is now Northern-West Haszad or North-East Zuluva, the Herodin religion is the practice of worship of a nameless deity that is, by the scriptures, the creator of the Universe. The religion follows the typical tenets: to be kind to others, be good parents, to not instigate conflict and to give to the needy.’
‘Very cookie-cutter. It would seem that whoever started this is just copy-pasting basic human decency, Nee-san.’
‘Also, dragons are featured very prominently in the scriptures—massive beings who act as God’s emissaries, defenders and protectors from Earth, forged from rock and waves, given form. Mithra’s Word, in particular, talks about the fall of the dragons to a monstrous figure only known as The Usurper, but since the origin tongue for Mithra’s Word tends to have double meanings when it comes to wording, it could also mean The Warrior. The Usurper struck down all the dragons before being consumed by The Leviathan, another being of monstrous power, dragged down to the most unknown, most horrid parts of the sea until the End Times.’
‘Oh, is that it?’
‘This is where Mithra comes in—as the dragons were gone and mankind was still unsure of its place in the universe, he spread the word and practice of God’s worship, and the memory of their fallen protectors, eventually ascending to dragonhood himself … and rests between the stars and the sky, where he waits for The Usurper to return from his prison … and to fight alongside humanity, so that they all may earn their place next to God’s throne.’
‘Ah.’
‘Well, that’s it. Until next time … I’m Katori!’
‘And I’m Kashima!’

SAYONARA!
^_^7
^o^7

>>1631780
>‘Well … I’m just not a good follower, I guess.’ (Nonchalant)

>>1631780
>‘Well … I’m just not a good follower, I guess.’ (Nonchalant)

>>1631780
>>‘I guess that I just, I don’t know, I stopped caring, I guess.’ (Ponder)

>>1631780
>‘Because my faith is my own, even if I don’t preach about it like that numbskull back there.’ (Flat)
To be honest, this one legitimately resonates with me.

>>1631780
>‘Because my faith is my own, even if I don’t preach about it like that numbskull back there.’ (Flat)

Hey could someone post a discord invite?

>>1634565
Here you go
https://discord.gg/868WMn

>>1634565
Here's one that doesn't expire
https://discord.gg/DXsehSp

>>1634623
That'll be helpful cor the newbies going through the archive

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‘Because my faith is my own,’ you emphasize, if a little roughly, ‘even if I don’t preach about it like that numbskull back there. I may not be someone of the cloth, but I believe in Mithra’s Word just as much as any soul with stake in the faith.’

Musashi offers an apologetic glance—your tone must have been a little too dismissive. Hurriedly, you move to correct that: you didn’t want her to think that it was any sort of taboo. Not that you were entirely open about talking on the subject of your faith, of course, but … it had been so long since you’d even thought about being a Herodin out in the open, let alone actually offered a proper prayer.

‘Even if I don’t look like it,’ you continue, taking a warmer stance—unlike the frigid autumn all around you—with the topic, ‘I’m still a Herodin’—you hesitate briefly, realizing how awkward it was for you to even utter it so casually—‘and I believe in what Mithra said about how to live my life to my best, even if I don’t, you know … practice it as much as I, uh, should be.’

That had been an understatement.

You were practically wasting away trudging from kitchen to kitchen aimlessly, no purpose but the next week’s paycheck and a dingy old apartment room to return to. You’d never thought of turning to God for help, or Mithra for guidance … since you’d dropped out of college, you’d felt like you had nothing more to give than that extra bit of white on your knuckles or the creases in your palm to get by. God had been the furthest from your thoughts—your mind was always preoccupied with your work, your lack of a social life and your need for rest after a long day. Even in war, even with the humdrum life that you led, you saw that people … didn’t. You’d kept your head low while others had moved on, some to greater things, some to worse ends, but they’d dared to take that step forward.

You couldn’t even find the courage to turn to your own faith and ask for guidance … you were too ashamed, too scared of finding what you had never wanted to see.

‘Commander?’

You’re shaken from your reverie by a worried-looking Musashi.

‘Sorry,’ you rub the back of your neck, slightly embarrassed to have been caught out like that. ‘Just … reminiscing, I guess.’

‘From my understanding,’ Musashi follows through, quick but hesitant, ‘humans have always been … protective of their faith, their beliefs.’

You give her a neutral gesture. It was hard to generalize something that broad with a blanket, even for the Herodin.

‘So, could,’ she pauses, ‘could it be that … you despise because of our roots? Our origins?’

>‘Maybe, I won’t discount it. Sorcery is kinda … well, sensitive in Herod.’ (Agree)
>‘I know Mithra preached sacrifice, duty … you KanMusu have done that in spades.’ (Disagree)
>‘I’m not comfortable talking about this, really…’
>Write-In

>>1637410
>>‘I know Mithra preached sacrifice, duty … you KanMusu have done that in spades.’ (Disagree)

>>1637410
>‘I know Mithra preached sacrifice, duty … you KanMusu have done that in spades.’ (Disagree)

>>1637410
>>‘I know Mithra preached sacrifice, duty … you KanMusu have done that in spades.’ (Disagree)

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‘This may be a little presumptuous, Musashi, but,’ you begin, a little hesitant as to not try to sound too preachy, ‘Mithra—none of the Prophets, in fact—preached that you were to be judged by where you came from, or what your origins were … but what you with your life.’

She makes face, wrinkling her nose as she stares down at you, confused.

‘Eh?’

You blow warm air into your hands; your left one, anyway. Musashi’s lack of proper dress seemed to make it even colder.

‘You look at me, for example … I’m a follower of Mithra’s Word,’ you begin by pointing yourself out; it was best for her to be acquainted with what she was familiar with, after all, ‘but I can hardly pull out a sentence or a paragraph from the scriptures without stumbling over myself … and you already know how incompetent and useless I was before—I mean, not that I’m still not at least semi-incompetent, but with you guys and the Division covering my butts, I…’

You pause, trying to find the correct terminology. Finding it too direct and open-ended, you follow through on another course.

‘In practice, you’re probably more devout and exemplary as a follower than I am, really,’ you muse, offering a wink with your good eye. ‘I screw around sometimes, I’m indecisive … Hell, I’ve hardly prayed to or thought about my religion until about five minutes ago.’

Musashi doesn’t interrupt, allowing room for you to continue.

‘You, though,’ you chuckle, shaking your head, ‘you and the others … you go out there and fight, not caring if you lose a limb or get a hole in your chest. You do it without even a question or any doubt; laying your lives down for people that don’t even care if you come back in one piece … or at all, even.’

At her continued silence, you find it in you to finish.

‘I don’t know much about taboos or … whatever it is that Mithra and the Prophets preach, I’m a horrible follower, by anyone’s standard,’ you emphasize, truth as truth was, ‘but I know that Mithra preached sacrifice, duty and the will to put everything down for the sake of the person next to and behind you … and if that’s the measuring stick, you—and the other KanMusu—have done that a dozen times over.’

The next part is easy. Easier than breathing.

After all, gratitude, for you … was always natural.

‘So even if they say anything, you’ve done more than your fair share for the rest of us. Believe that.’

She looks at her tip-toes, her towering form fidgeting, as if unsure of a reply … before, like lightning, her hand raises and gives you a forceful—if playful—shove. You regain your balance, about to chastise her for her unwarranted action … that is, until you see her nose turned up and her cheeks pink, crossing her arm over her chest as she averts her gaze from yours.

‘What are you preaching, trying to sound so cool …’

>Write-In

>>1637611
Not like I didn't say anything that wasn't true, now come on, it's late and you and I have a big day tomorrow. Let's go home.

>>1637650
supportin

>>1637650
Lets go with this

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‘Come on,’ you gesture to the entrance flaps, keen to have this chore over and done with, ‘let’s drop these off and get back to the barracks.’

Stepping inside the—admittedly large tent—the last thing that you expected to see were huddled masses of children, all of them looking—while certainly, and thankfully, healthier than you would have otherwise expected—ragged, unkempt and, most jarring of all, frightened. There was a stench—a mix of wet cloth and dirty soap—hitting your nose, almost making you wince at just how strong it was. They were all seated on a mat—several large mats put together-- to protect them from the rough surface of the pavement underneath. You could see a small doorway in one corner, linking the tent to the building it was set up right next to, while another corner had several utensils and tools like pots and pans, all piled up on what looked like a filled sack.

You’re thankful that there are at least enough sleeping bags to go around for each of them, so you could credit the Army and Admiralty to have been able to afford them that degree of comfort. The children, with their frightened visages, stare at you and Musashi, as though you were the Abyssals yourselves, their forms still and unmoving, even as they sat upright. Musashi, not missing a beat, however, sets the duffle bag down and unzips it, revealing the fluffy, if dull-colored, blankets that she had brought. She takes out the first sheet—large enough to cover her head to toe—and hands it over to the nearest group of children—a trio of girls that had been playing with some cards prior to your arrival.

‘Here,’ Musashi offers, presenting the aforementioned item, ‘there’s not many to go around, but if you kids start feeling a little chill, this’ll help keep you bundled up,’—one of the girls tentatively takes it from her, prompting your Battleship to grin widely—‘and if you ever feel like things are getting even worse, just come down to the Division … the Commander’ll fix you up a feast.’

The girl doesn’t reply, but she does give a hesitant nod, her two friends feeling the fabric Musashi takes out more from the bag, handing them over to a curly-haired boy that sat next to them. There were at least twenty children in the tent, and Musashi handed out about a dozen tightly-packed blankets. How she and Yuubari had managed to stuff so many in that bag, even you couldn’t fathom. After the blankets were distributed, she opens one of the other zippers, producing what appeared to be three sets of thermos, each the length of your forearm.

‘Who wants some hot bean soup?’

The change in atmosphere is instant.

Their eyes practically light up in joy as she holds the two items aloft, some of the children running over to the pots set on the sack.

‘Commander,’ Musashi grins, ‘you wanna help me out here?’

>>1637823
>'This is your battlefield, Super Dreadnought Musashi. I'll be outside.' (Wait for her outside)
>'Pass it here.' (Help her out)
>'I need a headstart on tomorrow. I'll head back first.' (Go back to the barracks)
>'You know we don't have time for this, why don't you let the kids just distribute it among themselves?' (Get her to leave with you)
>Write-In

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>>1637823
>'Pass it here.' (Help her out)
It's for the kids man, you can't just throw kids at me and have me not help

>>1637823
>>'Pass it here.' (Help her out)

>>1637829
>>'Pass it here.' (Help her out)

>>1637829
>>'Pass it here.' (Help her out)
>>Write-In
Roll up our sleeve, wow the kids abit with METAL ARM.

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>>1637843
and MAGIC EYE BEAMS

Also see if we can get the kids to say "Thank you Musashi"

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You really can’t say no, especially after coming this far.

‘Pass it here, Musashi.’

Two sets of hands could do a lot more than one.

Despite the initial scrambling for pots and bowls, the children were actually quite orderly. You notice that the three girls had things in order, ushering the younger ones to the front of the line, while the older boys took up the rear end. They didn’t seem to be particular interested in the chow themselves, their voices small but authoritative, keeping the others from scrambling over one another or the larger children shoving the smaller ones for a place closer to the front of the line. Each of them holding a bowl just about the size of their cupped hands, were given a warm ration. It wouldn’t have been enough to give you anything close to a full stomach, of course, but for these kids—the largest of which only came up to your belly—even a sip seemed to give them the closest thing they could describe to being content.

With Musashi, they were a lot more hesitant.

To be fair, to the children, she must have looked intimidating, with her wild hair, glasses and cruel, chiseled form. That didn’t deter her, however, from her enthusiastic pouring of the hot bean soup with gusto, giving the children encouraging words as they huddled in their small groups. It’s not long before you’re at your last two children—the three girls notwithstanding—and Musashi was at her last trio, the rest of the children, for some reason, were holding their cups with a visible shake. The last one in your line, a boy, peers curiously at your cup, opening and closing his mouth, as if hesitant to even point it out.

‘You’re wondering how I got this, don’t you?’

For emphasis, you give the fabric of your eyepatch a light pat, a small smile making its way across your features.

‘If you want to know so bad,’ you take a mischievous tone, pouring the contents of the thermos—down to its last few cups—into the bowl of the boy standing in front of him, ‘you can ask the monster under your bed how he lost his arm.’

Slipping him a wink, you begin pouring the bean soup into his bowl, his cheeks red at being caught out, before running to his own little corner by the side of the tent. The larger kids seemed to take the borders, the smaller ones huddle in the middle.

You feel a light smack on your shoulder and Musashi’s gaze, a mix between disapproval and amusement.

‘Seriously?’

You only reply with a barely-constrained chortle … before feeling a tug on your sleeve.

It was one of the children. One of the girls, in fact.

‘Excuse me, sir,’ she sounds a little uncertain, but all the more determined than you could have given her credit for, ‘the boys told me that you got this arm fighting an Oni. Is that true? I don’t believe them.’

You open your mouth … before closing it again.

>>1638028
>'Sorry to disappoint you, but it was just an I-Class Destroyer.' (Truth)
>'I'm not sure that it was Oni, but it was a huge monster, all right...' (Tell A Story)
>'I believe that's classified, young lady.' (Dismissive)
>'Don't believe what you hear, and don't ask questions you don't want the answer to.' (Annoyed)
>Write-In

>>1638034
>'I'm not sure that it was Oni, but it was a huge monster, all right...' (Tell A Story)

Story time

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>>1638034
>>'I'm not sure that it was Oni, but it was a huge monster, all right...' (Tell A Story)

>>1638034
>>'I'm not sure that it was Oni, but it was a huge monster, all right...' (Tell A Story)
>>Write-In
Bend down to speak to her. Look her right in the eyes as we do.

Also, ask her if she wants to touch it.

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>>1638042
>'...And then the Commander lost excess weight, acquired gains, abs, fabulous hair, married the KanMusu, had kids who didn't waste their lives and became a shining paragon for humanity. THE END.'

>>1638047
[Musashi and the kids roll their eyes]

>>1638047
Make it so

>>1638034
>'I'm not sure that it was Oni, but it was a huge monster, all right...' (Tell A Story)
'gather round and ye get a story of how i punched a huge monster

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You wear a mischievous glint in your eye, bending on your knee right down to her level.

‘I’m not sure if it was an Oni,’ you take an exaggerated tone, setting down the container and rolling back your right sleeve, ‘but it was a huge monster, all right.’

The girl touches your elbow joint, letting out a sound of awe. Mature as she had been before, her wide eyes betraying her age and lack of worldly experience, despite her role as the de-facto leader of the children, the Pastor outside put to one side.

‘Monster?’

It crosses your mind, as well, that the children knew full well just what brought them here. That the Admiralty’s lack of preparation, their arrogance, had put them to the mercy of a large old tent in a stench-permeated neighborhood that served as their temporary home. That it would be insensitive to remind them as to why and how you’d lost your arm on the day you had boarded the bus, a failure again … and just why they were here, the result of their protectors’ incompetence. Wearing a tight smile, you pull back your arm for the girl to get a closer look … only to realize that some of the boys had left their spots to catch a gaze of your prosthetic. This must have been the first time they’d seen one.

‘That’s right,’ you confirm the girl’s inquiry with an affected voice, ‘a monster from the deepest sea. One seductive, deadly, beautiful and terrible.’

‘Seductive?’

Perhaps you shouldn’t have used that word.

‘It means … very pretty, but also very, very … bad.’

Maybe that hadn’t been the best way to put things.

The last thing you wanted, however, was a child going on about it … with you as the sole responsible instigator.

‘It was big … black and white,’ you smile, gesticulating your arms high above your ears, ‘with a jaw that could drop so large it could swallow you whole!’

One of the girls lets out a small shriek, stumbling onto one of the larger boys, who catches her before she could trip any further.

‘I was out on the beach that day,’ you begin, puffing your chest, ‘looking to go and catch myself some fish. It had been so long since I’d had some good fish, so I decided that since it was a good day, why not? So I stood there, on the docks with a fishing rod and my patience, waiting and waiting … when suddenly it rained! Fancy that; you get your hat and your grub and the rain just hits you! Don’t you just hate that?’

The children, now numbering at more than half dozen, giggle.

‘Then I told myself maybe this isn’t such a good day, after all, I had things to do and Abyssals to punch out’—the children giggled again at this—‘but when I was packing up, that’s when it began … and I saw a lady slowly rise out of the water, smiling at me…’

One of the boys raises his hand.

‘Did she have big boobies?’

>>1638076
>‘Who taught you that, kid?’
>‘Yes, she did. Big, big boobies.’
>‘No, I … no, I didn’t pay attention.’
>[Continue with the story]
>Write-In

>>1638076
>[Continue with the story]
kids these days

>>1638077
>>Write-In
Yes and a horn long and sharp enough to run you through~

Distraction with another detail

>>1638077
>[Continue with the story]

>>1638077
>>‘Yes, she did. Big, big boobies.’
really really big, like as big as kamote likes em

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You decide to ignore the smart-aleck. After all, you had an audience now … and even if it was three to five children, and even if the story was stretching the limits of truth—if it even contained a grain of that—you had your due as the story-teller to pay. Turning to the other children, you move to continue your story.

‘A lady rose out of the water, in black and white, with a horn as long as my arm and teeth so sharp she could have chewed steel,’ you emphasize the point by raising your finger and thumb. ‘At first, of course, I was afraid, clutching my fishing rod and half-filled bucket, but at the same time, I did not think that I could run away either. I was hungry, and I was afraid that I would spill the fish that I had already caught. She walked across the water towards me, raising her hands and asked: “Do you not wish to have more than the measly boon that you have caught, Ser Fisherman?”. I replied that I only wished to eat what I wished to have … and that is when she smiled again, wider and wider than she did before.

‘Then she reached out with her hand and asked me again: “Don’t you wish to have a dinner more delectable than what you have already caught?” Surely your catch for the day wouldn’t be able to fill even a thread of your girth”—’

The children giggled again, some of them gesturing towards you.

‘I used to be bigger than this, believe it or not,’ you grimace, sharing in their amusement, before continuing, ‘and because I was bigger, I was hungrier and wanted more, so I took her hand … and the moment I felt the cold, wet, dead touch of her form, I realized that I had been tricked! With a shriek, she grabbed me, cackling and biting, eager to drag me to her murky abode, underneath the waves … but I had never let go of my good old fishing rod! And it served me as well as any blade and hammer could under the dark waves. I hit her with the pommel, struck at her with everything I had, but she was a beast among beasts. When I hit her hard enough, she would bring us back to the surface, but the sea was her battlefield, and I was her quarry. By her great maw, she chewed and gnawed on my arm, and every time I struck her, she would only bite harder. Strong and frightening, she was!’

They gasped as you raised your hands above your head again, wearing the most evil grin you could muster.

‘Then it happened … hours and hours later, upon rocks, I did what I would have never done … I pinned her great form to the shallows with my fishing rod, impaling both my arm and her body, victory and life at last finding me worthy … but she wasn’t done either. THWACK!’

You flip open your eyepatch, prompting them to let out shocked screams as they saw its eerie green-blue glow.

>>1638125
‘She gave me one last reminder … and left me on the rocks, where the Admiralty, who had seen the fateful battle, decided I was finally cool enough to join their number,’ you grin, puffing your chest and flexing your arm like a posing bodybuilder, ‘and that is how I became good enough to be a Commander of the Admiralty.’

The children, seemingly awestruck, are silent.

At least, until a girl in the back raises her hand.

‘If you … beat a demon Oni Abyssal Lady,’ she begins tentatively, ‘does that mean that the Admiral had to beat four or five of them to join the Admiralty?’

You hear Musashi’s guffaw behind you.

>'I think so, he never told me otherwise.' (Nonchalant)
>'You bet he did! And he did it WITHOUT losing a limb!' (Hammy)
>'Oh no, he just filed in an application like everyone else.' (Flat)
>'I haven't known him long enough to know if he did.' (Unsure)
>'Come on, kids ... you know it's just a story.' (Grounded)
>Write-In

>>1638127
>'You bet he did! And he did it WITHOUT losing a limb!' (Hammy)
milk the cow! ALL THE HAM!

>>1638127
>>'You bet he did! And he did it WITHOUT losing a limb!' (Hammy)

>>1638127
>>'I haven't known him long enough to know if he did.' (Unsure)

>>1638127
>'You bet he did! And he did it WITHOUT losing a limb!' (Hammy)

>>1638127
>>'You bet he did! And he did it WITHOUT losing a limb!' (Hammy)

>1638127
>>'You bet he did! And he did it WITHOUT losing a limb!' (Hammy)

Oneesan will have words with us about this story.

TEST

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‘You bet he did,’ you answer, softly but enthusiastically, eliciting wonder-filled stares from your audience, ‘and he managed to do it without losing a limb.’

Another girl gets to her feet, her hand raised and a scowl on a face.

‘That’s totally illogical,’ she huffs—there was always one somewhere, ‘humans can’t hold their breath for longer than two minutes! If you were going underwater and over-water, the stress and disorientation would have … um … it would’ve been impossible for you to get enough oxygen and bearing to keep fighting for hours! You would be flopping after five minutes!’

You smirk, flipping your eyepatch down, flexing a pose with your arm up diagonally and the other curled, your chest pronounced like proud peacock. It made no sense to not give the kids a show, even as pushy as that girl was … after all, you weren’t here to argue facts—you were here to give the kids a good time, even if it was only a momentary reprise from their current state. That much you could manage.

‘I’m no normal human,’ you declare proudly, ‘I’m a Commander!’

She tentatively looks around, as if searching for someone to support her, before shrugging and sitting down again, sharing the blanket with the boy next to her. Musashi walks up to you, giving you a proud glance as she observed the group along with you. Now that you actually had a good look at them … none of them could possibly have even broken double digits on the age meter. Thankfully, however, none of them were babies either; that would probably push a few boundaries on your standards … on anyones, really.

But credit to the children … and to the Pastor, as hardy as he was.

Zealous or not, he was taking of the children … and they at least looked fed, even if they were as uncomfortable from the cold as you were.

‘Sir?’

You feel a tug on your pants. Peering downwards, you see a boy, no older than five, likely, looking up at you with … one eye. One side of his face was covered in bandages, and you could see a hint of a burn scare peeking from beneath the gaps. He looked as ragged as the other children, clutching what looked like a small, patched up blanket.

‘The Pastor told us that you … were fighting the demons from the sea. That you went out and fought them.’

‘I wouldn’t say that I,’ you pause, before shaking your head, ‘I fight alongside the KanMusu. They do most of the heavy lifting, I’m afraid.’

That statement, however, didn’t manage to deter him one bit.

‘My Dad and my Uncle … they took them to the sea, and I…’

You don’t know what emotions are behind his gaze right now. There were so many. Too many for you to make sense of or even begin to count … but there was one that gave you dread as you looked right back. One you couldn’t avert your gaze from, as fearful as you were.

Hope.

‘Are you … going to bring them back?’

>Write-In

>>1639637
I'm sorry son, I think you're only going to see them once again in heaven."

Give him a hug, let him cry.

"We can't bring back those who have already passed on but we can make sure it doesn't happen again. Thats why the girls and I fight. Now come around everyone. Let us pray for our love ones."

I'm not sure if this is enough. Since they are being looked after by the priest, I suspect that they might be exposed to the religion to some extend and offering up the prayers may at least offer the kids some comfort with this reminder of the war.

>>1639637
I'm sorry son, I think you're only going to see them once again in heaven. We can't bring back those who have already passed on but we can make sure it doesn't happen again. Thats why the girls fight, to save who they can."

>>1639777
trips demand it. that and it sounds fine to me

>>1639777
This

>>1639777
this

TESTING

>>1640605
oh my

I tried my hand at stand-up comedy. Crash and burned - only joke they laughed at was the McDonald's rush hour one.

"Lunch rush is so bad. I shit you not. One time there was a little girl in line; by the time she was at the counter she was divorced twice, found out she had cancer and was looking into prospective retirement homes"

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You consider your next words carefully. On one hand, lying to the boy’s face would only be self-serving; arrogant. On the other, you couldn’t divulge the truth of the matter at all as it would break his heart. Then there was the fact that by your very nature, you found yourself unable to even utter a single word of diversion to take the child out of this otherwise depressing topic … never mind actually having the lack of decency to ramble on and slip out of his immediate attention span. Muttering under your breath, you brace yourself for the consequences of your next words, the fantastic illusion that you had built to keep them up from the reality of the moment already crumbling at this one boy’s innocent request.

Sometimes you wondered if God tested you these moments … if they tested you where you never could believe you would pass, just to show you where you stood.

It mattered little now, however.

‘I’m sorry, son, but—’

‘We have to go right now,’ Musashi interjects, smiling as she places a hand on your shoulder; you look up to see the awkwardly confident smirk of your Super Dreadnought, her gaze shifting from the boy to you, ‘don’t we, Commander?’

‘Musashi?’

‘There’s a lot of paperwork … and we’ve got a mission to get ready for, don’t we?’

Her voice may have been clear, but her gaze had an edge—an urgency—that dared you to defy it. More out of curiosity and confusion than fear, you nod in acknowledgment. Even if you wanted to argue why she had a sudden blaze in her irises, this was hardly the place to throw out your concerns.

The boy wasn’t deterred.

‘But, Da—’

You find that she had that covered too.

Kneeling downwards, she places an assuring hand on the boy’s shoulder, before cupping his cheek and giving him a rough tussle of his hair. You can’t see what kind of expression she makes, as her back is to you right now, but it’s enough that the boy’s line of inquiry dies out at those words.

‘We’ll try our best, okay?’ she begins, reassurance in her voice. ‘Commander may be bragging about being superhuman, but at the end of the day, he’s only one person, after all, and we … well, we’re all trying our best, too.’

She raises to her full height, her hands on her hips as you see a full-blown grin, one especially for her one-man audience.

‘So, until we can find them, your Daddy and your Uncle, young man,’ she takes a teasingly stern tone, ‘you need to promise me and the Commander that you’ll keep trying; you don’t want them to see that you’ve been slacking off just because they’re not around, do you?’

He shakes his head.

Musashi, apparently satisfied, gestures with her head towards the exit, heading out without another word.

You follow right after her, the frigid air suddenly unimportant as you take your first steps outside.

>>1642548
>‘I had it under control, you know.’ (Assert yourself)
>‘You put it better than I would’ve. Thank you.’ (Gratitude, relief)
>‘That’s a cruel lie, Musashi.’ (Straightforward)
>'You have a better grasp at these things than I do. Ever thought about converting?' (Jest)
>Write-In

>>1642548
>‘That’s a cruel lie, Musashi.’ (Straightforward)

>>1642554
>>‘You put it better than I would’ve. Thank you.’ (Gratitude, relief)

>>1642554
>>‘You put it better than I would’ve. Thank you.’ (Gratitude, relief)

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Posting delayed, MECH's been banned again.

>>1642554
>>‘You put it better than I would’ve. Thank you.’ (Gratitude, relief)

>>1642652
Mods are piles of shit, what else is new.
yea i said that bitch, fuck you and your whore mothers, you hot pocket eating whale mods

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>>1642667

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‘You put it better than I would’ve,’ you sigh, feeling a little relief sweep over you, ‘thank you.’

Musashi’s expression, once bright, turns a little … darker than you would have expected of her. She rears on you, her features going from soft and amicable to stern and calculative, but her gaze, not quite meeting yours head-on, looks uncertain, as if she couldn’t find the proper arrangement of words to voice what she felt … and that you, somehow, had given rise to that. After a few moments of thoughtful contemplation, she seems to have finally found them, bracing her shoulders and looking straight at you … like a disapproving Officer.

‘Commander, I’m not gonna pretend that I know a damn thing about human interactions anymore than that rock over there,’ Musashi begins a little tightly, ‘but what the Hell were you thinking trying to blurt it out like that to the little guy?’

You frown. You hadn’t thought that much of the gesture—you had been asked a question; one that had pulled the proverbial rug from under your feet … you had merely tried to do your best to answer a question.

‘I was just trying to be honest,’ you answer, feeling defensive. She hadn’t been the one put on the spot, after all. ‘I mean, considering everything, it’d be wrong to give them any hope or expectations that we don’t have.’

That didn’t calm Musashi down. In fact, right now, it was frightening how much she resembled an amalgamation of Nagato, Nachi and the Admiral. You feel a strong jab on your chest, and a scowl to go with it.

‘Rescuing my sister ‘n me was a one in a million chance and you still went for it,’ she admonishes, clicking her tongue. ‘Even with the odds out of favor, the one thing that the people need is something to hang on to and believe in. I expected you to at least have a little of that on your consideration process, considering you keep preaching about the impossible.’

You frown—the two were contextually irreconcilable situations to you. They weren’t the same.

‘Musashi…’

Or, at least, you don’t think so.

‘Don’t you?’ she questions further, ‘I know that this isn’t a war we’re going to be marching down the roads and giving cheek kisses and throwing confetti up for anytime soon … you don’t tell us that we’re marching to our deaths every time you give us an assignment or that we go on a mission.’

Oh, she’s going for your throat, she is.

‘What’s so hard about extending that courtesy to a kid?’

You actually feel a little hurt by that comment.

‘You know that’s not what I’m getting at.’

‘Then what is it, then, sir?’

>‘I’m loath to admit it, but … I’ve kind of dialed back on the sensitivity myself, lately.’
>‘Because the Division is different to me.’
>‘I value honesty above all else. You’re telling me that that’s wrong?’
>‘I don’t know … he put me on the spot. I … froze.’
>Write-In

>>1642954
>‘I value honesty above all else. You’re telling me that that’s wrong?’

>>1642954
>>‘I’m loath to admit it, but … I’ve kind of dialed back on the sensitivity myself, lately.’

>>1642954
>>‘I’m loath to admit it, but … I’ve kind of dialed back on the sensitivity myself, lately.’

>‘I value honesty above all else. You’re telling me that that’s wrong?’
do you honestly believe that the boys relatives are alive when they were taken by abyssals. with you and yamato i was tasked with finding out what happened to you two ,and if it was not you being kidnapped but you had been taken by the abyssals I would of told nagato the truth to give her closure

>>1642954
>‘I’m loath to admit it, but … I’ve kind of dialed back on the sensitivity myself, lately.’

>>1643040
I don't want to commentate here, but really, that write-in down there deserves a look in the mirror and a sense of delicacy.

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‘I’m not making excuses,’ ‘but it’s definitely been a while since I’ve had to … be considerate.’

Musashi gives a scrutinizing gaze in return … before crossing her arms and letting out a sigh. It’s amazing how much she looked like a disappointed homeroom teacher right now—all she was missing was the blouse and a disciplinary cane. Despite being her superior, you find it hard to re-establish your dominance, despite needing it rather badly right now. You didn’t want to be seen as a pushover, after all. Especially not in public—thankfully, however, she had kept her voice as low as possible, despite it all … and you realize that you could have screwed up that child’s head a little more if you’d been allowed to finish.

‘I don’t appreciate being pulled aside and led out, though,’ you state, trying to get the last word out, at least, ‘and you could at least clue me in on your intentions, you know?’

She wasn’t deterred, not at all. It doesn’t look like you’d upset her any further, either, but … your words probably hadn’t calmed her any more, either. Her demeanor, her features, were still laced with disapproval, but it didn’t look like she was being disrespectful so much as she was being critical and concerned … or at least, you believed that was what she was going for. She wasn’t showing blatant disregard in the same mold that Tenryuu and Nachi had, either.

‘If I’d left you in there another five seconds, you would’ve been going on some tangent and traumatizing the poor kid,’ she continues patiently, licking her lips as she spares the flaps of the tent a quick glance, ‘besides, it’s the duty of the subordinate to watch where her superior steps … and keep him from tripping over anything unsavory, no?’

You don’t answer her. You’d be lying if you said that you were feeling at least a little embarrassed at being pulled aside by a KanMusu under your command, even if she was a Battleship and had the advantage of tenure over you. In fact, right now … she sort of reminded you of Nagato, only with a more informal stance.

You could see what their friendship was built on.

‘I’m not undermining your station, sir,’ she finishes, her brows furrowing in concern, ‘but I do hope that in the future, you actually watch what you say in the future. I may not have a full understanding of, you know, how you folks talk and approach things, but considering everything around you, it would be best to actually be a lot more tactful … and if you’re unsure, to defer. It’s not ideal, but … well, that’s just my advice.’

You take a moment to take it in, pondering on her words.

She hops into a formal salute, throwing up an arm.

>‘I can manage these things just fine on my own, thank you.’ (Dismissive)
>‘Then I am thankful, Battleship Musashi.’ (Formal)
>‘I’m glad for it, then.’ (Personable)
>‘Whatever.’ (Uncaring)
>Write-In

>>1643183
>‘I’m glad for it, then.’ (Personable)
thanks musashi

>>1643183
>‘Then I am thankful, Battleship Musashi.’ (Formal)

>>1643183
>‘I’m glad for it, then.’ (Personable)

>>1643183
>‘I’m glad for it, then.’ (Personable)

>>1643183
>>‘I’m glad for it, then.’ (Personable)

>>1643183
>>‘Then I am thankful, Battleship Musashi.’ (Formal)

>>1643183
>>‘I’m glad for it, then.’ (Personable)

CHESTO!

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‘I’m glad for it, then.’

She gives you a smirk in return. Not one of smug superiority, but one of relief. Maybe you did need to connect a little more with the people you had put your life down, alongside the KanMusus, to protect. Outside of Fingers, The Vice-Admiral, The Admiral and a few of of your men, there hadn’t been a regular point of return for you to sit down and just chat. Maybe it was because you had just become too comfortable—impossible as it was to believe—being with your Division … maybe the disconnect had just eaten away at you to the point that all you could think about was routine. Maybe it was that after years of nothing but feeling like you could have done better … that the people around you, your life and everything that entailed it, passed you by, you just didn’t want to bother anymore.

Maybe you were just scared out of stepping back out there again now that you’d found a place where you were needed. Wanted.

Maybe.

‘Sir?’

You’re shaken from your reverie—quite literally, this time—by Musashi’s hand on your shoulder.

‘Sorry,’ you manage, running a hand over face and letting out a sigh; the cold had finally gotten to you, you reckon. ‘I think I’m feeling a little under the weather … can you manage the rest on your own?’

‘I’m just hear to make a delivery,’ she shrugs, gesturing towards the tent. ‘Yuubari and I just decided to do something help the kids along … it’s not her first time managing a front like this.’

‘Yuubari’s been in combat?’

To your surprise, Musashi glares right at you. Maybe the joking tone was a tad too much.

‘That girl, she…’

Musashi bites her lip, trailing off. She fidgets in place, pondering her next set of words, before her shoulders slump in a defeated manner. A wry chuckle escapes her throat as she gives you a small, apologetic grimace.

‘Let’s just say that she’s seen her fair share, right? I don’t want to be the one to spill the beans.’

‘COMMANDER!’

The both of you are interrupted from your conversation by a familiar shrill. You turn to see the Pastor waving his hands in a frantic manner, babbling loudly and incoherently at the newcomer … who immediately makes your blood practically freeze as it dawns on you just what you had left behind in your pursuit of playing the altruist. The blue uniform was clear, even with one eye, as is the exasperated, upset features of your Heavy Cruiser.

Takao stands before you, her jaw slack and her normally even expression a distant memory.

‘You left me! I can’t believe you left me!’

Thankfully, you had the perfect cover.

‘Now, now, Takao, Musashi needed my’—you turn to your Battleship … only to find her gone—‘son of a—’

You were so giving her an earful when she got back to the barracks later.

END INTERLUDE

>>1649975
Takes me 2 fucking days just to close a session with a post. Seriously, mods. Seriously.

>>1649975
Ha

Completely forgot about Takao

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Dinner hadn’t been fulfilling.

However, considering the fact that you had just left a bunch of starving children in a cold tent, you were practically counting your blessings. The warmth of the barracks was something that you were happy to have again, even if the little errand with Musashi had left you a little disoriented. Most of your Division had returned from their daily tasks with a few words to summarize their day, some of them asking what you were up to and many of them having everything to complain about logistics and bureaucracy … especially Nagato and Tenryuu, who had apparently suffered the brunt of several of the Court of Admirals’ new plans of action, many of which that they had quite a degree of complaint with.

‘They really can’t be serious about stretching our forces, are they?’

To your surprise, it was Nachi that had decided to voice her concern. Considering that you had saddled her with tomorrow’s endeavor, you supposed that you couldn’t have faulted her for having a little more stake into the matter at hand than the other KanMusu were. Musashi—she who abandoned you to Takao’s wrath—had the same troubled expression as Nachi … and considering where their last bout of decision-making had led her and her sister, she was entirely justified. Being a political tool again, in whatever capacity, wasn’t high on anyone’s bucket list. You cross your arms as you lean on your table, finding Samidare’s distressed gaze and Shigure’s surprisingly cool exterior.

‘That’s the decision that they have come to,’ Nagato offers, standing in the middle of the circle, ‘and whatever it is, the only thing we can do—the only thing we’ve ever done—is to only perform to the best of our abilities. That’s all there is to it.’

Her voice is reserved, but you can tell there’s a smidgen of ire there.

‘We’ve never spoken out against the Court,’ Tenryuu cuts in, ‘but let’s consider what’s been going on here … we’re at barely a third at any capacity; the Shamans are explicitly not on their side—and have effectively abandoned us with those floozies’—that may have been the reminder that Carriers and other KanMusu generally didn’t get along—‘and considering logistics and outposts, we’ve probably only recovered two tops. Strategically speaking, this is as reckless as they come … not to mention how much this leaves us open. It’s like firing all your bullets in one volley knowing that there’s a charge coming.’

Takao bites her lip, agreeing in every way but verbally.

Iowa, in comparison to the others, looks thoughtful.

You turn to the your two Carriers … before one important detail comes to your direct attention.

‘The ISSF,’ Murakumo starts. ‘They might be really thinking of pulling out this time, aren’t they? With everything that’s been going on…’

Houshou and Kaga hadn’t returned … wherever they had gone.

>>1650006
>‘I was only a fry cook before this … Tenryuu, Murakumo, what are the compromises we’re looking at with this? Really?’
>‘How are your workloads looking like with this change?’ (Ask about potential changes)
>‘What do you think are Houshou and Kaga are going to do? The ISSF…’ (Inquire as to their state)
>‘Iowa … you’re a relative outsider here. What do you see outside looking in?’ (Ask for her perspective)
>‘Glad to see that I’m not as incompetent to bring about a meeting like this.’ (Joke)
>‘There’s less to be done worrying about it. Musashi, Nachi … Nagato, I think we have some homework.’ END MEETING
>Write-In

>>1650006
>‘How are your workloads looking like with this change?’ (Ask about potential changes)
ineed to know what kind of horrors await us

>>1650010
>>‘What do you think are Houshou and Kaga are going to do? The ISSF…’ (Inquire as to their state)

>>1650010
>‘How are your workloads looking like with this change?’ (Ask about potential changes)

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‘How are the workloads looking like with this change?’

Murakumo’s the one that addresses your concern, stepping in right away.

‘There doesn’t look like that there’s going to be much of a change by way of double-duty, to be honest, but,’ she pauses briefly, taking out what appears to be a small piece of paper from her skirt’s pocket and quickly reading off it, ‘if you’re referring to the manner of fatigue, I think that’s going to be dependent on how hard you push us, sir.’

You tilt your head, confused. Did she insinuate that you might force them to perform double duties at a more severe rate? You wouldn’t, of course, and you suspected that she knew that too; whatever the KanMusus did on base, you at least understood that their primary function—their very purpose—was combat; warfare. Of course you’d dial down—or at least put a request in—to lower their on-base assignments to compensate for any extra effort that you would ask of them going forward in the effort, as much as you disagreed with the degree of aggression that the Admiralty put into the very nature of the campaign.

So you wonder just it is that she was getting at, really. For all your faults, you could at least say you knew your priorities.

‘Push you?’

Before Murakumo could say a word in response, however, Nachi decides to take point.

‘We’re already on a set timetable, maybe … but considering the rotations that the offensive is going to bring about,’ she begins tentatively, before continuing with dread, ‘you might have to send us out as is rather than waiting for us to fully recover.’

That was out of the question. Sending a Squadron out with one member even possibly lagging behind, never mind the possibility of them contributing to a compromise in tactics from deteriorating conditions was a nightmare waiting to happen. It would be out of the question—something that you were adamant in your opposition—especially considering just what was lurking among the waves. They couldn’t force you to send out Samidare or even Nachi out with their guts barely held in, KanMusu or no.

‘You guys know that I won’t do that.’

Your informal tone catches them all by surprise.

‘You might not have a choice,’ Tenryuu answers, reluctant but curt, ‘these sets are just the first in a long campaign for the Admiralty to seize what they can … and with how short-handed the Divisions and Forces are, some of us are going to have to go out there with patches, whether we like it or not.’

Nachi chuckles wryly, grabbing your attention again.

‘Well, that’s not for us to worry, though,’ Nachi winks, her tone unexpectedly—and morbidly—cheerful, ‘I’m sure you’ll manage somehow, right?’

The sentence dies at the back of your throat.

You want to answer with confidence. You really do.

>>1650115
>‘I was only a fry cook before this … Tenryuu, Murakumo, what are the compromises we’re looking at with this? Really?’
>‘How are your workloads looking like with this change?’ (Ask about potential changes)
>‘What do you think are Houshou and Kaga are going to do? The ISSF…’ (Inquire as to their state)
>‘Iowa … you’re a relative outsider here. What do you see outside looking in?’ (Ask for her perspective)
>‘Glad to see that I’m not as incompetent to bring about a meeting like this.’ (Joke)
>‘There’s less to be done worrying about it. Musashi, Nachi … Nagato, I think we have some homework.’ END MEETING
>Write-In

>>1650115
>‘What do you think are Houshou and Kaga are going to do? The ISSF…’ (Inquire as to their state)
would be nie to know when (or if) they will be back

>>1650122
I have a surprise for you regarding that.
Play it. Play the game to see what happens.

>>1650117
>‘What do you think are Houshou and Kaga are going to do? The ISSF…’ (Inquire as to their state)

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>>1650117
>>‘Iowa … you’re a relative outsider here. What do you see outside looking in?’ (Ask for her perspective)


pls no bully

>>1650117
>>‘What do you think are Houshou and Kaga are going to do? The ISSF…’ (Inquire as to their state)

>>1650117
>>‘What do you think are Houshou and Kaga are going to do? The ISSF…’ (Inquire as to their state

>>1650115
>>‘How are your workloads looking like with this change?’ (Ask about potential changes)
>>‘What do you think are Houshou and Kaga are going to do? The ISSF…’ (Inquire as to their state)
>>‘Iowa … you’re a relative outsider here. What do you see outside looking in?’ (Ask for her perspective)
We need some details and I'm sorry that it'll likely mean more typing but we need to know all angles of the situation.

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So guys, did we ever actually show Nagato the jacket? Or give the dress to Iowa?

>>1654921
Nein to both.

>>1654921
we haven't done either

Session in 20 minutes.

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‘What do you think Houshou are Kaga are going to do? With the ISSF and The Court at each others’ throats, I don’t think they’ll be having it any easier than we are.’

‘Well, that’s … up to them,’ Musashi chimes, ‘I’m not going to pretend that I know much about how the ISSF works, but they’ve been a lot more conservative with their approach to us. I mean, I’m being honest when I say that we’re essentially spectral constructs, right? Kaga, Houshou, all the other Carriers … they’re built differently. I mean, you have exceptions like Taigei, but a lot of us, well, we’re not inclined to, you know … the same things that you need, like…’

You shift uncomfortably in place.

‘Food?’

You were never more thankful of Samidare’s lack of total understanding on the topic of human needs than you were this very moment.

‘Yeah,’ Musashi acknowledges, flashing a knowing smile, ‘but the ISSF has been a lot more aware of the differences than The Court, than The Admiralty as a whole. As tricky as it is to maneuver, the Shamans have shown a better understanding of the Carriers, their needs, even ours, more than anyone else … it’s why the Carriers elected to go with the ISSF during the schism—as much as they’re part of The Admiralty, it’s probably the only place Kaga, Houshou, all of them, felt, well … at home. A lot of us just care about heading into the next mission or coming back in one piece; we don’t really need to eat or drink. Hell, on a proper power draw, we hardly need any sleep.’

Nagato makes a sound of affirmation.

‘Kaga and Houshou’s physiology, their nature, the fact that they’re more in tune with the spirits that give them existence than we are, makes their condition … a lot more delicate than the average Shipgirl,’ she explains, ‘and the Shamans pay them much more attention as a result, Commander. Whatever it is, they have a sense of loyalty to the Shamans, a gratitude, if you will. If there’s going to be any decision, any retort on their part, sir, I’m sorry to say, but … we’ve only known you for a month and a half. The Shamans, they’re…’

You quickly move to interject. It looked like there was something lost in translation here.

‘You’re misunderstanding … I’m not trying to get them to go insubordinate or mutiny or anything,’ you say hurriedly, ‘I’m just wondering what they’re going to do. I mean … Houshou and Kaga don’t look like the type that’ll just up and leave when the going gets tough, especially not for their own benefit or bureaucracy.’

‘Then it’s a question of loyalty, at the end of the day.’

Iowa’s the one that puts her thoughts to the fore, much to your surprise.

‘If we’re looking at the bare bones, then, Commander … then it would be if they considered that the Shamans’ orders to be out of wisdom or to not heed it out of a sense of standing duty.’

>>1656261
>‘It’d take some convincing, huh?’ (Tired, Annoyed)
>‘Have I mentioned just how much I hate bureaucracy?’ (Frustration)
>‘Well, it’s not like I’ve never envisioned being a Squaddie short. We saw it differently, but we knew it was going to happen at one point or another.’ (Accepting)
>‘Coping without them’s going to be hard.’ (Defeated)
>‘At the end of the day, it’s up to them. We’ve always played the hands we were dealt, anyway.’ (Resigned)
>Write-In

>>1656282
>>‘Have I mentioned just how much I hate bureaucracy?’ (Frustration)

>>1656282
>>‘Have I mentioned just how much I hate bureaucracy?’ (Frustration)

>>1656261
>‘Have I mentioned just how much I hate bureaucracy?’ (Frustration)

>>1656282
>>‘Have I mentioned just how much I hate bureaucracy?’ (Frustration)

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At this point in time you can, really, only find one thing to say. One sentence to vent out all your frustrations, the bevy of misdirection, red tape and annoyances that just seemed to clog up any attempt or need you would have for that one detail to just ride out in complete harmony. Here you were, at the forefront of a war effort, outgunned, undermanned, barely hanging on to the loose threads of your sanity and the encroaching threat of eldritch armies and the constant worry of the cost of failure, large and small … and yet at the end of the day, it is not an I-Class Destroyer, a destructive Ta-Class Flagship nor is it even a Wo-Class Carrier Type Abyssal that has you on the verge of tears and sucking your time.

It’s the fact that a bunch of grown men and women were at the echelons of a chamber somehow thought that rolling the dice in the action of trying to remain relevant in the face of annihilation.

So you say it.

‘Have I mentioned how much I hate bureaucracy?’

The whole room erupts in barely-restrained guffaws, even Samidare, who lets out a small squeak of amusement, before looking up with looks of understanding and pity.

Nachi lets out a sigh, tilting her head back and grimacing, echoing your feelings on the matter better than you would have previously given her credit for.

‘We’ve been there.’

At Nagato’s nod of acknowledgment and the shake of Tenryuu’s head, you find you couldn’t have found better crew to tough out the bad times with, regardless of how they felt for you.

You played the hand that you were dealt … but that didn’t mean you couldn’t win too, sometimes.

>‘I was only a fry cook before this … Tenryuu, Murakumo, what are the compromises we’re looking at with this? Really?’
>‘You guys don’t have any feelings on the ISSF’s course of action, none at all?’
>‘Iowa … you’re a relative outsider here. What do you see outside looking in?’ (Ask for her perspective)
>‘Glad to see that I’m not as incompetent to bring about a meeting like this.’ (Joke)
>‘There’s less to be done worrying about it. Musashi, Nachi … Nagato, I think we have some homework.’ END MEETING
>Write-In

>>1656383
>‘Iowa … you’re a relative outsider here. What do you see outside looking in?’ (Ask for her perspective)

>>1656383
>‘Iowa … you’re a relative outsider here. What do you see outside looking in?’ (Ask for her perspective)

>>1656383
>>‘Iowa … you’re a relative outsider here. What do you see outside looking in?’ (Ask for her perspective)

>>1656384
>>1656388
>>1656392
I'm just here to tell you guys to stop chasing Iowa.

>>1656383
>>‘There’s less to be done worrying about it. Musashi, Nachi … Nagato, I think we have some homework.’ END MEETING

I think we're done. Nothing really needs to be added AND Iowa did put in her viewpoints as an outsider just earlier.

>
Iowa’s the one that puts her thoughts to the fore, much to your surprise.

>‘If we’re looking at the bare bones, then, Commander … then it would be if they considered that the Shamans’ orders to be out of wisdom or to not heed it out of a sense of standing duty.’

>>1656395
Asking for outside input is not chasing.

>>1656398
pretty much
just wanna know how we look from outside

>>1656395
I'm just here to tell you to stop accusing your players when they choose an option YOU gave them.

>>1656410
Learn to take a joke, play or buzz off.

You're clearly not doing any of these three and thus do not like this quest. So I suggest you leave. Put it on your "0/10 would never play board".

>>1656410
Faggot
that is all

>>1656418
No, I like the quest, just not your """""joke""""". Or your blatant hypocrisy. You act like an asshole and get triggered the moment someone calls you out on it. Of course, none of that matters since your players will continuously fellate you because this one of the only KanColle quests still running regularly, and whenever a player disagrees with you, you just call them a shitposter and tell them to get lost. I lost any desire to voice legitimate criticisms a long time ago.

So please, enjoy your hugbox.

>>1656418
You know, he's got a point. Pretty much any time somebody voices any dislike, you pretty much double down on sheer stubbornness and tell them to either shut up or leave. Then go "I'm doing this to have fun, not for serious".

>>1656383
>>‘Glad to see that I’m not as incompetent to bring about a meeting like this.’ (Joke)

>>1656431
>>1656438
You two must be new so I'll explain it VERY, VERY carefully. Back when Iowa first appeared, people were inquiring as to how they could have actually acquired her proper. I mentioned back then because people took the secondary option, and thus, the easier, one, they missed their boat, so to speak, and had to do things the hard way. Thus, almost every time when someone asked about Iowa, I'd reply in the same way "She's not into you" to which the guys would go "No, man, I mean, etc etc".

That's the joke. So if you can't TAKE the joke, a simple run of words that which have been around more than half this Quest's existence, or participate, then you can kindly screw off because you can't discern what a comment is made in jest and actual suggestion or feedback made on my part.

It is a joke. It is a shout out to the past inquiries into Iowa and they have been around. I don't care for you or anyone else - I do this for my fun. I am a DM, if I'm not enjoying myself as much, then I won't do it. I make no gain or loss. As a story, this doesn't hold well on its own and won't win awards. If you want to read, I suggest something else. If you're here to play, then play. But if you're going to take everything I say off the record as some sort of sinister intent at insult, then leave.

>>1656383
>‘There’s less to be done worrying about it. Musashi, Nachi … Nagato, I think we have some homework.’ END MEETING

>>1656459
I've actually been along since thread 1. The main reason it didn't come across as a joke to me is because you have directed more than a few passive-aggressive remarks at your players in the past. Not only that, but you immediately get hostile and start telling people to fuck off whenever somebody says something you don't like. I figured it was a serious statement because that sort of remark fits you perfectly.

And hey, for all you know, my initial post could've been intended as a joke as well. But that doesn't matter to you, does it? You're the only one allowed to make jokes here, you're the only one allowed to have fun, and if all of your players don't agree with your definition of "fun" they apparently don't matter. So please, forgive me for speaking my mind in your safe space. I'll remember to avoid doing that in the future.

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There was someone you hadn’t considered just yet—someone who probably had their knees in the muck more often than anyone else here. Especially with the fact that she had been the designated defender against the Abyssal Hoards. You spare her a glance, hoping for a little more input on the matter before you reach your own weigh-in. After all, a view you weren’t privy to personally would probably be a view that was bearing in mind … especially on a matter as tumultuous as this.

‘Iowa, you’re a relative outsider here … what do you see outside looking in?’

Her brows furrow as she lifts her head, crossing her arms as you see her jaw slack, if only slightly.

‘You’re asking me?’

She can’t hide the surprise in her tone, however.

‘I am,’ you affirm, ‘you’ve been put on the back foot more times than I have … and you were Vanzer’s sole defender. That’s got to qualify you for input about fifty times over, right?’

The joking tone that you take towards the end of your words doesn’t seem to take the edge off your query, but she doesn’t brush off your suggestion for her perspective on the matter, either. Bringing a hand to her chin, she seems to mull over your words. After a brief silence, she looks up, her gaze hardened and her expression hesitant, but otherwise steadfast.

‘I think that … it’s a needed movement, actually,’ she pauses again, before moving to explain herself, ‘not how the ISSF operates, but … The Admiralty has to re-establish a foothold, dominance. It’s not a question of whether or not there are resources are available … but how long it is before the holding action spurs the other side to make a push of their own. You can’t keep things under like this without actually reaping the consequences of passive action. When the Abyssals know you can’t push back, they’re not going to just stand around to wait for you to build up.’

‘Things as they are, you’re really going to put your faith in a campaign like this?’

Tenryuu’s interjection catches everyone’s attention, but if anything, only seems to give Iowa more confidence to speak.

‘It’s not about putting your faith in a campaign or … or whatever it is that you think it is,’ she whirls towards you, as if looking to support, ‘but the Abyssals are inexhaustible, and we aren’t. The Court may see this as a power play, but … considering everything that’s been happening, all the ground lost, there really isn’t much else that we can afford to drop, is there.’

‘I suppose not.’

Nagato’s answer cracks the air; it’s reluctant, but understanding.

‘At the end of the day, I guess … we’re soldiers, aren’t we, Iowa?’

The both of them share a smile … its implications privy them alone.

‘Yeah,’ Iowa laughs wryly, ‘I suppose at the end of the day that’s all it’s about?’

Nagato slips her a knowing wink.

What was that all about?

>>1656502
>‘I was only a fry cook before this … Tenryuu, Murakumo, what are the compromises we’re looking at with this? Really?’
>‘You guys don’t have any feelings on the ISSF’s course of action, none at all?’
>'I know that the Carriers and the others don't get along, but seeing as this is pretty much a topic of discussion ... why?'
>‘Glad to see that I’m not as incompetent to bring about a meeting like this.’ (Joke)
>‘There’s less to be done worrying about it. Musashi, Nachi … Nagato, I think we have some homework.’ END MEETING
>Write-In

>>1656502
>>'I know that the Carriers and the others don't get along, but seeing as this is pretty much a topic of discussion ... why?'
better get it out there, i wanna hear nachi's take on this

>>1656505
Also, ending the meeting ends the thread. I'll upload it and we can continue this dance in about 24-36 hours. Just so you know.

>>1656505
>‘There’s less to be done worrying about it. Musashi, Nachi … Nagato, I think we have some homework.’ END MEETING

>>1656505
>'I know that the Carriers and the others don't get along, but seeing as this is pretty much a topic of discussion ... why?'
feels important

>>1656505
>'I know that the Carriers and the others don't get along, but seeing as this is pretty much a topic of discussion ... why?'

>>1656505
>>‘There’s less to be done worrying about it. Musashi, Nachi … Nagato, I think we have some homework.’ END MEETING

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Now was as a good time as any.

‘I know that the Carriers and the others don’t get along,’ you start, hoping that this wasn’t something too sensitive to bring up, ‘but seeing as we’re already on topic with the ISSF, I just … well, I just want to know why, I guess. You guys are on the same team, aren’t you?’

Nachi shoots you a leveled gaze.

‘You don’t get along with the Court,’ she brings up, crossing her arms over her chest and turning her chin up to you, ‘we could say the same for you, you know?’

You want to mention that it wasn’t the same.

Only it was a lot harder to bring up the differences than to actually support the similarities, given the context of the perspective.

‘It’s a misplacement of priorities,’ Tenryuu answers in her stead, ‘a confusion of wants and needs that, ultimately, does not make sense when putting origins into account, namely, ours. KanMusu aren’t so much as born as we are given new life. For us, having hands, hair, wanting things, well, that’s alien, but condition ourselves to what we have, we have to be filed and structured to accommodate to the new changes. Even though we look human, and, you know, we have organs and blood and stuff like that, a lot of our functions are based around our combat prowess, our efficiency. Every KanMusu spends their first couple of months acclimatizing themselves to being in this world, having four limbs, the works … and, of course, we’re given a … I think the word for it is crash course in a lot of things. Thing is, a lot of us, well … we don’t heed those things that we’re taught. We don’t have much of an inclination towards things like, you know…’

Nachi snorts, shaking her head.

‘Personal relationships; emotional gratification; introspection and relevance aren’t particular priorities for KanMusu,’ she lists them off in a disinterested, monotone voice, ‘we don’t feel … in Houshou’s words, incomplete or a need to be fulfilled or that we’re missing a piece or—’

‘Nachi.’

‘Sorry, rambling,’ she shrugs, before sighing in exasperation, ‘but that’s the thing, though, there’s … well, a KanMusu shouldn’t need any of those things. I’m not saying that we, uh, should be automatons—which I’d rather be, honestly—but it takes your eyes off the prize; the job. I mean, that’s the general mood, anyway … we don’t get why they want to bother with it. Why they need that kind of validation … it’s, well, for a lot of us, it’s irrelevant.’

Tenryuu nods grimly.

>‘Considering everything happening, I think I somewhat agree on that.’
>‘Differences are differences, I guess.’
>‘That’s a little … petty to hold, especially on a wide scale.’
>‘You’ve been up on this for almost ten years and you still toss rocks at each other?’
>‘Well, so long as you still do the business, anything goes.’
>Write-In

>>1657076
>‘That’s a little … petty to hold, especially on a wide scale.’
Maybe this comes off as a little insensitive, but commander isn't exactly known for being sensitive, and it's honestly true.

>>1657076
>>‘That’s a little … petty to hold, especially on a wide scale.’

>>1657076
>‘That’s a little … petty to hold, especially on a wide scale.’

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You frown, letting Tenryuu’s—and Nachi’s—word sink in.

‘That’s a little petty hold, even on a wide scale.’

It did. Even on the level, even if you agreed with everything about your Carriers being more needy than the average neurotic—and you meant that in the kindest way—and even if everything Nachi said was multiplied and exaggerated beyond recognition, it felt incredibly petty and useless to hold on to something just because their needs, their requirements, were different to that of the average KanMusu. Tenryuu wanted to go inland to do some shopping and see the sights; Takao wanted to have something to honor her sister’s memory; just because desires were amplified on a more human scale didn’t make it any less petty to hold a dislike over. There were all sorts of characters with all sorts of needs back when you were working in the kitchens—so long as they didn’t prove to be a distraction or broke the law, nothing was particularly met with disdain.

Except for that one person who farted a lot, but that was a different story altogether.

At least you knew to leave the kitchen when you needed to let one rip.

‘Be that as it may,’ Nagato—much to your surprise—sounds, ‘as KanMusu, sensations on the scale of Houshou, Kaga, Zuikaku … they’re considered abnormal, especially next to the emotional and mental matrices that we possess. The argument isn’t that it’s abnormal or normal, the argument is that from our perspective, it’s considered excess, a luxury if you will, sir. The schism hasn’t been as bad in recent times, and we still revere and respect them, but on a personal basis, it’s very hard for the other KanMusu to reconcile or understand the what and the why. Many of us don’t bother to—it’s never become violent, of course, but unfamiliarity and the alien nature of the Carriers distinguish them from the others … it breeds resentment. That’s how it is.’

‘Basically,’ Musashi chirps, putting her own thoughts to words, ‘we know how strong Houshou and Kaga are when they’re finally out there, but we think, well … I think, anyway, that it’s weird to want those kind of things, especially considering what we were brought here for in the first place. We came to fight, to win … and everyone’s got their hobbies, sure, but,’ she shrugs, making a stumped expression, ‘for us, it’s like the Carriers seem to want to be something they’re not. It makes us feel … uncomfortable, I guess.’

Right next to Iowa, you see Takao bite her lip, before looking downward.

‘That is the general understanding of the matter,’ she summarizes stiffly, ‘yes.’

‘It’s debated, definitely,’ Tenryuu adds, cutting you off, ‘but for us, well … it’s just weird. That’s all there is to it.’

‘A warm body at night doesn’t win you wars,’ Nachi mutters. ‘That much is true.’

You don’t disagree … or agree, for that matter.

>>1657278
>‘I was only a fry cook before this … Tenryuu, Murakumo, what are the compromises we’re looking at with this? Really?’
> 'I have assurances that you guys have things under control?'
>‘In any case, I'm glad to see that I’m not such a lost case to bring about a meeting like this.’ (Joke)
>‘There’s less to be done worrying about it. Musashi, Nachi … Nagato, I think we have some homework.’ END MEETING
>Write-In

>>1657278
>‘There’s less to be done worrying about it. Musashi, Nachi … Nagato, I think we have some homework.’ END MEETING
we got a enemy command unit to bag

>>1657278
>‘There’s less to be done worrying about it. Musashi, Nachi … Nagato, I think we have some homework.’ END MEETING

>>1657278
>>‘There’s less to be done worrying about it. Musashi, Nachi … Nagato, I think we have some homework.’ END MEETING

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‘There’s less to be done worrying about the details,’ you declare—while it wasn’t quite water under the bridge, you had bigger fish to haul in right now, ‘all we can do is plan for what we have in store. Nachi, Musashi … Nagato, I think we have some homework to do. The rest of you are dismissed.’

They disappear up the stairs, one by one, leaving you with the three Division members you had requested the immediate company of. Picking up the file—the document that The Admiral had handed to you earlier in the evening—you quickly rifle through its contents, bringing out the small grid and the notes for a cursory glance before inviting them over to the dining table and laying them all out for Musashi and the other two to see. Nagato, curious, drags one of the documents over with a finger, reading through the contents in a hurried mumble.

‘A garrison and patrol route,’ she reads, before looking up towards you, ‘you’ve decided on who you’re going to bring for this, sir?’

‘I have,’ you affirm, turning to the other two, ‘Musashi, Nachi, we’re going to be running a border expansion. The Admiralty wants the miracle mile pushed back out so we can bring in a proper defensive movement. As it is, the early warning systems haven’t been … well, they’re not working at all, if Hajime’s fall is anything to go by. Doing this, we discourage any enemy attack groups from pushing in, and the follows ups will be free to reinforce without having too narrow a room for any intercept course. There’s an A-Rank Command Unit present, so we can expect some decent resistance.’

‘An offensive series that actually has a reasonable structure to it,’ Musashi says, bending over and scanning the grid, ‘it’s plain to see what the Admiralty wants from this. Looking at what we have, the patrol routes are too close inland to provide any sort of proper intercept plot … the juncture here’s some distance below the line and upward; if we can kick them out of there, we’ll have a wider berth.’

That is what the document had mentioned, yes. You couldn’t tell the difference between a nautical mile and a tugboat, but you knew that there with the Abyssals running their operations so close, there was little to no way for the KanMusus to be able to counter any movement they made with efficiency, and with every front as short-handed as they were, even an inch was a luxury.

This was one you would only be too glad to take right back.

‘Sounds routine,’ Nachi comments, hands on her hips, ‘you think that there’re going to be any twists this time?’

You grimace; you’d hoped to put this off as late as possible.

Turning to Nagato, the upturn of the corners of your mouth are as pronounced as ever.

‘How do you go about separating an Abyssal Command Unit from its primary armament?’

The groans and thuds echo throughout the barracks.

END DAY 48

>>1657371
And that's it for the thread. Floor open to questions.

>>1657373
Which religions not!Japan has, and which one has the most worshipers?

>>1657449
Ancestor worship is the most common, belief in spirits and all that. After that is Herodin; the Geishovan; "Eight Scripture" and "Nu"-ism, and dozens of local practices.

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>>1657373
When do you plan on running the next session? I don't want to miss the operation.

>>1657483
Late Thursday morning my time seems to be what I'm leaning towards. You still have tomorrow's paperwork to go through, though.

>>1657494
Since we can meet the major directly, how should we go about trying to improve our relation to the Army and help out with what they do? Do we send runners to the local Army HQ or should we look for someone in particular.

>>1658160
Hey Mech got banned again for stupid mod shit, but here's his answer from the discord

If you want to improve your relationship with the military, head over to their bar-cum-lounge and see what you're able to do there. There's always someone that could use some help and the more you help out, the more leeway and wiggle room you're given.

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Mech keeps lewding lolis in other boards, god dammit Mech

>>1657373
Any way to interact with the fairies ?

>>1660257
Only the shamans can talk to fairies I think