"Have you been picking things up from her?" Merlin asks, sounding curious. "We always projected that MIU links would allow for some transfer of knowledge and skills."

"Things about Muninn?" You ask, angling to tease your aunt a bit.

It doesn't work- she's focused on the aircraft and the attempt wasn't that good to begin with. She nods.

"You grew up around it and if you hadn't gone navy I'd have kept you for myself." She says- then pauses and blinks. "Uh, but you did, a-and I'm interested in seeing if what she's learning is matching up with what you picked up over the years."

For the most part, you think, it is- if anything, Kyou's learning is reinforcing things you already knew, but never really thought about. Of course, you know that Merlin's also been using the MIU while you're not plugged in- and there's probably residual influence there, too.

[] I think so, but it's hard to tell.
[] For sure. I'm also much more familiar with the L85 than I'd have cared to be.

>>4368509
>[X] I think so, but it's hard to tell.

>>4368509
>[x] For sure. I'm also much more familiar with the L85 than I'd have cared to be.

>>4368509
>[] For sure. I'm also much more familiar with the L85 than I'd have cared to be.

>>4368508
>[] For sure. I'm also much more familiar with the L85 than I'd have cared to be.

>>4368509
>[] I think so, but it's hard to tell.

I also can't help but picture Kyou with the Big Floof out and waving like an excited teenager showing off her room

>>4368534
I wonder how often that tail gets pulled in bed

ok, votes called!

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[x] For sure. I'm also much more familiar with the L85 than I'd have cared to be.

You nod. "For sure." You say. "I'm also much more familiar with the L85 than I'd have cared to be."

Merlin smiles at that. "Wendy rubbing off too?" She asks, and you nod. "I had wondered about that." She says.

"You thought she might?"

It's her turn to nod. "All my projections show that an MIU network can scale more or less infinitely with enough AIs to manage it. And valkyrie is showing that if you mix it on an even ratio of one AI per person, the initial link isn't even that traumatic, it's a far more gentle and gradual experience." she pauses, then looks over at you. "At least, that's what the other crews are reporting"

[] That's how it's been for us, too.
[] So what are you planning?

>>4368603
>[X] That's how it's been for us, too.

>>4368603
>[x] That's how it's been for us, too.

>>4368603
>[x] That's how it's been for us, too.

>"Wendy rubbing off too?"
Not yet. Soon, though. Probably tonight.

>>4368603
>[] So what are you planning?

>>4368603
>[] That's how it's been for us, too.

ok, votes called! this'll be our last update for the evening, though. getting pretty tired over here, haha.

>>4368623
>"Wendy rubbing off too?"

Depending on how you want to interpret the innuendo, she might be doing that back in the cabin right now.

"Nap", yeah, sure.

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[x] That's how it's been for us, too.

You nod. "That's how it's been for us, too." You say. "Adding Wendy in was nothing like Kyou and I's first link."

Merlin nods. "We didn't think it would be. It's why when they approached me about leasing both valkyries back to fly with Kyou, I didn't think it would be a problem."

"A technical problem." You say- she nods after a second.

"Yes." She says. "I fully expect an MIU network to continue to have it's full range of effects as it grows in size, that's also been reported by the other two groups."

You nod, not entirely willing to give that much information away- yet. You're sure your aunt knows, or at least, suspects, that your relationship with Wendy is changing. You tell yourself that's mostly Kyou's influence- you still have some, if very limited, reservations, but Kyou, apparently, has none.

"Anyway, it's not too big a problem. I guess you weren't happy about it though?"

"Not how they presented it." You admit.

"I'm surprised you allowed even one more." Merlin says. "Your dad would have shut them all down just because they were so blunt about it."

[] Dad is careless. Better to have some goodwill
[] Kyou seems to want to run things on the ground. I'm willing to let her.

>>4368717
>[] Dad is careless. Better to have some goodwill

He kinda did burn hella bridges

And that's going to be it for the night from me! Sorry about the delay there, got sidetracked by the news.

I'll get any questions or comments tomorrow as soon as I can, but I probably won't be around anymore tonight. So, till tomorrow gents, cheers!

>>4368727
Wendy Handjobs When

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>>4368717
>[X] Dad is careless. Better to have some goodwill

>>4368727
Thanks for the run boss.

>>4368728
far too lewd.

>>4368717
>[x] Kyou seems to want to run things on the ground. I'm willing to let her.

>>4368727
Thanks for the run Ghost!

>>4368717

[] Dad is careless. Better to have some goodwill

We're not the Eagle yet, we have to play the game at least a little.

>>4368731
Combined Wendy/Kyou titjob when? ;)

>>4368752
Woah! too much for a blue board!

Next you'll be talking about holding hands!

>>4368782
Perfect for a Bluewd Board

>>4368717
>[] Dad is careless. Better to have some goodwill

>>4368717
>[x] Kyou seems to want to run things on the ground. I'm willing to let her.

>>4368717
>[] Dad is careless. Better to have some goodwill

Sensible Cat Is Sensible.

Ok gents, votes called! Had to finish dinner, haha.

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[x] Dad is careless. Better to have some goodwill

You shrug. "Dad is careless." You point out- a stance Maman has always held. "Better to have some goodwill."

Your aunt hesitates before nodding. "He did burn a lot of bridges." She admits- given the way she feels about your father, that's a fair statement of stronger feelings somewhere. She's traditionally kept her mouth shut about him- and any of his faults- but you suspect that may start changing, at least with you. She's never really had an outlet valve, you know- she's always been the nice, kinda shy, dorky aunt to your family.

Obvious tensions notwithstanding, you think.

Either way, you nod. "Dad got away with it because none of them ever wanted to be in the public eye after the war. At least that's the story he told me."

"Most of the worst of it happened before they were together anyway." Merlin corrects you. "In fact, the real worst of it was when they met Wendy and he undercut the Matron of USNA over Ice's footlocker. After that it was just helping Ice keep us away from stateside duty. I'm still kind of surprised you agreed."

"It would have looked bad for Kyou to refuse." You say. "Not with three arms of the Japanese government making the request."

"She could have, though." Merlin responds. "They're already celebrating her as 'the wolf princess' in the news on the islands."

You shrug again.

[] Maybe she just wants to start a collection.
[] She wants high politics later. This would have been a soft spot in her history.

>>4370406
>[X] She wants high politics later. This would have been a soft spot in her history.

>>4370406
>[x] She wants high politics later. This would have been a soft spot in her history.

>>4370406
>[x] She wants high politics later. This would have been a soft spot in her history.

>>4370406
>[] Maybe she just wants to start a collection.

I get the feeling Merlin wouldn't mind being "Collected" all that much.

>>4370406
>[x] Maybe she just wants to start a collection.

>>4370406
>[X] She wants high politics later. This would have been a soft spot in her history.

>>4370406
>[] She wants high politics later. This would have been a soft spot in her history.

ok, votes called!

>>4370406
>[] Maybe she just wants to start a collection.

Compete with suggestive leer

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[x] She wants high politics later. This would have been a soft spot in her history.

"She wants high politics later." You say. "This would have been a soft spot in her history."

Merlin hesitates. "Maybe." She says. "But they also look well on a warrior who can hold their own."

You nod. "The people do." You agree. "But this isn't for the people, it's for the politicians and the generals and the CEOs."

She smiles. "Going to start getting a little crowded in the imperial cabins." She says.

"Hohiro is pushing Cass to take a room there as well." You say- you're not sure if she knows yet or not, but she certainly will, you're sure.

"Cass?" Merlin asks, looking over at Kyou, who's hunched over with the doctor, looking up into the access panel for the 40mm guns.

"Yeah." You respond. "The problem is there's only the three rooms."

"Oh. Is she going to need me to move my things out?" Merlin asks. "I don't have any sort of reason to be in there, and the stateroom they'll assign me is more than nice enough-"

You shake your head. "She's planning to move Wendy in with us."

Merlin blinks- then blushes a tiny bit. "Oh." She says, and you nod.

"Yeah."

"Well, I-I mean, it's not that bad." She adds. "Your father isn't the only one like that, a-and there's a lot of history with witches doing that kind of thing."

[] Since when?
[] In very specific cultures, sure. None of us are part of any of them.

>>4370482
>[X] Since when?

>>4370482
>[] Since when?

Sassy cat question gets Sassy Bird Answer

>>4370482
>[x] Since when?

>>4370482
>[x] Since when?

>>4370482
>[] Since when?

>>4370482
>[] Since when?

I sort of want to find a way to express that Morgan isn't *quite* as comfortable with this whole thing as Kyou is, just yet.

ok, votes called!

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[x] Since when?

"Since when?" You challenge- you're aware of a few historical cases- maman made sure of that- but it's not exactly a common occurrence, either.

"Oh. Um." She pauses, thinking. "I guess most recently it's the Saudis-"

"They're hardly a good example, auntie." You say, and she nods.

"I know, it's just this isn't exactly a subject I studied." She responds, still thinking. "Frank stands out, because it's one of very few modern cases of the old practice."

"The old practice of being every horny teenager's god?" You ask.

She frowns. "Of witches sharing a powerful or talented man." She responds.

"First I've heard of that." You admit, and she nods.

"It went out of favor centuries ago." She says, frowning. "If I remember right, it was around the rise of the church in Europe that they stopped really practicing it. I know it was big among the Romans and I think the Greeks, though."

"The Romans and Greeks aren't real good examples either." You say.

"I don't think it originated with them, though." She explains. "They just adapted it from even older existing traditions."

[] I don't know auntie. Sounds like trying to excuse it to me.
[] Might be something I should ask Wendy or Maman about, then.

>>4370540
>[] I don't know auntie. Sounds like trying to excuse it to me.

>>4370540
>[] I don't know auntie. Sounds like trying to excuse it to me.

>>4370540
>[X] Might be something I should ask Wendy or Maman about, then.

>>4370540
>[X] I don't know auntie. Sounds like trying to excuse it to me.

>>4370540
>[x] Might be something I should ask Wendy or Maman about, then.

>>4370540
>[] Might be something I should ask Wendy or Maman about, then.

>>4370540
>[x] Write-in

>"Auntie, you sound like you're trying way too hard to justify an arrangement like that. Is there something you want to tell us?"

>>4370540
>[] Might be something I should ask Wendy or Maman about, then.

ok, votes called!

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[x] Might be something I should ask Wendy or Maman about, then.

You shake your head, still not sure about the whole thing- especially when you know that, while it may apply to your father, it certainly doesn't apply to you at all. You get the sneaking suspicion that Merlin both knows more and is more interested than she lets on, but you're not willing to chase that down just now- it's neither the time nor the place, you think. "Might be something I should ask Wendy or Maman about then." You say.

She nods. "I imagine they'd know much more than I do on the subject." She agrees- sounding more than happy she's kind of off that particular hook.

Kyou and the doctor are standing in the open centerline bays, now, talking about something. There's just enough room to stand up in there for them- you still have to duck a little, but the two witches, both shorter than you, don't. "She seems young for this job." You say.

Merlin nods. "She is." She admits. "I'd expected someone much older, like the matron that was here earlier. But she's a genius with a double doctorate, and she's fairly highly placed and well liked by the coven."

You blink. "A double doctorate?"

Merlin nods. "Younger than me, even." She says. "Her talent wasn't specified in her papers though, and she's civilian, which in Japan means she's probably pretty weak."

"How much will that matter?" You ask.

"For this, not at all." Merlin responds. "If she was going to be flying, it might be a problem, but she was clear that they don't want her doing that at all. She's not flight status at all, and won't be. She might not even get an MIU implant."

[] If she's not flight, why would she anyway?
[] I'm surprised she's not military. She sounds like they'd have loved her at one of their black sites.

>>4370629
>[X] I'm surprised she's not military. She sounds like they'd have loved her at one of their black sites.

>>4370629
>[x] I'm surprised she's not military. She sounds like they'd have loved her at one of their black sites.

>>4370629
>[] I'm surprised she's not military. She sounds like they'd have loved her at one of their black sites.

>>4370629
>[x] I'm surprised she's not military. She sounds like they'd have loved her at one of their black sites.

>>4370629
>[] I'm surprised she's not military. She sounds like they'd have loved her at one of their black sites.

ok, votes called! this'll probably be the last update for the evening, how do you gents like the shorter updates on a faster cycle?

>>4370540
>"The old practice of being every horny teenager's god?"

TBF can you blame Frank? Kind of feel bad for him.

Also i think he still has a cult in california somewhere right?

>>4370691
Works fine for me. Feels like we're actually getting things done this way.

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[x] I'm surprised she's not military. She sounds like they'd have loved her at one of their black sites.

"I'm surprised she's not military. She sounds like they'd have loved her at one of their black sites." You observe.

Merlin nods. "They would have. She's probably going to end up working on one anyway, either one of their holdings in Micronesia or one of their bases up in the Kurils. Mitsubishi works very closely with their government."

"They'd have to, for this, though." You point out. "Right?"

She hesitates, but eventually nods. "The wyvern is a very odd case where it is really necessary." She admits. "Most of my crew have to have high clearances and we all put up with a lot of intrusion into our personal lives. I expect she will too."

"So how long is she here?"

"I don't know." Merlin responds. "She's here to see how we do it, how closely we operate with the crews and that kind of thing, but I'm not a very good example anymore because I'm active duty again. She's here to learn about startup and support, not how to manage a combat team."

"And learn the tech, right?"

Merlin nods. "That too." She says. "Which is the one thing we'll really be able to help with, especially after we can cycle back to the home islands or US for comprehensive work."

"Are we getting overdue?" You ask.

"Not yet." She says. "But I like to keep on top of it. Especially if you're wanting to reinstall your ECM suite, and we've got a round of prototypes coming off the lines at vought that should be available to the fleet for testing in about a week."

"Anything interesting?" You ask.

"A few things." She nods. "But I think they're just about done walking around the fighter. We can wait to talk about it."

You nod. "What's the plan?"

"I'm going to make sure she gets herself settled in and how to find me if she needs to." She says. "You're going to take Kyou back to your cabin and make sure she eats and you all get some rest."

[] You're putting us on crew rest this early?
[] Can do. Are you going to come up to eat with us?

And that's going to be it for the night!

Just as a reminder, we've got a discord server now! I'm in there available most of the afternoon and of course over the weekends, unless I've got something going on here. I'm still plenty happy to field any questions or comments in the thread, though!

Anyway gents, that's all for tonight, so till tomorrow, cheers!

>>4370762
>[x] Can do. Are you going to come up to eat with us?

>>4370766
Thanks for the run Ghost!

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>>4370762
>[X] Can do. Are you going to come up to eat with us?

>>4370766
Thanks for the run boss.

>>4370762
>[x] Can do. Are you going to come up to eat with us?

>>4370762
>[] Can do. Are you going to come up to eat with us?

>>4370762
>[] Can do. Are you going to come up to eat with us?

>>4370762
Now that she's demonstrated she's assembling a harem, we need to be *very* careful whenever Kyou says she wants to eat out.

>>4370762
>[] Can do. Are you going to come up to eat with us?

Ok, votes called!

>>4370977
Lewd

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[x] Can do. Are you going to come up to eat with us?

You nod. "Can do." You say. "Are you going to come up to eat with us?"

Merlin nods. "I plan to." She says, then smiles. "But you know how that can go."

"Don' be makin me come find ya for dinnah, non." You say, mock-threateningly as you let your accent show through. "I be carryin ya back like a sack of potatoes if ya do, oui."

Merlin blinks. "A s-sack of potatoes?" She asks.

"Oui." You confirm. "Over de shoulder."

"I- uh" she blushes and you grin at her, then shake your head and take a few steps away to join Kyou.

"As you can see, doctor, our aircraft is a triumph of magical and aerospace engineering." Kyou says, getting a nod out of the somewhat wide-eyed witch.

"Doctor, the Sho-sa and Lieutenant have a sortie soon, so they're going on crew rest." Merlin says, walking over, having recovered from your teasing. "I'll escort you back to your cabin."

"T-thank you, admiral." The younger witch says, bowing to Kyou, then to you. "It is an honor to be working with you." She says, and Kyou smiles at her.

"We're glad you're here, doctor." Kyou responds. "And look forward to working with you."

She pivots after the statement, walking away from the parked fighter, and you almost- almost- have to visibly hustle to keep up. That was probably on purpose, you think- public image, that sort of thing. "She is incredibly intelligent." Kyou says, once you're out of earshot. "I cannot imagine how she evaded national service, I'm sure the internal research teams would have moved the heavens to get their hands on her."

You nod. "Double doctorate?"

"Aerospace and software engineering." Kyou says, nodding. "But she's got degrees and accolades from at least four more disciplines."

You smile. "More than Merlin, then." You say- technically, your 'aunt' has a half-dozen doctorates of her own, but most of them are honorary- and while she's got multiple master's degrees in about anything related to the wyvern itself, she's only got a doctorate in aerospace engineering. And even then, that's arguable- her thesis was her wartime work on the first wyvern, for example. You've heard it argued that no one would have dared to fail her out after the war anyway- she was already being hailed as a genius beyond compare by the mid 90s, when you were still too young to remember. Maman made sure you saw the newspaper articles, though.

"If she has a flaw," Kyou continues, "It's that she's timid, scared of being this close to Merlin and myself. It must be quite intimidating, to work directly with an imperial princess and the mother of modern air combat."

[] Sounds like she's just adjusting.
[] Sounds like she's been a bookworm too long.

>>4372312
>[X] Sounds like she's just adjusting.

>>4372312
>[x] Sounds like she's just adjusting.

She probably *is* hella bookworm too, but this shit would be intimidating for anyone.

Especially if Kyou's radiating her omnivore horny energy constantly.

>>4372312
>[x] Sounds like she's been a bookworm too long.

>>4372312
>[] Sounds like she's just adjusting.

>>4372312
>[] Sounds like she's just adjusting.

DO NOT TERRORIZE TINY NERD

ok, votes called!

Just a heads up gents, there's a really active lightning storm headed my way, dropping tons of CG right now. Probably a bit of a delay here for the next post, and if it doesn't go up I probably lost power or internet.

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[x] Sounds like she's just adjusting.

You shrug. "Sounds like she's just adjusting."

"It is a rather significant change, isn't it? Going from the home islands to a carrier in a war zone?"

You nod. "I don't even think it's sunk in for her she's in a war zone." You point out- the possibility the ship could be targeted by a Chinese missile or torpedo at any minute isn't ever entirely out of your mind.

"She reminds me of Merlin in many ways." Kyou remarks. "She was far less timid while talking about or examining items on Muninn. I may consider attempting to forge a personal connection with her, she could be a very valuable ally later."

You frown. "One thing at a time."

"Of course." She agrees. "And we'll be far too busy integrating my new imperial guard with ourselves for me to worry about that sort of thing."

"How much of a problem is that going to be?" You ask- you've got a bunch of vague fears on the subject, but you know you're largely operating in the dark.

Kyou frowns, thinking. "It may be that we're worried over nothing, and the witch we end up flying with fits in with us as effortlessly as Wendy has." She says. "It's also possible that we'll end up with a political appointee that sees herself as superior to yourself and Wendy, and causes a great deal of friction."

"We'll have our veto." You say, and she nods.

"Of course, but we can't simply refuse every witch they send us." Kyou responds. "Ideally we'd be allowed to select from any willing witch in Japan, but that's too much to hope for, I fear. More likely we'll have a very limited list of acceptable candidate witches that also meet the requirements of the three pillars of the government."

"I assume that you're planning for that."

She smiles. "Of course." She says. "Without merely leaning on the MIU, the easiest thing would be to make sure she begins to feel more loyalty to us than to whoever her masters are higher in government."

"Any way we can influence the list?" You ask. "Other than final selection, I mean."

Kyou nods. "Of course. My mother will doubtlessly be involved with the process." She says. "Nominally, as both a former imperial guard witch and my father's wife, she's the head of the entire protective detail for our family. I can contact her."

She pauses, then turns to look at you. "Of course, I am sure your mother could similarly be helpful. Her ability to get information could prove priceless to us."

[] Natalya's in Japan, too, remember.
[] I'll contact her and ask her to keep her eyes open.

>>4372450
>[X] I'll contact her and ask her to keep her eyes open.

>>4372450
>[x] I'll contact her and ask her to keep her eyes open.

>>4372450
>[x] Natalya's in Japan, too, remember.

>>4372450
>[X] I'll contact her and ask her to keep her eyes open.

>>4372450
>[X] I'll contact her and ask her to keep her eyes open.

ok, votes called!

it's getting pretty late, so this'll probably be the last for the week!

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[x] I'll contact her and ask her to keep her eyes open.

"I'll contact her and ask her to keep her eyes open." You say.

Kyou smiles. "Excellent." She says, then smiles. "It's a shame your family is as it is. I am sure Hohiro would love to have access to the same talents through Cass as I do through you."

You shrug. "He's got the Bishop side to deal with." You say. "And the quints can be a pretty powerful force in their own right."

"I imagine so." Kyou says. "Still, I find myself wondering how I was so lucky ass to find myself with someone with so many talents."

You shrug- you're not exactly comfortable talking yourself up, and prefer to let things speak for themselves.

Kyou smiles again, but doesn't say anything more as you walk through the ship. Eventually the two of you step into the imperial cabins, which are dark, and Wendy's door is closed- clearly, the older witch is taking the nap she'd claimed to need. Kyou glances towards the door and frowns slightly.

"I'd hoped that she wouldn't be napping." She admits, crossing the room to the small galley and getting down the teapot and filling it with water before setting it on the stove. "With a member of the imperial guard and Cass both arriving, things will be quite crowded."

"The guard will be in here as well?" You ask.

"She could be." Kyou says. "A highly enough placed close protection guard can effectively claim access to their charge at all hours, for any reason. In effect she could demand and receive a room and there's little we could do to prevent it."

"But?" You prompt.

"But doing so would be extremely poorly received." She continues. "Even in the imperial palace, the guards are housed in the barracks on the grounds, rather than in the palace."

"So you're thinking of her staying in a different cabin?"

Kyou nods. "Perhaps with the doctor." She says with a smile. "Perhaps we can move them both in, in time."

You scowl at her, and she laughs.

"One thing at a time, I know." She says. "but one must plan for the future, yes?"

You nod- though in your case you're starting to think a future with a muzzle wouldn't be out of order for a specific wolf-witch in the room.

And that's going to be it for the week!

Sorry about the delays today, we've been getting little cells passing through all evening, and some of them are dropping a lot of lightning pretty close by. There's another rolling by now, as a matter of fact, but it's much less active than the last ones were.

Anyway, as usual, I'll be around all weekend for anyone interested in asking any questions or comments, and of course I'm on IRC and in the discord as well. Otherwise gents, till next week, cheers!

>>4372572
Thanks for the run Ghost!

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>>4372572
Thanks for the run boss.

>>4372572
Thanks for running.

>>4372570
>clearly, the older witch is taking the nap she'd claimed to need.

Either that or she's having a panic attack over moving into the threesome bed

>>4372572
Thanks for the run!

>>4372570
>you're starting to think a future with a muzzle wouldn't be out of order for a specific wolf-witch in the room.
>implying Kyou wouldn't be into it
>implying it wouldn't just result in her being even more horny
You can't win this one, boy. She's the wolf princess for a reason.

>>4372570
>"Perhaps with the doctor." She says with a smile. "Perhaps we can move them both in, in time."

Clear your plate first, greedy-guts.

>>4373046
>>4375286
It's a funny change of pace. Usually it's the Quest's MC who's a harem-building horndog.

This time the MC is the voice of reason having to restrain... the waifu.

Hey gents, something's come up and I'm going to have to postpone a day. We'll be running wed-fri this week! Sorry!

>>4379639
no worries

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Ok! Sorry about the delayed start this week, and the late start today gents. I think my computer monitor is dying- it keeps blacking out on me for a second or two every so often.

As for news: I have the rest of this week (Tomorrow, really, Thursday 30 July and then next week in class. 6 Aug is my last day this semester- and then next semester starts the 17th. That said, there's rumors next semester is gonna be weird like this one, with a mando online component. I'll keep you gents informed as best I can, but right now no one seems to know much. Typical, right? haha!

===================================

It's all very futuristic, you think, sitting around the display table with Kyou and Wendy while Muninn and Tessa both project their avatars to their tanks- helping with weapons selection for your upcoming flight. It's also more than a bit disorienting. Here you are, you think, sipping from a can of coke and in very casual wear, trying to decide what weapons you'll have uploaded to your fighter. It feels somewhat dystopian, honestly- you should be doing this in an office or something, it feels like. Then again, it also plays exactly to Merlin's preferences that combat aircrew should be like family.

"I still favor missiles." Kyou says. "With Y racks fit to our wing hardpoints, we can carry eight more shortrange systems, and four more medium or long range weapons without sacrificing immediate use of the FAST packs, and we can add an additional four short range and two long range weapons if we use them first."

"With everything loaded for maximum capacity, we can carry sixty four missiles." Muninn notes. "Twenty four in the VLS, another eight in the FAST packs, plus eighteen on the pylons and twelve in our centerline bays."

"What would our weapons mix be?" Kyou asks. "Were we to go for maximum load."

"VLS it won't matter, but the FAST packs can only carry eight shortrange missiles, so that's sixteen pythons. The Y-racks would be another twelve pythons plus six AAM-4s, and then the centerline bays can be whatever you want." He responds. "I'd argue go for AAM-4s in the centerline bays and then Pythons in the VLS, since knife fighting favors us."

"Nominally." Tessa says, getting an annoyed glance from the other AI. "I'd much rather suggest the EML again. It's onboard power supply is enough for ten firings, and it provides much greater single target damage potential than any other weapon available to us."

"Which won't be necessary against aircraft or witches." Muninn responds. "Our guns are more than enough for any known shield in the world, barring Kyou's and potentially that of another superwitch. And the Chinese don't have any."

"That anyone is aware of." Tessa says.

1/2

"Regardless." Kyou says, interrupting the two AIs. "Wendy?"

Wendy shakes her head. "I'm not sure, mum." She says, pulling her legs up on the couch. "Muninn has a point, of course, in that if they intend to contest the landings, we should expect them to do so with as much force as possible. However, Tessa is correct in pointing out than an EML may be quite useful should we encounter anything unexpected. And I'd also like to add that this may be an excellent time to use the ECM pods, as we can expect most of their air defense systems to take an interest in us. It's almost a shame our help was taken back by the navy."

"There's always the offered help." Muninn says. "I've already received four service record jackets and psych evals from potential imperial guard witches."

Kyou blinks. "Are they even attempting to disguise their eagerness?" She asks.

"Forwarded from imperial general headquarters." Muninn responds.

"Shall we look at them?" Wendy asks. "I'm eager to learn who we'll be flying with."

"We won't be flying with them this sortie anyway." Kyou says. "Let's get weapon load done first. Morgan, what do you think? EML or Missiles?"

[] EML. Tessa's right, the additional punch might be useful.
[] Missiles. Muninn's right, we're going to be dealing with a lot of targets up there.

>>4380848
>[X] Missiles. Muninn's right, we're going to be dealing with a lot of targets up there.

>>4380848
>[] Missiles. Muninn's right, we're going to be dealing with a lot of targets up there.

Normally, in all about the gun, but we *were* asked to deal with The Air (tm)

>>4380848
>Missiles. Muninn's right, we're going to be dealing with a lot of targets up there.

>>4380848
>[X] EML. Tessa's right, the additional punch might be useful.

I feel keeping this for anything that might How up is useful. Especially if the enemy are anticipating this attack and maybe prepared a suprise. I might just be wrong though.

>>4380848
>[] EML. Tessa's right, the additional punch might be useful.
even with the EML we've still got like 40 odd missiles

>>4380848
>[x] Missiles. Muninn's right, we're going to be dealing with a lot of targets up there.

Honestly i'd go for the gun in any other plane.

But in the Wyvern we have magically-boosted 40mm cannon which are pretty fucking bullshit by default.

ok, votes called!

hey gents, getting some sort of internet weirdness here, something broke somewhere and now a bunch of sites are being unreachable or broken. gonna try to get out at least one more update, but if I don't, you know why, haha!

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[x] Missiles. Muninn's right, we're going to be dealing with a lot of targets up there.

"Missiles." You say, after thinking for a moment. "Muninn's right, we're going to be dealing with a lot of targets up there."

Kyou nods, agreeing. "In the event we encounter another engineered witch, we should still be able to defeat her without difficulty. We have a significant firepower advantage with our cannon alone, the EML is unnecessary."

Tessa nods, as does Wendy. "Very well." Tessa says, sniffing slightly- a sign she doesn't agree, but won't argue.

"What other aircraft will be operating in the area?" Wendy asks, suddenly.

"All the available Wyvern teams in the region have been tasked to the landing operations, as well as the entirety of the embarked marine lightning squadron and the MEF's own Cobra attack helicopters. The air force will be providing four B-1R lancers from the first bombardment squadron, missile and two B-1W from the sixteenth special operations squadron, composite." Muninn says.

"It's a rather sizable force." Wendy remarks, looking at the displayed list. "I'm surprised there's so few air force elements listed though."

You shrug. "Most of them are probably committed in the south." You say. "or down in the SCS. Or still trying to get themselves moved to forward basing."

"Not everyone can operate off a mobile airbase as we can." Kyou observes with a smile. "And most of the joint bases are already no doubt very crowded, and I can't imagine the air forces having room at any forward or western base for American elements right now."

Wendy nods. "It does seem everyone wants at the front as quickly as possible." She says. " I rather imagine crowding is to be expected."

You blink, shooting a sideways glance at Kyou- and catching her doing the same at you.

"I'm rather surprised I've been left to have my room to myself as long as I have." Wendy continues. "It's furnished with another bed, as is Miss Wells', I imagine."

Kyou nods. "Both cabins are designed for two, though we'd prefer not to do that if at all possible." She says.

Wendy smiles. "Oh, it's no trouble!" She says. "I'm grateful, but I'm quite willing to share the room. It's rather more luxury than I've had aboard ship before."

"We do need to discuss that, but not quite yet." Kyou says, getting a blink out of Wendy. "Hohiro and Cassiopeia intend to have her occupy a berth in the imperial cabins, and they are well within their right to do so."

Wendy smiles. "Oh, that's not any trouble at all!" She says, laughing. "It would be rather interesting sharing a room with her."

1/2

"Weapons first." You say. "Then sleeping arrangements."

"Quite right." Wendy says, blinking. "Thank you, I was dragging miss Kyou quite off track."

"Given the nature of the mission, I suggest favoring primarily longer-ranged weapons." Tessa offers. "Perhaps three to one in favor of them."

Muninn shakes his head, disagreeing. "Load the VLS with Pythons, and then use the bays and FAST packs for AAM-4s" He says. "Pythons are dogfighting missiles, the VLS means they have a full three sixty engagement envelope."

"Yes, but loaded with ESSMs or SM-2s, they provide unmatched range and engagement capability." Tessa points out. "And for interdiction range is preferable."

"Maybe without inertialess flight." Muninn counters. "With Kyou powering us, we've got a range of options that favors dogfighting over traditional BVR engagement."

Tessa sniffs again.

[] We'll use the 3 to 1 split in favor of longer range weapons. ESSMs or SM-2s in the VLS, Pythons only in the FAST packs and on the wing pylons. (24 ESSM, 28 Python, 18 AAM-4)
[] We'll favor a more even split of ranged weapons and dogfighting weapons. Pythons in 2 of the VLS cells, but what Tessa suggested otherwise. (16 ESSM, 36 Python, 18 AAM-4)
[] Muninn's close, but I'd still like some long range options. We'll load 4 cells with Pythons. (8 ESSM, 44 Python, 18 AAM-4)
[] Muninn's right, we'll want mostly shorter range systems here for maximum possible load. (52 Python, 18 AAM-4)
[] I don't really like any of that, let's see if we can't do better.

>>4381026
>[] Muninn's close, but I'd still like some long range options. We'll load 4 cells with Pythons. (8 ESSM, 44 Python, 18 AAM-4)

Posting totally weirded out for me there for about an hour, hour and a half or so gents, IDK what happened, but I'm really sorry about that delay. We'll run a make-up day if we need to to cover for it.

But that's all for the evening, I have to be up in the morning, haha. As usual, if there's any comments or questions, I'll do my best to answer them, and if that's not quite what you're after, I'm also on the discord... when discord is working, haha. Really weird outages this evening! But, either way, that's all for tonight, so till tomorrow gents, cheers!

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>>4381026
>[X] Muninn's close, but I'd still like some long range options. We'll load 4 cells with Pythons. (8 ESSM, 44 Python, 18 AAM-4)

>>4381032
Thanks for the run boss.

>>4381026
>[x] Muninn's close, but I'd still like some long range options. We'll load 4 cells with Pythons. (8 ESSM, 44 Python, 18 AAM-4)

>>4381026
>[x] Muninn's close, but I'd still like some long range options. We'll load 4 cells with Pythons. (8 ESSM, 44 Python, 18 AAM-4)

>>4381032
Thanks for the run.

>>4381026
>[] Muninn's close, but I'd still like some long range options. We'll load 4 cells with Pythons. (8 ESSM, 44 Python, 18 AAM-4)

thanks for running

>>4381026
>[] Muninn's close, but I'd still like some long range options. We'll load 4 cells with Pythons. (8 ESSM, 44 Python, 18 AAM-4)

>>4381026
>[] Muninn's close, but I'd still like some long range options. We'll load 4 cells with Pythons. (8 ESSM, 44 Python, 18 AAM-4)

Smart Bird-Son is Smart

>>4381026
>[x] We'll favor a more even split of ranged weapons and dogfighting weapons. Pythons in 2 of the VLS cells, but what Tessa suggested otherwise. (16 ESSM, 36 Python, 18 AAM-4)

>>4381032
Thanks for the run Ghost!

Ok gents, gonna grab dinner and then we can get going! Also I know our start times have been slipping further and further back, I'm going to go back to shooting for 1800 EST starting next week.

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[x] Muninn's close, but I'd still like some long range options. We'll load 4 cells with Pythons. (8 ESSM, 44 Python, 18 AAM-4)

You frown, looking at the displayed loads. Munnin has a good point in that the most effective place to mount pythons is going to be the VLS cells- generally, in counter-witch shots, you want as much energy available as possible in the missile, and not having to execute a 180 degree turn after launch will save a lot of the motor's energy for evasive maneuvers or tracking. Normally, you know, that would mean that using longer-ranged weapons at closer ranges would be ideal, but in this case not as much- most modern dogfighting missiles are also more armored and capable of evasive maneuvering to avoid counterfire.

"Muninn's close, but I'd still like some long range options." You say. "We'll load 4 cells with Pythons, the other two with SM-2s or ESSMs."

"ESSMs are all they have aboard." Muninn says. "SM-2MRs would have to be flown in from a land depot, and wouldn't be here in time."

You nod, happy enough with the ESSMs. The design, originally a slightly modified AIM-7 Sparrow, has grown considerably since the loss of it's air launch platforms, and the version you have now owes about as much to it's fifty year old predecessor as Muninn owes to a Phantom jet- that is to say, not much besides the basic philosophy.

"That's still seventy missiles." Kyou notes, looking at the list. "Plus the on demand weapons provided by the US air force's Lancers and any support, should we need it."

Wendy nods. "It's rather impressive." She agrees. "Though I am concerned about the possibility of ground threats."

"There's a dedicated SEAD team flying in the target area as well, mum." Tessa notes. "The same responsible for destruction of most of the assets we identified in our attack earlier."

"Still, I'm not sure I'm comfortable with that being left to another wyvern team." Wendy notes. "Especially with how vulnerable we are without your usual ECM equipment."

1/2

Kyou shrugs. "There's very little they have that can seriously threaten me." She says, somewhat dismissively. "And I'm not comfortable losing air to air munitions for ground targets given our tasking."

"We are supposed to provide initial landing support as necessary." Muninn says. "But with mixed metal penetrators loaded in two of our magazines we can destroy most ground threats, including any MBTs we see."

"I might point out that the EML is a multithreat weapon system." Tessa offers.

Kyou shakes her head. "I'd rather not change to using it now." She says. "It's power is excellent, but it's more likely we'll want the extended range of missiles to destroy fleeing communists."

"And what about witches?" Wendy asks.

Kyou shakes her head again- though much more dismissively this time. "I have little worry about them. Our cannons and missiles should be more than enough."

She's overconfident, but, you know, not without good reason. Still, there is an argument to be made- not many witches can defeat a railgun slug like Kyou can.

[] Tessa has a point, we'll mount the EML in the centerline bays.
[] Kyou's right, we'll keep the loading as it stands.
[] Wendy has a point, let's load SDBs in one bay, that should be more than enough air-to-ground.

>>4381996
>[X] Kyou's right, we'll keep the loading as it stands.

>>4381996
Wendy mentioned the ECM pods a bit earlier? Are they still on the table?

>>4382050

Yes. They'd replace 4 wing mounted hard points if you wanted to make the swap. You'd lose 8 Pythons and 4 AAM-4s

>>4382056
oof. That's a bit much. Nevermind that then.

>>4381996
>[x] Kyou's right, we'll keep the loading as it stands.

Much as i'm halfway expecting a Dreadnought to show up and ruin everyone's day, having to Ace Combat the entire PLAAF is going to require maximum missile count.

>>4381996
>[] Kyou's right, we'll keep the loading as it stands.

We can cut Tessa an 'I Told You So' card later if she's right

I know this is where I'd typically call the vote (a little past, actually), but I'm going to leave it up another ten or so minutes for people to jump in if they're not really actively monitoring the thread or anything.

Bit of a slow run today, I suspect last night and the late start today didn't help, haha! Sorry gents.

>>4381996
>[] Kyou's right, we'll keep the loading as it stands.

ok, votes called!

>>4381996
>[x] Tessa has a point, we'll mount the EML in the centerline bays.

This is getting pushed hard enough that i'm worried now.

>>4381996
>[x] Tessa has a point, we'll mount the EML in the centerline bays.

>>4381996
>[X] Kyou's right, we'll keep the loading as it stands.

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[x] Kyou's right, we'll keep the loading as it stands.
You think about it for a minute before shaking your head. "Kyou's right, we'll keep the loading as it stands." You say.

Kyou smiles, while Wendy simply nods and the AIs don't show a reaction- of course Tessa's probably a little unhappy about being overridden both times, but you doubt she'll say anything to you about it.

"I'll forward the loading list to Kaga." Muninn says, 'gathering up' a small stack of 'papers' with his avatar- purely for show, of course, but it helps reinforce Tessa's show of 'tidying up' the display table, dismissing unnecessary windows and paring it down to the simple display Kyou has it idle on- webcam feed of Kumamoto castle, taken from somewhere in the town.

There's a moment of silence, then Kyou stands, padding over to the refrigerator and pulling out two bottles of water, handing one to you as she returns to her seat, scooting herself marginally closer as she sits. "It is amazing how quickly AIs are able to make that process." She remarks. "In training, we would often spend hours planning a load for a fighter, and then more time completing the necessary paperwork."

Wendy smiles. "During the war it was much more simple and informal as well. I don't recall Sir Frank ever having to file much paperwork."

"Probably because Merlin did it for him." You say, frowning.

Kyou laughs. "Your father has a bit of a reputation as a lovable, if somewhat thick-headed man." She says. "It is well you don't seem to take after him much in that regard."

[] I grew up with Maman too much for that.
[] Dad's gotten lucky more often than he wants to admit.

>>4382151
>[X] I grew up with Maman too much for that.

>>4382151
>[X] I grew up with Maman too much for that.

>>4382151
>[x] I grew up with Maman too much for that.

>>4382151
>[x] Dad's gotten lucky more often than he wants to admit.

>>4382151
>[X] Dad's gotten lucky more often than he wants to admit.

Ok, votes called!

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[x] I grew up with Maman too much for that.

"I grew up with maman too much for that." You say. "And that's about how she feels about him, too. Good heart, excellent fighter pilot. Not the smartest person ever."

Wendy smiles. "That does seem to be a fairly common impression." She says.

"Yours differs?" Kyou asks, and the older witch nods.

"He was incredibly perceptive to my difficulties, at least." She explains. "I suspect that had it been another pilot, or had Tabitha herself been sent back to Annapolis, that I'd not be here today. I'll forever treasure the time I had with spellcaster, and though it seems terrible to say, I've always felt it was over rather too soon for my liking."

"That's because Tabitha was negligent in her duties to you." Kyou says, not quite keeping the evident disdain she feels out of her voice. "When she accepted your services from the crown in perpetuity, that also carried a duty to see to your wellbeing."

"Oh, she did her best." Wendy says, shaking her head. "It would have been rather much, I suspect. Even had I merely stayed on as a housekeeper, and the arrangement I had with the Styles' was quite comfortable, though I should say this is quite the step up from even that."

Kyou nods. "Of course." She says. "Morgan and I intend to make sure we do not make the same mistakes as they did."

Wendy blinks at the statement- and blushes very, very faintly.

"Regardless." Kyou says, moving on. "That does lead us back to the arrangements with Cassiopeia. I'd prefer to not make you share your sleeping quarters with her. Two people is crowded for those cabins, Akemi and I used to share them occasionally."

"Oh, it's no bother at all!" Wendy says, kind of quickly. "I imagine it will be rather pleasant to have the company, and Cassiopeia and her sisters have always been a joy to be around."

"Morgan and I had considered if you would prefer to move your things into our cabin." Kyou says, continuing as the older witch's eyes get wide and she turns bright red. "We had planned to approach you on the subject when we returned to the home islands, but my brother's insistence on Cassiopeia taking a cabin here has changed that."

"I- that is- I - " Wendy stammers for a second. "I-in with y-you?"

Kyou nods, then stands. "Perhaps it would be best if we left you to consider the offer?" She says, looking over at you.

"I-I think I should like to think on it, some, y-yes." Wendy agrees. "I-if I may?"

"Would you prefer we left?" Kyou asks, and the older witch shakes her head.

"I rather think I need some fresh air." She says, standing suddenly. She steps into her cabin only briefly to put on a pair of slip-on shoes and PT shorts, then steps out into the passageway.

Kyou frowns. "Not the result I had hoped for." She says.

[] That was far too direct. I'll go get her.
[] I'll go talk to her in ten minutes, after she's had a chance to calm down some.

And that's going to be it for the night! I'd hoped to get one more in, but I'm kinda falling asleep at my desk, haha! At least there were no internet issues tonight!

Anyway gents, that's it for the evening, and with as tired as I am, I probably won't be on but a couple more minutes, so any questions or anything will have to wait till the morning. But, either way, till tomorrow gents, cheers!

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>>4382304
>[X] I'll go talk to her in ten minutes, after she's had a chance to calm down some.

>>4382306
Thanks for the run boss.

>>4382304
>[] I'll go talk to her in ten minutes, after she's had a chance to calm down some.

>>4382304
[] I'll go talk to her in ten minutes, after she's had a chance to calm down some.

>>4382304
>[x] I'll go talk to her in ten minutes, after she's had a chance to calm down some.

>put on a pair of slip-on shoes and PT shorts
Wait, is everyone just here lounging about in their underwear?

>>4382304
>[X] I'll go talk to her in ten minutes, after she's had a chance to calm down some.

>>4382318
>Wait, is everyone just here lounging about in their underwear?

Witches dude.

>>4382304
>[X] I'll go talk to her in ten minutes, after she's had a chance to calm down some.

>>4382318
Morgan isn't. How's it feel to be the responsible one in the room?

>>4382446
Weird as hell

>>4382318

For wyvern witches especially, that's basically normal. It's not really practical for them to wear the flight suit at all times, and so while they're on ship most of them wear the minimum amount of clothing they're comfortable in- that way, if they're scrambled, they can change quickly.

Worth remembering that most witch's duty uniform doesn't include pants for reasons both practical and traditional at this point.

>>4382318
I mean, dude, Strike Witches.

>>4382304
>[] I'll go talk to her in ten minutes, after she's had a chance to calm down some.

With a side of "Calm down, thirst princess"

ok gents, votes called! Could be a short run, depending on choices here, we'll see what happens! Could also extend into a make up day, haha!

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[x] I'll go talk to her in ten minutes, after she's had a chance to calm down some.

You shake your head- had you known what Kyou was planning, you'd have recommended a bit more patience. "I'll go talk to her in ten minutes, after she's had a chance to calm down some." You say, gesturing for Kyou to sit back down. "That was too aggressive."

She nods. "I believe so, yes." She admits. "I had known she wasn't likely to throw herself at the opportunity, but I had assumed that it wouldn't be as overwhelming as it was, based on our talks."

You shrug. "Wendy's always been a bit sheltered." you say- yet another bit of wisdom gleaned from maman. Wendy was probably, honestly, far too sheltered postwar- treated almost like a young teenager more than the adult she was. The Styles twins were, afterall, incredibly protective of her, and while that no doubt kept her from any real heartache, it also prevented any sort of long-term, significant relationships.

She'd probably have talked around that point with Kyou, though- embarrassed to admit it. Of course, the link would have probably clued Kyou into something being wrong- or at least about Wendy's uneasy relationship with anything more serious than friendship.

Kyou shakes her head. "Had I know it would cause this much distress, I'd have held my tongue." She says. "Do you imagine she'll prefer to move her things out, now?"

You shake your head. "Too late for that." You say. "MIU."

Kyou nods, looking a little relieved. "True. Still, I feel as if I've made a major error."

You're not sure, to be honest- frankly, while it was much more direct and bluntly stated than you'd have ever dared, Wendy's reaction is probably more because she's overwhelmed than anything else- to call Kyou's offer a major step in her personal life is a fairly sizable understatement.

[] Maybe, but it shouldn't hurt us long-term.
[] I don't think so. I think you just offered her something she's been wanting longer than we've been alive.
[] Probably, but I'll talk with her and see if we can't smooth things over. I don't think she'll hold it against you.

>>4383068
>[X] Maybe, but it shouldn't hurt us long-term.

>>4383068
>Maybe, but it shouldn't hurt us long-term.

>>4383068
>[] I don't think so. I think you just offered her something she's been wanting longer than we've been alive.

Silly Awoo doesn't understand her own strength

>>4383068
>[x] I don't think so. I think you just offered her something she's been wanting longer than we've been alive.

>>4383068
>[x] I don't think so. I think you just offered her something she's been wanting longer than we've been alive.

Albeit in a somewhat unconventional format

Ok, votes called!

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[x] I don't think so. I think you just offered her something she's been wanting longer than we've been alive.

You shake your head. "I don't think so." You say.

"How so?" Kyou asks. "You saw her reaction."

You nod. "I did. I think you just offered her something she's been wanting longer than we've been alive."

Kyou blinks. "Surely you don't mean.."

You shrug. "According to everything I've heard." You say.

"She's never had a lover?" Kyou asks. "I find that incredibly difficult to believe. Were it not you saying it, I'd accuse the person telling me of lying."

"As far as anyone knows." You confirm.

"She had avoided the subject during our talks, only referring to difficulties in having a significant other with her lifestyle." Kyou muses.

You nod. "Among other things." You say- leaving out that Maman's impression has always been she wanted to be with Frank, and ending up outside the Bishop house hurt her. You're not sure you buy that or not- You could see it, sure, but you're not sold on that having been what actually happened, either. Simple fact is, it's hard to tell, and Wendy is kind of a closed book to most people. Less so now to you, of course.

"Regardless. Take what time you need to talk with her." Kyou says. "I understand it may take some time. Just be mindful of our obligations and restrictions."

"She'll be back for crew rest." You say, standing up and pulling on a pair of shoes. Kyou nods as you step out into the passageway.

Knowing Wendy, she probably headed somewhere away from anyone who'd bother her- out on the aft deck, in the very back of the hangar, or near the aircraft elevators, on the catwalk, maybe. You doubt she'd head anywhere else- possibly off to find Merlin, but there's no telling where your aunt will have gotten to.

[] Look down on the hangar deck. She's probably somewhere there.
[] Head up onto the observation platforms on the island- she might be on one of them.

>>4383170
>[X] Head up onto the observation platforms on the island- she might be on one of them.

>>4383170
>[] Head up onto the observation platforms on the island- she might be on one of them.

>>4383170
>[] Head up onto the observation platforms on the island- she might be on one of them.

>>4383170
>[X] Head up onto the observation platforms on the island- she might be on one of them.

>>4383170
>[x] Look down on the hangar deck. She's probably somewhere there.

ok, votes called!

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[x] Head up onto the observation platforms on the island- she might be on one of them.

You decide to head up to the observation platforms- they're mostly abandoned now, with even the binocular-equipped lookouts having been discontinued as a waste of crew's time. It takes a while, but eventually you find her, bent to support herself on the rail, looking out over the evening sea.

You clear your throat as you walk up, thanking the various gods you've been exposed to that it's a relatively quiet period on the flight deck as you do. She looks over at you, and starts a little when she sees it's you. "S-sir Morgan." She says. "I didn't hear you coming up."

You shake your head. "No reason you should have." You say, taking a place on the deck close enough to talk, but still far enough away so as to not be crowding her. "You ok?"

She sighs, then nods. "I'm sorry for leaving so suddenly, it's just-" she shakes her head. "It's rather overwhelming to have such a thing put so bluntly."

You nod. "Fair enough." You say.

"And it's not as if I'm not quite aware of how wonderful the offer is." She says. "I've never been comfortable discussing that sort of thing of course, but-" She cuts herself off again, and frowns. "I realize how silly this must all sound. To go from my situation prior to my return to service and this would be a dream come true for most anyone."

[] But not you?
[] It was an offer, Wendy. Not an order.

>>4383230
>[X] It was an offer, Wendy. Not an order.

>>4383230
>[x] But not you?

>>4383230
>[x] It was an offer, Wendy. Not an order.

>>4383230
>[] But not you?

>>4383230
>[X] But not you?
>[X] It was an offer, Wendy. Not an order.

I want both but with not an order placed first in the conversation.

alright, votes called!

This'll be the last for the night, so we'll be doing a short make up run tomorrow for the time we lost earlier in the week when my internet was being stupid!

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[x] It was an offer, Wendy. Not an order.

"It was an offer, Wendy." You say. "Not an order."

She laughs. "Of course it was. I rather doubt you'd have let even her order me into such a thing." She says. "or anyone else, for that matter. It's not that at all."

You stay quiet for a minute, letting her work out her words for herself- you find that prompting people along doesn't always mean they tell the truth, though you don't expect Wendy to lie, either.

Eventually she shakes her head again. "This should be the perfect fairy tale outcome, shouldn't it?" She asks, then laughs at herself again.

"But it's not for you?" You ask.

She frowns. "It's not that at all." She says. "It's just-" She cuts herself off again and shakes her head. "I'm not quite sure how I can explain it. I do very much wish I could accept her offer, but I feel as if I can't without making all the rumors about me true."

"Rumors?" You ask.

"Oh, they've not said them directly to me in years." Wendy explains. "But for a time there were rumors I was seeing your father behind the backs of everyone else, then that I was with the Styles twins and their husband. Or before that even- I was often accused of currying favor with my few friends in the RAF by spreading myself about." She sighs. "Of course, there's also the difficulty I'm afraid any involvement between myself and you may bring, and we both know that's not something that could be avoided." She pauses, blushing. "I feel should I accept, I may in fact look forward to that sort of entanglement."

"And that's what's stopping you?"

She pauses, then frowns and nods. "I believe so, yes."

You nod. It's understandable enough- looked at a certain way, she's probably been conditioned to think any sort of interest in the topic is enough to impinge what little dignity she thinks she has. And she has a point- if there were rumors, even totally false ones, about her being involved with your father, getting involved at all with you would certainly give people something else to talk about. Even without that, you suspect- Spellcaster as a whole was known to be close, and Wendy ending up with you and Kyou might not look good to the people that care about that kind of thing.

"So what do you want to do?" You ask.

1/2

She's quiet for long enough that even you start thinking about saying something else, before she shakes her head. "I'd love nothing more than to return to the imperial cabins and lock the doors." She says, blushing as she smiles. "But I rather doubt I could work up the courage to do so."

You frown. "So you'd prefer to be led back?" You ask.

She blushes again, but shakes her head. "I'd rather not give anyone any room to speak ill of you or Kyou." She says.

"As if they would." You state, flatly. She looks over at you, and you shrug. "You should hear Maman sometime. If anyone says anything about it, they're not going to do so where we ever find out about it."

"She's that protective?" Wendy asks.

You shake your head. "She's long held that life is too short to worry much about people being jealous." You say. "What can anyone say or do anyway? Kyou's an imperial princess with the full support of her family."

"And yourself?" Wendy asks.

You shrug. "I'm the only son of Frank Bishop and Brigitte Laroux. At this point I could act exactly like Kyou and half the matrons in the US would be cheering me on."

"And the other half rather approving anyway?" Wendy prompts, and you nod.

"Probably." You say.

"It's all a rather convincing argument." She says, eventually. "But I'm still not sure I want to make the decision."

[] Are you asking me to?
[] Sorry Wendy, you're going to have to call this one for yourself.

And that's it for the night!

Keep in mind tomorrow is just a make up run, so it will probably be kind of short, 2-3 posts max. I know since it's the weekend it'll be a bit slower, though, but hopefully you gents will be able to find time! If not, that's understandable too!

Anyway, that's all for the evening, so till tomorrow gents, cheers!

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>>4383328
>[X] Sorry Wendy, you're going to have to call this one for yourself.

>>4383332
Thanks for the run boss.

>>4383328
>[X] Are you asking me to?

>>4383328
>[] Are you asking me to?

>>4383328
>[] Are you asking me to?

With maximum Cajun seasoning

>>4383328
>[x] Are you asking me to?

>>4383332
Thanks for the run Ghost!

>>4383328
>[x] Are you asking me to?

As much as it really should be her decision, I'm starting to think she's had so many years of bad experiences she literally *can't* make that call without freaking out.

At which point I think it's genuinely better for her mental health if we make that call for her.

>>4383328

[] Sorry Wendy, you're going to have to call this one for yourself.

Making her decisions for her is not the way to start a relationship.

>>4383328
>[X] Sorry Wendy, you're going to have to call this one for yourself.

>>4383328
>[] Sorry Wendy, you're going to have to call this one for yourself.

>>4383328
>[x] Sorry Wendy, you're going to have to call this one for yourself.

Everything else would just be disrespectful.

>>4383328
>[X] Are you asking me to?

>>4383328
[] Are you asking me to?

>>4383328
>[] Are you asking me to?

BEHOLD, THE BOY CAN LEARN

>>4383328
>[x] Are you asking me to?

Ok, votes called! It's going to be a short run tonight gents, just a couple updates.

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[x] Are you asking me to?

"Are ya askin me ta make de decision for ya, den?" You ask, your accent coming to the fore.

"I'm rather not sure, put like that." She says. "I feel as if that's rather inconsiderate of me, given what exactly it is I'd be asking you to decide."

"Oui, it be a touch of a difficult spot." You agree. "Not dat I be mindin, non."

She laughs- it's light, and nervous, but it's a laugh. "I'd somewhat suspected you'd say that." She says. "I know I promised not to say this again, but I feel these are somewhat difficult circumstances. Why me?"

"You be knowin as well as I." You respond.

She nods, slowly. "I suspected as much." She says, then sighs. "And you're sure neither of you are worried about what they'll say?"

"What who's going to say, cher?" You ask, rhetorically. "Maman be askin me when she be expectin granbabies, an Dad do no be havin any room ta speak. Mah sistas just be askin when we be invitin in auntie Merlin, an no one else be battin an eye."

"And Kyou?" Wendy asks.

You shrug. "She don' seem worried non. Ya be axin me, she be de one drivin all dis."

Wendy looks thoughtful for a minute, then smiles. "Yes, I imagine so. She has been.." She trails off for a second. "Remarkably friendly."

"Is dat what we callin it now?" You ask, and she laughs again.

"True enough." She admits. "I suppose her suggestions to dress as I do now were not all from the most pure of intentions."

"Dey be pure, but dey do no be de kinda pure ya be tinkin of." You say, grinning.

"I suppose not." She says, laughing. "So am I to assume your decision for me is well enough made?"

You shrug. "Sounds ta me like you arrived at it on ya own."

"No one can ever accuse you of being anyone but Brigitte's son." She says, smiling and shaking her head. "I suppose it has."

You nod. "Now, de question is how we be wantin to approach Kyou wid dis. She be afraid she made a mistake, oui."

Wendy smiles, then shrugs. "I'm much happier taking orders rather than giving them, but if I may make a suggestion, perhaps we should go eat first?" She says. "I can wait another half hour, if you can."

[] Perfect. Shall we?
[] Not sure it's a good idea to keep her waiting that long.

>>4384208
>[X] Perfect. Shall we?

>>4384208
>[] Perfect. Shall we?

AWOO STEW

>>4384208
>[] Perfect. Shall we?

Kyou can stew a bit for jumping the gun.

>>4384208
>[x] Perfect. Shall we?
a fitting punishment. a little time out for our bad doggo

>>4384208
>[x] Perfect. Shall we?

>>4384208
>[] Perfect. Shall we?

FOOD

>>4384208
>[X] Perfect. Shall we?

ok, votes called!

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[x] Perfect. Shall we?

You smile. "Perfect." You say, smothering your accent again. "Shall we?"

Wendy nods, and you turn to head back into the island, traveling through the ship down to the officer's mess. She practically exudes nervous excitement- despite her claims of being able to wait another half hour, you're starting to wonder. Still, she's quiet as you get your food- the IJN prefers to have dedicated staff to serve the officers in the mess, so you have to wait only a short time before your afternoon meal is in front of you. The food isn't very traditional here- practicality outweighs most other concerns here, afterall- but bell peppers and beef on steamed white rice is plenty good enough in your opinion.

"Lady Kyou mentioned that you'd intended to wait until our return to the home islands after this stage of the campaign." Wendy says, and you nod. "If I might ask, why?"

"logistics." You respond. "Would have been easier to manage it while on the ground, more space for us to work things out and more privacy."

"Privacy?" She asks.

You nod. "We're not worried about anyone talking, but we'd prefer to announce things on our own terms." You respond. "But with Cass moving in and the IG fixated on getting one of their witches in with us..." You shrug. "Not happening."

"You don't think Cassiopeia will say anything, do you?" Wendy asks.

"Not to you." You say, already anticipating your sister's responses as they find out. Most of them, you know, will never, ever let you hear the end of it, ever. "But she'll tell the rest of my sisters. And some of them will talk."

"I'd happily offer to refuse lady Kyou, but I suspect at this point it's rather late for that." Wendy says- her tone of voice indicating that it's too late regardless of what you might say. She's made up her mind on the matter, and this close to achieving one of her dreams, you doubt she's about to back out anymore. At least, not without a direct order to do so- which you know neither you nor Kyou is about to issue.

"Much too late." You confirm- she blushes a little, though not as badly as you'd have expected.

"I wonder how she intends to manage the arrangement?" Wendy asks- rapidly adjusting to a new normal, as is her way. The blush never quite leaves her face, though. "The Styles' all shared one room, but I know your father and Tabitha and Rachel and Katya have a different arrangement."

You nod. "I'm pretty sure they do." You say- you haven't paid much attention either way.

1/2

"Oh, I'm quite sure they do." Wendy says. "Katya explained it to me, once. They've three bedrooms between them, but she indicated one typically remains empty."

You shrug. "More than I needed to know, Wendy." You say.

She blinks. "Oh, quite right. My apologies."

"My impression was Kyou was angling for something closer to the Styles' arrangement." You offer. "at least in the immediate future."

"I'd imagined so." Wendy responds. "That won't be much trouble for you, will it?"

You stare at her blankly for long enough that her blush deepens for a second. "Right. Quite a silly question, given the circumstances." She says. "One last question. You're quite comfortable with me?" She asks. "I am rather older than both of you."

You nod. "Kyou and I have had a little longer to discuss things." You point out.

"Oh." Wendy says, then looks at her plate- she's been picking at it the entire time, but it's still about three quarters full. "as excellent as this is I find myself not quite hungry." She says.

"Eat anyway." You say- you're almost done. "We'll take food up for Kyou, but I don't know if we'll get down for dinner."

"Oh my." Wendy responds, smiling. You nod at her.

"At least sleep should be quite easy this evening?" She asks. You don't quite have the heart to tell her that Kyou is a machine and can go for hours, easily.

And that's it for the week! As a heads up, apparently we're expecting a weak hurricane or tropical depression/storm next week sometime, so that may affect the run. I don't expect it to, we're inland enough that usually we just get some rain and a little bit of wind, but you never know, this is 2020, haha! I'll try to keep you guys up to date on Twitter and on the discord.

Other than that, I don't think there's anything to say, haha! We'll have a new thread next week, but till then I'll try to answer any questions or comments here. Remember I'm shooting for a hard 1800 EST start time next week, depending on things like evening chow and that sort of thing.

But that's it, so till next week gents, cheers!

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>>4384321
Thanks for the run boss.

>>4384321
Thanks for the run Ghost!

>>4384321
Thanks Boss! Remember you always have this Aussie looking forward to the updates, even if I can't always vote.
We can finally correct our wrong that Frank did towards Wendy.

>>4384319
>>4384321

So, who are you getting to write lewds of Wendy's first time?

>>4384360

I hadn't given any thought to it!

I haven't talked to some of my friends from the '89 days in years, sadly, and I doubt any of them would be interested anyway.

>>4384366
Hope it gets done at some point

lotta wendy fans been waiting since '89 to get some wendy loving

>Maman be askin me when she be expectin granbabies

So wendy's still able to have kids? Nice.

>>4384538

Most witches can have kids late into life, though Wendy's got, at most, about 10 years left, at least going by averages.

>>4384570
Good, plenty of time then if we get started as soon as the war's over

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