Butterflies and Dragons
Chapter 55:
No Degree of Separation
The tears came down Prinz Eugen's heavenly eyes as she sangs karaoke off key and off kilter. "Oh Lillen, oh Lillen, oh Lillen, ohhhhh, oh Lillen, oh Lillen, oh Lillen, ohhhhh..."
"Un, Bismarck, why is Prinz sing the song of Frau Ellen's favorite team?" asked Leberecht Maass to her. "She doesn't even support Darmstadt."
"She lost the game to me at her place last weekend. Since my team defended the title, and Darmstaft won, she is forced to sing their song," explained Bismarck.
"Moreover...why is Prinz singing in a blue side-tie bikini, white thighhighs and high heels. And she has drill hair, too!"
"I made her have wavy hair like me," said Bismarck, smug as ever, flashuing her Deutsche Doyagao.
"Anyway, moreover," said Hachi, lounging with a triple-decker burger with extra onions, "hard lucking finishing second to Bisko in the Bundesliga race."
"We still have the DfB-Pokal to contest, so we still have a chance to win something," Graf Zeppelin replied. "It's not a complete loss, but fortunately, it was long race and Prinz gave her the points and my boys ran out of gas against Eintracht. Also, Hachi, your boys lost to Darmstadt, if I recall. Strange game, football."
"Strange..."
"Tor Tor Tor! Lilien Vor!" cried Prinz Eugen. "Tor Tor Tor! Schiess ein Tor! Ohhhhhhh..." Prinz Eugen jumped on the table and danced provocatively, causing the others to throw Euro bills at him, making it rain. When the song finished, Prinz Eugen fell into Bismarck's waiting arms.
"So, sister, how did I do?" whispered Prinz. She noticed that Bismarck undid her top. "Oh?"
She let the strap slip and the top dropped to the floor, drenched in the beer of victory. "I'll let you know." The two of them shared a deep kiss as Bismarck embraced Prinz and the two of them consummated.
"Uh, why are you filming, Graf?" asked Max Schultz with a scowl on her face.
"This is for Frau Pola who fell in with our fleet," she replied as Prinz and Bismarck melted like Belgian chocolate in the moonlight. "Seems we acquitted ourselves coming here."
Max looked at invisible camera and delivered a sleazebag expression. "Das hat sie gesagt."
"One of the precepts of the Phoenix is this," said Verniy, pouring a Smirnoff at Mamiya's Bar while creating a martini. "Moderation is the key to establishing consistent productivity and health as a vital part of this fleet. When it comes to imbibing alcohol, you cannot live on wine alone. You have to diversify in moderation." She handed Pola the glass with a cherry on top.
Pola had a sip. "Mmmm, this is different that what I am accustomed to," she said in her thick accent.
"Furthermore, you need something substantial to absorb it." Verniy passed a plate of hot pirozhki, stuffed with cheese, vegetables and the catch of the day. She then passed another plate of pirozhki, filled with DG6's house curry. "Dig in."
"Mmmmm..." Pola started to appreciate the need to not depend on wine to be useful. "I was raised on wine by my parents when I was younger. Lots of meat, cheese, wine, vegetables, pizza, pasta, timballo, obviously the wine is the customary drink but I also like to have coffee, too. Zara likes strong espresso, the type of espresso that gets you up in the morning and gets you to stretch." Another bite of the pirozhki. Did you make these?"
Ikazuchi and Inazuma were waving in the distance, assisting Mamiya and Irako and Yamato. "They helped. Akatsuki is busy chatting with the commander over Cadet matters."
"Hey Hibiki, I have a question."
"Ask me anything, the Phoenix grants her blessings."
"Do you follow the Russian leagues in football?"
"Yes, I do, although I also like to watch Liverpool play. My team in the Russian Premier League is CSKA because they are the Army Sports Club, and they have won trophies before. They are in a tight race with Rostov and Zenit to win it all. Disappointed CSKA lost the Russian Cup but if they win out, they will be in the Champions League next year."
"You must love CSKA that much, huh?"
"They are going to finish building a new stadium, and it will be ready for next season. Luzhniki was nice, but that's for the national team and the current venue is for Dynamo. They aren't doing well and are facing relegation. Absolutely can't play the game properly these days like before."
"You don't like the other other Moscow teams, huh?"
"I was never a fan of them, Spartak or Lokomotiv. CSKA is my club and I want them to be in the Champions League next year because Liverpool won't be there unless they beat Sevilla, I believe. And Sevilla's a tough team. Not as tough as Barcelona, Atletico or Real Madrid, but still a good side. But if Liverpool and CSKA finish strong, I'll be more than happy to drink some wine with you."
"Really? Are you sure?"
"On one condition: it's champagne."
"Ohhhh."
"Oh yes and another one: Akatsuki and the commander are the only ones that can do as they please with me. I visited Moscow one time and Vladimir had a crush on me but I already told him I was married and I don't want him to engage in scandalous adultery because Mother Russia does not forgive unfaithful, two-timing citizens that are married to their spouses. Besides, it is against the precepts of the Phoenix to have someone other that who I want to covet me...to covet me."
"Who's Vladimir?"
Hibiki showed a picture of her saluting next to Vladimir Putin. "This gentleman."
"The Prime Minister himself. Ah, so that's Vladimir."
"I sometimes call him Vlad the Lad because he tends to act like a nonchalant playboy on his throne. I tell him, don't assassinate anyone unless I give the green light. You must always call me first."
"So you were the one that made the final call to all those famous people I don't know about. Such a mysterious person you are."
The tsurime in her eyes shined bright like a diamond. "I get that all the time. Akatsuki loves me for it."
"But I will let you know this, too: I did allow Vlad to massage my backside in private so that he could release his frustrations of leading his country."
"He did what? Incredible!"
"Oh, but this is also something that Akatsuki and the commander do to. Akatsuki tells me my backside is bouncy and delightful, like gelatin and is addicting to squeeze. And when the commander does it, his balls empty out and he makes such a mess. I only bear with it because I am bonded to him.
"Ohoh?"
"I tell the commander, 'Hey commander, if you need a pick-me-up, let me know, and I'll let you squeeze and shake my backside so you'll feel like the King of the World when you've emptied yourself out. But do it in moderation because for a commander like you, this could be addicting. I'm not ready to have a baby yet.' That's what I told him."
"I learned something funny," said Pola as she watched highlights of Akagi and Kaga practice at the range in Culver City. "If I drink too much, and I end up being pregnant, my baby might grow up to have problems."
"Now you understand why drinking too much wine is bad. If you are going to have a child, you have to get off the alcohol and drink fruit juices instead. Not spiked either. The Pola I know only drinks in moderation when she has no plans to be a mother. Is Zara thinking about having a child too?"
"Zara did talk to Littorio and Roma about it. My sister does want to have kids but she wants to do work over at La Spezia for a few years before going on leave. Libeccio also said she will be a strong babysitter. She's a good singer, too."
"Ohhhh."
"But I can sing too." One of the house band members, Musashi, who was on break from the usual training runs, was testing a drum beat. Fine tuning. "Let me show you." She went to the microphone. "Hey band!" she said in Italian. "Can you play background music, I want to sing!"
Musashi nodded to Shiratsuyu, Shigure, Harusame and Murasame, who nodded in response. Counting off, Musashi did a surf-like cadence before the band jumped into the melody. Outside the complex, a convoy of bikers and playboys driving expensive lxury cards cruised by, all of them wearing cheap sunglasses.
"Odio andare di fretta,
i rumori, la nebbia,
il tempo appeso
di questa città
Odio le scarpe col tacco,
che incastro distratta
nei tombini invadenti
di questa città
Odio me stessa allo specchio
non per il difetto,
ma per stupidità
Amo restare in giro
sapendo di tornare sempre
in questa città
E dimmi se c'è un senso al tempo,
al mio vagare inutile,
e dimmi se c'è davvero una meta
o dovrò correre per la felicità.
E corro corro
avanti e torno indietro
scappo, voglio, prendo e tremo
stringo forte il tuo respiro
e penso a me che non ho un freno
spingo forte e non ti temo
voglio tutto
voglio te…voglio te, voglio te
Amo il traffico in centro,
parcheggiare distratta,
il tuo sorriso,
la mia instabilità
Amo fare l'offesa
senza neanche una scusa
fare pace la sera,
spegni la città
E amo me stessa per questo
per egocentrismo,
senza razionalità
Amo prenderti in giro
sapendo di tornare sempre,
nella mia città
E dimmi se c'è un senso al tempo,
al mio vagare inutile,
e dimmi se c'è davvero una meta,
o dovrò correre per la felicità
E corro corro
Avanti e torno indietro,
scappo voglio prendo e tremo,
stringo forte il tuo respiro
e penso a me che non ho un freno
spingo forte e non ti temo,
voglio tutto, voglio te
voglio te, voglio te, voglio te.
E dimmi se lo vuoi
E dimmi che non sei
Soltanto un riflesso confuso
che guardo sul fondo di noi
E corro corro
Avanti e torno indietro,
scappo voglio prendo e tremo,
stringo forte il tuo respiro
e penso a me che non ho un freno
spingo forte non ti temo,
voglio tutto voglio te,
voglio te, voglio te,
voglio te, voglio te..."
Pola finished her song with a typical idol pose, similar to Naka, who was seeing it all unfold from a distance. "Ahhhhh, no fair!" Naka cried, stamping her feet in disapproval. "How can a chronically hammered drunk sing better than me. What is this sorcery, Sendai! Talk to me! Sendai!"
"She just likes to entertain, that's all," said Sendai as Pola went back to the bar with Verniy, a.k.a. Hibiki.
"Maybe she's acting drunk and really isn't intoxicated to begin with. She's making us think she isn't qualified to be part of this fleet. She's faking her drunkenness."
"Hey Pola, can you stop acting drunk and be a normal shipgirl for once?" Sendai called out.
Pola spun around, flipped her hair and posed with a wink. "Your wish is my command, Lady Sendai," she said in an adult voice that was nowhere close to being buzzed.
"She isn't drunk anymore!?" Naka exclaimed, a sweat drop down her head. "Didn't she finish a martini minutes ago?"
"Hey Pola, did you win an MVP medal yet?" Jintsuu asked as Pola went over.
"Pola...is number one," she said, showing her MVP medal.
"Whoa, how did you get this?"
"Two hours ago on an expedition, came away unscathed."
"For someone who likes wine so much, this is incredible," Sendai said.
"Mmm. See, I can be awesome even if you think I can't be useful." Pola returned to the bar with Verniy. "Anyway, I'm gonna get ready to leave for Italy, so, before I do...can I..."
"Can you what?" Verniy deadpanned.
She got in close. "Can I squeeze your ass as well?" But before she was about to molest her, Hibiki anticipated, grabbed Pola and threw her into the kitchen, causing her to crash into the pans. A vat of Hiei's curry poison tipped over, and unexpectedly, Pola ended up consuming the entire contents.
"Oh? Ohhhh no, what is this? This tastes like undrinkable fortified wine, and I hate wine that isn't really wine...urrrgk..." Pola's clothes exploded and she gave up the ghost, falling unconscious in the nude.
Fortunately, Zara was also accompany Pola during her brief stay and noticed the mess. "Oh no, Pola, get a hold of yourself!" she exclaimed, running over to her. Mamiya and Irako and Yamato were also checking on her. "Pola! POLA!"
"Oh dear, this isn't good," Mamiya said.
"She may have to go to the dry dock," Irako replied.
"Shall we carry her?" Yamato asked.
"Let's do it," said Mamiya as they covered Pola with a blanket and carried her to the drydock to recover.
"Oh Pola, hang in there, don't die," Zara whispered, crying as she followed them.
Verniy came to terms with what she just did. "Well." Then she noticed a voice on the intercom.
"Attention: Will Verniy please report to the Admiral's Office right now. Once again, Verniy, report to the Admiral's Office immediately. Thank you."
Verniy fell to her knees, sobbing, before getting up and slowly walking in tears. "Oh no, oh God, what have I done to her?" Hibiki whispered. A million emotions were in her head. Was this the end of the line for her. Was she going to be scrapped? "Akatsuki...save me..."
Little did she know that Akatsuki was in the Admiral's office, noticing the incident via closed circuit television. Admiral Tanaka turned to Akatsuki. She had a finger on her chin. She had a doyagao. She had her right where she wanted her.
END CHAPTER 55
