Chapter 57: Renewed Hope (Part 16)
"Wait, so can you sing and dance without issue now?"
"I believe so, thus far I have experienced no difficulty whatsoever-"
"Oh how joyeux~! Come, come! We shall have to introduce you to the wonder and excitement that is the world of stage productions! There are countless steps that will accentuate your swaying tails, after all! Chao Ho, Ying Swei, we have a new addition to the fold!"
Completely ignoring the battleship's protests - not that she was really given time to voice them - Émile pushed Amagi towards the pair of Empery dancers, Shinano blinking at the abrupt kidnapping of her friend as Alexander just chuckled from where he was happily downing an enormous plate of eggs, pancakes and at least three apples.
While his body tended to look after itself just fine when he got an appetite boy did he get an appetite.
"Ahh…I wonder if I should learn how to dance as well?"
"If you're interested in doing so then you don't need to stand on ceremony, to hell with what everyone else says about class and station."
"Shpoken like a twue pwivattee."
Seeing as how both Bart the scoundrel pirate and Shinano the refined and endlessly polite oracle both gave him unimpressed looks at his full mouth the Aloadae hastily swallowed his food, fighting back a blush of embarrassment at the slipup, Bart rolling her eyes before going to follow after Amagi and the others.
"Forgot that dock manners probably don't fly here. Didn't matter back then because we were all total slobs when on the clock."
"Right, sorry about that. Anyway while flying the jolly roger at the drop of a hat probably isn't the best decision when it comes to exercising personal freedom Bart's not wrong that you should take the opportunity given. Right now you and Amagi are inbetween tasks and might not get the chance to really relax once the war picks up again."
He grumpily downed an entire glass of orange juice in one swallow.
"And things are definitely going to pick back up again, probably in a few days. What with all the retrofits looking good and all experiments taken care of it's time to go on the offensive once more."
"And not a moment too soon, I daresay!"
Gloved arms looped around his neck followed by pillowy softness upon his spine, Aegir's visage resting itself on his shoulder as the Iron Blood cheerfully remarked, "How else are my sister and I to showcase our worth and majesty if we're consigned to merely traipsing about a military base with nothing to show for it?"
"That did not stop you from bartering for spirits, sister."
August smoothly sat on Alexander's left, an ice cool glance to the side accompanying Aegir giggling, one hand going to her hip before hefting a tankard of something for all to see, Eugen taking up position on the Aloadae's right as she dryly said, "Nor did it stop you from asking for me to 'introduce' you to our countrymen."
Aegir just grinned, toasting the jug towards a group of Iron Blood personnel a few tables away that waved in return.
"As if you would be one to turn away a pint, sister. Or is Herr Alexander one to eschew drinking as well?"
"Are you kidding me? If that's beer then I want some."
Shinano's ears twitched for a moment, her tone hesitant as she posed, "Alexander-sama, is drinking so early in the day truly…wise?"
He merely grinned a shark's grin that was mirrored by Aegir, the male posing, "Wise? No. Fun? Yes. Care to join in, Shinano?"
"I, ahh…"
The fox seemed to be put on the spot, awkwardly gazing around until her eyes fell on where Amagi had found herself to be the center of attention, a collection of Union, Empery and Iris personnel either clapping or stomping out a slow beat as one of their number had pulled out a violin and was strumming a jaunty tune, Émile laughing as she led the fox through a series of steps and sways, Ying Swei and Chao Ho looking on with keen interest, even the prickly Chao Ho losing much of her standoffishness and instead smiling at the display.
"Go on, join them. I'm sure Amagi would find a great deal of reassurance in the presence of a close friend during these trying times."
His joking words seemed to be the final straw for the woman, gracefully rising from her seat and heading towards the laughing crowd with an elegant swirling of her tails.
"I never knew you had it in you, Alexander. To send off the Oracle of the Sakura like an uptight child just so that we may freely drink?"
"Well I've already done worse than that to the pair of societal icons, can't say this is any more dubious. Downright tame, really?"
"Well I have little doubt you were busy 'taming' them when fixing Amagi's faulty state of being."
Raising a brow at Eugen's mildly jealous and pouty words Alexander replied, "You know if this about me not paying enough attention to you I did raise such a concern before…"
The cruiser promptly swatted him across the chest, retorting, "You think me so prissy and simple that I would be pining after a mere few weeks?"
"Then unfortunately I'm just going to have to admit I'm a big dumb guy that isn't able to read the subtext. Please help?"
Through the bond Alexander felt both amusement and exasperation in equal measure, Aegir snickering as she thrusted the tankard of beer between them.
"Our older sister merely wants a fat bratwurst slipping between her lips, Alexander. Drooling, needy lips~!"
"Your attempt at subtlety is as lacking as ever, sister."
August's lazy words coincided with Alexander giving Eugen a perplexed expression, the cruiser retaining her composure quite well if it wasn't for the way one elegant finger trailed instinctive circles on the table.
"Is that really it? No wait, shit, I didn't mean to have it come out that way-"
Grimacing as his lack of suaveness this morning first with the full mouth fiasco and now this - Eugen giving him a lidded look that wasn't particularly suggestive of anything other than irritation - he was spared further emasculation as Warspite marched up, the petite shipgirl stating, "Good morning, My Liege. Queen Elizabeth requests your presence for a matter of urgent import, if you are finished with your morning meal."
"It just so happens that I am. Excellent timing, Warspite."
"...Thank you?"
Confused at his words as Warspite was, Eugen wasn't one to let her prey escape with only light wounds, the cruiser primly announcing, "Well if matters are truly so urgent then I doubt her Majesty will object to my presence, will she?"
Expression souring briefly Warspite nonetheless nodded, replying, "Despite your brazeness this is indeed a subject you should be partial to as well. We will be calling a meeting to further discuss it in the future but for now…suffice to say it's a matter of some sensitivity."
"Well in that case we will be more than happy to leave such heavy matters to yourself. After all, we were called here to fight, not shuffle daggers around in the dark."
Aegir withdrew herself from Alexander's back, perching herself next to August as the Aloadae idly commented, "I doubt we're going to be at war all of the time, what exactly do you plan to do in the interim?"
She raised the tankard of beer with a smug expression, August releasing a small sigh before stating, "She is not as simple-minded as she prefers to appear. Be at ease, my familiar. We will not be a hindrance should there be no battles to fight."
Deciding that there was enough on his plate at the moment the male just settled for a nod, following after Warspite as Euegen fell in step with them, Curtis unable to help the amused smile pulling at his lips as he saw the mess hall of Azur Lane being rapidly converted into a dance hall, tables pushed aside and crowds quickly gathering as a raucous mixture of laughter and music filled the area.
Chao Ho and Ying Swei were pairing off with various personnel and pulling them into the clearing while Émile bounded from section to section, pushing man and woman - sometimes eager, sometimes blushing - into partnerships while Amagi and Shinano just watched the whole proceedings with something akin to bedraggled entertainment, acting like chaperones to the entire thing from where they sat.
"...Guess that's another good thing I managed to somehow pull off."
"Okay, can you maybe give me a hint as to what I did that's got you kinda annoyed with me? Not a good look for the harem master to ask one of his wives what he did to irk her, I know, but I'm new to this whole deal and need assistance."
Carefully keeping the mental message exclusive to Prinz and only Prinz he found the cruiser sending him a sidelong glance of evident exasperation, responding, "Oh? And here I thought that the self-proclaimed 'harem master' had things completely and utterly in his control."
"When the hell did I ever give off THAT impression?"
For a moment the Iron Blood was quiet, continuing to follow after Warspite and give no indication that they were even speaking…and her shoulder sagged a bit, mental tone resigned as she said, "My apologies, I am not being particularly fair to you. Or honest."
Heart skipping a beat as he immediately predicted the imminent collapse of the bonds they had all formed Harris kept silent as Eugen continued with, "Your latest bunch of miracles, bringing a new set of sisters to my side?"
Her hand wordlessly gesticulated, cadence becoming mildly agitated as the shipgirl continued with, "No one - not even my many sisters - has ever gone so far for my sake."
Sensing that he was outside the danger zone Harris more calmly asked, "Isn't that a little bit exaggerated? So many years at war and I did what your sisters hadn't?"
"It's not the same. Holding the line, willing to cover and die for each other? I don't mean to demean those acts but it's not comparable to what you did. I was always the one to look after my sisters and countrymen, to order, direct and raise morale. It was rare and fleeting that anyone attempted to reverse the role and inquire after my wellbeing. And I certainly didn't allow them to do so, not even my darling Hipper when she tried - on occasion - to pull out the eighteen inch shell permanently lodged up her cute ass."
A gloved hand curled into a fist.
"And then YOU show up. Comforting me at my lowest, worming your nefarious way into my heart, rising to every occasion and then going so far as to do the impossible and manifest Iron Blood shipgirls so that I need not be alone with the weight of an entire people on my shoulders. And you didn't even have the decency to ask if I wanted you to do any of that for my sake."
Blinking at the cruiser's words Harris slowly asked, "Prinz? Are you…are you worried that you're not being a good lover?"
The echoing silence and slightly averted gaze was all the answer he needed.
"Holy shit, that's it. Prinz, I didn't do all of that expecting that you would fucking pay me back like it was some kind of damn dinner date you were short on cash for."
He paused.
"Is that why Aegir joked about the bratwurst? Were you seriously trying to pay me back with sex?"
The slightest tinges of pink colored Eugen's fair skin as she turned her head away slightly, posture hunched a bit.
"Okay, stop being cute, this is serious."
No response.
"Eugen? Oi, look at me."
Still nothing, Alexander rolling his eyes and electing to go with the bold approach as he altered course, one hand grabbing the cruiser's arm while the other squeezed her generous ass, lifting the startled woman into the air before pushing against the bulkhead's wall, lips crashing into hers as he made sure his eyes were boring into her own the entire time, the Iron Blood showing only a rare display of complete bewilderment at his actions as after a few brief seconds of passion he pulled away, favoring the shipgirl with a scowl.
"You don't owe me anything. And you don't need to do anything more than be who you are. The feisty, teasing and even meddling woman who can't take a genuine compliment to save her life."
He twisted the hand that was filled with warm, tender flesh as an uncharacteristic moan escaped the cruiser.
"Do you hear what I'm telling you, Prinz Eugen?"
The Iron Blood quickly seemed to realize what he was doing to her, fire dancing in her eyes as she grabbed his face in an unyielding grip, growling, "To hell with you, Schweinehund! You think you can just treat me like that and NOT expect me to be ever more obsessed and enamored with you? And here I thought you were smarter than that."
She returned the kiss just fiercely, one leg hooking around his waist-
"W-w-what is this?! Is there not a time and a place for such audacity?!"
-and the lip lock broke apart, Eugen and Alexander turning to stare at Warspite as the battleship stared at them with wide eyes and a flushed expression.
"Oh. You're still here. What a rather uncouth way to kill the mood."
"The mood?! What on Earth were you two doing that-"
A defeated sigh left the battleship, one hand pinching the bridge of her nose.
"No, I agreed to this arrangement and do not regret it…just let it go, Warspite. Her Majesty is waiting, don't be late…"
While the last few sentences seemed more for her benefit than theirs their journey resumed without further fanfare…Eugen quickly lacing her fingers through Alexander's, sending him a challenging look as if he would have denied simple hand holding.
…Even if their bond hadn't been pulsating with the Iron Blood's love and almost childlike euphoria at their 'reconciling' he wouldn't have said no.
"Well that's one crisis averted. Christ, if I have to go through this for all of the shipgirls I'm gonna die of stress before the war is over."
"I heard that."
"Whoops. Guess I forgot to hang up the phone before speaking."
He received a playful kick on the leg for the comment.
The previous levity and thrill he'd shared with Eugen was quickly replaced with a business-like and severe mood that fit with Elizabeth's no nonsense expression, a rare display from the usually lively and majestic queen.
That and the presence of both Belfast and another maid, although this one seemed to be fairly young, barely into adulthood and quite the porcelain thing, what with light blonde hair, a frilly outfit and startlingly blue eyes.
"Kinda reminds me of that Alice in Wonderland story that came out before the war really went to shit."
"Good, you've arrived. Alexander, allow me to introduce Alice, one of the more senior maid corps members. Alice? While it may be redundant to do so considering his many actions as of late allow me to nonetheless introduce Alexander Curtis."
The young lady curtsied, a girlish but educated voice filling the room as she stated, "It is an honor to meet the valiant warrior who has done so much for Humanity in our hour of need. And yes, I am similar to Alice from Alice in Wonderland and am rather young for this position, to answer your questions."
Alexander blinked, eventually replying, "Well you certainly seem to take after the Head Maid in the mind reading department."
A disarming, charming smile was directed his way as she chirped, "The compliment is most appreciated, Master Alexander. I was personally trained by the Head Maid herself and to hear that I live up to her example is most gratifying."
Giving Belfast a sidelong look the Aloadae mused, "I wasn't aware that you had the time to personally train anyone."
"I was most fortunate that the Head Maid saved my life during one of the early Siren assaults and saw fit to have pity on my most worthless self, teaching me the art of the maid and how to fulfill my duties."
"Now now, Alice. What I have I told you about self-confidence and how to be humble without self-debasement?"
"To be servile without simpering, to be helpful without crowding and to be loyal without betraying oneself, Head Maid. My apologies, I was merely attempting to impress upon Master Alexander the similarities to our origins, what with his rescue by Laffey."
Understanding what the woman was implying he nodded in mutual comradery, taking her hand and placing a kiss on the back of it - he had no idea if that was the proper gesture but a handshake didn't seem appropriate - before stating, "And you seem to have done quite well for yourself, Alice. Better than I did after the fact, at least. But how did you know about my history with Laffey?"
A flush of red adorned Alice's cheeks as one gloved hand cupped her face, tone flirtatious as she said, " So gentlemanly…why, it was on the Head's Maid's orders that we investigate you when you first entered the fray, naturally."
Belfast nodded, a strange smile adorning her lips as she informed, "Alice? You have my permission to inform Master Alexander of all that we learned during these past few months."
"...Why does that sound ominous?"
"Of course, Head Maid~!"
Pulling a journal from the interior of her dress the maid happily flipped to a page and started reading, "Alexander Curtis, born August 17, 1933 to Emily and James Curtis. Orphaned during the second year of the Siren war and became a dockworker in the Alaskan settlement, working there until Operation Midnight Theft ended in technical failure. Joined Azur Lane days later in an unofficial capacity. During his time in the settlements he was described as a hard worker, social member of the community as well as something of a womanizer-"
"Did you interview Carlos and get that quote from him? Because that son of a bitch-"
"-and pursued quite the number of relationships, although never ultimately committing to one. Shall I relay what your daily itinerary was like?"
Alarm bells were ringing in Alexander's head as the young lady sent a simpering look his way, purring, "As a maid I am well trained in the art of 'servicing' and if the Head Maid's reports of your activities with the other shipgirls are any indication you have many needs…"
"Ahem~!"
Prinz Eugen's pointed throat clearing and arched eyebrow was as blatant as any pointed gun…and Alice merely seemed to shiver, pink tongue wetting her lips before breathily musing, "Although testing my skills against a foe as durable and exotic as a shipgirl may just be a proper benchmark for progress, I will have to-"
"Thank you, Alice, that will be all for now. To return to the point of this meeting Alice has served as President Forbin's personal assistant for a number of years and runs the Maid Corps branch in the Eagle Union…she brings some unsettling news. Also she will be making journeys to Azur Lane more repeatedly so you will see more of her."
The younger maid bowed, a dazzling gleam reflecting off of perfectly white teeth.
"The Union president seems to be of the opinion that my loyalty is to him more than it is to Her Majesty. Thus, he has requested that I 'observe' Azur Lane in a more repeated fashion."
The Aloadae blinked, meeting Belfast's gaze…and understanding hit like a bolt of lightning to the face.
"Goddammit, she's doing this to get back at me for messing with her earlier! Vampire, you undersold this, she went so far as to send a stalker, passionate-probably-assassin to see me all the time!"
Seriously, while Alice was cute and all the more she spoke the more he decided to keep things purely professional lest he wake up in chains or some other terrifying prospect.
No doubt sensing his broadcasted distress and panic Belfast sported an indescribably smug expression while Eugen tried to stifle a laugh, Elizabeth bringing the attention of the room back down to a more business like level as Alice withdrew a ream of papers, setting them on the meeting table before losing much of her prior insanity, remarking, "Unfortunately, due to his trust in me, I have become aware of a rather disturbing trend in the governments of the world outside of Azur Lane. Such as this latest bit of politicking."
The fun of the past few minutes seemed to sour in his mouth at Alice's abruptly business-like demeanor, never mind the way Elizabeth glared at the forms like they had caused incalculable affront.
"And it does…?"
Folding her hands before her Belfast explained, "While Azur Lane was created as a unified force truly answering only to the consensus of its many investing nations each faction still held a modicum of influence, able to withdraw their shipgirls or resources from the alliance if need be. What has only truly become a sticking point as of late is the influx of technology you've provided Azur Lane, Master Alexander. Previously Azur Lane was free to examine, research and reproduce any and all Siren artifacts it came across as part of the agreements, only surrendering them if a true consensus was reached."
Elizabeth thumped her scepter against the floor with a scowl marring her delicate features.
"This had no tangible or meaningful consequences at first, merely a formality. Azur Lane had difficulty effectively researching and recreating Siren technology and more often than not sent them to various labs or facilities further inland for study. The only real point of contention with this agreement was the matter of Wisdom Cubes which never truly went anywhere with the worsening state of the war."
Alexander grimaced, already able to see where this was going.
"And then I showed up, basically giving not only advanced and highly functioning technology several decades - if not centuries - ahead of what everyone had to Azur Lane. What before was just a quaint formality and possibility instead turned into a major sticking point, right?"
Elizabeth nodded, adding, "And matters were only exacerbated by the upswing in humanity's ability to effectively fight back as well as the unfortunate marginalization of factions other than the Royal Navy, Eagle Union, Sakura Empire and Ironblood. Our representatives or fellow rulers were always of a more conservative and cautious nature, serving well during the early days when we were more at odds with one another. Even hands and tentative demeanors were for the better…but that paradigm no longer holds true and preservation of status and power has made way for corruption and a downward spiral."
The Aloadae closed his eyes, huffing out a small breath as he grumbled, "Saw the first signs of that during the summit."
Forcing himself to stand straight he glared at the papers, asking, "Is that a formal or official means of styming Azur Lane?"
"Yes. While still in the initial draft it is a call for control of Azur Lane to fall to those four governments, citing the lack of communication and relative power of the others as a means to centralize authority further. With the retaking of the Sakura homelands an impetus has been provided for this change in authority, a sign that Humanity may return to the old ways in safety."
Resisting the urge to grind his teeth in frustration Alexander turned to Alice, inquiring, "How did you get ahold of something like this? And how did you even get Forbin to trust a Royal Navy maid in the first place?"
Belfast took the reins of the conversation, stating, "My creation is well renowned the world over and my maids are in high demand. Even other nations are not exempt from this desire."
"And President Forbin is depressingly easy to sway and beguile. A little bit of 'under the table' negotiations and he was more than willing to believe his darling little maid madly desired him."
Instantly aware of the implications of that statement Alexander gave Alice an empathetic gaze, the doll-like girl merely giving him a coquettish bashing of perfect eyelids as she murmured, "Oh my, you are truly a knight in shining armor, aren't you? I believe I find myself completely and totally smitten. Alas, if only you could sweep me off my feet and bring me into your arms…"
"Okay, still feel sorry for her but I really don't want to get too close to such an insanely dangerous girl."
"Moving on, what do you need me to do? I take it there's the beginnings of a plan being put into motion?"
Elizabeth nodded, demeanor grave as she said, "Our current design is to implement a military junta centered around Azur Lane, killing a select number of current officials and replacing them with those loyal to our cause, bringing entities such as the Parliament or Iris into closer relevance as well."
Alexander blinked, hesitantly stating, "Wait, you're going to assassinate them all? I mean, I'm not going to complain about the morality of this but isn't that going to set an uncomfortable precedent? I know all the military types like the Commander take the chain of command insanely serious, not to mention how it could be perceived by the rest of the world."
"Which is why we ask of you to use little known or completely unprecedented means of murder to carry out this plot if it comes to pass. If it is a creation we are unaware of then all the better, to better retain plausible deniability."
Elizabeth's severe expression softened for a moment, gently stating, "It is harsh to ask this of you, to kill your fellow man and woman-"
"I'll do it."
The shipgirls blinked, Alexander taking a deep breath before firmly responding, "I'll do it. Without hesitation."
And he believed it, even if a traitorous voice in the back of his head was whispering that he had never actually killed another Human being before.
"To hell with it. I barely even know those people and I'll be doing it for the sake of people I care about, from far away and likely by pushing a button. I'll deal with it."
…
He almost let himself believe that.
"Alright, tell me more about this and provide a list of names and faces. If this is going to happen then it needs to be done right."
The queen pursed her lips but nonetheless nodded, Alice flipping through a variety of files and organizing them as Belfast added, "Aside from the darker aspects of this still hypothetical scenario there is still one final task related to this sordid affair that we require of you, one that is of thankfully less dire action."
"How so?"
The male looked around the room, instantly stiffening at the familiar expressions and unadulterated worship Alice was displaying.
"...Have I gone on record of stating how uncomfortable I am with this?"
"Yes, you have."
Eugen's hand closed over his own, a rare but all the more effective expression of genuine affection adorning her features.
"But the world needs a hero, to champion the cause. And you have thus far exemplified all the qualities of one whether you believe it or not."
The Aloadae averted his eyes, the mental bond not allowing him to completely look away.
"...Assassin and hero all in one package."
He huffed out a sigh, flicking through the first pages of the offered dossier, trying not to pay too much attention to either faces or names.
"Sometimes I miss being a nobody."
