Chapter 7

Kooper sighed with relief as Hornet and the Northampton sisters pulled up to the beachhead. He pushed himself up from his seat, shivering as his feet plunged into the chilly water up to his ankles. He staggered his way up the slight incline, kicking up a spray of foam before collapsing onto his back in the warm sand, laughing the entire time.

"You alright there, buddy?" Hornet asked as she came to lean over him, blocking out the sun overhead.

Kooper spent a moment catching his breath, coming down from the exhilaration of what he had just experienced. "That was both terrifying and magical."

The girls all smiled with Hornet and Houston looking especially pleased.

"Glad you enjoyed yourself." Hornet and the sisters look back over the waves. Oklahoma was still visible as she reached the far end of what Kooper realized as a bay. Several smaller vessels were waiting for the battleship, but they were too far out to distinguish anyone aboard.

"If you're not too board," Hornet interrupted. "You ready to continue the tour?"

Kooper let himself take a few more breaths before nodding. "Yeah… I think I'm good to go." With a strained groan, he staggered to his feet.

"I take back what I said earlier." Hornet chortled as they trudged up the beach to the main road. "You may look young, but you sound like an old timer."

Kooper gave her a flat look, giving her a onceover. "And you're how old?"

Hornet waggled a finger at him. "C'mon now. A gentleman shouldn't be asking a lady her age."
Kooper smirked. "You assume too much of me."

"And you assume I'll just answer for the sake of argument."

"She's technically old enough to be your great grandmother."

Hornet whirled around, face red with indignance. "Northampton!"

"Ah, I see." Kooper nodded as he hauled himself up a flight of stairs before stopping at the top to glance back at the disgruntled carrier. "So, the old-timer remark was based on experience. That makes more sense."

Hornet paid him no mind as she glared daggers at Northampton who was trying to hide a faint smirk as she kept her attention on Kooper. "Chronologically we're all much older than you, despite physical appearances."

Behind her, Chicago gave Houston a playful pat on the head to which the shorter girl gave her an adorable pout.

"But we'll probably start looking at you funny if you start coming onto any of the younger destroyers." Northampton continued. She aimed a finger gun at him for emphasis.

Kooper gave a curious tilt of his head. "I'm not quite sure what you mean."

"You'll find out eventually." Houston piped up as she hefted his wheelchair up the steps and pat the seat for him to sit. "But in the meantime, let's get some grub. I'm hungry!"

Chicago and Northampton both nodded in agreement. "Any place you have in mind?" The oldest sister asked, glancing at Hornet.

Hornet, still looking irked, crossed her arms and turned away. "Let's just start with the central plaza and go from there." She stormed off ahead of the group, leaving Kooper feeling unsettled at the sudden change in her mood.

"Hornet!" Northampton called and moved to catch up.

Kooper could only watch as the two girls moved a considerable distance ahead of them, a feeling a remorse settling on his shoulders like a heavy cloak.

"Did I do something wrong?" He asked, glancing back at Chicago.

"No, it has nothing to do with you." The blonde sighed, giving him as reassuring smile as she could muster. "Those two tend to have spats like this from time to time."

"Usually over stupid stuff." Houston added. She reached out and brushed some sand off him and adjusted his new hair clip. "They just need to talk it out and they'll be right as rain."

Kooper looked back at the two leading the procession. Hornet was glaring at Northampton out of the corner of her eye while Northampton returned it with one of her own.

"Don't you think you're being a bit too friendly with him?" Northampton murmured. Her voice was low and Kooper strained to listen.

"I'm just trying to make him feel at home."

"You're totally flirting with him."

"I am not! We just vibe is all."

Kooper felt his face redden. Had he been flirting with Hornet?

No. Sure she was pretty. But he wouldn't consider their banter flirting.

His expression fell when Northampton shot a glance back at him, catching him in the act of eavesdropping. Hornet followed her gaze and seemed to realize what was going on and grabbed her wrist to turn her attention back to her, scooting closer and lowering her voice to where he could no longer hear.

"They'll be fine." Chicago rubbed a hand across his back. "Just be yourself in the meantime."

Kooper nodded and shot a glance back at the two kansen before turning his attention to the surrounding area.

Buildings of all shapes and sizes lined the road. Warehouses with freshly painted exteriors practically glistened in the sunlight, making Kooper shield his eyes. Upon crossing the first intersection, he found the avenue lined with a dozen red-bricked buildings that looked like lodging accommodations, though he was unsure. There were restaurants, small shops, a fish market, and the thought he even spotted a moderately sized chapel standing alone atop a low hill.

"You girls go to church to?" Kooper nodded in the direction of the white building with an elegantly sweeping rooftop and golden cross mounted at its peak.

"Some do." Chicago replied. "Mostly it's used by our friends of the Iris Libre should they visit our main base."

Kooper shook his head. "Can't say I'm familiar with that nation."

"They're more like a faction." Houston corrected. "Vichya Dominion is the other side of that coin." When Kooper gave her a question arch of the brow, she continued. "There was a disagreement in ideals over…" She paused, glanced at Chicago, and frowned. "It's complicated."

Kooper frowned at that. "Ideals over what?"

Houston bit her lower lip, contemplating if she should answer him.

"It's not our place to say in front of guests." Chicago interrupted. "I will say that we hope with things going the way they are as of late, things may get patched up between them."

Kooper could only hum, disappointed on not getting specifics, but also hearing the phantom voice of his mother telling him not to be nosey. "If you put it like that, then let's hope so."

"I think your hope is well placed." Chicago pointed up ahead.

Kooper followed and saw that during the span of his sightseeing and their brief conversation, Hornet and Northampton were now practically leaning into one another, shoulders rubbing affectionately. Kooper smiled, and then his eyes fell on their hands, clasped in one another, fingers intertwined and thumbs nuzzling back and forth.

He blinked, folding his own hands in his lap, rubbing his thumbs back and forth, mirroring the kansen's.

His eyes lowered to the ground. The cool breeze of the ocean seemed to slip away from his senses, replaced with a heavy stillness. His chest ached, as he stared at the gravestone where his father lay.

"It's going to be okay."

Kooper blinked slowly, his eyes growing hot, and vision blurring a fraction. He let out a long breath.

"I know it's hard. But you'll get through it."

Kooper blinked again and turned to look at Amanda, standing beside him, a comforting smile on her soft, pink lips and tears in her own eyes. "We'll all get through it." She took hold of his hand, interlacing her fingers in his and squeezing him tight. "Together."

Kooper let out a pained sigh and nodded. "Yeah… Thanks 'Mandy."

"Who are you talking to?"

"Huh?" Kooper jerked his head upright and stared into Houston's eyes. "Wh-what?"

"You were talking to yourself." The pink0haired girl stated bluntly. But then her expression took on one of concern. "Are you okay?"

"I…uh…" Kooper looked at his hands which were clasped tightly in his lap. He unfolded them, cracking his knuckles as he did so and drew in a deep breath. "Yeah… Yeah, I'm good."

"You sure?" Hornet asked. She and Northampton had stopped, allowing the three to catch up. "You really looked deep in thought there."

Kooper only shook his head. "Just thinking."

"'Bout your girl?" Hornet inquired, and Kooper noticed the lack of teasing in her tone.

He nodded solemnly and rubbed at an eye. "Just…"

Hornet stepped around to his side and put an arm over his shoulder, giving him a comforting hug. "Hey now… We'll find her. And everyone else in your extended family. That's a promise."

Kooper looked up to see Northampton giving him a sympathetic look.

"Look on the bright side." Houston piped up, throwing her arms around his neck, and causing a couple vertebrae to pop. "You won't have to be lonely in the meantime. You have an entire base full of people who are eager to meet you."

"Good to know!" Kooper wheezed, patting her arm in hopes of getting her to loosen her grip.

She did; after a minute.

Kooper looked up at Hornet as the group continued up the hill, deeper into town. "How long do you expect it to take for Essex to reach the island?"

Hornet rolled up a sleeve, checking a yellow and black watch on her wrist. "I'd say she and the rest of the search fleet should be arriving any day now, weather permitting." She gave him a sidelong look. "If you want, I can ask my sister for an update later."

Kooper nodded with a weak smile. "I would appreciate that."

"I know. That's why I suggested it." Hornet flashed him a wink and Kooper rolled his eyes.

The time for melancholy thoughts had ended.

By now, the crashing of the waves had been left behind, replaced with the buzz of voices and activity. More shops of all varieties surrounded the group as they drew closer to the noise. Flower shops, bakeries, cafes, clothing, and hobby shops were everywhere, each with their own aesthetics and personality like the girls he had found himself amongst.

The rattling of a bell caught Kooper's attention, and he turned to see a cheese shop door open. But rather than a girl or any other person step out, like he expected a creature barely the size of his knee came waddling out. It stopped upon seeing him and he stared back at it. The pudgy little thing looked like someone had crossbred a chicken with a cockatiel and stuffed it with jell-o and marshmallows creating a very squishy physique.

"Uh…" He muttered.

The creature jolted as though it had been plugged into a wall socket and ran back inside the shop, slamming the door behind it. The sign on the front, once reading 'open,' flapped from the force, settling on 'closed.'

"The hell was that about?" Hornet demanded, stomping over to the door, and giving it a strong wrap with her knuckles. "Hey! Open up!" She barked.

"What was that thing?" Kooper asked, unsure if he should be offended by the tiny thing's actions.

"A manjuu." Houston replied.

"Bless you." Kooper said. "But seriously… what was that?"

"They're called manjuu." Northampton stated a bit more firmly. "They're like us in the sense they're artificially created but are more geared towards helping us run our facilities and day to day life."

"Like a work force rather than combat force?"

"Something like that." Northampton nodded, crossing her arms across her chest, and looking up to the carrier who was still pounding on the door. "Hornet, just let it go for now."

Hornet turned and stared agape at her partner and looked ready to argue.

"It's fine Hornet." Kooper added, giving the window beside the doorway a stern look, trying to catch a glimpse of the plump little bird inside. Nothing. "I probably just scared the chicken." He rolled his sleeve up, showing his dark skin and flashing a wink. "Ya' know?"

Hornet blinked at him curiously. "What are you talkin' about?"

It was Kooper's turn to blink in confusion now, and he rolled down his sleeve, embarrassed. "N-never mind. Bad joke."

Hornet arched a brow and gave the door another glare before sighing and returning to her lead position. "Fine. But I'm going to get an answer later."

"You do that, sister." Kooper tried to give her a reassuring smile but continued to glance back over his shoulder as they continued.

Was the shock of seeing a human really that great?

"So, what does your pallet demand today?" Hornet asked. "Burgers? Steak? Barbecue? Breakfast for lunch?"

Kooper's stomach growled as the sound of all those ideas made his mouth water. "One of each." He joked.

Hornet laughed. "As much as I admire a healthy appetite, I'm not made of money."

"You sure?" Kooper snickered and jabbed a thumb at Northampton. "Seems like Northampton won the lottery with you."

Hornet suddenly sputtered and stumbled, falling flat on her face with a pained yelp. Kooper and Houston both winced at the carrier sprawled out in the street.

"Oh my." Chicago sniggered. "The silver tongue reveals itself yet again." She looked to her eldest sister who was exhibited a powerful crimson glow about her face.

"You know what, I've changed my mind." Hornet pouted. She rose and dusted herself off before turning a glare on Kooper. Her face was just as red as Northampton's but whether it was from indignance, or fluster, was indiscernible. "We're going to eat at one of the stalls by the beach."

"Awww!" Houston pouted. "But those are on the other side of town!" She gestured down the street. "And the plaza is right there!"

Hornet gave a cute 'harumph' and crossed her arms. "He's going to cause a riot, or even worse a heart attack with his random bouts of flattery."

"I'll have you know…" Kooper spoke up, putting on a posh accent. "That was merely me being a smartass. If you want flattery, you know where to get it." He jerked his head at Northampton again whose face only flushed a deeper red.

Hornet made a growl and stomped towards him. Kooper's grin vanished, and his eyes went wide as she shooed Chicago away from his chair's handlebars. A high-pitched squeak made a sudden getaway from his throat as Hornet jerked his seat backwards at an angle, causing him to jolt upright and grab the armrests for dear life.

"Let's go Mister Funnyman." Hornet snickered. "The food stands await."

Houston let out a disappointed whimper, trudging along behind as Hornet took off at a run, leaving Kooper to squeal like the adult male he was the entire way.

"You… are absolutely… evil." He gasped when the carrier finally came to a stop. She had pushed him down every winding street she could find, rocking him back and forth the entire way, swerving left and right and dipping him to the point he thought she might drop him in his seat.

"Serves you right." Hornet gasped as she flopped down on a grassy incline along the sidewalk. She was sweating profusely and took a moment to unclasp her cloak and fan herself with her hat as she caught her breath.

Kooper huffed and rubbed at his forehead, relieving the stress headache threatening to manifest itself. "And here I thought you'd appreciate my efforts to put your girlfriend's mind at ease about the flirting."

Hornet paused and glanced at him for a few breaths. "We weren't flirting."

"I know…" Kooper nodded. "I just… wanted to make a good impression without causing trouble."

Hornet stared hard at him before blinking and propping herself up. "Well… maybe I could have behaved a bit more myself." She twirled one of her tails between her fingers. "I just…" Her voice trailed off.

"Someone you vibe with?" Kooper offered, giving her a genuine smile.

Hornet gave a small laugh. "Yeah. I got that feeling from our first meeting."

"Same." Kooper chuckled, but then his expression fell. "Does Northampton not gel well with others?"

Hornet's expression fell as well. "Not as easily as you and I seem to. It does take some time for her to open up and not put her belt armor in full display."

Kooper cocked his head. "Belt armor?"

"Put up a wall." Hornet clarified.

"Oh."

"But she's not a bad gal. She has a good heart and a very soft, squishy side to her." Hornet waggled her fingers for emphasis and the two laughed. "She compliments me well."

"Compliments… huh?" Kooper's eyes drifted to the grass as he tried to recall his memories with Amanda. It was no small secret amongst their group of relief providers that he may have had a crush on her. And her him in turn. But he had never considered if they complimented one another as friends or even lovers. Neither had outright said they liked one another; something he was beginning to regret right now. But if… No. When they reunited, he would do just that. He had a glimpse of that, seeing Hornet and Northampton. And now he wanted that himself, even in some small capacity.

"Jeez you two!" Northampton wheezed as she and her sisters came jogging up to them. "Did you really have to get that far ahead of us?"

"Yes." Kooper and Hornet chimed in together, before exchanging a look and giggling like children. Northampton grumbled but soon rolled her eyes with a small smile along with Chicago and Houston.

"Excuse me."

All heads lifted to see a girl just a little under Houston's size standing a few paces away, auburn eyes twinkling with fascination as she stared at Kooper.

"Are you a new ship in development?" She asked innocently.

"Uh…" Kooper choked, and Hornet stifled a giggle. Even the Northampton sisters had to cover their mouths to hide their mirth.

"Ping Hai…" Houston chuckled. "He's a human boy, not a kansen."

"Ohhh!" Ping Hai's eyes grew even wider as she looked Kooper up and down. "I thought your hull was still undergoing construction because of the chair."

"Errr…" Kooper glanced to Hornet whose eyes were watering with barely controlled tears. "No hull. Just good ol' fashioned flesh and blood." He tapped his chest with a fist for emphasis.

Ping Hai continued to stare at him, taking a couple cautious steps forward. "Amazing…"

Kooper gave a nervous smile.

"Ping Hai!" A new voice called out. "Stop goofing around and help me!"

"Coming sister!"

Just like that, the small girl turned and hurried back down the road a few dozen yards to a food stand with decorations and signage of the Dragon Empery. Another girl, just slightly taller that Ping Hai stood with an impatient look on her face. She gave Ping Hai a short scolding before the two got to work with whatever it was they appeared to be making.

"Ooooh." Kooper sighed as he watched the girl in a purple gown lift the lid and a cloud of steam rise from the batch of pork buns shaped like pandas. "That looks go-od."

"Oh? You like Dragon Empery food?" Hornet snickered.

Kooper shook his head, unable to break his eyes away as Ping Hai's sister checked a pot and seemed to regard the contents within. "I haven't had Dragon Empery food since I was in kindergarten."

"Really?" Hornet arched a brow. "Well why don't we mosey on over and give Ping and Ning our patronage?"

Kooper gave an excited squeak and a childish clap whilst bouncing in his seat. Laughter filled the air, and Ping Hai glanced up, pausing as the group approached their stall.

"Ping Hai, how many times must I…" The other girl started but stopped when she laid eyes on them for the first time. "Wh-what are… I…" She gaped in open-mouthed astonishment at Kooper who did his best not to roll his eyes and smiled warmly at her.

"Mornin'." He said with a wave.

"Hiya Ning Hai." Hornet greeted with a salute. "You two open for business yet? Our poor guest here just told me he's been deprived of your nation's cooking. Think you can help us fix that?"

"Uh… Of course." Ning Hai blinked several times and shook her head, pulling herself out of her stupor. She ducked behind the counter and pulled out an order pad and pen. "What will you be having?"

One by one, everyone put in an order, leaving the sisters to prepare their meals. All the while, Kooper watched the sisters stare at him.

Was this what it was like being in a zoo?

It would be the same if the roles reversed.

"You look like you have questions." He finally spoke, snapping the dragon sisters out of their heads.

"I didn't know there was a human on the base." Ning Hai said after clearing her throat. "Are you here to do an inspection? An audit maybe?"

"Uh, what?" Kooper tilted his head and arched a brow.

"Are you an official of sorts?" Ning Hai continued. "If so, I can assure you, that my sister and I run a legitimate business and-"

"Ning Hai, he's the human that was found at the ruins." Houston sighed. "Don't you listen to anything that gets talked about around the port?"

Ning Hai's cheeks flushed, and she scowled.

"Big Sister tries not to listen to gossip." Ping Hai pointed out. "She says that it's not a good idea to rely on unreliable information."

"It's gossip!" Ning Hai protested. "Would it not make more sense to take a human back to the mainland, rather than a base?"

"She's got a point." Kooper shrugged, and Ning Hai relaxed a little.

"Let's just say the facilities here were much more readily available." Hornet answered before making a pointed look at their orders.

Taking the hint, the dragon sisters handed the group their lunches.

"Thank you." Kooper chirped upon receiving a bowl of noodles and soup and two steaming pork buns. "And thank you." He added to Hornet who gave a gracious nod in return as she paid the two behind the counter.

"What's your name?" Ping Hai asked before he could get his first mouthful of noodles to his lips.

"Ping Hai, let them eat!"

"Just call me Kooper." He replied and clamped his mouth around the rolled-up noodles. He let out a moan of ecstasy, his thoughts drifting back to when his kindergarten teacher had taught the class to make Dragon Empery cuisine as part of a cooking lesson. "So good."

Ning Hai's expression softened, and she gave a short, courteous bow. "Thank you. My sister and I work very hard. It's not much, but we do what we can."

"You do great." Kooper purred through another mouthful.

Ning Hai's cheeks turned rosy, and Hornet prodded him in the arm with her elbow.

"Wha-" He began to protest, thinking she might be telling him to turn down the flattery again. But the carrier's eyes were straight ahead, locked on a trio of girls who had stopped dead in their tracks just down the road.

"Brace yourself." Hornet whispered out of the corner of her mouth.

No sooner had she spoken than one of the girls broke into a sprint, only skidding to a halt when she was mere feet from them.

"You're him, right?" She blurted. "I mean, you must be! There's never been any other humans here. So obviously you must!"

If Ping Hai's eyes twinkled with intrigue, this girl's were a pair of brilliant teal spotlights.

One of her companions, a short-haired blonde with violet eyes, clapped her on the shoulder. "Compose yourself and stop making a scene Javelin. You'll only make him feel uncomfortable."

The girl's words were firm and seemed to snap the girl with lavender hair out of her excitement. 'Javelin' backed away, if only to compose herself enough to not appear completely enthralled.

"M-my apologies." She said sheepishly and rubbed her index fingers together in a cute manner. "I heard about your rescue and didn't think I would get the chance to meet you."

Kooper could not help the smile. "I can understand that." Like Hornet, he found her energy incredibly likable, and he extended his hand for shaking. "It's nice to meet you… Javelin…Right?"

Javelin's smile threatened to consume her face as she took his hand in hers, and despite her excitement, her grip was surprisingly gentle. "Yes! I'm Javelin of the Royal Navy! It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance!"

"The pleasure is mine." Kooper replied smoothly, casting a glance at the other two girls.

The lavender-eyed blonde gave a courteous nod and seemed content to keep her distance, letting the energetic Javelin spearhead the interaction. But when he offered a hand to her as well, the same excited grin spread across her lips as well.

"I am Z23. Iron Blood destroyer."

Unlike Javelin's, Z23's grip was as strong as iron. So much that Kooper imagined she could crush anyone's hand with little effort.

Iron Blood indeed.

The other girl, stared at him with eyes that made it difficult for Kooper to read her expression. "Ayanami." She announced plainly. "Sakura Empire Fubuki-class destroyer." She took two steps forward and Kooper found himself tensing under the weight of her unreadable stare. He raised a hand, half expecting a strike, but soon found her shaking his hand as well; a comfortable cross between Javelin and Z23's.

"Pleasure…" Kooper smiled nervously, but the girl's expression remained passive.

"So, what brings you three out here?" Hornet asked, apparently already acquainted with the trio. "Another picnic at the usual spot?"

Ayanami shook her head. "We spotted you running through town and decided to follow you."

Javelin gave an enthusiastic nod of agreement.

Z23 sighed. "More like Javelin insisted."

"You're the one who spotted him first." Ayanami pointed out. "And you didn't oppose the idea either."

"What does that have to do with anything?" Z23 protested, suddenly becoming flustered.

"If you weren't curious, you'd have found any other reason to not go." Ayanami continued, leaning in towards the girl. "Clearly you're just as curious as anyone else."

Z23 made a cute groan and hid her blush behind a hand.

Kooper gave a light chuckle at the friendly banter.

"If you're okay with it, could we ask you some questions?" Javelin looked about ready to explode.

"Hmmm…" Kooper made a show of pondering which only made Javelin's posture tense. Even Z23 was looking at him with anticipation. Ayanami looked completely composed until Kooper noticed the way she crossed her fingers, rubbing them together as she waited for his answer.

"Sure, why not." He finally answered, allowing the three to release the breaths they had been holding.

Javelin gave a cute little hop and clapped her hands together. "Thank you so much…" She paused.

"Kooper." He answered, taking the hint. "David Kooper."

"Interesting name." Ayanami stated.

Kooper's brow arched. "So I'm told?"

"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance Kooper." Javelin had his hand engulfed in hers and a smile that could have brightened the cloudiest of days. "What's your favorite food? Favorite color? What are your hobbies?"

"Slow down Javelin!" Z23 barked. "You're going to scare him off!"

Javelin immediately caught herself and clapped a hand over her mouth. An embarrassed blush adorned her cheeks.

"It's okay Zee." Kooper waved dismissively. "She be curious."

Javelin's embarrassment subsided but she continued to restrain herself, clasping her hands in front of her.

Z23 blinked in surprise. "Z-Zee? What are you talking about? I am Z23! Not Zee!"

Kooper recoiled. "Oh… My bad. I tend to shorten names into nicknames."

Z23 eyed him speculatively as though she didn't quite believe him. "Well, my friends call me Nimi. But that's only after I give them permission."

"Nimi, do you have to word it so harsh?" Javelin protested.

"Fair point." Kooper sighed. "But why Nimi?"

It was now Ayanami's turn to blush. "It's… the nickname I gave her." She twirled a strand of hair around a finger, blinking rapidly and averting her eyes.

"Call it a cultural nickname." Z23 jumped in, eager to save her friend.

"Oh!" Kooper chirped. "Cute."

Z23 gave a sudden hiccup and blushed. "Th-thank you."

"But to answer your questions, Javelin. Anything with shrimp. Navy blue, pun not intended." He paused to think. "Hobbies? I don't know if I really have any hobbies."

"You don't have hobbies?" Ayanami cocked her head curiously. "Everyone has hobbies."

Kooper gave a helpless shrug. "I haven't really had much time for them."

"You mean since your recovery?" Z23 asked.

"More like in since I was little."

Kooper went on to explain what he did as part of a national relief group. He quickly found that the more he talked about it, the more the girls' interest grew. Even Ning Hai and Ping Hai were practically leaning over their stand to listen in.

"I see." Javelin finally said when he came to a pause. "I can understand why you wouldn't have a lot of time with a life schedule like that."

"Yeah." Kooper rocked his head sideways. "But I suppose if there's anything to be gained from all that, I saw a lot that I might want to try out one day."

"Like what?"

"Skydiving or flying. Or maybe take up painting. Writing even? My mom used to get mad because I would steal printer paper to write stories or draw growing up." He gave a soft chuckle at the memory of sneaking five or six sheets from the group's printer tray and scurrying off with a handful of pencils. "God, she used to get mad over that."

"Sounds like you were a bit of a rascal growing up." Hornet snickered, giving his head a playful rub.

Kooper leaned away from her, with a laugh. "My parents could tell you stories. I couldn't go two weeks without getting grounded for something new and stupid."

"I can believe that." Hornet chortled.

"There's a reason I'm not planning to have kids anytime soon." Kooper smirked and pointed a finger gun at her. "Half of me is gunna be in there. I need the right girl to balance that out."

His comment got a laugh from the carrier and Northampton sisters. Ping Hai and Ning Hai only looked confused along with the destroyers.

Behind Javelin and her friends, Kooper could see more girls coming into view, passing by on errands of their own until one or two happened to turn their heads in his direction and stop mid-stride.

"An' here were go." Hornet muttered.

But before Kooper could fully turn his attention to the approaching newcomers, Z23 spoke.

"What is it like to have a mother and father?"

Kooper blinked and had to think about that. It was a good question.

Staring at the ground, he searched his thoughts and memories, the crunch of approaching footsteps falling away from his senses.

He remembered the late nights of his father's work shifts. The eagerness he felt at seeing him come home the following morning during breakfast and receiving a near suffocating hug in arms tight with muscle. He could feel his mother watching over him carefully as he learned to assemble his first lunch for kindergarten, and the glowing smile on her lips as he skipped out of the kitchen, lunchbox in hand.

Even after fleeing his home city, the memories were vivid. His father presenting him with his favorite model plane, year after year on his birthday and Christmas. The pang of guilt rose in his chest as he remembered how quickly he broke the models from playing with them so much. But his father only laughed and stated that they were loved to the extreme. The year his mother had been diagnosed, he remembered her calling him to their trailer and sitting him down on his bed to tell him the news.

"Which is why I need you to do something very important for me…"

She had kept the same luminous smile, albeit with a slight weariness.

"What is it?" He had sniffled, wiping his face of tears.

"I need you to learn my secret recipe for my chocolate chip cookies. That way you can make them for your father and your loved ones. Can you do that for me?"

Kooper nodded and sniffled.

"Are you alright Kooper?"

"Huh?" Kooper blinked and his vision blurred.

"Yeah, are you okay bud?" Hornet's voice was at his side, and he turned, to her, blinking to clear his vision. The carrier and the Northampton sisters all wore expressions of concern on their faces. The feeling of something rolling down his cheeks made him bring his fingers up to his face.

The came away damp and he realized what had happened.

"I…I'm sorry." Z23 stammered. "I did not mean to touch on a sensitive subject."

Kooper sniffled and wiped his face. But upon facing her, he found a crowd of girls had gathered in all shapes, sizes, and colors. All looking at him with just as much worry as his new acquaintances.

"It's fine Zee…" He let out a heavy sigh and wiped his face, an embarrassed chuckle escaping his lips.

Z23 looked less than convinced.

Kooper looked around the crowd, his eyes eventually drifting towards Ning Hai, then back to his escort. "Parents…" He swallowed the lump in his throat. "Good parents… are like having an older sibling. They do everything they can to make you laugh. To annoy you. To take care of you when you're sick or hurt. Even when they themselves are sick or hurt. They do their best to teach you things that will help you go out into the world on your own one day. And gift you with stories and memories that last for as long as you live."

The tears were forming again, yet his smile refused to break.

"They're your guardians. Caretakers. Teachers and Mentors all in one. But they're more… They are so much more. And… And I wish I had the words…"

A choked sob cut through the air and Kooper could no longer fight back. His hands flew to his face, his breathing coming in ragged bursts.

"Gods, I'm sorry." He whimpered and whipped his face, with little success.

A hand rested on his knee and four rested on his back.

Momentarily startled, his looked up to see Javelin kneeling beside him, with Hornet and the Northamptons surrounding him.

"Don't apologize." Hornet whispered. "We understand."

Kooper squeezed his eyes shut for a moment before nodding. He remembered her and Enterprise's moment during their meeting.

Yes. She knew what he was feeling.

At least in some capacity.

"I'm sure your parents would be proud of you." Z23's voice drew his attention up. The destroyer extended to him a handkerchief, red with black and gold embroidered trim.

Kooper took it and dabbed at his eyes, letting his breath return to his lungs. He rested a hand on Javelin's and squeezed Hornet's arm as it slid around his shoulders in a comforting hug.

"Thank you." He whispered. "All of you. For everything."

"We're not done yet." Hornet murmured, rubbing his shoulder.

"Yeah! Not even close!" Houston blurted, dispelling the atmosphere. "The expedition team will find the others. Just you wait!"

"She's right." Northampton nodded. Her voice was level but held a comforting warmth. "Essex is a capable leader. She'll sink before she gives up."

"Thank you… Again." Kooper gave a final sniffle and used Z23's handkerchief to clear the last of his tears.

"Keep it." She said, giving a sheepish shrug. "I have others. Think of it as a personal souvenir."

Kooper gave a huff of amusement. "I take it that means there's no gift shop?"

Z23 quirked a faint smile and rolled her eyes. "Nein. We're a naval base. Not a tourist hub."

"Hey now!" Houston jumped in. "There's more to us than fighting ya know! Look around!" She gestured expansively towards the town, and the shops further along the path near the beach with scattered umbrellas and lounge chairs. "All work and no play make for dull days."

Z23 sighed and massaged her forehead. "You have a point." She glanced over her shoulder and shivered at the wall of eager eyes and barely contained excitement. "Perhaps we should move on though? We are crowding the area."

Kooper glanced over at Ning Hai who had just spotted Ping Hai trying to sneak a bun. The younger sister looked disappointed that she had been caught in the act of self-thievery, which gave Kooper an idea.

He motioned for Hornet to lean in and whispered in her ear. The blonde's eyes went wide as did her grin as she glanced at the Dragon Empery stand then back to the crowd.

"You sly dog."

"Mom could tell you stories." Kooper shrugged.

Hornet's signature grin was back as she spread her arms wide, chest thrust out and cloak billowing dramatically on the breeze.

"All right ladies! Listen up!" She barked.

Immediately, the other kansen snapped their eyes to her, only causing the carrier's Cheshire grin to widen.

"You all want to get to know our guest, right?"

A thunderous acknowledgment erupted from the gathered crowd.

"You have questions you want answered, right?"

Kooper's hands flew to his ears as the roar intensified.

"Here's the deal! Anyone who makes a purchase from this here stand by our lovely Dragon Empery friends will get first crack at asking questions. Are we clear?"

"Wait what?" Ning Hai's eyes went wide, and her jaw dropped as she stared in bafflement at Kooper and Hornet. Ping Hai, taking the moment to reach for the confiscated bun again, paused as she noticed the sudden silence. Her head turned slowly to find all eyes on her and her sister.

Ning Hai swallowed hard.

As if suddenly spurred into action, the crowd of ship-girls surged forward on masse. Any words Ning Hai uttered were drowned out by the onslaught of orders.