(Early Authors Note: I AM BACK! Indeed, chapter 2 is now here and out for you all to read! I hope you love it!

to Valhalan Guardsman: Indeed, so can I. I mean, how hard is it to WAIT? All they had to do was just wait a few more minutes! He was on the LAST CHAPTER!

Anyway, without further ado... enjoy...)

Speaking of Michael's friends, they were getting settled in their 'common room' while discussing what to wear for this big party that's happening tonight to welcome the commander.

It was when they decided to go and ask Mike, that the door burst open revealing a rather exhausted Akagi.

"*pant* *pant* Ah, wonderful! Your still *pant* here! I had to give that annoying bird the slip in order to get here quicker. I was wondering, *pant* what's the commander's story?"

The crew was rather suspicious. Caleb then asked "Why do you want to know? You aren't gonna use it to get all lovey-dovey with him, are you?"

The Kitsune acted shocked and said "Why no, sir! I just wish to better understand our new commander."

No one bought her words even for a minute.

Nonetheless, Joe (who was rather smitten with the fox) said "Well… he has a grudge against those Sirens."

When he was asked to elaborate by Taihou (who had just then burst in) he continued.

"It all started a few years ago, before we met. The Sirens had attacked Mike's home town, killing almost everyone. He tried to save his family, but all he got for it was a large scar on his back and a blackout. When he came around, everything was gone. It was then that he came across a fallen Siren. She had a scourge-whip with her, and ever since our commander got it, he used it ruthlessly on who-or-what-ever crossed him. Soon, one thing led to another, and we all met at Azur Academy where we stayed friends ever since. A rather short story, I know. But Mike doesn't really like too much of his history being told."

When he looked up, he noticed more ship-girls had listened in.

"Oh. There are more of you now. So, does anyone want to hear more stories?"

Akagi had already sprinted off to find her commander. With this newfound knowledge, perhaps she can win him over somehow. At least if she didn't accidentally bump into her sister Kaga.

"Oh, sorry dear sister. I didn't see y-... wait, where are you going in such a hurry?"

To this, Akagi just said "Nowhere in particular. Just… wandering around, you know. Now, if you'll excuse me." and then she sped off once again. Leaving behind a confused aircraft carrier.

Kaga was altogether unsure of what her sister planned, but it was no doubt aimed at the commander. That boy was rather interesting, she had to admit. But soon bumping into him as well wasn't something she expected. Nor was the fact that he had been looking for her.

"Huh? Oh, Kaga, there you are! I've been looking for you." He said happily.

"C-commander?!" she said, before quickly composing herself.

"Forgive me. I-i wasn't looking where I was going."

The commander just waved it off and said "It's alright. Had I not finished my book before this, I would have very nearly gotten very upset. Anyways, I was wondering if I could get your opinion on something. Follow me, please."

So, he really does love reading. Huh. Well there's something to take note of. Speaking of which, he was wearing a rather ragged and worn-out white shirt that had a golden harp and the words 'IRELAND' below it. The whole thing made Kaga confused. Why would he wear such ragged clothing when he's the commander?

When she decided to ask, he was already walking away. She called out "Wait!" and accidentally touched his back. And that's when the strangest thing happened.

He shivered.

As soon as Kaga touched his back, he shivered.

Having noticed this, she pulled her hand back, bowed, and said "I am so sorry! I don't why I did that, b-but I won't do it again! P-please-"

"Kaga…" Michael said, interrupting her.

"Don't ever do that again."

He then walked off. Kaga didn't see him again until the party later tonight.

"She didn't notice me shivering, did she?" Michael asked himself as he made his way to his 'secret spot'.

He hated it when people touched that area.

It made him feel weak and powerless. Not to mention the fact that his back is a rather easy target. But all that would change once he got to that weeping-willow tree he found.

The place was calming to him. Better yet, there was a large lake with plenty of fish in it.

And Mike loved fish.

They made good pets and food. A great two-for-one! Luckily, he has his lucky fishing pole with him. When he finally got there (while simultaneously finishing up an ice-cream he had along the way) he sat down and started fishing. He didn't really feel like eating fish today, so he let them go once he caught them.

"Guten tag, herr kommandant."

Of course (as Fate seems to love making happen) things became awkwardly difficult.

It appears that the Iron Blood heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen had followed him.

"Y-yes. Hello Eugen. Whatcha doing out here, if I may ask?"

That was really the only thing Michael could say before Eugen got right next to him and said "Well, someone has to protect our new commander. Do they not?" It took a good bit of Mike's willpower to not shudder at how close Eugen was and with how her tone was.

I mean, seriously, those two sentient-shark-like things creep him out to no end.

But it got worse when she said "Oh, you have a bit of ice-cream on your face."

And then proceeded to lick it off.

In hindsight, Mike should have backed away when he had the chance. Now, he's stuck shivering to the cold touch of a German ship's tongue. Even worse, she noticed and therefore decided to keep doing it even after all the ice-cream was licked up.

"My, my. The commander really does have a soft spot. However, I bet this is not the only one, hmmmm?"

Nope. That was the last straw right there.

"O-kay! Fishing time is over! Goodbye!" He said, and zoomed off as fast as his legs could go. Besides, the party is about to start.

Eugen, for her part, just chuckled and waved goodbye.

At last, the party came.

Everyone was in their best clothes, making typical-party-small-talk or dancing. Unsurprisingly, a lot of ship-girls wanted their first dance to be with their commander. But after his friends helped shoo them away, he plucked-up some courage, and went towards Enterprise.

To say she was stunning would be an understatement.

Her dress was shiny (Michael did love shiny things) her body clean and flawless (though Mike made sure not to stare). All in all, she was gorgeous. He tapped Enterprise on the shoulder, nervously laughed, and said "May I have this dance, please?"

Enterprise was actually taken aback by how forward the commander was. She really wasn't sure what to say.

"Of course. She would love to dance with you!"

But, of course, Belfast would answer for her.

Next thing she knew, she was out on the dance floor with the commander. She didn't fail to notice the dirty looks being given to her. He asked her, why not give him dirty looks?

But she would be lying if she said she didn't enjoy dancing with the commander. Or the jealousy other ships had towards her.

Meanwhile, Mason and the others were enjoying their dances, while also keeping an eye-out for any trouble that might come the commander's way. So far, nothing. Maybe this would be a smooth-sailing party after all.

But the next two people who opened the door dashed all hopes of that.

It was Akagi and Taihou.

But, luckily, it was time for Mike's speech. These were always pretty fun.

"Speech, commander!"

"Yeah, say some words!"

"Hooray!"

The ships were excited, that's for sure.

Soon, once everyone quieted down, Michael stepped up and made his speech.

Made it up as he went along, though.

He never made any time for going over it.

"Thank you, thank you all! It is truly wonderful to meet so many of you!"

Cheers then erupted.

"We have the Royal Navy! Iron Blood! Eagle Union! Sakura Empire! Dragon Emprey! Northern Parliament, and many others!"

Even more cheers.

"I already feel that this one day alone is far too short a time to be among such excellent and admirable ships."

Many blushed at the comment.

"What's more, I don't know half of you as well as I should like, though that doesn't mean I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve. I think."

It was here that the ship-girls became confused.

Where exactly was he going with this? Wasn't he just supposed to introduce himself and be done with it?

"Anyways, name's Michael Ulrikson, your new commander. I really hope to get to know each and every one of you better. Now with all that aside, let's PARTY!"

And just like that, he went and mingled, drank, ate, joked, and drank some more. It was a short speech that was unprecedented. But this new commander looked a good, nice person, nonetheless.

So, this was a wonderful welcoming party, all the same.

(Ending Authors Note: There we are! Chapter 2 is out! I hope you all like it, though it might feel a bit short. More will come soon. Maybe even a little confrontation between some certain people? Hmmmm? Oh well, see ya all next time!)

"Let your mind wander. To find both elegance and poise." - TaleBearer42Day