"Ah yes. Our favorite resident talent seeker. I hope you have come bearing good news today."
"... not exactly."
"Oh boy. Bad news. My favorite. Do you know that bad news is — "
"Yesyesyes, bad news travels faster than the speed of light, yaddayaddayadda. Let's jump to the chase. I'm beginning to question whether or not this person truly exists."
"It's in the cards. Why wouldn't he? Or she? Gotta be inclusive these days, y'know."
"Please stop with the jokes. I'm trying to hold a serious conversation."
"You've interrupted my lunch. I have the right to talk about whatever I like. For about… another thirty minutes."
"Since when do chairs of committees have union mandated lunch breaks?"
"Since about… thirty seconds after you came in and started to talk."
"Have you read my report?"
"I have. Every scintillating page of it. I will say, however, that I didn't see how ten pages of complaining has to do with my lunch break."
"Sir."
"Yes?"
"I'm thinking of quitting."
"Interesting."
"I haven't been home in a while. I'm sure my wife is having a tough time raising two kids by herself. All I do is send checks home. Comprehendo?"
"Sí, yo sé. If you're looking for pity, you'll find it between piss and psoriasis in the dictionary. You think we don't run though fellas like you like someone with Crohn's runs through toilet paper? We know it's difficult. And about as fun as looking for a piece of hay in a stack of needles. If you want to go, we're not going to stop you. We'll find someone else. We always do."
"..."
"I will say, though, we still pay fairly. It's not like our work demands are unreasonable. So riddle me this: will you realize your so-called enlightenment and quit because it appears to be a fruitless task, or will you swallow your pride and just do as we ask?"
—
"Oh dear."
There were quite a few people in the audience. It reminded the Commander of the time when he was called up to the stage and asked a question. About recycling? Maybe a spelling bee contest? Either way, he couldn't answer. He'd frozen up, and there was dead silence for a good six seconds. The whispers of the crowd only began later than that. "Tension so thick you can cut it with a knife" is an understatement. Time had frozen for that moment, so that his brain could implant every single detail of that moment forever. Even now, if he closed his eyes, he could remember the number of skylights pointing down at him, blinding him, and making the audience nothing more than a mosaic of shaded figures…
But that was neither here nor now. He went to approach the podium and took a deep breath. Slowly, the background chatter died down, and attention was focused towards him. Some kept a passive expression on their face. But most others were curious. Belfast was near the back, with many other decorated figures, and had the same professional smile she always had. Laffey brandished a thumbs up and another bottle of cola.
He wore his best smile, and began.
—
"Do you plan on staying in that corner forever?"
"Maybe."
"How long?"
"Two days?"
Belfast made this grunting noise that was in between a sigh and a chuckle. She continued dusting the furniture in the commander's office.
The speech hadn't gone particularly poorly. Sure, he'd stumbled, and sure, he'd misspeak, but it wasn't a big deal. A couple thought it was funny. Some had pity. But Belfast couldn't think of any who would hate him over a speech like that. From how the commander was acting, he seemed like a grade schooler who was spurned by another who he loved.
There was silence besides Belfast's occasional humming as she worked. She cast her gaze to the commander in the corner, but he remained completely still, back to the corner and hat covering his face.
Belfast chose to break the silence. "Don't you think how you're acting is a bit immature for your age?"
More silence. But then: "I think how I act in private has no effect on my current occupation."
"You're not in private, though."
"I was, until you came in."
"I have to do my duties."
"The door was locked."
"... You do know you have a bedroom?"
"... I do?"
"Where have you been sleeping?"
"I slept on the couch. And there was no one to really show me around in the first place."
"We had time for that yesterday, but you spent that time sleeping."
"I had a migraine, you know? Aren't commanders allowed to be sick?"
"Perhaps. But you're awfully high-maintenance."
"Tell me something I don't know." The commander was still in his corner, but it seemed that he wasn't mired in self-pity anymore. A good thing.
"Alright then. I'll call for someone to hop on over and show you around. In fact, they're already here, it seems."
Someone rapped on the door twice, and it swung open. The commander leapt out of his corner into his chair and tried to look busy at his desk. Belfast would never admit it, but someone at that very moment may or may not have made an unprofessional snort. The two figures who arrived wore white uniforms with blades in holsters on their hips.
"Commander, this is IJN Takao and Atago. They'll be showing you around. I assume Atago heard about what you were doing and decided to tag along?"
Takao nodded with defeat. Atago didn't seem to hear the charge against her and instead tunnel visioned on the commander. He froze from the sudden attention, work charade forgotten.
Atago made this happy squeal. "Shikikan! You're! So! Cute!" She ran over and gave him her signature hug. The commander would never admit it, but he felt at peace like this. A warm, welcoming hug. The tension from his body was leached away and he relaxed.
Upon noticing that the commander didn't try to shove her away, Atago only made her embrace stronger and crooned sweet nothings. Takao was shouting all sorts of stuff that he and Atago were oblivious to.
Eventually, Belfast coughed. "The day is still young. Atago, would you please release the commander? He has places to be."
Reluctantly, Atago pulled away. The commander was still in a daze until Belfast snapped her fingers in front of his face. "Come on, chop chop."
He roused from his delirium and in a dreamlike state, floated out the door, where a cheerful Atago and a concerned Takao followed. The door closed, leaving Belfast to finally clean the bit of corner the commander had been occupying.
—
Upon hitting the unpleasantly bright sunlight, all of his senses were shocked back to full capacity. And he was immediately mortified by his reaction. He covered his face, but he could not hide the fact that his ears were bright red. Atago was pleased with this entire discourse. Takao at least reveled in the fact that the commander had at least a bit of sanity in him.
Takao cleared her throat. "Well, Shikikan, welcome to Azur Lane. We'll be showing you around all of our facilities, and well as introduce you to anyone we'll end up running into."
The commander assumed the little dignity he had and tried to assert his duty as a commander. "Thank you Takao."
They moved to the docks. The commander couldn't help but notice the perfect weather. It'd been perfectly cloudless yesterday, with the seas shining a pastel of blue that wouldn't seem to exist in nature.
The port had a couple ships under repairs. Little people ("Bulins," Takao said) were hard at work, carrying all sorts of raw materials and tools in a diligent fashion. Leading them all was someone in what appeared to be a… nun outfit?
"This here is Vestal," Atago said. "She's our go-to person for all repairs. We do have another repair ship, but we prefer Vestal's services much more…"
"This is true," Takao added on. "Even though she does favor a certain Eagle Union carrier over others."
Vestal managed to hear this despite all the repair noise, and she turned around and pouted. "That's not true! I don't have bias for Enterprise!"
A pregnant pause. Takao carefully added, "We didn't name any names."
Vestal went bright red, and turned away. The commander cleared his throat. "Well then, it'll be a pleasure working with you in the future, Vestal."
"Yes. I'd say I'd hope to see you again soon, but that'd be too dark, no?" They shared a little laugh at the dark joke, and moved on.
The commander couldn't help but notice all walks of life here and there. The littler kansens would excitedly wave, giggle, and run away with their friends to wherever they needed to be. The more dignified would greet with a head nod of acknowledgement, and move on. It made him glad that his imperfect public oration didn't seem to go over too poorly with everyone.
Interestingly, there were these little cute little chicks that seemed to be everywhere. Takao explained that these were the manjuu, and they seemed to be prevalent no matter where they went. Atago picked one up and handed it to the commander, who cautiously pet its yellow fur. It seemed satisfied, and cooed. It ran up his arm, clambered up on his shoulder to his head, and burrowed itself under his hat. More shocked than anything else, he let it be. Though that didn't stop it from cooing every so often as they approached their next location.
"This is the shop, Shikikan. Everything you'll ever want or need will be here," Takao explained. "Although, there is a price…" she added, her eyes narrowing.
Surprised by the turn of mood, the commander turned to Atago, and was further shocked that Atago no longer had the happy-go-lucky big sister persona. Instead, she had the same guarded expression that Takao usually had. Her hand rested on the sword on her hip.
"Nyaaaaa!" Popping out of vision, was… a green haired catgirl. "I am Akashi! Welcome to the store! We have everything you'll ever want! Oh? What's this? A new customer! We have special discounts for new customers! Say, would you like one of these crates? Can hold some top tier equipment for your favorites! Or perhaps this book that unlocks hidden potentials? Or maybe —"
"Shush." Another popped out, and karate chopped Akashi's head. She bowed. "I'd like to apologize on behalf of Akashi for her nosiness. Sometimes she doesn't understand when to stop. Welcome to our store, Shikikan. I am Shiranui. I do hope you will keep your patronage of our humble store." She bowed again, and pulled Akashi away by one of her cat ears.
A pregnant pause. Takao coughed. "That, as you could see, was Akashi, our other repair ship. I'd assume you'd understand why we may prefer Vestal's services. And we suggest steering clear of this area lest you go bankrupt."
"Yes," Atago said firmly. "You may think we're joking Shikikan, but once you're in… they begin making offers you cannot refuse. And it's a slippery slide."
The commander had thought Akashi's entire introduction was kind of cute and ditzy, but reevaluated that upon Takao's and Atago's serious expressions. It sent a chill up his spine. Maybe the entire thing was an act, and Akashi was actually a shrewd and cutthroat shark who knew exactly how to play customers. He promised himself to never go to this haunted place unless he needed to make a deal with the metaphorical devil.
The canteen had been self-explanatory, but there were places that were mildly surprising to see on a military base. A hot spring. A swimming pool. Food cart stands. He questioned reality. Two plus two was five?
"Just a question," the commander entreated. "I've only seen shipgirls this entire time. Are there no such thing as ship… boys?"
Atago laughed. "Don't we call all ships female? Female pronouns."
He thought about that. Yeah, maybe that was the case, but it was kinda lonely. Maybe for others, this could be paradise, but he had a burning need to vent. Why was he here? Why was all this responsibility heaped on him with all these luxuries? He shied away from the proffered fruit of Azur Lane. He could feel his vision being pulled by some of the more outrageous outfits of some here. He couldn't ignore the shameless proportions of the people here. But his perverse thoughts brought no glee, but instead brought shame. Perhaps he could think of them as not people. But even that was a far stretch. They've all been so kind and welcoming to him, all in their own manner. They've been more whole than most people he'd known. Including himself.
All of this and more weighed on his mind as they explored their personal Eden. Perhaps all of this were apt rewards for a job well done against fighting these so-called Sirens. Perhaps the savior of humanity was entitled to all of this, and much more. But it couldn't possibly be him. Anything he took that wasn't his would always have the bitter aftertaste of undeserved reward.
He couldn't really tell anyone this. Talking to anyone outside of the base besides cleared personnel was forbidden. While everyone here was friendly, he wasn't going to lump all of his pressures and insecurities on one of them on his second day. No, he'll hold on. Maybe start a journal of some sorts. But he couldn't tell anyone.
At the dorms of each region, he met all of their respective leaders. All of their names bounced around in his head, settled in his connections, then promptly were gone. An Enterprise. Washington. Queen Elizabeth and Warspite. Akagi and Kaga. Bismarck and Tirpitz. Others. While he continued to smile and shake hands with every introduction, his mind was far away thinking of maladaptive scenarios of his own invention. Takao and Atago, after guiding the commander through Azur Lane, could not help but wonder what placed the commander in such a pensive mood. Though he returned Atago's farewell embrace, she worried how the commander's smile had stopped reaching his eyes as they broke away.
