Right, this is where it starts diving off into the more mature end? Sorry guys, no lemons.

Original A/N:

"Obligatory Background Development?
Note: Seonbae = Senpai = Qianbei (Xianbei = mocking tone of Qianbei)
Italicize = Thoughts
If you can't tell, "burst that chrysanthemum" means anal."

Hongxi stepped into the mess hall full of clamoring crewmen and disgruntled officers. Word about being redeployed as the occupation force for Cera had spread and dying embers were reignited amongst the older crew.

A few officers nearby had seen the captain enter and were about to stand up and salute before Hongxi waved them off.

Hongxi: "Remain at ease gentlemen, there's no need for formalities during a time of rest."

The group promptly responded with a "sir" and sat back down. Hongxi scanned the cafeteria until he found the line of hungry crewmen waiting for their food. Double checking that his uniform was indeed that of his old artillery captain uniform, he joined them. Hongxi peered over the shoulder of the cadet in front of him and looked at the menu.

Hongxi: "So, what's the special?"

Cadet: "Beef stew I believe."

Hongxi: "Beef stew? Which style?"

Cadet: "Yunnan."

Hongxi: "Ehh? Well, it's better than the foreign one. That one is too sweet for my taste."

The cadet turned around.

Cadet: "I know right? The others are crazy for the foreign one, but the flavor is just too strong in my opinion. It's too in-your-face like it's trying to mask something underneath."

Hongxi: "Yeah, Yunnan style beef stew has a more natural sweetness to it. That reminds me, have you ever tried Yuenan's beef noodle soup?"

Cadet: "Yeah, it tastes just like Yunnan's beef stew! Just add in noodles. I take it you are also a Southerner?"

Hongxi: "I…. Grew up at the Academy. But I love a taste of the Fatherland from time to time."

Cadet: "Ahh, well that's fine qianbei. You're Hua Xia just like the rest of us, doesn't matter where you grew up. Anyway…"

The Cadet leaned in and whispered while pointing to Yayoi who was a few dozen people up the line.

Cadet: "The new XO? I heard she's Zebben. Bio says she's the best of the class, the 'cream of the crop' as those foreigners would say. But rumor has it, she got to where she is now through pillow talk if you know what I mean."

Hongxi raised an eyebrow at this.

Hongxi: "Pillow talk?"

Cadet: "Yeah. A vixen with a slender body and an ass like that? Doesn't it make you just want to burst that chrysanthemum? She's a smart girl, no way she'd pass up using her assets. Some say she pulled the plug on a couple life supports after that attack, you know getting rid of the competition between her and the position of XO."

Hongxi: "That's ridiculous."

Cadet: "Yeah, that's probably true. But hey, you never know right? How about you qianbei? What are all you seniors talking about?"

Hongxi: "Not much. We come to you guys for all the gossip you know? Force of habit and accountability makes it difficult for us to circulate rumors."

Cadet: "Wow, really xianbei? Always the mature ones huh? Makes sense."

Hongxi continued his idle chatter with the cadet until it was finally his turn in line. Upon seeing Hongxi, the lunch lady gave an understanding nod and grabbed a bigger bowl. She filled it to the brim, packing in more meat than the others.

Lunch Lady: "Here, I put in some extra meat for you, sir."

Hongxi: "Thank you."

Turning around, Hongxi scanned the crowded cafeteria for a seat.

Hongxi: "Why do we never have enough seats?"

Just as he was to toward an empty spot, a private bumped into him and nearly knocked his tray over. The private did a double back, saw Hongxi's uniform and bowed deeply.

Private: "Ah, sorry seonbae!"

Hongxi: "No, it's fine. Watch yourself."

Private: "I'm terribly sorry sir, it was my fault. I wasn't looking where I was going."

Hongxi: "Then repay me by finding me a seat."

Private: "My table has a spot! This way, seonbae!"

Hongxi followed the private to a table where several others were already situated at. Any hopes of blending in without causing a stir was lost when he saw the Yayoi and Yi-Sun already seated.

Yayoi: "Senpai!"

Hongxi: "No. Haa… No senpai."

Private: "Senpai? Nee-san, aren't you higher than an artillery officer?"

Yayoi: "No no, Kudo-kun. He's the Captain!"

Kudo glanced over at Yi-Sun.

Kudo: "Hyeong, is that true?"

To which Yi-Sun simply nodded and tipped his head.

Yi-Sun: "Hello Captain. Don't be so loud Kudo. The Captain doesn't want to draw attention if he's not in his uniform."

Hongxi seated himself at the table.

Hongxi: "You three are related?"

Yi-Sun nodded and remained silent while the younger one spoke up in his stead.

Kudo: "We have the same father, but Yayoi's mother is different from ours."

Hongxi: "Oh? A Hangul-Zeben mix blood? Do you mind if I pry, or is that something you do not feel comfortable talking about?"
There was an uneasy silence among the three. Yayoi wore a face of guilt while Kudo looked uneasy as if a touchy subject was brought up. Hongxi, being tactless, smiled expectantly at them. After a few more moments, Yi-Sun spoke up.

Yi-Sun: "Kudo and I were war children. Our mother was captured by the Imperial Wa Army and forced to work as a comfort woman… I was born first.

Mother died giving birth to Kudo. Mother-in-Law took pity on us and convinced father to adopt us into his family. We lived a relatively happy life with our new sister-in-law, Yayoi-san."

Maintaining his smile, Hongxi nodded.

Hongxi: "Hmm. Thank you for sharing."

Yi-Sun: "Of course captain. Trust between a subordinate and his superior is crucial in maintaining an effective crew."

Hongxi: "Honestly spoken, and honest words I expect. I shall state here and now, I trust you two utterly and I expect you to do the same.

However, I am a man of tradition and foreign thought. Of deep biases and open acceptance where even I am unsure of myself, so when the time comes… I ask you to stand by me."

Hongxi: "Stand by me when the Dragon reawakens."