"Guten morgen, Herr Generalfeldmarschall," the Burgermeister greeted me with an excited smile and a firm handshake.

"Good morning," I replied in English, much to the man's surprise. I hoped Z24 was correct and some people here spoke my language. "And it's admiral, actually. The, uh, Lady of the castle," I said, glancing back up at the imposing structure on the hill behind us, "was kind enough to procure these for me on short notice. Which is one of the reasons I was hoping to talk to you today."

"Ah, yes," he nodded, his English thick with a German accent. "The kleiner Teufel, the…uh…young woman…had sent a message just a little while ago. Very demanding, but said we were to expect you, although she didn't say you were from the…Eagle Union?"

"Good guess," I grinned. "I was blown overboard during a battle and the Lady of the castle was kind enough to bring me here to rest and recover. But that means I do need to pick up a few things."

His eyebrows shot up at the mention of me being exploded and his eyes immediately darted down to my cane and the large plastic boot. "Mein Gott!" he exclaimed, "I certainly hope things are healing quickly."

"Faster than I'd even hoped," I said with a wry grin. If only he knew just how fast and more importantly, why I was making such a speedy recovery.

"Wunderbar!" he smiled as he clapped his hands together. "Now, how may our town be of assistance to you, Herr Admiral?"

"Well, as you can see," I began, "I don't have a whole lot of clothes right now, and I was wondering if I could pick up a few pieces for my stay here, including a suit if you have one."

He eyed me up and down, running the measurements in his head before he nodded. "It's been a few days since I've been in Rolf's, but he should have something in your size. And if not, I'm sure he could have something adjusted."

"Excellent," I smiled, and bowed my head appreciatively. First hurdle cleared, onto the next. "I also understand you have a bakery that sells a delicious black forest cake. Do you happen to have any in stock?"

"Oh, yes! I think it's a bit large for just one person, but we have one."

"The bigger the better," I grinned. Two for two, let's see if I can pull off a hat trick. "One last thing. And this concerns the Lady of the castle, August von Parseval…"

As I expected, the suit and other outfits would take a few days for the tailor to make the necessary adjustments to them. Still, I was able to get a good look at the two restaurants in town and I managed to (somewhat clumsily) carry a massive black forest cake back to the castle. By the time I got to the gates, Z24 was already waiting for me, arms crossed as she impatiently tapped her foot.

"Took you long enough!" she harumphed as she stomped up to me, her eyes on the box in my hand. "Did you fulfill your end of the bargain, mortal?"

"I'm a man of my word," I answered as I held the box out to her. "The biggest one they had."

Her gold eyes lit up as she delicately snatched the box from me and peered inside. She smiled giddily before she realized I was still there and fixed me with a scowl. "You've done my bidding well, mortal. I can see why August likes keeping you around."

I scowled back but didn't take the bait. I already was confused enough about my relationship with August without adding an argument with a sassy lost child to the mix. Instead, I decided to change topics. "So the townsfolk know about you, and you have lines of communication with each other, which leads me to wonder…why you don't just go down there and buy it yourself?"

"Because they see me as some kind of kid instead of demonic nobility," she pouted. "I'm sure if I just maimed a few of them, they'd be quivering in fear in no time, but August stopped that idea pretty quickly." She huffed and looked back down the road that led to the village. "It's not fair. Everyone's scared of August, even though she puts on a smile for them."

"Having a dragon helps," I offered. "Dragons evoke something…primal, in people. Despite being creatures of fantasy, we can't help but be in awe and fear of them. Maybe you should get a dragon?"

"As if!" she spat. "I'd sooner become a submarine than an airplane." She eyed me up and down. "I trust you took care of your business, mortal?"

"I did," I confirmed with a nod. "It'll take a few days to get everything set up, but I expected as much. Should have everything ready by the time my leg's fully healed."

She eyed me up and down before she shrugged. "I'll never get why you mortals are so obsessed with appearance. She's already seen you freezing wet and in your underwear, what does it matter what you look like now?"

"Gee, thanks," I drily replied, trying my best not to roll my eyes at her. "I get that she hasn't seen me at my best, but I still want to put forth the effort. Show her I care enough about her to look as good as I can for her."

"Sounds like she's already got you well trained then, pet." She used the last word as if it were an epithet, and before I could reply, she spun on her heel and waved her hand dismissively. "Thank you for the cake, mortal. And good luck. You're going to need it…"

I sighed as I watched her practically skip away, cake in hand. Some days, it felt like I couldn't win for losing. I shook my head and headed back into the castle.

When I made it back up to the library, I found August waiting for me, lounging on the sofa, a book in her hands. "So," she began with a predatory grin, "I trust you found the village to your liking?"

For a second, I wondered how she knew, but then again, considering there's only one road in and out of the castle, and I didn't swear Z24 to secrecy regarding where I was going, I shouldn't have been that surprised. "I did, actually," I answered casually as I took a seat in a high-backed leather chair across from her. "Very idyllic place. Quiet, nice people. Apparently has the best cake."

Understanding flashed in August's eyes and her grin blossomed into a smile. "Ah, so she roped you into getting her a cake," she deduced. "But what did you get out of it, I wonder?"

"You'll just have to wait and see," I smiled coyly as I laid my cane across my lap.

Approval and excitement crossed her face as she sat upright and set the book aside. "Wait and see, hmmm?" she purred. "Planning something for just the two of us, perhaps?"

"My lips are sealed on this, I'm afraid," I shrugged. "Just gotta wait."

"I could always whisper a word or two in your ear…" she grinned seductively.

Despite my nerves, I still kept my poker face on. "I wouldn't object. Mostly because that leaves me in a state where I'm too relaxed for words."

Her smile died somewhat as she nodded. "True," she acknowledged. "While you are adorable when I've melted you into a little quivering puddle, I'm not going to get much out of you that way…" She eyed me up and down, and a sudden jolt of adrenaline surged through me when I realized she was pondering other methods to get me to talk. After a few tense seconds, she shrugged and laid back down on the couch. "I suppose I can wait for now. In the meantime, we could begin going over your flying lessons, if you wish."

While I was certainly eager to get started, one little thing was bothering me. "Don't I need to be fully healed before I start that?"

"For actual flying, yes," she agreed, "but you don't start learning by hopping into a cockpit and taking off. We need to go over the basics before you take control of an aircraft. Tell me, how much flight training have you received from your navy?"

"None," I sheepishly admitted. "Before I was assigned to Azur Lane, I was a submariner. Come from a long line of submariners, actually."

August leaned in, her eyes hungrily studying me. "Fascinating," she whispered. "How many generations back does it go?"

"Quite a few," I sighed as I tried to think back. "At least as far back as my great-great-grandfather. When I was transferred to Azur Lane, I received training on surface and aerial tactics and strategy, but that's for commanding ships and planes in engagements, rather than the individual brass tacks of flying said aircraft. Especially since they're being controlled by kansen anyway."

"I see," she hummed as she stood up and strode over to the bookshelves. "We'll need to start you off at the very beginning, then…" She ran a gloved finger over the spines, searching for the one she needed. "Ah, here it is." With a deft move, she plucked it from its place on the shelf, walked over, and held the book out to me. "Introduction to flight."

I took the book from her and began thumbing through it. Looked pretty straightforward, but one thing caught my attention. I realized I hadn't seen any sort of airstrip from the castle, nor had I heard any planes overhead aside from August's. "About landing…am I going to be practicing that somewhere else? I haven't seen a runway nearby."

She smiled warmly and shook her head. "No, you'll be doing carrier landings."

I hadn't even gotten the basics of flight down yet and she was throwing me right into the deep end. "Isn't that a bit difficult?"

"I thought you weren't one to back down from a challenge," she said, the smug smile slowly returning. "Especially one so simple as this one."

I felt my hackles rise at her condescension and I wasn't about to let this slide. "I don't back down from a challenge. You want carrier landings, you'll get carrier landings."

Her smile grew and she headed back to the couch. "Good. Don't worry, dear William, I'll be there to help you every step of the way. Besides, I wouldn't want my familiar to come to any harm."

"Not your familiar," I growled.

"Yet," she grinned. "After all, you said it yourself, being a sub is in your blood."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Sub-mariner," I emphasized, "submariner."

She smiled and shrugged, studying me for a few more minutes. "Did you join the navy because of familial duties, or because it was something you wanted to do?"

I sighed and leaned back in the chair as I pondered the question. "Hard to say," I finally answered. "A little bit of both, I guess. I grew up a navy brat and heard all the stories and adventures my dad, granddad, and great-granddad all got up to. So I was definitely nudged in that direction. But at the same time, I know my parents would've supported me if I decided not to join. If I'd wanted to be a chef or an accountant, I think Dad would have been disappointed, but he would still love me all the same."

She nodded as she listened intently, taking in every word. "Have you ever thought about retirement or just resigning?"

"No, never," I emphatically shook my head. "The sea, despite its recent attempt on my life, calls to me. It's in my blood. I can't imagine a world where I'm not in the military, although I know one day, assuming I live long enough, I'll have to step down."

"And what will you do then?"

"Probably buy a house on the beach and enjoy retirement," I smiled softly. "Try and find something to do before I go crazy. What about you? Have you ever entertained the idea of civilian life?"

"From time to time," she confessed. "I was born to this, no choice was ever given to me, and sometimes I wonder what it would be like to choose my own destiny."

When she didn't elaborate, I raised an eyebrow. "And?"

She shrugged. "I've thought about simply living as an unhulde, practicing my magicks in peace and tranquility, but it is merely an empty dream."

"What makes you say that?"

"She graced me with a sad smile. "That is not my purpose, that is not what I was born for. I was created to defend humanity, to defeat the Sirens. If I abdicate that responsibility for some selfish fantasy, it would haunt me forever. One day, perhaps, when the Sirens are defeated, I will seriously entertain the idea, but until then, it will be nothing more than a passing fancy."

At the time, I think that was the most open, and most vulnerable she'd ever been with me. It was refreshing to see another side to her, and I smiled warmly back at her. "One day," I repeated quietly. "Hopefully soon, you'll get that choice."

She nodded and smiled again, with a little more warmth and happiness than the last. "Indeed. In the meantime, I do have some things to check up on, and you have some studying to do, so I will leave you to it. I shall be back later."

I returned the smile as I bowed slightly to her. "Until later, then."

The next couple of days raced by in a blur. As it turns out, flying a plane is pretty complicated. In addition to the overall physics of lift, drag, thrust, and all that, you also needed to know the weight and balance of each specific aircraft you were flying. And all that before you got into the cockpit and started the takeoff procedure…which I hadn't even gotten around to yet. The good news, however, was that my leg seemed to have been fully healed and I was ready to at least head down to the August von Parseval herself to see her planes up close and personal.

"Any pain when I press here?" August asked as she pushed down on my leg. On the previous days, that would have been met with a sharp jolt of pain and some sort of audible response from me. But today was different.

"Nope, none," I shook my head. "Think it's all healed?"

August pursed her lips as she examined the leg a little bit more. "I believe so, but I don't think you should do anything strenuous just yet. We'll see how you do without the cane and boot today, and if you still feel fine, give you one last potion and consider the matter settled."

"Amazing," I chuckled softly as I shook my head. "I still can't believe this leg healed in barely a week. The results are undeniable, though. Thank you, August."

"It was the least I could do," she smiled softly. "After all, you are my-"

"Don't say it," I warned her.

"...guest," she finished with a coy grin. "My, my, you are getting paranoid about being my familiar, aren't you? Do you really despise the concept, or is this a case of the lord doth protest too much, hmmm?"

"Keep trying me and see what happens," I grumbled as I slipped on my boots and zipped up the flight suit.

"Ah, your defiance never gets old," she happily sighed, her violet eyes flashing in the firelight. "I eagerly await when you muster up the strength and courage to truly challenge me. But that is for another day. Since you are back on your feet now, would you take a stroll down to the docks and see my aircraft up close?"

"I'd love to," I beamed. "I've been waiting for this since I first got here."

"Come, then," she held out her hand. "No more time to waste."

I took her outstretched hand and allowed her to lead me through the halls and corridors until we got to the main gate. There, a car waited, the manjuu driver impatiently sitting behind the wheel, along with Z24.

August eyed her destroyer suspiciously, a grey eyebrow arched in her direction. "I didn't think you'd want to come on this little trip, given your disdain of aircraft," she stated.

"I don't," Z24 shot back as she thrust a piece of paper out toward me. "Here to give the mortal a message. Everything's ready."

I quickly snatched the paper from her hand to prevent August from seeing what might be on it. "Gonna need a bit more information than that," I muttered, hoping the paper would be more forthcoming. Sadly, it was not. "Define 'everything'."

Z24 sighed dramatically and rolled her eyes. "Everything you asked of them, it's done and waiting. Tonight."

"Tonight?" I repeated, not sure I'd heard that correctly. "Everything tonight?"

"What he said," she snapped. "Anyway, gave you the message, so I'm off. Good luck, mortal!"

As Z24 walked off, I folded the paper and slipped it into one of my pockets. It would appear today would be very busy…

A/N-OMG, are we finally going to get to planes? Maybe. Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays and until next time, fair winds and following seas!