If Apocrypha had thought her own office was lavish, it was nothing in comparison to Augusta's, with its plush red carpet and pristine white walls decorated with paintings from the world across. Fine statues and delicate glass works were displayed on shelves along the walls, themselves pieces of art in their design. On a far wall, a large map was hung up, pins of varying colors stuck into different areas that Apocrypha couldn't even hazard a guess at the meanings of.
After shutting the door, Augusta motioned towards an off-white leather sofa for Apocrypha to sit at. While Apocrypha made herself comfortable, she began to prepare for the call. At last, the large screen facing the sitting area turned on, showing a young woman with honey blonde hair and tired green eyes. Augusta picked up a few papers from her desk and joined Apocrypha on the sofa, only the sound of papers shuffling filling the room until Augusta finally spoke.
"Before we get to the report, allow me to make introductions. Apocrypha is the new Commander of Azur Lane as of six weeks ago."
"I heard from Mobile," the woman replied, giving a brief, disinterested salute to Apocrypha. "Essex-class carrier CV-18, Oriskany. Most likely, you know me as Wasp instead. Out of respect for my namesake, though, I would prefer that you refer to me as Oriskany. Moving on, there is some interesting information I think you'd like to hear."
Augusta raised an eyebrow curiously. "It's not often you say that. What happened?"
Oriskany glanced toward the door over her shoulder, as if she was worried someone might come in while she was making the report, turning her attention again to Augusta and Apocrypha once she'd decided it was safe. "I likely wasn't meant to know about it, so please keep this quiet until I can collect more information. Iron Blood seems to be hosting a guest from the Iberian Crown. Augusta, does the name 'Victoria' ring any bells for you?"
Augusta furrowed her brow, racking her brain for any scrap of memory relating to that name among the ranks of the Iberian Crown's ships. Finally, she shook her head. "No, I can't recall anyone by that name."
Oriskany clicked her tongue, clearly having hoped for a different answer. "They were almost entirely wiped out by the Sirens when they appeared, and you're not someone to forget things. I'd assume, then, that it's safe to say she's like Friedrich. This stinks of plans being made. Plans we're being kept in the dark about."
Augusta sighed, nodding. "I have to agree. I will try to reach out to the Iberian Crown myself."
Apocrypha looked between the two in confusion. "Wouldn't more shipgirls be a good thing?" she asked, immediately regretting the question when she saw Oriskany roll her eyes.
Augusta didn't answer at first, the door having opened for Royalist to bring in a tray laden with a pair of teacups, a sugar bowl, cream jug, and teapot. The maid and Augusta shared a brief look. Royalist clearly understood the silence that had befallen the room as a sign of a poor report and made quick work of pouring the tea and serving Apocrypha and Augusta before retreating from the room. With Royalist gone, Augusta took a long sip of her tea before answering Apocrypha's question. "Normally, yes, it would be a good sign that any member of Azur Lane has the resources to spare towards the building of new ships. The Iberian Crown, however, is not a part of the alliance, and we were told by Iron Blood's leaders that they were no longer having relations with the Crown."
"Oh, I don't think you have that quite right, Augusta~" a voice purred, the door to the room having opened again.
Augusta was quickly on her feet, holding a hand out to stop Apocrypha from getting up. "Prinz Eugen. You weren't invited here, so I hope whatever business you have with me is important."
The white-haired woman sauntered in despite Augusta's words, pausing briefly to pick a glass figurine off a table and pretend to inspect it. "You know, it was only Bismarck who ceased talks with the Crown," she commented offhandedly, setting the piece down and continuing into the room to perch herself on Augusta's desk, carelessly pushing papers aside and off in order to do so. "There was never anything saying that her successor or other leaders within the Iron Blood could not reopen talks."
Augusta clenched her fists, taking a few deep breaths to gather her composure before speaking to Oriskany. "Fax your report to me and get out of there ASAP. Make whatever excuse you need to."
"Understood."
With the call ended, Augusta was free to turn her full attention to her uninvited guest, the pair clearly sizing each other up. Apocrypha glanced at the doorway in a question, weighing whether she could escape and find someone to put a stop to the situation, but noticed two more women in the doorway, one with deep blood red hair and eyes, the other with faded sandy blonde hair and stormy grey eyes. She caught a glimpse of skull-shaped earrings swinging as the redhead sighed and shook her head, stepping into the room.
"Eugen, be careful. What is that saying? 'Fuck around and find out.' You're quickly approaching that first step and I won't save you from the second."
Eugen smirked, batting her eyes as if feigning innocence. "Aw, are you worried about me, Mackie? She's just Wales's little princess, nothing to fear."
"Eugen, that is enough," the blonde spoke up. "Augusta, regarding the situation with the Crown, I can assure you that the Iron Blood have no plans to wage a proxy war through them. We were approached about supplying materials so that they could repair shore defenses. Seeing as they had taken to isolating themselves and we have our current situation regarding Bismarck, Friedrich believed that the best course of action was to meet with the Crown's leader face-to-face. At this point, we have as little information on the Crown's new flagship as anyone else."
Somehow, that seemed to both ease Augusta's concerns and make her more suspicious, though she very slightly relaxed her posture. "Thank you, Kronprinz. Perhaps you're not all mad."
"Oh, don't get too comfortable now," Eugen warned, bringing Augusta's attention back to herself. "Though it really is a shame Kronprinz had to spoil the fun. You could have let me seem cool and mysterious. First impressions matter, you know."
The redhead snorted in amusement, a black-gloved hand rising to her mouth so she could cover bubbling laughter under a cough. "Cool and mysterious are not words I would use to describe you even in my dreams, Eugen."
Augusta sighed, walking toward her desk and finally giving Apocrypha room to stand. She began to pick up the papers Eugen had knocked from the desk, rolling them up in her hand and using the roll to hit the white-haired shipgirl over the head. "I have to agree with Mackensen's assessment. I'd use the words 'obnoxious busybody' rather than 'cool' or 'mysterious.' Now get off of my desk."
"Or what?" Eugen teased. "You'll call your dear prince to rescue you~?"
Augusta raised an eyebrow at the challenge. "Perhaps I should. Maybe she'd even be so kind as to lend me her sword to skewer you on. But then again, that's too good a fate for the likes of you."
Mackensen shot Eugen a warning look to stop her from making a snarky reply to the threat, stepping around the desk to open a drawer and shove a crystal bottle of some amber liquid into Eugen's hands. "Drink that and shut up. Augusta, I can pay you back for it. Don't glare at me like that. I can feel your eyes on me."
Augusta ground her teeth, her expression failing to soften in the least. "That was a gift. And I don't appreciate you helping yourself to my things."
Mackensen's lips quirked into a smile. "It's in my nature as a raider. Maybe you shouldn't leave things where they're so easily found, hm?"
Apocrypha sighed, looking at the group. "Is this a regular thing? Everyone barging in and starting trouble for everyone else? Because I'm really getting sick of it already. I'd like, just once, to be able to have someone give a report, or to have lunch, or even just push some damn papers without all hell breaking loose."
"Unfortunately, you'll get used to it," Augusta sighed, still glaring as Eugen took a swig of the drink that had been taken from her desk. "Apocrypha, these are the Iron Blood's representatives. The battleships are Kronprinz and Mackensen. Technically Mackensen is a battlecruiser, but that's semantics. The annoying twit is Prinz Eugen, a heavy cruiser."
Apocrypha couldn't help giving Augusta a strange look upon being informed that Kronprinz was a battleship, making Eugen laugh where she still sat on the desk.
"Wow, it really is hard to convince anyone you're one of the Great War's heroes, Kronprinz. Guess that happens when you're so little~"
"At least we were not unnecessarily oversized and overweight," Kronprinz countered. "Seems more effort was put into size than brains for you."
"Alright, out of my office! All three of you!" Augusta demanded, grabbing Eugen's arm to drag her off of the desk and push her toward the door. "You in particular. Go get yourself sunk or something more useful to Azur Lane."
Eugen bowed mockingly, but held her ground from being forced out the door. "Oh, Kommandant, shouldn't you be the one having final say? Or are you letting this royal lapdog call the shots on your behalf?" She slipped from Augusta's grasp, approaching Apocrypha and slinging an arm over her shoulders, dangling the bottle in her hand. "Why don't you come join us for drinks? We could have all kinds of fun together~."
Apocrypha glanced at Augusta nervously, hoping for some clue as to how to answer. "Um… Well…"
Augusta shrugged in answer to Apocrypha's look. "I'm not going to tell you to go or not. But if you do go, try not to let them get you too drunk. For one, I'd like to know at least one person there will be reasonable enough to not cause problems," she stated while setting her desk back in order. "Oh, and try not to sign over control of the fleet to them or whatever they pull out this time."
"That was a joke!" Eugen argued.
"None of you behaved like it was."
"It's a simple yes or no question, Kommandant," Mackensen stated, and something about the way her red hair shifted across the bone-like hairpieces on either side of her head made Apocrypha shudder at the likeness of blood trickling over bone.
Apocrypha recoiled when she felt hot breath by her ear, Eugen having leaned in far too close for comfort to speak, only to pout at Apocrypha moving away. Apocrypha shook her head, trying to ignore the stench of alcohol lingering in her nose. "I… No. I still have work to do tonight," she lied, and instantly she could see that it wasn't going to work. She needed to think of something better.
"You don't need to be shy~. We won't bite, I promise. Unless you want us to~," Eugen teased with a wink. "Come on, just one drink and you can go. Iron Blood has the best beer. Or I can tell the Vichya Dominion girls to bring us wine. They do have that cute little priestess they keep around~."
"I think she's made her answer clear," Augusta interrupted. "You'll have to accept that the answer is no this time. As I've already requested that you vacate my office, this is your last chance to do so. I will not refrain from using force to remove you if I have to ask a third time."
Eugen rolled her eyes but made for the door, Mackensen bringing up the rear behind her to ensure she left this time. "Kommandant, please don't hesitate to reach out to us if there is anything you may need. Especially if there are any problems with Eugen. I can request that someone be sent to replace her if it becomes necessary."
Apocrypha forced a smile at the offer, nodding. "Thank you, Mackensen. I'll keep that in mind. Maybe I'll be able to join you another time."
Mackensen nodded, herding Eugen out of the office and leaving Kronprinz to close the door behind them. Once they were gone, Apocrypha exhaled sharply in relief, finding a cup of tea in her hands a moment later, Augusta having poured a fresh one for her. Apocrypha managed a grateful smile, inhaling the smell of the tea and letting it smother the scent of alcohol before taking a sip.
"Are you alright?" Augusta asked after a moment when it seemed like Apocrypha had calmed down some.
Apocrypha nodded, still holding the cup tightly between her hands. "I'll be fine. I think I'll go lay down. I'm not really feeling well. About the Iberian Crown you and Oriskany were discussing, though -"
Augusta shook her head. "I won't need you for anything regarding that. The Iberian Crown will just brush me off asking for discussions as usual. More than anything, it's a formality to let them know we still have eyes on them. It's just mind games to try and keep ahead of things before anything happens. Go get some rest and I'll let you know if I hear anything new from Oriskany."
"Thanks. And give Royalist my thanks for the tea."
"Sure."
Apocrypha took one more sip from her cup before setting it aside and leaving the room, taking the long way through the maze of hallways until she reached her room, pausing for a moment to lean against the wall and take slow breaths. She should have kept her composure in front of Augusta. She didn't need to make herself look weaker than everyone already suspected she was. And had she seen annoyance in the look Kronprinz had given her when the Iron Blood girls were leaving the office? She would have sworn that she had. She couldn't keep relying on Augusta or Mobile or whoever else to keep saving her.
She felt her heart start to slow after a while, letting out one more long breath before opening her eyes. Upon facing the door to open it, she noticed something taped onto it. She reached up to free the paper and let her eyes skim over it.
On behalf of Vittorio Veneto, the Eternal Flagship of the Sardegna Empire, I invite you to join us at the Thermae for the evening. Should you choose to attend, please inform us of your answer and if you will be bringing guests by noon tomorrow so that accommodations may be arranged.. Signed - Andrea Doria
Apocrypha mulled over the note while unlocking the door to her dorm and letting herself inside. On the one hand, this was clearly a diplomatic attempt to reach out for a meeting, and she was tempted to ask Augusta or even Wales to join her, seeing as they had far more experience in such things. On the other hand, it was a chance to show that she could handle these things on her own and not be the cause of more work for Augusta. After the fiasco with Iron Blood earlier, it felt unfair to saddle her with even more stress.
She set the note on her nightstand so she could pull off her boots and socks before laying back on the bed, closing her eyes. She just needed to rest them for a moment while she debated how to handle the invitation, that was all.
She was woken by the door opening and an unfamiliar voice bidding her a good morning. She sat up quickly, just in time to see a maid with white hair tied into twintails turn off the lamp beside her bed and make her way to the window to tie back the drapes. At first, she had the thought that Royalist had opted for a different uniform and hairstyle for the day, but when the woman turned around, rather than Royalist's burnished gold or Belfast's sparkling purple, her eyes were red.
"Good morning, Master~" the woman repeated, and for all the sweetness in her voice, Apocrypha couldn't help the slimy feeling that crept down her spine under the woman's gaze.
"G-good morning?" Apocrypha echoed, stupidly trying to wrap her head around that somehow she'd fallen asleep while thinking last night, but also hoping she could figure out who this girl was. She wasn't having any luck with either of those questions. "Uh… Is Royalist alright?"
"Oh, she's fine!" the woman promised. "She's a bit tied up at the moment, so she asked me to tend to your needs this morning."
"I doubt that she did," Swiftsure said from the doorway, having come looking to see if perhaps Royalist had come to Apocrypha's room before hers for some reason. "Unless something has changed, Scylla, isn't there a restraining order against you interacting with Commander candidates after your incident with the previous one?"
Although Scylla's friendly expression didn't change, Apocrypha could feel the sudden shift in the air of the room as a stifling tension took hold. "I was only doing what was best for Azur Lane," Scylla answered, turning her attention to gathering a change of clothes for Apocrypha. "Now then, if you'll excuse yourself for a moment, my Master needs to get changed for the day."
"I believe the Commander is capable of dressing herself, Scylla," Wales stated, placing a hand on Swiftsure's shoulder to guide her out of the way so she could enter the room and approach the maid.
Scylla immediately began to search for some excuse to not be forced from the room, eyes landing on the note laying on the nightstand and she hurried to grab it and show it to Wales. "I'd argue that she could use the assistance in picking an outfit appropriate for a diplomatic meeting with Veneto and Andrea. That calls for more than everyday dress."
Wales took the note from Scylla's hand, reading it quickly. "Well, well. That's quite the invitation, Commander," she observed. "If you wouldn't find it rude of me to ask, perhaps I could join you for this meeting?"
Apocrypha shook her head. "I can go on my own, thanks. You're probably more needed to help Augusta address the Iberian Crown, and I'd hate to make her handle that alone."
Wales nodded in understanding, handing the note over to Apocrypha. "Very well. Do let me know if you change your mind. I would be happy to speak with them myself. Scylla, come with me."
Scylla pouted as Wales took her by the arm to lead her from the room. "Your Royal Highness, I wasn't going to do anything to her!" she insisted, earning a skeptical look from Wales at the use of her title. "I swear on the Queen's honor, I wasn't. She seems nice enough!"
"The order still stands that you're not to be interacting with the Commander until further notice," Wales said, not releasing the maid from her grip. "Royalist is needed to help Belfast prepare breakfast, so please go untie her and make yourself useful."
"She's probably already gotten herself free," Scylla tried to argue. "Please, can't I help the Commander?"
"No," Wales flatly said before turning to Apocrypha. "Commander, I'm sorry for Scylla's transgressions this morning. I assure you it won't be allowed to occur a second time."
Apocrypha and Swiftsure watched Wales pull Scylla down the hall with her, sharing a look before Apocrypha sighed. "Thank you for coming to check on me, Swiftsure. I'll be into the office in a little while. Can you please send a message to Andrea Doria that I'll accept the invitation for this evening and be coming alone?"
Swiftsure bowed slightly. "Of course. There shouldn't be too much this morning, so please don't rush. I'm sure after the surprise of Scylla finding you, you could use a moment to gather yourself. Should I have breakfast brought directly to your office?"
Apocrypha smiled, forever grateful for the light cruiser's attention to detail and consideration of her needs. "Make that breakfast for two. I'd like you to eat with me this morning."
Swiftsure seemed to immediately freeze, trying to come up with what she might have done wrong. "D-did I do something?" she fretted, flinching when Apocrypha reached to pat her on the head. "W-what…?"
Apocrypha smiled apologetically, removing her hand. "I didn't mean to scare you. You've been a big help, there's nothing for me to be upset with you for. I'd just like the company."
"O-oh. Alright. I'll get us breakfast, then. …Thank you, Commander. For treating us like we're human. I don't know how much you've been told…"
Apocrypha shook her head, stopping Swiftsure from continuing. "You'll all tell me when you're ready. Don't force yourself. Get going to breakfast. I won't be too long," she promised.
Swiftsure nodded, leaving the room. Apocrypha smiled softly to herself while she went to shower and change her clothes for the day, but a nagging thought had anchored itself in her mind. Tosa's comment about previous Commanders treating the base like their personal brothel, the open hostility between factions, the way Swiftsure had flinched and her constant self-doubt, the mention of an 'incident' with Scylla and the directly previous Commander… She couldn't ask outright, but it was obvious enough some of what had happened before her.
Apocrypha glanced toward the clock on her wall, stifling a yawn. With Augusta having taken all paperwork relating to the Crimson Axis factions, she'd actually managed to end up with free time, and it was taking every ounce of her willpower to not fall asleep at her desk with nothing else to do. The fact that she had been out late the night before thanks to the Dragon Empery's little celebration and the brief meeting with Oriskany didn't help her tiredness at all. Even though she understood Augusta was hoping to find clues as to the "Crown's" intentions in the piles of supply reports and schedules from the others, she was finding herself missing the pile of things to sort through to keep her mind busy.
And it seemed like tonight wouldn't see her getting to sleep any earlier. After Swiftsure had sent the message that Apocrypha would join the Sardegnian representatives, she had been given a meeting time of eight at night. And told to skip dinner. She wasn't sure which of those currently offended her tired and hungry body more.
The clock ticked to 7:30.
Apocrypha sighed, getting up from her chair and starting to turn lights off in the office before leaving. Aside from a couple lights left on for Apocrypha to find her way out, Swiftsure's office was quiet and dark, Apocrypha having dismissed her a couple hours ago. No point in both of them sitting around bored while nothing was happening, though she'd missed the occasional check-in from the light cruiser. She'd meant to ask Swiftsure what the "Thermae" was before she'd left, too, but it was too late for that now. Given it was noted as the meeting place, it seemed obvious enough to her that it would be some sort of communal meeting space.
She found a simple knee-length wine red dress laid out on her bed when she reached her room, along with a black belt and simple, low black heels. On top of the dress was an envelope, revealing a note from Wales within.
For your meeting with the Sardegnians tonight. Please accept this gift as a token of the Royal Navy's gratitude for your efforts as Commander of Azur Lane. Sincerely - Prince of Wales
Apocrypha picked up the dress, holding it up against her body to inspect how it looked in the mirror. Simple and modest, but it would accentuate her natural curves in just the right way. She changed into the gifted clothes quickly, making her way out of the main building and pausing to try figuring out where she needed to go. While she stood there, a small car pulled up alongside her, the passenger window rolling down to reveal a woman with pale grey hair tied up in a ponytail, orange eyes studying her critically from under the brim of a sloppy peaked cap that cast a shadow over her face in the last rays of daylight.
"Are you the Commander? Andrea asked for me to come get you."
"O-oh. I mean, yes, I'm the new Commander," Apocrypha stammered, inwardly cringing.
The woman in the car gestured toward the passenger seat, an eyebrow arching impatiently. "Then what are you waiting for? Get in. Veneto may be more generous, but Andrea isn't known for her patience."
Apocrypha let herself into the car, barely having the door closed before it began to move. She watched out the window for a short time as they crossed a bridge into another part of the base, but eventually the silence got the best of her. "So… What ship are you?" she asked, grasping at the first topic of discussion she could think of.
"Giulio Cesare. Conte di Cavour-class battleship," the woman answered after a moment of silence, as if she'd considered whether to ignore the attempt to converse. "You haven't told me your name either."
"I go by Apocrypha," she answered. When she saw Cesare give her an odd look from the corner of her eye, she quickly explained, "It's a long story. There are people who would look for me. I can't risk being found."
Cesare nodded, not pressing the issue further but once again allowing the drive to lapse into silence. Realizing the conversation was over already, Apocrypha rested her chin on her hand, returning to staring out the window. Though still maintaining the relative simplicity of a military base, the buildings in this section had taken on a somewhat more refined, artistic style, and she should see a handful of larger, more ornate buildings near the center of the complex. It was one of these buildings that Cesare stopped the car in front of before finally speaking again.
"This is it. Andrea and Veneto will already be inside."
Apocrypha hesitated a moment before offering her hand for Cesare to shake, surprised when the battleship actually accepted. "Thank you for the ride. I hope I'll see you around the port, Cesare."
"I guess that depends on how well you do here."
Apocrypha nodded, stepping out of the car and making her way up the steps toward the building's entrance, marveling at the masonry. Even the supportive columns were works of art in their own rights. Entering the building, she was met with even more beautiful work decorating the walls and ceiling, losing herself in the wonder of the building's beauty. Following the sounds of two people talking further within and her attention otherwise on admiring the building's interior, she failed to notice the rooms branching off the main hall. Reaching the end, she opened the door, flinching at the humidity of the air within the room.
Through the haze of the steam, she could make out two figures in a massive hot tub set into the marble floor, and she quickly averted her eyes. "S-sorry. I think I'm in the wrong place. Where would I find the Thermae?"
One of the two women in the water sighed, not even trying to hide the annoyance in the sound. "You've found it just fine. What the hell did you think you were looking for?"
"Er… Maybe I misread the note then…" Apocrypha said, half talking to herself and half hoping the two women would be able to direct her to where she needed to be. "I'm supposed to meet with, uh… Vittorio Veneto and Andrea Doria?"
"You're not lost," the other woman remarked, the water splashing gently as she stood and climbed out of the water. "Although I have to ask, you don't plan to join us while still dressed, do you? It'd be a shame to ruin such a fine dress, and I assure you the thermae is much more enjoyable without subjecting yourself to wet clothes."
Apocrypha blinked, looking at her again and managing to make eye contact. "So then you two are…?"
"Vittorio Veneto and Andrea Doria, yes," the one confirmed, pale grey-green eyes sparkling as she smiled. "I handle Sardegna's diplomatic affairs, and Andrea acts as my guard. There are changing rooms with fresh towels provided and I can have a swimsuit loaned to you if you're uncomfortable nude."
Some nagging feeling told Apocrypha that even if she accepted, any swimsuit loaned to her would hardly be better than being naked. With a mumbled thanks, she made her way to one of the dressing rooms pointed out by Veneto, eventually returning to the hot tub wrapped in a towel. A quick glance around the room told her what to do with that, folding it neatly on a bench before stepping down into the water, wincing a bit at the scalding heat but eventually content to sit mostly submerged. A strange place to ask for a meeting, but she couldn't deny the water drawing the tension out of her body was a wonderful feeling.
For a short while, the trio settled for simple relaxation, Veneto and Andrea each sipping on glasses of wine after Apocrypha had declined one of her own. Finally, Apocrypha worked up the courage to ask, "Why did you decide to have a meeting in a hot tub? N-not that I'm complaining. The building is beautiful and the water feels nice, but it's… a little strange."
"I told you so, Veneto," Andrea grumbled. " Someone thought this was a brilliant way of… How exactly did you phrase it to me?"
Veneto was either oblivious to or didn't care about the criticism in Andrea's question, smiling proudly. "The thermae is one of Sardegna's best-known splendors. How could I not invite the Commander to experience it?"
"Ah, but signorina, you've forgotten an important part of the Sardegna Empire's splendor," a new voice purred from the doorway, all eyes turning to the green-haired woman standing there with a confident pose of her hands on her hips, like nothing could catch her off guard. "And here I was worried that I would be late."
"Oh, here we go," Andrea muttered under her breath, her glare trained on the newcomer only met with an arrogant grin.
"Gaze upon me, for before you stands the living splendor of Sardegna - Littorio!" the green-haired woman announced. "Now, Commander, let me get a good look at you. Someone who hopes to command the likes of Sardegna ought to be a spectacle in their own right."
Apocrypha was saved from Littorio's inspection by yet another girl running in, pausing only briefly to catch her breath before saluting and apologizing to Veneto and Andrea. "I tried to stop Signora Littorio," she panted, her hand weakly holding a black bicorn hat with a blue plume to her head as she bent forward in exhaustion.
"Amerigo Vespucci had stopped to talk and we were interrupted by a couple of the Eagle Union's carriers," the girl explained. "I hadn't noticed your sister leave until she was long gone."
Veneto sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Littorio, you were told to remain at home with the remainder of the fleet. Please tell me you did not stoop to dragging poor Cavour or Duilio along with you like you have Carabiniere."
"No, no, Cavour and Duilio are both safely at home. I hardly had time to grab anything more than the essentials before I left. Carabiniere followed me of her own free will."
"I barely had time to grab my hat with how quickly Signora Littorio left…" mumbled Carabiniere as her breathing steadied and she was able to take inventory of the situation. "I left my rifle and saber behind in Sardegna and now I can't miss them more…"
Considering the skeptical looks exchanged by the two silver-haired battleships, Apocrypha could gather that "essentials" didn't refer to clothing or actual necessities. And given Littorio's behavior, she didn't dare to open that can of worms by asking what exactly she meant.
Andrea shook her head, leaning her elbows on the edge of the hot tub and letting her head fall back, eyes closed. "Carabiniere, I will handle Littorio from here. Please find Cesare and have her help you rescue Amerigo from the carriers. I'll arrange for someone to bring you your effects."
Carabiniere saluted once more before dashing off. Littorio took the dismissal of her guard as an invitation to join the group, settling into the water and letting her eyes roam Apocrypha's body. "Now, Veneto, why would you ask me to remain home when the new Commander is such a beauty?"
Veneto looked at her with narrowed eyes, beginning to iterate a long list of transgressions by Littorio in the course of numerous diplomatic meetings, finishing with "...and the request to hold the last meeting with the Iberian Crown in Alfonso XIII's private cinema so that the two of you could share dinner and the king's homemade 'entertainment'. That is why you no longer handle these things."
Apocrypha glanced toward Andrea, hoping that there might be some indication that Veneto had exaggerated and made up some of the incidents in order to make a long list, but the tense smile she received in response was all the answer she needed to know that it hadn't been blown out of proportion.
These are supposed to be the big villains of the Crimson Axis? Who the hell would be afraid of them when they're a mess like this? Apocrypha wondered, but Littorio's response to Veneto's comment soon enough had brought her attention back.
"Speaking of the Crown, it seems that a new battleship of theirs was completed," Littorio stated. "She was leaving port just as Carabiniere and I were passing through. An impressive specimen for a force that claims they're not planning to do more than defend their own coastline."
That seemed to pique Andrea's interest as well. "A new battleship and she was being sent out of port? What are they doing now? Bismarck shut down all talks between the Crown and everyone in Crimson Axis, and we all know the Crown refuses to talk to any of Azur Lane's members."
Littorio shrugged. "Your guess would be as good as mine. She's certainly for more than just coastal defense, though. She's armed to the teeth - I counted four twin sets of 381mm main guns and a large number more 152mm secondaries. That's a ship you'd plan to use as a war machine."
Andrea and Veneto were both silent for a long while at that information, while Apocrypha quietly filed it away in her mind as something to tell Augusta later, assuming she hadn't managed to already get information on this new ship. Perhaps it was the "Victoria" Oriskany had mentioned?
Andrea was the first to break the silence, the calm in her voice sending a chill down Apocrypha's spine. "So there's a new battleship near our home that we know nothing about or the intentions behind, and you thought that it was a wise decision to leave my sister to manage the fleet alone because you chose to think with what's between your legs?"
"Duilio is fine."
"That's not the point, Littorio. You disobeyed clear orders from both Veneto and Duilio without good reason. Consider something other than behaving like a wild animal for once in your worthless life!"
Apocrypha winced even despite the scolding not being directed at her, and it seemed to be enough to even make Veneto squirm. Before anyone intervened, Andrea huffed, getting to her feet and stepping out of the water. "Commander, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to see how dinner is coming along."
"Littorio and I will go with you, Andrea," Veneto said, giving Apocrypha an apologetic look. "Feel free to enjoy the thermae a while longer. I can send someone for you when dinner is about to be served. I'm very sorry for Littorio's behavior tonight and can assure you that she will not be attending dinner with us. I hope you won't hold this against us."
Apocrypha laughed a bit uneasily. "I think I'm learning to expect the intrusions at this point, so we're fine. Thank you again for the invitation. I'm looking forward to dinner."
Veneto seemed relieved to hear that, taking her sister by the arm to guide her out with her and Andrea after they had retrieved their towels. Apocrypha sighed in relief at having a moment of quiet at last, sinking into the water up to her chin and closing her eyes, simply content to just let her mind drift aimlessly.
She wasn't sure how long it was before she could sense someone's presence in the doorway, followed by a quiet voice that belonged to none of the battleships, nor to Carabiniere. "Signora, I've been asked to fetch you for dinner."
Apocrypha yawned, picking up the sounds of a scuffle and a door slamming out in the hall as she got out of the water. The girl who stood in the doorway was a slender blonde with vibrant blue-green eyes, dressed in a draping white dress and golden circlet on her head like some sort of Roman goddess. Seeing Apocrypha studying her, the woman spoke again, "Sorry, not introducing myself must seem rude. I am the training ship Amerigo Vespucci. I'm not a combat ship, so you can consider me a personal assistant in matters regarding Sardegna if Veneto and Andrea are unavailable."
Oh, thank god. Someone normal for once, Apocrypha thought, giving Amerigo a genuine smile while she grabbed her towel and wrapped it around herself. "It's nice to meet you. Um, is something going on out in the hall there?"
Amerigo glanced over her shoulder. "Cesare has the situation under control. Please don't concern yourself over it."
Apocrypha caught the shared look between Amerigo and Cesare just before she went into her dressing room to change back into her dress, Cesare leaning against one of the doors where a muffled voice was coming from. Amerigo was quick to take Apocrypha's hand and lead her out as soon as she emerged. "I hope a traditional Sardegnian banquet will be to your liking. Please follow me. We'll take the back way to the dining hall and it wouldn't do to have you get lost."
