The days would tick by for everyone at the base and across the globe as the sun would set and rise to then repeat the cycle until May 12th finally arrived, a day that for a certain Samurai warship she had eagerly but also nervously awaited to come. Takao was eager since it was something to be celebrated by many of her friends and siblings, to gather together and show their love and support to someone on the day of their birth, or about as close to it as a shipgirl could come to experiencing.
Since they weren't biologically born into this world like a normal human being would but rather they were created into it due to the Wisdom Cubes, whether it be by magic or altering reality itself, the shipgirls would come to existence because of them and taking on the forms that they are known for to this day. With the knowledge about who they are, or at the very least what their personalities and mindsets are due to said knowledge drawn from the world, being ingrained into their being the moment they take their first breath, it left a few questions about them.
One of them being how does one go about celebrating their creation into this world? Do they base it on the day they were 'manifest' into existence? Or do they base it on the hull of the very warship they were created from?
At first it wasn't a clear answer to give, but over time as they walk the earth and began to learn more of not only themselves but the world around them that they leaned more towards the latter half of that thinking process and after giving it many thought it made the most sense and the best comparison by human standards.
When the hull of a warship is laid down or the foundation is set to begin construction, even if were to take several years to be built would be the equivalent of a newborn baby being developed within their mother. Upon the Christening and Launching of the ships in question being where they not only are given their names but also being launched out to take to the seas for the first time, ergo them being "born."
While it did little to explain what their actual ages might be in relation to the ships they came from especially when their appearances vary from class to class with some exceptions here and there, it was something for them to sort out by a ship by ship case based on their mindset and their maturity.
It was mostly clear sky with partial clouds over the base, while it wasn't as busy like any other day considering it being on the weekend, it was still bustling from various groups at the port especially as from one party as several of the Sakura Empire's destroyers were running around laughing and giggling as they chased after one another through the grounds of the festivities having a good time until one of them ended up tripping and lost their footing to end up falling to the ground with a crash, causing the activities to halt for a moment.
The group of Mutsuki-class destroyers gathered around their sister to see if she was okay until Takao who was close by came over to check on everyone and knelt down to Uzuki who was sitting up on the ground but looked like was on the verge of crying, yet the more mature heavy cruiser began to comfort the little destroyer by gently stroking along her back while whispering some gentle shushes and comforting words to help calm Uzuki down.
Atago wasn't that far behind having grabbed a small first aid kit and sets it down beside her before inspecting the damage of the little destroyer, her outfit got just a little dirtied up from the fall and far as she could the only real bruising was the scrape on Uzuki's left knee.
"Aww, it'll be okay dear." Atago said in her sweet and calming voice, grabbing the necessary items to start tending to the scrape, the destroyer quietly whining as she sat there yet Atago offered an assuring smile. It didn't take long for her to get it cleaned up and applying a bandage to Uzuki's knee, giving it a soothing rub to help with the pain and to make sure the bandage wasn't going to fall off. Once she was finally done and sets the first aid kit aside Atago beams a big smile at the destroyer while patting her on the head. "There there, you were brave little one."
Uzuki herself had cried a little bit during the whole thing but once she was getting comfort that she steadily started to calm down, a few sniffles from her but it became clear that she was indeed going to be fine.
The differences of the shipgirls were so apparent, both in their size and their personalities. While there were some exceptions among them like those of Javelin and Z23 who appeared to be the more mature and older of the line of destroyers out of their factions, but the majority of destroyer shipgirls from the Eagle Union to the Sakure Empire were in varying degrees of appearing child like both in physically and mentally. Yet despite this they were still capable warriors and even though some might be a little scared before or during battle they still wish to do their part in this war.
Once she had calmed down enough the two heavy cruisers would help Uzuki up onto her feet, her sisters quickly gathered around her to both see how she was doing and give her a hug or shared some candy with her. After she gave her thanks both vocally and a bow of her head, Uzuki and her sisters started to head off to continue with their games although before they ventured far Takao call out to the group, "Please be a little more careful from now on."
"We will! Arigato Takao-sama, Atago-sama!" Mutsuki would call back giving everyone a wave and a smile before turning around to catch up with her younger sisters and soon the activities started to pick back up again.
Both Takao and Atago couldn't help but quietly laugh with a slight shake of there heads, if with just a slight smile on their faces. "Think that's the last of that for the rest of the day?" Atago would ask her sister as they turned and started to return to their table while Takao would answer, "Doubtful, but one can be hopeful."
Atago agreed with an audible, "Mhmm."
After squeezing past a group of the party goers they spotted their Commander right where they had left him who greeted them back with a smile and a curtsy nod of his head. "Welcome back. How's she doing?"
"Good. Even for a little destroyer like herself, she's a tough little one." Takao would comment before she turned and eased herself back down onto her spot beside her husband, followed by Atago who shared her thoughts while settling back to her seat again beside her sister. "Mhmm. She'll bounce right back from it in no time." Atago joined in with her
Max hummed in agreement. "Mmm. They always do." He'd smile and slowly scanned the activities going on, mostly just chatter between some of the groups even some mingling of different factions among them whether it be those having become good friends or those that were once former enemies at one point now friends or at the very least trying to make up for past actions.
His attention would soon be brought back to his two partners to his side, both having a relaxed and pleased air to them and while Atago was almost always seen with a smile on her face while as Takao for the most part seemed to be enjoying herself since the party had started.
Thoughts drifted over to what happened with Uzuki and how both of them handled the situation, keeping the destroyer calm while they took care of her. It would of come as no surprise coming from Atago, her sisterly energy kicking in to do what was necessary but with Takao it may have been a little outside of her norm but she did an okay job with it, perhaps give her some time and she would be good around the kids as well.
Max quietly mused to himself thinking back to his more younger years, even in his early to late teens sometimes when he was bored and had nothing else to do while he was traveling with his parents he would tend to play with some of the younger kids, playing games like sports or other things just to make things fun for them, even his mother had on occasion commented to him that he was great with kids at the time. He quietly laughed it off since he wasn't that great to begin with.
As he looked upon Takao and Atago, while his thoughts roamed around for a bit one such thought slipped through his mind and he wandered if the two of them would do well as mothers of their own children. Blink… Whoa, hold on… He told himself while pulling on the mental handbrake of that train of thought, was it even possible for shipgirls to have kids?
Sure they look, act, and sound like any other human woman would and… well… They sure do feel like one too in all the right areas, but does that translate into them being capable of having children as well?
A few quick shakes of his head just to push the idea out of his mind. Even if it were the case not only have neither of them made any comments about the matter to him but it certainly wouldn't be the time or place for it, especially if it meant taking them out of active duty for a long while.
Takao wandered if something was up with him when it appeared he had been looking at her general direction but not directly at her for a while, she tilted her head while gazing up to him looking a little concerned. "Hey? You okay?" The question catching Atago's attention as she soon also looks to see what is going on.
Max blinked while he was getting out of his own mind before responding, "Hmm? Yeah, I'm okay. What's up?"
"Nothing. Just that you… well, appeared to be starring out into space for a moment there." Takao responded, till looking to him with some concern.
Well crap… Can't just toss up something random otherwise they might think something is off. "Oh, yeah, I'm fine. I was just thinking how well you two handled yourself in taking care of Uzuki and the others back there. You two looked great with them." He answered after some consideration. While it wasn't a complete lie it was better than speaking what was really on his mind.
Appearing to be satisfied with his answer, Takao softly smiled as she nods. "Oh. Well, thank you. I don't have as much experience like Atago does, but I try my best."
A soft giggle came from Atago while she rested a hand on her back. "Aww come no, nee-chan. We all saw how quick you were to come to her aid and help her calm down. You did well. And who knows? You might just be a natural at it if given some time."
It was Takao's turn to have a small giggle, giving a light scratches to the side of her head looking a little unsure of herself. "Well… That remains to be seen."
Another giggle from Atago, this one sounding more amused than anything but she decided to no poke at her sister any further. Although she does decide to hop to her feet and reaches down to take her sister by the hand. "Well, come then. The day is still young and we can't continue the party without the guest of honor~"
Not even waiting for her to respond, Atago pulls on her sister and getting a startled yelp from her as Takao staggers up to her feet and more or less getting dragged along. "Oh, uh, eep! Um… S-Shikikan-dono, are you coming?" She would look over her shoulder calling out to him.
He quietly chuckled, raising up his cup of beverage in hand before saying, "Yeah, I'll be right with you. Just gonna finish this up real quick." Takao for her part even though looking slightly flustered just gives a few nods before she and Atago disappear into the crowd ahead of them, no doubt on the search for their two younger sisters to continue with the party.
With a soft sigh as he sank into the bench and his back against the table, that was close. Though he did let his mind travel back to that thought for a moment, his head tilted side to side slightly as if rolling the idea around in his head giving it some consideration.
Mean he certainly wouldn't be opposed to the idea, once this war is over and there would be little need for them to keep fighting at that point, getting to enjoy a well earned retirement… Him, his wives by his side, couple of little ones running around?
A heavy sigh leaves him… "No Bipes… Remember what they told you…" He slowly shakes his head while quietly he spoke to no one but himself. He had been warned back in his early infantry days to not think too far ahead, no point in planning for the future when it is no where near in sight especially when the next day you could very well end up having a bullet go through your skull and there went all your hopes and dreams along with your brains.
So for the time being he decides to put a bookmark on that thought and tucks it back into his thoughts for later. For now though… He brings his cup up and downs the rest of his beverage then sets the empty cup aside… For now, time to focus on the here and now, and now is him spending some time with the fleet. Hands getting tucked into his pockets as he makes his way to the crowd to start his search for the Takao sisters.