"" Dialogue
'' Thoughts
Disclaimer: I do not own "Strike Witches", so this is just a fan made.
Chapter 20: About Choices
(or about dates)
Three days later
Minna and Mio had already left for Berlin as they were asked but the plane that had to take them there, arrived a later than they initially expected. Unsurprisingly, both Commanders were not pleased in the least with the delay but there was nothing the two of them could do about it.
Meanwhile in Munich, most of the girls were doing their usual activities not like there was much to do, it meant training and preparing the food for the rest of the girls, but with no pending tasks, leftovers were what they had been eating since both commanders left of what was made for lunch the day before.
Since Yoshika heard about Charlotte and Francesca's trip to Bolzano, she had been thinking about it and since today was that day, she needed to act quick, but she did not want to do it alone, so she first needed to convince Lynette about her plans.
It was still pretty early in the morning and both girls had already woken up, Yoshika's pulse had been measured and it had remained normal, so far. Both girls were still on the bed, wearing their usual nightwear and mostly fully awake.
"…"
"You know I'm very scared when Shirley drives," Lynette said.
"I am too but I don't think Perrine is going to let us fly off base, at least not me." Yoshika disappointingly added.
"I can get what we need there, you know you can trust me." Lynette leaned to Yoshika's shoulder.
"I know but we don't get the chance to leave the base very often and…" Yoshika leaned to her head. "I want to get some wool to..." Yoshika then put her right hand on hers "Well, you gifted me a lab's coat a long time ago… made by your hands and I want to make something for you too, with my own hands."
"Yoshika I…" Lynette gulped loudly feeling her tender caress, "Let's see if Perrine allow us to go first."
And so, both girls put on their usual clothes and headed to the dining hall but not too surprisingly no one was there, so they went to the second place she could be, Minna's office. They slowly made their way inside it as the door was already open and behind the desk, Perrine was sitting, filling up a few papers.
"Are you busy Perrine?" Yoshika asked her with a curious as both Witches surrounded the desk.
"Not that much, Yoshika." Perrine stated, now staring at both girls. "Some notices just arrived from Gallia."
"Do they have something to do with…" Lynette asked her.
"I'm not entirely sure, but I'm going to take care of them later today." Perrine sighed "Is there something I can help you with?"
"We're here to request permission to go off base with Shirley and Francesca." Lynette stated.
"May I know the reason behind such request?" Perrine questioned both girls, with somewhat inquisitive expression and both girls noticed it.
"Um, we… just want to buy some fabrics." Lynette said now a bit nervous.
"And… wool," Yoshika added, sharing the tone of her bedmate.
"Well, I don't see any issue with that, it is not like there's much to do in here." Perrine gazed at the two girls. "Request accepted, and in case of a Neuroi attack, we five can take care of them."
"Actually, I was going to ask Shizuka to come with us too."
Perrine gave her a soft smile, "No issue with that as well, and in any case, you need some R&R time, nothing better than enjoy with your… best friends."
"Thank you," Yoshika happily said.
"You're welcome."
And so, both girls headed to the dining hall, hoping to find the rest of the girls there and some of them were now there, more specifically, Shizuka, Charlotte, Francesca and surprisingly Erica as well.
After greeting everyone, both girls served themselves breakfast and took a seat on their usual places and began eating it.
"Um, Shirley, would you take us with you to Bolzano?" Yoshika nervously asked her, but without her realizing it, it also grabbed Shizuka's attention.
"Perrine already gave us permission." Lynette added.
"Sure, why not?" Charlotte shrugged.
Yoshika then turned around and eyed the girl beside her, "Shizuka, don't you want to go with us to Bolzano? It would be fun." Yoshika asked her with a smile.
Shizuka just shifted her glance between Yoshika and Lynette and ended fixing it on the former.
"I... don't think I need to go with you, I need to do something here." Shizuka said, with a stoic tone.
"Like… what?" Yoshika wondered.
"I'll… I'll find something to do, I mean, I haven't been training as much as I had to, so there's that." Shizuka stood up from her place and grabbed her food tray. "If you excuse me." She added leaving a thoughtful Yoshika behind.
"Oh yeah, by the way, I almost forgot," Charlotte chimed in, "grab some snacks as it'd take us at least six hours to get to Bolzano."
"Six hours!" Both Witches exclaimed in unison.
"I bet I can make it in five hours though," Charlotte added, picking up her food tray and so did Francesca. Lynette and Yoshika just exchanged glances and gulped loudly while Erica watched how Shizuka disappeared into the corridors of the base.
Meanwhile, in Berlin
After being done with more personal duties at the capital, Minna and Mio headed once again to Bendlerblock. And as expected and to the disappointment of both of them, the three generals from a few weeks ago, were there, with the same deadpan if aggravated expressions from before.
To the surprise of both young women, shortly after they came to the meeting hall, a more familiar face also made it there, a general that both of them had learned to respect and even appreciate.
"If evoke correctly both your divisions had cooperated before in Operation Southwind," Kesselring started.
"Yes, Lieutenant-General," the trio commanders answered in Unison, in attention.
He picked some paperwork, "this certainly make things all easier."
"The Liberion Forces are moving to the rendezvous point in Ingolstadt as it was required to." General Patton stated.
Lieutenant-General Montgomery fixed her sight Minna. "What about your own squad Group Captain Wilcke?"
"We have secured the city as we were tasked to, but the fortress seems to have sustained damage," Minna stated, softly yet with resolve in her tone.
"A scouting mission was carried before even the city was completely secured," the Britannian general countered, "and the base is in a more than adequate condition for you to move."
"How did you?" Mio tried to ask her superior.
"That's none of your concern, Major yet again, your squad certainly takes a peculiar approach to complete their assigned missions," Lieutenant-General Montgomery stated.
"We get the job done," Minna raised her voice a little, "but I cannot bring my squad to such place, even the place we're currently occupying is not fit to be the headquarters of an elite squad."
"And we are not to hold accountability for that, are we?" The Britannian General upbraided. "We cannot afford to have more delays until the fortress is completely repaired, otherwise, the operation would be put on hiatus, am I clear enough?"
Minna sighed, "It is clear."
"The details of the operations would be handed to you as soon as your squad is settled in Ingolstadt," the Britannian stated.
"I hope you have regard to the intel we gave you regarding the Neuroi the squad faced," Mio commented.
"We have taken everything into account, Major, you're all dismissed." And so, the three generals turned around and left the meeting hall.
Now, the three commanders, were walking outside the Headquarters, Geo
"It really makes me question how they are in charge and not a veteran Witch." Mio commented
"We really are cogs in the war machine," Gerald condemned.
"The only cogs that can get slaughtered in the battlefield," Mio bitterly added.
"And nowadays it seems they believe we're expandable." Minna voiced.
"Bastards," He cursed.
And not long after they all three made it outside Bendlerblock, they found another familiar face there, waiting for the trio of commanders.
"I'm sorry Commander, I couldn't get you more time," Gerald commented.
"I wasn't expecting them to change their minds." Gertrud added.
"And you were right after all, Trude, we have to move to Ingolstadt," Minna added, trying to fake a smile.
"Don't you worry Minna, I've been speaking with High Command from Romagna, and Helvetia and even Ostmark," Gertrud started full of resolve, "and they are desirous to contribute with the recondition of the Fortress. They even think they're in debt with the girls since they protected them a few weeks ago." Gertrud continued. "But I don't think they can get everything ready before you both and the rest of the girls move."
"It really seems we're begging for cents nowadays." Minna added and the silence took hold of the room, now everyone with hints of remorse on their faces.
"Speaking of your squad, how is Flight Lieutenant Miyafuji doing? I've heard some worrying reports of her." Gerald commented, breaking the uncomfortable silence.
Minna did not mutter anything, noticing that Mio took a deep breath.
"She still has some unknown health issues but she's still eager to fight despite of them." Mio stated.
"Can't say I'm surprised; her magic power is unstoppable and even more when she's unrestrained," Gerald commented, making the three young women exchanged looks as Minna came back to herself. But then a military jeep arrived, and Gerald climbed to it. "We'll be speaking soon, Group Captain," and he beckoned them as he departed.
"Unrestrained…" Gertrud commented.
"That's certainly one way to describe Miyafuji," Mio added. "And her behavior as well."
Minna on the other hand, had still the same pensive expression but now with another thing on mind.
"By the way, how's Erica doing?" Gertrud commented.
"She's been in pretty good mood actually, and way more willing to help all around the base." Mio commented with a curious tone. "I wonder what changed."
"Yeah!? I'm happy to hear that," Gertrud blushed a little, "I hope to see her soon, I mean everyone." She blushed even more realizing what she just said, "There's- there's a new café I want you to visit, better get going."
And so, the three young women, headed to the place Gertrud told them.
In Innsbruck
Three hours later, Charlotte barely made it to the gas pump when Francesca jumped out of the truck and rushed to the bathroom, while Charlotte got out at slower pace and headed to the fuel tank of the truck.
"Told ya to not drink too much!" Charlotte loudly said, now pumping the gas, but unexpectedly she bent forward and put both her hands on her crotch, "I shouldn't drink too much too. Lynne, fill it up!" She added, as she rushed to another bathroom.
Moments later, the two girls just fell off from the cargo bed and crept to the pump.
"You were right, this was a very bad idea after all," Yoshika drawled.
"My head is spinning," Lynette added, resting her head on her hand.
"My tummy hurts," Yoshika added, grabbing her stomach.
"I don't think I can make it another three hours."
Yoshika heaved a sigh, "me neither"
"What do we do now?" Lynette wondered, now staring at her.
"Maybe, we can stay here?" Yoshika suggested. "Innsbruck is a big city, and we know our way around here."
"That sounds good to me," And thus, both girls did their best to stand up and Charlotte said, Lynette began pumping gas into the truck.
Not long after Francesca and Charlotte came back, now with more relieved looks on their faces.
"Don't you both want to go the bathroom too?" Charlotte asked both girls, but they just exchanged looks. "It's going to take a while to get to Bolzano."
"Um, we want to…" Yoshika started.
"…stay here…" And Lynette continued.
"Why?" Both Witches said in unison.
Yoshika put her left hand on her chest, "My- my heart feels weird."
"Yeah, I just measured her pulse," Lynette said, showing two fingers in front of Yoshika's chest.
"And it's a bit fast," Yoshika added grabbing her hand and put it over left hand. Noticing that, both girls just exchanged looks, stared their hands and then both girls.
"Is it me or you just want to have more privacy?" Charlotte teasingly said, with a wide grin.
Both girls blushed a little, "for what?"
"Maybe you want to have a date or do something else?"
"Of course not!" Both Witches exclaimed in unison, beckoning them.
"Tra rose e fior, nasce l'amor," Francesca said teasingly between both girls, crossing her hands in front of her chest, "Yoshika e Lynne si vogliono baciarsi da soli."
"That too and I don't really have an issue with that or with whatever thing you two want to do, all alone but I hope you don't get tired of waiting if we take too long." Charlotte commented, still with a wide grin but with a more serious tone.
Both girls just shook their heads in disagreement, still blushed.
"Of course you will not" Charlotte added, "let's go Francesca."
Both girls got into the truck and hastily left the gas station, Lynette and Yoshika were now all alone and they did not waste any time and began touring Innsbruck, arm in arm.
Meanwhile in Munich
After Perrine was done with the paperwork, kind of, she decided to go her room or rather shared bedroom to clear her mind. But to her surprise, the door partially opened so she slowly entered it.
Inside, she could see that Shizuka was bathed in sweat, wearing only her swimsuit, and doing pull ups with just her right arm. Shizuka noticed that she was no longer alone, but she continued with what she was doing as she was still all by herself.
Perrine continued watching the scene with a somewhat sad demeanor and not long after, Shizuka let go of the bar. Then, she gripped the bar again and continued doing pull ups now with her left arm.
Realizing that Shizuka was not going to stop anytime soon, Perrine made her way beside her. "Are you certain you should push yourself this hard?"
Shizuka continued doing pull ups, "These- these past few days that we sortied; I've realized that I'm not been keeping with my training as I should have." Both hands gripped the bar, "That's why I'm here, to be a soldier, a proper Witch, to fight, not to... not to do anything else…" She averred, continued doing pull ups.
"May this have something to do with Yoshika?" Perrine asked her
Shizuka stopped in her tracks, letting go of the bar and began trying to regain her breath.
"Yes, in fact, when I- borrowed her Strikers," Shizuka took a deep breath to soothe herself, "I noticed that my stamina is not as good as it used to be."
"Could there be another reason?" Perrine questioned with a somewhat concerned demeanor.
"Should there be?" Shizuka asked her, gazing her in the deeply in her yellow eyes.
"I guess there shouldn't be." Perrine said with a calmed tone.
"If there's nothing else, may I jog for a little, Lieutenant Clostermann?"
"Of course, Shizuka." Perrine replied and Shizuka hastily left the room, leaving a pensive Perrine inside, who just took a seat on her bed and began staring at the Alps.
Not long after, Erica entered the room and laid on Shizuka's bed, and stretched herself as much as she could, "You realize there's only one Miyafuji, right?"
"I am well aware of that." Perrine stated, not gazing her back.
"Regardless of that, whatever thing she's got with Lynne is not going anywhere," Erica carefreely commented, staring the ceiling, "I don't think she even realizes, and they are far too shy to move things forward and it's going to remain like that for who knows how long."
"And if it doesn't?" Perrine firmly said, now eyeing her from her bed.
"How could I know what happen then?" Erica took a seat.
"I was fearing something like this may happen, although Shizuka is… pretty mature for her age, in fact, I believe she's more judicious than we were at her age, I'm sure she can manage this." Perrine commented with calm tone, yet her demeanor did not share the same feeling.
"She's gonna need someone to vent," Erica commented. "This may be far too much for her to cope alone."
Perrine took a deep breath, "I- I know that, and I hope to be there for her when she needs me."
"Then again, this is something we need to hide from Minna, you know how she's with these things." Erica added.
"I am also aware of that," Perrine said, now laying on her bed, noticing that Erica did the same. The silence took hold of the room for quite a while.
"By the way, I haven't told you this but, you're doing great commanding the Witches."
Perrine just turned around, "Is that a hint of sarcasm that I hear?"
"I mean it, you're not well as Trude of course, but managing a rebellious Miyafuji was quite the feat, if you ask me, no one has experience with that and well… dealing with me too." Erica commented, still laying on the bed. "Sorry for that."
Perrine sighed, "I don't really know if I am doing it properly."
"You're keeping things running smoothly for the most part, Miyafuji is almost her usual self and she's willing to listen more to the us, that is a lot of progress," Erica stressed firmly. "I'm sure we'll figure how to overcome this… little-big-problem."
Perrine just softly smiled at her, "I really appreciate the advice you've been giving me."
"Everything's gonna be just fine." Erica happily added.
"I hope you're right," Perrine added, not too appeased.
"Don't you think the same, Eila?" Erica loudly said, making her slowly show herself.
"Um, I just wanted to tell you that the lunch is ready." Eila nervously said.
"Yeah, right," Erica parroted her.
"It's the truth!" Eila exclaimed, "Sanya prepared something special for us I want you to enjoy it."
Meanwhile in Innsbruck
Yoshika and Lynette had already had lunch and bought some fabrics, extra needles, crochet hooks, knitting hooks, some clothes and even presents for the rest of the girls. Nevertheless, Yoshika still needed to find something, so both girls continued walking arm in arm, and continued searching all around the city, for a store that had wool as it seemed to be a rarity there.
Quite a while later, they finally found one and both girls entered the place, still arm in arm and an old lady greeted them. Lynette took a seat with all the bags they had bought so far, while Yoshika chose the colors but to her bad luck, she could not find what she was looking for, so she decided to ask for it.
"Maybe you have red wool?" Yoshika said, pointing at Lynette socks. "In that tone?"
"I'm sorry miss, we ran out of it," the old lady said, "but we have the have green one." She brought a skein to the wooden counter from the bottom of it.
"Thanks," Yoshika politely said, still wondering what to do next.
"You can match it with blue wool," She also brought a skein out it "I'm sure you can knit something your girlfriend would surely like."
Yoshika just became red as a lobster hearing the mark, "she's not my… girlfriend, she's just my friend," Yoshika then, fixed her glance on Lynette who was still sitting with all their bags, "my… best friend."
"I'm sorry for being so intrusive, it's just that you seem to make such a cute couple." The old lady said.
Yoshika blushed even more but now with a pensive face, "We… do?" She shook her head repeatedly, "I mean, give me two blue skeins and two green skeins."
"Alright young lady," she packed the four skeins and handed it to Yoshika, then she paid for them. Then, it was Lynette's turn so Yoshika took a sit, now a little less red-faced. Thankfully to her, Lynette did not notice anything as she was wondering if she would be able to knit and most importantly, what to knit.
"Maybe, you have blue wool? Like my friend's swimsuit." Lynette politely asked her, and the old lady took out a light blue skein.
Lynette began taking a closer look it, comparing it with Yoshika in the background, "I don't think it matches her uniform that well."
"Fusoan colors are not too common here, my apologies," the lady said, then she took out a black skein, "but this one will surely highlight with her white uniform."
Lynette picked up the skein and began inspecting it more closely, "Are you sure?"
"Yes, your friend will look lovely wearing something of this color." The lady politely said.
"Give me… um… as many as Yoshika bought."
So, the lady brought four skeins and began packing them.
"I'm sure your inamorata will love whatever you make for her." The lady commented.
"The thing is, I don't know how to knit and she's going to teach me how." Lynette happily stated. "My what?"
"Well, if you're going to learn to knit, you better start with something simple like a scarf." The lady stated.
"A scarf… hmm, that sounds easy." Lynette said as the lady continued packing. 'My inamorata…' She repeated to her own head. "But Yoshika is not my…"
"There you go," the lady interrupted her as she handed the bag with the skeins.
"Never mind…" Lynette then paid for them and headed to Yoshika who was still a bit blushed and so was she now but also with an expression full of resolve. Still, Lynette helped to carry her some of the bags.
"Thank you," both girls said in unison as she headed out of the store and began touring around Innsbruck once again and continued exploring the narrow-ish streets of Innsbruck, they were surrounded by snowy mountains with cold wind that blew strong enough, even lifting her uniforms a little.
"I hope you don't catch a cold again," Yoshika commented with a hint of worriedness in her voice.
"You keep me warm," Lynette said, bringing her arm closer to her body, "May- may I ask you something?
"You can ask me anything." Yoshika happily said.
Lynette stopped and so did Yoshika who was still holding her or rather holding themselves, "are we having a date?"
Her cheeks little became a little hearing the question, "I... don't know and…" Yoshika faced her, "I don't care if it's date, I just happy to be with you."
"Yeah, me- me too," Lynette rested her head on her.
"Let's see what else we can find." And thus, both girls continued sightseeing Innsbruck.
Quite a while later, the girls headed to a café, after greeting the owner, both left their bags in front of them, in a wooden chair and they took a sit, beside each other, in a somewhat inner part of the café, under a candelabra but the candles were not burning as the light still made it through a window which was not too far from them.
The place was mostly empty, giving them a somewhat comforting if charming feeling and they could take their time to check the menu. Both girls asked for tea more specifically, black tea and strawberry pie for Yoshika and chocolate cake for Lynette.
Not long after, a man in his late twenties or early thirties came with everything they ordered, and he left them alone.
Both girls were warming up themselves with each other but now with the cup of tea, they were warming their hands with them. Yoshika carefully followed Lynette's brewing of the tea and after being done with its preparation, they began savoring what they ordered.
"You gotta taste it, it's almost as good as the ones you make," Yoshika cheerfully said, now with a piece of pie in the spoon.
"Mine's pretty good too," Lynette also with a piece of cake in the spoon.
But just before each spoon made it to each other's mouth, they realized they were no longer alone, as the waiter had come back. So, both hastily took off the spoon from their mouth and eat each own's desert.
They exchanged glances, wondering what he was doing there but soon enough, the man began lighting the candles.
"Pardon for the intrusion, ladies," the man said and after he was done, he left them alone again.
Lynette then tenderly cleaned Yoshika's mouth with a napkin, but she did not even notice it as she was taking a look to the candelabra and to the whole café, again.
Yoshika then fixed her glance in the blue-eyed girl, who was still cleaning her mouth, "It feels kind of romantic if you ask me."
Lynette gulped loudly, taking off her hand from her, and began inspecting the place as well, "I… agree."
Yoshika then put her right hand on hers, "it really feels like a… date."
Lynette became reddish hearing the remark, "Yeah..." And fixed her glace on Yoshika. "I- I can feel your pulse."
"You can?" Yoshika became blushed, "I guess my heart is acting strange now but… I feel fine, actually." Then, she took a deep breath to try to ease herself, "it sure smells nice."
Lynette just tilted her head a little, "Huh?"
"Cheery blossoms," Yoshika pensively said, "the candles smell like cheery blossoms, it reminds of home, actually."
Hearing the comment, Lynette just dropped her smile.
"Don't be sad," Yoshika began caressing her hand, "When I am with you, I feel like I am from here, you really helped me to settle down in Europe."
"I'm glad you feel at home here," Lynette cheerfully said, "And as I said, I'm going to be by your side making you feel right at home."
"I really appreciate that," Yoshika then picked another piece of pie with the spoon and slowly and steadily made her way to Lynette's mouth, "and I'm gonna spoil you for everything you've done for me these years."
Lynette tenderly accepted it and began relishing with it; after swallowing it, she picked a piece of her cake, and slowly made her to Yoshika's mouth. "And I'm too gonna spoil you for being at my side."
Yoshika waited for it with her eyes closed, and just when she felt something in her mouth, she slowly closed it and relish with the piece of cake, and so both continued feeding and enjoying each other's desserts under candles light.
Meanwhile in Bolzano
Three hours later, and after traversing the narrow streets of the city, the finally made it near the plaza that they were asked to.
After stationing the truck, both Witches got out of it, and stretched themselves.
"It sure is a nice place," Charlotte commented in a somewhat relaxed tone.
"Nah, Romagna is better," Francesca said and so both Witches began heading to the plaza they were asked to, and in a bench, at the distance, among the flowers, they could see that Maria was sitting, wearing a light-green dress, that went just above her knees and with no guards on sight.
They both bow to greet her, and she politely greeted them back.
"I'm happy to see you're doing well." Maria said, standing up.
"Why wouldn't we?" Francesca said.
"Everything's fine," Charlotte added.
"Ensing Lucchini, you have grown since the last time I saw you," Maria commented, with a soft smile.
"And she really likes to show them off," Charlotte playfully added.
Maria then fixed her glance on Francesca's cleavage for a few seconds and then to her eyes. "I- I was not referring to that."
Noticing it, Charlotte then bent to her height, "But your majesty, you have to admit she has a pretty nice bust."
Maria blushed a little giving her another quick glance to her cleavage, "Um, sono d'accordo, ma- ma, non si ho chiamato per quello, ufficialessa Lucchini."
Francesca tilted her head hearing the comment, "Dunque?"
"Ho- ho chiamato per dire grazie mille, per protegere Romagna, tutti sapiamo quello che lei e sue amice avete facio per il suo paese." Maria said, trying to get rid her redness.
Francesca smiled her back, "è niente."
"Can you…?" Charlotte put her hands behind her head, "…You know…""
"My apologies, please take a seat both of you." And the trio of girls did so, Maria at the left side, Francesca in the middle and Charlotte on her right side.
"Ensign Lucchini, the second reason behind my request for you to come here is to complain about the lack of reports regarding the monetary problems you currently coping with." Maria firmly stated.
"Are we having money problems?" Francesca redirected the question to Charlotte, now facing her.
Charlotte rubbed her chin, "I've heard Perrine and Eila briefly talking about it, but I didn't give much thought about it."
"A complain has been brought to my attention from Commander Barkhorn, stating that the headquarters you're currently occupying are not up to the standards you're accustomed."
"Barkhorn, why am I not surprised," Charlotte chuckled a little, "now that you mentioned it, it's kind of bad but it's getting better since we moved there. Perrine told me it was much worse when they just moved to it."
"Each country assign you budget for your salaries, supplies, armament, maintenance of your units as well as the maintenance of your headquarters," Maria continued, "It is from common knowledge that the Empire of Karlsland is having monetary problems with the reconstruction of the capital, the Antwerp port and the rest of the country as well."
"I've heard they're having problems keeping us there." Charlotte commented.
"That is, indeed, true, nevertheless the Britannian brasses were in charge of the adequacy of the place you're currently occupying which if my mind is not failing, used to be a castle from loyalty."
"I don't really like to speak bad about others, but they've done a lousy job, heck we have two baths for nine of us and it gets kind of busy." Charlotte loudly complained, "when some decide to sleep there…" She added with a lower tone. "…and they didn't even let me bring my own bath due to lack of space or some cheap excuse I don't even remember."
"Now that I'm aware of that, I'm going to give you extra budget for its improvement and maintenance as well. Nevertheless, I will give it directly to your Commanding Officer and no one else should know about it.
"Thanks, your majesty," Charlotte said, relieved, happy even.
"Yeah, thank you," Francesca added.
"There is another reason I requested you for presence here, ensign Lucchini," Maria started, "The fact that you have been enduring such dreadful conditions has made me question the treatment they had been giving you."
"It hasn't been that bad, we had it worse back in Africa, right Francesca?!" Charlotte grabbed her from her clothes.
"Yeah, it's not that bad."
"Apart from that, there's no need for you to bear that." Maria stated, now with an intense tone.
"What?" Francesca exclaimed.
Maria took a deep breath, "If you desire to, I'm giving you the choice to return here, to lead your own squad."
"To lead my what?" Francesca exclaimed, now even more surprised.
"Your skills are top notch, and I will be honored if you could teach the next generation of Witches." Maria stated gazing Francesa who just turned to face Charlotte.
"She's asking you to become an instructor, like Sakamoto used to be." Charlotte stated.
"Actually, I know you would not enjoy that, Ensign Lucchini, I'm asking you to teach them in actual combat protecting Romagna and Venezia." Maria continued, "you will need to move back to Romagna."
"I'm not going to going to do that, I will not leave my friends," Francesca barked and rushed towards the truck, leaving Charlotte pensive and Maria disappointed and even a little sad.
"Lieutenant Yeager, I hope you understand the Witches from the 504th are not getting younger, Ensign Lucchini's skills are top notch and she's the youngest member of your squad." Maria confessed.
"Neither are we," Charlotte murmured.
"Please, let her know that I am giving her the choice, I am not forcing her to leave her friends."
"Another choice," Charlotte mused.
"Is there… is there something, I am not aware of." Maria wondered.
"Nothing your majesty, I'll let her know."
"Could you kindly please speak her, I would not like to lose her friendship."
"She's gonna be fine, I'll explain her the situation."
"Thank you, Lieutenant Yeager. In any case, I will provide the aid for your squad, nothing is going to change that, and there are some supplies I like you to bring with you back to Munich, but they had not arrived yet, you will have to wait until tomorrow." She handed her a piece of paper, "you can stay here for the time being."
"I… that's gonna be a problem," Charlotte rubbed her chin, "do you have a radio? We need to communicate with Yoshika and Lynne."
"The Witch that sacrificed her magic power to save Romagna." Maria exclaimed.
"That very same girl," she noted, in somewhat interested tone, "though she got her magic power back, kind of."
"Please let her know that I would like to give my thanks personally when she visits us." Maria sincerely said.
"I'll let her know, she'll be happy to hear that."
"Please follow me," Maria stood up and Charlotte did so.
Meanwhile in Innsbruck
The afternoon was almost over by the time they finished with their little stop at the café. The sky was as cloudy as it could get, both girls were carrying even bags in one of their arms, as the other were holding each other. Though, they were happy to be in each other company, they had something to worry about now.
"How are we going to go back home?" Yoshika asked her.
"Maybe, we can rent a room." Lynette suggested.
"Yeah, that sounds good but if they don't come tomorrow?" Yoshika wondered as both took a seat on a bench.
"That too."
"Maybe we can ask Erica to come to pick us up?" Yoshika said.
"I don't think she can drive three hours without falling asleep."
"Shizuka could come too but I don't think she'd like to, she seems to be upset with me, I don't know why though." Yoshika wondered.
"Yoshika… I…" Lynette muttered but she just grabbed her hand and began walking again.
"But you're right, we need a place to pass the night."
And so, the two girls continued traversing the city, visiting stores but also looking for a hotel or at least a place that had a room available and after quite a long time, they finally found a nice-looking place, a two-story hotel. Though it resembled more a house that had been repurposed to serve as a hotel, it looked similar to the rest of the buildings which meant it had somewhat antique design, yet it looked as if had been given maintenance not so long ago. So, the two girls entered it, still arm-in-arm and they stopped halfway there, noticing that cozy appearance that resembled the café that they just visited a little ago. There was even a chimney that gave it even a homier feel to the whole place.
Soon they realized that there was a young woman, in her late teens or early twenties, waiting for them yet she seemed that she was cleaning the place before they came.
This time, it was Yoshika who dragged Lynette to the receptionist.
"Good evening," Yoshika happily said, "We'd like to a rent a room."
"Good evening, yes of course." The lady politely replies as she took off her apron, "Would you like a room with twin beds or bunks is fine?"
"Actually, a double bed would do just fine." Yoshika added as took at her bedmate, "but what do you think Lynne?"
Lynette gulped as she felt her cheeks reddened, "it's fine by me."
The receptionist could not help but stare at Lynette, "Alright, please follow me."
And so, the two girls walked behind her, yet Yoshika could notice something that caught her attention.
"Lynne, I have an idea."
Meanwhile in Munich
Noticing that Shizuka had skipped lunch, she headed to the usual places she frequented, even Yoshika's usual spot at the river but no one was there either. Without more options, she decided to check on the bathroom, recalling what happened a few days ago with Yoshika and Lynette. And not too surprising, Shizuka was there, curled-up in the warmish water. Still, Eila slowly entered the bathroom, and Shizuka did not seem to mind it at all, as she had the same lost sight.
Eila took a seat on the edge of the bathtub. "I... know we don't speak very often, and I may be the worst person in the world to talk about these things but…" Eila sighed, but the time passed as if nothing had been said so she took a long breath. "Look, Yoshika cares very deeply about you, always keep that in mind." She added with the same results, "She'd do anything for you and for all of us, regardless of... you know what I'm talking about."
"I… know that." Shizuka softly added, then she stood up from the bathtub and grabbed a towel.
"I'm going to reheat up your food," Eila said, now near the door's frame. "If you want to… talk about it, you can come to me whenever you want." Eila added, leaving the bathroom then only to end bumping with a person she did not expect.
"Sanya!" Eila exclaimed.
"What were you doing there?" Sanya said with her usual calmed tone.
"I- I was telling Shizuka that…" Eila gulped, "…you prepared something delicious, and it better not be wasted."
Sanya just kept staring her, "I heard what you said and…"
Eila gulped even louder, becoming very blushed.
"…I'm glad you want to help Shizuka with her… problems, if I can help too, let me know, please." She added, as she headed to their shared room, leaving Eila wondering what else she heard.
By the evening
After apologizing with the receptionist, both Witches were already going back to Munich, after buying a mean of transportation, though it took them more time than what they expected to find a store that sold brooms.
They were carrying more bags than they should have but who could blame them as they were expecting to go in a truck not on a broom.
"It's really handy to be able to fly with a broom." Yoshika happily said.
"It's more amazing that you know how to get us back to Munich."
"When I traveled back to Fuso, I learned to orient myself, it's just a matter of guiding yourself with…." Yoshika was about to say when an explosion resonated in the greyish skies of Karlsland.
"Yoshika!" Lynette cried out as she rushed towards her, but it was too late as she already felt in the forest, though she could see that Yoshika surrounded herself in shields before hitting the ground.
Lynette used a shield to make her through the leafless tress and seconds later, she managed to find Yoshika who was already picking up the things that fell off from the bags. She left everything near a tree and headed to her.
"I'm sorry, I hope I didn't lose anything." Yoshika disappointingly said, not facing her.
"You scared me, what happened?" Lynette asked her, "I thought it was Neuroi that attacked us."
Yoshika continued packing their stuff, "it was nothing like that, at least, and… it seems- it seems the broom exploded."
"Are you hurt?" Lynette asked her but Yoshika did not mutter anything in response. So, she headed to her front and gasped in shock, noticing that blood was dripping from her forehead, her nose and even her uniform was ripped in some parts.
"It's nothing, I hit my head when I fell but it's not as bad as it looks." Yoshika said with a forced smile. "I'm fine."
Lynette just grabbed her sleeve and was about to clean Yoshika's wound, but she gripped her hand a bit harshly, stopping her from touching her, "It will heal faster if you leave like that, and I don't want to stain you with my blood."
"Don't be absurd, I don't care about that," Lynette complained.
"But it will heal faster, I'm not lying about that," Yoshika raised her voice a little.
Lynette just kept staring at her, with a serious expression.
Yoshika sighed, "I'm sorry for that, it's just that I can't find my broom." She added, taking her sight from her and just continued searching for the broom and so did Lynette.
The night had almost arrived and there was no broom in sight, and they could just barely see themselves now.
Yoshika headed to Lynette who just continued looking for the broom, "You need to go back to the base and come back with help, I'll be staying here."
"I am not going to leave you here." Lynette argued back.
"It's my fault that you're stuck here."
Lynette faced her, "It's not your fault and even if it were, I don't care." She swore and began picking up everything. "It was an accident and… I can carry you on my shoulders, I will carry you to the base."
"But…" Yoshika tried to say but Lynette gave her an intense gaze in response, even though she could barely see her, it reminded her the last time she was enraged as that. "Thank you, Lynne."
"I know you will do the same for me and more," Lynette said, a bit more soothed, handing her the bags she had picked so far and then she gripped the broom.
Yoshika gave her a soft smile as a response, still hoping Lynette could see her.
Lynette then rode the broom as Yoshika climbed to her shoulders and a big magic circle appeared as Lynette began ascending while Yoshika put out a small shield to pass through the branches. A few minutes later, now in the darkness of the night, Yoshika could feel that Lynette was struggling to maintain the course, the broom's control and her balance, plus she had begun to breathe even a bit faster.
"Am I too heavy Lynne?" Yoshika then bent forward to her "I don't feel too different, and I don't think my butt, or my boobs got more imposing, I just grown a little, that's all." She positively stated, bending backwards again.
Lynette just continued flying without muttering anything, and just began breathing even faster.
Yoshika then move forward again to see her, "I told you I don't mind waiting here for you to come back with help."
"Don't- don't move that much…" Lynette exclaimed, "it's digging in!"
"I'm sorry! I'm going to stay as still as I can!"
In Bolzano
Both girls were staying at a hotel that Maria had reserved for them, it was on the fancier side as it even had its own personal bathtub, after both girls had a not so quick dip there, they decided to head to their beds. Even though, it seemed that the room was for a couple, but it still had two separated beds, wearing only their underwear now.
"Francesca, you know what happened back in Liberion, but I still came back." Charlotte said from the bed.
"I don't want to leave you and everyone…."
"it's not the first time we will be separated, is it?" Charlotte asked her.
"It could be… permanent." Francesca murmured.
"She didn't ask you to leave us now, just when you want to, and you have to think about it." Charlotte said
"Why?" Francesca asked her now staring at her.
Charlotte got out from her bed and headed to Francesca's, "Because at the end of the day, you're not going to leave us, we are going to leave you." She began caressing her hair, "Everyone's getting older." She added, and not too surprising Francesca began sobbing.
"Don't cry, you know it eventually will happen someday to all of us, and it's good chance, you can stay at your home country and protect it and it's not like too many things happen there."
"I guess you're right," Francesca added a bit more relieved but then she just buried her face on the pillows.
"I'm going to sleep with you, just for tonight, give some space."
By the night
Most of the girls were asleep by the time they came back, save for Perrine who was waiting for them. As expected, she was frightened when Yoshika arrived with a blooded face and her clothes as well; they were even ripped in a few parts. Both girls explained the situation briefly to her and after convincing her that Yoshika would get herself checked tomorrow, she reluctantly accepted that they to go to sleep, after both girls had dinner of course.
After putting on their usual nightwear, Yoshika disinfected her wound, and also convincing Lynette that she was fine and letting her reassure herself measuring the carotid pulse, both lay on the bed. No one could blame them though, as it had been a long and eventful day.
The curtain was partially opened so some moonlight still made it to their bedroom, even though it was partially cloudy. Both girls were now on the bed, Yoshika cuddling on Lynette's chest, and hugging her as usual but her surprise, her bedmate seemed to be restless and could not stay still. Noticing that, Yoshika moved to her side of the bed, but Lynette could not stay still either.
"Is something bothering you?" Yoshika asked her, trying to gaze her with the little light that was there, "I can go to my bunk if you need more space…" She said with a curious tone with a hint of disappointment.
Lynette gulped, "It's nothing like that it's just that..."
"What is it?" Yoshika asked her, tilting her head.
"It's- it's very embarrassing," Lynette said, feeling the blood rush to her cheeks but thanks to the darkness, her bedmate could not notice anything.
"You know you can tell me anything," Yoshika said, still trying to see her.
Lynette just put both her hands on her crotch, "It's- it's soring," she whispered.
"Oh!" Yoshika exclaimed embarrassedly, "I'm sorry it's my fault that you had to carry me on the broom, but… I can heal you up." She positively added, so she got up of the bed and turned on the light as Lynette pulled up her nightgown and showed off her white panties.
The room was surrounded by bluish light as Yoshika healed her up, "I'm really sorry you have to put up with me."
"I told you it was not your fault." Lynette raised her voice.
"I don't know what's wrong with me, I thought I could fly with a broom, but it seems I cannot even do that." Yoshika added.
"You can use a striker that's what counts," Lynette argued back.
"Yeah, I guess you're right..." Then, the magic spell began glowing even brighter, "And it's done, do you feel better?"
Lynette slowly put her hand on her crotch, "Yeah, a bit better."
"I hate to tell you this..." Yoshika gulped, "You shouldn't put anything on until tomorrow."
"What? I cannot do that!" Lynette exclaimed, red-faced again, "Not with you here…"
"Don't worry, I'm going to sleep on my own bunk, so you don't have to be embarrassed about the whole thing." Yoshika happily said, as she got out of the bed to turn off the light but before she did so, she stared at her, "I thought you didn't mind it that I'll do that, but I guess I was wrong."
"Yoshika… I don't care about that and… I don't really know why I'm embarrassed," Lynette said with resolve in her tone, taking off her panties, "I think… it's not too different from taking bath, is it?" Then, she put them at the bottom of the bed, folded and sat on the bed, while Yoshika still was watching her.
"I think you're right" Yoshika said, with a somewhat curious tone.
And afterwards, both girls were now sitting on the bed, beside each other. But as Yoshika started to lay, Lynette gave her a quick peck on her cheek and lay first, leaving Yoshika confused and half sit on the bed.
"Thank you, Yoshika," Lynette softly said, making Yoshika came back to herself.
"It was- it was nothing," Lynette murmured, and actually laid on the bed.
Seconds later, Yoshika could feel Lynette's arm slowly wrapping around her waist, over her dressing gown, her head near her chest. And as usual Yoshika began caressing her long hair, "Thanks to you, for carrying me back here."
Lynette just hugged her tighter, "It was nothing, and have a good night, Yoshika."
"Same to you." Yoshika cheerfully added.
The next morning
Since Perrine was the person in charge, she woke up first to check on the rest of the girls and most importantly to get Yoshika to the infirmary to check on her wound. To her surprise though, a person arrived early in the morning, flying, surprisingly; she had helped her and was helping her with the reconstruction of Gallia.
After greeting her, she asked for Lynette and so Perrine went to look for her in her bedroom or rather shared bedroom.
"Lynne, someone came looking for you." Perrine said, knocking on the door but no answer was heard. "Lynne?" She asked but with the same results, so she slowly opened the door and carefully made her way inside, but she froze in her tracks, in awe of the scene.
"Pardon- pardon, my intrusion," Perrine muttered, blushed, noticing that Lynette was cuddling on Yoshika, her face was resting on her cleavage, between her almost bared breasts, her arm wrapped around her bared waist and neither of them wearing panties and were not even covered with a blanket.
Noticing that someone was there, Lynette just moved off hastily from Yoshika, waking her in the process, who did not even realize that someone was there.
"As I said, someone is looking for you." Perrine murmured, slowly making her way out, still trying to process what she just saw.
Author Notes:
I'm aware that Bolzano is not in Romagna but in Venezia, but it would have been even a longer journey.
Francesca is by far the most difficult Witch to get right for me, that's why she hasn't had many scenes, and the second one is Sanya.
About the next chapter, I'm not really sure when it'd come out, I'm still figuring some things and the last part may change, I am talking about Perrine getting into Yoshika and Lynne's room.
And finally, my Italian is kind of rusty, so not entirely sure if it's right.