Lucky you! You get a double feature today. Yeah I'm bored so here yall go. Its a bit short, but the next chapter is lengthy.
Chapter IV: Opening up
The return to port was uneventful, but the girls thought otherwise as the Commander grew quieter and contemplative. The Crane sisters were noticeably worried about him; his action with the plane shocked them to the core with his commitment to saving the other shipgirls. But, even the hard-charging Zuikaku had her opinions about his actions. All the while, the Commander and Akagi shared her flight deck under an umbrella.
Zuikaku, Shoukaku, and Kaga, in a rare display of solidarity, sat and spoke to each other over tea over their misgivings. The party of three set up a small mat with a tea set on Zuikaku's flight deck.
"Thank you, Zuikaku, for allowing me here," Kaga says to Zuikaku as she uses her fire to make tea. "Akagi is being… Overbearing towards the Commander."
"It is my pleasure, Kaga-Sempi," Zuikaku replied as she looked over to Akagi's carrier. "Sisters are interesting for sure."
"The bootlicker is more than interesting," Kaga tells her as she checks the tea. "My apologies, my dear sister is more than interesting."
"I never see her at gatherings." Shoukaku remarks as she retrieves some sweets. "Is she antisocial?"
"She's more like Taihou than she is willing to admit," Kaga says, smiling at the tea. "Both usually keep to themselves, training or trying to be around the Commander as much as possible."
"I don't know enough about our Sempai on that level to agree with that," Shoukaku tells Kaga as she pours them a cup of tea. "I've become good friends with Taihou since she came to the port. She's sweet, and though she may have problems, she means well. Though her loneliness is something, I worry about."
"As I said, They are more alike than one may think." Kaga continues. "Their fates were the same outcome, and both wish for the love of the Commander. I just wish they would realize this and work together. I would be fewer issues for all of us."
"If only we all worked together," Zuikaku says, a feeling her sister shared deeply.
Kaga feels sour but brushes it off and looks toward Akagi's carrier to see the Commander tending to the two wounded. Akagi herself was eagerly awaiting from the side as he wiped the blood from their faces.
"I still can't believe he flew a plane into a siren," Kaga growls. "Brave, but stupid."
"Extremely." Shoukaku agrees. "He saved them, but the cost could have been greater than just a few cuts."
"Judging from your expression at the crash, you were ready to skin him alive just like Akagi." Kaga remarks slyly.
"You won't believe it even if you saw it with your own eyes," Zuikaku says. "He told us he was going to crash the plane into her. We tried to stop him, but he threw us off. No hesitation or anything."
"Pointed right at the siren and told us she was the target." Shoukaku continues. "Then right after he did it, he just steps out to shoot it with his gun and hold the two Ashes at gunpoint. Insane."
"The audacity of the attack did save Nagato and Mikasa." Kaga counters briefly but relents and agrees with Shoukaka. "The audacity to use a simple human pistol against META's is insane."
"Did you see the carrier META?" Shoukaku asked. "She looked like Junyou."
"Might have been her META counterpart?" Zuikaku asked.
"We've only documented three META carriers: Hirryuu, Souryuu, and Ark Royal." Kaga recounts from Amagi's notes. "I recognized Takeo's swordsmanship, so we ran into her META again. There has to be more. I'm worried that most of them are from the Sakura Empire…."
"Is that why they attacked Nagato and Mikasa? For revenge or to destroy the Sakura Empire?" Zuikaku asked worriedly.
"They roughed up Akagi as well," Kaga says with venom. "I can only guess it was an attempt to harm the former three faction leaders before Yamato's ascension."
"If they were after all three of them," Shoukaku begins, thinking about the events. "Then why didn't they kill the Commander or take him prisoner?"
"Akagi would have set the world ablaze if they even thought of laying their hands on him," Kaga says bluntly. "Even at her weakest, She would have at least fed Meta Takeo her own sword."
The three shuttered at the idea of Akagi on an actual rampage. "Let's not think of something so terrible." Kaga surprisingly says.
"I would think you would savory the idea," Shoukaku says.
"There is a clear difference between a battle and a massacre, Shoukaku," Kaga says coldly. "I prefer a true test of strength vs. killing the innocent. As we both know, Akagi wouldn't differentiate between friend and foe to get to the Commander."
"The said could be said the same for Taihou," Shoukaku says equally as coldly. "My dear friend would assure this ocean be an ocean of souls."
"As would Roon, Dido, Junyou, and even Atago." Zuikaku remarks. "I've seen Roon in battle and trained with Dido and Junyou. The former is terrifying, but I wouldn't want to be caught on either of the latter's bad side."
"Why do you mention Atago?" Kaga says arrogantly. "What could that heavy-weight cruiser do to make you think of her in the same vein as Akagi?"
Zuikaku's gaze turns deadpan, "I must be watching too many movies with the Eagle Union girls. But in many horror movies, the sweetest girl turns out to be the sadist of the bunch. I've had the pleasure of working with Atago, and she is an absolute sweetheart and good with her sword, but have you ever wondered if she has it in her to go further."
"We all have it in us," Kaga tells her as she sips her tea. "The Sakura Empire's rigging is primal, a display of our warrior spirit."
"Then is the Commander more like the Sakura Empire?" Zuikaku asks, contemplating a reason for his actions. "He used the term' Divine Wind' before he attacked the drone. Kamikazes haven't been used since the first war, pre-Kansen."
"He doesn't look like us," Shoukaku says bluntly. "There isn't an animal trait to him, but he seems more primal than the last Commander."
"Akagi seems more subservient and calmer." Kaga remarks taking another sip of tea. "Even in her beaten state, she's not as overbearing. Interesting."
"She doesn't seem that different to me." Shoukaku comments. "Look how she's all over the Commander."
"You don't know her like I do," Kaga replies, observing her sister's interaction with the Commander. Akagi appeared to gently hold the Commander as he cleaned Nagato and Mikasa with a rag. Her fox-like eyes gave her a fantastic picture of the situation. The energy omitting of the Commander was that of worry and expectation; it appeared to her he felt guilty for the attack and tended to the wounded. Akagi tried to understand all her faults, but her animal instincts and territorial nature kicked in, making her lean on him. The Commander then began tending to Akagi with the rag as well. She could see he was speaking to her softly and gently; this she could deduce from the fur on Akagi's tails becoming flat and calm.
"He's reciprocating her," Kaga says to herself with a light smile forming on her face.
"Odd…" She says aloud.
"Why odd?" Zuikaku asks her.
"He seems sad…." Kaga notes as she watches him stroke Akagi's tails and hair. "Almost regretful."
The sight changed before her to the Commander tending to the two fallen comrades as Akagi leaned against him lovingly.
"I wonder why?" Shoukaku says in a melancholy tone.
On board the other carrier:
"I'll protect and care for you as I would for my own," Karl tells her as he cleans the rag in hot water. "I made this promise to my comrades long ago, which means for you, these two, and everyone else."
"You mean you'll depend on and trust Akagi?" Akagi asks him hopefully as he cleans her.
"With every ounce of my being," Karl tells her truthfully, holding back his emotions as much as possible. "And you'll do the same for me?"
"As long as you do it for the Sakura Empire," Akagi says. "Promise me this."
"I promise," Karl tells her as she leans on him. 'I intend on keeping it… For you, for everyone… Not like last time….'
Hours past….
Returning to port Mikasa recovered enough to walk on her own, but Nagato still needed to be carried. The Great Veteran offered to take the little fox, but Karl refused and asked Akagi to accompany him to the hospital. To Kaga's surprise, her sister appeared accepting that the Commander held Nagato like a sleeping child on his hip. Nagato's head lay peacefully on his shoulder as Akagi locked his left arm with hers.
"Sister," Kaga begins. "Do you wish I accompany you?"
Akagi looked to the Commander. With a silent nod, he motioned for Kaga to join him. Kaga took to his right side near Nagato with Mikasa in the lead. Nothing was said for the first few moments of the walk until Miskasa broke the silence.
"You saved us," Mikasa says to him without turning her head. "Thank you, Commander."
"I wish it was sooner," Karl replies in a monotone.
"I could have carried her." Mikasa remarks as they round a corner by the hospital.
"No need," Karl says somewhat defensively. "You were banged up bad, Great Veteran. I'm surprised you can walk. Making you carry the little fox would be too much."
The Great Veteran smiled in solidarity as they reached the hospital. Akagi giggled at his remark, and even Kaga smiled at the sight of him holding Nagato so gently. She felt torn at the picture as she viewed Nagato's defeat as shameful, regardless of the situation. But at the same time, she gave every last bit of strength to fight an elite member of the Ashes. The blue fox turns her gaze back to the Commander as they enter the hospital. Vestal and Eagle Union ships greet them to care for the two wounded. Vestal looked at the haggard and bruised Commander in his blood-stained uniform with horror and instructed a couple of Eagle Union cruisers to inspect him.
"My Commander will be treated by the Sakura Empire," Akagi says flatly and, surprisingly, respectfully to Vestal.
"I assure you, Ms. Vestal, It's just cosmetic." The Commander says to Vestal. She then looked over to Kaga and Mikasa, who nodded to confirm his calm. "I want the full report of their injuries once you are complete. Thank you, Ms. Vestal."
The medical ship turns her attention directly to Mikasa and Nagato, leaving the two foxes and him alone in the waiting room. "I'll escort you both home," Karl says to them. "The sun is about to go down, and I'd rather you have an escort."
Before Kaga can reply, Akagi responds. "Of course, Commander. We would enjoy this."
"What about Miskasa and Nagato? I believe we should stay." Kaga protests.
"I shall stay," Karl answers. "After I escort you and grab some things from my residence. You two and everyone on our QRF and Commission will have the next two days off to recover. That's an order."
Kaga attempted to resist, but Akagi shot her a calm expression that reassured her that the Commander was right. Though she was visibly reluctant to follow, She followed her orders and her sister's wishes to accompany them home. The walk was uneventful, besides the two Foxes walking arm and arm with the Commander after a cold breeze makes them shiver. Once they reach their residence, he hugs Kaga, taking her by surprise, and then hugs and kisses Akagi. The red fox wanted more, but she knew the Commander was worried about the two in the hospital.
"I have to check on them," Karl explains to her. "I feel as if I'm the one to cause for their-"
Akagi puts her finger on his lips, "Do what you must, my Commander. I'll be here for you just like you would be here for me. Akagi's love for you is like that for the Sakura Empire, And you love the Sakura Empire as much as you love Akagi. You showed that to me today."
He kisses the fox again and holds her for a moment. Akagi wished this moment would last forever, but she noticed the concern in his eyes. "Commander, We are at war. Such things happen in war." She says to him with her arms around his waist.
"I'm just concerned for you." He told her innocently. "You sounded much worse on the net. It brought- Never mind, I'm just glad you are ok. I'm also worried about the other two, But I'll keep watch on them."
Akagi's ears perk up, and a dreamy smile takes over her face, "My beloved Commander." She coos as she lays herself against him.
"I have to go back, Akagi," Karl tells her regretfully, something Akagi notices heavily in his voice. "I'll return after I get a brief from Vestal. Please get some rest."
Akagi giggles softly and steals another kiss, "My bed and I will be waiting for you."
With her invitation in mind, he leaves for his room to gather some of his "things." Entering the Commander's quarters, he was greeted with silence as all ships had taken to bed. He didn't realize the time until he reached his room to see the clock at 2200.
"Another night." He laments as he reaches under the bed for a duffle bag. Grabbing the duffle, he took inventory of the bed of the goods before packing them away. Before he threw it over his shoulder, he felt his phone vibrate.
"Shit." Karl groans as he pulls his phone from his pocket.
Caller ID showed a series of runes, a sign of who exactly it was on the other end. He picks up the call and answers with, "Where does it begin and end?"
"Zed." The modulated voice on the other line replies.
"Yes, Sir," Karl responds.
"Teleportation portal radiation was reported twenty-five miles from your position earlier in the day." Mr. Z tells him. "What do you have to report?"
"Members of a group known as the Ashes, Kansen, who have become something known here as 'Meta,'" Karl reports. "I will begin an investigation in the morning."
"You've been busy, Major." Mr. Z begins. "My dogs have reported several developments within your port. You were instructed to be on leave."
"I'm not the one to have idle hands," Karl says forbiddingly. "Besides, I need to keep myself sharp. Unfucking a port from mismanagement and upgrading some of the capabilities of the Kansen is more of an added bonus."
"While I applaud the efforts," Mr. Z begins, his voice foreboding. "That does not mean that is your primary occupation. There will be no investigation, and neither will there be any more attempts at self-sacrifice, do you understand?"
"Who's your dog? Who's the eye, and is there a finger to go with it? Is that why someone came from the sky to "
"Do as you are told, or you will be sent to the coal mines in the North along with your men." Mr. Z says coldly; hints of pleasure can be felt in every word. "It's rather fridged this time of year."
"Yes, Sir, I understand," Karl replies reluctantly.
"Orders are to conduct R&R. Conduct it. Do not put yourself into a fight. Do you understand?" Mr. Z clarifies.
"Yes, Sir." He says again.
The dial tone deafens him, and he adjusts the bag on his shoulder. He thinks for a moment about his comrades struggling on the frontlines. Would he risk sending his comrades to the hellish life of a prisoner slave in the Kolyma mines in the Far North of Arcadia?
But the feeling of that black figure's hands against his body and the ever-present sense of someone watching him made him double-think. Why is Z so insistent on him taking leave? The Kansen was a devastating weapon in this world, so why not investigate the possibility of Kansen in the wars on Tiberius?
"Fucking hell…" He curses, adjusting the bag again. "I don't know if those cooky bitches will put me under. I ain't goin' to hell without a fight or a gun."
Karl's accent began to rear itself, a sign of pure stress. He needed to return to the hospital and smoke a cigarette, no question asked. To hell with Mr. Z and his games, He'll do both relax and get the fiasco here settled. Reaching into his coat, he took out his cigarette case and put a hand-rolled smoke behind his ear before going for the door. The maids were asleep, and he was free to exit without worry. Taking a moment to light his cigarette, he continued smoking while he walked.
Taking a long drag from his cigarette, he took vast strides to hasten his return to the hospital. He released the smoke from his nose and cupped the small orange flame. Old habits died hard from the war; even here in a different world, he couldn't hide any of those habits.
Suddenly he felt an inky darkness surround him, leaving only the light of his cigarette as his source of light. A figure appears with a red gloved hand and puts out the flame, "My child will not ruin his body with such a habit." A voice whispers before the figure disappears.
He recognized the gloved hands from his dreams and quickly scanned around him for the inky black darkness that haunted him. "Fredrich… Where?!" Karl whispers back.
"Smoke is bad for you, my dear child." The voice whispered again.
"So are bullets," Karl replies sarcastically. "But I still get shot at."
"You mortals have such a short time on this earth. If allowed to expire, I would take my best care of myself." Fredrich remarks, her voice echoing around him.
"I've been around a long time and haven't died yet." Karl snorts. "A cigarette won't kill me. I need something to cut the edge off."
Karl picked up the pace until nearing the small park area between the dorms, the academy, and his residence. The golden anchor gleamed in the moonlight, and the amber lights of the park bathed the benches around him.
"Then have a drink then," Fredrich says as the light of the park disappears briefly. A nearby light flickered, revealing a bench with a fancy glass filled with beer. "Have a drink and sit down. You've had a long day, my dear child."
"I can't afford to have a beer with the Iron Blood Matriarch," Karl replies bluntly. His voice was filled with annoyance but garnished with fierce anger bubbling below the surface. "I've got two wounded Officers in the infirmary and hostiles more than likely hot on my trail. I need to protect them!"
The inky blackness from his dream appeared in his path, blocking him momentarily. He looked around to see the blackness acting like an ocean leaving only the illuminated bench to act as an island. Karl backs up slowly and looks back at the bench. "I have a mission, and it's to protect them. To hell with everyone else who says otherwise." Karl grunts.
He goes for his pistol, but there is nothing in his holster. "The hell!?" Karl thinks to himself as he moves to the duffle bag. But it, too, was gone. Leaving him defenseless against the darkness around him.
"I insist you sit and relax," Fredrich says calmly. "I would love to ease your mind and help you think, my dear child."
Looking at the encroaching darkness and the amber lite bench with the beer again, he began to think he didn't have a say in this 'Offer' of Fredrich's. "Maybe I should." He says, keeping up his anger as a front. Adjusting his still blood and oil-covered tunic, he makes a crisp about-face and walks to the bench. "Though I wish you would have said Please rather than threaten me with the abyss."
"My dear child, you are so stubborn and so cute it's almost frustrating," Fredrich says adoringly.
As he takes his seat, he tries to get comfortable, but the sight of the darkness around him makes him tense and restless. From the abyss came the legendary H-Class battleship, the intended namesake of its class if it were launched, Fredrich Der Grosse. The striking appearance of the super battleship was only matched by her haunting beauty with bright glowing yellow eyes, long flowing black hair, curvy figure, and demonic horns.
"We finally meet in person, My Dear Child," Fredrich says seductively.
"In person, yes," Karl replies with a hostile tone. "Haunting me in my dreams didn't exactly leave me with the best impression of you. Nor did this display of power."
He crosses his arms and legs, putting up a defensive guard to the enjoyment of the H-Class battleship. The bright yellow eyes felt like searchlights inspecting for intruders on the border of a hostile country. Though her rigging wasn't present at the moment, he was sure that, just like Roon, she could call upon her rigging immediately. Whatever dark magic she used to take his weapons and surround him with darkness, he was sure that he was cornered. He was correct in his assumption as her eyes slowly moved up and down his body. A loving smile took over her beautiful snow-white face as she sensually walked to him.
The battleship sits beside him and hands him the beer glass, "Please, have a drink with me and enjoy the moonlight. It's a wonderful way to relax after an eventful expedition."
"The fact that, what I presume to be, a demon is offering me a drink is not alluding to me." He says, taking the beer from her. "Though I must be honest with you, this isn't the first time a demon or whatever terror you may be has done this. I suppose that if I drink this, I have sold my soul to you?"
Fredrich laughs calmly and scoots closer to him, putting her hand on his thigh. "My dear child, while that is a tempting offer, I would stoop to such levels as that. I don't need to trick you. I only wish to ease your mind and help you understand the question that plagues you."
He squints his eyes at her distrusting. For he believed she was giving a convincing poker face. Looking deep into her eyes, he could nearly read her and his mind firmly told him not to trust her, But his gut said otherwise. Smelling the beer, he noticed nothing wrong with the drink. "Why not." He laments and takes a sip. It was strong and smooth, just the way he liked it. Within an instant, he felt his body relax and uncrossed his legs and arms. Fredrich giggles lightly and wraps her arm in his.
A sour feeling fills his chest as he looks at the beer and the moon above. He knew he was a real ass to her, regardless of her status as a possible demon or whatever FDG was. With a sigh, he looked at Fredrich with a concerned and anxious look. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I'm a real mess and an ass at the moment."
"I'm by no means a demon, but I've been referred to as worse," Fredrich says with a deadpan tone, but her Mona Lisa smile betrays her intent. "I will forgive you since you apologized, yet I don't believe you properly apologized."
"Define proper for me then, Ms. Fredrich." Karl inquires.
"To properly apologize to me," She begins, reluctantly letting go of his arm and patting her lap. "You must allow yourself to rest."
"You ain't the first person to say that or offer to lay in your lap," Karl replies in a hostile tone. "What's with you girls in this? These games of lap pillows and dates? Damn. I don't understand why the hell I can't just work? Why the hell can't I just do what I need to do?!" He sets down the beer so it wouldn't get knocked over. "Between the front and this damn circus of a port, I've been working my damn ass off to keep the world together, it seems, and all I hear is people complain. They say they worry about me, and all it fucking means is they need me to do something."
He ranted for what seemed to him an eternity. Till the end of it, he began to break down.
"I should be in the ice and snow fighting for the men. But damn the higher-ups and damn their 'Care for me.' Damn these girls around me who think they know what I want. I don't want to be here, I don't want to be anywhere, and I don't need to take a break…. Fuck me, I just need…." Karl began to tear up, and his voice became heavy. "I just need to… I don't fucking know… I'm so fucking tired… I'm just so fucking tired, Fredrich… There's so much to do and not enough energy to keep it together. I don't know anymore… I don't want to hurt these girls… I don't want to bother yall…."
Fredrich hugs him, tucking his face in her bosom. "Let it out… Let it out, my sweet child…."
He cried. He cried his eyes out till tears dripped between Fredrich's breasts. "The ghosts follow me… I see them every day… The fallen, the heroes, and the horrors. They won't forgive me…."
"I assure you they do…." Fredrich reassures him. "The fallen care for you and protect your way. The heroes remind you of the good you did for them and yourself. The horrors remind you of the evil you've conquered."
The motherly battleship removes her gloves and runs her hands through his hair. "Being so hard on yourself will be your demise. Taking on the world alone is the sure path to destruction as well. The girls simply want to comfort and heal you, whether they know it or not."
"I don't understand why…." Karl laments. "What have I done to deserve such treatment? To include this?"
Fredrich smiles and holds him tightly, "Why do you believe you are not worthy of this? The warmth of my bosom? The love of these girls? The worry and dotting of those who care for you. Do you not know these feelings?"
He moves away from her and puts his hat in his lap. With his wounded pride, he turns to the beer for strength and takes a long drink of it. Positioning himself upright and cleaning the tears from his eyes. The vulnerability displayed before Fredrich seemed to return to the depths of his mind, "I'm not a good man. I'm not someone who deserves such things as love and peace. I'm cursed to live a life of war and death. For it is my home." He tells her honestly with pain in his heart.
"No one, even us Kansen, is doomed to such a life," Fredrich admits. "Even I, a blueprint ship, do not sign myself to such ideas. While there may be some of us, like Roon, who shared a moment with you, may believe such things on the surface. We all are human and have thoughts, feelings, and dreams. We, too, even have things we regret. Do not believe you should reside to nothing but war and death."
"What do you know of me? Of my sins? Of my crimes?" Karl counters with anger.
"I know more about you than you would ever believe, Karl Erich Dael," Fredrich replies calmly. "Just like kindness can be a poison, self-loathing is as well. My Dear Child, you've done many things in your life, bad and good. But you've done more good things than bad. Your actions at Site C19 say otherwise."
Karl's face turns white, and he looks ghostly at Fredrich in disbelief. "C19? How do you know about C19?"
"I know more about you than you could ever realize," Fredrich tells him. "Both here and beyond."
A confused expression dominates his face as he takes another heavy drink of beer. When he finished the glass, he looked back at her with the same ghostly expression as before, "Are you the devil?" He asks her bluntly.
Fredrich only laughs and hugs him, "No, my dear child, I'm just worried about you as we all are. I'm just more perceptive."
Her pale skin was deceptively warm and welcoming, like her bosom. Her dark laugh comforted him, and he felt the care in her embrace. He relents and eases himself to relax into her bust.
"You're not the first one to say that to me," Karl says softly to Fredrich.
"I'm aware," Fredrich replies as she feels his arms wrap around her to return the hug. "My dear child… I can feel you calming down… How sweet."
"I don't mean to cover you in siren gore and motor oil." Karl apologizes. "And my tears and problems."
"My dear child," Fredrich says, bringing his eyes to her. "I forgive you, and I forgave you for your outbursts. But I ask of you one thing."
"What that might be, Fredrich?" He asks her innocently.
"You must forgive yourself." She whispers. "You must forgive yourself, and she will forgive you."
"What makes you so sure?" He asked her.
"Because she loves you," Fredrich tells him. "Just as much as the others do. But you must love yourself."
A gentle rub disturbs him, and the world around him turns into the sanitized walls of a hospital room. The sight of a sleeping Nagato and Mikasa caught his attention, and he realized he was in their room. He could feel his heart pumping in his chest and a slight annoyance at the fact that someone got the jump on him again.
"Commm-aaaaaannnnn-ddddeeerrrr~ ~ ~" A certain fox sang to him before hugging him. "You were supposed to come to my room last night. Does Akagi have to punish you?"
He tried to laugh but couldn't hide how startled he was at the total change of environment. "You scared the shit out of me, Akagi!" Karl said in a mix of jest and seriousness. She laughs and kisses him on the cheek. Behind her came Amagi and Vestal, both with worried looks on their faces.
"Commander, good morning." Amagi greets him. "I was worried about you when you didn't return to our home. Akagi assured me you were staying with us last night after the mission."
Karl looked down, and he continued to be surprised; his uniform was cleaned and pressed. Even his boots were polished!
"The Commander was here all night," Vestal told them. "After awhile, he fell asleep. I couldn't muster up the nerve to wake him."
Akagi smiles and holds his hand. Karl locks his fingers between hers and looks to Amagi with a smile, "I guess I just dozed off. I was just so worried about those two." He tells her.
Amagi could see something was wrong, but the Commander wasn't lying. More so, she thought he was simply confused or just groggy. Her assumption wasn't wrong, and Karl still had to ask: What happened last night after they returned?
"Vestal-San," Amagi begins. "How are Nagata and Miskasa?"
His grip tightens with worry in Akagi's hand. Akagi returns it and looks back at him lovingly. Her flaming eyes gave him an assuring look.
"Well, they appear worse than they really are," Vestel assures them. "Mikasa is fine; she just needed minor treatment. A ship her age simply isn't built to keep up with the newer girls, especially a META ship. She will be released today. Nagato took the brunt of the attack, but her newer wisdom cube will allow her to heal quicker."
"Good… Good…" Karl replies, the news easing his mind and tension. "Good…"
Akagi could feel his grip loosen, and he adjusted himself to bring Akagi closer to him. Akagi, being the proactive girl she is, decided to sit on his lap. A happy smile takes over the fox's face, and even Amagi feels comfortable with her.
"Will Nagato be released around the same time as Mikasa?" He asked Vestal.
"Yes," Vestal replies, looking at her chart on Nagato. "Now, please, Commander, you need to rest properly. From what Ms. Amagi has told me, you haven't had much rest, and Akagi says you were in a plane crash."
As much as he wanted to argue, he felt Akagi yawn and noticed that she, too, looked rather tired. "Don't tell me you were up all night," Karl says to Akagi.
"I was up all night waiting for you," Akagi replies honestly.
"She was," Amagi adds. "I'm rather annoyed at her for pacing all night."
Akagi's ears flattened, but Karl hugged her and sighed. "I'm sorry. I don't know what happened. I guess I must have just worn myself out completely. I'll head to your place for some rest then."
Amagi smiles again and bows to Vestal. "Thank you, Vestal-San. I'll inform the rest of the Sakura Empire girls about the news."
The fiery fox stands up and pulls Karl up. "Come home with me, Commander." Akagi insists.
Her smile seemed calm and warm, as did Amagi's. Maybe he should try to relax today once again. As he takes to his feet, he feels her move him forward with Amagi towards the door. Perhaps he cleaned himself up instead of grabbing his bag of tricks?
Maybe his heart-to-heart with Fredrich was just another odd dream…
But from the corner of his eye, he could see an empty beer glass under his seat.