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>Statistics: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1p2K_evlFKjbblbSTf3ZSf-0xECyNHEeiQEgyiFdADcw/edit?usp=sharing
>Character: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1F43-0W17qNQ3Q_FwOOQPYw8Rf4HmSCFrEcAv-uOPQD0/edit?usp=sharing
>Map/Locations: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ns6pDh5fkzxTvBYSN_5dICL4JbVLwk7qiNyoNHPcdww/edit?usp=sharing
>Tasks: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1agFmzgoNb0jeqd2G9H2voZ5Zm4N6fxPTQXQyt_GY9ec/edit?usp=sharing
>Rolling Rules: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1D6xlxpzfqF_rC2iemL-OGhFkNK4uiy8PZdvjkkdVBPU/edit?usp=sharing
>Archive: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?searchall=shipgirl+commander
>Twitter: https://twitter.com/DiceToTableTop

'So we're going to go see the Admiral, sir?'

'Yeah,' you answer casually, throwing a gaze at one of the crane trucks leaving the compound, 'might as well go and get it out of the way. Thanks, by the way … for being so patient. We were there for a little longer than I expected to be.'

'Not a problem!' she lets out energetically as you walk past several staff members carrying what appeared to be large rubber tubes. 'I picked up quite a bit watching you, so I don't mind!'

'Well, I hope you did,' you nod in agreement, 'because then I wouldn't be a good leader.'

As your mind ponders her words a little more, you turn towards Samidare.

'So what did you pick up?'

Your subordinate considers your question for a moment, looking to the ground thoughtfully.

'That it's,' she pauses, 'most of it is boring … nothing different from what anyone else does but that the … responsibility—yes, the responsibility—is of a different scope. It doesn't mean that you're doing less by doing less as a leader, as a Commander, as Vice-Admiral … or even Admiral, the decisions that you make, even the smallest ones, have wider effects than what anyone else would. The considerations that you have to take are of a whole different scale and … I guess that I never thought that the little things would get so overwhelming. That's why you offered to help the Vice-Admiral, didn't you? Because you saw it as much as your responsibility as a Commander to fulfil your duties as his subordinate?'

'Just because you're subordinate to a superior doesn't make you automatically … exempt from your role as someone responsible for your immediate command,' you advise knowingly, ‘and even if the best leaders bring out the best of their charges, they’re hardly a paragon if they ignore the little things, right?’

‘Right!’ she declares cheerfully, pumping a fist.

You let a small smile make its way to your features, glad that you had at least been able to convey that much to Samidare. To tell the truth, you had felt a little apprehensive taking the active role of a mentor … especially when the mentee in question had a head start on you by a good few years.
>>
However, Samidare had been an observant student, and you were glad that you didn’t have to fall over yourself trying to explain the finer details of what your role really was about. Then again, you couldn’t exactly give yourself that credit … she was a KanMusu, after all. They learned faster than the average adult; despite looking like a young teenager about to blossom into womanhood, it was a reminder that Samidare was anything but.

Well, now you only had the Admiral’s appointment to sort out, so—

‘Sir! A question, if you will?’

You turn to Samidare, finding yourself mildly surprised to the see the Destroyer’s heels clicking together as she raised a hand like a student putting forth an inquiry.

‘Yes, Samidare?’

She hesitates as she brings her hands down, slightly shifting as she tried to find the words.

‘You and the Vice-Admiral aren’t … equals, right? Is it okay for you to be like that with him? There’s … a hierarchy to things, isn’t there? Is it really that all right?’

‘In my case, it’s a little different, though,’ you pause, ‘you might not want to try that on Nagato in front of the rest of the Division. You don’t want to undermine her in front of everyone by trying to be that … chummy.’

‘Eh, but I’m like that with you … and you’re like that with the Vice-Admiral,’ she stops in her tracks, turning her head to the side. Ten years of war and you found it hard to believe that she was this … green; maybe she had been a little sheltered. ‘I don’t think that your effectiveness is undermined in the least … and Nagato-san’s been accommodating to everyone in the time that I’ve known her …’

Your eyes go wide, if only slightly. She did have a pretty good point.

You think about it for a moment. On one hand, you didn’t feel like putting a gulf between any of your Division members—least of all with Nagato on one side—but on the other hand, Samidare did come here to learn from your conduct to apply to her own prospective “career”. You couldn’t well tell her that she could go around being chummy and getting authority or going to the other end of the spectrum and expecting those under her command to do their best by the rule of fear. Plus, Nagato seemed to have a handle on things and you didn’t want to disrupt the chemistry you already had so … what did you have to impart to her on the subject?

Hell, did it even matter to you?

‘Commander?’

>‘Because at the end … there’s a time and place for everything. Even differing leadership styles fall back to that.’
>‘The Vice-Admiral and I, well … it’s not so much a hierarchy so much as it is a relationship.’
>‘I never said I was perfect. I’ll probably never put a claim on it.’
>‘Maybe you’re right … maybe you should put a little bit more distance. As should I.’
>Write-In
>>
>>2314335
>>‘Because at the end … there’s a time and place for everything. Even differing leadership styles fall back to that.’
>as long as you know when its time to be serious and when its ok to be more casual.
>>
>>2314335
Can we combine "there’s a time and place" and "it's about relationships"? Like, you can be chummy with each other if you're that close, but given certain situations you have to act according to your expected position/rank?
>>
>>2314349
Nothing wrong with you trying to mix it up to make a write in, no. The difference between mine is the tonal emphasis. If you can accommodate one with the other, I have no qualms.
>>
okay 4chan ate my first one
WE NEED TO START TALKING SHIT THROUGH AGAIN
WE'VE BEEN TERRIBLE AT THAT
ITS WHAT HAS LED TO THE SHIT THATS GONNA HAPPEN SOON
>>
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Guys, can we discuss what to do instead of voting right away?
>>
>>2314361
these two
>>2314343
>>2314349
are going in the right direction since we're supposed to be showing Samidare how we do things as a Cmdr
>>
So how about
"It's about relationships. If you're that close, you can be chummy with each other and treat each other casually, so long as it doesn't reduce job effectiveness. But sometimes there's expectations -- from events, from people, from the environment -- and you have to act as expected from your rank."
>>
>>2314349
i am for this combo
>>
>>2314366
Yeah, that sounds good. So this, then.
>>2314349
>>2314370
>>
>>2314370
If you get the votes, I have no problems writing it up. Can you just give me the gist of the tone, please? Strict? Patient? Domineering? Any points you want to emphasize?
>>
>>2314376
Patient tone I guess? Like a teacher explaining something to his student. And I guess the emphasis is "it's about relations, but sometimes you gotta meet expectations"
>>
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You think about it very carefully.

You didn’t want to unwittingly cause any missteps here, lest you give Samidare the wrong idea. There was a difference between application and theory … and you had to make sure Samidare followed the spirit and not just the word. They didn’t cover everything in textbooks, after all.

‘It’s a … two-way street, see,’ you begin, slowing your pace as you approach the Admiral’s office, ‘more than about the hierarchy, it’s about a relationship. The leader’s in charge, he handles everyone under his umbrella, on his list … you get what I mean. But you also need to consider just how well that you know each other and just how much you can push a boundary until you’ve definitely crossed it. That, though, is a sure-fire way to lose the respect and trust of anyone; friends or subordinates. If it brings up morale, if it strengthens the synergy and execution of the entity, then there’s no problem taking that route. You can be as casual all you like, but when the time comes and you need to bring order out of chaos, all the pieces need to know who’s the King, the Horse, the Workers … all that stuff.’

‘So like you do in the Division?’

You consider it for a moment. It would bee too lazy to simplify it to that point.

‘Well, a little … but I operated more on assumption when I started out over actually taking a step back and letting it come to me,’ you explain further, ‘and that’s a hole I’m trying not to step into again. Delegating duty’s also a part of making the wheels turn, Samidare … and if you can’t do something, there’s never shame in leaving it in the hands of someone who can.’

She lights up a little at your words. It looked like you were on the track to a mutual understanding … or so you hoped.

‘Like the Vice-Admiral did with you … it doesn’t devalue his position?’

‘I rely on you to fight on the front … it doesn’t make me any worse or better off,’ you shrug, ‘it just means that my job is to make sure to get the most out of you. That’s the basic skeletal make-up of the task I’m handed … and you’re beholden only to your responsibilities. It doesn’t lessen what anyone does, but it does paint a picture of the weight that every decision made goes by a different measure based on where we stand. Just because you and I are friends doesn’t mean we can’t be Commander and KanMusu too, right?’

She pumps a fist as you walk up the ramp.

‘Right!’

As you move to knock on the door … you hear two voices on the other side.

‘A platform would strengthen the hold … and in these trying times, I don’t think you can afford to turn down a safety net, Admiral … not with the sharks circling as they are.’

‘And I know when I’m staring damnation in the face. The answer’s still no.’

>Announce your arrival
>Eavesdrop
>Leave
>Write-In
>>
>>2314439
>>Announce your arrival
lets not listen in too much
>>
>>2314439
>>Announce your arrival
>>
>>2314439
>>Announce your arrival
>>
>>2314439
>Announce your arrival
>>
You give the door a firm few knocks. As interested as you were in the discussion … it would be much too rude, too improper to press your ear to the door like some snooping busybody—and with Samidare here to learn from you, the last thing you wanted her was to pick up a habit on eavesdropping from your influence. Another conversation takes place, prompting you to give another knock. This time with your prosthetic and more audible. This time, you’re handed a sound of the Admiral most definitely giving you his permission to enter, which you do, opening the door and quickly moving into the warm shelter of his office … and immediately look up to see your superior sitting at the edge of his table, puffing on his pipe.

Standing in the middle of the room was the Vassal that you had seen from before, still clad in his felt hat and black suit, wearing a neutral expression as he regarded you … then turning back to the Admiral with a businessman’s smile.

‘I promised I wouldn’t cut into your time so much that I’d keep you from your work, Admiral,’ he lets out in a thick, oily voice that sounded pleasant … and at the same time, terrifying. ‘You know where to find me, of course.’

He holds out his hand for the Admiral to take.

The Admiral doesn’t so much as move an inch.

‘I’m not pulling up an escort for you this time.’

‘I’m familiar enough to make my way around,’ he chuckles mirthlessly, tipping his hat as he turned on his heel and moved past you, not even sparing you or Samidare a glance. Personally, you found yourself a little offended … were you just pots and furniture to him?

The Admiral doesn’t even spare him a glance as he leaves, gently shutting the door behind him.

‘Commander,’ he greets you with a casual salute, one that you return right as he straightens his uniform. ‘I see you got my message.’

‘Yeah,’ you nod, approaching your superior, ‘I heard that … you wanted to talk to me, sir?’

‘Yes,’ he nods in return, moving behind his desk to immediately pull up some files from his drawer—a few folders, really—mumbling unintelligibly under his breath. ‘Nagato and Akashi just handed me a recovery report on Iowa. According to the latest trials, she’s pulled herself up into combat eligibility … to which I have standing orders to communicate with Ominato to pull up the eligibility of assignment. We need all the help we can get … and with this development, I’m finally able to start slotting her in to an Admiral or Vice-Admiral’s unit. So I guess I have you to thank for managing her so well. Good job.’

‘Th-Thank you, sir.’

He wears a tight smile.

‘So, Commander, would you mind telling me why is it that when I asked her about her assignment preferences … she looked away, looking red as the damn sunset saying she didn’t want to be anywhere else but at your side?

Oh.

Commander?

Oh crap.

>Write-In
>>
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So how about we stay as stoic as possible and just say something to the effect of "we spent much time with her and therefore she holds a close relationship to us", with the implication that this is just a personal thing and won't get in the way of her getting assigned elsewhere?
>>
>>2314504
Up to you, really.
>>
atm, he is just concerned as to why iowa responded that way when she was asked about being reassigned
thats the question we need to address first
>>
right now, the best response would be to say that helping iowa overcome her weakness/illness and the trust built up by doing that and not being a douchnozzle as her previous commander has made her reluctant to leave our command and be assigned elsewhere
>>
>>2314523
supportin
>>
>>2314504
Commander helped Iowa back into working condition, seems like a good reason for her to have a preference.
Just don't mention the sexytimes, of course.

>>2314523
This
>>
>>2314523
>>
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‘Well, uh,’ you begin tentatively, trying your best to put on a brave front for Samidare, who you could tell by a glance was more than confused, ‘to be fair, sir, I was under the impression that there was no avenue to be left unattended with the issue of her recovery … and if I didn’t do my best at that, then … there wouldn’t be anything left in me to call qualified as a Commander. I didn’t take the road with the whole intention of, er …’

You trail off, unable to continue. The Admiral wears half a scowl, sitting against his table as he flips through the folders with a tight expression. Samidare is still at your side through all this, glancing back and forth between the both of you as though you were in the middle of a tennis match. You try your best to retain your composure. So much for setting an example for Samidare … you must look a right mess to her right now.

‘Commander, I cannot,’ he pauses, closing the folder and staring up at you, ‘in good conscience allow you to commandeer Iowa. Let’s leave out the fact that there are already two Battleships under your direct command. Let’s leave out that as of right now, the severance of your link with Carrier Kaga is still being carried out. How am I supposed to trust that your brain will not turn into mush the moment an active Stream connection is established between the both of you, through the RAY, through a direct link or even through an experimental dive? It would be irresponsible of me—irresponsible—to allow a Commander of your inexperience and capacity to risk your life—which, by our numbers, is a limited resource—and your sanity in an effort to accommodate a Battleship KanMusu that operates in the same tier as Musashi, who is already tethered to your ass.’

‘I … understand, sir.’

The Admiral may have sounded stable, but you knew that one step out of line and you’d be a memory on the wall.

‘So, enlighten me, Commander, just how and what’—he pokes you roughly with the corner of the folder—‘did you damn well do to turn this situation from a straightforward babysitting assignment to another one of your thrice-damned romps?’

‘Iowa’s damage wasn’t physical, sir,’ you answer crisply. ‘She’s suffered from trust issues even before … they were only compounded by her body trying to enter a state of permanent conservation. I can’t … explain how I did it, I mean, maybe she just opened up enough for it to activate itself right back up; sir she was almost raped back in Vanzer! She wouldn’t let anyone but her Admiral get back close to her … and when I did the first thing she did was run back up to her room, I—’

He raises a finger, prompting you to shut up.

‘Explain,’ he cuts patiently. ‘Cleanly … clearly.’

You rub your jaw. It was definitely going to get cracked after this …

>Write-In
>>
>>2314607
shiieeeeeettttt
any ideas people
>>
So we should explain
>Iowa kills/hurts nearly everyone she connects to
>Nearly raped by one of her commanders
>Forced to travel over an ocean, taxing her magical capabilities
>All resulted in multiple trust issues
>Work and time with her has mended some of those issues and 'apparently' stabilized her metaphysical structure, returning her to active status
Did I get the gist of it? Anything else I should add?
>>
>>2314614
yea thats the gist of it
>>
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>>2314614
wrong pic
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is the fact that the stream we have active with iowa not known by the admiral? or is it a different kind of stream is he referring to?
>>
>>2314629
I think the implication is known that you did something extraordinary to flip her back into an active state. He has a strong, strong suspicion of it, I guess. He knows that it's probably less than what you say but more than he suspects ... or that's how you feel he knows.
>>
>>2314639
so he knows we fixed her but not have an active stream with her then?
>>
>>2314614
>just tell him what happened that night Iowa opened up to us, just remove the sex and replace it with a heavy emotional conversation
this is just an idea im throwing out here
>>
>>2314641
There is a pretty underlying implication, considering that as Admiral, he probably had a gist as to the methodology of her reactivation being that intensive for such a quick fix. Considering neither Akashi was employed nor enough time passed for it to actually be fixed on her own, you'd think that the blinking red arrows pointing to you wouldn't be so damn inconspicuous at the very least.
>>
>>2314642
if we are going here, we can then add the fact that after the heavy emotional conversation, a stream was inadvertently made
>>
I was being nice to her. She opened up and came (puns intended) to trust me. We made a stream link.

The problem is, how do we get around explaining how our stream is not fucked up without admitting that we got mental coaching from a friendly neighbourhood heretic.
Even if Admiral could be trusted with such information, I'm pretty sure he'd have himself preferred to not know to maintain deniability...
>>
>>2314700
i suppose not telling him unless he explicitly is asking would be ok
>>
>>2314703
Well he's already concerned with our stream capacity so I anticipate he is going to ask how keeping Iowa on us is possible.

Maybe we could say we got some coaching from the First admiral? It's more or less true, and she was presumably seen visiting us, lending the story credibility.
However another issue is whether we should be using FA in that manner.
>>
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‘Sir, I won’t bother you with the details that you’re already aware of, but … I think that you’re aware that Iowa’s weight class lends heavily to the circumstances,’ you begin, trying to start out small and build your case up. If the Admiral wanted the story, you’d give it to him piece by piece instead of a lump sum. ‘As a Battleship, you know that she’s already in a class of her own … but she was also Vanzer’s sole defender for years. I don’t think that there’s anyone in this country that can attest to defending the whole west coast of a continent with only one Admiral on their backs.’

‘What’s your point, Commander?’

‘My point is, sir, Iowa has trust issues,’ you continue coolly, taking a step forward, ‘and if you turn her away like that and shove her into some soulless, bureaucratic mess, you’re going to turn her away again. I’m not sure what the book says on KanMusu mental health, but I’m pretty sure that aggravating something that requires stability to maximize performance ratings isn’t something that the Admiralty is keen on having on a prospective asset.’

The Admiral doesn’t smile, but his features do soften … somewhat.

‘Iowa’s relationship with her first Admiral—or at least as far as we know, her only Admiral—was a familial one. When the toll of commandeering her became too much, there was an arrangement for her transfer. Her new Admiral—her Vice-Admiral—used some kind of geas … to immobilize and assault her. Her Admiral saved her, but since then, she’s been less than welcome to the idea of shifting that connection about. That, coupled with the sheer exhaustion she suffered trying to come all the way here … and contacting the Admiralty for a rescue effort contributed to her core being rendered into a crippled state. As things are, right now I’m the only one she trusts enough to put that connection and not break it … sir.’

‘That’s not a case to argue your stance, Commander, nor is it a fitting explanation,’ he counters gruffly, setting the folder down. ‘Two mysteries right now is how in the world do you have a capacity to support her weight class in addition Nagato’s and Musashi’s … never mind the rest of the Division and how in the world you opened it.’

You open your mouth to reply, only to be immediately cut off by a wave of that hand.

‘Let’s say I go to my own conclusion on that first point … that whatever the reason, you’re adaptable to your post. Your brain, your spirit, whatever … that they grew over your career. Let’s argue that. Now, my curiosities lie in two things: how this obviously emotionally-tethered connection was established in the first place … and what did you do to get to that point?’

‘Sir—’

‘Clean, Commander. I want it clean and neat.’
>>
>>2315092
>'I ... I slept with her, sir. We, uh ... established relations on that front.' (Discrete, Honest)
>'It just happened, I guess? I can't say for sure.' (Evasive)
>'Talking with her, just ... getting to know her, sharing common interests...' (Discrete, Feign Innocence)
>'I ... didn't do it alone, sir. I had help.' (Reveal Shaman involvement)
>Write-In
>>
by the love of god
lets discust before posting
>>
as i see it
its a bad idea to reveal much, but we NEED to tell him something
half truths, to say something
>>
I think we should go for a write in here. The admiral is a smart man and can read in between the lines fi he needs to. I say we tell him we just acted like our usual self, got nosy and was there to comfort her.
>>
combo of 1st and 3rd seem like the way to go
>>
>>2315113
Agreed; the sex is secondary to the "We were our usual autistic nosy selves and established an actual bond with her". We can leave the sex as vague/implicit, but it's important to say that we didn't jump straight to that.
>>
>>2315113
how we word it?
"we talked with her sir, we managed to find common hobbies and, well i think i can call her a good friend. That might be the answer"
>>
>>2315122
this is a good starting pt, we can just say it progressed like that to the pt she confided to us and stuff happened
>>
>>2315121
You mean something like:
>"What do you mean THINGS?"
>"You know, things ... between a man and a woman ... that only a man and a woman can share ... in that sort of ... situation? Development?"
>[Point to the only girl present with a distressed look]
>>
>>2315129
No, I meant more what >>2315122 + >>2315128 said, as in there was an actual build-up and social link go instead of just "teehee we had sex oopsie".
>>
>>2315122
>>2315128
That should get the gist of what we are trying to say across. We keep it short and simple like he wanted and say everything we need to at the same time.
>>
>>2315129
or we can just say that after a very deep and serious conversation, where-in iowa opened up and bared her heart and soul to us, things progressed from their and stream connections were established
>>
my 2 cents
>'I ... I slept with her, sir. We, uh ... established relations on that front.' (Discrete, Honest)
out of the given options, this is probably one I'd take. But it could still put us on the firing line. And unless Admiral believes that love transcends boundaries of the stream capacity, it doesn't explain that other problem
>'It just happened, I guess? I can't say for sure.' (Evasive)
This one is almost certainly the worst option of the lot.
>'Talking with her, just ... getting to know her, sharing common interests...' (Discrete, Feign Innocence)
This might be viable if the admiral would rather pretend to not openly hear we're a manslut. By the same token he might get insulted that we're bullshitting him.
>'I ... didn't do it alone, sir. I had help.' (Reveal Shaman involvement)
Well now. Shaman would almost certainly not appreciate the attention. And I'm not sure of Admiral's position in the politics.
>Write-in
probably for the best if someone can come up with a way to explain both our relationship with Iowa and our capacity to support her without resorting to complete bullshit.
Maybe something along the lines of:
>I was nice to her, and she got opportunity to see how I relate with the other girls under my command. As for the capacity issue, I've taken liberty of carrying out mental training...
>(optional)...which I've done following advice from FA
>>
>>2315152
admiral isnt asking how we our stream can now support iowa but how we made her be lovey dovey clingy towards cmdr and what happened to allow her to be like that to cmdr
>>
>>2315175
What if we just explained that we got to know her and that her and the commander ended up bonding. Skip on the sex part but be honest that we ended up connecting and that the connection just....happened. It's not a lie, that is what happened, he can try to call bullshit but we could explain what the others in the division explained the day after, how the whole connection thing works outside of the machinery the admirality uses. You can try to argue against it, but it's hard to call bullshit on what is literally fairy magic.
>>
>>2315181
thats ok, we are being honest on it and it actually helps that we treated her like a person and not a weapon or glorified onahole coz fuck that douche in vanzer
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>>2315186
we found commonhobbies and things like that, adn bit by bit, became friends
thats the idea we are trying to sell here
adn it sells well because it IS true
exepte the whole we got it on adn that, but details the admiral does not need to know
>>
>>2315199
If you just skip the sex part, it still holds strong, I'm all for it.
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>>2315199
same
>>
>>2315201
>>2315212
I know you guys are voting for this, but I can't make heads or tails of what this player is saying.
>>
>>2315236
we found common hobbies and such things, so bit by bit we became friends

thats what we are try to sell the admiral, and it will workbecaus it IS true
just dont go into sex and such things like heresy
>>
>>2315260
>Common hobbies
While I agree that this is the general course we should take, 'common hobbies' doesn't sound like something that would get someone to open up to you like that
Something along the lines of, "I tried making her feel welcome within the division, and we grew closer over time during training, leisure time, etc." would be better imo, without including the whole sex thing
>>
Roll call. Who's online?
>>
Just caught up ready to vote. I have no idea what to do here though seems like a minefield. We need a great write in to save the day.
>>
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>>2316424
Here
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>>2316521
I feel like I've seen that before.
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Roll call. Also, don't care. Running anyway because I want this over and done with.
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>>2315260
I still don't understand you, anon, and I'm trying to make sense of what you're trying to say. Either because of how unsound it is grammatically or because you're deviating from the core of your argument or whatever, but I don't know what you're pushing for by trying to say "common hobbies". It feels like one sentence instead of a proper stance.
>>
(what other anon wants to say in a nutshell)
basically what we want to say is that we treated her as a person and got to know her and due to our various interactions, helped along with having actual common interests like normal ppl, iowa became more and more accustomed to us and developed a healthy relationship
>>
>>2317653
Okay, thanks for that. I'll take this interpretation.
>>
People be sleeping.

Anyhow, my vote is for a write-in, though words fail me to properly translate it into dialogue.

Since he's asking to know our relationship and how we got that magic connection I don't think it's possible to be fully clean and neat as he put it because describing relationships is difficult and our admiral isn't' the most eloquent.

We genuinely care about Iowa problems and wanted to learn more which somehow translated to fairy magic triggering into this link. We, admittedly, lacked some professionalism because we wanted to build a genuine friendly rapport instead of a proper commander-Kanmusu relationship and that might have been what convinced Iowa to trust us since we're a terrible, terrible liar.

Pretty much what those anons said >>2315181 >>2315199
>>
>>2317653
things progressed to there until it came to a point that iowa trusted cmdr enough to confide in him things she's been keeping close at heart.

as a consequence of that deep and serious discussion in which we said we'll take responsibility over iowa, a stream connection was made

iowa being a shipgirl that had a familial upbringing and due to her past, is reluctant to leave our division and be sent to someone else who may not treat her the same as we do
>>
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You let out for a moment, weighing the Admiral’s question … and his demands that you keep it to the point; neat and clean, just as he said. The Admiral didn’t seem to be in any mood for you to cut corners, but to keep things from spilling over—and revealing that you had porked Vanzer’s sole defender along the way—you couldn’t damn well give him enough rope to drag you down the metaphorical pit. You don’t know how Samidare looks, but if she isn’t terrified, then she had more bravery in her tiny frame than you did in your gut.

‘Nothing that I wouldn’t have done with any other person that was under my Command, sir,’ you reply—a half-truth that you hoped was enough to throw your superior’s scent off, ‘I … was good enough to her for her to open up, I tried to actually communicate with her as a person over a KanMusu. I allowed her to open up at her own pace; not to say I didn’t pry in at times, but I actually tried to do my best to approach her in a way that she would be … comfortable with over lording my authority. As far as I know, I didn’t do anything special beyond trying to make her feel that the Division was some place that she belonged instead of a halfway house. Not to say that I didn’t have any help … Nagato and the others, Samidare, Musashi, Tenryuu … all of them were instrumental in her recovery. It wasn’t my lone presence that triggered the reactivation of her combat capabilities—it’s something I wouldn’t have been able to achieve without everyone else making it easier for her to make that leap.’

He raises an unimpressed glare to meet your gaze.

‘So you’re saying that you manipulated her?’

‘No, sir,’ you reply quickly, ‘I didn’t set out with the intention to twist her perception to the point where the sole benefactor was my person. From my side, I personally think of her as a remarkable woman on her own; she’s intelligent, determined and resourceful … but she’s also a good friend; a good person. Sometimes it doesn’t take much to pull people back up. I didn’t know that my conduct would have inadvertently result in her recovery … but I’m glad that it was. Goes to show just how much a little kindness goes, huh?’

He doesn’t return your good-humoured chuckle.

‘As much as that’s an option available to me, Commander,’ he continues coolly, ‘I honestly find it hard to believe that a Battleship who has a record as long as a bearded monkey of being a lone wolf, belonging to one Admiral—by the record—would suddenly shift her loyalties, never mind right in the chair, to decline the very idea of a transfer without even looking at the prospectus for someone that she’s known for less than a week.’

The Admiral takes a puff of his pipe.

‘Care to fill me on the details of that?’
>>
>>2317709
>‘Because … that’s not the whole story, sir.’ (Confess to your relationship with Iowa)
>‘What if the details involved … a heretic?’ (Confess to your relationship with Iowa and the Heretic)
>‘Can’t say, sir. That’s all I can give.’ (Adamant)
>‘Is there something you’re trying to get at, sir?’ (Accusatory)
>Write-In
>>
So confess to screwing her or not, guys?
>>
>>2317728
very least, dont say shit bout the heretic
>>
I think this anon laid out a good choice >>2314614 to explain Iowa mindset. She decided on it all on her own to refuse that transfer.

Though I'm also leaning to confessing everything, including the heretic. Laying it out in one big package.
>>
>for someone that she’s known for less than a week
Someone that didn't treat her like shit like her old Admiral, and unlike her Vice-Admiral. Can someone explain why this is such an unnatural decision? Because I don't get it.
>>
>>2317712
>>Write-In
>‘Because … that’s not the whole story, sir.’ (Confess to your relationship with Iowa)
some of that coupled with also us being 1000X better than previous admiral, a guy who used a geass on her to make her do stuff with him, and that guy was a poster child for the perfect admiral, is a good thing that iowa didnt loose her faith in humanity because for anyone else this would be time for REVENGE/BETRAYAL
>>
>>2317738
Commanders generally get 1 BB max because the strain is too great. For some reason, you're handling 3, although that's pretty much your limit. Thank Nee-san for giving you that buffer and thank Musashi for essentially claiming her own space you don't need to sort her out.. I guess it's like a situation where you're essentially outperforming your designation.
>>
>>2317757
Yeah I know that it's super suspicious that a rookie is commanding 3 battleships, but that wasn't my point.
>>
>>2317762
Because KanMusu generally don't fidget in seats with red faces when asked why they're refusing a transfer.
>>
>>2317757
we are the admiralty equivalent to audie murphy now, i wanna argue the point of us having more bbs than what a mere cmdr is supposed to have is fitting our actual role as being the schwerpunkt/spearhead for the counteratk

given the lack of stream capable individuals, i would assume from a military standpoint that consolidating your available forces under what cmdrs you have left would have made more sense

like how grouping up carriers from single carrier battle groups into larger carrier task forces maximized available firepower
>>
>>2317768
There isn't a "lack", per se, of Stream-capable individuals. There is, however, a lack of Stream-capable volunteers.
>>
>>2317768
iowa was raised differently than the shipgirls in taiyouga, she had a father-daughter thing while the rest were mentored by shamans

alas, it seems that just saying that she was brought up different which made her act more human like and have more grounded human emotions is an explanation the admiral is for some reason not considering
>>
>>2317770
so they just need to conscript these individuals then, with how the war is going, i dont think it would be politically expedient for the govt to do that
>>
So what's the consensus here, guys? I just got power back and want to start typing.
>>
I believe anons want to explain Iowa past to the admiral in a bid to explain her reasoning in wanting to stay behind with the gang on the base.

Maybe that's also admitting to screwing her. Personally, I want to stress the angle of the Kanmusus themselves having helped her much more than we did.

Since he didn't ask how we're managing to hold onto so many BBs we only need to focus on talking about Iowa.
>>
>>2317712
>>Write-In
your mistake is in thinking that iowa is the same as the other kanmusu when she is not

her only other admiral was a man who treated her not as mere weapon or even as a normal girl but as his own daughter

this familial treatment helped make iowa develop emotions and feelings more grounded and similar to humans compared to kanmusu here who were treated like mere weapons with efficiency first and emotion as and feelings second

then you have the guy she was supposed to be put under command of abuse his position and stream to force her to become his plaything and only be saved by her father figure/admiral arrive in time to save her and you can see why she is reluctant to trust others easily

is it not surprising to see why she would be extremely reluctant to leave the only other person who showed her the same kind of respect and trust and actual human affection behind?

with how normal people treat kanmusu, its no wonder that she would rather stay with the guy who treats her like a human is a much better deal than potentially risk veingg put under another person who sees her as just a mere weapon or worse

besides, it also makes perfect sense to always want to by the side of the guy you like
>>
>>2318147
supportin
>>
>>2318147
Sure why not.
>>
>>2318147
That's it, familial treatment. Supporting this one.

If not we can just say she's kinda alien from Vanzer heh. Don't take this seriously QM
>>
>>2318147
So you just want to say that she's only family, not admit to the sexual aspect to the relationship and try to enforce that, at least temporarily, it would be best for the Admiral and the brass to accommodate her until she's comfortable moving up and out?
>>
>>2318184
i dont really think its good to hide that fact from him, he aint dense and just lying would be a dis-service to how straight he has been to us

its just that the sex just came out of left-field and not planned, just one person realizing that she likes and trust this other person enough to bare herself to him and hope he reciprocates and another person who accepted her and hopes he would be able to reciprocate in kind

its funny how in any other situation this would just be seen as a normal romance but given the ppl involved its being seen as unhealthy or not natural
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>>2318184
I feel its implied towards the end that we're also fucking her, but without outright just saying it and enforcing that we have a bond of trust that is very difficult to attain for others, especially with the mentality Tayoiga has.
>>
>>2318189
>>2318190
Okay, so let me get the gist for my write-up (Sorry if antsy, rushing to do this so I can get it in time for prayers).

"So you just want to say that she's only family, not to outright confess, but to at least confirm and imply the sexual AND the emotional aspect to the relationship and try to enforce that, at least temporarily, it would be best for the Admiral and the brass to accommodate her until she's comfortable moving up and out?"
>>
>>2318201
i dont think she would ever be comfortable moving out but thats just me, also she is not just family

we kinda have a normal relationship with her aside from being her cmdr
>>
>>2318201
The other issue with this is that i don't think we're hinting at her moving out at all,and instead trying to make a case as to why she should stay under our command on a permanent basis
>>
>>2318201
There's no way he doesn't know, he has to be testing commander. Just tell him, maybe he'll even help keep it under wraps if we come through.
>>
>>2318208
>>2318211
>>2318218
Come on, guys, I really need a final say so I can do my prayers. This hem-and-hawing seems to unnecessary and feels like you're trying to stave off the Game Over by time and fatigue rather than actually taking steps to try and work against it.
>>
>>2318225
My vote is for what you put out >>2318201
>>
>>2318201
Ok, voting for this.
>>
>>2318225
It was basically this >>2318201 but without her moving away and instead staying.
>>
>>2318225
if he asks then confirm it
>>
‘Iowa isn’t like other KanMusu,’ you argue further. ‘She was practically taken in by her own Admiral; her emotional growth, her matrix, whatever, differs from the basics of what the Shamans put forward. Iowa was raised by a human as his own daughter. She was afforded a greater experience with the spectrum of humanity than any KanMusu on record. She was gauged not by mission performance or need, but by anything a father could afford their child. The Admiralty’s experience with KanMusu has always been to detach them from the public and keep them within their own confines, to build their own relations and develop their own understanding … however they did it. Some worked perfectly and some didn’t, but Iowa was raised as a human being. She was encouraged and moved out of her confines by the hand of a human she called Dad. She’s back to square one with herself, but if you move her right now, sir, you’re taking out what she’s built and putting her into a box where she’s not even sure of the measurements.’

‘Good analogy,’ he comments gruffly. ‘Still not answering my question, however.’

‘Sir, please … I’m not trying to be selfish. If Iowa wanted out went under the Vice-Admiral, I’d have no qualms letting her go like that. Right now, though, there’s no one I trust to take care of her … to have her back like the Division. I already said I won’t take sole responsibility for getting her to this point, but I will do all in my power to ensure that her well-being—as well as all the well-being of everyone in my Division—is met. I promised her that much … and I won’t back down on it … Admiral, sir.’

The Admiral snorts loudly, shaking his head. ‘God damn, Commander. You promised her?’

‘I,’ your own cheeks turned red, ‘I … was unable to say no. I admit that’s a weakness on my part. Couldn’t say no. At … all.’

You twiddle your thumbs, looking down in shame.

Your superior groans burying his face in one hand. He seemed to get the implication just right.

‘You know, when I thought Nagato was insane … you know what, I do think that she’s gone insane, picking up and pushing you of all people,’ he grumbles, ‘but I suppose that I have instilled an unhealthy inclination towards troublemakers in her … like parent, like child, they always say. Honestly, though … really?’

‘If my capacity’s what you’re worried about, I’m a lot thicker up here than I thought before,’ you answer hurriedly, tapping your temple for emphasis. ‘I can handle it, sir, I promise.’

‘That’s not what I’m worried about,’ he glares at you, prompting you to shut up. ‘Do you understand just how unhealthy this is? How … unsanitary this looks on paper?’

‘What’s unsanitary?’

You cover Samidare’s ears quickly.

‘Commander, are you here to seduce my fleet or commandeer it?’
>>
>>2318275
>‘To be absolutely fair, sir, as far as my commanding style goes, the difference is kinda … murky.’ (Explain yourself)
>‘May I argue the point that their performance has actually gone up since I … decided to ignore it?’ (Salvage)
>‘I wasn’t given the instruction manual to … avoid their feminine wiles, sir.’ (Embarrassed)
>‘It’s just a means to an end.’ (Detached, Serious)
>Look down in shame
>Write-In
>>
>>2318279
>‘To be absolutely fair, sir, as far as my commanding style goes, the difference is kinda … murky.’ (Explain yourself)
Well no point in trying to cover up the truth, nor should we feel any shame in making the kanmusu feel more human
>>
the write in seems very needed since in essence all of the stuff just happened

its not like cmdr seduced them but more of the division seduced him into this

not cmdrs fault that he treats them nice or something
>>
>>2318275

Well I suppose the point we want to bring across now is that despite being a huge manslut and unprofessional conduct, we do not treat the girls as sexbots and our main goal is to win the war. For their benefit as well as the rest of mankind.

So, embarrassed for being put into spot like this, but explaining that we've fight in us and intend to deliver.
>>
>>2318297
hard to not come off as a huge manslut when your the rare guy who treats them right

we may not have abs for days but we sure have heart, proper respect and non-discrimination on our side
>>
>>2318279
>>Write-In
despite how it looks, all i'm doing is just trying to do right for my division

even if the other kanmusu may not be as human as iowa, they also have feelings and emotions even if they are not as developed as her

i treated them with the respect, trust and dignity as should be given to them just like any other person would do for the people theey are fighting with

is it not that hard to see that they would also develop feelings for a person that treats them right. it also doesnt help that any sane man would not be adverse if they used their feminine wiles on them

that and and with how the admiralty showcased them off, i doubt any fanboy would turn down a the chance to be with them

love can bloom in the battelfield yo
>>
>Sir, it is true that I may at times have conduced myself in a manner not befitting my rank... (pause for Admiral to snort at the statement) ...but I can say without shadow of a doubt that my main goal, purpose and objective here is to fight and win the war.
>My interactions with the Kanmusu, under my command and otherwise, has only reinforced my conviction to that effect.
>>
>>2318314
Seconding.
>>
>>2318279
>>2318309
This
>>
>>2318314
I support this one
>>
>>2318279
>>2318309
i'd vote for this
>>
>>2318325
>>2318360
>>2318388
>>2318415
>>2318309
>If the Heavens did not intend for us to fuck sentient weapons of arcane origin, why did they make them so damned attractive?
>>
>>2318763
As long as we do it ethically!
>>
>>2318314
Supporting
>>
>>2318314
Support
>>
Sorry guys, but I've been busy with a few things. I'll be running a session in about an hour.
>>
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‘If I may be able to put word in on that sir, I’d like to at least line that while I haven’t exactly been the fit for a model professional,’ you grimace as the words leave your mouth, finally peeling your hands off Samidare’s head, ‘I’m not in this just because—or at least, I no longer—I mean … what I mean is that while my intentions may have been selfish and misguided, I’m more than aware of where my stand is required to be on the trenches. I’ve never strayed from that, even when I’m … you know …’

The Admiral rubs his temples. You don’t blame him. You’d probably be doing the same if you were in his position.

‘Commander …’

‘I just think that there’s a better way to get things out of the KanMusu under our command than just leaving them to their own devices,’ you argue further, ‘The KanMusu are here to protect us … and the least that we should be able to afford is the stance that we’re willing to consider them as our contemporaries rather than just tools … present company excluded, of course.’

‘It’s not a ground-breaking stance,’ the Admiral flatly comments.

‘I’d never pretend to claim that I’m a trailblazer in the scheme of things,’ you sigh, drooping your shoulders, ‘but maybe we should actually look and see if there’s anything we can get out of sentient warships that’s more than what we’ve given them.’

‘What’s your argument here, Commander?’

‘Maybe we should reconsider just what maximizes their responses instead of just following a textbook that tells us that the be-all end-all is to just link up and line up next to them instead of considering the context and the essence of what drives them and what drives us,’ you push further, hoping your jaw had enough calcium to withstand the inevitable impact of your superior’s fist. ‘You fight better next to the people you care about; you fight better when you’re doing it to someone you trust instead of just following orders. KanMusu … KanMusu will put themselves in the pathway of a cannon shell twice if it meant keeping one jackass safe, but a mom who’s at the head of the PTA won’t so much as scoot aside to let a KanMusu have a seat.’

‘And your point is?’

‘I just feel like … if they can love us like that, unconditionally and not even blink when we spit at them as thanks then why would I not want to at least give some back to them. All they want is to keep us, keep their loved ones, safe … but I’m not one to believe that kind of thing is undeserving of the notion of reciprocation.’

The Admiral sighs, scratching the back of his head. ‘The way you’re talking about it, it’s like you’re trying to justify that the foundation of a loving marriage is mutuality.

'Well, sir ...'
>>
>>2324108
>'This’ll probably be as close as I’m going to get to one, to be honest.’ (Joke)
>‘Considering the circumstances, I'd probably argue that the structure isn't that far off ... at least in some cases.’ (Pointed)
>‘I … wouldn’t go that far.’ (Forever alone)
>Write-In
>>
>>2324114
>>'This’ll probably be as close as I’m going to get to one, to be honest.’ (Joke)
>>
So are we arguing that the power of love is conducive to combat effectiveness?
>>
>>2324154
Depends on your choice.

You can be casual about it, argue the point of contention or just back off.
>>
>>2324114
>>‘Considering the circumstances, I'd probably argue that the structure isn't that far off ... at least in some cases.’ (Pointed)
>>
>>2324114
>‘Considering the circumstances, I'd probably argue that the structure isn't that far off ... at least in some cases.’ (Pointed)
>>
>>2324114
>‘Considering the circumstances, I'd probably argue that the structure isn't that far off ... at least in some cases.’ (Pointed)
>>
>>2324114
>Write-In.
People have gotten married for less noble reasons, isnt the ideal marriage supposed to be of mutual love understood trust and respect?
>>
>>2324114
>Considering the circumstances, I'd probably argue that the structure isn't that far off ... at least in some cases.’ (Pointed)
Probably isn't a good time to joke around
>>
‘Considering the circumstances, I’d probably argue that the structure isn’t far off,’ you grimace, rubbing the back of your neck, ‘but maybe we’re looking at things the wrong way … or rather, we haven’t looked deep enough in a way we never saw viable.’

‘You sound like a bleeding heart, you know that?’

‘What’s a bleeding heart?’

The both of you turn down to Samidare. You’d forgotten that you’d brought her around for her little … “internship”.

‘It’s the kind of people that get suckered into things without knowing what they’re getting into,’ you chuckle, giving her a soft pat on the head before turning up to face the Admiral once more, ‘but sir, think about it … there has to be something that we haven’t tried here. Maybe it’s a stupid old method and something for the cartoons, but it’s something worth pondering, isn’t it? It’s not as if we’re not at the end of our rope already. It doesn’t even have to be marriage or … or anything of that sort. People fight better—people can walk better—among those that they actually feel like they belong with. If they love us that much, we can at least try to put that forward. Nagato loves you, doesn’t she?’

The Admiral’s features harden slightly.

‘Commander …’

Maybe that was a mite too far.

‘I’m not trying to push the breakage of protocol or procedure … I know the hierarchy just as well as anyone,’ you backtrack a little, already bracing for impact, ‘but maybe we’re missing something here. Iowa … Nagato … Kaga, all of them are doing their best to hold the fort because we can’t do it for ourselves. Even if we can’t do what they can, we can shore up their cracks. It doesn’t have to be anything as big as what the Carriers want; what Iowa wants … but maybe instead of seeing them as tools of mass destruction, maybe we should consider them friends … family … loved ones.

‘You’re asking for a lot.’

‘Admiral, we’ve been in their heads as much as they’ve been in ours,’ you argue further. ‘It’s not an unwarranted hypothesis.’

He snorts, raising an eyebrow. ‘Hypothesis?’

‘That it’s time to look at something beyond mere calibration thresholds and number-crunching.’

‘It’s a heavy consideration,’ he replies. Whether as a counter, in sarcasm or a genuine response at all on his part, you can’t quite tell.

‘’We’ve done heavier.’

‘How cold you are, son.’

You grimace once more. ‘Sorry, sir.’

‘Don’t be,’ he replies quickly, picking up the folders, ‘maybe it is time we explored the truth of this a little bit more.’

‘Sir?’

‘But before we get to that, if you’re going to take Iowa on … well, I have the forms right here. That is … if you’re still adamant on this.’

>‘Absolutely.’
>‘Actually, I think she’d do better under your Command.’
>Write-In
>>
>>2324468
>>‘Absolutely.’
>>
>>2324468
>Absolutely
>>
>>2324468
>>‘Absolutely.’
>inb4 marriage form
>>
>>2324468
>Absolutely
>>
>>2324468
>‘Absolutely.’
>>
>>2324468
>‘Absolutely.’
>>
>>2324468
>‘Absolutely.’
>>
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‘Absolutely.’

The Admiral sighs, but doesn’t comment on it.

You spend the next period of time sitting at the desk, going over the details of her posting. While there wasn’t a permanent solution to getting the Admiralty’s impending book-throwing, the Admiral’s rationalization of the logic of the posting would and should at least keep it off your back for the length of time that it required for you to earn their good graces … hopefully. As you went over the forms (with Samidare’s helpful paperwork-sorting skills) you didn’t envy the MagiTek Departments workload. While KanMusu weaponry was inherent, pending any enhancements, the scope of Iowa’s preparation was one that you’d put on par with Musashi … and considering the workload that they were already buried in, you weren’t eager at the thought of the meeting up with them again. You doubt they’d let you leave with the capacity to breathe through anything larger than a straw.

The evening was already peeking from the horizon of the clock hands by the time the first vestiges of back muscle cramp made themselves known to you.

‘I’ll turn this in by the evening,’ the Admiral announces, shoving them back into the folder. ‘Iowa’ll be cleared for duty for tomorrow … and I’ll have the new duty roster up for you to undertake your new responsibilities.’

‘Yeah, I—new responsibilities?

‘You have three Battleships under your command,’ he answers crisply, ‘surely you don’t think that didn’t come with new responsibilities?’

‘I,’ you briefly pause, considering it … and it did make sense. It wouldn’t do for KanMusu of that calibre to be bequeathed for your minute responsibilities … but you supposed a little more paperwork wasn’t exactly out of order, given the scope of the expansion.

One Battleship was one thing … but Musashi and Iowa under your command? That was definitely a call to attention.

‘I can’t give you an official word on it, and your title will still be Commander until we actually have a proper hierarchy under operation, but I suppose right now, I’d have to work you in the capacity of a Vice-Admiral.’

Samidare lets out a gasp, covering her mouth as she stares at you, wide-eyed.

V-Vice-Admiral?

You find yourself speechless, staring at your companion … then back to your superior, who wears something in the mold of a grimace or a dissatisfied smirk, pushing himself up from his chair and making his way around the table and handing you what appeared to be a book—no, a manual.

‘It’s not an official promotion,’ he emphasizes, ‘but considering the size of your Division at this point—and it’s over-capacity by a fair damn margin, lack of staff be damned—I’m going to need you to pull double-duty beside the Vice-Admiral. Help with Expeditions and Patrols. All that jazz.’
>>
>>2324636
>'Can I turn this down?'
>'I'm ... overwhelmed, but what kind of responsibilities? This is unofficial, right? So ...'
>'Expeditions? Forces?'
>'I won't let you down, sir!' (Leave)
>Write-In
>>
>>2324640
>>'I'm ... overwhelmed, but what kind of responsibilities? This is unofficial, right? So ...'
>>
>>2324640
>'I won't let you down, sir!'
Then collapse due the overwhelming pressure
>>
>>2324640
HOLD UP NIGGAS>>2324644
>>2324649
>>
>>2324640
>Do I get a pay raise?
>>
Just so you assholes know, you've avoided the "big game over". HOWEVER, the prompt is still incoming ... but you'll now stand a much, much, much better chance of withstanding the barrage with the Admiral on your side. You basically just convinced him that there's a "maybe there's a chance that this idiot's on to something here; let him do his thing".
>>
Rolled 2 (1d3)

>>2324644
>>2324649
>>2324657
>>
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To tell the absolute and utter truth … you’re unsure how—or what—to feel. This was the first time that someone had ever given you this sort of recognition. The circumstances may have been suspect, but … new responsibilities, a new scope to authority; that had rarely—if ever—been bestowed upon you. There’s pride, of course. Anything that warranted a job worth doing came with that upon achievement, but … this was the first time, really, that someone had decided that you were someone to be trusted with this. It wasn’t an order … and the Admiral could have really just vetoed anything you had to say, but instead of hanging you by his trident, he’d instead decided to give you a degree of trust that you weren’t sure you had been worthy of, even with the badge on your chest.

He believed you could do it. On his own terms and not by the command of an ink-laden piece of paper.

There was only one thing you could do.

‘I won’t let you down, sir.’

You throw up a salute, Samidare following your lead without so much as a hint of hesitation.

Admiral?

The sound of a new voice has you turning … and bearing witness to a burdened Fusou, hoisting what appeared to be several bags of letters and paper. Your superior’s reaction is immediate … and predictable.

‘Commander, Samidare, if you’d both excuse yourselves?’

SIR!

The both of you leave his office, closing the door behind you. You walk down the ramp, giving a good stretch of your sore bones, eager to catch up with the rest—or rather, what remained—of your day. You still had time before you’d have to attend the program in place of the Vice-Admiral … but you weren’t quite sure what to put up on your list of priorities. Perhaps a bite at Mamiya’s? Maybe a trip down to the gym?

‘Commander?’

You find yourself tilting slightly at the tug on your top. Turning your gaze downwards, you see Samidare looking up at you with a confused expression. She must have had another question on leadership and the like on her mind. Of that you have no doubt. The last hour or so must have been a little unorthodox, even for a KanMusu such as her.

‘Yes, Samidare?’

‘I was wondering,’ she begins tentatively, ‘that you talked with the Admiral about … letting Iowa-san stay on with us, right? You said that you … considered the structure not dissimilar with that of a happy marriage?

You frown, now confused yourself. ‘I … guess. Why?’

‘So,’ Samidare twiddles her thumbs, shifting in place, ‘that means … to you, the Division is like … a marriage, right? A family? That’s how you see it?’

You rub your chin, briefly considering it. You suppose … you did, really. Not to say you were the most conventional in the approach, but beggars weren’t choosers.

‘I won’t argue against it, I suppose?’

‘So, in addition to my Commander, does that make you … my Onii-san?

>Write-In
>>
>>2324829
>Write-In
Of course!
>then give sami ALL the headpats
>>
>>2324829
.....yeah I guess it does *headpat* let's go celebrate a little
>>
>>2324829
I’m okay with this.jpg
>>
>>2324840
>>2324845
>>2324839
>Dangle bai-
[CHOMP]
>Wait, I haven't even
>Chew-chew-chew
[BURP]
>More please

Thestateofmyplayerbase.png
>>
>>2324885
But OP, there’s literally nothing wrong with some good natured platonic fraternisation. Sororisation. And who doesn’t like head pats?
>>
>>2324885
Daughterus are for raising, and we clearly have been remiss in our duties.
>>
>>2324840
supporting headpats
>>
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It was hard to admit that you’d probably crossed the line.

At this point, though, there was no use doing anything but doing a well-choreographed dance falling down that pit.

‘Yeah.’

You place your prosthetic over her head, giving it a gentle tussle.

‘I guess it does.’

Samidare giggles playfully as her hands grip onto your wrist, looking up right at you, her eyes as bright as ever.

‘So where to next, sir?’

1/4
>EXECUTE TASK (Specify)
>Look for KanMusu (Specify)
>Seek out Officers/Staff (Specify)
>Visit Location (Specify)
>District Management
>Wander
>Write-In
>>
i think we gotta talk with nagato
or nachi and the bookmark, finaly after i dont know how long

but since sami is with us, gotta do something esle
>>
>>2325248
>>EXECUTE TASK (Specify)
EVERYBODY WAS KUNG-FU FIGHTING (MURAKUMO PERSONAL)

Head to the gearheads about sendai's specialty request. If we can, pick up some donuts or snacks for them.
>>
>>2325253
this
mayve we can get them to make yamato's battle umbrella thing
>>
>>2325248
>EXECUTE TASK (Specify)
EVERYBODY WAS KUNG-FU FIGHTING (MURAKUMO PERSONAL)

Let's find Hiei or Ikazuchi and talk about their involvement
>>
>>2325248
Supporting >>2325253
>>
>>2325253
That's contraband. However, you might be able to procure some if you level up your standing with the Military
>>
You decide to leg it. It was already too late to risk trying to wait for a buggy that happened to head your way; it’d be a less sizeable risk to hoof it across town to make your window and maybe catch one that was thundering in the same general direction that you were. It wasn’t as if you couldn’t use the exercise, anyway. Nee-san may have a hand in sculpting you into a more optimum form, but it was up to you to adapt yourself to the changes … and build habits around them. Not many people had a chance to start from scratch … especially with helping hand, but as you were, you really didn’t stand a chance at managing the rapid reconstruction once it actually hit.

So you run.

Or rather, you jog.

Samidare keeps pace beside you, of course, thankfully slowing down to preserve what was left of your meagre self-esteem. Considering she could probably break Mach 0.5 on an intercept, you were pretty sure that she didn’t have to really leg it right next to you in a manner as controlled as she did. With the weather going colder by the day, getting your heart pumping and blood flowing was paramount in keeping your capacities sharp. Since you had skimped on attending the gym, this was pretty much as close as you could get to a strenuous workout. By the time you’re on the familiar hill, you find yourself overlooking the plains on the other side, right as an Army truck thunders past you on its way to the officer’s compound—section, whatever.

‘Are you tired, Commander?’

You hold up a hand, silently requesting her to give you a moment.

Forget a hot summer’s day … you’d thought that this sort of thing would get easier. Right now, your arms felt as though they were trying to detach themselves from their sockets and that your knees and thighs were launching a protest against the rest of your body.

‘So that’s why … you do stretches …’

‘Commander?’

‘I’m all right, Samidare,’ you quickly reassure her, cricking your neck and assuming a brisk walking pace. ‘Come on.’

She takes her place right next to you as you begin thanking the stars that it was literally all downhill from here.

And by the looks of things, this neighbourhood looked like it was on its way back. There was some scaffolding here and there with the houses around … and many of the walls looked like they had been patched.

Maybe things would look better by the end of the year.

It’s not long before you’re within the compound and finding yourself standing in front of a familiar, scowling face.

‘Oh man, don’t tell me that you want something else?

You give the young man a grimace as he kicks the office door open, gesturing you to follow him inside.
>>
>>2325338
>'I need you to make some shuriken for Sendai, if that's possible.' (EVERYBODY WAS KUNG-FU FIGHTING)
>'Been busy lately?' (Small talk)
>'I see that this place is as clean as ever ...' (Joke)
>'You, uh, don't look so well.' (Concern)
>Write-In
>>
>>2325340
>write in
>'I need you to make some shuriken for Sendai and a combat umbrella for yamato, if that's possible.'
it al sounds standard issue as hell, if you ask me
>>
>>2325340
>>'You, uh, don't look so well.' (Concern)

Show some concern for them first, check in if theres anything they need or stuff we can help with. Then we do the request.
>>
>>2325345
>>2325347
Flipping a coin. Coin flipped.
>>
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‘You … don’t look so well,’ you voice your concern, closing the door right as Samidare jogs inside. ‘Is everything okay?’

‘It’s personal,’ he counters gruffly, dropping the box of files in his arms onto the floor as he booted—that was the term, you believed—up the computer on the table.

Still, it didn’t look like whatever it was on his mind was work-related.

‘Ranting to a stranger’s probably more effective than bottling it all up alone,’ you continue diplomatically, approaching his table. ‘I’d ask you to go on a bar-crawl, but you probably don’t even have a driver’s license yet.’

‘Hey, I—’

He cuts himself off, running a hand through his hair before placing both of them on his hips, staring up at the ceiling.

‘You’re right,’ he raises a hand in defeat as he straightens a pile to his left. ‘It’s just that we’ve been so busy lately … and with that new KanMusu—that blonde one, Iowa—being reinstated to active duty under this base, the bunch of us have stuff running through our fingers like a damned water flow. I’ve barely enough time to sort through my own things. My mom’s writing to me and I have to write back; I have to tell the home to keep sending me updates; I have to then call my idiot of an uncle and make sure that he’s making sure that she’s okay … and I have to tell my dad to go and cheese off when he wants to drop an ask for a check.’

‘Huh?’

‘Like Is aid, it’s personal,’ he sighs again. ‘I think you’ve kinda noticed that I’m kinda … wanting compared to the rest of the team, yeah?’

‘You’re a bit young,’ you shrug, ‘but you’re doing your job, right? I don’t think any of the KanMusu here have any complaints so long as you keep at it.’

You pause for a moment.

‘Although, personally, I’d point out that the pressure of the circumstances is probably overwhelming for someone like you.’

He glares at you. ‘What do you mean someone like me?

‘You’re obviously the most intelligent guy in this room right now,’ you point out, raising both your hands defensively, ‘but you’re … what? I don’t think you’re even 17 yet, are you? If I had to make a guess … you probably didn’t have much room to wiggle getting here. If I pointed the cliché of empty libraries into the small hours surrounded by people your elder but none your superior, would I be barking up the wrong tree?’

He harrumphs, crossing his arms and pointing his nose away. He doesn’t, however, deny the accuracy of your statement.

‘So what’s up?’

‘It’s … my mom,’ he sighs. ‘She’s staying at a home right now. The quarterly payments are on the way and I’ve been negotiating for leniency, but … at the rate things are going, I’m going to have to try and find her someplace else.’
>>
>>2325408
>'You mentioned an Uncle, right? Why not just get him to help out.'
>'What's the situation with your mother?'
>'Is that why you took this job in the first place?'
>'What do you mean by "rate things are going"?'
>'I'd like to talk about something else.'
>Write-In
>>
>>2325411
>'What do you mean by "rate things are going"?'
>>
>>2325411
>'What do you mean by "rate things are going"?'
>>
>>2325408
>'What do you mean by "rate things are going"?'

Someone's bullying family of a nerd in charge of developing experimental weaponry for the last line of defense against the terrors from abyss?
That's just wrong.
>>
>>2325411
>>'What do you mean by "rate things are going"?'
>>
>>2325411
>'What do you mean by "rate things are going"?'
>>
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‘What do you mean by rate things are going?

He lets out a sigh.

‘The Admiralty pays well … in fact, more than well—they pay right through the nose for the best of the best, but they’ve been kinda skimpy on payroll lately.’

‘Right, I heard …’

He stares at you, bewildered.

‘Wait, you didn’t notice?’

It was hard to notice when you didn’t even care for it in the first place. It wasn’t as if money was a particularly dire need of yours at the moment. Not like it was before.

‘Um, I generally,’ you give a hesitant shrug, ‘I don’t really have any financial obligations … I sort of upped sticks and went all-in going out here. I have the barracks and a bed … and supplies come in to give me enough food so I don’t have to go hunting—not that I ever have the inclination to, these days. So I never really bothered by it. Not that there’s a bank here that’s up and running to do anything of the sort, though.’

‘Well … with the mess that’s the bureaucracy,’ his nose wrinkles at the last word, before continuing, ‘payroll hasn’t been able to keep up with the load … I’ve already complained to the Admiral, but even he hasn’t so much as seen a number from the Court. Not that he cares, though … he’s probably already got a cushion from all that self-sacrificing.’

That was a little too far, even for you.

‘Hey.’

He raises his hands up in apology.

‘Right, yeah,’ he goes on, shoulders drooping as he picks up a sheet of paper, ‘anyway, the home’s already sent me a few slips … they’re going to literally dump her out on the street if I don’t pony it up somehow. And the Admiralty’ll probably only get to me once they sweep through the rest of the staff. At least that’s probably how it’ll go with my luck.’
>>
>>2325447
>'You mentioned an Uncle, right? Why not just get him to help out?'
>'What's the situation with your mother?'
>'Is that why you took this job in the first place?'
>'Why not just bring her out here? The medical facility's up and running.'
>'I'd like to talk about something else.'
>Write-In
>>
>>2325449
>'You mentioned an Uncle, right? Why not just get him to help out?'
>>
>>2325447
>'What's the situation with your mother?'
>>
>>2325452
this
>>
>>2325447
Let’s start with uncle, although that’s probably out of question for whatever reason or we wouldn’t be having this conversation... coming here is probably a possibility, although he might not want to bring mom to the frontlines.

It kinda boggles the mind though that a landlord would pick on family of military personnel of all people, especially that of a specialist.


If we don’t have liquid cash to help, maybe Fingers would know of someone?

Although military falling behind on paychecks is very bad sign of itself at any rate.
>>
>>2325449
>You mentioned an Uncle, right? Why not just get him to help out?'
>>
>>2325474
This pretty much.
>You mentioned an Uncle, right? Why not just get him to help out?'
>>
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‘You mentioned an Uncle, right?’ you suggest. ‘Why not just get him to help out?’

‘The only thing that motivates my Uncle is a sack of sardines off the boat,’ he snorts. ‘He used to be a fisherman … but after the Abyssals came, he became an invalid when his boat couldn’t take the upkeep of trawling the waters. The Admiralty may be generous, but they can’t say they don’t play favourites, either … if you could afford it, they’d put up with something like an expedition out or give you a proper map on low-risk endeavours. I mean, it’s not as if the Abyssals go after every single boat that goes out there, yeah … but when the monsters are real, you generally want to steer out of the way—or stay out of their den.’

‘True,’ you nod. ‘It is usually the big lines that hire out the Admiralty … or rather than that, go far out enough for a good catch or close enough to not risk aggravating the parameters. Same case here?’

‘Just about,’ the young man sighs again, picking up one of the many littered files. ‘He hasn’t been out for years, though … and spends his time just lazing around waiting for whatever program he’s on to knock on the door with another check to pay the rent and get him some booze. It’s an effort just trying to get him to check up on Mom?’

‘Is she his sister or … ?’

‘Stepsister. They weren’t that close … my grandfather was his mother’s third husband or something, but they did keep contact. Not enough to help out when dad left, of course, but hey … that’s life.’

>'Your father ... ?'
>'What's the situation with your mother?'
>'Is that why you took this job in the first place?'
>'Why not just bring her out here? The medical facility's up and running.'
>'I'd like to help, but ... I don't think there's much I can do, as is.'
>'I'd like to talk about something else.'
>Write-In
>>
>>2325538
>'What's the situation with your mother?'
>>
>>2325538
>'What's the situation with your mother?'
>>
>>2325538
>What's the situation with your mother?'
>>
Anons sure are nosy.
>>
It's 3 AM, I'm going to bed now. Will continue later.

Good luck, guys. It's coming.
>>
I'll be running in an hour.
>>
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‘What’s the situation with your mother?’

His expressions go stiff as he turns his gaze to one of the cabinets by the wall … before sighing and turning back to you. It would seem that you had hit some kind of snag … but not one that he wasn’t uncomfortable at discussing. To that you thank the Heavens. You didn’t want to go about pushing buttons that you weren’t meant to be … especially from the personnel who were practically the lifeblood of operations.

‘My mom lives in a care facility, a home,’ he sighs, his shoulders drooping as he began his tale. ‘A couple ‘a years back, we moved by the sea. Dad had just upped and left, no address or anything and my Mom had to do whatever she could get her hands on for us to get by. This particular one had her being an assistant operator for one of the maintenance boats. Well, long story short there was a sort of freak accident … and a supporting structure collapsed. She … ended up paralysed from the neck down.’

‘I’m sorry.’

He doesn’t reply.

‘You know, of all the days that happened,’ he grimaces, ‘it was the day right after I got an offer of a full ride through the mail. She was so happy. We were already penny-pinching by the time the mail came in. I think she was happier about it than me. Couldn’t have been easy, putting up with my attitude and getting food on the table …’

He pauses for a moment, before letting out a heavy sigh.

‘I doubled between taking care of her and going to class. It was hard work, but … well, it was my job. Ended up kicking enough professors to the curb to get the Admiralty to notice me and bring me on. Never got my doctorate, but as long as the cheques kept coming in, I could at least keep my Mom … you know, have her kept taken care of.’

‘When’s the last time you saw her.’

‘Start of the year, I think … maybe before that,’ he bites his lip as the words leave his mouth, laced with regret. ‘Well, it was all fine and dandy until the ISSF and the Admiralty decided to give each other the finger and march in opposite directions … and I had to wait back then, too. I was working with the Carriers and the Shamans on trying to synthesize more materials, so payroll didn’t know where to make heads or tails of who owed me what. It was a mess. Now, though … well, I’m not a particularly timely payee to the home. They’re probably just waiting for a reason to dump my mother out on the curb at this point.’

‘So it’s all about money?’

‘It’s all about administration and bureaucracy,’ he corrects you, ‘now with the Admiralty operating under Taiyouga’s banner, they’re not sure where goes what and when and how.’

‘You mean what goes where—’

He silences you with a smouldering glare.

Right, right.
>>
>>2326688
>'Your father ... ?'
>'Is that why you took this job in the first place?'
>'Why not just bring her out here? The medical facility's up and running.'
>'I'd like to help, but ... I don't think there's much I can do, as is.'
>'I'd like to talk about something else.'
>Write-In
>>
>>2326691
>>'Is that why you took this job in the first place?'
>>
>>2326691
>'Is that why you took this job in the first place?'
>'Why not just bring her out here? The medical facility's up and running.'

These two lead together.

Well that rules out bringing her to the town.
>>
>>2326720
No they don't. One is to question the reasons he took up a job with the Admiralty in a non-intrusive matter and the other is to question why such an obvious solution isn't on his mind. Besides, I don't allow "then" and "then" votes.
>>
>>2326694
>>2326720
Flipping a coin. Coin flipped.
>>
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‘Is that why you took this job in the first place?’

He grimaces as he steps around the piles of paper and boxes lying around. ‘Well, I’m not going to pretend that I didn’t have an interest in the application of the Shamanistic arts to technological development. I mean … I always thought that there was a sort of hidden cabal holding back society, but with everything that’s been spilling out—and what we’re now privy to—I think that they’re going to be the ones doing the catching up. I never really had an interest in magic or anything … but that it’d drive technological developments beyond the brink was something that I couldn’t turn away from. When they put it up, the paycheck was just a sweetener at that point. I wanted to see how fast, how hard we could test the limits of what the laws and the defiance of the preset laws of reality could achieve. No one who’s part of this picture doesn’t at least a little bit of that curiosity. KanMusu, Kantai Steel, The Stream, everything just connects into one big organisms. They live and breathe and function at an almost contradictory yet necessary state. For anyone with even an ounce of inquisitiveness, opportunities like this are their bread and butter.’

‘That’s a lot to go by, I reckon.’

‘Also, I guess … I wanted to do something big enough to piss my father off for even thinking of leaving us like that,’ he continues, running a hand through his hair. ‘It’s a little bit of pettiness and insanity, I think. Nothing better than proving your doubters and humiliating your enemies.’

You snort.

You definitely knew what that was like.

>‘So what’s the story with your dad?’
>‘The medical facility’s up and running. Why don’t you bring her here?’ (Suggest she come here to Taiyouga)
>‘Why don’t you go in-land, then? I’m sure that we can do a few days without you.’ (Suggest he attend to his mother)
>‘I don’t think that there’s much I can do.’ (Allow him to sort his issue out)
>‘I’d like to talk about something else.’
>Write-In
>>
>>2326843
>>‘Why don’t you go in-land, then? I’m sure that we can do a few days without you.’ (Suggest he attend to his mother)
>plus i probably gonna be asking for another favor that'll drive you nuts
>and offer to spot him a payment for his mother if we can afford it
>>
>>2326843
>‘The medical facility’s up and running. Why don’t you bring her here?’ (Suggest she come here to Taiyouga)

War effort couldnt spare him i bet.

We offer him this, if not we might be able to send some cash his way.
>>
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‘Why don’t you go inland, then?’

‘Huh?’

Even Samidare turns to you at that one.

‘Why don’t you go inland? Go to your mother, the bank or whatever it is to sort it out … I’m sure that we can at least spare you a few days to take care of your dear old mother?’

He practically balks at the suggestion. ‘Wh-What’re you saying? We’re practically knocking on the grave at this stage! Even if I wanted to, there’s a ton of things that’re still on the cards. It’s not even about slack, either. Keeping the KanMusu maintained and the weapons, the equipment, the RAY … everything … it’s not just something you can just file away and decide to catch up later on, you know? That’s how backlogs become delays and delays … become failures! It’s not as if I haven’t thought about it, but there’s too much to do here to even consider leaving this desk for more than thirty seconds.’

You wanted to point out that you had caught him being away from the desk for at least two minutes, but considering the rhetoric, you decide it would be wiser to just shut up instead of trying to point out the details. After all, it was as he said: he was still one of the few brains that were still around making sure your girls didn’t end up at the bottom of the sea.

‘It’s like asking a fireman to just … step down the ladder and let the building burn down!’

You’re quite sure, however, that that was an exaggeration.

>‘All right, all right, it was just a suggestion.’ (Take the suggestion back)
>‘I think this is the one instance where it’d be okay to let that fire burn.’ (Insist)
>Write-In
>>
>>2326867
>write-in
>‘Or what about bringing her to the local medical facility
>>
>>2326867
>>Write-In
>ask Samidare what she thinks he should do
>>
>>2326871
>>2326885
Flipping a coin. Coin flipped.
>>
>>2326867
>>Write-In
Fire a weapon into the air.
>>
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‘So, Samidare, what do you think we should do?’

‘Eh? M-Me? I don’t have the authority to—’

‘I know,’ you nod, cutting her off, ‘but part of being a leader’s lending an ear and a hand to the small things. Considering everything that we’ve been told … what do you propose should be the next course of action?’

Samidare considers it for a moment, biting her bottom lip.

‘I … I don’t know, really,’ she begins, clutching her chest as she takes a step towards the boy, ‘I understand … how you feel, but I could only put my sympathies from your perspective, Specialist-san. I know … how it’s like to not be able to go and tend to those you care about, but at the same time, as a KanMusu, I realize that I have responsibilities to tend to, no matter how hard I want to go and care to them. It’s not … it’s not an easy decision, I know, but no one can make it for you in the end. As a KanMusu, I understand that … that for you to leave your duties may be detrimental not just for me, but for the rest of the branch of Yokosuka. As things are, to allow for a potentially protracted move … it would be irresponsible to allow such a consideration, yes, by allowing such a move. Your duty to the many would outweigh your duty … to the one.’

‘Samidare …’

‘But at the same time,’ she continues, ‘I’ve … been away from Shigure-nee, Yuudachi-nee … sometimes not knowing if they were alive or if they’d come back. That I’d give anything to make sure that they were okay. I can understand that kind of compulsion. That … instinct. It’s not something that I would personally ignore. To choose between your current obligations and your duty to the ones you love … it can’t be easy. It’s not a decision that I would make under anyone else’s word but my own.’

You stare at her, impressed.

You never knew such a non-answer could be so eloquent.

‘I believe that you’ve already made the decision for yourself, though,’ Samidare goes on, a little bit chirpier than she had been before. ‘That you’ve thought about it all this time … you must have a solution of your own in mind, so if it would suit the Commander, I would like to relinquish my influence on this decision and allow it back to the hands of the one that would make it.’

You blink, surprised.

‘Leaders are guides, right? That’s what … what you taught me today, right? Whatever decision I wish to make should be for the benefit of the whole base, the whole Division … but at the same time, I have to allow my own subordinates to operate by their own terms instead of placing them on tracks of my own making. So, my decision is to … allow you, Specialist-san, to turn these gears yourself. I’m sure that you’ll find a solution, but whatever it is … we’ll always value you as an important member of this team!’

She wears an enthusiastic smile as she turns to face you.

‘Right, Commander?’

>Write-In
>>
>>2326940
>right, that was a nice assessment Samidare. You're definitely learning
Switch to specialist
>though if you can't go to her, would it possible to send her here to be taken care of?
>>
>>2326940
>Good answer, Sami. (Pat head)
>See if the nerd actually bought into anything she said
>>
>>2326945
these two will work
>>2326946
>>2326948
>>
>>2326948
>>2326946
Correct answers. Headpats are the only way
>>
A part of me wants to try and catch up with this quest again...
>>
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You wear a defeated smile, placing a hand over her shoulder as you communicate your approval. She’d approached it with more grace than you could … and she hadn’t even attempted to pick the problem apart how you had tried to. Samidare, in a sense, was right: there were some things that you didn’t have the tread to dictate, no matter how noble your intentions were. Besides, he was a smart kid. There was no way he didn’t have something in mind at this point … or at least, you think he did.

‘Right,’ you nod in Samidare’s direction before throwing one the young man’s way. ‘She probably put it a little bit better than I could … so there’s probably that. At the end of the day, it’s a call that you’re going to have to make … and I’m sorry if it felt like I was trying to push you in one way or the other.’

‘You’re right,’ he says in agreement, giving a defeated shake of his head. ‘Still … feels a little bit better to get it off my chest at least, so you were right about that much, Commander.’

You shrug. Truthfully, you were only speaking from your perspective, but applicability wasn’t an objective science.

Okay,’ he declares, clapping his hands together—a little more energetically compared to when he had marched through the doors, you notice—as he lets out an empathic breath. ‘I’m sure that you’re not just here to listen to me whine … what can I do you for?’

>‘I need you to make some specialized shuriken for Sendai, if that’s possible.’ (EVERYBODY WAS KUNG-FU FIGHTING)
>‘So, looks like you’ve kept busy.’ (Small talk)
>‘At least your hygiene hasn’t deteriorated …’ (Joke)
>‘Actually, it’s getting late. I should—we should—go.’ (Leave)
>Write-In
>>
>>2326980
>>‘I need you to make some specialized shuriken for Sendai, if that’s possible.’ (EVERYBODY WAS KUNG-FU FIGHTING)
now to add more to his workload and his stress levels
>>
>>2326980
>(EVERYBODY WAS KUNG-FU FIGHTING)
>Prepare for great wailing and gnashing of teeth
>>
>>2326980
>>‘I need you to make some specialized shuriken for Sendai, if that’s possible.’ (EVERYBODY WAS KUNG-FU FIGHTING)
>>
‘I need you to make some specialized shuriken for Sendai, actually … if that’s at all possible.’

He scratches the back of his neck, making a face and sticking out his tongue in disgust. ‘Yeesh, she roped you into it too, huh?’

‘This … actually has a purpose,’ you chuckle, placing your hands on your hips. ‘She’s helping out with some extracurricular activities … or at least, that’s one way to put it. Sendai’s asking for a bunch of shuriken to help with … weapon discipline. She’ll be helping Murakumo out in training the KanMusu; though it beats me just what she has in mind for the Shuriken. Don’t know if they have any viability as a melee weapon, to be honest. You throw them, right?’

‘Not if you watch Hakkenden!’ he declares excitedly, motioning his arm in what appeared to be somewhere between a flex and a jab. ‘Arrows as knives, bows as staves … anything goes there!’

You shake your head, chuckling. It was a reminder that despite being an utter prodigy … he was still a teenager with interests that were common to his age bracket. You weren’t that familiar with Hakkenden, of course, beyond the fact that there was a lot of blood and … more blood in it. It did seem like the sort of thing a fourteen or fifteen year-old boy would turn the volume up on the television for. It was no wonder he had found a liking for the series.

It wasn’t your sort of thing; though, you’d be hard-pressed on calling someone out on taste, considering how you fanatically followed the exploits of fictional KanMusu. The young man rubs his palms together, letting out an energetic breath as he turns his gaze up to you.

‘Well, it doesn’t look like it’s going to be cutting into any of our unit testing or anything … but sure, I’ll be able to fit in something like that into our schedule, no problem.’

You can’t believe your luck.

‘Really?’

‘It’s for her, right? So I can just drop them off in her hands without having to get back to you?’

‘I guess so … she’s going to be the one using them, after all.’

‘All right, I’ll just give her a ring when we’re done so she can pick them up, all right, sir?’

‘Sure.’

‘Okay, right … so, if you don’t mind, I have some things to sort out, so …’

He wiggles his fingers towards the door; apparently it was time for you to leave. Throwing up a casual salute (which he doesn’t return) you step out into the cold, immediately tucking your hands underneath your armpits to preserve what little warmth you’re able. The door shuts behind you as Samidare dances into view at the bottom of the ramp, throwing up a bright smile.

‘Thanks, Commander … I learned a lot today!’
>>
>>2327026
>‘No problem, Samidare … I hope that we can do this again some other time.’
>‘You sure you don’t want to come with me? You might pick up a few more tips.’
>‘So what did you learn today?’
>'It doesn't stop here ... but I think that you already know that.'
>‘Hope that my performance was up to par …’
>Write-In
>>
>>2327027
>>'It doesn't stop here ... but I think that you already know that.'
>>
>>2327027
>'It doesn't stop here ... but I think that you already know that.'
>>
Good session guys, I'll be back later to continue with your doom.
>>
>>2327027
>>'It doesn't stop here ... but I think that you already know that.'
>>
>>2327027
>'It doesn't stop here ... but I think that you already know that.'
>>
Running session in an hour, people.

You've been a great audience for the last 2 years. Hopefully the next 8 hours are going to be less painful for me than it will be for you.
>>
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The both of you walk towards the exit of the compound. You had to either get back to the base first or grab a bite you weren’t sure that the branch would have. Either way …

‘It doesn’t stop here … but I think you already know that, don’t you?’

She wears a melancholic smile, staring at the setting sun, peaking through the forest on the hills.

‘Time doesn’t stand still after all, right?’ she starts, letting out a cheerful hum and interlocking her hands behind her back. ‘If you stay in one place forever … things aren’t going to wait for you to catch up!’

‘That’s a very philosophical take on things,’ you chuckle, realizing that you had reached the edge of the compound; the guard was off by the side, looking reading a comic book of sorts. If you weren’t in such a relaxed mood, you would have called him to attention … maybe. ‘I was thinking more along the lines that I probably barely scratched the surface on the topic for the day.’

She grins brightly, leaning over.

‘But it’s not wrong, is it?’

You think it over, if only briefly.

‘No,’ you return the smile. ‘It’s not wrong at all.’

She giggles in amusement, a calm glow in her eyes as she straightens herself.

‘Commander, if I’m aiming to be a better leader, then you’re certainly aiming at becoming more than you were yesterday, right? Little by little, step by step … nothing comes all at once, no change is made without you yourself realizing that improvement starts at that point; that you yourself are the only one that can take that step, even if it’s a nano-meter, forward. If nothing else, that’s what I’ve learned watching you, watching Shigure-nee … and maybe one day I’ll actually be able to understand a little bit more than I do now, but … for now, as a good student, I have to learn from you … and you have to learn from me, right?’

You open your mouth to say something … right as an overwhelming feeling of defeat comes upon you. You feel as though, if only in one aspect, if only for a while … you had been surpassed. Yet, at the same time, you felt … glad for it. It was a strange sensation; a strange mix of emotions. You do not know why you felt it or how it had come about, only that for some unfathomable reason, there was … pride.

You do what only you do … and give a good-natured tussle of her hair, to which Samidare giggles as she playfully lifts your hand from her head.

‘Sheesh,’ you let out, smirking, ‘how did you grow up so fast?’

Her grin only brightens further.

‘Because I had a good teacher!’

Samidare runs off with a wave, probably to go and meet up with Shigure … or straight back to the barracks for a nap.

Wherever she was headed, however, you realize that you needed to be somewhere that wasn’t here, either.

>‘I think I’ll grab a bite to eat … no harm, right?’
>‘A little early, but … I can head to the base now.’
>Write-In
>>
YOU ARE NOW ENTERING THE BUILD-UP TO THE [CRITICAL ENCOUNTER]. CHOICES AFTER THIS WILL BE EITHER BENEFICIAL OR DETRIMENTAL TO YOUR CHANCES IN ADVANCING/SURVIVING THIS SCENARIO. GOOD LUCK.
>>
>>2328614
>‘I think I’ll grab a bite to eat … no harm, right?’
>>
>>2328614
>>‘A little early, but … I can head to the base now.’
>>
>>2328614
>>‘A little early, but … I can head to the base now.’
>>
>>2328614
>>‘A little early, but … I can head to the base now.’
>>
>>2328614

>‘I think I’ll grab a bite to eat … no harm, right?’
>>
>>2328614
>‘A little early, but … I can head to the base now.’
>>
‘What to do … what to do …’

You ponder your decision. On one hand, you weren’t sure if there was going to be anything to eat on-base … and it wasn’t as if it was so late that you couldn’t head over to Mamiya’s to grab a bite and just grab a buggy to base. On the other … you really didn’t want to chance turning up to the meeting (Or whatever it was) with the program participants drunk. You didn’t trust yourself to say no to a drink … especially if someone like the Major or the Sergeant was around offering it. Running a hand over your stomach, you try your best to weight the—

Fatty.

That did it. On to the base it was. You’d already had a hearty lunch and you’d spent your whole life wolfing down anything on the table. It wasn’t as if you were going to drop dead on the spot from skipping dinner. You begin the trek uphill, making your way to the neighbourhood where Samidare had run off towards. Maybe you should have tried to convince her to stay with you. Evenings like this were best spent with someone for company, just shooting the breeze.

You step onto the main road, houses to your left and right and the setting sun peeking over your shoulder.

You hear a loud bang to your right and whirl around to see an intimidating-looking house, the wooden gate (of traditional make, but significantly smaller than the First Admiral’s) ajar. A quick glance tells you that the home wasn’t hit as badly as the others in the neighbourhood. A missing shingle and some cracks, but it looked sturdy, livable.

There were sounds coming from inside. Muffled, but … audible.

>Inspect the voice
>Be on your way
>Write-In
>>
>>2328765
>Inspect the voice

What could go wrong here?
>>
>>2328765
>Inspect the voice
>>
>>2328765
>>Inspect the voice
>>
>>2328765
>Write-In
May want to call some backup or some of the dudes under fingers before we head in
>>
>>2328827
There's nobody around and we don't have a radio
>>
>>2328765
>be on your way
i don't trust anything right now, especially not random encounters
>>
>>2328765
>>Inspect the voice
>>
You place a hand on the door. It was heavy and leaning at an angle, so you couldn’t push it in or give it a pull … but you could slip in the space right between. Thanks to the rigours of your new (forced) diet, you’re able to squeeze right in, making as little noise as possible. Normally, you didn’t bother with such trivialities as this … and whoever it was that was inside—if it was anyone—had their own rights to whatever they were doing. A part of you even protested that it might well have been the owner of the house and you were trespassing.

Still, there was something that compelled you to ignore all common sense and wave it off as a bird or some hobo, and here you were in the front compound, staggering as your leg comes loose through gap, finding yourself staring at the cracked—but otherwise sturdy—foundations of the house. You tread lightly, staring at a few broken windows and what appeared to be an intact table right through a screen door that had shattered. The table was covered with a layer of dust and peering inside, you’re able to make out the living room. You step inside, giving the place a once over. It was definitely abandoned … but remarkably intact even after almost two months. Everything was practically untouched.

You hear shuffling sounds coming from another room, right through the arch.

You hasten your steps, nearing the source … and find yourself staring wide-eyed at what appeared to be a man … and a young woman.

A woman who happened to be Kasumi.

Kasumi’s top had been discarded; she was lying in what appeared to be a heap of broken wood … what appeared to have once been a table. The man was significantly older; or at least, he looked to be. Chiselled, rugged good looks couldn’t hide the hints of age under his eyes. His frame, while lanky, appeared to be in the midst of taking off his clothes. His member was on prominent display, standing out and painfully in anticipation of relief. He was a little shorter than you were, much less stockier; he looked like a marathon runner under the covers of a doctor’s—

Doctor.

That was a Kurosaki Research Hospital band on his wrist. As hazy as your memory was, you could make out the emblem. He shuffles indignantly, picking himself up quickly as Kasumi stares at you in shock … right as the man lets out a frustrated hiss.

Is there no privacy in this world anymore?

You say the only thing that comes to mind.

Kasumi?

She stares at you in shock. ‘What are you …’

‘You know this man?’

‘Sir, I can—’

Kasumi is unable to finish her answer as the Doctor snarls at you, gathering himself and bumping your shoulder—which, in any other situation would have been hilarious, as he stumbled back from his own effort—before going on his way. As he leaves, you hear the sound of something hitting the wall from a dull thud from the other room. He'd probably kicked something.
>>
>>2328914
oh god tell me this isn't going where i think it's going
>>
You find yourself unable to move from the spot, staring down at a still Kasumi, her mussed hair over her eyes as she trembled with … shame? Embarrassment? Fear? Whatever it was, it left you petrified and staring at her form. Her bare breasts glistened with sweat as the sun peeked in from the clouded windows like an unwelcome spotlight. She laid in the rubble that was once the kitchen table, as still as you were. Hisses of an emotion made its way to your ears at the same time the curses of the man, the doctor from just several seconds ago, leaves the premises. You take a tentative step towards your fallen friend, words failing to connect as you raised a hand to reach out to her.

‘Why … do you have to … inconvenience me at every damn turn?

Her features contort into a gorgon-like stare, freezing you in place as her legs lay either side of her body, her form basking in the cruel light of the hot, cruel evening sun. She tries to push herself to a stand, only slide back down from the imbalance—her shoes must have been able to get enough traction from all the dust around—and letting out breaths of what you knew to do be seething anger.

‘It’s always about you, isn’t it? I can’t get ahead of anything without you stepping in and … doing everything in your damn power to … to … URGH!

She picks up a block of wood, tossing it into the cabinet across the room. It hits the frame, clattering noisy to the floor, several of the held contents noisily spilling over and shattering over the floor of the kitchen.

‘Why do you keep doing this to me?’

She buries her face in her arms, her form trembling as she wept.

Why are you the only one who gets to be happy?

>Write-In
>>
>>2328949
HOLD UPS LADS
>>
>>2328956
yeah holy shit i've got fucking nothing, someone else better come up with something good
>>
WE DO THIS SHIT RIGHT, OUR CHANCES ARE GREAT FOR THE POTENTIAL GAME OVER
WE FUCK THIS UP, AND OUR CHANCES ARE SHITTIER THAN INDIA'S STREETS
>>
>>2328965
What this guy said.

I can give you guys choices if you're feeling a little lost, though.
>>
>>2328969
May help as there are a lot of things going on and no idea where to even start
>>
>>2328969
>>2328983
this
>>
>>2328949
>Write-In
"This is what you call happiness? Sex with a guy that's probably double your age in the middle of ruins? You deserve more than this, you just dont see it."
>>
>the incident occurs
>we fail to back her up
>she gets sent to juvie and the incident is put on her record
>years go by, Kasumi gets out of juvie, tries to move on but the incident is basically a stain on her record
>does what she can to get past it but not many avenues
>starts doing what she can to put herself ahead
also assuming the training and studying to get into the Institute wasnt easy or cheap
im in the ballpark, just not where i need to be
>>
>>2329022
Well, I have one right in. Am I going with this?
>>
>>2328949
course of action:
1) Give her her top back or give her ours to cover up first
2) Tissue if we have it
3) Apologise for coming into the place and interrupting
4) Sit down beside her ask her what was that about if shes willing to tell

Be there to listen, be there to weather her angry blows and listen to her.
>>
>>2329038
I like this >>2329040 more than the other one
>>
>>2329038
Wait a sec, theorizing
>>
>>2329040
Maybe not apologize for coming in, suspicious sounds from an area near the base? Could be abyssals and what not
>>
>>2329048
replace abyssals with possible looters or smugglers
>>
>>2329059
Agreed, going for this writein
>>
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Even if you couldn’t find the words … you could at least do what you could what you couldn’t back then.

You could be a friend.

You approach the small form of Kasumi, taking your top off and gently placing it on her shoulders. You push the wood aside, clearing a way for you to sit down, propping yourself right next to her as she stares at the floor. There were many things on your mind, many things to say … but you don’t. You could now, but you don’t. Instead, you stare at the cabinet, now bereft of its contents. It was a nice cabinet too … well, it was still a nice cabinet, but one of the shelves had been displaced thanks to Kasumi’s throw of that wooden block. It was a shame. If the owners of this home didn’t make a return, you wouldn’t mind salvaging it or picking it up at an auction, really.

Turning your gaze to Kasumi, you find her still staring at the floor, her knuckles white from the grip on the fabric of your jacket. She didn’t appear to be ready to talk … or she didn’t appear to be ready to talk to you, at least.

Why?

You crease your eyebrows at the small whimpering sound of her voice. Her arms relax and fall to her front, hitting the floor intertwined one another’s grip.

‘Kasumi?’

‘How … how was it so easy for you?’ she questions, her eyes dull. ‘You could meet your dreams, you could be what you wanted … and I … I have to scrape by? I have to do all this and you come back you just set it back to square one?’

‘Kasu—’

You find a vice-like grip on your shoulder as Kasumi’s empty eyes stare deep into yours. What you expected to be sheer hatred was instead replaced with something you’d seen so often in the mirror. The bags under her eyes were more pronounced now. She definitely hadn’t had enough sleep … and you’re not sure if taking care of your drunken ass was the sole reason for that anymore.

You hope it was.

‘You come back into my life … staggering like some two-bit drunk singing to the stars, living out your dream never having seen a damn day of struggle in your own life? Is that how things are supposed … to be? I didn’t even do anything wrong and I … and you … and you never have to pay for it? Commander? The bastion of humanity, hero to all?’

Her grip is almost painful now.

‘I had to crawl and beg … and say sorry to things I never did. I had to do everything I could, telling myself that it would all be worth it in the end … I didn’t have to look at anyone again. I could … I could …

Kasumi draws herself back, her hand still on your shoulder.

‘What do I have left that you want to take from me?

>Write-In
>>
>>2329148
Put a hand on the one on our shoulder. Calming touch. But also just incase she tries to storm off, we could stop her.

“What happened after that day. What did you have to go through.”
>>
>>2329148
>ask Kasumi what we took from her
make sure we can hold her if she tries to storm off after her rant
>>
>>2329204
This and also ask what we took from her
>>
>>2329204
>>2329223
these sound good to me
>>
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‘What happened after that day?’

Your voice is soft, a little more distant than your usual tone. You don’t want to rush her; push her … as much as you actually expect an answer from her, that was the last thing that you believe she’d appreciate. That being said, however, trying to properly pry open that bag of secrets was … a monumental task at best, especially if you wanted to do it without a shattered jaw by the end of the day. Kasumi seems to respond well enough, however; her grip loosens on your shoulder and a spark of life lights up in her eyes, which you’re unable to fully adjudge as she turns away, her gaze focusing on the busted cabinet.

‘The university found out about what happened,’ she reveals quietly, pulling the shirt around herself. ‘The reps launched and inquiry that the headmaster, well …’

‘I always knew he was a suck-up.’

She grimaces.

It wasn’t much, but … it was nice to see that she wasn’t all broken.

You hope.

‘Well, considering how the school was … me being pre-enrolled was a big deal,’ she recalls, ‘and it wasn’t easy to get, but … when the university first came, I think that was the happiest I was. All I had to do was work hard, keep my head down and … I thought it would’ve all worked out. I didn’t think it would’ve all come crashing down like it did.’

She lets out a snort, lifting her hand from your shoulder.

‘After that day in the office, the inquiry was launched and my name was struck; my parents tried to re-enrol, but the universities had a network. I had to keep my head down and pass … but with that stain, it was hard to get anyone to give me a chance into a pre-med program. We didn’t … we didn’t have much money to go around for any big leap; my mother, my father, both of them … they found it hard to support a daughter they couldn’t trust, that they couldn’t believe. I …’

Her shoulders quaked as she brought her knees to her chest, her eyes going wider with every shake of her form.

‘That is, until Kurosaki had another opening and I put myself forward. I argued for one last chance … a chance at a full scholarship; I’d have to take top marks and I could put my name there. They wouldn’t let me take the exam, of course … not with my record; and then I decided that I did. I’d fallen that far … I might as well be guilty of something I had done.’

‘Kasumi …’

‘I guess I should’ve been thankful that he was happy with some paizuri and mouthwork for all these years,’ she laughs humorlessly, ‘everything his fiancee didn’t want to do, all prim and proper … he’d come to me. He’d put a good word in, tell me how good a girl I was and let me pursue my studies. After all, if everyone else told me I’d broken up a teacher’s marriage, I might as well be guilty of it, right?’

You don’t say a word.

‘If I’m going to be judged guilty … I might as well be guilty.’

>Write-In
>>
>>2329446
>im assuming that guy was a head doctor or someone very influential at the research institute?
>>
>>2329494
>*is a head doctor
hate my typos
>>
>>2329494
>and ask what she wants to do
>>
>>2329446
>Write-In
Ask who was that guy and why is he so important, also ask her on what she plans to do now given the circumstances

Tell her that since you were part of the reason why this has happened, that you will do your best to help her out and that maybe this time things will be different
>>
>>2329446
Hold on to her hand. And just hold it tightly.

“Who was that doctor. And what do you want? Tell me what you wish for and i’ll do everything in my power to make it happen.”
>>
>>2329527
this is much better at conveying what i wanted
i cannot into writing things out
>>
>>2329527
This, but ask what she wants to do right now rather than asking her to plan her future. Emphasize that you will do everything you can to support her and that things will absolutely be different.
>>
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‘So who is he?’

‘He’s one of Taiyouga’s brightest research surgeons,’ Kasumi reveals. ‘He’s been at Kurosaki Research since the war started. Kurosaki … was one of the first hospitals that were given access to Shamanistic arts; to the Admiralty patents. He was part of the first few teams that were given the go-ahead to work with Fata Aqueous; a cog in the wheel that shaped medical the understanding of its application. KantaI Steel, Fata Aqueous, KanMusu … he’s co-written dozens of journals. He’s smart, rich, popular with women, respected by his peers and betters … on all accounts, everything that everyone wants to be.’

‘So that’s it, then? You’re attaching yourself to a big shot and riding the wave?’

‘You’re talking as if I have a choice in the matter,’ she says quietly. ‘He’s put his name on the block, too, you know … he’s stuck it out for me. Without his recommendation I wouldn’t even be a cleaner in that building, so I owe him that much. I … I do what I can for him and in turn, he’ll … he’ll allow me to complete the course in peace. I mean, it’s not … it’s not as if I—it’s not as if I don’t enjoy doing it, after all. He’s handsome, a little backed up and I … I owe him that much. I get to be where I am now thanks to him. If I have to … slurp down a little and move his dick between my tits every other afternoon, it’s not as if it isn’t an even trade …’

He tone is joking, but her words are hissed in a way that you found almost … spiteful.

‘It’s that how you were able to be part of this joint-program?’

Kasumi says nothing,

‘Kasumi …’

I can take care of myself.’

She gets to her feet, throwing your jacket off her shoulders and into your arms before walking over to her discarded clothing, attempting to fasten her bra back on, only to throw it back to the ground as she discovers the bare underwire. As you stand, you feel the intense, yet sorrowful, gaze that she turns on you: betrayal, despair, anger, denial … and a strength behind them that could only have been held up by pride.

‘Not all of us can have everything handed on a silver platter like you are, Commander,’ she mutters, averting her eyes. ‘I can do things my way … and you can go back to having your magnificence waited on by your KanMusu. It’s an even trade, right?’

‘Hey, y—’

She throws her shirt on, folding her coat as she barely recovers from the almost-stumble, turning on her heel.

‘I have to get going … if I turn up late, he’ll—’

You grab her wrist.

It’s a work of impulse, instinct … you do not know why you do it, but something inside you tells you that if you let her leave right now …

You’d never forgive yourself.

She reveals her tear-laden visage to you, speaking in a low but firm voice. ‘Let go.

Don’t.

Don’t let go.

>Write-In
>>
>>2329654
>Write-In
Dont let go
Do you really think that after all this i will ever let you go again then you are gravely mistaken.

And honestly? Being made cmdr was not all like being given everything in a silver platter. Being sent out in combat is not as they made it out on tv, being able to see ppl you have worked with and care about risk their lives and actually being grievously injured in real time is not a walk in the park.

Having to actually face and fight them in spitting distance is also not a walk in the park. Having your brain fried and the like from not only facing the abyssasls but also due to the strain in the stream from having your subordinates give their all. It was like having your soul raped and laid bare to all, especially true when you need to bechecked to ensure your sould aint corrupted by exposure to the things your fighting.

All the injuries and pain inflicted on you from the war that makes you the best case to see how well fate aqueous works and the implementation of fairy tech.

You faced all of that and never gave up so that ppl like her can sleep safe at night

All these sacrifices that youve made, even going so far as to risk your soul to save the connection you two have

Thats why your going to give it all as well ss to help her in this situation. If it takes asking akashi to give her recommendation or even ask her to take you on as an assistant then your willing to go all out for her

Friends do that for friends right?
>>
>>2329696
alright, i like the tone this is going for but lets refine it a bit shall we lads?
>>
>>2329696
Am I using this as is or am I waiting for you guys to fill it in further?
>>
>>2329654
"A silver platter? Kasumi I've nearly died at least 5 times over the course of my short career and been raked over the coals both by the abyssals and our own side. The last time I almost died? I was almost put down by the Admiralty for potentially being a psychic risk. To my subordinates and to the base itself. And for what reason? For somehow having the grit to survive a horrific enemy encounter with my brain and soul intact."

"Every mission ive gone out on has landed me and my division in the base hospital half-dead. And I'd be too if it wasnt for the sheer serendipity of my affinity to the tears. Hence why I'm one of the walking test subjects for many of these procedures."

Take off the patch and show off our chest where the arm joins our chest, where the metal links bolt into and crimp our skin. Show her the extent of the damage.

"I've sacrificed alot myself. Just to get to where I am now and to keep my division alive. And yet despite all the pain and suffering i've endured, this was nothing before I joined. There was simply nothing there. A blackhole, living day-to-day without human contact and no hope from which I almost never got out off.

So understand this that I'm not going to leave you alone again in the dark and anything I can do to get you to your goal, I WILL do. Because thats what friends do."
>>
>>2329725
Yeah this is good.
>>
>>2329725
Seconding this.
>>
>>2329725
this
>>
>>2329654
I am sorry. I did you wrong. I let you down.

But I am here now. You don’t have to go it alone. Please, give me a chance to be a friend for you and not fuck it up this time. And if you don’t want my friendship, at least consider it a compensation. A penance.

Even in face of great darkness, we can always fight to make things right. Not accept despair.
>>
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It’s not …

‘W-What?’

‘It was never on a silver platter,’ you breathe out, the emotion in your chest finally working its way to the tip of your tongue, ‘I’ve been shot, I’ve had my bones broken, threatened, been held hostage, lost all the regular sight in my eye and all the functionality of my arm. By medical records I should be dead. If it wasn’t for some miracle that the Tears somehow resonate by the mercies to allow me to just do it all over again. Akashi’s said that I shouldn’t be able to do anything more than suck up and some goop through a straw. Almost every time I come back from a mission there’s a risk that I don’t just end up brain-dead, but possessed by whatever eldritch force drives those things out there like cattle.’

‘L-Let go—’

You do.

She doesn’t run.

You place your hands on the cloth of your top, tentatively pulling the fabric off your torso. As silly as it was, you felt a little conscious, really, at showing off your less-than-ideal form. You have shed a few pounds—maybe more than a few—but the flab and current lack of … oh, all right, not total lack of, at least … a beach body had you hesitant at showing anything off to Kasumi. Considering how rugged the Doctor was from before, you were probably fighting and uphill battle. She’d dump your butt the second and—

Wait, why were you even thinking this? You weren’t into Kasumi.

She was your friend.

Yes.

Very friend. Very platonic. Yes.

You take off your eyepatch, revealing the glow of your mutated eye—it hurt even more to open it now. There’s an audible whine of the exoskeleton as it crushes the eyepatch in the palm of its hand as you near the even face of Kasumi. She looked more surprised than anything … but you supposed that anyone would at the sudden discarding of clothes. Especially someone with a build like yours.

‘I’m not being served a silver platter, Kasumi,’ you grimace, ‘I’m the buffet.’

A tentative foot juts forward; you take a step towards your apprehensive friend, unsure of how else to get your message across.

‘But maybe you’re right that I … that I don’t have a place to accuse you of suffering less than I did; but I know what it’s like to put it all on the line just as you have … and I’ve gone through enough of that to not wish that kind of thing on anyone: least of all you.

You raise your hand, hovering the metal shell over her shoulder, half-expecting her to push you away.

She doesn’t.

You draw her into a gentle embrace, caressing the back of her head. ‘I did the wrong thing once and I won’t—OOF!

It didn’t hurt that much, but it did take you by surprise. As did, of course, the next six blows of the haymaker.
>>
‘YOU IDIOT! YOU MORON! YOU—YOU DUNCE! YOU TUB OF ASBESTOS! I WAITED FOR YOU! EVEN AFTER ALL THAT … ALL THAT …’

Her anger gives way to sobs as she weeps into your chest.

‘So why weren't you there ... when there wasn't a time I needed you more?

>Write-In
>>
Any ideas boys?
>>
i dont even get what she means with her last line mang
>>
>>2329789
She referring to when she was in the depths of her struggle to even advance in her chosen path. Before the current doctor and her arrangement.

Because now currently at least has a path. A path where she might be selling her body, but a path of her own making.
>>
>>2329786
Because You’re correct, I’m a dunce, a moron and a tub of asbestos. I didn’t know. I didn’t think. I was afraid.

I’m here now though. And I don’t intend to let you down again.

inb4 we’re forced to choose between siding with kasumi or with kanmusu on some dramatic issue
>>
>>2329789
She's asking you why was it that the one time above all other times that she needed you to have her back, you weren't there.
>>
I think she means that there was no specific, big point of time where she really needed him? Hence the "wasn't". But instead, not being there at all, for all of it.
>>
>>2329786
Draw her into a tighter hug.

“Because i was an idiot, a coward and a poor friend. I’m sorry. And i’m finally here and i’m going to do right by you.”
>>
>>2329796
Can we add an "even if it kills me" at the end?
>>
>>2329799
i am also for this
>>
>>2329799
I’m ok with this.
>>
>>2329796
>>2329799
>>2329801
>>2329807
HOLD UP FUCKERS
THIS BE THE PROMPT
THIS IS WHAT DECIDES OUR FATE
WHETHER WE GAME OVER OR KEEP GOING
>>
>>2329809
Too late, votes cast can't be taken back.
>>
>>2329809
I couldnt vote differently.

Not with how commander has developed as a character.

If its a game over from doing what he believes in, a game over it is then.
>>
>>2329809
Feels more like a buildup. Either opportunity to gain allies in the trials to come, or bait to take more on than we can handle.

At the end of the day it doesn’t matter, we gotta do what’s right. Or we should anyway.
>>
>>2329814
>>2329813
>>2329811
yea, yall are right
anything else wouldnt be what the Cmdr would do
christ, we are a bunch of hammy corny bastards arent we?
>>
>>2329824
If we game over here we can go settle down with kasumi
>>
>>2329830
>Game over is not dying, but taking responsibility and becoming a family man with Kasumi
Sly mech
>>
>>2329796
could add in something like
>i cant change the past but i can damn well do what i can to make up for not being there for you, no matter what.
>>
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You put your arms around her again. Despite being rather tall for her gender—and you meant that in the most binary sense of the word—she seemed so … small here. It was hard to accept that she’d leaned on you so much. Neither of you had many friends. Well, Kasumi did, you supposed. In fact, you remember her being surrounded by a clique while you tagged along with whoever would let you in. The only bridge that either of you had were those days just sitting next to each other and egging one another on. She’d talk to you about your unhealthy obsession with the KanMusu and you’d remark that she was more likely to sew a hand to a lung than she would save the life of a millionaire businessman.

That was friendship.

‘I’ve said those words to myself so many times … and every time I imagined saying them to you, I wonder … if it was ever going to be enough,’ you declare softly, taking a breath, ‘but they don’t change that I wasn’t there to defend you, so an apology … whatever it is, it won’t suffice. I’m an idiot, a coward and I should have been a better friend … I should have never been a poor one to you in the first place.’

You feel her grip on your pectorals, prompting you to raise your left and gently rub the back of her head in a soothing manner. It’s hard, really, to carry out just what the words “sorry” meant to you … to her … to anyone. To you, it’d never be enough. This day, this scene, could repeat for all eternity and you couldn’t make up half of what transpired from that day.

Not by you.

Not by her.

‘Kasumi,’ you draw yourself back, gazing at her pathetically tear-streaked face. You can’t help but crack a smile … it is so wonderfully out-of-character of her, as cruel as it sounded. ‘I won’t let you go through with this.’

She wears a look of surprise.

‘You’re too … you to spend your days trying to get a guy who has to start hunting down girls half his age just to get something his wife—’

Fiancee,’ she corrects, grimacing.

‘His fiancee, then,’ you correct yourself, rolling your eyes. This was definitely her, all right; no exception to the assumptions allowed here. ‘You deserve a lot better than this.’

She lets out a breath, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. ‘I … look, I appreciate that your heart’s in the right place, but …’

‘But?’

‘It’ll be hard for me to get ahead anywhere else,’ she sighs, ‘right now I … it’s not that bad a deal, really. Tuition’s paid for, I’m getting ahead on my own merits … it really feels like I have a second chance again.’

Kasumi …’

‘It’s okay.’ she smiles, wiping her eye clear. ‘I … I’m just glad.’

She embraces you in another hug.

‘I’m happy that you’re … happy.’

You find yourself frozen, unable to respond.

‘I think that … for me right now, this is okay. This is okay.’
>>
>>2329907
>'Sorry, this is not a negotiation.' (Save her)
>'Then ... all right, this is where it is, then.' (Agree to her terms)
>Write-In
>>
>>2329908
>'Sorry, this is not a negotiation.' (Save her)
>>
>>2329908
>>'Sorry, this is not a negotiation.' (Save her)
>>
>>2329908
>'Sorry, this is not a negotiation.' (Save her)
>>
>>2329908
>Write-In
"I'm the navy liaison working with akashi and your hospital's contingent for this program. I also know the medical staff personally and have pull with them. Even some favours from those politically connected. At the very least I can get you enough recommendations that you won't need to rely on that doctor anymore and move forward even further on your own merits and keep you on your scholarship. I could possibly even have something lined up for you here.

Wouldnt that be best for you? Not having that worry over you?" (explain abit as to what we can offer)
>>
>>2329941
i like this one
>>
>>2329907
We need a plan. What is the objective? To help her get a position where she’s not under control of that asshole. At the same time, the doctor is a valuable war asset and has good social standing. Nobody will gain say his word over ours.
Who could have something to say or do on the issue? Akashi, VA, TTK, Leia and as a last resort maybe fingers...

Also we need to take care to not create or exacerbate conflict between humans and shipgirls as we apply ourselves...
>>
>>2329941
I like this as well, we should be helpful but not forceful
>>
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‘Sorry, but this isn’t a negotiation,’ you smirk, garnering a frown from her. As it becomes obvious, however, that she didn’t get the joking tone of your voice, you move on to a more … direct approach. ‘I don’t know what I can do, Kasumi, but … you deserve better than this. If nothing else, you don’t deserve to be bent over under some berk’s table sucking his wang to just have the chance at being a Doctor.’

She grimaces, leaning back. ‘As a woman, I’d like to think that I gave them good enough to maintain upkeep.’

Kasumi!

‘As if you can talk.’ She smiles fondly, placing her hand on your cheek. ‘You’re rotating through them by the day, aren’t you?’

‘That’s diff—wait, what?

Kasumi steps away from you, her fond smile turning back into an uncertain grimace. ‘I … met up with your Sub-Commander today; I think … Nagato was her name, wasn’t it? You seem to be in a rather open relationship. I wouldn’t submerge just what I do under accusations when you’re pretty much doing the same with your own subordinates.’

You almost fall on your butt, the hurt crawling from the cracks of your liver into your lungs before shafting your heart. Oh, this was definitely Kasumi all right. Whether she was getting by on her college fees through less than scrupulous means as she was now … or blitzing everyone in her studies back in high school, that tongue of hers was never one to rest. Not that you couldn’t keep up, of course … but she knew where to hit; and where it hurt.

‘You know it’s not like that,’ you reply, dusting off your chest. It was strange … the home must have been exceptionally insulated for you to not feel the slightest bit of cold. ‘If you talked to Nagato, then you’d know what it means for me to be with them.’

‘I find it a little strange, I admit,’ she says, wearing a defeated smile, ‘but it must be doing wonders for your ego. I remember when you were waxing about Kongou and Haruna … what happened to that shrine, anyway?’

‘It wasn’t a shrine,’ you correct her, pointing a finger in her direction as a scowl etched itself onto your features. ‘It was a harmonic arrangement designed to bring out the full aesthetic potential of the decorations. Ask a party planner. See how far you get putting all the chairs on one side and all the tables on the other.’

For a while, there is silence.

‘I missed this …’

‘Kasumi?’

Before you know it, you find yourself, once again, wrapped in an embrace that was once so alien … but slowly becoming familiar again. She nuzzles herself into your bare chest, looking so very small. So very small …

‘I’ll hold you to it.’

She looks up to you, her eyes glowing with hope.

‘If you can … you’ll do it, right?’

>Write-In
>>
>>2329969
>>Write-In
"Absolutely"
>>
>>2329970
>>
>>2329941
>navy liaison
No
>>
>>2329970
going with this, also meention that you've met both of them and that kongou is kinda after your superior
>>
File: Untitled.png (91 KB, 1274x713)
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REJOICE, YE MONGRELS
>>
>>2329970
>>
>>2329970
supportin'
>>
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‘Absolutely; that’s a promise.’

She steps away from you, straightening her shirt out. Now that you had a good look at her … you realize that she could really use a bath. Not that she was smelly or anything, of course, but the dive of her cleavage and the wrinkles on her clothes told you that she was in no way prepared to throw herself to the wiles of a strategic meeting dressed like that. She rubs her arm, embarrassed and shyly looking away. You’d … envisioned this, really. The day that you’d put things behind you and truly put the next foot forward … and awkwardly standing across from one another like a pair of teenagers nervous about their first—

No, no, you weren’t going to go there. You already had trunk of Kaga, Iowa, Nagato, Takao and Houshou. Even if you thought of her in that way, you weren’t sure that you’d be able to handle the rigours of what a spitfire like her could afford. As cruel as it was to point out, at least KanMusu had a lot of the things that would’ve put you in bad standing with the opposite sex out of the way.

‘Hey, where are you staring at?’

You avert your gaze, laughing nervously.

‘Sorry, just … yeah, sorry,’ you apologize, taking a step back and rubbing the back of your neck.

Oh.

‘What?’

She scratches the side of her cheek, biting her bottom lip.

‘I’m … flattered.’

‘Eh?’

‘Given what you’re used to … you’d think that you were a little too spoilt for the average human body,’ she comments, chuckling. ‘It’s nice to know that I still have something to give on that end.’

‘I never said that,’ you counter, frowning and rubbing your neck. This was strange; it was definitely the evening and you definitely had your shirt off, yet for some reason you felt a little …

Hot.

Whoever had paid for the insulation of this house had most definitely gotten their money’s worth. Even with the broken windows and open doors, it felt closer to a sauna than it did some abandoned shack. Kasumi bites her lip, the rustle of clothes and the crinkle of folds tells you that she’s clenching her coat and shirt onto her form. You turn to find that this is, indeed, the case … but for some reason, the static atmosphere, the wrinkled clothes and the dishevelled skirt and stockings seemed to enhance whatever aesthetic value that Kasumi already possessed.

Purely aesthetic, of course. Of course.

‘You didn’t not say it,’ she declares in a proud tone, walking right up to you. ‘So hard to admit that you’re male?

‘You can make this a little easier, you know,’ you complain, already eager to leave this building. It was doing strange things. Strange things.

‘Women are creatures of vanity, hard as we try to deny,’ Kasumi says playfully, ‘appeal to me.’

You fix her with an unamused stare.

You'd never noticed her teeth being so white until now.
>>
>>2330012
>'Is this how you got into Pre-Med?' (Below the belt)
>'You should know better than to do that around a guy who's been around, Kasumi.' (Deadpan)
>'You know, some people would interpret that as a flirting.' (Playful)
>'You're plenty attractive. Just ... well, you should keep the access a little more exclusive.' (Reject)
>'Right, that's enough; let's get going.' (Leave)
>Give her a teasing kiss
>Write-In
>>
>>2330016
>'You know, some people would interpret that as a flirting.' (Playful)
>>
>>2330016
>'You know, some people would interpret that as a flirting.' (Playful)
That first option though.
>>
>>2330016
>>'You know, some people would interpret that as a flirting.' (Playful)
>>
>>2330016
>>Give her a teasing kiss
>>
>>2330016
Just a minor correction on the grammar:
>'You know, some people would interpret that as flirting.' (Playful)
>>
>>2330016
>Give her a teasing kiss
>>
>>2330016
>Give her a teasing kiss
>>
>>2330016
>Give her a teasing kiss
>>
>>2330016
>'You know, some people would interpret that as a flirting.' (Playful)
>>
>>2330016
>'You know, some people would interpret that as a flirting.' (Playful)
>>
>>2330016
>You know, some people would interpret that as a flirting.' (Playful)
>>
>>2330016
You know, some people would interpret that as a flirting.' (Playful)
>>
>'You should know better than to do that around a guy who's been around, Kasumi.' (Deadpan)
>>
>>2330016
>>'You know, some people would interpret that as a flirting.' (Playful)
>>
>>2329980
>Unless you choose to...
Tread lightly lads, I don't think it's time to add Kasumi to the harem quite yet
>>
Is it okay if I run in the next hour?
>>
>>2330816
Its too late anon. They cant be stopped.
>>
>>2330979
Sure.
>>
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‘You know, some people would interpret that as flirting,’ you point out, crossing your arms.

Kasumi stays silent, skipping towards you until she was barely an arm’s length away, wearing a wide smirk. You feel a chill going down your spine, nervously shuffling your feet as you try to make sense of that mischievous light in her eyes.

W-What?’ you stammer, finding yourself put on an unwieldy spot. It was like staring down the throat of a hungry serpent … or the burrow of a vixen.

You’d never seen a woman look so damn smug.

>Write-In
>>
>>2331086
>nice to see you back to your usual
>>
>>2331086
[SWEAT NERVOUSLY]
>>
>>2331093
>>2331099
Why not both?
>>
>>2331100
im pretty sure it was a given that we are spagetting
>>
>>2331099
This.
>>
>>2331099
This
Not for honor but for spaghetti
>>
You turn your head away, a mix of emotions crashing against you like the waves against the stone cliffs. On one hand, this was Kasumi, who was more of a cross between a poison-tongued mother hen and an insufferable nag over your shoulder which … now that you thought about it, was actually just poison-tongued mother hen by another name. You feel your right eye itch, a prompt for you to quickly place your eyepatch back on. Maybe one day you’d learn how to properly turn it off. It’s not as if you were the first mutation on the front, after all.

‘[i[Ho,’ she lets out playfully, her hot breath wafting over your chin, ‘looks like what some of what Nagato-san said is a little bit shaky, after all …’

‘Kasumi …’

You feel a finger on your cheek … and the quake of her restrained giggle.

‘Come on, you should be used to this by now, right …

>Write-In
>>
>>2331137
Now shes in full on play mode. Time for indignant counter-attack.

>bridal carry her
>>
>>2331137
>nice to see you back to your usual, and in a good mood too but gotta go. theres, uh... commandering to be done, yes a lot of it
>>
>>2331145
Supporting
>>
>>2331142
This. And laugh like an absolute madman while we do it.
>>
>>2331145
This
Also [SWEAT NERVOUSLY]
>>
>>2331145
This
>>
>>2331145
supportin
lets try not to drop the spaghetti more
>>
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‘Well, it’s good to see you back in high spirits,’ you comment, grimacing as you make an attempt to move past her. ‘I think I need to go and … clean up, at least.’

‘Clean up?’

‘I got some business to attend to … hoped to get a little bit of a head start before I heard the commotion this way.’

You credited that she at least had the decency to turn red at the statement.

‘Were we really that loud?’

A sigh escapes you as you put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. As much as you wanted to tease her … there were things not to bring up. Not that quickly, at least. It wasn’t quite a new dawn for the both of you—Hell, you doubted they came that easily in relationships like yours and Kasumi’s, but you could at least keep the pace so that neither one of you had to play the game of emotional catch-up. You have no doubt that a return to what you were before was neigh impossible, with everything that clunked along with every foot forward; nor do you expect a swift turn to be anything but easy.

However, this was a start … although you do question the depths of your depravity in entertaining the idea that Kasumi looked rather appropriate with a buttonless shirt and bereft of a bra to hold in her considerable assets.

No. No. Friend.

‘No,’ you blurt out, mostly to yourself … but it fulfilled its duty well enough. ‘I mean …’

You glance at the broken table.

‘How’d you break that anyway?’

‘Is that a comment on my weight?’ she questions flatly.

‘I’m just saying,’ you raise your hands up defensively as she glares at you. ‘Seems to be a weird place to, uh …’

You almost hear the groan rumbling from the bottom of your liver. So much for keeping an even emotional pace. Six sentences in and you’d already mailed it in twice. No wonder no one wanted to be friends with you without a sharp tongue to deal it out as as sharply as your blunt blunders did … you were barely in control of your own graces! To her credit (And you give her as much as you can manage) Kasumi doesn’t smack you square in the nose for bringing it up, nor does she look too upset. You hope.

‘He, uh,’ she scratches her cheek, ‘he thought that we’d … try something a little different. I mean … I thought, well, I’ve been using my mouth and tits, right … so what’s a little …’

She crosses her legs slightly, pursing her lips.

‘I thought that it’d be … appropriate to … you know, as thanks for putting my name on the … list.’

‘Kasumi …’

‘If my first time’s gonna be worth anything, it’s this, right?’

>‘You were going to give him your virginity?’ (Disbelief)
>‘You’re not walking out of here looking like an assault victim.’ (Give her your thicker fatigues to wear instead of her torn shirt)
>‘Come on, it’s getting late … I think you could use a bath, too.’ (Ask her to come along with you)
>‘Right, see ya.’ (Leave her here)
>Write-In
>>
>>2331232
>>‘Come on, it’s getting late … I think you could use a bath, too.’ (Ask her to come along with you)
>>
>>2331232
>>‘Come on, it’s getting late … I think you could use a bath, too.’ (Ask her to come along with you)
>>
>>2331232
>Write-In
You should save it for someone you would have no qualms in giving it to.

Especially someone eho is worth much more than that guy. You definitely deserve better

But in the end, its still your choice, all I’m saying is just my opinion on the matter
>>
>>2331232
>‘You’re not walking out of here looking like an assault victim.’ (Give her your thicker fatigues to wear instead of her torn shirt)
>>
>>2331232
>‘Come on, it’s getting late … I think you could use a bath, too.’ (Ask her to come along with you)

And give her our heavier fatigues to wear also.

She should be more covered up.
>>
>>2331256
I left that option there, man ... it triggers another prompt.
>>
>>2331232
>‘You’re not walking out of here looking like an assault victim.’ (Give her your thicker fatigues to wear instead of her torn shirt)

>>2331262
Finnne. But shes still coming with us right?
>>
>>2331266
Come on, WAIT for the next prompt.
>>
>>2331232
>‘You’re not walking out of here looking like an assault victim.’ (Give her your thicker fatigues to wear instead of her torn shirt)
>>
You shake your head. Whatever it was on her mind, this was hardly the time or place to talk about it. An abandoned house and the chill of the evening … you could think of more romantic—friendlier—settings to talk things through. However … it was hardly proper to allow for her to walk out of this compound wearing a torn shirt— was it blouse, perhaps? whatever—and a lack of a bra with a sawdust-covered coat for protection from the cold. You don’t even know how she hadn’t even so much as thought about the aftermath of her tryst—or the Doctor, for that matter—but you supposed that you could hardly point the finger when you had been at the forefront of things yourself. It wasn’t like anyone to consider the consequences with the focus so much on the act.

‘You’re not walking out of here looking like an assault victim,’ you declare sternly, approaching Kasumi. Her eyes go wide at your concern … but the tilt of the confusion is what prompts you to explain yourself further. ‘I don’t think that it’d be a good decision to walk around town … like that. Besides, it’s a little cold out; you could use another layer.’

She tentatively takes the thick shirt out of your hands. It’d be a little chilly for you, of course, but it was better than letting Kasumi’s breasts potentially popping out of her now buttonless top. Wearing a wry smile, she picks it out of your hands, throwing her coat off and letting her shirt drop to—

‘Kasumi, for goodness’ sakes!

‘Do you want me to put the shirt on or not?’

‘You could at least turn away when changing, you know?’

‘Oh, you are such a baby.’ She rolls her eyes, placing her hands on her hips and scowling at you like an annoyed parent to her much taller child. ‘You walk in on me falling through a table trying to pull off a paizuri and you’re throwing a fit just because of me putting on a shirt on? Unbelievable!

You turn red. Maybe you were giving her too much credit.

‘You … you know what? No wonder I fell for KanMusu! Considering that I pretty much got a glimpse of every emotional extreme a human woman can go through through you and every gossipy hen in the neighbourhood, it’s no wonder I looked at brain damage as a viable alternative!’

‘And I’m saying that for someone who’s practically surrounded by women … showering with them, loving them and going to war alongside them, you behave like you’re in arrested development! You’re acting like my breasts are the Eyes of Mithra themselves!’

‘Well … you could’ve chosen a better place than this to actually get to fifth base,’ you growl back, pouting. ‘Or a better person to give to, for that matter.

It was said in a joking tone. A little harsh, but—

‘Oh, like you’ll take it?’

A plate falls from the cabinet, shattering into a thousand pieces.

You don’t dare move.

>Write-In
>>
>>2331388
>Write-In
I dont think i would be good enough for you to consider doing that with.

You deserve much better than me to have your first time or even any other time to be honest
>>
>>2331407
So you guys are rejecting her outright, right?
>>
>>2331407
Actually, you know ... I've been selfish. You guys have needed to write-in 3 out of the last 5. Let me put up some options proper. You can reinforce this vote.
>>
ALL HANDS FULL STOP.


Kamote’s got a write in for his waifu.
>>
>>2331388
>‘W-What are you asking here?’ (Spaghetti)
>‘If you’d give me the honour, I’d be glad … but this isn’t the place. Come on, let’s get outta here.’ (Mature)
>‘I … don’t like you that way, sorry. You’ve always been like a mom to me, to be honest.’ (Reject)
>‘Kasumi …’ [“Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye]
>‘I don’t need this.’ (Leave without her)
>Write-In

I apologize. These are the options. If you wish to re-cast your vote, you may do so.
>>
>>2331420
>Write-In
“You know i can’t do that.

At least not before properly bringing you out for a nice dinner and a night out.”
>>
>>2331418
Who's Kamote
>>
>>2331432
Going for this
>>
>>2331432
ill support this
maybe add in something like
>but i dont deserve it after what i did to you
>>
>>2331433
one of the anons on the discord who made most of the write ins in this thread
>>
>>2331420
>If you’d give me the honour, I’d be glad … but this isn’t the place. Come on, let’s get outta here.’ (Mature)
>>
>>2331432
Supporting.
>>
You sigh. You had to be mature about this. Humans and KanMusu weren’t that much different … but the difference was between a set of jade-coloured and rose-tinted glasses. You don’t know what possible meaning could be behind her words, but it wasn’t important. You could sort that later. For now, though …

‘You know I won’t—I can’t,’ you hesitate as you approach her, calming yourself, ‘I can’t do that … at least not without taking you out to dinner first.’

‘Ho, different standard for the human women, huh?’

You squeak as you jump at the voice, coming face-to-face with your smirking Sub-Commander.

‘Nagato? What are you doing here?’

Nagato was leaning under the arch from the living room, wearing a wry smirk as she glanced at the both of you. You quickly cover yourself up with a shy shriek, your prosthetic splayed across your bare chest and your remaining flesh-and-blood arm covering your much flatter belly. Kasumi keeps her composure, despite that small jump at your squeak of surprise, turning away from you and towards the much taller Nagato, who was now approaching you with what appeared to be a set of see-through folders in her hand … and that smirk, of course, which didn’t seem keen at coming off any time soon.

‘Looking for you,’ she answers, tapping your shoulder with the folders. ‘The Vice-Admiral had some things to go over … and the attendants handed me these. The Admiral’s new guidelines for your responsibilities are in there, too … you can go over them tonight if you want to, but I’m under orders to give you a full rundown of the schedule and the roster rotations tomorrow anyway.’

You take the folders from her, unwinding the binder and pulling out the documents before pushing them back in again. A bigger workload on the horizon was indeed waiting for you; just as the Admiral had promised it would be. You could make out at least two new filing categories from the leafs you’d pulled out alone.

‘I’d celebrate the uptick in paperwork, but I’m sure that you’re feeling less than enthusiastic about it right now.’

‘I am now,’ you sigh, handing the folder back to your Sub-Commander. ‘I suppose that a pay raise isn’t going to be on the cards with this so-called “promotion” …’

Comedy isn’t your most sparkling attribute, Commander,’ Nagato chuckles, smiling fondly. ‘But you do have your moments. Although I wouldn’t mind you brushing up on your sense of … context.

Nagato and Kasumi share a knowing look.

‘I know, right?’

‘Oh, don’t think we’re even halfway through what I have to tell you, Miss …’

‘Kasumi? Nagato?’

Buttoning your fatigues on, Kasumi extends her elbow to Nagato, who eagerly hooks onto it. The both of them march out of the house, giggling … and leaving you in the dust.

‘Hey, wait for me, you two!’

END INTERLUDE
>>
>>2331525
Phew. Thanks, first girl.
>>
‘Hold still.’

You try your best to do so, but the collar on the shirt was just so … stifling. It must have been the new detergent that the crew were given. You never itched with the other tops. Despite your efforts to make as quick a run to base, you’d ended up having to make yourself more presentable with a shower and a change of clothes … as did Kasumi. You were actually surprised by how well the both of them hit it off. If you didn’t know any better, you would have thought that they were sisters. Nagato and Kasumi did look familiar enough to pass for it. Nagato may have had the more angular attributes and Kasumi—and you’d never say this to her face—the gentler more rounded youthfulness that belied her age, but now that you had a good look at the both of them, the similarities were a little … eerie.

‘Ow!’

The collar snaps back as both buttons leave what you can only estimate to be less than a millimetre of space between the fabric and the skin of your neck. Nagato wears a smug smile, proud of her work. After dropping Kasumi off at her temporary quarters, she’d somehow managed to double back in record time (You suspect she’d cheated by using her KanMusu speed boost and rounded the bay back to the barracks) to drag you to the base. You tilt your head downwards, a mental checklist forming as you try your best to make sure that everything—including your hygiene—had fulfilled its rightful slot. Nagato does what she does best, patting you down and straightening your edges, every erstwhile caress and run of her fingers over your torso and arms adding to what you can only make out to be a proud smile.

‘Nagato, relax,’ you chuckle, managing to pick off her wrist before her fifth pat of your chest. ‘You’re more giddy than I am, for goodness’ sakes …’

‘Impossible,’ she snorts with a lop-sided upturn of the lips, running a finger along your jawline. ‘Oh, you’re getting a little bit more hair here …’

‘Will you stop it?’ you snicker, pulling her hand back. ‘I think I’m big enough to realize my responsibilities, no?’

‘Right,’ she breathes … and it does nothing to conceal her anxiety.

This was technically your first time fulfilling your Vice-Admiral duties … even if it was just a stand-in. You supposed you couldn’t blame her for making sure that everything was spic and span for the meeting with the university representatives. The docket didn’t require anything spectacular; all you had to do was talk to Akashi when you didn’t understand things and let the representatives talk their game. No need for debate or argument.

The both of you were standing outside the recently-rebuilt meeting room. The other attendees would be here at any moment.

‘Well, you’re not going in there alone, at least.’

>‘Yeah, I have you, don’t I?’ (Nagato)
>‘Where is she anyway? (CHOOSE A DIFFERENT KANMUSU TO ACCOMPANY YOU)
>>
>>2333599
>>‘Yeah, I have you, don’t I?’ (Nagato)
>>
>>2333599
>‘Where is she anyway? (CHOOSE A DIFFERENT KANMUSU TO ACCOMPANY YOU)
Takao, I choose you! (Throws kanmuball)
>>
>>2333599
>‘Yeah, I have you, don’t I?’ (Nagato)
How can I choose someone else when she's this cute
>>
>>2333614
Ill concede if she wears the glasses
>>
>>2333599
>‘Where is she anyway? (CHOOSE A DIFFERENT KANMUSU TO ACCOMPANY YOU)
Iowa.

BIG BB DISTRACTIONS.
>>
>>2333623
Oh man I want this now, pls QM

>>2333624
BIG BB BITCHES
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldTtAURFwSg
>>
>>2333627
I don't allow re-votes, sorry.
>>
>>2333633
Just memeing with the glasses, not revoting
>>
>>2333633
Just saying i would not mind loosing if megane nagato wins
>>
>>2333599
>‘Yeah, I have you, don’t I?’ (Nagato)
>>
>>2333599
>‘Yeah, I have you, don’t I?’ (Nagato)
>>
File: Doctor.jpg (203 KB, 533x800)
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‘Yeah, I have you, don’t I?’

Nagato freezes up for a moment, before looking away and giving you hard smack on the left side of your chest, mumbling under her breath.

‘You don’t get get points for that,’ she mutters, despite very clearly smiling.

‘Commander!’

You whirl around to see Akashi, a clearly stuffed bag hanging by a strap from her shoulder and clad in a business suit, striding hastily towards you as a gaggle of people followed behind her. Some of them were in lab coats and scrubs, while others were in the same manner of clothes Akashi had deemed fit for the occasion. However, you can’t bring it in you to scan the visiting crowd for any other details due to one particular addition to the view that you found startling: that Akashi, for the first time since you had met her, looked positively ecstatic. Happy. Engulfed in gaiety. So much so that you wonder for a moment if you’d actually walked into some sort of weird perpendicular reality. As she steps toward you, her glasses gleaming under the lights on the ceiling, you almost find yourself falling over from the sheer shock. It’s lucky that you had Nagato keeping you from making face-fo-floor contact.

‘I see that you’re here early!’ she chirps, uncharacteristically amicable and gesturing to the group of people behind her. ‘These are the research institutions that we’re going to be discussing the opening of the research and development branches with: this is the representative from the Ministry of Health and Welfare’—she gestures to a portly-looking man wearing a hat, who tips it to you—‘Hospital of the Lord and Lady Garuga and their best and brightest students,’—an elderly woman in scrubs and a lab coat flanked by two young men who looked more like bouncers than students—‘Yumedan Academic Medical Center’—a sharp-faced man with greys in his hair, accompanied by a mousy-looking young woman and a nervous-looking man in a pinstripe suit behind him—‘The Unity Medical Research Center’—a striking man with an impressive moustache and a rather handsome and bored-looking gentleman than appeared to be his aide … or a student—‘Hakutaku Medical—a middle-aged woman that looked all-business, reminding you a little of the Sergeant, who appeared to be all alone—‘and Kurosaki Research.’

Your eyes instantly widen as you come face-to-face … with the man that you had seen from before. The Doctor, the representative … whose looked just as ashen as you were, if not more. He recovers his composure just as well, however, and gives a curt, quick bow. You do the same.

You do notice one thing, however … that there was a student with him. A short young woman in pig-tails that was definitely not Kasumi.

Kasumi wasn’t here.

‘Well!’ Akashi claps her hands, gesturing to the door. ‘Shall we?’

INTERLUDE END
>>
>>2333729
Maximum poker face.

Get your Teflon suit on, commander!
>>
You were bored.

The meeting wasn’t that hard to follow. It appeared that every single research hospital and university attachment appeared to be showing off their feathers in the mold of peacocks dancing to attract their mates. Every single representative had something to put forward about the impending partnership between the Admiralty and the Congregation of Lords, the country of Taiyouga on the front of medical research. While Fairy’s Tears already had a presence in unique and specialized feels, the potential for it being used on a wider basis had always been on the mind of research institutions who were allowed a foot in the door. Now that the Shamans were all but gone from the discussion, Akashi had been elected to oversee this joint-program, as practically the only one who had any significant qualification to give as objective a viewpoint on the sharing of the Admiralty’s knowledge. Now that they were under Taiyouga’s umbrella, transparency was the first thing to be sorted out. This was one of the first things the Congregation of Lords had elected to rectify in regards to the Admiralty’s previous state of passive opposition to Taiyouga’s own administrative flow. Akashi had the harder job of the two of you. You were just there to keep a human face in front at the table … she was the one who was actually doing the listening and bringing discussions to the table.

You wonder why the Admiralty had thought something like this was beneath them.

Commander.

You’re shaken from your reverie by the stern yet kindly voice of the Garuga Representative. It was only the fourth time you’d been addressed in the last hour and a half.

‘Yes, ma’am?’

‘By record, you’re the most frequent recipient of the treatment that the Admiralty affords its soldiers,’ she begins coolly. ‘With the rate of acceptance being one in four of the populace as of recent study, don’t you think that there has to be at least some matter of review before any of this is taken to the next phase? Public distribution and research aren’t sectors equipped to this injection when the factors that pertain to potential mutations and shifts in our biochemical receptiveness are clearly within the spectrum of doubt. As a man in possession of a neural and biological make-up compatible with this substance, would you consider yourself an outlier or merely a yet-to-be-achieved state?’

‘Madam, please don’t waste our time,’ the sharp-faced man cuts off before you can even consider an answer. ‘There’s no use discussing a factor that’s already been deemed irrelevant to the current climate. What we need to actually talk about is the availability of the research that—’

‘I believed I asked the Commander the question, Representative.’

She gestures kindly towards you.

‘Commander?’

You can practically feel Nagato’s silent cheer behind you.
>>
>>2333766
>'I'm neither here nor there with an opinion on that, truthfully. It's saved me often enough, but because I'm a KanMusu-compatible individual, using me or anyone with the same capacity for it it's probably a recipe for disaster. Not to say I'd rule out using Commanders and Admirals as control, though.'
>'I'm all about helping people, and if this helps people, what should keep it from being held back? If there's research to push to make Fairy's Tears widely-viable, the humane stance would be to make it so, wouldn't it?'
>'I'm not in a position to answer that question; I apologize.'
>'I'd actually refrain from upping the pace on wide distribution and keep research specialized and on a narrow field, myself. Fairy's Tears is barely viable in the medical realm as it is now ... if you're after a medical revolution, this isn't where you're going to find one. It sounds bureaucratic, but I think that we should follow proper procedure and review before doing anything rash. That's just me, though.'
>Write-In
>>
>>2333771
>>Write-In
>while i feel like i am not in a position to answer that, i do feel like the Tears could help alot of people with whatever ails them BUT i would like to point out that I am an extreme outlier and despite the amount of times the Tears have saved me, the amount of times i felt like and wanted to die during some of those treatments was rather high. itd probably be for the best to test the Tears more with VA's and Admirals as control groups
>>
welp, considering what we've seen on our field trip, calling the effort to use fairy tears to modify self are hardly something that tends to end well.

We don't know what gives us affinity to the stuff, do we? And who else do we know who took to those mods apart from us, the crazy senator and... the first lieutenant?

I'd say... let's go with cautious optimism. Perhaps something along the line
>I'm grateful for it giving me the chance to fight on, and it would certainly be a boon for everyone who can't be helped with more conventional means. However, I know how powerful the stuff can be and exercising caution when handling and applying it is certainly advised.
>>
>>2333780
Going for this
>>
‘I don’t think that I’m fully qualified to give a proper answer to that, ma’am,’ ‘while I do think that Fairy’s Tears should be researched for the potential of wider distribution, my position as a Commander—and a viable recipient—discredits me from giving a proper viewpoint on the total viability of the substance as cure-all … which I doubt is achievable is this lifetime or the next. If there’s an avenue for the Commanders and Vice-Admirals and Admirals to assist with the research of the feasibility of Fairy’s Tears at all, however, I don’t think any of us would be unhappy to contribute so long as it doesn’t take us away fro our primary duties.’

‘That’d be sitting in a chair not going insane, right, Commander?’

You turn your gaze to the Kurosaki Representative. The room doesn’t erupt in laughter … or snickers. He raises his hands in apology, throwing a glance at you to tell you that it was a mere jest. You don’t respond, leaning back in your chair as Akashi brings the attention back to her. It goes into a discussion of the physiological differences of Admirals and the like to the local populace. Magic doesn’t make sense to them anymore than a lecture on flu medicine changes does for you and Akashi is only too glad to take them by the hand and guide them, step-by-step. The only one who doesn’t occasionally lapse into an exasperated or impatient stature is the governmental representative, who actually only gets fascinated at the overhead presentation of psychic grafting; the interlinking of Kantai Steel to that of the mental whims of their owner. In fact, it’s your photograph that Akashi uses in one corner of her presentation.

‘That does leave the question of exclusivity: it cannot happen. The research already being widely available as is would be catastrophic. The potential for monopoly would practically cause a crash by leak alone. Magic is already regarded by fear and fascination … what would the response be if we gave exclusive partnerships? We are already here by the grace of the Congregation of Lords. To keep this knowledge on only one front would change the face of the industry.’

‘I have considered that, representatives,’ the ministry representative speaks out. ‘However, the Congregation wishes things to be systematic and streamlined over a chaotic outcome begotten of a bidding war.’

The sharp-faced gentleman snorts.

‘Of course that’d be the end of the discussion: who puts the most value on the table. Money, knowledge, assets … if you’ll excuse me, I think that I need to go out for a smoke. I haven’t had one since I got here and if my wife finds one on the porch tomorrow morning, I’ll be sleeping on my lawn.’

No one laughs.

He doesn’t wait, throwing a cold glance across the room and leaving through the doors.

A curious fellow.
>>
>>2333844
>'If you'll excuse me, I'd like to take a small personal recess as well; Battleship Nagato will take my place until I return.' (Exit temporarily)
>Stay
>>
>>2333845
>>'If you'll excuse me, I'd like to take a small personal recess as well; Battleship Nagato will take my place until I return.' (Exit temporarily)
>>
>>2333844
>>'If you'll excuse me, I'd like to take a small personal recess as well; Battleship Nagato will take my place until I return.' (Exit temporarily)
>>
>>2333855
>>2333857
Do we want anything specific from the Yumedan rep, or are we just following a gut feeling that admittedly served us pretty well just a while ago?
>>
>>2333869
making connections is always good
>>
>>2333845
>'If you'll excuse me, I'd like to take a small personal recess as well; Battleship Nagato will take my place until I return.' (Exit temporarily)
>>
You decide that it was as good a time as any to take a small break yourself.

‘I believe that I’d like to take a small personal recess as well,’ you announce, pushing your chair back. If Nagato has anything to say in protest to your action, she respects you enough to not blurt it out in public. ‘Battleship Nagato will take my place until my return.’

You don’t spare the conference table a second glance, placing your hands in your pockets and exiting the room as Akashi calls for a resumption of affairs. You step into the second floor corridor, staring through the window and out into the night sky. Heavy footsteps catch the attention of your ears as you look at the corridor to see who you presumed to be the sharp-faced man walking down the dimly-lit corridor (the lighting was still a little shot in some parts of the building), taking a deep breath. Why had you even come out here anyway? It was nice and warm in the conference room … and cold as the bottom of the ocean out here. Inside, you can hear the discussion taking a more aggressive turn—one that you hope didn’t wind right back to you and your lack of presence, thought it very well could be.

You had about fifteen minutes at best … so you decide to might as well make the most of it.

>Just hang around and contemplate things
>Follow the sharp-faced man
>Go the man’s room
>Head outside and stretch your legs
>Write-In
>>
>>2334365
>Follow the sharp-faced man
Wanna see what his deal is
>>
>>2334365
>Follow the sharp-faced man
>>
>>2334365
>>Follow the sharp-faced man
>>
You decide to follow the sharp-faced man. If nothing else, you’d have some company.

Rubbing your hands together for warmth, you walk in the same direction as he does. Hopefully all the windows would be properly installed the next time you paid a visit; the building may have had everything pretty much in place, but the windows missing on several floors despite the abundance of furniture and decorations had you wondering just where the priorities were. The lights weren’t installed by every panel, but it was more than enough to guide you down the hallway. There didn’t seem to be anyone around other than you … which made the scene all the stranger. You come upon the stairs, hearing the footsteps of what you can only presume to be the sharp-faced man heading to the bottom floor for his smoke. You quickly jog down the flight, finding yourself at one end of the recently-reconstructed complex, immediately seeing a silhouette standing by one of the unpatched holes of the building. The chill, however, was much less here compared to the open stretches of floor above.

You take tentative steps towards the silhouette, and indeed find that the man who had exited the room a mere minute to your own leave of absence was already in the midst of lighting up a cigarette, wearing that scowl that didn’t seem to leave.

‘Oh, Commander?’

Not knowing what else to do, you raise a hand in greeting.

‘Out here for a smoke, too?’

‘No, just stretching my legs.’

He fixes you with a curious gaze, but otherwise says nothing, taking a light drag of his fix before letting out a sigh of content.

>Attempt to engage him in conversation
>Leave him alone
>>
>>2334488
>>Attempt to engage him in conversation
>>
>>2334488
>Attempt to engage him in conversation
>>
>>2334488
>Attempt to engage him in conversation
>>
‘Uh …’

‘Yeah?’

>‘You’re a Doctor, right? Isn’t that bad for you?’
>‘You don’t seem to be particularly fond of the other research units of the program. Why?’
>‘I’m going to hazard a guess and say that you’re not on the same page as we are on our approach to this agreement.’
>‘I don’t mean to sound like a prick, but … what has Yumedan done that’s so significant that they’d have an invite to the program?’
>‘Nothing.’ (Leave)
>Write-In
>>
>>2334525
>>‘You don’t seem to be particularly fond of the other research units of the program. Why?’
>>
>>2334525
>>‘I’m going to hazard a guess and say that you’re not on the same page as we are on our approach to this agreement.’
>>
>>2334525
>‘You don’t seem to be particularly fond of the other research units of the program. Why?’
>>
>>2334525
>‘You don’t seem to be particularly fond of the other research units of the program. Why?’
>>
>>2334525
>‘I’m going to hazard a guess and say that you’re not on the same page as we are on our approach to this agreement.’
>>
‘You don’t seem to be particularly fond of the other research units of the program. Why?’

He takes a drag of his cigarette, fixing you with a flat look.

‘You came out here to ask me that?’

You shrug.

‘Among other things.’

He takes another puff.

‘I don’t have anything against them, but I’d rather this kind of thing have been done on a public research front rather than behind the scenes. You’ll forgive me for talking politics, but the only reason that I see that any of us are around here is because of the research boards’ links with the Congregation of Lords. Not to say that we’re hardly bit-players as institutions, but this mode of conveying a research front is only going to piss off the public sector and cut off what should be an amenity that should either be available by default or be kept to oneself. Not have a doorway to a monopoly be opened to it.’

‘What does that have to do with this?’

‘The Admiralty is operating under Taiyouga’s banner right now, aren’t you? This isn’t a research agreement. This is a bidding war to the first research programs to be granted exposure to Shamanistic techniques. Fata Aqueous is already readily-available as is, but in conducting this practice, Taiyouga’s opening the door for certain institutions to get a head start … and a select fewer to get a head start to that.’

You frown. Was he angry at being afforded an advantage?

‘Not happy about that?’

‘I’d be happier if the bunch of ‘em were more honest about it. I hate bullshit, personally. Then again … politics’s always been like that.’

>‘I guess we can agree on that.’
>‘So … Yumedan is a research hospital, isn’t it? How do you compare as a … university?’
>‘That’d make us on different pages on this agreement, wouldn’t it?’
>‘So what makes Yumedan so special as a program?’
>‘What are your thoughts on magic as an application in medicine? Did Fairy’s Tears change anything at all to you?’
>‘Thank you.’ (Leave)
>Write-In
>>
>>2334585
>>‘So … Yumedan is a research hospital, isn’t it? How do you compare as a … university?’
>>
>>2334585
>‘So … Yumedan is a research hospital, isn’t it? How do you compare as a … university?’
>>
>>2334585
>‘So what makes Yumedan so special as a program?’
>>
You know, the reason I left other options out there that didn't involve talking to this man is because there are meaningful encounters that can happen from just going around instead of following just one lead.
>>
>>2334585
>I guess we can agree on that.
>So what makes Yumedan so special as a program?

>>2334612
True, though that doesn't feel like justification enough to take leave of the meeting.
>>
>>2334585
>>‘I guess we can agree on that.’
>>
File: Spoiler Image (37 KB, 636x351)
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‘So Yumedan’s a research hospital, isn’t it? How do you compare as a … University?’

He throws you a flat, unamused gaze as he takes the cigarette out of his mouth. ‘You’re asking a man from that strand to have anything but a biased view on the take. It’s like asking a baseball fan which team’s the best. They’ll never answer that any team but theirs is on top. They know it for themselves, but they’ll never so much as give a quarter to any other batter on the other side the time a single shade from the glaring sun if they can help it.’

You wear a guilty smile as you glance down at your feet. You supposed that it was a stupid question.

‘We do have a pretty famous alumnus, though,’ he adds, shrugging, ‘you probably know him better than I do.’

You? You didn’t know any medical students. Other than Kasumi, of course. Neither did you know any famous surgeons or doctors, for that matter.

‘Huh? Who?’

The man scratches the back of his head, grinding his teeth in thought. ‘He was an intern of mine for about a year … good kid, didn’t stress out. Had my doubts on him coming through but he’s made a pretty good career for himself, I reckon … not going to take that away from him. Too much of a bleeding heart for the job, I always said …’

‘I’m … not sure who you’re talking about, to be honest.’

‘Sure you do,’ the man smirks. ‘He’s your superior, isn’t he?’

The Admiral? No, the Admiral wasn’t a doctor. He was a Naval Engineer before he even thought about coming around … and he was too old to have been an intern under the representative, anyway. The Vice-Admiral was part of the Air Force and you—

Did you know I was a medical graduate before the war started?

No. It couldn't be. No way.

The Grand Lieutenant?!

The representative nods, nonchalantly tilting his head.

‘So that’s what you call him nowadays; the interns used to call him Striker.’

>‘Striker? That’s ... a pretty cool nickname, to be honest.’
>‘Wait, you knew the Grand Lieutenant?!’
>‘Hang on, so … the Grand Lieutenant pushed you into the joint-program?’
>‘I … need to digest this.’ (Leave)
>Write-In
>>
>>2334703
>‘Hang on, so … the Grand Lieutenant pushed you into the joint-program?’
NOW THIS is interesting
>>
>>2334703
>>‘Wait, you knew the Grand Lieutenant?!’
>>
>>2334709
>‘Striker? That’s ... a pretty cool nickname, to be honest.’
I bet it's actually because he always struck out with women.
>>
>>2334709
>Striker, eh? That sounds pretty good actually.
>and he pulled you into the project, did he?

Bleeding heart, eh?
>>
>>2334709
>‘Hang on, so … the Grand Lieutenant pushed you into the joint-program?’
>>
‘Hang on, so … the Grand Lieutenant pushed you into the joint-program?’

He pauses for a moment, taking another drag of his cigarette. ‘Not sure; I wouldn’t rule out a little bit of sentimentality on his part, however. If he did have a hand in pushing Yumedan through, then I guess the only thing is ask you to give my thanks to him when you meet him. I know the board was sweating palms before the Congregation of Lords gave us the go-ahead.’

You can’t help but smirk.

‘I thought that you considered yourself a premier institution?’

He doesn’t return it.

‘When has that ever worked as a bargaining chip?’

You concede the point.

>‘So why did they call him … Striker?’
>‘So you knew the Grand Lieutenant personally?’
>‘I need to digest this.’ (Leave)
>Write-In
>>
>>2336082
>>‘So why did they call him … Striker?’
>>
>>2336082
>>‘So why did they call him … Striker?’
>>
>>2336082
>>‘So why did they call him … Striker?’
>>
>>2336082
>‘So why did they call him … Striker?’
>>
‘So why did they call him … Striker?’

The man frowns, trying to recall the cause of the name. ‘So long ago … can’t remember it for the life of me. Probably something to do with sports, I guess. He was pretty horrible at the bi-monthly intern baseball games. I don’t think he ever managed to hit a ball.’

‘That’s it?’

‘You’re going to have to ask him yourself, Commander,’ the representative snorts, taking another puff. ‘I can’t be remembering the details of the why. They would use it to tease him, though, that group of interns … so at the very least you can at least make out that it’s from an ironic origin.

He blows out the smoke into the cold air, staring like a hawk into the warm world.

>‘Did you know him personally?’
>‘How was he really like as an intern? Hard to believe any of that bleeding heart nonsense.’
>Change the topic (Specify)
>‘Nice talking to you.’ (Leave)
>Write-In
>>
>>2336152
>>‘How was he really like as an intern? Hard to believe any of that bleeding heart nonsense.’
>>
>>2336152
>How was he really like as an intern? Hard to believe any of that bleeding heart nonsense.’
Probably just this and go back, can't take too long
>>
>>2336152
>‘Nice talking to you.’ (Leave)
>>
‘How was he really like as an intern? Hard to believe he was a bleeding heart at all.’

‘Nothing big or exceptional. Hard worker; very popular with the patients, especially the kids,’ the representative recalls, taking his cigarette between his fingers and letting out another breath, ‘naturally inquisitive and a good listener … and had a surprisingly large social network for an intern. You’d think that he wouldn’t have the time for either, but he managed his friends and his workload all the same. I remember he used to take the time of day to help babysit some of the kids when they wanted to go out on the playground. Don’t see that often. Most of the bunch just clock in their clinic hours; he seemed to be the only one to actually put up some volunteer work. Some of the residents thought he was a little out there caring that much that a kid could have a good time on a swing or going down the slide; heh.’

You wrinkle your nose. It was hard imagining the Grand Lieutenant volunteering extra hours to taking care of child patients. It was hard imagining him enjoying it at all, for that matter.

‘You let your patients play on the playgrounds?’

‘Under supervision; well-being isn’t just have a web of machines hooked up to your lungs every day of the year.’

‘I never implied that.’

He merely shrugs, taking another drag. His cigarette must be about two-thirds done by now.

>‘Did you know him personally?’
>‘Still find it hard to believe him doing anything that doesn't involve a smug grin or a condescending scowl.’
>Change the topic (Specify)
>‘Nice talking to you.’ (Leave)
>Write-In
>>
>>2336389
>>‘Nice talking to you.’ (Leave)
>>
>>2336389
>Nice talking to you.’ (Leave)
>>
‘Well, it was nice talking to you.’

He gives a nod of acknowledgement, but nothing else.

And you thought Nachi was the strong, silent type.

>Just hang around here
>Head outside and stretch your legs a little more
>Go to the washroom
>Go back to the conference room upstairs
>Write-In
>>
>>2336430
>>Go to the washroom
>>
>>2336430
>Go to the washroom
>>
>>2336430
>>Go back to the conference room upstairs
>>
>>2336430
>Go check out the man's room
There's probably a reason it was an option before.
>>
>>2336430
>>>Go back to the conference room upstairs
>>
>>2336430
>>Go back to the conference room upstairs
>>
You rush up the stairs and head to the washroom. You wash your face and take a deep breath; it may have not been a good idea for you to do so, though … the heating unit must have still been unfixed. Still, it did its job. You’re given a bit of a rush from the cold hitting the pores on your skin, immediately waking you up. The tell-tale echo of the footsteps from the Hall as you are bent over the sink tells you that the Representative had probably finished the rest of his cig and was heading back into the meeting. Staring into the mirror, you mumble to yourself, wondering if you were prepared to go back in there as you were. There didn’t seem to be a pressing need for you outside of your presence—which Akashi would probably appreciate being “deprived” of—and you did still feel as though you hadn’t fully utilized your break. Plus, you weren’t sure of being able to face the man that had his shlong down Kasumi’s throat without the desire to sock him square in the nose.

You did, however, question just where Kasumi was considering that she was supposed to be accompanying the Doctor … you’re not even sure who it was that was with him. She looked like an average student; a little older than you, maybe.

So where was Kasumi? You doubt that after all she did for him he wouldn’t afford her a place at the conference.

You shake your head again.

Maybe you should go outside and clear your head.

Or … you could just bite the bullet and go in there. It’d be another hour at best.

>‘Let’s just go back in there. No need to to stomp around.’
>‘I need to clear my head. No use going back in there if I can’t be objective about things …’
>>
>>2336809
>>‘I need to clear my head. No use going back in there if I can’t be objective about things …’
>>
>>2336809
>‘I need to clear my head. No use going back in there if I can’t be objective about things …’
>>
>>2336809
>>‘I need to clear my head. No use going back in there if I can’t be objective about things …’
>>
You take a deep breath, exiting the washroom and entering the hallway. As selfish as it was, going back into that conference room was a bad idea for you. Your mind was duller than a fisherman’s razor and you didn’t know how much longer you’d be able to go without throwing a snipe at the Kurosaki Representative. He seemed amicable enough in the conference room; and outside of some good-natured jibes, you could see why people would find him charming, but knowing that he’d essentially strong-armed someone you cared about into a position that you wouldn’t wish on your worst foes. You lazily walk down the corridor and the flight of stairs, finding that the Yumedan representative had definitely been the one whose heavy footsteps you had heard in your brief moment of self-reflection in the washroom. The gap was still there, a faint light shining through onto the spot where he had been before … where now there only stood the butt of a cigarette.

Honestly, for a Doctor, he was nothing how you imagined him to be.

You throw your head back, mumbling to yourself … before taking a foot outside. It’s as you expect. The wind from the sea practically bites the nub of your ears and almost gives your nose the sensation of cold burns. You instantly move to keep your warmth, running your hands up and down your arms as you take steps outside. For the first time since your arrival, you see the base … at rest. Lights were on and there seemed to be one or two groups doing rounds, but you had never seen the base actually … this relaxed. There was always some noise, someone barking orders and some machinery or a helicopter moving in to drop more supplies off. Now, though … it actually looked like people were given a proper moment of reprieve. You could make out one or two tents in the distance that had people under them … laughing and listening to the radio. There was no rush, no—

Your eyes track by the line of the concrete dock and back to the nearby driveway … where you spy what looked like a woman, a stack of files next to her and a duffel bag lined up against a pillar, rubbing her hands togeth—

Kasumi?

She doesn’t hear you. The wind is much too strong for your voice to carry itself her way; not that she’d be able to catch you with her hair blowing in her face like that. You blow hot air into your hands, wondering just what she was doing out here of all places. Was she trying to catch pneumonia? Hypothermia? Granted, you may have been exaggerating, but—

Another cold wave hits you.

Your friend shuffles in place, pulling coat closer together around her body but otherwise unmoving from her spot.

>Write-In
>>
>>2336878
>go and see what she is doing there
>>
>>2336878
>>Write-In
move closer to her and give her our jacket to wear (if we have one)

also ask her what she is doing here and why is she not at the meeting
>>
>>2336878
>Walk over and question her
>>
>>2336887
supporting this
>>
>>2336887
This.
>>
>>2336887
Seconding.
>>
You’re incredulous. Just what could she be doing all the way out here? In this weather? At this time of night? Why did she have all those things beside her? Didn’t she have the mind to at least go inside where it was … cold, yes, but not practically peeling the skin off the meat off of their bodies? You shake your head, tucking your hands underneath your armpits as you realize that you probably weren’t any smarter than she was, deciding that stretching your legs was at all acceptable in this weather. You move towards her, your feet clumsily shuffling as you near her stoic form.

‘Kasumi?’

It’s hard to make out her expression in this light. It was just so dark on the side of the driveway. Thankfully, however, she’s able to notice you at the sound of her name being called out. Being this close, the breeze didn’t do much to keep your voice from reaching her ears. She staggers, as if in shock, before pushing herself off the pillar and approaching you. Even with that coat, she looked like she could use a great roaring fire and some lava-heated cocoa.

‘Huh, what are you doing here?’

You frown. That was just what you were about to ask.

‘What am I doing here? I work here! What are you doing here?’

She seemed apprehensive in her attempt at answering, so decide to cut it off. There was no way you were going to stand out here in the cold … nor were you about to let her stay out here, either.

‘Never mind,’ you exclaim insistently. ‘It’s freezing out here! Come on, come inside … no heating, but at least your ears aren’t going to fall off!’

Kasumi opens her mouth to say something … before giving a quick—albeit reluctant—nod, walking over to pick up her duffel bag. However, having been exposed a lot less to the elements, you’re a lot more nimble than she is, moving over and picking up her things without much fuss and gesturing for her to follow. You don’t leave room for complaint, taking quick strides towards the dimly-lit entrance, throwing a glance behind you to make sure that she was keeping pace, despite the short stretch. It was a few meters at best.

Pushing the front doors open, you roll your eyes as one of the main lights of the entrance unceremoniously turn off. While you were hardly in darkness, you adjudge it to be a rather shoddy patch job by the reconstruction crew.

And everything looked so nice, too.

‘What were you doing out there?’

Kasumi stays silent, blowing air into her blue hands. Had she been standing out there without gloves, too?

‘I …’

She trails off, prompting you to place your hands on your hips, practically glaring at her now.

‘I was … waiting for … for him …’

‘The Doctor?’

‘I …’

She bites her lip, shifting in her place.

‘I need to apologize to him.’
>>
>>2337540
>'And what's with the bags?' (Observant)
>'Apologize for what?' (Pry)
>'Do you want me to go get him for you?' (Direct)
>'What aren't you telling me?' (Aggressive)
>'Not like this you're not ... what were you thinking standing out there in the cold?' (Worried)
>'Look, I need to get back to my meeting ... just stay here.' (Leave)
>Write-In
>>
>>2337554
>'Not like this you're not ... what were you thinking standing out there in the cold?' (Worried)
>>
>>2337540
>'And what's with the bags?' (Observant)
>>
>>2337554
>'Not like this you're not ... what were you thinking standing out there in the cold?' (Worried)
>>
>>2337554
>'Not like this you're not ... what were you thinking standing out there in the cold?' (Worried)
>>
>>2337554
>'Not like this you're not ... what were you thinking standing out there in the cold?' (Worried)
And if possible, the following after
>'And what's with the bags?' (Observant)
>>
>>2337540
>>'And what's with the bags?' (Observant)
>>
‘Not like this you’re not!’ you rebuke, taking an angry step forward. You can feel the eye underneath the leather practically throbbing from the rise in emotion. ‘What were you thinking standing out there in the cold?’

Kasumi runs her tongue over her upper lip, hugging herself tighter as her features take an uncertain turn.

‘I … I don’t know.’

Her tone leaves you instantly regretful. It didn’t, however, discount the utter foolishness of her standing out there in the middle of the night, in this weather, by the ocean and taking a breeze. While you were confident that Kasumi could take care of herself, there wasn’t any logical reason for her to be out there at all. Not that it made any sense for her to be in here either. The staff was practically non-existent at the moment for headquarters … and it was a blind spot to anyone. In fact, if she had any sense in her, she’d head right to the medical building that was right along the inner road and behind the office building. Why was she here? It was stupid.

‘There are better places to sit around with’—you glance at the folders and the duffel bag you’d placed on the counter top—‘bags and files, you know … this is hardly a safe place!’

‘I know …’

The warning signs couldn’t be more obvious. A timid Kasumi was a Kasumi that you were loath to encounter again … and the desperate, soft quality of her voice eerily reminded you of Kaga’s own encounter with you so long ago.

You never thought you’d see its return.

Especially not in her.

>‘So what’s with the bags?’ (Observant)
>‘So what’s the apology you have in mind?’ (Pry)
>‘Spit it out.’ (Aggressive)
>‘Do you want me to go and get him for you?’ (Direct)
>‘Hey … you can talk to me. I’m not going anywhere.’ (Gentle)
>‘What, you wanted to go and claim sickness insurance or something?’ (Joke)
>‘I’m going. I have some business to attend to.’ (Leave)
>Write-In
>>
>>2337554
>>'Apologize for what?' (Pry)
>>
>>2337616
>‘Hey … you can talk to me. I’m not going anywhere.’ (Gentle)
this is gonna need some delicate work
let her open up and tell, dont rush
>>
>>2337616
>‘Hey … you can talk to me. I’m not going anywhere.’ (Gentle)
>>
>>2337616
>‘Hey … you can talk to me. I’m not going anywhere.’ (Gentle)
>>
>>2337616
>>Write-In
>‘Hey … you can talk to me. I’m not going anywhere.’ (Gentle)
but adding the fact that we promised her, not just a few hours ago, that we have her back and she can rely on us to help her
>>
>>2337616
>‘Hey … you can talk to me. I’m not going anywhere.’ (Gentle)
>>
>>2337616
>‘Hey … you can talk to me. I’m not going anywhere.’ (Gentle)
>>
You decide to take a more patient approach.

As much as you enjoyed being in a superior position, having Kasumi of all people this way was almost as alien a concept as Nagato being a neurotic mess or Nachi being a connoisseur of trashy romance novels that you dropped a coin and picked up from a discount bin.

It also, in a word, frightened you.

‘Hey.’

You place a tentative hand on her shoulder, gently; as gentle as you can manage. You’d only ever dealt with KanMusu in this particular zone … and although cruel, their simpler osmosis of the human condition was something that you found a lot more preferable compared to the complex politics that dwelt in the mind of humans. KanMusu loved humanity and didn’t expect to be loved in return. You’d yet to discern whether the love and care was despite or in ignorance to man’s true nature … but there was one thing that you’d picked up: while KanMusu were a certain science, a human female, especially one of Kasumi’s mold was a different bundle of thoughts altogether.

Yet, at the same time, you found it amazing—and terrifying—how beyond the layers … that they couldn’t be more similar to you.

‘I’m not going anywhere,’ you offer softly, raising your exoskeleton and placing it on her other shoulder. ‘If there’s anything that you need to say, if you have to say, I’m … I’ll listen. Even if there’s nothing else that I can do, I’ll promise I’ll listen.’

Kasumi lets out a breath, visibly relaxing as she grasps your prosthetic, tightly gripping the cold metal of the forearm.

‘I … I decided to drop out.’

‘What?’

‘After Nagato dropped me off, I … I thought about what we talked about and I realized that,’ she breathed, ‘it’d be selfish of me to hold you to something that you wouldn’t be able to keep.’

‘What?’

She looks up at you, smiling. ‘You have responsibilities now; you’re not a celebrity, not a rock star … you’re putting your life on the line for everyone that can’t. We’re … we’re not kids anymore; we can’t keep spouting things that we’re unable to back up; unable to fulfil … and we can’t be selfish to expect people to put things aside just so we can have things the way we want. The world isn’t perfect; nothing is the way we want it to be … but talking with you, I realized that maybe, at least for a few things, we can hold things to our own terms. I can’t hold you to your promise … but I won’t allow someone else’s terms to dictate the course of my life, either.’

You find something hitch in your throat.

‘Kasumi?’

‘Or, at least, that’s what I … what I wanted to say …’

Her form trembles.

Her smile falters.

Yet, she doesn’t weep.

>Write-In
>>
>>2337754
>Kasumi... it's true that I don't yet know to what extent I'll be able to help you, but I'll be damned if I am not going to fight for it. You don't need to treat my promise as a burden you've forced on me.
If anything, I'd hate myself knowing I was in position to help you out and not have done it. again.

Additionally, your situation may very well be integral part of this fight you mention. When we fight to preserve humanity, we do it for more than mere survival. We ought to ensure that there's something worth preserving.
>>
>>2337820
Seconding
>>
>>2337820
This.
>>
>>2337820
this

but maybe add that there was a time that our life was not turning the way we wanted to, we took a chance and applied to the admiralty and sure the reason we got accepted was not the most conventional way, we never gave up

i dont want you to give up on your dream too, there are other ways, means and chances to still pursue it

back then you didnt have anyone on your side to help you but this time you have me and everything i have to help you continue your dream

let me help you so that we can both achieve our dreams
>>
‘You didn’t force anything on me,’ you announce confidently. She didn’t need another shoulder to cry on; she needed a pillar to help her stand. ‘I’m not going to deny that I’m a little in the dark, but … I’m not going to not fight for you. Maybe it is a little naive on my part, but I tried being mature about things once in my life with you … and if being some cliche-spouting idiot helps you, I’ll be glad to be one. So don’t … don’t think that. I don’t want you to think that.’

You feel a little awkward saying it, but …

It was something that you felt had to be said.

‘I … he …’

Kasumi takes a breath, her expression growing distressed by the moment.

‘He came to my quarters; my roommate’—you guessed that that must have been the girl upstairs—‘was out and I … I was getting ready for the meeting. There’s a meeting tonight … with the other participants, the other medical research centres, universities on the joint-program, wait, I … I already told you that. You know that.’

‘Take your time,’ you utter soothingly, ‘one word, one step … no rush.’

‘He came to my quarters; I was … I was about ready to get changed when he came in. He apologized for what happened before … for leaving me there and rushing off on his own, that he was … confused and embarrassed. He also wanted to … continue where he left off.’

You give a tight nod, prompting her to continue.

‘I said I wouldn’t do it; that I would—that I’d had enough of it all … and that I didn’t want to do it anymore. He started … calling me things. How I had lead him on … how I was no better than anyone else; that I wasn’t as smart as I thought I was; that the only reason that I was here at all was because of his word alone. That he had risked a lot by … dragging me here. Long story short, we had an argument … and at the end of it I decided that I’d had enough and I wouldn’t play this game anymore. That even if I’d never be able to achieve my dream … that I’d rather end it on my own terms than let myself be tugged on his leash forward.’

For some reason, imagining her saying those words to him made you swell with pride.

‘He accepted it. He told me not to bother with my withdrawal … that all I had to do was leave. I took my things … and I was calling a cab … I’d make it back to Kurosaki and clear my dorm and … and I realized “then what”?’

She wears a bitter smile, holding back sobs.

‘He was the one who had held me up all this time; even with my grades, no one would so much as consider someone with my record. I thought about my parents … my future … if I would be angry at myself for not biting the bullet just a little longer … just throw out an “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to say that” that at the end, all of this would be worth it. I’d be Kasumi-Sensei, wouldn’t I?’
>>
‘Kasumi?’

Once upon a time, you'd give anything for Kasumi to smile at you again.

Now, you'd give anything for her to stop.

Wouldn’t I?

>Write-In
>>
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So guys, what about giving reassurances, then offering her work under Akashi? Akashi's kanmusu, so she wouldn't care who Kasumi screwed, only what she's capable of.
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>>2338101
Taking her in one way or another was the only answer anyways
>>
>>2338048
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJ9Rsk-ZLOI

your smart enough to easily become kasumi-sensei if someone only gives you the chance

as such, i will make sure that you get that chance, a chance to make your own future

your not alone anymore, i'm here for you and together we can make a new future
>>
Well, I'll give you guys a little more time for your write-ins. I'm going to bed.

I hate skimmers. They always blame me for not putting up enough details, then it turns out that it was there all along and they missed it in a speed-read.
>>
>>2338115
supposed to be >Write-In
>>
>>2338048
There are other ways to get and keep a job than to prostrate oneself before someone who takes advantage of you in this manner. Right now there’s a couple of institutional reps in here on a meeting. We’ll work something out.

Speaking of the meeting, I really hope it’s not over yet. But, we can’t leave the girl in this state.
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>>2338115
ill support this
>>
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>>2338115
God, this is corny.

But the people have spoken.
>>
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‘If you have the ability to achieve it, I don’t see anything wrong with giving you a chance,’ you reassure her.

Kasumi pushes your hand aside, her gaze turning into a heated glare before immediately softening. It was probably hard for her to be like this in front of you; twice in a day, no less. You’d thought that KanMusu came with baggage … it wasn’t even a day since your reunion and you’d already been introduced to more than she had been willing to share. She takes a half a step back, her expression half-shrouded by the lack of light.

‘Things … aren’t that simple,’ she mutters, ‘life isn’t that simple. It’s never that easy. Maybe for you it’s different … but for me, there isn’t room to not compromise, but at the same time I … I can take responsibility for a mess of my own making. Maybe I do … feel angry that you weren’t there for me, but this thing here? This is something that I—no, it’s what I always knew was going to happen. I just … I guess what you said to me just sped the truth up a little bit more.’

She wipes her tears away, attempting to steady herself once more.

‘I’m not so useless that I’m ignorant—or blind to the consequences; if it’s something that emerged out of my own cause, I won’t be so cowardly so as to involve you in it,’ her voice is a little cheerful … but you wonder if it isn’t merely to keep you perked rather than herself. ‘I appreciate your intentions … and I know that you want things to change, but this is what I have to do. If you can give up an arm and an eye to keep others safe … I can put a little pride aside to get myself along.’

‘But you don’t—’

‘No, it’s all right,’ she cuts you right off, causing your brow to tick in annoyance. ‘I decided this for myself. Like you said, I do have the ability to achieve it, so while do think that what I’m doing is a little more … unsavoury’—she lets out an exasperated—‘than … most would expect of themselves, it’s something that I’ll have to live with. Maybe I could have been more patient, bided my time a little more … but I won’t turn away from the bed that I’ve made from myself. It’s all right. This is my fault, my life … and I won’t be so selfish as to get you tangled up in my mess.’

She playfully taps you on the nose, smirking.

‘No matter how much you beg.’

You tilt your head back, letting out a heavy sigh.

Why did she have to be her right now? Confident, determined … everything that you wished you could be once upon a time.

‘Although, I could use your help a little …’

Anything.

‘I can’t find where the conference is held,’ she sighs, ‘and I asked the medical unit and they said they were clueless themselves. Since your Vice-Admiral’s overseeing, I was wondering if you’d be able to tell me where he—where they’re having the meeting?’

You blink.
>>
>>2339899
>'Um, about that, actually ...' (Reveal that you're the "Vice-Admiral" in charge)
>'You're giving your body to someone to get ahead! How is that something you could possibly be okay with?' (Outrage)
>'You've ... thought about this, huh?' (Defeated)
>'He's upstairs. They'll be done in an hour or so. In the meantime, I suggest you get someplace warm.' (Direct)
>'Sorry, can't help you there.' (Lie to her)
>Write-In
>>
>>2339906
alright lets see if we cant finally talk her out of this "sleeping with the doctor to get ahead" shit.
theres multiple different institutes here and Akashi we can tell her we can have her transferred to
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>>2339927
we need to really disabuse her from this, i am tempted to just go with choice 2 since if she wants to use her body for that then wouldnt it make more sense to be with the one overseeing the whole thing?
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>>2339927
You have 2 options that essentially let her go through with it, 1 that has you lie, 1 that has you exploding in anger and 1 that tells her that you have more weight than she thought.
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>>2339966
Wait how does telling her you're the vice admiral equate to letting her go through with it?
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>>2339979
its more of letting her know we have more weight than she thought, she kinda has this notion we are just a nameless mook and not one of the very very few remaining cmdrs left

the civilian public does not know how dire the situation is and how a big deal cmdr is
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>>2339906
>>'He's upstairs. They'll be done in an hour or so. In the meantime, I suggest you get someplace warm.' (Direct)
>>
>>2339984
But that just makes less sense, why would picking that option mean letting her go through with it anyway?
>>
>>2339988
its not letting her go through with it, its just more of saying that the help that she is dismissing due to wanting to go her way alone may not be good and that the reason why we are giving her our help ties in to the fact that we are the person from the admiralty overseeing this whole scenario

and that the help being offered is something that can actually help her a lot
>>
>>2339906
>>'Um, about that, actually ...' (Reveal that you're the "Vice-Admiral" in charge)
>Kasumi i can help you choose a different path than the one you're on, i dont want to see you hurting yourself over this
>>
>>2340008
this
>>
>>2340008
same
>>
>>2340008
also
>put our hand on her shoulder
>>
>>2340008
This, but put your hand on her cheek
>>
>>2340067
Which cheek :^)
>>
‘About that, actually …’

She furrows her brows, her confusion apparent even in this utter lack of light.

‘You don’t know where he is?’

‘I do,’ you answer quickly, ‘but, um … it’s me.’

She practically balks.

‘Y-You? But you’re a Commander!

‘Yeah, officially I am,’ you nod, ‘but the Vice-Admiral’s swamped. I’m overseeing the formalities with Akashi tonight. The meeting’s going on upstairs. It’s hardly an appropriate place, but hey, bureaucracy, right?’

Kasumi stares at you as though you are the very incarnation of her own worst fears. The despair—and horror—on her face is palpable. You open your mouth to say something else, only to have one of the few friends from your past, the one that you had unjustly abandoned, raising her palm to stop you from even proceeding in communicating your thoughts into words. Her eyes look as though they are on the edge of despair and madness … and you can hear her muttering to herself as her gaze altered between you and the cold floor as though she was watching a tennis match.

‘Are you okay?’ you finally ask, motioning to comfort her.

Silly question, but it’s the thought that counted. At least that’s what you believed.

‘So … that meeting … that you were talking about back then … this was the meeting?’

‘Yeah?’ You raise an eyebrow, wondering if she’d lost some mental capacity. What else could it have been?

She takes a deep breath, giving a confident nod before placing her hands on her hips, staring up at the dark ceiling with an expression that hearkened you back to your younger days. Kasumi looked serene, assured, and—

She quickly covers her face with her hands, squeaking in what you could only describe as sheer embarrassment before hunching and turning away from you.

I wanna die! I really, really, really wanna die!

>'Um, uh, you okay?' (Worried)
>'Eh ... that's a little much, no?' (Exasperated)
>'Come on, come on, admit it ...' (Tease)
>'Okay, I'm going now ...' (Leave)
>Write-In
>>
>>2340132
>>'Um, uh, you okay?' (Worried)
>would've told you earlier but we were both preoccupied with what i interrupted and i was still somewhat shocked by it myself
>>
>>2340132
>Come on, come on, admit it ...' (Tease)
Commander, you tease~
>>
>>2340150
this
>>
‘Um, uh, you okay, Kasumi?’

She takes—no, she pries her hands off her face, making something that you could only guess was a cross between a grunting sound and an exasperated cry. In any case, the closest comparison you could make was to a dog that was coughing up a hairball while having a bout of severe depression. Kasumi fixes her gaze on you, her expression ashen with disbelief. However, compared to how she was before, you’d rather her look like this than the broken mess that she was before. You gaze at her in worry, mostly because the way she was acting right now, you suspect that she had half a mind to throw herself into the cold waters by the docks or smash her head against the counter. Approaching her prone form, you place a tentative hand on her shoulder, which, thankfully, she isn’t adverse to.

‘I won’t ask for your help.’

‘Hm …’

‘You already have enough on your plate,’ she lets out softly. ‘You have your Division … the whole country … everyone riding on you to keep us safe. I can’t put you in a position where you’re responsible for me, too. I know that you mean well, and I’d … like nothing more than to just jump in your arms and scream that I’d be happy to take it, but … I can’t. I can’t let you take a bullet for me. Not when there’re others that need you more than I do.’

She takes your hand off her shoulder, but doesn’t let it go. Her rough, if delicate fingers caress the tip of your cold prosthetic as she wears a sad smile.

‘But thank you …’

>‘For once in your life … can’t you accept that there’s someone who doesn’t just want to be there for you, but believe in you?’
>‘I said it before, didn’t I? This isn’t a negotiation.’
>‘All right, I’m … sorry that I overstepped my bounds.’
>Write-In
>>
>>2340338
>‘I said it before, didn’t I? This isn’t a negotiation.’
>>
>>2340338
>>‘I said it before, didn’t I? This isn’t a negotiation.’
>i didnt take the bullet for you last time and i regretted it everytime it crossed my mind. im not making that mistake again. so yell, scream and hate me if you want. im not leaving you behind again
>>
>>2340338
>‘I said it before, didn’t I? This isn’t a negotiation.’
>>
>>2340338
>‘I said it before, didn’t I? This isn’t a negotiation.’

besides, if there is one thing i've learned from the kanmusu is this, they have a love for all of humanity that is so pure that they will step in the way of an atk against someone who just a minute ago was cursing their existence

how can i stand on the side and see someone that i actually care about cause more harm on herself and let it just happen?

if you want to be selfish in doing this by yourself then i will also be selfish in wanting to help you any way i can

besides, no way in hell am i going to allow that slimeball to lay his grubby hands on you even more than he already has

i am already entangled in this mess, and as i said before, i will take full responsibility for you

because thats how much you important are to me
>>
>>2340338
>For once in your life … can’t you accept that there’s someone who doesn’t just want to be there for you, but believe in you?’

You can do better... besides, if it makes you feel any better, there’s a principle at stake here as well.
>>
Can I have a show of hands as to who's alive?
>>
>>2340747
Im here
>>
You throw your arms around her, preventing her escape. It was just like her to be the snob in this situation … but that didn’t mean you couldn’t be one too. She squeaks in protest as you draw back, an assured, confident wave sweeping over you as you open your mouth to speak.

‘I said it before, didn’t I?’ you begin in a slow, positive drawl. ‘This isn’t a negotiation. You deserve better than … this. Better than what you got. Guilt or whatever aside … it wouldn’t be just leaving you like this. It wouldn’t be proper. Maybe you think that it’s something that you can manage all on your own, but I disagree. I refuse to agree with you on this front.’

‘That just makes you selfish.’

‘I don’t care if you think I’m selfish,’ you announce firmly, holding her determined gaze with your own. ‘I’ve heard it so many times … people keep saying that if they could they’d do something; the truth is. Heaven knows I’ve thought about it more than enough. I’m no Saint, but if there’s something I can at least try to do to help someone that I care about … that’s the one thing I can hold myself to, even if you won’t. We can’t all save the world or change the way people think about us … but we can help the ones we love be on their way.’

Kasumi stares at you, incredulous.

‘You’re putting a lot of undue stock into this,’ she mutters.

‘Well, th—’

You don’t expect it.

She’s stronger than she looks, wrapping her arms around your torso like an industrial vice,

‘I’ll hold you to it, okay?’

>‘Okay.’ (Return)
>‘Uh … maybe not … this much.’ (Safe space! Safe space!)
>Write-In
>>
>>2340803
>‘Okay.’ (Return)
>>
>>2340803
>Please do. (Return)
>>
>>2340803
>>‘Okay.’ (Return)
hug back
>>
‘Okay,’ you whisper back.

To think, you are considered a failure amongst your species …

You roll your eyes, unwilling to rise to the bait. Besides, talking to yourself would only confuse Kasumi further. You pull back again, swooping over to her duffel bag and gathering her things before gesturing for her to follow. You’d been out here long enough; anymore of a stretch and Akashi and Nagato would be ripping out your spine and feeding it to the sharks. Kasumi doesn’t complain at your suggestion, walking beside you down the corridor and up the flight of stairs to the second floor. The conference room would be at the end of the hallway … and you’d have to mop up what was left of the meeting; not to mention come up with a valid excuse as to why you’d taken so long.

‘So … what’s your plan?’

‘My what?’

Kasumi glares at you.

‘Well, right now? I have nothing.’

Her expression immediately turns to one of distress.

I know, I know.’ you say calmingly, placate her. To your credit, the action garners you a deep breath and an understanding nod. ‘Right now, all I have to go by is what you said happened. I don’t have much to work with there … but I promise that I’ll do something, all right?’

‘What if—’

‘You said that he’s engaged, right? That the father of his fiancée is on the board of the hospital? Then he’s not going to be able to touch you as is,’ you rationalize … or rather, you hope you’d rationalized it. There was no telling how people worked when cornered; but you hoped that sensibility wasn’t thrown out of the window too much. ‘Not without pissing off someone he’d probably rather not.’

‘So what are you going to do?’

‘Like I said … I got nothing to work by, yet,’ you admit, feeling a little disheartened, ‘but we’re a hundred percent honest with each other, right?’

‘Isn’t that what I should be asking you?’

She immediately buries her face in her hands.

‘I’m sorry, it’s just …’

‘I know.’ You nod, wearing a wry smile. You knew just how she felt; all these years with you scratching at the back of her brain and now here she was … relying on you and your brand of loud, loud subterfuge. It would almost be comical if it wasn’t happening to her … or you.

‘So what do you need me to do?’

You bite your lip, staring down the corridor … and taking some strides towards what appeared to be an empty office. It was unlocked and the furniture had yet to be properly arranged, but for now, it appeared to be safe, or …

She could follow you inside.

But would it be too bold?

>‘Right now, lay low, I’ll finish up the meeting and Nagato and I’ll bring you back with us.’ (Be subtle)
>‘Follow me.’ (Bring her into the room with you)
>Write-In
>>
>>2340884
>‘Follow me.’ (Bring her into the room with you)
>>
>>2340884
>>‘Right now, lay low, I’ll finish up the meeting and Nagato and I’ll bring you back with us.’ (Be subtle)
and maybe after the meeting is done, we also ask akashi to come with us and see what options she can bring

would entail explaining the situation akashi being kanmusu wont really care much except maybe be at least intrigued especially if we frame it as us owing her a big favor
>>
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>>2340904
Huh. This is actually pretty sound reasoning. Totally not what I had mind but actually adds to the bare bones. Have a gold star. Or three.
>>
>>2340904
Sure why not
>>
>>2340884
This >>2340904
>>
>>2340904
Seconding.
>>
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No … you couldn’t just bring her in. She was right: this was real life, not some fantasy where the loudest voice won by putting a foot on a podium and shaking a fist. The implications made by her presence would do well, too much for you to handle in one night. Besides, right now your concern was keeping her safe and out of the—well, most of the—cold. You glance around the room … it would do for now. Hopefully she wouldn’t be a popsicle by the time the meeting was adjourned.

‘Just wait in here for now,’ you issue the command, ‘I’ll finish up the meeting and then Nagato and I’ll bring you back to the barracks.’

‘Huh?’

‘I can’t just bring you in … too many questions and right now the best thing to do is play my hand as close to my heart as possible. I won’t be long … promise.’

She gives a hurried nod before moving inside. You place her things on the floor of the office before giving a quick nod and being on your way. You take quick strides towards the conference and open the door, to which all the attendees fix their eyes upon you with what you could only pin-point as disapproval. Akashi had a sarcastic roll of her eyes to give while Nagato wears a questioning gaze. You raise a hand in apology, wearing a guilty smile as you make a break towards your seat.

‘Sorry, had some toilet trouble.’

‘Did you remember to wipe this time, serrah?’’

It was the representative of the Unity Medical Research Centre. To your surprise, half the room erupts into chuckles. Nagato covers her eyes in embarrassment as you near her (your) chair, to which she immediately stands to give way to your person (thought not without a hiss of disapproval at your tardiness). You don’t reply to the man’s jibe; you’d have to talk with them later anyway. Best to not take things too personally. Instead, you gesture for Akashi to continue with the presentation … which entailed that of the Kurosaki and Hakutaku Medical’s proposal in regards to the study.

You learn that Kurosaki had eyes on opening a wider pathway for students that looked to apply magical and alchemical arts to the base curricula. Hakutaku had already attempted a sort-of share over the last years and were hoping to expand their minute hold as one of the few institutions that had already been given a tunnel through to the Admiralty’s activities. According to the data, they were one of the first facilities that had been given exposure to the arts but had thus far fallen behind the more commercial forces.

In fact, everyone present had one thing in common: they were one of the few private channels of the Admiralty’s endeavour to make the Arts widespread … and had been closed off when the Shamans decided that enough was enough. The stagnation, to them, was unbearable.
>>
'As much as I would like to interject on the proposition, the truth is absolute: this cannot be allowed to spiral unchecked,’ the Ministry representative declares, tenting his hands. ‘I agree with Miss Akashi: that while the knowledge is paramount to the advancement of our medical know-how, to have it out there like some new curricular attachment would be reckless. A slow transition, regretful as it is, must be honoured in order to ensure that the disruption is kept to a minimum. Fata Aqueous and Kantai Steel have already reshaped the lives of at least 2 percent of the population who have had exposure … metallic limbs as available to control with dexterity comparable to that of the original. To think that there is something beyond this calls for caution.’

‘You put things in the hands of a few, they stay in the hands of few, sir,’ the sharp-faced man comments. ‘While I’m not against the idea of gradual implementation the mode of it looks like it’s going to end up cutting a bunch of us outside the equation … and you can’t pretend that it’s not going to devolve into something akin to a bidding war like it did all those years ago. We were lucky the Court of Admirals cut in before the pharmaceuticals got too rabid … how are we going to placate them now that the Congregation of Lords is the one overseeing it?’

‘That is the purpose for this meeting, isn’t it?’

‘Well,’ the Kurosaki representative—Kasumi’s former lover—calls everyone to attention, ‘if it’s going to devolve into a bidding war, it’s just going to end up exhausting everyone, isn’t it? Not to sound pretentious, but rather than putting it into our hands, shouldn’t it be given straight away to the ministry to decide? If I may be honest, sirs and madams, it just feels stupid for something with such a large sphere of effect to be decided by what a bunch of universities and research tables bring to the line.’

You hate to admit it, but he did have a valid point. It did seem silly that the gateway to a potential monopoly was pretty much being installed right here and now … and in the hands of what one of their number themselves

He glances around the room with a smile. All the representatives shift uncomfortably in their seats … save for one.

‘Idealistic,’ the sharp-faced man comments dryly. ‘But if that’s a statement that you have to make, Representative, then you don’t understand the why.’

‘And why’s that?’

‘Because,’ he begins, throwing a brief glance in your direction, ‘we’re not given a privilege we’re taking on the burden of responsibility.’

You see a hint of a smirk from the moustached Representative.

‘So what do you think, Commander?’

You stare up at the Ministry Representative.

‘You must have your own opinion on all this …’
>>
>>2341572
>‘I’m just here to make sure everyone behaves.’ (Remain neutral)
>‘If it helps the public health standard, I think a broader net would appeal, I disagree with the current way of things, but that’s just me, though.’ (Slightly antagonistic)
>‘Responsibility is to be given to those that are deemed trustworthy. The Court of Admirals may not be watching … but considering just who’s out there to hold you in check, the burden’s heavier on you, no?’ (Supportive)
>‘Well, this way, at least the transition is a little smoother, it’s not ideal, but there’s no other way, is there? Either you have a huge spillover or you have a trickle and everyone complains.’ (Slightly supportive)
>‘Yeah, I’m getting Secret Cabal vibes from all this myself.’ (Antagonistic)
>Write-In
>>
>>2341586
>>‘Well, this way, at least the transition is a little smoother, it’s not ideal, but there’s no other way, is there? Either you have a huge spillover and risk alot of things going wrong or you have a trickle of it coming out but you have control of it but everyone will complain.’ (Slightly supportive)
>>
>>2341586
>‘Responsibility is to be given to those that are deemed trustworthy. The Court of Admirals may not be watching … but considering just who’s out there to hold you in check, the burden’s heavier on you, no?’ (Supportive)
>>
>>2341586
>Responsibility is to be given to those that are deemed trustworthy. The Court of Admirals may not be watching … but considering just who’s out there to hold you in check, the burden’s heavier on you, no?’ (Supportive)
>>
>>2341586
For us dumb brainlets:
Supportive means in favour of the exclusive program
Antagonistic means in favour of open sourcing the research

do I get this right?
Although I'm not seeing anyone pressing forward a more open alternative, just condemning the program as is.
And I'm not sure to what extent Commander is overstepping his bounds in giving his stance. Then again, we were explicitly asked for it.

That said, if we're dealing with regulated know-how, it makes sense to give the government agency the authority to disseminate it.
>>
>>2341586
>‘Well, this way, at least the transition is a little smoother, it’s not ideal, but there’s no other way, is there? Either you have a huge spillover and risk alot of things going wrong or you have a trickle of it coming out but you have control of it but everyone will complain.’ (Slightly supportive)
>>
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‘Responsibility,’ you start in a low deliberate drawl, ‘should be given to those that are deemed trustworthy. The Court of Admirals may not be watching, but considering just what else is out there to hold you in check, I have confidence that the heavier burden from being one of the few bodies given access won’t hold sway any of your asses to do anything unsavoury.’

‘You can say that with confidence?’

You meet the Kurosaki Representative’s gaze.

‘We’re under siege from all sides as is … and what the Admiralty is doing is already in severe violation of that of the agreement with Basilius. As an accessory to a political body with the strength of a whole country and a government behind them, The Admiralty’s in a precarious position. They’ve deviated from the norm; I trust that as an accessory to that yourselves, you’re more than aware of your position should you choose to take this step. In the event we get through this war, any mess we make is a mess that’s linked back to you … and vice-versa. This is more a blood pact than it is an alliance or a program … isn’t it, Ministry Representative.’

The man’s expression immediately hardens. ‘Hard choice of words … but one that we admittedly haven’t … considered.’

‘Then I will have to refuse our invite to participate,’ the Garuga representative declares heavily. ‘It is unfortunate, but we cannot delve at this measure of risk. It is too … much to ask, especially in the current climate.’

‘I shall have to re-think our endorsement as well,’ the Ministry Representative declares, much to your surprise. ‘On the public front, at least. We still support the endeavour, but the channels, as the Commander has so kindly pointed out … have to be re-thought. If the implications are thus, then the agreement can only be made in the exchange between the hands of the institutions and the Admiralty. At least, that is how it will be for now.’

The sharp-faced Yumedan Representative wears a cruel smirk.

‘Well, it’s not like science isn’t about risk anyway, we will keep to our agreement.

‘Our position is unchanged, too. Although self-sustenance … that will be something for the budget boys to cry over,’ the Unity Representative sighs, shaking his head.

‘How could the Congregation of Lords withdraw this after bringing us all in?’ the middle-aged woman declares, barely holding her outrage in. ‘You’re paving the way for a monopoly in being so careless!’

‘The consideration was made, kind lady,’ the Ministry Representative sigh, ‘but I fear that at least, to start with … you will have to go about it without our support.’

‘Then we will remain undecided on our stance until you reach a proper decision. Foolishness!’

The Kurosaki Representative places his hands behind his head, grinning.

‘Well … I’m not here to say no.’
>>
>>2341817
>‘Nagato, Kasumi is down the hall in one of the empty offices … go to her and wait for me.’ (Whisper to Nagato)
>‘I believe that adjourns us, doesn’t it?’ (Call the meeting to an end)
>‘Well, you guys changed your tune quick.’ (Joke)
>‘Akashi, do you have anything to add?’ (Ask Akashi to go over any details she feels is relevant)
>Write-In
>>
>>2341835
>‘Nagato, Kasumi is down the hall in one of the empty offices … go to her and wait for me.’ (Whisper to Nagato)
>>
>>2341835
we could tell Nagato to go to Kasumi and ask Akashi at the same time
>>
>>2341835
>write in
>Tell Nagato about Kasumi and then ask Akashi if she has anything she wants to add
>>
>>2341855
This.
>>
>>2341835
Supporting>>2341855 for a mixed vote.
>>
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You pull yourself aside, motioning for Nagato to come over.

‘Nagato,’ you whisper softly, ‘Kasumi is down the hall in one of the offices … I need you to go there and keep her company while I finish up. She’ll explain everything.’

Nagato throws you a sceptical look … but she doesn’t argue, nodding and walking right out of the room without a word. You let out a breath as you look across the room. Many of the faces looked … thoughtful, to say the least. The Ministry Representative himself looked rather … annoyed. Whatever it was that he had his mind on you weren’t sure that you wanted to crack, but it was apparent that the end-result of this particular meeting was one that he hadn’t been expecting … or welcoming of. You glance at Akashi at the head of it all, the prompter in her hands as she stood by her files, folders and the whirring projector, casting a searching gaze across the room.

You decide to make things a little easier for her.

‘Akashi, is there anything else that you’d like to add?’

The room immediately turns its attentions towards her.

‘Nothing more than what we’ve already covered, Commander … Representatives,’ she recovers quickly, going into a courteous bow before pulling up as disarming a smile as she could manage. ‘However, this is … I would like to point out that this is the first meeting of its kind in forever. The research programs from before have neglected giving a wide berth due to the restrictions placed … but I hope that with this, we’ll be able to move forward with our advancements, not just for war … but for the rest of Taiyouga, of mankind.’

‘A little corny for my taste,’ the sharp-faced man snorts, ‘but a little … unexpected and futurist, coming from a KanMusu. I suppose shouldn’t expect anything less from a body trying to pitch something, but considering how cloaked we are from your independent advancements, I wager that this is something that we’ll be given considerable access to in order to play catch-up?’

‘That’s … that would be up to our discretion,’ she admits. ‘While we do admit to transparency, many of the more … experimental applications would have to be handed out on a more gradual basis. It’s as the Commander said; we can’t risk just having it all out … but we’ll definitely be more than willing in bringing your institutions up to speed.’

‘Well said,’ the moustached man nods, ‘and tomorrow will be our first tour, I suppose?’

‘Yes,’ Akashi bows enthusiastically, ‘I will be personally walking you and your aides through our current projects.’

The Kurosaki Representative stretches his hands over his head. ‘That’ll be something to see, I bet, eh, Commander?’

You give a tentative nod, turning back to Akashi.

‘Commander?’

‘Adjourned.’

Everyone gets to their feet, the formal atmosphere turning into a casual mess within seconds as everyone moves to get some last minute chatter through.
>>
>>2342073
>Approach Akashi
>Approach the Kurosaki Representative
>Approach the Yumedan Representative
>Approach the Unity Representative
>Approach the Hakutaku Representative
>Approach the Ministry Representative
>Approach the Garuga Representative
>Leave
>Write-In
>>
>>2342079
>Approach Akashi
>>
>>2342079
>Approach Akashi
>>
>>2342079
>Approach Akashi
>>
>>2342079
>>Approach Akashi
we should learn what projects she's gonna show off, cause we dont know anything about what she's working on
>>
>>2342079
>>Approach Akashi
>>
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Strangely enough, no one seemed to be vying to talk with Akashi. The Garuga and the Yumedan Representatives were having a heated—if restrained—debate, while the others were having more relaxed modes of chatter with one another. You decide that it was high time you correct that … and decide to move in to your busy-looking medic, looking exhausted but otherwise … content. Which was saying a lot, considering that most of the time that you’d found yourself in a room with her you could have sworn that she would have traded banishment for the opportunity to devour your liver whole. She pushes her glasses up, looking up to face you with a tired, if good-nature smile.

‘I think that went well, don’t you?’

‘As well as it could have been,’ you answer tightly, glancing around the room. You notice a few eyes dart away as they meet your gaze. ‘I can’t make heads or tails, but I don’t think this is what you’d call an ideal outcome … so I’m kind of surprised that you’re so chipper about it.’

She picks the files off the surface, turning off the projector and leading you to one end of the room.

‘Of course I am,’ she replies softly. ‘It was inevitable that some of them wouldn’t be on board with the circumstances … and I’m kind of glad that they did it now, to be honest. Less mess down the stretch.’

‘Huh …’

‘Thank you,’ Akashi drops into a respectful bow. It would seem that not all the formality had quite yet. ‘For covering for the Vice-Admiral, I mean and … for making sure everyone behaved. Couldn’t have done it without you.’

>‘Glad that I wasn’t the cause of a headache this time.’
>‘So what’re you showing them tomorrow? An experimental tour?’
>‘Do you still need me around for this? Hard to believe that this is all just for one meeting.’
>‘So, you’re the expert, I get it … but are you getting anything out of this yourself?’
>‘I was wondering if I could call in a favour, actually.’ (Disclose Kasumi’s situation)
>Write-In
>>
>>2342282
>>‘So what’re you showing them tomorrow? An experimental tour?’
lets wait for the room to empty out abit before telling her about Kasumis situation and if she can help us out
>>
>>2342290
alright disregard what i said, we're far enough away from everybody
>>
>>2342282
>‘I was wondering if I could call in a favour, actually.’ (Disclose Kasumi’s situation)
>>
>>2342282
>‘I was wondering if I could call in a favour, actually.’ (Disclose Kasumi’s situation)
>>
>>2342282
>‘Glad that I wasn’t the cause of a headache this time.’
>>
>>2342282
>‘I was wondering if I could call in a favour, actually.’ (Disclose Kasumi’s situation)
>>
>>2342282
>‘So what’re you showing them tomorrow? An experimental tour?’
Ask her also if she is can come with you to discuss other matters of a personal nature that she may be interested to know about

Better find out what will happen tom and what will be presented as it may open more options

I assume we will also be at that presentation
>>
>>2342333
>>‘So what’re you showing them tomorrow? An experimental tour?’

with what >>2342333 said
>>
>>2342282
>‘I was wondering if I could call in a favour, actually.’ (Disclose Kasumi’s situation)
>>
‘I was wondering if I could call in a favour, actually.’

‘A favour?’

‘I have a friend who needs a little help,’ you begin tentatively,‘and I was wondering if you’d be able to bring her aboard?’

Akashi adopts an apprehensive gaze. ‘You’re kidding, right?’

‘I wish I was, but … I co—’

‘This isn’t just something you can cable tow your way into,’ Akashi hisses, throwing a glance over at the others before glaring right at you. ‘Do you understand just what this—’

‘I know what this is, Akashi,’ you rebuke sternly. ‘She was supposed to be here. In fact, she’s right outside. There were some personal issues that she had to work out and she came to the decision that … she couldn’t associate with one of our attendees in that capacity, so she decided to withdraw from the institution on her own terms. Akashi, I know that you don’t owe me squat and I definitely know that she … well, she’s smart. Smart enough to be in here.’

‘I can’t just give rope blindly,’ she replies curtly. ‘Do you know how hard it is to—’

‘Then don’t give it blindly,’ you counter insistently. ‘At least take a look at her … decide for yourself. If you can’t see her being someone you’d be glad to have on board, I won’t hold it against you, but please … just give her a chance; or if you can’t, just … just a conversation, some coffee. At least that much, please.’

Akashi thins her lips, throwing another glance at the Representatives.

‘Akashi,’ you breathe out; it was now or never. ‘She left because she couldn’t bear to have to suck her professor off just so she’d keep her in the good books. She’s a hard worker and one of the best students in the University, but she doesn’t have any leverage on her side as is. As things are, all everyone else is going to see is someone to pass up on—and I know that she’s anything but. Maybe your standards are a little higher, maybe … maybe she won’t meet them, but I beg you, and I’m willing to give you anything just so she can have that chance to show you that she’s worth the risk.’

She looks as though she’s mulling it over for a moment … before letting out a sigh.

‘I’m not sure how much what you tell me says about her character, but it’s not promising.’

Your shoulders droop.

‘Still … as much as I want to turn you away, no one who catches this sort of desperation isn’t at least worth a look.’

‘You mean you’ll—’

‘No guarantees,’ Akashi cuts you right off. ‘Tomorrow morning, my office in the medical wing … ask her to come look for me.’

‘Thank you.’

‘Don’t thank me yet,’ she snorts, before smirking. ‘However, regardless of whether I accept her or not, Commander … you owe me.’

She doesn’t allow you to get another word in, skipping happily to chat up the Ministry Representative.
>>
>>2342468
>Approach the Kurosaki Representative
>Approach the Yumedan Representative
>Approach the Unity Representative
>Approach the Hakutaku Representative
>Approach the Ministry Representative
>Approach the Garuga Representative
>Leave
>Write-In
>>
>>2342471
>Leave
Assuming this lets us meet up with Kasumi and Nagato
>>
>>2342471
>>Approach the Garuga Representative
she sounds interesting to talk too
>>
>>2342484
It does, yes.
>>
>>2342471
>Approach the Garuga Representative
>>
>>2342471
>Approach the Garuga Representative
>>
>>2342484
Going for this, we need to leave asap so that ppl dont see her here
>>
>>2342484
supporting
>>
>>2342484
This.
>>
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You decide to leave. There was no point in you trying to converse with anyone anymore. It was late and you assumed that most of the people around here would actually rather be speaking with their peers than engage conversation with you. Akashi seemed to have a hold on things, anyway; there was nothing else for you to do here …

Except sock that prick in the gut.

However, you’re not sure if you had enough leverage to get away with that for now.

You exit the room, walking down the corridor towards the office you had left Kasumi. Hopefully Nagato didn;t get lost … there was more than one empty office, after all, not to mention dark.

Then you hear … a giggle.

A set, more like.

‘No! He didn’t!

You push the door open … to find a sight you hadn’t expected at all. Kasumi and Nagato were seated on one of the unset tables, side by side, thigh to thigh. Nagato had what looked like the world’s goofiest grin on her face, her blazing red eyes lit up as she finished regaling what could only be something that involved you, if Kasumi was making that face as she was hunched over, one hand on Nagato’s lap while the other was was wrapped around her own waist, keeping her laughter in check. In exchange, however, her nose and eyes looked like they were about to explode.

It’s amazing just how quickly the both of them managed to recover into their usual dignified selves.

Amazing.

‘Finished?’

‘Yeah, the meeting’s adjourned,’ you reply, rubbing the back of your neck as your arts dart between one woman and the other, who were now throwing enigmatic smiles each other’s way. ‘the Ministry and Garuga decided to withdraw their participation … they said that they weren’t prepared to handle the risk by association, but Hakutaku Medical said that they’ll wait until the Congregation of the Lords decides to put their full support before reviewing their own considerations. The others elected to stay. Kurosaki, the Unity Medical Research Center and Yumedan are all go on the joint-program … and tomorrow, Akashi’ll be going over some of the new proposals—the new projects with the representatives. Not sure if she’ll need me for that too, though.’

You clap your hands together, eager to get back to the warm sanctum that was your barracks.

‘So, I guess we can … go?’

An enigmatic giggle rings in your ears as you, once again, find yourself left alone in an empty room, Nagato carrying Kasumi’s duffel bag and Kasumi herself holding onto her files and books. As you to catch up to your two companions, you receive the grim reminder that human or KanMusu, complicated or simple, you would never be more than an amateur when it came to comprehending your place in the day of a woman.

No matter how satisfying her cries of pleasure were in bed.

And you were totally fine with that.

It’s a good thing Kasumi was, too.

END DAY 57
>>
Why do this to me? Is it because whenever you post a prompt thinking i wasn’t there only to have me just come back on just in time?
>>
I know I've pretty much closed the thread, but does anyone have any questions?
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>>2346026
do we accompany kasumi in the meeting with akashi?

also, are we required to attend the demonstration and if so, can we bring one of our division again?

maybe not nagato this time, thinking of takao or iowa
>>
>>2346568
It's more like you can't VA duties and they take place at the same time. You're probably not going to go to the presentation and stuff.




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