Commander's Rounds Volume 1

Entry 24.1: Commander's Holidays- Visitations

(Author's note- This was written before way before Emden was officially added to the game, so my version is somewhat different)

The commander didn't know why it snowed at Azur Lane- by all sensible meteorology, there's no way that should be the case. But when the season came around, snow just happened- either the weather was reflecting the mood of the port's denizens, or there was something else going on. Either way, however, it was not the strangest thing he had learned to accept since becoming the commander of Azur Lane.

Such as the subject of today's meeting with Yuubari.

"...So you're saying that the cubes are becoming... Excited?"

Yuubari thought about it. "Master, that's not the most academic term to describe things, but they are becoming more energetic."

The commander exhaled a bit. "Any idea what might be causing this, and more importantly, what they might cause because of this?"

"I only really have a notion- I don't even really have a hypothesis. However, this time of year is fraught with emotion and nostalgia even for us, and as Wisdom cubes are the sum product of humanity's collective dreams and desires, it stands to reason they'd react to this sort of thing sooner or later. So we may see some strange happenings, even tonight."

The commander went right for it. "What kind of happenings are you thinking of?"

She thought for a moment. "If the Wisdom Cubes end up acting on their own we may see some temporary apparations, manifestation... Even Visitations."

"From who?"

Yuubari looked at him. "Those left behind."

"I see." He pondered a minute. "Well, I can't say I've ever complained about guests."

---------------------

The holidays were one of the prime reasons that people ended up staying up late, and it was the same across all the dorms as people were doing their prep for the big days. Not everyone celebrated Christmas as a religious holiday, of course, but they certainly took advantage of the festivities.

This night, however, two of those staying up were Admiral Hipper and Prinz Eugen, enjoying the fruits of the dorm's bar.

Hipper grumped. "You know, I hope you're not planning to fill Kaga with too much holiday cheer."

Eugen giggled. "Kaga is a grown woman who can take care of herself. It's entirely on her fuzzy head how much she drinks and what happens after. Besides, she allows herself to be easily encouraged."

Hipper rolled her eyes. "You shouldn't be so cavalier about helping others make fools of themselves."

Eugen smiled. "You're right- like my dear older sister, there are a lot of girls here who don't need my help~"

"Grrrr...."

However, a third person joined them. "Spare a mug of your finest for a fellow countrywoman?"

Their new visitor was a cruiser of some sort- modestly proportioned but large in presence, wearing a short blue coat and an even shorter grey skirt matched with tall boots, and a white shirt with a black bowtie. She had long white hair and blue eyes, one of which had a monocle. Pinned to her coat was an iron cross as well as several battle honors embroidered underneath. She tipped her cap to the others, before leaning on the counter. In one hand she had a black cane, which she seemed to carry as an affectation rather than as a necessity.