Commander's Rounds

Entry 38: The Only Ones Who Know

"Flowers?"One of Hanazuki's ears twitched, and then she gave a smile to the commander. "...Well, it's not like we're short on them, so if you'd like me and Admiral Hipper to do the arrangements, then I think it's something we can manage."

Admiral Hipper protested, as was her nature. "Hey, I didn't say that you could volunteer me for this!"

The fox turned to look at her. "But weren't you the one complaining about how you were tired of exercises and sitting in on tactics classes? I think it'd be a nice diversion, and you'd get a chance to relax. And besides, not everyone gets to see this side of you."

"Ugh." Hipper crossed her arms and looked to the side. "...Eugen's going to tease me like you wouldn't believe."

Hanazuki giggled. "Does she ever not do such a thing? Anyway, let's go and see what we can do to give the commander's wedding our own touch~"

"Fiiine." Admiral Hipper went along with the fox. "...But I'm only doing this because I want people to have a different reason to talk about me, at least for a little while."

"Sure, sure~"

After the pair had left, the commander decided to pay a visit to the Ironblood dorms.

He knew that King George had recently paid a visit there to speak to and, perhaps more likely, get spoiled by Friedrich, but he had his own reasons to stop by and see to a few things. He hadn't really paid a visit there since he got back, and besides, there was someone there that he needed to talk to. He wrapped up his business for the day and headed down to the Ironblood dorms/bar.

Prinz Eugen was tending bar as usual, and he waved to her as he passed, the woman stopping to wave and then do something on her phone. The commander had business elsewhere, and went on up to the actual dorms to find who was looking for. He came to Z23's door and heard some talking inside. He gave the door a knock. "Nimi, it's the commander- just want to talk about a couple of things with you."

The door was flung open, and what greeted him wasn't Z23, but Javelin, looking up at him with a big smile and starry eyes. "Eeeee!" She squeed.

The commander waved. "Ah, hello there Javelin."

"EEEEEE!" She squeed louder, her eyes growing wide.

Z23 called out from inside the room. "Javelin! Brain first, then mouth!"

Javelin rediscovered the use of words. "It's so cool commander! You even confessed under a tree! I mean, I don't know if it was a legendary tree or anything, but it's still a thing that you did!"

The commander thought on it. "I can actually see the appeal- it was a nice, quiet spot where you can't be bothered by anyone or anything and just think and act in the moment. Just a good, scenic place to be alone."

Javelin gave quick energetic nods. "And now the commander is going to get married and live happily ever after with the woman he loves most...!"

The commander scratched the back of his head. "I can't say that it'll be that simple, but it's certainly something I want to strive towards."

"Mm!" Javelin went. "Well, I need to get back home, so I'll just leave you to whatever you wanted to talk to Nimi about. See you!" Javelin darted around the commander and went along her very merry way, allowing the commander to finally enter the room. Z23 was sitting at her desk, working on planning out the next few days, and Laffey was sound asleep on the bed.

The commander looked over at the sleeping destroyer. "Having a sleepover?"

Z23 adjusted her glasses. "Any time you invite Laffey over, it becomes a sleepover by default." She smiled. "While all of the faction leaders discuss events with each other, that's something the four of us do as well. What did you want to talk about, commander?"