Commander's Rounds

Entry 55: The Small Things

"You know, I'm just not used to dressing up like this,"

Yorktown giggled. "Oh, don't worry. You've found something that suits you."

It was true- Hornet was probably the only ship who could find a way to incorporate hotpants into formal evening wear.

Enterprise spoke up. "Besides, there's plenty to celebrate with this victory, and the Queen has her reasons. After all, it was technically King George's guns that subdued Purifier."

Yorktown looked her youngest sister up and down. "Besides, I don't think you're any less the guest of honor."

Hornet gave a big smile, and then she felt Enterprise place her seaweed crown securely on her head. "Hey, sis...!"

Enterprise shrugged. "It's customary for one to display their decorations at such an event."

Hornet scratched her cheek. "Aw, but you're more used to this than me..."

There was a knock on the door, by two people. Yorktown finished putting up her own hair, and opened it- Zara and Pola were there, both with a wide smile, and Zara spoke up first. "Hello, all three of you. May we borrow Hornet?"

Hornet stepped to the door to see them. "Oh, hey you two, something you need?"

Zara giggled. "Well, in a manner. You see, Littorio has said that the only way for a champion to truly celebrate a triumph is to arrive and leave with a girl on each arm."

Pola followed up. "But, when we asked around, we found out that poor Hornet wouldn't be arriving that way with even one. Such a shame~"

Hornet turned to look at her sisters, and Enterprise just turned her head and coughed quietly into her hand. She then turned to the Sardegnan sisters, and blushed. "Hey, you know, it's really all right.... Eheh."

"Nonsense." Pola began. "It's important to look the part, after all. What would it look like if a hero of the hour could only get her sisters to go with her?"

Zara added her own thoughts. "Besides, would it really be so bad for us to come along? Don't worry, we'll be good to you, all right?"

Hornet turned to look to her sisters for advice. "Um..."

Yorktown giggled. "Well, my dear sister, you have wound up befriending a passionate people."

Enterprise remained professional. "You have all you require to succeed on your own terms."

Hornet stepped out the door, and then put on her smile. "You know what? Let's give it a try."

And she immediately put on a blush as Zara and Pola each took one of Hornet's arms and put it around their respective waists.

Pola giggled, and leaned her head on Hornet. "There, picture-perfect. Show up like this, and people will want to know everything about you."

Zara smiled. "Mmm... Just have the hero's evening you deserve- we're here to help."

Hornet left with the two, and was followed by her sisters to make sure that the youngest didn't burst from the kind of attention she was getting.

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Queen Elizabeth came to the commander with the idea of the celebration, and he agreed, so long as it was put off until everyone who was involved in the battle was able to attend. He did come with King Goerge, remaining by her side even as the other Royals- especially her sisters- gathered around her. He did occasionally look to see how Hornet was doing, and she was perpetually blushing under the attentions of Zara, Pola, and other ships, having to deal with a deluge of the kind of teasing affection that was so commonplace around the port.