The Reunification of Azur lane

Step Into The Light

Royal Gardens, 1700 hours, 4 hours after the expedition

The evening breeze carried with it the flowery scent of roses and tulips. Their sweet aroma effortlessly drowned out the salty fragrance of the sea as Bismarck waited under a small pavilion in the Royal Gardens.

In spite of the calm, peaceful atmosphere, the flagship of the Ironblood was deep in thought on the implications surrounding the advent of the Burkes.

"What could their arrival mean for us?"

After a moment of contemplation, the tapping of heels on the wooden path caught the dreadnought's attention. She shoved her thoughts to the back of her mind before turning to greet her 'date'.

"Good evening m'lord, you appear captivating, as always."

Before the Terror of The Seas stood an enchanting lady, her lush golden hair cascaded down to her shoulder, the white gown that she adorned radiated her regal presence.

Her gentle gloves, the white shawl draped around her shoulders along with the graceful tiara on her head made for an irresistibly mesmerizing image, a true embodiment of the Dawnlight's Dame.

This dangerously gorgeous lady faced by the German was, of course, none other than Hood.

Bismarck's mind was a whirlwind of emotions and calculative thoughts at the sight of her. The elegant admiral who, at the present, held her gaze hostage was both a source of her longing and her guilt.

The dreadnought steeled herself mentally before she spoke, casting aside much of her turbulent emotions to put on a confident facade.

"You look... stunning, this evening m'lady."

As much as she tried to hide it, her feelings were getting the better of her. She fought to suppress the pure regret and desire she felt for Hood as she attempted to continue the conversation.

"I wasn't expecting you to dress so... well."

Her voice shifted from formal to a more casual tone as she continued.

"A little warning would have been nice."

She redirected her thoughts to Hood's attire once more, trying her hardest to make sure the admiral would not sniff out her thoughts.

"Knowing the feared Lord Bismarck of the Ironblood? You would have worn your officer's uniform regardless."

The battlecruiser remarked, her soft chuckle permeating the pavilion. Bismarck opened her mouth to object, she however, stopped before uttering a word. Realizing that Hood was right, she voiced her defeat with a soft grunt.

"Biscuit, you seem distracted, and not in a good way, what's troubling you?"

Alas, the terror's worst fear had surfaced and reared its ugly (beautiful) head, there was simply no way for her to get past Hood's intuition.

"Perhaps... I'm simply not accustomed to being alone with someone unfamiliar to me. All my life, I've worked side by side with my comrades in the Ironblood. I am, admittedly, unskilled in social affairs."

This misdirection from Bismarck merely served to amplify the admiral's suspicions of the dreadnought, to her dismay.

"No, that's not it, I've seen you face down entire enemy fleets without even blinking and yet, you're shy?"

The battlecruiser retorted, concern was deeply sewn into her words as she continued poking and prodding at the dreadnought's secrets.

"Please, tell me about whatever it is that's bothering you Biscuit, I'm sure that I can help."