Commander's Rounds

Entry 110: Impostor Syndrome

"Ah, it seems that this was something we both needed, my dear."

It was certainly true, as both King George V and Friedrich had their own difficulties to deal with. Friedrich was still recovering from the immense beating she took during the battle with Tester, and it had only recently become safe for her to start using her rigging again. She hadn't fully recovered, but one didn't get back up to one's old self by staying idle.

King George V, on the other hand just had a baby, so she had her own need to get back into practice after several months on the bench. The Royal battleship had her own need to get back into shape, and decided that the best way to do it was to do it with someone who was in a similar situation as herself.

Two moms helping each other. That was the first thought that crossed King George's mind.

There wasn't a clear winner- they had fought with each other until both decided to call it quits, and to any observer, it probably wasn't the finest example of Kansen fighting prowess. But that was one of the reasons to train- to sharpen anything dull.

Friedrich smiled as she moved over to King George after the fact. "I'm sure anyone would find some reason to wonder how you were able to fight so well against me, but you've always had a certain edge over not merely the Sirens, but also us Iron Blood in exercises that we've never been able to quantify. Not even your sisters seem to possess it."

"Your guess is as good as mine, but I guess I must have come into being as someone meant to shine like the sun against the foes of the isles, old and new. Whatever I may think of you, there are things this body won't forget, it seems." She said, and took a deep breath. "Besides, I shall want to get back into my old shape, I think."

"Dear one, as long as we get back into good fighting trim, I think it will be fine for both of us." She giggled. "And besides, I think this new figure of yours suits you."

King George stroked a hand over her middle- her old slimness hadn't entirely returned, and there were certainly other ways she was bigger. "Do you believe so?"

Friedrich put her arms around King George from behind. "Well, it's not as though Alex found you unattractive while you were growing larger with Matilda. In fact, I believe that some people can testify that the noises coming from your home would say the opposite."

King George blushed at that, but leaned into the larger ship-woman's hug. "I'm guessing it must feel better for you to finally be able to safely use rigging again."

"I pride myself on my ability to keep others safe, I always have." She said. "And I want to return to that. But perhaps a bit more prudently."

King George V smiled, and stroked over Friedrich's cheek. "Good... I can think of how much you'd be missed."

King George blinked as she felt Friedrich lean into her hand, but declined to say anything further, but relaxed as soon as she felt Friedrich's hands on her middle. She eventually felt Friedrich nuzzle the back of her head, and then silence.

After a moment, King George V spoke up. "Miss Friedrich, is there something on your mind?"

More silence followed.

The Royal battleship didn't press further.

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

"So, I guess that you figured out what happened to Friedrich?"

Dr. Anzeel nodded. "Once I got a closer look, it was easy to see. At some point during the battle with Tester's forces, she was somehow able to draw more power than she could use safely, so in addition to the damage she took from enemy fire, she burned up a bunch of things that govern her rigging."