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[kajimatakeshi]

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Enterprise, New Jersey, or Prinz Eugen -- your choice!

[infinitejustice]

[It's October 29th. As of today, Athrun is officially one year older. And any other newly-minted 19-year-old would want to use the day to celebrate.

But, to Athrun, it's just another day of work. He wakes up, gets dressed, and prepares a basic breakfast as though it were a day like any other. He's aware that today is his birthday, but there are more important things to take care of. Like work.

But his secretary doesn't seem to see it that way. When he arrives in his office, he sees her standing by his desk...and a wrapped present sitting on it, right next to her.

Good morn -- huh? What's that?

Incoming showgirl battleship!

[dontchajustlovethis]

[The Indomitable Black Dragon, one of the biggest battleships to shake the seas with her main guns, shrugs unhelpfully and sticks her tongue out.

Very mature, yes. Also very much on brand.]

You want me to spoil what's in there? Who do you take me for, a big ol' party pooper?

Go on, Commander, open it up and find out yourself!

[infinitejustice]

Well, I--

[So the present was for him after all? This was something he had never expected. Even the look on his face indicates how surprised he is.]

It's more that, well, I wasn't sure if it was for me.

[Athrun takes his seat at the desk, and moves the present in front of him. He methodically opens it, pulling the wrapping apart where it's been taped together, rather than tear into it.]

[dontchajustlovethis]

[New Jersey's content to laugh it off and leave him to it; as he unravels the carefully wrapped package, though, he'll find... maybe a bit more than bargained for. It seems like an overpackaged mess, even; whoever put all this effort for a humble present box (no doubt the boisterous secretary next to him) probably should have dialed it back a bit. But when he gets the rest of the way in and lifts the lid, he'll find New Jersey's signature -- a sticker of a black dragon wearing what can only be described as 'glasses for the overly excitable' -- and the blue book that it was applied to. There's a note, with a collage of well wishes from the other kansen on base on it.

Within the book itself, if the bluehead opens it up, is pages upon pages of memoirs from recent shore leave. If he looks close enough, he'll even see a few shots of himself being pulled along by New Jersey; though his head ends up being inconveniently blocked in the first few pictures, there's at least two where they manage to finally get him into frame. They're at the end, but it's the thought that counts.

Also packaged with all this is a smaller box, one just big enough to house some form of accessory in it. "This one's on the house, nya! Pay me later!", says the taped note -- along with a paw print that only hammers home who else decided to pitch in.

Inside is a careful remake of an emblem -- of the land he served prior to his assignment to the Azur Lane.]

[infinitejustice]

This is...

[Athrun trails off as he inspects the scrapbook. He takes a look at the note, then opens the book and flips through the pages. He doesn't look at any particular photo for very long, opting to skim through them for now -- he can take a closer look when he has some more free time.

Then he picks up the smaller box, examines it, and opens it. He takes a look inside...and finds himself looking at the logo of the Orb Union. This causes his mouth to open in surprise; he hadn't expected something like this. And though he very rarely cries, he can feel a few tears building up. He rubs his lower eyelid to keep them from rolling down his face.]

This is incredible...I can't believe you went to these lengths for me.

[He then turns to New Jersey.]

This is far more than I could have anticipated today. Thank you, truly, from the bottom of my heart.

[dontchajustlovethis]

[She just grins her cheeky grin, a gleam in her eye.] Only the best for a Commander that's helped us keep things afloat! After everythin', I figured you could use some actual appreciation on your birthday! Ahaha~

I mean, treatin' it as normal aside, don'tcha just like getting some proper affection for a change?

[infinitejustice]

Huh, you know, I'm not sure what to say.

[Athrun thinks it over for a moment, looking at his gifts.]

Ordinarily I would say it doesn't matter that much to me. But when gifts carry this degree of sentimental value and effort put into them, well...I can say that makes it different. I do appreciate this.

Scáthach

[asaviorshand]

[It seems as though tonight is going to be one of those nights where Dimitri struggles to find sleep. Sure, he managed to fall asleep, but then the nightmares came. The same nightmares as before. Of Duscur, of the Holy Tomb, of Gronder Field. And it's hard to dismiss nightmares when they're recollections of past events.

So Dimitri steps out of his room, and goes for a very casual walk down the hall. But he doesn't make it far when he realizes he's not the only one awake at this hour. Not far from him, he can see the silhouette of a woman in the faint glow of the candles lining the hall.

Dimitri feels a sinking sensation in his stomach. He knows he's talked in his sleep before, including when having nightmares. Did he this time? Did she hear it if he did?]

Oh...I take it you couldn't sleep, either?

[wisdomofdunscaith]

[Scathach simply approaches when Dimitri raises his voice. There is little to suggest exhaustion from her posture alone, but her battle-worn red irises tell a different story.

This was far from the first time her peace and quiet had been disturbed unceremoniously. Her hunts didn't always gave her such privileges.]

The long years have given me many different notions of what counts as restful sleep. I can't say what I heard from your room counts as such. It's enough to wake anyone able to hear it.

[asaviorshand]

[Dimitri can feel his face heat up. Why? Why here, why now?]

A-ah. My, my sincerest apologies. I, um, well...I had no idea I'd be talking in my sleep.

[He then takes a deep breath.]

I have...nightmares. Far more frequently than I would like, I'm afraid.

[wisdomofdunscaith]

It's not an issue. Far worse has derailed my respites. [At that, though, she folds her arms. This feels like the first she's heard of it. And yet-]

How far back do these troubled dreams of yours go? [Heavy expectation is levied by her voice, expectations of honesty.]

[asaviorshand]

Nine years.

[Deep breath.]

They're no mere dreams. They are memories of specific events. The first one was nine years ago and left my psyche horribly twisted.

[wisdomofdunscaith]

A longstanding, painful ripple in the waters, then.

[Scathach did not humor rumors very much, so her views were often relatively untainted. Hearing him talk of these painful memories, though...

This displeases her. It's hardly far from the norm, but still the ill feeling remains, clinging to her from within.]

No doubt, before our paths crossed, as well. Has it to do with the war you fought?

Pyra

[asaviorshand]

[It all started with a tip about a unique sword with no known history. It had been originally picked up by Felix, who mentioned it to Dimitri -- and the information got his attention. Especially as a king, he had to ensure that the blade wasn't dangerous.

After gathering information, Dimitri was able to locate the mysterious blade -- and not a moment too soon, because he wasn't the only one after it. Already he had to cut through some bandits to reach the cave it was in, and so he runs into the cave, locates the blade, then immediately grabs it.

And then things got weird.]

[purifyingflames]

[Perhaps the other most notable thing about the scene when Dimitri arrived (beyond the unusual sword, which was planted in front of something -- rather, someone) was the presence of a young woman. She seemed to be sleeping, but not in the same way as anyone else would, as far as he might be aware. The redhead looked... dormant. As if hibernating, even.

But as Dimitri's fingers touch upon the hilt, the strange, cross-shaped gem inlaid in its pommel begins to glow intensely. It brightens, shines blindingly.

And before long, when he can open his eyes again, he'll find he's drawn into a world he's never seen before. Bells chime in the distance, seemingly sounding one's heartbeat with the pace it comes at, and further along is a tree.

Under this tree is the young woman he saw resting in front of the sword, looking over the idyllic town below.]

[asaviorshand]

[Dimitri had noticed the woman before placing his hand on the sword's hilt. He could tell from looking at her that she wasn't going to awaken from anything he did, so he had resolved himself to defend her from the miscreants that were hot on his trail. However, it seems that's a moot point now.

Dimitri stands in place at first, unable to process exactly what is going on. Then he begins to approach the young woman. There's honestly nothing else to do here except ask someone else who may understand what's going on.]

Pardon me...but can you tell me what is going on here?

[purifyingflames]

[The redhead remains silent, for a while. It's the first time she's had any sort of company in this mindscape.]

...this mournful sound... it hasn't stopped at all. Even after all these years.

[The bell's chime continues to resound, in the distance. Ubiquitous. Unchanging. Unfaltering.]

[asaviorshand]

The bell?

[The girl didn't really name the sound she was talking about, so Dimitri has to guess. But since it's the only sound he can hear (aside from the girl's voice), it's not a difficult guess to make.]

I'm sorry, but I don't understand. Where are we?

[purifyingflames]

[She manages a nod to the first question, before turning to face Dimitri.]

This is... Elysium. This place served as the home for mankind, and their creator. [If he looks past her and to the horizon, it looks like no settlement he's seen before; the architecture does bear similarity, but not enough to be within the same land. Perhaps an entirely different continent...? Or even ruins that have gone undiscovered?

She frowns, and continues.]

And it is where "we" were born.

Eugen and/or Ulrich

[kratistos]

[ Ever since Sofia has started working with these kanmusu as they're called, she's gotten used to living on the island to feel really at home in it. Which means, she wears very little whenever she's indoors like the entire barracks and base is her house. Nothing but a baggy t-shirt and her panties, Sofia walks down from the upper floors where she's staying at, onto the lobby and into the cafeteria, ignoring the shocked looks and gasps from the other girls as Sofia just shamelessly scratches at her abs while yawning loudly. Sofia muses to herself that she needs some food, so she can't wait to get to the cafeteria to grab something way before lunch time even begins.

But then she enters the cafeteria, smelling the fresh aroma of coffee and sweet scent of chocolates. She hums, pleased, as she walks on to where the snack bar is. A few moments pass, and Sofia walks a few steps back with a narrowed gaze. The cafeteria looks different. It looks like an actual coffee shop with wooden floors and wall panels to cover up the boring white colors, with chalkboard menus instead of one written with markers on a dry-erase board. ]

What the... Since when did this happen?

[ Sofia looks around, puzzled with a slight blush on her cheeks. She was out for a while, stuck at the infirmary after a serious battle with a new enemy that was more her equal than the typical Siren. It was the first enemy to fight her to a stalemate, so the thought remains in the minds of the girls throughout this island. Their beloved Sofia almost lost and could have died.

Not that it stopped her from acting like everything is alright, no matter how much it's bothering her inside. ]

I'm guessing this is the idea of someone I know.

Starting us off with the goth!

[exemplarisch]

[Perhaps unsurprisingly, there was one particular German kansen that was behind the countertop; one that's been very present in Sofia's life since her arrival. Though truth be told, that definition could apply to some of Ironblood's major membership, there was one person that truly applied by way of recency. And that person was Ulrich von Hutten. In rather appropriate form, she was wearing her uniform for the occasion; she was also already brewing something up at the time Sofia arrived, and had taken opportunity to clean up a few stray specks of chocolate crumbs left behind by the destroyers.

Ulrich turns her head to look at Sofia; as she does, she wipes down the last few stains.]

If you understand that much, it's not even worth guessing who did it. You know who, by now.

[kratistos]

[ Sofia looks to see Ulrich, wearing such a daring maid uniform that instantly struck Sofia's heart like cupid's arrow. But it's hard to tell when all she did was grunt in confirmation, retaining her stoic resolve. She walks towards the bar area, taking a cautious seat on the stools. This is her first day out of the infirmary, and she is still recovering. ]

Your uniform her idea too? I like it.

[ She's become more open about her interests with the Ironblood girls who show interest in her. Not only it was recommended that she at least return their affections in a way, but she's been genuine about it as well. They're all attractive, she's not blind ]

Give me something to eat. I'm starving.

[exemplarisch]

You could blame a lot of things related to this cafe on her, at least this time. If it's not trying to rope you in to a private suite, it's shit like this.

[Ulrich was very adamant about not having that private suite thing happen. Damn attention hogger.

She looks to the assortment of desserts that were pre-made for today's shift.] Take your pick. Marmorkuchen, Rote Grutze, Apfelstrudel... wide enough selection to go around that you can't go wrong with any one of them.

[kratistos]

Give me the strudel. And some tea.

[ A surprisingly light and small choice. Normally Sofia eats a lot. But instead she's eating up the sight of Ulrich on the other side of this counter. She meant it when she says she likes the way Ulrich looks. But she didn't want to just stare, so she takes the laminated menu from the end of the counter, reaching out with a little grunt. She thought to herself that Eugen must have heard her complain about missing little coffee and tea shops like this after being in this island for so long.

She's still ignoring the fact that she's also barely wearing anything inside the cafeteria. But what's anyone gonna do about it? Definitely not the equally skimpy maid who's serving her right now. ]

It's pretty early. You sure you want to be behind that counter? Might as well join me. We're the only ones here.

[ She does notice the carnage left behind by the Destroyers that Ulrich was cleaning earlier, but they're probably busy doing classes right now to bother them again anytime soon. ]

[exemplarisch]

Sure, if you want any more gossip starting up.

[The less effort she has to waste on shutting down the rumor hens, the better. Especially when they're both about as cleaned up as a cardboard box stuck in the rain for three days, at present.

Still--Ulrich does take notice of how little her customer decides to pick up. And frankly, there's a twinge of annoyance she can't help but let fester. After that incident, she should be getting her strength back, not forcibly weakening herself out of some ill-begotten principle. After she starts setting up the tea for brewing, the symbol of Ironblood's hopes and regrets makes her way over, serving up the pastry with the same face as usual.]

Be a bit before the tea's ready. You sure you don't want anything more?