- RP Date
- YE 44.5.11
- RP Location
- YSS Resurgence
YSS Resurgence
YE 44.5.11
It was dinner time on the Resurgence, and after a long day of ship maintenance the crew was gathered in the ship's wardroom to eat chef Rossa's famous stromboli and calzones, Greek salads, and seafood pasta. It was also Cassie's birthday night and there was a huge cheesecake for dessert with a chibi picture of Cassie in frosting on the top. The ship had finally left Pisces after the conference with a new mission.
"Our objective is to start hunting for one of these machine planets we can successfully take over," Aoba explained as everyone started sitting down to eat. "There's a number of possibilities, including the super dangerous one we found two months ago, and we need to narrow it down. In addition, we may be able to glean more machine world locations from the Kuvexians, who know that area of space better than we do. Finding one of these moon-sized computers is critical to the Empire. I'm open to ideas from everyone. That's all. Think on it and enjoy your dinner!"
Yayoi was quiet as she sat down, she noted that it was Cassie's birthday due to the cake and the cute chibi picture of her. However, as Aoba began speaking her attention went to him, and she listened, her mind processing and thinking as she enjoyed her dinner as ordered. She glanced to Sanda as she was greatly affected during the incident on the station. She supposed her first question would be whether they'd find weaknesses on the robotic enemy, something they could use with power armor.
Sanda had had a rough go of things since that horrible night at the pub. She had become very withdrawn and spend hardly any time on the ship except when she was on duty. But she had gotten through it. Mostly with help from Caffran. She hated leaving him, but she knew she had to get back to work. She did feel a lot better now though. Like the crisis had passed and she had her feelings and emotions locked down again.
Shortly after the station Delmira had a talk with Poppy about her near mental break down, killing pack roaches however made things a lot better. She sat with the usual suspects and smiled as she playfully teased Cassie. "You are getting old i think i see a gray hair." She stopped as soon as Aoba spoke and turned her attention to him.
"I'm gray all over!" Cassie scratched her head. "Wait, that was the joke, wasn't it...also I'm only twenty-five."
Euikoshi, the ship's science specialist proposed, "I think first we should try to find records of encounters with these machine worlds and make a list and rate them by how useful they might be," she said. "There's got to be other ships that have encountered them and noted them in their logs. Another idea I had is trying to contact the Essai, who seem to be able to control such worlds."
"We should make countermeasures against the machine parasite things that we fought before as well, that is if the are the same machines that is." Delmira suggested before grinning at Cassie. "Man I feel young. I'm only 4," she said to the other woman. "But yes I was joking Cassie."
Thad was enjoying a drink, enjoying the peaceful night. Granted the last time a night was peaceful, a bug outbreak happen and a bar ended up on fire. Though, not uncommon given the type of places he use to go. Sadly however, he did not end up with company that night. "Can't we just send a divide by zero hack to the planet?"
Koyama preferred not to mix business with pleasure. But she listened nonetheless. Her fingers were interlaced, supporting her chin while listening to the conversation. She had not been there for that particular incident. And simply wondered what such a thing could offer the Empire. Their computational technology was superb by sectorial standards. Hyper-fold enhanced systems hardly needed to be the size of worlds to accomplish the same tasks. The XO let it go, eyes closed to slits her expression somewhat relaxed after the debacle on the station.
This was a special day for someone and she would not ruin it for them by speaking out of turn. Or what was on her mind in that regard. Instead, she had placed a card beside the cake. The thick cream-colored envelope contained passes for a group-size of the Anthro's choosing to wherever she wished to go within the Sector on her leave. All expenses paid. It was the least she could do.
The newest member of the ship's officer corps, one (Ketsurui-no-) Motoyoshi Tachiko, lurked near her Actual-Ketsurui cousin. She was particularly quiet for someone who was essentially the ship's communications chief, with more of the demeanor of an engineer than someone whose job was primarily speaking. Of course, she knew these people, they weren't strangers, at least some of them. She'd just been to Giretsu school with several of them only a few months ago, and had even served with Frank on the YSS Mazu prior to coming here. It just wasn't about adjusting to a new place. The Chūi simply listened to the conversation at hand– her task, she knew, would come when there was actionable intelligence and it was time to assemble an away team. Then planning, strategy, communications. That was Mission Ops.
Smiling somewhat bashfully at Koyama she leaned in to whisper to her, "I feel like I should have got a present or something at the ship's store first, but I didn't know."
Mochi rubbed his head a little as he entered the room, blonde hair tousling. He still seemed out of it from his recent 'experience' with the Pack Roaches. Glancing around to the others, the Elysian raised a hand wearily in greeting with a strained smile. He was looking a bit worse for wear.
Yayoi glanced over, and took note of Mochi's presence. She recalled he was injured during the attack. Tachiko's presence was soon noticed, and she smiled at her business partner.
Koyama's velvet-like ear, one of them anyway twitched at Tachiko's whisper and closeness. Her eyes were still mostly closed. "Take partial credit for my gift." murmured Tachiko's cousin.
"If they go anywhere Yugumo owns I'll foot the bill," Tachiko whispered back to Koyama with a nod. "Thanks so much, Koyama-Taii."
"Excuse me ladies." Delmira said and got up and walked over to Mochi. "Are you ok papa bird? I dont think i have ever seen you that messed up."
Sanda overheard Del's comment and grimaced. She had once made the mistake of improperly addressing the Taii. She tucked into her food and tried to not make eye contact.
Pidole took one of the big strombolis and slid it on her plate, returning to the table to sit next to Euiokoshi, who had started staring at a tablet pouring over old Star Army records from the Kuvexian War. Her beetle companion, loyally flying behind her, carried a cannoli that it had acquired from the serving line.
Mochi, while having historically been adverse to being called a bird, in the same sense a human would loathe being called a monkey, just gave a tired grin to Delmira. "Yeah-- Still feeling the effects, but I'm just glad I remembered that extra training I've got over the years.."
Yayoi moved closer to Sanda and whispered to her ear. "if you need to we can have a go later on if you'd like?" She asked remembering how caring Sanda was for her own issues in a previous moment.
Sanda smiled. Though she didn't always do a good job of expressing her feelings she smiled at Yayoi. She also remembered not to long ago helping out her fellow Ranger when she was going through a tough time. At that moment, Sanda really did think of Yayoi as her sister. "Thanks. I'm good. I need to get back in the fight."
Yayoi nodded and smiled back to Sanda in understanding. She'd left the offer stand for whenever she needed it.
"Come one lets get you sitting and eating food. I know it made me feel better." Delmira said and would help Mochi over to a table. She made sure to get him a slice of cake.
Koyama offered the barest of nods, "Mmm," her slitted gaze went to the Elysian, nodding to him as well. "We both have a vested interest in the betterment of the cluster." she shifted her head a little but it wasn't enough to get a clear look at Tachiko, "And Koyama is fine. This is a social setting, if you would allow me to call you Tachiko?"
Tachiko watched the glances and body language and pondered Koyama's intonation during the interaction between her and Iemochi, far enough from politics she was unaware of anything between them other than being shipmates. "Hai, of course Koyama," Tachiko relaxed some once the formality was dropped between officers and relatives, for now.
"I'm going to get some of that Elysian pastry they're serving. I've only ever had the ones from Kikyō Pie, myself. Do you want me to bring you something back over here?"
Koyama turned her head a little more, her cheek now resting against her interlocked fingertips. "Surprise me?" she said in response to the offer.
Mochi was all too happy to accept Delmira's offer, nodding in appreciation. He'd sit down with her, grateful to not have to think to hard right now. The Elysian returned Koyama's nod with a open gesture of the hand, just to let her know he was there if she needed.
Thad lifted a beer towards Mochi. "Grab your glass and enjoy my friend. Good to see you in a little more...together." He continued by taking a drink of his glass.
"In YE 40, YSS Eucharis encountered a damaged machine planet that was besieged by opportunistic salvagers, Rixxikor squatters, and the hostile remains of vast robot armies. At its core was a vast computer containing a sleeping artificial intelligence. The Eucharis woke the AI up and the machine planet started vaporizing the Kuvexian starships around it," Euikoshi told those around her. Pidole rubbed her chin. "I wonder where it went after that."
Mochi flapped his sunburst wings gently at Thad's comment, indicating he was now whole again. "I'll definitely do that- Thanks, Thad." The Elysian dropped the honorifics, not having the energy to observe that tradition at the moment, instead opting to grab a glass and raise it to Thad in a toast of sorts. "Delmira, would you like one too?"
Yayoi got up and moved towards Koyama and Tachiko. Though her intention was to talk to Tachiko, the fact that Koyama was there gave her an opportunity to speak to her as well. "hello Tachiko, I'm pleased to see you here as well. I'd love to chat since the last we spoke at the new bar" she told her then turned to Koyama. "as i recall, we hadnt had a chance to drink the three of us due to the incident."
Sanda finished her meal and dropped off her plate. On her way back to the table she stopped by Mochi and said, "I'm glad to see you back on your feet Sir. You put up quite an impressive fight out there... for a Science Officer."
Delmira shrugged. "Why not." She said and grabbed a drink as well. Her tail swayed a bit behind her resuming its habit of betraying her attempts to at being stoic.
'The High-Guardian sends his condolences for your injuries. And offered at special dispensation to grant you symbiotic prosthetics." Koyama's telepathic 'voice' directed itself to Mochi, "But it would seem we managed to put you together again.'
Mochi gave Sanda a knowing wink, "I've not always just been a Science Officer." He spoke knowingly, taking a sip from his glass. Leaning over, the Elysian tapped his glass against Del's with a smirk, "Cheers." Sending a message back to Koyama, Mochi sounded surprised, "Symbiotics? That might be an offer I can't refuse! I can always get these removed again, heh-"
"Oh, Yayoi-Hei!" Tachiko smiled broadly, looking genuinely happy to speak to Yayoi despite her general shy reticence. "How is the bar going? I hope the bugs are all gone! I was just about to go get some of this food for Koyama-itokosan," she used the honorific when speaking about her cousin, since her cousin was a princess, rather than the humble way Yamataians refer to their own family members, "Come with me to the serving line and tell me about it?"
"The bar is going well, I'm told all the bugs have been eliminated sand now everything is clean. Once the mission is concluded we could go back if you'd like. I might make a percentage discount for the crew that does especially after what happened. Sure, we can chat if you'd like, how is Yue-sama doing, do you know?
Sanda smiled at Mochi and took a seat beside Yayoi, across the table from Koyama and Tachiko. She looked over at Koyama and said, "I'm glad to finally have you back too."
Delmira smiled and looked at Mochi. "If you need anything just ask but there's a certain neko i need to grovel to for her night not going as planned." She said and looked in the direction of Kinie.
"Haaaaapy birthday to you!" Poppy started to sing to Cassie, hoping the others would join in. "happy birthday to you!" This, of course, caused Cassie to become visibly embarrassed and cringe.
"We never did, no," Koyama said in response to Yayoi with a lazy smile. The stressful hell of the IRC. And a bar on fire while fighting bugs from some deep corner of the horror-filled beyond having melted away. Back to the safety of being on the starship. Her home outside of Kyoto or on Jiyuu. "Social setting, Tachiko, no need for rank or honorifics." saying before Sanda sat down.
"Good to be back. Your training may have been strenuous. But try international politics. Sometime, Sanda. You'd die of liver failure before the day is out."
"Diablos no." Sanda said. "I prefer being able to shoot the annoying bastardo
then having to pretend we're getting along."
Koyama smirked a little, "Shoot? Not stab with your Silver?" she queried.
Sanda returned the smirk. "Well, if you want to get technical? Yes stabbing is always my preferred method."
Tachiko made a small sound and looked bashful as she was admonished one more time by Koyama. She nodded in assent. First Standard Fleet seemed a lot less formal than First Expeditionary Fleet.
"Yue-s~ ah, Yue is doing great. I think she is going back into the recording studio soon to do some solo work that isn't with Midnight Infinity!" Now that others were approaching her, Tachiko seemed perfectly friendly and not at all shy. She took Koyama's tray through the serving line along with her own, getting samples of everything to bring back. She looked back at the poor birthday cat and her awkward cringe, and felt embarrassed on her behalf.
The best part had finally been reached. Singing for the birthday girl which meant yelling and broken bottles on the floor. Thad started to hum along to the happy birthday song
Mochi reached over and rubbed Delmira's shoulder a little, "I gotcha. I'm fine here - thanks for bringing me over. You'd best go say something to her." The Elysian smiled warmly, then returned to his drink and swirled it a little, to see the liquid turn and flow.
'I will let him know you are considering the offer. Although I'd give it some thought before deciding to harm yourself for symbiotics. I suspect your wife might have a few stern words with you?' Koyama's mental tone a bit teasing. 'For one so small and pregnant she is... exceedingly fast. And fearsome.'
The ship's caretaker, Julia went around the wardroom handing out cold mugs of beer to anyone who wanted one.
"This man here needs two of those." Delmira said to Julia and waved her over to Mochi.
"I need another as well." Thad shouted out towards Julia. "It is party time, and Mochi isn't drunk enough yet to break out the table dancing."
"That's great to hear, Yayoi-h~ Yayoi." Even speaking Trade, the formal Neko tried to slip in honorifics. Tachiko sat back down with Koyama and company, smiling at Sanda who was across from her. She pushed the food over to Koyama. "I got some of everything."
She raised her hand when Julia came around with beer, indicating the number four with her fingers.
"Time to cut the cake," Rossa grinned. "Birthday girl gets the first piece!" she grinned, heading over to the cheesecake she'd made for the occassion, grabbing her lighter for the candles. Suddenly she swung around. "Who the hell got into the birthday cake?" she yelled.
"Seriously?" Kinie frowned.
Pidole stared at the cake in shock.
Delmira slid Mochi's slice away from him.
For once it wasn't Thad who did something wrong. This was a wonderful feeling that someone else was getting ripped a new one over the cake. "Wasn't me, I was over here the entire time breaking bottles on the floor." Though there wasn't any broken bottles.
Mochi looked up at Delmira with big puppy eyes full of betrayal as the cake was taken away, "But-.. Cake-.." He muttered, reaching halfheartedly for the slice across the table. At Thad's remark, Mochi simply shot him a look and shook his head with an amused smirk.
Koyama looked over to Tachiko, touching the other woman's arm in thanks accompanied by a smile. "Just keep it sharp. I may have to call on you one day if I have to go to another conference." her attention then shifted to Tachiko from Sanda.
"How is 'zumi? We have not talked for sometime and... I miss her." the last coming out a bit strangled once she looked down to the food. Having grown up in a traditional Yamataian setting, the various foods of the sector were all a foreign beast to her still. "Where... should I start?"
"Oh, it's like a Pizza, but inside out. They're kind of both the same thing but one is rolled and one is folded. I think one has sauce in it and this one you have to dip?" Tachiko was also much more accustomed to traditional Yamataian fare, especially since she began residing in the much more culturally conservative MCS, and was not the best explainer. "And Kazumi-nee is great," she couldn't help that honorific for her younger-but-higher-ranked sister, "I got promoted ahead of her because of my enlisted time with the Accelerated Officer program though."
Nalini watched the proceedings quietly, proud of the work that had gone into it all
"Cut Mochi some slack. It might not be his birthday but being born again after a hard fight has earned some cake." Thad shouted out in protest.
"It was cut when I got him a piece." Delmira said. "I'm sorry I thought it was already good to go." Delmira sighed and facedesked when she sat down.
Thad looked over towards Del. "Your doing her a favor by removing a few candles, just gunna remove the bad years."
Cassie looked at the incomplete cake in frustration as Rossa brought it over with candles lit. In her mind she suddenly saw her old friends from Sixth Fleet celebrating her birthday from 3 years ago. They were all dead now, thanks to the Kuvexians. She snapped back to reality, trying not to cry. These people were her new family now, and it made her terrified to think about losing them too. She wiped her eyes and blew out the candles. The wardroom filled with cheers.
While nobody was looking, Mochi reached over to his confiscated slice of cake and quickly slid it back towards him, masking its presence between his hands. Like a criminal, he grabbed a fork and snuck a few mouthfuls up, taking full advantage of his current 'wounded veteran' status. Once the celebrations began, however, Mochi made sure to clap and whoop.
Thad pulled out a paddle. "So, do we still give birthday spankings. I heard from crew this might be a thing." Thad asked while slapping the paddle into his hand.
"I'm so into that," Poppy purred.
Zanven was a little late...a few things he needed to tie up...metaphorically speaking. Now he walked in and saw That with a paddle and wondered if this might get out of hand again, so he stepped aside and was going to find a quiet booth to at least begin doing some research concerning the mission that they were given by the captain.
As she cheered and clapped, the empathetic former-medic Tachiko noted Cassie's emotion, recognizing the distinctive kind of pathos of loss. She was one of the few survivors of Taiie, herself, and lost many of her closest, and awoke from stasis to find many more had died since. She leaned in to whisper to Koyama once more, "Is she all right, do you think?"
"Thad put that away that could be considered sexual assault. Where the hell did you even hide that?" Delmira said face still planted on the table
Finishing his contraband slice, Mochi shakily got to his feet and wandered over towards Cassie and her adoring friends. Placing a hand on her shoulder, the Elysian gave Cassie an apologetic smile. "Hey, I wanted to say sorry for disappearing into the Pack Roaches on PISCES. In retrospect I know you were trying to keep me safe, but at the time with the adrenaline I didn't realize until it was too late. I'm only used to CPS' looking out for me. I hope you can forgive me, Cassie."
Yayoi watched as the first piece of the cake was given to Cassie, though she was uncertain whom had gotten into cake, though she glanced at Thad, and Poppy.
Koyama's brow wrinkled in concentration as she looked at the thing that was pizza but not pizza. But somehow was. "Still a Kohosei then," sounding a little disappointed while warily poking at the 'pastry' with a fork. Unsure of how to approach. "She keeps bragging about your skills in the kitchen you know."
"Very proud of her big sister." finally, the XO decided to just divide a small piece with the cutlery. "But warned me of something. You wear a collar? Why exactly?" Koyama asked in an off-hand tone looking at the bit critically before experimentally biting it. Giving it a bit of a chew. Clearly Kazumi hadn't provided full details.
Tachiko's face flushed a bright pink. "Ah~ I mean, she should be a Shōi, at least. And uh... well, some of us wear them, out of uniform of course, because... ah, they're sensory links, like telepathy but passive. You know... keeps us sisters closer together, haha..." She laughed nervously then hid her face behind the amber shield of her beer and pretended to drink for longer than she actually was.
Sanda watched Koyama take a bit of her food with a bemused look on her face. She pulled out her flask and took a sip. She glanced at it. She had hit the rum pretty heavily after the fight at the pub.
Yayoi glanced to Koyama and Tachiko, now that she thought of it, she saw Yue wearing a similar collar to Tachiko."ahh i see" she said.
Cassie accepted her fat-ass slice of cheesecake and took a swig of beer. "Thanks, everyone, for making it special. I really don't have any place I'd rather be than here on the Resurgence with you all." She gave Iemochi a pat on the back. "Sorry I didn't keep up with you better. I'm just glad you lived. Besides that was two months ago."
Thad winked towards Poppy, glad to see at least someone was going to be a good sport. He slowly put it back under his coat as to not cause too much of a fuse. He then looked towards Mochi. "Out front trying to be a hero more like it. Ya did good though, saved a good many people."
Zanven did order Thad a rather fruity drink just to add to the hilarity of the scene he was catching the ass-end of. He was intrigued that the paddle seemed to fit rather well into his coat, but after a few minutes he just gave a soft smile before getting to work on research using the data from the last mission and whatever was not rendered as classified from the VP that they were able to safely remove from that fucking nightmare of a ship.
Poppy gave Thad her best, "pssh," and made a funny face. "I don't know," she laughed.
Thad took the drink from Zanven and slammed it back. In his best female sound voice he replied back. "Thank you sweetie."
Zanven chuckled but did not look up as he was reading, he ordered himself a drink as he was scrolling past a few reported rumors.
Koyama tried something else next. Just a single bite. Out of politeness' sake. Her eyes went round as saucers as Tachiko explained with a flush to her cheeks. "Hooou.... full sensory input/output?" the Taii leaned a little closer to Tachiko, interest there. But of a purely scientific nature. "And Yue too?" she nodded as if this somehow made sense.
"How does it work exactly, long-distance I mean?" the Princess questioned, placing a finger along the back of one of Tachiko's hands and giving it a feather-light stroke. "It isn't on now is it? Would she feel that?" her interest was piqued. "I am also wondering if Sanda's flask somehow self-replicates rum. Because it never seems to empty." remarking at the brief scent of the liquor.
"Well, I don't have mine on, so she wouldn't feel it? It's not authorized." She blushes a little more deeply as Koyama strokes her hand. "It's connected through SYNC, so it's the same FTL networking everything uses." Retraining to Mission Ops had leveled up Tachiko's communications technology skills significantly, and she had to resist the urge to jargonify her explanation.
Mochi gave Cassie a parting smile, waddling back towards Del and the table. Sitting down opposite her, the Elysian gave a deep sigh and leaned back in the chair. Comfy, Mochi regarded Del with an amused expression. "So, you're in trouble with the missus." He sipped his beer, "I'm somewhat of an expert on that myself-" He chuckled deeply, winking at Del.
Kinie gave Delmira's hand a warm squeeze as she sipped her beer.
Sanda smiled. "I refill it every night. Weather its just a top off or a compleate refill. That's why the Rum is never gone."
Delmira looked at Kinie then at Mochi. "Well i did steal you cake." She sat up and sipped her own beer before looking. "I will go apologize to her after."
Sakuko found Zanven and greeted him with a devious smile and a beer in her hand. "Hello my fellow pilot," she smiled. "I'm glad you could make it! I was wondering if you wanted to hang out tonight," she asked him. "I could give you another massage if you like. I was thinking about the time we've spent together so far and I want you to know that I like you."
Zanven smiled as he heard the familiar voice enter his ears. He sat the tablet down and as his drink arrived he looked up at Sakuko and gave a wink and gestures to sit with him before he scooted over. "Yeah sorry about being late...had a little bit of an issue with some of the Nodachi's updates..". He said with a chuckle as he nodded. "It's great to see you too by the way, was beginning to think that maybe the last time we hung out I said something wrong when I asked for a hand with the ship and we ended up sleeping in the cockpit." He would say as she stated she could give him another massage, and that she was wanting to hang out again and that made him forget about his small worry for a time. He was about to answer when Thad broke in and said to let him know if he needed that paddle...which would have made him blush if he was a little more drunk. The pilot laughed it off and then gave Thad a thumbs up before finally getting back to his original task, an answer. "Yeach, you know what, I would love to hang out some more. This time not working on the ship though, as for the massage I believe last I checked it was my turn to give you one right?" He asked as he looked at her and drank his beer.
"Yes," Sakuko smiled. "This time I accept."
Thad overheard some of the conversation between Zan and Sakuko. This warmed his heart they seemed to be getting along well. Thad stood and gave a shout out to Zan. "Hey, let me know if you need to borrow this." As he waved the paddle over his head.
Koyama 'hmmm'd' at the explanations. "You could just setup a simple QEC private netw-" one of her eyebrows slowly raised as she looked to the older Neko. First up, then down, then up again. "Ahh...." as if coming to some realization. Either in regard to Sanda or her cousin.
Mochi nodded like an ancient sage, as if he had some immense wisdom to share to Del. Leaning forwards, he gestured for Del to come closer. Looking left and right in case anyone was listening in, he whispered. "The secret.. is.." Mochi breathed quietly, before finishing, "To apologise and get them gifts." With a chuckle, he leaned back, "Crazy huh! Nobody knows that but you and me-- at least it seems that way at times!"
Cassie went around the room hugging everyone. Then she found her gift from Koyama and opened it. "Oh...wow!" she blinked. "This is really nice of you!"
Koyama patted Cassie on the back with a murmured: "Happy Birthday."
"I didn't bring a gift," Pidole whispered to Euikoshi, feeling a little awkward.
"Oh, you're giving her something tonight alright," Euikoshi told Pidole with THAT LOOK. "You remember that time on the train?"
Pidole stared at Euikoshi, then to Cassie, and then back. "Okay."
Delmira turned to Kinie. "Gift giving huh?" She turned and looked at Cassie. "Fuck." She turned back to Kinie and Mochi "I didn't know we where supposed to bring gifts."
"I could give Cassie a goth makeover," Kinie said. "I don't really have much else to offer."
Koyama nodded, "I can see how such a thing could be used," her response was just as vague while eyeing Tachiko. "And you do realize the Lorath have a form of replicator technology, Sanda? As in, the possibility exists for a never ending flask of rum?"
Sanda snorted figuring Koyama was teasing her. "It can replicate good rum? And in a conveniently small and portable form? Sounds better than that motorcycle I never got."
Koyama sniffed in response to the snort, "They can replicate armor plate. How simple would rum be in comparison?" then she waved dismissively. "Your motorcycle was built already. I had planned on giving it to you for your graduation. Perform the whole corny Nepleslia schtick of leaning on it and waiting."
Rolling her eyes the Taii sighed, "But I should probably have it transferred back to the ship at the next opportunity. I just have not installed Anti-Thad measures."
Tachiko took another nervous sip of beer and just nodded at Koyama. The hug from the feline Cassie was nice, though. Even if Tachiko was a little confused, given how small her contribution was, it was still nice. Soft, warm kitty.
Sanda snorted. "My anti-Thad measure is you tell him not to touch it. He'll listen to his princess."
Koyama's eyes returned to their slits, smiling at Sanda in such a way as if to say: "I will cut you.' at mentioning Thad listening to her. That man did the exact damned opposite.
Tachiko just looked back and forth between Sanda and Koyama, confused. The man's reputation hadn't quite gelled in her mind. She just had anecdotes from the Resurgence crew during Giretsu but hadn't put it all together who it was.
Mochi half-whispered over to Delmira, "If nothing else, I have a spare MAW that you could give her if you need something quickly. Other than that, all I've got is pocket watches and a magic hand.."
Delmira returned Cassie's hug "Sorry about the cake I will get you something later." Then she whipped her head around so fast to Mochi. "That i may keep for myself."
"Oink, oink," Cassie chuckled, softly elbowing Delmira in the ribs. "I forgive you. It wasn't the cake thing that got to me."
Aoba nodded approvingly seeing his crew enjoying themselves. He was content to let them relax and get to work on the mission tomorrow after a night of fun. The steely-eyed captain quietly slipped out of the room after Cassie hugged him, and went back to the bridge to study.
Koyama turned her focus back to Tachiko, "We do this a lot. You get used to Sanda and me after a while." taking the look she'd been giving the pair the wrong way.
"Ah, I see." Taking the last bite of calzone she felt she could stomach and washing it down with a beer, she nodded, then her eyes followed Aoba out of the room. "Maybe I should follow him to talk, I don't think I've really even been properly briefed yet. I'm not even sure of my bunk assignment. Everything just says 'pending' when I look."
"Anti-Thad measures, please. Just leave a line of beer cans away from whatever. It works every time." Thad could not help but chuckle at the idea of them needing counter measures. "And you best be quick about it, I am one flex away from shear heartattack." He did a power man flex and put on his pretty boy smile.
"Alright, come with me Cassie, it's time for your real present!" Euikoshi giggled, gently tugging Cassie by the hand towards the wardroom door, with Pidole and Poppy following along.
"It's the prototype, but it should serve you as well as it served me." Mochi offered to Del as Cassie was pulled away, "I don't use it as much as I used to. It's probably time to pass it on to someone who would appreciate it." Mochi grinned, like a father giving a heirloom to his daughter.
"Well, you could. Or I could assign you a cabin." Koyama offered. "Part of my job beyond juggling the insanity aboard this ship is crew assignments."
"Ah, yes. That would be good, yes." Tachiko replied to Koyama but her eyes, and thoughts, were on Pidole, Cassie, and Euikoshi.
Koyama waved Tachiko on, "Or go ask the Captain. Ladies' choice."
END
OOC: JP by Wes, Demibear, Ajax, Charaa, Cowboy, Soresu, Soban, Spaceeye, Shadowwalker, and Ethereal, Yuuki, Zanven
YE 44.5.11
It was dinner time on the Resurgence, and after a long day of ship maintenance the crew was gathered in the ship's wardroom to eat chef Rossa's famous stromboli and calzones, Greek salads, and seafood pasta. It was also Cassie's birthday night and there was a huge cheesecake for dessert with a chibi picture of Cassie in frosting on the top. The ship had finally left Pisces after the conference with a new mission.
"Our objective is to start hunting for one of these machine planets we can successfully take over," Aoba explained as everyone started sitting down to eat. "There's a number of possibilities, including the super dangerous one we found two months ago, and we need to narrow it down. In addition, we may be able to glean more machine world locations from the Kuvexians, who know that area of space better than we do. Finding one of these moon-sized computers is critical to the Empire. I'm open to ideas from everyone. That's all. Think on it and enjoy your dinner!"
Yayoi was quiet as she sat down, she noted that it was Cassie's birthday due to the cake and the cute chibi picture of her. However, as Aoba began speaking her attention went to him, and she listened, her mind processing and thinking as she enjoyed her dinner as ordered. She glanced to Sanda as she was greatly affected during the incident on the station. She supposed her first question would be whether they'd find weaknesses on the robotic enemy, something they could use with power armor.
Sanda had had a rough go of things since that horrible night at the pub. She had become very withdrawn and spend hardly any time on the ship except when she was on duty. But she had gotten through it. Mostly with help from Caffran. She hated leaving him, but she knew she had to get back to work. She did feel a lot better now though. Like the crisis had passed and she had her feelings and emotions locked down again.
Shortly after the station Delmira had a talk with Poppy about her near mental break down, killing pack roaches however made things a lot better. She sat with the usual suspects and smiled as she playfully teased Cassie. "You are getting old i think i see a gray hair." She stopped as soon as Aoba spoke and turned her attention to him.
"I'm gray all over!" Cassie scratched her head. "Wait, that was the joke, wasn't it...also I'm only twenty-five."
Euikoshi, the ship's science specialist proposed, "I think first we should try to find records of encounters with these machine worlds and make a list and rate them by how useful they might be," she said. "There's got to be other ships that have encountered them and noted them in their logs. Another idea I had is trying to contact the Essai, who seem to be able to control such worlds."
"We should make countermeasures against the machine parasite things that we fought before as well, that is if the are the same machines that is." Delmira suggested before grinning at Cassie. "Man I feel young. I'm only 4," she said to the other woman. "But yes I was joking Cassie."
Thad was enjoying a drink, enjoying the peaceful night. Granted the last time a night was peaceful, a bug outbreak happen and a bar ended up on fire. Though, not uncommon given the type of places he use to go. Sadly however, he did not end up with company that night. "Can't we just send a divide by zero hack to the planet?"
Koyama preferred not to mix business with pleasure. But she listened nonetheless. Her fingers were interlaced, supporting her chin while listening to the conversation. She had not been there for that particular incident. And simply wondered what such a thing could offer the Empire. Their computational technology was superb by sectorial standards. Hyper-fold enhanced systems hardly needed to be the size of worlds to accomplish the same tasks. The XO let it go, eyes closed to slits her expression somewhat relaxed after the debacle on the station.
This was a special day for someone and she would not ruin it for them by speaking out of turn. Or what was on her mind in that regard. Instead, she had placed a card beside the cake. The thick cream-colored envelope contained passes for a group-size of the Anthro's choosing to wherever she wished to go within the Sector on her leave. All expenses paid. It was the least she could do.
The newest member of the ship's officer corps, one (Ketsurui-no-) Motoyoshi Tachiko, lurked near her Actual-Ketsurui cousin. She was particularly quiet for someone who was essentially the ship's communications chief, with more of the demeanor of an engineer than someone whose job was primarily speaking. Of course, she knew these people, they weren't strangers, at least some of them. She'd just been to Giretsu school with several of them only a few months ago, and had even served with Frank on the YSS Mazu prior to coming here. It just wasn't about adjusting to a new place. The Chūi simply listened to the conversation at hand– her task, she knew, would come when there was actionable intelligence and it was time to assemble an away team. Then planning, strategy, communications. That was Mission Ops.
Smiling somewhat bashfully at Koyama she leaned in to whisper to her, "I feel like I should have got a present or something at the ship's store first, but I didn't know."
Mochi rubbed his head a little as he entered the room, blonde hair tousling. He still seemed out of it from his recent 'experience' with the Pack Roaches. Glancing around to the others, the Elysian raised a hand wearily in greeting with a strained smile. He was looking a bit worse for wear.
Yayoi glanced over, and took note of Mochi's presence. She recalled he was injured during the attack. Tachiko's presence was soon noticed, and she smiled at her business partner.
Koyama's velvet-like ear, one of them anyway twitched at Tachiko's whisper and closeness. Her eyes were still mostly closed. "Take partial credit for my gift." murmured Tachiko's cousin.
"If they go anywhere Yugumo owns I'll foot the bill," Tachiko whispered back to Koyama with a nod. "Thanks so much, Koyama-Taii."
"Excuse me ladies." Delmira said and got up and walked over to Mochi. "Are you ok papa bird? I dont think i have ever seen you that messed up."
Sanda overheard Del's comment and grimaced. She had once made the mistake of improperly addressing the Taii. She tucked into her food and tried to not make eye contact.
Pidole took one of the big strombolis and slid it on her plate, returning to the table to sit next to Euiokoshi, who had started staring at a tablet pouring over old Star Army records from the Kuvexian War. Her beetle companion, loyally flying behind her, carried a cannoli that it had acquired from the serving line.
Mochi, while having historically been adverse to being called a bird, in the same sense a human would loathe being called a monkey, just gave a tired grin to Delmira. "Yeah-- Still feeling the effects, but I'm just glad I remembered that extra training I've got over the years.."
Yayoi moved closer to Sanda and whispered to her ear. "if you need to we can have a go later on if you'd like?" She asked remembering how caring Sanda was for her own issues in a previous moment.
Sanda smiled. Though she didn't always do a good job of expressing her feelings she smiled at Yayoi. She also remembered not to long ago helping out her fellow Ranger when she was going through a tough time. At that moment, Sanda really did think of Yayoi as her sister. "Thanks. I'm good. I need to get back in the fight."
Yayoi nodded and smiled back to Sanda in understanding. She'd left the offer stand for whenever she needed it.
"Come one lets get you sitting and eating food. I know it made me feel better." Delmira said and would help Mochi over to a table. She made sure to get him a slice of cake.
Koyama offered the barest of nods, "Mmm," her slitted gaze went to the Elysian, nodding to him as well. "We both have a vested interest in the betterment of the cluster." she shifted her head a little but it wasn't enough to get a clear look at Tachiko, "And Koyama is fine. This is a social setting, if you would allow me to call you Tachiko?"
Tachiko watched the glances and body language and pondered Koyama's intonation during the interaction between her and Iemochi, far enough from politics she was unaware of anything between them other than being shipmates. "Hai, of course Koyama," Tachiko relaxed some once the formality was dropped between officers and relatives, for now.
"I'm going to get some of that Elysian pastry they're serving. I've only ever had the ones from Kikyō Pie, myself. Do you want me to bring you something back over here?"
Koyama turned her head a little more, her cheek now resting against her interlocked fingertips. "Surprise me?" she said in response to the offer.
Mochi was all too happy to accept Delmira's offer, nodding in appreciation. He'd sit down with her, grateful to not have to think to hard right now. The Elysian returned Koyama's nod with a open gesture of the hand, just to let her know he was there if she needed.
Thad lifted a beer towards Mochi. "Grab your glass and enjoy my friend. Good to see you in a little more...together." He continued by taking a drink of his glass.
"In YE 40, YSS Eucharis encountered a damaged machine planet that was besieged by opportunistic salvagers, Rixxikor squatters, and the hostile remains of vast robot armies. At its core was a vast computer containing a sleeping artificial intelligence. The Eucharis woke the AI up and the machine planet started vaporizing the Kuvexian starships around it," Euikoshi told those around her. Pidole rubbed her chin. "I wonder where it went after that."
Mochi flapped his sunburst wings gently at Thad's comment, indicating he was now whole again. "I'll definitely do that- Thanks, Thad." The Elysian dropped the honorifics, not having the energy to observe that tradition at the moment, instead opting to grab a glass and raise it to Thad in a toast of sorts. "Delmira, would you like one too?"
Yayoi got up and moved towards Koyama and Tachiko. Though her intention was to talk to Tachiko, the fact that Koyama was there gave her an opportunity to speak to her as well. "hello Tachiko, I'm pleased to see you here as well. I'd love to chat since the last we spoke at the new bar" she told her then turned to Koyama. "as i recall, we hadnt had a chance to drink the three of us due to the incident."
Sanda finished her meal and dropped off her plate. On her way back to the table she stopped by Mochi and said, "I'm glad to see you back on your feet Sir. You put up quite an impressive fight out there... for a Science Officer."
Delmira shrugged. "Why not." She said and grabbed a drink as well. Her tail swayed a bit behind her resuming its habit of betraying her attempts to at being stoic.
'The High-Guardian sends his condolences for your injuries. And offered at special dispensation to grant you symbiotic prosthetics." Koyama's telepathic 'voice' directed itself to Mochi, "But it would seem we managed to put you together again.'
Mochi gave Sanda a knowing wink, "I've not always just been a Science Officer." He spoke knowingly, taking a sip from his glass. Leaning over, the Elysian tapped his glass against Del's with a smirk, "Cheers." Sending a message back to Koyama, Mochi sounded surprised, "Symbiotics? That might be an offer I can't refuse! I can always get these removed again, heh-"
"Oh, Yayoi-Hei!" Tachiko smiled broadly, looking genuinely happy to speak to Yayoi despite her general shy reticence. "How is the bar going? I hope the bugs are all gone! I was just about to go get some of this food for Koyama-itokosan," she used the honorific when speaking about her cousin, since her cousin was a princess, rather than the humble way Yamataians refer to their own family members, "Come with me to the serving line and tell me about it?"
"The bar is going well, I'm told all the bugs have been eliminated sand now everything is clean. Once the mission is concluded we could go back if you'd like. I might make a percentage discount for the crew that does especially after what happened. Sure, we can chat if you'd like, how is Yue-sama doing, do you know?
Sanda smiled at Mochi and took a seat beside Yayoi, across the table from Koyama and Tachiko. She looked over at Koyama and said, "I'm glad to finally have you back too."
Delmira smiled and looked at Mochi. "If you need anything just ask but there's a certain neko i need to grovel to for her night not going as planned." She said and looked in the direction of Kinie.
"Haaaaapy birthday to you!" Poppy started to sing to Cassie, hoping the others would join in. "happy birthday to you!" This, of course, caused Cassie to become visibly embarrassed and cringe.
"We never did, no," Koyama said in response to Yayoi with a lazy smile. The stressful hell of the IRC. And a bar on fire while fighting bugs from some deep corner of the horror-filled beyond having melted away. Back to the safety of being on the starship. Her home outside of Kyoto or on Jiyuu. "Social setting, Tachiko, no need for rank or honorifics." saying before Sanda sat down.
"Good to be back. Your training may have been strenuous. But try international politics. Sometime, Sanda. You'd die of liver failure before the day is out."
"Diablos no." Sanda said. "I prefer being able to shoot the annoying bastardo
then having to pretend we're getting along."
Koyama smirked a little, "Shoot? Not stab with your Silver?" she queried.
Sanda returned the smirk. "Well, if you want to get technical? Yes stabbing is always my preferred method."
Tachiko made a small sound and looked bashful as she was admonished one more time by Koyama. She nodded in assent. First Standard Fleet seemed a lot less formal than First Expeditionary Fleet.
"Yue-s~ ah, Yue is doing great. I think she is going back into the recording studio soon to do some solo work that isn't with Midnight Infinity!" Now that others were approaching her, Tachiko seemed perfectly friendly and not at all shy. She took Koyama's tray through the serving line along with her own, getting samples of everything to bring back. She looked back at the poor birthday cat and her awkward cringe, and felt embarrassed on her behalf.
The best part had finally been reached. Singing for the birthday girl which meant yelling and broken bottles on the floor. Thad started to hum along to the happy birthday song
Mochi reached over and rubbed Delmira's shoulder a little, "I gotcha. I'm fine here - thanks for bringing me over. You'd best go say something to her." The Elysian smiled warmly, then returned to his drink and swirled it a little, to see the liquid turn and flow.
'I will let him know you are considering the offer. Although I'd give it some thought before deciding to harm yourself for symbiotics. I suspect your wife might have a few stern words with you?' Koyama's mental tone a bit teasing. 'For one so small and pregnant she is... exceedingly fast. And fearsome.'
The ship's caretaker, Julia went around the wardroom handing out cold mugs of beer to anyone who wanted one.
"This man here needs two of those." Delmira said to Julia and waved her over to Mochi.
"I need another as well." Thad shouted out towards Julia. "It is party time, and Mochi isn't drunk enough yet to break out the table dancing."
"That's great to hear, Yayoi-h~ Yayoi." Even speaking Trade, the formal Neko tried to slip in honorifics. Tachiko sat back down with Koyama and company, smiling at Sanda who was across from her. She pushed the food over to Koyama. "I got some of everything."
She raised her hand when Julia came around with beer, indicating the number four with her fingers.
"Time to cut the cake," Rossa grinned. "Birthday girl gets the first piece!" she grinned, heading over to the cheesecake she'd made for the occassion, grabbing her lighter for the candles. Suddenly she swung around. "Who the hell got into the birthday cake?" she yelled.
"Seriously?" Kinie frowned.
Pidole stared at the cake in shock.
Delmira slid Mochi's slice away from him.
For once it wasn't Thad who did something wrong. This was a wonderful feeling that someone else was getting ripped a new one over the cake. "Wasn't me, I was over here the entire time breaking bottles on the floor." Though there wasn't any broken bottles.
Mochi looked up at Delmira with big puppy eyes full of betrayal as the cake was taken away, "But-.. Cake-.." He muttered, reaching halfheartedly for the slice across the table. At Thad's remark, Mochi simply shot him a look and shook his head with an amused smirk.
Koyama looked over to Tachiko, touching the other woman's arm in thanks accompanied by a smile. "Just keep it sharp. I may have to call on you one day if I have to go to another conference." her attention then shifted to Tachiko from Sanda.
"How is 'zumi? We have not talked for sometime and... I miss her." the last coming out a bit strangled once she looked down to the food. Having grown up in a traditional Yamataian setting, the various foods of the sector were all a foreign beast to her still. "Where... should I start?"
"Oh, it's like a Pizza, but inside out. They're kind of both the same thing but one is rolled and one is folded. I think one has sauce in it and this one you have to dip?" Tachiko was also much more accustomed to traditional Yamataian fare, especially since she began residing in the much more culturally conservative MCS, and was not the best explainer. "And Kazumi-nee is great," she couldn't help that honorific for her younger-but-higher-ranked sister, "I got promoted ahead of her because of my enlisted time with the Accelerated Officer program though."
Nalini watched the proceedings quietly, proud of the work that had gone into it all
"Cut Mochi some slack. It might not be his birthday but being born again after a hard fight has earned some cake." Thad shouted out in protest.
"It was cut when I got him a piece." Delmira said. "I'm sorry I thought it was already good to go." Delmira sighed and facedesked when she sat down.
Thad looked over towards Del. "Your doing her a favor by removing a few candles, just gunna remove the bad years."
Cassie looked at the incomplete cake in frustration as Rossa brought it over with candles lit. In her mind she suddenly saw her old friends from Sixth Fleet celebrating her birthday from 3 years ago. They were all dead now, thanks to the Kuvexians. She snapped back to reality, trying not to cry. These people were her new family now, and it made her terrified to think about losing them too. She wiped her eyes and blew out the candles. The wardroom filled with cheers.
While nobody was looking, Mochi reached over to his confiscated slice of cake and quickly slid it back towards him, masking its presence between his hands. Like a criminal, he grabbed a fork and snuck a few mouthfuls up, taking full advantage of his current 'wounded veteran' status. Once the celebrations began, however, Mochi made sure to clap and whoop.
Thad pulled out a paddle. "So, do we still give birthday spankings. I heard from crew this might be a thing." Thad asked while slapping the paddle into his hand.
"I'm so into that," Poppy purred.
Zanven was a little late...a few things he needed to tie up...metaphorically speaking. Now he walked in and saw That with a paddle and wondered if this might get out of hand again, so he stepped aside and was going to find a quiet booth to at least begin doing some research concerning the mission that they were given by the captain.
As she cheered and clapped, the empathetic former-medic Tachiko noted Cassie's emotion, recognizing the distinctive kind of pathos of loss. She was one of the few survivors of Taiie, herself, and lost many of her closest, and awoke from stasis to find many more had died since. She leaned in to whisper to Koyama once more, "Is she all right, do you think?"
"Thad put that away that could be considered sexual assault. Where the hell did you even hide that?" Delmira said face still planted on the table
Finishing his contraband slice, Mochi shakily got to his feet and wandered over towards Cassie and her adoring friends. Placing a hand on her shoulder, the Elysian gave Cassie an apologetic smile. "Hey, I wanted to say sorry for disappearing into the Pack Roaches on PISCES. In retrospect I know you were trying to keep me safe, but at the time with the adrenaline I didn't realize until it was too late. I'm only used to CPS' looking out for me. I hope you can forgive me, Cassie."
Yayoi watched as the first piece of the cake was given to Cassie, though she was uncertain whom had gotten into cake, though she glanced at Thad, and Poppy.
Koyama's brow wrinkled in concentration as she looked at the thing that was pizza but not pizza. But somehow was. "Still a Kohosei then," sounding a little disappointed while warily poking at the 'pastry' with a fork. Unsure of how to approach. "She keeps bragging about your skills in the kitchen you know."
"Very proud of her big sister." finally, the XO decided to just divide a small piece with the cutlery. "But warned me of something. You wear a collar? Why exactly?" Koyama asked in an off-hand tone looking at the bit critically before experimentally biting it. Giving it a bit of a chew. Clearly Kazumi hadn't provided full details.
Tachiko's face flushed a bright pink. "Ah~ I mean, she should be a Shōi, at least. And uh... well, some of us wear them, out of uniform of course, because... ah, they're sensory links, like telepathy but passive. You know... keeps us sisters closer together, haha..." She laughed nervously then hid her face behind the amber shield of her beer and pretended to drink for longer than she actually was.
Sanda watched Koyama take a bit of her food with a bemused look on her face. She pulled out her flask and took a sip. She glanced at it. She had hit the rum pretty heavily after the fight at the pub.
Yayoi glanced to Koyama and Tachiko, now that she thought of it, she saw Yue wearing a similar collar to Tachiko."ahh i see" she said.
Cassie accepted her fat-ass slice of cheesecake and took a swig of beer. "Thanks, everyone, for making it special. I really don't have any place I'd rather be than here on the Resurgence with you all." She gave Iemochi a pat on the back. "Sorry I didn't keep up with you better. I'm just glad you lived. Besides that was two months ago."
Thad winked towards Poppy, glad to see at least someone was going to be a good sport. He slowly put it back under his coat as to not cause too much of a fuse. He then looked towards Mochi. "Out front trying to be a hero more like it. Ya did good though, saved a good many people."
Zanven did order Thad a rather fruity drink just to add to the hilarity of the scene he was catching the ass-end of. He was intrigued that the paddle seemed to fit rather well into his coat, but after a few minutes he just gave a soft smile before getting to work on research using the data from the last mission and whatever was not rendered as classified from the VP that they were able to safely remove from that fucking nightmare of a ship.
Poppy gave Thad her best, "pssh," and made a funny face. "I don't know," she laughed.
Thad took the drink from Zanven and slammed it back. In his best female sound voice he replied back. "Thank you sweetie."
Zanven chuckled but did not look up as he was reading, he ordered himself a drink as he was scrolling past a few reported rumors.
Koyama tried something else next. Just a single bite. Out of politeness' sake. Her eyes went round as saucers as Tachiko explained with a flush to her cheeks. "Hooou.... full sensory input/output?" the Taii leaned a little closer to Tachiko, interest there. But of a purely scientific nature. "And Yue too?" she nodded as if this somehow made sense.
"How does it work exactly, long-distance I mean?" the Princess questioned, placing a finger along the back of one of Tachiko's hands and giving it a feather-light stroke. "It isn't on now is it? Would she feel that?" her interest was piqued. "I am also wondering if Sanda's flask somehow self-replicates rum. Because it never seems to empty." remarking at the brief scent of the liquor.
"Well, I don't have mine on, so she wouldn't feel it? It's not authorized." She blushes a little more deeply as Koyama strokes her hand. "It's connected through SYNC, so it's the same FTL networking everything uses." Retraining to Mission Ops had leveled up Tachiko's communications technology skills significantly, and she had to resist the urge to jargonify her explanation.
Mochi gave Cassie a parting smile, waddling back towards Del and the table. Sitting down opposite her, the Elysian gave a deep sigh and leaned back in the chair. Comfy, Mochi regarded Del with an amused expression. "So, you're in trouble with the missus." He sipped his beer, "I'm somewhat of an expert on that myself-" He chuckled deeply, winking at Del.
Kinie gave Delmira's hand a warm squeeze as she sipped her beer.
Sanda smiled. "I refill it every night. Weather its just a top off or a compleate refill. That's why the Rum is never gone."
Delmira looked at Kinie then at Mochi. "Well i did steal you cake." She sat up and sipped her own beer before looking. "I will go apologize to her after."
Sakuko found Zanven and greeted him with a devious smile and a beer in her hand. "Hello my fellow pilot," she smiled. "I'm glad you could make it! I was wondering if you wanted to hang out tonight," she asked him. "I could give you another massage if you like. I was thinking about the time we've spent together so far and I want you to know that I like you."
Zanven smiled as he heard the familiar voice enter his ears. He sat the tablet down and as his drink arrived he looked up at Sakuko and gave a wink and gestures to sit with him before he scooted over. "Yeah sorry about being late...had a little bit of an issue with some of the Nodachi's updates..". He said with a chuckle as he nodded. "It's great to see you too by the way, was beginning to think that maybe the last time we hung out I said something wrong when I asked for a hand with the ship and we ended up sleeping in the cockpit." He would say as she stated she could give him another massage, and that she was wanting to hang out again and that made him forget about his small worry for a time. He was about to answer when Thad broke in and said to let him know if he needed that paddle...which would have made him blush if he was a little more drunk. The pilot laughed it off and then gave Thad a thumbs up before finally getting back to his original task, an answer. "Yeach, you know what, I would love to hang out some more. This time not working on the ship though, as for the massage I believe last I checked it was my turn to give you one right?" He asked as he looked at her and drank his beer.
"Yes," Sakuko smiled. "This time I accept."
Thad overheard some of the conversation between Zan and Sakuko. This warmed his heart they seemed to be getting along well. Thad stood and gave a shout out to Zan. "Hey, let me know if you need to borrow this." As he waved the paddle over his head.
Koyama 'hmmm'd' at the explanations. "You could just setup a simple QEC private netw-" one of her eyebrows slowly raised as she looked to the older Neko. First up, then down, then up again. "Ahh...." as if coming to some realization. Either in regard to Sanda or her cousin.
Mochi nodded like an ancient sage, as if he had some immense wisdom to share to Del. Leaning forwards, he gestured for Del to come closer. Looking left and right in case anyone was listening in, he whispered. "The secret.. is.." Mochi breathed quietly, before finishing, "To apologise and get them gifts." With a chuckle, he leaned back, "Crazy huh! Nobody knows that but you and me-- at least it seems that way at times!"
Cassie went around the room hugging everyone. Then she found her gift from Koyama and opened it. "Oh...wow!" she blinked. "This is really nice of you!"
Koyama patted Cassie on the back with a murmured: "Happy Birthday."
"I didn't bring a gift," Pidole whispered to Euikoshi, feeling a little awkward.
"Oh, you're giving her something tonight alright," Euikoshi told Pidole with THAT LOOK. "You remember that time on the train?"
Pidole stared at Euikoshi, then to Cassie, and then back. "Okay."
Delmira turned to Kinie. "Gift giving huh?" She turned and looked at Cassie. "Fuck." She turned back to Kinie and Mochi "I didn't know we where supposed to bring gifts."
"I could give Cassie a goth makeover," Kinie said. "I don't really have much else to offer."
Koyama nodded, "I can see how such a thing could be used," her response was just as vague while eyeing Tachiko. "And you do realize the Lorath have a form of replicator technology, Sanda? As in, the possibility exists for a never ending flask of rum?"
Sanda snorted figuring Koyama was teasing her. "It can replicate good rum? And in a conveniently small and portable form? Sounds better than that motorcycle I never got."
Koyama sniffed in response to the snort, "They can replicate armor plate. How simple would rum be in comparison?" then she waved dismissively. "Your motorcycle was built already. I had planned on giving it to you for your graduation. Perform the whole corny Nepleslia schtick of leaning on it and waiting."
Rolling her eyes the Taii sighed, "But I should probably have it transferred back to the ship at the next opportunity. I just have not installed Anti-Thad measures."
Tachiko took another nervous sip of beer and just nodded at Koyama. The hug from the feline Cassie was nice, though. Even if Tachiko was a little confused, given how small her contribution was, it was still nice. Soft, warm kitty.
Sanda snorted. "My anti-Thad measure is you tell him not to touch it. He'll listen to his princess."
Koyama's eyes returned to their slits, smiling at Sanda in such a way as if to say: "I will cut you.' at mentioning Thad listening to her. That man did the exact damned opposite.
Tachiko just looked back and forth between Sanda and Koyama, confused. The man's reputation hadn't quite gelled in her mind. She just had anecdotes from the Resurgence crew during Giretsu but hadn't put it all together who it was.
Mochi half-whispered over to Delmira, "If nothing else, I have a spare MAW that you could give her if you need something quickly. Other than that, all I've got is pocket watches and a magic hand.."
Delmira returned Cassie's hug "Sorry about the cake I will get you something later." Then she whipped her head around so fast to Mochi. "That i may keep for myself."
"Oink, oink," Cassie chuckled, softly elbowing Delmira in the ribs. "I forgive you. It wasn't the cake thing that got to me."
Aoba nodded approvingly seeing his crew enjoying themselves. He was content to let them relax and get to work on the mission tomorrow after a night of fun. The steely-eyed captain quietly slipped out of the room after Cassie hugged him, and went back to the bridge to study.
Koyama turned her focus back to Tachiko, "We do this a lot. You get used to Sanda and me after a while." taking the look she'd been giving the pair the wrong way.
"Ah, I see." Taking the last bite of calzone she felt she could stomach and washing it down with a beer, she nodded, then her eyes followed Aoba out of the room. "Maybe I should follow him to talk, I don't think I've really even been properly briefed yet. I'm not even sure of my bunk assignment. Everything just says 'pending' when I look."
"Anti-Thad measures, please. Just leave a line of beer cans away from whatever. It works every time." Thad could not help but chuckle at the idea of them needing counter measures. "And you best be quick about it, I am one flex away from shear heartattack." He did a power man flex and put on his pretty boy smile.
"Alright, come with me Cassie, it's time for your real present!" Euikoshi giggled, gently tugging Cassie by the hand towards the wardroom door, with Pidole and Poppy following along.
"It's the prototype, but it should serve you as well as it served me." Mochi offered to Del as Cassie was pulled away, "I don't use it as much as I used to. It's probably time to pass it on to someone who would appreciate it." Mochi grinned, like a father giving a heirloom to his daughter.
"Well, you could. Or I could assign you a cabin." Koyama offered. "Part of my job beyond juggling the insanity aboard this ship is crew assignments."
"Ah, yes. That would be good, yes." Tachiko replied to Koyama but her eyes, and thoughts, were on Pidole, Cassie, and Euikoshi.
Koyama waved Tachiko on, "Or go ask the Captain. Ladies' choice."
END
OOC: JP by Wes, Demibear, Ajax, Charaa, Cowboy, Soresu, Soban, Spaceeye, Shadowwalker, and Ethereal, Yuuki, Zanven
