Soft-Shelled

by Rebutia_Bloom

Summary:

Akafuyu joins Rhodes Island, hoping to find anything to help her move beyond her past. Instead, she only finds herself forced to confront it.

Chapter 1: Settling In

The first thing Akafuyu notices when she walks into the Rhodes Island reception room is how cold it is. Compared to the balmy heat of a Lungmen morning in the summer, it's a welcome change. As she's led deeper and deeper through the halls by signs pointing her to the Human Resources Office, though, it becomes less of a relief and more of a creeping dread. It's a painfully familiar feeling, but she can't put her finger on it for now. So she walks, her sandals clicking loudly on the polished metal floor. She doesn't see any operators on her way there - she figures they're all behind doors that say 'Restricted Access,' fast asleep - but when she arrives at the office that changes.

She sees some sort of blonde Feline standing in front of the door, with her back turned to Akafuyu. At least she assumes she's a Feline. The serpentine tail poking out from under her jacket gives her a second thought; it reminds Akafuyu of an old folk tale she used to hear back in Higashi. The Feline's odd clothing and the sword at her hip makes it obvious she's one of Rhodes Island's operators, though. Akafuyu takes note of the make of her sword: clearly from Higashi herself, it seems, if not just an imitator.

At first Akafuyu thinks she's waiting for someone to come out of the office, if a bit oddly. Then as time passes, she realizes something's up. She steps in front of the operator, waving her hand in front of her face. That seems to get her attention. The operator blinks before turning to Akafuyu with a start.

"Woah! you really shouldn't sneak up on people like that," she says nonchalantly.

Akafuyu huffs as she crosses her arms, "Sneak up on you? You've been standing here for a while."

The operator ignores her, instead choosing to unlock the door in front of her and stroll in, whistling all the while. Akafuyu follows her.

"H-Hey, I'm talking to you," she says. The operator just takes a seat behind the desk, and Akafuyu stops in her tracks. There's no way this woman was actually the HR representative, right?

"Hi there, sorry about earlier." The operator giggles as she drums her nails on the desk. "You don't look familiar. Took a wrong turn looking for the bathroom?"

Akafuyu sighs as she takes a seat in front of the desk. "Yes, right. My name is Akafuyu, and I'm here to offer my blade in service to Rhodes Island."

"Oh, you're new and you're onboarding! I don't usually handle that, but…" She reaches into a drawer, digging around for God knows what. "Just a moment, sorry about this."

Akafuyu goes to open her mouth, but the Feline speaks again, leaning down to find what she's looking for. "Oh, oh, oh! Right, where are my manners? My name is Utage."

Utage. Her name suits her looks, at least. Utage slaps a folder on the desk and scoots forward in her office chair. She takes a pen from the cup on the desk and opens said folder.

"So, Akafuyu. Tell me a bit about yourself!"

---

After taking Utage's barrage of questions - many of which she seemed to get more answers from than Akafuyu gave - She was assigned a dorm in a block with other operators from Higashi, and told that the terminal in said room would provide more information. Utage had even given her a cutesy 'See you later,' confirming her suspicion that she was from Higashi herself.

The moment she steps into the dorm block, she feels that intensely familiar dread creeping further down her spine. She shakes it off, or she tries to. The best she can do is ignore it for now, as uneasy as it makes her. Her hand stays on the pommel of her sword as she finds her way to her room.

An Elafia emerges from the door next to hers as she goes for her temporary I.D. card. Just a bit shorter than her, with sable hair, captivating beauty, and a calming presence. Oddly calming. Why was everyone in this place so goddamn weird? 

"Ah, I thought we had gained a new living partner," she said. She extends a hand to Akafuyu. It's so disarming. Akafuyu finds herself taking her hand off her sword to shake it. "I am known as Tsukinogi, and I am a 'Catastrophe Messenger' from Higashi. Though I'm sure you're aware most operators here are from Higashi." There was a certain grace to her motions and the way she spoke. Akafuyu knew it well; it was the charming benevolence of a Shinto shrine maiden.

"I am Akafuyu, former general of the Northern Court." She introduces herself for the second - and most certainly not last - time of the day. If Tsukinogi cared at all about the conflict that was still fresh in Akafuyu's mind, she didn't show it in the slightest. Of course, as a shrine maiden, she likely truly didn't care for Northern or Southern court.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Tsukinogi says, giving a bow that Akafuyu - again - knew too well. "If you'd like, I can arrange a welcome party by tonight. It would let you meet all of the operators from Higashi and perhaps put your troubled mind at ease."

"That would be nice, thank you," Akafuyu replies. It doesn't strike her that Tsukinogi shouldn't know that she felt uneasy until after the fact. Was it that obvious?

"Later, then." Tsukinogi leaves her room, heading the way Akafuyu came from. Akafuyu can't help but watch her, slightly mesmerized by the way she walks. She doesn't know the time for said party, Akafuyu realizes. Oh well, she'll figure it out.

She shrugs once the Elafia leaves her eyesight. Her I.D. card missed the door once, then twice. Then she gets it to slide through, and the lock clicks in the door.

Then someone whispers to themselves, "Note: Poor Eyesight."

Akafuyu's sword is out of its sheath in an instant. She sweeps behind her to block any potential attacker as she wheels around-

There's nobody in the hall. 

The liquid dread dripping down her crystalizes, spikes of adrenaline violently sprouting within her body while she scans the room. She had been watched this whole time. Just like that day. The ground beneath her feet turned to snow turned to blood soaked, crimson slush. The walls and ceiling stretched onward and up, becoming a forest filled with fluorescent lights diffusing into the dim overcast of winter. It's a cold day, and she's had a long march with her troops. They were a few hours from their destination to launch an assault on the enemy's already weakened body. They've stopped, ready and waiting for an ambush of the enemy's own that wouldn't come. Could she have saved them if she fought harder?

The adrenaline within her becomes unbearably cold and painful, like the cold, cutting wind blowing through the trees. Molten anxiety courses through her veins, her heart pounding to keep up as her blood sublimates within her. Her body exhausts itself keeping up, a lifetime of battles weighing on her like the hand of death.

She hears them again. "Note: Incredibly acute hearing."

Akafuyu knows the voice. It blends in with the falling snow, breaks the silence ever so slightly as the soft crush of snow underfoot and the soft thrum of flying, spinning metal do. Just as hard to perceive. Serene and pure, becoming just as easily tinged with bloodlust. White hair, pale skin, silver eyes. A ruthless killer, responsible for most of the death and spilled blood that day. She half expects to see the damn weasel encircling her in a dance of death in an instant. Stoat, she reminds herself. As if she could forget a thing about that ninja.

"Show yourself," She calls.

No answer, as expected.

She waits for a moment, breathing heavily and raggedly. There's no change, and the snow begins to melt, the trees begin to wither and turn steel-grey. Akafuyu sheathes her sword with shaking hands and wheels around back to her door.

Finally, Akafuyu finds her way inside of her room. It's plain, small, utilitarian in design. Unadorned steel walls, with a desk and bed inset within them. There's a pair of them, two desks and two beds. The lack of any personal effects tells Akafuyu that she's alone in her room, though. Whether that unsettles her or puts her at ease, she can't yet tell. With her breath still shaky, eyes scanning for threats, she steps by the left side of the room; it's her side now, she supposes. Akafuyu opens her closet, not sure what to expect. Empty. Figures, she'd have to see about getting more clothes, as she hadn't come here with much.

She checks the desk to find a small, lightweight laptop on it, the back of it emblazoned with the Rhodes Island logo.

"What the hell, got nothing better to do."

Akafuyu pulls out the folding chair under the desk, taking a seat. She cracks open the computer and thumbs the power button. Boot up, set up an account with the Rhodes Island intranet, and then get a host of things to check. The first is a slew of greeting messages. She scans them all and marks them as read. Next is a date for her actual orientation, tomorrow morning, 9 in the morning. It doesn't seem like anything fancy, just getting a small tour from one of the instructors, one Ms. Dobermann. Lastly, a new message pops up from the chat client towards the bottom of the screen.

It's from another user, her nickname is 'Freuds_A_Fraud', but there's a codename listed under it: Utage. This should be bearable, seeing as Utage is one of two people she's met that don't want her dead.

 

Freuds_A_Fraud: heya

Freuds_A_Fraud: i c u found ur pc

Freuds_A_Fraud: helloooo

Freuds_A_Fraud: wow so rude~

 

Akafuyu frantically searches for her own text box to reply with.

 

Akafuyu: Hey, sorry about that.

Akafuyu: Just got settled in.

Freuds_A_Fraud: does it take u that long to put a sword down?

 

Ah, so it was obvious she didn't have anything but the clothes on her back.

 

Freuds_A_Fraud: relax tho im just fuckin w u

Freuds_A_Fraud: tsuki told me abt ur party btw

Freuds_A_Fraud: ill be there

Akafuyu: So it's my party now?

Akafuyu: I thought it was Tsukinogi's.

Freuds_A_Fraud: urs

Freuds_A_Fraud: hers

Freuds_A_Fraud: doesnt matter

Freuds_A_Fraud: theres gonna booze

Akafuyu: I see.

Akafuyu: Who's going to be there?

Freuds_A_Fraud: lets c

Freuds_A_Fraud: tsuki but u knew that

Freuds_A_Fraud: theres gonna b 4 oni

Freuds_A_Fraud: a vulpo girl

Freuds_A_Fraud: a sarkaz i think?

Akafuyu: Is that it?

Akafuyu: Hello?

Freuds_A_Fraud: sry i spaced out

Freuds_A_Fraud: theres an anaty 2 i think

Freuds_A_Fraud: idk if shes gonna b there

Freuds_A_Fraud: shes like a ninja

Freuds_A_Fraud: literally

 

That only confirms Akafuyu's thoughts. She sighs deeply, and types out one last reply to Utage.

 

Akafuyu: Thanks. Talk to you later.

Freuds_A_Fraud: np!!

---

After checking everything she can on the laptop, she decides to take a trip around Rhodes Island herself and get acquainted with the landship. Thankfully, with signs everywhere, she only gets lost a handful of times. The dorms housing the Higashi operators - funnily enough - are right next to the much larger dorms housing operators from Yen. Or was it Lungmen? Were they even different? Akafuyu doesn't really care either way, she supposes. She sees some blue-haired Vouivre (at least she thinks she's a Vouivre) daydreaming by a window in a common area. She pays Akafuyu no mind as she passes. All the better; Akafuyu has places to be.

The first place she finds is the cafeteria. It's bustling, currently. Given how long she's been here, it's probably lunch time. The procedure is simple; Utage explained that much to her, at least. Scan an I.D., grab a plate, load up on food, and take it to a table. The cafeteria wasn't always open, but it was always free for operators. She grabs a plate full of seared fish, roasted vegetables and then more fish on top of that. On a smaller plate, she picks out some of the sushi kept off to the side of the rest of the food. She's seen far worse sushi from real restaurants, but she's still cautious about it. It's probably not good, but it's better than nothing.

Even as bustling as the cafeteria is, Akafuyu manages to find an empty table; the kind with high chairs, it looks like it's for two people but really only fits one. She takes note of who merely glances her way, and who's eyes linger a bit longer than they should. It makes sense that they stare, really. An unfamiliar face in clothes that might seem strange, but in another sense, if what she read about Rhodes Island was true, she's just another drop in the bucket when it came to not fitting in. Inconspicuously conspicuous.

That's why, when an Oni woman with silver hair and eyes like fire slams her hands down on the table, Akafuyu raises an eyebrow.

"You look kinda familiar… Where ya from?" She says, not asking before taking the seat opposite Akafuyu.

"Higashi. And you are?" Akafuyu asks. She stabs what looks like a roasted carrot slice and pops it into her mouth.

"Hey hey, Same here!" The brutish Oni guffaws, stretching out a hand. "I'm Matoimaru. How long ya been here?"

Akafuyu takes her hand. Matoimaru's grip is strong, but she's sure her own matches up to the Oni's standards. "A few hours. Just got settled in," she repeats what she told Utage. It really didn't take long to settle in; she needs to get a hold of more clothes at least as soon as possible.

"Oh! You're the one Tsuki told us about!" Matoimaru stretches. "Don't worry, I'll be bringing some real alcohol to that party, none of that cheap Lungmen beer," she laughs.

Akafuyu smirks. She might actually like it here with people like her around. Speaking of having people around, she has an idea for her newfound friend.

"Good, I can't stand that stuff," Akafuyu takes a piece of sushi and eats it. It's not terrible, all things considered. "Say, do you know your way around here?"

Matoimaru thinks. Probably for longer than someone would need to for that question. Then she nods and smiles, "Yeah, for sure! I can show you the training room right now, then the garden-" she's already halfway out of her chair.

Akafuyu holds up a hand. She pops another piece of sushi into her mouth, and finishes it just as quickly. "After I finish eating, you can show me, yeah? I'm starving here."

Matoimaru sheepishly stops in her tracks and sits back down. "Haha, right, my bad."

---

Akafuyu finished her meal in relative silence, piping up on occasion to respond to Matoimaru's rambling about life aboard Rhodes Island. It was all useful information, and all stuff she wouldn't have heard in a company email. Watch out for the silver-haired Lupos or things could get ugly, be nice to the Ursus kids or things could get ugly, stay away from the Cautus with the eyepatch when she has her chainsaw or things could get ugly, stay away from Penguin Logistics or things could get ugly. Really, it seems like some of the personnel here are more dangerous than anyone she'd be up against in battle. All the better, it'll keep her on her toes.

Eventually, Akafuyu finishes her meal, stows her dishes, and follows Matoimaru down two floors. It's an average elevator ride, boring music and all. Then they cut through a few hallways, and just like that, they're at the training room. Red lights, padded floors, gym equipment and gym equipment seem to fill the first room. At least, Akafuyu assumes that there's more than one room; there's a window that looks into a much larger room, more like an indoor training facility, complete with a firing range, boxing range, obstacle course, running track, and mock urban landscape. Akafuyu can see someone down there, several someones. They're all dots to her, unfortunately, but more people means more training partners, right?

Matoimaru peeks over her shoulder - not a hard feat - and sucks in air through her teeth, "Oh, Dobermann's here, we should go. She hates when people interrupt her-" the Oni looks back to Akafuyu, only to find her gone, and the door to the indoor training room open.

---

Akafuyu crosses the distance to them in no time, blurry shapes and colors focusing into view. She sees what looks to be an assortment of combatants. A Kuranta sniper, an Archosauria armed with nothing but her fists and horns, and Feline with a slim sword. The fourth operator present - besides Dobermann, obvious by the way she walks up and down their line with whip in hand - catches her attention. The white-as-snow stoat herself, Shirayuki. Just seeing her makes Akafuyu's skin crawl with bad memories. If Shirayuki recognizes her, she doesn't bat an eye, and just meets Akafuyu's gaze with a cold indifference. Akafuyu herself has caught most of their attention, save Dobermann. The Kuranta raises her hand.

"Yes, Platinum?" Dobermann practically barks.

Platinum points to Akafuyu, "Like, who's this nobody behind you?"

"What-" Dobermann wheels around, looking taken aback at the sight of Akafuyu, "Excellent question. Who are you, and what do you hope to accomplish by interrupting my lesson?"

Akafuyu blinks, and then looks at Dobermann, barely registering the question. "H-Hm? Oh, I'm Akafuyu," still no reaction from Shirayuki, "A new operator."

"I see. I take it you're the type that takes pride in honing her craft, with how you found your way here after being on board for a few hours?" Dobermann turns on her heel, fully facing Akafuyu. The whip in her hand seems a lot less like just a tool to spur on her trainees.

"That I am," Akafuyu crosses her arms. The Feline and Archosauria wince as Dobermann takes a few steps towards Akafuyu. "I didn't become one of the best at what I do overnight, after all."

Dobermann just scoffs, "Cocky, aren't we? Well, you can come back tomorrow, for your orientation. My time is very precious, and I require concentration to teach-"

"This is a training room for operators, right? Well, I'm an operator, so I'm here to stay."

Dobermann plants her fingers on her forehead, muttering some Bolívar curse, "Miss Akafuyu, we have rules around here, and right now I have half a mind to send you to run laps on the deck for the ones you've already broken."

Akafuyu takes her turn to scoff, "Come on, ask them if they'd mind my joining," Akafuyu waves to the operators behind Dobermann.

The instructor checks her watch, and sighs, "We were going to work on skirmish tactics today… would you settle for being allowed to join in on one?" 

Akafuyu nods. She went into this expecting to be turned down completely.

Dobermann turns to her trainees, "Excellent. Would any of you like to partner up with Miss Akafuyu?"

Three of the other operators look at each other. One steps forward, shuriken in hand. "I would like to," comes Shirayuki's voice, cold and stern, just like it was in the dorms earlier. Just like it was on that day.

"Outstanding, Shirayuki," Dobermann's mouth curls into a small grin, "Then we shall get started right away."

 

Chapter 2: Pride Before Fall

Summary:

Akafuyu ends her first day at Rhodes Island on a sour note.

Akafuyu gives her sword a few swings. It's not her own blade, but it wouldn't do to cut someone to ribbons on her first day. At the very least, it's a Higashi-style blade, which is more than she hoped for. Across from her in this decently-sized sparring ring is the Archosauria girl, Estelle, as she had introduced herself. Her hands and arms are wrapped in what looks like some kind of black protective cloth, lined with plates. So she's a brawler. Even if she looks like a wallflower, there's no telling what kind of strength she has. Behind Estelle is Platinum, with a quiver full of flat-tipped arrows for mock-combat like this. Akafuyu can't help but snicker. Rather, she would find it amusing if it wasn't for her own partner in this.

Shirayuki paces back and forth behind her. She feels it rather than hears it, an alarming presence lacking any emotion, any kind of drive. Just what is she playing at, pairing up with Akafuyu? Does she plan to embarrass her in front of Dobermann and the others? No, that seems too petty, even for Shirayuki. It's not like she could take this opportunity to strike Akafuyu down from behind, either. While her shuriken technique might be unique, Rhodes Island still made a dulled shuriken for her training. Not to mention the needless mess it would cause to try and kill her in front of so many others…

A bead of sweat rolls down her neck. Dobermann stands off to the side, flanked by Melantha and Matoimaru, the latter of whom came out once she saw Akafuyu wasn't being made to do laps. The Perro looks back and forth between the two duos, and speaks.

"Alright, assuming you are all prepared…"

Platinum nocks her first arrow and draws it back. Estelle brings her hands up in a fighting stance. Akafuyu brings her sword in front of her, angling the point directly at Estelle's chest. She projects her Arts outward, preparing to harden them into a protective shell.

Dobermann unfurls her whip, and with the flick of her wrist, cracks it in the air. "Begin!" she shouts.

Akafuyu's shell crystallizes around her with little effort, a translucent, yellow-orange barrier. Platinum fires her first arrow as Estelle rushes forward. With a smirk, Akafuyu steps to meet Estelle as Platinum's attack plinks off of and shatters Akafuyu's barrier.

Arts was never her strong suit, but she made up for that with her swordsmanship. Estelle shifts her shoulder slightly, an easy tell, and Akafuyu angles her sword to that side. Sparks fly as Akafuyu parries the Archosaurian's strike, sword meeting makeshift gauntlets. She places her hand alongside the flat of the blade in a heartbeat and gives Estelle a quick shove. The Archosauria tumbles with a small yelp.

Her small victory is short-lived, though. The thrum of a projectile whizzes past her from behind as a large shuriken passes through where Estelle was just moments before, blade perpendicular to the ground. Akafuyu's mind races back to that day, and her muscles freeze in place.

 Before it can return to its owner, another arrow strikes the broad surface of it, knocking it to the ground. The sound of metal clattering to the floor brings Akafuyu back to the moment. A small flash catches Akafuyu's eyes as Shirayuki attempts to tug it back via thin wires.

She tries to ignore the way her skin crawls seeing the ninja in action. Instead, she focuses on the other archer, on trying to not make a fool of herself. Shirayuki will be fine on her own, especially with Estelle being such an easy target. Akafuyu just wants to end this quickly, to spend the least amount of time with her back to that ninja as possible.

Akafuyu advances on Platinum, with Estelle out of the way. The archer fires another arrow, almost wildly, as she tries her best to get away from Akafuyu. Platinum's eyes are calm even as she backpedals and blindly fires, though. Another arrow misses her, and another.

Then Akafuyu realizes she's not aiming for her. She wheels around just in time to see Shirayuki being boxed in by Platinum's projectiles and Estelle alike, her shuriken tossed out of the ring. Estelle lands a nasty hit to the stoat's gut, putting Shirayuki on her back and out of the fight.

From there, there isn't much Akafuyu can do. She fights on a few moments longer, but soon she's unable to handle an assault on both fronts. Estelle takes a beating, but to her credit, she's tougher than she looks. Platinum's shots are calculated, each and every one aimed to make an opening for Estelle, or capitalize on an opening Estelle leaves. Akafuyu narrowly deflects each blow by an ever more narrow margin. They're not a perfect duo, but they're trained and skilled, and soon Akafuyu finds herself unable to deflect an arrow to her shoulder. It knocks her guard up just long enough for Estelle to sweep her legs out from under her.

Estelle gets on top of Akafuyu as the Ægir struggles to get up. She pulls her fist back one more time, but a shrill whistle gets her to stop mid-strike.

Estelle helps Akafuyu up on her feet, while Platinum helps Shirayuki to hers. Shame burns in Akafuyu's chest as her eyes meet Dobermann's.

"Well, while your swordplay was impressive, I don't believe you're well-versed in Rhodes Island's particular brand of small-scale combat," Dobermann says. "Had Miss Estelle been alone, she wouldn't have had a chance."

At that, Estelle clutches one arm nervously.

"However, she was not alone, and neither were you," Dobermann continues.

Akafuyu bites her tongue. She wants to point a finger at Shirayuki, who so clearly set her up to fail. But she still has face to save. So she nods, and ignores the eyes of everyone else on her.

Dobermann checks her watch again. "Now that you've had your fun, though, you can come back at three, when this session ends and the training room becomes available to all operators. You're dismissed," She makes a shooing motion at Akafuyu, and she gets the hint. She trades places with Melantha, and keeps walking out of the training room. 

"Hey, don't sweat it!" Matoimaru says as she catches up to Akafuyu, "Platinum is a real killer out there, y'know?"

 Akafuyu sighs, "Trust me, I'm not. However, I did sweat a lot in a literal sense."

Matoimaru's face lights up, "Oh! I can show you the showers-"

"That won't do me any good without a change of clothes. Are there any stores around Rhodes Island?"

They step into the elevator, and Matoimaru hits the button to head up to the second-topmost floor of Rhodes Island. "Yeah… but if you don't have any clothes, I know a place to get 'em for cheap!"

---

Closure's shop is run out of one of Rhodes Island's engineering bays, with a small desk covered in terminals and tablets used to manage her 'business' as well as whatever pet projects she has to work on. Manufacturing machinery and diagnostics equipment takes up the rest of the bay, extruding, shaping, and molding various filaments into finished products. Closure herself wheels around in her chair, turning to face the pair of them as she sets her tablet down. At least the chairs are comfy. Just looking at Closure, Akafuyu can tell she prioritizes relaxing and comfort above a lot of things.

"So, Matoimaru! I don't see you here often, what can I help you with?" Closure says, grinning happily, "I see you've brought a new friend as well!"

Akafuyu rolls her eyes. "This here's Akafuyu," Matoimaru says, "She hasn't got much in the way of…"

"Anything," Akafuyu cuts her off, "It's embarrassing, but I need clothes first and foremost," she says without a hint of embarrassment. It is what it is, is all.

Closure snaps her fingers, beaming at the prospect of a sale, vulture that she is. "You came to just the place, then! I can get your measurements and get you something right now, even."

"I don't have any money," Akafuyu says. Closure blanches for a moment, but quickly regains her composure.

"T-That's alright, we can just take it out of your pay…" she says, standing up. "Just come right over here a sec?"

There's a bit of shuffling as Akafuyu stands up and moves past Closure's desk while Closure herself fishes out a measuring tape from her desk. She opens up a notepad app on her tablet, and gets to work.

"So, what brings ya to Rhodes, Akafuyu?" Closure wraps the tape around Akafuyu's waist, taking notes.

"Well…" There's no use playing coy about it, is there? "After my exile from the Northern Court," Matoimaru gulps at that, clearly not having known who Akafuyu was, "I wound up on a boat to Yen - couldn't exactly go by land with the Southern Court in the way. I lived there for a while before I ended up getting a tip that I could find work at Rhodes Island."

Closure taps away at her tablet, then begins measuring again, "Oh, Higashi? Just like Sh-" Closure stops as Matoimaru makes a warning gesture with her hand and throat, "S-Suzuran!" Closure recovers. Akafuyu, while aware of what she was going to say, doesn't mind. She already knows Shirayuki is here, after all. Maybe this was all some kind of test , she thinks as she turns and raises her arms as Closure asks her to.

"I don't think Rhodes has ever been to Higashi, though…" Closure continues. "We roam around a lot, and have offices seemingly everywhere, so it's kinda weird actually…"

"I wouldn't worry about it," Akafuyu reassures her, "Higashi is in a state of conflict right now, to say nothing of its foreign affairs."

Matoimaru chuckles, "Hell of a way to say it's really messy over there." She's hardly wrong either. First a war with Ursus, then a civil war, then another civil war. But even if it all seemed pointless from someone like Matoimaru's or Closure's perspective, Akafuyu still has a lord to serve and a war to fight. Had a lord to serve and a war to fight, before she was exiled. She grits her teeth as she reminds herself.

Closure giggles at Matoimaru's comment, tapping some numbers into her tablet and a terminal. "In any case, we should think about reaching out, we have a lot of Infected patients from Higashi that were lucky to find us at all." 

Higashi wasn't exactly the kindest to the Infected. It treated them like every other country: with a mix of disdain and often outright hatred. Akafuyu grunts in agreement, and Closure starts talking again, "Alright, and we're done!"

"Done with what, my measurements?" Akafuyu asks.

"Yep!"

"So, do I come pick up my clothes later or do you send them to my room?"

Closure actually laughs at that, "Cute, you think it takes that long for a uniform to be made? We have cutting edge tech here, y'know?" As if to accentuate her point, Closure wanders into the maze of machines, and returns with a sizable, neatly folded stack of white and navy blue garments. "Here you go, one standard issue Rhodes Island Uniform! Or, several uniforms, I guess!" She hands the stack to Akafuyu.

Akafuyu looks at it suspiciously. "I uh…"

"Look, It's hardly anybody's style, but it's quick to make, combat-rated, and it's company policy to give you several uniforms." Closure sighs, looking downright apologetic. "But, if you want something more… red," she waves at Akafuyu's clothes, "There's a small boutique in our shopping district, their seamstress does some amazing work. Make sure you mention my name, of course?"

Akafuyu rolls her eyes. She's not sure what kind of kickback Closure gets recommending this place to new operators, but it's obvious she gets one.

---

With a new change of clothes and a quick shower, Akafuyu is admittedly a lot more comfortable. Although, she's right about this outfit. The navy jacket and collared white shirt really aren't her style, and the shorts she was given show off far too much of her legs. It reminds her of Ch'en - who she had been introduced to in passing after seeing her this morning - who wears something similar. The difference is that it at least looks good on her.

So, she stands outside the door to her dorm room, having just put away her new collection of clothes, and fidgets with her jacket. Matoimaru taps away on her phone, comically small as it is in her hands. Akafuyu is thankful she's hung around all day, though. It's nice to just have some to talk to. Once Matoimaru finishes her message, though, she looks back at Akafuyu.

"Woah, you look super uncomfortable in that," she says.

"Is it that obvious?" Akafuyu asks.

"Yeah. Try tying it around your waist?"

Akafuyu does so while Matoimaru puts her hand on her chin. It's still not quite what she's used to, but she doesn't feel like such a tool now. Matoimaru gives her a thumbs up.

"Alright, looks good!" she says.

"Great, this'll do until I can see that seamstress… What was her name? Bobby? Bibi?" Akafuyu adjusts her obi.

"Bibeak!" Matoimaru's face lights up, but she dials it back with a nervous grin. "She's uh, really sweet, y'know? I hope you two get along and stuff…"

Akafuyu drums her fingers along the hilt of her sword, "Yeah… you and Closure both said she's good with a needle, right?" Matoimaru nods. "Should be fine then," Akafuyu says. "Anyway…" she trails off, looking down the hall, "When's that party that Tsukinogi said she'd arrange?"

Matoimaru holds up her phone, "Just got done texting her about that! Should be soon, we just gotta head down to the Lungmen dorm's common area," Matoimaru winces, "Oh, right, we can't have drinks for a while, there's gonna be a kid around and Dr. Folinic would kill us if she found out we had booze with her around."

Akafuyu narrows her eyes, "But there will be drinks once it's bedtime?"

Matoimaru nods, and Akafuyu huffs contentedly, "Good, then let's be on our way."

---

The party isn't much of anything, really. They all pull up couches and chairs and stools around one of the tables in the common area, and introduce themselves. Tsukinogi, Utage, and Matoimaru all introduce themselves, despite having already met Akafuyu. Hoshiguma, Yato, Noir Corne, Midnight, and Suzuran all take their turns as well, though. Akafuyu finds it comical that almost all the operators she didn 't meet up until now are all operators that have other places to stay. Yato, Midnight, and Noir Corne all stay with their respective op teams, while Hoshiguma floats between the Lungmen dorms and Lungmen proper. Suzuran, however, does reside in the Higashi dorms, even if she grew up in Siracusa. She claims it's because it's quieter in these dorms.

Shirayuki, however, doesn't introduce herself, and doesn't quite join in the festivities. She stays off to the side, just watching. "Oh, don't mind her," Hoshiguma says, "She's my coworker, sorta, just a bit reclusive is all."

Akafuyu's jaw clicks as she answers, "We've already met."

Matoimaru nods, as if she knew the story. Of course, while she thinks their first meeting was this afternoon, that's not the whole story.

After introductions are out of the way, Tsukinogi produces a board game from her bag. In addition, Utage produces cheap, sugary soda and various junk foods from hers. Within the hour, the nine of them are a few rounds into some kind of classic party game from Higashi. Yato is winning, as far as Akafuyu can tell, but that's not so important to Akafuyu. What's important is the way Shirayuki watches them all like a hawk. The way her pale eyes seem to bore into Akafuyu, watching her like prey. Hoshiguma notices Akafuyu's staring, if not Shirayuki's.

"Hey, uh, Akafuyu, it's your turn," she says. Akafuyu comes back to reality, rolls her dice, and passes her turn to Tsukinogi on her left.

---

Hours later, after several different games, Yato is up every point over everyone else, while Suzuran has gone to bed. The drinks have come out, and Matoimaru didn't disappoint. Sure, the craft beers and liquors are a little fancy and high-shelf for her taste, but they're what gets exported, she supposes. It's all strong, though, and burns in the back of her throat as she takes a shot during a game of 'Never Have I Ever.' Tsukinogi, despite her mannerisms, did have a rather sheltered upbringing, and it shows when it's her turn. Ironically, though, it's the straight-laced inspector Hoshiguma that ends up drinking the most. Never Have I Ever stolen a vehicle, Never Have I Ever had sex in a cop car, Never Have I Ever torched a building, and so on and so forth. Frankly, Akafuyu isn't sure whether to be shocked or impressed. A similar sentiment is written on everyone else's face, apparently, since Hoshiguma feels the need to clarify. 

"What? I had a rebellious phase," she laughs awkwardly. 

"And now you're a cop. But did you have sex in a cop car before or after you got your shiny badge?" Utage says, leaning back in her chair.

Hoshiguma rubs the back of her neck, "Well…"

"Never have I had sex in the back of a cop car both before and after becoming a cop," Akafuyu calls out.

Hoshiguma does her shot, as is necessary, and then points to Akafuyu, "Hey, that was a cheap shot."

"Someone had to answer the damn question," Noir Corne mutters under his breath.

Akafuyu can't help but notice how Shirayuki's gaze becomes more intense whenever she speaks. So she plants her hand on the plastic, mass-produced table, and stands up. "Bathroom," she gives as a quick excuse. 

She walks straight past Shirayuki into the hall, and then, grabbing the Anaty by the elbow, pulls her behind the wall and shoves her against it. Shirayuki doesn't fight her or try to squirm out of her grip.

"What the hell is your deal?" Akafuyu asks, her whisper barely hiding her anger. Laughter comes from the table in the next room, confirming that there's no concern over her absence.

"My deal?" is all Shirayuki says. 

"Why do you keep watching me, looking at me like that?"

"Oh. You're familiar."

"Just familiar? Just familiar after you slaughtered my men like beasts?" Now that she has this moment, she's not letting go of it.

"Hm? I don't-" Then, a glimmer of recognition in Shirayuki's eyes, "Oh, yes, I recall that."

If anything, it makes her more furious that Shirayuki would just forget that day. She can feel the rancorous foam crawling up her throat. Taking a moment to calm herself, she readjusts her grip on Shirayuki. "Since you recall that now, I'll ask again. What. Are. You. Doing. Here?"

Shirayuki practically scoffs under her mask, "My mission? Classified."

The answer alone makes her fume. "You, you…" Then she remembers this afternoon. That had to be on purpose, "Does your precious mission include sabotaging me?"

Shirayuki tilts her head, "Earlier? Not sabotage, you simply failed. I still have a bruise."

Akafuyu lets go of her with a frustrated groan. She wasn't wrong, Akafuyu could've done better. Shirayuki brushes herself off, and then, in a flash, pins Akafuyu to the wall. Normally, Akafuyu would've gotten away, but she's taken by surprise. Or it's the alcohol. She blames one or the other. "I should ask the same. Your goal? Revenge?"

Akafuyu, in contrast, struggles against Shirayuki's grip. "What? No, I never wanted to see you again," she gets out with a snarl.

"Too bad," Shirayuki says.

Akafuyu tries to push Shirayuki off of her with one last surge of strength, but fails. "You monster."

"It was my job," Shirayuki's eyes narrow as she gets closer to Akafuyu, "As was it yours. Such are matters of war." The specifics went unmentioned, but they both knew what she meant. Not just war. Conflict. Bloodshed. Murder. Violent, scarlet, ugly war.

She lets go of Akafuyu, and crosses her arms. "We have new missions. Are we still monsters?"

Akafuyu's face stays twisted in an angry scowl. She stands there as Shirayuki walks off, presumably back to her room for the night. At least she accomplished what she set out to do, whatever the hell that was. She did a damn good job of pissing Akafuyu off. With a huff, Akafuyu goes back to the party. She's done with drinking games. It's time to drink down the rage and frustration bubbling in her chest.

Chapter 3: An Enigmatic Home

Summary:

Akafuyu gets her tour of Rhodes Island, and becomes ever so slightly more familiar with her new home.

Akafuyu wakes up to a shrill beeping and a pounding head. Her face hurts something awful, and she can barely remember how she wound up in her own bed last night. She reaches over to her nightstand, slapping the snooze button on her alarm clock. Five thirty in the morning and hungover, as she's used to. Gives her time to wake up properly, grab a shower, a quick run, breakfast, and then-

Right, she should be checking her schedule. With a groan, she crawls out of bed, and finds a few new things on her official calendar. A physical exam and an aptitude test, both within the next two days. The very, very pale blue of sunrise is creeping in through the window. She should get a move-on before it gets too hot. 

It's a short walk to the dormitory showers, and Akafuyu is silently glad to not run into anyone. She briefly wonders if Shirayuki is awake at this hour. Then she decides that fiend isn't worth taking up her headspace. As soon as she walks into the showers, or at least the small changing room leading to them, and catches a glimpse of herself in the mirror, though, she forgets any thoughts she might've had about the ninja. Her eye is bruised, as well as her cheek and the corner of her mouth. She spies dried blood just under her lip. Again, she groans, wondering just how the hell she was going to explain that she got absolutely smashed out of her gourd last night and started a fight? On her first night here. She didn't even know who was involved. If she had to guess, though, it was probably Hoshiguma, Matoimaru, and maybe one other person.

Whatever, she could worry about that later. She's got blood to wash off of her now, no matter how little. Within moments, she's stripped down to nothing, and cracking open the door to the actual showers. Warm water, not hot, falls from a showerhead as she turns the knob. She can't stand hot showers, they always make her feel like she's going to cook herself. Warm water isn't much better, as far as showers go. If she's being honest, she prefers baths over showers. There she can stand decently hot water.

Here though, she can try to rinse away her headaches by herself, alone in the shower with nothing but her thoughts. Thoughts that quickly go back to Shirayuki's words last night. 'As was it yours.' 'Are we still monsters?' It stings that Shirayuki would dare imply that they were anything alike. Her chest aches with anger at the thought. Of course Shirayuki is a monster for what she did, but Akafuyu is far from it, right? Thoughts of her old comrades flash through her head along with broken bodies of enemy soldiers, her ego desperately trying to assuage her conscience's own worries and concerns.

Then to her surprise, the door to the showers open. In walks the green-haired oni she had met last night, Hoshiguma. Unsurprisingly, Akafuyu finds she was right. Hoshiguma has a black eye, even if barely noticeable. Oni don't bruise easily, and they're quick to bounce back too. Honestly, the fact that she still has a mark makes Akafuyu a little proud of herself.

Hoshiguma gives her a small wave as she takes the showerhead next to Akafuyu. There were low walls that the room was technically divided up into stalls, but they were low enough so as to not prevent conversation. Of course, less exposed stalls were available, but Akafuyu was far from caring about that.

"So, last night," Hoshiguma starts, "Hell of a party."

"Quite," Akafuyu says, washing herself.

"You know you started a fight?"

"I figured. Who joined in?"

Hoshiguma chuckles, "You've gotta be part Oni. Matoimaru said 'Never Have I Ever gotten drunk' and you called her a liar. By that point you were about ten shots in."

"Did I punch her?"

"Oh yeah. Right in the face. She just laughed and hit you back."

"I knew she'd be fun to get in a fight with."

"Oh, you got in a fight with three of us. You almost beat Matoimaru until you threw a punch at me instead."

"Three of you?"

"Me, Matoimaru, and Midnight's friend, Spot."

"Who?"

"Eh, small guy, tough and scrappy. He's Midnight's roommate and came to get him."

Akafuyu just nods. "Who won?"

"Me."

Akafuyu curses under her breath. Hoshiguma just laughs. "Don't worry, I carried you back to your room too."

"Didn't plan on it, but thanks."

"No problem," Hoshiguma pauses, "Shirayuki took one look at you and chuckled about as much as I ever see her do, though."

Akafuyu freezes. Hoshiguma stifles a laugh, "You did look kinda funny, passed out like that. By the way, what's the beef between you two?"

"Beef?"

"Yeah, like what's going on-"

"I know what beef is. I just don't know what you're talking about."

"Fine, fine," Hoshiguma says with a sigh, "It's just a little obvious, is all. And Shirayuki doesn't talk about Higashi often. I figured you have something to do with that."

"I doubt it, she barely remembered me," Akafuyu says between gritted teeth.

Hoshiguma teases her a little, "Oh, past lovers?"

Akafuyu snaps, wheeling around and raising her voice, "Don't you dare think I can so much as stand her!"

Hoshiguma looks shocked for a second. Just a second, but still a second. "Right. I assume you're from the Northern Court?"

Akafuyu's glare is all Hoshiguma needs. At least the Oni isn't completely unaware of Higashi's current political status. "I see why this is touchy, then. I'll stop bringing her up, my apologies."

They finish their showers in awkward silence. Akafuyu isn't as mad as she seemed once the topic is dropped, but she still wonders just why Shirayuki would've laughed at her. She brushes it off, it was probably just funny to her. And after all that stuff I said. Must've been fucking hilarious, actually, seeing me out like a light hours later, she thinks.

---

With a fresh change of clothes on her back and a light breakfast in her gut, Akafuyu finds herself in the training room with an hour and a half to spare. Even so early, though, there's a number of people already in the gym before the training area proper, lifting various weights or using various machines. It's not like she knows any of them, but bizarrely most of them look like members of the medical staff. Akafuyu had no idea medical professionals would be so into working out. She catches most of their eyes, probably in no small part thanks to her bruised face. A green-haired woman with a reptilian tail speaks up first.

"Hey, I don't think I've seen you around here before. You lost?"

A brown haired Feline answers for Akafuyu, "More like new, look at her uniform."

"Got it in one," Akafuyu responds, "I'm just here for a morning workout is all."

"Then you're welcome to join our little 'club' here," says a Vouivre with a stony face and equally stony hair. She sets down her dumbbell and extends a hand to Akafuyu, "My name's Saria, I'm a member of the medical department here."

Akafuyu takes her hand. She's been shaking a lot of hands lately. "Akafuyu, new operator," She's also been introducing herself a lot lately. It's a touch tiring.

Saria continues, pointing to the green-haired woman, "This is Doctor Gavial," then to the Feline, "Doctor Folinic," and then to a familiar Sarkaz, "and Midnight. He doesn't show up often-"

"But when I do, I make sure to make up for my absence with an abundance of good spirit!" Midnight says, "Although this lovely maiden and I have already had the pleasure of meeting."

Akafuyu looks at Saria, "Is he always like this?"

Saria sighs, and nods.

Gavial throws her head back with a laugh, "You can't stand him either, huh? You'll fit right in," she waves Akafuyu over, "C'mon, limber up and get some reps in!"

Right away, she feels at home. Rather, as close to home as she can get miles and miles from Higashi. Gavial loans her some spare workout clothes and a bottle. Akafuyu's unsure why she has them, but that doesn't matter. It would be easy enough to get clothes later, and Gavial is close enough to her size. What's important is that she can put Shirayuki out of her mind while she stretches and trades stories of past brawls, both drunk and sober, with Gavial and Saria. Midnight doesn't fight much, and Folinic is even more straight-laced than Hoshiguma. Time flies as she pumps iron, as her legs burn on a treadmill, as her core begs for mercy with each pushup after the first fifty.

So, when Dobermann enters the small gym, the only warning Akafuyu gets is Gavial cursing, "Oh fuck, is it nine already?"

"Sure is," says Dobermann, voice firm and commanding, "You don't have to clear out, I'm just here to grab the fresh meat." It snaps Akafuyu out of her trance. She makes to get up and step towards Dobermann, but stops halfway through the motion.

"I, uh," she stammers. It would be awkward to go out and about Rhodes Island dressed as she is, though.

Dobermann sighs, "I understand, Miss Akafuyu. Go rinse off and change, you have five minutes."

---

Six minutes later, Dobermann and Akafuyu step into the elevator near the training facilities. Akafuyu stands in awkward silence as Dobermann presses a button. The elevator shakes as it starts, the slight discomfort of moving upwards becoming indistinguishable from the palpable tension Akafuyu perceives between them. She rubs the back of her neck.

"So, about yesterday…" she starts.

"Yes, what about it?" Dobermann says. Ah, so it's just Akafuyu then.

Well, if it was unimportant to Dobermann, then, "Nothing."

Dobermann just sighs. "If you're worried about my opinion of you, I hardly think I'd make a good instructor if I believed in first impressions."

Akafuyu lets out a breath she didn't know she was holding. Dobermann keeps going, though.

"If anything, I'm glad you made it clear that you have some history with Miss Shirayuki that makes it hard to work with her."

Akafuyu grumbles. "Is it really so damn obvious?"

Dobermann nods, "It looked like you'd seen a ghost when you saw her."

Akafuyu doesn't respond. She's right, in a sense. Shirayuki spilled the most blood that day. Akafuyu wanted to forget her failure, but she couldn't. Shirayuki is a very stark reminder, though, her pale, alabaster features making her stick out like a specter.

But eventually the elevator dings, the conversation ends, and life goes on. Dobermann leads Akafuyu around the landship, pointing out things she had seen with Matoimaru yesterday evening. However, Dobermann gives her slightly more context, and even shows her a bit more. The engineering bays are where most of Rhodes Island's cutting edge technologies are designed, produced, and tested; even Closure's little corner is working on her pet projects when not fabricating products for sale. There's only one workshop on board, mostly reserved for improving Operators' equipment. Dobermann kindly points out that Akafuyu will have to have her blade inspected before she's even allowed off the ship with it.

Akafuyu thinks she's joking about that last bit, but a stern glance says otherwise.

Factories and trading posts produce and sell most of the pharmaceutical company's actual goods, generating revenue. They seem like such a small part of the landship, despite taking up a not-so-insignificant portion of the interior. Akafuyu supposes that's why this place feels more like some kind of security or private military company. Besides that, the second floor is mostly dormitories around the cafeteria. The third floor is mostly the same, but dotted with restricted facilities and medical labs for the 'higher-ups' of Rhodes Island to use. The kind of places that Akafuyu doesn't get to see at all. That Dobermann doesn't get to see often. There's no point in going down there. At least, that's what Dobermann says. Rhodes Island truly is an enigma.

The first floor, though, stuns Akafuyu. It's like a small city packed between the vital infrastructure of Rhodes Island. Restaurants, arcades, bars, bookstores, and more, all open and bustling. Dobermann stops beside Akafuyu.

"Ah, yes, I see our shopping district has caught your eye?" she asks.

"Are there this many people aboard?" Akafuyu asks in return.

"Not at all," Dobermann explains, "You may have noticed, when you joined, that parts of the ship were open to civ-... the general public, no?"

Akafuyu nods.

Dobermann hums in acknowledgement. "Well, this is one such part. Some operators and patients at Rhodes Island open and run businesses, which attract customers when we dock at a larger city, which attract business from said city to open temporary storefronts in this district, which attracts operators and patients, who then open storefronts…" Dobermann waves her hand through the air in a circular motion, "You see how it works, no?"

Akafuyu nods again, "Right, on and on…"

"Until we pack up and move somewhere else, of course." Dobermann says. "Normally this is where your little tour would end, and I'd let you go shop to your heart's content, but something tells me you don't have the funds, right?"

"Was it the free clothes that gave it away?" Akafuyu replies.

"No comment. Allow me to treat you to lunch. We can discuss your upcoming aptitude test, and I can answer any questions you have about Rhodes Island?"

Akafuyu mulls it over for all of seven seconds before the salty, sweet, and savory smell of barbecued meat hits her nose. She nods, "I'll take you up on that, but watch out, I've got a big stomach."

Dobermann begins walking, rolling her eyes as Akafuyu starts to catch up, "You wouldn't be the first I've treated to a meal with an appetite."

 

Chapter 4: A New Perspective

Summary:

Shirayuki is getting tired of Akafuyu's unbridled hatred.

Shirayuki opens the door to one of the server rooms of Rhodes Island. When she's not trying to sell goods to the operators of Rhodes Island, Closure has the unenviable task of maintaining the Rhodes Island landship. This includes its intracity and intercity networks. That doesn't mean she doesn't like doing it, of course, Shirayuki has found that Closure secretly openly relishes her mechanical duties. Not to mention, when Closure is working in the server rooms, she's often not doing much besides lounging around and watching television.

Which is exactly where Shirayuki expects to find her. And it is exactly where Shirayuki finds her, sprawled out on a comfortable looking sofa, with a bag of chips in her lap.

"Oh, hey!" Closure says, but one look at the nigh unnoticeable scowl on Shirayuki's face tells her all she needs to know, "Need a drink?"

Shirayuki nods, flopping down onto the open seat next to the Sarkaz. Closure passes her a can of some kind of cocktail. It's not from Lungmen, but Shirayuki doesn't mind. She pulls down her mask, making sure to keep it from catching on her lip piercings, and pops the tab on the can.

Closure piped up as the Anaty takes a sip, "Let me guess, it's Aka-"

"Akafuyu," Shirayuki finishes for her. "Such a hypocrite."

It's now been a few weeks since Akafuyu arrived at Rhodes Island. Since then, the Ægir has joined the morning workout club, has become a skilled guard operator, and has made plenty of friends that can stand her. All while giving off absolutely menacing vibes whenever Shirayuki is in sight. At first Shirayuki was following her to try and remember who she was, now she feels it necessary to keep tabs on Akafuyu for her own safety.

"Right, you've mentioned this," Closure says. She grabs a few chips and munches away at them. Shirayuki waits for her to finish. "She's still on her high burdenbeast about the war, huh?"

Shirayuki nods.

"Well, I still don't have any advice," Closure says.

So they don't say anything for a while. They sit, and watch the daytime drama that Closure had put on. Closure is invested in the show, as always, but Shirayuki is too busy being lost in thought to follow the plot. It's a rerun anyway, she can afford to space out. Then, to Closure's delight, Shirayuki speaks first.

"Dobermann assigned us to the same squad," is all she says.

Closure tosses her head back with a groan. "Ugh, lemme guess, something about team building?"

"Correct."

"She knows about how Akafuyu feels about you, right?"

"Also correct. She intends to change it."

Closure holds up her beer in a mock toast, "Well, here's hoping then, yeah?"

Shirayuki raises her own beer slightly, then they both take a swig.

"How have you been besides that mess?" Closure asks.

"Well, thank you," Shirayuki pauses before divulging more, "There was a sale at the bookstore."

"I saw! The one by that pizzeria?"

The Anaty nods, "I purchased some new comics and manga."

"Anything good?"

"Decent at best. You may like some."

Closure places the bag of chips between them. Shirayuki takes one as Closure speaks, "Send me a list later, yeah?"

Shirayuki nods again. "How goes your work?"

Closure giggles, "When I'm not doing this, I'm running around the maintenance tunnels like a damn rat. It's a lot of fun!"

"Rhodes Island needs frequent repairs?" Shirayuki asks.

Closure smiles sheepishly, "N-No, not at all, this landship is in tip-top shape!"

"I see," Shirayuki says. Closure is a horrible liar, but Shirayuki knows she wouldn't let the ship become dilapidated, so she doesn't push it. Closure does her job, Shirayuki does hers. Speaking of having jobs to do…

"I must be going soon."

Closure sighs, "Training? With Akafuyu?"

"Quite observant of you. Correct," Shirayuki stands up, taking one last chip for the road before sliding her mask back up.

"Fingers crossed," Closure teases with a wink.

---

Today is not a good day as far as training goes. Akafuyu hefts Shirayuki up by the collar and pushes her up against a locker in the changing rooms. Already bruised and battered from a failed training exercise, Shirayuki barely hides a wince behind her mask as the metal digs into her back.

"What the hell was that out there?" Akafuyu says, "We almost had that, and you went and sandbagged it?"

Shirayuki tries to pry Akafuyu's hands off of her, but it's no use this time, "You used me as a springboard. " 

It was true. Dobermann had tasked them with a gauntlet through the mock-city in the training simulator, and then sicced several instructors on them. They both needed to reach the objective without getting taken down by an instructor. At the last moment, Akafuyu had literally used Shirayuki as a stepping stone to reach the goal before being caught by Dur-nar. That sent Shirayuki stumbling and tumbling, and let Dur-nar get in one too many hits with a training baton. Unsurprisingly, they failed the exercise.

"Maybe if you had kept up I wouldn't have needed to," Akafuyu argues.

"I was ahead of you," Shirayuki counters, "It wasn't a race, either-"

"Correct," Dobermann's voice rings through the changing room. There's an awkward shuffle as Akafuyu hurries to drop Shirayuki.

"It was a test, and you failed, Akafuyu," Dobermann finishes.

"What about her?" Akafuyu points an accusatory finger at Shirayuki like a spoiled child. She's surprisingly poorly-mannered despite her stature as a former general.

"Operator Shirayuki has proven herself many times during her time with us," Dobermann says. "You may be an accomplished soldier, but you still have things to learn about being a Rhodes Island operator."

Akafuyu fumes, biting back several choice words. Shirayuki, meanwhile, simply doesn't emote, so as to not poke the sleeping bear. Then Dobermann looks at Shirayuki, waving her out of the room, "Shirayuki, you are dismissed. I have things to discuss with Akafuyu."

Shirayuki nods and, ignoring Akafuyu's glare, leaves the changing room. Of course though, ever the nosy ninja, she swiftly crawls into an access hatch, following the pipes and wires behind the walls of Rhodes Island to her destination: a ventilation shaft just in the corner of the locker room.

"-Don't understand why you expect us to work together," Akafuyu says.

"And I don't understand why she's the only operator on this ship you have a bone to pick with," Dobermann replies.

"You're former military too, right?" Akafuyu pleads.

"Yes, I had quite a tour of duty in Bolivár, but I don't see how that's-"

"Then you have to understand, that weasel cannot be trusted."

"And why not?"

Akafuyu pauses, and Shirayuki becomes acutely aware that listening to this might be crossing a line, even for her. She stays as silent as death.

"It was years ago, in Higashi. My men got caught in a trap and were all but cut down…"

"And I assume Shirayuki was present?"

"She was the most vicious there!"

"I see," Dobermann says, "Well, I am not a therapist, and I don't expect you to like her, but…"

There's a clanging sound as Akafuyu is lifted up against the lockers this time.

"There are plenty of other operators here with dead comrades and breathing enemies who work at Rhodes Island, and I do not care if you think you're special because of that. You will learn to treat Shirayuki like your own comrade, because that's what we do here. Am I clear?" Dobermann's voice is level, calm, but still authoritative.

"Why should I?" Akafuyu argues.

Dobermann lets go of her, "Because you are no general here. I don't know why you came to Rhodes Island, Akafuyu, but I know what it's like to work alongside former foes. Shirayuki is an outstanding operator, and until you can learn to work with her, you're a liability to everyone, and nothing more."

Akafuyu just glares. Dobermann sighs, "You don't have to forgive her. You do have to accept that she won't stick a knife in your back while you're here."

"And if she does?"

"We can go back and forth on this all day, Akafuyu."

Akafuyu picks herself up off the ground, and mutters something Shirayuki can't quite catch. With that, Akafuyu says one last thing to Dobermann before walking away, "Don't expect a miracle."

There's a moment of stillness as Shirayuki hears the metallic creak of a door opening and closing further inside. Then Dobermann takes a seat on a bench, "Alright, your turn, Shirayuki. Come out."

Surprised, but not afraid, Shirayuki obeys. She removes the vent from its position and slips through the portal, landing in a crouch a few feet from Dobermann.

"How did you detect me?" Shirayuki asks.

"I didn't. Call it a lucky guess," Dobermann replies with a smirk.

Shirayuki's pale skin flushes red with embarrassment.

"So, is this a one-way issue? All the enmity, I mean. Do you also despise her so?" Dobermann asks.

"It is. Although she speaks without falsehood, I'm no antagonist," Shirayuki says.

Dobermann crosses her arms, "And you truly bear her no ill-will?"

Shirayuki narrows her eyes, "You would defend and attack me alike?"

"My apologies, I simply have to ask."

"Forgiven. To answer, I hold no grudge towards Akafuyu."

Dobermann stands and approaches, clasping a hand on Shirayuki's shoulder, "Then I recommend you do your best to mend this relationship."

Shirayuki rolls her eyes, "If only she wishes it so."

"Hm?"

"You may lead a horse to water…"

"Ah, I get your point. I have one last thing to add, Shirayuki."

Shirayuki tilts her head to the side quizzically.

"You are to be paired with Akafuyu until you two can rectify this, as you know. Until then, you should take a page from her book, and learn to expect a knife in the back from time to time. Or in your case, a sandal," Dobermann releases her, and Shirayuki stifles the smallest of chuckles.

"Very well, I shall. Later," Shirayuki says, walking past Dobermann, and towards the exit to the locker rooms.

---

That evening, Shirayuki finds herself idly lounging in an unfamiliar common area, watching mountains in the distance become silhouettes against the sun. Her mask is off, hanging around her neck as she picks away at her dinner. The takeout container sits nicely on her lap as she digs in, fried rice and fowl alike being downed with satisfied gulp after gulp. She's thankful to Hoshiguma for picking it up for her, even though she insists that the Oni doesn't have to go to such lengths. A copy of one of Closure's manga rests on a small table nearby, already read cover-to-cover. Shirayuki would have to return it.

She thinks on Dobermann's advice. Although it would be ridiculous to assume that she could make Akafuyu like her, if she had to butter her up to make it through Dobermann's trials, she would. How to go about that was beyond her, though. Gifts would be met with suspicion, likely destroyed even. Acts of kindness would earn her accusations of an ulterior motive, which while technically true, are far from sinister. Akafuyu wouldn't listen, though. That's when she hears noises coming from down a hallway, voices she doesn't know too well.

"You know Gavial said not to move around too much, Maria," says a cold, annoyed voice.

"I know, I know! You don't have to tell me twice, Plat…" comes the reply, sunny and cheerful.

"Then why, tell me, did I find you running about engineering like some kind of- Oh, hello there, Shirayuki," Platinum says as she steps into the common area.

Shirayuki gives a small wave, "Platinum, Nice to see you."

A blonde Kuranta steps in behind Platinum, bereft of any armor most blonde Kuranta wear around the ship, and instead wearing a pair of mechanics slacks. Her left arm is in a sling. "Shirayuki?" she says with a smile, "I don't think we've met!"

"We haven't," Shirayuki confirms.

"Well, I'm Blemishine! But you can just call me Maria. This is Platinum, my wi-"

"Girlfriend," Platinum cuts her off, a blush already forming on her face as she glances away, "and I've already met Shirayuki," she turns back to the stoat, "What brings you here?"

Shirayuki sighs and sets down her food. It's rude to eat in the presence of company, even if she doesn't particularly want said company. She turns her head, nodding to the window as if that answers Platinum's question. Then, she eyes Maria's presumably broken arm, "What happened?"

Maria just giggles, "Oh, this?" she raises her arm with a wince, and quickly lowers it, "I, uh, kinda broke it during a mission. Total accident! Doctors say it'll heal fast."

Platinum rolls her eyes, "Yeah, it was a complete accident that you were acting like some kind of knight in shining armor," she crosses her arms, and buries her face in her jacket collar.

Maria nudges her with her other arm, "Come on, Plat, you know that rocket would've messed you up way more!" her mouth curls into a sly grin as she leans closer, "Besides, I know you love it when I do that."

Her blush is obvious from the sliver of tomato-red skin between her collar and bangs. "N-No I don't," is all she can mutter.

With a satisfied smile, Maria turns to Shirayuki, "So, how do you two know each other?"

"Training," Shirayuki says, ignoring the obvious flirting. "Our doctrines are similar to that end."

Maria tilts her head, not quite getting anything she said past the first word.

"How has that been going?" Platinum asks.

"Where to start…" Shirayuki sighs.

Platinum grimaces "That bad?"

Shirayuki nods.

"And Dobermann still wants you two to work it out?" Platinum sighs.

Shirayuki nods.

"Who are we talking about?" Maria says.

"Akafuyu, a new arrival that doesn't like Shirayuki so much," Platinum answers. "Dobermann's forcing them to work together until they get over it."

"Until she gets over it," Shirayuki corrects her.

"Ah! Just let her kill you!" Maria suggests.

There's an awkward moment of silence as Platinum visibly retreats further within her jacket.

"Pardon?" Shirayuki asks.

"Right, right, she doesn't actually have to kill you, but if you give her that power, it'll make her realize you're not a threat!" Maria explains.

"M-Maria, I think you misunderstand their relationship…" Platinum says.

"She would actually kill me," Shirayuki confirms.

"Like, for real?" Maria deflates.

"Like, for real." Shirayuki repeats.

Maria pouts, much to Shirayuki's inexpressive amusement.

Platinum huffs, tapping her foot on the ground, "Well, good luck with her, Shirayuki, but if we stay much longer, we'll be late for our… arrangements."

"It's a date!" Maria explains. This only makes Platinum more visibly flustered, if that was possible.

Shirayuki waves them off, and goes back to her food and brooding. Maybe Maria was onto something. Not with putting herself at Akafuyu's mercy, of course, that would just end up with Shirayuki being brought to the morgue. She recalls Maria's broken arm. It was definitely noble to take wounds for another, perhaps that would appeal to Akafuyu's sense of chivalry.

She pops a piece of fowl into her mouth and chews. The drone of a fan offers white noise, a comforting blanket to ruminate under. Oh, but what was she even thinking? Maria was prepared for that, both in mind, body, and blade. Shirayuki was not. Then it strikes her. To what end does she need to earn Akafuyu's trust? It surely doesn't aid in her task of safeguarding Madame Ch'en. If anything, those two would surely get along should they meet. There's a certain… kindred spirit between them. Not necessarily in their sense of justice, but in their obstinance. So then, Shirayuki wonders why she's so hung up on mending this relationship. It can't simply be to avoid abuse during training exercises, can it?

Disappointingly, her chopsticks reach the bottom of the container, and Shirayuki realizes she's done with her food already. She deposits the cheap, paper container and equally expendable, wooden chopsticks into a bin nearby. The sun is absent, having set long ago, and so too is the moon gone from sight. That's sign enough for Shirayuki that she should head off to her own dorm for the night. And so she does, vanishing into the darker corridors of Rhodes Island.

Notes:

Yeah work on this has been coming along slow, I don't really have a schedule for my personal works. Anyway, I still accept requests, see y'all later.

Chapter 5

Akafuyu wakes up with scrapes and bruises galore, sore all over as she’s used to. At least, she’s gotten used to it ever since her new training regimen. Most of her day-to-day activities at Rhodes Island were taken up with training exercise after training exercise. Early in the day, it was simple strengthening and combat exercises, something Akafuyu excelled at. In fact, she was beyond what Dobermann, Dur-Nar, and Whislash could teach. She spent most of said exercises sparring against so-called “heavyweights'' of Rhodes Island: Surtr, Skadi, Ch’en, Thorns, and even Hellagur - a name Akafuyu never thought she would meet, let alone spar with - to name a few. It’s exhilarating, the highest of highs in her time here.

 

Then there are the lowest of lows. After her lunch and some time to herself, Akafuyu goes back to the training hall for joint training exercises with the bane of her existence, that white weasel, Shirayuki. The first day, she had failed to keep an enemy archer from taking them both down. Then, Shirayuki had opted to collapse under Akafuyu’s weight during a critical moment. Since then, countless other convenient mistakes marred Akafuyu’s otherwise stellar record.

 

Today, though, Akafuyu has the day off. Thank fuck. She doesn’t have to so much as talk to that woman. With a smile on her face, she slaps at the alarm clock beeping on her nightstand: six in the morning. No earlier, no later. Just in time to get ready for the daily Morning Workout Club’s meeting. Crawling out of bed, Akafuyu gathers up a change of clothes for the day, as well as a towel, and sneaks out of her room. It’s time for a shower before her workout, something that caught a lot of weird looks the first time Akafuyu mentioned it. It’s something her old master taught her, to cleanse herself and get her blood nice and hot before physical activity.

 

This section of the dorm is relatively quiet at this time of the morning. Akafuyu is used to it, of course. Sometimes she’ll run into Hoshiguma - who also wakes early - or Kirara -who stays up extremely late - but other than that, there’s hardly ever a soul.

 

Except for today, of course. Akafuyu stops in her tracks at the sound of a familiar voice. A quiet and cold voice.

 

“I’m at a loss, Hoshiguma,” Shirayuki says.

 

Akafuyu stops just before the entrance to the common area, peeking in surreptitiously. With their backs to Akafuyu sit Shirayuki and Hoshiguma, conversing with hushed voices that Akafuyu barely hears. Not even Akafuyu is so paranoid as to believe that they’re avoiding her ears. Of course, it’s simply early, and waking someone would be rude. While even Shirayuki and Hoshiguma are just two colored blurs to her at this distance, Akafuyu doesn’t need to see their mugs to smell coffee in the air. A cup clinks on the table after Shirayuki tosses back a swig. There’s a small series of sister sounds from other cups on the table and from the smell… Akafuyu guesses she’s on her fifth cup.

 

“I hear you, it sounds tough,” Hoshiguma replies.

 

Are they talking about her?

 

Shirayuki sighs. “It is. You know as well as I do that my loyalties lie with Lady Fumizuki.” There’s a pause; a collection of her thoughts. “It’s no longer painful. Just tiring.”

 

“To have your past brought up again and again?” Hoshiguma asks.

 

Shirayuki hums.

 

They are talking about her.

 

Akafuyu's fist clenches. She's one to talk about pain, about loss. How many good men did she kill? Shirayuki's words from her first night echo in her skull. "Are we still monsters?" An admission of guilt. Straight from her own mouth. "Are we still monsters?" Akafuyu's grip loosens. Then again, how many had she killed? How many enemy soldiers ended up as nothing more than a whetstone for her skill? Just as she realizes her other hand rests on her sword, even as she goes to take a shower of all things, so too must old habits linger within that silver stoat.

 

Her sandals make no noise as she finishes her trip to the shower.

 

---

 

Rattan strikes bamboo with a fierce clack. Akafuyu's shinai keeps Folinic's sword from striking her face by mere inches. Instead of pressing her luck, the mongoose takes a quick step back so as to escape Akafuyu's reach. It's already too late, however. 

 

In a motion practiced a thousand times, in less than the blink of an eye, Akafuyu's sword returns to its sheath -where it would be, at least. In that same moment, Akafuyu's perception changes. She doesn't see Folinic clearly in the first place. Instead, she senses a target and its sword. A piece of bamboo on a stand. A test of her strength. Just one diagonal cut, from the sword's sheath at her left hip to her right shoulder. One step, two steps, each faster than can be seen. Akafuyu is in range. Her sword moves on its own.

 

Her perception changes. It's an enemy soldier before her, on his knees, already wounded beyond moving. He's not a threat, just an enemy. She certainly doesn't remember this man, much less his name. But she knows that she killed this man. Shirayuki's words from her first night here echo in her head. "Are we still monsters?"

 

Akafuyu's shinai stops a hair's width from Folinic's exposed abdomen. Not yet hit, but clearly bested, Folinic relaxes with a sigh. A high whistle comes from nearby: Gavial, an observer of their bout. 

 

"That was impressive as usual, Akafuyu!" Gavial cheers. She clasps a hand over Akafuyu's shoulder, pushing Akafuyu more than expected. Not everyone at Rhodes Island looks very strong, but almost everyone can punch like a freight train.

 

"Thank you, and thank you for the fight," Akafuyu replies, at first to Gavial, then to Folinic. Typically the Morning Workout Club's activities end after some stretches and a few laps around the deck of Rhodes Island. Akafuyu has managed to worm some swordplay into their collective routine, though, much to her own delight. Of course, nobody has yet to best her. Thankfully it isn't a contest. Folinic nods, tossing her rattan sword to Gavial, its actual owner.

 

Akafuyu tosses her shinai into her duffel bag with expert accuracy. Folinic retrieves a water bottle from her belt pouch and takes a swig. The sun is rising, and that means that their time together is nearly at its end for today. Fortunately for Akafuyu, she's gained plenty from their workout.

 

"So, what do you two have on your agenda for today?" Folinic asks.

 

Akafuyu stretches wide and tall, letting out a yawn. "I've got the day off. So… I don't know. Utage invited me to hang out later, though."

 

Gavial lightly punches her in the arm. "No way, I'm heading there too. Tomimi's dragging me along for some fun."

 

"Are you and Tomimi, like…" Akafuyu starts to ask, but one sharp look and headshake from Folinic catches her admittedly poor eyesight. The sudden vibes from Gavial were enough of a warning, anyhow. "Bringing any booze?" Akafuyu finishes.

 

Folinic sighs, while Gavial's face lights up."Hah, you know it! We've got some high shelf stuff and we aim to get everyone fucked up tonight."

 

"Everyone?" Akafuyu raises an eyebrow.

 

Gavial raises one back. "You didn't hear? We're playing drinking games all night, Jungle Juice style."

 

Folinic pinches the bridge of her nose. "Oh for the love of-"

 

"Jungle Juice?" Akafuyu asks.

 

It's Gavial's turn to be exasperated. "Look, just… Bring something, okay? Maybe not your sake, but something fruity, you know?"

 

"Didn't you plan on bringing straight liquor, Gavial?" Folinic asks. "That's hardly fruity, if I recall."

 

"Relax, I'm bringing Tomimi. Besides, tequila is kinda fruity, right?"

 

Akafuyu tilts her head. "Is it, now?"

 

Gavial shrugs. Folinic shrugs. It's a good enough answer for Akafuyu. "Will we be seeing you, Folinic?" Akafuyu asks.

 

"I don't really do parties," she says, "They never mesh with my schedule. I hope you two enjoy, though."

 

"She'd schedule her own funeral if she could," Gavial butts in. She laughs. Akafuyu laughs. Folinic narrows her eyes.

 

"I would hope it would be convenient for others," she says, eliciting more laughter from her friends.

 

Eventually the two of them calm down, and Folinic speaks again. "I've got plans already, actually. I need to go analyze some samples at the medical lab and write up a report for Dr. Kal'tsit. And as it stands…" Folinic seems to zone out for a moment. "That will take me another sixteen hours, barring meals, sleep, and prior commitments."

 

"What samples?" Gavial asks.

 

"Monthly Operator Infection Levels," Folinic says.

 

For Akafuyu, the shift in conversation tone is like whiplash. Often, she forgets most Operators present on the Landship are infected. She spends so much time with uninfected operators, such as Hoshiguma, or operators that aren't so visibly infected, like Utage. All of a sudden, she becomes more aware of the ore lesions on Gavial's side. 

 

For the other two, though, the conversation continues.

 

"Oh, I'm working on that today. I have tomorrow off, though," Gavial says. Then she turns to Akafuyu with a grin, "Although I can actually leave when my shift is over."

 

Folinic nods, "I'll be thankful for the help. Shall we get going, then?"

 

Gavial throws her head back in a sigh. "Yeah, yeah, sure thing. See you later, Akafuyu; remember the drinks."

 

Akafuyu waves off Gavial and Folinic as they take off. She turns to zip up her duffel bag. Then, she hoists it over her shoulder, and realizes she has hours to kill before Utage's party.

 

She could go back to her room and play games, or…

 

Akafuyu can't think of a more appealing activity to do at the moment. Especially not after Kirara recommended her a new action rpg series. Her time was already as good as dead.

 

---

 

Finally, Akafuyu drags herself out of her room to make it to Utage's party. She didn't even realize she could spend so much time on one game. Six hours into a spin-off side title that isn't relevant to the broader series, and she's been hooked. Akafuyu knows that Utage has excellent tastes, but she had no idea her girlfriend shares them. With her hair in a messy ponytail, and the most acceptable comfortable clothes she could find -A baggy sweatshirt with Rhodes Islands's logo and a pair of red capris- Akafuyu's sandals clack on the entryway to the combination Higashi/Yan common area.

 

This time the party is a bit more exclusive. Not that anyone is barred from entry, but more so that not everyone was told about the event. Akafuyu sees Utage, Gavial, Tomimi, Estelle, Vigna, Frostleaf, and Aciddrop, and a Savra operator she's never met. Ethan, she thinks his name is?

 

Utage is the first to approach her. "Hey there, 'Fuyu," she says. Akafuyu has never had her name shortened like that, but Utage is adorable enough to get away with it. "Good to see ya. What're you bringin' tonight?"

 

Akafuyu holds up two bottles -both cheap bottles of plum wine- and smirks at Utage. "Is this everyone?"

 

"Nah, Kirara's bringing some of her pals, she actually had to fetch them first." Utage stands aside, not that she was barring Akafuyu entry. "Come in, come in, we're just chillin’ for now."

 

Akafuyu hands the plum wine off to Utage. She sees that several tables have been pulled together, with an absolutely giant punch bowl sitting at the center with some kind of liquid inside. 

 

"Hey, Akafuyu!" Gavial approaches, taking the bottles from Utage. "Oh, this is some cool stuff. Never had plum wine. Exotic." Without missing a beat, she uncaps both bottles with her thumb, and begins pouring them into the punch bowl. 

 

All at once does Akafuyu understand what Jungle Juice is. She's both intrigued and disgusted at the same time. Stepping close, she takes a whiff of the foul concoction, and the room spins around her in an alcohol-induced blur. "Okay, woah," she says, "That's enough booze to get an Oni drunk."

 

"Hoshiguma could handle it," comes a quiet voice. 

 

Akafuyu's skin crawls. She turns around to see Kirara, Dusk, Closure, and most shockingly, Shirayuki.

 

Any conversation is choked out by tension thick enough to stop a bullet.

 

Think, Akafuyu. Her eyes dart between Shirayuki and the rest of Kirara's entourage. She can barely make any of them out at the moment. They come to rest on Kirara herself at last, though. 

 

I just have to avoid starting something tonight, Akafuyu tells herself.

 

"Hey, Kirara, I picked up that game you told me about," she says with a forced air of nonchalance. It's enough to get everyone in the room to breathe a collective sigh. Shirayuki's gaze is still boring into her, though, observing every move.

 

"Oh, yeah, uh…" Kirara stops to think. "Automata Mask: The Labyrinthine Cinema?" She sits down on a chair next to Akafuyu. Everybody else disperses to mingle with others. Everybody but Shirayuki. "Shirayuki is the one that told me about it. It has a really cool manga series."

 

Akafuyu grits her teeth with a smile. "Is that so?" This night was only beginning.

Chapter 6

Notes:

So in this chapter i give Akafuyu and Shirayuki ages that might not make sense when looking at their profiles. This is because I think it's more interesting if they're both older women.

Akafuyu tries her hardest not to so much as glance at Shirayuki. It's a task made harder when the stoat seems to be five feet from her at any given moment. The music is good, the girls are pretty, the food is nice, but the weight on her shoulders is heavier than lead.

 

The spike that Shirayuki stares into Akafuyu's head is so sharp, in fact, that Akafuyu turns to a time-honored painkiller: Alcohol. Not the giant bowl of sugary ethanol, of course, that's supposedly meant for some of the festivities later. Instead, Akafuyu starts to down a can of shitty hard lemonade. 

 

The regret immediately burns the back of Akafuyu's throat. Someone taps her shoulder. She wheels around expecting Shirayuki, but…

 

It's Aak, a Feline from Lungmen. Akafuyu didn't see him earlier. In fact, there are more operators now than before, that's for certain. Would she be able to even see Shirayuki if she was just a little bit behind someone, watching, waiting to swoop?

 

"Yo, can I get one of those?" Aak asks, stretching out a fuzzy paw. Akafuyu looks at it. She never even knew Felines could be as fuzzy as him. 

 

Akafuyu fishes a second can out of the cooler, and passes it to him, "Yeah, here you go."

 

"Rad, thanks," Aak says. He moves away, and Akafuyu expects to see Shirayuki yet again. She doesn't. She's just alone at a party. That made her cool, right?

 

Akafuyu approaches Gavial, a green blur rapidly coming into focus. "Zumama did fucking what in the workshop?" the crocodile asks Closure with her mouth hanging open. Tomimi stands next to her doing the same

 

"Yeah, really, she made an attachment for Justice Knight, it's a fucking-" Closure stops mid-sentence as Akafuyu steps into their conversation. "Oh, hey Akafuyu! How ya' been?"

 

"I've been," Akafuyu clears her throat, "Well. I've been well. You three?"

 

"I've been great!" Tomimi cheers

 

Gavial throws an arm around Tomimi with a grin. "Can't complain."

 

"Same here, same here," Closure says, "You're sure nobody's giving you problems?"

 

Akafuyu narrows her eyes. "Just what do you mean by that, exactly?"

 

Closure sighs. "It's not really a secret that you and Shirayuki are like… Y'know, really weird about each other?"

 

Tomimi pipes up, her voice surprisingly small, "Yeah, are you two divorced, or something?"

 

Everyone's eyes go wide. Akafuyu is the first to crack, almost laughing. Gavial and Closure join in. When the apparent confusion on Tomimi's face makes it clear that she was asking a serious question, it only makes the three of them laugh harder .

 

"W-What did I say?" Tomimi stammers.

 

Akafuyu wipes a tear from her eye and takes a deep breath. "Nothing, don't worry about it," she says. She takes a swig of her awful, awful drink. Gulp, gulp, gulp.

 

"Where is she, anyway?" Closure asks, looking around the party. "We were supposed to play something with Utage soon…" 

 

Gavial nudges Akafuyu. "Hey, why don't you join us?"

 

Drinking games with Shirayuki? "I'll pass, I think," Akafuyu says.

 

This time, Gavial throws her arm around Akafuyu's shoulder and pulls her down a bit. She's stronger than Akafuyu realizes. "Ah, c'mon, it'll be fun!" She starts to rub her knuckles against Akafuyu's head, "We're bringing out the Jungle Juice for it, you know you can't resist."

 

Akafuyu squirms out of Gavial's arms and swats them away. It's a bad idea, but… "Alright, alright, yeesh…"

 

Closure, suddenly behind them, starts to usher the other three of them through a growing crowd of party-goers.

 

"Since when does Utage know this many people?" Akafuyu asks.

 

Tomimi answers this time, clinging to Gavial's tail, "She knows just about everyone. It's kinda scary…"

 

Of course she would. Akafuyu can spy… Nobody, exactly; everyone here is just a blur. But she can tell who some of those blurs are. Is that Specter? How does Utage know her, even? And that blur, that one's unmistakable.

 

Closure pushes them towards Shirayuki's table. Specifically, it's not her table, and between her, Utage, Vigna, and Frostleaf, there are plenty of extra chairs for the four of them. At the center of the table sits the giant punch bowl, objectively what Akafuyu was looking forward to most tonight. She isn't going to let Shirayuki bother her so much that she can't have a good time. Akafuyu pulls out a chair and sits down right next to Utage. Closure, Gavial, and Tomimi all take their seats too, and Utage claps her hands.

 

"Alright! This is enough of us. What're we playing? Never Have I Ever? Back To Back?" Utage pauses for a beat, then her lips curl into a devilish grin. "Paranoia?"

 

"What's Paranoia?" Akafuyu asks.

 

Utage chuckles. "Okay, we're playing that one. Let's do People Paranoia. We go in a circle to your right, and whisper a question into the next person's ears. The answers gotta be someone else at the table, that's important. Like so," Utage leans over to Akafuyu, and cups a hand around her ear. "Who here probably owns a body pillow?" she whispers.

 

Akafuyu shakes her head. Weird question, but okay, that's par for the course with this shit. She looks around the table, and then… "Tomimi," she says finally.

 

Tomimi flushes and drums her fingers on the table. "Um… What?"

 

"If anyone wants to know the question, they've gotta take a drink," Utage declares.

 

"I'll bite," Gavial says. She pours herself a drink and takes a swig. She grimaces. If it's that bad even for Gavial…

 

"Cool. I asked who probably has a body pillow," Utage says.

 

Gavial groans, Tomimi blushes harder, and everybody else chuckles. Utage nudges her. "Your turn, Akafuyu."

 

"Right…" Akafuyu turns to her right and sees Closure there, a buffer between her and Shirayuki. She leans in closer. "Who do you think you could take here? In a fight, I mean." she whispers.

 

Closure chuckles. Everybody else is uneasy. "Vigna," she says finally.

 

Frostleaf, sitting next to Vigna, takes a drink. "What's the question?"

 

"Who could Closure take," Akafuyu repeats.

 

Utage looks at Vigna for a second. "In a fight, right?"

 

"Oh, yeah, of course."

 

The table breathes a collective sigh of relief.

 

Then it's Closure's turn. She turns to Shirayuki, whispers her question, and without hesitation, Shirayuki points to her. "Akafuyu," the stoat says.

 

Before Shirayuki finishes her words, Akafuyu is already drinking. Her drink burns her throat, her chest, her lungs even. Her face feels heavy instantly. Shirayuki was lying: this concoction is strong enough to kill an Oni. "Spill it, Closure."

 

"Who's older than you?" Closure says innocently.

 

Akafuyu's eyebrow twitches. Of course Closure would ask that, and of course Shirayuki would assume it's her. "I'm only fifty-six…"

 

Everyone at the table gasps. "Holy shit, really?" Vigna says.

 

"Yeah, you look like you're twenty-something, pushing thirty," Utage tags on.

 

"You Ægir, I swear…" Gavial mumbles.

 

"Older than I," Shirayuki confirms.

 

"Oh yeah?" Akafuyu almost growls, "How old are you, then?"

 

"Classified," comes the exasperated answer, repeated far too many times.

 

Akafuyu drums her fingers on the table. More and more questions go around, and she learns a few things. Vigna and Frostleaf are an item, that's for sure. Shirayuki would kiss Closure, of all people at the table. Utage has a crush on Tomimi, to the latter's complete shock and embarrassment, and everybody's excitement. Speaking of that, Tomimi and Gavial are an item as well, as she figured, but have some poly-something arrangement going on.

 

Halfway through her drink and her head is already swimming. Every time she takes a drink, it's Closure asking Shirayuki something, or Shirayuki asking Gavial something. Akafuyu's not sure if anyone else has noticed. Except for Shirayuki; she's definitely noticed. She's feeding bullshit answers and questions just to fuck with her. To get her drunk out of her mind.

 

She barely notices when Utage leans in to whisper a question. "Who here would you sleep with?" She asks.

 

Akafuyu slams her palms down on the table. "Shirayuki."

 

Utage blinks. "Uh, what?"

 

"You, me, right now, outside," Akafuyu says. 

 

Shirayuki sighs. She takes a drink. It's not her first of the night, surprisingly, and nods towards Utage.

 

"W-Who would you sleep with," Utage stammers with uncharacteristic caution.

 

The entire table goes quiet before Akafuyu speaks again. "What? No, this isn't about that."

 

Shirayuki sighs in relief, and nods her head towards the door. "Alright, let's go."

 

They both get up to leave, but Akafuyu stops for a second. She turns around back to the table. "Also, it's Gavial."

 

Gavial nods her head slightly, as if to say "That's fair," and Akafuyu takes off without waiting for any real response.

 

---

 

Shirayuki leads her away from the party and away from the music. Before long, the eerie quiet of Rhodes Island churning beneath them takes over. Finally, Shirayuki stops. It seems to be nowhere in particular, in one of Rhodes Island's many corridors. Fluorescent lights buzz overhead in stark contrast to the warmer lights of the party they've left behind them.

 

"So, you wanted to talk?" Shirayuki says.

 

Akafuyu didn't think this through, instead acting on liquid courage alone. She sits there in silence for a while. It would be petty to bring up something Akafuyu thought she noticed, but she's drunk enough to drag Shirayuki out to the middle of nowhere for it, apparently.

 

Shirayuki sighs. "Are you gonna sit there and blow up at me again?"

 

"No," Akafuyu says. Shirayuki's eyebrows go up. "How old are you?"

 

"Classified," Shirayuki repeats.

 

"No, cut the bullshit, really," Akafuyu crosses her arms. "That day was years ago-"

 

"Stop bringing it up," Shirayuki says, no, almost shouts . She takes a step closer to Akafuyu. Then another, and another, and she's right in front of her.

 

Akafuyu's hand goes to her sword belt, only to find it empty. That's not good. Her reactions are already dulled by alcohol, and she's unarmed, but she still has no doubt she could best Shirayuki in hand-to-hand combat if necessary.

 

Shirayuki doesn't strike though. She grabs the front of Akafuyu's shirt, and speaks one word at a time. "I'm. Sick. Of. Reliving. That. Day."

 

"You didn't-"

 

"I didn't lose many friends, correct," Shirayuki says. "I'm fifty-one. Do the math."

 

Even in her inebriated state, it's not hard for Akafuyu to figure it out. Five years younger than her. Akafuyu herself was almost prodigious. Shirayuki must've been young, incredibly so for one leading that charge. And to execute a plan so cleanly, with so few casualties…

 

"You spent your whole life as a soldier?" Akafuyu asks.

 

"No. Bodyguard," Shirayuki corrects. She lets go of Akafuyu and leans with her back to a wall. "The work I do now is nice. It's easy. In the past, not so much."

 

Before Akafuyu can cover her eyes, Shirayuki lifts her shirt. Not flashing Akafuyu, of course, but far up enough to show a tapestry of scars across Shirayuki's pale skin. Akafuyu can barely see it. But it's enough to get her closer.

 

Immediately, Akafuyu reaches out. In this moment Shirayuki isn't an enemy. She's another victim of the war that took her comrade's lives. These are only the visible scars as well. Shirayuki has no doubt lost allies just as she has. When her fingers make contact with Shirayuki's skin, the stoat flinches, but lets her touch.

 

"How do you know I won't kill you right now?" Akafuyu asks.

 

"I could ask the same."

 

Akafuyu glances up. She realizes she's on her knees, and even with Shirayuki exposed as she is, the stoat could have easily attacked just then. This isn't about some contest to see who's better, right now. There are no blades between them, just each other. Akafuyu stands up. In the morning, she might come to regret this, but right now? Shirayuki is the only person who's been through the same war she has, the same biting cold and craggy peaks of volcanoes and unforgiving southern swamps of Higashi. She puts an arm against the wall, next to Shirayuki's head.

 

And then everything becomes a blur.

 

---

 

Shirayuki wakes up, with a hangover beating at her skull and sweat dripping down her back. While it is summer, after all, she typically sleeps in a cool room. Akafuyu's room, however, is not so cool. 

 

Akafuyu snores right next to her, fast asleep. Shirayuki remembers exactly how she got here. Remembers getting pulled down, dragged around, kissing and fondling like she was young again. She checks her phone for the time. Five thirty-nine. If she recalls correctly, Akafuyu likes to wake up around six. Would Akafuyu remember what happened? Probably not. Would she flip if she woke up next to Shirayuki? Definitely. She has little time to prepare.

 

Shirayuki gets dressed quickly, clothes as messy as her hair, and thinks. A drawer from Akafuyu's desk. She takes that, checks to make sure there's nothing too loud, and flings the contents around the room. Some cheap coat hangers in her closet catch Shirayuki's eye next. Shirayuki breaks them, throws them down on the floor. They'd cost barely anything to replace. Then she sees a poster that Akafuyu has on her wall. It's for a game series. Shirayuki's never played it, but Closure seems to like it. Slashing it would be overkill. Instead, simply removing three of its pins is enough to make it hang crooked. 

 

Check the time. Five fifty-five. Shirayuki pats her pockets, looking for anything that might help. A finishing touch for her deception.

 

She finds it in the form of small shuriken, stored in a hidden sleeve near her waist. Perfect. They land in a wall with a soft shing as Shirayuki throws out a few pairs of them.

 

It takes her no time to secure a route out of the room - the vents of Rhodes Island are like her own private tunnels - but Shirayuki can't help but admire her handiwork from between the metal slats of a vent cover in the ceiling. There's no way this wouldn't look like a fight when Akafuyu wakes.

 

Akafuyu. She watches Akafuyu for a heartbeat. Breathing normally, probably having sweet dreams. This is the closest Shirayuki will likely ever get to mending bridges with her. The closest Akafuyu will be to understanding. And yet, she has to throw it away or risk being burned.

 

Akafuyu's alarm goes off, and the Ægir wakes up with a grumble.

 

"Oh, my fucking head…" Akafuyu says. "What the hell happened last night?"

 

Shirayuki creeps away, not wanting to risk being caught. Just before she gets far enough away to make a break for it, she hears Akafuyu again.

 

"Jesus, what fucking happened in here? This place is a wreck…"

 

Akafuyu wouldn't learn what really happened, ideally, but a fight with Shirayuki is much more acceptable to her. 

Notes:

I was determined to start this before Akafuyu was released on global, so here we are.