Strike Witches 2012 Episode 11: Children of the Danube [IC]

[Minroz]

“Aiya! I dare say the castle looks fanciful, as expected of the Britannian aristocrats. Nothing much compare you see on the photos.” Ai quipped, commenting on Sybil’s home. She closed her fan.

“Funny, your ancestors used to live in the Forbidden City in fourteenth century.” Nuray smirked.

“We also lived in felt tents, just like your ancestors, Nunu.” The Mongol-Manchurian points out. “And you know what we girls here have in common, our forefathers built great empires in the past and today. What a coincidence.”

“You don’t say, girls.” Yusheng smiled. “But in my opinion and not related to what you’ve said, you two are astonishingly beautiful looking great in your dresses. Even the moon above is looking at you both through the windows.”

With his light-hearted flattery or perhaps his joke, Nuray cannot help blushed in response. She start fidgeting her fingers as a way to deal with her hormonal feelings. But Ai just laughed it away with her waving hand.

[“Oh Yuyu, you’re such a tease.”] She opens her paper fan to hide her face like a lady of the old orient.

Having settled down in the Blue Room with the darjeeling conversation started. Naturally it was firstly to update on what her old unit has been doing and then moving on to other subjects.
"So ladies. What have you been doing in my absence so far? I've read you've been in Odessa."

A very tricky subject, Nuray, Yusheng and Aigiarn exchanged their uneasy glances. The 501st adventures in Odessa has some fair shares of mayhems, one comes after another. Two started off by Oksana and lastly getting attack by the terrorist organisation ‘World United’. The World United they can talk about it, but Oksana? They’re not sure it’s alright to talk it over with their 501st teammates. They don’t want or wish to drag their friends into their problems. However, certain individuals have taken great notice of the odd occurrences, Adela for exampled tried to interrogate Nunu for answers back in the last operation.

“Ahem, Odessa is great. May be cold but the sceneries over there is beautiful, makes me want to visit there again. And the last Anti-Neuroi underwater operation is a success.” Ai replied to Sybil, though as a way to dodge questions regarding Oksana.

“Evet (Yes). Thank Allah for that. If it wasn’t for us the noble 501st, who can stop the accursed Neurois from burning our world?” Nuray adds in. “Though the appearance of the terrorists the ‘World United’ have almost ruined our operation. But by Allah, we all survived and Katsumi is in the hospital. Anyhow, we’re alright.”

“Well then, why not celebrate this occasion?” Ai chirped. “We don’t get these parties every day~. Let’s just enjoy to the fullest, anyone here agrees?”

“Allahu Akbar. But I don’t drink alcohol.” Yusheng grumbled.

“Erm, same here. Can we have something non-alcoholic?” Nuray said meekly, feeling embarrassed. “Water will be fine.”

Spotting Hanna in their sights, the two best friends cursed themselves for their carelessness. They forgot there’s a mind-reading witch nearby. All they can hope she understood their dilemmas.

[Finorskia]

It didn't take Yuri long to find hanger 2-B, mostly because he'd gotten a lift in a land rover by some mechanics, but sure enough there he was; standing in the doorway of an aircraft hanger. He stared at the fighter plane within a brand new F-15 SS. The SS was the production model of the prototype fighter he had been flying up until he crashed it. Unlike the prototype however, which had been a modified F-15 E Strike Eagle, the SS was a completely different aircraft. The body was slightly sleeker and rounded, the tail's angled out to the sides, all to make the plane stealthier. If what Yuri remembered from pre-production talks was correct the SS had four internal weapons bays as well as mountings for hard points to carry plenty of external munitions. The engines had been replaced with brand new three dimensional thrust vectoring ones, the Orussians probably had something to do with that, and a pair of canards had been placed at the front of the plane. All together, along with the new Striker Unit Aircraft System, the new F-15 SS would be stealthier, more maneuverable, and more versatile than any of the previous F-15 variants. All of this was great, theoretically, but Yuri couldn't help but feel that it was all unnecessary in order to fight the Neuroi. But then Yuri reminded himself that the F-15 SS hadn't been developed to fight the Neuroi in the first place. Yuri shook his head to take his mind off the matter and turned his attention to the aircraft's paint scheme.

The fighter was painted in standard USAF grey with standard USAF markings and warning labels, on the tail the 501st roundel was painted. All in all the aircraft appeared pretty standard, but one thing caught Yuri's eye. The nose art. Running across the nose of the aircraft was an open toothy mouth poised in a wicked grin, there was even a pair of eyes. Yuri stepped forward, slowly making his way around to the aircraft's left side. The wicked mouth made him shudder with past memories as he approached. He was worried about what else he would find, and as he cleared the nose and was greeted with the side of the cockpit his worst fears were realized, but as he looked closer he breathed a slight sigh of relief. There below the cockpit was an image of a fierce bulldog its jaws ripping into a Neuroi. The dog sported an over sized collar with the name "Mad Dog" written on it in black lettering. His eyes moved up from the rapid dog to the kill tallies painted below the cockpit. He took a deep breath, dreading the worst, but let it out in a relieved sigh. There painted on the side of the plane were kill markers of all the aircraft and ground forces he had destroyed in the previous war, followed by all the Neuroi kills he'd achieved in this one. They were all there and this made him smile slightly. But it was the kills that weren't displayed that made him frown again. The dozens of witches he had killed, both air and land, they were absent, as if they had never happened at all. He stepped forwards, reached out his hand, and slid it across the kill tally marks.

"Well if it isn't the old Mad Dog himself. Do you like it?" A voice from behind him caused Yuri to jump. Whipping around Yuri came face to face with a man in his mid twenties, wearing a mechanics jumpsuit. The man had blue eyes and sandy brown hair cut short, a name tag on his jumpsuit read "Richards". There was no mistaking it in Yuri's eyes, the man before him sporting a cocksure grin was his old WSO Sean Richards.

"Sean?" was all the surprised pilot could say.

"The one and only," replied Richards replied.

"It's, uh been a long time," Yuri shifted his stance in uneasiness. It had been a long time since he'd last seen Sean, four years to be exact. When he'd served in the middle east Sean had been one of his closest friends, but then Yuri left for the F-15 SS program and hadn't spoken to the guy since. Yet here he was, four years later, with that same grin, having painted his old nose art on his new plane.

"Sure has," Sean replied with cheer. "But enough about all that, do you like?"

"The paint job?" Yuri said pointing to the plane. Sean nodded his response, eagerness for Yuri's approval written on his face. "I," Yuri began. "I...I don't know," was all he could say.

"You don't know, When I heard that this plane was for a Major Yuri Mikhailov, well I just knew what I had to paint on it, and to think you don't know," Sean frowned in disappointment. "Man I tried so hard to. Every detail is exactly the same as it was on your old plane."

"Not every detail," Yuri replied turning his back to Sean and his attention back to the plane.

"Yeah well," Sean said stepping closer and moving so that he was standing next to Yuri. "There are some things your just not allowed to paint on an aircraft. I doubt you'll ever be allowed to paint those kills on any plane you fly. According to the government half our battles never even happened. Hell I doubt you noticed but, those tanks and trucks and etc. There all from be fore we joined the Witch Hunters."

"Of course" Yuri replied. "The Witch Hunters a group of Elite Liberion Aces tasked with destroying high level enemy targets, specifically enemy witches. Their weapon of choice, the most inhumane weapon ever developed."

"Sounds like some half baked conspiracy or the like don't it?" Sean said.

"Yep," Yuri sighed.

"Something wrong?" Sean asked.

"Nah, it's just. I guess I just...I just wanted someone...," Yuri said.

"You wanted someone outside of the program to know what you did, what we did," Sean put his hand on Yuri's shoulder. "Right." Yuri nodded.

"We all feel the same buddy. Constantly asking ourselves if what we did was right or wrong, but in the end..." Sean began.

"In the end the only thing that matters is that we murdered little girls by the dozens." Yuri finished.

"Yeah..." Seans voice trailed off as he continued to look at the plane. They stood in silence for a little bit before Yuri finally spoke.

"Sean," he began. "Do you think we'll ever be free?"

"What do you mean?" Sean replied.

"I mean can we ever be free from the torment. I'm sure you've had the nightmares, I know I do," Yuri said.

"You mean the ones where you're in a plane and you see their faces moments before they die. Then you're in a bed an the next thing you know your being drowned by the disembodied hands of all the witches you have ever killed all their voices crying out "Why? Why did you do it." Sean's smile had disappeared, replaced with a stern serious expression that also held hint's of sadness. Yuri gulped and nodded. "Then yes, I've had them. Why?"

"Because when I ask if you think we'll ever be free, I mean of those dreams. We killed them Sean dozens of them, of all ages, and they never stood a chance. We watched as they were blown to bit's their last expression being one of total helplessness, and we didn't even give it a second thought. Hell we sometimes we even laughed about it. Hell most of the time we laughed about it," Sean nodded his reply solemnly. "So I ask you again Sean, do you think we will ever be free?"

"The answer to your question is no," a soft womanly voice wafted from the edge of the hanger. Sean turned around and Yuri stepped to the left in order to see who had spoken. A young woman in her early mid twenties stood their in a standard field dress uniform. She had black hair tied up in a bun on the top of her head and soft green eyes that seemed to carry a great deal of unspoken sadness. Her name tag read "Huxley" and on her shoulder was a squadron patch of fighter plane blowing up a Neuroi, the words "Neuroi Hunters" written on it. "Hello Yuri, it's been a while."

"Colonel Huxley ma'am," Sean snapped to attention and saluted the young woman. The Colonel waved her hand and Sean lowered his hand and eased up.

"Skye." Yuri said softly. He tried to say more but couldn't, instead he just stared at his former CO. Skye cocked her head to the side in puzzlement.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" She asked.

"Uh...nothing." Yuri said quickly looking away blushing slightly, his gaze returning to his fighter.

"You know," Skye entered the hanger. "I was the one who told Sean that this was your plane," Yuri looked at her in puzzlement.

"Why?" Yuri asked.

"Well," Skye began. "Because I knew Sean would want to paint it," She giggled.

"Is that really the reason" Yuri frowned.

"You lost your wings some time ago and you've been ground for what, a month?" Skye said changing the subject.

"Something like that," Yuri shrugged.

"When we fly we forget what we've done, it's only when we're back on the ground do we remember. That is why we lough and joke about the atrocities we commit, so that we don't remember. It's when we can no longer fly and no longer laugh that those we killed haunt us. But they don't haunt us for what we did, they haunt us because they don't want to be forgotten. So when we remember them, well than maybe they won't be nightmares anymore," She smiled.

"Maybe," Yuri replied. "But I don't see how that has anything to do with Sean painting my plane."

"Because every mark on that plain is a mark of remembrance, a sort of medal to those we have sent to the grave, and that simple act is enough to make us remember," She looked at the markings denoting Yuri's kills.

"But what about the witches I've killed? They aren't represented!" Yuri exclaimed.

"Just because marked with your kills doesn't mean they aren't there," She reached out a hand and pointed to the bulldog on the nose. Yuri leaned in close and was surprised to notice that the yellow ring which encircled the image was comprised of 36 stars, the same number of witches that he had shot down. "You shot them down Yuri, and now they haunt you, but that doesn't mean they won't be willing to help you from time to time," She smiled once again. The smile brought warmth to Yuri's heart.

"Thank you ma'am," he replied. She nodded and then turned to leave the hanger. She walked out but then stopped at the entrance.

"Oh I almost forgot," she said. "There was a call from your sister. You're apparently late picking her up for some promotion dinner or something."

"Oh god I forgot about that," an expression of fear and panic running over his face. "Oh god I am so dead," he began running towards the hanger entry.

"Good luck," Sean called after him.

"Thanks," Yuri replied. "I'm gonna need it if I'm going to survive today."

"In other news the Orussian militant forces responsible for the attack on Odesa have been brought to justice thanks to information gained from one of their members who was captured during the raid. Along with the Orussian coup forces a Baltlandic Witch by the name of Natalie Petersdaughter was captured. It is belived this witch was responsible for the sabotaging and injury of a 501st operation that was being conducted simultaneously to the Odessa raid. The 501st was Natalie Petersdaughter's former squadron prior to her defection. Though she claims to have been under the brainwashing influence of a witch who she claimed was a Liberian CIA agent, no such witch was captured. All in all It seems that the threat of the coup d'etat organization calling themselves A World United is no more. According to accounts the goals of A World United were to...," Yuri let out a happy sigh as he listened to the broadcast streaming from his cars stereo.

"Well that's good," he said to his sister sitting in the passenger seat next to him. "Sounds like we won't have to worry about fighting the WU anymore," he glanced over at Yuki waiting for a response. The young girl simply grunted, folder her arms in annoyance, and looked away. "Hey!" Yuri exclaimed. "What's your problem?"

"Hmm. I don't know, maybe the fact that we're stupidly late for Sybil's ceremonial dinner AND you're not dressed properly." Yuki snapped in annoyance.

"What do you mean not dressed properly?" Yuri looked down at his dress uniform in puzzlement. "I'm wearing my dress uniform."

"Yes, but not your mess dress uniform," Yuki informed him.

"Wait people actually wear those?" Yuri said in astonishment.

"Of course you moron, why else would they issue them. To be specific the wear those uniforms to events like this," Yuki rolled her eyes. "Are you telling me you've never been to a promotion ceremony and dinner.

"Yep," Yuri replied.

"Not even your own?" Yuki glared at him.

"All field promotions earned during the war. Hell we'd barely have enough time to pin the rank on before we were scrambling back into our cockpits to go back out on sortie. Well my promotion to Captain wasn't in the field, but there was no ceremony since it was part of me accepting the F-15 SS program," Yuri explained to his sister.

"Wow I had no idea." Yuki replied in surprise, though she soon returned to her annoyed self. "That's no excuse for being so late though."

"Heh, yeah you're right. I'm sorry," he replied patting his sister on the head. Yuki pouted realizing she could no longer be mad at her brother. "Anyway's, we're here," Yuri pointed out as the car drove up the driveway. Yuri parked the car before getting out. Yuki followed and the two siblings walked up to the massive doors of the mansion. "Man, look at this place. I knew she came from a wealthy family, but still."

"Yeah," Yuki said as they finished their climb up the stairs. Yuri approached the large door, lifted the knocker, and knocked.

[Nachfolgia]

Friederike glanced at Sybil when she inquired about the 501st's activities while she was away. She sat quietly while Nuray and Ai had the uneasy task of answering the question first. Ai tried her best to make it sound like it wasn't as bad as it was. Despite all the set backs, the 501st was still in one piece even though some of its members weren't, including Friederike. She kept quiet until they were finished before adding in her part. " I was reassigned back to the Grunhertz to fight in the war, got half my face blown off...and killed a dozen young girls." Friederike said with her usual expressionless face, her tone slightly more depressing than normal. " But anyway, all in the life of the 501st. Do you have any Riesling?" Friederike said as she glanced at Sybil.

[Wolfenium]

Wyndton House, County Kent, Britannia
12th of March, 2012
10:30 AM

"Sohvi and Ruya dear," Sybil was positively beaming at her old friends as she descended the stairs to greet the dinner party. "How have you been?" She added after giving a hug each to them both. "Remitonova, Bregoli, Masood and Adler. Welcome to Wyndton, it's my pleasure to host." Sybil continued as the rest of the group came into view, and then just about behind them the last person she sent invitations to.
"Your Imperial and Royal Highness the Crown Princess of Karlsland." She added a courtesy, "It's a pleasure to have you here." Turning back to the group standing between the hall and the porch she said with a smile. "Do come in everybody. Tea is waiting in the Blue Room. Noel and Mr. Lowe will take you there." As they moved past her porch Sybil let just a little bit of her formal hostess façade down and relaxed a little, having prepared herself to be the perfect lady for well over the entire morning, an usually exhausting procedure with this being no exception.

Having settled down in the Blue Room with the darjeeling conversation started. Naturally it was firstly to update on what her old unit has been doing and then moving on to other subjects.
"So ladies. What have you been doing in my absence so far? I've read you've been in Odessa."

"Nothing of great importance," Adela went in a shrug, laying herself on a couch in a lackadaisical pose, "I'm just happy all the wacko fifth columnists are dead, because we really need to nail those aliens before something else crops up. Pweh," spat the girl all of a sudden, having reacted in revulsion to a sip of the tea, "needs milk."

Staring into her cup, however, Svetlana was utterly silent on the matter entirely. Nothing made sense in the world anymore, and nothing she had went through in training had prepared her for what happened throughout her stint in the 501st. Admittedly, she found it hard to keep track of events since Illyria. She just wanted to get back to her job, killing Neuroi.

"Training," she muttered inaudibly, peering at her reflection in the liquid. It felt like a lifetime since she just finished training. At this point, it was almost impossible to recall. In fact, she could not remember half the training she went through on the spot. And yet, it all came naturally to her in the hot seat, snapping back only for the sole purpose of combat.

Friederike glanced at Sybil when she inquired about the 501st's activities while she was away. She sat quietly while Nuray and Ai had the uneasy task of answering the question first. Ai tried her best to make it sound like it wasn't as bad as it was. Despite all the set backs, the 501st was still in one piece even though some of its members weren't, including Friederike. She kept quiet until they were finished before adding in her part. " I was reassigned back to the Grunhertz to fight in the war, got half my face blown off...and killed a dozen young girls." Friederike said with her usual expressionless face, her tone slightly more depressing than normal. " But anyway, all in the life of the 501st. Do you have any Riesling?" Friederike said as she glanced at Sybil.

"Riesling," questioned the albino lolita, "what's a Riesling?"

"It's wine," Adela mused, peering at Friederike in an odd look, "I usually take Friulano or Tokaji myself this time of day, but you know how military-types feel about drinking on standby days. You wouldn't happen to have any, would you, Sybil?"

[Rupudska]

Wyndton House, County Kent, Britannia
12th of March, 2012
10:30 AM

"Sohvi and Ruya dear," Sybil was positively beaming at her old friends as she descended the stairs to greet the dinner party. "How have you been?" She added after giving a hug each to them both. "Remitonova, Bregoli, Masood and Adler. Welcome to Wyndton, it's my pleasure to host." Sybil continued as the rest of the group came into view, and then just about behind them the last person she sent invitations to.
"Your Imperial and Royal Highness the Crown Princess of Karlsland." She added a courtesy, "It's a pleasure to have you here." Turning back to the group standing between the hall and the porch she said with a smile. "Do come in everybody. Tea is waiting in the Blue Room. Noel and Mr. Lowe will take you there." As they moved past her porch Sybil let just a little bit of her formal hostess façade down and relaxed a little, having prepared herself to be the perfect lady for well over the entire morning, an usually exhausting procedure with this being no exception.

Having settled down in the Blue Room with the darjeeling conversation started. Naturally it was firstly to update on what her old unit has been doing and then moving on to other subjects.
"So ladies. What have you been doing in my absence so far? I've read you've been in Odessa."

"Yes, the 501st was in Odessa," Sohvi said, turning down a cup of tea. "We were sent there by the League of Nations in order to investigate Neuroi presence in the Black Sea. Which we did indeed find, using some new submersible Striker units manufactured by Karlsland. Though I honestly believe that our presence there was more diplomatic than anything. Even so, it was not so bad."

Ruya let out a brief guffaw, which usually indicated that she was about to emit a burst of sarcasm. And indeed she did. "Not so bad. Yes, I distinctly recall enjoying being shot at by Orussian nationalists."

[Minroz]

"Yes, the 501st was in Odessa," Sohvi said, turning down a cup of tea. "We were sent there by the League of Nations in order to investigate Neuroi presence in the Black Sea. Which we did indeed find, using some new submersible Striker units manufactured by Karlsland. Though I honestly believe that our presence there was more diplomatic than anything. Even so, it was not so bad."

Ruya let out a brief guffaw, which usually indicated that she was about to emit a burst of sarcasm. And indeed she did. "Not so bad. Yes, I distinctly recall enjoying being shot at by Orussian nationalists."

“Well, you’re not far from it. Although that’s an understatement you made, Hay Allah.” Nuray thought about Ruya’s comment, making a wry chuckle, exhibiting bits of her personal sarcasm. Mentioning of Orussian nationalists, she do recalled being attacked by Oksana’s henchmen – the Cherdenko twins, upon her first day in Odessa. Not once, but twice especially the second part about the 501st truck being ambushed by Oksana’s Central Asian hitmen and their target is not only Nuray, Ai as well. The Turkish think hard about it, unsure if it's good idea to talk about the culprits until...

“Hey girls, don’t be such downers, what happens there is all in the past~.” Aigiarn chirped in, displaying her jovialness. “We’re still alive and kicking! That’s what matter or counts, whatever what Liberion expression goes by, Aiya~. Now…to celebrate our achievements as a team, companions and family, I hereby announced…” She made a maniacal grin as if something crazy fun is about to happen. “LET’S GET WASTED!!!”

Ai punched her fist up in the air. She seems to be in the disco party mood however…

“No.” Nuray and Yusheng bluntly interject in unison, objecting to her wild idea. “This isn’t a night club, Ai. We’re in a formal party, high-class stuff, have you forgotten about it?” The Manchurian man pointed out.

“Haha, I’m actually joking, hehe~.” Aigiarn replied with a teasing smile, extending her fan and brought it up in front of her face like an East Asian lady.

“Huh, estafurrillah, really?” Nuray scoffs in a playful manner while her boyfriend rolls his eyes. “I know you Ai, you’re crazy sometimes. When you ever stop?”

“As long as I’m alive, that’s what~.” The Manchurian girl burst into hearty laughter.

[Nachfolgia]

"Yes, the 501st was in Odessa," Sohvi said, turning down a cup of tea. "We were sent there by the League of Nations in order to investigate Neuroi presence in the Black Sea. Which we did indeed find, using some new submersible Striker units manufactured by Karlsland. Though I honestly believe that our presence there was more diplomatic than anything. Even so, it was not so bad."

Ruya let out a brief guffaw, which usually indicated that she was about to emit a burst of sarcasm. And indeed she did. "Not so bad. Yes, I distinctly recall enjoying being shot at by Orussian nationalists."

“Well, you’re not far from it. Although that’s an understatement you made, Hay Allah.” Nuray thought about Ruya’s comment, making a wry chuckle, exhibiting bits of her personal sarcasm. Mentioning of Orussian nationalists, she do recalled being attacked by Oksana’s henchmen – the Cherdenko twins, upon her first day in Odessa. Not once, but twice especially the second part about the 501st truck being ambushed by Oksana’s Central Asian hitmen and their target is not only Nuray, Ai as well. The Turkish think hard about it, unsure if it's good idea to talk about the culprits until...

“Hey girls, don’t be such downers, what happens there is all in the past~.” Aigiarn chirped in, displaying her jovialness. “We’re still alive and kicking! That’s what matter or counts, whatever what Liberion expression goes by, Aiya~. Now…to celebrate our achievements as a team, companions and family, I hereby announced…” She made a maniacal grin as if something crazy fun is about to happen. “LET’S GET WASTED!!!”

Ai punched her fist up in the air. She seems to be in the disco party mood however…

“No.” Nuray and Yusheng bluntly interject in unison, objecting to her wild idea. “This isn’t a night club, Ai. We’re in a formal party, high-class stuff, have you forgotten about it?” The Manchurian man pointed out.

“Haha, I’m actually joking, hehe~.” Aigiarn replied with a teasing smile, extending her fan and brought it up in front of her face like an East Asian lady.

“Huh, estafurrillah, really?” Nuray scoffs in a playful manner while her boyfriend rolls his eyes. “I know you Ai, you’re crazy sometimes. When you ever stop?”

“As long as I’m alive, that’s what~.” The Manchurian girl burst into hearty laughter.

Friederike rolled her eyes as Ai started getting riled up and wanting to get drunk. Out of all the members of the 501st that annoyed her, Ai was one of the ones that annoyed her the most. So wasn't like Bushra who tried to killed a member of the Karlsland royal family, it was just her personality. Ai is way too hyperactive and compulsive for Friederike's taste. She's is the exact opposite to Friederike's quiet and calm demeanor. Other than the way she acted, Friederike didn't have a problem with her, Ai was just way too loud. " Must you be so loud, Ai? Nuray is right...this is a formal dinner." Friederike said with a blank expression.

[Occupied Deutschland]

Bushra smiled wanly at Ai's words, thankful for the distraction from the lavishness around her and the presence of the mind-reading Hanna. She was even partially surprised as a light giggle escaped her lips, and quickly silenced it before it could embarrass her. The Manchurian girl always seemed to be so...excited and happy. Bushra wasn't, quite, jealous of the girl's seeming ability to stay light-hearted, but she could appreciate it. It was certainly more productive than her own moping and constant anger.

Bushra almost felt tired of being so angry all the time. It was too much the product of her 'teacher' and his years of raising her into blind dedication and extremism. How much of her near-constant anger was still the result of his influence over so much of her life? How much of her own ideas were because of his corrupt influence?

Bushra's eyes flicked towards Princess Hanna, and she felt her cheeks flush with a combination of annoyance and anger at her presence.

Is she reading my thoughts right now?

Friederike rolled her eyes as Ai started getting riled up and wanting to get drunk. Out of all the members of the 501st that annoyed her, Ai was one of the ones that annoyed her the most. So wasn't like Bushra who tried to killed a member of the Karlsland royal family, it was just her personality. Ai is way too hyperactive and compulsive for Friederike's taste. She's is the exact opposite to Friederike's quiet and calm demeanor. Other than the way she acted, Friederike didn't have a problem with her, Ai was just way too loud. " Must you be so loud, Ai? Nuray is right...this is a formal dinner." Friederike said with a blank expression.

"So it is, Friederike. We shouldn't let that make us all into deadly-serious, unsmiling people like you, though." Bushra said, the barbed words having much less bite than they could as Bushra kept her voice very soft and inoffensive, almost quiet. "We're forced to be serious and dour enough as it is. I'm just glad Ai still has a sense of humor, even if it is bad." Bushra offered the Manchurian girl a thin smile.

Even if I can't have it, much as I wish I could, at least she does...

[Nachfolgia]

Bushra smiled wanly at Ai's words, thankful for the distraction from the lavishness around her and the presence of the mind-reading Hanna. She was even partially surprised as a light giggle escaped her lips, and quickly silenced it before it could embarrass her. The Manchurian girl always seemed to be so...excited and happy. Bushra wasn't, quite, jealous of the girl's seeming ability to stay light-hearted, but she could appreciate it. It was certainly more productive than her own moping and constant anger.

Bushra almost felt tired of being so angry all the time. It was too much the product of her 'teacher' and his years of raising her into blind dedication and extremism. How much of her near-constant anger was still the result of his influence over so much of her life? How much of her own ideas were because of his corrupt influence?

Bushra's eyes flicked towards Princess Hanna, and she felt her cheeks flush with a combination of annoyance and anger at her presence.

Is she reading my thoughts right now?

Friederike rolled her eyes as Ai started getting riled up and wanting to get drunk. Out of all the members of the 501st that annoyed her, Ai was one of the ones that annoyed her the most. So wasn't like Bushra who tried to killed a member of the Karlsland royal family, it was just her personality. Ai is way too hyperactive and compulsive for Friederike's taste. She's is the exact opposite to Friederike's quiet and calm demeanor. Other than the way she acted, Friederike didn't have a problem with her, Ai was just way too loud. " Must you be so loud, Ai? Nuray is right...this is a formal dinner." Friederike said with a blank expression.

"So it is, Friederike. We shouldn't let that make us all into deadly-serious, unsmiling people like you, though." Bushra said, the barbed words having much less bite than they could as Bushra kept her voice very soft and inoffensive, almost quiet. "We're forced to be serious and dour enough as it is. I'm just glad Ai still has a sense of humor, even if it is bad." Bushra offered the Manchurian girl a thin smile.

Even if I can't have it, much as I wish I could, at least she does...

Friederike glanced at Bushra with her unchanging gaze. " What's your excuse then, Bushra? Psychosis turned you into a dull husk? I've been this way my whole life." Friederike said as she looked at Bushra, her tone unchanging.

[Occupied Deutschland]

Friederike glanced at Bushra with her unchanging gaze. " What's your excuse then, Bushra? Psychosis turned you into a dull husk? I've been this way my whole life." Friederike said as she looked at Bushra, her tone unchanging.

I'm not crazy you emotionless, goose-stepping, obedient slave of a mind reading fre--

Bushra coughed lightly and glared down at the floor of Sybil's castle. Raising her head, she remembered where she was, and who else was there, just in time to keep from saying the first thing that came to mind. What would Sohvi or Ruya have to say about her behavior if it wasn't 'proper', or at least courteous enough to be mistaken for 'proper'? How immature was it to ruin everyone else's time by arguing with a single-minded, stubborn, Gaww like Friederike. For that matter, what about Hanna?

Besides that, and much as she hated to admit it, the Karlslandic witch had a point. It wasn't like Bushra was ever the one telling a joke, or playfully teasing people like Ai. No, she just argued with them or yelled at them or assaulted them. Or tried to kill them. She wasn't exactly the best one to criticize Friederike for being too serious.

Have I always been so ins--...Quick to anger? Always been so humorless? Maybe she's right. About the first part at least. I'm not crazy, but I'm not exactly some well of good-humor and friendliness. I have him and them to thank for that. It took a slight force of effort for Bushra not to look at any of the nobility in the room when she though 'them'. Only the fact they weren't Ottoman stopped it in the end. She knew none of them were actually to blame, it wasn't like the crown princess of Karlsland had any power over domestic Ottoman policies. But she only knew it on a mental level. She could recognize that her own biases were the result of a bungled attempt at controlling her by her former teacher by twisting her emotions, and not some justified response to anything real. But why did they still color her thinking? They shouldn't. She shouldn't let them. But they did. Everywhere she looked she was haunted by six years of...indoctrination.

She had thought killing the lying fraud would put the issue to rest. Would finally give her some certainty and give her a chance to separate out those views colored and twisted by him and those she actually held, who she was from who he had wanted her to be. But all it had done was make her question everything more.

"No excuse." Bushra sounded out slowly, "Deadly-serious, unsmiling people like you, or me' is what I should've said, Friederike." Bushra finally responded with absolutely no trace of mockery in her voice and the barest thread of what might even be humor.

At least the five-oh-first itself was a constant. What she was supposed to do was...usually a constant. Killing Neuroi was decidedly different than making small-talk in a Brittanian castle, though. Still, she didn't want to upset that small bit of constancy in her life just by getting into another stupid argument. Besides, Hanna might pick her up again or whisper in her mind or, or, or...

"My mistake." Bushra finished, coming very close to apologizing.

At least I giggled a little, though. Do you ever feel anything, little miss one-eyed wunder-witch?

[Minroz]

Zheng Yusheng stepped in, putting himself between Friederike and Bushra. He didn’t look happy by the looks of it; he interfered, out of personal responsibilities as not only an adult but also a military officer.

“That’s enough, both of you. Do not start the fight, please for Heaven’s sakes.” He spoke calmly but he’s stern enough to be serious. “We are here as comrades-in-arms and I need to remind you girls about duties to uphold in fighting against the Neurois, our true enemy. The last thing we want is a brawl in the party. And I’m not going to repeat it again. I’m doing this for your own good.” He sighs before giving everyone a warm smile. “Sorry about that, ladies. Well, I felt I need to intervene. But I would be glad if everyone is getting along, we’re all people.”

“Oho~ Are you trying to flirt by impressing us, Yuyu?” Aigiarn chirps with the teasing smile, cracking up her joke. “I know Bushra and Friederike are both beautiful girls in their own right. But I didn’t know you’re such a playboy, smooth-talking girls like a rolling waves at the beach. You’re so daring even though you already have Nunu right here~.”

Needless to say, her remarks have caused Yusheng to comically taken aback. While Nuray is fidgeting her fingers as her face is blushing like tomato.

[“O-o-oi! Ai! Who says I was!? I wasn’t flirting, I’m being a professional military officer!”] Yusheng said defensively in Chinese, with blushes written on his face.

“Ai!” Nuray voicing out protests. Her embarrassing, meek expressions shown on her face didn’t help and only served in making her much cuter. Adding to the fact she’s secretly in love with the certain PLA lieutenant. And as much as she wanted to deny it, Nuray is jealous of the girls around Yusheng.

Aigiarn flaps her fan, covering her mouth and giggled like a noble lady.

[Nachfolgia]

Friederike glared at Bushra with her cold, unwavering gaze. From underneath the table, her hands were clenching her black dress. She was normally calm and collected, but Bushra has pushed her buttons even since she first joined the unit a few years back. Her fist clenching was the first major emotional outburst for her since she slammed Bushra against the balkhead of the Yeager for almost killing Princess Hanna. Before Friederike could say or do anything, Yusheng stepped in to break up their battle of words. She watched an listened as Ai mentioned that Yusheng is a player and was hitting on her. She also noticed that Nuray was blushing with embarrassment about Ai's comment about her and Yusheng dating. Friederike looked up at Yusheng and glared at him in her usual way. " With all due respect Herr Lieutenant, I'm not interested in players. " Friederike said as she looked away.

[Occupied Deutschland]

Bushra tilted her head at Yusheng, blinked, and then tilted it towards Nuray. She blinked again. She’d thought the two hadn’t gotten along very well? But then, it wasn’t like she’d been much of anywhere to notice for the past while. Hospitals weren’t exactly the best place to keep up with what the rest of the squadron was doing. Not that the kind of thing Ai suggested was going on was something she needed to keep up on.

Yusheng is a nice guy though. He was just trying to help me...and Friederike, I guess. Trying to keep us out of trouble by keeping us from getting in another argument. He wasn’t doing it for…that kind of a reason. He’s not the type. Besides, he managed to keep down the argument without being as petty as I was. I just had to act all smug and superior answering her question, didn’t I? But…Friederike’s just so insufferably ri—…

Bushra stopped breathing for a moment, No. No, no, no. I didn’t think that. Nononononono. I am in control and she’s wrong. Her head turned to Friederike. Perhaps just so she could check on the only other one caught in…whatever this was… with Yusheng.

That’s the only reason. The only reason. She certainly doesn’t have a point.

Friederike glared at Bushra with her cold, unwavering gaze. From underneath the table, her hands were clenching her black dress. She was normally calm and collected, but Bushra has pushed her buttons even since she first joined the unit a few years back. Her fist clenching was the first major emotional outburst for her since she slammed Bushra against the balkhead of the Yeager for almost killing Princess Hanna. Before Friederike could say or do anything, Yusheng stepped in to break up their battle of words. She watched an listened as Ai mentioned that Yusheng is a player and was hitting on her. She also noticed that Nuray was blushing with embarrassment about Ai's comment about her and Yusheng dating. Friederike looked up at Yusheng and glared at him in her usual way. " With all due respect Herr Lieutenant, I'm not interested in players. " Friederike said as she looked away.

Did Friederike just tell a joke? Granted, it was a bit ambiguous and maybe she was serious but…It seemed kind of like a joke. Yusheng’s comical surprise at his treatment for trying to do a good deed only added to the perception. It was also a model for Bushra’s own surprise at Friederike’s—possible, only possible—joke.

That doesn’t prove anything. She’s just being typical Friederike. Yeah. It wasn’t a joke and it was her fault not mi— Bushra’s surprise was quickly replaced by a blush and anger at herself as she recognized the thought. Just to spite it, and the memory of the one who’d given it to her, Bushra resolved to somehow contribute to the relatively lighthearted turn the conversation had taken. If for no other reason than to distract herself from her own thoughts.

Friederike still isn’t right about anything though!

What was something to say? What would Ai say if she were me? That was a particularly mind-bending question to get her head around, so Bushra instead said the first thing that came to mind.

“As much as your willingness to stand between two girls who could beat you up is impressive, Yusheng, I’m afraid there just isn’t enough common ground there for us to be together.” Bushra bit her lip and caught Ai in her peripheral vision, trying to suck encouragement from the carefree girl. She mimicked the teasing smile she’d seen the girl put on sometimes as best she could. She could do this. It was just a joke. Kind of. A bad one. An old one. Was it even a joke? “Go sit down next to Nuray, Lieutenant, sir. After all, I still owe her for—“ Bushra stopped, saying ‘—for trying to kill her ’ probably wasn’t the best phrasing. “—A favor.”

Seriously, does this even qualify as a joke?

“And besides, I’ve got a job to do. What I’ve got to do, you can’t be any part of, sir. But at least we’ll always have Odessa.” Bushra finished, voice growing slightly higher pitched and more nervous as she spoke. Nonetheless she got the words out. That was the important part. She’d told a joke! Or at least, she’d quoted an old movie in a way that was vaguely humorous. Maybe. It seemed to suit the situation, at least.

Bushra was unreasonably proud of the accomplishment. She almost wanted to throw her arms up in victory or take a bow. To somehow outwardly acknowledge the massive feeling of…something…the simple act gave her. It’s funny! Or at least it’s comedic. And I said it! ME! The one that always screamed at people and stuff! Besides that it’s a good way of letting Yusheng get off the hook without any more embarrassment. It’s what a sane person would say. It’s clever and a perfectly reasonable response to the situation. Maybe a bit outdated, but oh well, it was from me! So what?

But then, how much can I trust my own thoughts? Between teacher before and Prinzessin von min—NO! I am not thinking myself into a hole like that again! No thinking about that, Bushra. No. Something else!
That wasn’t what Ai would say, was it? She might have come up with something a bit better. It wasn’t so much a joke as it was a reference to an old movie and the characters having been—
…
…
Did I just suggest me and Yusheng were…involved…in Odessa?

Bushra’s teeth jammed together too tight at the realization for her mouth to be able to drop, but the bottom of her eyelids cheerfully took up the task in its place. She didn’t make a noise for a bare moment, and seemed oddly capable of staring without blinking. Like a statue.

“I am so sorry that was wildly inappropriate sir, ma’ams. I didn’t—We did not—There was not anything impro-It-was-from-an-old-movie-about-the-Second-Neuroi-War-and- itwasliterallythefirsthtingthatpoppedintomyhead.” Bushra explained quickly.

Jokes are hard.

[Wolfenium]

Buttoning up her lips, Adela clearly found the scene corny. It did not help that Bushra made a very inappropriate quote for the situation. She did not know whether to laugh or cry. Grasping the girl's shoulders as she ushered her along, she went, "yes, yes, yes. Stick with groaning if you find being funny a hassle. Snowflake has no trouble keep a smile of her face. Nothing wrong with that. Anyway, we're wasting daylight. Let's find our seats, alrighty?"

Shifting her eyes along at the noise, Svetlana kept silent over the incident at Odessa. It was a bit of a bitter taste in her mouth. Given that her countrymen had a hand with harming her friends in the 501st, she could not help but feel responsible. Orussian nationalism was nothing new to her. She herself had seen plenty in her day, and admittedly quite sold on it at the beginning. But growing up seeing corruption root itself into the system, there was a part of her who would want nothing to curse people like Oksana for God's hand. But she herself never bought divine intervention as an answer. Something had to be done, but as of current, she was quite powerless to handle such masterminds.

"Let talk about something else," she told the others, "you know... happy stuff... or... something."

The problem was, Svetlana did not have a topic to bring up, and the tension was building around her.