Shore Leave Fun Times! Meeting of Furies! [Alexis/Maya/Yuko]

[Blushing z0ro]

YUKO
ACT I SCENE I

Shore Leave Fun Times!

Meeting of Furies!

---

Yuko just lied there on her cot, lazily puffing her cigarette. Today was supposed to be her shore leave but the higher ups had decided that Yuko and her new “roommate” were simply not allowed to have unsupervised leave anymore. Some bull about property damage, disorderly conduct and other nonsense like “aggravated assault” and “harassment”. What did that all even mean? All she did last time was beat up some creeps who taught themselves clever in a bar. They were the one causing a scene, she just ended it. Wasn’t that what Marines were supposed to do? Find someone breaking the law and beat the ever living shit out of them? At least they wouldn’t try anything similar again now.

Well whatever, nothing she could do about it now. She’ll just have to wait here and smoke up, shame she couldn’t have a bottle of some good stuff on base, it would make time pass faster.

The red head shifted a bit on her cot and crossed her legs, she was starting to feel a bit restless, at least when she was on duty she could move around and do stuff. Right now she was stuck waiting for a chaperone, just shaking her bare foot hanging above her other leg.

Would today be a sandals or a boots day? She hadn’t decided yet. Sandals were more comfortable but solid army boots were much better for kicking people in the head. Hmmmm… decisions, decisions. At least she didn’t have to worry about the rest of her outfit. She didn’t really bother changing out her “uniform” when off the clock. She custom fitted it herself, the normal one was just too boring and also generally too restrictive for her to move in properly. Sure she could probably be more conservative with her outfit, but she never saw the point. What could humility get that your natural assets could not with just a little bit of flaunting?

Some found it crass, it was just how she learned to get by. That and extreme violence with utmost prejudice but that was not her preferred first port of call, just the one she usually ended up going for anyway. Maybe all the waiting wasn’t good for her, she was thinking too hard about stuff. Yuko would be the first to admit she wasn’t the best at thinking, just give her stuff to do, pirates to take out, that’s all she really needed in her life right now. That and booze would help.

Yuko turned her head, still lying down and smoking, to look at the other person apparently needing a chaperone. She was quite short and scrawny looking Yuko thought but the scars on her clearly showed she had gone through stuff, that and the eye patch, was it for real or just a fashion statement? It kinda fitted the whole punk esthetic she had going on. Probably better not to ask. Didn’t want to offend anyone, at least not yet.

“I’m bored.” Yuko eventually let out. Maybe talking would help pass the time? Hopefully the officer that would let them out would be around soon. It’s not like they were locked up in the brig or anything. Sheesh what did a girl need to do to be allowed some fun in the Marines nowadays?

---

Tag: Vio Fox

Words: 550
Yuko: d60000

[Vio]

^{Alexis #1}

---

Some might have argued destiny, others coincidence, but to Ensign Conway Alexis there was absolutely no doubt in her mind as to the reasoning behind the choices made by Ilusia Kingdom’s upper echelons — the Marines who were stationed within the country had come to the conclusion of their own accord. She, of course, had accepted the request with little argument, even entitled to her own leave after the labours of a difficult mission. The issue at hand? A couple of upstarts whose mannerisms and antics had made the higher ups more than a little frustrated.

Alexis exhaled.

At least it was not an entire squad, thus I should have some time to contemplate, she duly noted as she walked. Hands clasped behind her back, chin up in a cool yet confident manner, there was little doubt when looking at this fine example of an Ensign that she was the no-nonsense sort. The personnel file was filled to the brim with recommendations, for any who had worked with her in the past — whether they were a simple seaman or a commanding officer — knew all too well how valuable a mind she had. Even at her rank, she had the makings of something greater, and that very reason was why she had been put in charge of those two.

There was no knock, perhaps typical of a drill sergeant’s mannerisms, though that made complete sense. These were recruits, after all. In she stepped. Icy eyes immediately looked over the two women placed under her charge. Little more than a simple glance in either direction proved to the Ensign exactly why it was that these two were to be chaperoned by a superior, for neither seemed to look the part of a well-drilled soldier.

Still, what stood before them was a fairer woman of decent height, blonde hair, arms bare yet otherwise clad in a bizarre example of Navy attire. A lengthy coat of cool blue colour and white patterns, broken only with a black seagull mark upon the chest; and by ‘Justice’ upon the back. Perhaps strangest of all, the fur-lined hood that remained up despite pleasant weather. In truth, she looked almost as out of place as they did.

“At attention, recruits,” she recited, coldly observing their responses — assessing each and every motion. “I am Ensign Conway Alexis,” the blonde continued. “As I am sure you are both very much aware, the superior officers have expressed concern over your recent behaviours, and so I have been assigned to supervise the both of you during your leave, at the cost of my own, I might add.” Assessments had been made, though Conway was not one to speak her mind so readily; where was the point in judging a book by their cover?

---

SPOILER: Click to show

{Post Synposis:—}
_{Alexis arrives and introduces herself to the two recruits she has been assigned to supervise.}

---

Conway Alexis | #4682b4

[Fox]

Molly was pretty friggin’ pissed off. Not only had her shore leave been revoked, but she’d been stuck with a big tittied bitch who kept stinking up their room with smoke. She covered her face with her pillow in an attempt to smother herself. At least the air was somewhat more breathable through it. Being punished was nothing new for Molly. Whether it be disrespecting the uniform or disorderly conduct or something else like assaulting crooked bastards on the street, she was pretty used to punishment, but this was cruel and unusual.

The old hag said that she was bored, which just made Molly roll her eye. Ugh, couldn’t she find someone else to bother. Read a book or something instead of smoking up their sleeping quarters. Now they had to wait for a chaperone to take them on their shore leave. A babysitter. Maybe Molly could give them the slip once they got into town. She really wanted nothing to do with huge tits over there.

Fortunately, Molly was all dressed to go when their superior stepped in, taking a peek from underneath the pillow. She got up, a mechanical response at this point, and saluted. This much had been drilled into her by her instructors. Besides, she didn’t really wanna make a scene and be stuck for even longer with smoky tits. Molly was wearing her civilian clothes. She wore a tank top with the words ‘Unicorns Are Real’ printed on the front and a jacket issued by the Marines for cold climates. It wasn’t particularly cold in Illusia, but she liked to go around with something. The black seagull mark was on the back of the jacket. Her bubblegum blue and pink hair was a bit messy from laying on the bed, but it wasn’t terrible. She had it up in a ponytail. Her amber eye looked her superior up and down with some mild curiosity.

This woman didn’t look very fun. Molly wasn’t sure if she even saw even a single crease in her clothing. She looked fresh off the model Marine press. This… wasn’t going to go well. Fortunately, she was already at attention by the time that the Ensign called for it. Molly kept her face as neutral as she could, suppressing the urge to make a sour face at Conway’s comments. She didn’t like it any more than Conway did. She didn’t say anything in response, of course. That was a trap. One she’d fallen for several times.

She did, however, let her eye slide to the side to get a glimpse of smoky tits and her reaction. If she made a fool of herself, Molly might have an easier time of slipping away once they got into town. Make a fool of yourself, smoky tits. C’mon. You know you want to. Molly squinted at her, trying to will the woman to do as she commanded.

---

Molly | #00FFFF (Cyan) | Post Count: 1

[Blushing z0ro]

YUKO
ACT I SCENE I

Shore Leave Fun Times!

Meeting of Furies!

---

As the door swung open Yuko looked towards the opening and so some officer came in, calling for attention. Her roommate was already up on her feet and alert before the call had even been finished; Yuko just managing to get up and salute in an acceptable time, her cigarette still in her mouth.

The officer woman introduced herself as Ensign Conway. Yuko tried to get a feel from the woman by the way she talked and she dressed. Straight and narrow was a good way of putting it. That woman was clearly the clean and proper type, although maybe not a complete stickler as her uniform wasn’t exactly standard issue either. Regardless the way she was staring down Yuko and whatsername implied she was expecting some sort of reply.

Why was unicorn girl even giving Yuko that weird look, was something in her eye. Stop looking at me like that, it's weird. Yuko tried to convey with her own look before turning her attention to the superior officer before the blonde lost her patience.

“Seaman recruit Yuko reporting for duty! …or off duty as it were.”

After a few seconds of awkward silence the red-head couldn’t stand anymore, she started speaking again. “So huh… what’s the plan Ensign? Do you decide where we go? Do we have a vote?”

These were logical enough questions right? What was the protocol in this situation? It’s not like they were denied leave after all, they just had to be supervised, but did that mean they had no say in what they did? What if the Ensign wanted them to do something boring like… going to the theatre or maybe even the library. Yuko might need to figure out an escape plan if that’s how it turned out.

Glancing back at the One-eyed Unicorn Girl the redhead started wondering if she could use her as a distraction or a scapegoat if needed. Maybe if she actually said something dumb and took Miss Ice Glare’s focus on herself Yuko might have a shot? Come on, make a fool of yourself pixie-cut! I don’t wanna go to no library! The wild marine tried to almost telepathically convey to her roommate, she once saw some magician guy who could make people do all sorts of tricks just by looking at them weird, maybe she could do it too?

---

Tag: Vio Fox

Words: 392
Yuko: d60000

[Vio]

^{Alexis #2}

---

Quiet observations permeated the silence as the two women stood to attention. The tension between them was near enough palpable — clear that neither particularly liked the others’ presence. However, Alexis doubted that had anything to do with past relationships, rather a matter of personality. Neither adhered to a strict choice of uniform, dressed more as Petty Officers than Seawomen, but criticism of such a thing seemed superfluous. This was shore leave; at least they were looking the part to some degree.

^{“What’s the plan, Ensign?” the redhead asked:
“Do you decide…? Do we have a vote?”}

Impatient. How unbecoming… This is going to be a long day, thought the blonde as she took note of Yuko’s manners. At the very least, the woman was asking questions and not simply jumping the gun, but something told the Ensign that she was on a short fuse. The smaller of the two remained quiet and at attention, though definitely didn’t look too happy about it.

“If it were my decision, both of you would be spending your leave assisting the janitorial staff; perhaps that would teach you some discipline where due,” Conway said icily, but easing somewhat as she continued. “However, despite your misbehaviours, my supervision is the limit of your penalty — the three of us must remain together in whatever you decide to do. Therein lies the issue of a vote,” she elaborated. To remain utterly neutral, she would have to act as the tiebreaker; the voice of reason to prevent squabbles, assuming the two women did not have similar preferences for what they did.

^{“So I will ask you this,” Alexis said with certainty:
“Is there any place in particular you wish to visit?”}

Silently hoping that the two were of like mind, if only so that she could relax a little herself, the Ensign looked between the both of them and awaited their answers in kind. They clearly were not the academic sorts — at least not at a glance — but she would not put it past them to surprise her in some way with their decisions. Her own preference would have been a library or archive, perhaps just a quiet stroll to contemplate and consider her strategic and tactical choices during the last operation. Neither option seemed reasonable.

---

SPOILER: Click to show

{Post Synposis:—}
_{Alexis poses the decision to Yuko and Molly.}

---

Conway Alexis | #4682b4
Yuko | #d60000
Maya Rush | #00ffff

[Fox]

Molly tried to hide the smirk that snuck its way onto her face when Tits McGee spoke up without permission. Ha ha! Got ‘em. Right? Her drill instructors would have had her hide for speaking out of turn. But, when their stiff looking chaperone didn’t even so much as comment on it, Molly deflated a little bit, her plan having fallen flat on its face. Dammit. Well, there would be more chances for her to throw smoky tits under the bus. She’d be sure to capitalize on that all she could.

When their stern looking chaperone did finally speak up, Molly had to quash the urge to protest. It could be that Conway was trying to get a rise out of her. Molly wouldn’t rise to that bait. Not yet anyway. And when Conway continued, Molly relaxed a little. Hm. Where did she wanna go even? She had been pretty excited at the prospect of leave at Illusia. There were a lot of different things that she wanted to go and see. Taking Conway’s question as leave to speak and stop standing at attention, Molly rubbed her chin thoughtfully. Where first?

“Hm… I’d actually like to go see the shipyards, and then maybe the nautical museum.”

Probably not the destination that either Yuko or Conway had been expecting out of her, but Maya was interested in learning as much as she could about present and past technologies. There was nothing like a fine bit of machinery or ship to keep you aloft. They were the best! Plus, you could get a ton of ideas from past designs and inspirations. She wanted to familiarize herself as much as she could with Blue Sea technology. Maybe she could make something like the racers that she remembered from her childhood.

“If the foundry’s open for tours, I’d also like to go see that too.”

---

Maya Rush | Cyan (#00ffff) | Post Count: 2

[Blushing z0ro]

YUKO
ACT I SCENE I

Shore Leave Fun Times!

Meeting of Furies!

---

Shipyards? Museums!? Yuko’s mouth hung agape as she looked in utter shock at unicorn chick. Now that pixie-cut went ahead and suggested a nerdy and boring outing of course Ensign Ice-Cold was going to for that, that was just Yuko’s luck, she was now condemned to spend her hard earned shore leave looking at boats.

Closing her mouth and taking in a deep breath of smoke, the redhead let her shoulders drop and her body slouch forward as she hung down her head.

For now she would have to resign herself to be surrounded by nerds.

Smoke escaped her mouth as Yuko finally voiced her own vote… or lack thereof.

“... I… I got nothing, whatever you decide Ensign.”

With that voiced and no going back on it, Yuko would just have to turn off her brain and go with the motions for now. But this was only the first battle of the war.

Uninerd better watch out, she would pay one day for wasting Yuko’s day with boats. Who cares about boats!? There are boats everywhere, they’re made of wood and float.

Then a thought hit Yuko, maybe her act her contrition, and just going along with pixie-cut already won her point with the Ensign? Maybe she could manage to at least partial subvert some of the shore leave!?

Quickly straightening back up Yuko raised her hand again to signal she had something she wanted to add.

“Ah! Ensign Ma’m! Maybe once we’re done looking at boats and stuff we could actually go to a bar and you know…. Err… enjoy… local… customs?” Yuko strained a bit to think on how to finish that sentence without sounding like a drunk. She wasn’t a drunk after all, she just enjoyed a good drink every once in a while, and all the fun events that came after the drinking as well, like bar brawls and pub crawls.

Hopefully her day wasn’t entirely ruined just yet!

---

Tag: Vio Fox

Words: 323
Yuko: d60000

[Vio]

^{Alexis #3}

---

“I’d actually like to go see the shipyards,” said Seawoman Recruit Rush, the first of the two women to speak up at the Ensign’s behest. Sure enough, it was a pleasant surprise for such a character to show legitimate interest in the heritage of a country such as Illusia. Indeed, visiting such places certainly appealed to the CO, though the idea of visiting the foundries was far less so.

^{“I got nothing,” the other responded:
“Whatever you decide, Ensign.”}

“Well, if that is indeed the case, then it seems our first destination has been decided,” Miss Conway confirmed, already about to turn and leave when she noticed the raised hand of Seawoman Recruit Yuko. Movements stopped, the blonde’s gaze lingering upon the woman as she spoke up again to voice her opinions. Despite the almost palpable tension between herself and Rush, Yuko’s comment seemed to entertain the latter’s preference. A less knowing officer may have reconsidered the situation, perhaps even questioned the assignment; Alexis did not.

An eyebrow raised.

“I admire your attempt at sounding like anything but a drunkard, Seawoman Recruit Yuko,” the Ensign replied, somewhat bemused by the girl’s choice of words, but at the same time very much processing the information in a manner more appropriate of a chaperone. “I would, perhaps, suggest enlisting in a basic linguistics course if you so desire to use such terminology in future,” she added, finally breaking eye contact and allowing her gaze to momentarily sweep over Maya before beginning to cross the threshold of the door again.

“I shall wait outside whilst you get yourselves ready,” the woman stated with a certain sense of calmness present in her voice. This, she very much believed, was going to be either a rather interesting day, or an abhorrent one. Such was the degree to which the scales were skewed.

---

SPOILER: Click to show

{Post Synposis:—}
<sub>Alexis confirms with Yuko and Molly their first destination, leaving them for a moment to get themselves ready.

NOTE:— We can skip ahead to meeting up outside and heading off to the shipyard/museum.</sub>

---

Conway Alexis | #4682b4
Yuko | #d60000
Maya Rush | #00ffff

[Fox]

Smoky tits hadn’t been expecting Molly to choose something so tame. Well, Molly supposed she couldn’t blame her. The way she carried herself with her particular swagger implied that she was some sort of delinquent who would like wild and crazy things. And, to be fair, if Illusia had any kind of racetrack, she’d be there whether Conway or Smoky Tits wanted to go or not. But since it didn’t, she figured she’d try and drum up some ideas for Blue Sea racers. It was satisfying to see Smoky Tits so deflated too.

She did try and throw in that they should go to a bar. Molly was underage and generally had no interest in alcohol, so that’d be a hard pass from her. All she had to do was mention that she was underage to Conway, and Smoky Tits’s dreams would be shattered in an instant. She didn’t wanna bust the other girl’s bubble just yet though. She turned and grabbed her bag, stuffing her notebook, wallet, and writing utensils into it.

Time to head out!

~~~

It was a particularly bright day, the sun somehow managing to beam right into her eyes at every turn. She shielded her eyes with a hand, glancing around for Conway. It wasn’t too hard to spot the Ensign. She kind of stood out with her particularly stiff demeanor even out of uniform. Molly walked over and double checked her bag, just to make sure that she wasn’t missing anything. She’d had the thought to let her wings hang out today, but she’d just get a lot of weird looks that she’d rather just avoid, so bound up they were. Man, if it wasn’t terribly itchy though.

“Hello, ma’am. I’m ready to go. Smok- I mean… Yuko, will be along… shortly, I guess?”

Molly shrugged. She honestly would prefer if the woman would stay behind. She didn’t want to hang around her nasty cigarette smoke. The only kind of smoke she liked was the kind from the exhaust of machinery. It had a kind of comforting nostalgia. At least for her. To be honest, she was itching to get behind an actual workbench and make something, but her options were kinda limited on the Blue Sea. That was why she was so interested in going to see this museum! History was the best teacher for these kinda things.

“Are you into nautical stuff too, Miss Conway?”

---

Molly | #00FFFF (Cyan) | Post Count: 3

[Blushing z0ro]

YUKO
ACT I SCENE I

Shore Leave Fun Times!

Meeting of Furies!

---

It was a dejected Yuko that returned to the room. Definitely a flip-flop day. The red-head slipped on the sandals and began to make her way out to meet Uninerd and Ensign Ice-Cold. She definitely made sure to drag her feet and took as long as possible to make her way out, the longer it would take them to get to that stupid museum the better.

It was with completely slouched shoulders, a defeated face and an unlit cigarette barely hanging from her mouth that Yuko regrouped with Pixiecut and Lady Stoneheart.

“... all ready to go.” Mumbled the tattooed woman, barely audible. Since they were off duty she couldn’t get done for not being one hundred percent… right?

Well, was done, was done. She would just have to bite the bullet and hope for some fun to happen eventually. She didn’t need to be mentally present in the museum anyway. Maybe she could just zone it all out and move on auto-pilot until it was time to get some drinks, or at least some food.

The other two would lead this boring-ass excursion. Miss Uptight seemed the type to like leading and this stupid strip was all Uninerd’s idea so she could take some of the responsibility. Yuko would just have to power through it and later drink the events into oblivion. Yup that definitely sounded like a great plan.

---

Tag: Vio Fox

Words: 230
Yuko: d60000

[Vio]

^{Alexis #4}

---

“Hello, ma’am,” said Miss Rush — the first of the two to exit and step out into the sun alongside Alexis. To be sure, this was easily the more enthused of the two, as proven by the eventual shambling of a certain red-haired woman. The Ensign simply nodded at Yuko, finding no excuse to further provoke untoward thoughts and personal annoyance. After all, this was strictly ‘off-duty’ for the two troublemakers. What piqued her interest, however, was the former girl’s query as the three of them began to walk.

“To be entirely honest with you, Miss Rush, a variety of subjects interest me,” she replied, entertaining the idea of a legitimately pleasant conversation solely because it intrigued her. “I have studied mathematics, linguistics, engineering, physics, chemistry, biology, and history all of my own accord – and to varying degrees – alongside numerous other subjects. I cannot say that my knowledge in any of those fields is as extensive as that of a specialist, or even a pioneer, but I have always had a deeply rooted love of learning,” the blonde elaborated, actually cracking a somewhat sombre, yet brief smile as she recalled the myriad of tomes and artifacts upon multi-storey shelves and display cabinets. Sadly, for all her knowledge, there was no way to turn back time.

“What sparks your interest in nautical history? Oftentimes an interest in particular knowledge suggests an interest in pursuing a related goal,” Alexis enquired as they approached the shipyards — an expansive place bustling with activity that could be heard from beyond its perimeter. Great masts were illuminated by the sun’s rays, sails rippling in the gentle winds as they were fitted, and a variety of other ongoings that most sailors took for granted. With Maya’s answer provided, she dared to cast an eye to Yuko.

^{“And what of yourself, Miss Yuko?” Miss Conway quizzed:
“Does no particular field of study interest you…?”}

---

SPOILER: Click to show

{Post Synposis:—}
<sub>Alexis explains her love of knowledge to Molly, before asking them and Yuko of their personal interests.

NOTE:— N/A</sub>

---

Conway Alexis | #4682b4
Yuko | #d60000
Maya Rush | #00ffff

[Fox]

Ugh, could Smoky Tits drag her feet any more? Well, at least Molly could enjoy her dejected demeanor. She just sighed and shook her head. Well, whatever. She could be that way if she wanted. Molly was gonna learn as much as she could about Blue Sea ships. That way, she could figure a way to incorporate White Sea tech most effectively. When she thought of the racers from back home, she always got goosebumps. God, she’d kill for a working waver on the Blue Sea. Well! She’d make one!

Practically bouncing off behind Conway, Molly pulled out her notebook and flipped through a couple of her notes for operating a Blue Sea ship. They were pretty inefficient. Relying on the wind. The wind was an okay mode of transportation, she supposed, but they had nothing on dials. Molly muttered to herself, biting the end of her pencil. Her thoughts were interrupted by Conway answering her question. Oh no. She’d opened up a can of worms.

Damn, but this lady was well learned, wasn’t she? Molly felt like she’d just been put on blast by this woman’s intelligence. But hey, she got to see Conway actually smile. At least, she was pretty sure that was a smile. Molly had wondered if there was an actual feeling person in that cold hard shell. Molly grinned and chuckled despite herself, shaking her head.

“Ah, well, you know, where I’m from, we had… uh…” Molly spun her hands around in circles, “A different way of gettin’ around? Yeah. It was fast, high flying…! Man! You should see it. Such a rush.” Molly bounced on the balls of her feet, punching the air.

“So, I guess, you’re not wrong. I’m lookin’ into ways to beef up the speed on Blue- er- ah… Marine ships? Oh, and it’s Molly. Miss Rush is so heckin’ formal.”

Conway asked Yuko something, which let Molly turn her attention to the ships in the shipyard. She bounced forward, leaning over the edge just to get a better look at all the different kinds of ships. She scribbled down notes on design and function, making sure she got down all the details.

---

Molly | #00FFFF (Cyan) | Post Count: 4

[Blushing z0ro]

YUKO
ACT I SCENE I

Shore Leave Fun Times!

Meeting of Furies!

---

Yuko stared blankly at the blonde. Fields of study? What the hell was she on about? Still the redhead had to say something or risk appearing more stupid than she actually was, but what would would satisfy Ensign Uptight and be something Yuko could actually back up.

“Errrrrrr… I read about fashion I suppose… and err…”

Then an idea sprung in the tattooed girl’s head.

“Oh! And women! I mean... super strong women. Like all you hear anyone talk about are these strong fellas everywhere but almost no one talks about the strong women. The pirates have Big Mom and the Pirate Empress but even that is just two well known ones compared to all the men. And while I really hate pirates that’s kinda better than we Marines. None of the Admirals are women, and even amongst the officers it’s like ten to one men to women. So when strong women do cool stuff I like to learn about it.”

Yuko moved her glance between Lady Stoneheart and Uninerd for a bit trying to judge their reactions. Though she fully expected to be taken for a fool as none of this was really what asked. At least it was the truth, Yuko didn’t care much for reading or thinking. She liked having fun and fighting and hated the fact she was often looked down on in those field or judged for her proclivities because she was a woman.

Hopefully her two forced companions for the day would at least see where she’s coming from, that might make them tolerable; if not the fiery girl would really have to turn off her brain for the remainder of the excursion. She really didn’t want to learn about boats. Although Pixiecut’s spiel about fast, high flying stuff did pick a bit of her interest, but Yuko refused to give her fellow recruit the satisfaction.

---

Tag: Vio Fox

Words: 312
Yuko: d60000

[Vio]

^{Alexis #5}

---

Rush’s reactions to her inquiry were a little different from what Ensign Conway had expected, but hardly did she see that as a negative mark. If anything, Miss Rush — ‘Molly’ as she seemed to prefer casually — showed a rather high amount of energy on explaining her goals. Curiosity would have killed the cat if not for Alexis’ own veritable database of information stored away within her brain. Something about Molly’s comments started a mental delve, though she held herself back from leaping down the proverbial rabbit hole.

“Very well, Molly,” she nodded, staying her disciplinarian tongue. Affording them a bit of leeway was perhaps an advisable course of action, despite the pertaining circumstances. There was no need for rank and file and, just maybe, abolishing the formalities might have helped.

“I mean… super strong women,” Yuko explained, prompting a raised brow from Lady Stoneheart. Thoughts whirred as she listened to the redhead’s elaborations — a verbal dissatisfaction with how the system was. Sadly, Alexis knew that the reasoning for the disparity was more of a societal one than an actual legal one. Exceptions did exist, Vice Admiral Tsuru and Rear Admiral Hina coming to mind, but she could not deny that this rambunctious example of a Marine had a point.

“Society dictates the roles of the sexes,” Alexis commented, albeit a bit less harsh in her tones as she did so. They soon sharpened up. “That being said, I am not concerned with attaining an equilibrium between men and women serving in the World Navy, for that has no bearing on what truly matters — we are the ones responsible for maintaining law and order,” the blonde continued, icy eyes focusing on Yuko’s as she spoke. “It does not matter who or what you are; so long as you enforce the law, follow rules, and obey orders as delegated, any Marine has potential,” the woman finalised.

Her thoughts lingered in silence for a moment, eyes shifting to observe the enthusiasm with which Molly scribbled in her notebook. It was that same kind of enthusiasm that the former Caretaker had first exhibited when entering the Grimnoire Libra for the first time. Memories of that place provoked mixed emotions and, at least for now, letting them consume her was a pointless endeavour.

^{“Blackberry mint julep,” she uttered, eyeing Yuko:
“That is my favoured drink…”}

---

SPOILER: Click to show

{Post Synposis:—}
<sub>Alexis is surprised by Molly’s enthusiasm, while Yuko’s talk of strength also gets her thinking.

NOTE:— N/A</sub>

---

Conway Alexis | #4682b4
Yuko | #d60000
Maya Rush | #00ffff