Kurfürst walked into the bar and looked around, the first thing she noticed was the increase in seating and tables, as well as the overall size increase of the bar.
Kurfürst: Seems this place has been busy since I left huh?
?: It has been rather busy
Kurfürst looked around for the owner of the voice, yet was unable to find who it belongs too.
?: Down here!
Kurfürst: Oh sorry! It's a pain when your this tall and wearing heavy armor to notice things below you!
?: Stop trying to explain yourself and take a seat, the Manjuus will come to get your order
Kurfürst: Manjuus? Actually, first off, what's your name?
?: I'm U-47
Kurfürst: It's a pleasure to meet you
U-47: Yeah...
Kurfürst: She sounds sleepy...
Moving to an open table, Kurfürst sat down and waited for the "Manjuus" to come and take her order.
?: Hey mom!
Kurfürst looked to the door and saw both Spee and Z23 walking in, heading right for her table.
Kurfürst: Hello there, aren't you two a bit young to be drinking?
Z23: No! We're grown up!
Kurfürst: *Chuckles* not to me you two are, you'll always be my little girls
Spee/Z23: We're not little!
Before the teasing continued, a small bird came up to the table with menus in hand, both Z23 and Spee grabbed the menus and started to order.
Spee:...mom? You ok?
Kurfürst, on the other hand, was staring at the bird creature, with it staring back.
Kurfürst:...
Z23: Mom? That's what a Manjuu is...
Kurfürst: Is that so?...
She grabbed the menu from the manjuu and looked around to see what she could order.
Kurfürst: What the hell are those things anyway? We just had engineers and cooks back then!
Spee: I remember that, but the Manjuus do it all, they're quicker than them as well
Z23: Plus they are pretty adorable
Kurfürst: Little bastards better not mess with my armor...
That's something they forgot, Kurfürst was protective of her suit of armor, up to the point when a siren punched her, she tore it's arm off and beat it to death with it.
Spee: Mom, please don't hurt them
Kurfürst: *sigh* Fine, I won't, as long as they don't get on my nerves
Spee: Thank you
After a little more waiting, their food came out, Spee and Z23 got a small order of fries with a sandwich on the side.
Kurfürst, being the ship she is, got a large slab of steak, a large pint of beer, and the assorted vegetables that comes with a full course dinner.
Z23: Um, are you gonna be able to eat that?
Kurfürst: Have you really forgot about your childhood? I cooked huge meals like this all the time for you girls!
Z23: Yeah, but me and Spee only ate a little from it, you and the others tore the rest apart!
Kurfürst: Oh yeah, must be me getting old
Spee: You're the opposite of Miss Mikasa
Z23: Oh that reminds me! Some of the Sakura Empire is coming today!
Kurfürst: Really? I wonder if any of my old friends are coming along...
Kurfürst: I'll figure it out when they get here, for now let's eat before the food gets cold
—————
Mikasa: *sigh*
Nagato: What's wrong Mikasa? The trip pulling you down?
Mikasa: No, it's just me reflecting on this war, just, why did we do this? We have the sirens to worry about, not each other
Nagato: I agree with you, but most of the empire is on track to put Azur Lane down, I can't stop it now and can only hope they decide to stop themselves
Mikasa: I know that, it's just...hard to continue on this path, I'm a soldier and I fight for the people, but what do I do when my own people are technically aiding my greatest enemy?
Nagato: Remember the saying; keep your friends close, and your enemies closer
Mikasa: Now you sound like an old lady Nagato
Nagato: *huffs* I do not! If anything, I learned that from you, that would make you an old lady as well!
Mikasa: Care to repeat that?
Nagato: NO!
Mikasa: Good
Soon enough, the small fleet, consisting of Mikasa, Nagato, Ayanami, and Agano were standing on the horizon of the Ironblood Port. Nagato radioed in to alert them of their arrival, and the group sailed to port.
Upon docking, the group was somewhat surprised to see most of the ships in a very good mood. Something most Ironblood ships aren't known for.
Ayanami: Is there a celebration soon?
Agano: There could be, I just wonder if we're invited to it if that's true
?: Ah! Welcome to the base Sakurans!
Welcoming the ships to port is Prinz Eugen, who is also carrying the glee filled smile.
Nagato: Hello to you Prinz Eugen, and I presume you are rather busy right now?
Prinz: No not at all, I'm just in a good mood
Nagato: And may you tell us why?
Prinz: *giggles* That's, a, secret~
Ayanami:...Why are you always like this Prinz?
Prinz: Well that's what makes me me after all, feel free to explore and relax, but Nagato and Mikasa, I need you two
Mikasa: Really? Why do you need us specifically?
Prinz: Just something I want to show you two, something you're going to love
Nagato: Damn it, she knows I love surprises. Very well, lead on then
——
Prinz, Nagato, and Mikasa soon arrived at the bar, standing outside and hearing a surprising amount of noise coming from inside.
Mikasa: Is it usually that rowdy in there?
Prinz: No, but today's a special occasion
Prinz opens the door for the two, who walk in and gaze on a beer drinking competition. Several girls are completely knocked out and sprawled on the floor, others are barely awake and attempting to stand.
However, there is quite a crowd surrounding one table, many girls placing bets and cheering for either person, which they can't see yet.
Prinz: Hey Koln, who's winning right now?
Koln: Right now, I think your mom is gonna win, Mother isn't holding to well right now
*THUD*
Koln: Nevermind, she just fell out
Cheers erupt from the crowd, as several girls either gain or pass money from their bets.
Mikasa: Well, that looks a bit much for a simple competition
Prinz: Remember Mikasa, we have the beer to drink and have fun, not to celebrate like you
Mikasa: What's that supposed to mean?!
Nagato: I'll have to stop you two, I need something answered
Prinz: And that is?
Nagato: Why did Koln say "your mom"?
Mikasa processed the question, before she went bug eyed and looked back at the crowd.
The figure who won was standing up, her cheeks were still their creamy white. She wasn't drunk in the slightest.
But that face...
Mikasa: Oh my god...
Nagato: What? I kind of can't see
Mikasa lifts her and shows her the woman's face, Nagato's eyes also widen.
Prinz: This is the surprise I wanted to show you two, go ahead and say hello after all these years
The two accept the idea, slowly making their way through the crowd, growing closer to the Battleship. Mikasa slowly dawning one of her rare smiles, while Nagato starts tearing up the closer they get.
Eventually, they make it to the front of the crowd, passing by one more person before they got to the table, The giant woman turned around and looked at who had arrived to challenge her.
Mikasa watched the woman catch her breath once she landed her eyes on the Sakuran duo.
Mikasa: Großer...
Kurfürst: Well then...how are you then Mikasa?
Kurfürst smiles at Mikasa, before feeling a slight patting on her leg's plating, looking down, she sees the teary eyed Nagato staring up at her.
Kurfürst: Nagato!
Kurfürst picks up Nagato and hugs her to her chest, to which Nagato hugs back.
Kurfürst: It's been so long you two! How's my favorite niece?
Nagato: I'm doing great, but now my days complete with you here!
Kurfürst: And don't think I forgot about you ya old coot, how are you?
Mikasa: Wha-*sigh* I'll let that slide since we're both old
Kurfürst: Age ain't slowing down this metal machine, don't let the youngins get that in your head ok?
Mikasa: Hah! I guess I'll try then
Kurfürst puts Nagato on her shoulders, and because of her armor, Nagato gets an actual seat on her back.
Kurfürst: We have a lot to catch up on, why don't we walk and talk?
Mikasa: Like the old days?
Kurfürst: Just like the old days...
Back when we fought side by side...