Dorm, Pearl Harbor Residential Area
Aug 9, 1942
9:00 AM
The kitchen of the Modern Kansen's Dorm hummed with the familiar morning activity, each resident occupied with their breakfast rituals at the communal table.
Essex-12, after a swift meal of bacon and eggs, headed towards the boot camp. Her mission was to drill the eager Shipgirls who had volunteered for the intensive training, honing their skills for the upcoming Siren Operation. This time, self-reliance and individual expertise were paramount. Operating beyond their usual logistical support, every potential failure needed to be anticipated and mitigated to prevent catastrophic defeat. The core of the training focused on fostering camaraderie and seamless coordination for large-scale operations.
As always, she devoured her breakfast with remarkable speed and then barreled towards the camp like a wrecking ball aimed at the door. Miraculously, the doorframe withstood the continuous, violent slams it endured.
Lucas and JS Maya were already out on sortie, leading their assigned Fleets of Azur Lane Shipgirls. JS Maya's Division spearheaded the Sakura Empire contingent, primarily composed of Takao-class Cruisers with a scattering of Fubuki-class Destroyers in tow.
Lucas's Division, on the other hand, comprised the Cleveland Sisters and newly graduated Cruisers from Boot Camp, requiring real-world field testing to evaluate their learned skills. Currently, the Scout Cruisers/Treaty Cruisers and Destroyers were under his command. Any expectations of leniency were quickly dispelled as the waters proved far more turbulent and treacherous than they had encountered during Boot Camp under Essex-12's charge.
Arizona sat calmly at the table, observing the unfolding morning chaos. Lafayette was surprisingly awake and early, and Laffey-459 was unusually close to the Frenchman, as was typical. However, this time felt different. Distinctly different. Arizona's heightened senses registered a subtle but unmistakable aura of territoriality emanating from Laffey-459, like an animal marking its domain.
Lafayette seemed to be subtly struggling with the Bunny Girl beside him, sensing an unwarranted possessiveness. Unfortunately for him, Frigate Belfast was out grocery shopping and unavailable to mediate the situation at the breakfast table. He found it difficult to eat properly amidst the underlying tension – not quite a disturbance, but a palpable discomfort.
"You need help?" Arizona began, casually holding a mug. "You seem... troubled by your friend there," he said, subtly gesturing towards the pair with his free hand.
Lafayette sighed, reluctantly lowering the fork he held. "Yes... she's been acting like this since yesterday... but today feels... more direct," he said, casting a wary glance to his side.
Beside him, Laffey-459's gaze was fixed intently on him, her red eyes glowing with an almost mechanical intensity, like a surveillance camera locked onto its target with unwavering security protocols.
"Seems like it..." Arizona nodded slowly, his eyes carefully assessing the unusual dynamic between Lafayette and Laffey-459.
Laffey-459's grip on Lafayette's sleeve tightened perceptibly, as if she sensed Arizona's subtle scrutiny even though he remained seated and seemingly passive. Arizona had initially considered intervening to gently separate the two, but he now realized that was likely impossible. She was acutely aware of the subtle signals he was unconsciously emitting.
"Sorry, kid, looks like she wants to stay just like that," he conceded with a shrug.
"Wait, you haven't even tried anything yet!" Lafayette exclaimed, a hint of desperation in his voice.
"Listen... this one is persistent. She can sense danger in the air, just like... well, her," Arizona said, a knowing look in his eyes.
"Hers? Like Laffey?" Lafayette asked, confused.
"Yes, that Laffey. She can sense danger from a considerable distance. I'm not entirely sure how the two are connected, but it seems this one is actively protecting you," Arizona explained, gesturing towards Laffey-459, who continued to stare at him intently, her grip on Lafayette's sleeve remaining firm.
Lafayette felt the slight but insistent pressure on his fabric, akin to a gentle hydraulic press. "Umm... could you at least let go of my left hand?" he asked her, his voice polite but pleading. His words seemed to fall on deaf ears.
"Laffey sense danger, must stay on your side," Laffey-459 stated in a low, unwavering, and almost robotic undertone.
Arizona chuckled at the awkwardness of the situation, his coffee nearly sloshing out of his mug. "Oh, man... no one's going to snatch him inside this Dormitory. You two and I are the only ones here in the kitchen. Lower your guard down... no one would take him without me noticing." He said it with the air of a Mafia Don making assurances.
"Yeah, Laffey, I think you should loosen your grip on me a little. I can't even eat properly," Lafayette said gently, carefully attempting to pry her fingers from his jacket sleeve.
"Laffey senses danger, must protect you," Laffey-459 repeated, her voice still monotone and seemingly programmed.
Arizona watched the interaction, his mind racing, searching for any logical explanation for her peculiar behavior. Their Laffey-200 had also been acting strangely, isolating herself in her quarters for reasons they couldn't articulate, simply stating she felt "different." Then there was this younger Laffey, exhibiting a tenacity usually only seen in Laffey-200, but now displaying heightened senses of danger, protectiveness, and that unnerving robotic tone. It was setting off alarm bells in his mind, but the lack of a clear trigger made him wonder if it was just some bizarre form of... puberty?
"It's on your own, can't help you with that. She's only listening to you... not me," Arizona said, taking a sip of his coffee.
Lafayette, feeling he had exhausted his options, was about to speak when Laffey-459 suddenly loosened her grip. Her previously intense expression softened into a calm neutrality, as if a switch had been flicked within her.
The abrupt change caught both Arizona and Lafayette off guard. They hadn't anticipated such a swift and complete shift in her demeanor. Arizona sensed the immediate easing of the tension in the air.
"Weird," Arizona uttered, bringing his mug closer to his mouth.
"Well... that was a relief," Lafayette said, rubbing his freed sleeve. "Are you alright, Laffey?" he asked, genuinely concerned by the sudden shift.
"Laffey is fine," she replied simply, her tone now even and unremarkable.
Then, a soft, humming feminine voice drifted into the kitchen. The tone was different, yet the owner was undeniably familiar. The distinct click-clack of shoes on the stairs leading down to the living room drew their attention.
Arizona and Lafayette exchanged bewildered glances. They were certain no one else resided on the second floor besides Laffey-200, who had remained secluded in her quarters. The gentle humming wasn't coming from her usual self, yet the voice held a striking similarity.
"Good morning," the soft voice greeted them.
The simple salutation had an immediate and profound effect. Arizona paused mid-sip of his coffee, while Lafayette's waffle, impaled on his fork, remained suspended in mid-air, his mouth hanging open in utter shock and disbelief.
Standing at the foot of the stairs was Laffey-200, adorned in a regal white dress – a stark contrast to her usual attire of a casual shirt, short shorts, a jacket, and her ever-present bunny-headphone. The pure white of the dress seemed to radiate a newfound femininity that they had never witnessed in her before, accentuated by the regal bearing she now possessed. It was as if a switch had flipped, revealing a completely different facet of her personality, coating their perceptions in an unexpected layer of perfume and sparkles.
"Morning," Laffey-459 replied, her tone surprisingly soft and casual, mirroring the gentle atmosphere.
Laffey-200 gracefully walked towards Laffey-459 and Lafayette. She gave each of them a brief, tender head pat, her expression radiating a serene smile, as if the gesture was a warm greeting.
The pancake precariously balanced on Lafayette's fork fall, mirroring that of his jawed dropped in astonishment. Utterly speechless, they simply watched as Laffey-200 casually glided towards the kitchen drawer, presumably to prepare her morning tea, the gentle sway of her unfamiliar white dress accentuating her graceful movements.
As she turned and floated towards the living room to enjoy her brew, Arizona abruptly spat out his mouthful of coffee in a dramatic geyser-like expulsion. Lafayette, unfortunately positioned opposite side in and the line of fire, caught between friendly fire. He then quickly snapped back to reality.
Both men frantically tried to reconcile their mental image of their 'Residential Drunk Bunny' with its newfound elegance.
"What the fuck was that?!" Arizona demanded, his usual calm demeanor shattered by the sheer absurdity of what he had just witnessed.
"I... I – I don't know!" Lafayette echoed, equally bewildered.
Laffey-459, seemingly unfazed by the transformation, gently began to wipe the sprayed coffee from Lafayette's face.
"Laffey will remove that spilled coffee from your face," she said with a quiet concern.
"Do you have any clues about this?" Arizona pressed Lafayette, his voice urgent.
"Like I said... I don't know," Lafayette replied, his distress evident.
"Go find William! He might know something!" Arizona urged, his movements hurried. He swiftly emptied his mug and placed it in the sink.
"I'll keep an eye on her. Now go!" he commanded before practically sprinting into the living room where Laffey-200 sat serenely, delicately sipping her tea.
Lafayette, sensing the urgency in Arizona's tone, quickly finished the remnants of his breakfast and bolted towards the door in haste. Laffey-459, her grip on his arm now even tighter than before, followed close behind.
"Laffey will follow you," she stated with unwavering determination.
Left alone with the transformed Laffey-200, Arizona moved with caution, settling onto the opposite end of the couch, his senses on high alert as he subtly monitored her every movement.
There was no hint of danger, nor any trace of the casual, often tipsy Laffey-200 he knew. The usual nonchalance had vanished, replaced by an unexpected elegance that defied any logical explanation he could conjure, other than a complete personality shift. The image wasn't entirely foreign, his undercover mission within the Royal Navy had exposed him to the refined demeanor of their 'Lady of the House'. Yet, the person embodying such regal poise now was the last individual he would have ever associated with it – the Residential Drunk Bunny, as the others would say.
"May I inquire as to the reason for such an intense gaze?" Laffey-200 asked, her grip on the delicate teacup remaining elegant and steady.
Arizona's brow raised up almost imperceptibly. 'The hell?! Even her figure of speech has changed? This can't be right. She hasn't been studying ethics in her quarters for the past two days... No. This is too sudden. Maybe it's a programming error in her systems? That could be possible. William does run diagnostics on each Aegis Ship, and none were reported, but maybe he missed this malfunction—.' His internal analysis was cut short by her soft voice.
"I inquired of you; you are now staring at me intently."
Arizona snapped back to the present. "Apologies for that unauthorized gaze."
"Apology accepted."
"Now then," he began, leaning forward slightly, his hands clasped together. "Could you perhaps elucidate the reasons behind these sudden changes? My mind struggles to properly comprehend why such a significant shift has occurred from your... original form."
"Intriguing, isn't it?" Laffey-200 replied, a subtle, almost knowing smile gracing her lips.
That elegant smile sent a shiver of unease down Arizona's spine. It felt like a carefully constructed facade, concealing an unknown element of potential danger. It reminded him of her angular hull and the subtle (light) haze gray of her ship – a seemingly innocuous exterior that belied the concealed power within her VLS cells.
Outside the Dorm
Lafayette and Laffey-459 sprinted along the walkways leading towards the main gate, where they encountered the rest of their group heading towards the dorm.
On the sidewalk, Albacore and Hamman were locked in their usual petty squabble, their bickering a familiar background noise. Javelin, Unicorn, and Ayanami walked silently, seemingly immune to the occasional growls and hisses emanating from the two arguing tag along.
Suddenly, they were confronted by the sight of Lafayette and Laffey-459 bolting out of the Dorm with remarkable haste, their unusual closeness immediately catching their attention.
"When did she get here?" Hamman and Albacore inquired simultaneously, their argument momentarily forgotten.
"Is everything alright, Big Brother?" Unicorn asked, genuine concern etched on her face.
Lafayette skidded to a halt at the gate, having been so focused on his mission that he had almost overlooked their presence. "Oh, you guys were here."
"Of course we are!" Hamman snapped, raising a threatening fist.
"Is everything alright, Lafayette?" Javelin asked, her tone clear and direct.
"Yes, I'm alright. But we need to get to William ASAP," he said, his voice laced with urgency.
"Then why are you in such a hurry?" Unicorn asked, tilting her head in confusion.
"There's no time to explain! We need to hurry now!" Lafayette's voice boomed again, his usual laid-back demeanor completely absent.
"We need to hurry now," Laffey-459 echoed, then casually but firmly pulled Lafayette away, heading towards the Harbor.
"Hey! Wait for us!" Albacore and Hamman shouted after them.
Without further hesitation, the entire group followed in their wake, abandoning their original plans and sprinting towards the Harbor Pier where William's ship was docked..
...
T-AKE-12 USS William McLean
William and Vestal were in the ship's operating room, engaged in a delicate procedure that only skilled professionals could perform. Their hands moved with precision over their subject.
The two were dissecting the corpse of a Siren Clone, meticulously examining its anatomy to gain further insight into their origins and the fundamental principles of their creation.
William scratched his head in frustration, having just completed his analysis of the Siren Clone's blood, searching for the tell-tale traces of Human DNA that would confirm their theory about the Sirens using humans for reproduction.
"Damn it! The results are all the same," he exclaimed, his irritation mounting.
Vestal glanced at the tablet in her hands, comparing the blood samples from an Executor-Class Siren, a Siren Clone, and a Siren Minion.
"The Executor-Class and the Siren Clone show no evidence of Human DNA in their blood. However, the Siren Minion samples contain a significantly higher concentration of Human DNA compared to the other two," she reported.
William pondered this information, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "Maybe they used the captured human males to breed with the Siren Minions to reduce costs or the time needed for them to multiply."
Vestal voiced her doubts. "But Siren blood isn't compatible with human blood. Unless..."
"Unless they modified the sperm to match the Siren host," William finished her thought. "Their brains are mostly underdeveloped, like that of a toddler, which would explain their abysmal accuracy in combat, like Stormtroopers."
"Do you think they bred the Siren Minions with the human males specifically because they were intended as cannon fodder?" Vestal speculated.
"Probably..." William said, his mind still grappling with the implications.
His train of thought was interrupted by a Manjuu wearing a miniature lab coat, who tugged insistently at the hem of his own coat. William looked down as the Manjuu pointed towards the door, gesturing that they had visitors onboard.
"Let them in," William instructed.
The double doors swung open, and Lafayette and his companions entered. However, something immediately caught William's attention, prompting him to rise from his seat to greet them.
"May I inquire as to the reason for this sudden visit with your friends, Lafayette?"
"I need help," Lafayette stated directly, bypassing any pleasantries.
"And what is it?"
"We have a problem," he said, glancing nervously at his side where Laffey-459 was clinging tightly to his arm. "And also, Laffey is experiencing some... different personality changes."
"Our Laffey?" William asked for clarification.
"Yes. Our Laffey," Lafayette confirmed with a nod.
William dramatically donned a pair of reading glasses, striking a pose reminiscent of every eccentric scientist or madman in anime just as their glasses emitted a white glow.
Lafayette's eyes widened, recognizing the reference with a growing sense of unease. A slow shiver crept down his spine as he considered the potentially bizarre implications.
Laffey-459 noticed his tremor. "You alright?" she asked, her voice soft.
"Yeah, I think so," he replied, his voice trailing off slightly.
William scoffed and then spoke in a low, ominous tone that startled the younger girls in the room. "Looks like... it's time for you guys to learn some adult stuff."
Vestal swiftly smacked him on the head with a clipboard for his inappropriate remark in front of the younger Shipgirls. "Mind your language, William. You're speaking with children."
"Right, right..." William mumbled, rubbing the back of his head where the clipboard had made contact. "Alright... follow me," he said, gesturing towards the whiteboard on the wall.
Everyone trailed after him to the corner where the whiteboard hung. William erased the previous scribbles and grabbed the nearest pen, quickly sketching a graph-like diagram to illustrate Laffey-459's current state.
"Listen..." he said, clicking the pen cap shut. "The situation with our Residential Drunk Bunny is that she's experiencing what we call 'Bunny Mating Season'."
"Excuse me, WHAT?!!!!!" Lafayette yelled out in utter surprise.
William continued his explanation, attempting to clear up the likely misunderstanding. "Listen. It's not what you think."
"What do you mean it's not what you think?!" Hamman exclaimed, her voice sharp.
"Yeah... what do you mean by that?!" Albacore echoed, equally bewildered.
William slammed his hand against the whiteboard to silence them. "Alright, listen here. I don't have the time to explain the complex biological intricacies of the Bunny Mating Season, so... I'm going to explain it to you in the simplest terms possible. Do you understand?"
They all snapped their mouths shut and nodded in understanding.
"Good..." he said.
"Where were we? Oh yeah, Bunny Mating Season... What Laffey (200) is experiencing is a personality shift in demeanor. Her usual tenacity and casual nonchalance have been replaced by the opposite, and she's acting... like a woman."
"Wait – what?!" Lafayette asked in a near-panic.
"Is it obvious...?" William said sarcastically.
He then continued, "What you heard was right... Laffey (200) has undergone a change in personality as a result of this 'Season.' She's exhibiting a different demeanor, but her underlying tenacity is still present."
Lafayette and the others breathed a collective sigh of relief that she wasn't going to be her usual unpredictable self, only now in a potentially more volatile "mating season" state.
"How long do you think this... 'Season' will even last?" Lafayette asked, emphasizing the term with air quotes.
William's expression turned grim as he revealed the duration. "January to October. Basically, 10 months. And it's August now, so... you have two - three months left."
"So she'll be stuck like that for the next two months?" Lafayette asked, a hint of terror creeping into his voice.
"That long?!" Javelin's voice boomed in concern.
"Is Big-Sis Laffey would be alright?" asked the concern Unicorn hugging tightly her plushy.
William attempted to project a calm demeanor. "Relax."
"How am I supposed to relax?! She's literally unrecognizable at first glance! Her presence feels calm, but my internal senses were screaming!" Lafayette exclaimed, his frustration bubbling to the surface.
"Better call Arizona and see if things are still alright on his side," William suggested, gesturing towards Lafayette's phone.
Lafayette quickly pulled out his phone and dialed Arizona's number. "Hello, Arizona? Lafayette here. Is everything alright?"
Arizona's voice came through the receiver. "Yes, everything is alright. Our Laffey here isn't causing any trouble, as usual, but the way that man was looking at her was quite concerning."
Arizona spoke while discreetly keeping an eye on Laffey-200, who was currently leading him around, ensuring no unwanted attention was drawn to her regal white dress. He's afraid that things could escalate into an MMA-Fight with her white dress, worst it could blew his cover.
"Let's just hope no one fucks around and finds out here."
Lafayette's expression remained bland, as if that outcome was almost guaranteed, though he knew Arizona wouldn't let anything happen. "Right..."
William took the phone to speak to Arizona directly. "This is William, Arizona. Keep your eyes on her. Keep her out of trouble. Her mental state is unstable; she might revert back to normal, or worse, the two personalities could mix."
"Right, thanks for the advice. Now I'm more worried than reassured," Arizona said dryly.
"Where the hell are the two of you now?" William asked. Lafayette and Vestal leaned in, waiting for a response.
"At her usual place of visit. Sure, she's exhibiting some conflicting regal personality traits, but Laffey is still Laffey. I'm being dragged along by her, and we're getting the kind of attention we definitely don't want to attract. I hate this."
"Just stay by her side. I'll send Lafayette to you and inform Miss Enterprise about her sudden transformation and the potential danger of her unstable personality state," William said sternly.
"Roger that... let's hope Lafayette arrives here before a brawl breaks out... I'm still undercover... can't blow it with this Bunny."
"Understandable," William said with a wry smile.
"Let's hope nothing bad happens," Unicorn said softly, her brow furrowed with worry.
"Yeah... I'm more concerned for the people around her than for her," Javelin added, her tone serious.
"I'm more with Javelin. The danger is more likely to come to her than from her to others. Arizona understands that, which is why he's staying close," William said, handing the phone back to Lafayette.
"I feel pain for him," Lafayette murmured, echoing the grim sentiment.
"Now that that's out of the way," William said, pointing at Laffey-459, who was still firmly attached to Lafayette's arm. "She too has been affected by this... seasonal state."
Lafayette quickly turned to his side. "Figures she would be affected." He was met with the familiar red glow of her eyes, fixed on him like a security camera.
He then turned back to William. "You said she was affected too, so why isn't she having a gradual change like... the other Laffey?" he asked, his confusion evident.
William looked upwards, rubbing his chin as he searched for an explanation suitable for his audience. Fortunately, Vestal stepped in to provide clarity when he couldn't immediately formulate an answer.
Vestal's voice held a motherly gentleness as she explained the complexities. "Laffey is still quite young. A drastic transformation like Laffey-200's would likely overwhelm her. For now, her increased assertiveness is the most visible manifestation, she won't undergo a full personality shift like the older Laffey."
"Guess that explains everything," Unicorn said, nodding in understanding.
"Yes," Vestal affirmed, gently patting Unicorn's head.
"Alright, enough wasting time. Get there this instant. Arizona is waiting for your arrival. Now move!" William urged, gesturing emphatically towards the door.
"Bye," their voices echoed as they hurried out.
"Was it odd that she's entering this state so late in the season?" Vestal inquired, a thoughtful expression on her face.
William shrugged. "Dunno. Maybe she's been holding it off for the past few weeks. She's been cooped up in her room for the last two days. And today... well, today she's a typical hotty."
"That was... direct of you," Vestal commented, raising an eyebrow.
William sighed, turning his attention to the more pressing matter. He walked over to his table and dialed the direct line to contact Enterprise-80 about their unexpected predicament.
"Having a Residential Drunk Bunny suddenly in the throes of Season first thing in the morning... hope you're holding up okay, Arizona," he muttered as he waited for the call to connect.
War Room, Azur Lane Main Base
Enterprise-80's phone vibrated in her pocket, interrupting her explanation of the upcoming operation to the assembled Naval Officers in the War Room. The insistent ringing echoed through the tense atmosphere as she was mid-sentence.
Enterprise-80 paused, slowly retrieving her phone to identify the caller. The screen displayed William's name.
"Forgive the sudden interruption, gentlemen... I must answer this call," Enterprise-80 excused herself, a hint of concern in her voice.
Adm. Nimitz nodded, understanding the potential urgency. "Yes, you may."
Enterprise-80 pressed the answer button and held the phone to her ear. William's frantic voice on the other end immediately conveyed the gravity of the situation.
Enterprise-80's brow furrowed deeply as she absorbed the news from William's hurried explanation. With a serious look now etched on her face, she returned the phone to her pocket.
Adm. Nimitz, noticing her sudden shift in demeanor, inquired, "Is something amiss, Miss Enterprise?"
Enterprise-80 let out a heavy sigh and turned to face the Naval Officers in the room. "It concerns the Bunny Mating Season."
"So... what is the issue then?" one of the Naval Officers asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.
Enterprise-80 focused her attention on the officer who had spoken. "DDG-200 Laffey is currently roaming the Naval Base without their supervision."
A wave of panic rippled through the room, particularly among the male officers. Adm. Nimitz, however, maintained his composure, having anticipated that such unforeseen issues could arise at any moment.
"Where do you surmise she might be at this moment?" Adm. Nimitz asked calmly.
Bunker Hill-76 quickly consulted her phone. "Found her!"
"Where is she?" Enterprise-80 asked, her tone now more serious and demanding.
"Ma'am... she's at the same bar she frequents daily for drinks. Arizona just sent me the location," Bunker Hill-76 reported in her usual understated manner.
Enterprise-80 then turned back to the now visibly agitated Naval Officers, attempting to quell their rising panic. "Gentlemen..."
Everyone ceased their anxious movements and focused their attention on her, listening intently. "I assure you that there are no insurmountable complications arising from this seemingly sudden issue. For the present, this unpredicted seasonal change remains under our control," she stated, her voice firm and reassuring.
The Naval Officers gradually calmed down, the weight of her words settling within them. The unexpected transformation in Laffey-200's personality amidst the Mating Season had undoubtedly taken them by surprise. With the second Siren Operation looming in the coming days, her altered state could potentially disrupt their plans or delay their schedule.
For the time being, the responsibility for managing this peculiar situation rested with Arizona, tasked with keeping a watchful eye on Laffey-200 in her... natural habitat. However, the environment of a bustling bar seemed to pose a potential threat to her newfound regal allure. Arizona, a submarine accustomed to the silent depths of the abyss, now found himself on the surface, acting as her unlikely guardian.
~At that Bar~
Arizona meticulously and discreetly tried to obscure his face with his bonnet cap as he sat beside Laffey-200 at the counter. Operating in the shadows was one thing, but attempting to maintain a low profile in a place where his cover could be easily blown was another entirely. His current objective wasn't covert operations, but rather acting as a watchful guardian for their transformed Bunny.
"What's wrong? Can't think properly in a rowdy place?" Laffey-200 said, leaning against the bar counter and turning to face him, her elegant white dress a stark contrast to the bar's dimly lit interior.
Arizona instinctively pulled his cap lower, attempting to deflect the curious glances they were attracting. Several patrons were subtly observing their unusual pairing at the counter.
He grumbled under his breath. "Hah... what's the point of that hat when your bunny ears are just precariously peeking out, completely undermining the concealment? And then there's your... figure, which has undeniably caught quite a few attentions."
Laffey-200 let out a soft, melodious chuckle. "Don't be such a grump. No one would dare get too close to me. Let them mind their own business," she said, delicately holding a glass of light-colored alcohol.
He sank his face into the table, feigning exhaustion, but his eyes and senses remained keenly alert, constantly scanning for any imminent threat. A woman in a pristine white regal dress was an undeniable magnet for trouble in a boisterous environment like this. Some patrons, likely the bar staff and regulars, recognized her, while others, the newcomers, did not.
He simply had to wait for reinforcements, which consisted of Lafayette and Friends, and he knew their arrival would take time. For now, he would have to make do with his compromised cover.
His senses were taut, registering the lingering gazes of several men, a predatory interest that set off alarm bells in his mind. Laffey-200 seemed to be aware of the attention but dismissed it with an almost regal indifference. However, the subtle glint of challenge in her eyes was unmistakable, and all Arizona could do was silently pray that no one would be foolish enough to act on their intentions.
As if the situation couldn't get any more complicated, two familiar figures noticed him, their maternal instincts cutting through his flimsy disguise.
"Quite an odd sight seeing you here," a familiar voice commented, the unexpected sound causing Arizona to snap his head up.
"Pennsylvania... and..." he trailed off, his eyes widening as he registered the frowning woman beside Pennsylvania. A frowning cinnamon roll, to be exact – BB Arizona.
Like a child caught red-handed by his mother, he buried his face further into the table, a muffled groan escaping his lips.
"My~... caught by mommy, how embarrassing," Laffey-200 purred in a mischievous undertone, then took a delicate sip from her glass.
BB Arizona and Pennsylvania stood before him, their gazes piercing, like a mother and an aunt catching him in a less-than-ideal situation.
BB Arizona asked, her voice carrying a hint of authority, "Please tell me this isn't one of your undercover ops?"
"Doesn't seem like it," Pennsylvania added, her frown unwavering.
BB Arizona then directed her attention to the woman beside him. "And who is this person you're accompanying?"
"Better tell them..." Laffey-200 prompted with a playful jab of her elbow.
Arizona gathered his courage and finally faced the two battleships. He had rarely felt this embarrassed. Clearing his throat, he began, "Have you two... recognized her?" he said, gesturing vaguely towards Laffey-200.
The two women shifted their gazes to the woman in the pristine white dress, their eyes narrowed in concentration as if trying to solve a complex puzzle.
"Maybe this will help you two," Laffey-200 said, gathering her long, pinkish hair and styling it into her signature twin tails.
Recognition dawned on the two Battleships. "WAIT.... LAFFEY!!!" their voices echoed through the bar, the shock of realization palpable.
"I guess 1940s vision is still having a hard time recognizing some subtle differences," Laffey-200 commented, continuing to sip her drink with an air of amusement.
"Subtle? More like drastic," Arizona murmured under his breath.
"H-how did she?" BB Arizona stammered, her tone still trembling with shock.
"Well, that's a surprise," Pennsylvania said, recovering from her initial shock with remarkable speed.
"Can't explain it properly, but it's... seasonal," Arizona said, hoping to leave the topic unexplored.
"Just having some hormonal growth – shall we say?" Laffey-200 added playfully, winking at the bewildered battleships.
The Pennsylvania Sisters were left in a state of utter bewilderment like that of a riddle, unsure how to process this sudden transformation and the accompanying... growth, or whatever it was.
The already perplexing situation took another bizarre turn as Laffey-200's "Seasonal state" began to create even more intricate problems amidst the thickening tension. Her casual announcement, while utterly absurd, was also somehow... understandable, at least in the context of the strange reality they inhabited. As a precautionary measure, all Sakura Empire Shipgirls with rabbit-like features were being recalled to their home port. Similarly, a general recall order was issued for all Benson-class Destroyers back to the mainland for quarantine.
New Jersey, being a Dragon and decidedly not a Bunny, and remained unaffected by this season.