>>25762096Gaia stood up and headed to Citrora’s and Jaggery’s table. Fruce hailed her first. “Naaa Commander Suzuka! You still owe me that sparring match, Rear Admiral Magnus let it slip that you fight with two swords! I must see that before we get to the coast.” Gaia clasped the Luknight’s forearm while agreeing. “That we should, Lady Citrora. It’s a useful stance when outnumbered. It’s commonly taught to Deadbeats headed into schizo territories.”
Fruce and Gaia talked shop for some time while Noravera stared at the harpist. She wasn’t even playing, just chatting with some Deadbeat officer, a Junior Lieutenant, based on his uniform. “Do you enjoy the music of the Watamates, Lady Jaggery?” Gaia’s question snapped the Luknight out of her distraction.
“Ah, it’s quite nice, I prefer traditional Lunaito pieces, but it’s fine. Much better than rap at least.” Gaia’s eyes lit up. She always felt like the only officer in the whole Black Fleet to prefer the Goddess’ more melodic blessings instead of her aggressive raps. “Ah, I totally get what you mean!”
This is when the Deadbeat climbed onto the stage with the Watamate harpist, and Noravera’s gaze snapped back to that direction.
Lady Citrora had a strange smile while she asked Gaia a question. “Say, do you know the name of this officer?” Commander Suzuka looked again. The man now faced them. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with thin limbs. His jaw was to shave with, and his cheekbones, sharp. Unusual for male Deadbeat, he had short hair, white with the slightest tinge of pink. The vast majority of their men were bald. Undeniably handsome, Gaia had to admit.
“That’s my younger brother, Calvinus. Don’t mind him, he’s rather unserious. Speaking of, he practices his rap more than his katana. I fear that his climbing on stage means we’ll be subjected to his skills.”
Fruce chuckled for a bit. “Oh, we' know what he’s up to. Me and and Lady Jaggery have been… ‘Subjected’ to nearly every performance of his in the ship’s hold.” Before Gaia could answer, the voices of the younger Suzuka sibling and the Watamate rose in unison.
The harpist played and sang a duo performance with the officer. Gaia recognized it as a musical blessing which appeared simultaneously on Moriji and in /bakatare/. The opportunities for both complementary parts of the song to be performed together were rare. Within her brother’s repertoire, Gaia had to concede this was one of her favorites.
The voices of the rapper, singer and harp made for a beautiful harmony. Noravera was utterly transfixed by the song. Applause and cheers erupted when the duo concluded, but the Luknight remained conspicuously silent.
After thanking the harpist and hugging her, the officer headed towards his sister. “Hey sis, nice to see you making friends!” Gaia scowled. “Watch it, you’re talking to a superior.” The man laughed it off. “Aye aye sir, no need to rub it in every time. Anyway, why don’t you introduce me?”
Gaia was sorely tempted to tell him to fuck off, but she didn’t want to act like that in front of the Luknights. “I present to you, veteran of the Kiryu-Kai wars and Luknight of Battle, Lady Fruce Citrora. And the Noble Luknight Lady Noravera Jaggery, the nation’s Moriji ambassador, and the one to thank for this expedition occurring.”
Calvinus bowed deeply. “Nice to meet you, my ladies. I am honoured to have rapped for such an august audience.” He kissed the warrior’s gauntlet and Jaggery’s hand. “Noravera, can I call you Nora? Nora, I did not see you cheer; did you dislike my performance? You seemed to enjoy it, since I noticed you mouthing the lyrics.”
Gears seemed to literally turn in Noravera’s head for a moment until she answered. “Ah, hm, sorry, it was… ᵍᵒᵒᵈ.” Calvinus smiled brightly. He seemed to hear her, despite her whispering the end of the sentence. “I’m glad to hear it! Say, if you’re my dear sister’s friend, you must be an interesting person. Might I accompany you to the Sheep’s Festival?”
Redness crept up Noravera’s neck while she gave her diplomatic response. “Well, it would only in our nations’ relationship best interest that I present our culture to one of our Deadbeat companions. I accept your invitation for the glory of Himesama, nanora.”
‘She must feel embarrassed to have to go with Calvinus. I shouldn’t have let him put her on the spot like that,’ thought Gaia, oblivious.
3/3
