Commander's Rounds

Entry 91: Dark Coffee

The commander rocked on his heels as he looked over at the new establishment. Well, relatively new. He had been so preoccupied with following Biloxi and Sheffield's mission that he hadn't had time to visit the Iron Blood's café that they had opened on base- Apparently, someone decided that they didn't want to be known merely for booze, and so decided that they would have a little something open on the weekends.

While he was waiting, Hood arrived, along with Amagi and Alabama, and Hood walked up to him. "Good day to you, commander. It seems we were of the same mind."

He shrugged. "This is the first time I've been here myself."

"Is it now?" Hood looked at the door, then back to him. "I think it would be all right for you to wait inside. I think you should see it for yourself. It shows off a little bit of old-world charm that you might enjoy. A different side of our fierce comrades."

The commander took out his phone and tapped out a quick message to Friedrich. "Sure, we'll go in."

Amagi closed up her bamboo umbrella. "I assure you, what is inside will not disappoint you."

The commander followed Hood in.

And Bismarck was there, notepad in hand, dressed as a waitress, or something approaching a maid, even, in earthy colors and tall boots with a bow tied under her collar in the colors of the Iron Blood flag. "Welcome to Café Rhine, how can I... Ah, Hood."

The commander stayed back from this one. Hood walked up to her. "Just the usual for the three of us, we're not looking for anything fancy." She looked Bismarck up and down. "...As I said before, this look suits you."

Bismarck blushed a little, and took a deep breath, trying to keep composure. "...Please elaborate."

Hood giggled. "It's not that I think you should be a servant, it's just... You try so hard to be the stern mistress of the Iron Blood, and yet, wearing cute clothes like this also seems just as natural to you. I won't be so trite as to say it's a study in contrasts but..."

Bismarck responded. "...Can we talk about this later?"

The battlecruiser smiled. "Of course. We can talk any time you like, I will always listen to what you have to say. But try not to underestimate this other side of yourself."

Bismarck watched the other three go, and then looked at the commander. "Welcome to Café Rhine, can I... Commander?"

The commander nodded. "Just waiting for someone right now. So... If you don't mind me asking, whose idea was this?"

Bismarck sighed. "...Eugen had been talking to Foch and Algérie. Algérie challenged us to... Be cute. Eugen brought this to Friedrich, who then told me that it might be best for us to show off the parts of our culture that don't involve drinking and industrial warfare to visitors, so here we are."

The commander just looked at Bismarck for a long moment. "To be honest, I don't mind her sentiment, but... On a challenge?"

Bismarck shook her head. "It's a matter of pride. When we put our will to it, we can accomplish anything, even the impossible. that is what we say to ourselves." Her features softened a little. "So... Commander..." Bismarck's lips quivered a little. "...Am I... Cute?"

The commander was taken aback by this, and even coughed into his hand, clearing his throat. This reaction seemed to dismay Bismarck slightly, and so the commander recovered. He looked her over. He wasn't used to her wearing things so casual and colorful, and standing there like that in this cozy café...

She deserved a little pick-me-up. "I would say so, yes."

Bismarck blushed like she did when she was talking to Hood, and then put on a small smile. "...Thank you..."