At some point, this day would finally come for Squadron Pink Wind. Cecily, Kumokiri, V'nbolo and Samga arrived rather weary but relieved and finally relaxed on the floor. Nunulupa provided some provisions and a good deal of apple juice and jerked beef. Hastaloeya, bless his heart, wanted to share for once.
"A close call by all accounts, but Squadron Pink Wind has returned safely from its deployment!" said the Sergeant with open arms.
"On the second attempt, no less," I said. "Relieved, Sergeant. Thank you for restoring your faith in my girls during the mission."
"Not everyone comes back from a mission like that, mind you, Commander, and the accolades have been flooding from our sister companies in the Maelstrom and the Immortal Flames as well as the Temple Knights in Ishgard. You should be proud, Commander!"
"You expected anything less?" I asked the man with a wink.
"Not at all. Ah, and before I forget, there was one other matter to which we must attend."
I knew it was coming, but I wanted to play along. "I beg your pardon, but I am not going attend to the matters of Lyse until several days from now, and it is completely of my own choosing to return to the Steppe to continue the efforts there."
"Understood, you not need worry about them at this point. As I was saying, ahem... We have received a missive from the Adders' Nest regarding your performance if you'll permit me."
"Go ahead." In my own sordid thoughts, I was expecting a dishonorable discharge for my special treatment of my girls. Surprisingly, if pleasantly, it was thoughts, and nothing more.
"For outstanding efforts in the Adventurer Squadron initiative, Lieutenant Harukawa is herby promoted to first serpent lieutenant. Effective immediately. Signed, Vorsaile Heuloix, Serpent Commander and Elder Seedseer Kan-E-Senna," read the Sergeant.
"I fancy Raya convinced her sister to get me over the line since I...ah, I shall come off it," I thought to myself. But I was convinced that E-Sumi, Sylphie and Raya made an appeal to get me promoted and thus it was done. Networking! It's effective!
The Sergeant went on. "A letter of promotions. Congratulations, Commander! And very well deserved, I must say!"
"Thank you, Sergeant. This means I must address my team, as I have an important announcement to make."
"The floor is yours, Commander."
A whistle. "Everyone! Gather around and have a seat, I have an important announcement to make." They all did. "First off, congratulations to our first team of Cecily, Kumokiri, Samga and V'nbolo, you cleared the mission on the second attempt. Well done!"
"Thank you, Kahori," said Cecily, bowing.
"You knew we were gonna deliver, sister," Kumo replied with a giggle.
"That said, I want to also announce that we are now listed as Squadron Rank 3. Which means we can now do Priority Missions, which will will allow for bigger rewards and more demanding challenges." More applause.
"Awww, yeah, bring it on!" Nunulupa said, pumping his fists.
"Restrain yourself and let her speak," Mujen replied, calming his mate down.
"Now that all of you are wearing the issued gear sets as designed by your commander, which is me, the day will soon come when we do command missions. Venturing into Halatali, Toto-Rak, the Longstop, the Stone Vigil and the Wanderers' Palace could become common moving forward."
"Ooooooh!" they all said.
"But in order for me to carry out these missions, we need seals. And right now, I am hording Serpent Seals for a completely different expense. You guys have been training and going through missions for three Earthen moons. It's time for you to get a well-deserved break. I won't accomodate everybodym but I have decided that the entire first team can opt to stay with me at my apartment in Shirogane to rest and recuperate. Samga and Kumokiri are native to the area or thereabouts so this is a homecoming for them. As for your boys, you are free to spend time with your families, your friends, rest here in the barracks or go on some conditioning in your now copious free time. You are not allowed to do any hunting, crafting or gathering without my approval during this time you are on leave. Relax! Let your hair down, brothers and sisters of the Pink Wind! You have earned the fruits of your labour, so go ahead and enjoy it!"
"Thank you for giving us a vacation for once, this will help us with our health!" said Samga.
"And since I can now rest with you, Kahori, I can learn more of your secrets so I can emulate everything that is amazing about you," Cecily said. "My body is ready!"
"Slow down, squadron captain, gotta have everything arranged for your time off," said Kahori, pointing to the Sergeant arranging documents. "I will inform you all via my Kahori One linkshell when you are all required to report back. I will be gathering seals and working with my retainer team to build revenue and I hoping it does not take too long because now I want to be out there with you. So as of right now, you are free to go. Enjoy your break and when the time comes, we will all be back here to do some more work. Dismissed. Congratulations Pink Wind!"
"YEEEEAAAAH!" said the eight of them, applauding. As they finally got back to their regular civilian gear, I saw the men slowly exit the barracks with their arms, talking about their journey. Samga and Kumokiri were heading to Onokoro via airship to meet some old friends at Sui-no-Sato, while V'nbolo chose to reunite with her mates at Zephyr Drift, not too far from Limsa Lominsa.
As Cecily and I left the now vacated Barracks (which would later be used for some strategy meetings by other squadrons until we returned), Cecily was grabbing my arm and leaning on me as we walked to the aetheryte to teleport to my apartment. "Kahori....I have never been to Shirogane in my life, do you mind giving me a tour before I move in with your for a few days?" whispered Cecily, licking her lascivious lips. Delicious.
"I'll show you all of Kugane's secrets and treat you to a tempura platter or two, on me. For you, since you are on leave, Shirogane is a resort, not the glitziness of the Mist but a nice unspoiled type that you will warm up to. And I will indulge you with some of that, since you are my protege. Got it?"
"Yes, dear," giggled Cecily as she held tighter.
"And Cecily?"
"Eh?"
"Why are you still in your Pink Wind outfit?"
"Because you are as well. Eheh!"
I was in my pastel pink Faire Joi and pure white Southern Seas Tanga. "Ooops, I guess I'll have to indulge you sooner then. Hold on tight!" And so, the seeds of a lengthy holiday for Squadron Pink Wind began as I also started a new Serpent Seal harvest.
