Chapter Text
Constanța, Kingdom of Romania. 1/10/1941
Mărăști's diary.
Being a flotilla leader isn’t that hard.
Or at least, that's what my sister says, I could never disagree more.
I'm N.M.S. Mărăști, the oldest ship in the destroyer squadron. There isn't much to say about me... People say I have way too many worries in my head and that I should try resting; if that worked, who would I be? Guess we'll never know.
Back to the main story, me and my sister explained the objective of our newest mission to the latest destroyers in the navy, a.k.a. the Regele Ferdinand-class (or, in simpler terms, the R-class). During my parts, I stuttered a lot. It's not exactly easy to talk to one who looks one minor mistake away from blowing up King Carol II's wife and to one who stares right into your soul as if assessing if you are worthy of living...
I know I am not a good example of a leader, my sister does a better job at it. Speaking of her, is it weird that Mărășești explaining everything was rather comforting?
Well, um, seeing Ferdinand getting thrown by her in the sea just for asking ”Why is water blue?„ wasn't comforting, at all. I went after her given how Maria suddenly was very interested in reading a book and Mărășești analyzed the little destroyers' nightgowns??? To know their measurements?? I think?
I am a lost cause in fashion.
! Constanța, Kingdom of Romania. ”Oră” = 5:27
The brown haired girl ran all the way to the beach, her mind would have soon exploded! She HAD to find the redheaded freak, no matter what. Her breath was uneven, she really couldn't help but think about the worst case scenarios, such as the little freak getting bombed in the sea (both possible and impossible. We are in war, sure, but maybe the soviets are not monsters to bomb a ”little” shipgirl who cannot swim at all!).
Our worrisome flotilla leader trips at least 12 times in 7 minutes, truly a clumsy woman huh? As soon as she stepped with her black leather boots on the sand, she spotted a familiar figure.... sunbathing? Under the cloudy morning sky? Ok well, she had no time to ponder a madwoman's choice so she called at the top of her lungs ”Regele!„
The figure, for 2 or 3 seconds, laid motionless, then it raised its arm and wiggled their index finger. That meant ”No„, obviously, but Mărăști couldn't help but be dumbfounded. Someone has ran with all their willpower and you.... Wiggle your finger???? What does ”No„ even mean in THIS context?
Then, it clicked!! It really clicked, folks!!!
Regele Ferdinand, full name is ”N.M.S. Regele Ferdinand I„ just to spite her, prefers being called Ferdinand! How could Mărăști be so slow? She tried calling out once more, this time using the correct name and not... King. Just Ferdinand.
The figure, begrudgingly, stood up and ran all the way to the puppy eyed girl. As soon as she arrived, silence surrounded 'em, ruby red empty (yet glowing, somehow) eyes bored in the empty prune purple eyes of the older and taller girl. The small devil broke the tension and spoke with her usual upbeat yet blunt tone ”Did Maria perhaps threaten to choke you? Is that why you are here?„ Mărăști was caught off guard.... ...again. The confusion that invaded her previous worried state was so evident that even her tone was slightly weary ”...No? Did she do that to you, Fer?„
Ferdinand had to actually glance upwards to see if she could recall her younger sister doing that, then she casually shrugged and blurted out from her trap ”Once or twice, I dunno man. She was probably overreacting or something.„
That was NOT true. I mean, Maria could have actually overreacted buut considering what Ferdinand does all the time, she has ALL the rights to do that.
That is what Ms. Wingless wanted to say! To her own horror, she had to force herself into submission and hesitantly reply ”Mhm... She does overreact quite often...„ and a small pause, or a big one, reader's choice not mine, ”Let's get back to the port before.. Erm.. Some soldiers escort us out.„
13 hours later....
The view was awesome, is what she could and would say if the clouds didn't seem to glare at her as she approached her sister.
Mărășești was a good looking young lady (she is 23 yo, that is young to me!), she had always worn a military lolita dress as her uniform during her time in THE Kingdom of Romania; she said it made her look more refined, good thing she said look because she is anything but.
”I believe you required my presence, hmm?„ an ice-breaker already, straightforward but the older sister did not mind. Ms. Two Wings then lit up a cigarette, because why not? We are outside anyway, no one really cares.
”Isn't that bad for your health? And where did you get those?„ asked the WHINY freak. It's truly a mystery on how did an innocent destroyer know the harm a cigarette does... ”Are you here to nag me? They don't do anything, and even if they did, I would not be affected since we are made for war. As for the second question, my crew is generous and likes sharing them with me.„ replied the girl with dark-orchid eyes, which are empty as well just like the others. ”I.... I see... How was your day?„ A third kindhearted question coming from the older girl ”....Other than what you already know, I've spent some time with Maria. Considering how Ferdinand always sticks around with me, it was rather weird. But oh God, they are so alike if you think about it.„
And so, until nighttime, Mărăști kept thinking about that last sentence. Were those two little ships really similar? No, at first glance people would point out the obvious. She had to psychoanalyze them to truly find an answer to her dilemma.
I am not drawing marasesti's stupid cig.