Ayalah Ceren couldn't be more than unlucky. For the second time in her life, she spilled chocolate on the grand-admiral Daji Kitsune. The first time she was condemned to serve as a dishwasher on the Tribunal for long months.
Long months that have turned into years.
Facing the raging face of the Kitsune, Ayalah couldn't stop to apologize for her clumsiness while cleaning her with a paper napkin.

- Ayalah!... You know I begin to think that you really want to assassinate me by splitting boiling chocolate on me!
- I'm so sorry your highness, that's not my...
- That's enough. you shouldn't serve the Armada, you're way too clumsy to be in an army. Sorry, but even if I forgave you the first time, I won't the second.

Daji removed the gazelle's badge

- Please, your highness...
- You're now a civilian... Nothing personal you know?
- I beg you... I want to serve the nation!
- Do you know how to fight?
- ...No... I'm just a dishwasher lady.
- No sense. How can you be of any use in an army with just that skill? Do you know strategy, tactics and such?
- Again, the only thing I'm good at is to clean.
- And to spill things on me. This is offense toward a superior, and you did it twice.
- Please I...
- You're no use for the Armada, nothing personal. Daji repeated

Alicia seemed to appreciate the demonstration of Daji's authority and Ayalah's humiliation. The poor gazelle split coffee on her as well the very same day, and if there's a thing that the rookies learn even at school, it is not to piss Alicia Pris. And not only Ayalah was able to make it the first day of her service, but to split a chocolate on the grand-admiral as well.
But Daji then continued, surprising both Alicia and Doenès.

- You know, the Federation doesn't allow me to use a military for a personal purpose, which is quite normal. But now that you're a civilian, why wouldn't you take care of my own house on Bubastis?
- You mean... Me? The maid of the Empress?
- I'm not an empress and you'll be an employee better than a maid,
- But... you said it, I'm too clumsy for that!
- For an army, yes. But for a civilian purpose, I'm sure you're perfect. If not, I'm not as strict when I don't wear that admiral suit, you know?

Ayalah began to shiver. The Empress was speaking to her, with a smile, about to hire her to take care of her modest house on Bubastis?

- Your highness, I'm not worthy for an empress' house!
- I've already said that, I'm not an empress, but your equal. Deal?
- That is a honor, mylady. Of course yes...

Hitting the table with her fist, Alicia exploded when she finally noticed the trick. Her dishwasher lady will leave the Tribunal for Daji's benefits.

- I WON'T ALLOW IT, YOU SILVER BITCH!
- Bite me, black admiral. I've decided of her fate and you can't deny a direct order of your superior.
- I CONTEST! HOW CAN I LOSE THE DISHWASHER OF MY SHIP!!
- With all the technology we have, don't tell me that you can't afford a simple machine to do that instead of a 3rd class!

Doenès, being a grand-admiral thanks to the recent promotion, made it clear

- You should have formulated your grief when Ayalah was demoted. And I approve Daji's decision. Her prime punishment of months washing dishes has turned into years for no reasons but you being sadistic. The poor thing has passed so many years in a kitchen to clean dishes far away from the sun that she becomes pale. It's time to give freedom to that poor bird don't you think?
- I was fooled...
- My my, little kitty, how can you, admiral, fall in such a trick? That was so easy that I feel shame. I wonder if I shouldn't lower your rank a little so to teach your one goddamn lesson. pointed Daji with a large smile.

She then exploded in a huge laugh that nothing could have stopped. Even the anger of the black admiral couldn't intimidated her. Doenès then gave a blink to Ayalah to point her that now would be the good time to leave the room. Once the two cervids were in the hall, the deer tapped on her com badge

- To the bridge, raise immediately the shield and all the inhibitors in the VIP room. That's not an exercise. I repeat, that is not an exercise!

The Tribunal was then heavily shaken by the catfight inside the VIP room...

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Not pleased with that pic, I don't know why...

All characters © Amiral Aesir, except Alicia Pris © Bandai-Atlus, first designed by Nobuteru Yuki.

Watercolors, the 21th January 2010.