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The commander was going out tonight, and he was heading to a simple local place. It would be fun and normal, except this night, he was taking one of the very beautiful and also very prim and proper ladies out to eat. He guessed that this was not the type of place the royal shipgirl Exeter was used to at all. He smiled as he thought about how dedicated and proper Exeter was with most things. So very much different than her older sister, York. The commander would find himself out of his uniform for once, wearing a simple pair of blue jeans and a white shirt. He went to find the Royal Navy shipgirl at her own dorm, knocking as he waited for her to answer.
Exeter opened the door to her dorm, her posture straight, and demeanor composed as always. She greeted the commander with a respectful nod.
"Commander, good evening. I trust everything is in order?" Exeter inquired with a polite smile, her eyes briefly scanning his more casual attire. There was a hint of curiosity in her expression.
The commander returned her smile, appreciating the formality. "Good evening, Exeter. Everything's in order, and I hope you're ready for a change of pace tonight. We're heading out to a local place for a nice meal. Something a bit different from our usual routine."
Exeter's expression remained composed, but a flicker of interest crossed her eyes. "A local place, you say? I'm honored, Commander. I'm ready whenever you are."
“Remember, Exeter, this is not a night of duty, not a mission against the Sirens, or Iron Blood, or anyone else. This is a night for us to enjoy and take in. Not as Commander and Shipgirl or Royal, but as a man and a woman on a date.”
Exeter nodded in understanding, her dedication to duty momentarily shifting to a more personal focus. "Understood, Commander. I shall do my best to adapt to the change in atmosphere and fully appreciate the evening. It's a rare occasion, and I am grateful for the opportunity."
The commander offered his arm to Exeter, a gesture more common in civilian settings. "Shall we then, Exeter? I think you'll enjoy the simplicity of the place we're heading to. Just a nice, relaxed evening."
Exeter delicately placed her hand on the commander's arm, acknowledging the change in dynamics. "I look forward to it, Commander. Lead the way."
It was a nice walk. The cool northerly wind came in as the colors in the trees were apparent. He walked arm in arm with his proper noble. He smiled as he found that proper side to her to be cute, but also when she slipped out of that personality from time to time. The brown-haired beauty with those beautiful green eyes that could steal a man's soul by a mere glance.
The pair stopped at a cafe, an outdoor one at that with a good view of the sea. He walked with Exeter and pulled out the chair for her as he let her take her seat before he did. Small things showing proper behavior with a lady, like Exeter, were important. “So what do you think, seems good for tonight, dear?”
Exeter gracefully took her seat, appreciating the commander's gentlemanly gestures. She smiled slightly, her eyes reflecting a combination of gratitude and a hint of warmth. "It's a charming place, Commander. The view of the sea is quite pleasant."
Exeter looked at the menu a bit perplexed for a moment, “Um, I think I will take your advice on what to have tonight. I don’t think I have had a number of these dishes, Commander,” she said a bit lost with the menu. She was used to royal cooking by the royal maids. This was very different from that.
“Yes, I suppose it is,” he said as he looked and then would put the order in a moment later, a bottle of wine and glasses of water being brought up for them. “So, Exeter, I am really glad you decided to come out with me tonight. Having you on this date is really nice.”
Exeter acknowledged his words with a sincere smile, her composed demeanor softening for a moment. "The pleasure is mine, Commander. It's a rare and delightful experience to step away from the rigors of duty and enjoy a peaceful evening like this. I appreciate the invitation."
“Yeah, well, think of this as a young man, myself enjoying the night out on the town with a beautiful and noble young woman, yourself,” the commander said as he smiled, the wine coming out a bit after as he poured the glass for himself and then for himself.
Raising the glass he held it up, “To the future, my dear Exeter, may we get to have many more of these outings you and I,” he said a bit playfully in his tone.
Exeter raised her glass gracefully, her green eyes meeting the commander's. "To the future," she echoed with a gentle smile, appreciating the sentiment behind his words. She took a sip of the wine, savoring the moment and the change of pace from their usual dynamic.
A moment later the clam chowder was brought before them. It was an Eagle Union dish that was still very fitting for the harbor. He looked over at Exeter moving a bit closer as he moved his bowl closer to her. “Now, I want to get your review of it, the food, my dear noble lady.”
Exeter gracefully accepted the bowl, and as she took a spoonful of the clam chowder, she took a moment to savor the flavors. Her expression remained composed, but a subtle hint of surprise and pleasure crossed her features.
"It's... delightful, Commander. A unique blend of flavors, different from what I'm accustomed to. A pleasant surprise," she remarked, her appreciation evident in her tone.
The commander chuckled, pleased with her response. "I'm glad you like it. Sometimes it's nice to step out of our comfort zones and try something new. Enjoy life some, live, and remember we are in this together on the battlefield, and off it, my dear, you and me, a beautiful royal gal, and her common guy."
He slipped his arm around Exeter about at that moment as he ate the clam chowder of his own. He found it to be lovely, a good rich flavor that went well with the bread that gave out too.
Exeter didn't object in the least to his actions; the look in those beautiful green eyes of hers told him that his advances were far from unwelcomed. "Now, commander, thank you, I am not used to being treated like a normal woman. You always do, and for that, I am eternally grateful."
"Glad to hear it; now I hear they have chocolate cake here, that I know you know, but I am sure you don't mind sharing a piece, do you?" the commander asked again with a playful edge to his tone.
Exeter's composed facade softened further, a faint blush gracing her cheeks as she responded, "Of course, Commander. I wouldn't mind sharing a piece at all."
"Good," The commander said as he put in for a piece before they were done. At this point, his arm was around Exeter's waist as they sat side by side at the table. It was only a few moments later before the dessert was
brought out, a lovely tall piece of Chocolate cake.
As the chocolate cake arrived, the commander couldn't help but notice the genuine warmth and affection in Exeter's eyes. He smiled, realizing that this evening had provided a rare glimpse into a more relaxed and personal side of the usually composed and proper shipgirl.
"Here we go, Exeter. A sweet ending to our evening," he said, cutting a piece of the cake and offering it to her with a playful smile.
Exeter accepted the fork with a soft smile, savoring the rich taste of the chocolate cake. As they shared the dessert, the atmosphere became even more intimate, the sounds of the sea and the soft glow of the evening lights creating a picturesque backdrop.
The commander leaned in a bit, his voice softer. "You know, Exeter, it's nights like these that remind me how fortunate I am to have you by my side. In the midst of battles and duties, it's these moments that make it all worthwhile."
Exeter met his gaze, her green eyes reflecting a mix of gratitude and affection. "And I, too, am grateful for these moments, Commander. It's a privilege to share them with you."
“I forgot to try a bite,” he said playfully as he saw a bit of chocolate on her lip. He leaned in and kissed her, licking the bit of chocolate off her lips as he did so.
Exeter was momentarily taken aback by the unexpected kiss, a soft gasp escaping her lips. Her eyes widened in surprise, but the initial shock soon gave way to a warmth that spread through her. The commander's playful gesture had caught her off guard, but there was no denying the genuine affection in the moment.
As he licked the bit of chocolate off her lips, Exeter's composed demeanor softened even further. A subtle blush tinted her cheeks, and a faint smile played on her lips. She met the commander's gaze, her jade eyes expressing a mix of surprise, amusement, and a growing sense of intimacy.
The playful and romantic atmosphere lingered between them, the sea breeze carrying the scent of chocolate and the sounds of the waves providing a serene backdrop. It was a moment that transcended the roles of commander and shipgirl, allowing them to embrace the connection they had found in the midst of duty and battles.
Exeter, ever the composed and proper royal shipgirl, leaned in slightly, her voice a gentle whisper, "Well, Commander, it seems you've caught me off guard tonight. But I must admit, I don't mind it in the least."
The commander chuckled, pleased with her response. "Just a little surprise for the lady who's used to the formality of royal settings. Tonight's about breaking a few norms, isn't it?"
Exeter nodded, her gaze softening. "Indeed, Commander. And I find it rather enjoyable."
As the meal came to a close, the commander smiled, “So it is time for me to talk my lady home,” he said with a playful smile, as he would put the meal on the tab. He got up and offered her his hand, ready to walk her home like a true gentleman.
Exeter gracefully accepted the commander's hand, her smile mirroring his playfulness. As she rose from her seat, she nodded in acknowledgment, "Thank you, Commander. I appreciate your gentlemanly conduct tonight."
The commander led her out of the quaint cafe, the evening lights casting a warm glow on the surroundings. The sea breeze carried with it a sense of tranquility, and the commander guided Exeter through the night with a gentle ease.
They walked side by side, the commander occasionally sharing stories or pointing out the sights along the way. Exeter, in turn, engaged in the conversation with a newfound ease, allowing herself to enjoy the simplicity and warmth of the moment.
As they approached Exeter's dorm, the commander stopped and turned to face her. "I hope you enjoyed the evening, Exeter. It was a pleasure sharing this time with you."
Exeter nodded, her eyes reflecting gratitude. "Indeed, Commander. It was a delightful experience. Thank you for inviting me."
With a courteous nod, the commander stepped closer and gently placed a kiss on Exeter's cheek. "Until our next outing, my lady."
Exeter's composed facade softened into a genuine smile, and she returned the sentiment, "Until then, Commander."