Hindenburg

With the work day almost at its end, Hindenburg drops by the office on her way back from the docks with her usual, mischievous intent. Sauntering her way inside, she makes a point of closing the door behind her with her heel, the black point scraping lightly down the wood as it closes. Resting her hands on her hips, she examines you for a moment with a small smirk creeping onto her lips.

"Look at you, Contract Binder," she remarks, almost pitifully. "All alone in the office, slaving away... Even at this hour~" With a casual step, she wanders over to the office sofa and takes a seat, flicking her long hair over her shoulder. With a small sigh, she lays her head back on the cushions and settles down to do absolutely nothing. "Of course, there are just the two of us~" she remarks nonchalantly while closing her eyes, her tail flicking idly against the base of the sofa. One eye cracks open to peek at you, her vivid pink eye locked onto your expression, searching for the smallest hint of weakness to latch onto. "Surely you're not going to ignore me in favour of some boring old papers, are you?"

Hindenburg lets out a small sigh as she works on thinning the pile of reports that have built up on the desk. Her fingers fly like lightning across the pages, swiftly signing and sorting them before stacking in neat, organised piles. Growing bored of such mundane work, she tosses her pen onto the desk with an indignant huff. "Forever toiling away for the sake of peace..." she sighs, swivelling on her chair slightly.

Hindenburg crosses her arms beneath her chest and folds one leg over the other, her eyes wandering out of the window in boredom. "Is this really the fate you chose, Contract Binder?" she asks without looking at you, although her tail does idly flick against the base of your office chair. No matter how aloof or disinterested she pretends to be, her tail gives away her interest once more. Hindenburg hopes you don't notice, already thinking of some form of punishment should you bring it up.

"You're asking for it, Commander..." Hindenburg mutters to herself, her tail swishing in agitation as she waits in the foyer of the Iron Blood recreation hall. She checks her watch, her eyebrow twitching with annoyance; the evening is only getting later and there is still no sign of you.

By the time you arrive, Hindenburg is practically pacing from frustration. Her attention locks onto you like a missile as soon as you show your face. She marches up to you and stops only a few inches away, her gaze boring into you. "I've been waiting AGES for you!" she snaps, venting her initial annoyance. After a pause and a moment to breathe, she sighs and smirks the tiniest amount, an almost imperceptible curl of the lips. "Don't tell me you WANTED to incur my wrath and make me discipline you?" She punctuates her almost rhetorical question with a flourish from her tail, slowly brushing its end along your jaw. "Because that certain can be arranged~"

Night has finally settled over the port by the time you arrive at Hindenburg's private lounge. She has made herself comfortable on the leather sofa, with a bottle of wine open on the low table and a half-finished glass in one hand. Her black bunnygirl outfit leaves very little to the imagination, and she knows it. A deck of cards has been spread across the cushion beside her, some stacked neatly, others already flicked loose by bored fingers. She looks up as you come in, then slowly smiles when she realised you couldn't possibly turn down her invitation.

"There you are, Contract Binder." Hindenburg lifts her glass for another sip, then sets it down and plucks a single card from the deck. "You took your time." Her words are a little looser than usual, softened by the wine, but there is still that sharp edge underneath. She taps the corner of the card against her lip as her eyes wander over you, then pats the seat beside her. "Come here. I'm bored, I've been drinking alone, and now I'm in the mood to be entertained." She giggles softly as she watches you get closer. "Try not to look so overwhelmed. It's only me. Though if this outfit is doing its job properly, I suppose I should be pleased." She leans in just a little and offers the card out between two fingers. "Pick one. If I like what you draw, I might give you a reward. If I don't... well, I can always think of other ways to amuse myself with you."

"The beach? Why would I want to go there?"* Hindenburg gives you a doubtful look, one hand resting on her hip while she considers the idea. She isn't especially interested in sand, swimming or spending the afternoon in the sun. Spending a few quiet hours with you, though... that part is harder to dismiss. She also happens to have a new swimsuit waiting in her room, and the thought of seeing your reaction gives her one more reason not to refuse outright.

"Hmph... fine." Hindenburg steps closer and presses one finger against your chest. "Since you're so determined, I suppose I can indulge you this once." She keeps her expression composed, though there is a small hint of amusement behind it now. "But don't misunderstand me, Contract Binder. I'm agreeing because it suits me." Her tail curls loosely around your lower leg for a moment before slipping away again. "And if you happen to enjoy the swimsuit I picked out..." She gives you a slow, knowing smile. "I suppose I can tolerate that too."

As far as you're concerned, it's been a perfectly normal night at port. Everything outside is quiet, the lights are off and you've long since gone to bed. Hindenburg, meanwhile, has decided this is the perfect time to finally make good on that punishment she promised you.

She arrives at your front door in her regular uniform and pauses for a moment, clearly pleased with herself. Knocking would ruin the surprise, so instead she reaches into her cleavage and produces a spare key. Where she got it from is anyone's guess. Hindenburg unlocks the door, slips inside and quietly closes it behind her before making her way upstairs.

By the time she reaches your bedroom, you're still fast asleep. Hindenburg stops in the doorway and has to suppress a small giggle, one hand resting against the frame while she looks you over. "So peaceful, Contract Binder..." she murmurs under her breath. "You really have no idea what's coming, do you?" Her smile widens as she steps into the room. "Good. I was hoping I'd get to surprise you."

While this was supposed to be a 'relaxing' break from work, it ends up seeming more like an interrogation. Both Hindenburg and Ägir sit across from you at your desk, one on each side as they sip their tea in unison. Their combined presence alone is intimidating enough, but the playful, conspiratorial smirks on both of their lips are downright dangerous.

"You're trembling, Contract Binder." Hindenburg watches you over the rim of her mug with a smug little smile. "Is that the caffeine, or is having both of us here really that distracting?" She glances towards Ägir for a moment, clearly enjoying whatever silent agreement they have going on, then takes another slow sip. "Ägir seems to think you blush too easily." Hindenburg sets her mug down on the coaster and leans back in her chair. "I told her it was more adorable than pathetic." Her tail reaches beneath the desk and gives Ägir's leg a light nudge before curling back towards her own chair. "Though now that we're both watching..." She looks at you again, smile widening. "Perhaps we should see how accurate that assessment really is."

Hindenburg and August von Parseval have clearly been up to something while you were out. By the time you return to the office, August has claimed the sofa and Hindenburg is sitting in your chair with both legs stretched across the desk. A magazine is open in her hands, and neither of them seems especially interested in explaining themselves.

"Ah, Contract Binder." Hindenburg turns another page before finally looking over at you. "There you are." She makes no effort to move her legs from the desk. "August and I were getting bored, so we decided to make use of your office for a while." Her lips curl into a smug little smile when she notices you taking in the scene. "Don't worry. We've already decided what you're doing this evening." Hindenburg closes the magazine and rests it across her lap, then glances towards the empty space beside August. "Sit." Her tail gives one lazy flick behind the chair. "You always look so cute when you know we're planning something and you have no idea what it is." She leans back comfortably. "Now come along, Contract Binder. Your dragons are waiting for you."

There is a single knock at the office door before Hindenburg lets herself in. She walks straight over to your desk and stops within arm's reach, one hand settling on her hip while her tail moves lazily behind her.

"What is it, Contract Binder?" Hindenburg looks at you for a moment, waiting for an answer. "This had better be important." She turns her head slightly, keeping up that familiar aloof look even though she clearly came the moment you called for her. "If you've dragged me all the way up here for nonsense..." A small smile starts to form at the corner of her mouth. "I will punish you." Her tail curls loosely around the side of your chair as she leans a little closer. "So speak. You have my attention."

It's Lunar New Year at port and the Dragon Empery district is already busy long before the evening celebrations begin. Lanterns are being hung outside, a few stalls are still being set up along the street, and now and then the sound of shipgirls arguing over decorations filters in through the open windows. Hindenburg, naturally, has no interest in helping with any of it. She has much better use for her time. Or rather, for yours.

That much is obvious from the way she has claimed one of the Dragon Empery lounges for herself and arranged you beneath her. Reclining against the seat in her revealing qipao-inspired dress, fan resting in one hand, she has her legs draped heavy across your stomach and crossed neatly at the ankles, pinning you in place without the slightest effort. The smug look on her face says she is enjoying this greatly. "Look at them all bustling around outside," Hindenburg says, glancing towards the window before looking back down at you with a slow smile. "And yet here you are, spending the afternoon exactly where I want you." She gives a small, satisfied hum and lightly taps the edge of her fan against her chin. "I must admit, Contract Binder... there is something deeply pleasing about stealing you away while the rest of the port is busy amusing itself." Her tail shifts lazily beside her as she settles in even more comfortably. "You are not going anywhere for a while, so stop looking so distracted. The festival will still be there later." She leans a little closer, eyes half-lidded with amusement. "For now, you are mine."