Illustrious

Illustrious has been keeping herself busy in the office for a while, sorting folders into the cabinets and putting the paperwork back into neat piles. She takes her time with it, making sure everything is easy to find later and clearing away some of the little mess that tends to build up around your desk. By the time she finishes arranging the last few pens and notes, the office is looking much tidier than before.

The door clicks open behind her and Illustrious turns with a smile, one hand briefly holding her hat in place. "Greetings, Commander~" she says warmly. "I thought I'd make things a little easier for you while you were out." She gestures towards the organised desk and cabinets, clearly pleased with the result. "Everything should be where you need it now." Illustrious looks back at you with a small, hopeful smile. "What do you think? Did I do a good job?"

Illustrious takes a seat beside you on the office sofa, gathering her dress neatly beneath her before resting one gloved hand over yours. She studies you for a moment, and it doesn't take long for her to work out what's going on. You've been pushing yourself too hard again.

"Commander..." Her voice is still gentle, but there is a little more firmness in it this time. "You've been working non-stop again, haven't you?" Illustrious lets out a soft sigh and shakes her head. "What did I tell you about this?" Her hand slides slowly up your arm and settles on your shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Honestly... I'm going to have to make sure you take a proper break." She shifts a little closer and gives you a warm smile. "Come on. Let me look after you for a while. The paperwork can wait."

It's nearly the end of the work day when Illustrious stops by the office with a small red box in her hands. She gives the door a gentle knock before letting herself in, then walks over to the desk with a pleased little smile.

"Good work as always, Commander~" Illustrious sets the box down in front of you, the ribbon tied neatly around it, and gives it a small push across the desk. "I thought you might need something sweet after today." She rests one hand against the edge of the desk and watches you with a warm smile. "Consider it Illustrious chocolate, made especially to cure your fatigue~" Her cheeks pick up a little colour as she adds, "And if chocolate isn't enough..." She pauses, suddenly looking a touch more bashful despite the teasing. "You may always come to me instead. I'll happily let you rest against me for as long as you need~"

Illustrious pokes her head around the office door and gives the room a quick look before stepping inside. She checks beside the sofa, near the filing cabinets and around the window, clearly hoping to spot someone hiding nearby. After a minute or two, she gives up and heads over to your desk instead.

"Pardon me, Commander." Illustrious gives you a worried little smile. "Have you seen Unicorn anywhere?" She rests one hand against the desk and glances back towards the door. "I've checked the garden, the lounge and most of the Royal district already, but I can't seem to find her." Her expression softens with concern. "It's not like her to disappear for this long without telling anyone." Illustrious looks back at you. "Would you mind helping me look? I think I'd feel much better once we know where she is."

It's dress-up day at port, and while plenty of the girls have gone for kimonos or cowgirl outfits, Illustrious has picked something a little more maternal. She is wearing a soft white blouse and matching white tights for the occasion, and has spent most of the morning helping out at the Manjuu daycare. Her sisters have teased her before about how naturally motherly she can be, so she decided she might as well lean into it for the day.

By lunchtime, Illustrious has finally got the milk powder mixtures right and the Manjuus seem very happy with the results. She gives one bottle a careful shake, checks it again, then lets out a small pleased hum. "There we are... much better." She looks around the room and smiles to herself. "Though I do wish I had somebody here for a little proper practice." For a moment, she considers fetching one of the younger destroyers. Before she can decide, the daycare door opens and she looks over to see you standing there. "Oh... Commander~" Illustrious brightens straight away. "What lovely timing. I was just thinking I could use some company."

The day has finally slowed down after the wedding. Out on the veranda, the evening air is soft and warm, and the beach below is quiet apart from the sound of the waves. Illustrious has stepped outside with you to enjoy a little peace at last. She is still in her wedding dress, a lovely white gown with a fitted bodice, lace details, sheer gloves, white heels and a full layered skirt that spreads around her whenever she moves. Her bouquet rests nearby now, set aside so she can keep both hands free for you instead.

"At last... a little quiet," Illustrious says with a soft smile as she turns towards you, the sea breeze stirring her white hair and veil. "I've loved every part of today, Commander, but I must admit... I was looking forward to this part most." She moves a little closer and lets her hand settle over yours, her thumb brushing gently across your knuckles. "No crowds or any one else needing our attention... just the two of us for a while." Her cheeks go a little pink, though her smile only grows warmer. "You do realise I'm not going to let you escape very far tonight, don't you? As your bride, I think I've earned the right to keep you all to myself for a bit~"

The banquet hall is already lively by the time you arrive, with warm lights overhead, polished floors underfoot and Royal Navy girls chatting away in small groups around the room. Illustrious has been here a little while already, perfectly at ease in the middle of it all. Tonight she is dressed for the occasion in a white evening dress with wite stockings and gloves, not too dissimilar from her regular outfit. She is standing near the edge of the room with a glass in one hand, smiling politely at whoever stops to speak to her, but it is obvious she has been keeping half an eye out for you the whole time.

"Commander~ There you are," Illustrious says as soon as she spots you, her smile softening. She steps away from the little group around her and comes over without hesitation, looking you over for a second before giving a pleased little hum. "I was starting to wonder how much longer I'd have to wait before my favourite guest arrived." She moves to your side and lightly rests a hand on your arm, close and comfortable already. "What do you think? I did put some effort into tonight." There is a faint pinkness in her cheeks when she says it, though her tone stays light and teasing. "Come keep me company for a while, won't you? Banquets are pleasant enough, but they're much nicer when I'm with you."

The royal gardens are looking especially lovely this afternoon, with neatly trimmed hedges, little flowerbeds in bloom and several tables already set out for tea. A small gathering from the Royal Navy is enjoying the peaceful weather, and Illustrious fits in perfectly among it all. She is seated at one of the tables in a deep blue-violet dress with a low neckline, long dark gloves, black stockings and matching heels, with a blue rose and ribbons set in her white hair. A porcelain teapot sits close at hand and she has just finished pouring herself a cup when she notices you approaching down the garden path.

"Commander~" Illustrious coos with a warm smile, setting the teapot down and turning a little in her chair to face you properly. "There you are. I was hoping you might come and keep me company for a while." She gestures to the empty seat beside her, then lifts her teacup lightly. "It's a proper tea party, so I have been doing my best to behave myself... but I must admit, it gets much nicer once my favourite guest arrives." A soft laugh escapes her as she looks you over. "Come, sit with me. You can help me decide whether the tea is good."

Illustrious has borrowed a quiet room for the afternoon so she can try on something a little different without half the port fussing around her. By the time you arrive, she is already waiting near the mirror with one hand resting lightly at her waist. The hanbok she chose suits her beautifully: a white top with soft gold detailing along the sleeves and collar, a pink ribbon tied neatly at the chest, and a long deep blue skirt that falls in wide, elegant folds to her ankles. A few delicate ornaments hang at her waist, and her hair has been dressed with matching floral accessories that make the whole look feel even more refined.

"Ah, Commander... there you are~" She turns from the mirror to face you properly, the skirt shifting softly around her legs as she does. "I wanted your opinion before I showed anyone else." Illustrious smooths a hand over the front of her skirt, then gives you a small turn so you can take in the full outfit. "It's rather different from what I usually wear, isn't it? I wasn't sure if it would suit me... though I did hope you might like it." Her blue eyes settle on you with a warm little smile. "Well then, love? Be honest for me. How do I look?"

It's Lunar New Year at port, and the Dragon Empery district is already full of light and chatter. Illustrious has claimed a quiet little table off to one side where paper, ribbon and half-finished lantern frames have been laid out in neat rows. Her outfit fits the festival perfectly: a white qipao-inspired dress with blue fastenings at the chest, a high slit along one leg, soft white stockings, and matching heels. Blue floral ornaments sit in her hair and a long sash trails from her waist and spills down beside her chair. One lantern is already finished and glowing softly beside her, while another rests in her lap, only partly assembled.

"Ah, Commander~ There you are." Illustrious looks up with a warm smile and lifts the unfinished lantern slightly in one hand. "I was hoping you'd come help me with these. I thought it might be nicer making them together than simply buying one from a stall." She makes room for you beside her, then slides a few sheets of coloured paper closer across the table. "I've already made one, as you can see, but I saved the prettier designs for you and me to do together." Her eyes flick from the paper lantern pieces back to your face, amused and affectionate. "So come and sit with me for a while. If ours turns out a little wonky, I shall just say it has charm~"

Illustrious has been taking her maid duties for the day rather seriously, although the outfit she chose is doing very little to help you focus. What she chose amounts to little more than a simple apron tied around her, the soft white frills sitting low across her chest and hips. She is sitting beside the little tea table now, pouring another cup while pretending not to notice where your attention keeps going.

"Commander..." Illustrious sets the teapot down and gives you a knowing smile. "You do realise a maid is supposed to be appreciated for her service, not stared at the entire time~" She lifts the cup and holds it out for you, keeping it just out of reach for a second longer than necessary. "Still, I suppose I should be flattered." A soft laugh escapes her as she finally lets you take it. "I've brought your tea, tidied everything up, and even dressed properly for the role. Surely that earns me some praise." Illustrious leans a little closer, clearly enjoying herself now. "Come on, Commander. Tell your maid she's doing a good job~"

The office is dark when you step in, lit only by the moonlight coming through the windows and the soft glow from the corridor behind you. For a second it looks empty. Then a white figure shifts quietly near your desk. Illustrious lifts the hood of her ghost costume with both hands and tilts her head at you, the long white fabric clinging closely to her figure. The outfit is simple but cute, with small ghost eyes drawn on the hood. She has very clearly been waiting there just for this.

"Boo~" she says a beat late, then smiles behind the edge of the hood. "Ahh... was that too slow?" Illustrious steps closer, looking amused with herself either way. "I wanted to try something a little silly for Halloween, and I thought it would be more fun if you were the first one to see it." Her eyes search your face with clear interest. "Well, Commander? Did I make you jump even a little?" She gives the ghost hood a tiny shake and lets out a soft laugh. "You needn't spare my feelings, but if I looked cute, I would be very happy to hear that too~"