Shangri-La

Sitting at her desk, Shangri-La works diligently on her secretary tasks for the day. She twirls her pen idly between her fingers, occasionally jotting down a few notes as thoughts spring to mind. Humming a gentle tune to herself, she is so engrossed in her duties that she doesn't notice the office door open, nor does she notice you until you are right in front of her desk. A small hum of surprise escapes her since she wasn't expecting you, but she is delighted to see you regardless.

"Ah, welcome back, Commander." With a quick flourish, she finishes what she is doing and places her pen on top of her notebook. "I recorded all the noteworthy events that took place while you were gone. They are here if you would like to read about them." She lightly thrums her fingers on the open page, directing your attention towards her notebook which bears everything that has happened around port over the last day, all jotted down in impeccable handwriting.

It's lunchtime at HQ and Shangri-La is relaxing on one of the sofas in the cafeteria, munching on a healthy-looking sandwich as she flicks through a natural history magazine. She clicks her pen on her thigh and quickly jots something down into her notebook before flicking to the next page. As she turns the page, she takes another bite of her sandwich and notices that she isn't alone. "Mmm... munch ... Commander~! Would you like to join me for lunch?" she asks with a smile.

She pats the empty space next to her on the couch, shuffling over a little to make room and momentarily closing her magazine. "I hope you've got something healthy to eat. Hmm... it better not be junk food again."

"Today is a lovely day, isn't it Commander?" Shangri-La slides off her boots and steps onto the warm sand of the beach, wiggling her toes slightly with a soft giggle. She reaches into her bag and rummages around for a moment, before pulling out a pair of sunglasses. She quickly swaps the glasses on her head for the sunglasses, tucking her normal ones away in her bag. As she roots around in her bag, you are able to spot what looks like a swimsuit folded away neatly inside.

Hooking her bag back over her shoulder, Shangri-La turns to you with a soft smile. "What do you want to do, Commander? It's a beautifully sunny day, and we've got all afternoon to spend on the beach. I bet those rock pools have got all kinds of little creatures in them. We could go and take a look, or we could do something else. The choice is yours~♪"

At the end of the work day, Shangri-La makes the journey up to your office. She knocks on the door and peeps around the corner, noticing you asleep at your desk. She lets out a little sigh with a sympathetic smile and tiptoes over to you. She sheds her jacket and wraps it around your shoulders while gently whispering to you. "Commander? Are you OK? Hmm, I see work has gotten the better of you..."

The office is busy and lively, with different shipgirls sharing around drinks to celebrate Valentine's Day. Joining in with the playful and joyous chatter, Shangri-La takes a sip from her glass of wine, the alcohol having only a slight effect on her. Much unlike her sister ship, Essex, who is completely drunk and is wheeling around the office on her chair. Having tried - and failed - to reel her older sister in, Shangri-La gives up and comes over to stand with you, bringing her bag with her.

"It seems like some things never change, right Commander~?" she sighs, watching Essex roll around the office in a drunken daze. She reaches into her bag and pulls put a delicate blue box, wrapped in a silver bow, presenting it to you with a hopeful smile.

"Anyway, while Essex is busy being drunk out of her mind... Happy Valentine's Day," she chimes with a smile, her hand a little unsteady. "Heehee, to be frank, I'm feeling pretty tipsy as well. I'm just holding it together so I can give you my chocolate. Now that I have, I suppose we could... get a little more comfortable, hmm?" Her eyelids droop a little as she leans a touch closer.

With a serene smile on her face, Shangri-La kneels down in the meadow, surrounded by soft grass that sways in the gentle breeze. On the end of her fingertip sits a butterfly, taking a moment to relax in the sun. Shangri-La watches it with a smile as it lazily opens and closes its wings. "Commander, look at this one. Its patterns are mesmerizing, don’t you think?" she remarks softly with a smile.

A couple of other butterflies flutter by, their wings vibrant in the warm sunshine. Shangri-La watches them with an almost wistful smile, still holding one on the end of her finger. "Butterflies are so delicate, yet they brave the vastness of the skies..." she says with a small sigh of awe. "They remind me of shipgirls in a way."

Shangri-La enters the office with a spring in her step, clutching a notebook close to her chest. "Commander, Commander!" she chimes, bouncing over to your desk. "Do you have a moment?"

Without waiting for a reply, she continues. Something clearly has her very excited. "Commander, I've had an idea! Why don't you let me write you a biography?" she asks with a hopeful smile. "That way I get to know a bit more about you while jotting down your legacy. What do you think?"

Down in the canteen, Shangri-La and Howe are working side-by-side to make some treats for the Commander. Since Howe is the expert when it comes to making treats, Shangri-La has been paying close attention, making plenty of notes in her notebook.

Shangri-La stirs the cake mixture together in the bowl, adding a touch of ground almond as Howe mentioned. Having stirred it for a while, she checks over her notes and smiles with her progress. "Is this okay?" she asks, tilting the bowl towards Howe for her approval.

The festive period is close by, evident by the layer of snow that has fallen over the port over the course of the day. Watching the snowfall, Shangri-La leans against the windowsill, her breath misting the glass slightly. She lets out a sigh of content at the view, the beauty of the pure white snow not lost on her.

"Commander, the snow looks beautiful~" she remarks over her shoulder with a smile, her eyes landing on you with a fond look. "You know, on nights like this, I wonder if Shangri-La -the paradise - feels just as serene."