<div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=194682.msg11703879#msg11703879">Quote from: Major Major on 07-10-2015, 04:19:56</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">Effingham wrapped her arms around <em>Maori</em>, and rubbed her back gently, as she sat down on the deck and cuddled her gently, like a mother trying to soothe her fractious and upset child. She didn't really speak all that much for the moment, focussing more on trying to make <em>Maori</em> feel better.<br/></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/><em>Maori</em>was very shaken up by this revelation.<em>Shinano</em>wanted them. That was not good, not good at all. What was making it more strange was that she was not tearing off in the other direction. As<em>Effingham</em>sat down upon Maori's deck, the small destroyer Mental Model seemed to slip naturally into Effie's lap. It was only normal as Maori perched herself upon Effie's lap many times when they were in the same fleet. Usually after Maori was scolded for being "Brash", or "Loud". Maori rested her head upon Effie's bosom, and jammed her eyes shut. Right now, she didn't want to accept the reality that she may be losing a dear friend just moments after reuniting with her."Don't go."She whimpered. "If you go, you won't come back." she sniffled.<br/><br/><div align="center">-----------------------------------------------------------------------</div><br/>Arizona sighed as her core was almost burning up with as much as she was thinking on this. Her bow cutting through the deep azure waves of the pacific ocean as they continued their trek to meet this enigmatic<em>Shinano</em>. It would appear that it would be Jean-Bart that would answer Ari's rhetorical question. Informing her that no one could answer that but Arizona herself. It was hard being a Leader, doing things that she knew the others did not like. She knew she was being selfish in wanting to face<em>Shinano</em>alone  She was selfish, she loved her fleet, and in her selfishness, she wanted to protect them even if it greatly increased her own personal risk.<em>Suzuya</em>would be the next to speak as she brought her hull alongside, and came over to Ari's position upon the No. 2 Turret.<br/><br/>Arizona looked up at Suzu as she pretty much repeated<em>Jean-Bart's</em>message. "I see." Arizona stated as she came to her feet, and looked out over her bow. "At the moot, whether this is the right course, or not is moot. I've made my decision, and have embarked upon this course. So for good, or ill, I will stay this course, and weather what storms may be." She stated, her confidence, and determination returning to both her posture, and her speech. "I love my fleet, and I will do whatever is necessary to protect them. Even if they're angry with me for doing so." Arizona declared as she crossed her arms underneath her sizable bust. She turned her head to Suzu. "Thank you Suzu." She stated before opening a line to Jean-Bart. "Thank you as well." She replied. Taking another deep breath, Arizona walked to the front of the Gun house, her three 14" cannons jutting out defiantly towards the horizon. "Iya, how much longer till we encounter<em>Shinano</em>?