Hey! Non-canon as all get out, but it was bugging me. SO I did a thing.
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There was a creaking sound as a poorly oiled door was gently pushed open.
The room beyond was dimly lit, but the contents within could still be clearly seen by the intruder. Countless models, books, and myriad papers filled every nook and cranny of shelf space and then some. Even the walls were adorned with countless items ranging from schematics to awards to carefully mounted photos. And the less said about the floor the better. Atlantic winter storms were more akin to a sunny pacific mooring by comparison.
But even for all the mess and all the chaos, it was no match for the dauntless footing of a Pennsylvania-Class battleship.
Arizona approached the dying lamp and the desk upon which it sat. With crossed arms and a stern expression upon her scarred face, she examined the all sight before her. One which had become all too familiar as of late.
With one empty hand poised as if it still held the pencil currently deciding if it wanted to roll onto the floor and the other hanging bonelessly at its owner's side, sixteen year old Jane Richardson looked as if she had fallen asleep without even realizing it. A string of drool was making a decent sized pool on her shirt and her head nodded every so often to the tone of gravity's whims. And her hair, long enough only to tie off into a short ponytail like Arizona herself was wont to do on occasion, was a frazzled mess.
Arizona rolled her eyes in exasperation.
Honestly. You'd think a scolding from medical, a flat officer, and a few warships would carry weight enough. But apparently not. In fact, it seemed like Jane was growing up into a woman to match or surpass the stubbornness of her father and even a battleship.
It seemed like just yesterday that she could haul Jane up onto her shoulders without having to worry about hitting the ceiling. How time flies...
But there would be time for fond memories later.
Right now, she had a troublesome daughter to deal with!
"Jane."
Arizona's voice was low in volume, but carried through the room like the ringing of a ship's bell.
Jane herself awoke with a start and tumbled out of her chair in her haste to stand at attention.
"Sir! Admi-" She blinked and went slightly cross-eyed when a single finger was placed upon her lips, silencing her and forcing her return to reality. She was not, in fact, standing before the Fleet Admiral and about to receive her posting to the most awesome space battleship ever built. Nope. She was in her room. And now staring at the shorter form of Battleship Arizona.
"Ari... mama?"
Arizona leaned in slightly as she lowered her finger, her eyes alight in the darkness with a very obvious ire. The fact she was garbed in a nightgown in no way detracted from her imposing form.
"What time is it little missy?" She all but demanded in a voice carrying a volume of authority normally reserved for a U.N. Security Council meeting.
"Uuuhm..." Jane fumbled about for a watch or her phone or some kind of timepiece. Failing that, she took a shot in the dark. And unlike a certain breed of traffic cone cruisers or ninja battleship, she wasn't all that good at it. "Twenty-three hundred?"
"Try Oh-three hundred."
"Oh."
"Oh?"
"W-Well, I was on a roll and I figured one more hour wouldn't hurt. I need to make sure my grades are up and I know all my history and I-" Jane all but flinched when Arizona's gaze turned thunderous. Fortunately the hour might keep her from getting yelled at?
Maybe?
Possibly if she wasn't currently yawning something fierce?
"Jane Elaine Richardson. If you do not get in bed this very instant, I will personally march to the Naval Academy and demand the Board of Admissions delay any appointment they may intend to give you by no less than a year." If Jane continued on this path, then she fully intended to do so. Let it not be said that Arizona was not a woman of her word. And these late night study sessions were getting ridiculous.
"Bu-But!"
"No buts! Even your father finally learned how important a good night's rest is. And a poorly rested mind is of little use to anyone." Oh how well she knew that little morsel of information.
"I only did two all-nighters in a row? Ari-mama, please? One more hour."
"Bed. Now."
"Okay.."
Jane was asleep before her head hit the pillow.
And Arizona wore the slightest of smiles as she gently tucked her too-battleship-like daughter into bed.
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And now Im'ma follow Ari's orders and crash.
