Chapter Text
“Commander!!! Help! Me!”
Maya suddenly said, racing into the Commander’s room (just as he was about to take a shower… typical…) in a panic. She clearly ran rather far, sweat and panic etched on her face. She looked like she just ran away from a horde of raptures in the desert. The Commander raised a concerned eyebrow as he watched Maya catch her breath.
“Maya, calm down. I need you to breathe…. What happened? Did you get in trouble? Did the raptures break into the outpost? Or-”
“MAYA SWEET-PEA~ COME BACK, WE’RE GONNA MISS THE BIG FLASH SALE!!!!”
“OH NO SHE’S NOT- ME AND HER ARE WATCHING TRIASSIC ZOO AND THAT’S FINAL!!!”
The Commander looked at the door, mouth slightly agape in surprise as two familiar Nikke barged in. To the Commander’s surprise, he quickly recognized them as the Ark’s resident shopaholic, Rupee and the Underworld’s very own Moran Blonde and Black tumbled over each other as the two women tussled while struggling to stand up.
Very quickly the two noticed their audience, scrambling to their feet.
“Sweetie! It’s good to see you!”
“Cadet!? W-what’re you doing here!?”
“Maya…” The Commander slowly turned back towards her, his eyes dead set on the woman’s face as she averted her eyes. “Explain… Rupee, Moran, you too.”
The three women stared at each other, nervous expressions all around.
4 weeks ago...
Rupee was excited for another grand shopping spree at the mall, gripping her selfie stick as she skipped along the sidewalk. She’d just had the biggest sale of her life, and had been salivating all week to get to spending it all. She paused though, as she realized she had a problem…
She really didn’t feel like doing the livestream alone today. Sure she couuuuuld do it on her own like she did most of the time, but today just felt like a day where doing it with someone else just sounded muuuuch more fun. But, sadly, her #1 go to–her beloved Sweetie–had already said he was going to be too busy to shop this week… :( But he was the most fun to collab with! It just wasn’t the same without the Commander. What was she to do now?
Just as she was about to suck it up and just go on her own anyway Rupee gasped. There! Across the street! Who was that??!? Standing at the street corner stood who else but the assistant Commander herself, Maya! As soon as Ruppe laid eyes on her, she knew… She, yes–Maya would be her next best shopping buddy! She just had that energy, that dormant shopaholic shine. It was like looking in a mirror of her younger self- almost like… like the daughter she never knew she had!
“You!” She shouted excitedly, rushing across the street without looking before leaping forward and grabbing a hold of Maya, her hands grasping the other woman’s in a ball. “O. M. G! You’re perfect! So pretty, so lifelike- I can see the sparkle in your eyes!!! You have to join me on my stream this time! Comeoncomeoncomeoncomeon!”
Before Maya had even the chance to accept, nonetheless respond, she was already gripped and yanked away as Rupee dragged her new “daughter” across the street and into the mall. As soon as they entered, she clicked the button on her selfie stick, beginning the live recording”
“HEEEEYYYYY Lupins~! Welcome back to Rupee’s Shopaholics An-no-nym-mouuuuussss~ I’ve got a special guest with me today! Everyone say Haiiii to my new co-host!!!! Say high to the fans, sweetie~”
Maya, confused and disoriented, awkwardly put up a hand and waved. “Uh… h-hi… there…? I’m… Maya? M-Miss, I think there might be a bit of an misunder-”
“Maya!!!! You have such a cute name, dearie~ Come one, come on, we’re burning daylight and not enough money! Let’s go spend alreadyyyyy!!!”
Rupee dragged Maya into the depths of the mall, trapping her in the thrall of the shopping queen’s stream and the whims of the need to shop ‘til they drop.
Maya, though, genuinely did enjoy herself. She had plenty of credits from her time at the central government, but never had she just… let loose and spend that money without a care. Yet here she was, dragged into a shopping spree livestream against her will and she was having fun. She felt alive, adrenaline pouring through her veins. As reluctant as she was to be dragged into this, she ended up realizing… It wasn't so bad.
A few hours later the two walked out of the mall, laughing happily with a dozen or so bags in their hands.
“Thanks for watching everybody~ Heeheehee, make sure you follow for more! Bye now!!!” Rupee shut off the stream before dropping her selfie stick and immediately grabbing a hold of Maya. The other woman was so startled she nearly fell over, dropping her bags across the ground.
“Oh you are just the best~ The only other person i’ve ever had that much fun with was Sweetie~! You really are the daughter I never had!”
Maya’s brain suddenly crashed, her face flushing as she stared up at Rupee and reality caught up with her all at once. “D-daughter…?”
Rupee, snuggled her up in a hug, planting a happy and strong kiss on Maya’s forehead, doting on her in an almost motherly fashion. The gyaru streamer helped Maya regain her bags, before picking up her own and leaving.
“Byeeeee Maya-boo~ Let’s do this again soon!”
Maya could only stand and stare ahead as Rupee raced off with all her goodies. The moment finally sets in as Rupee’s words proceed within her brain, the realization hitting her like a truck.
“...did I just get adopted…?”
2 Weeks Ago…
Moran stared down her opponent, taking a cool sip of her cocktail. Maya stared similarly, cracking her knuckles. The latter propped her elbow up on the table, leading Moran to do the same. The women glared at one another, fingers twitching. The air was thick… tense… so much so you could make snow angels in it. A bead of sweat dripped down Moran’s forehead, Maya chewed the side of her cheek.
In one split second, they both shot forward, Maya reaching forward quickly. Moran reacted accordingly, smacking away her hand as she stretched her other hand towards the prize. Maya retaliated, grabbing hold of the approaching hand. Moran thought fast, slamming her attacking hand down to launch up her beloved treasure. Maya pulled Moran down however, leaping up and-
SLAM
Maya hadn’t anticipated the plate being launched up as well, smacking her under the chin. As she fell back into her chair, Moran laughed triumphantly, snagging her victory from the air. Victory…
“Gotta be faster than that!” She taunted, grinning happily as she took a bite of the last dinosaur cracker, savoring its taste. “Hell, yeah… victory is delicious!”
Maya chuckled, lifting herself back up. “Alright… Alright, you win. Whaddya want me to do?”
The two had encountered each other at the Outpost’s bar by complete chance, and surprise surprise, they hit it off rather well. So well in fact, the two challenged each other to a bet. 17 dino crackers between them… whoever ate the last one had to do whatever the other said–within reason of course. Maya had readily accepted, seeing the opportunity for some good fun. As you can see, however, she had ended up the loser with Moran taking the win.
Now Moran had to decide: what did she want from her newest companion? She wasn’t going to use this to embarrass Maya, that’s not how she rolled. But… she couldn’t really think of anything she’d want Maya to do for her. She knew Maya was Cadet’s assistant, but if she wanted anything from him she could do that herself. Anything involving Sakura or Rosanna was off the table too. She’d rather spare Maya from any trouble with them. And goddesses forbid she told Maya to do anything to help with the Underworld! Absolutely NOT.
Well…she supposed there was one thing. Maya was fun, strong, and pretty dang friendly. Given how she talked about Cadet and his squad, she was also sensing some serious loyalty! It was a little like looking at another part of her, coming to life and given form. Before she fully thought it through, Moran had made her decision.
“You are gonna be my brand new kiddo!”
The blond woman across from her paused, her face morphing quickly from a playful expression to a baffled stare.
“Excuse?”
Moran suddenly grabbed Maya and picked her up, giving her a playful noogie in a half hug. “Heehee~ I can already see it–us bonding as an AWESOME mother and daughter duo! You’ll be like the kid I can never have! Y’know, cause I can’t reproduce and all-”
As Moran rambled on, Maya just stared blankly (conveniently missing the fact, thoughts rushing through her head. There was no way, right? Surely this wasn’t happening again? What were the chances she’d run into two women, in the same month nonetheless, who would want to adopt her as their daughter for no reason!? And why!?!? She’s a grown ass woman!
“H-hey, hold on now-”
“Two weeks from now, Triassic Zoo re-releases. It’ll be our first activity as a family!” The excited crime boss nodded hard and smiled wide, her mind clearly made up as she walked triumphantly out of the bar.
Exasperated, Maya could only sigh as she left some credits on the table to pay for them both, as well as calling the bartender for a heavy round of pink lemonade for herself.
That’s what led to, earlier today, 20 minutes ago…
Maya yawned, stretching on the bench as she looked up at the sky. Between the hectic mess of the ark, and the danger of missions… she knew well enough when to take some time to chill and appreciate the peace and quiet while she had it…
…unfortunately, even after the half a year she’s been here, the poor young woman had failed to learn the most important lesson of the Outpost:
There is no such thing as “peace” and “quiet” here.
“Daaaarrrrllliiinnngggg~!” Maya barely had time to react before she was grabbed from behind, arms wrapped around her and pressed her against the back of the bench. The ever happy voice and the strand of blonde against her face told her all she needed to know.
“R-Rupee!?”
The tanned shopper loosened her grip on Maya, pressing an affectionate kiss to her cheek and ruffling her hair. “How’s my dear daughter doing~? It’s been faaaar too long~”
Maya stood up, out of Rupee’s grasp, turning in surprise. “Uh- hey? You… need me for something?”
Rupee squealed with glee, practically leaping over the bench to get to her “daughter,” pinching her cheek. “Weeell, I was thinking it time for another day for us as mother and daughter~ And I have just the thing we can-”
“MAYA!!” A loud voice suddenly boomed across the outpost. Suddenly, speeding and stopping harshly appeared Moran, dressed in a much more casual outfit than before. Honestly, she dug it–all white, round glasses, and dinosaur and dragon theming… a pretty nice fit all things considered.
Moran suddenly paused, her expression shifting from one of excitement to confusion as her eyes shifted between Maya and Rupee. “Who… what is… going on here?”
Maya remained stunned, momentarily surprised by the
“I was just gonna take my dear Maya here on a nice day out with Mommy~” She says, pulling Maya to her once again, wrapping her arms just under her chest.
Moran looked between the two again, seeming even more confused than before. Just as quickly though, her eyes widened and mouth dropped open. A large blush appeared on her face, the look of embarrassment painting her features.
“O-Oh I… I didn’t realize you and Maya…” She shifted awkwardly, as if not knowing how to process what was happening. “I didn’t know you had a love life like that, Maya…”
Maya looked at her confused, not at all understanding what Moran meant. Rupee however, did, and recoiled in visible disgust.
“What!? No! That- She waved her hand, holding her cheek with a mortified expression. “I didn’t mean that at all! I mean in a familial way!” She hooked Maya to her side, smiling gleefully. “Maya is my new daughter~!”
“Ohhh…” Moran nodded, finally understanding… Suddenly she looked up at Rupee with a look of offense, finally understanding. “Excuse me!?”
She grabbed Maya by the arm, pulling her away from Rupee. “I’ll have you know Maya is my daughter, and we are going to go and see Triassic Zoo together.
Shocked, but also somewhat offended, Rupee wretched Maya from Moran’s grasp. “I don’t think so, madam~ I’m taking Maya to the biggest flash sale of the year! And we’re gonna shop until we drop~!”
The two women glared each other down, Rupee simply giving a harsh stare while Moran worse a scowl. It was pretty clear things were about to get pretty heated between the two ladies, and Maya dreaded the coming blowout. She was gonna need some help to resolve this…
“I just wanted a fun night out with my dear daughter… Is that so bad?” Rupee said, fanning herself with her phone.”
Moran huffed, rolling her eyes. “If you’re stealing another woman’s daughter, I’d say so…”
Rupee, in retaliation, stuck her tongue out with her own scoff. The Commander stood next to Maya, who seemed unsure of herself, clearly conflicted with the current situation. The Commander, though, was a bit at a loss himself. Out of all the wild, weird, and chaotic events to happen in his time as a commander… this was surprisingly uncharted territory. May not be as complicated or life-threatening as most situations… but he’s never dealt with any sort of… “domestic dispute” or lack of a better way of putting it.
He turned his attention back to the central point of the issues, that being Maya herself. He nudged her shoulder, causing her to look at him, clearly conflicted.
“I’ve got an idea of how to deal with this, but I’m pretty sure you should handle this. Things won’t get better unless you tell them yourself.” He put a hand on her shoulder, squeezing it softly. “You gotta stick up for yourself. I love everyone here, but sometimes you gotta stand your ground when they want something from you… I know that more than anyone…” (He mumbled the last part outloud, somehow more annoyed than he intended.)
Maya looked at him, frowning, but sighed and took a deep breath. He was right… as usual. The Commander patted her on the back, smiling proudly. She stepped up to the bickering women, pushing them apart.
“Okay, listen!” She said sternly, both Rupee and Moran stopping in surprise. “I… I never asked for either of you to be my moms. I don’t need a mom, I’m a grown ass woman for fucks sake you two. Hell, I haven’t even really known either of you for a month!” The two women looked at each other, guilt already seeping into their expressions.
“I loved the time I had with both of you, you both are great- I mean it. But fucking hell, fighting over a grown woman as if I’m actually you biological kid is… is asinine! Especially when-” She paused at the thought, looking slightly pained before shaking her head. “P-point is, please just calm down. Please… I don’t wanna see you fight each other, or be the cause of it.”
Rupee sighs and Moran looks away blushing, both ashamed and remorseful.
“I’m sorry, daring I just… No- I just got attached really quickly and… I guess I took it too far.” Rupee said, a rare and uncharacteristically sad look on her face.
“Yeah… I dunno what got over me. I’m usually much more mature than that…” She ignores the eyebrow raise the Commander gives her. “We shouldn’t fight over something so stupid.”
Maya looks between the two, her uncertainty giving way to a relieved smile. “Thank you.”
She turns back to the Commander, giving him a big grin. “Huh, you were right, sir. Heheh. That was… kinda freeing I guess. Guess we don’t need your idea after all!” She laughs.
“What was it anyway?”
“Oh, I was just gonna suggest you could be her moms together.” The Commander said, shrugging.
Rupee and Moran suddenly perk up, both with eager smiles on their faces.
“Oh- I can work with that actually!”
“I’m okay with that. Good thinking, Cadet!
“Wait, what?”
The two Nikke wrap themselves around Maya, joining her and themselves in a loving and smothering “family” hug.
“Commander!”
The man in question just laughs, sending a guilty and sympathetic smile in Maya’s direction.