Harry Potter & the Shipgirls

[darthcourt10]

KiMaSa

Before going back to Nagato chan and her friends (Who should beware the BoBs), one more update on Lady Jingo...

Honors of War

It was a rather impressive force that showed up to escort the passengers and crew of the ferry Belano Five, Jingo thought. First to arrive were undoubtedly a number of submarine shipgirls, soon joined by flights of faery piloted A6Ms and Hellcats and even some Corsairs and Reppus. Following them were TBFs, B5Ns, TBUs, B6Ns, D3As, D4Ys, SBDs, and SB2Cs. A virtual carpet of airpower ready to descend on anyone stupid enough to tempt them. Then the cruisers: Minneapolis, Northampton, Atlanta, Juneau, Chicago, and Houston, among others. Joined by Atago and Takao, Mogami and Mikuma, and Nagara and possibly a score of Destroyers. Then came the Battlewagons: Nagato personally leading Yamato and Musashi and Kongo and Haruna, joining New Jersey and Iowa and West Virginia and California. Enterprise and Hornet and Akagi and Kaga were soon joined by Unryu and Katsuragi, Saratoga and Shinano, Princeton and Shoho. And the USS Bon Homme Richard finally arriving, only once the area had been thoroughly scoured and secured.


It was an impressive force and the message was clear to Jingo: If she or Ruiner or now their own 'captives' Somber or Diabolic so much as twitched in a way the shipgirls deemed hostile, There was more than enough firepower to end them all.


Hopefully, there was enough firepower to protect them if the insane monster who bore her came looking this way. Jingo stood calmly waiting as Nagato, California, and West Virginia closed. West Virginia eyed Ruiner with a cold smile, her guns radar locked.


"I assume I address Nagato, of the Big Seven?" Jingo inquired politely.


"You do indeed. You are Jingo?"


Jingo nodded. She was no longer Empress Jingo or Princess Jingo but merely Jingo, soon to be Prisoner Jingo. "I am. With me are Ruiner, Diabolic, and Somber. Do you accept our surrender?"


"Do you understand that your surrender will be unconditional?"


"I do." Jingo knew it could be no other way.


"Then we accept your surrender," Nagato replied calmly.


Jingo nodded, now just a little scared of the future. "Please? Can you tell me? My people... My Fleet... Did they all get out? Did they reach Australia?"


"Yes," Nagato confirmed. "Yes, they did."


"Then, perhaps it wasn't all for nothing after all. "


Nagato glanced at the people lining up on the ferry, waiting to be taken aboard the Bon Homme Richard. "No, not for nothing. Not at all."

She looked at Jingo with an appraising eye. Naval Intelligence had never really decided what to make of the East Indian War Princess. Perhaps Jingo, herself, had no answer to exactly who she was. But whatever she was, she had proven the metal of her character.

"The Honors of War Apply, Lady Jingo."

"Thank you, Lady Nagato." She looked at Nagato quizzically. "Tell me, please? It is said that you adopted THE Northern Princess?" Jingo remembered reading magazine articles brought in by some of the smuggler contacts she had used.

"Yes. We call her Hoppou-chan."

"I admit to being envious of you both. She has in her humility what I failed to achieve in my pride."

"And what was that?" Nagato asked.

"To be loved and admired!" Jingo mocked herself. "The myth of the enlightened despot! In my mother, I witnessed the cruelest, most depraved monster in history. She murdered at least three of her daughters. For what? When we thought she was dead, I thought I could be something different. But the greatest structure will collapse if built on a flawed foundation. Joke of the universe! She who would be Queen!"

"But you saved your people and your fleet... And you saved these people today." Nagato reminded her.

"How could I do otherwise? I watched mother take life as if it were nothing to her. It made me sick. When we found the body of Nemesis and I knew mother was still alive, all I could think of was mother laughing and killing all of them, humans and abyssals alike. But if one would wear a crown then one is responsible for every choice And to do nothing is a choice that we can make but to do nothing when one has the power to act... To allow evil free pass is to support evil. I can't live like that." She looked at Nagato and sighed. "I'll admit the future frightens me. I assume there will be a trial."

"Undoubtedly. Though I think any court might be inclined to leniency." Nagato left it unsaid that as the first Abyssal Princess to voluntarily surrender, there might be an inclination to show mercy to Jingo so as to convince other Abyssals to surrender as well. That was a political consideration and for others to discuss.

"Nagato-san.." Jingo said quietly. "We know the brightest angels born in Heaven can fall. Can a devil born in Hell ever rise above the Abyss?"

"If she chooses, I believe, yes," Nagato replied. "Now... I think it is time we got underway. The future will take care of itself but it won't wait for us while we sit out here."

In the meantime, just because she was an honorably surrendered prisoner of war, didn't mean Ruiner was going to change a whit! She looked at West Virginia with a smirk. "Easy there Dead-eye! I'm not gonna try anything. I'm nuts, not stupid!" She looked around at the fleet centering around Bon Homme Richard and on Jingo and herself. Ruiner grinned over at New Jersey and Musashi. She just had to say it as her boilers began to build up steam...

"Head 'em up and Move 'em out!"

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Grin on his face, Harry folded the cloak that he had pulled out of the box with a laugh, "Oh man... Jane gets the best cosplay stuff!"

Somewhat amused, Natsumi shook her head a little, "I cannot believe that she actually, somehow, got an actual replica of the uniform that Organization XIII wears..." Pausing for a moment, she blinked, "Actually, come to think of it... we are talking about Jane."

Lightly blushing, Regina poked her fingers together, "Um... I think that it would look very nice on you, Harry." Inside her head, she imagined Harry wearing it beside her, which caused her blush to deepen, 'Very nice...'

A snicker made everyone turn towards Ryuujou, who grinned widely, "You know, you could wear that in magical areas, right?" At their surprised looks, she shrugged, "It would fit rather well, to be honest."

Both Haru and Hoshi shared a look before the Kyuubi frowned and gave a shrug, "Hai, it would fit and no one would give a second glance at you wearing it."

When the other magicals there nodded, Nagato sighed and pinched her nose, 'Somehow, I am not surprised at all...' Glancing at Harry, she could see a thoughtful look on his face, 'Which means that, at some point, he is going to wear it.'

Not long after, Akigumo handed the birthday boy an envelope, which he opened, "This is from me, Harry-Chan." She then gave him a wink as he pulled out a slip of paper, "One doujin, anything that you might like, written and drawn by me! Autumn Cloud!"

About to open his mouth, the teenage wizard paused before becoming thoughtful. Suddenly, he smirked a little bit, "Well... how about a fic where, after getting hit with a truck, Ise-Oba ends up in a fantasy world? Just make sure that she's got her Kai rebuild in it when wandering around."

Confused, Akigumo gave a shrug, "Sure? I mean, that sort of thing is popular, though that is pretty specific for an..." Trailing off, she sighed and pinched her nose though she had an highly amused look on her face, "Really, Harry-Chan? A pun?"

Hands in the air, Harry snickered, "Would I be me if I didn't try and make one?"

Eyebrows furrowing, Okita frowned and looked at the others, "Uh... a pun? What pun?"

Unable to help herself, Natsumi had her shoulders shaking as she tried to keep from laughing, "Um, Okita-Chan? Whom did he say he wanted to star and how?"

Blinking, the former Shinsengumi frowned, "Um, the shipgirl Ise? In her Kai form?"

Tone dry, the Kitsune gave her a look, "And what is that sort of genre called?"

Okita frowned even more, "It's called an Isekai... Oh for, seriously, Harry-Kun!?"

Unable to help herself, Natsumi started cackling while Nobu had a massive grin on her face before giving him a thumbs up, "Nice one!"

Moments later, the pale haired swordswoman smacked the former warlord upside the head as various people either sighed, groaned, or laughed at what Harry did.

It was not very long after when the last gift was unwrapped and Harry put it away carefully as he always had for his gifts. That was one of the things everyone noticed, he treated any gift he recieved as if it was precious, even if said gift was something that most would consider cheap. However, what made it all the better was the happy smile that was on Harry's face, which told them all that they needed to know.

With the last of the gifts put away, Harry was pulled to his feet by the Submarines. Before he could do anything, Shioi placed her hands over his eyes, which made him rather amused as they walked him through the small restaurant. That was, until they came to a stop and he could hear various mutters and the like from people suddenly stop for a few seconds before they came back with more force. After a few moments, Shioi pulled her hands away as her and the other Subgirls shouted as one, "SURPIRSE, HARRY-CHAN!"

His jaw dropped some as there, in front of him, was a massive, square birthday cake. Said cake was covered in white cream with the silhouette of a Nagato class on it. There were chocolate "Puffs" where the guns were, while strawberries marked the explosions of distant targets. As well, there were fourteen candles around it, flames flickering in the summer air.

Utterly shocked, Harry looked at the cake before turning to the Submarines, who all smiled. Hachi looked at the others and nodded a little, "We hope that you enjoy the birthday cake that myself, Iku-Chan, Imuya-Chan, Shioi-Chan, Maruyu-Chan, and RO-Chan baked for you." She then nodded towards it, "Go ahead and make a wish."

For a few moments, he was silent. But then, Harry nodded and took a deep breath before blowing out the candles, 'I wish for my friends and family to have many more happy days like this, so that I can continue to share said times with them.'

Less than a minute later found him with a plate that had a piece of cake on it. As he took a bite of the double layered, chocolate cake, jam oozing out between the layers, Iku chewed her lips a little, "Um, how is it? Did we do good?"

In reply, Harry swallowed his bite before smiling and giving her a kiss. Pulling back, he proceeded to do the same with the other Submarines before chuckling, "Delicious."

Granted, he was a bit confused at how all the Subgirls went completely red in the face with wisps of steam escaping from their ears.

But then, Harry shrugged it off as he continued to eat the cake. After all, just like he said, it was pretty delicious.

________________________________________________________________

Grin on her face as she looked over her shoulders, Natsumi gave a laugh, "Come on, Harry-Chan! Louisiana-Chan! We're nearly there!"

With that, she made her way down some wooden stairs on the otherside of the island from the beach. Sharing an amused look with Harry, the Battleship shook her head, "Well then, I suppose that we should follow ma Chérie, then."

Nodding alongside her, Harry took her hand in his as the two walked down the steps with them creaking under each foot. Reaching the bottom, they found Natsumi sitting back on the concrete platform that jutted out a bit over the ocean. Breeze whipping her hair along, she smiled at them and patted the stone under her hand, "Well? Aren't you going to be taking a seat?"

Lips twitching some, Harry chuckled as he sat beside Natsumi, Louisiana taking a place on the other side of him from the Kitsune, "Well, here we are."

Happily smiling as her ears twitched, Natsumi had one of her tails wrap around him, "Hai, here we are." Looking out over the harbour towards the city, she gave a small sigh before leaning her head onto his shoulder, "Here we are..."

Gently, he brought up one arm and placed it around her waist, which she snuggled into, "Hmm."

Softly smiling, Harry looked at her, though he was unable to help but also give her at least a once over. Part of that was due to the fact that over the past year, Natsumi had definitely grown. And even now, with her being fourteen, he could well tell that she would become a beautiful woman. Another part, at the same time was that due to her wearing a two piece, Harry could also see that all the effort that she had put into her training was definitely working out for her. In fact, he could see that she had become rather toned as well but in a good way. Any pudge that a normal girl her age might have had was gone, but it was not to an extreme like with a body builder either.

It was a leanness that fit her "Foxy" looks and also enhanced them, which he rather liked.

Eyes glowing in happiness, Natsumi's gaze met his and they both smiled before he leaned down. His lips touching hers, Harry sighed a bit before he deepened the kiss some as her own hand came up and fingers ran through his hair. When he pulled back, both of them were flushed and somewhat breathless, but she had a wide smile on her face, "Wow..."

Needless to say, those words brought a deepening of Harry's own flush. Hearing a warm chuckle, he turned to find Louisiana there smiling down at them as she leaned against his side. Meeting her eyes, the fourteen year old wizard didn't see any jealousy or annoyance. Just... happiness at what the two had just shared as well as love.

Thus, he reached up and cupped her cheek before gently pulling her down to kiss her as well, which the Battleship happily returned. When Louisiana separated, she was slightly breathless, and with her face utterly red. Yet, at the same time, she had a wide smile on her face as she gently ran a hand along his cheek, "Thank you, mon Chéri..." Leaning down, she only paused for a moment, "Thank you..."

Watching it, Natsumi smiled a little before Tamamo chuckled in the back of her mind, 'Oh? Not jealous are we?'

Internally humming, the Kitsune shook her head a bit, 'Oddly? I'm not.' Considering that, she became a bit thoughtful, 'I mean, you would think that I would be jealous of her. I mean, I do care deeply for Harry-Chan. But... I also feel almost the same for Louisiana-Chan as well. So seeing them like this...' Her tails swish a bit, 'It kind of makes me happy, though I suppose that I am a bit jealous as well come to think of it.'

At that, Tamamo made a thoughtful sound, 'Oh? How so?'

For a few moments, Natsumi was silent as she watched the shipgirl and teenage boy separate, 'I suppose... it is because I'm not involved.' A light blush appeared on her cheeks, 'And I don't mean just kissing Harry-Chan either...'

From the back of her mind, she could hear a knowing chuckle, 'Indeed? Well, that does make sense.'

With that, Tamamo disappeared, though Natsumi still believed that she was watching and observing. However, the teenage Kitsune ignored that and shifted some so that her legs straddled one of Harry's. Then, she leaned forward and kissed him, happily humming as his hand rested on her back as her own arms went over his shoulders, 'Oh yes... this is nice...'

Moments later, a purr-like sound escaped her as she felt one of his fingers gently scratching where her ear met her scalp.

Eventually, the three got up and began to walk up the stairs as they wanted to get back to the beach party that was happening. As she walked, Natsumi had a thoughtful look on her face before nodding as they reached the top, "Louisiana-Chan?"

Blinking, the Battleship tilted her head a bit with a smile on her face, "Oui, ma Chérie? What is it?"

Natsumi gestured for her to bend over some, which Louisiana did with a curious look on her face. Though she did smile as she fully expected a kiss on the cheek. After all, that was what Natsumi often did.

However, what she did not expect was for the Kitsune to kiss her fully on the lips before placing her arms over the Battleships shoulders.

Eyes wide briefly, Lousiana soon closed them in enjoyment even as she felt like her face was on fire. Off to one side, Harry blinked before flushing. He did, however, have a smile on his face just the same. After all, he didn't have a problem with it at all, and it made him feel warm inside.

Eventually, after nearly a minute, Natsumi pulled away with her own face covered in a deep blush, "Um... w-was that good, Louisiana-Chan?"

For a few moments, the shipgirl looked at her before getting down on her knees, not caring about the gravel on the ground. Then, she wrapped her arms around Natsumi's neck and pulled her close, even as the Kitsune placed her hands on the Battleship's waist, "What do you think, ma Chérie?"

Then, she leaned in and her lips met Natsumi's again and both girls hummed as they enjoyed it. When they pulled apart, Natsumi was somewhat breathless and opened her eyes to show that they were somewhat glazed. Licking her lips, she smiled a bit, "Well... I think that it was very good."

On Louisiana's face was a large smile as she warmly chuckled, the sound of which reminded the fourteen year old girl of warm honey somehow. Another chuckle made her turn to where Harry was watching them with his own smile. But rather than say anything, he just grinned and gave her a wink, which caused her blush to deepen, even as she smiled wider at the acceptence, and love, she saw in his gaze for the both of them.

Helping the American to her feet, the Kitsune held her hand as she walked over to Harry before holding his. Then, the three headed back into the woods as they made their way back to the beach, smiles on all their faces.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Thoughtful expression on her face, Ooi looked out onto the harbour as she leaned up against one of the pillars for the wharf. Her thoughts, however, were interrupted as Kitakami appeared and bumped her hip a little, "Something on your mind, Yuuko-Chan?"

Blinking, the Torpedo Cruiser looked over at her friend and was about to say something when she paused. After a few moments, Ooi gave a sigh and looked back out onto the harbour, "Just... thinking about some things, Rika-Chan. That's all."

Eyebrow raised, Kitakami walked over to one of the wharf's pillars and leaned against it, "Oh? What sort of things?" Not getting a response, she reached over and poked Ooi in the cheek, "Come on, Yuuko-Chan, you can tell me. I know that something has been bothering you a little all day after all."

With a glance at her, Ooi sighed a little, "It's... Harry-Chan's birthday."

Frown on her face, the other Natural Born frowned a little, "Hai? His fourteenth..." Trailing off, Kitakami shot her longtime friend a look before her expression saddened, "Oh, right."

Slowly, Ooi nodded and wiped at her eyes, "Sorry, I know that it should be happy and everything, but..." A sniffle escaped her as she looked at Kitakami, "Harry-Chan is a year older, you know? I've known Otouto for... fuck, nearly seven years? And I've seen him grow from a shy, adorable child to, well, the teen he is now."

Right at that moment, said wizard walked out from the woods with Louisiana and Natsumi laughing. Both Light Cruisers watched him as he laughed before waving goodbye to the two girls as he headed back down the beach towards the water. Neither said anything for a few moments as they watched him having fun. However, for a brief moment, both of them could see him as that young boy who they came to care for as a younger brother once more, a shy, but happy smile on his face.

And then... the moment was gone and he was a teen once more.

Taking a deep breath, Kitakami let it out, "He's grown up, but the two of us have barely aged at all..."

Voice soft, Ooi spoke up a bit, "Do you remember that teacher of his? The female alchemy one?" At her friend's nod, she continued, "A few days back, I made a comment about her to Juuchi-San and Carnwennan-San... and both of them recognized her. They stated that she was a shipgirl and had awoken sometime in the late 1600s, and is still alive. I... we've barely aged and we're not the only ones. And look at Akimi-San and Miu-San as well."

Eyebrow raised, the other Torpedo Cruiser turned her gaze to the two. Both older women were currently hitting on some of the male members of the Abyss Divers. It honestly would have been hilarious, especially with the unsure looks on the two males' faces. Kitakami didn't laugh though, as she examined the two closely and frowned as she remembered what they looked like before they were awoken.

Upon that thought, she felt a lump in her throat, "They look younger now..."

Slowly, Ooi nodded as she clenched her fist hard enough that Kitakami could hear steel strain, "Hai... much younger. They looked to be in their early thirties, and now? Now they look to be in their early twenties." Looking at her hand, the Light Cruiser's shoulders slumped as she felt tears come to her eyes, "We look to be eighteen, Rika-Chan, both of us. And we're in our late twenties... Tenryuu has been a shipgirl nearly as long and she hasn't aged. T-that means that... that while Harry-Chan grows older... as Otouto grows older..."

There was understanding on Kitakami's face as she reached over and placed a gentle hand on her friend's shoulder, "While we won't grow old and one day..."

Her eyes squeezed tightly shut, the other Natural Born clenched her jaw some, "One day, Harry-Chan will be gone from this world. A-and... and I'll still be here, without my Otouto."

Gently, Kitakami closed her own eyes as she felt like a fist was squeezing her boilers at the thought. Then, reaching over, she pulled Ooi into a hug, "Our Otouto will be gone..." For several moments, she held the other girl as she shook with nearly silent sobs and she stroked Ooi's hair, "He'll be gone and we'll be here, the years not showing on us."

Choking a bit, Ooi shook her head, "I... I love him, Rika-Chan. All my life I have wanted an Otouto, one just like him. B-but... but one day, he'll be gone. And him having birthdays where we mark him as a year older just... just hammers it home."

Tears in her own eyes, her friend nodded, "Hai, that is true." With a sigh, she closed her eyes and nuzzled the other girl before remembering another conversation, "Do you know... Yuuko-Chan, I asked Natsumi-Chan once about that? She's a Kitsune, and thus will also outlive Harry-Chan. How could she possibly care as deeply as she does for him when it will hurt her so badly when he goes? I remember her answer..."

****************************************************

Natsumi looked up at the clouds passing above with a slow blink, "How can I care so much for Harry-Chan, even though I'll live far longer... huh?"

Slowly, Kitakami nodded some as she stood beside the Kitsune, "Hai, I have been wondering that. I mean..." She looked away a little, "Kitsune live such long lives after all. A December to May romance, I think that they call it."

For a few moments, said Kitsune didn't say anything before nodding, "You are right, Kitakami-San. One day, I will need to confront the fact that... he'll leave. And you are right, that day will come and I will hurt. Hurt so badly that... that I will want to die and join him. And I accepted that."

Noticing some tears in Natsumi's eyes, Kitakami felt regret for giving into her curiosity, "Natsumi-San..."

However, Natsumi shook her head and gave the shipgirl a smile tinged with sadness, "I accepted that with my heart. Because each day I get to spend with him is a gift, you see." She brought up one hand and placed it onto her chest, "I don't want to call such feelings, when they come, regret. Because the only regret would be that he would not be here any longer, that I did not have more time to spend with him. But... even then, you know what?"

The shipgirl shook her head, "No, what?"

Looking away, Natsumi smiled some, a smile filled with an ache, "Even then, if that is the price for the wonderful memories that I will have? Of the times that I share? I will willingly take on that regret. Because it will make the times that I did have all the more precious and wonderful. And, in a way? Harry-Chan will still be alive, in my heart. Because I will have those memories and will treasure them always. And in that way, he will continue to live." Turning, Kitakami could see the smile on the Kitsune was beautiful in a way that few things were, "Because I will hold him close, and what better form of immortality is there... then to be loved by one such as us and remembered with that love?"

A lump in her throat, Kitakami only nodded even as she felt her own cheeks become wet, "Hai... that is true."

********************************************************************

Ooi just looked out onto the water in thought at that, eyes still wet, "She said that, huh...?"

Beside her, her fellow Light Cruiser nodded, "Hai, she did. And, in a way, it made sense you know. When Harry-Chan, when our Otouto passes... we'll hurt, we'll feel regret. But... I don't think that either of us can ever regret actually caring for him like that, no matter how much it hurts. It is the same for my parents, you know? One day... they will pass as well." A small smile came to Kitakami's face as she chuckled a little sadly, "But you know? I think that the two of us forgot something. And something important."

Turning to her, Ooi blinked, "Oh?"

With a slight nod, Kitakami smiled at her, "Hai." Closing her eyes, her smile grew a touch, "Shipgirls are made of memories of their crew and builders, it is what gives us our souls, written into us like DNA." The shipgirl opened her eyes and looked at Harry, playing in the surf, "And, in an odd way, that makes moments and times like this with him all the more precious. Because they become part of us permanently, and through that... he will continue on, through us."

Lips curling some, her friend leaned against her, "I like that... I like that a lot."

When she turned, Kitakami could see a smile on her face and nodded, "So do I, Yuuko-Chan." Reaching over, she took her friend's hands in hers, fingers entwining, "How about we go then and make more memories. So that our Otouto will continue to live on... forever."

Only nodding, Ooi gave a small laugh, "Hai." As they walked back down the wharf, she shook her head some, "Though I'm not too sure about having you on the beach. After all, that means everyone will see you in your swimsuit."

Eyebrow raised, the other Natural Born gave her a look over and snorted, "Like you're much better." She then shook her head a little, "After all, you fill that bikini better than I could!"

Laughing, and rubbing the back of her head, Ooi shrugged, "I've told you that all the food I eat goes to the best places after all."

And, with that, the two laughed and hurried up, they had memories to make after all...

___________________________________________________________________

Laughing as the Sun slowly sank towards the horizon, Harry slowly swam in the warm water. From where he was, he could see Nobu up on stage with her guitar as she played, massive grin on her face. His lips twitching, the fourteen year old gave the former warlord a thumbs up, which she nodded at as she launched into a new song. Swimming along though, he slowed as he came up to the wharf that lead to where the ferries and boats would tie up.

It jutted out into the water, with a concrete foundation along part of it, cutting a small part of the beach off from the rest. Because of that, no one really paid it much attention unless they were walking along the walkway on top of the wharf. And, from what he could see, that made it a nice, quiet place with privacy compared to the rest of the beach,

Which, he supposed, was why he could see Regina and Shinano laying there just enjoying the late afternoon Sun.

Making his way through the piers the wharf sat on, Harry swam up to the beach and smiled as he walked out of the waves. Both girls noticed him and lit up upon seeing him, with Shinano waving at him, "Harry-Chan!"

A light chuckle escaped him as he walked up to her with a grin on his face, giving her his own wave, "Shinano-Chan! Regina!" Coming to a stop before them, Harry placed his hands on his hips, "So this is where you've been hiding, hmm?"

On both girls' cheeks were a light blush, and Shinano shook her head, "Nooo, we haven't been hiding."

Poking her fingers together, Regina gave him a shy smile, "Um, we just wanted a little peace and quiet, Harry. So we decided that we should take a small break here." Looking around, her smile softened as she shared a look with Shinano, "D-do you want to come and sit with us?"

Just nodding, Harry walked over and sat between them, "Sure."

Moments later, a small blink escaped him as Regina's tail shifted until it was touching his back, almost like a small backing for him to lean up against. And, from the blush on the Re-Class' face, it was only partially the tail that had decided to do so. Both girls gave a happy hum as they looked out onto the waves and leaned against him a little bit. Something that got a smile from Harry.

It was then that Harry examined Regina and Shinano and lightly blushed some. Regina had forgone her usual poncho and simply decided to wear the usual Re-Class bikini. Needless to say, the top was strained slightly by her fuel tanks, while the rest showed off the toned form of a Battleship or Carrier. Especially when she stretched out her legs a little.

Turning to the other side, Harry could see a happy Shinano there in her silver one piece. One thing that he did notice was that while it flattened her chest a little and made her seem a bit smaller, it also hugged her figure. And, like Regina, her legs were stretched out showing the toned muscles that were there, and the same with her arms.

Gaze going back and forth, the teenage wizard smiled some before shaking it off, "So, um... have you been enjoying the party?"

Expression brightening, Shinano nodded happily, "Hai, it has been a lot of fun, Harry-Chan." Shyly smiling, she gave a hum, "Especially since you're here."

On the other side of him from Shinano, Regina also nodded, "Shinano is right, Harry. It has been a great day." Poking her fingers together, she had a similar shy smile to her friend, "Thank you for inviting me..."

For several seconds, Harry looked her in the eye before smiling as he shifted. Then, taking her chin in his, he tilted her face down and then kissed her. The Abyssal flushed deeply, especially as he deepened the kiss, but then closed her eyes until it was done. As he pulled back, Harry had a smile on his face, "You're one of my precious people, Regina, I would always invite you."

When he turned, the Yamato beside him had a stunned, but happy look on her face. One that stated she was happy that he had kissed Regina... Moments later, she got her reward as Harry kissed her as well, with much the same reaction as Regina had to being kissed. As he pulled away, her eyes were closed and her expression was one of pure bliss. Something reinforced as she opened her eyes and they glowed in happiness, "Harry-Chan..."

Scratching the back of his neck, Harry gave a chuckle, "Um... hopefully you liked that..."

Briefly looking at Regina, Shinano leaned in and kissed him before she pressed up against him. This time, she pulled away with a brilliant smile on her face, "Hai... I really did."

His turn to be stunned, the teenage wizard blinked a little, "I, um... see. Huh..."

Moments later, Regina leaned in and kissed him as well, her tail wrapping around his back and Shinano's waist as it brought all three close together. Pulling away, the Abyssal giggled a little with a flush to her cheeks before speaking in a whisper, "Mmm, this feels really naughty."

It took only a few seconds, but Shinano also giggled and nodded as she held Harry close, "H-hai! We're here all alone, and no one is watching. And..." She bit her lip and looked around, "And we're kissing like this... you're right, Regina-Chan. It does feel really naughty, like we shouldn't be doing this."

Shy grins on their faces, both girls giggled a little with blushes on their cheeks before turning to Harry. Said boy gave them a small shrug even as he placed his hands on their hips, "Well, I guess it does feel a bit naughty." Cocking his head to the side, he gave them a lopsided grin, "Does that mean that you want to stop?"

Once more, the two girls shared a look and giggle before shaking their heads. Leaning in, Shinano paused before her lips could touch his, smile on her lips, "No, because I kind of like being naughty like this."

With that said, she kissed him still smiling, which he returned. To the side, Regina had a happy smile on her face seeing it. One that was mirrored on Shinano's face when, after she pulled back, the Abyssal leaned in to kiss him. Both girls smiled happily when they saw the slightly goofy look on Harry's face.

At one point, as he was kissing her, Regina balance failed her and she fell back on the sand. Thankfully, the soft grains meant that it didn't hurt her where her tail connected with the rest of her body. But, it meant that now, Harry was straddling her waist on top of her with his hands on either side of her head.

Needless to say, she flushed deeply at that.

Eyes brightening, however, Shinano helped Regina up enough for her tail to shift to the other side, so that she could lay on the sand at an angle. Then, the Carrier pressed up against the two as much as she could as she kissed Harry, and then gave Regina one on the cheek. Yet again, both girls blushed and had shy smiles on their faces as they muttered about feeling even more naughty. Something that only got a shake of the head from the fourteen year old boy, though he didn't mind it in the slightest.

Unfortunately, a few hours later, the Sun sank beneath the horizon and it was nearly time to go. Everyone had enjoyed the day at the beach and were now sitting on the sand chatting happily as the skies above darkened from reds and oranges to purples and deep blues. The first stars of evening coming out and twinkling down at them as they sat with small campfires on the sand.

Stretching some, Ayase sat on the sand with a happy look on her face as she watched various shipgirls set up some fireworks near the waterline. A final bit of celebration for the very special day it was. Upon feeling the sand shift some, she blinked and turned before her eyes widened at who was there, "Harry-San? What are you doing here?"

In reply, said boy chuckled and sat down beside her, "I noticed that you didn't get any s'mores that were being made, so I brought you some over."

Lightly blushing at his close proximity, Ayase looked at the plate and smiled as there were several of the gooey treats there. Taking it, she gave him a happy hum, "Thank you, Harry-San."

His lips curling into a smile of his own, Harry lightly laughed, "You're welcome, Ayase-Chan. Besides..." He shrugged a little and made a motion of his hand, "If I'm going to be an Admiral, then I got to make sure that the people I care about are taken good care of. And that means making sure that they're properly fed."

That got a light laugh from the Sendai as she nodded, "I suppose so." For a moment, she looked into his eyes before turning back to the sea, "Um, Harry-San... could I ask you something?"

Eyebrow raised, Harry just turned to her though part of his mind did note that the dark orange two piece, with the boyshort's style bottom and "Wrap" for a top really looked good on her, "Hai? What is it?"

Chewing her lip, Ayase took a breath before looking back at him, "In the future... do... do you think that I could be one of your ships? That you would want to be my Admiral?"

Not answering right away, the teenage wizard looked her in the eye before nodding some, "You know? I think that I would like to be your Admiral, Ayase-Chan. And you would be awesome in that case." Seeing the happy smile that got him, he knew that he had said the right thing. The two of them spent a few minutes just chatting before he got up. But as he turned, Harry heard Ayase say his name and looked back at her, "Hmm? Ayase-Chan?"

She opened her mouth for a moment and paused before closing it. Trying again, Ayase took a deep breath, "Harry-San, could I... could I call you something else?"

Blinking for a moment, Harry just smiled at her, "Sure, like what?"

Lips curling into a soft smile, Ayase blushed a bit in the fading light, "Perhaps... Harry-Chan?"

That made him chuckle a bit and he bent down to kiss her cheek, "Sure thing, Ayase-Chan." What he did not notice in the light was how her cheeks redness deepened, or the small wisps of steam from her ears. About to leave after he straightened, Harry paused before looking over his shoulder, "Oh, and Ayase-Chan?"

It took a few seconds, but Ayase snapped out of her daze, "H-hai Harry-Do-Chan?"

While somewhat puzzled over what honorific she nearly called him, Harry shrugged it off and gave her a smile, "I'm looking forward to you taking the trip with us to harvest fruits and such at my manor." A light chuckle escaped him as he rubbed the back of his neck, "Might even spar against you for something new since Okita-San, Nobu-San, and Uesugi-San kicking my arse all the time gets old."

Just winking, the Sendai grinned some, "Don't worry, Harry-Chan, I'll make sure not to kick your arse that much." Laughing, Harry gave her a nod before leaving as she happily watched him go. Only once he was gone far enough, did she allow herself to squee a little, 'Eeee! Hai! I shall accompany you to your manor and spar with you! I cannot wait, Harry-Dono!'

A short distance away, Harry paused and blinked at the odd feeling that crossed his mind, 'Huh... that was odd.' Shaking it off, he only took enough time to get another plate of s'mores before walking over to the stone wall of a jetty. Upon reaching it, he leaned back against the stone with a smile as he looked at Niiyodo, "This spot taken?"

For her part, Niiyodo hummed a little as if in thought before smiling and shaking her head, "No, I don't think so." Shifting a bit so that their sides were pressed together, she gave him a happy smile, "Did you enjoy your birthday, Harry-Chan?"

Grin on his face, the teenage boy cocked an eyebrow, "What do you think?" Then, his grin softened to a smile as he gave a nod, "Thanks for all the work that you did to make it as good as it was, Niiyodo-Chan. I really appreciate it."

Blushing some, Niiyodo only gave him a small, happy nod, "I'm glad, and it wasn't that much of a problem."

Placing the plate with the s'mores onto the stone beside him, Harry shifted some and then kissed her. Something that surprised the Light Cruiser before she leaned into it as he deepened the kiss some. When they pulled apart, Harry had a smile on his face, "Still, thank you."

Just licking her lip, the Light Cruiser smiled back, "You're welcome..." Then, she leaned in and kissed him, the wizard kissing her back as he placed his hands on her hips. When they separated, she breathed deeply and grinned, "Very welcome."

Only humming, Harry nodded some before giving her a short peck and then leaning back, "We should probably enjoy the s'mores some before they get too cold. Especially with the fireworks about to begin."

Unknown to him, within Niiyodo's head she had another thought, 'I think that they already started...' Shaking off those thoughts, despite her blush, Niiyodo took the plate as well as one of the s'mores and bit into it happily as she leaned into Harry's side, one of his arms around her waist, 'Ah... this is nice...'

Meanwhile, said teenager was giving her a once over and blushed some. Niiyodo wore a swimsuit very similar to her sister's, except where Ooyodo's was blue, Niiyodo's was a light green. With his recent relevation, there was a part of Harry that wondered about that, if it was saying something. And a part of him was hoping that it was.

Still, he looked her over for a few moments and smiled, even as he gave her waist a squeeze, which seemed to make her happy if the way her smile grew said anything. After another kiss, which tasted of chocolate and marshmallow, the two leaned against each other as they shared the treats and watched as the fireworks went off, lighting up the night while finishing off the wonderful day that they had.

One that, for each one of the girls who held a special place in their hearts for Harry, and Harry himself, would give them wonderful dreams that very night and many after.

 

[darthcourt10]

KiMaSa

And now some more snips about Nagato chan! Do note that These are not quite caught up with current timeline.

Family Interest/Reaching Out


It was actually two days after Enterprise's meeting with Admiral Goto, that she returned, accompanied by Illinois, to answer questions from Nagato with Naka having another, very important engagement to attend first. The presence of Illinois was, of course, very deliberate as Naka had discussed with Enterprise that the 'Great Lakes Battleship' had a considerable fan following on the base. Naturally, her presence attracted more than a little attention, as was intended.

Naka's participation with the charity show was quickly cleared by Nagato, who found the project both charitably worthwhile and she was of the opinion that the performances would reflect positively on the Kanmusu forces.

Of course, Nagato had other reasons to approve as she had been following the appearances of her namesake ever since the incident in Northern Japan where survivors from Hoppou's Fleet of Laughter had nearly precipitated a panic before their identity and intentions were confirmed. Actress Nagato's choice to disobey instructions to evacuate the supposed 'threat area', instead, remaining with the children she and her partner Amagi had come to perform for had earned considerable respect and even a touch of pride in the battleship's eyes. Knowing that her lookalike was part of this project gave Nagato great interest in it and the possible opportunity to meet her in person as she, like her namesake, had been frustrated by the failure of several officially planned meetings to come off. This time, it seemed the red tape had been circumvented and Nagato planed to take advantage of the opportunity.

Picking up one of the fliers left by Enterprise, advertising the event, Nagato returned to her quarters after her duty shift was over. She showed it to Harry and Hoppou.

"If you're busy or would rather not go, I'll understand but I've been wanting to see these girls myself for a while now."

Harry smiled, having been told about the whole thing by Naka. "Actually, it could be fun, mom." Harry considered for a moment. So, mom? If she's made in your image, she's kind of like a daughter, isn't she?" Hoppou quirked her head at that.

"Po?"

Nagato considered. "Hmm... I hadn't quite thought of it that way but I guess you're right, Harry."

"Well, family supports family, right mom? So this is in what? a week? I'll call cousin Jane and we'll show sis just how much family she really has!"
***

"So? I know mom would be glad to see Aunt Mutsu there."

"I'll see what I can do. We'll need someone to watch the twins."

"I know, just hoping."

"Sure thing! How much are the tickets, anyway?"

"Two to three thousand yen, depending on the seats."

"Wow! That's pretty good! Well, like I said, I'll talk to dad first and see."

"Thanks, Jane."

After calling Jane, Harry talked to Natsumi and then Shinano, who admitted that she was interested to see her sister's twin as well.

"So, you're saying that this other Nagato is like Nagato's daughter? Hmm... That would mean the other Yamato is like my niece!"

"I suppose that's true," Harry agreed.

"Do you think there will be enough seats? We have pretty big families after all."

"Well, the auditorium has 14,000 seats, and somebody still has to look after the country in the meantime, so I think there will be enough."


***



Meanwhile, back at Hogwarts, one of the Professors was reading over the International section of the Daily Prophet. The last article was about the arrest of a 'cult' of American wizards who had been caught having stolen an artifact from the Muggle 'Smithsonian Museum', potentially endangering the Statute of Secrecy. The article noted that the artifact, 'A model flying machine from a Muggle entertainment show' was returned undamaged so the SoS was luckily preserved. Annoyed hands clenched the paper tightly.

Bloody fools. He thought, meaning both the thieves and the fool who wrote the article for the Prophet. A 'model flying machine' indeed! If they HAD damaged her, they would be lucky if I never found them! I wonder what those fools thought they were doing...

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A.N. -- Well, having spent the time off, I'll be giving the SB thread one chance, so crossposting some of the things I did for SV in the hiatus. Please don't make me regret this decision. As always, thanks a ton, MagisterAurelius for letting me link Ehren into the Ship of Fools cast.

As promised, Ehren does earn her happy ending, and here's a future peek at part of it.

A Malfoy Family Moment

Malfoy Manor

Sometime in 2020
Spoiler: A Malfoy Family Moment

Draco opened the door to his father's sitting room for the pair of beautiful young women trailing him.

Ehren returned his warm loving smile as she passed him with a tithe of her normal lethal precise grace. The reason for the change in her was obvious. She held a one month old baby in the crook of each arm, while she looked radiantly happy in her loose cream-colored house dress over soft slippers. The reason for the necessary changes in her normal preferred wardrobe was clearly visible in her swollen belly containing her unborn first child.

Draco's smile widened as he remembered having been awakened early this morning when Ehren had grabbed his hand in an iron grip. She had pressed his hand to her bare stomach so he too could feel their baby's featherlight first motions. Tears of joy had filled her luminous steel-blue eyes as she whispered to him and Niobe in wonder. "She just kicked."

Of course, that was the cue for Thutmose Anton to announce that it was now time for midnight breakfast and a diaper change by beginning to cry, joined by the others in stereo from the nursery next door. Ehren had promptly untangled herself to dutifully nurse him and his twin brother Markus Seti. Meanwhile, Niobe, cuddled on the other side of him, had in turn headed after Ehren to tend to her son Maximilian Narcissus and Max's hour older half sister Johnston Junior (known to her family as JJ).

Just like clockwork, all four little darlings were ready for Mother and Mutti to provide milk for hungry stomachs to turn into future noise and something eldritch and foul in the diapers (that Draco was privately convinced was the fourth Unforgivable Curse). An opinion that the wives all agreed with while thanking higher powers that there were charms to ward off the unique aroma.

Narcissa had been delighted to teach all her daughters-in-law an old Black Family charm to allow them to lactate to feed infants to help them with this experience of motherhood (along with the aforementioned odor-deadening spell). This had turned into a shared experience that all four girls had taken to with unalloyed joy at the chance to bond with their children.

For they were all their children, no matter whose body had actually carried them to term. Draco had rapidly realized that few things in his life were better than sitting with his wives nursing their infant children while they all talked together as a family and grew closer to each other as so much more than the sum of their separate parts.

A tender, loving kiss on the cheek broke him from his reverie to look at the other wife currently in residence today. Niobe was now back to her normal elegant look with her mass of long silver hair up in a Psyche knot allowing a few artfully arranged and styled curls to frame her face instead of the Medusa of last night's feedings. A gray silk blouse buttoned to the neck and a pencil skirt accentuating her slim and graceful lines completed the look of a prim and proper Victorian lady.

Diamonds sparkled from a dangling earring that Max was reaching chubby hands to try to play with as Niobe cradled their firstborn son, accentuating glimmers of mischief in her violet eyes. "{Roll in the sheets tonight for your thoughts, Liebchen?}" Niobe whispered in German with a demure and innocent expression on her face while she rocked the drowsy Markus in the crook of her other arm. He smirked in knowledge of what hidden depths lurked under that expression of the perfect Wilhelmine Noblewoman that he had won and wed.

He closed the door behind her and gently poked Max's stomach with a fingertip, causing Max to gurgle happily. "I was just thinking about earlier when Ehren woke us up because her baby kicked for the first time," he said quietly. He turned to the quartet of adults waiting for them and watched Ehren smile as she handed over Thutmose to the eager hands of her mother and stepmother -- now grandparents. He continued softly with a fond smile on his face. "Motherhood is so good for dear Ehren."

Niobe nodded at the glowing dagger spirit, "Ja, it is. Thank you once again for winning her hand to prevent her little declaration of penitent suffering from becoming a complete disaster. She really is too nobly self-sacrificial for her own good more often than not. Understandable with her history, but she needs a firm hand on the wheel to steer her at times." The German shipgirl finished with a smouldering look at her husband.

Draco's fond smile turned into a knowing smirk as he escorted Niobe toward where Narcissa, Lucius, Tokunotakai, and Colombe waited. "{Just like a certain protected cruiser needs her Flottenadmiral to handle her decisively when authority is required, ja?}" He spoke in German with mischief in his eyes.

His smirk widened as Niobe's cheeks turned pink as the salvo landed home in her citadel. She redoubled her look -- promising him a truly wild night once the children were put to bed -- before hiding that promise behind her innocent and demure facade as they approached his parents.

Narcissa approached Draco and Nimue regally. Meanwhile, Ehren spoke warmly with her mother Colombe and stepmother Tokunotakai while they admired Thutmose and JJ. "Draco, Niobe. Such a pleasure to see you out and about. Ehren said that her child kicked her this morning too." Narcissa said with a hug for her son and then a tickle for Max.

Draco chuckled as Niobe carefully transferred Max to his grandmother's care while Markus yawned before resuming his nap. "Taube did. Ehren woke us up to feel her move and kick. I have rarely seen her happier, perhaps her wedding day. Perhaps."

Narcissa wiped a tear from the corner of her eye as she sat back down on the sofa next to Lucius. Narcissa then nodded to her son and shipgirl daughter-in law as they cuddled together in a loveseat next to it. "Motherhood is like that. I can remember doing much the same with your father when you and Nimue began to stir."

Lucius leaned over and kissed his wife before beginning to play peekaboo with Max. "And if we had known then how little sleep we would get after the birth tending to you, we would still have done the same. Take it from me, they learn to sleep through the night. Eventually." He gave Draco a knowing look.

Both sets of parents shared a wry laugh at the memory of midnight feedings and diaper changes. The Malfoy patriarch continued. "I confess I was surprised and a little concerned that Ehren took so long to become pregnant. Ahh...no problems there, Son?"

Draco shook his head and chuckled fondly. "No, no, Father. Ehren is ever-practical so she elected to delay motherhood so that I would have an assistant to tend to Niobe, Cleopatra, and Johnston when they... 'laid keels' is the saying among shipgirls I believe." Niobe blushed and nodded. "That way, I had her to help us with food cravings, feedings and the like. Once Niobe and the others were far enough along, Ehren then allowed her true body to be unsheathed to make her fertile and you see the results. She was quite eager to conceive then." He finished with a joy-filled smile at the memories of exactly how eager Ehren had showed herself to be.

Narcissa smiled knowingly, "It's good to see." She then hastily prevented Max's attempt to gnaw on her dress sleeve.

Meanwhile Lucius spoke thoughtfully with a small smile. "In hindsight making the decision to approach her that day in Jardine was one of the best that I have ever made; equal to wooing and wedding a certain eligible debutante from the Ancient and Noble House of Black and encouraging your interest in your little fleet of shipgirls." His eyes sharpened as he looked at his son and his voice gained a certain curious tone. "Have you deduced why I made the arrangements with Colombe to allow you to court then-Miss du Chasteler?" Lucius said as Ehren walked into earshot after leaving the du Chastelers to fuss over the babies behind her.

Draco rubbed his chin in thought as Ehren approached and then absently expanded the loveseat into a small couch to give her room to sit beside him.

"The obvious answer would be that my marriage to Ehren furthered our alliance with the du Chastelers and reunited our branches of the House of Malfoy." Draco said as Ehren sat down with a sigh of relief. Draco then continued, looking his father in the eye. "But since it is you making the decision, the obvious answer is not the only one."

Ehren kissed her husband and cuddled into his side, placing his hand on her swelling belly. "The family alliance was a reason certainly, much to the mutual profit of our families. But I think the actual reason was less about what I represent and more about who I am."

Ehren's voice grew as sharp and precise as the strikes of her true body as Niobe nodded along in agreement. "Consider this, my love. When your father made the decision to approach Mutti for permission, he was also in the process of making initial arrangements to withdraw from public life and the directly active pursuit of politics once you were old enough to inherit from him formally. That secured the Malfoy Family's future via a 'break from the mistakes of the past' that allowed certain old actions to be... overlooked." Draco nodded as he saw the chain of logic being laid out by Ehren. "This would be highlighted by your marriage ties through me to the du Chastelers who were seen by the muggles as heroes for Verdun, our ties to Aunt Delilah and the de Breuils, and so on. Plus the du Chasteler assets that I brought to the table in my dowry such as my five percent share holdings in ThyssenKrupp AG."

Ehren raised a finger as her voice became cool and clinical. "That is the what I am, but as for the who.... This gambit necessarily would have placed you in charge of the House of Malfoy, love. Advised by your parents and guided insofar as you wished to listen to myself, Niobe, Wash, Cleo, or Johnston certainly, but as you know, this is a position of major responsibility with its associated perils and pitfalls."

She locked eyes with the intent senior Malfoys and winked. "Which meant that he had to insure that you had someone available who has the moral character and courage to stand up to you with the honest advice you need to hear so as to prevent any avoidable political missteps thanks to unnecessary underhanded dealings pissing off the Muggles. Ideally that someone also has if needed a ruthlessly pragmatic streak when certain actions are unavoidably called for that handle problems discreetly with a minimum of the required actions splashing on us." Her lips quirked in a smug smirk. "Intelligence and a subtle mind to see threats coming and neutralize them would be a plus both defensively and offensively when action is needed to increase our holdings and secure our future."

Then her wrist twitched, making her true body appear with charmwork glimmering to make the live steel safe to handle. Ehren gently handed herself to Draco and closed his hand on the hilt that had her du Chasteler arms impaled with his Malfoy heraldry. "In short, this someone is a honor dagger standing in readiness to protect our honor, provide moral guidance, and if needed do what daggers such as I are crafted to do. Protect our family by utilizing surprise, stealth, deception, and death from the shadows. Niobe, Johnston, and Cleo are wonderful dears, as is Wash, but none can do what I do for us Malfoy-du Chastelers just as I cannot perform their roles. As a family we are at our strongest when united under common cause as we look after each other."

Lucius gave her a nod of respect as she finished her analysis.

Meanwhile, Narcissa smiled happily at her youngest daughter-in-law while Ehren gave a smug grin of triumph . Markus then put his two cents into the family discussion with a cry as he woke up, quickly resolved by Niobe giving him milk for breakfast.

Draco chuckled at the byplay. Then he sighed wearily as Max began to fuss and cry too, with the unmistakable warning signs of a soiled diaper. Again.

"Accio Diaper!"

Draco lightly tapped Ehren's pregnant belly with the flat of her dagger body just before handing her blade back to her and rolling up his sleeves to prepare to change his oldest son's diapers for the newly summoned replacement. "One day in the future you will provide that for our sons and daughters when they need you to be there for them, my beloved Ehrendolch." He spoke before taking his son back from his mother for the needed diaper change.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A.N. -- Harry's snip with Kitakami and Ooi talking about Harry sparked my muse. For reference this takes place in the future after Draco elects to pursue Ehren as the dagger struggles with her feelings for him and whether to accept his suit. Happy Memorial Day, Everyone (for two more hours)!

A Dagger's Question

Castle Moulbaix

November 2016

"Mutti? May I have a moment of your time?" The quiet and cool question cut across the cozy space of the firelit study in time with the gentle patter of rain on the windowpanes.

Colombe looked up from the leather-bound copy of The Scarlet Pimpernel that she was reading to see the stiff and proud figure of her youngest daughter standing in the door to her study.

"Always, Ehren. Come in." The French Rapier responded as she placed a ribbon bookmark to mark her place. She then watched as Ehren closed the door behind her before marching to her favorite chair by the roaring fire in the fireplace and sitting stiffly in it.

Colombe sighed mentally at the stiff and erect posture of her daughter, reading the signs of subtle distress under the cool control thanks to long experience.

The elder spirit then set her jaw as she braced herself mentally.

Nothing for it but to take this Teutonic Bull by the horns when Ehren's in one of these moods.
Spoiler: A Talk About Love

"What's wrong, Ehren?" Colombe said as gently as she could as she walked to the matching chair by the fire. "Do you want a drink?"

Ehren blinked and gave a minute shake of her head. "No drink, Mutti. I was just... thinking. About certain important matters." She responded in a slightly abstracted tone before looking into the roaring fire as she finished.

Colombe sat down and surveyed the cool and controlled expression on her daughter's face. "I see. What are they? If you don't mind sharing, of course."

Ehren sighed and then looked her mother in the eyes. "Is it worth it?" She frowned and leaned forward with a whisper of cotton from her starched blouse and rested her elbows on her skirt-covered knees, interlacing her fingers. "Romance I mean. With someone who I shall outlive for centuries barring mischance or ill-fortune."

Automatically Colombe's eyes shot over the fireplace to a three-quarter profile portrait of a short, dark-haired young woman dressed in a scarlet Victorian ballgown and writing at a desk. As if summoned by her gaze, the portrait animated and gave them a slightly perverse smile. "Did someone call the Goddess of Erotic Romance's name?"

Colombe sighed with bittersweet fondness, "Lyra...."

Lyra smirked and raised a finger as she closed the diary that she had been writing in. "I'll be good, I promise. For once." The witch looked at the dagger and rapier and then leaned back in her chair.

Colombe muttered with a small smile on her lips at some memory as she blushed. "That's what you said in 1921 too." She then focused back on the impassively waiting Ehren.

"I suppose you came to me since I have had experience with friends, family, and loved ones passing away. Papa. Marie-Claire. Johann Gabriel. Gabriel Potter. Karl and Tamenokalt. Ian and Lyra. Helmar." Colombe said quietly.

Ehren nodded silently.

Colombe leaned forward in turn and looked deep into Ehren's eyes. "Draco?"

The question hung in the air like a guillotine blade.

Ehren nodded once again with her face very controlled.

Colombe took a very deep breath and spoke quietly from the heart. "He is a fine young man, and is worthy of you, but you do not need me to sing his praises I suspect. You already know that I gave my permission to allow him to court you as he has been doing."

The rapier took a deep breath. "As for the worth of a relationship with those whose ghosts stand endlessly by me, and forever shall? I cannot tell you the answer, for my answer might not be yours, Ehren. Save that I can say that walking away from their graves is the hardest thing that I have ever had to do in my long, long life. Do you know why?"

Ehren bit her lip, visibly thought, then slowly shook her head. "Nein, Mutti."

Colombe and Lyra responded as one. "Regret, Ehren."

Ehren blinked in surprise as Colombe continued her explanation with tears in her eyes. "Not regret for the moments we shared together, never that. Regret for the moments that we could have shared but for whatever reasons we did not. The regret that we could have had more time together to make additional shared memories to keep in my heart. But we did not because of my other reasons at the time. Duties, failings, fears, damage to my psyche." Colombe shrugged expressively.

Then the rapier pinned the dagger with her gaze as she finished. "But those memories of myself and Lyra, myself and Ian, myself and Gabriel, myself and Marie-Claire? Never regretted for a moment, when I remember them they are with me as alive now as they were in that instant." Colombe gave a fond smile.

Ehren nibbled her lip and finally spoke. "Then my choice?"

Colombe sighed, "I cannot make that choice for you. No one can. I can just advise and share my experience. But ask yourself this, my daughter. Would you give up your shared memories of yourself and Claire for anything?"

"Nein, Mutti!" Ehren automatically snapped out from her heart.

Colombe nodded. "I could ask the same of your other loved ones, of course. Even your poor mother." Her lips curled in a smile. "You also have one advantage in any relationship you could pursue with Draco that I lacked with Lyra and Ian." Her eyes flicked to the painting.

"Oh?" Lyra leaned forward while her eyes glittered with curiosity as she surveyed her old lover.

"Was ist das, Mutti?" Ehren asked.

Colombe sighed deeply. "When I first met Lyra and Ian I was... damaged... quite severely. It took them both decades of their care and comfort to help heal me enough to get me to live for myself once more. For decades I was living for them, not myself because of what Hippolyte and my then-failure to confront Father had done to me. This was compounded by my experiences in the Great War and then the shock of Ian's death afterward due to health complications from some of his war wounds." The rapier's voice was very sad. "By the time I was healed enough from all that to contemplate the question privately, Lyra was beginning to show her advanced age in 1937."

Colombe paused, looked lovingly at Lyra's painting, and then spoke quietly. "I thought about asking her to quicken a child that I would bear. But... I chose never to ask."

Lyra's eyes shot wide open and her painted tears fell. "Oh Colombe...." she whispered as her hand covered her mouth.

Ehren blinked. "Why not, Mutti?"

Colombe lowered her head. "Because if I did ask her, the child, our daughter, your half-sister would grow up without one parent at a minimum since Lyra would have died before she reached adulthood. Perhaps both parents because by that time, I could see the storm-clouds of war gathering in Europe to threaten me and mine as you know full well." The voice was filled with pain and regret.

Colombe then looked into Ehren's shocked eyes. "I went through childhood always wondering what my Mother would have been like, why Mother had died and left me alone, why my Papa looked at me oddly at times, knowing I was a bastard born out of wedlock and taken in by charity, then asking myself what I did wrong to cause my Father to abandon me when Papa told me the truth of my heritage. A foster father, even the best and greatest one such as my Papa, can fill many needs of his daughter, but never those. Never those. I would never allow for any child of mine to be abandoned, to have to go through what I endured growing up as the cuckoo's egg in the nest. The girl who was different, the outsider, the one who sometimes thought that she never belonged because she had been abandoned by her parents."

Colombe barked a bitter laugh and shook her head. "Irony of ironies is that by that time, both Estelle and Ying were mine and both turned out more than well despite my unknowing neglect. But that held me back from giving you an older sister with Lyra. A regret that I have not for myself, but for Lyra, who loved her family of blood and choice both so deeply. I never gave her one of mine to love as her daughter. A regret that I hid carefully from her to not cause her undue pain in her final years. She knew as well as I the pains of a parentless child after helping me come to terms with that part of my heritage."

Lyra whispered sadly, "Oh Colombe.... Oh Colombe!" She shook her head. "I never knew."

Ehren stood, strode over and hugged her mother. Then she spoke. "Then my advantage with Draco?"

Colombe returned the hug. "Is that should you choose to pursue the path alongside Draco that I never took with Lyra, your child, my grandchild shall have a father and mother both who love him as a child should be loved."

Ehren squeaked as her cheeks pinked. "Me, a mother, Mutti!?"

Colombe smirked and spoke in a proud voice. "Well I know that you will put in the hard work and study to do motherhood right, dear."

Lyra got a perverse smile. "And I'll tutor you for the bridal training!" Her voice was filled with unholy delight.

Ehren's cheeks flamed scarlet as Colombe shot the painting a dirty look marred by her uncontrollable fond smile and blush.

"DAMMIT, LYRA!!"

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Walking into Mamiya's, Eric gave a smile as he noted who was there, "Hinata-Chan!"

Said Jorogumo turned and her expression brightened as she noted who her visitors were, "Eric-Kun, Sora-Chan! Welcome to Mamiya's."

Lightly chuckling, Sora smiled back at her before taking note how she wore a blouse and pair of jeans, "Thank you, Hinata-Chan." After a moment of looking around, she hummed a little, "No one here?"

Hinata shook her head a little with a small smile on her face, "Not right now, no. Mamiya-Nee-San is currently out on Sarushima helping with a party for Nagato-San's adopted son, Harry-San..." She paused a moment at that before shaking her head, "And it's one of the quieter times of day for business as well."

Only nodding, the Kyuubi considered that before humming as her tails swished behind her, "I see." Suddenly, she brightened with a smile as she considered things, "Well, then maybe you can come and sit with us? It has been a bit since we caught up with each other."

Cheeks pinkening, Hinata looked away some, "Um, it looks like you're on a date. I couldn't get between you..."

Much to her surprise, Sora waved her off, "Don't worry so much about it, Hinata-Chan. Both Eric-Kun and I wouldn't mind catching up with a friend so it wouldn't bother either of us."

If anything, that caused the light blush on the Food Ship's cheeks to deepen as she looked away a little, "If you're sure...?"

With a brief glance at his girlfriend, whom smiled back at him as they silently held a conversation, Eric turned to Hinata and gave a smile, "I don't mind at all. That is, if you don't mind sitting with a beautiful fox and a one armed cripple-"

Almost like a switch had been flipped, Hinata went from embarrassment to anger, "Who called you that?! Because when I get my hands on them, I'll make sure that they will have arachnaphobia for a long time to come!"

Eyes widening, the lone human held up his lone hand, "Whoa! No one called me that..." He silently continued in his head so that neither would hear, 'Or, at least, to my face.' Clearing his throat, Eric gave her a smile, "I was just making a joke at my own expense."

Shoulders slumping a little, Hinata flushed again, "U-um, right. Sorry about that..." Taking a breath, she turned back to him before wagging a finger at him with a scowl, "But you shouldn't say things like that about yourself, Eric-Kun. You are many things, but in my eyes, a cripple is not one of them!"

Once more, Eric nodded and held up his lone hand, "Understood, Hinata-Chan." A glance to his side showed him that Sora seemed more amused than anything else, which made him internally sigh a little, 'Because of course she is...'

Granted, he was pretty amused himself at Hinata, though he didn't show it.

Taking a deep breath, the Jorogumo nodded, "R-right, do you want a table or a booth?"

For a few moments, Sora considered the question before smiling, "How about a booth? That way we can sit beside one another or across with some privacy?"

Considering that, Hinata smiled a little before nodding, "I think that I know one that you might enjoy." They followed the spider Yokai to one of the booths, which she gestured at, "Here we go."

Just humming thoughtfully, the Kitsune considered the booth, which was more a "U" shape than the normal one where you would have just seats on two sides of the table. With a small nod, Sora grinned a little as her tails swished in the air behind her, "This is perfect." Still grinning, she turned to Hinata before bowing a little, "Would it be okay to order?"

Lightly chuckling, Hinata nodded at that, "Of course." From seemingly nowhere, she brought out a paper pad and a pen which she clicked, "What would you like?"

Glancing at each other with an amused look, the couple shook their heads before Eric spoke up, "Two ginger ale floats, please."

Beside him, Sora raised two fingers, "And two parfaits, one Yamato sized and the other what you might feel like, Hinata-Chan."

Upon hearing that, the other shipgirl nearly dropped her items, "F-for me? But..."

However, before she could finish, a fluffy tail pressed itself against her lips and Sora smiled at her, "You're a friend and I do have the money for it. So I'm going to treat you a little." Tilting her head as she pulled back the tail, she giggled a little, "And also get yourself something to drink as well."

Clutching her notepad to herself, Hinata flushed some, but still smiled happily, "Hai, just give me a few minutes to make everything."

With that, she turned around and walked away somewhat happily. Beside Eric, Sora noted where his eyes were and smirked a bit as she followed the gaze. Mainly because, from behind Hinata and the apron that covered her front, it was obvious that her jeans hugged her long legs and behind. Unlike most girls, who would have been angry or jealous, Sora instead was amused.

After all, with everything that the two of them went through, she was comfortable with their relationship and knew that her boyfriend would never leave her for another woman.

Smirk on her face, Sora hummed a little, 'Of course...' Leaning towards Eric, her smirk grew, "She's got an amazing pair of legs and one hell of an ass, doesn't she, Eric-Kun? I bet you, one could bounce a coin off that ass and get change back."

Flushed at being caught, Eric turned to her and sighed at the fact that his girlfriend was more amused than anything else, especially with the teasing tone she took. Then, he smirked a little himself, "Like you weren't looking?"

Eyes lighting up, the Kyuubi Battleship gave him a grin that showed off her fangs, "Of course! How else would I know what that ass looked like?" She then gave a shrug, though she snickered as his flush deepened, "Though I can't really blame you for looking, Jorogumo are like that~"

Only sighing, Eric shook his head before turning and kissing Sora, the Kyuubi's tails slowing and stilling for a moment before swishing around rapidly as the kiss deepened. Pulling back, he smiled back at her, "I love you, Sora-Chan."

Staring at him for a few moments, Sora gave a whine, "No fair, Eric-Kun. Pulling that on me here when there's no real privacy..."

Moments later, she yelped a little while her boyfriend's smile became a grin, "All's fair when dealing with Kitsune, Sora-Chan~" Removing his hand from her ass, he walked over to the booth and began to slide his way around, grin still on his face at the flustered look on Sora's face, "You're adorable when you have that expression."

Cheeks puffed out and deeply flushed with both embarrassment and anger, Sora gave him a glare. It was ruined, however, by the amused twinkle in his eye, "Just you wait until we get home."

Now at the middle of the booth, Eric placed his elbow on the table and leaned his chin against his hand, "And that I'll be waiting for."

That got him another huff from his girlfriend, but she then entered the booth and scooted along one side. Hinata, meanwhile, had to bite back a giggle as she watched the antics of the two where she worked to make their orders. While she was too far away to quite hear what they were talking about, the actions that they took was enough to amuse her. It was obvious to her eyes just how much the two loved each other, and it was a deep love to be sure.

Granted, seeing it made her sigh a little as well. As a Jorogumo, she knew that there would be issues with finding a significant other. It didn't help that, after growing up with her parents' tale of how they had met, she was something of a romantic. She wanted someone who, like her father had done for her mother, would love her for whom she was. Someone who would not care that she was a Jorogumo, a creature considered a monster even among Yokai for what ones in the past had done.

Inside her head, Hinata acknowledged that she wanted someone like Eric, who had been kind to her.

Sighing a little, the Jorogumo blinked away a bit of wetness from her eyes before shaking her head. After all, she acknowledged that he was in love and together with Sora, and she would never interfere with that. They were her close and dear friends, and as a Jorogumo such people should be held precious as they accepted her for who she was. A fact that made her smile happily even now, despite the slight ache she felt.

From deep inside her subconscious, a thought floated up that reminded her of something that she heard and seen regarding shipgirls. That sometimes, they gathered into "Fleets" or "Flotillas". And Hinata had seen such while working under her new sister. From that black haired boy named Harry coming in with various shipgirls, to Fubuki-San and her group. Or that one Kitsune, Taichi, who had Akagi and Kaga dating him.

And it was not like such a relationship was odd for a Jorogumo. Their instincts simply didn't quite run the same way as with other females. From talks with her mother, Hinata knew that groups of Jorogumo sharing a mate was not exactly unknown, though in the past that still lead to said mate being devoured after serving their "Use". Unless, that was, said mate was either a Tsuchigumo or a very powerful Oni, and even then they walked a tightrope. So it was not like the idea bothered her too much when she thought about it, and Sora was very beautiful and becoming more so as she got healthier.

Giving a sad sigh, Hinata shook her head free of such thoughts while on her face was a smile that was bittersweet.

What were the chances of such happening? Very low, and besides, she didn't want to harm the friendships that she already had. Not when such things were rare and precious indeed after all. Finishing the parfaits and the drinks, Hinata hummed a little to herself as she brought them over to the table, "Okay, food is done and ready!"

Sora looked over and her eyes lit up at seeing the massive parfaits before licking her lips, "And it looks delicious, Hinata-Chan."

Just giggling a little, Hinata gave her a wink, "Why wouldn't it? I couldn't do any less for my friends after all." Taking a seat, she sighed a little as she shifted as it was rather comfortable. And she had left some of her fairies out to watch the door so that if someone came in, she could get up to meet them. But that meant that she could relax a little with her friends now, 'Ah... now this is nice.' Feeling a tap on the shoulder, Hinata looked up to find an amused Sora looking at her, "Hmm?"

Lips twitching, the Kitsune gestured to a spot close to, but not touching, Eric, "You can move a bit closer, you know."

Cheeks flushing a little, Hinata looked away, "I... couldn't. I mean, the two of you are on a date after all. And while I don't mind taking some time to chat..."

Once more, Sora tapped her but this time on the forehead with the Kyuubi raising an eyebrow, "It's fine, Hinata-Chan." Shifting closer to Eric, she wrapped some of her tails around his midsection to the amusement of the other two, "I don't mind at all."

Despite still being somewhat unsure, the Jorogumo shifted until she was in the spot indicated, something that made Sora smile at her, "Um..."

Smile on her lips, the Kitsune looked at her, "Better?" At the slight nod, she hummed, "Good, must feel nice to relax after working all day."

With a small sigh, Hinata slouched some, "Oh, you got no idea, trust me. Most of the day has been me walking around, standing as I cook or make something, or cleaning." At the frown she got from Eric, she shook her head, "It's fine, Eric-Kun. I'm used to it since both my Otou-San and Okaa-San do the same at our family restaurant. When I was younger, I used to help out some, but it doesn't bother me much."

Humming, Eric gave her a small nod, "That does make sense. Mom is pretty much the same since she's a teacher, though she probably has more of a chance to sit down at times." When she nodded, he took a sip of his float and smiled, "Speaking of... how have you been settling in recently? With everything that has been going on?"

More than a little interested herself, Sora nodded, "I've been wondering myself. We haven't talked about that after all."

It seemed that was the right thing to ask as the Food Ship happily smiled and clasped her hands, "Actually? It's been going very well, Eric-Kun, Sora-Chan." A soft, pleased sigh escaped from her lips, "I mean, like I said, I'm used to working in a restaurant, so working under Mamiya-Onee-San is fine..." Trailing off, Hinata had a thoughtful look on her face before shaking her head, "And I am still getting used to that."

Taking a bite of her parfait, and almost purring in satisfaction, Sora cocked her head to the side a little, "At having an Onee-San?"

At that, Hinata's smile widened a touch, "Among other things, I mean... never did I imagine that I might have one." Her smile then softened a little, "Or that I would be an Onee-San myself. That... that was nice to come back home to."

Just nodding, Eric grinned, "I can imagine, I mean... being an older sibling is pretty nice."

Snorting a little, the Kitsune stage whispered to the Jorogumo with a grin on her face, "He says that with such a straight face. Especially when we know that he spoils the Midget Submarines rotton every chance he gets. Honestly, he can't say no to them."

Eric flushed a little at that, even as Hinata giggled some in reply, before he snorted himself, "Can't help myself that I adore my Imoutos. Though..." He frowned a little before smiling, "I'll be an Onii-San again soon." At seeing the curiosity on Hinata's face, the young man shook his head, "Mom's pregnant again, she's about two months along."

Her eyes widening, Hinata gasped happily, "Oh, congratulations! And please, pass that along to Ellen-San from me." Getting a nod, she considered things before shaking her head, 'Maybe I should make a onesie for them using silk...'

Both Eric and Sora shared a look at that before reaching over and clasping Hinata's hands in hers, "We most certainly will, Hinata-Chan." Pulling back once she got a nod, she took another bite of parfait before she grinned, "Though I am pretty happy being an Onee-Chan myself. My Otouto is just plain adorable!"

Wagging a finger playfully at her, the Jorogumo winked, "Not as much as my own, sadly."

All three paused for a moment before laughing, Eric shaking his head, "Maybe we should agree to disagree then." Taking a spoonfull of parfait, he ate it before sighing some once he swallowed, "Man, you did great."

Expression brightening, Hinata smiled at him as she took a spoonful of her own, "Thank you, Eric-Kun. I'm glad that you enjoy them."

More than a little amused, Sora smiled at the two before sipping her drink. With a sigh, she leaned back a little and considered Hinata, "I noticed that you're not wearing your uniform today. You look pretty good in those clothes after all."

Cheeks once more flushing, especially as Eric agreed, Hinata played a little with the hem of her shirt, "Thank you both." She then met their eyes with a smile on her face, "I decided to not wear my uniform because, well... I wore it for nearly a decade after all." Wrinkling her nose, the Jorogumo grimaced, "I sort of like taking a break from it."

That got her a snort of agreement as the Kitsune held up her glass, "As Ellen-Oba would say, preach it sister. Do I ever love the fact that I don't need to wear my shipgirl uniform all the time."

Unable to help herself, Hinata giggled as she clinked her glass against Sora's, "Agreed. That whole time, i couldn't really wear my crew's uniforms because, well..." She gestured at her chest, which was roughly the same size as Mamiya's and showed her "Oiler" heritage, "They didn't really fit if you catch my drift."

Patting her own chest, Sora sighed and shook her head, "Trust me, I know your pain."

Meanwhile, Eric just sat there looking at the ceiling with a slight flush to his cheeks as he tried not to pay too much attention to how his girlfriend and another friend, who was also a hot young woman, discussed how hard it was to find clothes that fit.

Eventually, however, the Kyuubi shook her head a little with a smile, "Well, at least we can find ones that look good on us." Her smile then turned into a salicious grin as she looked at Eric as he took a drink, "Especially as Eric-Kun tells me regarding some articles of clothing~"

Needless to say, those words and tone made Eric start coughing some, "Oh goddammit, Sora-Chan!"

While she was unable to help herself from laughing, Hinata still pulled out a napkin and wiped at his mouth and shirt some, "Here, let me." She then gave Sora a grin, "That was mean."

For her part, Sora shrugged with a grin still on her face, "Can't help myself sometimes, I am a Kitsune after all~" She then gave her boyfriend a knowing look, "And I don't think that Eric-Kun was minding our conversation too much."

Right then, the Jorogumo paused and flushed as she realized the sort of conversation she had been having, "Um, sorry about that, Eric-Kun..."

However, he just gave his girlfriend a look before reaching over and grasping her hand with his lone one, "It's fine, Hinata-Chan. We were just chatting, so there's no problem." Letting go of her hand, Eric smiled a bit, "Besides, it got started off with something that is true... you really do rock those jeans and blouse."

Taking another bite of parfait, Sora hummed, "I've got to ask if those are being worn or if you painted them on."

Lightly laughing, though with her cheeks still stained with a blush, Hinata shook her head, "I put them on, not painted. Honest." She then hummed happily, "I'm just glad that you seem to like them."

At that, the couple grinned and laughed some as they told her that they really did.

From there, their chat continued as the three caught up on various things that had happened, even as evening deepened outside. Eric sent a text to his mother to let her know what was happening and that he would be home later. Meanwhile, once the Café reached closing time, Hinata got up, walked to the door, and locked it as she switched the sign from open to closed. With that done, she returned to Eric and Sora for their talk, all three enjoying it.

Unknown to her, Mamiya arrived a half hour later and stood outside the door listening. Inside, one of Mamiya's fairies returned to her and she smiled a bit with a happy nod, 'She's done a good job.' With that, she began to walk away, 'I'll let her have her fun as long as she cleans up, she's been working hard lately so she deserves some time with her friends.'

Evening had become night before Hinata got up and did the final cleaning as the other two watched and continued their chat. Once that was done, the three walked out the door with the Jorogumo locking up before they began walking. Hinata continued on after they reached where the bus for the base stopped and waited there with them.

Once the bus did arrive, the three exchanged hugs and she waved them off as the bus left before softly sighing as she made her way towards the dorm where she would stay the night. Quietly, she entered the apartment that Mamiya shared with her at times and walked into her room where there was some webbing that, after she transformed, she got up onto and wiggled into place.

Despite the darkness of the room, the Yokai shipgirl could see things easily. But she ignored that as she stared off into distance. Within her hull, she sat in the Captain's room with a small, thoughtful smile on her face. After all, she had greatly enjoyed the evening with both Sora and Eric, and was happy about it. Even now, she felt... lighter, having spent the evening with two of those she cared for and whom accepted her, eight legs and all.

Her smile became a thoughtful frown, however, as she considered things before nodding as she mused over an idea that she had.

One of the things that she had learned was that shipgirls could summon their hulls. But, they needed to have either been afloat for some time or, from some accounts, have been a shipgirl for a long while. Something that counted in both cases for Hinata as she had been commissioned as a ship from 1925 to 1943, nearly twenty years. And had also been a shipgirl since the opening shots of the war, which added about another decade to that count. So, in her thoughts, she should be able to summon her hull.

As well, she had talked with not just Mamiya, but other shipgirls about something that she had thought about. They confirmed to her that, yes, fairies could be exchanged among shipgirls. Shinano, for example, talking about how some of White Plains' own crew had joined hers to train them. Another example was how Kongou and her sisters had transferred over some of their older crew to their newest half-sister, Myōgi, to help her out and to be part of her own.

Both facts she slowly turned over in her head as she thought about them. Then, slowly, she came to a decision. For a while now, she had decided that she would summon her own hull and have her parents and non-shipgirl siblings sign her crew manifest. That way, no matter what, they would be with her. But tonight, she came to another decision as well.

Upon summoning her own hull, she would approach Sora. Then, she would offer to have Eric sign her crew manifest. That way if something, whoever might be listening forbid, happened to him before Sora could manifest her own hull? He would appear on Hinata as a fairy afterwards. Then, she would be able to transfer him over to Sora to be part of her crew...

No matter how much the thought hurt.

With a deep breath, Hinata nodded to herself with a small sad smile at that thought. But there was some happiness to, because that meant that her friends would continue to be together from now on. And she was happy and content with that fact. Coming back to reality from her inner hull, the Jorogumo pulled out a framed picture taken the day after being rescued from inside her hull. In it, was all of them. Herself, Sora, Eric, Samantha, the Midget Submarines, and Yumiko. All of them smiling in the picture with her just behind Eric and beside Sora, his sister in front. Each of them in their demi-human state. Softly smiling, she nodded at the picture and held it close, 'My friends... thank you.'

Placing the picture onto the side table beside her hammock style web, Hinata blinked away some wetness before settling in and closing her eyes before going to sleep. After all, she had an early day tomorrow at the Café before she could head home. Drifting off to the world of dreams, her lips curled into more of a happy smile as she dreamed of sailing on the open, sunlet seas alongside Sora and the others, Eric sometimes on her hull and other times on Sora's as they cruised along.

 

[darthcourt10]

KiMaSa

Museum Musing

Smithsonian Museum


'Working on a personal project', that was sufficient for the rest of the faculty. It wasn't like anyone thought he might have any hobbies of his own, after all. But no one inquired beyond that. As he stood in front of the display case, he noticed a pair of individuals eyeing him carefully.

"Shall we go talk in private?" He asked calmly.

One of the men gestured to the magical wing of the museum. "After you."

"Most kind." As they stepped into the flying carpet exhibit, they could now speak more freely.

"You're not another one of those freaks, are you?"

"Freaks?"

"Trekkies."

... "My interest is merely scholastic. Just exactly who were they and what were they attempting to do?"

"Not 'attempting'... 'did' The weirdos said something about 'Praising the Great Bird of the Galaxy' and they freaking summoned a ship that wasn't even real! Bad enough all those real shipgirls running around, flaunting the Statute but these nuts had to summon a fake one! Somehow!"

"I suppose it has been safely locked away?" If so, I'll have to see what word I can drop in someone's ear.

"Hardly!" One of them snorted in disdain at the decision from higher up. "They turned it over to the No-Maj Navy. Completely crazy!"

"Indeed. One certainly wonders what they could possibly do with such a thing."

"I have no idea."

"I see. Thank you for your time then. "

"Of course."

Returning back into the main museum, he stopped once more in front of the model. She really does look magnificent. He smiled slightly at precious memories. He had some idea as to figure out the rest of the story, he thought as he strolled out to head back home.
Spoiler

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Stars twinkling high above as they walked, Taichi stretched a little with a hum, "Ah... nothing like a day at the beach."

Beside him, Kaga had a smug smile on her face as she nodded in full agreement, "Hai, that is true enough, Taichi-Kun. It was very enjoyable."

Akagi, meanwhile, had a mischivious grin on her face, "Especially since we got to see you in swim trunks, Taichi-Kun~"

Eyebrow raised, the other Carrier hummed, "Though, I suppose that one could argue that fact, Akagi-Chan." At the look she got from her long term companion, Kaga chuckled, "After all, he did see us in our bikinis."

That made Akagi nod a little with a smile on her own face, "That is very true, Kaga-Chan." Turning, she raised an eyebrow at Taichi who had turned slightly red, "Well? What did you think of us in our bikinis, Taichi-Kun?"

Clearing his throat, he gave her a look which made her flush a little herself, "Is that some sort of trick question, Akagi-Chan?"

Highly amused at how it had been turned around onto her friend, Kaga nodded, "Perhaps in this case it really is."

Moments later, the other Carrier poked her cheek with a grin on her face, "Don't be teasing me like that, Kaga-Chan." Getting her finger pushed away, she chuckled before turning to Taichi, her grin softening to a smile, "I'll admit that I really enjoyed today, Taichi-Kun."

Raising a finger, Kaga smirked, "And not just because of the amount of free food either." Ducking under the half-hearted swipe at her head, she smugged a bit, "But it was rather nice."

Just nodding, Taichi reached over and took their hands in his, "It really was."

Both shipgirls smiled a little at that and entwined their fingers with his as they walked along on their stroll.

While they walked, Taichi considered what they had said before nodding, "Maybe we should do it again? But just the three of us. I know a few isolated cold water springs up in the mountains that would be private. And we could always bring a grill with us."

Licking her lips, and not just because of the idea of food, Akagi gave a hum, "I think that I would like that. What about you, Kaga-Chan? Sound good?"

Only nodding, Kaga chuckled a little, "I agree, that does sound good, Akagi-Chan. Just the three of us enjoying some private time in the mountains."

Slight grin on his face, the Kitsune didn't even bother to stop his tail as it swished from side to side, "Well, just let me know when you're available for a day or two and I'll see if I can set something up for us. Pretty sure that, if you want, I can get Haha-ue and Chichi-ue to give me a magical tent with multiple rooms."

Leaning in, Kaga's warm breath brushed against one ear as she lowered her voice some, "Oh, trust me, Taichi-Kun, you won't need a tent with multiple rooms..."

Needless to say, that made Taichi flush some at what she was hinting at. Well, that was before they actually reached the dorm where Akagi and Kaga lived with their sisters outside of Kana. Coming to a stop, the Kitsune sighed a bit before running a hand through his hair, "Well, I guess that I'll say good night now."

As he leaned in, however, Akagi's finger against his lips stopped him. He blinked though as she glanced at Kaga and then chuckled, "What do you mean by that, Taichi-Kun?"

Blinking a little, the lone male of the three frowned, "Um, because you're home? So now I'm supposed to head home myself?"

Moments later, any confusion, or any other thought, fled from his head as he felt Kaga press her body up against his with Akagi doing the same on the other side. Smug smirk on her face, the blue clad Carrier chuckled, "Well, that is where you are wrong, Taichi-Kun. After all, Onee-Sama and the others are out for at least another day or two on patrol. Which means that Akagi-Chan and I have the apartment all to ourselves for that amount of time."

On the opposite side, Akagi gave a giggle, "Won't you come in and give us some company?"

For several seconds, Taichi was silent as what both girls said filtered through his mind. Much to their amusement, his tail stiffened and puffed out, while both ears shot straight up, "W-well, sure, if that is what you want."

It without saying that both Carriers smugly smiled at that while hooking their arms with his.

Several minutes past found them entering the apartment where Kaga and Akagi lived with their sisters. Opening the door, they were greeted with a warble and Kaga walked over to a pen that was in one corner of the room, "Hello, Zui. Have you had a good day?"

The turkey inside said pen looked up at her owner and gave another warble which made the Carrier laugh a bit as she stroked the avian's head gently. Watching with a smile, Akagi nodded some and walked over to the nearby cupboard, "I'll go and get Zui some food, okay, Kaga-Chan?"

Looking over her shoulder, Kaga smiled and nodded, "Thank you, Akagi-Chan, I appreciate it." A few moments later, her friend walked over with a bowl filled with turkey feed, which the Carrier placed in front of the turkey even as some fairies filled up a water bowl. Nearly immediately, Zui began to chow down a bit on said food, which made Kaga laugh, "Just like your namesake."

At that moment, in Kure, Zuikaku woke up in bed and frowned at the ceiling with her eyes narrowed, "Why do I feel the need to punch the smug out of Kaga?"

Back in Yokosuka, Taichi gently stroked Zui's head with the turkey warbling in happiness, which made him chuckle, "At least you don't seem to mind me, Zui-Chan. Something that I am thankful for."

His eyes met those of the turkey and he swore there was far more intelligence that was there than should be. Ever since meeting Kaga's pet, part of him wondered if it was a Yokai of some sort. And only part because, despite everything, he had never heard of a turkey Yokai. Still... he had to wonder at times...

Taichi was brought out of his thoughts, however, as Akagi called out his name and he looked away even as Zui nibbled on his fingers. The Converted Battlecruiser patted the couch between her and Kaga with a slight smile, "While Zui is a beautiful bird, there's two right here waiting for you..."

Lightly chuckling, the Kitsune gave Zui one last pat on the head before walking over and sitting down, "Sorry about that, Akagi-Chan."

Beside him, Kaga only gave him a shake of her head, "Don't be, the fact that Zui likes you says quite a bit." Once he sat down, she sided up until her body was pressed against his, "Of course, if you want to make it up..."

Gulping a bit, Taichi looked from Kaga to Akagi, who was similarly pressed up against him, 'Why do I feel like I'm caught between two sharks...?'

Shortly after, he wasn't thinking much as the two Carriers took turns kissing him. And the kissing soon turned into a full blown make out session with their hands up his shirt, nails lightly scratching at his chest. His own hands were not any less busy as they brushed against expanses of smooth skin under the clothes of the two shipgirls.

Pulling away breathless from Kaga's lips, Taichi sucked in oxygen as he blinked, "Okay... whoa..."

A very smug look on her face, Kaga kissed his neck some, "Mmm... very whoa, I believe."

On the other side of him, Akagi chuckled a bit as she took the top of his ear between her teeth and gave it a nibble. Something that made him groan a bit to her amusement. Pulling back, she stood up and then easily hauled him to his feet as he swayed, "I think, Kaga-Chan, that we should continue this in the bedroom, hmm?"

Lips curled into a smirk, the other Carrier chuckled some herself, "Indeed, that might be for the best." With a glance towards Zui, who had settled in for the night, Kaga helped Akagi guide their boyfriend to their bedroom. Once he was down on the futon and blinking, she lifted her shirt off and smirked even more as he gulped, "I know that you have already seen us in our bikinis..."

Doing the same, Akagi placed her hands on her hips with a grin, "But would you like... more?" At his nod, she got onto all fours and crawled up to him alongside Kaga, "Now... is the time for CarDiv1 to strike, and to strike hard..."

Suddenly, she let out a eep as she felt one of his hands grasp her and she blinked at his smirk, "Or perhaps, it is time for this Kitsune to show off some trickery? Hmm?" All that got him was the two members of CarDiv1 sharing a look before turning to him with hungry eyes, 'Maybe challenging them was not the best idea...'

Moments later, the two Carriers grinned and pounced.

________________________________________________________________

Outside, the birds sang the morning chorus and, slowly, Taichi's eyes fluttered open some. Blinking away the sleep in his eyes, he went to move a bit and got a grumble. Eyes widening, he looked to the side to see Kaga there softly slumbering as she held said arm to her bare chest. Stunned, Taichi looked to his other side and noticed that Akagi was also there, and in a similar state to Kaga.

Laying back down onto the pillow, the Kitsune blinked a bit as he was completely stunned. After a few moments, however, he grinned a little, "Wow..." He thought over what happened last night and wondered, for a second or two, if it had been a dream. But the fact that he could feel an ache along with the tiredness in his body made sure that he knew that it had been real, 'That was... wow.'

Just shaking his head, he looked at the two women beside him and smiled a bit as he felt his heart warm some at the sight of them calmly sleeping. Both Carriers had a small, soft smile on their faces, completely at peace. For what seemed like hours, but was really just minutes, Taichi looked back and forth with a small smile.

Gently, the Kitsune removed his arms from their grasps before transforming into his fox form, which allowed for him to slip out of the covers without awakening them. With that done, he looked around before blinking as he spotted his swim trunks, 'How the fuck did they get onto the curtain rod?'

Deciding it was best not to question that, or how Akagi's bikini top was right beside it, he grabbed it before throwing it on. However, he did pause in front of the full length mirror though. Mainly because all over his neck, shoulders, and chest there were red marks. And when he turned, he could only see a number of scratches as well, which made him grin some, 'Yeah, it happened. Fuck yes.'

Then, quietly, he opened the door before heading into the kitchen. Out of the corner of his eye, Taichi could see Zui watching him in interest. But before it could make a sound, he brought a finger to his lips sand gently shushed the turkey.

When Zui tilted her head, he smiled a little before whispering, "I'm just going to be making some breakfast for Akagi-Chan and Kaga-Chan. Please don't wake them yet."

Somehow, he was not surprised when the turkey bobbed it's head and went to lay down in her nest, falling back asleep.

Bemused, he could only shake his head as he slowly pulled out ingredients for breakfast as he hummed a little. After all, despite the tiredness in his lower body and the small aches, he felt rather good. With a quick illusion to hide the smell of food from the two sleeping shipgirls, Taichi turned on the stove and began to cook as he softly sang one of the "Softer" songs that his band was known for.

Another bit of magic kept the food that he was making nice and warm as he went about it. Piles of eggs alongside bacon and towers of toast were joined by small bowls of miso soup. Then, rubbing his hands together, Taichi cracked his knuckles before taking out jam and the like, "Now, for the next part."

Not long after, Akagi's nose twitched as delicious smells met it, as did Kaga's. Muttering to herself, the converted Battlecruiser reached out and patted the futon, only for her hand to meet empty space. For several seconds, she patted around, and could feel Kaga doing the same before she opened her eyes to find Taichi gone from where he was, which made her frown, "Taichi-Kun?"

Right then, a chuckle could be heard which made her and Kaga turn to find Taichi there with trays that had breakfast on them. The Kitsune's tail swished in the air behind him as he grinned some, "Good morning, Akagi-Chan, Kaga-Chan. I have breakfast for you."

Sitting up, and already drooling a bit, Akagi didn't pay any attention as the blankets fell away and revealed her in all her glory, "Good morning, Angel..."

Rather amused, the Kitsune cocked one eyebrow as he looked at her, though he did flush a little at seeing the peaks of Mount Akagi revealed, "Isn't that my line?"

Her own eyebrow raised, Kaga smirked some as she also sat up, "Perhaps, but I think that it works for someone who gave us a good time last night and then brought us breakfast in bed." Stretching with her arms above her head, she hummed happily as she thrust out her chest and was rather pleased as her boyfriend's eyes followed. Then, she gave him a happy smile, "So, thank you, Taichi-Kun."

Lightly chuckling as he scratched at his cheek, he gave her a small grin, "You're very welcome, Kaga-Chan. And the same with you, Akagi-Chan." He placed the trays in the laps of his two girlfriends, and was about to stand up when they grabbed him. Gently, as to both not hurt him or disturb their breakfast, they got him to sit between them as they leaned their bodies against his. Sighing a bit, he didn't complain, nor did they, as he placed his arms around their waists, "Guess that I am not getting away."

A smug smirk on her face, Akagi shook her head, "No, because we're not about to let you." Kissing his cheek, she turned to her food and looked it over with a hungry eye... and sometimes the Kitsune beside her with a look just as hungry as she had for her food. About to take some eggs, she paused a little as she noticed something, "Dorayaki?"

With a nod, Taichi gestured at it, "Not quite... but go ahead and try some."

Intrigued, Kaga took one and then bit into it before her eyes widened a little in surprise, "Strawberry jam?"

Now interested, the other shipgirl bit into one before happily humming, "Blackberry jam... Mmm..."

When they looked at him, Taichi gave a small shrug, "Decided a while back to experiment with dorayaki using different fillings." Rubbing the back of his neck, he chuckled some, "Glad to hear that you like them."

Moments later, both Carriers showed him that fact as they kissed him deeply before going back to their food.

Taichi was more than a little amused at how both Carriers practically devoured their breakfasts with happy smiles on their faces. Of course, once they were done, they placed their trays aside and turned to him, "Hmm?"

Eyes hooded, Kaga smirked a bit, "Now then, since you gave us breakfast... how about we thank you for it..."

Beside her, Akagi grinned and nodded with a giggle as they pushed the Kitsune down onto the futon again, "Time to have fun with fluffy tail~"

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

It was a tired and exhausted Dumbledore who walked through the halls of the school. Rubbing at his face, he softly groaned a little even as he leaned back and some bones popped in his back, "As wise men have stated... I am getting far too old for this shit."

With another sigh, he rubbed along the bridge of his nose with a small frown as his fingertips traced where it had been broken. Even though the memory of how it was broken was painful, even now, it did bring a smile to his face. Mainly due to how his sister's fairy had reacted when she had found out how it happened. Upon seeing it, she had touched it with her tiny hands and frowned as she asked how it had happened. Which lead to a very sheepish Aberforth to admit to it.

Even now, the image of the tiny form of his sister jumping and gesturing with one hand at his brother as she ranted at him, Aberforth cringing the whole time, still brought a smile to Albus' face.

Shaking his head a little, Dumbledore looked around him as it was late into the evening at Hogwarts. Right then, he felt every bit of his long years he had been alive for. Yet again, after the hours he had just spent, he wondered why he was still Headmaster. But looking around the school, and remembering the children, he smiled slightly and nodded. For as long as they came, and he was able, he would do it for them.

For them, and not the adult children that caused him issues. There were times he wanted to be old fashioned with that bunch and pull out an enchanted paddle! Some of them were the most frustrating people he had ever had the misfortune to come across. Honestly...

Under his breath, Dumbledore muttered a little as he shook his head at the memory, "... Scum sucking, cattle fucking, bel-shangle..."

However, thankfully, he reached his destination and opened the door to find Minerva sitting there at the table along with Hagrid (who, he noted, was looking rather tanned... Australia seemed to agree with him), Severus, Flitwick, Spout, and Pomfrey. Upon seeing the exhausted state of the Headmaster, McGonagall came over and gently guided him to a chair, "Come have a seat, Albus. You look utterly spent!"

As soon as he sat down, the elderly wizard let out a sigh of relief, "Ah, thank you, Minerva. If it would not be too much trouble to have a hot toddy?" Moments later, a tea cup with said drink appeared before him and he took a sip, "Lovely... just what I needed."

Frown on his face, Snape shared a look with the others before furrowing his eyebrows, "Did something happen, Headmaster?"

Taking another sip of his drink, Albus looked over his spectacles and sighed as he shook his head, "Nothing unless you count the usual politics, Severus. It is, much as usual, bothersome."

Eyebrows furrowing, Sprout frowned some, "Do you mean what is happening in Ireland, Albus? I've heard that there's been problems there, so I expect the Ministry to bother you over it."

Grimace on his face, the Headmaster felt a small headache come on, "Fortunately, not at the moment. Though the closer we get to the World Cup, the worse I believe that it shall be. I do have hopes that Amelia will catch the troublemakers responsible for the recent attacks on Irish magical leaders. Them performing sit-ins within the Ministry lobby and protests outside is no reason to attack them and burn down homes. We are just lucky that no one had been killed as of yet, though I worry that is to come."

Lips pressing thinly, Minerva shook her head, "Honestly, some people out there..." Pressing a finger to the side of her head, she rubbed it in circles, "The Irish are keeping it peaceful for God's sake! Why would someone stir them up with violence now!?"

Only shaking his head, Dumbledore scowled, "Why indeed... Though I am thankful that Eoin Cleary is keeping them peaceful. Granted, the man is smarter than most and can already read the writing on the wall. Once the Statute falls, most of Magical Ireland will be free of British control. All he needs to do is keep the hotheads under control until then..." Frowning, he became thoughtful, "Though, from what conversations I've had with him, he may well already be setting up a Ministry of Magic in Ireland... but nothing concrete."

Confused a little, Hagrid looked around some, "Well, 'Eadmaster... what seems to be th' problem?"

Another sigh escaped from Albus as he shook his head, "As I said, politics, Hagrid. Though more of the international kind." Leaning back, he drained nearly the full cup of toddy and placed it aside while wide eyes watched, "In particular regarding the Tri-Wizard Tournament that will be held this year at Hogwarts."

That made the school nurse shake her head some as she pressed her lips thinly in a scowl, "Honestly, Albus, I do not know what you and the others are thinking of bringing that... that... that disaster back!" She wagged a finger at him, "It was stopped for a very good reason after all! Too many died for that damn cup! Too many!"

It being an old argument, Albus just rubbed the side of his head, "And frankly, Poppy, I agree with you on that point. I don't want it to return. But Cornelius has it in his mind ever since the disaster that was the Chamber opening, as well as last year's incidents regarding the Dementors as well as Sirius Black, that he needs something big to show off to the world. To show off Hogwarts as the best."

His tone utterly dry, though filled with disgust, Snape sneered a bit, "So, of course, he chose the absolute worst possible event and then dug in his heels." Pausing for a moment, he shook his head, "I suspect Umbridge has a hand in this."

Mutters erupted around the table at that as most there had the "Pleasure" of at some time or another meeting the Undersecretary and all of them could see her promoting it as a good idea.

Sprout gave a small sniff at that, "I still say that the Quidditch Cup should be good enough, Albus! Or an Inter-School Dueling Competition or a Quidditch match between the schools! No need for all this... danger and such to our students just so that we could whip them out and measure!"

Due to having been drinking some tea, Flitwick snorted it though his nose and started coughing. Holding up his hands to the apologies from the Head of Hufflepuff, he waved his wand a little and vanished it, including what was still in his nose, with a show of skill. Placing his cup to the side, he gave his fellow Head of House an amused look, "While I might not agree with the language my collague used, I do agree with the spirit, Albus. There are other ways of showing off our school compared to the others."

Once more, Dumbledore nodded a little, "And as I said, I agree. But you all know Cornelius when he gets one of his... bright... ideas to make himself look good to the public. It does not help that the ICW is also pushing for it as both a number of countries whose heads are Drumstrang allumni and the ones who came from Beauxbatons wish for their former schools to show us up." Then he shook his head a little, "Unfortunately, most of what is being prepared has been decided. Hogwarts and Britain are in charge of the First Task, Drumstrang has chosen the Second, and the Third has been chosen by Beauxbatons."

Grimacing, the Transfiguration Mistress groaned some, "Let me guess... the First Task will be something completely and utterly dangerous."

Eyebrows raising, Albus gave her a look, "Why, Minerva, I did not know that you could perform Legilimancy." If possible, the sheer amount of venom in her glare could have struck him dead. As it was, he swore that he could feel the ends of his hair smoking, "But yes, you would be quite right."

Just taking a deep breath, Minerva let it out as she pinched her nose, "How bad...?" When she did not get an answer, she gave him a glare as he seemed to shift a bit like a schoolboy caught doing something bad, "... Albus Percival Brian Wulfric Dumbledore! WHAT DID THEY DECIDE TO DO!?"

Wincing, Dumbledore wouldn't look at her, "You do realize that being older rather harms the effectiveness of using my full name, right?"

As her glare intensified, he winced and muttered a bit. Most of the teachers were puzzled, but Minerva twitched while Flitwick looked at him as if he was insane. Wiggling a finger in his ear, the Ravenclaw Head frowned, "Albus... I must be hearing things. Did you just say... dragons?"

That made Albus wince some as he tried to sink into his chair from the glares being directed at him from the females of the group, 'Deadliest members of the species indeed...' Coughing, he looked away, "Quite... nesting mothers, as a matter of fact from which the Champion shall have to get a golden egg from."

For a beat, there was utter silence in the room as everyone took that bit of information in. Snape glanced at the female teachers who were standing up, and then at Albus, who seemed to be pleading with him. Then, slowly, the Potion Master got up out of his chair, and moved to one further away from the Headmaster. At the look of betrayal, Snape simply gestured to Minerva and the others as if to say 'I'm Slytherin, not a Gryffindor.'

Needless to say, moments later the other males all winced as the female staff let Dumbledore have it.

It took some time, but eventually, the witches ran out of steam. Sitting at one end of the table, Flitwick sipped his tea a little with a hum, "Twenty five minutes exactly, a new record."

Hagrid, who was beside him, frowned as he stroked his beard a little, "Aye, tha' seems about right. Though I'm thankful that Wanko ain' been mad at me yet."

Snape raised an eyebrow at him, "How is that going, Hagrid? She does seem smitten with you after all, and it is not easy to find women of your... size range."

Blushing a bit, the half-giant shifted a little, "Don' know what yeh are talkin' about. Though, if I was ta be honest... things are goin' well enough!" Then he shook his head, "Still, ain' had to deal wit her like this!"

The other two men nodded at that in agreement, while ignoring Albus glaring at them. Something that failed, at least partially due to the fact that his hair and beard looked rather windswept behind him. As if he had been sitting in a hurricane.

With a sigh, the Headmaster turned back to the three women glaring at him before clearing his throat, "Yes, well... I do understand your concerns. Unfortunately, as much as I would rather wish otherwise, it has been decided." A somewhat sheepish look came over his face, "And... I will admit... I am partially to blame for dragons being chosen."

Now, everyone was staring at him in complete and utter dismay and confusion. Glasses slipping down her nose, Minerva gave him a look before speaking in an utterly calm voice, "Albus... explain, right now before I decide to turn you into something even a flobberworm will pity."

It went without saying that everyone winced at that and Dumbledore cleared his voice, "I was rather... annoyed at the meeting. And I replied to Cornelius' question of what we should do with a comment that perhaps we should do the opposite of the school motto and tickle a sleeping dragon. Because it would go as well as anything else... and then him and Crouch decided to run with it, not realizing I was being somewhat sarcastic. But then, they decided that tickling a sleeping dragon did not sound like much of a spectacle, thus..."

He then waved his hand in the air and everyone followed the line of thought. Snape, for his part, banged his head on the table while Minerva lapsed into gaelic profanity. Some of which made even Albus raise his eyebrows due to not hearing such before. Of course, that was when Sprout turned to her old friend with a serious expression on her face, "Minnie, do you think that you could magic me up some ammunition? I feel the need to test out an old friend of mine right about now."

Despite his instincts telling him to let it happen, Dumbledore coughed, "Now, let us not talk of murdering them." At their looks, he continued, "I would rather not deal with questions as to why said item has not been disarmed, after all, and it would cause issues with the Muggles now."

Granted, he was not about to stick his head out that far for them, as he was rather annoyed.

Sipping his drink, Flitwick hummed a little as he cocked an eyebrow, "So, that is one event. What are the others, Albus?"

Just nodding, Albus placed his hands on top of each other as he took a deep breath, "The Second Task will happen in the lake, as decided by Drumstrang. As of now, they are talking about having someone rescued, though it should be safe as I shall speak with the Chieftain of the Mermen and will ask for some help to keep an eye on the Champions." Everyone nodded at that in understanding he meant Submarine girls, "The Third Task, from my understanding, shall be performed in a maze."

Frown on his face as he thought it over, Snape nodded, "Interesting..." At the looks, he waved his hand in the air, "Drumstrang chose the lake, which in February will be extremely cold. However, there is a lake by their school from my understanding that students often swim in. Not to mention using saunas, they'll run into said lake. Thus, they would have the advantage. The maze, however, is very likely to be based on the one at Beaubaxtons, though a bit more dangerous. And thus, Beauxbatons will have the advantage there."

Leaning back, the Headmaster nodded, "That is my thought on the matter, yes."

A sound of rumbling made everyone blink before turning and realizing that it was Hagrid clearing his throat. Shifting around a little, the Care of Magical Creatures Professor grimaced a little, "Uh, Albus? I hate ta ask yeh, but... wha' sort of protections are yeh putting on th' Goblet? Because I don' wan' 'Arry ta be involved in this." At the looks, he flushed some, "I ain' stupid, I can see stuff. And while 'Arry don' want ta be involved, he always gets involved somehow. I just don't want it ta happen this time."

Several seconds passed before Snape nodded and turned to Albus, "As much as I hate to admit it... Hagrid is right about how Mister Potter does get involved in such things whether he wants to or not. He is... not quite the attention seeker that I would have thought." More than one eyebrow rose at that in consideration. Then, nearly as one, they turned to Dumbledore who looked like he had bitten into an apple and found half a worm. With a sinking stomach, Snape and the others realized what that meant and groaned, the Potion Master hitting his head on the table, "Don't tell me..."

In reply, Dumbledore looked at the tea cup and cleared his throat, "Another hot toddy, please." Moments later, it vanished and returned refilled with said drink, which he sipped, "As a matter of fact, I did bring up the fact that we should place protections to make sure only students of age could participate. Unfortunately, I could only convince them to allow an Age Line of all things. It is why I am currently drinking as I much need it after spending several hours attempting to put my head through a mountain."

Glancing at Minerva, who seemed seconds away from going to murder someone if the cursing under her breath said anything, Sprout frowned a little, "Albus, surely you could have placed more protections onto the Goblet. You very likely know quite a few that would be suitable and harder to break than an Age Line."

From where he sat, Flitwick nodded with a frown, "Indeed, I can count off at least seven or eight off the top of my head. An Age Line is a rather weak protection, and one that could be fooled."

With a hum, the Headmaster pinched his nose, "How I ever wish that those children were as mature as you." Taking a deep breath, he let it out in an explosive sigh as he looked up, "It comes down, of course, to politics." More than one blinked at how venomous that last word was spoken before Dumbledore continued, "In particular, the fact that there are issues of trust regarding anything more."

Utterly confused, Minerva looked up at that, "Trust, Albus? Whatever could you mean?"

Expression flat, Dumbledore turned to her, "When I raised the matter of protections on the Goblet, Karkaroff brought up that he would not accept it. After all, who was to say that the protections that I might place on said Goblet would not be to the advantage of Hogwarts over the other schools? It goes without saying that Cornelius asking me right bloody there if they could do it helped." Groans and mutters of hanging certain politicians were heard, though eyebrows raised at Flitwick muttering something vile in Gobblygook, "Now, while Madam Maxime agreed with, and liked the idea of, more protections, her issue was over the problem of casting them. It could not be just myself, and any member of the British Ministry was just as problematic. Of course, that was when Karkaroff stated that if I was to cast magical protections, why, so should the other School Heads."

Already knowing where this was going, Flitwick sighed and pinched his nose, "Which, of course, was shot down because no one would trust Karkaroff with it. Bloody bastard likely knew it too."

Grimace on his face, Albus nodded, "Quite."

Rubbing his face, Snape felt the urge to groan, but held it back... barely, "Honestly, Albus? I would not trust Karkaroff by turning my back if he had both arms cut off. That... Niffler... would absolutely do his best to cast protections to give his Champion every advantage possible." With a sigh, he gave the Headmaster a look already knowing the answer, "And I suppose that he also dismissed the idea of guards, such as the Hogwarts Security, because of some stupid reason as 'Intimidation' of the students from elsewhere."

The nod was all the answer they needed which caused yet more cursing. Leaning back, Poppy had a scowl on her face, "This is going to become a disaster, mark my words, Albus. I don't need to be Trelawney to predict that much!"

In a way, what made that worse was how no one could disagree with her on it...

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A.N. -- Ok, time to get back on this plotbunny and wrap it up. The Hopeless Belgian Dork and The Blushing Greek Subgirl compete for their loved one's bragging rights on the line.

Only My Buttervioline (VII)

Panathinaïkó Stádio, Athens, Greece

28 May 2036 (Women's Archery Medal Round)

Apollo smirked at his older twin sister. "Therese is the superior archer, Artemis. Give it up, she has the fire and passion needed to win the gold. After all, only a heart full of desire can prevail." He tapped the prescription glasses that he had tucked into the neck of his 'Belgian Archery' T-shirt to make the point.

Artemis' eyes narrowed and flashed sparks. "Unlikely. Antigone has calmness and control, Brother. She won't fly too high or lose control," Artemis paused, then her voice gained a definite edge as she finished, "unlike Phaéthōn."

Athena pinched her nose as she watched Apollo's face flush as the shot hit home in one of his sore spots. She shook her head and muttered, "This is a disaster. A complete fucking disaster. I just hope that Athens survives the inevitable."

"This is glorious,"Aphrodite responded as she watched the squabbling siblings as they waited for the final eight archers to compete for the gold, "more popcorn?"

"Wan!" A white doG's paw reached into the tub that the Goddess of Love had brought to snack on.

Athena sighed and shook her head. "Not unless it cures headaches."
-----------------------------

Therese du Chasteler placed her violin case down next to her archery equipment and stretched. Her eyes found the stands and once more, she smiled at her mother, father, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins from the Potter, Du Chasteler, and Du Chasteler-Malfoy family branches. Then her eyes found Him standing behind the family.

The bronzed, tanned, and blue eyed young man who she had fallen so hard for, and had dreamed of all last night. Playing duets with him -- even letting him play her true body like Mother and Father allowed each other in the deepest and purest act of love that a musical instrument tsukumogami could perform -- all night until she awoke crushing her pillows to her chest.

A fire of passion, desire, and love built in her and her heartstrings sang in perfect joy-filled melodies as her cheeks flamed.

Watch me today.

See how much I love you.

Feel me honor you with how I perform.

He nodded and she nearly blew all her strings from delight.

Then he glanced to the waiting targets and she nodded.

Showtime.
-----------------------------

Therese du Chasteler-Potter tied her spruce-colored light brown hair back with a hachimaki headscarf. Her fingers touched the characters that Grandmother Toku had helped her write over a decade ago before her first archery lesson. The characters that showed what she wanted to gain from her grandmother's lessons in the Art of the Bow.

情熱

Jōnetsu

Passion.

She touched the rising sun disk in the center, and then spared a thought for the man she loved in the stands.

The rising sun.

The sun.

Apollo.

Overhead a crow flew and perched on the Belgian flag once more to mark His favor to the archers competing in a tradition that stretched back to antiquity. A tradition that was spoken of by Homer as part of the funeral games of Patroculus during the Trojan war.

"Therese Lyra du Chasteler! Belgium!" Her family cheered for her along with the crowd for the underdog.

"Tan Ya-ting! China!" The roar redoubled for the three time Olympian and #3 in the world Chinese Archer who was the best hope to break Korea's current hammerlock on women's archery.
Spoiler: Medal Round

"Shoot!"

"Round to Ya-Ting 29-28! Match Score 0-2"

"Shoot!"

"Round to Du Chasteler 28-27! Match Score 2-2!"

"Shoot!"

"Round to Ya-Ting 28-27! Match Score 2-4!"

"Shoot!"

"Round to Du Chasteler 30-29! Match Score 4-4!"

"Shoot!"

"Tie Round 29-29! Match Tied 5-5!"

"One-arrow shoot-off begins!"

Therese stood impassively as the Chinese archer's arrow struck home in the nine ring. The gusting, unpredictable wind blew her ponytail and the ends of her headband around her shoulders as she drew.

"Shoot!"

She aimed and focused on the gold center of the target seventy meters distant.

She reached full draw.

Gold just like the skin of her love, just like the sun illuminating her.

She became one with the target, the wind, the arrow, the bow.

The release came as a surprise to her with its rightness as her arrow flew through the air.

The roar of the crowd as she struck the gold ten ring to advance to the field of four archers hammered her in a perfect symphony of noise.

"Match to du Chasteler 6-5! Du Chasteler Advances!"

She was through to the round of four and would shoot for no worse than bronze next against the top archer in the world.
-----------------------------

Antigone Koustris gave her a friend a happy smile as the bracket updated. Choi Mi-sun had advanced 6-0, dispatching her Mexican opponent with ease.

Therese had scored the upset to face the Korean medal contender.

Then she sat patiently, quietly, silently.

As silent and patient as a submarine on the prowl waiting for the right moment to strike her targets as the destroyers over her searched with hydrophones and sonar.

Ki Bo-bae dispatched her Chinese opponent 6-2 to win the chance to defend her Gold Medal from the 2032 Olympics in New Delhi.

Antigone waited patiently.

"Chang Hye-jin! Korea!" A roar of the crowd for the woman who had already won gold in the team competition.

Antigone waited silently.

"Antigone Koustris! Greece!"

The stadium shook for the cheers for the hometown favorite.

Antigone stood with the fluid motion of a predator.

Her eyes found those of Artemis.

Wordless communication and communion flowed between one Huntress of the Woods and Wilderness and her disciple who Hunted the Abyssals of the deep ocean.

A goose flew overhead once more to herald the favor of the Greek Deity whose lips curled in a knowing smile.

The waiting was over.

The time for action was at hand.

Antigone gave a calm, respectful nod to her opponent.

She assumed her firing position as the winds began to gust and swirl once more.

The Hunt began.

"Match to Koustris 7-1! Koustris advances!"
-----------------------------

Therese stepped back as her first arrow of the match found the red eight ring.

The winds were picking up and swirling fiercer as the match progressed.

She frowned and breathed in and out to refocus.

Then it happened.

Choi's first shot was caught by the wind and deflected badly off course.

It didn't hit gold, or red or even blue but the BLACK of the four-ring.

The scoreboard updated 8-4.

The Korean archer paled as her confidence was badly shaken.

Therese's lips curled in a smug, infuriating, confident, cocky, Muramasa smirk.

The same smirk her mother would wear when she nailed a difficult solo piano piece perfectly for family or a concert hall to enjoy.

The same smirk her aunt Ehren would wear when she conducted a high-stakes business deal successfully for her family to profit from.

The same smirk that her grandmother Colombe had worn when she clashed with steel and spells against evils mundane and magical that she had destroyed.

The same smirk that Great-Grandmother Norimune had worn through her legendary adventures as a hero, a villain, a lover, and a warrior.

The same smirk that all the foes of the Demon Blades of the Mad Smith had seen in the moment that their defeat was assured. No matter if it was Juuchi Yosamu, Jacklyn Fox, Umitsubame, Delilah de Breuil, Wei Ying, or Kagotsuruhe, the message was the same.

You have already lost for I have just triumphed.

She drew once more and aimed at the gold.

Her smirk never changed as her arrow hammered home in the center of the target to give her an insurmountable lead and shatter her opponent's already shaken self-confidence..

One more nail hammering her opponent's coffin lid shut as Therese prepared to bury her.

"Set to Du Chasteler 28-23! Du Chasteler Leads 2-0! Shoot!"
-----------------------------

"Du Chasteler Advances to Gold Medal Match in straight sets 6-0!"

Therese gently patted the weeping and shellshocked Korean archer on the back after shaking her hand. "It just wasn't your day," she said compassionately.

Then Antigone hugged her. "Well done, Terri, now it's my turn!"

Therese nodded and hugged back. "Knock 'em dead, Antigone!"

Antigone took her position and smiled serenely. "I intend to." She focused on her target and loaded her first shot. "Oh, I intend to."
-----------------------------

"Match to Koustris 7-3! Koustris advances to Gold Medal Match!"

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A.N. -- Well, here it is. Sibling rivalry at its finest with a generous helping of romance and a Greek Goddess in search of the Fountain of Aspirin.

Only My Buttervioline (VIII)

Panathinaïkó Stádio, Athens, Greece

28 May 2036 (Women's Archery Gold Medal Match)

Athena moaned in disbelief at the sight of the two archers who had just made it against all the odds to the final round to face each other with gold on the line. She couldn't believe it, her calculations had been flawless and the chance of this particular match-up was so minute....

The smug, knowing smirk on Aphrodite's perfect lips wasn't helping her mood either as the Cytherean directed it at her. Athena was fighting back the impulse to punch it off her fellow Olympian's face, or bring back Diomedes to send him after Aphrodite once more.
Spoiler: Shooting For The Gold

Therese Lyra du Chasteler, the spirit of her Stradivarius violin, tucked some of her slightly messy light brown hair behind an ear and adjusted her glasses. She then gave her competitor a happy smile and thumbs-up. "Way to go Anti!"

Antigone Koustris, the daughter of the legendary Greek admiral Lana Koustris (who was also the even more legendary huntress Atalanta) and the unawakened spirit of her submarine HN Meleager returned the smile and thumbs-up. "I knew you could do it, Terri!"

In the stands, Apollo turned to his twin with a smugly radiant grin. "I knew that Therese had it in her! I just knew it! Double or nothing on our bet upon our loves and Champions?" He paused and then spoke quietly under his breath. "You Chose a superb Huntress in Koustris, Sister. She is worthy of your love."

Artemis gave a matching confident smile as her voice rose. "Double wager agreed, Brother! Pay up when Antigone wins!" She paused and then spoke quietly in her terse and laconic voice. "du Chasteler likewise, Brother. Well Chosen."

They shook hands to agree on the wager then settled in to watch the show as down below the targets were made ready.

"Antigone Koustris! Greece!"

The crowd roared at the local favorite who bowed her head and raised a hand in acknowledgement.

"Therese Lyra du Chasteler! Belgium!"

Therese gave a smile and wave as cheers sounded.

"Shoot!"

Therese nocked her first arrow and as the winds died down let it fly. Therese shot with all the supreme confidence of a Muramasa in her element. Her arrows soared with all the desire of a Potter looking to claim the love of her heart's desire burning through her heartwood.

Ten.

Beside her, Antigone drew, aimed, and fired in turn. She had the calm confidence of a submarine that had returned from every patrol with the laurel of victory upon her brow and the broom tied to her periscope showing that she 'swept the seas clean'. The unshakable courage that she had inherited from her legendary mother who had participated in the Hunt for the Calydonian Boar and sailed upon the Argo. The desire to impress the love of her life that her father had when he challenged Atalanta to a footrace with his life as the forfeit should he not claim her love and her hand.

Ten.

"Set to Koustris 30-29! Koustris leads 2-0!"

Therese didn't care that she had dropped the first set. Her heart was soaring in crescendos of song as she drew and fired again. For the first time she understood what her father had spoken of when he talked about the moment he realized that her mother Claire was the one for him. That sensation that there were only two people in the world in that moment and you played for the other one in your life, becoming better and purer than you ever thought that you could be since you could do nothing less as a Potter.

Ten.

This was a bigger rush and thrill than playing to achieve the demanding standards of her family.

Nine.

It was even bigger than playing for an audience -- perhaps because it was for the most important audience of all.

Ten.

"Set to Du Chasteler 29-28. Match Tied 2-2!"

Beside her friend and rival, Antigone drew her own arrow and nocked it. Her heart thudded in the same rhythm that was her diesels calling her forth to the sea where she would hunt once more.

Nine.

She loosed another arrow to slam into the target in time with the beating of her diesels, her heart, as she felt the cool gaze of the woman -- the goddess -- that she loved watching her with admiration in her dark eyes.

Ten.

Her heart thudded harder and her pale cheeks pinkened with her blush as she drew the final arrow from her quiver to fire in that moment of perfect calm and tranquility in the eye of the storm that she was sailing through.

Ten.

"Tie set 29-29! Match tied 3-3!"

In the stands, the tension built as the archers fought neck and neck into the fourth set.

Claire watched her oldest daughter put on the performance of her life with tears in her eyes and a song swelling in her heartstrings as she she crushed Ehren and Tony's hands in a white knuckled grip.

Atalanta's keen eyes gleamed in love and pride as her daughter, the spirit of her beloved ship, showed what she was capable of to the world.

Ten.

Nine.

Nine.

Ten.

Ten.

Ten.

"Tie set 29-29! Match tied 4-4!"

Apollo and Artemis smiled happily as the match reached the fifth and final set. For as much as they wanted their Chosen, their Love to triumph, they just as much wanted to show to the audience mundane, magical, and divine the mettle of the young woman who had earned her place in their heart.

Beside them, Aphrodite and Uzume were rapt with joy seeing the red threads binding these spirits to their divine love swell and strengthen with each arrow that flew to the golden heart of the target.

Athena, despite her fears of what would happen when the deadlock was finally broken, was also enthralled at this perfect moment of competition.

Down below, Therese and Antigone locked eyes and nodded in unison.

It is time.

Ten.

Ten.

Two hands grasped their arrows.

Ten.

Ten.

Two bows raised for the final shots of the fifth set.

Two arrows flew.

Ten.

Ten.

The crowd roared at the spectacle of a perfect score by both archers as they competed for gold.

The announcer's voice broke from excitement as he called out. "Tie set 30-30! Tie match 5-5! We go to a one-arrow shootoff!"

Therese took aim and placed her arrow squarely into the X-ring.

Antigone followed suit with her arrow.

"Shootoff continues!"

Antigone's second arrow hit the X-ring again.

So did Therese's.

Therese's third arrow flew into the circle between ten and X ring as the fatigue built in both archers as they fought for the gold medal.

Antigone's third arrow struck the X ring to keep the sudden death competition going.

Then Antigone's fourth arrow landed in the ten ring a centimeter from the inner circle.

Therese took aim.

Her heartstrings sang in an arpeggio of joy and rightness as she once more became one with everything around her.

The breeze swirled.

Apollo's smile widened as Therese loosed in the space between two heartbeats.

The arrow flew.

The crowd roared as it found the heart of the target.

"Therese Lyra du Chasteler-Potter wins the shootout X Ring to Ten Ring!"

 

[darthcourt10]

Kab2

Next part incoming, I hope you like it.
----------------------------------------------
A Choice
Spoiler: Somber times


Words heavier than lead poured from Jen's mouth into Sofia's ears, words of self-sacrifice to make Sofia's escape from her fleet members, at the only cost of a sword; each word turning Jen's plan clearer but they were turning Sofia's engines grim and somber as well; when she finished, Jen stood firm along with her resolve, and with the wind waving her golden hair, she turned towards the enemy and began to walk, each step heavier than the former to do what she considered the best solution.

"Why? Why do you risk your life for someone like me who is a failure to their kind?" said Sofia as the dark emotions inside her heart grew, making her deprecating herself, a child never loved by her family with a strange origin that made her stand out, and with a set of mind very different from them, making her wish that she should never have born, and a justification for all the abuse she received during her stay with them.

"Do I need a reason to help a friend?" said Jen, her face turning to show Sofia a beautiful smile that vanished all the darkness in her heart, leaving Sofia shocked. 'All this was happening only because she was her friend?' though Sofia, she haven't done anything for Jen to consider her a friend, but Sofia's heart rebelled against that thought, now clear of doubt thanks to Jen. Sofia brought back Jen to the surface, eat with her, laughed with her, shared their pasts; she even named her, it should be a normal thought for Jen to sacrifice all her being to pay back the debt she owns Sofia...

Will you allow it? Will you live with it?

Another friend left for you to happily continue living?

All this thoughts swirled in her mind as she saw flashbacks to other situations from when she lived with her Princess, all the other members of the fleet bullying her only because she didn't hate humans, how they mocked her because of her red hair, how in despair she went to the hangar and found comfort in where she least expected it, from a Wa-class transport, an Abyssal who later discovered that was built around a human, how she shared her life with her and how she always listened and comforted her to keep living, to later left her fleet leaving the Wa alone, possibly dead or dismantled because her relationship with Sofia or worse, in the Princess' operation table in another of her 'experiments'.

Will you abandon another friend?

Her hand clenched her swimsuit at the left side of her front, as if something inside ached.

Inside her head a representation of her Princess at one side, mocking Sofia for being a weakling while she experimented on a body with blond hair.

At the other side Jen and the Wa encouraging her to choose the right decision.

...

'Never again'

Refusing to abandon her, Sofia focused in what she could do to help Jen, she listed her armament, 20 torpedoes and 30 TMA mines along with two 2 cm Flack 38, she never used them as her mission were more for exploration, but she had them and that is what mattered now.

But will she be able to shoot them against them?

She had to do it if she wanted Jen to go back with her, to be free of her past to fight for a brighter future with Jen.

Summoning her rigging she stood in her fin shaped boots, her rigging resembling two halves of her bow's inner design at each side of her, a Flack in each hand for shooting and an overseas cap with an earphone and an antenna, in its side a three banded flag with an eagle, her swimsuit turning into a fully fledged black and grey uniform; finally looking towards Jen and her opponents.

Just to see Jen shooting a dark beam to them.

As the beam hit them and turned into a pillar of light, Sofia saw Jen falling to one knee, exhausted for almost depleting her magical energy, but she did it, she ---

{Status report.} Sofia heard the radio transmitting the voice of the Demon.

{Here Ruthless, I have moderate damage in the hull, engines offline and 25% of my crew dead}

{Here Hollow, I am in the same condition as Ruthless}

{I only suffered minimal crew losses, the plating the princess installed took the worse of that thing and it only has a few dents and some loose bolts, stay still and repair those engines, I will kill this human for trying to kill us}

'DAMN!!' Sofia's anger built, if something that powerful didn't kill her how would she able to do anything to her? But she was determined to do whatever she can to escape the island with Jen... or not escaping at all, whatever Jen's fate would be Sofia will follow the same as she won't abandon another friend again.

She readied to attack them to buy time for Jen to recover, but...

"It will be pointless" captain Hüttenwerk said to her, his sad voice filling the command room "You won't be able to make a breach in that armor quick enough before she kill us"

Visibly enraged, Sofia shouted inside the room, her voice despairing "I know! But what else I can do? See how she murder Jen with me doing nothing?"

"Who said about doing nothing?" Hüttenwerk's tone implied that idea was out of the question "I know a way that we can use to kill that bitch, but you have to do everything exactly how I will tell you. Haben wir eine vereinbarung, Unterseeboot Sofia?"

Sensing that his captain was telling the truth and the confidence in his voice, Sofia replied "Jawohl, mein Kapitän!"

------------------------------------------------------------

"Damn, that burdened me more than I thought" was the reply Jen said to the pillar of dark light that just formed; kneeling on one knee from the exhaustion, she pondered the situation.

'Not bad for one skill that I haven't used before, it drained me more than it should but with training maybe I can reach to shoot two or even three and continue fighting' thought the sword spirit as the pillar weakened and disappeared only to show that the three Abyssals were still alive.

'Dammit, it was too much to ask that they succumbed, the beam has to be weaker than I imagined too'

Trying to get up but failing as she had almost depleted her magic, Jen saw how the Demon walked towards her.

"I agree that you are a box of surprises; to think that you could do that much damage to my guard, but you didn't expect the new armor that my princess installed, so I suffered minimal damage instead, but to acknowledge your 'strength' I'll kill you slowly with the help of my rigging."

In that instant the ground below her changed to something resembling the ocean surface if it were composed of black water; behind her the surface bubbled as something surfaced, first a giant grey hand, then the other hand, its wrists chained between them, then its heads came out, without nose or eyes but coated by abyssal steel, their only gap were big mouths filled with teeth, in their necks twin collars with two chains that their end finished in the Demon's back, in its shoulders twin turrets flanked by two AA cannons; as more and more of the rigging emerged it was clear that it was way larger than the demon itself, its spine ending in a lance tipped metal tail that swung left and right ready to impale its enemies.

Patting its left head, that in four legs it was a bit over hers, the Demon smiled "Isn't it beautiful? Behold the mighty rigging of the Battleship Water Demon Tarasque!" and to emphasize her words, the rigging howled while flames erupted from its mouths.

'And she kept all this time the monster under the carpet, nice' Jen thought, Tarasque sat between the two heads while Jen pondered what to say, not showing any emotion. Finally with nothing to lose, she opted for something reckless. "Impressive I will admit, beautiful I don't think so, I have seen crabs more beautiful than it" Jen replied showing a smug but tired smile.

With a vein almost visible in her forehead, Tarasque angrily responded to Jen, her pointy teeth showing in a sinister smile "Heh, I won't kill you quickly, I assure you, you will beg for it but I will deny you of that mercy"

Jen's smile grew at those words "Well, that means that you aren't good in your work, as all bitches have to give anything that was asked in return."

At that last statement, something snapped inside Tarasque "What did you call me? I'll dismember you after break all your bones!" she began to run towards Jen, the ground trembling under the rigging steps.

That was until the right face ate a torpedo fired by a fully armed submarine that made it stop in its tracks.

Looking at her right, Tarasque said "You know? It seems that someone needs to be reminded not to meddle in my affairs, so stay here and don't move, okay?" and with a sinister laugh she turned and began to slowly walk towards Sofia.

"NO!! Why didn't she escape? COME BACK MOTHERFUCKER!!!! LEAVE SOFIA ALONE!!!" grieving Jennifer tried to get up, but her body didn't move 'Dammit, not now! Move stupid body, move!' not getting any result, she turned to see Sofia to at least tell her to run.

Only to see in her eyes the same determination Jen had earlier and a smile that told her everything she needed to know.

'She has a plan and trusts me to follow it, whatever plan it is. Heh, no wonder we are Master and sword' thought Jen as she put all her trust in her Master and friend.

-----------------------------------

Approaching Sofia, Tarasque began to speak "You know that you can't defeat me with that puny armament, right?"

Smugly smiling, Sofia replied "I know that I can't defeat you, but if I fire all my torpedoes it may be possible."

Laughing diabolically as she closed the distance, Tarasque replied "And you think that I will let you? Anyways, you always said that you won't use your armament against anyone, so you are breaking your promise?" with that said she leaned towards Sofia, trying to get some entertainment from her.

But she was disappointed as Sofia's response wasn't what she expected. "Having something to protect makes the people grow, and if I want to protect something I need to use everything at my disposal, even my armament."

"How boring, any last words before I make you limbless?" said Tarasque as she stood in front of Sofia, towering over her.

Showing another smug smile, the Flak at her right hand disappeared inside her hull. "As a matter of fact, yes" said Sofia as she took the magical wand from inside her.

Seeing something that she haven't seen before, and wary because of the stunt Jennifer did to them, she shielded herself with the rigging's hands while Sofia moved the wand as she recited something.

"Magische Teilen!"

Red sparks surged from Sofia's hand, travelling across the wand and finishing in the tip, after that it seemed that whatever Sofia did has failed.

Visibly confused, Tarasque blinked as she asked Sofia "What was that?"

Still with her smile, Sofia replied "It's called magic; I have practiced it since I arrived at this island."

Hilariously laughing Tarasque said "And for what? It did me nothing so it is worthless!"

"Oh, you weren't the target for that spell, Tarasque" replied Sofia still smiling to the Demon that was still laughing.

But she got the answer to the implied question almost immediately, as Jen appeared and with a powerful slash she cut the rigging's tail.
--------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for reading, questions and comments are always welcomed.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A.N. -- Another day, another crosspost from last week's loadout on SV. The muse decided it was time for some feelpedoes in the thread and a deep psychological dive. Opening Quote's important for this one, and it is set waaay in the future.

Strong At The Broken Places

"The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially. If you are none of these you can be sure it will kill you too but there will be no special hurry." -- Ernest Hemingway, A Farewell To Arms

*-*

....This set of five previously unknown oil paintings, first recorded as part of the painter's estate upon the death of Lord Draco Malfoy and the passage of his wives to join him by the executors of his will, are permanently lent to the National Gallery for display by John-Paul Malfoy. The Younger Malfoy was already a magical landscape painter of note who was instrumental in bringing the attention of the art world to the genius of his father, who did no public exhibitions of his work and painted privately for friends and family such as the wedding paintings of all his children and their cousins.

These are perhaps the finest examples of the Early Period of Lord Malfoy's work as a magical portrait painter of exceptional genius. As common for Lord Malfoy's non-commissioned works, he used himself and his wives as models.

While upon first glance, the five paintings are neither unified by model, subject, nor location, the powerful emotions and pathos displayed link them thematically as a set of masterpieces of the art of one of the most notable magical artists of the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd centuries. Each painting concentrates upon the tragedy of loss, grief, and shame, and are widely considered to be instrumental in the Magical Neo-Classical revival of the 2500s after their discovery and recognition. They are viewed by millions yearly, and we welcome you to experience them as well, visitor....

(Holographic AI guide at the entrance to the Magical Wing of the National Gallery 2767)

VALOR

This piece is set aboard a wet navy warship from the Second World War. Analysis of the details reveal it as a shattered, burning, and sinking Fletcher-class Destroyer littered with the dead and dying. A Native American officer, believed to be Commander Ernest E. Evans (CMOH), bleeding heavily from his wounds, is shouting orders to the -- visible as outlines in the steering compartment when the smoke billows across the scene -- forms of wounded sailors struggling in thigh deep bloodstained water within the open hatch to the steering compartment below him. The one remaining 5"/38 gun turret operational is being fired by the powder-blackened survivors of her gun crew at the approaching Japanese wet-navy warships in the background approaching to deliver the death blow.

The foreground has the ghostly image of the ship spirit of USS Johnston visible as a weeping specter as she gently touches the bloodstained, tattered, and shot torn battle ensign flying over the wreckage with one hand in the final moments before the order to Abandon Ship will be given.

The image of Johnston's stricken but resolute face with its mingled grief, agony, and sad pride as she looks at her crew fighting to the bitter end of the Battle off Samar in 1944 is widely considered to be extremely haunting to the observer when she turns to face the viewer and looks into his heart....

(Holographic AI Guide for the painting called Valor in the Malfoy Collection 2767)

PERSERVERANCE

The scene here is The Cenotaph memorial in London at night. A discarded copy of the Daily Telegraph print newspaper in the foreground puddle is illuminated by the reflection of an outside light source. The newspaper headline "SURRENDER: THIS IS THE END" dates the scene to May 5th, 1945. There are many non-historical and symbolic elements present in the rainstorm, solitary dim light from above the memorial illuminating the focus of the scene in a pool of light, and lack of additional residents present.

Shrouded in blowing rain, and weeping in visible heartbreak as she lays five freshly cut live red poppies (symbolizing death in combat) one at a time at the foot of The Cenotaph kneels a lone blond female figure in Women's Royal Navy Service dress uniform with a black armband. Her face is turned away from the viewer and her hand shakes uncontrollably as she gently places the flowers at the foot of the White Ensign flag (Symbolizing the Royal Navy of the era). The poppies wilt and then sink into the puddle of water and tears at the foot of The Cenotaph in an endless loop that always has four flowers laid and a fifth one being placed.

The scholarly consensus is the mourner is symbolic of the ship spirit of HMS Cleopatra, who was the model for the woman. This hypothesis is bolstered by the infrequent ghostly female images who briefly become visible at irregular intervals within the blowing rain outside the circle of light whenever a flower sinks. These images are modeled on the manifested ship spirits of her sisters HMS Hermione, HMS Bonaventure, HMS Charybdis, HMS Naiad, and HMS Spartan. All five ghosts have looks of love and compassion on their haunting faces as they vainly reach out to the mourning figure to comfort her before they vanish in the rain....

(Holographic AI Guide for the painting called Perseverance in the Malfoy Collection 2767)

DUTY

The setting here is the port of Wilhelmshaven in Germany. The uniforms of the officers and other details place the scene during the middle of the First World War.

Two naval officers in undress uniform speak together as they supervise a work detail attempting to chip away rust on a worn and neglected Gazelle-class Protected Cruiser (an obsolete prewar class) anchored at the breakwater as a hulk. One, holding a radio message form shakes his head to the other officer's question with a melancholy look on his face.

Past the officers, the final ships of the High Seas Fleet, damaged, near sinking, and with their flags lowered in defeat return to port from the Battle of Jutland. In the distance, the setting sun turns the now-empty sea as red as blood while night begins to fall.

Visible on the seaward rail is a ghostly spirit easily identified as that of SMS Niobe. She shakes her head in denial while staring into the now-empty ocean, then falls to her knees in tears as she desperately begs for her sisters to return to her and forgive her for failing to be there for them in Early 20th Century German. This is according to linguistic analysis paired with lip reading as she suffers in an endless loop. This figure is widely viewed to be a painted quintessence of grief and regret....

(Holographic AI Guide for the painting called Duty in the Malfoy Collection 2767)

HONOR

The scene is a mist shrouded cemetery in a yew forest. Headstones with Christian and Jewish iconography stand in serried rows of white marble endlessly into the distance. There is one notable exception in the foreground which is the centerpiece of the painting.

A single jet-black slate cross bearing the cryptic inscription H. v. u. z. W. X.III.17 -- II.VII.42 in silver Fraktur lettering rests at the head of a grave being dug. Next to the grave, a pair of open coffins made of cypress rest with one being occupied while its identical mate awaits its occupant.

The occupied coffin has a blond-haired young man with an incredibly peaceful but dead face dressed in a pristine black and silver Schutzstaffel uniform with a Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves at his neck. Atypically, and jarringly, his SS-Ehrendolch honor dagger is bloodstained and chipped as he clasps it in his folded hands upon his breast. It points directly to the bleeding death wound upon his abdomen in an action of significant symbolism.

The other figure is a blond woman dressed in a stained and worn black mourning dress from this era with a veiled face and her hair filthy, tangled, and unbound. She is clearly exhausted with her once-beautiful face hollowed by her difficult life as she uses her bloodstained and torn hands to dig the grave for the corpse to lie in eternally. Her face is filled with resolute acceptance with her pain only visible in the depths of her haunted eyes, filled with tears that never fall.

Ehren du Chasteler-Malfoy, the painter's fourth wife, is the model of the digging woman. The identity of the corpse and the meaning of the second empty coffin have produced intensive scholarly debate among art historians ever since the painting was discovered. To date no clear consensus has been established for this symbolism....

(Holographic AI Guide for the painting called Honor in the Malfoy Collection 2767)

INSIGHT

The last painting in the set is a self-portrait set in a darkened room.

The artist, here a young boy dressed in his Hogwarts school uniform, holds a serpent-decorated silver hand mirror in front of him with an aristocratic sneer as he admires himself. That expression of vanity twists into a look of terror, regret, and remorse. Following the expression change he slowly changes from flesh to lifeless and crumbling stone in an endless loop that begins at the hand holding the mirror and resets as the decaying stone reaches his screaming horrified face. During an cycle with an additional figure, the face will warp into the Basilisk or the Young Man before resetting when they are present. To date, the face has never warped into that of the Girl.

Visible behind Lord Malfoy as reflections over his shoulder in the mirror are a trio of additional figures who fade in and then out during any given petrification cycle. Most frequently seen is a unknown boy his age with dark hair also dressed in Slytherin House robes who has a expression of evil delight in his smirk of triumph as his features warp to that of Lord Malfoy. Next frequently is a monstrous basilisk with eyes the same color as Lord Malfoy. Very rarely, a brown-haired and brown-eyed young girl in Gryffindor House robes is very briefly visible with a look of utter disgust and rejection.

The themes of metamorphosis and the expression of self-knowledge as an action that can either transcend or consume the seeker while it changes him into what is within became more widely developed later within Lord Malfoy's mature Middle Period. This is the earliest known example and use of the symbolism as an apparent first probe at a theme that he later explored in more depth in The Maidens of The Seasons four painting set for instance. The widely accepted metamorphosis symbolism here is the Jungian Shadow (represented by the boy), the Inhuman Monster Within (represented by the Basilisk), and the Feminine (represented by the girl)....

(Holographic AI Guide for the painting called Insight in the Malfoy Collection 2767)

 

[darthcourt10]

mikelima777

Hong Kong SAR

The sounds of war finally faded once more from what was once a major commercial hub city. The various factions that contested a certain artefact had turned their attention elsewhere, leaving behind the ruins they though were devoid of life. None had noticed the hidden eyewitnesses that slipped away. Had they been seen, some would have questioned why they headed north, as the New Territories had been wiped out by a nuclear strike by the PLA as part of the desperate attempts to stop the Abyssal invasions on Blood Week. Or so many had thought.

When the Abyssals struck Hong Kong, and the local PLA garrison was decimated, the Central Government had ordered a hasty retreat to Shenzhen. As the PLA forces fell or left, the invaders suddenly fell under attack, as thousands of spectral soldiers and vessels ranging from junks to British warships fought back. While still outnumbered, the ghostly defenders bought time for survivors to flee. While many sadly perished, survivors were led to the New Territories. The outside world would not realize that one of the earliest examples of post-Statute cooperation between the magical and nonmagical governments would happen in Hong Kong after the surviving members of the Hong Kong Government were met by the other government of the region.

The magical government for the Hong Kong Special Administration Region had the rare fortune of possessing competent leadership. The Magical Chief Executive at the time had put the people ahead of his own interest, and risking the ire of the ICW, he ordered his government to support the fleeing citizens, helping them hide in the magical districts in Hong Kong. However, things had looked dire as the Abyssals then went around the New Territories to attack Shenzhen and the mainland. Isolated, and effectively surrounded by the abyssal forces, the joint government made a fateful gamble. Massive illusion charms were placed over the enclaves within New Territories, causing everyone outside to believe that multiple nuclear weapons had struck the area.

With Hong Kong Island and the areas surrounding Victoria Harbour devastated by Blood Week, and the rest of the SAR seemingly destroyed, Beijing had written off the former British Colony. Nevermind the fact that the People's Republic of China was already busy trying to survive and maintain internal order, they had no resources or men to reassert control over what they had written off as an irradiated wasteland, the remains of a city with questionable loyalty to the Beijing government. The ICW also wrote off Hong Kong after losing contact with the government there. Many of their magical sensors had been overwhelmed, and any magic detected in the area afterwards was assumed to be either radiation or the remains of magical outbursts from wizards sacrificing themselves against the Abyssals. Moreover, the barrier around China had been set up during the rule of Mao Zedong; Hong Kong was, of course, a British Colony at the time, and even after the handover, the barrier had not been extended. Some in the ICW believed that any magic detected in the area may be residual backlash from the barrier after the devastation on Blood Week.

While many of the remaining wizards and witches had been apprehensive about working with their nonmagical counterparts, they had no other choice. Both sides had to learn to work, live, and survive together. Indeed, magic was regularly displayed and used to help everyone survive. Wizarding tents and temporary housing became permanent residences, food was replicated to feed the many mouths. Potable water was also produced thanks to magic. They were able to repair some of the damage to infrastructure, including some portions of the devastated transit system. The KCR East Rail Line from Tai Wai (大圍 ) station to Sheung Shui (上水), the western half of the KCR West Rail Line, and part of the KCR light rail network was restored used for some passenger and freight use.

Not everything was perfect. Some tensions remained between the two communities forced together, and surviving buildings were turned into slums, crowded with families and animals. What was once a first-class world city now looked more like the favelas of Brazil or the infamous Kowloon Walled City. In a twisted irony, some could have compared the situation with the Reservations in Magical Japan. Some district of the slums were deeply influenced by surviving members of organized crime, and there were political factions vying for independence or attempting to rejoin the People's Republic.

Despite everything, they continued to survive and most survivors hoped for the day they can finally reconnect with the outside world, away from the violence.

 

[darthcourt10]

Sidestory - Snippet 269: Yellowhammer

A.N. -- Time for some well-earned Happy Endings for the participants.

Only My Buttervioline (IX)

Panathinaïkó Stádio, Athens, Greece

28 May 2036 (Women's Archery Gold Medal Ceremony)

A hush fell over the crowd as the archers who had competed for the medals waited at the podium. A trio of staffers brought out trays with the rewards for being the best in the Olympics.

Crowns of Laurus nobilis, the bay laurel, known as Daphne in ancient Greece after the nymph whom Apollo had loved and lost. A nymph turned into the evergreen tree of the bay laurel, whose leaves would be woven into crowns showing nobility and excellence in the arts and athletics that had pleased Apollo and Artemis, both of whom had groves of these sacred trees.

Bouquets of flowers as well for the ladies who had competed well and truly.

And last but not least, medals of burnished bronze, shining silver, and gleaming gold to show the world what the recipient had done in the XXXVI Olympiad in her chosen contest of Women's Archery.

Therese du Chasteler held her violin case as she stood patiently while the delegate from the International Olympic Committee and the representative from the World Archery Federation were announced. She gave a smile to Antigone Koustris on her right and then Choi Mi-Sun on her left who had recovered from the defeat that Therese had given her to win a medal.

"Choi Mi-Sun! Korea!"

The Korean archer stepped to the podium to cheers. She smiled, and waved to the cheering crowd. Then she bowed her head to have her brow crowned with laurel and receive the congratulations of the dignitaries. The bouquet followed, and last the bronze medal.

"Antigone Koustris! Greece!"

The crowd erupted as Antigone stepped onto the podium. She blushed and waved happily, but her gaze was locked on only a few targets in the cheering multitudes.

Aunt Medea.

Father.

Mother.

Artemis.

Each with the same message in teary faces.

In blinding smiles.

In glistening eyes.

I am so proud of you, Antigone.

I love you.

The roar redoubled as she was crowned with laurel. The stadium shook as the medal of shining silver was hung around her neck. The first medal ever won by Greece in this event.

Saltwater stung her eyes as she touched it in delighted wonder.

"Therese Lyra du Chasteler! Belgium!"

Therese felt as light as a feather as she stepped to the highest of the three podiums. Her blinding smile split her face as the cheers of the crowd buffeted her like a tornado.

Her eyes found her madly celebrating family and the beaming face of her love.

Gold-flecked blue eyes and a sunny smile projected a message that resonated with her her soaring soul on chords and melodies of delight.

I knew you could do it.

You proved your worthiness to the world... and to Me.

You are worthy to be my Love... and my Champion.

Therese swallowed and her lips moved as she whispered back shyly, unheard in the roar of the crowd, save by the One who she sent her words to.

"I swear on my soundboard, my soul, and my strings to be your Champion, Lord Apollo. Because I love you."

His smile widened and the sunlight caressed her to lift her higher than she could ever have dreamed of flying as she bowed her head.

The laurel of victory crowned her spruce colored hair.

A medal the brilliant gold of the Sun overhead adorned her neck.

Then as the athletes turned to face the three flagpoles, Therese took her true body from her case and raised herself to her shoulder, activating one of her enchantments that would let her voice fill the stadium with song.

As the Belgian flag was raised, she began to play La Brabançonne from memory...
Spoiler: Therese Plays The Belgian National Anthem...

...before seguing into Ὕμνος εἰς τὴν Ἐλευθερίαν to honor Antigone's triumph...
Spoiler: ...Then The Greek National Anthem...

...causing the stadium to erupt into singing at her display of sportsmanship...

...then she finally concluded with Aegukga as a solo rendition as the archer who she had defeated to reach the gold wept in joy with this show of respect.
Spoiler: ...And Finally The Korean National Anthem

Because the glory of victory was only possible by virtue of the quality of the competition.
-----------------------

Villa Uvas Munificus, Slopes of Mount Ossa, Thessaly, Greece
Spoiler: A Buttervioline's Reward

Antigone squeezed the hand of her Belgian friend as the Portkey from the Olympic Village deposited them at Aunt Medea's villa in Thessaly. Therese gulped and then squeezed her hand back. "Thanks for the lift, Anti."

Antigone grinned and then released her friend's hand. "Anytime, Terri." The subgirl turned to look at the setting sun gilding the laurel trees of the Vale of Tempe, beloved of Apollo and the Muses in myth and folklore. "I got a message from Aunt Medea, and you have a surprise waiting for you." The grin widened.

Therese blinked and then reached for her currently-absent glasses out of habit before blinking. "Um, surprise, Anti?" She blushed and looked at the rising moon silvering the wine-dark Aegean Sea in the distance.

A quiet voice filled with presence suddenly shot a quiver down the spine of her true body. "Yes. Surprise."

Therese turned to see a midnight haired and creamy skinned young-seeming woman clad in a light silvery tunic, silver sandals, and carrying a quiver and bow step from the shadows.

Antigone gave an overjoyed smile. "Artemis! You came!" She dashed to the deity and hugged her.

The deity hugged her back and then touched the silver medal. "Well shot. My Huntress."

Antigone blushed scarlet and nibbled her lip.

Artemis then turned her gaze on Therese. Eyes as deep and dark and mysterious as a starlit night in the wilderness surveyed her. Finally perfect lips curled slightly. "Brother Chose well. See how you Hunt next."

Both Antigone and Therese relaxed at the calm words of approval.

Artemis made a gesture toward the door of the Villa. "Brother's inside. Go see him."

Therese bowed her head. "Thank you, Lady Artemis."

Artemis nodded, and then she and Antigone vanished into the shadow, with only girlish excited giggles to mark their stealthy passage.

Therese gave a fond smile and blushed, then walked to the door.

As her hand touched the latch it opened and He was there. Even with the normal blur of things close to her, he was as sharp and clear and radiant as anything she would ever be able to see.

All the blood in her body shot to Therese's face. She got an uncontrollable goofy grin and whispered in chorus with Apollo.

"so dreamy...."

Finally she took all the courage that she had, all the self-confidence that she had gained in the Olympics in both hands and rosined up her bow. "Um... hi." She squeaked out, then blushed as her voice cracked. "I'm Therese. W-what's y-your name?" An internal voice that sounded like her siblings and her friends like Martje screamed at her that she was approaching Maximum Dork status as her nuclear blush went critical.

He blushed in turn. "Apollo." A perfect finger touched the glasses that he held. "These are yours, right?" Then he blushed a deeper bronze at his words.

Therese nodded with a beaming smile and then gasped at the electricity shooting through them both as the glasses changed hands.

"Yes, yes they are..." She gathered her courage once more and looked into his warm, wonderful eyes as she smiled shyly after putting her favorite glasses back on her face. "D-do you like violin music?"

His smile and nod caused her spirit to soar as high as the Sun. "I do love music. Want to walk into the Vale of Tempe and serenade each other?"

She grasped his hand tight in a sudden movement. Her overjoyed beaming smile split her face while she nodded eagerly. She squealed out. "YESYESYESYESYESYES!!"

From the window Aphrodite turned to Athena. "See, even hopeless dorks can find true love. One day, even you will experience that." The Cytherean's grin was smugly satisfied and she summoned a pair of sunglasses. "Deal with it!"

Athena shook her head. "He's still a dork, though. Let's listen to Claire and her family play."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Looking out the window as the car drove along, Yae had wide eyes as she looked out at the base, "Gozaru..."

In the back seat, Nobu gave a laugh as she grinned, "Pretty impressive, isn't it? Heh, back in my first life something like a military base could not have been imagined."

Glancing at her friend, Okita turned towards Yae with a slight smile, "Well, it is hard not to be impressed. The base itself is practically a small town with everything that it has."

The lone non-reincarnated teen turned around in her seat at that in interest, "Really? A small town?"

Only adjusting her glasses, Uesugi nodded a slightly, "Indeed." She made a motion with her hand as she shook her head, "While we have not seen the whole base, Harry-Kun does, in fact, live here. And both him and Natsumi-Chan have confirmed that there is quite a bit here."

Just ticking off on her fingers, Okita nodded, "There's stores, arcades, a theatre, restaurants, a gym, pools... pretty much everything. Apparently there is even a bus service that goes through the base as well so that people can get places quicker."

Eyes wide, Yae just stared at her, "Gozaru... I never thought that there was so much on the base..."

With a small shrug, the former Shinsengumi shook her head, "Neither did I, really. But there you go."

Arms behind her head, Nobu shrugged, "That is ignoring the whole tunnels under the base." At the look, she waggled her hand, "Sort of cool, but there's like twenty seven miles of tunnels down there. And they use them for all sorts of things."

From where he was driving, Ryouma chuckled some, "They're useful though for getting around when the weather is bad, don't need to go outside at all." He then glanced to where work was being done on one such tunnel and shrugged, "They do get creepy down in the older, abandoned parts. Really creepy, and most of us avoid those places."

Just as Nobu was about to say something, the other two girls slapped their hands over her mouth with the same expression on both their faces, "No."

Needless to say, that caused giggles to erupt from the last of the girls, and she shook her head a little.

Eventually, the car pulls up in front of an apartment building and Yae looked up at it in interest, "Is this where Harry-San lives?"

Simply nodding as she undoes her seatbelt, Uesugi hummed a bit, "Hai, from memory this is where Harry-San lives alongside his adoptive Okaa-San and Imouto." Checking her phone, she frowned a little, "Though we are a bit early, unfortunately..."

Having already unbuckled her seatbelt, Nobu wiggled over a protesting Okita, "By an hour, but who's counting?!" Opening the door, she lunges out, "Freedom!"

Eyebrow twitching, Okita tried to grab her and instead fell over as the former warlord cackled madly. Unable to help herself, Yae giggled some as she got out after thanking Ryouma. Joining the others at the vehicle's trunk, she pulled out her gym bag, which was filled with all she would need for a week.

Part of her mind went back to what had happened when she told her parents about the invitation. At first, they had been stunned by it, as was her grandmother. A trip? To Britain for a few days? Since they were middle class, such a thing was almost impossible to comprehend. Yet, there it was and was confirmed when Nagato called them later to speak with them. Despite being confused with how, her parents accepted the offer quickly. Especially since it meant that they would have fruit preserves that might last for a few weeks.

That was something that Yae's mother and grandmother were looking forward to.

Before the last bit of luggage was pulled out, Harry had opened the door to the apartment building, smile on his face, "Hey Guys." Cocking his head to the side a little, he raised an eyebrow, "A bit early..."

Shrugging, Nobu grinned a bit, "Can't he helped! Besides, better early than late."

That got her a twitch of the lips from the teenage boy before he picked up one of the gym bags, "Here, let me give you a hand with that, you guys can wait in my apartment until it's time to go."

Leaning out the window of his car, Ryouma chuckled some as he gave a salute, "Thanks for taking care of them for the next week, Harry-San. Okita? Don't cause too much trouble!"

Face flushed, said girl glared at him, "Shut up!"

However, all he did was give her a jaunty wave and take off. Amused, Nobu followed the car with her eyes before chuckling, "He's a good Onii-San."

Sighing, Okita had a slight smile on her face, "He is at that... but I'm never going to tell him that."

That got a chuckle from the others before Harry shook his head with a smile, "Anyways, like I said, we can wait in the apartment until it's time to meet up with the others." He gave a small shrug, "I got oatcakes just out of oven if you want some."

Almost immediately, Okita and the other two reincarnated teens licked their lips hungrily. For her part, Yae blinked a little at their reactions in bemusement, "Oatcakes, Gozaru?"

Uesugi gave a hum as she had a far off look on her face, "Harry-Kun's oatcakes are quite delicious for something seemingly so simple."

Rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand, the wizard in question chuckled a little, "I'm not sure myself why people like them. They're pretty simple." He began to tick off on one hand as he continued, "Oats, evaporated milk, honey, and some spices like a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg... yet people love them. They're good for a snack though as they fill you up."

Arms crossed, Nobu scoffed a bit as she turned to Yae as they entered the apartment building, "It was one of the best things about our class when we did home economics with the cooking section. Harry-Kun here is an amazing cook and baker. Heck, even Sensei was impressed with him and how he could take a few ingredients and make something wonderful from them."

Just shrugging, Harry lightly blushed from the praise, "I just like cooking, that's all. Not that big of a deal."

Each of those whom had been classmates with him simply gave the fourteen year old amused looks. Deciding that, perhaps, it was best not to say anything at all, Harry coughed and continued to walk to the Nagato-Potter apartment despite the snickers behind him. Just opening the door to the apartment, he held it so that the others could enter before closing it behind him and setting the gym bag on the floor.

From the couch, Shiromizu poked her head up and blinked as she chewed something, "Hmm? They're early."

Grin on her face, Nobu gave a laugh and shrugged, "Can't he helped!"

Meanwhile, Harry just gave Shiromizu a look, "Really? I mean, really? You had to go and grab at least one of the oatcakes while I was gone?" Sighing, he rubbed the side of his head, "At least tell me that you didn't eat all of them."

Pout on her face, the Mizuchi gave him an innocent look, "Of course not! How could you think of such a thing regarding your beloved Onee-Sama?!"

Softly snorting, Harry waggled his hand, "I give it a six out of ten. As to how? I know you far too well, Shiromizu." He then gave a shrug as he headed over to the plate, "Also, you've picked up some bad habits from Jin."

At that, Shiromizu's pout increased in size, "Saying such things about your Onee-Sama..." Suddenly, her pout became a smirk, "Though that is what makes it so amusing~"

Blinking, Yae looked between them in confusion. The two were acting like siblings after all, were they related? Though they didn't look much like each other... about to say something, the Kendoka froze as Shiromizu came around the couch... and revealed that her lower body and legs had been replaced with a serpent's, red marks slightly glowing all over said scales, "G-Gozaru..."

Raising an eyebrow, Shiromizu glanced at her before turning to Harry, who shrugged. Then, she gave one of her own before putting her attention back to Yae, "My apologies... I am Shiromizu, the Mizuchi of the Shiromizu no Gawa which flows from Ginzanyama."

Quickly bowing, Yae swallowed a little, "A-ah, that is fine." Straightening, she chewed her lip some, "I... did not expect to meet one such as you, Shiromizu-Sama."

It went without saying that the Mizuchi in question was extremely amused by her actions. Cocking an eyebrow, she reached over with her tail and poked Harry in the cheek, "At least some people have proper respect for me."

Just rolling his eyes, Harry gently whacked said tail away from his face, "Sure, sure, whatever."

For her part, Yae stared in stunned disbelief at that, which only deepened as Shiromizu laughed. Weren't all the Mizuchi from the old tales proud creatures who could take offence from anything? Yet, here was one laughing as she teased a human and he did so back. However, her attention was grabbed as Shiromizu turned towards her with a knowing smile, the Mizuchi waving a hand, "Don't sweat it, Harry here has been my Otouto of sorts for years. Besides, use -San instead of -Sama, I would prefer it."

Only nodding, the lone non-Magical teen bowed a little, "O-of course."

Standing up, she flushed a bit at the smiles and good-natured chuckles that met her. However, a few moments later, Harry appeared and held out a plate to her, "Here you go, some nice oatcakes. Go ahead and try them, I have some tea if you want it as well."

Yae blinked a bit at that, but thanked him as she took one of the offered treats. Biting into it, she was surprised that it was soft, moist, but also good. As he told her, however, it was a bit heavy, but in a good way. It was very obvious why the others said that it was good as a snack.

And, as the Kendoka chewed, she could taste the slight hints of honey as well as spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon.

Beside her, Okita bit into one happily with a hum, 'So good...' Opening her eyes, she tilted her head a little, "One of these days you really have to teach me how to make these. They'd be good to munch on a trip."

Lightly laughing, Harry just gave her a shrug, "We'll see." As Uesugi took one, he hummed a bit, "By the way, if you want, I have a trunk in my room with expanded insides. We could put your luggage in there and shrink it, would make it a lot easier to handle."

Needless to say, all of the teenage girls there outside of an amused Shiromizu agreed.

His lips twitching, Harry motioned for them to follow after picking up one of the gym bags and putting it over his shoulder. A few moments later found them inside of his room and looking around in interest. Rubbing her chin, Nobu hummed a little, "So this is your room? I see, I see..."

More than a little amused, Uesugi noted that the room itself was neat and tidy. But, then her eyes caught sight of something and she blinked, "Is that a Tooth on display?"

At that, the others turned to the giant fang that sat on a stand, the sharp tip covered by a piece of silver. With a nod, Harry scratched his cheek some, "Hai, that's from a thousand year old basilisk that I killed about... a year and an half ago."

Furrowing her eyebrows, Yae looked at the fang in confusion, "A... basilisk? What is a basilisk?"

Grimace on his face, Harry rubbed a bit at his arm, "Imagine a snake the size of an Uwabami. Now, give it the ability to slay someone by meeting their eyes, petrify them if it meets their eyes indirectly such as through a reflection, and venom that can kill a full grown man in a matter of minutes. Now give it hide enough that it's tough to cut and pierce without a lot of force." He gave them a flat look, "That is a basilisk."

Not saying anything, Nobu looked at the fang for a few moments before turning to Harry and looking at where his hand was rubbing his arm, "... That is where you got that scar. It bit you."

Eyes widening, they turned to the teenage boy who paused before lifting the sleeve of his shirt to reveal the puckered scar that was there, "It's... master cast a spell that made the floor slick. So I did the only thing that I could and stabbed it through the roof of the mouth which killed it. But that fang pierced my arm as well. At which point... well, I was lucky that Phoenix tears cure any poison or venom and heal wounds. Still, it was too damn close."

Nodding, Okita grimaced a little, "I can imagine..." She gave a look at the fang before noting a photograph of Harry with a jewelled sword. Ignoring the gemstones, she noted he was posing and her eyes went wide at the sight of the giant, reptilian head behind him that was bigger than he was, "Is that...."

With a glance at the photo, Harry chuckled, "The Basilisk? Hai."

Reaching for a book, he flipped some pages until he turned it to them. On said page was a picture obviously taken from above, which showed some shipgirls next to the monstrosity. Jaw dropping at the sight, Yae felt a small shiver at the idea of facing it with only a sword. Right then, all the old tales felt all the more impressive, "That... is frightening, Gozaru."

With a shrug, Harry shook his head and let them flip through the pages, "Hai, but it is what it is."

Intrigued, Uesugi shared a look with Nobu who gave a slight nod. Yes, both of them would have most definitely wanted Harry as a retainer in their first lives. Even some of the more powerful warriors would have balked at fighting such a creature. After getting a bit more of the story out, including how Fawkes had poked out the serpent's eyes, Uesugi nodded before a thought occurred to her, "Harry-Kun? What happened to the remains?"

That made the fourteen year old boy blink before he shrugged, "It was skinned and some of it was sold. Anything that could be used for potions was harvested. And the meat, while poisonous due to being saturated in dark magic, was tasty to Abyssals so we gave it to Hoppou and the Fleet Of Laughtet as well as Wanko's Fleet. The skeleton... is still in one of the warehouses here. Most of what was left on it has decayed, but there's a fight between the National Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo and the British Museum in London who gets to mount and display the skeleton. Whoever doesn't will get a replica of all the bones, however."

Once more looking at the pictures, Uesugi, Nobu, and Okita snorted and spoke as one, "We wonder why they're fighting over them."

Said reply got snickers from Harry before he pulled out the trunk in question and began to slip the gym bags into it. Interested, the former Head of the Oda hummed as she rubbed her chin, "This... this sort of magic would have been extremely useful. Imagine just having a few such trunks and what it could have meant for campaigns when a single man could bring most of what was needed."

Frown on her face, Uesugi adjusted her glasses a little, "Indeed. It would have been extraordinarily useful for warfare."

Meanwhile, Yae was looking around in curiosity. There were some books there that interested her with titles such as "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them", "Quidditch Though the Ages", "Onmyoudo: the Beginner's Guide to harnessing the spirits", and the like. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see a cauldron sitting on a desk as well as parchment and what looked like quills. On said desk was also what looked like half an amethyst geode, glinting in the light.

It was just like something from one of the manga involving sorcerers and the like in the modern day.

As she looked around the room, though she was befuddled by the terrarium with a small castle inside, her attention was caught by something else. Yae's eyes widened a little as she looked at a foot long skull mounted on a piece of wood, long, needle-like teeth able to be seen, "Gozaru... what is this?"

Looking over, Harry nodded some, "That's a skull of a pike that I caught and killed." Grimacing, he shook his head, "Damn thing nearly tore my hand when I caught it, bloody vicious bugger."

Somewhat amused, Okita leaned in to look at it and noted the picture of Harry from a few years back with said fish in his arms, "Huh... so it's a kind of fish?"

Bemused at the expressions he was getting, Harry chuckled, "Hai, they live in streams back in Britain, usually in the weeds. They're predators, so they lunge out and eat other fish, ducks, and the like. That one there I got from a stream on my property and was about fifty pounds. Since the streams haven't been fished in more than two decades, the pike got the chance to get nice and big. Just makes them more aggressive though." He then gave a shrug, "Good eating too, but with how they got all sorts of small bones, you need to be careful when filleting them. Like perch."

Each of them gave that a bit of thought before nodding. Nobu did lean in to look at the skull before turning back to Harry with one raised eyebrow, "So why did you keep the skull?"

Expression utterly flat, Harry spoke in an extremely dry tone that got him snickers, "After it tried to eat my hand, I decided that I was not only going to eat it, but keep something from it as well." Then he shrugged with a slight smile, "Usually, I just keep pictures and such."

At that, the others nodded and soon after, they left the apartment to join up with the others.

 

[darthcourt10]

KiMaSa

And the Nagato chan saga continues.


Opening

Naka grinned. "It looks packed out there!" She commented as she peeked through the curtains.

"Are you ready?" Enterprise asked.

"I was born ready!" Naka replied.

"Good. Because I'm as nervous as a tribble at a Klingon banquet."

"What's to be nervous about? It'll be fine!"

"Easy for you to say," The famed starship replied. "Afterall, this isn't like a pitched battle. If things go wrong... The world wakes up tomorrow just like it did today. And then for you... There will be real missions. The British girls? They can always haul cargo. They'll still have a role to play. Me? Nagato? Arizona? This is the best we can do. What if our best isn't good enough? What if... What if I'm as fake as the plywood and plastic I was made from?"

Naka shook her head. "That won't happen. Because you girls aren't just made from plywood. You're made from dreams. You of all people should know the power of a dream."

"I know... and I'm still scared. I'm scared that maybe the girl behind the curtain will be a disappointment to the legend they think I am."

"You want to know the trick for success? It's easy! Think of the worst thing that can possibly happen!"

"And?"

"And don't let it happen!" Naka grinned. "I read that in a Star Trek novel once.

"Okay then. If it's from Star Trek, it MUST be good advice!" She looked at the clock. "Well, it's time! Good luck!"
***

In the stands, Nagato leaned forward expectantly. Harry was right, she thought as she looked over at her son, surrounded with his friends and his own veritable fleet around him. Nagato was in many ways, like a daughter. She existed because of who Nagato was and she had already proven that she lived by the same code of honor and responsibility. Nagato knew her daughter... She smiled at that thought... her daughter must be a bundle of nerves now. It was much the same as Nagato felt before a battle when all the preparation and planning was done and there was nothing to do but wait and ponder all the imponderables. Hoppou was right at her side, Nagato having made certain that Hoppou fully understood that no real hostile abyssals were here.

Mutsu was also here with Richardson at her side as it should be, Hiei was watching the twins tonight with Rose and Haruna visiting. Her own admiral and Kongou... There must be at least a hundred shipgirls by her count! Perhaps more! Looking around the auditorium, Nagato thought she recognized... No... that didn't seem possible? She must have been mistaken. Well, no matter. The house lights were dimming...


***

A solitary light shone upon Naka as she looked over the audience.

"Welcome! I am Naka! Idol of the Fleet! I will be your host today. And it is wonderful to see so many faces here today! Many of you I know. Our own Admiral Goto... Kongou chan is looking very nice today! Admiral Richardson and Battleship Mutsu! Congratulations on the twins! I see several of our heavy hitters today! Iowa... Enterprise... " Naka smirked. "You just might not be the 'Biggest E' here today. Hello Atago! I see Johnston...Des Division 6... LOTS of shipgirls here today...Almost as if they were expecting something..."

At that moment, a tall, pale figure in a white dress stepped out and stared at the audience. She turned to Naka.

"Hey! That's not fair!"

"What do you mean?"

"There must be at least a hundred shipgirls out here! I mean... That's a bit unfair! On my side, there's just me!" She stamped her foot.

"Hime... They're just here to watch the show."

"What?"

"That's right. They're just part of the audience."

"So they won't open fire on me?"

"Nope!"

"Well! That's better! In that case, I'd better hurry and put the finishing touches on my evil plan!" The abyssal ducked back behind the curtain.

Naka shook her head. "Central Island Hime, folks! Anyway, it's not just shipgirls here today! Let's give a warm greeting to the officers of Bokotou Police Station, They just successfully raised nearly a million yen for 'Orphans of the Storm', one of the charities we're supporting with today's show. Enjoy the show officers! You've earned it!" Naka led the clapping for the sixteen officers who had gotten a day off for their efforts. "And everyone, remember that ALL the ticket proceeds will go to charity. Anyway! Enough of the chit-chat! Who here is ready to see a show?"

The crowd applauded and Naka grinned. "Alright... Well then, let me turn things over to our narrator." The light on Naka faded and another light shone upon a figure dressed as a samurai.

"Greetings travelers, I am called Muroc Maru, Last built of the Takao class cruisers. I'm searching for my fleet. I must hurry because the waters this day are troubled. And I suspect I am not the only one in a hurry today." From off stage the shouts of voices came calling out to Muroc Maru. "Ah! My fleet! I must go now..." Muroc hurried off stage to the right. To the left, a light shone on a door marked 'Plott Devices' behind it were many items, some recognizable, like a DeLorean, and a blue police call box. A familiar figure slunk toward the door.

"Shhh...." Hime motioned to everyone. "I just know I'll find something useful here!" Hime started to rifle through things. "Electric can opener... Slap chop... What is this? the Home Shopping Network?... My car keys! How did they get here? There's just gotta be something good I can use!" Hime turned to the audience and looked thoughtful.

"I have a little confession to make... " She pinched her fingers together. "Everybody thinks I'm the 'Big Bad' around here... Actually... I have a boss... " Hime cringed dramatically. "And she is NOT happy right now! Apparently, she's sick of my constantly losing to The Great Lakes Battleship! I mean... I'm not fond of it either but my boss... We call her 'Lemurian Princess', she's REALLY not happy. And if I don't sink that battleship, I'm going to be in big trouble!"

"You're already in big trouble!" Hime's eyes widened as a familiar voice cut across the stage, a figure only half-lit.

"The Great Lakes Battleship!"

The figure stepped more firmly into the light, showing the famous heroic battleship carrying her famous shield.

Hime turned to the audience. "Okay! Who squealed? Hunh?"

"Um? Excuse me?" Illinois interrupted.

"In a minute! Can't you see, I'm talking to the audience!" She turned back from the battleship. "I mean... Who would tell on me? I'm pretty and cute! And..."

"And out of time, Hime!"

Hime paused with a finger on her chin, just below the mask that covered the lower part of her face and turned.

"We gotta fight now?"

"Unless you'd like to just surrender?"

"That would make the show boring so..." Hime snatched up a bracelet from one of the tables. "I'll just run away!" Hime ran off stage laughing merrily. Illinois looked confused and then the stage went black...

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Looking around the brightly lit tunnel in interest, Shiromizu behind them, Yae blinked a bit in curiosity before turning to Harry, "Were these really built back in the 1940s, Harry-San?"

His lips twitching a bit as he lightly chuckled, Harry nodded, "Hai, though they look a lot different than they did before Blood Week." Gesturing around them, he continued, "The original tunnels were dug after the Doolittle Raid, and they go deep under the ground. They had a lot down here including a power plant, a hospital, and a full on Midget Submarine factory. In the deeper levels there were some... research projects... that were also happening."

The teenage Kendoka did not need to ask what said projects were due to the look on Harry's face as well as those of the three reincarnated teens. Deciding a change of subject was best, she cleared her throat, "So, um... they decided to... refurbish them?"

More than a little thankful for the change of subject, Harry shook his head, "Before Blood Week, they were sealing them up bit by bit. They didn't really have a use at the time and due to the construction, were sort of dangerous since during earthquakes you had falling rocks."

At that, Yae looked up at the ceiling in some worry before turning back to Harry, "A-and now?"

Only shaking his head, the teenage boy pointed a finger towards the ceiling, "They put reinforced concrete above us with joints every so often, so it's now perfectly safe unless we're talking something like the Great Kanto Earthquake. No one wants to guess how well anything would take something like that." Various nods met him at that as they looked around, "Anyways, after Blood Week and the Abyssal bombing campaign, the tunnels became important again. Elsewhere in Yokosuka, they were able to become ready made shelters for civilians until purpose ones were built... and still are. Here on the base, they were used for shelters, record keeping, and the like. Deep in them, there's even an emergency Command Center just in case."

Hands behind her head, Nobu glanced around in thought, 'Hmm...' Remembering some of the news reports, she narrowed her eyes a little and glanced at Harry, 'And with the news reports coming from China, most likely not just because of the Abyssals, either...'

Meanwhile, Harry continued, "So they refurbished them and everything. New walls, floors, and the like." A hum made him blink and he moved to the side, "Okay, guys, out of the way of the cleaner."

Each of the teens moved to the side as the floor cleaner, which was the size of other industrial ones, moved past as it avoided them. At the front, a camera swept the area in front of it for obstructions... mainly because said floor cleaner was entirely autonomous and had no human operating it. Once it was past, Uesugi looked back some, "Hmm... is that one of those new cleaning robots?"

Harry gave a nod to that, "Hai, otherwise with the amount of traffic that the tunnels get, you would need the cleaning staff going twenty four seven and probably at least fifty or so. They're testing them out right now though, and Ooyodo-Oba says that they're doing quite well when working alongside the human cleaning staff."

That only got him sounds of interest before they moved on. Reaching a door, Harry swiped a card through the reader and then punched in a code. Moments later, the small light went from red to green and he opened the door up for the other teens who quickly followed him through. As they turned a corner, the teenage wizard gave a wave as he could see Natsumi with Taiyang's sword form at her side and the others waiting for him alongside Nagato, Ooi, Kitakami, Ryuuhou, and Taigei, as well as Iku and Hachi. The blonde Submarine, who had been chatting with Iku, had her expression light up as she caught sight of Harry, "Harry-Chan!"

Just a few moments later, they were hugging and Harry gave the Subgirl a kiss on the cheek, "Hachi-Chan!"

He then proceeded to kiss the cheeks of Iku, Taigei, Ryuuhou, and Natsumi as well, which all of them smiled at before returning the favor. With a small nod, Nagato smiled some before nodding, "Good, we're all here." Checking the time, she hummed a little, "We have a few minutes though... Natsumi-San? I believe that you have something for us?"

Nodding, the Kitsune reached into her pocket before pulling out the time turner, "My Ojii-San and Obaa-San is letting us use the time turner my family has. That way, we can do more harvesting as well as do some sight seeing."

Lost, Yae leaned in to examine the strange object, which had an hourglass in the middle, "Um, a time turner? What is that?"

Amused and wanting to see the reaction she would get, Natsumi grinned some, "It allows for one to travel back in time. In this case, about twenty four hours or so."

Jaw dropping, the lone non-magical and non-reincarnated teen stared, "T-time travel!? Gozaru..." Looking from Natsumi to the device, she shook her head, "T-that is possible?"

Only humming, Natsumi slipped the time turner back under her shirt, "Hai, though there are rules and such. Thankfully, we only need to worry about the basics..."

It took a few minutes, but they explained to a stunned Yae the various rules. Said teen soon became thoughtful and nodded at what she was hearing before humming, "I see. That does make sense, Gozaru."

Having arrived partway through, Jin practically inhaled a hoagie that she had bought. Chewing, she shrugged some as she picked some lettuce from her teeth, "Yeah, thereabouts anyways." Looking around, the Mizuchi rolled her shoulders a little, "So, we're getting this show on the road then?"

Each of the teens either smiled or grinned at that as they nodded. Soon enough, they walked through the Vanishing Cabinet. Quietly, they made their way up and out of the basement and signed in at the manned desk whose guard nodded at them. With that done, they walked out the door and Yae blinked as she looked around, "It's night?"

With a hum, Harry gave a nod, "Hai, Britain is... about eight hours behind Yokosuka after all. So when we left, it was about ten hundred hours, and here it's two hundred hours, so early morning."

Amused, Natsumi gestured with the time turner that she had, "Hence, having this. It'll make things a lot easier for all of us."

That got her relieved nods and they gathered around the portkey. Moments later, they all felt a jerk behind their navels and the world dissolved into swirls and the like as they were flung through space. As they hit the ground, Yae blinked as she looked around, "Gozaru..."

Nearly having fallen, if not for the quick reflexes of Iku, Harry nodded, "Portkeys are kind of like that."

Rather amused at how he seemed to hate Portkeys, Natsumi shook her head with a slight snicker before bringing out the time turner, "Now... time to go back about... oh... I think eighteen hours, that should bring us to early morning and give us all plenty of time to settle in."

Everyone nodded as they gathered into a circle, with the chain lengthening for them all. Natsumi then began to turn the hour glass and everyone watched as the Half-Moon reversed course and began heading towards the eastern horizon, the stars themselves following. Then, there was a glow to the west and everyone could see the Sun slowly rise upwards as if it had been dawn and they were watching time lapse photography. The solar orb made its way across the sky towards the east, white fluffy clouds rushing across the sky at high speed as it did so, until everything began to slow and then stop.

With a smile, Natsumi took the time turner off everyone and tucked it back into her shirt, "And there we go..." Pulling out her phone, she nodded as the clock automatically updated, "And we are a quarter to eight in the morning."

Utterly and completely stunned by what just happened, Yae looked around with a dropped jaw, "G-gozaru... we just traveled in time..."

Hands in her jean pockets, Okita nodded as she looked around, "Magic really is a wonderous thing." Tilting her head, she looked towards Harry, "So where to now?"

Lips twitching, Harry jerked his thumb over his shoulder, "We head over to where the gate is and enter my property." As they walked, he nodded towards the bushes beside them, "These are elderflowers, by the way. My family used them as hedges to block off the family property from the rest of the area. If you look between them, you should be able to see the stone wall inside."

Poking her head some inside the bushes, it took a few moments, but Nobu blinked and nodded as she could see the stone wall that rose to head height for a tall man, covered with what looked like climbing roses and moss, "Huh. Interesting idea."

Just shrugging, the wizard shook his head, "There's damson trees just behind the wall too. Hedgerows basically have a bush that grows tight, a line of trees, and another row of bushes. The idea being that it means no one can easily get inside your property. You see a lot of them on old country roads and such."

More than a little thoughtful, Uesugi hummed a bit as they continued to walk along the hedgerow, "There is something interesting about such an idea. To use nature to block off an area of land."

Only nodding, Harry smiled a bit, "Natsumi-Chan and I figured that for our first bit of using the time turner to do it outside the hedgerows to hide ourselves from... ourselves." At the nods, they reached the main gate and he reached up before pushing it open. To one side stood an empty gatehouse, "Before you ask, I have been thinking about hiring someone... but not sure quite yet."

That got him sounds of interest as they walked inside, only for all the teens who had not been there before to pause as they were on a small rise that allowed for them to see the property. From where they were, they could see the manor nearby, fully restored, alongside the stable house. Not too far away, the converted millhouse rose over the pond, which reflected its surroundings like a mirror as water burbled over a small dam and into it, the overflow heading out of a small stream. There was, not too far from where the manor was, even a small guest house. And that was not mentioning the lines of trees or the distant stone building that looked like some sort of barn.

For several moments, the reincarnates as well as Yae just stared at what was before them. Blinking, the lone non-magical teen rubbed at her eyes before staring some more, "Gozaru..."

Having manifested her avatar, Taiyang looked out over the property with a thoughtful hum, 'So this is Harry-San's property? Hmm... impressive and suitable.' Tail swishing behind her, she smiled, 'Oh yes, very suitable for Master if she wishes to stay here.'

Suddenly, a thought occurred to Okita and she pointed, "Are we staying at the manor, Harry-Kun?"

Grinning, Harry laughed a little and nodded, "Got it in one, Okita-Chan. You'll have to buddy up." He then gestured towards the Millhouse, "We'll also be using the millhouse as well for naps and such. Taigei-Chan and the others will be at both places preparing the fruit preserves, jams, and jellies."

A shout made them turn as Goldie came trotting up on the stone horse that she had used before. Nodding, the Roman blade grinned, "Salutations to the Praetor!"

Simply laughing, Harry greeted her back. After a short explanation, Nobu grinned some, "Hey, know where I can get me one of these? Because they could be useful..."

Okita only facepalmed at that as her friend cackled, 'That is the last thing that we need...'

However, for her part, the Roman blade simply smiled and hopped off the horse before shrinking it, "There are some places that make them still, Umu. But that will be for later." With a small nod, Goldie turned towards Harry, "Praetor, we managed to get a small wagon along with one of the small stone horses based on a Shetland up and running. We thought that it would help greatly with your harvesting."

Eyebrows raising, Harry nodded at her, "Thank you, Goldie. I really appreciate this."

Goldie only smiled and nodded at that.

Not long after, they reached the manor and everyone was now looking around the place in interest. Before, Taiyang had been somewhat impressed, yet now seeing her surroundings? The polished stone floor, varnished wood panelings and mouldings? Not to mention the small tables with various ornaments on them? She slowly nodded to herself in thought with a small smirk, 'Oh yes, my Master and her husband will be kept in good states here when they visit. As will their consorts. Very, very suitable for Master.'

It goes without saying that her impressions only increased as Harry took them on a small tour of the house.

Meanwhile, inside of Natsumi's head, Tamamo was also humming a little, 'Oh yes... this may not be what I have been used to, but it is quite nice. Very nice indeed~'

Eyebrow raised as she watched Usagi fall back onto a bed and bounce, Natsumi blinked, 'Really? This impresses you?'

A laugh answered her before the ancient vixen spoke up, 'And why would it not? It is an elegant home, very lovely. The comfort is quite high as well. I will admit, that there is an... understated elegance to it as well. All in all, it is of the sort of place that I would have enjoyed staying for a time.'

Considering that, Natsumi could only nod in agreement.

Once everyone was settled in, with Iku, Hachi, Taigei, Ryuuhou, and Natsumi sharing the same room with Harry, and Yae sharing a room with both Jin and Shiromizu while the reincarnates shared another, there was one last thing to do. Which is why Nobu was following the black haired wizard alongside the others, "So your great-aunt's haunted skull is this way? And you're going to visit her?"

With a look over his shoulder, Harry nodded a little, "Hai, I'm going to say hi to her and leave some new flowers. Brighten up the room for her and such."

Frowning, Yae rubbed her arms a little, "I am still weirded out by that, Gozaru. Don't you worry about having a... Yuurei in your home?"

However, the teenage wizard shook his head, "Not really, no. If it helps, think of Great-Aunt Catherine as being a goryō, a protective ghost." He then gave a small shrug, "It's one of the cultural differences between Britain and Japan. Here in Britain, Yuurei are often seen as protective at times as well as members of the family. There's tales of ones being protective of the children of the household, for instance. Waking the parents when there's danger or watching over them."

Now thoughtful, Yae nodded a little, "I see..." Furrowing her eyebrows, she blinked a little, 'I wonder what Sensei would think of this?'

Moments later, Harry reached the heavy wood door and pulled out a key which he used to unlock it. As he entered, the others poked their heads inside and blinked. Those who had seen it before felt their eyebrows raising as the inside had been changed from what it had been.

Before, it had been somewhat deary and the like. Now, however? The windows were clear and allowed light inside the room with suncatchers which caught the light and created colors and patterns, which reflected off the polished stone floors. Said polished stone continued upwards a short distance, with the rest of the room done with wood panelling, obviously enchanted. And in the middle, there was a wood table with a vase on it as well as a small chair at one side.

Sitting down in it, Harry leaned back a bit and smiled at the skull that was on the spike in the wall, "Good morning, Great Aunt Catherine. Hopefully you're enjoying your new surroundings?"

While there was no verbal answer, everyone could almost feel as if there was a silent one. Something that made Nobu blink a little, 'Huh...'

Only nodding, Harry chuckled some, "I'm glad then." Turning a bit, he gestured towards the door, "Myself and some of my friends will be staying here for a week, Auntie. We'll be harvesting some fruit and such. I got some new friends as well..."

As he introduced them, the three Incarnates as well as Yae all bowed towards the skull. There was a brief grinding sound, and they swore that it had tilted a bit to look at them. Not to mention, there was the feeling of someone examining them closely. The same happened when Harry introduced Taiyang, with the Dao easily meeting the eyeless gaze of the skull.

Then, as if it never existed, the odd feeling of being examined vanished. With a nod, Harry stood up before filling up the vase with some water, "I also got some nice flowers for you, Auntie. Hope that they brighten the room for you." Moments later, he produced said flowers and placed them in the vase. Everyone could see them rustle a bit even after he let them go, as if in a breeze that did not exist. Still smiling, Harry bowed towards the skull, "Well, I'll come by and visit you later, but we have to get ready for harvesting. I hope that you have a good day."

With those words, Harry turned and walked out the door with the others backing up before he locked it. Just as he turned, there was a series of knocks from the other side of the door, which caused widened eyes before he nodded a little and chuckled. Glancing back at the door as they walked away, Ooi frowned a little, "Um, Harry? Was there a meaning behind that?"

Lips twitching, the teenage wizard chuckled, "Hai, she was saying thank you."

Not saying anything, and simply nodding, the others glanced back as they reached the end of the short hallway and Harry closed and locked the second door, placing the wooden brace down to really secure it and the padlock on that.

__________________________________________________________________

Having gone to the kitchen, the various teens were assembled around a map as they planned out their attack. In the background, Sheff, Saki, Ryuuhou, Taigei, as well as Kitakami Maru all prepared the kitchen to start making preserves and the like. Looking at the map, Nobu hummed as she rubbed her chin, "Quite a few fruit trees that you have here, Harry-Kun. Very impressive."

Just looking at her friend, Yae boggled a bit, "Um, I think that there's more than just a few... there's a lot."

More than slightly amused, Harry shook his head before tapping the sheet of paper, "Okay, we got a few places that we can hit. And the time turner means that we should be able to hit all of them." Everyone turned and nodded at him as he took out a pink marker and put it along one of the hedgerows, "Now, remember how I said that hedgerows have layers? That's true in this case especially as my family was somewhat... smart about it."

Intrigued, Uesugi hummed a little, "How so?"

The wizard tapped the line he had made on the photocopied map, "They figured that the inside hedges should be useful for more than just keeping out trespassers. Hence, here they planted raspberries along the inside of the hedgerow." With a dark blue one, he continued along a distance to a mark on the map, "Here, they planted blackberries." A final, green line, joined the others, "And here they planted gooseberries. All three have thorns, but produce edible fruit as well."

Eyebrows raised, Okita gave a small nod, "That's... pretty smart. Anyone trying to get onto the property would need to force their way through thorn bushes once they get over the wall and outer hedgerow. It also gives them food and the like as well. Huh..."

Leaning over, and her chest happening to be pressed against Natsumi's head (whose eyebrow was twitching), Taiyang gave a nod, "Very intelligent, Mikon! Food and protection in one package!"

With a deep breath, Natsumi let it out before turning to Harry and ignoring the squish of her blade's chest against her head... as well as the giggle said movement got, "Where are the other fruit trees, Harry-Chan? Your family seems to plant them in rows after all."

Just nodding, Harry pulled out a dark red color marker before making three lines, "These are where the cherry tress are. Each one of these lines has about fifteen trees along them." A peach colored line joined them, "And these are the peach trees, which should also be just about ripe, with plums beside them."

Usagi licked her lips a little as she looked at the marked places, "Mmm, peaches... nothing like biting into a nice, big peach." Pausing a little, the rabbit Yokai tilted her head, "What sort of peaches? Western or..."

Chuckling, Harry shook his head, "A mix." Seeing the looks, he shrugged some, "Most of them are of the western kind. But my Great-great-grandfather Ian, brought back some Japanese peach trees which are growing there as well..." Pausing, a frown crossed his face, "Though... there's some hints that my ancestor who brought Juuchi back from Japan also brought some back, and magically interbred them with native varieties since they're pretty big peaches."

As everyone muttered a bit, Asuka was looking at the map in thought before sipping some of the lemon water, "Harry-Kun?" At the hum, she looked up at him, "Where's the blackcurrants and red currants?"

His lips twitching, the wizard leaned forward and made a few more marks, this time with a dark purple and a lighter red, "These are the positions of the red currants and blackcurrants. They're not huge bushes, so they're used between the trees on the property in places."

Examining the map, the Tengu was thoughtful before nodding, "Can I make a suggestion?" At their nods, she continued, "Day One should have us work on the raspberries first after a short nap and using the time turner. Once we have those bushes done, and we used the time turner, head over to the cherry trees and pick as many as we can gather. If we feel up to it, we get started on the blackcurrants. Then we take a rest day and do something else."

With a hum, Harry glanced at the others who nodded before giving Asuka a smile, "I don't see an issue with that. Maybe we can go and have some sightseeing as well."

Relieved, Asuka nodded, "That's good enough for me." Pausing, she cleared her throat some, "Um, right... then, when we return, after a rest, we start on the blackberries, followed by the peaches. Maybe the red currants after. Then another rest day." Once she got sounds of agreement, the Tengu continued, "Day Three should have us finish up with the gooseberries and the plums."

Confused even as the others nodded, Yae scratched her head, "Um, I think that I am missing something here." At the looks, she blushed lightly but continued, "I thought that we were going to be here for a week. But... it sounds like we only need three days."

No one said anything, but the reincarnates and Kendoka noted the Yokai and Harry sharing a look. After a moment, the wizard cleared his throat, "Well... the truth of the matter is that after that, we would do the whole process all over again because we would likely have just as much fruit once more ripened."

Blinking, Nobu looked between her friends with a small frown, "Magic?"

Just rubbing his neck, Harry tilted his head back and forth, "Kiiind of?" At the confused looks, he sighed, "There's a group of fae, the fair folk, that lives on my family property. I even have ties of blood to them from centuries back. Fact of the matter is that in return for a small portion of the first part of our harvest, they'll make sure that it is bountiful and keep the deal my family has with them. Considering last year? Once we're through one second, after a day or so, a good portion of the unripe fruit will be either ripe or ripening."

Jaw dropping, Yae boggled a bit, though she was confused at what the "Fae" were. Some sort of nature spirits from the sound of it... Shaking that off, she turned to Harry as a thought struck her, "Um, Harry-San?" At the nod, the Kendoka continued, "How much are we going to be bringing back...?"

Once more, there was utter silence from everyone there as those who had been there the year before looked at each other. Ayaka shrugged a little and held up her hands, "A lot." At the looks, her ears flicked and she gave a snort, "What? It's true! My family had preserves and jams from that September right up into March." Pausing, she shook her head, "Not that they minded any since it was good preserves and tasty."

Kaku gave a nod of his own as he hummed, "Hai, same with my family. Ojii-San really enjoyed the damson preserves as well as the hazelnuts. Okaa-San used some with our bakery too, which was also popular."

For her part, Natsumi shook her head as she looked at the stunned Yae, "So, yeah, there's a lot. And if you think there's too much, you can always donate a portion. We all did that after all to our school."

Now thoughtful, Okita gave her an impressed look, "I had been wondering where they got all the jams and such for the breakfast program. A lot of students used it to get something to eat in the mornings after all for pretty cheap."

Yae also became thoughtful as she considered things. After all, with the economy, there were students who went to her school who didn't really get much to eat in the mornings. The government did have a food program for them, but giving fruit for them... not to mention some of the local families she knew were struggling? A small smile came over her face as she nodded, 'That sounds like a good idea, Gozaru. Maybe ask Sensei if she can help.'

Placing her hands down on the table, Nobu grinned a bit, "Well, it looks like we got a good plan of attack! And this battle, we'll win as long as we stick to the plan, with our enemies falling before us!" Placing one foot on the chair, she continued, "Which means, troops! That victory is within our grasp-GAH!"

Just reaching over, the former Shinsengumi yanked on her friend's cape and pulled her off the chair, "Stop being chunni." Ignoring the grumbling, she turned to the others and smiled, "Well, guess that we should get started then."

From where she stood, Taigei gave a slight nod, "And don't worry, we'll make sure that you all get plenty to eat. We're on a resource gathering expedition, after all."

That made the lone non-reincarnated Kendoka blink in confusion, "Resource gathering expedition?"

Stretching a little, Iku nodded to Yae's question, "Heh, that's what we call stuff like this." As everyone looked at her, the blue haired Subgirl shrugged, "It's basically us going out and foraging. You know, going berry picking up in the mountains, catching fish and stuff before bringing them back to base. That sort of thing. Command just decided to call it that for some reason."

Everyone just nodded at that before they went off to get ready.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A.N. -- This is a bit of a prequel to the next crosspost, but I think you will enjoy it a lot. Another peek into the future of the Butterdagger and her family.

A Butterknife Family Tradition

Schloss Waldhain, Elbląg County, Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, Poland (formerly East Prussia)

November 12th, 2024
Spoiler: Remembering and Honouring The Past...

"You can't sleep either, Cleo? Is she causing you trouble with her kicks again?"

HMS Cleopatra turned to the speaker, one hand automatically cradling the drydock in her womb where her crew was busily at work constructing a hull. "Hullo Ehren. No, I was just thinking about a few things while I watched the moon on the water."

Ehren nodded and then summoned one of her favorite overstuffed cushioned chairs from inside to sit beside Cleopatra on a small porch on the third floor of her ancestral estate. She looked from the forest-surrounded hill that the Wolffs had claimed as their own with blood and iron and had built this castle, later a manor house, to gaze upon the slate-gray waters of the Baltic Sea.

Ehren drummed her fingers slowly on the chair's arm and hummed thoughtfully. "You came to the right place, honestly." She finally said quietly. "This is one of my favorite places to sit and think too. Part of me deep down... knows that this place is right for me."

Cleopatra nodded with her own hum and returned to watching the moonlit water. Finally she spoke. "Ehren, I'm having trouble deciding on the name of my daughter. Normally I would pick a ship name for her, or one from Egypt like I did with the others. This time it just doesn't fit and I don't know why."

"Ach so." Ehren said before stopping her drumming to take Cleo's hand gently in hers. "And yesterday was Remembrance Day, which is always hard on you. Part of you still mourns your sisters who fell in the War to save England. Even though they have returned, some wounds never heal fully." The dagger's soft voice was gentle and compassionate.

Cleo squeezed Ehren's fingers. "That's part of it, yes. Grief is a funny emotion, you know. Even after Hermione came back to me, part of me still mourned my big sister. I have mourned her ever since I watched her go down in front of me." Cleo's voice was filled with deep emotion and her bubbly ditzy personality was totally absent in her tone as she removed the mask that she wore around her sisters.

The gentle squeeze became a hard grasp that Ehren bore stoically as salt tears glimmered and fell from Cleo's eyes. "We almost had broken through to Malta with our convoy when we got orders to turn back because the Italian fleet was at sea and had broken through our submarine cordon. Then as we headed back to Bomb Alley and Alexandria in defeat, a U-Boat got through the ASW screen and put two torpedoes into Hermione's starboard side."

Cleo bowed her head and spoke in a tear filled voice, "So near, and yet so far. I can still see her standing on her bridge as she rolled over. She knew that she was doomed, yet stood to her duties to allow as many of her crew to escape as possible. Then, right before she rolled over to go to the bottom, she saluted us." Cleo's shoulders shook as Ehren stood and hugged her.

"She saluted me." Cleopatra repeated in a choked whisper as she desperately grasped her co-wife, friend, and lover's strong form in this moment of weakness and pain.

Ehren patted Cleopatra's shoulders gently as tears soaked her house robe while Cleo clung to her like the drowning crew of her sister did to their hopes of rescue on that dark day in 1942.

Finally Cleopatra returned to herself and looked into the eyes of her co-wife. "You know what that is like." Cleo finally said quietly with sad understanding in her voice.

Ehren responded equally quietly in a matching voice. "Ja. I... lost Vati in front of my eyes. He... ended his life with honor at least. It is cold comfort when I remember, but still it is comfort." She cast a spell to expand Cleo's chair into an impromptu loveseat and snuggled to the shipgirl's side. "Then I was there when Mutti found the final letter from her sister Marie-Claire, who Mutti lost in the Terror of the French Revolution. Partings are never easy and all we can do afterward is honor those who have left us in this world to pass ahead of us to the next."

Cleo cuddled back to Ehren in her turn, then a light bulb visibly came on as her unborn child kicked her again. "Ehren, what was the full name of your mother's sister?"

Ehren tapped a finger against her chin. "Marie-Claire Hélène du Chasteler. Mutti loved her very deeply. Why?" Ehren's voice was curious as she looked into Cleo's tear-stained face.

"How does Hélène sound as a name for this little one?" Cleopatra said with a smirk worthy of Ehren's best. "Your mother would love it."

Ehren blinked, her own grin widened in return, and soon the laughter of shipgirl and dagger echoed across the moonlit water.

Light, amidst the darkness.
----------------------

Malfoy Manor

April 14th, 2036

"Hello Mama, Mutti." Hélène-Morgraine Malfoy's sweet voice sounded through the Egyptian Room.

The two women turned as one from their examination of some catalogues of newly excavated Egyptian artwork that they might purchase for the private collection that was one of Cleopatra's hobbies. Both focused their eyes upon the blond haired and green eyed girl in the door with an impish smile at the sight.
Spoiler: Helene At Her 11th Birthday Party

Cleo smiled happily at her daughter. "Hullo Elen! Come over here and give Mama a kiss? I see you're finally up after the birthday party you had yesterday." The shipgirl's sweet voice was filled with joy and love.

Beside her, Ehren gave an inward proud smile and fractional nod to the prodigy who she had been intensively privately tutoring in business and politics to act as an agent of the House of Malfoy's business empire. While Taube was a superb shield for the family with her unshakable sense of honor and responsibility, Hélène was the perfect dagger counterpart with her aggressive insights to find hidden weakness in her foes and exploit them ruthlessly and mercilessly, Ehren silently mused behind her cool expression. While she was not as brilliant as Bastian -- no one had the raw brainpower of Bastian -- Hélène was easily among the top minds in the family, and could give Draco, Taube, or even herself a serious challenge at the chessboard despite the handicap of her age and less experience thanks to determination, drive, ambition, and a burning desire to triumph equal to that which flamed in Ehren's own breast. Perhaps it was a product of being the middle child with no siblings close to her age to form sibling bonds with, but Hélène wanted to blaze her own path to stand alongside her big brothers, and sisters so badly that it hurt at times.

The proud and loving inward smile was allowed to emerge when she hugged Hélène and 'reluctantly' accepted the kiss on the cheek by the now eleven-year-old. "Guten Tag, Hélène. What brings you here? Surely not an interest in assisting your Mama in picking out the best Eighteenth Dynasty ceramic pieces?"
Spoiler: ...To Make Your Choice For The Future

"Non, Mutti." Hélène replied, slipping into her fluent French while watching Ehren's expression carefully as it returned to the normal mask of cool controlled neutrality. "I had a question for you both."

"What is it Elen?" Cleo said as they sat down on a nearby sofa. Ehren merely raised one eyebrow in silent request to continue.

Hélène grinned proudly and handed over a sheaf of acceptance letters. "I've been accepted to all the big magical boarding schools thanks to my grades: Hogwarts, Durmstrang, Ilvermorny, Beauxbatons. I was wondering what you could tell me about them before I make my choice on which one to attend. Capsule summaries first."

Cleo looked at Ehren with a request to take the lead after congratulating their daughter.

Ehren nodded sharply and began to speak in a precise analytical voice. "Bastian can tell you about Durmstrang when he returns to us on summer vacation. I do know that it is very cold and icy, and the academic opportunities are first-rate. Ilvermorny is where Aunt Del, Ying, and the other de Breuils have gone to in North America and they have some superb teachers for potioncrafting and Native American magics. Hogwarts is where I, Draco, and Taube all went -- as you know -- for it is a Malfoy family tradition. Therefore we can discuss Hogwarts at length if you so wish. I was a Hufflepuff Prefect and first in my class while your father and second-oldest sister were Slytherin Prefects so you can hear about some of the various Houses from inside."

"Finally, Beauxbatons...." Ehren paused, visibly organized her thoughts, and then continued in her precise voice. "Mutti Colombe went there as a girl and was expelled in disgrace. I'll have to ask Mutti about it along with some of the students that I befriended during the Triwizard Tournament my First Year such as Gabrielle Delacour -- we found out later that they're du Chasteler collaterals. So I shall conduct research on your behalf so you can make the final selection, of course."

Hélène nodded along with the information dump, then her eyes widened. "Grandmother Colombe got expelled? How? Why?" She leaned forward eagerly at this unexpected tidbit of family history as her emerald-green eyes gleamed.

Ehren frowned and rubbed her chin before responding. "I never found out exactly what happened then, honestly. The time that I asked her, she said something about 'not her fault' and a 'bitch of a Headmistress who had it out for her as the bastard daughter of her Papa'. I did some research one day at Hogwarts out of curiosity and Mutti holds the Beauxbatons all-time record for number of demerits accumulated still according to the history book that I found. I do know that they snapped her wand when she was expelled; she actually has it mounted as a trophy in the hall outside my room in Moulbaix. When I asked her about that, she explained that they extracted an oath from her never to use a wand to cast magic when they threw her out of French Magical Society. It turned out that one of her professors had taught her wandless magic though." Ehren's voice was filled with sly approval for Colombe finding the loophole that she had exploited in her forced oath.

Hélène grinned, "So that's why Grandmother uses her sword to cast wandlessly! A sworn oath!" The girl's eyes sparkled and her voice was delighted.

"Ja, it is. But back to Beauxbatons. I also know that the only du Chasteler after her that got formal schooling went to Hogwarts because she was schooling during the Napoleonic Wars. I inherited Mutti's school cauldron, in fact, when I went to Hogwarts. It is one of the most beautiful wizarding buildings in the world and set in the South of France, therefore a temperate climate. The students wear sky blue uniforms. I can't help you more than that until I do my research." Ehren finished with a thoughtful expression on her face.

Hélène nodded along. Then she looked at the shipgirl who bore her and had named her. "Mama, you told me once that I was named for Grandmother Colombe's younger sister?"

Ehren answered as Cleo nodded. "Jawohl. Marie-Claire Hélène du Chasteler was the younger half-sister of Mutti and the closest of all her siblings. I believe that in some ways growing up, they were much like Claire and I are, twins from different parents who made the other complete. Marie-Claire was killed along with most of her family in the French Revolution as an aristocrat; Mutti managed to save her grandson who later carried on that branch of the family line until it died out in 1899."

Ehren paused, then tears glimmered in her eyes as her thumb stroked the gold, diamonds and pearls of her wedding ring. The dagger's voice was hushed and filled with a deep bittersweet joy. "Marie-Claire left her wedding dress for Mutti to pass down to her children; it is what I wore when your father and other mothers wed me in fact. I intend when my children's days come to ask Mutti to make it available for you and your sisters to continue the tradition for a du Chasteler bride." Beside her, Cleo's eyes widened before she hugged Ehren gently.

Hélène gasped and then visibly thought, speaking quietly to herself. "And I have the option of taking the du Chasteler-Malfoy surname like Big Sisters Taube and Claire have done if you and the other parents approve...."

She looked her parents in the eyes as she spoke in a decisive, bold tone that caused both to smile proudly. "I shall do just that! Grandmother Colombe has labored under this blot on her life for too long. I'm going to attend Beauxbatons as Hélène-Morgraine du Chasteler-Malfoy and redeem her mistakes as a girl! Where Grandmother failed, I'll succeed and make her proud!"

The next moment, the air was crushed out of her by Mutti Ehren's hug while Mama Cleo wiped tears of joy and pride from her beaming face.

 

[darthcourt10]

KiMaSa

The Next Act

As everyone watched Central Island Hime run away, laughing, Nagato noticed Hoppou giggling a little bit and leaned over, whispering. "What do you think, Hoppou?"

"She's silly! Hoppou would squirt her for being silly!"

Nagato smiled and nodded. On stage, The light lit on an unusual looking battleship, sitting at a desk, studying a file as Illinois walked in. Surprisingly short, despite the six 14" guns, USS Recruit, like Illinois, had been a fully commissioned 'landship'. Recruit glanced up and tossed the file onto her desk. "They're still taking inventory to see what she might have taken. This is a list of everything that was in the lab. Some of it, pretty dangerous."

"Well, she took something. By the time she's ready to tell us what she plans to do with it, it will be too late."

"That's why we've got to find her first! We've got every command looking everywhere from Point Barrow to McMurdo Sound."

"I'm thinking she'll show up a lot closer."

"Trust your gut and go find her then!"

"Right." The Great Lakes Battleship nodded. Saluting, she rushed back out into the dark as a moment later the light changed, shining on Hime.

"Whew! That was close!" Hime breathed to the audience. "Yeah... I know... The bad guy running away from the hero... Well, it always seems to go this way! I show up! SHE shows up. We fight! And then I almost win! And then she summons up her incredible strength and resolve and foils my plans! Well, this time it's going to be different! As soon as I figure out... " She turned the bracelet she swiped over in her hand. "What this thing is and how to use it, then I'll defeat the Great Lakes Battleship!"

Suddenly, the sound of thunder cracked in the auditorium and the lights went even darker. A huge, shadowy head with two giant red eyes lowered from the ceiling. It looked down at Hime as an angry voice boomed out.

"Hime! You failed again!"

Hime looked up and swallowed nervously. "No... No! I haven't failed! I have a plan to..."

"ENOUGH! No more excuses!" Hime was lit in red light that seemed to come from her master's eyes. She crumpled into a ball.

"Aiii! It hurts! Please! Please!"

"Silence. Obviously, I'll have to do this myself!" The red light stopped "Get up... Pray that you're still useful for something." Hime got up quietly and the stage darkened once more.

The stage lit back upon Muroc Maru.

"We are searching everywhere for Central Island Hime but with no success. But a cold wind blows. It chills the steel in my keel. Something truly dark is coming."

The light faded and then shone on Illinois.

"Nothing! In all the seven seas! Where is she?"

"I'm right here." The voice of Hime speaks in the dark, very flat and lifeless. She was lit with a dim light. Her normally playful eyes were now lit red. The sound of heavy guns cracked and puffs of smoke went off around Illinois.

"Not even a 'Have at you'?"

Hime responded with a voice not her own that the audience now recognized. "Sink!" More guns cracked and the Great Lakes Battleship staggered.

"You aren't Central island Hime. Who are you?" Illinois challenged.

"You want to know who I am?" The massive head lowered once more as Hime crumpled like a marionette with her strings cut. "I am darkness more ancient than you can know. When the Ancient Civilization of Lemuria fell and vanished from history, it was I who destroyed it! So will it be with you!"

Illinois raised her shield, ready to fight. "Not today!"

"YES! FIGHT ME AND SINK!" The crack of more and heavier guns than Hime's sounded and larger puffs of smoke went off around Illinois, who staggered and fell. As she tried to get back up, a loud, spiteful laugh echoed in the auditorium. Then, the figure of Hime started to get up, shaking her head. as Illinois staggered again.

"Not like this! come on! Get up!" Hime plead.

Illinois shook herself. as she was rocked again.

Hime desperately looked at the bracelet on her wrist. "Temporal Energy Shift and Transference... 'TEST Band'... Huh... I don't know what that means but I hope it's something good!" She suddenly grabbed Illinois and pulled her up."

"What are you..."

"Later!" Hime answered, pulling Illinois out of the light and they ran for the end of the stage.

A short electronic whine filled the air and the stage went dark, ending the second act


***

As the light came on again, Naka was standing in the middle of the stage with a concerned look on her face. "Uh... That doesn't look good. I think things may be getting a little out of hand here. I..."

"SILENCE!" The voice of Lemurian Princess resounded in the auditorium as the 'head' lowered from the ceiling once more. "I'm taking over this show!"

"Well, I'm the host!" Naka answered. "And I say you can't! So there!"

"SILENCE I SAID!" The light on Naka turned off and the head rotated to face the audience. Several screens on stage came to life, showing the same images of the audience as the head turned to inspect the crowd.

"Hello, audience! Are you having fun? I know I am!" An amused laugh sounded. "This has been a wonderful day! I've gotten rid of the Great Lakes Battleship and that Bungling Central Island Hime! Soon! The world will be mine and there will be NO ONE to stop me! In fact... The only way this day could get any better is as if I had an audience... Hmmm... I DO have an audience... Don't I? I have a few things to take care of first, so don't go away." The head drew back up to the ceiling.

On the darkened stage, Naka spoke up. "Hey... Can someone get a light on here?" A fresh light came on. "Thanks. Well, folks... This... I really hope there's a hero out there..."

A dim light shines on the far right of the stage as Naka fades to black. Hime stood watching as an unknown figure tended to Illinois.

"Ouch! Are you sure you know what you're doing?"

"I'm a starship not a drydock! But yes. You'll be fine. You're just lucky I spotted you two."

"What I don't get is why we ended up in space?" Hime mused turning the bracelet over again. "It's supposed to be a 'Time travel' device!"

"And you did. By my calculations, you've traveled two-hundred and fifty point three-five years into the future. The problem is that the Earth, the solar system, and the galaxy as a whole aren't in the exact same place they were when you left. No wonder why that thing was abandoned."

"We have to get back!" Illinois told her. "Can you help us?"

"As a matter of fact, I happen to know a little about time-travel. I can help you."

"Good! Because we have to save the world!"

"We have to save history," the starship replied.

"We have to save the audience!" Hime finished, looking out at the crowd.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Standing beside the country road, Harry hummed a little as he waited for the last of the members of this "Resource Expedition" to arrive. Apparently, Ayase had gone to Diagon Alley to get some last minute supplies for it. Said "Supplies" being mainly treats and the like.

Hey, it was mostly teenagers here after all!

Just killing some time, Harry was humming a bit to himself as he examined the SGO forums, in particular the news section. His eyebrow raised a little at one thread and he went through it with a blink, "Huh... Greece just launched that Mistral that they bought? And named it after Alexander the Great."

Continuing to read, the wizard hummed a little. The various articles went on about how the Greek military was extremely pleased with it, as was other members of NATO. After all, the ship was a sub-class with some modifications to support shipgirl operations in order to command them. Not to mention that the Greeks were very happy as it could be used to secure various islands in the Aegean Sea, and the hospital could be used for natural disasters and the like. Lips twitching a bit, he snorted some at the rumour of a drowned horse found in front of the dry dock and a large amount of bull blood and some ash in the hanger which had been hurridly cleaned up.

Only shaking his head, he closed the thread as there was a bang and the Knight Bus appeared from seemingly nowhere. Moments later, a somewhat out of sorts Ayase stumbled out as Stan's voice called out from inside for her to have a nice day. Putting away the phone, Harry walked up to her with a smile, though he flushed a little at the sight of her in a tank top and jeans, "Ayase-Chan?"

At hearing his voice, the Sendai snapped out of her daze and looked up before blushing some at seeing an bemused Harry there, "Ha-Harry-Do-Chan? What are you doing here?"

Lips quirking a bit more, Harry gave her a small shrug, "Well, I found out that you were due to be back. So... I thought that I should wait here for you." A frown then appeared on his face, "Hopefully it wasn't too much work..."

To his relief, Ayase shook her head with a small smile of her own, "It wasn't, Harry-Chan. Though..." Furrowing her eyebrows, she frowned a little, "There was a large number of people who were stocking up on treats and the like in Diagon. And a number were also talking about camps and the like."

It only took a moment, but the teenage wizard understood what had happened, "Probably getting ready for the Quidditch World Cup." At the interested look, he shook his head, "It's in about three weeks from now, and the competition for spaces is fierce. So some people are going to start setting up a campground for those waiting there in a couple of days."

Blinking, Ayase gave him a confused look, though there was some amusement there as well, "Wait... the World Cup is in three weeks, but people are setting up for it now? But that means that they'll be waiting for days..."

All Harry did was shrug, "Hai, but that's how it gets at sporting competitions. At least it's a lot better now with Floo and the like letting them move a lot of people quickly." Scratching his chin in thought, he hummed a little, "And there's supposed to be other security measures just in case the Abyssals strike to move people out and quickly."

For a moment, the Light Cruiser considered that before nodding in agreement as it did make sense. What she did not expect was for Harry to walk over and hug her tightly, however, which flustered her, "Harry-Chan?"

Giving her midsection a small squeeze, Harry grinned up at her, "Just happy that you're here."

Eyes widening, she flushed a little, "You're happy that I'm here? Really...?"

Softly snorting, Harry gave her a look, "Of course I am! After all, you're one of my friends and why wouldn't I be happy?"

Her eyes softening, Ayase hugged him back, "Thank you, Harry-Chan. I appreciate that a lot." As she pulled back, she looked towards the hedge, "So your family property is on the other side of these bushes?"

Confused, the fourteen year old gave her an odd look, "Um, hai? Didn't you see it already?"

Lightly blushing, Ayase looked away from him, "Not really?" At the raised eyebrow, she found her blush deepening, "I volunteered to go and get some extra food for everyone. Mainly snacks and the like, so while the others came here, I headed to London."

Realization appeared on Harry's face and he nodded, "Oh! That makes sense." Without thinking, he took her hand and began to walk along as he smiled over his shoulder, "Well, you're in for a real treat, Ayase-Chan. This whole place is awesome."

Now heavily blushing, she just nodded, "I-I see." Glancing down at where his hand was holding hers, Ayase could feel some steam come from her ears. Once they were through the gate, her eyes widened as she looked over the landscape, "Wow..." Internally, the Light Cruiser continued her thoughts, 'This... is truly a place where a lord would live.'

Unknowing of what was going through his friend's thoughts, Harry chuckled and nodded, "Hai, that was my response when seeing it." For a moment, he looked out over the property and smiled a little, "But that was when much of it was in ruins. Now? Now it really looks great."

Expression soft, Ayase gave his hand a squeeze before they continued onwards. As he continued to chat, she did listen, though her eyes widened a bit, "We're going to be staying... in the manor, Harry-Chan?"

A little lost at her reaction, he nonetheless nodded at her, "Hai... well, when people are not taking a rest in the millhouse, that is." He made a motion with his hand towards said building, "We don't want to take too many chances after all."

Only nodding in agreement, Ayase hummed a little, "Though... how are we going to process things and keep the clothes and such clean?"

That got her a small laugh and a grin from Harry, "Actually? Taigei-Chan, Ryuuhou-Chan, and Kitakami-Maru-Chan will be taking on some of the fruits to be processed in their hulls. Mum, Ooi-Nee, Kitakami-Nee, as well as Hachi-Chan and Iku-Chan will be sending over some cooks to them to help process the fruits. As for cleaning? Once more, Mum's going to lend out some of her facilities for that as well."

Considering that for a few moments, the Light Cruiser nodded, "I think that I can help out there as well actually." Upon entering the manor, Ayase was looking around in more than a little awe, "Amazing..."

Harry just nodded in agreement, "I actually agree." Slipping off his shoes and putting on slippers, he gestured for her to do the same, "Let's drop off what you brought and we can go and pick out your room that you'll stay in."

Somewhat bemused, Ayase tilted her head a little, "Where's the others then? In the kitchen?"

That got her a nod from him, "Hai, they're putting together the food and drink for us later. Best to do it now so that the kitchen is fully available for fruit preserves. Also? We've got to keep hydrated."

Expression brightening, Ayase reached into her pocket and pulled out a bottle which was familiar to Harry, "I noticed these being promoted, so... I thought that I should grab a number."

Gently taking the bottle, Harry chuckled, "Ribena Original... well, I haven't had any for some time." Grin on his face, he handed it back to the Light Cruiser, "Good choice, I think the others might like it as well."

Happily holding the bottle, she nodded a little, "I'm glad then." With that, the two walked through the ground floor as Ayase continued to chat, "Oh! And I also picked up a vanishing cabinet that was ordered. From what I heard, Hanna-San has the other and will be taking it to Germany so that it can be used to go between here and the German property. Hopefully she will arrive there soon."

All Harry did was nod in agreement, "Hai, same here. Though from what I heard, she just arrived in Germany today, so..."

In reply, Ayase only smiled and made a sound of agreement. One of the things that she knew that Harry had told her was how he was hoping to get a set so that he could travel between various properties that he might own. The one that Ayase had picked up being one that he had found in the Room of Requirement with the other at a shop in Knockturn. Fixing them was a lot easier than building a new one, though he was hoping to buy a couple more pairs for his plans.

Plans that several of the others like Natsumi and such were very happy about.

Entering the kitchen, Harry gave a wave to the others though he bit back a snicker as he watched Jin wrapping up what looked like one of those sandwiches in that one American comic, "Hey, everyone."

Nagato turned towards him and gave him a smile, "Hello, Harry." She then turned towards Ayase and nodded to her, "Good morning, Ayase-San. Hopefully your trip was not too bad?"

The Light Cruiser sighed a bit and her shoulders slumped, "Just the time on the bus." Ignoring the looks, however, she was all smiles, "Anyways, I have the treats that I was asked to get."

One by one, she brought out the packages and placed them onto the table with everyone leaning in. Intrigued a little, Uesugi picked up one package in particular, "Hmm? Cauldron cakes?"

Glancing over, Natsumi gave a nod to that, "Hai, they're like small, cauldron shaped cakes with cream or such." Licking her lips, she glanced over at Harry, "Though Harry-Chan has made his own version that uses peanut butter instead."

Part of said wizard was amused at how both Ayaka and Taiyang looked at him with hungry looks, which made him internally snicker.

Meanwhile, Okita picked up another box and frowned at it, "Chocolate frogs?"

This time, it was Harry who answered, "They're basically chocolates in the shape of frogs that have been animated to move and ribbit, but it's just chocolate." At the looks, he shrugged a little, "Don't ask me who came up with that idea, but Hoppou loves eating them. Claims that they wiggle all the way down."

Reaching into her shirt, Iku pulled out a card, "And they come with these neat little cards that have moving pictures." She then held it out for everyone to look at, "See?"

Each of the other teens, in particular Yae and the Reincarnates leaned in. Though their eyebrows raised at seeing it as a card for Harry himself, his picture winking at them with a slight grin. Boggled, Yae stared, "Gozaru..."

Granted, more than a few of them wondered why it was that card that she had on her... the others, however, easily guessed why with some amusement.

Considering the treats now on the table, Nobu hummed as she rubbed her chin in thought, "Hopefully we have enough..." A laugh then burst from her, "Especially with Okita-Chan here! They're liable to vanish into her black hole of a stomach! Haha-ITAI! MY SKULL!"

Her eyes shaded, Okita had an odd grin on her face as she squeezed her hand getting another yelp, "What was that... Nobu-Chan?"

With a wince, said former warlord looked over at her, "... Your appetite? I mean, not that you need to worry much." Leering, she smirked before waggling her eyebrows, "Especially as it all goes to certain places~-OW! OW! MY SKULL IS BREAKING...!"

Rather amused, Harry only shook his head, 'She will never learn...' Shortly after, he left them to their preparations, minus Nobu who was face down on the table. Ayase beside him as they walked along the second floor, he tilted his head a little, "So, where do you want to stay?"

Thoughtful as she looked around, Ayase frowned a little, "What rooms are available?"

Not saying anything right away, he considered that question for a few moments before nodding, "There's still a number of rooms that are still available, unless you also want to partner up with someone, then there's a few more."

For a few moments, Ayase thought over that question before shaking her head, "Um, I might want one for just myself, for now?"

At that, Harry simply nodded and guided her along. She did ask about one room that had the door open, and he chuckled some before opening the door a bit more, "I guess that Ooi-Nee forgot to close the door."

Poking her head inside, the Sendai blinked before her eyebrows rose upwards. There was a canopy bed that just called to be laid in. And by the window there was a small, cushioned bench, perfect for someone to lounge on and read a book either during a sunny day, when the window would be open, or on a rainy one to listen to the patter of rain. At one end, there was a large, stone fireplace, currently empty, with a bearskin rug in front of it from a truly enormous bear. Just past that, one could see two high backed chairs, a polished wooden table, and a very expensive looking vase on said table, all on an lovely carpet.

Upon seeing her look at the vase, Harry chuckled, "There's a spell on it to prevent it from being broken if knocked over. Pretty common in wizarding households."

Only nodding, Ayase also took note of the bookshelf as well as the wardrobe, all made out of dark woods. All in all, it was a lovely bedroom and she smiled a little before moving back so that Harry could close the door. Just a few minutes later, they reached the Master Bedroom where he would be staying. Opening it, Ayase's eyes went wide at the sheer amount of room that was in it. As with Ooi's bedroom, there was a small bench by the window that had cushions on it. But there was other pieces of furniture as well, such as rich looking carpets, polished, dark wooden furniture, and the like.

From where she stood, the shipgirl could even see the walk in wardrobe as well as a large, standing mirror. At another window was a desk and chair, obviously for Harry to do work at if he so chose. Plush looking chairs also sat elsewhere including in front of the fireplace, on top of polished stone floor with a carpet between them.

Ayase blushed a little as she took it in as it resembled a bedroom fit for a lord, and it did not help matters that she noted that the bed was more than large enough for multiple people.

Shaking that off, however, Ayase took a deep breath before turning to Harry with a smile. Before she could say anything, she noted a door in the hallway just down from Harry's, "Um, Harry-Chan? That door..."

With a blink, he turned and looked at the door, "That one?"

When she nodded, he walked over and opened it to reveal a room. Like the others, there was a canopy bed in it, but the furniture was "Basic"... if one could possibly call handcrafted furniture made from lighter woods basic. There was a highbacked chair in front of the fireplace as well as a nice carpet, with a small table beside it. On a wall, there was a mirror and one could also see a chest of drawers. Walking inside, Ayase examined it closely and looked around in interest. Even checking out the bathroom, which made her eyebrows climb upwards.

Simply watching, Harry leaned against the door and hummed a bit before smiling as she came out of the bathroom, "Do you want this one?" At her shocked look, he jerked his thumb to the one across from where they were, "Mum's in that one there and Shiromizu is in the next one down alongside Jin. So... if you want, you can use this one."

Much to his confusion, after a few seconds she blushed as she nodded, 'I could be right there if he needed me. J-just like a proper Hatamoto. Or, being here, he could call in the middle of the night and...' Feeling steam come from her ears, Ayase cleared and nodded, "H-hai, I think that I'll like this room for my own."

Puzzled over her reaction, Harry simply smiled and shrugged, "Sounds good to me! I'll let you get your stuff ready quickly-"

Waving her hands, Ayase shook her head, "Um, I can have my fairies store my things for now, Harry-Chan." Moments later, she brought out said fairies who proceeded to do exactly that, though for some odd reason seemed amused, which flustered the Sendai before she left with Harry, "Now then, how are we going to do this...?"

______________________________________________________________________

Gazing around in interest as they walked, Nobu rubbed her chin some as they passed beneath the broughs of fruit trees. Humming, she looked over her shoulder at Harry, "So all these have been planted and attended to by your family, Harry-Kun? Really?"

With a nod of his own, the teenage wizard smiled, "Hai, they go back centuries." He pointed in one direction before continuing, "Over there I have a perry pear tree that's about two or three hundred years old and still producing fruit to make perry with." Then, Harry shrugged some, "Some of these fruits my family would make preserves and such with. Others, like the perry pears and damsons? Those they made into alcoholic drinks."

Blinking, Yae looked over at him, "Drinks, gozaru?"

On one hand, Harry began to tick off a list, "Perry is one, an alcoholic drink made from pears. Damson wine is another and is pretty much like a good port, blackcurrant wine, red currant wine, cherry wine are others. Plum jerkum is another which is a strong alcohol made from plums, then you got apple cidre. So, yeah... it also gave a source of income for my family."

Uesugi hummed a little as she nodded, "Most impressive actually, your family set themselves up to be able to support themselves as much as possible via food and funds."

That got another nod from the teenage wizard, "Pretty much, yeah. And with preservation charms and such? They could put away quite a few preserves in good years to handle when the bad years happened." He gestured towards where Godric's Hollow was, "During the Year Without Summer, my family actually gave out fruit and preserves down at the market for pretty much free to our neighbours and the like. And since no magic was technically involved, no one was able to say anything."

A snort escaped from Jin and she shook her head, "And I can imagine it bought them a lot of points besides."

In reply, the teenage wizard only shrugged with a slight smile, though Nobu was mentally nodding, 'Yes, that was an extremely intelligent move which cost them nearly nothing, yet made them look very good. Hmm...'

For her part, Rika leaned back some and grinned as she sat in the cart following the others, "Leaving that aside... this is pretty sweet."

Up front, Usagi looked over her shoulder with a grin of her own, "Isn't it?" Reaching down, she patted the neck of the small, stone horse pulling the cart, "Though this guy is adorable! What sort of horse is he?"

Lightly chuckling, Harry smiled at her, "Him? A Shetland pony, and they are about that size."

With a hum, the rabbit looked down at the small stone horse in thought, "Huh..."

Not long after, Harry came to a stop and turned some, "Well, we're here. This is where the raspberries grow."

Each of the teens came to a stop and looked up with wide eyes at the bushes, which rose above their heads. The branches of said brush was absolutely loaded with red, ripe berries. They were also, as a matter of fact, also covered in large thorns.

Leaning in, Nobu tapped one and grimaced as she yanked back said finger and sucked on it, "Damn... now this would be hard to get through."

Grumbles escaping her, Usagi walked up to her and yanked said hand from her mouth. Moments later, she healed the small wound, "There... but next time don't be trying to hurt yourself!"

Frown on her face, Ayaka walked up to the bushes and looked at them herself, "Though Nobu-Chan does raise a good point, this would be hard to get through for someone trying to get onto the property." Pulling back a bit, she grimaced, "Though this begs the question of how we're going to get the berries in question without pricking ourselves all the time."

Chuckles escaping him, Harry went to the cart and pulled out a box before opening it. Raising, he held up gloves made from some sort of leather, "Well, how about dragon hide gloves? The same sort used in potions."

Interested, Yae walked over and looked at them before giving an unsure look at Jin and Shiromizu, "Um... dragon hide...?"

Lips twitching, Shiromizu shook her head a little, "Don't worry about it, Yae-San. They're made from a different sort of dragon, ones who are not... sapient, like the rest of us." She then gave a shrug, "I've seen one and they're basically animals, think like monkeys compared to humans."

Slowly, the Kendoka nodded some before taking a pair of the offered gloves. Putting them on, she rubbed her fingers together and raised her eyebrows, "I can almost feel through them! But..." Walking over, Yae paused for a moment before reaching out with a shaking finger and tapping a thorn. When nothing happened, she did so again, before gripping the branch with an awed look on her face, "It... doesn't hurt!"

Jin gave a snort as she walked over, "Well, dragonhide is strong after all, and those gloves need to be thin enough to handle potion ingredients. They're as tough as thick work gloves without the whole issue." Holding up a hand, she grinned as it became covered in scales, "Though I don't need to wear any gloves if I want to pick something."

Giving her a look, Hachi walked over before grabbing a branch herself with a bare hand, "We don't either since as shipgirls we're too tough for this sort of thing to harm us."

Rubbing her hands together, Asuka took flight and rose above the others before revealing her hands to look like bird claws, "Won't bother me much, but I'll take the ones up here."

That only got her nods and each of the other teens came over and grabbed some gloves before moving along to start picking the ripe berries in question. Filling a small quart box with some, with each person attributing some, Harry left the main group and began to walk through the wooded paths. It did not take him very long at all to reach the "Offering Table" that was there, though he noted there was also a small, wooden quart of cherries as well as blackcurrants, which made him nod.

A small smile on his face, Harry placed the raspberries onto the stone and nodded before taking a step back. With a bow, and a small whisper of thanks, he walked back to the others. Though, he did pause a little as he could hear some music coming from the stone, it only made his smile grow and then he continued on.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A.N. -- And more Hélène for your enjoyment. I'd like to thank MagisterAurelius a ton for the co-writing, beta reading this and his gracious permission to use Team Malfoy for this one. Did some tweaks and tightenings up here from the SV version on the crosspost.

A Malfoy's Graduation

Salle des Sages, Académie de Magie Beauxbâtons, Pyrenees Mountains, Southern France

June 2043

The soaring Rococo grand hall was carved from white marble and filled with the gentle tinkle of the endless play of water within the trio of ornate and elaborate fountains down the middle. Living vines and ivies tended by the local nymphs gently embraced the trunks of the pillars holding up the roof, making it appear that the occupant was in a beautiful magical forest that had been somehow enchanted into stone.
Spoiler: Académie de Magie Beauxbâtons

"Hélène-Morgaine Lucia du Chasteler-Malfoy!" The other waiting Seventh Year students waiting patiently in their padded antique wooden chairs applauded politely as a short and slender blond young woman with emerald-green eyes stood when called. A small smug smile lit up her face as she absently adjusted her sky blue uniform to hang properly.

Her skirt swished around her ankles as she walked to stand confidently before the Headmistress, the ghosts of the preceding Maîtres de l'école and Professeurs émérites in the advisory Conseil des fantômes, and her mortal Professors. "Present, Headmistress," she responded in fluent French as she stood upon an octagonal white marble tile carved with magical symbols around the edges directly before their seats.

She ignored the normal furiously hostile scowl from the decapitated head of Madame de Maintenon, the Headless Headmistress' ghost, thanks to the unshakable self-control that she had learned both from Mutti and her sibling 'tutors' growing up. 'Who knew being the junior member of her family for so long was so useful in learning how to ignore attempts to get her to cry or otherwise react?' She thought to herself with an inward malicious grin as the Aristo Whore Giving Head (the unofficial forbidden nickname for centuries among the student body and staff) redoubled her scowl from where she swung by her hair from her nightgown-clad body's hand.

Headmistress Jeanne de la Fonte, surrounded by the ghosts of her predecessors and the teachers, examined her for endless moments then nodded finally. The Headmistress spoke in a voice that filled the hall, and reached the ears of every waiting graduate and the junior students watching from their assigned galleries around the periphery. "Well done! You are first in your class academically, artistically, magically, and athletically!" The Headmistress gave a warm smile as the teachers and ghosts -- barring the usual exception -- politely applauded Hélène.

Hélène face split in an uncontrollable happy grin as her fellow Bellefeuille House students stood en masse and applauded her achievement thunderously. Apparently her test scores in the grueling final exams had pushed her slightly ahead of her rival Selene van Tromp, who was giving her the evil eye surrounded by her fellows in Ombrelune who were clapping with the bare minimum of politeness.

The House Cup standings updated once more as the fountain transfigured into Bellefeuille emerald sent its sparkling waters higher, surpassing those of the Ombrelune one of moonstone and the Papillonlisse fountain of amethyst.

Hélène couldn't resist the temptation in that instant as her House won the Cup.

She caught Selene's eye and gave that raven-haired bitch a grin identical to the most smugly superior one that she knew. Namely the insufferably smug triumphant smirk that Mutti Ehren reserved for success in completing a high-stakes business deal or political maneuver to benefit the family.

Or as Mutti had called that business takeover, 'A properly precise Prussian spot of knife-work' on an enemy of the Malfoys as she explained to Hélène and her big sister Taube how she had done what she had done as part of their private summer tutoring in business. With that smug smile on her lips and warmth instead of the normal reserve in her steel-blue eyes as she gloated to her apprentices.

As Mutti had explained to them afterward over coffee and pastries, while Taube was being trained to act as the conscience and a needed brake if required to prevent the Malfoys overextending with aggressive actions, the family needed sharks as well if they were to survive and prosper. Sharks who could see opportunities to take a pound of flesh for their company and their House aggressively and barely within the legal limits.

Mutti had explained to the eager girls clinically after her analysis of her use of leveraged buyouts and a poison pill to gobble up that struggling wand-maker and integrate him with Malfoy Incorporated's Magical Services Department that too little aggression was as bad as too much. And sometimes, when the chips were down, victory by almost any means necessary was required. On the battlefield... or the boardroom.

Selene scowled at the insufferably smug smile of triumph shot at her as a living wreath of laurel, the crown traditionally awarded to the top graduate of Beauxbatons, was placed on the golden head of a scion of the House of Malfoy. The scowl redoubled as Hélène accepted the golden vellum certificate written in crimson ink on the skin of a Barbary Vegetable Lamb reserved for the best of that year.
--------------------

Finally the last name was called to provide precedence for the yearly procession of graduates to the Great Lawn.

With a sound like silver bells, the massive bronze double doors of the Salle des Sages opened without the touch of a hand.

The nymphs who provided the staff began to dance out strumming their lyres, playing the panpipes, and clapping their hands enthusiastically as they had done every year since Beauxbatons was founded by the Franks.

Hélène took a deep breath as she led the procession of her Year-mates out in the place of honor. Her eyes blinked away some of the blowing rose petals being dropped by the fairies circling overhead -- Pyrenees Sylphs her brain noted -- and then her face split in a happy smile at the sight of the crowd waiting on the emerald lawn outside.

The whole family was present for her big day!!

Papa Draco was in the center with a broad smile as he leaned on his cane and waved to her. The barest hints of silver on his aristocratic temples made the Malfoy patriarch look just more like the noble magical and business powerhouse that he was.

To his right, Mama Cleo, the shipgirl who had birthed her, beamed and blinked tears of joy out of her eyes. She then grabbed Papa's hand where it rested on the cane and squeezed it as she realized that her child had come out on top in the cutthroat battle for class supremacy that Helene had shared in her letters to Mama.

To Cleo's right, Ma Johnston gave a two-finger whistle and wave with an ear to ear grin. Helene could not hear what Johnston was mouthing over the cheers of the family members and guests present at the graduation but she did not need to hear Ma's words to know what she said.

"You go, girl!" was being echoed by her older shipgirl sisters Johnston Junior, also known as J.J. while the twins Julia Clarisse and Ernestine Electra waved a large "Malfoy #1" magically animated sign with her face on it.

On Papa's left, Mother Niobe clapped enthusiastically with a happy smile as her faeries filmed the procession. That was high praise indeed from the most formal and ladylike of the quartet of mothers that she had. Niobe gave a tear-filled beaming smile and waved before redoubling her clapping as a faerie handed her a monogrammed silk handkerchief.

Next to Niobe, Grandmother Colombe was in tears of joy sobbing openly at the sight of her granddaughter's triumph where she had failed. Obaachan Toku was supporting Colombe as the rapier looked to faint with joy and pride.

Then it happened.

Colombe caught the eye of the Whore, got a truly wicked insufferably smug smirk of devilish triumph, and gestured with two fingers at her eyes to point at the furious ghost, who was barely being held back from charging Colombe by three of her compatriots in 18th century garb who were laughing at her frothing rage. The Whore's struggles redoubled as Colombe made a wand snapping motion and followed with a remarkably obscene gesture from the early 1700s while laughing in pure joyous triumph and Schadenfreude. Obaachan Toku gave the ghost a warning stare while tapping her hilt with a finger meaningfully as she gave her normal serene smile.

Hélène decided in that instant to track down Grandmother Colombe later to ask her how the hell she had acquired the potion-drugged orangutan that had utterly wrecked the Headmistress' birthday celebration in 1723 and what possessed her to do that. And if she could get a copy of the memories of an event long retold in school oral history and legend. Along with a few... dozen? hundred?... additional schoolgirl memories from the most notorious student to walk the halls that she had trodden in her turn.

Behind Mother Niobe, Bastian for once was cheering her rather than being abstracted in his own universe. Then Bastian jerked and adjusted his glasses with a glare when Markus elbowed him in the ribs to get his attention. However, Claire Cygne, the junior family peacemaker (behind Mama and Mother) and closet sibling age-wise of all of the family to Helene, promptly stepped in to place a hand on her brothers' shoulders to get them to refocus on Helene, before giving her sibling a beaming smile.

Finally, dressed in her normal uniform of severe and plain black business skirt-suit, white blouse, black and yellow striped necktie, and white stockings, Mutti Ehren gave her a visible in public proud grin and nod followed by a thumbs-up. Hélène was so shocked that she nearly stumbled at the sight of Mutti. She wouldn't have believed that Mutti could grin that widely and proudly if she was not seeing it with her own two eyes.

That was the highest possible praise from the self-controlled demanding taskmistress and disciplinarian of her parents. Understanding the message in Ehren's expression warmed Hélène's soul, for as much of a demanding bitch Mutti frequently was, Mutti visibly held herself to equally high standards and would give credit when credit was hard-earned. Helene had come to understand full well that Mutti loved her as fiercely and passionately as anyone in her own cool reserved way and wanted her to achieve all she was capable of. Although Mutti was still an overachieving perfectionist with the best poker face of anyone Hélène knew.

Behind the knot in the front, her older brother Thutmose and his sunshipgirlfriend Chione -- immediately noticeable both by her willowy height and by her wood-patterned red hair -- waved as they stood hand in hand, tanned nicely from their expedition to study Egyptian magical history according to Tut's letters this year. Next to the Egyptologists was Tut's immediately younger sister Taube (nicknamed "Mutti's Shadow" within the family) who gave her own respect-filled nod, proud smile and thumbs up in conscious imitation of Mutti Ehren. Hélène waved back to some of the closest siblings that she had taken as role models growing up.

Hélène smiled brilliantly as her eyes alighted on the next group of family and friends waiting for her. Her oldest brother Max was there, dressed in his preferred white Italian suit as he gave her smug grin. Alongside her oldest sibling his circle of close friends were there. Her older cousin Wei Tseng, the nephew of Mutti Ehren through Āyí Ying, cracked an imperceptible smile while mostly keeping what her oldest sister J.J. called his 'Resting Ancient Chinese Stone Bitchface' up.
Spoiler: Max, Elen, And A Few Friends

Her gaze turned to the other side of Max as her walk ended at her assigned place in the lawn.

Her heart thudded as she saw him.

He came!!

Red hair, blue eyes, a brain equal to hers, and broad shoulders and yummy muscles!

Jean Reno Weasley was speaking to his friend Rudy. The pale-skinned half-Abyssal rubbed his bald head and then adjusted his ever-present sunglasses with a snarky comment directed her way.

Hélène didn't care about Rude being... well... rude.

All she cared about in that moment was when Reno's roguish smile directed at her caused her knees to turn to water and her heart to fly out of her chest to land at his feet.
--------------------

Maxim's, Paris

As the family and friends arrived at Maxim's at #3 rue Royale after their Portkey trip to Paris from Beauxbatons and a (space-expanded) limousine caravan, Ehren reached over and took Hélène's hand as they reached the table set at the head of the private (and privacy warded) dining room that Papa had reserved. "Congratulations again, Elen and well done! I know personally how hard one must work even with talent to excel in such an academic environment."

Taube rolled her eyes from her normal position at Mutti's elbow. "Because Mutti finished first in her class as a good Hufflepuff should." The hunting knife's tone was as sharp as her steel and dry as a desert as she snarked at her mother.

Ehren shot her smirking daughter a look only to have Taube raise one white-blond eyebrow slightly in wordless response. Grandmother Colombe laughed and gave Ehren her own meaningful look that caused the dagger to blush slightly. Cleo, Niobe, Washington, Nimue, and Draco all laughed at some shared memory from the past that this byplay brought up to the sound of Aunt Claire's musical giggles from her seat at the restaurateur's piano, surrounded by her husband and children who had naturally taken over the area for the musicians.

Ehren's blush redoubled with a vengeance.

The Ehrendolch's spirit then cleared her throat and spoke in her normal cool and commanding voice. "Yes, I did, as did Hélène. But I have with consultation from Niobe, Draco, Cleo and Johnston elected to commission a special graduation present for you, Elen. Cleo?"

Mama Cleo pulled out an elaborately carved teakwood presentation box and placed it on the table in front of Hélène. "Good show, dear! You have honoured us all!"

Hélène opened the lid and her eyes widened in shock and pleasure.

Inside was an enchanted dagger patterned after Mutti Ehren's true body, a pair of tooled leather sheaths -- one for her belt, boot, or thigh and the other spring loaded as a bracer to be hidden up a sleeve -- showing Mutti's ruthless practicality there no doubt, and a maintenance kit. The creamy tan leather of the hilt, however, had a golden citrine quartz lozenge set in it carved with a personal coat of arms for her as a member of the House of du Chasteler-Malfoy where Mutti had her du Chasteler-Malfoy heraldic arms in platinum. Likewise the blade inscription was different.

"Never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense"

Hélène blinked tears of joy from her eyes as Cleo spoke quietly. "I picked that saying for you. Prime Minister Churchill said that to us in 1941 in the darkest days of the War." She hugged Helene as the rest of the family applauded her.

Grandmother Colombe tapped her fork on her champagne glass to draw attention to her before she picked up her glass of champagne and marched to Hélène's side. The rapier placed a proud hand on her granddaughter's shoulder and spoke in a voice filled with emotion. "Three hundred and nineteen years ago, I was expelled in disgrace from l' Académie de Magie Beauxbâtons following several minor incidents of schoolgirl misbehavior that were certainly Not My Fault! Besides the veela paid entertainers and tuns of Spanish Brandy were Gabriel Potter's idea that night and I owed him from our last game of strip picquet!"

Everyone laughed along with the rapier, who then raised her hand for silence. "I returned home in shame and disgrace, only to be comforted upon arrival by my sister and your namesake. Marie-Claire Hélène told me that she still loved me and that I would yet find a way to redeem the oath I had sworn to my Papa upon leaving that one day, a du Chasteler would graduate from Beauxbatons as a full witch and make him... our family... me proud as the best that she could possibly be. My sister spoke wiser than she or I knew, for since that day, only one other of us had graduated Beauxbatons, and of him I shall not speak, save that he was the antithesis of what makes us great." Colombe's voice was strong and proud, filled with overflowing emotions.

"Until today. Today, my beloved sister's namesake has redeemed her grandmother's sworn promise and made her Great-Grandpapa proud of her accomplishments as he looks down upon us gathered here to welcome her into her first steps of adult life. As Marchioness of Moulbaix and Chasteler, it is my great honor to welcome Hélène-Morgraine Malfoy into House du Chasteler as Hélène-Morgraine du Chasteler-Malfoy alongside To-chan, her mother Ehren, and Aunts Ying, Claire, and Estelle along with cousins and siblings too numerous to mention before we starve to death here! " Colombe's voice grew as proud and strong as her metal as she raised her glass high, mirrored by the room.

"A toast to my beloved granddaughter and her accomplishment, may it be the first of many more in a long, prosperous, and happy life! To Hélène-Morgraine!"

"To Hélène-Morgraine!"

After the toast, Colombe leaned in and spoke quietly. "I know that Marie-Claire is crying tears of joy in Heaven to see you. As am I, for you shall make our House great just as I and she have done when it is your turn to shine in the days ahead." The rapier's eyes were suspiciously shiny and her smile was smugly proud.

"I... see," Hélène said quietly as she picked up her Honor Dagger for the first time. She then gasped as she felt the magical potential filling it it just like her wand of hornbeam and unicorn hair. She hefted it, feeling its perfect balance as if it was part of her very being. Her eyes watered and she gave a happy smile as she replaced it, feeling the sense of acceptance and belonging that she had yearned from her siblings and family flow through her.


--------------------


Taube whistled in appreciation of the dagger and then hugged her younger sister after her parents and aunts got done congratulating her as the party continued. "It's beautiful! I'll help you learn how to use her properly, Elen!" She gave her sister a wink as she caressed the snarling amber-eyed wolf hilt of her hunting knife body.

Hélène smiled gratefully at her sister, sometimes rival, and sometimes example growing up. "I suppose I should pack for a hunting trip then?" She spoke snarkily, remembering how much Taube enjoyed to hunt.

Taube gave a nod and smile. "Of course! It's been too long since we did something like that together. We have the time before Max kidnaps you to help him and his buddies take up his responsibilities."

Hélène giggled along with her big sister. "Too long indeed." The warmth in her heart swelled while the memories of being the 'bratty little sister' and 'tag-along' faded and were soothed by the clear respect that she had earned in one of her role model's eyes.
--------------------

Finally the party began to break up. As the room began to clear, Hélène once more picked up her dagger -- her dagger!! -- from the box. She shivered in delight as she sensed the link to her very spirit, just like her wand. She flicked her wrist, and a small trail of silvery motes followed in response to her wordless spellcasting. Her eyes widened in shock and then narrowed in thought.

Hélène carefully replaced her dagger in its presentation box. Then she caressed the blade one more time, feeling the awakening potential that it represented for the new life that she was entering. Struck by an insight, she caught Ehren's steel-blue eyes. She looked a question to her Mutti, who was walking over to her to spend time with an often-overlooked middle child who had to fight to be noticed more often than not.

Ehren spoke in a warm quiet murmur in response to the unspoken question in her daughter's tear-filled eyes as they stood side by side looking down at the dagger. "Mutti Colombe arranged for an old friend of hers who served her old Charms professor at Beauxbatons to custom-enchant that to serve you as your wand does. Your blade was forged with donations of materials volunteered by the family. A small sliver of my steel alongside your other mothers' and grandmothers' formed part of the matrix that the master smiths at Böker Stahl-und-Magische-Metallwarenfabrik (Boker steel and magic metal goods factory) hand-forged into your honor dagger in the same forges and manner that gave me birth in 1937, Elen. May it serve you well and true, our beloved daughter."

 

[darthcourt10]

Yeah... decided to do an omake that I had partially on my computer. Needless to say, this is not getting posted to SB for obvious reasons... NSFW version on HPSG NSFW Thread
________________________________________________________________________

Sighing a little, Sakamoto Ryouma, or as he was known in this life, Koizumi Ryouma, sighed a little as he trudged into his bedroom. Coming up to his bedroom mirror, he frowned a little as he looked at the form of the twelve year old boy with a grimace. Part of him still had problems believing what had happened over the past two years since he turned ten years old.

They had started with blurry dreams, like half remembered memories throughout his childhood. A number were horrible dreams, he knew that even then. But when he woke up, they would fade away, like mist on a summer's morning. The more he had tried to grasp them, the faster that they disappeared. And, usually, by the time he was fully awake he only remembered fragments of them, and even those faded by noon.

Yet... they still left an impression on the... younger him, he supposed he should call them.

From a young age, he had always been something of a smooth talker. Able to calm down playground fights with just a few words. Heck, two kids that had absolutely despised one another now were close friends after he had talked between the two of them. Lips quirked, Ryouma internally chuckled as he remembered how happy he had been with that and still was. Now, he could see where it was coming from.

Meanwhile, the dreams had continued onwards. And, over the past year, they had become clearer and clearer. As well, he began to remember actual fragments once he turned ten. Never too much, but enough that, slowly, they pieced together who he really was. His parents had been concerned, like he had been. Was he going insane, somehow? Having what seemed like memories of a past life?

Being who he was, he had done research. Looked up paranormal books about people remembering past lives. There was a rather large number of that, but the stuff in them could be contradictory. Still, his parents were concerned... until his Otou-San remembered, once, his own Okaa-San, had told him that she had reincarnated because of some sort of secret project back during the war. Though in her case, the memories were fragmented.

The family had then set out to the sleepy little town where his current life's Obaa-San had lived, he was nearly twelve and remembered much more of his life. When meeting her, she had been curious until it was explained what had happened. Never before had he seen her so saddened, but his Obaa-San had gone into detail what had happened. How she was kidnapped off the street from her family by a group of what she had thought was Kempatai for some reason. At first, she had thought that she was going to be made into one of the women who gave "Comfort" to the men at war.

However, the truth was much more terrible and horrible.

While she did not go into full detail, it was enough that they knew that the group had performed some sort of experiments on her. Ones that caused her to remember, partially, previous lives. His Obaa-San had told how various others, girls, boys... and even Yokai from legend were other subjects. Some were forcibly impregnated to try and give birth to someone who was reincarnated. Others, she had seen go mad as their minds were partially or fully overwritten by their previous lives.

Ryouma along with his parents were horrified.

As she trailed off, his Obaa-San looked at him in sadness before hugging him, asking his forgiveness for what was happening to him. Needless to say, he didn't even need to think before he told her that she already had it. Because none of it was her fault at all.

Thankfully, however, it seemed that whatever was done to his Obaa-San and passed on to him, had stablized or something. Rather than overwritting his current life, the two fit together like... puzzle pieces, of some sort. Simply sliding into place until he was both Sakamoto Ryouma and Koizumi Ryouma.

In the present, Ryouma frowned as he rubbed his chin a little in thought. He did sort of start to resemble his previous life. Though there was some Western blood in him due to his Ojii-San being an American, though dead now for years. Shaking his head, he sighed a little before rolling his shoulders and grabbing his pajamas. Getting changed, he paused for a moment at a photograph that he had photocopied from a book he found on himself. It was not of him in his previous life, however...

Rather, it was that of his wife, Narasaki Ryō, or Oryou as he and many had called her.

For several moments, he looked at the photograph before placing his fingers against the cool glass, "Oryou-Chan... I am so sorry. I never meant to leave you, or for you to have such a bad life after my death. You should have been the happiest woman, not come to an end as a saddened one with only the bottle for comfort. I can only hope that, perhaps, you would forgive me for such."

Eyes closed, Ryouma clapped his hands a few times before bowing to the photo. Then, he turned out the light and walked to his futon before getting in. Eyes closing, he hummed to himself as one of his last thoughts was of his pregnant mother, and the baby sister that was due to be born in a few months. Then, he was asleep.

Hours passed and the Moon rose, bright and full. Unnoticed by him, however, his window slowly opened and a form slipped inside. Two, red glowing eyes looked around before pausing at the photograph illuminated on the dresser. But then, it spotted him, Ryouma, sleeping in bed and those two eyes widened. Gliding, the form made its way across the floor until it reached him. A trembling hand came up and then cupped his cheek, with him mumbling.

With that, the eyes then softened a little and one could see wetness gather in the corners of them, before the own spoke in a female's voice. One filled with joy and grief, "Ryouma-Kun... you've returned... and so have I, to your side."

Then there was the rustle of cloth before there was movement under the blankets.

Some hours later, the Sun rose and Ryouma grumbled a bit as a sunbeam shone in his eyes. Grimacing, he turned and sighed a bit as the light was no longer in his eyes. Of course, that was when his hand fell on something that made him mentally blink. It was something that was soft and round, which made him think that he knew what it was though for some odd reason he felt that it was cooler in temperature than it should have been. Giving it an experimental squeeze, there was a soft moan.

Needless to say, the twelve year old's eyes shot open at that and met two red ones that glowed in happiness in a face that he recognized, "... Oryou-Chan?"

At hearing that, the eyes widened and a brilliant smile appeared on Oryou's face as she cupped his cheek with one hand, "Ryouma-Kun... My husband, you've come back to Oryou..."

Softly sighing, she kissed him and he groaned a little as she deepened it and he could feel her (longer then before? What the hell...) tongue in his mouth. Then, she straddled him and sat up, the blanket falling off her. Of course, that was when the blushing teen realized some facts besides what it was that he had been holding and squeezing.

One, was the fact that Oryou looked exactly like she did during his first life, though much paler and with red, glowing eyes.

The second... was that she was currently completely naked, and in his bed. Unable to help himself, his eyes roamed over her and his flush deepened as he remembered that before, her chest had been good handfuls, yet now seemed so much more.

Of course, that was when he came to his next two realizations. Ones that made him pale a little. Partially in fear of his health as well.

Mainly, he was currently twelve years old.

And then, there was the small issue that if his mother walked in at that moment, she was going to kill him, kill Oryou, and then likely revive them to kill them again. Wishing to whomever was listening, even as she kissed him again (which he enjoyed, but dammit, don't think with that right now!), he tried to push her away, "O-Oryou-Chan, though I'm happy that you're here, and I love you as well as that fact, but, um, there's a problem..."

Nuzzling and kissing his neck, those formerly brown, now red, eyes looked up at him, "Hmm? And what is that, husband..."

With a gulp, he chuckled weakly, "I'm twelve right now in this life."

Oryou blinked and tilted her head a little, "Hai, husband?"

Leaning in, Ryouma looked her right in the eye, "... Oryou-Chan, I'm twelve right now. And we are in my parent's house... and I'm twelve and you are naked in my bed!"

It took a few seconds, but she blinked before blushing a little, "Ah."

And as if the universe wanted to mock him, that was when his current mother opened the door, "Ryouma-Kun, time to wake up! I made pancakes!"

Both women looked at each other for a long moment before his mother screamed, grabbed the shinai next to the door, and tried to hit Oryou with it. Of course, his... wife, ducked under it before leaping into the air where she hung with her hair floating around her as she pulled her legs up, giving Ryouma one heck of a view before he shook his head, "... Rude, I was laying with my husband."

Shocked, his mother boggled at him for several moments before sputtering, "H-husband!?" Then she caught sight of the photo on his dresser and did a double take, "I-I..."

Poking his head in, Ryouma's current father blinked as he took in Oryou, his son sitting with his pajama shirt partially opened, and the messed up futon. Then, he grinned and gave Ryouma a thumbs up, "Nice, Son."

Of course, that only made Ryouma groan and place his face in his hands, even as he heard the yelp of his father when his mother hit him. Oryou just blinked and crossed her arms as she tilted her head, 'Strange people.'

 

[darthcourt10]

KiMaSa

And the story continues...


And Heroes Return

The starship finished work on Illinois' arm and nodded as Illinois flexed it. She then stepped over to sit in a familiar chair.

"Starship log, Stardate 6927.6, Starship Enterprise recording: While en route to Earth for much-needed refit and recreation, I have encountered a temporal anomaly and rescued two survivors of an apparent experiment in time travel. Since that time, I have been unable to reach Starfleet command. In fact, I can no longer detect any Starfleet signal at all. Monitoring non-Starfleet frequencies, I am detecting a signal from Tau Ceti but on a Romulan frequency. I can only assume that the time stream has been drastically shifted. It is clear that I must return Illinois and Central Island Hime to their proper place in history. Beyond that, regulations are clear. I must not risk contaminating the timeline through my own actions. Undoubtedly, no matter what course of action I take, Relativity or another time-ship will be paying me a visit to complain when I get back. That's the thing about time-ships: they're always around after the fact. I guess it comes from always living in the future. If they were actually here now, they might be useful in helping me decide what to do about this current situation. In the meantime, I am beginning calculations for a Warp Breakaway. This isn't without its own problems since Warp Breakaway tends to be very physically demanding. Hopefully, I won't be jumping straight into a fight."

With that, the light faded only to come up, on a group of British Battleships. Orion held up a hand to the others for quiet as she cupped the other hand over her ear as if listening, in another part of the stage and facing in a different direction, Muroc Maru likewise cupped her ear, listening to something as Recruit and Commodore waited.

"I'm getting a message. Redirect to grid coordinates 37C. Best sustained speed, maintain radio silence..." Both groups hurried off the stage.

As the stage went dark again, Lemurian Princess lit up once more. The red eyes looking over the audience.

"My plans are complete! Now, audience! Shall we watch as I take over the world?"

"I'd rather watch you lose," the voice of Naka spoke with her face appearing on all the monitors as she was lit up in the center of the stage. "Cue the fanfare!" She called as the lights went back down.


"What? What is this?"

The lights went up on Enterprise standing next to illinois and Hime.

"The future!" Enterprise answered.

"INSOLENT FOOL! I WILL MAKE THE FUTURE! AND YOU THREE WILL NOT LIVE TO SEE IT!"

"You know nothing about the future."

"PAST...PRESENT... FUTURE... ALL ARE MINE! I HAVE SURVIVED FOR TEN THOUSAND YEARS AND I WILL REIGN ANOTHER TEN THOUSAND YEARS."

"No you won't. You've lived ten thousand years and you've learned... nothing. You have built... nothing. You're obsolete! You mean... NOTHING! And that's why, after today... you will BE... nothing!"

"ENOUGH! SINK!" the ancient abyssal fired her heaviest guns at Enterprise.

The starship smirked as shells burst ineffectively around her.

Enterprise shook her head. "If I had my way about it, I'd give you a taste of my phasers but I can't." She looked over at Illinois. "It has to be their power that beats you."

"THEM? Don't make me laugh! Even the Great Lakes Battleship is only a single ship! These two can't stop me and that means YOU can't stop me!"

"Who said there were only two of them?"


The stage lights lit on six shipgirls standing ready for battle, arrayed in a 'v'

The Tallest one spoke:

"Daughter of Sacred Japan! I, Yamato will fight you!"

Then another spoke:

"Queen of the North! Tirpitz is here! Ready for battle!"

And a third:

"Born of the Heart of America! I'm Oklahoma!"

Then the fourth:

"Battlecruiser Tiger! For Queen and Country!"

And the fifth:

"I am Arizona! The Ship of Destiny! And it is my destiny to fight evil wherever it stands!"

And finally, the leader spoke:

"And I am Nagato of the Big Seven! We fight for Peace and Justice on ALL the waters!"

"And they're not alone," Enterprise said as on the monitors, different groups of ship girls could be seen. In the main screen, Hornet, Amagi, Akagi, and Hiryu were launching full strikes.

"I WILL SINK ALL OF YOU!"

Central Island Hime turned to Enterprise. "Use your shields and protect the audience! We'll handle the rest!" Hime then followed behind Illinois into the fight as the sounds of cannon thundered and smoke rose across the stage and up around the monsterous head of Lemurian Princess. Nagato stood directing the others as they circled the monster, firing as they went. Soon it was clear their foe was badly hurt and angry.

"ARGH! SINK! SINK! SINK! ALL OF YOU SINK!" She fired every gun wildly.

"Why don't YOU sink!" Central Island Hime shouted back and fired into her former master.

"YOU! You led them here!" The audience watched as the monster ignored everyone else to turn every battery on Central Island Hime and fired...

Hime staggered and collapsed to the stage.

Illinois went to her side.

"Don't worry... Just finish her for me?"

Illinois nodded and fired a final shot as the beast gave one last frustrated cry and the great red eyes dimmed and died...


On stage, Illinois cradled the wounded Hime.

"We'll fix you up! Don't worry."

"It's alright... I did good, didn't I?"

"Yes. You did good."

"Then it's okay... Unless..."

"Unless what?

"Unless the audience would applaud for me? Just maybe?"

Walking on stage, Naka nodded. "What do you say, folks? Will you give Hime your applause?"

Slowly, the audience began to applaud.

"Do... Do you hear that?" Hime said, sounding tired. "I can almost hear them... Almost..."

Alright, everyone! Can we go louder for Hime?" Naka asked.

The audience cheered and applauded louder.

Hime cupped a hand to her ear. "What's that?"

The audience applause grew.

"It's a MIRACLE!" Hime hopped up to her feet. "Thank you! You wonderful audience you!"

Illinois blinked. "You weren't even hit!"

Hime turned toward her and shook her head. "I was... I'm afraid... My mask. I'm afraid it's broken." Hime held it in place with one hand as if shielding herself.

"Let it go," Enterprise told her.

Slowly, Hime pulled the mask away and looked up to reveal the beautiful face beneath.

"That's better. That's your true self."

"So what happens now?" Hime asked.

Naka came over and whispered in her ear.

"Do you think so?"

Naka nodded and grinned.

"If you think so." The monitors came back on focusing on a single member of the audience.

Hoppou tilted her head curious to see herself on the big screen. Then the smaller screens all showed Hime. Hime looked up to Hoppou.

"Um... Do you think...? I mean... Would it be okay if I switched sides? Can I be one of the 'good' guys now?"

Hoppou paused for a moment as if to ponder and then smiled and gave a 'thumbs up' sign.

"Oh! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Hime said excitedly.

"Well, so much for your 'not changing history'," Illinois told Enterprise.

"And I didn't," Enterprise replied with a smirk. "According to our records, Lemurian Princess WAS defeated on this date by a combined fleet of shipgirls from nations across the globe."

"So, you're saying this was all predestined?"

"Yes."

"I HATE when they say that!" A frustrated voice called out of nowhere.

"What was that?" Hime asked, startled.

"Nothing for you to worry about," Enterprise said, rolling her eyes.

"So? What else do your records show?" Oklahoma asked.

"Obviously, I can't go into details but I think you'll agree things will turn out alright... With lots of hard work along the way. Your war isn't over. Not by a longshot. But... Look around you. At each other. Not so long ago in your history, a fleet like this would have been unimaginable! Now here you are... Together... Keep that up and you never know what it could lead to. Maybe something big."

"So, I guess you'll be leaving?" Arizona said.

"Actually, I was thinking of taking some time for R and R here. Warp Breakaway does not nice things to my engines and space frame. So, a leisurely few weeks to rest up and make repairs. But then, yes. it'll be time to go home. The Galaxy isn't going to explore itself, after all."

"Then come!" Nagato told her. "Have you ever seen Japan, Enterprise?"

"I've never had the opportunity."

"Then I, Yamato, will show you!"

"Well then.." Enterprise gestured. "Lead the way!" The girls moved into formation and headed off stage as the lights faded to black.

Naka stepped forward as the lights came up. "Well, that concludes today's show everyone! We hope you enjoyed it. Can we have ALL of our performers back on stage for another big round of applause?" The cast came back and lined up together. "Let's meet our cast folks!"

In the stands, Nagato smiled. It was no surprise that her daughter... and she was really taking to that... had done well. She looked and acted every inch a battleship. Of course, some touches in the show, she expected were Naka's handiwork. And bless her for it!

"Hey, mom!" Harry said with a smile. "They're doing a meet with the cast. Why don't we stay for that?"

"Well..."

~Nagato-sama?~ A message came in over her radio.

~Yes, Naka? Nice work, by the way.~

~Thank you! Anyway, I have several actresses who are very eager to meet some of their idols. If you don't mind?~

~Sounds good! We'd like that!~

***

Meanwhile, in the stands, Severus Snape smiled. No one would expect him to be here. Certainly not over an old muggle TV show. But then, that's because they all saw one face of him. While true that his public face was a slight exaggeration, most people who stood and judged him for being cold, demanding, and unsentimental, never bothered to remember that he had once been a young boy with dreams. No surprise, since Severus, himself, did not reflect upon it much.

Still... To a nine-year-old boy, with the exception of dealing with Petunia Evans, The Evans home had been like a refuge from a truly cruel father. Lily and her father were both into sci-fi. At first, it seemed silly to Snape. Afterall, his world had MAGIC! But as Mister Evans watched shows on the moon landings, a part of Snape was intrigued. Space was one area where wizards were certainly far behind 'muggles'. Wizards had no dreams comparable! So Severus Snape became a fan as well. He even had his heroes. For Halloween, the year before going to Hogwarts, he dressed as Spock. The character's cool demeanor and his status as someone not like the rest of the crew and yet, still respected among them was powerful stuff for young Severus. Star Trek, Doctor Who, Star Wars, and that was the tip of the iceberg. As he grew older and he and Lily went off to Hogwarts, his love of Sci-Fi remained. He remembered calling his DA Professor 'Professor Dunsel' But after everything had gone so horribly wrong, Snape put all that away. It only made him think of Lily and that made him think of the mistakes he had made.

But now... He was beginning to feel like he could think of the good things again. Just maybe. And that included two children sitting in front of the Television watching great heroes going where no wizard had ever gone.

 

[darthcourt10]

KiMaSa

Collisions

Lieutenant Uehara was not in the stands that night, nor was he waiting behind the curtain to give his encouragement to his girls. While some might be pleased with this little show, Souichi Uehara was not among them. He had started his assignment with two arrogant ship-fakes who constantly bordered on insubordinate. He now had titular responsibility for FIVE and the other three had learned from Nagato and Amagi to be just as insufferable! And now, with the program being rolled into this international conglomeration, even his authority on paper over them was being reduced as well. Well, he still had a program to run. He was going to have to find human actresses to replace them on tour. Fortunately, He had gotten permission to hold a 'Pose as your favorite shipgirl' contest a while back. The grand prize was to be a meeting with the shipgirl of the winner's choice. This had lead to hundreds of photo submissions. Some of them actually looked quite convincing. Human actresses would also be more likely to follow his instructions. At least as long as he kept them away from the bad example of Miss Nakamura, who originally came over with the American contingent. At least she wasn't his problem.

Of course, the lieutenant was aware there would probably be shipgirls in the audience. Perhaps if Uehara HAD been in the stands or watching backstage rather than secluded away in a back office, he might have known which ones. Had he even bothered to pay attention to Naka, who had been practically spelling things out for days what was in the works, he might have avoided disaster. But as Admiral Goto would later remark, 'A man that determined to fail should be granted the reward of his efforts'. Uehara was determined that his association with the 'setgirls' needed to be severed. In this, he succeeded, much like a man sawing off a tree branch from the wrong end.

Anxious to finally meet her 'daughter', Battleship Nagato led Harry and Hoppou backstage. Without saying, Nagato had a full screen around her, several of whom were also interested to meet one or more of the performers but all of them were completely devoted to their charges. All of them would give testimony to the hearing later.

Later, Uehara would not be able to recall exactly why he had done it. But he had been waiting for an opportunity to show Nagato that she wasn't that important. He already had two good candidates to replace her. One was a student at a local high school, Sakaki Asakawa. The other, a Konoe Tsurugi, actually worked as the head of security for the head of the Hanaukyo Family. Miss Tsurugi looked a little closer to the role and more intimidating. The student would probably be easier to handle. Either way, he could demonstrate to that uppity little fake her true place in things.

So, with his head in all the wrong places, Souichi Uehara stepped into the hall, ready to complete the perfect storm of arrogance, stupidity, and opportunity. Spotting the source of his irritation among the crowd, he called out to her in the firmest tone he could manage.

"Nagato! Come here! You and I need to have a talk."

The battleship Nagato turned, somewhat perplexed by the young officer's demanding tone. Reflexively, her escorts drew closer. Hoppou and Harry also closed ranks on their mother.

"What? You're so important you can just ignore me completely? You're nothing but plywood and spit!"

It dawned on Nagato that this 'man' was refering to her other self... Her daughter. The matter of ranks aside, his tone was quite abusive. She made certain to record it all as she watched a fool dig his own grave, ruthlessly suppressing the rising anger at how he treated not her... but she who bore her name with pride, grace, and honor. Nagato knew that of the thirty-four decoys and setgirls present (not including Enterprise), all seventeen British girls had standing of military rank due to their status as commissioned cargo vessels as did Illinois, Recruit, and Commodore. Of the other fourteen, it was being discussed that the five other American girls would also be given rank. After today, Nagato was certain that she would push for the Japanese girls to be accorded rank and honors as well.

Uehara saw as Nagato simply looked at him like he didn't even exist! Even as he realized he shouldn't, he reached for her shoulder...

He never made it as someone bumped into him from behind. He stumbled, tripping over a well placed foot.

"Lieutenant Uehara?" The Actress Nagato asked as Susan Nakamura smirked ever so slightly, still in full costume and make-up.

Uehara turned and saw the Actress Nagato staring at him and then turned back, swallowing as he realized just exactly who he had been berating. He also for the first time noticed how many hostile eyes were now on him.

Keeping in character, Hime giggled. "Oopsie! Somebody made a boo boo!"

***

A few minutes later and Lieutenant Uehara wondered if hell would have any fears for him after today. He had accidentally caught the gaze of Hoppou and her eyes burned into him. He hadn't meant to pick trouble with a battleship whose paygrade placed her far above any mere mortal such as himself. That would have been enough even if she were not a battleship, hero, and as he knew all too well a hugely popular celebrity. But beyond that was the fact he realized that she was the thin sheath of protection between him and her children. He knew about Northern Ocean Princess. Those seemingly innocent childlike eyes flashed a cold fury over what he had done and what he had nearly done. Uehara felt her peer directly into his soul and found him wanting.

To his surprise, Nagato's son was almost more frightening. His angry glare made Uehara shiver as if death was simply waiting for this boy's permission.

His career was over. He understood that. He had allowed his pride to destroy him completely. It was almost a relief when two of the police officers who had been in the audience had come to see what the disturbance was.

"Officers! I saw this man grabbing at this woman!" Susan Nakamura told the police.

"Great! Miyuki! We get a day off and some pervert has to RUIN it!" Officer Tsujimoto yanked Uehara up off the floor.

"And he has the GALL to wear the uniform of the Defense forces while doing it!" Her partner agreed. She saluted Nagato. "Officers Kobayakawa and Tsujimoto ma'am. Would you like to make a statement? If so, we can arrange a more discreet and convenient time."

"We appreciate your discretion, officers," Nagato replied.

"Of course, ma'am, We'll take care of this… gentleman."

"Thank you." Even as they led Uehara away, Harry shook his head.

"Anything wrong Harry?" Nagato asked her son.

"I don't know mom. I don't think it's anything to worry about except to the crooks."

"Well, now that is over with," Nagato turned her attention to the ship-actresses. "We can meet with the people we came to see!"

Nagato-A bowed deep before her. "It is an honor to meet you, Nagato-sama."

"It is I who am honored, daughter," The battleship replied.

Nagato-A smiled, wiping a tear from her eye. "All I've ever wanted was to be worthy of my name."

"And you have! Even if your guns are wooden, your heart is the finest Japan steel! And I would be deeply honored to know she who has done our name so proud!" Nagato embraced her newest daughter.

Hoppou, meanwhile, now that the threat, if only minimal and brief, had been removed, turned her attention to 'Central island Hime'. "Hoppou thinks you are a silly princess. But Hoppou likes you."

Susan smiled more naturally. "And I think YOU are my favorite Princess." She looked around. "Do you think it would be alright if we took a couple of pictures together?"

"I think so," Nagato agreed. "What do you think, Hoppou?"

"Yes! Hoppou would like that!" Hoppou was also considering asking a little more of Hime and her friends. But that would wait for a more opportune moment.

Naka walked over with a thoughtful expression. "You know, with the autograph seekers and everything, it might start getting busy back here. So I talked to Admiral Goto already and suggested that the cast spend the evening and tomorrow at least as our guests in Yokosuka."

"That is a wonderful idea!" Harry's mother agreed.

In the meantime, Severus Snape patiently waited to collect an autograph from Enterprise. While romance was a thing for others, Snape did believe there was a favor he wanted to do for Enterprise. It would take some research but he was certain he could do it. "Genesis indeed." He murmured to himself as he left the auditorium.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A.N. -- Another day, another crosspost. Thanks again to MagisterAurelius for letting me borrow these three for a moment as events move forward once more toward Fourth Year.

A Moment Among The Megaliths

19 August 2014

Stonehenge, Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, England

A Navy Blue four person velomobile turned off the highway across Salisbury Plain that passed the most famous Neolithic site in the world. Slowly, it coasted to a halt at an overlook on the side of the road and parked in one of the spaces in the vacant lot.

A gold haired shipgirl opened the driver's door, then looked at her two companions with a happy smile. "Well, we're here!" Cleopatra said cheerfully as she waited for Draco and Niobe to exit the car before stowing it on her deck.

Draco smiled back to her, then shivered and put on a light windbreaker to ward off the afternoon's chill, looking at the grassy plain spotted with ancient trees, the low mounds of the barrows, and the silent standing stones that had stood here for millennia. "Thanks for taking us out here, Cleo."

"Anytime, Muffin!" Cleo said in that cheerful voice, taking his hand. "Thanks for inviting us out for a picnic to watch the sunset over Stonehenge!"

"Ja! Thank you for inviting me, mein Flottenadmiral." Niobe said as she smiled brightly at him. She pirouetted, showing off the bright blue sundress that she had bought at Harrods. "I hope you like what I picked out." She gave a hesitant and shy look at him.

He smiled back at her. "You look really good, Niobe," he said as he admired her elegant and ladylike lines. Niobe beamed and preened a little under his attention.

Then he looked over at the shipgirl on his arm in a bright yellow sundress with her favorite Egyptian necklace and visibly admired her too. "I love your look too Cleo." He complimented her, causing her to blush. Cleo gave a sunny smile and kissed his cheek as Niobe took his other arm before kissing his other cheek.

They walked slowly from the overlook up a walking path along the line of Bronze Age burial mounds on the ridge, chatting idly as they strolled through groves of old trees.

Draco then paused, blinking suddenly as he sensed something.

"Why don't we turn off here and climb that one? " He asked, rubbing his chin as he pointed to a nearby circular barrow. The girls agreed and they climbed the hill-shaped burial mound.

At the top a small grove of gnarled beech trees shaded a toppled slab of stone that had marked this burial. Draco nodded in satisfaction, and then pulled his wand out to cast privacy charms. As he did so, faint glyphs glimmered with witchfire upon the weathered bluestone marker.

While he did so, Niobe and Cleopatra silently spoke to each other on the radio, scanned the deserted area, nodded, and then pulled out the picnic basket and tablecloth that they had packed.

Finally satisfied with his spellcraft, Draco nodded to himself as he sensed the ancient wards from the days the Celts buried a chieftan here flare with renewed life.

Now that they were private, he walked to lean against one of the nearby trees that had grown on the barrow over the centuries.

He put his hands in his pockets and squinted his eyes as he looked into the setting sun creeping toward the western horizon.

In the near distance, a low ground fog cloaked the standing megaliths and menhirs of Stonehenge, giving the ancient sight a spectral, otherworldly air that matched his fey mood.
Spoiler: A Malfoy At Stonehenge

He sighed thoughtfully as the girls walked to him after setting up the picnic. Cleopatra leaned against his right side and hugged him around the waist. "What's wrong, Muffin?" She asked with clear concern in her voice.

Niobe leaned against his left side and rested her head on his shoulder. "Yes, what's wrong, Liebchen?" She requested from a face filled with worry.

Draco bit his lip, still looking at the mist covered stones. "I'm not sure where to start...." He said absently, and trailed off before chuckling and shaking his head. "I guess there's nothing for it. Why? Why me? There have to be better people out there that could have been picked."

The girls shared worried glances full of concern. Then Niobe spoke with deep emotion in her voice. "Because I love you, Liebchen. Because you believe in me, in us. You don't see me as a worthless obsolete relic fit only as a barracks hulk or training ship to do make-work. You don't see Johnston as just a reckless hotheaded loose cannon looking for a fight constantly. You don't see Wash as a half-built useless battleship just suitable to be expended as a target."

Cleopatra chimed in a serious voice at complete odds with her normal bubbly air-headed persona. "You don't see me just as an air-headed ditz without a clue. You see things in us that no one else ever did and we don't need to wear masks around you. That's why I have grown to love you, Muffin."

Draco nodded silently, his eyes still distant. Finally he responded in that absent, abstracted voice. "I guess you have a point since I don't see either of you or Wash or Johnston that way. Maybe you see things in me that I'm not sure that I see it in me." He gave a brief self-depreciating smile. "Considering what's been going on, it's no crazier than anything else in my life of late."

Niobe leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. "Something's been troubling you ever since you woke up, Liebchen. Let us help, please." Her voice was worried and her violet eyes were suspiciously shiny as she stared at his face.

Draco barked a laugh and seemed to find what he was looking for among the mist-shrouded brooding stones. "You won't believe it. I'm not sure that I believe it, but I have to believe it." He laughed again and shook his head with a wry smile.

He then looked at the worried girls and spoke quietly and seriously with a distant look in his eyes. "I don't know if I've gone mad, but while I was in the coma after the Causeway, I had... well... a vision while I was knocked out. It was like a dream but I knew... know... deep down that it was as real as you standing by me here and now." He took a deep breath and his face filled with awe and wonder as he continued in that quiet, serious voice. "A dream of Tír na nÓg, the Irish... Celtic afterlife. When I was there, there was a house prepared for me... with several maidens waiting for me."

He blushed scarlet and then looked back at Stonehenge rather than meet their eyes. "One of them could have been your twin, Cleopatra, and another was just like you, Niobe." He mumbled as his cheeks flamed and he desperately fought down his hormones as visions of a fantasy of those two Maidens 'welcoming' him burned through his fevered brain. Fortunately or perhaps unfortunately for him, he completely missed the knowing look that the shipgirls gave him and the happy hungry smiles that they gave each other while he wrestled with his self-control.

Finally under control, he resumed the explanation as his blush began to fade. "I also met Lugh there, who explained that He... the Celtic gods needed a Champion." He took a deep breath as he reached out with his words to people who he trusted and trusted him. "They said that they needed me to fight the evils that were sealed away when this place was young. Evils like the Formorian that broke loose at the Causeway. I... agreed to be their Champion after thinking it over. It was an attractive offer, but...."

Cleopatra hugged him as he broke off again. He laughed faintly and shook his head before resuming in that quiet, serious voice. "They said that they would gift me the boon of the skills and abilities that I need to be their Champion. Normally, I would have chalked all that up as a fever dream, but for one thing. After I had my last talk with Lugh, when I agreed to be His Champion I had a vision of the future. Things I could not have possibly known. Things about Ehren."

Niobe gasped in shock, then spoke in sudden comprehension. "That's why you were so frantic when you woke up calling for her! I thought that you had gone mad then." She gave him a look filled with respect.

Draco's lips twisted and he spoke wryly. "The thought about me going mad crossed my mind once or twice too." He then took a deep breath as his face and words darkened. "I remember seeing Ehren falling into darkness." He paused with a look of deep concern and compassion on his troubled face. "Darkness filled with bat-winged creatures with one red eye each that were directed by a blond haired man in SS uniform identical to what Ehren wore that night when she lost control of herself and a blond woman with a glowing sword."

Niobe scowled in thought. "That sounds like the Popobawa, Cortana, and Ehren's Vati," she said with disgust under the cool analysis in her voice, "although I'd have to show you images of them both to compare to your memories of this vision. What else was there?" She leaned forward, her violet eyes intent as she stared at him.
Spoiler: Worries For A Cousin

He shook his head. "That was all of the enemies I saw in that vision. I also saw Ehren mourning my death and locking herself away. Locking herself away from me, from us. And when I saw her after you rescued her, she was changed. And not for the better." He stared into Niobe's violet eyes and asked in a aristocratic tone of command and authority filled with velvet-edged steel that caused primal shivers to run down both shipgirls' keels and their boilers to burn hotter. "What happened to her in Africa?? Ehren wouldn't tell me, but I need to know."

Niobe automatically snapped to attention and her voice acquired the precise tone of a report to her Captain. "When we arrived, the Popobawa vampires had overrun the house and Ehren had been captured by a sword spirit that Colombe called Cortana. I'm not sure if she was the actual Cortana, but she was very powerful, a near match for Norimune and Tokunotakai both. They Portkeyed out and we followed in pursuit using one of Ehren's hilt pins to divine her location in the Congo after dealing with the Popobawa remaining inside."

Draco nodded sharply as he listened to Niobe. His eyes were filled with horror while Cleopatra turned pale and hugged him tighter when Niobe's report reached the rescue. "When we caught up to them, Ehren was wearing SS uniform as an Untersturmführer and standing at the right hand of Helmar von und zu Wolff, the SS officer who was her father, who was also an old flame of Colombe's."

Draco sucked in his breath as if he had been punched in the gut, his fists clenched, and his eyes flamed as he listened to Niobe's words. "Ehren was fooling him, and since she was not just in SS uniform, but that of a subordinate officer to him... she must have falsely sworn her allegiance and parroted that Nazi-Dreck to keep the deception going. Along with using illusion magic to make him think that he had turned her into a vampire under his control."

Cleopatra whispered with compassionate tears in her glistening blue eyes. "Oh no! Poor Ehren!"

Niobe wiped tears from her own pain-filled eyes. "Poor Ehren indeed. When we arrived, I held off the bulk of Wolff's forces while Colombe and the others fought to Wolff and his inner circle, which included Ehren. She turned on him and helped destroy the artifact empowering him. Colombe then killed Wolff in front of her eyes while Toku and Norimune took down Cortana. We looted the base and Portkeyed back to Moulbaix. Ehren didn't tell us much after we rescued her since she was in shock. She was acting as an aide to her Vati, I know, and as for what happened to put her in that position...." Niobe trailed off, bit her lip, and then resumed in a voice filled with deep compassion, respect, and sad pride for her fellow German. "I suspect that he would have tried his best to break her and mold her to his will in the training and selection she endured. That was how the Schutzstaffel forged their bonds of blind obedience and fanaticism back... before. Bonds that she falsely swore and then betrayed with her Vati."

Draco sighed deeply as his tears fell. "Poor poor Ehren. Also...." He broke off and took a deep breath, squaring his shoulders. "She talked to me when she was visiting at Malfoy House, right before she left. She confessed that she wasn't worthy of my love because she was tainted by her past, so she swore on her honor to protect the relationship I have with you two and Johnston instead of pursuing her feelings toward me."

Niobe paled and then flushed red with fury. "Dieser idiotische Preußische DUMMKOPF!!" (That idiot Prussian DUMMY!!) She swore at the top of her lungs in German and shook her head in disgusted disbelief. "{I can't believe Ehren...! Well, it's such a her thing to do! Der völliger Preußische Dummkopf!!}"(The complete Prussian fool!)

Cleo meanwhile slid around to look into Draco's eyes. "You're interested in Ehren." She said calmly as a statement of fact.

Draco sighed and shook his head, "I don't know what to think about Ehren. She's a sweet girl deep down when she allows herself to smile and..." He broke off and blushed scarlet as his hormones staged a rebellion waving images of Ehren as the Maiden of Spring smiling at him. "But she's so... so... so.... Ehren!" He snapped out, still with his face flushed with embarrassment.

Cleo hugged him. "I -- we -- understand, Muffin. And she swore that she won't act on the feelings that she has for you. So she's not going to ever make a move on you. She would view that as betraying us with you." Cleo's voice was very thoughtful and calm.

Meanwhile Niobe, still fuming at her fellow German's pigheaded stupidity, joined the hug. "It's not in that stiff necked Prussian's nature to back down." She scowled. "I swear, I want to shake some sense through the solid bone between her ears so she will realize that she's not a pariah!" Niobe sighed bitterly with sad pride in her words. "But if she was capable of bending on her sworn word easily if at all, she wouldn't be Ehren. She has the virtues and the vices of the Prussian Landjunker aristocracy. She's going to stick to her guns no matter what once she determines the correct action to take even if the devil himself stands in her way or no matter what it costs her. Ihre Ehre heißt Treue." Niobe finished with a grump.

He nodded in silent agreement and sighed again before speaking. "And yet...," he trailed off and his eyes found Stonehenge one last time before resuming his troubled train of thought, "and yet if I don't act she's going to be alone forever. I know that deep down now. She will build that cold wall of duty and honor and faithful friendship up higher and stronger until...." He sighed very deeply at the thought of the Ehren he had glimpsed in that dark future locking herself away from love to mourn forever alone.

He wiped tears from his eyes as he finished. "...until the day that no one can possibly break it to fill her life with light and love, and she will suffer in silence alone for the rest of her life behind those icy masks because she feels deep inside her heart that she deserves to suffer endlessly for being a Nazi weapon. I don't know what to do about her. I don't know what to think about her."

He looked at the troubled faces of his shipgirls. "I just don't know."

Cleo spoke quietly with deep emotion in her sweet voice. "I have faith that you will make the choice that is right for her and you."

Niobe nodded in agreement before kissing him. "Ja, I have faith in you." Her own voice was troubled but filled with love and confidence deep down for him.

Draco shivered and returned the kiss. "I don't suppose either of you have any of the answers that I haven't been able to find on my own that can help Ehren?" He asked them as he looked into their eyes.

Neither girl had an answer as they finally headed to the picnic.

Save to do their best to comfort and reassure Draco that there was an answer that he could find.

 

[darthcourt10]

KiMaSa

And in the meantime.... More catch-up!


Homecoming

Yokosuka! It seemed like her entire life she had wanted to be here and now it was happening at last! Nagato was sure she looked every bit like a silly tourist but she couldn't help but be in awe of this place and the denizens who called it home. And especially of her mother.

"So?" Her mother was saying. "How do you girls normally room?"

"Yamato, Amagi, and I share one room and Akagi and Hiryu share the room next to us."

Arizona glowered at that. "Room? Excuse me, Nagato-sama? But calling that 'broom closet' a 'room' is like calling the public pool an ocean! Lieutenant Kirby and Leftenant Chalmers blew their stacks when they saw the quarters that Uehara wanted to put us in! Unfortunately, they didn't have the authority to pull your daughter and the other girls out of that pardon my language... but that HOLE!"

"It wasn't that bad," Nagato-chan replied.

"Not that bad? A set of bunkbeds on each of the two long walls and two small desks with a stool. You had to duck to get through the door and only one body width between the beds. There were no windows, only a common bathroom with shower stall between both your room and Akagi and Hiryu's. The thermostat was busted! We're people! Not just props in storage anymore!"

The battleship Nagato frowned, intending to get to the bottom of this and when she got there, one JMSDF Lieutenant was going to be buried in that hole! And whoever was responsible for letting him get away with it to keep him company! "Thank you for informing me of this, Arizona-chan. I will need you to tell me everything you know and I will make certain that Admiral Goto is there as well." She then turned to her daughter, who bore an expression very similar to the one Harry had when she and Warspite discovered him at the Dursley's.

"Nagato-chan, listen to Arizona. She is right. While it is good not to go through life thinking you are entitled to everything, as a person, there is a certain level of dignity we owe each other as a simple matter of common respect and decency. I can tell you are upset because you can tell that I am angry right now. But as I had to teach Harry, I am not upset at you. I am upset at that lieutenant and the people who let him treat you like a 'thing'. Now... You will be staying with me at least until this matter is resolved to my satisfaction."

"Yes mama."

Nagato smiled. "It will be alright. Yamato san?"

"Hai?"

"Would you mind taking Yamato-chan and getting their things?"

"Of course, I Yamato, will take care of this!"

Yamato-chan sighed at her. "Uehara has the only key."

Yamato actually smiled. "Unless all of Task Force 58 or perhaps USS Johnston is holding the door, that means nothing, my little chrysanthemum! Come! Hiryu-chan will come also."

Susan smirked as she leaned over to Hoppou and whispered, "Your mom and Yamato are completely awesome!"
***

The building was, in fact, as bad as Arizona had reported. Perhaps worse. Yamato had barely resisted the urge to knock it down herself but had, instead, summoned the proper authorities.

"It was a disgrace!" Yamato reported. "I have arranged for the remaining tenants to be housed in temporary quarters on base. They are mainly students. Yamato could not permit them to remain in a fire trap!"

"I see," Goto nodded. It would be an expense but Goto knew better than interfere with a battleship's demands of conscience. He then turned to the two foreign officers that had hurriedly been summoned.

"Lieutenant Kirby, Leftenant Chalmers... Were you aware of the conditions that Nagato and the others were living in?"

Lieutenant Kirby leaned forward. "Admiral, both Lieutenant Chalmers and I made numerous protests both through our own superiors AND through Commander Gendo. We were told by Commander Gendo 'not to interfere in matters we didn't understand and that was NOT our affair'. We were told that we could make whatever arrangements we felt necessary for our own charges. To that end, we lease the old community center in Negishi. There is plenty of room and a place to rehearse so when the joint productions started, Uehara couldn't say no but he hurried those girls back home when the practices were done for the day." Kirby sighed. "Sir. Those girls are like my own kids. I just can't understand how a man who doesn't feel that way ended up in charge of your girls. They deserve better and we've all let them down."

Chalmers nodded agreement. "It's a bloody balls up! I have direct responsibility over Seventeen shipgirl decoys, a slightly obsessive girl who is always prompt for four o'clock tea but thinks she's the terror of the fjords, and her three little companions whom she has to have tucked in beside her before she can rest at night. But each and every one of them is part of my family. I know you certainly feel the same, Admiral. But for the life of me, I can't fathom WHY a man like Uehara was placed in charge of those girls!"

Goto nodded. He, in fact, already had copies of Kirby's and Chalmers' complaints. "That ends today, gentlemen. As of now, your people work here, practice here, live here. Your girls are not only important to the morale effort of this war but may well have other means of contributing to our success. And they and you will be treated with the respect you have earned."

Kirby nodded. "Thank you, sir."

"Don't thank me, Lieutenant. As I said, it's what they've already earned."

 

[darthcourt10]

Sidestory - Snippet 23: Kab2

First I have to thank Daniel03 for sharing the video that put the last two snips in my mind, I would have written them very differently as I didn't contemplate a battle at first.
Here is the battle you were waiting for! I hope you like it.
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Decisive battle

As she saw the towering Demon approaching Sofia little by little, a still immobilized Jen pondered her options of how to defeat this foe; she had to thank Sofia for the knowledge of abyssal anatomy she inherited from her when Jen accepted Sofia as master; at a distance the Demon could vaporize her with her weapons if those turrets in its shoulders shoot her, same with its anti-aerial weapons, so her only option would be a mêlée fight, but that left the drawback of taking care of the tail, so her only option would be...

Yes, it would be a good plan to execute if she didn't spent almost all her magic in her most powerful attack.

"Magische Teilen!"

As it was a prayer, the red-haired submarine casted the spell and the sword spirit sensed her strength coming back, a gentle energy filling her almost depleted magic, slowly powering her with Sofia's magic power.

Rising in her two feet, she clenched her free hand as she looked at it 'Good enough, I recovered more than a half of my full magical power, thanks Sofia, I won't waste this chance'
Spoiler: To the battle

With that said, she prepared to battle, infusing her avatar with magic for power up her strength, speed and endurance, causing brilliant red stripes to appear all over her armor and in the corner of her left cheek, protruding a bit from the neck protection, its true body runes glowing with the same tone of red.

Lunging towards the Demon that dared to stand in their way to achieve their goals, she pointed her sword-self upwards and infused it with a bit of magic to make her edge sharper than before, magic that made it glow dark.

Reaching them she struck her target with all her might, the Demon's tail, cutting it from the main body.

The rigging roared in surprise and gave a swat to Sofia, making her tumble until she hit the house wall, which made Jen angrier, but she didn't have the luxury to worry about her, as her biggest challenge charged towards her.

"How dare you..." the Demon began to say.

But it was interrupted as Jen leaped towards her, faster now than the monster thanks to its imbalance and infusing again her sword self she cut its left turret.

The rigging tried to smash her with its right hand, but Jen had already jumped out of its reach and taking advantage of the extended arm she cut its right anti-aerial turret, but the monster used the chance to strike her with its arm, sending her to a big rock.

Spinning on herself, Jen landed with her feet in the rock, instinctively she quickly jumped to the air as only an instant after it a shoot from Tarasque pulverized it; with the momentum gained she tried a normal strike against it, which covered itself with its right arm causing sparks to fly and a metal against metal sound, leaving no mark.

Only a slight 'tsk' she dared to say as the monster tried to catch her with its left hand with no success as Jen jumped over it, and using the fist as a trampoline she cut its left anti-aerial turret, landing at its back.

It quickly shook its body to shake her off, making Jen fall, not without trying to cut its side with a powered slash.

'CLING'

The strike stopped as it only made a little scratch alongside its ribs; with no time to spare she leaped backwards before it tried to catch her again.

She emotionlessly saw the state of her opponent, its only threat now was its remaining turret, but after striping the rigging from it she wasn't sure how to defeat them, stealing a glance from where Sofia was, she saw that she was a bit injured, a thread of blood and oil in the corner of her mouth, but otherwise she was fine.

She decided to leave the issue of defeating the monster to her future self; she had a turret to bring down.

As she trusted forwards, she noted that it was wary of her, obviously they knew that she was going for its turret so the rigging tried to protect it so she used a different approach.

She ran towards its right arm, feinting an attack to it and when the gray monster tried to defend it with its left arm she slipped under its body and quickly jumped at its back, where she cut down the remaining turret.

Now that it was stripped of its long-range weapons she could if necessary stand away from it, but the problem presented itself again, so she tried to search for a weak spot.

She tried to strike it in different places, all the time her ears filled with the constant swearing of the Demon, but it always ended the same.

'CLING'

With her only scratching its skin.

"I applaud you, you stripped myself of long-range weapons, making me 'vulnerable', but the plating my Princess installed is powerful enough to stop your attacks, so I will win even if I don't do anything, but I want to make you plead for your life and turning you into a pulp, but this little sword has proven problematic" Tarasque grinned at that "So I'll have to use mine."

Reaching inside of itself, the rigging took out what looked like an irregularly cut metal plate that vaguely resembled a sword as long as his body.

"This is a piece of plate that your first attack cut from my deck, so I only had to pick it up and now I can fight you."

Unbelieving this information, Jen attacked Tarasque again... only to be stopped by its 'sword'
Spoiler: Counterattack

Standing over its two feet, its equilibrium recovered thanks to the now cut anti-aerial turrets, the monster gained momentum against Jen, using all its weight to push her back, wielding the 'sword' like an axe as it didn't have any knowledge of swordsmanship, the only thing Jen could do was defending herself from the barrage of blows, slowly pushing Jen backwards to the sea, little by little she staggered as she parried blows that could cut apart an entire house trying to cut her.

But Jen won't allow it.

Loosening her stand, she used one of the rigging's blows to propel herself to the rocky area of the beach, in an attempt to hinder its movements.

But it closed distances pulverizing the rocks in its way as if they were nothing, it quickly stood in front of Jen and swung its sword against Jen again.

Jen evaded it by the half of a hair and trusted her true self upwards, cutting the chain that linked its two wrists near the right arm, but otherwise without doing any damage.

The rigging quickly took notice of the new weapon at its disposal and grabbed the chain at its beginning with its left hand and used it as a whip against Jen that retreated once again to assess its possibilities, but the monster won't leave her a second of rest.

Picking up a rock as tall as Jen, the monster threw it to Jen at high-speed which slashed it in half doing the same with two more that the Demon kicked at her, at this point she lunged again towards its body, trying to cut the chain and leaving it only with the sword-like plate.

She evaded to the left the chain-whip and jumped to avoid the cross-slash that followed burying it in the ground and taking momentary hold on its sword, she slashed the chain to cut it, but just after cutting the chain she lost her hold as the rigging set the sword free, causing her attack to hit its torso.

'CLANG'

Slightly opening her eyes, her intuition commanded her as she proceed to take a bit of distance, seeing the uselessness of the chain the monster threw it at Jen which cut it in half and quickly raised it again to parry another attack from the incoming monster that she deflected leaving the grey monster's torso open.

Empowering her sword-self again she attacked the same point she did earlier.

'CLANG'

A slight smirk briefly passed over her face as she avoided another attack as she proceed to punish the spot that sounded different, her magic depleting with each powered strike.

Three strikes and all will be decided.

Running towards it she parried another attack coming from above making her stop in her tracks, the strike so powerful that Jen sank some centimeters in the sand but it didn't make a dent in Jen's determination to defeat this foe.

So she pushed forwards and broke Tarasque's guard jumping towards it immediately and adding another strike to that stop.

But breaking the guard took a half strike's worth of magic so she only had a full one left.

Retreating again she looked at her foe, its heads roaring in frustration as it haven't touched her it left its sword and began to run on all fours towards her, roaring like a berserker as madness embraced them.

A fact that Jen took advantage as she again slipped under it and using magic she kicked its abs with enough force to raise its legs from the ground making it stumble through the beach, opportunity that used Jen to strike her last strike to the spot.

'CLANG'

Seeming that it did nothing, Jen retreated, panting as once again magic was failing her.

Taking a triumphant attitude seeing her state, Tarasque slowly circled Jen as she went for its sword.

"Impressive, you have battled in equal term against me" said the Demon picking the sword "But it all ends now" raising the sword as high as its rigging could.

But in that moment all the attacks Jen made took its toll on the rigging.

The bolts holding her so precious armor plate finally broke, opening a small breach in her hull, transmitted on its body as an open wound where Jen was striking repeatedly.

Sensing danger, Tarasque quickly retreated to the sea.

But this was not going to stop Jen.

Concentrating all her strength left, she began to run towards the Demon, transforming her armor into magic to strengthen her last blow, revealing a beautiful black dress; as a result she gained even more speed, magic aiding her to run over the waters, her speed was no match against Tarasque's guard, Jen bypassed it and putting all her magic in her sharpened self, which was glowing as dark as a new moon night she struck again the same spot were the wound was.

Putting all her rage and hope in that slash it slowly advanced through Tarasque's steel burning its insides with the heat that the sword emanated until finally it reached the other side, cutting the rigging in half.

"NO!" said Tarasque "How a mere human has defeated me!" her two halves slowly sinking beneath the waves.
Spoiler: Jen

Finally letting her emotions flow again, Jen let out a smug smirk as she was satisfied, at last Sofia can be free of-

She suddenly felt a giant hand grabbing her.

"I may have lost, but are coming with me!" said Tarasque, its bloodshot eyes overflowing with hatred.

Trying without success to get free she realized that she didn't have enough energy left to do anything, only to await the end.

'At least it was fun to finally have a Master' thought Jen 'If Sofia haven't found me in that tomb... that's it!' her face brightened as she found a way.

"SOFIA!!! CATCH!!!" she yelled as she threw her true self towards the beach.

"How beautiful, you will leave a memento to that lowly submarine" said Tarasque cackling a bit, its body almost fully sunk.

Turning to see her face to face, Jen spoke "For your information, I am not human; you see that sword? This body you grabbed is like your rigging to that sword" Tarasque's eyes widened with realization to what will happen "Goodbye and sink alone, bitch" said Jen with a very smug smile, disappearing into thin air afterwards.
-------------------------------------------
Thanks for reading, opinions and comments are always welcomed.

 

[darthcourt10]

Third Summer Holidays - Summer THREE F, Split Point due to Keep Filesize Down

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