Harry Potter & the Shipgirls

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Within the clearing, the only sound that could be heard besides the songs of birds, the whispering of the breeze in the boroughs, and the burbling of a nearby brook was the crackle of flames and the hissing of juices dripping into the burning logs. As well, besides the smells of summer, one could also smell the scent of cooking meat over an open flame. Humming thoughtfully, the young, messy haired man jabbed a knife into the side of a boar cooking over the fire before nodding to himself with the smile of one who did a good job as he turned it, 'Just about done.'

Hearing the sound of strings plucked, the young man turned with a smile towards where his companion was lounging as she played a crwth.

Unlike most women, however, this one from the waist down was a horse with greyish fur. For a few moments, the messy haired man just simply observed the centauress as she played. The dappled shadows of leaves and branches playing across her body as she did so. Eyes trailing along her form, he felt his smile grow. Upon her head, waves of blonde hair fell down to midback, kept away from her ears with leaf shaped ornaments. Her ears, pointed and nearly as equine as her lower body, twitched a little as the smile played along her full lips as her fingers worked the instrument's strings.

Meanwhile, her shirt, which showed just some cleavage and hinted at her bosom, rode upwards some, exposing her well muscled stomach while hiding her equally muscular arms within the voluminous sleeves. Limbs that the young man had seen pull back a yew bow fully and put an arrow through plate with ease. Yet, they were so gentle when handling him and his as shown when she had lifted one of his younger cousins who had injured his ankle to carry him home. The skin that he could see was lightly tanned, with just a hint of freckles upon her face, but glistened in the near evening light due to the sweat of exertion from the day's hunting. Here and there one could see slight scars as well, showing that she was willing to live a life as adventurous as his.

Gaze continuing on, the young messy haired man could only hum as he came to the equine portion of her body. To his eyes, it was as beautiful as the rest of her. Sleek muscle under soft, greyish fur, equal to any horse of any king. Legs that could carry her at a run faster than many steeds bred specifically for such as well! Which he well knew from his own experiences from riding upon her back.

Where the two halves met, one could not see much, however. For she wore a dragonhide skirt of sorts where her humanoid portion met the equine, one that had pouches along it. Belts ran from said skirt along her equine body to another leather covering that ran over her hindquarters, concealing it from sight. He could still remember her amusement at it and the reasons behind it, though she did accept it as it had been embossed with designs. Still, he knew under the first skirt that tanned skin eventually seamlessly melded with that of the furred hide of the horse, something he had felt time and again.

A chuckle echoed out before a voice that reminded him of soft, warm leather spoke up and broke him from his thoughts, "Ah, Joachim, you're staring again." His gaze went to the female centaur's face and found her with a slight flush, though there was still amusement in her brown eyes along with something else, "Do you not have anything better to do with your time?"

Lightly chuckling, Joachim gestured around them, "At the moment, my dear Elm? Nothing. But then, I always make time for such wondrous acts such as observing you. Time wasted, it is not."

Once more, Elm laughed before flashing her teeth at him in a grin, "Such a silver tongue that resides within your mouth. One must wonder if it is that or your magic that is the most dangerous aspect of you."

Just laughing himself, the Potter winked and grinned back at her, "Ah, well, that is a good question, is it not?" Joachim then gestured at the boar cooking, "But, sadly, I must turn my attention away from such things. For it is time to eat!"

Simply nodding as she placed her instrument into a pouch, Elm rose to her hooves easily and walked over before laying back down once more, "Indeed? Well, it would not be thankful to the wild if we were to waste such a meal." Pulling out some rough, wooden plates along with bread, she handed him one which he took before bringing out two wooden cups which were filled with wine, "Let us eat and be merry."

Unable to help himself, Joachim winked at her, "Ah, but that is but my secret, Elm. With your company, I am always merry, eating or not." That got him another laugh and he cut a large hunch of meat to place on the female centaur's plate, which she then took up and tore into. Nodding to himself, he cut some meat for himself before drinking the wine to wet his mouth. With a gesture to the boar, he picked up the hunk of meat and bit into it before chewing, "You know, one might become jealous of you. Your skill with the bow is second to none, as with your beauty."

Winking, the Centauress nudged him, "Perhaps, but then I am a centaur! It is to be expected that I am good with the bow. As for beauty? That I am unsure of." Then she smiled and shook her head before taking another bite and a swig of wine, "But it gave us quite the run, yet here we are eating it!"

Only humming, Joachim smiled back at her as he chewed, "Indeed we are, though it was your skills at the hunt that allowed us to. Alas, mine are not as well to do as yours."

The answer he got was more laughter from his companion, "Perhaps I should teach you more then!" Her grin became teasing and her next words got a laugh from Joachim, "It would not do for you to get lost and starve when journeying to the next village without I, your faithful companion!"

It was something of a running joke between them, where he would complain about her making his skills look bad, yet then she would answer back that it came naturally and she could not help such. Yet, both knew that there was no heat behind his tone, for he had accepted that a long time ago. Rather, it became something that they would tease each other over.

After a few moments, however, Joachim's smile faded a little as he thought over her last words, 'My companion...' With a sigh, he took a bite of meat, "Do you ever regret it?"

Understanding what he meant without more needing to be said, Elm shook her head, "No, I do not." Turning, her brown eyes gazed into his hazel, "I will never regret saving you that day or what happened after. You are a good man, Joachim, and saving you was the right thing to do whether or not you are human."

Grimace on his face, the young man's gaze went to a scar on her flank which resembled a burn, though long since healed. One that he remembered making her limp when it was fresh though it was a lesser wound on that day, "Yet... here you are, all but exiled from your home... your family... and your people."

Expression becoming soft, Elm shook her head as she took his hand in hers, their rough skin and callouses rubbing against one another, "An exile that I accept freely, though it was forced upon myself. If saving a life is not right? Than I have no problem being in the wrong, especially as it was your life." Leaning down, she smiled at him as her thumb rubbed along his knuckles, "I saved you for it was the right thing. Then, as it was the right thing and a matter of honour, you saved me in return. Never doubt that. As for being home and with family..." Her eyes glistened as they met his, "That is in the here and now."

With gentleness, he turned her palm upwards and kissed it as his eyes met hers before grasping it, "Thank you, though it is still something that I feel guilt over, my Elm."

Unable to help herself, Elm laughed as she smiled, "Perhaps one day, I shall make you understand then."

Reaching up with one hand, Joachim moved some strands of hair behind one of her pointed ear with a slight smile of his own, "Perhaps you shall, though only you would know by looking at the stars which shine a light which is matched and surpassed by those in your eyes."

Once more chuckling, the Centauress gestured at the meal, "Now, enough of such things. Let us enjoy our meal in companionship! It is a time to be merry after all."

That got her a hum from her male companion and, soon enough, the meat was gone as was the bread and some of the wine.

With a soft hum, Elm stood up and smiled after he cleaned off the plates and washed out the goblets with them going back into one of her pouches. Taking a few steps forward, she hummed before looking over her shoulder, "Daylight shall last for a time more, Joachim. Perhaps it is best to go to the brook and wash ourselves of the day's dust from the road? I could use the help."

Blinking for a moment, a wide smile appeared on Joachim's lips, "Of course, my Elm. It would be my pleasure."

A laugh escaped from the female Centaur and she grinned, "I suspect so!" Galloping some, she laughed again, "Now quickly! If we are to have time to dry in the sun!"

Shoulders shaking, Joachim laughed as she chased her, "Ah! But the quarry flees from the hunter! With hooves blessed by Artemis herself! Yet, I shall catch you!"

By the time he caught up her, however, she was already at the brook and removing the straps that kept the leather on her equine body, hanging said pieces onto a tree branch. Shirt loosening, Elm looked over her shoulder at Joachim with a small, knowing smile as it pooled around her humanoid waist before she placed it beside the leather. For a few moments, the two watched each other before the Centauress walked into the brook, water reaching her equine knees, and then belly, before then covering most of her.

Briefly, she bent her knees to allow for the humanoid portion of her body to get wet before standing once more and turning in the water. Part of her was pleased that Joachim had already removed his shirt and placed it beside her own. Dipping her hands into the water, she brought them up and allowed the liquid to run over her sun kissed skin before her eyes became hooded, "Are you not coming in, Joachim? The water is most pleasant and cool."

Leaning against the tree and bare from the waist up, the Potter looked her over for a few moments before humming as he stroked his chin, "Ah! But I wish to enjoy the sight before me." Broadly grinning, Joachim spread one arm away from his body, "Hark! What is before me? Is it a dream? One of the Ancient Grecian tales? Where a hunter comes upon a nymph bathing in a spring?" Then, he shook his head, "Only to be cursed? Alas, but one has already befallen I! The arrow has struck true for something truly precious has been been taken, never to be given back."

Despite her laughs, Elm's cheeks still darkened and she grinned, "And her, but what is in front of me if this be a Grecian dream? Perhaps one as blessed by Apollo, for his arrow has also struck true!" The , she shook her head and gave a splash, "Now, leave aside that silver tongue, or perhaps gold, and come in to wash the wear of the road away."

Not needing to be told twice, Joachim removed his breeches before walking into the water with a slight shiver. Soon, it reached his chest and he had to swim somewhat. Upon reaching Elm, he placed one hand on her back and the other in one of her hands, the Centauress smiling down at him, and receiving one in return as they enjoyed the cool, flowing brook.

__________________________________________________

Night had fallen and the only illumination besides the Full Moon and stars above was the crackling fire. Leaning against Elm's equine half as she brushed her hair, Joachim watched the flames devour the wood with sparks climbing into the darkness. He was pulled from his thoughts as Elm's fingers threaded into his hair before she spoke, "You're worried, Joachim."

Glancing up at her, he smiled a little, "Is it that obvious, my Elm?"

Slowly, Elm shook her head some, "Only to one such as I whom knows you." Her gaze softened a little, "You are worried about the upcoming wedding to Lucinda, yes?"

A grimace appeared on Joachim's face before he snorted, "You, perhaps, are a Centaur, Elm. But that woman? She is a nag."

That got him a snort from his companion who shook her head, "I would go further and wonder if she perhaps has the blood of an ass in her. But then, asses are hard working, if temperamental, unlike her." Her understanding look returned, "But you are worried about more than just that."

Slowly, Joachim nodded as he turned his attention back to the flame, "It is the Malfois, Elm. While I can understand the Wizard's Council wishing to end the feud between our two sides, there is more I feel. Part of me fears that the Malfois were involved in the decision through their gold or other methods. And it reminds me far too much of what happened with the Williamson's."

Voice soft as she continued to run her fingers through his hair, Elm leaned down, "What happened, my Joachim? What happened that worries you so?"

His own voice nearly a whisper, the Potter frowned, "They, too, feuded with the Malfois, but in Normandy. They convinced the King to create a marriage between one of their daughters and the heir of the Williamson's. However, the other males of the family died or could not produce heirs, and thus the Malfois in a generation gained control of the land once belonging to the Williamson's with only their cousins' the Weasleys, holding on due, some say, to fertility magic of some sort in their line. That was but two generations ago.

Now understanding, Elm frowned a little, "And you worry that they may, perhaps, be attempting the same with the Potters?" At his nod, she was silent for a few moments before looking at the stars. Joachim stayed silent, allowing her to read them until she nodded, "Speak to your Grandmother in the orchard, the Queen. Her magic will prevent theirs from interfering in your family and she will gift protection. Her price will come in three generations as she will seek to renew the ties between your families. One that will bring no harm to the Potters..."

Noticing the look on her face, he took her hand and gently kissed the palm, "You see something else. Something that concerns you, my Elm, my Companion. Because you seem conflicted."

With a shuddering breath, Elm looked down and her eyes had unshed tears. Wetness that Joachim wiped away with his thumb, "Indeed, my Joachim. The marriage will not be happy, but persevere, for it will not last. But with the end, so too will one come to my brother and one will almost come to the Malfois. Yet... while the stars will not tell me fully, they say that there is a brightness in the future for us. Still... I weep for what will happen to those I once called mine. Banish me, they did, but my heart still remembers them from before."

Shifting to his knees, Joachim cupped her cheek before pressing their foreheads together, "Dearest Elm, you weep for you are a good woman. And no matter what, that is what I see when I look at you. My Elm, my Companion who walks beside me always, my Protector, and the one whom I shall protect in turn."

Arms coming up, Elm wrapped them around her waist as tears dripped down her cheeks, "And I thank you, my Joachim. My Companion whom I walk beside and carry when needed. The one whom protects, and is protected in turn. A good man."

Opening her eyes, brown met hazel as the two continued their embrace under the Stars and Moon.

 

[darthcourt10]

KiMaSa

And a touch more on Valiant:

How Are You?


Lieutenant Chalmers had gradually begun to accept his position as the object of Valiant's overzealous affections. He admitted that her cooking was actually quite good and having the attention of a confident, beautiful woman certainly did wonders for his ego. But there was one thing that still bothered him.

"Valiant?"

"Sì, mio ammiraglio?"

"How are you here? How? From what I know, you shouldn't be here. You ought to simply be memories of the cruiser Abruzzi."

Valiant smiled, serious for once. "No, my admiral. Abruzzi, she is like my mama. Of course Valiant is like my mama but... There was more than that which created me. Without Valiant, I would not exist and without Abruzzi, I probably would not exist, but I am more than just what my mothers gave me. I suppose because I am an idea given form? An idea fed from a number of sources. I admit I would wish for a sister, perhaps but such was not meant to be, I think." She smiled. "But the life I have will be a good one! And that means taking care of my admiral! Who knows? Maybe I do not have a sister. But maybe I will be a mother, yes? And carry the children of my admiral? I will tell you a thing."

"Oh?"

"My Burning Love is real. Beyond that, it doesn't matter."

 

[darthcourt10]

KiMaSa

And more catching up with the setgirls!


Training Begins

HMS Centurion stared coolly at the motley line of girls in front of her. Word had come down that all the actress types were going to get special training to perform their roles. Rumors had it that the brass were planning something. All Centurion knew is that she had a motley lot of civvies to try to turn into convincing battleships. She did have help: USS Illinois and USS Recruit stood next to her but due to the nature of their construction, there were certain things they couldn't help with. So of the twenty-four motley girls lined up in front of her, sixteen were her direct problem. Judging by their appearance, Illinois and Recruit would have an easier time with their eight. The setgirls at least knew how to wear their uniforms properly. The Decoy girls had all been civilian ships in their past lives and tended to regard military courtesies with amusement.

"I am HMS Centurion! I will be your chief instructor for this course! These are USS Illinois and USS Recruit! They are serving as my assistants. If they give you an order, OBEY it!" She looked down the line, eyes locked on SS Tyrolia. "All of you may notice that I am wearing the patch of HMS Anson and not my own 'Centurion'. That is because in this class you will all respond to your cover names ONLY." She frowned. "ORUBA! Take two steps forward!"

As she expected, one of the girls stepped forward.

"WHAT in the name of the Crown do you think you are doing?"

Oruba froze like a deer in the headlights. "Ma'am?"

"There IS NO Oruba in my class! There is HMS Orion! You respond only to your cover name. If addressed by any other name, you do NOT respond. Understand me, Orion?"

"Ma'am! Yes, ma'am!"

"Good. Get back in line."

As she complied, 'Vanguard' spoke up. "Ma'am? If the need arises, do we address you as Centurion or Anson?"

"How can I be Centurion when Centurion is three places over on your left? However, OUTSIDE of class, you may address me as Centurion."

"Yes, ma'am!"

"Now, I will call your assignments out by squadron number. You will line up one, two, three, four in your squadron. Right. Now! First Battlecruiser Squadron! Tiger! Queen Mary! Invincible! Indomitable! Come on now! you're not on holiday!" She urged them on. "Second Battle Squadron! Iron Duke! Marlborough! Revenge! Resolution!" She watched them sort out. By Jellico! Why am I cursed? "Alright... Third Battle Squadron! King George V! Centurion! Ajax! Audacious!" These girls seemed at least marginally together. "Fourth Battle squadron! Orion! St. Vincent! Collingwood! Vanguard!" These were her personal headaches. The others, the true actresses would work with Illinois and Recruit.

"Fifth Battle Squadron! Yamato! Nagato! Tirpitz! Valiant!" These girls seemed a bit more responsive if unsure of themselves. "And the rest of you! Sixth Battle Squadron! Arizona! Pennsylvania! Oklahoma! Nevada!" Again, the actresses fell in tight.

"Today! We will start with the basics of how to hold a formation!"

Over a little way, Atlantis smirked. HER girls were ALL professionals. They merely needed to practice their combat techniques and brush up on their deception methods. Rather than a ponderous formation, she had her girls gather in an informal circle.

"Hello. As you know, I am Atlantis. I have worked with some of you before. Others I do not know but we will hopefully get better acquainted. We are Armed Auxiliary Cruisers! We are the wolves in sheep's clothing! But this time! We will protect the sheep. You are not schoolgirls and I will not treat you as such. You are proud fighting ships. However, we may have to train to work with the..." She looked over at Centurion's charges with a smirk. "Less trained and professional. So we will work hard to make up for their shortcomings..."

A little bit away from these groups, Hosho sat calmly with her new adoptive daughters, including Hornet. Hornet was much closer to her new girls than the battleship types. It just made sense. She smiled as Mamari walked over to join them. "Welcome! Mamari! Or do I have to call you 'Hermes'?"

"Mamari is fine, Miss Hosho," she smiled.

"Good! Today we will start with the basics, my children! Carrier 101!"

Enterprise stood, staring at the various training groups disappointed. She could not even convincingly pretend to be a fighting ship. She was famous and named after the legendary Grey Ghost and her successor. The first Space Shuttle was named in her honor, in turn and she felt useless! She didn't notice as the battleship Nagato walked up to her.

"When trained, they will be a most convincing force!" She smiled as her daughter's battle squadron executed a tight battle turn, just as it should be done!

"Yeah."

"However, there are other means of fooling the enemy," Nagato said conversationally. "I understand you have a particular talent for voices?"

"Well, I guess I picked it up from Jimmy," Enterprise replied, not seeing where this was going.

"Excellent! Come with me to the radio room! We are going to teach you how to 'fleet'!"

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A/N - Well, there were several requests to see Father Jacques and the Cinnamon roll Miko have a nice chat. Also we find out a secret of Moulbaix. As always, I'd like to thank Sunhawk2 for Father Jacques. That said, this one, along with our prayers for a swift and complete recovery for his father is for Savato93

The Bells of Ath (VII)

Castle Moulbaix

22 August 2014
Spoiler: A Priest And A Miko Walk Into A Castle….

Toku walked with Father Jacques along a short hallway past the back stairs and then opened a door into the ballroom. "We are taking the scenic route that we did not earlier, Father."

The old priest smiled as he accompanied the katana spirit. "I see." He commented as he looked about, admiring the artwork and architecture as they walked along. "I've always loved old buildings."

Toku gave a serene smile and nod as they slowly walked through the ballroom, "Indeed, they have character. I must ask, you visited Japan in the past, yes?"

"A port visit to Yokosuka in the 1980s, a few to Sasebo in the 90s. Never was stationed there, however." He confirmed affably.

"So ka. If you had visited the Shrine of Hachiman in Kamakura you could have seen me. As I am appearing to you now as a miko and senior instructor in kendo and kyudo there, or my true body when I was put on display at festivals." Toku said in her serene and calm voice.

"Sadly I never was in port long enough to do much in the way of tourism. I was in Sasebo during Momijigari in 1990, but we were only in port long enough to refuel en route to the Gulf during Desert Shield." He shrugged, having managed a passable pronunciation of the festival name… for somebody who barely spoke any Japanese beyond a few phrases learned out of curiosity decades earlier.

Toku gave a small smile. "Well if you wish to rectify that lost opportunity, I would be delighted to show you the gardens of the Hachimangu in late September as the leaves change just before my duties at Kannazuki. Or, if you prefer, you could visit for Hanami in the spring for the cherry blossoms."

The old priest pursed his lips at the unfamiliar word. "Is that another temple from the Shrine of Hachiman?" He inquired.

Toku's smile widened. "Actually not. It literally translates to 'the month when there are no gods', and falls in October traditionally. All the kami leave their shrines to congregate at Izumo Grand Shrine in Shimane, ascend to the higher heavens, and stay there for the passage of the moon before returning to their shrines in Japan. In fact, I am actually a kami, the spirit of my blade, as Colombe and her daughters are the spirits of their items. In a theological sense, you understand." She waited for his nod.

"When Co-chan and her daughters visited me in Japan last month, Hachiman-dono personally manifested to perform a tea ceremony for us and deliver certain instructions. He warned Ehren to prepare herself for what turned into the events surrounding her kidnapping. Or at least I hope that is all, prophecies can be difficult to understand until after the events come to pass. As for Co-chan and I as His Blades, subordinates to him, we are to report to him in Izumo Grand Shrine for the month, along with Co-chan's father and our fellow Blade Muramasa-no-Norimune to receive further instructions and be rewarded for our efforts to protect innocents."

"I see," the old priest replied, pursing his lips thoughtfully before smiling. "If I were some of my old colleagues of whom I would never speak ill, as their faith was quite evident behind their strong opinions, I would have to make grand statements of fire and brimstone and condemnation." His eyes twinkled a bit. "So let us pretend that we've completed that step of the conversation. After all, throughout Scripture there are references to the existence of gods other than God."

He smirked, an expression that Toku rated as almost a full Juuichi Yosamu. "But as a military chaplain, I am well familiar with differing chains of command. So long as we all are serving the Light of Truth we are serving the Word." He continued.

Toku's own serene smile grew to one almost worthy of her beloved elder sister Masamune-no-Honjo as he spoke. She nodded. "A very valid way to see the situation we find ourselves in. I would venture to say that the sworn duty of a warrior to fight with valor and honor, but only in the service of good ends while protecting those weaker than him who need him to act as a shield against cruelty and oppression is as objectively good a command no matter if it is delivered to him by Hachiman-dono, Guan Yu, or St. Michael, yes?"

She winked and then continued. "During the Meiji Restoration, I rededicated myself to Bushido and began to look outside Japan for similar philosophies, since I had been informed in no uncertain terms that true honor and true bushido could be found other places than the Land of the Rising Sun. Other cultures, other nations, have their own gifts which are as great as my homeland. Something that you are no doubt more familiar than I am with your more extensive travels, since I have only ventured outside Japan in the last few months and even then only here and to Africa and Verdun."

Fr Jacques simply nodded in agreement. "There is a reason why theologians and priests wrestle so hard over seemingly trivial questions, because the great questions are so objectively obvious that they defy our…" smirking… smirking… "sophisticated and erudite analysis. I'll have to grace you with the history of the Agnus Dei(lamb of god) sometime, you'll probably have to chase down your eyeballs after they roll out of your head. And the less said about filioque("and from the Son/Nicene Creed) the better… but I digress."

Toku blinked in puzzlement at the Latin and mouthed 'filioque?' curiously to herself as they walked down the hall to the library. She waved her hand as they approached the door and it swung open to reveal walls of bookcases filling the octagonal tower with a staircase ascending to the floor above.

The old priest simply chuckled. "To be continued, yes?"

Toku gave a soft laugh and nodded. "Most certainly to be continued. I thought that you would find it of some value to know where to find Chi-chan and often Ehren when she is tanuki-napped to read to the young ones. Another good place is wherever Claire is, of course." Her blue green eyes twinkled in her serene face as they stepped inside briefly to look around. "Oh and there are a few good books inside, or so I have been told."

"If I may ask, are there any… delicate subjects in regards to the yokai I should know about? I would prefer to not stray into any minefields without prior warning." He asked as he gazed about appreciatively at the old books, looking far younger than his years at the sight of so much reading material.

Toku's serene smile widened minutely at his clear appreciation for the treasures available. She guided him to a pair of chairs in a conversation nook as the door behind them closed and clocked itself at her magical command. "The Tanuki are tricksters rather like the Kitsune fox-spirits. Sometimes malicious, especially to the foolish, arrogant, and cruel, but also benevolent to those who are good of heart. Ahh, their females are known for exceptionally large bosoms when they mature, just as their males have been known to use their testicles as drums or an umbrella since they are of a great size. Or such is the folklore, which in this case is accurate enough."

"In this case?" Fr Jacques questioned, although one eyebrow was twitching suspiciously along with his lips at the rather… earthy descriptions. He'd been around enough SEALs, however, to keep the natural reaction of clenching one's legs together at the description of testicle-drums to the barest twitch as well.

Toku's lips thinned as she nodded when he took the hook that she had inserted in her explanation. "For the Jorogumo, though, folklore is different. The name means 'Whore Spider', and the folklore are traditionally tales of a lone young man who meets a beautiful woman traveler, or a maiden living by herself. He falls for her grace and beauty, is drawn into her webs, she seduces him, and then she kills and eats him like a spider would a fly when she transforms to her true form that you saw at lunch, that of a half-woman half-spider as opposed to the human form that she shapeshifted into."

The miko took a deep breath. "At one time, centuries ago, this was true enough for the majority of the species. As always there were outliers, just as there are with humans or any other sentient being. However, recent events have changed that in positive ways, although that was certainly never intended. Are you aware of the Statute of Secrecy, Father?"

The elderly priest nodded "It's come up quite often, often in conjunction with some of Connie's antics… like when… well, that would be telling but suffice it to say that her conflicts with MACUSA were amusing when you were outside the blast radius."

Toku nodded. "Just so. The Statute came late to Japan, shortly after the West forced itself into Japanese affairs with Perry and others. In order to conform, and with extensive pressure from the ICW, the magical species of Japan were rounded up into reserves to keep them out of the public eye and prevent breaches. Including the Jorogumo."

Toku's voice became sad and compassionate. "Those Jorogumo who were not killed outright in what amounted to a purge that swept through Japan. The survivors were effectively forced to adapt or die. Those who could not temper their impulses to be magical serial killers of humans or yokai for food and for mates were identified and slain. The survivors like Miho's deceased mother and grandmother changed their culture, learned restraint, and are able to coexist with humanity. The few survivors who ate animals rather than humans by preference, and could control their baser impulses. I suppose what happened was like -- forgive me for the comparison -- selective breeding to create a specific breed of dog for a purpose." He listened with a sad expression upon his face.

Toku wiped tears from her eyes and then continued in a sad voice. "So in this case the folklore is largely inaccurate now and Jorogumo society is quite a bit healthier than it was. That said, they are hated and feared in many quarters because of their terrible past and the stories of them killing humans. One reason that they were not driven to extinction is certain body parts and fertilized eggs can be used in potions and magic so they were useful to the powers of the day. Misaki has been shielded from such abuses by her big sister, and the concern for her was what caused them to risk torture and death to escape the Reserve that they were in."

Toku gave a wan but proud smile as she finished. "Co-chan was incensed when she found out, as was Ehren-chan, as shocked and horrified as I was to realize what was going on. I should conclude that by making you aware that the non-magical Japanese government is aware of Miho's story at the highest levels and is acting to correct the situation for the Yokai. The Fujii family are serving as part of the staff on paper while my sisters and others in Japan act. In reality Co-chan is helping them adapt to freedom while providing them the resources to make good their own lives when they choose to. Enough money in a trust fund from Co-chan's pocket to open their own business once the Statute falls, with their clothing, education, room and board all paid for so they have stability to rebuild their lives until they are ready to depart. If they so choose freely. Just be warned, that if you gain their friendship, you can expect them to weave you a gift from their silk, be sure to show gratitude when they do; it is a symbol of extreme respect."

Fr Jacques had bowed his head near the start of Toku's explanation, and there was a suspicious moistness in his own eyes. "I certainly shall." He murmured, then crossed himself as he murmured a soft prayer for the suffering of innocents. "Even if some of their ancestors were monsters, it is a major teaching of the Church that the sins of the fathers do not descend upon the heads of the sons. And to abuse thinking beings in such a way is always a grave sin in the eyes of a merciful God."

He took a breath, his eyes firming and a hint of fire showing behind them. "Please convey to them that if they ever wish to speak of their experiences that I am available. It is one of the most important duties of a priest to bring healing of the soul, after all, as I am certain you are aware."

Toku nodded gratefully and yet with matching steel in her firm gaze as she spoke of the duties that both had chosen to be sanctified to perform. "Indeed it is one of the most important duties that I have as well. They have talked to me about certain matters, and I shall relay your kind offer to them."

She smiled serenely as the steel in her eyes was sheathed again as the topic changed. "As for the rest of it? As you saw at lunch, Jorogumo and Tanuki both have great skill at illusions, and Ehren-chan has some significant talent in the field. I know that Miho is subtly proud of her, and regrets that some of the more advanced techniques need more legs than the two that Ehren possesses to weave properly. I hope that this answers your questions on this matter. Shall we open your rooms now?"

"My thanks, and it does." He managed a smile. "So give this old man a moment…" He took one last walk around the library, sharp eyes quickly cataloguing a few interesting titles, then nodded to the katana-miko. "Lead on, my dear."

Toku smiled, gestured, and two of the leather-bound books he had expressed interest in floated behind her. "I believe that the bookshelf in your quarters may need these? To explain, while you should handle the books with respect as always, the enchantments on them make them far less fragile than their age otherwise would suggest. Some of them are in other languages, Co-chan is the one for the Hindu, Greek, Persian, and Arabic texts, while she and I are literate in Chinese should you need a translator."

Fr. Jacques' eyes sparkled as he tucked Jean-Francois' schoolboy copy of Donati's edition of the Summa Theologica for the theologians of the Dominicans under his arm. "I could stand a good book to read."

Toku smiled, nodded, and stood, walking to the door then down the hallway which had made an L-bend at the library. "Sadly, the organization of the library is somewhat lacking, and there is an additional floor to it over the room we were just in. You may wish to entice Chihiro to assist you by acting as a junior librarian. I recommend peanut butter treats as payment for her procuring the location of wanted titles. The best baker of the same is actually Ehren." Her eyes twinkled in her serene face. "I leave the specifics of such bartering as an exercise for the listener. I have a source for peanut-butter filled anpan(sweet roll), and no you shall not get it from me, Father!" Her voice at the end was teasing

"Ahhh, so I shall have to initiate her in the mysteries of the Dewey Decimal System then." His eyes twinkled merrily. "At least such is far easier to grasp than the subtle nuances of some other topics I've had the pleasure of trying to teach young people in the past." a smirk… a veritable smirk. "Remind me to someday regale you with tales from my days teaching seminary and having to gently correct young men as to their understanding of St Augustine."
Spoiler: Rooms For A Priest

Toku reached a door down the hall from the one for the chapel and opened it. "Your rooms, sir. As for me, I could tell my own stories of kendo instruction and the moral underpinnings of same."

She walked inside and gestured to the revealed sitting room. The room was cozy with a polished hardwood furniture set with blue velvet cushions. On the facing wall, a fireplace was flanked by window. To the left, a fresco painting of Luca Giordano's The Liberation of St. Peter dominated the wall, flanked by a bookshelf on one side and a small private altar in a niche with a crucifix carved from oak over it.
Spoiler: The Painting

To the right a door led to a bathroom with a toilet, a cast iron tub and showerhead, and a second door to the bedroom with wardrobes, a dresser, an oaken prie-dieu(prayer desk) in red velvet, and a large four poster antique bed along with Fr. Jacques' luggage waiting for him. Persian wool rugs in bright geometric colors covered the hardwood floors, and a cast-iron steam radiator with a pair of framed religious prints over it completed the furnishings.
Spoiler: Prie-dieu

Toku bowed to the priest as they walked through the suite. "Here are your rooms. Co-Chan and the others opened and renovated them while we waited for the Church to respond, according to her. Please let Kasuyu or Co-chan know if there are problems with the steam heat, water, or electricity, since that was all done last week to add this room to the castle's systems and has not been tested."

The old priest brightened visibly as he examined the rooms before bustling over to his valise and opening it. "My dear, would you be so kind as to assist me with something?" he asked as he drew out a set of folded linen cloths from within the large valise.

"Certainly!" Toku exclaimed and walked to his side. "How may I assist?"

"Could you assist me with placing these," He indicated the set of folded cloths, "onto the altar? It is always easier with a second set of hands." he smiled.

Toku smiled and assisted him to prepare the altar. She spoke as she finished. "I must tell you that if you wish for different furnishings, the castle attics are open to you and are quite extensive. In fact the imps and Miho enjoy visiting them to explore. Also, there is a set of Post Owls roosting in the Owlery at the top of the northeast tower who belong to Ehren. They will be used to transport mail to and from her at Hogwarts."

Fr Jacques shook his head, even as he busied himself with his valise to finish setting up the altar. "There is no need, this is far more luxurious than I am accustomed to in fact." He smiled slightly. "I would likely have been most content simply sleeping in a cot in the sacristy." He grinned a bit boyishly. "Wouldn't be the first time, right after Blood Week the rectory at the base in Boston was uninhabitable, so myself and six other chaplains set up cots in the sacristy of the base chapel. And I am happy to report that I do not snore."

"Neither do I, according to Co-chan. Supposedly." Toku replied with a serene smile.

"You do and your feet are cold in the mornings, To-chan!" came Colombe's voice from the door. She walked inside with a smug grin. "No problems with your rooms, Father?"

"Now, now, my dear child." Fr Jacques tutted with admirable aplomb. "I may be a priest sworn to celibacy and chastity, but even I know that it is impolite to infer that a lady snores."

"Fortunately, I am no lady but a Masamune." Toku replied evenly. "Is there something you needed, Co-chan?"

Colombe nodded and closed the door. "One of the keys on the ring has the Keys of St. Peter etched in them, would you please retrieve it and then touch it to the painting of St. Peter?" She gave a smug smirk. "I'd prefer not to give the Imps ideas about this little secret of the castle, they are a handful already."

The elderly priest drew out the keyring, picked out the indicated key, then with a slightly lifted eyebrow touched it gently to the painting on the wall. "Even at their most mischievous, children are a blessing from God, my child. And remember, you once were one yourself."

As the key touched the painting, it animated while the door to the hall locked itself. Saint Peter and the angel walked to the painted dungeon door, which opened at their approach. Toku watched with interest and murmured. "Some children never grow up but just grow old."

As Saint Peter passed through the dungeon door, it expanded and became solid, becoming an archway in the solid stone of the wall. A lantern with an Everburning Candle hung from a hook to illuminate the revealed passage and on the far side, a similar closed door awaited as the passage led to the left down a flight of stairs.

He blinked, then he blinked again, visibly intrigued. "Amazing."

Colombe said, "True, true, I did the enchantments for this during the French Revolution for my brother's priest. I would prefer to not have the Imps dig up my flowerbeds looking for more secret passages to play within."

"A noble aspiration, my dear, but do you truly think that they will spend this much time in a castle and not start imagining secret passages behind every tapestry and wall?" Fr Jacques replied with an amused expression on his face.

Toku sighed fondly. "Having seen them at play? I do not think so; I know so."

Colombe smirked and pointed. "The door there leads to the sacristy, the back of the walk-in linen cupboard in fact. To open any door in this complex, touch it with the key. Passing through this arch with the key or touching this key to the wall causes the wall to return to stone and the painting to become its base state. At the bottom, the passageway to the right at the T junction leads to a hidden door that is one way within a boulder in the forest. To the left...?"

She grinned as smugly as her aunt Juuchi would. "You have no doubt noticed the marble grand staircase? That stone is hollow inside with well-hidden peepholes and voice tubes under spells of non-detection that also muffle sounds from within. A small room awaits there with water ever-flowing through a basin to drink and relieve oneself, a small box with bread and cheese in stasis spells, a stone prie-dieu, a Bible, and a cot for a priest to rest upon while the soldiers search in vain. The barely obvious 'priest hole' you saw in the Sacristy is a diversion. Surely where one is and is empty, there cannot be two in that castle, non?"

 

[darthcourt10]

KiMaSa

Settling In: The Prank


While eight hours a day were devoted to classes and training, and Nagato-chan had never even imagined just how complicated being a REAL battleship was! It made her admiration of her mother all the greater, Nagato's new daughter began to adjust to her new life. Frankly, she easily could see that she was the most boring person in the house. She was actually a bit intimidated. It was an odd feeling, like the lone mortal in a house of gods.

But today was special. She was supposed to meet with Yamato-chan and the other Japanese setgirls down at the base pool. Their new moms had been as livid as Nagato when they found out that none of the girls even owned a swimsuit, let alone had been taught to swim. Again, a skill which their commander had deemed 'unnecessary' to their duties. It was time to remedy that. Of course, Nagato was able to provide one of her swimsuits. Nagato chan blushed a bit as she put it on, somehow it felt too big for her despite her mother assuring her that it fit, perfectly. But Nagato chan was nothing if she was not determined to work hard and be even more like her mother. At least as much as possible.

With Hornet-chan assisting, the girls were introduced to the shallow end of the pool. Though initially fearing that she would simply be washed away, Nagato chan trusted her mother and got in. She began to remember the feel of the big water tank at Toei. That felt strange because she remembered being with more than just Amagi-chan but it also reminded her that she was in no danger of sinking or being swept away. Hoppou chan stood at deckside, watching her new sister, privately making notes. It was almost time for lunch and Regalia would be joining them, especially after the incident with Regalia disembarking her executive officer and completely forgetting to eat at all! There would not be a repeat of this. Briefly, Hoppou wondered how this worked for Nagato-chan. She would have to send one of her construction imps to see what he could find out. But for now, Hoppou had an introduction to make.

"Sister? Come meet Hoppou granddaughter! Regalia! This is Nagato chan! Sister, this is Regalia!"

Regalia bowed in front of Nagato-chan. "Is great aunt broken, grandmother?" She could detect no sign of boiler activity, no electronic emissions... It was odd.

Hoppou shook her head. "No. She is not broken. She is different, much like you are."

"Hello, Regalia" Nagato-chan said. In truth, she did feel a little broken... or rather... simply unfinished. She knew what her mother told her but still, she couldn't help feeling like a charcoal sketch of a Rembrandt.

"Regalia is learning to become a repair ship, after a brave but very foolish effort to save one of her aunts. We are VERY fortunate that we had two girls to fix and not two to mourn. But that is why Regalia is learning to do these things safely!"

"I promise, grandma! Never again!"

"Good!" Hoppou answered firmly. "And also, Regalia will take note that it is time to eat!"

"Yes, grandma!"

Hoppou's mother nodded firmly and looked to Yamato and Hosho. "I think the girls did very well today! Let's go get some lunch." after a moment, Nagato noticed that Harry was looking very intently at his mother and new sister with mischief in his eyes.

"What are you thinking, Harry?" She asked her son with a raised eyebrow.

"Just that Ashigara is making curry again."

Nagato winced at that. Ashigara's curry was tasty but the spice was just too hot for Nagato to handle. But Harry had an idea.



***


About ten minutes later, all hands watched Nagato and Harry walk into the mess. "Ah! Curry!" Nagato smiled and took a large helping. As everyone cringed, they watched as she offered some to her daughter who politely declined.

"No thank you, mama! Harry promised to make me lunch and I don't want to miss that!"

"Alright then, dear," Nagato replied and demolished three bowls of curry. "I don't know why I'm so hungry today. At least the curry is mild."

"Mild?" Ashigara said, tasting her curry in confusion. It seemed spicy enough but three bowls of The Hungry Wolf's Special Curry should simply have been WELL beyond Nagato's ability to handle. Maybe it had to do with the secretary ship's last refit. Or maybe... Ashigara began grabbing spices to give her curry enough bite. Soon, sweat was coming off Ashigara's forehead. She took a taste...

"GAH! FIRE! IT BURNS!!!!" She began to drink water as she tried to smother the raging inferno.

"Milk for that, dear." Hosho admonished, passing her a tall glass of dairy that smothered the fire like foam on avgas.

Finally, Ashigara stopped burning and coughing enough to see everyone grinning at her. "I see even the Wolf has her limit!" Nagato observed as she took her headband back from her daughter, handing back the purely decorative one that Nagato-chan had. "Now, Harry. I believe you were going to make lunch!"

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A Duet Under The Chestnut Trees

Passy Cemetery, Paris

Centuries In The Future

There are many who rest eternally here.

Heroes.

Villains.

Sinners.

Saints.

The Mighty.

The Meek.

Poets.

Artists.

And last but certainly not least, there are those blessed with the gift of music.

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

Among the graves, some stand out.

A writer has a tomb shaped like her studio.

And then there are a pair of enchanted statues that stand together flanking a funeral urn engraved with just a G-clef that contains the mingled ashes of husband and wife.

To one side, a messy haired young man with a sparkle in his carved eyes and a happy smile upon his face plays the piano from memory in his suit.

Fingers of warm bronze caress keys of onyx and ivory marble in the eternally frozen instant between the notes that he plays.

His face is alight with the passion and love and joy and life of the music that he plays as he looks at the other statue.

Meeting his eyes, a young woman in a sculpted onyx dress, matching her short ebon-black hair, gives an equally happy smile filled with matching passion and love and joy and life.

Ivory marble fingers are frozen in their gentle eternal caress of the bow and the strings of a bronze violin, a violin the exact color of the young man's hair that she plays for eternally.

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

As the stories say, when the chestnut trees bloom, the gentle rain falls to veil the City of Lights, and the Eiffel Tower lights up as day turns to night, that is when these magically preserved statues play the most heart-breakingly beautiful duet that the passer-by shall ever hear in his life.

The notes of Claire de Lune whisper through the air in perfect harmony, filled with mystery and passion and joy and life and love and longing.

It is impossible to say where the piano ends and the violin begins then as the soft moonlight illuminates the statues in their endless duet.

As the stories say, when their duet plays, Claude Debussy, who wrote Claire de Lune and rests nearby, smiles within his grave and thinks of a perfect moonlight night with his fingers on the keys of a piano as the moonlight turns the water of the pond that he looks at the purest argent.

When their duet plays, all the canines of Paris look toward the figures eternally playing with knowing looks of love and respect in the eyes of Man's Best Friend.

And who are these statues?

The passer-by will read a simple inscription.

ANTONIO STRADIVARIUS POTTER ---------- CLAIRE BOSENDORFER DU CHASTELER

DEPARTED ON THE HONEYMOON

 

[darthcourt10]

KiMaSa

I'm going to post some more because I need to smile.


Central Casting


The subsequent days found the latest hard plucked fruits of the Hollywood program arriving. Lieutenant Kirby and Leftenant Chalmers were told that they might get a couple more subs or so but no one expected anything larger. The history of film was vast but the naval genre not quite as large as some would think.

As it turned out, Chalmers was getting eight of the new arrivals placed under his command. The biggest was Giulio Cesare, she would be rooming with Valiant. Three submarine sets: U-96, U-47, and HMS Sea Tiger. SMS Blucher was a bit of an eccentric, and three would be merchant ships: Jervis Bay, City of Glouchester, and San Demetrio. Lieutenant Kirby, for his part, greeted USS Juneau and USS Marblehead and three carriers: Saratoga, Yorktown, identified as Yorktown 1.5 and a very quiet Japanese Carrier. There were also a couple of Catgirls. Airships, he corrected: Macon and Los Angeles.

"You're Saratoga?" Kirby asked, greeting the tallest of his new charges.

"Yes, sir! built by MGM in 1931 for 'Hell Divers!' I made Clark Gable a star!"

"I thought that the film was all footage of the real ship?"

"Well, you can't exactly set a prop F8C-4 Helldiver on fire right next to the island, or reenact lowering a zeppelin onboard. There were some closeup shots where Wallace Beery had to run in and out of the island from and to an 'idling aircraft' that had to be done with sets too. Not like DiveBombers with Errol Flynn."

"Well, I would think you'd be joining the other Saratogas?" He said, referencing the actual CV-3 and CC-3, who were happily engaged to their dearest.

"I'd rather not be a third, cardboard wheel, sir."

"Understood." He turned to the second carrier. "You're Yorktown?"

"Yes, sir."

"Why is it Yorktown 1.5?"

"Well, Yorktown 1.0 is CV-5. I played a lot of her roles. But I LOOK like CV-10, which is Yorktown 2.0. So I figure, split the difference! Anyway! I'm here and ready to help!"

"Glad to have you." Kirby turned to the last carrier "And, You have two names listed. But both are scratched out?"

"Hiranamu and Shinaru. Both are equally wrong. So it really doesn't matter," she replied quietly. "I was in a few films all looking a little different but all so audiences could see me blow up. So it really doesn't matter."

Kirby glanced over at Hosho, who bore a rare look of consternation. He was aware that names like Hiranamu were gibberish. Obviously, this could not be allowed to stand. Briefly, he considered Koryu and Ryukaku. Both had been names that were erroneously reported by Naval Intelligence early in 1942 but he rejected these as he thought of the new Soryu class submarines he had read about. One name suggested itself from that list.

"From now on, you're Zuiryu. Miss Hosho?"

"Zuiryu?" Hosho smiled. "I think that is a good choice. Now, Zuiryu, come! I will teach you many things! The most important thing is that you are beautiful and valuable, my child. Now come and I will introduce you to your sisters!"

As Hosho led the surprised girl away, Saratoga smiled at her new CO. "That was good thinking Lieutenant!"

"A good self-image is important, don't you think?" 'And with hers, I'm just glad we got rid of Uehara before she arrived.'

"By the way, skipper," Saratoga asked. "Is it true that Nagato is here? I've seen some of her work and I'm a bit of a fan!"

"She's Secretary Ship here," Kirby confirmed.

"Oh! I wasn't meaning her, though she's pretty cool too. I mean Nagato who did Tora, Tora, Tora. I heard about her and her partner staying in a potential combat zone to look after those kids! Iron men and wooden ships, hell! She must have ALL the steel and brass!"

Kirby chuckled. "She's here. You'll meet her soon enough."

"Great! She's a real pro at this business!"

"So, Admiral?" Los Angeles posed, one furred ear turned down.

"It's Lieutenant," He said mildly. "What can I do for you, Los Angeles?"

"Seeing how the original ZR-3 was used as an experimental carrier, do I go with Macon and the other carrier types or will I room with Juneau and Marblehead as a 'scout'?"

"I think I want to keep you and Macon together, so you two plus Saratoga and Yorktown. Juneau and Marblehead will get the room next door."

"Somebody, hide the video player," Yorktown groaned. "Those two will be watching All-Purpose Catgirl Nuku Nuku till the wee hours."

"It's 'All-Purpose Cultural Catgirl Nuku Nuku', thank you." Macon corrected.

"To-MAY-to... Po-TAH-to! Whatever!"

And so, not including Training group Atlantis, which had never been part of the Morale and Spirit Project, Yokosuka was now home base for fifty-eight actresses. One of them, HMS Centurion, was a REAL battleship in every sense of the word. Seventeen more were actual cargo ships. One was a skilled human actress, and thirty-nine were setgirls. Everyone expected a few more minor players might turn up but little else, though Hornet had heard Commodore and Recruit talking about 'Bobs' and how much of a job they were going to be to handle and just what were they going to do with them!

The girls in Yokosuka were a generally friendly lot, Saratoga thought the next day as she sat in the mess hall and munched a hamburger. Hornet chuckled in amusement as Sara pulled a little figurine from her pocket and set it next to her plate.

"What's that?"

"Oh! My Nagato figure! She brings me good luck!"

Hornet looked around and noticed Nagato chan and the other Japanese setgirls come in from swimming class with Hosho mama. Yorktown grinned as Hornet called out to them.

"Over here!"

Zuiryu nodded and led the others over. It just seemed safer to sit with other setgirls, rather than with REAL carriers like Zuikaku or Kaga. She also wondered why Soryu san had called Zuiryu the 'Reverse Aso" and whether that was good or bad. As they sat down, Nagato chan noticed the little figure by Saratoga's plate.

"What's that?"

Much to Hornet's amusement and expectation, Saratoga flushed as she hurriedly snatched the figure up and put it away. "I um... I'm starting a collection!"

"And just how many figures do you have in your collection, Sara chan?" Yorktown asked, grinning.

"Um... One."

Most of the girls laughed as Nagato chan smiled warmly while Sara blushed bright red. Then Hornet leaned back and gestured as Battleship Louisiana walked in with Shinano. "Ladies... Let us contemplate our existence for a moment. Ask yourself, how it is, that Louisiana and I both exist. But while I was crafted in the form of a Yorktown class carrier... If ever so incompletely... Louisiana is based solely on the rough plans for a ship. Not a single ounce of metal laid down and while SHE is an actual battleship, I am only a pretend carrier?"

"Because of intent," Amagi pointed out. "We were never intended to be more than facsimiles."

"Perhaps," Hornet conceded. "But I wonder... IF one were to supply intent, could enough magical potential cause a set type to manifest as a real ship type?"

"Possibly, but the known instances of completely paper ships manifesting involved sacrificing lives," Amagi replied. "That's a high price."

Hornet nodded. "True on that."

"So? Why aren't there more of us?" Oklahoma asked.

"Well! Think about it. Sara... Look at Nagato chan here." Hornet indulged in a little bit of teasing as she lectured, smiling as Sara again blushed looking at the Daughter of the Big Seven. " She was about as complete a set as you could imagine! Except for the time factor, she's a textbook case, and the wizards fixed the time thing. On the other hand, Deutschland and Admiral Scheer went over to Pinewood studios with high hopes of calling, I think her name was supposed to be 'Lindendorf'. They got nothing. They had a nice model. They had actors, but the only full size set was an office that could have been on a ship or shore base or anywhere. Nothing to define a 'ship' Same thing with the Queen Elizabeth in all those Italian frogman movies. A wall with a name plaque and a logbook just wasn't enough."

"What about me?" Zuiryu asked.

"You're the culmination of the same vague idea repeated sufficiently to give form. Each time, a bit more of you."

"Unlike Enterprise," Saratoga agreed. "Two movies filled with footage and you would think if I'M here, there should be an E too!" She looked over at the starship Enterprise. "No offense, I mean."

"None taken."

"Thanks," She replied. "But I mean. Both ships had HUGE amounts of movie film shot and that color work on Dive Bomber was BEAUTIFUL! But they never needed a set. Just a backscreen where they ran film of the real thing."

"Unless it's a case like Valiant?" Yorktown suggested. "Maybe their nets aren't being cast wide enough?"

"Could be," Hornet allowed. "It could simply be a case of finding enough critical mass."

"So, are there any more like us out there? You figure?"Arizona asked.

Hornet nodded. "I think at least one more big player and if we can find her, she'll already be in Japan," Hornet said looking right at Nagato-chan.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

"I'm done, Natsumi-Chan."

Jumping a little, Natsumi rapidly blinked as she looked up from the book to find Harry standing there shirtless, hair still damp from his shower with a towel hanging over his shoulders, "O-oh, okay, Harry-Chan."

More than a little curious, Harry raised an eyebrow and looked at the title of the old, leatherbound volume that the Kitsune was holding, "Huh... something wrong, Natsumi-Chan?"

Lightly blushing, the teenage girl shook her head as she noted some of the shipgirls in the room giving her interested looks, "Nothing's wrong, Harry-Chan. I..." Pausing for a moment, her gaze went back to the page that she had been looking at, "Um, I found this book on the shelves and noticed it had a lot of art in it so I was looking through it."

Walking around the rocking chair that his friend was in, Harry looked over her shoulder and blinked some at the sight of a ink drawing that was on the page. It was obviously a rough sketch... if one could call rough something that looked like it was from an art museum. Said drawing was of a young, messy haired shirtless man leaning against a tree, looking down at a centauress in the water with a smile. Said female Centaur also had a small smile on her face as she looked up at him, torso bare like his. Said drawing, unlike most, was not enchanted however.

For a few moments, the teenage wizard looked at it before slowly nodding, "Huh, that must be one of the drawings of Joachim, my ancestor." Looking at Natsumi, Harry smiled a little, "Remember, Natsumi-Chan? I did say that he was an artist as well as a hunter."

Only nodding, Natsumi flashed him a smile, "You did, actually." Turning one of the old, vallum pages, she revealed another drawing, this one of what had to be Elm carrying Joachim upon her back. He had his arms around her human waist, fingers interlocked with his body pressed against her back with one of her hands covering his. Both of them looking at each other with expressions of love, "There's so many drawings of him and Elm... or just her in here."

Leaning against the rocking chair, Harry nodded a little, "Well, from what I read, he did claim her as his muse in regards to his art. And it was mentioned that he made quite a few paintings and drawings of her, and even used a spell to make copies of said drawings to be hung..." Pausing, he rubbed his chin some, "I'm pretty sure that they're somewhere around actually."

Slowly nodding at that, Natsumi had a slight flash of inspiration as she turned to one picture in particular. It was of Elm armoured up for war alongside Joachim on her back. Her equine portions were covered in horse barding. The peytral resembled a roaring dragon, the wings stretching back along her body, but in a way that Joachim's legs would be protected by the thick metal as well. Her hindquarters were protected by metal plates that had the Potter coat of arms embossed upon them, declaring her alliegence for all to see.

The Kitsune was still amused by the fact that rather than a magpie, the bird on the coat of arms was a raven, which still was a bird that collected shiny objects though she raised her eyebrows at the fox that was there as well.

Besides the normal barding, one could also see strips of metal over her legs, as well as studded leather that covered the portions of her equine body unprotected by metal armor, likely enchanted. Absolutely no part of said body was left unprotected, which said much about how much the Potters, and Joachim in particular, valued her. Not to mention, her humanoid body also had armor in the form of plate with a shield on one arm, and a lance held in the other. Though Natsumi also noted a heavy mace at her side, obviously to be used with her much stronger than human strength.

On her back, Joachim was also armored though he had a buckler in one hand, and a sword in the other. The two had expressions full of protectiveness at each other as they gazed into each other's faces, but with grins that Natsumi recognized. And how could she not, as she had seen similar ones before on Harry's face when the chips were down and he was gazing at her. Needless to say, the picture cut a dashing one, of a lord and his female centaur knight.

For a few moments, Natsumi looked down at the drawing in thought before a smug, foxy smirk appeared on her face, "Harry-Chan?" Getting a hum from him, she glanced up at his face and gestured at the picture, "Would you happen to have a copy of this picture?"

Rubbing his chin, Harry considered the question for several moments, "Maybe? I'd need to check..." Then he gave her a curious look, "Why?"

Grin on her face, the Kitsune barely kept from snickering, "Well... I thought, perhaps, that Ayase-Chan might enjoy the picture. She does like the tales of Samurai and the like, and Knights are the European equivalent..."

While he suspected that there was more to it than just that, Harry slowly nodded, "Well, I can see if we have a copy. And maybe put it in her room or something." When she hummed, he raised an eyebrow, "Anyways, what about the picture had your attention?"

Just glancing at the others, Natsumi nodded a little, "I was using an Onmyoudo spell, one that lets you glimpse at history behind an object which I learned from someone." Harry simply nodded as he could guess who that was, though he blinked at the blush that appeared on Natsumi's face, "Though, um, it showed me the event in question that it was modeled off of. Because the emotion from said time was so strong, it seeped into the drawing of that time."

Considering that, the fourteen year old wizard smiled a little, "Huh... now that could be neat." Suddenly, remembering what some of the pictures likely were, as well as the one that Natsumi was looking at, a blush sprang up on his own face, "Um, though maybe one should be a bit more careful..."

That only made the Kitsune nod a little.

Moments later, Harry shook off his blush and looked at her, "By the way... could I ask to borrow your time turner, Natsumi-Chan?" Seeing her ears flick in curiosity, he gave her a chuckle, "I want to get started on dinner, so..."

Understanding, Natsumi smiled back at him and placed the book aside. Then, she reached to the chain around her neck and handed the time turner to him, "Here you go, Harry-Chan. I'll see you at dinner then."

With a nod, the fourteen year old boy placed the chain around his neck and paused for a moment. Quickly, he leaned down and kissed her, which surprised the Kitsune for a moment before she closed her eyes and leaned into it. When he pulled back, Harry had a smile on his face, "Thanks, Natsumi-Chan."

Slowly blinking, Natsumi gave him a smile, "You're welcome, Harry-Chan. See you... well, in a few hours for you."

Lightly laughing, he nodded before walking out the door.

Gently closing the book, Natsumi put it carefully back on the small bookcase it had come from, 'I have to admit... that was an interesting vision.'

Humming in the back of her mind, Tamamo chuckled, 'Indeed it was, Natsumi. And it showed more of the past of Our Harry's family. Most intriguing...' A sly, teasing tone entered her voice as she continued, 'Especially certain aspects~'

Needless to say, the younger Kitsune remembered said aspects and flushed, 'ERO-KITSUNE!' Just getting a laugh, she huffed before gathering up her clothes. However, Natsumi then paused as she looked at the others, "So... how are we doing this exactly? In what order?"

From where she was, Hachi just looked over at her with a bemused look, "Well, we are just taking showers for now, the baths come later. And since we're all girls..." She gave a small shrug, "I mean, the shower is big enough for most of us."

Each of them considered that before nodding and gathering up their clothes as they walked into the bathroom together.

It was not long before they all left the room, refreshed some and their old clothing in the hamper to be gathered up later and washed. Partway down the hall, the door opened to the room being shared by Ayaka, Usagi, and Yae with the lone human teen coming out first. Her own hair somewhat damp, the Kendoka smiled a little and bowed some, "Are you ready for dinner as well, Natsumi-San?"

Only nodding, Natsumi gave a chuckle, "Hai, and I'm looking forward to Harry-Chan cooking." Licking her lips, the Kitsune smiled a little, "I can't wait..."

More than a little curious, Yae tilted her head to the side, "Is Harry-San a good cook then? And... what sort of food is going to be there?"

Bright smile on her face, Iku patted her stomach some, "Actually? Harry-Chan is a very good cook! He's been doing some work in the Mess Hall for years now."

Eyes wide, the teenage human blinked, "He's worked in the Mess Hall? And for years? Gozaru..."

Adjusting her glasses, Hachi hummed, "Hai, and he's cooked some great meals." Thoughtful, she gave a hum, "Since we're in Britain, however, Harry-Chan is likely to cook British dishes. And those are pretty good, though some can sit a bit heavy on your stomach."

Suddenly, Uesugi spoke up as she joined them, "Hopefully not much meat. I'm like Usagi-Chan in that I am a vegetarian."

That got her a pat on the shoulder from Nobu who pointed at her friend with her free hand, "She's Buddhist after all and really into that no meat stuff. Not even fish." Then, she grinned and jerked her thumb to herself, "Unlike me, I don't mind meat."

Lips twitching as the other Warlord shrugged off the former Oda's hand with a grumble, Usagi shook her head, "Actually? Harry-Chan's pretty good for stuff like that as you've seen. I mean, he cooked up some good stuff before." She then licked her lips, "I'm looking forward to whatever he might make."

Meanwhile, Natsumi noted the others had joined them and they resumed walking towards the stairs to reach the dining room. Becoming thoughtful, she looked towards Uesugi with a slight frown, "Um... I know about Usagi-Chan and such, and I've seen you with milk, but... what about eggs and dairy?"

Just nodding, Uesugi chuckled, "Either is fine, though I prefer eggs to be part of baking more than anything else."

Everyone simply nodded in agreement before they continued to chat about various things. Of course, as they were going down the stairs, Ayaka spoke up, "By the way, does everyone have their swimsuits? Because I have mine on under my clothes for when we go to the pool out back." Then, she grinned a little, "And I can't wait to try out the jaccuzi that you mentioned, Natsumi-Chan."

Hands behind her head, the Kitsune snorted a little, "You're not the only one, Ayaka-Chan. I can't wait either." Then, she gave a small shrug, "We're probably going to watch some movies after though. I got some DVDs of old Ungaikyō Films movies from Chichi-ue."

Confused as the other Yokai lit up and began chatting, Okita blinked some, "Um... Ungaikyō Films? Never heard of them..."

Kaku turned to them and made a motion with his hands, "They're an old magical film company from the 1970s and lasted until the 1990s. Mostly, they made films using shapeshifting Yokai to resemble characters of popular No-Maj media and used magic to construct sets for them as well as illusions and the like. They were pretty popular because, well, most of us Yokai and a number of magicals spend a lot of time in the non-Magical side of the world." For a moment, he grimaced, "They were shut down during one of the crackdowns in 1995. But enough of their stuff is still around that some people transferred the films over to DVD."

With a nod, Natsumi smiled some, "I got their Space Battleship Yamato live action film as well as Super Dimensional Fortress Macross."

For several moments, Nobu just stared at her before wiggling a finger in her ear. Pulling out, she gave her friend a look, "You said live action, right?" At the amused nod, she blinked, "You mean to tell me... they made a live action Super Dimensional Fortress Macross film!?"

Unable to help herself, Ayaka laughed, "Hai, they did!" She made a motion with her hands as they continued to walk, "They even made scaled down sets of the actual Macross, one for when transformed and one when not. They did stuff like use Kudagitsune transformed into the characters while normal Kitsune played the Zentraedi and Maltrandi for scenes where the two met for example. Heck, they even had a few Zentraedi ships constructed too for scenes and stuff."

Jaw dropped, Okita boggled a little, "Holy shit... so they used illusions and everything?!"

Humming, the lone Tanuki placed his hand behind his head, "Hai, as well as transfiguration for the sets and the like."

Suddenly, Uesugi frowned some even as she crossed her arms, "Wait... is that sort of thing even legal? I mean... considering things?"

Only waggling her hand, Usagi shook her head, "Grey area. I mean, you couldn't exactly contact the copyright owners for permission. But... they still sent them money owed for usage of their series, even if said owners never really figured out where they came from." She then gave a small shrug, "They were pretty great and even ran a few theatres... until the Diet shut them down for 'Threatening the Statute'. Most just figured that it was due to the fact that they might have pissed someone off. Though some people have remnants of their sets."

That last bit was said with a look towards Natsumi who sighed and gave a look back, "Our Chichi-ues are Otaku. Do you expect any better from them?" Then, she turned back to the humans of the group as well as the interested shipgirls, "Anyways, they actually followed the actual stories of the series closely, with some bits cut out. The Macross one is more a trilogy combining the series into three films. Still awesome though."

Not long after, the conversation died off as they entered the dining room and sat down at the large table there. Moments after they did so, a humming Harry came out of the kitchen, "Hey, everyone. Hope that you're hungry."

Even as they answered him with grins, Nobu and the other humans of the group blinked as plates came floating out... with pies on them.

Scratching her head, the former Uniter of Japan frowned, 'Pies?'

However, Harry had his arms spread wide with a grin, "Panpakapan! Steak and ale pies for dinner!"

Taiyang cocked her head to the side curiously, "Steak pies... Harry-San? What are those?"

With a chuckle, the wizard gestured the pies to place themselves in front of each person except for Usagi and Uesugi, "They're pies with steak and beef gravy inside of them. I used ale as well." Then, he turned to the two not yet served and two more plates came out and placed themselves in front of them, "And for you, Woolton pies."

Eyes widening some, Usagi rubbed her hands together, "Woolton pies... those are the vegetable ones, right? Where the vegetables are in vegetable gravy?"

Grin on his face, Harry nodded some, "Hai, that's right." With a final gesture, a pitcher came out and set itself on the table, "And butterbeer to drink as well."

Now, it was Nobu's turn to rub her hands together, "Okay, I can't wait! Let's dig in, itadakimasu!" Using a fork, she took a piece of the pie which had some steam on it and blew on it. Once it was cool enough, the former warlord put it into her mouth and closed her eyes happily, 'Ah... so good.' Opening her eyes, she turned to Okita and nearly laughed as said former Shinsengumi had her eyes closed in bliss as she happily chewed, 'And it looks like Okita-Chan is liking it as well."

Eyebrows furrowing, Yae took a goblet filled with butterbeer, though she blinked as said container was an odd silvery color, and took a sip before blinking and taking another, "Mmm... tastes like that... like that American dessert?" Furrowing her eyebrows, she nodded, "Butterscotch! That's what it tastes like, Gozaru!"

Looking at her, Okita took a sip of her own drink and her eyebrows rose, "Hai, it does taste like that!"

It went without saying that dinner was soon demolished and everyone waited as Harry went back into the kitchen. Not long after, he returned with a plate that had fluted glasses on it, the top being wide. But what caught the attention of everyone there, which included Taigei, Ryuuhou, and the others working in the kitchen, was what was inside of it. It was a creamy dessert that was coloured pink with swirls of red.

Upon setting down the plate, Harry began to hand out the desserts, "And now for the raspberry fool, made with the fresh raspberries that we picked."

Okita had to rely on everything to wait until everyone was served before she picked up her spoon and dipped it into the creamy dessert. Placing it in her mouth, those around her swore that there were sparkles in the air by her head as she flushed, 'Sooo good...'

More than a few of them snickered at that before turning to their own dessert. However, they agreed... it was delicious.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A.N. -- Well, I hope that all the readers enjoy this one as much as Sunhawk and I enjoyed writing it! We have Old Master Prints, gross violation of the traffic laws by the Pastor's chauffeur, and some explanation of what is going on between two people becoming friends.

The Bells of Ath (VIII)

Castle Moulbaix

25 August 2014
Spoiler: A Conversation Over Coffee

"Is there a problem, Father?" Colombe glanced at the somewhat visibly shaken priest as he entered the kitchen for breakfast.

Past her at the stove, Kasuyu sipped Navy Coffee from the newly dedicated pot for it from his 'Axe Man' mug. He raised an eyebrow at the taste before rumbling thoughtfully and flipping a pancake.

As for the rest of the castle residents?

The Imps were happily eating apple preserves on toast.

Claire was buttering and toasting bread for everyone while she hummed Johann Strauss' Wine, Women, and Song between drinks of her Kaisermelange.

Nongqawuse and Miho were talking quietly as they prepared another rasher of bacon that had been brought up from the freezer.

A very bleary-eyed Ehren with exceptionally bad 'bed head' was yawning and scratching herself under one arm as she stared at the espresso machine filling her second cup of Kaffee with the expression of a man lost in the desert seeing an oasis.

In other words, it was a normal Monday morning in Moulbaix.

"Nothing serious, merely finally realizing where I'd seen those prints before that are in the chambers you so kindly provided me. I confess that I never would have thought I would sleep in the same room as Rembrandt prints." the old priest said, as he poured himself a cup of good, honest Navy coffee.
Spoiler: The Priest's Prints

Colombe blinked and cocked her head at his words as she puzzled out the meaning.

The franc then visibly dropped when she turned whiter than the glass of milk she was drinking. "Rembrandts? Truly? I picked them out of Papa's collection of old prints because of the subject matter of Christ's ministry and the Crucifixion." She spoke in a shocked voice as her mind visibly whirled. "Papa loved prints and came back with them every time he took a trip; Ehren picked out three of his for her room. I never paid much attention to them despite Papa and Ian both trying to get me interested...."

With that, Colombe turned with rather wild eyes to boggle at a Prussian Zombie who was now showing faint signs of resurrection as Ehren placed her now empty cup under the spigot and punched in the command to refill. Ehren yawned and replied absently to her mother's frantic question as she watched the Schwarze Bohne des geistigen Lebens(Black bean of spiritual life) pour into her cup again. "Ja. Der Meisterstiche(Master Prints). Ritter, Tod, und Teufel, Melencolia I, und Der heilige Hieronymus im Gehäus alles von Albrecht Dürer." (Knight, Death, and the Devil, Melencolia I, and St. Jerome in the Case all - by Albrecht Dürer)

Upon hearing that her youngest daughter had original copies of the three most famous masterwork prints of one of the German Old Masters hanging over her desk unknown to her before that instant, Colombe did the only rational thing that she could.

She fainted on the spot.
-----------------

Enroute To Brussels
Spoiler: A Drive To Brussels

Most people Fr Jacques' age would be trembling in terror, gripping the armrest, and screaming for the insane driver -- who he had seen drink six cups of coffee during breakfast -- to slow down.

Most people his age hadn't been in cars driven by shipgirls.

For nearly all of them speed limits were gentle suggestions easily ignored, lane markings vague guidelines, and traffic laws for the weak. But for some of them speed limits were seen as challenges... as were lanes... and roads... and other motorists. And don't get the good Father started on some of the sailshipgirls who seemed to think driving in a straight line for too long was a Bad Thing and instinctively 'tacked' all over the road.

In comparison to all of that, Ehren's driving was… soothing. Fast, yes, but the level of displayed skill more than made up for it.

Besides, he was a priest, he had faith that they wouldn't in fact hit that car in the opposite lane when Ehren darted like a jackrabbit that had just consumed its own weight in amphetamines around a Polish semi that evidently thought the speed limit was 20 kph shortly before merging onto the main Lille-Brussels highway.

Or that if they did, it would be because it was their time to report to God anyway.

Ehren smoothly slid her mother's Audi R8 coupé 5.2 FSI quattro (based on Audi's Le Mans race car) back to her proper lane and accelerated once more like a German rocket. She then spoke in her cool, precise voice. "Do you mind listening to music as we drive?"

His voice was placid, cheerful even. "Of course not, my child. Music is one of God's greatest gifts to man."
Spoiler: Ehren's Driving Music

"Danke." She gave another lip twitch and punched a control on the dashboard. He was somewhat unsurprised when a piano playing a frenetic piece was what she selected. Ehren tapped a finger on the steering wheel in time with the music and she actually cracked something that might be a very small smile.

Father Jacques had his suspicions about the identity of the pianist -- singular -- playing that piano duet piece.

"Did you know that Constitution actually prefers that style of music to what most people assume she enjoys?" he mused with clear mischief in his voice. "People forget that frigates were the fast and aggressive ships of their day. Many more modern girls have learned to their regret not to challenge her at Guitar Hero."

Ehren chuckled wryly. "Ach so. Like Jean Bart then." Her lips twitched again as she spoke in that cool precise voice. "I met her during a minor contest of skill across the length of southern England when I was sent to London on business. She is quite skilled on her motorcycle." She then paused for a beat to aggressively pass a car before resuming. "Mutti was rather unamused when I notified her of that in my report and muttered darkly about the Curse of the Du Chasteler Daughters that apparently her Papa had placed upon her."

Fr Jacques just chuckled. "Well, I do know it is said that daughters are God's way of punishing parents for the shenanigans that they got up to when they were children." he replied with a laugh.

Ehren gave a small lip twitch and responded dryly. "Some of Mutti's questions during my debrief after I returned from London were quite oddly specific while dealing with the possibility of incidents in taverns that catered to traveling nobility. Potential romantic incidents as well as those that would involve police involvement if a fast exit from the area was not imminent."

"I see," the old priest responded, his own lips twitching. "No doubt this was solely due to literary examples and hearsay rather than personal experience." he continued with great seriousness.

"No doubt." Ehren said, equally deadpan. She then paused before continuing in a slightly more serious tone. "I do know that Mutti was expelled from the wizarding academy of Beauxbatons in 1724. Although I do not know what prompted it, honestly. She just said that she is proud of me and has confidence that I shall do better than she did at school. She has her broken wand framed and mounted in a place of honor in the upstairs hallway near my room."

He nodded, thinking quietly for a moment. "So I take it Beauxbatons is the French school, yes?"

"Ja. It is." Ehren confirmed before explaining in a precise voice. "There are three major European ICW-recognized schools. Mutti and Grandpapa went to Beauxbatons in southern France. There is also Durmstrang somewhere in either northern Europe or the Carpathians that primarily takes in pupils from Germany, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, and similar. Lastly, there is Hogwarts in Scotland, which is where I shall have an avatar attending with my true body starting in September." Her tone clearly invited that she would answer his questions.

One eyebrow quirked upwards. "Multiple avatars? Am I safe in assuming that this is due to your nature as being the spirit of a dagger?"

Ehren's cool smile widened microscopically, "Indeed it is. Spirits such as myself and my family must manifest in reasonable proximity to our true bodies. However, there are some workarounds that can be used. For instance, Claire has a locket containing some small pieces of her true body -- shavings and screws from her case and one of her original steel strings -- that were later regenerated by magic. She uses that to manifest outside Moulbaix without having to move her full piano body around. As for myself, Great-uncle Kansha is a set of Japanese cooking knives who regularly manifests several avatars when cooking in the kitchen. I am using what he and his sister Suisei have taught me of his ability plus a hilt pin of mine that I regenerated to manifest back in Moulbaix while I have this body manifested using my primary Ehrendolch body.…"

She broke off, frowned for a moment in clear thought, and then resumed, "I should be currently playing Schubert's Fantasie in F Minor as a piano duet with Claire 'now' in the music room, which is an adequate challenge to improve my ability to manifest, control, and sustain multiple avatars. I shall reintegrate the memories of this avatar with those memories when I contact myself again when we return to Moulbaix. Think of the me 'here' as one of two identical containers holding one spiritual liquid that is actually 'Ehren'. My memories and experiences with you today are additional fluids added to one of them. Then they will be poured back into their original containers after being fully mixed when I merge with myself again. This is also a test run for doing so at a greater distance while at Hogwarts starting this September; I shall be meeting myself via mailing a hilt pin back and forth then."
Spoiler: Ehren Prepares For Hogwarts

"Fascinating, ever since I first encountered the supernatural I have been astounded at the sheer variety of things that are possible." he chuckled slightly. "It is truly a great gift, cherish it, my child, just remember to give thanks to He who gave such blessings unto you." Preaching came naturally to the old priest, after all, and he never missed an opportunity to slip at least a little wisdom in.

Ehren lip-twitched and spoke in a serious voice. "I am indeed thankful." She paused, clearly weighing her next words. "I would not have gone to Hogwarts if I could not find a way to also keep Claire company. I have literally known her from the moment I manifested an avatar. She and I spent over four decades together in Mutti's study aware of each other even before she manifested in 1990. Even now, I find it somewhat psychologically difficult to be away from her for this errand, and I know that she feels the same about me even with my many many flaws and failures." Ehren actually gave a warm and shy smile for a brief moment. "She is truly an angel from Heaven that I do not deserve to have met."

Fr Jacques simply nodded. "None of us deserve the blessings in our life, but the Good Lord gives them to us regardless. Just remember, that for all the blessings she bestows upon you every day, you give her equal blessings by simply being you." he settled back into the car seat a little as they knifed through the light early morning traffic like a shark through a school of herring.

Ehren nodded sharply and spoke in a self-evident tone. "She does admit that I am her favorite audience to serenade, and she feels safe and protected around me."

"And I have seen how you make her smile, how you inspire her to exceed herself, and how she craves your attention and approval." the priest pointed out with a faint smile.

"She does?" Ehren asked curiously. She then frowned thoughtfully. "I confess that I don't see the evidence of that…."

"Does she not look to you to see your reaction to her playing? Does she not play your favorite songs in the hope that it makes you smile?" he asked gently.

"Of course she plays for her audience and watches them. She does like Wagner and the other great German composers as much as I do as well," Ehren said, visibly thinking through the statements. "I do enjoy duets with her, they are both quite enjoyable and also push my abilities so I am a better musician. Talent is nothing without hard work; Da kannst du Gift drauf nehmen!"
(You can take poison on it!)

"Sometimes it takes somebody looking in from the outside." he mused. "To see the forest, rather than the trees. When you and your mother and those lovely children are all in the room as her audience, does she not still play the great German composers and look to you for your reaction?"

"Ach so." Ehren said in that thoughtful tone, gears grinding away as she spoke more than half to herself. "She always knows exactly what to play when I am… troubled… too." Ehren's voice became a bare whisper. "I know that she shall never hurt me because of what I truly am."

"Now, if I am reading this infernal machine correctly…" he nodded to the center console GPS display. "We should be on time for the meeting with the Bishop. And I saw you entering the address for the supply store into the machine as well, yes?" He knew that there was a time and place for addressing the traumas of her life, and now was not the time -- nor the place.

"Natürlich!" Ehren responded automatically as her voice returned to normal. Her eyes flicked to the display and then she downshifted to nominally obey the posted speed limit. "Seventeen minutes is well within standards for our travel time. You should have adequate time for your business there before we must visit the supply store. A question, though. Is the chalice you are carrying not part of Grandpapa's Communion plate?"

"Actually no, it isn't." Fr Jacques replied. "When a priest is first ordained it is customary for either his family or the diocese in which he is ordained to provide a suitable chalice, which is consecrated by the Bishop in a suitable ceremony."

He sighed then. "Therefore, this chalice would have belonged to Fr Pierre before his untimely demise. Fr Paul tells me that there was a will filed in Ath designating that Fr Pierre wished his chalice to go to a Cistercian priest he was friends with in the event of his death, but said priest has also gone to report to the Faith Triumphant in his own turn."

Ehren nodded thoughtfully. "Ahh, I see. So this chalice belonged to the last priest before you, and since it has been so long," she visibly thought while passing a car then resumed, "it goes to the Church then, perhaps to a new priest needing one who otherwise would go without?"

Fr Jacques nodded "Indeed, as it is still fit for use, in excellent condition, it remains consecrated and thus would be a treasured piece for one of the poorer seminarians to receive as his chalice."

"Very good!" Ehren exclaimed. "I have access to an inheritance separate from what I shall get from Mutti's estate. Would it be proper for me to sponsor a scholarship or three for the poorer seminarians? If so, I can prepare the paperwork while you are in the meeting with the Bishop and pay out of my personal funds to start it."

The old priest smiled at that. "If you feel called to do so, then yes, it is most appropriate. Many excellent young seminarians rely on the charitable generosity of the faithful to complete their training."

"Sehr gut." Ehren said, and stopped at a light. She glanced over at Fr. Jacques. "Can you direct me to the correct place to get the process started then once we arrive?"

"Certainly, although I confess I am not sure who the director of vocations is in the diocese at the moment. The diocesan offices would know and, by sheer coincidence I'm sure." his eyes sparkled a bit. "They are located in the same complex as the cathedral we are going to."

Ehren smiled briefly, "Quite efficient. I shall do so and report back to provide you any assistance with matters once I complete arranging the scholarship paperwork for those in need. As a noblewoman, while I am granted much, I am called upon to do more with what I have been given." In that instant, she looked just like Colombe as she spoke from the heart.

"Excellent to hear, my child." he smiled. "Just to let you know, once we leave the cathedral I'll be the only one carrying the valise. It is traditional that only a priest handles the ampullae when they contain the sacred oils, after all. And when it comes to liturgy…" his voice became rather droll "I am quite traditional indeed."

"Sacred oils and liturgy, Father Jacques?" Ehren asked curiously as she accelerated after the light changed to green. "I confess that I know next to nothing about Catholicism. I have not taken the time to study it, although I do plan to do some research since it is of importance to you and Mutti."

He nodded, having expected the question after all since he had prompted it in the first place. Sneaky priest was sneaky. "There are three separate oils that we will be picking up, one for each of the ampullae. The oil of catechumens, the chrism oil, and the oil for the anointing of the sick. All three are blessed for their particular purposes on Holy Thursday by the various bishops and distributed to the churches within their dioceses."

"The oil of catechumens is used to anoint converts to the Faith, as well as for priests during our ordination. It symbolizes the ancient custom of anointing honored guests and dignitaries with oil as a sign of favor from on high." he continued the explanation as they were slowed briefly by a knot of heavy traffic.

"The chrism oil is widely used, not simply for baptisms but for the consecration of objects and places as well as for confirmation. It too is symbolic of the ancient customs of anointing with oil. Moreover, the oils used to make chrism have deep symbolism as well. Olive oil, after all, is rich, effusive, and long-lasting, thus appropriate symbolizing the effusive fruits of grace. Moreover it is mixed with balsam, which gives a sweet fragrance to the oil, symbolic of the sweetness of virtue." he smiled as he glanced over at his driver before continuing the explanation.

"Finally, the oil for the anointing of the sick is specifically and specially blessed to be efficacious in spiritual healing of those facing the trials of mortality. Health of the spirit is no less important than health of the body, after all, in those in extreme unction it is a means of soothing the soul." he concluded.

Ehren nodded along with an expression of concentration as she listened intently. "I see," she said as he finished, "that is of significant importance since myself and the rest of the household are spiritual entities in large part. Shipgirl repair fluid works on me as it does on shipgirls, in fact. That is actually how I regenerated my hilt pins. I do hope that it is not needed anytime in the future by our household, though." She then spoke in a rather dry tone, "I suspect that the oils of chrism and catechumens may be needed by a certain priest in the future if all goes well with his plans, ja?" For an instant, a small smug smile almost seemed to flicker around her lips.

The old priest chuckled slightly, "Did you know that there was a very slight, but measurable, improvement in repair times when I or one of my colleagues in the Chaplain Corp blessed the repair fluid than when we didn't, hrmm?" he asked with a smile. "And while I wish I could say that it was only when I or one of my fellow Catholic chaplains performed the blessing that it happened that was not the case. And perhaps, perhaps. I would be a poor shepherd to the people of this world if I did not anticipate opportunities to bring more souls to Our Lord and Savior, no?"

"A poor shepherd indeed." Ehren agreed in that dry tone. She then spoke in a very controlled tone as she pulled into the parking lot for the Cathedral of Saint Michael and Saint Gudula in downtown Brussels. "I confess that I have a need forged into me to believe in something far greater than I can ever be alone. But after seeing for myself where misguided belief and blind devotion can lead those foolish enough to believe in the wrong thing, I wish to weigh my decisions very carefully before giving my loyalties. Cathy told me that the same wings that can soar to Heaven can descend to the Pit after all, and I have seen that, to my great sorrow." Her voice was very flat with an undertone of heartbreak under the iron control.

"Only the brightest of God's angels could become Satan." the priest replied with a slight smile. "And Judas Iscariot was the most zealous of our Lord's Apostles before his fall." he looked over and smiled at the dagger spirit. "And that is very wise, my child, to listen, not just with your ears. To learn, not just with your mind. To watch, not just with your eyes. Only the soul matters, in the end."

Ehren nodded silently at his words as she turned off the car. "I should hope that I have gained a small amount of wisdom from my experiences." she finally said in a thoughtful tone, then nodded to him as her voice became dry once more. "I do suspect that the Bishop may be slightly irritated if you are late to your appointment though, and I know that Mutti shall be disappointed in me should I tempt you into unpunctuality. I shall, therefore, get the door for you." She gave a visible lip-twitch at that last.

He chuckled. "Then I would simply remind him of the multiple times he was late to meetings with myself when he was my student. There are advantages to old age, my child." his eyes twinkled with a hint of mischief.

Ehren barked a brief but heartfelt laugh as she hopped out of the car to get the door for him as she escorted him to his appointment. "So I see…"

 

[darthcourt10]

Shinr

In a nondescript alley during midnight, a man was muttering to himself close to the street.

"Fools, all of them." Said a remnant of Tokyo Diet who refused to see the writing on the wall as he took out a pendant "With this Time-Turner, I will make things right."

As so he turned a few times, and watched as the people on the street rapidly go in reverse as the time re-winded.

And then someone walked out from behind him, wreathed in material darker than the shadows, writhing on them as they proceeded towards the streets, uncaring of the ongoing time manipulation.

The man, already terrified at the impossible, has gone bone-white as for the moment the figure lazily turned their head to look behind them without breaking stride, their eye looking through him with sheer callous indifference, before exiting into the streets and around the corner, thankfully out of sight.

When Time finally finished rewinding, the man sat crumpled on the dirty alley, soiled in his own fear, his plans forgotten. Some time later the aurors will find him and take him into custody.

Before, Meanwhile or After depending on your PoV

"What am I looking at?" asked Norimune as she wathced Kagotsuruhe in her Super-Dementor get-up, thankfully just the looks, without the crushing terror aura.

"I really don't know." Chisuheri replied as she maintained the monk versions of Notice-Me-Not and Avoid-Me spells. "It started when Kotegiri sent a letter with a request to help in some matters..."

"You mean offloading some of her SUBMIT OR DIE work that she can't personally attend to?" The Unrepentant Blade mock-clarified.

"...And after some recon, Kago decided that this is a best way to do it." The Bloodlust Blade answered.

"By slowly walking backwards for, what, 10-20 hours?" Norimune asked with some incredulity.

"...Yes." Chisuheri stated with a hint of bafflement.

----

A/N: This little piece started with a desire to write something about Lord K's OG Muramasa Swords, who are sadly under-utilized lately. Initially, it was about the gang with Kotegiri's and/or her Boss' sanction going full Beat 'Em Up (inspired by recently released Streets of Rage 4, even planned to use some of the OST) on the local Yakuza with a chip on their shoulders against Tokyo Magical Diet who overstepped their bounds when said Diet fell, starting at the bottom of their skyscraper HQ and going up, culminating in a fight against the top enforcer, a thousand-year Pheasant Yaoguai with enough combat experience to give the Muramasa armory big trouble. Didn't work out.

Then all of the Time Turner usage made me think of a scenario when some Otherwordly Being who exists outside time popping out like above during a Time Rewind. But that is kinda too big of a plot-point for an omake.

So I kind of combined the two into what we have here.

 

[darthcourt10]

KiMaSa

And this will almost catch up the setgirls snips...
Fortitude

Enterprise had never been to Kushiro before. Of course there were LOTS of places she had never been but there would be time for sightseeing later. Once the war was over. Today, she and Lieutenant Kirby were setting up part of 'Operation Fortitude'. They REALLY need a different codename for this, Enterprise thought. Though her part in it and the reason they were in Kushiro was the less blatantly titled 'Operation Stentor'.

Entering the Operations building, they were greeted by Destroyer Akebono, who addressed Kirby. "Admiral Tanaka is waiting to see you, as is the shitty battleship you asked for." She then looked at Enterprise. "And who are you?"

Enterprise smirked, puffing out her chest a little.

"I'm the United Starship Enterprise, registration number NCC-1701," She smirked. "Our mission is peaceful."

Akebono only shook her head. "Another nutcase! Just like the shitty battleship! You two will get along fine!"

"Really, Miss Akebono, I find your tone... Most illogical."

Akebono only scowled at that. Finally they reached the plotting room. Akebono groaned as she realized Settsu was dressed as Musashi... Pre-refit Musashi...

"Admiral Tanaka, Lieutenant Kirby. And the tall ditz says she's the starship Enterprise."

"She is," Kirby corrected. "She may be a setgirl but she and Miss Settsu may be a vital part of 'Operation Fortitude'."

"We need a better name than that," Tanaka noted.

"Once put into effect, they were thinking of calling it 'Operation Divergent'," Kirby replied. He gestured to the giant map of the Pacific. "Your clearance is considerably higher than mine, sir but it doesn't take much to see despite some successes and a few lucky breaks, this war is far from over. And despite what some of the more optimistic people might think, we can still lose this war. As you may know, Intelligence suspects that the Indian Ocean is going to go full Red on us again and we'll be getting major pressure on Australia and the Malay Barrier. When that comes, you better than I know that we'll need everything we have to meet it." He gestured to the map. "To help take pressure off that area, the Joint Planning Board wants to retake Bougainville and neutralize Solomons Princess."

Tanaka nodded. "The only problem is that according to what we know, Solomons Princess has allies in the region."

"Yes sir. So an attack against Solomons Princess has to be prepared to handle reinforcements from the neighboring Princesses."

"And we simply can't mass THAT much firepower for a single operation," Tanaka summed up.

"Yes, sir. So what we intend to do is create the illusion we're gunning for Carolines Princess. If we can convince them that the Carolines are our real target, they won't reinforce Solomons Princess in time and we can hit her with a smaller force."

"Stupid," Akebono commented. "If you don't have the forces to attack Solomons Princess, you don't have the forces to go after Carolines Princess and they'll know it."

"Which is why we're going to convince them we DO have that fleet," Enterprise replied. "We're going to convince them we're amassing a HUGE fleet whose SOLE purpose is to take out the Carolines." Enterprise changed her voice to that of a proper English Battleship. "To do thot, we will need individuals who can play many parts." She said, looking at Settsu. "Settsu says YOU are the battleship for the job. Is she right?"

"Settsu is most wise," 'Musashi' smirked. "I will give it my all!"

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A.N. -- Well this has been a fun arc to write and I'm a bit sad to see it end (there's an Epilogue to go here, this concludes the main Bells of Ath so Fr. Jacques and his crazy 'parishioners' are about to pause). For a bit. As always, I'd like to thank Sunhawk for Fr Jacques and getting the Catholicism right. Thank you all for reading this one! - Yellowhammer/Sister Jeanne

Bells of Ath (IX)

Cathedral of Saint Michael and Saint Gudula, Brussels, Belgium

25 August 2014

No sooner had Ehren and Fr Jacques crossed the threshold into the narthex of the Cathedral than a whip-slender spare nearly bald priest who looked at least as old as Fr Jacques approached.
Spoiler: Two Old Warhorses From Seminary

"Ahh, Fr Kline!" Fr Jacques smiled broadly at his fellow priest. "They finally dragged you back from Paraguay?"

The elderly Jesuit embraced Fr Jacques warmly. "Indeed, although it appears I shall be returning." he grimaced slightly. "We can talk about that later. The Bishop asked me to meet you and inform you that your meeting will go on somewhat longer than planned." He glanced curiously at Ehren, frowned as if she reminded him of someone, then clearly put that aside.

"That is quite acceptable, Father Jacques." Ehren responded in her normal cool voice. "I shall head to the Diocesian administration building that you pointed out for me on the walk inside and begin setting up the scholarship for seminarians as we discussed on the drive over." She straightened up with a heel click and offered her hand to Fr Kline. "Ehren du Chasteler at your service."

The Jesuit took the hand with consummate Old World Grace and Manners, and bowed slightly to the young butterdagger. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Fr Emil Kline, Society of Jesus." he introduced himself with a trace of a smile. "While Fr Jacques terrorizes his old students en route to the Bishop, I would be glad to introduce you to the people you would need to speak with about such a sponsorship."

"My thanks sir." Ehren responded with an equally slight smile then nodded to the amused Fr. Jacques. "I shall let you commence with the terrorizing of lazy and slow barely adequate former students forthwith, Father!" With that she fell in alongside Father Kline.

Fr Jacques merely rolled his eyes and rested one hand on Ehren's shoulder in benediction. "I would caution against Jesuits bearing gifts, my child, but sadly Fr Kline has long been set in his ways. I strongly advise counting your fingers and toes before you let him out of your sight."

Fr Kline merely looked even more dignified than before. "I most assuredly have no idea what you are speaking of, Father. And lingering jealousy over my superior mastery of Latin is unbecoming."

"Jawohl, Priester! I shall be counting the fingers and toes before departure. Auf Wiedersehn!" Ehren responded with a twinkle in her steel blue eyes and an admirably serious face and voice as she left Father Jacques to his fate.

She turned to Father Kline as they walked outside. "As I told Father Jacques, I have a modest inheritance and wish to establish several scholarships for poor seminarians. There is apparently a growing need for priests if they are causing such elders as yourself to fill holes then?"

For a brief moment Fr Kline looked positively antediluvian. "Indeed." he said a bit heavily. "While I was in South America for Blood Week, the Church here in Europe took very heavy losses, so we are even more desperate for vocations than usual." he led her towards the administrative offices as he spoke. "Several seminaries were destroyed in the initial wave of attacks, and worse many priests here in Europe were on Spiritual Retreat at a major retreat center in the Baltic which…" he grimaced and shook his head. "The Enemy won a fleeting victory that day."

Ehren gently patted his shoulder and spoke softly but with steel in her voice. "I did not experience Blood Week directly, but Mutti was in Antwerp on business that day. She said that it was as bad as anything that she ever experienced. As for the Enemy scoring a fleeting victory, that is the way of warfare and strife. The first blow is not as important as who strikes the final blow, and I for one intend to ensure that our side shall be the ones who administer the coup de grâce. We all have our parts to play to make it come to pass."

The Jesuit nodded, smiling again slightly. "Indeed, and the Good Lord has certainly inspired many young people to step into the breach." He sighed. "Which is a balm to this old Jesuit's soul." he then visibly shifted gears. "So I understand from the Bishop that Fr Jacques has found yet another way around retirement?"

Ehren spoke dryly. "Indeed so. I am a member of the du Chastelers of Moulbaix and Mutti, the Marchioness of Moulbaix and Chasteler, decided that the family chapel in our ancestral castle was long overdue for reopening after she met Fr Jacques at Mass in Ath. The Bishop agreed and he is now ministering to us in the castle and the nearby village of Moulbaix." Ehren's lips twitched. "Mutti is old-fashioned and has rediscovered the faith of her childhood, it seems."

He nodded. "Animam meam convertit"(turned my soul) he said, glancing over to see if the girl accompanying him recognized the Latin. Once a Latin teacher, always a Latin teacher, and he'd taught Latin for well over 40 years.

Ehren was clearly baffled at the Latin behind that near-perfect cool poker face. "Ahh, I see." She clearly didn't see but was being polite. "So, If I may inquire, what is Paraguay like?"

He bestowed a look, the unamused look of a teacher seeing right through one's facade of understanding to the ignorance beneath. "Warm, the people are much in love with life and the Lord despite the poverty and corruption all around them. We do what we can, but it is always a struggle against those who profit off of the misery of their fellow man."

To her credit, Ehren handled his look better than some students twice her age. As he spoke of the people who oppressed their fellow man, her blue-gray eyes subtly hardened to steely chips of frozen ice in her controlled face, which reminded him even more of that lady named 'La Paloma' who had assisted the Society in Paraguay in 1992. They both shared that zealous burning fire to fight the Enemy wherever the Cross guided them.

"I see. I assume that there is a great need for our support to ministry programs there then?" Ehren's voice was cool and precise. Clearly she was working out how best to deploy her resources for maximum effect, Fr Kline decided.

"As always, the need exceeds the supply. The Society of St Vincent de Paul does excellent work amongst the lay organizations, for example." he shrugged slightly. "There are other groups who also work amongst the poor, ranging from the large multinational charities to a number of local organizations and individuals who do good work in His Holy Name."

Ehren nodded along. "If I may impose, once you arrive and see where the needs are greatest, if you write to me, I shall be delighted to send some of my inheritance to provide support. I would prefer for such matters to be handled with eyes on the ground rather than at a great distance." She gave a minor lip twitch as she elaborated. "Auftragstaktik."(Business tatics)

"In that case I would commend the Vincentians to you, for they always work through local parish councils rather than from the top down." the Jesuit commented mildly. "And they have a rather favorable… what is the term… teeth to tail ratio, I believe is the phrase?"

"Sehr gut." Ehren agreed. "That is always for the best, After all, to quote von Clausewitz, Männer sind immer mehr geneigt, um ihre Einschätzung der Stärke des Gegners aufschlagen zu hoch als zu niedrig, so ist die menschliche Natur.(Men are always more apt to pitch their assessment of an opponent's strength too high than too low, such is human nature) Therefore it is preferable to place resources where they achieve the most impact toward the goal."

They arrived then at the administrative offices, and Ehren spent a good half hour working with them to set up the scholarships in question, while the old Jesuit spent the time in a small chapel nearby.

Ehren was pleasantly surprised with the efficiency of the staff present and included an additional bequest to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and, after a moment of thought, a second one for the Society of Jesus' educational ministries in Paraguay. While it would be a modest financial strain for her, she felt that it was the right thing to do to help start making amends for her past failures. Service, after all, was a great virtue and she was held to a higher standard by virtue of her heritage; those were truths that both halves of her nature could agree upon.

She hummed a Wagnerian aria from the first act of Siegfried to herself as she neatly arranged her copies of the forms and receipts together in a file folder that she had pulled from her subtly space-expanded pocketbook. After all, good fortune happens when opportunity meets with preparation, she reminded herself with an inward smile that she let become visible on her face after a momentary reflection. With a small satisfied smug smile and nod, looking for all the world like the cat who had gotten into the cream, she then headed to the chapel to rejoin Fr. Kline for the planned tour of the cathedral itself.

Ehren's timing was exquisite, or somehow Fr Kline had known that she was coming, because the old Jesuit rose from his knees right as she reached the door, crossing himself as he did so. "I trust Mrs Peeters took good care of your requirements, Ms. du Chasteler?" he inquired as he turned and moved to join her once more.

"Ja. She did. The staff was quite professional and helpful." Ehren agreed and smiled. "Thank you for asking. Shall we proceed to the cathedral tour?"

Fr Kline gave his tight little smile. "Certainly, please follow me." he replied.

As they walked outside Ehren's head suddenly snapped up at a flicker of motion near the spire of one of the bell towers Her steel blue eyes zoomed in and focused on a bird preening itself on the north tower's gargoyles. "Father, there on the north tower one terrace below the summit! I believe it may be a Wanderfalke!(peregrine falcon) It is certainly a bird of prey roosting there." She pointed it out for him with excitement in her voice.

The old Jesuit squinted a bit, his eyesight was not quite what it once was, especially at a distance. "Ahhh, well spotted. This Cathedral is the happy home for a nesting pair of Peregrine Falcons, which have been resident for several years. If I am not mistaken, that is one of the youngsters from last year's hatching. If we are fortunate that fine fellow may well grace us with some acrobatics today."

As they watched the tiercel took flight, catching a thermal spiral and beginning to rise as fierce yellow eyes scanned the streets and parks below him for any pigeons foolish enough to share the air with one of nature's marvels. Ehren gave a shyly happy smile and filmed the falcon as it finally vanished. "No acrobatics it seems, Father, but I would not care to be the next pigeon who decides to fly over the roof of the cathedral. I believe that our friend there has decided that it is time to procure lunch on the wing."

Fr Kline simply chuckled slightly, nodding. "Indeed." he said, folding his hands behind his back as he resumed his course towards the Cathedral proper. "Have you ever toured a Gothic cathedral before?"

"Nein, I have not. The closest I have come is Castle Moulbaix, which was rebuilt to its final form in 1889, from the seventeenth century building." Ehren said pedantically. "The original castle was constructed in 1310, but of course one would not use Gothic architecture for a fortress."
Spoiler: Cathedral Of St. Michael And St. Gudula VR Tour

She stepped inside and gasped in awe. "It's so full of light and space!" Her eyes rose to the vaulted ceiling, apparently suspended from Heaven above her. "It's beautiful!"

He smiled faintly "Indeed, that is precisely what Gothic architecture is supposed to invoke in those experiencing it. The soaring vaults are meant to represent the soaring heights of heaven for the faithful and the sculpture and ornamentation are meant to show the glory of God in the Highest."

"I can see that," the awed dagger spirit whispered as her eyes took in the majesty of the cathedral, "it is quite impressive. The more so done over generations. Is that correct, Father Kline?"

"Indeed, 300 years or so for the main construction, with details and side chapels being added in for several centuries further." Fr Kline replied, nodding towards the visible side chapels.

"Three centuries? Very impressive." Ehren murmured as they continued the tour.
Spoiler: A Dispute Between Seminarians

She took a picture of a stained glass window with her phone then pointed at the visibly shaken priest who was walking to join them. "Oh no, Father Jacques looks terrible! Was ist los (What's going on), Father?"

Fr Jacques looked at Fr Kline with a lifted eyebrow. "You knew about this, didn't you." he said levelly. Not waiting for a response he took a deep breath and explained. "Evidently thanks to my towering seniority and the earnest recommendation of the pastors of the region surrounding Ath, His Eminence has decided to bestow…" the sarcasm was audible… "the title Vicar Forane upon me and has directed that I take up the deanery of the region."

Ehren blinked in confusion. "Is not dean an academic rank in a college?" She asked curiously. "I take it this is an unwelcome promotion?"

Fr Kline took the opportunity to murmur a farewell and strode away, looking as serene and unruffled as ever.

"Damn Jesuits." Fr Jacques muttered. "And yes, but the academic rank was inspired by the ecclesiastical office of dean. And I much prefer ministering to people over ministering to…" the loathing was obvious… "paperwork."

"Ach so." Ehren said, then gave a small smug smile. "Is it permitted for you to have a volunteer assistant to help with the paperwork then? I shall have an avatar in Moulbaix after I leave for Hogwarts and can easily schedule myself to help you manage the forms and reports." A beat. "Claire shall be providing the music for the office while I work though."

The old priest smiled faintly, settling the valise in his grip. "Perhaps, although such a lay assistant would need to spend time familiarizing herself with the relevant canon law sections and diocesan norms." he replied, a bit of the familiar sparkle and twinkle returning to his eyes.

Ehren raised an eyebrow. "I can assure you that the Audi is sufficient to hold the needed books, and I suspect if I ask, you can assist me in becoming familiar with the relevant canon law sections. Übung macht den Meister."(Practice makes perfect)

He then grinned as a thought suddenly hit him, looking almost like a schoolboy again for a moment. "Would you be so kind as to go and unlock the Audi, and I shall… procure… the required texts." then he muttered "Least he can do after saddling me with this."

"Jawohl! Let me know if you shall need assistance in carrying the law books." Ehren said as she snapped to attention.

He, in turn, simply squared his shoulders and turned to go back to the Bishop's office.

Several minutes later, he emerged from the Cathedral with a large bag over one shoulder and his valise in hand, walking surprisingly swiftly for an old man. A few moments later Fr Kline burst out of the Cathedral in hot pursuit only to be left frustrated as the Audi pulled up in front of Fr Jacques, the bags were loaded into the back with indecorous haste, and the old priest turning to bow slightly to the huffing and puffing red-faced Jesuit before entering the vehicle himself.

"Hit it."
Spoiler: A Butterdagger Getaway Driver

Ehren floored the gas to accelerate away from the Jesuit like a Teutonic rocket.

She then looked over at him coolly as they stopped at a light and raised an eyebrow in silent inquiry, glancing at the bag that he had departed the cathedral with that had not gone in with him. Her face throughout was admirably deadpan.

Before Fr Jacques could reply to the look his cell phone went off, and the old priest simply pulled it out and accepted the call. "Your Eminence, a pleasure hearing from you so soon." a pause. "I am simply following your last instructions to return to Moulbaix once the supplies for the chapel are procured… yes, yes… Fr Kline's canon law books?"

Ehren's lip twitched suspiciously as she accelerated through the intersection at the light change, upshifted, and floored the gas again. "Really? You don't say? Shocking, simply shocking. Have you asked Fr Kline if he loaned them out? Ahhh, do you remember nothing of my lectures back in seminary? What you do unto others shall be done unto you. I do remember your… Yes, Your Eminence, unfortunately I would be in violation of your instructions to obtain needed supplies and return to Moulbaix immediately if I were to do that. I do believe that our mutual Jesuitical friend has plenty of time to pick up a fresh copy if he needs them so badly. Of course, Your Eminence, I will speak with the Marchioness when I return. Good day!" he then, with a self-satisfied smirk that looked like it probably belonged to a subthief, hung up the phone.

Ehren raised an eyebrow and spoke in a cool and controlled voice. "The supply store forthwith and then we pick up something to eat enroute to Moulbaix?" She paused and her lip twitched. "I do think that it would be better for the peace and tranquility of the meal and the digestion if we could procure the food outside Brussels, though. Unless you have food preferences different from those of Father Kline, natürlich."

Fr Jacques nodded gravely. "Indeed, a wise plan my child, a very wise plan." even as he spoke his cell phone went off again with a different ring tone.

"Ahhh, Fr Kline! Always a pleasure to hear your voice!" he was smirking even more now. "Oh? I'll be sure to remember that. Tell me, Father, on that note, where does trying to ambush a fellow priest fall on that scale? Give my regards to His Eminence, Father!" he hung up again.

"I daresay that I have suitably repaid my Jesuit friend for his conduct in this affair. No doubt he shall try to get back at me at some point, a most un-Christian motivation I am sure." he grinned.


Ehren chuckled. "Some music for the drive back to Moulbaix, Father Jacques?" At his nod, she tapped a button on the center console and a jazz tune played. She then flicked open a set of sunglasses and put them on. She spoke dryly as they passed a police cruiser. "Do you by chance have a half pack of cigarettes while we are on our mission from God? I have a full tank of gasoline, after all and it is a hundred and six kilometers to Moulbaix…."
--------TO BE CONTINUED--------

A/N - Sunhawk2 here! Just the epilogue to go, and before anybody asks, yes Fr Jacques did get tacit permission from the Bishop for that little caper. After all, Fr Jacques and Fr Kline were roommates in seminary….

 

[darthcourt10]

KiMaSa

But let us not linger here! For now the Saga of Nagato chan returns!

Reconnaissance Raid


Yokosuka was possibly THE most secure base in Japan. It was also the logical place to hold the Allied Command's Prisoner of War Number One: Jingo, Also known as East Indian War Princess, currently awaiting trial by Military Tribunal. And THAT was perhaps the reason she was NOT being held at Yokosuka. Currently, she was being held in an abandoned mine, deep underground with a 10-Kiloton going away present under her cell in case she tried to escape. Not that anyone believed she would attempt to escape. She HAD surrendered of her own free will after an escape from her home base in which she used herself as a decoy to ensure the survival of both her fleet and the humans she had once aspired to rule. Her efforts in saving a passenger ferry had also not gone unnoticed but for now, she was still a prisoner of war and a potentially very dangerous one at that.

From Jingo's perspective, it was all necessary. Her trial would be the first for an Abyssal. Jingo believed in the rule of law and she would prove that she considered the rules applicable to her as much as anyone. Even knowing that it could possibly mean her death. She was aware that the Yamashita Rule was in place as well. Under the Yamashita ruling, she could be convicted of any crime committed by anyone nominally under her command even if she neither ordered it or was aware of it.

"So? If they give you a death sentence, how do suppose they'll do it?" Ruiner had asked Jingo during one of the long days of their escape from the Indian Ocean.
Is there actually a rope that can support the weight of an Abyssal? I know lethal injection and the gas chamber are out. Electric chair? Nah! It'll tingle your hair but nothing else I bet! Nah! Best to go with a firing squad! How many shots do you think it will take? Will they use AP or High Explosive rounds? Incendiaries maybe?"
It had not given Jingo comfort.

Strangely enough, neither had their separation. For Ruiner WAS interned at Yokosuka, her long-range transmitters disabled, her magazines unloaded and with shipgirl faeries overseeing all operations, ready to scuttle her at a moments notice if needed. Other than that, and with a tracking bracelet supplied by Hoppou, Ruiner was assigned quarters and allowed use of the base dining hall and recreational facilities. Not that she used them much. It just wasn't the same without the boss lady to egg and tease. It was quite lonely and she truly did fear for her princess and that she might 'Fair and Honorably' work her way to an execution.

Of course, Jingo's death would be quite satisfying for quite a large number of Abyssals. The only thing is that they would prefer to do it themselves rather than trust the humans to do the job. Sub-Continental Princess had promised great rewards to whoever brought Jingo's head to her and now the first eager volunteers were going to have a go at it. First, they had to find her, of course. The Battleship Demon and her heavy units would stage an attack to draw out some of Yokosuka's shipgirls while Destroyers and PT Imps snuck into the base to locate Jingo and escape. THEN the fun could begin.

As the first alerts sounded, Nagato-chan frowned. Classes were over for the day and she had been looking forward to helping her mother fix dinner. Her mother had firmly proclaimed that instant ramen did not in itself constitute a proper diet for her daughter. Unfortunately, the alert meant that her mom was being called to battle. Nagato chan did not allow herself to contemplate the possibility that her mother could be hurt or killed. Her mother was Nagato of the Big Seven and would ALWAYS come through! It was as certain as gravity for her.

It did mean that she would have to make other plans for dinner. Saratoga had said something about getting pizza. She wondered what that would be like. Of course, Miss Hosho was still on base but she already had five girls to feed... Four anyway, since Hornet was apparently in on this 'Pizza Night' Sara had said that with what looked like the final girls coming from the states arriving, it would be a nice welcome party! So, Nagato-chan and Yamato-chan met up with Sara chan.

Sara was showing around the five new arrivals. Much to her surprise, they HAD finally succeeded in getting Enterprise. Learning from the successful summoning of Valiant, the Americans had realized that 'DiveBomber' was too narrow a focus to provide presence beyond that of the original Grey Ghost herself. Still, THIS E was a much more wide-eyed version of the famous carrier. E-chan was a sweet girl. So was Lexington, Like the actual carriers, it was amazing how much 'Little Lexy' and Sara-chan looked alike. Then there were the Princeton girls. One patterned off CVL-23 and the other off CV-37. The smaller one always seemed to have soot or dirt on her clothes, no matter what. The last was Pensacola, a cat-eared girl who was a twin of Los Angeles.

Sara smiled as she greeted Nagato-chan and Yamato-chan. "Hornet and Yorktown are finishing with the food preparations. Hornet figured we'd order plenty of everything! Any leftovers we're sure somebody will take!"

"Thanks for inviting us Sara-chan! We don't know how long it will be until mama and Yamato-san get back. "

Sara blushed again. She knew how amusing everyone thought they were but it was okay. Nagato-chan was nice. "Of course!" She answered, ignoring the grins on the new girls. "What about your sister and Shiromizu?"

"Shiromizu said something about going to check on Harry and Hoppou was with Regalia. I think they were going to join us later."

"That sounds good!"

They walked only a little ways back to the carrier dorm when they heard the growling of vicious animals. They stopped, startled as a set of red eyes peered out of the bushes. Naturally, a normal shipgirl could have made quick work of such small fry. But, while stronger than humans, setgirls still were nowhere tough enough to fight PT imps and sure enough, the PTs, despite their initial hesitation, sensed the fear in the 'shipgirls' and knew, instinctually, that they had an edge. Soon, a pack of them had gathered.

Nagato-chan and Yamato-chan knew they were at a disadvantage but they also knew that battleships PROTECTED the carriers from anything that got close. That was their mission. "Sara chan, get behind us," Nagato said quietly, thinking how she could possibly fight a REAL warship, even one so small.

The first PT lunged at E with a snarl. Acting on instinct alone, Yamato chan grabbed for it and willed her full weight down on in. Even as a sets, both Yamato and Nagato were fairly massive and it showed as Yamato pinned the PT and pummeled it with her fists. As the second PT charged at Yamato, Nagato chan slammed into it with full force. Unfortunately, that wouldn't do anything to save them from the other PTs that now moved in for the kill...

Until a foot of Abyssal steel crashed down on the head of one of the PTs, shattering it like glass. "Alright you little chicken shits! I've been waiting for something that needed killin' and you ugly fucks will do just fine!" Ruiner said announcing herself and grabbed two more PTs, one in each hand and smashed them together. She grinned at Nagato-chan and the others. "Nice style kid! Oh! Geez! I think the crazy boss lady rubbed off on me! I'm turning into friggin Captain America!" She grinned at the last PT, which backed up nervously from the Ru-class.

Ruiner smiled and her foot lashed out, kicking the PT under the chin with nearly 100,000 shp, launching it into the air, the jaw shattered on impact, the body flying. "And look at the hangtime on that baby!"

Soon, Tenryu and Tatsuta arrived as the alarms sounded across the base. The destroyers and remaining imps did not last long after this. Finally, the 'all clear' sounded.

Ruiner smiled at Nagato-chan and the others. "So! What's cooking?"

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Bare feet slapped against polished stone and the sound of chatting could be heard before it suddenly stopped. Having entered a room, everyone paused as they took it in. Looking around, Yae's eyes were wide, "Is this the pool, Gozaru...?"

Lightly chuckling, Harry rubbed the back of his neck some, "Um, actually? This is kind of the public bath for the mansion. Though... it could be used for an indoor pool when the weather outside is not suitable."

Glancing at him, Nobu gave a small snort, "I wouldn't have thought so."

Walking further in, the former warlord took in the sight of the room. In the center, was the currently empty pool/bath. Stairs were at either end of it along with stone benches along the side where one could sit. Not to mention a shallower area where an adult could lounge or younger children could sit without worry. At one end, there was a small trough that came from a small hole, obviously where the water would flow into the pool, though there were smaller faucets around it as well. From where she was, Nobu could see a thermostat for the water itself.

However, what truly caught her attention was the rest of the area.

The pool's floor had a mosiac on it almost like the bottom of the sea, and around it rose fluted columns to the ceiling. What really caugth Nobu's attention, however, were various statues that were around the pool. Some were of marble and others of bronze. Coming to one, which showed a woman lounging with her tunic exposing part of her chest, with a pot from which something poured at her side, Nobu gestured at it, "What is this called now?"

Coming up to it, Andraste smiled a little, "This was actually a gift to the British Potters from the French Branch of the family. It's a casting done of Antoine Coysevox's Nymph with Shell done in bronze and enchanted with anti-tarnish charms."

Eyebrows raising, Usagi pointed at another statue, "Now, that one I know, it's the Venus de Milo, right?" Her ears twitched a bit as she cocked her head to the side, "Though, uh... this one has one of her arms? And holding an apple?"

Jin was also examining the statue in question and scratching her head, "Huh... wierd." Turning, she jerked her thumb at it, "So what's the deal with this? Because it feels old and new."

Lips twitching, Carnwennan walked up with a slight grin, "Because it is, also it is partially the original."

At that, everyone including Harry paused while the Mizuchi looked at the dagger spirit, "Wat."

Unable to help himself, Carnwennan grinned a little, "Do you know the story behind the statue itself?" Getting head shakes, he chuckled, "The original statue was found by a farmer and his son in a cavity in the ground. The thing is, he also found fragments of the arm as well as the plinth that it stood upon. Said arm is the one here as is the plinth."

Jaw dropping, Shiromizu boggled, "W-what?! Did a Potter steal it!?"

That got her a snort from the Arthurian blade, "Not at all, rather they rescued it." At the confused looks, Carnwennan shook his head, "See, the French actually threw away the actual arm fragments because the statue looked better without it in their eyes. And the plinth, they tossed because the date on it showed that it was from after the Classical Period, and thus of less value. Johnathan Potter, whom I was in possession of and was using me to settle some... unfinished business regarding those whom had killed the French branch, had heard of the discovery." He then gestured at the statue, "He tracked down the plinth as well as the pieces of arm before spending money to get a lost wax casting using plaster. Bringing all three back, he then put them together here with the arm repaired and added to the plaster cast. Which... he then enchanted to be as resistant as the original marble."

For several seconds, really almost a minute, everyone outside the armoury stated at him before turning to look at the statue.

Eventually, Jin scratched her head with a small frown, "Huh... that's actually kind of neat. Well, in a magpie way."

More than a little amused, Carnwennan laughed some, "It is at that, Jin." Out of the corner of his eye, he noted Taiyang looking around with a thoughtful look, 'I wonder what she thinks of this...'

Within said Dao's mind, meanwhile, she was actually very impressed with the room in question, 'Oh yes, Master definitely made a very good choice with this husband. A very good one indeed~ This truly is a fine bath fit for her, Mikon!'

At the same time, Natsumi could hear Tamamo purring in the back of her mind which made her internally snort, 'I take it that you're impressed?'

Said being answered her back with a laugh, 'Of course I am, Natsumi. How could I not? Though... this truly is a bath that many an Emperor would be quite pleased by. Very pleased by... as am I.'

But, soon enough, they left the bath/indoor pool behind and made their way outside to the main pool. Eyes wide, Nobu walked up to the edge after dropping her towel onto a chair, "Wow... Haha!" Hands on her hips, she shook her head, "This place is as large as a community pool!" Turning, the former warlord had a grin on her face, "What do you think, Okita-Chan-"

Okita just smiled as she gave her friend a push, shoving the other girl into the water, "Hmm... I think that you talk too much, Nobu-Chan~"

Laughs escaped from the others as they watched Nobu flail in the water before she turned and gave her friend a glare, spitting up some water, "Just you wait, Okita-Chan... wait a moment."

Pausing, the former head of the Oda opened her mouth and sucked some water in before blinking. After a moment, she spat it out with an odd look on her face. Watching from the side of the pool, Uesugi gave her a look, "That's disgusting, Nobu-Chan, don't do it."

However, Nobu just raised her hand before turning to an amused Harry, "The water... it's not chlorinated."

When everyone turned to him, the wizard shrugged and nodded, "Magic." Lightly chuckling, he grinned a bit, "There's magic on the pool to keep the water clean without needing chlorine. Also wards around the area to keep wild animals and insects away from it as well just in case. So the water is always clean."

Reaching into the water, Jin pulled out a handful of water which swirled in her hand in an apple shape. She then took a "Bite" of it before nodding, "Damn, this is water from that well. And also damn good water as to be expected."

Just chuckling, Goldie placed a hand on her hip, "But of course! The Praetor's family chose this spot because the well contains a spring of mineral water! Truly Roman to use such, Umu."

Yae blinked at that and turned to look at Harry in amazement, "You have you own mineral spring? Just for yours and your family's use?!" At his amused nod, she shook her head, "Gozaru..."

Spotting Kenshō at the edge of the pool in her goldfish themed swimsuit and water wings, Harry hummed as he walked towards her, "Of course, we're here for more than to admire the water..." With a burst of speed, he picked up the squeeling Kenshō in his arms, "Like enjoy the water!"

Eyes wide, the Kogatana looked at him, "M-Master?"

Grin on his face, Harry had a gleam in his eye, "Ready, Kenshō?" At her shake of the head, he laughed, "Right! Well, let's go... One to for the money... two for the show..."

Now struggling, and squealing, Kenshō tried to get out of his arms, "Master, don't dunk me!"

However, he winked at her, "Can't do that~ Three to get ready... and four... to... go!"

And with the last word, he leapt into the water with a squeaking Kenshō, "MASTER, NO!"

Laughing as the sputtering blade popped out of the water, Harry swam away. Of course, he did note that, for some odd reason, Natsumi, Iku, Hachi, Taigei, and Ryuuhou all had blushes on their faces and sparkles in their eyes. Not to mention how some of the others were amused at both that and what he did. But he mentally shrugged that off as he went into a backstroke to get away from Kenshō who was splashing everything as she tried to swim after him, "You're going to have to do better than that, Kenshō!"

Pout on her face, the little blade spirit tried harder, "I'm going to get you, Master!"

Unfortunately, all she got was more laughter from Harry as he swam away, soon joined as the others all jumped in.

The Sun eventually set below the horizon and everyone left the now cooling pool water for the hot tub. A sigh escaping her lips, Yae laid back as she felt one of the jets of water cararess her with a heated stream of bubbles. opening her eyes, she hummed a bit as she looked around. At various points around the hot tub, there were groups of three stone dragons in a circle. In the middle, supported by their wings, were softly glowing crystal balls which illuminated the area, "Gozaru..."

Suddenly, Ooi spoke up from where she was sitting with one arm around Kitakami's shoulders, "Hey! About time you got back, Otouto!"

Everyone turned to where Harry was walking with two trays floating behind him, grin on his face, "Well, sorry for talking so long, Yuuko-Nee." It missed no one's attention that Ooi's face lit up with joy at that before he continued, "Anyways, figured that we could all use something a little nice out here."

Intrigued, Nobu raised an eyebrow as she caught sight of the pitcher and cups on one of the plates, "Is that the mint tea that you were talking about?"

Lips curled into a smug smile, the wizard nodded, "Hai, it is and freshly made as well. Also..." He gestured to the other plate which had a bowl filled with what looked like chocolate, "I thought that we could also all enjoy some After Eight chocolates."

Curious, Yae furrowed her eyebrows, "After Eight?"

With a hum as he reached the pool, Harry slipped into the waters with a sigh before answering, "Hai, they're a type of dark chocolate covered mint made here in Britain. They're really good."

Intrigued, Okita looked over at him from where she was beside Nobu, "Huh, well... I wouldn't mind trying some."

From beside her, Uesugi had a teasing smile on her face as she snorted, "He likely had you at Chocolate." Moving away from the small splash from her friend, she turned towards Harry, "But I would not mind trying some either."

The other teens from Japan nodded and gave their own agreements.

Slowly, the plates were floated along and Nobu took one of the cups of tea from it as well as one of the wafer shaped chocolates. Humming, she closed her eyes and took a sip of the tea, allowing for the taste to wash over her tongue as she considered it. After a few moments, the former warlord opened her eyes and swallowed some, "Hmm... this is quite good tea."

Beside her, Okita nodded before taking a bite of her chocolate, happy look on her face, "And so are these chocolates!'

While bemused, Yae looked at her own tea and chocolate before biting into the confection. She could taste the somewhat bitter chocolate followed by the sweeter, minty filling. Humming, the Kendoka looked at the chocolate in thought as she chewed, 'I wonder if Sensei would like chocolates like this?'

Nearby, Taiyang took a sip of the tea and nodded to herself as she could tell that besides the slight hint of honey to sweeten, there were different types of mint leaves used. Which all helped to create a very good, to her, herbal tea. The chocolate was also good, which she was enjoying alongside the hot tub itself. Feeling the hot, mineral rich waters swirling around her made the Dao sigh a little as she closed her eyes and sank down happily until the waters reached her neck, 'Ah, yes... so good~ Mmm... this time is much better than before I was sealed.' A slight smirk came over her face as she imagined various nobles and Emperors with their reactions to the chocolates and the hot tub, which made her giggle a little, "Oh yes, this is wonderful for this foxy blade~"

Meanwhile, Harry was sitting back with Natsumi and Iku leaning into his side with happy smiles as they enjoyed the evening air. Suddenly, he hummed as Taiyang spoke up, "Hmm? Sorry about that, Taiyang, I wasn't paying attention."

Just wagging a finger at him in amusement, the Dao smiled, "You really should pay more attention when someone asks something, Harry-San! But as to what I was asking..." She glanced around and tilted her head, "I was wondering where we were in Britain."

That made Harry blink for a moment before realizing what she meant and smiled, "Actually, Godric's Hollow, where we are, is in the Cotswolds in South Gloucestershire." Raising a hand, he pointed in one direction and then in another, "In that direction is the County of Bristol, and in that direction you reach Somerset as well as Bath, England where the Romans built baths using the hot springs there." The teenage wizard then pointed towards the North, "To the north, across the Bristol Channel, you have the Forest of Dean and beyond that, Wales, where King Arthur once ruled."

While part of Natsumi was suspicious as to why her sword wished to know where they were, she kept quiet about it. Ear flicking, Ayaka blinked and looked towards Harry as she bit down on another chocolate, "Natsumi-Chan mentioned about going to Bath and bathing in the hot springs there."

Humming, the fourteen year old wizard nodded a little, "If you want, since tomorrow is a break day, we could go and visit. Look at the old Roman ruins there and stuff... but most of the hot springs are not safe for bathing outside of magical places and those could be problematic to go to."

Intrigued, Usagi raised an eyebrow as she looked at him for a few moments before nodding, "The Quidditch World Cup?" At his nod, she sighed a little and leaned back, "Because of course that would be a cause of it..."

Arms propped up on the sides, Goldie gave her a smile, "But you can still look at the ruins, Umu." She waved around one hand with a chuckle, "As with all things Roman, they have lasted."

Head tilted to the side, Kaku hummed a little, "Are there any nearby?" Seeing the curious look given to him, he shrugged, "I mean, your family has lived here for a long time, right? Godric's Hollow is supposed to be pretty old."

For a few moments, Harry had a thoughtful expression on his face before nodding, "There's an old Roman road nearby. In fact, part of it leads from here to the village and has been used even over fifteen hundred years since it was built. As for my family..." He frowned thoughtfully, "It is kind of true that they have been here a long time. The first Potter was Hardwin and he lived here in the 1100s after leaving his father's, Linfred of Stinchcombe, residence which was on the other side of the Forest of Dean. He married Iolanthe Peverell, who was the last of the Peverells and they trace back at least to the 700s." Utter silence met him at that and he blinked as he noticed that not just the Yokai, but also the Reincarnates as well as Yae were staring at him, "Um... what?"

Pinching her nose, Uesugi took a deep breath before letting it out, "Do you mean to tell me, Harry-Kun... that you can directly trace your family back to the 700s? That your family is that old!?"

Slowly, the wizard nodded with a confused expression on his face, "Um... hai? I mean, the Potters themselves go back to the 1100s, like I said. But yeah, my ancestry can be traced back to the 700s." He gestured to the distant village, "Heck, you can find that information in the old church books and there's a few wizarding documents that go that far back as well."

Just rubbing her face, Ayaka gave a glare at a preening, smug Natsumi who got up and plopped herself in Harry's lap, "You lucky bitch."

Raising her finger, the Kitsune's smirk only grew more smug, "Vixen, actually~"

While confused, Harry just shrugged it off though he was somewhat confused with how everyone outside the, apparently mostly amused, armoury was staring at him though he did become a little concerned a moment later, 'Yuuko-Nee looks kind of faint... is the heat getting to her?'

Moments later, however, his attention was grabbed as Kenshō spoke up, "Um, Master?" When he looked at her, the Kogatana had a confused look on her face that many of those there found adorable, "You said that your ancestor was named Linfred of Stinkcombe?"

Lightly chuckling, Harry shook his head and motioned with a finger, "Linfred of Stinchcombe, but yeah, he is my earliest ancestor on the Potter side." Rubbing his chin, he hummed a little, "He's where we got the name 'Potter' actually."

Now interested, Yae looked over at him, "He is where you get your family name, Harry-San?"

With a slow nod, the teenage wizard nodded, "Hai, you see he was a potioneer and often made cures and such for his neighbours, most of whom did not know he was a wizard. They did know that if they got sick, to come to him and he would give them a tonic or what have you that would help. He actually got quite rich, though he never flaunted it. But... he was usually seen in his garden, tending the plants. Or, as they called it, 'Pottering along the garden', which got him the name 'Linfred the Potterer' among the locals."

Eyebrows raising, Nobu hummed in thought, "I see, I see... and then it was shortened to just plain 'Potter' then?" At Harry's nod, she chuckled, "Can't be helped, though it seems that your family has done good work since with his example."

Blinking, Yae frowned in thought, "Huh, that makes sense... and is very neat, Gozaru."

Just stretching, Harry sighed a little, "It is." Then he looked around before nodding, "Anyways, tomorrow we'll be going sight seeing and getting away from the fruit picking for a while."

It went without saying that got him happy sighs from the other teens, which made him laugh.

__________________________________________________________________

Taking off his shirt, Harry hummed a bit as he was looking forward to a nice, hot bath. Yes, he had gotten clean in the shower, but that was something quick in order to be able to cook dinner. Not to mention the pool and such as well. Hence, the teenage boy could not wait.

Which was why when he heard the door open, he paused for a few moments before pulling off his shirt entirely and turning with a wide eyed look.

Mainly because right there was Iku and Hachi as well as Natsumi walking in. The Kitsune had a slight smile on her face as she made her way towards him before kissing his cheek and beginning to take off her clothes as well. Pausing for a moment, she raised an eyebrow and looked at him, "Something wrong, Harry-Chan?"

Shaking off his surprise, Harry gave her a slight, though unsure, smile, "No, nothing is wrong, Natsumi-Chan." Glancing at Iku and Hachi who set their wooden tubs filled with toiletries to the side though they had blushes on their face, he smiled a little bit more as he came to a realization, "I take it that we're all taking a bath?"

A light smirk on her face, the Kitsune nodded, "Hai, best not to waste any water, right?"

Lightly chuckling, Harry gave her a nod, "That is true enough." Every so often, he glanced over as the two Subgirls took off their swimsuits from the pool. Though the fourteen year old split his attention between Iku and Hachi along with Natsumi who was beside him, "So, um..."

Just looking over her shoulder, Natsumi smiled a little, "Well, I think that while you are doing my back and tails, Harry-Chan, they can do your back and hair? And maybe return the favor when they're done?"

Considering that, he looked over at the two shipgirls who nodded before he smiled, "That does sound pretty good, Natsumi-Chan, and I don't mind it."

At that, Iku and Hachi relaxed a little, with the blue haired Subgirl smiling brightly, "We're fine with that, Harry-Chan, Natsumi-Chan. Right Hachi-Chan?"

The blonde Submarine nodded at that, "Hai, Hacchan doesn't mind either." Just a few moments later found her watching as Harry dumped warm water over himself while Natsumi did the same in front of him. Soaped up cloth in her hands, she glanced at Iku who had shampoo in her hands. Gently, she reached out with the cloth and began to soap up Harry's back, blush deepening a touch, 'We're doing it... we're actually doing this!'

Beside her, Iku also had a blush as she began to work the shampoo into Harry's hair, 'This... this is so nice...'

For some reason, however, doing so had her actually relax as she did it, eventually humming as she worked up the suds with her singing snitches of songs. What made it even better was the obvious enjoyment that Harry was taking from it if his soft sighs were anything to go by. Every so often, she caught sight of him looking at her over his shoulder with a happy smile on his face. It made her engines thrum each time all the harder.

With Natsumi, the Kitsune had her eyes closed in pure enjoyment as she felt Harry working in shampoo into first her hair and along her ears, and then via into her tails, which thumped a little. From deep in her mind, came a soft, happy sigh, 'I... have so missed this.'

Humming thoughtfully, the younger of the two raised a mental eyebrow before she came to a realization, 'Your husband.'

She could almost feel Tamamo nod back, 'Indeed, Natsumi. My husband... we bathed with each other, and often. I remember him gently cleaning me as I did in return. They were... happy times, untainted even now. Such memories are bittersweet, I believe that you could call them. And I miss such even now, miss him. But... right now, I am... content.'

Very slowly, Natsumi gave a slight nod, 'As am I.'

Both Kitsune had soft, happy smiles on their faces, mental or otherwise, as Harry continued his work in cleaning their tails and then back.

Eventually, however, both parties were done with their duties and the teenage boy handed Natsumi the cloth so that she could continue on her own, taking the one that Hachi had been using. Once he was done, and rinsed himself off, Harry turned and regarded the two Subgirls, "So, um..."

Gently, Iku pushed Hachi forward, "I think that Hachi-Chan should go first, Harry-Chan. Then I'll go and have my turn."

Her eyes lighting up, Hachi mouthed a 'Thank you' to Iku before sitting on the stool and waiting. Almost as soon as Harry began to work the shampoo in, her eyes drifted closed in enjoyment as she sighed. On her lips, a soft smile appeared as she felt his fingers at in her hair, gently making sure that none of it was missed. And when he removed his hands and rinsed her hair, she happily hummed, which grew into a purr as she felt him began to wash her back.

Despite what their reputation had been, the blonde haired Submarine didn't find anything lewd about what they were doing. Oh, that was not to say that she knew it would lead to very pleasant dreams, because she did. But, to her, there was nothing perverted about what was happening. It was intimate, very much so. After all, she was opening herself to Harry in a way. Right now, with how gentle he was being, it was only because her face was already wet that no one noticed the slight tears coming from her closed eyes.

While she had never told him, at least directly, Hachi had felt... dirty, due to her past. To Harry's credit, despite knowing what had happened when she was a steel hull upon her, he had never held it against her. But that feeling was still there, under her skin. Yet, at this moment, as he gently cleaned her back, the rough palms of his hands touching her soft skin as he spread the foamed suds around...

Hachi felt as if some of the stains from her past seem to be lifted from her, to be washed away with the next rinse.

Remembering what he had told her about his... relevation, she suddenly felt as if she understood exactly what it meant. Mainly because she was having her own right at this moment. Something that made the tears flow a bit more, even as her engines warmed in her chest. And when he was finally done and had washed away the suds, Hachi felt as if some of the dirt from her past had also been clean, leaving her fresh.

Softly sighing, Hachi turned and opened her eyes as she saw his meet her own blue eyes with his emerald green. He didn't care, and she could truly see that, and the warmth and love in his eyes that she could see in that moment was for her. Reaching up, the Subgirl gently cupped his cheek with her hand before leaning forward for a kiss which the two deepened slightly. As she pulled back after a minute, lips parted slightly, there was a shininess to her eyes, "Thank you, Harry-Chan..."

Gently taking her hand in his, he nodded with a smile, "You're welcome, Hachi-Chan." Leaning forward, he kissed her again and pulled back, "But I should say thank you."

Lips curling, the blonde shipgirl shook her head some and moved back before taking the soaped up cloth in order to finish the rest of her. In her mind, she chuckled, 'I wonder about that, Harry-Chan... I wonder...'

With a deep breath, and a smile towards Hachi, Iku sat on the stool and looked over at Harry. Feeling suddenly shy, she blushed a little with her voice soft, "Um, it's my turn now, Harry-Chan..."

Only nodding as he brought her toiletries forward and picked up the bucket filled with warm water, Harry smiled, "Hai, I'll be gentle."

That only got him a smile from Iku, "I know that you will be, because it is you."

Due to turning, she missed his expression soften and his eyes become slightly damp. As the warm water doused her, the blue haired girl closed her eyes and purred as she felt his hands begin to work the shampoo into her hair. Already, she felt herself relax at his touch, his nails lightly scraping at her scalp as he worked. Unlike with Hachi, Iku didn't really feel dirty, but she still felt exposed in a way to him that she had never been before.

And she liked both that, and how he was handling her.

Happy hums came from her as she leaned back a bit, to help him more easily clean her hair. Like with Hachi, it felt intimate to her, and deeply so, but at the same time there was nothing sexual about it. Rather... it felt emotionally so. As if she could feel his love and care for her. Even the way he ran his fingers through the strands of her hair as he rinsed them felt oh so wonderful and close.

Needless to say, as she felt him get to work at washing her back, she only relaxed happily even more. Part of Iku realized that at the same time he was soaping her up, his fingers were gently working at any tense spots that they found in her muscles, almost unnoticable. Tense spots that relaxed soon under his touch. As he finished with her back, and deciding to be a little greedy, she lifted up one arm which she heard him chuckle at before he went to work on that and on her armpit followed by the other.

Finally, however, he was done and rinsed her back, arms, and shoulders clean of suds, leaving her feeling refreshed.

As with Hachi, when Iku opened her eyes the sakura petal shaped pupils were practically glowing. And like with her friend, the blue haired Subgirl turned to face Harry, happy smile on her face before leaning in for a kiss which he returned gladly. No words were shared, as none were needed as the two pulled apart with smiles on their faces, only happy glows in their eyes and slight blushes on their cheeks even as Harry handed her the cloth to finish.

Moments later, with all four clean, they entered the bathtub which Harry had filled with water and repair fluid. Part of Harry was surprised when Natsumi moved aside in order to allow for Hachi and Iku to cuddle up to his side, their heads on his shoulders as their arms went around his waist. The fourteen year old gave the Kitsune a questioning look, but she simply shook her head.

Granted, she noticed the grateful looks that Iku and Hachi gave her, which she nodded slightly at, which caused their smiles to grow in return.

It was a half hour later that found them leaving the now cooler water of the bath behind, both Subgirls telling them to go on, and that they would be there in a moment. Once Harry was out the door, Hachi gave a soft, happy sigh, "That was..."

Beside her, Iku nodded with her joyful look, "Wonderful, Hachi-Chan." Turning to her friend, she smiled, "That was even better than what I ever expected."

Only nodding, Hachi wiped at her eyes a little, "Ja, it was..." Turning to Iku, she took a step forward and pulled her fellow Submarine into a hug, the other shipgirl returning it, "It really was far better than expected. I feel... cleaner."

Understanding appeared in the blue haired Subgirl's eyes, but she only nodded, "Hai." She brought up one hand and brushed some damp hair from Hachi's brow before kissing her softly, "Thank you again, Hachi-Chan, for letting me share this with you."

Just giving Iku's lips a peck, Hachi hummed, "No, thank you, Iku-Chan... for being here."

The two shared another happy, soft smile, before pulling apart and getting changed. Walking into the bedroom, they paused a little, however. Beside the main bed, there was a much smaller, child's bed. Like the larger, it too was made of wood with the end of the bed rising up and curving some. The sides were also raised some, to prevent the child from rolling out by mistake.

However, what caught their attention was Harry sitting beside Kenshō, a book open in his lap as the Kogatana looked up at him with wide eyes as he spoke, "The Mole had been working very hard all the morning, spring-cleaning his little home. First with brooms, then with dusters; then on ladders and steps and chairs, with a brush and a pail of whitewash; till he had dust in his throat and eyes, and splashes of whitewash all over his black fur, and an aching back and weary arms. Spring was moving in the air above and in the earth below and around him, penetrating even his dark and lowly little house with its spirit of divine discontent and longing..."

With a glance towards Natsumi as well as Taigei and Ryuuhou, the two knew that the others were imagining the same thing that they were... mainly their children also being read a bedtime story.

Both girls made their way quietly to the bed and sat down next to the others, Hachi lowering her voice to a whisper, "Is Harry-Chan reading the Wind in the Willows to Kenshō-Chan?"

Glancing at her, Taigei noted with some happiness that the Submarine seemed relaxed and very happy, as if a weight had been lifted somewhat from her. Simply nodding, the Submarine Tender sighed, "Hai, he is." A slight blush appeared on her face as she had the image of an older Harry reading to two girls who could well be twins, pajamas with cartoon whales being worn by the children. Then, she shook it off with a smile, "I think that Kenshō-Chan is enjoying it."

From where he was, Harry glanced at them, though he was kind of puzzled at how Hachi was recording him on the phone. Not to mention the expressions that the various girls had on their face. They seemed... almost hungry, somehow. However, he simply dismissed them and instead continued to read, changing the tone of his voice for the various characters. Until, finally, Kenshō's eyes had nearly closed as she clutched her stuffed goldfish close.

Smile on his face, he closed the book after marking the place and then kissing her on the forehead, "Pleasant dreams, Kenshō. We'll see you in the morning."

Yawning, Kenshō mumbled a little, "Mou... want to... hear more... about Mister Mole... and the others..."

Only shaking his head, Harry gently stroked her hair, "And you will, tomorrow. Now, dream of going to Toad Hall and meeting them for now."

Another mumble came from the Kogatana at that, which Harry swore sounded like "Ribbit Ribbit", but he shook it off. Placing the book aside, he turned and paused at the sight of all the girls looking at him with blushes on their faces, and happy expressions. Considering that for a moment, Harry shook it off and got into bed where he got some kisses from each one of the girls. Then, with Natsumi laying on top of him, Iku and Hachi cuddling against his sides, and Taigei and Ryuuhou spooning the Submarines, Harry pulled the covers over them and turned out the light as he laid back.

Before long, they joined Kenshō in dreamland with smiles of their own.

 

[darthcourt10]

Shinr

The bit with Natusmi having a past viewing spell via things with huge emotional connection inspired me to revisit an earlier abandoned idea, set immediately after my previous Rome snippet. Tamamo's western travels

-

Natsumi was about to retort to Taiyang about real, actual differences between business busting and civilization ruining when she felt it.

It was on the edge of her senses, and she would've missed if it wasn't so particularly familiar.

The feeling when the Time Turner does its magic.

"What is wrong, Master?" Taiyang asked after she noticed Natsumi going still.

"I felt something." Natsumi answered and then spent some time placing it, before pointing at the top of Curia Julia "Over there."

Without a word, the Dao quickly moved, looked around and then jumped to the top of the old Roman Senate. A Minute or two later, the foxy blade returned a lot more at ease.

"It is nothing serious, Master." She reported, but for some reason Natsumi heard an unheard 'much. "But you might want to see it."

"Can't you just tell me now?" Natsumi asked.

"But what is life without surprises? ~Mikon." Her servant coyly counter-asked.

Sighting, the young Kitsune followed Taiyang back to the roof. Once there, she was confused at there being nothing out of normal, before the Dao pointed at a specific spot.

Once she concentrated on that location, she discovered that was some kind of haze over it, like a mirage.

"Oooohhhhhh, haven't seen one these for uncountable years." Tamamo-no-Mae stated with an impressed voice "One has better chances of becoming an Emperor of Under Heaven than to find another one of these for the rest of their lifetime, at least for mortal ones."

"What is it?" Natsumi asked as she examined the haze.

"That, my dear, is an echo of a moment so overwhelming that it imprinted itself onto reality." The Elder Kitsune explained. "A small tear in time, one might say."

"A Tear in Time?" Natsumi asked as she looked at the Haze in a new light "This might be just my pop-culture bias speaking, but that sounds like you could jump into it and end up in the past."

"Yes, which is why these were zealously guarded." The Elder Great Youkai answered "People very quickly found out that one is infinitely more likely to butterfly away their own family and clan than those of their enemy, or worse."

"Heh, that reminded me of that one time when we tricked one ducal far-down-line spare to go back in time and erase the heir." Taiyang remembered "Somehow managed to erase the whole realm."

Natsumi scampered away.

"Don't worry, my dear, for it is dormant." Tamamo comforted "Just jumping in only worked during the Age of Gods, when the ambient magic was enough to make it be constantly open."

"Knowing that, I'm kind of surprised that we are not getting arrested right now." Natsumi said. "This thing is dangerous and is probably under heavy watch."

"Probably because nobody here even knows about it." The Dao said. "And if someone does, probably some extremely old geezer that lived since the Age of Heroes, they most likely believe it to be harmless, ~mikon."

"To expand on that a bit further, not also the state of these Time Tears lessened with the weakening of magic, but their very presence diminished as well, becoming all but invisible to all but most gifted and knowledgeable sages who knew where to look." Tamamo elaborated "While your familiarity with Temporal Magic via the Time Turner helped, it is most likely my own knowledge of these embedded deep within you that allowed you to notice it."

"So with time they became very hard to find and nearly impossible to use." Natsumi concluded

"Even if time-travel was impossible, they still had some use." The old fox explained "Sages and Scholars would study them and try to understand the nature of time and reality, Oracles and Diviners would use it as a catalyst in their attempts to examine the past and to foresee the future, and the priests and shamans used them as a connection to the deities of temporality."

"Would not be surprised if these Time-Turny gizmos were a result of such ~mikon." The Dao stated.

"Indeed." Tamamo replied "Say, Natsumi, that spell that grants you visions of past events via items with strong connection to said events."

"You're not suggesting what I think you're suggesting?" Natsumi asked.

"Come on, Master~" The Dao pouted "Just a peek, it is not like we can actually change history anyway, ~mikon."

"Taiyang is right." Tamamo supported "And I admit, ever since that Roman Sword told tales of her Caesar I've been curious on what I missed."

'Sigh' Fine, but I don't think I can actually manage it with my current skills." Natsumi conceded.

"Don't worry, me and Taiyang will help you with that." The Elder Kitsune replied "First, you-"

As so they prepared and then casted a spell to let them see into the past.

-

The first thing that Natsumi felt was the smell.

The smell of ash, of burning wood, of burning stone, of burning metal, of burning flesh.

The oh so familiar smell she was overwhelmed with nearly a decade/millennia ago.

And then she opened her eyes, and her world was nothing but bright fire.

Once her eyes adjusted to the light she found herself on the same roof of the same senate building, and then she looked around, and everywhere she looked, Rome was on fire.

Grand buildings of the Quorum were collapsing as their supports were burned or melted away, damaged aqueducts spilled water tainted with blood, the nearby rivers were covered in a burning substance, and the streets themselves were littered with bodies, human and not.

And then there were those still alive and fighting.

Plebeian Militias, roused and angry, were swarming the small but tough bodyguard armies of the patricians.

Gladiators and Mercenaries fought for a chance of freedom or riches for whoever promised it them.

Freed animals rampaging across the city, terrified by the ongoing chaos.

Individuals who took advantage of the chaos or were just trying to survive.

And then there were the opposing Legions and their supernatural auxiliaries:

Harpies who provided air support to their allies, and hunted down targets of opportunity.

Satyrs who skirmished and ambushed their victims, before fading back to the backalleys and ruins.

Centaurs, who charged and trampled their enemies under the weight of both their armor and horse bodies.

Tamed Hellhounds, smaller imitations of the infamous Cerberus, burned down everything their handlers wanted dead.

Unleashed Chimeras who bit, gored and poisoned with their three heads.

Pegasus Riders who pierced their grounded enemies or jousted up in the blackened skies.

Giant Wolves, descendants of the She-Wolf who fought against whom they thought to be an enemy of the city, ripped their prey to shreds with their mighty jaws.

The Cyclopes who wrestled their similarly sized peers for dominance or threw giant rocks at whoever drew their ire.

Giant bipedal Mastodons, heavy armored and wielding giant shields and halberds, who formed giant tortoise shield formations, repelling all who dared to challenge them.

Humans with obvious divine heritage were duking it out, the demi-gods achieving feats of superhuman ability with envious ease.

The Gods themselves have apparently picked sides as once in the while a lightning bolt, a great gust of wind, a meteor, a flood or any other act of gods aided or hindered one side or another.

Everywhere she looked there was fighting, human and beast furiously waging war on the stained streets of Rome.

And all of that paled compared to what happened below her.

At the courtyard of the Curia, there were two Men, old in age but with vitality that would shame young ones in their prime, who stood facing each other and who with their sheer presence overshadowed their respective warriors behind them.

"Sulla, my old friend." One of them started "I would like to say that I'm happy to meet you in person after so long, after months of written back and forth, but we both know that we are past that."

"Spare me the pleasantries, Marius." The one called Sulla retorted "I'm here to end this all."

"End what, Sulla?" Marius asked "To end the newly acquired rights of the plebeians, to take away their means to control their fates that was previously the domain of the stagnant and corrupt Patricians?"

Some Demi-God on Sulla's side took offense and lobbed a lightning bolt at Marius, only for a Magic User on Marius's side to deflect it back, the bolt passing Sulla by inches and striking a Mastodon's great shield.

Marius and Sulla, both of whom did not even flinch at the exchange, raised their hands to preemptively make their forces stand down and prevent from escalating, for now, without breaking eye contact.

"I see your point." Sulla admitted "For the bad apples had certainly spoiled most of the good senatorial bunch."

"If you know that, then why resist me?" Marius asked "Why fight on the side of the gluttons who would rather flatten Rome under their fat?"

"Because everything I see right now, this chaos." Sulla gestured around him "Proves that we need to prune the Patrician tree, not uproot it and replace it with a Plebeian bush, a mob unready for the heavy responsibilities of ruling."

"But how could they be even be deemed ready, if the Patricians don't even give them a chance to learn and train in the first place?" Marius countered "Believe me, if a more peaceful path was possible I would've taken it, but you know full well that this social chariot race was rigged from the start."

"I know." Sulla acknowledged with resignation "And for what it is worth, I believe that it is possible for the plebeians and patricians to be equal in matters of government and make it work, but it is not something we will see in ours', or even our grandchildren's' lifetimes."

Silence reigned in the courtyard, and it seemed like the ongoing chaos quitted down in anticipation.

"Then we have nothing more to discuss." Marius stated. "Prepare yourself, my once most capable Legate, one way or another, this ends tonight."

"Of course, my Consul." Sulla replied.

After that, they started walking towards each, the pressure mounting and overwhelming all present as they approached closer and closer.

What happened after, Natsumi had no idea, for she blacked out.

-

When Natsumi opened her eyes, she found herself resting her head on Taiyang's lap, intact and definitely not burning modern Rome around them.

"Had a good nap, ~Master?." Taiyang asked.

"Yeah." The young kitsune replied. "That was quite something, wasn't it?"

All Natsumi could hear in response was heavy, labored breathing.

Concerned, she looked inward and saw a heavily breathing, just as heavily blushing, disarrayed kitsune with hands on her face with half lidded eyes that Natsumi could've swore had little images of dripping hearts in them.

"Why!? Why did I not depart five centuries early!?" Asked a lust-crazy fox "Why did I make myself suffer with the limp brood when I could've sampled their robust, dexterous and willful forefathers!?!"

Natsumi said nothing, just made a bee-line for the nearest source of cold water.

-

A/N: Heavy liberties were taken with Marius' and Sulla's personalities and circumstances.

 

[darthcourt10]

KiMaSa

And more Nagato-chan!


A Mother's Comfort

"Teitoku," Nagato said, her voice mixed between concern and anger upon her return. After luring them out, the Battleship Demon exchanged shots at range before making smoke and escaping. "How could this have happened? First Harry and now Nagato-chan have been threatened on base by these monsters!" She spoke the last word with hate and contempt.

For his own part, Goto was only slightly less angry. HIS base had been attacked and his charges, his people, had been at risk. Only the fortuitous presence of Ruiner had prevented the death of Nagato-chan and the others. "This wasn't just a raid like the first time," Goto noted. "They very deliberately feinted us. They weren't just staging a raid," He looked at Ruiner, who stood with Kongo and Kirishima flanking her. "They were searching for something or somebody. Weren't they?" It wasn't a question.

"The Boss Lady has pissed off a lot of Abyssals. Her mother at the top of the list but yeah. I'm sure they were expecting her to be here."

"Will they try again?"

"Since I think you may have done too good a job running down the ones that got onto your base? Probably. If any of them got away to report that the Boss ain't here, then maybe not but until then, I expect so. Subcontinental Princess is a murdering bitch but she won't risk HER ass going this far out of her way to try getting through the toughest defenses on this side of the Pacific. She's an insane monster, not an idiot. But I watched her crush the skull of her oldest daughter and smile while doing it simply because she was getting too popular with the rank and file. That was a business decision for her. What the Boss Lady did? This isn't about business and I'm sure she'll promise anything to anybody who can get the Boss for her."

"I see," Goto said and turned to Oyodo. "This has happened twice. There will NOT be a third time. Use whatever we need from the discretionary fund. We don't have time to argue with a bunch of bureaucrats and politicians. We'll start with improving the passive barriers while we get more lights, motion sensors, Infrared detectors... I want a new security center. I want every centimeter of our perimeter monitored. THEN we'll look into other defenses. I want this base so tight that if the ghost of Erwin Rommel were to inspect our defenses, he'd say 'Damn!'. Do you read me, Oyodo? If you can't find what you need, come to me and we'll find it. If cost is an obstacle, come to me and we will make it NOT A PROBLEM."

"Yes, Teitoku. But what about the manpower to monitor these things and people to man any active defenses we try to set up?" It was the one flaw in the idea: All the equipment Goto wanted set up would be useless without people to monitor it, maintain it. And the base staff was stretched tight enough as it was.

"That's my responsibility. I'm going to cash in some favors but that's what they're there for." He looked at Nagato and Yamato. "The rest of us will handle the office for now. The girls are all with Housho right now."

"Thank you, Teitoku." Nagato replied simply and nodded her thanks.

She and Yamato wasted no time in reaching Housho's quarters. Lieutenant Kirby, Susan Nakamura, and 1701 were there as well, seeing to the girls. As Housho answered the door, Nagato and Yamato greeted her with their thanks as they were invited inside. Yamato spotted her daughter sitting next to Little-E while 1701 placed the caring hand of a 'big sister' on 'Little-E's' shoulder.

"You'll be alright. It's not just me saying that. Yamato chan is right here."

Little E nodded shakily and looked at the ersatz Super-Battleship with eyes imploring a promise that she would make it safe.

Yamato chan smiled gentle reassurance. She then looked up as Yamato stepped over. Are you alright, Yamato-chan?"

"Hai! Thanks to the Kami, Ruiner-san, and Nagato-chan."

Little-E looked at the battleship. "Yamato-chan saved me. Without her, I'd be dead."

Yamato smiled proudly. "She IS a Yamato, after all."

In the meantime, Nagato-chan was holding Saratoga as if giving comfort to Sara was the one thing keeping her from falling apart. The sight of her mother brought a flood of relief to Nagato-chan.

Sara looked at Nagato-sama and then nodded and smiled at Nagato-chan. "I'll be alright now. Thank you."

"Are you sure?"

"What danger could I be in with the best battleship in the world AND her mom here?"

Nagato-chan blushed a little at that. She looked up at her mom and hugged her tight.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, mama. But I was scared! I was scared and I didn't know what to do."

"I hear you stood your ground and protected your fleet."

"I couldn't let them hurt my friends."

"Of course not."

"But Mama? Something inside me says I should feel bad for killing that PT imp. But I don't. I'm not sorry. I'm not sad. I'm ANGRY that it forced me to kill it."

"And I am angry that you were forced to do so," Nagato said, hugging her. "But you did what you had to and I am so very proud of you."
'You are a true battleship! I only hope you do not develop your brother's knack for attracting danger, my Nagato-chan!'

 

[darthcourt10]

KiMaSa

In my search for setgirls to summon, I've fairly plumbed the depths of every serious naval movie I can think of. Aside from a few Japanese girls I'm saving for later, and some 'English' ones to be mentioned herein, I think I've run the lot. Of course, I haven't called forth The Red October, USS Neptune (from 'Grey Lady Down'), or the USS Georgetown (Supercarrier) but until shipgirls from the 1970s and 80s start manifesting, their use as decoys is nil.

So that leaves the non-serious films to consider: Musicals and comedies.


Unfortunately... We found one.


We're Shipgirls Now!


Fresh from the aftermath of the PT raid on Yokosuka, Leftenant Chalmers, and Lieutenant Kirby were in Yokota to receive the latest additions to their force. With Chalmers was Valiant, who availed herself of every opportunity to accompany her 'admiral' and joining Kirby was USS Commodore. As they waited, four ladies in English uniform proceeded in line and stopped in front of Leftenant Chalmers.

"Sir!" The biggest one saluted. "Deutschland reporting for duty along with Apollo, U-37, and Sea Flower!"

Chalmers returned the salute. "We were under the impression there were five of you?"

"Yes, sir. If you count that babbling bloody Yank!" She looked at Kirby. "Beg pardon sir."

"Am I to understand there is a problem, Deutschland?" Kirby asked.

"You might say that, sir. They're still trying to get the loony off the damn plane!"

Commodore grit her teeth. "Is that so? Sir? Request permission to retrieve our absent personnel."

"Granted."

Commodore stalked up the way the new arrivals had come, rolling up her sleeves. A few minutes later, she came back dragging a much taller girl by her ear.

"You can't do this to me! I'll write my congressman about this! I'll hire a lawyer! I'll... I'll..."

"You'll shut up or I'll BOOT you clear back to base!" Commodore growled.

"As you were, Commodore."

The veteran trainer released her wayward charge and saluted. "Sir! This is Alabama."

Alabama looked at him with wide, imploring eyes. "Your Officerness! Admiral! Your Majesty! There's been a terrible misunderstanding!"

"And what might that be?"

"I can't be here."

"And why is that?"

"I'm allergic to possibly dyin'."

"It's an unsafe world."

"Don't you love your country?" Commodore demanded.

"Absolutely! That's why I want to get back to it as fast as possible!"

"You're needed here," Kirby replied.

"Please! Reconsider, Your Magnanimosity! Please! I get seasick real easy! So how about a nice, safe posting in Nebraska?"

"Seasick, hmm?" Commodore asked skeptically.

"Very much! Just looking at pictures of the ocean makes me start to sway and go green!"

"We've got plenty of Dramamine for you," Commodore replied.

Alabama looked at her forlorn.

"Just where did she come from, sir? Something about her seems familiar, somehow."

Kirby pinched the bridge of his nose. "In The Navy, 1941... Abbott and Costello. Heaven help us!"

 

[darthcourt10]

KiMaSa

Setgirl subs are subthieves and scoundrels all, no matter what flag they fly!

For the record, The Department of the Navy officially denies the following incident ever occurred...

Fly Your Colors

Admiral Binghampton was on no one's list of favorite people as he toured various commands across the Western Pacific. While the war had done much to weed out the Peacetime political officers, Binghampton was very effective as a bureaucrat and generally knew to keep his opinions to himself. He was still a stickler for 'By the Book' behavior. Something had to give...

It did.


***


USS Sea Tiger: "Now you've done it, Stingray! We know it was you who stole the admiral's underwear and ran them up the flagpole!"

USS Nerka: "Yeah! And now, Admiral Binghampton is gonna court-martial Pampanito! He's had her locked up and talking about throwing her out of the service because of your little stunt!"

"Pampanito?" Stingray demanded. "What's she in lock-up for? We may look alike but I swear, there was no way he saw me!"

"Pampanito got into it with Binghampton over some of the equipment she arranged for Wahoo's gang to get," Nerka explained. "Those knuckleheads probably swiped it themselves but she was running cover for them and now your little stunt on top of that and Binghampton is gunning for her scalp!"

"Alright! Alright! I'll fix this! Do you guys really think I'd hang a sub out to dry?"

"No... But how are you gonna save Pampanito?"

"I said I'd never hang a sub out to dry. An admiral on the other hand..."





***

"HELP! HELP!"

Nerka nudged Sea Tiger. "Look at that!" She pointed to one of the base's big cranes. A man could be seen hanging upside down from the raised end.

"Admiral Binghampton?"

"GET ME DOWN FROM HERE! YOU IDIOTS! WHEN I GET DOWN FROM HERE, I'LL HAVE PAMPANITO DRAWN AND QUARTERED AND THEN I'LL ARREST THE PIECES!"

"Are you saying Pampanito did this?"

"OF COURSE I MEAN THAT! YOU IDIOTS! NOW GET ME DOWN FROM HERE!"

"No can do, admiral," Nerka replied. "It can't have been Pampanito that did this to you."

"WHADDAYA MEAN 'IT CAN'T BE'?"

"Simple: Pampanito is in the stockade as per your orders, sir. Three destroyers and a squad of marines have been watching her around the clock!" Nerka grinned. "I'm sure they'll all testify to that at the court-martial. Are you sure you weren't sleepwalking?"

"ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY I DID THIS TO MYSELF?"

"We know Pampanito couldn't have done it! She's got witnesses. And with that, I'd hate to think of what would happen to your career sir. It might look like you had a personal grudge against a decorated combat veteran. That wouldn't look too good."

"ALRIGHT! ALRIGHT! TELL THEM TO LET PAMPANITO OUT! JUST GET ME DOWN FROM HERE!"

"You're dropping ALL the charges?"

"All the charges."

"I don't think we heard you, sir."

"YES! YES! ALL THE CHARGES ARE DROPPED!"

"And you'll give Pampanito a formal apology?"

"YES! NOW GET ME DOWN FROM HERE!"

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Eyes fluttering some, Ayase blinked in the low light of her room as she woke. Yawn escaping from her, the Light Cruiser looked around the room as she scratched her head. Checking her internal clock, the Sendai frowned a bit and glanced to the window where the barest hint of pre-dawn light could be seen. For several moments, she just looked out the window before a small smile appeared on her face.

After all, the trip had been turning out to be everything that she could have wished for.

To those not involved, it had only been one day at the Potter properties at the best. But for Ayase and the others? So far, it was closer to three days with the help of the Time Turner that was leant to them. Hence, she had spent far more time than ever before with Harry. And, more importantly, getting to know the teen. Something that Ayase was very happy to do and have happen.

Over the past three days, she had conversation after conversation with Harry. While she had spent time with him before, this was far more than she had. That had meant that she now knew more about him than she had as well, which was a very good thing. And, if anything, her impressions of him had only risen in that time. Even now, the thought of those chats made her boilers warm within her chest.

Stretching a little with a sleepy smile on her face, the Sendai hummed some as she thought back to the previous few days. In a way, it seemed like a dream. Yet, it was not and she had been having a lot of fun. So what if her sisters had teased her about it, they were memories that she would treasure.

With that happy thought, Ayase pulled the covers off her to reveal herself in a summer yukata. Swinging out her legs, her bare feet touched the floor of her room, but with the minor warming charm, it wasn't cold like what some might expect. Still sleepy, the Light Cruiser walked to the bathroom before splashing her face with some cold water to wake herself up. Toweling it dry, Ayase looked in the mirror now fully awake and a smile on her face, "Good morning."

Just softly giggling, she turned around and got dressed in civilian clothing for the day. In her case, that was mainly a tank top and jeans. Something that had been suggested to her by Naka, and twisting around to look herself in the mirror, light blush on her face, she had to admit that her older sister was right. Finally, she did her hair up in a high ponytail rather than the topknot that she usually had it in.

However, about to walk out of the bedroom, she paused at a leather bound book. Picking it up, her cheeks flushed as she looked at the title, 'The Knightly Centauress and her Lord". For a few moments, Ayase looked at the cover which showed a female centaur having her cheek cupped by a man in plate. Glancing around, she hummed a bit, "Well... no one is going to be up for some time, so..."

The Sendai then left the room before making her way through the hallways. On the walls, there were softly glowing crystals in holders to provide some light. And as she passed them, they brightened for a few moments before dimming back down. Despite herself, Ayase was still impressed with them.

Apparently, a Muggleborn that Lily and James had known in school had been inspired by fantasy novels. Thus, he had set out to create enchantments for crystals that would have them absorb light during the day, and then release it at night. Any light source would do really, including candles. And since they released said light dimly at night unless someone was next to them, it made it easier to move around homes. Lily and James had invested in said project and the man had a small store in Diurn Alley which Harry had bought said crystals from.

It went without saying that a number of the Yokai as well as the shipgirls like Ayase were considering placing an order themselves.

Once she got to the kitchen, Ayase made herself a cup of tea before retiring to one of the smaller rooms on the ground floor. Said room actually being the ground floor of a small tower on the opposite side of where Catherine's skull was. According to Harry, it had been built to make the house symetrical according to the plans and to hide Catherine's presence.

Right now, however, the Light Cruiser was happy as it gave her a nice, private spot. Walking in, Ayase smiled a little at seeing the room. Like much of the manor, the walls had wood panelling on them and the floor was polished stone. In one corner, there was a small fireplace for warmth, and the large windows allowed light in with one being a bay window that had cushions for one to sit on.

For furniture right now, there was a high backed chair and a small, wooden table, both sitting on a carpet. And on the walls one could see various paintings of landscapes as well, giving the room a warm, inviting feel. Practically skipping, Ayase hummed to herself as she set her tea down on the table, cup on a dish, and then sat down herself in the chair with the crystal lights glowing a bit brighter. Opening her book, she began to read, and soon had a blush on her face as she chewed her lip some.

Unfortunately, all good things come to an end, and she heard a warm chuckle, "Ah, I remember Lyra writing that book."

Jumping a bit, Ayase looked around with wide eyes, "Who..."

Suddenly spotting movement in one of the paintings, she stopped and stared some at the female centaur who stood there. Her shirt was of the sort worn in the fourteen hundreds, though it revealed her muscled midsection of her humanoid body, and she had hair ornaments in the shape of leaves keeping her blonde hair (which had a hint of red to it) from her pointed, almost equine ears. Her equine body, meanwhile, was a whitish-grey coloration and there was a leather skirt of sorts where her humanoid body met it with pouches. From said skirt, belts extended along her body to where her hindquarters were covered by more leather that had been embossed.

Eyes widening, Ayase realized whom she was looking at, "You're... Elm Potter... Joachim's, um, companion."

A little surprised herself, Elm nodded some though she had a slight blush on her face, "Ah, I was his companion though I never took the name Potter..." Both of them could almost hear the silent bit that she wished that she could have. Clearing her throat, though she did not need it, the female Centaur gave Ayase a small smile, "Though I didn't expect to be recognized so easily."

Lightly blushing some, the Sendai closed her book, "Um, well... we came across your tomb the other day and Harry-Chan told us about you and Joachim." Expression softening, Ayase gave her a small smile, "It was... a lovely story, Elm-San."

Her own expression softening, Elm looked out the window and nodded slowly, "It was wonderful to live it as well. Joachim was amazing, and still is if I am correct." Then she blinked and started a little, "Ah! My apologies... I forgot to ask you, your name?"

Flustered a little, Ayase stood and bowed to her a little, "I am the Sendai Class Light Cruiser, Ayase. The fifth of our class."

Placing one hand against her chest, the female Centaur kneeled a little into a bow, "Well met, Miss Ayase." Straightening, she gave her a nod, "Also, I'm sorry for startling you."

Ayase remembered then what she had been reading and blushed, "Ah, that's fine... I didn't expect it." Blinking, she looked at the portrait with a small frown, "Is... that yours?"

Chuckling, Elm shook her head, "No, this isn't my portrait. Mine is still in the storehouse, I simply decided to explore the house a little, that is all. It does get rather boring and I have to admit, I am interested in what sort of people my Joachim's descendant brought."

Just nodding at that, the shipgirl hummed a little, "Hopefully... you don't mind us?" Getting a warm smile, she understood that Elm approved of them, and nodded again before remembering what she had stated, "You remember Lyra writing this?"

That got her a warm laugh from the painting, "As I should, as she did ask myself and the other paintings of Elm that Joachim made for details. It is..." Briefly, she chewed her lip before slowly nodding, "Rather accurate let us say about some matters."

Eyes widening, Ayase felt her cheeks warm up but nodded, "I see." Tilting her head some, she set aside her book for now, "So you were here when she wrote this? And there's more of you?"

Lips twitching, Elm gave her a hum, "Indeed, because we were a favoured subject of our Joachim." Bringing up one hand, she spoke in a stage whisper, "Not that we minded much, it was good for the ego to know that he adored our form so much." Then, straightening, the Centaur nodded, "Of course, there's several of us from different paintings done at different times. Perhaps you'll meet the one where he had us fully armoured for war, though that version of us is somewhat more serious."

Shifting around a little, the shipgirl only nodded at that before frowning, "Um... could... could I ask you some questions, Elm-San? About... about your relationship?"

Unable to help herself, Elm laughed a little, "Of course! After Lyra, I doubt that anything you come up with could fluster me."

Only giving a slight nod, Ayase cleared her throat, "Well... Harry mentioned that Joachim saved you and you became his companion, his confidant... um, his knight?"

For several moments, the female Centaur looked at her before smiling softly, "Ah, I understand now." Her smile widened a little as she hummed and folded her legs under her equine body, "You're like that. Though, I suppose that such a thing is not bad..."

Needless to say, Ayase had a deep blush on her face. But, just the same, the two of them chatted for the next hour or so, with the shipgirl getting some information from the Centauress. Eventually, however, the Sendai could hear others moving around upstairs and blinked before turning to Elm, "Thank you, Elm-San. But I must be going."

Just tilting her head a little, Elm chuckled, "That is fine, I enjoyed our talk."

About to leave, the Light Cruiser paused for a moment before turning back to the portrait, "Um... I heard that it is possible for paintings to move between enchanted portraits. Would it be possible to..."

Grin now wide, Elm gave her another chuckle, "It would, all you would need is for the portrait to be linked to the others. Which is not hard at all, my dear Ayase. Simply ask Harry to cast the spell to do so for the ones here and you can bring it to Japan where I can come and speak to you whenever I wish." Bowing, Ayase smiled and left. Once she was out the door, Elm rubbed her chin in thought and a slightly smug smirk, "It seems, Joachim my Love that our descendant is quite the interesting young man... though he needs someone like her, I think."

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, various people began to sleepily filter into the dining room. Already, however, they could smell various delicious foods being made which caused stomachs to grumble in want. Soon enough, Harry came out with various plates, followed by Sheff and Saki. All three placed the large plates down on the table with some of those blinking. For her part, Uesugi raised an eyebrow at what was there, "This seems a bit much..."

Having quickly filled up her plate, Hachi bit into a sausage and hummed before chewing. Once she swallowed, she looked at the former warlord, "Actually, this is normal for an English breakfast."

Somewhat amused, Harry gestured, "We got the bacon, the eggs, both scrambled and sunny side up, sausage, kippers, toasted and fried bread, fried mushrooms, grilled tomatoes, potato cakes... well, this is a bit less than the full breakfast meal, I suppose." He then pointed at the jars, "Besides jam and fresh honey, we also have brown sauce if you want it. You can put some of the breakfast stuff into one of them and add brown sauce for a breakfast roll."

Barely waiting for the explanation, Nobu reached over and cut one of the rolls open before adding various things into it, "I'm in for that! Ha!"

Rolling her eyes at her friend, Okita also began to fill her plate as well, though she noted that Uesugi and Usagi were eating the vegetarian portions. Considering that, Okita raised an eyebrow at Harry, "Um, Harry-Kun? Is there other possible foods for some of us?"

Only nodding, the wizard swallowed a bit of his food, "Hai, there is. If you want, we could stop by Wales at some point today and buy laverbread, it's a type of edible seaweed."

At that, Uesugi nodded with a small smile, "That would be good, Harry-Kun, thank you."

Looking over the meal, Yae was thoughtful as she looked over the choices. In the end, she chose mostly eggs and bacon with some bread, but also took a spoonful of fried mushrooms. Pausing for a moment, she also took two of the kippers, "I didn't know that the British also ate fish at breakfast, Gozaru..."

With a hum as he ate some of the smoked fish himself, Harry gave her a smile, "Hai, though here they're smoked herrings. They're a bit oily, but..." Shrugging, he shook his head, "These ones are made in the traditional manner though."

Yae took a bit of one of the fish and smiled a bit as she chewed though she giggled a little at seeing Nobu attempt to shove the entire breakfast roll into her mouth.

Eventually, however, the hungry teens cleared the food from the table with help from the shipgirls. Much to Harry's surprise, Okita and Yae helped with the dishes with Nobu and Uesugi drying them while telling him to sit back. Once they were all done, the teens came out and looked to find a minibus waiting for them. Carnwennan then walked past as he tossed some keys in his hand, "So... who wants to go on a trip?"

Happily gasping, Kenshō thrust a hand into the air, "Me! Me! I want to go, Grandpa!"

Just laughing lightly at that, the dagger patted her head, "Good to hear, now... when needed I can shrink it and I already enchanted the seats for comfort. So if you feel sleepy, you can take a nap." Leaning against the vehicle, he nodded his head towards the entrance, "Of course, before we go anywhere, if you want we can take a look at the old Roman road."

Sharing looks, the teens nodded with wide eyes and began following Goldie. As she walked down the road from the property, she looked over her shoulder, "Now, the road we are on goes all the way to the village and is rather new, being built just before the Statute, Umu. The Potters paid for each bit and it leads into Godric's Hollow, cutting through some hills, which the Roman road did not."

That made Ayaka blink and she raised her hand, "Uh... wasn't the Statute made in the 1690s?" At the nod, she boggled a bit, "And that's new!?"

Unable to help herself, the Roman blade laughed, "Indeed it is! For until then, the Roman road in the area served well enough. It was straight between some of the towns and just passes by Godric's Hollow, with a smaller, much younger road between the Roman one and the town built back in the 800s." Five minutes later, she came to a stop and pushed some brush aside before gesturing, "And here we are."

Blinking, the various teens looked around before frowning. Suddenly, Nobu pointed at the pasture in front of her, "Wait, I can see some lines and what looks like stone!" Moving quickly, she made her way to the brush and bent down before nodding, "Hai! There's grass here but..."

With a nod as she came up behind her friend, Uesugi rubbed her chin, "It may be overgrown, but you can make out the road still." Bending down, the grasped at the grass and pulled at it until it lifted and revealed flat stone beneath, "Incredible... it's still here."

Eyes wide as she was now able to see the road better, Yae's jaw dropped a little. Turning, she could see it continue onwards from where they were on the other side of the road until it vanished into some nearby woods, "Gozaru..." Turning, she looked at Harry, "How old is it?"

Hands behind his head, the wizard had to think about it for a few moments before nodding, "If I remember correctly... the roads here were built around the 140s." He then gave a small shrug, "They were maintained fully until the fall of the Empire when they stopped maintaining the entire network, but... sections were still maintained. And even then, they were pretty important right up to the 1600s."

Rubbing her chin, Nobu hummed as she watched Uesugi leave the sod fall back and stood, "To think that it lasted so long that one can see it still..." Following the line of the road, the former head of the Oda considered the road before smirking, "You know, it is a shame that I did not know how they constructed such roads! Just imagine how much easier it would have made transporting men and materials. All I got was for the roads to be standardized in size."

Just coming up behind her, Goldie patted her shoulder, "Ah, but such a feat is still one to be proud of! Not all can be Roman, though from what I have read, you came closer than most, Umu."

Also considering the road, Uesugi shook her head, "You're right though, Nobu-Chan. Something like this would have been very useful."

Bringing up his hand, Harry pointed at a large, almost rectangular stone that was standing on end beside the road, "And that's the milestone."

Each of the teens shared a look before bringing out their phones with grins, taking pictures of them in the road beside the marker in various poses. None of them noting the thoughtful look on Taiyang's face, and only Natsumi knowing that Tamamo was mumbling to herself about something.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A.N. -- Here's a peek at yet another future Malfoy child and some boggles.

A Matter Of Model Supervillany

Malfoy Manor

November, 2029
Spoiler: A Matter Of Parental Guidance

"Come in, Son." Draco spoke and then smiled at the seven year old figure of his youngest son (until Johnston, Niobe, and Ehren delivered the next three Malfoys in five months) when Bastian trudged into his study.

"You wanted to see me, Daddy?" Bastian said absently, adjusting his glasses. He finally noticed that the expected parental figure was not alone or behind his desk. Draco was sitting in a loveseat in front of the fireplace, flanked by Mama Cleo and Mutti Ehren.

"I did, close the door and have a seat." Draco indicated a chair across from him.

Bastian blinked and then made his way to the chair in question, hopping in it as the door closed and locked. '''Kay" he mumbled, still lost in his own world of ideas and dreams to make reality.

Draco leaned forward and laced his hands together. "I'm sure you have wondered why I called for you to talk to me, Bastian." Beside him, Ehren placed a gentle hand on her husband's shoulder and took a deep breath.

Bastian blinked away an image of DOOOMBOT engineering. "Um, haven't been in trouble lately Daddy, so dunno what." He responded, focusing on the concerned looks of his parents.

Ehren took a deep breath, focusing on the young boy in his favorite Doctor Doom (or as he called it Doctor DOOOM!) T-shirt and sweat pants. "Mainly I am concerned that you are patterning yourself on supervillains as role models, meine geliebte Kinder.(my beloved child)" The precise Prussian syntax in her words caused Cleo to wince minutely, knowing full well that when disturbed that Ehren's voice patterns got even more precise as she fought for control (a trait that she had learned from her mother as a role model).

"Well, duh, Mutti." Bastian responded with all the unconscious authority of a leading expert upon the genre of Marvel Comics in general and Dr. Doom in specific. "Supervillains are the best! They do things, they make things! Not like the 'Heroes'! 'Heroes' just react to what a Supervillain does!"

His voice was the same tone that he had used to demonstrate the Pythagorean Theorem over breakfast at five (using his magically animated bacon, toast, and silverware as props for the mathematical analysis that once and for all settled the running argument among his parents whether Bastian was just heavily 'on the autistic spectrum' or a budding genius in his field of magitech).

Ehren gave a small proud smile. "Yes, of course they do dear. But I am concerned about the role models you are patterning yourself on. Doctor Doom is one thing, but there is also the Red Skull..."

Ehren's voice cooled noticeably at the mention of Johann Schmidt, the fictional villainous right-hand man of Adolf Hitler and mortal foe of Captain America. Finding that character existed when she picked up a Doctor Doom/Red Skull crossover comic that Bastian had left behind him while making a mess after reading had shaken her badly.

Ehren, after all, knew exactly where that twisted ideology led, and how seductive it was for a young and unformed mind seeking assurances in a confusing world.

However Bastian cut her off and warmed her steel heart with his words as she brought up the Skull. "The Red Skull's a loser! Doctor DOOOM wins even when it appears that he loses!"

Ehren blinked, trying to figure out the Bastian-Logic involved. "But Bastian, the ideology the Skull is peddling....?"

"It's not good for anything! When you're gonna rule the world Mutti, don't mess with that! It just gets in the way of thinking and researching like DOOOM does! He has people to handle the rest to keep them from bothering him." Bastian declared as he idly swung his feet back and forth.

Another puzzled blink from the boggled dagger.

Cleo then tried to back up her co-wife. "We don't mind you ruling the world, honey, just not like the Red Skull would."

"Well DUH! The Red Skull wants to always boss people around and have lots of noise and shouting! That wrecks getting work done. I just wanna do my stuff alone since having lots of people to boss around and bug me means I don't get any stuff done." Bastian patiently explained the Facts of World Domination (Seven-Year-Old Subset) to the clearly mentally handicapped Pod People who had replaced his normally intelligent parents.

On the faces of all three parents the same thought blazed in their faces

At least my little budding mad scientist is a loner, that's a relief.

Draco grinned and leaned forward to ruffle his sons head. "Right son. We were just a little worried that you would pick the wrong supervillains to be like. Don't be a punk like the Red Skull, be Darth Vader or Doctor Doom. Now go and get back to conquering the galaxy before dinner. You won't want to miss it; your Ma's preparing Barbecue."

Those words of paternal encouragement earned him a 'not helping!' glare from Cleopatra and a subtle elbow in the ribs from a fuming Ehren under the cool face that spoke louder that words 'not in front of the kids, Draco!'.

Bastian, bless his heart, overlooked the signs of Daddy heading toward the doghouse at Warp Nine.

"'Kay Daddy, see ya!" A pause as he hopped out of the chair. "Love Y'all! Think Santa has a Flux Capacitor that he can send me for Christmas?"

Ehren slapped her hand over Draco's mouth as Bastian headed to the door. "If you're a good boy, I'll write and see if he might have one lying around the North Pole for you!" She said in a controlled voice with definite false cheer in it.

Ehren turned to her smugly smirking husband and hissed after the door closed behind Bastian. "Don't encourage him dear. And you have between now and Christmas to enchant something that will fool him when he gets it under the tree." Cleo gave her own flat stare and nod.

Draco looked at his wives. "Zu Befehl(at your command), dear. I'll figure something out. Keep an eye on him?"

The ladies nodded. "Keep an eye on him, but it's a little-boy phase that he's going through, right?"

Malfoy Manor

November, 2052

Bastian grinned the satisfied maniacal smile of any great Man of Mad Science on the cusp of a new era of human understanding.

He settled the helmet around his head, making sure that the neural sensors made proper contact.

He took a deep breath, looked around the cockpit, and thanked his parents once again for their attempt to teach him war games to 'round him out' leading to his discovery of a new and untapped field for inspiration.

A little inspiration, a lot of perspiration, and with the right applications of highly advanced magic and highly advanced technology, well the stars are the limit.

With that he touched the glowing 'Flux Capacitor' he had gotten for his seventh Christmas that he kept as a good luck charm as a necklace under his Dr. Doom shirt. Then his hand moved to the Dr Doom bobble-head in the cockpit of the DOOMBOT ALPHA (his personal name for the project).

Dad was right, if you're going to be a supervillain, don't be a punk.

The hand moved to the switch to start his latest creation, and his happy smile widened as he flicked the switch to bring his dream to life.

The dream of a future among the stars with humanoid war machines for those pilots worthy of the title of Mechwarrior.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A/N - Well, here's the epilogue! I hope everybody enjoys my first foray into homily writing (I'm neither a priest, nor did I play one on TV, and I certainly didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.) It has been a treat to work with Yellowhammer for this, and stay tuned, because Fr Jacques isn't done yet! Speaking a bit more seriously, may the grace and peace of God be with everybody during these times.

Primo Missam (Bells of Ath Epilogue) [First Mass]

Chapel of Moulbaix, Castle Moulbaix, Belgium

26 August 2014

Fr Jacques nodded to his great grandnephew Augustin Moreau and smiled happily. The ten year old lad had done what local folklore had long claimed was impossible in exploring all the way to the heart of Evil Count Hippolyte's Haunted Woods. No doubt once his exploit reached the ears of his peers, the young lads of the region would have to find a new test of courage to impress the local girls.

The old priest had no doubt that some rascal would think of something suitable in due time.

Augustin's triumph had been helped by Colombe lowering the magical warding spells that scared off the curious from reaching her castle, of course. After doing that, she had driven herself and Miho Fujii along with the Imps to the village of Ath to pick Augustin up to serve as acolyte for this Mass. He was somehow unsurprised that Augustin knew Misaki and Chihiro from school as fellow troublemakers, who no doubt were causing the principal to contemplate the virtues of tanning mischief-maker's breeches for educational purposes.

Some traditions, after all, were eternal.

Such as the Mass.

Certainly the details had changed over time. Even for an institution like the Church change was inevitable. But since Blood Week there had been a strong revival of the extraordinary form of the Mass. However, today it would be an ordinary daily Mass. Much as the old priest looked forward to saying Mass in Latin too few of the congregation here knew the language.

He resisted the urge to grin as he checked the small clock hanging on the wall. Since Blood Week there had been plenty of innovations to the liturgy. Small things. Literally. He still couldn't help but find it amusing whenever he saw lines of shipgirl faeries lining up for Communion from faerie extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist. The challenges of co-celebrating with a faerie priest were equally amusing memories for the old man. But they'd figured things out, adapted, overcome, and caused a few aneurysms along the way.

Which reminded him to say a short silent prayer for the soul of a fellow priest who'd never recovered from a spirited bollocking from USS Schmitt.

Meanwhile, the chapel door opened and the du Chastelers entered.

Claire, dressed in one of her favorite blue dresses, hurried to the pipe organ to play the appropriate music for Mass.
Spoiler: A Happy Pipe Organ!

Fr Jacques had explained to Claire gently but firmly to stick to the composers and pieces that he had selected and not freelance during the ceremony. After the Mass was concluded, then yes, appropriate music of the organist's choosing could be played then.

Father Jacques, let it be said, was not unfamiliar with the foibles of eager musicians when they got the musical bit between their teeth.

Best that Claire's enthusiasm be properly contained and channeled, although he had no doubt that the music would be magnificent -- no matter what she played from the heart.

Fortunately for the Piano's happiness -- and unfortunately for her mother's bank account which had paid a premium for speedy repair service as well as a large tip induced by lethal doses of Puppydog Piano Eyes -- the expert had retuned the small pipe organ during the hours while Fr Jacques and Ehren were absent from the castle on business in Brussels. The original detuning had been done in 1870 to prevent damage to the strained mechanisms inside as they sat idle. Fortunately the preservation charms and spells on the chapel had prevented damage to the organ as it sat patiently waiting for this day to come.

One Bach Toccata and Fugue in D minor later -- and a hug for the smiling expert who was contemplating a nice birthday present for the wife with the large tip that Madame du Chasteler had been persuaded to give him by his 'volunteer assistant' who was 'checking the tuning' -- and all was right with the World According To Claire. As was the case with her mother as well, judging by the fond and proud smile on Colombe's face at Claire's visible joy in making 'her new friend' happy.

Following Claire, Colombe, dressed in dark red, sat in her place in the first pew. Ehren, dressed in her normal modest black dress and pearl earrings, sat beside her mother.

Behind the du Chasteler ladies, Miho escorted the Imps, all dressed in their nice clothes, to the pew directly behind the one Colombe sat in.

Kasuyu and Nongqawuse brought up the next file and sat side by side in respectful silence.

Then, as Fr Jacques watched through the peephole in the sacristy door, Toku entered last alongside a gold haired European woman dressed in plain and worn working clothes that were nonetheless very clean and well kept. The blond smiled happily at her sight of the chapel, a smile which seemed to light up the room, and then sat beside the miko, who was dressed in a modest red dress instead of her normal robes, in the final pew.

It was time.

The antique clock chimed the hour in the Sacristy.

And the organ spoke.
Spoiler: Holy, Holy, Holy

Fr Jacques stepped back and nodded to young Augustin, who opened the sacristy door then trailed after the elderly priest as he stepped into the sanctuary. The pair of them promptly turned to face the altar and genuflected, as the music flowed gloriously and the small congregation sang along from the leather-bound hymans in the pews.

The pair crossed to stand behind the altar, and Augustin genuflected again, while Fr Jacques bent down and kissed the altar itself before stepping back, hands folded in prayer before him.

Ehren sang in her soaring crystal-clear soprano alongside her mother as the hymn reached the second verse. The lines of pain and stress and self-hatred that normally marked her face faded to near-invisibility as she was transported outside herself to something greater than she would ever be.

Tears of joy glistened in Colombe's eyes as she stood and sang, then crossed herself automatically as the last notes of the hymn faded. Standing beside her, her youngest daughter did so as well, along with Claire at the organ, and the other guests invited to stand with her.

"Au nom du Père et du Fils et du Saint-Esprit.(In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.)" Fr Jacques intoned solemnly the moment the music stopped, his right hand moving in the sweeping gestures of the priestly version of the Sign of the Cross.

"Amen" sounded from eleven throats in unison, from Kasuyu's rumbling basso profundo to Ehren's coloratura soprano.

The old priest spread his arms wide in benediction and spoke in French, "{The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all!}"

Colombe and Ehren chorused as one, "{And with your spirit.}"

Fr Jacques bowed his head for a moment, bringing his hands together once more in prayer. "{Brethren, let us acknowledge our sins and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.}" he spoke with firm conviction, head bowed.

After a short pause he looked up, seeming to meet the eye of each and every person in the small chapel. "{I confess to Almighty God…}" he began the penitential act..

Colombe followed along, confessing her sins and shortcomings, beating her breast and then receiving absolution from Father Jacques.

The mass continued through the opening rites, with Kyrie and the Gloria, before Fr Jacques prayed the collect and seated himself.

As he did, Colombe stood and walked to the antique family Bible waiting for her at the lectern. She stopped, took a deep breath, and then spoke. "{A reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians.}" She took another breath and then she read the epistle, "{Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship….}"

At the conclusion, she took a deep breath and spoke once more. "{The Word of the Lord.}"

"{Thanks be to God!}" Echoed through the chapel.

She took another breath, thinking to herself: This was so different from the last time she'd been in mass, where the priests and deacons did everything…

She then launched into the Responsorial Psalm like Fr Jacques had coached her the evening before when he'd asked her to serve as lector for this mass. When that was concluded, she stepped away from the lectern while Claire launched into a short bit of organ music and the congregation in the chapel rose to their feet in accordance with the directions in the little cards they'd all been given.

Fr Jacques as well stood, then crossed to the altar, picking up an extremely ornate gilded bound evangeliary from the altar. He kissed it, then lifted it high in front of him and walked with bowed head to the lectern, set it down, then said a short silent prayer to himself before looking out over the standing worshippers and guests.

"{The Lord be with you.}" he solemnly intoned.

"Et avec votre esprit."(and with your spirit) came the response.

"{A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew.}" he then said, then while he made tiny signs of the cross upon his forehead, lips, and breast the congregation responded with a hearty "{Glory to you, Oh Lord.}".

There was a pause, then the priest looked out, proclaiming the Gospel without needing to read it from the evangeliary. "{Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites!}" his voice nearly thundered in the quiet of the chapel as he spoke.

It was a short Gospel, as they go, only 5 verses. And when he finished he bowed his head in silent contemplation for a moment before saying. "{The Gospel of the Lord.}"

"{Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ}" Colombe said in a reverent voice before sitting alongside Ehren.

Once the congregation in the chapel had all seated themselves, Fr Jacques waited, until the silence was almost pregnant with anticipation.

"{Today, brothers and sisters, we are warned about hypocrisy. About fakery. About the false appearance of sanctity. Wearing all of the outwards signs of piety but having wickedness in our hearts. It is a challenge, not simply to you, brothers and sisters, but to the entire priesthood who are entrusted with guiding you in your journey to God. Because the enemy is crafty and lurks in the darkest recesses of our souls.}" his voice was soft, almost gentle.

"{He skulks in the idea that only the outward forms matter, that simply going through the motions and being seen as Holy is sufficient, that somehow only what others think of us matters to God. So he tempts us with the easy path of hypocrisy and falseness. With the ease of just going through the motions. We are called to so much more than that.}" he paused, his gaze sweeping the chapel.

"{We, brothers and sisters, are not called to the easy path. We are not called to pretend to have faith, we are not called to fake holiness. We are called to be Holy as our Lord God is holy.}" his voice suddenly thundered. This was no fire and brimstone homily, this was passion for the Lord. "{We are called to be greater than we think we can be. We are called to do what is right and proper, not simply when others can see us, but in the dark when nobody can see if we fail.}"

Ehren's eyes gleamed as he spoke about being true and faithful when no other could see her if she failed or faltered. Deep inside her a flash of memory of her decision to resist what she knew in her steel soul was wrong even… or perhaps especially… since no one but herself would see flickered through her mind. She realized that she had been wrong when she had thought that in her darkest hour. She had not been alone back then when she was in Vati's clutches. Never alone. Her spine stiffened and her shoulders squared into the proper position for a junior officer to receive instructions.

He paused again, head bowing down. "{Many of you have heard before all of the passages about hypocrisy in the Gospels. And you have seen how often even, or perhaps especially, priests have failed to meet our calling to true Holiness in His Sacred Name. Hypocrisy is a seductive mistress precisely because it is so easy. Just make the motions, just say the words, smirking inside at how you are fooling everybody.}"

In the back, Catherine nodded in agreement, and closed her eyes, whispering a prayer to keep her in God's Grace and away from the sin of hypocrisy. She had seen the poisonous fruit of such when her Second Mistress had been martyred at the stake after an unfair trial by the 'ecclesiastial authorities' of the day.

His voice suddenly thundered once more. "{But God sees. He knows our hearts. He knows what we keep hidden. There is no lying to God, there is no deceiving God. He is with us, always. And when we are face to face with him, there will be no hiding behind legalistic trickery. No hairsplitting. No filibustering. No lies.}"

Beside Catherine, Toku nodded in agreement at the homily. Although she was from a different tradition, she could sense the kernels of truth in Fr Jacques words and respected them as much as if they were from her fellow priests of Hachiman or her sister Fudo.

"{And in that moment, all of our hypocrisies, all of our false fronts, all will stand exposed.}" he took a breath, looking across the chapel, then bowed his head. "{In truth, none of us can earn salvation, because our Savior has already purchased our salvation with His Holy Blood in the perfect and eternal sacrifice for our sins. All we must do is be what we are called to be. Simple, really. But… as we've all probably heard it said, in war everything that is simple is also incredibly hard. And we are at war, my brothers and sisters. A spiritual war against an Enemy greater than any Abyssal, then any mortal foe. This is a war fought within all of our hearts.}" he paused, then smiled broadly. "{And a war that we can, and will, with the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, win. We here on this Earth are the Faith Militant. I pray that we all will someday stand in the ranks of the Faith Triumphant.}"

Ehren bowed her head as the homily reached its conclusion. "{Amen.}" She whispered to herself. And to God.

Fr Jacques waited a moment, head bowed in prayer, then turned and returned to the altar as the congregation stood, Augustin joining him once more. "{I believe in one God, the Father Almighty…}"

The small congregation joined in the recitation of the Nicene Creed, some from memory, most reading from the cards.

The Imps grinned as Fr. Jacques turned to them with his eyes twinkling and nodded. Colombe followed the young Yokai to assist and supervise them as they went to a small table next to the door of the chapel and carefully picked up a small silver ciborium containing unconsecrated hosts and a small cruet of wine. Colombe remembered watching her brothers bring forth the offerings when they were small, and smiled indulgently as she followed behind them in order to help them keep a decorous pace.

Fr Jacques came out from behind the altar flanked by Augustin and accepted the offerings, murmuring soft prayers to the two young Yokai and smiling benevolently at Colombe before turning and taking the gifts to the altar while the Imps and rapier returned to the pews.

Colombe patted the heads of the Imps before taking her place, producing happy smiles from both.

The Mass continued through the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the congregation kneeling while Fr Jacques began the Eucharistic Prayers.

"{... In communion with those whose memory we venerate, especially the glorious ever Virgin Mary, Mother of our God and Lord Jesus Christ, and blessed Joseph, her spouse, your blessed Apostles and Martyrs, James, John, Thomas, James, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon and Jude, Linus, Cletus, Clement, Sixtus, Cornelius, Cyprian, Lawrence, Chrysogonus, John and Paul, Cosmas and Damian…}"

In the rear of the chapel, Catherine prayed silently for her Mistresses and the other Saints in Heaven.

After Fr Jacques completed the consecration he paused for a moment, then looked up with a smile. "{The Mystery of Faith.}" he proclaimed, then joined the congregation in saying "{We proclaim your death, Oh Lord, and profess your Resurrection, until you come again.}"

Then the old priest continued the Liturgy of the Eucharist, his voice full of a joyous reverence as he spoke. The mass continued, with the congregation rising to their feet as the main eucharistic prayers concluded. "{Through Him and with Him and in Him. Oh God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, for ever and ever. Amen.}"

Ehren snapped to precise Prussian attention as she stood and barked out "{Amen!}" sincerely and automatically.

As the small congregation stood Fr Jacques waited a beat before smiling broadly. "{At the Savior's command, and formed by divine teaching we dare to say.}" and then he led them in the Lord's Prayer.

In the back Catherine prayed in Latin as her eyes elevated to the face of her Savior on the crucifix. Tears of joy and devotion fell from her shining reverent eyes as she recited the Latin words engraved and sealed on her heart.

The old priest's keen ear heard the Latin amidst the French, although no sign of that crossed his expression, while he continued. "{Deliver us, Lord, we pray from every evil and grant us peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.}"

The congregation replied in the traditional manner in rough unison, those experienced with the mass almost by reflex, those who'd never before been to one following along or reading the cards. The mass smoothly flowed through the sign of peace. As the small group finished with that joyous part of the mass, Fr Jacques glanced over at Claire and nodded, prompting the piano to start the next organ piece. As it played, he chanted in Latin, joined easily by Colombe and Catherine as the familiar Gregorian chant of the Agnus Dei sounded forth.
Spoiler: Agnus Dei

Beside her friend Toku listened in reverent, attentive silence. While it was not what she was used to, and the language was foreign, she sensed the centuries of tradition and striving for the Divine, to the pure and true and perfect things in an imperfect world. In the front Ehren listened in delight to her Mother's Latin chanting and her Big Piano Sister's exquisitely delicate playing of the pipe organ.

As they chanted, Fr Jacques broke the bread on the paten, then once it was concluded he lifted the paten high in one hand while with the other he brought aloft the chalice containing the watered wine. "{Behold the Lamb of God, behold He who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the Supper of the Lamb.}"

Colombe recited the traditional response alongside her family. "{Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof,}" her voice caught in her throat as she realized how true these words are for her today of all days before she continued in the traditional response, "{but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.}"

Behind the altar the old priest bowed his head, taking up one half of the large host he had broken as part of the rite, and with a brief silent prayer raised it up then ate it, before taking up the chalice and, after another silent prayer, drinking of it. He then transferred the broken pieces of the large host to the now consecrated ciborium before turning towards Augustin and ministering communion to the young altar server.

Meanwhile, as the rest stood in silence, Colombe walked to receive the Sacrament, joined by Catherine who silently and reverently stood behind her.

Fr Jacques was slightly surprised that there were more than one practical Catholics in the congregation, but he'd luckily been prepared as he'd consecrated a few hosts in the mass, intending to place the excess in a pyx and distribute them during the week as was common for priests. So there was no obvious reaction from him, merely a gentle "The Body of Christ." as he lifted up the host before each of the communicants.

Colombe whispered her "Amen" in a small, humble voice like that of the young girl that she once was here. Catherine in turn followed suit and gave him a happy smile filled with faith and love of the Divine.

After that it was a matter of only a minute or two as Fr Jacques cleaned the ceremonial vessels carefully, then as he finished each Augustin bustled them back to the sacristy before returning for the next one. Finally he re-veiled the chalice properly, which was brought back in its turn to the sacristy by the young scamp who was being admirably serious about his responsibilities as an altar server.

Once that was done he took his seat for a moment or two, head bowed in prayer, before rising to his feet, the congregation joining him a little raggedly.

"Le Seigneur soit avec vous.(The Lord be with you)" he said with a broad smile as he turned to the small group.

They all responded "Et avec votre esprit.", some from memory, some from cards like the rest of the mass had been.

The old priest swept up his hand in the priestly form of the Sign of the Cross, as the congregation crossed themselves at the same time. "Que Dieu tout-puissant vous bénisse, Le Père, le Fils et le Saint-Esprit."(May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.)

A hearty amen followed, and Fr Jacques smiled even more broadly. "Allez, dans la paix du Christ."(Go, in the peace of Christ.)

"Nous rendons grâce à Dieu.(We give thanks to God.)" Catherine bowed her head and gave a gentle smile as she felt, just as she had felt every other time that she had partaken in the Sacrament, the gift of her Savior be placed upon her shoulders like a gentle mantle.

Cathy stood there with her head bowed in prayer as the elderly priest walked to the door and the other residents of Moulbaix departed in their turn past her.

Augustin came out of the sacristy in street clothes, joining the Imps who promptly dragged their schoolmate with them to show off 'the wonderful castle that they lived in'.

The escape of the three friends was successful, although judging by the indecorous haste that Kasuyu, Nongqawuse, and Miho departed the chapel in pursuit of them, the victory might be short-lived since their chores awaited.

In theory.
Spoiler: The Imps (+1) in Moulbaix…

Colombe watched the Great Escape with a small smile, while Ehren's face was suspiciously neutral and controlled. Claire smiled and then segued into Yakety Sax on the pipe organ as the chase began.

Then the Marchioness of Chasteler and Moulbaix walked to Father Jacques, who was watching the scene with twinkling eyes and a suspicious smile. She leaned close to the elderly priest and murmured. "I suppose that I shall have to supervise the roundup of miscreants."

A cry of childish delight and a thump from the grand hall and its banisters punctuated her words and Ehren's lip twitched as her mother resumed smoothly. "And level suitable punishment upon incorrigible miscreants for violation of castle rules involving unauthorized use of my banisters with my authority encompassing High, Middle, and Low Justice."

Ehren's lip twitched again. "Jawohl, Mutti! I shall be preparing the luncheon so that dishes shall be waiting to be washed!"

Toku joined the clump at the chapel door. "My thanks for the invitation, Father. I would enjoy discussing the fine points of the ceremony and its meaning later. After I arrange for mercy for the miscreants."

"Holy Mass is always open for guests, my dear." he said with his gentle, if impish, smile on his aged face. "And mercy is among the greatest of the virtues. Go with God in your mission." he gave a smiling benediction to the katana spirit as he spoke.

Toku bowed. "And walk in the light as well." She then departed on the heels of Colombe and Ehren.

Fr Jacques turned to look over the now opened chapel and noticed the mysterious blond haired girl waiting for him patiently. Cathy glanced at Claire who nodded and then scurried over, hugging Cathy then hugging the priest in turn. "I need to go now, Father, I have appropriate chase music to score as the soundtrack." The piano said in her musical voice. "Thank you, this was amazing."

"You have a truly wonderful talent, my child. I look forward to hearing the accompaniment." his eyes twinkled a bit. "May I commend to you the theme from The Great Escape?"

Claire's smugly mischievous smile lit up her face, she nodded enthusiastically, and then blinked her avatar out.

A second later, the start of the suggested music scored for piano began to play from someplace upstairs.

As it did, the blond walked to Fr. Jacques. She smiled warmly and curtsied in greeting. "My thanks for the Eucharist today, Father. I admit that I got much out of your sermon, and it is as relevant today as when I first understood the nature of hypocrisy."

The priest nodded his head. "Just so. Forgive me my dear, I failed to get your name."

The smile widened and grew more angelic.

Her next words caused Father Jacques' eyes to widen and his face to grow pale.

"I'm the Sword of St. Catherine, but please call me Cathy. Everyone does."


Author's Note: Yellowhammer here. I hope that you enjoyed this arc, and while I don't know if I'll ever be able to do the Fr. Jacques/Cathy conversation justice (I can say that the good Father will need to take a seat since he will be a bit weak in the knees upon hearing her thank him). As Sunhawk said, this is our attempt to bring light in a world that seems filled with darkness and needs us to remember that in the end light will come again. God Bless you all.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Glancing across the aisle of the minibus, Harry smiled a little as he noticed Kenshō dozing a little bit. The Kogatana's avatar was leaning against Natsumi, who was gently stroking the Tsukumogami's hair. Something about that sight made Harry flush slightly. And, briefly, Kenshō was replaced by a young child with messy black hair and Kitsune ears and tail.

Moments later, Harry shook that image off, even as it made his heart feel like it was thudding more in his chest. Right then, he wanted something to get his attention off of what had just happened. Thankfully, someone seemed to be listening as a report came over the radio, "{... In other news, another small earthquake has struck the Netherlands. While this is the fifth such quake in the past two weeks, no damage has been reported besides some plates falling from shelves and breaking. Geologists are baffled as to the source, though the epicentre seems to be in the area of Flevoland and shallow. Some locals believe them to possibly be rumoured tunnels dug in WWII collapsing...}"

Just blinking, the wizard frowned a little, "That's odd."

From where she had been poking a rapidly more annoyed Okita in the cheek, Nobu looked over and spoke up, "What is so odd about it? Earthquakes happen all the time."

Hachi, meanwhile, closed her book and shook her head, "Not in the Netherlands, they don't really have earthquakes there." Still frowning, she furrowed her eyebrows, "I wonder what is going on there?"

Looking up from her phone, Iku shrugged a little, "Who knows? Maybe they're right and there's tunnels collapsing there. Wouldn't be the first time."

That made the blonde Submarine raise an eyebrow, "Iku-Chan, it wasn't even built in time for the war. I went to Germany, remember? I know these things." A frown appeared on her face as she continued to think it over, "Though... I suppose that maybe Grindlewald got up to something? Magic does make things harder when dealing with that."

Needless to say, those words only got a nod from both Iku and Harry with the wizard frowning, "That... is less impossible than I would like."

It was not long after when they entered the outskirts of Bath and Carnwennan hummed as he looked around, "Hmm... it is still amazing to see how Bath has changed over the centuries."

Leaning back in her seat, hands behind her head, Jin gave him a raised eyebrow, "Oh? Familiar with the place?"

Simply chuckling, the dagger nodded, "Oh yes, very familiar." He gestured in one particular direction, "Arthur spent time bathing in the springs here. They rather helped him with various injuries despite being in disrepair. As well, I remember the Battle of Badon outside what is now the city."

Blinking, Harry sat up a bit straighter, "Wait, the Battle of Badon? Where King Arthur defeated the Anglo-Saxons? That battle was nearby?"

Lips twitching as he made a turn, Carnwennan nodded, "It was indeed, Master. I remember it quite well. We had thousands of Britons and some of the remainders of the Roman Legions on our side as well as some natives including one dragon. And the Anglo-Saxons had thousands more on their side. The Battle itself happened over the course of the day and by the end, we had broke them for at least a century." A far off gaze on his face, he gave a small sigh, "We had lost many, but we had still won and stood triumphant over the field of battle with the bodies of our foe strewn everywhere."

More than a little thoughtful, the teenage wizard frowned, "What happened after the battle? With the bodies and such."

Eyebrow raised, Carnwennan glanced back at him in the mirror, "Well, we retrieved our dead for a proper burial. Some took armor and weapons from the dead Anglo-Saxons. After that... Arthur ordered two trenches to be dug into which he had the Anglo-Saxon dead placed in before setting them on fire. Then, the ashes and burned bones were buried with a low mound over them, not that you can tell much now nearly fifteen hundred years since." His eyebrow raising still further, he gave Harry a curious look, "Why do you ask?"

Much to his interest, Harry had a slightly smug look on his face, "Well... I remember you complaining that someone took most of the evidence of Arthur's existence, correct? And the Battle of Badon is connected to him..." Waving a hand around, his expression became more smug, "So, what would happen if, say, we got in contact with the British Museum and let them know about the location? If it is still mostly undisturbed, that means that they can perform a dig and prove that it happened. Possibly with some artifacts pointing towards Arthur's existence."

Not saying anything for a few moments, the Arthurian weapon's spirit gained a smirk of his own, "You know, Master? That... may well work very well indeed. And last I checked, which was a year ago, the land is just pasture at the moment. Perhaps get in contact with someone so that I can speak to them, and I shall."

Part of Yae was still surprised that she knew the spirit of one of the weapons of King Arthur himself! Even in Japan, the King of the Britons was famous and known. As they were on the subject, however, the Kendoka decided to satisfy some of her own curiosity, "Um, Carnwennan-San? Could I ask you a question?"

A little amused at her hesitation, Carwennan nodded, "Of course, you can ask me almost anything."

Just slowly nodding at that, the teenage Kendoka chewed her lip for a moment, "Did King Arthur really wear the armor that he gets shown?" At the chuckles from the blade, she flushed, "Did I say something wrong?"

However, Carnwennan waved her off with a gesture, "Not at all, Yae-San. Quite the opposite." Still shaking his head, he chuckled again, "Despite what many people have for art, my previous Master, Arthur, did not, in fact, wear plate armor. Rather, in battle he wore scale armor which was itself over chain, something that protected him well. Otherwise, he wore boiled leather armor made from a Welsh green dragon he felled in a fight over some cattle. In either case, the armor was quite effective against most things he faced."

Rather amused, Okita placed her hands behind her head, "So in other words, all those pictures of him in that Knight armor, like in Fate/Stay Night, are wrong."

Slowly, the former head of the Uesugi clan nodded, "It does make a certain amount of sense when one thinks about it." When they looked at her, she shook her head, "I meant about drawing him in plate and such. Because that was the 'Knightly' armor that they were used to, thus to them it made the most sense."

Chuckling at that, Carnwennan had an amused look on his face, "Perhaps, though I imagine that my first Master likely would be amused." If anything, his expression became more amused a moment later, "Especially with that series you mentioned, FATE/Stay Night. After all, he would wonder how they knew about him having been a woman one time."

Utter silence descended onto the entire minibus as everyone digested that and bottled. Jin, for her part, summed up their thoughts regarding that bit of information perfectly with the next thing that came out of her mouth, "Wat."

Carwennan lightly laughed at that, "Oh yes! While King Arthur was a man and born such and died as one, there was a few months in which he had been transformed into a woman by Merlin. Supposedly, the old goat wanted Arthur to understand all his subjects including the women. Most of us, however, figured that he just wanted to piss Arthur off and prank him. It was the most likely thing to be quite honest." Rubbing his chin, the dagger frowned, "Hmm... though Arthur nearly punched Lancelot in the face when said Knight attempted to woo him... and did punch him in the face when he drunkenly commented that he should stay a woman for reasons."

Barely noticed by him, the others slowly blinked with the same thought going through their minds, 'Seriously, wat?'

Well, everyone but Kenshō, who was giggling at how silly it was.

Glancing at her with a slight smile, Carnwennan hummed, "Merlin might have been seriously considering it for his own amusement... that was, until he woke up in magic resistant chains that Arthur had somehow gotten from Morgana, and with me unsheathed and point against a certain place." Tone dry, he continued though his eyes twinkled on amusement, "Arthur did, in fact, tell him that if Merlin kept him as a girl than he, Arthur, would make the wizard practically one as well." His lips twitched a little at seeing the males cringe, "After that, well, Merlin could not move fast enough at turning Arthur back into a man."

Yet again, no one said anything as they digested that for almost a minute of pure silence. More than one eyebrow was raised, however, as Taiyang began to sadistically giggle.

Glancing at Natsumi, Harry could see her shake her head at him slightly. However, he was just too curious and thus cleared his throat, "Um... what exactly was the price that Morgana had for Arthur to be given those chains...?"

Extremely amused, Carnwennen hummed for a moment before answering, "Well, as I have said before, Morgana was a... bro-con, as they call it now. Upon seeing Arthur as a girl? She decided that being a Sis-con was perfectly fine as well. Thus, she had him... her... try on various clothing to show off in front of her for a day or two. I am reasonably certain that by the end, Arthur was... what is the saying? Ah, yes... Quite done with this shit."

Very slowly, everyone nodded at that and decided that, perhaps, it was best not to ask.

Fake smile on her face, Natsumi clapped her hands and nodded, "Right! Moving on from that and yet more of my illusions shattered..." Ignoring a dagger who was driving the minibus snickering and a certain foxy blade giggling, she continued, "We have a lot to see and little time to do it in."

Having unwrapped a blood orange, Juuchi hummed a little, "Well, that is what the travelling trunk is for."

Everyone blinked at that before turning to her, Usagi raising an eyebrow, "A... travelling trunk?" The rabbit Yokai looked back at the trunk that was in the back of the minibus, "What is a travelling trunk?"

Popping a slice of orange into her mouth, the Muramasa hummed, "An excellent question with an excellent answer."

When none were forthcoming, Tsukiakari sighed before turning into her seat, "It was something that Lily created in school as a matter of fact. And was something of the prototype for her TARDIS."

Iku blinked at that and raised her hand, "Um, TARDIS? She made one?" When they looked at her, she pointed at a smug Harry, "Harry-Chan had us watch some episodes before."

Just happily humming, the Kyu-Gunto nodded, "Hai, Mistress Lily did, indeed, create a TARDIS of sorts." She waggled around a hand, "It wasn't able to really travel through time, unfortunately. But Mistress Lily was able to have it able to jump from place to place in a similar way to the Knight Bus, but those inside wouldn't be bothered by it. One thing that she did do was mix various forms of expansion charms and thus it was the size of a house on the inside. She planned on using it to make a getaway from Britain if needed."

Eyebrow raised, Rika's tails swisher behind her, "What happened to it?"

With a shrug, Tsukiakari shook her head, "No one knows. It just sort of disappeared one day. Mistress Lily figured that it would come back at some point or another. Maybe it came alive due to the magic and such used in it..."

************************** June 13, 1999 ********************

Rubbing her forehead in the basement, Lily sighed a little as she looked at the blue police box in front of her. It had taken a lot of work, but she managed it! The inside was almost the same size as a house, with bathrooms, a kitchen, and a fully stocked pantry with food that would be kept in stasis until pulled out. It was simply the best.

Of course, there were the other charms. A flying charm to allow for one to propel it along through the air, twisting and turning as it went. Not to mention the same charm used on the Knight Bus that helped it avoid collisions and the like. There was even a charm that created a bubble of breathable air around it. Not to mention the charm that created the "Whoop-Whoop" sound so familiar.

That she was especially proud of.

Gently, Lily gave the side of the blue police box a pat which got a tremble from it, "There, there. All done." A giggle escaped her and she bounced a bit, "I can't wait to try you out!" Hearing a shout of dinner, she nodded, "Coming James!"

With that, she went upstairs happily humming. That night, however, sparkles of light appeared around the TARDIS and it faded away...

**************************** January 31, 2042 ********************

Frown just visible under the shadows of the cowl that the magical wore, he grumbled a bit at seeing the blue box materialize in the circle. Around? Various items were being packed into boxes by other magicals and magical automatons, "I hate that we're degraded to this. Grabbing lost items from the timestream to sell..."

A fellow cloaked magical snorted a little as they turned towards him, a feminine voice coming from her, "We do need the funds. Ever since the fall of the Statute, we have been on the run attempting to continue our research. And there's so many people that will pay for such things."

Just sneering as he picked up an odd card with a black lotus on it, he shook his head, "Honestly, who would pay millions for something like this?" Tossing it onto a table, he shook his head, "Something that some kid's parents tossed in the trash, now worth so much? People these days..."

Only shrugging, the witch shook her head, "Funds. Besides, we're just grabbing things that went missing and will not cause problems in the time stream-" Suddenly, her head whipped around, "The ward! Something broke through-"

Before she could even finish, the door burst in and something was tossed in that knocked them all to the ground as armoured people rushed in, "INTERPOL! HANDS OFF THE WANDS AND INTO THE AIR!"

With the chaos of the bust, no one noticed the blue box go flying off...

***************************** October 21, 2053 *******************

Mumbling to himself, Bastian frowned before some sparks flew and he jerked back. At the light from inside the console, he laughed, "Ha! And done! No one can stop Doctor Bastian DOOM Malfoy!"

A hand patting him on the shoulder made him look up at the blue haired girl in an odd cloak, "Thank you, Bastian. Amazing work. Shall we give her a test drive?"

Lightly chuckling, the Malfoy nodded and pressed some buttons. Outside, there was a "Whoop-Whoop" as the blue box slowly vanished from existence.

******************* August, 1962 *******************

Appearing on a lonely street, the TARDIS sat there before Bastian looked out the door and blinked as he noticed various people walking around without really paying much attention to them. What caught his attention, however was the cars going by as well as the clothes people were wearing. Flicking his wand, he blinked before nodding, "Huh... 1962. Experiment a success!" Hearing a boom of thunder, he looked up just as it began to pour, "Ugh!"

He yelped a bit as the blue haired girl shoved him to the side before shouting, "Hey! Over here! Come get out of the rain!" A man across the road with a newspaper over his head blinked and gestured to himself, "Yes, you! Come on!"

Moments later, the man squeezed through the door and sighed, "Thanks for that, though it might be a little..." Realizing there was room, he trailed off as he looked around, "... cramped? What the bloody hell..."

The girl giggled a bit, "Bigger on the inside, huh?"

Boggling, the man nodded as he took in the science fiction and somewhat mystical surroundings, "Um... that is putting it mildly..." Then he turned and gave the two in front of him looks, "Er, who are the two of you? What are you?"

Even though he was confused as to what was going on, Bastian placed his hands on his hips and laughed, "Ah, well, I'm a doctor..."

Furrowing his eyebrows, the man looked at the Malfoy, "Doctor who?"

Just as Bastian was about to say something, the blue haired girl winked at him, "Exactly~ And I am his Companion! Now, let's move forward in time to when the rain stops, shall we?"

Jaw dropping, the man moved forward as the girl threw switch after switch as she hummed some song, "Wait, go forwards in time?! This thing is a time machine?!"

Giggling, the girl winked at him, "Of course~" Then she blinked, "Whoopsies! Went backwards in time!" Going to the door, she opened it to reveal that people in armor were clashing before them, "Hmm... a little too far back."

Flicking his metal covered wand, Bastian caused numbers to appear before he nodded, "I believe that is the Battle of Hastings..."

Poking his head out, the man was yanked back in right as an arrow embedded itself in the door where his head had been. The girl closed said door and went to the console and began throwing switches not even paying attention as the man pulled the arrow from the door and stared at it, "Let's go forward, shall we?"

"Whoops! Too far forward!" "No, really? This was the launch for the final bit of the spacecraft to create a base on Phobos! In 2038!"

"Too far back?" "YES! THAT IS POMPEII AND VESUVIUS IS ERUPTING!"

"I think that we're nearly there..." "Huh... there's Winston Churchill. Been a bit since I saw him..." "Right, a decade or two at most."

************************** August, 1962 ***************

Poking her head out the door, the girl nodded as she noted the rain clouds breaking up, "And here we are! Four hours after we left and the rain is gone!"

Slowly, the man stepped out of the police booth on unsteady feet and looked around, "Um.. right, thank you."

Giggling, the girl shook her head, "No worries. Now, you're not going to tell anyone, right?"

Hands in the air, the man shook his head and laughed, "Nah, no one will believe me anyways. Two time travellers? They'd send me to the funny farm!"

Also laughing, the girl nodded before raising a finger, "Oh, before I forget!" Rushing back in, she reappeared with a pen and a picture of the odd booth in front of him, but black and white, "Mind giving me your autograph, Mister Newman?"

Just nodding, Newman signed the picture and handed it back. She gave him one more smile and closed the door before the blue police box vanished with a "Whoop-Whoop" sound. Scratching his head, Newman pulled out the arrow that nearly hit him in the head before snorting, "Bonkers..."

Placing it back into his pocket, he sighed a little before walking off. Though it was humming the song that the girl had been. Rather catchy.

"Hmmm-hmmmm... hm-hm, hm-hm, hm-hm..."

****************************** October 21, 2053 **************

Sighing, Bastian shook his head before looking at his companion as they were back in their original time, "What was that all about?!"

Only giggling and winking, the girl leaned towards him, "Spoilers!" Then she walked towards the console, "So, how is the temporal gear?"

A quick check made the Malfoy grimace, "There's maybe just one jump left on her before it burns out. I could maybe fix it, but-"

From nowhere, the girl was shoving him to the door and out, "None needed!" Rushing back to the console, she set the timer and threw some switches before raising a finger and looking up, "Remember what happened here! It's important!"

Then, she rushed out the door in time for the box to vanish once more into the ether. For several moments, Bastian looked where it was before sighing, "Right, best not to ask a Potter." Turning, he looked at the girl, "What now?"

Humming, the girl winked at him before walking past, "Oh, back to Japan! BB needs to save her sweet Senpai from two old hags, especially that fox! Just like a good Kohai should~"

With that, she was gone, and Bastian shook his head, "Should have listened to Grandfather and Father when he said Potters are crazy..."

******************* July 1, 1955 *********************

Unfortunately for the TARDIS, when the temporal travel component disappeared, that disrupted most of the enchantments and meant that it was unable to move. An Auror nearby took note of the obviously enchanted object and brought it to the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts office where it was placed in storage until 2005 when Arthur Weasley had inventory taken. One of the workers brought it out and, having fully recharged, it took off when he was distracted by MacNair glaring at him.

Eventually, the intelligence of the TARDIS realized that the creator was gone and settled quite some distance from where the home it was built it stood... at a corner near the Roman Baths in Bath, England. And there it stayed for almost a decade, the spells keeping people from noticing it even as they walked by... until, one day in August, 2014, a Minibus pulled up and teens came out.

Looking around, Harry blinked for a moment as he swore he saw a blue police box at a nearby corner before shaking it off. Behind him, Hachi adjusted her glasses, "Hacchan is still finding it hard to believe that your Okaa-San managed to create a trunk that functioned like a mobile home! That will make things easier, Harry-Chan."

Lightly laughing, Harry nodded, "Tell me about it! Mum was wicked smart after all."

With a soft sigh, Tsukiakari nodded a little as she walked, "Hai... Mistress Lily was one of a kind and a good match for Master James. Truly, she was born to become a Potter."

Looking around in interest, Yae blinked and pointed at a figure of a King, "Harry-San? Who is that?"

Just turning in the same direction, the fourteen year old wizard nodded, "That would be King Bladud, a Briton King from before the Romans." He gestured at the statue as he turned to the others, "According to legend, he came down with leprosy and had to go into hiding as a swineherd. One day, he noticed that his pigs were wallowing in the mud of the spring, which cured their skin conditions. Jumping in, he found himself cured of his leprosy and thus established a temple to the goddess of the spring here, Sulis. Since then, people have come to bathe in the waters and be healed."

Everyone nodded and took pictures before following Harry towards the museum...

None of them noticing a blue police box slowly crawling along behind them.

 

[darthcourt10]

mikelima777

Port Francois, Jacquet Island,

In the 19th and 20th Centuries, Port Francois was occupied by smugglers who kept a low profile and made sure to cover their tracks. It had helped that among their number was an experienced wizard who was able to restore and enhance the wards that hid and protected the island. Of course, they were not the only ones using the island. Demi-humans, some of whom remember the days of Francois Jacquet, returned to the island, as various magical societies continued to mistreat them. While tensions occasionally flared up between the groups, out of a mutual need to avoid the gaze from the ICW and magical governments, they agreed to keep the secret. For some, the stakes were higher, as a number of wizards and witches intermarried with their demi-humans neighbours.

However, events outside the magical world would once again affect the island. While the smuggling business was largely untouched by the First World War and was boosted by Prohibition, the Great Depression followed by the Second World War had a major impact, especially as the involvement of Gindlewald meant the war was occurring on both sides of the magical divide. With the Battle of the Atlantic stretching from the waters off Europe all the way into the St. Lawrence River and along the Eastern Seaboard, smuggling risked being discovered by allied escorts, the regular convoys coming from Halifax and St. John's, or the U-boats trying to sink allied shipping.

With the end of the war, the smugglers tried to continue, but with technology and greater paranoia among ICW members, many threw in the towel and left. By the 1980s, the only wizards and witches to remain were those with ties to the demi-humans. Many of the smaller huts and hovels built by the smugglers fell to disrepair, but many of the larger buildings, some dating to the original settlement, remained occupied. At the time, a growing concern was the increase of demi-human refugees, many fleeing what were described as "monstrous beings from the abyss."

In 2005, the world changed and so too would Jacquet Island.

Residents on the island could feel as the darkness overtook the waters around them, though the wards were able to hold back the apparent threat. But then a ship appeared, her aft in flames. It would be a traumatic sight none would forget. Despite the terrifying sight, the tattered Canadian flag still flew.

Aboard HMCS Halifax, the surviving crew fought back the unexplainable feelings of dread as their ship pushed on. An 11-inch shell had blown away the hangar, with her communications and navigation knocked out. With darkness and enemy fire around them, they fled towards an island that they had not seen before, despite the oppressive aura. They had no other choice.

The surviving crew took their chances, noticing that the enemy fire and their aura was staying away from the strange island. After several tense minutes under fire, they felt the oppressive aura intensify before suddenly fading away. Above the ship, they heard odd noises as incoming shells "bounced" off what appeared to a barrier protecting the island before them. That was before a number of humans suddenly appeared aboard in strange clothing waving sticks, creating jets of waters to control the blaze in the hangar.

***

March 22, 2014

A dozen men and women, dressed in worn-ragged uniforms, sat patiently around a weathered oak table, sitting on salvaged furniture. Sitting alongside them were various demi-humans as well as an elderly man lazily waving his wand for amusement. The planned meeting would likely have little importance, but it was borne out of tradition, a way to keep busy and keep a semblance of order despite it nearly being a decade since they arrived. One of the battered windows had a view of the port, and the largest ship to ever dock there.

The hulk of HMCS Halifax remained moored by the main pier. It was a miracle that the ship remained afloat, given the damage it had suffered. The hull was covered in patchwork repairs. Most of the aft superstructure had burned down, and the foremast remained a tangled mess, having partially collapsed onto the forward search radar. An improvised radio antenna was now fixed to what remained of the mast.

The crew of HMCS Halifax, after getting over the shock of learning about magic, went to work alongside the local inhabitants, the Chief Engineer working with the locals to produce rudimentary electricity. Some of the survivors intermarried as well. The crew also helped repair the crumbling buildings and built more shelters for the inhabitants.

While the surrounding darkness faded away, the ship was in no condition to leave, and until recently, they were completely cut off from the outside world. However, just before HMCS Halifax arrived, the designated secret keeper for the Fidelius charm had passed away after an unexplained illness. Since then, the barrier surrounding the island had slowly weakened. Just a month ago, they were able to pick up stray radio transmissions, and after some work, they were able to make a radio call for help. However, the transmission caused the weakened wards to react, drowning out the radio with static.

Just as the leader of the Halifax survivors arrived to start the meeting, carrying his battered officer's cap, they could hear rumblings from the barrier. Everyone scrambled to the feet and went to the windows to see what was going on.

Outside, the inhabitants and other crewmembers started to prepare the emergency shelters, though some went to the shoreline to observe.

HMCS Shannon, TF 301.2

"Let's see if this work..." murmured Tsuki as she watched the Selkies draw on a copy of navigation charts for the area. After it was confirmed that the designated secret keeper had passed away, it was decided to see if the selkies can reveal the island. Out of various concerns with being compromised or having unwanted attention, it had been decided that the Selkies would try to disclose the location only once the Canadians were within range. As a standby, Tsuki would be prepared to use her magical abilities to take control of the weakened wards.

Finally, they were done and showed the completed map to the nearby staff. Suddenly, it seemed like part of the sky split open, revealing an island. Even as that was happening, Tsuki tensed up.

"Ma'am?" Commander Greengrass asked, concerned.

"I think we might have some unwanted attention."

The Captain went to the communication station and pressed some buttons.

"Sir, we've got a problem."

HMCS Vimy Ridge, TG 301.1

"This is Sunray to all units, stand to. I say again, stand to."

Throughout the massive warship, the regular lights dimmed as the corridors and compartments became bathed in red. Klaxons sounded as the Captain went onto the 1MC.

"All hands, action stations, action station, man your battle stations."

Sailors donned flash hoods and other gear as they scrambled to their posts. On the flight deck, helicopters spooled up, preparing to head towards a new waypoint transmitted from the Shannon.

Several hundred metres away, Niobe pressed her earpiece and nodded.

"Right. Laurentia and Ontario on me. Nova Scotia, take lead with our destroyers. Corvettes and Frigates on picket; if you sniff a hint of submerged hostiles, knock 'em out of the water!"

"Aye, Ma'am!!"

Across the task groups, sailors and officers scrambled to their posts, with the task force commander radioing Halifax for reinforcements.

****
Comments, suggestions, feedback?

 

[darthcourt10]

Kab2

Sorry to leave you hanging about Sofia's predicament, but this one wanted to be written. As always thanks to Yellowhammer for lending me one of his OC for this two-part arc and some tweaks about it.
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A surprise meeting (I)

13th August 2014

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, Kamakura, Japan

As people passed by, ones for tourism, others for praying; two figures that seemed mother and daughter stopped in front of the great stone hallway.

"Are you sure you don't need me, Yoshi-Chan?" asked the mature one, her purple hair undulating because of the faint morning breeze.

"Don't worry Yuuki-San, I will be fine. I would have come alone if I could, but they didn't let me and my brother is busy with work. So thank you for let me come here." The black-haired girl looked away, looking with her blue eyes at the imposing tree at their left. "Yes, thanks..."

'I wonder why she wanted to come so bad that she called me to come here' thought Doujigiri, Yuuki's true identity. "As I said to you I had to come here for visiting a friend, so I didn't mind. Remember, don't leave the shrine grounds while I'm gone. We will meet in this same spot in two hours, you have my phone so if anything happens call me."

"Hai, jaa ne, Yuuki-San" said Matsudaira Yoshi, who was unknowingly for Douji Minamoto-no-Yoshitsune reincarnated, as she turned to walk closer to the ginkgo tree.

"Jaa ne, Yoshi-Chan, take care" said the legendary sword, climbing the stairs of the shrine.

While she climbed it, Douji thought about the relationship she had with Yoshi and her cousin Yori in this 9 years since she saved them in Blood Week, they didn't asked her anything about that fateful day.

Granted, she didn't tell them anything too, but this Christmas that will change as she will reveal to them who she really is, her achievements, her failures, she will strip her heart for them.

Is the least she can do for those at her charge, she decided it after a long conversation between her, Tsubaki and Itami, they decided it was time to tell the truth to them.

Clearing her head of that matter, she crossed the courtyard to the dojo, arriving at the door she noticed that there weren't any shoes pointing the presence of people inside.

'Hmm, strange' thought Douji "Toku had so much fun in Belgium that she forgot our meeting?" said jokingly as she turned to see if the miko was asleep in the apartment attached to the dojo.

At the entrance of the apartment she extended her hand to touch the door when she felt a sting in the back of her hand. She retracted it, knowing that the slight sting was the protection spell giving a warning to unwanted visitors.

'Very strange indeed' luckily for her, she knew how to disable it from Toku if the need arised, she disabled the security system and saying sorry for the intromission she left her shoes at the entrance as well as her bokken-concealed self in the entrance rack.

"Toku-san, are you here?" she called, raising the voice a bit. At the lack of response she searched the small apartment for signs of the Masamune finding no clue. Very intrigued by this, she took out her phone and marked her number but just before she made the call she stopped 'Better not, now is night in there and maybe she doesn't want to be disturbed, I'll send her a text informing that I was here and if possible that she contacts me as soon as possible'

But at the same time she was sending the message, Douji didn't notice the noises that announced another visit.


Crossing the half-closed door, Kokonoe Yae turned her sight from the shoes that she knew didn't belong to her sensei to the rack where she normally could see the Masamune katana placed if her Sensei were in her home, but she saw a bokken in her place; intrigued by it, as Yae knew that 'normal' people cannot enter without her being here.

'And the door isn't forced so she got the magical unlock from Toku-Sensei, I wonder who she is, gozaru' thought Yae as she left her training bag along with a shopping bag containing some boxes from her trip to Britain.

Leaving the shoes and her own bokken in the rack she spoke, "Hello, I am Kokonoe Yae, Tokunotakai-Sensei's student, may I know who is inside her apartment?"

Instantly cursing herself for leaving the door open and not noticing the intrusion, Douji replied as she went to the front door "I'm Yasutsune Yuuki, a friend of hers, I entered because I thought she still got jet-lag from her visit to Europe" Douji decided to carefully select her words, as she didn't know how much she knew about the other side.

When she arrived at the door, she found a fourteen year-old girl with black hair tied in a ponytail, dressed in casual clothes that concealed a well-trained body.

Yae blushed a bit as she found the purple-haired woman... imposing, and not only for the stature (she was a head taller than her!) as she remembered the same thought about milk when she saw a certain vixen in Britain.

"Europe?" Yae quickly recovering her composure decided not say too much as she didn't know how much this woman knew about her sensei, so she played a bit with her words. "I knew she would be away from some days, so I suppose she has gone to see the blonde foreigner's home, the one who had French accent".

"That's Colombe-San, indeed" answered Douji "Kokonoe-San, would you mind a cup of tea while we chat? I'm sure she won't mind if I wash and replace what I use today while we wait for the reply from Toku-San." She then went to the kitchen as she pondered what more Yae could know.

'So Colombe is her name, Sensei never mentioned it, gozaru' "If you are sure that Tokunotakai-Sensei will not mind, Yasutsune-San" Yae said as she picked up the bag with the boxes, her feet driving her to the table where she and Toku-Sensei chatted a handful times in the past.

As she arrived she sat in seiza and took out the boxes, to let the woman know that she knew magic; while she brewed the tea Yae pondered about that woman, she had an air of gentleness that made her feel secure around her, but her instincts sharpened by her training told her that this woman was an expert in swordsmanship by how she moved, not a single movement wasted to do what she had to do.

And close to finishing, Douji turned her head to Yae and with a musical tone she said "Ara, ara~ Kokonoe-San, don't stare so much or I'll wear out" smiling at Yae.

Blushing as she was found out, she mumbled a "Sorry" while looking down, staring at her own legs.

"Don't worry." said the sword spirit, bringing two cups of green tea "I'm used to it." Placing one cup in front of Yae she narrowed her eyes at the sight of the ofuda-sealed containers, understanding Yae's motive, she asked "Mind if I touch one of this containers? I want to feel what kind of wizard had painted them; don't worry Kokonoe-San I won't open any of them."

Feeling that she made the right choice, Yae replied "I don't mind, I brought them from my trip to Britain for Sensei; I thought she would like it Yasutsune-San."

"Please call me Yuuki, with your permission then" she touched one of the ofuda, feeling the emotions the wizard was experimenting when she draw it.

She sensed gentleness, friendship, a lot of caring for the ones held close and a bit of... Self deprecating? She couldn't identify the last emotion because it was very faint, but she had a clear image of how the person in question was.

"The wizard who painted this ofuda is a very gentle person, he cares a lot for the ones close to him and considers friendship sacred." Said Douji, leaving the bad emotion out, it could become a problem if left alone, but she didn't know who was.

A bit amazed, Yae replied "You have described Potter Harry perfectly, gozaru"

The ice finally broken, they chatted for a while about Yae and Douji's work at the museum, after that they passed to other matters, like Colombe's relationship to the Muramasas.

"Yae-San, are you telling me that Colombe was the first foreigner that defeated Toku?" asked Douji puzzled.

"Hai Yuuki-San" Yae was telling Douji the events of the past week, omitting the reincarnates' presence as requested.


With this last piece, the puzzle that was for her Tokunotakai and Colombe's relationship was finally complete. 'So they were rivals that became friends and later more...' Douji sighed as her romantic side painted her cheeks with a bit of red, her hand holding her head with a dreaming gaze.

'I wonder what she is thinking, gozaru' thought Yae. She continued her explanation. "After the vision of her duel with Colombe faded, she taught me the First lesson of Mastery. Then she requested that I perform a kata with her hilt in her hands as I took my last step as her student and her first step as her peer. I was honored, but I was unsure until I began the kata and her steel illuminated with the seven Virtues of Bushido. She explained afterward that was not showing what was within her soul, but mine, and I was humbled, gozaru!" Yae finished her explanation, neither prideful nor arrogant about the fact.

Douji opened wide her eyes "That was an important step for you as well as for your Sensei, it reminds me when I taught my disciples, so long ago..." she let the last phase in the air while the pain and regret touched her heart. Quickly snapping out of it, Douji decided to honor this girl and her dedication. "It you won't mind, can I see you training in the dojo? I want to see it with my own eyes." 'And to see if the teacher in me is still alive after all this years'

Going along with her idea, Douji washed what they wave used and wrote a note for Toku if she couldn't read the text she sent earlier, commenting her and Yae's visit, the containers about the ofuda and what she will let Yae do en the dojo.

Finishing, she took her true self from the rack at the entrance and putting her shoes, she locked again the apartment's door.


When she arrived at the dojo, she found Yae already in motion, with a white headband on her head, the kanjis for Mastery and Learning visible in it.

'Interesting words of choice, because if you follow the Way you will learn that you will never reach mastery, you can only master yourself to continue learning endlessly, as the words with Tsubaki and Itami showed me' thought Douji, feeling grateful to her daughter's boyfriend, thanks to him she had begun to forgive herself for her mistakes in the past, but she was a long way ahead of her to do so.

After a little while, Douji interrupted Yae's training "Splendid, no wonder why Toku let you wield her, but I have a suggestion" Douji dispelled the spell that concealed her true self as a bokken, and offering it to Yae Douji said "I want to see you train with my true self as I am a sword spirit like your Sensei, I will say you my true name afterwards"

Gulping, Yae had suspected it, but took the unfamiliar tachi and sheath anyways, and securing them in her sash she felt the same way a week before, when in the same place she held her Sensei's true self, she breathed in and out.

In and out.

And in her imagination she was firmly planted in a battleground; behind her there was her parents, Tokunotakai-Sensei, Nobu-Chan, Okita-Chan, Uesugi-Chan and Harry-Chan among others she cherished.

In front of her stood an endlessly horde of humans and Yokai whose purpose was harm or kill those behind her.

The sword at her side questioned her.

'What will you do, stand or flee?'

And without hesitation Yae replied.

'I'll fight to protect those behind me'

In a swift movement born from the union of body mind and spirit, she took the hilt and unsheathed the sword, her edge shining in a purple light, with little sparks cracking the air around her.

"Impressive, only a few achieved what you did even when I trained them, I could say something about lost opportunities, but of those who I trained you have a skill comparable to Ushiwakamaru."

At her words, Yae tried to remember where she had heard that name before.

'Ushiwakamaru, childhood name of Minamoto-no-Yoshitsune, she is that old?' thought Yae, but then she remembered another Minamoto, one that the legend says that he could control the thunder.

Minamoto-no-Raikou.

Opening her eyes as far she could, she realized who the woman who her true self was holding was.

"I see that you recognized me" said Douji bowing to Yae "I am Yasutsuna Doujigiri, Minamoto-no-Raikou's tachi, please to make your acquaintance"
--------------------------------

Thanks for reading, comments and suggestions are always welcomed.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

Making Alexander Great (Again)

Hellenic Shipyards, S.A., Elusis, Greece

2 AM, 28 July 2014

"Are you sure this is going to work?"

The dark-haired woman at the wheel of the sports cruiser turned to the shipgirl at her elbow. "Relax, Georgios, we have done this before."

"When...? Ah! The drowned horse and the mountain goat found the day before Meleager was launched in 2004!" Georgios nodded as a long standing puzzle was solved.

Medea nodded as she throttled back, letting the concealment charms woven into the fabric of her boat (named Argo II of course) do their job as they passed the security patrols around the shipyard. "Yes, that was us. We wished to properly honor the Olympians, so a sacrifice for Poseidon and then Artemis to invoke the blessing of the Earthshaker and the Huntress upon Atalanta's command."

The Witch of Colchis then sighed. "Of course it had some side effects."

Georgios blinked. "What do you mean side effects?"

"Nothing bad, just I found out later from Hercules that Poseidon and Artemis have been squabbling ever since the Abyssals appeared over whose glory Meleager's victories burnish. He claims that as a ship, her victories are his victories, the more so since she prowls his domain. She claims that Meleager is a huntress after the most dangerous game of all and Atalanta is her champion so... yeah." Medea sighed as they reached the docking slip where a newly built Mistral-class helicopter carrier awaited the ocean's first kiss tomorrow.

She then stopped the boat, cast several non-detection wards to insure that they would not be disturbed, and climbed down to the lower deck. Absently she adjusted the circlet of white pine boughs on her head.

She clapped her hands. "It is time. Bring forth the sacrifice!" with that she picked up a torch of white pine that ignited with a blue-green flame. Georgios' eyes widened as she saw a scene from the distant past play out.

Atalanta and Hippomenes, also dressed in white linen chitons, emerged from the cabin that had been converted to hold the pair of animals for tonight. Each held a flower bedecked rope connected to the halter of a magnificent sea-gray uncut stallion with the only blemish being a birthmark on one flank that looked like a trident.

As they guided the horse to the edge of the boat, Medea began to chant in Archaic Greek words later written down by Homer.

"I begin to sing about Poseidon, the great god, mover of the earth and fruitless sea, god of the deep who is also lord of Helicon and wide Aegae! A two-fold office the gods allotted you, O Shaker of the Earth, to be a tamer of horses and a saviour of ships!

Hail, Poseidon, Holder of the Earth, dark-haired lord! O blessed one, be kindly in heart and help those who voyage in ships!"

As she finished the Homeric Hymn to Poseidon, she nodded. The two other heroes with her slapped the stallion with their ropes on the buttocks. The horse gave a bugling cry as it leapt into the waiting sea and was sucked under the water to drown.

As it vanished a small earthquake shook the boat gently and the three Bronze Age Greeks gave happy smiles. "The sacrifice has been accepted." Medea explained as Georgios looked a question to her with wide eyes. "Poseidon shall watch over and protect her when she kisses the waves tomorrow."

Meanwhile, Atalanta and Hippomenes headed back into the cabin. Several minutes later, they reemerged leading a large white bull with olive branches adorning its horns. As they did, Medea reverently set the pine circlet and torch into a nearby chest and then placed a wreath of olive leaves upon her head before taking up a bronze knife and tripod cauldron.

Georgios looked at the priestess and nodded. "Athena then?"

Medea waved her wand to transport the four of them, the bull and tripod to the deck of the helicopter carrier. "Yes, Athena."

She ignited the olive wood inside the bronze cauldron with a spell, and then shaved a tuft of fur from the bull's forelock to toss into the flames.

As it burned, she began to chant again.

"I begin to sing of Pallas Athena, the glorious goddess, bright-eyed, inventive, unbending of heart, pure virgin, saviour of cities, courageous, Tritogeneia. Wise Zeus himself bare her from his awful head, arrayed in warlike arms of flashing gold, and awe seized all the gods as they gazed. But Athena sprang quickly from the immortal head and stood before Zeus who holds the aegis, shaking a sharp spear: great Olympus began to reel horribly at the might of the bright-eyed goddess, and earth round about cried fearfully, and the sea was moved and tossed with dark waves, while foam burst forth suddenly: the bright Son of Hyperion stopped his swift-footed horses a long while, until the maiden Pallas Athena had stripped the heavenly armour from her immortal shoulders. And wise Zeus was glad.

And so hail to you, daughter of Zeus who holds the aegis!"

As she finished the Homeric Hymn to Athena, an owl hooted.

Then taking a deep breath, she gripped the hilt of her dagger.

Bronze flashed in the firelight like a bolt of lightning as she struck.

Dark crimson lifeblood spattered upon the deck of the ship as the bull lowed in pain and shock through the spells pacifying it.

It staggered to its knees and then collapsed as blood spurted from the neatly severed artery

Medea waited until the light had gone from its eyes and it lay still and dead, then nodded.

Acting with practiced haste, she, Atalanta, and Hippomenes butchered the bull and placed the thigh-bones, heavy with fat, upon the flames in the tripod to be consumed.

As they finished, a little owl flew silently out of the night, perched on the carcass and looked at them unblinkingly. It nodded once, hooted, then vanished without a trace as it took wing.

With that Medea smiled and Atalanta and Hippomenes hugged each other before beginning the cleanup.

Georgios leaned close as the remains of the ceremony were transported back aboard the Argo II, just leaving behind the bloodstain marking the ship as consecrated to Athena Promachos. "Was that?" She asked Medea.

"Athena's Owl? Yes." Medea said quietly before starting the boat to get them back to their dock to use the Time-Turner once more to cover their tracks.

Georgios turned and looked at the Mistral waiting for the sea. Dimly, she could see a short and stocky ghostly shape standing atop the superstructure. Clad in the armor of a Macedonian general, with her hair fair under her lion-faced helmet and her face ruddy, one hand held a trident like Poseidon and the other a shield marked with the Gorgon's head of Athena. One gray and one blue eye surveyed her with the commanding gaze of a general who had never been defeated on the field of battle despite long odds.

Georgios nodded respectfully to her newly awakened sister waiting to take the fight to the enemies of mankind.

Her whisper carried across the waves speaking the name of the most legendary general of antiquity, now honored once more with the future command ship of the Greek Navy.

"Aléxandros ho Mégas"

Alexander the Great

 

[darthcourt10]

KiMaSa

On The Outside


Days after the raid by the PT Imps, training for the deception unit resumed. It had been a very busy time. Just as Admiral Goto had sworn, work crews were even now improving the base's defenses. In the meantime, 5th and 6th Battle squadrons had each gotten a new member. Fortunately for Nagato-chan and the rest of 6th squadron, they got Giulio Cesare, while 5th squadron got Alabama, seeing as her design basis was that of a New York class battleship, she fit in better with the faux 'standards' that comprised 5th squadron... at least on paper. Currently, Oklahoma had mentioned starting a petition to trade Alabama to the enemy. 2nd cruiser squadron was having similar issues with Pocket Battleship Ludendorff but apparently, pratfalls and mayhem were to be expected from a Tommy Trinder war-comedy.

Still, at least for Nagato-chan, the training was going well enough. If only the rest of her life made sense.

"So your onii-san, Harry held Shinano-oba's hand the whole time she was under for her rebuild," Yamato-chan was saying at lunch. "He even used his magic to make special steel for the work."

"Yeah. Harry's special like that. That's what everyone says." Nagato-chan picked at her food.

Yamato-chan gave a look of concern at her friend. "You aren't feeling jealous of him, are you?"

Nagato sighed. "No. I don't think so. Maybe?" She shrugged. "I have a family now! My mom is THE Nagato of the Big Seven! Honored war hero. Harry is a wizard and everybody knows he's going to be an admiral and he can do so many amazing things that I can't even understand!" She looked at her hands. "And then there's Hoppou. She's cute and adorable and yet she's a mom and a grandma and she's like uber-powerful! And then there's me. Sometimes I feel less real than mom's shadow. My sole contribution to the war is that I'm made in her image. Even then... My first fight and I froze inside."

"You saved my life, Na-chan and don't you forget that!"

Nagato-chan shook her head. "You were the one who acted. I just... I couldn't lose you."

"I was just as scared. I froze too. If that thing hadn't lunged for one of our friends, I probably would have stood there and dirtied my panties. But, you know, I think we're all going through this, Na-chan. Yesterday, I heard Kaga-sama talking to Zuiryu. Zuiryu was upset because she feels like the shadow of a shadow! There never was a Zuiryu before. And I heard Kaga-sama tell her that wasn't important because everyone has to be responsible for choosing her own path. Kaga-sama also told her that she hoped that Zuiryu's humility and openness would help her find the sort of courage that Bushido doesn't teach."

"Courage that Bushido doesn't teach?"

Yamato-chan nodded seriously. "Kaga said 'physical courage comes easily to a warrior. It is the sort of courage that is easy to pretend to have and it makes frightened men rush headlong into death because they are more afraid of appearing afraid than of death itself.' Yamato chan recalled. 'Moral courage is different and cannot be feigned. Moral courage demands us each to be responsible for our own decisions. It is the courage to ORDER frightened men into battle … if necessary. More importantly, it is the courage NOT to do so even when others may accuse one of being a coward. It is the courage to know when a battle is lost or that a battle should not be fought and in recognizing that, not wasting that which cannot be replaced! It is the courage to do that which others will criticize because it is the correct thing. If we had more of that sort of courage in my first life, then perhaps the Empire would not have been humbled into the dust.'," Yamato-chan recited. "And I know you have moral courage, Na-chan! You've already proved you do."

"But what does that mean?"

"It means we're not shadows or copies. And our moms know that. I think they know we're still just trying to get a handle on this 'living' thing. So don't give yourself too much trouble about not knowing where you're going. I think that maybe that's natural."

"What about feeling envious of Mom and Harry and Hoppou? I feel bad about it but I just..."

"You want to be great, like them?"

Nagato-chan nodded.

"Me too, Na-chan. My mom and Musashi-oba and Shinano-oba are a lot to live up to. But I CAN'T be them and I'd be silly to try! I just have to be the best 'me' there could ever be! And the rest will take care of itself!"

"I guess you're right. Thanks, Ya-chan."

"What are friends for?" Yamato-chan hugged Nagato-chan warmly. Finishing lunch, they headed back to the battleship dorm where Hoppou chan was waiting for her sister.

The tiny Abyssal Princess looked at her shyly.

"What's wrong, Hoppou?"

"Hoppou needs a favor..."

 

[darthcourt10]

lt_agn02

March 2014

Her hands behind her head, Despatch walked the halls of Pacific Fleet HQ, Pearl Harbor. After being blown up at by Missouri, the larger battleship hasn't said a word to her, yet she had the courtesy to escort Aso to her punishment: manual labor.

The protected cruiser smirked. 'Good for her,' she thought. 'If she won't see reason, then farmwork is all she's good for.'

The clacking of her heels against the linoleum floor halted as she eyed the door on her left hand side.

"NAVSUP - USS Despatch"

The cruiser rubbed her hands together greedily. NAVSUP was something unknown to her, but she definitely knew what having her own name on a door meant, especially in a building such as this. It meant that she had her own office! Here, in Pearl Harbor!

Smiling as she adjusted her coat, the protected cruiser entered the room with a confident huff. "It's about time I got the respect I deserved."

While the girl didn't expect much for a personal office, her face slightly dropped at the single desk and chair being the sole occupants of the room, save for Alton with a stack of papers.

"Uh...hey, Alton," Despatch greeted with a small salute. "How are things? You okay after that Jap slugged you?"

The fellow ABCD ship leveled a glare at her "older sister". "I would have been better if you hadn't started talking about annexing Japan in front of Aso."

Her hands up a little, the former Boston backed away to her desk. "Okay, look, I can explain…"

"Explain nothing!" Alton shouted with a clenched fist. "As much as I wanted to learn more about how we whipped polio in this time, I didn't want a first-hand lesson on modern medicine, you...you...jingoistic jackass!"

"That's that Jap carrier's nickname, not mine!"

"I don't care!" she shouted again. "You sure as hell deserve that as much as she does!" With a groan, Alton set her stack of papers on the desk. "I still can't believe that Admiral Smith...why did he give you an office like this anyway?"

"Who cares?" Despatch noted as she leapt over the desk and parked her rear firmly in her dedicated office chair. "He must have realized I'm important enough to have my own office at Pearl. To that, thank you, President Lincoln!" she exclaimed with her hands in the air.

"What does Lincoln have to do with this?"

"Well, it's because of him emancipating the slaves that we have a fine negro as our commanding officer," Despatch noted as she searched the desk drawers. "...Aw man, no cigars."

Alton set the papers on the desk. "You better watch your language. The N-word isn't looked upon too kindly these days."

Off in the distance, faint footsteps could be heard as they steadily grew louder.

"Meh, everyone's too sensitive about that kind of stuff," Despatch noted. "Besides, it's not like I was downright insulting him. All I did was call him a fine n-"

The footsteps stopped as Admiral Smith held out a balled fist and gently rapped on the door. "Despatch? Are you enjoying the new office?"

Both cruisers jumped to attention as the admiral entered while flanked by a very less-than-enthusiastic Iowa-class battleship.

"Yes, sir!" Despatch answered.

The man nodded just as Missouri stepped forward to drop a stack of papers on the desk. "Good to hear. I'll need these requisition forms by the end of today. I know you'll do great work here."

The battleship took another stack out of her hold and placed it next to the first. "We need more shipments of food and raw material supplies. While we cannot thank the Allied Abyssals enough for bolstering our numbers, getting to optimal operational tempo requires more food and raw materials that the island doesn't have enough of."

Despatch frowned at the stack of papers in front of her. Maybe manual labor wasn't so bad after all.



++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
April 2014

It had roughly been a week and a half since the aircraft carrier Aso started working in the greenhouse.

Wiping some sweat off her brow, Aso marched toward the storage unit and grabbed the container full of fish food. She jerked the handle on the handtruck as per usual and the container jumped into the air.

Concerned, the carrier checked inside, seeing the container holding only the sparse crumbs of what used to be the fish pellets she used to feed the fish with. "Oh. I've got to refill."

She shrugged and set the container back down. The food waste container she used before this one was devoid as well, so she relied on plain fish pellets. As she searched storage for more fish pellets, all she saw was the variety of plant care products and various tools.

"None?!" The carrier exited the storage facility and continued to search the premises. "Why the heck don't we have more fish pellets?"

She put her hand to her chin. Sure, it wasn't a major problem. She could use some of the crops as fodder for the fish. But then again, said crops were supposed to feed the base, not the fish. If she were to use that, then she would get torn a new one by logistics, ranks be damned. The food waste from the mess was also an option, but after seeing how little food waste is even produced by the kitchens, let alone everyone eating, that might not be enough. Especially for the tilapia packed like sardines in the pool.

The other option was to go fishing. Despite how packed the pool was, the carrier slightly grimaced at the sight of the fish she had to feed. Sure, they seem good to eat at the moment, but how was she supposed to explain that decision? There was no fish food, so it's about time to eat the fish? She would be laughed out of the admiral's office for sure!

That and based on the logs, despite the oddly higher growth rate of these fish, the Navy still only harvests them twice a year at max. The carrier sighed a little as she double-checked the estimated harvest date and the growth record of this season's catch.

"Mou...they're still a bit smaller than the ones at the Victory Garden," Aso remarked as she scratched her head with her pencil. "But those guys were hatched earlier, so I guess that's to be expected. I guess I can't push for an earlier harvest after all."

The only choice left was to get some foodstuffs from somewhere else.

++++++++++++++++++++++

Requisition form in hand, Aso paused at the door in front of her.

"NAVSUP - USS Despatch"

How?

How?!

How the hell did Despatch get her own office?!

Groaning, the carrier knocked on the door.

"...Come in," came an unusually pained reply.

Clearing her throat, Aso opened the door. "Excuse me. Despatch-san, I have a problem with the…" The first thing Aso caught wasn't the cruiser, but the papers. The papers.

The papers.

Stacks and stacks of them littered the room, covering every single spot on the floor and desk save for a sparse path leading from the door to the desk. Even if the carrier wanted to have a seat and talk to her, the only thing she had to sit on was more papers.

Behind the desk, Despatch looked up from stack one of who knows how many. Her eyes were haggard, her hair unkempt. To her side was at least three empty cans of some kind of energy drink. When she spoke, her voice was gravely and weighed down by all the paperwork in her inbox.

"...Aso...I'm sorry...please save me..."

For her part, Aso almost dropped her requisition form into the abyss of paperwork.

"...What the heck?" she asked nobody in particular.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Making their way along the walkway, the teens looked over the side in curiosity. Head tilting to the side, Rika turned towards Harry with a slight frown on her face, "Uh, Harry-Kun? Why are the baths down there? I mean, that's way below the level of the road."

Beside her, Ayaka nodded and pointed the short distance to the road itself, "Seriously, the street is, what? Three feet down from where we're standing? And the baths are, what? Fifteen?"

Somewhat amused, Harry glanced to where Natsumi was recording the whole thing. After all, the Kitsune had asked if she could put it up on his YouTube channel, "Well, that's because of how long it has been since the baths came into disrepair." Seeing the confused looks, he gestured around them, "The Romans left Britain around the 400s, and a century later, the area was in ruins due to raids and such. After, the settlement around just... built itself up, layer upon layer until the baths were buried under the dirt of centuries of habitation. Which is why the baths, which were street level when built are now about four meters below current street level."

Leaning over the side and looking down at the greenish water, Usagi wrinkled her nose a little at the sulphuric smell before humming, "Is this normal for a Roman bathhouse? I mean... look at the pool down there!" She motioned with her hand, "Seriously, it's a pool, not a bath!"

Just chuckling, Goldie placed her hands on her hips, "Ah, but these are baths, Umu. Truly, these are Roman." Rubbing her chin, she hummed a little, "Though, yes, usually they are not quite so large."

As they walked, the teens glanced at the statues in thought, though the Roman blade with them stated that they were added in the 1800s. Carnwennan jerked his thumb towards the pool, "The reason that the water is green is because the Victorians decided that recreating the roof was too expensive. Which means that the algae can grow year around and that turns the water green."

Not long after, they reached the floor of the baths, and were walking along them. Natsumi had a thoughtful look on her face as she held her hand out over the water, "You can feel the heat from the water."

Interested, the others also stuck their hands out over the water and made similar comments, but then Kaku sighed some, "Wish that I could go swimming there. That would be pretty great..."

Tsukiakari just shook her head a little and patted his shoulder, "Unfortunately, it's too dangerous." At the confused looks, she grimaced, "I remember Mistress Lily speaking to Master James about it. Apparently a girl caught a brain eating ameoba which, well... killed her. And the water's filled with them, so..."

Grumbles and grimaces met her at that before they spread out some. Spotting a woman in clothing out of the Roman era, Usagi, Yae, and Ayaka walked over and started to speak to her. Both the rabbit and Inugami translated for the most part for Yae as they had a much better grasp on English than she did. Something that pleased Ayaka though she didn't show it, 'Huh... guess all those times that we spoke and practiced our English with Harry-Kun helped...'

Eventually, they entered the museum proper and started walking along examining the various exhibits. Some of them were surprising using holograms on glass walls to recreate what people did there during the Roman era. Watching some women going about their business, including one laying on a stone bench, Yae tilted her head to the side with a look of utter befuddlement on her face, "They cleaned themselves with oil, Gozaru?"

Lightly chuckling, Harry raised a finger, "Hai, olive oil in fact. What you're seeing is them scraping the oil from their bodies after it has sat in order to fully clean themselves."

Arms crossed, Rika frowned a little, "Um... still sounds gross. I mean..." She gestured at herself, "Wouldn't you get a lot of acne and stuff from that? You would think that more oil on your skin would make it worse..."

Kaku looked into the glass case as they came to another exhibit and frowned, "What are these?"

Hands in her jeans pockets, Goldie hummed, "These would be curse tablets. Some are quite horrible."

Eyebrows raised, Yae stared at her, "Curse tablets? Do they... they actually curse people?" At the nod, she gulped and looked back at the sheets of lead, "Gozaru..."

Somewhat amused, the Roman blade patted her on the shoulder, "You need not worry, Yae. For you are safe and these are dedicated to specific people." At seeing the interest, she motioned towards the tablets, "One would use sheets of lead and write a curse upon them for someone who did one wrong. In some cases, you would bury them in the ground of a temple! Or, here, place them in the sacred spring of the goddess, in this case Sulis Minerva! And then the goddess would perform the curse on the person asked, Umu."

Rubbing her chin in thought, Nobu glanced at her, "So somewhat like the Ushi no koku mairi?" At the slight nod, the former warlord tilted her head, "What sort of curses are on them?"

Just bringing up a finger, Goldie tapped the glass, "Hmm... this one is from someone that lost two gloves, stolen from them as they were bathing. They ask that the goddess takes the minds and eyes of them who took them." She then tapped a different spot, "And this one speaks of a stolen ring and states that they whom knew about it or did it, slave or free, may they be accursed. May their blood, their eyes, their every limb and even their intestine rot away."

Her eyebrows raising, Taiyang hummed a little, "Most brutal..." A slightly sadistic smile appeared on her face, "I rather approve~"

One by one, the Roman sword translated what was on the tablets, with more than one of the teens leaning back. Granted, Taiyang continued smiling sadistically the whole time as she heard what was on them. Eventually, they moved on from there and those visiting from Japan as well as Harry were wowed by things such as the large collection of silver, Roman coins, the gold gilted bronze head representing Minerva, and the like.

Coming to one portion, Uesagi blinked as she read the small information display and then looked out onto the room before them. On it, in a grid square of sorts, were pillars of brick which made her raise an eyebrow, "Wait, so that's the heating system for the whole place?"

Simply humming, Goldie nodded, "Indeed, that is the hypercaust. The floor would cover those pillars that you see. Through that area, under the floor, hot air and smoke from the furnaces would flow, keeping water hot and also the floor warm. A brilliant system worthy of Rome!"

Thoughtful, Nobu rubbed her chin, "I see, I see... quite clever, isn't it Okita-Chan?"

For her part, the former Shinsengumi nodded alongside her friends, "Very clever. And I could see how it would work well."

Arriving at another room, this with a large, circular pool of water, Ayaka read the guide there and raised an eyebrow, "This is the frigidarium, the water here is cold unlike the other rooms."

With a hum, Harry leaned against the guardrail, "Hai, see... the Romans believed that when bathing, you needed to go through a natural progression. You would start in the warm tepidarium which is a room filled with warm air and heat coming from the walls and floor to get used to the temperature. Then, you would bathe in the hot waters of the caldarium, the baths we saw at the start with the temperature opening your pores. Once done there, you return to the tepidarium to equalize your temperature before entering the cold water here to close said pores, after which you were done."

Head tilted to the side, Usagi had a thoughtful look on her face, "That's a bit more complicated than bathing back in Japan. Huh..." Frowning, she hummed a bit, "Though it kind of makes sense, I guess...? More than some things anyways."

Once they left the room, they came into another with a trough running down the middle. At one end, there was a stone archway through which water gushed out over orange-yellow mineral deposits. Holding out her hand, Yae's eyes widened some, "Gozaru... you can feel the heat!"

Doing the same, the other teens nodded some before looking at the spring, Shiromizu humming some, "So that's the sacred spring?"

As he read the display, Harry nodded, "Hai. According to this over a million litres a day bubbles up from here. All of it being rain water that fell on the Mandip Hills to the north thousands of years ago, traveled underground to thousands of feet below our feet and then rose up here through cracks after being heated."

For a few minutes they just stood there and chatted as they looked at the burbling, steaming water. From there, they went to the pump room where a faucet had water running from it and paper cups. Looking at it, they each took a cup and filled it with water from the spring before drinking it.

Iku smacked her lips a little before smiling, "This... was actually pretty tasty."

Beside her, Hachi refilled the cup with another amount of water before drinking it, "Ah... now that is refreshing."

Even as the tsukumogami agreed, Natsumi grimaced some, "Speak for yourselves... Ugh, it tastes like someone steeped hot water with a bunch of metal coins."

Smug look on her face, Taiyang drank some more of the water, "Which makes it most delicious, Master, Mikon!"

That only got looks from the teens, which made the shipgirls and tsukumogami snicker.

Leaving the museum behind after having spent two hours in it, the group walked across the street to the towering cathedral that was there. Looking up at it with wide eyes, Usagi stared a little, "So this is a Christian Church?"

Only nodding, the lone wizard smiled a little, "Hai, or at least a cathedral."

More than a little thoughtful, Nobu hummed as she scratched her chin, "I see... I remember the Missionaries talking of the cathedrals of Europe. Such things did interest me after all... though I have never actually seen one in real life." Looking at the others, she cocked an eyebrow and smirked, "How about we go and check it out?"

Giving each other looks, the teens nodded as did the others in their group before walking across the road to the Bath Abbey. Kenshō held Harry's hand as they entered the Abbey, pausing only to grab a guide. Upon entering, the little Kogatana looked around at the high vaulted ceiling and the large, stained glass windows in awe, "Wow..."

Lips twitching, Harry gave her hand a squeeze, "It is certainly something." As he looked around himself, he shook his head, "This... was where the first King of England, King Edgar, was crowned over a thousand years ago."

Intrigued, Ayaka looked over at him, "Really? This was where they crowned British Kings?"

However, the Inugami became confused as her friend shook his head, "No, this was where they crowned English Kings for a time. Later, they did it at Westminster Abbey in London. Still... there's a lot of history here." Suddenly, Harry gained a smirk as he tapped his feet on the floor as they walked, "Not to mention what is under the floors."

Confused, and narrowing her eyes at the amused twinkle in Harry's eyes, Natsumi frowned, "Harry-Chan... what are you hiding?"

Just coming to a stop, Harry turned and met their eyes, "Oh, just the fact that there's corpses buried beneath our feet. Several thousand, as a matter of fact."

For a few seconds, no one did a thing before the Japanese members looked at their feet with wide eyes ourside of Rika. The Nekomata had a glazed look in her own eyes as she looked down before cocking her head to the side, "Huh... you're right. There's thousands down there... but they're all at peace."

Blinking, Usagi looked at her Neko friend, "At peace? With a... church on top of them? And people walking over their gravesites!?"

Slowly, Rika gave a nod as she looked at the others, "Hai, they're at peace and, well, content for the most part." Closing her eyes, she hummed a little as she tilted her head to the side, "It's... strange, but somewhat relaxing. They... a number were in pain in life, some having so much pain. But they came here for healing... and unfortunately never left. But their pain is now gone, and they rest here, at peace."

At seeing the others relax, Yae blinked as she looked between them, "Um, did I miss something, Gozaru?"

Opening one eye, the Nekomata smiled and chuckled, "I'm a Nekomata, Yae-San. One of the things that we're good at is sensing the mood of the dead, of the spirits. And... right now, I can tell you that not only are we not in danger, but they're perfectly content with where they are." Walking forward several feet, Rika sat in one of the pews and closed her eyes with a soft sigh, "I... just want to sit here for a bit, and converse."

The other Yokai all shared looks and nodded as they left her sitting in the pew as they continued . None of those spiritually aware commented on how there were wisps around Rika as she sat there, but they simply took pictures and the like of the stained glass windows and their surroundings. Not to mention the many monuments, that was until Rika rejoined them with a happy smile on her face.

__________________________________________________________________

Having come out of a tunnel, the Minibus drove along the road into a parking lot where it found a spot among the many vehicles there. Moments later, the doors opened and Jin was the first one out of the doors as she looked around and took a deep breath, "And here we are... Stonehenge!"

Carefully stepping out, Hachi looked around in interest before pointing with a slight smirk, "Actually, Stonehenge is a mile or two that way."

Just ignoring the grumbling from the Mizuchi, Natsumi frowned as she stepped out, "Wierd... I don't remember going through that tunnel two years ago."

A light chuckle made her turn to the lone wizard as he stepped out, "Actually, it only opened in the last year or so." Seeing the interested looks, he shrugged, "They decided that the road ruined the look of the area so they dug the tunnel for the road to go through. Then, they ripped up the old road and put sod where it had been to restore the area."

Practically jumping out, Nobu grinned some, "That's a neat idea, though I guess it can't be helped!" She then pointed towards the stone monuments, "But enough of such things, let us head to Stonehedge!"

Minutes later, the group was walking along and Harry had his head tilted to the side, "Did you know that not only is Stonehedge older than the placement of the stones, but also the entire area is one complex for religious purposes." He pointed towards a distant hill, "That's Silbury Hill and it's artificial, made around the same time as Stonehenge itself."

Eyebrows raising, Taiyang considered the distant hill and hummed, "Impressive. This was from before they had iron tools, correct?" At the nod, she tapped her chin, "Very impressive."

Looking around, Yae walked alongside the others before hearing Harry comment about the age, which made her eyebrows raise, "Stonehenge is how old?!"

Unable to help himself, the teenage wizard chuckled, "It's old. They found evidence that about eight thousand BC, or ten thousand years ago, people were performing worship here. They found postholes from five trees about two feet wide under the old car park last year. Said poles would have stood straight up towards the sky and might have been used for observation as part of a lunar calender. There's an old causeway and a bunch of tombs from about six thousand years ago. Then you got the cursus from about five thousand years ago over there..." Harry pointed in another direction before gesturing towards Stonehenge itself, "The first part of Stonehenge was actually built a little more than five thousand years ago. And the first stones were placed about four thousand, five hundred years ago."

For several moments, no one said anything, they simply stared at the monument. Finally, Nobu raised a hand, "That's... really old."

Rolling her eyes at her friend, Okita turned back to Harry, "When was it last used though?"

To that, Harry shrugged, "No one is really sure to be honest. They think that it was last really used back in Roman times, but..." He then shook his head, "But I know that some wizards and such used it for various ceremonies right up to the Statute being put in place. It is a place of power after all."

Just shrugging, Jin scratched her chin, "Yeah, you can just feel it on the edges of your senses. The weight of the years here."

Now thoughtful, Yae frowned some, "Gozaru... I knew that it was old, but not like that..." Internally, she was boggling, 'That... is so much older than anything back in Japan-'

Her arms crossed, Iku gave a small nod, "That's about as old as the ruins off of Okinawa," Utter silence met her at that and she turned to find Yae and the reincarnates staring at her, "What? Did I say something wrong?"

Mouth opening and closing, Okita finally managed to say something, "W-wait a moment... are you telling us that there are ruins underwater off the coast of Okinawa?"

Blinking, Natsumi turned and looked at her, "Um, she did? Because there are...?" At the looks, she came to a realization and winced, "Right, you don't know about those... Long story short, there's some prehistoric ruins off the coast of Okinawa dating back thousands of years. They're still visible because magic is keeping them intact for the most part, or slowing down the decay of them. But... the ICW placed heavy wards on them to keep them from being noticed by non-magicals. Magicals, including shipgirls, can see them just fine for what they are."

In reply, Uesugi pinched her nose some, "Why... would they be hiding that?"

However, it was Harry who answered, "Mostly paranoia really. I mean, one of the worries is Non-magicals wondering why they're still intact despite being under the sea. And maybe wondering if, possibly, mermaids and stuff were involved. Hence them deciding that it would be best to just hide them from the eyes of those without magic." Then he shrugged a little, "Frankly, I don't see the point. Besides, when the SoS falls, they're likely to be revealed with the wards taken down."

Disbelief still on their faces, the reincarnates and Yae shook their heads.

Not long after, the group found themselves just outside the standing stones of Stonehenge. Walking around, they admired the massive pieces of rock that rose above them. A small frown on her face, Taiyang looked towards the center of the monument, "I don't quite understand why we cannot go inside, Master."

Glancing at her, Natsumi shook her head, "Because they want to limit the damage." Seeing the curious look she was given, she continued, "The center is still being excavated for artifacts, which could be trampled under too many feet. And the stones themselves still show the markings of the tools used to carve them. Imagine, for a moment, people continously wanting to feel said marks. Heck, they found old carvings of daggers and axes in some of the stones, which people would destroy, possibly by accident."

Thoughtful, Taiyang looked at the monument in front of her. It had stood the test of time for thousands of years. Now, people far removed from those whom had built it so very long ago saw it as something to be protected. In a way, they were honouring their ancestors, which made her nod, "As is proper."

While confused about what her sword meant by that, the Kitsune shrugged it off, "Still, it is amazing to see it on the Solstice. Despite it being thousands of years, the Sun comes up between certain stones at special times of the year exactly." A thoughtful look appeared on her face and she looked around, "Though nothing could compare to actually looking back in time, I guess, like what happened."

Perking up, Taiyang looked at her, but it was Nobu who spoke up, "Wait, you looked back in time? To when it was being used?"

Just blinking, Natsumi nodded, "Hai? A year and a half ago, Harry-Chan and I along with my family were here for the Solstice when the oddest thing happened. All of a sudden, those of us there seemed to have been transported back in time to when all of this..." She spread her arms wide, "Was fully intact and in use. We could see the shining white of Silbury Hill with this massive bonfire on it, other bonfires lighting up the winter night at other places nearby, and Stonehenge fully intact. I even have video I took."

Frown on her face, Jin looked around, "Huh, didn't know that you were here then. But I remember that causing a huge stir because of how massive a breach it was. All I know is that some experts claimed that some sort of temporal event happened." Scratching her head, she gave an amused snort, "Of course, it was funny that it happened on the day that the world was supposed to end, December 21, 2012." A groan made the Mizuchi look at a facepalming Harry, "What?"

Only sighing, Harry pinched his nose, "If you're talking about the Mayan Calender thing, no, December 21, 2012 was never the end of the world. It was simply the end of an Age and the beginning of a new one. All the Mayans believed was that it would cause a time of transformation, not an end, just the start of a new beginning."

Head cocked to the side, Rika hummed a bit, "You know... when you think about it, they were sort of right. I mean, the Statute is coming to an end, magic is slowly being revealed to the world."

A snort came from Hachi and she shared an amused look with Iku, "All we need is a dragon to be a CEO or something."

Rapidly blinking, Asuka frowned, "What's wrong with that? Long-Wen Shi works great with Kiba and is practically the CEO of their investment company."

With a snort, the undead Mizuchi of the group lifted a finger, "Then there's that one Chinese dragon in what is in North Korea. Guy made out like a fucking bandit according to what I heard since he started that hydroelectric company in the mountains there. Making the big bucks and has been snatching up smaller companies." Moments later, she noticed Harry with his face in his hands, "What? Did I say something wrong?"

Not saying anything, the teenage wizard simply shook his head in disbelief while Hachi muttered something about shadows running under her breath.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A.N. -- One last crosspost, BTW. Another future look on Ehren as a mother with the future black sheep of the family (he's a transgressive little shit at times that likes to push boundaries).

A Discussion of Darkness

Malfoy Manor

Some Time In The 2050s

Lucius Vader Malfoy adjusted his gold and bronze tie in the mirror before running a hand through his gold hair with the faintest traces of copper. The fourteen year old young man in the mirror sighed at him. He looked presentable, which was always important in dealing with Mutti.

This walk to her office was going to take all his courage. But he was a Gryffindor, and courage, daring, nerve, and chivalry was their House name and motto. The teenage boy reminded himself of that as he took another deep breath and squared his shoulders.

He walked down the hall and knocked on the closed hardwood.

"Komm Herein!" He heard the familiar soprano voice bark out in German.

He walked inside at the expected command. His eyes flicked around the room, seeing that she was alone, and he relaxed minutely.

Inside, Mutti Ehren was seated at her precisely organized desk. She was scanning a document with one hand while she sipped espresso (from her favorite cup) with the other. Meanwhile she snapped off instructions to a subordinate into the microphone of her headset. "See if they will sell that stock of Dittany for 35 pounds per hundredweight as a starting offer. If they go above 40 speak to Jackie for alternate suppliers, we can do better then."
Spoiler: Ehren's Favorite Coffee Cup

She broke off and raised a finger to ask him to wait. She finished drinking her espresso, ended the call, and placed the headset, document and coffee cup in the spaces allocated for them. She then gave him her full attention. Steel blue eyes surveyed him as her lip twitched. "Guten Tag, LV. Let me guess; I'm late for lunch again. So you got sent to collect me, despite being fresh from Hogwarts on your Spring break after your O.W.L. tests."

He shook his head, "No, Mutti. Lunch is not for another hour. Ma Johnston is making beef brisket sandwiches for it so you will not want to miss it." He took a deep breath, grabbing his courage. "I... needed to talk to you. Privately."

She looked into his eyes, then twisted her wrist to cause her wand to appear in her hand. The door closed and locked itself while she activated the privacy wards with precise flicks of her wand that caused the magical photographs and paintings of him, his parents, and his siblings to freeze in place as the security spell took hold. "There, we are private and you have my full attention, Lucius. What is it?" She asked in a cool voice with banked warmth under the reserve.

He took a deep breath and gathered his courage. "Earlier this year you ambushed me in the Room of Requirement by impersonating Penelope Weasley."

She nodded and tented her fingers after making her wand vanish. "Ja. I and the others had gotten word of your... dabbling... with pretending to be a Death Eater as you shocked and scared the other students. We had a family discussion on that point and I volunteered to steer you back to the straight and narrow." She gave a ice-cold considering smile as she sized him up analytically. "I trust you do not need a second lesson?" Her voice was cool and precise.

"N-no no, Mutti!" He waved his hands as her lip twitched once more. He then took a deep breath and spoke quietly. "Afterward Ma spoke to me and also Dad. Dad showed his memories of what the real Dark Magicians were like, such as Tom Riddle." He swallowed, his face paling as he recalled the memories that his father had shared with him.

"Ahhh," Ehren rocked back in her desk chair with a creak of leather and gave a minute nod as relief appeared deep inside her eyes, "Riddle was actually before my time in more than one sense of the words. I had barely manifested my avatar then, had not met your father or the others yet, and only heard about the Basilisk incident afterward secondhand from Draco and some others. I started at Hogwarts two years after that happened." She waved a hand and a chair slid across the room to the corner of her desk. "Please, sit down, Lucius."

He took a deep breath after he sat, looking at her without the desk in the way, "After he showed me that, I did some thinking. I was such a fucking fool. You were right that the Dark Arts are not a toy with how they twist you."

She nodded to him as she spoke in a controlled voice with anger underneath the iron. "Nein, they are not. I have had much more experience of evil than I ever wanted, just like my Mutti Colombe has had. I could show you my memories of what the National Socialists did, for instance. The only real difference between the Nazis and the Death Eaters was the magic in the second case and better uniform sense in the first." She gave a thin smile with no warmth in it at all as she finished. "Aunt Del was right when she told me as a girl that while she hated the Nazis almost as much as I did, we had superb fashion sense in our uniforms if nothing else." She carefully surveyed his reaction.

He blinked and replayed the last sentence in his head twice. Mutti Ehren never misspoke and her words were as precise as her steel and spells. His body began to ache in memory of her ambush and brutal demolition of him in the Room of Requirement as he sensed the murderous wrath lurking under her iron self-control. Hesitantly, he finally asked "We, Mutti?"

She nodded once sharply as she spoke in a tone filled with powerful emotions churning deep underneath the icy precision, "Ja. We."

Her eyes pinned him with her stare as she leaned forward and she surveyed him. "You may recall seeing Draco's memories of the incident that caused him to reexamine his life choices?"

He nodded while his face paled slightly.

"Sehr gut. Your father is not the only one who has had to pass through the fire in our family. Have you ever wondered why I wear what I wear by preference?" She gestured at her normal severe starched white cotton shirt, black silk necktie clipped with a silver music note tie clip (a gift from Aunt Claire, no doubt), black wool custom tailored skirt-suit with sterling silver buttons and cufflinks stamped with her heraldic arms, white silk stockings, and low-heeled ankle boots so polished that the black leather was scarcely distinguishable.

He paused at the apparent non sequitur, then slowly shook his head as he visibly thought after looking at her ensemble. "No.... But it reminds me of the uniform you wore when you beat me up. A bit."

She graced him with a brief minute smile before speaking again. "Indeed it should remind you of that. My habitual preferences in dress and grooming are a reflection of a part of my heritage as an SS-Ehrendolch. As much as I sometimes privately wish otherwise, this is a small price that I willingly pay to keep that part of me quiescent." Her lip twitched again and she spoke dryly. "Besides, it flatters me, or so I have been told by your father and your other mothers. Repeatedly."

He chuckled at the clear joke. Then as he watched, Ehren sobered and clearly braced herself internally as she prepared for what she was going to say next.

She took a deep breath and leaned forward. "When I was forged, I... was as darkly aspected as anything you shall ever study in DADA. Evil men forged me for evil purposes, and while I have moved past that, it has left its mark on my spirit. I still have elements of that darkness that was forged inside my soul at my creation, and I ever shall, even though I have come to terms and accepted that part of me now; I master it, it no longer masters me." Emotion flickered deep inside her eyes as her voice grew filled with pain under the cool, clipped words. "I believed wholeheartedly in the lies of one of the greatest monsters humanity has ever produced. For I did not know any better then as a girl after I first manifested."

She stood, braced herself to attention, and flicked her wrist, filling her hand with her wand once more. "Unlike you, I had to come to the truth by my own searching, and it nearly broke me. I did what I did to you in the Room of Requirement to prevent you walking the same path that I was on then. If you had followed my steps along that unknowing path into darkness, one day you too would be forced to realize the truth of yourself in the same way as you father and I had to." Ehren spoke quietly as she looked at Draco's youngest son.

She tapped her temple with her wand and drew out a streamer of memory. A flick of the wand and a whispered incantation formed it into a window into the past.

Lucius stared at an image of Grandma Colombe's study. As he watched, an Ehren who was just older than he was marched inside, dressed proudly and precisely in a black and silver military uniform. The same uniform that she had worn when she brutally thrashed him.

As they watched, she sat at the desk chair with a smug smirk. She tapped in a command to unlock the computer and then began to use it. He could not see the screen in the memory, but as he stared in surprise, Ehren's eyes widened in visible shock. As he watched in disbelief at the image of Mutti visibly losing control of her expression, she shook her head in tear-filled denial before her face twisted in horror, and then loathing and anger. She vomited across the desk and screen crying and weeping with her face twisted into a tormented mask of suffering and revulsion. She finally slid out of the chair, that crashed to the ground and curled up in a ball, weeping and shaking.

As he watched, she clenched her fist around the blade of her true body, uncaring of how she was cutting herself. Her blood spattered the carpet as she stared at her hilt with a murderous berserk fury and disgust paired with soul-deep shame and loathing. He blinked as he realized that the heraldry on her hilt in this memory was different, showing an eagle and swastika that she was glaring at with naked hatred in her eyes.

The memory faded.

He swallowed several times before whispering from a desert-dry mouth. "That...?"

She spoke in a very controlled flat voice from a face that was slightly paler than normal. "That was when I found out the Final Destination of the path that I was following with blind faith and devotion in My Leader. That was when I realized that I was at the edge of the abyss. At the precipice ready to fall in, with one foot stepping into thin air. That the only reason I had not already become a Nazi like my Vati was more divine grace and mercy than I could possibly deserve."

She closed her eyes and swallowed as she spoke in a bare whisper. "I had to make an irrevocable choice that day. I could continue along the path into darkness that I was so far along and become another monster willing to do what I had just witnessed because I believed the comforting lies that the Final Solution was justified. Or I could try to turn back to the light, knowing that I might never forgive myself for the steps that I had already taken into the Abyss without knowing my destination. That choice was by far the hardest thing that I have ever had to do, and it nearly broke me -- body, mind, and spirit. I'll always carry the scars of that choice on my soul, and if my Mutti had not stopped me that day I would have killed myself in an attempt to redeem my stained honor with my lifeblood." She was rigid, as hard and resolute as her steel yet strangely brittle.

"Thanks to the love of Draco, Niobe, Cleo, Johnston, Claire, Mutti, Cathy, Father Jacques, our family and so many others, all sent by a gracious God filled with mercy for one so broken as I was then and afterward as I mended, I have finally managed to achieve some measure of forgiveness for my younger self's foolishness. A miracle in my life that I never expected nor could have asked for when I turned my face from what I was about to willingly become and took the first step back out of the darkness to what I am now." Tears trickled from her closed eyes as she finished in a shy voice filled with wonder and gave a hesitant smile.

He swallowed, stood up in turn, and then hugged her rigid form. He asked in her ear as she breathed in and out in a controlled rhythm as she began to regain control. "Then your ambush of me to show me the folly of my ways? Then this and Father's memories of Voldemort?" He asked with courage in his voice, already sensing the answer as he supported her.

Her eyes opened as she responded with her normal brutal honesty in a controlled voice with love under the cool words"Were the best solution we could think of to the question of what to do for you. Least painful to you and our family, as much as you may believe otherwise. Next best would have been killing you. A quick, painless, and lethal stroke before you fell too far into darkness. The worst choice of all would be for us to do nothing and let you continue on the path that you had just begun to tread unknowingly until you saw the Abyss staring into you." Ehren spoke in a quiet clinically precise voice, her eyes distant and haunted at some memories that she was recalling. "Your father and I have had to look into the Abyss inside us, and sometimes -- much much more infrequently now -- we do in memory. Not the least reason I love your father and your mothers so much is that they are always willing to comfort me when I wake up in the night as I glimpse in my nightmares the monster with my face that I could have chosen to become in reality."

His hug tightened on her, feeling her muscles tense to the breaking point and then relax. She gave a wry smile as she returned to herself and then looked into his eyes as she spoke gently. "I have done the same in my turn when their darkness touches them late at night. Family stands and supports family, always. Know that all decisions we make carry a price, and that it is not weakness but strength to ask your loved ones for help when old scars pain you once more when you remember the prices you paid. For me, seeing you and the others grow up makes the costs I have willingly paid worthwhile, always."

He hugged her harder and whispered in her ear. "Thank you, Mutti. For everything."

She returned the hug gently with a deep and rich love in her words under the self-discipline of her heritage. "You're welcome, my son."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Plucking the blackberry off the bush, Ayaka considered it for a few moments before dropping it into her pail before wiping at her forehead. It was their second loop of the day after they got back from doing some sightseeing. The Inugami had to admit, it was well worth it. Bath was an amazing city and so much to see, and the Salisbury Plain was also incredible. There were so many sites within walking distance to see and they had managed most of them.

She couldn't wait for the next "Free Day" where they would head out to sight see elsewhere, such as that Hadrian's Wall place Harry mentioned.

And speaking of said boy, Ayaka glanced at him as he continued to pick blackberries himself alongside Kenshō. Sometimes, the little Kogatana would grin and snatch a berry from the bush to eat, with the teen giving her an amused look. Lips twitching, the Inugami shook her head a little at that. When the two did that, it resembled something like an older brother taking care of his little sister, or perhaps a father with his daughter.

That thought made her pause for a few moments as she considered it before going back to her work. A glance told her that Natsumi had a small smile at seeing the antics between Kenshō and Harry. Not that she could really blame her either, because it tickled something deep inside her at the same time. As an Inugami, family, or pack as her instincts sometimes said, were highly important. In some ways, to a Yokai like herself, family was the most important thing. So seeing Harry taking care of Kenshō the way that he was? Like an older sibling or a parent? Well... it made her smile and her inner instincts happy that he was her friend.

Not that he had not proved his loyalty before, she could still remember the bunker. And, sometimes in the darkness of her room at night, she still woke in a cold sweat. What she had gone through was horrific after all, and she still had to hold back a slight shudder whenever going underground somewhere, or anywhere that looked like a tunnel unless it was brightly lit. Though she was slowly getting better at it as well. And from talks with the others, they were as well, which she was happy about.

Because, really, she considered them part of her pack.

Ears flicking a little, she considered that for a few seconds of thought before nodding. Even before the bunker, she considered Natsumi and the others, despite the shit she gave the Kitsune at times, her friends and fellow pack members. Sure, a different pack from her parents and siblings, but that was normal. It was a quirk of Inugami psychology that they organized people that they knew into different "Packs". There was the pack of close family, another pack made up of friends, a pack made up of classmates, and so forth. And after the bunker, she now considered them her pack of close comrades, nearly family.

Lips twitching, Ayaka shook her head, 'Guess that Harry-Kun was right when he stated that they who shed blood alongside them would be their Nee-San or Nii-San...'

When she had mentioned that, her parents had thought it over, but it was her grandfather who nodded with an impressed look on his face. He had then stated that Harry was very wise, because that was true. And that the bonds forged in such a thing were strong indeed, almost like family themselves. Thus, they were pack.

Placing another blackberry into the pail, the Inugami considered that for a few moments. Pack... they were all pack. It made her smile and another glance at Harry had her ears flick before she sighed a little, 'He would have been a good husband.'

It was something that she had admitted before the bunker. And after? That had only increased. She had seen him take on and kill a resurrecting Tamamo no Mae because she had taken someone he cared for from him. Just that was so damn loyal that she felt her heart beat a bit faster, even as her instincts told her to try and get him.

However, being an Inugami, she was also loyal to her friends.

Right at that moment, as she watched the two embrace, she had a soft, sad smile on her face as she came to a realization. There was no way that she could compete with Natsumi in that way for his heart. Because she could see the love that the two held for one another, even if Harry had not realized that fact. It made her heart ache at the lost chance, because she wouldn't be willing to join their little group. But, she accepted that fact, even more after the conversation that she held with Natsumi while in the hospital.

Despite her actions, she did care for Natsumi as a close, dear friend. Nearly sister to be quite honest, as much shit as the two threw at one another. Natsumi could be snarky, sarcastic, and gave as good as she got, something that she appreciated and enjoyed. It really appealed to her insticts for competition. Same, too, with how she had flirted with Harry before to get a rise out of her friend. "Being a little shit" like that one American had said was a lot of fun.

Still, despite that, she had Natsumi's back to the hilt. If something happened, she would be among the first there to back her friend up. And woe betide any that got in her way of this hound helping the fox.

That last thought made her pause a little as she remembered her history lessons.

While Kitsune were in power over most of Honshu, on Shikoku it was the Inugami who were the top dog as it were. Part of that, and the known issues between the two types of Yokai went far back into history to the days when some of the founding families of what would become the Kitsune Mochi arrived on the shores of Japan, fleeing persecution in China after Daji had come through. While originally Chinese, they took Japanese spouses, using their ability to create contracts with fox spirits who could possess them to gain power and wealth.

But people often became jealous of such things and spread rumours. Thus, they became secretive. Which sometimes lead to the families doing things that would cause dismay to others. The founder of the First Inugami family was one such example. He was the youngest male child in the clan he had been born into. As he grew older, so, too, did he become more powerful, more intelligent.

And that intelligence and power attracted jealousy.

Not just from his siblings and fellow youngsters, but also some of the Clan Elders who feared that he might usurp them. They fanned the jealousy that those of the younger generation held. Until, one day while training, he was ambushed and his beloved fox spirit slain by his fellows and him left for dead. But a farmer family found him and took him in, with him hiding who he was as he planned. One day, a pup was born from the farmer's dog and he recognized it as being a reincarnation of his fox spirit. He raised it from when it was young until it was an adult dog, loyal and strong.

Yet, his past caught up to him as one of the fox spirits of his family caught sight of him and reported back. The farmer's family was killed, and he was buried in the ground up to his neck, alongside the dog. Oh, they were not going to leave him to die on his own this time. They fed him and forced him to watch as the dog whom was the reincarnation of his fox spirit wasted away, teasing it with food and tormenting it. The family's fox spirits could not interfere due to the contract with them, and so watched, not saying a word.

Then... one night, the dog died with a final, anguished howl that all knew to be cursing the family that had betrayed one of their own. The betrayers all were unnerved for a time, but then the leader, the Elder whom had orchastrated it walked forward with sword ready to slay the young man, his fox spirit beside him...

Right before the spirit of the dog, not a ghost, leapt out and tore the throat from the fox. Stunned, the old man didn't have time before the Inugami leapt at him, ripping him limb from limb. Even as the others tried to flee, the Inugami was upon them, slaying them all before heading back to her Master, whom she dug up.

Afterwards, the first Inugami Master and his companion went about taking revenge upon the others of his clan. Some survived, fleeing Shikoku and spreading word, thus leading to the rivalry between the two sides. Often, members of said families would attempt to attack the new Inugami families, trying to kill them, but failing. Meanwhile, on Shikoku, the Inugami families began to grow and spread. But, unlike with the Kitsune Mochi, they wished for more, to become one with their guardian spirits, their Inugami. They sought out information, as much as they could regarding possession. All the time, becoming more powerful. But, always, the answer eluded them...

Until, one day nearly six hundred years ago, the answer washed up on the shores of of the island in the form of a foreigner.

He was strange and somewhat injured with an odd language with a manacle around one arm. It had taken a few weeks before he was healed, but he seemed to become more and more worried as the Moon became full. And then, as the Moon nearly reached fullness, he became ill. It had worried the Inugami family that had taken him in, because nothing that they tried seemed to figure out what had caused it. Though their Inugami spirits stated it felt like there was a spirit within him, chained.

And then... the night came when the Moon was full and shone down on Japan. The family had been alerted by the screams coming from the room that the man had been in and ran towards it. Opening the door, they were stunned to find that the man was writhing before the sound of bones breaking could be heard. Before their stunned amazement, the man began to, painfully, transform. The last thing to go was the intelligence in his eyes, replaced by a slathering madness as he howled before going on the attack.

Even as he leapt for the first member of the family, something strange happened. The young woman of the Clan who had found him summoned her spirit and allowed for them to possess her, at which point she got between him and the human child he was about to attack... and he stopped. Sniffing, the wolf-man seemed confused and cocked his head to the side, before noticing the humans and trying to get around her. The woman called out for the others to have their Inugami spirits possess them, at which point the wolf-man paused and stopped attacking.

When morning came, the man transformed back, crying as he begged their forgiveness in the broken bits of Japanese that he had come to learn. From him, they slowly got the story that he was a "Werewolf", a human cursed to become a wolf-like monster who would be driven to hunt humans. He also begged for them to kill him before he harmed any of them, something that drove those who listened to tears.

But instead of killing him, they shook their heads with the woman who had saved him on the shore embracing him. They would instead try and help him best that they could. Try and cure him, while also giving him a home at the same time. And as time went on, the man took the name "Hanzou" as he tried to hide his wolf half, and became part of the family. On the nights of the Full Moon, the members of the clan would merge with their Inugami spirits, thus protecting them. And, as always, the young woman, Aimi, would sit with him and comfort him.

No one was surprised when the two wed.

Hanzou was unsure about having children, but when they came out without his affliction, he was glad. Still, over the two decades he was with them, the Clan built up a lot of knowledge about his transformation. They could tell that there was some ancient magic involved in the curse, but it seemed to have corrupted some divine magic that allowed for the transformation. Magic that entered and left each transformation, with them taking some each time to study. It advanced their own studies faster than ever before, and they slowly were able to become closer and closer to their own.

And then, tragedy struck when a group of Kitsune Mochi got together enough of a force to make a landing on Shikoku where Hanzou's family were. By some luck, while he was unable to control the wolf spirit, Hanzou had found ways to transform even without the Moon. There, on one of the few paths through the mountains, he held back the army with all the ferocity he had. Dozens fell to his claws and teeth before he finally succumbed to his wounds, having bought enough time for the others of the clan to regroup and launch a counter attack which succeeded. His last words were if his wife and children, his pack, were alright.

When they told him that they were, he smiled. Those there stated that his smile was one of the most beautiful things that they had ever seen. As if, by saving the people who had given him such kindness, who had tried to cure him, he had been saved as well. And then he passed and they wept for the man who had become one of their own.

Just a year later, Hanzou's son entered the family shrine for their Inugami spirits with his own at his side on the night of the Full Moon along the Clan Elders. When he left, it was not as he was. For he was no longer human...

For he was now a Yokai, the first "True" Inugami.

Both him and his Inugami spirit had blended together, each becoming part of the whole of their own free will. Neither fighting each other, but becoming one harmonous whole. Seeing him with his tail and ears before he transformed into a large dog and back, the Clan had celebrated for they had done it! He spoke of how, during the blending, he had seen a woman clad in furs with the head of a wolf, or a dog. And how he had seen their ancestors, the first Inugami and her Master. All three had judged him and them as worthy of the transformation.

Soon, the rest of the Clan followed him and became Yokai, with the other Inugami clans receiving the secret and doing the same. All of them turning from human to Yokai, becoming more. The clan that Hanzou had joined became the leaders of the others, and Ayaka was a member of that clan with Hanzou being her great-grandfather, her grandfather being his son. From there, the story of the Clan continued on, how they had fought Kitsune Mochi and Kitsune invasions from Honshu, usually effectively. The Statute had changed things, and they buried the hachet with Natsumi's family, who despite being their traditional enemies, had saved Ayaka's mother and father from ICW Aurors who attempted to capture or kill them.

Natsumi's Clan brought with them their allies, Usagi's and Kaku's clans, Rika's joining just a few years later with others not long after. According to Ayaka's grandfather when she had asked, he admitted that while he was unsure, there was safety in numbers. He also admitted that he had been wrong to be unsure as he could see that it had been the right decision and had never regretted it.

Ever since, the Clans had worked together, making sure that they had one another's back in the often tumultuous world. More than survived, they thrived. And it was her generation that had grown up without the Inugami and Kitsune fighting each other outside of competitions and the like.

Remembering that last bit, part of Ayaka wondered, for a moment, if that was the reason for the competitiveness between her and Natsumi. But, in the end, she shook her head with a slight smile. In any case, she enjoyed having the Kitsune as a friend, though her thoughts came full circle as she sighed at the fact that Natsumi had bagged someone who did make her Inugami instincts run wild a number of ways, 'Dammit... someone strong, loyal as all hell, good looking, a true leader... Lucky bitch.'

Briefly, as she tossed back a blackberry, the Inugami had a thought and looked back towards Harry and Natsumi who were quietly chatting with each other, 'Hmm... if they do marry and have children, said children would be a mix of them...' in her minds eye, she imagined someone who looked like Harry, but obviously part Japanese. Maybe a lighter hair color than black, a mix between his pitch black and Natsumi's auburn. Adding fox ears and tail, Ayaka hummed a little, 'I suppose that personality, any children would likely get the best parts of their parent. Their loyalty, courage, good humour, probably powerful and a leader...'

Quickly, the Inugami blushed and shook off that image, 'Gah! What would be the chances of that happening!?'

Unnoticed by her, Natsumi felt a shiver go down her back and looked around in utter confusion, 'Wonder what that was about? And why do I feel like I should whack Ayaka-Chan...?'

Her attention was grabbed, however, as Kenshō tilted her head and looked from Harry to the blackberries, "Wait... there's things that make blackberries taste bad?"

Lips twitching, Harry hummed a little bit as he continued to deftly pluck berries from the bushes, though he noted that the others were listening, "Hai, you see, at the end of September, blackberries become no longer good to eat as they spoil. In some places, they state that this little fairy flies around and spits on the blackberries to make people sick from eating them. In others, such as Ireland, a shapeshifter called the Puca will go from bush to bush doing the same thing, but also relieving themselves on them. Other stories are that it is the Devil himself doing it, because when he fell from Heaven which happened on St. Micheal's Day, he landed butt first on a bramble bush, and thus cursed them for hurting him."

Giggles suddenly came from the Kogatana as she slapped her hands over her mouth, "The Devil hurt his bum by falling on a blackberry bush, Master? Really?"

Winking at her, Harry grinned, "That's what they say, Kenshō." Then, he shrugged a little, "Not that we need to worry about that as it's August and the Good Folk around here keep bad things out from spoiling things like that."

Only nodding, Kenshō smiled before she grabbed a large, juicy blackberry and popped it into her mouth happily.

____________________________________________________________________

Next loop, a hand reached up towards the branch ladden with peaches and deftly plucked one from where it hung. Bringing it down, Usagi stared at it with hunger in her eyes before rinsing it with some water. The Inaba didn't even wait until the water stopped dripping from it before taking a large bite and happily humming as she chewed. From where she was beside her, Kaku laughed at her as he walked past with a large basket filled with peaches, "Usagi-Chan, you're supposed to be filling the baskets, not your stomach."

In reply, Usagi just looked at him as she chewed before swallowing, a small amount of peach juice dribbling down her chin. Then, she smirked some as she wiped it up with one finger before sucking on it, "What? I'm a hungry teen. Besides..." Licking her lips, she looked at the fruit with a happy hum, "These are delicious!"

Swooping down with her own basket, Asuka snorted some, "Of course they are! These are fresh and right from the tree!" With a flick of her wing, one ripe fruit fell into her hand and she took a bite herself before swallowing, "Mmm... these are pretty good though."

Lightly laughing, Harry walked over after placing a basket into the cart pulled by the stone pony, "Well, you said it yourself." He nodded towards Kaku with a slight smile, "That should be the last one for this cart, we can wait for it to return."

With a blink, the Tanuki turned towards the larger cart and raised his eyebrows as he noted multiple large baskets in it, "Huh... didn't know that we had that many."

That got a small snort from Harry as he shook his head, "We're making a good time." Looking at the cart himself, he hummed, "We're going to be having peach jam for a long time yet."

Usagi just took a bite of her peach and shrugged, "I'm not going to complain and neither are any of my family. I mean, rationing is still happening."

Placing her own basket in the cart, Yae shook her head, "You know, when you said that we would be getting a lot of fruit, I didn't think that you meant this much! There's so many... I still don't know how I'm going to store them all, Gozaru..."

His lips twitching, the teenage wizard walked over and patted her on the back, "That's easy, I'll be giving you an expanded trunk for them. It won't be too big, but enough so that you can store all the preserves in it."

Eyes wide, Yae stared at him, "You would do that?"

Just shrugging, Harry shook his head with some amusement on his face, "Sure, it's not that big of a deal. Besides, I got a lot of them after cleaning out the Room of Requirement. And I do mean a lot since they've been popular ever since the charms came out for them. Honestly, some of them were barely dinged and people tossed them."

Furrowing her eyebrows, the Kendoka looked back at him, "Um... how big are these?"

Not saying anything, Harry considered the question for a minute before nodding, "About the side of a bedroom at minimum for the smaller ones. Complete with a small ladder for you to enter and exit. So that should help with storage, right?"

When he turned to her, Yae did a slow blink before nodding, "H-hai, that should help out a lot." Internally, she was trying to come to terms with that, 'Gozaru...'

Kaku, meanwhile, returned from where he had placed his basket of peaches into the cart, the last needed before the stone pony began to pull it towards the manor. Watching as it left, the Tanuki shook his head, "Well... we got some time now before it gets back. So maybe a snack?"

Rotating her shoulder, Natsumi nodded a little, "That would be nice, and it would give us all a rest as well."

Upon seeing her work her shoulder, Harry walked over and placed his hands on her shoulders, "Here, let me help, Natsumi-Chan."

The Kitsune just looked at him and kissed him, "Thank you, Harry-Chan, I really appreciate this."

Soft smile on his face, Harry kissed her back, "Not a problem, Natsumi-Chan..." A few minutes later found him lifting Kenshō towards a branch, the little Kogatana reaching for a large peach, "Got it?"

Her tongue poking from her mouth, she gave a cheer of victory as she grabbed said peach and plucked it, "Hai, Master! I got the peach!" As she was set down and Harry rinsed the fruit off with some water, she licked her lips before biting into it with a large smile, juice dripping down her chin. After a few moments, she stomped her feet in happiness before swallowing, "Gooood!"

Patting her head, the teenage wizard chuckled, "Hai, they really are."

Just opening her mouth wide, the Kogatana took another large bite of it. Once she chewed and swallowed, Kenshō looked back at him happily, "I can't wait until I can give some to Suisei-Oba-Chan! And give some to Kaa-Chan and Na-Kaa-Chan too!" Then she blinked a little, "Mou... do you think that they would enjoy them, Master?"

Still patting her head, Harry nodded, "I'm sure that they'll love it, Kenshō." Looking over his shoulder at Juuchi, he raised an eyebrow, "What do you think, Juuchi?"

The Muramasa raised an eyebrow as she bit into a peach herself, "Knowing my sisters, they would enjoy them as well, Master. Most likely a lot, especially if we also add some fresh fruit."

Only nodding, Harry smiled some at that even as Kenshō took another big bite of peach, juice dribbling down her chin. Briefly, the teenage wizard paused before looking behind him. Not seeing anything there, however, he frowned and shrugged it off and turned back around...

And thus missing the TARDIS that poked out from behind a tree that should have been far too thin to hide it behind.