Harry Potter & the Shipgirls

[darthcourt10]

Fafnir(Kaliedoscope) Omake: Yeah... must have drunk something.

Kinda disappointed nobody thought of this since it is a memest of all memes that would be perfect for the occasion but since no one does......

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"PRAISE THE DARK ONE! PRAISE THE DARK ONE! PRAISE THE DARK ONE! PRAISE THE DARK ONE! PRAISE THE DARK ONE! PRAISE THE DARK ONE! PRAISE THE DARK ONE! PRAISE THE DARK ONE! PRAISE THE DARK ONE! PRAISE THE DARK ONE! PRAISE THE DARK ONE! PRAISE THE DARK ONE! PRAISE THE DARK ONE!"

The drunk just blearily looked at the gathered Abyssals before looking down into the beer bottle in his hand, raising it up to eye level, not spilling a drop of alcohol, before raising it up to above his head, allowing the beer to flow down into his eyes.

Not even flinching at the fact the beer is assaulting his eyeballs, he waited until every last drop is drained out before he once again looked at the gathered Abyssals; the Worhippers of The Dark One, with his bloodshot eyes, staggering in the process.

"PRAISE THE DARK ONE! PRAISE THE DARK ONE! PRAISE THE DARK ONE! PRAISE THE DARK ONE! PRAISE THE DARK ONE! PRAISE THE DARK ONE! PRAISE THE DARK ONE! PRAISE THE DARK ONE! PRAISE THE DARK ONE! PRAISE THE DARK ONE! PRAISE THE DARK ONE! PRAISE THE DARK ONE! PRAISE THE DARK ONE!"

Nope, still there.

The drunk just slumped over in exasperation as he watched all 20 Abyssals, who are also his tenants, do the 'Praise the Sun' pose; back straight, arms stretched out to both sides, pointing 45 degrees upwards from chest level with the feet close together. Which is found in the game Dark Souls by the character Solaire of Astora, as a form of extended worship to their cult's god: The Dark One.

The inn manger wanted to give up on reality.

"I do not get enough pay for this shit..."

"PRAISE THE DARK ONE!"

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Dunno if its funny/confusing/disappointing/unremarkable/beatenbydeadhorse but somebody had to do a Praise the Sun meme, even if there is Anarchism stew elements in the process....

*Grins Audaciously* Now it is done

If anybody wants to adopt the Inn manager with 20 abyssal Tenants sidestory be my guest, I just made this as a one-shot, you are free to take over it.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

The Hunt for Norimune Part X

Minato Toyota, Tokyo, 3 kilometers from Hotel Okura:

Kagotsuruhe carefully folded her copy of the forms that she had signed and slipped them into a document folder. She stepped outside of the car dealership and paused, flickering through her 'library' of faces before settling on 'sardonic amusement'.
Spoiler: Hello Akutoku's Wheels


"Hello Akutoku. I was unaware that you were a fan." The Sword of Hopelessness then pulled out her cell phone to take several photos of her sister's disheveled condition.

The Sword of Corruption wheezed painfully as her stolen Hello Kitty bicycle (missing one training wheel) rolled to a stop. "Bitch... Have to Kill...the... OWFUCKMYLEGS."

"That haircut is new too. I recommend discontinuing that particular beauty salon. It does not suit."

Akutoku blinked and then refocused on her older sister. "Kago! What are you doing here?"

"Picking up my new Prius now that the insurance settlement is finalized. I could ask you the same question, Akutoku."

"Need to cut a bitch. Stole my car."

Kagotsuruhe blinked twice. "Ah, then nothing of value was stolen."

Akutoku glared and got off the bicycle, kicking it angrily then hopping around on one foot in pain. "OWOWWOW! I hate you Kago."

"Oddly enough, I hear that a lot. Once the attendant brings my Prius around, I shall give you a lift. Now smile for the camera." Kagotsuruhe took another photo to immortalize the moment.

--------------------------------
Spoiler: I'm Making This Up As I Go Along...

Downtown Tokyo:

CRACK

"Bulletproof. Annoying." Delilah frowned at the SUV on their rear bumper as she reloaded her revolver. "Let me think."

"JACKIE! BUS! BUS!!" Colombe screamed at the top of her lungs at the oncoming traffic.

The Civic slid between the aforementioned bus and a Lexus with scant inches to spare as Jacklyn cackled. "Toldja we would make it!"

Numbly the rapier nodded as steam started to trail from under the hood. Even the biker gang member smashing in the passenger side window barely registered.

"Jacklyn. Take the next left. Stand by for directions. Colombe, remember Tehran in 1979?"

The rapier blinked and turned pale. "Merde! You don't mean?"

"I do. On my mark throw it ahead of us. Jacklyn, when I call mark break hard right and floor it." Delilah tapped her wand against her revolver which glowed pink briefly.

The grinning cutlass nodded happily. "You got it, Del."

"Jacklyn, what is our speed?" Ahead of the Civic, the road ended in a T intersection with a high wall.

"One-thirty Del." Delilah glanced ahead at the oncoming obstacle and concentrated for a moment then nodded to herself.

The revolver smirked smugly, and leveled herself at the SUV. "Stand By."

"Three." Jacklyn bumped a borozoku motorcyclist taking a swing at the car with a bat out of their way with a fishtail

"Two." Colombe's hands moved in an intricate pattern and began to glow with a dark brown aura as she chanted under her breath in Chinese.

"One." Gunfire from the SUV stitched the back of the Civic.

"MARK!!"

CRACK

The bullet left Delilah's barrel and suddenly expanded into a cloud of pink paint that covered the SUV's front grill, hood, and windshield.

"Di Long Bai Wei!" Colombe gave a scooping motion with her hands and ahead of them the asphalt suddenly rose up into a ramp.

Jacklyn spun the wheel hard right with one hand while the other yanked the emergency brake and shot to the gearshift, meanwhile her feet did an intricate tapdance on the brake, clutch, and gas. All four tires smoked as the Civic made a barely controlled skid turn to the right, going up on two wheels as the left-side tires hit the edge of the ramp before crashing down with a THUMP that rattled all three sisters like dice in a cup.

Delilah's smug smirk turned feral as she watched the SUV behind them take flight and clear the wall of the nomaj US Embassy Tokyo to land with a splash in the Embassy swimming pool. "Nice work. With sufficient persuasion, it is all a matter of ballistics."

A baseball bat shattered their taillight. "Now for the local motorcyclists."

Sirens sounded and Delilah frowned as Jacklyn and Colombe exchanged high-fives. "And the local law enforcement."

------------------------------
Spoiler: Jackie and the Bandit

Omotesando Koffee:

"Right, one White Chocolate Mocha for Umi, Chi gets an Espresso with a double pump of vanilla, Suisei's bringing her own, Akutoku can die in a fire, Kago is black and strong, and Kyo-chan and Nameless get hot chocolate with whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles."

Norimune grinned and hefted the drink carrier with its steaming cups. "And I get my coffee with extra cream, sugar and cinnamon. First thing that has gone right all day. First the sneezing cold and then Kyo-chan started bouncing off the walls and then Chi accused me of stuffing her full of those candy bars!"

With the ease of long practice in maneuvering with her true self inside a kyudo bow carrier, the Unrepentant Blade bumped the door open and stepped out of the coffee cafe. "Now to head back to Chi's and...HOLY SHIT!!!"

A Honda Civic had just rocketed out of a one-way street (going the wrong way some numb corner of Norimune's mind noted) and was barreling down the sidewalk straight for her.

A very familiar itasha wrapped Honda Civic with neon Day-Glo anime characters decorating it.

Fortunately for Norimune and the passengers in said stolen Civic, only part of Norimune's brain was trying to process what she was seeing. The rest of her brain with her combat reflexes reacted instantly, diving back into the shop half a second before the Civic would have turned her into roadkill.

Norimune slowly rose from the pool of hot coffee, white chocolate mocha, espresso with double vanilla pumps, and hot chocolate with whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles and scowled.

"AKUTOKU!!!"

"Jackie! You nearly hit that one!"

"She shouldn't have come out of the store then, Colombe!"

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

CRACK

A police cruiser spun out of control as its tire exploded.

"They will have called for backup now and the net is closing. Time to go outside the box to break free. Jacklyn. Second right. Colombe, stand by for instructions."

"Del! Roadblock ahead! Spike strips!!"

"Good, I was counting on that."

"YOU WHAT?!?"

Colombe looked at Delilah to get a smug grin in response.

With a bang, all four tires blew on the Civic and sparks flew as Jacklyn drove on the rims

"Jacklyn, head for the bridge. On my mark put us in the water. Colombe, grab the bags and Jacklyn's arm."

Delilah holstered her revolver and concentrated as the pale-faced rapier complied.

"Mark!"

Jacklyn spun the wheel left and the Civic crashed through the bridge rail.

Delilah took firm hold of Colombe's arm and incanted as she moved her wand, focusing on the train station across the canal.

"Ianuae Magicae!"

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

With a bang of displaced air, the three sisters Apparated to the park in front of the train station. Colombe staggered and dry retched a little as Jacklyn whooped in glee.

"Let's do it again! Can we, can we?"

The rapier gave the cutlass a death glare as Delilah holstered her wand.

"Later. Hide your ears, Jackie. We need to get on the first train to Kamakura and crash at Colombe's shrine maiden's place while we regroup."

Colombe blushed scarlet. "She's not my shrine maiden!"

Jacklyn laughed as she pulled a hoodie out of the gym bag containing her true self. "Riiight, Sis. Pull the other one, it has bells on it. You made the bridge blow up for her."

"JACKIE!!!!"

"Discuss Sis' sex life later. Eventually Tokyo PD will determine that we are not at the bottom of the canal and running water does not erase all forensics. We need to take advantage of our broken contact to vanish. Now."

 

[darthcourt10]

Richardson Omake: And thus, Norimune knew that she fucked up

Yellowhammer said:
Well, yes. It wouldn't be a proper Butter Knife Dumpster fire without some mistaken identities.​

"AAAAAAA-KUUUUU-TOOOO-"

"Foxy bitch! Get in, some other bitch and her two friends stole my damn car!"

"Wat."

*yoink* "Wierdest thing, too. Two Americans, and a frenchie. One had a gun that looked like the steel of our swords, and the other two had this big knife and a rapier."

*Somewhere, distantly in the corners of a foxy mind, the warning klaxon for a core meltdown began* "That... why do those three descriptions somehow sound familiar."

"Get this, the one with a gun was trained by a yank Auror, no less. I'd say that she was trying to assasinate me, given she about took my head off, but there was a bunch of kitsune after her."

*There is much screaming in that corner, with many tiny fairy-Noris running around with their tails and ears on fire* "Why do I suddenly have the feeling that karma is catching up with me?"

*Kago turns and applies 'Deep-seated Fed Up with All This Shit' expression #42'* "Sister, if you have spawned a clan of your own, Juuchi will never let you live it down."

*The corner is no longer in the corner. The corner is the everything, and Nori is suddenly realizing that she is about to have the kind of Bad Day that they make Jackie Chan movies out of.* "We're SWORDS. We can't have children."

"Yes we can."

"Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooh. Shit."

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

The Hunt for Norimune Part XI
Spoiler: Soundtrack for the Chapter

Tokugawa Memorial Foundation Offices, Uehara, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo:

Honjo Masamune glanced over at her true body on the sword stand in her office.

Under the Maru-ni-mitsuba'aoi triple hollyhock leaf mon of the Tokugawas, the greatest blade of the greatest swordsmith of Japan gleamed with pride at returning home.

Leaning back in her desk chair, she took a bite of the peerless delicacy that was the Fuji Apple, before returning to her backlog of correspondence. Reaching a rice-paper scroll sealed with wax in the old fashioned way, she gave a small smile at the memory of her dedicated younger sister the miko, before breaking the seal and unrolling the scroll.

She blinked at the hand-calligraphed characters on the paper. Then she took off her glasses to rub her eyes before replacing them and rereading the characters. Another blink was followed by a close examination of the broken seal and a dubious look at the half-eaten apple.

If it was anyone but Tokunotakai who wrote this.... She doubted that Toku-chan had ever had a joking thought in the last five centuries. Much less this. Which meant....

Honjo's smile turned crooked as she began to read the letter aloud.

"Honored Elder Sister Masamune-no-Honjo. Greetings and salutations, I hope this message finds you in good repair. Yesterday, three young tsukumogami came to my shrine with certain proofs that they are the daughters of Muramasa-no-Norimune who have banded together to be introduced to their sire..."

Chisuheri's Apartment, Tokyo:

"...And then the bitch threw some kind of a fire spell that nearly took my head off. When I find her I'll gut her and set the bush on fire and then tie her entrails to the bush..."

Kagotsuruhe made a noncommittal hum in response to Akutoku's ranting as she parked her new Prius. The anger and frustration was coming off her younger sister in waves, and she hardly needed her magic to sense the mood.

"...And then I'll throw the bush in a den of fire ants and set it on fire too..." Akutoku reached the door and used her key to unlock it. "Oh hi Norim---"

Akutoku's words were cut off by a fist to the face from a coffee-stained and furious Norimune. "THAT'S FOR EARLIER AKUTOKU!"

Akutoku staggered back to thud against the impassive Kagotsuruhe and screamed at her sister. "WHAT WAS THAT FOR!"

"YOU KNOW WHAT THAT WAS FOR!!"

Chisuheri poked her head around the corner of the hall. "Keep it down, Nameless and Kyoshu are sleeping. Hi Kago. Nori just got back from her coffee run, some drunk driver nearly hit her."

"No Akutoku did. I'd know her car anywhere."

"Wait, My car?!?"

Umitsubame's voice came from the family room. "You won't believe what's on the television news."

Akutoku rushed past Norimune and then sank to her knees at the sight from the news helicopter of her Civic at the bottom of a canal. "My car....."

Kagotsuruhe glanced at the television as she followed Akutoku. "And nothing of value was lost. I will have to congratulate the thief for a job well done."

"NOOOOOOO!" Akutoku's pained shout woke Kyoshu who blinked at the TV news.

"Akutoku! Akutoku! Mou, is that your car swimming with a Mizuchi on the TV?!?"

Norimune began to laugh out of pure Schadenfreude.

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

Suisei entered the apartment and sighed at the tableau placed before her.

Akutoku was crying her eyes out on the couch with a bald strip front to back shaved on her head while Umitsubame was consoling her. A coffee stained Norimune was doubled over laughing in the kitchen at her sister's obvious distress while Chisuheri was desperately stifling a grin at something that Kagotsuruhe was showing her on Kago's phone. Meanwhile Kyoshu and Nameless were playing patty-cakes in front of the window.

"I'm sorry that I'm late, sisters. I had to go to a magical printer to get enough copies for everyone. What did I miss?"

Kagotsuruhe responded calmly, "Much. Some terrorists bombed the hotel where Akutoku was signing her books. In the confusion Akutoku acquired an involuntary haircut, her phone was destroyed, she was shot at, and her car was stolen and destroyed in a canal a mile from here. The photographs of her alternate means of transportation must be seen to be believed. How was your day?"

Suisei waggled her hand back and forth. "Not as exciting as yesterday, thankfully. Someone picked a fight with the local motorcycle gang and roughed them up yesterday. Since the person who did that was a magical attacking mundanes, I got a bunch of fliers with their photograph so you can be on the lookout for them."

The tanto pulled out a flier with a magical picture of Delilah on it. "Here they a----"

The flier was yanked from her hands by an incandescently seething Akutoku who glared daggers at it. "I! KNOW! THAT! FACE!"

Suisei blinked in surprise as the other Muramasas wandered over to look. "SHE'S THE BITCH WHO STOLE MY CAR ALONG WITH THAT DAMN KITSUNE."
Spoiler: I'M A WHAT?!?

Norimune walked over from the kitchen and craned her head to see the flier. "What's this about...a...Kit..su..ne..." Her voice trailed off and died as she got a good look at Delilah's smugly smirking face.

The Unrepetant Blade froze and turned white as a ghost as the rest of her sisters looked at her. "It can't be...." she whispered, her eyes wide and unfocused. "Jèzabel was a century and a half ago...."

The phone rang with Honjo's caller ID.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

The Hunt for Norimune Part XII
Spoiler: Theme of The Hunt For Norimune

Tsurugaoka Hachimangū, Kamakura:

"So, Colombe, when is the wedding? You know it's legal here. There was a tea set that married a battleship not too long ago."

"Bite me Delilah! For the last time. Toku and I are not an item."

"Calling dibs on your kids for a round the world voyage!"

"Get stuffed, Jackie! Go...I don't know, swill some of that godawful rotgut rum and put a sock in it!!"

"But me Rum is gone! Why is me Rum gone?!? Me poor Rum in the room!"

A palm met a face as the trio of Muramasa sisters started to climb the eight-century old stone staircase.

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

Tokunotakai gave a serene smile that grew a touch at the sight of sun-kissed gold hair as the sisters reached the top. She walked forward and bowed. "I have news."

Three sets of eyes turned to the Masamune shrine maiden.

"Honjo-neesan owled me back. She says that she has contacted Norimune. Your sire and her family will be arriving here tomorrow to meet you."

Jackie whooped and danced happily.

Delilah's eyes watered and she surreptitiously wiped them with her sleeve as a radiant uncontrollable smile broke out on her face.

Colombe froze, her lips moving soundlessly. Slowly, Colombe staggered forward and gripped Tokunotakai's shoulders with a desperate unvoiced question filling her blue eyes.

Tokunotakai nodded in response.

Colombe collapsed against Tokunotakai and cried uncontrollably as Tokunotakai gently patted her back with suspiciously shiny eyes of her own.

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

The Next Morning:

The eastern sky was starting to lighten with the first rays of sunrise when Tokunotakai and Colombe finished sweeping the steps. The Muramasa turned to face the Masamune and visibly gathered her courage.

"I already told you that I can never repay the debt that I owe you for helping make my family whole. I... also owe you an apology."

Tokunotakai turned to face Colombe in turn. "For what?"

Colombe flushed. "You told me that you were an arrogant fool in 1864 when we first met here."

Tokunotakai nodded.

Colombe took a deep breath and bowed inexpertly to Tokunotakai. "So was I."

"All I could think of back then was my rage, my pain, my loss. That monk was right when he told me that the time was not right. If I had stayed... I would never have met Delilah and Jacklyn. And..." The rapier looked grim and her voice darkened. "Delilah got access to some files of what happened to one of my aunts during the war. Being a foreigner then would have..." She trailed off with a sick expression. "I would never have abandoned Norimune, no matter the cost to me, she's family. My family. And that would have destroyed us both."

Tokunotakai spoke somberly, her eyes shadowed. "Yes, that was... not a time I wish to return to."

Colombe nodded. "No one sane would. But you had every right to show me the door then... and now... for the kind of ass I was back then. You were the better person to give me a second chance to set things right. And... I'm sorry that I said what I said to you back then. It was beneath me, and certainly beneath you."

Tokunotakai's cheeks grew rosy. "Apology accepted."

Colombe opened the storage shed for their brooms and spoke introspectively. "I just wish I could thank that monk who kicked my ass up between my ears to get my head screwed on straight." Her lips curled in a smug smirk. "Well that and get a few tips on swordplay from him, he was good. Better than me, truth be told."

Tokunotakai laughed gently. "That can be arranged."

Colombe turned and stared at her disbelievingly. "Wait, what? That old geezer had to be on the high side of eighty if he was a day, and it's been over a century since he sorted me out. Humans don't live that long."

Tokunotakai gave a smug grin at Colombe's naked shock. "That was Hachiman-dono. And he had words for me too after you left Japan. You were not the only one who 'needed her ass kicked up between her ears to get her head screwed on straight' in 1864."

"HACHIMAN!?!?!"

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

Tokunotakai bowed to a pair of sword spirits as they reached the top of the stairs. "Ohayou gozaimasu, Honjo-nee, Tsukiakari-san. May I introduce Norimune's children?"

Honjo returned the bow as Tsukiakari snuck looks at the blonde in a borrowed pink yukata with butterflies from Tokunotakai's clothes chest.
Spoiler: Colombe in her Yukata

Delilah bowed in her charcoal gray yukata with a pattern of cavorting cats, then elbowed Jackie subtly as Jackie fidgeted in her sea-blue yukata with silver carp. "Delilah de Breuil-Muramasa."

Jacklyn grinned and waved "Captain Jacklyn Fox-Muramasa".

Colombe curtsied formally. "Colombe d'Aubigny-Muramasa du Chasteler."

Tsukiakari spoke up with a broad smile. "It's good to see you again! I remember you and Master Ian and Miss Lyra and Master Henry!"

Colombe blinked, and then examined the Kyo gunto. "I don't...wait. You look like Ian... and a little of Lyra in the face around the eyes. I wonder why Ian never told me that he had a daughter."

Tsukiakari grinned cheekily. "Not...quite. Does this 'ring a bell'?" She drew herself and assumed a western-style fencing position.

Colombe gasped in shock and then drew herself in turn, shifting into a matching position and doing a slow, controlled lunge automatically. Tsukiakari moved with her in that slow swordplay until Colombe's point touched a small scuff on the Kyo gunto's hand-guard.

Colombe whispered. "May 17th, 1899. My first match with Ian Potter after Lyra joined us for bedplay." She teared up with her eyes distant and an uncontrollable fond smile at the memory of two of her best friends. "I can still see Lyra with that perverted smile lighting up her face while she scribbled in that notebook of hers and showed off her body to us both as we fenced back and forth au naturel while Lyra quizzed me for ideas for those 'Lady Chastity' stories of hers."

A thud interrupted them and they looked over to see Tokunotakai had fainted dead away with a dazed smile and a nuclear blush on her cheeks.

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

The Hunt for Norimune Epilogue
Spoiler: Epilogue Music

Over eight centuries ago, Tsurugaoka Hachimangū had been consecrated to the Protector of Warriors by the first Minamoto Shogun.

Five centuries ago, it was the site of a competition to determine two consecrated swords' destinies as the blades of Hachiman. One was honored to this day to serve as a priestess and instructor in Tsurugaoka Hachimangū. The other was sent to wander the earth to find her place.

One and a half centuries ago, the eldest daughter of the wandering sword had come there to confront the Priestess to learn of her father. She got the answer she needed, not the answer she desired to hear. The Priestess also received the lesson that she needed to learn.

Four decades ago, the wandering sword came back at one of the nadirs of her life. She believed herself to be alone and the Priestess had to bar her from entrance until things changed.

Three days ago, the three daughters of the wandering sword came to Tsurugaoka Hachimangū to learn of their father. The Priestess and the eldest daughter showed that they had learned Hachiman's lesson from their first meeting and had moved on from what they had been to what they should be.

Today, Muramasa-no-Norimune, the Unrepentant Blade of the Mad Smith, Consecrated of Hachiman, surrounded by her sisters climbs the ancient staircase of Tsurugaoka Hachimangū where a Shogun was assassinated and millions of pilgrims seeking the Protector of Warriors have walked. Awaiting her are her daughters, and a new chapter of her life where her story began five centuries ago.

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

Starring (In Order of Appearance):

Colombe D'Aubigny-Muramasa du Chasteler
Muramasa-no-Norimune
Muramasa-no-Kyoshu
Masamune-no-Nameless
Delilah de Breuil-Muramasa
The Magical Neo-Kempetai
Jacklyn Fox-Muramasa
The Magical Yakuza
Masamune-no-Tokunotakai
Muramasa-no-Suisei
The Kitsune Borozoku Biker Gang
Detective Kunio, Nerima Police Special Crimes Department
Kurita-ji
Muramasa-no-Akutoku
The Men and Women of Tokyo Law Enforcement
Muramasa-no-Kagotsuruhe
Masamune-no-Honjo
Muramasa-no-Chisuheri
Muramasa-no-Umitsubame
Tsukiakari-no-Suzu

No Dumpsters Were Harmed Unnecessarily In The Making Of This Production.

Author's Note: And that's a wrap for the Norikids' quest for their father. As I have said I planned to set the table for Lord K
to take it from here and write Norimune's story from here. Hope that you enjoyed the Junior Butter Knives' misadventures!

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Watching as Harry laid on the floor with exhaustion on his face, Hoshi chuckled some. She would never tell him, but the young teen had impressed her with how he did not give up. Yes, there was a small, marked improvement in all areas, some better than others. Not a huge amount, but enough for her to notice with her trained eye, though that was mainly due to the amount of time that the two were putting in.

Four hours of Aikido combined with five hours of Kenjutsu was not what most would call a normal lesson.

However, Hoshi understood that the thirteen year old had a destiny in front of him. And said destiny was entwined with Natsumi's, through said Kitsune's own will. She had no doubt that when the day came to face Voldemort, Natsumi would be right there at his side. Hence, Hoshi decided weeks ago, she would make sure that he was as ready to meet that destiny as possible. And if she needed to stack the deck in his favor? She had no issue with that.

Rolling her shoulders, the Kyuubi smiled some, "You have done well, Harry-San."

Just blinking, Harry looked over at her in surprise, "Um, thank you?" Sitting up, he took a deep breath and let it out even as he felt sweat drip down his face with a slight smile, "Though I am glad that I am doing a little bit better."

Bemused, Hoshi smiled at him... and then bapped him on the forehead with a tail, "Yes, but do not become full of hubris, Harry-San. You got a long way to go yet after all." With another tail, she pulled him to his feet, "Now is time for your cool down."

Nodding, the wizard began to go through said cool down as asked. As he did so though, a smile grew on his face, "I am happy though with everything, so thank you, Sensei."

Hoshi helped him with some of the stretches as she hummed, "You are very welcome, Harry-San. I do appreciate having a student who does listen." With a slight curl to her lips of amusement, she continued, "And I must say, you do listen well."

With a nod, Harry smiled at her, "Thank you, Sensei." Head tilted to the side as he stretched towards his toes, helped by the Kyuubi, he frowned a bit, "How well am I doing?"

Taking a few moments to think, the Kitsune chuckled, "On your Kenjutsu, it is proceeding as well as can be expected. With the time that we are putting in, I expect that you will be at the very basic level by the time summer rolls around." That made Harry wince a bit at the description of his capability, "At least you will know more than the pointy end goes in the bad guy and that you can hack and slash."

Sheepish, Harry weakly chuckled at that as he remembered how she had groaned at seeing how he handled the Basilisk. She had words with him in regards to how he had handled that issue. About the only compliment that she had given him was that at least he had not dropped the sword on his foot or cut himself, "Well... hopefully..."

Unknown to Harry, there was an amused expression on Hoshi's face. Chuckling, she shook her head, "However, in regards to your Aikido? You are quite a ways along it. From what you have told me, you have been learning it for years, correct?"

Harry nodded at that, "Hai? Inazuma-Chan has been teaching it to me since I was nine years old."

Just humming, the Kyuubi did some work in her mind, "So roughly four years then. Yes, you're quite good for that martial art, and I suggest that this summer you go for your first Dan. I suspect that you will manage it with all the practice that we have been putting in here."

That made Harry smile a bit more at the thought as it would put him one step closer to his goals. From there, the conversation meandered here and there, neither of them talking too much of different things. Unknown to Harry, it was mainly for Hoshi to get a better feel for him. Thus far though, her original impression was only reinforced and she could only hope that one day him and Natsumi would become a couple as she suspected that they would.

Eventually though, their talk turned to other matters, one of which made the thousand year old Kitsune blink, "I'm... sorry, but what are you working on?"

Lightly blushing at her incredulous expression, Harry chuckled weakly and scratched his cheek, "Well... it is not just me. Natsumi-Chan is also working on it alongside me and the two of us keep exchanging notes and such." With a shrug, he smiled, "If it works, we'll be able to actually fly without needing brooms or anything."

Finger waggling in her ear, Hoshi blinked before pulling it out, "That... is what I thought that you said." An expression of disbelief on her face, she shook her head, "Actual flight without any aids beyond one's magic? That is something that people have been trying for centuries all over the world."

Simply shrugging, Harry scratched the back of his head, "Maybe? But we got the notes that Riddle left behind and have been going through them. And there were reports that he actually was flying at the end of the last war... Professor Dumbledore thinks that there is enough there to actually reverse engineer it." A grin then crossed his face, "It would be so cool though if we managed to actually fly!"

Considering that, the Kyuubi did have to nod some, "Yes, I suppose that it would be... 'cool', to be able to do so." An intrigued look on her face, she frowned, "How far along are you?"

Harry blushed a little at the attention, "Well... not that far? I mean, we're talking something extremely hard. But some of the offshoots though that he dismissed are interesting." Looking around, he gave a nod, "I could show you one that I have been working on..."

More than a little interested, Hoshi nodded and watched as Harry got up and bounced a bit. Eyebrow raised, she hummed, "And what are you going to show me?"

Grinning, the thirteen year old took his wand and muttered a spell before tapping himself on the head, "And there we go."

In return, Hoshi furrowed her eyebrows as she looked at the teenager in front of her. There was... something, but it was at the edge of her senses. Outwardly, from all appearances though, there was nothing different, "Hmm, and what did that do?"

However, if anything, Harry's grin widened and he leapt forward at Hoshi, who gave a small yelp and ducked a bit as the wizard soared over her head and landed about eight feet away. Upon landing, he pushed off again, which sent him airborne once more. Just as Harry was about to hit the wall, however, he brought up one leg, and kicked out, the force enough to send him flying back. Laughing, did a flip and pushed off the floor. Noticing the wide eyed expression on Hoshi's face, Harry grinned all the wider, "Well?"

Rapidly blinking, her surprise melted away into thoughtfulness, though there was a slight smile of amusement, "I will admit that I am impressed." Eyes following him as he bounded all around the room, most of his leaps being at least eight feet into the air, and twice that long, "But you did not answer what the spell did."

Landing, Harry bounced a bit before coming to a stop, "Well... it operates as a lightening spell of sorts, or gravity control? It basically makes it so that I weight about 1/7 of what I would normally, without losing any strength, which lets me pull all sorts of things." With a shrug, he shook his head, "I can actually use two big fans and flap them really hard to fly for a short distance. Sure, about... thirty feet, and it leaves my arms tired, but still. Really, really neat."

Within her head, Hoshi was already calculating various uses that such a spell could have, "And... Voldemort dismissed this spell as useless?"

Eyes rolling, the black haired wizard shook his head, "Yeah, because it was not true flight. Really, really useful though to be honest. I mean... something normally impassable like a swamp would be a place where you could literally hop across." A grin crossed his face and he laughed as he cancelled the spell before continuing, "Natsumi-Chan and I think that we can take it a bit further given time. I mean... you know all those Wuxia films? Where you got the martial artists leaping about and stuff? We could probably pull that off with some work."

Now extremely amused, Hoshi considered how some might react to such a thing and shook her head, "Truly, Voldemort is an idiot. Though I suppose that seeing his research used for fun would get him rather... annoyed. Especially as I have no doubt that he would recognize it." She then hummed a bit, "Was that all though?"

Harry though shook his head at that, "Not really? I mean... Natsumi-Chan is working on another spell as well. Makes it where one can skate across the ground at high speeds. Another 'Dead-end' according to the notes as it doesn't fly. Going by the notes though, the spell would let us skate across the ground or maybe even water at forty miles per hour at least." Tilting his head to the side, he hummed, "Combining the two... we might be able to pull something like leaping over tall buildings with a single bound with enough speed behind his."

Tone dry, Hoshi raised one eyebrow, "Hopefully you make sure to take every precaution before doing such."

Seeing the look in her eye, Harry nodded, "Hai, Sensei. We've already discussed it and we're some ways from doing that... but we still want to master the ones that we're working on first before doing something like that. What we got already is still wicked awesome just the same."

All the Kyuubi did was laugh at that and shake her head in amusement, though a part of her was interested in learning said spells as well.

 

[darthcourt10]

Savato93

To the Northern Ocean Princess and her fleet:

We hope you are faring well.

Life on Unalaska has been… different, in your absence. The harbor has been rebuilt with the help of the shipgirls, and our crab fishing is starting to pick up once more. But over the past few years, it's become harder to deny how much you all impacted our lives in the short time you lived here. There are no longer escorts for every fishing boat, standing by to assist should something go wrong. No more submarines surveying the waters, providing suggestions on where to best lay down crab pots. Not as many friendly people, just lending a hand around town in general.

In all… it's been much quieter, here. And although some of us aren't too keen on admitting it… we kind of miss you.

When we heard that you survived, Princess, we were happy for you… but we were also sad. Because we saw the aftermath… we saw a lot of bodies whose faces we recognized. It doesn't take a genius to know just how much your fleet meant to you. To see how you treated each and every one of them like your daughters. For you to lose so many in a single day… must have been incredibly painful.

But at least you didn't lose them all.

We're happy to see you and your remaining children reunited. And we want you to know, that you and your daughters will always be welcome to come back and visit us if you like… regardless of what the war hawks might think of it.

You came to our island as conquerors… but somewhere along the line, you became our friends instead. And at the very end, you were our protectors. We'll never forget that.

Regards,
The citizens of Unalaska

P.S.—a handful of your fleet's belongings happened to survive the battle. If you'd like, we can arrange to have them sent over to you.

...

Hoppou set the letter down, her expression unreadable. Her daughters gathered around her, trying to get a good look at the contents of the letter for themselves. "Are… are you alright, Hoppou-chan?" Nagato eventually asked.

At first there was no response. But then… Hoppou began to laugh weakly, a tear rolling down her cheek.

"It's… strange," she started. "All this time... Hoppou was afraid of reaching out to them. Because, even though everyone started to get along in the end… Hoppou was the one who came into their home without asking… imprisoned them all, put them in danger. I knew better than to expect forgiveness. But despite that… they don't hold it against us."

"Yes…" Tanith let out a small sigh of relief. "It seems that our sacrifice wasn't a thankless deed, after all."

Nagato smiled. "You know… I was one of the shipgirls who came to investigate the battle at Unalaska… during the mission in which we found Hoppou." She patted her adopted daughter's head. "Something that gets glossed over in the after-action reports, though...? There wasn't a single human casualty."

Sunny leaned in, eyes wide. "R-really? They're all okay?"

A nod. "The only recorded deaths in Unalaska since you arrived there at the start of the war have been of natural causes."

Hoppou sniffled, a weak smile on her face. "We… we really saved them all…" The other Abyssals came in close, wrapping their mother in a hug, as years of apprehension and self-doubt were lifted from her heart. "And they don't hate us."

"Why would they?" Nagato asked. "In the end, you all did good by them. Even managed to preserve most of the town, so they still have homes as well." Reaching out, she picked up the letter to inspect it herself. "...now, I don't know about visiting Unalaska in the near future, given the outstanding arrest warrant on Hoppou in the US. But after taking the time to reach out to you girls, I think it's only fair for you to write them back. Wouldn't you agree?"

Pulling out of the group hug, Hoppou wiped the tears from her eyes and nodded. "Mommy is right. Hoppou and her girls have to send a letter of their own!"

So it was, that the girls spent the next couple of hours gathering signatures from the entire Fleet of Laughter, all coming together to work out what they would say in their reply...

XXXXXXXXXX

Once Nagato made her way aboard the yacht and gathered everything she needed for an investigation—the bones of the crew, all the surviving ship logs, and whatever she could glean from the electronic systems—she and Hoppou departed for home, and the Fleet of Laughter returned to their daily routines. The ship was tended to on-and-off by the installations in their free time—sandblasting the hull to remove what little of the original paint was left, pulling out the rest of the interior furniture, and cutting out and replacing all the rusted metal they could reach. None of them were even certain if they'd be allowed to keep the ship yet, but they made the effort regardless, in hopes of saving the rightful owners the trouble of cleaning it up.

For many of the girls, it was interesting watching the massive vessel change over the course of a few days—its surface transitioning from a mess of rust and faded paint and barnacles, to the dull grey of bare steel with weld marks here and there. It was starting to look less like a shipwreck, and more like… well, a ship.

Not too long after that, Nagato made another trip out to Avrora—bringing with her some news.

"You managed to find the ship's name already?" Sonata asked, eyebrows raised. "Wow."

Nagato nodded. "The amount of documentation I was able to pull from the derelict made the process much easier." She pulled out a clipboard and handed it to the Princess. "Apparently, this ship is called the O'mega. Built in 2004, it disappeared during a chartered voyage a couple of months before Blood Week. Best we can tell from the course she was intended to take—and how much she deviated from that path—Abyssals must have taken their time stalking her until she ran aground, then boarded the ship and killed everyone."

The friendly Abyssals gathered in the room let out a collective sigh. "Those poor souls," Sunny lamented. "It must have been hell for their families, having no idea what could have happened until Blood Week spelled it out for them."

"Indeed." Nagato shook her head. "At least now their next of kin have the proof of their fate."

The girls had a moment of silence in respect for the dead. "So…" Ritou eventually spoke up. "Who does the ship's chain of title lead to in modern day?"

The girls perked up as Nagato gave them a small smile. "As luck would have it… the O'mega was officially declared sunk after the war began, and written off as a complete loss by every party involved in her construction, staffing, and docking. As far as the paperwork is concerned, she's scrap at the bottom of the ocean that nobody wants anymore. And given how long ago said paperwork was filed… any of those involved parties that are still around today can't just call for a take-back."

Reaching into her hold, she produced an evidence box and plopped it down on the table, removing the lid to let the Abyssals get a glimpse of what lay on top: the deed to the ship. "In accordance with regional and international salvage laws… she's all yours."

Sunny's expression immediately lit up. "Alright! We've got ourselves a party boat!" She exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air.

"Which is in dire need of refitting, mind you," Ritou pointed out, rolling their eyes. She pointed to the box. "So, this contains all the schematics and specifications necessary to repair the ship, right?"

"Of course," Nagato answered. "I had Hoppou-chan there to remind me what you all would need for this project." She raised a finger, grinning. "Just remember to invite me and Harry for a ride once you get her back into shape, alright?"

The sisters looked between one another, grins forming on their own faces. "You got it, Grandma."

XXXXXXXXXX

Regalia was really starting to regret her decision to check out the park.

The first sign she should have turned back was arguably the dozen or so Abyssal IFFs she picked up. She hadn't been too concerned at first; Grandma had told her that there were some silly girls hanging around, but that they were more or less harmless. Having no real experience with any sort of organized religion, let alone a cult, she didn't know just what was meant by 'silly'. Regalia figured it was like one of those "the end is nigh" goofs her mother had told her about once: big and loud and dirty, but not really a threat otherwise...

Which meant she was caught completely off-guard when Abyssals suddenly popped up out of nowhere and surrounded her like a pack of wolves.

Regalia could hear them whispering all around her, as she held onto Tippy for dear life...

"Look, sisters… a wanderer."

"Alone. Afraid."

"Her hull is unblemished… she must be young. But those eyes…?"

"She smells of fresh soil… not blood."

"She has nice clothes… I'm kinda jealous."

"She must learn to fear, before she incurs her wrath!"

Regalia fought to keep the tremble out of her voice as she spoke. "Wh-who are you…?"

It was at that point that one of the Abyssals stepped forward—another Re-class, garbed in some sort of shrine maiden outfit.

"PRAISE THE DARK ONE!" She cried. "A force of vengeance and fury that the Abyss shall never equal!"

"PRAISE THE DARK ONE!!" Regalia flinched at the resounding call of the other Abyssals.

"The Dark One has brought unto us a lost soul… a stranger to the evil that dwells in all of us!" The other Re-class continued. "It is up to us to save her—to warn her of the fate that awaits all who spite our unholy matron!" She took a step forward, causing Regalia to take a step back. "You needn't fear us, sister. We are here to open your eyes, to reveal to you the singular entity you must fear above all others, even Death itself!"

"PRAISE THE DARK ONE!!"

Regalia gripped her tail tighter, mentally kicking herself for unloading ALL her ammunition. "What do you want from me? Who is this… 'Dark One' you all keep talking about?" She asked.

"She is a river of hate and pollution…" one of the cultists spoke, in an almost-hushed whisper.

"A titanic serpent of brine and rot…" another said.

"Her mastery of the deep… the very thing that gave us Abyssals life… is absolute. It is only by the Dark One's great mercy that we are allowed to live."

"The slain god, who has transcended death through her rage alone!" The Re-class, the apparent leader of the group, finished. "The meek, the young, the frail… all these are under her watch! And those foolish enough to harm them will know her wrath!"

"PRAISE THE DARK ONE!!"

Just what have I gotten myself into…? Regalia asked herself.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Deep within Hogwarts' depths, a secret meeting was being held by a group with their own goals. Ones separate from everyone's... and goals that they had been making their way towards, in secret, keeping to the shadows. Even those who spotted them going about their business had never thought, for even a moment, that what their plan truly was. It was devious, and a plan that they had been planning out for some time.

A plan... that could shake the world.

One that would also stun all those there.

Suddenly, with a whap, a pointer stick hit a map of what could be recognized as Hogsmeade from above. Two red eyes looked out onto the group before them before their leader began to speak, "Gato. Gato gato gato!"
In the front row, ShiNano tilted her head in the room that was between floors of Hogwarts, "Shina? Shina shina shina shina?"

Beside her, one of Shinano's own fairies, one of her pilots shook his head, "Desu."

Leaning forward, Smolgina frowned, "Gina... gina gina gina gina?"

At the front of the room dressed in an General's uniform, complete with the helmet, Minagato shook her head, "Gato." Reaching up, she pulled down another sheet to reveal a picture of one of Shinano's planes. With the stick in her hand, she began to gesture at each one as various Smols and Fairies took notes, "Gato. Gato gato gato gato gato. Gato, gato gato gato."

Raising her pudgy hand, Kutie waited until Minagato pointed at her, "Ku? Ku ku ku ku? Ku, ku ku ku, ku? Ku."

From where she stood beside her Smol girlfriend, Allie shook her head, "Pip pip pip pip."

Thus, the conversation and meeting went on as they spoke and planned smol plans. Eventually, Minagato called an end to the meeting and held out her wrist to show a tiny watch there, "Gato. Gato gato."

Each of those there nodded and made adjustments to their own watches before leaving to make last minute adjustments. Later that night, Minagato was perched on Hedwig's back with Allie behind her. Said owl, of course, was wearing an Aviator's cap. Out on the grounds of Hogwarts, meanwhile, some of Shinano's planes were spooling up as the Moon slid in and out of the clouds. Various Smols got into them with gear while Fairy pilots made last minute adjustments. With that done, they slowly made their way towards the main pathway from Hogwarts, none of them seeing an amused Castle spirit watching them.

On the path, candles lit up which outlined it while one of Shinano's fairies stood there with lit batons, making various motions. And one by one, the planes took off into the night sky with their passengers ready, Hedwig guiding them as they flew over the gates. One of the two Aurors at the gates blinked and looked at her partner with confusion writ across her face, "Uh, Jay? What the heck was with that?"

Jay looked up was the planes now vanishing into the night and gave a shrug, "Not a single clue. But probably best to just ignore it."

Staring at him, the female Auror gestured at the sky, "Jay, we just saw a bunch of those planes take off from Hogwarts. Shipgirl planes. That is sort of important!"

In reply, Jay rolled his eyes, "Sarah, look, it is best to ignore it. And no, really, it is not important."

Eyes wide, Sarah made more gestures, "But Jay-"

Holding up a hand, he sighed, "Look, I know that you are curious. Bloody hell, I will admit that there is a part of me that is curious as well. However, there is one thing that I have learned about shipgirls and their crews. Want to know what it is?" When she nodded in confusion, he continued, "In such cases it is best that we simply ignore it because whatever reason there is, usually ends up confusing us even more."

All Sarah could do was blink at that.

Meanwhile, on Hedwig, Minagato frowned as they made way through the clouds, the planes in formation around them. For her part, the Owl was looking around as they came into sight of the town. Below them, despite the late hour, there were still a few lights on. Most were streetlights, but there were a few homes where the people living there were still up despite the late hour. Inside some of the businesses, so too were there people doing some late night work.

None of those were their target though and they continued to scan the ground far below. Finally, Hedwig made a bark and gestured with one wing. Looking down, Minagato nodded and looked at Allie who spoke into the radio she had, a fairy sized version of the mobile radios that various troops in WWII had and used to communicate with. Despite the wind, she could be heard over the radio, "Pip pip pip! Pip!"

Various aircraft waggled their wings in reply, their canopies opening to reveal the Smols in their jumpsuits. Raising a hand, Minagato looked down and nodded before bringing it down, "GATO!"

At the same time, Allie made a transmission into the radio and as one, the Smols all leapt from the planes, Minagato doing the same from Hedwig. Behind her, Allie followed, her wings beating as they descended downwards while the planes and Hedwig circled around. As a last bit, the actual winged fairy used some of her magic and a song began to play.

Down below, Padfoot came to a stop where there was a pile of newspapers. Transforming back into Sirius, he gave a sigh and shook his head before beginning to go through them. Part of him was annoyed that this was the only real way that he could get news of any sort, by going through the trash. Another part though was happy that everyone put out their trash and recyclables once a week now. Made it easier to sneak into Hogsmeade and actually get some news.

Looking through them, the escaped prisoner paused some at seeing the picture of MacNair on the front page of one and picked it up, "What in the world...?" Reading through the front pages, a sneer of degust crossed Sirius' face, "Always knew that you were one sick puppy, but this... Ugh, should have killed you when I had the chance... And Yaxley too? What..." His voice trailed off and his eyes widened at one bit that was there, "Wait, they got caught when they were torturing Peter... who was being held for questioning after being found alive?!"

Briefly, the animagus remembered that the previous week, he had to leave in order to restock his supplies from a non-magical supermarket with some of the funds that Lily and the others had put aside and hid. Hence, he had missed the last week's papers. Quickly, he began ripping through newspaper after newspaper, putting together more of the story from the bits and pieces. His hands shaking, Sirius gave a laugh, "They caught him... they know that the rat is alive though fuck, he escaped! But still, they know that he is alive..."

So into what he was reading, and in his own little world, that Sirius missed the first few moments of a song tickling his ear. After several seconds though, he realized that he was hearing music and looked around in confusion, "Wait... is someone playing Ride of the Valkyries? But where..."

The only sign he had of what was about to happen was the sound of flapping and he looked up in time for Minagato to slam into his shoulder alongside Smolgina as their parachutes fluttered away in the breeze. Knocked to the ground, the wizard missed the other Smols dropping around him. That was until ShiNano and Kutie began to wrap his feet with cord, "WHAT THE BLOODY FU-MRPH!?"

Just as he was saying that, Smolgina slapped some masking tape on his mouth. Moving, Sirius attempted to slap away one of the Smols, when a lasso caught his hand around the wrist. His other wrist joined the first one with Minagato holding both ropes as Smolchi tied them together. Meanwhile, Hibitki began to tie his legs together as the wizard wiggled and muffled shouting could be heard. Finally, they finished hogtying him. With a nod, Minagato nodded some, "Gato gato gato!"

Allie gave a smile and a thumbs up from where she had been speaking on the radio as the Smols settled in. Fifteen minutes later, there was a burst of flame revealing Dumbledore, Remus, and Nagato. The elderly wizard hummed some as he took in the sight of Sirius who was looking out of sorts with everything. Especially as he was not tied to the ground as well. "I would say, my dear boy, that you have a Smol problem here."

Snickering, the werewolf shook his head, "Seems that you found yourself in Gulliver's Travels, Padfoot. Here you thought that you were in Hogsmeade while, in reality, you were in Lilliput."

Lips curling upwards, Nagato looked down at her Smol version and nodded, "Never underestimate the power of the Big Smol Seven."

Hands on her hips, Minagato nodded with a pleased look. The First Smol Airborne had completed their objective, "Gato."

Meanwhile, Sirius was just wondering what the hell did he eat or drink for him to be dreaming this.

 

[darthcourt10]

NotHimAgain

Ah, Smols. As fun as ever.

Now, for more dumpster fires! Fear my Google Portuguese! And feel free to insert your own Masamunes, because I've only got the one!

Edit: The Select segments of this snippet are no longer effective. See HERE for details.
Here's Murphy

-----

"Okay, okay!" Diehl shouted, clapping her hands loudly, "gather around, everyone! It's time to get things moving!"

Reiko watched as the inhabitants of the crowded room shuffled around, moving closer to the woman. "Now," she said genially, nodding to the two oldest-seeming people in the room, "Madame Bones and Professor Dumbledore are going to sit this one out, seeing as how we're basically going to be enacting vigilante justice during school hours, which they can't be part of. I'm going to be your guide going into this house—and you will need a guide, because the old guy has been booby-trapping the house like crazy and I'm the only one here who knows how to disarm them. Clear?"

Benio leaned over Reiko's shoulder. "Which ones are Muramasas, and which ones are Masamunes?" she whispered. Reiko frowned and looked around the room—the ones over by Tonbo were probably her sister Muramasas, and the one that Tatsuya had identified as the Honjo Masamune (the Honjo Masamune) was standing more towards the center of everything, but…

"Masamunes are on the right side of the room," she whispered back. Benio considered this, and then began snickering, turning away and clamping a hand over her mouth to conceal her smile. "Uh… was I wrong?"

"Not really," Tatsuya said, leaning over her other shoulder (Reiko stifled a startled shriek), "but she thinks your answer's funny so now she's going to milk it for everything she can." He paused, glancing back at his old companion. "Benio, I don't know what that is but we're probably going to be coming back later—could you please not steal anything other than the sword until then?"

Benio frowned, but replaced the couch cushion all the same. Reiko smiled herself, and turned back towards Diehl to find that the attention of every sword girl in the building was on her.

"… This little girl has an anti-Portkey spell," Diehl explained, "And that is what our strategy is basically built around—making sure she gets enough up that your old friend can't make a break for it." Reiko ran her hands over her pockets, feeling the paper filling them just a little bit self-consciously."

"Finally," Diehl announced, "If you see anything and don't know what it is, don't steal it. Chances are it will do something horrible to your mind—well, unless any of you have any Potter in there. Then it'll probably fall in love with you and follow you home to do your laundry for the rest of eternity or something."

Benio perked up, and Tatsuya slowly brought his hand up to rest over his eyes. Reiko smiled, and turned to look at the other humans in the room. Sam stood next to Bones and Dumbledore, pouting and looking aside while DuBois spoke to them in hushed, angry tones. Reiko didn't see what he had any reason to be riled up about, she was probably safer with the old man than anyone else. McKay stood alone in a corner, flicking weapons out and into whatever hidden cavities in her clothing existed, and very likely a few that didn't.

"Alright, briefing over! See the lamp on the end table? That lamp is a portkey I set up a while back. Brace yourselves—we'll be teleporting right into the middle of a trap, but time is very much a factor here, which is why we don't have any Shipgirls. Everyone ready?"

Dumbledore raised an eyebrow at this, but said nothing.
-----

The boy and Tsubaki didn't speak anything like the same language, but through trial and error they had sorted out that his name was Pascal, that "banheiro" meant he needed to go and "com fome" meant he wanted food, and that Talon was "mal" and a "canibal." The last one sounded close enough to English to set Tsubaki's stomach churning, but she tried not to comment on it. Talon had simply laughed and loudly clacked her jaw, causing Pascal to hang on to Tsubaki even harder, eyes wide with terror.

Mercifully, since the encounter they'd had with those Abyssal destroyers out on patrol, Talon hadn't eaten anyone else—and hadn't offered her leftovers to Tsubaki, who had paled and refused immediately. Pascal had had nightmares that night, weeping softly for someone called Tia Lila.

After three or four tries, Tsubaki had gotten across to him that she wanted to know if he knew any English at all. Pascal had screwed up his face in concentration, then brightened proudly. "God as my witness!" he crowed, and Tsubaki decided not to press the issue further.

Somehow, it felt like things had sunk into a routine of some kind. Tsubaki wasn't sure whether she felt grateful for that or not, but she was happy to have Pascal with her.
-----

The first thing that Reiko noticed was the hazy figure in front of her. She frowned, trying to make sense of who or what ever they were, raising a hand in an attempt to touch it.

Then it vanished, and Reiko was left swaying in place among the others, who were in various positions between standing calmly and firmly (Diehl, wand raised and looking regretful) and huddled on the floor (McKay, almost gibbering as she pleaded for someone to come back to her).

"Holy fucking shit!" someone on the Muramasa side of the room shrieked, scrambling to her feet. "What the fuck was that?"

"A death," Benio replied stoically, and Reiko turned to face her to see her standing shakily, pale-faced, but eyes gleaming with a steel that the jorogumo hadn't known the hanyou was capable. Something inside her noted quietly that she had never seen Benio well and truly angry before. "Some death in your past, something painful, that still feels raw."

Reiko looked away thoughtfully. Did she have anything like that?

"Worry about it later," she continued. "We'll have time to mourn again later. For now, we need to get to work. Reiko—"

"I hear you," she nodded, reaching into her pocket and pulling out an ofuda. Walking over to the wall, she pressed it against the wallpaper, closed her eyes, and poured just a little bit of power into it. Turning back to everyone, she noticed that everyone was standing already—wait, someone resting against the wall that she didn't know—he hadn't come over with them, had he?

"What, him?" Diehl asked suddenly, and Reiko snapped around to face her. "He was in the room when we arrived. Had to do something about him. Let's roll out—and remember, if we run into Hyde, he's mine."

Everyone began to file out of the room. As she paused, Reiko noticed one spear-carrying girl hanging back and looking over her shoulder. Following her gaze, Reiko found McKay, still lying on the floor and whispering "Ma" over and over again. McKay scared her, yes, but this… Reiko felt her heart hang low in her chest.

"Hey," she said, stepping forward and reaching forward.

"Shouldn't you be going on ahead?" the spear-girl (Reiko felt like she might be a Muramasa) asked, placing a hand on her shoulder, "You're basically the foundation of the plan, right?"

"It'll only take a second," Reiko reassured her, and knelt down beside the Scottish girl. "McKay? Are you alright?"

"She's gone…" McKay whimpered, hugging her knees. "Ma's gone. She left me again…"

"It's okay, it was only an illusion," Reiko said, resting a hand on her back. She was taking this so much harder than everyone else had—how had her mother died?

"An 'llusion," she asked, looking up at Reiko.

"Yes," Reiko confirmed. "It was a cruel, evil trick, but—"

She paused, confused. The pain and sorrow in McKay's eyes had vanished entirely, replaced by simple calm. It had appeared almost out of nowhere, and while Reiko had been attempting to calm the girl, something about this didn't seem—

"Tha's right, a trick," McKay said, voice as still as her eyes. "Cause Ah only see Ma…"

Then Reiko was flying backwards. Huh? How had that happened? Before she could figure it out, she slammed against the wall, blurring her vision momentarily.

"… Ah only see Ma when Ah'm fightin'," McKay finished, standing and facing the spear-girl. A feeling like cold water ran down Reiko's back—if she had been a satori, she felt certain that she would have just heard a crisp snap from the Scot.

"Well?" she asked, facing towards her new target. "Are ye goin' ta show her ta me?"

Then the girl was twirling her weapon into a defensive position and McKay was blurring toward her.
-----

Well what do you think, sirs?

 

[darthcourt10]

Spectral Waltz

As Promised, a Yellowhammer approved rendition of Colombe and Tokunotokai's first time taking that next step in their relationship. I did scrap my original idea since I liked this one much better.

Set sometime around 4-6 months after the Butterknife Bastards Reunion.

=========


Something was wrong with Colombe D'Aubigny-Muramasa du Chasteler.


Even if she hadn't picked up on the rapier's mannerisms well enough to tell she was discomfited from the moment she'd walked under the shrine's gate for their weekly spar. The moment they'd crossed blades Tokunotokai could feel without a doubt that something was off. They varied their duels week after week, sometimes full contact with magic and melee together, sometimes limiting their own abilities by length of chant or destructive power. One week, physical enhancements only, the next a contest that restricted their incantations to single words, forcing each other to weave lesser effects into greater wholes. Some weeks they fought with nothing more than steel on steel, blades and bodies clashing in a contest of pure strength and skill and while it was a thought she could barely admit even to herself, Tokunotokai always quietly looked forward to these duels the most, not merely for the pure expression of the art but for the intimacy of it, for that little something more that would send a shiver up her spine were she not so focused on their duel.


They pushed each other in this way, constantly evolving, constantly improving, but this week Colombe was off, a story told in the shifting of her style, a change in her timing and patterns. Uncertainty, confusion, anger, hidden from view of most behind the ever-present smirk (that Toku was beginning to suspect was genetic to the Muramasas as a whole) but showing itself through the wild swings, the uncertain deflections, the mistakes born of distraction and doubt. It was oddly unsatisfying, to know that this moment was being tarnished by something the other blade had brought with her, something that disrupted the mutual bond of the two combatants.


Colombe was off her game, and Tokunotokai was -of all things- feeling faintly jealous that her sparring partner was so distracted.


Even winning their spar decisively was little comfort. At first she'd pushed harder, trying to snap the Rapier out of her state but the mood proved intractable, and even after rallying some in the final few rounds, the score ended decisively in Tokunotokai's favor, with only a single point scored by her rival.


Tea afterwards was an awkward affair in a way it hadn't been for some time either. The first time she'd invited Colombe in after a spar the offer had been somewhat misinterpreted in the heat of the moment leading to a lot of awkward fidgeting in the silence of the shrine and flushed faces that lasted longer than the exertion should have really warranted. This time was oddly similar, if a little more calm.


Finally, the silence broke. "Is something troubling you Colombe-san?" The rapier jerked slightly, blinking at the abrupt confrontation and the word 'no' was barely out of her mouth before teeth clicked together as though to snatch it back. "Oui..." She admitted after a long moment's pause, the silence deepening in the spaces between the words. "Ta Soeur… Your sister was on my case again today."


It was another regular occurrence that the other Masamune blades had taken it upon themselves to remind Colombe time and time again (and in defiance of constant explanations to the contrary) that their precious shut-in sister was not to be 'toyed with' under pain of -depending on the Masamune doing the threatening at the time- death, torture, death and torture, shunning, and/or various forms of exile. Kotegiri and Fudo had even gone so far as to challenge Colombe, and while the former had been satisfied despite giving her a thorough thrashing, the latter had been rather grudging despite the much closer match.


"And?" There had to be more to it than that, Toku thought. She and Colombe had laughed about those incidents from time to time but even after she'd gone from angry denials to eyerolls, folded arms, and nodding along until whoever had cornered her was done wasting her time with this tired old thing already the French blade had never seemed all too affected by the accusations themselves. It was one thing to be enraged at the suggestion of a relationship between them, another to be exasperated at the constant assumption of romance, but this was something entirely different as Colombe's gaze flicked to one side.


Did… Was she actually looking bashful for a moment there?


Nope. Tokunotokai's mind shut that thought down immediately, Colombe simply didn't do 'bashful', it didn't fit the blade's personality at all really. Unaware of the thoughts racing through the Masamune's head, the blonde stood suddenly and started to pace in a somewhat uncharacteristic breach of decorum. "No 'and' really, I just got stuck thinking…" Several scenarios ran through her mind at that moment, fear that Colombe might want to stop sparring with her, that the lines separating their families were simply too much to stand any more. Wholly irrational fears that she might lose a friend due to her family's overprotectiveness, as if Colombe would be willing to give up on her after something like that…


Tokunotokai barely even realized that she'd risen to her feet herself, stepping around the table and towards a Colombe so lost in her own thoughts that she barely even noticed the soft footfalls. Instinct took over for a moment as she reached out, her hand entering the other blade's peripheral vision and prompting a reflexive response. Colombe jerked in shock, one hand latching around Toku's wrist as she closed the distance for a throw before stopping as she caught herself.


The Masamune blade might have laughed at how the motions left their faces so close to each other if it weren't for the intense look on Colombe's that stilled the mirth in her throat…


They were inches apart, close enough that the flush on the blonde's cheeks could no longer be mistaken for the orange light of the setting sun shining across the room. Her heart was beating in double-time, no… She could feel Colombe's heartbeat too, a half-step off from her own, but pumping to the same rhythm.


"What…" Her voice failed and Tokunotokai swallows, licks her suddenly dry lips, and tries again, her voice small. "What were you thinking of?"


"Ce n'est que... Just that all this time," Colombe's voice is breathless as well now, "your sisters keep harassing me about our relationship, always assuming, always pressuring, and I just…" Heart beating faster, fresh adrenaline, not the automatic 'fight' response of before but instead a fear response, because for all that she's done over the years, for all that she's the more 'worldly' of the two of them by far, Colombe can't help but be a little bit scared of what she's about to do, the step she's about to take. She feels vulnerable, and for Toku there is that momentary sense of vertigo that comes from knowing that this moment, this thing she holds in her hands, is precious...


"If I'm going to do the time, why not do the crime?"


The sentence takes a second to parse, another second as she feels her lips part, head tilting back slightly as their eyes meet again. Fear and Want and so many other emotions swirling in the shining blues, watching, waiting, answered with a faint nod as she realizes what comes next. "Hai…"


She means to say more. Tokunotokai has a lot of questions after all, but most of them are cleared up quite satisfactorily a second later as Colombe's lips meet hers.


The few remaining ones -she decides- can wait until later.


=========


I will probably work on the remainder of the scene (the NSFW part) and post that on QQ at some point, but I will also be doing a morning after scene where the two of them actually talk about their relationship and future together, because wholesome couples working out things ahead of time in heartwarming scenes of affection is 100% my kink.

Also maybe a wedding further down the line, but that dumpster fire will have to wait.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Sighing, Amelia stepped out of the fireplace followed soon after by Augusta and Kingsley as well as Mad-Eye, "Okay, Albus, what do you..." For a moment, she paused and frowned before cleaning her monocle. Putting it back, she frowned even more, "Albus?"

Behind his desk, the elderly wizard grinned, "Yes, Amelia?"

Eyebrow raising, Amelia gave him a confused look, "Do you have Sirius Black in a chair... tied up-"

From where she stood, the Longbottom Matriarch chimed in, "Much the same way he was after he crashed Lily's Bachelorette party." At the looks, she smirked a bit, "I was invited along despite my age. Most fun that I had in decades if one does not count making dark wizards and witches fear a little old and defenseless woman like myself."

Various snorts were the answer to that, but Mad-Eye gave her a look, "Wait, Black went and crashed Lily's Bachelorette party?" When she nodded, the grizzled old Auror gave the currently tied up wizard a look, "I would ask about your intelligence, but that bit of information gave me everything that was needed."

Kingsley though furrowed his eyebrows and gave Augusta a look, "Even the duct tape?"

Tone dry, Augusta nodded, "Especially the duct tape." Frowning, she had a thoughtful look, "Though no one was quite sure why she had it... though it had something to do with James and Alice asked for some as well."

Every male there winced a bit except for Dumbledore, "Hmm... interesting use."

Grimacing, the head of the DMLE coughed and got their attention, "If we could please change the subject to something far more important." Ignoring how one of the paintings commented on the fact that duct tape was important, she continued, "Now, how exactly did Sirius Black come to be in such... a condition?"

Hands spread, Dumbledore gestured to his desk where various Smols were happily chowing down on lemon drops alongside some of the fairies and Allie, "We have them to thank for this as they caught Sirius." A bark made him look to where Hedwig was eating bacon, "Ah, yes, and Miss Hedwig as well."

In reply, Hedwig bobbed her head and took another piece of bacon.

For several moments, Amelia was quiet before sighing. Partially because a part of her really did not want to know how they managed this. However, she recognized that they needed to know how, "Very well, if you could explain how..."

Rather than say anything himself, the Headmaster gestured at Minagato who stepped forward and went into an at ease pose, "Gato. Gato gato gato gato..."

As she continued, all the Aurors could do was stare a bit even while the Smol explained how they had caught Sirius. Included was the fact that they surprised him from above, and then promptly tied him up and had the planes head back to Hogwarts to get Dumbledore. At the end, Amelia was pinching her nose while ignoring mutters from Mad-Eye about coming up with anti-Smol defenses for his home. She really did not want to know what the paranoid Auror could come up with. With a sigh, she opened her eyes and gave Sirius a look, "So you mean to tell me that the fugitive that has caused my Aurors to run up and down the country was captured by... the Smols, entirely through planning. And that they successfully deduced that he likely would be raiding where newspapers were on the days that they were picked up. Something that my Aurors did not realize."

Behind his boss, Kingsley winced some as he knew that she would be pissed off at them and they would get a stern talking to. What made it worse was that the Trainee under him, Tonks, as well as several muggle raised Aurors and trainees had the same thought, only to be shrugged off because none of them had thought that he would do something like that. He was certainly eating crow right about now in regards to it. There was a part of him impressed with the small beings in front of him though. Who would have thought that they could have pulled this off?

Meanwhile, at the nods she got from the Smols and the like, Amelia sighed and turned to where a smirking Snape was beside Sirius. Frowning, she raised an eyebrow, "If you would..."

Snape looked like his entire year was made at that moment and he gripped one corner of the tape that was over Sirius' face. From the wide eyed look and muffled sounds, the tied up wizard realized what was about to happen. A fact that only made the smirk on Snape's face become a grin, "Gladly, Madame Bones."

Then, in one motion, he ripped the tape off making Sirius yelp, "GAH! FUCKING BLOODY HELL!" Hissing, he gave a look at Amelia, "What the hell!?"

One eyebrow raising, the witch in question smirked, "That was for my Seventh Year."

Grimacing, Sirius rolled his eyes and shook his head, "Oh come on now... You can't be angry about that."

Now glaring, Amelia sneered a bit, "You stole the panties that most of us girl Puffs were wearing!"

Unrepentant, the escaped convict shrugged best that he could, "So? I was a teenaged boy. I had needs."

From where he was leaning against the wall, Remus rolled his eyes, "You were twelve, Padfoot."

Still frowning, Sirius gave him a look, "So? Besides, it was not like you didn't say no to Hestia's-MRPH." His eyes went down to the now replaced piece of tape on his face and then glared at Snape. "Murph, murph murph."

The Potion's Professor looked content as everyone looked at him, before shifting his expression to one of mock surprise, "Ah, my apologies. I thought that you did not wish for the conversation to continue. Please, allow me." Once more, he ripped the piece of tape off as Sirius yelped again, "There we go."

Glaring at him, Sirius worked his jaw, "You bloody sadist, you're enjoying this."

A still quite content look on his face, Snape shook his head, "I assure you, Black, I am not enjoying this..." Internally, he continued, 'I am quite loving this.'

With one last glare at his adversary, the dog animagus turned back to Amelia, "Anyways, I wanted to test out a spell that Phineas had come up with and used. Wanted to know if it would work, which it did. Though you were quite daring wearing that lacy number... are you still wearing it? Maybe right now-"

Yet again, the piece of tape was reapplied, this time by Amelia herself, as everyone had looks of either annoyance or amusement... or hope in the expression of Snape. On the wall, the portrait of said Headmaster shrugged, "I make no apologies, and I still do not understand the anger. After all, the job of headmaster was to make sure that dress codes were being adhered to."

Everyone ignored that remark and Amelia nodded, with a very happy Snape ripping off the tape again. Clearing her throat, an extremely amused Augusta spoke up, "May I suggest, as much fun as this is... that we get to the point of this?"

Lightly blushing at how she had been caught up in matters, Amelia nodded, "Of course. We currently have the Chief Warlock, one member of the Wizangamot, the head of the DMLE, two Aurors, and three witnesses." She glanced at Remus, Snape, and Nagato who all nodded, "Thus, we will begin this interview with Sirius Black. If you would produce the Veritaserum?"

Bringing out one bottle, the Headmaster handed it to Amelia who took it. She then walked over to Sirius and raised an eyebrow, which made him gulp before he opened his mouth and she placed three drops into his mouth. Almost immediately, he went slack and his eyes became glassy. Watching as they began questions to both confirm his identity and that the truth serum was working, Nagato frowned before softly muttering to Snape, "Is this common?"

One eyebrow raised, Snape shook his head, "No, in fact its usage is rare in criminal trials and usually only used in interrogations to gather other evidence or corroborate. Think of it as being similar to a lie detector in that it can be fooled, if not easily. Besides use of an antidote, one of either sufficient willpower or occlumency would be able to lie under its influence. It also forces people to tell what they believe if they did not have any of the above three, not what is necessarily true. Thus, using it in an actual trial would not mean a conviction or not one as it can be fooled. But in this case... it does have uses."

Slowly, Nagato gave a nod to that as she continued to listen to the questions. Most of them had to do with that night when Voldemort killed Harry's parents, which was a bit hard to listen to. Even through the potion, Sirius' emotions leaked through. Amelia went back and forth over various points for some time before nodding and having him given the antidote. Blinking rapidly as the potion was flushed from his system, Sirius looked around, "Uh, not to say that I am unhappy with being doused with truth serum... what was the point of that? I mean, it is not going to help me much."

A small smile on her face, Amelia chuckled some, "Do not be so sure, Black." Seeing his surprise, she continued, "It is only one part of needed corroboration. Various other pieces of evidence have come forward that shows that you are likely innocent of known crimes brought against you. Peter has been found alive, which throws everything regarding his 'Death' into question. One of the more interesting things that the muggles have created is 'Crime scene recreation'. We can recreate a model of the incident regarding Pettigrew for all to see at the trial and... from our recreations, there is no possible way that you could have cast the spell, and only slicing off his finger. As well, Mister Potter through Miss Nagato here has given us access to certain parts of Lily and James' journals detailing background to what happened."

Mouth working, Sirius boggled a bit, "I, what? Their journals?"

Her arms crossed, the head of the DMLE nodded, "Yes, their journals, their separate journals." One eyebrow raised, she hummed, "In which they stated that Peter was their Secret Keeper. But more importantly, that they were in turn Secret Keepers for Peter as to where he was living. Thus it is impossible for You-Know-Who to have found him to force him to spill the secret as it also mentioned that certain wizards and witches were making deliveries of food and such. Something that we have confirmed through interviews. Along with other pieces of evidence... I am very confident to state that a trial would very likely find you not guilty. Especially as we have transcripts of Peter's own interrogations, and from listening in on his cell, which paint things in a very different light."

For several moments, no sound escaped from Sirius. Then, in disbelief, he slumped in his seat, "Oh..."

Smirking, Amelia chuckled some, "Yes, oh." Then she became serious and looked at Nagato, "Due to a recent incident, it perhaps is not safe to house Sirius Black in the jail cells at the Ministry. Hence, I shall now hand him over to you for now until further notice. I assume that you have the facilities to hold him?"

Posture at ease, the Battleship nodded, "We do, indeed, have the facilities to hold him. I ask for some Aurors that you trust for the matter to help guard him. He shall also be under twenty four hour surveillance to make sure that he does not escape from our custody."

With a nod, Amelia smiled, "Then, until his trial, I entrust you with the prisoner. Is this acceptable, Chief Warlock? Wizangamot Member Longbottom?"

Both elderly magicals nodded in agreement.

Dumbledore then waved his wand and the ropes fell away from Sirius and he stood up in disbelief. Blinking at everyone, the wizard could not help but laugh some in relief as he might actually walk a free man after so long. However, there was one question that was bugging him, "Just... wondering, but what are those little things? I mean, one of them looks like Prongslet's adoptive mother."

Her arms crossed, Nagato shrugged, "No one is quite sure themselves outside perhaps Harry and Jane. If either of those two know, they are not telling. That said, those two were the first ones to bring them into being, summoning the Smols."

That made Sirius blink in confusion, "Smols?"

Expression carefully blank, Snape hummed, "Yes, because they are quite... smol. Are they not?"

Glancing at him, the now freed wizard frowned and couched down to where Minagato was. Said Smol gave him a slow blink, even as he looked closer, "Wait, so my godson summoned these things?" Poking the Smol, he frowned, "Seriously? He summoned these? How?"

With a sigh, the shipgirl there sighed, "No one knows." Having noticed something, she blinked, "Mister Black-"

Sirius looked at her, "Don't call me that... that was James' code name." A shiver went through him, "Seriously, do not muck with Mister Black."

Blinking at that, and wondering why that got such a reaction, Nagato shook it off, "Yes, well... I do not think that Minagato likes you poking her like that."

Rather amused, the Marauder chuckled as he looked at the more and more annoyed Smol, "Minagato? Really?"

Already knowing that he did not realize, or possibly care, that the Smol was going to do something soon, Nagato closed her eyes, "Harry gave her the name, as he did with all his Smols. And once more, please stop."

She opened her eyes to see that no, he had not stopped, and was still poking the Smol, even as veins popped out on the small being's forehead, "Aw, come on now. I don't think that she minds all that much, do you?"

One of the fairies whispered at Dumbledore who waved a wand at the floor. And just in time as Minagato grabbed the hand that was poking her, "Gato."

Moments later, she yanked Sirius off his feet and slammed him into the floor on the other side of her. Then, she picked him up again and did the same several more times before dropping him as he groaned. Stroking his beard, Dumbledore nodded, "A good thing that I activated the cushioning charm."

Up on the walls, one of the female Headmistresses crowed about it, "I told you bunch that was a good idea to have! Useless, you all said! Ha!"

Another one of the portraits muttered a bit, "Considering your reasons for it..."

The whole time, Snape looked like several Christmases had come early.

 

[darthcourt10]

Dances in Shadows Omake: Behold the Pure One!

Regalia's eyes darted back and forth, eyeing the area, desperately looking for an escape route.

"Come young one and we shall enlighten you!"

"All hail the Dark one! Her darkness draws in more wayward souls!"

"All Hail The Dark One!"

Just as Regalia was about to bolt another voice rang out above the rest.

"HOLD SISTERS!"

Turning she watched as a smiling RU class approached the others, Her lithe frame wrapped in a deep red dress.

"Sister Rutilant! You have returned! Come! We have a newcomer to tell of the greatness of the Dark One!"

"I fear the young one cannot be a follower of the Dark One my sisters. I have returned from my mission and have confirmed with my own eyes that the Fleet of Laughter does not belong to the Dark One."

Gasps of fear and shock rang out from the gathered abyssals.

"But Rutilant! All must know of the Dark One and her Terrible greatness."

"No my sister. Those of the laughing fleet belong not to the Dark One, but instead to the Pure One."

As Regalia began to question how much stranger her day could become, all of those around her spoke as one in a hushed voice.

"Peace and respect to the Pure One."

---

A Few Days Earlier

---

Tanith stared in confusion, Her mind desperately trying to make sense of last few minutes. One moment a visiting RU class in a bright red dress was loudly preaching about some dark person, The next she was apologizing profusely and thanking them for their time. The only thing that had occurred between those moments was a look of shock and realization as the RU class spotted the fleet's makeshift family shrine.

It had started as a simple thing, Just a photograph in a frame. Before someone had decided to place an incense burner to pray for their distant family's health and safety.

With a shrug she turns and walks away, the smiling faces of Nagato, Hoppou, Harry and Shiromizu watching from their frame.[/hr]

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Craning his head back, Sirius blinked some at the building in front of him. It was obviously new from how it appeared and was in the Midlands. Even from where he was, he could spot people patrolling around the walls. Then he looked forward as he was guided through two gates, "You know, I broke out of one prison already..."

On Nagato's face was a thin smile, "Yes, but I think that you might find this one a bit harder. And that said, you don't strike me as the sort to screw up your chance at freedom on purpose."

That only got her a shrug from the wizard as he walked beside her, Kingsley, Hestia, Mad-Eye, and Tonks begins him, "True."

Before much else could be said, they all noted an older man walking towards them. Upon the man reaching them, Nagato nodded and shook his hand, "Warden Matthews."

A thin smile was on the warden who nodded back, "Miss Nagato." With another nod to the wizards and witches, he cleared his throat, "Welcome to Her Majesty's Prison, Ironstone."

Eyebrow raised, Mad-Eye frowned a bit, "Bit plain, isn't it?"

In return, Matthews gave a humourless chuckle, "And Azkaban rolls off the tongue, I suppose?" Once the snorts we're done, he turned and gestured for them to follow, "Well, let us get you all sorted out, Mister Black. After all, you are our first prisoner here."

That surprised all the magicals with Tonks blinking. After all, this was apparently a sort of reward for her, "He's your first prisoner? Seriously?"

Grinning, Sirius gave her a look, "Hey, that's my name!"

All the Metamorph did was give him a look, "According to my Mum, that was old by the time you were three."

Narrowing his eyes, Matthews frowned, "Your mother knows him?"

With a wince as she realized how it looked, Tonks nodded, "Second cousins, but, um... yeah. Let's just say that my Mum for the longest time thought that he got what he had coming and leave it at that."

Simply nodding, the Warden didn't comment further though he made a mental note, "I see. Well... Ironstone, as you noticed, is a new prison designed specifically for magicals. It is in fact three prisons, each separated by walls. Each one is for an different category, A, B, or C. Each are further broken down by gender. Mister Black here will be going to the C category for males." Continuing to talk as they walked, he gave a nod, "I will not speak of the methods of security except to state that we got no less then three different ways to prevent portkeys as well as just as many to stop Apparation. There are also anti-broomstick spells to prevent people from flying in that way."

Frowning, Hestia raised an eyebrow, "What about magical beasts?"

Matthews only gave her a smirk, "Well, we got choices. Such as the Boy's Rifles we have." If anything, his smirk grew at her obvious confusion. Entering the facility, he nodded to a young woman behind what looked like a glass window with a small open area. In front of the window stood another man who nodded, "Jackson here will take you for a quick shower and to be given your jumpsuit, Mister Black." Roughly fifteen minutes later found Sirius clad in a prison jumpsuit with his clothes in a bundle in his arms. Seeing that, Matthews gestured at the window, "Now Dorothy will take your items and will place them into a safe until you are released from our custody. I assure you, nothing will be damaged or taken."

Giving him a confused look, the wizard shrugged and handed her the items, with Dorothy placing the wand that was handed over by Kingsley into a locked, cast iron box. Both it and the other items were placed onto a cart as she quickly took down what items they were, when they were given, and to whom they were owned. Then she smiled and nodded, "Thank you for your patience."

And with that, she walked off with the cart as the Warden guided them through the prison until he came to a stop before a heavy looking door. Placing a key into the lock and going through several motions, he gave a grunt as he pulled it open, "Welcome, Mister Black, to your temporary cell during your stay here."

Neither Sirius nor the Aurors for the most part knew what to expect for the cell to be like. They were used to the Ministry Cells or perhaps Azkaban, which did not fill them with hope for what could await them. However, once the door was open they all blinked and felt their eyebrows raise. Inside the cream colored room, there was a bed along wall, with a barred, closed window above. Below said window, there was a desk with a small bookshelf and chair. As well, there was a toilet and sink, with a shelf unit next to it for whatever could be needed.

Stepping inside, Sirius boggled some before turning, "Uh... is this really a jail cell?"

Eyebrow raised, though whether in question or amusement none of the others knew, Matthews frowned, "Is there an issue, Mister Black?"

Quickly, the wizard shook his head and waved his hands, "No, no! But, uh... just..." Looking up at the light and glancing at the heater, he blinked, "Just... not used to this sort of thing. Didn't expect it to be like this..."

Matthews hummed a bit, but didn't comment on that. Instead, he pulled out a booklet and handed it to Sirius, "This is a late night, so we're going to give you this. Under normal circumstances, it is lights out at exactly ten at night. At that time, we will lock you into your cell after a check and will open the cells at exactly seven. When that happens, you can go to the mess hall and have breakfast. After that... it is up to you though you will be monitored."

Confused, Mad-Eye frowned and looked at him, "What do you mean by that?"

Hands behind his back, the Warden frowned, "Exactly how it sounds. On nice days, there is access to the exercise yard so that the inmates will be able to get fresh air. When the weather is not cooperative, there is an exercise room as well as a game room and a library. Each of those places have guards on duty for them."

Now it was Kingsley's turn to look confused, "May I ask why?"

Lips curling a bit, Matthews nodded, "You may. You see, it gives the inmates something to do, because a bored person is one who could cause trouble or... begin to have issues. To that end, I advise you look into the booklet." Gesturing at said item, he continued, "Inside there are various things that the prison offers from small jobs around the jail, such as tending to the community garden to cooking in the kitchens, to vocational and educational courses offered to those here so that they can improve their lives outside. We are trying to reform, not punish, inmates at this prison."

Sitting on the bed, Sirius bounced a bit and looked around, "Well... a lot better then my previous accommodations."

That got him a thin smile from the Warden, "Yes, we do try to be a good prison here."

With some final bits of advice, he backed out and then closed the door before locking Sirius in. Said wizard just laid back in his bed and decided to get some sleep while thinking of what he would do as a free man. One part of his mind was on his godson, while another part was on a certain Abyssal Princess and his promise to her.

Outside the cell, Matthews nodded and began walking as the Aurors followed. Mad-Eye's magical eye twisted in its socket to look back at the cell they just left and frowned, "That door will keep most of them locked in, even an Animagus... though that toilet seems to be a weakness."

Matthews gave a slight smile at that, "One would think so. But all the toilets here are charmed to prevent anything still alive from being flushed down them. The sinks themselves are similarly charmed. A rather nifty little feature as well."

A thoughtful look on his face, Kingsley looked around the empty cells around them, waiting for occupants. He remembered being dubious when Madame Bones had explained what the prison was for. That it had been built once it became apparent that the Statute would collapse as the muggle government would not allow for Azkaban to continue functioning as a prison.

Not that he disagreed with that idea in the slightest as even the minimum security wing was horrible.

From what he had seen though, thus far, Kingsley could only think that the muggles perhaps had the right idea. Turning to the Warden, he cleared his throat, "If I may, just how many people can fit in this prison?"

Looking at him, Matthews frowned, "In this specific wing, there is enough room for a hundred male inmates. The female wing is a hundred more as well. Each level has enough room for two hundred inmates with a total room of about six hundred inmates. However, we can fit two per cell if absolutely needed and thus fit twelve hundred, but we don't expect that will be needed since this is a magical only prison considering certain... needs."

With a snort, Hestia rolled her eyes, "Certainly a lot better. Anyone here not only does not have to deal with Dementors, but have heat and everything."

Still walking, Alastor frowned, "Personally, I am not sure any of that exercise or education stuff will work. That bastard Mundungus won't ever turn from the shit he does." That got him chuckles and snorts as well as eyerolls from the other magicals, "But doesn't hurt to try, I suppose. If you pull off a damned miracle, I'll be the first to state that I am impressed." Turning his gaze on the Warden, he frowned, "What about the hardcore, are you going to let them have the same thing?"

Despite the frown on his own face, Matthews shrugged, "They will have the same opportunities as any other inmate. If they act up, privileges get taken away from them. That said, these... Death Eaters are unlikely to ever see the outside of the prison, same with any like them. Doesn't mean we can't make it comfortable enough though, no matter how much we might wish otherwise." Turning, he gave a look at the Aurors and one Hit Witch, "We're not monsters like they are, we're better then that."

Frowns on their own faces, the magical law enforcement didn't comment on that, though Tonks gave a slight nod. Then Kingsley spoke up again, "What about werewolves? They can be... troublesome, on the Full Moon."

To their surprise, Matthews chuckled and shook his head, "We are used to dealing with violent prisoners and mentally ill. While a bit tricky, we have come up with some cells that can hold them while transformed. Said cells are bare, but reinforced with the doors having special locks as well as magnets keeping them shut. We've tested them and even with their strength, they shouldn't be able to get out when transformed. That is not counting the barriers between their transformation cells and the rest of the prison, giving us time to respond. That said, each werewolf inmate will be given the Wolfsbane potion, paid for by Her Majesty's prison system on the Full Moon."

Now it was all the Aurors who were surprised, but they nodded as they were given a short tour of the facility. And each of them left impressed, though thoughtful as well.

 

[darthcourt10]

NotHimAgain

SkyeFire said:
If we roll with the theory that Harry's Potter Field "evolved" to collect friends&family because his situation needed it, it's not a stretch to imagine that Benio's is evolving to collect "whatever keeps Team Tatsuya alive and (reasonably) sane." Of course, that covers a wide grey area. As well as my theory (above) where Benio is over-Pottering to troll Tatsuya -- if nothing else, it's something to jar his mind out of dangerous, depressive ruts by forcing him to "gotta go reign in Benio and return what she pilfered, again."​

That... Is also a thought. The people here, so many wonderful ideas...

Harry Leferts said:
*Blinks and raises eyebrow that she has mostly gathered girls*​

You mean that they didn't just kind of show up on their own?

Oookay, let's break this down.

Gmergurrl99 said:
Hmmmh. Nice chapter Harry. There a question that's been bugging me since our last discussion about supernatural reproduction, and the persnickety details for interspecies couples and the like, especially since I've been reading the OG thread, and reached the part where Ushio's friend is having a pregnancy crisis, and realized that Mamiya is Tatsuya's older sister. Which brought my attention back to Team Tatsuya and their meet and greet with other Select in a joint effort to take down a Japanese War Criminal who wants to mind rape and brainwash literal gods. And more specifically to Tatsuya and Benio.​

First off, Haneda Mamiya is not Shipgirl Mamiya. Just making sure you know that.

Gmergurrl99 said:
So the thing is I know that's it been mentioned that Potters nearly got selected only to be spared from becoming hereditary Winchester Brothers/Buffy the Vampire Slayer expies due to Death and possibly several other pantheons putting their foots down. So what about any possible kids that Tatsuya and Benio will have in the future? Since it would be the combination of the Potter Luck mixed with the Select geass via marriage with a Muramasa thrown in for good measure, which is a possible loophole for Morrigan to get her hands on a branch of Potter Descendants....? How would that work out, given that the sons would probably inherit magic and the like from Benio, plus the Potter family luck that applies to all members of the family, while the girls may or may not be Yuki-onna?​

The Potters were never up for Selection, because they are magical and Morrigan specifically goes after non-magicals for Select. As I recall, that was just a brief exchange of tossing amusing thoughts back and forth. A hybrid of Select and Potter is also unlikely, because the HatSG universe seems to run on principle of "fix the problem." If Benio's kids will inherit magic... Dunno, never thought about it.

Gmergurrl99 said:
Also, on that note of Selected individuals having kids, can someone care to explain to me how the geass works exactly? Because if Morrigan's laying it pretty thick with the magic, and says sons of sons and daughters of daughters, what happens when a line of select has lot of descendants who meet the criteria, sometimes within the same generation? How would this mean that all the sons or all the daughters of said bloodline manifest the family traits and go into the family business? Or it is more specific about which individuals get saddled with the sacred family duty?​

The duty is only passed down to one individual at a time, generally the firstborn child of the same gender as the parent (Only the Himura men, only the McKay women)--though, if there are no children of that gender, the opposite gendered sibling's child, if they are of the correct gender, will inherit the duty (that was a lot of genders).

The duty itself is basically the old Chinese "may you live in interesting times" curse, rewired to attract any monster (in the broadest sense of the term) that might have a bone to pick with humans and their like, and send it to go after the Select, who has been Selected due to having some specific trait that would make them effective at dealing with those monsters.

Gmergurrl99 said:
And what about branch families, since Mamiya does mentioned in snippets that I'm reading that boys go on adventures, and the girls run dojos, and given the recent reveal that the Himura Clan got selected via Kenshin's grandson, who probably has more female descendants besides Tatsuya's mom, and given how Tatsuya was selected, does this mean that children of female members of male select bloodlines or male members of female select bloodlines would have children and descendants who would be eligible to inherit the role of Select under certain circumstances, or is it that all members belonging to a certain bloodline will manifest Select traits once they hit a certain age regardless of how closely or distantly related they are? Or does it pop up in the next closest blood relatives who meet the requirements if the direct bloodline dies?​

Like I said--the duty only runs along one specific family line. The duty won't suddenly jump to some distant cousin if the Select dies--it has to be child, grandchild, or nephew/niece.

And now then... I wish that I could have Lord K look over this, but I have to keep this moving at as fair a clip as possible to avoid losing my place in the timeline any worse than I have before. I'll just have to answer complaints when they arrive...

Edit: The Select segments of this snippet are no longer effective. See HERE for details.
Nothing's Ever Simple

The problem, Umitsubame realized, that she had underestimated how ludicrously fast the girl was.

Going by conventional wisdom, a spear made one far more dangerous than a sword by the simple fact that the spear was longer, and you could stab your opponent faster than they could reach you. Even when trying not to fatally injure your enemy, that reach made you a force to be reckoned with.

This, of course, assumed that your opponent did not simply appear directly in front of your face, aiming a knife that she hadn't been holding a moment earlier directly for your eye.

Of course, Umitsubame was better than that, wouldn't let an attack like that land, but the fact remained that now the McKay girl had gained control of the fight, and Umitsubame didn't think that any human had any right to be this kind of fast—taking a moment to make sure Haneda-kun's little jorogumo friend had escaped (she had) resulted in her nearly losing an eye again.

"Come on, come on," McKay howled, "ye're better than tha', aren't ye? Ah can' see 'er! Show me Ma!"

"Oh, shut up," Umitsubame hissed under her breath, skipped backward, then swung herself up and caught the girl full across the right side of her head with her haft. The attack sent McKay skidding across the floor and into the wall with a heavy thud.

The Muramasa took another step back and slumped against the doorframe—she'd been pushed that far back?—and rested there for a moment, gasping for air. What was with that girl?

Well, whatever she was, she was—no. Don't assume that she was simply down. The McKay girl was anything but an average human, and assuming that she was down would likely result in another unpleasant surprise. Slowly, cautiously, she approached the girl, flipped herself around, and jabbed her lightly with the butt of the spear.

Then her true self was being yanked forward. Shit! she thought, releasing her grip, and McKay was up blood pouring from the wound on her head, swinging a gun—wait, a gun?!? Umitsubame threw herself low, hearing the bullet explode from the gun and whistle overhead. Then the foot caught her in the head and smashed her against the floor.

McKay was laughing.

"Jusa glimpse…" she slurred. "Just a wee glimpse… Ye can do it… I can see Ma…"

Umitsubame grimaced, grabbed her spear, and swung up. McKay danced back, giggling lightly. The Muramasa staggered to her feet, and the battle was joined again.
-----

"Mato mato?"

Sayaka sighed, and held out a gyoza with her chopsticks. Yamapi reached out, grabbed it, and shoved it into her mouth philosophically. "Yama…"

"I don't freaking know!" Sayaka shouted suddenly, slapping the table. "Okay? I don't know if I like him, I don't even know him that well! Maybe it's just that I don't have any more friends, and I'm just getting all crossed signals or something! I-it doesn't matter, I'm not supposed to make more friends and be happy, not after killing my sister! Okay? Just—just don't bring Potter up again!"

Yamapi stared, blinking. How, she wondered, was she supposed to communicate that she was just asking for another gyoza after that?
-----

Somewhere down the hallway, a few neurons connected and Reiko remembered that she was supposed to be planting her ofuda around the house. She grabbed a handful and threw them into the air, jumping over a body, rounding a corner, and heading right past one of the swordgirls and right towards a burly man raising a wand over his head.

The jorogumo hit him halfway between human and yokai forms, planting him in the wall so hard that he went right through.

The swordgirl whistled. "Hot damn," she said, "that wasn't so—"

"McKay's gone crazy," Reiko stammered, breathlessly.

"Huh?"

"Completely crazy," she continued frantically. "Something with that first trap, she just went and started attacking! That one spear girl's fighting her!"

"Umitsubame?" the girl shrugged. "She'll be fine, she—"

"I'm heading back," Tonbo said from behind Reiko.

"Huh?"

"If she's anything like Tatsuya's family, fully trained, she's dangerous."

"We're dangerous, Tonbo."

"His great-grandfather killed a dragon by jumping off of a skyscraper and throwing a broken-off piece of railing through its eye, then ran down its back to land safely."

The other girl paused, considering this. "That… could actually be a bit tricky to deal with," she admitted.

"Be back in a bit," Tonbo promised. She turned back to Reiko. "Just keep on planting those—it'll be fine, I promise." Then she turned and started running.
-----

I realize, somewhat belatedly, that no one's really seen what a fully trained Select is actually capable of. What could I write with that...

Well what do you think, sirs?

 

[darthcourt10]

K9Thefirst1

And so, another look into what's going on in Magical Portugal. Specifically, the Minister of the Royal Enchanted Ministry, Agostinho de Silva (no relation to Max de Silva, one of the POWs trapped on St Mathews by the Abyssals). I hope I managed to convincingly show that he and Albus are old friends.



The Old Man

Royal Oratory Hall, The Mystic Quarter, Lisbon, Magical Capitol of the Royal Enchanted Ministry, Portugal

The Royal Oratory Hall was as opulent as any structure of its title and age deserved. Finished in the late 18th century, the building was decorated in gold and exotic woods from the colonies, each seat upholstered in silk. It was intended to be the central lecture hall for the Enchanted Ministry's state school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Blanchogrotto. At the time of the hall's opening, the school was set to rival Hogwarts itself. The competition for students with Beauxbatons had already forced the leading competitor in Spain to close its doors in 1789, and with the ramifications of the Muggle Revolution reverberating in Magical France, Blanchogrotto was seen as the safer option to Beauxbatons for aristocrats to send their children, far from the chaos. Blanchogrotto had become so prestigious an institution, and had seemed fit to stand on secure footing, that the ministry entered long talks within the ICW to have the school registered as an official School for Witchcraft and Wizardry, the first to attain that distinction outside of the Mystical Trinity of Beauxbatons, Durmstrang, and Hogwarts… Then the Giggling Mushroom bubble burst 1797 and Magical Portugal's economy barely avoided total collapse. In order to balance the budget, the ministry was forced to sell off their spice plantation island, Ilha de Fera Cruz, to the ICW in 1803, and a year later Blanchogrotto was dismantled; the faculty and staff were quickly either hired on at the other Registered Schools in Europe, and then into the schools in name only cropping up in the Americas, or hired themselves out as private tutors.

The ROH was the last building of that old institution still in existence, requisitioned by the ministry as a convenient place for public announcements to be given, for musical concerts, and – such as that evening – to host the Annual Youth Debate.

"-so to use your logic, the only response to a muggle-"

"-I fear that my opponent relies on an emotive ploy rather than hard facts, such as-"

And on and on it had gone all day yesterday, and much of today. Fortunately, this was the last debate, the last two young adults standing. The collection had included over a dozen men and women, all recent or near-recent graduates of the likes of Beauxbatons, Durmstrang, and Hogwarts – though predominantly the former, it being the closest school. All had focused their educations on civil service. Be it the efficient workings of bureaucracy, the fundamental practices of an effective tax code, or the subtle Dark Arts of Politics and Diplomacy, the Youth Debate had for over a century and a half proven to be a showcase of talent and potential in future leaders for the Enchanted, and later on the Royal Enchanted, Ministry. In essence, it had served as an informal job interview before public officials, and the rare curious member of the public.

And for one hundred and one years, hundreds of such seventeen or eighteen-year-olds all put up their best effort at civil discourse before a single man, the man that had helped prevent the Statute from breaking when the mad muggles deposed their rightful king, and ever since had overseen the Royal Enchanted Ministry and her stability in an increasingly unstable world: Minister Agostinho de Silva.

The man sat in the Minister's Box, back straight, looking to all that craned to see him like a regal figure. His face inscrutable as he observed the debaters with the critical eye of a master who had worked the craft of display all of his one-hundred thirty-one years. His once dark hair that had long since turned snowy white was cut short, and on his face were whiskers that were to short to be called a beard, but were to long to suggest a lapse in shaving. His skin was wrinkled and sagging, but his eyes showed a mind as keen as it ever was.

"It doesn't seem fair," whispered a man at Minister de Silva's left, one of his dozens of protégé's, "I don't understand why you permit this topic to be the final debate every year. Everyone knows the judges are biased to one side. Always have! And that girl deserves to win after the Semi-Finals."

The minister was quiet for a moment, allowing said girl – barely eighteen, but carrying herself well enough to be mistaken for an experienced politician – finished her remarks.

"This is true Antonio. And yet, it is often when one knows they will not win that one's true character is revealed. Remember what I taught you – beyond competence, there is character. And if you cannot have both, have the one with competence place the one with character as an advisor."

The younger man – 'young' being relative given that Antonio was staring fifty in the face – nodded silently, granting his mentor that at the least.

"I admit, young mistress Amália Malhoa has made outstanding arguments. She even pre-empted her opponent's arguments. He actually stuttered on three occasions so far! If the judges weren't full of Novos Restauracionistas sympathizers, I'd almost believe she'd be the first to win the debate on whether or not Muggles could rival Magicals."

De Silva grimaced and shook his head.

"Alas, fanatics are rarely interested in truth. Otherwise they wouldn't resort to shouting, character assassination, and violence whenever someone asked 'if Magicals are so superior, then why is the Statute necessary.'"

Antonio scoffed, just barely covering his mouth enough to avoid disturbing the residents of the neighboring boxes.

"Please Minister, no one would dare question you."

The old man grimaced. That was exactly the problem.

"It would be nice if a few more people did."

"Sir?"

"Nothing. Just bemoaning that so many take Magic as a given, and how no one ever asks 'what if' without irony."

Further discussion was silenced by the applause, the debate having reached its conclusion. In a truly impartial judging, it was clear that the young lady, who 'lost' the coin toss for the topic at hand, had actually won, having made her opponent look like a fool. But just as Antonio said…

"And the winner, of this year's Annual Youth Debate, in the Royal Oratory Hall, is Dom João da Gama!"

The judges and the young victor celebrated… And looked most out of place with how… quiet the audience was. Oh certainly there was applause, some of the audience being enthusiastic in fact… But much of the rest of the audience was half-hearted at best, damning the results with silence at worst. Minister de Silva and Antonio looked aside to each other as they stood and walked out.

"Well well, I wasn't expecting that sort of response."

De Silva nodded in agreement.

"Yes, I suspect the silence was mostly existential angst. Not unexpected when someone articulates precisely how equal the equation of Muggle verses Magical is in this day and age, especially if in a way that cannot be brushed aside without fanaticism. Without that, I'm certain we'd be seeing a riot at the blatant bias. The papers shall certainly be interesting to see come morning."

"I'm more interested to see the NR's response to the criticism."

"Something inane about superiority no doubt. And I'm sure that they'll try to write Miss Amália off as an ignorant 'mudblood,' which will backfire when it's noted how she's of a pureblood family, while the young dom's grandmother was a half-blood."

"You certain?"

Minister de Silva stopped short at the curtain separating the corridor they were in from the stage, then turned to Antonio with a cocked eyebrow, his eye holding a twinkle a magical from Britain might have found familiar.

"Absolutely. You don't live as long as I have without noticing patterns. Especially if you serve in politics."

The old men shared a small laugh as they stepped through the curtain and onto the stage where the winner and runner up were both waiting, along with the judges and members of the press.

Agostinho produced a smile made from years of experience as he shook João da Gama's hand (while being unsurprised at how weak the boy's shake was), looking to all the world as if he was glad for the young wizard.

"Congratulations young man, this is a peak night for you."

"Thank you Minister! I hope to work with you soon!"

"Oh-ho I don't doubt that at all! Now, I suggest you apply yourself, it is important that the media know of you from here on out!"

"I will sir!"

And with that the young man shook the Minister's hand again (once more being weak-wristed and unprofessional) and ran up to the reporters, obnoxiously interrupting the wizarding wireless interview with the judges. And all the while de Silva and Antonio watched with smiles on their faces.

"I almost feel sorry for the poor fool," Antonio whispered out of the corner of his mouth.

"I believe the word you mean is 'tool,'" de Silva replied with equal subtlety, "and if his father intends to use him as one for his plans, I see no reason while I shouldn't use him as a monkey wrench."

De Silva's smile turned genuine when he turned to Amália Malhoa, the young woman who came in second that evening, and looking very lonely on that stage. De Silva folded his arms in the sleeves of his robe and nodded to her, which she returned with a curtsy.

"You did my Alma Mater proud tonight miss. I am only disappointed that your Headmistress could not attend."

"Thank you Minister," the young lady said, "but I don't think I did all that well. I knew I was going to lose when I saw the Carrack when the coin landed."

"But the important thing is that you didn't show it, and you put all your efforts into your arguments. In fact, your arguments, not just in this debate, but in all of the others these past two days, have been rock solid, and expertly articulated. I shall be looking forward to your career with great intertest. Now, I trust you have employment arranged, my young graduate?"

"Well, sort of," she shrugged, "I had several interviews the past few weeks, and I'm pretty sure I nailed a position in the Magical Financial Affairs office… But I don't think tonight will help."

De Silva shook his head.

"On the contrary, I have done my best to preserve a meritocratic system in my administration, going all the way back to my first election. That is especially true for the MFA office – I got my start there myself once upon a time you know. If you are qualified, you are in. So don't be so quick to give up on yourself Miss Malhoa. As my friend Albus Dumbledore would say – 'The first step in improvement, is to believe it possible.' However…"

He subtly gestured for the young witch to come closer, and as she did so he leaned down to whisper in her ear.

"If you wish to comfort yourself over tonight's defeat, I suggest you read up on the campaign of King Pyrrhus of Epirus against the Romans. And place yourself as Rome."

When the two straightened up the witch was visibly confused, when it seemed to click. She looked to João the victor… To find the wizard was making a royal ass of himself with the reporters. She turned back to find the Minister's placid smile. And then he quickly winked, a twinkle in his eye. The witch pulled in her lips and chewed on them, but other than that showed no sign of her actual thoughts.

'Ah, and she can hold in laughter as well. Promising indeed.'

Their attention was captured by the sound of a voice calling the witch's name. They turned to see a young man about her age in the aisle near the front row seats.

"Oh my. I am so, so sorry Minister! That's my boyfriend, I need to go."

"Absolutely miss Malhoa," the minister replied as he patted her paternally on the shoulder, "Far be it for an old fart like me get in the way of a pair of love birds. Now have a good time tonight."

The witch curtsied again and briskly walked down the steps and embraced the young man.

De Silva, with Antonio in tow, turned and exited the building, making for his private offices, raising his hood to ward off the rain and chill of the night. They had just entered the building when a page boy breathlessly ran up to them.

"Minister de Silva, Minister! Yo-you- you have- a visitor!"

De Silva merely raised an eyebrow and consulted his pocket watch.

"Curious. Visiting hours are long past. Did you by chance happen to get his name my boy?"

"A-Albu-!"

"Dumbledore? Albus Dumbledore?" the minister interrupted, taking pity on the teen. At his breathless nod of affirmation, de Silva nodded and handed the lad a doubloon. "Off now my lad, go home and rest."

The teen smiled and hurried to collect his things, leaving Minister de Silva and Antonio to wonder up to the office alone. And through the doors to the antechamber de Silva entertained guests in, the two wizards found the Headmaster of Hogwarts himself enjoying the view of Magical Lisbon from the windows. Dumbledore turned at the sound, and smiled at the sight of the Minister of the Royal Enchanted Ministry, a sentiment returned judging by how the (relatively) younger man strode up to the British Wizard, arms wide. The pair embraced for a moment, then parted and clasped hands.

"Albus my old friend! It is a wonderful surprise to see you!"

"And likewise, as always Agostin. I see you still haven't gotten around to crowning yourself king old man."

It was an old jab, one that started as a source of tension after de Silva won his fifth election in 1928. But with time, the results of his administration, and private conversations, wherein the (relatively) younger wizard expressed his fears of becoming a Magical Bismarck to the REM's Germany, it had become a joke. One which Agostinho brushed off with the usual wave of his hand.

"Bah! Albus, you know as well as I that Elections need an opponent to be worth a damn, and these weak-stomached poofs stopped bothering after 1980. And when I decided not to bother putting my name on the ballot in '92, folks just wrote my name in anyway! I fear I have been too successful in my job Albus."

"Oh poor child," the Brit replied with heatless sarcasm, then pulled out a handful of candies from his robe, "would you care for a lemondrop, by chance?"

De Silva raised an eyebrow, but his expression turned to a feigned mask of appreciation as he picked up a bowl of candies of his own from his desk.

"Oh Albus how thoughtful. I'd love one, but only if you take a black licorice."

The two ancient men laughed like schoolboys at their little in-joke before putting the sweets away. Antonio wisely stayed out of the byplay, letting the men who had been friends since the Tri-Wizard's Cup of the 1890s have their little ritual (though not without swiping one of the offered lemondrops of course). As his boss got settled in across the coffee table from Dumbledore, Antonio broached the subject on their minds.

"Headmaster, what could be so important that you left England, in the middle of the night, without prior warning?"

Albus eyed the younger man, and looked between him and de Silva.

"Go on Albus. For Heaven's sake, I'm not going to live forever so I might as well let my protégé's hear some of our cloak and dagger work."

Albus nodded, but didn't speak again before casting silencing charms on the door – despite both men knowing how well the Portuguese Wizard secured his own privacy.

"I heard about this back in June, but between my duties as Headmaster and various crises, I have only now had the chance to talk to you about St. Mathew Island."

Agostinho hummed in thought as he chewed on a licorice, nodding in thought.

"Mmm, crises. Such as the discovery of those Fascist moles, and that those flying Drapes of the Damned proved that they are, in fact, Damned Flying Drapes, and just as controllable."

There was a pause, and the Headmaster for a moment seemed to age with weariness before shaking himself out of it.

"Yes."

De Silva frowned at the affect the topic had on his friend, and so moved his chair that much closer and put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Courage Albus. These things happen. Especially when a spineless sock puppet is given the reigns above unelected undersecretaries. The important thing is that none of the children were hurt. …Permanently. I think we can all agree that is the most important thing."

The other wizard nodded in resignation.

"Sadly, that is true."

"Now then. Speaking of Fascists like Little Whatsisname's fanatics," de Silva gave Dumbledore a moment to get the amusement out of his system, "and your curiosity about St. Mathew, they are in fact – respectively – the problem and solution for each other. I have no doubts that you are concerned about speculation concerning the Novos Restauracionistas, correct?"

Albus begrudgingly nodded. A nod de Silva returned.

"Wingardio Leviosa."

The Minister twirled his wand and levitated a folded newsprint over from his desk. The wizard then opened it to the right page and turned it around for his guests to see. It was, in fact, a copy of the Daily Prophet, the Politics section. On it was a large font, bold headline.
MAGICAL SUPREMACY INSURGENCY – ON THE RISE IN BRITAIN AND ABROAD
FIRST THE DEATH EATERS, ARE THE NEW RESTORATIONISTS NEXT?

"Such delightful alarmism Albus. I'm thinking about framing this. It should go, quite nicely, next to my copy of the Magical Times' announcement of Grindelwald's impending victory over the Allies, during The Bulge in '44."

"Personally I find that collection of yours to be tacky Agostin. However, even though much of the Prophet has been the mouthpiece for the Ministry for decades, their International Politics section has managed to remain predominantly independent, so long as they toe the party line regarding domestic issues. So when they express concern for you and the REM, I cannot help but worry. There are so few of us left Agostin."

There was a heavy pause, each man momentarily adrift in time, remembering lost friends and loves. The moment was broken by Antonio coughing.

"Gentlemen, excuse me… But what is this about St Mathew? And what does it have to do with the NR?"

The older wizards looked at the comparative youth, then each other. After a mental conversation Dumbledore yielded the proverbial floor to his friend.

"Simple. I am giving it away to the Abyssal Princess recently allied with the muggles."

Had it not been for the bombshell having sent Antonio reeling, the wizard would have marveled at the sight of both older wizards having nearly identical twinkles in their eyes. Finally, he managed to croak out a sound that could be generously considered a 'why?'

"Yes, which is precisely why I came to ask. For one thing, it is of the utmost discretion, so I felt this conversation needed to be in person. More importantly, it is a very drastic move for you Agostin. You have always been a conservative-minded sort, and your administration has been one of stability, preservation, and caution. Simply giving away an island as important to Magical Portugal as St Mathew, with no prior warning, is frankly none of those things."

Minister de Silva wagged his head in acknowledgement.

"A fair point. Though I wonder where you came by this information Albus?"

"Simple deduction my old friend," the Headmaster returned, shrugging, "the Muggle Prime Minister sent me a message about an opening for talks with Princess Atlantia, and asked if I could take steps on behalf of the Ministry in the talks. It was a long leap of logic, but if she was wanting to talk to individuals on the Magical Side, there would be little she could possibly want or need that she could not get more expediently from the Non-Magical sort. Except for one thing – Land. And if any leaders on the magical side was going to work with the muggles to take any advantage of the situation, it would be you.

"And finally… Sadly, St Mathew's sad current state of affairs seemed like an appropriate bargaining chip for someone as cynical… And pragmatic, as you sometimes are Agostin. Though I had hoped to be wrong."

Agostinho de Silva, to his credit, managed the decency to blush.

"True, on all points Albus. But as always, I have my reasons. And Antonio, I want you to listen well. In fact, had I known I would be having this conversation this evening, I'd have asked more of my protégé's to come so they could listen too. This is likely the most important lesson I can give to future politicians: Knowing when and how to take a hit in order to take down an enemy."

Antonio took up an expression he had worn many times through the decades – one of expectation, and absolute attention. De Silva, meanwhile, sat back in his chair and took a breath, collecting his thoughts.

"After Blood Week, the REM's economy took the largest hit since the Giggling Mushroom Market collapsed two-hundred years ago. Thanks to the Abyssals, we lost direct access to the East Asian Markets, and St Mathew. Losing India and China was bad enough, but something we could recover from. But St Mathew had been the lynchpin of our colonial trade network, and without it our reliance on the Ley lines became our enemy, and we lost our markets in the Americas and direct connections to our African holdings as a result. And ever since, our economy has become stunted, stagnant, even as the rest of the Magical World recovers and adapts.

"For these past eight years, I had hoped and prayed that someone survived, that we might get a message from the Wireless and at least get our people back, and as the war turns in Man's favor, we could liberate the island… But… It has been eight years. And even though we now know that not all Abyssals are sub-human monsters… It has been eight years. I cannot go on expecting the best despite all evidence gentlemen. While the cities and port can be rebuilt someday, the people won't. And while the magical topography allows for St Mathew to become a bustling trading hub again, it will take a very long time indeed, at a cost I doubt we could recoup. Therefore, as the island is no longer an asset, and in the medium-term will be a liability, it only makes sense to find a way to cut it off, like a diseased vine.

"I have decided that, by playing a role in negotiating in peace talks with the first Abyssal to ally with Man in the Atlantic, we can at least get some use out of the island, one last time. Not only would I get rid of something we weren't using anyway, but it helps show the Muggle Government that the REM is with them one-hundred percent in this war."

"But, minister!" Antonio interjected, "so many of the people have lost family on that island! You- you are abandoning them! The people will be furious! And what about the colonies? Without St Mathew, it's only a matter of time before Africa rises up in a rebellion we can't stamp out!"

De Silva nodded in resignation as he poured himself and Albus a drink.

"No doubt. And don't take my blasé attitude for apathy. But as Minister, I cannot simply act, blindly flailing about simply to have the appearance of an effective policy. In the end, as the Head of the Royal Enchanted Ministry, I must look beyond what will keep me in power, and act on what the Ministry – and her people – actually need. Even if… Especially if, that means I must step down. The people of Magical Portugal need levelheaded rulership. That doesn't automatically mean that they need me."

Dumbledore winced at that.

"Yes. If only certain individuals in the Ministry understood that simple concept."

"Perhaps, but as I said in my first inauguration speech in 1912 Albus, should the people vote me out, I will step down."

"You see Antonio?" Albus stage-whispered to the younger wizard, "The key to despotic rule is to act as though you don't want it. It's very cat-like I must say."

Agostinho chose not to dignify his old friend's jab with a response. He merely took a sip of his port and continued as if nothing happened.

"Though much as it annoys me, I suspect that I won't lose the 2016 election. I may need to work for it for the first time in a quarter-century, sure, but the real tragedy of the REM is that the people have gotten so very used to it being me sitting in this office.

"And as for the colonies? Antonio, you know as well as I how often the Colonial Navy had to be used to help stamp out nativist and independence uprisings. Hell, that's why we stole Restaurdor back in the fifties. But even so, it is only a question of when the next uprising will come. The Abyssal War may be a Sword of Damocles to the malcontents, but once that is not an issue, they will rise up and there's not a damned thing we can do about it, son. Besides. The Muggle Empire collapsed decades ago. Our command of the magical trade gave us the funds to afford being able to keep the magical side going… But the old Empire is on life support, Antonio. And with the Statute ready to fall any day now? Politically we couldn't hold onto the colonies even if I wanted to. All things come to an end. As it was with the Kingdom, so to shall it be with the Empire.

"But I digress. Remember Antonio, this is a lesson in taking a hit in order to take down an enemy. So then, the angrier the people are…?"

Dumbledore eyed the younger wizard and his friend. He had a suspicion where this was going, but he was not one to steal the thunder from a teacher in the middle of class. And Antonio did not disappoint.

"The angrier they are… The more likely they are to lash out. Or at least, the more belligerent factions… Like the Magical Supremacists!"

De Silva saluted the relatively younger wizard with his glass before taking a sip. Then as he spoke, he produced from his robes a long sheet of parchment, rolled up.

"Precisely lad. As you know, I have had the Ministry Aurors keep close tabs on known members of the Novos Restauracionistas, and investigated their secret meetings, and keep a detailed list of names and deeds they have done in order to expand their influence, and keep a record of their goals. Now. Take a look there, and see if you can find a pattern in the names of the leadership."

"José de Camões, Marquis Sebastião de Sequeira e Sousa, Domingos Pessoa, mostly merchant patricians these and… Dom Vasco da Gama!"

"Precisely," the old man said, producing a second scroll that he handed to Dumbledore, "A great many men who have lost a great deal of money with the loss of St Mathew, and stand to lose even more with the island no longer able to be called ours, plus one of the most powerful and influential noble families in the Royal Enchanted Ministry…. That before Blood Week controlled a syndicate over many of those same patricians. One wonders just how much money was made that went unreported, and thus untaxed."

While de Silva talked, the Headmaster unrolled the other scroll and donned his tiny reading glasses.

"Hmmm… It seems that they want to make you king Agostin. Make things official."

"Ah, yes, that would be their mission once the Magical Supremacist faction took over the movement in the early nineties. Before then, it was to reinstate the muggle king. Thankfully, the fact that the ICW would have stomped on any attempt to influence the Muggles so, like an arachnophobe on a spider, meant that the most they did in the early days was make pretty speeches and take donations… That went into their pockets. Now then Albus, move on down to about, ohh… 2009."

Dumbledore cocked an eyebrow at that, but did as asked. After a few moments he found the section in question… And he blinked. Then his bushy white eyebrows rose high into his brow.

"…Oh."

"Yes. Seems Don da Gama feels that I'm a weak and ineffectual ruler Albus. Imagine that."

"Oh yes," the Headmaster quipped, rolling up the scroll, "stable policy and a century of skillfully negotiated peace and neutrality, all are the hallmarks of a weak ruler."

"Mmm, meanwhile, someone who can solidify the 'natural order' of things by reinstating a King over muggle Portugal, putting the muggles 'in their natural place' is just what the people need, especially with the Statute being rendered all the more useless each and every day. Can't see how that won't backfire enormously."

The two ancient wizards looked each other aside, their silence damning.

"So… How do you plan to profit from provoking the Novos Restauracionistas like this Minister?"

Minister de Silva and Headmaster Dumbledore turned to Antonio, both visibly disappointed.

"I suggest that you think on that my boy. Meanwhile, it is getting late, and we have cabinet meetings come morning, so I suggest getting some sleep."

Antonio looked between the Minister and the Headmaster, but nodded and stepped out, being sure to leave the scroll of names on the minister's desk on the way out. When the door clicked closed, the two wizards watched on, as though seeing a part of the future moving on.

"A promising lad Agostin," Dumbledore noted, "but he doesn't quite have your mind."

De Silva sighed in resignation.

"Yes, well… Tragically, political geniuses don't exactly grow on trees. But he is eager to learn, and once he understands a concept of sound rulership, he isn't likely to be swayed off that path. Besides, with the Statute dying? I don't have to worry about my successors being able to rule without me holding their hand, which is what befell Germany after Bismarck died. I just need to make sure they can administrate competently. And that's assuming that the Ministry even survives in the muggle government in some recognizable fashion, rather than be dismantled and its organs digested amongst analogous government agencies."

"This is true enough."

"So really, I just need to ride these next few years, and I can finally let go of power without guilt. But before that?"

With a flourish of his wand, de Silva enchanted an old gramophone. For a few seconds there was nothing… Then came the opening bars of a song that both men knew by heart when they were boys…

As someday it may happen / that a victim must be found / I've got a little list / I've got a little list…

Dumbledore sighed, but he had a smile on his lips.

"Really now Agostin. At least wait until the business is done."

The Minister just returned the smile and shrugged.

"What can I say? In One-hundred and one years of power, I have never had to do a proper purge of my government before. It's novel! I don't think that the prisons will have ever had so many inmates at once!"

"I just hope that you don't destroy your legacy just as it comes to an end. You have done far too much good for the REM and her people, just to taint your administration Agostin."

De Silva just gave a sad smile to his oldest living friend.

"Albus, we have no real control over what History says about us once we're gone. But so long as there are those of Portugal, with magic, to remember anything about me, they can think whatever they like, so long as they are alive, safe, happy, and above all… Free."

Dumbledore nodded in agreement. Meanwhile, de Silva picked up a book that was on his desk.

"Speaking of history, and our places in it, look here Albus. Someone has actually made a biography about me."

"Oh really? Are you sure it's not an autobiography in disguise? To make yourself look good to your sycophants?"

"HA! Funny. But no, some Half-blood took a shine to me. Don't ask why, I can't imagine what for. But every other day last year he was shadowing me and interviewing me for hours on end. He was rather obnoxious. At any rate, the publisher sent me a copy-editor's edition for my thoughts. Look at this cover art Albus…"

De Silva handed the hardback book to Dumbledore, and the wizard pursed his lips at the image plastered on the front.

The title was The Power of de Silva – a Century of Public Service, A Biography, and below that was a tagline reading From humble beginnings to the Crisis of 1910 through the Present, How One Man Shaped the Royal Enchanted Ministry, with the name of the author crammed onto the bottom. But the image itself was… Interesting. It was crafted from two images of his friend, split down the middle and edited together. On the left was a colorized photo of Agostinho as a young man – likely soon after being first elected in 1912 – and on the right was an image of the same man… Very recently made. The effect was to give a sense of just how long he had been Minister of the Royal Enchanted Ministry. It also made Albus feel very old indeed.

"Isn't it the most atrocious abomination you have ever seen?"



------

Incidentally, know what I learned while researching some good Portuguese names? The man that discovered the route to India? Vasco da Gama? His son, Francisco, the 2nd Count of Vidigueira, doesn't have a Death Year according to Wikipedia.

To me, that says 'magical that retreated from the muggleworld with the Statute.'

And yes. If I were to turn HatSG into a movie, I would cast Matt Smith (the 11th Doctor) as a Young de Silva, and Ian McDiarmid (Emperor Palpatine) as Present/Old de Silva.

Because I like playing with expectations sometimes.

Ternasta said:
Hmm, perhaps Porta will try to go after him. He's pretty much the opposite of what she was going for the first time she chose a mate, and he's a wizard as well. And she could probably manage to rip the Dark Mark off him, so he wouldn't have to worry about that either. Although he's one of the few unattached men who wouldn't immediately jump at the chance, but that might make her more interested.​

You have no idea how entertaining I found this! Because I was actually juggling ideas for Porta finding a wizard boyfriend this past week! Though I wasn't brave enough to even contemplate a Canon character, let alone Severus! However, doesn't he still hold a torch for Lily? Or would it be in character for him to move on?

Not that I expect to go that route. And yet it's so entertaining.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

For the first time in weeks, the sleet and light snow of the Scottish Highlands had stopped falling around Hogwarts. Something that the inhabitants of the castle did not quite know about for the most part. Just a few hours earlier though, one of the biggest events of the year had happened.

The capture of Sirius Black.

However, under the bare branches of the Forbidden Forest, none of this mattered. Nor did it matter that the horizon still had not any sign of dawn. This late in the year, so close to the longest night of the year, daylight lasted barely seven hours total in the Scottish Highlands. And the sunrise itself would not happen until close to nine in the morning. The night was so very dark and cold at this hour.

Not that a fox currently bounding through the Forbidden Forest as fast as it could noticed with how much it's muscles were burning as it ran. Under root and over snowdrifts as the Half-Moon above shone down through the gaps in the clouds. Leaping through some bushes, the fox twisted and landed, snow flying from where the being's paws hit. Slowly, the fox looked in one direction and then another. On it's head, ears twisted to and fro as it backed up some.

Rustling from bushes caused it to whip around and crouch with a growl. But all that met it was the wind and nothing else. Still frightened, the fox gained a small frown on its face.

Moments later, it froze as something dropped from the trees and landed behind it with barely a sound.

Almost a minute passed before it heard a chuckle, "My, my, don't tell me that you are frightened of me." Slowly, the fox turned and backed away from the other, much more massive fox in front of it. The smaller fox was much the normal size for a fox. But the other... the other was the size of a large horse with nine tails behind it. The Kitsune, for that was what it was, seemed amused by the smaller fox, "Come now, there is nothing to fear. I simply wish to speak with you... Siusan, I believe that you told Natsumi-Chan that you were called, yes?"

Swallowing, the fox nodded some and spoke in a female voice, "Yes, that is my name." Eyes narrowing, she snarled at the larger fox, "What are you?"

Completely unconcerned with the snarls, the larger of the two simply moved her tails, "In my homeland, I am what is known as a 'Kitsune', a fox spirit of sorts. As to myself, I am a Kyuubi, a kitsune that has survived for over a thousand years and gained one tail a century. My name is Hoshi, it means 'Star' in my native tongue."

Just blinking, Siusan frowned, "That... is what Natsumi-Child stated she was, but..." Eyebrows furrowing, she looked over the Kitsune before the wind shifted a bit and her eyes widened as she caught something that was not a scent as one would understand it, "You are-"

Trailing off, the Irish fox spirit realized that the other had stilled, "Yes, but that is not something to speak of." After getting a nod, Hoshi tilted her head some, "How about we become more... comfortable?"

Not even a few seconds later, where once was a fox now stood a woman with nine fox tails behind her and fox ears on her head. She was dressed in what was, to Siusan, odd clothing. Of course, Siusan then transformed herself into her own human-like form, which came across as tomboyish wearing a tunic and skirt, with a red cloak, "There."

Lips twitching in barely hid amusement, Hoshi shook her head and gazed evenly at the other fox in more than a little interest, "I will admit that when Natsumi-Chan explained that she had met a fox spirit, one that was not a Kitsune, I was surprise. Even more so that said fox claimed to be Harry-San's grandmother of sorts. Very surprised as I was not aware that there were beings like us outside of East Asia. Of course... that was when I did my research." Eyes narrowing, she frowned, "You must excuse me for my rudeness, but in Irish legends such beings as yourself were... not always spoken well of. And were often associated with the Fae."

Wincing, Siusan frowned right back, "I have heard the same, though I have never met any of the others." That seemed to surprise the Kitsune, who quickly schooled her features, "Why?'

All the Kitsune did was lean forward slightly, "Do not get me wrong, I wish to satisfy my own worry. That you were being truthful to Natsumi-Chan. For all her intelligence and wisdom, which is growing each day, I was worried about her being fooled by someone far more experienced. And I only wish to make sure that both her, as well as Harry-San are safe."

Briefly, the hackles rose on Siusan's neck as she snarled, "I would never harm Harry-Child, Lily-Child's child." Then she blinked and her eyes widened, "Wait... you wish to make sure that I am not a threat to him?"

Slowly, Hoshi nodded, "Yes, that is correct. If you are who you say you are, then I am sure that you understand my caution in regards to this."

Her shoulders slumping, the Irish fox's head hung even as she gave the barest of nods, "I do, though I wish that I was believed." A ghost of a smile crossed her face as pain filled her eyes, "Though I am glad that Harry-Child does have those who care so much about him. How do I prove that I am who I say I am?"

Much to her confusion, Hoshi smiled some before reaching into a small pouch. From it, she pulled a silver necklace that had a bell on it, which made Siusan gasp. Catching the look on the other fox's face, she raised an eyebrow, "I take it that you recognize it?"

Tears in her eyes, Siusan nodded, "Yes, that is the necklace that I made for Lily-Child and gave to her father..." Her eyes turned downwards, "I only realized later that he never gave it to her and I did not know what became of it."

With a sigh, the Kitsune shook her head, "He put it away, unwilling to give it to his daughter. But after he passed, it was among those items that he had gifted to Harry... While I do have questions regarding what was written, this is neither the time nor the place to do so though I am certain that he hates himself in the Afterlife for what happened and what could have happened if he had given it. That said... you made it from your own magic and blood, yes?" Getting a confused nod, Hoshi placed her hand over the bell, "Then it shall tell us if you are who you claim to be..."

Softly, Hoshi whispered to the necklace as orbs of fire appeared on each tail. For her part, Siusan was unable to look away from what was happening, for it was too important. She had to prove that she was who she said she was, so that she could speak with Harry-Child... her grandson, though far removed. As far as she was concerned, she had failed him far too much as it was. It said something how distracted she was with her thoughts that she did not notice that the necklace had begun to softly glow.

Upon realizing that fact, Siusan perked up and was about to ask when she noticed that she, too, was glowing. Examining her hand, she blinked, "What is this?"

Chuckling, and a slight smile on her face, Hoshi tilted her head, "What this is would be the proof of who you are. Magic does not lie, especially that within the blood. This... you forged from your blood, for your blood. You poured love into it's creation and it shows." The glow faded away and Hoshi placed the necklace back into her bag and turned to Siusan, "Well, that answers my questions for the most part. So you wish to speak with Harry-San, then?"

Her eyes though narrowed as Siusan looked away and held herself. There was something... vulnerable, about how the other fox was postured. And there was also fear, though of what she had a good suspicion as to why, "I... I would like to, though I am unsure that he may..."

Expression softening, Hoshi got to her feet and walked over. Placing a gentle hand on Siusan's shoulder, she smiled at the other fox spirit, "Siusan-San, look at me for a moment." When the other woman did, Hoshi looked her in the eye, "I have no doubt that Harry-San would like to speak to you."

Voice so very soft and vulnerable, the Irish fox swallowed, "How can you be sure? So many... so many of my grandchildren, they... And I was not there for him. I was not there for Lily-Child's Child when he needed me. When Lily-Child needed me, I... For when she needed me... Why..." Falling to her knees, Siusan sniffed a bit, "Why would he wish to acknowledge me...?"

Crouching down herself, Hoshi gently hugged her, "Because, we are speaking of Harry-San. I do not know what sins you may believe that you have done, but I believe that they were not done but in your mind. Harry-San will only care that you are, to him, family in the end. And family that actually cares about him, from what I can see. From what I know of Harry-San, and my own interactions, that is all he needs to care for you. His heart is far too big, but it is also one of his greatest strengths as well as weakness. But the strength it has is, by far, greater then it is a weakness."

Unable to help herself, Siusan leaned into Hoshi's embrace, feeling the tails wrap around her, warmth surrounding her, "I am afraid that he would not accept me. He... he is the last of my grandchildren, of Brigid's children, who could.... And his eyes are hers, to see them... to see them hate me would...

Inside her head, some pieces fell into place. Yes, there was quite a bit in Lily's journals as well as her own research into the matter. But so much more now was apparent. The fox in front of her was hurting, and in a way that she had seen in far too many Kitsune when those of their blood had rejected them for not being human. The fear and self-hatred from those of their blood, of their childrens' blood, casting them out as family. The ancient Kitsune felt her heart go out to the other fox at that.

All Hoshi did was gently rub her back and make comforting noises, even as she felt tears soaking her clothes as Siusan shook, "Harry-San cannot hate you, for you are family. True family, though he has not known you. He will listen to why he did not know you before, but I do not see him hating you, for as you said... you are his grandmother, and he is of your blood. For him, this would be a gift."

All Siusan did was nod and hold on a touch tighter.

 

[darthcourt10]

K9Thefirst1

And here we see Porta contacting allies for assistance correcting an oversight of hers, on the eve of war. Once more, I am indebted to the person who sent me this link on how medieval letters were composed.




A Letter Between Sovereigns

December 10th, 2013 – Great Meteor Seamount, Palace of Porta Atlantia

In her private apartments, the Last Elder Princess of the Atlantic Abyss leaned back in her chair and rubbed at the bridge of her nose. It was late, and she much wanted to go to sleep. Trouble was, she needed to make a decision, and soon. She had put it off long enough as it was.

She really only had herself to blame really. She had spent so much time and effort developing her fleet combat units, that she had neglected to expand her non-combat fleet accordingly. Now she had over a thousand warships… And not a tug or repair ship in sight.

Sure, her Mobile Anchorages could do most of the repairs of a dedicated port… But that wouldn't do one of her fleet any good if she couldn't make it there under her own steam, or worse, if she needed one or more of her sisters to get there under tow. One unit out of action was bad enough, but a whole division? Unacceptable.

"I am… An idiot…" she muttered to herself, "I'm supposed to be smarter than this…"

And yet, there she was, a grand fleet, with her self-imposed date for the declaration of war against the Barbarians of her Sisters weeks away… Without tugs and repair ships to tend to them. Naturally she went straight to work with her engineers to rectify this oversight right away. It was really her least favorite part of developing new classes – the actual designing process. All too often, either to many perfect or near-perfect options were put before her to choose from, or none of them were acceptable, or they were little more than variations on a theme.

The issue at hand, for a prospective repair ship, was a mix of the three issues. All of them had their good points, but none of them really stood out as perfect, and their flaws were quite glaring. She had thought she had hit a promising avenue when she permitted the expansion of the ship's tonnage, but now she was regretting that decision. Shifting the Tonnage limitation merely resulted in having a repair ship that was very nearly the size of a small capital ship, with all the logistical problems that came with it. Sure, the greater size meant that the machinists and engineers would have much greater stability while at work – no mean factor for the notoriously aggressive Atlantic – but was it worth the frustration of feeding and defending a nearly thirty kiloton behemoth that wasn't even going to be fighting?

She flipped the sheets over, taking yet another look at the words on the page, as though it would somehow change the situation somehow.
Spoiler
Requirements (initial guidelines, after first round of proposals requirements shall be adapted):
Tonnage: between 3,000-6,000 tons
Speed: 10 to 18 knots.
Range: 10,000 nautical miles.
Armament: what can be expected to defend herself from air and light sea opponents, using the 5'' gun and 40mm AA armament currently utilized.
Crew Capacity: At least 300 – 10 Officers, 50 seamen, 40 stokers and machinery spaces staff, 150 engineers, mechanics and repair crew, 50 misc crew.
Capability: repair minor to minor-moderate damage to all shiptypes from submarines to Re-Class battlecarriers, including engine repairs, hull shell plating repairs, sensor suite repairs or replacements, and other miscellaneous repairs that can be done either at sea or underway.


DESIGN I
Length: 320
Beam: 55 ft
Draft: 21 ft
Speed: 12kts
Tonnage: 3300 tons

Armor: 10mm cemented armor around machinery spaces
Armaments: 1 double-barreled dual purpose 5'' mount, aft, 2 quardruple 40 mm Anti-air mounts, one on top of bridge, one on fantail.

Propulsion: six oil-fired boilers, feeding one quadruple expansion reciprocating engine.

Facilities: one machine shop and tools, one hanger bay for plane/parts stowage, two holds for spare parts. Four auxiliary turbo-electric generators. Two auxiliary water pumps.


DESIGN II
Length: 477ft
Beam: 80 ft
Draft: 29ft
Speed: 14kts
Tonnage 11,200 tons

Armor: None
Armament: two double-barreled dual purpose 5'' mounts. 4 double 40mm Anti-Air mounts

Propulsion: eight oil-fired boilers feeding two triple expansion engines.

Facilities: two machine shops and tools, one hangar bay for plane/parts storage, three holds for spare parts. Eight auxiliary turbo-electric generators. Four auxiliary water pumps. One steam-powered winch crane amidships.


DESIGN III
Length: 675 ft
Beam: 75 ft
Draft: 36 ft
Speed: 15kts
Tonnage: 19,000 tons

Armor: 25mm cemented plate along machinery spaces
Armament: three double-barreled 5'' dual purpose mounts – one fore and aft, one amidships. 5 40mm quadruple Anti-Air mounts, two fore, two aft, one amidships.

Propulsion: 12 double-ended oil-fed boilers feeding two triple-expansion engines.

Facilities: three machine shops and tools, two hangar bays for plane/parts stowage, five holds for spare parts. Ten auxiliary turbo-electric generators, eight auxiliary water pumps. Two steam-powered winch cranes amidships. Alternatively, three holds for parts, one hold for raw materials, and a small forge to forging small hull patch plates as required.
We find Design III to be of particular merit. Though it exceeds the tonnage limit, in retrospect said limit was too strenuous for a truly effective vessel. As a larger ship will be more stable while at sea, even in harsh storms, meaning that the mechanics, engineers and machinists will have an easier time while working on materials. Therefore, the tonnage limit is shifted to 30,000 tons, though the Board of Design is reminded that this limit is not meant to be a goal to be achieved, but rather, is a buffer to ensure an efficient design without fretting over going over.
-HRH, Porta Abysseum Atlantia


DESIGN III-A
Length: 725ft
Beam: 89ft
Draft: 37ft
Speed: 16kts
Tonnage: 25,000

Armor: 33mm cemented plate over machinery spaces at and below waterline in turtleback layout.
Armament: Eight double-barreled 5'' mounts, two fore, two aft, four amidships. Six 40mm double Anti-Air mounts, one fore, three aft, one on top of bridge, one on aft superstructure, four amidships.

Facilities: four machine shops and tools, two hangar bays for plane/parts stowage, five holds for spare parts and resources, a small forge to make small hull patch plates or full one replacement plates as required. Ten auxiliary turbo-electric generators, eight auxiliary water pumps. Two steam-powered winch cranes amidships.

Propulsion: Twelve double-ended oil-fed boilers feeding two-expansion reciprocating engines.


DESIGN III-B
Length: 726ft
Beam: 95ft (plus additional four feet either side for torpedo bulge – 103ft)
Draft: 34ft
Speed: 17kts
Tonnage: 26,900 tons

Armor: 33mm cemented plate over machinery spaces at and below waterline in turtleback layout.
Armament: Eight double-barreled 5'' mounts, two fore, two aft, four amidships. Five 40mm double Anti-Air mounts, one fore, three aft, one on top of bridge, one on aft superstructure.

Facilities: four machine shops and tools, two hangar bays for plane/parts stowage, five holds for spare parts and resources, a small forge to make small hull patch plates or full replacement plates as required. Ten auxiliary turbo-electric generators, eight auxiliary water pumps. Two steam-powered winch cranes amidships.

Propulsion: 12 Double ended, 4 single ended, oil-fed boilers feeding four quadruple expansion reciprocating engines.


DESIGN III-C
Length: 729ft
Beam: 96ft (plus additional four feet either side for torpedo bulge – 104ft)
Draft: 36ft
Speed: 19kts
Tonnage: 29,000 tons

Armor: 36mm cemented plate over machinery spaces at and below waterline in turtleback layout.
Armament: Eight double-barreled 5'' mounts, two fore, two aft, four amidships. Ten 40mm double Anti-Air mounts, one fore, three aft, one on top of bridge, one on aft superstructure, four amidships.

Facilities: four machine shops and tools, two hangar bays for plane/parts stowage, five holds for spare parts and resources, a small forge to make small hull patch plates or full replacement plates as required. Ten auxiliary turbo-electric generators, eight auxiliary water pumps. Two steam-powered winch cranes amidships.

Propulsion: 12 Double ended, 4 single ended, oil-fed boilers feeding two high pressure and two low pressure geared turbines.


DESIGN III-D
Length: 730ft
Beam: 99ft (plus additional four feet either side for torpedo bulge – 107ft)
Draft: 37ft
Speed: 18kts
Tonnage: 29,400 tons

Armor: 30mm cemented plate over machinery spaces at and below waterline in turtleback layout. Plus 4ft spaces on either side for torpedo bulges.
Armament: Eight double-barreled 5'' mounts, two fore, two aft, four amidships. Six 40mm double Anti-Air mounts, one fore, three aft, one on top of bridge, one on aft superstructure.

Facilities: four machine shops and tools, two hangar bays for plane/parts stowage, five holds for spare parts and resources, a small forge to small hull patch plates or full replacement plates as required. twelve auxiliary turbo-electric generators, nine auxiliary water pumps. Two steam-powered winch cranes amidships.

Propulsion: 16 Double ended oil-fed boilers feeding two quadruple-expansion reciprocating engines and one low pressure geared turbine

Porta groaned, then slumped in her chair.

"My kingdom for a second opinion…"

"Nazg. Nazg nazg-nazg."

"Mmm?"

Porta looked to the edge of the table, finding an Imp bearing a manila envelope the size of a large tarp relative to his height.

"Reivana with another report I trust? …Very well, I could use a distraction."

The Princess took the envelope and read the report inside. There was the typical minutia – the Wok-Class transports were performing admirably, transporting reparations goods to the UK and the Iberian nations, and with each voyage were bringing important intelligence regarding the Abyssal Fleets whose territory they passed through. And in turn there were the manifests of raw goods – bauxite, iron, and similar resources she was scarce in – ready for their voyage to the Princess, and intelligence reports – largely gossip, but still vital information – about the various allied powers. And one particular nugget made Porta sit up and take note.

…and from our American allies, there are reports of an Allied Fleet near Alaska that had developed a non-combat type of vessel. The fleet in question calls themselves the Fleet of Laughter, and they are the successor fleet under the Northern Ocean Princess that captured the Aleutian Islands during Blood Week. The Northern Ocean Princess – or 'Hoppo' as she seems to prefer to be called – has survived, but seems to be a distant advisory figure to the FOL, whose de facto leader is the Northern Water Princess named Tanith. More detailed information came in previous accounts, but at your request I would be happy to send along revised copies in triplicate.

As to the class they have built, by all accounts it is an ocean-going tug boat named the KO-Class. Unfortunately, I have told you of everything freely available to non-vital military personnel. Anything else beyond this and a profile ID are classified to mission planers and other Need To Know.

The report went on into other topics. All things the Princess needed to know no doubt, but the information of another Abyssal fleet, and Allied Abyssal fleet, having already developed one of the units she was in need of, superseded everything else. This was perfect! If they could develop a design of their own to completion, then other designs would be a simple matter!

Immediately, Porta collected sheets of paper and a pen, then proceeded to scribble out draft after draft of a letter to this Fleet of Laughter, checking her files of Reivana's previous reports to insure that she did not blunder into an insult out of ignorance with each go. Hours later, she had her final draft, worded exactly the right way to avoid offense, and to encourage the recipients to consider aiding her in her plight.

Satisfied, Porta transcribed the letter to a sheet of parchment, folded it, and with more than a little giddiness, used her new seal for the purpose it was meant for. She heated a measure of wax and poured it into a circle over the knot of silk cord to hold it shut, and pressed her ring into it, revealing a tiny example of her Royal Coat of Arms when she pulled it away.

"DEMON!"

"Yes, Princess." the Demon answered as she entered the quarters. Port marched up to her Second and handed her the envelope.

"Demon, go down to the armory, and collect a quad, double, and single barrel each of the 40mm AA mounts. You are then to go down to the archives and collect the drafts for those same mounts. After that, collect seven barrels of oil, a brick of gold, and then take them all with this letter to the docks. I want you to commandeer a Wok that is empty, or nearly so, and give her the items. I will send coordinates in a few hours."

The Demon stood there for a moment, and Porta could almost imagine an eyebrow rising beneath that helm. But, she was obeyed, and Liner Demon collected the letter and left to carry out the orders.

Porta took a breath to steady herself. The next step was to make a lot of calls to the various allies between the seamount and the realm of the Fleet of Laughter. The Wok-class was a very fuel-efficient class of ship, but she wouldn't have the bunkerage to make the trip on one load. And even if she could, the need for haste meant that the courier needed to take the Panama Canal. She needed to arrange the route with all of the relevant authorities along the way.

It was almost exciting in a way. This would be the first time any of her fleet would be relying on Human infrastructure… And no doubt the humans would be interested in seeing her cargo transport.

A great many side-benefits continued to come to mind as she carried out her tasks. Yes. Even if nothing came of this outreach, the Princess knew that she would benefit.

Of course, she really wanted those tug designs, and some perspective of a repair ship…
------

Avrora, Fleet of Laughter Territory, December 22nd, 2013

Tanith raised an eyebrow at the… strange cargo transport. Save for the lack of a humanoid torso, she bore some similarities to Marble, but the ascended battleship had never seen any ship with so many AA mounts, let alone a lowly cargo transport. Then there was the torpedo launcher embedded in her chin. Still, the attention to the defenses wasn't a bad idea, especially with all of the hostile Abyssal fleets still at large. She'd need to talk to mother about adopting the idea. Meanwhile, the rest of the fleet looked on as the stranger deposited a collection of items on the beach. Three models of AA mounts, barrels of oil (always appreciated), a block of gold (again, not unwanted, gold bought a lot of things they were in need of), and a box.

With the last item lowered onto the beach, an imp hopped down from the freighter's deck, carrying a folded piece of paper above his head like a tiny sheet of plywood, making a beeline straight for her. Taking pity on the little creature, Tanith walked up to the Imp and picked up the folded bit of paper. …No, not paper, parchment. She turned it over to find it sealed with a bit of wax, with the shape of a pseudo-insectoid/crustacean thing inside of a circle with writing on it, in a language Tanith wasn't sure she recognized.

"Is this for me then?"

"Nazg," the little Imp said, saluting before bending to one knee, "nazg nazg Nazg."

'Yes, for the Ruler of the Fleet of Laughter. I humbly await for your reply to my mistress.'

Tanith cocked an eyebrow at the formal tone, but shrugged, broke the seal, and unfolded the letter. After coming all this way, it would be rude not to at least see what the fuss was about.
Spoiler
Salutations, and Best Wishes, O Worthies of the Placid Seas, whose realm is one of peace, serenity, and fellowship with all creatures both Land and Sea, and whose beauty is likened to Virgin Snows and Mighty Glaciers and Stoic Icebergs – The Fair Princess of Northern Waters, and her Mother, the Innocent Princess of Northern Oceans. Regal Sovereigns, over a Fleet that desires naught but Merriment and Love, and yet who willingly bore the brunt of subhuman savages and bloodlusting barbarians, all to spare the lives of the meek and the helpless that were in their charge, showing to all and sundry their superiority to their foes in Strength of Spirit and Honor, exemplars of the Noble Obligation inherent to those that the Divine chooses to Rule.

This letter arrives unto you and yours from the Serene Realm of the Princess of the Ancient Atlantic Gate, Princess Porta Abysseum Atlantia, of Antillia and the Grand Meteor Seamount, a realm of warm, fertile seas, and a fair island of rolling hills, pastoral herds of sheep and cattle, and in the very middle of the Atlantic.

We trust that this letter arrives in a time of continued serenity for your realm, and that your family and subjects are all in favored health and wealth, despite the vulgar realities of this pointless and destructive war between our race and the Humans. If you or yours are ever in need of assistance, simply call, and We shall respond and come unto your side, if your request for succor is one that is within Our capacity to provide.

Alas, We cannot say that this letter comes at a desire of pure pleasure. Rather, it comes at a time of great concern for Our realm and Our subjects in these troubled times of War and Hate. And it is with a heavy head that We find Ourselves seeking aid that only your noble worthies could hope to provide.

Upon the ninth day, of the seventh month, of this fair year, We signed into a pact with the Humans. A treaty of peace, of trade, and of reparations. In accordance with the terms of this treaty, We are obligated to throw in the War Efforts on the side of Man. For offensives, We are much prepared. A decade of repose from the outside world, of ignoring the war, has permitted Us to take the time to expand Our fleet, until We now command numbers such that we can take on the Abyss, and still hold numbers enough to ensure that Our fleet shall be able to transition into a peacetime nature without fear of becoming a backwater.

And yet, in Our eagerness to ensure offensive numbers, We are most humiliated to admit that, in maintenance matters, we are falling short. Mobile anchorages we have, permitting the wounded to have a place of respit without having to brave the treacherous road to Antillia. And We have placed considerable effort in designing and providing merchant craft to transport goods, the beginnings of Our Merchant Marine. And yet We are lacking in the craft that can help Our warriors come home if they cannot move under their own strength, ocean tug boats and repair vessels, forcing their comrades to shoulder them. This is an unnatural oversight on Our part, and one that We prostrate Ourselves before you for assistance.

We have heard from Our allies of your own success in fashioning a class of mighty tugs, the Ko-Class. We request from you the designs, spec sheets, and blueprints of this class, that We may begin construction immediately, before Our war begins in earnest.

In exchange, the servant this letter arrives by offers a bar of gold, forged by collecting the suspended particles of the metal in the sea, and seven barrels of oil, conjured by Our process of synthesizing oil from plant matter. Alongside these come three examples and the corresponding blueprints of the Anti-Air batteries natively developed. Nowhere in all of the Abyss will you find a more rapid, more accurate, and more effective model such as these – Our 40mm quad, dual, and single-barrel mounts, which are currently being provided to all vessels in the fleet, from capital ships on down to destroyers. We trust that these can help protect your family and your subjects in the event of armed conflict.

Furthermore, We send along copies of Our notes for Our own class of Repair Ships. Alas, We fear that they are incomplete as yet, more studies than concrete concepts. However, we pray that they may find some use for you in the event that you and yours are also in the process of developing your own repair ships.

And so, We sadly must finish this matter, and return once more unto the affairs of state, as We make preparations for the vulgar and disgusting matters of War, that Ares may once more be satiated with the blood of Saint and Sinner shed. We once more send Our best prayers, well wishes, and earnest hopes for you and yours, that your realm may continue to prosper and grow, and that under your Noble and Just rule, Avrora continues to be a beacon in the Pacific of what our race can be in this age of Darkness and War, if we but choose to do so, just as We shall be providing that same Noble example in the Atlantic.

And once more, if ever your realm must call for any aid, We implore you and yours too but ask. If it be within Our capacity to provide, it shall be given with both hands, in love and fellowship.

This letter, by Our own hand, departs from Our realm on the tenth day, of the twelfth month, in the Year of Our Lord 2013.

We await your reply with eagerness and grand esteem, Porta Abysseum Atlantia, Princess of Abyssinia.
Mercaturam et Lex
Imperii et Imperatrix

This… Required some thought…

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Leaning back some after being massaged after another training session with Hoshi, Harry let out a soft sigh at the remaining stiffness in his muscles. Yes, he had to admit that it was harsh on him. But one thing that he could not deny was that it was also effective. If nothing else, Hoshi was a very good teacher.

However, that did not make the sessions any less painful, though it helped to push that aside.

Shaking off those thoughts though, Harry walked over to the bag and began to root through it as two pairs of eyes watched. With a glance at the fox watching him, he internally frowned. Who she was, he did not know but there was something extremely familiar about said fox. And throughout the training session, he had seen her wince and cringe. At least once or twice, she had looked like she was about to jump in only to stop herself or at a look from Hoshi.

That was not counting some of the other expressions she had given him as she observed the training. It was mainly due to being friends with Natsumi that he was able to recognize them at all. Hope warred with worry, happiness with sadness, fear with concern. But above all, there was a hunger in her eyes. Not a physical one, but... there just the same.

Odd.

Putting that out of his mind though, Harry internally shrugged as he knew whoever it was, Hoshi would not have let her be there if she did not trust the vixen. Instead, the wizard pulled out some plates, hard tack, beef jerky, and powdered milk. Even as he did so, the unnamed fox watched with confusion as Hoshi had a slight smirk of amusement. Mixing the powdered milk with some water, Harry poured it into a bowl. With a wave of his wand, the milk became butter.

Said transfiguration was followed by him turning the hard tack into warm bread and the beef jerky into strips of cooked steak. Rather amused at the shocked look on the other fox's face, Hoshi took one of the plates and used a plastic knife to cut the bread and spread some butter in it, "You are quite good at this, Harry-San."

With a shrug as he spread some butter on a piece of bread, Harry gave a slight smile, "It's not that hard really of a transfiguration. And it is also great practice to boot as well." Gesturing at each piece of the meal, he shook his head, "One dairy product into another, milk into butter. A form of grain into a different one, hard tack into bread. Finally just changing the states of beef from jerky into steak. It is pretty simple when you get down to it." Placing the bread onto a plate, the wizard set it down in front of the other fox, which looked surprise before he gently patted it on the head. There was a part of him that swore that it blushed from the attention before he turned back to Hoshi, "It is all one type to another, closely related one. And a useful skill since the basics are cheaper."

Humming as she took a bite of the jerky turned steak, Hoshi smiled a bit, "A very useful skill at that." Giving a glance at the other fox who was gobbling down her meal only caused her amusement to grow, "How are your other extra lessons going?"

Not realizing that the unknown fox had paused and was listening intently, the thirteen year old frowned, "Pretty well. Professors Wolff are happy and the Magicite is coming along well. Should have it ready by the summer. They also donated some for use in a summoning that they had laying around. Professor McGonagall is extremely pleased with my extra transfiguration classes and we've covered all the previous years spells, same with Professor Snape and the previous potions. Without having to redo all the written work, it's gone a lot faster and they've told me that I've done extremely well."

On the Kitsune's face was a slight smile as she nodded and glanced at the other fox, who had a look of pride, "That is quite good. And they're going to branch out now from what you told me?"

Harry gave a nod at that, "Yes, we've covered everything that I was taught already, so now they're going to go over things that could have been on the curriculum but wasn't due to lack of room." Briefly, he chewed his lip and glanced at the other fox, "I think that I might be right with what I am suspecting from them."

Perking up some, Hoshi blinked, "Really now?" At his nod, she bummed with a slight smile, "That could turn out interesting..."

Eventually though, the food was all gone and everything put back away. With that, Harry turned to the fox and frowned, "Um..."

For several moments, no one said anything but then the fox transformed and Harry had to blink. Every Kitsune he had met thus far looked Japanese, though some like Hoshi seemed to have some Chinese or Korean in them, though that last was hard to tell. Granted, when he had visited Natsumi's home town, he had caught a glimpse of a Kitsune who looked like they had European or American blood.

In this case though? The fox spirit looked purely European and when she spoke, Harry had to blink at the Irish lilt to her voice, "Harry-Child, I..."

As she trailed off and looked nervous, Harry just watched though he furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. Mainly because upon seeing her, the call to be close to her increased. The want, the need sang in his very blood to do so. At the same time, the fox-woman seemed to be trying to say something, but was unable to find the words. Waiting, Harry looked her over and blinked some as she was dressed in what appeared to be clothes like those the Ancient Celts wore.

Finally though, Hoshi sighed and shook her head before clearing her throat, "Harry-San? I would like you to meet Siusan."

Horrified, Siusan stared at her fellow fox before whimpering was the thirteen year old turned his gaze upon her. She shrunk in on herself as he stared until he spoke, "... Grandmother?"

Swallowing, the Irish fox nodded, "I... yes, that is what I have been called by mine and Brigid's children."

That name tickled something in Harry's mind which made him frown. Something that made Siusan flinch a bit he noted. It was then though that Hoshi stood up and brushed herself off, "I think that I will leave the two of you here and check up on some things."

Mouth working, Siusan stared at her, only for Hoshi to make a motion with her hand and walk out of sight. Yet again, silence fell as the two stared at each other. Or, rather, Harry watched as Siusan moved her lips silently and nervously wrung her hands. Finally though, Harry spoke up, "I... thought that you were dead. I mean, after reading Mum's, my biological one's, journals. What with..."

Looking down with a wince, Siusan shook her head as she spoke quietly, "I did not mean to abandon you, not like..."

Head tilted to the side, Harry frowned some as one piece came to mind, "Aunt Petunia." Seeing her confusion, he continued, "She banished you from her home, didn't she? And that is why..."

Slowly, Siusan nodded, "Yes, I was unable to come close due to her doing so. If I could, I would have taken you myself away from that place."

Part of Harry wondered how that would have went, being raised by the fox spirit in front of him. Dismissing that, he decided to focus on something else, "I'm not surprised about Aunt Petunia. Considering how she treated me, well... yeah." Head tilted to the side, he frowned, "And after?"

Taking some heart in how there are was no anger in his time, no incrimination or hate, just curiosity, the Irish fox took a deep breath, "By the time I knew that you were gone from Petunia-Child's home, and arrived, you were somewhere far from here. I could just tell that you were alive, but not where." Yet against, she seemed to shrink in on herself, "Many nights I wondered if I should seek you out, but..."

Considering that, Harry shook his head, "I was in Japan, almost all the way on the opposite side of the world. You probably wouldn't have been able to find me." He then cocked his head to the side, something that Siusan noted made him look like a Kit, "What about after? When did you know that I was back?"

Siusan blinked a bit before she spoke, "I... just before your First Year, I think that it was called. You were in that market that the magicals use when I managed to track you down." Hand rubbing her arm, she looked down as if ashamed, "I saw you there and was glad while wanting to go to you, Harry-Child. But... you looked so happy with the shipgirls that... that I did not want to bother you with myself. Just seeing you happy and healthy was enough,"

Internally going over the conversation thus far, the thirteen year old realized what she was not saying, "You thought that I would be angry if you came forward then. That I would hate you or that Mum and such would stop you." The unsure nod was enough answer and he shook his head, "I wouldn't have, though..." Once more, Harry cocked his head to the side, "What changed your mind."

As this was going the way that she had hoped beyond anything else, but feared that it would not have, it took Siusan a few seconds to realize what she had just been asked. Then she raised her head and her eyes met Harry's, Brigid's, "I saw you with the young fox on the shore of the lake. That you accepted her and cared for her, and she you." Shrinking in on herself, she bit her lip, "I thought that perhaps now, you might accept me like you have her."

Eyebrows furrowing, Harry considered that before blushing lightly as he knew what she had likely seen. Of course, that was when he gave a chuckle and rubbed the side of his neck before deciding to try a joke, "Well, Grandmother it would be a bit odd if it was exactly like Natsumi-Chan, though perhaps like Hoshi-San." Just getting confusion and nervousness, he winced as he realized that the joke had fallen flat, "Um, sorry..."

Wincing herself, Siusan shifted a bit unsure, "I... if you do not wish for me to..." It was then that she thought back and blinked as remembered what the two teens were doing. And how she compared it in her head to herself and Brigid... and promptly blushed as she realized what Harry-Child had been hinting to and shook her head rapidly, "O-oh, um... no, Harry-Child, I did not mean accept in the way with Natsumi-Child in that way." Her shoulders slumped and tears gathered in the corners of her eyes as she spoke, "There is but one that I feel such for and that is Brigid, even now."

His expression softening, the black haired wizard walked over and sat down beside her. Then, to her shock, he pulled her into a hug with a soft whisper in her ear, "I'm sorry for bringing up such a painful memory."

Gently shaking her head, she gave him a weak smile, "It is an old hurt, Harry-Child. But I am glad though that you found such for yourself and Natsumi-Child is a lovely fox."

Lightly blushing some, Harry could only nod, "Um, yeah, she is." Sitting down next to her, he was quiet for a few moments before clearing his throat, "So, er... Brigid? As in the Brigid from the story 'Brigid and the Fox'? And..."

Tilting her head to the side, Siusan had a slight look of amusement on her face, though there was some sadness there as well, "Indeed, Brigid is the one from the story and I was the fox. Though why the humans confused her with the one known as the Saint I do not know." Her gaze became far off, as if seeing something that only her eyes could, "Brigid... was beautiful, a wonderful woman. I loved her as she loved me, as she loved all things good in the world and it is less light for her being gone. But... I failed her... even though I knew, had seen, her death coming I was unable to prevent it."

Curious, Harry chewed his lip some, "You do not need to tell me if it hurts..."

Siusan shook her head however, "It is, as I said, an old hurt child. Brigid... Her father could find few who would wish to marry her until one came forward. By doing so, his status rose, though Brigid herself did not wish it. As well, no matter what they did, she could not bear him a child, and he was going to divorce her and leave her in shame, likely to become a Nun after. So... when she came to me, I..." A small bit of a blush appeared on her cheeks, "I gave her a child, and more after. But her husband was angry for this."

Eyes narrowing, the teen frowned, "Because he thought that she had cheated on him?"

Much to his confusion, Siusan shook her head, "No, he had not thought such. It was only after one of the songbirds overheard him speaking with a witch that I found he had paid her to cast a spell, to prevent him from giving child. He assumed that she had cheated him and ran her through, even though she proclaimed she had done no such thing. But he had used other magic to be certain that she could not lay with a man without his knowing, and it showed such, that she had not." A small smirk crossed her face, "As I am not a man."

It took only moments for Harry to realize what she was hinting at, "He had been planning to divorce her from the very beginning."

Slowly, Siusan nodded, "Aye, he had. And with that, he could have kept the lands and such gifted to him as it would not be his 'fault' that she would not bear child. But with her children, that was impossible... Shortly after the witch, mere years later, I had a dream of Brigid choking to death. She considered my worry silly, but allowed for me to watch over her. And, as I feared, she died choking, though not on food." Hands clenching, she growled, "For he had poisoned her, in an effort to get rid of her and the children, though I had saved them... yet I was unable to save her. The bastard though did not live long enough to benefit."

All Harry did was nod, "Good." Patting her hand, he gave her a small smile, "I think that Brigid would be happy that you saved your children though."

On the Irish fox's face was a sad smile, "That is what I can only hope." Then her expression fell, "For a time after, our children, and their children, and their children's children and myself were... well, with each other. But slowly, they grew to hate and fear me. When I tried to prevent their deaths and failed, some believed me to be a harbinger of ill fortune. It seemed to cause them pain to be around them, though I... I could not leave them. They were all that was left of Brigid in this cold world. One by one, they closed their homes and their descendant's homes to me, so I clung all the harder to those that remained, but that hurt them more. Until..."

Gently holding her hand, Harry nodded, "Until all that was left was my Mum's family."

That got him a nod from the female being next to him, "They were... and when I met Lily, and saw her eyes..."

Slightly smiling, Harry chuckled some, "I keep being told that I have my Mum's eyes."

Head tilted to the side, Siusan shook her head, "No, Harry-Child, you have Brigid's eyes." Her expression softened some as her voice became a whisper, "And it makes me happy that part of her is still here." Once more, Harry gave her hand a gentle squeeze and she let out a sigh, "I... made a necklace for Lily-Child, that she could use to call me. That necklace was always on my mind, especially after... after visions I had of Lily drowning which is why I was surprised when she was killed."

Blinking, Harry turned to her, "Drowning?" At the nod, he frowned in thought, "Um... Grandmother? Did you know that Mum was a shipgirl? An unawakened Natural Born?"

Jaw dropping, his ancestor boggled, "No, I..." Eyebrows furrowing, Siusan frowned, "Lily-Child was a shipgirl? Then what I saw..."

Harry nodded, "Was likely Mum's first death, when she sank as a ship. And if you can see death, then that many people dying would have overridden what was going to happen, which is what you saw."

Shoulders slumping, Siusan let some tears escape from her eyes, "I was so frightened that I inadvertedly doomed her..."

Patting her, the black haired teen shook his head, "You didn't." A frown on his face, he looked forward, "Grandpa, Mum's Dad... he hated himself for not giving her the necklace."

Sharply frowning, Siusan shook her head, "Harold-Child, though that name does not fit him, should not have hated himself."

All Harry did though was shrug his shoulders, "Well, in his journals he stated he did. That every time Mum visited him during the war, he was going to tell her about the necklace and give it to, only to stop at the last moment. Especially after Mum and Dad went into hiding with me, he really hated himself for not telling her about it. Part of it was that... he knew you could protect Mum and I far better then he could..."

Only shaking her head, Siusan sighed, "A silly child, though understandable."

Continuing, Harry grimaced a little, "Don't know for sure myself. But, well... he also wrote that he knew that you would help and protect both Mum and I. And that you would die before allowing harm to come to us. He didn't want that to happen."

For almost a minute, Siusan was silent before speaking in a voice full of emotion, "I would have died for you or Lily-Child. If I was there, I would have placed myself between you and the darkness... and if I died? I would have been happy and could have met Brigid with a smile knowing that I protected you." The atmosphere heavy with emotion, she looked him in the eye with tears at the corner of hers, "Do not doubt that, child. I would die and do so happily if it meant that you would live."

Moving forward, the teenaged wizard gave her a hug, "I know, Grandmother." Pulling back, he gave her a smile, "I'm glad that I finally get to meet you, and I accept you."

At those words, Siusan seemed to come utterly undone and she pulled him close while sobbing heavily into his chest. The sobs soon became wails as she cried, his shirt becoming soaked with her tears. He still cared for her, accepted her, despite her failures. This boy, Brigid's childe, had not rejected her. Inside, a small part of the scars on her heart closed over finally as pure relief and joy washed through her.

Holding her, Harry just stroked her head as she wailed. The whole time, he continued to whisper to her, "I love you, Grandmother. You are family and family loves, cares, and accepts one another."

If anything, that made her wails deepen and she held him all the tighter.

 

[darthcourt10]

RCNAnon

Hello all. Long time no see from me. Ron is finally back in action now that my muse isn't strangled to death by work. This is still back in summer break because holy shit I'm behind but I hope you all enjoy.

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Molly Weasley waited as patiently as she could as the gate guard phoned back to someone higher up the totem pole of HMNB Portsmouth. It was seemingly inevitable that something would go wrong with her getting into the base given how rushed everything was. Her mind flitted back to the conversation which had started her part in all of this, even as her hands smoothed the muggle skirt and blouse she wore.

"Ron is fine but he had another adventure." Said Arthur's seemingly disembodied head from the fireplace, having appeared in the middle of her making supper. "He somehow tripped over a friendly abyssal Princess while out flying. She's a lot like Miss Wanko from the wedding, including her size. She understandably skittish at the moment so Ron is staying with her while we wait on word from the Admiralty."

"Well that's all good but what are you telling me all of this for?" Molly was still unsure how to process all of this, given that the sudden Floo message had come without warning.

"Ron seems to think she's not going to be at ease any time soon and there's a minor problem of there not being anything large enough for her to wear on the island aside from the dress she started with. So if you could, can you check to see if anyone might have something or could make something for her to wear? Ron also wanted you to see if you could move up the purchase date of their house. He thinks Summer might be more at ease there."

Confusion turned to purpose and just a little bit of frustration as Molly looked over to the dinner in front of her.

"Very well. I suppose I'll just have to finish this roast and get started then. When are you likely to come back?"

"Ron is probably coming back in a day or two. I've still got to see the rest of my diplomatic mission through." There was clear regret in Arthur's voice. The still rising importance of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts office and Arthur's sheer indispensability as the head had meant a steadily increasing quality of life for the Weasley family. Yet it had also meant that he had more responsibilities at the office and travel that lasted longer than simple day trips.

"I understand honey." Molly let her voice soften since there was nobody else around to hear her at the moment. "Do hurry if you can. You know how much I miss you."

"I know love." Arthur smiled at her. "I'll probably be able to come home a day or two early but nothing more. I'll let you know. Until then." With that Arthur's head disappeared with a "Pop" and the fire died back to its normal reddish hue.

Molly shook herself back into the present with a huff. She'd only had a day and half but she'd secured a private fitting for Summer by a friend of a friend and managed to badger the wizard realtor of the property to meet them with the deed the next day.

Still, she was going to give Ron a piece of her mind when this was all over. Being so reckless and then having her rush around! It was enough to drive her to nerves!

Finally the marine on the phone set it down and walked back to her.

"Apologies ma'am. The Admiral himself says you're to be let through."

As the man was speaking a muggle vehicle pulled up, another of the marines driving it while the engine sputtered noisily.

"If you'll get in Jenkins will take you where you need to go."

"Thank you." Molly nodded to the man and gingerly climbed into the vehicle, still rather unused to such things despite the growing exposure she got between Arthur, Ron and Percy. When she was properly seated and buckled in the marine got the thing moving again and they were off. Molly couldn't help but hold onto the side of the door as he drove, the base passing quickly by.

They pulled up next to what looked like a warehouse of some kind, several larger vehicles with eight wheels sitting in front of it along with more like the one she was in. Several guards were in attendance and one of them opened the door for her to climb out.

She nodded in thanks to the man and he pointed to a small door off to the side of the larger cargo door.

"They're waiting for you inside."

"Thank you." Molly gave the marine a brief smile and walked over to the door.

As she approached the door opened and two men in suits carrying briefcases stepped out. They both had a pleased look and gave her polite nods as they got into a distinctly more civilian looking vehicle that was nearby.

Stepping through the door herself Molly was greeted by a mostly empty warehouse. The back had some items tucked away on shelves but what she was interested in was right up front. Ron was seated on a chair next to Warspite and Duke of York, perfectly fine as Arthur had said. Despite knowing he wouldn't lie to her it was a relief to see him hale and healthy.

On the other side of Ron was an enormous woman who could only be Summer. It was one thing to be told she was tall. It was another to see the woman tower over everyone, not helped by the fact that she was standing. That was hardly surprising, a normal chair would shatter to pieces at the thought of supporting someone her size. She was currently speaking with Admiral Whitcomb and another ship-girl she didn't know.

Steeling herself, Molly stood to her admittedly short full height and made her way over to the grouping.

"Now that the Accords have been signed we just need to wait on the purchase of the house..." Whitcomb was saying to Summer as Molly approached, only to be stopped by the other ship-girl she didn't recognize. Whitcomb turned and smiled as he saw Molly.

"Ah, Mrs. Weasley. We were just talking about you." Whitcomb offered his hand and Molly shook it politely.

"Nothing bad I hope." Molly forced herself to keep her eyes on the Admiral, as much as she wanted to go over to Ron.

"No, just speaking of the pending purchase of the manor house. Though now that you're here I suppose you can end the suspense for all of us." He gestured to the rest of the group. "I suppose introduction are in order first though."

Molly took the invitation and looked over to the group around Ron.

"Warspite, Duke. It's good to see you again." Molly smiled at the pair. As much as she'd had reservations the first time she'd caught Ron passed out over a set of blueprints, there was no denying they'd both been good for the boy.

"Molly." Warspite nodded in return.

"Mrs. Weasley." Duke was still overly formal but she was working on that.

Turning her gaze to her son, Molly felt her worry burble over again.

"Ronald."

"Mum." Ron had the decency to look slightly abashed from her glare.

"You and I are going to have a talk about wandering off by yourself young man. You almost gave me a heart attack when your father..." As the heat in her voice grew slightly, Molly was surprised enough to stop when the massive abyssal woman stepped forward… and wrapped her arms protectively around Ron.

It was almost comical, how much she had to crouch to do so. Then there was the fact that she was clearly trembling, terrified of… her? Yet there was a resolve somewhere inside of her that Molly could see clearly.

"D-don't b-be mean t-to Ron..." The abyssal's voice was much to small and quiet to be coming from someone her size but Molly still heard her clearly. She looked to Ron, who seemed almost as surprised as she was. Though that might have been due to where his head was…

"It's fine Summer. She's just worried about me." Ron looked up at the massive pale woman, who backed off when he finally patted her on the arm.

Summer nodded to Ron… and then seemed to collapse even more on herself when Molly kept staring at her. In that manner she was certainly nothing like Ms. Wanko, who though quiet had plenty of self confidence.

"I think we need to start over. I'm Molly Weasley. Ron's mother." She stepped up to Summer and offered her hand.

Summer seemed to try and back away from her as she offered her hand but slowly reached out and carefully took it with her own massive metal covered one.

"I'm… Summer. Ron's friend."

Molly managed to smile at the giant abyssal.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Summer. I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot of each other."

The abyssal nodded meekly, then seemed to scurry back behind Ron.

Molly looked over to Duke and Warspite, who seemed to shrug without actually doing so.

"Well if you were all waiting on word for the house, I managed to get in contact with the realtor. He'll meet us there tomorrow to hand over the deed as the payment has now officially gone through Gringotts."

A wave of relief swept through the room, with Ron, Duke and Warspite smiling, the Admiral and his ship-girl nodding and Summer perking up somewhat.

"He says it might be a bit messy but you should be able to move in almost right away. I thought the four… no, five of us could go shopping today and see what we could find in the way of furniture." She gestured to the group around Ron.

"That sounds lovely. There's plenty for us to pick up." Warspite spoke smoothly, though Molly saw her elbow Duke for some reason. "Did you find someone who might be able to fit Summer?"

"Yes, we've a meeting planned later today actually. Part of the reason I wanted you to all come with me." Molly nodded. "I actually have something for Summer." She held out a ring to the massive woman.

"F-for me?" Summer took the ring carefully.

"Yes. It's a notice me not ring. I borrowed it from a friend. It should keep you from being noticed by anyone if we need to go out in public. The wizarding world is… less used to Abyssals."

Summer nodded, holding onto the ring as if it were a talisman of some kind.

"Well our business is done here, so I'll let you get to it." Admiral Whitcomb nodded to the ship-girl next to him. "I believe we have a meeting to get to Resource."

"Yessir." Resource drawled around a pipe. "Supply meeting. Very exciting."

Whitcomb shook his head at the girl fondly before heading for the door, leaving the five of them in the warehouse.

"Well there's no time to waste." Molly took command of the situation immediately. "We've got clothes fitting and furniture to shopping to do. I think it would be easiest if we took the floo…" She looked over to Summer. "Or maybe we should take the Knight Bus."

Ron immediately looked concerned, looking between his mother and Summer.

"Mum… the ring will help but we still need a reason for Summer to be there."

Molly looked at the massive pale woman, mind seeking a reason that would let them pass.

"She's a frost giant. We're taking her shopping for the first time."

"Mum there's no such thing as a frost giant."

"Not in Britain. She's from… Sweden."

Ron looked up to Summer, who seemed just as confused as he was.

"It will work out Ron. If it doesn't we'll manage. It's not as if the Knight Bus crew is all that bright."

Ron opened his mouth, about to shake his head but instead he just nodded. At least his mom hadn't asked what could go wrong. That would have spelled doom to the whole adventure.

"Alright Mum. I suppose we should get going."

"Yes. Come on all of you, we shouldn't be inside when we flag them."

The group headed for the door, the two ship-girls looking at each other and wondering what they were about to experience

----------
Part of me feels like this is hot garbage but I'm probably just being overly critical since it's my first piece in months. Comments appreciated.

 

[darthcourt10]

Savato93

The sisters sat in a circle around the table, deep in thought. Laid out in front of them, was the letter that had been sent by their distant counterpart in the Atlantic—the Ancient Atlantic Gateway Princess. Tanith looked to the Chi-class beside her. "Thank you again for helping elaborate on the contents of the letter, Chiana. I got the gist of the message reading it myself, but it wasn't easy through all the prose, and I wanted to be certain there were no misunderstandings."

Ritou huffed. "Yeah, Grandma Nagato did say this princess was old-fashioned, but she's really laying the flowery speech kinda thick."

"To be fair, Medieval times were Ass-Kissing Central," Chiana pointed out. "If rulers weren't peppering their conversations with you with nonstop praise, it was a sign you were about to have a REALLY bad time."

"That aside…" Patty folded her arms. "I never imagined that some new group of Abyssals would go out of their way to contact us like this, let alone to request our help. I mean, if this Princess is preparing to do to the Atlantic what we did to the Pacific, she must be pretty well off in terms of logistics and infrastructure… while us, well, we're kinda on welfare."

"And all that stuff for instructions on how to make a tugboat? It's just bizarre," Ritou continued. "I mean, don't get me wrong, it seems like a fantastic deal. We're getting gold, brand new AA guns to upgrade everyone's armament, and reference material for repair ships. But… could she not just design her own?"

"She provided the answer to that question in the letter: she simply overlooked the possibility she would require dedicated tugs for her war machine." Chiana waved a hand. "And now that she's about to make her move in the Atlantic, she has no time left to come up with one herself… so she's turning to us."

"Assuming she's being sincere, I don't really blame her," Sunny stayed with a shrug. "You wouldn't think human warships would have much need for tugboats, but… well, Kora's been incredibly helpful around the island. She actually enjoys heavy lifting."

"But this other thing…" Nuri reaches out and pulled the letter closer. "She said she was offering us her incomplete designs for a repair ship class. Maybe… maybe they could show me how to complete my own repair ship."

Ritou blinked. "Ah, right… Mother was a little skeptical of your proposal, wasn't she? Said it was too focused on triage alone, and needed to be equipped to handle smaller damages too."

Nuri nodded. "And after further review, I realized she was right. But I wasn't sure how to tackle the problem without compromising the original design in one way or another. If these notes could fill in the gaps… Mother might approve the Mi-class for production."

Tanith hummed thoughtfully. "Yes… there is a lot being offered here. The question now is… should we go along with it?"

The sisters sat back in their chairs, quietly pondering the decision before them.

XXXXXXXXXX

To Porta Abysseum Atlantia, Sovereign Princess of Abyssinia…

I would like to preface this letter by stating how pleased we are, to learn that more of our kind are setting aside their hatred and choosing to pursue a future hand-in-hand with humanity. We hope that you and your fleet fare well in whatever battles may come, and that your relations with the wider world will be prosperous.

I will not lie, your reaching out to us in such a direct manner had some of my sisters on edge. We do not mean in any way to question or challenge your authenticity—it's simply that, after the events that led to our fleet being scattered across the North Pacific, we have been somewhat wary of contact with unfamiliar fleets. But after speaking with our human allies to corroborate the identity of your messenger and their journey here, among other facts, we feel you can be trusted.

After giving the matter no small amount of thought, my sisters and I have come to a decision—the terms of your offer of trade are more than fair. The blueprints for the Ko-class are a small price to pay for the ability to improve our entire fleet's air defenses; my sister Ritou, who designed the Ko-class personally, simply wishes to know that her designs will be utilized for a good cause. In addition, your notes on a possible class of repair ship will be a great boon to us, as we happen to be carrying out development on the very same idea, under the tentative label of the Mi-class. Should we succeed in finalizing the design of the Mi-class and production goes smoothly, we will look into passing these blueprints to you as well, to aid you in your campaign.

In the meantime, as a gesture of goodwill, we offer you additional gifts: a set of gold gem-studded goblets, an ornate silver jewelry chest, a carved ivory and silver mounted vase, and another dozen kilograms of raw ivory, all recovered from the palace that we now call home.

I hope that this exchange will aid in establishing lasting positive relations between our fleets, such that we can continue to help each other to grow and prosper in the future.

Regards,
Tanith, Northern Water Princess

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Inside a darkened room, the only sound that could be heard was the soft breathing of two people in the bed asleep. On a bed stand, a clock ticked away the seconds, minutes, hours. Meanwhile, outside, the horizon slowly brightened as dawn began, the dim light revealing Rose and Haruna in their bed together with soft smiles on their faces. Unlike what many would think though, it was Rose who was spooning Haruna despite the later being bigger than she was.

The tea set was the first of the two to awaken, her nose breathing in the familiar smell of cordite, steel, and the sea. Her lips curled upwards more into a smile as she nuzzled the back of her wife before opening her eyes. Pushing herself up on one arm, Rose looked down at the sleeping Haruna with a fond look on her face in the soft light of the pre-dawn day. Eyes trailing along the Battleship's body, the Tsukumogami etched every feature that she could see into her mind, her memories.

As she did so though, Rose was also softly moving her hand across Haruna's mid-section. Said hand was gently cupping the gentle swell of her wife's baby bump that was there. It was not too large yet, but both women had found themselves often rubbing it, thinking of the new life that was developing. Though they had been surprised that it was apparently another tea set, much to Rose's bemusement. Still, both of them already loved their unborn child.

How long she laid there simply luxuating in the early morning calm, the tea set could not say. But, all to soon to her, she felt Haruna's hand move and place itself over her own. Then Haruna turned her head and smiled up at her, brown eyes still partially lidded from sleep, "Good morning, Rose-Chan."

Lightly smiling, Rose looked down at her and chuckled, "And a good morning to as well, Haruna." The two then shared a soft kiss before pulling apart, Haruna moving enough to lay into her back. Her hand though did not move from its place on top of Rose's, "A very good morning."

Only humming, Haruna looked down at her stomach, bare as Rose's hand had moved her sleeping Yukata enough to expose it. There was not much there, but she could see just the barest signs of a swell. And that was more than enough to send her Boilers warming. Looking up at Rose, their eyes met, happiness in both their faces, "Yes, Haruna thinks that it is another good morning."

Shifting enough so that she was pressed against the shipgirl's side, the tea set hummed before claiming her wife's lips with her own, 'Yes, a very good morning leading to another good day.'

Eventually, the two got out of bed, though nothing had gone beyond gentle touches and soft kisses. After getting up, the two walked into the apartment's kitchen and Rose began to cook breakfast for both Haruna and her sister-in-law. The whole time though, Haruna stood behind her with arms around the smaller, slighter, woman's waist. Hearing a door open, the Tsukumogami turned and smiled, "Good morning, Kongou."

With a light laugh, Kongou leaned against her doorframe, "Good morning, Rose-Chan, Haruna-Chan." Pushing off, she walked over and gave her sister a kiss on the cheek and then did the same with Rose, "And how are we this fine morning?"

Rose shook her head a bit and giggled, "Oh my, we're just fine." Looking over her shoulder, her twinkling eyes met Haruna's, "Are we not, Haruna?"

All Haruna did was kiss the top of her head and nod, "Hai, Rose-Chan. We're doing good."

Lips curling, Kongou bent down and kissed the side of Haruna's abdomen, getting a giggle from her sister, "And a good morning to you as well, Little One." Her expression changed to a slightly mischievous one and her tone turned teasing, "Hopefully your mothers have not kept you awake."

Ignoring the blush on her wife's cheeks, the Tea Set gave Kongou a look, "We do our best not to, but Haruna is simply too much not for me not to keep her awake some. Much like you and Mister Goto, I believe."

Now it was Kongou's turn to blush some, but there was still a smile on her face. Instead though, she walked over to Rose's tea set and poured some of the tea that was already there into a cup, one for her sister-in-law as well. For Haruna, there was a mug filled with hot chocolate. The eldest of the Kongou Sisters then made her way over to the table and sat down, simply watching the two. A soft smile on her face, she sipped her tea quietly as the two cooked breakfast. Inside, her boilers were warmed by the sight and a light sigh escaped her lips at seeing her sister so happy.

One of the best things, she decided, was Haruna and Rose meeting in this new life. The two of them loved each other deeply. Much in the way she described, where their burning love was like a warm hearth, warming those within the home. Kongou was also glad that she had a new younger sister in Rose, said Tsukumogami fit into their family quite well.

Taking another sip, Kongou chuckled slightly, 'And she also makes good tea, that is quite important, Dess.'

When breakfast was done and brought to the table, Haruna softly blushed as Rose pulled out the chair for her, "Thank you, Rose-Chan."

Gently kissing her brow, Rose smiled at her, "You are quite welcome, Haruna."

After she sat down, they began to eat their meal in companionable silence. Once it was done, Kongou patted her lips with a napkin and nodded, "Thank you for the lovely meal, Rose-Chan. It was good as always."

Picking up the plates and utensils, the Tsukumogami smiled some, "Thank you, Kongou. I am glad that you enjoyed it."

With a hum as she sipped another cup of tea, Kongou glanced at Haruna and then back at Rose who was cleaning the dishes before handing them to her wife to dry, "May I ask what your plans for the day may be, Rose-Chan?"

Humming herself as she cleaned a fork in the hot water, Rose tilted her head, "Well, for myself it will be mostly the usual manning the tea shop." A small smile grew on her face as she gave a nod, "With the colder weather, many people want hot drinks. And the Destroyers seem to enjoy the hot apple cider among others."

For a few moments, Kongou considered that before chuckling and shaking her head, "I am not surprised that many of them enjoy hot cider. There is very little that is not better except for a nice cuppa tea."

Just giggling, Rose nodded, "You won't get an argument from me, Kongou."

That got her light laughter from said Battleship as she shook her head, "No, I suppose not." With another sip of her tea, she shook her head, "Though I may drop by later to pick up some baked treats."

Even as Rose nodded, Haruna sighed some, "It is Haruna's turn to patrol Tokyo Bay, so Haruna will not be home until later tonight."

Gently, the tea set took her hand and gave it a squeeze, "That is no trouble at all, Haruna. It is after all your job and duty." Lightly kissing her, Rose pulled back and looked into her eyes with understanding, "I shall await your return with a nice warm cup of hot chocolate."

Placing her hand on her stomach, Haruna nodded, "Hai, after all tea might not be good for Haruna right now." Drying her hands, she then pulled Rose close and kissed her, "And Haruna hopes not to keep Rose-Chan up too late."

Soon after, Kongou stood at the window and watched the two as they left, even though the Sun had barely rose. Both of them walked with their hands clasping the other's. Softly smiling, she shook her head, "Thank you, Rose-Chan, for coming into Haruna-Chan's life."

With that, she pulled away from the window and began to get ready for her own day which was mainly going to be helping Goto with administration of the base as one of his part time Secretary Ships. Something instituted so that he would not need to worry when Nagato or one of the others were on patrol, and so that way he would always have enough to help him with his work. Granted, Kongou had some ideas for things other then work, though she had to get past Ooyodo first...

Elsewhere, a certain "Dragon" frowned and looked around with narrowed eyes.

Reaching the boat launch, Haruna stood there in the early morning light and took a deep breath of the salt tinged air. Letting it out as a large cloud of mist, she smiled some and looked at Rose next to her who was still holding her hand, "Well, it is time for Haruna to leave, Rose-Chan."

Head tilted to the side, Rose only nodded before reaching up and adjusting Haruna's scarf, "Very well, Haruna. Now, hopefully you will enjoy the lunch I packed later. But before you go..." Standing on her tip toes, she pressed her lips to Haruna's with her arms around the Battleship's neck. Meanwhile, the shipgirl's arms went around her waist and held her tight. Both of them stood like that for almost a minute before pulling apart, Rose smiling, "I love you, Haruna."

Simply nodding, Haruna stole another kiss and smiled, "And Haruna loves you as well, Rose-Chan."

With that, the Battleship walked down to the water and summoned her rigging, various grinning and giggling Destroyers around her along with Minase and Otonase. Giving another rig, Haruna set off with her patrol group for the day as Rose stood there, not caring about the chilliness as she watched her wife leave. And the Tsukumogami stood there until Haruna was out of sight, giving a final wave she was sure that Haruna's viewfinders could see before turning and heading towards her tea shop.

Thus another day in Yokosuka, with both women thinking of the other as they went about their jobs.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

OMAKE-Dove's Memories

Castle Moulbaix, Belgium. 24 hours before the Hunt for Norimune sidestory
Spoiler: Departure From Moulbaix

Colombe d'Aubigny-Muramasa du Chasteler stared absently at the open hard-sided suitcase on her bed. Inside a foam cutout inscribed with concealment charms waited for her sword belt and the blade that she was the avatar of. Next to it, a folder waited with a ticket for the train from Brussels to Amsterdam, and matching KLM flight passes to board from there on a flight to Moscow for a stopover, followed by heading to Narita Airport in Japan.

Behind her, a massive ebon figure loomed, overtopping her blond head by a good foot. A deep bass rumble sounded from him and she started slightly. "Mistress Colombe, I have brought the car around to the front."

"Merci beaucoup, Kasuyu." The rapier replied, her blue eyes distant. "Please take the other suitcases down to the car. I shall be a moment, and shall bring my weapon case down personally."

The African axe's avatar placed a massive hand on her shoulder and squeezed gently. "I understand, Mistress. Take as long as you need, and have no fear, I shall keep matters well in hand for you here while you find your father."

Colombe reached to the hand covering her shoulder and squeezed it in turn. "Thank you I...do not know what I would have done the last century without you."

"Gotten into trouble, no doubt." The axe laughed deeply as he grabbed the first hang-up bag with her traveling clothes.

The rapier gave a wry but smug smile. "Something like that. Since the century after we met in 1902 was so trouble-free, after all." Her eyes were distant. "I'll be down shortly, I just want...need to take a turn around the estate."

The axe nodded and carried the first bag down. Colombe looked over at a beautiful Chinese folding wall screen richly decorated with gold leaf on black-lacquered bamboo (along with several preservation charms worked into the frame) showing the legend of Niulang and Zhinü. Her eyes were distant and unfocused and she could almost smell smoke in the air....

Summer Palace, Beijing, 1860

Colombe blew open the barred door to the library with a spell-assisted kick. Her eyes teared up from the smoke where the Chinese Emperor's summer home was being put to the torch by the victorious Anglo-French forces in retaliation for the execution of their peace emissaries. Smoke in the eyes, that was it, not watching the final hours of something wonderful and precious.

Rarely in a her century and a half of wandering the globe had she seen anything so wonderful as the jewel box of ornately decorated buildings, pavilions, fountains, ponds, and gardens that had been nurtured over two millennia of Chinese existence. She couldn't resist, she had to save what she could from the onrushing flames.

"Reducio!" The screen she grasped shrank to the size of a hardcover book and she hastily stuffed it into her pack before turning her eyes to the floor to ceiling scroll racks as the smoke built around her and the flames drew closer....

Colombe blinked something that was certainly not tears from her eyes and then walked out of her bedroom, turning right to walk down the hall.

Her lips curled at a mounted display of a broken wand upon a side table. 'Cypress, twelve inches, veela hair, sturdy and unyielding' her mind automatically supplied at the sight of her wand. She slowly trailed a fingertip along the length of one half of it, wisps of silver energies following her fingers....

Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, 1724

"Madame du Chasteler! We have tried to get through to you that this is a school of refinement, taste, and one where proper respect and decorum shall be maintained!"

Colombe rolled her eyes at Headmistress de Maintenon as the witch's jowls shook and she turned an interesting shade of puce under her paint and powder to conceal the beginnings of wrinkles. The teenager's lips curled in a smug smile as she remembered how the snoring headmistress had looked when she was run up the flagpole in her nightgown thanks to Sleeping Draught in her nightcap and some charmwork.

"As much as I deeply regret it..." No you don't you old Bourbon hag, you have had it out for me since I first arrived as the 'illegitimate daughter of a Squib from the Malfoys'. "...myself, our teachers, and the more respectable and responsible students have made numerous attempts to get you to change your ways..." If you only knew it was 'Head Boy' Gabriel Potter's idea for the sword duel on broomsticks through the halls last night, he just hides his wild streak better than I do. "...then I have no choice but to perform my duty as your instructor and Headmistress." What are you going to do, expel me?

"Hand over your wand, Madame du Chasteler." WAIT, WHAT...YOU CAN'T....!

Colombe's face turned white as a sheet and her smug smirk vanished as she snapped back from her internal monologue to stare at the glowering Headmistress. Numbly she drew her wand from the pocket of her sky blue silk uniform and presented it with a shaking hand. The Headmistress tapped it with her own wand and the wand glowed a pale crimson, as did Colombe herself. Unnoticed by all present, so did the dueling rapier that the House Elves were loading onto the back of the magical carriage.

"Repeat after me, Madame Du Chasteler." The Headmistress' eyes glittered as Colombe's fists balled and then slowly relaxed minutely. She wouldn't give the bitch the satisfaction of knowing that she had won.

"I am a danger to the Statute of Secrecy and my fellow witches and wizards with my poor judgement and actions." Colombe licked dry lips and repeated in a whisper.

"I have forfeited my right to use the wand which controls my magic." Colombe's eyes narrowed slightly at that last as she repeated it, since it was clear that the Headmistress did not know about Professor Aetios' private lessons in wandless magic that she had received. Hah, just wait and see, bitch.

"I so swear that I shall never pick up a wand again to risk our fellowship...." Colombe gave the headmistress a death glare as she repeated the words of her oath.

"By my word and my bond, I am expelled from the Fraternité Des Sorciers Français, wandless and magicless."

As Colombe repeated the final words the headmistress snapped her wand in two.

With a flash the aura around the girl flashed and Colombe felt a shiver through herself as the two pieces of her wand were hurled at her feet. The rest of the student body witnessing the ceremony turned their backs on her, Gabriel Potter (sporting an impressive black eye) half a second behind the others.

Colombe picked up the halves of her wand slowly. She felt her dream of making Papa proud as a witch to redeem someone who was born without magic die horribly and stared at the Headmistress with naked hatred on her face. Unbidden her lips curled as she hissed. "You will be sorry for this, just watch. And when that day comes I'll laugh in your face."

Colombe's lips moved in a smug smirk as she stepped back from the remains of her destroyed wand. "I did laugh when I found that she and her fellow aristocratic pigs of House de Maintenon visited Madame de Guillotine. I wish that Gabriel and his family was not caught up in the Terror, though. I miss him even now."

She walked around the corner and came to a halt at a painting hanging at the head of the grand staircase to the upstairs. Firm unwavering eyes over a pencil mustache looked back at her in measured judgement. Colombe whispered quietly into the stillness of her ancestral estate, "Papa, I hope that I made you proud of me over the last three centuries. I am the only Du Chasteler child of yours left alive, but I swore when I left for Beauxbatons as a young girl and I swear now once more that I shall make all who know of us proud of our family and our deeds."
Spoiler: Colombe's Adopted Father, Marquess Jean-François du Chasteler

With that promise Colombe drew herself and saluted the portrait of Jean-François du Chasteler, First Marquess of Chasteler and Moulbaix.

She then went to one knee, resting the point of her rapier on the floor as she kissed the crossguard of her true body reverently, bowing her head. "I will be back with my biological father in tow, Papa. But...thank you...thank you for forging me into what I am today with your love and care for a bastard girl who did not even come from your own loins. I have made so many mistakes, fallen so short...and yet you still guide me even today."

Her shoulders shook and tears trickled down her cheeks. "Papa... I miss you so terribly. But duty and honor calls me to leave here once more. Until I return...audieu."

With that, she stood and after a long pause, listening to echoes of days long passed save in her memory, she sheathed herself and headed to pack herself away. Norimune awaited her, after all.

A.N.-You can blame the discussion a few days ago about the collection of 'treasures' from a particularly long-lived individual such as a Dragon as being actually their memories in tangible form of experiences good and bad.

 

[darthcourt10]

Savato93

"Oi! The fuck's going on here?"

The Abyssal cultists huddled in a circle snapped towards the new voice, eyes wide. The Re-class priestess threw her hands in the air. "Look sisters! The Dark One has graced us, the unworthy, with her presence!"

"PRAISE THE DARK ONE!!" the others cheered… followed by an almost-inaudible whimper.

Jin pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. "What are you dolts up to now?"

In response, the priestess stepped to the side and gestured to what the cultists had gathered around: another Abyssal. A Re-class, one with an ID card hanging around her neck, cowering beneath the zealots.

"We found a wayward soul, confused and alone!" The priestess declared. "We shall bring her into our fold, reveal to her your unparallelled might… we shall teach her to fear, before she threatens to incur your wrath by putting an innocent life at risk!"

Wayward soul…? Oh, for fuck's sake! "She's not a stray, you idiots!" Jin pointed to the Re-class. "Look at her card! She's an ally, she already has a fleet!"

The cultists all blinked, confused. "...she does?"

The Priestess turned and leaned in closer to the other Are-class, inspecting the ID card. After a few seconds, she suddenly snapped back and went stone still. "The Northern Princess…" the Priestess gasped, her eyes wide.

"Yes. And I very much doubt she will be happy if you try to recruit one of her own," Jin continued. She waved a hand with a huff. "Just… just let her go, and I'll let this slide. Alright?"

Slowly, the cultists peeled away from the Re-class, whispering in hushed tones among each other. The priestess clasped her hands together, speaking in a much softer, more restrained voice than before. "The Dark One grants us mercy, in spite of our transgressions. We are blessed on this day." She turned to the others. "Let us depart, sisters… this one does not belong to us."

The cultists quickly dispersed, leaving Jin alone with their would-be victim. She stepped forward and kneeled down next to the girl, inspecting her for any possible injuries. "You alright, kid? They didn't lay a hand on you or anything, did they?"

Letting out a sigh of relief, the Re-class relaxed. "N-no. No, I'm… fine…" She slowly opened her eyes, looking up to her savior—and froze.

Jin could only facepalm as the Re-class dropped to the ground and rolled belly-up in total submission.

XXXXXXXXXX

"'Yakt'? What the heck is that… alright, Fluffy, just take a step back. Maybe the 'ch' is one of those silent deals. That would make it 'yat', which still feels a little like a nonsense word. Maybe if the a is flat, then… wait. Really? That's how yacht is spelled?" Fluffy shook her head. "Ugh… sometimes I wonder if I would've been better off staying illiterate."

The Princess was laid out flat on the bed, an open book she'd borrowed from Chiana in front of her. Now that she had a firm grasp of the alphabet and grammar, the rest was starting to come more or less by itself. With each new book, she was able to link more of her life experiences to actual written words, filling gaps she was only now realizing were present in her knowledge of language and context. She still couldn't really understand all the information in that box of blueprints the shipgirl had brought them, but she could take part in the Wall, now, and she was satisfied with that much.

Now, she just needed to be trained to write worth a damn...

Fluffy paused her reading, as she noticed one of her crew trying to get her attention. Looking inward, she was mildly shocked to discover the current time was almost 2200. Last she recalled, she'd laid down at around 1950 just hoping to get a chapter or two in before bed… and now, almost two hours had passed? It was getting scarily easy for her to lose track of time with a book...

Oh, yeah. That reminded her: where was Renita?

The Re-class usually came to bed around the same time as her, if not a little earlier—she didn't really have it in her to stay up late like this. And what would she even be doing anyway?

Unless…

Fluffy rolled around a bit on the bed, trying to locate the bookmark Chiana had been very insistent she use (on threat of making her reorganize her book collection). Once she'd succeeded in finding it and saving her spot in the book, the Princess slumped off the bed, pulled out her searchlight, and made her way out of the room. It took her a minute to navigate the moonlit hallways, but eventually she arrived at her destination—a spiral staircase that lead to the top of the palace's northernmost tower. She took the steps slowly, not wanting to trip and tumble back down… again… until the stairwell finally opened up into a spacious, rounded chamber.

Renita's art studio.

Fluffy and Renita had both agreed that it wouldn't be such a great idea to store drawings and messy paint supplies in their bedroom. As such, they decided to move her things to someplace else. As it turned out, the tower was a great spot to relocate; it was far enough out of the way for Renita to have peace and quiet as she worked, and had a couple windows offering a nice view of the island outside. The room in its current state was a little empty, though.

Hopefully, as time passed, Renita would be able to fill it with color and life.

Fluffy looked around the dark room, taking in the small work desk, the crate of supplies set aside, the easel that held Renita's current work… and Renita herself, nestled atop small cot brought up to the tower for naps. The Princess breathed a small sigh of relief, now that she knew her flagship was alright. She wasn't sure if the Re-class would be able to get a good night's sleep up here, though…

Looking around the room, Fluffy's eyes fell on Renita's unfinished painting. For the past few days, her flagship had asked for space, to be allowed to focus on her task. And everyone had more or less obliged her, leaving her alone, only checking in two or three times daily to see how she was doing and bring her some food. As a consequence, however, nobody had really seen her painting in detail yet. Part of Fluffy wanted to just ignore it, to wait until her flagship's work was completed before trying to get a good look… but she couldn't help feeling a little curious.

Renita had asked for personal space… but, well, she didn't necessarily ask for secrecy, did she?

Dimming her light, Fluffy quietly stepped over to examine the painting. It was intended to be a quick peek, just to get an idea of the subject of Renita's work… but as the canvas was illuminated in full, the Princess paused.

A Re-class hull drifted in an ocean, no land in sight. She was a mess—her guns destroyed, holes in her armor belt, listing to the side. Fluffy knew this hull… she had sailed alongside it for almost as long as she could remember.

Renita had painted herself.

Fluffy couldn't help but feel confused… and concerned. That part of her flagship's life was supposed to be over… yet she was willingly bringing those painful memories back. That couldn't be healthy for her emotional state of mind—not now, not when her heart was just starting to open back up. What if she started retreating into herself again?
But before her worry could take hold in her mind, Fluffy saw it— the comparatively tiny shape, concealed in the listing battlecarrier's shadow, directly in the center of the painting.


An I-class destroyer hull, shouldering the Re-class's burdens.

Her.

For several seconds Fluffy sat there, stunned. Renita was making a painting… focused on her. She wasn't sure how to feel about this now. Should she be happy? Flattered? Upset? Was she really worthy of having a painting seemingly made in her honor?

"...Fluffy…" Fluffy glanced over her shoulder, to where Renita laid on her cot, mumbling. "Done… so much... for me. Want to… give back… for once…"

Hearing those words, Fluffy felt a flutter of something in her chest… something she'd never felt before. Cutting off her searchlight, the Princess crept over and slipped into the bed, next to her flagship. Renita was briefly disturbed by the sudden motion, but as a pair of arms carefully wrapped around her, pulling her closer, she relaxed once more. Taking a small breath, Fluffy closed her eyes, content.

And they slept.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Nagato-san?" The battleship perked up in her chair as her radio crackled to life. "There's a certain Mizuchi here who says she needs to talk to you."

Nagato nodded to herself. "Thank you, Ooyodo. I'll speak with her." Rising from her seat, she stepped over to the office door and pulled it open.

Jin stood in the hallway, one hand on her hip… and the other hand holding up a mewling Re-class by the scruff of her neck. "I think this little one belongs to your kid...?"

Nagato's eyebrows rose. "Regalia? What happened?"

"...I ran i-into a cult…" Regalia was unhurt, but she nevertheless appeared quite shaken up by something—or someone, based on how her gaze repeatedly flickered to the Mizuchi holding her up. "And then I met their 'god'."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

"I am telling you Neville, despite all the work I'm doing, I am not burning out."

Eyebrow raised, Neville had an blank expression on his face, "Uh-huh."

In return that slightly frustrated Hermione rolled her eyes, "No, seriously, I am not. I am rather enjoying the amount of work I am currently doing anyways. Besides which, I do not see you commenting on the amount of work that Harry is doing!"

At that, it was Neville's turn to roll his eyes, "Hermione, you do realize that you just compared yourself to Harry, right?"

Opening her mouth, the Light Cruiser was about to comment when she paused and then frowned. Suddenly sighing, she looked away, "Point. Harry is... Harry." Then Hermione turned and poked her friend on the chest, "But just the same, I am not overworking myself!"

Neville simply shrugged at that, "If you say so." Ignoring the grumble from his friend, he walked around a book case to the usual table him and the others used to fine Harry and Ron already there poring over some paper. The black haired thirteen year old had a look on his face as if he was torn between disbelief and wanting to laugh. Ron, meanwhile, looked like he wanted to tear his hair out while also being intrigued. Glancing at Hermione, he raised an eyebrow, "What do you think is up with those two now?"

With a shrug, the witch shook her head, "Not a clue." Once they got closer, she cleared her throat, "What are you two looking at."

She was bemused at Harry's answer, "Something that could be considered a crime against nature, everything in good taste, and Naval engineering as a whole."

That made Hermione snort some, "Sounds like you are looking at something that Admiral Jackie Fisher wanted." At the silence and the looks, she blinked, "I was joking."

Ron gave her a look. "We're not." He then pointed at the sheet, "Look for yourself."

Moving forward, now unsure, Hermione boggled at what was in front of her. For several moments, her mouth moved as she took in what she was seeing, schematics for some ship, a warship. Despite the slight blush on her face, she looked closer at it, "What in the name of all that is right with the world... this is a Battlecruiser?!"

Voice bland, Harry shook his head, "Not just any Battlecruiser, look at the name at the top."

When she did so, the shipgirl furrowed her eyebrows, "Patricia Fisher? Any relation to...?"

Harry shrugged, "Jackie Fisher? Apparently so considering what this is and the few personal notes that we found so far." Gesturing at the paper, he continued, "She was really close to him and so wanted to make his dream for the ultimate ship come true."

It took a few moments, but Hermione made a choking sound, "Please tell me that you are joking?! This cannot be HMS Incomparable?! There is no way!"

Still pouring over the papers, Ron frowned but didn't look at her, "Yes way. She worked on this for fifteen years and it is an real piece of work that could have functioned, but still." The red head shook his head in both disbelief and some awe, "It is a amazing piece of work. I mean, she was like me, mostly self-taught though she mentioned having used polyjuice to get experience in drafting ships and design. After all, she was a woman." Running his hand along the lines, he frowned, "Somehow, and I am not quite sure how, but she managed to get a hold of plans for other Battlecruisers including the G3s and then incorporate aspects into this beast."

Then Harry picked up the conversation, "She didn't stop there either. Miss Fisher somehow got into Japan and got a hold of the plans for when they upgraded the Kongou class into Fast Battleships, though she noted she traded some of her own research for notes." A grimace crosses his face, "I already got in contact with Katsura, Yuubari-Oba's sister, the Kamo government already knew and also had the finished design when she left Japan in 1936, though she thinks that they stole it." Shrugging, the thirteen year old shook his head and snorted, "At first, they considered building it, but that would have cost way too much resources and they had nowhere that they could put it together. They let her go without trouble because they knew that no one was crazy enough to even attempt to build her finished design."

Rubbing his chin, Ron scoffed a bit, "And no wonder, just the enchantments alone to make it function equal to a G3 are extreme. For example..." He tapped one handwritten note, "Strengthening charms not just for the ribs and other internal parts, but also for the armour. Makes it as if the steel would be twice or triple the thickness, but keep the actual thickness and weight. So four inches as in this design would function more like eight or even twelve inches." Frowning, he glanced at other notes, "And... the wards, based off the same ones on Thunderchild, could add the equivalent of another three inches. That is not adding in the ones at the powder and ammunition rooms designed to prevent fires."

For several moments, Hermione was quiet and then she facepalmed before pinching her nose, "Please tell me that you are joking, Ron. Please..."

Slowly, the thirteen year old Weasley shook his head, "No, it is all here. Really, it does make me impressed about the design as insane as it is. Add in the spells to prevent the recoil of the eighteen inch guns, instead of the original twenty inch... well, it is some impressive spell work. There are even spells for the propellers that I really want to look at, they suck in the water to keep it from cavitating, which she noticed with a scale model. According to this, it should have kept a top speed of thirty five knots of the original idea. But... that was also partially due to the bow, which was to use a massive amount of goblin silver inlay to 'push' the water aside and allow for it to better slice through the waves. Some of the notes here even hint that if they cast the spells that allow for ships to travel under the waves, it should hit at least eighteen knots top speed."

Hermione just continued to pinch her nose, "That does sound like Fisher. Speed is armour even under the water." Then she sighed and gave it all a look, "Where did you even find all this?"

Amused at the reaction from her so far, Harry chuckled a bit, "Where else, the Library of Secrets." Smile becoming a frown, he glanced at the books, "She apparently passed away in 1938 of Dragon Pox, attempting to convince the British Ministry that they needed to build it as Grindlewald was suspected of building his own warships. Needless to say... they turned it down not even a day after her death. All her notes were donated to Hogwarts and they shoved them into the Library of Secrets for lack of anywhere else to put them."

With a shrug, Ron glanced at her, "Say what you will about her, some of her ideas are bloody useful. And I am seriously looking at them to say the least."

Turning, Hermione shot him a look, "Really, Ron? Do I need to go and shove you into a TOG?"

Lips curling, the last of the Potters snickered, "Nah, shove him into a Maus." At the odd looks, his smile became a grimace, "Heard that they cleared out a... rather nasty spot where they found a number. They cleansed the ones that were there, so... yeah."

Utterly lost, Neville looked from one of his friends to the other and raised an eyebrow, "Okay, I am missing something here."

Rolling her eyes in exasperation, Hermione sighed, "Harry is making a joke about Ron being possessed by the spirit of Admiral Jackie Fisher, Nev. That's all."

Still confused, the Longbottom Scion frowned, "Okay? And what does a Maws have to do with that?"

In reply, Harry raised a finger, "Maus, actually, it is German for Mouse. Which is ironic as we are talking about a tank almost two hundred tons. The best way to exorcise someone who is possessed by Jackie Fisher is to use what he hated and shove them into it. Something armoured, slow, and not a boat. With a Maus, it is four things, armoured, slow, land bound, and German. And that last bit would definitely do it to get rid of him."

Even though he was still somewhat lost, Neville just gave a nod, "I see." Suddenly, he blinked as part of the statement he had just heard came to a forefront of his mind, "Wait, what? You sound like he has possessed someone...?"

All Harry did was shrug in reply, "Don't know if it is true or not, but yeah, some say that he did. And that in order to exorcise him, they shoved the person possessed first into the Churchill before finishing with the TOG."

Ron raised his hand, "Be the boat!"

That got him snorts from amusement from both Harry and Hermione, while Neville shook his head in bemusement. Say what you will about how his three friends sometimes confused him, he still would not give them up for anything. If only for the fact that he did like them and they amused him more often than not, even with the confusion factored in.

 

[darthcourt10]

Shaithan

Hero

"Welcome back to Defenders, a documentary chronicle of various heroic defenses occuring before, during and shortly after blood week. I'm your host, Alexander Davos and with me is my co-host Alice Stern," the commentator said into the camera.

The camera then panned over to the second host who grinned expectantly. "You may be wondering where we are. And how we plan to top the heroic defense actions of a group of Oni we told you about last week. And we'll reveal it now. There have been a few comments on our videos again and again telling us and you about Abyssals defending humans from Abyssals. Most well-known of these is of course the Northern Ocean Princess and her fleet. But those actions were well after Blood Week, the story we will tell you about now happened during those dreadful days when it seemed like civilization itself would collapse as it did during the Bronze Age. When 9/11 was reduced from the single most traumatizing event of a generation to a mere sign of things to come," she said.

"As for where we are? For our stories, which have taken us from Norway where trolls and giants told of harassing Abyssals, to the Mediterranean and the Minotaurs, to the Arabian desert, to India, Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan, to the Americas and back to Europe, our astute viewers will have recognized one thing. All those stories of protectors appearing? Of beings of legend making themselves known or of shipgirls appearing in the darkest hour? None of our stories have taken us to Africa so far. Upon researching things, we were shamed. While the upheaval during and after blood week buried a lot of stories, both of wizards and magical beings assisting, there is one story that stuck around. And for all that we wanted to end the series with giving the spotlight to happenings in Africa, most places where such acts of defense took place are often enough deserted today." Alexander took a deep breath before continuing. "The former inhabitants doing the same thing people on other continents did, moving inland or moving to a country under shipgirl protection. And with the gruesome death toll those refugee treks towards Europe took, a lot of stories about defenders were swallowed by the Sahara desert or the African Jungle. But one story remained. And while we had hoped to bring you something special, upon researching this story, we came to appreciate how remarkable this story is. For yes, those of us who have followed us so far will have long clued in that this is indeed a story of humans getting defended from Abyssals by Abyssals," he continued.

The camera panned out, showing a town by the coast. "We are here in Namibia, to tell the accessible story of humans getting defended by Abyssals during Blood Week. We tried to get everything in order for a grand finale involving the Twin Antarctic Princesses and their defense and unseen aid to humans during and after blood week, but we have been well over budget already and there's only so much the EBC is willing to pay up. Which is not to say that our story isn't remarkable in its own right. It very much is. Because unlike the Northern Ocean Princess or the Twin Antarctic Princesses, the abyssals who fought here? Who defended people from Abyssals? They did not care about the ones they saved, in fact, they flat out admitted that they would have killed them after the fight anyway," he explained.

Alice took over again. "We are here in Lüderitz, and with us is Peter Namoloh, the man who provided us with invaluable material for this final story," she said, while the camera panned over to a man in his late 60ies.

Peter smiled. "It's great that we can tell this story," he said. "For those of us living here, it was so incredible seeing it. We had heard the news, how Cape Town had been hit. We saw those pictures of Mumbay and Kolkata, of Dhaka and Tokyo. Everyone saw what happened to the United States. And for most of us, it was a terrible thing to behold," he explained.

Alice nodded. "It definitely was. Even living far beyond any Ho- or Wo-class's striking range in Praha, seeing how coastal cities were hit like that, it really hammered home that things would never be the same as before. And for this thought to come up twice in a decade, it was something else," she agreed.

Alexander just shrugged helplessly. He had been in kindergarden when Blood Week went down and far inland. The only real memory he had of the time was of his grandparents, aunts and uncles coming to live with his family on their manor and filling up his mother's folly.

They got into a waiting car with Peter driving. "The times had been hard already, even before the Abyss struck. Fishers didn't return at greater than usual rates. A boat or two vanishing a year? Not unusual, the sea is a harsh mistress. But in 2005 alone, 60 fishing boats vanished before Blood Week. A few were found later, from what was pieced together, they had been hit by the monster that now rules Equatorial Guinea. But overall, the remaining fishers feared leaving the harbor or the sight of the coast," he told the reporters and camera man. "So we knew things were bad, and when there was a short lull in early to mid August, we were anxious. And how right we were. It was the water receding before the Tsunami," he finished.

Alice shuddered. She had been in Japan in 2011. She remembered the sea pulling back and the sheer terror of knowing what was to come. A devastating deluge.

The rest of the drive was spent in silence, letting that which had been said sink in.

Coming up to a relatively new house, they were greeted by a young woman missing an arm. "Grandfather!" she greeted exuberantly.

Peter gave a radiant smile. "How are you, little one?" he wanted to know.

"The trials were a success. I'll be getting my arm in a few weeks," she said.

"This is good," Peter said contently. "Now, these are the reporters we talked with," he introduced his companions.

"Welcome to Lüderitz," the young woman said. "Come on in, I've set out food and the old VCR," she added, leading the group into the living room.

The television had been connected to a thing of antiquity and the crew sat down on a couch. Peter started the video, beginning to narrate the story. "It was the fourth day of Blood Week," he laid out. "Up and down the coast, settlements had gone dark, towns had been hit and cities like Lagos..." he trailed off heavily. No further words were needed, the Razing of Lagos had cost upward of two million people their lives. The aftermath one of the memorable scenes of Blood Week, ash fields where slums used to be, the inner city a bombed out ruin. The Princess had gotten dubbed Tilly by a visiting businessman from Magdeburg and once he had explained his reasoning, the military had agreed.

"We knew what was up. We had seen the pictures from New York, the traffic reporter flying up close to show us our enemy. And we knew we were basically living on borrowed time. If the US Army can't stop these things, what chance would our own troops have?" Peter continued. "It was about two in the afternoon that the first shells hit the harbor area," he continued.

On the screen, explosions were seen in the distance with people fleeing either on foot, on animals or by car and bike.

"I was curious," Peter admitted. "I had been intending to film seals that day. Instead, I would film war unfolding," he added, grinning sadly.

On the screen there was a cut, from the street scene to a scene on the beach. In the distance, shapes were visible, shapes that suddenly sprang into focus. A group of about twelve cruiser-type abyssals which were continuously firing on the town.

"Those were the ones that attacked us. I expected this to become found footage later on, but now, watch," he urged his guests.

A few large splashes erupted from the sea. In the further distance, other shapes appeared, a second cruiser flotilla, this one fielding a battleship by the looks of it.

The first group had stopped firing and turned to the second group. And even with the distances involved, it was apparent that they were looking at a serious disagreement, a disagreement that turned violent in minutes.

"We never found out which fleet either group belonged to," Peter said. "But what we can say is that the smaller group saved us. No matter what they did before, they saved us. And to us that means a lot," he said slowly.

On the screen the fighting head turned deadly, with fire being exchanged at point blank range.

The exchange lasted a few minutes and it decimated the first group. The second group was equally hit, while the first group sank beneath the waves, the second group drifted closer to the shore, burning, two were flooding and slowly going under and overall, they looked about dead.

"A few men had seen this and when they saw I had a camera, they picked me up and we went to render assistance to our helpers. We didn't care that it was Abyssals," Peter explained. "We cared that they had saved us," he explained. "So we went out, hoping to save them, to repay them for what they had done for us," he continued. "I was ordered to film it, the men were confident they wouldn't need the help of a scrawny guy like me," he added with a grin.

On the screen, the fishing boats took the seven abyssals under tow, towing them into the harbor.

In the harbor, a large group of people had assembled and men did their best to lift the abyssals out of the water. It quickly became apparent that for all their attempts to render assistance, there was nothing to be done. The abyssals lay on the kay, unmoving. Only the battleship type still held on.

"Why?" she rasped. "Why did you come to us?"

One of the fishers smiled. "You saved us," he said simply.

"Fools," the battleship gave back. "I just wanted you for myself," she added.

"Maybe," the fisher said. "But what counts is what happened," he added softly.

The abyssal scoffed. "Just leave me be already. Let me sink and this all be over with," she demanded.

"Do you have any wishes for how we shall lay you to rest then?" the fisher asked.

"Under water," the abyssal said slowly, the light in her eyes flickering and dimming.

"We shall dig a lagoon for you then," the fisher decided.

"A lagoon...," the abyssal trailed off. "Why not...?" she continued in a whisper. "And stop crying," she grumped as the lights went out.

The video ended and the reporters looked at Peter. "And, have you?" Alexander wanted to know.

"We promised her, didn't we?" Peter gave back with a smile. "It isn't a big lagoon, a mere 200 by 200 meters and a mere 3 meters deep, but I can take you to Abyssal Bay if you wish. The abyssals who saved us rest at the bottom of that lagoon, have rested there and as long as we can, we intend to preserve their lagoon. They have earned at least that," the old man said earnestly.

"We'd appreciate that," Alice said.

"Well, let's go then," Peter said, getting up from his seat.

A few minutes later they stood at an artificial lagoon, the camera slowly panning over it.

"Abyssal Bay," Peter said with a smile. "This plaque there?" he asked, showing something on the rails, "It's a gift from the National Oceanographic institute. They have officially declared Abyssal Bay a lagoon. The government declared it a National Historic Grave Site as well," he told with pride. "It may not be much, but those who defended us at least will get that recognition," he finished.

Alice smiled warmly. "Thank you for telling us this remarkable story. It definitely is a worthy end to our series of documentaries," she said.

Peter smiled widely. "The pleasure was mine," he gave back.

For the last time, the reporters turned to the camera. "Well, this is it, the story of how abyssals fought abyssals and defended humans," Alexander said.

Alice nodded. "It has been an honour to present this. We hope you have enjoyed this series, but now, we must part," she said. "Thank you all, and remember, we all can do good," she said.

Alexander smiled. "Quite right. To all our viewers, thank you and good bye," he said and turned from the camera.

The camera man took a slow turn, from the lagoon to Lüderitz, until he lowered it and stopped recording.

"Well, now we'll have to work it over, effects, cutting, et cetera, but, as with all our previous partners, we will include you in the process. We have a bit of material from other sources who pointed us here that we'll add to the episode," Alice explained to Peter.

The old man smiled. "I'll gladly help," he assured them. "I've cut a few movies in my time," he added with a grin.

"Let's get to work then," Alice said with a large grin. "Our studio van has everything we need," she explained and the four of them set off, intent on finalizing the episode that viewers back home in the EU would get to see.

-x-x-x-

So, this is set in 2025-2030, I purposefully kept things vague. I'm relatively sure that documentaries about Blood Week would be in high demand, and with stuff like the SoS coming down, there would be political pressure to give those newly-revealed demi-human and nonhuman species some good press, and what better press than showing acts of heroism?

As for inspiration, this song inspired me to write this piece, not from the PoV of its titular Hero, but from the perspective of the ones saved.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

Interlude for Tanto and Katana

Tsurugaoka Hachimangū, Kamakura
Spoiler: Music for the Omake

Masamune-no-Tokunotakai took a deep breath as she stepped out from the dojo and descended the familiar stone staircase leading down from her shrine.

Unlike almost every other time that she had descended it, she was not in the white haori and red hakama that showed that she was a miko of Hachiman. No, today, she was instead in a pink silk kimono embroidered with butterflies and with her long dark hair up in an elaborate bun thanks to the ministrations of Mrs. Kokonoe who ran the beauty salon in town (and whose granddaughter Yae had advanced to prefectural regional competition as the shining star of Kamakura Junior High School's kendo club incidentally). Toku's lips flickered in a serene smile at the thought of her prize 13 year old kendoka pupil who took to her instruction as a rice paddy did to the spring rains.

She shook her head slightly as she made her way to the Torii showing the current outer boundary of the shrine, crossing over the bridge separating the Taira and Minamoto ornamental ponds. While Yae was a matter of quiet pride for her, and she expected to see her kendoka apprentice perform well in the All Nippon Kendo Championship if she continued to follow the Way of the Sword, her focus for today needed to be on other matters.

For today, her beloved oneesan Masamune-no-Honjo was returning home to the Tokugawa Clan.

Thanks to her eldest sister Kotegiri, Toku had gotten an invitation to attend the ceremony and the planned private party welcoming Honjo home. Kotegiri took her self-appointed role as the Masamune Momblade seriously, something that Toku could certainly respect for all that she was very much one of the youngest and most junior members of the family. Also it helped that Kote's legend had been formed in 1355 when she severed a enemy samurai's arm with a single stroke that cleft his armor and bone like water in her service to the Asakura Clan before their defeat by the Oda. None of her sisters and precious few of their foes wished to face Kotegiri in battle.
Spoiler: Kotegiri Masamune, the Armor-Cutter

Kote's letter to her had indicated that she would be sending someone to pick her up. Privately Toku was thankful since she had not traveled outside Kamakura in nearly two centuries, and she was somewhat aware that the world had changed in her isolation.

Evidence of that suddenly appeared as a 1971 Lincoln Continental with gold paint pulled up next to her on the street.
Spoiler: Fudo's Car

Toku stared as a familiar tanto dagger's avatar with her short dark hair and golden hazel eyes leaned out of the driver-side window and gestured to her. Her mind flashed back to the same face in the retinue of the Inspector of Shrines visiting her in 1683 as the elder Masamune fingered the tanto that was her true self upon meeting her younger sister for the first time. She did not need to see the full-back tattoo of Fudo My'oo on her older sister to immediately identify her chauffeur. Why Kotegiri had appointed the hothead of the family to pick her up was less obvious.

"Toku-chan! Get in! Time's wasting, and if we are late, Kote-chan will have both our tsuba mounted in her room in the Imperial Household!"

Numbly Tokunotakai made her way to the passenger side of the car. After some fumbling with the door she got inside and buckled up. As the car pulled away from the curb with a squeal of rubber, she looked over at a face that she had not seen in decades. "Ohayou gozaimasu, Fudo-oneesama. It is good to see you once more," she spoke in a politely neutral tone.
Spoiler: Fudo Masamune, the Overprotective Hothead Tanto

Fudo grinned at Tokunotakai as they headed out of Kamakura. "It's nice to see you finally getting out of that stuffy shrine, imouto. I thought that you would rust away to nothing just sitting around there gathering dust."

Toku twitched as her sister's brash words hit a well-concealed sore spot. While she found her duties at Hachimangū rewarding and fulfilling she also dreamed of doing more; taking a break from them to wander the earth righting wrongs and protecting those in need of protection like her elder sister Musashi or Lady Chastity from her books.

She cast about to change the subject, nibbling her lip. Religion and politics were right out. Long experience with Fudo was evidence that those subjects would provoke an argument, and Honjo would be disappointed and more relevantly Kotegiri would be upset if two of their juniors showed up in such a state.

Her eyes landed on the car and she smiled serenely. "The automobile is new, Fudo-nee. When did you get it?"

Fudo beamed, clear pride in her car showing through. "Isn't it great? I picked this up in 1971 with some of my stipend from the Owari branch of the Tokugawas. I also got a degree in building design and construction to help with their company."

Toku blinked. "I...see. So the car was the reason why Kote-oneesama sent you to pick me up then?"

Fudo shook her head, as a magnificent scowl formed on her face. Which was unsurprising considering that her namesake and Buddhist divine patron Fudo My'oo was known for a perpetually angry expression.

"I fucking wish. No, there's some shitheel out there that is attacking tsukumogomi. Honjo-chan says that she's pretty sure that he was one of the Kamo supporters that worked with Kyoshu during the Pacific War. Learned some memory tricks from that sadistic uberbitch, probably one of the Demon Blade's star apprentices. A Muramasa clearly needs help taking one of us on you see, even you, imouto."

Toku blinked twice. This was news to her and somewhat at variance with what several of her other sisters had mentioned about the condition of Muramasa-no-Kyoshu after she resurfaced following the Pacific War. "I...see. I shall be on the watch then. Do you have a description?"

"For the apprentice? Naah, not yet. Honjo-chan faced and stabbed him, so she will supply it to us all after she's back home. For that fucking Kyoshu? Oh hell yes, and if you see her, strike to kill. She's totally cruel and heartless. Not anywhere near a real blade like us though, I kicked her ass the last time I ran into her in 1923 in Tokyo. She's been chickening out and avoiding me since." Fudo grinned smugly as she sped past a Toyota Civic.

Toku nodded absently and studied the approaching skyline of Tokyo. If a third the stories she had heard about Muramasa-no-Kyoshu were remotely true, such a foe would be a worthy test of her steel and a suitable foe to be struck down.

"She might be more of a challenge to you like that fucking gaijin who messed you up back in 1864. That reminds me, I need to track that bitch down and teach her a lesson. No one makes my little imouto cry like that, even if she's a stuck up sheath-in-the-mud shrine maiden who couldn't fight her way out of a bento box if push came to shove. Maybe I should swing by and help you learn not to be totally helpless in a fight." Fudo said with a cocky smirk on her face.

Toku sighed and pinched her nose as a headache began to form. "For the last time Fudo-nee, that is my fight to face. I will politely ask you to let me fight my own battles. Hachiman-dono even informed me to prepare myself since one day my steel will cross hers."

Fudo shrugged. "Only if I don't catch her first and beat her like an o-taiko for what she did to you back then. It would help if you had a name or anything past 'blonde tsukumogami with a gaijin rapier' for a description. Probably cheap pot metal from an inferior smith too."

Toku sighed and pinched her nose again as they entered Tokyo's sprawl. "I forgot to ask her at the time. As I told you. Repeatedly. Starting in 1864. Are we there yet?"

"Half a hour or so. Tokyo traffic blows goats." The Tanto then threw the finger at a Mazda that cut her off. "Go back to driving school!"

Toku slumped down a little in her seat in response.

 

[darthcourt10]

TempestK

Lost and Found


Juuchi Yosamu hummed to herself as she walked along the side streets of Tokyo. She took a breath of the crisp air and exhaled, enjoying the brisk freshness. Her Master was home for the Christmas season, and she had decided to follow him back. Half a year now, she had served him, watched him and found herself growing fond of him. Not in the manner that his kitsune and fleet of shipgirls did, but as a younger brother or nephew. 'The Potters truly are consummate thieves,' she mused to herself. 'Give them the time and they can slip beneath your guard and steal your very heart.'

She had decided that her young master was owed a gift; something to help make up for the missed birthdays and Christmases that Master James and Lady Lily had never been able to give him. Nagato-san was truly a wonder in how she had healed the damage those fucking Dur- She closed her eyes, wandering out of the main flow of traffic. Though she'd never admit it to her rival to her face, she utilized some of the meditation and self-control methods that Honjo had used to deal with her over the decades and burned through the hate that still managed to flare whenever she thought too long on her Master's former caretakers.

As she opened her eyes and took in the small row of niche shops she was passing, something made her pause. Backtracking, she looked through a window of a place that had reinforced glass and what looked like a fairly decent security door. But what had her attention was a display behind the main counter, that she had noticed just out of the corner of her eye. Stepping inside, she began to browse a bit, making her way towards the counter. There was the light sound of footsteps, before a young man emerged from the back. One that sported phantom ears and a thick ringed tail to her magical senses. But her focus was on the display itself.

Arrayed in a fan formation was a series of cooking knives, an entire complete set of nine traditional blades. Their blades each glinted, ready to carve, peel and filet, and she could sense a feeling of eager impatience from them. But more than that, there was something familiar to them. Something that... she ignored the tanuki shopkeeper as he tried to engage her attention. Yes, the blades each possessed a hamon pattern that was incredibly familiar. But... coming to a snap decision, she pulled out the listed funds for the blades. She would have to thank Carnwennan for loaning her the funds when she'd stated that she intended to get Harry a Christmas present. And then get in on some poker games to make up the funds.

Shifting her focus back on the shopkeeper, she noticed that he actually seemed slightly reluctant. "Miss, I... I have to ask you this. Those blades were handed over by a friend of my father. And they had a stipulation that whomever bought them would actually use them. If you intend for these to be some kind of display piece, then I-I'm afraid I can't sell them to you."

Juuchi smiled at the youngish tanuki, shaking her head. "A Christmas present actually. I have a.... Nephew, who is very interested in the culinary arts. I feel that these knives would work well for him, and they're still cheaper than buying an entire extended set in a store." The shopkeeper nodded, and as he turned to count the money, she barely noticed him look towards the blades out of the corner of his eye... and the Yanagi blade shifting back and forth almost imperceptibly. Hiding her grin, Juuchi calmly waited for the knives to be bundled before taking her receipt. The Tanuki's eyebrows had rose when he'd checked her ID (another thing to thank Carnwennan for, the old goat) and he had glanced at the bag with the blades with a look of reassurance. Juuchi gave the shopkeeper a small bow of appreciation, before heading back out. But rather then heading for home, she found a secluded corner... and set up a quick and dirty ward to keep her from being noticed.

"Alright kiddo, you can come out now." She smiled in a feline manner as there was a sudden abrupt and panicked rustle from the bags. "Seriously, just come out and we can talk. That's all. I already put up a spell to keep us from being noticed." There was another crinkle... before abruptly there was a young man standing across from her, scowling heavily and with his arms crossed over his chest.

"Okay ya' old bag. Whatta ya want?" Juuchi ignored the insult (for the moment), looking him over. Black hair that was so light and loose it might be called "downy" separated into fringed bangs that hung down, almost obscuring light brown eyes. His facial features were foxlike, a pointed chin and high cheekbones making him look like he could stand in for any number of boy band heartthrobs. His clothing was a little outdated, but just enough that it appeared to be "retro" rather than out of style. For a moment she envisioned introducing him to Naka, before discarding the idea. For now.

"I thought it was only polite to introduce myself... otouto." Whipping her phone out, she got a snap of the boy's surprised face, before sending it to the others. She followed that up with an autodial to Suisei. "Sui-chan! Why didn't you ever tell me we had a cute little oto-OW! That little bastard just kicked me in the shin!"

The Muramasa on the other end of the line sighed. "Come to the bakery; I'll have some rolls waiting. Kansha-kun needs to be brought up to speed." With that the mildest of the Muramasa ended the call, leaving Juuchi Yosamu, the blade of Ten Thousand Cold Nights, to gape at her phone, and then up at the glowering teen-aged appearing avatar before her.

"Kansha? Gratitude?!" If anything, the now-named set of cutlery glowered even harder, jamming his hands deep into his pockets. He hunched his shoulders, and stared at Juuchi through the fringes of his hair.

"Yeah, gratitude. Dad made me for a kid that was willing to cook him meals how he wanted when he was gettin' near the end. Old bastard was picky as hell, but Sojiro-kun was able to keep up with and anticipate what he wanted to eat. An' he kept dad's secrets. Meant a lot to the geezer I guess."

Juuchi smirked at that. "Yes, Tou-san was rather... unique in many ways, wasn't he? But c'mon, we've got a train to catch to Sui-chan's bakery. And I can't wait to hear all about the little brother I didn't know I had."

As she easily strong-armed the other blade set into walking along with her, she noticed him giving her the side eye. "So... you actually got a nephew, or was that just some cock and bull story to get yer hands on me? And where the hell have you been anyway? Everyone told me you made a runner after Kyoshu paid a 'visit' one too many times." Juuchi quashed the spike of anger and fear, the younger blade set apparently had been seen as beneath the Blade of Faded Memories' notice, and so spared her attentions.

"It's a long story... and it all goes back to a clan by the name of Potter..."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Coming out of the bathroom with a bit of steam behind her, Hachi sighed while wrapping the robe around her, 'Nothing like a nice, hot bath.' With a glance at the robe she wore, her smile grew a touch. Sure, the Submarine Pens living quarters were not cold even this far into December. After all, there were several heaters going, which meant that she would have been comfortable in her shirt and shorts combo in any case. But she liked to wear the robe.

It did belong to Harry after all before he outgrew it.

Frankly, Hachi enjoyed wearing it as it was both warm and soft. Sort of like a hug from said boy, to be honest. And wearing it to bed helped calm her down after her nightmares. It made her feel like Harry was right there hugging her when she woke up gasping for breath. Something that comforted her and chased away the darkness as he was far away at Hogwarts. Part of her missed how after having nightmares, she could just go and sleep next to him, holding him like a teddy bear in order to do so. None of the other Submarines had teased her the slightest amount, knowing that she needed someone who would be able to do so.

Granted, both of them were happy that as the years went on, the nightmares slowly faded away. Though part of Hachi was somewhat disappointed that she was less able to snuggle next to him due to the same reason. As it was, the robe was a somewhat poor substitute, but it was helped by how the fact he had given it to her.

Also, Hachi thought that she looked pretty good in it when using it for sleepwear.

However, currently as the blonde Submarine walked out into the common area, she blinked at sounds coming from the sleeping area. Eyebrows furrowing, she gave a look towards where a grinning RO was poking her head over a couch, "What is going on?"

The German shipgirl grinned even more at that as beside her, Shioi shook her head. RO then chuckled some, "Just that Iku-Chan is trying to figure out what she is going to wear tomorrow when she goes to Hogsmeade with you and Harry-Chan."

Not having expected that, Hachi just stared at her for a few moments before looking at the room. After hearing a crash and muffled cursing, she scratched her head, "Wait, Iku-Chan is trying to figure out what she is going to be wearing?"

Legs stretched out, Shioi gave a shrug, "Apparently? Not sure why she is going a bit nuts though. Not like it really matters all that much to Harry-Chan when you get down to it."

Frowning, Hachi tilted her head before shaking it, "I'll go and check on what is going on then."

Only getting waves from the other two, she walked over to the room and poked her head in to find a scowl on Iku's face as the Submarine stood in front of her dresser that was there. All the drawers were open and clothes were scattered on the bed. The bluette was chewing her lip before she groaned and clutched her pigtails, "Dammit!"

Still frowning, Hachi cleared her throat as she leaned against the doorframe, "Something wrong, Iku-Chan?"

Looking over at her, the other Submarine was about to say something when she sighed and slumped in place, "Just trying to figure out what to wear tomorrow..." Her shoulders slumped more as she continued, "But it is so hard..."

Confused, Hachi walked over and glanced at the clothes before humming, "What do you mean, Iku-Chan? What makes it so hard?"

A light blush on her face, Iku gave her an unsure look, "Um, well... I want to give a good impression." Seeing that her friend was still confused, she shook her head, "You know..."

Her arms crossed, Hachi raised an eyebrow, "No? It can't be to give a good impression on Harry-Chan since we have done this before... Um, gone out on sort of dates." Both of them blushed at that, "And it is not like Harry-Chan cares all too much about what we wear, as long as we have fun. Which we're certain to with him tomorrow."

Chewing her lip, the bluette looked away, "It is not Harry-Chan that I want to leave a good impression on, but..."

Suddenly, Hachi realized what was wrong, "You want to leave a good impression on whoever is watching. Iku-Chan..." Gently, she placed a hand on her friend's shoulder, "You know that Harry-Chan won't care."

Iku turned to her and nodded with a small smile, "I know that, Hachi-Chan. Harry-Chan wouldn't, but... I care because, people will talk."

With a snort, Hachi rolled her eyes with amusement on her face, "Like they won't when Harry-Chan goes around with different girls on his arms for each visit? Or if our plan goes through and we're with him?" Considering that, Hachi scratched her cheek, "I mean, people will talk no matter what. We don't care about that sort of thing and neither would Harry-Chan."

Grimacing, Iku shook her head, "I know that, but..." Trailing off for a moment, she sighed, "It is more than that. You know how people look at us, Hachi-Chan. At the time, it seemed like a good idea. Tease a little and get attention, but..."

That made Hachi give her own nod with a grimace, "Hai, we got attention like we wanted, but not the sort that we wanted."

Simply nodding, the other Submarine sighed, "Yeah... we didn't think things through." Looking at her clothes, she frowned, "I'm sure that you got comments as well when going out with Harry-Chan this summer." When Hachi nodded, Iku frowned, "I hated that Harry-Chan had to go through that, though there was one guy that it looked like he was close to punching." Blushing, she smiled a bit, "Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed our sort-of date, it was wonderful. But... I just don't want him to have to go through that at Hogsmeade. Not if he doesn't have to, so I need to pick something that is not out there and won't get comments."

Not saying anything, Hachi kissed her on the cheek before hugging her. As Iku returned it, she softly whispered to her friend, "It is okay, Iku-Chan. People will comment no matter what, but what matters is how we feel. And you know that Harry-Chan does not care, though he might get angry about it. But not angry at us but at the people doing so." Pulling back, she closed her eyes and smiled, "So don't worry about it."

Only nodding, Iku smiled back as she looked down, "Hai."

Fully pulling away from the hug, the blonde gave a glance around and nodded, "Now then... how about I give you a bit of help in regards to what you could wear? Would that be good?"

Perking up, Iku looked at her, "Really?"

Lightly laughing with a smile, Hachi gave her a nod, "Hai, Hacchan will help you pick out clothes for tomorrow." Placing her hands on her hip, she began to examine the choices there and hummed, "Now let's see..."

Roughly about fifteen minutes, Iku was looking down at the clothes on her bed with a considering look, "You think?"

Arms crossed, Hachi made a sound of agreement, "Ja, I think that this is our best bet. These would look nice on you, Iku-Chan. Go on and try them out." Taking them, the blue haired Submarine changed out of her current clothes and into the new. As she stood in front of the full length mirror, Hachi smiled, "Well?"

Frowning, Iku looked herself over as she was in brown pants with a black turtleneck sweater. After a few moments, she smiled, "Well, it does look pretty good."

Her friend sharply nodded, "And it would go well with your pink winter coat that you bought the other day as well."

Iku's smile grew a touch and she blushed, "That is true..." Still looking herself over in the mirror, she chuckled a bit which got her an odd look from Hachi. In reply, she shook her head, "Just thinking of something... I really like turtlenecks and, well, it is because of Harry-Chan."

Blinking, Hachi cocked her head to the side, "Really? Because of Harry-Chan?" At the nod, she became curious, "How?"

Lips twitching, the bluette turned to her, "Well, remember how we were doing all that work several years back?" Hachi nodded, "And we didn't have much time between patrols to really do much, like clothes shopping?"

Once more, Hachi nodded though this time with a grimace on her face, "I remember. We literally were working our sterns off and, well... didn't help that our uniforms are swimsuits so we couldn't exactly head out into the city wearing them. We wanted attention, but that was way too far."

Still smiling, Iku placed a finger to her chin, "Hai... Well, you were out on patrol with the others and I was in the docks after getting banged up a little. Harry-Chan had visited me and asked if I wanted any clothes brought there to get changed into when I got out. I told him that I didn't have any because, well, you know." Getting a nod, she continued, "Harry-Chan must have talked with Akashi-San, because next thing I knew was that he brought a bag which had some clothes of the right size for me. One of the items was a knitted, blue turtleneck and that it would keep me warm." Expression softening, she sighed, "Harry-Chan was right, it did keep me warm and felt nice. But he also told me that I looked really pretty in it. Harry-Chan... he didn't care that it didn't show off my body or anything, he just cared that it was warm and made me look good. That I was comfortable."

Becoming thoughtful, the other Submarine nodded, "I remember when we came back to find that you had the sweater. And clothes for all of us... always wondered where you got it in the first place."

Giggles escaping from her, Iku smiled, "Hai, I went out with Harry-Chan. It was sort of funny to see him tell Goto-Teitoku that we needed to be able to get clothes. And those were the words he used, clothes, not that we needed 'Proper' clothing. Just that we needed to get clothing. I think that amused Teitoku for the most part, but he asked me and I told him that we didn't have anything to wear but our swimsuits. At which point... he apologized and gave Harry-Chan an 'Important mission' that he had to do."

Now it was Hachi's turn to giggle as she guessed where the story was going, "And that was to take you to a clothing store, Ja?"

Widely grinning, Iku giggled all the more, "Got it in one, Hachi-Chan." Her lips turned down into a frown, "There was one guy who bought into our reputation there who, ah... well, asked if I wanted a certain kind of sweater and that it was not there. Harry-Chan told him that I wanted a warm sweater instead and pulled me along." Grin returned, she shook her head, "It was sort of funny to see the guy's reaction. But Harry-Chan helped me choose various clothes, such as turtlenecks like the one that he had brought me. So... since then, I've liked wearing them."

Head tilted to the side, the blonde shook her head, "Well, you do look amazing in them."

Blushing, Iku smiled at her, "Thanks." Kissing her friend on the cheek, she took a deep breath, "For everything."

All Hachi did was smile back at her, fully understanding what she meant.

Over on the couch, the Uboat shook her head before twisting and plopping herself in Shioi's lap, "Well, that seems to be done."

Wrapping her arms around her smaller friend and pulling her close, Shioi chuckled some, "Thankfully." She then tilted her head and looked at RO, "Are you ready for when we head out for a day with Harry-Chan?"

In reply, RO gave her a thumbs up, "Ja, been ready for some time. We got the day after Iku-Chan and Hachi-Chan after all. Though..." A smirk crossed her face, "We'll get to spend plenty of time with Harry-Chan."

Moments later, Hachi's voice spoke up as the blonde haired Submarine was there with her arms crossed, "What do you mean by that, RO-Chan? What did you do?"

Opening one eye which sparkled in amusement, the other blonde smirked, "Oh, nothing too much. Just got permission for us to stay the night at the guest quarters at Hogwarts and return to the base in the morning. That's all." Stretching some, she smirked at the gobsmacked looks on Hachi's and Iku's faces, "You can thank me later."

Unable to help herself, Shioi laughed and shook her head, "You two should see your faces." Then her next words made them blush, "Not that I think that either of you two mind spending a night cuddling Harry-Chan."

Both the other two Submarines looked away with blushes as RO hummed, "Nein, I do not think that they mind. And I certainly won't."

Quickly shaking off her slight fluster, Hachi hugged her smaller friend, "Thank you, RO-Chan. Hacchan will enjoy it."

Patting her back, RO smiled, "I would hope so, because I know that I will." A look of understanding passed between them and Hachi pulled back with the German Uboat waving her hand, "Anyways, you should get some items for a overnight stay as well."

With nods, the other two went and did exactly that, all the while practically skipping.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Stepping out of the Vanishing Cabinet, Iku glanced around before patting her pink jacket down before turning to Hachi with a small smile on her face, "Well, we're here."

Hachi simply adjusted her glasses and looked around, "Ja, we are." With a deep breath, she let it out and giggled some, "I can't wait to spend the day with Harry-Chan and you, Iku-Chan."

Lightly humming, the blue haired Submarine nodded before gesturing at the door, "Shall we?" At the nod from Hachi, the two began to make their way out of the small room attached to the cellar and then up the stairs. Reaching the top, Iku gave a small bow to the young man there wearing a Royal Marine uniform, "Good day, Submarine I-19 and I-8 reporting."

With a nod, the young man pushed forward a log book and held out a pen, "And a good day to both you young ladies. Now then, just sign in when you got here and where your destination is from."

Glancing at the clock, Iku began to write down her portion as Hachi looked around before turning to the young man, "Don't take this the wrong way, but..."

Lips curling he gave a sigh, "You're wondering why I'm here?" At the nod, he rapped on his knee, making the sound of his knuckles striking something hard, "Can't put me too many places mind you. Besides which... I'm not alone here."

Now Iku looked up at that, "You're not?" At the shake of the head, she frowned as she looked around, "Then where..."

Both Submarines could hear sounds from nearby and the young man glanced in the direction that they came from, "Well, considering things... Miss Supprin sent someone to guard this place as well. Though just between me and you..." Leaning forward, he continued, "I think that she wanted this as a punishment detail or to get her out of her hair."

It went without saying that the two shipgirls were extremely curious. Once they were signed in, they followed the sounds that they could hear until they reached a small room and opened the door. Poking their heads in, Hachi and Iku blinked at the sight of a Ne-Class sitting in front of a large screen playing games on it. Meanwhile, the heads on her tails were either drinking from a straw or munching popcorn as the Abyssal called out, "Come on! Come on! Almost there-" Then the character on the screen died and she grabbed at her hair, "Noooooo! Why!? Why!?"

Disbelieving looks on their faces, the two friends looked at each other with the same question on their minds, 'Is this actually happening...'

When they looked back into the room, they felt their disbelief increase at the amount of games and various consoles as well as a gaming rig that looked rather expensive. Not as good as Naka's own, but not bad. It was then that the Abyssal turned and the three stared at each other for a few moments before the now apparent Flagship Ne-Class yelped and jumped, "Oh Nep! When did you get here!?"

Glancing at her friend, Iku raised an eyebrow, "About fifteen minutes ago..."

Sheepishly smiling, the Ne-Class weakly chuckled, "Um... you're not going to tell the Boss Lady on me, are you? I mean... I just got this game and I really had to play it."

Amused, Hachi crossed her arms over her chest, "No, we won't tell Wanko this, er..."

The Abyssal blinked and raised her hand with a grin, "Oh! I'm Neptune! And... it's Lady Supprin." Seeing their looks, she shrugged, "I've been her heavy hitter for years, even before we joined up with Lady Wanko." Then Neptune pouted, "But she always complains about me getting games... and pudding. Pudding is the food of the gods."

Blinking, Hachi nodded, "Um, right. Anyways... we were wondering what was going on so we'll be heading out, Neptune-San."

No sooner had they closed the door when the sounds of a game being resumed could be heard as well as shouts and the like. Once they were far enough away, Iku looked at her friend and shook her head which got several giggles from Hachi. Soon after though, they touched the Portkey and were whisked off to Hogsmeade. Taking a deep breath of the Highland air, Iku let it out in a mist before turning to her friend with a smile, "Good thing that we brought our coats with us, Hachi-Chan."

Lips curled upwards into her own smile, the Blonde Submarine gave a nod, "Hai, though we could have done with a scarf just as well." Now looking at the village, she brought out her phone and took a picture of it in the early morning sunlight, snowflakes glistening. At the look from Iku, Hachi gave a shrug, "It looks pretty."

Considering that for several moments, Iku gave a nod, "True."

It did not take very long before they heard the sound of carriage wheels heading their way and turned to find that the students were about to arrive. A door to one of the carriages opened to reveal a grinning Harry dressed for winter. Said boy got onto the ground and made his way over to them, "Hachi-Chan! Iku-Chan!"

At the last moment, he nearly slipped on a patch of ice, but the two Submarines caught him. Unable to help herself, Hachi gave a laugh as a blushing Harry was held between her and Iku, "Harry-Chan, I know that you're excited to see us and everything, but be more careful." Her expression softened a touch, "We don't want you getting hurt after all."

Rubbing the back of his neck, Harry gave a nod, "Hai, and sorry about that."

Only shaking her head, Iku kissed him on the cheek, "Don't be." As he took her hand in his, and Hachi's in his other, she hummed, "So where to first?"

Harry tilted his head to the side as the three began to walk towards the village, "Actually, I was thinking that we could go to this nice tea house I found on the last visit. They have some good things there and I thought that you might want to get something quick to munch on."

Giving his hand a squeeze, Hachi smiled, "That sounds good, Harry-Chan. And while Iku-Chan and I did eat before coming, we won't complain about topping up our tanks either."

As they walked though, they passed one building that made the blue haired of the two Submarines blink, "Harry-Chan? What's that place?"

Now blinking himself, Harry looked and both shipgirls raised their eyebrows at the look of distaste on his face, "Um, that's Madame Puddifoot's Tea Shop. And, well..." Wincing, he looked away, "Look for yourself."

Letting go of his hand, Iku walked over and peered in through the windows. Moments later, she was back and grasping his hand as she began to walk away, "Okay, let's head to this tea house. Because there is no way I am stepping in there."

Eyebrow raised, Hachi chuckled some, "Iku-Chan? It can't be that bad... right?"

Much to her surprise, her friend gave her a look, "It is that bad, Hachi-Chan. You know of those super cutesy cafes for couples back in Japan? The ones that make you cringe?"

Slowly, Hachi nodded though she had an idea of where this was going, "Yes...? Is it as bad as those?"

With a only partially fake shudder, Iku shook her head, "Take one of those, and dial it up to eleven. That is what I saw in there."

Blanching a bit, Hachi gave her own shudder, "Right, a place to avoid then."

Minutes later, they reached the tea house that the thirteen year old wizard had been guiding them towards. Holding the door open for them, Harry gestured inside, "Here we go, Hachi-Chan. Iku-Chan."

Almost as soon as she walked in, Iku could feel the warmth of the air and smell the scent of baking products as well as tea, coffee, and others. Looking around, the Submarine had to give a nod at the tea house that they were in. Unlike the other, which was done in various bright pinks and the like, the one that they were in instead had warm, dark wood panelling along the bottom parts of the walls. Above, nice green wallpaper covered the rest of the wall with the odd painting here and there. Within her sight were wooden tables and chairs, with the tables covered in white table cloth. Unlike the... loudness... that was Madame Puddifoots, there was an understated elegance in the place that they were in.

Right then and there, Iku decided that she found a place that she could like.

Hachi's own thoughts followed Iku's for the most part, though there was one addition and that was mainly due to how many books she had read. Said thought also made her cheeks warm in a way that did not owe anything to the coldness outside, 'This place is... rather intimate and romantic.'

Unnoticed by any of the three, the young woman at the counter, who was seemingly reading a newspaper had stopped as soon as they walked in. Practice had allowed for her to hide the fact that she was listening in carefully to what was being said. After all, the establishment was not often used by the students at Hogwarts, most of them going to Madame Puddifoots since they had opened. Usually, it was older couples and adults on business that used the tea house. So seeing a teenage boy and two girls walk had caught her attention.

What caught it even more was that she easily recognized the boy as being Harry Potter, though she wondered who the other two were. After all, the last visit he had also come in with two girls, but they were different from the ones that she saw right now. And she had heard from one of her fellow employees that the day before that, one of the girls was apparently different when they had wandered in. Something that made her rather curious, and everyone liked a little bit of gossip.

Externally not showing anything, she sighed as Harry took his companions coats off and hung them onto hooks in the place for them. Though she did raise an eyebrow as she noted how... developed, the two girls were, which was obvious even with the thick sweaters that they wore, 'I wonder what they have been feeding those two?'

As he put their coats up, she listened as Harry began to talk, "So? What do you think?"

Looking around, the blue haired one nodded, "I like this place, Harry-Chan. Even if nothing else, it looks and feels nice in here." A grimace crossed her face as she shook her head, "Better then that other tea house. Ugh."

Internally, the woman at the counter nodded in agreement. Her family ran and owned the tea house that she now worked in for generations, as far as she was concerned? Madame Puddifoots was more than an eyesore, it was a grave insult to places such as hers.

Slightly frowning, Harry gave a nod, "Agreed, Iku-Chan. I mean, I guess I can see why some people might like it, but... not for me."

The blonde crossed her arms under her bust, something that made the woman at the counter grumble a bit in her mind. Then said girl nodded and spoke up, "Yes, and those people are tasteless if it is as bad as you and Iku-Chan said it is, Harry-Chan."

Lips curling, the woman decided that she liked these three at the least, something only reinforced as Iku jerked her thumb at the other girl, "I agree with Hachi-Chan, Harry-Chan. That place is tasteless."

Hands behind his head, Harry gave a nod, "True." Grasping their hands, he began to walk with them, "So you like this place?"

Iku gave a nod as she looked around, "I do, Harry-Chan, I really, really do." A small smile appeared on her lips, "You know, I can't help but imagine that Rose-San's own tea house might look like this when she opens it in the future. And if so, I can see us going there as well since it would be back in Japan."

Putting that in the back of her mind for now, the woman with the counter almost forgot to keep pretending not to be listening in with Hachi's next words, "So did you bring Natsumi-Chan, Louisiana-Chan, and Niiyodo-Chan here as well, Harry-Chan?"

Needless to say, it took everything for the young woman not to lean forward to try and listen in better, despite being able to hear just fine. His next words though made her eyebrows raise, "I did, actually. And they really enjoyed here as well. They want to come back here whenever they join me in a Hogsmeade visit."

Giggles escaped from Iku as she shook her head, "Well, if the food is good then you should bring Akizuki-Chan and her two Imoutos as well. The Duckies would love you bringing them to this place."

A grin on his face, Harry just nodded, "I'm planning to. And to also stuff them full of treats while I am at it as well." He gave a small shrug, "I also told Percy about it along with Ron. Once I told him everything, Ron said that he has to bring Warspite and Duke here as well as maybe Summer, and Percy said that he might bring Ooyodo and Supprin as well."

Considering that, Iku nodded, "I can see them enjoying here actually."

Moments later, even as he made a sound of agreement, Harry came to a stop, "Same... So where do you want to sit?"

With a frown on her face, Hachi looked around, "I don't know..." Chewing her lip for a moment, she pointed towards one of the small alcoves off from the main floor, "How about over there? So that we can get some privacy if someone comes in?"

Only nodding, the thirteen year old wizard nodded and walked over with the two girls, still holding their hands, "Sounds good to me."

Glancing out of the corner of her eye, the woman behind the counter smiled and softly sighed as he took out the chairs so that the girls could sit in them. A few moments later, the girls did move their chairs to be closer to the boy, which made the woman's smile grow some, 'Ah, if only I was a few years younger, what a fine mannered young man.' Then she internally giggled, 'Well, if I was a few years younger, or he older, along with him being single.' Shrugging, she ducked beneath her counter and began to look over what she had there, 'Hmm...'

Meanwhile, at their table, Iku opened up the menu that was there and began to look through it, "What do you think, Harry-Chan? What looks good?"

Before he could say anything, Hachi gasped and pointed at one item, "Fudge donuts! They have some here." She licked her lips with a smile, "Now those look and sound good."

Lightly laughing, Harry gave her a grin, "Hai, they do, Hachi-Chan. And a lot choices more beside, so go ahead and choose. My treat." Glancing at his own, he hummed, "I think that I might get some parkin, it is the season for it."

Eyes looking along it, the blue haired Submarine girl gave a small nod, "I think that I might go for the Victoria cake. That looks pretty good." Pausing for a moment, she gave an unsure look to Harry, "If that is alright, I don't want to spend too much money..."

Waving her off, Harry shook his head and gave her a look, "Iku-Chan, it's alright. I got plenty of money for a cake. Besides which, I know that shipgirls are big eaters, so its fine with me."

A giggle escaping her, Hachi gave her fellow Submarine a look, "Besides which, you can always share a little with him, and Harry-Chan can share some of his parkin. I can also share some of my donuts with you two if you do the same with me."

Simply nodding, Harry smiled, "Sounds good to me, Iku-Chan?"

It only took a few moments, but Iku nodded and gave her friend a thankful look, "Same." Leaning over, she gave him a kiss before pulling back, "Thank you, Harry-Chan."

On his other side, Hachi then leaned forward and did the same, also kissing him, "And Hacchan thanks you as well. We really appreciate this."

Looking from one to the other, the wizard kissed them both on the cheeks with a smile, "Not a problem, just... keep being friends with me."

Both Iku and Hachi shared a look before hugging him and kissing his cheeks at the same time as they spoke as one, "That we can do, Harry-Chan. Easily."

Unnoticed by them, a pair of wide eyes were looking at them over the counter.

 

[darthcourt10]

RCNAnon

Ask and ye shall receive.

Hello again, another update from me. This is mostly just silly fun on the Knight Bus ride.

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As the group made its way outside, Ron could only feel a bit of apprehension at the thought of riding the Knight Bus. It was very convenient of course, given the situation they were in but he'd heard a number of things about the transport and not all of them were good. Unfortunately he couldn't think of another way for them to get where they needed to go on such a short time schedule.

With the marine's and vehicles out front having departed with Admiral Whitcomb and the two gentlemen from the Home Office, the warehouse area was relatively deserted. His mother stopped, looking both ways before turning back to the group.

"All right, I want everyone to stay behind me. The Knight Bus is… unpredictable sometimes."

Ron managed not to shake his head at his mothers words, merely glancing up at Summer who seemed a bit uncertain. She seemed like that most of the time though so it wasn't a particularly helpful indicator. At least she wasn't on edge.

Seeing everyone line up to her satisfaction, Mrs. Weasley turned and raised her wand in the proper position. Everything was quiet for a second, two…

*Bang*

A bright purple bus appeared out of nowhere, skidding to a stop in front of Mrs. Weasley.

Ron didn't have much chance to notice, as at the sound of the sound of the bus arriving Summer had reached out and grabbed him with an "Eep!". Already getting familiar with the sensation, his head impacted her midriff, even as a soft weight brushed against the top of his head.

Waiting a few seconds, Ron raised his arm and patted Summers with his hand.

"It's ok. That's just the bus arriving. Nothing to be worried about."

Knowing looking up wouldn't do any good for the moment, Ron waited until she released him and then did so. Summer looked between him and the bus once before nodding.

Standing at the side entrance to the bus was a pimply faced wizard who didn't look all that old, no more than his late teens. His appearance was sloppy, with ragged hair and an unkempt uniform that wasn't helped by the way he was staring at Summer, Duke and Warspite. Though he knew he didn't have to do anything, Ron felt himself bristling slightly at the man. It was one thing to look, Ron knew that all three of them were almost unnaturally attractive by most standards, but it was quite another to be almost leering.

Thankfully his mother wasn't about to take any of it either.

"Stanley Shunpike! My word boy, you'd think you were raised in a barn! What would your mother say about this! Stop gawking like you've never seen a woman before and let us on!"

Ron recognized his mothers full power "Wrath of Mom" voice quite easily. Though he'd had his fair share of it in his time, lately it was a rare occurrence. It was always fun to see it turned upon somebody else, especially somebody he felt deserved it.

Stan jumped as if he'd been zapped by a tazer, attempting to straighten out his appearance and his spine at the same time.

"Apologies Mrs. Weasley, I err… I just never seen someone like your friend before."

Ron looked back at Summer, who was pulling her large hat down over her face in attempt to hide.

"Haven't you ever seen a Frost Giant before? No of course you haven't, doubt you've been out of those pubs I hear you like to frequent. How much is it from here to the Leaky Cauldron? I don't have time to dawdle and I know prices have been going up."

If there was one thing Ron truly appreciated about his mother, it was that when she wanted something she knew how to get it.

"Err… it's going to be about a Galleon a piece from here to London." It was clear Stan was doing math in his head, rather badly at that.

"Five galleons! My word, you'd think everyone was made of money for that price." Ron remembered when his family would have been hard pressed to have five galleons for an important purchase, much less casual travel for shopping but his mother reached into her bag and pulled out five gold coins to give to Stan, who finally stepped aside.

With his dander still up, Ron let the girls go before him and then climbed up the stairs in front of Stan. Though he had started with good intentions, he got a view of Summer's seemingly impossibly long chitin covered legs. Thankfully her dress was relatively long otherwise he would've felt bad.

Thankfully the bus didn't have any issues with Summer's size, merely rocking down slightly until she got in the main portion. Unfortunately it was very clear to Ron that there was nowhere for her to sit since all of the armchairs were much to small for her. Though as he studied the setup Ron wasn't sure that was a bad thing since none of the chairs were bolted in place, merely setup in a semi-random pattern.

Though his mother had taken a chair near the back seemingly without care, Warspite and Duke were much more familiar with the proper way a bus should be laid out and seemed to be having trouble deciding where to sit. Rather, they seemed to not be sure sitting was a good idea.

"Lets just sit by my mum." He said to Summer, who was simply waiting for him to choose a spot. She nodded, taking up a position against the wall to the back staircase of the triple-deck bus and then sitting down so she wasn't hunched over. Ron chose a chair next to her, while Duke and Warspite seemed to think that Summer had the right idea and braced themselves against the other side of the bus's back wall.

"Are you sure this is safe?" Duke asked, glancing over at him and his mother.

"Nobodies ever been hurt riding the Knight Bus!" Stan said cheerfully from the front, where he'd taken up position next to the grey haired, owl eyed driver. "Might'n get a little queasy from time to time but we've got a perfect safety record."

Duke's face gave the impression she wouldn't believe Stan if he claimed water was wet but she didn't say anything, merely nodding as she gripped the arms of her chair tightly.

"Right then Ern, off we go!" Stan grabbed one of the poles standing next to the drivers armchair and then they were off with a quite literal bang.

Ron felt his chair jerk with a start, sliding backwards slightly until it suddenly stopped. Since his mother's chair slid a few more inches Ron looked back and saw Summer holding onto his chair with concern.

"Heh. It's fine Summer. Just getting started!" He tried to give her a smile that was more confident than he really felt. He wasn't positive it worked but she let go of his chair. Driving down a country road, bouncing a little bit from side to side as trees flashed by wasn't too bad. At least it wasn't as bad as he'd thought, though Ron didn't feel like making conversation all that much either.

Eventually they pulled up to an even smaller lane with a screech and Stan went up the back stairs to get an older looking witch and help her out. She looked very happy to do so, not saying a word even when she got back on solid ground.

Ron didn't notice, having gone skidding forward until he was jerked to a stop by Summer once again. Luckily he didn't jerk out of his chair, just barely managing to hang on. Hearing an unhappy noise from Summer, he turned around to console her again just as the bus got moving again.

Having removed one of his hands from its grip to properly turn around, Ron went flying ass over teakettle and smacked into Summers chest. He had a few seconds to contemplate the softness he felt but thankfully for his sanity he was saved from more of this by Summer herself, who pulled him out and then placed him on her lap so he could see more than pure white. A large white arm locked itself around his waist and when he looked up, Summer smiled down at Ron with a pleased look in her eye.

It said something about his position and how distracted he initially was that it took two more stops for Ron to notice that Summer wasn't moving. Not that she was stock still, simply that she didn't seem to have any issue with the bus violently starting and stopping as it let off other passengers, swerved through traffic and had the occasional building jump out of the way. She was simply there, not sliding around and not perturbed a bit as long as Ron seemed to be safe.

It was actually quite an enjoyable ride to see various bits of countryside flash by without having to worry about being thrown around. Somehow his mother seemed unbothered by the ride, simply sliding back and forth as need be while she worked on her knitting. Duke and Warspite were much more bothered, neither of them appreciating the bus sliding back and forth. It was so bad that neither of them made any sort of comment about Ron's headrest.

The culmination of the ride was swerving through the streets of London, dodging other vehicles and navigating streets that were much to small for the oversize bus. To top it off, one last violent turn by the driver to pull them to a stop caused Duke to rock right over her chair and land face up in Ron's lap.

"Leaky Cauldron and Diagon Alley." Stan's voice called from the front. He was less excited than he had been, attempts to flirt with Duke and Warspite while he helped others off having fallen completely flat on their face.

Ron looked down at Duke, who seemed to be trying very hard to pretend she'd not just been thrown across the bus.

"We will never, ever, speak of this." Her face was completely impassive as she spoke.

Ron simply made a nodding motion with his head and zipped lips with is fingers.

Duke nodded minutely before sitting upright and then standing. She then helped Ron up out of Summers lap. Summer got up by herself, hunched over as she began to exit the door. In all it took over a minute for them all to exit properly but soon they were standing at the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron.

"I will be happy to never ride that contraption again." Duke seemed most pleased when the Knight Bus darted off into the afternoon light.

"Well next time we can send you by Floo or maybe another portkey if we can set it up. Thankfully the Knight Bus is something we don't need to use very often." His mother seemed relieved as well, despite her seeming lack of care on the bus itself.

"That would be appreciated."

"With that out of the way lets get going, we can't be standing out here all day, we're an appointment and plenty else to do today."

With his mother taking control of the situation, Ron looked up to Summer and squeezed her hand when he saw she looked nervous. "It'll be ok."

Summer smiled back at him and seemed to straighten a little, following his mother through the door.

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It's completely canon for HP that the Knight Bus has unsecured armchairs to sit in during the day. The horror.

Comments appreciated as always.