Harry Potter & the Shipgirls

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Bringing her coffee to her lips as she typed with one hand, Ooyodo looked over at Goto who was staring out at the night blanketed base. "Sir?"

With a glance over at her, Goto gave a small chuckle. "It's nothing, Ooyodo. I'm just thinking about everything that happened today."

Eyebrow raised, Ooyodo leaned back and thought for several moments. And then she gave a small nod before smirking. "You do look rather happy in regards to things, though you have good reason I suppose. After all, your decision in regards to Hoppou continues to pay dividends."

Only shaking his head, Goto smirked back at her. "While I will admit that I did not expect everything that has happened, it was always a hope of mine." Leaning against the windowsill, he continued. "That by treating Hoppou in the way that we did, we could convince some Abyssals to stop fighting and seek peace. But now..."

Finger tapping against the desk, the Light Cruiser gave a snort. "Now, with Wanko and Supprin, Australia has managed to secure their northwestern coast while Indonesia has managed to secure their southern coasts. With Hoppou's children... it looks like we will have the Aleutian Route completely secured. And from what we have been hearing, it may have caused something called an 'Elder Princess' to defect."

Glancing over at her, Goto hummed as he sipped his coffee. "Indeed, though from what you told me Supprin-San was rather surprised by it. I know that Wanko was... though Hoppou was rather hilarious from Nagato's reaction to her own comment."

Hands clasped on her stomach, Ooyodo blinked and furrowed her eyebrows. "Yes, Supprin was extremely surprised. From what she stated, this 'Ancient Atlantic Gateway Princess' was against the war and wanted to open trade with humanity. Though from what we know of the magicals..."

Just sighing, Goto shook his head. "Yes, chances are that some of them might well have screwed it up by interfering."

Ooyodo continued to think over what she knew. "But she was not surprised with her recent actions. From what she stated, AAGP is more interested in forming a 'Kingdom' then anything else. Though then she started laughing and stated that the 'Civilized' Princess was likely to get a rude awakening in regards to what she could get with herself and other 'Petty Princesses' having gotten what they wanted." Slowly, she shook her head. "Petty Princesses... the fact that she calls them such..."

A chuckle made her look at Goto who was rather amused. "I am reminded somewhat of history. Of things such as how the Eastern Roman Empire saw the rising nations in the ruins of the Western Roman Empire. Or how some of the nations such as France and Russia saw Germany when it first united. In each case, the nations that they scoffed at eventually surpassed them."

Bemused herself, Ooyodo thought back and shook her head. "Hoppou's certainly has if the amount of Princesses and Demons who are peaceful are anything to go by." Suddenly frowning, she turned her thoughts back on other matters. "Though there is some of their ideas..."

Laughing lightly, Goto shook his head and gave his Secretary Ship a look. "Such as wondering if some of theirs could learn various skills here in Japan? Not just cooking, but things such as carpentry and the like?" At the nod, he grinned. "I sort of wish that I am a fly on the wall in MEXT at seeing that bit of information. Their reaction would be golden I think."

That got a snort from Ooyodo as she had to deal with said part of the government when the education program for shipgirls was set up. She was still boggled when a number of them tried to force shipgirls from frontlines to go to actual school unlike the program that they currently had. That got slapped down very quickly though. "Yes, almost as good as the Ministry of Defense's reaction to what has happened today."

Unable to help himself, Goto let out a belly laugh before he calmed himself down a few minutes later. "Oh, I imagine that their reaction will be hilarious. They were one of the biggest obstacles when I made my decision regarding Hoppou. I still remember them telling me that if it turned out badly, it would fall on my neck. But rolling the dice is something that I am used to."

Extremely amused herself, Ooyodo only nodded some before glancing at Goto. "Or a certain Chief of Staff?"

Now glancing at the phone, Goto gave a small nod. "I know that you were trying to listen in on that call, Ooyodo." All the shipgirl did was shrug, completely unrepentant. "But in regards to that, he was extremely pleased with Tanaka's actions. And I do mean extremely..." His lips then thinned some. "However, he was less pleased with the actions of others."

Grimacing herself, Ooyodo shook her head. "How bad?"

Only sighing as he ran a hand through his hair, Goto held back a growl. "Very bad. There's going to be a lot of investigations in the coming days over what happened. And I would not doubt that there are going to be some... retirements, in the next few weeks. Not only had Kushiro been dealing with a lack of needed supplies, but some people have also been messing around with intelligence. The CoS was not happy when I mentioned that I have been having Tanaka pass reports directly to myself as they seem to be going missing at times. Oh, they might turn up suddenly, but..."

Hands clasped in front of her face, Ooyodo hid a shark-like grin. While she much preferred the current JMSDF to the IJN, let it not be said that she could call upon the experiences of her Officers from that time in regards to politics. In fact, Ooyodo was looking forward to Goto letting her off her leash so that she could give the full and undiluted experience to the logistics division for the stunts that they had pulled. Granted, the blood would be metaphorical instead of physical in this day and age, but she could already smell it.

Unknown to her, Supprin perked up from where she was with Percy and felt herself flush a bit. For some odd reason, she could not help but feel like she wanted to suddenly make out with Ooyodo, or more. Then the Abyssal shook it off for later to ask the Light Cruiser and Supprin turned her attention back to Percy.

Meanwhile, Goto continued with a small smile. "I think though that Tanaka might be pleasantly surprised though in the coming days or weeks. And not due to many of his issues suddenly disappearing."

Eyebrow raised, Ooyodo gave him an intrigued look. "So it is happening then?"

Humming, the Admiral grinned. "Oh, it is. Even if the CoS has need of shoving it down some throats. Not that they have much of a leg to stand on considering the media already calling Tanaka a hero for what happened. After all, many others would have caused a disaster in his position. Instead, he showed the steel core that the PR groups have promoted as being the personification of the current JSDF Officer Corps."

Ooyodo had a knowing look on her face as she hummed. "And it has nothing to do with how you set him up, knowing that this was more an opportunity then a punishment for him. Not like many of his... detractors... had thought."

That made the grin on Goto's face to grow slightly more vicious. "Oh, it has plenty to do with that." Then he shrugged some. "Though speaking from experience, Tanaka has the sort of thing that we need right now. That..." Snapping his fingers, Goto continued. "Spark, of a sorts. Besides which, we do need someone of higher rank then Captain to be in charge of Eastern Hokkaido Area."

Slowly, Ooyodo shook her head in amusement before snorting. "Is that why you also keep giving Harry-Chan those tests of yours? Or how you've discussed various stories that are veiled lessons in tactics?"

Goto only shrugged at that. "He has that spark of a leader in him. Not a political one, but one that will do great for whatever military or law enforcement he might join. I'm not a fool who is unable to see that he'll grow up to be the sort of person that will have his subordinates follow him into hell and out the other side, with him making sure that as many make it as possible." Looking directly at Ooyodo, he continued. "Harry will go far in the JMSDF and, from what I can see, he'll leave a mark there that will last well past the time he spends in it. We need people like that."

Intrigued, Ooyodo leaned forward. "You truly believe that, don't you, Teitoku?"

Smiling slightly, Goto nodded his head. "I do. And I know that John does as well, though he wished that Harry would join the USN instead. But he also knows that chances are that him and Jane would work together at some point as well, which is good enough. But there is also the fact that Harry is a wizard. When the Statute finally falls, and Harry joins the JMSDF, he'll be held up as the type of 'Modern' wizard, one who helps his fellow man instead of hiding away. Anyone else, I would be worried about. But... I suspect that Harry will carry that burden just fine in the end."

With a slow nod, Ooyodo thought back before smiling herself. She could see it as well and understood Goto's worry. After all, when the Statute finally falls, various magicals will need symbols to help them. Here in Japan, for the Yokai chances were that would be the JNHRO with certain members such as that Tengu being more so then others in the view of the JSDF. But there were few human magicals for that, with Harry being one of the more obvious candidates. "Agreed."

Then letting out a sigh, Goto walked over to his desk and picked up his phone. "Speaking of magicals, I need to make some calls." At the raised eyebrow, he smiled thinly. "I would rather not have Norihara overburdened with work in regards to the children that came with the Abyssals. And if there is any group who might know of people with medical experience involving those of mixed heritage and partially human, and both trustworthy as well as willing to help? I would expect that it would be the JNHRO."

Rather then say anything, Ooyodo was already pulling the phone numbers from her memory and giving them to Goto who started to dial the first of what might be many phone calls that night.

 

[darthcourt10]

Snippet 30: S0ngD0g13

"... Daughter and Heir of the Princess of the Northern Horde."

Canut froze. "That is a title I hadn't heard in many a year. Nor is it a title I have ever coveted."

Arval smiled, showing shark-like teeth. "Yet it is a title that is yours by right. Tell me of the War, and of the battles. How fare we?"

Canut shook her head. "Stalemated, and we've suffered losses. Central Atlantic is slain; Middle-World Ocean is slain at the hands of Ancient Gateway, who seeks peace and commerce with the Humans. Northern Horde... Mother... She fell within the first ten hours, to a crippled aircraft on a suicide-dive and traitors among her fleet who turned their guns away and let it strike."

"Then the Princess is dead... Long Live Canut, Princess of the Northern Horde."

"I am no Princess," snarled Canut, "nor do I wish to be. I am a Demon, and a Demon I shall stay."

"To be young and foolish... Whether ye wish it or not, that is your Wyrd, Daughter of the Horde. There will always be a Northern Horde Princess, and this knowledge I will grant you freely, for in your heart of hearts you know it already."

Arval drew a rune in the air with one clawed finger; it burned with eldritch light before expanding and shifting to show an image of the world. "You have met Demons and Princesses named for places, yes? The Demons of Cape Good Hope and Cape Horn; the Princesses of This Place or of That... But Elder Princesses, they do not merely take their names from their territories. Middle-World Ocean Princess wasn't merely named for the Mediterranean; she represented it, represented the First Sea that ever wet a keel, and embodied the cruel and fickle nature of the wine-dark waters Homer sang of. One day, another will rise and claim that title; as long as tales are told of the Greeks and Carthaginians and Romans, as long as Homer's songs are sung of Odysseus and peoples remember when Athens was told that only the wooden wall would save them from the Persians... There will always be a Middle-World Ocean Princess."

She continued. "For as long as peoples remember that the Gateway to the New World was in the Azores, remember that spirit of adventure and of discovery, of changing from Old to New, there will always be a Princess of the Ancient Atlantic Gateway..."

Arval met Canut's eyes and the Battleship could hear the phantom sound of steel-on-steel, of oarsmens' drums and cries of battle and dedications to the Aesir... "As long as the sagas are sung and the stories told of the fierce Northmen, who fared far along the whale-ways on stout wave-steeds, and ever fed the sea-wolves and the war-gulls... there will always be a Northern Horde Princess."

Canut watched as the map vanished. "Those that canny Gateway calls 'Petty Princesses' are drawn, as is their nature, to those places where great deeds were done and history made, to places whose names echo in song and story. Places heavy with the weight of Power. But Elder Princesses are those who represent and in many ways embody those places which echo in Myth and Legend. The Mediterranean, Homer's wine-dark sea; the Azores, Gateway from the Old World to the New; the iron-gray Baltic- and North Seas, where came the Norse who were terror to all Europe."

Arval drew an empty horn from within her hull. "You come seeking knowledge, and knowledge demands a price. You wish that Power pass you by, that the Crown rest not upon your head, but it is that Power which will see you complete the trial set before you, for Knowledge is Power."

The submarine dipped the horn into the well. "Drink and you will gain the knowledge you seek, but at a price; a Demon you are and wish to remain, but to know what you seek to know you must not a Demon stay. If you refuse you will die at Gateway's hand, and if you drink you will live, but you will be a Princess."

 

[darthcourt10]

Shaithan

Miklagard

The Abyssal War had taken a terrible toll on mankind. A long war fought like the wars of the past, on an industrial scale, it always needed more shipgirls. Yet, there were those that simply could not fight in this war. Shipgirls of wooden hulls, of ships that were old when Dreadnought was young. A large group of these girls had been settled in the Baltic. The Viking girls. These girls had turned up all over Northern Europe and generally speaking weren't too fond of Nifelheimr's foul spawn. Yet they also knew that they couldn't fight these Abyssals, as even the smallest of their boats was stronger, faster and heavier than even the biggest longship.

So, they spent their time building their settlements on Rügen, Bornholm and Gotland, inviting both historians and re-enactors to live with them and to learn of the old ways.

But, they would also get restless at times. They knew there was a wider world far greater than they had ever imagined it to be. And even though their homes were mostly built as they had been built a thousand years ago, they also had modern communication and electricity and modern appliances. A vacuum cleaner was simply better for cleaning than a broom.

It had been met with considerable cheer when Tirpitz had decided to build herself a home on Rügen. Leifsdottir, the chieftain of Jelling auf Rügen had gladly welcomed the battleship into their midst. Especially once they found out that she had been intended as a commerce raider. As the old explorer had put it "She's a commerce raider, so she is a Viking," and that had convinced most in Jelling.

It did help that Tirpitz often returned with great stories from the war, both of the exceptional heroism and the usual shenanigans that could happen on any longer campaign.

Still, the Vikings were restless. Hearing stories was well and good, but they yearned to have their own tales to tell. And so, they had sat down and hatched a plan. A trading trip it would be, from St Petersburg to Novgorod, from there to Moscow before swinging down to Kiev and then following the Dnieper to the sea and then crossing the Black Sea to arrive in Miklagard.

Quite a few of the returned girls remembered Miklagard, either as a city they plundered or as a city where they traded or defended. Seeing it again, after all these years? They were positively thrilled.

And to have trading goods, they threw their backs into it. Carving intricate woodwork, weaving cloth, smithing goods, working leather, the various Viking settlements were bristling with industrious activity.

Over the coming weeks, goods piled up. Jewelry, weapons, cloth, accessories, trinkets and other assorted goods, there was a wide and varied offering. Leifsdottir had gone ahead and secured licenses for her travelling group to sell wares in Russia, Ukraine and Turkey. And much to her delight, Turkey had promised them that they would have an escort on the last leg of their journey over the Black Sea.

Tirpitz herself had known about the preparations, but had been unsure if she should join. This was not her journey, it was for the Vikings, for them to stretch their legs. It would allow them to have a story to share, a new story, not the old ones of voyages to places like Iceland, Greenland and Vinland. She had alerted Leifsdottir about potential risks and procedures they'd have to take into consideration, such as the licenses for the sale of goods.

Leifsdottir made her way to Tirpitz' hut. The battleship could be surprisingly dense at times. She treated things like an outsider that looked in. Even though the Vikings had declared her one of their own, she tried to keep a distance.

After a few knocks, Tirpitz opened the door, clad in a fluffy black bathrobe adorned with band patches. "Leifsdottir. Come in," she greeted, before shuffling back inside.

Internally Leifsdottir was yet again amazed. She had met Bismarck. Prim and Proper, a picture of elegance and efficiency. Tirpitz on the other hand was far more easygoing. Leifsdottir was sure that Bismarck wouldn't have been caught dead in the same clothes as her sister was currently wearing.

"Coffee?" Tirpitz asked her guest. "Was about to make breakfast, so be my guest," she added.

Leifsdottir shrugged. "Gladly," she agreed, before sitting down opposite the battleship in holiday mode. "You know our voyage to Miklagard is coming up," she began slowly, picking up a breadroll and ripping it open, before spreading butter and walnut cream on it.

Tirpitz nodded. "Yeah, you guys are really excited for it. Can't fault you, it's your chance to go out again and make your own stories," she agreed. "You've missed this, earlier there was always some restlessness here, but now, now you have a goal to work towards," she added while dipping a piece of cake in her coffee.

Leifsdottir mused about that. It was true, they had been restless, but that really had changed. "Quite true," she agreed. "Still, I was wondering why you aren't preparing?" she wanted to know.

Tirpitz looked at her with a flabbergasted expression, her cake forgotten. "Why I am not preparing?" she echoed. "Isn't that whole trip your trip? For you Vikings to go out and make a new story to tell?" she asled.

Leifsdottir nodded. "True, it is for us Vikings. But remember what we told you when you built a house here? You're a Viking as well. Maybe not made from wood like we are, but from steel, but you, like we, are a Viking. And yes, this trip is meant to produce new stories for us Vikings to tell, but excluding one of our own? Aren't stories one has lived through together the best ones?" she asked.

Tirpitz fidgeted a bit. "I didn't want to intrude," she laid out. "When I come here, I tend to have new stories every time. You on the other hand are cooped up in the Baltic, so when you get a chance to stretch your legs, I felt it best for you to do so without my interference," she explained.

"I see," Leifsdottir mused. "But you're wrong. We may be cooped up here, but we don't want you to exclude yourself from our enterprises," she explained. "It would have never occured to me that we'd need licenses for trading. That we'd have to clear our travel itinerary with the authorities of Russia, Ukraine and Turkey well in advance. This world is at times so utterly alien. You thought of things that never even occured to us," she laid out. "So, we could really use your help," she added. "You are of this age, have the experience and knowledge. And you are one of us, and it would be unbecoming to leave one of our own behind when we set out," she explained.

Tirpitz sat there, musing and pondering. "I've never really looked at it this way," she admitted. "But if you are sure that you want me with you, I'll join you. I'll have to clear it with the Russians, the Ukrainians and the Turks, but I don't think that will be much of a problem," she mused out loud. "I think I should have enough leave as well," Tirpitz continued, beginning to plan things for her participation, cake completely forgotten.

Leifsdottir left the battleship to her musings, there were concerns she had no real knowledge of.

"Well," Tirpitz suddenly piped up, "I think it should be possible. Will have to ply Kanzlerchen for a bit, but I think she'll agree. I don't think that a visa will be much of a problem, so I'd say I can join you," she laid out.

It was then she finally realized that she had dipped her cake into her coffee for the last few minutes and it had basically dissolved.. "Fuck," she grumbled.

Leifsdottir chuckled lightly.

Tirpitz dropped the rest of her cake in the coffee and put the cup away, this was a lost cause. "So, do you want me to produce some stuff for sale?" she wanted to know.

Leifsdottir shook her head, grinning. "Nay, my friend, we have more than enough stuff to sell. I'd even dary say we have too much," she explained.

Tirpitz laughed. "Oh, admit it, you need my cargo holds," she ribbed the Viking chieftain.

"Such as they are," Leifsdottir gave back.

"Touché," Tirpitz admitted. "Still, I'll get in touch with Hartmann and Kanzlerchen as well as the embassies. It shouldn't take too long," she laid out. "I'll be here when we set out," she promised, making Leifsdottir smile.

The next weeks were spent arranging for the trip, stockpiling provisions, hammering out the last details of the travel schedule, last-minute preparations and ensuring that the village was prepared for the few weeks absence of the Viking girls. The livestock had been given in the care of farmers in nearby villages, the pets the same.

Finally, it was time to set sail. Coming out of the morning mist, Tirpitz came into view, her convoy escort had taken longer than expected. At the beach, the Vikings stepped onto the water, riggings manifesting and fairies waving as they set off towards the east.

An old merman looked over the waves, seeing the girls for what they were. Drakkars clustered around a Leviathan of steel. Sails flapping in the wind and oars creaking. And above it all the drone of a massive ship engine moving a Leviathan at a leisurely pace. With a tiny smile the old merman went back under. It was a sight that reminded him of times before the Deep Ones had surfaced again. Maybe he would even be able to return to his dwellings near Jutland one day. Still, that was the future, for now, he would tell his grandchildren what he had seen.

Heedless of their watcher, the Viking fleet moved east slowly, keeping a steady pace. Near Bornholm, the next contingent joined them, excited for a journey from the old days. A day later, the group from Gotland joined up as well, bringing the total amount of Vikings to about 100. They knew that many of their sisters were yet sleeping, but they held high hopes that they would be roused as well and join them.

The fleets mingled among each other, sharing gossip and little stories and speculating on the journey ahead of them.

At the insistence of a few of the Finnish ships, the Vikings spent an evening in Helsinki, whiling away a joyful summer evening under the midnight sun.

The next morning they set sail for St. Petersburg, their entrance into Russia. It was Aurora herself that came out to greet them. "Greetings, comrades!" the Soviet shipgirl greeted exuberantly. "Welcome to Russia!" she shouted, waving excitedly as she closed in towards the Viking fleet. "Let me show you around Leningrad!" she added with a grin.

The Vikings fell in line behind her, following her into the old Imperial capital. And for all that the city had suffered an all-out abyssal assault in the opening days of the Abyssal War, the city still shone like a star, a testament to the resilience of Russia. "I hope the girls at Kronshtadt were nice. You are guests of honour here," she asked cordially.

"Oh, there was no problem there," Ragnarsdottir reassured the ancient cruiser. "A few of them bugged us for wares to sell to them, but we told them to visit us the day after tomorrow, when we set up our stands in front of the Eremitage," she told the cruiser.

Aurora smiled happily. "Very good. Now, follow me, the hotel is a bit hidden, but I assure you, it will be grand," she promised, leading the groups towards an unassuming side entrance.

The next day was spent mostly in the Eremitage, a group of a hundred girls did take some time to explore the palace and once they had found out about the cats of the Eremitage, the girls had been insistent on seeing them as well.

Early the next morning, they went out towards the plaza in the front of the Eremitage. A special dispension had been signed that allowed the Vikings to set up a marketplace on the Palace Square.

Within a few short hours, tents were erected, wares were laid out to be presented and at 9 in the morning, the Viking Market opened its gates. A few girls patrolled the market, because as much as this was a friendly visit, some people needed a friendly reminder to behave. There would always be that one idiot, better to head off potential confrontations before they could begin.

The market itself was busy. Food was offered by Russian vendors, while the Vikings sold artifacts of their artisanal prowess. Of course, not everything could be sold equally. While there had been quite a few boys and girls who were interested in buying a dagger or a seax or any other of the weapons the Vikings would also sell, they had all been rebuffed. While they would sell daggers to adults, anything else would only be sold to people who could show a valid permit for owning weapons.

A few of the Russian shipgirls had acquired a weapon this way, Bogatyr herself had bragged with her flail.

The Vikings had also gladly told curious marketgoers of their time, more than one of the girls remembered the journey to Miklagard from a thousand years ago after all. Leifsdottir had regaled people with her journey to Vinland all these years ago and how she hoped to one day do this trip again.

Late in the evening, the Vikings began to close down their stands, moving everything back into their cargo holds and getting ready for a night's rest in their hotel. The next morning would see them set off towards Novgorod, the next stop on their journey to Miklagard.

Setting of from St. Petersburg, the Vikings were given a hearty farewell by Aurora. The old cruiser had enjoyed their company immensely. She had gotten to show off some of the many sights St Petersburg had to offer and the Vikings had followed her every word, eager to learn more about the history of a lot of what they had seen.

Following the rivers, they slowly made their way inland, stopping at Novgorod, that old trading city founded over a 1000 years ago by Vikings. From Novgorod they had gone south-east, stopping shortly in Twer before making their way to Moscow proper. And for all that St. Petersburg was the splendor of old Imperial glory, Moscow wore her history proudly. Both the old and the new, the city that was old and young at the same time, wearing her contradictions proudly. And just like with St. Petersburg, a single day was nowhere near enough to see all the city had to offer. And just like in St. Petersburg, another day was spent selling goods to the people of Moscow who were happily taking advantage of the chance to get unique gifts without having to pay exorbitant prices for shipping.

The next morning the Vikings set off again, following roads, rivers and canals south-west, on their way to Kiev. The old capital of the Rus, the former centerpiece of an Empire.

The mood was best decribed as full of anticipation. Comparing their current journey to the ones of earlier ages, they were quite happy to see how quickly they could now do a journey that once would have taken them months.

Soon enough, Kiev became visible in the distance as they sailed down the Dnjepr, their last major stop before they would meet up with their escorts in the Black Sea.

The Vikings loved to see how far the city had spread. They remembered a smaller, well-fortified settlement, not the sprawling city laying before their eyes. Silently, the Vikings vowed to return for longer trips, where they'd take a few weeks for all these cities they had barely scratched the surface of. But this was not a trip to sightsee, this was a trip to trade with Miklagard once more. Again they settled down and presented their goods, letting many an Ukrainian go home with authentic Viking merchandise.

When they set off from Kiev, a lot of people were waving as the Viking fleet slowly sailed down the Dnjepr towards the Black Sea.

Leifsdottir sailed closer to Tirpitz, curious about the battleship's behaviour. "Say, my friend," she began, "why did you try to stay out of the spotlight so much?" she wanted to know.

Tirpitz gave a sad smile. "You know the war I am from?" she asked rhethorically. "Germany wrought unimaginable devastation in Eastern Europe. We sieged St Petersburg for a thousand days. We were close to Moscow and if we had entered it, I wouldn't want to bet on all those old buildings that so impressed you still standing today," she explained. "The people may have forgiven, but they won't have forgotten. To toll was terrible beyond belief. I didn't want to unduly remind them of that history," she explained.

Leifsdottir nodded. "I see. And I can understand, such a history can not be an easy one," she mused.

"Too true," Tirpitz agreed.

They continued down the Dnjepr in amiable silence, watching the Ukrainian landscape pass by.

Cities passed by as they slowly followed the mighty river south and before they realized it, Cherson became visible in the distance. From there they would follow the Dniprovs'ka Gulf into the Chorne sea, following the coastline towards Odessa.

After another day, they finally reached Odessa, eager to meet their Turkish guard.

In the early morning mist, they were greeted by an old Battlecruiser and a light cruiser. "Yavuz? Midili?" Tirpitz exclaimed full of surprise.

Yavuz Sultan Selim, the Flagship of the Turkish Navy waved happily. "Yes, it's me!" she greeted happily. "You've taken your sweet time, haven't you?" she ribbed goodnaturedly.

Tirpitz gave a very sad sigh. "I know. We tried our best, but we still are 5 minutes late. This is simply unforgiveable," she she lamented.

Yavuz did her level best to not break into giggles at that, something that quickly turned out to be a losing proposition. "Okay, you got me. Is everyone ready to brave the Black Sea? She is a fickle mistress. The North Sea is harsh and unforgiving on her best days, but the Black Sea, she is fickle," the old battlecruiser explained.

Snorrisdottir, one of those that remembered the journey to Miklagard, snorted. "I know only too well," she confirmed. "But we now have something we didn't have in our day," she added with a grin. "Weather apps," she finished.

Yavuz laughed. "Well met," she gave back and grinned. "Now then, lets us set off, so we can reach Miklagard," she said excitedly, leading to cheers from the Vikings.

It was late in the afternoon the next day that the fleet came close to Istanbul. People were lining the shores and bridges, hoping to get a good look at the Viking girls as they entered the Bosporus and made their way to Istanbul.

The Vikings were awed, the city had changed a lot from their time and yet, at the same time, it felt familiar. A place of trading, where far-off cultures could meet and try to fleece the other in a trade. Those that had traded here had been at both ends of such deals, getting fleeced and doing the fleecing.

Leifsdottir was the first to step ashore in the Asian part of Istanbul. With a wide smile she twirled around. "We have done it!" she shouted gleefully. "After all these years, we have returned to Miklagard!" she shouted. "People of Istanbul, the Varyags are back. And we will gladly trade with you again," she promised.

Slowly the other Vikings stepped ashore, posing for photos and in some cases signing them as well. It was something old but exciting. Like a circus returning to town after long absence, the Vikings brought with them to feeling of being connected to Europe. They had made their way through Russia and Ukraine, just to trade here, taken the long journey instead of hopping on a plane. Such were the deeds of stories and the people of Istanbul knew a good story when they heard one. And there would be a lot of trading in the coming days.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

As he woke up, Harry realized that he felt rather warm and safety wrapped around him. The next thing that he realized was that he was holding Hoppou in his arms and both of them were being embraced by their adoptive mother from behind the small Abyssal Princess. Feeling the familiar "Pillows" under his head, Harry knew that he was laying on top of a sleeping Shinano as well. And when he went to turn his head, he found himself unable to do so fully.

Mainly due to Regina cuddling his head to her chest with her arms around him along with her tail.

Glancing downwards, Harry blinked a bit at the sight of a silver hair and black hair belonging to Hamakaze and Isokaze, who were laying on top of him and Hoppou, and thus Shinano. He could also see a head of black hair with one horn behind them which meant that Sunny was also laying with them. When his gaze went to his mother, he could see Tanith behind her sleeping gently, her own daughter cradled closed.

With a look over Regina's shoulder the best that he could, there was the sight of frills and lace which made him blink. 'Okay, that would be Ritou... which means...' Looking upwards, he only gave a nod at the sight of Patty laying "Above" him, Hoppou, and Nagato. 'Huh... one of the bigger ones I think.'

Of course, another thought then reached him and Harry blinked. 'Now, how am I going to get out of this without waking them up?'

However, much to his surprise it was not that hard to wiggle his way through. Granted, it took every bit of his experience in cuddlepiles, but he managed it without a single person, Abyssal or shipgirl waking up past a grumble or two. Standing outside of the enormous cuddlepile, Harry could only nod to himself with his hands on his hips. "Okay, I was right about it being big. Didn't expect it to be this big, but still." Scratching his neck though, he walked off towards the tent set up last night for a kitchen.

An hour later, after an amusing incident involving Sunny, Juuchi, and said sword's blood oranges, Harry looked over at the tent flaps as Nero walked through. At seeing him, she flushed a bit before blinking as she realized what he was doing. "Are you cooking, Uncle Harry?"

Grinning, Harry only nodded before gesturing at the portable sink nearby. "Yup, and if you want to help you have to wash your hands first."

Before he even finished, Nero was already at the sink washing her hands. Once she was done, Harry handed her a towel that she used to dry her hands before looking over what he was doing. "What are we making, Uncle Harry?"

For a moment, the black haired boy thought over the choices before nodding some. "Well, I think some eggs might go well with this. So besides the usual boiled eggs and scrambled, how about we make an omelette?" He then pointed at some coolers not far away. "There should be some vegetables, herbs, and eggs in there that we can use. Maybe some ham as well, that would go good in them."

Eyes lighting up, both physically and emotionally, Nero walked over and began to hold up various items which Harry either nodded at or shook his head. Then the two got down to making the food. As she cut some vegetables, Nero glanced to the side to find Harry rapidly chopping some green chives and felt her eyebrows raise. "You seem to be great at this, Uncle Harry, I mean..."

Lightly chuckling, Harry only shook his head some in amusement. "If I am, it's because one, people enjoy it which makes me want to do it. Especially for people that I care for and love, which makes it taste better." Nero nodded at that and he continued. "And two, due to all the practice that I've gotten over the years."

Thinking it over, Nero continued her own cutting. "So love and experience then?" When Harry nodded, she hummed. "That is good to know, I suppose." A few moments later, the Heavy Cruiser had an odd look on her face as if deep in thought. Finally, she chewed her lip some and looked over at her Uncle. "You... wouldn't happen to know anything about cooking potatoes, would you?"

With a blink, Harry raised an eyebrow at her before smiling, "I know a few things about cooking potatoes, yes. For example, making some potato pancakes for breakfast, though you can have them at any time of day..."

Onwards the two cooked while Sunny watched with a small smile on her face. Part of that was due to the delicious smells from the cooking. But another part was from the sight of her Uncle and one of her nieces working together and bonding as family. The fact that said Uncle was human barely bothered her, but also made her all the more happy as it was a sign that their mother was right, that they were right...

Peace with humans and eventually living side by side with them was possible.

Eventually the two were finished and placed the food onto warming plates, with Harry rolling his eyes at the sight of Juuchi in the corner surrounded by blood orange peels, when Silver poked her head in. "Uncle Harry! Uncle Harry! Doggies on the beach!"

That made Harry raise his eyebrow in confusion. "Dogs on the beach? Really?"

Silver rapidly nodded. "Yes, Uncle Harry! Big Sisters are still waking up when Windy Shout saw them!"

Eyebrow raising still further, Harry dried off his hands and walked over to the tent flap and walked out. "Maybe some stray dogs? Hopefully they're not here to grab at the trash." Looking around now that he was outside, he frowned. "Where are they?"

In reply, Silver pointed with one fin towards the opposite end of the beach from where the cuddlepile was. "RIght there, Uncle Harry." Seeing Harry freeze though, she blinked. "Uncle Harry?"

Glancing at her, Harry cleared his throat. "Does anyone have some binoculars?" Confused, Sunny pulled a pair out from her dress and handed them to him. Looking them over, Harry felt his eyes widen as they were made of black Abyssal metal with small spikes going outwards from the eyepieces. Said glass glowed a soft blue when he glanced at them, but all he did was shrug and bring them up to his eyes and look at the canines more closely before shaking his head. "Silver, those aren't doggies."

Head tilted to the side, the Destroyer blinked while Nero held one hand up to shade her eyes as she focused on them. "They're not? Then what are they?"

A grin on his face, Harry let out a chuckle. "Wolves, Nero. Actual Ezo wolves!" Pulling away the binoculars, he focused and his eyes glowed before shaking his head. "Non-magical ones, not Yokai. And with cubs!"

Sunny turned to look and frowned a bit as she watched the three wolves bite down on some bread that was left out. "Should we do anything, Uncle Harry? I remember some humans back on Unalaska stating that wolves were dangerous for humans. We could chase them off or something else."

Still smiling, Harry shook his head. "No, there's no need for that. They're probably too scared of us to come any closer really, but still. It's really amazing to see them after they were thought to be extinct." Pulling out his phone, Harry checked the power before pointing the camera at the wolves. After he zoomed in, he took several pictures followed by a short video. "Amazing."

Interested, Sunny crouched down next to him to watch the wolves a distance away. They did seem wary of the group after all and were mostly nosing around. Within a few minutes though they bounded along the beach and disappeared into the hills surrounding it. Turning towards Harry, the Battleship Water Demon smiled a bit. "So they're pretty special then, Uncle Harry?"

Only nodding, Harry uploaded the pictures and video. "Really special. Like with the Honshu wolf, they were thought to be extinct. Until they turned up a few years ago." A smile still on his face, he stood up and helped Sunny to do the same. "From what the magical newspapers said, there was this old woman in the mountains that kept them. Had two valleys filled with both Honshu and Ezo wolves that were hidden by magic with said magic preventing them from intermixing. Several hundred of both... And she released them back into the wild with them now breeding and expanding back into their old ranges. Well, the Honshu wolves anyways, the Ezo wolves have been mostly out of sight except for the odd sighting."

Looking back in the direction that the wolves had gone, Nero looked down at her uncle. "So they don't cause any trouble then?"

With a chuckle, Harry shook his head. "No, they don't cause any trouble. I mean, there was some issues involving some coyotes that got loose and was breeding with them. But... the coyotes are all dead or captured." Seeing the confusion, he stretched a bit. "To make sure of it, some of the hunters from a wolf Yokai clan here in Hokkaido, named the Matangi-Ken, volunteered. Three weeks, that was all it took for them and several other hunters to make sure that no coyotes were left and that any hybrids were also taken care of. The magicals in Kyoto checked via divination magic along with other methods of tracking species in the general area and confirmed it. Same magic is set up to automatically warn them if any more coyotes are brought into Japan and where the general area is. From what I heard, they used a spell on the coywolves they captured so that only pure wolves would come from their breeding together so in a generation they'll be gone as well and they can release those wolves into the wild."

Soon enough though they noticed that the cuddlepile was disintegrating as the others all woke up and disentangled themselves from it. And any thoughts of wolves were gone several minutes later as they focused more on feeding the massive group then anything else...
____________________________________________________________________________

Taking a step outside of the cooking tent, where he could still hear people talking and eating, Harry took a deep breath and let it out. Breakfast was a success and even as he watched, the black haired wizard could see a large number of people around. Mainly JSDF troops being headed by Tanaka alongside of Akebono and Kasumi.

Granted, Harry did do a double take at the sight of Settsu dressed as Akagi, but then shrugged it off as being normal for her.

However, what caught Harry's eye was the refrigerated truck that pulled into the old parking lot and had come to a stop. On the side of it was a silhouette of a cow against a snowflake which really made him intrigued and so he walked over. As he got closer though, the female driver got out and a car pulled up with a number of women getting out of it. All of them were beautiful and got stares from some of the troops before Akebono or Kasumi reminded them of where they were and what their jobs were. Sometimes with rather foul language if the person ignored their prompts the first time.

Tanaka meanwhile walked over to where the women were and waved with them smiling back or waving as well. Once he got closer, the Captain looked over at him and chuckled. "Curious?"

Softly, Harry snorted a bit. "Can you blame me, Sir? I mean just wondering who they are and what they're doing here." Internally, he frowned a bit. 'And why they seem so familiar...'

Lips twitching, Tanaka shrugged. "They're actually owners of a farm not far from Kushiro, but further from the coast. I made a deal with them a while back to supply fresh milk and dairy as they were close to us. Akebono-Chan and the others like them." Leaning down, he whispered a bit. "Though that could be due to them giving them a free ice cream cone whenever they show up."

That got snickers from Harry and he had the amusing image of a happy Akebono chomping down on an ice cream cone while stating that didn't mean that she liked it or anything. The driver of the truck meanwhile walked forwards with a small smile on her face. "Tanaka-San, hope that we're not too late now."

Just waving her off, the Captain shook his head. "No, you're not late at all. Still, thank you for taking time out of your day to come here and lending one of your trucks for the day. There's some people on the Regina who likely will love some milk or cheese. Not to mention the other hungry mouths we have to feed."

Only nodding, the woman, turned to Harry and paused for a moment as her eyes widened slightly. Somewhat breathless, she glanced at Tanaka. "And this is..."

Bowing slightly, though he was confused at her reaction, Harry gave her a small smile. "I'm Potter Harry." He then held out his hand and blinked as her eyes glanced at his forehead while she took it. Feeling the slight coldness though, his eyebrows shot up. "Are you..."

With a glance at him, she nodded. "A Yuki-Onna? Yes, a full third of my clan is with another third being Hone-Onna and the final third being Tsurara-Onna, not that they're around at the moment since it is Summer. My name is Koyuki, Arashi Koyuki. The clan name is because of our hair looking like it's been in a windstorm most times." Turning to look at one of the others, Harry barely heard Koyuki continued before his head whipped around to stare at her. "Potter Harry... As in Potter Harry of the Potter family of Godric's Hollow?"

Now extremely confused, Harry slowly nodded. "Um, Hai? That was where my family originates and lived at until, you know."

There was a saddened expression on the Yuki-Onna's face as she sighed. "Yes, we know. It was quite saddening for the whole family." Then she brightened. "But you still survived, Itoko!"

Gobsmacked, Harry just stared at her as did Tanaka before the Captain pointed at the wizard. "Wait, what? He's your Itoko?!"

Humming, Koyuki smiled a bit more. "Oh yes, a distant one though, but still. Most of the clan is as a matter of fact." At seeing the curiosity replace the shock, she laughed a bit. "Do you know of a Potter Ian?"

Eyebrows shooting up, Harry gave a small nod. "As a matter of fact, I do. He's my ancestor. But why do..." His eyebrows then furrowed. "Wait, he was in Japan in the 1860s to nearly the 1900s..."

Somewhat embarrassed, Koyuki gave a small nod. "Hai, in fact that is why we're cousins..." Glancing at Tanaka, she turned back to Harry. "You see, Yuki-Onna as well as Hone-Onna and Tsurara-Onna are all female only Yokai. Our daughters, and usually our children are just daughters, need a male parent from another species. Back then, our grandmothers were, well..." If anything, her embarrassment increased. "Well, prostitutes in a brothel in Hakodate when Ian-Jiji came for the first time in 1863. He was unware that at the time it was one of the ways we used to reproduce. Especially in that time with the Statute being emplaced, it was easier as the fathers would not realize that we were with child and so would not question when odd things turned up in regards to us."

Crossing his arms, Harry gave a small nod. "So he had children with your grandmother and others there?"

Koyuki gave a small nod. "Indeed, that is what happened as he did visit during his stay. He did not have a woman waiting for him back home after all... But two years later he returned and saw my Okaa-San there. Almost immediately, he recognized her as a Potter and offered to support her to my shocked Obaa-San. From what they told me, he stated that a Potter would recognize one, especially their own child and he was not going to leave her unsupported. Granted, not long after he noticed a few other female children as his." Giggling slightly, she shook her head. "To make a long story short, he found out who the prostitutes were there."

Really interested in this piece of family history, and Harry could tell that Juuchi at his back was also listening, he leaned forward. "So what happened?"

Expression one of remembrance, Koyuki hummed some. "Well, once he found out about it, as well as why they were doing such? I mean, our Obaa-Sans were all lone Youkai and thus poor, he told us he would help us out. A year later, he left Japan, but not for long as he returned with a number of dairy cattle from a placed he called the Channel Islands. They're called Alderneys and were famous for butter and cream. Well, with his help, our clan, and we decided such, bought some land close to where Kushiro was founded with him often visiting during his time in Japan. Since then we've been mostly dairy farmers." Leaning down, she held her fingers apart and formed a large snowflake. "After all, it is easy to keep milk and other dairy products cool with our powers. As well, at the time with the Restoration, dairy was a money maker."

With his eyes wide, Harry considered what he had just been told. Yes, he was likely more closely related to a number of his schoolmates and these were more distant, they were still relations. If they were telling the truth. Almost as if sensing his thoughts, Juuchi rattled in her sheath which made Tanaka look at it. "Uh, what's with that sword?"

Looking over his shoulder at the Muramasa, Harry frowned. "Not sure, but I think that Juuchi wants something?"

Her own eyes widening, Koyuki took on a thoughtful look. "Juuchi? As in Juuchi Yosamu, the Muramasa blade?" At the nod, she gave one of her own. "I think that I know what she wants." Holding out a finger, she waited as Juuchi unsheathed herself. Then, before Harry could do anything, Koyuki carefully pressed the finger against the blade and her blood ran down it from the nick. "One ability of a Muramasa is that they can tell the sort of blood that they are exposed to. I believe that she can tell if I have Potter blood in me."

Moments later, Juuchi sheathed herself and rattled while giving a feeling of smugness. Brightening as he realized what that meant, Harry gave a laugh. "Oh wow! I got actual cousins here!"

Just laughing herself, Koyuki swept him into a hug. "Hai, you do, Itoko." Pulling away, she waved at the rest of her family who were watching in interest. "Say hello to our Itoko from Britain!"

Their own eyes widened and they rushed over with Harry grinning as they asked him and Koyuki question after question. Meanwhile, Tanaka only scratched his head and Juuchi? Juuchi was extremely smug.

 

[darthcourt10]

K9Thefirst1

Shaithan said:
That's how AAGP may see it, but rest assured, most everyone else will see it as an insult. Even if she explains it, few would be willing to believe her.​

Given that petty kingdom monarchies are just as much States formally part of a unified whole as they are historical states prior to a unification, future historians will no doubt see the terms as perfectly valid after the Abyss fell apart after the deaths or disappearances of the EPs until the end of the Abyssal War. And no doubt "Abyssal Warlord Era" will be bandied about and be perfectly valid as well.

Anyway, over PM me and Harry talked about things. And something he said inspired me. BEHOLD! We have our Rarity Re-Class!
------

The Sea Child

Night had fallen over their small island. The sheep had been put down, the young ones abed, and all was still, with only the light of the moon and the stars and the odd torch lighting the way for any of the island's still awake inhabitants of minotaurs, cyclopses, centaurs and nymphs – and the dozens of stranded humans.

At the top of an isolated hill there sat a hut. It wasn't lavishly decorated, with only a fire pit in the center and various items scattered about. Among the items sat a loom and yards of fabrics dyed in various colors, baskets filled to overflowing with various beads in a rainbow of colors and shapes, and a veritable gallery of sketches adorned the walls, each showing differing styles of attire, some more refined while others had been annotated to the point of uselessness. At a short writing desk was an occupant that few could have expected on this hidden island – a Re-Class with her hair grown out and styled in something simple but elegant, the clothing standard to her sisterhood was gone, and she instead wore to beautiful and distinct style of the Minoan women. Her tail was draped on her lap like a demanding cat, purring as the Abyssal stroked it behind the approximations of its ears absentmindedly while she tapped at the parchment on the desk. In time, she put the stick of charcoal to the parchment and began to write.

'My birth name was Rebuke. Sometimes I wonder if Her Highness was being prophetic because it seemed as though that was what everyone did. Never a word of curiosity about what pretty thing caught my eye, always demanding that I focus on the matter at hand. I could not understand why I was so… So listless in those days. I've long since learned why: The Abyss was so drab, so monotonous! Meanwhile the world was full of colors and patterns, beauty to bedazzle to eye. Be it the colorations of the fish or the birds, the way the light played on the water, the beautiful greens of the land. Such fabulosity highlighted just how dead the Abyss is, with only purest white and deepest black as the color pallet.

'And I don't think I was alone. Many times I caught someone humming a tune they made up or scratching words into something, or crafting poems orally. And more than a few of them ended us becoming 'traitors and usurpers' as the Princess called them, ascending to Princesshood. I would say that it was more than a pattern, but I've found that I'm very good with seeing patterns so I cannot say that it's scientific. Regardless, the Princess soon enough cracked down hard on any such pursuits. I remember to this day her words on the matter:

'"Such treason as to presume value enough to create childish attempts at the Art of The Ancients are to be ended immediately. Our task is to find our origins in these waters, not waste time and effort in these matters."

'But it was very clear that even obedience was not enough. Not four months into the war and we found some old wreck with some mechanical trinket. Her highness was obsessed with it because of some markings on it that matched the designs on her horns. So much so that she could not be bothered to pay attention to the fact that the humans were barreling down on her. I took the shell meant for her. I saved her life! But she only cared about the fact that debris shattered the artifact and the next thing I know she's screaming about oafishness and is training her guns at me.

'There is no telling how long I drifted in the water, unconscious to the world. Days. Weeks. No one can say. All that I know is that Grandmother found me, took me to her hut, tended my wounds, nursed me back to health, and stood up for me when the rest of the islanders found out and wanted me dead. And when I awoke my drab clothes were long gone, in a strange bed far from the sea. I got up from the bed and took everything in, and then I went up to the window and my world was never the same.

'It was early in the morning, just a few minutes after sunrise, with the sun just behind a cloud. It was possibly the most beautiful sunburst I have ever seen before or since, with the way it played over the morning do on the tall green grass and the wisps of morning mists between the hills and valleys. The trees dotting the landscape, either individually or in wild forests or in cultivated groves of figs and olives, all being tended to by their farmers, the shepherds tending to their flocks, and in the far back the sea, golden in the light of the morning. It was an experience I have never forgotten, and one that I wished then and there, somehow, to replicate and give to all the world.

'Grandmother was so very patient with me, and helped me to learn her language and to understand my fully awakened longing. She even gave me a new name – no longer was I 'Rebuke,' but one copy of some forgotten original. I am now and forever more 'Galatea.' After the weeks cooped up in that hut she took me to the weavers for my new clothes, and to be taught their craft. And I learned their craft. And the painter's. And the potter's. The embroiderer's. In the seven years I have been here, I have soaked up all they have to each me on all things beautiful, fashionable, and fabulous. And now I have learned all that they have to teach me…

'But I know that there's a whole world out there! A world of beauty! Of fashion! The offerings of this island are rich, but it is but one culture. If I stay I will stagnate, I have to go into the wider world! But at the same time… These people. These wonderful people. They gave me a second chance. A home. When any other community would have sunk me or scrapped me without a thought. And they would have been right to. Can I really just throw all that they gave me right back in their faces like that?'

The stream of consciousness over, Galatea put down the pen and looked at her words. A few moments later she sighed and brushed the parchment aside. She was still no closer to her answer.

No sooner had she slumped onto the desk in frustration than the door opened. In walked an ancient crone. A cyclops crone, featured weathered and wrinkled with the years, and her eye foggy by a cataract. The hunched woman hobbled only a little, tapping her cane as she went before sitting down next to Galatea.

"Hello Grandmother." The Abyssal muttered, voice muffled through her folded arms.

"I smelled sea salt and sacrificial incense whenever you came to my mind Sea Child," Grandmother said, "The Fates tell me that you are in great conflict. One that will determine your future. Talk with Grandmother."

"I know everything Grandmother. I know how to weave cloth. I know how to dye it. I know how to sew it together to make fine dresses, how to decorate them just so with beads, gold and gems to make them beautiful. I know how to draw, how to mix paints, how to design and assemble a mosaic. And-! And…"

"It has only whetted your appetite. You want more than what we have to offer."

"…Is that wrong Grandmother?" Galatea asked, turning to the Cyclops, "I owe you and everyone else everything. Am I being selfish?"

The old crone smiled and gently rubbed her calloused, knarled hands across the Abyssal's face.

"Galatea, sweet Sea Child, you are of age. It is not only normal, but natural, for you to want to find your own place in this world. And the search for knowledge is a noble thing. The fact that you fret over this is proof enough that you seek it out without hubris."

Galatea's conflict over the wisdom of the elder flowed over her features, and clearly read by the old blind crone. Grandmother's smile warmed and she sighed.

"Sea Child, I will tell you a story. A certain farmer wanted to grow a great tree on his land. And so he planted the seed in a pot, for doing so out in the spot he had picked out would risk it to wild animals or incautious travelers. For years he watered it, fertilized it, watched it grow into a sapling. At last it was time to transplant the sapling to it's assigned place in the sun. But inside the pot, the roots had taken hold, and there was great resistance. And so the farmer had to call his wife, his sons, his daughters, and even his neighbors to pull the sapling out. But at last it was freed and transplanted in its intended spot, where it grew tall and mighty, and yielded a bounty every year.

"But what do you think would have happened if the farmer left that sapling in the pot?"

Galatea thought on that some, but when nothing came she shrugged, to Grandmother's amusement.

"It would have stopped growing," she whispered. "Sea Child, when I lost my sight, The Fates gifted me with the nose to know what is to come. When your race loomed upon the sea, ready to strike, I smelled rotting corpses and burning oil everywhere I went. When that great ship the humans were on was nigh, The Fates sent the smell of burning wool on the sea breeze. And on the morning that I found you, I was lead to the beach by the scent of a newborn baby, freshly bathed in sweet wine."

Grandmother leaned in and kissed the Abyssal on her forehead, looking for any seeing the pair like a grandmother with her young grandchild. Then she moved to stand up, with Galatea hurrying to assist.

"The Fates lead me to find you Galatea. And if the fates decide that your destiny is out in the greater world, perhaps even to seek out your own kind, to serve a new Queen, then you must go… But not yet I think."

"Grandmother? Do you think that something important is happening?"

"Perhaps. But a departure deserves a feast Galatea. So that everyone on the island can have the chance to say their goodbyes. Also… I sense… Something…"

With a speed belying her great age, Grandmother rapidly opened the door to the hut, sending Delphi tumbling to the dirt floor.

"Delphi!" Galatea cried, rushing to the upturned cyclops tween, "What on earth are you doing here darling?"

The cyclops girl groaned as she sat up.

"W-well, Galatea. I was hoping you could help me make a dress?"

"Oo~ooh?" the Re-Class sing-songed, "Who is the dress for dear?"

At the wagging of her eyebrows it was clear what Galatea meant by the question, and Delphi blushed and twiddled her fingers.

"W-well, see, Summer Solstice came and went and Cloe took Chris swimming. And so I um… Well, when harvest time comes I ah-"

"You want something to catch his eye in a way your rival's assets can't?"

At Delphi's shy nodding Galatea started pacing her work space, her targeting computers crunching all variables. Her anxieties and Grandmother forgotten for a time in the face of a project.

"Fall harvest… Well that does give me plenty of time to work with… Things will be cooler then… Something flowing perhaps, with plenty of ruffles to accentuate the bust and hips… Wait- Harvest! IDEEAAA~AA!"

Grandmother chuckled at the pair and turned out of the hut, making her way down the path to the village. There was much to do indeed, and not much time to do it in. The scent of lightning and the freshness after the rain was everywhere.

A great change was at hand for their island, her inhabitants, and their neighbors.

 

[darthcourt10]

RCNAnon

So, been a while but this one just seemed to fit the occasion. I mean, I can't see Tenryuu not asking someone about their blade if she sees them carrying one.

Anyway, another little snip from me.

Ron, Duke and Warspite: Story of a blade

-------

Duke sighed as she relaxed and took a sip of tea. Despite the warning, it seemed that things with the Abyssal's coming from the North were being resolved peacefully. A good thing in her book as she wasn't sure she'd ever seen such a weight of metal, even during the worst of the fighting. While she was perfectly willing to sortie even in the face of such a force, they would have inevitably ended up losing girls.

Instead she was now sitting and enjoying a nice cup of tea while Warspite took a nap, they'd both offered to stay on at Yokosuka's command center in case they were needed while the multiple sorties sent out relocated and re-consolidated to their proper patrol stations or returned to base. It was unlikely to be needed since the home waters were relatively clear but their offer had been accepted with thanks.

Someone clearing their throat caused her to look up, setting down her tea cup as she did. In front of her was one of the Japanese cruisers, the one with the eyepatch and sword.

"Hello… Tenryuu, correct?" Duke managed to remember the cruisers name

"Yeah that's me. You're Duke of York, yeah?" Duke inclined her head to the affirmative. The light cruiser nodded to the chair across the small table Duke was sitting at with a small grin on her face. "Mind if I join you?"

"Please feel free." Duke put on a polite smile and gestured to the chair with her hand.

"Thanks." Tenryuu grabbed the chair and spun it around, sitting so that she was leaning forward over the back as she looked at Duke, as if she found something very interesting. Duke had no idea what it was and found the intense gaze from the light cruiser somewhat… odd. Duke reached down and took a sip of her tea, wondering how to break the silence when Tenryuu did it for her.

"You ever used that thing in combat?" The question came out of left field for the battleship and it took her a moment to realize what Tenryuu meant.

"Oh, this?" she touched the sword sheathed in bright red at her side, she'd moved it out of the way so instinctively that she'd almost forgotten it was there.

"Yeah." Tenryuu grinned at her. "I've got one of my own, Waterline and she's served me well. I've got a Light Cruiser Princess because of her."

While not an enemy that she normally faced simply due to speed and economics, that was an impressive kill for anyone.

"That's quite the achievement." Duke did her best to make sure the correct emotion was in her voice, she still had some trouble talking to people she was unfamiliar with. It seemed she succeeded, as Tenryuu's grin went wider.

"Yeah it was pretty badass, even if she was a tough bitch to kill properly."

Duke felt a snort come out of her and bubble of amusement filled her.

"I find that most Princess classes are rather loathe to die easily for us. It's such a shame that they don't listen to our opinions."

Tenryuu actually laughed at that, a loud bark that filled the area and her gaze lightened up somewhat.

"You aren't bad Duke." Tenryuu leaned back somewhat on the chair before slamming back down on the ground and then balancing so she was just up against the table. "So, back to the original question. You ever used that on an abyssal? None of the battleships around here go much for melee weapons, Yamato's parasol not withstanding."

"I've had one or two close encounters that ended with blood on my blade yes. Nothing so spectacular as an abyssal princess by myself, at least that I remember."

"Nothing that you remember?" Tenryuu attempted to lean forward even more but as she was leaned up against the table already she only managed to scoot her chair back and had to quickly catch herself from falling. "You mean you got it stuck in deep and don't remember what happened?"

"I… I am not sure about getting it stuck in deep, as you say." Duke took a sip of her tea as she sorted through memories she'd long put away.

"How'd you put it the, if you don't mind me asking?" Tenryuu had returned herself to all four legs of the chair and her face had returned to being intensely curious.

"Stumbled into it perhaps. This was back in the bad days you understand, when we were all run ragged. My battlegroup was returning from a sortie, it was late and my radar was out. Most of the rest of the girls were low on ammo, injured or both. We had reports of abyssals in the area so we weren't broadcasting. Then fog rolled in, thick nasty stuff. You couldn't see more than maybe five feet in front of you."

Duke shook her head as she cleared her throat and took a sip of her tea. Tenryuu looked on eagerly, apparently not wanting to interrupt at the moment.

"I was beginning to hope we'd make it through without encountering more of the enemy when I came nearly face to face with a Ta-class battleship. We were both surprised, I don't think she even expected to see us there. She hesitated a second longer than I did and by then I'd drawn my sword. She tried to shoot me with her main battery but I was already inside her arc, the over pressure was unpleasant but I think not as unpleasant as my blade through her chest."

Tenryuu let out a whistle at that. "So you got the drop on her. Then what happened?"

"She wasn't alone, so it became a running battle through the fog." Duke remembered the flashes and confusion as she tried to lead her girls through. "I broke radio silence and began broadcasting for everyone to follow me. Certainly made me a target but they couldn't see any better than we could. Between the fog, gunfire and general confusion of being so close we made it out without losing anybody though it was a close thing."

"Mhmm." Warspite's voice came from behind Duke, causing her to jump and turn around to see her friend standing there with a smirk. "It was a close run thing indeed. I think you had what… three boilers still running by the time you limped into port?"

Duke flushed, turning back to her tea. "It was my job to lead the retreat and provide cover. I did my job, nothing more."

"She leaves out so many details in these things." Warspite's voice was one of an exasperated friend trying to give a proper accounting of something. "Like the fact she was still so caked in abyssal that we had to give her a shower before dumping her in the repair baths. That and Penelope swears it wasn't a Ta but a Princess of some kind."

"It was a Ta." Duke's voice held a stubborn tinge that spoke of something discussed many times over.

"If you say so." Warspite's voice clearly indicated she didn't actually agree but would humor her friend.

"Either way that's still pretty badass." Tenryuu had a happy grin on her face. "Glad I came and asked about it. You think you might be up for a spar sometime before you leave?"

Duke looked up, surprised at the question. "Well, I suppose if we can fit it into the itinerary I wouldn't mind. I'm not all that good with it though, I don't practice near enough."

"Hey, I don't get to fight battleships everyday so it'll be learning for both of us." Tenryuu grinned at the two British battleships and stood. "Thanks for the story and I hope you find time for that spar." She gave a jaunty wave to both of them as she strolled away, Duke and Warspite both watching until she turned a corner.

"It was a Ta you know."

"Of course dear."

 

[darthcourt10]

Savato93

Posting this from my iPad, so more intricate formatting will have to wait until I can get to my computer. Anyway, hope you like it.

Differences

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Regalia looked down at the plate of food in her hands, thinking.

The food was amazing, she had to admit. Having grown up on mostly fish and produce, she was being exposed to flavors and textures she'd never experienced before, all of them wonderful; a sentiment shared by many of the other Abyssals. A quick glance over to Nero in particular showed her to be having a field day with all the food.

But the food wasn't her focus. Her thoughts were focused on the boy who had provided this for them. An uncle. Sunny was right, this was going to take some getting used to. And not just because he was 1) a human and 2) a boy, both things almost completely alien to her.

She had expected him to shy away from her, or pity her, or ignore her… instead, his first act on meeting her was to ask if she was hurting. That look he'd given her… a look of sympathy, understanding, care. He barely even knew her, yet with just a glance he revealed to her that he understood the pain she'd felt. Just like that, a complete stranger had accepted her, sought to comfort her.

She couldn't help but feel lucky, to have someone so kind as him, as a part of her family…

"Um… Hey." Regalia looked up from her plate to see the other Re-class—Regina—standing in front of her. "A-are you okay?"

Blinking, Regalia nodded. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm doing alright, I guess."

Regina smiled, relieved. "Well, that's good." She looked to the hubbub around them. So many people once lost, now found again… it was no surprise to see everyone here in such high spirits. "This must be a lot for you to take in."

Regalia sighed. "…A bit, yeah. This is only the second time I've ever left my home; my first adventure off the island was just scavenging for crops to plant for my fleet. All this—" she gestured around them. "This is more or less my first time seeing the outside world." She spared a glance to the small child darting back and forth through the crowd, talking with her many children. "And Grandma…"

There was a soft chuckle from the older Re-class. "Yeah, Aunt Hoppou is definitely unique." Pausing, she glanced back to see Regalia looking her over, a hint of awe in her eyes. "Is… is something wrong?"

Regalia, noticing her elder kin now staring at her in turn, flinched back. "S-sorry. It's just… This is the first time I've ever met another Re-class. Up to now, I… well, I didn't really know what I was supposed to look like. What I was supposed to be like."

She looked like Regalia herself… only correct. And her hull reflected such. She was balanced, symmetric, her keel laid straight and true. Everything fit together like it was supposed to. But more than that, Regalia could see the scars. She could see the scrapes and dings along Regina's armor belt, a tally for the uncountable number of shells that had shattered or bounced off her hull. She could see off-color plates of steel welded seamlessly in her sides, bits and pieces of her superstructure that were less worn than the rest; obvious signs of past repairs, replacements, reinforcements. It was a far cry from her own hull—crooked from bow to stern; her parts showing little if any wear; a thin strip of steel along her flank, the only sign she'd ever undergone a repair.

"Well…" Regina looked down at herself bashfully. "I'm not quite factory standard anymore, with all I've been through… but I suppose that makes me no different from other Re-classes. We've all been through a scrap at some point or another."

"Hm…" Regalia mumbled as she rocked her head from side to side. "Aside from me, at least."

"Yeah, that makes sense…" Regina was quiet for a few seconds before she continued. "…does it upset you? Not being able to… fight, I mean. To help make a difference in this war."

Regalia shook her head. "Not really… I'm actually kinda glad. It means I'm free to pursue my own interests, live my own way." She gazed out to sea. "I was born on a peaceful little island, and I've lived almost my entire life on that island. I've never done anything to anyone to deserve hate. I'm sorry if it sounds cold, but why should I want to throw my life away in a war that I have no personal stake in?"

Regina cocked her head. "…But what about your family?"

"Huh?" Regalia looked back.

"Would you fight for your family?" Regina repeated. "You may not have a stake in this war, but your aunts, your grandmother, even Harry… they all have enemies out there, dangerous ones. Even if it meant you ended up getting hurt, maybe even killed in the process… if you were the only thing standing between your loved ones and certain death… would you give it your all to protect them?"

Regalia just stared at her with wide eyes for several seconds, looking like a deer caught in headlights, before her gaze fell to the ground. Regina watched as her face went through a host of emotions—confusion, uncertainty, distress, dread, hate… both for her hypothetical foes, and for herself. It looked like she'd never thought of such a thing before.

Finally, Regalia looked back up to her with a resigned expression. "…yes," she answered. "If my family couldn't defend themselves… someone has to. Even if… that someone is me." She shook her head, eyes closed. "I don't want to… but I… I don't think I could ever forgive myself, if I did nothing."

Regina stared at the younger Re-class quietly, sizing her up. She obviously didn't like the thought of putting herself in mortal danger. It was understandable, Regina supposed—she'd lived her whole life in relative peace, didn't want to be dragged into the conflict this big new world faced. But in spite of her numerous structural flaws making her just as much a threat to herself as to her enemies… she loved her family too much to just let them suffer when she could do something about it.

An admirable determination, all things considered.

Regina rested a hand on Regalia's shoulder, giving her a soft smile. "The battles you endure for the sake of your family are some of the most important of all. If for nothing else, as long as you're willing to put yourself on the line for those you love... I'm happy to call you family."

Regalia relaxed. "Thanks... that means a lot to me." After a moment, she opened her eyes, giving Regina a smile of her own. "You know, I think you and I will make great friends."

Regina chuckled. "Yeah, I think so, too—"

The elder Re-class felt the danger coming before she saw or heard it.

Her hair stood on end, her entire body tensed up, and alarms—literal alarms—were going off in her head. She was already moving as the call of "INCOMING!" reached her ears. Regalia only had enough time to let out a startled "Eh!?" before Regina slammed into her with all the force of the warship she embodied. Sand was thrown everywhere as the pair flew back several feet and crashed into the ground; none too soon, as a black blur shot through the space Regalia had occupied only moments prior, landing on the beach in a similar manner a few yards further. Regina's tail let out a guttural growl as she rose to her hands and knees, positioning herself over the younger Re-class to shield her from further attacks.

Looking over to the object that had threatened to strike Regalia, Regina did not expect to see what she did: a very dazed heavy cruiser, splayed out on the sand. "Okay… I was not expecting that degree of upper-body strength…" Rivet huffed, the wind knocked from her sails.

Nearby, in the rough direction the cruiser had flown from, a mixed group of Abyssals, shipgirls and human personnel looked to the two Re-classes with concern. Rivet's opponent, revealed to be Nagato, waved to the pair with a guilty look. "Sorry, you two," she called out. "We unfortunately got carried away with our spar. Are you alright?"

"Y-yeah, I'm good…" Regina answered back as she pushed herself up to her knees. Turning inward, she forced herself to relax. It was an accident, she thought to herself. An honest mistake. They're friends, family. No need to fight… Slowly but surely, the tension in her body dissipated, and she slumped over in relief. Calm once more, she looked down at Regalia. "I'm sorry Regalia, are you… okay…?"

The younger Re-class had curled up into a ball in the sand, trembling. Despite covering her head protectively with her arms, Regina could see the shock and fright evident in her face. Even her tail seemed distressed, letting out a rattling growl as it curled inward on itself. Regina tried to speak, but her voice had failed her. She couldn't quite believe what she was seeing:

Regalia… a Re-class battleship… was scared.

Rivet, having gotten to her feet, stepped over towards the pair. Squatting down next to Regalia, she grimaced. "Oh, boy. Looks like she's been spooked." She nudged the Re-class gently. "It's okay, Regalia, you're safe. Regina was just trying to keep me from landing on the two of you, is all. Nobody's trying to hurt you, alright?" Regalia peeked out from underneath her hood, relaxing slightly at the sight of Rivet. Taking a deep breath, she nodded. "Come on, let's get you up."

Regina didn't understand. Re-classes were supposed to get aggressive when threatened; brace themselves to take the blow, prepare to retaliate if necessary—whether the assault be verbal or physical. They didn't cower in fear! Never mind their pride as elite Abyssals… the darkness in their souls, that fury every Re-class kept locked away within herself, simply wouldn't allow it.

Unless…

In front of her, Rivet struggled to mask the pain in her face as she pulled a battleship many times her own weight to her feet. "There we are," She gasped, patting Regalia on the back. "You think you'll be okay?"

The Re-class remained somewhat disheveled, but she nodded. "Uh… y-yeah. Thanks."

"Don't mention it." Rivet winced, rubbing her back. She turned and called out to her opponent. "Hey, Grandma Nagato—man, that feels weird to say—do you mind if I just throw in the towel for this match? I think I pulled something helping her up… wanna go lay down."

Nagato folded her arms, a look of mild disappointment on her face. "I'm a little surprised, given you were the one to challenge me… but yes, I'm alright with that." She nodded. "Perhaps we can pick up later… and maybe set a rule regarding throwing each other?"

"Amen to that."

Rivet shot the battleship a salute before walking away, leaving Regina and Regalia to themselves once more. The pair stood there quietly, awkwardly, for the better part of a minute. While Regina sat motionless, preoccupied with her thoughts, Regalia took deep breaths, doing the best she could to calm her frazzled nerves.

"Uh..." Regina finally broke the silence. "S-sorry... again. For tackling you, so suddenly. I was just trying to get you out of harm's way as fast as I could. It's okay if you're a little upset with me for it."

Arms wrapped around herself, Regalia stared at the ground. "No... no, it's my fault. If I was normal like you, I'd have the reflexes, the training, to dodge Rivet myself. Instead, I froze up, panicked, and you had to do it for me." She scoffed. "Some Re-class I am. Can't even stand up for mys—"

"Don't say that." Regina abruptly cut her off. "You don't know how lucky you really are!"

Jerking back, Regalia looked to her older cousin with a confused frown. "What...?"

Regina paused, realizing what she'd just done, and took a deep breath to calm herself. "...I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to be rude. It's just that..."

Expression grim, she stared out to sea. "Us Re-classes… we all have to cope with… demons, for lack of a better word, inside us. The part of us that lives for the thrill of war, pushing us to fight, and fight, and fight… until we're no longer alive to continue fighting. It's why we're so dangerous, so feared; we have a feral beast caged in our souls, waiting to be set loose on our enemies. But once the battle is won or lost, and we begin to move on with life… it's still there. Whispering to us. Commanding us to kill whoever we meet, simply because they're weaker than us. It never stops."

Regalia stared at her, eyes wide. "B-but… you seem so… nice. Normal. How…"

"Some of us have ways of dealing with it, of shutting it out as we go about our lives. I use visualization techniques, reining in the monster with a metaphorical leash, while my sister… she uses her absurd personality to serve as a vent of sorts." Regina looked away, torn. "But others… aren't strong enough. They are slaves to their demons. Constantly looking for the next fight, perpetually driven to prove themselves the strongest, even against those with whom they have no quarrel… these are the more fortunate ones. The few that remain… the demon has destroyed their minds, taken complete control. They've been reduced to little more than engines of hatred and death; destroying everything, killing everyone they can, for as long as possible, until their bodies give out." She snarled. "The normal Abyssals are particularly fond of those."

Regalia flinched as Regina looked back, pointing to her. "But you… somehow, that demon just… never came into existence in you. I don't know why. Maybe a mother's boundless love for her only child? Maybe your strife-less upbringing? A simple inability to act on any violent impulses without rapidly killing yourself in the process? It's probably impossible to know for sure. But however it happened, your soul is pure. Untainted by evil like my own."

The young Re-class held a hand to her own chest, her expression a mix of confusion, relief, and sadness. "How can you tell…?"

"Because you do something I have never witnessed from a Re-class: you fear for your own life." Regina shook her head. "To us Re-classes, fear is something we instill in others as naturally as breathing… but we could never experience it, and hope to remain ourselves. It's a sign of sure weakness, an open invitation for the darkness within us to seize control, erode our sense of self. I'm perfectly capable of fearing for others; I would be a pathetic excuse for a warship if I couldn't care about the wellbeing of my fleet. But if I let myself feel true fear? If I feared for my own life? I would go insane. For you to have lived this long, being this open with your emotions, and still be you…"

"…I couldn't have that monster in me to begin with." Regalia finished for her.

"Correct." Regina stared at her deformed kin with a mix of jealousy and melancholy. "You're not as inferior to us as you think, Regalia; in some ways, you're better. You may never become a savage, fearless warrior like me or my sister, but you don't feel the need to—because you're not cursed with our bloodlust. You have something many of us can only dream of... inner peace. You'd do well to remember that, whenever you bemoan your supposed failings as a Re."

Regalia simply looked down at herself in contemplation, unable to find an adequate response.

Both girls perked up at the sound of joyous laughter. Looking over, Regalia saw her grandmother, wearing Mom's hat, cackling with glee as she sat on Uncle Harry's shoulders... and he sat on their mother's shoulders... and she sat on the shoulders of Mom herself. Tanith's face was a bright red, and her expression as she fought to keep the human(oid) tower stable was equal parts confusion and embarrassment and focus; despite that, she was grinning brightly, content in the knowledge she was helping her mother smile.

Could it really be true? Regalia wondered. Could her mother have purged that darkness in her heart with her love? What would she be like today, if not for it? Would she be just a broken, uncaring war machine, driven mad by her inner turmoil? Would it even be possible for her to take back her body?

Regalia looked back to Regina, curious. "So... do you ever… lose control? When you let that… monster out?"

Regina nodded lightly. "Yes. Sometimes, the leash slips from my hands. I'm far from perfect, after all."

"How do you come back?"

The older Re-class closed her eyes. "In such a case… it would fall to my mother to bring me to heel. As strong as I am, she is my Princess, my master; even the beast cannot defy Her will."

She clasped her hands to her chest. "However… she's no longer the only one who can call me back from the darkness. All it really takes, I think, is someone with a truly special bond. Someone who understands me, who accepts me, darkness and all. Someone who cares deeply for me… and I care for in return."

At this, Regina looked to Harry with a small, but warm, smile.

"Someone who gives me the strength I need… to pull myself from the brink."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Once the main questioning had gone down, Harry helped the Arashi clan members with getting various products down to the shore. Something that he noted pleased them greatly. Setting down a crate filled with bottles, he glanced at Koyuki. "So the Arashi clan is pretty small then?"

Koyuki gave her own nod as she set down a crate. "We're not a big clan at all, even if we generally have quite a bit of land to our name since the Meiji Era. Thanks to Ian-Jiji anyways as he was the one who bought it for us." Waving a hand, she continued. "Technically, most Yokai look at us as three separate clans even if we consider ourselves one. Yuki-Onna, Tsurura-Onna, and Hone-Onna."

With a frown as he thought it over, Harry tilted his head some. "Um, just out of curiosity... but did you create the clan from merging smaller ones or..."

Softly giggling, Koyuki shook her head. "Not at all, Itoko. And do not be afraid to ask questions as you are family." Finger tapping her arm as she straightened and watched another female member bring down a large steel container, the Yuki-Onna gave a small nod. "Do you know how Yuki-Onna come about?"

Confused at this line of questioning, Harry shook his head. "Not really, no. How?"

A small smile on her face, the Yuki-Onna sat down on a rock and hummed as she gathered her thoughts. "Winter has always been a harsh time of year. As beautiful as it can be, it can also be terrible. In the depths of winter, one would need to make journeys through the deep snow and possibly die. More then a few of those who did so did die. According to Yuki-Onna legend, the first ones came about in such a manner."

Interested, Harry sat down beside her. "Really? How so?"

Lips twitching, Koyuki gave a small chuckle. "Many, many centuries ago, there was a group of sisters. They loved and cared for each other greatly, though their Otou-San disliked them. You see, he wanted sons to work the farm and carry on his family. Their Okaa-San died early on in childbirth of the youngest. They worked hard with each other, forced to by their Otou-San. One winter though, there was a lack of food. The Otou-San told them to get ready as they were to go hunting and bring firewood back. But while in the mountains, abandoned them to die in the cold blizzard that enveloped the peaks."

Eyes wide, Harry noticed that a number of Abyssal Destroyers were listening in. "What happened then?"

Head tilted to the side, the Yuki-Onna shook her head. "They tried to stay alive, to keep each other alive. They found some shelter and huddled together for warmth. But it was not enough as they slowly succumbed to the cold, the heat stolen from their bodies. Each of them prayed to the Kami to save the others, but nothing came and their frozen bodies met the dawn, ice upon their skin... Which was when a dragon appeared before where they lay huddled. It was Kuraokami! Touched by what she had found, the Kami was saddened that she was too late to save them, as she had heard them. But then she noticed that while they were dead, there was just the touch of life still clinging to their ice cold bodies. Quickly, Kuroakami used her power to awaken them, to bring them back fully to life using the cold around her. To them, she gifted the power over ice and snow."

It only took Harry a few seconds. "So they were the first Yuki-Onna then? But what happened to the Otou-San?"

Thinly smiling, Koyuki chuckled. "Ah! As it turns out the village did not believe his explanation that the girls had run off and gotten lost in the mountains. And his attempts to remarry were always rebuffed as none trusted him with any possible children. Several winters passed when he was caught out on a mountain pass during a storm. It was cold and damp with him unable to light a fire. When out of the blowing snow he spotted a number of figures and recognized them as his daughters, now older looking. Of course, the Otou-San believed that they had found some shelter and had been living out there for all this time. Not that he was wrong though." Opening one of the bottles, she took a small sip and continued. "He yelled at them for doing him wrong and they just smiled at him. Then he demanded that they bring him to where they had been living and the oldest opened her arms and told him that as long as they hugged him, they would make sure that he was as warm as they had been. Scowling, he did so... and had all the warmth stolen from his body. The next day, searchers came upon his body standing where he had died, frozen solid. Around the body were barefoot tracks that lead back up the mountain. And that was how us Yuki-Onna originally came about."

Considering what he had heard, Harry slowly nodded. "So that was how Yuki-Onna came about then." Moments later he blinked as he heard claps from the Destroyers around them before chuckling. "They seemed to enjoy the story." Head tilted to the side, he turned back to the woman next to him. "But..."

Her lips twitching, Koyuki shook her head. "What does it have to do with the Clan?" When he nodded, she smiled. "Yuki-Onna don't just get born from other Yuki-Onna. Sometimes, we come into being in the mountain passes. Such cases are due to normal human women dying alone in the mountains in snow storms, sometimes they become Yuki-Onna. But such beings ran into problems unless they could join an established clan of Yuki-Onna. It is much the same for Hone-Onna and Tsurura-Onna. Often, only one or two might spring up. Unless they find a clan or are accepted into one, they are alone. Which means that they would need to support themselves in what ways they could. In the case of the founders of our clan, they had few choices and so joined a brothel. Both so that they could support themselves and what children they would have, and so that they would be able to have children."

Eyes lighting up, Harry gave a small nod. "Until Ian came along then? And that changed things for them?" When Koyuki nodded, Harry gained a small smile. "By setting up a farm for them?"

Only nodding, Koyuki took another sip of her drink. "Yes, he bought us the land and brought our first livestock. He even brought someone from Britain, a Potter Squib, Potter Jeffery-Ojii-San. He was an old man and taught us everything he knew about raising cattle and producing dairy. In fact, he was the one who told Ian-Jiji which ones to bring, the Alderney breed being one of those. They're what we produce butter, buttermilk, and cream from though I heard that most of the NoMaj world thinks that they are extinct. Some of them we've traded to the Hokubu clan though as they wanted to improve their own herds. A few we mixed and bred until we created some miniature cattle breeds for the reserves so that they could have dairy as well or meat." Then she smiled a little bit. "Ian-Jiji even had a number of western magical greenhouses built so that we would have ingredients as well. We mostly used them for crops... or at least the Hone-Onna portion and the few tsukumogami in the clan have as they are too warm for us Yuki-Onna and Tsurura-Onna."

A voice then spoke up from behind them. "So you have greenhouses to produce your own ingredients then? And from what you're stating they're much warmer inside?"

Turning, Koyuki looked up into the interested gaze of Nagato before nodding. "As a matter of fact, they're tropical inside at least two of them." She then reached down and took one of the bottles before holding it out. "Here, try this. You too, Harry-San."

Just raising her eyebrow, Nagato looked at the bottle and felt her lips curl upwards. "Fubuki Milk?"

Lightly blushing, the Yuki-Onna shrugged. "We actually came up with the name quite some time before Fubuki-Sama was summoned. Granted, we considered having an advertising campaign here in Hokkaido, but..."

Shaking her head, Nagato smiled a bit. "A bit hard to get through all the red tape." With a thoughtful look, she twisted the cap off, eating it, and then took some sips before nodding. "Vanilla, rather nice."

Koyuki spread her hands some. "We make it from a mix of milk from different cows we have. But that is not what is important."

Confused, Nagato was about to ask when she noticed that Harry stiffened. Then the black haired boy turned and stared at Koyuki in surprise. "This isn't just vanilla flavoring, there's actual vanilla extract! B-but with the convoy routes..."

Brightly smiling, Koyuki gave a small nod. "You are right, we actually grow more then enough vanilla and cocoa in our greenhouses for our operation. Each one is a lot larger on the inside then the outside after all. But..." Looking around, she leaned in and winked. "We've always kept it rather low. After all, we didn't want to attract attention from the Magical Diet in regards to what we were doing though we've supplied others with what they needed during the bad parts of both World War Two, after said war, and most recently during the current war. Mostly local though."

Taking another sip, the shipgirl gave a small nod. "Hmm... I think that there are some people that I can talk to in that case." Internally, she smiled as she noted the blink from Koyuki and then the look of surprise. 'I still have it. Though I think that some of the Destroyers, including Fubuki herself, would enjoy this.' Watching as the Yuki-Onna started handing out bottles to some of the more human Abyssals to pour out for the Abyssal Destroyers to enjoy, Nagato cocked her head to the side. "So you are related to Harry from what I am told? Through Potter Ian?"

With a look over her shoulder Koyuki nodded. "That is right. Though now that you bring it up, perhaps sometime this winter you could come by with Harry-San? I'm sure that the rest of the family would love to meet him, especially if he comes then as we could all be there."

On Nagato's face was a considering look before she gave a small nod. "Yes, I can see if we can find a date for that. Any in particular?"

For a moment, Koyuki looked lost before chewing her lip. "Well, there is December 28 as that is something of a... family festival, complete with a visit to the farm's shrine." At the confusion, she gave a sad smile. "December 28 was Ian-Jiji's birthday and we celebrate it due to all that he has done for us. In fact, we enshrined him there alongside the Kami most important to us such as Kuroakami and Izanami for the Hone-Onna. We ask for him to continue to watch over our clan and continue to help us prosper."

Softly smiling, Nagato looked at her. "I think that we can do that..."

 

[darthcourt10]

WickedestCard

So, just as a FYI, Goto and Kongou were informed of this plan by Nagato and this is considered a very crack omake.
-----------

Omake: Magical Girl Nagato-Chan saves the day!


To most of the world Battleship Nagato of the JMSDF was cool and collected heavy right fist of Rear Admrial Gato and the adopted mother of a interesting British teenage boy and the most adorable horrifying abomination. To those closer know of the inner Nagamon, lover of all things cute and adorable and those that knew her personally knew of Nagamom, the mother who dotted on her children and had to get advice from a chunni on being a momboat.


However, even fewer knew of the emerging part of Nagato that enjoyed puns and little pranks on people. And tonight was the perfect night for all of Nagato to sweep a contest that was going on that night. Originally she was gonna try her hand at cosplaying Sakaki from one of her favorite series but then her amazing (and absolutely adorable) son had sent her the final piece for her ultimate plan last week. So she gathered her forces of MiniGato and Alli.


Her secret agent of Fast Battleship Kongou also went to work and took her payment.


----


On the day of the contest just after lunch Goto was looking through some papers when a slightly frazzled Ooyodo entered along with a confused Kongou.


"Hmm...Ooyodo is your current state for the same reason as the top report on my desk?" Goto asked his secretary ship as he read through the report.


"Hai, Kongou and myself have spent the last couple hours trying to find this girl Admiral. At around 0600 hours some personal stated that they saw a young girl, approximately 12 years of age with long black hair and carrying a stuffed animal. From what some people have said she's really worried about trying to find her friend. We caught glimpses of her throughout the halls but couldn't make contact." Ooyodo explained, straightening herself out.


"So we have a possibly lost girl on base that we can't seem to get catch. Perhaps...it may have something to do with the costume contest later tonight? You two both know that the others on base can sometimes go in odd directions when we have such events. Still, let's put the base on watch for the girl until we know more." Goto stated, having had more than enough experience by now. Mentally he was trying to narrow down which base personal or shipgirl this may tie back down to.


"Here you go Ooyodo. You too Admiral, I went and made some calming tea for all of us. It's probably gonna be a long day dess." Kongou said, handing the two some cups containing said tea, the other two taking them gratefully.


Elsewhere, having followed the advice from Hoppou and Blackie Smokie, the young girl that was the focus of the raised alertness on the base had disappeared for now, giggling cutely.


"So this it what it's like being destroyer size! Hugging Hoppou-chan and the other was definitely different but I have to do my best to really sell this." the girl said as she put on a cute serious face, going over her objectives in a little notebook. It was more of a prop but it really helped get into character. She was noticed on the base and now she would need to go and have destroyers and light cruisers catch sight of her so that when the time was right, she could wow everyone.


Throughout the afternoon there were indeed other sightings of said dark haired girl multiple destroyer divisions though if one stopped and looked they would have noticed the leader of DesDiv6 Tenryuu in deep thought. However, the girl was seemingly very careful on trying to raise the alertness too much as she stopped having a worried look about her. Still, night started to fall and the free personal on the based gathered in on the larger buildings for the contest to start.


Along one of the docks stood the young girl smiling as she was about to go make her entrance when she noticed something along the horizon. Focusing on her viewfinders the girl gave a small gasp as she picked up what it was. A small scouting force of an abyssal heavy cruiser and a trio of light cruisers. She didn't have the time to both go and alert on the guard posts and make it out to sea but then she remembered something. Alli said that her transformation should be appropriately flashy and that should be enough to alert the base. Still, as the girl jumped onto the water and and skated out towards the oncoming scouts her crew shot up flares and soon after the raid siren was wailing.


The three Abyssals that were in the at the edge of the entrance to Yokosuka jumped when they started hearing the siren, realizing that they've been found. They instantly reacted with an about face and tried to get their boilers up to flank speed to make their escape. They would have been able to as well if it wasn't for the fact the shipgirl chasing them was 'cheating'.


"Don't you dare! I, Nagato, Flagship of the Yokosuka Fleet and Defender of Japan won't allow you to escape!" The small girl yelled as she suddenly appeared in front of the small surface group. At this proclamation the three abyssals stopped and looked confused. Nagato was battleship and this shipgirl definitely didn't look heavier than a destroyer. That pause however was all the time Nagato needed as she held up her hands and Alli worked her magic.



A bright flash of light blinded the scout forces before the light cruiser felt a heavy impact and was suddenly launched several meters. The cause was soon apparent as Nagato now clad in a red and white tailcoat suit with a matching frilly skirt stood where she had drop kicked the abyssal, twirling a white lance. With quickness that was unreal for a Super Dreadnought she lunged with the lance and caught the heavy cruiser in the shoulder as she had tried to spin out of the way. The other abyssals were not idle however as they soon tried opening up with their 6 inch guns. However Nagato held her free hand up and shield of light appeared and caused the shots to detonate early.


Unfortunately that was just enough of a distraction for the Heavy Cruiser to pull herself free of the lance and took the opportunity to fire smoke shells, covering the whole are in a thick cloud of smoke. Coughing lightly Nagato inwardly cursed as she realized by the time the smoke cloud cleared the three had managed to retreat. Looking back to see the one she had disabled by her full body drop kick only to stare wide-eyed as the cruiser started to disappear in a lightshow of sparkles. This caused Nagato to notch her head to the side with her expression, mouth agape.


"Did that just happen MiniGato, Alli?" the tiny battleship asked.


"So...Nagato-san...or should I say Nagato-chan? What just happened?" came the amused voice of Tenryuu as she took in the sight of her close friend looking like she just came out of a shoujo Magical Girl show.


"Uhhh...it was for the contest?"


(A couple hours later)


"VICTORY FOR NAGATO-CHAN!!!!!" was the cry heard throughout the base as said shipgirl ran to her quarters, hauling a massive pink fluffy bunny over her head that she had just won. As she entered the front door she put the bunny on the couch took a few steps back to get a run up. Then, in a fairly good impression of her adopted daughter did a flying hug tackle in order to snuggle the bunny which resulted in a look of pure bliss, not caring that Tenryuu was there.


Hoppou herself took one look at the scene and decided that she too would just cuddle up to the stuffed toy. Soon after the bunny was playing the base to a cuddle pile of Destroyer Nagato, MiniGato, Alli, DesDiv 6, and Hoppou with Tenryuu sleeping in a nearby chair and before the sun came back up the potion wore off but it was of no consequence to Nagato, having become a cute and awesome magical girl to win the bunny was more than enough for her.
-------------

Because why not have Nagato become the Shoujo Protag that the world both wants and needs. Who knows, perhaps someone like Naka might consider a small manga of Magical Girl Nagato-chan.

Also, I've been looking through Kancolle art and I'm mildly surprised at the amount of Gambier Bay bullying and I must say I do not approve. Gambier is a good girl and deserves headpats. In fact, I shall feed her 4th of July burgers and Ice Cream until morale improves.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Bottles clinking in the basket that he was carrying, Harry gave a somewhat saddened look at Shinano beside him. "Sorry about not spending a whole lot of time with you recently, Shinano-Chan. I mean..."

However, the Carrier shook her head and wagged a finger at him. "You have nothing to be sorry for, Harry-Chan. Besides which, you do spend a lot of time with me, which I enjoy." Lightly blushing, she glanced away. "Though, um, I wouldn't mind more time with you..."

Only nodding, the black haired wizard's expression turned serious. "Then I'm going to make more time to be with you, Shinano-Chan, it's a promise." Reaching up with his free hand, Harry took hers in his and made her look over at him. "And I know that we'll both enjoy it."

More then a little happy though she was blushing at holding hands, Shinano gave a hum. "Okay, Harry-Chan." It was then that she spotted that they were near their destination and her smile brightened. "And there's Regina-Chan."

As he looked in the same direction to find the Re-Class talking with Regalia, Harry began to muse on the odd friendship between Shinano and Regina. Both of them were rather quiet usually and shy. And yet, they got along pretty well. In fact, from what he had heard whenever Regina visited Yokosuka, the Support Carrier beside him would be in her company. More then that though, the two often practiced their respective aircraft against one another.

Something that, according to Kaga, only made Shinano's air wing all the more deadly as they got used to every Abyssal trick that Regina's showed them.

By the time that they reached where the two Re-Class were, both Abyssals had noticed and turned towards them with Harry giving a small smile. "Sorry about interrupting you, but..." Holding up the basket, he continued. "I thought that you might want something to drink."

Regina only shook her head a bit with a small smile on her face. "It's okay Harry, you didn't interrupt us much. We were, um..." With a glance at Regalia, she continued. "We were just talking about how not everything is made for someone like... us."

It took only a few moments for Harry to clue in and he gave a slow nod. "Ah, yeah, I would guess that." He gave a knowing glance at their tails before shaking his head. "Stuff like chairs and such would be an issue, I think."

With a small sigh, Regalia hung her head a bit. "None of the chairs are very comfortable due to my tail and, um... other things, Uncle Harry."

Just barely glancing at her hump, Harry frowned some before a thoughtful look crossed his face. Giggles beside him made him turn to find that Shinano had a hand in front of her mouth. At seeing Harry look at her though, she blushed lightly. "Um, sorry, Harry-Chan, it's just that you have that look on your face."

Blinking, Harry cocked his head to the side curiously. "Poi? What look?"

Chewing her lip, Shinano pointed at his face. "W-well, that sort of look you just had now. When you're really thinking over an idea that you just had. One that came to you and you're rolling around in your head."

Now it was the wizard's turn to blush as Regina gave a small nod and Regalia looked confused. Rubbing the back of his neck though, Harry gave a small chuckle. "Well... It just sort of reminded me of Regina back at Hogwarts and, um..."

Eyes widening, Regina's expression brightened. "You mean my stool?"

Looking between them, Regalia frowned in utter confusion. "Stool? What stool?"

A smile on her face, Regina turned towards her fellow Abyssal before reaching into her hold. "W-well, um, Harry noticed when I was guarding him at Hogwarts that I had a small problem. Everything was too small and, well, not made for someone like me. So when he was in class, I had to stand." While she noticed Regalia's eyes widen a bit, she didn't quite know why. "So Harry, well, he did some work with magic and made a stool just for me. So that I wouldn't have to stand all the time."

Intrigued, Regalia looked between Harry and Regina with a small frown. 'Uncle Harry created a stool, just for Regina? So that she would not need to stand all the time?' Then her eyebrows rose as Regina brought out said stool and set it down. On the seat was a emerald green cushion which the shy Re-Class had chosen the color of. A shade that Regalia thought resembled her uncle's eyes even. "Um, is that the stool that Uncle Harry made you?"

Rubbing the back of his head, Harry chuckled some. "It is actually, Regina was pretty happy with it to be honest."

While Regina nodded, Regalia looked from her and then to the stool. Looking at it, she had to admit that it did look comfortable for a Re-Class. The size and shape was right for it after all. Suddenly, Regalia felt a tap on the shoulder and found Regina giving her a smile before she gestured at the stool. "Would you like to try it out? I don't really mind..."

Her eyes widening, Regalia looked into Regina's eyes to see if she was joking. But much to her surprise, said Abyssal wasn't. Moving around, she placed her hands down on either side and slowly eased herself into it. With a look towards her back, Regalia wiggled a bit much to the other three's amusement. Her tail was easily able to hang over the stool without it being uncomfortable while the rest of her could easily fit in it. "Oh wow..."

Grinning, Harry jerked his thumb towards Regina who softly blushed at his next words. "That's what Regina said." Then he became thoughtful and walked around her. "Hmm... It would need to wait until I'm back at Hogwarts to fully use magic, but... I could make something for you I think." The black haired boy tilted his head in the other direction. "If not, I could pick something up for you though if that's what you want."

Flushed, Regalia waved her hands some. "You don't have to, Uncle Harry. Really."

Just as Harry was about to say something, Shinano giggled some and leaned down to place a hand on Regalia's shoulder. "Don't bother to try and argue with Harry-Chan. Once he gets an idea in his head to help, he'll go through with it. Especially, if you're a friend or family member."

When Regalia looked at Harry, he just shrugged. "She's right, you know."

After looking at Regina who gave a nod, Regalia smiled and ducked her head some. It really was comfortable and part of her could not help but imagine using one while resting from farming. Hearing a clink, she turned to the basket and blinked some. "So that's milk?"

Blinking, Harry followed her gaze and nodded some before pausing. "Well, flavoured milk anyways." He then pointed at various bottles. "I got strawberry, vanilla, chocolate, and haskap flavored milk."

Hand raising into the air, Shinano brightly smiled. "I want the strawberry!"

While he shook his head, Harry laughed and pulled out one of said bottles and handed it to her. "Sure, not a problem, Shinano-Chan"

Lightly blushing, the Carrier took the bottle and gave him a somewhat embarrassed look. "Sorry, Harry-Chan. But Kaa-San is right, strawberry milk is the best." Turning to a confused Regalia, she gave a nod. "It really is."

Furrowing her eyebrows, the Abyssal watched as Regina took a chocolate one and she pointed at one. "How about that one?"

Harry gave a nod as he plucked the bottle from the basket and handed it to her. "Sure, one vanilla coming up." Grabbing a slightly bluish one, he gave a small nod. "I'll try one of the haskap ones then."

There was a frown on Regalia's face as she examined the bottle which had a cow silhouette with a snowflake behind it. Part of her was curious as she had heard about milk, but never tasted it. Glancing at the others, she noted that Shinano and Regina took the caps off and then chewed them, with Harry flicking his into the air for Regina's tail to snatch and chomp onto. Once more looking at hers, she twisted the cap off and took a bite. There was only the hint of flavor there, beyond the steel. But it was enough for Regalia to be interested and she took a sip.

Almost immediately, her eyes widened as the taste flowed over her tongue. Before she knew it, the milk was all gone and she was looking at the empty bottle in surprise when a chuckle made her look up. Beside her, Harry had a small smile on her face before winking. "You liked it, huh?"

Blushing, Regalia gave a small smile as she nodded. "I did, it was pretty good." Her gaze then went over the beach where various Abyssals were milling around. "I've tried so many new things, and they've all been good."

Simply nodding, Harry hummed. "I know the feeling. But hey, that's what makes it great, there is always something new to try." Considering that, Regalia gave a small nod before she took another bottle of milk, this one 'Chocolate'. However, her attention was grabbed as Harry sighed. "Kind of sad to head back to Yokosuka for a bit though later this afternoon."

Regalia was shocked by that and stared at him. "You're heading back to Yokosuka?"

Wincing a bit, the wizard ran a hand through his hair. "I am, but only for a day or two. Um, I have several friends visiting down there and I promised them one more trip or two." Shoulders slumping, he grimaced. "It's hard to decide between family and them in this case as I should at least make the effort."

As she blinked, Regina frowned some. "But you're coming right back once they're gone, right?"

Just staring at her, Harry lowered his bottle of milk from his lips. "Poi? Of course I am. Heck, when I come back I'm bringing my scuba gear as well!"

Confused, Regalia looked at him. "Scuba... gear? What is that?"

Turning to her, Harry hummed in thought. "Well, scuba gear is a bunch of items that allows for us humans to spend a lot of time underwater. There's an air tank and the like as well as a respirator so that we can continue to breath even under water and what is called a wetsuit that keeps us warm." Pointing at Sokie and several others, he gave a shrug. "I promised them that I would go diving. Mum doesn't mind and Hoppou already stated that they would keep me safe. Besides, I sort of need to build up my number of dives and things might be interesting around here."

Even though she was confused, the Re-Class gave a small nod. "I see..." Deciding to leave that, and Harry leaving for a later time, she turned back to her milk. "Do humans drink a lot of milk?"

Finger tapping his mostly empty bottle, Harry then drained the rest before shrugging. "We do, it's actually pretty important. It helps us get strong bones and teeth, see?" Showing his teeth, he clacked them together. "The calcium and stuff in it anyways."

Head tilted to the side, Regalia did the same as her uncle and watched as he laughed. "What?"

Shaking his head, Harry grinned. "Nothing, just that I have nothing on those teeth. Now those are just plain awesome."

A little flustered, Regalia gave him a small smile as she giggled a bit. "Aunt Sunny said the same thing actually."

The two continued to talk until Harry had to leave with Regina following. Something that she was sorry to see, but happy that he was not going to be gone long. And Regalia was not the only one either.

 

[darthcourt10]

NotHimAgain

So, here we go, just throwing this out there and seeing if it flies.
That's Not Good

-----

"The Arashi clan?" Benio asked incredulously, biting into a rice cake. Haru nodded. "Harry's related to them?" Haru nodded again. Benio looked down at her snack contemplatively. Looking back, that made more than one interaction with Harry a little bit awkward. "Huh. That's…"

"Don't tell me you're related, too," Haru snickered. Benio laughed awkwardly, and one of Haru's eyebrows rose. "Really?"

Benio shrugged. "Well, yeah," she admitted, scarfing down the last of her rice cake. "My Mom's an Arashi by birth, but I don't really know any of them that well. Only family gathering I ever went to was crashed by the Gyuki Liberation Front, kind of made things a little bit awkward." It was too bad, too, she reflected. The Arashi were good people—er, yokai—and she wouldn't have minded getting to know some of them better—wait. They were related to the Potters. Did that explain anything about her life?

"Gyuki Liberation…" Haru repeated. Then she laughed, slapping her leg. "That whole debacle was you two?" Benio winced.

"Well," she attempted to explain, trying to mold an image from the air with her hands, "about half of it was us. The other half was either some guy in a Camaro or…" She frowned, cupping her chin. What had happened back there? It was when she was twelve, she knew that, and yet…

"Hey, Tatsuya," she said as he walked into the room, "what happened with the Gyuki Liberation Front again?" He blinked, staring at her for a moment.

"The who?" he asked, and Benio shrugged and resolved to forget the whole thing.

"Never mind," she said airily. "But I think I might be related to Harry Potter through my mother's side of the family.

"Probably a good thing," he replied. She pouted—it seemed that he was in that space of mind where he didn't quite register the things that people wanted to get across to him—and resolved to inform him again when he was in more of a listening mood. "So. Yokai mail bombers?" Haru nodded, her face all business once again.

"It happened about forty years ago," she explained. "A gang of disgruntled yokai got together and decided to make a statement by assassinating some major figures in the Muggle government—the governor of Hawaii too, unless I forget. They were able to keep things on the down-low for a while, but a policeman caught on to what they were doing and tracked them down. Very impressive detective work, but he came from a family that dealt with these things."

"That's what I thought it might be," Tatsuya admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "Sounds like a broad strokes version of one of my Mom's bedtime stories." Benio perked up. Tatsuya had called her a couple nights ago, uncomfortably revealing that his sister knew something was up and that his mother's stories might not just be stories after all. Benio didn't like it, but it made some amount of sense.

"Your mother, huh?" Haru picked up a teacup and swirled the contents with a deft spinning motion. "How odd that she would have a story—wait. Your mother." Benio did a double take. Haru was staring at Tatsuya through narrowed eyes, lips pulled thin into a frown. Had she just realized something? What kind of response was this? "What was her maiden name?"

"Her maiden name?" Tatsuya glimpsed over at Benio warily and, after a moment's thought, she nodded encouragingly at him. "Her maiden name is Himura."

The tea cup exploded. Benio recoiled but stopped after looking up. Haru's fist was clenched tight, her hand shaking. Her eyes were wide and she was muttering through grit teeth.

"I should have known. I should have seen it. How did I not see it? Shit shit shit shit shit—"

"Fox miko?" Benio asked slowly, leaning forward. Haru snapped out of her stupor. Grabbing Tatsuya by the shoulder, she began to herd him out with the haste of a dying man.

"You, young man," she said through a plastered-on smile, "need to have a long talk with your mother about her family history, and why keeping secrets isn't always a good thing. You, ah, you go with him for emotional support," her hand closed around Benio's wrist, "and good luck with your serial bombers!"

The two found themselves standing under the Torii gate, glancing at each other in confusion.

"What was that about?" Tatsuya asked.

"No idea," Benio admitted. She paused thoughtfully and added, "but I might be related to Harry."

"Huh?"
-----

Halfway through the e-mail that had been relayed to him discussing a Creole family in Louisiana who fought monsters in the bayous, Goto was distracted from his work by his phone going off. Picking it up and checking the caller ID, he noted it was from Haru. What could the Miko have to call about right now?

"Hello," he said into the phone, "is something the matter? I was just—"

"He's a Himura," Haru cut him off. Goto blinked. He actually had no idea what that was supposed to mean.

"And that means… what exactly?" he asked. The phone picked up a frustrated breath as a loud "whoosh."

"Tatsuya's mother comes from a family with a history of getting involved whenever anything magical gives mundane citizens a dirty look," she expanded in a rushed tone.

"Like a Japanese version of those McKay women?" Goto asked.

"With enough bad blood between them and the Magical Diet to start a Civil. War." Goto glanced at his phone in shock before lowering it back to his ear. "—still can't believe I couldn't see it. It makes so much sense now!" Sense or no, this was starting to take on a dimension beyond simple mysteries.

"So this needs to stay secret?"

"Until Kyoto is able to take power, definitely." The steel in Haru's voice came in perfectly over the phone. "If this gets out, some old fogey who's still in power will decide to do something clever, and what's next could be anyone's game."

"Got it," Goto replied, sinking back into his chair. "I'll have to talk to someone about this, but…" he trailed off. Then, sarcastically, he added "Any other revelations you feel like sharing?"

"It seems Benio's mother is a wayward Arashi, so she's a distant cousin of Harry's or something."

Goto choked slightly. "I'm sure he'll be delighted to hear that, what with the legion of cousins and nieces he has received over the past week or so," he said, chuckling in something that was half relief and half trepidation. "Could you try to get back to me about this later?"

"I'll have to talk to you in person," Haru replied. "I'll be coming over as soon as I can. See you then."

The phone cut out, and Goto placed it on the side of his desk. He looked back down at his computer, pulling up another window on his e-mail. The short video that came up was one of a German bride smashing a plate and threatening something off frame with one of the longer, nastier-looking shards. "Five of them so far," he whispered to himself.

Arms crossed over his shoulders, and the familiar sensation of Kongou's face nestled against his ear came to him. "Find something interesting, dess?" she asked thoughtfully.

"They're families," he explained. "Each of these cases has a family history of individuals taking up the fight against whatever may go bump in the night, especially in the direction of non-magical society. And now…" His eyes narrowed. "What was the McKays' story again? Being cursed by a witch or something?"
-----

Miss Lutzow,

I'm told I owe you a debt of gratitude. The doors of the McKay family are open to you any time you need us.

Gillian McKay, Clan Head
-----

Well what do you think, sirs?

 

[darthcourt10]

Shaithan

Understanding

Willie Dee knew that she was not the luckiest of shipgirls. While the accounts of her story had been officially amended to reflect what really happened, there remained a persistent undercurrent that regarded her as the Derp Destroyer. The unlucky one. The one dying the most convoluted death.

Of course, over the months she had gotten to know other unlucky girls. U 505 could be a right bundle of nerves at times; which generally led to Chicago fussing over her, because she was her U-Boat and she would punch anyone daring to imply otherwise; Fusou and Yamashiro may as well get a banner saying "Such misfortune."

Of course, her stories from the South Atlantic and the Pacific didn't matter up here. Up here being the North Sea in winter. She had to admit, it was funny seeing New Jersey with ice all over her upper works and her rather inventive cursing of the weather.

Casting a glance around, she saw Scharnhorst and Gneisenau pretending to be destroyers, much to the ire of New Jersey, because the last thing Johnston needed was encouragement. It had been bad enough that they gifted the Taffies a large collection of Italowestern. Something that had visibly caused Jersey distress. On the one hand, encouragement. On the other hand, a young Clint Eastwood or Charles Bronson made everyone feel more manly. It had also caused Johnston to grow a beard overnight, or at least so she claimed, and New Jersey's reaction to that had been glorious.

Next to her, De Ruyter grinned. "Ah, it's good to be home. Finally real weather," she said happily.

"Real weather? The fuck you talking about? It's so damn cold my tits have literally frozen over!" New Jersey complained.

"This is not cold," King George V claimed. "I've been to the Arctic in winter. That is cold," she bragged. "The water temperature hasn't even fallen below freezing," she added.

New Jersey shuddered. "I don't want to know. My poor puppies wouldn't survive that," she claimed theatralically, while fairies moved over her upperworks and removed the ice crusts.

It was near Antwerp when a shipgirl came out to meet them. And Williee Dee couldn't trust her eyes. New Jersey, the proudest braggart she knew, did her very best to fade into the background. The girl coming to greet them was an older hull. She was reminded of the turn of the century St. Louis-class. Then she saw the flag. The naval ensign of the Soviet Union. This would be a Russian girl then. Though why she was some kind of New Jersey repellant, Willie Dee was unsure.

Greetings, comrades!" the girl shouted over the waves. "And my, it's JerJer. How's my little counterrevolutionary enemy of progress and the people doing?" she added.

It was then that Willie laid eyes on Communism. The small destroyer painted with a Soviet flag on either side. The little one surged forward and sought out New Jersey, excitedly greeting her favourite American.

The small destroyer excitedly circled the battleship, happily telling New Jersey what she had been up to and how life was great with Big Sister Aurora and the babushkas.

Aurora laughed heartily when seeing the fidgeting New Jersey. The young one was way too high-strung.

Willie debated helping out New Jersey, then again, it didn't look like she was in any danger.

"And who might you be?" Aurora suddenly asked Willie. "I can tell you're a Fletcher, but there's a few too many of you for me to tell apart upon first meeting," she asked apologetically.

"Oh, um, I'm Willie Dee," Willie introduced herself.

"Willie Dee?" Aurora asked. "Can't say I have heard of you before," she mused.

"You haven't?" Willie asked full of surprise. "Really?" she added with a hopeful smile.

"Not that I can recall," Aurora admitted. "Should I have heard of you?" she wanted to know. "If so, I'm terribly sorry," she added.

Willie smiled. "It's refreshing," she admitted. "Most people at least know my wartime reputation. The Derp Destroyer. 'Don't shoot, we're Republicans!' Almost torpedoed the President and Iowa. All that," she blurted out.

Aurora whistled. "That sounds like a few spots of subpar luck," she observed.

Willie boggled. "Subpar luck?" she wanted to know.

Aurora nodded. "Trust me, what you told about your history speaks of some bad incidents," she explained. "Let me tell you a story about my travels," she began.

Gneisenau nudged Willie. "Listen well, Oma is great at telling stories. And she has a big one for you. All true," she promised, before falling silent.

Aurora cleared her throat. "See, this story begins in 1904 with the destruction of the Russian Pacific Squadron at the hands of Imperial Japan," she laid out. "Now, the Tsar couldn't let this stand, but his opportunities were limited. The Black Sea Fleet would never be allowed passage through the straits. That left the Baltic Fleet. My fleet," she explained. "So he orders the Baltic Fleet to set sal to Japan," she began her story.

Willie had locked at her charts. "To Japan? From the Baltic! With turn of the century ships?" she asked aghast.

Aurora nodded. "But there was more," she promised. "Quite a few of the sailors came from the plains and steppes. Getting conscripted into the Navy was the first time they saw bodies of water larger than a lake or river. The admiral in charge heavily disliked quite a few of his direct subordinates. The crews were judged to be either completely wrong trained or completely green, either way, not people you want to make a long oceanic voyage with. Resupplying had to happen with chartered freighters. Quite a few of the ships were at best ill-suited for any operations outside the littoral," she told the astonished Willie Dee.

Inside Willie's head, her Captain was running around in circles, flailing his arms and trying to deal with the images in his head. That wasn't a fleet, that was disaster waiting to happen.

"So, we are ordered to set sail, to relieve the remnants of the Pacific Squadron and to crush the Japanese," Aurora says. "Shortly before the voyage begins, a battleship sinks at anchor. On the day we set off, a cruiser rips off her anchor chain, a battleship runs aground and a destroyer rams into a battleship and sinks," she tells the astonished Willie.

Willie's Captain has settled down in his chair, spent. There were no words left to list all the ill omens this voyage had to have stood under.

"It was near the Danish sound that we came under attack the first time. Or, rather, we believed to be under attack by Japanese torpedo boats," Aurora continues on, awing Willie. "It turned out to be a post boat from home carrying letters and a note of promotion for our Admiral. Remember the name Kmachatka, she was the one that signalled we were under attack," Aurora foreshadowed.

Willie couldn't belive it. "You hadn't even left the Baltic!" she said tonelessly.

Aurora nodded. "I know," she said with a small smile. "It's a tale of woe and misery," she explained. "Thankfully, entering the North Sea didn't lead to any other incidents and we could cross the North Sea. At least, until we reached the Dogger Bank. Various ships signalled being under attack, Kamchatka signalled that she was under attack from all sides. and in the twilight, we made out some shapes. Surely, this time it had to be Japanes boats, operating from England, their perfidious ally. So, we opened fire. I was among those of us hit by friendly fire. We expended hundreds of shells and when it came to damage dealt, we lost 2 men and utltimately killed three fishermen," she told Willie. The British were furious and hunted us to Spain, where they encircled us, waiting for the all clear to annihilate our fleet," she continued.

Willie stared wordlessly. "You almost started a war with the British Empire?" she asked breathlessly.

Aurora nodded. "Yes, yes we did. But thankfully, things looked up. Our Admiral managed to sort out quite a few of the more intolerable officers and send them home as the ones who were responsible for the Dogger Bank Incident. Unfortunately, this closed Suez to us, so we had to go the long way around Africa," she laid out.

Willie could only stare wordlessly. Before even leaving the North Sea, they had almost started a shooting war with Britain. Giving the President a scare suddenly felt so trivial.

Aurora sensed that Willie relaxed, so she gave her a one-armed hug. "See, my girl, now we get to the fun part. Our fleet has to go around Africa, through tropical climate quite a few of our sailors had never experienced," Aurora told grandly. "And what a voyage it was. We sometimes loitered longer than allowed in German colonial waters because Germany had assured us that they wouldn't stop us from doing so. In one memorable instance the colonial governor cited bad weather as a reason to not go out and see for himself the Russian fleet near his coast that should have long left," Aurora whispered to Willie.

Willie on the other hand was awed. One of Aurora's fairies had come over and brought with it a bunch of dossiers, detailing the ships on that voyage. Coastal monitors built for the rather calm Baltic doing a trans-oceanic voyage? This was a madman's task. No, even a madman would shy away, this was a task for a doomed man.

Aurora was aware of Willie's pondering. "It has been said that Admiral Rozhestvensky had his story written by Richard Wagner. A doomed sailor on a doomed voyage. Material for an Opera. The supporting cast was written by the Marx Brothers and Hanna & Barbera," she told the destroyer at her side. "It would soon become evident," she promised.

"The officers that had been sent home were not too happy about that," she continued. "And the Tsar felt that the Admiral could use some reinforcements as well," she spun her tale. "So now they scrounge up everything. All the ships Rozhestvensky had refused were sent out to find Rozhestvensky's fleet. Of course, no one really knew where they were, so orders were to literally find the needle in a haystack," she told the astonished Willie. "Meanwhile, we had received orders to anchor off Madagascar. So we decided to hold some gunnery practice. The only hit scored was on the ship towing the target ship. Gunnery practice also had to be aborted, because we didn't have enough ammunition for it and a potential battle. Kamchatka randomly reported herself to be sinking. The sailors brought exotic pets aboard, leading to more than one remark that the ships had turned into a floating zoo," Aurora laid out. "Of course, we also got exotic diseases and when a supply ship arrived we received thick fur coats and boots, just what we needed in the tropics," she continued. "And then there was a the mail ship we sent out. When we saw it again, a month later, they hadn't ever made it to the Mediterranean, much less home. The pets managed to put the gun of I think Knyaz Suvorov out of action when a snake coiled around the breech and bit the officer trying to remove it. Kamchatka got up to her usual antics as well," the old cruiser told her intently listening audience.

"Now, when we heard what kinds of reinforcements we were to get, ships that had been designed to get scrapped among them, we set off, trying to outrun our reinforcements. Alas, they caught up to us and we had to drag them along. Through the East Indies, between Indochina and the Philippines, crossing the strait between Formosa and the Philippines, making for open ocean before turning back towards Port Arthur, before abandoning that and trying to force Tsushima and to break through to Vladivostok," Aurora laid out. "Of course, things didn't go as planned. At Tsushima, we were soundly annihilated. We had sailed 18.000 miles, from disaster to disaster. When Russia needed an admiral, our Admiral stepped up. He just was the wrong man," she finished. "A bad admiral would have scuttled this operation early on. Unfortunately for him, he was a good admiral saddled with terribly underperforming underlings and while he managed to get us to our destination, through all the adversity and bad luck, expecting him to then get a win on top of that? As the British say, it was a bridge too far," she finished her tale.

Willie could only stare wordlessly for a few minutes.

Finally, her thinking capacity rebooted. "i, how, what, I can't even, what, HOW?" she finally blurted out. "No, seriously," she continued. "How do you deal with it?" she wanted to know.

Aurora gave a wise smile. "I've lived long after this story, for the Soviet Union I was a founding myth, the ship that started the Great October Revolution. Those that fell at Tsushima. I've seen most of them again, they have made their peace with it. Because, after all this time, we can see the funny side," she explained. "What stories has a girl with exemplary service to tell. "Went here, shelled X, rinse, repeat," ad nauseam. We have a story to tell that will captivate people, that will elicit strong reactions. So, you almost torpedoed the President, own it, comrade," Aurora adviced. "How many of your sisters have a legend, stories, that while not true make for a great legend? Spin a yarn out of them, tell the story your way and let no one tell you that you should feel bad about little mishaps. Your crewman told me how you died, a series of incredibly contrived circumstances. Own them. You managed to go out in a way that would see every writer laughed out of the room if they attempted to put such in a story," she adviced. "Good luck, bad luck, it evens out in the end. And if you ever need someone to listen to you, the girls of the Second Russian Pacific Squadron will be there for you," Aurora promised.

Willie basked in the acceptance of the old cruiser. She could see the wisdom in these words. And on balance, almost torpedoing the President wasn't even in the same ballpark as almost starting a shooting war with the British Empire.

Sailing next to the old cruiser, Willie felt at peace. Aurora was right. While her sisters had stories, they generally weren't of the caliber hers was. Potato boat O'Bannon was the exception, not the rule. She could own that legend, make it hers, as told by her, not by others. "Thank you, Miss Aurora," she said softly.

"Oh, you're very welcome, comrade," Aurora gave back, while patting Willie on the back.

Together they sailed towards Antwerp, ignoring the distressed noises of New Jersey that had a little red destroyer trying to cuddle her.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Slowly craning her head back, Daphne blinked some in surprise. "So this is what a Japanese castle actually looks like?"

Also looking up, Harry placed his hands into his pockets and gave a small nod. "That's right. Himeji Castle is one of the most well known and visited landmarks here in Japan. Sure, it might not be as old as Hogwarts, but... it's impressive just the same."

Hand shading her eyes, Susan shook her head in disbelief. "You can say that again, Harry. I mean, just looking at it." She then tilted her head a bit in interest. "Different from the castles back home though."

Glancing to the side, Warspite gave a smile to Ron and Duke both. "While different, as Harry stated, it is still impressive. Both on the outside as well as the inside." Turning she regarded the green eyed boy. "It seems that they completed most of the restoration."

That caused Cyrus to raise an eyebrow at her. "Restoration?"

Only nodding, Harry gave a small nod. "Dess! It's been undergoing restoration for the past few years since it got slightly damaged in Blood Week." At the looks of surprise, he shrugged. "I'm not surprised that it survived with little damage. The rest of the city during WWII took a lot of damage from American bombing while the castle was nearly untouched. One bomb even went through the roof and yet did not detonate."

More then one pair of eyes widened at that with Duke giving the castle an impressed look. "I see, that is rather lucky I suppose."

Chuckling, Harry shook his head. "Kind of happened again during Blood Week when an Abyssal Strike Force hit the area. While bombs hit around it, the castle sheltered the tourists that were caught in it. Not a single one of them got injured."

Suddenly, a voice spoke up behind them. "Yes, that was a rather frightening event to be honest. Though I am happy that no one here within the castle was injured during the attack."

Everyone turned to find a pink haired woman there in a rather unique looking Kimono. Granted, Cyrus winced as his wife dug her foot into his as he was staring at the exposed cleavage a bit too much. Something that seemed to amuse the woman if nothing else. The two shipgirls though widened their eyes at the sight of the woman as Molly spoke up. "I don't believe that you're the only one to hear of such, Miss..."

The woman held her hand before her mouth and giggled a bit before bowing. "Ah! Excuse my manners. My name is Shirasagi and I did not hear of it, I was there at the time."

Ginny's eyes widened a touch as the woman walked towards them. "You were?" At the nod, she winced a bit. "It had to have been frightening."

With a soft sigh, Shirasagi gave a small nod before smiling slightly. "It was extremely frightening. Like few times in my life as a matter of fact. But as the castle, I stood strong for those around me. To lend them some strength in the trying time."

Just nodding, Molly gave her a smile of her own. "That is all that can be asked of you, my dear."

Unnoticed by all of them, Harry had his eyes narrowed at the woman. Then they widened slightly as she winked at him with a small grin before turning back to Molly. "Perhaps. Though I also helped where I could in the days afterwards. With so much damage to the city, parts of the castle here was used as a makeshift field hospital. Injured people from all over the city were brought here to be cared for." There was a far off look in her eyes. "I had hoped not to see such war again, but it seems that it came anyways."

Grimacing, Amelia sighed herself. "I quite know the feeling." Cleaning her monocle, she hummed a bit. "Do you know a lot about the castle?"

If anything, the returning grin on Shirasagi's face widened. "As a matter of fact, I do. I've spent a long time here after all to the point where I can recite much of the history regarding Himeji Castle. Or even the folklore if one wants to know of it." Tapping her chin, she glanced at the two shipgirls and smiled. "If you wish, I could be a guide for you all. It would be my honor, especially with two of the shipgirls here that have defended Japan."

Slightly bowing, Warspite gave her a small nod. "Of course." Looking at Harry, she gave a small smile. "While I have not met her, I do know of Shirasagi-San and she would know quite a bit about the castle and it's history."

Understanding what was not said, Harry gave a small nod to that. "That's true, she would know a lot. And I think that I've heard of her."

Giggling, Shirasagi gave him a grin with a twinkle in her eye. "Thank you, Harry-San." With that, she turned to the rest of the group and closed her eyes with a smile. "If you would follow me then, we'll get started. And please, stay close on the approach." Opening her eyes, the pink haired woman raised a finger. "The paths leading to the castle can be very confusing even for those used to them. While you will not get truly lost, it can be easy to get mixed up."

As they began to walk, Tracy grinned at Harry some. "Not bad, Potter." Seeing his raised eyebrow, she gestured at their guide. "Setting this all up like this."

Much to her surprse though, Harry smirked. "Actually, I didn't." He then shrugged some. "I'm as surprised to see Shirasagi-San here as you are. Though considering things? Maybe I shouldn't?"

On Harry's other side, Astoria chewed her lip some. "Should we be concerned then? I mean, you obviously know of her at least, but..."

Reaching over, Harry patted her shoulder some. "Don't worry too much, we're actually pretty safe with her and she won't let us come to harm." Out of the corner of his eye, he could see that Shirasagi had noticed their conversation but was saying nothing. "Anyways, she knows a lot about the castle."

Both girls frowned but nodded and turned back to Shirasagi who was now walking backwards as Percy adjusted his glasses. "If I may ask? Why are these pathways so twisted?"

With a small nod, Shirasagi pointed at him. "A very good question actually. You see, they are the way that they are for a good reason." Gesturing above them, she shook her head. "They were made this way in order to confuse and slow down an attacking force. Meanwhile, they would be fired upon by archers and the like from the main keep. Some of these paths actually turn back on each other at times, so you can imagine what it would be like if one was attempting to attack."

Looking around, Neville frowned a bit. "I can see why it would be confusion... Though it is a bit odd to see that as a defence."

Just lightly chuckling, Shirasagi shook her head. "I suppose so considering that I believe you are from Britain. Here in Japan, it was rare that attackers would be knocking down walls. Hence, they could be channeled as they attempted to take the castle through walkways like the one that we are currently walking down. The whole time, they would be pelted from above with various forms of attacks such as hot sand, arrows, and stones among other things. Later developments added firearms and cannon to such forms of attack. As well, the layout helped the defenders retake lost portions of the compound from attackers through bottlenecks."

More then a little thoughtful, Ron looked around. "That makes a lot of sense actually." Furrowing his eyebrows, he glanced between Harry and Shirasagi. "Did that sort of thing ever happen here?"

Slowly, the pink haired guide shook her head. "Here at Himeji Castle? No, the defenses, some of the most complex in Japan, were never tested." Holding out a hand, she continued. "Not that such happened often with castles as it was considered more honorable for defenders to sally from inside the walls. Usually, the attackers would just lay siege to the castle to deny them food and water. The whole time they would be camped outside the walls and a few times it was long enough that they built castles that surrounded the castles that they were laying siege to!"

That raised more then a few eyebrows as they continued. All of them, except for Harry, Warspite, and Duke, were impressed with the amount of knowledge displayed as she guided them around. Those three knew a lot more then the rest of the group about their guide and understood why she was so knowledgeable regarding the castle. But they kept quiet and just enjoyed the tour.

Granted, even Harry was impressed when Shirasagi told the story of Okiku. Somehow the way she told it made shivers go down even his back. All in all though, the visit was successful, and a lot of pictures were taken. When they were leaving though, Shirasagi took Harry aside before they left the castle grounds which made him blink. "Is something wrong?"

With a glance to the group who were talking a distance away, Shirasagi shook her head. "Perhaps not in the manner that you may be thinking of, Harry-San. First, I wish to thank you for helping Kiri-Chan." At his shocked look, she smirked. "Yes, I have heard of it as have others. But there is one other that may still be saved despite how... some people may feel about her." Expression saddening, she shook her head. "My Itoko of sorts did not deserve what happened to her during Blood Week."

Realizing what she meant, Harry furrowed his eyebrows. "She's still alive then? After all these years?"

Chewing her lip, Shirasagi gave a nod. "Hai, she is. My Itoko, she used the magic to keep herself alive and some portions still whole. But she does not have long and..."

A small smile on his face, Harry reached over and patted her on the shoulder. "Understood, we'll do our best to save her though I need to look over some stuff first."

Shoulders slumping in relief, Shirasagi gave a shake of the head. "Thank you, that is all that I can ask of you. So thank you."

That got her a smile and a nod from Harry. Soon after, she was waving at the group as they left with a small smile on her face before pulling out her cellphone. After all, she had some possible good news to share!

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

It was a somber group of British citizens that were walking through Hiroshima with Harry in the lead. Glancing back, Harry gave a sad smile. "Yeah, it is a bit heavy, isn't it?"

Susan nodded slightly, still in thought. "That is putting it mildly, Harry. I mean..." Pausing, she gathered her thoughts. "It is one thing to read about academically in muggle schools and such. But it is something else for you to actually see it in a way like that."

Frowning, Charlie shook his head some. "I remember it getting a small mention in Muggle Studies class. Quirrel wasn't really the greatest and sort of glossed over it by stating it was a big explosion. Like a blasting charm supersized but..."

Beside him, Bill ran a hand through his hair and looked around. "That was just a lie. Bloody hell, just standing here? I swear that I can almost feel it having seeped into the ground."

Thoughtful, the black haired boy at the head of their group hummed. "You just might. Events like the atomic bombing leave a mark all their own. A scar that has been burned into the very soul of a place." Looking around, he shook his head. "So many people died here so suddenly, and others lingered on. I would be surprised if it didn't leave a mark. There are other places here in Japan where one can feel such things. And elsewhere in the world. But as we get closer to the anniversary, the more one can feel it."

Quietly, Arthur watched his children walking along with their own thoughts. His own though turned towards why Harry brought them here. Yes, there was history, that is true. Perhaps he wanted to give himself and the other adults something to chew on mentally. Showing them just what might happen if they failed, if the magical and non-magical went to war.

And to be honest, the thought had frightened him before and this only pounded the lesson in.

When he looked towards Warspite though, the Battleship had a melancholy look on her face. As if she knew what was coming next and Arthur could already see the slight mistiness in her eyes. 'I wonder what she knows...'

Before he could ask though, the group entered another section and slowed. There, in the middle of the plaza ahead of them was a monument of some sort. It stood on three legs and rose upwards with what looked like figures of people in different poses. But it was what was at the very top that drew Arthur's eye.

The statue of a young girl raising a wire frame of a bird, a crane if he was not mistaken, above his head.

Eyes wide, Daphne's mother looked up at the young girl and then turned to Harry who was quiet. "Mister Potter, what is this place?"

For several moments, Harry was silent before he spoke in a voice that was soft, yet carried sadness. "What is in front of us is the Children's Peace Monument here in Hiroshima." When Molly repeated what he had said, the nearly thirteen year old gave a small nod. "Yes, the Children's Peace Monument."

Her gaze drawn to the statue, Daphne walked up beside him as the fairy on Amisi's shoulder translated for her. "Is there a story behind this, Harry? I mean..."

Slowly, Harry gave a small nod. "There is as a matter of fact." Walking forwards, he took a deep breath. "When the bomb fell on Hiroshima, there was a young girl, her name was Sadako Sasaki. At the time, she was only two years old and her house was less then two kilometres from Ground Zero. When the explosion happened, she was blown through the window of her home with her mother rushing out thinking she was dead. To her relief, her daughter was alive and apparently unharmed. So she picked her up and started to run..." Pausing, the black haired boy's lips pressed together. "While fleeing, the two were caught in a rain that was black with dust and soot from the plume rising upwards."

Ron grimaced at that and closed his eyes as he knew where this story was going. "The fallout, the two were caught in the radioactive fallout."

Just nodding, Harry continued the story. "She seemed okay for several years afterwards until one day when she was around eleven year old. At that time, she developed swellings in various places on her body. Within a year, she was diagnosed with leukemia and was not given long to live. At the time, such things were happening to many children who had been in Hiroshima to the point where it was called 'Hiroshima Disease' as a result."

With a gasp, Molly held her hand to her mouth and blinked away the tears that started to gather. "Oh... oh Merlin. Those poor children and that poor dear."

It went without saying that the other parents there as well as Amelia were all effected by what they were hearing. Amisi had her fairy quietly ask Percy what that was and her eyes widened. 'A sickness of the body, in which the blood turns poisonous and eats itself...'

Meanwhile, after a few moments, Harry continued. "Sadako was admitted into the hospital and, while there, her father told her the Legend of the Cranes. According to the legend, if one was to fold one thousand origami cranes, they would be granted a single wish. Upon hearing this, Sadako decided that she was going to do so. While she had a lot of free time, she had little paper. So she used whatever she could gather. Such as medical wrappings and the wrapping paper from presents that other patients got. Her best friend also brought paper from school for her to use. All so that she could reach her goal and make her wish."

Quietly, Tracy looked at him. "Did she reach it?"

Lips curling into a sad smile, Harry took a deep breath. "The popular account is that she did not, that she fell short at six hundred and forty four cranes. However, in reality, she did reach her goal and then surpassed it before her death by quite an amount. The number came from the amount of cranes that her father kept. The other cranes as well as those made by her classmates were buried with her. Her parents and the rest of the family attempted to keep her from knowing how bad it was, to spare her the pain. But they found out from writings left by her that she knew that she was dying the whole time. The cranes that Sadako made were not just for a wish... they were her pain and the way she expressed it." Eyes going to the monument, he sighed. "Just before she died, her parents tried to get her to eat something. All she could though was tea on rice which she told them tasted good... those were her last words to them."

Gazing up to the girl, Ginny felt her heart go out to her. "So even with all that work, she still died."

Still smiling sadly, Harry chuckled a bit. "You would think that was her wish, to get better. And while she hoped for such, her wish was also for a world at peace, one with no nuclear weapons. So that children like her would not suffer from them ever again." His voice then dropped a bit. "A wish that sadly has gone unanswered. One of the stories from Blood Week, just before various nations used nuclear weapons, was that her statue began to cry. As if it was pouring out grief for those dying and the civilians who would die in the coming years of radiation from those strikes."

With a look nearby, Cyrus nodded some. "Is that why there are those paper cranes hanging nearby? In her honor?"

Harry gave a small sigh at that. "Yes, but also to continue building the number of cranes. Perhaps, one day, the amount will be high enough that her wish will come true and there will be no more nuclear weapons." Then he gestured at the plaque beneath the monument. "You can see a windchime there in the shape of a crane. Above it just out of sight is a bell that the wind pushes it against. But on that plaque though is a simple message not just from Sadako, but all the children killed in the bombings and afterwards from them for which this monument is dedicated to. It's referencing the sound of the bell and chime itself... 'This is our cry, this is our prayer: for building peace in the world.'"

Gathering her children into a hug, Molly closed her eyes as tears ran down her cheeks and it said something that none of them fought it. Just the thought of what those parents and children went through... "That is a wonderful wish, Harry. One that I hope will one day come true."

Only nodding, Harry gave her a small smile. "So do I, Mrs. Weasley."

Evelyn also had her two daughters in her arms before glancing at her husband. "Dear, you wouldn't happen to have some paper, would you?"

For his part, Cyrus just nodded. "For this? I most definitely do."

When the group left, after spending some time there, a number of new paper cranes including one made of papyrus, had joined the ones already there, softly rustling in the wind while the bell let out soft cries.

 

[darthcourt10]

Lord K

A.N./ ARGGHH, LIFE IS PAIN.

At least now I can get back to the fun fallout of recent events. Hopefully more quickly as well.



Magical Intelligence Bureau Floo Communique Record
Magical Assistance Command: Abyssals - Special Observations Group
Related To: Operation Nereid Calling
Date: [Redacted]
Source: MACUSA Embassy, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, Japan
To: [Redacted]
Parties:
- Field Agent Echidna [reinstated]
- Field Operative Woodsman [retired] [semi-reactivated]

Note: Personal names and certain details have been recorded as code names for security purposes at this time.

Security Risk Content: High
Record Status: Classified - Octarine XXXXX
Release Date: TBD

Vocal Communication Transcription

Operator: Warning. This call is being monitored by the Magical Intelligence Bureau to ensure the protection of both your call and the operational security of [the facility] at this time. You have a collect international connection from; the MACUSA Embassy, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, Japan.

Woodsman: Yada yada, do you have to play this shit before every fucking call. Are you even a person? I swear to fucking God, this shit is recorded.

Echidna: [Woodsman], it's almost heartening to see that old age, injury and infirmity done naught for that mouth of yours.

Woodsman: Well I'll be. If it isn't Echidna of the Far East, herself. They're even dragging the legendary [Echidna] out from semi-retirement on civy street now too. It's good to know you're still kicking at least. Nice of you to finally fucking call by the way.

[Note: Later sentance is spoken highly sarcastically]

Echidna: I'd apologize for not calling earlier, but to be entirely honest... I didn't realize it was that bad.

Woodsman: You think shitting in a bag for the last few years isn't that fucking bad?

Echidna: To be fair, they said it was bad when you we left in such a state after [Redacted]*, and you proved them wrong that time.

Woodsman: Yeah well, unfortunately it seems you don't recover from getting your shit pushed in by an Abyssal at 96, as well as you do after trying to [Redacted]* at 51.

*Those with clearance; see Case File "Chosin Incident"

Echidna: That you lived is still a credit to your ability

Woodsman: Honestly, I think it would have been a little less troublesome to kick the bucket then. And don't get all shrink-head on me [Echidna]. You're old too. You know what I'm talking about when I say it's fucking nightmare getting this decrepit. Even before Blood Week, it was bad enough. You can't even have a good time anymore. The only broads that'll look at me now are the one's missing almost as many teeth as me, not that anything works anymore.

Echidna: It's good to see your tastes are still as wholesome as you ever were.

Woodsman: Let's be real [Echidna], I'm 113 years old. Even if I wasn't shitting in a bag, it's been down hill for a while now, and it's only going to get more fucked up. My back's gone half the time, I need coke-bottle glasses thanks something in the air from back in 'Nam, the docs say my knee from [Redacted] looks more like a bone stew than a joint at this point, and my veins have finally collapsed not from all the decades of drugs, but the last few years of shit that doesn't actually get me high. Some people might be happy doing the whole fucking Methuselah thing, but I don't want to nearly piss myself every time I cough for however many more decades it takes until I finally kick it. Admit it, you're probably starting to feel at least the beginnings of it, and entertained going out with a fireworks show for the history books as a preferable alternative from time to time too.

Echidna: To be completely honest, not really. Actually, my doctor is mildly baffled about how well I am, even looking at only the things not blacked out in my medical record. She says I have the body of a woman half my age.

Woodsman: Well lucky fucking you.

Echidna: Really though [Woodsman], I do have to ask. Honest and unequivocal, are you really okay with this?

Woodsman: Fuck yeah I am! Sure, the dying part is gonna suck hot donkey balls, but even if I don't end up as a Fairy of me in my shit-hot youth, at least I can go out giving a final middle finger to the Abyssals as fuel for the instruments of their god damn retribution. Oh, and I guess there's all the usual bull about dying for our country, and ultimate patriotic duty jazz.

Echidna: I'm sorry, but what was that last part?

Woodsman: Oh, the dying for our country crap? Comely says we'll get stars on The Wall eventually, though it'll probably be delayed and staggered out for OpSec purposes. Which is nice I suppose. Kinda always expected that if I did end up biting it in this line of work, nobody outside us oldies would ever have the clearance to know or care.

Echidna: I meant the other part. The bit about the fairies.

Woodsman: What, [Swordsman] didn't fill you in on that part? He didn't stop giving me shit about it.

Echidna: He's been tight lipped about the fine details of what's going on. He has a couple of new graduates filling out his team, that I think he is still slowly easing into things. All I know is what he's asked me to do, and the basic facts and information he gives me to keep me appraised of the broader strokes of the plan. I think upstairs might be suggesting or leaning on him to eventually train one in particular into being his successor.

Woodsman: Ah, that'll explain it. He probably doesn't want to just drop her into the deep end, like what happened to him. FNGs tend to sink more than swim when thrown into the shitstorms he tends to wade through these days.

Echidna: Yes, well, that's a topic for another time anyway. Back to that bit about the fairies you were saying though?

Woodsman: Do you really want to know?

Echidna: Better to know something you dislike, but have enough of a full picture to do the job properly, than to work in blissful ignorance and unwittingly make mistakes.

Woodsman: Shit, why do you always have to be so logical about disclosure all the time?

Echidna: Pyongyang, Osaka, [Redacted], The Maddox Affair, The Fire Base Birmingham Incident, [Redacted], The Plain of Jars, The Hue Arrests. Do I need to continue?

Woodsman: No.

Echidna: Well I've gone along with this with the general knowledge that you and the others are going to turn yourselves into catalysts and fuel for these summoning rituals, but this sounds different to the previous cases we've heard of to begin with, especially considering the obscurity, lack of spiritual weight, and recognition these designs would have. Those plans for the Cricle 6 Type A 1941 Heavy Cruiser I turned up for you are apparently some of the more well known ones from what I've heard, with everything else only getting more inconspicuous and forgotten from there. And now you're talking about fairies.

Woodsman: Alright, alright, fine. You've made your damn case. You've always been reasonable with your secrets, so I'll let you in. Do you remember Paperclip Jig-Able-Peter. In particular, the 371 and 942 exchanges.

Echidna: With great distaste, yes.

Woodsman: Well a while back, when the egg heads were first considering this project, obviously the main question was how do we make these unbuilt designs have the emotional connection and magical weight strong enough to be summoned in the first place. Special Observations didn't want to go for anybody recognizable or that we wouldn't have the resources to look after, so that left off most of the more well known or larger designs like the Super Yamatos and Maximum Battleships.

Echidna: Operations adding the requirement that any submitted designs must be capable of doing more than 30 knots, must have also whittled doing the field a fair bit.

Woodsman: That it did, even if it makes sense with the kind of missions we're eventually aiming for here. Anyway, one of the nerds started looking into how perception, culture and memory effect the shipgirls that had shorter careers and not much history, and then had a brainwave for what we could do to both increase the chances of our summonings working, and potentially jump start their training and fields of expertise.

Echidna: I'm probably not going to like this, but what did you all come up with?

Woodsman: Well, one the egg heads floated the idea of using of using- argh shit, what were the words again? Metacognitive-Alteration and Jungian Psychology based mental spellcraft. Some crap like that. They think it might work if we create backstories, service histories and connections to these ships so strong that none of us saps offering ourselves for battery-duty, and a few others who have volunteered to get mind-fucked, would have any reason to doubt that they existed.

Echidna: Are you seriously telling me that you plan to brainwash yourselves into thinking that these ships are real?

Woodsman: Basically, yeah. If it helps our chances, why not?

Echidna: I can't believe this is what you and the others are going along with. No wonder [Swordsman] was giving you shit for this idea.

Woodsman: Hey, it's not like I'm going to be around to complain if it fails. And if it works, I come back anyway. And besides, how much of magic when you really get right down to it, is basically at the end of the day a case of 'clap your hands if you believe, and then clap harder or in different ways until you do believe'. This is simply making sure we believe with absolutely no doubt, that something should happen.

Echidna: Well here's something that shouldn't happen. How the hell is [Section] going to work with this. We never did remove all of his old brainwashing and reprogramming, as much as we liked to have thought. No one's ever managed to completely override it, with the happy accident that he's also been stupidly resistant to outside mental effects and spells ever since.

Woodsman: That's where Paperclip Jig-Able-Peter, and the 942 exchange in particular, comes in. Our resident teams of Qs think they might have found something in one of the evidence vaults that can trump it, and will work on the rest of us with little issue as well.

Echidna: Hold on, really?

Woodsman: Yeah, an artifact of one of their more fucked up little studies and programs they had going on. It seems that some of them had been looking into a bunch of messed up stuff that involved trying to learn the secrets of a replicate some sword-spirit of theirs' that could modify-memories. While the sword was mostly infamous for making people forget shit, the Japs seemed to have been interested in some of it's other effects that it could have on memory. Not only could it work on interpersonal connections and group memory, but it could also create false ones. Crap that was real enough, test subjects never doubted them, and yet left no real signs or side effects behind the obvious or intended changes in mindset and disposition created by the new or fake memories.

Echidna: So let me get this straight. You all want to use the notes from a Sub Unit-942 experiment, into what was probably a plan for mass indoctrination, or weaponized brainwashing and unwilling fifth column creation, and then use that as a basis to mind-whammy yourselves into thinking a bunch of paper ships are real, have histories, and are fondly thought of by certain people.

Woodsman: Shit, [Swordsman] was right. That does sound kinda stupid when somebody else says it back to you.

Echidna: I'm going to pray that this is just merely your usual irreverence missing the finer details, and that your physical incapacitations have not in recent years gained the accompaniment of a mental infirmity as well.

Woodsman: Hey, just because it sounds stupid when I say it, doesn't mean it is stupid when explained by someone who actually gets all this jargon. Trust me when I say the brainiacs here are going over everything with a fine-toothed comb, before we can actually begin to consider using or incorporating any of this shit into the final plan.

Echidna: How are you even going to explain this [Woodsman]? If this does actually work, and these shipgirls do come back thanks to these fabricated histories, what's supposed to happen when they realize they don't exist?

Woodsman: Well thankfully, that won't be my problem by my point.

Echidna: You had better not be serious.

Woodsman: I'm joking, I'm joking! Sheesh!

Echidna: Well then what is the plan for explaining away the rather glaring fact that there aren't going to be any nomaj records or memories of them? Most shipgirls are social beings with strong instinctive ties of friendship, family and nation. They will ask questions. And when they do, what are we supposed to tell them? How are we supposed to keep them aligned with and cooperating with us out of free will and loyalty?

Woodsman: Well the answer to that is rather simple. If we're building their personalities and memories from the ground up, we give them individual, mostly self-contained or isolated backgrounds, that include us in the divergent timelines they'll think they've experiances as steel hulls. We say they know us, they've worked with us, and the nomajs wouldn't know them because they're magical ships to begin with.

Echidna: I still don't quite follow how that ties their loyalties to MIB.

Woodsman: We're going to give these ships 'pasts' that connect them to magical world, and to MACUSA and MIB in particular, but with very little, if barely any real connections at all to their nomaj navies of supposed origin. That, and along with the effect of hopefully inserting ourselves into their crews and histories, should help subconsciously blunt the suckage of SOG being up front and honest about the fact that none of them, or their memories, are actually real. One of the ideas also being floated around at the moment, is to leave them in a controllable 'dream world' type thing for a bit, rather than immediately waking them up to reality. That way someone could slowly coax them into realizing somethings' up, but that we aren't doing this maliciously, and we really do need them. Then once they've worked any little issues or existential crises out of their systems, the egg heads can wake them up properly, without worrying as much about any of them losing their shit from the revelations.

Echidna: That's a dirty trick. But I do have to admit, that I can't help admire it. You're going to give them emotional connections, heroic tendencies they won't be able to help but feel, even as you Red Pill them out of their own little Matrix's.

Woodsman: You make it sound like what we're going to do is malicious.

Echidna: Well isn't it?

Woodsman: I'd like to hope that how we do it, and the initial mindsets they are summoned with, make the transition one that is at worst a bitch to accept, but at least still understandable and easy to wrap their heads around.

Echidna: How is this all supposed to work then. The American vessels larger than destroyers are already going to be hard enough to explain away, but then we have some foreigners in here. Like that Type A 1941 Heavy Cruiser I sourced the plans for.

Woodsman: Actually, the Jap CA is probably one of the easiest ones to explain away and come up with a backstory for. We're thinking of calling her Unzen, after the name that nomaj magazine once used when they did their own take on the plans. The broad strokes of the current brainstorm is to say that one of those hell-hole slave labour or inferi shipyards actually completed one of their orders, but never scrounged up the fuel or crew to actually launch her. Being stuck in a magical shipyard and created by magical means, MACUSA then claims her as part of the war reparations rather than the USN. Originally she's slatted for scrapping, but some see the usefulness of having a vessel that can make mincemeat out of even some lesser ocean-bound kami, at their disposal in the Pacific. After the initial occupation, MIB then use her as a secret floating base and off shore headquarters for a lot of our dicking around in the Far East for the next five decades, until she gets axed due to cost cutting measures in the '90s, much to the Bureau's dismay. Boom, done!

Echidna: What about the rest of them?

Woodsman: What about them?

Echidna: We're a government intelligence agency. Even if magic could provide a cheat for a lot of crew requirements, I still don't see how you could tie some of them too us, especially the larger ones.

Woodsman: Well it doesn't have to be permanent or interconnected, see? At least, that's the plan for most of the foreign ones.

Echidna: The last I heard, there were still four American ships alone in the prospective list of summons.

Woodsman: Yeah, they're ironically the trickiest. They're some of my favourites though. I called dibs on the battleship in particular.

Echidna: You came up with a backstory for a battleship?

Woodsman: Not entirely, just a few details. I called dibs on her summoning being one of the ones I get to fuel though, because this girl is going to be the god damn epitome of 'America fuck yeah', in a decently sized package that is exactly what SOG needs. So I want in on that if the mind-screw does inadvertently turn us into fairies.

Echidna: What is this battleship you are summoning anyway? The USN already have all the Montana Class ships now, and if you aren't aiming for the Tillmans, what is there left?

Woodsman: Well, we admittedly did have to look a little bit further back than the war itself, but in some ways, we lucked out by doing so. Someone dug up a ton of old plans for when the nomajs couldn't make up their fucking minds about what the North Carolina class was going to look like. There were like fifty different designs and variations, but we decided to go with one of the early ones called Scheme D. Hold on, I got some of the other papers laying around.

Echidna: That basically looks like a Americanized version of one of those Nelson Class battleships the Royal Navy came up with in the mid-20s

Woodsman: More like their angry, beefier cousin from across the pond, who didn't skip leg day. More belt armor than an Iowa on a hull that displaces less and provides a more effective protection scheme, while still managing 30.5 knots and firing the same broadside as an actual North Carolina. The USN never went with this design though, because they couldn't cut off the five thousand extra tons that put it outside the Naval Treaties they had going on at the time.

Echidna: What's the fake origin for this one supposed to be then?

Woodsman: At the moment, we're torn between saying we either had a sea serpent problem in the 30s that normal spell-casting just couldn't cut, and that appropriating a nomaj battleship design for the creation of a vessel capable of dealing with it from a safe distance was convenient, or that it was an escalated response to somebody else dicking around with nomaj naval vessels at the same time. Either way, what follows is a mildly boring and uninteresting life as a mild magical curiosity more than anything else, with a career mainly set in the Atlantic, aside from an incident with a Leviathan. Her moment to shine though, is a secret mission under the helm of MACUSA that involves replicating the ending of the Little Mermaid, but with more magic, explosions, and angry molesting tentacles summoned by Nazi magi-tech doomsday cultists. Oh right, and me and a few of the others would have been there.

Echidna: Isn't angry crystal-bound tentacle monsters and nazi doomsday cultists what happened too you with the [Redacted] Incident anyway? The only thing you're adding is the battleship.

Woodsman: The smallest lies are the easiest to sell. Besides, it would have been nice to have some great big ass honking guns there when it actually happened. Would have made things a hell of a lot fucking easier than what we actually had to do. Bullshit [Redacted] and their [Redacted].

Ecidna: That aside, I'm sensing a pattern here for 'kill the big monster'.

Woodsman: That's not unintentional. We're wanting her to be the tip of the spear for the team. She's going to have the most armor, so we're hoping for a personality that's familiar with brawling or taking on the bigger fish to protect the fleet. One who won't be afraid to get up in the faces of Abyssal flagships in the event that attacking from stealth fails, or when hit-and-runs devolve into protracted fights.

Echidna: So a lightning-bruiser who can still tank the heat if need be?

Woodsman: Yeah. Anyway, since I'm the one biting the bullet to summon her, and since she's supposed to be a brick shithouse like a chip off the old block in a way, we decided to have a little fun and made naming her a three way intersection of irony. See, apparently back in the days just after the Revolution, a bunch of folks up in western North Carolina and part of what would later become eastern Tennessee decided they didn't want to be part of the Carolinas anymore, and so they formed their own little off-shoot splinter state. Later on they changed the name of the place to Franklin, but at the very beginning, they were originally called Frankland, something the magical side of things carried on for a while longer. And so that's what we're gonna call her. USS Frankland, after the defunct North Carolinian magical splinter State of Frankland, and totally not me, wink-wink, nudge-nudge.

Echidna: How humble of you [Woodsman].

Woodsman: Come on, are you telling me you wouldn't name a great big honking ship, with fuck-off size guns after yourself, if you could?

Echidna: I think I'd prefer to be commemorated with something more eponymous or useful for things beyond conflict.

Woodsman: Well maybe when you finally die, MACUSA can name a hospital after you or something.

Echidna: Back on topic, what about the rest of the ships. I'm assuming the air power element of this task force is going to be American as well?

Woodsman: Actually, that's not entirely correct to be exact.

Echidna: What did you scrounge up for the carrier then?

Woodsman: Technically it's not just a carrier. Hold on, give me a moment- Behold, the Project 1058.2 Gibbs & Cox Soviet Hybrid Battlecarrier.

Echidna: A BBV? You do realize Battlecarriers never worked out, and were always inefficient disasters waiting to happen, right?

Woodsman: Maybe during the original war and as steel-hulls, yeah. But the capabilities of Abyssals and Kanmusu such as the Re-Class and the Ise sisters seem to suggest a different story when in spiritual form. Operations is rather keen on the idea of this monstrosity, as it saves us having to summon an extra ship. It's a two for one-deal, we get a battleship and a light carrier in one package.

Echidna: What's the backstory for this one even going to be? This design is even bigger than the Scheme D North Carolina, while from the same time period. It's the size of an Iowa and uses planes. There's no way MACUSA would have built this one. Neither would have any reasonable nomaj navy.

Woodsman: Well the simple answer is that it wasn't built by MACUSA or a reasonable nomaj navy to begin with. Those original Project 1058 plans were for a sequence of designs being offered by an American shipbuilding company to the Russians. So obviously in our fictionalized timeline, Design 1058.2 was built by Russian wizards with more dreams of military grandeur and power than common sense, to compete with the existence of USS Frankland.

Echidna: How do you plan to account for the war? The Russians never completed any of their logical pre-war capital ships before the conflict started. And for something this size, even with magic, it would be stretching the suspension of disbelief to say the inefficiencies of the late '30s Russian Ministry could have in time.

Woodsman: So they don't, and we roll with logic, and work the story to our advantage. We write it that the incomplete Project 1058.2 spends most of '40 and '41 hidden away on the Siberian coast, that is until the US enters the war. Then MACUSA offers to finish the ship for them, so the incomplete and botch-jobbed hull is brought here, and for a few months she receives more care, attention and competent work than she will ever see in the entirety of her life in commie hands. Then the newly completed Sovetskaya Krasnovia is returned to Russia with a squib American air wing, because the Russian Ministry cannot wrap it's head around nomaj aircraft in any reasonable amount of time.

Echidna: How is a little bit of help, care, and American pilots supposed to ensure good will to us, after what I presume should be at least still a few years of service to the Russians?

Woodsman: Via a career after that, which is wholly uninteresting thanks to mismanagement and nepotism looking down on a nomaj derived vessel, along with a career-ending mechanical degradation in the vein of what happened to Murmansk or Royal Sovereign by then end of the war.

Echidna: Well, I suppose that could work, and engender some rather lacking loyalty to the Russians at least. What's the next heavy fleet element on the list then? An American CA to accompany the Unzen?

Woodsman: Not quite actually. There were some plans floated for one, but Operations eventually fixated on the idea of utilising a fast cruiser-killer design in the group, to beef up the available firepower against tougher targets. Of course, the issue is that most of the World War Two era battlecruiser and large cruiser hunter designs are rather well known, or too big and uneconomical considering we already have Frankland and Sovetskaya Krasnovia, so we had to look a little bit further back, and beyond the Allies. Eventually we settled on the 1928 Zenker Panzerschiff Pocket-Battlecruiser Design.

Echidna: This one is rather old. Are you sure it's capable of holding it's own along side the others in battle? And what about it's AA armament?

Woodsman: We're hoping the backstory will provide enough of a history that she'll appear in a supposed World War Two condition. Likely something similar in modernisation to the Deustcheland Class shipgirls, considering Sankt Walpurga is supposed to be a successor to the original panzerschiff designs. Her story's supposed to be more along the lines of Priz Eugen though, but with a lot of resulting distaste for the fucked up shit she just happens to end up seeing and hearing being done over the course of her career, along with normal scrapping rather than atomic annihilation at the end.

Echidna: Sankt Walpurga? As in the Saint who Walpurgisnacht is named after? or Walpurga Hausmannin, the 16th century squib who got caught using potions by nomajs, was tortured into confessing to eating babies among other ludicrous things, and then met a rather horrid end?

Woodsman: Maybe.

Echidna: You just want to make people's heads spin, that someone named one of these ships after a squib, don't you.

Woodsman: Actually, it was [Redacted] from R&D's idea. Not that me or the others are complaining. Helping the cause of Squib pride, and all that good fight shit, yeah?

Echidna: Right, so who's next?

Woodsman: CL-154 based off of the, S-511-66 Cruiser Preliminary Scheme C design. A cancelled end-war light cruiser for the USN that was supposed to be armed with eight auto-loading twin 5"/54 guns. Basically a slightly bigger Atlanta on a crack-cocaine binge. In keeping with the USN naming convention for cruisers, we're calling her Cahokia, even if it is a bit egregious that the only settlements the nomajs would know of, would be the old mounds or the town, rather than the hidden magical community.

Echidna: Well, I see you people don't do things by halves when compensating for the limited BARCAP and Anti-Aircraft firepower that will be available to the rest of the group. What's her story supposed to be?

Woodsman: Pretty simple actually. Anti-Air, just like the original design. Or to be more precise, Anti-Flier and Anti-Blimp defense. We're gonna roll with the idea that somebody got paranoid about all those nomaj derived airships the Japanese were using as motherships for launching flying yokai and broom-mounted suicide squadrons towards the end of the war. So the story's going to be that we appropriated a nomaj vessel of our own to counter them. Of course, then the war rather inconveniently had to end, which means she never had much of a chance to shine until a few minor missions in Korea. We're think of making the MIB connection that we used her as an in-plain-sight disguise, and transport for secret operation insertions on a couple of occasions. It gives her a leg up on the stealth, secrecy, and the cloak and dagger parts of the job, if her fabricated history already includes a lot of sneaking around, and pretending to be an innocuous nomaj warship the commie magicals wouldn't have thought to pay attention to.

Echidna: What happens to her after that?

Woodsman: Budget cuts.

Echidna: That's a rather anti-climatic end.

Woodsman: Sure, maybe it's mildly disappointing. But it's the kind that would leave a 'future' shipgirl subconsciously wanting to prove herself, don'tcha think?

Echidna: I would suppose so. Who's number six on the list going to be then?

Woodsman: A Royal Navy destroyer design, since Operations wanted at least one vessel with a good family pedigree for ASW on the roster. We ended up going with a 1944 iteration of the 'Later' Battle Class destroyer variant. The Brits never actually got around to finishing most of their last runs of Battle Class ships, or at least keeping them for themselves, so that's what we're going to roll with. Her story's going to be that to help offset some of the debt for the war, someone at the British Ministry swipes the order when she's slatted for scraping in the drydock, and then instead sells her on to us. MIB then secretly finishes her off and uses her as a spy-ship and base of operations against illegal smuggling and communist activities off the African coast for the next twenty years. We're gonna name her Thames. In the context of her backstory, it'll be for the magical battle back in the war, following what the Tommys were doing for the rest of their Battle Class DDs at the time. Unofficially, it's for the more recent Blood Week Battle of the Thames.

Echidna: Simple, self-contained and succinct. Easier to explain away than some of the other ones too, but then I suppose it doesn't really matter in the end, when you're going to be up front with them anyway.

Woodsman: That's the general thought, yeah. We actually don't want to make things too believable for them anyway. After all, the poor bastards will eventually have to accept and get used to the idea of a world where they never existed. Better that they be able to realize the issues with their own stories themselves, rather than requiring us to break the illusion painfully or turn things into a situation full of all sorts is heavy shit and identity crises.

Echidna: So, a battleship, a battlecarrier, a battlecruiser, a heavy cruiser, a light cruiser, and a destroyer. I suppose that is a decent fleet composition, even if it is rather biased towards the upper end. I was under the impression that there were four American ships though?

Woodsman: That's because that's not the entire group we're looking at. You're right about the assessment that things are rather weighted towards the capital side of things, and Operations felt the same way.

Echidna: You're summoning more ships than just that six?

Woodsman: Yeah, a couple of large destroyers. Operations felt that while the set up of the primary ships selected for summoning lent itself well to raids, decapitation strikes, and hit-and-runs, it was still rather lacking in other areas. One lone destroyer doesn't make an ASW complement, and the size of most of these ships doesn't exactly lend this fleet well to scouting, night combat, or torpedo actions in the event the group is ever cornered by something they can't fight off.

Echidna: How many more of these things are you aiming for?

Woodsman: Four of them. That way SOG gets itself a fully independent DesRon, and they never have to worry about separating Thames, the ASW specialist, from the rest of the initial team of six.

Echidna: So I guess that makes the last American a destroyer then.

Woodsman: Yeah. One of the eggheads found an old preliminary study that showed how dangerously top heavy a full conversion to Dual Purpose Guns for the pre-war Somers Class Destroyer flotilla leaders would have been if they didn't lose at least one turret, and-or a torpedo launcher thanks to the extra equpment. We're saying nuts to that though, and hoping to use the mind-fuckery to make ourselves think that we just came up with a magical solution to the weight problem, when using that study as a basis for upgrading a sixth Somers MACUSA secretly acquired for itself during the inter-war period.

Echidna: That's a lot of torpedoes and firepower for a Destroyer. By the way, if you're following all the different navies' naming conventions, who did you name this Super Somers after?

Woodsman: There was some thought about naming them after Aurors that bit it during the First World War or Civil War, but with how long lived we tend to be, that could have been a bit awkward for some people. So instead we tossed the names of MACUSA's first Aurors in a hat and drew one out. Of course Abraham Potter was the one that fucking won, but fair is fair, so what can you do. USS Abraham Potter it is.

Echidna: What are the other three supposed to be then?

Woodsman: A very eclectic bunch. The backstories we're trying to figure out for them, are also the slightly more difficult ones.

Echidna: How so?

Woodsman: Well, first up is the German Type 1945 Zerstorer Design. We decided to give her the designation Z-59, since that was the next unassigned number we know of for the Kriegsmarine destroyer fleet. If you can believe it, [Terror Billy] just had these old designs just floating around in one of his old foot lockers after one of his team's raids during the later part of the war. When he turned it over though, his one caveat was somewhat... complicating, though it is still workable.

Echidna: Why?

Woodsman: He wanted Z-59's story to be that she fell into MACUSA's hands thanks to good people. Decent folk who decided Grindelwald and the Nazi's could go suck on the loud ends of their guns and wands, so they mutinied, stole her from the fitting out yard, freed the laborers, and then fucked off to join our side.

Echidna: While this does sound like it complicates crafting a background, I don't see why exactly is this an issue. That basically sounds like [Terror Billy]'s mission to [Redacted] in a nutshell anyway, with the main divergence being they stole an actual vessel rather than blowing everything up. Are you worried about her developing a conscience that might take issue with the secrecy of their missions, or the revelations the fabrications of their pasts will have?

Woodsman: Not exactly. It's just annoying, because we already used the mutiny card for someone else. We were kind of a little bit lazy, and basically ripped off Hunt for Red October for our Russian DD. The 1940 iteration of the Project 47 Destroyer Leader.

Ecidna: Isn't that thing in a computer game?

Woodsman: Technically that is an few different end war versions of what was initially a pre-war Project design, with some liberties taken. This one, we're thinking of calling her Razboynik in order to avoid confusion. The current idea also being floated at the moment, is for [Section] to be the one to go all burning monk to summon her. And Sovetskaya Krasnovia too. We're hoping that his sub-conscious animosity and programming might help make them less warm towards their supposed motherland, especially if he ends up a fairy.

Echidna: Well, just as long as it also doesn't pass on to them any tendencies to start thinking they're dead people, or to speak to hallucinated Russians.

Woodsman: Ah, good old [Tricky Vic]. Fun times, fun times.

Echidna: So that's three so far. Who's number four?

Woodsman: Thankfully a mildly less difficult case. A French design from 1940 for the Improved Mogador Class Large Destroyers. The original versions too, drawn up before the war forced the French to amended the plan for the four they actually ended up ordering, in order to use the smaller guns and other parts from the original Mogadors they already had. Current name we have in the running for her is Duc de Dantzig.

Echidna: How does this one work then? Through what manner does an early war, French designed destroyer end up in MACUSA's hands?

Woodsman: Well, you remember how obsessive the French were about getting France back, and how much of a pain in the ass they could be, trying to sit at the big boy tables all the time, right?

Echidna: Vaguely. I served the entirety of the war in the Central and Northern Pacific theatres, remember?

Woodsman: Oh yeah. You weren't part of the great Indochina clusterfuck version 1.0. Well anyway, the idea we had was this. A bunch of real hard up assholes make it to the States, they try to garner support for MACUSA to enter the war, they fail, but then unlike IRL where they just brought a bunch of stuff and then fucked off to join de Gaul's nomaj lot in England, a couple of them stay. They stay, they secretly appropriate a nomaj graving dock somewhere, and then start building an Improved Mogador to send to their nomaj friends in England. Of course, they inevitably get caught anyway, but with the slow preparation for war that was going on anyway, we finish the thing ourselves. And what comes next, we haven't actually figured out that part yet. The idea being favored at the moment, is for usage as a vessel for non-magical insertions of MIB agents and Free French operatives into areas of Vichy occupied Africa. With how broke the French are at the end of the war however, as soon as the conflict is over and she goes back to them, they shitcan her, bringing a convenient end to that backstory.

Echidna: So let's recap. You have four destroyers, each with eight guns. They're all oversized for destroyers, almost verging on being small light cruisers, but there's a comfortable maximum formation speed of 39 knots, with the three newer ones easily reaching 41 to 43. Between the entire DesRon, there's a sum total of forty-two torpedoes to be shared about, as well as a fair variety of space for depth charges or mines as required. That's a hell of a lot of firepower for such a light squadron.

Woodsman: Where these girls are going, they're going to need every bit of it. And then once they've used it all, they're going to need to get out of there in a hell of a hurry.

Echidna: If even half the places I suspect you're wanting to send them are correct, that's probably very true. If you're still working out the finer details of crafting their minds and personalities though, as well as getting parts of the summoning signed off though, I suppose that such things are beyond MAC:A - SOG's immediate focus for the time being.

Woodsman: Yeah, we still got a lot of kinks to work out in this crap. All sorts of business that needs to be double checked and rubber-stamped, before the eggheads will let us consider incorporating or changing things up. I suppose that's fair considering they're only gonna get one shot with us. If they blow it, it'd probably be a bit embarrassing if they let some of their most acclaimed, venerable and supposedly retired agents offed-themselves for their country, only to get a couple of lemons out of the deal.

Echidna: Frankland, Sovetskaya Krasnovia, Sankt Walpurga, Unzen, Chahokia, Thames, Abraham Potter, Z-59, Razboynik, and Duc de Dantzig. That's ten ships. A fair few chances for things to go wrong.

Woodsman: All the more reason to take this slowly and carefully. Better to delay and be sure, than to go off half-cocked and shit all over everyone's work. Plus, you know, there the whole 'I'd rather not die in an absolutely crappy, painful and drawn out way for nothing' aspect.

Echidna: So there's no real date set for the ritual yet?

Woodsman: Why? You eager to start planning a celebration party or something for when I finally kick it? Or do you need the time to muster up the courage to finally admit the feelings that you have denied are hidden in that cold frigid heart of yours after all these years.

Echidna: Unfortunately, I believe that you'll now have to accept with utmost certainty, that I really will be the one that you going to the grave without ever bedding. I suppose that means Hell will still be nice, toasty and unfrozen, should this fail and you happen to find yourself arriving there.

Woodsman: Hah! I guess you're right then. Not like I could do much now anyway.

Echidna: I will try to find the time to jump back Stateside for a bit however. It's been too long since we actually caught up. That, and I'd rather pour one out for you, [Section] and whoever else has volunteered for this suicide endeavor, when you can actually be present and join in. Grave stones and memorials make poor drinking partners.

Woodsman: I fucking hear you there. I suppose that's another upside to this whole shebang. A few more years, and I'm going to run out of non-senile conversation partners my age. Even you young folks are starting to get old and busted like me. Speaking of fresh meat and old underlings though, if you're coming over, what about [Swordsman]? Do you think he'll be able to make it.

Echidna: I wouldn't know, what with the way everything currently is here. Maybe he will though. Ever since he found out you're one of the volunteers for this operation, he's been grumbling about that five hundred dollars you've owed him ever since the Saigon Evac.

Woodsman: Tell him to go fuck himself. I told him the Ambassador couldn't be that delusional on his own, and I was fucking right. I won that bet fair and square.

Echidna: He also wants his payouts from Hong Kong, Macau, [Redacted] and for something involving a horse in Kyoto.

Woodsman: You know what. For even acknowledging the horse thing happened, he ain't gonna get squat.

Echidna: I'll be sure to pass that on.

Woodsman: Yeah, you better.

Echidna: Anyway, I should probably get back to work. It was good to hear from you again [Woodsman]. And to know you're making the decision to do this rationally. That's more of a relief than you realize. I'll contact you when I can sort out something for meeting up in person.

Woodsman: I'll look forward to it. And [Echidna].

Echidna: Yes?

Woodsman: If we're being all gay and sappy and thanking each other for obvious shit, I just want to say- Thanks for not judging. For not trying to talk me out of this, and accepting that I want to do this. Explaining over and over again to everyone is a right pain in the ass, but really, thanks. Living with these injuries. This isn't life. But if I can finally give it properly, doing something that could aid this country- to provide with my sacrifice somebody else who can do my duty, far better than I ever could in this changing world- I just want you to know I'm grateful as fuck that you haven't made this hard to talk about, mano-a-mano.

Echidna: As one old soldier to another [Woodsman], I'd be lying if I said I would never be able to imagine myself doing what you are, if I were in your situation.

Woodsman: Thanks [Echidna]. Don't ever let anyone ever tell you that you aren't one of the Old Breed.

Echidna: I think it's a few decades too late to dispute that.

Woodsman: Haha! That's true I suppose. Take care of yourself [Echidna].

Echidna: The same. It would be a pain to go looking for a new volunteer at the last minute. Echidna signing off.

Woodsman: Hah. Cheeky little girl. This is Woodsman, signing off.




Spoiler: Ships
So here's round up of what/who the MIB are trying to grab/make for themselves, and the available stats for the various ships they're using as bases for their planned summons.

USS North Carolina Preliminary Scheme D 1934-35
- "Frankland"
Spoiler
Dimensions: 228,6 wl x 32,31 x 9,75m
Displacement: 40.500tons (standard), 43.730 (maximum)
Armour: 159mm Deck, 432mm Belt
Engines: 185.000shp 4 shafts
Speed: 56km/h (30,5knots)
Armaments:
3 16"/50 (406mm) Cannons
6 5"/38 (127mm) DP-AA Guns
6x4 1,1"/75 (28mm) AA Guns
2-4 Seaplanes

1928 German Battlecruiser Design - Zenker Pocket Battleship
- "Sankt Walpurga"
Spoiler

Project 1058.2 Gibbs & Cox Soviet Hybrid Battlecarrier
- "Sovetskaya Krasnovia"
Spoiler

Circle 6 Type A 1941 Heavy Cruiser
- "Unzen"
Spoiler
The Circle Six Type A class is the most obscure Japanese cruiser project due to the original documents being destroyed at the end of the war. Everything, other than the original requirements put forth by the Navy, were destroyed. Some of the requirements were as follows:

Resistance to 500kg bombs hits to the deck and turrets.
Carry an immunity zone towards 20cm rounds between 15-25km and towards 15cm shells from beyond 10km; including hits under the waterline.
35 knot top speed.
Armed with 12 203mm/55 guns mounted in four triple turrets.

S-511-66; auto-loading 5"/54 gun armed CL-154 Preliminary Design
- "Cahokia"
Spoiler
Preliminary design plan prepared for the General Board during consideration of a light cruiser armed with a new automatic-loading twin 5"/54 gun mounting.
This plan, dated 30 November 1944, provides six of these gun mounts in a 580-foot (between perpendiculars) hull, with trial displacement of 8550 tons. It was the basis for the abortive CL-154 class light cruisers, whose construction was cancelled in March 1945.

1944 'Later' Battle Class Destroyer
- "Thames"
Spoiler
3 × twin 4.5 in guns QF Mark III on mount BD Mk. IV
2 × twin 40 mm Bofors mounts "STAAG" Mk. II
1 × twin 40 mm Bofors mounts "utility" Mk. V
2 × single 40 mm Bofors mount Mk. VII
2 × quintuple tubes for 21 in torpedoes Mk. IX
1 × Squid A/S mortar

The two extended ships were intended to bury all criticisms of the design once and for all. The hull dimensions were increased. adding 10 feet (3.0 m) in length and 2.5 feet (0.76 m) to the beam. This allowed for a third twin 4.5-in Mk VI turret to be mounted aft. The main reason for the increase in length, however, was the planned change in the mechanical layout of these ships. Since the inception of the J class the boilers had been concentrated together, an arrangement which allowed a reduced hull length, however plans drawn up for the smaller Weapon class showed that this reduction was, in fact, minimal, so a decision was made to employ a unit arrangement for the propulsion machinery in these ships, based on the same lines as proposed for the Weapon class.

Somers Class Destroyer
- "Abraham Potter"
Spoiler
Displacement:
1,840 tons standard,
2,767 tons full load
Length: 381 ft (116 m)
Beam: 36 ft 2 in (11.02 m)
Draft: 10 ft 4 in (3.15 m)
Installed power:
4 Babcock & Wilcox boilers,
2 General Electric geared steam turbines,
52,000 shaft horsepower (39,000 kW) (design),
53,271 shaft horsepower (39,724 kW) (trials)
Propulsion: 2 shafts
Speed: 36 kn (67 km/h; 41 mph) design, 38.6 kn (71.5 km/h; 44.4 mph) trials
Range: 7,020 nmi (13,000 km; 8,080 mi) at 12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Complement:
10 officers, 225 enlisted (peacetime)
16 officers, 278 enlisted (wartime)
Armament:
As built:
4 × twin 5 in (127 mm)/38 caliber guns
2 × quad 1.1 in (28 mm)/75 caliber guns
2 × .50 caliber machine guns (12.7 mm)
3 × quad 21 inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes, 12 torpedoes
2 × Depth charge stern racks
Notes: Armament varied greatly from ship to ship during World War II.

Type 1945 Zerstorer Design
- "Z52"
Spoiler
Displacement:
2,700 tonnes (2,700 long tons; 3,000 short tons) (Standard load)
3,100 tonnes (3,100 long tons; 3,400 short tons) (Full load)
3,700 tonnes (3,600 long tons; 4,100 short tons) (Deep load)
Length:
120 metres (390 ft) (waterline)
125.5 metres (412 ft) (overall)
Beam: 12 metres (39 ft)
Draught: 3.88 metres (12.7 ft)
Installed power:
80,000 shaft horsepower (60,000 kW)
4 x Wagner-Deschimag steam boilers
Propulsion:
2 × three-bladed propellers
2 x Wagner turbines
Speed:
42.5 knots (78.7 km/h; 48.9 mph) (Standard load)
39.5 knots (73.2 km/h; 45.5 mph) (Full load)
37 knots (69 km/h; 43 mph) (Deep load)
Range: 3,600 nautical miles (6,700 km; 4,100 mi) (at 19 knots (35 km/h; 22 mph))
Complement: 350
Armament:
8 × 12.8 cm (5.0 in) L/45 C/41 guns (1,440 rounds)
4 × 5.5 cm (2.2 in) L/76,5 Anti-Aircraft guns (5,000 rounds)
12 × 3 cm (1.2 in) L/66,6 M-44 Anti-Aircraft guns (24,000 rounds)
8 × 53.3 cm (21.0 in) torpedo tubes (16 torpedoes)

1940 Project 47c Destroyer Leader
- "Razboynik"
Spoiler
The way out of this situation was found. In 1940, an initiative project of an "armored leader with universal artillery", developed by engineer-shipbuilder V. Ya. Shur, was submitted for consideration at the RCMFU Criminal Code. The armored leader developed by him had four 130 mm twin-deck B-2-U multipurpose deck-rigs with 250 rounds of ammunition for the installation, four coupled 37-mm antiaircraft guns 66-K with 1500 ammunition ammunition, the Smena [12] ] , two five-tube torpedo tubes 2-N and a reconnaissance aircraft. GEM with a capacity of 75,000 liters. Similar to the GEM of the large destroyer of Project 35, at normal displacement it was to provide the ship with a full speed speed of over 38 knots [13] .

The author of the project took as a basis for the theoretical drawing the hull of one of the light cruiser variants, which had a length along the structural waterline of 150 m and a width of 13.6 m, and freely placed in it all the necessary premises, giving in the mass load sufficient space for the reservation, which "looked solid enough and it is quite comparable to that of the cruiser of Project 26 " [9] (booking of the side - 50 mm, deck - 25 mm, bow traverse - 100 mm, aft traverse - 75 mm, frontal, rear and side walls of combat deckhouse 100, 75 and 50 mm, booking the tiller compartment - 37 mm, the floor of the control room and barbets37 mm machine guns - 14 mm). The comparatively small relative mass of the hull in the project indicates either the neglect of its strength, or the desire to accommodate a limited displacement for the account of the mass of the hull structures, and a small stock of fuel in normal loading indicates a very limited range. Ultimately, since the tactical and technical elements (TTE) did not meet the required official task, and the author of the proposal did not have the necessary influence, this pre-draft project "was sent to the archive with a formal comment"

1940 Mogador Improved Design/Successor Large Destroyer
- "Duc de Dantzig"
Spoiler
Displacement:
2,997 t (2,950 long tons) (standard)
4,018 t (3,955 long tons) (deep load)
Length: 137.5 m (451 ft 1 in)
Beam: 12.57 m (41 ft 3 in)
Draft: 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in)
Installed power: 92,000 shp (69,000 kW)
Propulsion:
2 × Rateau-Bretagne geared steam turbines
4 × Indret boilers
Speed: 39 knots (72 km/h; 45 mph)
Range:
4,345 nmi (8,047 km; 5,000 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
1,780 nmi (3,300 km; 2,050 mi) at 28 knots (52 km/h; 32 mph)
Complement: 12 officers, 226 men
Armament:
4 × twin 138 mm (5.4 in) Mle 1934 guns
2 × single 37 mm (1.5 in) Mle 1933 AA guns
2 × twin 13.2-millimeter (0.52 in) Mle 1929 AA guns
2 × double + 2 × triple 550 mm (21.7 in) torpedo tubes
32 depth charges and up to 40 mines

Four improved Mogador-class ships were ordered in 1939 to be named Kléber, Desaix, Hoche and Marceau, but their construction was suspended due to the start of World War II. Their design was continually modified in light of wartime experience, but the original plan for dual-purpose 130 mm (5.1 in) guns had to shelved when it became apparent that they could not be developed in a timely manner, and they reverted to the main armament of the Mogadors. The anti-aircraft armament was reinforced with the substitution of four 100 mm (3.9 in) anti-aircraft guns for the single twin 37 mm mount. But these plans came to nought when France surrendered in June 1940.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts/Kiyone4Ever Crosspost 3

Have another crosspost from Kiyone4Ever:
_______________________________________________

Birth of a Notion

"And just what were you two trying to accomplish?" Lieutenant Uehara demanded angrily of the two Ship Actresses standing before him. "You don't get to pick and choose what rules you feel like following! Your job is to represent the kanmusu forces not act like them! What do you think would have happened if those Abyssals had turned out to be hostile? You would have DIED!"

"We didn't know you cared." Nagato replied demurly.

"I don't," Uehara answered flatly. "I care about this organization. We nearly had a headline about two wanna be shipgirls who got themselves killed! If it were my decision, I'd call Mister Takehashi right now and have you two back on the Toei lot where you'd be doing ramen ads!"

"With respect, Lieutenant, I wonder what the papers would say if 'Nagato' of the Big Seven 'abandoned' a hospital and a ward of sick and defenseless children in the face of danger? You may not believe it but Amagi and I have noticed that there are no true safe jobs in a war. I would rather not be remembered for disgracing the honor of those protecting our nation."

Lieutenant Uehara fumed. He so wanted to send these stage queens packing and replace them with human actresses who would remember their place unfortunately that was not a choice here.

"It seems some people were impressed by your little stunt. You two have been requested to pay a visit to Yokosuka tomorrow." Uehara was further annoyed that beyond the polite order for Nagato and Amagi's presence, neither Uehara's presence or further understanding was considered necessary. He frowned.

"A van will pick you both up at 0800 hours. Be ready in full costume. That includes your AT-6s, Amagi. Dismissed."

 

[darthcourt10]

NotHimAgain

The Truth

-----

"Mom?"

Mrs. Haneda turned around. Her eyes lit up slightly on seeing Tatsuya and Benio standing in the room looking at her, then widened and narrowed in concern.

"What's the matter, you two?" she asked, lowering the plate she was drying. "You don't look so well. Do you need to lie down?"

"Mom," Tatsuya repeated, struggling to force the words out. His every instinct was yelling at him not to do this, to keep all the fighting and violence away from her, to protect her like he very nearly hadn't Mamiya, like he couldn't Benio. And yet, doubt had crept into his mind. He would normally have discounted the Ono woman's words out of hand but this, coupled with Mamiya's own suggestion, was beginning to wear away at him and he couldn't move forward without laying it to rest. "Mom, I have to know. Are they real?"

Mom gave him a confused look, but Tatsuya noticed something clearer seeping into her eyes, something seeking. "Are what real?" she repeated.

"Your stories. About Grandfather, and great-Grandfather, and the others, I…" Tatsuya's breath caught in his throat. He pushed forward again. "I need to know."

And suddenly Mom was fear and horror, gazing into his eyes pleadingly, praying, desperate for some kind of denial. "Why?" she asked. Tatsuya looked down, away, looking for another way to explain, but…

He reached down, grabbing the hem of his shirt. Pulling it up to his armpit, he traced a finger along a white line that ran under there. "I told you," he started hesitantly, "that this came from… a bike messenger who clipped me. That… that was a lie. When I went to Benio's family gathering, we were attacked by a group of Gyuki. One of them hit me—right here—and nearly knocked me out a window. One of the Arashi's stopped me falling, and I was able to take it out with the broken-off leg of a chair." He set his jaw, looked her in the eye. "I have others. Other scars, other stories. Please."

Mom's eyes flickered down to the scar, then back up to his eyes. He had to stop him from taking a step back—all that was there was devastating heartbreak.

"Tatsuya," she said, voice trembling, "Do you know where your father and Mamiya are? They need to hear this just as much as you do… And I don't want to repeat the story."
-----

"For someone who is supposed to be taking it easy," Ushio huffed, "you are a very active person." Yae looked at her with a face wholly free of guile and took a drink from her lemonade.

"What can I say?" she asked, "this is how I relax." Ushio gave her an incredulous look.

"Wandering the streets searching for a Gokaiger figurine that you aren't even certain exists is your idea of relaxation?" Yae shrugged thoughtfully, examining her drink again.

"Welll," she admitted, "not exactly. It's more like an excuse to find new shops with different merchandise. It's fun to find new places that you never knew existed before, don't you think?"

"Well," Shikinami admitted, "she's got a point there." Ushio gave her a pained look. "Hey, I'm just saying that exploring can be kind of fun."

Ushio's look turned flat. "I'm sure," she replied.

"Ushio! Hey, Ushio!" The destroyer turned and looked over her shoulder. Harry was waving enthusiastically at her. Trailing after him was a series of largely red-headed individuals looking at them with varying levels of bemusement. And just like that, Ushio was on the spot again, fighting back a stammer. She settled for smiling and waving.

"C-come on," she said, turning and grinning at Yae, "we should find a place in the shade, and introduce ourselves.
-----

"I-it's always nice to meet some of Harry's friends from Britain," Ushio said nervously, bowing deeply. Shikinami rolled her eyes and lightly thwapped her over the head.

"Sorry 'bout her," she said casually, "Ushio's not too good around strangers. Give her some time to warm up to you, you'll all get along famously." Two of the redheads immediately turned to each other, whispering—then froze and looked up at the glares of their female companions. They quickly subsided, apparently judging the potential gains not worth the risk. "Anyhow, I hadn't heard that Warspite was joining you on your little guided tour. You'd think these things would work their way around the grapevine somehow."

Harry shrugged. "Well, I don't know what to tell you. Though I guess people may have been a little concerned with other details." Ushio nodded understandingly. She looked back at Ushio—what if these people let something slip?—and noticed that the red-headed girl had approached Yae. Before she could speak, the pregnant woman held up a hand to stall her.

"Yes," she said tiredly, "You can touch." The girl's face stretched into a smile, and she tenderly placed her fingers against Yae's stomach. Her eyes lit up, and she brought her palm to rest against her as well.

"When is it due?" one of the women, the one who could not be any other than the source of the red-headed invasion, asked, sitting down at her side. Yae smiled, looking down at her swollen belly.

"O-October," Ushio said excitedly, and suddenly people began to turn to face her. "I mean…" she trailed off, tapping her fingers together. Her next words came out at a bit of a whisper. "At the latest…" The woman smiled, turning back to Yae.

"You and your husband must be so proud," she said.

Just like that, Ushio felt the ice-cold shock of some kind of emotion trail down her back. Yae looked stricken and, for a moment, panicked. Shikinami bit her lip, turning her face away from the affair. The woman, for her part, almost immediately recognized that she had trod on some forbidden subject.

"Oh dear, I'm so sorry," she began, the words rushing out like a waterfall, "I didn't mean to—"

"No, no, it's okay," Yae waved her off. "It's a bit complicated."

Someone's drink exploded into a shower of unnaturally magenta fizz, and the matronly woman spared Yae an apologetic glance before storming off in the direction of the twins. Ushio shot them her own look, a grateful one—No one's attention was on Yae anymore, and the subject seemed gone from the minds of those present—oh wait, Shikinami was whispering something to Harry, who's face was cycling through different forms of stunned. She walked over and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Don't worry about this," she said quietly, "it's been all sorted out."

"But I—" he attempted.

"Everything's been handled," Ushio cut him off gently. "We don't need your help this time." Her hand came up to brush his hair, and she paused. He was this tall already, wasn't he. "Thanks for helping me out when you first arrived," she whispered, then turned back to Yae.
-----

Tatsuya looked between the faces gathered in the Haneda kitchen. His father, puzzled and a bit worried. Mamiya—and he'd gotten her to sing that song, so he was certain it was her—worried but… resolved? That seemed an odd look for the moment. Benio, pensive. He imagined his was much the same—dreading but at the same time pleading for the answers that he was about to receive. And his mother, who had taken on a face he had never before seen—that of a woman who had walked for many years under an unimaginable weight. Finally, she looked between each individual herself, and spoke.

"When my father died, I was an only child. After I mourned, I came to believe that the burden that the men of my family had born had passed on from us. At least, I convinced myself that it was belief. Looking back… It probably wasn't anything more that denial and wishful thinking. I missed things that I should have seen, or pretended that they didn't exist, and in this I have failed everyone in this room because I thought, with this no longer a part of my life, I didn't have anything to worry about leaving it behind.

"All this time, I have been telling you the stories of my father, and those generations that came before him. I told you about my grandfather fighting wizards in the second World War, of my father battling goblins, my great-great grandfather rescuing cities from crime lords. I have told you everything I know about the men of my family except for one story. One incident in the life of my great grandfather that is the most important one of them all.

"He was a child in those days, a teenager much like you Tatsuya. He was wandering the outskirts of Tokyo on a Sunday evening when he saw a beautiful foreign woman being harassed by strangers. He stepped in and attempted to chase them off, but instead they seized him as well and dragged him away to their lair. He had stumbled upon a cabal of vampires, hiding in a land they thought they would be safe in. He got free and, upon realizing the nature of his enemies, snapped his shinai in two and drove them off. When he demanded to know what had happened…"
-----

"Yes, your speed is incredible," the woman said, tapping her chin absently. "Just like that of your father—what an interesting individual. It seems magic hasn't faded from the outside world quite so much yet."

"What? Lady, I asked you a question!" the boy shouted, gesturing at the piles of dust around them. "What were those people? Why were they so interested in you? Why did I have to—Oh kami … What was all that?" The woman fixed him with a calm stare.

"Yes," she said as if she had heard nothing that he had just said. "Yes, I believe you'll do perfectly."

"Y-you just… You damn gaijin! Listen to what I am saying—"

Suddenly, a hand rested above his eyes. The woman was speaking, but now her words resonated like thunder, running down his body and through his skin like a thudding taiko drum.

"From this day forward, magic and magical beings shall seek you out, and you shall seek them out. You shall find around you those monsters which threaten the peace of those around you, and you shall battle and destroy them. On your shoulders you shall bear the weight that no one else is able to. This shall be your duty, and your son's duty, and his son's duty. Now and forever more, you and your descendants are Select."
-----

"Then she vanished," Mom concluded, leaning back on the counter. "My great grandfather could not tell if it was a dream or a hallucination at first. Then, two nights later…"

"… the full moon came," Mamiya finished, her face pale. Mom inclined her head, eyes closed.

"Wait—" Dad cut in, hurriedly, "what are you trying to say? That you're some kind of warrior fighting against the evils of the world? You said something about sons, didn't you? Why—" Tatsuya turned and stalked from the room.

Shoving his arm under the table, he flipped it, sending it spinning over his head. As silverware rained down towards the ground and he ducked underneath, his hands snapped out, closing around table knives. With an ease born of desperate survival, he sent the blades spinning into the wall. The table hit the ground behind him, landing perfectly on its feet. He turned back to see everyone watching. Benio was trying not to laugh, giving him an exasperated look that asked "why did you think that was necessary?" Mamiya and Mom both looked saddened, though Tatsuya didn't feel like their reasons were quite the same. And Dad… his face was a mask of shock.

"Tatsuya, I—" he stammered, "I knew there was something wrong, but-but this?"

"My burden," Tatsuya repeated, turning to face the wall once more, "that no one else can bear. My actions, and the weight of my actions, are mine to deal with—mine alone. And if keeping a secret means that everyone is safe, then I—" A familiar fist hammered him in the back.

"Tatsuya!" Benio shrieked, standing over him, incensed and pointing back behind the two of them, "You're talking to your family!" Tatsuya pushed himself upright with a huff, looking back at them again. At the pain, the sorrow, the heartache in their eyes—but nowhere so much as his mothers.

"I…" Dad said, raising a hand to cup his brow, "I need time. Time to process this, I… I don't think I'm quite thinking clearly." Mom took his hand in hers, and he lowered his other to rest over it. Then he stepped aside and allowed her to step forward.

"No burden," she said, steel beginning to creep into her voice, "is meant to truly be born alone. Now come with me.

"It's time I showed you the Arsenal."
-----

Well what do you think, sirs?

 

[darthcourt10]

Lord K Omake: "Shenanigans"

kinglugia said:
So that's what happened to that particular Muramasa blade.​

Yep, that's what happened to some of Kyoshu's missing pieces. They ended up in evidence storage after the Americans exchanged all of Unit-731's (and Sub Unit-942's) information and records for their members' freedom, to keep everything out of Russian hands.

RCNAnon said:
A half Russian, half American BBV modeled along the Re class lines I don't think could be anything but a bit derpy or confused.​

*-*-*-*-*
"Kapitalistskaya svin'ya! My great rival!"

"Oh god, no. Why why couldn't she have been fake as well?"

"It is good to see you Frank of Lands! Friendly face, yes? Even if face is amerikanskiy."

"You're american too numnuts!"

"By design and birth, sure, but heart is beatings of true patrioticheskiy kommunis- wait, did you say orekh?"

"Speak English! God, I swear my Russian is better than yours, you freaking nutcase!"

"No, no, your nuts. The numming nuts? Orekh! Are they priyatnyy?

"What?"

"You have them? Yes, no?"

"Unfortunately, I'm really starting to think I have one fucking nut in particular that won't go away."

"Khorosho! Good! Could I- wait, why you speak of the fucking? Bourgeois shlyukha!"

"I'm sorry?"

"You better be! Ew! Not in a million years! Yebat' sebya!

"Grrrrrrr! Hey, you in the pointy hat over there! Can I still opt out? Is it too late for that?"

*-*-*-*

mikelima777 said:
I can see the others having various quirks.

Frankland: does not like being compared to an oil tanker (see the Nelrods).

Cahokia: Shits on fire, yo. (She is a super Atlanta)

Thames: Constantly drinking tea.

Razboynik: Addicted to World of Warships.​

Pffft, that leads to a hilarious mental image to consider. There's a building up to something, or a situation where one would almost expect to hear Ride of the Valkyries being played to accompany the DesRon bursting out of a smokescreen as a psy-ops tactic.


And then there's a record scratch, followed by Razboynik blaring Russian hardbass as she leads the charge, much to her fellow destroyers' annoyance.

That or she's like a Russian version of "gremlin"D.Va

Also, Cahokia being a legit pyromaniac could be fun. A vaguely Atlanta looking girl, who sports a few slight Native American elements, which causes most people to expect her to have a Pocahontas vibe or something. But nope, first and foremost, Cahokia wants to burn things down.

Her and Inazuma could get along like a house on fire.

Harry Leferts said:
See, now that is extremely smart of them. It's just when people think of groups like the CIA and such, they think of things like the black sites, the cartels, and the like. So seeing one group not turn to such...​

To be fair and realistic, MIB isn't totally infallible. They've had their fair share of mistakes and ill judged ventures too over the decades.

The longer lifespans and careers of it's operatives though, means many of the current leadership and veterans of the group are around Mary and Swordsman's age, and have learned from many of their predecessors' errors by dint of surviving the effects of the bad decisions or inevitable FUBARs that effected those in the field. Personal experiences mean most of them aren't keen on forgetting the costly lessons gained from their grunt and field operative days during the Cold War anytime soon.

Maes said:
Ever seen those videos of cats fighting their own legs or tails?

Like that, but with shipgirl rigging. Portside has no clue what Starboard is doing and the girl part argues with them regularly.​

"Prepare yourselves, kontrrevolyutsionnyy Abyssals! To witness the true power of a fully armed and operational Soviet Aviation Battleship! In the name of the motherland, I shall punish you! Patrioticheskiy fairies of the Sovetskaya Krasnovia! LAUNCH!"

*Main gun randomly fires instead, narrowly missing Frankland and the rest of the group*

"OW!!! MY FUCKING EAR!"

"WHY CAN'T I HEAR?!?"

"IS ABYSSAL SONIC ATTACK COMRADES!"

"YOU DAFT BITCH!"

"YOU ALMOST SHOT ME!!!"

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Eyebrow raised, Molly glanced over the building in front of her with a thoughtful look. "So this is one of those Japanese hot springs?"

A chuckle made her turn to find Nagato walking towards the group with a small smile on her face. "As a matter of fact it is, Molly. I thought that you all might want to experience one before going back to Britain."

Making his way over, Harry hugged her with Nagato patting him on the head. "Mum! You're here!" There was a grin on his face as he looked up at her. "I didn't know if you would or not."

Lips curling upwards, the Battleship ruffled his hair some. "Well, I did promise that I would. And thankfully, I had to made a report directly to Teitoku and have some time before I need to go back north to be with Hoppou." With a sigh, she looked over at the group. "I am sorry for everything though."

Arthur only shook his head with a chuckle of his own. "Nagato, you don't need to apologize for everything. We all know how real life can get in the way. Besides, it was a family issue after all."

Frowning, Cyrus gave her an odd look. "Shouldn't you be there with Hoppou?"

That got him a snort from Nagato as she shook her head. "Hoppou will be fine for a few hours. Besides which, Wanko has headed there herself and I very much doubt that either would be in much danger as the case may be." For a few moments she gave the matter some thought and then sighed. "In fact, I would be more worried that Hoppou may well get some ideas."

Softly snickering, Harry shook his head with a grin. "Like putting on a yellow hard hat and some coveralls?"

Blushing some, Nagato gave him a playful glare. "I thought that you promised not to bring up the Hoppou the Builder Incident, young man. Especially after what happened."

However, Harry just grinned at her even more. "No, I never promised that. I said that I would not bring it up unless needed, Dess. Nothing more and nothing less."

Eyes rolling in their sockets, Nagato gave a small sigh. "Yes, I suppose that you did at that, Harry." Ruffling his hair, she turned back to the others who were watching with various amounts of amusement at what was happening, though Supprin was holding back sniggers. The others though were somewhat confused at what they meant though they had to smile at the interaction between the mother and son. "Anyways, hopefully you'll enjoy this."

With a glance at her niece, Amelia shook her head. "I'm sure that we will, Miss Nagato. Though..." Turning her head, she frowned at the Onsen. "Is there anything in particular that we should know?"

Just humming, Nagato thought it over before slowly tilting her head. "Well, I would hope that you brought your swimsuits with you. This Onsen allows for such after all."

About to say something to that, Molly was interrupted by George who had a frown. "Wait, you mean that we can wear swimsuits to this one? But the last one-Oof! What the heck, Fred?!"

Only wincing, the other twin coughed and gestured with his head to the side. When George looked, he flinched at the look his mother was giving him. "What do you mean the other one, George? Why would you be surprised at the issue of swimsuits?"

Before the twin could dig himself, as well as Percy alongside Ron and Fred deeper into a hole, Nagato sighed. "That was our fault, Molly. We brought them to a more... traditional Onsen while forgetting the issues that might arise. At such places, mixed bathing is a thing without swimsuits." Rubbing the side of her head, she grimaced. "It was only after when it was pointed out to us and we realized that perhaps that was the wrong thing to do being as the cultures are quite different in that manner."

Charlie blinked for a moment before turning to his younger brothers. "Wait, you saw her naked as well as others? Damn, luc..." Noticing his mother turn a glare on him, he coughed. "Er, I mean what were the four of you doing?"

Pinching his nose, Percy let out a breath. "Charlie? Not. Helping."

As her second oldest weakly chuckled, Molly turned back to Nagato only to find her bowing. "My deepest apologies, Molly. I accept responsibility for that."

Several seconds went by before Mrs. Weasley sighed and shook her head. "Accepted, though you don't need to go quite that far. As you said, different cultures." With a frown, she glanced at the Onsen. "But this one allows for swimsuits?"

The Japanese Battleship gave a small nod at that. "Yes, it allows for swimsuits which is why I chose it."

A frown on her face, Susan furrowed her eyebrows and turned to Harry. "Wait a second... from what was said it sounds like that sort of thing happens to you? But you're British! Why wouldn't you clue in?"

In return, Harry shrugged. "I may have been born in and spent a few years in Britain, and I will always consider it my birthplace... But I've grown up here in Japan with Mum and a bunch of aunts and older sisters." Rubbing the back of his head, he frowned and let out a sigh. "To be honest? That sort of thing doesn't bother me all too much. I mean, the Repair Docks back in Yokosuka also sort of double as the public baths for shipgirls and stuff. So growing up, Mum would take me there for baths, so it doesn't even get a blink from me."

Moments later, snickers escaped from George and he shook his head. "Something that Katie, Alicia, and Angelina learned the hard way." At the looks, his tone became dry. "They told Harry after the first practice that the team showers together in the same area. So what does Harry-kins do? He shrugs and gets to work and asks if they want him to wash their back or if they do his first. They freaked out a bit and thought that he was a pervert until he mentioned that they did that sort of thing back home."

Almost as one, they turned to Harry who shrugged. "Like I said, that's how I grew up."

Coughing in a way that suspiciously sounded like 'Lucky bastard', Charlie looked away. Only rubbing her nose, Amelia sighed. "Is there anything else that we should know?"

Warspite chose that moment to speak up some. "Perhaps one thing, when we enter the separate rooms before the hot spring we need to wash ourselves down first. One room is for us women and the other is for men. After that, then we put our swimsuits on."

Furrowing her eyebrows as her fairy translated, Amisi turned to them and frowned before speaking one of the few bits of English that she could understand. "Why?"

Only blinking, Nagato frowned some. "Do you mean why do we wash first?" When her fairy translated and the Egyptian Sunshipgirl nodded, the Battleship frowned. "So that we're clean when we enter the hot spring and keep the water clean for others."

Thoughtful, Amisi considered that before giving a slow nod. It did make a certain amount of sense after all. Most of the others though looked confused with Astoria leaning towards her sister with a frown. "Daph? I thought that taking a bath was when you get clean..."

Simply shrugging, Daphne shook her head. "I suppose that is just one of the other differences between Japan and England?"

Harry suddenly snapped his fingers. "Oh, right! No one has any tattoos or anything like that, right?"

All the adults stilled at that and looked at him before Evelyn gave him a frown. "Tattoos?"

Gesturing at his arm, Harry nodded. "Yeah, tattoos. You know, pictures and stuff. Even tribal tattoos. Because, well... most Onsen don't let those with tattoos inside."

Now understanding what he meant, Arthur relaxed some. "No, none of us have any tattoos, I think." When Bill shook his head and so did Charlie, the older man chuckled. "Though Molly did once have this rather interesting Celtic knot tattoo when we were younger. It was... interesting to find it."

Head whipping around, Molly hissed at him. "Arthur! They don't need to know that!"

Looking slightly green at what was just hinted, Ron shuddered some. "Yeah, what Mum said."

While her sons nodded, Molly scowled some. "I was going through a rebellious phase! And it was in my Sixth Year when I went out with some Muggleborn friends and..." Flushing deeper at the looks, her scowl deepened. "Never mind that!"

Slowly blinking, Harry tilted his head to the side. "Poi?"

Off to the side, Cyrus twitched a bit which seemed to amuse Evelyn. "Never mind, dear. Now then, I am rather looking forward to this experience..."

Minutes later found them all inside the Onsen and in separate change rooms. Glancing to where Nagato as well as Warspite and Supprin were shedding their clothes, Ginny looked down at herself and sighed. 'Gah, I hate this...' Feeling a hand though, she found Amisi there with a small smile on her face. "Hmm?"

Amisi gave a small chuckle and shook her head. "{You are still young, Ginny. Give it time and I am sure that Isis will make sure that you will become a beautiful woman. One that will attract a good husband.}"

Confused, Ginny frowned a bit before it turned into a smile. "I'm not really sure what you just said, but thanks."

That got her another smile from Amisi while elsewhere in the room, Duke was looking around with a deep flush on her face before focusing on Warspite. Just as she was about to say something, her fellow British Battleship chuckled and shook her head. "Relax, Duke. There is nothing to worry about, after all, it is no different then back home in the repair docks."

Still flushed, Duke gave her a small glare. "I would think that it is slightly different, Warspite. Considering things and..."

A twinkle entered Warspite's eyes as she hummed a bit. "Oh? How so?" Leaning forward, she smirked. "Perhaps it is due to being in front of Ron in a swimsuit?"

Glancing at the basket, Duke's flush deepened. "No, I could be in front of Ron with a swimsuit. However, the one that you chose for me is-"

Just waving a hand, Warspite closed one eye and gave Duke a small grin. "Is what? It is not skimpy in the slightest, Duke. It is simply a two piece and nothing else."

Despite her embarrassment, the other British Battleship looked at the swimsuit and sighed. She had bought it after all, though she had not thought that she would be showing it off. Then Duke considered some other facts and then slowly nodded as she remembered the swimsuit that Warspite would be wearing was much the same. "Yes, well, I am more worried about poor Ron. We are going into a hot spring after all..."

That got giggles from Warspite who shook her head.
______________________________________________________________________

Hearing the giggles, Amisi turned and looked in the direction of the two Battleships and tilted her head some in curiosity. 'I wonder what the two of them are discussing?' After a few seconds though, she dismissed it and turned to her own basket of bathing supplies and smiled. If there was one thing that the Egyptian enjoyed about the modern day, it was how things had changed in regards to baths. Amisi knew that when she was just a ship, in the days of her Pharaoh's first life, the only way most did to take a bath was to soak themselves in the Nile or perhaps one of the irrigation canals.

But now? They had clean running water that was the temperature that one wanted. As much as they could possibly want as well. If one wanted, they could sit in a "Bath" which was filled with water for as long as they wanted. Or, they could stand below water falling from above as the rare, life giving rains in the desert.

And was as enjoyable as such.

Such luxuries compared to when she sailed the Nile. Yet that was only part of the wonderful part of the world she had discovered! Where people had used a scented paste formed from clay or ash mixed with plant and animal oils, now there were other far superior methods. Things called 'Soaps' and 'Bodywash'! Not to mention the wonder that was 'Shampoo and conditioner'! After using them the first time, she gave a prayer to the gods for having them invented.

With such wonders, she would not need to worry about the smells of the body. No, instead such odors were instead replaced with far more wonderful ones. Scents like those who built her could not have imagined! And more then that, she would not need to worry about the pestilence that was lice. No, they now had ways of killing such pests or even preventing them.

For that alone, she gave a lit incense in thanks for as she knew how her crew and others had suffered from them.

Now, at first she was rather confused why such ablutions were done near daily. Even in her day such would be confusing and somewhat wasteful for any but a Pharaoh. Yet all were able to do so and she had asked why such was done alongside the washing of hands with soap. The reply was shocking to her in that it was to prevent disease and illness! Such scourges were not due to invisible spirits or miasma in the air. No, they were due to small creatures, evil creatures, far too small to see. The fact that it was so easy to stop them saddened her as she could not help but wish that such was known when she was a ship. So many lives could have been saved.

Just shaking her head from such thoughts though, Amisi turned back to her own cleaning products and began to set them out one by one. A small box containing a clean smelling soap she had found had been made from milk. Milk! Such luxury! And it left her skin so soft and smelling fresh, without needing to scour it.

The soap was soon joined by a flowery shampoo and conditioner. Both of a kind that her Pharaoh's younger sister had picked out for her. Glancing at the red haired girl, the shipgirl smiled and felt a fondness for her. After all, "Ginny" had taken her to buy items that were considered needed. More then that, she had gone out of her way to make sure that said items were of the sort that the Sunshipgirl would enjoy and had asked her opinion. The smile grew slightly as Amisi remembered how the two had communicated to each other. Despite how her own mind had been awhirl, Ginny had helped and not gotten angry with her.

Chuckling, and drawing looks, Amisi took the cloth that she was to wash with from the bucket. Granted, part of her mind was on how her pharaoh may react to her "Swimsuit". Yes, she was still confused about modern day views on modesty, but she still enjoyed the looks she got from him at times. Or the ones she had already gotten from her Pharaoh's other two wives. And glancing at the one named "Supprin", she had to smile. Her Pharaoh was wise in ways that he did not realize yet. Even the Sea Devil would have been a wife who would have caused others to be in awe of.

With that thought, Amisi turned her attention fully to what she was to do...

 

[darthcourt10]

Maes Omake: "Chione with some Gauls."

Barricade said:
Chione Weasley​

"<Mum! Mum! Auntie lent me some of her foreign fairies? And now I can move so much better!>"

"<Hm? That's nice dear.>"

"<It IS! I can do 45 knots with only those two at the oars!>"

"<... the fuck you say?>"

"<Yeah, the fa-stout one with the stripes and the short one with the really nice mustache? sofast>"

*sighing and pinching her brow* "because of course it's those two <Just... go easy with them? There's only so much our hulls can take. Oh, and avoid the pirate girls? They have issues with those fairies.>"


~elsewhere~

"Hey... giant galleys don't usually have 100ft-tall rooster tails, right?"

"Galleys don't have those at all, dumbass."

"What's that then?"

". . . Sign that it's time to go drinking."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Having walked out, Cyrus looked around the open area of the hot spring and raised an eyebrow at the stones and such he could see. "Interesting, it looks rather natural. Like something that one would find out in the wilderness then a pool being used as a business."

Just stretching some, Harry shrugged. "It looks natural so that it is in harmony with nature and in balance. Or I think it is something like that." After a few minutes though, he furrowed his eyebrows and looked towards the main Onsen building with a small frown. "I wonder what they're doing that is taking so long?"

With a chuckle, Arthur turned from where he was talking with Bill and smiled a bit. "Harry, they're most likely just taking their time."

A sigh though made them turn and some of them stared at the sight as Nagato walked out. The swimsuit that she was wearing was obviously based on her usual outfit but made more into a bikini. One that her sister would call the "Conservative" one. "Sorry about that, but it turns out that some people came to join us."

Confused, Bill shook off his shock and blinked. "Wait, other people showed up? Who?"

Moments later, Ooyodo walked out followed by the Akizuki sisters. The Light Cruiser gave a small sigh and shook her head. "Sorry about cutting in about this." She hid her annoyance at Goto though, even as the words of the Admiral played in her mind telling her to go and enjoy some time with Percy and to take a break. 'Let's see how he likes an increase to his paperwork...' Seeing how Percy was looking at her though, a smile did bloom on her face. 'But perhaps not that much.'

Walking over, the three Duckies all gave Harry a big hug with grins on their faces. "Harry-Chan!"

Lightly laughing, he hugged them all back, not noticing how Daphne, who had followed them out alongside with Tracy, was looking down at herself and grumbling a bit. "Akizuki-Chan! Hatsuzuki-Chan! Teruzuki-Chan!" Pulling back some, he raised an eyebrow. "Get back from your patrol?"

Only humming, Teruzuki gave him a bright smile. "Hai, we were on our way back from the Ogasawara Islands when Hoppou's, um, fleet showed up?" Then she shrugged. "We were supposed to return to Yokosuka anyways, so we're a day early."

Hatsuzuki gave a small nod as her hair tufts moving. "Sorry for interrupting things."

Simply shaking his head, Harry gave her another hug. "You're not." A glance at Arthur who had been joined by his wife got him a small shake of the head and a smile. "So is everyone out?"

Much to their confusion, there seemed to be an amused look on Molly's face as she shook her head. "No, Miss Warspite and Miss Duke have not come out yet."

Just as he was about to ask, Harry noticed that Ron had gone bright red including the tips of his ears. More then that though, the red head was gobsmacked as he was looking at something and the nearly thirteen year turned and blinked. Mainly because both Warspite and Duke had come into view with Warspite in a white bikini. Duke meanwhile was in a red two piece with the top looking like a sport's bra and the bottom being boy shorts. 'Huh...'

For Ron though, this was the first time that he had ever seen either of the two in swimsuits. Warspite, due to her legs, never really went swimming and the one time he had seen her in a swimsuit was when she was in a jacuzzi watching the Destroyers. But Duke? Not once did he ever see her in anything like a swimsuit, let alone one like she was wearing. Needless to say, he was utterly speechless while most of his brain burned it into his memory. Smirking, Warspite gave him a raised eyebrow. "Well, Ron?"

Rapidly blinking, Ron tried his hardest to keep his eyes meeting theirs. He tried very, very hard but they still had the habit of trying to move elsewhere. "I... uh... that is... w-well..."

Part of him realized then that Duke looked somewhat uneasy and embarrassed. It was that that finally caused him to snap fully out of his stupor. Before Ron could fully do so though, Charlie snickered and gave him a small punch to the arm. "Well Ron, you're quite eloquent today."

Whipping his head around, he gave a glare to his older brother and spoke before thinking. "Bloody hell! I'd like to see you say something straight with an amazing sight like the two of them in front of you!" Then, realizing what he had just said, his mouth snapped shut and he turned. "Well..."

However, Ron trailed off as he realized that neither of the two looked angry with him. In fact, Duke was now smiling and somewhat relaxed as she gave a chuckle and a nod. "Thank you, Ron. Honest as always."

Meanwhile, Harry was frowning as he felt a high amount of pure smug in the air and looked around. 'Juuchi, I swear if you're here...' It was then that his eyes fell on the source and he had to blink. 'Okay... how the heck is Warspite putting out enough smug to match Juuchi's? I have never seen someone manage that before.'

Warspite gave a knowing smirk to Duke while they walked towards Ron, her radio active. '{Well? I told you he would like the sight of you in that.}'

Blushing, Duke shot her a look. '{Yes, and? I am still not used to this sort of thing.}'

All the other blonde Battleship did was shrug her shoulders, something that drew Ron's eye much to her amusement before he brought his eyes up to hers. '{I will admit, it is rather... cute... how he is trying to not stare.}' That got her a sigh from Duke before the two reached Ron and she placed a hand on his shoulder. "Well? Shall we enter the hot spring then?"

Just swallowing, Ron gave a nod. "Uh, yeah. Yeah, that might be a good idea."

While Ron was helping Duke and Warspite into the hot spring, Charlie was looking between him and Percy. The third oldest of the six Weasley boys was blushing as he helped Ooyodo into the water, Supprin beside him. As well, Amisi was waiting her turn, though Charlie had to cough some as said sunshipgirl had a cloth wrap around her chest. Shaking his head, he turned to Bill who had a small frown on his face. "What the heck is going on here, Bill? I mean, seriously? Ron and Percy, both of them? And with more then one? The bloody hell?"

Glancing at him, Bill sighed some and shook his head. "I know, trust me on that. The whole world has gone completely and utterly mad."

Charlie scratched his head and scoffed. "Seriously, those two. Meanwhile the two of us can't find a girl to go steady with. Mum's been after me ever since I graduated."

Eyes rolling, Bill started to walk forward. "And she hasn't with me? Mum wouldn't be happy until we're all settled down and with jobs as well as kids. Though at least she's stopped with trying to get us in the Ministry." While his brother was nodding, the taller red head smirked some. "Though in your case, there is that Scottish woman you had a relationship with up at Loch Ness. What was her name again? Seiche Columbus or something?"

Face flushing, Charlie was about to give Bill a shove when Molly turned and gave him a glare. Huffing, he grunted a bit. "Yes, and? Seiche and I were just friends, Bill. And Squib or not, she knows a lot about magical creatures including dragons."

Yet again rolling his eyes, Bill sighed. "And a barmy one. Honestly, you and your dragons as well as her with her 'Real Nessie' business? Everyone knows that it's a Kelpie and nothing more. Not some kind of mythical, extinct water dragon with powerful magic."

Thinking back to those days, where there was an amber eyed Scottish lash with a brownish hair and a rather fit frame, Charlie gained a smile. "I don't know, Bill. She always seemed to know more then she let on. Even the Kelpie seemed to respect her... Heck, she never got mad when people dismissed her, it only seemed to amuse her for some reason."

Simply deciding to drop the matter, Bill entered the hot spring before glancing over to where two of his younger brothers were. Ron was in a corner with Warspite and Duke on either side while Percy was similarly surrounded by Ooyodo, Supprin, and Amisi. Granted, the Sunshipgirl seemed completely blissed out and was leaning against Percy, much to the annoyance of the other two. And the embarrassment of Percy judging by if the redness in his face was due to the heated water or not. 'The world has gone seriously weird.'

His mother on one side and Akizuki on the other, Harry sighed as he let himself sink into the waters until they reached his neck. "Now this is nice."

Across from him, Astoria gave a small nod as she leaned back against the rocks. "It is pretty nice. Different from the times when I went to Bath, but still pretty nice."

While various people nod, Tracy looked over at him with a interested look. "By the way, is there anything that one is to do at one of these places other then relaxing?"

Blinking, Harry turned his attention to her and hummed. "Well, some places offer sake for adults. Though another thing that gets done is talking among each other. Some people do business deals and the like."

That made Daphne perked up some at that and turned her attention to him. "Business talk?" When Harry nodded, she frowned thoughtfully and then smiled. "Well, then I think that we have some things that we can talk about." Seeing the black haired wizard look at her, the Slytherin smirked. "I have some good news regarding those calculators that we talked about. Tracy and I hired some people who have experience in mechanics and such. Some are squibs and others are werewolves, but Father stated that they are good people who do good work despite everything."

Eyebrows furrowing, Nagato turned away from the conversation that she was having with Molly and raised an eyebrow. "Calculators?"

With a smile, Harry nodded while chuckling. "Remember the Curta calculator that RO-Chan got me for my birthday?" When his adoptive mother nodded, he continued. "Daphne thought that she could sell some for those doing work with Arthimancy."

Smiling, Evelyn looked over and gave her daughter a proud look. "Yes, Cyrus thought that it was a good idea. And it would also give them something to work on later on though currently we're helping them" At the frown on Nagato's face, she shook her head. "It is a Pureblood tradition among some families to have their children start up a small business. They're never very large and are usually things such as selling items to other students. Usually potions and the like, though in this case neither of us see an issue. It is to teach them business sense after all."

Her eyebrow still raised, Nagato glanced at Amelia as well as Susan and Neville. All three gave a small nod at that which made her hum. "I see... that is rather interesting." Turning to Daphne, she tilted her head slightly. "May I ask how you are going to produce them?"

Daphne gave a small smile and shook her head. "I had several copies of the ones that Harry had made magically and got a hand on some design papers. We've had to work at learning how to put them all together, but we've managed and also covered things from the non-magical side of things legal wise."

That got her a nod from Nagato before the Battleship turned back to Molly and the two resumed their previous conversation. Harry meanwhile was interested in what was going on. "So now you'll be able to make your own? How many and how fast?"

Fingers tapping against a rock, Daphne frowned and turned to Tracy who shrugged and answered the question. "At the moment we can make one every two weeks. It's not fast, but we're learning and it is all that we can do with our funds at the moment."

On the other side of Akizuki, Teruzuki frowned before snapping her fingers. "Wait, Curta? You mean that little calculator that you were using that time?" When Harry nodded, she frowned some. "I wish that we had them during the War, it would have made some work easier. They're like tiny little computers."

Slowly nodding, Harry froze. 'Computers... wait, the technology that they're using...'

Having noticed his friend's expression, Neville sighed. "Oh boy, here we go." When the other teens looked at him, all the nearly thirteen year old did was point at Harry. "He has some odd, off the wall idea that might work. I've seen it before."

Just ignoring that, Harry furrowed his eyebrows as he continued to think before looking towards Ron. "Hey, Ron? Mind if I ask you a question?"

Ron for his part blinked and then gave a shrug. "Sure, go ahead. What's your question, Mate?"

Deep in thought still, Harry continued to roll around his idea. "You know as much about shipgirls and such as I do. But... getting around MSSB, what sort of things can be done to boost a shipgirl's effectiveness? I mean, in things like aiming?"

For a few moments, Ron frowned before he gave it some serious thought. Inside his mind, he went over everything that he knew about shipgirl engineering. A mind that in the future would be counted among the best at such things. Right now though? Information that he had gathered in his quest to heal and fix Warspite's injuries and was now using for his next project involving Duke's turrets came to the fore. "That can be a bit tricky. But... generally put? Anything that was reproducible back when they were afloat during World War Two can be snuck past. I know that some German girls have night vision thanks to them making copies of night vision scopes that the Germans had in WWII for their tanks." He then gave Harry an odd look. "But you already know that, so why?"

Grinning, Harry gave him a shrug. "Just an idea that I just had and needed confirmation. You know that Curta calculator that I have?" When Ron nodded, the black haired boy continued. "Daphne and Tracy just told me that they are starting to reproduce them. And Teruzuki-Chan just stated that they are like little computers..."

Confused, Ron was about to say something when he paused. "Wait, calculators... computers..." Eyes widening, the thought clicked in his mind. "No way, no bloody way did that get missed..."

Needless to say, there were stares at the two boys with Hatsuzuki frowning. "I don't understand, Harry-Chan. What does that have to do with us?"

Still grinning, Harry looked at her. "I know how to do calculations on them really, really fast. Those types of calculators allow for someone to perform calculations on a whole lot of stuff nearly as fast as electronic ones. Way faster then you can with slide rules and the like. I know that pilots used to use them for calculations in mid-flight. Same with people with racing cars, since they can calculate speed and so forth. But what else could you use them for on a ship that would be really useful!?" Judging by the widening eyes, his mother and the other shipgirls there realized what he was talking about. Turning, he gave a cough. "So, Daphne... about funding, I would like to get a piece of that. After all, I am pretty sure that you'll be finding a lot of contracts soon enough besides wizards and witches..."

Utterly lost, Daphne glanced at the three Destroyers who were whispering among themselves and Ooyodo who was deep in thought. The Slytherin's gut instincts was that she was about to get a very big windfall and slowly gave Harry a smile. "I think that we can work something out, Harry."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

The wooden deck creaking beneath her feet as the ship moved across the waves, Gwen stood at the railing with a small smile upon her face as she took a deep breath. No matter what, the sea always attracted her. More then once, her mother had scolded her when she stood upon the cliffs close to her home when she was younger. The sight, smell, and sounds of the sea stirred something deep inside of her.

However, the thought of her parents and siblings made her frown slightly. Since May, she had not heard anything from them. Even the owls returned unanswered for her. Then Gwen shook her head and chided herself. They were likely extremely busy getting the fields back in Wales ready for the season. After all, they grew potion ingredients and she herself held the highest marks in potion making as well as alchemy. 'Not bad for one who's parents were born from non-magical blood.'

Closing her eyes, she just smiled and decided to enjoy the journey back home. After all, she was just lucky to catch the boat filled with other students making the journey from Scotland to Wales. Her thoughts though were interrupted by an unwelcome voice. "Ah, there you are staring at the sea again, Gwenfron!"

Lips curling into a small scowl, she turned to look at the young man across from her. "Nathaniel, my name is simply Gwen, not Gwenfron! How many times must you be told such!?"

All he did though was smirk and give her a look over, something that made Gwen scowl even more and close her cloak around her tighter. "And yet, Gwenfron is perfect as a name for thee." Shrugging, he gestured at another part of the ship. "But enough of this old... argument. Mayhaps you will finally come and grace some of us with your presence?"

Still scowling, Gwen shook her head. After all, she had heard plenty about what happened around Nathaniel and his group. He was some sort of cousin to the Malfoys, and his looks at her more then once made her skin crawl. The only reason that she never hexed him was due to the power his family held. "I am afraid not-"

When Gwen stilled though and started looking around, Nathaniel frowned at the worried expression on her face. "Come now, and what has you looking like that?"

Mostly ignoring him, the purple haired girl, the effects of a prank many years before, looked around. "Something... something is wrong. There is something foul upon the winds."

Rolling his eyes, the young wizard was about to comment when he heard a shout and blinked as he noticed something. "What in the name of Merlin? Over there! Off the bow!"

Now looking in the same direction, Gwen felt her stomach churn. Making their way towards the ship was what looked like a woman of pale skin and black hair. She wore what the Welsh witch recognized as Spanish armor colored black with their distinctive helmet. But her eyes were glowing... At the same time though, where the woman was, Gwen could see a ghostly ship of a Spanish galleon. It looked wrong though, as if it should not be there. The timbers were blackened and the sails tattered for all they drove the ship with speed. And the decks had what looked like demons on them.

And then the woman sighted them and a bloodthirsty grin grew on her face. Gwen somehow knew what that meant and could feel something inside her rising upwards, trying to break free. "Nathaniel... quick, gather the others! Do not hesitate, we're going to have to fight!"

Utterly confused, the boy looked at her. "What are you going on about woman-"

What else he might have been about to say was lost though as there was the sound of cannon firing and the ship buckled under their feet. Next thing that Gwen knew, she hit the water along with various timbers and body parts from the shattered ship as it sank. Somehow, hearing a wail from the ship as she somehow landed on the water as if it was just ground...
___________________________________________________________________

Standing at a window looking out into the dreary form of Diagon, Gwen sighed as she shook her head. It had been over twenty years since that day. The day that the monster woman had attacked their ship. She had... changed somehow, become different.

Glancing in the window and seeing the reflection of a tired seemingly twenty three year old rather then the actual forty six year old, Gwen grimaced. Since that day, she had barely aged for some odd reason. Being the only known survivor of it, as she had heard Nathaniel had died of his injuries, more then a few question how. Oh, no one had said it to her face, but she had overheard the whispers. How there was no monster woman that attacked the ship and that in fact she had killed her fellow students. Or perhaps, Gwen had summoned a sea monster.

Then things had gotten worse when she found out that her parents and siblings were all dead. Killed by non-magicals in one of their witch hunts, her siblings burned at the stake while her parents where hung. That, more then anything else had hurt.

It went without saying that due to the rumors of what had happened that day, her family's deaths (which were also blamed to some extent on her), as well as her seemingly agelessness, Gwen was a lonely woman. Within years, all those that she had counted on as friends, and were still alive, had abandoned her. A dark witch some had declared, she knew. Only Elizabeth Potter had kept in touch, even convincing her uncle who was a potion's master to take Gwen under her wing. After all, with her odd, exotic looks, Liz knew just as well about being isolated.

But despite her credentials and abilities, she was still lucky enough to have gotten the job that she had at the apothecary. And that was only due to the connections she had with the Potters, the Longbottoms when Liz had shamed them, Alfred Dumbledore who had been her Potion's teacher, and former Sherriff Bones, who was now heading up some sort of work into a "Ministry of Magic" with others. She had even heard talk of some sort of treaty to hide from the muggles.

Not that she could blame anyone for such after what happened with her own family.

Out of nowhere, the bell above the door rang and she straightened her dress before turning. "Good day to you, and welcome to-"

Suddenly, she was cut off by a cold voice. "Oh, thank you very much for the... warm welcome, Gwenfron. Rather long since last we met."

Within moments though, Gwen's eyes widened in shock as she took in the scarred wizard before her. One whom was leaning against a staff to support himself with his once handsome features now ruined. "Nathaniel? Is that you? But they said-"

Lightly laughing, which sent a shiver down Gwen's spine, he grinned. "That I died? Oh, it was a very near thing, Gwenfron. But I made some friends you see, ones highly interested in what I knew and they used some methods to save me. Friends... that I would like for you to meet."

The bell above the door rang and several people walked into the store. Each of them wore black cloaks with their faces hidden within shadows. Eyes widening, Gwen swallowed back her fear as she realized who he meant. "The Unspeakables... You're-"

Now grinning, Nathaniel spread his arms. "Working for them? Oh yes, as a... contractor of sorts. I get them the most interesting specimens for their work. Can't speak of what sort of course, I am sure that you understand, but..." Gesturing with a hand, his smile turned feral. "Well. I think that you do understand what sort of work I do."

Backing away, Gwen tried to apparate, only for it to fail. "You..."
Simply shrugging, the scarred man chuckled. "Don't try to escape, Gwenfron. We've already secured ways of preventing it. After all, I told them all that I saw and they were most interested in you." Eyes growing dark, he gave her a once over. "The abilities that you showed that day, along with how you are seemingly immortal? Oh yes, they have heard of such beings though they never thought that they could find such."

Eyes widening, Gwen tightened her hand on her wand. "The other day, when I was walking through the forest. Someone tried to kill me with the Killing Curse!"

Once more, Nathaniel shrugged. "Of course, I knew that you would live through it when I cast it. While weakened, you were able to escape. Hence why we're here..."

With a deep breath, Gwen's eyes glowed. "Then try and get me."

Hours later, Liz rushed to the door to find an injured Gwen there. The poor woman had burn marks all over her body and was leaking out blood. At the sight of the odd injuries she had, Liz gasped some before shaking it off. The mother of six grasped her friend and helped her to her feet. "Gwen! What happened to you!? Who did this?!"

Gasping, Gwen shook her head. "Nathaniel did, Liz. He's still alive and brought Unspeakables, they're still after me and no one else would help!"

Lips curling downwards, Liz shook her head. "That cur is still around? No matter, come on in and we'll look you over. Try and fix what we can" Biting her lip, Liz gestured for one of the servants to head out. "We'll discuss getting you out of Britain. If the Unspeakables are involved, then they won't stop coming after you..."

Two months later, Gwen stepped off the ship and onto the docks in Amsterdam. With a final, sad look back in the direction of Britain, she hefted her bag that had been charmed to be enlarged and checked to make sure that the gold that Liz had given her was still there. Then, turning, she walked into the crowd of humanity that she was now separate from for so long...
________________________________________________________________________

Many, many decades later, Gwen sat on the edge of a cliff face in front of a ravine. Far below, she could hear the sounds of rushing water of the river along the rocks. Beneath her eyes were bags from many nights of being unable to sleep and lines of stress creased her otherwise youthful face, making her seem older then what one would have thought. Granted, at this point she was well over two centuries old and yet some might well think that she was simply worn twenty something besides her face. Said lines and signs of stress and depression were for one main reason.

Even after all that time, she was still hunted.

Yes, the Department of Mysteries were still after her. But it was Nathaniel who was the main pursuer. For all that he was now as old as she was, the man was obsessed. Oh, she knew he still lusted after her body after all these decades. It was her agelessness that he truly wanted now, that and her power. After all, he was feeling Death creep closer and closer to him and wanted to stop it from taking him.

Or at least, that was what she had found out that time in Prussia. Said event had lead to the small town being mostly destroyed when she defended herself with her running once more. Both of them wanted by the authorities, magical and non-magical. That was thirty years before though. And yet, that was just one such incident. If he did not find her, she still had to leave wherever she settled down. For questions would arise at how she seemed not to age no matter what. And makeup and magic could only go so far for a disguise in such a case.

Thus, she would need to pack up and leave where she lived before suspicions grew too much. If it was not the non-magicals, then it was the magicals who were fairly rabid about the new Statute of Secrecy. Something that she had soured fast on as more then a few times she had fled just ahead of a group of magicals after someone obviously practicing magic. There were some friends that she left behind, but others? More then once she thanked her durability for being able to withstand a stab in the back, figuratively and more the once literally. Gwen could still remember when one person she had trusted had fired a gun at her head.

Now, in Alsace-Lorreine, she was simply tired of it.

Tired of running.

Tired of all the betrayals.

And tired of being alive.

Hence her sitting above the cliff trying to gather her courage. She even had alchemist's fire ready for it as hopefully the fall smashing her upon the rocks along with being rapidly burned to ash would be enough to finally end it all. Finally, the immortal could rest in peace. No more chases or fights, just... peace. All she needed was to bring together her courage...

"Fraulain? Are you alright?"

Oh, and also somehow convince this young boy to leave her alone.

Eyes sliding slightly, she internally frowned at the young boy looking at her. While many of the various children had avoided her as she trekked up here, this boy had followed. Sure, he had hidden behind the various trees and such while watching her. For the past hour, she had just sat there. Due to her life, Gwen knew there were many things that she could be called. However, a robber of the innocent she was not. She would not have a child who did not know of how cruel the world really was see her end it.

Which was why she felt a small bit of annoyance at the boy who had kept watching her until he had walked over. "Fraulain? Are you alright? You are not lost, are you?"

Now, if only he would just leave!

Finally, she sighed and looked at him. "Now, look-"

The boy gave her a bright smile at finally getting a response. "Wilhelm! That's Mein name. Wilhelm Wolff!"

Blinking, it took a few moments for Gwen to respond. "Herr Wolff-" Ignoring the giggles, she continued. "Would you please just leave? I would like to be alone."

Head tilting to the side, he blinked. "Why?"

Eyebrow twitching, Gwen bit back the need to snarl at him. "Because I need to be alone, that is why."

Furrowing his eyebrows, Wilhelm slowly nodded and walked off. "Very well, Fraulain."

Once he was gone, Gwen frowned and sighed. Internally, she was conflicted. Now that the boy was gone, the only thing stopping her was her own fear. Hunching over, she gathered her cloak around her as she felt cold and ignored the voices telling her not to do it. A half hour later, she was about to do it when she heard footsteps coming towards her. 'Great, the child is back.' With a sigh, she turned and was about to tell Wilhelm to leave once more when the boy presented her with a purple iris. "What is this?"

Still smiling, Wilhelm handed it to her. "A flower. Mutti always stated that giving a pretty girl a flower will always make them feel better."

Utterly speechless, Gwen took the flower and twirled it in her hand. "She said that?"

With a nod, Wilhelm sat down beside her and looked up at the sky. "That's right, and Mutti is always right!" Head tilting to the side, he smiled. "So please, don't be sad."

Voice nearly a whisper, Gwen closed her eyes. "I have a lot of reasons to be sad, Herr Wolff. Many, many reasons."

Reaching over, Wilhelm took her hand and gave it a squeeze. "And there are more reasons to not be sad. I mean, it is a very nice day after all. Too nice to be sad on."

Very slowly blinking as she looked at the flower between her fingers, Gwen turned to the young boy and saw the earnestness in his eyes. There was nothing there that was false, he had just wanted to cheer up an sad woman. Swallowing, Gwen was reminded of another face, centuries ago. One just as filled with innocence and such.

One that she had seen in the mirror.

Feeling the tears come to her eyes, she let out a sob. And then Gwen let out another sob and another. All too soon tears were streaming down her cheeks as she felt the need to end it leave with said tears. Clutching onto the confused boy, she just let it out as he soon hugged her back and patted Gwen on the back. Later, that night, he brought her to his home and confused parents. Said couple having moved there with their son fairly recently, but they accepted her until she could gain a place of her own.
___________________________________________________________________________

With a sigh, Gwen looked around her home that was not far from where Wilhelm lived with his parents. As it turned out, his family had moved to Alsace-Lorreine shortly after it became part of Germany. They were magical from a minor Pureblood family, not a big one. Sitting in a chair, she looked around in thought.

Once she had known that Wilhelm was magical, she began to teach him. Yes, his parents were knowledgeable, that was true. But Gwen had learned and was far more so when it came to potions. It had started simply with the young boy watching her prepare such for his parents to sell for her. Eventually, while she did so, the two had talked and she found herself enjoying the company. Soon enough, it graduated to her having him help prepare ingredients to involving him in the making of the potions.

When he went off to Drumstrang, she had felt a pang of sadness and loneliness.

However, he returned and went back to helping her. Like a sponge, Wilhelm had absorbed her lessons and soon was making potions far more advanced then he should have been able to. Potions that he was not supposed to learn for years in school yet. When he was in his fourth year at Drumstrang, he had asked her about alchemy, so that too soon joined their unofficial lessons.

As the years went by, Gwen had watched the young boy grow into a man before her even as their friendship had deepened. More then once, she had let slip more then she had wanted. To her relief though, Wilhelm did not seem to really notice such. Recently though, the two had started to have... moments. Nothing inappropriate mind you. But the ageless woman had found herself leaning into his embrace when he hugged her more and more often.

Then, just a few days ago, she after the two had shared dinner after one afternoon together something happened. Her belly filled with good food and wine from nearby vineyards, she had hugged him close. Both of their bodies had been pressed together and she leaned down only to stop as she realized what she had been about to do...

She had been about to kiss him

More frightening to her was just how much she had wanted to move forward just a little bit more. To feel her lips pressed against his... perhaps followed by more then just that. Said thoughts cared her and after a somewhat confused, and if she did not miss her guess disappointed, Wilhelm had left, she had slumped down against the wall. How and why Gwen had asked herself over and over again. When had she fallen in love with the nearly seventeen year old who was once a young boy. And how had she done so.

Oddly, while the first she was not sure about, the second she did know. Unknown to him back then, though Gwen suspected he knew now, he had saved her life. Over the years, that had only increased as he had held her when she cried, shared in laughter when she felt joyous. Sharing meals together over candle light. Looking back over their interactions, she groaned. Somehow, he completed her and was a rock in her turmoil of a life. It was just her luck that she had finally found the person she felt most for. After over two centuries, she found someone that she loved.

Granted, her response to that was to be frightened and react as she had other times. Being so close to someone was scary, terrifying. So many times Gwen had been betrayed that she had one response.

To flee.

Which is what found her now in the entry hall to her home with all her personal items in a trunk. It was time for her to run again, despite how much it hurt. How much her very soul ached for Wilhelm to hold her. She couldn't stay, being betrayed by him would destroy her utterly. Even though she knew that he would not, it was just too powerful a fear. Glancing in the mirror to see the purple iris in her hair above one ear, the same one that Wilhelm gave her all those years ago and preserved by their magic, she sighed. Eyes closing and trying to hold back her tears, Gwen turned and opened them.

Only to freeze as Wilhelm in his Drumstrang uniform stood there with his arms crossed. Eyebrow raised, he frowned some. "Gwen? Is this why you have asked me not to come for a few days? Because you were going to leave?"

Speechless, Gwen stared at him. "I... I..." Closing her eyes, she ignored how he walked over to the letter addressed to him. When she spoke, it was in a small voice full of pain. "I have no choice, Wilhelm."

His next words though caused her to snap open her eyes and boggle at him. "Because you love me as much as I love you? And that scares you?" Mouth moving, she could only watch as he walked over and hugged her. "Or perhaps it is because of your other secret?"

Gwen's stared at him. "My secret?" Then she realized what else he had said. "Wait, you love me..."

Just nodding, Wilhelm took a deep breath. "As much as you love I, I suspect. How could I not, Gwen? Mein freund."

Then he leaned down and kissed her much to the woman's shock. Of their own accord, her arms came up and wrapped themselves around his neck as they pressed their bodies together. Wilhelm's hands went to the curve of her hip and the small of her back when as they kissed until she pulled back. "But Wilhelm, I, what secret? If you mean..."

Chuckling, the German teen nodded. "If you mean how you have not aged? Ja, I noticed that. I have known that for many years." A small smile on his face, he pressed his forehead against hers. "And you know what? I do not care, Gwen. I love you."

Even as tears sprang to her eyes, she shook her head. However, Gwen could also see in his eyes that he was not lying, he really did not care about that and she could see the love there. "If... if you know then..." Taking a deep breath, she sniffled. "Wilhelm, being such, its a curse."

With a small nod, Wilhelm removed his hand from her hip and brought it to her cheek. "Ja, I cannnot imagine how your life has been, Gwen. But please, trust me."

Burying her face into his neck, she sobbed a bit. "Wilhelm, its hard. So very, very hard. I... there are people after me and..."

All he did was nod before pulling away enough to gently kiss her again. "And? I do not care. Let them come and I will allow them to harm you when my body is cold."

Once more sniffling, Gwen pulled him into a deeper kiss as she smiled.
______________________________________________________________________

A year, that had been all the time that had passed. And now, Gwen was stretched out and glaring at the form in front of her. "You... you bastard! You goat fucking bastard!"

Just chuckling, Nathaniel walked towards her. Old, his body failing him. But still with that grin of his. "Oh, Gwenfron. Still so angry over that boy?" Shaking his head, he came to a stop in front of her. "I must admit that I was surprised that you decided to settle down with someone. And now? Now he is dead because of that."

Lunging forward, she snarled. "I'LL KILL YOU! YOU HEAR ME, NATHANIEL! I WILL KILL YOU AND SEND YOUR SOUL TO BE BURNED IN HELL FOR ALL ETERNITY!"

Still grinning, the old man wagged a finger. "Now, now, no need for that. Besides which, there is nothing that you can do. After all, I know your strength and charmed those chains for such. As well as the cross that you are now laying upon." Grabbing her shirt, he tore it open enough to show her chest. "Now hold still for a moment." With a brush dripping with blood, he made several symbols upon her skin. "Really, as to that boy of yours, you really have no one to blame but yourself. After all, if you had only taken my offer when we were in school, none of this would have happened. But now... now I am going to rectify that."

Now frightened, Gwen gave him an expression between fear for what he was doing and was going to do, and anger. "What... what do you mean?"

Grin becoming a smirk, Nathaniel grabbed her chin. "Why, we're going to be together forever, Gwenfron. Just like I always wanted." Madness in his eyes, he chuckled. "This is old magic, from before Hogwarts. You see, there was a curse that could be lain upon someone. It would bind their life to another so to prevent them from killing each other. When one would be injured, the other would feel it upon themselves. And if one was to try and kill the other, then they would be resurrected as long as the other survived. The curse was used by a dark lord on the one who was supposed to slay him. It prevented them from killing each other, though the light wizard figured out how to break it, the method was lost."

Feeling her gorge rise, Gwen tried not to look to the side where the slumped body of a young girl was. "Dark magic. Why am I not surprised..."

Nathaniel just shrugged some and chuckled. "I don't want to die, Gwenfron. And the two of us will be together as you will never be able to escape from me. I am going to make sure of it." Drawing the same symbols on his chest, he then pulled out a ritual knife and stabbed her where the heart would be before pulling it out and preparing himself as he chanted. Knife, dripping in blood and aimed at his own heart, his eyes filled with glee at the despair on Gwen's eyes as he finished. But then, they turned to hope and shock. 'What-'

Moments later, he was flung bodily away from her with the knife being ripped from his hand and hit the ground hard, thankfully not interrupting the ritual circle. Snarling, he could turned and heard Gwen shout. "WILHELM!"

Unable to believe his eyes, he just stared. "How? You were dead, I was sure of it! I even left you in her home as it burned!"

A snarl of his own on his lips, Wilhelm glared at him. "I am not going to tell you that." Seeing the dead woman, he held back his disgust and flung another, more deadly spell. One that the older wizard had dodged. Avoiding a dark curse flung at him, Wilhelm grimaced. 'This will be a lot more difficult...'

The two of them flung spell after spell at each other as they tried to kill each other. All the while Gwen was trying to break free of her bindings to help. But she could only watch as the two went at it, with Wilhelm using every trick he learned at Drumstrang.

But it was not enough as Nathaniel flung a spell at Gwen which Wilhelm tried to block. And so he missed the follow up which was the older wizard appearing in front of him with a sword and piercing him through the chest. Breath driven from his lungs, the young man could just hear Gwen screaming at him before Nathaniel kicked him to the side with an annoyed huff. "Bloody stupid boy." Seeing Wilhelm send a curse at him which he recognized as a nasty one that caused rotting, he stepped to the side and snorted. "Still don't know when you should just lay down and die, hmm?"

It was then that he noticed the smile and blinked. But before he could say something, the centuries old magical heard something whistle through the air and felt chains wrap themselves around his neck. Eyes bulging from his face, he gasped as he saw Gwen holding the other end, the wood that bound said arm having rotted away. "Go to Hell!"

And then she yanked back with her strength and there was a crunch noise before the old wizard was flung into the wall with bone shattering force. Ignoring that, Gwen tore her other arm free as well as her legs and rushed to where Wilhelm was. Looking up at her with a smile on his bloodied lips, he chuckled. "I told you that I wouldn't let them... have you."

Tears coming from her eyes, Gwen fell to her knees. "Wilhelm... you foolish, foolish man. Why?"

Reaching up, he cupped one cheek. "Because I love you, Gwen. And love makes... men do foolish things." Even as she placed her hand on his and cried, he could only feel happiness that she was safe. Despite the life leaving his body, he smiled. "Gwen... I'm sorry."

Only shaking her head, Gwen tried to staunch the blood. "No, no, no! Don't act like that! Don't you dare die, Wilhelm! I couldn't live if you did."

Already feeling his eyes trying to close as his body felt weak, Wilhelm let out a sigh. "That is why I am sorry, Gwen. But... at least I die with Mein angel watching over me."

Still shaking her head as she sobbed, Gwen looked around before freezing. Then she looked down at the boy, no man, in her arms dying. Because he was so much in love with her that he was willing to do so. "Wilhelm? You love me, right? Forever?"

Barely able to move, he just nodded and whispered. "I do..."

With a sniffle, she chewed her lip. "Thank you... and I am so, so very sorry..."
______________________________________________________________________

Eyes snapping open, Gwen gasped as she woke up. For several moments, she breathed in and out, her chest heaving under the blankets. But then she felt a hand touch her cheek and a voice that filled her with warmth and safety. "Gwen? Are you alright?"

Turning, Gwen let out a sniffle as she wiped away her tears. A smile the bloomed on her face as she looked at Wilhelm, who was alive. And who had also been her husband for many, many years. "I am, it was just a bad dream. About..."

Only sighing, he gently kissed her and then each tear. "It was but a dream, Gwen. Things are fine now."

Kissing back, Gwen placed her hand on his chest before feeling something and looking at the large scar there. "Do you... do you hate me? For what I did? For finishing that curse on us both?"

If she had looked, she would have seen Wilhelm roll his eyes some. Then he cupped her cheek and kissed her stronger before rolling on top of her. Looking down at her, the seeming young man thought back. To when he woke up days later to a crying Gwen and how she had explained she had completed the ritual. Stabbing him in the heart with the knife and so binding his life with hers. Also apologizing for being so selfish.

And so, he had gotten out of bed as she just babbled before kissing her hard.

Granted, the wall had gotten in the way and other things followed. Things that both of them had rather liked. His parents had been angry, but also understanding. Soon after, they married each other. And since then had spent their lives. Looking down at his wife though, the love of his life for now and onwards forever, Wilhelm could only feel thanks. Straddling her as he felt Gwen's finger trace the scar, he smiled. "Nien, I do not. For it has given me more time with you... Now, no more tears. You promised me."

Blushing, Gwen gave a small nod. "I did." With a small smile, Wilhelm leaned down and kissed her as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Feeling his hands trail along her sides, Gwen gave a sigh. "Wilhelm, we have to get up. Albus will be here today and we need to know what he wants."

With a hum as he kissed her jaw, Wilhelm smiled. "Yes, later today. Besides which, I can guess that what it is that he wants to ask me."

Every bit of her attempting not to groan, especially as she knew he was doing it to get her mind off her nightmare, Gwen bit her lip. "O-oh? And what is that?"

Chuckling, the wizard snorted some. "From what I have heard, he is starting up an alchemy class once more. So of course, he would be coming in order to ask me to be a teacher."

That got a chuckle from the woman beneath him. "A teacher, hmm? Well, I suppose that Albus would know that you would do good for that."

Lightly laughing, Wilhelm grinned. "Of course, after all he was my best student when I taught him at Hogwarts. He has certainly grown from the young man that I knew and took on as my apprentice." Then his eyes narrowed some. "Now then, enough of Albus as there are other, more important things to do, Mein angel of the seas."

Eyes sparkling as she looked up at him, Gwen, a Natural Born, gave a nod. "Oh yes, Wilhelm, much more important things..."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Sitting at an outdoor table upon the patio of their home, Wilhelm smiled softly while dipping his croissant into his coffee. Besides the fact that it was a clear, Summer's day, part of the reason was due to the fact that across from him sat Gwen. His wife was sat in her chair with her dark purple, with a lighter purple on the inside cloak over the back of it. Something which brought her bodice, with it's shiny brass buttons, fully into view as it sat over a white shirt.

A sight that Wilhelm rather enjoyed.

Pausing for a moment as she was about to bite into an pain au chocolat, which he had gotten fresh from the local bakery as she had liked it, Gwen noticed him watching her as he took a bite of his bread. Redness entering her cheeks, she glanced away slightly. "Wilhelm..."

With a hum and a twinkle in his eye, her husband smiled. "Yes, Gwen?"

Gwen glanced back at him and noticed that he was still watching her. "Must you do that? Stare at me in such a way... it's embarrassing."

Leaning his cheek against one fist, Wilhelm chuckled. "Why yes, yes I do. You are a sight that I will never get tired of."

If anything, that caused the flush on Gwen's cheeks to deepen, though she had a pleased smile. Moments later, she chuckled. "Flatterer. Even after all these years..." Smile softening, she gazed back at him. "You have been saying that since before we were married over a hundred and fifty years ago. When we began to seriously court one another... are you ever going to stop?"

Only shaking his head, Wilhelm smirked. "I have not yet, have I? And personally, I cannot foresee a day in which I would ever tire of such."

Reaching across, he placed his hand on hers which caused the witch to smile before their fingers intertwined. "Nor could I see a day in which I would tire of seeing you, Wilhelm." The two sharing a secret smile, they turned back to their breakfasts and made quiet conversation. Eventually though, both of them perked up and shard a chuckle as Gwen sipped her still warm coffee, magic being a wonderful thing. "Albus is here it would seem."

Wilhelm swallowed the last bit of breakfast and gave a nod. "Well, all that is left to do is to wait then." It was only a few minutes before Albus walked out from the home onto the patio, guided there by a man who was obviously mechanical. A small smile on his face, Wilhelm rose upwards and gave a nod to the servant. "Thank you, Jacob. Please bring some tea for Albus."

The automaton bowed at the waist before speaking. "Of course, Herr Wolff, it shall be done."

And then standing, it walked off into the house with Dumbledore staring after it with an intrigued look. "No matter how many times I have seen them in action, your automaton are as amazing as ever, Professor Wolff. Simply incredible."

Lightly laughing, Wilhelm shook his head. "I felt much the same way, Mein fruend. Sadly, the making of such is a lost art with only those of us old enough to know how to make such. Granted, such art is old though I will admit that the non-magical world has started to reach such a level once more."

Simply nodding, Albus remembered his earlier days when he saw such for the first time. Not that Wilhelm was wrong about it being a lost art. It was something that he had despaired over as with the implementation of the Statute of Secrecy, such items being so "Muggle" fell out of favor. Thankfully though, the Flamels as well as Gwen had known the secret to making them. Shaking those thoughts off, the old man gave the seemingly younger, but actually older, wizard a nod. "So very true, Professor."

From where she sat, Gwen gave a laugh. "Come now, Albus. There is no need for that as we have not been your professors for over a hundred years now!"

Turning, Dumbledore gave her a smile with a twinkle in his eyes. "Of course, Professor Wolff." Needless to say, that got him a snort from the woman who had taught him potions while he had been a student at Hogwarts. Of course, he did give a sigh at seeing what Wilhelm was wearing. "I must say though, I am surprised that you are still wearing clothing in the style of the old Durmstrang uniforms."

A twinkle in his own eyes, Wilhelm shook his head. "They are comfortable enough, and I do have pride in the school which I once went to. Even if they themselves do not have the same thought towards I." Something that made Dumbledore nod as he had heard that said school ignored Wilhelm's offer to teach due to his marriage. Which had angered the man and made him join the Hogwarts faculty. Then Wilhelm waved his hand as if to push away the past. "Nien, but enough of that old discussion. Come, come and have a seat my old student."

Lips twitching, Dumbledore did so and found himself across from both Wilhelm and Gwen, the couple sitting beside one another. Moments later, a female automaton walked out and placed some tea in front of him. Giving the servant a nod and a word of thanks, Dumbledore turned back to his two former professors. "Before we get down to other matters, Profess-" Seeing the playful, wagging finger in his direction, the old wizard smiled. "Wilhelm and Gwen, may I ask a question of you both?"

With a slow nod, Gwen placed her cup of coffee down. "Of course you may."

The question though made them both blink. "I was just wondering if you had something to do with the Repair Fluid that is being used is all. The special mixture of water and such to heal shipgirls."

For several moments they were both quiet and held a silent conversation with one another before Wilhelm turned to his old student. "We did, Nicholas and his wife worked with us with streamlining the process and modifying it. And I will admit that I am quite happy with how it has gone, though..." Turning thoughtful, he hummed. "I must wonder how you knew."

His own lips curling into a smile as he took a sip of his tea and sighed. Placing it down, Dumbledore chuckled. "I remember as your apprentice when I found some of the special bathwater you made for Gwen. You stated that there were issues due to the reason she was ageless and thus you came up with such a liquid. Which makes me believe that she is a shipgirl."

Eyebrow raised, Gwen turned to her husband with an amused look in her eye. "I told you that anyone who had been here and seen your work would realize that we were involved." Still smiling, she looked back to Dumbledore. "You would be right on both counts, though I did not know what I was until fairly recently. Before you ask though, I was simply a ship crewed by Welsh magicals plying the Channel between Britain and France just before that bit of nastiness with the Spanish fleet."

Just nodding as that answered a number of questions, but also raised others, Dumbledore thought it over. How Wilhelm had gained the same ageless quality as his wife was unknown. Whenever it was brought up, they would go quiet and Gwen looked to be distressed with Wilhelm stating that what happened was best left alone as neither wanted to think of what happened. Instead, Dumbledore sipped his tea. "I believe that you already know of why I am here?"

Leaning forward, Wilhelm had a small smirk on his face. "I do believe that you are starting alchemy classes once more in Hogwarts. Which would explain why you came to us as we have both been professors there. As well, I am sure that considering some of our other colleagues who could be tapped they would be... troublesome."

With a snort, Gwen shook her head. "Such as Saint Germain. Do not get me wrong, I am thankful that he allowed Wilhelm to complete his apprenticeship under him. But that man is utterly insane. Cleopatra, Mary, and the others are mostly hiding nowadays due to issues from Grindlewald wanting their secrets and hard to find even for us. The Flamels? If the rumors being whispered about are any sign, they wish to go on a sabbatical for some time before revealing themselves. Perhaps in a hundred years the two would be interested, but not now."

Dumbledore only sighed and spread his hand. "There are other alchemists, mind you. While it is a dying art, there are plenty around in Europe. But pulling them away from their research on the other hand? That is much harder. They also would have little patience for young minds."

Smirking behind his cup of coffee, Wilhelm held back a snort. "Considering some of our colleagues? That would be putting it rather mildly as some would make that Professor Snape that I have heard of seem kind and understanding regarding problems."

That brought a wince from Albus, not the least due to the fact that it was true. Most alchemists were extremely into their work, especially with the goal of producing their own Philosopher's Stone or another one of the minor Alchemical stones. It was why he was famous along with Flamel as they concentrated on items that ordinary people felt important as they could be used. "I won't speak ill of them, I'm afraid. But yes, they would not be quite right for professors."

As she sipped her own coffee, Gwen hummed before glancing up. "Of course, there is the small question of what you could offer us."

Now leaning back, Dumbledore smiled a bit. "I would say that I would give you salaries rather high for a professor, as well as access to the Hogwarts Research Fund that Severus uses, but..."

Chuckling, Wilhelm waved him off. "Gwen and I do not need such an offer, not with a Mineral Stone to call our own." Lips twitching, he glanced at his wife who also seemed amused with it. "While it is unable to transmute lead into gold, being able to transmute semi-precious stones into precious ones gives us more then enough. Even with the world as it is today, simple quartz into high quality diamond ensures that we will never worry for money."

Only nodding, Dumbledore smiled and waved a hand. "Then I have three items to offer to you. Gwen, I have a challenge of sorts for a potioneer of your caliber." Intrigued, but not saying anything, the shipgirl motioned him on. "With recent events, it would be good if wolfsbane potion could be made cheaper and easier to make with similar effects. Now, I know of a werewolf who would be interested in helping with such? I would also give you a workshop of your own."

With a hum as she leaned against her arm. Gwen gave a small nod. "I will admit that I had not considered that. And it does sound rather interesting especially if the Statute falls as expected."

Turning towards Wilhelm who seemed amused, and Dumbledore suspected he had already chosen to accept the offer just the same, the old wizard smiled. "I have recently come into possession of a very old Brazen Head. One belonging to Salazar Slytherin as a matter of fact. As well, I do have some bottles of blood from a thousand year old basilisk as well as other materials from it that could be used for experimentation."

Head coming up, Wilhelm looked him in the eye. No longer was he the usual seeming young man. Now he was the alchemist who even Grindlewald avoided when possible during his war on the continent. One who had sheltered various people who the dark wizard wanted dead in various places under his protection. "Interesting..." Then the moment was gone and Wilhelm was back to normal and smiled. "I think that you have made an adequate offer, Albus. And it has been some time since last I taught someone, the 1960s from memory." When he looked at Gwen, he got a nod. "Yes, we shall be joining Hogwarts as Professors this fall. I will have control over what textbooks will be chosen, won't I? None of that drivel that the Ministry has promoted?"

Just laughing, Dumbledore shook his head. "No, you will get to chose your own textbooks for the class. Though I am hoping for an introduction class for Third to Fifth Years."

A smile on his face, Wilhelm nodded. Later, after Albus had left, the alchemist rose up and offered a hand to his wife. "Well, that was both interesting and I am looking forward to teaching once more."

Smiling herself, Gwen took the offered hand and stood. "As am I, love. It will be nice to see if Hogwarts has changed in the past eighty years or not since we were last there."

Wilhelm only nodded before she took his arm in his which made him grin. "But enough of that, Gwen. Let us head off and enjoy the gardens, we can speak more of this tonight over dinner."

Lips curling, Gwen nodded as she adjusted her hat and then leaned her head against Wilhelm's shoulder. "Of course, that sounds wonderful as always, Wilhelm." With that, the two walked off to enjoy the summer day.

 

[darthcourt10]

NotHimAgain Omake: Cardgames with Battleships

"... Got any Sevens?"

"Go fish."

"Hmm... drat. Your turn, Arizona."

"Okay, let me see, then... Jintsuu, do you have any Threes?"

"Ah--yes, here you go."

"Perfect! Jane, do you have any Jacks?"

"Go fish."

"Very well--ah! I'm having a good turn! Let's see, Mutsu... do you have any sevens!"

"Gah! No!"

"I still don't see why we couldn't play Duel Monsters. Naka's been hoping to do a bit of a showcase for her channel."

"Well, I used to have a deck, but last time Enterprise was here she had a really weird dream and ate them."

"... What."

"It was a weird dream. I still haven't replaced them."

"You know what? Never mind."

 

[darthcourt10]

U.N.Spacy000

It took longer than I wanted and then stuff happened. At this point it might be a flashback after a hangover as Honjo pieces her memories of the night back together or something.

-----

Wedding Sights with Swords

"I must say that I am receiving more recognition than I had initially anticipated," Honjo said to Juuchi as she acknowledged yet another wedding guest shooting her looks.

"Well, your line is rather distinctive in dress and disposition," Juuchi said with a slight smirk.

"I believe that is the most polite way a Muramasa has ever described a Masamune," Honjo said as she eyed Juuchi suspiciously.

"I have promised Rose not to start anything between us on her wedding day," Juuchi said as she brought her hand to her chest in mock affront. "To think that I would go back on my word to a member of my own household even a little just for the sake of an old rivalry when I have already had decades to tell you my feelings regarding you and your siblings causes me to be disappointed in you, Honjo."

"No, no, I am simply pleasantly surprised is all," Honjo said hastily. "No offense was intended."

Juuchi gave Honjo a smug smile. One of the things Juuchi had not missed about Japan was how polite everyone was. She was a sword – a sword that cut through everything. Dancing around a matter for the sake of politeness never sat well with Juuchi when one could be direct and cut the heart of the conversation. However, there were times when social niceties were useful, and the tendency for Japanese people to be overly polite came in handy on occasion.

Occasions like now. For example, it would be rude to draw attention to the black rings circling Honjo's eyes as such an act would embarrass her.

And so, Juuchi's prank had yet to be mentioned to the Masamune herself, and there were no mirrors on the deck for Honjo to discover the truth on her own.

Juuchi had taken time to lead them past no less than four film crews – one of them actually tracked Honjo with their camera for five seconds.

"It appears the magical law enforcement is in retreat," Honjo said with a raised eyebrow as the last of the Aurors dove off the side of Haruna's hull.

The mimes decided to pursue their prey. They had numbers and the high ground on their side, so they chose to methodically make their way off the ship and after their quarry. The disgruntled Dullahan moseyed over to the bar with the leprechauns in tow after handing the unicycle riding wolf a package.

The pair of blades meandered their way to where the wedding was actually happening just in time to watch Harry give Rose away – which had been timed to coincide with Goto giving Haruna away.

Juuchi nudged Honjo in the side before she pointed out where Tsukiakari no Suzu was strapped to Harry's waist before she wiped away a fake tear and said, "They grow up so fast."

Honjo elbowed the Muramasa back with a glare that warred with her own sense of pride at seeing the young blade carry out her role with quiet dignity and composure.

"Hush, we do not need your impropriety to ruin the moment," Honjo stage whispered to Juuchi.

"I suppose we can–" Juuchi began before she abruptly stopped.

Honjo blinked and turned to her erstwhile companion to find she had dismissed her avatar. The Masamune blinked, and turned to see Harry looking in her general direction. When his gaze returned to the front, Juuchi resummoned her avatar and straightened her outfit.

"What was that?" Honjo asked.

"A running gag where I do not let young Master Harry see my avatar," Juuchi said before she turned to leave the ceremony part way through the vows.

"You know he could just watch the wedding footage and find you, yes?" Honjo asked.

"Of course, but he would have to do work then, and he would not be absolutely certain it was me," Juuchi said with a smirk. "If he puts in effort and sets aside his doubts, he will have earned the right to see my glorious visage."

"My, you sound full of yourself," Honjo said with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes, I seem to have picked up your bad habits after living with you for so long," Juuchi said with a grim and serious nod of her head.

Honjo's retort was cut off as a reporter of some stripe closed in on the pair and asked, "And who are you wearing?"

Honjo gaped at the implication she was wearing a person, but Juuchi smoothly interceded as she said, "Oh, my outfit was designed by a gentleman named Muramasa."

"I've never heard of a designer named Muramasa before," the reporter said as she visibly thought of all the fashion designers on display at the wedding.

"It's an older outfit, Muramasa passed away a good while ago, and the brand is pretty much defunct with nothing new being produced, but you can still find them if you know where to look," Juuchi said with a smug grin. "Given the age coupled with the speed at which the industry moves, I would not be surprised if you had not heard of him."

"I will have to look him up later, then," the reporter said before she turned to Honjo. "And you?"

"My outfit was designed by Masamune," Honjo said coolly after she deciphered the question with Juuchi's subtle assistance and opted to follow the younger blade's lead. "It predates Muramasa's work and is similarly defunct in today's world."

"Masamune and Muramasa?" the reporter asked with a raised eyebrow.

Juuchi smirked and said, "We found it amusing."

"I had not thought an older designer would be so… daring," the reporter said to Juuchi as she meaningfully glanced at the blade's exposed upper thighs.

"I may have taken some liberties," Juuchi said with a shrug before she rearranged the outer portion of her outfit so she was wearing it properly. "There we go."

"My, you almost look presentable like that," Honjo said with a small smirk.

"Such high praise – one would think you were almost capable of complementing others," Juuchi shot back with a smirk before the reporter flitted over to investigate someone else's wardrobe.

"Well, you almost deserve one," Honjo said while Juuchi redid her clothing to how they normally were.

"Hm, just a moment," Juuchi said before she flagged down one of Haruna's crewmembers. "Excuse me, but could you show us how to untangle a knot like this?"

The seaman raised an eyebrow but walked over to the pair, looked things over, and untied the rope hanging off the side of the ship with a smirk. The weight of the Auror holding onto it pulled the rope off the deck as the man plummeted below to the waiting mimes.

"One less problem," Juuchi said as the pair of blades began to make their way through the crowd of people going to the reception.

However, before they could claim a spot and food, a tiny child grabbed Honjo's sleeve and asked, "Auntie, why do you have circles around your eyes?"

Honjo dumbly stared at the young child as Juuchi piped up while she tried to contain her smirk and said, "I had been wondering that myself, but since no one else said anything, I thought it was either some sort of fashion statement or your way of honoring that tanuki."

"I, what?" Honjo asked as she turned from the child to Juuchi.

"Oh yes, give me a moment," Juuchi said as she pulled her phone out of her pocket and snapped a picture of Honjo's face while the young child's mother apologized profusely. "And done."

Honjo stared at the image on the phone that Juuchi had already uploaded to the internet in growing horror before she said, "How long have I been like this?"

"When did we arrive?" Juuchi asked as she tilted her head before she turned to the child. "Hey, want to help me wash auntie's face? I doubt she would trust me if I told her I got it all off."

Juuchi had to persuade the mother to go along with it, but it was not too long after that the four of them were sitting at a table. Juuchi and the mother were quietly talking to each other while the child occupied Honjo's lap and dabbed at the blade's face with a damp napkin as Juuchi recorded the interaction on her phone. When Honjo was sufficiently cleaned, the two blades thanked their momentary companions and departed.

Juuchi was very careful to contain her smugness and not let any of it leak out until she began dropping her avatar whenever Harry looked in their direction during the wedding banquet. For years, conspiracy theorists, humorists, and assorted internet residents would discuss the odd swords found in random places at the wedding and how no one was seen moving them around. No one could explain the pictures of one blade serving the other punch at the drink table, the two swords waiting to be served dinner at their table, the pair leaning against the DJ's booth as though they were peering over edge to see the turntables, or the swords looming over pieces of fruitcake.

Some people even claimed that one of the swords was insufferably smug.

It would not be until the Statute of Secrecy fell that the community let out a collective groan since they had all the information to piece the truth together but had failed.

After a discussion about the Potter's and their interesting history, Juuchi Yosamu conned Honjo Masamune to get into a drinking contest with a white wolf that was well on her way to emptying the open bar.

When Honjo woke up, her first thought was that she had fallen asleep on the bastard child of a chainsaw cutting through a log and the comfiest full body pillow in existence. Then she opened her eyes and discovered her face was buried in Juuchi's chest. A quick check confirmed that both swords were fully clothed, and Honjo breathed out a sigh of relief before she looked up and froze.

"My sempais don't hate each other," Tsukiakari whispered from the doorway with tears in her eyes.

Honjo began to choke and was about to respond, but she suddenly found herself faceplanting into the bed when Juuchi's avatar vanished. Without bothering to look up, Honjo dismissed her own avatar. Harry Potter walked past the Rose's more occupied than he had expected room and noted the smugness rolling off Juuchi before he left to go be with his school friends for the day.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Looking out into the rain pouring down, Regalia blinked some and turned to where Nero was looking through some cooking magazines. "Uncle Harry was supposed to return today, right?"

With a blink, Nero looked up from her magazine and nodded before closing them and walking over to her cousin. "That's what I was told anyways." A frown still on her face, the Ne-Class shook her head at the rain outside. "But I guess he might be delayed a bit due to the weather."

On Regalia's face was a similar frown as she turned back to outside. The rain was coming down hard enough that even they had a bit of problems seeing too far. And the sound drowned out even the crashing of waves on the shore not too far away, though they were thankful that the tent had been moved above the cliffs. Several large tents where Hoppou's fleet had bunkered down for shelter from the storm. The one that both of them were being used for the mess hall. At various tables there were Abyssals sitting around, talking, listening to the radio, or even reading.

Granted, Rivet was trying to get people to arm-wrestle her currently.

It was then though that both Regalia and Nero could sense the approaching IFFs and blinked in surprise. A half hour later they could just see a pair of lights appear in the slowly lightening rain before they disappeared. Then, out of the gloom, three forms appeared with Shinano and Regina being the two obvious ones. But between them was a cloaked form that took the two a few seconds to recognize as Harry. More shocking to the two was that the cloak he was wearing turned out to be a Re-Class poncho. Once out of the rain, Harry shook it off and grinned. "Hey Regalia, Nero, how are things going?"

Blinking, Regalia shook off her shock and gave him a small smile. "Things are going good, Uncle Harry. But..." Eyebrows furrowed, she looked out in the rain. "We didn't expect you with the weather..."

Simply shrugging, Harry gave her a small hug followed by giving one to Nero. "Mum's a pretty good driver, so it wasn't that big of a deal. And it's not like there are that many on the roads around here right now."

Just as Nero was about to comment there was a crash sound and everyone turned to find a broken table in between Rivet and one of the Ru-Class Battleships. Sheepishly smiling, the Heavy Cruiser chuckled weakly. "Um... whoops? Didn't mean to break the table."

At the looks she was getting, she flinched a bit only to blink as Harry snorted and pulled his wand. "Not a big deal, Reparo!" Before all their wide eyes, the table fixed itself as if it had not been damaged in the first place. Putting his wand back, Harry gave a small nod. "And there we go, all fixed." Raising an eyebrow, he gave the stunned Rivet a look. "Just be more careful next time."

Still boggling, Rivet reached out and tapped the table. "Uh, sure, Uncle Harry..." Rapping her knuckles on it, she grinned. "That is so neat!"

Eyes wide, Regalia looked at the smaller Harry with shock. "You can actually fix things, Uncle Harry? Just like that?"

With a blink, the black haired boy frowned and shook his head. "Um, not everything? I mean, Reparo will fix a lot of things, such as buildings and stuff. But... it gets more complicated on other things." Frowning, he gave it some thought. "Ron fixed Warspite with it, so it could work on shipgirls but she summoned her hull first. And Ron knew a lot about her hull."

Moments later, he frowned with confusion at the whispers from various Abyssals as well as the looks being given to him. But then Harry shrugged it off as unimportant and placed his poncho onto a nearby coat rack. Head tilting as she examined it, Regalia compared it to her own before turning to Harry. "Um, Uncle Harry? Where did you get that?"

Chuckling, Harry gave a smile to Regina who blushed. "Regina and Revina made it for me since it gets rainy and cold in Scotland. And it's been really good for that sort of thing when I need to go outside in the rain to keep it off me so I don't get sick."

Nero furrowed her eyebrows some and frowned. "Sick?"

That caused Harry to blink before he realized that unlike shipgirls, the two Abyssals in front of him didn't realize what that meant. "Um, yeah, humans like me can get sick at times. Stuff like the sniffles at best, other times..." He grimaced at some memories. "We can be laying in bed with a fever or puking."

Raising a finger, Nero shook her head. "Puking I've seen because of someone eating too much. But... fever?"

For a moment, Harry chewed his lip before giving a nod. "Imagine... your boilers running really, really hot. But instead of being confined to the engine room, the heat is throughout your hull. I guess you can also compare being sick as like someone having thrown sand into your boilers or a lot of condensation inside, or bad oil in the fuel tanks... maybe some minor electrical failures? Not sure about that."

Both Abyssals winced at that as they tried to imagine what their uncle meant. It did not sound pleasant at all. Regalia glanced at Regina and Shinano who were nodding and then looked at Harry. "That does not sound good at all, Uncle Harry."

Shaking his head, Harry sighed. "No, it's not. I've been sick before and I don't like it. Thankfully, I don't get sick that often and if I don't do something like get soaked in the cold rain, I'm fine."

It was then that Nagato appeared and poked her head into the tent. "Has anyone seen Hoppou?"

A frown on her face, Nero pointed in a direction. "Grandma is over there, um, Great-Grandma. She's teaching our mothers how to do the modifications to the Destroyers right now with Silver. Grandma stated that they would be at it for most of the day as they want to get some of the others done as well."

Just nodding, Nagato gave her a small smile. "I see, that sounds good. Do you think that she would mind much if I went over there?" At the shakes of her head, she chuckled. "Thank you, I'll see you all later."

With some more goodbyes, she soon left and Shinano frowned some as she turned to Regina. "So there's going to be more like Sunny Honey and such?"

Regina gave a small nod at that as she thought over what she had heard. "I think so. Lady Wanko and Lady Supprin have both stated that they will get to work on our Destroyers back home for it at least. Um, not sure when they will be done though..."

As the two discussed among themselves, Harry set down his backpack and started to dig through it. "Anyways, I got some stuff for the both of you and some of the others. Just give me a second to get it."

Their eyebrows raising, Nero and Regalia leaned in to better see with the Re-Class pointing at herself. "You brought us something, Uncle Harry? Really?"

Glancing up, Harry gave them a smile. "I did, though in both cases it would be more to help you out with what you like to do." Pulling out what looked like a binder with sheets in it as well as a book, he looked around. "Um, we sort of need a place to sit down." Several moments later, they were sitting at a table and Harry placed both items down on the table. The binder he pushed towards Nero. "This is yours, I did some research when I got back to Yokosuka."

Interested, Nero opened the binder and blinked at the piece of paper in some plastic film that stated 'Wild Herbs'. Her eyes widening, she flipped the page to find a picture of some sort of plant. Besides the picture, there was writing there as well that stated where to find it and when. 'This is...'

While the Ne-Class was going through her binder with a slowly building amount of excitement, Harry pushed the book towards Regalia. "This is actually a catalogue for a garden store. They're not farming tools, but the next best thing and even has stuff like greenhouses, sheds, and the like." Flipping through it, he came to a stop and pointed at what looked like odd barrels as an awed Regalia looked on. "Remember how you stated there was an issue about freshwater? These are rain barrels and collect rain so that it can be used later, you can use that for watering."

Gently taking the catalogue, Regalia held back a small squee at the sight before she remembered something and her face fell. "But... I can't afford that." Hanging her head, she sighed. "We don't have any money."

Softly snorting, Harry patted her on the arm. "Don't worry about that, Regalia." When she looked at him in confusion, he continued. "I'll get what you need for your farm for you."

Her breath freezing in her chest, Regalia looked at him. "R-really, Uncle Harry? You would buy this... for me?"

Just nodding, Harry gave her a bright smile. "Of course! Why wouldn't I?" He then looked towards Nero who was also staring at him. "Oh, and you might want to have a look in there as well, Nero. There's some outdoor oven kits for sale that you could get along with herb gardens that can be grown indoors."

Both Abyssals stared at him and then looked at each other before tightly hugging the lightly laughing Harry as they thanked him. More then one of the other Abyssals of Hoppou's fleet were looking between each other and smiling. Regina and Shinano only shared a smile with the Carrier leaning towards the Abyssal. "Harry-Chan is really nice, isn't he?"

A soft smile on her face, Regina gave a small nod. "He is, and he's showing that he would be a good Admiral. Taking care of those who need it and supplying them with what they need."

Shinano just gave a small nod at that while watching as Harry was finally released from the hug and the two Abyssals began to excitedly go through what they had. "Hai."

 

[darthcourt10]

NotHimAgain

This was supposed to include a segment on Katie and Aylwin, but it's getting late and my brain is turning off little by little. Ah well.
Gear

-----

Walking into the dojo on shoeless feet, Benio watched as Tatsuya's mother walked quickly and surely to the far wall. Running her hand along it, she swiftly came to something that Benio couldn't make out—probably because her hand was on top of it—and pushed it in. Turning again, she walked towards a wall-mounted rack of shinai. "Excuse me," Benio said uncertainly, "but is it a good idea for me to be here? This seems like a family matter…"

"Maa," Mamiya said, a smug tone in her voice. When Benio looked at her, she was smirking blithely. "It's not like you won't be a member of the family in… six or seven years, right?" Benio stared at her, trying to determine if she was serious. As if either she or Tatsuya had any time for something like that… She turned her attention back to Mrs. Haneda, as she grasped one of the little prongs (she had quite forgotten what they were called, it turned out) and shoved it to the left.

As she stepped away, a loud ratcheting noise flooded the room. Along each of the walls, the floor within a foot began to rise up towards the ceiling. Benio glanced at Tatsuya—his expression read "why didn't I ever find this before?" If she had to make her guess, though, it would have something to do with the fact that he had not spent more than ten minutes in the dojo after the whole parade of insanity began.

Halfway up to the ceiling, the floors—or shelves—stopped rising. Benio found herself facing a wall of firearms from handguns to machine guns, the space below them filled with clips and bullets. Turning to her right, she found swords. Tatsuya was already walking towards them, picking up a machete and turning it in his hands.

"Iron," his mother said, leaning over his shoulder. "Very useful against European Fae. This—" she continued, picking up a basket-hilted saber, "is inlaid with silver—blessed by John XXIII. Vampires and werewolves, when you end up letting them get too close." Replacing it, she turned her attention to a large blade that rested on hooks off to one side. "And this one is Hauteclere. Your grandfather found it in an auction and had to intervene to make sure it didn't fall into the wrong hands. We tried to figure out how to get it into France without attracting attention for years, but we could never come up with anything."

Benio blinked, not sure how to register this information. She returned her attention to the firearms. Several of them were mundane, Uzis, AK-47s, and in one case a masterfully maintained Colt revolver. Then she came upon a pistol the size and width of her upper leg. She rested her hand against the grip, coming up short when she tried to fit her fingers around it. It was painted matte black, much like the next one—a rifle twice as long as anything a man should have been able to wield with any accuracy. Another step, and she found a three-barreled revolver.

"Mom…" Mamiya asked, and Benio turned to see the shelf closest the door. Rack upon rack of wooden rods, most of about a foot's length, decorated this one. She began to walk closer. They couldn't be… "what about these over here?"

"Ah," Mrs. Haneda said, joining her. "This is a somewhat sadder chapter in our history. When your grandfather was young, about Tatsuya's age, he befriended a tanuki. The two of them were close—enough so that my grandmother worried his children would be born with animal ears, but one day she disappeared. He searched for her desperately, but in vain.

"Then one day, he was approached by a man bearing a wand. The man attempted to cast some sort of spell on him, but he avoided the attack and forced the wizard to tell him what had happened to his friend." Mrs. Haneda looked down solemnly. "She had run away from wherever yokai were meant to stay in those days. Some wizards had come to escort her home, but she managed to get free of however they were holding her and tried to fight back. She actually managed to injure one of them." Her face darkened. "And that was all the justification they needed to stop holding back.

"Whenever Ryuga met a wizard, he would demand their wand. If they refused to give it, he would beat them within an inch of their life and take it anyway," a new voice chimed in. "They usually refused." Benio spun to see a girl a few years older than herself leaning against the doorway. Her hair hung down to her mid-back, and her eyes shone red. "He was never one to forgive and forget, and he let them know it every day of his life."

"Tonbo," Mrs. Haneda said quietly. "I thought you had left."

"I did, twice," the girl replied casually, stepping into the room and examining the swords. "After your father died, I wasn't certain what to do with myself. Spent most of the time in the old house." She turned back to Mamiya. "The Diet had suffered indignities at the hands of earlier Himuras, and that was just the incident that convinced them Japan wasn't big enough for the two of them. Of course—" she chuckled mirthlessly, "he died before they could really pull anything."

Mamiya was quiet, but it was Mr. Haneda who voiced everyone's question. "I'm sorry… who is this?"

"A vigilante serial killer," Tonbo replied cheerfully.

"WHAT?"

"But that was many, many years ago," Mrs. Haneda cut in. "She's the spirit of a sword that…"

Tonbo turned, allowing them all to see the wakizashi attached to her waist. "'Spirit' of a sword isn't quite accurate," she said, turning back to the sword shelf. Detaching her blade—herself, Benio realized, she placed it gently on a pair of hooks next to Hauteclere. She turned to Tatsuya. "I guess that makes you the new boss. You guys didn't do anything weird with my old room, did you?"
-----

Today was the day. Keichiro had been watching the small karaoke parlor that had opened in his town for months, silently watching over the proprietress, and now he was finally ready to approach her! All he needed to do was introduce himself, get her name, and ask if she wanted to get coffee sometime. He already had a fair idea of her schedule and she was closing up now, so there wasn't anything that would keep them from exchanging a few words. And there she was now at the door, well-dressed and purse in hand. With a deep breath, he pushed off of the streetlamp he was leaning on and stepped forward.

Then a Ford Mustang convertible pulled to a stop outside the business called "Piece of Heaven." As the proprietress climbed in, Keichiro stood in shock. A flash of anger shook his body—his plan had been perfect! Everything had finally been in place, and he would have finally had his happiness! He glared at the hairy, white driver that… had…

Wait. That was a dog.

It turned to look back at him, quacked twice, and drove away.
-----

"I swear," Ame-no-Uzume complained, checking her makeup in the rearview mirror, "you nearly gave that boy a heart attack!" Amaterasu chuffed, and switched gears. "Oh… Ever since that videogame came out, you have been completely insufferable!" Her driver turned to look at her and smiled, tongue lolling out of her mouth. "See if I ever go clubbing with you again."

Amaterasu returned her attention to the road, whining. Ame-no-Uzume smiled. "Well, four of my new customers are famous. They're those four destroyers who we always see together in the navy ads—six of something?"

"Wan!"

"Desdiv Six, that's them. They're sweet girls, all things considered—and they bring in customers, so that's another bonus!" She leaned back in her seat, apparently satisfied that her face was sufficiently beautified. "I'm glad… They need a little joy in their lives these days, and this is the best I can do."

Amaterasu whined again. Ame-no-Uzume's eyes widened.

"Morrigan again?" she asked. "Unbelievable! Did they even let her near anyone?" A yelp. "Well, yeah, but honestly?" Ame-no-Uzume made a face. "Morrigan's just… ugg. I can't even tell why you haven't gone and set her on fire or something?"

Amaterasu smiled absently.

"Timing is everything in teaching a lesson?" Ame-no-Uzume gave her friend a flat look. "What do you even mean by that?"

"Wan!" Ame-no-Uzume paused thoughtfully, considering this turn of events. A smirk spread across her features.

"Well in that case," she said, "the waiting game sounds great—Oh, oh! Stop here! This is one of those places I was telling you about!"
-----

Tonbo is meant to resemble the titular character of Akame ga Kill!

Well what do you think, sirs?

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Walking out of the cooking tent, breakfast done, Harry stretched a bit as he looked around. Not far away he could see Sunny with a pitcher of fresh squeezed orange juice next to her and some oranges as well. The sound of laughter not far off made the black haired wizard turn and smile as he spotted Silver with her humanoid avatar out. As he watched, said avatar attempted to do a headstand...

Before promptly falling over.

Instead of being dismayed though, Silver was laughing loudly even as she laid there in the sand. And from where Harry was, he could see the grin on her face. Coming up beside him, Regalia gave smiled as did Regina. The hunchbacked Re-Class nodded slightly. "Looks like Aunt Silver is having a lot of fun with her new ability."

Arms crossed, Harry snickered a bit and gestured with his head. "And she's not the only one either."

Both of the Abyssal Battlecarriers looked to see various other Abyssal Destroyers also testing out their new avatars. As they watched, one of Ritou's did a cartwheel while her true form stood behind her. One of Sunny's meanwhile was just sitting in the sand and looking in awe as she picked up various things in her hands and played with them. Head tilted to the side, Regalia blinked at one group. "What are they doing?"

Looking in that direction, Harry smiled at the sight of Sunny Honey with some of them gesturing at markings in the sand. "Sunny Honey seems to be teaching them hopscotch I think." Moments later, he gave a small nod as said Destroyer began to hop. "Yup, she's teaching them hopscotch."

The three looked around at the various Abyssal Destroyers, not that there were many with avatars. Just a handful of them really as Hoppou oversaw the work each one of her daughters were doing to make sure that they performed correctly. Somewhat to Harry's amusement, the various Princesses and Demons did not mind. Not that he expected any less as from what he had been told from both Wokyuu as well as Aeroprin, Hoppou could be a taskmaster. Regina then spoke up with a thoughtful look on her face. "Um, I think that having them do that might help." At the looks from Harry and Regalia, she gestured to the hopscotch game. "Its helping them to learn how to move in their new forms."

Head tilted to the side as he considered that, Harry eventually chuckled. "You know, that makes a lot of sense. They would need balance and the like for the game. And they would need a lot of practice." It was then that he caught sight of something and turned his attention further down the beach. "Huh, wonder what is going on there?"

Regina blinked and looked herself only to blush. Further down the beach, one of the Abyssal Destroyers that had belonged to the Wardens was sitting her avatar next to one of the Canadians. However, it only took her seconds to place the expression on the Destroyer's face, after all it was one that she often wore around Harry. "Probably something personal, I think." Walking forward, she looked at Harry and then the beach below them. "Are we heading down?"

Nodding, Harry glanced at her. "We are..." Suddenly, he grinned. "Though maybe we could do it the fun way?"

Eyes widening slightly, Regina chewed her lip. "Um, the fun way, Harry? You mean..." When he nodded, she tilted her head some. "Are you sure?"

Just moving until he was in front of her, Harry crossed his arms and nodded. "I am, Regina. After all, I trust you and know that I would be fine with you."

That made the Re-Class blush deeply in response. Regalia looked from one to the other in complete confusion. 'I wonder what they're talking about...'

With a deep breath, Regina moved forwards and then held out her arms. Within seconds, Harry stepped in close and was soon held bridal style before he wrapped his arms around her neck. "Okay, Regina! All ready."

Softly smiling, Regina gave a small nod. "Okay, Harry. Just hold on tightly, okay?"

When he nodded she took a breath and then rushed for the cliff. Eyes widening, Regalia turned to stop her only to pause as Regina's legs tensed and the Re-Class leapt into the air. Every one down on the beach turned to watch as they leapt of the short cliff with Harry letting out a whoop of joy. Regalia rushed over and watched as Regina impacted the sand with her hooves, legs easily absorbing the force and preventing Harry from feeling it. For a few seconds, she forgot to even blink. "Wow... so that is what an Elite Re-Class can do..."

Down below, Regina straightened and looked at the nearly thirteen year old black haired boy in her arms. Meeting his smile with her own, she giggled. "That was fun, Harry."

Eyes glinting in the light, Harry laughed some. "Yeah. that is always fun when you do that sort of thing." After a moment, he shook his head with an amused snort as Regina began to walk. "Is it weird that I feel safe like this? Being carried by you?"

It took a few seconds for that to filter into Regina's mind, but when it did she blushed deeply. But then she smiled and shook her head before noticing a boulder where she could be out of sight of those on the beach. "Um, no, it's not that wierd, Harry."

Having noticed them walking behind the boulder, Harry glanced up at her. "Regina?" Seeing her look around and chew her lip, he raised an eyebrow. "Is something wrong?"

With a deep breath, Regina shook her head. "No, nothing is wrong. Just, um..." After a final glance around, she smiled down at him. "Thank you."

Then, leaning in, she gave him a quick kiss that left them both blushing from it. Before Harry could say anything though, she walked back into view as Regalia reached the bottom of the path. "That was... are you okay, Uncle Harry?"

Still in Regina's arms, Harry shook off his embarrassment and turned to the worried Re-Class and nodded. "Of course I am. Regina would never let me get hurt with something like that and she is super strong to boot. So I was pretty safe."

Regina gave a small nod at that. "Harry is right. Um, I wouldn't do something that could get him hurt after all. And we've done that sort of thing before."

Just nodding as they walked, Regalia considered what she just saw. Granted, she also wondered what the two were doing behind that boulder as well before they walked back into view. 'Maybe I should ask Grandma?' Out of the corner of her eye though she noticed something and blinked. "Um, Uncle Harry? Why is Regina still carrying you?"

Both Harry and Regina blinked at that before blushing. "Well... um... because it's comfy?"

Needless to say, that only made the poor, shy Elite Abyssal blush. Moments later though, she set down Harry. "Sorry."

All Harry did though was turn around and hug her. "You don't need to say sorry. Besides, I wasn't joking, it was comfy." Grasping her hand in his, the wizard began to walk beside Regina and examined the ocean in thought. "Hmm... it looks a lot calmer from earlier and the day should be better then yesterday weatherwise. So maybe I'll go diving today since it's nice."

Her eyes widening slightly, Regalia smiled a bit. "I know that Sokie and the others will be happy to hear that. When Grandma told them what you wanted to do, they got really excited about it."
With a small smile, Harry glanced over at where said So-Class was. Like most of the Submarines, they were mostly sunning themselves happily. Oddly, he was sort of reminded of seals in that manner. "Well, I'm looking forward to it myself. Besides, I know that we'll all enjoy it and Mum knows I'll be safe."

Glancing at each other, Regina and Regalia shared an understanding look. The two of them could guess exactly how well guarded Harry would be under the waves with the Abyssal Submarines of the Fleet of Laughter accompanying him. Even the Submarine Princess was going to be right there in case of something happening. So the chances of something hurting him was extremely low. But Regalia was not lying when she had said that the Submarines had become excited at the prospect after all. For the past few days they had been exploring the area so that they could spend time with Harry showing him around.

Meanwhile, Harry was looking around the beach and gave a wave to Shinano who waved back. However, the nearly thirteen year old caught sight of something and raised an eyebrow. "Wait, is that who I think it is?"

Confused, Regina followed his gaze and had to blink herself at the sight of two Ta-Class talking with one sitting in a patio chair. The one standing was in normal Ta-Class attire and whom Harry recognized as being Tandy, the leader of the "Wardens". It was the other one that made Regina blink though as the Ta class sitting in the chair was wearing normal human clothes. Said clothes being blue jeans and a black blouse. Then she recognized said Abyssal and her eyes widened slightly as they got closer. "Tanya?"

Turning in her seat, Tanya suddenly smiled and gave a nod. "Hello, Regina. it's good to see you." Looking at Harry, she also gave him a nod. "And it is good to see you as well... Harry."

Hands behind his head as he grinned, Harry returned the smile. "And it's good to see you as well, Tanya. How are things going with you lately? Good?"

Slowly, Tanya shook her head. "Things are going very well. Norihara says that... I should be walking easier soon. And without my walker."

Only humming at that, Harry's smile widened a bit. "That's honestly great news!" Glancing around, he raised an eyebrow. "Wait, where is Doctor Norihara?"

While she was still not used to having an Uncle, Tandy pointed at where the Canadian ship bobbed at anchor. "Doctor Norihara is on the ship doing an examination of the children and making sure that they are well. Our doctor seems to like her though and she's nice." Then she gestured at Tanya. "Tanya wanted to talk with me though. Mainly about... humans."

Looking between them, Harry had a thoughtful look on his face before internally smirking. 'Ah, I see now. Not a bad idea, Tanya.'

Tanya for her part blushed and fiddled some with her hands. "I... just wanted to ask some questions. Things regarding... certain subjects."

Internal smirk widening, Harry outwardly only nodded. "Well, that's just your business I guess." Within his head, Harry snickered. 'I wonder what the pot is now for that bet..' Then something else occurred to him. 'Also, I wonder what sort of advice she is getting...'

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Confused, Regalia furrowed her eyebrows as she looked between the two Ta-Classes. "Um, what sort of things? If you don't mind me asking?"

His eyebrow raised, Harry gave her a small look. "Regalia, that could be personal."

Unsure, the Re-Class glanced at Regina who was nodding before turning back to Tanya. "Um, sorry?"

All Tanya did though was wave her off. "It is fine." With a small blink, the Abyssal flushed and looked down at her hands. "I have been with Norihara... for many years. She took care of me even when I... could not do the same. Even though I killed humans, she... still cared for me and helped me before Hoppou... fixed me."

Eyes widening, Regalia looked at her. "Grandma fixed you? How were you hurt?"

Reaching up, the Battleship moved her silver hair to reveal the scar on the back of her neck, right at where one could see the knobs of her spine under her skin. "There was a battle in Yokosuka many years ago, I was there on land... A Destroyer shot me through my mouth and broke my keel there." Unseen by her, Regalia's eyes widened. "I was badly hurt and was unable to move."
Still shocked, Regalia stared at her. "What happened next? I mean, an injury like that..."

The Re-Class trailed off as Tanya gained an odd look on her face, one of remembrance and something else. "I was captured by the humans and they brought... Norihara. She helped me and said that... I was not a monster, just a patient. After, she took care of me. Helped feed me, bathe me, she also took me places so that I would not be bored. Always caring..." Looking down, she let out a breath. "We watched movies and such together... went out for ramen. One day, Hoppou stated that she could help me and did. Now I can do things for myself but..."

Leaning down, Regalia had a curious look on her face. "But what?"

Much to her confusion, the Ta-Class gained an odd look on her face. "I always wanted to be closer... to Norihara. She was kind and warm. But I was a patient. Soon, I will not be a patient and so I wanted to know more... about how to be closer."

Even though she was still confused, Regalia only nodded. "Okay?" Then she blinked. "Do you mean like some of the Wardens are with the Canadians? Like that?" When Tanya nodded, she frowned as she still did not really understand that and neither had Nero. "Huh..."

Clearing his throat, Harry looked at Tanya. "So you're here just chatting while Norihara is onboard the Regina then?"

While Harry ignored Regina herself now whispering with Shinano, Tanya gave a small nod. "Yes. As I am still having... trouble walking, Norihara thought that it would be... best if I was not trying to... move around a ship." Gesturing at her legs, she continued. "Norihara does not want me to... hurt myself by tripping or collapsing."

Just nodding, Harry considered that before giving her a knowing look. "But you wish that you were there with her, right? I mean, you're watching the ship."

Blushing, Tanya gave a longing look. "Yes, I wish that I was there with... Norihara. Spending time with her and protecting her." Head tilted to the side, she sighed. "I sometimes worry about Norihara, she is too... kind. But now I can protect her."

A glance at a nodding Regina and Shinano made Harry smile a bit. "Well, Norihara is pretty safe right now and you're here, right? So she doesn't need to worry as you'd kick the stern of anyone who would threaten her." Surprised, Tanya blinked before smiling back and nodding with Harry returning it. "So just relax and trust her."

Now Tanya just gave Harry a look. "I do."

If anything though, that made him grin wider. "Good to know." Then shaking his head, he gave a small wave. "Anyways, we'll just leave you to your conversation."

With some goodbyes on their part, the group of four moved off and began walking along the beach. As they did so, Regina had a thoughtful look on her face. 'So Tanya wants to be closer to Doctor Norihara?' Glancing at Harry, she felt her lips curl up into a small smile. 'I can understand why.' Then the Re-Class glanced at the Canadian warship and her thoughtful look deepened. 'Though since we can have children even if we're not a Princess or a Demon...'

She got some looks from the others as she blushed and slapped her hands over her face.

Eventually shaking her head, Shinano turned to Harry and gave a bright smile. "Um, Harry? Do you think..."

Chuckling, Harry turned his attention to the Carrier. "That Norihara and Tanya might get together?" When Shinano nodded, the black haired boy looked up at the sky which had a few puffy clouds in it. "Maybe, who knows? I mean, it's obvious that Norihara and Tanya are really close. And that the doctor cares for her just as much as Tanya cares. But..."

Head tilted to the side, Shinano frowned. "But?"

For a few moments, Harry then shrugged. "She'll have to accept it, Norihara, I mean. Hopefully she does when Tanya is no longer her patient. Those two would probably be pretty happy together."

Shinano smiled and gave a nod. "I think so too."

As they walked, they noticed a group of Abyssals sitting around a radio. When they got close, Harry raised an eyebrow as he heard what was being broadcast on the news program. "{And in other news... the first train has completed the trip from Panama to Mexico via the new FERISTSA railway in Central America. The railway, which runs the length of Central America is considered one of the cornerstones of the Trans-American Transport and Infrastructure Plan. Officials have stated that with it, cargo will be brought from ports in Panama to Mexico and from there, to the United States and Canada without exposing them to the dangers of sea travel. It will also be used in the opposite direction as well. Already, many Central American countries have reported growth in their economies due to the railway as a number of national railways have been connected to the FERISTSA railway. Passenger service is expected to begin in the next three months...}"

Putting his hands behind his head, Harry smiled a bit. "So they finally completed it, huh?"

One of the Wo-Class, Harry believed her name was Wonderous, turned to him. "You know about it, Uncle Harry?"

With a shake of his head, Harry smirked some. "Kind of hard not to with Rose." At the confused looks, he made a gesture with his hand. "Rose is a tea set tsukumogami. The spirit of a tea set. Anyways, when she was first made she traveled on the trains and such. That's made her something of a fan of trains and anything related, so she has been following that."

Slowly nodding, Wonderous frowned in thought. "I see..." Glancing at the radio, she tilted her head. 'Sounds important from what they are saying.' Then she turned to Harry with a small smile. "Have you ever ridden on a train, Uncle Harry?"

Unable to help himself, Harry gave a laugh. "Actually, I've ridden on a lot of trains. In fact, I take one to get to my school in Scotland and it's great. A bit boring because of how long the ride is, but still pretty neat and gives me plenty of time to catch up with people. There's a lot of trains here in Japan as well and some of them are cool with how fast they go."

Her eyes widening, Wonderous blinked. "Fast? Really fast?" When Harry gave a nod, she frowned in thought. 'Sounds interesting...'

Meanwhile, Harry's thoughts turned towards one of the members of his family who was currently on her honeymoon with her new wife due to the news he had just heard. 'I wonder how Rose is reacting?' Then his lips twitched a bit. 'Probably excited and gave a squeal.'

Arms crossed, Shinano gave a small nod. "Hearing that, I wonder when they're going to start the railway tunnel between Hokkaido and Sakhalin? That's supposed to be connected to the Trans-Siberian Railway, right?"

Humming, Harry gave a small nod. "Well, once they complete the tunnel between the mainland and Sakhalin. But yeah, they're still planning it out though from what I remember they're going to start work on it soon. Ooyodo-Oba is pretty excited over it since it would help out a lot with resources just in case. And the politicians here in Hokkaido are pretty excited about it as well." Head tilting to the side, the wizard shook his head. "Kind of like the tunnel being talked about back in England between Ireland and Britain. They've already surveyed the route for that one so that can transport food and cargo."

Somewhat lost, the Abyssals gave each other looks and shrugs before turning back to the radio as it started to play music.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Sitting just above where the waves reached, Harry was going over a checklist while outfitted in his scuba gear. Around him, various Abyssal Submarines sat and watched him or chatted among themselves. More then one of the male personnel who were helping out had tripped upon seeing them for the first time. Mainly because all of them wore bikini bottoms and what was a very small tube top. Needless to say, they got a lot of attention.

However, Harry didn't really notice that much as he was too busy performing his checks. Part of him did note when Nero walked over with Regalia and crouched down to look him over. Eventually, the Abyssal spoke up. "So this is scuba gear, Uncle Harry?"

With a glance at her and Regalia, and noting that several other Abyssals outside the Submarines were listening, Harry gave a nod. "That's right, I'm wearing my scuba gear right now." Looking back at his checklist, he continued. "If you want to ask anything, I don't mind. Not going to head out for a few minutes yet."

Only nodding, Nero considered her questions, but it was Regalia who spoke up with one of her. "What's that you're wearing, Uncle Harry? I've never seen anything like it."

Tapping his arm, Harry smiled at her. "You mean my wetsuit?"

Confused, the Re-Class gave a nod. "Wetsuit? Is that what it's called?"

Harry gave her a chuckle. "Yup! That's what its called alright. As for what it is..." For a moment, he hummed a bit. "We're in Hokkaido right now and the water's not really all that warm even though it is late July. And deeper in, it gets pretty cold as well. So what this wetsuit does is help protect me from the cold down here."

Interested, Nero was looking it over and noted how it clung tightly to her uncle's body. Then she remembered something that was told to her on the way to Hokkaido. "That's right, humans don't really take cold water all that well. Hypo something?"

Nodding, the black haired teen smiled. "Hypothermia?" When she gave a small nod, he ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah, that's a danger for us in really cold water, or cold weather if we're not dressed for it. Not so much these temperatures unless I was doing something like skin diving. Basically, we can get so cold that our bodies sort of... shut down." At the wide eyed looks, Harry made a gesture with his hand. "Imagine getting so cold that your boilers no longer give enough heat and stop working."

More then one Abyssal shivered at that thought. The idea was... frightening. It also gave them a better idea of just how fragile humans were compared to them. Regalia chewed her lip some, a bit worried for her uncle. "S-so this wetsuit will help protect you? And is it called that because it's in the water?"

Just shaking his head, Harry rubbed the back of his neck. "It'll protect me, but it's not called a wetsuit because it's in the water." Placing one gloved finger onto his arm, he tapped it. "What a wetsuit does is allow a little bit of water in, not much. But it gets warmed by my body heat and helps insulate me from the water outside."

Utterly confused by what she was hearing, Regalia blinked. "And that... works? Really?"

Lips twitching, Harry gave a nod. "It does. I've been on about forty dives outside of my lessons so far and it works." Reaching back, he held up the hood attached to the back. "Its also why I have this hood for this dive. Back home in Yokosuka during the warmer months I'm not too worried and so don't bother with a hood. But up here where the water is colder? The less skin exposed the better." Suddenly frowning, the wizard shook his head. "If we were more north, I might try for a drysuit, though I don't have one of these yet... maybe look into getting one?"

Head tilted to the side, Nero furrowed her eyebrows. "Drysuit? Is... that something that keeps you dry?"

Smiling, Harry hummed a bit. "That's right. Instead of water, it keeps a layer of air next to the skin. It's used in really cold waters though, but I might get one to go diving around yours and Tanith's island, Regalia. Because swimming next to giant sea cows just sounds so cool!"

With a soft giggle, though she was unsure herself, Regalia shook her head. "Well, I don't think that mother would mind? Though it is nice to just watch them... it's relaxing."

Eyes twinkling, Harry gave a small nod as he checked his air. "I know, it really does and I would love to get some footage of them." Feeling eyes from Wonderous on him, he followed her gaze to where his diving knife sat in a holster on his thigh. "Hmm? Interested in my knife?"

Frowning, the Wo-Class tilted her head slightly. "I was wondering about it. Do you use it in fights underwater?"

Part of Harry noted that those of Sunny's group who were there all began to pay close attention, even the Submarines. Shrugging, he shook his head. "Well, I could use it for a fight underwater. Like against a shark or something. But it's more used for things like cutting rope or netting if I become entangled underwater. So I don't drown. Though I can also use it to pry shellfish and the like from the seafloor. Pretty useful when all is said and done."

Yolanda looked at the knife herself and slowly nodded. 'That's... pretty interesting.'

Just nodding, Harry gave a sigh and, standing up, he shifted his air tank a bit and nodded. "Well... I'm done my checks." Holding up the board, the nearly thirteen year old gave a embarrassed chuckle. "Could someone hold onto this for me?"

Reaching over, Sokie took the checklist before placing it into her hair, the board disappearing between the strands and placed into her hull. "There you go, Uncle Harry." Simply watching as he pulled the hood over his neck and adjusted the two flashlights on either shoulder. Harry had told them that it was so that he could better see underwater. "Why did you need to perform so many checklists, Uncle Harry?"

With a glance at her, Harry made a final few adjustments. "I never perform a dive without doing the checklists three times right before doing it. That way I can be sure that I don't miss something important since Scuba diving should be treated seriously. Don't want to mess up and suddenly find myself in danger after all." After thinking it over, the various Submarines gave a small nod at that. It did make a lot of sense after all. Meanwhile, Harry gave a wave to the others as he began to wade into the surf with a pause only to rinse his mask and , after a shake, put it on. "I'll see you guys later!"

As the various Abyssals waved him goodbye, Harry walked further into the surf. While he did so, the Submarines were around him not even bothered in the least by the cold water touching their skins. Once it was chest height, Harry watched as the Abyssals around him summoned their rigging, one or two already with their heads underwater. And when the waves began to reach his neck, the black haired boy dove under, vanishing from the Abyssals watching. For several minutes, the ones on shore scanned the waves looking for any sign but there was none.

Granted, they were not really all that worried as Harry not only had Elite Submarines around him, but also the Submarine Princess as well.

Under the water, Harry took a deep breath and swimming forward. He knew that the gopro on his head was capturing the sights that he saw as he swam further and further out until the water was about ten feet deep. And then he turned to look around and blinked. Mainly due to the sight of the various Abyssal Submarines swimming around him, not unlike a group of seals or dolphins. All of those with their faces having bright smiles as they did so. Part of Harry wondered what the reactions to the video would be when he uploaded it later. Not just because of how they were acting, but also how they appeared and disappeared into the gloom around him, the only first signs of them being their glowing eyes appearing from nowhere.

Chuckling at the thought, Harry shook his head. "Well, you bunch seem happy."

Out of the corner of his eye, the wizard could see the Submarine Princess' beast appear beside him moments before he felt her arms around him in a hug. Turning, he was greeted by her face with a large smile on it. "Why wouldn't we be happy, Uncle Harry? You're down here with us and spending time to see as we do."

Happily closing his eyes, Harry gave a nod. "That's true enough, I suppose." Lightly chuckling, he shook his head. "But I enjoy this sort of thing."

Just nodding, Submarine Princess gave him another hug, careful not to be too hard. "I think that we'll enjoy it as well, Uncle Harry. And we got so much to show you!"

Patting her head, the corners of Harry's eyes crinkled showing that he was smiling. "Can't wait. But remember that I can only go down to forty meters and stay down here for so long. Have to do this carefully after all."

Around him there were nods from the group of Abyssals, they didn't want to put their Uncle into danger! Yolanda then moved until she was just in front of him and below. Hanging out a bit more from her beastal rigging, she gave Harry a motion with her hands. "Grab a hold, Uncle Harry. I'll get you around."

Laughing, Harry reached out and grasped the sides of the rigging's "Mouth" and moving his body until he was flat against it. Then he looked around to Yolanda's face with a smile. "Is this good? I'm not hurting you or anything, am I?"

However, Yolanda shook her head with a smile. "No, Uncle Harry. That's fine."

With a nod, the wizard chuckled. "Okay then. Don't go too fast, okay?" All he got was a shake of the head from the Yo-Class and soon they were moving out on their undersea adventure.