Harry Potter & the Shipgirls

[darthcourt10]

RCNAnon

Weasley's Warship Workshop 12

Abyssal Interlude

Several days after Ron's visit

Summer smiled to herself as the memory of what her Yardmaster told her to do played through her mind once more.

"Summer, I want you to do a full engineering survey of Battleship Princess when you get the chance." His voice was pitched low so that only she could hear it. "I want to know everything we can about her so we can keep track of the repairs and make sure she's not trying to fix her guns. A full survey you understand?"

Summer had understood, completely and utterly. It was smart of her Yardmaster to think like that. If they had a full survey instead of the several haphazard ones she'd done in the process of demilitarizing and the fixing the keel of the battleship, they could compare normal wear and tear and make sure things weren't going on under their noses. The engineering didn't lie.

Of course the last words he'd spoken had made her shiver even more and made her power plant spike quite high.

"Oh and one for you as well Summer. A full report please."

Her Yardmaster… he wanted a full survey of her! It was great! It was terrible! Oh what could she do?!

She had to give him the report but she'd never done a full survey of her equipment, not at the same time and her paperwork was a mess! So she needed time to organize but she could still multitask.

Which was why she was standing in front of the former Meanie Princess and looking down at her with a somewhat unpleasant grin on her face. At least judging by the look on the other abyssals face.

"You can't be serious!" the other Abyssal exclaimed. Though she'd behaved around the Yardmaster, Meanie Princess still tried to act like she didn't have to do what the Yardmaster said sometimes.

"The Yardmaster said you have to have a full survey. So you will get a full survey." For Summer, the Yardmaster's word was law, especially when it came to engineering related tasks. That meant Meanie Princess would also see it that way, one way or the other.

"He what?" the other abyssal seemed even more surprised, "Does he even know what that means? He can't..., he can't do that!"

Summer contemplated trying to explain to Meanie Princess about Warspite and Duke and Jean Bart. How she was sure the Yardmaster had full surveys of them or close enough, how they seemed to like it, especially Warspite and her book. It was such a lovely book, to see her Yardmaster show off his knowledge like that…. Summer shivered as a tingle went up her back.

Meanie Princess didn't deserve an explanation though. Not now, perhaps not ever unless her Yardmaster told her to mention it. So instead she reached out and grabbed Meanie Princess by the arm and pulled her over her own shoulder. It was easy, since her engines were locked down and she only had a tiny fraction of the power she might otherwise.

"What are you doing?! Unhand me you… you Installation!" Meanie Princess screamed and shouted as Summer carried her to the baths and then put her in the water for a full survey, where she eventually calmed down as Summer did what she was supposed to. Yet for the most part Summer wasn't paying attention to her, instead focusing on her own paperwork like her Yardmaster had told her to do. After all, her engineering crews knew their jobs and didn't need her supervising. The admin staff however…

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Inside Naval Base Summer's admin building, chaos reigned. Shades were running around trying to find records, tabulate records and in a few too many cases, build forms to fill out so they could then be tabulated because the originals had been lost in one of the many light shellings the admin building and surrounding area had taken. It certainly didn't help that they were still understaffed, even with the many new recruits slowly trickling in.

At the center of the chaos stood the Yardmaster's office. In a normal installation the pride of place would have been the Base Commander's, yet that position didn't even exist at the moment. Instead the large office was the eye of the storm of chaos, only the inner sanctum completely free of trouble as the Yardmaster was currently away at his other duties.

Instead the secretaries office out front of the office was covered in a flurry of forms, the mental image of Summer herself behind an equally massive desk that was still swamped in paperwork despite the extra size needed for her.

Summer hadn't realized how bad a shape many areas of the base had been in until Ron had told her to do a full survey. She hadn't even remembered that there was an airfield… somewhere… until a frazzled looking Midshipman had run in with a tiny folder containing only a single sheet of paper that listed off five shades who were supposedly the "Airfield Command Crew." Unfortunately they were all dead.

So she'd made the Midshipman the Airfield commander and told him his first duty was to actually go find it. He'd merely saluted and run off, while she was already too busy working on papers to hear him swearing under his breath about it being his first day.

The next issue to pop up actually came from Meanie Princess' Captain… and it was actually somewhat enlightening. Unfortunate as that might be.

Given the Princess' inclinations towards the examinations, it was unsurprising that the Captain had gotten his crew to find things to complain about, little good as that would do. It had listed a variety of things she didn't care about, mostly regarding how nosy her crew was, but one thing had stuck out.

The harbor was "shabby looking". The Captain hadn't complained about anything else but it had caused Summer to make her engineers do their own survey again, this time taking everything into consideration. All of her equipment worked and was to spec… but it could all use some refurbishment. Not to mention a few upgrades and overhauls to better spec that her crews had come up with. Plus a general touch up of the grounds, buildings, shore, and what vegetation was still hanging on.

The Yardmaster would not approve!

That wasn't even mentioning the rest of the base, including the Admin building itself (except for the Yardmaster's office of course, that was clean enough you could eat off the floor), the local housing, dispensary, medical center and the weapon's emplacements!

The weapon's emplacements were the worst, aside from the airfield, with only one maintenance crew between all of them. They were "maintained" but they had no ready ammo, no crews and would need a proper refit before everything was in working order.

Terrible! The Yardmaster would be mad at her!

Hours passed and she eventually let Meanie Princess go after compiling a full engineering survey of her. Pretty standard stuff, except for a few places. Mostly where they'd built up around her old structure and that was all within spec anyway. Nothing to worry about.

It took her long into the night to compile everything for Ron, even waiting for the exhausted Midshipman to come back and report the location of the airfield. Which was predictably in terrible shape, something about the runway being "chewed by rabid moles", whatever that meant. No planes, no buildings worth salvaging and nobody who knew what needed done first.

The Midshipman was again put on the case, after a quick promotion to Sub lieutenant for his troubles.

With enough information to be given to the Yardmaster, she put the two reports together. Meanie Princess went on top, her report much slimmer since it was mostly the specs and status report. All ship shape except for her weapons, which didn't work. The Yardmaster wanted it like that though so everything was as it was supposed to be.

Summer's report on herself was much larger, detailing damages, lost items, missing personnel, inoperative equipment and the fact that she had an airfield or was supposed to at least, which needed a full reconstruction from the ground up, according the new Sub lieutenant. So much was wrong and it would take too many resources to get right and maintain her reserves. Hopefully the Yardmaster wouldn't be mad at her.

She put it in the owl box, closed it and then waited.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

And waited.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Aaaanndddd waited.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Finally, three days after she sent the reports to her Yardmaster the owl box contained a return package with a letter on top.

The top part was a letter marked "Read First" in her Yardmaster's handwriting, so she opened it promptly.

"Summer. Good job with the report for Battleship Princess. It definitely will be useful down the line. Take the package and find Duke or Warspite and give it to them. They'll tell you everything else."

Summer grabbed the package, which she noticed was heavier than paper should be, and headed downstairs. She knew that Duke was home, so she headed into the parlor. She was nervous. The Yardmaster hadn't mentioned anything about her…

Duke was in one of the chairs, tea by her side and book in hand. She looked up when Summer entered and quirked an eyebrow.

"Something for me Summer?" she asked.

"The Yardmaster sent it… he said to give it to you or Warpite." Summer handed over the package.

"Hmm..." Duke took the package after setting aside her book, peeling it open. Inside were two iron ingots and a letter. Frowning, Duke picked up the letter and began to read.

Summer waited as patiently as she could. Which meant her hands went up under her chin. Anyone else would have been bouncing back and forth on their feet.

Finally Duke finished reading and set down the letter. Picking up the iron ingots she stood and then held them out to Summer, who took them gingerly.

"These are for you," Duke said in a mildly authoritative tone, "Ron enchanted them with his magic and you're to use it to assist in rebuilding."

Summer looked down at the bars, which she could now feel tingling slightly in her hand.

"W-which part?" she asked, hoping her Yardmaster had provided a bit more guidance.

"All of it."

Summer looked up and then blinked at Duke, who had stepped closer to her.

"W-what?"

"All of it Summer. Ron wants you to rebuild and refit everything in your report down to the last nut and bolt. He's not mad at you but he wants further reports as you fix everything and he's going to be providing more materials as well."

Summer's eyes widened.

"B-but… the resources… " she started.

"Ron says we'll get what you need one way or the other. You don't need to run down your stocks all the way but he said you need to use at least a quarter of them on yourself immediately. Victoria will be instructed to make sure you're fed properly to make up for it."

Summer felt her valves starting to leak as water pressure built up. Her Yardmaster… he was too generous to her. Too good… but… she was smiling.

Duke's face softened somewhat and she reached out to put her hand on Summer's arm.

"Ron says that he'll be back to see you as soon as he can Summer, so don't worry. He just wants you at your best."

"Y-yes." Summer sniffed, reaching up to wonder at the leak in her eyes. She would need to get that fixed along with everything else. "I… will get started. Like the Yardmaster says."

Duke smiled gently at her and patted her arm once more before letting go.

"Good to hear Summer. We all want you at your best so don't hold back."

Summer nodded to Duke, then turned and headed out back to the workshop. It wasn't needed but… it was where her Yardmaster would work on her when he came back. So she would do her best until then because he was counting on her.

She wouldn't let him down.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
AN: Hope you all enjoyed this one. Summer's a cutie but she still has her issues, which Ron is working on. Questions, comments, concerns welcome as always.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A.N.-Let's take a peek into the future, shall we?

Dreams of Summer
Spoiler: A Late Night Dream...

The early morning predawn dimness illuminated the face of a sleeping young man as the first bird songs serenaded him through the opened window. His head rested on the pillow that his elbow provided on the drafting table. The half-finished drawing of a shell hoist with notes and arrows showing wear points where friction could cause problems showed what he had been working on long into the night.

Scattered on the floor were handwritten notes in a precisely elegant hand describing enchantments developed by Ian Potter to reinforce and repair a sword blade and regenerate it to its natural state over time. The sleeper's scribbled comments in the margins showed a young mind excited as to the possibilities and implications in reducing wear and improving mechanical reliability.

Under the closed eyelids, blue eyes wandered in the erratic movements of REM sleep as Ron Weasley dreamed....

He had often dreamed.

Ocean-going cathedrals and castles of iron and steel plowing through the waves that they had been crafted to rule.

Cannons designed and refined over generations to speak the commands of the flag flying above them in smoke and thunder.

The beating hammering hearts that defied the elements and their enemies with burning oil, hissing steam, and the thrum of intricate machinery that drove a battleship wherever her captain wished for her to go despite what wind, wave, storm, or foe would think to challenge her course.

This was not one of those dreams.

Ron found himself flying through space on a dark night illuminated only by a waxing moon and the thousands of diamond stars twinkling in the ebon velvet of the sky.

Below him, water sat in mirrored stillness, darkest indigo and deep and perfectly reflecting the starry void that he flew through.

Presently, his flight saw a darker curve ahead, the shore of a great bay, where midnight dark waters curled, foamed, and receded slowly against the seawall protecting what lay beyond from the ever-hungry ocean.

And what lay beyond?
Spoiler: ...A Slumbering Giantess...

His eyes raised to see the skeletal structures of mighty cranes, the hollows of awaiting drydocks, the glint of starlight on rail networks stretching in ordered, beautiful, fractal patterns as the sinews of what he saw. Beyond them, row upon row of offices, factories, foundries, housing, a city slumbering in its potent potential greeted his wondering gaze.

He was inside the bay now, and as he looked left and right, he saw the muzzles of mighty naval rifles pointed out to sea from reinforced concrete emplacements and fortresses to protect this place of majesty and magic.

But all was still. No cannon thundered, no sentry barred his path as he slowly landed at the edge of a great graving dock.

For an endless time, he stood at the edge, peering down into the cavernous abyssal depths with the cradles and hoists lying ready for the birth of a new castle of steel. His eyes raised to see the skeletal gantries and cranes standing idle as they waited to lower boilers, screws, guns, and armor plate to become one with the ships that would be built here.

He turned and placed his hands in the pockets of his school robe as a murmuring, whispering wind from the city beyond coaxed him onward. He began to walk down the railroad tracks, humming tunelessly to himself in counterpoint with the wind's sighing.

Presently he came to a massive monolithic building to his left, and he stopped to survey it. Struck by an impulse, he turned and walked along the spur line leading to a pair of doors ten times his height, which silently opened as he reached out his hand to touch them.

Inside, the moonlight through the high windows cast the molds, furnaces, crucibles, boring mills, stamping mills, lathes, and all the million and one tools and devices inside in silver. All was in its proper place waiting for the workman's hands from the tiniest screwdriver on a waiting work bench intended for final assembly to the house-sized crucible patiently waiting overhead to receive a pour of molten steel from the slumbering furnace that had just turned metal, coke, coal, and flame into the finest alloys.

Ron hummed thoughtfully and nodded to himself in approval of the slumbering potential here. With that he turned and continued his walk.

Gradually the workshops and factories turned into administration buildings in an orderly, neat complex above the harbor and factories. He turned, walking through the gate into this complex past the guard box and under the raised barrier.

He sensed more than saw or heard the respectful, and dare he say it, pride and love filled salute done precisely from the unseen sentries.

The signs of a subtle, tentative, understated pride were everywhere. New paint glimmered from walls and windowsills, signs were precisely placed and clearly lettered, lawns were manicured and cleaned. The trees overhead were equally regimented as he walked from shadowed street to shadowed street underneath their boughs.

Presently, he reached an office at the very heart of the complex on a hill overlooking all else. The waxing moon illuminated the sign "YARDMASTER, DOCKYARD OPERATIONS, HMNB SUMMER" and his lips curled in a satisfied proud smile.

While the sleeping complex had been neat and orderly, this building was just a touch more neat and more orderly.

Not a blade of grass was out of place on the immaculate dark green of the lawn. The crushed stones of the walkway to the front door shone a pure ivory. The flowerbeds flanking it to either side emitted a perfume that his nose told him were filled with roses growing on the trellises that stood there, even though the dim light turned the blossoms from crimson red to abyssal black.

Humming happily, he slowly walked down the path to the gleaming mirror-polished brass and painted creamy pearl-white hardwood of the waiting door.

His eyes widened as he saw a glimpse through the bay window next to the door that caused him to stop in stunned admiration.

Inside this window, a trim and neatly furnished office waited. Pens, drafting pencils and signature stamps stood in regimented precise lines on the creamy surface of the desk calendar precisely centered on the ebon hardwood of the desk. A comfortable leather desk chair was placed so the owner could look out this window to the harbor, or across the factories.
Spoiler: ...And The Promise Of Their Future...

A drafting and blueprint table stood in exactly the right place to get light through the windows and skylight with waiting T-Square, triangle, and drafting materials to design a new masterpiece with the aid of the eagerly waiting assistant he could sense on the other side of the door.

The thought caused his fingers to tingle with the need to put pen to paper. His brain whirled with ideas and concepts as he turned to look out across the inky water of the bay.

Perhaps a brace of tugboats to start with?

Something simple and functional to let him master walking before he ran with her, alongside her, within her....

Silently his face flushed as his teenage hormones chose that moment to assert themselves with the idea of a massive and yet gentle presence at his elbow.

Her pale hair tickling his neck as she leaned over the desk next to him as he pointed out the details of what needed to be done.

The coolness of her fingers on his as she handed him a cup of tea and listened to his plans for the next child of his mind and her spirit and body.

The moonlight silvering her form beside his as he stood at this window overlooking this bay and her citadel of industry.

The feel of him leaning back into her yielding cool softness as they watched the sparks flash in the night and the flames rise from blast furnaces, workshops, and dockyards that they had awakened together. The thunder in his mind and soul and in her body -- in their hearts -- as step by step, moment by moment, dream by dream, her waiting graving dock changed from this current quiet empty potential to a keel laid, to ribs and skeletons rising above each deck, to bridges, masts, aerials, secondary batteries, barbettes, radars, main battery turrets....

He shivered and breathed harshly, deeply, passionately, powerfully, as he heard a matching needy desperate passionate whimper from just beyond the door that his fingers now rested against.

He gasped in ecstasy at the thought of standing on the edge of her graving dock once more dressed in his best uniform with a strong milk-pale giantess at his side.

Feeling her hand enclose his just as he had claimed her in all the ways that one such as she could be claimed in the moments before this perfect future instant ahead when the swung bottle of champagne that they had launched smashed against the bow of their new-born daughter.

A daughter that they had jointly turned from a whispered dream and idea between them one magical dark night, to rough designs, to refined blueprints, to those blueprints writ in steel, iron, bronze, timber and all the other materials of the Earth and the Sea to become reality.

He could barely control his trembling excitement and anticipation.

An excitement that he knew was matched by his secretary, his right hand woman, his love, the muscles and sinew and steel and industry and potential that awaited Her Yardmaster's wishes within this place inside her heart.

His Summer.

With that insight his hand grasped the doorknob firmly and began to turn it.

No time like the present to get start---
Spoiler: ...In the Days Ahead

With that thought thundering in his heart and soul and the sudden touch of fabric on his shoulders he awoke and returned to himself with a start.

His face was red as his hair and he whimpered in frustration as this magnificent dream seemed to vanish like blown smoke as his eyes found Victoria's as she stood from placing a blanket on his shoulders.

"My apologies for waking you. I worried that you would catch a chill with the draft from the open window." The maid's voice was gentle and compassionate.

Ron blinked and returned to himself, noting the lightening sky with the coming dawn. "No, it is all right, Victoria. Thank you. For everything."

The house spirit smiled and deposited a cup of steaming breakfast tea at his elbow before collecting and organizing the scattered notes for him. "Another late night working on those shell hoists?"

Ron nodded. "Indeed, I think I have a possible solution." His reaching hand found no pen available. "Ah?"

Victoria silently handed him a pen and notebook from somewhere and Ron clicked the pen's tip then paused as the pen hovered over the drafting paper.

An impulse struck him from someplace deep inside and he scribbled a note to himself in his scheduling and ideas notebook rapidly.

'Discuss shipbuilding with Summer at earliest. Tugboat for harbor use perhaps?'

With that reminder to himself and a mental nod to follow up on that when the time could be arranged after the current projects concluded, he began to point at the diagram.

"I realized late last night that if I put runes here and here and use this variation on the spell Ehren found for me that gives Tsukiakari her self-repair function, we can reduce frictional wear in the bearings here that lead to jams by a third or perhaps more...." Ron's voice was its normal excited self as he began to leap from idea to idea once more.

Unseen by either the budding engineer or the politely nodding house spirit making the usual approving noises to keep the Young Master's thoughts flowing, the light crept up from the window as the sun began to rise.

A sunlight that illuminated a blushing pale giantess as she slept in a massive bed covered in a blanket showing shipyards, cranes, and railways.

A giantess that mumbled something incoherent happily and cooed to herself in her wonderful dreams as she hugged herself tighter in excitement and her blush deepened.

The excitement that came with the dawning sunrise on the first day of Summer.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Examining herself in the mirror, Taigei hums a little before smoothing her light blue sundress. A small smile appears in her face, lips curling upwards as she gives a small nod, 'Hmm... I'm looking good today.'

Still smiling, she turns only to find a hand holding out a small cylinder towards her before she could even ask for it. A similar smile was on Ryuuhou's lips, "Here you go, some lip balm."

Gratefully taking it, the Submarine Tender nods, "Thank you, Nee-San."

With a small giggle, Ryuuhou shook her head, "You're welcome, Nee-San." Glancing at the door to their room, she turns back to her twin of sorts, "Taigei-Nee, what do you think of... this?"

Just glancing at her, Taigei frowns a bit, "About us going to visit Harry-Chan? Or the plan that the girls are performing and want us to join in?"

Now frowning, the other shipgirl chews her lip some before giving a slight nod, "Both."

Rather than answer right away though, Taigei considers the question for almost a minute, "In regards to going to Hogsmeade with Harry-Chan? Honestly, I am sort of looking forward to it." Shooting a smile at her sister of sorts, she continued, "The girls all had a lot of fun there after all. And as a place, it does sound amazing and like something that has to be seen. At the same time? I... feel better that it is Harry-Chan accompanying us there. Considering some of the propositions we've gotten..."

That brought a grimace to both their faces at some of their experiences, mainly from a certain subset of Shipgirl fans, but also from some other men. Clearing her throat, Ryuuhou raised an eyebrow, "And their plan?"

Humming, Taigei applied the lip balm before answering, "As to their plan? I can't say that I am exactly opposed to it, I suppose. Harry-Chan is someone that I like after all especially..." A memory came up of when she was badly injured during the nuclear scare. In particular, Harry lifting her up in his arms and carrying her bridal style to where she would be taken out of the pool. While she never admitted it, the care and gentleness made it so that the memory always brought a small blush to her cheeks. Not helping was how she had felt safe in that moment, "Well, I think you can understand what I mean by that."

Unbidden, the memory also rose up on Ryuuhou's mind, as the two were one being at that point. And like her twin, it brought a rosy tinge to her cheeks, "Hai, I do." Fiddling a bit with her dress, the Carrier sighed, "I... will admit, that the thought isn't unpleasant to think about at least."

Slowly, Taigei gave a nod and shot her a soft smile, "No, no it is not." With a chuckle, she shook her head, "If it happens, I wouldn't mind it if it did come true and we had it happen. But as it is? I'd be happy just being friends with our future Admiral and perhaps an Oba-San to his future children when he has them. And isn't that what things like this date are for? To see if things could work like that?"

Simply smiling, the other purple haired girl nodded before smoothing out her sea green dress.

With some final checks, the two of them left the room and headed out into the main area. Waiting for them were the various Submarines, who upon seeing them smiled even as their eyes widened. Brightly smiling, Iku gave the two a thumbs up, "You look great, Taigei-Nee-San! Ryuuhou-Nee-San! You're definitely going to surprise Harry-Chan."

The two shipgirls smiled and blushed before bowing, with Taigei speaking for them both, "Thank you, Iku-Chan." Glancing around, she gave a sigh and a small nod, "You'll be fine for the next day or so while we're gone?"

Unable to help herself, Hachi giggled as she walked up and gave the Tender a hug, "Hai, we will, Taigei-Nee-San. You just enjoy yourself." In her eyes, a slight knowing twinkle appeared, "Not that we expect any different."

That brought a smile to the Shipgirl's face and she nodded after a glance towards her twin, "I think that we will, Hachi-Chan."

And with that, they left the Submarine Pens. Along the way to the entrance to the tunnels closest to the 'Portal Room' as it had been called, the twins came across Samantha as well as her brother and Sora. The Battleship doing some walking to help build herself up as part of her physical therapy. Granted, the two summoned shipgirls could see that the work on the Kitsune's hull had continued.

Bowing slightly, Ryuuhou gave them a smile, "Good afternoon."

Hands in her pockets, Samantha smiled at them both, "Afternoon, Ryuuhou-San, Taigei-Chan." Seeing how they were dressed, she raised an eyebrow at them, "Going somewhere?"

Lips twitching, Taigei nodded slightly, "We are as a matter of fact." Gesturing to the identicle girl beside her, she smiled, "Ryuuhou-Nee and myself are going to Hogsmeade to spend the day with Harry-Chan. And we'll be staying the night at his school."

Slowly shaking her head, Sora chuckled, "It almost sounds like you're going out on a date with him." Upon seeing the smiles as well as light blushes on the twin shipgirls' faces, her eyes widened a little, "Wait... are you actually going out on a date with him?"

Glancing towards one another, while the three in front of them boggled, the two shipgirls giggled before the Light Carrier gave a slight nod, "Well, I suppose that one could call it a date, yes." She then gestured at Taigei, "Though it is not quite serious at the moment, but we are not the only ones."

Just shaking her head, Taigei hummed a bit, "Iku-Chan and the others have gone out on a date with him and are planning for more."

Utterly lost, Eric blinked and looked between them, "And... you're all okay with this? Dating the same guy?"

With a slight shrug, Ryuuhou shook her head, "Hai, in the end it is not much different than sharing the same Captain or Admiral when one thinks about it. Besides which..." Trailing off, she was silent for a few seconds, "Besides which, it is not all that bad as we are friends with one another."

Not long after, the lone boy of the group was watching as the two versions of the same ship walked off. Scratching his head, he frowned some, "I still don't get it. How the heck did something like that happen?"

Placing her hand on Eric's shoulder, Sora shook her head, "Perhaps not, but who are we to judge. Though..."

Eyebrow raised, Samantha looked at her, "Though what?"

The Kitsune just shrugged her shoulder and smiled, though she still had a thoughtful look on her face, "Nothing, just a thought." Slipping her arm into Eric's lone one, she took his hand in hers, "But how about we go and have something to eat, Eric-Kun, Samantha-Chan?"

Both siblings shrugged at that, though Samantha had a knowing look on her face which was met with a smile from Sora before they continued their walk.
___________________________________________________________

Appearing on the hill overlooking Hogsmeade, both Taigei and Ryuuhou smiled as they took deep breaths of the late May air. Subtle scents of spring flowers tickled their noses as they did so and made them smile. Looking at the village below, the Submarine Tender softly laughed, "It really is a pretty sight when you get down to it."

From where she stood beside her sister, Ryuuhou nodded, "Hai, it is. Like something from one of those story books, brought to life." Closing her eyes, she tilted her head back and smiled as she felt the sunlight warm her skin as the still slightly chilly Scottish breeze brushed past and made her sigh, "This... is a nice day."

Only nodding, the shipgirl beside her hummed in agreement. It did not take long though before both of them could hear the sound of hooves and wheels coming. They turned, just in time, to catch sight of the carraiges pulled by the Thestrals as they made their way to the entrance to the town, their wheels clacking as they moved across cobblestone.

Fully facing the carraiges, the two shipgirls watched as the doors opened and students spilled out. But it was one in particular that caught their attention as Harry hopped out. Almost as soon as he saw them, the teen grinned, "Taigei-Chan! Ryuuhou-Chan!" Walking over, he wrapped them up in a hug, "Thanks for coming."

Returning the hug, the two giggled before Taigei shook her head, "Why wouldn't we come, Harry-Chan? You invited us after all." Getting a nod, she took one of his hands and gave it a squeeze, "Now... Iku-Chan and the others mentioned something about a teahouse?"

The three of them then walked off with some of the students watching. From where he stood beside Dean, Seamus shook his head and sighed, "He's got all the luck."
Dean gave him a look of amusement and chuckled, "Why? Because he has a number of nice looking birds after him? And they all know that he's going on these sort of dates with them?"

A frown on his face, the Irishman shook his head, "Well, not just that..." Seamus then pointed at the group as they entered the village, "Look at him! Twins, Dean. He's got twins with him, hot ones."

Rolling his eyes, Dean sighed, "And that, right there, is why you can't get any girls to go with you to Hogsmeade, Seamus..." Walking off, he gave another parting shot to his sputtering friend, "Well, unless if one counted Muirchú~"

Just blinking, Seamus furrowed his eyebrows as he remembered the small, fiery redhead, "Muirchú...?" Then he scowled and stomped after the other teenage boy, ignoring how his cheeks felt hot, "What the hell is that supposed ta mean, Dean!? Oy!" Getting a laugh only made his scowl deepen and he quickened his pace, "Come back here and answer me!"

Elsewhere in the village, Harry was humming a few snitches of song as they walked. Head tilted to the side, Ryuuhou had an expression of curiosity on her face, "Which song is that, Harry-Chan?"

With a blink, the thirteen year old wizard turned towards her, "Hmm? Song?" It took him a few moments before he chuckled, "Do you mean the one that I was just humming?"

Lips twitching a bit, Ryuuhou nodded, "Hai, Harry-Chan." Pausing for a moment, she continued, "It is a rather nice song after all."

Smiling softly, Harry gave a small shrug, "Actually? It's a song that Dracul came up with." At the intrigued looks, he had a thoughtful frown on his face, "I'm not exactly sure why no one wants her to sing for some reason, same with Goldie. But... she does have an ear for music and came up with a song that could be played for various instruments and showed it to me the other day using the flute Hagrid gave me. You know, the one that can sound like an owl hooting? She said that she had been inspired by Hedwig."

Both shipgirls raised their eyebrows at that before Taigei slowly nodded, "That sounds interesting, Harry-Chan. And she was inspired by Hedwig-Chan?" At the nod, she smiled softly, "Impressive and I hope to hear it on other instruments."

Giggles made them turn to the Tender's twin. Ryuuhou had a slight smirk on her face, "Speaking of music... you would not believe what we came across the other day..."

Eyebrow raised, Harry's interest was obvious for all, "No, what did you come across?"

With a glance around, she leaned in, "We came across Fubuki-San practicing what seems to be a song from that movie, Let It Go, I believe it's called. And she was using the powers of the Yuki-Onna that she had to provide effects..." Lips curling, she shook her head and there was a slight look of awe in her eyes, "Apparently, it scaled up as she has all the spiritual weight of her crew behind it, which means that it was like dozens of Yuki-Onna. Needs more practice at control, mind you, but once she has it..."

Slowly, Harry gave a nod with a slight smile, "I can honestly see it. And that is just like Fubuki-Nee." When they gave him a curious look, he shrugged, "She always tries her best, so if she is going to put on a performance..."

Chuckling, Taigei smiled, "If she was going to put on a performance of the song, she would do her best to recreate the movie scene." As their chuckles died down, she gave his hand a small squeeze and glanced around, "This is a peaceful place."

Off to one side, the teenage wizard could see one of the stands with a dwarf at it selling jewelry to some curious students. Lips curling as he looked around them, Harry gave a slight nod, "It really is." For a moment though, he blinked as he noticed Catherine not far away sitting on a bench and eating some bread with a happy look on her face. Catching his gaze, she smiled and waved before going back to her snack. Internally, Harry was shaking his head, 'I should have expected this...'

Moments later though, Ryuuhou caught his attention as she tilted her head to the side, "So where is this teahouse, Harry-Chan?"

If he could have, Harry would have smacked himself in the forehead. But because he was holding their hands, and didn't want to let go, he simply winced and sighed, "Sorry about that-"

He was cut off though as Taigei kissed his cheek and pulled away, "You got nothing to be sorry about, Harry-Chan. Besides..." She motioned around them, "I would never say no to a nice, relaxing and peaceful walk in these surroundings."

Beside her, her twin nodded, "Hai." Ryuuhou smiled at him and gave him a kiss on the cheek as well and squeezed his hand gently, "Nee-San is right, Harry-Chan. A nice, relaxing walk is great, especially with the company we have. So don't be sorry."

Feeling heat in his cheeks, it was all Harry could do but nod, "That... does sound good, yes."

When the two shipgirls giggled, he felt the heat in his cheeks increase. Rather then comment though, he simply guided them through town, though he noted that the two glanced towards Madam Puddifoot's with a slight grimace before turning their attention to other things, such as the chat that they were having with Harry. It did not take them very long to reach the teahouse in question and coming to a stop in front of it, Taigei took it all in. Off to one side, she could see a stone patio set up with tables and umbrellas, all made of cast iron and yet looking brand new, no corrosion at all.

The building itself though was something that looked like from the Tudor era, and had a large bay window in the front. It was... quaint, was the only word that came to her mind. But it still looked rather nice as the leaves of a giant oak just outside, and which shaded part of the patio, rustled, "So this is the teahouse, Harry-Chan?"

Smiling, Harry nodded, "That's right." Letting go of their hands, he grasped the door and held it open for them, "Here you go."

Now it was both Taigei's and Ryuuhou's turn to blush, but they still smiled and walked inside. Once their eyes adjusted to the lower light levels inside, the two shipgirls felt their impressions only raise higher. Like the Submarines had told them, it was a cozy little place and seemed rather warm. In the fireplace along one wall, the fire crackled merrily. And behind the counter, where a young woman sat, they could see various jars filled with tea, coffee, and the like.

A soft smile on her face, the Light Carrier of the two took a deep breath and let it out as she could smell tea, coffee, and baked goods. Smells that made her relax still further, "This... is just as wonderful as the others told us."

In Harry's expression was some amusement at the reactions and he gestured at a nearby table, "Want to go and sit down, Taigei-Chan? Ryuuhou-Chan?"

With a shared look, the two nodded and soon found themselves seated. in one of the booths that was more a circle where one could sit around the table, unlike the usual one where they could sit on either side. Feeling the soft plush under her, Taigei sighed a bit, "This is nice, Harry-Chan."

Nodding alongside her sister of sorts, Ryuuhou gave Harry a kiss on the cheek, "Hai, it is." It was then that she noticed that the employee who was behind the counter walked over, "Good morning."

Just glancing at them for a brief moment in curiosity, the employee gave them all a smile, "Good morning to you as well, welcome to the Dragon's Tea Pot, my name is Emma."

Somewhat bemused by the name, Ryuuhou raised an eyebrow, "The Dragon's Tea Pot? Is there a story behind that name?"

Lips twitching a bit, Emma giggled slightly, "There is." She gestured around them, "My family had run and owned this shop for centuries. We started selling tea here in 1687 alongside coffee, since magic meant that we could more easily and quickly transport it. The name is because, at the time, my family kept a runty Welsh Green they named Rupert. Poor fellow had lost his wing at some point and thus could not fly. My family used his flames to heat tea and coffee, or roast and dry the coffee and tea while sometimes giving him some, which he apparently enjoyed. But during the Goblin Rebellion of 1714, they launched a small attack on Hogsmeade and burned down the previous shop we had. Rupert, as old as he was, died defending the children, burning the goblins and making them scatter. It was not until after the goblins were driven off by Aurors that Rupert died. Hence, when the new tea house was built, we named it the Dragon's Tea Pot in his honor."

On Taigei's face there was a soft smile and she nodded, "That is a wonderful story, and Rupert-San must be proud wherever he is."

Emma sighed a bit, "Perhaps, but it is a favorite bedtime story in my family." She then pulled out her notepad as well as a quill, "Though I don't think that you are here just to hear old tales either."

The group shared a look and Harry gave her a nod, "I suppose so. Well, you know my drink of choice."

With a hum, the employee smiled, "Aye, we do, so the usual drink then, Mister Potter?" At his nod, she wrote it down before turning to the other two, "And what might your companions wish to imbibe? We have many different drinks for different tastes, I might say."

Glancing at the menu, Taigei turned to Ryuuhou, who nodded and she raised her fingers, "Two caffè mocha, if you have any."

Lightly chuckling, Emma raised an eyebrow, "We do indeed have the ability to make some. Now then, which bean do you want for the non-chocolate part? We have arabica and others, including a shipment of dragonroast... though no pheonixroast at the moment, I'm afraid."

That made Ryuuhou blink in confusion, "Dragonroast? Pheonixroast? What are those unless you mean..."

As the eyes of the two shipgirls widened, the witch smiled and nodded, "Exactly as it says on the tin as a matter of fact. Dragonroast is coffee that has been roasted in the flames of a dragon. Meanwhile, Pheonixroast is coffee beans that have been roasted in the flames of a regenerating pheonix. It is much harder to get, I'm afraid as there is only one wizard in Italy who makes it. No one is quite sure how, but he has a deal with the various Pheonixes in Europe that visit him for their burning day, allowing him to roast the coffee in their fire and headed ashes." Sharing a look, the two decided on a more... mundane coffee. With a nod, Emma made a note, "Now then, normal coffee, espresso, or moka?"

Considering that for a few moments, Taigei slowly nodded, "Moka, please."

With a hum, Emma made a note, "Very well, what sort of chocolate? We don't use cocoa powder here or syrup, we melt the chocolate to be added. You can have white, milk, or dark chocolate up to near eighty percent cocoa if that is what you wish." Seeing their stunned looks, she smiled broadly, "As well, we have Snow White, which is white chocolate with heavy cream, and white chocolate shavings. Full Moon, which is dark chocolate with heavy cream and a mixture of dark and white chocolate shavings. You can also have nutmeg or cinnamon among other spices added if that is what you wish."

For several moments, the two shipgirls stared while the thirteen year old did everything he could not to laugh at their expressions.

Noticing something as they continued to order their drink, Harry looked at them with a smile, "Taigei-Chan, Ryuuhou-Chan? Would it be okay if I order the food for us?"

It took only a few seconds of consideration, but the two young women accompanying him nodded and agreed. They were slightly confused when Harry whispered into Emma's ear, and how she smirked a bit, but shrugged it off as they continued their order. Watching the employee walk off, they chatted with Harry as they observed her pull out a moka pot and grind the coffee that they had chosen right there before putting it onto a small stove there. They could also see what looked like an antique expresso machine that had to be older than their steel hull had been, all shiny and made from brass and copper.

Unknown to them, as she shaved off bits of chocolate from a block for the twins' drinks, Emma was also considering things. Of all the things that she had expected, actual twins were not one of those that the young woman thought that the teenage Potter would bring. Internally, she just shook her head in bemusement, 'I suppose that a lot of guys would be cursing his luck... Especially with how beautiful they are.' A few minutes later, Emma brought over their drinks and Harry's ginger snaps that he had asked for, "Here you go. I'm sorry, but it will be just a few more minutes for your food."

However, rather than be angry, Taigei waved her off, "No, no, this is fine. And the service is quick..." Glancing at Harry, she gave him a pout, "Even if you won't tell either of us what you ordered for us."

Smugly smiling, said boy just shrugged, "You're going to find out~"

As she walked off, Emma frowned a little, 'How did he just pronounce a tilde...?'

Of course, upon her return, she was greeted with the two shipgirls staring at what she brought out on a large plate...

Which was a cinnamon roll cake, fresh from the oven. The scent of cinnamon rose from it as icing covered the whole confection making it look absolutely delicious. Setting it down, along with smaller plates and utinsils, Emma nodded, "And here we go, a cinnamon roll cake. Excactly as ordered." Noticing the empty cups, she gave a small nod, "Would you like a refill?"

Swallowing, and shooting a glare at the even more smug Harry, Ryuuhou turned to her and smiled, "That would be appreciated, thank you, Emma-San." As the shop employee took the cups, she smiled, "The mocha, by the way, is wonderful."

Just chuckling, Emma gave her a nod, "That is good to hear."

By the time she got to the counter, Taigei was already giving Harry an amused look, "A cinnamon roll cake, Harry-Chan?"

Eyebrow raised, he smirked a bit at the two of them, "What? Does that mean that I can return it?"

Almost immediately, to his great amusement, the two waved their hands and shook their heads as they spoke, "No, no, that won't be needed at all, Harry-Chan."

Deciding to ignore his chuckles, they turned to the confection in front of them and licked their lips before taking the knives and cutting themselves slices. A small bit of steam wafted upwards, but not too bad, and the gooey icing stuck a little before the small strings of it broke. Placing the slices on their plates, the two took a deep sniff before sighing, with Taigei taking the first bit onto her fork, "This looks and smells lovely."

Upon putting it in her mouth, Ryuuhou moaned a little, "This... this is good." Swallowing, she took another piece and held it out towards Harry, "Here, try some."

Harry smiled at her and went to eat it... only for it to be pulled back at the last second. Raising his eyebrow, he gave her a look, "Really, Ryuuhou-Chan?"

Giggles were his answer and he went for the piece on the offered fork. This time, he was able to take the bite and chewed it as he considered the treat. Leaning forward, Taigei smiled at him, "Well?"

Not answering right away, Harry swallowed it and then took a sip of his tea to wash it down, "It is pretty good actually." Licking some icing off his lips, he nodded, "I'll have to figure out how to make some myself."

Just nodding, Taigei licked her lips as well, "Hai, you will." Taking another bite, she chewed it slowly and enjoyed the taste. Afterwards, she thanked Emma who returned with another drink for her and Ryuuhou. As the employee walked off, the Tender smiled at Harry, "Thank you, Harry-Chan, for ordering it."

With a small shrug, the teen shook his head and smiled himself as he took a forkful of the slice placed on a plate for himself, "Well, I know that you and Ryuuhou-Chan love cinnamon rolls. So it only made sense to order a cake made with them."

The two shipgirls shared a look at that and smiled before moving closer and cuddling up to him as they continued to eat. That was, of course, until they both kissed him and pulled back. And then they giggled and blushed as a stunned Harry licked his lips and stated that he could taste cinnamon and icing.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A Courtship in Emerald (IV)

June 6th (D-Day), 1944, 0113

Chef-du-Pont, Normandy (9 Miles Inland From Utah Beach)
Spoiler: A Sprout On D-Day

Pomona Sprout wheezed for breath as she slid alongside Major de Breuil as the American witch crouched behind a hedge separating the fields outside this darkened French village. The rattle and bang of the antiaircraft fire overhead was a dull background noise. Her feet and ankles hurt, and she was more scared than she had ever been.

Is this what Silvanus felt before the end?

She closed her burning eyes at the memory of her Squib older brother who had volunteered to fight Hitler in 1939 as part of the RAF... and had never come back from a night mission over Germany last year.

Suddenly a hand on her shoulder caused her to swallow. She looked over at Minnie McGonnagall and nodded at the unspoken question in her older friend's eyes as Augusta came up alongside her.

She wasn't going to let her brother's sacrifice be in vain.

That was why thanks to pulling every string that she, her family, and her friends had, and promising Professor Dumbledore that she would return to Hogwarts after the war for her final two years of schooling, she had dropped out of school and volunteered for the fight against Grindlewald.

With that she gripped her wand more tightly and tensed. Major de Breuil nodded to the blond French witch bringing up the rear. "Right. Our target is that old stone tower." The American's voice was utterly calm and conversational, just like it had been when they had jumped out of the airplane into the fire-filled sky.

De Breuil pointed to the tower in question, vaguely lit against the flashes in the night sky across a field with sheaves of stacked grain in orderly rows. "According to the photograph they have barbed wire around the buildings, probably with alarm spells. Sprout. Longbottom. Bearclaw. McGonnagall. Cohen. You come with me and hit the left building in our path. Colombe, take the other five and sweep right. Once you clear and suppress, storm the tower." Still as cool as a cucumber.

"Whippoorwill call when you get into position. I will fire gold sparks as the signal to assault. Hit them hard, hit them fast, and don't slow down for anything. Let's move." Merlin's beard, did nothing shake this woman?

Pomona's gut clenched as they began to creep from bushel to bushel across the field. As they approached the sheaves nearest to the buildings, her eyes widened in shock as a flash of light gave her a clear look at the heads of harvested grain next to her.

This was fall rye.

It shouldn't be harvested in June.

"M-major, this grain is all wrong. It shouldn't be here." Pomona whispered through dry lips.

The American's green eyes narrowed and suddenly became hard and colder than the coldest ice. Her lips opened and her voice came out in a flat monotone. "Sprout. Good work. Bearclaw, with me, to clear a hole and hold it open. The rest of you hit those buildings like an avalanche with everything that you have got."

While she spoke she dropped the Sub-machine gun to hang from its strap. One hand flicked and a wand filled it while the other hand drew a brutal-looking knife. "Now. Run. Do. Not. Look. Back."

With that a spray of gold sparks flashed and popped overhead and the knife lit up with silver fire.

A moment later all hell broke loose.

The wheat, rye, and corn sheaves in the field suddenly warped and blurred into the monstrous animals of their true Feldgeister selves.

Pomona instinctively ducked the serving platter-sized paw of the Roggenbär dire bear made of decayed and corrupted rye next to her a heartbeat before it would have ripped the head from her shoulders.
Spoiler: Fight In The Field

As she began to run with everything that she had toward the buildings, she heard a male and female voice lift in song behind her in some wild language that she did not know and the sound of drumming and bells. A hideous inhuman scream came from the bear's jaws as a lightning bolt from the sky struck it down. It caught fire and thrashed in its death agonies.

Movement ahead caught Pomona's attention and she jabbed her wand at the ground-floor window where it was.

"Incendio!" She threw everything she had, all her power, all her fear, all her hatred toward the Jerries who had killed Silvanus, all her badger-like determination to do her duty to her utmost into the screamed-out fire spell.

Every window visible on that floor blew out and began to catch fire.

She reached the hedge and slashed her wand in an X shape to make a hole with the Severing Charm. "Diffindo!" She leapt through the hole and ran to the nearest cover as fast as she could.

The enemy wizard's scream was matched by a hoarse male scream from the field behind. As she slammed into cover against the burning building, she instinctively looked back.
Spoiler: Taking The Objective

She wished that she hadn't.

Minerva was clawing at her leg to get free of the barbed wire with a Sticking Charm woven through the hedge. Just behind her, the American wizard, Cohen was desperately fending off a pack of wolves made of grain. As she watched in horror, one leapt on him, knocking him to the ground and the rest of the pack began to feed on him.

Past them a great shimmering bear formed from shadow and darkness ripped and tore at the field spirits swarming it that were tearing pieces from it. Above it, a second figure of a great ghostly eagle beat its wings as it hovered. Lightning flashed from its fiery eyes and talons to tear through the attackers, and thunder boomed from its feathers as it stooped and circled above de Breuil as she and Bearclaw fought back to back in the chaotic melee with wand, knife, and a flaming tomahawk.

The wolfpack leapt at Minerva and then blew apart in a storm of burning and shredded grain as Augusta Longbottom appeared out of nowhere with a scowl on her face. With that, Augusta began to free Minerva from the trap that she was in. An irritated flick of Augusta's wand at a jet black demonic Roggenmuhme spirit blew it to pieces as Minerva was finally freed and opened a hole in the barricade around the buildings.

Pomona gulped and reached for the reassuring weight of the sealed clay jars inside her Cushioning Charmed satchel. More movement in the compound caused her to peek around the corner.

A German in SS uniform had reached a barred gate leading into a stone building. Faintly she could hear a voice shout. from the top of the building that she was next to. "Lassen Sie den Wulfen los!"

Pomona's hand ducked inside her Herbology satchel and found the clay jar she wanted by touch. With a grunt of effort and the whipping motion with all the muscle in her tubby frame behind it, (which is why she had been made Chaser for Hufflepuff in Third Year) the jar flew into the courtyard formed by the buildings. Her wand moved in a triangle pointed at it. "Bombarda!"

With a bang the jar blew to pieces and the courtyard suddenly sprouted dark vines and tendrils as the contents under pressure (and the combination of a Shrinking Charm on them and a Space Expansion Charm on the jar) were suddenly violently released.

The gate flew open and a double-dozen werewolves charged toward Pomona and the others in the now burning field almost too fast to see.

They never reached her as the Devil's Snare that she had released in their path suddenly entwined them and began to constrict their thrashing forms. Pomona paid them no mind as her hand found a Venomous Tentacula as Minerva and Augusta reached her leaning on each other.

The SS wizard was still staring at the dying Wulfen in shock when the Tentacula suddenly landed next to him and filled his legs with poisoned thorns.

Augusta appeared next to her. "Good work Pommie, keep them off us. Minnie, I have this building!"
Spoiler: A Longbottom's Oath

With that the Longbottom heiress got a feral savage smile on her face. She pulled a massive four foot Dane-axe from a sheath on her back. Norse runes flickered to bloody life upon the razor-sharp iron head and down the oaken shaft as she hefted it. "Come and awaken, Blóðglös! Wound-dew calls to us Longbottoms as it has so many times before! Northumbria's foes stand before us and now we shall feed you once more as our oaths bind us together!"

For a brief second as she turned to the barred door, Pomona sensed the glint of chain mail, a bear-pelt cloak, and the nasal helmet of an Anglo-Saxon warrior overlaying her friend's form. The first stroke of the axe blew the door to pieces, and Augusta charged inside with her axe held ready to begin the slaughter.

As the screams and cries for mercy sounded from inside, Augusta's voice could be heard joyfully singing epic poetry that had been first chanted upon the blood-soaked field of Maldon a thousand years before as Anglo-Saxon and Viking slew and slew breast to breast until no living fyrdman remained around the bloody banners of their ealdorman. None who spoke those words then had fled from the death grapple, but instead carried them into one of the most heroic and memorable last stands in English history.

"Hige sceal þē heardra,
heorte þē cēnre,
mōd sceal þē māre,
þē ūre mægen lytlað!"

Minerva whispered the translation as the other squad headed by Colombe stormed the other building.

"Thought shall be the harder,
heart the keener,
Courage the greater,
as our might lessens!"

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Walking out the door to the teahouse, Harry held it open for both Taigei and Ryuuhou, both of whom thanked him. Once they were making their way along the pathway, he stretched his arms some and sighed, "This place is always good to go to for a light breakfast."

Giggling, the Submarine Tender gave him a look as she grasped his hand, "Somehow, Harry-Chan, I don't think that most people would call what we had a 'Light Breakfast."

On Harry's other side, Ryuuhou smiled, "Because, usually, no one has an entire cake shared between three people and call it 'light'."

Amused, Harry wagged a finger at her, "But for a shipgirl, it was light." At their snickers, he gave a small shrug, "You did enjoy it though."

Considering that for a few moments, Taigei gave a small hum, "We did, actually. It was a good meal after all." Licking her lips, she imagined that she could still taste cinnamon and icing on them, "Especially as cinnamon rolls are our favorite."

Simply nodding, her sister pointed at her, "Hai, what Nee-San said, Harry-Chan." Reaching down, Ryuuhou then took his hand in hers. An action that was followed by her sister doing much the same, "And we do appreciate it."

The two gave his hand a small squeeze before they continued to walk beside him as they headed back to the village square. As they walked, Harry glanced towards them, "So... Anywhere that you might want to go to? In particular, I mean."

Both of them gave it some thought before Taigei turned towards him, "Do you know of anywhere that might sell magical houseware, Harry-Chan?" At his confused look, she blushed a little, "I... sort of want to get some gifts..."

Rather bemused at the request, Harry just nodded, "Sure thing, Taigei-Chan. There's an actual store off the mainstreet that sells items for such."

Intrigued, Taigei gave a small nod and, shortly afterwards, they found themselves in front of a small store.

Eyebrow raised, the Light Carrier of the group looked it over in curiosity, "Cylene's Magical Kitchenware? Sounds interesting..."

Walking inside with the door bell ringing, the group blinked a bit at what surrounded them. Obviously, there was some space expansion going on as, instead of a small store as they had thought, it was larger on the inside. More than that, there were rows of shelves here and there which held various items that caught their attention. Some of them were ceremic and others made of metal. All of it though was well done indeed.

Moments later, they heard footsteps and found a smiling young man standing before him, "Good day, can I help you?"

Just chuckling, Harry gestured at Ryuuhou and Taigei, "Well, the two young ladies with me could use some, I think."

Giving him an amused look, Taigei turned back to employee who raised an eyebrow, "I'm looking for items for gifts. In particular... any cookware that you might have such as a Moka pot."

For a few seconds, the young man considered that before nodding, "If you'll follow me."

As they did so, Harry lowered his voice to a soft whisper and looked at Ryuuhou, "Moka pot? Like what you had back in the tea house?"

Simply humming, she glanced at her sister, "Well, you know what sort of job, Samantha-San has, right?" Understanding why she did not mention exactly what Samantha was, Harry gave her a nod and she continued, "Well... we know that as an American, she likes her coffee, especially now. So we've been thinking about buying her something that would go along with that and work well. Maybe a Moka pot, or something similar."

Only nodding, Harry smiled a little bit, "That makes sense, I guess. And she would love it, I think..." He frowned a little bit, "I might buy one as well then." At the confused look from Ryuuhou, he gave a slight smile, "For Sakura-Chan and Ume-Chan."

The confusion that the Light Carrier felt only lasted for a few seconds, "Ah, right." Internally, she continued her thought, 'Because of the American fairies they have.'

It was only a few seconds later that they reached the cookware section and there was various items on display. Items like cast iron dutch ovens were beside glass pots that were enchanted to be extremely shatter resistant. One item caught Taigei's eye and she picked it up to better examine it, "A mini-oven?"

From where he stood, the employee chuckled a little, "We call them bachelor ovens to be quite honest. Because you know what they say, a bachelor finds it hard to cook well!"

Glancing at each other, Taigei and Ryuuhou giggled a bit before looking at Harry, "We know of one guy who can cook very well."

Simply ignoring the raised eyebrow of the employee, Taigei was about to put it back when she paused some, "How does it work, if you don't mind me asking?"

The young man blinked and thought it over for a few moments, "Well, the method of operation is very simple. May I?" At her nod, he took the small oven and popped out the back to reveal a block of black metal that had various runes in patterns inscribed upon it, "You see, this is, I suppose one could say, the 'Battery' of the unit. It can store heat within the runes it has. You only need to expose it to a heat source, fire is best though you can make do with normal sunlight, granted that last one takes hours to actually do anything with. Most simply place it somewhere outside and throw some incendio spells at it with it absorbing. Once it glows red, you know there's enough heat and insert it back into the oven."

Eyes slightly wide, Taigei looked at it, "At which point, you can use the dials and such to release the heat?"

With a hum, the employee smiled, "That's right. It is mainly used by single people due to not wanting the cost of an normal gas oven or what have you." He then pointed at something, "It is also self cleaning as well. If the grime builds up too much, an automatic Scourgify charm happens and cleans it out."

Now examining it more closely, Ryuuhou mumbled a bit to her sister, "That might be very useful back home..."

Only nodding, Taigei placed it back for now, but did make a note. As she walked along, she raised her eyebrows at what she could see, "There's quite a bit here..."

Lips curling, the employee simply nodded slightly, "There is, but we make all of these here and can make orders in the small kiln out back, if that is what you want. We can also make modifications if you want crests or the like added."

Humming, neither of the two identicle women said much. Ryuuhou reached up and plucked a French press from one of the shelves and raised an eyebrow at it, "Now this could be used by Samantha-Chan."

From where she stood beside Ryuuhou, Taigei gave a small nod, "Hai, because you can make tea with it as well as coffee. Which makes it extremely useful." Finger on her chin, she glanced towards Harry who was examining one of the larger Moka pots, its silver sides gleaming, "What do you think, Harry-Chan?"

Just blinking, Harry walked over and examined it himself, "Hmm... you're right, it could be useful. But..." He pointed at another shelf, "Those are a bit bigger than just the plain ones."

Both Taigei and Ryuuhou turned from the one that they were examining and looked at the ones Harry was pointing at. They were twice the size of the one that they were holding. More than that, they were different from the plain glass one that they held. Some were made entirely of steel, or brass, or what looked like copper. Some had been made out of crystal, and some were both glass and metal, the metal making designs.

The two held took one that had both glass and metal and examined it with a slight frown on their faces. Turning towards the employee, Ryuuhou motioned towards it, "You mentioned that the glass is resistant?"

With a slight smile, the young man held out his hand. When they gave it to him, he took a few steps back and let it go, both shipgirls as well as Harry wincing when it hit the floor. But rather than shatter, it simply bounced in place. Quickly, the young man held it up so that they could see there was a small crack. One that, even as they watched, sealed itself until it was like it never existed, "All our glassware come with hardening charms and would need one to really put some force into making them break. And as long as the damage is not too severe, a self-repair charm kicks in and fixes it."

For several moments, the two looked at the French press and then at each other. Reaching into her dress, Taigei brought out a small paper and unfolded it to show what looked like a Submarine cutting through the waves, "Could you get this design on a metal plate for it?"

Eyebrow raised, the young man took the paper and looked at it for a few moments before nodding, "I could indeed, young Miss." Part of him suspected that she was not quite what she looked like, but kept silent. None of his business after all, "Anything else you might like?"

Taigei pointed at one of the Moka pots and nodded, "One of those and... no, make it two French presses please, one for Hinata-San."

Meanwhile, Harry took one of the bigger Moka pots and brought it down, "And three of these, please. In silver if possible..." Pausing, he glanced pulled out his phone before going through the pictures in it. Finally, he came to one and zoomed in before holding it up, "Could you have this embossed on it?"

Both shipgirls smiled at seeing a picture of the Konohana Clan Crest blown up. For the employee, he examined the picture before giving a nod, "We most certainly can, young Sir..."

As they were leaving the shop, Harry spotted something and held up his hand, "Taigei-Chan? Ryuuhou-Chan? Just give me a moment..."

The two girls blinked at that and glanced at each other in question. Both of them having the exact same thought on their minds, 'Wonder what Harry-Chan is doing...?'

Not long after, Harry returned and asked for them to close their eyes, which they did. They could feel him place something behind their ears and frowned before he spoke up, "Okay, open your eyes."

Opening their eyes, they noticed that Harry had used something he had called a reflection spell that created a mirror-like magical surface in the air. Part of them remembered that he had told them it was normally used to help a witch or wizard make adjustments to their looks on the fly. Currently, it showed the two of them...

Each with a purple daisy behind their ear.

Deeply blushing, they turned to Harry who shrugged some, "I just thought that it looked good on you."

Sharing a look, the two nodded before kissing him on the cheek and smiling happily.

_________________________________________________________________

Washing out her mouth, Taigei spat it out into the sink before looking at her reflection in the mirror. Clad in her usual set of pajamas, she grinned and showed off her teeth before nodding, 'Good, all done.' Stretching, the Submarine Tender sighed a bit, 'Today was a really good day.'

Giving a final nod to her reflection, she left the bathroom, turning off the light before walking to the room they had taken in the guest quarters. Opening the door, she was not surprised to see Harry there chatting with her twin sister, who was giggling at something that the thirteen year old had said. It made her smile even more at seeing it. At how happy the two were currently and how relaxed.

It was then that Harry looked up and smiled at her, "Taigei-Chan, all done?"

Simply nodding as she pushed off the doorframe, Taigei giggled, "Hai, Harry-Chan, all done with my regular routine. Now I'm ready for bed and hopefully you are as well."

Just shrugging slightly, the teenage wizard shook his head, "I guess to some extent I am. Hogsmeade visits are always tiring."

Reaching over, Ryuuhou took his hand and gave it a small squeeze, "Maybe, Harry-Chan. But can I tell you something?" When he looked at her and nodded, she smiled before kissing his cheek and pulling back, "All of us enjoy them. Especially as we're with you."

Lightly blushing, Harry scratched the back of his neck, "Thanks, Ryuuhou-Chan." He then gave a shrug, "But I just want you all to enjoy them, so I guess it works out."

Moments later, he felt the bed on his other side depress and turned to find Taigei there. The Submarine Tender tilted her head and smiled, "Hai, it does work out, Harry-Chan. Both Nee-San and I enjoyed ourselves today, so thank you." Reaching over, she placed her hand onto his, "You not only took us shopping, but bought us breakfast and lunch."

If anything, that made Harry's blush grow as he now rubbed the back of his neck, "Like I said, I'm just happy you all enjoyed yourselves."

Giggles escaped the two identicle shipgirls as they spoke as one, "And we did."

Only shaking his head, Harry stretched a little, "Well, you're bringing back quite a bit. The items for Samantha as well as Hinata-San." He gave them a sly smirk, "As well as a good chunk of Honeydukes."

Now it was Taigei's and Ryuuhou's turn to blush at the reminder. But the Submarine Tender huffed good naturedly, "Well, we had to make sure that we had enough to bring back for Iku-Chan and the others after all! They like the treats you know!"

Laughing, Harry grinned and nodded, "Hai, I know that."

Before you knew it, the two shipgirls were also laughing.

Eventually, the three calmed down and Ryuuhou looked at the time before nodding, "We should be getting to sleep now, Harry-Chan. Both Taigei-Nee as well as myself need to leave early in the morning after breakfast. And you have to get ready to take the Duckies to Hogsmeade to stuff them."

If anything, the grin on Harry's face made them snicker, "You can be sure of that, Ryuuhou-Chan."

Roughtly two minutes later found the three laying in bed under the sheets, Taigei and Ryuuhou cuddled up to Harry's side before they both gave him a goodnight kiss and laying their heads down. Soon after, they fell asleep as did Harry, all of them smiling. And, deep within their two hulls was a stack of books for each of them. And at the bottom, inside a book, lay a purple daisy being pressed...

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A Courtship in Emerald (V)

June 6th (D-Day), 1944, 0146

HMMS Merlin, English Channel
Spoiler: Potter And Longbottom

A gong chimed beyond the hatch where he stood and Henry Potter grasped the hilt of the katana that he wore. He felt Her eagerness like a fire in his brain and shuddered briefly at the surge of blood lust through his body.

Soon, Juuchi, soon.

His family's sword rattled in response, sinking back to her normal quiescence of a predator waiting for the right moment to pounce and murder.

There was a sudden bang of displaced air from inside and Henry tensed once more. Footsteps approached and he waited as someone knocked on the door three times, a pause, then two, then another pause before two more.

He relaxed minutely at the coded signal and turned the locking wheel. Wards flickered and faded as the hatch swung open, and a young woman stepped through and dripped bright crimson on the deck.

Juuchi gave a shocked, and dare he say it to her, almost impressed rattle as he closed and locked the hatch behind her.

Augusta Longbottom was spattered with blood and viscera from head to toe and grinning happily. The only thing that was clean on her was the spotless and immaculately polished Viking-era battle axe that she hefted in one hand as if it was a child's toy and a somewhat stained bulging Herbology satchel slung over her shoulder.

"We found a bunch of documents in the site that we hit, so de Breuil ordered me to get them to HQ as soon as possible. She and du Chasteler took down the ritual site and are digging in to hold the village."

Henry nodded, ignoring the rattling from his sheathed sword and the answering quivers of the Longbottom Axe in her hand. He really did not want to know what those two were talking about. He just knew that Juuchi would 'encourage' him to try to one-up the mess that Augusta had clearly just made with her family's dreaded weapon in the nigh-unstoppable berserk state that it granted her family when activated.

"Follow me to the bridge, Augusta. I'll fold you in with my strike team that is supporting the landings where needed then." He didn't need the experience of communing with Juuchi among the slaughter of Stalingrad to interpret the eager rattles of the greatest of the Muramasas as they headed up a ladder to the deck.

Juuchi wanted to show off what she could do to anyone unfortunate enough to be in her way to smug it up to the Dane-axe that Augusta's grandfather had given her to wield in the fight to liberate Europe.

It was just like watching cats drop off dead rodents to impress someone, he swore to himself.

June 6th (D-Day) 0454 (One Hour To First Wave of Landings)

Off Sword Beach
Spoiler: The Grand Old Lady's Last Great Dance

Henry Potter stood on the flying bridge of the M-Class destroyer HMMS Merlin and whistled in awe to the bearded middle-aged man next to him. "Never thought that I would see anything like this. How about you Albus, Augusta?"

Augusta Longbottom gulped from her now cleaned-up face at the sight presented to her as she stood between her elders as the vision spells they had cast showed her the sight miles distant across the waters teeming with the thousands strong invasion fleet.

His friend and schoolmate Albus Dumbledore shook his head, eyes wide at the sight of the elephantine colossal bulk of HMS Warspite as the battleship made her turn with ponderous majestic grace. She seemed to be an elegant old dowager matron from an ancient and honored family born in a now almost-forgotten era striding across a well worn ballroom floor for one last stately dance at the ball as she led a column of newer battleships and cruisers in the distance.
Spoiler: The Grand Old Lady At Normandy

Three massive turrets, each the size of muggle buildings, rotated inexorably and her rifles elevated. The fourth turret stayed locked in place, mute testimony to the near fatal Fritz-X guided bomb hit that had blown a hole from her superstructure to her keel off Salerno last year in the latest attempt to sink her.

Yet one more hard knock of war that the Grand Old Lady had absorbed unflinchingly in the service of King and Country over her long lifetime.

Yet one more hard-earned battle honour that she now wore with pride in her storied career stretching back thirty years to Jutland.

Above her, the White Ensign billowed out in the breeze from the sea as she made the final minute adjustments in her course and aim.

To those with eyes to see, a blond haired princess in a gray dress sat enthroned and crowned in regal majesty atop her superstructure. Her bright blue eyes narrowed in her resolute and determined face as she made her final firing solution adjustments on the Atlantic Wall's modern shore battery designed to kill battleships that she had been ordered to shatter at her King's command. Fingers the white of sea foam clenched on her orb representing the globe that she had been built to rule as her mother Dreadnought's child in anticipation of the brutal, titanic battle between Land and Sea that would come in scant seconds.

Ruby lips parted and every man aboard the vessel seemed to hear a soft feminine whisper in their ears in this moment of the sudden deep breath before the plunge. "Belli dura despicio..."(I Despise the Hardships of War")

Warspite's spirit slashed her scepter down in imperious command as her guns thundered and roared fit to split the heavens to herald the start of the Invasion of France and the moment that she earned her fifteenth battle honour that she would wear with pride to her eventual fate at the breakers.

June 6th, 1944 (D-Day) 0900 (Three Hours After First Wave)

HMS Merlin, Off Omaha Beach

Aboard the bridge the magical map updated, showing the steady advance of blue into the angry red on both flanks.

The center, however, was a different story as a thin blue strip clung to the face of the stubbornly defended bluffs of the beach that would later be known as Bloody Omaha.

Outside the roar of shellfire and the scream of rockets trying to blast coastal defenses were near constant, along with the sharper bark of Merlin's guns as the destroyer blasted German machine-gun nests.

Henry looked across the map table at Augusta Longbottom and Albus Dumbledore. "It looks like we are going to have to go in and tip the balance. Grindlewald's unit at Saint-Lô mentioned in the documents that Augusta retrieved is no doubt going to be preparing a counterattack. So we need to strike first before they can arrive."

The other wizards and witches in the room nodded at his words. "Right, cast shielding spells and get ready. We will Apparate in from the deck of the Merlin to the top of the bluffs and start clearing defenses. Captain Greenglass, drop a purple smoke shell on either side of our drop point as markers for our Apparition."

With that his hand found the hilt of Juuchi Yosamu as they stood on deck and purple smoke blossomed on the top of the cliffs. "Let's go."

Muramasa steel sparkled in the sunlight and her smug bloodlust filled his mind once more as he drew the Potter Blood Sword and focused his will to warp the space between him and a smoking bunker.

June 6th (D-Day), 1944, 1046

Chef-du-Pont, France

She would have to thank Augusta Longbottom for not destroying this machine gun in her rampage through the building, Delilah reflected idly. Her hard green eyes narrowed as she saw movement on the other side of the Merderet River along the road leading to the bridge across the flooded waterway and then the village where she was.

A half-track and several platoons of men behind it in horse-drawn wagons.

More Germans.

More lambs to the slaughter.

With that she took aim with her beloved M1903 Springfield rifle and grinned smugly.

Wind across the field at about four miles per hour left to right, three thousand yards to her target. Nice firm firing position and a scope. Target coming toward her at about fifteen miles per hour.

All these factors and more flew through her brain as she made the minute adjustments needed to take the shot like she had been born to do.

Like shooting fish in a barrel.

CRACK

The bullet sped through the air and slid through the vision slit for the driver of the German AFV. A split-second later it impacted his face and the alchemical solution of silver nitrate exploded with the force of a hand grenade, wrecking the driver's compartment and causing the half-track to skid off the elevated road into a ditch.

Delilah worked the bolt as Pomona Sprout climbed up to the attic where she was with another crate stenciled 7.92x57mm MAUSER under the swastika and eagle of Nazi Germany. Minerva McGonnagall nodded to her classmate as they pried the crate open to start feeding fresh belts of cartridges into the Maschinengewehr 42 that rested at her elbow in a drift of expended brass already.

Delilah grinned evilly at her handiwork. "Let's see how long it takes this bunch to give up on trying to storm the bridge to launch a counterattack into the landings here, ladies. I'll take out any mortar teams as usual. When they reach your effective range at the signpost there, let them have it."

Harsh chuckles answered her as Minerva cocked the machine gun once more and prepared to open fire across the fields and roads already littered with limp bodies in gray-green Feldgrau.

June 6th (D-Day), 1944, 0829

Potter Manor, England

Five women sat in worried silence around the wireless set. Coffee and tea cooled in cups made of vulcanium and passed down to the elderly woman who clutched a shawl a little tighter around her shoulders.

The gold haired young lady who had just placed the shawl around Lyra spoke quietly in her beautifully melodic French-accented English. "Faith. Our cause is just and righteous and God will uphold it."

Lyra nodded silently to Catherine and closed her eyes as they continued their vigil. Beside Lyra, Zamarad leaned in slightly, trying to warm the elderly human with her presence. Zamarad's hand clenched the ring hanging on her bosom, clenched the promise that ring represented with all the strength and passion in her fiery spirit.

A burst of static sounded and Sabah leapt in Andraste's lap as all eyes turned to the radio. Another burst of static came through then the first four notes of Beethoven's 5th symphony played on a timpani sounded.

Dah-Dah-Dah-DAH

Three dots and a dash in Morse Code.

The letter V, for Victory.

A moment later and the announcer began to speak with barely-contained excitement underlying his professional voice.

 

[darthcourt10]

looneytunes91

Well I promised myself that I would write something for my grandfather who passed away back in March of this year and I guess I should finally get around to writing something. I don't remember the entire quote but I remember a saying along the lines of "so long as a name is spoken then that person is never truly dead." So here is my snippet to my granddad. Raymond "Scooter" Baldwin. I'm basing the main character off him. So grandad, here's to you. A slight warning this is gonna be difficult for me to write so after posting this I might be away for a little bit and expect it to be in pieces.
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Remembrance
A gnarled old hand scribbles on a yellow notepad as a fishing pole stands planted in the sand along a bubbling creek. The man who is writing has a cane at his side and a dog at his feet. Laugh lines surround his face, a remnant of the happiness of earlier times. A thoughtful look crosses his face as he rips the paper from the notepad and starts his letter again:

Miss Hoppou,

I don't know how to start this as a former POW of your daughters but I'll try my best. My name is Oran Raymond Baldwin and this letter is both my story of how I came to be a POW and an expression of my gratefulness at the mercy shown by your daughters.
*-*-*

Kushiro
Where HMCS Regina is docked
Day of the return of the FoL

A younger man limps his way down HMCS Regina's gangplank as the former crew disembark to seek out the Japanese officers who are taking accountability of who is alive and whose families need to be alerted that their loved ones had been found. As he limps his way into line he can only marvel at seeing a major port and civilization for the first time in what had been years.

Seeing this brings his thoughts towards home. The son and grandson that he left behind during the initial days of the Abyssal offensive against the forces of humanity. The pain in his leg must be nothing compared to the pain in his son's heart at knowing he must have been labeled MIA presumed KIA.

"Sir?" a heavily accented voice spoken in English drew him out of his thoughts and brought his attention to the fact that the line had dissipated and he was now alone on the dock save for a young Japanese sailor. "Can we get your name and rank?"

"Captain Oran Raymond Baldwin, United States Air Force." As he looks over at the young man he sees the pen scrolling down the list of names of what he assumes to be the crew of Regina pause. The sailor slowly looks up from the list to his faded name patch and American flag on his flight suit then finally to his face as if to make sure that he hadn't misheard.

"Sir, I need to speak with my superiors about this. In the meantime, let's get that leg looked at." As he turned he suddenly remembered something. Turning back towards Regina he pulls himself to attention, grimacing but undeterred all the same, and salutes the warship that brought him and her crew home. Dropping his salute after a few moments he whispers "thank you for being strong enough to bring us home girl, hopefully I'll see you again when you get repaired."

Turning back to his escort he begins limping down the dock his back straight knowing that he is now a free man.

*-*-*

Oklahoma

I spent almost a week in the hospital after that. If it hadn't been for the medical aid your daughters allowed me to receive from Regina's medical personnel the doctors said I would've probably lost my leg long before we were returned to civilization. After that I got to meet the commander of the local shipgirl base, one commander Tanaka, and his secretary ship for a brief few minutes. Just long enough to thank him for not jumping the gun like most commanders in his position likely would but all the same he was a significant part of why so many of us (including your daughters) were not placed in unnecessary danger by attacking the fleet.

I was then debriefed by the ranking American Air Force commander.

*-*-*

Misawa Air Base
Japan

Captain Baldwin was more than a little uncomfortable to be sitting in front of Lt. Gen. Kevin B. Schneider. The current Commander, 5th Air Force, Pacific Air Forces, Yokota Air Base, Japan had flown all the way up from Yokota to personally debrief him.

"Captain Baldwin, I trust that the doctors patched you up?" General Schneider asked

"Yes sir."

"Good, good. Now this is a debriefing to go over what happened on the last sortie you undertook before you were, I presume, taken as a POW. The official record as it is now states that you were shot down and presumed dead after wreckage from your plane was found roughly 110 miles south and west of Kodiak Island. I want you to walk me through that mission from start to now. If you don't mind. Don't worry about time as you can take as long as you need."

Captain Baldwin drops his eyes to the floor collecting his thoughts. With the words of Captain Raymond "Scooter" Baldwin, the curtain rises. "It was a cold and snowy day…"
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Post snippet notes: I am gonna try to not step on anyones toes on this so I don't cause any authors problems in trying to write around me.

 

[darthcourt10]

Lord Khuzdul

I will fit this somewhere, but for now let it rest here.

~~~

The young woman sat at a small campfire overlooking the small bay, content to watch the sunset across the waters. In her hands, she held a small harmonica.

Don't you want them back?

She gazed into the flames, thoughtful. She felt the tug a few days ago, when...

Failed. Too ambitious. Too monstrous. You are not like that, aren't you? Craftier.

She dropped the harmonica to her side, on the brim of the hat sitting on a rock next to her.

They escaped you. They were yours to take, but escaped you.

She stretched slightly. It was a powerful feeling. It would have jarred her awake, if not for...

You can take them back, you know. Who can stand against you? Do you not miss their sc-

Her hand struck out like a snake. Fingers of Krupp steel clamped on a flicker of flame, and pulled up.

A sliver of flame squirmed in her grip like a living thing. Two spots of pure black in its depths darted about.

"This was a bad idea you know. Very, very bad idea."

Her grip tightened, and the flame became ever more frantic.

"I could have let it go. I could have just punted you across the waters. It would have been unpleasant to you, but you would have been someone else's problem."

Her eyes narrowed.

"But then you just had to imply that I actually enjoyed the suffering of my sons."

Her voice thundered like a battleship's main battery, as her other hand came up and started crumbling the flame into a flickering point of light.

"You had the temerity to suggest I actually wanted them to keep suffering."

The point of light disappeared into her fist, and she rose, her campfire down to embers. A stray thought extinguished it as she turned back and walked up the slope, to the monument topping the ridge. As her gaze caught the shadowed waters of the strait on the other side, her face turned into a mischievous grin. "Sister, I have something for you to play with. I believe you will enjoy this one."

Her fingers brushed against the stones of the monument, and for a moment, her eyes misted. 'My sons. None shall disturb your rest.'

The stones were silent, except for their inscription.

'In Honour of the Soldiers of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force 8th August 1915. From the Uttermost Ends of the Earth'

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Sitting in the carriage, Harry watched as the Scottish countryside rolled by. About the only sound that reached his ears were that of the wheels of the carriage against the cobblestone of the road leading from Hogwarts to Hogsmeade as he travelled towards the village for the second time in as many days. It was peaceful enough that he could think about other things, like earlier that morning when he woke with Taigei and Ryuuhou. For once, he was the one who woke up before the shipgirls that he was cuddling with and had spent some time just watching them. For some odd reason, his mind had drifted to how nice it felt.

While he had similar thoughts over the years about such, it never really was thought provoking as it was now. Part of him suspected that it was due to him slowly growing up, going from a boy to a young man that things had changed. As much as he had not wanted to, Harry had a part of his mind that was focused on just how nice it felt to have the two shipgirls cuddled up to him. And curse his Hormones or not, it really did felt nice.

Sure, he was always something of a cuddle bug, wanting physical affection. That therapist who Nagato had taken him to shortly after she had adopted him told both the Battleship and the then seven year old that it was perfectly normal. Especially after being neglected for so long both in physical and emotional affection. There was still a part of him that whispered that he was not deserving of such, that he should not be getting hugs and the like. But, with every year, that voice weakened and where once it was a shout, now it was nearly a whisper that did not come nearly as often.

But, despite that voice, he always enjoyed physical affection like the hugs and cuddles he got.

Yet, somehow, he had realized that things had begun to change in some way. How and why, he still was not sure, but it had. Not that it was any less nice, but there was something... something that he could not quite put his finger on that made it different. It was a different sort of nice than it was, that was for sure. And one that he kind of liked if he was to be honest about it. He had been startled when his mind and thoughts drifted to the idea of what was happening doing so every day. Waking up in the morning with warm bodies cuddled up to him against the morning chill.

Unbidden, his mind brought up images and memories. The memories were of previous times. Him and Natsumi alongside Niiyodo and Louisiana. Iku and Hachi as well as the time with RO and Shioi. Not to mention Maruyu and Imuya, Hanna and Hibiki, and more recently with Regina as well as Shinano. Each time now that he thought about it had really felt nice and found himself wanting more of.

That said, he was still unsure about what to do. It was new somehow, and he wasn't sure how to act. Or really, if he was supposed to do so anyways. He was not helped later as, before they left, Taigei and Ryuuhou had given him a peck on the lips before saying goodbye. Which brought up the memory of the previous day when they had kissed him, their lips covered in cinnamon and icing from their cinnamon roll cake. Even now, Harry could not help but lick his lips at the memory.

However, that still left the question of what he was supposed to do. Especially about how things had been changing. There was also the "Dates" that he was currently going on. Just dates between friends was how Iku and Hachi had explained it to him. Friends going out for fun and the like, nothing serious or anything of the sort.

Granted, his mind kept reminding him that "Friendly dates" did not involve kisses on the cheek, let alone on the lips as had happened.

For some odd reason though, he found himself not minding that. As a matter of fact, he enjoyed such a thing. It felt... really nice, like when he woke up beside his friends. Doing it was something that he found himself not minding at all.

But... It also confused him to no end and, he had to admit, also scared him. Now, he could attempt something, but... he was not afraid to admit that he was something of a coward. What if he did do something and it turned out wrong? Or worse ended up harming one of his beloved relationships?

Needless to say, he decided not to do anything.

Despite that though, such thoughts chased themselves around in his head. He knew, actually knew that there was an answer there. Yet, it was just out of reach. While he knew it was there, and he tried to grasp at it, what that solution was currently not one he felt he could recognize quite yet. For some odd reason, the solution scared him, both it and what it meant, though he still was unable to quite realize what that solution was or what it meant.

Needless to say, it was a happy Harry who had a means to distract himself from such issues as the carriage came to a stop. A moment later, he was all smiles as he stepped out of the open door to find the Duckies there. Akizuki and her sisters were all in their civilian wear, including Suzutsuki. Upon catching sight of him, the first three Destroyers rapidly made their way over and hugged him, with him returning it happily, "Harry-Chan!"

Lightly laughing as he hugged them tightly back, Harry grinned widely, "Akizuki-Chan! Teruzuki-Chan! Hatsuzuki-Chan!" He then nodded towards the silver haired Destroyer standing with a happy smile on her face, "Suzutsuki-Chan... it's great to see all of you."

Pulling back, Teruzuki allowed Suzutsuki a chance to hug Harry, "And it's great for us to be able to see you as well, Harry-Chan." Spreading her arms, she took a deep breath and let it out, "Especially on a nice spring day like today!"

Beside her, Hatsuzuki gave a small nod, "Nee-San is right, it is a nice day." Stretching a bit, she sighed, "Mmm, nice and warm, but not too warm."

As Akizuki chimed in, Suzutsuki glanced around with her own smile before nodding, "It is a rather nice day." Turning back to Harry, she tilted her head a bit in curiosity, "Is it normally like this in Scotland?"

Even as Akizuki and Teruzuki took one of his hands each, the teenage wizard nodded, "Usually in the spring anyways we get nice days like this." Harry grinned a bit as he winked at her and added onto his statement, "Though it does take its time getting there."

Unable to help herself, Suzutsuki chuckled some and shook her head. Gesturing at the village, she nodded, "Shall we? I am sort of excited to visit since, well..." She gave a slightly sheepish smile, "I've never been to another country like this before."

Happily smiling, Harry simply nodded, "Then it would be my honour to show you around. If you'll follow me?"

Much to his amusement, the Duckies fell into formation around him without thought. As they walked, the four Destroyers were looking back and forth, taking it all in. Hatsuzuki had a small smile on her face as she took in the picturesque surroundings, "It is like something from a storybook."

Slowly, the thirteen year old nodded, "It really is, Hatsuzuki-Chan. One of the reasons why I like coming here is that it is right out from a fantasy novel when you get down to it." Looking around, Harry chuckled a little, "The village looks medieval and there's magic everywhere."

Nodding, Teruzuki smiled, "That's true."

It was then that Harry caught sight of something from out of the corner of his eye and turned towards it. Blinking, he glanced towards the three Duckies who were looking at the cauldron store in confusion, 'Hmm...' Briefly, a smug smirk crossed his face, but vanished just as quick. Clearing his throat, he gave them a smile when they looked at him, "Just give me a moment and stay here. I want to get something."

Utterly confused, Akizuki and Teruzuki let go of his hands and watched as he ran over towards a small stand set up. Scratching her head, Teruzuki frowned and looked towards her older sister, "Wonder what Harry-Chan is after?"

The oldest of the Destroyers shrugged and held up her hands to show that she had no idea. Unnoticed by her though, Suzutsuki narrowed her eyes some with a slight smile on her face. Internally, she chuckled as she realized some details of the stand, 'I think that I can guess...'

Roughly four minutes later, Harry returned with several wrapped objects floating behind him. The black haired teenage boy had a massive grin on his face as he noticed the Duckies' noses all twitch as the breeze shifted a little. Once he was close, he motioned with his wand and the wrapped objects floated to a stop in front of each Destroyer, "Here you go, a little breakfast."

Blinking, the shipgirls took the wrapped objects before unwrapping part of it and gasping at what was revealed. Each one was a baguette that had been cut lengthwise. Inside was sausage, bacon, fried egg, tomatoes, and fried mushrooms, all covered in brown sauce.

For a few seconds, their mouths just moved as Harry stood there smugly. Smirking, he raised an eyebrow, "Well? Aren't you going to eat it?"

Examining the food in front of her, Suzutsuki frowned slightly, "What is it?"

Only shrugging, the thirteen year old wizard chuckled, "They're Irish style Breakfast rolls. You put the ingredients of a fried breakfast into them to eat. They're really good." He then grinned at the three other Duckies and pointed at his mouth, "By the way, you're drooling."

Heavily blushing, the three Destroyers wiped at their mouths as both the silver haired shipgirl and Harry looked on in amusement. Looking back at her breakfast roll, Teruzuki swallowed, "A-are you sure that we can have this, Harry-Chan? I-I mean... we were told that we might go to a tea house..."

Utterly amused, Harry only grinned wider, "It's fine, Teruzuki-Chan. Besides you're a shipgirl, you have plenty of room to stuff." Crossing his arms, he gave them a knowing look, "Besides, you didn't really have breakfast."

From where she was standing and examining her own breakfast roll to decide how to eat it, Suzutsuki chuckled, "No, they didn't eat much."

Stunned at the betrayal, her three sisters gasped at her, "Suzutsuki-Chan!"

All the silver haired Destroyer did was shrug and decide on biting down on her roll with a happy hum. Glancing at her sister, Hatsuzuki looked at her own roll and swallowed before taking a bite. Almost immediately, she smiled as she chewed. Leaning towards her, Akizuki placed a finger against her chin, "H-how is it?"

Once she swallowed, hair tufts flapping a little, Hatsuzuki gave a nod, "It's good!"

Both of them sharing a look, the other two Destroyers also bit down on theirs before closing their eyes with happy smiles on their faces and humming as they chewed. Lips twitching, Harry internally cackled, 'Yes, Phase One of Hogsmeade Stuffing is complete!'

They began walking as the four Destroyers continued to eat, enjoying each bite as they looked around. Granted, much to Harry's amusement, Teruzuki and Akizuki hooked their arms into his as they ate. Once she was done, Suzutsuki hummed as she crumpled up the paper and handed it to Harry who vanished it, "That was good." Licking her lips of some remaining brown sauce, she gave him a look, "Have you ever made it? Since we're in Britain?"

Considering, Harry frowned a little, "Well, more Irish than British actually. But... I do know how to make it, it's not that hard. Not that I ever really got the chance out of one time that Uncle Vernon wanted to impress some client of his from Ireland." Grimacing, he shook his head, "The rest of the time him and Aunt Petunia would sneer at it because it was 'Irish garbage'. Don't see why though..."

Confused, Hatsuzuki finished off her sandwich and handed it to him, with the magical once more vanishing it, "Harry-Chan? I've met your Siusan-Obaa-San... she's Irish and told me that your grandmother was as well."

Tone utterly dry, the thirteen year old gave her a nod, "I know. Which means that Aunt Petunia was half-Irish." Sighing, Harry shook his head, "Though considering things? I'm not surprised in the slightest."

Just scratching her head, Akizuki frowned after swallowing the second to last bite, "Still seems... weird." That got her a snort from Harry which turned into laughter. Something that made her smile, though even more confused, 'Why is that funny?'

Deciding to change the subject, as from what little her sisters had told her, Suzutsuki knew that she did not want to know more, she turned towards Harry, "I was wondering because it was pretty good, Harry-Chan. Hence if there was a chance that we might see it in the mess hall."

Blinking, her sisters looked at her before Teruzuki looked at the last bit of her roll. She then popped it into her mouth and chewed before swallowing and smiling, "That would be great!" When her other sisters looked at her, she continued, "Just think of it! We could have one before going out on patrol in the mornings! It would be quick!"

Gasping herself, the eldest of the sisters blinked, "You're right, Teruzuki-Chan! You could even store some for later, just reheat it!"

As Hatsuzuki nodded, Harry became thoughtful, "Hmm... a shipgirl sized version? Would need a bigger baguette for one thing... and for Japanese tastes? One would need to make sure that there was less grease for it. Maybe grill some of it..." Head cocked to the side, he gave a slight nod, "I'll have to experiment." Turning, Harry smiled at the three Duckies, "You'll be my testers, right?"

Each one of the three in question gasped as they nodded and held their clenched fists in front of their faces. Akizuki, Hatsuzuki, and Teruzuki all had expressions both happy and fearful. The last mainly due to the fact that Harry would likely use it as an excuse to stuff them full of food.

For Suzutsuki, she closed her eyes and giggled behind one hand, 'Harry-Chan really does take care of them.'

Meanwhile, Akizuki smiled at Harry before giving him a kiss on the cheek, "Thank you for breakfast, Harry-Chan. It was really good!"

That was followed by the other two also kissing him on the cheek while Suzutsuki simply smiled and nodded. With a slight smile though, Harry smirked at them, "Ah! But we still have the tea house! That is coming next!"

Gulping, Teruzuki chewed her lip, "Um... Harry-Chan? B-but we just had breakfast."

Harry's next words though got a whimper from her as well as Akizuki and Hatsuzuki, "Hai, and that was only second breakfast since you did eat. We still have elevensies, and it will be close to ten thirty when we reach the tea house, so it counts as such."

Whimpering, the youngest of the Akizuki sisters stared at him, "F-first breakfast... second breakfast... a-and elevensies... You m-mean just like Hobbits?"

Even though she was confused by what Hobbits were, the silver haired member of the currently summoned Akizukis watched as Harry nodded, "Exactly! By tonight, I will make sure that each and every one of you is properly stuffed!" He raised a finger towards the sky as he continued, "Because a Stuffed Duckie is a Happy Duckie!"

Giggles escaped from the silver haired of the Destroyers even though she tried to smother them with her hand, 'Yes, I think that I will enjoy watching them. Harry-Chan is just hilarious and my Nee-Sans deserve an Admiral who will take care of them properly like him.'

Meanwhile, Harry simply took Akizuki's and Hatsuzuki's hands and began to lead them along, "Now! To the tea house!"

Several minutes later, they arrived at their destination. None of the four Destroyers had quite known what to expect. While her sisters had spent time around both Harry and Kongou, and thusly had some idea of what an British style teahouse might look like, Suzutsuki only had her crews' memories really to go on. And their memories only really had Japanese teahouses. Thus, when they entered the establishment, she looked around in interest before smiling, "Cozy."

Happily humming and clasping her hands, Teruzuki nodded in agreement, "Hai, this is very cozy!"

As the other Akizukis chimed in, Harry simply smiled at their enjoyment. He then nodded towards the various tables as the employee looked on, "How about we find a spot to sit."

Practically bouncing, Akizuki had a bright smile on her face, "Okay, Harry-Chan! Lead the way!" Once they were seated and Emma came over for their orders, she chewed her lip as she looked at the options, "Um... oh! I'll have a hot chocolate! The one with whipped cream and dusted with cinnamon and nutmeg!"

Teruzuki gave a nod as she smiled as well, "I'll have the same as Nee-San!"

Giving a glance at Harry, who was writing something, as the other two nodded in agreement, the employee raised an eyebrow, "And the usual tea, I take it?"

With a blink, Harry looked up and smiled, "Of course. I am British after all." Lips twitching as the other girls giggled, the waitress was about to ask what they wanted to eat when the thirteen year old slid over the folded paper, "Here's what we'll have."

Eyebrow raised, she took the paper in question and unfolded it. Reading it over, Emma glanced at the confused looking Destroyers, though she noted that the one with silver hair seemed to come to a realization and want to giggle. For her part, she simply nodded and placed the note into her pocket, "Of course, Sir. It will be just a few minutes..." when she reached the counter, Emma glanced back at the group and pulled out the paper to look at again. Softly smiling at what was written on it, she just shook her head and went to work, 'They do look like they need to be fed more. They are far too thin!'

Just a few minutes later found the four Duckies sipping their drinks alongside Harry. Sighing, Akizuki pulled her cup away which left her with not only a chocolate mustache, but a cream one as well. Moments later, that disappeared as she licked her lips, "That's so good! Especially the cream!"

Wide eyed, Teruzuki nodded, "Hai! It's good." Looking down at her mug, she swallowed a bit, "And it's actual fresh, heavy whipped cream. Not what you get from one of the spray cans." Shifting a bit, the Destroyer smiled at Harry, "Thank you."

Chuckling as he turned from where he was talking with Suzutsuki, the thirteen year old smiled, "You're very welcome. I'm glad that your enjoying yourselves." Then, he had to bite but lips when glancing at Hatsuzuki as said Destroyer was happily humming a she sipped her drink, hair tufts wagging. A mischievous look crossed his face before he continued, "They give you refills here as well."

Almost immediately, the three Destroyers gasped and chewed their lips. Shaking her own head, Suzutsuki gave Harry an amused look, "You're bad, Harry-Chan." At his shrug, she snorted before frowning, "So you were saying that there was different type of teas? As in meals?"

Tilting her head to the side as she licked her lips clean of hot chocolate and cream, Hatsuzuki frowned, "We've been to Kongou-San's tea time, isn't that normal?"

Shaking his head, Harry wagged a finger, "That is just one form of tea, Hatsuzuki-Chan. What Kongou-Oba was having is what is known as Afternoon Tea. It is held between three and five or so and has treats like finger sandwiches and small pastries. It was something normally done by high society."

Rapidly nodding, Teruzuki smiled a bit, "Hai, and Kongou-San's are always really good."

Leaning against her fist, the silver haired Destroyer watched on in interest, "What other ones are there?"

For a few moments, Harry was silent before nodding, "Well, there is a variant of afternoon tea called cream tea. It is basically just tea with a light meal of scones that have jam and clotted cream on them." Then, he gestured around them, "Then you got one in the morning, the morning tea break or elevensies."

Blinking, Akizuki stared at him for a few moments as he sipped his own drink, "Wait, that is a real thing? Elevensies?"

Only chuckling, the wizard nodded, "Hai, it is. After all, Tolkien had to get it from somewhere." Getting nods from Akizuki and her sisters outside of Suzutsuki who seemed confused, Harry glanced at the silver Destroyer, who simply motioned for him to continue, "Of course, you then have your evening tea, or high tea. That's tea that is served with a hot meal and some cakes with butter or jam, though you also get things like cold cuts at times. Like ham salad for example, you might have that. It was called high tea because you had it at a dining table, or low tea if you had it at a low table like a coffee table. That's not counting other tea breaks and such."

Boggled, the four Destroyers stared at him for a few moments. Hatsuzuki shook her head in some awe as she frowned, "I never knew there was so many types of, um, tea meals in Britain."

Amused, Harry chuckled a little, "Tea is serious business." Catching eight of Emma walking towards them, he grinned, "And it looks like our meal has arrived for Elevensies."

Just blinking, Akizuki turned and stared as did Teruzuki and Hatsuzuki when Emma stood there with a large plate with a small pile of pastries. Smirking, the witch set it down on the table revealing it took a good chunk of it up, "Here you go, danishes of all sorts just as ordered." With a glance at Harry, she began to point, "We got strawberry danishes, blackberry, raspberry, cherry, apple, chocolate hazelnut..."

Continuing to list them off, she was amused by the awed and fearful expressions that three of the girls was giving her. Finally, she was done and walked off after a short bow. Glancing after Emma, Teruzuki gulped a bit, "A-are you sure that we can have these, Harry-Chan? This is a lot of food after all..."

It took everything for Harry not to cackle, "Of course, Teruzuki-Chan. And don't think that you can just give these back! They did make them up and they would not be quite the same just warmed up." Whimpers met him at that, but utterly merciless, he gestured at the small feast of sugary goodness before them, "So go ahead... eat! Get stuffed!"

Reaching out with a shaking hand, Hatsuzuki took one that was a deep red in the middle and looked at it. She could see, Besides the fruit preserves, there was a bit of icing as well as cream cheese. With a nervous swallow, and seeing Harry watching her with a massive grin, she took a bite. Almost immediately, a groan escaped her as chewed and swallowed, "Mmm... cherry!"

Wide eyed, Teruzuki and Akizuki took one each, with the lighter hair of the two happily smiling after taking a bite, "I got blackberry!"

For her part, the eldest of the sisters had to lick some chocolate off her face once she was done taking a bite of hers, "And I got chocolate hazelnut!" With another happy sound, she bit into it again, 'So good... but not as good as Harry-Chan's!'

Lips twitching madly as she fought not to laugh at her sisters reactions, Suzutsuki simply bit into her own danish, an apple one, with joy. Though not before sharing a highly amused look with Harry. Said boy just cackled within his head, 'Yes! Phase Two of Hogsmeade Stuffing is complete! Hahaha!'

All in all, the Duckies were happily stuffed with treats.

 

[darthcourt10]

lt_agn02

Time for a distraction.
________________
A head popping out of the water right next to the Japanese carrier caused her to jump backward in shock. "Aso, how are you holding up?"

"S-Skipjack, right? D-Don't do that!"

Skipjack shrugged. "You're awfully jumpy." She narrowed her eyes. "If this is seriously your first voyage outside Japanese waters, you better get back on the damn boat."

"I am an aircraft carrier!" The Japanese girl retorted. " I am built to handle the ocean."

Skipjack leveled a condescending glare at Aso. "Listen, Aso. Can you summon your hull?"

"I don't think I...wait, what does that have to do with anything?!"

"Look at yourself in the water. Right now." The submarine pointed at the ship. "Now look at the cargo ship. Are you bigger than the cargo ship?"

"No, but…"

"Then if this is your first voyage across the Pacific, get back on the fucking boat. This isn't some pleasure cruise. We'll call you when something pops up."

"H-How rude!" Aso retorted. "Just because I'm Japanese…"

"That has nothing to do with this!" Skipjack retorted. "During a voyage across the Pacific, first-timers stay on the boat! That's the rule! We're talking about thousands of miles of open ocean with a high potential for rough water! If something happens, you could get lost out here!"

The carrier held her mouth, but he still angrily clenched her fists.

"Moreover," Skipjack continued, "The bridge of the ship we're escorting has navigation charts. Newbies like you are required to study them."

"But the First Air Fleet…"

"They've navigated the Pacific before and made it to Pearl. They know what to expect. You, on the other hand, don't. Do yourself a favor and go study the charts or else Davy Jones wants to put you in his locker."

Aso had to grit her teeth at that. She wanted to help, dammit! But this submarine…

"Fine," Aso conceded as she pulled back toward the ship she was supposed to be escorting.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A Parting at Malfoy House

Malfoy Manor, 4 July 2014

Draco Malfoy leaned back further into the arms of his girlfriends as he listened to his sister and his cousin Claire play a piano and guitar duet. Idly one foot tapped along with the tune.

Suddenly there was a gentle tug at his sleeve.

He looked over to see the family house-elf looking at him nervously. "Masters Malfoys, Missus Ehrens asked me to tell you that she wishes to speaks in the Egyptian room. Alone."

Niobe nodded to him, "go, we will listen in your place, Darling."

With that he headed to the room which Great-Grandfather Cassius had reserved for the collection of Egyptian objects d'art that he acquired in the 1920s from the French Branch of the family when they needed monies to help rebuild the family winery in Normandy after the Great War decimated their workforce.

As always, entering this room, he seemed to be transported back in time to the era of that shipgirl who was following around Percy Weasley. Gold and inlaid wood shone, along with semi-precious stones, while above a half-dozen carved sarcophagi stood silent witness.

Ehren was standing rigidly at attention in the middle of the room, dressed in her now-repaired black dress with white trim. She was staring intently at an object placed in the center of an ornately carved and inlaid stone offering table.

"Cousin Draco." She spoke quietly without turning her head. "My thanks for responding to my request. I wish privacy for this conversation."

Draco nodded and magically closed the door behind them. "Ehren. What is wrong?" He walked to her side.

Half her face was in shadow cast from the heavy drapes on the window, and he realized with a start there were tear tracks on her face. His eyes lowered to the object that she was staring at.

It was her SS-Ehrendolch true body, again split down the middle with sunlight and shadow. The inscription 'Meine Ehre Heisst Treue' glimmered with flickering, dancing witchfire from the charms and enchantments cast upon her by her mother. The Nazi iconography shone and flickered with magical energies as a fresh wave of magical energy covered her surface and then subsided.
Spoiler: Ehren and Draco

Ehren spoke in a quiet voice, filled with emotion under her cool control. "Nothing that you have done, Cousin Draco. Quite the contrary and that is what is wrong. The fault lies with me. I leave tomorrow with Claire and Mutti and while I wish to see you again in the future, I am well aware that life is short and does not obey our wishes."

She laughed bitterly at herself. "You should know that before I left for Verdun, I made arrangements to handle my affairs should I perish there. One of which -- forgive me this is difficult -- was a letter addressed to you with some final words of advice and wishes for your success. Along with my feelings toward you."

Draco's mind whirled as fresh tears trickled from the corner of Ehren's eyes.

"You must understand, Cousin Draco, that you were the first boy that I had ever met. The first friend that was not my family or one of the serving staff. I dreamed," Ehren's voice broke as her iron control cracked. Her eyes closed and her tears fell, "as a foolish girl might dream. But I know that those foolish girl's dreams are all that would ever be for you and I. Your heart has been claimed by others, and you are worthy of them as they are worthy of you. I cannot --- I shall not --- interfere with such a relationship."

Ehren took a deep breath and opened her eyes to stare at her dagger body. "You may rest assured that I shall never interfere with your relationship with Johnston, Niobe, and Cleopatra. You have my word and oath that our friendship shall never interfere with the love that you have for them, and they for you, which I shall uphold and protect to my dying breath." Her voice was firm, unyielding, and utterly heartbroken underneath the words that she forced out of herself.

With that vow, her shoulders slumped as the tension left her frame. She picked up her dagger by the blade and gently held it cupped in her hands as she spoke sadly with steel-deep regret. "My path lies along a different road than yours for I have willingly accepted certain duties and responsibilities that Lady Malfoy can never perform as they must be performed. I am sworn to secrecy and cannot say more of such matters."

Her voice became more contemplative as her forefinger traced the inscription on her blade. "My Honor Is Faithfulness, and I have lived and will live as it demands of me no matter the personal cost to me. As you know, in Verdun I allowed my darkest aspect to manifest to protect our family since it was required of me. As my Grandmother Norimune told me as we prepared to enter the Mill, I have my darkest aspect for a reason. When one fights in the defense of her loved ones, there are no rules and no points for second place. No limits to what one must demand of herself to triumph in her duties." Her finger slowly traced the swastika on her hilt as she continued in that contemplative, cool voice. "In the service of protecting my family and my loved ones such as you and yours, I cannot afford to be limited in the available means to taken to uphold my faithfulness, save by my honor."

With that she turned to Draco, her steel-blue eyes tear filled and vulnerable as her masks lowered to let him see into what she kept hidden in her heart. Shadows covered half of her stricken face, making Draco think about the duality of the Force in Star Wars in a moment of insight into Ehren's soul.

"As I said in the unsent letter to you that I burned after returning from Verdun, I sense the seeds of greatness in you. And once you find that which is worthy of your faithfulness and worthy of your honor as I have, if you follow your honor and faithfulness' demands to the bitter end, you can never truly go wrong no matter the sacrifices demanded of you." Ehren gave a very wan sad smile as she finished her confession in a hushed voice.

Draco looked at his cousin in a new light as she made the dagger vanish someplace on her person. "I never knew," he finally admitted in a soft, wondering voice. "I never even suspected until now."

Ehren nodded at his words and wiped tears from her cheeks, "I know that you never knew. I wished to speak to you and clarify matters because I sense deep in my soul that both of us go into deadly peril soon and I would not wish for either of us to go to their grave with these words unsaid and bitterly regretted. Please forgive my weakness in burdening you with this knowledge of my foolishness."

He shook his head. "There is nothing to forgive, Ehren. How can you...?" He trailed off, not knowing what he wanted to ask her about her feelings, about herself.

Ehren sighed bitterly and lowered her head. "I endure what I must because I must, Cousin Draco. It is my penance for my sins and my very being." She closed her eyes and breathed in and out deeply as she spoke in a hushed tone. "If matters of your relationships require this subject to be broached, you have my permission to tell Niobe, Johnston, or Cleopatra what I spoke about with you here. I would not have any unwarranted suspicions cause problems for you."

With that, her head raised and she gave him a shy tentative smile as she opened her steel-blue eyes and whispered quietly as she searched his face. "If... if you had any feelings for me, honor them by making the others as happy as you possibly can. Please."

With that he stepped close and hugged her, giving her a soft kiss on her unresisting lips as she shivered in the whiplash of her turbulent emotions.

"For what would have been had things been different for us. After all, the first boy you loved should claim your first kiss."

She laughed through her flowing tears at his roguish wink as he spoke from the heart and clung to him for a moment, then stepped back to fix her face with tissues from her purse. "Ja, sollte es."

Her normal mask of cool reserve reformed over what she had let him see in her heart as she finished cleaning herself up. She then offered her arm to him as she spoke quietly. "Shall we return to the music room and see what Claire and Nimue plan to serenade us with?"

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

As Ehren du Chasteler walked across the music room to join her happily waving sister for a piano duet, Draco lingered for a moment at the door before rejoining his shipgirls. Too softly to be heard by anyone else as his eyes tracked her proud and determined form, he murmured. "Who knows the future, but I will always have a place for you as well if you wish to claim it, Ehren."

 

[darthcourt10]

lt_agn02

Another distraction is in order, it seems.
_________________________________________________
It had been a few days since Aso was banished to the bridge of the transport ship. While she ship continued to sail, she checked the navigational charts and tracked the position of the ship. The past few nights, she used the sextant on the bridge to study the stars above. By now, she was confident she should be able to navigate the North Pacific with no issue. Her fairies have already copied down pretty much every single map of the Pacific available to her. All of them. Yet the damn Americans on the water would not let her join them.

Frankly, it was annoying. So what if it was her first time? She knows how to sail! And the lack of Abyssals definitely helped. Now that they were less than a day away from Pearl, the lack of being able to actually sail for herself was driving her mad. Groaning, she put her finger to her ear.

'I already finished studying. Can I go back out on the water now?'

'I'm pretty sure Skipjack already explained to you,' the cruiser Brooklyn replied over the radio with an annoyed tone. 'Your brown-water ass isn't touching blue water this time around.'

'Y-You're not still mad about the fight are you?'

'Mad? Who's mad? I'm not mad! I'll kill you if you think I'm still mad.'

'Y-Y-You are still mad!'

From a distance away, the Fletcher-class destroyer Pringle placed her face in her palm. "For fuck's sake. Aso, you stay there. Brooklyn, calm your tits. We're almost at Pearl.'

'Shut up, escort ship!' Brooklyn retorted. 'It's her fault I'm being dragged back to Pearl!'

Northampton couldn't help but copy Pringle. 'Quit raging, you joke of a cruiser.'

'SHADDAP! I'LL KICK YOUR AFT THE MOMENT WE HIT DRY LAND!'

The heavy cruiser slid forward and immediately made a"come at me" gesture. 'Bring it on, Wheeler! Next thing you see is gonna be my Blue-Eyes White-'

Next to the transport ship, a booming voice brought radio transmission to a halt.

"HEY! SHUT THE FUCK UP RIGHT THIS FUCKING MINUTE OR I SWEAR TO GOD I WILL TURN THIS FLEET AROUND!"

Everyone in the conversation flinched, slowly turning their heads to the large cruiser Guam as she was panting heavily in a rage. More than jut a bit annoyed, the large cruiser began barking orders.

"Aso, stay where you are! Studying is no substitute for experience and I am not going to allow some Leeroy Jenkins to just jump into the deep end from the very start! Brooklyn, shut up or I'll have you help your little sister with her experiments! Northampton, you back off. Nobody cares about Yugioh. Now everybody shut the fuck up and get back to radio silence or we're gonna miss our exit!"

As much as Aso wanted to protest, the Alaska-class cruiser had a point. If she just jumped in head-first, she's most likely sink than swim. But there was that other thing that the cruiser brought up.

What did she mean by 'exit'?

Behind her, the radio crackled to life.

'Eh! Who dis?!' a male voice asked.

Instinctively, the Japanese carrier walked over to the radio and grabbed the handset.

'This is the Japanese aircraft carrier Aso of…'

The voice on the other end let out an irritated growl. 'I wen ask who dis? If you no like ansa, we gon buss yo face!'

"H-How rude!" Aso growled. 'I said…'

"Aso! I'm taking care of it!" Guam shouted from the water. "Now shut up or we're all dead!"

Aso gulped, setting down the handset and returning to her seat.

'Sorry! Auntie wen grab da phone! It's Uncle Leonard! From Waianae!'

The carrier stared at the radio, her mind racing to put together what was just said.

'Leonard? You got da kine?'

'We got da poke, we got da slippahs, we even got da pakalolo!'

'Not even!'

'Eh, if you no like da malasadas, you no need eat em!'

'If you got da pakalolo, we'll take da malasadas. We gon send someone fo pick you up.'

'Rajah.'

With the click of the radio shutting off, Aso turned to the large cruiser on the water. At least from where she stood in the bridge.

What the hell did she just hear?

"Look alive, ladies!" Guam shouted. "This is our exit! The guard will be here to take us in!"

The Japanese carrier just took out her paperwork and went through it. There was definitely nothing like this in the information given to her before she left Japan.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Chewing a bit of stew, Harry blinked at what Akizuki, who was eating some roast chicken, had told him, "Really? Momo-San is in charge of her own patrol group?"

Just swallowing, the Destroyer nodded, but it was Teruzuki who spoke up, "Kind of?" At his look, she shrugged a bit, "Momo-San is technically in charge because she's the most powerful of the group. Which is made up of herself, Chidori-Chan, and some smaller patrol boats. They pretty much spend the day patrolling Tokyo Bay. Her sister is in a similar group too!"

Considering that, the black haired boy nodded some, "Makes sense."

With a smile at the Destroyer, who turned back to her meal, Harry glanced around. Being the second day of the Hogsmeade Weekend, there was not much activity around them. Especially as they had chosen to come just after the lunch hour anyways. But it was still the last weekend of the year and so it was somewhat busy. The wizard had seen a number of Seventh Years ducking into the potion ingredient shop nearby.

Knowing that said store also sold complete potions, Harry had his suspicions that they would be out of Pepper up as well as calming potions by the time the day was out.

However, what could only be called "Happy Destroyer Noises" made him turn and smile. Mainly because the Duckies were all happily eating their fill of the meal in front of them. While, like him, Suzutsuki has gone for a stew, Akizuki went for a roast chicken and her other two sisters each had a roast beef dinner in front of them. Wiping a bit of gravy on her plate with a piece of bread, Hatsuzuki hummed after popping it into her mouth. Chewing, she followed it up with a long pull from a giant mug of cold Butterbeer.

Just the sight of them being happily filled made him softly smile. Turning back to his own lunch, Harry took a bite of another spoonful of stew, "Anything else happen?"

Pulling her mug away from her face, Hatsuzuki took a moment to sigh and wipe her mouth on a napkin before nodding, "Hai, you remember how Samantha-San and the other survivors had a number of Midget Submarines?" Waiting until he nodded, she continued, "Teitoku is having them train the other returned Midget Submarines."

That made the thirteen year old blink, "Wait, he is?"

It was Suzutsuki who polished off her large pot of stew who answered though with a small smile, "Indeed, Harry-Chan. Apparently during the ten years stranded, they came up with their own strategies as to how to sink opponents as a group. And Teitoku wants the other Midget Submarines of similar types to learn so that they're more effective when out on patrol against Abyssals. Especially as they will be on Coastal Patrol and guarding the litorials." She then frowned, "I am still not sure why Ooyodo-San described them as being like piranha though..."

Waving a piece of bread in the air, Harry shook his head, "Piranha may be small fish and can't hurt you much alone, though that is only in that they can't eat that much. But when you got a large school of them attacking and ripping into you all at once? Well... that is kind of different, you know?"

For a few moments the silver haired Destroyer considered that before nodding, "That does make sense when you put it that way, Harry-Chan. A lot of sense as a matter of fact."

Each of the four Akizukis paused and thought for a moment about what was just said about the Midget Submarines. Inside their heads, they had an identical image. A Battleship Princess flailing around madly as she slowly sank into frothing water that became colored with oil coming from her many wounds, and inside of the froth, every once in a while, one could see the flashes of the attacking Midget Submarines as they tore into her. It ended with one hand reaching for the heavens sticking out of the froth before being yanked down by one of the Midget Submarines who bit it and dragged it under.

After a few moments, they shook that off though and went back to eating.

Just a few minutes later found the group leaving the Three Broomsticks behind and walking along. As they did so though, Akizuki spotted something and blinked before pointing, "Harry-Chan? Was that Victory-Sama just now? Going into that other tavern that's over there?"

Following her finger, Harry gave a nod, "Probably, that's the Hog's Head, the other tavern for Hogsmeade." Scratching his chin, he frowned a little, "Its owned by Professor Dumbledore's younger brother and not exactly a place where students go to since it is more for, well... those of a less liked bent, let's say. But everyone's been saying he went on vacation and Victory has been handling the tavern in exchange. No one really knows why though that happened."

Each of the Destroyers scratched their heads at that in confusion before shrugging. Walking through the village square though, the shipgirls slowed to a stop to look at the water fountain. It had a sort of mountain made of dark stone, and in the top was a dragon roaring with water coming from it's mouth. And at four points around the mountain that the dragon was upon, was a statue of a wizard or witch, water streaming from their wands, each held up in the air. They jumped a bit though as the dragon statue closed its mouth, water spraying from between it's teeth as it moved into a different position before going back to roaring the water out.

Wide eyed, Teruzuki stared a little before shaking her head and clenching her fists in front of her face, "That was so cool..."

Beside her, Suzutsuki nodded some with an impressed expression on her face, "Hai, it was quite something to see, Nee-San."

Meanwhile, Akizuki was looking at the statues of the magicals when one, a man with a sword at his side and a full beard looked at her and winked. Blinking at that, she shook it off before snapping her fingers as a look of recognition crossed her face, "Ah! I knew that I have seen them before! Those are the Founders of Hogwarts!" Looking at Suzutsuki, she nodded, "There's statues of them in the school after all."

From where he stood beside her, Harry gave a nod, "That's right. And the one that looked at you just now is Godric Gryffindor." Cocking his head to the side, he smiled a bit as Rowena's statue made a motion with her wand, the water following it, "I have to admit, pretty impressive bit of work with the animation charms for whoever created and cast them." Out of the corner of his eye, Harry caught sight of Akizuki rubbing her stomach and raised an eyebrow, "You okay, Akizuki-Chan?"

Said Destroyer blinked and lightly blushed some, "Um, hai. Just a bit full..." Internally, she gulped as she was only three quarters full, 'Please believe me... please believe me...'

After almost a minute, Harry smiled and chuckled and turned away, "Understandable, I suppose, Akizuki-Chan. Anyways... we got other places to visit."

He pretended not to hear them sigh with relief, or Suzutsuki giggle softly in amusement at her sister's reactions. Instead, he simply took Hatsuzuki's and Teruzuki's hands in his and lead them along while drawing all three into a conversation about various subjects, only Harry noticing that the silver haired Destroyer had caught on that he was up to something. Flashing her a wink, he smirked a bit as she giggled, which drew puzzled looks from her sisters, but she waved them off. They had just entered a store when Teruzuki blinked and looked around before freezing.

Mainly because there, before them, was tables and a counter, behind which she could see ice cream in large tubs and the like while behind it was a menu detailing many cold, and tasty treats.

Eyes wide, she turned to where a grinning Harry stood in front of the door, blocking their exit, "H-Harry-Chan..."

Grinning almost impossibly wide for a human, Harry darkly chuckled as he rubbed his hands together, "Now that the main course is complete... it is time, my Duckies... time for dessert..."

Akizuki held, and was held by, Teruzuki and Hatsuzuki as they trembled as they clutched at each other. Turning, they looked towards their last sister, their last hope to avoid what was to come for them, "S-Suzutsuki-Chan! Help us!"

Briefly, she glanced at them as Harry stride forward towards the trembling Destroyers with a dark cackle. Then the silver haired shipgirl shrugged with a smile towards her doomed sisters, "I wonder what sort of ice creams they have here..." Unable to help herself, Suzutsuki giggled as her sisters wailed about being betrayed by their beloved family as Harry guided them to a table, 'I'm glad that I came along...'

Short minutes later found Akizuki gulping at the item Harry placed before each of them. All the Destroyers had in front of them a large sundae inside of a very tall, conical glass with a thin spoon. There were layers upon layers of various ice creams such as the legendary raspberry ice cream, heavy and thick cream, meringue, chopped fruits and preserves. It was all covered, nigh, drenched, in syrups with a pile of whipped cream on top with nuts covering that and, finally, a single cherry at the peak.

Before them was the near legendary "Knickerbocker Glory", for to Destroyers it deserved the name by which it was known by for truly... it was glorious.

Mouth open a bit, Hatsuzuki blinked as she stared at the treat before her, "It... it's beautiful..."

Trembling in her seat, Teruzuki looked at Harry, "A-ah, you bought this for us, Harry-Chan? A-and we can each have one?"

On Harry's face was a soft smile, though there was a slight tinge of evil to it. Leaning in, he whispered to into her ear as she shook, glancing between him and the chill, tasty treat, "Oh yes, Teruzuki-Chan. You can have this... and more. As much as you can possibly take."

Upon Akizuki's face was either fearful awe, or awed fear, no one, possibly not even she, could tell. She gave Harry a look begging for mercy, for there was none, "Y-you're being a big bully, Harry-Chan..."

Smirking, the wizard just nodded and chuckled darkly, "Hai, and seeing you all like this? It makes me want to bully you all even more... bully you until you are all stuffed, completely and utterly..."

Suzutsuki glanced at her sisters as they whimpered, but shook her head and turned back to the sundae before her, 'Amazing...'

Eventually, Harry sat down with his own, much more modest, ice cream. The grin came to his face easily seeing how the Duckies were all extremely happy we they ate their sundaes happily. Truly, nothing was as good as stuffing a Duck. Suddenly though, he found a spoon held in front of his face and blinked, "Eh?" Following it, he found Akizuki holding it out to him with a smile on her face, "Akizuki-Chan?"

The eldest of the sisters just nodded, "Go ahead, Harry-Chan, try it. It's really good!"

It was with some amusement on his part that he noticed Teruzuki also take some ice cream on her spoon and held it out, "Ah! Have some of mine as well, Harry-Chan!"

Rather bemused at their actions, the thirteen year old chuckled, "You do know that those are yours, right?"

A soft smile on her face, Hatsuzuki simply nodded as she filled her spoon and also held it out, "Hai, but... treats like this are best shared together."

While he rolled his eyes a bit, Harry still accepted the ice cream before he shared some of his. Soon enough, before the soft gaze of Suzutsuki, the four began to feed each other ice cream, though obviously the Destroyers for the lion share of it. All in all...

It made her happy to see.

 

[darthcourt10]

looneytunes91

A/N: Here is part 2 of Remembrance. I got back from a gun show today and I'm posting this at 0122 local time so please let me know if you find any errors in my work as I really want this to work.

Recollection

The day of the sortie we were going on day three of what I now know to be Blood Week but what we only knew as the abyssal's assault against humanity. My squadron had been sitting on either Ready Alert 5 or on CAPs for those three days. We had heard that Unalaska had been taken over by the abyssals yet us pilots also had a gut feeling that you didn't want to strike against humanity. Because every time a strike was vectored against Elmendorf AFB or Anchorage we could drive it off by making one gun pass against the bombers and they would without hesitation drop their payloads. This was contrary to other combatant commands who reported a certain zealousness in the abyssal bombers to cause as much death and destruction as possible.

One such report given on day 2 of Blood Week was of an abyssal dive bomber getting hit by a missile, dropping its bomb on a ship then slamming itself into another. We knew deep in our hearts that you were being forced to fight and we knew you were making as little effort as possible to fight us.

I guess that's why we were so surprised to have to fight so hard on that day to drive off the strike…

+-+-+

Elmendorf Air Force Base

Just North of Anchorage, Alaska

3rd day of Blood Week

Two F-15s sit at the end of the runway, safety pins removed from their weapons but engines off to save time in scrambling while not wasting fuel. The snow falling around the cockpit in a white swirling curtain, Captain Baldwin watches transfixed as the individual flakes falling seem to combine into a seemingly living mass that wraps his Eagle like a loving mother giving her child a hug.

His thoughts are thousands of miles away though as he thinks of his son who is currently deployed to Iraq mercifully far enough inland to not be affected too much right now. Although his supplies might be getting scarce if supply ships cant get through but for now he should be alright. His grandson and his son's wife are thankfully in Fort Campbell, Kentucky far from the now unfriendly oceans.
+-+-+
The sound of a horn honking from a nearby vehicle startles him from his thoughts. Looking over to the breadvan that holds the crew chiefs he sees the crew chief giving him the signal to scramble. Beginning the startup procedures the Eagle slowly wakes from its slumber, ready to begin its deadly trade. As the Eagle finally comes to life his radio comes to life with the sounds of the air traffic control tower directing planes like the spider at the center of a web.

"Elmendorf Ground, Rapier 3-2 and 3-4, requesting takeoff clearance Runway 24." Captain Baldwin calls out over the radio net in a practiced routine that has become all too common over his years of flying.

"Rapier 3-2 takeoff clearance granted! Takeoff as soon as you enter the runway! AWACS Darkstar will brief you as soon as you are in the air!" Taking his que he brings the Eagle's two Pratt & Whitney F-100 turbofan engines to full afterburner as soon as he enters the runway. As he is pushed into his seat from the force of inertia and how quickly he accelerates he watches the HUD and as he sees his speed rise above 250 knots he pulls hard back on the stick and screams into the heavens.

"Elmendorf Ground, Rapier 3-2 takeoff complete. Have a good day sir."

Signing off he quickly switches over to the radio frequency to contact the AWACS.

"Darkstar, Rapier 3-2 I was told you had a brief for us?"

"Rapier 3-2, Darkstar. Here is your brief. Regional Air Operations Command picked up faint radar contacts climbing from a position just south of Unalaska and turning Northeast before the contacts faded. This leads us to believe that the abyssals there have launched another strike against Anchorage or Elmendorf. You are reinforcing Slam 1-1 and 1-3 on CAP 400 miles Southwest of you."

"Copy that Darkstar. We're on our way."

Turning Southwest the F-15s began their trek towards the operational area and Captain Baldwin began the hard part of this job. Waiting.

*-*-*

Oklahoma

Let me tell you Miss Hoppou, knowing you are heading to a fight and having to wait is the worst thing I have ever experienced in my long life. When you wait all your doubts start trying to worm their way into your head. They dull your senses, mute everything but your worries and amplify your shortcomings.
Anyways where was I? ah yes...

Operational area

Approximately 400 miles Southwest of Anchorage, AK

"Rapier 3-2 to Slam 1-1 do you copy?" The words sliced through the air waves as Captain Baldwin called out to the second pair of aircraft in this AO.

"Scooter! We copy. You ready to go to work? I heard our princess has sent some more milk our way." The voice of Captain Baldwins squadronmate called back and a sigh of relief exploded from his gut. At the same time the reminder of his callsign brings a little bit of good natured ribbing between the two pilots and a little bit of regret at letting that story slip at a few too many beers at the bar during flight school.

When he was a kid he didn't crawl like most kids. Instead he would scoot on his butt and thus the nickname of Scooter was coined by his family. And now it was his callsign.... to be fair it could have been much worse. Even if it was embarrassing to him personally.

"I heard Bull! Either way let's not get complacent. We've lost too many friends because of that." And had they ever. From the reports coming in from around the Air Force commands around the world almost 15 percent of the Air Force's fighter pilots had been shot down on the opening day of this eldritch beatdown of humanity.

Of those shot down over 3/4 were able to eject and at least live but that was one ejection out of the allotted three in a pilots career. He had a sinking feeling that in the coming months the Air Force would need all the pilots it could get.

"Right how do we want to do this? Wall or Racetrack search patterns?" The two search patterns were the most widely used in this Theatre of Operations. The wall was just that: the four F-15s would line up side by side and would press into where they thought the enemy would be. Each F-15 would have their radar settings different from the next. That way each Eagle would cover as much sky as they could, hoping to pick up the enemy flights before the abyssals supernatural stealth allowed them to merge with the Eagles without warning.

The Racetrack search pattern gave the initiative to the abyssals but allowed the Eagles to loiter and wait for the abyssals to push into them. It also allowed for a greater chance at detecting the abyssals in that if the Eagle didn't pick up the enemy on the 1st leg then there was a decent chance of picking them up on the return leg. Oftentimes this would put the Eagles behind the enemy and allow them to report the exact position and speed to the massive fighter screen that was being drawn up just in case they got past.

"We'll go Racetrack. Let the abbys push into us. no need to go looking for trouble and missing them if they fly under us. Especially with this storm under us. I don't know if they can fly in it but I don't want to be the first pilot to let Anchorage get bombed. We'll keep in pairs and let the other pair know if they get contact."

"Roger that. See you when the we see you." With that the two pairs of F-15s split off to begin their search patterns.
*-*-*

Oklahoma

We learned early on that your daughter's planes were cold and exceedingly difficult to detect by radar. On top of that we had to deal with the weather of the Bering Sea that quite often was on your side instead of ours. We had multiple instances of the strikes you sent out getting past the CAP and having the relief pick the strike up entirely too close for comfort. And yet…. The moment a single missile or a single shell found its way into any part of the bomber formation they would drop their payloads and scatter like leaves in the wind.

Operational area

Approximately 400 miles Southwest of Anchorage, AK

'It's a good thing we have at least some radar capability,' Scooter thought as he scanned the skies head outside the cockpit, 'otherwise it would be 100% impossible to find anything in this soup.' With the two patrol routes set up the pilots were doing their best to find the enemy in their assigned tasks. When running the Racetrack patrol pattern in pairs one pilot would monitor the radar while the other was using his Mark 1 eyeball to find anything that the other likely missed.
Luckily they had only made that particular mistake once when another pair of Eagles had sortied on the 1st day and got jumped by the escorts of the bomber formation. The only warning those two pilots had was the whip-like cracks as the bullets snapped over their canopies. Needless to say those pilots never made that mistake again and they were wishing they wore their brown pants that day.

It was lucky that Scooter was looking outside his cockpit at that time because what the Eagle's AN/APG-63(V)1 radar was unable to see through the storm and supernatural stealth was the incoming strike. Unlike the past 2 days this was not just a few dive bombers with a number of fighters as escort. This was a full blown alpha strike. The entire air wing of a carrier focusing its unadulterated rage against a single target and damn whatever gets in its path.
*-*-*
Oklahoma

As I looked upon the mass of aircraft that had just emerged from the clouds like a murder of crows I was momentarily struck dumb. This was the largest collection of aircraft I had seen since the Red Flag that I had been to just a few years previous. However this wasn't a war game. This was life or death, a fight to the finish. If we didn't drive this strike off then a lot of people were gonna die. A carrier just doesn't send this amount of planes and drop their bombs in the ocean without facing stiffer resistance than Berlin in WWII or Hanoi in the Vietnam War or Baghdad in 1991. This is gonna be a fight for all the chips.

Post A/N: This was starting to get a little long for my tastes so I decided to cut it off here that way the next scene can recieve my full attention..... and I won't be dead tired while writing it. Have a good night everyone see you in the morning.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Above the door, the small bell there rang as it opened and Harry stepped in. Holding it open, he watched as the four Akizuki sisters walked in and gasped in awe as Honeydukes was revealed to them. Bouncing a bit, Teruzuki held her fists in front of her face, "Honeydukes!"

Hatsuzuki gave a sharp nod as well, "Honeydukes!"

Bemused, Harry snickered some and nodded towards a model of the store made out of sweets, "It's only a model."

Just blinking, Suzutsuki looked towards them as they all grinned or lightly laughed at some joke, "What's so funny?"

Waving her off, Akizuki sighed, "It's nothing, Suzutsuki-Chan. Just something that Harry-Chan showed us once that we thought was funny."

A little lost, the silver haired Destroyer nodded, "I see..." Eyes wide as she took in the rest of the store, Suzutsuki blinked, "This is... impressive." Looking at a aquarium nearby where gummy slugs moved around in it, she raised an eyebrow, "Though somewhat odd."

Glancing in the same direction, Harry gave a small shrug of his own, "Hai, some of the things are sort of strange, to say the least." He then chuckled, "But what can you do?"

Lips curling into a small smile, the silver haired Destroyer nodded, "I suppose that is true enough. After all, if one can do something and it costs nothing while being harmless? I don't see why one shouldn't." Glancing back at the slugs though, she frowned, "Though, uh... in some cases one should ask who would eat them."

Softly snickering, Harry grinned a bit, "One of the my fellow non-magically raised ate one of those... described them as 'Slimy, yet satisfying' as a matter of fact."

Blinking, Suzutsuki gave her sisters a small glance as they began to hum some sort of song with smiles on their faces, "Hmm..." With a chuckle, she shook it off though and began to examine the other candies and such. "Any suggestions, Harry-Chan?"

In reply, he tapped his chin with a slight frown, "There's a number of different things that you could get. Some are better than others really." Giving a small shake of the head, Harry smile came back as he could guess what his next words would get as a reaction, "Of course, you can also buy in bulk and have stasis spells cast on the food you buy."

Eyes wide, Akizuki turned to him, "B-buy in bulk? And with stasis spells to make sure that nothing goes bad? A-are you being serious, Harry-Chan?"

Noticing that the three Duckies were leaning in, while Suzutsuki listened with half an ear, Harry smirked some, "I am, as a matter of fact, Akizuki-Chan. I know that Niiyodo-Chan has a deal with them for just that."

More than one pair of eyes stared at him for the next few seconds. But then, Hatsuzuki frowned in thought, "I've always wondered where Niiyodo-San has gotten the magical treats..."

Also thoughtful, Teruzuki gave a small nod, "Hai, especially as she has that small storehouse in Warehouse Ten that she uses for keeping them out of view." Finger tapping on her chin, she frowned, "Though I think that she mentioned something about a small store for such treats being run soon? And out of the same warehouse so that no one catches on where the magical candy and such is at?"

Considering that, the wizard of the group slowly hummed, "It would make a certain amount of sense when one thinks about it." At their looks, he continued, "Well, think about it for a second. How much does Niiyodo actually get in the run of a supply run here?" Lowering his voice, he continued, "And the candy and such is rather cheap, so she can splurge on it and sell it for a bit more than what it was originally worth. And a lot of Destroyers and smaller shipgirls like candy, as do older ones, so..."

Suzutsuki tilted her head some before nodding slightly, "Hai, that does make sense." Examining their surroundings, she shook her head, "And I can imagine that it would be somewhat profitable as well."

With a snort, Harry placed his hands into his pockets, "Considering how much Destroyers and such eat when it comes to sweets, Suzutsuki-Chan? That might be putting it mildly." He pointed at one item in particular, getting gasps from the Destroyers, "Some of the things that magic can do are interesting when it comes to normal sweets."

Jaw dropping, Teruzuki stared for a moments before rushing over. Grabbing the item in question, she walked back in a daze and held it up, "Look, Nee-Sans! Look at this chocolate bar!"

Unable to help themselves but to stare as well, the other three Destroyers just looked at the twenty pound chocolate bar that their fellow shipgirl was holding. Suddenly, Suzutsuki looked at Harry in confusion, "Wait... what about tempering?"

Blinking, they turned towards Harry who blinked back before shrugging, "There's spells and ways of getting around the issue of the chocolate tempering as it cooled. You can shrink it down to the size of a normal chocolate bar, which means it loses heat faster. As well, there's other spells that can make it cool faster and stop it from being ruined." Pausing for a moment, the wizard frowned, "I think that Shiromizu mentioned that someone wanted to set up a chocolate factory near her mountain actually where they would do that in Japan."

Awed, Akizuki, Teruzuki, and Hatsuzuki whimpered a bit as they imagined a large number of giant chocolate bars that one could buy.

Moments later, they shook it off and slowly spread out through the store. Oddly enough, Suzutsuki kept beside Harry as she examined the various candies and such. Mainly because, out of the corner of her eye, she could see him watching her sisters and making note of candies that they were interested in, only to pull back at the last moment. Amused, her lips quirked upwards slightly as she lowered her voice, "You're going to buy the ones they want, but think are too expensive, aren't you?"

Watching as Teruzuki pulled away from a giant tin of fudge, Harry cocked an eyebrow at her, "Am I that transparent?"

Lightly chuckling, Suzutsuki shook her head slightly, "Not that much, Harry-Chan. But I can guess from some of what they have told me about you and what I have observed myself." Expression softening, she smiled, "I'm very glad that they met someone like you, Harry-Chan, who will take care of them. Though... may I ask why?"

Simply glancing at her, the teen tilted his head some, "How much do you know about my past?"

Frowning at that, Suzutsuki thought for a second or two before wincing, "Is that because...?"

Only slowly nodding, Harry sighed a bit, "Growing up at the Dursleys... they never really fed me enough, you know? And when the war started, with rationing? It was even worse as most of the food in the rations that should have gone to me went instead to Dudley and some to Vernon. I got very little of what I was supposed to get." There was a far off gaze to him at that moment, "Mum told me that I was basically skin and bones when she saw me without a shirt. And the doctor that was there grimaced. According to him, it was obvious that I had malnutrition and was close, though not quite, to starvation. So I can understand them... and I want to fill them at least partially because of that. Because I can understand where they were. And because it makes them smile at the end of the day."

Despite being unhappy at what she was hearing, and also feeling her crew angry, all the Destroyer did was nod, "I see."

Now smiling again, Harry gestured at the other Duckies, "But look at them, all of them are happy and smiling because they're filled with good food. And getting them the candy they want..." Smile becoming slightly wistful, he shook his head, "It is almost like I am giving a little black haired boy from years ago the candy he once wanted, but saw his cousin devour instead."

Rather than say anything, Suzutsuki simply hugged him and they stayed like that for a few seconds. Pulling apart, she gave him an understanding nod before going back to looking for candy that she might well want. And there was quite a bit of that to say the least.

By the time the group returned to Hogwarts, the Duckies were fed with quite a number of sweets in their holds.

That night found Harry slowly running a brush through Teruzuki's hair as the shipgirl closed her eyes in enjoyment. He had already done much the same with Akizuki and Hatsuzuki while off to the side, Suzutsuki watched with a soft smile on her face, 'Nee-San looks so relaxed at the moment.'

Eventually, the thirteen year old was finished and set aside the brush before running his fingers through the strands, "All done, Teruzuki-Chan."

When the Destroyer turned towards him, he smiled and she returned it before kissing him on the cheek, "Thank you, Harry-Chan." Scratching her cheek, Teruzuki gave a small giggle, "Um, also for today and having us eat so much."

Swallowing, Akizuki rubbed her stomach, "I don't think that we've ever eaten so much before, Harry-Chan."

Just raising an eyebrow, Harry chuckled, "But you enjoyed being stuffed, right?" At their nods, he smiled brightly, "Then I'm glad."

The three of them shared a look and sighed before shaking their heads. Looking at the time, Hatsuzuki gave a small nod, "We should be going to bed."

Getting up, Teruzuki nodded as she stretched, "Hai! Early to bed, early to rise, makes one healthy, wealthy, and wise!" She then blinked a bit, "Um, I think, anyways..."

Unable to help himself, the teenage boy chuckled a bit and soon he was laying in bed with Akizuki on one side and Hatsuzuki on the other as Teruzuki cuddled up on his front. Slipping into the bed behind her eldest sister, Suzutsuki nodded some as she closed her eyes, "Good night, everyone."

Various others all replied to her and soon, the only sound was that of five people all sleeping quietly, and peacefully.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A Courtship in Emerald (VI)

Night of August 6th-7th (Two Months After D-Day), 1944

Hill 317, Mortain, France (76 Miles From The Normandy Invasion Beaches)
Spoiler: The Mortain Gap

"Tank left front!" Delilah shouted to be heard over the roar of cannons and the crack of bullets.

She had to rely on her nomaj comrades gathered in this crisis that demanded all hands from the infantry companies to the regimental headquarters units, cooks, and mechanics to deal with the approaching Panzer V spitting machine gun bullets and 75mm high explosive shells into the thin line of American troops clinging to this vital hill over the formerly sleepy French village of Mortain.

Her sub-machine gun spat fire and death into the German infantry attempting to storm the hill under cover of the German tanks.

Eighty years before the grandfathers and great grandfathers of the National Guardsmen alongside her in their hastily dug foxholes had marched under the state flag of North Carolina and the Stars and Bars of the Confederacy off to war. A quarter of the Third North Carolina Infantry Regiment had fallen in the slaughterhouse of the Cornfield at Antietam as it changed hands fifteen times on the bloodiest day in American history and another forty percent at Gettysburg in the largest battle on North American soil.

Now their children's children bled and shouted and fought and died once more under that proud regimental banner to blunt a counterattack intended to smash the breakthrough from the last two months of meat-grinder fighting in the bocage country of Normandy. If the Thirtieth Infantry Division did not hold, the Germans would scythe to the sea, cutting off two corps of American troops and turning the developing breakout into yet another round of brutal attritional combat.

But the Thirtieth Infantry Division was called 'Old Hickory' for a reason.

After this battle to determine the fate of Operation COBRA, the German army would have a new, bitterly respectful name for the heroic American division who had stood like a bleeding wall of immovable steel in their path while outnumbered five to one by some of the best Panzer units of Nazi Germany including the elite of the elite 1st SS-Panzer Division Liebstandarte Adolf Hitler itself. A name earned with sacrifice and valor to be carried for three hundred eight days of near-continuous combat across France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and finally Germany itself to liberate Europe.

'Roosevelt's SS'

The Panzer V suddenly exploded into flames from a round off the antitank gun dug in on the flank among a cluster of boulders and hastily felled timber on this hill dominating the road nexus of Mortain.

Delilah's cold leaf-green eyes narrowed as she took advantage of the now-illuminated SS-Panzergrenadiers climbing the slopes to methodically cut this rush down while more shell fragments hammered her personal shields as salvos of German artillery slammed into the battered rock-strewn hilltop like the hammer of Thor over and over again.

The drum magazine's last round fired and the bolt of her red-hot and smoking Thompson locked open.

At the same moment above the din of battle she heard a desperate call for help.

"Krauts on the right...OH GOD!"

It tailed off into a bestial earth-shaking roar that sent chills down her spine with primal fear.

She couldn't let that stop her.

The echoes of the roar were still ringing in her ears when she leapt from her foxhole, hands flashing to draw her true body and her wand.

Her inhumanly calm voice cut through the chaos like a whip as she waved her arm in the fire-shot darkness to get the attention of anyone she could.

"Follow me!"

Behind her, Sergeant Bearclaw and her sister Colombe sprinted after her with spells and steel filling their hands along with the reserve squads formed from any rear area personnel and walking wounded who could carry a rifle

Delilah didn't care.

The foes of freedom were ahead of her on this night and the clarion call to rally around the flag flamed in her heart and her soul like a great trumpet blast calling her to her duty that she had willingly sworn herself to eighty years ago.

Behind her cold green eyes her brain whirred with calculations, estimates, predictions as she sprinted through the chaos of war.

Then her eyes narrowed as she saw the massive bulk of a creature half again the height of a man clambering out of the machine gun pit that it had just ripped to pieces.

Grendel.

Her lips drew back from her teeth in a mad, smug smile as she locked on a expanse of smooth corpse-flesh on the creature's upper chest.

Her arm moved as she summoned her energies through her wand.

"Bombarda!"

The spell shot across and then vanished as it reached the golem.

The silver collar inscribed with Nordic runes and Grindlewald's symbol glowed scarlet.

Magical Protection.

Grindlewald's abomination turned its eyeless head toward her and bellowed in challenge as greenish acidic flames wreathed its massively muscled arms.

It began to climb toward her with more Nazis behind it.

Well then, I'll do this the nomaj way.

With that analysis her focus shifted and her hand twitched to resheath her wand and draw her favorite Bowie knife.

Meanwhile her eyes sought out weak points in the brute made of iron, necromancy, tortured Untermenschen 'raw materials', and Dark Magic coming for her to rip her apart and crumble the defense line.

There.

CRACK

Thought and action were indistinguishable as her finger squeezed her trigger and her first shot blew through the magical shields and armor plating making the creature bulletproof to shatter the cold-iron alchemically forged bones of the creature's knee joint through the inch-wide gap in the protective plating as it sprinted toward her.

There.

CRACK

The thigh of the other leg exploded into black-green blood and torn flesh from her next shot as she magically transmuted the .44 caliber Minie ball in her firing chamber into silver nitrate contact explosive with a thought as it shot down the rifling grooves of her barrel at supersonic speed.

As her cylinder rotated, her mind moved equally mechanically.

A merciless inexorable thing of cams and shafts, cold calculation and ruthless analysis, as her thoughts probed for weak points, trajectories, flaws, vulnerabilities in the enraged murder machine staggering toward her.

All her targets had become to her were just a string of numbers measuring vital areas, hydrostatic shock, movement vectors, penetration angles for her shots, estimated loss of the greenish sludge that it used in place of blood, shattered joints, fire lanes, time before the next bullet would be ready.

The Cold Equations of firearms that she had been born to solve to completely destroy whatever she applied them to in moments such as this.

There.

CRACK

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

A decade after this day, a science-fiction author would put pen to paper in a short story about the hard decision to sacrifice an innocent life on an otherwise doomed starship to save eight men who would otherwise die without that sacrifice. One of his quotes perfectly described the Muramasa known as Delilah de Breuil in these times of crisis when time gained was measured in lives spent and ground captured or held was measured in blood shed.

"A machine does not care"

--------------------------------------
Spoiler: A Letter Home

Potter Manor, England

18th August 1944

Zamarad slowly read the letter that had just come in the morning mail. Her hands shook and her emerald eyes filled with heartfelt tears.

Somewhere in France (I can't say more than that)

13th August, 1944

Dear Zamarad,

I am taking a moment to write you to let you know that I am all right. Colombe asked me to relay that she is alive to Lyra as well.

Sergeant Bearclaw died in my arms this morning as part of last night's fight to plug a hole in our lines before we could be relieved when cut off. I will have to make sure to bring his tomahawk and his other personal effects to his widow and his young son in the Dakotas when the war is over.

Curse this war eating our best and brightest.

God bless the flyboys, they are hammering the Germans night and day constantly now and we may finally have them on the run if we can hold these forces and let Patton's men scythe into their flank. I pray that it is so, every day without your voice in my ears is a spike driven into my heart.

Last week was very bad, but we broke their back and held our positions somehow even when encircled. I asked Colombe and she said that it reminded her of holding the line in the Great War in some ways. Half of us who went up this hill to hold it will rest here forevermore. I understand now what Lincoln meant when he told me that those who fought and died here hallowed this ground far beyond our poor power to add or detract.

It is a knowledge that breaks my heart to have purchased.

I wish I could say more, but the truck carrying ammunition to us and evacuating those of us too badly wounded to fight is leaving now, so I close with the following.

I love you Zamarad.

Delilah Naomi de Breuil.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Clouds flew past, the water vapor that made them up exploding as they burst through them. Tracer fire lit up the sky behind, narrowly missing their cockpit as their engines burned brightly in the predawn dusk. Over the radio there was an unholy screech from the following Abyssal fighter as the pilot pushed them into a high-G turn, one that the plane was never really designed for nor had those who built it had thought.

Plane shaking, the pilot gripped the stick hard as they pushed blood into their legs and were themselves pushed back into the seat. At the same time, over the radio other squawks could be heard from the rest of the flight. And out of the corner of her eye, the pilot could see one of their fellows in an aerial dogfight, twisting and turning in the air as they tried to get away from the following Abyssal fighters.

Behind her visor, the pilot narrowed her eyes before glancing at the ofuda that was on one side of the cockpit before taking a deep breath. To those who could see such things, magic flew over the plane's frame, sinking deep into the electronics, steel, and aluminum that made up it's body. Almost immediately, the winds flowing past shifted and twisted under the control of the magic now infusing the aircraft. Said plane almost purred as the pilot, within seconds, steeled herself. Only glancing back to see if the pursuing Abyssal fighter was still there.

It was, as proven by the tracers that narrowing missed the engine.

On the pilot's face, a nearly savage grin appeared on her face behind her mask while feathers burst into being under her flight suit. Her gloves creaked a little as she continued to dodge, but also slowing down a bit. Then, she yanked back on her stick and the nose of the plane began to turn upwards until it started to go vertical.

The pilot of the Abyssal fighter grinned inside of his own cockpit. It had seen other pilots attempt to use the exact same maneuver before to get behind. It chuckled a little, so predictable. After all, it would take the pilot a few seconds to get out of, which meant that it could take them out. Far too easy, but then it could help it's fellows in taking out the planes that had cost them several Abyssals less than fifteen minutes before.

Unfortunately for it, and fortunately for the pilot, that was not what happened.

Engines screaming into the early morning air as they clawed at the air, the entire frame being put under enormous strain. Through the cockpit, for a few seconds, the pilot could see some of the last stars of morning twinkling seem in front of the nose of her F-15J(S), the Earth and Ocean directly below her engines as her plane entered a perfect Pugachev cobra... and then went beyond.

At that moment, time seemed to slow for both the Tengu pilot and the Abyssal, with the latter feeling the stirrings of disbelief as the F-15 in front of it began to go upside down. Inside of the Abyssal Fighter, the Imp Pilot felt it's jaw drop as the pilot of the human aircraft turned the Cobra into a full on loop that was no longer than the F-15 itself. Looking up, it's eyes met those of Ai's behind her visor as her plane, and his, were in-line with each other. The thrust of Ai's original speed still continuing to push her plane in the original direction while the plane itself was backwards and upside down compared to what it had been. The plane performing what should would have boggled the original designers...

A Kulbit maneuver, which was hard to pull off in a F-22 and should have been impossible in a F-15, yet that was what the pilot was performing.

Both sets of eyes met for that moment that stretched on into eternity. Pilots on the opposite sides of the war, wanting nothing more than to kill one another. One, wanting to simply slaughter and glory in the death and destruction, the other wanting to protect and put a stop to the other. Aerial predators locked in a dance of death, which now only had one possible outcome...

For it's part, the Abyssal Fighter tried to break away in a hard turn, but it was too late as the human Fighter came down behind it and shreded it with twenty millimeter rounds. Even as the enemy aircraft came apart in black, Abyssal steel and flames, Ai already threw her plane into a hard turn, her magic coating it as she fought the winds and G-forces, the world above the cockpit twirling as she shreeked downwards, like her ancient ancestors once did upon their foes in times long since past. Now, her blood sang within her veins even as it was attempted to be shoved into the lower part of her body as it called out to her aircraft... and her plane answered.

Levelling off, she sent burst after burst from her gun, the rounds tearing into and shreading the Abyssal aircraft following her wingmate.

Over the radio, the other pilot thanked her before the two formed up and turned hard. Despite everything it had been through, Ai's plane did not give up. As long as she fought, so did it. And with her at it's side, it would not, with the Tengu magic singing through it's frame as much as the blood sang in Ai's, the two were near one in combat...
____________________________________________________________________

Hand against the Fighter's nose, Ai gently stroked it with a soft smile before looking away and towards the Summoning Pool. Tilting her head, she gave a raised eyebrow at Gyaru, "Hmm?"

The tanned female pilot gave her Yokai friend a raised eyebrow, "How many more airships are there do you figure?"

Considering the question for a few moments, Ai frowned in thought, "Not too many, I believe. Why do you ask?"

With a small shrug, Gyaru frowned a bit, "Just wondering what you think will happen with your plane once that day comes. Afterwards, we're not really going to be using the Summoning Pool for much."

Placing her hands into her pockets, the Tengu sighed, "I... do not know."

Kudzu looked at the plane, patting it gently on the wing as he did so before turning, "Well, we could probably raise enough money to buy it." At the confused looks, he shrugged, "Have her turned into a gate guard."

For a few moments, Ai considered that before shaking her head, "Even if we had enough money to buy her, a gate guard position is not quite what I would wish for her." Expression becoming gentle, she sighed, "A museum, perhaps. Where she could be properly honoured and taken care of out of the elements."

Bemused, the Okinawan of the group chuckled, "You treat your plane as if she was your own daughter, Tengu."

Several minutes passed as they continued their conversation, including talk of the new plane that Ai will be getting though she expressed regret that it would not be her old one. But soon, they left. However, before they did, Ai gave her old plane a last pat on the nose and a smile, "Thank you again, old friend. May your rest be long and peaceful..."

With that, she left being the last one out and turning off the lights as she did so.

Darkness enveloped the room and there was silence except for the odd breeze that drifted through the room, carrying with it the scent of incense. But other than that, it was still and quiet... until there was the small sound of a squeak. One that was followed by another such sound.

At the back of the plane, one of the ailerons shook as it moved into a different postion. That was followed by the one on the opposite side of the plane doing much the same. Short minutes later, the lights on the edges of the wings began to glow, providing light to the room. All the while, inside the cockpit, electronics slowly flickered on one by one as the stick and switches moved on their own despite how old they were. And if one listened, they might have just been able to hear the turbines, which supposedly were rusted in place, move slightly as the radio in the cockpit crackled to life.

If one was there, they might have been able to smell ozone along with another smell. The smell of a mountain breeze, just barely there. A smell that many Yokai would have recognized as being the smell of Tengu magic.

Hanging from the ceiling, some of the lights flickered and glowed slightly, soon beginning to move in the strengthening breeze. Meanwhile, in the Summoning Pool, the water sloshed this way and that. And one could smell incense as the sticks left behind began to smoke.

But then, as soon as it had begun, it ended. The smoke stopped rising from the incense sticks, and the water stopped sloshing around. As well, the breeze that had been building up died off itself, the lights in the ceiling slowly dying away. And as for the F-15J(S) that sat in it's place, the turbines in it's engines stopped turning. Meanwhile, within the cockpit, the lights slowly died off and the stick stopped moving. The radio, too, stopped working. Finally, the lights on the edges of the wings died out and left the room once more dark and silent...

For now, anyways.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A.N.-Happy Veteran's Day/Armistice Day everyone! Dedicating this one to all those whose sacrifices purchased safe lives for us.

A Courtship in Emerald (VII)

August 24th, 1944

Notre-Dame de Paris, Paris, France (176 Miles From The Normandy Invasion Beaches)

An elderly woman in a nun's habit, yet unbowed by age and her long stewardship looked out over Paris from her appointed place on the Île de la Cité.

She had endured much in her long, long life.

Seven hundred and eighty-one years before this day, her cornerstone had been laid and blessed by Pope Alexander III, assisted by Bishop Maurice de Sully who had conceived her in his wisdom as a church worthy of Paris.

A century after that first stone was laid, this great bell tower where she looked out over her city had been completed by the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of those workers who had labored in faith to create something that they would never see finished as her vaults and flying buttresses rose to the heavens in one of the great masterworks of Gothic architecture.

She had been built, rebuilt, desecrated, reconsecrated, damaged, repaired, and restored over the centuries at the hands of Frenchmen both wise and foolish, pious and profane.

She had witnessed much.

Popes had come to her hallowed halls to celebrate the Divine. Kings and Emperors had been crowned within her, and then solemnly laid to rest as their lives were celebrated under her quiet gaze.

Her voice had called her city, her flock, her children to celebrate the birth of a Dauphin, mourn the death of a beloved monarch, announce the canonization of a saint, warn of fire, riot, and insurrection, and merely to tell the time to come to her always-open doors and pray for those beloved humble souls under her care who could not afford a clock or read and write but merely believe.

She had not just endured and witnessed but also inspired Victor Hugo to write one of the great works of French literature about a hunchback who was given sanctuary within her walls to ring her bells.

With that thought, her fingers gently touched Emmanuel, the great bronze tenor bell that was the largest of her carillon, as she listened to the crack of rifles, and boom of cannons ringing out across Paris.
Spoiler: Les cloches de Notre Dame

Dark, soulful eyes filled with her tears for her flock who were even now martyring themselves on the street barricades against the invading occupiers. She knew better than any other, perhaps, the importance of faithful sacrifice leading to martyrdom and the rewards that awaited them behind the veil.

She had seen that many times before, not least in the faith of a brave young woman who would go from sight of her spires to her willing death at the stake to become canonized as a unstained immortal banner to rally her homeland to liberate itself.

For more than any other, Notre-Dame de Paris embodied what it was to be French.

And as the first tank crewed by the Free French Second Armored Division (Leclerc) reached the plaza before her doors, the hands of one of her priests grasped the rope and she called across her city once more with her mighty voice in the joy-filled sound of her pealing bells.

Awakening the voices of her daughters from St-Denis who watched over 43 Kings and 32 Queens of France where they slumbered in her crypt beneath sculpted marble effigies, to Sacre-Coeur crowning the heights of Montmartre in gold and stained glass, to the young barely century-old La Madeline with her statue of Saint Jeanne D'Arc, to the tallest of her daughters, Dôme des Invalides, whose charge was to be the eternal sentry of the tombs of France's war heroes with Napoleon Bonaparte himself laid to rest under her gilded dome and battle trophies.

Libération de Paris!

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

In the French Ministry of Magic, tears of joy filled the eyes of two half-sisters who had just helped secure the building from Grindelwald's forces in fierce combat.

For they were hearing the church bells pealing across Paris and knew deep in their souls what that meant.

The one tying a bandage around her sister's arm was the child of an aristocratic Catholic Squib family who had lost her beloved sister in the Terror of the French Revolution. She had endured much in her long life as the daughter of one of the most colorful women in French history, and her scars in defense of her mother's homeland ran deep indeed, although well-hidden underneath her cool aristocratic facade.

Now that facade cracked and shattered at long last.

Colombe du Chasteler smiled happily as tears of joy and relief filled her eyes, for after five long years of combat with only the faintest of hopes to sustain her, at last her faith and efforts had been rewarded.

The heart of the country she perhaps thought of home more than many others where she had walked was free at last.

Her sister who gave her a matching tear-filled smile was the daughter of a Huguenot wizarding family who had fled religious persecution by the then-King to the New World where they put down deep roots. Only to one day have a daughter of their daughters return to La Patrie to help liberate France from the Nazi boot-heel crushing her.

A daughter who had drank deep of the American belief in the Rights of Man, of Liberty, and Freedom, and so had volunteered to cross the great oceans once more in a great crusade against tyranny and evil. A daughter whose own tears flowed and smile blossomed at the bells of Notre Dame heralding a new birth of freedom in one of the cradles of Western Civilization.

For Delilah de Breuil had seen her own sacrifices of all that she ever was and ever would be laid upon the Altar of Freedom be accepted and rewarded in this moment.

Leaf-green eyes met crystal blue eyes in a moment of shared understanding.

"There will be a Te Deum celebration of gratitude tomorrow. Just like for the crowning of a monarch or the birth of a crown prince. But... I haven't been to Church in decades, Del. Well... the last time was 1870. That long." Colombe shook her head and blushed in embarrassment.

"And I'm United Methodist, Sis. Mother converted during the Great Awakening of the 1850s shortly after having me. I don't even know how a Catholic high mass goes, so you will have to be my guide to all the Latin. We're going, Sis."

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

August 25th, 1944

Potter Manor
Spoiler: A Te Deum In Notre-Dame

A gold-haired figure knelt in the family chapel before a simple, although finely carved wooden crucifix. Shoulders shook in emotion inside her plain peasant garb and her eyes teared up with all the feelings that hearing the latest radio report of the fighting in France had stirred within her.

Her head bowed over her clasped hands, and her lips parted, and she began to joyfully sing words engraved upon her heart.

Words written in the Fourth Century by Saint Ambrosius.

Words preserved in the Frankish Hymnal of the Eighth Century.

Words set to music at the order of Louis XIV, the Sun King and the greatest of the French monarchs himself, by his court composer Jean-Baptiste Lully in the Seventeenth Century as one of the masterpieces of French Baroque music.

Words now sung by Charles de Gaulle, Colombe du Chasteler, and Delilah de Breuil among the joyful voices of the people of Paris that filled Notre Dame's vaults, stained glass, and spires.

Words sung in the style of the High Middle Ages of the Fifteenth Century by the manifested spirit of the Sword of Saint Catherine, carried into battle to defend France by Saint Joan of Arc herself.

Te Deum laudámus: te Dominum confitémur.
Te ætérnum Patrem omnis terra venerátur.
Tibi omnes Angeli; tibi cæli et univérsae potestátes.
Tibi Chérubim et Séraphim incessábili voce proclámant:
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dóminus Deus Sábaoth.
Pleni sunt cæli et terra majestátis glóriæ tuæ.
Te gloriósus Apostolórum chorus;
Te Prophetárum laudábilis númerus;
Te Mártyrum candidátus laudat exércitus.
Te per orbem terrárum sancta confitétur Ecclésia:
Patrem imménsæ majestátis;
Venerándum tuum verum et únicum Fílium;
Sanctum quoque Paráclitum Spíritum.
Tu Rex glóriæ, Christe.
Tu Patris sempitérnus es Fílius.
Tu ad liberándum susceptúrus hóminem, non horruísti Vírginis úterum.
Tu, devícto mortis acúleo,
aperuísti credéntibus regna cælórum.
Tu ad déxteram Dei sedes, in glória Patris.
Judex créderis esse ventúrus.
Te ergo quǽsumus, tuis fámulis súbveni,
quos pretióso sánguine redemísti.
Ætérna fac cum sanctis tuis in glória numerári.
Salvum fac pópulum tuum, Dómine, et bénedic hæreditáti tuæ.
Et rege eos, et extólle illos usque in ætérnum.
Per síngulos dies benedícimus te.
Et laudámus nomen tuum in sǽculum, et in sǽculum sǽculi.
Dignáre, Dómine, die isto sine peccáto nos custodíre.
Miserére nostri, Dómine, miserére nostri.
Fiat misericórdia tua, Dómine, super nos, quemádmodum sperávimus in te.
In te, Dómine, sperávi: non confúndar in ætérnum.
Spoiler: Translation
We praise thee, O God : we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship thee : the Father everlasting.
To thee all Angels cry aloud : the Heavens, and all the Powers therein.
To thee Cherubim and Seraphim : continually do cry,
Holy, Holy, Holy : Lord God of Sabaoth;
Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty : of thy glory.
The glorious company of the Apostles : praise thee.
The goodly fellowship of the Prophets : praise thee.
The noble army of Martyrs : praise thee.
The holy Church throughout all the world : doth acknowledge thee;
The Father : of an infinite Majesty;
Thine honourable, true : and only Son;
Also the Holy Ghost : the Comforter.
Thou art the King of Glory : O Christ.
Thou art the everlasting Son : of the Father.
When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man : thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb.
When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death :
thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God : in the glory of the Father.
We believe that thou shalt come : to be our Judge.
We therefore pray thee, help thy servants :
whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.
Make them to be numbered with thy Saints : in glory everlasting.
O Lord, save thy people : and bless thine heritage.
Govern them : and lift them up for ever.
Day by day : we magnify thee;
And we worship thy Name : ever world without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord : to keep us this day without sin.
O Lord, have mercy upon us : have mercy upon us.
O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us : as our trust is in thee.
O Lord, in thee have I trusted : let me never be confounded.

Zamarad appeared at the door to the chapel and then approached to kneel beside Catherine. Hesitantly the Ifrit prayed in turn for the speedy conclusion of the war and the safe return of a chestnut-haired Muramasa with leaf-green eyes.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Water hitting her face from shell splashes. Mogami grimaced before bringing up her guns. It took only brief moments before they fired, the recoil rocking her back a little. After a couple of seconds, she fired again, while glancing at the sky with one eye cloudy. Some might have thought that she was blind in that eye...

And could not have been more wrong.

Even as she was firing her guns on a Ha-Class, Mogami was "Seeing" through the eyes of her planes in that eye. High above the Aviation Cruiser, her Fighters and the Abyssals fought in a furball. A thin smile crossed Mogami's lips and she chuckled, "Well, I was complaining about being bored."

Guns firing and shooting down some Torpedo Bombers, Asakaze growled a bit at her, "So this is your fault!?"

Shooting her a smirk, the Aviation Cruiser laughed, "Hai! Besides, convoy escort would be boring without some excitement!"

Eyebrow twitching, Asakaze lashed out with a foot, catching an enemy Destroyer in the midsection and followed up with a punch that sent it flying, "WHEN WE GET BACK, I'M KICKING YOUR ASS!"

Just winking, Mogami grinned, "You can try!" Her grin fell away though as she frowned, "Though this is odd... wonder what got them all riled up now? Usually, they don't attack in these numbers and..." Backhanding a PT Imp, causing it to practically explode, she took only a moment to shake off her hand of the oil and other substances, "And something is not right here."

Matsukaze blinked and looked at her, "Wait, what? Seriously?" A moment later, a shot from a Ro-Class knocked her hat from her head which she grabbed before it flew off... only to see that the top was missing and smoking. Briefly, the shipgirl had a dismayed look before she wailed, "MY HAT!"

When she launched herself at the offending Destroyer, Kamikaze groaned, "We told you about the hat! Why do you keep carrying that around!?"

Even as she grabbed the panicking Ro by the tail and swung it into another, the hat wearing shipgirl scowled, "BECAUSE IT LOOKS GOOD ON ME, DAMMIT! AND BECAUSE IT LETS EVERYONE KNOW THAT I AM SUAVE!"

Tone dry, Asakaze gave her a look, "That last is a lie, you know."

"YOU WANNA FIGHT!?"

Rolling her eyes, Mogami sighed before shaking her head and frowning as some of her planes that were not involved in the every increasing furball above continued backtracking the Abyssals. Though she breathed a sigh of relief as Suzuya's planes returned to join up with hers, {Thanks, Imouto!}

Laughs answered her over the radio as Suzuya answered her back, {Well, I can't let you get that banged up! Otherwise your girlfriend might get angry at me!}

Softly snorting, and shooting another Destroyer, Mogami smirked a bit, {Yuzuki-Chan? Nah, she would kick my ass and shout at me for being a baka boku. She likes you after all.}

More laughter answered her even as she heard her sister's guns, {True, and the feeling's mutual. You did good in getting her as a girlfriend, Nee-San.}

That brought a smile to Mogami's face and she gave a nod, {Thanks. Though I do know that.}

Right then though, the smile fell from her face as her scouts came into view and paled. Seeing that, Harukaze frowned, even as she fired torpedoes at a Ta-Class that was distracted, "Mogami-San? What's wrong?"

Face set into a grim line, the Aviation Cruiser took a deep breath, "Remember what I said about wanting more excitement?" At their nods even as they fought to protect the convoy, which was making full speed towards the safety of Fukuoka, Mogami sighed, "Yeah... I regret about... every fucking thing right now."

Over the radio, Suzuya's voice came through, {How bad?}

Giving the matter some thought, Mogami answered, "We got not just that bitch Ancient Destroyer Princess coming, and her two Demons... but some new Princess it looks like with Abyssal Seaplanes. A really, really fucking wierd looking one at that. Horns, mask on their face, looks like something from a damn Kabuki play."

A snort could be heard from the other Aviation Cruiser, {You're joking...} Moments later, one of her planes spotted the same Abyssal, {... You're not kidding. What the hell...? It really does look like something from a Kabuki play!}

Eyes narrowing, Mogami looked around before frowning, "Wait..." It was then that she realized something and her eyes widened, "They're not attacking the Convoy! At least not beyond potshots!"

Head whipping around, Kamikaze frowned, "Then why are they attacking us!?"

Quickly running through everything, the Aviation Cruiser frowned, "I don't... No, wait, could it be...?" Chewing her lip, even as she reloaded another group of planes, Mogami shook her head, "I think... no, I'm sure that I know! They're trying to make a breakthrough!"

Suzuya's voice was full of confusion as she called back, {A breakthough?}

Grimacing, Mogami nodded before scowling, "We've had them bottled up in the Sea of Japan for years now. Between us, the Koreans, and the Chinese as well as the Russians up in Sakhalin? We've been wearing them down. If they don't break out into the Pacific, we're going to corner them soon enough and then sink them. They got no damn choice!" Right then, she noticed something out of the corner of her eye and was turning her head in time to get nailed roughly just in front of and above her ear by a bomb, "ARGH!"

Various other shipgirls called out her name, "MOGAMI!"

For the Cruiser in question, her vision swam as she lurched violently, with everything blurring and going double. At the same time, her head rang like a gong had gone off inside of it and her fuel tanks sloshed violently while her neck strained. Part of her mind noted the wetness that was even now dripping down her neck. To a human, what she was experiencing would have been the equivalent of a concussion. Stumbling, her guns still came up and fired at an Abyssal Destroyer that leapt at her, blowing it apart. Voice slurring, Mogami swayed, "Smmmokay... jusss a sit hurt..."

Over the radio, Suzuya's voice could be easily heard, {THE FUCK YOU ARE! I'LL BE THERE IN FIVE! HOLD POSITION!} To Mogami, it seemed like seconds before two arms grabbed her still stumbling form and her sister's face filled her field of vision, "Dammit, Nee-San! How many fingers am I holding up?!"

Blinking, Mogami noted that she was only really able to see out of one eye, "... Shree...?"

Teeth gritting, the other Cruiser growled, "Baka! I'm not holding up any fingers!" Turning towards the Destroyers, she snarled, "We're doing a fighting retreat! Cover the convoy, let them break the hell through if needed! Natori! Punch us a hole through these bastards!"

Said Light Cruiser's voice could be heard over the radio, {ON IT! COME ON, BRING IT! FUMIKAZE! HAKIKAZE! WITH ME!} A few minutes later, which in a battle was practically forever, Natori spoke up, {AND WE'RE THROUGH!}

With a nod, still supporting Mogami, Suzuya nodded, "Thanks! On our way!"

Another voice then came over the radio, a familiar American accented voice that held range beneath it's depths, {What is the situation?}

Glancing at her sister, Suzuya gave a shake of the head, "Mogami is injured with a hit to her bridge. She's conscious, but concussed at the least. We're currently fighting off a full on breakthrough attack of lead by Ancient Destroyer Princess, her Demons, and an unknown Princess with air capabilities. We are currently covering the convoy."

Fusou could then be heard as she sighed, {How unfortunate, such misfortune...}

Dark chuckles could be heard before Pennsylvania's voice came over the radio, {For them, perhaps. Ladies, form up into a Battle Line, we're going in hard.}

Various answers came over the radio in confirmation.

Mere minutes later, the Battleline composed of Pennsylvania, Arizona, Fusou, Yamashiro, and Hyuuga slammed into the Abyssal lines just north of where the Convoy was making use of the break in the lines. Having recovered slightly, though still dazed and with blood dripping down the side of her neck, Mogami continued to fire alongside Suzuya, while above, Zuihou's fighters now joined the air battle, shooting down Abyssal after Abyssal. A lopsided grin crossed her face as other planes joined in from Unryuu's and the battle shifted in the shipgirl's favor.

Elsewhere in the Battle, Pennsylvania narrowed her eyes as she got into a duel with a Ta-Class, lips curling into a snarl before shouting her next order, "TURN AND PRESENT BROADSIDE! ... FIRE!"

All her guns barked one after another, as did her fellow Battleships with them straddling the Abyssal Battleships as both sides attempted to cross the other's T. Around and between them, the smaller Light Cruisers and Destroyers fought their own battle. Often trading physical blows as much as shells as one Chi-Class lining up for a torpedo run on Yamashiro and Fusou learned when Shigure appeared from the smoke and slugged her in the face even as her torn clothes whipped in the wind, "NOT TODAY!"

Staggering backward, the Torpedo Cruiser didn't have time to react as Shigure's arm grabbed it in a chokehold and twisted, while at the same time the Destroyer brought her knee up into it's back. For a brief second there was the sound of straining steel before two cracks were heard as the Abyssal's neck and back were snapped in twain. A shot from Shigure's cannon finished it off as the torpedoes the Abyssal had cooked off moments later, blowing it apart. Ignoring the slight cuts on her cheek, Shigure charged right back into the battle as shells from the Battleships on both sides fell around her.

Once, she had lost her friends, seen Fusou and Yamashiro sunk...

Never again.

Watching from the corner of her eye, Yamashiro gave a nod as she watched Shigure leap into the air and drive her foot into the stomach of a leaping I-Class with was followed up with a point blank shot at it's eye, "Hmm... Shigure-Chan is certainly in fine form."

Eyes observing as a Ru-Class blew apart as their Battle line managed to get into position to cross the T, Fusou happily smiled, "Hai, in this case Shigure-Chan is quite fortunate... and such misfortune for the Abyssals."

Propellers hungrily chewing into the water as she twisted, Shimakaze's Renshou-Chans fired at Abyssals left and right as she used her speed to her advantage. The Destroyer and her sisters weaved in and out of the battle, often with the first signs of the opposing Abyssals knowing that they were there was hits from their guns or torpedo runs. Watching as her spread of Torpedoes slammed into, and blew apart a crippled Abyssal Ta-Class, Shimakaze grinned, "Ou! Good shot!"

A grunt escaped from Arizona as her armor belt bounced one Ru-Class' shell before said Battleship died to a salvo from both Arizona and Pennslyvania, "An extremely good shot, Shimakaze!"

Moments later, Shimakaze's "Thanks Mom" brought a slight blush to the American's cheeks.

Just behind and around the Battleships, Atlanta and her sister Juneau, put enough flak into the air that no aircraft got close to the Battleships, while Agano added hers as well to the anti-air from her fellow Cruisers, the Destroyers, and the Battleships themselves with Pennsylvania putting up so much that at times only her glowing, rage and hate filled eyes could be seen through the gunsmoke.

Between the fleeing convoy forces and the battleline approaching from Sasebo, the Abyssals knew who was their major threat and turned before slamming into the relief forces. Something that made Mogami and the others breath a sigh of relief. As soon the convoy was within the sight of coastal artillery, Suzuya and the others with minor damage split away from the rest of the convoy and slammed into the battle from their direction. Mogami was one of those as she had recovered enough to operate though still being able to see out of only one eye.

That was enough to break the Abyssal offensive and they began to try and flee. Unfortunately, the unknown Princess managed to get through the Tsushima Strait with some forces, while Ancient Destroyer Princess and her Demons fled back into the Sea of Japan. It was an exhausted, though victorious, group that returned to Fukuoka Naval Station as it was the closest Repair Dock.

Upon reaching the launch ramp, Mogami stumbled a bit as her injuries and exhaustion caught up to her. As she fell though, she was caught by two arms and looked up to find Yuzuki there with a frown on her face, "Uh..."

Scowling, the Ushi-Onna glared at her girlfriend, "If you were not injured right now, I would punch you for continuing the battle when injured!" She then sighed before lifting the Cruiser up into a bridal carry, making Mogami squawk, "Which means that I will just need to make do with this, I suppose."

All Suzuya did was shake her head as both the convoy and Sasebo group watched in amusement as Mogami complained about being manhandled and the like as her girlfriend carried her to the Repair Docks. Though they could all also tell that the shipgirl didn't actually mind all that much when it came to it. Chuckling with Matsukaze's arm over her shoulder as she helped the Destroyer along, Hiroko shook her head, "Well... Mogami-Chan is going to be getting a talking to once she's healed..."

Matsukaze shrugged a bit before wincing at the stab of pain in her side, though she still smirked, "Followed by a wild, passonate makeup."

Rolling her eyes, Yuzuki's sister sighed, "Stop." As they continued to walk along, she smiled a bit, "At least you all won this one."

Simply waving a hand, the top hat wearing Destroyer chuckled, "Well, I got my arm around a hot girl. Pretty sure that is winning by anyone's standard."

Once more, Hiroko rolled her eyes and shook her head, though some noted she had a slight blush, "Yeah, yeah, you charmer. Let's get you to the Repair Dock..."

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A Courtship in Emerald (VIII)

September 4th, 1944

Ministère Royal de Sorcellerie/Koninklijk Ministerie van Magische Zaken, Brussels, Belgium, (325 miles from Normandy Invasion Beaches)
Spoiler: A Crusade For Freedom

Henry Potter looked at the two visibly exhausted women standing in front of him. One hand idly caressed the hilt of Juuchi Yosamu as she hung from her sheath attached to the Sam Browne belt of his British Army colonel's uniform.

"Aunt Colombe, Delilah, you both look like death warmed over." He finally said, as the Muramasa katana rattled in agreement.

The weary rapier sighed from her bandaged face. "Some of Grindlewald's fanatics stayed behind and were planning to use Fiendfyre and alchemical compounds to incinerate Brussels when the Allies' armored spearheads entered town to slow them down and do as much damage as possible. We stopped them, but...." An eloquent shrug.

Delilah de Breuil picked up the statement. "That bitch Vinda Rosier was leading them and managed to escape us. We had to defuse the bombs, which gave her the chance to Apparate away. No clue as to where."

Henry nodded slowly. "I see. No leads?"

Delilah shook her head. "None usable. They are getting more clever, the safe that had their documents and orders also had an Obscurial trapped inside it. Edward Bones got blown apart when he opened it and we had to put that down too. Fortunately the wards on the Ministry building kept it contained in here."

"I see." Henry rubbed his chin. "No luck with the French Malfoys either, although they are no longer a concern for us." His sword gave a series of smug rattles and he tapped her hilt with a finger. "Hush you."

As the Potter Blood Sword gave an annoyed rattle as she subsided, Henry nodded. "Right. I'll take over things here. Aunt Colombe, you haven't checked in on Moulbaix, have you?"

"Non." Colombe shook her head, her voice hoarse and exhausted.

"Do that then. I'll write orders for you two to secure Moulbaix and then stand by for further instructions." Henry pulled out a scroll of parchment and a quill and scribbled on it, then signed it. "There we go, all nice and tight by ICW standards. Check my memory, Aunt Colombe, you don't have a Floo connection there."

Colombe nodded. "I do not. My family were classified as Non-Magique descended from Squibs and also, considering my legal difficulties...."

Henry nodded "Which are only suspended for the duration of the fight against Grindlewald. Just check on your home and then take some personal time; you deserve it after the last five years."

He then pulled out an official US Army order form and repeated the process, finally tapping his wand on it to forge General Courtney Hodges' signature. "Welcome to First Army Intelligence Staff, Major de Breuil, Captain du Chasteler. You are ordered to 'hand deliver vital documents captured from occupation authorities in Brussels' to me in the ICW liaison office attached to SHAEF command in Paris. Monday of week after next. Now get some sleep and then go requisition a jeep from the nearest motor pool and get on the road."

The two women nodded as they took their orders and cast spells to shift their shoulder patches to the black A on gold representing First Army. "C'mon, Sis. I saw a hotel two blocks down the street when we were preparing to storm this building and I have a pocket full of dollars both in paper and coin. Let's enrich the local economy some."

September 5th, 1944

Ath, Belgium
Spoiler: Return to Moulbaix

"Papers!" The British Military Policeman held up his hand to the jeep heading back from the front as it reached the checkpoint.

Delilah stopped the jeep as her sister was jarred awake. "Here you go, Sergeant." with that she handed over the orders as she mentally reinforced the spells making her and her sister appear to be male officers.

The MP frowned as he flipped through the papers and then saluted. "Very good, sir. Just be aware that we have had some stay behinds and stragglers taking potshots at supply convoys so be alert."

Delilah nodded and tapped the SMG next to her. "That's why we grabbed an armed jeep for this transfer, Sergeant. Ahh, what happened there?" She pointed to a group of villagers scrubbing the cobblestones underneath a bullet-pocked wall surrounding a church and cemetery.

"Jerry happened, sir. Right before we liberated this village, someone saw the villagers preparing Belgian flags. They grabbed two dozen of the locals and machine-gunned them there as a warning to the rest. Bastards."

Delilah nodded, her eyes cold. "Bastards indeed. We'll keep an eye out for them. Keep up the good work."

With that she drove through the checkpoint and turned onto a farm lane. Colombe spoke, her voice hoarse as her tears fell. "Those were my people. My responsibility."

Delilah glanced over at her sister. "This sounds personal, Sis."

Colombe nodded. "That village belongs to my estate. I was baptized in that church. And I wasn't there to protect them from the Boche bastards who did that atrocity."

Delilah reached over and squeezed Colombe's shoulder as she stopped the jeep. "I'm sorry, Sis. You did all that you could be expected to do and more. Now let me climb in the back and cock the Ma Deuce just in case those bastards are still around."

Her eyes turned steely as she chambered a round and put her fingers on the triggers of the pintle mounted M2 .50 caliber heavy machine gun in the rear of the jeep. "I hope they are."

Colombe put the jeep into gear from her new position in the driver's seat. "Me too, Del, me too."

With those words she continued her drive toward her home.

September 5th, 1944

Castle Moulbaix, Belgium

Colombe parked the jeep next to the stable house that she had converted into a garage in the 1920s. She breathed in and out deeply in memory as the motor died. Her eyes scanned the woodlot surrounding the castle, with the unharvested apples on the trees that her Papa had ordered planted for his table and that she had walked underneath as a tow-headed young girl among the saplings.

Delilah finished her own scan. "All quiet here, Sis." With that observation, the Muramasa revolver leapt out of the jeep and drew her wand. "Nice charmwork on the No-Maj repelling wards."

"Thank you. I reinforced them heavily in 1938 after I returned from Spain. This is... not the first time that the Boche have overrun Belgium in warfare before." Colombe responded absently, her eyes still looking at the trees.

"Sis... Are you all right?" Delilah spoke quietly.

Colombe shook herself and finally turned to the apparently-abandoned castle. "Oui, just... memories."

Delilah nodded and gently hugged her sister one-armed. "I can relate. I miss the Dakotas and our estate in the Allegheny Mountains dearly too. Still, we need to see what happened here. I wouldn't put it past Hitler or Grindlewald to loot this place just to spite you."

Colombe nodded in agreement and then drew her rapier. "I would put very little past either of them. Not after everything that I have seen."

With that they approached the oaken doors under the du Chasteler coat of arms. Colombe raised a hand as she reached the steps and chanted two counterspells in a throaty Bantu language from Africa. "There. That disarms the lethal traps."

Delilah nodded as she hefted her revolver. "Out of professional interest, what would they have done?"

Colombe smirked smugly. "The first would have run molten bronze through the marrow of every bone in your skeleton. The second is a bound leopard spirit to rend your soul apart. I learned both in Africa."

Delilah gave a matching smug grin. "Nice. That's one way to deal with pesky neighbors."

Colombe nodded absently as she touched the carved oak of the door and closed her eyes. Her lips opened and she spoke in a hoarse voice. "Papa, I have come back at last. I'm sorry that it took so long."

Delilah did not know what to say to her sister's obvious emotional distress as the door opened at Colombe's touch.

Inside the entrance hall was cavernous and gloomy. Delilah automatically swept the room with her eyes, making note of doors along both walls, and the grand staircase directly ahead leading up to a larger-than-life-sized painting of an aristocrat before branching off to balconies lining the left and right sides.

A perfect firing gallery and killzone, she idly noted as she locked on movement to the right.

A large shirtless black man with a shaved head and obvious muscles appeared in the door, an axe in his hands.

"KASUYU!" Colombe's joy filled voice rang out as she sprinted across the floor to embrace him. Delilah lowered her aim as they embraced. She sketched a glyph with her wand and her eyebrows climbed as her spell revealed that he was a weapon spirit like she and her sisters were.

"Welcome home, Mistress. Who is your friend?" the African axe spirit rumbled.

"Ah, Kasuyu, meet my younger sister Delilah de Breuil." Colombe responded through her tears of joy and relief.

"Hello and pleased to meet you," Delilah responded, sheathing her weapons and then walking over to extend her hand to Kasuyu. "Do you have a fireplace somewhere secure?"

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

Delilah finished sketching Lakota pictoglyphs with her wand into the stone fireplace in the upstairs study that she had been led to. With that she turned to the others. "This makes this a Floo portal but only triggered when you empower these specific glyphs." She pointed to three glowing runes as Kasuyu and Colombe leaned close. "The authorities over here won't be able to detect transits to and from it as it links into the MACUSA transport network of spells with the MIB designation that we use to keep some of our safe houses safe from the nomajs and... other people."

Colombe nodded. "And using it to other locations?"

Delilah smirked smugly and her eyes sparkled, "It will bounce you into MACUSA's domestic network then back to wherever your final destination is internationally. To return, just preface the address with Magical Information Bureau-Castle Moulbaix."

"Clever," Colombe mused as she rubbed her chin. "Very clever."

Delilah smugged, "Thanks Sis. I was not first in my class in Ilvermorny for transportation spells for no reason. I will run up some Portkeys to here too with your permission as well for me and Jackie."

Colombe nodded and leaned against a gilded and engraved antique piano. "Agreed. So, what now?"
Spoiler: Reunion

Delilah's smirk turned triumphant. "What now? I'll tell you what now." She threw a handful of Floo Powder in the flames to turn them green. "I'm going to spend my two weeks of vacation very productively indeed. Potter Manor!"

With that she stepped inside and vanished in a puff of verdant flame.

Potter Manor, England

Zamarad looked up from her book as the flames in the fireplace across from her in the library turned jade-green and she sensed an arriving presence in the fire.

Instinctively, she called upon the powers of her heritage to prepare to defend the people who had saved her, accepted her, befriended her.

The flames roiled and reformed into the image of a young woman in a mud-spattered and stained US army uniform. Facing her was a young Arabian woman in a red-orange bedlah combination of a short top exposing her midriff, embroidered vest, and puffy semi-transparent silk pantaloons above slippers.

A gold oak leaf on Delilah's collar denoted her rank in the MACUSA Corps of Aurors and the US Army fighting to liberate Europe. A gold and ruby ring binding Zamarad's spirit gleamed and sparkled with the heaving of the bosom upon which it rested.

Delilah's heart-shaped face was far more careworn, more lined with what she had faced and endured in the months of combat across France and then Belgium. Matching lines of concern, care and worry over the last months as her love fought to protect her and liberate Europe engraved Zamarad's dusky cheeks.

Chestnut red-hair fell around Delilah's shoulders as leaf-green eyes focused on the blazing scarlet mane of hair atop the equally young-seeming Arabian woman looking at her with dawning hope in her blazing emerald eyes. The emerald that had given her name of Zamarad.

Delilah's lips opened while tears filled her eyes as she sprinted toward the equally tear-filled flaming eyes of the Ifrit already hurrying to her waiting embrace of reunion.

"Zamarad. It was a hard road that I had to tread. I came as I was able."

"Shaelat ruwhi. It has been so long, and I worried so much for you. You redeemed your promise."

With that, Delilah de Breuil fell into the warm embrace of her love as her lips met those of Zamarad aibnatu Alnaar at long last.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Once they were far enough from the rest of the group, Mogami muttered a little, "At least this time I didn't faceplant in your tits..."

Glancing at her girlfriend, Yuzuki smirked a bit, "Maybe, that could have been embarrassing for you." Smirk falling away, her expression became one of concern, "I just hate it when you get hurt like this, Mogami-Chan."

Just opening one eye, the Aviation Cruiser gave her a small smile, "Far better that I get hurt than you do. And for that? I got no problem with getting some hard knocks." Getting a snort, she closed her eyes before noticing something, "Sorry about getting blood and stuff on your uniform... probably ruined."

Softly scoffing, Yuzuki shook her head, "Uniforms can be replaced, Mogami-Chan." Looking at the head wound, she winced a bit. For a normal human, even most Yokai, one would question how the person was alive due how bad it looked, with bits of twisted steel here and there poking out of the congealed mess of blood and oil in Mogami's hair. Taking a breath, the Ushi-Onna let it out, "You getting more hurt by tripping in your condition is worse."

Mumbles met her as her girlfriend curled into her, "You're not angry, are you?"

Rolling her eyes, the Ushi-Onna sighed, "No, I'm not angry with you exactly. At the Abyssals? Hai. But not at you... though I don't like seeing you hurt." She frowned a little bit, "Though I am not happy that you went back out into the battle once the convoy got to safety in your condition. That we shall be having a nice, long chat about once you're healed up. Don't doubt that for a moment, Mogami-Chan."

The only thing that Mogami did was place her head on the other woman's shoulders and close her eyes.

It was less than four minutes later that they came to the Repair Docks for the Naval Station, which was small compared to those at most bases. Easily able to support the shipgirl in her arms with her strength, Yuzuki kicked at the door several times and it opened to reveal a young girl who was not much more than thirteen years old. She was wearing an apron with a toolbelt around her waist with her muscular arms revealed by the rolled up shirt. Upon seeing Mogami, she moved to the side to let the Lieutenant through and pointed, "Okay, get her into the Repair Docks and we'll get started on her."

Yuzuki just nodded as she shifted her load some, "Will do."

By the time that Arizona and the others had caught up, Mogami was already in the baths and Yuzuki had tossed her now ruined jacket onto a chair nearby. The American Battleship raised an eyebrow at just how much the Lieutenant filled her shirt now that her jacket was not covering it up, 'I would ask if she was a Battleship, but...' However, she dismissed it just as quickly and gave a small smile, "Lieutenant-"

However, she was not able to get much further as a group of blurs rushed past her and slammed into the disguised Ushi-Onna, drawing a small wince from her as they hit sensitive parts of her, "COMMANDER!"

With an apologetic glance at Arizona, Yuzuki looked down at the little shipgirls now burying their faces in her chest as they whimpered and sniffled, clothes torn and dirtied with soot with the odd cut on them oozing some blood and oil. Gentle, the Lieutenant reached out and stroked their hair, "Shhh... shhhh, it's okay, Hiburi-Chan, Daitou-Chan, Ikuna-Chan, Ootsu-Chan... Everything is fine..."

Tears in her eyes, Ootsu cried a little bit, "We were so scared, Commander! T-there were all these Cruisers, a-and Battleships, a-and lotsa planes... S-so many bad guys a-all around us..."

Continuing to stroke the hair of the various Coastal Defense Ships, Yuzuki nodded, "I know, I heard all about it. But you know what else I heard?" At the shakes of their heads, she smiled, "I also heard about how you all did a great job and protected the cargo ships. Each and every one of you did not break and run from the fight to protect them. An extremely good job, and I am proud of all of you for doing so. It was very, very brave."

A sniffle escaped from Hiburi as she looked up, "I-it was, Commander? A-and you're proud of us?"

Humming, the Liutenant nodded, "Hai, it was. All their captains and crews were talking to me over the radio while you were entering the harbor about it." Not exactly a lie, as some had been doing just that, "It was an excellent job that you did and I am very proud."

From where she was laying in the Repair Pool, Mogami raised one hand and gave them all a thumbs up, "You bunch did awesome."

Simply glancing at the Cruiser, Yuzuki turned back to the four Kaiboukan, "She's right. And you know what else?" When they blinked, she smiled, "If not for you all doing such a good job of protecting the convoy, they would not have been able to fight off the Abyssals because their attention would have been split." Reaching into a pocket, the Ushi-Onna pulled out a small napkin and began to wipe at their faces, "Now, dry those tears, there's nothing to be afraid of."

Despite what she said, more tears welled up and they hugged her all the more tightly, burying their faces in her chest, "COMMANDER!"

Giving Arizona a small shrug, she continued to comfort the young seeming girls. But soon enough, she sent them off to the showers to get ready for their turn in the Repair Baths, though not before telling them that they would have treats later for them. Turning to the American Battleship, Yuzuki gave a sheepish smile before coming to attention and saluting, "Sorry about that, Ma'am."

However, Arizona waved her off with a small smile on her face, "You have nothing to be sorry about, Lieutenant. You were taking care of your people, which is all that can be asked for."

As she nodded, the Ushi-Onna noticed that the Sasebo group was looking around the Repair Docks and she blushed a little, "I'm... sorry that it is not likely up to your standards. We mostly deal with cargo shipgirls and smaller escorts outside of the odd injury of heavier hitters. So we don't have too much room here."

For her part, Yamashiro gave her a small smile, "As you told the little ones, there is nothing to be sorry about, Lieutenant Kuroki. This is fine." She bowed a little to the wide eyed Lieutenant, "We are the ones who are thankful for access to such."

Quickly, Yuzuki bowed back, "Thank you."

Chuckles made her turn to where Mogami was being worked on by the small shipgirl and said Cruiser waved, "See? I told you there was nothing to be worried about."

Moments later, she winced a bit as the shipgirl working on her flicked her ear, "Stop moving around so much, Mogami! It's making it harder to work on you if you do that."

Eyebrow raised, Arizona cleared her throat, "Hello, Miss..."

Flipping the welder's mask she had, the young shipgirl smiled, "Salvage Tug Tategami, Arizona-Sama. Nameship of my class."

She then flipped her mask back down and went back to work as sparks flew as she fixed Mogami up. At seeing the intrigued looks, Yuzuki shrugged some, "We're not big enough for actual Repair Ships. But... Tategami-San works just fine for most of the repair work that is needed here."

With a grunt, Pennslyvana gave a nod, "That is unsurprising as a Salvage Tug can repair ships." She gave the Ushi-Onna a somewhat impressed look, "I will admit that is an impressive form of leveraging what you have."

Lightly blushing, Yuzuki nodded some. A few minutes later, she sighed a bit as the Kaiboukans, who she was patting the heads of, were all in the Repair Pool as were the others. She did raise a small eyebrow at the sight of Shigure, who was laying between Fusou and Yamashiro with her drowsy head pillowed on the chest of one of the Battleships, but shook it off. With a small nod, she sighed, "I hate to leave, but... I must go and make my report on what just happened."

Arizona just smiled from where she laid with a now dozing Shimakaze on her shoulder, the fast Destroyer's other sisters arrayed around the American, "That is fine, Lieutenant, thank you." Pausing, she gave a small nod of her own, "I'll make sure that my own report will be given to you as well."

Giving her a salute, the JMSDF Officer left after a few quiet whispers with "Her" girls, including the small escorts as well as Mogami and the Destroyers. Though she smirked a bit at her sister, who was staying behind a bit to chat with the Kamikaze sisters for a few minutes. Shaking that off, Yuzuki left for her office, feeling a slight bit of exhaustion in her bones before glancing out at the harbour. She could see the convoy slowly being brought to where they were meant to be offloaded. As well, there were a few of the cargo Shipgirls also at the pier being offloaded.

Despite the battle that they were just in, they knew their business. First would be offloaded and then checking for damage followed by a visit to the Repair Docks. With a sigh, she finished her walk towards her Office and entered it to find her Secretary Ship, Noshiro-Maru, already putting together reports. The shipgirl had similar looks to the Cruiser that also shared her name with her brown hair done up in a simple ponytail as she wore a Kimono style top with hakama pants beneath and a hoari over it. Glancing up, she blinked her reddish brown eyes behind her glasses and chewed her lip, "Commander? How is...?"

On Yuzuki's face was a relieved look, "They're all fine, Noshiro-Chan. Each and every one of them." As her Secretary had a similar look of relief, she walked over to the coffee machine and poured herself a cup. With practiced movements, she added cream and sugar before sipping it. Moving behind her desk, she sighed as she sat down into the chair, glancing at the clock, 'It's going to be a long night...' Shaking her head, Yuzuki took a deep breath before letting it out, shoving the image of the injured Mogami out of mind for now, "Noshiro-Chan? Give me the repairs of the shipgirls we had on the harbour. I know that Hatakaze managed to fight some Abyssal Destroyers there..."

And so, she began to complile her own report as Noshiro-Maru began to give her information.

Meanwhile, back at the Repair Docks, the various shipgirls who had fought were all laying back and simply enjoying feeling their aches and pains wash away. Watching as Tategami wrapped a bandage around Mogami's head, Arizona gave a small nod with a slight smile before turning towards the Kaiboukans. The small shipgirls were all clusted in one corner together, dozing a bit, which made her smile grow a touch at how adorable they all looked.

Of course, that brought her thoughts back to Yuzuki and she hummed, "The Lieutenant it seems does care deeply about you."

Rubbing her eyes, Daitou yawned a bit, "Hai, the Commander is great. She takes really good care of us and gives us treats and stuff when we do good." Closing her eyes, she mumbled a bit, "We sometimes sit in her lap and have a nap because she has the best pillows. All nice, and big... and soft... and warm... Feels so nice sleeping against..."

It took everything for Arizona to not choke a bit as the other Kaiboukans agreed because she could just imagine what those "Pillows" that they were talking about were. But while she might have had a bit of prude rage, the fact that the shipgirls in question had the mentality of the young girls that they resembled meant that she only sighed. In the case of others, however...

Giggling perversly, Mogami grinned as she leaned back, "Hell yeah! Yuzuki-Chan's fuel tanks make for great pillows, my favorite to sleep on."

Only giving her a disapproving look, the American Battleship made her displeasure known silently, and verbally, "That is quite enough, Lieutenant Commander Mogami."

Just raising her hands into the air, Mogami kept her grin on her face, "Just telling the truth, Arizona-San. Besides..." She gave a small shrug, "Yuzuki-Chan is my girlfriend, so nothing wrong there with it. And you gave her a once over when you saw them."

Looking away, there was a dusting of red on Arizona's cheeks, "That is still not something that you should be talking about."

Yamashiro just gave her a smile as she patted Shigure's head, which was currently pillowed on her chest and her arm around the smaller shipgirl with Fusou on the Destroyer's other side cuddling her, "It is fine, Arizona-San. Mogami-Chan is fortunate to have a girlfriend like her."

The Aviation Cruiser in question had a happy smile on her face, "Tell me about it, Yamashiro. She doesn't mind any of my issues including my clumsiness."

Softly snickering, Suzuya gave her sister a look, "Despite you continually tripping and falling face first into her breasts like something from one of those animes."

Quietly sighing, Arizona shook her head as the two Aviation Cruisers bickered back and forth about it. For her part, Yuzuki's sister giggled before telling Matsukaze that she would be best with some food. Shortly after, however, Pennsylvania clearing her throat made everyone turn to her, "This is my first time meeting the Lieutenant, but has anyone else noticed..." The normally angry Battleship had a confused look on her face and furrowed her eyebrows, "She's not human?"

Almost immediately, the entire docks went quiet and the Battleship found herself somewhat unnerved by the stares she was not getting from those shipgirls stationed there. Each and every one of them staring her down. However, Arizona broke the silence, "Human or Yokai, the Lieutenant is an effective member of the JMSDF and does her country, and people, proud by standing up to defend them."

Everyone relaxed at that with Mogami sighing, "You don't know the half of it..."

Fusou then spoke up some in thought, "She had a cow's head... Ushi-Onna?" At the nods, she hummed, "I suppose that would explain some things about her. Such as her... strength."

Her last words chosen because of the look that Arizona, and surprisingly the members of the shipgirls stationed at the naval station, were giving her. With a small shrug, Mogami nodded slightly, "It does, though... it also causes her trouble at times because of what she is."

That made Unryuu furrow her eyebrows, "Because she's a Yokai?"

Grimacing a bit, the injured Aviation Cruiser shook her head, "Because she's a Ushi-Onna." At the confused looks, she sighed a little, "I... look, it's like this..."

She then told what she knew about the matter, and the other shipgirls' expressions shifted between various emotions. Though one of the two American Battleships had hers shift between different forms of rage and anger, the others were not much better. Laying back in the water, Suzuya scowled deeply and clenched her fists almost hard enough to draw blood. After all, she liked the Lieutenant after all! And someone giving her that amount of shit simply because of how her species was created, through no fault of their own? It infuriated the hell out of her! Suzuya took a few deep breaths to calm herself before remembering something and her anger came back, "Is that why when she goes to the magical parts of town, people give her more shit than usual?"

Mogami frowned a bit as she looked at her sister, "How...?"

With a small shrug, Suzuya shook her head, "I've sometimes gone to the magical markets to buy stuff, you know? I've seen her in her true form there and... noticed that people for some reason give her at best the cold shoulder."

A grimace on her face, her sister nodded, "Hai, that's why."

Each of the locally based shipgirls scowled at that and muttered to themselves about what they would do to the next one. Unnoticed, Arizona simply nodded slowly as she turned over what she was seeing and hearing in her head. Besides her own anger at what she heard, there was also the loyalty being shown to Yuzuki by the shipgirls. Yes, the combat ones outside the Kaiboukans were not under her command, but still. It spoke well of her after all... and brought to mind a conversation that she overheard between Mutsu and John about something regarding Yuzuki's career and how people had noticed her work.

Slightly smiling, Arizona leaned back into the water even as she felt her own repairs being done, 'I think that the Lieutenant will be getting a nice surprise soon...'

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Being shaken, Yuzuki came awake with a jolt and sat up, "Wha?!" Upon seeing Noshino-Maru there though, she sighed and rubbed her eyes, "What time is it?"

Just taking note of her internal time, the Armed Merchant Cruiser held her clipboard to her chest, "It's o'Six hundred, Commander."

Simply nodding, Yuzuki ran a hand down her face, "So about three hours." At the nod, she sat up on the couch that was on her office and grunted some at the ache in her back. She had worse though since being in the military and she had chosen the couch to be somewhat comfortable in case she ever crashed on it. Getting to her feet, Yuzuki was about to head to the coffee machine when a mug was held out for her. Chuckling, she took it, "Thank you, Noshiro-Chan."

A bright smile on her face, Noshiro-Maru nodded, "You're very welcome, Commander."

Taking a sip and humming at the taste, the Ushi-Onna glanced at her desk and internally sighed as there was still some papers there, "I suppose that some new items came through?"

Noshiro-Maru followed behind her as the Lieutenant walked to her desk, "A few things came in, Commander. Mostly word on on damages and such for the cargo ships."

Grimacing at that, Yuzuki rubbed the side of her head and nodded, "How bad?"

Much to her relief, her Secretary Ship shrugged, "Not that much damage really. As noted, they were going after the warships first, second, and third with the cargo ships being a distant fourth outside of distracting the warships with runs on them. There's some bullet holes and a couple of broken windows... but no truly bad damage and no deaths though we had some injuries such as broken bones."

Quickly flipping through the papers, she nodded some, "At least they didn't hit the convoy before they dropped off the materials that came through here on the Liberty Shipgirls for Korea." At the confused look, she smiled some, "The hydroelectric parts for some of the new plants as well as parts for smelters to be used in North Korea." Pausing for a moment, Yuzuki shook her head, "That still trips me up at times, that North Korea is gone and the peninsula is unified."

For her part, Noshiro-Maru shrugged, "Not for me, then again? I've never had to deal with that as I came from a time Korea was unified." A frown crossed her face, "Though I am surprised at how much Japan is giving to them..."

Shrugging, the Lieutenant frowned as she flipped through the papers, "I'm not, to be honest. For a while there it was such a shitshow on the peninsula that some people were scared that South Korea was going to collapse under the strain of the North doing so along with the Abyssals. So giving them aid to keep them from utterly collapsing was only smart. There's also a bunch of politics involved that I want to stay away from." A slight smirk crossed her face, "I'm a logistics officer, not a politician." Giggles met Yuzuki's proclamation before she went back to the reports, "Any sign of Ancient Destroyer Princess and her group?"

At the reminder, Noshiro-Maru grimaced, "None, it is as if they vanished off the face of the Earth. Again. There are some reports that they might have made a dash for the Western Channel, but... nothing conclusive and if they did, then they made it through it. But other than that..."

Eyebrows furrowing in thought, Yuzuki looked at the map across her office which showed the strait between Japan and the Korean Peninsula, "They could have turned I suppose. And with the battle going on, everyone would have been searching for them further within the Sea of Japan. And there was reports of storms in the West Channel..." Rubbing her chin, she frowned, "I hate to say it, but it is not impossible."

Moments later, the Armed Merchant Cruiser shifted a little, "But there is another possibility, Commander. Especially with how they seem to vanish and reappear seemingly out of nowhere."

Leaning forward, Yuzuki sighed and gave a small nod, "She could be using a Phantom Island in the Sea of Japan."

Several seconds passed before Noshiro gave her an unsure look, "Are there any in the area? Nearby, I mean?"

Not saying anything right away, Yuzuki considered that question before nodding, "There are a few such islands. I know that there is one just on the side of the line between Japan and North Korea that MACUSA used as a sort of magical listening post to keep an eye on the Magical side of North Korea. There were also a few small reserves... for both Japan and Korea."

That made the shipgirl blink, "Wait... Korea had reserves? Really?"

Glancing at her, Yuzuki nodded with a slight frown, "Hai, both before and after the war." Briefly, she closed her eyes as she brought up memories of old history lessons, "There was one dating back to the 1600s even, though that was less a Reserve and more a place of exile used by the Joseon, especially for Kumiho. Bit of an odd story that..."

Interested, Noshiro-Maru filled her cup up with coffee and sat down on the desk, "How so?"

With a hum, the Yokai took a sip of her coffee before she began, "Yokai have long memories, and I do mean long. There are Yokai who were around when Toyotomi invaded Korea back when the Joseph's ruled. Before that point, Kumiho were... well, more like Kitsune than their cousins to the North in China. There might have been Kitsune and the like who made the journey back and forth with them interbreeding with the native fox spirits. Anyways..." Yuzuki waved her hand in the air, "Kumiho were, at least, tolerated to some extent. Granted, for a few hundred years before the invasions, they had issues because of Confucism because, well... said philosophy as well as Taoism has issues with Yokai."

Once more, Noshiro-Maru watched as Yuzuki took a pause to sip her coffee, "So what happened to change matters? With the invasion, I mean."

Setting down her coffee, Yuzuki leaned back in her chair, "As I am sure you know from the history books, Toyotomi was driven back and became bogged down in southern Korea. Especially with guerrillas attacking his troops and the like. What the No-Maj history books don't mention is that he attempted to get back at them. He brought over about three thousand Kitsune who had fought during the Warring Era and during the unification of Japan. Problem was... most of them were Nogitsune, not that Toyotomi cared much about that."

It went without saying that made the Secretary Ship wince, "Nogitsune? That could not have ended well."

Sipping her coffee, Yuzuki shrugged, "Not really. But they were troublesome back in Japan and Toyotomi thought that was the perfect way to kill two birds with one stone and pointed them at the Koreans fighting him and told them to do what they wanted. And do what they wanted, they most certainly did in one of the worst aspects of the war as they were able to slake their bloodthirst and cruelty. Needless to say, the result was that due to resembling the Kitsune so closely, the Kumiho's reputation never recovered. The Joseon sent many of them to an island north of Tsushima, claiming that they were giving them a kingdom of their own separate from humans. But... yeah. And things did not get better for them when the Enforcement of the Statute Of Secrecy reached East Asia, not that the Joseon had much issue with that." Scratching her chin, she frowned some, "Oddly, while a number do hate us Japanese, almost as many have issues with their fellow countrymen for stabbing them in the back when they had bled and died to drive us off. A large number migrated here to Kyushu and Tsushima because of that. Pretty sure that a number also left for the West after the Korean War."

Unable to help herself, Noshiro-Maru winced before chewing her lip, "Do you know if there were any on the island in question during Blood Week?"

Quietly, Yuzuki shook her head, "No, I don't. It would not surprise me if there were a large number of them there though. The Korean Ministry is... well, I would not call it as bad as the Magical Diet, but that is a low bar to clear to say the least. Add in that they got a low key magical civil war between the Southern and Northern magicals? They might never have bothered checking." A frown crossed her face and she sighed, "Issue is that while I know the general location, that does not mean I know where the islands are exactly. And then there is the issue of informing Command about them."

Confused, Noshiro-Maru furrowed her eyebrows, "Why is that an issue?"

Not saying anything, the Ushi-Onna dropped her disguise and pointed at herself, "I would need to out myself as a Yokai. More than that, as a Ushi-Onna... Which could be problematic, but I've been chewing on some ways to get around that." It was then that she noticed that Noshiro-Maru was not looking at her, "What?"

Clearing her throat, Noshiro-Maru shifted before taking a deep breath, "Well, see..."

As her Secretary Ship told her that they could see through Yokai disguises, Yuzuki just sat there quietly. She continued to be silent for a few minutes before blinking, "So, every shipgirl who has seen me..."

Unsure, the shipgirl nodded, "Has realized that you're a Yokai? Um... Hai?" Wincing as Yuzuki slumped a bit, she looked away, "Sorry."

Leaning forward, Yuzuki held her face in her hands for almost a minute. Eventually, she pulled her head back and took a deep, calming breath, "Okay, that... yeah. Did any of you tell anyone?"

Much to her surprise, Noshiro-Maru seemed insulted, "Of course not, Commander! We haven't told anyone and made sure that no one else has either! It is your secret and your business! And in the end, it doesn't matter to us!"

She did blink though as the Ushi-Onna's shoulders' shook, "Thanks, Noshiro-Chan." Then, she drained her now cold coffee and stood up, "Well... time to face the music then I suppose. Because Arizona-San likely knows as well. No sense in hiding it." Walking towards the door, Yuzuki paused and tilted her head and chuckled, "I suppose that I at least didn't make it as obvious as Kasumi-Chan did..."

Lost, Noshiro-Maru frowned, "Kasumi?"

With a hum, Yuzuki nodded some and glanced at her, "Hai, a Ushi-Onna I grew up with. She's a pilot in the JASDF and pilots one of the Apaches with nose art of Kamishirasawa Keine in her werehakutaku form. One of the best pilots they got for helicopters." Lips twitching, she opened the door before pausing, "Oh, and Noshiro-Chan?"

Blinking, the shipgirl nodded, "Hai?"

Just looking over her, Yuzuki smiled, "Thanks."

All Noshiro-Maru did was smile back and bow as Yuzuki turned back around and left.
______________________________________________________________

Mogami paused in her chat as the door to the docks opened and Yuzuki walked in which made a grin appear on her lips, "Yuzuki-Chan!" Upon seeing the smile that was on her girlfriend's face though, hers fell, "Yuzuki-Chan? Is something wrong?"

Everyone was silent and watched as the disguised Yokai grabbed a chair and sat down in it silently for a few moments before speaking as she looked towards Arizona, "Ma'am? You know, don't you?"

Her eyebrow raised, the American Battleship met the Lieutenant's eyes evenly, "Know what?"

Running a hand through her hair, Yuzuki sighed, "About me being a Yokai, and a..."

If anything, Arizona raised her eyebrow even further, "A Ushi-Onna, I believe it is called?" At the nod, she smiled, "We do, though I fail to see what the issue is."

Not having expected that answer, it took a few seconds for Yuzuki to come up a response, "I... it does not bother you that I am a Ushi-Onna?" When Arizona shook her head, she frowned and furrowed her eyebrows, "Why?"

That made the American actually chuckled a bit, "Why? Simple, you've put your life on the line by putting on the uniform you wear now, Lieutenant. It does not matter if you are human or not, you are willing to die for your country. And that is all that matters in the end." Seeing the surprise, Arizona decided to drop her own bombshell, "The JMSDF, and JSDF as a whole, know about Yokai and that they have personnel who are such. And, as a matter of fact, the general feeling is that it does not matter what they are, they are Japanese citizens. Those, like you, who put on the uniform are worthy of such."

Shoulders slumping, Yuzuki sighed in relief, "Thank you."

Glancing at Arizona who nodded, Mogami frowned and turned back to her girlfriend, "Who told you that everyone knew anyways?" It took a few moments before she connected the dots and narrowed her eyes, "Noshiro-Maru."

However, her girlfriend waved her off, "Hai, she told me but only because a conversation came up regarding certain... facts, which could be involving what is going on with Ancient Destroyer Princess and how she keeps vanishing. One that I told her I would need to find a way to hand over without revealing myself, but since you know..."

Pennsylvania had an odd look on her face, one of partial glee, "So you might know where she is."

Frowning, Yuzuki gave a nod, "I might, but not the exact positions. Only the Diet or perhaps the Korean Magical Ministry would know. But good luck getting anything from that bunch." She then frowned a bit, "Unless you have an awesome hat, I suppose."

Just blinking, Suzuya held her hands up towards her head, "Wait... do you mean that the Korean Magical Government still has that whole... hat thing, going on? That they used to do way back when?"

With a chuckle, Yuzuki smiled and nodded, "They do, as a matter of fact. I came across some of their government members on Tsushima before the war once. Trust me, what you are thinking of does not do them justice."

Even as the others shook their heads in utter disbelief, Arizona and Pennslyvania shared a look of befuddlement. The same thought going through both their heads, 'Hats?'

Shaking that off, however, Arizona took a deep breath before turning towards the bemused Yokai, "Lieutenant? If you could tell me what you know, I would appreciate it."

Light blushing at having been distracted, the Ushi-Onna nodded, "Of course..."

By the time she was done though, all the shipgirls were either facepalming (Mogami for example), pinching the bridge of their noses to ward off an incoming headache (Arizona), eyebrow twitching (Pennsylvania and Shigure), dismayed (Fusou and Yamashiro ("How unfortunate!")), or just wanting to whack something (Suzuya). After a few moments, Arizona let go of her nose and simply nodded, "In other words, they could well be hiding anywhere in the Sea of Japan. I'll inform John-I mean, Admiral Richardson about it. We'll do our best to track them down."

All Yuzuki did was nod at that.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A Courtship in Emerald (IX)

May 8th, 1945 (V-E Day, 336 Days after D-Day)

12 Grimmaud Place, London
Spoiler: London On V-E Day

"I shall be gone for quite a long time, Kreacher." Lyra Potter declared in her most imperious voice to the young House-Elf who was escorting herself and Zamarad to the door. "Thank young nephew Sirius for me when he returns and let him know that I shall call on him as soon as I am able."

"Yes Missuses Black!" Kreacher responded sullenly as they two women stepped outside into the raucous street party that was London on this day.

Zamarad smiled happily as she followed the elderly witch through the raucous party, accepting hugs and kisses from random strangers. The smile widened as they reached a blazing bonfire at a street corner.

The Ifrit dug in the pocket of her coat to find a wood chip that she had packed to snack on and rubbed it between her fingers as she infused it with a fraction of her essence. As it began to burn in her hand, she tossed it into the fire. Her eyes hooded in bliss and she sighed happily as she sensed the flames that a young man had just leapt over link to her and strengthen her as she instinctively moved them out of his way to avoid harming him.
Spoiler: A Dark Whisper

Why limit yourself.... So easy to let the fire spread and have a proper feast.... No one would ever know....

Her head snapped around as her hand clenched Lyra's hard enough for the witch to give a hiss of pain.

"Zamarad...what's wrong?" Lyra asked.

The Ifrit's burning eyes flickered through the chaotic crowd around them. Then her eyes widened in shock as she locked her gaze with that of a late-20s soldier dressed in a US Army officer's uniform standing at the corner ahead.

Dark fire flickered in the depths of his green eyes mockingly as he gave a knowing smile to her.

As he vanished from sight around the corner, her attention was caught by his hexagonal shoulder flash showing a gold sphinx on blue in front of a dagger.

Zamarad's voice was filled with barely contained blazing fury and revulsion as her emerald eyes flamed. "Shayṭān..."

Lyra paled and they made their way as best they could through the crowd.

They rounded the corner and stopped dead. The street ahead was packed with revelers climbing up lampposts, dancing, singing, hugging, and kissing each other. Finding a single disguised jinn in this chaos would be next to impossible.

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

15th May, 1945 (One Week After V-E Day)

Schloss Oberkirchberg, Ulm, Baden-Württemberg (American Occupation Zone Of Germany)
Spoiler: A Spiteful Plan Of Revenge

Delilah rubbed her temples as she sat in a cheap folding chair. These Ahnenerbe-SS archives were a massive mess between their hasty transport from SS headquarters in Berlin to this castle in 1943, followed by the chaos of the war and attempted deliberate destruction before she and her team from MACUSA had stormed the castle and put paid to the SS mages, necromantic constructs, and Grindlewald's acolytes holding out here.

She smirked smugly in memory of the look of dread on Vinda Rosier's face a split second before her bullet had painted the wall behind Rosier with the most loyal acolyte of Grindlewald's diseased brain.

Checkmate, you nasty fanatical bitch.

With that she waved her wand over the next folder in her inbox to cast a detection spell for any traps as a familiar blond head poked into the office that she had commandeered. "Hey Del, what's up?"

Delilah waved Colombe inside. "Just going through the most recent paper files we found that survived the fires when they tried to destroy the evidence. You know how it is going now. Too many jobs, not enough hands." With that observation, she took a sip of C-Ration instant coffee and winced at the taste as she compared it unfavorably to what she was used to back home.

Delilah opened the scorched folder and began to read the charred pages. "Hm, Aktion Schwarzesfeuer(Murder Camps Approved). Approved...11 December 1944 by Rosier acting as Grindlewald's deputy. Deploy entity... The rest of the page is too burned to make out. Expense reports for a trawler and dive team hired... April 1939 to search the waters around Perim Island and the Seven Brothers?"

Colombe rubbed her chin in thought as she leaned over Delilah's shoulder. "Perim, Perim, I have heard that name before. Oh! It is in the Bab el-Mandab straits at the southern end of the Red Sea."

Delilah gave an intent look as she remembered her studies of Arabic over the last few years. "The Gate of Tears?"

Colombe nodded in agreement. "That is what it is called because it has nasty and unpredictable weather, hidden reefs, and the local legend is that thousands were drowned in an earthquake back a few millennia ago. Wonder what they were looking for there?"

Delilah shrugged as she puzzled through the damaged documents. "Maybe the answer is in here someplace. Hm. Well now, what do we have here?"

A collection of photographs labeled 'Behistun Expedition 1938' were pinned together. "More Middle Eastern links."
Spoiler: The Behistun Inscription

Colombe looked at them. "Behistun is out in Persia. It is a set of rock inscriptions on a mountainside depicting one of the Persian emperors -- I think Darius or Xerxes, maybe Cyrus? -- and a group of captive rebels that he is punishing. The local jinn tribe out there guarded it and watched me like a hawk when I visited with one of them as a guide in 1772 while sightseeing. It has... well... you know how some places have an aura of power?"

Delilah's eyes sharpened. "Oh yes, I could tell you some tales of Native American holy sites and places of power that would curl your hair."

Colombe nodded. "Exactly that. It reminded me a lot of Palmyra and a few places in the Congo and Africa where you held your breath because something was there and asleep. You really knew deep down that you did not want to be there when it woke up either."

Delilah frowned, thinking about certain obligations that she had in the Black Hills. "No, no you don't. That's all that is usable here. Something that I can help you with?"

Colombe nodded. "Yes, I'm going to be heading back to Moulbaix now. I wanted to extend an invitation to visit me when you wish, Del. I just don't want to be anywhere around when the next wave of wizards from the ICW show because... you know."

"I know, and we never had this conversation when they ask me about fugitives from ICW justice. Just be safe and don't hesitate to write me. Oh, can you do me a favor and dig through any records you have about the Bab el-Mandab or Behistun?" Delilah stood and hugged her oldest sister.

"I will, but no promises. You wouldn't believe all the stuff that I have picked up over the years." Colombe returned the hug as she responded.

"I can imagine; I have my own collection. I'll stay in touch Sis." Delilah responded. She waved her wand to make copies of the surviving papers for Colombe then after a moment of thought, a second copy for herself. "Audieu, Sis."

 

[darthcourt10]

Savato93

"This ish delicious!!"

It wasn't too much of a stretch to say Fluffy was a foodie. After spending much of her young life subsisting on raw fish and stale rations, she had very much come to enjoy eating meals with at least SOME sort of preparation. Nero's cooking, while relatively simple, had a lot of thought and care put into making sure everyone liked it. Stuff like snacks and candy didn't quite have that same personal touch to them, but they brought with them a wide variety of tastes, sweet and sour and bitter and more.

This? This was her first taste of something truly gourmet.

Fluffy and the other Abyssals all sat side-by-side at a ramen stand, enjoying some fresh-made beef bowls and attracting confused/concerned looks from passers-by. It had taken Fluffy a little bit to get used to chopsticks, but it was well worth the effort as she slurped up another mouthful of noodles, chewing while moaning contentedly. She had eaten instant noodles in the past, and was somewhat neutral on them, but this? The noodles were perfectly seasoned, the broth was thick and savory, the meat was tender and chewy in a good way—

"It's nice to see Abyssals can have a good sense of taste like the rest of us. Manners could use a bit of work, though." The store owner himself wasn't too put-off by them—they were paying customers, after all, on top of minding their own business and visibly enjoying his food. "Just be careful not to eat me out of a job, you hear?"

Sitting in the middle of the group, Regalia nodded. "I think we'll be okay, sir. We're not refueling or anything, just enjoying some lunch." She glanced over to Fluffy with a small grin. "We may or may not have someone asking for seconds, though."

"-mmf?" The Princess in question looked up, noodles hanging from her mouth, earning a laugh from the others.

Their first day in Japan had been spent just walking around, giving everyone some time to acclimate to their surroundings. Regalia wanted them to get used to being around so many people (being around humans in general, for Fluffy), so that the next day they would be more relaxed and able to enjoy themselves once they actually started doing stuff.

It had actually helped quite a bit, Fluffy thought. It had helped her realize something: she was actually relatively normal, at least for an Abyssal. She had no tail, no hooves or flippers, no metal bits… she was just an albino girl in an odd outfit. People didn't give her quite the same wary looks as they did the others—they looked at her more with curiosity and intrigue than fear. Perhaps Tanith was right: this wasn't so bad.

As the girls were all finishing up their bowls, Regalia suddenly got a look on her face, like she had remembered something. "Oh, by the way, sir…" she said as she ruffled through her bag, until she produced a sheet of paper and offered it to the store's owner. "Would you be willing to put this up somewhere people can see it? Our fleet is trying to gather volunteers to help develop our settlement."

Intrigued, the man accepted the flyer and examined it.



Attention:
Allied Abyssals are looking for volunteers to aid in the education and training of their community on the island territory of Avrora.

Princess Tanith, the effective leader of the Abyssal Fleet of Laughter, is seeking individuals proficient in the following trade skills:
-Architecture
-Agriculture
-Animal husbandry
-Electrical engineering
-Economics

Teachers are also welcome.

Salaries and work benefits will be managed through the JSDF. Food and housing will be provided by the Fleet of Laughter.

Any interested parties are asked to consult with your nearest recruiting office to volunteer. All applicants must undergo a rigorous screening process to be considered.

"Our species can walk towards the future together… but we need a helping hand to guide us. Will that hand be yours?" -Princess Tanith



"Hm…" The stand owner looked over the flyer for a few moments, before eventually shrugging. "Sure, don't see why not. You all have been model patrons up to this point."

The girls all perked up happily as the owner pinned the flyer on the nearby billboard. "And you, sir? Would you be interested in coming to our island and teaching us how to cook…?" Nero asked, a little bit hopeful.

The man shook his head. "A tempting offer, but I'm afraid that's gonna be a no from me. The pay is one thing, sure, but I've got a lot of regular customers who come by this place every week! Can't afford to let them down, y'know?"

Regalia nodded. "Of course, sir. We wouldn't want to disrupt your normal business." Sliding her bag back to its usual spot, the Re-class stood up from her stool and motioned for the other Abyssals to do the same. "Thank you for putting up with us, sir. The food was delicious."

The store owner waved them off with a friendly smile. "No problem. Stop by again, sometime!"

At Regalia's urging, the girls all gave polite bows, and then they were off. "Alright, guys," She said. "Is there anywhere you would like to go next?"

There was a few seconds of quiet deliberation. Finally, the other Re-class of the group meekly raised her hand. "Could we… go to the park?" Renita asked. "I'd like to just relax somewhere nice, for a little bit."

"Of course, Aunt Renita," Regalia replied with a soft nod. "I've been there before. It was quite relaxing…"

"Up until you got jumped by those weirdo strays?" Nero interrupted, eyebrow raised.

Regalia shrugged. "Well, they know who I am now, so as long as we all stick together, they shouldn't bother us this time around. Besides, it's a big public space—perfect for putting up more flyers!"

Marble threw up her hands with a gleeful smile. "Yeah, let's go to the park!"

And so, the girls continued. As the Omega's decking and interior was properly refurbished by professionals, the young Abyssals did their best to spread awareness of their recruitment efforts while touring Yokosuka. Their mission was twofold—not only were they reinforcing their appearance as docile Abyssals to the wider populace, but they were also demonstrating that they weren't all-powerful or all-knowing, and were willing to ask lowly humans for their help. Whether they would actually get results, they weren't completely certain—but as long as they managed to spread the word, they were satisfied.

Of course, they weren't the only people doing so. There was another side to Japan they couldn't explore yet—the hidden communities, the ancient lost villages, the nonhuman tribes hiding in plain sight. In the Abyssals' place, shipgirls called out to the group with the most widespread connections, using their reach to spread the Fleet of Laughter's message.

So it was that, late in the evening, a small family on a regular visit to Yamainutaira to pick up supplies noticed something peculiar—a laminated flyer, nailed to a nearby post.

"Ugh. It's too dark out… can't read what it says from here. Kids?"

One, two, three small figures hopped up on each other's shoulders, climbing high enough to reach the flyer; from there, a small set of paws reached out and tugged the paper free from the post, bringing it down for everyone to read. It was mostly the same as the flyers targeted to normal people… except for one additional block of text:

The Fleet of Laughter is willing to provide refuge for any Yokai applicants and their families, should they request it. Interested parties are advised to locate any Japanese Non-Human Rights Organization affiliate they might know, in order to establish contact with the JSDF and, in turn, the Fleet of Laughter.

"Refuge?" One of them spoke up. "Whas' that mean, Papa?"

"It means… they're offering people like us a home, Miki-chan. A place where we'll be safe."

"So that's a good thing?"

"It's more than good, Miki… it's a blessing. It means we won't be homeless by month's end."

 

[darthcourt10]

Icarus Ascending


Reptiles do not age, they simply grow wiser and Nono is easily among the wisest of them all. Why, if he had a beard befitting his wisdom it would be enough to coat him many times over! That's how wise he is.

He remembered when he was born. When they who would become his people felt and understood the uncaring wrath of the storm as well as the monster born out of their fear of those storms. His people lived in fear of their fears made manifest. They huddled around fires and hid within caves to escape from beings that hunted them relentlessly. Until a storm blew the monsters away.

They were spared simply because they were lucky, in the right place at the right time. They did not care, the storm had saved them. Thus they learned to hope and dream. Out of those hopes and dreams came Nono, guardian diety of the storms. Never really caring about his surroundings, he is a calamity made manifest, his great girth protected early civilization along with others like him.

They were the first pantheon. They fought against monsters, proto-gods born of fear and other negative emotions. As people often feel hardships first before they learn to be thankful and yearn for the good times.

And then the people were gone.

Wether by war or something else, Nono's people were gone and time had long erased their works from the face of the planet. Other gods, those of civilization and knowledge, went with them. Nono, being a god of the elements, chose to stay. He believed that a new civilization would rise and like the ones he protected, this new one will be plagued by monsters before coming under the protection of deities. And he was right, a new people did arise, and they huddled around fires and hid in caves while their fear of nature gave birth to monsters of the earth, sea and sky. Nono took them on, fought them while teaching the new people a bit of culture on the side. At least until the new gods were born. After that, Nono retreated to the depths, he wasn't needed anymore and the new people didn't really worship him enough for him to be adopted into a new pantheon.

Also because the new people had this awful habit of banging pots and pans whenever they see him flying around. Normally he wouldn't care but since they were making that damned noise especially for him his prayer senses make him hear every bit of that cacophony deep within his reptile ears.

Then these abyssals came. Spirits of war and bloodshed, beings of hurt and pain seeking to destroy the civilization that gave birth to them. Nono is familiar with them, he has seen similar beings rise before as well as their counterparts. Spirits of war and bloodshed, beings of hope and protection, the kanmusu, the honored dead come to protect the new generation from the failings of the past as well as secure the path towards the future.

So Nono stayed at the sidelines, picking off the occasional abyssal. here and there when he felt hungry. The new people are somewhat safe even without his intervention. Speaking of abyssals, he's feeling a bit peckish.
.
.
.
It is an aircraft carrier abyssal, a ship-form carrier abyssal at that. In ranking, she would theoretically be equal to a demon at least or maybe even a princess. But unlike the human-form abyssals, she cannot spawn. She is after all, an aircraft carrier and carriers have no ship building capacity whatsoever. That's probably the reason why there are so few ship-form abyssals like it.

It is also alone, it cannot spawn a fleet, and it's appetite is so great that the few that joined it have been cannibalized long ago. Right now however, it is attempting to pull a grey ghost. Hit and run tactics from afar, staying out of the enemies' striking range while keeping them within hers. It was a good tactic, so long as it knew its limits and did not try to bite off more than it could chew.

Besides, aircraft carriers have no natural predators, even the sea monsters that prowled the Philippines sea could not take it down. Or so it thought, the huge sonar signature rising directly beneath it seems to be trying to prove it wrong.
.
.
.
Swallowing the entire carrier in one bite, Nono, the great Bakunawa, prehistoric god of the storms, made his way back to the depths, he has a meal to digest.

*-*-*-*
note: funny thing about snake worship, my headcanon on snake gods being patrons of civilization is because they have experience with ones that date back before human times. Also, remember that bit about the Lusca being a godlike being born from the fear of whales? There's a reason why all genesis text have gods banishing darkness or fighting off monsters. People learn fear before hope.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

The ticking of the clock was about the only noise in the office as both Yuzuki as well as Noshiro-Maru worked. Night had fallen a few hours before and the remains of their dinners, delivered to the office, was currently in the trashcan. About the only other thing that could be heard was the soft, dull murmur of the radio to provide a little background noise to the room as they worked as they both knew that it might be at least another hour or two before their work was finished, if not longer. But then, they were used to long days and short nights.

Part and parcel of the war effort after all.

Just as Yuzuki was sipping some coffee, there was a ding of an incoming message followed by Mogami's voice coming from the computer, "Telegram for the Admiral!"

Glancing over, the Armed Merchant Cruiser sighed, "I still cannot believe that you have that on your computer, Ma'am."

Amused, Yuzuki just shot her a grin, "I personally like it." Pulling up her messages, she continued, "Besides which, it's harmless in the end, just a little fun and nothing more."

With a sigh, Noshiro-Maru rolled her eyes, "Yes, harmless and not against any rules. But still something that I cannot believe you got." She then frowned a bit, "Though I am amazed at how popular that App is."

Simply shrugging, the Lieutenant chuckled, "I'm not. Besides... you remember Mogami-Chan's reaction when she was in here and I got a new message. Her expression was priceless and especially with how flustered she got."

Giggles escaped from her Secretary Ship as she nodded, "Hai, that was hilarious." Checking some papers, Noshiro-Maru raised an eyebrow, "Speaking of Mogami-San... according to this, she should be out of docks by tomorrow. So you're probably happy, Commander."

Happily sighing, Yuzuki nodded, "Hai, I am happy. Thankfully, it looked worse than it actually was since it was basically the shipgirl version of a concussion. So there is at least that... and we'll probably go somewhere tomorrow. Maybe a burger place since she would enjoy that." That got her a snort even as opened a message, "Hmm?"

Looking over, Noshiro-Maru notes that Yuzuki had a surprised expression on her face, "Is something wrong, Commander?"

For several moments, the Ushi-Onna didn't say much, if anything. Instead, she set her coffee to the side and looked more carefully through the message. Once she was done, Yuzuki leaned back, "Huh..."

Eyebrow raised, Noshiro-Maru came over to look, "What's in the message, Commander."

Glancing at her, Yuzuki frowned a little, "Just an old idea that I came up with for my Officer's thesis. Someone dug it back up and decided to have a look at it. Captain Yonehara is interested in it."

Blinking, the Armed Merchant Cruiser furrowed her eyebrows some, "What idea did you have, Commander?"

In reply, Yuzuki reached into her desk and pulled out some pocky, which she began to munch on. At the look she got, she just shrugged, "Need to keep my blood sugar levels up. As to my idea... it was one for convoy support." Seeing the intrigued look, the Yokai hummed, "You know the Ambulance Ships some have taken to use as Tenders, right?"

Slowly, and wondering where this was going, Noshiro-Maru nodded, "Hai, they're effective enough and help people feel proud by supporting the navies and shipgirls. Is there something wrong with them?"

However, the Lieutenant shook her head, "Nothing wrong in what they do, no. They're effective enough at stabilizing shipgirls who are injured. But not so much when it comes to logistics. Part of it is that they are a modified civilian design, there's only so much that one can do with them. As to the rest..." She chewed some of her pocky in thought, "The Kaiboukans are a perfect example of that as are some of the other smaller escorts."

Lost, the shipgirl furrowed her eyebrows, "How so?"

Chewing her pocky, Yuzuki made a motion with her free hand, "One of the issues is range with them. They do excellent work, but they do need refueling and the like since the convoys run close to twenty knots, which cuts into their range as they are moving at top speed. And the only real way of refueling means getting food into them. Then you get into the other convoy escort ships who often have shorter range. And since there's only so many tender-like shipgirls, some people have taken to using the Ambulance Ships as tenders, which only goes so far."

Following the line of thought, Noshiro-Maru frowned, "But people have thought of that. It's why they're using modified Amphibious Assault Ships, right? Or the new Langley Light Carriers the Americans are building since they have small well decks."

Only nodding, Yuzuki smiled, "You're right, of course. The JMSDF is even buying one of the modified Amphibs. But there's a few problems. While the Langley Class is cheaper than a CVN due to not being nuclear, they're still expensive. That's why they chose that name since they're conveniently powered unlike the CVNs which will still be named after Presidents. And easier to build. Add in that they're basically dual purpose in being Carriers and, well... they would be more combat support than anything else. Which still leaves us with supporting the convoys."

Just rubbing her chin, her Secretary Ship gave her a look, "Which deals with your paper."

With a small nod, Yuzuki after a quick search brought it up, "Most people work on analyzing battles, coming up with ways that they could have gone. Being who my father is and how I worked for him before joining up? Logistics has always been my thing and that's what I wrote my thesis on." Tapping the screen, she smiled some, "Affordable, able to be produced in numbers, and also meeting military requirements. I took as an example one of the Damen Stan patrol vessels and showed how you could modify it to be a cheap support vessel for convoy girls. A small bathtub just in case of really bad injury, but mostly small metal tubs that could be used as foot tubs when filled with Repair Fluid to help ease wear on engines and the like, which can be put away when done, a slightly larger galley and pantry to provide food, especially if you use bulk foods like dried noodles and the like. And a stern ramp for easy access on and off. Everything else is... well, standard." Scratching her chin, she frowned, "You could add a small gun for defence, the ship is already at a military standard construction and speed wise, and is both small and pretty cheap."

Thoughtful, Noshiro-Maru frowned as she slowly considered it, "That does make sense. And if it is mostly providing support via food and easing strain on engines... I can see how it could have caught some interest."

Scratching her head, Yuzuki began typing a response, "Not sure how or why now. It has been almost four years since I wrote it after all. Still... if they want to know more, I'll just pull out all my research and send it off as well..." Roughly an hour later, she had sent off the response when a knock at the door made her look up, "Yes?"

Moments later, the door slowly opened to reveal Hiburi along with her sisters, "Commander..."

Getting up, the Ushi-Onna walked around her desk, "Hiburi-Chan? What's wrong?"

For a few seconds, she chewed her lip some, "I... u-um... w-we're still a bit scared and we were wondering if... if we could..."

Expression softening, Yuzuki reached them and placed a hand on the small shipgirl's head, "You want to sleep here?" At their nods, she smiled and held back a chuckle at their relieved expressions to her next words, "Of course. Come on in and I'll set everything up for you."

Relieved, the Kaiboukans walked into the office in their pajamas and holding stuffed animals and they spoke as one, "Thank you, Commander."

Softly smiling, Yuzuki chuckled a bit, "You're all very welcome. Just give me a few moments here." Walking over to her couch, she pulled it away from the wall before reaching behind it. She then, with a small clunk, brought the back down so that it was levelled with the rest and forming a small bed with her placing the pillows at one end. A quick trip to her desk and she brought out a blanket which she set down on top before patting it, "Now come and have a seat."

The small shipgirls scurried over and did exactly that as the Ushi-Onna walked over to the machine next to the coffee machine. Moments later, steamed milk filled small cups that she added some cocoa powder to before bringing them over. Looking up, Daitou smiled, "Thanks, Commander!"

Patting her head, Yuzuki nodded, "You're very welcome."

When they were done though, she sighed at seeing the looks as they shuffled a bit on the bed. However, when she looked at Noshiro-Maru, said shipgirl simply smiled and shrugged, "There's not much work left to be done, Commander. So you can take a bit of a rest." She then smiled a bit, "You have been working hard after all."

Yuzuki gave her a look before sighing and walking over to the bed, "Okay, move a bit and I'll get in." Taking off her new jacket, she placed it to the side before taking off her shoes. Almost as soon as she slipped under the covers, she found the four Kaiboukans snuggled up with her, Hiburi and Daitou resting completely on top of her. But all of them had their heads, much to her amusement, resting on her chest, "Comfy?"

Each of them nodded with a happy hum, "'Mm-hm... good night, Commander."

Giving each one a pat, she chuckled, "Good night girls, pleasant dreams."
_____________________________________________________________________

Dawn had barely broken over the naval station when a now healed Mogami entered the Administration building for the logistics part of the complex. There was one or two people already at work on the lower level, who waved at her while they did their best to wake up fully. The Aviation Cruiser returned their waves whole heartedly. Unlike her crews in her previous existence, she had grown to highly respect the people working in the background for getting materials and food places.

Yes, it was not nearly as glorious as going out and fighting, but she understood that they were needed as much as those like her were.

Cracking her neck a bit, Mogami considered that question a bit more. Back in her days as a steel hull, her crew would have balked at escorting convoys, even though they contained food, supplies, fuel, and the like. It was not nearly as "Honourable" as hunting down the Americans and facing them in glorious battle. Yet, for all Mogami was, she was not stupid and tossed that aside. It kept the nation going after all. And besides... She got her fair share of fights after all escorting the convoys back and forth.

Which was why she had gone for her Rebuild which turned her into an "Aviation Cruiser". Despite it lessening her guns, the addition of aircraft meant that she was better able to protect and defend convoys, especially. Which in her mind, balanced it all out.

However, she put such thoughts of of her mind as she reached her destination and took a deep breath while grasping the doorknob. But her plans were stopped as the door opened to reveal a slightly tired looking Noshiro-Maru who had a finger to her lips, "Shhh."

Then, she pointed to the side and Mogami poked her head in to look. Almost immediately, a soft smile came to her lips at the sight of her girlfriend asleep with the Kaiboukans on the couch-turned-bed. It was a somewhat familiar sight and was why said piece of furniture was there. Turning towards the Armed Merchant Cruiser, she lowered her voice, "They couldn't sleep last night and came to Yuzuki-Chan, huh?"

Lips curled into a smile as she nodded, Noshiro-Maru hummed, "Hai, but you know how they are. The Commander can't say no to them."

Chuckling under her breath, Mogami shook her head, "Hai, I know..."

Upon seeing the expression on the Aviation Cruiser's face, the Secretary Ship tilted her head, "What are you thinking about?"

Not answering right away, Mogami scratched the side of her head, "It... well, seeing Yuzuki-Chan like this? I know that she'll be a great Okaa-San one day."

Eyebrow raised, Noshiro-Maru blinked, "Already planning to have children?"

Mogami had to hold back a snort out of fear of waking the sleeping Yokai, "We've talked about it. She wants to carry the first one at least and... well..." There was a small smile on her face with her next words, "I already had one Destroyer-Escort back in the 1960s named after me. And then you got the new one that they're building that they're going to give my name as well. So that's two of them." Crossing her arms, the Aviation Cruiser shook her head, "I might not be a good parent, but I know that Yuzuki-Chan will be a great one."

Remembering various things that Mogami had done with the younger appearing shipgirls, Noshiro-Maru coughed lightly, "I would not be all that sure about that."

Confused, the Aviation Cruiser shrugged it off and turned back to watch her girlfriend sleep with the Kaiboukans, looking like nothing so much as a big sister or mother with her daughters.

 

[darthcourt10]

Year Three - Prisoner of Shipping Part 4e

START

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Hearing a knock on the door, Goto looked up from his paperwork, "Yes? Come in." When the door opened though, he gave a smile at who he saw there, "Ume-San, Sakura-San, good afternoon."

Both girls bowed to him with a small smile on their faces, "Good afternoon, Teitoku. We hope that we are not bothering you."

A grin on his face, Goto chuckled some, "Not at all."

Tone dry, Ooyodo spoke up from where she sat, "Especially as it gives him an excuse not to do paperwork. So yes, it does not bother him."

Waving her off, the Admiral smirked as the two Installation girls in front of him giggled at their antics. Turning towards them, he turned the smirk on them, "I would have thought that you would be getting prepared to go to Hogwarts in a few hours for Harry's game. Not to mention the Hogsmeade trip the day after."

Lightly blushing along with her sister, Sakura shook her head, "Actually, we prepared for our trip first thing this morning and..." Realizing how it could be taken, their blushes deepened, "Ah, that is..."

Nagato gave Goto a look before turning to the two and smiling softly, "It is always a good thing to be prepared ahead of time, Ume-San, Sakura-San. And it speaks well of you that you did so." At their thankful nods, she tilted her head some, "What do you need to speak about?"

At her desk, Ooyodo frowned as something occurred to her, "Does it have to do with Sora-San and her coming completion? I thought that the scrap metal from the trailers was coming in already..."

However, Ume shook her head, "No, Ooyodo-San, that is coming along at a good speed. We've already processed roughly two thousand tons of steel from the shipping containers, giving us about six thousand. We've already started construction on the first turret as a matter of fact. And if we continue at this pace..." Pausing, she checked some mental calculations before nodding, "We should be able to start work on finishing her no later than October of next year, and at earliest in August."

Eyebrow raised, the Light Cruiser nodded, "Impressive."

Meanwhile though, Nagato frowned at that, "If it was not to do with her completion..." Frown deepening, she looked at the two girls in front of her, "Than what is the issue?"

For a moment, the Twins looked at each other as they held a silent conversation before turning back to the group, "May we have a seat?" Waving them a seat, Goto sat up straighter as he waited for an explanation, "We... considered coming to you in regards to something we found out after our trip. But we felt that it was for the best to come here before it as that way it would not be hanging over our heads and possibly taking away from our enjoyment due to worrying about it."

Now concerned, Goto glanced at his Secretary Ships, including Kongou. Said Fast Battleship brought over two cups of tea and set them in front of the distressed twins, "Here you go, Dess. This should help some." Lips twitching, they thanked her and Kongou places a hand on their shoulders, "Now then, tell us what has you so bothered and we can see what we can do to help."

Much to her confusion though, the Twins shook their heads before Ume spoke up, "Thankfully, there is no chance of the issue coming to pass. But... it is still something that we feel you should know about, Teitoku." When he nodded, they continued, "Do you remember when Shinano-San turned out to have gained the American aircraft called a 'Mustang' and we mentioned that the Kamo Government had recovered a number of crashed ones and were thinking about repairing them? And how we stated we would need to do some research with our archives?"

Frowning even more deeply, the Admiral nodded, "I do remember that as a matter of fact. I take it that is what you're here to inform us about?"

A grimace on their faces, the Twins sighed. Sakura then took over, "We found... quite a bit in our archives as a matter of fact. And, as well, we... summoned some of those who were in command of our base." Seeing the looks of surprise, she pursed her lips, "It turns out that we can do that and send them away once done. They were... uncooperative with our questions and so we were forced to interrogate them as there was a chance for danger in the modern day."

Beside her, Ume smiled thinly, "As with shipgirls, we gained the talents that our 'Crew' had. As it turned out, a large number were experts at Legilimency and Occlumency. It also turns out that even the best occlumancer barriers will not withstand the equivalent of three dozen experts hammering on it. Thus, we managed to get the information needed for you."

Part of Goto was unhappy to hear about what they had done, but... he could understand considering some of the recent incidents on the magical side. Such as a man who worked for Sub-Unit-931 having used magic to cripple a sword spirit. The idea that there could be others...

Ume reached into her Kimono and pulled out a thick folder that she placed upon Goto's desk, "This is all we've gathered on what they called Operation Tatarigami. It is thankfully not a threat now, but if our Caldera had not been demolished when it had, they may have gone through with it." She gave a sigh of relief, "For which we're happy to note."

It took a few moments for them to place the word and Kongou frowned, "Tatarigami? As in the extremely powerful ghosts of vengeance that can cause natural disasters? That spirit?"

Slowly, the Twins nodded as they spoke as one, "Hai, one and the same."

With a glance towards them, Goto opened the folder and began to try and make sense of what he was looking at, "What was the plan? Unless it was to try and summon up the spirits of the WWII dead?" When the two former Hitobashira looked at each other, he paled, "That was a joke."

Just shaking her head, Sakura frowned, "It was no joke for them, Teitoku. That was just one part of it." At their nods, she continued, "Another part was the completion of Ishikari-San, her sister, and Denryuu as well as the smaller ships. It was also hoped that the big gun ships at the other dockyards would be complete enough to proceed when the time came."

Arms crossed, Kongou frowned, "Why?"

Glancing at her, Ume sighed, "The planning stages began in April, 1945 as not just bombing raids, but divination signalled that the war was too far gone for Japan to win. According to what we found out, everything was in flux at the time as some divinations stated August, others October. A few even stated the early months of 1946, the war would end. Hence, them coming up with Tatarigami. The first stage would start when the No-Maj government would surrender. At that point, all higher members of government, the Magical military, and... certain researchers would arrive in our Caldera. A holdout, as it were, as our wards would be able to defend against a mass attack by the ICW allied forces. As well, every ship of the Imperial Magical Navy would take up anchorage. Then, Stage Two would begin as preparations."

Sakura took over for her sister at that point, "They predicted that a large portion of the Allied No-Maj Fleet would arrive in Tokyo Bay, roughly a month after surrender in a show of force and to accept an official declaration. It would be a month because they would wait until Japan had fully stood down and could confirm it. During this time, rituals would be done to summon dead Japanese soldiers en mass and contain the spirits in special 'Ghost shells' which would keep them until it was time. As this was going on, they would also continue to produce 'Jigoku Shells', which contained Fiendfyre, as well as the bomb version while also repairing as many Mustang and other Allied plane wrecks as had been captured. A number of Allied pilot POWs would be brainwashed during this time."

Disgusted already, it was not hard for Goto to realize what the goal was as horrified as it made him, "They were going to launch an attack on the Allied Fleet in Tokyo Bay accepting the surrender."

The Twins nodded, "Hai, as well as various airbases using the brainwashed pilots."

Pulling out one paper, Ume presented it, "They had also come up with a spell which was a variant of the Portkey spell. It could transport massive objects a set distance between two 'Anchors'. Half would be in the Caldera, and the other half at the opening of Tokyo Bay. All the magical forces would be transported into the area at the edges of where they suspected the No-Maj ships would be gathered. The Midget Submarines would have been in position and would also attack. Meanwhile, in the chaos, the brainwashed POWs would reach the bases to 'Rearm' and bomb them. It was hoped to cause tens of thousands of casualties, including a large number of Allied High Command gathered there."

Utter silence met her born of complete horror at what they just heard. The others besides the Twins were struck mute at what they were hearing. Finally, Ooyodo took a deep breath before slamming her hand down on her desk, "Why?! What possible reason could there be for that?! The war would be lost and even if they damaged and killed a large number of Allied troops, all they would do is make sure that the Americans would not accept any surrender! It would literally lead to the end of Japan!" Sweeping her hand to the side, she snarled, "THERE WAS NO WAY TO WIN THE WAR AT THAT POINT!"

"The point was never to win the war with Operation Tatarigami."

Hearing that from Sakura brought the Light Cruiser up short, "I.. what? It was not meant to win the war?" At the shake of the head, Ooyodo furrowed her eyebrows, "Then what was the point?!"

Now looking at her, both Twins had blank expressions and their next words, which were spoken in emotionless tones, everyone felt a chill, "Because, it was not to win the war... but make sure that everyone would lose."

Yet again, silence descended upon them as they digested those words before Goto cleared his throat, though he had a sinking suspicion that he already knew the answer, "Everyone would lose. How?"

Grimacing, Ume shook her head, "Imagine if you will, Teitoku. Sailors and soldiers torn apart by angry Yuurei with their weapons unable to harm the spectres. Beasts composed of hellfire devouring men and ship as well as airplane alike. Monsters from Japanese folklore using the fact that the ships teleporting would, in fact, break any anti-portkey or apparation spells to appear on the decks of the ships to kill as many as possible alongside Onmyoji counterparts, all of them the worst form of fanatics." Her next words caused all of them to pale further, "In front of tens of thousands of No-Majs."

Eyes closed, Sakura swallowed thickly, "It would have been the absolute worst way for the Statute to fall. The ICW would not have been able to cover it up. A new World War would be born in the not yet cool ashes of the old one. But this one would see the Magical World pitted against the Non-Magical." With a deep breath, she let it out and continued, "In one last act of spite, the Kamo Government would punish the No-Maj Japanese for failing to win and surrendering by having them utterly wiped out by the No-Majs in retaliation. The Magical Japanese would meet the same fate with MACUSA and others, upon being revealed, finding themselves hunted. The No-Majs Allies would, in turn, be devastated as their magical populations would be forced to fight or die. A World War born of pure spite and hate that would see no winners, just losers to various degrees."

Her eyes also closed, Ume nodded, "One of our American crew, crudely, stated that it amounted to 'Fuck everyone with barbed wire' in what would happen."

Unlike the others who were trying to wrap their minds around it, Nagato could well imagine it as she had experienced the end of the war. Not just what would happen in Tokyo Bay, but afterwards. Millions of Japanese, magical and not dead, their bones piled high among the ashes of their homes with their nation annihilated. Bombs, nuclear ones included, being dropped on Magical enclaves. The magicals retaliating with monsters and spells, rituals and artifacts to break release horrors or to control nature as cities were engulfed in volcanic eruptions such as Naples.

Armageddon.

Ragnarok.

The End of Civilization.

All out of spite.

All because a group of men would not accept that they lost unless everyone else did as well.

Right then, Nagato had to shove down the anger that she felt and wished that the men who had planned it, and who would have gone through with it, were right there in front of her. Glancing at the others, she could well see that they had similar thoughts to hers. Closing her eyes, she took several deep breaths, 'It never happened. It was stopped before it could even begin. Thank the Kami and whoever else was watching.'

Face grave, Goto looked at the Twins and then at the folder, "You are positive that it relied on your Caldera to have happened? That it was because it was destroyed?"

Very slowly, Sakura nodded, "Hai, we're sure. Our Caldera was a fortress, the only place that one could concentrate such a large force and keep it secure. The wards surrounding it could sustain days of bombardment and, well... the ICW Forces would not be able to do that without the No-Majs noticing. We also had many guns that would mulch anything less than a Battleship making it harder... which is why ships passing through needed a talisman to be recognized and even then, certain passwords unless someone let them in."

Ooyodo gave a small nod at that, "Such as yourselves when the MACUSA task-force snuck in." Getting a nod, she rubbed her face, "This... this is horrifying."

The Admiral looked down at the folder for several long moments before speaking, "Ooyodo. When I am finished reading through this, as well as the rest of you, it is to be given the highest classification of secrecy. After which, you are to lock it within the vault within the Archives under Amaterasu Protocols. To gain access, two of us must be present and only the highest authorities will be granted such. No paper trails, nor will it be placed in the servers, even the most secure ones. Understood?"

The Light Cruiser nodded with her lips pressed thinly. Amaterasu Protocol meaning that it was information regarding the Supernatural that must not be released. If anyone tried to gain access, pure oxygen would be dumped into the safe followed by a several small high explosives going off to burn anything inside to ash. Ooyodo snapped to a salute, "Hai! Understood, Teitoku."

With a nod of his own, Goto turned to the Twins, "Do not mention this to anyone unless we confirm that they are able to access it."

Voices soft, they gave a slight nod, "We wouldn't because this... we wish that we never knew about it or how close we had come to it..."

Hand on the folder as he looked at it, Goto sighed, "You are not the only ones, trust me." Shaking his head, he gave a small smile, "Just... forget about it and enjoy your time at Hogwarts. Do not let it overshadow it."

Sakura gave a slight smile of her own, "Occlumency will help with that as one can compartmentalize such things, Teitoku."

Just nodding, the Admiral turned his attention back to the folder and grimaced as he began to read as he needed to know...

 

[darthcourt10]

RBomber

Harry Leferts said:
Glancing at the others, she could well see that they had similar thoughts to hers. Closing her eyes, she took sever deep breaths, 'It never happened. It was stopped before it could even begin. Thank the Kami and whoever else was watching.'​

Twins Caldera, 1945

The fight was intense, with no one willing to gave quarters or mercy. It was a meatgrinder that rivals Iwo Jima in fierceness, and sometimes cruelty.

It was nothing compared with what happened beyond Veil. A fight that both intense and sublime, far below notice of Mortals and Beings, but nevertheless important.

A whisper here, an inspiration there. A Shield held on a bit longer, a kinetic bolt slightly stronger. A tug on consciousness, to both distract and empower alike. A reminder of their own cruelty, a calming whisper that put mortally wounded into painless slumber.

Even as mortals dies, the battle didn't stop. Something primal, dark, lurking beyond veil, tried to claim Souls who perished for War and Bloodshed. On the other side, beings clad in black, armed with True Names of everything ever lived ferociously defend their Wards.

They are not fully succeeded.

They are not meant to.

They still shed tears, for the unfortunate Souls gone astray, if nothing else.

****

Somewhere above, both beyond and outside Veil, a figure watched. Besides him, a large white canine and a man garbed in traditional Japanese armor also watched the proceeding below.

"They succeeded?"

"Still proceeding below. Lords Will It, they most likely succeeded. I have no more knowledge than what He gave me."

"If they failed-"

"Japan would see largest sea volcano eruption world ever seen in this century. Tsunami that would likely wiped out most coastal cities. Victims would practically numberless."

"Or at least, that was your plan."

The lone figure look between the canine and the man. Chained between them, a burning... something, something Burn so brightly and viciously and unrestrained, even with all the seals and restraint put by its younger siblings there.

The canine looked distressed with this.

"Have Hope. The mortals below can win this battle. They worked His Will. Whatever happened here, most likely your Accord will survive. As well as Statute."

"You said you don't have Vision."

"I have knowledge. I can make conjectures and conclusion. And if I made mistake, He Corrected me. He didn't correct me."

Silence falls.

Even as battle subsided, they still watching.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A Courtship in Emerald (X)

16th May, 1945 (Eight Days After V-E Day)

Schloss Oberkirchberg, Ulm, Baden-Württemberg (American Occupation Zone Of Germany)
Spoiler: A War Fought In Shadows

Delilah smirked smugly as she scanned the notes in German covering binding enchantments for body-less spirits.

Just what the doctor ordered to help release Zamarad from that damn ring.

With that happy thought and a wave of her wand, she copied the various notes onto a blank roll of paper and packed it away in her backpack for later analysis.

The door to the room that she had commandeered as an office opened unexpectedly. Automatically she focused on the dark haired man in the entrance as her hand twitched toward her true self as part of her targeting calculations.

US Army field uniform, blue hexaganal Counter Intelligence Corps shoulder flash, wand at the belt, no weapons in hand.... Two shots to the chest, then one to the head once incapacitated to make sure of the kill.... Target identified as Captain Ben Arnold of MACUSA.

With a mental start she shook off her analysis of how to terminate the intruder and smiled as she recognized an ex-protege from the Aurors before the War. "Ben! It is good to see you!"

Ben's own face lit up in a smile. "Delilah. I see the goddamn krauts haven't killed you yet."

"Not hardly, Ben, not hardly." Delilah stood and then her eyes widened as he walked inside. A silver oak leaf glimmered from his shoulders. "I guess I'll have to salute you this time around, congratulations on the promotion."

He grinned sardonically. "That's Lieutenant Colonel of Aurors Arnold to you, Major de Breuil. I'm not the Captain who you remember from Tunisia when we met last as part of the planning for the invasion of Sicily."

Delilah chuckled. "Fast promotion but well-deserved. How did you get it, or is that classified?"

He pulled out a gurgling canteen, "No classification, not anymore. I was in the right place at the right time when the Krauts sent one of their Einheit Stielau commando squads to try to bump off Ike and the rest of Supreme Headquarters staff. My big chance for field work as opposed to pushing papers and chasing spies and look what it got me. Drink?"

"Don't mind if I do, Ben." Delilah agreed as she pulled out her canteen cup. "To your promotion, may it stick when the damn war is over."

He clinked canteen cups and then sipped the Kirschwasser cherry schnapps, grimacing slightly. "Kicks like a Missouri mule."

"Mmm-hmm." Delilah agreed. "Anyway, I'm pretty sure this isn't a social call. What do you have for me?"

He handed over a MACUSA order form. "Effective tomorrow, I'm to take over this place. I'll be doing the analysis of the files your team captured, and start prosecuting the hunt for the surviving Nazis and Grindlewald supporters. And put those damn animals that Grindlewald recruited like the bloodsuckers and dogs back in their kennel to keep the nomaj fat, dumb, and ignorant as it should be."

Delilah scanned the form as she sipped the liquor. "Right. Says that I'm to report back Stateside by June 1st?"

Ben scowled, "Yeah, rumor is that we are going to draw down here to crush the fucking Nips. Plus have to keep an eye on the damn Reds too but Kamo's fanatics are the big threat." He did not notice the Muramasa's eyes narrow slightly at the racial slur or her hand twitch again.

"Ah. Damn, Ben, what happened? I don't recall you being so pissed at the Japs? I mean I know you hate the Commies since your mother fled Russia in 1919." Delilah spoke as she slammed back the last of the liquor.

"Kamo happened. Heard from the Pacific that Cyril got killed on Saipan when those fucking Nips launched an all-out charge into the lines. One of their officers at the head of a pack of those half-human creatures that they recruited split him in two before we wiped them out." Ben snarled, tears filling his dark green flaming eyes.

Delilah walked over and hugged him. "Shit. Well, when I get over to the Pacific, I'll sock the Japs one for you." She said quietly.

He nodded jerkily. "If the damn Nips hadn't stabbed us in the back to drag us into the war, Cyril would still be alive. Not like the incompetent Frogs or Limeys really deserved to have us come over here and sort out Hitler and Grindlewald. We prop up their empires and they reap the rewards, all because they couldn't properly separate the Magical and Nomaj worlds the way that we do."

Delilah sighed. "Right, well Rappaport's Law doesn't apply over here, Ben, as much as we might wish otherwise," not that I so wish, and you better never say that out loud around Sis, "so we have to use a different touch here. Crack down too hard on the surviving German magicals and we will just drive them away. Lots of carrots while keeping the stick handy."

Ben nodded, "Yeah, I'll keep that in mind. Anyway, Floo communications have been linked back up between New York to England, but everything east of London is a mess and a half. So you will have to get transport back to England for you and your team and can then Floo to the Big Apple."

Delilah nodded, her mind whirring. "I think I can arrange the paperwork to get them on one of the supply ships out of Antwerp or another port. Sure, it's nomaj, but it crosses the Channel, which is the big thing. Then get them to London and Floo out from there."

"Sounds good. Anyway, so get me up to speed here...." Ben responded as he grabbed a quill to take notes.

Potter Manor

24 May, 1945
Spoiler: Reunion At Potter House

The fireplace flamed and then Delilah stepped out, brushing soot from the shoulders of her uniform. Her eyes focused on the House-elf in the foyer. "Hello Stabby."

"Hello Missus Yankee. Missus Flamey is in the Library. Missus Perverts is visiting her Families in towns for a Bridge Night. Wonts be backs until laters."

Delilah chuckled. "No need to prepare anything on my account. I need to talk to Zamarad anyway."

With that she turned and walked down the hall, absently humming The Stars and Stripes Forever to herself.

She smirked smugly at the sight of Zamarad in the study idly consuming a bowl of wood chips one by one with her back to the door. A poem that she had read shortly after the turn of the century sprang to mind and she began to quote Elizabeth Barret Browning's work as she stepped inside.

"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death."

Zamarad turned, her eyes widening and a smile filling her face. "Shaelat ruwhi! You are back!" The crackle and pops of a campfire roasting marshmallows on a perfect summer evening filled her voice.

The two embraced and kissed, then Delilah spoke quietly. "Yes, I am back. For now. I am wanted Stateside, and then to the Pacific, or so I am led to believe." The Muramasa sighed. "But I have time before I must Floo out to check in and see Mère, so I stopped by to see you. Also if you so wish, I can see about transporting myself and your ring to North Africa so you can be with your family if you do not want to stay here."

Zamarad abruptly placed a burning finger on Delilah's lips to quiet her. "Hush, heart of my heart. I have decided that when you leave for America, I shall inhabit my ring once more to cross the seas upon your bosom. After all, I wish to meet your mother and speak to her, and can stay with her when you are summoned to war once more. My father has been notified of my plans and agreed to them," mischief danced in Zamarad's eyes as she finished, "so I shall return to him when able." I gave him little choice in my explanation of matters, after all.

Delilah's smile lit up her face. "I'll pack anything you want me to carry in your luggage. Also I dug up some notes on the binding of spirits that may have answers to getting you out of the ring."

Zamarad smiled, "Good!" Then her face clouded and a harsh crackle of flame entered her voice. "But I have ill news. There is at least one Shayṭān on the loose in England. I saw it at the celebrations when Hitler was defeated."

Delilah's eyes narrowed. "I'll keep an eye out and warn Sis too. From the lore that I have researched, that is a definite threat."